THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
MINUTES, JUNE 20, 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 (not present)
Dr. Charles E. Glover, Sr. (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.
The Superintendent listed the amendments and deletions to the June Regular Meeting agenda.
The following item was addressed:
Resolution 2005-02 supplementing and amending Resolution No. 2005-01 adopted by the School Board on May 17, 2005 (Item V.B.13 on June Regular Meeting agenda)
Ms. Patricia Lott, Bond Counsel (Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone), and Mr. Jerry Ford, Financial Advisor (Ford & Associates), reviewed and clarified information outlined in the backup documentation for this item.
A. Open Discussion
Air-Conditioned School Buses
Mrs. Hightower stated that at some point in the future, she would like to discuss the possibility of beginning to purchase air-conditioned school buses. She had serious concerns with students and drivers riding in school buses without air-condition during the hot summer months. She noted that having air-conditioned school buses could actually be considered a “perk” for the drivers.
Mr. Bergosh requested information regarding the number/percentage of District school buses equipped with seat belts.
II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent had no comments on the agenda as presented.
III. TIME CERTAIN ITEMS
No items submitted.
IV. PROPOSED ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES
No discussion was held.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
13. Project Touch (Tutoring Outreach for Children of the Homeless)
Mr. Bergosh requested information regarding the number/percentage of District students who were considered homeless.
14. The Cooperative Agreement between the Community Action Program Committee, Inc. and the School Board of Escambia County, Florida
Mrs. Hightower noted that according to the terms of this agreement, the Head Start Program would occupy space for portables at Ferry Pass Elementary School (FPES). She was aware that some of the portables at FPES were damaged during Hurricane Ivan (September 2004) and questioned whether repairs would be completed prior to the start of the school. Mr. Ron Peacock, Director of Facilities Planning, advised that two portables at FPES had actually been damaged to the extent that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had determined they should be replaced. He noted that while the replacement of those two portables would not occur prior to the start of school; however, the repairs to other damaged portables would be taken care of prior to the start of school. That being the case, Mrs. Hightower questioned whether there would be adequate space available for this program. Although he was not aware of any problem at the moment, Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, stated that should a problem arise, other people/programs could be relocated within the facility in order to provide adequate space for the Head Start Program.
B. Finance
14. Resolution No. 2005-03 of The School Board of Escambia County regarding minimum classroom expenditure requirements for 2003-2004 established by Section 1011.64, F.S. and proviso language in the 2003 General Appropriations Act
Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services, briefly explained the necessity of this resolution (as outlined in the backup documentation).
C. Human Resource Services
3. Risk Management
b. Property, Boiler & Machinery and Crime Insurance
e. Medical/Prescription Plan Marketing (RFP) Results
f. Recommendation for Health/Prescription Plan Funding and Plan changes for Plan Year beginning October 1, 2005
Mr. Kevin Windham, Director of Risk Management, reviewed and clarified information outlined in the backup documentation for each of these items.
D. Purchasing
19. Annual Agreement Renewal: Maintenance and Support for Meridian SL1 Phone and Voice Mail Systems
26. BellSouth Hardware and Software Upgrade for Vernon McDaniel Building
45. Letter of Election: BellSouth Phone Services
Mrs. Hightower requested clarification as to how these items (19, 26, 45) related to the Switchboard/Mailroom operation. The Superintendent indicated that staff would provide a response to that inquiry prior to the June Regular Meeting.
E. Operations
1. Facilities Planning
B. Miscellaneous
1. Educational Plant Survey
Mr. Ron Peacock, Director of Facilities Planning, briefly reviewed a synopsis of the 2005 Educational Plant Survey (prepared by Clemons, Rutherford & Associates), which he provided to the Board prior to the meeting.
Mrs. Hightower asked for a cost analysis comparing what the cost impact is for our educational plant needs (as determined by the Educational Plant Survey), to the projects that will be paid for by the Half Cent Sales Tax. The Superintendent thought it also prudent to determine a formula or process, which would speak to all of the needs of the District, as well as the needs within each Board Member’s district.
4. Security, Safety, and Emergency Operations
A. Miscellaneous
1. 2004-2005 Safety & Security Best Practices Assessment
Mr. Steve Sharp, Division Chief, noted that there were several mistakes in the backup documentation for this item that he would correct and re-submit to Board prior to the June Regular Meeting.
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 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, indicated that he had no additional information to share with the Board from what was previously presented at the April and May Regular Workshops.
2. Calendar Information (School Years 2006-2007 & 2007-2008)
(NOTE: At the February 15, 2005 Regular Meeting, the Superintendent (by official action of the Board) was tasked with developing a plan for soliciting public input on future Student Calendar proposals. That plan was to be presented to the Board by the June Regular Meeting.)
At the time of this meeting, no formal plan had been submitted on the June Regular Meeting agenda. Discussion took place on various aspects regarding the development of a plan for soliciting public input on future Student Calendar proposals.
3. Quarterly SREF Response Update
Mr. Steve Sharp, Division Chief, gave a brief update on the resolution of major SREF citations.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman