Minutes 03-22-12 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MARCH 22, 2012, AT 7:00 P.M., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION
CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison
Mary Morera, Vice Chair
Carol Lundquist
Loretta Wilkinson
Armisha Roberts, Student Regular Voting Member
Khadijah Davis, Student, Non - Voting Member
ABSENT:
Hattie Miller
Dr. Tiffany North
Libby Stroud
Victor Norfus
I. Call to Order
Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection
The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of
silent reflection. Self introductions were made. A quorum was present.
III. Approval of Minutes of February 23, 2012
Motion
Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes. Vice Chair Morera seconded the motion
that unanimously passed.
IV. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Chair Waldman added Item B. Request to New Business and added Sister Cities under
Public Audience.
The amended agenda was passed unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL March 22, 2012
V. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence
Ms. Claude announced there was a regular student opening due to a resignation. She
also advised she received an email from Joe Ametrano from Boynton Beach High
School thanking the Board for the donation made to the drama program. She also
shared an article from the Sun Sentinel explaining how the participants were preparing
for the state competition.
Ms. Claude distributed the Recreation and Parks annual report, advising it could also be
found on the City website.
Vice Chair Morera advised she looked into the Microgiving organization. She found it
was mostly for individual and small fundraising events. There would be a timeframe to
apply and receive money. There was not much done with community support. It would
be mostly for people who had been diagnosed with cancer or other diseases, lost a job,
etc. It may be something the Board could help get the word out about and possibly
refer it to other people.
Ms. Wilkinson announced she attended the meeting held at the Sims Center this
evening. This was a public meeting in light of the recent problems and crime issues that
the City was dealing with. It was extremely well attended and they were just getting in to
a question and answer session with the Police Chief when she left. They were talking
about doing a community march to show the community support. There was great
representation from the City in attendance.
VI. Public Audience
Jeannie Heavilin of Sister Cities offered her thanks for the donation. The first
delegation went to Haiti a month ago and had a great trip. Everything that was set out to
accomplish was done. Not much was done with student programs due to it being the
National Carnival which was a national holiday. There are almost no public schools.
The elementary and middle schools are private and there are a few public high schools.
There were contacts made that could assist with getting in touch with the private
schools. A presentation would be made to the City Commission regarding the trip.
Ms. Heavilin passed out invitations for young artists. The deadline was initially set for
March 23 but she realized it was spring break. It was moved to March 28 with the
judging taking place Saturday morning, March 31 and putting the exhibit together in the
afternoon at the library.
The only school that submitted young author essays was Lake Worth. There were a
handful of essays and the Board would read them and judge them after the regular
meeting.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL March 22, 2012
VII. New Business
A Donation Request from Poinciana Elementary School
Gloria Gibson, Poinciana Elementary School, commented that the Board was the first
to support her robotics team. Four years ago, the Board made a donation, not knowing
what the outcome would be. This year, she had two teams, a rookie team of fourth
graders and a fifth grade mix of four returners and three new students. The results
were amazing. The teams started out in the State of Florida with close to 500 teams.
She shared that Poinciana hosted its first tournament this year and had 16 teams,
totaling 150 students. A team from Puerto Rico attended. From the qualifying
tournament, the fourth and fifth grade teams went to the regional level. From the 500
teams, it came down to five regional tournaments with an average of 50 teams. Her
fourth grade team won a first place trophy for their research and advanced to state level
and the fifth grade team won second place overall and also had the highest robot run on
the board. At the state level, there were the top 48 teams in the State of Florida. The
fourth grade team won the team spirit award, being recognized for how much fun they
had, their enthusiasm and support of all the teams. The fifth grade team won second
place overall in the tournament, the Florida Champions Award. They were awarded an
invitation to a world tournament at Legoland. Ms. Gibson advised that funding would
not be the most important thing at this time; they were just trying to get the news out of
their accomplishment and get the public to understand what it was they were doing.
She also wanted to thank the Board for their support.
Chair Waldman noted that there was a donation request and inquired as to what they
were requesting. Ms. Gibson stated they would like something to take to trade with
other teams and would like suggestions. She had buttons made that had the name of
the school and the team name but wanted other suggestions of other things they could
trade, especially with the Netherlands team they were pairing with.
There was lengthy discussion regarding ideas for promotional items through the City or
otherwise. It was decided to email suggestions to Ms. Gibson. It was also suggested to
wait until the next meeting to discuss possible monetary donations they would require.
At this time, Ms. Gibson advised they were waiting for a grant that would cover the
registration fee. They have one team shirt for four days, so having a second shirt would
be a possibility for a donation.
She will attend the April meeting and review what their needs are at that time.
B. Request
Chair Waldman shared that a few years ago he was involved in what was called the
Black Awareness Celebration, which was now the Heritage Fest. Due to certain
circumstances, his co -chair backed out and so he backed out too. He wanted to restart
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL March 22, 2012
the contest portion at the high school level next year. There had been a contest
celebrating African - American tradition, culture and accomplishments. There were
display boards, sculptures and displays at Boynton Beach Mall. He met with the
principal and the Social Studies Department chair who suggested putting in a drama
component Chair Waldman advised he had an essay, a group project, an individual
project and possibly a drama component. This would take place next year. He brought
this to the Board's attention to determine what the Board would be willing to help with.
This would be based on National History Day where the students would present in front
of judges. This could coincide with the curriculum as there was an elective on African-.
American History. For the students not taking the elective, it would give them an
opportunity to learn. Participation was completely voluntary.
VIII. Old Business
A. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award
Ms. Claude advised there were approximately 100 members and she was sending
reminders to turn in hours by the deadline. Depending on how many responses are
received, certificates could be given at a Commission meeting. Currently the deadline
was April 2 It was hoped that by the meeting on April 26 it could be decided what to
do for the volunteers.
Ms. Claude advised there were two or three applications that met the criteria for the
Borovy Award. The deadline would be April 2 as well.
She advised that reviewing the budget, if the Board continued with the awards as had
been done with criteria for first, second and sometimes third place, it amounted to
$1,300 - $1,500 per year. She recommended to begin considering the future because if
the criteria remained the same, in two more years the funding would be gone. Possibly,
the second and third place awards could be deleted or the amounts of the awards could
be decreased. The American Legion donated money last year and possibly a letter
could be sent to them again.
B. Tennis Carnival — April 28, 10 am @ Hunter's Run
Vice Chair Morera advised there was no update. She was asking for approval for
reimbursement of her expenditures up to $50.00.
Motion
Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve a reimbursement of up to $50.00 for Ms. Morera for
expenditures. The motion was seconded by Ms. Lundquist and unanimously passed.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL March 22, 2012
C. Shred -A -Thon
Ms. Wilkinson stated there was no update. The idea previously discussed about
possibly doing a shred -a -thon with the West Boynton community had not progressed.
Mr. Phillips, the contact, was going to check with the other homeowners associations.
There are four developments in that community and he was the president of one of
them. There was also some conversation with Micro Shred, the company used
previously. Since most of the community was snowbirds, the plans with them would
probably not happen. The Board had discussed doing another shred -a -thon in May for
the monetary benefit of this Committee. When discussing another shred -a -thon with
Micro Shred last October, their response was not very positive. It cost them extra in
October as many people brought microfilm and their truck was equipped to shred paper
only, so they had to get a second truck. There was also a possibility of teaming with
Sister Cities. The Board would need to have a discussion for dates, locations,
advertising and partnerships.
Christine Francois, expressed interest in a partnership and agreed advertising would
be important.
Chair Waldman suggested some dates in May. There were suggestions of doing it on a
weeknight or a Sunday. May 6 and May 20 were discussed as possibilities. There
was discussion on costs and what the Board would be willing to spend, if anything. It
was preferred to have the services donated as the profits go to an award that helps
send students to college.
Ms. Claude suggested that if it were to be held in May or early June, the decision should
be made now. Making a decision at the April 26 meeting may not give enough time for
agreements and who the agreements would be with, if Sister Cities were involved. After
more discussion on whether Micro Shred would donate 100% time or charge costs and
whether the proceeds would be split with Sister Cities, it was decided to revisit the issue
at the April 26 meeting. There was also discussion about possibly making the shred -a-
thon a once a year event and the benefits and disadvantages of it. Ms. Wilkinson stated
there were people who brought boxes in October that had more and wanted to be
contacted for the next shred -a -thon. There was consensus to keep it at twice a year
and revisit again next year.
IX. Future Meeting Dates
The next meeting dates were April 26, 2012 and May 24, 2012.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL March 22, 2012
X. Adjournment
Motion
There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Roberts moved to adjourn. Ms.
Wilkinson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned
at 8:31 p.m.
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Ellie Caruso
Recording Secretary
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