SAC Meeting

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

3:00 p.m. – Building 4, Room 4

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

 

  • Welcome:  Englewood SAC welcomes new SAC representatives, Joe Chirillo and Christie Stevenson as well as parent guests Cindy Books and Kale Dailey.

 

  • Thanks:  Special thanks to Juli Peretz and Donna Matherly for our refreshments and to the Cajun Club for their donation.  Mandy Tannehill and Judy Kurzydlo will provide refreshments for our October meeting.

 

  • Discussion/Approval – Strategic Plan for Excellence 2003-04 and School-wide Professional Development System:   After review and discussion, the SAC approved by consensus the Strategic Plan for Excellence for 2003-04 as well as the School-wide Professional Development System.  Discussion included clarification of terminology, an explanation of the state STAR report which evaluates school progress in the area of Technology, a review of the new section on Safe and Orderly Schools, and information on the CRISS training (CReating Independent Student-owned Strategies) that was included in several of the goal/strategies.  Melida mentioned the possibility of including a parent information/training component as part of follow-up CRISS training.  After open discussion, Joe Chirillo motioned approval of the 2003-04 SPE that was seconded by Diane Gomoll, and the SAC approved the plan by consensus.

 

  • Review of Key School Accountability Information:  Melida reviewed important information regarding both the Federal and State accountability programs and the way the two mesh together.  The state of Florida program uses FCAT testing results to determine a school grade.  The federal program, No Child Left Behind, uses FCAT testing results to determine AYP (adequate yearly progress).  It is possible for schools that achieved an “A” grade for the state of Florida to fail the federal AYP requirements at the same time.  The reason for this seems to be that the federal government’s accountability measures require that every subgroup (white, black, Hispanic, ESOL. Students with Disabilities, Low Income, etc.) meets or surpasses pre-set federal benchmarks for student performance.  In addition, the benchmarks will continue to be raised over time until a point in 2013 when performance levels in all subgroups must be at 100%.  There were many questions and much discussion regarding the accountability information.  Good News information – on Thursday, September 18th Melida was informed that Englewood Elementary has been added to the short list of schools in Sarasota County that achieved adequate yearly progress (AYP) for 2002-03.  There are only seven schools in the county that have that designation.  Incorrect data left E.E.S. off that list in earlier reports.  As yet, Melida has not been given the correct data that will be needed for further planning.

 

 

 

 

  • Background Information on A+ Reward Funds:  Ginny shared information on the state statute which addresses A+ Reward Funds earned by schools for A performance or for improvement.  This is the second year in a row that Englewood has achieved an “A”.  The statute states that the funds must be used as determined jointly by the school’s staff and the School Advisory Council, and that the financial awards are to be used for the following:
    • Nonrecurring bonuses to the faculty and staff
    • Nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment or materials
    • Nonrecurring expenses for temporary personnel for the school to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.

 

SAC and the school staff will meet jointly to determine how to use the funds on Monday, October 6, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. in the Media.  Anne Talbott requested that a copy of the statute information and Q & A be given to all the SAC representatives to share with their teams before our meeting October 6th.

 

  • SAC Member Training:  Ginny reminded new SAC members to attend their county training session on the evening of Thursday, September 26th at Laurel-Nokomis School.  E.E.S. will also have representatives attending sessions for P.T.A. Leadership, Volunteer Coordinators, Business Partner Coordinators, and Five Star School.

 

  • Items to the County Office:  On October 1st, Ginny will send our Strategic Plan for Excellence, Professional Development System, Operational Guidelines, and SAC Roster up to the county office.  Thanks to all who have helped getting these documents ready for publication.

 

  • Next Meetings:

 

IMPORTANT MEETING:  A+Funds – Monday, October 6th

       3:00 p.m. in the Media

 

October SAC Meeting:  Wednesday, October 22nd

                                                                      3:00 p.m. in Building 4, Room 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Adequate Progress Report to SAC:  Ginny reviewed a report which compiled student and school performance results for our 2002-03 Strategic Plan for Excellence.  In summary, the school showed adequate progress in 8 of 11 strategic plan goals.  Data for evaluating progress in Technology was not available.  School performance in Math Proficiency and Math Year’s Growth did not achieve adequate progress.  Ginny encouraged all SAC members to read through the report.  Copies will be provided for all staff members through their SAC representatives.  Ginny shared two additional reports which were submitted to the county which reflected school performance on our own Strategic Plan goals and also school performance according to the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program.  NCLB is a federal accountability program, which requires that every subgroup within a school population perform at a pre-set benchmark level.  If any subgroup fails to make that benchmark, the school is deemed to have not made adequate progress.  For 2002-03, Englewood had one subgroup (ESE) in Math that did not perform at the benchmark level.  Therefore the report states that adequate yearly progress (AYP) was not achieved.  Melida suggested that she do an overview of NCLB and the state’s A+ Plan and how they mesh together as part of our September meeting.

 

  • Strategic Plan for Excellence 2003-04:  The new strategic plan for Englewood Elementary will be submitted to the county office by October 3rd.  A core writing team has volunteered and includes Dan Cole, Jennifer Carroll, Isie Moon, and Ginny White with support from Donna Catanzarite and Melida Barton.  Others who may be interested should contact Ginny right away.  Our September meeting will include a review of the plan for discussion and approval by the SAC.  Ginny will get a copy of the plan to each SAC member in advance.

 

  • A+ Reward Funds:  One of the items on our September agenda will be the A+ reward funds earned by the school for our students’ A grade for 2002-03.  All representatives are asked to gather input from their teams before the September meeting.  At the meeting, the SAC will come up with 2 or 3 possible plans for using the A+ funds all of which are acceptable (by consensus) to the SAC membership.  After the September meeting, the faculty/staff will rank these plans and come up with a final recommendation to SAC, and then SAC will come to a final consensus at our October meeting and submit the information to the county office.

 

  • September SAC meeting:  The next SAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th at 3:00 p.m. in the Media.  Important agenda items will include –
    •  discussion/approval of our 2003-04 Strategic Plan for Excellence
    • key information about accountability under the No Child Left Behind program and the State of Florida A+ Program
    • A+ Reward funds (see above)

 

Please remember that SAC member attendance at all meetings is an important requirement for Five Star School recognition.  If you cannot attend, let Ginny White know in advance, and please arrange for a substitute from your team.  Thanks.