The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Workshop Meeting at 5:00 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 (was not present)

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman DeWitt called the workshop to order at 5:00 p.m.

II. DISCUSSION OF SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND PLAN ON SCHOOL CONSOLIDATIONS AND SCHOOL CLOSINGS, AND INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC

Chairman DeWitt announced that the purpose of the workshop was to receive public input. He asked anyone wishing to submit a plan or suggestion to present it to the Board in writing this week.

The Board recognized the following speakers:

1) Ms. Mercedes Whiting, 132 Attucks Court, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a fourth grade student at A. A. Dixon Elementary, and she asked that the Board not close the school.

2) Mr. Tony Boling, 4216 Lynn Ora Drive, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he has taught at A. A. Dixon Elementary for two years. He asked that the Board take more time to identify budget problems and prepare a cost-savings analysis.

3) Ms. Kimberly Patterson, 406 Cherokee Trail, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a middle school student, and she spoke in support of continuing the "Old Hometown Program."

4) Dr. Jacqueline Young, 131 Calle de Santiago, Pensacola, Florida, referred to a letter from Mr. John Daniels, Director of the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board and Historic Pensacola Village, in support of continuing the "Old Hometown Program" at Historic Pensacola Village.

5) Ms. Cindy Redeker, 909 North Barcelona, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she teaches at Pensacola High School, and she spoke in support of the "Old Hometown Program."

6) Mr. Andrew Guyton, 908 Catskill Lane, Pensacola, Florida, spoke in support of continuing the "Old Hometown Program."

7) Ms. Melinda Beckett, 4565 Lavallet Lane, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is the only teacher with the "Old Hometown Program." She asked that more time be given to seek alternative funding.

8) Ms. Tracey Luciani, 411 Bayshore Drive, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a graduate student at Florida State University, and she is doing her student teaching at the Old Hometown School. She spoke in support of continuing the program.

9) Mr. Stephen Jogan, 6735 Highway 99, Molino, Florida, commented that the Barrineau Park Historical Society recognized the historic value of Barrineau Park Elementary School which was built in 1938. He requested that the school not be closed or consolidated with Molino Elementary School. He asked that the Board consider adding a wing to the school and also build a new middle school.

10) Ms. Danielle Fryman, 1610 Nair Lane, Cantonment, Florida, stated that she is a teacher at Barrineau Park Elementary School, as well as a spokesperson for the Student Advisory Council. She asked that the Board keep the school open and build an additional wing. She also spoke in favor of building a new middle school.

11) Mr. Jeffery Myles, 1310 West Hope Drive, Pensacola, Florida, expressed opposition to closing the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, and he requested that the Board allow an additional year to find alternative funding.

12) Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Maupin, 1412 Croquet Drive, Cantonment, Florida, stated that they are Creek Indians, and they serve as volunteers at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. They asked that the Board keep the center open.

13) Ms. Nicole Branden, 314 East Blount Street, Pensacola, Florida, asked that the Board request funding at the state level and not close A. A. Dixon Elementary School.

14) Ms. Lora Cronk, 837 Valley Ridge Circle, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a reading teacher at A. A. Dixon Elementary School, which is a model school for the State of Florida related to the success of the SRA reading program.

15) Ms. Hollie Wilkins, 2110 St. Andrews Drive, Cantonment, Florida, asked that the Board keep A. A. Dixon Elementary School open and pursue budgetary options other than closing schools.

16) Ms. Brooke McElroy, 1611 Green Brier Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Florida, spoke in favor of keeping A. A. Dixon Elementary School open.

17) Ms. Peggy Fowler, 2801 East Lloyd Street, Pensacola, Florida, asked that the proposed school consolidation plan take into consideration how the plan will affect student learning.

18) Mr. Curtis Farmer, Jr., 4974 Prieto Drive, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he is a teacher at Spencer Bibbs Elementary School, and he spoke in opposition to school closure.

19) Ms. Serina Johnson, 3401 Sandy Hollow Road, Century, Florida, stated that she is a fifth grader at Bratt Elementary School, and she asked that Bratt Elementary not be closed.

20) Ms. Linda Johnson, 3401 Sandy Hollow Road, Century, Florida, stated that she opposed closing Bratt Elementary School or any other schools in District 5.

21) Ms. Judy Griggers, 3340 Oakshade Road, Century, Florida, stated that her son attends Northview High School and two daughters attend Bratt Elementary School, and she asked that schools in District 5 not be closed.

22) Ms. Stephanie Fairbanks, 1310 Blount Street, Pensacola, Florida, spoke in support of keeping the PATS Program at its current location.

23) Ms. Wanda Reed, 1504 East Moreno Street, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she works at The PATS Center, and she requested more time to look for alternative funding rather than move the program to a middle school.

24) Ms. Linda Griffin, 4118 Coppertreet Lane, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a media specialist at The PATS Center, and she spoke in support of continuing the program at its present location.

25) Ms. Nancy Marler, 6501 Highway 98, Pensacola, Florida, requested more time to investigate alternative funding for The PATS Center.

26) Ms. Carol Armour, 1910 East Jackson Street, Pensacola, Florida, spoke in favor of continuing the PATS Program.

27) Mr. Robert Taylor, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he works at The PATS Center, and he asked that the program not be moved to a middle school setting.

28) Ms. Lois Madison, 1224 Rule Street, Pensacola, Florida, asked that the PATS Program not be closed or moved to Brentwood Middle School.

29) Ms. Betsy Werre, 4316 Whiteleaf Court, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is the parent of a child enrolled in the PATS Program. She expressed concern about safety factors if third graders in the PATS Program are relocated to a middle school setting.

30) Mr. Orvind Johnson, 6456 Highway 99, Molino, Florida, asked that Barrineau Park Elementary School remain open. He also asked that the Board eliminate portable classrooms before considering school closures.

31) Mr. Joe Leonard, 801 Ariola Drive, Pensacola Beach, Florida, stated that he is a member of the Pensacola Beach Elementary School PTA, and they are willing to reduce operating costs and fund many expenses through the PTA.

32) Ms. Lorene Lanza, 10 Sabine Drive, Pensacola, Florida, requested that Pensacola Beach Elementary School remain open.

33) Ms. Randi Broughton, 2405 North 10th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida, stated that her grandson attends Spencer Bibbs Elementary, and she asked that the school be kept open.

34) Ms. Helen Haddock, 4851 Gobbler Road, Century, Florida, expressed opposition to school closure or consolidation in District 5.

35) Mr. Patrick Grandberry, 4409 Ellysee Way, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he is a first grader at Spencer Bibbs Elementary, and he asked that the school stay open.

36) Ms. Shauna Paedae, 3216 Windmill Circle, Cantonment, Florida, stated that she is a teacher at Woodham High School. She expressed opposition to closing Beggs Alternative Education School, which would result in the subsequent housing of those students on the campus of Woodham High School.

37) Ms. Barbara Martin, 4302 Brittany Court, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a teacher at The PATS Center, and she expressed opposition to merging elementary and middle school programs together.

38) Ms. Wanda Kotick, 2800 East Desoto Street, Pensacola, Florida, was joined by a group of individuals at the podium, with Ms. Kotick serving as the spokesperson. She expressed that information had been provided to the Board on cost savings ideas in support of keeping A. K. Suter Elementary School open.

39) Ms. Linda Scott, Principal, Spencer Bibbs Elementary School, addressed the Board in support of keeping the school open. She stated that Spencer Bibbs is a magnet school for math, science and technology, with a student station available for each student.

40) Mr. John Rigsby, 315 North Reus Street, Pensacola, Florida, asked that the Board keep Spencer Bibbs Elementary School open.

41) Miss Adaysha Lyons, 115 East Bobe Street, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a kindergarten student at Spencer Bibbs Elementary, and she asked that the school be kept open.

42) Mr. Louis Vallon, 226 East Indendencia Street, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he has participated in the "Old Hometown" community classroom as a student and has won three State awards for individual documentaries. He spoke in support of continuing the program.

43) Ms. Karen Corcoran, 1093 East Mallory Street, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she and her daughter wished to express support for continuing the "Old Hometown Program."

44) Ms. Georgia Smith, 1520 East Hernandez, Pensacola, Florida, spoke in favor of keeping Spencer Bibbs Elementary School open.

45) Ms. Alice Woodward, P. O. Box 156, Molino, Florida, stated that Barrineau Park Elementary School was built in 1938 and could end up on one of America's lists of eleven (11) most-endangered historical landmarks. She proposed adding on a wing at Barrineau Park Elementary and building a middle school to prevent overcrowding and allow for future growth.

46) Ms. Stephanie Brooks, 6003 Fairview Drive, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Pensacola High School, and she spoke in favor of continuing the "Old Hometown Program."

47) Ms. Felecia Robertson, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she is a fourth grade teacher at A. A. Dixon Elementary School. She stated that the One-Half Cent Sales Tax is up for renewal next year and suggested that a referendum be placed on the ballot to ask for an additional ½ cent to raise sales tax to eight (8) percent.

The Chairman noted that sales tax monies could not be allocated for operational costs.

48) Ms. Jennifer Lee, 4091 Roley Road, Bratt, Florida, expressed concerns as to how combining Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle School would promote student learning and improve curriculum.

49) Mr. LeRoy Boyd, 208 Hart Drive, Pensacola, Florida, Movement for Change, Inc., expressed opposition to school closure, and he asked that the Board explore other options to give teacher raises.

50) Ms. Lisa Jones, 2101 Fleance Drive, Pensacola, Florida, expressed concern about moving the PATS Program (third, fourth and fifth graders) to a middle school environment.

51) Mr. Michael Jones, 2101 Fleance Drive, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he is a third grader who attends The PATS Center, and he asked that the program continue.

52) Ms. Morgan Myers, 3733 Gerhardt Drive, Pensacola, Florida, stated that she attends Escambia High School and the "Old Hometown Program." She asked that more time be given in which to obtain additional funding to continue the program.

53) Mr. Demetrice Black, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he is a student at A. A. Dixon Elementary, and he asked that the school be kept open.

54) Ms. Jacqueline Hawthorne, 412 East Strong Street, Pensacola, Florida, asked that the Board keep Spencer Bibbs Elementary open.

55) Mr. Larry Stallworth, 3665 East Johnson Avenue, Pensacola, Florida, stated that he is a Guidance Counselor at Spencer Bibbs, and he spoke in support of keeping Spencer Bibbs Elementary open.

The public forum ended at 6:40 p.m. Chairman DeWitt announced that the Board will hold a Special Workshop tomorrow evening at 8:00 p.m. at Northview High School to receive public input concerning schools in that area.

III. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the workshop adjourned at 6:43 p.m. (Official recordings of this workshop are filed in the Information Services Department.)

Attest: Approved:

________________________ __________________________

Superintendent Chairman