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Minutes 05-01-97 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1997, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Nellie Denahan, Chairwoman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Anne Centi, Vice Chairwoman City Manager Ronald Ehster Dawn Russell David Weinstein Samuel Jackson III, Student ABSENT Muslima Lewis Margaret Newton Helena Fallon, Alternate Falechia Price, Student I. GREETINGS Chairperson Denahan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. She announced that today is National Day of Prayer. She thanked each member of the board for their support and said she included each and every one of them in her prayers today. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. III. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. Ms. Russell and Messrs. Jackson and Hawkins were not yet present. IV. MINUTES APPROVAL - APRIL 3, 1997 No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Mr. Ehster moved to approve the minutes of the April 3, 1997 meeting as submitted. Mr. Weinstein seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 1, 1997 V. Guest Speakers None. VI. PUBLIC AUDIENCE None. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Committee Reports 1. Atlantic High School 2. Christa McAuliffe Middle School 3. Citrus Cove Elementary 4. Congress Middle School 5. Forest Park Elementary 6. Galaxy Elementary 7. Hagen Road Elementary 8. Lantana Elementary 9. Manatee Elementary 10. Poinciana Elementary 11. Rolling Green Elementary 12. Santaluces High 13. Starlight Cove Elementary Galaxy Mr. Ehster reported that at the April SAC meeting, the survey results for the School Improvement Plan were distributed. He submitted the 1997/98 School Improvement Plan to Chairperson Denahan. At this time, Ms. Russell arrived. Mr. Weinstein advised that the Palm Beach County School Board attended the April Congress Middle School SAC meeting at . The School Improvement Plan was presented in depth. The school will be getting a new principal and Mr. Watson is being relocated. The school has been designated as a magnet school. It will be an integrated magnet school. It will not be a magnet school that is solely dedicated to science and technology, but they will focus on science and technology. They spoke about finances and were very pleased that the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Beach City Commission pledged seed money to get the magnet program off the ground. They also discussed the Boynton Beach High School. 2 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 1, 1997 At this time, Mr. Hawkins arrived. Forest Park Elementary School Chairperson Denahan reported that at the SAC meeting, the School Improvement Plan was presented. They are continuing to integrate goal number eight. The school is focusing on parent participation and math. Poinciana Elementary School Chairperson Denahan was unable to attend the SAC meeting; however, she understands the School Improvement Plan was presented and the third graders put on a small production. Rolling Green Chairperson Denahan advised that the SAC did not meeting in April. The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 1997. Rolling Green is working on three objectives—reading, math, and conflict resolution, including parent involvement in all of the strategies for these three objectives. This school is writing its School Improvement Plan a little different than all the other schools in the area because student mobility has an impact on the way they teach. They are writing their School Improvement Plan based on the test scores of the students who have been attending Rolling Green the entire time. They are not including students who continually move in and out of their school. The School Improvement Plan will be presented at the next meeting. B. Assignments Open 1. Crystal Lakes Elementary 2. Lake Worth Christian School 3. Lake Worth Community High School 4. Plumosa Elementary Liaisons are still needed for the above schools. Chairperson Denahan advised that the Education Advisory Board is covering more schools than it has in the past. She was proud that the board is able to service so many schools. C. Special Education Forum - June 5, 1997 - Boynton Woman’s Club 1. Agenda 2. Guest List 3. Invitations 4. Refreshments 5. Flyer Distribution 6. Back-up Plan, Additional Ideas 7. Additional Subcommittee Meeting Date and Time to Finalize Details 3 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 1, 1997 A subcommittee consisting of Chairperson Denahan, Vice Chairperson Centi, and Ms. Lewis met to discuss the Special Education Forum. Chairperson Denahan and Vice Chairperson Centi reported the following: It is hoped that Ms. Price and Mr. Jackson will be the welcome committee that evening. It is also hoped that the Atlantic High School Junior ROTC will be the color guard. If they are not able to, the Sheriff’s Office offered to do it. Some of the students from Poinciana will sing a song. A City Official will be asked to introduce the key speaker, Representative John C. Rayson, who will talk about the resolution regarding lottery accountability. Then there will be a question and answer period and refreshments. Chairperson Denahan circulated the agenda and asked for input from the other members of the board. She advised that the goal of this forum is to bring in the dignitaries from other cities with the hopes that they will go back to their cities and pass similar resolutions. At this time, Mr. Jackson arrived. Mr. Weinstein advised that he will be out of town until the end of August and will not be able to attend this forum. Ms. Russell, Mr. Ehster, and the subcommittee will meet to finalize the details of this forum. Chairperson Denahan advised that the guest list includes seven cities (Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and Lantana), all the Education Advisory Boards of those cities, as well as all the Mayors and Commissioners of those cities, the School Board, and all the schools that the Education Advisory Board services. She distributed flyers and invitations and asked the members of the board to post the flyers. Mr. Weinstein suggested sending invitations to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Chairperson Denahan advised that in the event Rep. Rayson is not able to attend at the last minute, Rep. Bill Andrews, the Chairman of the Education Committee, will attend in his place. VIII. NEW BUSINESS 4 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 1, 1997 A. Sunsetting of the Boards 1. Comments, concerns, discussion, and lobby efforts to our City Commission Chairperson Denahan and Mr. Hawkins advised the board of what transpired at the th April 11 City Commission Workshop regarding the future of boards in Boynton Beach, including the possible consolidation of this board with the Advisory Board on Children and Youth. Mr. Hawkins explained that the City Attorney has been instructed to rewrite ordinances for the Commission’s review relative to how boards can be combined. This process is going to take a while and requires the reading of two ordinances, with a public hearing to be held at the second reading. He did not know when the ordinance relative to this board would be presented to the Commission. Chairperson Denahan read portions of the minutes of the April 24, 1997 Advisory Board on Children and Youth meeting at which Vice Mayor Titcomb spoke on this issue. At that meeting, Chairperson St. John suggested the Education Advisory Board and the Advisory Board on Children and Youth meet on the same night each month and alternate which board meets first. Chairperson Denahan was not in agreement with this suggestion. Vice Chairperson Centi advised that the Commission also discussed absenteeism of board members. Chairperson Denahan felt the absentee policy should be more strict so that boards are more effective. She requested that the board members call the members of the Commission to express their own views on this matter. Mr. Weinstein suggested the Advisory Board on Children and Youth be a subcommittee of this board. Chairperson Denahan pointed out that at the Vision Conference, the assembly agreed that education was a priority and that we need a high school in Boynton Beach. She felt that if the Education Advisory Board is diluted in any way, it will send a bad message to the citizens of Boynton Beach. It was the consensus of the board that this board remain intact and not be consolidated with any other board. 5 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 1, 1997 Chairperson Denahan was of the opinion that people feel that their volunteer efforts are no longer wanted. IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Friday, May 2, 1997 - 3:30 p.m. - Follow up to the Strategic Action Planning Session for Visions 20/20 - United Way building - 2600 Quantum Boulevard B. Monday, May 5, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. - Joint City Commission/Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Meeting - City Hall Conference Room C - West nd Wing, 2 Floor C. Regular City Commission Meeting - Tuesday, May 6, 6:30 p.m. - City Hall Chambers D. Regular City Commission Meeting - Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m. - City Hall Chambers E. Education Advisory Board - next meeting - Thursday, June 5, 1997 - Boynton Beach City Hall Chambers Chairperson Denahan made these announcements and advised that the next Education Advisory Board meeting will be held at the Boynton Woman’s Club, not the Boynton Beach City Hall Chambers. With regard to Item IX.A, Mr. Hawkins advised that follow up to the Strategic Action Planning Session for Visions 20/20, Phase I (quick victory projects) will be presented. The emphasis areas are City-wide economic development and revitalization, neighborhood revitalization, education and youth involvement, public safety and crime prevention, and general quality of life. City staff worked in committees and came up with strategies (quick victory projects) to address each of the emphasis areas. At their second meeting in May, hopefully the Commission will adopt these quick victory projects which can be implemented and funded within 90 days. These strategies are meant to have visual impact. In June, there will be a public presentation of these strategies. Chairperson Denahan advised that she invited the staff members of the education strategy visions committee to the Forum in June. F. Grading Scale Ms. Russell advised that the State Legislature has changed the grading scale for high school students. That A and B grading scale will not change; however, the C and D 6 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 1, 1997 grading scale will. The lowest D that a student can get is a 70 percent as opposed to 65 percent. This will raise the standards. Also, students who participate in sports must have a 2.0 grade point average in their core classes. Their general GPA will be considered in addition to their core classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies). This will affect their eligibility to participate in sports. In addition, the incoming freshman have to have a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate in four years. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 7