Minutes
of the meeting of June 12, 2001
Held
at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 7:00 p.m.
Recently Achieved:
Janet Bates Wilkins was elected to the Glen
Cove School Board with a total of 1,599 votes.
The referendums regarding reduction of school
board service from 5 years to 3 years and continuous registration both passed as
well.
The Coalition will send out a thank you letter
to all members who worked on the campaign.
Doug Brown has volunteered to help the
coalition with an envelope-mailing machine.
New Business:
Lorri Prince, Coalition Treasurer, distributed
a handout which detailed Coalition income and expenses for the past year..
It was suggested that in September, 2001, the
Coalition send out a mass mailing to explain how funds are being used.
Additionally, it was encouraged that the Coalition keep its name in the news as
we continue to highlight the positive image of the Glen Cove Schools.
Chuck Kuttruff suggested that the Coalition
deliver its mission statement and message to Glen Cove Service organizations.
The Coalition will continue to arrange for
community members to visit the Glen Cove Schools. Nancy Cleary will continue to
make these arrangements.
Coalition membership is now between 150 and
160 members. Chuck Kuttruff will continue to send thank you notes for
contributions.
Ronnie Lavine apprised the Coalition of
information distributed throughout the student body regarding the newly
organized Glen Cove Education Foundation. This organization is a non-profit body
whose mission is "to provide schools and teachers funding for special
projects and supplies which exist outside of our typical school budget"
(quoted from the Foundation’s initial letter of introduction to the public).
The letter of introduction also stated that the Foundation was created
"with the assistance and guidance of Dr. Freeley and the approval of the
school board President". It was suggested that Ronnie and Catherine Screnci
contact the Chairman of the Foundation, Howard Robertson, to find out further
details about the organization. There might be an area of common ground within
which the Coalition and the Foundation might be able to network at some future
date. Ronnie and Catherine will report back at the next meeting.
The Coalition will elect officers at the July
meeting. At this time, Donald Scarl is willing to continue as President, Lorri
Prince as Treasurer, and Ronnie Lavine as Secretary. Janet Bates-Wilkins will
step down as Vice President. Please email Donald Scarl if any member is
interested in serving in any capacity.
The Coalition agreed to make a contribution to
St. Paul’s Church as a thank you for the use of their facility for our
meetings.
It was suggested that another educational
forum be arranged for the purpose of hearing the various concerns of citizens
regarding school issues. The purpose would be to find areas of common ground in
an effort to build a strong, proactive educational community. It was suggested
that such a forum be hosted by a neutral entity. Such a forum might be suggested
in a letter to the editor entitled "Open Meeting". September or
October were suggested as the best time to have this meeting.
Coalition activities for the upcoming year
will be: school visits, Coalition speakers at local service organizations,
fundraising brunch, and speakers at Coalition meetings. Some suggested speakers
are John. Hildebrand, the education writer from Newsday, Mike Norman, the
liaison to the school board from the Glen Cove City Council, Steve Sanders,
chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Education, and Maryanne
Holzkamp and David Zatlin, candidates for mayor of Glen Cove.
Additionally, the Coalition will again
organize a barbecue in September, endorse and support one school board candidate
for next May’s election, and become involved in the lobbying activities in
Albany.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July
10 at St. Paul’s Church at 7:00 p.m.
Ronnie Lavine
Secretary