Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: Lourdes Ambas

Location of meeting: Arnold Seltzer Room

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 08/12/2022

Attendance

Topics Covered

This meeting was called to order at 2:38 p.m. Quorum was established.

Ms. Ambas welcomed all the members and guests to the new school year. They introduced themselves.

Ms. Ambas moved to approve the minutes of the May 19th meeting as written. Mr. Galarce seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.


Ms. Ambas asked if anyone wanted to make amendments to the by-laws at this time. Ms. Cimino moved that no changes be made to the by-laws at this time. Mr. Moffi seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously.

Mr. Fernandez was at a principal’s meeting. Therefore, it was agreed by consensus to accept Mr. Windisch’s suggestion that the principal’s vision be tabled until next month’s meeting.

Mr. Kennedy reported that the Technical College earned its COE reaccreditation in June. The paperwork is being sent to the state for funding. An active plan has also been submitted and will be voted on by EESAC at a later date.

Mr. Green moved that mission statement of the Technical College be reaffirmed as written. Mr. Moffi seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Ms. Triche-Eugene presented the School Improvement Plan. The goal is to decrease the percentage of nonproficient students in core content areas while also implementing BEST standards.
• Administrators will conduct quarterly data chats with teachers using Performance Matters data.
• Teachers will conduct quarterly data chats with students.
• Teachers will use a data tracker to monitor student progress.
• RTI interventions and extended learning opportunities will be made available to students who do not show growth.
• We will implement more collaborative planning meetings where teachers will plan with the end in mind to ensure that teaching is aligned to objectives for targeted instruction. Administrators will conduct walkthrough observations following these meetings to assess effectiveness.
• There will be additional opportunities for in-house, job-embedded professional development throughout the school year.
• Teachers will share best practices.
• We will continue promoting growth mindset strategies via presentations, individual counseling, and group counseling.
• We will acknowledge positive behaviors with Spot Success Awards for teachers and students.
• Student and staff mentorship will be available to L25 students.
• Students will receive a five-hour mental health course in their language arts class.
• Administrators will promote implementation of the TLAC techniques.
• Administrators will conduct weekly walkthroughs and provide feedback to teachers.
• Administrators will spotlight best practices at faculty meetings.
Ms. Triche-Eugene asked for any additions or corrections to the School Improvement Plan, and no suggestions were offered. Mr. Green moved to approve the School Improvement Plan. Ms. Ambas seconded the motion. The SIP was with approved unanimously.

Mr. Ingraham expressed concern that some students were missing lunch as a result of the long lines. He asked how many students are in the school and suggested changing over to two lunch shifts. Ms. Triche-Eugene responded that we have a student population of 1,126 and that--while long lines were a problem at the beginning of the school year—she has never witnessed a student going without lunch. The physical education classes are now being released for lunch early; and lunch lines are clear by 12:20.

Ms. Ambas moved to approve up to $2,999.99 to fund incentives for students. This money will be transferred to the principal’s account when the state releases the 2022-2023 EESAC budget. Mr. Ingraham suggested that money for student incentives can be raised by the PTSA through after school food sales; Mr. Windisch responded that we do not have an active PTSA at this time although Ms. Cordova and Mr. Galarce are working on it. Mr. Ingraham would like to schedule a PTSA night, which Mr. Windisch agreed to set up. Mr. Zilka seconded Ms. Ambas’s motion. It was approved unanimously.

Ms. Ambas requested funds for the continuation of the use of Turn It In for three years to be paid in three yearly installments of $4,372; $4,503.16; and $4,638.25, respectively. She emphasized that this software provides all students with accountability and can be used in all classes. Mr. Windisch added that Cambridge requires the use of this software for research papers. Mr. Green made a motion to approve Ms. Ambas’s request. Mr. Zilka seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Mr. Kennedy explained that the Technical College will be having a recruitment fair in October. It will feature diesel and heavy equipment exhibits.
• The fair is being promoted by Superintendent Dr. Dotres.
• It will be open to students only on October 14th and to the public on October 15th.

Mr. Windisch spoke about Title I. He explained that the school received $197,265.00 last year in Title I funding which were spent in the following ways:
• Hired a Community Liaison Specialist to increase parental involvement
• Purchasing two teacher positions
• Paid for hourly tutoring
Mr. Windisch explained that administration would like to use this year’s funds in a similar way. He asked for additional input from EESAC. None was given.

Ms. Ambas asked how the universal free lunch is affecting our qualifications for Title I for this year. Mr. Windisch responded that we do not know at this time exactly how we will be affected; but that, while we need 75% of our student population to qualify for free/reduced lunch, 57% of our students are already directly certified as free/reduced lunch recipients. Ms. Cimino explained that qualifying for Title I would not only provide the school with increased funding, but it would also give qualifying students waivers for SAT and ACT exams. Ms. Ambas reminded everyone that qualifying seniors get waivers for college applications. Ms. Borges added that Titile I schools gets discounts on AP exams.

Ms. Cimino gave an overview of the 2022 MLEC PFEP and Parent-School Compact which are updated every year as part of the SIP process and Title I funding. She explained that copies of these documents will be made available to parents during the Annual Title I Parent Night, which will take place at Open House on September 22nd, as well as throughout the year in the Parent Resource Room. Ms. Cimino asked for any additions or corrections to the two documents, and no suggestions were offered. Since no one provided any additions or corrections to the PFEP or the Compact, a motion to approve the PFEP and the Parent-School Compact was made by Ms. Ambas. It was approved by consensus.

Ms. Borges reported that we have concluded FAST PM1 exams. FSA ELA Retake exams and Algebra I EOC Retake began this week and will continue next week. The PSAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 12.

Mr. Galarce spoke about recruitment.
• The Middle School Tours will end tonight. By the conclusion, he will have attended all of them.
• We will be getting ten banners to promote MLEC at the middle schools.
• Mailers will be sent out to eighth graders by October 1st.
• Middle school classroom visits will begin next month.
• The Jaguar Experience Showcase will take place December 10th at 10:00 A.M.

Ms. Ambas asked if we had a plan to reach the students who do not fill out the Income Survey. Ms. Cimino responded that Ms. Olave will be following up. Ms. Ambas pledged to work with her seniors.

Ms. Ambas announced that the meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, September 22nd will be cancelled since we made quorum today.

Mr. Green made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Borges and Mr. Moffi seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m.