Venice High School

School Advisory Council

May 12, 2008

The monthly SAC meeting for Venice High School was held in the Media Center with the following present: Candace Millington, Andy Britton, Lisa Callaghan, Steve Dembinski, Ken Gehrls, John Jefferson, Noni Lavelle, Georgia Miller and Greg Miller.

Lisa Callaghan, Chair, presided over the meeting’s scheduled agenda.

The minutes from April 14, 2008 were reviewed and approved.

Softball Recognition VHS girl’s varsity softball team was recognized for their efforts at the FHSAA Class 5A State Championship game. Bartram Trail High School defeated the Lady Indians 4-2. Venice set a new school record with 31 wins in a season. Stephanie Sullivan set a season strikeout record with 293. Chelsea Zgrabik set a record for homeruns in Florida. The team was praised for their talent, comradery and team spirit.

Budget Update

Ø Declining enrollment and the economy has impacted our schools, students and the community.

Ø The base student allocation is reverting back to 2004.

Ø 84% of the budget is salary

Ø Staff reduction goal: minimize impact on instruction, maintain programs and maintain the level of service.

Ø Ultimately the affects include important programs and services.

Ø Projected enrollment 2008-2009: 2,066 - a decrease of 54 students.

Ø The Driver’s Education program will not be offered based on the funding available.

Ø Services will be reduced: Guidance Counselors will be reduced from 8 to 5, a ratio of 400-1. Assistant Sports Coaches will be reduced.

Ø Realignment: Instructional Technology Services. The ITF will now have regional teams. Technology aides will be 12 month staffers.

Ø VHS will lose 6.6 units.

Ø Allocation reductions include Reading/English from 21.1 to 19.6 units, and Math from 19 to 17 units.

Ø Summer school will not be offered after this summer.

Ø Materials and texts will be reduced by half.

Ø Non-instructional might include a $5 million cut depending on the November vote.

Spring 2008 FCAT Writing Essay Grade 10 Results

Ø The district average remained stable at grade 10.

Ø The district students scored higher than students across the state.

Ø With 469 VHS students tested, the mean essay score was 4.1.

Ø Percent of VHS students scoring level 3.5 or higher on the essay portion was 84%.

Ø Percent of VHS students scoring level 3 or higher on the total achievement score of writing and grammar was 67% - a 4% increase.

Staff and Student Recognition

The council approved using the School Improvement money to go towards staff and student recognition awards.

The council congratulated Candy Millington for her endless efforts and talents at VHS. She continues to be productive with helping to improve student achievement.