School Advisory Council
September 29, 2004
In attendance: Headmaster Dan Kennedy, Katherine Valdesuso, Katie Vasiloff, Whitney Vosick, Col. Cork, Kyle Seeger, CSM Matt Collis, Bridget Jones, Robert Lechner, Jim Young, Bill Race, Anthony J. Vignocchi, Madalyn Andrews, Cynthia Wallace, Jann Vasiloff
Chair Cindy Wallace called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. The minutes from the 9/15/04 meeting were approved with one correction to CSM Matt Collis’ title.
Headmaster’s Report: Mr. Kennedy reported that all was on track, enrollment steady, moving forward with the middle school and the south county location. We are preparing and looking forward to Veterans’ Day celebration. We will be issuing “drug free” cards to the cadets which have discount coupons on them for various businesses around town. This is part of the drug testing program. Picture IDs are coming. There were language changes made to the charter for the expansion into middle school and South County and it will be submitted to the District by 9/30/04 for approval.
Commandant’s Report: We are close to finalizing the purchase of the property; our attorney is reviewing the final papers. Our school is in partnership with Sarasota County to have all our cadets CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trained. We have a $7500 grant from the county. CERT has been taught in the JROTC classes with demonstrations on the field for several weeks. October 11th the cadets will go to Fire Station 5 where they will be drilled on CERT by the fire department.
Old Business: Chair, Cindy Wallace, presented training on reaching goals through collaborative partnering and decision making between faculty, SAC, students and administration. The attachments are a good example of how faculty, SAC and students collaborated to set the goals for the SPE. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to finalizing the SPE. A motion was made and approved to use the Mission statement that was approved for accreditation by the Southern Association, and the Vision statement from the 2004-2005 Cadet Manual. Bill Race questioned the discrepancy between the 70% and 65% proficiency goals as noted on page 2. It was explained that the difference is between district and federal goals of NCLB. Mr. Lechner explained that for goals 1-3 we can propose additional strategies, but for goals 4-9 we must only chose from what the district has given us. Cindy and Mr. Kennedy both stated that we could write strategies for 4-9 for our “in house” use, but submit only what the district requires. Mr. Lechner distributed the composite of suggestions for goals 1-3. Each category, 1-9, was discussed and voted on (see attached summary):
Reading: More students need to be included in strategies besides FCAT students; ACT and SAT prep should be targeted as well. Bridget Jones suggested using National Honor Society students as tutors; in-service by Linda Crane will be applicable. Selected goal #1 w/addition of 2 others (see attached)
Mr. Race mentioned that overall the more concise we keep the document the easier it will be to attain the goals. Mrs. Vasiloff mentioned that any volunteers we use must be cleared through the PALS office when working with students.
Math: Selected #1with addition (see attached)
Writing: Selected #1 with addition (see attached) The Language Arts Department reviewed and approved the Writing for Sergeants that will be taught in the JROTC classes. This is a stand alone program and will not be taught jointly by departments, but rather be contained within JROTC.
Science: Selected strategy 4 with one dissention
Arts: Selected #3
Technology: Selected #2
Career Preparation: Selected #2 & #9
Citizenship/Safe Orderly Schools: Selected #1 & #4. Goal #2 will be added be done as an in-house strategy in addition to the others; new drug testing policy to be incorporated.
Family and Community Involvement: Selected #1. It was discussed that the district’s mandate to not add any strategies to this goal is in conflict with what is necessary for Five Star. Jann will contact the district regarding this discrepancy. It was agreed that a strategy for Five Star using our SADD program would be written for at least in-house use.
At the completion of selection and discussion a motion was made to accept the SPE goals as stated; motion passed with one dissention.
Mr. Lechner will finalize the SPE and it will be submitted to the District.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.; next meeting will be October 20, 2004 at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording Secretary