THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, JANUARY 15, 2004

            The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 9:00 a.m., in the Board Room, at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building, 215 West Garden Street, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

            Chair:                           Mrs. Cary Stidham                    Vice Chair:                   Dr. John DeWitt           

            Board Members:           Mrs. Carissa Bergosh

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark (was not present)

                                                Ms. Linda Finkelstein (entered at 9:06 a.m.) 

            School Board Attorney:              Mr. Francisco M. Negron, Jr.

            Superintendent of Schools:         Mr. Jim Paul   

                    I.               CALL TO ORDER/ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Mrs. Stidham called the Special Meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.  She requested that Item III, “Presentation Regarding Social Studies Curriculum” be moved forward on the agenda.  She noted that her request was due to the time constraints of school personnel, who were in attendance and wished to speak to that issue.  On motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Bergosh, adoption of the agenda was approved 3 to 0, with Ms. Finkelstein and Mr. Clark absent for vote.  (NOTE: Ms. Finkelstein entered at 9:06 a.m.)

                    PRESENTATION REGARDING SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM (Item III)

(NOTE: This presentation was requested by the Board at the January 15, 2004 Special Meeting.)  Mrs. Laura Snow, Language Arts Subject Area Specialist, gave a brief presentation regarding a proposal for a new social studies curriculum at the middle school level. 

Current Curriculum (non-standardized)              Proposed Curriculum 

Grade 6:  Social Studies                                        Grade 6:  Geography: Asia, Oceania, Africa

Grade 7:  U.S. History                                           Grade 7:  Geography: Europe and the Americas

Grade 8:  Civics                                                     Grade 8:  U.S. History

She cited various “problems” with regard to the current curriculum for social studies and the “solutions” provided by the proposed curriculum.  (NOTEMr. Clark entered at 9:14 a.m.)  She stated that the Curriculum Council would examine the proposed curriculum change in March, and soon thereafter, a formal recommendation would be presented to the Board. 

The Board recognized Bonnie Exner and Terrance Brown, who expressed opposition to the proposed curriculum change.  They were concerned specifically with the elimination of the Civics course at the eighth grade level. 

Mrs. Bergosh expressed her support of the proposed curriculum change, noting that current courses could be “integrated” into other courses. 

Ms. Finkelstein, Dr. DeWitt, and Mr. Clark each expressed their opposition to the proposed curriculum change.  They too were concerned specifically with the elimination of the Civics course at the eighth grade level.

        In response to concerns regarding the elimination of the Civics course, the Superintendent made the following statement: “We are not losing Civics through this particular course curriculum.  It has to be woven through everything that we have.  It’s not a question of losing Civics – it must be everywhere.  A lot of these things must be integrated.  I’m hearing a fear that we will in fact reduce social studies but it is quite the opposite.” 

        The Board recognized Jane Flowers and Bob Husbands, who expressed opposition to the proposed curriculum change; Anita Yarbrough and Debra Mark, who expressed support of the proposed curriculum change; and Frances Yeo, who addressed the Junior Achievements’ role in social studies curriculum. 

Ms. Finkelstein requested the following information:

-Current middle school curriculum, proposed middle school curriculum (including possible ramifications)

-Current high school curriculum, proposed high school curriculum (including possible ramifications)

                 II.               PROPOSED ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES

1.       Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-1.17 – Non-Discrimination

2.       Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17 – 3.02(7)8 – Magnet School/Choice Program Selection Policy

     (NOTE: This particular rule amendment was presented in “draft” form.)  Upon discussion of the “Magnet School/Choice Program Selection Policy” motions were made concerning the following sections:

                        Lottery Process

                                All magnet schools and choice programs will use the following calendar:

October and November          Recruitment activities (Showcase, Open House and visits to schools)

January                                   Applications accepted

February                                 Run lottery and notify parents

      Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to specify that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program would be excluded from the lottery process.  Dr. DeWitt offered a “friendly amendment” to the motion, to specify that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program would be excluded from the lottery process, unless the number of qualified students exceeded the admissions level of 140.  Ms. Finkelstein accepted the “friendly amendment.”  After discussion, Dr. DeWitt withdrew the motion and Ms. Finkelstein withdrew the second. 

      Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mr. Clark, to specify that applications for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program must be turned in by Thanksgiving; that if there were not enough qualified students to fill the admissions level, IB would not participate in the lottery and at that point could take early admissions; and that students from other counties that apply for IB will be notified after high school registration takes place in March.  Motion was approved unanimously. 

      Motion was made by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to specify that all other secondary Magnet/Choice Programs must have applications turned in by the first day students return for second semester; and that the lottery will be run as soon as possible thereafter.  Ms. Finkelstein offered a “friendly amendment” to the motion, that all other secondary Magnet/Choice Programs must have applications turned in by the first day students return for second semester; that the lottery would be run as soon as possible thereafter; that students will be notified and must commit to the school of choice no later than the high school registration period; and that should they decline, they will held out of the lottery pool until all pools have been exhausted.  Dr. Dewitt accepted the “friendly amendment.”  Motion (as amended) was approved unanimously. 

      Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Bergosh, to specify that all elementary Magnet/Choice Programs will have an application deadline of April 15th; and that the lottery will run as soon as possible thereafter.  Motion was approved unanimously. 

      Motion was made by Dr. Dewitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to specify that the School Choice Office will sponsor all district recommended recruitment activities (Showcase, Open House and visits to schools); and that individual programs may do additional activities they deem necessary and as agreed upon by both the program and the schools involved.  Motion was approved unanimously. 

Lottery Process (Continued)

The information sheets will be processed through Evaluation Services to generate a selection list.  Student selection will be based on the following criteria:

4.   The formula to determine how many students are selected from each school is as follows:

a)      Determine the capacity of the school/program/grade level.

b)      Determine the number of incoming students assigned to each school, including home school and private school students, at the desired grade level.

c)      Compute the percentage of students to be selected from each school to reach capacity. 

      Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to exclude the verbiage under Item (4) from the “Magnet School/Choice Program Selection Policy.”  Motion failed 2 to 3, with Mrs. Stidham, Mrs. Bergosh, and Mr. Clark, voting “No.”

Middle School Magnets

                        Brown-Barge Middle School (No attendance zone)

The student enrollment at Brown-Barge is set at 518 students.  Brown-Barge will begin each school year with no more than 547 students ensuring normal attrition will not affect the ability to offer academic programs during the course of the year.  Once the school year begins the only students who will be allowed to enter Brown-Barge will be students who transfer into the district from a similar program. 

      Motion by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to specify that the student enrollment at Brown-Barge is set at minimum of 518 students, was approved unanimously. 

      The Board recognized Sheila Romaine, who expressed her thoughts regarding the “Magnet School/Choice Program Selection Policy.”

      Motion was made by Mrs. Bergosh, seconded by Mr. Clark, to recess the Special Meeting until 9:00 a.m., on January 16, 2004 (prior to the Regular Workshop).  Dr. DeWitt noted for the record that he would not be able to attend either the Special Meeting or Regular Workshop.  Motion was approved 4 to 1, with Dr. DeWitt voting “No.” 

The Special Meeting reconvened at 9:00 a.m., on January 16, 2004, with Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Clark, Ms. Finkelstein, Mr. Negron, and the Superintendent present. 

3.       Notice of Intent to Advertise Revisions to School District Rules, Chapter 7

           No discussion was held. 

4.       Notice of Intent to Name the Physical Education, Art and Music Building at Wedgewood Middle School the “Lawrence Young, Sr. Building”

           No discussion was held.  

               III.               PRESENTATION REGARDING SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

(requested by the Board at the December 12, 2003 Regular Workshop)

     This item was addressed earlier in the meeting. 

IV.              ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

                        Attest:                                                              Approved:

________________________________                    ________________________________

Superintendent                                                  Chair