Meeting - October 27, 2014

Board Subcommittee for Communications Meeting Notes
October 15, 2014 - 11:00 a.m. - Board Room

131 W. Nittany Avenue

State College, PA 16801

The meeting of the Board Subcommittee for Communications was called to order at 11:04 a.m.

Present: Sara Brennen, Amber Concepcion, Scott DeShong, Penni Fishbaine, Jim Leous, Robert O’Donnell, Ed Poprik

II. Board Involvement with Student 30% review
The student 30% Review of the State High Project will be on Wednesday, October 29, second and third period (9:15 to 10:45 a.m.) in the High School South building. If five or more board members attend, this will need to be advertised as a work session. At this time, we have two board members definitely attending with the possibility of three others. If they don’t respond to the board secretary’s email by the deadline provided, then they will not attend due to the deadlines for advertising.

There will be an Overview first, then breakout sessions:
1. Floor Plan and Ed Model
2. Site Plan, including parking
3. Sustainability/LEED
4. Phasing

Board member noted we should check with high school students for their interest in financing. The committee discussed supplies needed for the breakout sessions, the assistance of
Lion Ambassadors, the number of students attending, the best location to hold the review, and it was decided that the cafeteria would be available to use. The group concurred that adults would be permitted in the student session.

Mr. Poprik will enter all comments and suggestions made for the project into a database. There have been very few comments submitted since the referendum passed. An announcement to www.scasd.org/statehighfuture calls attention to the comments feature.

Mr. DeShong noted that Student Leadership Council is the main group involved. They will focus on here-and-now impacts to the students, not long-term impacts. It was noted that most current students would not see the finalized building. Mr. DeShong is interested in hearing from students and their thoughts about the best use of open areas, and discussed open areas at Mount Nittany Elementary and Ferguson Township Elementary Schools. Further discussion on open areas occurred: will they be supervised, intended for project-based learning, incentive for students to use them, place for professional development for teachers, and possible use after school.

A reminder that the teacher meeting regarding the 30% Review is 10 a.m., Friday, October 17.

III. Review Information Fair (October 29) Agenda:
Dr. O’Donnell updated the agenda that is contained in our shared Google Doc and reviewed handouts and presentation. Mr. Poprik will modifying the presentation made to the Board with less slides, and all of the breakout session facilitators will produce a 1-page handout that will be posted online in advance of the meeting. Mr. Poprik plans to create a handout based upon his overview and will have copies for participants.

Meeting facilitation:
  ●The Presentation will begin in the High School South auditorium, 6:00 p.m.
  ●Board members and Dr. O’Donnell will float and serve as Facilitator(s) and/or scribe at each breakout group, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The breakout sessions will be in six classrooms in the front hallway
  ●All will return to the auditorium at 8:30 p.m. for public comment. Dr. O’Donnell will facilitate the public comment session at the end. There are people assigned to help direct those attending.


IV. Information Fair Publicity and Advertising
Updates to Google doc regarding monthly communications plan for the High School Project, link to be sent to all Board members by Ms. Brennen. We have promoted the Information Fair on social media, may post a video invitation by superintendent on social media and will advertise in the Centre Daily Times.

V. Update on Director of Communications position
It was reported that two interviews would take place today and three tomorrow. Dr. O’Donnell noted if there is a candidate that lives far away, we could interview them via remote technology such as Skype.

There were no other items to discuss.

VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Subcommittee for Communications ended at 12:21 p.m.

Mary Jenn Dorman Board Secretary