Booker High School

School Advisory Council

Minutes of Meeting February 15, 2007

 

Present:           Johan Akal, Jill Dorsett, Ricardo Galatzan, David Grain, Lillian Mignano, Claudia Postell, Linda Ware, Lesley Wessell.

                       

 

I.          Welcome:                    Meeting called to order by Claudia Postell at 5:30 PM

SAC members welcomed.

                                               

 

II.        Chair Report               Claudia Postell, acting SAC Chairperson:

                                               

SAC Minutes from November 16, 2006 read, corrections approved and recommended posting to SAC website by Leslie Wessell / David Grain

SAC Minutes January 18, 2007, read, approved and recommended

posting to SAC website by Leslie Wessell / David Grain.

 

III.       Principal Report          Ms. Dorsett, Principal:

 

                                                A.  Small Learning Community Update:

                                                Seven (7) SLC have been established for Booker High School        

                                                2007-2008:  VPA; PBD (special diploma program); Science

Research; Math, Engineering & Architecture/Construction;

                                                Business Management Marketing & Finance; Arts, A/V                                                              Technical &Communications; Career Academy (SWD); and

                                                Human Services, Education, Law, Government & Hospitality.

 

All incoming 9th graders, throughout Sarasota districted schools

 will be assigned to a SLC.  Booker High School will hold a

SPIN night, April 11, 2007, to introduce all incoming 9th graders

and parents information regarding the SLC programs at Booker

High School.  Sarasota County School District has already

presented  this learning and teaching concept to staff and public.

Channel 20 will continue educating the public through their

broadcasting.

 

Booker High School’s master schedule is being developed based

on our staff meeting the needs of student SLC selection.  Staff

is to be informed of what SLC they are assigned to in early March,

A later school start date in August will assist staff in making the

necessary classroom and teaching adjustments. 

 

There is a concern over the decrease in student numbers for Booker’s VPA .  More intense recruiting is needed. Middle school Magnet Night, March 21, will target minority students to participate in the VPA programs. Assistance from the District will

also benefit Booker’s VPA program. 

B.     Closing of Orange Avenue:

There is a safety concern for Staff and Students.  Orange

Avenue is a continual avenue of traffic.  Even though we

have a crossing guard to assist the staff and student crossing of

Orange Avenue, often there are traffic safety issues.  Meetings

are being scheduled to meet with the Amaryllis Neighborhood Park Association, police department, and Sarasota County School Board to grant permission for the closing of Orange

Avenue during school hours. 

 

Other possible solutions suggested:

David Grain suggested speed bumps on Orange Avenue to slow down traffic.

 

C.     Budget:  $52,539.00

An assembly featuring Dr. Fairest Hill was held for Booker’s

9th and 10th graders.  Dr. Hill emphasized the importance of

pursuing goals and positive life skills which leads one to be

successful in life.  Staff and student response to this assembly has lead to a request from 11th and 12th grade for a repeat performance.  Additional  presentations would cost $600 - $1200.

 

Larry Bell Conference in April – 5 to 7 Booker High staff will

Be selected to attend this conference for staff development.  Cost $2750 - $3850

 

Booker High “Twister” Newsletter has been distributed.  We

should publish four (4) per year distributed.  Currently, only one newsletter has been published and distributed.

Publishing and distribution is costly.  Academy Publishing graciously publishes the “Twister” and charges Booker High only postage fees for distribution totaling $900.  The cost of three more newsletters would run approximately $2700.

 There is a need for more community advertising to cover these costs.

Suggestions: 

1.      In house publishing:  we do not have the staff available

nor do we have professional printing capability.

2.      School Board Print Shop does not have publishing

Capability.

3.      David Grain suggested checking with Scott Serbin,

Serbin Printing, and Coastal Printing  for publishing

Quote.

                                                            Budget expenditures approved by SAC Committee.

 

D.    Booker High Foundation Update:  Objective of foundation is to

assist in funding of special and critical need projects for Booker High School.

1. Suggestions:

a.       Acquire 100 people in the community and through

 alumni to donate $1000.00 each.

b.      Create a “Wish List” and advertise to community. 

 “Wish List” was published in the recent “Twister”.

 

2.      Student projects needing funding:

a.       Business projects:  Star Bucks Coffee Shop

Students to run and operate at a profit in

The Media Center.

b.      School Store.

 

E.     Classroom portables: Two existing portables will be removed and 5 new portables to be installed by tennis courts and between Buildings 4 and 6. 

 

IV.       Student Reports:         No report available.

 

 

V.        Old Business               No old business was discussed.                     

 

VI.       New Business             Union marquee:  “Fix Booker High Now” raised questions about

The “message” this statement sends to Sarasota County residents

along with parents, students and staff of Booker High School.  Ms.

Dorsett has contacted the Union requesting this message be

removed from their marquee immediately.  This has been done.                              

 

 

Meeting Adjourned:  7:00 PM – Johan Akal / Leslie Wessel

                                   

Minutes Recorded by:  Kim Davis

Minutes Submitted by:  Linda Ware

   SAC Secretary

                                       Booker High School

 

Corrected by: