Loading...
Minutes 04-02-98 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1998 PRESENT Heidi DeVries, Student Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz Ronald Ehster Commissioner Nellie Denahan Muslima Lewis Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Stephanie Murray Specialist Lannette Seabrook, Alternate David Weinstein ABSENT Dawn Russell David Brownstein, Alternate I. APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY CHAIR Ronald Ehster was appointed Acting Chairman to preside at tonight’s meeting. II. GREETINGS Acting Chairman Ehster welcomed Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz; Commissioner Nellie Denahan, former Chairperson of the Education Advisory Board; Hank Ackermann, Neighborhood Project Specialist of the City Manager’s Office; and Barbara Madden, the new Recording Secretary. The meeting was called to order at 6:42 p.m. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Acting Chairman Ehster led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. IV. ROLL CALL Acting Chairman Ehster called the roll and a quorum was declared present. V. MINUTES APPROVAL David Weinstein moved that the Minutes of the March 5, 1998 Meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Lannette Seabrook. Motion unanimously carried. VI. ELECTION OF NEW CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN MOTION MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 After discussion, upon motion by David Weinstein, it was voted to table the election of the new Chairman and Vice Chairman until the next meeting. Motion seconded by Muslima Lewis. Motion carried unanimously. VII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE NONE VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation of Charter Schools by Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz Vice Mayor Shirley Jaskiewicz was invited to the podium to present her findings on Charter Schools. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated that she had originally brought up the matter of Charter Schools at a Commission meeting in order to press the issue of construction of a new high school for Boynton Beach. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz had been advocating a new high school for over ten years. Workshops with the School Board were held over a two-year period. However, nothing ever developed from these workshops regarding construction or funding of a new high school for Boynton Beach. The School Board also continued to insist that funding for a new high school would have to be accomplished via a bond issue. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz also pointed out that in 1986 a bond issue was passed which was to include a high school for Boynton Beach. However, this never came about. In fact, a new high school was built, but it was built in the Village of Royal Palm Beach, even though Royal Palm Beach’s population was 17,000, compared to Boynton Beach, which is over 50,000. In fact, the population today in Boynton Beach is close to 54,000. After exploring many tactics to make the high school a reality, the School Board was against construction of a new high school in Boynton Beach. Because of the frustration, Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz decided to by-pass the School Board and to bring the issue of a new high school directly to the State Legislature. A lobbyist was employed to assist in this legislation. If the bond issue was explored again, that could take another ten years. It was suggested that in order for the high school issue to be seriously considered, the issue of charter schools be explored. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated this was a last resort tactic. She further stated that the School Board has a responsibility to provide appropriate schools for our children. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz also suggested that 2 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 the City apply for PECO dollars, which were available to construct the charter school, and an outside agency could be hired to run it. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz stated that there are five charter schools in the process of being approved in Palm Beach County, but all of these schools will be located in an existing facility and the total enrollment will be 1,000 inclusive. Also, these schools are special needs schools. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz also stated that the charter school route was available to the City because of the critical need that exists in Boynton Beach, and the possibility that the City would have been eligible for PECO funds to build a new high school. At the next COBWRA Meeting that Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz attended, a member of the School Board was present and informed her that at the next School Board meeting will be considering use of the COPS to fund a new high school for Boynton Beach. Funding was approved by the School Board on a 5 to 4 vote, and construction would be funded through the COPS fund. As everyone knows, the plans have now been finalized and by March 1999 the construction of the high school should commence. With the addition of a new high school, our elementary schools are adequate to provide a good education to the children of Boynton Beach. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz complimented the Education Advisory Board on the wonderful job they are providing to the City and stated the Education Advisory Board is a vital part of the educational system in this City. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz referred to a newspaper article that she had clipped from her hometown paper in Secaucus, New Jersey where a new high school in that Town was also lobbied for. She also stated that Secaucus has initiated a new program called ‘gender specific classes”, which in effect offers all girls and all boys classes. These classes have eliminated the pressures that standard classrooms have presented. This might be something this Board may want to explore for our schools as well. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz also informed the Board that there was a charter school in Liberty City in Miami that was started by Jeb Busch. There is also a charter school in St. Lucie County that is sanctioned by the school board. Students must wear uniforms; there are strict discipline guidelines; and there is a strict curriculum. David Weinstein expressed his appreciation for Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz' efforts in making the high school a reality. Mr. Weinstein also expressed his disdain for charter schools on an educational basis and felt this Board should move on to 3 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 other issues. Mr. Weinstein further stated the priority of this Board should be to improve our existing schools and not seek charter school alternatives. Mr. Weinstein passed out articles regarding charter schools and advised the Board about the legislative mandate that the public schools are subject to, but charter schools are not. He also expressed his concern that charter schools would eventually decimate our public school system if they were allowed to flourish. Mr. Weinstein further stated that charter schools are restrictive and would siphon off the best students in the school system. These schools also have the ability to turn troubled and problem students back into the public school system, which in effect would leave the public schools with every disciplinary and problem student imaginable. Mr. Weinstein told the Board that the concept of education at public expense is not for the benefit of the child, but for the benefit of society. That is the basic fundamental of educational programming. If society weeds out certain students for charter schools, leaving the remainder in public schools, the public schools will be in a tremendous amount of trouble. Discussion continued on methods of improving the public school system and the problems that exist in the schools. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz shared some of her teaching experiences in Boynton Beach. Mr. Weinstein also expressed his concerns that charter schools will also siphon off the best teachers, as well as the best students, creating a tremendous vacuum in the public education system. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz informed the Board that getting charter schools into an area is very difficult. There must be a need to exist for these schools. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz also compared the magnet schools to charter schools. Magnet schools are attracting the better quality student, and they should be available to all students. Discussion continued regarding the magnet school system in the County. Mr. Weinstein informed the Board that Congress Middle School is going to become a science and technology magnet school. Ms. Lewis felt that the magnet school concept has proved a great benefit to the school system. Commissioner Denahan briefed the Board on the two-day seminars that are being offered to educators through the Chamber of Commerce called “World Class Schools”. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz suggested that these seminars should be made available to all teachers. Acting Chairman Ehster thanked Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz for her very informative presentation on charter schools and asked if there were any other comments. 4 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 There were none. B. School Improvements Plan Presentations Program Commissioner Denahan stated that School Improvement Plan Presentations was a project that David Brownstein wanted to explore. Unfortunately, Commissioner Denahan resigned as Chair of this Board upon her election to the Boynton Beach Commission. Anne Centi was going to assume the Chair of this Board, but Ms. Centi felt this project was too great a project for this Board to undertake in such a short amount of time. This resulted in Ms. Centi’s resignation from the Education Advisory Board. Because of these mitigating circumstances, Mr. Brownstein has decided not to pursue this project at this time. Perhaps it can be reinstated next year. Ms. Lewis stated that she had spoken with four other schools, and they all have their plans in place for the year and are not receptive to taking on any new projects at this time. MOTION Ms. Lewis moved that this Board not proceed with the School Improvement Plan Presentations Program at this time and that the Program be considered for the next academic year. Motion seconded by Stephanie Murray. Motion carried unanimously. C. FUTURE SPEAKERS No Comment IX. OLD BUSINESS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS Atlantic Community High School Miss Lewis stated she did not have anything to report at this time. Christa McAuliffe Middle School No report Citrus Cove Elementary School 5 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 No report Congress Middle School Mr. Weinstein reported that Congress Middle School is now a total magnet school. Until last month it was a magnet segmented school, but had not been designated a magnet school. The entire curriculum is being revised and a total modification of the teaching staff is being made. This means a large percentage of the teachers will be leaving. Congress Middle School does not have to make a presentation of its School Improvement Plan. The School has been given a waiver due to the new designation. The School Improvement Plan for next year will be totally revised. Mr. Weinstein further stated that there will be a large amount of students in the school who will not be part of the science and technology aspect of the magnet school; but ultimately the greatest part of the school will be in the science and technology magnet school. Mr. Weinstein said that this new designation was a result of the hard work of this Board and the Commissioners of Boynton Beach, who are extremely dedicated to education. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz wanted to know where the students who do not attend the Congress Magnet School would go to school. Mr. Weinstein told Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz that those students will currently remain in the school and curriculum outside the scope of the magnet school will be offered to them. However, the new students entering the School will be making application to become part of the science and technology magnet school. Crystal Lakes Elementary School No Report Forest Park Elementary School Heidi DeVries informed the Board that the School Improvement Plan was th presented at the March 30 PTA Meeting, at which time the science and math fair also took place. Approximately 75 parents attended. Galaxy Elementary School No report 6 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 Hagen Ranch Road Elementary School No report Lake Worth Christian School No report Lake Worth Community High School No report Poinciana Elementary School Commissioner Denahan reported that the School Improvement Plan is being finalized. Because Commissioner Denahan is the recording secretary on the committee, it is difficult for her at times to determine what is actually taking place at the meetings, as she has to take notes. It has been decided that three goals will be targeted, which are math, reading and attaining a minimum of 75% of incoming kindergarten students participating in a school readiness workshop. The Committee has been meeting approximately every two weeks since January. A majority of the meeting time has been devoted to rewriting the by-laws. The rd School Improvement Plan Presentation will be presented on April 23. The th Committee will meet on April 14 to finalize the plans for the presentation. Rolling Green Elementary School st Commissioner Denahan reported that on March 31 she met with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for renewal of their accreditation. Rolling Green will be going on a new program with regard to renewal. The School voluntarily chose this method. The School Improvement Plan is being finalized. th The presentation will be April 28. Santaluces High School Acting Chair Ehster reported that he has been attending the meetings at Santaluces and brought the minutes of the last meeting with him for anyone that wishes to review them. Acting Chair Ehster stated that nothing significant has taken place at the School and expressed an interest in becoming more involved with the high schools. 7 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 B. Education Advisory Board Goals David Weinstein informed the Board that about three months ago he composed a letter inviting each SAC Chair to appoint a representative to attend Advisory Board Meetings in order to make recommendations to this Board. Mr. Weinstein felt it would be beneficial to have each school appoint a representative and this would provide a good opportunity to exchange ideas and make recommendations. Commissioner Denahan stated that the letter was, in fact, circulated to all SAC Chairs at all schools in January of this year. To date, there has been no response from any school. Ms. Seabrook suggested that if the letter was sent out in the future, it would be beneficial to follow up the letter with telephone calls to each school. Mr. Weinstein told the Board that he was attending a SAC meeting next week and will ask the SAC Chair to appoint a representative to attend our Advisory Board meetings. Discussion continued regarding having SAC representatives at this Board’s monthly meetings. Commissioner Denahan suggested that when the letter is sent out, it be mentioned that this will not take place until the new school year begins in the fall. It was also suggested that the issue of School Improvement Plan Presentations could be mentioned also. C. UPDATE ON G.A.L.A. Commissioner Denahan stated this item would be deleted from future Agendas. IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS UPDATE ON HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Ackermann referred members to the handout on the High School, which lists the six committees that have been formed. Each Committee has met at least once. People are still needed for various Committee assignments. Anyone wishing to serve should contact Virginia Farace. Acting Chair Ehster inquired if anyone from this Board serves on any of the High School Committees. Commissioner Denahan stated she serves on one and that David Brownstein serves on several Committees. Acting Chair Ehster told the Board that he serves on the Technology Committee. He also inquired who receives the input from these Committees. Commissioner 8 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA April 2, 1998 Denahan stated that the information is distributed to the Steering Committee, which is comprised of two co-chairs, one a community person and the other a th School Board person. The next Steering Committee Meeting is Monday, May 4 and is open to the public. Acting Chair Ehster reported that during the last technology meeting, the subject of laptops in the high school was discussed and the issue of offering laptops in magnet schools surfaced as well. It appears that Poinciana Elementary School is targeted for laptops at this time. Commissioner Denahan added that the Poinciana School Improvement Plan includes making computers more accessible to the students who do not have computers at home. The computers will be available for students’ use after school. The teachers should be commended for offering their free time so that the students can have access to the computers. Vice Mayor Jaskiewicz advised the Board that the meeting room in the City Hall in the Mall is available for their use. A month’s notice to reserve the meeting room is required. Heidi DeVries stated that there is no summer school for elementary school children. Ms. DeVries suggested that in order to assist these students in passing to the next grade, because they were failing in a particular subject, this Board should institute a summer tutoring program for these students. The suggestion by Heidi DeVries was received favorably and it was further suggested that the tutoring could be done in conjunction with the Youth Advisory Board volunteer program. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 9