School Advisory Council
Meeting
March 16, 2005
In attendance: Dan Kennedy, CSM Mike Collis, Jim Young,
Cynthia Wallace, Anthony Vignocchi, Robert Graham,
Ken Cowles, Jann Vasiloff,
Robert Lechner, Col. Stephen Cork, Cadets:
Katie Vasiloff, Kyle Seeger,
Katherine Valdesuso, Whitney
Vosick
Chair Cynthia Wallace called
the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.. The
minutes from the February meeting were approved as written. Everyone thanked Ken Cowles, Realty Services
(one of our business partners) for providing lunch.
Headmaster’s Report: Mr. Kennedy reported that FCAT
testing is done and went well due in large part to the organization and
dedication of guidance counselor, Fran Marx.
Faculty and parents were also commended for their part in preparing the
students for this year’s tests. Mr.
Kennedy will be meeting with next year’s incoming students and their parents
Thursday, March 24 at Sarasota High auditorium for course selection. Our ESE department has met and completed
placement tests in English and math on incoming students, and some course
selection was done.
Commandant’s Report: The sale and transfer of the
property is complete and went smoothly.
We made our first mortgage payment at considerable savings. There was a celebratory dinner held with the
principals involved in the transaction. Drill
team season is over and our SMA cadets finished like they started-on top. This year they turned in outstanding
performances at all competitions, represented our school with pride and
dignity, and remained true champions throughout the year.
Old Business: Apparently there are two versions of the school vision
(see attached). SAC reaffirmed that
version #2 was the one originally approved and that it remain as the official
vision. Operational guidelines were also
distributed to those needing them (see attached).
Cindy distributed the
worksheets for the internal school strategic plan for excellence. Some areas such as safety and facilities
already has a committee formed and will be meeting soon. Mr. Kennedy will give the worksheets to the
department chairs for teacher input and will bring these back to the SAC at our
next meeting. Implementation of
strategies will be determined at that time.
Regarding the category Career Preparation, Cadet Vasiloff mentioned that
we need more help in the guidance department; she suggested with more help
there could be a one-on-one approach with cadets, especially seniors. Mr. Kennedy mentioned that our guidance
department is within the guidelines suggested for the number of students we
have, but additional help would be beneficial as Mrs. Marx does have duties that
other guidance counselors do not which consume her time. He commented that while at Sarasota High he
used the TAP program, Teachers as Advisors Program. Teachers underwent training in the area of
guidance, and that perhaps that is a program that we need to institute here. Col. Cork mentioned that in the JROTC program
all seniors are required to have a complete portfolio and packet. Hiring a reading specialist was briefly
discussed, but Mr. Kennedy said that he would defer that discussion and
decision until this year’s FCAT scores are in.
He said that if and when one was hired it would be on a non-teaching,
consulting basis. He reiterated that
last year we did not show enough improvement in the group identified as
struggling learners. In order to boost
our overall rating we need to show adequate improvement from 9th to
10th grade in this identified group.
We did achieve 87% of the NCLB which is a federally mandated
requirement, not state level. Mrs.
Vasiloff asked how and when this group of students is identified. Mr. Kennedy responded that it is a
combination of carry over from 8th grade and identifying the needs
in 9th grade. Cadet Vosick
stated that the kids need to be inspired to do well on FCAT; that no matter what
tutoring or extra help is provided, if they don’t care they won’t do well. Everyone agreed that finding the right
inspiration is a challenge. Cindy
mentioned that at our next meeting we will continue discussion of the internal
SPE, particularly numbers 5-10. Mrs.
Vasiloff mentioned that some of our goals need to be focused in areas other
than FCAT improvement, and that in order to adequately make some changes and
improvements we are going to have spend some money. Cadet Vasiloff stated the need for an SAT
prep course to be incorporated into curriculum; Col. Cork stated that next year
at the LET 3 level in JROTC that will be done.
Anthony Vignocchi mentioned the need for a college bound program.
Mrs. Wallace reiterated the
need for a SAC chair for next year; preferably someone who will work with her
now to learn the procedures, etc. Ken
Cowles agreed to be an interim chair; a chair for next year’s committee will
have to be elected by the new committee.
Ballots for SAC positions will go out in the May issue of Cadet Connections.
New Business: Mr. Kennedy commended this SAC has been one
of the best he has been associated with, that we are on target for what a SAC
is supposed to do and how it is to function.
He also commended Mrs. Wallace for keeping the meetings on time and
adhering to the agenda.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:30
p.m.; next meeting is April 20th at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording
Secretary