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Coalition for Glen Cove Minutes
of the Meeting of Recently Achieved: Jean Kuttruff reported that the visitation of approximately 20 community leaders to the elementary, middle and high schools was extremely successful. This project was coordinated by Jean, Mary Mapleson, Toni Rokas and Dr. Freeley. All agreed that this event helped to promote our schools in a very positive light. Dr. Freeley wrote to the Coalition to thank us for arranging the visits and asked for it to be repeated. Janet Bates-Wilkins is organizing Career Workshops in the Middle School which will involve additional community members in our schools. In Progress Donald Scarl and Don Ranieri will speak at the Center Club on March 1st to an audience of approximately 200 people. They are working towards arranging further speaking engagements with other organizations as well. Janet Bates-Wilkins spoke at the Glen Cove Kiwanis about the Coalition and about the Rising Stars program at the Middle School. Chuck Kuttruff reported that we presently have a membership of 121 families. New member growth has slowed down during the past few months. We are planning a membership renewal campaign in advance of the budget vote. Chuck will draft a letter in February asking for members to renew membership. The letter will be sent after the Coalition Planning committee determines budget needs for the upcoming year. Leslie Whitely reported that the bookmark "One Great Thing About the Glen Cove Schools" will reflect 36 winning entries. We discussed circulation, number to be printed, costs, etc. It was suggested that a copy of the bookmark be included in a mass mailing. It was also suggested that the Coalition take free advertising space made available by Anton Newspapers, to list the names of all 455 entrants of the contest. Leslie will report back on further progress. Leslie Whitely will also follow up on the issue of contacting real estate agents to talk about the schools and arrange some kind of a gathering for this purpose. Leslie has a list of the most active agents in our area. Donald Scarl reported that the Coalition Planning/Budget subcommittee is researching publishing costs. Ian Siegel and Nathely McElrath volunteered to plan a Coalition brunch. The Coalition Candidate subcommittee has met twice so far. Presently, Janet Bates-Wilkins is officially running for the Board. We are still working towards a second candidate. The committee is scheduled to meet with Dr. Freeley on January 25 to discuss a platform. Janet and Natheley McElrath raised the notion of submitting a petition to reduce the term of school board members to 3 years. They will raise this issue at the next open Board meeting on January 29th. The down side would be that more people would have to be elected to the school board each year. Gail Nedbor-Gross suggested that a 4 year term might be better. Lorri Prince will be gathering names of recent graduates for the purpose of sending applications for absentee ballots. Other Business: Ian Siegel reported that Glen Cove is 1 out of 3 Nassau County districts whose State Aid will be reduced. Ian noted that the State Aid formula must eventually be changed. He wrote of his concerns in a letter to the Record Pilot and for an explanation regarding this reduction to Governor Pataki. The Coalition needs to start bringing elected government officials to advocate on behalf of our schools. Janet Bates-Wilkins will contact Carl Marcellino in this regard. The next Coalition meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 13th at 7 PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Highland Road. Ronnie Lavine Secretary |