Sarasota Military School

School Advisory Council Minutes

October 3, 2002

The meeting was called to order by chairman, Anthony Vignocchi at 11:30am.

Present were Chairman Anthony Vignocchi, Vice-chairman Adrian Tilston, parent Laura Kroll, cadre CSM Mike Collis, teacher Col. Petrucci, classified employee James Young, Headmaster Dan Kennedy, student Joseph Reynolds and student Katie Vasiloff. Community members Bill Watrous and Bill Rice were also present. Taking minutes was Cynthia Wallace; Jann Vasiloff and Robert Lechner were guest.

The minutes were reviewed and accepted as submitted.

Bill Watrous nominated Bill Race as a community/business member, seconded by Dan Kennedy. Mr. Race is Vice-President of Peninsula Bank, located in downtown Sarasota. The nomination was approved.

Mr. Vignocchi asked if everyone had a copy of the School Improvement Plan (SIP). Everyone had a copy and indicated that they had reviewed it. Mr. Lechner reviewed the document with SAC members and answered questions. Particular attention was given to the School Vision and Mission statements. The council looked at all ten areas of the Needs Assessment. The Plan focused on the goals of Technology; Citizenship; Safe and Orderly Schools; and Family and Community Involvement.

Attached to the SIP were the proposed SAC Operational Guidelines and Mr. Lechner presented them to SAC. Bill Race moved that we accept the Operational Guidelines as presented, seconded by Bill Watrous, approved.

Adrian Tilston moved that we accept the SIP as presented, seconded by Bill Watrous, approved.

Jann Vasiloff asked if the Plan was in line with the Accreditation for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Mr. Lechner talked about it being a rigorous process and the SIP will help achieve that status. We will be eligible to apply after two years of operation.

The SAC expressed gratitude to Mr. Robert Lechner for his efforts and diligence in writing the SIP.

Jann Vasiloff spoke to SAC about the 5-Star School recognition program and SMA’s goal to achieve that recognition this year. She explained the application process and requested a member of SAC join the 5-Star committee to meet the requirements.

Bill Watrous moved for Laura Kroll to be the 5-Star representative, seconded by Adrian Tilston, approved.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 11:30 am.

Mr. Vignocchi asked about PSAT testing and what preparation was being done for the students. A discussion was had about the testing. All sophomores were being tested and any juniors that signed up for the test. It would be done on October 15^th. The students were given material to study. Next Semester, the sophomores and freshmen were going to have a FCAT prep class in the third quarter, to prepare them for that test.

There being no further discussion, Adrian Tilston moved for adjournment, seconded by Col. Petrucci, adjourned at 12:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Cynthia F. Wallace

Secretary