THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, OCTOBER 14, 2005
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: Mr. Gary L. Bergosh
Vice Chairman: Mrs. Patty Hightower
Board Members: Mrs. Cary Stidham
Dr. Charles E. Glover, Sr.
Mr. Pete Gindl, Sr.
School Board General Counsel: Mrs. Ellen Odom
Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Bergosh called the Regular Workshop to order at 9:00 a.m.
A. Open Discussion
· November Board Meetings:
The Board agreed to schedule the following meetings:
- Regular Workshop on Friday, November 18, 2005, at 9:00 a.m.
- Organizational Meeting on Tuesday, November 22, 2005, at 5:30 p.m.
- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 22, 2005, immediately following Organizational Meeting
(All meetings to be held in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center)
· Carver/Century School Safety Issues
It was noted that the District would assist with the installation of flashing school traffic signs purchased by the City of Century. The District Finance department would be working to identify funding to accomplish this task, as the City of Century was unable to afford the costs of installation themselves.
· “Prosperity Pensacola”
Mrs. Hightower advised that she had been asked to represent the Board by serving on the “Prosperity Pensacola” committee. There was no objection to this among Board Members.
· Accuracy of District Website & Phone System Information
Mrs. Hightower requested that the Superintendent ask all schools and District-level offices to ensure the accuracy of information contained on their sections of the District website, as well as their phone system recordings.
II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent listed the additions, deletions, amendments and/or corrections to the
October 18, 2005 Regular Meeting agenda.
III. TIME CERTAIN ITEMS
1. Presentation: Profile of Pensacola and Escambia County
Ms. Robin Woods, research consultant for the “Profile of Pensacola” project and Mr. Les King, vice-president of the Pensacola Chapter of the NAACP, addressed the Board regarding a report entitled “Profile of Pensacola and Escambia County, A Public Discussion.” The report outlined the disparities between blacks and whites in the areas of economics, housing, education and health care and provided solutions to the issues of inequality.
The following item was moved forward:
(NOTE: Board Members were provided a copy of the quarterly report for each of the following charter schools: Beulah Academy of Science; Byrneville Elementary; Capstone Academy; Escambia Charter; Ruby J. Gainer School for Reaching Your Dream; Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy; and Pensacola Beach Elementary.)
At the request of Ms. Vickie Mathis, Director of Alternative Education, representatives of Dr. Ruby J. Gainer School for Reaching Your Dream addressed the Board in response to two major concerns addressed in their quarterly report: financial accountability and ESE student enrollment.
2. Presentation: National Board Certified Teacher Program
Ms. Lynette Prevatte and Ms. Melanie Walrath, both National Board Certified teachers, gave a brief informational presentation regarding various aspects of the National Board Certified Teacher program.
IV. PROPOSED ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES
Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendments to School District Rules 6Gx17 – 2.14(8)(a) - Leaves of
Absence; 2.17(4) – Terminal Pay; and 2.25(3), (5)(a) – Sick Leave Pool
2.14(8)(a) Leave of Absence for Natural Disaster
This amendment reduces the maximum number of natural disaster leave days from ten (10) to five (5) days per fiscal year and adds the stipulation that employees must have exhausted all available annual leave, sick leave, and compensatory time prior to applying for natural disaster leave.
Mrs. Ellen Lawrence, Director of Escambia NEA UniServe, expressed concern that natural disaster leave was becoming a “non-benefit” for employees with the proposed reduction in maximum number of leave days and the added stipulation that employees must have exhausted all available leave prior to applying for natural disaster leave.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
4. Voluntary Public School Choice Mentee District Project
Ms. Sandy Edwards, Director of Comprehensive Planning and Ms. Dawn Ramirez, Coordinator of School Choice, responded to general questions posed by Mrs. Hightower regarding this item.
8. Addendum to Client Services Agreement between Soliant Health and the Escambia County School Board
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Mrs. Odom explained that Soliant indicated that their employee had completed level 2 background screening, yet a release would need to be obtained from in order for Soliant to be able to share the results of that screening with the District.
10. 2005-2006 School Advisory Council Memberships
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Ms. Sandy Edwards, Director of Comprehensive Planning, indicated that those schools listed as non-compliant with School Advisory Council membership certifications would be in compliance by November.
12. Boys & Girls Club Mentoring Grant
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Dr. Alan Scott, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, indicated that the Boys & Girls Club would include sufficient funds in their budget to cover the costs of complying with the level 2 background screening of the individuals involved in this initiative.
B. Finance
7. Report No. 2006-013, a Report on Significant Findings and Financial Trends in Audits of District School Boards for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004
Upon inquiry, Mrs. Vickie Mathis, Director of Alternative Education, assured Mrs. Stidham that District staff was monitoring area charter schools to ensure compliance with charter contract provisions (i.e., safety inspections, financial reporting, etc.). Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of Budgeting, noted however, that with financial reporting, the District had experienced difficulty in obtaining timely and correctly formatted financial reports from most charter schools. Because of that, the District often had difficulty in keeping a handle on the financial status of those schools.
8. Escambia County School District 401(a) FICA Alternative and Special Pay Plan Investment Documents
Mr. Corky Taylor, President and CEO of Bencor, Inc. gave a brief review (synopsis) of information outlined in the backup documentation for this item.
C. Human Resource Services
1. Instructional/Professional
f. Special Requests
4. Approval to amend the following page in the 2005-2006 Department Personnel Planning Document to reflect the noted change:
Page 26 – Inventory Systems (4205) – Add one Storekeeper/Warehouse Technician II ESP position, to be paid from Food Services Fund.
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, explained that the addition of this position was necessary due to the increased volume of materials being siphoned through the Warehouse.
D. Purchasing
Staff members responded to general questions posed by Board Members on various items.
E. Operations
No discussion was held.
F. Student Transfers
No discussion was held.
G. Internal Auditing
No discussion was held.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No items submitted.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Items from the Board
No items submitted.
B. Items from the Superintendent
No discussion was held.
C. Items from the General Counsel
No items submitted.
VIII. COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. 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).] Dr. Alan Scott, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, briefly reviewed a memorandum provided to the Board regarding the status of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Job Study.
2. Charter School Quarterly Report
This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman