Minutes from the AGTS Board of Directors Meeting

September 10, 2007

 

 

In attendance:  Michael Kearney, Gideon Carter III, Richard Truman, Sherry Scardina, Anita Haywood, Donald Jennings, Lannette Cohen, Jennifer St. Cyr, Julie Sheffield

 

Not in attendance: Carlos Sam, Sherry Brock

 

 

Treasurers Report (Gideon Carter)

▲       Account balance $10,352.84

▲       We had one recent expenditure of $50 for registration of the BRAGTS name

▲       Gideon needs the final version of the by laws to obtain our interim tax-exempt status (IRS requires certain language in the by-laws for tax-exempt organizations)

 

Logo Contest

▲       Thanks to Sherry Scardina, the logo contest has already been publicized to the talented art students.  It was opened to all students in the Gifted and Talented Program.  Sherry will bring the entries to the October board meeting to be judged.

 

Membership (Dick Truman)

▲       No increase in membership since last month, but there are 80 unopened items of mail of which some may be new members

 

Website and Public Relations (Don Jennings)

▲       Don brought print out of website for editing/updating

▲       Anita brought copy of 8-16-07 Time magazine article, “Are We Failing our Geniuses” which illustrates the need for gifted (especially self-contained) education.  It was suggested that Anita write a 3-4 sentence introduction for the article for the website, with a link to the article provided.

▲       Don brought preliminary version of newsletter, emphasizing the need for more content.

▲       To minimize cost of pencils, Gideon will look up the name of the previous supplier.  Don will have some made for distribution at the October general meeting (without logo); any leftovers will be for EBR Mania.

▲       We need to print more BRAGTS brochures but we don’t have time to put the new logo on them before the October general meeting.  It was agreed to print 200 now without logo, preferably thru EBR school system, with commercial print shop as backup.  Then, we’ll print additional brochures with new logo for EBR Mania. 

           

Programs (Anita Haywood)

▲       Fall general meeting will be October 23rd at the Instructional Resource Center.

▲       Sherry Scardina and Carlos Sam will give a presentation on “the state of the GT program”. 

▲       The logo contest winner will be announced at the meeting.

▲       Michael will discuss the need for dedicated gifted sites.

▲       It was agreed that there will be no elections or breakout sessions.

▲       Anita will arrange for refreshments

 

Update from GT Office (Sherry Scardina)

▲       Sherry passed around examples of EBR Mania ads and distributed latest Gifted Attendance Count

▲       Sherry also brought copies of BR Parents magazine article about GT programs.  The article was very positive, but did contain a few inaccuracies.

▲       More Gifted teachers are needed.  LSU career day was suggested as possible recruitment tool.

▲       As expected due to the new Department of Education policy, the GT office has already started turning down 7th to 12th graders seeking placement in Scholastic Academy from other schools with the EBR system.

 

Future of Gifted Program

 

▲       We continue to have grave concerns about students leaving the gifted program for magnet, private, and parochial school as well as the losses from the new Scholastic Academy policy.   Major changes are needed to make the program more attractive to retain and attract gifted students.

▲       Michael proposed that the board undertake a campaign to heavily push for dedicated gifted sites.  All members in attendance voted “aye” in support, except that Sherry Scardina recused herself as an EBR School System employee.

▲       Michael will schedule a meeting with the EBR Administration in the fall.