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PHILLIPPI SHORES ELEMENTARY

SAC/SDMT MEETING

September 16, 2003

 

M I N U T E S

 

Meeting called to order at 3:20 p.m.

 

Those in attendance: Jane O'Malley, Ruth Wright, Milt Sabanovich, Dotti

Rosenfield, Kris Martin, Cynthia McGrail, Lynn Nilssen, Ann Putnam, Marta Calabrese, Candace Dearing, Lorna Combs, Kate O’Connell, and Sheri Paulsen.

 

First Item: Capital Outlay

Cynthia McGrail, ITF, addressed the council with updates on the district’s plans for purchasing laptops as dedicated stations for teachers. This is a 3-year plan, which means that by 2005, our campus will have 30 laptops funded from by the county. We have already received 10. We are expecting 10 in the spring and another 10 the following year. The county also recommended that because of Tech. Support, it would be better to stay with one platform. We can address the few teachers that would need a laptop at a later date. Because the monies that would have been needed to purchase laptops are no longer needed at this point, SAC reps need to address teams to discuss and prioritize capital outlay needs.

 

*Just a reminder, @$19700 is for School Improvement, @$13000 is for supplies and copier maintenance, @$13900 is for Capital Outlay.

 

Mrs. Dearing will be investigating the cost of outside water fountains and hook-ups as well as the cost of fire proof file cabinets for cum records.

Any rooms that need blinds repaired need to inform Mrs. Dearing as this is a health and safety issue and will come out of Federal Health and Safety funds.

Some specific concerns that arose already were:

Cynthia McGrail pointed out that the ESE resource only has one computer, a G3. It was also suggested that academic and school-wide needs be prioritized over individual needs. Teachers that want to purchase another computer with A+ monies may be able to fund the difference between $609, and the cost of the computer (@$800). If there is any money left over, it was discussed that teams may want to share what is divvied up.

** Capital Outlay will be addressed again in November.

Second Item: IB

Mrs. Dearing called New York to ask about the International Baccalaureate opportunities that were available and to find out specifics on cost and training. There is a $4300 application fee and requisites as to how many staff members must be represented at the IB 3 day Conference even before decisions are made about becoming an IB school. There are currently only 17 IB elementary schools in the country. Two are in Florida. John Zortich has met with Mrs. Dearing and has taken information back to the district to see about funding. The conference dates and locations were also given to him. It looks like a conference in Vancouver in November is a possibility if funding is approved. Each grade level will need to be represented as well as principal, IB coordinator (who spends at least 25% of the day on IB) ESE, Specials and parents. We It was suggested that we could pair up with the school over in Vero Beach and be email pals or even video conference to get some real first hand information about being an IB elementary. If the school opts for IB, the whole school must participate in the program. It was also suggested that this decision not be rushed into but rather we should take a year to become informed and make good choices.

 

Third Item: School Improvement Plan/ Strategic Plan for Excellence

The SPE is due October 3, 2003 with some leeway for completion. We must address Reading, Math, Writing and Technology. We must also target our minority populations (African-American and low socio-economic) that scored poorly according to disaggregated data. Mrs. Dearing will be bringing blank forms to use as worksheets for the October 7th meeting.

 

Others:

*Sheri Paulsen will be creating an address book to insure that all members of SAC receive minutes and important information.

 

*Letters went home with the children today about yesterday’s incident with and intruder and Sheriff’s Deputies on campus. At no time were any students involved. The intruder did not have a visible weapon. During the incident teachers were locked down as stipulated in the Code Red procedures. Blinds were closed but broken blinds allowed children to see out and witness Deputies with guns drawn. For the safety and security of our students and personnel, it will be necessary to repair the blinds in classrooms that need it. Communications home in the event of such incidents will always be done in a timely manner. If something occurs early in the day a letter will go home by the afternoon. If late in the day, a letter will go home the next day. Maintaining safety was and continues to be a major priority of the staff and administration here at Phillippi Shores.