Educational Excellence
School Advisory Council

7541 North Miami Beach Senior High School

Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes for:    09/15/2011  03:30 PM

Please contact the school for a formatted hard copy of these minutes.

Recording Secretary:    Rei Luzardo

Location of meeting:    Media Center

Was a quorum established?    Yes

Was the meeting advertised?    Yes,  09/01/2011

Attendance:

Members Present:

Stauffer, Patti (ESSAC Chairperson)
Raymond Fontana (Principal)
Rountree, Michael (teacher)
Casals, Frank (Teacher)
Martin, Veronica (Teacher)
Luzardo, Rei (Teacher/Secretary)
Krantz, Sharon (Counselor)
Robara, Kimberly (Student Representative)
Pierre, Amadine (Student Representative)
Joseph, Vanessa (Student Representative)
Joseph, Tania (Student Representative)
Clerizier, Edma (Educational Support)
Waide, Cheryl (PTSA representative)
Belmont, Heather (Community Representative)

Members Absent (Excused):

Milliken, Randy (Assistant Principal)
Muņiz-Pellicer, Mary (Parent)
Serrano, Peter (Teacher)
Farrel, Frank (Parent)
Petit-Jacques, Pauline (Parent)
Harrigan, Joyce (Parent)
Grant, Kheema (Student)
Kimberlie, Rabara (Student)
Simon, Beatriz (Business Community Representative)

Members Absent (Unexcused):

No one had an unexcused absence.

Others Present:

No one else was present.

Topics Covered:

Brief introductions from all present


Topics Covered:
Review of officers/positions, per by-laws
Nominations for positions
Chair: Frank Casals
Vice Chair: Patty Stauffer
Secretary: Rei Luzardo



Financial Statement: Ms Stauffer stated balance is $11, 347.00.

By-Laws review: Process started last year. However, the committee was unable to complete pending further research. Ms Stauffer requested all members review by-laws before next meeting to make sure everyone is clear on all topics and/or items included therein.
Funding guidelines: Ms Stauffer requested everyone review these, as well. She requested comments be provided to her before the next meeting.

Title One: Principal, Raymond Fontana explained the financial importance of Title One. Funds are provided to the school based on student participation free and reduced lunch program. NMB is a title one school. These funds are extremely important to the school. Certain requirements must additionally be met, such as parent involvement. Parent involvement is pivotal to the program.
PIP (Parental Involvement Plan)-A Parental Involvement Program has been introduced to facilitate parents’ involvement with all school programs.
Parent School Compact- A parent contract with the school has been developed and is currently being implemented.

SIP (School improvement plan): The plan was made available for review by all committee members. This plan must be a written form showing how the school intends to address problematic areas, such as testing scores. Teacher, and parent participation, again is important to the School Improvement Plan.

REPORTS AND UPDATES
Student report: Open house just took place this past Tuesday, Club Fair took place today, vending machine in the cafeteria has really good food
PTSA: Ms Wade reported on behalf of PTSA. Aggressive goals for membership this year, new board, they look forward to supporting school, children and staff. There will be an upcoming Job Fair in conjunction with City of North Miami Beach.
Staff reports: Mr Cassals reported that Math scores were among the highest gains in the district.
Ms Krantz reported many of our school scores in various tests were quite good. However, because the minimum score requirements were raised it may be difficult to achieve a higher overall grade. School schedules are better than most other schools in the area.
Ms Martin reported that Superintendent Carvalho had visited her classroom. He, in turn, had the local media visit the school and an upcoming report is due. A grant from the juvenile justice department has been awarded to NMB. It is tailored for students who may have specific difficulties in school being tutored and paid to learn job skills within the school. Criteria for qualification would be language issues and not passing the FCAT. ACT and SAT tutoring will be offered to students on weekends and after school. The program is targeted to seniors. Student tutors will be interviewed and selected. 6o students in total will be selected. Apprenticeship program will provide Twenty Academy Students. Both programs are limited to 100 hours, paying better than minimum wage, no taxes.
Major Rountree spoke out in favor of the great job our custodial department has been doing. The school looks really good. Additionally, security has been doing a great job of maintaining order.
Ms Krantz mentioned we have a trust counselor once again.
Ms Stauffer recommended everyone buy a yearbook early, before prices go up.
Most senior items are cheaper if purchase early.
Senior sales start on September 20th, for reduced rates.
Mr. Luzardo mentioned the school newspaper now has a Facebook fan page to get information out quicker.

Next Meeting date: Thursday, October 13th in the school library