Blue Ribbon Commission

CITY OF HENDERSON BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY WORKSHOP MINUTES Wednesday, September 27, 2023 I. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, called the Workshop of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity to order at 4:07 p.m., in the Water Street Multipurpose Room, 240 South Water Street, Henderson, Nevada 89015. II. CONFIRMATION OF POSTING AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, confirmed the meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity had been noticed in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Luke Adamo (left at 5:00 p.m.) Jennifer Atlas Emily Heitzman Renee Kenwood Anissa Little Aidan Loorz Rachael Martin Cash Sanchez Cassidy Sandifer Trevor Tumminia Shane Zeller (left at 5:06 p.m.) ABSENT: Duane Graham Katherine Wang STAFF: Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst Elizabeth Kargar, Senior Training/Organization Performance Analyst Bethany Sanchez, Assistant City Attorney III Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk Blue Ribbon Commission Workshop Page 2 of 6 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Minutes III. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (Motion) Commissioner Rachael Martin introduced a motion to accept the agenda, as presented. The roll call vote favoring passage was: Those voting aye: Luke Adamo, Jennifer Atlas, Emily Heitzman, Renee Kenwood, Anissa Little, Aidan Loorz, Rachael Martin, Cash Sanchez, Cassidy Sandifer, Trevor Tumminia, and Shane Zeller. Those voting nay: None. Those absent: Duane Graham and Katherine Wang. Those abstaining: None. Acting Chair Maxwell Fenster declared the motion carried. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 PRESENTATION OPEN MEETING LAW TRAINING CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney, will provide Open Meeting Law (OML) Training to the Commissioners. Note: Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney, was not present. Bethany Sanchez, Assistant City Attorney III, gave a PowerPoint presentation, titled Open Meeting Law (OML) Training. Responding to an inquiry from Commissioner Emily Heitzman regarding the submittal process to discuss topics on a future agenda, Acting Chair Maxwell Fenster advised the Commissioners may email that information to staff or they may mention it during the Chairman\Member Comments section of the agenda, which is towards the end of each meeting. Blue Ribbon Commission Workshop Page 3 of 6 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Minutes 2 PRESENTATION WELCOME TO THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION AND OVERVIEW CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Staff will provide a brief overview of the recent history of the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC), provide information on the chair and vice chair nomination/election process, and provide opportunities for Commissioners to introduce themselves. Acting Chair Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, gave a PowerPoint presentation, titled Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and highlighted the following slides:  Establishment of the Commission  Members of the Commission  Commission Meeting Guests  Volunteering  Leadership Retreat  Student Commissioner Achievement  Future Mr. Fenster provided each Commissioner with two informational documents related to the upcoming Trunk or Treat event, which were added to the backup materials. Commissioners Rachael Martin and Luke Adamo shared their experiences attending the Blue Ribbon Commission Leadership Retreat to Meow Wolf Las Vegas, which took place on March 29, 2023. Elizabeth Kargar, Senior Training/Organization Performance Analyst, introduced herself and led the Commissioners in an activity to introduce themselves and to express what unique leadership skills they will bring to their school, careers, and to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity. Blue Ribbon Commission Workshop Page 4 of 6 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Minutes 3 PRESENTATION INTRODUCTION TO QUALITY EDUCATION CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Tara Phebus, Education Initiatives Officer for the City of Henderson, and Lee Farris, Chair of the Henderson Community Education Advisory Board (HCEAB), will present information on the City’s strategic goals related to Quality Education and the HCEAB Workplan. Note: Tara Phebus, Education Initiatives Officer for the City of Henderson, was not present. Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, and Lee Farris, Chair of the Henderson Community Education Advisory Board (HCEAB), presented a summary of this item, gave a PowerPoint presentation, titled Introduction to Quality Education, and highlighted the following slides:  Quality Education Strategic Priority  Henderson Community Education Advisory Board (HCEAB) Workplan  Quality Education Strategic Priority with Work Plan Items Identified Mr. Farris noted Number 4 of the Quality Education Strategic Priority slide in the backup materials should state, “Align Educational Investments with PreK-12 Needs.” Mr. Fenster and Mr. Farris answered inquiries from Commissioner Emily Heitzman and Commissioner Rachael Martin regarding whether the HCEAB works with the Clark County School District (CCSD) to change policies or to collaborate ideas and whether they have implemented any new curriculum materials to the schools. 4 PRESENTATION BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION PRIORITIES CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Staff will lead the Commissioners through an exercise to identify priorities aligned with the City’s Quality Education Strategic Priority. Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, presented a summary of this item. Mr. Fenster provided each Commissioner with a document regarding the City’s Quality Education Strategic Priority, which was added to the backup materials. Blue Ribbon Commission Workshop Page 5 of 6 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Minutes Referring to the above-referenced document, Mr. Fenster stated the red text are examples of possible problems that can impact the quality of education that is available within the City. Then, Mr. Fenster led all the Commissioners in an activity to identify issues within the schools and in the classrooms they are aware of in their individual experiences as either a student, with their peers, with siblings, or with their children, etc. Mr. Fenster stated the issues identified today will be reviewed on a future agenda for discussion. 5 PRESENTATION REFLECTION/SUMMARY CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Staff will lead the Commissioners through a brief exercise to reflect on the day’s activities. Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, presented a summary of this item. Elizabeth Kargar, Senior Training/Organization Performance Analyst, led the Commissioners through a brief exercise, which focused on the importance of communication and collaboration. VI. CHAIRMAN\MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Cassidy Sandifer inquired whether the Blue Ribbon Commissioners could receive any high school graduation medals, or special honors, such as the National Honor Society Graduation Cords. Commissioner Rachael Martin inquired regarding the possibility of creating a Blue Ribbon social media page the members could run themselves with the goal of spreading the word of what this Commission does throughout the community. Commissioner Emily Heitzman stated a possible collaboration of policy makers and/or individuals involved with the school district’s curriculum could be beneficial to the Commission as well. Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, thanked Commissioner Sandifer, Commissioner Martin, and Commissioner Heitzman for their comments and stated the topics could be presented on an upcoming agenda for discussion. Blue Ribbon Commission Workshop Page 6 of 6 Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Minutes VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., which will be held in the Mayor and Council Boardroom on the 4th floor. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to be discussed, Acting Chair Maxwell Fenster adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Janet Sandifer Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk