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AACCAS Meeting Minutes ASSOCIATION OF COLOMBIAN AND CARIBBEAN AMERICAN SCHOOLS (ACCAS)
PLACE:
Atlanta
Hilton DATE: Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 TIME: 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Colombia
Haiti Union School, Marie F. Jean-Baptiste, Director and Jessye Bazile, Principal
1. Call to Order 2. Minutes 3. Paul G. Orr Award 4. Recruitment 5. Financial Report 6. Staff Development 7. Adjournment
1. Call to Order The Meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by President Jack Delman. 2. Minutes The Minutes from the previous meeting were approved. The President encouraged members to read the meeting minutes and other information posted on the ACCAS website (www.accas.org.) and to send him notices for publication. He said that a list has been posted showing the staff development activities that will take place this year at member schools and invited the directors to inquire if they would like to participate. Mr. Delman informed the membership that a decision about the ACCAS leadership was pending and proceeded to read aloud a section of the minutes from the October 2006 meeting explaining the circumstances (see minutes posted on the website). A brief discussion ensued clarifying that the bylaws contain no impediment to the officers’ terms being renewed, or to Dr. Adams holding office. Dr. McCombs reminded the group that according to the October discussion, each school would have one vote, regardless of the number of representatives in attendance. A show of hands vote then took place. Mr. Delman and Dr. Adams were reelected as President and Vice President, respectively, of ACCAS. Dr. Delman then asked if the membership wished also to reelect Joseph Nagy as Treasurer and Laura Horbal as Executive Secretary. These appointments were also approved by a show of hands. 3. Paul G. Orr Award Mr. Delman mentioned that during the previous year, the Tri-Association did not select a recipient for this award. It was explained that the Paul G. Orr Award is given by the Tri-Association to an individual or organization that has done something significant in favor of the region. The Board consists of: Emma Gutierrez, President of ASOMEX; Charles Skipper, President of ASCA; Jack Delman, President of ACCAS; William Scotti, U.S. Department of State Regional Education Officer; and Mary Virginia Sanchez. Mr. Delman put forth a motion to commend International School Services for providing speakers and financial support to schools in our countries. Another suggestion was made to commend the Inter-Regional Center (IRC). Mr. Delman will check to see if Dr. Fox has already received the award as an individual. 4. Recruitment Mr. Delman had been working with Jim Morris to create a joint regional recruitment fair for ACCAS that would be tied to the AASSA event, and he will continue speaking to the new leadership about this possibility. The AASSA fair draws most of its candidates from the southeastern United States. Mr. Nagy suggested that there is an untapped market in the southwest and mentioned the states of New Mexico and Arizona as places where a recruitment fair would be successful. It was mentioned that ASOMEX has tried to organize a fair but the results have not been very successful. Dr. McCombs suggested creating a Tri-Association Fair. 5. Financial Report Mr. Nagy presented the report and noted that three schools had fees outstanding. He urged all schools to remit payment through wire transfers. Mr. Delman asked that information for submitting payment by transfer be included on each bill. Also, when schools send wire transfers, they should notify Mr. Nagy via an email message containing the transfer number. If this is not done, he has to contact the bank to identify the sender. Mr. Nagy clarified that the annual fee represents the entire package of affiliations that ACCAS members have agreed to, such as the EBSCO service. The fee for the coming year will be $2,863 + $173. 6. Staff Development Columbus School extended an invitation to a Math Institute to be led by a consultant from the State of Washington and personnel from CNG. The goal is to increase student learning. The event will take place from July 28-Aug. 3 and will consist of two days of inservice followed by work with students and group discussions. The event will be paid for by the Columbus School and the fee for participating schools has not yet been determined. It is not being supported by ACCAS funds. Dr. McCombs expressed support and Dr. Adams reaffirmed the value of the consultants and the results at CNG. The workshop includes a component about school-wide assessment. Mr. Delman asked for other remarks about staff development. Marie F. Jean-Baptiste mentioned the difficulty in sending teachers away, and asked if consultants would consider coming to her school, and if so, asked if ACCAS could provide support. Mr. Delman acknowledged the concern and said it was clearly understood. So far, only two consultants have been brought in through ACCAS. Janie Pollock is brought in by Buffalo State, and ACCAS then asks her to come earlier and visit our schools. Cassia has also been brought in and has visited Haiti. Marie asked if ACCAS funds could be used to bring her. Mr. Delman said if Marie contacted him, he would arrange it. Mr. Adams said there are other situations that are similar. Mr. Delman said that the situation in Haiti is unlike that of other countries and that requests like Marie’s require special consideration. The question was raised as to whether ACCAS as an organization would support activities in Colombia, like the Columbus School Math activity. Dr. McCombs suggested developing a 4-year plan of continuous staff development that would allow ACCAS to budget ahead. Marie asked about Shoshona's proposal, and Dr. Delman said that at the end of this week the regional directors will meet and Mary Virginia will find out if it has been successful and if it can be a Tri Association effort. Dr. McCombs suggested that as a group we empower Jack to convey to the Tri board the ACCAS group's great interest in this. 7. Adjournment At 4:15 pm, Jeffrey Jurkovac made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Alba Salterio.
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