HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-10Dryden Youth Commission
June 10, 2008
Nfinutes
Present: Cynthia Waterman, Stephanie McConnell, Tom Fuchs, Justin DiMatteo, Kris Bennett,
Mary Ann Sumner, Linda Schoffel, David Hall, Tom Archibald
Stephanie called the meeting to order at 6:35. Justin DiNlatteo, newly appointed by V. Freeville,
was welcomed. Justin teaches 5"' grade at Dryden H;lementary. DYC now has no open seats!
Minutes from April were approved with no revisions.
Report from CCE's Dryden Youth Services Dave and Tom distributed copies of their monthly
program manager reports. Dave — Primitives group is covering basics this year due to many new
kids in the group. Teen challenge groups meet during lunch, providing positive peer interactions
and a chance to buns off steam. 3 day trip planned soon for Finger Lakes Trail Hiking. Many kids
without previous building experience are involved with Stilt Walking. Ross Park Zoo visited
Animal Helpers group yesterday, also went fishing without tackle. Dave & Tom asked DYC to OK
a proposed summer trip to Roseland water park in Canandaigua. Cost for Swarthout bus, admission
and food is approx. $1390, RYS budget can cover $500 -600, cost per person would be approx. $20-
22. Approx, 40 youth and chaperones will participate. DYC OK'd this. Tom — most programs end
next week:. Frisbee group may go to TO for disc golf food group has piloted Vegetable Variety
Investigations (Cornell curriculum). Horses program is full. HOPE • completed youth employment
is guide which was distributed last week in Dryden area. Tom reported that one youth has already
gotten a job from using the guide. DYC thanked Tom for this valuable resource, members took
additional copies to distribute. Tom will get a .pdf version to Kris for posting on DYC website.
Kris will send a Laurel to the Ithaca Journal from DYC thanking those involved with the project.
Linda shared copies of the Dryden Youth Services budget to date. Budget is on target.
OURS — L,inda distributed OURS program report. Linda reported a delay in getting the van,
delivery is now projected for July. They are scrambling to make arrangements for summer, may
rent a mini -van to be used by Urban Outreach program so the larger van can be available for OURS.
Cynthia, Kris and Linda attended the OURS end -of- season event. on May 9. Each child received a
personalized certificate recognizing them for their special traits. Some also received trophies.
Justin reported that some kids in his class brought their trophies to school. Kris distributed copies
of a recent Ithaca 'limes article about OURS. Linda and Kris worked on a proclamation (shared
with DYC) to recognize Jessica and Rachel, Mary Ann will ask the Town Board to authorize her to
sign it tomorrow. Kris will print on certificate paper, Stephanie will deliver to Town Hall. Linda
will check to see whether Jessica is in town so she could attend. Rachel has moved out of the area.
DYC annual report — DYC members shared the annual report with V. Dryden, T. Dryden, V.
Freeville and Dryden school boards. Report was received with little interest. DYC members want
to discuss how to generate better interest and improve working relationship with these groups. Kris
will save for the Oct. agenda.
T. Dryden Recreation Master Plan — The May 8 public meeting was well attended. Results were
collated and given to steering committee. Top 4 priorities for the next 20 years were identified for
facilities and programs and include: having a centrally located facility (building and fields),
satellite facilities in other neighborhoods, shifting the focus from team sports to physical activity,
offering more options for all ages including educational and cultural opportunities. Next steering
committee meeting date has not yet been set. Next stakeholder meeting will be July 17, 7 PM at
Town Hall. There will be another public visioning meeting in late June in Varna.
Summer Programs Update — V. Dryden - Kylie Potter will be director at summer rec. program
again. Camp dates are June 30 — Aug. 8 (no camp 7/4); hours are 8:30 — 4:30. Hiring is done,
many of last year's staff were rehired. V. Freeville — Lacey Hulslander will be director. All
counselors have been hired plus 4 CIT's. Rehired many of last year's staff. Brooktondale —Nick
Dunlop will be director again. Camp dates are July 7 — Aug. 8 (no camp 7/4), hours are 9 -noon.
New this year is an after camp program for middle school youth, 1 -2 afternoons/week (combined
activity with CCE's Caroline program manager Penny Boynton.) Hiring is complete.
Program Monitoring - DYC members reviewed the program they will monitor and Kris distributed
monitoring sheets. DYC members also reviewed what they will monitor: if it's youth employment
that's funded, then we monitor youth employees. if it's the program we monitor, then we look at
the overall program and participants' experience.
Budget updates Kris distributed draft information re. 2008 and 2009 budget. State funds for 2008
were cut by governor by 2 %; Kris' office (County Youth Services) is making up the cut to all
municipalities. For 2009, ,%.Noe anticipate further cuts from (lie state that CYS will not be able to
make up. In addition, there may be county cuts. DYC may have less money next year. DYC
should decide whether to ask the Town to keep its contribution the same as for '08 to reduce the
size of the cut.
2009 Request for Proposals — Kris shared copies of last year's funding request letters. DYC
reviewed and approved. Though funding; will be tight, DYC wants to solicit new funding proposals
for next year. Kris will advertise and send out request letters in .luly.
Police and Community — DYC reviewed update report sent by Chief Margaret Ryan. DYC
members still do not feel they have a clear picture of the program and would like reports to include
(for classroom presentations): 9 of classrooms per grade level that receive presentations and
presentation topic(s). DYC reviewed P&C budget submitted with 2008 funding request and DYC
members noted a discrepancy in projected vs. actual hours worked. Kris reminded them that this
report is not for the full calendar year and the P &C budget is not fully funded by DYC. DYC needs
to get another round of teacher feedback; Stephanie will get the form to Justin who will distribute at
DES (after clearing this with principal). DYC would like more clarification in the funding request
about what will be done so we can compare with the progress report. DYC is less interested in
funding the "meet and greet" items in Margaret's reports and wants DYC funding to support
classroom presentations and school or grade level assemblies as well as Jr. Police Academy.
Suggestion was made that we ask what the program would look like without DYC funding or with
reduced DYC funding.
Next meeting will be Aug. 18, 6:30 PM at ToNxrn Hall
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
DYC Minutes Page 2 June 10, 2008