Education Advisory Council meeting minutes from September 16, 2025

g illged PINECRE VILLAGE OF PINECREST Education Advisory Council MEETING MINUTES September 16, 2025, 9:15 a.m. Pinecrest Community Center / Pine Room 5855 Southwest 111 Street Pinecrest, FL 33156 I. Welcome and Introductions The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Greenberg at 9:20 a.m. Chairperson Greenberg introduced himself and informed the attendees he will be running the meetings on behalf of Mayor Corradino. 1. Introduction — EAC Purpose and Process Chairperson Greenberg shared with the attendees the intentions, process, and purpose of the EAC. Chairperson Greenberg introduced Planning Director Steven Olmsted who opened a dialogue about maintenance of Village property, including schools. Mr. Olmsted addressed the issues of banners and provides the regulations on banners to be affixed to school properties. Billboards, commercial signage and solicitation banners are not permitted. Any sign must be submitted to the Village through a sign plan application and then approved. The sighage must be relevant to the school, or a school event. Review attached supporting document: Pinecrest Banner Regulations pages 1 & 2. Mr. Olmsted provided his contact information and welcomed the group to ask questions. Olmsted reiterated that the sign applications should be sent ahead of affixing to avoid notices and suggested sending photos. ® Mrs. Fraginals (Pinecrest Elementary) asks a question about school designation and recognition banners, and if those apply to the regulations. e Mr. Torres (Palmetto Elementary) asks a question about banners placed within the school property (MDCPS property), and if the banner is visible from the street, if the banner regulations still apply. e Olmsted addresses the questions, providing an answer to both; recognition banners are generally approved, but all banners outside of approved banners should not be visible from the street. e The group discussed appropriate changes to the regulations to allow recognition of banners for school properties. 11l Reports/Updates a. Principals’ Updates: 1. Pinecrest Elementary (Mrs. Fraginals) provided a list of accolades for Pinecrest Elementary including fundraising events, booster-thon, watch dog events, and more. 12645 Pinecrest Parkway, Pinecrest, Florida 33156 T:305.234.2121 | F: 305.234.2131 www.pinecrest-fl.gov September 16, 2025 EAC Meeting Page 2 of 4 2. Palmetto Elementary (Mr. Torres) gave the school accolades for the start of the school year, along with a list of school certifications, and upcoming events. Mr. Torres also provided a quick description of ‘hello week’, explaining it's a campaign for kindness and anti-bullying. 3. Howard Drive (Mrs. Diaz) gives an update on the changes to HDE, including improving from a B school to an A school. Provides a list of additional accolades, updates, and upcoming events. 4. Palmetto Middle School (Mrs. Valero) gives an update on opening week, noting improvements in reading levels, athletics, upcoming events and changes in daily schedule. Gives an update on GOB projects including locker rooms, auditorium and cafeteria. 5. Miami Palmetto Senior High (Mrs. Dobbs) gives an update on the start of the school year, including A designation, capstone programs, and 80 % passing of AP programs. GOB updates include completion of the fencing, project stalls on some areas, expects completion of all projects sometime in the spring. 6. Former Mayor Lerner provided an update on MPSH alumni association. . School Board Report: Representing the Office of Luisa Santos for District 9, former councilmember Katie Abbott provided a report for District 9, and introduced their new staff member, Jade Pita. Ms. Abbott also mentioned that the district Is working with the Village of Pinecrest on shared use agreements, as well as communication priorities to better highlight the village schools, and invited all attendees to the upcoming district meetings. Provided updates on enrollment numbers for Pinecrest schools and suggested that the numbers remain high. 1. Chris Blanco asks a question about school enrollment and emphasizes that year after year the numbers are down. Superintendent Raphael suggests a stronger partnership with the village and providing an open door for the village to continue to showcase the Pinecrest schools including website, social media, etc. 2. Group continues discussion on how to get the word out about public schools, and various tools we can use to continue to spread the word. Region Report: Rafael Villalobos provided accolades on the district, including the success of opening weeks, PTA kick offs, and opening events. The district 8 years in a row is an A district. Villalobos shared that a new District initiative is planned to explore the 0-3 ages, especially in Pinecrest, to gauge the interest for pre-preK programs, encouraging students to start early in public schooling programs, hopefully leading to retention throughout the school years. September 16, 2025 EAC Meeting Page 3 of 4 Villalobos provided context on ESAC, suggesting that each individual school reviews the bi- laws set by their specific group, in response to Nancy Lawther’s question about the technicalities of ESAC in terms of elections and positions. d. District Report: Khristal Gooding, representing the Office of intergovernmental Affairs, provided an update regarding the staffing changes and welcomes the two new staff members. Gooding also provided a copy of the legislative program for 2026, and discussed with the attendees the following items: 1. EdVentures summary — Weekly episodes highlighting various education and engagement programs throughout schools. The goal is to help spread the word on all of the school offerings. Email stories@dadeschools.net to suggest a story, event, or program. 2. Legislative sessions will be opening soon, and participation is encouraged through city council programs, and staying informed by attending meetings. 3. Legislative priorities update regarding funding and securing funding for a variety of infrastructure, programs, personnel, and academics. e. PTA Legislative Update: Nancy Lawther provides an update on current legislative issues, including a federal reduction of funding programs in arts, and urges that the state stay strong and continue to press for arts funding, as the impacts will continue to trickle down to state and local policies. Mrs. Lawther addresses the legislative priority of zoning for school operations, including the Live Local Act and addresses the impact that it may have on the Village of Pinecrest and our local schools. f. Village Council Report: Chairperson Greenberg reminded the group of the second Budget meeting tonight and encouraged participation from the public. He also shared bringing any topics to the council, and bringing ideas to the group for discussion, reminding everyone that the Council is here to help. g. PTA/PTSA Reports: Adi Hedges, President of Palmetto Middle PTA - highlights the end of the school year with the various rewards and gives updates on the opening month of schools and the accolades that accommodate. Reminds the group of the PMS PTA meeting this week, and the startup of the school athletics, clubs, tours, coffee and conversations etc. September 16, 2025 EAC Meeting Page 4 of 4 Kari Vidal, President Palmetto Elementary notifies the group that this week was new parent orientation, and PTA started a new branch of new family committee, welcoming new families. Vidal notes that the school was painted over the summer to continue improving aesthetics. Gives an update on Watch Dogs at Palmetto EIm, upcoming playdates, and adult wellness fitness and workshops. h. Library Updates: Ellen Book gave an update on available resources provided by the library including classroom visitations, book/tech mobile, plarn mats for homeless, sewing groups, edible book competition, puzzle groups, CPR trainings, etc. i. Pinecrest Gardens Updates: Lacey Bray described Pinecrest Garden’s season with notice of key dates and events including the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Garden Days: Arts for Wellness and upcoming Educational Programs. Program of events were distributed. Ms. Bray shared opportunities to continue to promote schools at Pinecrest Gardens through Parent & Me programs, farmers market, etc. j. Pinecrest Parks and Recreation Updates: None k. Communications/Social Media Updates: None IV. New Business: None V. Announcements: None VI. Schedule of Future Meetings October 21, 2025 — Community Center/Pine Room November 18, 2025 ~ Community Center/Pine Room January 20, 2026 — Community Center/Pine Room February 24, 2026 — Community Center/Pine Room April 21, 2026 — Community Center/Pine Room May 19, 2026 — Community Center/Pine Room X. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Submitted on this_21r_day of _Sp0-Loyvier; 2025, by: 7\ AL 4cey Bray, Committe % ff Liaison gement Specialist Education and Visitor