Minutes

Monday, December 12, 2005

MEMBERS Present: Bruce Andersen, George McGonagill, Regina Stinson, Louis Maltaghati, Mickey Anderson, Bill Glueck, Justin Thompson, Jon Voege, Peter Straw, Scott Moore, Roland Piccone, Ed Devine, and Javier Brito.

MEMBERS Absent: Carolyn Haworth, Johnny Hunter, Harriette Laronge, Vincente Medina, William Costello, Jerome Greenstein, Greg Leicht

GUESTS Present: Carol Darling, Yvette Trahan

I. Welcome

Peter Straw called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He welcomed the group.

The minutes were approved with a motion by George McGonagill and seconded by Mickey Anderson.

II. SDMT Report

· Carol Darling presented a report on marketing for the last five months.

· The budget process began with decisions to retain the percentages given last year to the expenditure categories.

· SCTI High School Open House has 600-630 students.

· The Job Fair on December 6 was a success.

· The Wall of Fame induction will be held on April 4.

· Leadership Sarasota was given an hour tour on December 9.

III. Director’s Report

· Carol Darling reported on the marketing plan for the past five months.

1. Goals were established to increase adult enrollment, to increase public awareness, and to make the image of SCTI consistent.

2. Print, online, and TV advertising are all necessary. With the Sarasota Herald Tribune, we have started the “Get A Life!” campaign. Radio and TV were used to advertise the Expo or when there is special pricing. ABC7 was used in September and October; Clear Channel was used in June and July.

3. Two print ads per month have run since July 1.

4. With SNN, there have been 667 spots and 15 filler spots/month.

5. Articles that highlight students have appeared in Tempo News, Latino Magazine, Weekly Planet, and West Coast Woman.

6. There are at least 2 press releases per month.

7. Feedback indicates than 50% of respondents to surveys get information from the signs on Proctor and Beneva Roads.

8. For potential high schoolers, 30,000 postcards were sent to 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th grade parents.

9. The high school video and brochure were revised.

10. Posters for enrollment for high schools for 2006-07 are done.

11. Three half-page ads for three high schools (9 ads total) announcing enrollment for 2006-07 will run.

12. Marketing also handles business cards (order: once per month), brochures, booklets, posters, signs, letterhead, envelopes, and invitations.

13. Challenges: website in need of redesign—content and navigation, search engine should be optimized, more electronic advertising.

14. Graphic design for the 2 vans is not completed and Carol will work on completing that project ASAP.

15. Suggestions for more advertising: SCAT bus signs, student car signs, tax signs, and moving billboards.

· The group discussed in house responsibilities for website and other resources.

· George suggested a counter on the website. Others emphasized making the website more attractive to the SCTI target markets.

· Carol and Bruce will meet regarding the website and report in January on what needs to be done, how much it will cost, how much is in the current budget, and a proposed timeline.

· SAC discussed block scheduling and the relevance of teacher in-service and professional development.

· Bruce will provide information regarding the referendum at the next meeting in January. Roland and Peter will respond to the letter to the editor of December 9 regarding the millage rate and the referendum.

· Enrollment Summary: Statistics were presented. High school enrollment for second semester in increased because of the timing of the Open House. SAC would be interested in knowing how many students are eligible for SCTI enrollment.

IV. Old Business.

· Technical High School: The Director of Career and Technical Ed, Melissa Morrow, will start on March 1. She will be invited to attend the March SAC meeting. Her responsibility includes curriculum development and facilitation of plan development for the new technical high school.

· Special Focus Programs: There will be a report regarding the curriculum work and advertising that has been done for these programs and their results at the January meeting. The three programs on special focus this year are Culinary Arts, Surgical Tech, and Network Support.

V. New Business

· Florida Industry Tours: A SAMA grant will bring teachers, guidance counselors, and students (8^th and 9^th graders) together in a high tech manufacturing environment. Money is available for substitutes and transportation. Tours begin in March 2006 and end in December 2006.

· EDC grant: For one night industry visit tour from SCTI to a manufacturing business and back. Bus transportation and food will be provided. This will be done in conjunction with MTI.

· Bruce discussed the budget priorities, as outlined by the SDMT:

Equipment – 60%

Marketing – 30% - 31%

Online Instruction – 3% - 4%

Staff Development – 5% - 6%

The next meeting will be January 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Louis made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. It was seconded by Ed

and passed unanimously.

The Sarasota County Technical Institute provides quality technical education to meet workforce development and community needs.