The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Workshop Meeting at 4:30 p.m., in Room 160, Hall Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

Chairman: Dr. John DeWitt Vice Chairman: Mrs. Cary Stidham

Members: Mr. Gary L. Bergosh

Mrs. Linda Finkelstein

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

School Board Attorney: Mr. Francisco Negron

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman DeWitt called the workshop to order at 4:30 p.m.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1) BUDGET CUTS AND SCHOOL CONSOLIDATIONS/CLOSINGS

Chairman DeWitt announced that the Board was not making final decisions on school consolidations or school closings tonight. He stated that the Board started the process last month at a workshop with Mr. Stan Adams, Total Quality Management (TQM) Consultant, who assisted the Board as they defined aims and values of the district and School Board to facilitate the decision-making process related to consolidation and closing. He stated that Mr. Adams and Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, would continue the process today to help the Board list pros and cons and develop objective criteria as to whether or not a school should be consolidated or closed. It was noted that the Superintendent will provide a plan and recommendations (concerning school closings and consolidation) to the Board on January 18, 2001.

RECESS

Chairman DeWitt called for a ten-minute recess at 4:57 p.m. as data was organized and lists compiled. The workshop reconvened at 5:07 p.m. Several individuals in the audience (who did not identify themselves for the record) commented that if schools are closed or consolidated in the northern part of the county, children will not have transportation to participate in extracurricular or after-school activities. After discussion, the following aims and criteria were identified:

1. Aim of District

Educating Respectful Lifelong Learners

2. Aim of School Board

Fiscally Responsible Policies to Support District Aim

3. Values of School Board

Honesty

Communications

Integrity

Make Fair Decisions Based on Real Data

Trust

4. Consolidation

Pro/Con

Public Learning

Top 10

Ranking

Top Ten Pro's as determined by "Sticky Notes" submitted by School Board Members, Superintendent Paul and citizens:

1. Save district dollars for staff raises

2. Small schools do not generate enough FTE's to be self-supporting

3. Agree that something needs to be done to save money

4. Operational efficiencies

5. Consolidation has biggest financial savings

6. Combining schools would enhance course offerings

7. Consolidate three schools into one - would upgrade schools with new media facilities

8. Schedule flexibility with growth

9. Saving capital outlay dollars when closing schools

10. Comply with Augustus Agreement

Top Ten Con's as determined by "Sticky Notes" submitted by School Board Members, Superintendent Paul and citizens:

1. Diversity issues

2. Possible larger classroom size

3. School bus ride too long

4. Spend money in upgrading with One-Half Cent Sales Tax

5. Transportation costs

6. Where is the growth going

7. Loss of individual attention

8. Loss of neighborhood schools

9. Lack of extracurricular participation

10. Destroys sense of community

Chairman DeWitt stated that these criteria will be applied toward any decisions for school closings or consolidation. He noted that the Superintendent will provide a plan and recommendations (concerning school closings and consolidation) to the Board on January 18, 2001, and by February, possibly at a special meeting, the Board can make decisions and begin the process of public hearings with final decisions possibly by March.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

1) Ms. Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association (EEA), obtained clarification on obtaining lists of criteria developed in the workshop today.

III. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the workshop adjourned at 5:55 p.m. (Official recordings of this workshop are filed in the Information Services Department.)

Attest: Approved:

________________________ __________________________

Superintendent Chairman