Board Action






Highlights of the 10/20/09 School Board Meeting
"Schools and Staff in Action"

RESOLUTIONS

2010 DEMOCRACY IN ACTION INITIATIVE
The Board adopted a resolution in support of the 2010 Democracy in Action Initiative. The 2010 Democracy in Action Initiative is a collaborative effort between Representative Ari Porth and Broward County Public Schools to support civics education in our high school social studies curriculum.  This initiative encourages high school students in government, economics, law, debate and student government classes to create an authentic bill that could possibly be proposed to the 2010 State Legislature with Representative Porth supporting the bill.

2009 BROWARD COUNTY ARTS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The School Board recognized Susan Anderson, art teacher at J. P. Taravella High School, for being selected the "2009 Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year." Anderson has taught art at Taravella for the past 17 years and is currently inspiring students with her passion for teaching creative and color photography, and three-dimensional art and sculpture. During a performance and reception in her honor at the Broward Center Performing Arts, funded through private contributions from the Cultural Foundation of Broward, she will be presented with a scholarship to Nova Southeastern University, a check for $2,500 and a Tiffany crystal apple.

RECOGNITION OF THE TOWN OF PEMBROKE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
The town of Pembroke Park has offered to develop an Environmental Education Center that will benefit students at Lake Forest and Watkins elementary schools. The town recently purchased and developed green space using funds from the Parks Bonds Referendum. The property had been used by the county to stage a temporary Fire Safety Station while a permanent structure was under construction. Now that the permanent facility is open, the town has agreed to buy the remaining structure and modify it for use by students. The School Board will work with the town to develop the appropriate curriculum and use the center for its intended purpose.

SUPPORT OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK
The Board adopted a resolution in support of National School Psychology Week (November 9 - 13) highlighting the contributions of psychologists in providing services to students, parents, schools and their communities.  School Psychology Week recognizes the commitment and numerous positive contributions that school psychologists make to the success of Broward County Public Schools.

SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY MONTH
The Board acknowledged November 2009 as National Family Literacy Month in Broward County. The adult and community schools will be promoting Family Literacy Programs with community literacy events throughout the District.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION WEEK PROCLAMATION - NOVEMBER 1 - 7
The Board adopted a resolution that recognizes the importance of community education in Broward County Schools and its significance in meeting the continuing education needs of our community.

APPROVED

BOARD APPROVES SEVEN GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Board approved the following seven grant applications:

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation Classroom Grant - provides funding for hands-on opportunities for students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics foundations at lower grades and aerospace and engineering applications at higher grade levels
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant - provides funding to schools to help with the implementation or expansion of literacy programs for new readers, below grade-level readers, and readers with learning disabilities
Lowe's Toolbox for Education - The Lowe's Toolbox for Education program invites schools, in partnership with parent-teacher groups, to apply for grants for a wide range of school improvement projects.
Sharing the Dream - The MetLife Foundation, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, provides grant awards for projects that actively engage schools communities by aligning with one of the Standard Six core strategies of Leading Learning Communities.
Target Community Giving Grants Program - provides funds for projects that promote a love of reading and encourage young children, ages birth through nine, to read together with their families, and for projects that promote awareness in the arts
Target Field Trips - The Target Field Trip Grant program, managed by the Citizen's Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc., is an innovative, non-restrictive grant initiative designed to fund field trips for students across the country.
Title I - School Improvement Initiative and ARRA - The purpose of this grant is to increase reading and mathematics achievement for students receiving a score of Level 1 in reading on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in Title I schools. Grant funds will be allocated to District schools to implement intensive tutorials that are grounded in the principles of the most current research.

BOARD APPROVES NEW AGREEMENT WITH GEO CARE, INC.
The Board approved a new agreement with GEO Care, Inc. The new agreement will provide clinical experiences to Broward County Schools' Health Science Education students.  On-site clinical experiences are necessary to meet curriculum frameworks, student performance standards, and requirements of regulatory agencies for students to qualify for certification/licensure examinations upon program completion. Health Science Education programs provide secondary and postsecondary career and technical students with clinical learning experiences through contractual agreements with hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities.

BOARD APPROVES SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES AGREEMENTS
The Board approved the sixth round of agreements for Supplemental Educational Service (SES) providers required under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). There are currently 105 State-approved vendors who are eligible to offer SES services in Broward County and have expressed an interest. The current agreements are for the following providers: Champion Learning, Inc.; Dees Educational Services, Inc.; New Life After School Program, Inc.; !A+ Tutor U; Alphabest Education, Inc.; PS Youth Outreach Center, Inc.; A-Totleys Learning Center; CRMG Services, LLC; The Excelle Management Group, Incorporated; Basic Learning Skills Inc.; The Math Experts; and Ready 2 Learn, Inc.

PERSONNEL

The Board approved the following appointments: Adam Fleisher, Interim Assistant Principal, Glades Middle and Joanne Harrison, Deputy Superintendent, Educational Programs and Student Support.

The Board also approved the following reassignments: Jeffrey Berry, Assistant Principal, Cypress Bay High and James Coluzzi, Assistant Principal, McArthur High.







Board Action is a publication of the Public Relations & Governmental Affairs Department
Phone: 754-321-2300
Fax: 754-321-2318