Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

The EESAC meeting was called to order at 8:05am by Ingrid Robledo, chairman. She expressed gratitude to all the council members for this very productive year and wished them a prosperous 2003. Mrs. Robledo asked Mr. Cabrera to talk about the first item on the agenda: the use of EESAC funds for the homeroom reading centers. Mr. Cabrera informed that a faculty meeting was held to go over a detailed procedure for the 30 minutes of required reading to be fully implemented. He stated that a lot of students have brought books from home and Ms. Senior and Ms. Byrd have organized them for use in the reading centers until the books ordered arrive.

Mrs. Robledo continuing with the agenda referred to the Florida Sterling Council, a public-private not-for-profit corporation supported by the Executive Office of the Governor. She reminded us that it is comprised of public and private sector members. The Council is led by the Executive Committee, which oversees the Governor’s Sterling Award for Performance Excellence and all Sterling process activities, inviting Mrs. Gonzalez to report about her findings. Dr. Rivas was contacted by the administration regarding the Sterling Award. A survey is being conducted for the staff and then the information will be reviewed in order to prepare for the application process. The costs involved include $1,500. application fee and expenses incurred by members of the consultation panel like hotel, transportation and meals. Ms. Gonzalez explained that they are carefully studying the costs of the Sterling Award because she did not want to commit to something that could not be completed. The survey is free but G.W. Carver will not apply for the award until we are assured that the district commits to cover the costs involved.

Mrs. Robledo suggested that the administration inform and consult the teachers regarding this project at the next faculty meeting. Mr. Dubey suggested that this is a good time to examine the benefits of this award and determine if the award is worth the investment and all members agreed with him in this matter.

Mr. Cabrera announced that the SPEP continues its alignment and strategic planning, he mentioned some key performance indicators that show that the process is being managed successfully, the benchmarking and business planning has been and continues to be measured constantly, even though still in the dormant stage, the strategies are being implemented in order to meet the objectives. Regarding the homeroom libraries, he said they are in the process of being stocked with books on order. There will be a luncheon for the 4 homeroom classes who brought the most books from home. The Science Department is working on a 10% increase from pre-test to post-test. The German program has been fine-tuned and the progress is already visible. They are using tape recorders and emphasizing grammar in the classroom to improve their results for the AP exams.

Ms. Gonzalez apologized for missing our last meeting and welcoming our new member, Ms. Baker. She said that Ms. Rolle highly recommended Ms. Baker for the position and we are all very glad that she accepted. Mrs. Robed added that she was extremely pleased the Mrs. Baker was wiling to serve in this council and she welcomed her again.

Ms. Gonzalez also proudly announced that Ms. Byrd was elected Teacher of the Year and said that it was a well-deserved honor and she is confident that Ms. Byrd will represent G.W. Carver very marvelously. It was also mentioned that among the candidates for Teacher of the Year were other excellent teachers: Mrs. Moghani, Ms. Dudouet, and Mrs. Gramling. Mrs. Gonzalez continued words of praise and congratulations to the seven teachers earning certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and declared that seven of seven teachers applying for National Board Certification got it. She congratulated Ms. Byrd, Ms. Szmulewicz, Mrs. Harmon, Ms. Dudouet, Ms. Curry, Dr. García and Mrs. Robledo, chairperson. She also commended the G.W. Carver NBCT teachers who mentored them, Ms. Soto, Ms. Vazauez, Ms. Duran, with the help of Ms. Goldstein and Mrs. Martinez. Mrs. Robledo added that the ultimate reward is for our students; since their commitment is to improve the quality of education and she hopes that other teachers from our school will emulate these kinds of efforts. The number of NBCT teachers in our school now is 10 and we hope the number will be increased net year.

Ms. Gonzalez wished the board Happy Holidays and Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:55am.

Jacqueline P. García, EESAC Recorder