THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, MARCH 11, 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
Mr. Ronnie L. Clark (was not present)
Mr. Pete Gindl
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
Custodial Reorganization
Mrs. Hightower requested an update in the near future regarding the status of the “custodial reorganization” plan that was adopted in June 2003.
Dual Enrollment
Mr. Bergosh stated that he would provide the Board with information he had received regarding dual enrollment course opportunities at Pensacola Junior College.
II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
At the request of the Superintendent, Mr. Ronnie Arnold, Associate Superintendent for Public and Interagency Affairs, gave a brief update regarding proposed legislation.
III. TIME CERTAIN ITEMS
No items submitted.
IV. PROPOSED ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES
Chapter 1 Rule Revisions (Item II.B.1 on March 15, 2005 Regular Meeting agenda)
1.07 SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEES
(B) Audit Committee
Mrs. Stidham suggested that Board Members consider the deletion of section (B) “Audit Committee” under School Board Rule 1.07 “School Board Committees”. (NOTE: Deleting this particular section of the rule would abolish the Audit Committee as a standing committee of the Board and in turn, would place the Internal Auditing Department under the Superintendent.)
1.15 DESIGNATION OF AGENCY CLERK
(A) The Secretary designated by the Superintendent, located in the District Administrative office, 215 West Garden Street, Pensacola, Florida, 32502, telephone number (850) 432-6121, is the Agency Clerk for the purpose of the filing of pleadings and documents in School Board proceedings conducted pursuant to Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.
Discussion took place regarding the designation of an Agency Clerk. It was decided that the Superintendent and the General Counsel would need to discuss the issue further in order to determine who would be the appropriate person(s) to serve in that capacity.
1.19 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY
(C) Assistance and Intervention
(3) The Superintendent shall develop a plan to encourage teachers with demonstrated mastery in improving student performance to remain at or transfer to a school designated as performance grade category “D” or “F”.
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Mrs. Mary Helen Fryman, Acting Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, stated that “a plan like this did not exist because it had not occurred.” She noted that such a plan would certainly have bargaining implications.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
1. Approval of Textbook Adoptions
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Dr. Paula Gleason, Coordinator of Media Services, stated that she was pleased with the textbook recommendations made by the District textbook selection committee.
3. 2005-2006 Proposed Staffing Allocation Table
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, explained how the allocation of music teachers, physical education teachers and art teachers was determined.
B. Finance
No discussion was held.
C. Human Resource Services
No discussion was held.
D. Purchasing
15. Computer Network and ITV Cabling for Modular Classrooms
Mrs. Hightower questioned whether “Half Cent Sales Tax (3934) – Portable Classrooms (2051)” was the correct funding source for this item, as she did not remember portables being included in the Half Cent Sales Tax allocation. Mr. Ron Peacock, Director of Facilities Planning, indicated that he would check to be sure that the correct funding source was listed and make a correction if necessary.
16. District-Wide Grade Book, Student Records and Parent Portal Software
(NOTE: This item is a five-year software agreement to provide an electronic Grade Book application for all schools and that will potentially provide Student Records, Parent Portal, Human Resource and Payroll applications for the District.) Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Don Manderson, Director of Instructional Technology, stated that schools were in fact “buying into” this software application.
E. Operations
No discussion was held.
F. Student Transfers
No discussion was held.
G. Internal Auditing
No discussion was held.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Appointment to the Escambia County Juvenile Justice Council
(Previously submitted and tabled at the January 18, 2005 School Board Meeting)
Mrs. Odom shared her concerns regarding the possibility of a potential conflict with the appointment of a Board Member to the Juvenile Justice Council (JJC). Mr. Bergosh indicated that he would notify the JJC that the Board elected to abstain from appointing one of their members due to the possibility of a potential conflict.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Items from the Board
2. Appointment to the Community Action Program Committee Inc., Board of Directors
Mrs. Odom shared her concerns regarding the possibility of a potential conflict with the appointment of a Board Member to the Community Action Program Committee Inc., Board of Directors.
B. Items from the Superintendent
No discussion was held.
C. Items from the General Counsel
No discussion was held.
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).] 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.
2. Quarterly Update – Resolution of Major SREF Citations
Mr. Steve Sharp, Division Chief, gave a brief quarterly update on the resolution of major SREF citations.
3. Budget Process
Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of Budgeting, gave a brief update on the budget process. Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services, gave a brief report on property taxes.
ADD 4. Strategic Planning Process
Mrs. Sheree’ Cagle, Director of Comprehensive Planning, gave a brief update on the strategic planning process. The Board collectively agreed to schedule a Special Meeting (Re: Strategic Planning) for March 28, 2005 at 12:00 p.m., in the Board Room, at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building.
ADD 5. Charter School Quarterly Report
Ms. Vickie Mathis, Director of Alternative Education, provided the Board with a quarterly report on charter schools.
ADD 6. Quarterly Report on Diversity
Mrs. Mary Helen Fryman, Acting Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, provided the Board with a quarterly report on diversity.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman