Loading...
Minutes 08-27-15 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2015, AT 6:00 P.M., CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Dr. Hayden, Vice Chair Mary Morera Valencia Spells Anderson Carla Colebrooks Lori Wilkinson, Alternate Kathleen Wilkinson, Student Reg. Voting member ABSENT: Carole Lundquist Hattie Miller Dr. Tiffany North, Alternate Jason Braten, Student Regular Non - Voting Member I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection Kathleen Wilkinson led the members in the Pledge to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection. III. Approval of Minutes of June 25, 2015 The minutes were not available and would be addressed at the next meeting. IV. Approval of Minutes of July 23, 2015 The minutes were not available and would be addressed at the next meeting. V. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Morera moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence Chair Waldman advised Harvey Oyer, III, had indicated he would like to donate to the Education and Youth Advisory Board. He emailed him requesting a donation. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 27, 2015 VII. Public Audience None. VIII. New Business A. Discussion of City's new Education Initiative Carisse LeJeune, Assistant City Manager, distributed a questionnaire and a copy of the Board's enacting Ordinance from the most recent Code of Ordinances. Over the past few years, she has been reviewing the various advisory boards and was pleased to report this Board was one of the most active Boards in the City. She conveyed the City Commission was very proud of what they have accomplished over the years. Ms. LeJeune explained this was an opportunity to re- examine the duties and responsibilities of the Board. It was an opportunity to update and conform the Code to reflect more of what the Board does and feels they can give to the community. The questionnaire would assist in this regard. Ms. LeJeune explained an Education Initiative was identified at the last Strategic Planning Session held by the City Commission for 2015/2016. When the City Commission and staff met with the Business Development Board, (BDB) Kelly Smallridge, the BDB President, stressed the importance of schools. When people, organizations or companies look to relocate, they evaluate the schools because they want their employees to follow the company, but they would not want to relocate to an area that has low- performing schools. The directive was to take an active role in helping schools perform better. It is an all staff committee. The vision and mission statement was in 2018, the Education Initiative will be a recognized leader, successfully connecting resources that promote workforce readiness, civic involvement and business growth. They have five goals stemming from the vision and mission as follows: • Foster relationships and partnerships; • Cultivate and promote workforce readiness; • Cultivate and promote civic involvement • Cultivate and promote business growth; and • Successfully connect resources. Ms. LeJeune explained the City Manager feels the Board could play an important role in what they are trying to accomplish. There will be a future stakeholder meeting and each member of the Board will be invited to attend. While the members complete the survey, she requested the members think about what role the Education and Youth Advisory Board could play. They were looking for the Board's feedback on reducing absenteeism and drop -out rates, increasing graduate rates, and building a local workforce were a few of the items that could be reviewed. Additionally, when Boynton students graduate, they can get jobs in the community. It would be a partnership between the Board and staff. The end product would benefit the schools and students. The City Manager selected certain City staff that could make valuable contributions to the effort, including Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, Craig Clark, Library Director, Eleanor Krusell, Communications Manager, both the Fire and Police Chiefs, former Development Director Nancy Byrne, and Ms. LeJeune. They are reaching out to advisory boards, businesses, and organizations 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 27, 2015 such as Career Source, and want to partner with South Tech and local school principals. She advised she wanted the advisory Board to be part of the initiative. The initiative sought to produce workforce readiness, civic involvement, and business growth. Ms. LeJeune commented they were initiating internships. Chair Waldman agreed internships would provide opportunities and exposure. Youth could also receive volunteer service credits from the schools. Ms. LeJeune explained the City has had successful internships with local high school students with the Utility Department. This could be an opportunity for an at -risk student, who may be inspired to study a particular curriculum based on the experience. Chair Waldman conveyed the basic resistance was businesses were not receptive to internships. They need to be more open to the premise. Chair Waldman explained the Board invited several school principals to the next meeting to inform them about what the Board does, their mission and how they can partner. He thought this information would be beneficial for them to hear. He invited Ms. LeJeune to attend the meeting. Conversely, Ms. LeJeune advised the Education Initiative Committee will meet on September 15 and the members were invited to attend. Ms. LeJeune explained the Committee would facilitate a process that will continue and have a connection between businesses, schools, the advisory boards and the citizens. Chair Waldman asked if the survey could be submitted by the October 22 meeting and learned it could. After the members discuss the matter in October, the surveys should be submitted to the Board Liaison. The members could submit their individual suggestions and those as a collective board. Once all the surveys are received, Ms. LeJeune will review them and identify the direction the Board wants to move in and come back to the Board with a full report. She wanted to obtain as many opinions as she could. Ms. LeJeune thanked the Board for their time and indicated she would return to the Board on September 24 with a brief description of the initiative. She will receive the surveys on October 22 d and return to the Board with the report on December 3rd IX. Old Business A. Process for Donation Requests Two forms were drafted for donation requests, which the members viewed. One issue raised was the written request being submitted no less than 45 days ahead of the event may be too long. After discussion, the members agreed requestors should submit a timely written request (preferably 30 days in advance of the event.) The second issue was how to differentiate between Boynton students and Boynton students with comingled students not living in Boynton Beach. The same held true for organizations. After further discussion, the members thought the form requesting consideration for expenditures would clarify that issue. Ms. Claude requested section 4A of the policy be clarified which pertained to the requestor demonstrating to the Board the funds were used for the stated purpose within 60 days. Currently, the Board just sends the check. Chair Waldman pointed out there have been recipients that have returned to the Board giving an account of how the funds were used, but the reports were on a voluntary basis. Discussion followed and there was agreement to include the following on the form: The Recipient is required to provide proof /demonstrate to the Board that the donation was used for 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 27, 2015 the stated purpose /as requested and future donations are contingent on compliance with this provision. Dr. Hayden suggested having a Q & A form that could be posted online. Ms. Claude explained her intent was to make the donation request a fillable form, once the language was finalized, but had not intended to post it online. People find out about the funding through word of mouth and often from the Board members. Chair Waldman thought they should announce the program to the principals next month. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to accept the policy as amended. Ms. Colebrooks seconded the motion that unanimously passed. B. Boynton Reads Update Ms. Colebrooks was not at the last Boynton Reads meeting. She noted the October Festival was approaching, but she had no information. When it is received, she would forward it to the members and advise the members when the next meeting is scheduled. Chair Waldman had attended and conveyed the emphasis was on getting businesses to donate something to students who are not tardy, absent, and have perfect attendance during the marking period. The idea was to reward the youth. C. Shred -A -Thon Ms. Claude advised the Shred -A -Thon would be held on October 17 with a November 14 rain date. The agreement reads the event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, but it will be advertised from 10 a.m. to noon because people come early. When the principals come to the next meeting, he will announce the event. Ms. Claude pointed out Boynton Beach High School has to give permission to hold the event before the next meeting. Ms. Claude commented the shredding company seemed very agreeable to having this event three times a year, in October, February and May. Chair Waldman volunteered to go to the school the next day. D. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award Ms. Claude had nothing to report. There were around 100 volunteers in the Bank. The Borovy Award application will be advertised in Funfare Magazine on November 1S and has a late March or early April application deadline. Chair Waldman suggested increasing the Borovy Award from $500 to $1,000 if more money is raised from the Shred -A -Thon. He noted the award was originally $1,000. Ms. Wilkinson had an email list from prior Shred -a -Thon attendees and will send an email blast. She had a phone list of 90 names and the last time, the members split the list up and made calls. Chair Waldman commented Carole Lundquist was not at the meeting as her husband fell and was injured. He requested the members send good thoughts their way. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 27, 2015 X. Future Meeting Dates: September 24, 2015 October 22, 2015 December 3, 2015 XI. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Spells Anderson moved to adjourn. Vice Chair Hayden seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m. LT Catherine Ory Minutes Specialist 093015 5