School Advisory Council

March 11, 2003

6:00 - 7:45 PM

 

Present:

Members Present:

Peter Straw, Chair

Ron Turner

 

Regina Stinson

Alice Higgins

 

Tim White

Bill Costello

 

Harriette Laronge

Gene Witt

 

Mickey Anderson

Lynn Whisman

 

 

 

Visitors:

Ken DeVeau

Eddy Boynton

 

Sandra Holley

Mary Ribaudo

 

 

1)       Peter Straw, Chair, called the meeting was called to order.  Minutes reviewed and a grammatical correction was made to page 4

 

2)       SCTI host of VICA Regional Skills competitions - Peter Straw

 

SCTI stepped up to host on short notice.  Peter Straw was in attendance and at the awards ceremony.  Note was made that this was a great event and that parents were present at the awards ceremony.  Harriette Laronge provided a short history of VICA.

 

3)       Continuing need for parent members  - Peter Straw

 

Suggestion was made that SCTI recruit at the Student/Parent Orientation Night which occurs in the first week in May for a parent member to the SAC.

 

4)       Budget - Ken DeVeau

 

The School Board is now meeting on this issue.  SCTI to control all of WFD dollars next year

 

5)       Director's Report - Gene Witt

 

There has been a tragedy for SCTI family.  Kathy Olliver's was son killed in boating accident.  SCTI thoughts and prayers are with the Olliver family.

 

Reorganization is ongoing.  The SCTI team now consists of SCTI, ESOL, Adult High School, and GED.  We are consolidating what is at the Landings.  GED Testing will now be conducted at SCTI.  We are working to make for smooth transition.  There will be a reception on Thursday to welcome the ACEC staff that is currently located at the SCTI main campus.  Landings personnel will be invited to join SCTI and will have an option to not come to SCTI.  July 1st we will know who is coming.  Peter Straw suggested that SCTI consider Tim White to facilitate a meeting on change to assist with the transition.  SCTI also welcomes Bruce Hinson and Barbara Witte to the administrative staff.  Discussion included suggestion that ESOL, Adult High School and GED programs have representation on the SAC.

 

 

Gene Witt addressed the rumors surrounding the reorganization of SCTI, including the Sarasota Herald Tribune article.  The content of the article was noted to be a possibility and not a fact.  No decision has been made concerning the articles notation that the SCTI High School be designed for the non-college bound students.

 

New SCTI sign is place.  Sandra Holley is recognized as outstanding community member as the first message to be displayed on the sign.

 

 

OPPAGGA Report noted that schools are doing thins effectively.  Manatee County is currently certified by this organization.  SCTI was not positively reviewed in this report.  There was noted a need to review programs and efficiency of operation.

 

SCTI focus for FY 2004 - Bruce Andersen

 

Bruce Andersen acknowledged that he was impressed with community, SAC, ADs, staff members, and Gene Witt’s leadership.  Currently looking internally at the Technical High School, the needs of Riverview High School and the re-organization plans for inclusion of ACEC with SCTI.  Plans are to

·         Build community support

·         Increase sensitivity to community needs.

·         Establish elements of SCTI graduate that are well defined.

·         Increase parent involvement

·         Improve communication with High Schools and the District

·         Look at staff development

·         Raise student expectations

·         Review and balance budget

·         Plan for equipment replacement

·         Address the needs for both short-term and long-term planning

·         Improve student dress code.

 

Visit to McFatter will provide a foundation for talking about a technical high school built on research information.  We need to learn from the McFatter experiences and capitalize on their strengths and avoid weakness.

 

6)       SDMT Report - Harriette Laronge

 

McFatter model was discussed with SDMT members.  SDMT also discussed the SCTI Open House.  The Open House parent focus was designed to emphasize tuition free education.  There were 39 tables of programs represented.  A total of 480 people took advantage of this opportunity to learn more about SCTI.  SAC members Peter Straw, Mickey Anderson, Tim White and Bill Costello were in attendance for the Open House.

 

SCTI was well represented at the MCC Career Day with 9 programs in attendance.  County Fair will begin this Friday and continue for 10 days.  SCTI is planning to participate in the Black Achievers luncheon.  Fifth grade classes plan on visiting SCTI and touring programs. 

 

7)       COE/SACS/Strategic Plan for Excellence - Carol Darling

 

SACS accreditation team chair, Walt Cobb, is planning a session for a working lunch with business members at 11 AM on April 8th.  SAC member are encourage to participate.  The following members indicated that they would be present:  Peter Straw, Ron Turner, Tim White, Mickey Anderson, and Bill Costello.

 

Progress report for accreditation visit:

 

·         Working on recommendations - cleaning up standards

·         Checking exhibits

·         Add to exhibits for SACS

·         49 program supplements

 

8)       Other Business – 1986 Burn Building.

 

Battalion Chief Bill Costello provide the School Advisory Council with a short history of the Burn Building.

 

·         Originally planned for $280,000 to build

·         1990 $1.2M – Final cost

·         3 in the world

·         Natural Gas

·         LPG downstairs

·         No moneys put aside for technology upgrade

·         The Building has been non-operational for 9 months

·         Simulates real structure fire

·         Heat room upstairs for search

 

 

·         Regional issue of moneys

o        Tax-based difficult to take dollars and put dollars somewhere else

o        FEMA fire grant process based on 9/11

o        $750M Grant

o        Joint Grant amongst fire departments

o        20% match

o        Tied to homeland security funds

o        April 17th

o        Grant Writer - SCTI

o        BID Process

o        SAC to support

o        NFA Trade Organization

o        Equipment and Maintenance

 

Suggestions for Student Representatives.

·         Take to SDMT

·         Meaningful role

·         Junior SAC?

·         Employability skills

o        Add to resume

·         Present as an opportunity

·         Class credit for participation

·         Charge them with being the voice of the student

o        Project to make a difference

·         Shorten the term - one per semester

·         Temper their expectations

·         Learning lab for business world

·         Community service hours

 

 

April 14, Next meeting.