Venice High School

School Advisory Council Meeting

M I N U T E S

April 12, 2004

 

 

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Venice High School Advisory Committee (SAC) was called to order by Chair Cheryl Bolton at 6:35 p.m. on April 12, 2004, in the administrative conference room.

 

Cheryl welcomed everyone in attendance and asked everyone to introduce themselves.

 

Cheryl asked if everyone received the minutes of the last meeting and asked for corrections.  There being none, Greg Miller made a motion to accept the minutes as written.  Steve Joselson seconded the motion.  There was no discussion, and the motion passed.

 

Candy Millington asked to begin the meeting with student recognitions.  Cheryl informed everyone that Shelbi Johnson, a VHS junior, had been chosen by Governor Bush as a “2004 High School All-Star” representing Sarasota County.  There was also a recent article in the newspaper highlighting Shelbi and this honor.  Candy asked Kim Kindell to share the recent accomplishment of her daughter Jennifer Kindell, a VHS senior.  Jennifer received the Florida’s First Lady’s Arts Recognition Award.  Her family, Candy, and Art Dept. Chair Jon Corby will travel to Tallahassee next week to receive the award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship.  Jennifer was one of 24 students, and one of 6 visual artists, in the state of Florida chosen to receive this award.  Cheryl also brought us up-to-date on her son Karl who is a 2000 VHS graduate.  Karl will be graduating soon from the University of Florida with two degrees—engineering and business administration.  He has been chosen for a prestigious internship this summer, and he already has an impressive job offer when he graduates in December.  Congratulations were given by the SAC members to these current and former VHS graduates.

 

A video presentation was given on Smaller Learning Communities at VHS.  2003 VHS graduate Matt Messenger created the video focusing on the Cornerstone program.  The video will be used at conferences and will be used to educate teachers and parents as to the benefits of the program.  Jack Turgeon and Steve Joselson will be attending a national conference this summer.  They will use the video in their presentation on Smaller Learning Communities.

 

Candy reviewed the budget for the 2004-2005 school year and distributed “2004-2005 Budget Preparation Instructions” and the “2004-2005 Budget Worksheets”.  Candy pointed out the following highlights:

  • 25 students per class in core subject areas;
  • District advises each school to be conservative in hiring;
  • We are being staffed at 31.48;
  • We are able to maintain programs and class sizes because of referendum dollars;
  • The allocation for guidance counselors is 1 – 300;
  • Each high school is allocated and charged for an Athletic Trainer, even though ours is paid for by Bon Secours Hospital.  Candy is working on this situation to see if these funds can be used for other personnel.

 

Candy does not feel we will lose any staff members due to lower than projected enrollment.   We will need additional science help for FCAT preparation, and our staffing may fluctuate depending on the FCAT results.  The demand for AP classes is increasing, and size of the group of students needing remedial classes is decreasing.  Candy also pointed out referendum dollars fund VHS $1,326,036.  25 positions would not be funded if the referendum had not passed.  Student SAC rep. Viki Ragas recommended more AP classes.  She says her AP classes are over-crowded, and agrees with the current system of teacher recommendation needed for students to take AP classes.  Parents may over-ride the teacher recommendation by completing a form in guidance.

 

Technology Update – Candy reported that Bill Hancock and Bill Mowry are working with the county, and VHS may pilot a program for teachers to use a computer program for their gradebook which will report by email to parents and will be connected to the districts computer records, too.  This pilot program would not cost VHS anything.

 

SLC Site Visit – We have not received a report on the recent site visit by the Dept. of Education.  Unofficially, Candy received very positive comments about the school.

 

Building Plans – Candy distributed copies of a preliminary site plan.  She is meeting with the architects on April 13, 2004.  Many construction projects are set to begin.  The music suite should be started in January.  The Wellness Center will begin construction soon.  The softball concession will begin construction after the season ends, and the PE locker rooms will be renovated this summer.  Candy also reported the City of Venice would like to assist in constructing an entrance to the school in the city’s Mediterranean style.

 

Cheryl reminded everyone of the Senior Awards Night on May 17th.  SAC members have been invited to be presenters.  The next SAC meeting will be held May 10th.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by

Kim Kindell for Gary Mitchell