HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 032697e'
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
MARCH 26, 1997
WORKSHOP MEETING
The March 26, 1997, Workshop 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 following members were in attendance: Monika Adams, Ron Sadaka, Mary Inglis,
Wayne Anderson, Bayla Singer, Scott Blake, Stasia Datchko, Alan Adams and Jan Porter.
Chairman Adams stated that this meeting was a Workshop meeting, which meant that the
Board could not take any formal action but could discuss what the Board wanted to do about the
organization of the Board and could take formal action at the next regular meeting.
Chairman Adams gave each member a copy of the ordinance that created the Education
Advisory Board and set forth their duties and responsibilities. Mr. Adams pointed out that the
ordinance left the organization of the Board up to its members.
• Chairman Adams handed out the current mode of operation being practiced by the Board.
Chairman Adams felt that tonight's discussion should start with an understanding of the
ordinance and any suggested changes to the ordinance. Chairman Adams stated that the
ordinance requires the appointment of a Chair, a Vice Chair and a Secretary. Mr. Adams stated
that the Board did away with the appointment of a secretary because the City supplied one to
record the meetings, however, he felt that it was probably a good position to have since that
person could write the thank you notes and correspondence for the Board.
There was a consensus of the Board that the appointments of a Chair, Vice Chair and a
Corresponding Secretary should remain the same. The day and time of the meetings remained
the same. Chairman Adams stated that the Board passed a rule that if a member had three
unexcused absences from regular meetings or standing committee meetings in a row the member
would be removed by the Board. It was the consensus of the Board that the ordinance should be
amended to allow the Board to meet at the various schools. It was suggested that the principal of
the school hosting the meetings should advertise in the school newsletter that the Board would be
meeting on whatever date so that there would be plenty of notice to parents and teachers in case
they wanted to attend the meetings. Monika Adams made a motion that if a member missed 3
board meetings in a one year period they would be subject to removal from the Board. This
would not include an absence from a committee meeting. The motion failed.
Chairman Adams stated that the Board is required to design a plan of action and to have
standing committees meet to do research. Mr. Adams explained the functions of the standing
committees and how the Board would take the committee recommendations under consideration
for approval or denial. Mr. Scott made a motion to disband every committee now in existence
and create two committees, one for instruction and one for finance and construction. Chairman
Adams stated that this motion would be appropriate later in the agenda.
Chairman Adams stated that the only rules of order that the Board was using was that a
member needed to raise their hand before speaking and that a vote would be taken if a clear
consensus was not obvious. Mr. Adams stated that the Board did not follow Roberts Rules of
Order. Bayla Singer recommended that the Board limit the amount of discussion on any given
topic. She added that a detailed agenda prepared in advance with a time limit noted by each
agenda item. Chairman Adams stated he would add a time limit to each agenda item, however,
at a time when an agenda item comes up that would go beyond the time limit, the Board as a
whole would vote to extend the time limit. Mr. Anderson stated he would rather not limit the
amount of time spent on an agenda. Mrs. Adams felt that the Board should meet until an issue
was resolved and felt that if the meetings took longer then that's what it would take to
accomplish the agenda. Bayla Singer stated that when the Chair saw that discussion among
members was not going in any one direction, he would direct each member a change to add their
comments once and then call a vote.
Chairman Adams gave each member a list of the current standing committee members.
Chairman Adams asked for thoughts regarding the'standing committees. Scott Blake felt that
there should only be two sub - committees - one for curriculum and instruction and one for finance
• and construction. Mr. Scott felt that the talents of the board members were spread too thin and
thought that there would be enough board members that not all would have to sit on a standing
committee. Mr. Scott felt that it was important that the Chair of the Board run the Board
meetings and the Co -Chair to be responsible for running the standing committee meetings. The
Co -Chair would also be responsible for communication with the Chair so that any motions that
come forward would be coordinated.
Wayne Anderson stated he reviewed the responsibilities that the City wanted this Board
to take care of, however, pointed out that the Board could request the City Council change those
responsibilities. Mr. Anderson listed responsibilities that were too numerous for the Board to
accomplish. Mr. Anderson reviewed his outline of responsibilities and the procedures that
should be followed for SAC members reporting to the Board. Mr. Anderson thought that guest
speakers should be invited that would enlighten Board members on certain issues. Mr. Anderson
felt that the Board could function with three standing committees and their SAC representatives.
Mr. Anderson felt that there should be time set aside at each regular meeting of the Board for the
committees to talk. A discussion ensued regarding the different types of standing committees
and their procedures. The Board discussed the various SACs and their importance to this Board.
Mr. Anderson felt that the SAC reports could be done twice a year. Chairman Adams felt that
the SACs were intended to be a two way communication and the SACs are required to do a
school improvement plan and identify the problems of the school. It was felt that the Board
would be better served if the contact was with the PTA and the Parents Advisory Board. It was
• suggested that some of the subjects covered by the standing committees were not those that are
the direct responsibilities assigned to the Board.
• Mr. Sadaka felt that the Board should go after grants and that it would be a way for the
Board to make its mark and get the schools interested and attentive to this Board. Chairman
Adams stated that the standing committees were the only place that anything happened with the
Board. Mr. Adams felt that the standing committees developed a plan, acted on that plan and
presented recommendations to the Board for their consideration. Monika Adams outlined her
proposal for three standing committees and what they would accomplish. Mrs. Adams stated that
she agreed with Mr. Blake on his recommendations for standing committees, however, felt that
there should be a committee for Federal or State mandates. Ms. Singer stated that there could be
two or three standing committees that could break down into standing committees, however,
each standing committee must have one action and one accomplishable goal for the year.
Mr. Adams handed out a sheet explaining his recommendations for standing committees.
Mr. Adams reviewed his thoughts and comments that he handed out to the members. Mr. Sadaka
felt that the informational exchange should be one member from each of the committees.
Bayla Singer stated that one item that has not been discussed, that Councilman Jablin
asked her to bring to everyone's attention was the possibility of a reproduction committee. Ms.
Singer stated that Councilman Jablin asked her to express his feeling that instead of new
candidates being interviewed by himself and Mr. Adams, some larger group within the Board be
delegated to interview new candidates to bring recommendations to the Board and City Council.
Chairman Adams stated that originally this thought was going to be introduced by Councilman
Jablin tonight, who had reproduced all the applications, however, he was not in attendance. Mr.
Adams explained that the Board would review the applications and determine those to be
interviewed. Mr. Adams stated that those to be interviewed would be invited to a member's
house, and suggested Councilman Jablin's house, to sit down to discuss the ordinance and rules
and general organization of the Board.
Mr. Sadaka stated that he would like to see the Board work with other influential groups
such as the Economic Advisory Council. Mrs. Adams felt that the City needed to receive
concerns from members of the public if a hot line was established. Mrs. Adams stated that
parents and teachers could call the hot line to request the Board's assistance with different
issues.
The Board listed on a board the various standing committees suggested by the members.
Bayla Singer asked if the Board wanted large committees with broad mandates or numerous
small committees with more focused mandates. Those members that suggested the various
standing committees reviewed their suggestions. A vote was taken on the Board's choice of
committees and the following standing committees were agreed upon: (1)
Curriculum/Instruction, (2) Boundaries/Facilities, and (3) Public Liaison.
Scott Blake stated that on Monday, March 31, 1997, at the Airport Hilton, there would be
a meeting of Students First and asked that each member of the Board attend. The document
• discussed at that meeting would be forwarded to the School Board on April 1, 1997. On April
23, 1997, the School Board will either take the recommendation and act on it or not. If the
School Board does not cooperate, the Students First will circulate a petition. Mr. Scott stated
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that he will not be at the April 9, 1997, meeting of the Education Advisory Board as he will be
escorting some students to Japan.
It was suggested that the number of members of the Board be raised to 19. Mr. Sadaka
asked if people could serve on the standing committees that were not members of the Education
Advisory Board so they could be more fully staffed. Mr. Adams suggested that the meeting be
adjourned and the members have a discussion afterward.
Mr. Blake read a mission statement from Students First into the record. Chairman Adams
stated that the mission statement should scare the School Board. Members of the Board critiqued
the mission statement.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
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