THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, MARCH 1, 2004

            The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 1:00 p.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 (was not present)

                                                Ms. Linda Finkelstein (was not present)

            School Board Attorney:              Mr. Francisco M. Negron, Jr. (was not present)

            Superintendent of Schools:         Mr. Jim Paul (was not present)    

Report from Mixon and Associates, Legislative Consultants

Changing time of future meetings to 12:00 p.m. CST instead of 1:00 p.m. (see advertisement)

      Ms. Terry Golden, Mixon and Associates, advised the Board (via speakerphone) of the following “major” issues in the 2004 Legislative Session:

·         Universal Pre-K

·         Class Size Reform

·         Middle School Reform

·         Physical Education

·         BEST Teaching Salary Career Ladder Program

Ms. Golden also gave an update regarding the following proposed legislation: 

Senate Bill 340 Relating to Florida School Code: A shell bill through which the Legislature intends to revise laws related to the Florida School Code. 

Senate Bill 1296 Relating to Charter Employees & Contractors: Requires all instructional and non-instructional personnel employed within an alternative school that operates under contract with a charter school and who have direct contact with students to file a complete set of fingerprints pursuant to s. 1012.32.

Senate Bill 1458 Relating to Florida Virtual School: Allows the Florida Virtual School board of trustees to have a franchise agreement with a Florida-based SACS-accredited virtual school.  The bill prohibits such schools from charging fees if the student is FTE-funded. 

Senate Bill 1808 Relating to Florida School Recognition Program: Reallocates school recognition funds as follows: if there is not agreement regarding the distribution of funds within a school by November 1st, 40% of the funds must be allocated to current school employees and the balance allocated for nonrecurring expenditures such as educational equipment or materials or temporary personnel who assist in maintaining and improving student performance. 

Senate Bill 1838 Relating to School Boards/School Drug Testing: Requires middle and high school student athletes to undergo urinalysis for drugs.   

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

                  Attest:                                                                    Approved:

________________________________              ________________________________

Superintendent                                                        Chairman