MINUTES


 

E.U.P. EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP

  November 25, 2002

E.U.P. Intermediate School District; Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

 

 

Gwen Worley called the E.U.P. Education Advisory Group meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. in the absence of Chair Ernie Maas.  A suggestion was made that the Group consider electing a Vice Chair to the EAG to assist in conducting business in the absence of the Chair.  Dan Wakeman moved to appoint Jim Feil as Vice Chair.  Mel Waisanen supported.  Motion passed.  Jim Feil began to chair the meeting at this time.

The following members were present:

Berkompas, Nancy              
Cadreau, Brenda  (Alt)            
Feil, Jim
Haupt, Judy                    
Healey,Paul                                       
Hess , Janet
Homeister, Heidi               
Pomeroy, Pam                           
Truckey , Julie
Waisanen, Mel                
Wakeman, Dan                         
Wilson, Jerry

The following members were absent:

Batka, Pat                      
Bergh, Roger                               
Boissineau , Ed
Corbiere, Don                           
Dykstra, Tom                                      
Kabat, Sue
Maas, Ernie                      
Mudge, Esther                              
Peterson, Randy
Schaedig, Randy                
Siddall, Joy Beth                       
Springsteen , Mike
Sutter, Bill                     
Teeple, Wade                                       
Wagner, Jim

Guests present:

Dykstra, Sharon                
Silet, Monica                              
Donovan, Jeannie

Staff present:

Wilcox, Kim
Worley, Gwen

The minutes of the September 16, 2002, meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Dan Wakeman and support by Julie Truckey.

Gwen Worley provided an update of the Making Academics Count program.  The area schools have been surveyed to determine if businesses are utilizing this program.  Gwen mentioned that the responses indicate a low number of businesses have asked schools for transcripts and attendance records.  After reviewing the results, the Group recommended that this program could be beneficial to both the students and businesses and should be continued and promoted more aggressively with the larger employers in the area.

Sault Middle School counselor, Pam Pomeroy, described how area students are learning about careers.  She mentioned that there are many avenues to provide insight to students in the middle school.  The Sault Middle School also hosts a career night annually for students and parents to meet with area business people.  This activity has been successful in the past.  This year’s career night has been scheduled for February 27.  Judy Haupt from Newberry Schools and Janet Hess from Pickford Schools also described their methods of career exploration.

Julie Truckey of the Sault Area Career Center described the added cost programs available at the Career Center.  She explained the procedure in determining which programs are funded each year.  She mentioned that the funding received from the State to operate these programs has not changed in many years.

Jerry Wilson described the methods used to provide Career Prep Accountability which is a requirement of the Career Prep Plan.  Students in the 12th grade are surveyed to assess high school education and career plans following graduation.  An assessment of 10th grade EDP’s is also required.  Jerry stressed the importance of accountabilty and the Career Prep Plan.

Several informational items were reviewed.

The 2003 Governor’s Conference on Career Development was discussed.  This conference is scheduled on February 3-5 in Grand Rapids.  It has provided an abundance of career prep information to members who attended in the past.  Members are encouraged to attend.  Currently, Pam Pomeroy, Judy Haupt, and Paul Healey have expressed interest in attending.

Gwen Worley described a networking section for Education Advisory Group Chairs being held on December 9 in Lansing.  At this time, it is unclear if Chair Ernie Maas will be attending.  The Michigan Works! Association asked that a profile of the EAG be submitted describing strengths, weaknesses, and future goals.  Members indicated that many of the challenges of the Career Prep program focus on the need to engage parental involvement and making career prep relevant to all students.  A reduction in funding was also mentioned as a challenge in operating a successful program.  The Group agreed that the main success of the program seems to be an increase in school/business partnerships such as job shadowing and career nights.  The schools have been utilizing many career assessment tools that students have found to be helpful.  The future of goals of the Group include continued promotion of the Making Academic Count Program, and looking for ways to provide career and technical education to interested students in outlying areas.  A teacher mentoring program was also mentioned.

Under Sharing by Members, Jim Feil thanked the EAG for supporting the Learning Without Limits Grant Application.  The Intermediate School Distract was awarded this grant to provide wireless technology to the community. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. following a motion by Mel Waisanen and support by Dan Wakeman.

                 SIGNED                                                                       1/27/03

                                                                                                                            

Chair, Education Advisory Group                                               Date Approved

 

Prepared by Kim Wilcox