Loading...
Minutes 06-05-97 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1997, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Nellie Denahan, Chairwoman Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Anne Centi, Vice Chairwoman City Manager Ronald Ehster Muslima Lewis Dawn Russell Samuel Jackson III, Student ABSENT Margaret Newton David Weinstein Helena Fallon, Alternate INTRODUCTION At 6:45 p.m., Chairperson Denahan introduced herself and welcomed everyone to the Lottery Accountability Forum. Tonight she was excited to celebrate a victory for children. She introduced Muslima Lewis. ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL COLOR GUARD & JR. ROTC Ms. Lewis advised that as a parent of an Atlantic High School student, she has had the opportunity to observe the Junior ROTC Color Guard and the Drill Team on a number of occasions and was very impressed with them. She advised that the Color Guard is an all female Color Guard. She read the names of the members of the Color Guard and the Drill Team. The Color Guard entered and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mr. Ehster. The Drill Team then put on a magnificent performance. SANTALUCES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Ms. Denahan introduced Samuel Jackson, III, a junior at Santaluces High School and a student member of the Boynton Beach Education Advisory Board. Mr. Jackson acknowledged the presence of Glen Heywood, the Principal of Santaluces High School. He then read a poem regarding how one person can make a difference. After MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 5, 1997 that, he introduced Kimberly Lynch, who is also a junior at Santaluces High School. Ms. Lynch read an essay regarding education being the key to a better life. POINCIANA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SINGERS Chairperson Denahan introduced Dawn Russell. Ms. Russell was very proud of Poinciana Elementary School, as well as all the other schools in Boynton Beach. She introduced Ms. Pignato and her students. Ms. Pignato led her students in singing three songs. After the children sang, she stated that she is happy to be at Poinciana because of their progressive way of teaching. VICE MAYOR JAMIE TITCOMB Chairperson Denahan introduced Vice Mayor Titcomb, whom she said is extremely supportive of the Education Advisory Board and has helped put this forum together. Vice Mayor Titcomb was honored to be among such talented youngsters and experts. He read portions of the Resolution that the City Commission passed in 1996 in support of lottery accountability. He encouraged everyone to be very active with regard to trying to get a high school in the City of Boynton Beach. He then introduced Mayor Taylor. MAYOR GERALD “JERRY” TAYLOR Mayor Taylor was filled with pride tonight. He was impressed with the discipline of the Drill Team. He said these kids belong to the community and are all of our kids. He advised that the members of the Education Advisory Board were the driving force in having the City Commission support the lottery accountability legislation. He introduced Rep. John C. Rayson, the author of the Lottery Accountability Legislation. GUEST SPEAKER - REP. JOHN C. RAYSON Rep. Rayson was honored to be here. He said he wants to be part of bringing a high school to the City of Boynton Beach. He advised that people from all walks of life and all occupations are representatives and senators in Tallahassee. Most have families and are real people, not just politicians. He felt this character is good for the State of Florida. He advised everyone of what transpired at the 1997 Legislative Session, specifically with respect to the Lottery Accountability Act which he sponsored in 1996. He stated that people always wanted to know what happened to the lottery money; however, the 2 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 5, 1997 elected officials could not accurately report where the proceeds were going. All they knew was that the promise of the Florida Lottery, which is the most successful lottery in the nation, was not being fulfilled. In 1988 when it was proposed, it was supposed to be used for educational enhancements. Instead, it was used for general revenue. This is why he wrote this lottery accountability bill. He appreciated the positive response he received, and the resolution that was passed by the City and said it helped tremendously. He advised that the Bright Future Scholarship Program is being funded by the Florida Lottery. College scholarships for graduates of Florida high schools were created with lottery money. The program is expansive so that anyone who wants to get a post secondary education can get a scholarship. If you get a 3.5 (B+) average you can get a scholarship for tuition, fees, and books. If you get a 3.0 (B) average, you can get your tuition and fees paid, but not extra book money. In addition, those who are qualified but do not want to go to college can get a scholarship to go to post secondary vocational school. The Florida Academic Scholarship Program is for the top echelon students. The Gold Seal Program also has a set of rigid standards. The Lottery Scholarship Program holds great promise for any individual graduating from our public high schools who wants to further their education. In addition, a law was passed which gives every public school in the State of Florida $10.00 for every student in their school, to be spent in any manner that the School Advisory Councils deem appropriate. Because of the efforts of civic minded citizens, we are now on the road to Lottery Accountability in the State of Florida. For the fourth year in a row, we were not required to raise new taxes in the State of Florida because of the natural growth in the budget. In addition, this year, there was so much new revenue in the State of Florida ($2.2 billion) than we had in the last three prior years combined. Half of that new revenue ($1.1 billion) was discretionary funds. Out of that $1.1 billion, we put $698 million into the public education budget. This means that every district throughout the State of Florida will receive an increase. We also took a step to raise standards in the State of Florida. If we have low expectations for our bright children, how can be expect them to do anything other than meet the standard. Prior to this year, a 1.5 (D+) average was sufficient to graduate high school. Now a 2.0 (C) average is required to graduate from a Florida high school, and you must take algebra and have comprehension in reading. We cannot afford to be graduating people and taking them to community college when the first thing they need is remediation, which is costly. We will do a better job in educating our children. Rep. Rayson felt our children will respond when we raise the required average to graduate from a D+ to a C. 3 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 5, 1997 This year he was taken from the K through 12 Committee and appointed as the Democrat Lead on the Colleges and Universities Committee. He advised that the Academic Scholarship, the Gold Seal Scholarship, and the Lottery scholarships are based on academic excellence. The Need Base Scholarships only receive 25 percent of what the Academic Scholarships receive. He did not think this was right. He did not want to take a penny away from the Academic Scholarships; however, he wanted to create opportunities for needy persons to go to college. Therefore, tuition was raised at our colleges and universities by 7.8 percent. Florida universities charge the lowest tuition in the United States, except for the State of Idaho. We dedicated 50 percent of that tuition increase toward Need Base Scholarships to create opportunities for Floridians. The Florida Prepaid College Program was enacted, which allows you to prepay tuition at today’s rates. It is transportable in case a student wants to go to an out-of-state college. Even if you cash out, you will get a guaranteed level of interest. Rep. Rayson highly recommended this program. Rep. Rayson advised that one of the greatest problems we have is a lack of classroom space and overcrowded classrooms. We cannot keep up with the growth and we have not set up a pot to keep up with the building program. There are a lot of portable classrooms. The Select Committee on Educational Facilities was created to attack this issue. Unfortunately, that Committee was disbanded after just two meetings and that issue remains unresolved. Gov. Chiles is going to be working over the summer with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to address this issue. Some legislators wanted to allow for a local option gas mill increase to be dedicated for school construction. Rep. Rayson was in support of this. He felt it was not a tax increase, but a local option that people can vote on. The money would be legally and statutorily dedicated for the sole purpose of school construction. Rep. Rayson concluded by stating that our greatest treasure is our children. They are our legacy and heritage and with everyone’s help, we will not let them down. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS A lady in the audience asked if a student needs a C average in all core subjects to graduate high school. Rep. Rayson said, “No.” The student just has to have a 2.0 average. Rep. Rayson said our work is not done. We have plenty to do and need the Boynton Beach Education Advisory Board to help us and stay close on issues. A gentleman in the audience said he totally supports the scholarship program that the State is undertaking. However, the County told him that the amount of money we get 4 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 5, 1997 from the lottery is going to be cut next year because it is going to be put into a scholarship fund. Rep. Rayson stated that when you take money out of the lottery, the amount remaining is less. However, you have to make choices. The lottery is strong and very viable and seems to keep growing. A lady in the audience inquired about the criteria for the Needs Base Scholarship Program. Rep. Rayson advised that a student must have a 2.5 average and meet certain economic criteria. Chairperson Denahan thanked Rep. Rayson for coming. CLOSING REMARKS Anne Centi, Chairperson of the Education Advisory Board thanked Rep. Rayson and advised that the Education Advisory Board has followed him for two years and has worked closely with him. She thanked the Mayor and City Commissioners for passing the resolution in support of lottery accountability. She was pleased that every child in the State of Florida can now benefit from the lottery money. She presented Rep. Rayson with a gift in token of everyone’s appreciation. The forum ended at 7:55 p.m. and refreshments were served. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 5