THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, MAY 18, 2004

The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened as a legislative body for the Resolution of Impasse, pursuant to section 447.403(4)9(d), Florida Statutes (2000), at 5:30 p.m., in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

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

            Board Members:           Mr. Gary Bergosh 

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark

                                                Ms. Linda Finkelstein

            School Board General Counsel:        Mrs. Ellen D. Odom 

            Superintendent of Schools:               Mr. Jim Paul

                    I.               CALL TO ORDER/ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

     Mrs. Stidham called the Special Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  Mrs. Peggy Pilcher gave the invocation and Mrs. Ellen Odom led the pledge of allegiance.  On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, adoption of the agenda was approved unanimously.  Mrs. Stidham briefly outlined the procedures to be followed during the meeting. 

                 II.               PRESENTATIONS & DISCUSSION

A.     PRESENTATION OF PROPOSALS

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”)

1.       Superintendent

Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services, presented the District’s proposal for resolution of impasse, which provided for a two percent (2%) general improvement to the ESP Salary Schedule retroactive to July 1, 2003.

2.       Educational Support Personnel (ESP) 

Mrs. Ellen Lawrence, Director of Escambia NEA UniServe, presented the ESP’s proposal for resolution of impasse, which provided for a one-step increase and a two percent (2%) general improvement to the ESP salary schedule retroactive to July 1, 2003.  

B.      REBUTTAL

1.       Superintendent

                                    Mrs. Linker reiterated the District’s proposal for the resolution of impasse. 

2.       Educational Support Personnel (ESP)

     Mrs. Lawrence reiterated the ESP’s proposal for the resolution of impasse. 

C.      BOARD QUESTIONS & COMMENTS

Board Members posed questions or made comments regarding each side’s proposal. 

D.     PUBLIC FORUM

The Board recognized the following speakers:

Sheldon Dykes                          Gail Husbands  

Jeffrey Hadley                          Arlene Costello

Deborah Odom                         Terryle Gibson

Jackie Sweat                             Camylle Moore            

George Harrison                        John Bodie       

Keevan Pugh                            Terry Teets

Mable Holmes                           Tami Buzbee

Juanita Diggs                            Sheila Romaine

George Mash                            Diana Carter

Robert Husbands                       Madonna Jackson-Williams

Charlie Riggan                          Delsa Grove

Linda Holt                                 Susan Shields

               III.               BOARD ACTION

Mr. Bergosh moved to accept the District’s proposal for resolution of impasse, which provided for a two percent (2%) general improvement to the ESP Salary Schedule retroactive to July 1, 2003.  Motion was seconded by Dr. DeWitt and approved unanimously. 

              IV.               ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.  [NOTE: The May Regular Meeting (including public forum) immediately followed at 7:20 p.m.]

Attest:                                                              Approved:

________________________________                    ________________________________

Superintendent                                                  Chairman