School Advisory Council
Meeting
April 18, 2007
In attendance: Vera McClaughtery, James Young, CSM Charles Thomas, Madalyn Andrews, Robert Graham, Ken Cowles, Bill Race, Jann Vasiloff, Pat Pillot, Hirra Dunn, Dan Kennedy, Robert Lechner,
Cadets Kyle Seeger, Ryan Thompson, John Miericke, Kaitlin Jeffrey, Katherine Valdesuso, John O’Reilly
Meeting was called to order by Chairman Cowles at 8:50 a.m. following the appreciation breakfast. Minutes were approved as written.
Headmaster’s Report: Enrollment stands at approximately 475; quite a few dual enrolled at MCC, so we get only one half the FTE dollars for them. Next year’s FTE will be approximately $8500/student. We are completely full for next year with a waiting list. The board of directors met 4/17/07 at the JCC property. They are expected to submit a letter of intent to purchase the property. Following that there will be a 120-180 day due diligence period at which time the necessary remodeling to meet our needs will be investigated. The purchase price is $13 million for 32 acres, 16 of which are vacant, existing buildings, 2 pools, tennis courts, auditorium/theater. Mr. Kennedy mentioned that the pool and theater can be rented out to the public during non-school hours, and this would generate income. There are 27 potential classrooms which would eliminate the need for teachers to float. Estimated remodeling costs are $1.5 million. The cooperation of the bordering neighborhoods was questioned. Mr. Kennedy stated that the property is zoned for education or recreation. The existing preschool buildings that front the property may be purchased by another entity. He was aware that the Julie Rohr School had looked into purchasing them, but that there may be a new regulation prohibiting preschools from being held in wooden structures. Our fallback position should this acquisition not materialize is to build a 3 story building on the current site with an entrance off Lemon; where the existing buildings sit would become the drill/lacrosse field. The estimated cost on that is $7-8 million, and we would still be landlocked. The consensus is that it would be better to make mortgage payments on a larger property with room for expansion than payments on a parcel that is locked in. The property on Fruitville and I-75 was purchased by another party.
Old Business: Mr. Cowles reminded everyone to review the SAC operational guidelines for potential changes which would be included in the 2007-2008 SIP. Any changes should be emailed to Bob Graham, as he would review and compile them and then forward them to Ken Cowles by 4/27/07.
New Business: Mr. Lechner explained that it was time to gather information for the 2007-2008 SIP. Previously he had distributed to the faculty and staff a needs assessment survey pertaining to on-going in-service training for next year. It was reviewed with SAC that the purpose of sharing this information was for a collaborative partnering between faculty, staff and SAC to achieve the most effective tool for use by the school. He distributed to SAC the results of that survey (see attached) for their review and suggestions with the request that we return them to him by next month. He will take all the information (faculty, staff, SAC) compile it and include it as part of the 2007-2008 SIP. That draft will then be presented to the SAC at their next meeting in August as well as shared with the faculty. Several members of SAC, Mr. Bill Race, Dan Kennedy, Madalyn Andrews, commented on what they thought to be the most important topics as well as explanations given of some topics. Bob Graham asked how in-service training was done. Mr. Kennedy stated that the district has a web site with hundreds of opportunities available that faculty could register for, but that the school also offered opportunities on site. These are typically conducted during faculty meetings, professional days, and the week preceding the students’ return to school.
A motion was made and seconded to elect Bob Graham as interim chair of SAC until the new SAC could hold their own elections at their meeting in August. Motion passed. Ken Cowles said that a notice for new members is posted on the school web site and will run in the newsletter as well. He has a couple of incoming freshmen parents who expressed interest. Vera mentioned a couple of faculty/staff members who are interested.
Jann thanked everyone for their attendance and participation throughout the year making Five Star possible; thanks were extended to Ken Cowles for his 2 years of chairmanship; thanks to Madalyn Andrews for her years of service and to Cadets John Miericke and Kyle Seeger who are graduating.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. Next meeting will be held August 29th at 7:30 a.m. A change of date was necessary to accommodate the start of school.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording Secretary