School Advisory Council
Meeting
March 15, 2006
In attendance: Vera McClaugherty, Dan Kennedy, Madalyn Andrews, Bill Race, Cadet Kyle Seeger,
CSM Mike Collis, Jim Young, Robert Lechner, Robert Graham, Cadet Whitney Vosick, Ken Cowles,
Jann Vasiloff
Chairman Cowles called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. The minutes from the February 2006 meeting were approved as written.
Headmaster’s Report: Enrollment stands at 447; we are full for next year with approximately 140 on the list, at this time we will start a waiting list. The referendum passed so things should go smoothly for next year. Cadet Vosick asked how much money the school is allocated. Mr. Kennedy explained that the money all schools receive is a combination from different sources: State, federal, referendum, lottery, categorical. It is divided by the number of students in the school. It amounts to $12,000/student at the high school level. The district determines how much of that money they need to run the district and that portion per student is taken out resulting in $6500/student/high school. The difference, however, for a charter school versus a districted school is that the charter schools must pay for their own maintenance, books, computers, etc. For example: When Mr. Kennedy was principal at Sarasota High and needed a new air conditioner the district paid for the item and installation; if SMA needs a new air conditioner SMA must pay for it plus installation. Therefore, money from each student must go towards SMA’s operating budget above and beyond the necessary classroom items needed for education. Mr. Race questioned the almost 50% taken out per student to run the district. Mr. Kennedy stated that there is some legal question as to whether the district can keep the 50% and still charge charter schools for various items and services. He said that charter schools are looking into this.
He asked if anyone had any questions regarding the recent newspaper articles about SMA. Cadet Seeger wondered what was going on. Mr. Kennedy explained that Mr. Bershon in his effort to obtain a grant from the State for his own company, The Sarasota Charter Military School Development Corporation, appeared in Tallahassee before a Senate subcommittee. While Mr. Bershon is listed as a co-founder of the Academy with Mr. Kennedy he has never been involved in the day to day operations, therefore, while testifying he misspoke about SMA statistics. There exists a blurring of the lines between Mr. Bershon’s company and SMA with many people in the public under the impression that we are connected especially financially-which we are not. The money that Mr. Bershon was seeking was solely for his own development corporation. In the past, money he has received like the grant from the Kellogg Foundation went 100% to his company. Mr. Kennedy clarified that SMA does accept students from all over the county regardless of race or religion. However, the district does not allow SMA to go into the public middle schools to recruit therefore the public must “discover” SMA for themselves.
At an SMA Board of Directors meeting, 03/13/06, because of the continued confusion and conflict of interest between the two entities, the board asked for Mr. Bershon’s resignation as “director emeritus,” and Mr. Bershon complied. Mr. Lechner raised the point that if Mr. Bershon’s company serves as a consultant to other school districts wishing to open SMA like schools, then why aren’t they paying him for his advice rather than he securing seed money for them.
FCAT is over and Mr. Kennedy stated that the school owes tremendous gratitude to the entire faculty and especially to CSM Collis and all the JROTC staff for the Sergeant Writes program and their 100% support of preparing the students for the test.
Commandant’s Report: On behalf of Col. Cork, Mr. Kennedy mentioned the negative impact the recent newspaper articles could have on the SMA capital campaign. One article stated that SMA was expanding across the state and was in good financial shape. Again, this reference was to Mr. Bershon’s company, and the article was written about that company. SMA’s operating budget is in good financial shape, however, the capital campaign is an entirely separate entity from the operating revenues. As written the article could lead the public to believe that SMA’s capital campaign is financially healthy when actually it has just begun. The other article raised the question of minority numbers at SMA. However, once again, many people in the public arena are under the impression that we are connected. In the midst of trying to raise 5 million dollars for a new building on this campus, this is not the impression we can afford to have.
CSM Collis asked if Mr. Bershon is still going to be allowed to visit the SMA campus. Mr. Kennedy replied that this is to be a topic of discussion at the next board meeting, 4/5/06.
Old Business: Mr. Cowles asked if anyone had given thought as to how to improve our communication between home and school. Cadet Vosick suggested that seniors on staff make phone calls to homes regarding upcoming events, changes in dates, etc. Mr. Kennedy thought this could be effective, but pointed out that a script would be needed for each event so the information was accurate and the same. Mrs. Vasiloff stated that coordination between the students and the existing phone tree chairman should be made.
Mr. Kennedy said that he would like to see an email address book created for all the families then they could be notified of events that way. Mr. Forchetti could not attend today’s meeting, but it is thought that he had previously stated that an email address book could not be created using the SMA server. It would have to be done from an outside source. Mrs. Andrews said that many parents would like to see individual teacher websites where grades, class work and information could be posted and voice mailboxes for the teachers so that parents could leave detailed messages about what they needed to discuss. Mrs. Vasiloff and Mr. Lechner stated that while daily communication is an admirable goal, we must take into consideration the nature of education and that despite the best laid plans often the days do not materialize as planned-it rarely is business as usual. Ken Cowles suggested additions to the current web page like t-shirts order forms, drill team meet places and directions and times, changes to raiders, changes or additions to dates, SMA calendar, etc. He stated that if we want to be successful and continue to improve communication we must have an improved method of delivery. Mrs. McClaugherty stated that she thinks the SMA web page is already greatly improved over what it used to be and is actually very good for a school that is only 4 years old. Mr. Kennedy suggested coming up with a prioritized list for the web: community service papers, school calendar, special speakers and presentations, minutes of PTCC meeting. SAC minutes and the newsletter are already posted. Vera said that during the Open Houses perhaps a power point presentation could be made showing parents how to navigate the web page. Mrs. Vasiloff stated that while improving any communication is a good idea, we must be careful not to absolve the cadets from any responsibility to communicate with their parents. If they don’t learn in the 4 years with SMA to communicate school items to their parents, it is not something they are likely to do from college where information is harder to come by.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.; next meeting is April 19, 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording Secretary