HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 101001CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
OCTOBER 10, 2001
The October 10, 2001, Regular meeting of the City of Palm Beach Gardens
Education Advisory Board was called to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of the Municipal Complex located at 1050o North Military Trail,
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The roll was called and the following members were found to be in attendance:
Chair Wayne Anderson, Anne Berg, Ilene Gerber, Judith Hanrahan, Nancy
Krause- Laurie, Leslie Millar, Jan Porter, Ron Sadaka, Helen Ziantek and Dan
Smith. City Council Liaison Vice Mayor Eric Jablin was also present. Students
in attendance: Edith Delhomme, Kelly Kirschbaum
Guest Speaker Henderson reported she was conducting a newspaper recycling
program with 45 Palm Beach County Schools in partnership with Palm Beach
Post. Ms. Henderson described the project, which provided extra revenue to
the schools. Ms. Henderson encouraged participation, and answered questions
from the Committee.
Committee Reports
Boundaries — The report included proposed changes in boundaries and the
possibility of establishing sixth grade centers.
School Board Forum — A special meeting had been held to discuss evaluation
of the Superintendent, and another one had been held to handle an advisory
board for the proposed charter district and to decide who would be in charge of
that department. Representatives from a Better Education for Students had
wanted an oversight committee but an advisory board had been set up. It was
reported that many major decisions were being made at special meetings.
Partnership — Leslie Millar provided a report.
SAC Meeting Reports
Allamanda Elementary - Wayne Anderson reported a parent had been elected
SAC Chair. Decisions on how to spend A -plus money had been made, and the
Principal had provided a budget update.
Palm Beach Gardens Elementary - Anne Berg reported the meeting had been
very well attended, and a feeling of camaraderie had been prevalent. Items
discussed had included approval of allocated funds for first grade reading and
directory instruction training for second grade.
Timber Trace Elementary -Ron Sadaka reported that the teachers had elected
to apply their A -plus bonus money to acquiring teacher aides, that the PTA had
raised $38,000, some of which would be used for a Spanish program. Other
items discussed had included incentive programs for students to raise their
grades, and that minutes of the meetings were to be posted on the school's web
page.
H. L. Watkins Middle - Items reported included budget items, approval of new
geography atlases, approval for a teacher to take two students to the summit at
Miami, starting a PTA, boundaries, and improved discipline compared to the
prior year. The Committee discussed the improved atmosphere and its impact
on the students.
Watson B. Duncan Middle — Judith Hanrahan provided a report. FCAT testing
was discussed.
Palm Beach Gardens High —A parking issue was discussed. Mr. Houlihan had
said only school police would be able to ticket or move a car. Concern was
expressed that a teacher could be rude to students. Advice was given on how
to handle the situation and that student government leaders should discuss
fundraising with the Principal. It was noted that security was the top priority in
the parking program. It was reported the SAC had expressed concern with
magnet cuts, and had discussed 7th period.
School of the Arts Middle — A report was made by the Committee member who
had attended.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts — It was reported that a survey
had been made.
Education Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes 10 /10 /01
Inlet Grove — Nancy Krause- Laurie reported capacity had been doubled at this
school and that the goal was for Inlet Grove to remain a career center. The
grade average requirements for admission and that there was no middle
ground for students were discussed.
Old Business
Chair Anderson discussed a recognition award as suggested by Ron Sadaka at
the end of the prior year. Mr. Anderson invited suggestions, indicated that
school principals he had contacted recommended this be limited to teachers,
and advised that he would discuss this with school administrators who were
members of his Kiwanis Club.
New Business
Members who had missed three consecutive meetings were discussed, since
the rule that they would be off the Board after three missed meetings was not
being followed. Chair Anderson indicated that a lot of the members did not
know the criteria that was set for this Board by the City, and that the Board
could not do fundraising or address certain problems without going through
the City. The charter district was discussed. It was suggested that the Board
write more letters to the City so they could express the Board's opinions to the
School Board. It was announced that a schedule for SAC training sessions was
available.
Adjournment
There was no further business, therefore the meeting was adjourned.
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