Lori Windels called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
Sherri Knuth, acting as Secretary, took attendance.
Present: Lori Windels, Jackie Blakey, Ann Oyen, Michael Wulf, Jean Schwabacher, Sherri Knuth, Roxanne Hart, John Mayock, John Porter, Cleva Jobe, Louis Mariucci, John Zats (arrived 5:32 pm), Carolyn Fisk (arrived 6:30)
Absent: Lynn Blewett, Dawn Johnson
Agenda: Agenda was modified to add discussion of by-laws and committee makeup, and election of officers. Motion to approve agenda. Seconded. Approved.
Minutes of April Meeting: Modified slightly. Motion by Michael Wulf to approved as amended. Seconded by John Mayock. Approved.
The new Site Council members for 2004-05 who were present were introduced. Parent members: Michelle Dzik, Jackie Blakey. Also Tom Vallenga, who arrived later. Staff: Elizabeth Decourt (union steward), Teynae Tarver. Sara Mergens is also a new staff member but was not present. Current members introduced themselves to new members.
By-Laws and Committee Makeup: Lori Windels discussed whether by-laws should be modified with respect to standing committees. Current committees are SCIP, Communications and Outreach, Membership, and Budget. Lori suggests creation of Hiring Committee.
Michael Wulf states that Budget and SCIP committees should be combined. Also suggests that there be no hiring committee except when special need arises.
Louis Mariucci states that he would like a list of parents willing to serve on a hiring committee if the need arises. There will be one major hiring this year, for 8th grade science to replace Dr. Burns, who is retiring. Parents willing to serve on such a committee should send an email to Louis. He would like to do interviewing next week.
Michael Wulf moved that standing committees be SCIP/Budget, Communications and Outreach, and Membership. Hiring committee should be on an ad hoc basis.
Roxanne Hart seconded the motion and stated that she prefers that the hiring committee be ad hoc because it may meet infrequently.
Motion passed unanimously.
Officers and Committee assignments for 2004-05
Site Council Co-chairs: Staff: Elizabeth Decourt, union steward, will act as staff co-chair.
Parent: Lynn Blewett was nominated by Tom Vallenga. Roxanne Hart was nominated by John Mayock. Discussion followed. Held over until June meeting.
Secretary: Open.
SCIP/Budget Committee: Jackie Blakey nominated herself as chair. John Zats nominated Dawn Johnson, but Dawn was not present to accept or decline. Chair position will go to election at June meeting. Michelle Dzik stated that she would be a member of the committee.
Outreach/Communications Committee: Roxanne Hart nominated herself as chair. Matter tabled pending resolution of SC Parent Chair position, for which Roxanne was nominated. Teynae Tarver, Jean Schwabacher and Tom Vallenga stated that they would be members of the committee.
Membership: John Mayock nominated himself as staff co-chair. John Zats nominated Sherri Knuth as parent co-chair. Both nominations were accepted.
Reform: Ann Oyen was nominated by John Zats. Nomination accepted.
Gifted Services Advisory Council: Lori Windels nominated herself. Nomination accepted.
PTO Liaison: To be assigned by PTO.
Principal’s Report: School Quality Review
Louis Mariucci distributed and explained the School Quality Review for Capitol Hill Magnet School. It includes a staff survey, parent survey, and financial review. Louis explained various graphs and data in the review.
Louis identified some concerns: Reduced achievement in some ethnic groups. Need to identify and support students who might not pass Basic Standards Test.
Ann Oyen stated that identification of a school model may improve self-selection of students for enrollment in junior high program.
John Mayock reminded parents and staff to look at the qualitative section of the Review, as well as the data and graphs.
Gifted Services Advisory Council
Lori Windels stated that she had to leave the meeting soon and asked to give her report. She distributed data regarding identification of GT students in the School District and the Advisory Council’s Report (May 3, 2004) which identifies 7 goals for the coming year.
(Louis Mariucci acted as chair upon Lori's departure)
Principal’s Report (cont’d)
PTO will assist funding the school’s needs in 3 categories: (1) communication: newsletter, parent handbook, and student directory. (2) Events and Competitions: including Science Olympiad, History Day, Philosophy Slam, Wordmasters. (3) $150 per teacher for supplies. (Thank you, PTO!)
Louis will send out a letter to parents asking for donations to a memorial to Barbara Washington. This will take the form of a science lending library for classrooms and teachers.
Science Dissection kits may be purchased as an alternative to dissection of animals.
Membership Committee
Michael Wulf stated that the Membership Committee will recommend that the Site Council election process not be modified to require a specific quota of parent representatives from particular geographic areas of the school district. The committee will recommend that the election process be enhanced to strengthen the democratic process and that one additional appointed parent representative be added to address gaps in diversity.
The Membership Committee will email their proposal to SC members and will recommend that the matter be voted on at the June SC meeting.
Committee Reports
Committee reports are moved to next month due to lateness of hour. Roxanne Hart reminded everyone that new student open house is Thursday evening, May 27.
PTO Liaison Report
Carolyn Fisk reported that the PTO made $7,000 at April Foolishness. At the last PTO meeting, Louis Mariucci and Cleva Jobe addressed the protocol for discipline at CH and disciplinary actions. The performing arts teacher requested $3,000 to $5,000 to develop a drumming program at CH. No decision was made on that request.
Motion to adjourn by John Zats. Seconded and approved. Adjourned at 7:15 pm.
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