School Advisory Council
Meeting
January 17, 2007
In attendance: Dan Kennedy, CSM Charles Thomas, Prof. Robert
Lechner, Ken Cowles, Jann Vasiloff, Col.
Steve Cork, Bill Race, Chuck Turner, Pat Pillot, Jim Young, Vera McClaugherty, Robert
Graham, Cadets Katherine Valdesuso, Kyle Seeger, John Miericke, Kaitlin Jeffrey,
Ryan Thompson, Jack O’Reilly
Chairman Ken Cowles called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. The November minutes were approved as written.
Headmaster’s Report: Mr. Kennedy stated that enrollment remains steady. Twenty seniors graduated in December, but that was offset by new students starting this semester. There are approximately 115 signed up for next year with more enrolling. We will soon reach waiting list status. The state has mandated that beginning next year all incoming freshmen must select a major field of study. SMA has developed these (see attached) and will do a direct mailing to parents of 8th grade students in the county. Since SMA does not have access to speak at the public middle schools it was decided that this was the best way to inform the public of what SMA has to offer. A law enforcement/forensics course of study will begin in the fall and presently open to rising juniors and seniors only due to space limitations. It will be opened to younger students as space is available. Mr. Cowles voiced concern about the ability of 8th grade students to know what they want to do with their future and having to select a major. Mr. Kennedy concurred as did Cadet O’Reilly who stated, “I change my mind just about every day.” Mr. Cowles also voiced some concerns about the guidance department and whether they are in a position to counsel students effectively. He stated that it seems they lag behind in some areas that are impacting the students. Mr. Kennedy responded by saying that he is looking into hiring another full time counselor since currently we have only 1 full time counselor, 1 part-time counselor and 1 office assistant for almost 500 students.
Space continues to be an issue for us. We have had to add intensive reading and math courses to be in compliance with NCLB as well as offering the majors. SMA is thinking about a scheduling change such as the A/B block schedule to make better use of class room space. No decision has been finalized.
There is another contract on the property on Fruitville road and we must wait for the 60 day due diligence clause to expire before we know if SMA is still under consideration as a buyer. Other solutions include looking at other properties and remodeling this campus. There are have been no recent offers on this property.
Commandant’s Report: Col. Cork stated that the academy has never been in better financial shape. The mortgage owed the Dioceses will be paid off in February because we have been able to double up on the payments. He stated that something needed to move forward with this facility because it is 50 years old and in need of many repairs. It will be at least 3 years before a new facility is ready to occupy even if property is found soon. There is a possibility if this facility is refurbished it will then be used as a middle school once the new high school is built. Mr. Pillot asked if the new building and site were contingent on the sale of the current site. Col. Cork responded that he is exploring financing the entire amount.
Col. Cork addressed some of Mr. Cowles concerns regarding the guidance department by stating that all juniors in JROTC must register to take the SAT college entrance test. The junior JROTC classes also teach a course on the SAT . Cadet Miericke said that after taking the class his test scores improved by almost 100 points. Mrs. Vasiloff asked if taking the test as a junior is mandatory who pays for it. Mr. Kennedy said that in some cases, when necessary SMA will pay for a student. Mrs. Vasiloff stated that perhaps that class should be taught to sophomores during the spring semester as taking the SAT at that time or in the fall of the junior year is not necessarily too early. Most people take it more than once and it can be helpful to have a base line.
Mr. Kennedy stated that a recent study showed that students who write in cursive scored better on tests including the standardized ones.
Old Business: Prof. Lechner gave a report of his trip to Atlanta to the SACS conference and his presentation. While there he was asked by Dr. Wendt to make the presentation at the Florida Conference of SACS in the summer. This is quite a compliment for SMA and Mr. Lechner.
There is now a girls’ lacrosse team and a coach; there is also a 35 member middle school girls’ team. Mr. Cowles stated that the SMA team’s success is due in part to working in conjunction with the Ringling Redskins.
New Business: Congratulations were offered to CSM Mike Collis, SMA teacher of the year, and Linda Daysh, SMA classified employee of the year. Upcoming events include: Raider meet 1/27, Blackhawk helicopter at SMA 2/21; sister city celebration 2/22 Treviso, Italy, is Sarasota’s newest sister city; district drill meet 2/27; visiting astronaut from recent space mission 3/22; all families are invited to attend every event.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.; next meeting 2/21 at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted
Jann Vasiloff