Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: Lourdes Mixco

Location of meeting: Arnold Seltzer Room

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 05/11/2016

Attendance

Topics Covered

The meeting was called to order at 2:51 p.m., and all were welcomed by the Chair.

Quorum was established.

The minutes of the previous two meetings were reviewed and accepted with one change: In the minutes of the April 7, 2016 the sentence that reads “However, we shall we providing some hard copies at all meetings” will be changed to “However, we shall be providing some hard copies at all meetings.”

Ms. Hernandez, Mr. Boulay, Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Moffi, and Mrs. Viada presented a review of the year for the School Improvement Plan.
• English/Language Arts: We are targeting students who need intervention. The afterschool tutoring program is being continued. More professional development is being made available to teachers. We continue to work toward increasing rigor and implementing technology.
• Mathematics: We are using the pacing guides and data to focus instruction. Emphasis is being placed on improving the curriculum through the following:
o Visuals
o Graphic organizers
o More authentic examples to provide opportunities to students with various learning styles
• Science: We are emphasizing the pacing guides and the state benchmarks. We are also increasing rigor, particularly in the areas of evidence and rationale. We are providing more of the following:
o Lab experiences
o Professional development
o Best practices
o New technology
• Social Studies: There is an increased focus on the U.S. history benchmarks being tested. McGraw-Hill item specifications and primary source documents will drive instruction.
• Student Services: We continue to offer individual and group counseling to provide academic achievement, social development, and emotional well-being. Our student services department will also provide career and college planning as well as letters of recommendation for post-secondary education and scholarship programs.
• Technology: There is an increase in the implementation of tablets and BYOD schoolwide.

 
Ms. Sears reported that New Student Orientation on April 30, 2016 was a success, with approximately 300 incoming freshmen in attendance. Parents were offered the opportunity to sign acceptance contracts and 4-year strand-specific curriculum maps that include information on all the industry certification exams required of their children as well as to purchase uniforms. The students were photographed for their school IDs and filled out subject selection documents. Some strand changes were accommodated. Additionally, some parents turned in paper applications. Our count stands at 301 incoming freshmen and a projected student body of 1401; this is up by 40 from last year at this time.

Mrs. Viada gave a testing update:
• All Advanced Placement exams have been administered.
• All FSA and NGSSS tests have been administered. This is very important so that students will not have their grades withheld in classes where there are EOCs.
• We are still administering some AICE and some industry certification exams. The last PERT of the school year is scheduled for May 31, 2016.
• We have only received the NGSSS Algebra I and FCAT Retake score (This accounts for a very small population). We have received no news of the release of FSA scores.
• The scores of the March administration of the new SAT were released. Concordant scores were left at the same levels, but an additional score option is available. Students seem to have performed at levels similar or better than in the past.
• Mrs. Viada requested 250 fee waivers for juniors to take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 19; we have been guaranteed only 89 waivers. The fee for the PSAT is $15.00. All tenth graders will test for free. Ms. Sears explained that a score of 50 or more on the PSAT can be used in lieu of the PERT for dual enrollment.

Mr. Ferguson explained that there has been much information regarding the staff member who was inadvertently left out of last year’s school recognition funds disbursement; however, no conclusion has been reached at this time. According to the District, the contingency in the plan is not sufficient to resolve this problem. Mr. DePriest suggested that we develop a method for double-checking, but he will not pursue it until the first meeting next year. Ms. Sears replied that disbursement proposals that identify employees by position rather than name (as was done this year) will prevent the problem in the future. She also predicts that this year’s funds will be disbursed after the end of the school year.

Mr. Moffi’s request for $3,100.00 for curriculum development for two teachers who will create history labs that meet EOC-tested benchmarks in U.S. history this June was approved by a 16 to 1 vote. Mr. Moffi abstained due to a conflict of interest.

Jose Rodriguez requested the sum of $525.00 to help defray the costs of attending the Harvard Summer Secondary School Program this summer. His request could not be considered since we cannot provide funds that will benefit only one student. He was referred to the PTSA.

The meeting scheduled for tomorrow will not be held since quorum was achieved today.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:03 p.m.