MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOR JANUARY 30th 

Monroe County School Board members met January 30th, 2018 at Marathon High School in the media center, for a scheduled School Board workshop and regular meeting.

Here are highlights from the workshop and meeting:

  • Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Theresa Axford and Parent Sue Woltanski introduced the tentative 2018-2019 calendar, prepared by the calendar committee, with students potentially returning to classes on Wednesday, August 8th, 2018.  Mrs. Woltanski added, the 2019—2020 school calendar was similar to the 2018-2019 calendar.
  • Principals Blake Fry (Coral Shores High School), Harry Russell (Sugarloaf School), and Dr. Larry Schmiegel (Poinciana Elementary School) presented findings to the board related to the effectiveness of graded homework of students, and suggestions for edits to the district’s homework policy. Mrs. Axford also addressed the board to suggest the addition of teacher discretion for homework to consider in an updated policy.
  • Superintendent Mark Porter also discussed the Sugarloaf School Employee Housing Task Force findings with support from Task Force Member with housing and construction expertise, Niels Hubbel, which included the potential for 36 units, with 18 units per each of the two acres available for development due to land use laws. Employee interest and feedback pointed to a development with less of a foot-print and less density, but also lack of interest, due to location, according to Mr. Hubel. Mr. Porter reported the need for an organizational partnership, due to the inability to sustain the project with school district funds. Mr. Porter and school board members also discussed potential rental limits and timeline.
  • Science Coordinator Melissa Alsobrooks gave a report on the adoption of the science materials, which will be available for public review. Anyone interested finding out how to access the materials will be able to do so on the district’s homepage.
  • Mrs. Alsobrooks also discussed the outcomes of the district’s Regional STEM Fair, the district’s 5th year coordinating the efforts. She reported a total of 104 project submissions, 57 elementary schools, 36 at the middle school level, and 11 at the high school level. There will be three individual projects and a team each attending the state competition at the middle and high school levels.
  • Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability David Murphy gave a report to the board on district graduation rates. Mr. Murphy reported a district success with closing the gap between white students and black students in overall district rates. Mr. Murphy broke down each of the three high schools and emphasized the increase in black student graduation district-wide was due to Key West High School’s demographics. Mr. Muphy cited the ESE student population in the district as an area of concern for graduation rates with the intention to move forward on the project pending board approval. He also discussed the status of the implementation of FOCUS Student Information System along with its successes and challenges.
  • Executive Director of Finance and Performance James Drake discussed the loan request for the purchase of Key West High School uniforms. Mr. Drake also discussed the employee service side of the FOCUS information system. He reported MCSD is the first district to implement payroll services out of the districts using the software to manage their information.
  • Mr. Porter gave the board reports on his Superintendent Evaluation, the Monroe County Education Foundation releasing $5,000 grants to 50 more applicants, the Superintendent’s Academic Challenge, and the success of Symphony in the Schools thanks to the South Florida Symphony, featuring the Martha Graham dancers.
  • District Officials presented the following students, staff and community members with Great Educational Moments:
    • Stanley Switlik Elementary School |
      • Shaina Moreira and Heather Geaneas – were recognized for sponsoring the “Mini Mermaids” an empowering program for students focusing on the discovery of movement and exposure to sports. Coaches lead the six-week 12-session program, each an hour and a half long. The program offers physical fitness, nutrition and self-development lessons in a small-group setting for students.
      • Students Leo Mendez (SSE Student Council president), Alaric Rodriguez (vice-president), Josh Koler (secretary), and 4thGrade Teacher Stacie Gonzalez (sponsor) — were recognized for re-introducing a school-wide recycling program (which includes pre-kindergarteners) to the campus. Marathon Garbage Service supported the project with a donation of new classroom bins and large wheeled receptacles.
      • Principal Brett Unke – was recognized for his coordination and facilitation with the Early Learning Coalition of opening up a daycare in the former Marathon Adult Education Center.
  • Board members agreed to vote during the regular meeting on the 2018-2019 school year calendar officials workshopped.
  • Board members voted to approve the following items:

o   approval of Monroe County School District’s Superintendent’s Summative Evaluation for the 2016-2017 school year and the 2017 calendar year, 5-0

o   approval of the enrollment into the Florida Fixed Income Trust, 5-0

o   approval of the resolution to vacate Trumbo Road property for workforce housing use, 5-0

o   approval of the 2018-2019 school year calendar, 4-1

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]