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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/2010 Town Hall 53095 Main Rd. PO Box 1179 Southold, NY 11971 ANTI-BIAS TASK FORCE Minutes of the July 19, 2010 Regular Meeting Of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force ATTENDANCE: Task Force Members Present: Peter Bel, Patricia Fulford, Rev. Nathaniel Heyward, Jean LePre, Eleanor Lingo, Jeanne Marie Merkel, Caroline Peabody, & Cynthia Smith. Excused: Marjorie Day & Merle Levine Absent: Edana Cichanowicz, Mike Domino, Audrey Horton, Betty Murphy & Val Shelby MINUTES: The Minutes of the June 21, 2010 Meeting were reviewed. Jean LePre made a motion to receive the minutes as written and Pat Fulford seconded. All in Favor. SCHOOL REPORTS: Greenport School Cynthia Smith reported that several teachers took an early retirement incentive, enabling the 2 teachers who were going to be laid off to stay. Peter Bel requested that the Task Force write a congratulations letter to Greenport School, thanking them for listening to the public and for their role in fostering understanding and good communications in the community. Jeanne Marie Merkel will write the letter and give it to Ellie for final approval and signing. Southold School There was no official report, but Caroline Peabody reported that Southold School has yet to agree to doing the School District Campus Climate Survey, that she is developing along with her Stony Brook University PhD student, Donna Riley. In order to be a part of the survey, the school board must vote to participate. (these are regulations of the Ethics Board of Stony Brook University.) Superintendent Gamberg wanted to know if other schools were involved (Mattituck and Greenport are). Mattituck School : Carolyn Peabody reported that Mattituck School had a number of open positions, interviews were conducted and they have come close to hiring a number of diversity employees (One hired, maybe more) The Diversity Committee has been active and the Superintendent and Board have shown commitment to diversity issues. Caroline mentioned that the people who make decisions on committees have not been involved in diversity issues, and we need to focus on reaching out to them and help them to see that hiring employees with diverse backgrounds adds an enrichment to the school community. She would like to see the insights and efforts of the Diversity Committee transferred to all in the school and see more people attend Erase Racism and get involved with the Diversity Committee. Minutes of the July 19, 2010 Meeting of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, Page 1 of 4 All School Districts – The School District Campus Climate Survey Caroline Peabody passed around the second to last draft of the survey that will be administered to faculty, students and staff, including administration, teachers’ aids and maintenance workers. Peter Bel asked about how the survey was put together, and Caroline answered that it was a compilation from other tested surveys with additional questions that were added and tested. There is a separate survey for students and all others. Both were very comprehensive. The student survey will be filled out online by students in grades 7-12. It has been challenging logistically, as students will rotate into classes with computers every 20-30 minutes until all students have completed the survey. Every student who takes the survey will have to have a consent form from parents. The survey will be administered in September and it will be a huge effort, with a public relations process, an article in the paper, banners in town and a facebook page regarding it. School packets will be sent out in August. BROCHURE : Jeanne Marie Merkel handed out color copies of the ABTF Informational brochure she created, and went over details regarding which Community Resources to include. She will check with Philip Beltz to see if we can still use his telephone number as the ABTF Message Line. She asked whether it would be possible to have an e-mail address for the Task-Force, and it was agreed that if Jeanne would be willing to arrange for it, and check the e-mail account for messages, it would be a good idea. Jeanne agreed to talk with Lloyd Reisenberg about it. Rev. Nathaniel Heyward moved to approve the brochure with the discussed additions and to authorize the printing of as many color copies as can be made for $300 at Academy Printing. Pat Fulford seconded. All in Favor. REORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS Caroline Peabody announced that she will need to resign as Vice Chair, as she has a number of demands in her University position and needs to do some writing and to publish. She will continue as a Task Force member. She suggested that Jeanne Marie Merkel take her place as Vice Chair. Jeanne agreed, and the members present were in agreement with her appointment. Caroline agreed to forward to Jeanne any forms or information that she has regarding Task-Force business, especially the process of responding to incidents of bias. Several members expressed a need for a review of our committee structure, protocol, training of new Task-Force members, and increasing the effectiveness of the Task-Force and our interactions with other Southold Town entities (Town Board, Police Force, Youth Bureau, etc.) Jeanne suggested that we have a retreat in September, specifically focused on re-organization, and offered to put together suggestions for an agenda and process for this retreat, as she has experience organizing such events. The Task Force members agreed that this would be desirable. The retreat would probably be about 4-5 hours with a pot- luck lunch. LEGAL COMMITTEE Discussion of committee reorganization and the role of the Legal Committee, re-sparked discussion of the legality of Southold School sending the police to the home to see why the child was absent from school, and how we can best approach this sensitive issue. Those with more in-depth knowledge of the incident, stated that it was not as straight forward as it might seem, there are many issues involved, and so it is best not to prejudge the situation. Task Force members also discussed two pieces of county legislation Minutes of the July 19, 2010 Meeting of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, Page 2 of 4 introduced by Jon Cooper (a legislator from Huntington) on Cyber-bullying. The legislation seeking to hold schools legally responsible for cyber-bullying did not pass. This is a complex issue. FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY PICNIC: We have received affirmative responses of participation from the following congregations: Shiloh Baptist, North Fork Reform Synagogue, Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church, First Baptist Church of Cutchogue, Congregation Tifereth Israel, St. Agnes RC Church and their Spanish congregation, Orient United Methodist Church, Southold Universalist Church and Anam Cara Center. Shiloh Baptist donated $50 toward expenses for the Picnic. First Baptist Church of Cutchogue will donate 11 ½ cases of soda. It was noted that synagogues generally have worship services on Saturday morning, and so the Greenport congregation will not be able to come until later. It was mentioned that we should keep this in mind for future events. The NF Reform Synagogue mentioned that they will bring a portable gazebo for older members, to shield them from the sun. We received a $200 donation from Peconic Landing and a $50 donation from Hellenic Cabins & Snack Bar. Jeanne will send acknowledgements. Pat and Ellie will solicit more donations directly. Pat Fulford mentioned that there are a number of logistical questions that still need to be clarified. We are not sure if there is electricity on the Strawberry Fields site. Jim McMahon said there is a new outlet, but is not sure if it is connected yet. The Strawberry Festival uses a generator. A gentleman from Jamesport can supply us with a Jump House for kids. If he has a request for it that day, he will have to charge us the full price of $200, otherwise it he will let us have it for $100. Mike Domino will be able to supply us meat at wholesale prices. The committee has been checking the cost of items we need at the Party Shop. They can offer us 10% off a full chest of ice (which is usually $40). They can rent us a grill at 10% off $100. Braun’s also has big coolers available. Mike Domino might have big coolers. Rev. Nathaniel Heyward volunteered to donate the cost of the ice. Peter Bel offered the use of an 8x12 trailer to haul things. Regarding entertainment for the picnic: Cynthia talked to Sister Margaret at St. Agnes’s Spanish Apostalate, and they will be bringing a dance troupe. Sister Margaret also suggested Peruvian flute player, Walter Purizaca. Jeanne knows Walter and will contact him. Jus B’Cuz will be performing as well as Lindsey and Katy (Darlene Duffy’s granddaughters who sing.) Rev. Dozier’s church may be sending a Dance Group. Ellie Lingo suggested that everyone just pitch-in to help with the picnic. All contributions are needed, so do not feel that you are stepping on toes, just volunteer to help. Phillip Beltz requested that we send a letter to the Youth Bureau requesting their participation in helping with the picnic. Jeanne will send a letter. The Picnic Committee will meet on Monday, August 2, 9& 23 at 10:00 a.m. at Mike's Greenport Deli. All are welcome to come and help with the planning. Pat set up a meeting with Scott Russell for this nd Thursday, July 22 at 10:30 do discuss logistics for the picnic. Minutes of the July 19, 2010 Meeting of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, Page 3 of 4 CORRESPONDENCE The Anti-Bias Task Force received a letter inviting Task Force Members to go on the annual trip to th Fisher’s Island on Wed. August 4. If you’d like to attend, you must contact Scott Russell at 765-1889 to th get security clearance by July 30. TEA PARTY: Peter Bel brought up the issue with the Tea Party leader who was kicked out, because of his racist presentation, and asked if anyone had heard of local Tea Party activity. Jeanne will send an e-mail she th received regarding Southampton Tea Party’s protest at the 4 of July parade, and how it was dealt with by Organizing for America of the South Fork. NEXT MEETING: th The next meeting of the Task Force will be Monday, August 16 at 10 am at Town Hall. ADJOURNMENT: Cynthia made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Nathaniel Heyward. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Jeanne Marie Merkel Minutes of the July 19, 2010 Meeting of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, Page 4 of 4