Meeting called to Order

Meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm by Sherry Giunta, Chairperson.

Members Present

Dawn Akin, Connie Balaban, Diane Bartow, Lori Bowers, Ann Boyko, Amy Combast, Brittany Combast, Angela Conway, Buck DeWitt, , Gwen Gideon, Sherry Giunta, Carol Hlad, William Hull, Thomas Imerson, Sharon Kaselitz, Troy Labarbara, Eileen Lanthrope, Lynn Roza, Mike Roza, Bill Schweiger, Jeff Serletic, Tina Wallace, Leslie Wells-Corriher, Jennifer Wood,. Attendees: Barbara Donaghy, Florie Buono

Members Not-Present

Kathy Debow, Jennie Pippin, Julio Vega, Rebecca Yackel, Guidance Representative

Acceptance of Minutes

Minutes from March 19th meeting – motion to approve, seconded, and passed.

Various Items – Mr. Imerson

Senior students scheduled to graduate have been mailed a letter home by the school indicating location and time of graduation, academic concerns, final notification, end of year conduct, prom, graduation apparel, and cap and gown distribution.

Mr. Imerson briefly discussed and each council member received the District’s new Respect and Civility Policy Statement. Larger versions of the policy statement will be hung in the office, as well as, various offices throughout the school.

April Kelley has been selected as the Outstanding Guidance Counselor for 2007 for Pasco County. Mrs. Kelley is the counselor for Gulf students whose last names begin with Sk through Z. Her other responsibilities include the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. She is also the Scholarship Coordinator. Mrs. Kelley has been at Gulf continuously since 1987.

Thanh Tran and Jonathan Muñoz have been named valedictorian and salutatorian for the Gulf High School class of 2007.

Mr. Imerson stated that projected enrollment is estimated at 1785 which does not include 60+ IB students, as well as, students returning from the expected closing of Milburn Academy. Mr. Imerson will be speaking with the District Office in regards to allocations projections for the 2007-2008 school year

Two scheduled, perhaps four slated portable classrooms will be arriving and installed.

GHS will be returning to a six period day bell schedule for the 2007-2008 school year.

Mr. Imerson discussed May 07’ calendar items and reports that GHS is anxiously awaiting IB notification. Authorization is expected in mid-late April.

GHS has elected and will be participating in an anonymous Drug & Alcohol Research Program. The school shall receive $3000.00 for participating in the research. About 200 students will be asked for voluntary surveys. The results will then be matched with a school of similar size in Collier County.

Special Grant

The GHS staff have joined forces with leading governmental organizations and local agencies (Pasco County Office of Emergency Management, Mac Dill Air Force Base, New Port Richey Fire Department, New Port Richey Parks and Recreation, Community Aging and Retirement Services [CARES], U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, local beekeepers, Pasco County School Board, and the Florida Literacy and Reading Excellence Center [FLaRE] at University of Central Florida funded by Just Read, Florida!, West Pasco Quilters’ Guild, Inc., and Beef O’ Brady’s) to enhance the level of hurricane awareness in the community. “The Power is On II” is an interdisciplinary program that will use student-generated materials to educate community members-from elementary school-aged children through senior citizens – on the importance of hurricane preparedness.

Targeted students are Gulf High School’s Intensive Reading, Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED0 and Varying Exceptionalities (VE) students will conduct research and receive training in disaster preparation. Following this training, the students will produce informational materials on hurricane preparation for dissemination to senior citizens and children in our local evacuation shelter.

The key aspects of the service-learning program will be focused on during the project include: management and leadership, technology, environment, civic responsibility and youth empowerment.

The grant that was originally awarded $45,000 by the Department of Education has now been matched with an additional $37,000 by the National District Education Foundation for a total of $82,000.

Course Registration – Mrs. Buono

Mrs. Buono states that accumulation of registration cards is almost complete. Awaiting middle school(s) and IB programme cards. So far the process has run smoothly. Mrs. Buono gave kudos and accolades to Ruthann Allison, GHS Data Entry operator.

Introduction to LFS Lesson / CIP

Mrs. Buono asked for the participation of the council members in gathering information for the CIP plan. The collection of data was presented in an LFS lesson format.

Essential Question: How has GHS worked to meet the goals and strategies of the 2006-07 CIP?

Members were divided up by picking parts of a certain movie(s). Each group then was divided up and assigned different objectives of Goal Area #3 – Student Performance to address. Members were asked to jot down ideas/projects on how GHS attempted and/or completed each of the strategy areas. Each group was asked to present their findings followed by brief discussion and summary.

5 Star School Award Update – Mrs. Wallace

Mrs. Wallace states that the application for the Golden and Silver Awards have been completed. She is currently gathering student surveys for information in regards to community service and parental involvement. Mrs. Davey, Guidance Counselor is conducting a similar survey with Business/Community partnerships. Once this information is gathered the 5-Star application will be completed and awaiting a designated official for review.

Open Forum

Connie Balaban is the new GHS registrar, replacing Morris Greco.

Mrs. Kaselitz reports that the Backyard BBQ on April 13th was a huge success with sales and donations of approximately $6000.00. Also noted the baseball team defeated Ridgewood that evening.

Tina Wallace headed up “Operation Shoebox” which collected items for our troops. Collection boxes are currently being gathered. Mrs. Wallace must then organize and prepare the items for shipment.

Mr. DeWitt was honored to announce that the Girls Varsity Softball Team is in the running for an award that consist of a plaque and momentary disbursement for being a school athletic team with one the highest unweighted G.P.A. of a 3.2 average.

GHS will again host the Reality Store in April.

Members Removed from Roll

Julio Vega – Non-Attendance

Next Meeting

May 14, 2007 – 5:30 pm, GHS Media Center

Meeting Adjourned

Meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.