Meeting Convened at 6:00 pm.

Members present at the beginning of the meeting were:  Lisa Donlan, Olivia Islam, and Arnette Scott.

Business Commenced at approximately 6:25 with the additional members present: Daniel Becker, Latesha Moore, and Moses Seuram.

Discussion of Bylaws:

Mr. Seuram raises the issue of quorum and references the bylaws (Section 3a.) requiring the council to wait for 30 minutes to see whether quorum can be reached. Mr. Seuram believes the clause is restrictive and binds the council from discussing any business. The language states:

“If there is no quorum present at the time set for the meeting, the members present shall wait for 30 minutes for additional members to arrive.”

Mr. Becker proposes additional language to clarify the clause.  The proposed language would be added to the end of the above mentioned sentence by striking the “period,” and adding the following sentence:

“in order to conduct official business.”

The proposed, amended language would read:

“If there is no quorum present at the time set for the meeting, the members present shall wait for 30 minutes for additional members to arrive in order to conduct official business.”

Mr. Becker made a motion to include the change, the motion was seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Discussion of Mission Statement 

The issue was raised as to whether the council wanted to readopt the 2012-2013 “Mission Statement” for 2013-2014 or to propose changes.

The matter was raised as to whether data or metrics should be added to the second bullet:

“monitor the impact of the DOE Special Education Reforms in D1 and citywide;”

It was proposed that the following language be added to the end of the sentence:

“by determining the percentage of students with disabilities attending each school and their average performance in State metrics.”

Ms. Donlan made a motion to include the change, the motion was seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

The council agreed that the “Mission Statement” would be a work in progress and could be amended at a later date to reflect the council’s evolving priorities.

Annual Meeting

The council, unanimously, agreed to postpone its Annual Meeting to August.

Meeting Start Time

The council discussed whether its start time should remain 6:00 pm or be changed to 6:30.

The council agreed to test out a start time of 6:15 and change the time at a later date if necessary.

Calendar Schedule

The council discussed whether it should keep meeting on Wednesdays.

The council agreed to continue meeting on Wednesdays.

The council discussed whether it should meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month or the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

The council agreed to meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month with the understanding that the date could change depending on schedules, holidays, unforeseen events.

The council adopted the following schedule:

  • August
    • Date:  Either the 14th or 21st.
    • Location: PS 20
    • Topic: Annual Meeting
    • Chair: TBD
    • September
      • Date: 9/17
      • Location: PS 20
      • Topic: Meet & Greet
      • Chair: Lisa Donlan
      • October
        • Date: 10/9 and 10/23
        • Location: TBD
        • Topic: Middle Schools/Middle School Fair
        • Chair: Daniel Becker
  • November
    • Date: 11/20
    • Location: TBD
    • Topic: Dual Language
    • Chair: Arnette Scott
    • December
      • Date: 12/11
      • Location: TBD
      • Topic: Capital Planning
      • Chair: TBD
      • January
        • Date: 1/8 and 1/22
        • Location: TBD
        • Topic: Common Corp (would like to invite Dep. Chancellor Shael Shuransky)
        • Chair: TBD
        • February
          • Date: 2/12
          • Location: TBD
          • Topic: Governance
          • Chair: TBD
          • March
            • Date: 3/12 and 3/26
            • Location: TBD
            • Topic: Diversity
            • Chair: TBD
            • April
              • Date: 4/23
              • Location: TBD
              • Topic: Special Education Reform
              • Chair: Moses Seuram
              • May
                • Date: 5/14 and 5/28
                • Location: TBD
                • Topic: Portfolio
                • Chair: TBD
                • June
                  • Date: 6/11
                  • Location: TBD
                  • Topic: TBD
                  • Chair: TBD

Member Naomi Pena arrives at approximately 7:40 pm.

School Liaison Assignments

  • Naomi Pena: 292, 332, 345
  • Moses Seuram: 19, 301, 450
  • Arnette Scott: 20, 110, 188
  • Daniel Becker: 64, 364, 839
  • Olivia Islam: 134, 137, 184
  • Latesha Moore: 34, 315, 361
  • Lisa Donlan: 15, 63, 353
  • Unassigned: 140, 142, Global Leaders

Moses Seuram proposes that new members partner with returning members on a school visit so as to understand the experience and expectations.

Administrative Assistant

The council agreed, unanimously, to enter into Executive Session to discuss potential applicants

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 pm.