ASSOCIATION OF COLOMBIAN AND CARIBBEAN AMERICAN SCHOOLS (ACCAS)

EVENT:          Semi-annual meeting

PLACE:          Atlanta Room D (7^h Floor)
                  Westin Peachtree Plaza
                  Atlanta, Georgia

DATE:            Tuesday, December 6, 2005

TIME:            4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

MEMBER SCHOOLS IN ATTENDANCE:                      

                 Carol Morgan School, Dominican Republic
                      Colegio Albania, Colombia

                 Colegio Bolivar, Colombia
                 Colegio Dominico-Americano, Dominican Republic

                 Colegio Granadino, Colombia

                 Colegio Karl C. Parrish, Colombia

                 Colegio Nueva Granada, Colombia

                 Colegio Panamericano, Colombia
                 Columbus School, Colombia
                 George Washington School, Colombia
                 Gimnasio Ingles, Colombia
                 International School of Sosua, Dominican Republic
                 Liceo Ingles, Colombia

                 MC School, Dominican Republic
                 Santiago Christian School, Dominican Republic

                 Union School, Haiti

AGENDA:                             

1.  Call to Order
2.  Minutes
3.  New member introductions
4.  Treasurer's Report
5.  Professional Development Plans/Tri-Association Conference, October, 2006
6.  VIF (Jane Larsson)
7.  EBSCO updates
8.  Other business
9.  Adjournment

1.  Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by President Jack Delman.  The Agenda was read aloud and approved.

2.  Minutes

The minutes from the 2004 semi-annual meeting were approved.  The President reminded members that meeting minutes may be accessed on the ACCAS website at www.accas.org. 

Dr. McCombs expressed concern regarding a possible negative reaction on the part of host country education officials when they become aware of SACS CASI plans to globalize.  Mr. Delman will direct this concern to the board with a request that clear and convincing information be placed on the website.  Government officials often access the site as part of a validation process when approving our schools.

Mr. Delman varied the agenda to allow Jane Larsson to speak about the VIF program.  Ms. Larsson explained VIF’s interest in supporting our schools in a meaningful way.  Dr. Adams said that teachers who return to their native country after participating in this program are often exceptional candidates due to their improved qualifications, which include U.S. certification, valuable U.S. experience, and in some cases a Masters’ degree.  One issue that needs to be discussed is how to address the expectations these teachers have for increased compensation.  Mr. Delman suggested paying a stipend rather than creating a new salary scale.

Several directors mentioned staffing problems caused by teachers who apply to the VIF program and are accepted but do not inform the school director until the last minute.  Ms. Larsson will consider ways to encourage applicants to inform their director in a timely manner.

3.  New member introductions

Mr. Delman introduced the members of the ACCAS board, and welcomed new directors Mr. Aldemar Giraldo of Liceo Ingles (Colombia) and Mr. Terry Roberts of Santiago Christian School (Dominican Republic).

4.  Treasurer's Report

Mr. Joseph Nagy presented the 2004-2005 financial report.  Because of difficulties that have occurred with checks mailed to U.S. banks, Mr. Nagy suggested wire transfers as a preferred method for submitting annual fees.  He will provide schools with the necessary routing information.

Eight member schools have not yet paid the annual fee for the current period.  Mr. Delman emphasized the importance of effecting these outstanding payments as soon as possible in order for these schools to maintain membership status.

Dr. McCombs asked how the current balance compares to last year’s at this time.  Mr. Nagy and Mr. Delman stated that the organization is in sound financial shape.

5. Professional Development/Tri-Association Conference, October 2006

Mr. Delman said that the Dominican Republic schools would like to use ACCAS funds to finance a visit from Wanda Dean and to provide support for a drama festival, which if approved would be the first time a student activity would receive such support from ACCAS in the Dominican Republic.  In addition, Mr. Delman would like to support a staff member from Carol Morgan School who has been asked to present at schools in Haiti and Costa Rica. 

Dr. McCombs suggested that an amount be determined for use independently by each of the two ACCAS groups, (the island schools and the Colombian schools), to support worthy activities.  This led to a discussion of ACCAS’s need to have funds available to meet commitments in the event of unexpected situations.  Mr. Delman suggested maintaining an amount of $35,000 U.S. for this purpose.  It was agreed that ACCAS should not overextend itself financially, and that the members need to pay annual fees on time in order to ensure the availability of funds. 

A motion was made and seconded to require member schools to pay the annual fee for each coming academic year no later than June 30^th of the previous year.  Bills will be e-mailed to member schools on May 1^st of each year. 

Regarding Dr. McComb’s suggestion, after considering the current financial status of the organization, a maximum amount of $8,000 U.S. was approved for use by both the island schools and the Colombian schools, for a total of $16,000 U.S. for the current school year.  Mr. Delman (on the islands) and Dr. Adams (in Colombia) will be responsible for approving the use of these funds and will report back to the group on their use.

Dr. McCombs mentioned the value of agreeing on a common curriculum day so that schools can share professional development opportunities and resources more effectively.  Schools in Colombia will support the Tri-Association conference next year.  Mr. Worthington asked about the possibility of tax relief regarding hotel taxes for the Tri-Association conference.  The Embassy is involved in those discussions.

6. VIF (Jane Larsson)

See point 2 above.

7.  EBSCO updates

Dr. Adams recommended emphasizing the use of EBSCO in our schools and reminded members that the annual fee covers training.  Members confirmed that training visits from EBSCO personnel are taking place, and many now have people on staff who can provide local support.

8.  Other business

In accordance with changes in the SACS CASI conference agenda, Mr. Delman and Dr. Adams suggested moving the annual ACCAS dinner to the first night of the conference each year.  No dinner will be held this year due to lack of foreknowledge about this change.  The suggestion was approved.

Mr. Nagy asked if any schools are using the Blackboard system.  Dr. McCombs said CNG is affiliated through AASSA for the amount of $2,500 U.S. and is using it for curriculum mapping, homework assignments, and the School Improvement Plan.  CNG is currently planning a virtual school, to be activated in the event of a long-term school closing such as may occur during an Avian Flu epidemic. 

Mr. Delman will suggest to the board of the Tri-Association that group affiliation to Blackboard be explored for member schools.

Dr. Adams asked members to update their information on the ACCAS website.  Information may be sent to Dr. Adams at mwadams@granadino.edu.co (Colombian schools) and Mr. Delman at jdelman@cms.edu.do (island schools).

9.  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

SUMMARY OF DECISIONS AND PENDING POINTS
 

• Mr. Delman will bring the following to the board of the
   Tri-Association:

1- Request that explanatory    information about the coming merger be placed on the SACS CASI website.

2- Request that the board explore the possibility of group affiliation to Blackboard at reduced rates.

• The Treasurer will bill member schools for annual fees by e-mail on May 1^st of each year. 
• Member schools must pay the annual fee for each coming academic year no later than June 30^th . 
• For the current school year, a maximum amount of $8,000 U.S. will be available for use by both the island schools and the Colombian schools.  Mr. Delman and Dr. Adams will sign off on these requests.
• A traditional ACCAS dinner will take place on the first night of the conference each year.