School Advisory Council
Meeting
September 19, 2007
In attendance: Vera McClaughtery, James Young, Robert Graham, Dan Kennedy, Ken Cowles, CSM Keith Daly, Jann Vasiloff, Terry Lipman, Cadets John O’Reilly, Brian Larson Guest: Prof. Robert Lechner
Meeting was called to order by interim chairman, Robert Graham at 7:35 a.m. The minutes of the August meeting were approved with a correction to the date.
Headmaster’s Report: Enrollment stands at 530. Tuesday morning tours resumed; it is anticipated that we will be at a waiting list status for next year before too long. SMA is no longer looking for property on which to relocate. Instead, the board of directors has approved the site plan for the new building and instructed the staff to move forward. It will cost approximately $100,000 to begin the process with the city. Using the diagram, Mr. Kennedy explained the layout of the new building which will include a new gym that will have the capability to have part of it used as classroom space when necessary, and fully equipped and state-of-the-art media center which Mrs. Austin will oversee. Once the new building is occupied the present building will undergo renovation beginning with the cafeteria. Lunch will be served in the new gym while that is taking place. The new building will be located where the current gym and supply building are now. Formation will remain in the same location. To the west of the new building there will be additional parking still leaving adequate space for a drill field. A letter has been sent to the City of Sarasota requesting that SMA annex the property to the north that borders 10th street and also the lot on Orange Ave. that we currently use for parking and drill. The concept of staying where we are makes the use of the downtown amenities convenient, and the city favors the school staying where it is. A search will continue for a site for a middle school. Ground breaking on the new building should begin late winter/early spring of 2008 with occupancy slated for August 2008. The capital campaign will be revitalized and $200,000 has already been donated; additionally, the bond issue will be extended to finance the construction which is estimated at 4 million. Mr. Cowles requested that the cafeteria tables be replaced with more adult seating. Mr. Kennedy said that the current tables were donated and are approximately $900 a piece. The tables are also very convenient to set up and take down which is a daily occurrence. He suggested that at a later time we may be able to get seating that is more accommodating to adults.
Commandant’s Report: None in Col. Cork’s absence
Old Business: The process of electing new members to the SAC was discussed. It was reviewed that there are 4 types of elected members that comprise SAC: parents, students, faculty, and classified personnel. The headmaster/principal is a required member under law. According to the bylaws each of these groups elects its own members to serve (see Article VI, Section A). Requests for interested persons to fill vacancies were posted in the May newsletter and the school website. Former chairman, Ken Cowles, received and passed on several responses from parents. Mr. Graham has been and will be in touch with them. It was suggested that for the parent election a ballot be published in the October Cadet Connection. Prof. Lechner raised objections to the election process. Mrs. Vasiloff read the election process as stated in the current bylaws. She suggested that if the SAC wants to change the election process that it (SAC) needs to address the bylaws at another meeting, but for the present time they should be followed as written. Mr. Graham said that he would speak to Mr. Kennedy and that discussing/reviewing/revising the bylaws would be tabled for another meeting.
Prof. Lechner will submit the 2007-2008 SIP (previously approved by SAC in August) to the school board on Monday, 9/24/07, and add any new members at a later date.
The PALS training session for SAC, Five Star, etc., will take place 9/27/07. That coincides with our Open House, so only Mr. Graham and Mrs. Reed will attend.
New Business: Prof. Lechner addressed SAC about SMA’s accreditation process which has begun with the visiting team scheduled for fall 2008. Formerly SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) the organization has merged with other accrediting bodies and is now named, AdvancED. He distributed and explained the process by way of the attached handouts (glossary of terms, procedures, product expectations, example of procedure) detailing the procedures from the set up of the committees, to the reporting and accountability procedures, and the inclusion of open-ended input from the faculty and staff in the final conclusions of each committee. He used the Vision, Mission and Beliefs committee as an example of the procedures since they have already completed their work, and he was chair of that committee with first hand knowledge. Mr. Lechner developed extensive “how to” directions including a glossary of terms in order that each person serving on an accreditation committee understands the process and adheres to it. Regional chair of AdvancED, Dr. Wentz, is so impressed with Prof. Lechner’s guide that she has asked him to share what he has written and developed with other school districts.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m. The next meeting will be October 17th at 7:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jann Vasiloff, Recording Secretary