Loading...
EAB Meeting Minutes 2019-06-03EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019 SPECIAL MEETING MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE HALL 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mr. Netto with the following members present: Tiffany Anderson Patricia Walker Douglas Garber Sylvie Duerkopf Antonio Nietto Leslie Fraser Dana Vignale Daniel Jimenez, via phone Also present: Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk, Tom Benton, Village Manager, and Mayor Crystal Wagar 1. Public Comments No public comments were offered. Daniel Jimenez was introduced by phone as the new Miami Shores Elementary representative. 2. A motion was made by Ms. Walker, seconded by Ms. Anderson, to approve the May 16, 2019 meeting minutes and the motion was approved unanimously. 3. Mr. Benton updated the Board regarding the ILA negotiations: Mr. Benton and the village attorney met with representatives of MDCPS last week with the objective of having a plan to present to the Village Council at the June 4, 2019, meeting. This date was critical since collective bargaining required MSE teachers to be notified no later than June 5 regarding additional training days required this summer. The negotiations resulted in an agreement to propose to the Village Council the adoption of the Cambridge Program as well as a 5th grade iPrep program, including the funding of $96, 992 for the first year, and $67,592 for year two, plus $59,592, for year three. This funding includes payment for the Cambridge trainers, summer training stipends for teachers, as well as a $50/week stipend for teachers since they will be asked to spend more time on collaborative planning throughout the year. The Village Manager added that it was possible that a $10,000 grant from the Community Alliance would be awarded to help alleviate some of the funding needs. The District bond money will fund capital improvements to the school and this plan includes a new addition. In that new building, a 5th grade iPrep lab comprised of six classrooms will be created. Other improvements that are included with this financing include a new roof, A/C, and bathrooms. Improvements to the field, including the irrigation system, are also part of the construction plan. The 5th grade iPrep is not scheduled to begin until the new building is completed. While the first year’s expenses would come from reserves if approved by the Council, subsequent yearly budgets would include a line item for the program, which would need to be approved just like any other line item in the budget. 4. Ms. Vignale presented the curriculum description for Cambridge, which is located on the https://yourchoicemiami.org section of MDCPS website. The emphasis is on critical thinking and problem solving, and it is believed that the rigor in this curriculum is what is desired by our residents as measured by the survey conducted by the EAB. While iPrep is not a curriculum, the teaching philosophy is based on the use of collaborative spaces and seating. Ms. Vignale stated that other municipalities, including CutlerBay and North Bay Village have ILAs with the District for their Cambridge programs. Two trainers will come from Cambridge before the school year starts, and support for subsequent training and oversight is available through the District. Questions from the public included inquiry about the success rate and how it is measured; Ms. Vignale replied that periodic instructional review is recommended. Public remarks also included the statement that the success will be measured by the increase in residents attending MSE. 5. Ms. Duerkopf asked what would happen if the program became so popular that there was no room for all the MSE residents to attend? Ms. Vignale described the yearly boundary review and approval process, and Mr. Benton shared that currently 42 eligible students are in the Sibley boundary but are Miami Shores residents. The Village will try to apply for a change to the boundaries to include these households. 6. Mr. Netto moved to authorize Ms. Vignale to create a brief presentation for the June 4 Village Council meeting explaining the program, should the Council request it. Ms. Fraser seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm. Next meeting: Thursday, June 20, 2019, at 6:00pm in the Village Hall Conference Room.