North Austin Community Recreation Center
1000 West Rundberg Lane
Introductions:
John Green called the meeting to order at 7:03pm
Announcements
The May meeting minutes were distributed and approved.
Melinda gave an update on the Community Tree Program. She asked for volunteers for Section Leaders to help lead teams of people to help walk and survey each lot. The largest volunteer opportunity will be on Sept 27^th.
Carol Pazera stated that the school zone had been approved on Rundberg next to the new Padron Elementary.
Melinda said the District Four City Council Candidate Forum will occur on October 4^th at Lanier High School. The exact time has yet to be determined. Go to www.AustinDistrict4.org to complete an online survey to prioritize issues in the district; formulate questions for the candidates. There will also be candidate biographies on the website.
Speaker: Larkin Tackett, Executive Director IDEA Public Charter Schools Austin
Rich Reddick has been with IDEA for four years and stated the campuses have a focus on higher education from first grade and beyond.
Larkin introduced some assistant principals and some IDEA students. One student Kayla spoke about her experience at IDEA Allan.
IDEA prepares student from undeserved communities for success in college and citizenship. At IDEA Allan, 90% of the students are from low income families; 86% are Hispanic and 7% African American
There is free open enrollment. Students must live in the Austin area. 90% of the funding comes from public state and federal funding. They must raise private money for facilities. They have a goal of 90% of students passing the STAAR test. US News named three IDEA schools among the top 1% in the nation.
The new campus on Montopolis is under construction and will be completed in January 2015. They have also purchased 22 acres of land behind the closed Showplace Lanes for the next IDEA campus to be open in 2015. The current access point will be off IH 35; however, they would like an access point to the north if granted by the Georgian Acres neighborhood Association.
Speaker: Ken Zarifis, President, Education Austin
Education Austin is a teacher union for AISD. He is a proponent of community public schools in which every student has an opportunity to succeed with no exceptions. The quality of education will happen when community, parents, teachers, administrators and students come together and demand it. He would like to see schools provide the needs for the community wrapped around services. He would like to address health, academics and communities.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm.