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Chairman Tim Herman called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

I. 2006-07 Career Initiative Plan (Perkins and Tech Prep) - Attachment

Region 15: The 2006-07 CI Plan Executive Summary was distributed to members. Gary Tower presented an overview of the document. The funding summary was presented to the countywide superintendent’s association on April 5 and granted approval. The Plan was submitted to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth on May 1, 2006.

Mott Community College: Mike Benner, MCC, presented a handout of the 2006-07 Local Annual Application Executive Summary for Perkins III. The purpose of Perkins is to develop more fully the academic, vocational and technical skills of post-secondary students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs. Please see the handout for the breakdown on funding.

Tim Herman expressed an interest in being involved in the Economic Development and Customized Training related to the City of Flint Downtown Development Authority.

Tech Prep: Sherry Bradish, MCC, provided an update of all professional development activities provided for secondary and postsecondary CTE instructors in Region 15 for 2005-06. Approximately 30 workshops serving roughly 360 instructors have been provided through cooperative planning with GISD, Shiawassee RESD, and Mott Community College to improve instruction in CTE programs. Sarah Clark, consultant for GISD, has provided excellent support to coordinate professional development workshops. Please see the attached list of individual workshop details.

A motion was made by Dan Borton and seconded by Larry Ford to approve the 2006-07 Career Initiative Plan and Mott Community College’s Annual Application. Motion carried unanimously.

II. Grant Updates

Career Clusters

Sherry Bradish reported that a Career Clusters grant of $35,500 was awarded to Genesee ISD, Mott Community College, and Shiawassee RESD that will allow Mott to work with their faculty and high school CTE instructors to align curriculum to the state/federal cluster grids. The first meeting will be held on September 29, 2006, to bring in state officials to present grids to staff to assist in aligning curriculum. The grant funding will run through March 31, 2007.

WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) BCON (Building Construction) Grant

Gary Tower reported that, as part of President Bush’s new Competitiveness Agenda, the US Department of Labor has competitively selected 13 economic regions from across the country to assist in the networking of their regional assets. Each region will receive approximately $15 million in funding over a three-year period and will be provided ongoing expertise from several of the leading organizations in the field of innovation. As a result, BCON (building and construction) training and employment is planned for secondary and postsecondary students in Genesee County. Tim Herman reported that the grant has many strategies. Former Mayor of Lansing, Dave Hollister, who will be leading a consultant group, will be coordinating the initiative.

One key focus area will be the Workforce Investment Act BCON training which impacts youth and disadvantaged workers. Placement of students (secondary and postsecondary) is a large component of the grant.

Judith Cawhorn and Tom Crampton are Mott Community College’s grant leads.

III. WIA

Donna Burmeister reported that Genesee County will be providing a summer program for 40 students, ages 14-18 years, to provide career and employability skills.

Lisa Seigel, Shiawassee RESD, attended the WIA Service Providers meeting. Career Alliance received allocations from the state and will be presenting to the Workforce Development Board for approval. Region 15 allocation amounts will be received in the near future. Students are eager to hear about the summer program.

Both Genesee and Shiawassee County’s year-round programs are winding down. Success stories will be shared at the next EAG meeting.

Lisa Seigel reported that a mock disaster drill is being planned for July 28 at Memorial Health Care Hospital. As a community service option, WIA students will be participating acting as victims of the disaster.

Troy Napier reported that a new nutrition summer program is planned for Baker College of Owosso. Occupational skills training will be a big piece, along with human services. Several other programs will be operating.

IV. Career Planning/EDP Update

Donna Burmeister reported that teams from Genesee County’s 21 local districts met in March and April to create their 2006-07 Career Planning/EDP Plans. End-of-year reviews are being done by EDP consultants to determine how well districts are progressing and meeting grade level standards (grades 8-12). Donna and EDP Consultants have trained over 2,500 people in the new Career Cruising software this year. Parent training/career planning meetings have doubled. Senior exit/portfolio presentations are being completed in high schools. Principals, teachers and business/industry community representatives are attending/reviewing senior exit/portfolio presentations. Increased numbers of community partners are needed to enhance senior presentations and feedback.

Tim Herman and Tom Svitkovich discussed increasing the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce involvement in the senior exit presentation process in local districts. Tim commented that EDPs are a very hot topic of conversation. The student scheduling piece has become a reality and unique to Genesee County. Counselors, parents and the community are seeing EDPs as a powerful tool.

Funding has been increased for EDPs for the next two years to assist local districts. Meetings are being held with superintendents to look at continuous improvement and accountability measures for continued funding. Tom acknowledged the work of the CTE staff for a good program.

Beverly Brown commented that Flint Southwestern Academy, Central and Northern high schools’ senior exit/portfolio presentations were impressive. More business representation at exit presentations is desired. Julianne Princinsky suggested that times and dates of exit presentations be released earlier to provide adequate planning time to attend. “Save the date” details would be helpful.

Brian Pyles reported that Shiawassee RESD is working to develop EDPs for the seventh grade. Mock interviews are coming to a close. Each district has been involved with two sessions for tenth graders. The reality store program is starting new this year, based on EDP/career pathways. The desire is to develop a middle school/high school module. Brian commented that Sharon Ganssley and Lisa Seigel have been instrumental in the success of these programs.

V. CTE Student Awards Program

The first annual “Best of the Best” CTE Student Awards Program was held on

March 8, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Center, Flint. Bill Harris, ABC-12, was Master of Ceremonies. Staff, student recipients and parents attended the event from all 21 local districts in Genesee County. Corey Spickler, student from Grand Blanc High School, spoke a very moving personal testimony of how his allied health internship at McLaren Hospital helped him cope with his father’s illness. Dan Borton commented that McLaren would be publishing an article in their company newsletter on Corey’s acceptance into the pre-med program at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

The Student Award Program Booklet was passed around with pictures and biographies of all students who received recognition. Gary Tower thanked Tim Herman, representing business and industry, for his closing remarks at the Awards Program.

Brian Pyles reported that Shiawasee County’s CTE Student Awards program was being held on Thursday, May 4.

VI. Other:

Beverly Brown reported that the GASC Technology Center’s Senior Graduation Ceremony will take place on May 23 at Whiting Auditorium.

VII. Next Meeting Date

The next meeting of the Education Advisory Group is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2006, 8:00 a.m., Genesee ISD, Room 101.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

Approval of Minutes: