Garden Elementary School Advisory Council Minutes

October 17, 2006

Present: John McQueen - Principal

Gabrielle O’Berry – SAC Chairperson

Anne Feely - Data Coach

Rachel Hallman, Aggie Harrison - Teachers

Lisa Saul – Classified

Gary Gray, Mollee McFarlane, Archa Slavenburg, Victoria Stultz, Shannon Via - Parents

Denise Mattmuller, Dot Moore, Terri Ramey – Community Members

1) Welcome

2) Roster Changes: Gabrielle O’Berry reported that Karen Blackburn resigned from SAC due to personal reasons. Mollee McFarlane will also resign after this meeting due to new occupational obligations. Garden’s SAC presented Mollee with a “Certificate of Appreciation” and thanks both Karen and Mollee for their years of service. We will miss them dearly. Mrs. O’Berry introduced the new members and gave them an opportunity to tell about themselves. Lisa Saul will be representing the Classified employees and Archa Ghafoerkan Slavenburg will be a Parent representative. We welcome them to Garden’s School Advisory Council!

3) Budget: Gabrielle O’Berry reported that $106.74 for the Chairperson’s stipend was the only new budget item. The October balance is $7, 132.56.

4) Budget Requests: Gabrielle O’Berry brought three requests to the council. One was from Joanna Davis, art teacher, for $171.82. Ms. Davis requested these funds to help her pay for the Florida Art Education Association annual conference she will be attending in October. The Council approved Ms. Davis’ request. The second request came from Jeanne Troiano and Diana Mitchell. They would like SAC funds to be able to purchase incentives (pencils, erasers, stickers, and other small items) for students (the Gator Gladiators) with consistent attendance at the Morning SME Academic Improvement Lab.

The students chosen for this program have currently tested in the lowest quartile in reading and/or math of their grade level. The $300 request was approved. The third request came from Susan Ionescu. Mrs. Ionescu has invited the author, Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton, to showcase her book, A Young Man’s Dance, on November 30. This “One Community, On Book” event will target families and children in K through second grade. Mrs. Ionescu is planning an event for the intermediate children, grades 3 – 5, in the spring. SAC approved the request for the author’s speaker’s fee of $250.

Mrs. Via asked why certain projects were funded by PTO and other by SAC. Mr. McQueen stated that the SAC budget goes towards items that are directly related to our SIP (School Improvement Plan). Any request for money should show how the money would help to increase students’ academic achievement. SAC also looks at requests to see if the funds will be used to help as many Garden children as possible.

5) School Improvement Plan (SIP): Mr. McQueen mentioned that our SIP was being reviewed at this time. There have been minor adjustments, and by the next meeting, he would have more information for us.

6) Other: Mollee McFarlane wanted to thank all the teachers, staff, and volunteers at Garden for putting on a fabulous Harvest Festival.

She also wanted confirmation about the 2007 – 2008 calendar. Mr. McQueen stated that at this time, the school year would be starting no earlier than 2 weeks prior to Labor Day. We have not received a final calendar from the district.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 3:30 PM

Front Conference Room