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Minutes 11-29-95 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1995, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Anne Centi, Chairperson Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Margaret Newton, Vice Chairperson Manager Kenneth Blair Muslima Lewis Renee Stern Rhona Schneider Nellie Denahan, Alternate ABSENT Irving Sechter Daniel Winters, Alternate Ben Demaline, Student I. GREETINGS Chairperson Centi called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and welcomed the guest speakers to the meeting. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited. III. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. Ms. Stern and Ms. Schneider were not yet present. IV. MINUTES APPROVAL Motion Ms. Denahan moved to approve the minutes of the October 25, 1995 meeting. Ms. Lewis seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 V. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. VI. PUBLIC AUDIENCE A. Speakers 1. James Kelly, Chief of Police Security for Palm Beach School Board and District Police Chairwoman Centi introduced Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly described the programs being implemented in the School District to keep the schools safe. A couple of years ago, tourists in the State of Florida were victims of juvenile crimes. For years we have been telling the people in the juvenile field that we need to put money into crime prevention and that the reactionary side of arrest is not going to solve the problems. We need long term investment and preventative programs. Last year, the State came through with a lot of programs. Safe School money allowed the District to start some innovative programs, which are enjoyed by all municipalities. An after school program was started in the schools. Congress Middle School is a participant in this program. This program is not a babysitting program. It was meant to become an integral part of helping kids learn in other ways that they are not getting in school. It is meant to help at risk students find a way to pick up on courses that they are not picking up on, to have the socialization that they are not getting, to get the positive adult interaction that they are not getting, etc. The State gave us money to set up after school programs in the middle schools. However, the program must contain tutorial, recreational, and behavioral modification components. They can be integrated or they can be separate programs. Also, they wanted the school Advisory Committees involved. They recognized that every school could have a different program. In fact, in the majority of our schools they are totally different based on the needs and desires of the students. Some of the schools found that you must involve the students in the program or they are not going to participate, and the programs will not be successful. We found that when teachers, guidance counselors, principals and parents brought these children to our attention, they became involved in the after school program and, over time, their grades and attendance improved and disciplinary problems decreased. At this time, Ms. Stern and Ms. Schneider arrived. 2 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 Mr. Kelly advised that this program has been expanded this year to five more schools. He stated that last year, they started building new prisons. In another of couple of years they are going to have to man those prisons. That is going to take a lot of Safe School money away from other programs. Therefore, we are encouraging the schools to expand this program and have a fee base structure for students who want to participate so that if funding is cut back, the program will not die. Mr. Kelly advised that the vital part of this program is that it involves community partnerships. It is a great example of private and public entities working together for the kids. Mr. Kelly explained the Youth Court program, which is an expansion of the First Time Offender program started five years ago by Detective Tony Principe of the Boynton Beach Police Department. The concept is to deal very strongly with young people when the very first time they become involved in crime to prevent them from becoming involved deeper. this is a County-wide program. Sarasota has had this program for a number of years and it has been very successful. Students are trained to be the attorneys, jurors, bailiffs, and clerks. The judges are real Circuit Court judges. From February 22 through October 25, 109 defendants went through the Youth Court. Only two of them failed to meet the conditions of the Youth Court sanctions by either committing another crime or failing to follow through. When a juvenile is charged with a crime, he and his parents are giving the choice of going through the Criminal Justice System or the Youth Court. If the juvenile goes through the Youth Court and successfully completes the sanctions that are given to him, no charges will be filed and he will have no record. Juveniles go to the Youth Court admitting guilt, not to argue whether or not they have committed an act. The only issue in the Youth Court are the sanctions. After the verdict, the defendant signs a contract. If he fails to abide by that contract and commits another crime, he will be charged with that crime, as well as the one for which he went to the Youth Court. Mr. Kelly said this program is working well and provides positive reinforcement and gives an avenue to the kids who want to be involved. It also gives the kids who have strayed a little an opportunity to get involved in positive things. Mr. Kelly advised that officers are assigned to every high school and middle school. Their main objective is to be involved with the students and to help them stay out of trouble. A majority of their work is prevention. We want to work with the kids before they get into fights and have problems. If something occurs, we get right on top of it so that it does not escalate. We were told by Crisis Line that many kids have told them that they feel more comfortable talking to the officers than they do the guidance 3 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 counselors. Mr. Kelly pointed out that we cannot prevent anything if we fail to communicate with the young people. Crime Stoppers is an alternative avenue for the students who fail to approach the officers for fear of retaliation or other reasons. They can call anonymously to report information about crimes. Rewards are offered; however, a majority of the students and parents do not claim them. Mr. Kelly advised that the School District is always working on new ways to communicate with the students. The Sheriff of Palm Beach County has formed a task force in the South County, which consists of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and the School Board, to work together on the gang situation. Mr. Kelly stated that the first thing you need to do with a gang problem is to identify it. If you cannot identify the numbers, the locations, and the severity and depth of the problem, then you really cannot organize an effort to fight it. The Sheriff has instituted a program called the PALMS network. This is a computer network that all police agencies are tied into. This allows us to enter data directly into the computer from one agency and make it immediately available to all agencies. We are going to deal with gangs both in an aggressive way with the front end gang members who are too far into crime, and also in a positive, proactive way with the kids who are merely influenced by the misinformation they are given. Mr. Kelly said if you do not respond to crime on campus quickly and with a definitive program, you are really not doing anything. Therefore, about a year ago, a Safe Schools Task Force was formed and focused on creating a new policy dealing with criminal acts committed on School District property. The School Board enacted that policy, which is a very strict policy. It contains minimum mandatory sanctions for criminal acts committed on School District property. As a result, there was a 76 percent decrease in firearms possession and a 57 percent decrease in overall weapons possession. Mr. Kelly explained that the line was defined for the students. They were told what behavior is expected of them and what will happen if they go beyond that. Then you follow through. When you do that, it sends out a message. Mr. Kelly also reported that eight drug dogs regularly go on the campuses to sniff the lockers, cars, and grounds for drugs. Two dogs are trained to sniff for guns. All this is done very visibly because we want to deter the acts. There was a problem with the students' behavior on the school buses. Therefore, a 4 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 program was started last year where we put boxes on every bus. Some of the boxes contain cameras and some do not. You cannot tell if a box contains a camera or not. The cameras are rotated on a regular basis. This dramatically decreased the incidents on the school buses. This year, police aides were put in all the high schools as an additional measure of security. Teachers were trained to respond to a crises. Some teens on campus have been trained to handle situations that get out of control. Chairwoman Centi asked about gangs, violence, and vandalism in Boynton Beach. Mr. Kelly stated that the School District has a policy about covering over graffiti quickly. There are gangs in the west Boynton area. When they are identified, their parents are notified. He advised that the schools are fine. Ms. Schneider read in the newspaper about a school north of Boynton Beach that is having a lot of problems. The School Board just now agreed to put two police aides in that school, and they are now going to put these kids in special programs or special classes. She asked why it took so long to do this and why a kid has to be suspended five times before anything is done. Mr. Kelly advised that two officers are assigned to that school. The aides were an addition. He explained that the school system has many priorities. However, there is only so much money and, unfortunately, sometimes things come to a head before they are addressed. There are alternative programs for high school students. Middle school age students are accepted; however, the priority in the past has been on high school students. An alternative program provides a place to put a student who is not acting properly into a more closely supervised situation to turn that behavior around or to channel it if it cannot be turned around. Mr. Kelly pointed out that a student could have been suspended for minor infractions the first few times. He advised that new programs are being tried to turn around the behavior of the middle school students before they get into high school. Chairperson Centi thanked Mr. Kelly for his presentation. 2. John Gentile, Acting Budget Coordinator for the Palm Beach County School Board John Gentile and Don Drake were present. They distributed and reviewed in detail the School Board of Palm Beach County FY 96 Budget, dated September 13, 1995. Mr. 5 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 Gentile advised that our total budget is approximately $1.4 billion. The operating budget is $740 million. The capital budget is used to construct facilities and provide equipment. Mr. Gentile reviewed the operating budget. He briefed the Board on the sources of revenue as follows: Federal $ 2,352,000 (0.3%) State 262,145,278 (35.4%) Local 451,600,013 (61.0%) Fund Balance 24,035,685 (3.2%) Total $740,132,976 The Fund Balance contains items that were encumbered that year and are carried over. Local taxes are primarily ad valorem taxes and property taxes. The Florida Educational Finance Program is our main source of revenue. He explained the Florida Educational Finance Program (FEFP) revenue Calculation process as follows: The Full Time Equivalence (FTE) (the number of students attending the schools), times the Program Cost Factors (based on the special needs of the emotionally or physically handicapped students), equals the weighted FTE, times the Base Student Allocation times the District Cost Differential, equals the Base FEFP Allocation, minus the RLE (Local Required Effort--how much will be raised in local property taxes) (Local FEFP dollars), equals the State FEFP dollars. With regard to the funding sources, Mr. Gentile stated that categorical revenue is revenue that is mandated for special programs, such as busing, instructional material, and Safe Schools. We must spend it for a program or we lose it. The rebudgets are items that are carried over from the prior year. The following items are not generated by the State or property taxes: Transfer from capital Fund balance-encumbrances Community/SACC fees Interest income Other (13 items) Mr. Gentile advised that the money is spent as follows: 6 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 Schools - 80.8% Reserves - 1.1% Countywide - 3.0% Transportation - 3.1% Administration - 4.7% Capital transfer - 7.2% Mr. Gentile reviewed how much is allocated to education (instructional programs) as follows: General instruction - 40.5% ESE - 19.4% (grades 1 thru 12) ESOL - 5.8% Vocational education - 7.1% Drop out prevention - 3.4% Kindergarten - 4.0% Art, music, PE - 3.2% Community education - 3.2% Subs and suppl - 2.4% Textbooks - 2.8% All other - 8.2% Eight-five percent of the Operating Fund is spent on salary and benefits. Fifteen percent is spent on purchased services, energy services, materials and supplies, and capital outlay. Mr. Hawkins asked if the debt service is for State bonds. It was explained to him that the debt service that was approved at the State level is raising the big pot and so much is being allocated to the District. This is to finance our debt. For example, we have $400 to $500 million in outstanding obligations. Each year we have to service the interest rate, which is approximately 5 percent. This is providing the funds to service that debt. Most of that money is used for construction of schools. Mr. Hawkins asked if the 1986 bond issue is part of this. Mr. Gentile answered affirmatively. In response to a question posed by Mr. Hawkins, it was explained to him that seven pilot programs have been identified as follows: Budget Allocation Process Summer School Seventh Period Distance Learning 7 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 Staff Development Orientation Program Employee Benefits In response to Ms. Stern, Mr. Gentile said the composite rated average of all students is 1.27. About 20 percent of the total students are in ESE. A good portion of them are English speakers of other languages. At this time, Ms. Denahan left the meeting. Mr. Drake reviewed the capital budget. He advised that we were only able to allocate $46 million for construction this year, including remodeling, infrastructure, reroofing, etc. The problem is growth. We are getting 5,000 new students each year. He advised the members of the Board of the funding alternatives if schools are to be built: Sec. 237 loan ? Lease Purchase Financing ? Two mills for two years ? Bond Issue ? Sales Tax ? He said the only way that the Boynton Beach schools will probably be built is if the sales tax referendum passes. Mr. Hawkins asked if a financial analysis has been done on potential cost savings for year round schools or double sessions. Mr. Drake advised that the savings would solely be in the capital budget. Mr. Gentile added that the last study done by the School District showed no savings. Chairwoman Centi asked how the Education Advisory Board could get a high school in Boynton Beach. Mr. Gentile advised that the financial resources are limited. He suggested political pressure at Tallahassee to change their priorities from criminal justice to education. He pointed out that it cost $20,000 a year to incarcerate someone, and only $3,000 a year to provide education for a student. Chairwoman Centi thanked Mr. Gentile and Mr. Drake for their excellent presentations. 8 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Review draft of letter to Mayor and City Commissioners reference high schools Ms. Lewis felt we should reconsider this letter in light of the budgetary issues mentioned by Mr. Gentile and Mr. Drake. Motion Mr. Blair moved to table this item until the next meeting. Ms. Stern seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. At this time, Ms. Lewis left the meeting. B. EAB support for House Bill #107 Lottery Accountability Motion Mrs. Newton moved to table this item until the next meeting. Mr. Blair seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. C. Change meeting day Mr. Hawkins advised that the Board can change the day of their regular meeting. D. Committee Reports This item was tabled until the next meeting. Ms. Schneider inquired about hiring an educational lobbyist to go to Tallahassee. Mr. Blair advised her that the School District has such a lobbyist. Ms. Stern felt we need a lobbyist on the Board for a high school. Mr. Hawkins pointed out that this Board is sort 9 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 of the lobbyist. Ms. Schneider asked how effective a lobbyist is in Tallahassee. Mr. Hawkins advised that it depends on the lobbyist's qualifications. A lobbyist who knows their way around the political process can be very effective. Mr. Blair advised that Chuck Shaw used to be the School Board's lobbyist. Ms. Schneider wondered if there was anything the Board could do to support a lobbyist effort in Tallahassee. Mr. Hawkins advised that Palm Beach County has a Legislative Delegation made up of the legislators elected by the people to go to Tallahassee. They have town meetings various times during the year where people can present bills to them to bring to the floor. The members of this Board could attend those meetings. Also, when Palm Beach County goes to Tallahassee, this Board could make sure the City is represented in that group of people to talk about the issues that this City feels need to be pushed. This Board could act as a conduit to get the City Commission to get people to go to Tallahassee, and to speak at the local Legislative Delegation meetings. Ms. Stern pointed out that some budgets are never tapped because nobody knows they are available. At Mrs. Newton's suggestion, Mr. Hawkins will invite Mr. Shaw to make a presentation before this Board regarding lobbying in Tallahassee. Discussion ensued about how Royal Palm Beach got their school built. Mr. Blair said they built the school and leased it back to the School District. Mr. Hawkins said that idea is being considered; however, we have to take into consideration the ability of the School District to pay the City back. He added that we want a math/science magnet program in the high school and we need cooperation from Motorola and other private sources to make sure that happens. There are some loose ends to be tied up before we formally tell the School Board that we want to do that. Also, we have to be able to convince the people in Boynton Beach that we can afford to float that type of bond. Ms. Schneider asked if Motorola would be very supportive. Mr. Hawkins pointed out that Motorola is going through a lot of changes. They layed off 100 middle management people and are going through some organizational restructuring. He thinks discussions will have to start all over again. He pointed out that they never said 10 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 they would be financially supportive. They said they would be supportive, which could mean in kind contributions, training, sharing of facilities, etc. Mr. Blair advised that the City wrote a letter to the School District about maintenance of the compound just south of Congress Middle School. There is an unsightly satellite dish there and there is a traffic hazard as you drive out onto Congress Avenue. Children are being dropped off in the same area where the maintenance vehicles pass by. He would like to add this item to Committee Reports on future agendas to report on its progress. Motion Mr. Blair moved to add this item to Committee Reports on the future agendas. Ms. Schneider seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Report from the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce Educational Board - Nellie Denahan Ms. Denahan had left the meeting earlier in the evening. B. Report from Business SAC Meeting - Anne Centi This item was tabled until the next meeting. C. Special request from Plumosa School This item was tabled until the next meeting. IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Principal Heyward, Santaluces Community High School will be happy to host our January or February meeting at Santaluces High School Chairwoman Centi advised that she received permission from Mr. Heyward to hold one of the Board meetings at Santaluces Community High School next year. 11 MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 29, 1995 B. Date for December Meeting The date of the next meeting was changed to December 20. It will be held in Conference Room "A". X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 12