Here are the meeting notes as a Word file:  SWCC Education Committee Minutes 2016-07-27.doc

The Education Committee of the SW Common Council

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

6:30 to 8:00 pm at

Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard

Meeting Convened at 6:32 pm

Attendance:

John Boutet           SWCC Education Committee Chair, 328-4271, jboutet@frontiernet.net

Mishael Clarke       Neighborhood Resident, 478-9175, moshay1966@gmail.com

Eleanor Coleman    OACES & ProsperRochester, Inc. 224-5119, eleanor.coleman@gmail.com

Bill Nichthauser     19th Ward Resident, 235-0851, inky389@frontiernet.net

Jennifer Lenio         Rochester Public Libraries (South District), 428-8272, jlenio@libraryweb.org

Betsy Romson     19th Ward Resident, 328-8313, mesromson@aol.om

School 10 - Update

John Laing is setting up an appointment to meet with principal, Cameron Clyburn, to talk about the upcoming renovations. The District plans is to use School #44 Building as swing space for School #10 while renovations are taking place.

Hoping new superintendent’s experience in Boston, where they are moving back to community schools and finding that the busing expenses declined significantly, will help support the trend to go back to community schools here.

School 16 - Update

Heard from Andrea Ebner that she was in touch with Mary Adams who intervened on who would be the next principal. It will not be the original proposed principal who had no experience running an elementary school. Appears that Djinga St. Louis will replace the Vice-Principal who is going to School #12. Need to start having meetings with teachers and parents about the renovations (community input); this was delayed one year because expected funding was not made available. Funding now approved but key players are now heading for vacation. John Boutet to reach out to Mike Schmidt at Central Office to get information on what the plans for community engagement are. Considering the 3rd Wednesday in August.

(On July 28^th at Managed ChoiceTask Force meeting, Mike Schmidt attended and this video: https://youtu.be/PinHLcLYXs8 covers extensive busing and neighborhood school discussions we had with him. Mike joined us at 15 minutes into the meeting. Mike is sitting behind Ralph Spezio.)

School 29 - Update

Principal, Tanya Wilson, moving to East High; disappointing as she has been very welcoming to the community. Do not know who will be replacing her.

Rotary possibly setting up a branch in the SW; John Boutet attended a meeting at the NSC office with rotary rep and John McMahon to explore possibilities. Working on engaging them in Blocks in Bloom project that is underway in lot across from School #29. Garden is a way to teach youth how to create and care for gardens.

School 44 - Update

Seems to be in good shape regarding plans for new school year, including classes for children with disabilities (Special Education); teachers have been assigned their classes; no teachers planning to leave. John Boutet has a written schedule. School #44 won’t be closed down until School #16 comes back. Increase in Special Education students will probably impact school’s academic standing.

School #19

Hearing that Geneseo is looking to take over School #19. More information needs to be obtained. School not yet in receivership.

Managed Choice Policy Task Force

Task Force looking at implications of school choice and how it works against building and sustaining “community schools.” Article by Tim Macaluso "Rochester's school choice policy is under review" gives a very good overview and explanation of Task Force’s objective. Jennifer Lenio has been attending the Task Force meetings and noted that it would be helpful to have community schools so that a stronger connection between libraries and schools can be made by providing services specifically identified and requested by teachers.

Library news

LRNG - Library and City got a grant that other cities are already doing; modeled on scout badges; do an activity, and you get a badge. Aimed at teens and young adults who are looking for employment or want to get into a college setting. Starting with “Media” badges; learning to be a videographer, set up a website, etc. Web-based learning or in-person classes arranged by libraries. Also working to have employers and universities recognize the badges and offer advanced standing.

As of July 1, Rochester Public Library city locations - children’s and young adult materials no longer accrue a daily late fine; hoping to encourage children to check out materials without barrier of paying late fees. Materials out past the 6-9 week range will still be in effect. Also, our “holds” fee, formerly $1 is now 25 cents.

New online service for media called Hoopla - can take out video, audio, music, etc. and download it to a device (phone, tablet, PC); if downloaded, can still listen to media without Internet.

OACES

Still no word on whether or not any funding can be reinstated for OACES programming. Mary D’Allesandro has a meeting with Ranzenhofer to explore possibilities.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm

Minutes submitted by Eleanor Coleman