Dunwoody High School
Principal Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2022 at 4 p.m.
DHS Media Center
Present: Tom Bass (Principal), Julia LaDoyen (Chair), Allegra Johnson (Co-Chair), Megan Cann (Secretary), Katie Scharf (Parent Representative), Daniel Almeida (Community Representative)
Absent: Mike Nash (Teacher Representative)
Late:  Jenny Shulman (Parent Representative), Ingrid Gero (Teacher Representative)
Guest:  Kimi Lenertz (PTO Co-President); Melanie Manning (parent)
1. Welcome and Call to Order—Meeting called to order at 4:04 by Allegra Johnson
2. Public Comment (3-minute limit)—Daniel Almeida suggested an open phone line at future meetings to increase parent engagement.  Julia LaDoyen indicated that it was worth looking into and expressed concern about voting over phone lines.
3. Review and approval of minutes—Katie Scharf made a motion to approve the April minutes; Julia LaDoyen seconded the motion, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
4. Principal Report
	a. MAP scores—Getting close to 80% of students taking MAP.  Group questioned the need for this test.  Rudimentary data was shared for freshmen and sophomores.  Detailed data to be sent out via email.  Ms. Gero will help teachers mine MAP data to target student needs.  Julia LaDoyen expressed dismay about the lack of proficiency and the substantive changes that are in place to address these deficiencies.  She is concerned about a lack of learning and negative trends.  The population of the school has changed over the past few years.  There is a focus on helping and motivating all students.  Motivation is an issue with MAP testing.  Ms. Gero indicated the value of MAP professional development to learn how to use the data.  She also stated the importance of relationship building with the students.
	b. Staff and substitute status—In good shape as far allotments are concerned.  Colonel Bennet resigned; a replacement has been found who is bilingual and starting on 10/10.  Still looking for a Family and Consumer Science teacher.  The data clerk is gone; Mr. Thomas has been moved to that position.  There were a lot of changes in the counseling department. Substitute status is fine as we are needing them and using them regularly.  Staffing is in a good spot.  Changes might come.
	c. ROAR update—Feedback has been very positive for the ROAR.  Mr. Bass sees 75-80% of students are working.  Students can come to the media center to make up a quiz.  Ms. Gero loves the ROAR, and it is a great opportunity for students to make up missed assessments without missing class time.  Ms. Hawk has done a great job setting up the pass.  Tuesdays and Thursdays honor society students tutor students as needed.  Mr. Bass is “boxing families in” so that they do not have an option to not do better.  He wants teachers to get to know students in the classroom by linking student/teacher/content and relationships in a concerted effort to work on academics.  Second semester each student will be challenged to try one course one level above what they are taking.  Allegra Johnson shared how Ms. Dyer incorporated ROAR in Curriculum Night.  Students can be 19 and in school if need be.
	d. 50th anniversary update—The roof adventure went well.  11/4 will be inviting championship coaches and players back; 2/4 80s party at Bar(n); 4/15 will be a community event showcasing academics and arts at DHS.
	e.  Homecoming—it was a great week.  The parade was great; the game was great.  The dance went very well.  Gratitude was expressed to PTSO for their support.  Parents expressed concern about junior/senior wars.  Mr. Bass said that parents need to call the police if it is problematic.  Spirit is going well.  SGA is working well.  The pep rallies were a lot of fun.
	f.  10/7—On the professional learning day, teachers will be talking about pillars and the importance of co-teaching classes that are intended to be co-taught.  Also, celebrating academic success will be discussed.  Vaping is the biggest discipline issue at this time.  Discussed a need for education for students on the deleterious effects of vaping; this issue hampers the use of bathrooms for students and staff.  Ms. Gero would like a lock on the bathroom in the teacher’s lounge and the downstairs bathroom fixed.  Wraps are coming on 10/7.
	g.  Mr. Bass still meets with seniors every Wednesday morning. He will be adding Planning with the Principal to meet with staff during planning period to address suggestions, ideas, and concerns to help plan professional development.
4. New Business
	a. Campus/classroom health & maintenance—Julia LaDoyen shared concern about rats in the food and consumer science class, mold in trailers, and that Dekalb has stated that repairs are being done in 48 hours.  She does not think that a parent should have to call the Health Department to get this concern addressed.  Mr. Bass stated how the rodent problem was handled.  Julia LaDoyen inquired about the use of custodial staff during the summer.  Mr. Bass shared that there was a lack of wax in the county to clean the floors over the summer and that the custodial staff is hampered by access to materials.  He stated that there seems to be a more concerted effort to get work orders addressed in a timely manner.  HVAC issues remain.
	b. Campus security—Several parents have reached out about the porous campus with significant safety concerns; moreover, doors in pods are often propped to allow students to enter and exit.  Katie  Scharf was walking in the community during the lock down and was impressed with the alacrity of the recent lock down.  Mr. Bass shared that this school was built in a different era, and it is very challenging to keep it locked.  Magnets have been purchased for the doors to facilitate locking them in an emergency.  Staff tries diligently to observe; all staff went to training after the last lockdown.  It is very hard to monitor because of the way it was constructed.  Anna Hill and Dijon Dacosta from the school board were here last week; Mr. Bass iterated concern about the lack of bathrooms by the portable classrooms and athletic facility.  Doors need to be replaced and the security alarm needs to fixed.  The pods are not safe.  It is a bonus having Dunwoody PD nearby.
	b. New traffic pattern—A student was injured walking across the parking lot.  Students no longer come across Womack; from 0745-0815 there is one lane in the school area to drop off students.  Another crossing guard was added.  Parents pick up their students in the afternoon causing a disturbance in the student parking lot.  The parking lot in the afternoon is so busy.  All admin and security are out front assisting with buses.  Daniel Almeida suggested a traffic flow chart and will follow through.  
	c. ACT prep class—Why is a SAT prep class available but not an ACT class?  Mr. Bass would like to have that offered and will look into it.  Kimi Lenertz inquired about a hosted test for seniors during the school day in an effort to boost scores one more time.
	d.  Projected enrollment at 2100; currently have 2033 students, making this the second largest school in the county.
5. PAC administrative business
	a. PAC elections—close tonight.  Today is Katie Scharf, Allegra Johnson, Daniel Almeida and Coach Nash’s last meeting.  Community Representatives are an annual appointment.  Gratitude was expressed for their service.  Marjoie Steinbrener will be the Teacher Representative.  Ms. Gero shared that teachers feel stretched very thin right now.  
	b. Academic oversight—a subcommittee needs to be formed to look at the data.  Mr. Bass would like this committee to meet during the day and work with APs to look at data.  
	c. Community member appointments—will be taken next month.  Daniel Almeida nominated himself.  
	d. 2022-2023 PAC meeting schedule—there will be 4-5 meetings annually with a schedule to be sent out soon.
6.  PTSO update:  Kimi Lenertz shared that only 22% of families have contributed to the annual fund.  Years ago, schedules were not shared until you went through points at check in.  Without face-to-face registration, there is less pressure to give.  PTSO is reaching out to Kingsley to see how to address non-English speaking populations.  PTSO is also exploring other avenues to pay.  The budget has been revised.  Parents feel disconnected from the school coming off of covid and fighting negative press about DCSD.  Funds that are given go right back to the students.  The website needs to be streamlined. 
6. Adjournment—meeting adjourned at 5:50

Issues for next meeting:  
•	Phone line for meetings
•	Work orders
•	ACT prep class
•	Daniel Almeida nominated himself as community representative.