THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, APRIL 15, 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 (was not present)
Dr. Charles E. Glover, Sr.
Mr. Pete Gindl
School Board General Counsel: Mrs. Ellen Odom
Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent (representing Mr. Jim Paul)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Bergosh called the Regular Workshop to order at 9:15 a.m.
A. Open Discussion
Mrs. Hightower provided the Board with information she had received while attending the national “Policy Governance” seminar conducted by the Aspen Group, Inc.
Mr. Bergosh reiterated his desire to plan for a state of the art K-5 school in downtown Pensacola, which he previously addressed at the February 11, 2005 Special Meeting.
Impact of Recent Rain/Hail Storms
At the request of Mr. Bergosh, Mr. Shawn Dennis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, gave a brief update regarding the damages that school sites had sustained from recent rain and/or hail storms.
The Board agreed to change the date of the June Regular Workshop from June
17, 2005 to June 20, 2005.
II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
At the request of Mr. Ross, Mr. Ronnie Arnold, Associate Superintendent for Public & 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
(NOTE: This item was last discussed at the March Regular Workshop and tabled at the March Regular Meeting.)
Mrs. Odom advised that a number of revisions had been made since this item was tabled at the March Regular Meeting and therefore, the revised version would need to be substituted for the tabled version. She indicated that she would provide the Board instructions regarding the process for handling tabled items.
Mrs. Hightower suggested that the structural organizational charter under Section 1.05(2) be revised by changing “Volunteers” to “Community Involvement.”
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.
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Mrs. Odom advised that she and the Superintendent were still discussing the issue of who would be the appropriate person(s) to designate as Agency Clerk. (NOTE: This issue was previously addressed at the March Regular Workshop.)
Mrs. Hightower suggested the following addition to Section
2.04(4): The Superintendent may recommend step placement within the position’s
grade level, noticing the Board through memorandum of any placement exceeding
5 steps.
Mrs. Hightower indicated that she would offer a motion at the April Regular Meeting to revise Section 3.02(5)(e)(4) as follows: Once granted a transfer under this policy, a student may continue enrollment in the receiving school through the exit year provided the circumstances upon which the transfer was granted remain unchanged. Failure to report to the Office of School Choice within 30-days any change of circumstances in which the transfer and the student’s return to the original designated school. Students granted a transfer must maintain passing grades, acceptable behavior, and attendance. If the student fails to maintain passing grades, demonstrates unacceptable behavior, incurs excessive tardies or unexcused absences the principal at any time can request, through the Office of School Choice, for the student to be returned to their home school; however, no request for return transfer may be considered by the Office of School Choice until the principal demonstrates that a good faith effort has been made to employ parental assistance to rectify the student’s deficiencies. Parents will be notified in writing and given 10-days to withdraw the child(ren).
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
1. Contractual Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and Lakeview Center, Inc. (The Center for Personal & Family Development)
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Dr. Garth Grove, Subject Area Specialist – Guidance Services, briefly explained how students and families qualify for this program, which offers a broad range of counseling services regarding mental health and grief issues.
15. The School District of Escambia County, Florida 2005 Elementary Summer Reading Camp
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Dr. Deborah Malishan, Director of Elementary Education, stated that the different starting times were due to the pairing of bus transportation among some schools.
B. Finance
8. Budget Amendments
a) Resolution 6: General Operating Fund
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of Budgeting, gave a briefly explained the reason for the difference in the original budget and present budget of District Discretionary Lottery Funds (Object 3344).
C. Human Resource Services
1. Instructional/Professional
11. Approve the following new and/or revised administrative job descriptions effective July 1, 2005:
Director I – Elementary School Education
Director I – High School Education
Director I – Human Resource Services
Director I – Middle School Education
Director I – Title I & Related Activities
Director II – Evaluation Services
12. Approve the following new and/or revised professional/technical job descriptions effective July 1, 2005:
Administrative Recording Secretary
Certified Behavior Analyst
Coordinator – Educator Certification
Coordinator VI – Title I & Related Activities
Facilities Financial Specialist
Financial Analyst
Human Resources Specialist
Office Administration Specialist
Senior Financial Analyst
Specialist – School Psychologist
Surplus Inventory Manager
Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster
D. Purchasing
No discussion was held.
E. Operations
1. Facilities Planning
A. Final Payments
3. Woodham & Washington High School Tracks
Mrs. Hightower noted that there was no “final payment approval sheet” for Washington High School included with the backup information for this item. Mr. Ron Peacock, Director of Facilities Planning, indicated that he would provide that information prior to the April Regular Meeting.
F. Student Transfers
No discussion was held.
G. Internal Auditing
Upon inquiry by Mrs. Hightower, Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of Budgeting, indicated that an inventory of fixed assets is conducted annually by the Internal Auditing department.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Chapter 1 Rule Revisions
(Previously submitted and tabled at the March 15, 2005 Regular Meeting)
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting under Section IV, “Proposed Additions or Revisions to School District Rules.”
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).] 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.
ADD 2. Update on Custodial Reorganization
Mr. Chuck Peterson, Director of Maintenance, and Mr. Jim Beagle, Assistant Director of Custodial Services, gave a brief update on the status of the “custodial reorganization” plan that was adopted in June 2003. (NOTE: This update was requested by Mrs. Hightower at the March 11, 2005 Regular Workshop.)
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman