030115Sarasota Military Academy

School Advisory Council meeting Minutes

January 15, 1003

 

Anthony Vignocchi called the meeting to order at 11:35am. 

 

Present: A. Vignocchi, A. Tilston, D.  Kennedy, B. Race, B. Watrous, Capt. Petrucci, CSM M. Collis, L. Kroll, J. Young, C. Wallace, J. Reynolds and K. Vasiloff.

 

Guest: Robert Lechner

 

The minutes were presented, A. Tilston moved they be approved as presented, seconded by D. Kennedy, approved.

 

Principal’s report: D. Kennedy presented the State of the school report.  The are 267 students enrolled, we have 9 new student since the Semester break.  We had about the same number not return for the new Semester.  There are about 85 high school students on the waiting list, and waiting lists for next year from 8th to 5th grade. 

 

Capt. Petrucci is chairing the SABRE program.  It will be an advanced math and science program with a focus on Aviation and NASA type research.  There will be large capital expenditures to have at least one, if not two top of the line Science Labs.

 

AP classes will be added next year.

 

There was a smooth transition to the 2nd semester; the new discipline policy has been well received.

 

Budget for 2003-2004 looks very good with the addition of the Army supplement, additional students and the start up grant for charter schools.  We intend to enroll 400 and settle-in at 350 cadets.

 

Three portables from the Diocese will be moved in this summer.  They will cost $300.00 a month/a piece for the first year, then $1.00 a year thereafter.

 

Looking at several ways to buy the property, to include Bond issues.

 

Started strategic planning for next year.  B. Watrous asked about expanded support to ESE and CSM M. Collis asked about number of ESE and if we would cap that number.  D. Kennedy stated that it was a delicate issue.  Once we accepted a certain level of ESE student, we could not put a cap on them.   Also, we just received a $48,000 grant for ESE students and have expanded services, and added more staff to support those students.

 

B. Race asked about feedback from students about changes to be made to the school.  D Kennedy stated that there was an essay survey done last semester and we are in the process of doing our climate survey, and that included the students.

 

 

Old Business:

 

1)       Climate Survey: The students and faculty will be doing their surveys on-line at the school.  Parents were sent home a survey with the students.

2)       SABRE met with the SHS staff and got copies of the MAST exam/material.  It will not be a stand-alone program; all classes will be available to all students, except the research class.  It will raise the standards of all the Math and Science classes.

3)       Enrollment is currently at 265-267, next year 400.  Next year we should have 30-seniors, 60-juniors, 125-sopohomores and the remainder filled out with freshman.

4)       C. Wallace presented school Brochure in rough draft.  Suggestions were made to add the Honor Motto the cover and CAP and other clubs not in the current draft.

5)       Robert Lechner reviewed discipline Policy.  There have been several students who have left SMA and some that are on the bubble right now.  All of those have had new behavior contracts for this semester and there has been great improvement in behavior.  In General, discipline has been going very well at the start of this semester.

 

 

New Business:

 

1)       It is the goal of the school to have a 15,000-volume library in place by the spring of 2004.  This will meet the final requirement we need to be recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  The issues are finding a space for the Library, one of the new portables and the Regimental Offices are being considered.  Presently, we are asking for donations form staff and parents.

2)       For the record, Dr. Gene Pilot pledged $2000.00 towards the costs of the movement of the portables to SMA.  The council expressed their heartfelt gratitude for that generous gift.

3)       Web page is under redesign.  A. Tilston stated that it was guilty of trying to do too much /too soon.  It is being cut down to size, and when it is ready, more can be added.  The newsletter is now available on the site.  The biggest obstacle is getting the information in a format that can be uploaded to the site.  It was suggested that maybe the Technology Class by v. McClaugherty could assist in getting info into the right format and to A. Tilston for the site.  D. Kennedy stated he would look into that possibility.

 

 

At 12:40pm A. Tilston moved that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by B. Watrous, adjourned.