THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, AUGUST 13, 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
The following issues were briefly discussed:
Portable classrooms – Mr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, indicated that all portable classrooms ought to be occupied by the end of September.
Student Enrollment/Class Sizes - Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reviewed the most current information regarding student enrollment and class size figures. He indicated that he would provide the Board with updated information, as it became available.
Adequately Yearly Progress (AYP) Transfer Option – Board Members requested information regarding the number of students transferred under the AYP transfer option and their level on the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT). Ms. Finkelstein requested copies of information that was sent to parents regarding the transportation of those students transferred under the AYP transfer option.
Dual Enrollment Courses - Dr. Alan Scott, Director of Secondary of Education, briefly explained the process for determining which dual enrollment courses receive honors weight.
II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent listed the additions, deletions, corrections and amendments to the agenda.
III. TIME CERTAIN ITEMS
1. Presentation from Brown Barge Middle School Parents’ Group – Cary Stidham
Mr. Keith Wilkins, representing several parents of Brown Barge Middle School students, addressed the Board regarding the potential risks to student health as a result of exposure to contaminants detected in surface soils at the BBMS campus. On behalf of those parents, Mr. Wilkins requested a temporary or permanent relocation of the BBMS program.
IV. PROPOSED ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES
Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17 – 7.17 – Student Dress Code (to run concurrent with the proposed revisions updating the 2004-2005 Elementary and Secondary Rights and Responsibilities Handbooks –previously tabled at the July 27, 2004 Regular Meeting)
Dr. DeWitt indicated that he would propose the following revisions to this rule amendment at the August 17, 2004 Regular Meeting:
Under
Section 4(A), “Uniforms - Election”: (3) Each current student (K-4),
(6-7 middle school), (9-11 high school), will represent one vote. The student’s
name shall appear on the ballot. The ballot must be signed by a parent/guardian.
The parent/guardian shall have one week (10 calendar days) ten (10)
calendar days to return the ballots.
Under Section 4(A,) “Uniforms – Election”:
(6) After a period of two (2) years During the second year
of implementation of the school-wide uniform policy, the principal shall confer
with the school’s School Advisory Council (SAC) to determine whether there
is a continued interest in the school-wide uniform policy at the school.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
1. “Choose or Lose” Program
At the request of Mrs. Stidham, Ms. Laura Snow, Social Studies Specialist, indicated that a copy of the voter education flyers (mentioned in the backup documentation) would be provided to the Board, prior to distribution at area high schools.
3. Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) Coordination, Support and Facilitation
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, staff clarified that the salary and benefits cited on the “Budget Narrative Form” were for the current administrator.
B. Finance
6. Budget Amendments:
c. Resolution 12: Capital Projects Fund
CARRYOVER BUDGET
5. 2002/03 PECO Maintenance Fund 3423
a. Reallocate funds from undistributed capital outlay crew project ($6,256.82 decrease) to Human Resources Office ($1,300.22 increase), School Choice, Student Transfers & Special Projects Office ($4,157.55 increase), and Old Beggs Facility ($799.05 increase) general renovations project. Facilities Planning initiated this budget amendment to facilitate funding for capital outlay crew projects.
Upon inquiry by Ms. Finkelstein, Mr. Ron Peacock, Director of Facilities Planning, indicated that he would provide additional information regarding the renovations that had been made to the Human Resources Office.
C. Human Resource Services
No discussion was held.
D. Purchasing
16. Temporary Employment Services for Various Title I Eligible Non-Public Schools
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mr. John Dombroskie, Director of Purchasing, clarified the information that was outlined in the backup documentation for this item.
E. Operations
No discussion was held.
F. Student Transfers
Mrs. Stidham requested information regarding those students who had transferred into West Florida High School as upperclassmen.
G. Internal Auditing
No discussion was held.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No discussion was held.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Items from the Board
No discussion was held.
B. Items from the Superintendent
No discussion was held.
C. Items from the General Counsel
No discussion was held.
VIII. COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Parent Guide – Peggy Pilcher
Mrs. Peggy Pilcher, Coordinator or Community Involvement, reviewed information provided to the Board regarding an update on the development of the District’s Parent Guide.
[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, provided a handout to the Board regarding the status of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Job Study.
ADD 3. Update on Property Appraisal of Spring Street Properties
[NOTE: At the July 27, 2004 Regular Meeting, the Board requested that the Superintendent obtain an appraisal of the properties along Spring Street that were currently owned by the District (and occupied by three County entities).] Mr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, indicated that an appraisal of the Spring Street properties would be conducted within four to six weeks and once completed, would be provided to the Board for their review.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman