2018-09-20 EAB MEETING MINUTESEDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
BROCKWAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
6:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm with the following members present:
Tiffany Anderson
Sylvie Cuerkop
Leslie Fraser
Dana Vignale
Patricia Walker
Doug Garber
Christina Crespi (representing Miami Shores Elementary School)
Absent: Antonio Netto
Also present: Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
Ms. Crespo will serve in the place of Lily Nguyen, since Ms. Nguyen is an employee of Miami Shores
Elementary and therefore not eligible to serve in this situation.
Ms. Vignale offered to chair the meeting in the absence of Mr. Netto (Board chair).
1. Public Comments
No public comments were offered.
2. Approval of August 1, 2018 meeting minutes: Patricia Walker moved to approve the minutes,
Tiffany Anderson seconded, and the motion passed.
3. The members agreed that the best fixed time to meet for all involved is on the 3rd Thursday of the
month at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Walker moved to approve the fixed meeting day and time, and Mr. Garber
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Discussion of Business:
A. Ms. Crespi described the situation regarding advertising banners, which have been placed on the
school’s fence facing 6th avenue, as a source of fundraising for the PTA. The amount generated
from these banners is approximately $10,000 for the year. Residents in the vicinity have
complained that the banners are an eyesore and would like them to be removed. The PTA has
researched the legality of these banners, and has met with the Village Manager and spoken to the
Village attorney. The Village is open to a permanent electronic marquee as a compromise. It was
stated that the cost for the marquee was prohibitive and that the amount of money that could
be raised advertising on the marquee may not be as much as currently being received by the
banner advertising. The contracts for banner advertisement have been signed, money received,
and all the money would have to be returned to the vendors should the banners be removed.
The Board agreed that while it would like to see the funds be raised for MSES, it is also important to
consider the opinions of the residents who are affected. Ms. Vignale will research similar previous
instances and report to the Board as to how those situations were resolved.
B. The Board decided that in order to move forward in the most effective manner, they will choose
an area of focus. It was decided by consensus that, as discussed in the first meeting, it was
important to first seek information from residents of Miami Shores, specifically as to what parents
would like to see in their community elementary school.
The Board will create a survey to be administered to parents in Miami Shores, including those
whose children attend MSES and those who do not. A special meeting was called for October 4
(October 11 as a follow-up date if it was not possible to meet on October 4) dedicated solely to
creating the survey.
C. The Board also agreed that prior to sending the survey, the members should “introduce”
themselves to provide context to the survey when it is received by the parents. This will be
accomplished through posting an Introduction of the Board, created by Ms. Vignale, on the page
of the Education Advisory Board of the MSV website. Also included on the page will be links to
meeting minutes, the Education Compact, the biographies of Board members, and an opportunity
for residents to share feedback. Ms. Rodriguez stated that the subpage has been created and is
ready for content. It was agreed that the introduction should also be included in the Village
Newsletter at the next possible opportunity.
The special meeting will be held on October 4 at 6:00 pm in the Miami Shores Village Hall conference
room and, prior to that meeting, members will send possible survey questions to Ms. Rodriguez. The next
regular meeting will be held on Thursday, October 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the Miami Shores Village Hall
conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.