SARASOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

School Advisory Council

Minutes

April 14, 2003

MEMBERS Present: Gene Witt, Peter Straw, Lynn Whisman, Alice Higgins, George McGonagill, Mickey Anderson, Tim White, Bill Costello, Regina Stinson, Jerome Greenstein, David Winterrowd, Bruce Andersen, Harriette Laronge

MEMBERS Absent: Norm Stockton, Roland Piccone, Suzanne Jones, Ron Turner, Paige Eastman, Judith Ferrell, Jenna Mitchell

GUESTS Present: Bruce Hinson, Eddy Boynton

I. Welcome by Chairperson

Peter called the meeting to order and welcomed the group.

Peter thanked the SAC and staff for their work on the COE/SACS accreditation and on the budget.

II. Minutes of the April 1 Meeting

The minutes were reviewed and a motion to accept was made by Jerry and seconded by Mickey. The motion passed unanimously.

III. Report on the SACS/COE Visitation

Carol Darling reported that the COE and SACS teams were impressed by the team effort that was shown in the accreditation process, as well as with the SAC involvement with the school.

COE:

There were three recommendations:

1. The new mission statement should appear in all publications.

2. The transfer policy should be revised to include an internal transfer policy.

3. Thirteen programs did not have the required advisory committee minutes. Seven programs did not have the necessary employer verification forms (needed for every other year).

There were four commendations:

1. The Firefighter II program was commended for its partnership with the Sarasota County Fire Dept.

2. Law enforcement was commended for its partnership with the Sheriff’s Dept.

3. The Accounting Operations program was commended for its use of continuing education courses (and staff resources) as a recruitment tool for full time programs.

4. SCTI was commended for the condition of facilities and grounds and their dedication to safety and cleanliness.

SACS:

There was one recommendation regarding the School Improvement Plan:

The student performance data was limited. Longitudinal data is needed. Comparisons of data to other

(similar) schools are needed. The data should be used to identify strengths and weaknesses.

There were four commendations:

1. The administration and building maintenance staff were commended for the condition of the buildings and grounds.

2. The SAC was commended for its involvement in the school.

3. SCTI was commended for the staff involvement in the School Improvement Plan.

4. SCTI was commended for its community involvement.

This was an excellent review from both the COE and SACS teams. Gene Witt thanked Carol for all of her work. Ken reported that the final figures for the cost of the accreditation process are not yet available.

IV. Director’s Report

Gene reported that Mary Ribaudo was ill, Sandra Holley was out of town, and Barbara Witte was in Tallahassee with an ill parent.

Bruce followed up on the April 1 meeting. The focus is immediate, with a two to three month timeframe, with SAC involvement. Over ninety staff are being absorbed into SCTI from ACEC. There are concerns for enrollment in Construction, Landscape Operations, Medical Lab Assisting, Phlebotomy, and Public Works. Business and community support and input are needed.

The long-term focus will be on:

1. Systematic program review—teaching methods, delivery methods

2. Funding—is flat, need legislative support, and/or alternative methods

3. Budget process

4. Marketing—how and what is marketed

5. Infrastructure—consideration of the AD method and its efficiency, what support positions and teaching positions are needed

6. Staff Development

7. Characteristics of the SCTI graduate—skills, knowledge, behaviors, and raising expectations

Peter suggested forming subcommittees with members from SAC, SDMT, and community members who can bring expertise to the group. The current SAC can provide one member to each subcommittee to increase communication.

Gene reported that there have been inquiries as to whether there would be program reinstatement to full time if enrollment increased in Horticulture/Landscape Operations and Public Works. Ken reminded the group that the school only receives funding for completions.

George commented that Construction targets high school and gets FTE funding, and he inquired about the amount of marketing for that program. Harriette responded that job fairs in high schools were fewer in number than in previous years. Not all teachers can leave classes to be present at job fairs. Gene said that in order to build programs, we must build new interest. We need to do a better job at marketing.

V. Imaging SCTI in the Community

Peter reported that we should consider the “image” of SCTI in the community. We need a bigger picture. Then, we can get more tools with which to work. A line item for marketing is needed. Bruce asked how the image is marketed. George reminded the group that Cosmetology and Auto are very successful programs because of the girl/boy socialization issues—girls like hair, boys like cars. Tim commented that, for these students, this is not a career path. High school guidance counselors are working against SCTI. Territorialism should not be an issue. Regina said that the welfare of the student should be the focus. Gene said the students don’t want to leave extracurricular activities at their home high school. An express bus is needed from each high school to SCTI. Transportation is the incentive for moving SCTI closer to I75. Tim indicated that a mindset alteration is needed from college to career for the student, counselor, and community. Mickey responded that each high school guidance counselor have a quota of twenty student referrals to SCTI. The guidance counselors can identify the best candidates for SCTI. Tim said that SCTI is a choice and not an alternative school. The programs are good pre-college courses, as well as valuable career training. David said that a change of attitudes is a long-term process and he inquired about the sharing of FTE dollars. George reminded the group about the five-year study/audit that indicated that one segment of high school students is left behind. The problem is the process of getting the right students.

Mickey suggested that the superintendent be informed that this problem is district-wide. It was suggested that the School Board meeting is a place of information collection and dissemination. Carol Darling informed the group that Walt Cobb, SACS accreditation team chairperson, is in favor of a new SIP goal for workforce development. Peter said that constant pressure from SAC and SCTI is needed to get results. It is important to have a presence at the School Board meetings. Some members agreed to be at the School Board meeting on April 15. Help is needed from the top down in the school district.

VI. Budget Update

Some of the expenses for COE/SACS accreditation included five publications, print shop, travel and hotel accommodations, dinners, gifts for team members, and food service. The costs will easily exceed $20,000. This is done on direct reimbursement. Since the purpose of one team is high school and the other adults, Ken will do the reimbursement on a percentage basis. There will be more information at a future meeting. Peter restated that the SAC would like a final detailed report on the actual costs for the accreditation.

Ken shared the staffing changes by position. The budget provided by the school district omitted one assistant director, which left less savings than originally thought. SCTI will need a surplus in order to cover costs. The timeline for the budget of 2004-2005 is now.

Gene reported that arrangements were made for accommodate ACEC positions for one year only. Bruce reminded the group that the schools were two separate entities. He will find out the job responsibilities of ACEC staff and determine if SCTI can support them. Next year there will be new changes. Bruce stated that his perception of what people do is changing.

Ken reminded the group of the change in the marketing on the budget from the previous year (2002-2003). Previously WDF supported a $150,000 line item for marketing. It does not exist this year (2003-2004). There is no money in the budget and no line item for marketing. Regina asked how SAC can talk about supporting and marketing [the programs that were cut to .6] in order to build enough enrollments to return them to full time status if we have no dollars for marketing them. Is SAC promising what it cannot deliver? George said that most marketing would have to be done through networking.

VII. Student Representation on SAC

Peter said that participation in SAC by students is important. He asked if the assistant directors had discussed student participation and they had not. Bill Costello reminded the group that teenagers listen to teenagers—kid-to-kid marketing is important. Harriette told the group about the career ambassadors for programs as a reward system and a communication system. Orientation night for high school students for 2003-2004 is Wednesday, May 21. Peter reminded the group that SAC must reach out to the community.

Jerry moved that the meeting be adjourned. George seconded. The motion was carried unanimously.

Next Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2003, 6 pm.

Mission Statement: The Sarasota County Technical Institute provides quality technical education to meet workforce development and community needs.