EAB Minutes Jan. 16 2020EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE HALL
6:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm by Mr. Netto with the following members present:
Dana Vignale
Patricia Walker
Leslie Fraser
Antonio Netto
Tiffany Anderson
Absent: Douglas Garber, Sylvie Duerkopf, and Daniel Jimenez
Also present: Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
1. Public Comments: No public comments were offered.
2. The MSES Holiday Breakfast was discussed and it was agreed that it was a success. There was
confusion about Sins gift cards and discussion ensued without a resolution. The Board agreed to
complete thank you notes for all donors at the meeting; Mr. Netto has already sent to Starbucks
and Einstein bagels. The finances were reviewed and all contributions accounted for and all
receipts were reimbursed. Next year we will seek more community donations, perhaps through
a GoFundMe page. About $360 was spent and the coffee was donated. It was agreed that the
quantities of food was correct and we will use this year’s receipts to guide us next year.
3. Ms. Anderson moved to approve the minutes for the November 4, 2019, meeting and Ms.
Walker seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Ms. Walker moved to approve the December 2, 2019 meeting minutes and Ms. Fraser
seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.
4. Ms. Fraser mentioned that while at the breakfast a teacher mentioned that she had not yet
received her Cambridge stipend. It was noted that since an adequate time period has passed
since the inception of the Program, it would be appropriate and helpful to request a status
report presentation to the Village Council from Ms. Swain.
Members were happy to see the Cambridge information in the Village newsletter, but decided
that it would be more effective to have a consistent message that we can approve. It would be
best to have the communications submitted to Ms. Rodriguez for review before publishing.
Mr. Bourne requested a timeline from Ms. Vignale in anticipation of a meeting with the school
PASS Grant team. He is looking to help schedule open houses and events.
While we would like Mr. Bourne to provide the marketing initiative and recommendations, the
Board suggested some form of literature, perhaps a short brochure, that would be available at
the school office for parents and community, and could be used at any events where it would be
appropriate to provide this information. It was also suggested that there are ample materials on
the dadeschools.net website and these could provide helpful content.
5. Ms. Vignale offered the item of the possible new Bell Times being considered in Miami-Dade in
response to research regarding teens and sleep hours. The school system is looking to change
to a later start to the school day and has proposed two models. Town halls are being held so
input from parents and community can be collected. It was suggested that the Communications
Specialist perhaps post the information on social media regarding this issue.
6. Mr. Netto stated that a priority for him for the Board for 2020 was pursuance of a K-8 model for
Miami Shores. Many members responded that this model is not being implemented as much for
various reasons, including the inability to offer many advance academic courses due to small
numbers of students compared to the population of a middle school.
The Board agreed that the primary focus for this year will be the successful execution and
marketing of the Cambridge program as well as the school in general, including communication
initiatives.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Next meeting: Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the Village Hall Conference Room.