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Minutes 10-07-04MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, 208 SOUTH SEACEAST BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2004 AT 6:15 P.M. Present Jean Cairo, Chairperson Virginia Farace, Board Liaison Floyd Bell, Vice Chair Barbara Brunetti Erica Hammond Christine Moeller Joan Pleasants Jeffrey Andre, Student Member Absent Margaret S. Newton Also Present: Barthelemy Demezier, Director of the Forest Park Beacon Center I. Pledge Chairperson Cairo called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m. and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. I1. Roll Call Members introduced himself or herself and gave a brief background for the benefit of the two new members, Christine Moeller and Jeff Andre, who were welcomed to the Board. Mr. Demezier, Director of the Forest Park Beacon Center, also introduced himself and said that he would be attending all the Board meetings. Ms. Brunetti announced that Forest Park Elementary School received the very prestigious Gary Carter Foundation Award that included a donation of 32,000 books, computers and computer programs for testing. The award festivities took place at the school today and the award involves a three-year program. II1. Minutes: August 19, 2004 There were no changes to the minutes and they were accepted as written. IV. Public Audience Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 7, 2004 Mr. Demezier reported that Forest Park School is offering a Financial Fitness Program to help people with their finances and the first session will be October 12, 2004. A flyer with the various dates for the program was distributed. Also, there will be a parenting class at Forest Park on October 14, 2004 and a flyer for this event was also distributed. The class is being offered to assist parents in helping their children succeed in school. Beginning October 7th aerobics would be offered at the School that is open to any resident of the City. He pointed out that all programs are free. Ms. Farace requested that Mr. Demezier furnished the Library with flyers for distribution. Ms. Farace requested that Ms. Brunetti provide further details on the grant received by Forest Park Elementary. Ms. Brunetti reported that she applied for the grant and when she did, she was informed that the Foundation was not taking any more requests for this fiscal year. However, when they heard that the school she was applying for was located in Boynton Beach, they informed her that they would like to have a school in Boynton Beach. At that point, they came to the school and all the details were worked out. As a result, the school received a three-year grant. The Gary Carter Foundation also sent Billy the Marlin to the School, whom the children thoroughly enjoyed. Ms. Brunetti explained how the program worked. Children that read the books received small weekly prizes, monthly prizes and at the end of the year received bicycles. The prizes are awarded based upon how many words they read. Ms. Brunetti also reported that the Beacon Center would be providing the fifth graders with Weekly Readers. Ms. Brunetti commended Mr. Demezier for his assistance at the school. V. Chair's Report Chairperson Cairo welcomed the new members on the Board. VI. City Liaison's Report Chamber Leadership Education Day (October 21 st) Ms. Farace explained the Leadership Program offered by the Chamber of Commerce that consists of attending a program one Thursday of the month for several months. One program is Education Day that she facilitates and is scheduled for October 21st. Chairperson Cairo has agreed to assist Ms. Farace with the Education Day by addressing the group and speaking about the Education Advisory Board and the Principal for a Day Project. The day will begin in the Library Program Room at 8:30 a.m. Ms. Farace thought that this year approximately 17 people signed up for the course. City Resolution Supporting School District Referendum Ms. Farace reported that the Board had intended to make a recommendation in September to the City Commission to support the referendum. However, the Board did Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 7, 2004 not meet in September and the Commission received a resolution prepared by the League of Cities that they passed on their agenda recently. Ms. Farace did inform the Commission prior to its adopting the resolution that this Board was in support of the referendum. Ms. Farace distributed a copy of the resolution that was passed. Ms. Farace recommended that members search the School District's website that has a plethora of information regarding the referendum. She also prepared a handout that was distributed to members with questions and answers regarding the halfpenny sales tax and the referendum. The website also contains a page for every school and how it would benefit if the referendum passed. There is also a six-minute video on the website for viewing. Ms. Farace pointed out that if the referendum passed, the City would have new Forest Park and Rolling Green Schools. It would also include planning for a new Galaxy School and the walkways at the City's new schools would be covered. Boynton Beach High School is earmarked for a new $5 million addition for its theater career academy. If the referendum does not pass, there will be no funds for Galaxy. Ms. Brunetti inquired if Boynton Beach High School would be getting a baseball field. She noted that the High School baseball team uses the Little League Field. VII. Principal for a Day Program Principal for a Day will take place on Thursday, November 18th. All the schools that will be participating have responded. Volunteers for the principals are still needed. Also, Chairperson Cairo announced that B.J. Wholesale Club would not be participating this year. She was not sure if Kenneth Gary would be attending and she is still waiting to hear from him. A lot of people that participated last year will be returning this year. In addition, Chairperson Cairo has enlisted some new people as well. It appears that most people want the same school that they had last year. Vice Chair Bell thought it would be beneficial for the new members if Chairperson Cairo explained what Principal for a Day involved. Chairperson Cairo noted that the program, which is called Public Education Needs Civic Involvement and Learning (PENCIL), started in New York City. The program involves getting business leaders to participate in a day in the life role as a principal in a public school to create partnerships and relationships, whereby businesses would partner with the schools and provide needed resources. The Board sponsored the first Principal for a Day on November 13, 2003, which was a great success. Everyone that was involved had a wonderful time, and the schools felt that they benefited by participating. Some people that participated remained with their school and helped start new programs. The businessperson spends half the day at the school participating in whatever event the principal arranged. After spending half the day at the school, the participants went to City Hall for lunch and a town meeting. This year the town meeting will be held in the auditorium at the Boynton Beach High School that was arranged by Ms. Pleasants. Those who attended the town Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 7, 2004 meeting included the Mayor, City Commissioners, and School Board members who addressed the group. Chairperson Cairo will be sending out announcements to all SACs and PTAs in order to encourage the public to participate in the town meeting. Also invitations will be sent to other City Boards as well. Chairperson Cairo has sent out letters inviting the Mayor, City Manager, Commissioners, School Board members, SAC chairs and PTA presidents. Ms. Farace requested that a copy of the letter be sent to her and Chairperson Cairo will E-mail it to her. Ms. Pleasants reported that she spoke with J.J. Muggs. The special events coordinator from last year no longer works there. However, the new coordinator was familiar with the event and was very positive about supplying the food again this year; however, she has to confirm this with the owner. Chairperson Cairo also circulated a letter that she sent to local businesspeople to see if they would like to donate something for the gift bag and seeking volunteers to help with the event. She explained that a gift bag last year was given to all the people that served as principals for a day and all donations were recognized in the program for the event and volunteers were also presented with a gift. Chairperson Cairo also presented a letter that could be used to ask a businessperson if they would like to be a principal for the day. Ms. Farace requested that she be furnished with a copy of both letters. Chairperson Cairo reported that there are 22 principals participating and she has 18 principals for a day to date. Ms. Farace noted that business owners, general managers, CEOs and professionals would be great principals for a day. She would like to avoid having too many people of the same profession participating. Vice Chair Bell will be supplying the banner and Chairperson Cairo is having posters donated. Chairperson Cairo was not certain if they would be able to appear on lTV because the station has been down. The Board had wanted to have a half-hour program with one of the principals who could explain how the program worked and what it meant to them. Vice Chair Bell reported that he has not been successful in locating the video of last year's principal for a day, but he is continuing his search. Chairperson Cairo has photos on disks from last year and she would like to have a slide presentation at the High School during the town meeting. Chairperson Cairo asked about the status of the certificates. Ms. Farace reported that she spoke with Wayne Segal, the City's Media Director, who offered to get the Board whatever they needed. Members discussed giving certificates versus plaques. Also, Mr. Segal offered to take pictures if the Board wished. Chairperson Cairo inquired if the Board's request for funds was approved and Ms. Farace stated that the members would be reimbursed for their expenses by turning in their receipts. Ms. Pleasants asked if there was a figure for their budget and Ms. Farace reported that the City's budget includes $15,000 for education initiatives and she felt that the $500 that the Board Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 7, 2004 would need should not pose a problem. Chairperson Cairo did not want to have plaques ordered if she would not be reimbursed for the cost. Ms. Farace will check on this. Ms. Farace recommended having certificates under glass made up. Vice Chair Beal recommending giving both a certificate and a plaque. Ms. Farace recommended getting prices on both plaques and certificates under glass. Chairperson Cairo noted that last year they had a breakfast meeting where the principals were introduced to their volunteer. Last year the breakfast was donated and held at Lakeside Village and Patrick Carl was also a principal for a day. Chairperson Cairo has E-mailed Carol Shetler to determine if there was enough time to have a breakfast again this year. Ms. Farace thought that Lakeside Village suffered hurricane damage and the restaurant was closed. Chairperson Cairo had spoken to Mr. Carl who stated their facility would be available for the breakfast again this year. She pointed out that the breakfast was not held in the restaurant last year. Ms. Farace inquired if the sub-committee still met every Thursday. Chairperson Cairo responded that they have tried to meet as much as possible. Chairperson Cairo announced that the Board has a subcommittee meeting in the small conference room in the back of the Library at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings to go over their progress. If any member would like to attend, they are welcomed to do so. Ms. Farace noted that she routinely posts these sub-committee meetings. Chairperson Cairo stated that they still need items for the gift bag. Ms. Hammond said that she would work on this. Chairperson Cairo pointed out that they would like to have gifts that are usable for the person receiving the gift. Ms. Pleasants noted that gift certificates were acceptable. Last year apples, cookies and candy were donated, along with some Avon products and a coffee mug from Einstein Bagels. Ms. Pleasants will speak with the manager at Einstein Bagels to determine if they still have the lunchboxes that could be used as the "gift bag." Ms. Pleasants also thought it would be nice if they could find someone to donate tote bags if the lunchboxes were not available. Chairperson Cairo pointed out that all members could solicit gifts by presenting the letter that has been furnished for this purpose. It was noted that they are still in need of locating a keynote speaker and members offered various suggestions. Superintendent of Schools, Art Johnson, has been invited, but Chairperson Cairo has not yet received a response whether he would attend. She will follow through on this. Vice Chair Bell recommended inviting the President of FAU and Superintendent of Henderson School, Frank Brogan. Ms. Brunetti offered to contact him. The keynote speaker would speak at 12:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium. Chairperson Cairo asked Mr. Andre if he would be agreeable to contacting the video department at the High School to arrange for a video of the event, which he agreed to do. Vice Chair Beil requested that Mr. Andre try to find the video from last year that the High School never turned in to the Board. It was noted that a student named Jeffrey Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 7, 2004 Pendergrast took the video last year. Mr. Andre stated that Mr. Pendergrast graduated, but he would look for the video and call Vice Chair Bell with the results. Ms. Farace reported that when she last spoke to the former principal, he informed her that the video was still being edited. Chairperson Cairo also noted that they needed to have disposal cameras donated. Ms. Farace stated that Sam's Club sells outdated cameras and they might be willing to donate some. Ms. Farace noted that there will be one more regular meeting in November before the event and the sub-committee would be meeting every Thursday. She inquired if the Board wanted to have an additional sub-committee meeting in the evening. After discussion it was determined to have a sub-committee meeting on Thursday, October 21st at 6:15 p.m. in the mini-conference room in the Library. There will be no 9:00 a.m. subcommittee meeting on October 21st. Ms. Farace requested that the City Clerk's Office prepare the necessary notice. VIII. SAC Reports (in writing, if possible) SAC Assignments Ms. Farace distributed a list of schools in Palm Beach County by area and the schools for which this Board has traditionally had SAC representation have been check marked. She also had available a list of charter and alternative schools if any member would be interested in serving on a SAC for those schools. Ms. Farace reported that she received a telephone call from Congress Middle School and they are looking for a community person to serve on their SAC. A community person would be a person who does not have a child at that school. The Congress Middle School SAC meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 in the evening. Members and Ms. Farace chose their SACs as follows: Ms. Farace- Vice Chair Bell - Ms. Moeller Ms. Hammond Ms. Brunetti Chairperson Cairo Ms. Newton Ms. Artis Mr. Demezier Boynton Beach High School Citrus Cove Elementary School Survivor Charter School Atlantic High School Galaxy Elementary School Poinciana Elementary School Rolling Green Elementary School Odyssey Middle School Congress Middle School Forest Park Elementary School Ms. Moeller indicated that she would try to attend some SAC meetings at Freedom Shores as well. Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 7, 2004 It was determined that student members did not have to serve on SACs. Ms. Farace reported that the SAC meeting dates and times could be found at the Web site palmbeachschools.org that has a list of SACs for each school. Ms. Farace distributed her Boynton Beach High School SAC meeting notes. IX. New Business None X. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (October 12, 2004) 7