Monday, June 2, 2008

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> Unofficial  Minutes<!--[endif]-->

Call to Order and Welcome 

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General Procedures             5 minutes

Parents:  Monica Hynds (co-Chair), Tracy Bibelnieks, Ali Turner, Susan Kline, Patrick Dale, Serena Butts-Ward, Dana Murdoch, Betsy Currie, Beth Janke, Marge Porter, Leigh Anne Adams

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Teachers: David McGill, John Mayock

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Admin: Asst. Principal Mary Bridgeman, Principal Louis Mariucci

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Attendance – Welcome new Site Council members

Approval of minutes from April meeting – Minutes were approved.

Approval/amendment of June agenda – Minutes were approved with the addition of Parent and Staff co-chair nomination and appointment.

Public Forum

Brian Ahern represented the School to recruit volunteers (parents, students, and teachers) for Capitol Hill’s presence at Rondo Days on Saturday, July 19. Volunteers are needed for both the parade and the booth (shared with other schools). This is the 25^th anniversary of Rondo Days and this is, therefore, an exceptional opportunity for community involvement.

Public/Parent/Student Comments – None presented.

Administration Report

Principal Mariucci revisited the budget for 2008-09 and updated the Council on staffing issues affecting the budget.

There was a reflection on year and goals for next year with regard to the role of the Site Council. A rich discussion followed with the following points:

• How can the Site Council be best utilized? This could be realized in relation to the SCIP, but also other initiatives. Princ. Mariucci suggested that the Council convene an extended meeting in early fall to overview the SCIP, the goals, strategies, and initiatives for the school year. There needs to be a refocus on the role of Site Council and the participation of the Council in the development of leadership, whether it is supervisory or advisory. Moreover, the connection and interaction of the Council to the Leadership Team (represented each grade level, specialists and non-teaching staff).
• Differentiating the work of Site Council and the Leadership Team should be addressed to more clearly articulate the roles and responsibilities to address issues, initiatives and/or SCIP strategies and outcomes. The Leadership Team is charged with putting together the work plan from the SCIP that will provide outcomes specified in the SCIP. The Leadership Team will develop a detailed action and work plan and they will have the responsibility for implementation during the school year. The Site Council’s role is the responsibility for holding the Leadership Team and the School accountable for evidence of outcomes and impact on student learning and achievement.
• There was discussion that the SCIP be developed and revisited throughout the school year rather than at the end of the school year. There was a suggestion that the Budget/SCIP sub-committee attends one or more of the Leadership Team meetings to better understand the relationship between the Council and Leadership. There was a suggestion that a Council member be a liaison to the Leadership Team when the Leadership has SCIP focused discussions. The next meeting is Monday, June 9, 2008.
• It was brought up that the role of the Council also goes beyond the SCIP. Parent issues and/or outcomes that come from discussion from parent discussions/forums may also the responsibility of the Council.
• There was a suggestion to revisit the idea of a retreat for early fall to focus the year with respect to goals and initiatives that will form the framework/working agenda for the Site Council for the academic year.

7:00 p.m. There was a motion to extend the Site Council meeting to 7:15p.m. The motion passed and the meeting continued.

Committee/Liaison Reports

2008-09 School Comprehensive Improvement Plan (SCIP)

• How can your committee support the SCIP and student achievement? Monica encouraged committee members to use the SCIP as a basis for work and initiatives.

• It was suggested that for spring of 2009, the draft of the 2009-2010 SCIP be presented to the Site Council to provide more time for reflection and input into the development before the final version is presented for approval. The Chair of the SCIP Site Council subcommittee commented on the differences in the process of development of the plan between this year and the previous year.

Committees were overviewed for engagement of members to committees and goals for each for the 2008-09 academic year:

Membership – There are voting issues and necessity for increased engagement in involvement.

School Leadership – See above discussion.

Outreach/Communications – Traffic drop off and pick up was a big issue that will continue. This year there will be an emphasis on articulating the difference as well as interaction between PTO and Site Council. The communication with the MLK Center will be continued along with the open houses (including those of other schools).

Reform - 2^nd Language Task Force  – An accomplishment was providing increased scholarship money for participation in the after school community language program. This year the Task Force will refocus on the mission and strategy that had been developed in the previous year.

PTO Liaison – Communication of information on activities and issues being discussed/addressed (see above under outreach).

GSAC Liaison – GSAC is being “gutted” and there is a need for a parent to be a representative to attend the meetings if they happen to bring information back to the Site Council.

New Business

Monica Hynds was nominated and then elected to continue as co-chair.

Beth Janke was nomimated and elected as secretary.

There was a discussion to nominate a parent to fill a 1-year term (as allowed by the bylaws). The nominee declined the nomination.

New/continuing members state committee preference (to date – further committee members will be communicated via email and/or at the first meeting in the fall).

            Beth Janke: Reform – 2^nd Task Force

            Betsy Currie: Outreach Membership

Leigh Anne Adams: GSAC Liaison

Dana Murdoch: Leadership Team Liaison

Serena Butts-Ward: Reform and Membership

John Mayock: Membership

There was a suggestion to include consideration of the meeting length for 2008-09 to accommodate necessary discussions and business of the Council.

Old Business – Old business was tabled until the fall meeting.

Security

Bus Transportation requests

Adjournment was at 7:40 p.m.

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Next Meeting:  Monday, September 8, 2008

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Thank you staff and parents for your service this year!

Enjoy your summer!