THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, MARCH 9, 2004
The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 1:30 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
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 1:30 p.m. Motion by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the agenda (as amended), was approved 3 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh and Mr. Clark absent for vote.
II. BUDGET/STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Mr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, served as facilitator for this segment of the meeting. He began with a brief review of the “budget/strategic planning prioritization” process that occurred at the February 23, 2004 Special Meeting. Discussions during that meeting led to the identification of budget priorities (relating to each Financial Area of Emphasis*) within the context of each strategic goal. (NOTE: *Financial Areas of Emphasis include: Technology; Qualified Staff; Facilities/Equipment; Materials/Contract Services; Compensation/Benefits; and Curriculum & Instruction.) A consolidated list of all priorities relating to each Financial Area of Emphasis is as follows:
technology qualified staff
Protect technology budget Extend teacher workday (staff development)
1:5 ratio for all schools (modern computers) Train staff in technology*
High tech labs in all middle schools IT support at each school
Security Systems: Protect technology budget Continue training for staff*
Enhance website Ensure appropriate staff for programs
Parent access to student information Maintain staff levels (educational level)
Computer for every teacher (year 2) Provide training for all levels (Board Members, Superintendent, staff)*
Hire Web Master
Teacher recruitment
[*These priorities were combined into one item entitled “Technology training for all levels of staff (applications, data access, etc.)” ]
facilties/equipment materials/contract services
Adequate facilities for Class Size Reduction Develop technology matrix with evaluation
Additional facilities (open/close) curriculum & instruction
Research secure campus (fencing) Enhance effort to improve student wellness
Add ½ credit for physical education
compensation/benefits Enhance evaluation process and react accordingly
Compensate teachers for in-service Student/parent awareness of options (vocational)
Greater teacher salary according to Task Force Plan Maintain Title I funds as allowed
Wellness Program Maintain ESE budget
Job Study (year 2) Encourage 5 Star School Participation
Continue Community Involvement Office (all positions)
(NOTE: Mr. Clark entered the Special Meeting at 2:15 p.m.)
Board Members and the Superintendent participated in an interactive process to establish a prioritization of the budget priorities related to each Financial Area of Emphasis. The results of that process are as follows:
(NOTE: Only the top ranking budget priorities related to each Financial Area of Emphasis are shown.)
1. Protect technology budget 1. Technology training for all levels of staff
2. 1:5 ratio for all schools (modern computers) (applications, data access, etc.)
3. Parent access to student information 2. IT support for each school
4. Teacher training and support staff 3. Maintain staff levels (educational level): Pre-K
4. Ensure appropriate staff for programs
facilities/equipment
1. (T)Adequate facilities for Class Size Reduction materials/contract services
1. (T)Plan for growth and educate public 1. Develop technology matrix w/evaluation
3. Additional facilities (open/close)
4. Research secure campus (fencing) curriculum & instruction
1. Maintain Title I funds as allowed
1. Greater teacher salary according to Task 3. Enhance evaluation process and react accordingly
2. Compensate teachers for in-service
3. Wellness program
4. Job Study (year 2)
Ms. Finkelstein requested financial data relevant to each of the identified budget priorities.
The Board agreed to scheduled a Special Meeting (Re: Budget/Strategic Planning Process) for March 23, 2004, at 1:30 p.m., in the Board Room at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building.
III. ITEMS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
ADD 1. Assistant Elementary Principals Work Schedule for Spring Break 2004
(NOTE: No backup documentation was provided for this item. Discussion on this item referenced an approved settlement between the Unions representing all Educational Support Personnel and the School Board of Escambia County, that “all 10 and 11 month employees will receive a one time grant of 5 paid days off to be used solely during Spring Break 2004.”) Dr. Doug Garber, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, stated that the recommendation on this item was actually that all 11-month Administrative and Professional/Technical employees receive a one time grant of 5 paid days off to be used solely during Spring Break 2004. [The recommendation would include ten (10) assistant elementary principals (Administrative positions) and two (2) Speech Pathologists (Professional/Technical positions).] He explained that these employees had been affected by the loss of annual leave, just as the Educational Support Personnel employees had, and that the intent of the recommendation was to deal with them in the same manner by granting them 5 paid days off during Spring Break 2004. Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Dr. Garber stated that there would be no cost associated with this recommendation. Mrs. Stidham moved to “give the Administrative and Professional/Technical less than 12-month employees the days at Spring Break for this year only.” Mr. Clark seconded the motion for discussion purposes. Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, explained that granting these employees 5 paid days off during Spring Break 2004, was not going to cost the District anything, as the employees were already being paid for that 5 day period because they were on contract. She noted several options for dealing with the situation: the employees could be required to work during Spring Break; the Board could grant the employees paid days off during Spring Break; or the employees could request and use accumulated annual leave (if they had any) during Spring Break. After further discussion, motion was approved 3 to 1, with Dr. DeWitt voting “NO.”
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman