Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:22 a.m. The minutes from April 28, 2006, were reviewed and approved.

Election of Chairperson: Mrs. Robledo stated that the first order of business was the election of the chairperson for the 2006-07 school year. She was quickly reelected and thanked the Council, adding that she will do her best in this capacity.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez welcomed new members, parents, and students. She then explained the three initiatives for this school year. A new staff development initiative on brain-based research is planned for teachers, and administrators. Learning will take place during early release sessions for the entire faculty and in smaller monthly settings. Also character education will take place. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that one negative of our school is that students may be pushed so hard by parents, teachers, and peers that they might not be as ethical as expected. They feel they need to make that A or that B no matter what the cost. Honesty is very important, and an effort is being made through character education to reduce cheating. Mrs. Gonzalez said she would prefer an “honest F instead of dishonest A.” The school also will strongly enforce the attendance policy. Illness, death in the family, and religious holidays are the only excused absences. “We want to help the growth of the students,” said Mrs. Gonzalez. “The whole gamut of what is right for students academically, emotionally, and ethically. We are very proud of what we are going to do this year.” Next, Mrs. Gonzalez informed the Council that the School Improvement Plan is due very soon. All departments are involved in making it a real, living document. It is a working document. If strategies are working then we need to keep them, if not, we need to change them. All strategies are data driven. Next, Mrs. Gonzalez informed the members that there is $9,460 in the EESAC account. She said she has already spent $45,000 (from other funds) on new technology and would like to spend the EESAC funds to further technology. Mrs. Broadmeadow commented about the importance of technology and said her daughter does not possess the skills needed to do the technology tasks. Typing is a shortcoming in the skills of her daughter who is a seventh-grader here. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that Mrs. Miyares helps address technology skills through various classes in various subjects in context, usually through projects. She said she will see if Mrs. Miyares can build keyboarding skills into the program. Mrs. Poe-Liu asked about putting skills instruction in the library. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that very few kids can stay before or after school because of transportation. A motion was made and approved to use the EESAC funds on technology. Mrs. Gonzalez added that Podcasting is a possibility this year.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo recognized the school’s high scores on the FCAT and AP tests last spring. She explained that FCAT Florida Recognition Program funds have been given as bonuses for faculty and staff in the past. A distribution plan was approved by the faculty on September 11. A larger share is appropriated to the Language Arts and Mathematics teachers because a greater burden falls on them. Some teachers will receive a prorated share because they were here for only part of the 2005-06 school year. A motion was made and approved to accept the plan for distribution of the funds for the FCAT Florida Recognition Program. All members introduced themselves. Mrs. Gonzalez recognized Mrs. Harrington for her many efforts in the school including her involvement in the PTA selling PE uniforms and her work with redesign of the school. It was pointed out that Carver is the No. 1 middle school in the state of Florida based on a formula using FCAT scores. Carver earned the highest point total with 545 points.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:53 a.m.