The School Board in Action

Barry University to Continue Elementary Montessori Training
The Board approved a continuation contract between the District and Barry University, enabling the college to continue intensive Montessori training for the District's new faculty members. This training will allow the District to meet the class size reduction mandate and train the new principal at Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School. Barry University is the only local university that offers a certification program in elementary Montessori methods. Training includes Montessori philosophy, materials and child development theory. Teachers participate in academic instruction and practice labs under the supervision of Barry's Montessori professors and specialists. All coursework is at the graduate level and may be used for re-certification or toward an advanced degree.

Sheridan Technical Center to Help Train to DCF Employees
The Industry Services Training Center of Sheridan Technical Center provides state-of-the-art, specialized training to meet the needs of local businesses and organizations. One such organization it will be assisting via a board-approved contract is the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Sheridan Technical Center will enhance the workforce skills of DCF employees by training them on such topics as computer skill and Adults with Disabilities issues.

Health Department to Provide Nurses, Family Counselors at Select Schools
Full Service School funds are allocated to the Broward County Health Department (BCHD) by the state legislature each year to provide health services to students and families. Through the Business and Instructional Council process and in collaboration with the BCHD, it was recommended that the funds focus on direct services, such as nurses and family counselors. Schools receiving services were identified by priority of need and include: (high schools) Blanche Ely and Hallandale Adult Community School; (middle schools) Crystal Lake and Lauderhill; (elementary schools) Colbert, Cypress, Markham, North Side, Silver Palms, Thurgood Marshall and Watkins.

Energy Services Agreement Approved
Back in 2000, the Board began a project to retrofit selected schools with high efficiency equipment in order to lower utility costs. McArthur High was one of the initial sites selected, but it has since been approved for a phased replacement project. Miramar High was chosen to replace McArthur. After completing a review of Miramar's needs, Siemens presented its findings and the Board approved a lighting retrofit with high efficiency lights, a new high efficiency air-conditioning chiller, water conservation through low flow fixtures and enhancements to the chiller controls. Savings will be approximately $803,000 in electrical and water costs over 10 years, an amount that is guaranteed by Siemens.

New Before and After School Child Care (BASCC) Fees Approved
The following fee schedule was approved for Before and After School Care, effective June 2003:

	2002/03	2003/04
Registration Fee (one time charge):	$10.00	$15.00
Full Tuition Fee (hourly):	$1.50	$1.75

Economically disadvantaged participants will pay 50 percent of the full fee. Reasons for increasing fees include, but are not limited to: higher operational costs associated with lowering staff-to-child ratios; aligning fees with those charged by Before/After School Child Care private providers operating programs in schools; meeting increased operational costs related to serving special needs children; and reflecting increases in salaries, materials and lower student-to-teacher ratios. This is the first rate increase in five years.

Agreement With Movie Theaters Enhances Multi-Media Resources
NMD Management, also known as Sunrise Cinemas, is a family-owned chain of movie theaters based in Broward County. The company has identified education as a priority and has offered to provide their theaters as a resource for teachers. Teachers will have the opportunity to incorporate multi-media resources into lesson plans, and movies will be offered to schools based on the curriculum areas identified by District staff. All movies will be reviewed to ensure that each is tied to state standards, provides an accurate depiction of historical information and falls within District viewing guidelines.