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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 011205EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 12, 2005 Minutes The Education Advisory Committee met on November 16, 2004. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. L ROLL CALL Members Present: Wayne Anderson, Mark Falasca, Ed Gruvman, Percy Kavasmaneck, Ava Sugar, and Ron Sadaka. Members Absent: Carol Dardick and Ilene Gerber Also Present: Charlotte Presensky, Staff Liaison and Recreation Director, Jennifer Holdt, Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Shepard, Student Liaison, and Susan Bell, Public Information/ Recording Coordinator. H. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS The Committee elected in a 6 -0 vote Wayne Anderson as Committee Chair and Ron Sadaka as Committee Vice Chair. IL APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Board approved the Minutes from the November 16, 2004 meeting. III. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON Charlotte Presensky discussed the open seat on the committee. She stated she is accepting applications and should have a final decision prior to the next meeting. Jennifer Holdt introduced Laura Shepard to the Committee. Laura is a senior at Suncoast High School, and lives in Palm Beach Gardens. She is volunteering to serve as the Committee's Student Liaison and will plan on attending all future meetings. IV. OLD BUSINESS School SAC Committees Jennifer Holdt went through a list of all the schools in the City to see which school's SAC Committees are represented by Education Advisory Committee members and which are not yet represented. The following are the schools each member represents: Allamanda Elementary Ed Gruvman Wayne Anderson Palm Beach Gardens Elementary Wayne Anderson Eisenhower Elementary Carol Dardick Grove Park Elementary Wayne Anderson Ed Gruvman Timber Trace Elementary Wayne Anderson Watkins Middle School Ed Gruvman Duncan Middle School Ed Gruvman Bak Middle School Ron Sadaka Palm Beach Gardens High Mark Falasca Dwyer High Ava Sugar Dreyfoos School of Arts Ron Sadaka Sun Coast High Laura Shepard (Student Liaison) Secondary Institutions Being Represented Barry University Percy Kavasmaneck Palm Beach Community College Percy Kavasmaneck Nova Southeastern University Charlotte Presensky University of Phoenix Percy Kavasmaneck School Issues and Concerns Each Committee Member spoke about the problems they felt the schools were having. There was discussion about the City's growth and how this is impacting the local schools. They would like to extend an invitation to invite local school principals to attend their regular meetings and be able to give input of the issues their schools are facing. Adult Education The Committee discussed doing a survey of the adults that live in the City to see what kind of adult education would be of interest. There was discussion about possible work shop and auto shop classes. Charlotte will do a draft of the survey and bring it back to the committee at the next meeting. The committee discussed putting the survey in the Parks and Recreation Newsletter that goes out to all City residents. There was also discussion about the committee members manning a booth at the Green Market to give the residents educational information. Charlotte will get more information on the availability of the Green Market and report back at the next meeting. Charlotte brought up the possibility of the City conducting parenting classes that would be part of a youth enrichment program. Annual Awards Program The Board discussed the method for recognizing teachers and students for outstanding achievements. Wayne Anderson stated that the schools already have a system in place for awarding their best teachers and students. He suggested that the City recognize the students and teachers that were already picked by their schools as not to duplicate the effort.The Board agreed that this year they should recognize students and teachers that were already chosen by their school, but prior to next year, they should develop their own method for recognizing outstanding teachers and students. Annual Education Forum The Committee discussed bringing in school heads and public figures to speak about education in the City. There was discussion about having this meeting in October, 2005. They are going to bring this back on future agendas to work out the details. V. NEW BUSINESS School Police Program The presentation about the new School Police Program was postponed to a future meeting. This program will replace the DARE program in schools. Letter from Palm Beach County School Board Charlotte handed out a letter from Nat Harrington, who is the Chief Public Information Officer for the Palm Beach County School Board. The School Board would like to work with the City to make computers available at the Recreation Center to students for FCAT preparation, homework, research and giving them access to many other online tools available on the Internet. Charlotte stated that she has approached Frenchman's Charities and asked for computers to be used for youth and adult programs. The Committee suggested adding this issue to their survey to see if there is a need in Palm Beach Gardens for students to come to the Recreation Center to do homework and research. VL Comments From Committee Members Ron Sadaka expressed that he feels each committee member has different talents that could help this committee reach certain goals. Ava Sugar thanked Laura Shepard for coming to the meeting and for her input during the meeting. Mark Falasca reiterated what Ron Sadaka stated and would also like to think of creative ways to reach out to the community on educational issues. Laura Shepard spoke about the Future Florida Teachers Educators Association. They have a program in place for teacher and student recognition and she suggested someone on this committee talk to someone from FFTA about their program. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:44 PM. Approval: Wayne 46derson, Chairperson Ed Gruvman, Vice ClAirperson Ilene Gerber, Board Member Mark Fal a, Board Member on S aka, Board Member Carol Dardick, Board Member Percy Ijdvasman, Alternate Board Member Ava Si%ar, AlterAaW Board Attest: d"xz, san Bell Public Information/ Recording Coordinator