Loading...
Minutes 02-26-09 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADIVSORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009, AT 7:00 P.M. IN COMMISSON CHAMBERS, BOYNTON EACH, FLORIDA Present: Stephen Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Carol Lundquist Loretta Wilkinson Robert Chiste, Student Voting Member Lisa Pierre, Student Voting Member Absent: Hattie Miller Lesha Roundtree Jose M. De la Torre, III, Alternate I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection for our men and women in the Armed Forces. III. Approval of Minutes of January 22, 2009 Motion Mr. Chiste moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Pierre seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval Agenda The following addition was requested: ?Add "Presidential Classrooms" under VI., Public Audience Motion Ms. Morera moved to approve the agenda with the addition. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2009 V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence Ms. Claude announced the City Commission, at its meeting of February 3, 2009, approved Ordinance #09-014 which adopted the standard attendance policy established for all advisory boards. Thus, membership would be terminated for any member of the Education and Youth Advisory Board missing three regular monthly meetings within a year. In a previous discussion on fundraising, Chair Waldman had suggested selling raffle tickets. Ms. Claude had addressed the issue with Legal to determine whether the sale was appropriate. The opinion of the City Attorney was that raffle tickets could not be sold at an event requiring the sale of tickets. Raffles could be sold if there was no requirement to purchase a ticket, but this would not be a satisfactory means of raising funds. Chair Waldman announced a request to use $1,000 from Mayor Taylor's Community Investment Fund to support the ongoing programs of the Board, including the Bob Borovy Award and Youth Volunteer Bank, would be presented to the City Commission on March 3, 2009. Chair Waldman had sent letters to the Mayor and Commissioners requesting they use their Community Investment Funds to assist the Board. Letters had also been sent to former County Commissioner Robert Kanjian and current County Commissioner Shelley Vana requesting financial assistance. Chair Waldman pointed out in the budget summary shown on the bottom of the Board's agenda, "Miscellaneous" had been changed to "Contributions to Schools." This would facilitate contributions made on behalf of the Board to the basketball or cheerleading programs. Chair Waldman had been informed that new member, Jose M. De la Torre, III, was unable to attend the meeting as a result of a family emergency. VI. Public Audience Mrs. Friedman, Boynton Beach High School teacher, announced three of the seven students who attended the Presidential Classrooms in Washington D.C. were in the audience. Students Lisa Jacobs, Troy Anthony and "Nicholas" highlighted events of the trip and thanked the Board for its financial support. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2009 Mrs. Friedman mentioned 400 students had usually attended the Presidential Classrooms, but because of the economic environment, only 100 students had attended. Chair Waldman presented a check for $1,200 on behalf of the Board to Mrs. Friedman and the students. John Lawrence Jolley made a number of inappropriate, nonsensical remarks. He left the meeting when Chair Waldman advised that his comments were inappropriate and did not relate to the business of the Board. The Police Department was notified to remove him from the meeting. VII. New Business None. VIII. Old Business A.Sister Cities (Miss Pierre left the meeting at 7:28 p.m.) Jeanne Heavilin, President of the Boynton Beach Sister Cities Committee, reported the Committee and the Board had sponsored the Sister Cities International Young Artists' Showcase for the last five years. Commitments had been received this year from Boynton Beach Community High School, Christa McAulliffe Middle School, Crosspointe, Galaxy, Poinciana, St. Joseph's Middle and High School and Lake Worth Christian High School. Based on early responses, 80 to 100 entries had been anticipated and another 30 to 40 from the schools in Qufu, China. Elementary, middle and high school students would be competing, and the winner would be sent to Washington D.C. to participate in the international competition. This year's theme, "Your Path to Peace," was believed to be easier to conceptualize and visualize than previous themes. The deadline for submission of the entries was March 6, 2009. A panel of judges would evaluate the entries on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Art Center. Chair Waldman agreed to serve as a judge. All the artwork would be on display at the Children's Schoolhouse Museum. The awards reception would be held Friday, April 17, 2009. Ms. Heavilin thanked Ms. Claude for taking care of the initial mailing. The Pen Pal program had commenced at American Heritage Academy in Delray Beach, and a Chinese language program was currently offered at the high school level. It was hoped the program would be available for grades K-12 in two years. The instructor at 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2009 American Heritage Academy had been in contact with the instructor in Qufu to commence a Pen Pal program at the high school level, corresponding in both English and Chinese. It was anticipated the curriculum would be underway after the Chinese New Year. The instructors in Boynton Beach and Qufu were bilingual in English and Chinese. B.Youth Volunteer Bank (Chair Waldman handed the gavel to Vice Chair Morera and left the dais at 7:33 p.m.) (Chair Waldman returned to the dais at 7:35 p.m.) Ms. Claude noted it would be necessary for the Board to decide on the year-end activity, whether to consider a banquet, party or a more informal type of event. It would also be necessary to reopen the discussion on the Youth Volunteer Bank pertaining to incremental rewards and a plan based on the number of hours. Chair Waldman believed last year's dinner went well, and the Board members preferred last year's venue to the Civic Center. It was noted Commissioner Hay had been pleased th with last year's event as well. The Board decided on the dates of May 8 or May 15 for the event. Ms. Claude would verify the availability of the venue on the dates selected. Chair Waldman requested Susan Pell, Volunteer Coordinator at Boynton Beach High School, and Emily Borovy and her family be invited. Chair Waldman suggested the Youth Volunteer Bank be discussed when a full Board was present. There was no objection from the Board. C.Bob Borovy Award Ms. Claude had not received any applications to date. D.Fundraising Ms. Morera noted she had been contacted by Kathy Biscuiti, and Ms. Biscuiti believed another City group had approached Panera Bread for donations. She was not certain whether Panera's corporate office would allow donations for a second City event. Ms. Biscuiti pointed out Costco would likely be willing to donate baked goods to a City Board member who held membership in Costco. Chair Waldman agreed to contact Costco. Ms. Biscuiti advised if the board wished to sell something other than cookies, the Board would have to ensure it was not something that was already going to be sold. Ms. Biscuiti advised she could not provide the Board with a tent, but electricity could be provided for lighting if the Board brought its own canopy. The Board members were not certain whether they could commit to the next Oceanfront Concert. It was believed 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2009 unless a good base of volunteers committed to the event, it would not be a worthwhile fundraiser, although it would provide visibility. It was noted Ms. Biscuiti would require two weeks' advance notice if the Board would be holding a fundraiser at the concert. The board members noted they would be aware of their availability as the date drew nearer. Ms. Morera had contacted Phyllis Stern to approach the Hunter's Run Board regarding the tennis carnival teAts. Ms. Stern advised her Board had changed, and she was not sure whether the members would be agreeable, but she would inquire. IX. Future Meeting Dates: March 26, 2009 April 23, 2009 X. Adjournment: Motion Mr. Chiste moved to adjourn. Ms. Morera seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. r~7 l~ ~<:.7../t.c"'.<~-I.- ~._- Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 030309 5