Minutes of the April 2nd, 2019 meeting of

The 19th Ward Community Association Schools Committee

Attendees: John Laing, John Boutet, Moiet James, Dan Ross, Jay Ross, Jake Wheeler, And Manny Hernandez

March minutes

Approved

Quad A luncheon

Quad A will be celebrating its 25^th anniversary on June 5^th. Dan will be attending the luncheon at the convention center and others are encouraged to join him.

Spelling Bee (April 6 at U of R)

The agenda for the day was reviewed and some issues clarified. Dr. Walter Cooper is giving the keynote address, and Eleanor Oi from U of R will lead a moment of silence in memory of Dr Paul Burgett, who had given the keynote address many times in the past. The fraternity brothers will take the students to the student center rather than the gym.

Next steps on local bussing

The number of people signing on to the petition is over 700. John and John will be meeting with the superintendent to discuss next steps. One of the documents to use as we go forward is the passionate talk in support of community schools given by Regent Wade Norwood last Saturday. Manny stated that he and his wife moved to the 19^th ward so that their children could go to the same school (16) as she had. These personal examples will add passion to the numbers and thus be useful going forward.

We also need to understand the registration process as this can have a huge impact on the students who arrive at the school in September.

John and John met with the principal of school 17. She, staff, and volunteers went door to door in the immediate neighborhood to recruit students in K-2. That is how they reached over 70% of the K-2 students being local.

School reports and receivership

The discussions above consumed our time and we’ll take this up at the May meeting.

The next committee meeting will be Tuesday May 7th at 7 pm in the 19^th Ward Community Association office.

Submitted by John Laing