BHS SAC Minutes

April 17, 2008

Attendance: Leona Campos, Kim Davis, Natasha Galati, Lillie Mignano,

Beverly Porter, Wendy Stearns, Linda Ware, Leslie Wessel,

Megan Wessel, Constance White-Davis.

Guest: Sharon Albrecht.

Chair Report: Ms. Kim Davis

SAC minutes – March 20, 2008. Minutes reviewed and approved for posting on SAC website.

Guest Speaker: Sharon Albrecht: Florida Ready to Work –

Florida Ready To Work Program prepares high school students to enter

the work force with enhanced employability skills and state earned

credentials. Currently Florida Ready to Work Sarasota business partnerships is through Sarasota County Memorial Hospital and the

Chamber of Commerce. As the program establishes itself, other large corporations and business are joining in the effort to support this program.

This computer generated program could be launched through

Booker High CTE classes, career and technical programs, grades 10

through 12 in 2008-2009. It is a self paced program which focuses on

teaching students how to locate information, reading and deciphering

graphs and flow charts, and understanding math in the work place.

Three levels of achievement are required in order to earn certification.

This program builds student self esteem, provides employers and

students with a measurable capability assessment which would be

beneficial for students interviewing for employment.

Sarasota District Principal’s meeting a discussion regarding student

drop out rate increase is partially due to the need for students to be

gainfully employed to support themselves and their family. Florida Ready

To Work program will prepare students for better employment

Opportunities.

Principal Report: Ms. White Davis

BUDGET 2008-2009: The budget is being prepared and is to be presented to the SDMT committee and the SAC Committee for approval. At this time it appears that Booker High School may be losing staff

in the following areas: 2 Career Tech, 1 Science, 3 ESE, 1 Social Studies, 1 VPA and Driver’s Ed program. District suggested guidance counselors will be cut from 6 to 3. Ms. White-Davis is requesting District to reconsider this cut.

Ms. Leona Campos, Sarasota School District reports that Sarasota County schools must trim their budgets by $32 million dollars, with elementary schools being the hardest hit. Areas targeted to cut school budgets are to eliminating field trips, teacher allocations, athletic funds decreased for transportation and school event clean-ups. Creative fund raising to cover

these events will be necessary.

Technology Department is changing to a regional training system. Seventeen Techs will float throughout Sarasota County offices and schools to provide tech support aide and equipment hook-ups. One tech support person will be located in each school to handle daily tech situations. By converting to this system, the District will save $700,000.00.

Principals Council – Booker High Students met with Ms. White-Davis

and Sarasota County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Norris , to discuss how education needs to expand to better accommodate student educational needs. A report from Booker High student representative has bee requested for the upcoming May SAC Meeting.

Booker High School Renovation - Monies have been allocated; proposal for the re-designing of the high school; i.e. closing and re-routing

Of Orange Avenue, has met opposition from members of the Newtown Community. A series of future meeting will allow the community to evaluate this project.

GE Foundation – School plan shared with the Foundation regarding the

necessity of the Read 180 Program purchases. Each reading lab cost $37,000.00. Funding is needed to implement these labs into Booker High.

Statistics show that students using the Read 180 program have higher testing scores. GE Foundation contributions assist struggling students and stringent student enrollment in AP classes.

Booker’s American Idol: Syesha Mercado – American Idol Contestant-

Mattison’s restaurant is holding weekly events throughout this season.

Ms. White-Davis is keeping in touch with Syesha’s parents and family.

Booker High is planning for the Syesha hometown visit if she succeeds to

the level of top three contestants.

Booker Volunteer Report: Ms. Ware

Booker High School current total volunteer hours: 4,466.

Registered number of volunteers: 128

Booker High School is qualified for the Golden School Award for 2008.

Booker High Outstanding Volunteers:

Youth: Myranda Harting

Adult: Susan Palau

Senior: Saul Coplan

Business Partner: Patti Bonagiano/Clerk of Circuit Court

Innovative Project: Book Week II – Ann Copeman/Hellen Harvey

District Recognition for Outstanding Business Partner: Bent Tree

Country Club on January 17, 2008

District recognition for Outstanding School Volunteers: Michael’s On

East on April 17, 2008

Student reports:

Freshman class Danielle Dygert – Not present

Appointed Representative: Natasha Galati

Sophomore Class Matthew Stolpe – Not Present

Appointed Representative: Megan Wessel

The Freshman and Sophomore classes combined their efforts to

raise funds for the Relay for Life, Presents for Pets and

participate in a charity project for children’s hospitals.

Megan Wessell “thanked” SAC for assisting with funding for

Booker High students to attend the Youth Leadership

Conference in Gainesville. Without the assistance of SAC, Booker

High students would have lost their Charter.

Junior class Aaron McRae - Not Present

Senior class Jeremy Dictor – Not Present

• Announcements: Syesha Mercado / Booker Graduate2005 / American Idol

School Board Superintendent

Resignation of Dr. Norris

Appointment of Lori White

Senior Awards Ceremony-April 29, 2008

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – VPA Theatre

Prom Night – May 3, 2008 - Laurel Oaks Country Club

Senior Recital – May 16, 2008

Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM - Next scheduled SAC meeting

Thursday, May 15, 2008, 6:00 – 7:00 PM