Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: Sarah Russell

Location of meeting: Dorothy M. Wallace COPE Center, Room 39

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 05/16/2016

Attendance

Topics Covered

The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. by Mrs. Alfreida Joseph-Goins in Room 39 of Dorothy M. Wallace COPE Center.

The EESAC Chair introduced Mr. Rick Patel of Farrell & Patel Law Firm and welcomed back Dr. Tarika Quinn, who had taken an educational leave of absence to earn her Doctorate of Education degree.

The minutes of the March 8, 2016 meeting were not immediately available for approval.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

Ms. Joseph-Goins reviewed the School Improvement Plan with those persons present. She stated we have four (4) goals and will be able to provide some specific information but other information/date is not available at this time.

Goal 1: The schoolwide goal for the 2015-2016 school year is to increase student achievement by improving core instruction in all content areas. We’ve just finished the testing season and results are reported to the State. We have no concrete data; however, based on data we have received so far, we are not meeting this goal. Our students have not met graduation requirements. This goal is a concern and we have discussed it and the strategies to meet this goal.

Goal 2: Early Warning Signs (EWS) to increase overall school attendance and reduce the number of truant students. Our overall attendance was 83%. Our attendance has declined. There are a number of factors. We may not have met our goal for the State – students have been in school. Truant Students: Our students come from Flagler Street all the way to the Monroe County line. These students were truant at their home schools. They come in truant; however, they don’t always remain truant. We had some success with some students, but this has not affected the overall attendance. Their truancy did improve once they came to COPE South because they were able to get some needed services and were placed in smaller classes.

Goal 3: Increase participation in STEAM (formerly STEM – renamed with the addition of Arts). We had very good participation regarding our industry certification and science programs.

Dr. Gayden mentioned last year that we did not have any participation in the District Science Fair boards and this year two (2) projects were entered. There was an improvement in the number of certifications in both the Business and Health Science Academies. Additionally, there was an increase in the number of participants (10) in the Fairchild Challenges from last year to over 30 this year. Dorothy M. Wallace COPE Center received special recognition for one of the Fairchild Challenges.

Business Academy: 50% of the eligible students who took the Microsoft Word and PowerPoint tests did attain industry certification and are on their way to taking the third certification test in Excel next week.

Early childhood Education: 80% of the eligible students who tested in DCF exams passed at least 3 of the 6 exams. Twenty percent (20%) passed 4 of the 6 exams.

In the first administration of the EKG test, 14% of the students attained certification and the remaining students are on their second attempt to attain certification. This goal was met.

Goal 4: To increase Parental Involvement related to school activities. We have some parental involvement; however, we have not been able to increase the parental involvement because the same parents are participating. There are variables that affect parents’ participation. Some parents have had difficulty with transportation in getting to our school. We have maintained but not increased.

Out of the 4 goals, we have met goal 3 and goal 4 we have maintained. Goal 1 continues to be an issue for us.

The State’s requirement is students must be on grade level. Reading is at 43% of the student accountability group; we have 20 students. Math is at 53% of the student accountability group; we have 11 students.

The by-laws were sent via email for review. We are governed by the District, who is governed by the State.

The Chair’s tenure and other members’ tenures are up. The elections are held the 2nd Tuesday in September every three years. The Chair’s tenure is up every year – this is a conflict in the by-laws. The by-laws need to reflect 3 years for Chair or Chair term is annual and all others are three years. The by-laws state the EESAC members can be elected or appointed. Typically, we do not have our first meeting until October.

Ms. Gilbert suggested the Chair’s tenure be consistent with other members, for consistency.

EESAC members were asked to look at their tenure dates and we will review them at the next meeting in October 2016.

We do not require a quorum to approve the minutes. The Chair will email the March 8, 2016 minutes to the members today to view for additions, deletions, or corrections which they will return via email to the Chair.

Mentoring Initiatives:

Our ratio is 15:1. There are many challenges and variables. We have initiatives in place where different staff have students’ telephone numbers to personally keep up with students to encourage them to come to school.
Next school year, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., will be initiating a mentoring group where they are tied to each student.

Mr. Patel suggested that it might be possible for St. Thomas Law School’s academically advanced students to mentor and tutor our students. They are required to complete 100 hours of public service. Mr. Patel’s firm would coordinate the law students for COPE South.

The majority of our students are bussed in to school. Everything we do must be done within the school day and this becomes a challenge because of Goal 1. Do we interrupt their academic day? However, we will try because the goal is to increase students’ academic and personal goals and increase student achievement.

The Chair suggested members brainstorm over the summer ways in which we can implement the partnership with the law students and have generational support of mentoring.

Announcements:

Tots’ Transition Ceremony will be held on May 26, 2016.
A Multicultural Celebration will be held on June 3, 2016

Mrs. Burks-Grice, Principal, acknowledged and presented special gifts to EESAC members Mr. Ricky Patel and Ms. Sonya Harrington for their support with the Transitional and Awards Ceremonies during the 2015-2016 school year.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.