Education Advisory Committee

Approved: 022519 Minutes - FINAL Education Advisory Committee (EAC) January 28, 2019 City Hall Attendees Members Present Absent David Toledo, Dist 1 __X __ Dawn Powers, Dist 2 __X __ Melissa Day, Dist 3 __X __ Carolyn Bernache, Dist 4 __X __ Doris Ellis, Dist 4 _X __ Daniel First __X __ Also Present Peggy Higgins, City Liaison P.J. Brennan, City Councilmember Andy Fellows, University of Maryland Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Call to Order Ms. Bernache called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Old Business Approval of the November Meeting Minutes The committee reviewed the meeting minutes from the November 19, 2018 meeting. Mr. Toledo made a motion to approve the November meeting minutes as written. Second by Ms. Ellis. All members were in favor; no opposed. Goal discussion with Councilmember P.J. Brennan Councilmember Brennan joined the meeting to continue the discussion of reviewing the Committee’s goals to see which goals can be eliminated or changed to be in alignment with the Committee’s current activities. Councilmember Brennan also asked the Committee to discuss what the committee enjoys doing, what the Committee would like to do, and what the Committee dislikes. Highlights of the discussion include: ▪ The Committee stated they would like to add funds to the EAC budget to cover the cost of the background clearance for low income parents so they can be volunteers in schools. ▪ The Committee loves handing out books to children during College Park Day, providing scholarships for summer camps and providing grants to the local schools. ▪ The Committee recently initiated dinner with the PTA and Principals to help focus on supporting school awareness. 1  ▪ The Committee would like to have a way to share their activities on the City’s website. Councilmember Brennan discussed having social media available for the Committee to share their activities. Status of Council appointment of UMD representative Stacy Renee Gray Currie to EAC Ms. Bernache asked Councilmember Brennan on the status of appointing Ms. Currie to the Committee. The Committee discussed the importance of having a UMD representative on the Committee to help with making connections to University groups such as the Full Bright Scholars. New Business Green School Awards Packet Ms. Bernache provided the Committee members with packets for the Green School Awards to review. This topic will be on the February meeting agenda. FY20 EAC Budget The Committee reviewed the budget and will increase the amount for printing in FY20. For the school grants, the Committee would like to increase the $2,500 grants to $2,750 and increase the $7,500 grants to $8,000. An additional $2,750 will also be requested to provide to another school. The Committee will request an additional $1,000 to the budget to pilot funding for the background check to cover 3 parents to volunteer in the elementary schools. Mr. Toledo made a motion to adopt the proposed FY20 EAC budget and to move forward to the Council for deliberation and to move forward the FY19 funds as recorded and listed previously be executed in this fiscal year. Second by Ms. Bernache. All members in favor; no opposed. Review of revised EAC grant application and timelines It was suggested to move the grant timeline so the schools can receive the grants in September instead of December/January. Another suggestion is to change the grant application to combine Section 1 and Section 4 of the application. Mr. Toledo made a motion to update the timeline for grant submission to start in July to be awarded in September, include addition of a phrase that schools can use existing projects from previous years in the application, and to combine the information requested from Section 1 and Section 4. Second by Ms. Bernache. All members were in favor; no opposed. Adjournment Ms. Bernache adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. 2