School Advisory Council
Meeting
August 16, 2006
In attendance: Robert Graham, Dan Kennedy, Madalyn Andrews, CSM Charles Thomas, Prof. Robert Lechner, Ken Cowles, Jim Young, Col. Stephen Cork, Jann Vasiloff, Vera McClaugherty, Cadets Katherine Valdesuso, Kaitlin Jeffrey, Kyle Seeger, John Miericke, Ryan Thompson, Marshal Rhoades
The meeting was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by chairman, Ken Cowles. Ken welcomed everyone back. Marshal Rhoades has joined the SAC as the freshman class representative. Ernie Forchetti, head of SMA technology was present. The minutes from the May meeting were approved with two corrections and one addition.
Headmaster’s Report: Mr. Kennedy stated that the year was off to a great start. Enrollment stands at 495. This is above what the district allows, but almost 30 students attend SCTI for half the day and we don’t receive a full allocation for them. Therefore, it brings the number who receive full funding to 465. SMA was rated as a B school only missing an A rating by a few points. We outscored most other county high schools in math and writing and achieved 95% of the NCLB. Our focus this year will be on reading; programs are underway in the classes addressing those needs. The board of directors has decided to market the property for sale due to the rezoning in our area resulting in a dramatic increase in the value of the property. A new location will be found closer to the interstate anticipated to be either on Fruitville or Clark. The new facility may include a middle school. SMA will again participate in the McIntosh Middle School’s Veterans’ Day celebration, Nov. 10th. SMA will participate in the City of Sarasota’s Veterans’ Day parade on the 11th. Since that is a Saturday there is no scheduled day off for county students so another time will be chosen to make up the day. The first day of school went extremely well with all students getting to classes in a short period of time due in large part to the hard work of the guidance department. Many new textbooks were purchased over the summer updating curriculums. Some teachers did not return; new teachers were hired in math, English, and ROTC.
Commandant’s Report: Col. Cork announced that all returning students were in Class B’s or awaiting uniform exchanges due to size difference, etc., and all new students were in the Friday uniform. They should all be outfitted in Class B’s by the end of August. The state increased the per student allocation, so that helped offset the cost of new textbooks. CSM Thomas reported that the freshman class was off to a good start learning the “ropes” in JROTC. He mentioned that there has been a change in the after school activity schedule: Drill team will meet Tuesday & Wednesday 2-4 p.m.; Raiders will meet Monday & Thursdays 2-4 p.m., Civil Air Patrol will meet Monday & Thursday 2-4 p.m., Rifle team remains Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Old Business: Mr. Forchetti gave an update on the school’s web page. All teachers are putting homework assignments on their pages, the calendar will be updated regularly, forms are available for downloading, signing up with email addresses is available in an attempt to develop a parent/alumni mailing list, items for sale at the school store, uniform prices, etc. are available as information only (there will be no purchasing done through the web site).
Prof. Lechner distributed the 2006-2007 SIP for review. It was compiled using the school’s test scores in keeping with the district and NCLB guidelines and using the data gathered from the needs assessment surveys returned by faculty, staff and SAC members. Questions were asked about some of the percentages used in the needs assessment portion. Mr. Lechner stated that the data used was taken directly from the test scores, but he would recheck to make sure that no error had inadvertently been made. He also explained that in some areas, such as writing, the passing score had been increased from 3.0 to 3.5. Therefore, while the overall section saw an improvement the numbers may look like a decline. He pointed out that science results are reflecting a “testing of the test” phase and so the 2006 scores are not included. Mr. Lechner pointed out that the district has trimmed the goal section from 9 to 5 to include reading, writing, math, and science. The 5th goal is optional for each school. SMA will use that for a new community service project to fulfill the 5 Star requirement. The goal has not yet been finalized. A motion was made to accept the SIP as written/presented with goal #5 being added upon completion, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Upon receiving and adding the 5th goal Prof. Lechner will turn the SIP into the district by the deadline in September. Once we are notified by the district of the acceptance of the SIP, we will notify the public of its availability.
Prof. Lechner then present three names for consideration as
new members to this year’s SAC. They
are: Mrs. Hirra Dunn-10th
grade parent, Mr. Patrick Pillot-9th grade parent, Mr. Chuck
Turner-9th grade parent. A motion was made and seconded to elect
these nominees, motion passed.
New Business: None
The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for September 20th at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording Secretary