Education Advisory Board - Meeting Minutes – June 2009
I attended the June Education Advisory Board meeting on Thursday.
Maureen Persi has been reinstated as a Board member appointed by Mayor Seiler. There were 6 members present but did not constitute a quorum The Chair, Jacqueline Ackerina decided since there was not a quorum, those present would discuss the 3 goals which had been discussed at the last meeting. All members had been asked to bring back ideas as to how these goals could be attained.

Item 1 was ideas the Board could accomplish: there were quite a few ideas presented. It was suggested that more volunteers were needed especially in the Title 1 schools to help with tutoring & reading to classes. There was a feeling from all that these schools need some type of rewards program either certificates or small trophies. Members were asked to see if there were companies in the area of the schools that might give donations toward these awards.

Another idea was to host a coffee or tea at the 3 adopted schools for the teachers.  This, of course would have to be done with the approval of the Principals. Since Sunland & Arthur Ashe are to have new principals we should wait until they have had the chance to get started. The Chair said she had contacted these newly appointed Principals & they would be willing to attend a meeting.
Lauderdale Manors Principal has given us a wish list & we need to try & fulfill that list. We have spent much time talking about these schools but need to be pro active for them.  Sunland is especially a concern for it has been announced they will lose 10 teachers. This school had many needs already & this will possibly be another handicap.

The second goal to be discussed was the possibility of having a student member. Much discussion took place on this issue. Since there are 3 high schools, it was felt all three should have representatives but that would be asking a lot for 3 students to give that time. It was suggested that students could be asked to write an essay as to what they thought they could offer. The Board was asked to have one member responsible for the student once they had been selected. All agreed this was a good idea. Since it could not be voted on anyway this is for further discussing at the next meeting.

The third goal discussed was do we continue with the 3 schools that had been selected. It was discussed that the Board should be divided between the 3 schools & to take an active leadership with them.  In that way, the committee could report on the needs of each school to the Board.
Charles Webster, the School Board Liaison was not present but there was a discussion since the daily paper had reported 359 teachers would be laid off. There had been some good news though that in the list of 500 top secondary schools, Ft. Lauderdale High was #438 & Stranahan was 444. There were also some good reports from the FCAT results.

The meeting was well run & some very good discussions took place as to how they will move forward to attaining the goals that are already in place.
Lu Deaner brought a brochure that had been done some years ago giving a history of the Fort Lauderdale schools & this Board. It was suggested that possibly this could be updated for the Centennial.

There will be no meeting in July. The next meeting will be on August 20th.