City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED: 6/4/2015 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Thursday, May 21, 2015 7:15PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Eckian- 7:15p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 5- Karen LeHeup-Smith; Linda Bob; Bill Brett; Michael Holland; and Albert Eckian I. Workshop Item 15106 City and Community Support for Elementary Schools in Eustis Mayor Eckian welcomed all of the attendees for the Lake County School Board including School Superintendent Susan Moxley, Board members Roseanne Brandeburg, Bill Matthias and Mark Dodd, and Principals Kay Sawchuk and Rhonda Hunt. He explained the intent of the workshop was to determine how the City of Eustis can best assist the School Board and the local schools. Mr. Matthias and Ms. Moxley provided opening remarks and thanked the Commission for its support of the local schools and the City's mentoring program. Tom Carrino, Economic Development Director, explained why successful schools are important to economic development. He commented on the events that led to the scheduling of the workshop, on meetings that were held with the elementary school principals and on the effect of poverty on academic achievement. He noted the rise in the free lunch program participation at both elementary schools. He stated the purpose of the workshop is to determine how they can foster a systematic, comprehensive and sustainable partnership that supports both the community, school, family and student success. II. Discussion Mayor Eckian expressed the need for the Commission to learn more about the schools and asked Ms. Sawchuk and Ms. Hunt to comment on their schools. Ms. Sawchuk, Eustis Elementary School Principal, commented on the need to obtain more parental involvement, cited that they have 74% student participation in the free lunch program, commented on issues with the location of the school and difficulty in managing parent pickup and drop-off, complimented the police department on their efforts to assist with that issue and the installation of "No Parking" signs, cited the importance of the mentoring program, adequacy of before and after school activities, and the insufficiency of the school's technology. Ms. Hunt, Eustis Heights Elementary School Principal, stated the most important thing is for the community to continue what it's already doing and maintain that momentum. She noted the use of uniforms at the school, commented on the students' pride in the school and the amount of community involvement with the school, and cited some of their advantages such as being a gifted hub, their exceptional education program and the excellence of their technology. She commented on their efforts in teaching with poverty in mind. She noted the use of a school bus to distribute over 500 books to local students. She stated the need to get information out about the summer program and the onsite summer breakfast program. The Commission expressed concern about the possibility of rezoning and the possibility of the local children losing the new school. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 512912015 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final May 21,2015 Ms. Moxley introduced Sherry Ellens, the School System Communications Officer, and commented on the need to market the schools and articulate to the community the opportunities that are available. She also introduced Dr. Freed Wheeler, their Executive Director of Instructional Technology, and explained there are programs available for the community to donate funds for technology. She stated that Eustis Elementary is earmarked for improvement with sales tax renewal funding. She commented on site problems with the facility and the importance of the sales tax renewal. She recommended the use of an education committee that could meet quarterly and strategize how to prioritize and make use of their human capital. She commented on the need for summer programs to help bridge the downtime and emphasized the need to have summer activities. She cited the need to consolidate the school and city resources. Ms. Brandeburg commented on a previous education summit with the City of Leesburg which resulted in the formation of an education committee. She noted the variety of different individuals that attended the meetings and the number of churches that have adopted a grade level or class near their facilities. She stated her willingness to assist the City with a similar program. She noted that every month at the Leesburg Chamber breakfast they are provided information about the Leesburg schools. Mr. Matthias noted that the Lake County schools are a little ahead of other schools in the state regarding technology. He cited the need for the low income students to have a place to go after school to use technology such as wireless internet (WIFI) to do homework and noted other cities that have WIFI available citywide. Ms. Moxley reported that the School Board is providing software the students may access from home but many do not have internet access available at home. She commented on some devices that are more affordable for people to donate to students. Ron Neibert, City Manager, commented on the possibility of allowing some City facilities to be used as homework centers with WIFI available. He also suggested the creation of a homework rewards program with the assistance of local businesses. The Commission discussed the possibility of the City assisting with publicity for the schools, the need for more publicity about student activities, and use of an education committee. The Commission then asked how the schools acquire their mentors and how the need is publicized with Ms. Sawchuk explaining the process for someone to become a volunteer and stating that in the past she has gone to groups to speak. She suggested encouraging more police officers and firefighters to volunteer so the students see them more as a friend. Ms. Hunt explained they have received assistance from churches and the Chamber and by going through local organizations. She also cited the need to reach out with personal contact and noted there are different perceptions about what mentoring means. She commented on the need for additional sidewalks and stop signs in relation to the new school. She also suggested the schools need to connect more with the library and encourage parents to utilize the library as a resource. The Commission asked Ms. Sawchuk how they can do more to encourage parent involvement. Ms. Sawchuk responded the school needs to work more with the Chamber and to offer more activities for the parents so they feel welcome at the school. The Commission asked for clarification of the required clearance level for a mentor. Ms. Hunt indicated a mentor only needs a level one clearance due to not being isolated with a child but always under the observation of school staff. She confirmed there is a background check required which takes about two weeks and which is done at no cost to the volunteer. Ms. Sawchuk asked if there may be some time during Commission meetings to showcase the schools. City of Eustis, Florida Page2 Printed on 512912015 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final May 21 , 2015 The Commission commented on local organizations such as the Trout Lake Nature Center, Historical Museum and Lake Eustis Museum of Art and questioned how the City can help encourage more involvement between those organizations and the schools. Mayor Eckian summarized the proposals discussed as follows: 1) Getting information out to the public on behalf of the schools; 2) Creating an education committee; 3) Expanding mentoring at both schools and adding vocational role models including police and fire; 4) Educating the Commission on the Eric Jensen type of book with the relationship between schools and poverty; 5) Providing additional accessibility to WIFI spots around the City and stimulating City and community support for the purchase of devices for students that can't afford them; and 6) Showcasing the schools possibly through programs at the community building or at City Hall. He also cited the suggestion for homework centers and a homework rewards program and suggested the City could possibly augment any existing programs with the churches and other organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. III. Public Input Mayor Eckian opened the floor to the public at 8:17p.m. Ms. Brande burg commented on the various existing drives for clothes, food and back to school supplies and how the City could be involved with those drives. She emphasized the need to recognize students for their accomplishments. Rachel Holtzclaw, Eustis resident, expressed concern regarding the students that live in rural areas and don't have internet access or transportation. Lori Baxley, Eustis resident, expressed the need for more male mentors in the elementary schools. She also encouraged the schools to determine the interests of at-risk students and pair them with a mentor with those same interests. She suggested that consideration be given to a once per month program or having a volunteer come and speak to a class about a specific topic. Tina Mauers asked what the City can do to encourage more businesses to relocate to the City and increase its economic demographics. Vance Jochim, Fiscal Rangers blog, commented on expectations and issues with the Common Core standards particularly forK - 5 and recommended the City determine the School Board's legislative priorities. Emily Lee, Eustis resident and Bates Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Project, cited the amount of low income housing in the Bates Avenue area and the number of low income students at both schools. She commented on the following issues: 1) the need for classes in parenting skills; 2) cost of available programs for youth; 3) establishing a fund to assist students with participating in programs; 4) building a better relationship between the students and police; 5) lack of transportation for youth to the City pool; 6) exposing low income students to new activities and experiences; 7) assisting parents with obtaining their GED; and 8) the use of school buses to take technology to where the students live especially during the summer. Danielle Moulden, Eustis resident, expressed support for expanding the volunteer programs. She cited various awards and scholarships won by the 2015 Eustis High School graduates. Alfonso Walker, Mount Dora resident, commented on the following issues: 1) need to provide training to mentors and the need for normal, average people to serve as mentors; 2) the number of grants available for public/private partnerships to assist with technology and setting up mobile sites; 3) having school displays during the First Friday events; 4) the cost of Parks and Recreation programs for students; 5) private entities helping provide funding for students to attend those programs; and 6) the need for public/private partnerships. City of Eustis, Florida Page3 Printed on 512912015 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final May 21,2015 IV. Closing Remarks Mr. Dodd commented on his experience as a teacher prior to being on the School Board. He cited the amount of resources that went unused and recommended considering support and mentoring for parents as well as students. Mr. Matthias commented on the benefits of the workshop and recommended that the City work with Ms. Brandeburg to get the community involved. Ms. Moxley also expressed thanks and introduced Will Davis, Chief of Operations, and Lori Marshall, Chief of Staff. Ms. Hunt introduced Adriane Boyd, Potential Specialist and Portal Principal. V. Adjournment-8:52p.m. ALBERT G. ECKIAN Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audio recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. City of Eustis, Florida Page4 Printed on 512912015