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