SARASOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

School Advisory Council

Minutes

September 9, 2002

 

MEMBERS Present: Barbara Chomko, Harriette Laronge, Alice Higgins, Regina Stinson, Mickey Anderson, Norm Stockton, Peter Straw, Jerome Greenstein, Roland Piccone, David Winterrowd, Tim White

 

MEMBERS Absent: Matt Altman, Ron Turner

 

GUESTS Present: Ken DeVeau, Mary Ribaudo, Jeffri Durrance, Art Gaudet, George McGonagill, and Carol Darling, Kate Harrison

 

I.          Welcome by Chairperson

Peter called the meeting to order and welcomed the group. 

 

II.            Minutes of the last meeting

Norm made a motion that the minutes be accepted with the  “see previous” omitted from the Consent Agenda section and this was seconded by Jerry Greenstein.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

III.        Action on SAC new appointees               

A motion was made by Norm and seconded by Alice to accept Ron Turner and George McGonagill as members of the SAC.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

IV.            Director’s Report

Barbara presented each SAC member with a binder of information, including bylaws, agendas, minutes, etc.  She thanked Kathy Olliver, Penney Williams, and Alice Higgins for their work on the binders and Carol Darling for the cover. 

1.       Mary Ribaudo provided a comparison of enrollments from 2001 to 2002.  The committee asked for an update on enrollment.  Barbara reported on the 10-day count.  Roland requested trend data on enrollment.  Jeffri Durrance reminded the group about the fee support students who take training on campus and who may not be included in the count.  Peter requested statistics on the fee support classes.

2.       Transportation is a very important part of the students’ ability to attend SCTI.  We have lost high school students due to difficulties with bus schedules.  Mickey inquired as to the origin of students for the bus transportation—home, home high school, etc?  Harriette explained that, in addition to home and home high school, some are picked up at local pocket stops.  The transportation department still suffers from previous district budget cuts.

3.       The following people have responsibilities in the reorganization analysis requested by the Superintendent:

                                                               i.      Personnel Services – Team Leader, Allen Wilson               

                                                              ii.      Information Services – Team Leader, Carlene Judge

                                                            iii.      Financial Services – Team Leader, Bruce Monson               

                                                            iv.      Budget Process – Team Leader, Al Weidner

                                                             v.      Organizational Structure – Team Leader, Barbara Chomko

                                                            vi.      Educational Services – Team Leader, Lori White

                                                          vii.      Other Business Support Services – Team Leader, Ellery Girard

4.      The reports for the analysis are due at the end of the month and will be copied to SAC.
  1. Gene Witt is continuing his review.  He has met with some staff already and he will return again for more interviews.  Mr. Witt will meet with Peter Straw on September 17 at 9:30 a.m. and with Tim White on September 17 at 9:00 a.m.  He will submit his report to the Superintendent.
  2. Bill Highland, Bill Delp, Frank Kovach, and Peter Straw are visiting other technical high schools:  Daytona on September 24; Baltimore, Maryland on October 21; Fort Lauderdale on a future date, yet to be determined.
  3. The posting for the new Director closes on September 27.  Barbara presented the job description and leadership site analysis, which was incomplete.  Kathy Olliver will send the complete package electronically to the SAC members.  The review of the applicants will be on October 2.  The behavioral and writing exercises will be on October 9 or 10.  The interviews will be on October 11 or 14.  Carol reminded Barbara that October 18 is a professional day and many more staff could attend the interviews on that day.  The interviews will be held at the Landings in a room large enough for all interested parties to observe them.
  4. The SAC will select two committee members to serve on the interview committee for the new Director. Jerry moved that Roland Piccone and Peter Straw serve on the interview committee.  Regina seconded and the motion carried unanimously.  In addition, the committee will probably be composed of two teachers, two students (one adult and one high school), Bill Delp, Alan Wilson, Pat Lucas, Barbara Chomko, and Lori White.
  5. Discussions continue with the assistant directors and Barbara regarding semester and trimester versus open enrollment issues.  The results will come to SAC.
  6. Barbara was pleased to see SCTI in the media and to see that vocational education is important to the candidates.  The primary is on September 10.

 

V.   SDMT Report

1.          Harriette presented information pieces about Gene Witt, the budget, and the campaign for excellence.

2.          Minutes of the SDMT meetings of September 3rd and 9th were distributed.

3.          Records storage compliance issues were discussed with SAC.  Norm asked for clarification on the storage options.  The building must be permanent and the records must be placed in fireproof cabinets or in fireproof vaults.  The room must be secured.  The group discussed the two alternatives and made recommendations.  SAC decided that the costs of both a vaulted room and fireproof cabinets should be considered.

4.          SDMT voted to replace full time positions in EMS and Fire Science with part time positions, as recommended by Mary Ribaudo, assistant director.  SDMT voted to create a full time position in Digital Design and to fill two Health Science positions, with Ellen Campbell’s position moved to fee support funding.  Norm moved that the recommendations of the SDMT be approved, and Mickey seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

5.          SDMT voted in special session today purchase a fire truck for the Fire Science Academy for $10,000.  The small pumper truck has been on loan for training purposes from Ten-8 Fire Equipment Inc.  The other fire truck is being fixed, a repair that will take six weeks.  Norm suggested that SCTI ask for donations of such equipment from agencies that we train.  Mary Ribaudo has been in communication with Chief Costello.  He will house a fire truck that is no more than five years old at SCTI and provide the maintenance for it. A motion for the expenditure was made by Jerry, seconded by Regina, and carried unanimously.

6.          Ken presented a revised estimate for a scaled-down campus landscaping project.  SDMT recommended a $6,000 job, changing the manual irrigation to automatic irrigation at a cost of $4665, and no maintenance plan. The group discussed alternative methods for labor for campus landscaping.  The recommendation required an increased commitment of $7,000 beyond the $4,000 already approved.  George made a motion to accept the revised proposal and the allocation of $7,000, Mickey seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.        United States Flag

1.       SCTI has received a US flag from the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay. 

2.       The flag was given with a certificate that states that it flew over the capital in Tallahassee in our honor.

 

VII.            COE/SACs/ Strategic Plan

1.       Bylaws of the SAC should be reviewed and brought back for a vote of the committee at the October 7th meeting.  Mickey and Jerry volunteered to review the bylaws.

2.       Minutes are to be forwarded to the School Board after approval.

3.       Carol will be responsible for the Strategic Plan for Progress.  The assistant directors will help her with the plan.  It is due September 16.

4.       The new School Improvement Plan is in progress.  Meetings were held in May and August.  It is due on October 18.  SCTI fits into four goals readily, according to Carol.  The SAC may have to approve the draft by email.  Peter would like to have a copy at the next meeting.

5.       SAC orientation is being held for members at Brookside Middle School on September 19, 6 to 9 p.m.

6.       SAC membership roster is due to the Landings on October 4.  The ethnic background of the SAC should match that of the community.  Student representatives, both adult and high school, are needed.  The deadline was extended until October 7.

 

VIII.            Review of Budget/Funding Process

1.       Ken reviewed the funding sources and budget process:  Workforce Development Fund, FTE, grants, adult student fees and tuition, fee support classes, sales of services, and auxiliary enterprises, and district funds.

2.       Barbara and Ken will investigate the use of sweep accounts.

3.       Ken distributed handouts on all of the funding sources and asked that the committee review the handouts and discuss any questions with him at the next meeting.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Norm made a motion for adjournment and Alice seconded it at 9:10 p.m.

 

Next meeting: October 7 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.