HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 052505EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
May 25, 2005
Minutes
The Education Advisory Committee met on May 25, 2005. The meeting was called to
order at 6:02 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.
I. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Wayne Anderson, Mark Falasca„ Ed Gruvman, Percy
Kavasmaneck„ Ilene Gerber, Mike Malenda and Ron Sadaka who arrived at 6:05
P.M.
Members Absent: Ava Sugar, Joan Collette
Also Present: Charlotte Presensky, Staff Liaison, Recreation Director, Jennifer
Holdt, Volunteer Coordinator, Mike Sanchez, Senior Planner and David Young
from the Palm Beach County School District Planning Department.
II. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON
Charlotte Presensky welcomed the two new alternate members Mike Malenda and
Joan Collette to the Board. Joan was unable to be at this meeting due to a prior
commitment.
Jennifer Holdt gave out volunteer pins to all the board members and explained the
volunteer program and how there are different color pins that represent the
amount of volunteer hours.
Charlotte told the board about a future City Council workshop that they are going
to be invited to. The City Council will host a workshop that will include all the
City's Board and Committee members. They are going to discuss how the Boards
are working, goals and future plans for the Boards and Committees.
Charlotte announced that the awards recognition program will take place at the
June 2, 2005 City Council Meeting. Invitations have been sent out to all the
students and teachers that were provided by their schools.
III. OLD BUSINESS
EDUCATIONAL SURVEY
Jennifer Holdt handed out the results from the Educational Survey that was sent to
all residents in the Quarterly Newsletter and was posted on the City Website.
There were about 75 -80 responses that came back. There was discussion about
the results of the survey. The Board would like to share these results with the
Palm Beach County School Board in order to implement the type of adult
education the residents are looking for.
SCHOOL REPORTS
The Board gave a report on the School SAC Committee Meetings they have
attended. All board members stated that this was the last meeting and therefore
there was not a lot of business conducted.
Allamanda Elementary - Liaison Ed Gruman — discussed goals for next year.
Grove Park Elementary — Liaison Wayne Anderson — School has new principal.
She was supposed to attend meeting but at the last minute was not able to.
Palm Beach Gardens Elementary — Liaison Wayne Anderson — discussed goals
for next year and test scores.
Timber Trace Elementary — Liaison Wayne Anderson — discussed new report
cards.
Middle School of the Arts — Liaison Ron Sadaka — went on a tour of the new
school building.
Palm Beach Gardens High School — Liaison Jennifer Holdt — reported on
Fundraising efforts and FCAT Scores
Dreyfoos School of the Arts — Liaison Ron Sadaka - reported that school is still
looking for funding for 7`h hour. They are also working on a dual enrollment
program that would take place on the school campus.
Palm Beach Community College — Liaison Percy Kavasmaneck - reported that he
went to Palm Beach Community College with Charlotte Presensky. They meet
with the college staff to ask questions and discuss the college and how the City
and the college can develop a collaborative relationship to improve the quality of
education. They plan to meet with the other colleges in the area including FAU
and Nova University. Percy gave the board background and information about
Palm Beach Community College. Charlotte would like to invite the
representatives from Palm Beach Community College to come and meet with this
board at a future meeting.
Nova University — Liaison Charlotte Presensky — reported that they are expanding
their master's degree program.
Florida Atlantic University - Mike Malenda - would like to set up a presentation
to discuss the growth of the Jupiter Campus. Charlotte will try and set this up for
the fall.
CALENDAR UPDATE
Charlotte spoke about the topics that are planned for upcoming meetings. She
said they would like to hold a public forum in September or October. They will
notify the residents in advance and advertise it as a way to get information about
the local schools. They will also invite representatives from the local schools.
There was a motion made to make the June meeting a "workshop meeting" and to
cancel the July, 2005 meeting. The motion passed 7 -0.
Charlotte will also schedule Palm Beach Community College to give a
presentation and she will arrange a meeting with the North Palm Beach Chamber
of Commerce.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Mike Sanchez, Senior Planner introduced David Young from the Palm Beach
County School District Planning Department. Mr. Young gave a brief
presentation about the expansion of Dwyer High School. They are adding 45,000
square feet which would equal 575 student stations. Since the school is already
over capacity they probably won't add any new students to the school but, they
will now have room for the students they already have. The expansion should be
completed in January 2006.
COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS
Mark Flasaca talked about what school districts on the West Coast of Florida are
doing to improve the schools. He is going to prepare information to bring to the
next meeting
Ilene Gerber told the board she just returned from Cuba on a medical mission. She
stated that we should be thankful for the schools here because the conditions in
Cuba are terrible and the schools are very bad.
Percy Kavasmaneck said that he really enjoyed the visit to Palm Beach
Community College and hope the City takes the opportunity to partner with them.
The Board stated they would like the opportunity to visit Palm Beach Community
College and Florida Atlantic University. Charlotte said she will talk to the City
Attorney about the possibility of taking a trip to these schools.
Wayne Anderson informed the Board that the Kawanis Club he belongs to has
given out 13 scholarships this year and all are going to students at Palm Beach
Gardens High School.
V, ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10
P.M.
Approval:
Wayne /fnderson ;'Chairperson
Ed Gruvman, Vice Chairp so
Ilene Gerber, Board Member
Mark Falasca, Board Member
Ron Sadaka, Board Member
Percy Kavasmaneck, Board Member
AvAugar, Board M ber
Joan Colle , Alternate Memb
A'N I Michael Maiead� Alternate Member
Attest: M d I e;�2
Susan Bell
Public Information/ Recording Coordinator