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Minutes 01-22-09 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009, AT 7:00 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Stephen Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Paulette Ford Hattie Miller Loretta Wilkinson Robert Chiste, Student Voting Member Absent: Carol Lundquist Lesha Roundtree Lisa Pierre, Student Voting Member I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Ms. Ford introduced herself and discussed her background. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence Mr. Chiste led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silent reflection for our men and women in the Armed Forces and to wish President Obama well. III. Approval of Minutes of December 4, 2008 Motion Ms. Morera moved to approve the minutes of December 4, 2008. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman requested Item A. "Sister Cities" under VII. New Business be moved to Item B., and "Presidential Classrooms" added as Item A in conjunction with Item VI. "Public Audience." 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida January 22, 2009 Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Morera seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence Ms. Claude advised the next Sand Sifters monthly beach cleanup would be held February 7, 2009 at Oceanfront Park. The Sand Sifters would also be commencing cleanups at Intracoastal Park beginning February 21, 2009. The events ran from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. This information had been provided to the volunteers for whom email addresses had been provided. Chair Waldman noted the Principal of Boynton Beach Community High School thanked the Board for its donation of $500 to the School's Basketball Program. VI. Public Audience Linda Friedman, teacher, Boynton Beach Community High School, noted the Board had been instrumental in the success of a minority student, "Victor," who received a scholarship and would be graduating from college in two years. He had been offered an internship this summer at the U.S. State Department. Ms. Friedman wished to take seven students from the High School to this year's Presidential Classrooms. Three of the students, Natalia Venegas, Lisa Jacobs and Nicholas Santamaria, were present. The students excelled in their studies and were from various ethnic backgrounds. They selected the "Scholars Week" program, which would begin February 14, 2009. They had participated in various fundraising events for the trip and requested the Board's assistance. It was noted the School Advisory Committee (SAC) had not provided funding. Natalia Venegas pointed out the Presidential Classroom programs provided an opportunity to observe Democracy in action. Chair Waldman added the event provided excellent networking opportunities. The Board had donated $1,000 from the miscellaneous fund for last year's Presidential Classrooms. Suggestions included having the students approach the Commission directly for donations from the Community Investment Funds. Chair Waldman noted monies were available in the miscellaneous fund, and he would be willing to donate for the event. Ms. Friedman noted over a six-year period, she had taken 32 students to Presidential Classrooms and requested financial assistance only twice. The tuition was $1,600 per 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida January 22, 2009 week, and a $400 scholarship had been awarded by Presidential Classrooms for each of the seven students. Costs for food, lodging and transportation were included. The fundraising account had diminished and financial concerns were expressed. Nevertheless, since the Board donated $1,000 last year for four students, it was suggested $1,200 be donated this year for the seven students. Motion Ms. Morera moved to donate the $1,200 and have a discussion to determine how much money would be left in the account. Ms. Ford seconded the motion. While Chair Waldman favored donating the funds, he also wished to assist other entities and groups. To that end, he suggested other fundraising possibilities be considered to build up the account. He inquired whether former City Commissioner McKoy or County Commissioner Shelley Vana had responded to requests for leftover funds. Ms. Claude advised she had not heard from either of them, and would send follow-up letters. It was suggested for future requests, the Board set guidelines and reasonable limits on amounts to be donated. Ms. Friedman indicated her students would assist the Board with fundraising events and other projects. Chair Waldman felt it would be beneficial for the students returning from Presidential Classrooms to present a report to the City Commission. He would also suggest Mr. Oswald, Principal of the High School, accompany the students to the Commission meeting to evidence his support of the event. Vote The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Miller inquired whether any African American children had been included in the trips. Ms. Friedman replied affirmatively, adding three African American students would be attending this year's event. Chair Waldman reminded the students present that seniors, residing within the City of Boynton Beach, were eligible for the $1,000 Borovy Award. Additionally, the League of Cities provided a Cruikshank Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, and Chair Waldman currently served on the selection committee. VIII. Old Business (taken out of order) B. Proposal to Reward Academic Achievement at Boynton Beach Community High School 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida January 22, 2009 Chair Waldman has been assisting Ms. Friedman regarding a proposal to reward students who were proactive in class and had demonstrated an interest in Social Studies and Social Sciences. Experts from each grade would select five finalists, and a plaque would be awarded. Principal Oswald had previously expressed his enthusiasm for the program, and the Board members were in agreement. VII. New Business A. Presidential Classrooms This item was discussed under VI. "Public Audience." B.Sister Cities Students involved in the Sister Cities had been invited to produce artwork based on a particular theme. The students from Boynton Beach were 13 to 18 years of age. Artwork submitted had previously been showcased at the Children's Schoolhouse Museum. Chair Waldman had invited Sister Cities contact, Jeanne Heavilin, to this meeting, but she could not attend. It was noted Ms. Claude sent out the forms necessary to participate in the competition, which was still open. Ms. Wilkinson noted she maintained on her computer letters sent out last year to school principals advising of the program. Chair Waldman would provide further information as to dates and times. VIII. Old Business A. Green Market. To date, the Board had not sold anything at the Green Market. Ms. Wilkinson visited the event and had not observed any cookies being sold. The turnout was not what she had expected, and she did not feel fundraisers at the Green Market would be profitable. The Board members had been selling cookies at the Oceanfront Concerts, which ran from January through May on the third Friday of the month. The cookies had been donated by Panera's Bread, and proceeds from the sale were usually not more than $50. The Concerts were organized by the CRA, and Chair Waldman would contact Kathy Biscuiti to discuss possible arrangements. As Panera's had revised their guidelines for contributions, it was suggested the Board provide sufficient notice in writing of any requests for cookies. Ms. Wilkinson agreed to contact Panera's. She suggested another avenue for raising funds would be to sell chicken parts. This might be more lucrative, but would involve more work for the Board members as the chicken would have to be grilled. Additionally, it would have to be determined whether the sale of the chicken would conflict with others selling foodstuffs at the Concerts. Chair Waldman suggested 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida January 22, 2009 holding a fundraiser at the Oceanfront Concerts first, and then exploring other avenues. He also suggested selling raffle tickets. Ms. Claude noted City departments were prohibited from selling raffles as fund raisers, but would verify this with Legal. The Board members were encouraged to provide at the next meeting other suggestions for fund raising. It was believed the Commissioners' Community Investment Funds and the County Commissioners' discretionary funds were excellent sources of income for the Board. Ms. Wilkinson proposed these funds not only be allocated to the Youth Volunteer Bank, but also to the miscellaneous and fundraising accounts as well. C. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award The Board previously discussed incremental rewards. This would be discussed further at the next meeting, as would the end-of-year activity. The deadline for the Borovy Award was April 3, 2009. Two of the judges confirmed their participation, and Ms. Claude sent a letter to last year's recipient, requesting she serve as a judge. She was awaiting a response. D. Fundraising This item was discussed under VIII. Old Business, "Green Market." XI. Future Meeting Dates: February 26, 2009 March 26, 2009 X. Adjournment Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. / . ..,L,....'7 ~.~d"LQZ? T.t6- dtStephanie D. Kattr\ 't/ Recording Secretary 013009 5