School Advisory Council
Meeting
April 20, 2005
In attendance: Dan Kennedy,
CSM Mike Collis, Capt. Richard Petrucci (for Bridget Jones), Jim Young, Cynthia
Wallace, Anthony Vignocchi, Madalyn Andrews, Robert Graham, Ken Cowles, Jann Vasiloff,
Bill Race, Col. Steve Cork, Fred Donovan, Robert Lechner, Cadets: Katie
Vasiloff, Whitney Vosick, Kyle Seeger, Katherine Valdesuso
Chairman Cynthia Wallace
called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
She explained that we would deviate from the agenda to accommodate our
guest speaker, Mr. Fred Donovan, planner and engineer from Baskerville-Donovan,
Inc.
Mr. Donovan presented a preliminary
conceptual campus development plan (see attached). The plan is the result of two meetings of the
planning committee, headed by Col. Cork.
Mr. Donovan stated that currently the campus has too much shared use for
effective pedestrian traffic, and the plan presented reconfigures parking areas
and traffic flow; existing main building remains with addition of 2-3 story
building with a gymnasium; drill field remains intact with addition of an
obstacle course. He stressed that this
is in its very preliminary stages, and there would be more committee
meetings. The cadets pointed out that an
area for morning formation must be designated.
Mr. Race asked if this is designed to accommodate our existing
population or intended for expansion of same.
Mr. Kennedy explained that the added classrooms would be used to insure
that each teacher has his/her own room (currently some of our teachers share
classrooms), for expansion of the library and tech labs, etc. He also stated that our student population
would not grow above 500, if that. One
of the advantages of SMA is its small size, and to go beyond 500 would lessen
the manageability and effectiveness.
Col. Cork reported that in our agreement with the City of Sarasota we
have only 2 more years to use portables.
At the conclusion of Mr.
Donovan’s presentation the meeting reverted to the agenda.
A motion was made, seconded
and passed to accept the minutes of the March meeting as written.
Headmaster’s Report: Mr. Kennedy reported that the
tabulation of course selections was almost complete with class sizes targeted
for 20-25; and some smaller in the upper level courses. He estimates that we will start our year with
enrollment between 440-450 and settle down to 440. Mrs. Andrews asked about the discrepancy between
class size and enrollment numbers. Mr.
Kennedy responded that we always lose a few students at the beginning of the
year for different reasons and that is why he estimates that we will settle
with a total enrollment around 440; for funding purposes we need to keep
enrollment steady. This year we stayed
right at 430. Our current waiting list
is small; Tuesday tours continue. There
will be staffing changes for next year-Mrs. Jones may be moving to Vermont
Commandant’s Report: Col. Cork distributed a
school/facilities improvement plan with projected costs/revenues (see
attached). It was noted that the
Creative Chefs fund raiser was a success thanks in large part to Wilma Thompson
and Marla Vignocchi, and the efforts of SMA parents who donated items for the
auction. It is quite likely that we will
be asked to participate in next year’s event, and that this could be a long
standing relationship.
Cadet Vasiloff reported on a focus
group of students who were selected at random to give input on FCAT testing,
motivation-what works, what doesn’t work, rewards, etc. (see attached) There were 11 students present at the first
meeting (another is scheduled). Col.
Cork served as the advisor to the group, and took notes; but stated the
students ran the discussion and couldn’t stop talking, the enthusiasm ran
high. The group will continue to meet
and will present a formal report when completed.
Old Business: Mrs. Wallace distributed (see attached) the
recommendations from Ernie Forchetti, SMA technology coordinator, for expansion
and improvement to our tech labs and classrooms. Mrs. Wallace asked that the SAC review this
and plan to discuss it at the next meeting along with the SPE section on career
planning and counseling. Mrs. Vasiloff mentioned that at past meetings it was
asked that the school provide better communication regarding Bright Futures and
scholarships. She noted that a three
part parent workshop of these topics was in progress this month, and despite notices
in the monthly newsletters and on the web turn out was very low. On the plus side, she noted that those in
attendance were very enthusiastic about what they had learned, and the
workshops would be repeated in the fall.
New Business: Mrs. Wallace officially resigned her position
as chair of SAC; Mr. Ken Cowles was elected interim chair at a previous meeting
and officially takes over. The ballot
for the elections to fill positions will go out in the May newsletter. Mr. Vignocchi will let us know if he intends
to remain on SAC as a business partner; Mr. Bill Race will remain on SAC as a
business partner.
The floor was opened for
random discussion. Col. Cork mentioned
that school improvement plan calls for the addition of 2 tech labs; one in the
science wing, and one for the English dept. in what is now the Regimental
Headquarters. Mr. Vignocchi asked if a
course in computer technology was available; Mr. Kennedy stated that it
currently is taught.
Mr. Race mentioned that he
felt the greatness of the SAC committee lay in the students’ input and he
encouraged them to speak up.
Mrs. Andrews stated that some
parents had said they had not received the climate survey and she wondered if
there was a better way to distribute it other than through the students. Mr. Kennedy stated that next year we will use
the district designed one which comes with a return envelope. She also inquired as to how we would park
along Lemon Avenue as indicated in the preliminary site plan. Col. Cork said that there has been an
indication by the city that they would move the sidewalk to accommodate this,
and were receptive to the idea. Regarding
the school improvement plan, Mrs. Vasiloff mentioned that she hoped new
classroom space would be used to break out the honors and AP classes from the
mainstream classes and that was in keeping with the direction the school is
going. Mr. Kennedy said that was part of
the plan.
Mrs. Vasiloff thanked Cindy
Wallace for her years of service to the school, the SAC, the PTCC. Although she will still be a parent at the
school, due to personal reasons, she will not be as active. Mrs. Wallace said that while she would still
be around it was a good thing that new people would become involved in many of
the areas that she has led.
The SAC joined in thanking
her.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:45
p.m.; the next meeting will be held on May 11th at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted
Jann Vasiloff, Recording
Secretary