MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

SARASOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

The meeting of the School Advisory Council (SAC) of Sarasota Middle School (SMS) was held on August 26, 2002. Chairman Greg Leicht called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

A new SAC position was discussed for the PTSO president to serve as a liaison between the PTSO and SAC. This position was approved by consensus. Jodi Anderson, PTSO president, will fill the position this year. Marti Watson, Sarasota County Safe School Liaison, was approved to join the SMS SAC as a District liaison. Elaine Gale, SMS art teacher, was introduced as a SAC guest.

Marsha Mangold made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2002, meeting; it was seconded by Charles Brown, and was approved by consensus.

The first item on the agenda was Flexible Supplement Dollars. Last year, SAC allocated $900 each for the four curriculum coordinator positions of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Robin Alvarez moved that the SAC approve the $3600 for curriculum coordinator positions from Flexible Supplement Dollars; it was seconded by Stan Carter, and approved by consensus.

Use of the SMS A+ Dollars was second on the agenda. Last year, the A+ dollar allocation process was so successful that the SAC approved using the same process in future years, including the A, B, and C categories. The Committee of Seven will reconvene to review the allocation process. The SAC reviewed the 2001-2002 A+ document provided by the Committee of Seven. Specific attention was paid to the paragraph referencing C dollars. It was recommended that the Committee of Seven change the wording from clubs to classes. Further recommendations include allowing C dollars for tutoring in reading and math and also to sponsor additional intramural classes.

Elaine Gale spoke in reference to our School Improvement Plan. She advised that our SIP goals are found in the Campaign for Excellence. We reviewed data attendant thereto and were informed that the Adequate Progress Report is due September 16 and the School Improvement Plan is due October 4. Elaine and Page discussed student performance from our EQUIP data, including year’s growth in math and reading, and reported that our next job would be a goal-by-goal assessment of our SIP.

The dress code was addressed next and Page informed us that the primary issue administration is dealing with now is enforcement. A discussion ensued regarding polo shirts as an optional school spirit shirt, and a subcommittee was formed to investigate this. The subcommittee is comprised of Greg Leicht, Charles Brown and Page Dettmann.

Lottery Dollars. Sarasota Middle School teachers are engaged in the second year of Professional Learning Community workshops. Last year, the teachers prioritized their curriculum objectives. This year, the teachers will be analyzing assessment data and determining the best data to use to determine if students have learned what they are expected to know and be able to do. The SAC approved Lottery Dollars last year for substitute teachers for this workshop. Page requested that the SAC again approve lottery dollars for substitutes so teachers can attend the Professional Learning Community workshops. Robin Alvarez made a motion to approve using these funds for substitute teachers; the motion was seconded by Charles Brown, and was approved by consensus.

Page advised that the PALS volunteer application process in online for the entire county. No one may volunteer in the school in any capacity (including as field trip chaperones) unless they are PALS approved. We are working very hard to get our parents to school to complete the on-line application. Robin will open the computer lab both before and after Open House on September 12, for parents to complete their PALS application.

Exploratory and PE classes have flourished with the addition of a second class. The new PE teacher and aide have allowed SMS to provide PE every day all year for the majority of our students. There has been positive response from students, parents, and teachers in regard to this change made by Team Leaders and SAC during the budgeting process. Teachers now eat lunch with their teams and this has provided for a more safe and orderly environment in the cafeteria.

The ten-day count for SMS was 1,339. The projected number was 1,363. All staff will remain. The referendum’s impact on SMS has been most obvious in class size, the addition of a PE teacher and aide and the addition of seven basic skills teachers.

There will be several commemoration activities on campus for September 11. All students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on 9/11. There will be a before school program, including taps and singing of the National Anthem. The morning TV news program will include a message from Dr. Dettmann, commemoration of the Osprey Team quilt created by Mrs. Akin’s social studies students, patriotic songs, and a moment of silence. At 3:30 p.m., Mrs. Hutson’s students from the Mustang Team will present a patriotic play over the TV news.

The annual SMS Open House is scheduled for September 12. PTSO is providing a shuttle bus for those parents who park at Ashton Elementary School.

There being no further business, Brenda Hamill moved to adjourn the meeting; it was seconded by Greg Leicht, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robin Alvarez

Recording Secretary