SARASOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

School Advisory Council

Minutes

July 8, 2002

MEMBERS Present: Bill Storms, Harriette Laronge, Alice Higgins, Regina Stinson, Mickey Anderson, Norm Stockton, Matt Altman, Roland Piccone, David Winterrowd, Peter Straw

MEMBERS Absent: Jerome Greenstein

GUESTS Present: Deb Metheny, Ken DeVeau, Kate Harrison, Terrie Minter, and Carol Darling

I. Welcome by Chairperson

Peter called the meeting to order and welcomed the group.

II. Minutes of the last meeting

Norm moved that the minutes of the last meeting be approved and Regina seconded the motion.

III. Action on SAC resignations and new appointees

Bill reported that he received resignation letters from Shirley Stacey, whose husband is ill, and Gil Fernandez. Jessica Hirsch, Crystal Tucciarone, Erika Csengeri, and Michael Farrae, student representatives, have completed their terms. Motion was made by Norm and seconded by Matt to accept these resignations and seek replacements. Norm reminded the group that Randy Gonzalez, instructional representative, was not replaced. Bill asked Ron Turner of the Chamber of Commerce to consider serving on the committee and Mr. Turner will consider it. Peter asked that replacements voice their interest before the August meeting.

IV. Review SDMT budget decisions

Harriette reported that the SDMT met with Deb Metheny. SDMT then met and made decisions on several items, which included:

· The retention of the AD position in Student Support Services (now held by Mary Ribaudo) and the S-2 secretarial position

· The direct reporting of the AD to Bill

· The retention of the ESE position (now held by Carol Marcus Epperley) in exchange for .4 Math position and .6 internal account funds

· Replacement of a full time position in EMS with a full time position in Digital Design

Bill reported that recent developments regarding the curriculum and pass rates of EMS students have caused Tallahassee to put that program under program review. Problems with the curriculum must be corrected or SCTI will lose the right to teach the program, according to Bill, and a full time instructor is needed in this crisis. Harriette reported that EMS has more students than the adult Digital Design, although Digital Design is 75% full this summer. Harriette explained that the SDMT could not reach consensus on the issue of an EMS full time position, with five abstentions in their final vote. Many reps on SDMT wanted both positions to be funded in the budget. Kate Harrison, the current teacher who is working through the part time budget, spoke to the need for the position in Digital Design. SAC discussed the issue and decided that the inclusion of the EMS position was necessary in light of the enrollment and the curriculum crisis. Deb and Bill apologized to Kate for the situation.

V. Confirm email votes on action/recommendations with discussion and revisions

Peter confirmed the consensus of the group on support for SDMT. Mickey suggested that the SAC should support the results of the SDMT vote, if the results seem reasonable. Mickey indicated that the process was faulty and Norm spoke to the faults of the process. SAC agreed that the process should start much earlier in the school year, which would give more planning and control to the SDMT.

The group discussed the budget at length. Matt asked about the EMS program problems and Bill responded that ten students are involved. Bill has a concern about the overlap in part time schedules. Matt indicated that the Fire Science program has improved and that EMS has been in need of improvement for a while.

Bill told SAC that SCTI was $240,000 over budget in 2001-2002 in salaries and he must cut the part time payroll. Expenses must be carefully tracked and Deb is still waiting for bills for last fiscal year. Deb indicated that the budget must be monitored on a month-by-month basis. Norm spoke to the need for accreditation for the EMS program and the need for staff. Bill reminded the group that the EMS instructor position was advertised a few years ago and there were no applicants. David commented on the successive financial crises at SCTI during his time on the committee. Deb indicated that other sources of funds must be found and the fee support mechanism should be expanded. Ken asked about funding options. The majority of the group voted to accept the SDMT proposal with the change to fund the EMS position, not Digital Design.

VI. Update on enrollments

Terrie Minter reported that 2,781 people had been tested in the period from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002, as follows:

SCTI Adult 891

SCTI High School 439

ABE/GED 384

Retests 235

Other Agencies 368

P/T Apprenticeship 99

Special Needs Adults 24

Special Needs High School 177

School Improvement Plan

Completers Retest 14

VESOL 7

SDS/VIP 215

Testing costs $20.00 for an adult and is free for high school students. Bill reported that inquiries are increasing. Through today’ date, there are 470 registered high school students and 70+ students in the academy. Norm noted the difference between the numbers of people that test and those that enroll and asked if we know where they go. There should be a mechanism for follow-up.

VII. Technical high school discussion (continued)

The discussions are moving ahead. There is a technical high school in Milwaukee that is interesting and Bill will keep the group posted on the progress.

VIII. School Improvement Plan Needs Assessment review

The first rewrite meeting was held at the last faculty meeting of the year on May 28 and the process will continue in the fall. The rewrite is needed for the SACS visit in April 2003.

IX. Need for new chair for Charter Committee

Roland Piccone volunteered to chair the committee. The committee members are Roland, David, Harriette, and Mickey. Roland asked if the charter would free SCTI from the constant budget problems. Deb said that she fears that the problems could be worse. Deb explained the charter possibilities and fund sources. Funds would be able to be used independently, but SCTI should look to another revenue source.

X. Review proposed equipment budget

The SCTI equipment budget is $100,000. Ken presented the first priority list approved by SDMT. Norm asked about the prioritizing of the equipment list. Ken explained the process. Carol Darling asked if priority two and three from an area can be funded by a department through their own fee support dollars. They can. Norm made a motion to accept the SDMT list. Roland seconded and the motion was passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Ken presented a landscaping plan for SCTI, which is done in phases and includes the entrance and the main north/south corridor:

Phase I Building 1 and surrounding area $5,000

Phase II Building 5 and surrounding area $3,500

Phase III Central corridor $3,000

Ken proposed that Phases I and II be funded by an additional allocation of $4,000. (SAC previously approved $4,500 for landscaping improvements.) The costs include material and installation. Plantings are hardy and low maintenance. Costs do not include irrigation or maintenance. Norm suggested that Ken develop a proposal that includes the both irrigation and maintenance and forward it to SAC members by email. Matt made the motion, Norm seconded, and it was carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA

No items

DISCUSSION

Norm made a motion for adjournment and Alice seconded it.

Next meeting: August 12 at 6 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Stinson

Mission Statement: Based upon the community’s industrial and business needs, the mission of SCTI is to provide quality technical education to individuals seeking employment and/or career enhancement.