Loading...
Minutes 02-25-21 Minutes of the Education and Youth Advisory Board Meeting Held on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 6 p.m. Via Zoom Online Meeting in Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Greg Murphy, Chair Kacy Young, Recreation Director Shaquira Young Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Dr. Valeri Valcourt Dr. Vinola Rada Lori Wilkinson Francois Calixte-Dieuvil Kevin Duterval, STU Reg V Jessica Wilkinson, SSTU Reg V Absent: Chevette Gadson, Vice Chair Frando Paterson, Alt Abby Murrell Jeremiah Young, STU reg NV At 6:06, Kacy Young, Recreation Director, read a short statement indicating how the online meeting would proceed and how the public could participate. I. Call to Order Chair Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Roll call was taken. A quorum was present. II. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge to the flag. III. Approval of Agenda Ms. L. Wilkinson suggested using first name initials, in reference to the minutes since some members have the same last name. Motion Ms. L. Wilkinson moved to approve the agenda. Dr. Rada seconded the motion. There were no objections. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2021 IV. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence Ms. L. Wilkinson was following the conversation about lowering the flag in honor of the passing of Rush Limbaugh. She was concerned because she thought it was done across the State. The Governor issued an order to honor Rush Limbaugh and lower the Flag to half-staff and President Biden issued an order to honor the 500K people who died from COVID at the same time. As it turned, out, the Governor's Order was only for certain locations within the State. Ms. L Wilkinson thought, since it may potentially affect the school district, it was important to talk about it. There was brief discussion Mr. Limbaugh did not serve in the military, and on that basis, several individuals did not comply with the Governor's Order. Ms. L. Wilkinson commented it is a moot point now, but that was why she thought she should bring it up. If the School District was considering doing it, the Board should discuss and propose to the Mayor and Commissioners that they make a statement the Board is here to support education and children. The flags at half-staff at school was because of President Biden's order, not because they were ordered by the Governor. Jeanne Heavilin, President, Boynton Beach Sister Cities, discussed the Young Artists and Young Author Showcase. This is their 17th year, sponsored by Sister Cities International and it is a chance for high school students to interpret a theme of Sister Cities International in the fields of art, photography, essays, poetry and music. This year, it is all virtual. The theme this year is United in Hope. She requested the Board to spread the word, the competition is for students ages 13 to 18. In the past, they asked the Board to judge essays or the poems submitted, Ms. Heavilin noted the music category can be an original piece or an interpretation of an older piece played by one person. The third request is Sister Cities gives cash awards and she hoped the Board could be a sponsor for one of the cash awards. It would be appreciated. Further information about the competition is on their website: Boyntonsistercities.org. Ms. L. Wilkinson volunteered to be a judge for essays and poems. Ms. Heavilin noted they usually have an awards ceremony, but was unsure if they would have on this year, perhaps virtually. When information about the International Youth Summit Leadership Conference is received, she will return to the Board. She advised they have taken two or three youth every year for the last six or seven years and it is a life changing experience for those who go. Two or three judges were requested. Ms. Heavilin advised they normally do not receive many essays or poetry, usually it is art. The theme is a great theme in light of COVID and it gives students a chance to recover and look forward to the future. Dr. Rada also volunteered to be a judge for essays or poetry. Ms. Heavilin explained there are guidelines which she will forward to the Board. The deadline is April 9th so judging will be mid-April. Chair Murphy volunteered participate as did Ms. Young. Chair 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2021 Murphy knows some people in music who may want to serve as a music judge. Ms. Heavilin asked the members to encourage youth to submit essays and pointed out several years ago, a student from Lake Worth Christian School made the top ten international finalists in the essay contest, and three years ago, a student from South Tech was the international Grand Prize winner in the art category. Ms. Claude had written comments for the meeting and announced she had forwarded information from Ms. Heavilin to the Board, but would redistribute it again. Ms. Claude read a statement from Aaron Klein, the Mobility Coordinator for Palm Tran for the record announcing their route, their app and their procedures during COVID to keep riders safe. A copy of the comments is included in the meeting backup. V. Public Audience VI. New Business A. Approval of Minutes of January 28, 2021 Motion Ms. L. Wilkinson moved to approve the minutes. Dr. Radaseconded the moio . The motion ss unanimously. Old Business A. Outreach Chair Gregory didnot have any ideas for outreach and requested if s member does, they forward it to Ms. Claude for the Board. Recreation and Parks Director, announced Recreation and Parkis hosting a SpringBreak Camp, March15th tote 19th at the Carolyni ner, which wouldore traditional camp with games and pool activities. They are also hosting a Fire and Recreationr the same dates at Firetion 5 on High Ridgeo camps are available on the website. If anyoneis looking for child care, memberssou!d dit ct them to the website: wemakelifefun.com. B. Fundraising Ms. L. Wilkinsonshared e was thinking about the Community Fund balance persone fund was named after. Ms. L Wilkinson advised she knew himand his family till lives in Boynton. is son is a prominent lawyer who has donated to the Board before. On a whim, she called i left a voicemail on hiso ice phone and called r back shortly ther r. She toldi e , and howeveryone as Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2021 holding fundraisers, they were looking for new ways to raise funds for the Community Fund and the Borovy Award, which is laden with volunteerism. Harvey Oyer, III, is a supporter of volunteerism and he advised he will make a donation to ensure the scholarship is completely funded this year, and the Board does not have to reach out every few years to fund the community fund. He agreed to speak with his family and his family will likely donate to the Community Fund and the Borovy Award as one unit. He also had some ideas involving corporate entities that might help perpetuate the fund. Hopefully, that burden may be lifted. Chair Murphy thought the Board would be okay for this year as it related to the Borovy Award. C. Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year Award Chair Murphy announced the application is out there and the deadline is March 31St She asked Marketing to promote it via press releases, social media, emails to local schools, guidance counsellors and in Funfare magazine. There was one applicant, but the person did not live inside the City limits so they were not eligible. Ms. Claude explained many years ago, and over the years, there have been donations from the Commissioners' Community Investment Funds, which was the reason for the residential requirements, but it would be up to the Board if they want to expand the definition of residents, but now it is inside City limits of Boynton Beach. Ms. L. Wilkinson thought it may be a good idea to discuss it at the next meeting. Chair Murphy was fine, but commented it is too late for this year. Ms. Claude asked who the Board wanted to ask to be judges in addition to last year's recipient. Normally, there are three judges and it has been an informal process over the years. In the past, Jeanne Heavilin of Sister Cities was a judge a few times. Ms. L. Wilkinson suggested the prior Chair of the Board, who lives out of state. Chair Murphy will forward some names and they could discuss it at the March meeting. She would contact him if it was fine with the Board. Chair Murphy suggested she find out and report back at the March meeting. VIII. Future Meeting Dates: March 25, 2021 April 22, 2021 Chair Murphy reviewed the future meeting dates and announced if a member was interested in continuing to serve on the Board, members should send in an application. The application is online and the terms of several members were expiring. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2021 IX. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss. Ms. L. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Dr. Rada seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. dd,kJiuict- d" Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 5