SARASOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

School Advisory Council

Minutes

October 7, 2002

 

MEMBERS Present: Barbara Chomko, Alice Higgins, Regina Stinson, Mickey Anderson, Norm Stockton, Jerome Greenstein, Roland Piccone, David Winterrowd, Tim White, Ron Turner, Jenna Mitchell, Paige Eastman

 

MEMBERS Absent: Harriette Laronge, Peter Straw

 

GUESTS Present: Ken DeVeau, Eddy Boynton and Carol Darling

 

I.          Welcome by Chairperson

Roland Piccone called the meeting to order and welcomed the group.  He introduced the new student representatives, Jenna Mitchell and Paige Eastman, and welcomed them.

 

II.         Minutes of the last meeting

Norm made a motion that the minutes be accepted without changes and George McGonagill seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

III.        Bylaw Review                       

Jerry and Mickey developed a draft document of the SAC bylaws that reflects the state-mandated revisions.  George indicated that the SAC needs a parent and two more instructors, preferably female and Hispanic.  There was a discussion regarding the business/community makeup, percentage minimums, and unexcused absences by members.  It was decided that failure to notify is equivalent to an unexcused absence.  Norm moved that SAC accept the bylaws as currently written as a draft document.  George seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.

 

IV.        Director’s Report

Barbara reported that there were 22 applicants, local and nationwide, for the Director position.  The applicants have been screened to 6 who meet the qualifications.  The behavioral and writing exercises for the six will be held on October 24.  Interviews are scheduled for the 25th at 4 p.m.  Each candidate will be interviewed for approximately 45 minutes.  Information on the candidates will be released on the morning of October 25.  SDMT and the staff will elect representatives for the interview committee.  Roland and Peter will represent the SAC. 

 

Barbara would like the staff to formulate questions for the interview committee to consider.  Email your suggestions to Barbara.  Include the questions and “look fors” in the answer.

 

V.         Program Updates

Eddy Boynton reported on the numbers of students in the programs that she supervises:  36 in Early Childhood Education and 36 children in Tech Tots, 30 in apprenticeship programs, and 16 in special CDA training.  She distributed the first issue of Tech Tots News, a newsletter published by Tech Tots Preschool.

In Culinary Arts, there are 15 adult full time students, 13 high school a.m. students, and 15 high school p.m. students. The apprenticeship program has 15 students.  Fred van Huesen donated a sausage maker.  Eddy shared the upcoming agenda for Culinary, which includes The American Culinary Foundation Chef of the Year at the Longboat Key Club.  Culinary Arts is also working closely with Sysco, who is surveying the community regarding training needs. 

Criminal Justice graduated twenty-five students in September and the current class has thirty members. 

SCTI High School has seventy-two students.  They will do FCAT tests this week.  There will be a quarterly Renaissance celebration of grades and employability skills in the upcoming weeks.

 

Carol Darling reported that the Business Tech Ed advisory board meeting will be held on October 18.  Tim White is the chair of the committee.  The posting for the Digital Design position closes on October 8.  Carol encourages the teachers in her department to cross train.   The instructional services group manages SCTI’s fifteen servers (four remote).  The department provides technical support, media, print and non-print public relations.  The Cisco contract was approved last month.  Fourteen to sixteen people from the Plastics Learning Network will take classes from 4-6 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday. 

The PR and Marketing and Media Services Committees need volunteers. 

The new web page for SCTI is in progress.  It will be at sarasotatech.org.

Jim Carney received a $1000 grant for soft skills training from the Education Foundation.

 

Barbara reported that an agreement has been reached with Dr. Newman as Medical Director for the EMT/Paramedic program.  The School Board passed it.  She also reported that Ken has developed plans for compliance on the school records issue.  SCTI’s Mary Ribaudo, Susan Hentz, and Urban Pearson were recognized for their ESE work at the last School Board meeting.

 

VI.        COE/SACS/ Strategic Plan

Carol shared the Adequate Progress Report that was presented to Camille Ashcraft.  Carol reviewed the Summary of Revisions for the Strategic Plan for Excellence.  All of the goals, except the one for “Safe and Orderly Schools,” are data driven.  The goal on the safety and orderliness was presented in a “will maintain” form.  Norm moved that the draft be approved as written and Mickey seconded.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Carol made sure the School Improvement Plan involved the staff in development and in operation.

The SACS School Improvement Plan will be done at a later date.

 

The Self-Study has a long way to go on narratives and exhibits.  Last week Carol was in Paducah, KY, for an accreditation review.  She said that health and safety were important, including hazardous materials, a full safety plan, cleanliness of rooms, and advisory committees.  Eleven of forty programs had findings.  Full plans were developed for the center for ten areas, including PR, Media Services, Placement, Guidance, Equipment Replacement, Long Range Planning, Financial Aid, and Records.  The school asked the assistance of their SAC in meeting deadlines.

 

 

VII.       Budget and Continuing Education Notes

Ken reported that the bidding for the Beneva/Proctor sign closed today 10/7/02.  SCTI asked for a lifetime warranty.  The automatic sprinkler system is almost complete.  The landscape plan is in progress.  The purchase of the fire truck is progressing. 

Perhaps SCTI should look to a grant of approximately $150,000 for the repair/reconstruction of the burn building.  A person at a central control controls the burning of propane gas.  The smoke room and heat room simulate real situations in a safe environment.  There have been breakdowns in electronics.  George remembered the installation was done in 1989.  They are using Rob Saul to troubleshoot the problems.

New staff members include Joyce Parrett in Payroll and Tami Bradley in Admissions. 

Ken will push to realign support staff with workload.

Ken reported that there is a new Family Counseling Service Center for 16 and 17 year old SCTI High School students that operates under a grant on campus.

The outdoor smoking lounge for staff is open next to Building 1. 

SCTI hopes to have 100% participation of staff in United Way.

Construction trades will have items for sale: sheds, picnic tables, plant stands.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Norm inquired as to whether the Fire Science program was supporting itself.  Barbara responded that the Fire Dept and SCTI are rebuilding their relationship.  Previously there were personality problems and questionable ethical and professional practices.

 

Matthew Altman has resigned from the SAC.

 

Barbara confirmed that budget education is necessary and that Ken should be at the beginning of the agenda.  George suggested that one and one half hours be set aside for the monthly meeting, instead of one hour.

Roland thanked the new student representatives, Jenna and Paige, for their interest.

 

George made a motion for adjournment and Norm seconded it.

Next meeting: November 11 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.