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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 121097CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS • EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD DECEMBER 10, 1997 The December 10, 1997, Education Advisory Board Meeting of the City of Palm Beach Gardens 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 following appointed members were found to be in attendance: Alan Adams, Ilene Gerber, Wayne Anderson, Caroline Amazon,Nona Helsel, Leslie Miller, Scott Blake, Lisa Ridgely, Deborah Martel, Ron Sadaka, Mary Inglis, Karen Robinson, and Alan Sara. The minutes of the November, 1997, meeting were approved as written. Chairman Adams stated that the scheduled speaker this evening, the principal of Dwyer High School, was unable to attend. Chairman Adams stated some of the new members were in attendance and asked that the members of the board introduce themselves and tell a little about their background. Chairman Adams gave each member a list of the various standing committees that included a summary of each committee's functions and their current members. Mr. Adams stated that the board needed to determine if those members currently assigned to a committee wanted to stay on the committee and also have the new members express their interest in one of the committees. The current members of the Boundaries/Facilities Committee expressed an interest in remaining on that committee. It was the consensus of the Board to wait until each committee gave their monthly report so that the new members could see the work that was being done by each committee before deciding which committee they wanted to join. Boundaries/Facilities - Ron Sadaka reported that this committee met last night at the Burns Road Community Center and 2 guests from the District, the Director of Student Assignment - Magnet Programs and a Planning Specialists in the Planning Real Estate Department of the District. These guest speakers delivered an overview of the current growth plans for northern Palm Beach County and where the needs were for additional school facilities, the hopes for the capital to build those schools and a rough timeline. Mr. Sadaka discussed the presentation given by the guest speakers. Councilman Jablin explained governmental processes regarding school planning and funding and discussed Bill 17A, better known as the "glitch bill ". Curriculum and Instruction Committee - Wayne Anderson stated that the committee was unable to meet because of illnesses. Mr. Anderson explained that the committee had decided to • • concentrate on ways to help the schools raise their scores in the elementary schools in reading and math. Mr. Anderson explained the different ideas the committee members had in order to accomplish this goal. Mr. Anderson reported that only 20% of students entering kindergarten go on to graduate from college, yet curriculum through 12th grade is geared toward the college bound student. The committee is interested in how to put the emphasis on the 80% that do not go to college so they can receive proper training to allow them to be successful, productive citizens. The committee will also be doing research on Title I fiends. Mr. Anderson reported that the Title I money is money given to the State of Florida from the Federal Government to help increase the scores of students below the national average. These funds are sent to Tallahassee and distributed to each school district in Florida. This year Palm Beach County received just over $15,000,000 in Title I monies. The Federal Government has restrictions on this money and how it can be used. In the past Title I money could only be used in elementary schools. Today these funds can be used in elementary, middle and high schools in Florida. The Federal Distribution Requirements requires that these funds be distributed to the middle and the high schools that have 75% of the student population receiving reduced or free lunches. The elementary school must have a minimum of 50% of their student population receiving free or reduced lunches to qualify. Palm Beach County has decided to raise the requirements to 60% in elementary schools and leave the 75% requirement in the middle and high schools. Presently only 2 high schools and 2 middle schools in our County receive Title I money. As more elementary schools become magnet schools and attract more affluent students, there's less schools that will be qualifying for the Title I money. Mr. Anderson detailed what the Title I money could be used for by the individual schools. The committee felt that the monies given to • the schools should be based on how many students needed the help and not how many qualified for reduced or free lunches. Councilman Jablin suggested contacting Congressional Representatives to pressure a change in the Title I requirements. A discussion ensued regarding the Title I money, requirements, distribution and uses. It was suggested that if members had additional questions they should attend the standing committee meeting. Public Liaison - Mary Inglis reported that this standing committee's first function is public awareness of the Board and every month after the monthly meeting the committee writes a summary of the meeting and the relative issues that were discussed. This summary is faxed to the City of Palm Beach Gardens who then sends them to the various newspapers in the area. The second function is the public input from the parents and teachers. Ms. Inglis stated that the committee is researching ways for the community to communicate with the committee with questions that may concern them regarding anything that they may need an insider to answer. The monthly communication to the communities also include new regulations, such as the change in the grading system. Chairman Adams suggested a fourth standing committee be formed that would be a Student Standing Committee so that they can meet and share ideas regarding what goes on in their various schools and bring those ideas to the Board. It was the consensus of the students and the Board that the student members should not be a separate committee but be a part of existing standing committees to bring new ideas. 0 2 • The members and new members chose which standing committees they would like to serve on. Mr. Adams asked members to consider which SAC meetings they would like to cover. NEXT MEETING AGENDA Wayne Anderson stated that the principal of Dwyer High School informed him that she would try to attend the January meeting of the Board. GENERAL BUSINESS Chairman Adams asked the new members if they needed an explanatory presentation on the functions of the school SACs. They thought this would be helpful. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. GO • 3 • CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD DECEMBER 10, 1997 7:30 P.M. I. Call to Order II. Approval of Minutes of 11/1297 Regular Meeting III. Board Organization A. Standing Committee Assignments B. SAC Member Assignments IV. Standing Committee Progress Repsorts to the Board V. SAC Member Reports to the Board VI. General Business VII. Agenda for Next Meeting • VIII. Adjournment. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Statute 286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact James Waldron, Jr., no later than 5 days prior to the proceeding at telephone number (407) 775- 8255 for assistance; if hearing impaired, telephone the Florida Relay Service Numbers (800) 955- 8771 (TDD) or (800) 955 -8700 (VOICE), for assistance. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Council, with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. •