School Advisory Council
Meeting
December 7, 2005
In attendance: Dan Kennedy, CSM Mike Collis, Jim Young, Bob
Lechner, Ken Cowles, Madalyn Andrews, Jann Vasiloff, Vera McClaugherty, Robert
Graham, Col. Steve Cork, Bill Race, Cadets Katherine Valdesuso, Kyle Seeger,
and
Kaitlin Jeffrey
Chairman Cowles called the
meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. Ken
reminded us that this was a combined November/December meeting. The minutes were reviewed and it was noted
that the date was incorrect. The minutes
were then approved as corrected.
Headmaster’s Report: Mr. Kennedy reported that the
orientation tours continue with approximately 75 registered for next year so
far with the anticipation that by the end of January we will be full and go to
a waiting list status. Some students will transfer to other schools, some move
out of town, but there are several registered to start in January so our
numbers will remain steady. South County
is still in the works with the search for land continuing. Capital campaign for the expansion at this
campus will start in January with a letter (see attached) being mailed, at
present, to a select group.
Schedules for next semester
will be given out next week so that course changes can be made prior to the
break. Mandarin Chinese will be offered
with priority going to juniors and seniors; we are sharing a teacher with the
School in the Park. It was noted that this will not fulfill the foreign
language requirement for college entrance.
The question was asked about
how many students will start in the south county school when it opens. Mr. Kennedy estimated that it would open with
about 400 students because the demand is high.
Mrs. Vasiloff asked if we would consider opening with just 9th
and 10th grades to begin with and add to. Mr. Kennedy said that he doesn’t want to do
that as he wants upper classmen to act as role models for the younger students.
Commandant’s Report: Col. Cork went over the
diagram of the proposed 2 story building and the property improvements that are
required by the county and city prior to construction beginning. The estimated start date is March 2007. The first floor of the building will house
the library, ESE classrooms, and administrative offices. The second floor will remain a “shell” for
the time being and finished into classrooms as funds permit. Mr. Kennedy mentioned that this expansion
will not significantly increase student numbers. The goals are to keep the population under
500 which is manageable, all teachers to have their own classrooms so they
don’t have to float, and the elimination of all portables. Col. Cork stated that we have to move the
portables out by 2007 per the city. The targeted
amount is between 5-6 million dollars.
It was mentioned that this will be an opportunity for contributors to
have classrooms, etc., named for them.
Mrs. Vasiloff asked if any thought was given to how a situation would be
handled if a parent wants to donate money with strings attached. Mr. Kennedy said that at this time families
were not being targeted as part of this campaign, but rather major donors such
as foundations and corporations. He also
mentioned that a new law that was passed known as the Katrina Law that allows
100% write off for charitable contributions to 503C organizations this
year.
Col. Cork mentioned that the
Military Ball to be held 12/10/05 should be outstanding. The students, Monika, and Wilma are working
very hard. Parents are going to help
decorate on Friday and Saturday, and he wants to have everyone encourage the
cadets to attend.
Old Business: Mr. Kennedy mentioned what a terrific
Veterans’ Day celebration we had this year with more participation than
ever. He wanted to extend his thanks, as
do we all, to Cindy Wallace, Maribeth McDermott and Sheila Rose for their
efforts in putting everything together.
He also mentioned the outstanding job our cadets did at the McIntosh Middle
school’s Veterans’ Day Recognition in which they participated. The response to the exhibition team’s
demonstration was overwhelming. Col.
Cork mentioned that this past weekend’s drill meets went very well.
New Business: Ken Cowles, parent organizer of the SMA Lacrosse
Team, spoke about the team which currently has 23 players. The team will be part of the West Florida
Lacrosse League which includes other high schools from the Tampa Bay area, but
none in Sarasota County. SMA is the
first school in the county to have a team.
He stated that the kids are excited and that the coach from the University
of Virginia told them how much scholarship money is available for college bound
lacrosse players both male and female.
Ken stated that women’s lacrosse is somewhat different than men’s, so
maybe SMA will field a women’s team next year if there is enough interest. He mentioned that there are many people
involved in this team’s formation and many people have made donations. Mr. Kennedy thanked Ken for his dedication
and initiative in making the lacrosse team become a reality. CSM Collis thanked Mr. Cowles for being
sensitive to the needs of the drill team and raiders in organizing the lacrosse
team.
Mr. Cowles mentioned that
there was very poor attendance at the post graduation workshops that Mrs. Marx
has put on. He wondered if anyone had
any ideas how to increase awareness. Mr.
Kennedy stated that even when he was principal at SHS attendance to those types
of seminars was poor. He said that he
has spoken with Mrs. Marx and she is going to try and get various college reps
to visit campus so that the students can talk directly to them while they are
in school.
Mr. Cowles and Mr. Kennedy
wished everyone Happy Holidays; meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Next scheduled meeting is January
18, 2005 at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording
Secretary