A regular meeting of the Leander Independent School District Academic Advocates Association was called to order at 7:00 PM on March 27, 2002.

Officers Present:  Elizabeth Frey, Chris Cavalli, Pam Manly, Walt Manly, Chris Kay, and Diane Jaeger.

Minutes:  Having no copy of the January minutes, approval was delayed until the next meeting.

Financial Report:  Walt Manley reported that we have a current balance of $1,446.29.  There are a couple of copying bills and the renewal of the website fee awaiting payment.

Vice President’s Report:  Chris Cavalli reported on the District Committee on Advanced Courses. The “Advanced Courses Profile for Grades 9-12” has been presented to the School Board. Vertical alignment of course expectations will be developed working backwards from the AP/IB coursework. In addition to the alignment issue, the report addressed the AP/IB teaching and learning process, students’ awareness of the value of the AP/IP program, availablity of AP/IB courses to all qualified students and staff development issues. 

Calendar Update: April 8, 2002 – Latin Convention at CPHS – contact Melody McCormick to help proctor tests
  April 15, 2002 –  7 pm School Board Candidates Forum at Steiner Ranch MPR
  April 24, 2002 -- Next Academic Advocates Meeting

Old Business:
 Scholarship Committee:  Pam Manly reported that she had received 5 student applications for scholarships. Discussion regarding the number of scholarships to be awarded ended in a decsion to award one scholarship.

New Business:
 Suggested By-Laws update. Elizabeth Frey reported that there were a couple of minor inconsistencies in the by-laws regarding the election calendar and posting of meeting minutes.  Changes to Article VI Section 3b to report nominations of the new board to the membership at the April meeting and Article VII Section 3a to require e-mailing of the minutes within 5 days after approval were discussed.  A final vote on these issues to be taken at the April meeting.

Discussion: Elizabeth Frey provided several websites and additional data from the AEIS reports as a follow up to last month’s presentation on Gifted and Talented programs.  After extensive discussion, a subcommittee of Chris Cavalli, Erika Mittag, Jeremy Story, Pam Waggoner, Elizabeth Frey and Shana Dejohn Nardecchia agreed to meet and prepare a brief presentation to the School Board on the issues raised by the discussion including funding equity, GT program content state requirements, etc. 

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.