Task Force on Technical Education July 25, 2007

 Councilman Conner’s Task Force on Technical Education

City Hall 2^nd Floor Lg. Conference Room

9:00 a.m. Wednesday

July 25, 2007

Minutes

Present:

Doug Conner, Councilman

Mark Manasco, Chamber of Commerce

Ray Reynolds, Princeton Group

Charles Howell

Carol Wolf, RPS Board (by phone)

Eli Wong, 9^th District Council Liaison

Steve Taylor, Council Policy Analyst

I.                    Councilman Conner opened discussion and provided background information on the Task Force.  He explained that many on City Council and in the business community would like to see the development of an enhanced technical school, with the Governor’s Schools as model.  Task Force discussed whether or not a model should b private/public partnership or Governors School. 

II.                 The Task Force discussed models of the tech school in other states such as Minuteman Tech in Massachusetts, Noonan GA, and Pittsburg, PA.  Work to raise funds from the business community to visit/tour model schools in other states.

III.               The Task Force needs to develop a media vehicle to spread its message and makes other aware of its concerns and work. 

IV.              Task Force needs to be aware of possible concerns of the RPS.  Are there ways to work cooperatively with RPS and surrounding jurisdictions?

V.                 Mr. Manasco described the business community’s needs for replacing retiring members of the work force, and to teach necessary skill-sets for the future employees.  The business community is interested improving schools as members of the greater Richmond community.

VI.              Task Force should consider future sites of a technical school. Work with RRHA on site.  Acquire property from RPS?  Task Force should reach out to other members of Council, entrepreneur community, minority chambers of commerce, retail merchants.

VII.            Task Force needs a staffing mechanism to research issues such as curriculum and model schools. 

VIII.         Expect slideshow from Ms. Wolf via e-mail on future of technical education.

IX.              Adjourn – meet on August 8, 2007.    

# END #

Comprehensive Meeting Draft Minutes

Meeting DRAFT

3/21/07

Second Floor Conference Room
City Hall – 900 E. Broad Street

9:00AM

Attendees:

Isaac Graves

Councilman Doug Conner

Roy Reynolds

Tichi Pinkley-Eppes

Carol Wolfe

Yueh Eli Wong

Questions

What to do with the kids at the end of the spectrum?

Handling of existing students?

Handling of existing staff?

Teaching Certifications?

Teacher’s salary to transfer – benefits needs to be consistent?

What agreement is necessary from regional schools?

Topics

Add more capacity in the classrooms, more students applying than seats.

Expanding Richmond Technical Center Programs

Benefits of using a Governor School Model

Come up with expected questions and have each member to answer through emails.

Additional Questions

What to do with the existing schools?
What to do with existing students?
Virginia Department of Education questions will be answered by Carol.

Roy Reynolds presented examples from organizations from the internet:
Minutemen Tech                       minutemen.org

Dream it-do-it Foundation        dreamit-doit.com

Build a solid knowledge base and solid answers to questions, when brought up.

Possible meeting with Eugene Trani.

Disability/handicap accessibility into program. 

            Possibly inviting Mike Chenail to the next meeting to speak.

            Jim Rothrock – Rehabilitative Service for employment for the disabled.

Action Plan:

Eli:

Contact Haskell Brown to follow up on the records and paperwork on the creation of Maggie L Walker Governor School.

Eli will reserve the 2^nd floor meeting room for 3 or 4 weeks for every Wednesday from 9:00am to 11:00pm

Roy will contact Minutemen Tech to receive information.

Invite Councilman Chris Hilbert to the next meeting.

Schedule Carol Wolfe into Doug’s meeting with Harry Black on Friday.

Meet with Gary Matcher

Goal:

PPEA:  Public Private Education Association?

Submit a formal proposal to the school board.

Meet with Henrico PTA Council and Richmond District PTA councils.  They are the audience to sell the comprehensive school idea to.

Create an Executive Summary about what goals we are trying to accomplish.

Send in questions for next meeting, each committee to answer questions that each member has to build a solid knowledge base, and for appropriate response.

95 be learning corridor

New Meeting Plan:

Formal meetings held on every other Wednesday. 

After gathering necessary data, we then will proceed with setting up meeting with superintendents.

Next meeting date:  March 28, 2007, Second Floor Conference Room, Richmond City Hall.  9:00am.

Comprehensive Schools Meeting Minutes Outline Wednesday, February 7th 2007

Comprehensive Schools Meeting Minutes Outline

Wednesday, February 7^th 2007

Introductions

Doug Conner 9^th District Councilman                                        doug@connerbrothers.com

Eli Wong 9^th District Liaison                                                      assistant@connerbrothers.com 

Carol Wolf: Richmond School Board member              wolfies@aol.com

Dr. Yvonne Brandon – Assistant Superintendent, RPS  ybrandon@richmond.k12.va.us

Roy Reynolds – Comprehensive School Initiative                      royreynolds@comcast.net

John Cates – Virginia Auto Dealer’s Association                       jcates@vada.com

Joel Adler – J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College  jadler@reynolds.edu

N. Maurice Holmes – RTC                                                       nholmes@richmond.k12.va.us

Purpose

Mayor got 10 million dollars for vocation school & charter school
Governor supports it as well as Delegate Frank Hall with $450,000 to pilot with this program.

We would like to have a pilot program in Richmond as and other example from the state.  Start by looking at regional applications from the areas surrounding Richmond.

Goals

Vocation schools to work with each other and specialize in sharing resources.

How to effectively use 10 million dollars that was provided for vocation education.

Find out what students want after graduating from High School?

To supply the need assessments of businesses and industry.
Be prepared for the demand for skilled/specialized labor in the Richmond region in the next 20-30 years (long term).

Discussion

Autobody Trade & Legislation examples.
Existing technical center’s resources.

Demand for skilled labor from companies.  I.e. Phillip Morris, Verizon, trucking companies.

Entrance requirements for charter schools. i.e. literary levels & computer proficiency

Marketing to promote school.  Is marketing efficient use of funds?

The impact of the Standard Of Learning exam(SOL).

Rapid Response, Rapid Recovery, internships, learn the skill while achieving the degree.

Schools in surrounding counties to participate in Richmond when they feel that they have good high schools?

Action

Build a strategic plan. 

A business approach: What businesses are willing to come and voice out their needs for skilled workers.

Doug: Speak to and invite businesses to speak about the demand for types of skilled trades.

Next meeting date: Wednesday February 21^st at 9:00AM.  2820 Hull Street.