HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 041200CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
APRTi. 12, 2000
The April 12, 2000, Regular meeting of the City of Palm Beach Gardens Education
Advisory Board was called to order at 7:35 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the
Municipal Complex located at 10500 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, Scott Blake, Judith Hanrahan, Murtaza Kakli, Nancy
Krause- Laurie, Vice Chair Leslie Millar, James Panoch, Jan Porter, and Charlotte
Schiff. City Council Liaison Eric Jablin and Palm Beach Gardens High School
students Ashley Reiss and Andrea Kanner were also present.
Andrea Reiss requested correction of her comment in the March 8, 2000 meeting
minutes which should have been FKITTY instead of FLAT, Judith Hanrahan noted
® that her comment that special education teachers were being cut because federal funds
were being cut should have been state funds. Scott Blake made a motion to approve
the minutes of the March 8, 2000 meeting as amended. Motion was seconded by Jan
Porter and carried by unanimous vote.
Guest Speaker Rhonda Wilson, English teacher at Palm Beach Gardens High School,
recently certified in English by the National Board, shared the National Board's
certification program and urged the Education Advisory Board to get the word out
about the necessity of all teachers becoming National Board certified. Ms. Wilson
answered questions from the members of the Board. Discussion ensued. Publications
in which an article regarding certification could be published were discussed. Ms.
Wilson became very ill with difficulty breathing, and 911 was called. Ms. Wilson was
taken to the hospital, accompanied by Scott Blake. Mr. Jablin made arrangements for
the meeting to be moved to another room because of the fumes from the glue used in
replacing the wood veneer in the Council chambers.
The meeting reconvened at 8 :20 p.m.
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
APRiT, 12, 2000
Page 2
Committee Reports
Public Liaison - No report.
Boundaries - No report.
Curriculum - Charlotte Schiff reported that instead of a curriculum committee meeting,
a meeting had been held regarding the legislative forum. Everyone was asked to bring
general questions to the next meeting, which would only be seen by Ms. Schiff, for use
in the forum of legislature candidates.
Chair Anderson reported the School Board Superintendent had been speaking at
different schools, one of which Mr. Anderson had attended, where several items were
discussed, including budget problems, 7th period at the high schools, and consolidating
small classes. A suggestion had been made that the Superintendent make a tape to
avoid being misquoted. Events leading to the budget crisis and suggestions which
might help were discussed. A suggestion was made that parents should attend the
meetings.
School Board Forum - Jim Panoch reported he attended a School Board investment
meeting and a School Board Budget Workshop meeting where ways to cut the budget
and other items had been discussed. Discussion ensued regarding new teachers not
staying in the system. Mr. Panoch pointed out that a recent newspaper article had dealt
this item. Mr. Panoch reported a few years ago the Bureau of condominiums had
increased costs per unit by $2.00, earmarked for education, and as a result had
collected more than $1 million but did not give it to the schools. The legislature had
then decreed 1/2 million would be given to the junior college system this year and
another 1/2 million next year to do something for education.
Partnership - Leslie Millar indicated there was nothing to report.
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Education Advisory Board
April 11, 2000
Page 3
SAC Member Signup
Allamanda Elementary - Chair Anderson reported the school improvement plan was
almost complete.
Palm Beach Gardens Elementary - Anne Berg the commented the SAC was very active
and had had two meetings last month. Concern had been expressed about
overcrowding as a result of the opt -out program. Ms. Berg submitted for inclusion in
these minutes a copy of a letter she had written on behalf of the Board to Mr. Tom
Orloff, Director of Student Assignment & Magnet, School District of Palm Beach
County regarding the opt -out program, and a copy of a letter to Ms. Susan Storms,
Educational Planning Specialist, Planning & Real Estate, Palm Beach County School
Board, requesting three additional portables for Palm Beach Gardens Elementary. The
opt -out program was discussed. Chair Anderson explained that the program would not
mean more students, but possibly less. Discipline focus groups made up of parents
and teachers had been discussed.
Timber Trace Elementary - No report.
Grove Park Elementary_ - Vice Chair Leslie Millar indicated there was nothing to
report.
H. L. Watkins Middle - Mr. Kakh reported that money left over in the SAC budget had
been discussed, the school improvement plan had been approved, and new SAC by-
laws had been provided. Mr. Kakli reported that the Saturday school seemed to be
working.
Watson B. Duncan Middle - Judith Hanrahan reported uniforms had been approved,
money left over in the SAC budget had been discussed, the school now had voice
mail, and April 27 would be Take Your Child to Work Day with absences excused.
Ms. Hanrahan announced that Palm Beach County schools now had a website where
0 school reports and scores could be obtained: palmbeach.02.fl.us.
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Education Advisory Board
April 11, 2000
Page 4
School of the Arts Middle Jan Porter reported a dance troupe had invited some of the
students to a restaurant on Clematis Street to talk with them; budget money had been
used for personal notices to go out April 14 for auditions; adult literacy had been
discussed; major assignments and tests could be accessed by teachers on computer so
that students would not be overloaded any one night.
From the April 10 meeting, Ms. Porter reported the students would not be getting their
reports until June 15, rollovers for school deregulation had been discussed, as well as
the need for a longer school day was needed to accommodate teacher conferences.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts - Jan Porter reported that because the
school was deregulated they had not received their money in time to spend it before the
freeze started. This had also happened to the other deregulated schools. Also
discussed was increased vandalism in the school and how to deal with it. Approval had
been given to apply for a literacy initiative in Florida grant. 4 x 4 block scheduling had
been discussed. A letter was to be written in favor of eliminating the A+ school
program. From a subsequent SAC meeting, Ms. Porter reported than an action plan
was developed, and a new attendance policy was in effect. Community Real Estate
had donated $100 to the school.
Palm Beach Gardens High - A student reported new cameras had been installed but
no one was monitoring them, and that they might be monitored by student government
class students.
William T. Dwyer High - Nancy Krause -Laurie reported the school improvement plan
was discussed and attendance at the meeting was down.
Suncoast High - There was no report.
North Tech - There was no report.
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City of Palm Beach Gardens
Education Advisory Board
April 11, 2000
Page 5
Old Business
"A +" school bonus letter: Chair Anderson read a letter written by Scott Blake to the
legislature regarding "A" school bonus letters. Anne Berg was designated to edit the
letter and submit it to City Council Liaison Jablin.
Forum of Legislature Candidates - The election dates were announced: Primary
September 5; runoff October 2, and election November 7. Five republicans and no
democrats had filed as of this date. Mr, Jablin announced the forum would be held
before September 5, and the two senate candidates and the School Board candidates
would be covered in the forum. It was reported that Dorothy Montgomery planned to
serve two more years.
0 New Business
The next meeting date of May 10, 2000 was announced. Suggestions were made for
guest speaker.
Dropout program funds reallocation was discussed.
Chair Anderson expressed concern that new teacher positions were not advertised until
after the previous teacher had left. Further research was requested.
Chair Anderson commented he would try to speak to Tom Lynch regarding the five day
absence policy.
City Council Liaison reported he had spoken to Scott Blake by cell phone and learned
that the guest speaker, who had had difficulty breathing, had recently had pneumonia
and also suffered from anxiety attacks, but was going to be all right.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.