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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 031898CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MARCH 18, 1998 The March 18, 1998, Regular meeting of the City of Palm Beach Gardens Education Advisory Board was called to order at 7:30 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 appointed members were found to be in attendance: Alan Adams, Monika Adams, Wayne Anderson, Ann Berg, Ilene Gerber, Nona Helsel, Mary Inglis, Murtaza Kakli, Deborah Martel, Leslie Miller, Jan Porter, Ron Sadaka. Also in attendance were City Council Liaison Eric Jablin, Staff Liaison Paul Friedman, and students Rachel Jablin, Adam Allgood, Kara Neimarlo, Derek Furtado and Lauren Baer. Absent from the meeting were Lisa Ridgely, Karen Robinson, Alan Sara, and Scott Blake. Tesula Stuart arrived at 7:45 p.m. New members Ann Berg and Murtaza Kakh provided information on their backgrounds • and gave their reasons for joining this Board. Minutes of the January 1998 meeting were approved as submitted. It was stated that the main purpose of this meeting was to appoint members to the Standing Committees: Boundaries Committee; Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and Public Liaison Committee. The purpose and functions of SAC committees, the School Board's ABC Committee, and School Advisory Councils were described. Membership of the Boundaries Committee was discussed, as well as the functions of the committee. New member Murtaza Kakli agreed to serve on the Boundaries Committee, along with current members Ron Sadaka, Alan Sara, and Scott Blake, and two student members, Mike Monson, Adam Allgood. The functions of the Curriculum Committee were discussed, and Mary Inglis described the functions of the Public Liaison Committee. It was requested that all members think about whether they would like to move from their present committee to another committee. 21 Education Advisory Board March 18, 1998 Page 2 The need for ethnic diversity among the student members was discussed, and how that might be accomplished. A suggestion was made to advertise the meetings as open to the public so that interested parties who were not residents of Palm Beach Gardens might attend; and for the members of the Board to make a special effort next year in recruiting both adult and student members who were members of other ethnic groups. STANDING COMMITTEES: Curriculum Committee Wayne Anderson reported that the committee had discussed a volunteer program to increase reading scores at elementary schools. Mr. Anderson reported that the student volunteers had taken over this program and had done an excellent job. The tutoring programs at various schools were discussed. Alan Adams described Career Academies, which would combine the three technical schools into a combined academic school with a volunteer career training program for high school students, which upon graduation would provide them not only with their academic certificate but also with a certificate recognized by local industries that they had acquired necessary job skills. Mr. Adams described the functions and focus of the various committees working on this program. Discussion ensued regarding offering students different tracks to follow to acquire skills necessary to earn a living, and statistics on those attending and not attending college, those going into military branches, and those taking various types of jobs. Boundaries Committee: The Boundaries Committee had not met. Public Liaison Committee: Mary Inglis reported she had sent thank -you notes to the Title I guests who spoke at the February meeting, and had written an article for newspaper publication. Ms. Inglis suggested that the City sponsor an appreciation event for teachers similar to that done at Wellington, possibly to be held at each school. City Council Liaison Jablin suggested that the City might proclaim a teacher appreciation day to be coupled with 0 some kind of celebration at each school. It was also suggested that the Public Liaison • Education Advisory Board March 18, 1998 Page 3 Committee consider sponsoring a forum for the upcoming School Board Election; City Council Liaison Jablin responded that he would check with the City Council on the legality of this concept. Timeliness of articles for publication was discussed. It was reported that the newspapers were less than enthusiastic about publishing articles which were three weeks old by the time the newspapers received them; and suggestions were to furnish an agenda in advance so that a reporter could cover items of interest, or to get the articles to the newspapers within 48 hours of the meeting. Future plans for televised broadcasting of meetings were discussed. Timber Trace SAC It was reported that a school improvement plan had been finalized. A public hearing to review the school improvement plan was scheduled for 7 p.m. March 23, 1998. Alamanda SAC • It was reported that a Technology Fair had been held, and another one was planned since teachers were so enthusiastic, and that those teachers already trained in technology would teach the others. It was announced that Alamanda would be losing two teachers next year. School of the Arts Middle School SAC It was reported that a school improvement plan had been approved, and work was being done on a mission statement. A problem with the air conditioning system which was causing allergies was reported. Approximately 4,000 auditions for 390 spots were anticipated. This school was reported to be the only magnet school interested in attracting PSE students. A budget meeting had been held. Audition dates were announced. Suncoast SAC No report was available. Palm Beach Gardens Elementary SAC No report was available. • Education Advisory Board March 18, 1998 Page 4 Palm Beach Gardens High School SAC It was reported that a school improvement plan had been finalized, with the public meeting to be held April 20. Discussion ensued regarding the report that 3,000 discipline referrals had been reported in the minutes of the prior SAC meeting. General_ Business A suggestion was made that photography be used by the Public Liaison Committee as a public relations aid. Mr. Adams announced that a cooperative meeting with the other North County Education Advisory Boards had been held February 3 attended by representatives from Tequesta, Jupiter, Riviera Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens Advisory Boards. The next meeting was scheduled for April 7. The representatives agreed to support the following important issues: improving reading and math in elementary schools, career academies, effective County concurrency. Mr. Adams reported that the congressional committee had dropped the concept of creating more than one school board and it would not be on the ballot in November. Mr. Adams announced that election of officers would be held in June, and that under the terms of the City ordinance none of the present officers would be eligible to serve for another year. One of the Board members commented regarding splitting up the local district, compared the much higher number of schools and students in Palm Beach County to other counties, and advised that 35 schools would be a minimum for each district, that each would receive the same amount of money, everyone would be eligible for grants, and it would be a good thing for the schools if the County were split into four districts. Mr. Adams suggested this item be scheduled for discussion on a future agenda. It was decided to schedule either the Area Superintendent or the new Principal of Duncan Middle School for the next meeting, and the other for the following meeting. Discussion of a concurrency model was assigned to the Boundary Committee so that they could make a recommendation to the full Board. 1 0 Education Advisory Board March 18, 1998 Page 5 A Board member requested documentation regarding the current year number of schools, teachers, students, and drop -outs in Palm Beach Gardens, and how many graduating seniors planned to attend no college, junior college, or 4 -year college. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.