Spearman, Landi Jefferson, Camille Humphrey, Peggy. Bosley, Theresa Pena, Edith Reid, Donna. Johnson, Julia Jefferson, Dwight Plancarte, Sonia

Transcription

1 Superintendent s Parent Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 16, 2012, 6:00p.m. 8:00p.m. Board Auditorium Terry Grier, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools The purpose of the Superintendent s Parent Advisory Committee (SPAC) is to enhance the timely delivery of information and feedback on issues that are relevant to HISD s leaders and parents. The Superintendent s Parent Advisory Committee was created so that parents could participate in discussions which impact their communities and share this information with others at their schools. IN ATTENDANCE HISD Parent Representatives Spearman, Landi Jefferson, Camille Humphrey, Peggy Bosley, Theresa Pena, Edith Reid, Donna Johnson, Julia Jefferson, Dwight Plancarte, Sonia Robinson, Linda Goudeau, Tiffany Kentell, Paul Easely, Chiquita Heyburn, Paul Valdez, Daisy Lewis Lola Ruffin, Mia Coates, Elena Mims, Lue Griggs, Janet Bonilla, Maria Himsl, Gretchen Simmons, Veronica Casas, Joseph Martinez, Mario Hagen, Kara Morales, Rosario Perry, Robyn Jackson, Karen Womack, Mai Jones, Caronetta Alejo, Susana Castro, Maribel Castro, Roberto Burrell, Jeny Gatto, Jennifer Campos, Patrick Johnson, Deborah LeBrane, Pamela Wallace, Malach Stanfield, Orange Cashman, Sylvia Singhoff, Lynne Miranda, Maria Rodriguez, Guadalupe Delarosa, Maricela Portillo, Socorro Noon, Mirrat Vasquez, Diana Puccio, Regina Khater, Marylynn Richardson, Laura Tardy, Courtney Herron, Billie

2 Lewis, Mary C Guerrero, Martha Decou, Reynold Edwards, Dorothy Gonzalez, Alexandra Guerrero, Zulma Gonzales, Amparo Gonzales, Nellie Valdez-Franco, Lourdes Long, Norma Jaramillo, Christina Bonsen, Shawn Eldridge, Crystal Pursell, Edlyn Pace, Kerrie Tauser, Lisa Rincon, Concepcion Gerstacker, Heidi Aldridge, Stephanie Roman, Nina Corbin, Bridgette HISD Staff Cline, Kelly Rivera, Rafaela Alaniz, Armando Thompson, Tina Threadcraft, Melody Ortega, Dana Santos, Maria Mackey, Tanya Trevino, Maria H Salazar, Xochitl Funk, David Walsh, Leila

3 INTRODUCTION Kelly Cline, Senior Manager for Parent Engagement Department opened the meeting by welcoming parents to the first Superintendent s Parent Advisory Committee (SPAC) meeting for the school year. She made note that the agenda was on the overhead screen and asked the group to follow the agenda on the screen as well as open their manila folders which contained documents for the meeting. Ms. Cline discussed the process of membership selection; School Improvement Officers nominated two parents per school. The group was asked to share any information they gathered from the SPAC meetings with their parents at their school. The remaining two SPAC meetings for the school year will be held on January 16, 2013 and April 30, Ms. Cline commented on her efforts to inform all parents of the meeting through , U.S. mail and phone calls and asked for a raise of hands as to which form of communication worked best. It was noted that all three forms of communication would continue to be used to inform the SPAC. Ms. Cline introduced her staff: Tina Thompson, (Volunteer in Public Schools Program Administrator), and Program Specialists: Maria Santos (HIPPY), Maria Trevino (Parent Prep Academy), Dana Ortega (Elementary School Specialist), Melody Threadcraft (Middle School Specialist), Tanya Mackey (High School Specialist), Xochitl Salazar (Parent Leadership Institute, Grandparents Prep Academy). Ms. Cline introduced Armando Alaniz, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Support Services. Mr. Alaniz gave regrets from Dr. Grier thanking parents for serving on the SPAC committee. He commended them for their dedication to the students and schools. Ms. Cline returned to the posted agenda and told the group that each presenter would have 15 minutes to present. She also informed the group that there would be a time for questions and an opportunity to provide advise. Agenda Topics: Bond Referendum Overview and Video Presentation Kelly Cline introduced David Funk, Communications Consultant for HISD. Mr. Funk showed a 2012 Houston Schools Bond Overview video and a Public Service Announcement video to the SPAC committee. Mr. Funk explained the contents in the Bond packets and further explained the positive impact the Bond will have on HISD and answered questions from the committee. Attached is the overview document that was discussed as well as the Tips for Parents documents. The group had the opportunity to ask Mr. Funk a variety of questions. Some of the questions from the committee were:

4 1. How were schools selected to receive the bond money? Answer: HISD hired a third party consulting firm to decide which schools were in greatest need. 2. Will there be a system in place for quality control of construction, not only after the job is completed, but also during various phases of construction? Answer Mr. Funk said he would look into this to provide a more comprehensive answer in a few days. 3. Who sets the construction standards such as the type of materials used and will the construction inspector be internal or external? Answer: There will be an internal and external construction inspector 4. Where is the left over money from the last bond? Answer: All money was accounted for. 5. If the bond is approved, how much time will it take for completion? Answer: This is a complicated question; it could take 6-8 years. 6. What happens to the schools that are in need of repair or rebuilding if the bond is not approved? Answer: Child safety is top priority. If the bond is not approved students will be bused to other schools while the school is repaired. Ms. Cline was cognizant of the time and suggested that the group work together to discuss the information that was just presented and use the post-it note cards on their tables to record one suggestion, question or concern about the bond. Ms. Cline gave the group 5 minutes for discussion. Post-it note cards were posted. Mr. Funk stated he would send a reply via answering all the questions for the committee by Monday, October 22, Improving Communication Kelly Cline introduced Leila Walsh, Sr. Manager of Multimedia. Ms. Walsh gave a power point presentation highlighting HISD s efforts to communicate with parents. Ms. Walsh addressed questions from the committee regarding current district communications. Some questions included: If all outlets are internet based, how can parents access the website or HISD-TV if they don t have cable or internet? Can schools put addresses for all teachers on their website? How can teachers effectively communicate with parents? Mr. Alaniz asked the committee to re-group and take 5 minutes to answer the following questions: How can parents who do not have access to the internet or cell phone get district information? What do parents want to hear about? Who do parents want to talk to? All the questions were posted on posters and delivered to either David Funk or Leila Walsh to read, review and respond.

5 CONCLUSION Before ending the meeting, Kelly Cline reminded the SPAC of the future meetings which will be held on January 16 th and April 30 th, Ms. Cline also mentioned that the Parent Involvement Day event will be held on November 16 th at Delmar Stadium starting at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Alaniz closed the meeting by summarizing the main points. The SPAC provided guidance and advice on the following items Quality control with bond construction during the process and not just after the completion of the job. Two-way communication system between parents and schools. Electronic response time by teachers Spread the word about the Parent Engagement opportunities 7:50 p.m. meeting adjourned. Kelly Cline, Senior Manager, Parent Engagement Department, serves as the liaison to the committee. Contact information: ; *See attachments with responses from David Funk and Leila Walsh.