THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, JUNE 14, 2004
The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Workshop Meeting at 9:00 a.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 (was not present)
Ms. Linda Finkelstein
School Board General Counsel: Mrs. Ellen Odom
Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Stidham called the Regular Workshop to order at 9:00 a.m.
A. Open Discussion
Interviews for Director of Internal Auditing Position
Mrs. Stidham noted that the Board “was just informed this morning” by way of email message from the Internal Auditing Department’s secretary, “that the interviews for the Director of Internal Auditing position were being held this morning.” She questioned why staff had not notified the Board earlier. Dr. Doug Garber, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, explained that the Audit Committee, had been given the responsibility of setting up the interview process and therefore, he assumed that the Chairman of that committee, would have been responsible for providing that notification to the Board.
II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent listed the additions, deletions, corrections and amendments to the agenda.
III. TIME CERTAIN ITEMS
No items were submitted.
IV. PROPOSED ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES
Mrs. Stidham asked for and received clarification on the following section of this particular rule amendment:
1) ELEMENTARY STUDENT DRESS CODE
The dress code described in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Book is the minimum dress code requirement established for each school in Escambia County. A school principal working through the School Advisory Council (SAC) may exceed the minimum dress code requirement. The SAC (with a quorum of members present) may vote to add additional dress code requirements beyond the minimum established by this rule with a majority of members voting in favor of the proposal submitted by the SAC. If additional dress code requirements are approved by the SAC, these requirements must be distributed in writing to each parent/guardian, and student prior to the start of the school year and a copy provided to each student who enrolls in school after the start of the school year.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
8. K-12 Foreign Language Program
Dr. DeWitt indicated that he would offer a proposal at the June 15, 2004 Regular Meeting regarding the addition of foreign language programs in as many elementary schools as possible throughout the District.
58. Charter Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and Escambia Charter School, Inc.
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mrs. Odom briefly reviewed the causes for nonrenewal or termination of a charter, as outlined in Florida Statute 1002.33(8)(a).
Although not an agenda item, the Board allowed the following presentation:
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS)
(NOTE: This issue was previously addressed at the February 17, 2004 Regular Meeting.)
Mr. Connally Bowling and Mr. Sergio Delgado, representatives of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS), gave a brief presentation on the training programs offered by FMCS, regarding various bargaining methods (i.e., interest-based).
B. Finance
10. Update on Response to Escambia County District School Board’s Operational Audit for the period of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002
(NOTE: The Operational Audit for the period of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 was approved at the June 16, 2003 Regular Meeting. At that time the Board requested that quarterly updates on how the audit findings were being corrected. ) Board Members indicated that quarterly updates were no longer necessary, as all audit findings had been addressed.
11. Report No. 2004-188 of Escambia County District School Board Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Students and Student Transportation for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2003
Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Mr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, indicated that the District was appealing Student Transportation, finding number 2, Reference 52 (see backup documentation for explanation).
C. Human Resource Services
3. Risk Management
c. School Safety Inspections
Ms. Finkelstein noted that the backup documentation for this item did not clearly indicate whether the Board was being asked to take any action on this item. Mr. Steve Sharp, Coordinator of Safety, Health and Environmental Operations, advised that Florida Statutes required that the Board approve the report before it could be submitted to the State Fire Marshal.
F. Student Transfers
Mrs. Stidham referred to several student transfers that were given because a certain foreign language course (i.e., German, Russian) was offered at another school but not offered at their home school. She questioned whether the principals of those student’s home schools had been given the opportunity to decide if they wanted to offer the foreign language course before allowing the student transfer to occur. Mrs. Shereč Cagle, Director of Comprehensive Planning, stated that she would need to look into those situations and would then respond to the Board.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No items submitted.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Items from the Board
1. Request Superintendent to Develop Emergency Policy Pursuant to Section 1006.07(4)(a), Florida Statute – Emergency Drills; Emergency Procedures – Cary Stidham
Mrs. Odom advised that a policy would regarding emergency drills and emergency procedures would be developed and presented to the Board by the July Regular Meeting.
B. Items from the Superintendent
No discussion was held.
C. Items from the General Counsel
No items were submitted.
VIII. COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Update on Strategic Planning Process
Mr. Brian Alabeck, Technology Coordinator at Blue Angels Elementary, gave a brief progress report on:
Strategic Goal 5:
Increase public support and awareness for the value of the teaching profession and public education.
ADD 2. Custodial Reorganization – Update on Facilities and Employee Impact
As requested by Ms. Finkelstein (by way of memorandum), Mr. Chuck Peterson, Acting Director of Maintenance, gave a update on the impact of the custodial services reorganization, as it related to facilities and employees.
Status of Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Job Study
[NOTE: The Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Job Study was approved at the April 20, 2004 Regular Meeting (Item V.D.4).] Mr. Jerry Caine, Educational Support Personnel Manager, briefly reviewed a memorandum he had provided to the Board regarding the status of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Job Study.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman