School Advisory Council
Meeting
February 15, 2006
In attendance: CSM Mike Collis, Ken Stokes, Prof. Lechner, Ken
Cowles, Jann Vasiloff, Wilma Thompson,
Robert Graham, Col. Steve
Cork, Madalyn Andrews, Ken Stokes, Wilma Thompson, Cadets Katherine Valdesuso,
Kyle Seeger, Kaitlin Jeffrey,
Whitney Vosick and John Miericke
Chairman Cowles called the
meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. Minutes
from the January meeting were approved as written. Wilma Thompson was filling in for member Jim
Young (classified), Ken Stokes was filling in for Vera McClaugherty (teacher).
Headmaster’s Report: Col. Cork gave Mr. Kennedy’s
report in his absence. Enrollment stands
at 446, budgeted for 440 so in good shape.
FCAT testing began with 10th grade writing on February 7th,
pleased to report we had 100% attendance for 10th graders that
day. Testing continues on 2/27 & 28
and into the first week of March. There
is a lot of preparation going the 10th grade JROTC classes with Sgt.
Writes program administered by CSM Collis.
Commandant’s Report: Capital campaign planning
continued with a special workshop held for the members of the Board of Directors
to develop a funding strategy; i.e., identify key people who are active in the
community who are likely to contribute, appoint a chair, etc. Goal is 5.2 million. Plan on obtaining a construction loan so that
construction can commence March 2007, and use the capital campaign money that
is raised to pay off that debt.
School is in good shape
financially, but it is very important that the referendum pass in March. If not, we will suffer a shortfall next year
of $28,000 a month which will necessitate drastic changes in staffing and other
areas. Col. Cork emphasized the
importance of everyone voting, spreading the word and supporting the referendum
as it directly impacts our school.
CSM Mike: District drill meet is week after next; State
drill meet is next month. The Black
Knight Raiders took 2nd in the State overall in their recent
competition. The girls worked hard for
it and were awesome surprising everyone by finishing so high.
Old Business: See reports above
New Business: Ken Cowles brought up the subject of
communication. SMA has various
methods: newsletter, Website, email,
telephone, etc., but information both new and changes to existing seems to fall
between the cracks or in some instances lacking between school and home. He mentioned the other schools have a
computer program that allows parents to log on and check student grades and
attendance. SMA is not part of that
system and it would be about $15,000 to become networked. He asked if the committee thought that there
was a need for better communication and would the purchase of a computer
program help, and what other ideas we had.
Cadet Seeger mentioned that a
system like that could be beneficial, but costly and with the unknown outcome
of the referendum would it be feasible. Col.
Cork mentioned that there was no money for that type of system now with or
without the referendum money.
Cadet Vosick said that she
didn’t know how valuable that type of system would be because of the varying
nature of the classes and the work that is done in them, and would the teachers
update everyday?
Mrs. Vasiloff pointed out
that the success of any program is only as good as the regularity with which
the information is inputted. She also
mentioned that parents who are involved in the child’s school life already
check with teachers regularly on the progress, etc., and a new system might
make it easier for them, but it may not be used by parents who are not
involved, raising the issue of cost effectiveness. She also felt that the communication within
the SMA departments could use some improvement and that might need to happen
before communicating outside the school improves. She and Mrs. Thompson also pointed out that
the SMA website is already being used by many teachers for homework postings,
and class information.
Ken reiterated that this
dialogue was opened to explore the situation.
To pose the question do we work on improving what we have? Do we look into a communication system? He asked that everyone think about today’s
discussion and return to next month’s meeting with their thoughts, opinions and
suggestions as to how we can improve communication.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55
a.m.; next meeting scheduled for March 15th at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording
Secretary