THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, FEBRUARY 23, 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:

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

            Board Members:           Mr. Gary Bergosh (was not present)

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark

                                                Ms. Linda Finkelstein (entered at 9:02 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 9:00 a.m.  Motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to adopt the agenda, was approved 3 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh and Ms. Finkelstein absent for vote. 

Due to time constraints, Mrs. Stidham requested that the following items be moved forward on the agenda:  

Item IV.1     Contract between Workforce Escarosa, Inc. and the School Board of Escambia County, Florida for Youth Services WIA-2003-2004-04 Modification #1

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to approve “Contract between Workforce Escarosa, Inc. and the School Board of Escambia County, Florida for Youth Services,” was approved 3 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh and Ms. Finkelstein absent for vote.   

(NOTE: Ms. Finkelstein entered the Special Meeting at 9:02 a.m.)

Item V.1       Floor Covering for Hallmark Elementary School

                        Motion by Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to approve “Floor Covering for Hallmark Elementary School,” was approved 4 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh absent for vote.

                 II.               BUDGET PROCESS

               III.               STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

(NOTE: Discussions regarding the budget and strategic planning processes were combinedMr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, and Mrs. Shereč Cagle, Director of Comprehensive Planning, served as facilitators for this segment of the meeting.) 

Budget/Strategic Planning Prioritization

Board Members and the Superintendent participated in an interactive process to identify budget priorities (relating to each Financial Area of Emphasis*) within the context of each strategic goal.  The results of that process are as follows:  

(NOTE: Goals are listed in prioritized order as previously decided upon by the Board at a previous meeting.  *Financial Areas of Emphasis include: Technology; Qualified Staff; Facilities/Equipment; Materials/Contract Services; Compensation/Benefits; and Curriculum & Instruction.)

Goal 1:           

Lay a foundation for continuous learning that allows all students to achieve their maximum potential

technology:                                              Protect technology budget

                                                            1:5 ratio for all schools (modern computers)

Qualified staff:                           Extend teacher workday (staff development)

                                                            Train staff in technology

                                                            IT support at each school

facilities/equipment:                 Adequate facilities for Class Size Reduction

                                                            Plan for growth and educate public

materials/contract services:          Develop technology matrix with evaluation

compensation/benefits:                        Compensate teachers for in-service

Greater teacher salary according to Task Force Plan

curriculum & instruction:                Enhance effort to improve student wellness

Add ˝ credit for physical education 

Goal 6:           

Highly competent and diverse staff

technology:                                              Teacher training and support staff

                                                            Computer for every teacher (year 2)

qualified staff:                           Teacher recruitment

facilities/equipment:                             (none identified)

materials/contract services:          (none identified)

compensation benefits:                        Wellness Program

                                                            Job Study (year 2) 

curriculum & instruction:                (none identified)

Goal 4:           

Provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students, parents and community that encourages community and parent participation

technology:                                              Security Systems: Protect technology budget

qualified staff:                           Train staff for access process

facilities/equipment:                             Research secure campus (fencing)

materials/contract services:          (none identified)

compensation/benefits:                        (none identified)

curriculum & instruction:                Encourage 5 Star School Participation

                                                            Continue Community Involvement Office (all positions)

Goal 8:

Provide avenues for community and parent participation 

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to combine “Goal 8” into “Goal 4” was approved 4 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh absent for vote.  (NOTE: As a result of this action, “Goal 4” was revised to read: Provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students, parents and community that encourages community and parent participation.) 

Goal 5:

Increase public support and awareness for the value of the teaching profession and public education

technology:                                              Enhance website

                                                            Parent access to student information

qualified staff:                           Provide training for all levels (Board Members, Superintendent, staff)

                                                            Hire Web Master

facilities/equipment:                             (none identified)

materials/contract services:          (none identified)

compensation/benefits:                        (none identified)

curriculum & Instruction:                (none identified)

Goal 3:           

Maximize opportunities for families to prepare children for kindergarten

technology:                                              (none identified)

qualified staff:                           Maintain staff levels (educational level)

facilties/equipment:                              Additional facilities (open/close)

materials/contract services:          (none identified)

compensation/benefits:                        (none identified)

curriculum & instruction:                Maintain Title I funds as allowed

                                                            Maintain ESE budget

Goal 2:           

Prepare students for the work force

technology:                                              High tech labs in all middle schools               

qualified staff:                           Continue training for staff

                                                            Ensure appropriate staff for programs

                                                            Train staff re: options available for students

facilties/equipment:                              Explore development of pre-Florida Tech Middle School

materials/contract services:          (none identified)

compensation/benefits:                        (none identified)

                                                            Enhance evaluation process and react accordingly

                                                            Student/parent awareness of options

curriculum & instruction:                (none identified)

Goal 7:

Utilize existing resources to their maximum potential

The Board elected to defer prioritization of “Goal 7” until additional information was received.  

      The Board agreed to schedule a Special Meeting (Re: Budget/Strategic Planning Process) for March 9, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. in the Board Room, at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building. 

2003-2008 Escambia County School District Strategic Plan

(NOTE: At the February 17, 2004 Regular Meeting, the Board unanimously approved a motion to postpone approval of the 2003-2008 Escambia County School District Strategic Plan to the February 23, 2004 Special Meeting.   

Motion by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Mr. Clark, to accept the 2003-2008 Escambia County School District Strategic Plan Strategic Plan “as a framework and to continue to work on the different goals, strategies and objectives during the course of the year,” was approved 4 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh absent for vote.    

              IV.               CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

1.       Contract between Workforce Escarosa, Inc. and the School Board of Escambia County, Florida for Youth Services WIA-2003-2004-04 Modification #1

This item was handled earlier in the meeting. 

                 V.               PURCHASING

1.       Floor Covering for Hallmark Elementary School

            This item was handled earlier in the meeting. 

IV.              ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

                        Attest:                                                              Approved:

________________________________                    ________________________________

Superintendent                                                  Chairman