The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 3:30 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 (was not present)

Ms. Linda Finkelstein

Dr. Elmer Jenkins (entered the meeting at 3:33 p.m.)

School Board Attorney: Mr. Francisco Negron, Jr. (was not present)

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul

I. CALL TO ORDER

Dr. DeWitt noted that Gary L. Bergosh, School Board Member District I, was out of town on business.

II. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

A. UNITED WAY PRESENTATION

United Way representatives expressed appreciation to the Board, Superintendent, and the school system for doing an excellent job in this year's campaign. It was noted that the School District raised over $111,000, and trophies were presented for outstanding achievement to the Evaluation Services Department, Sherwood Elementary School, the PATS Program, and Escambia High School.

B. OUTSTANDING CIVIL SERVICE MEDAL

Lt. Colonel Gary McAndrews appeared representing The University of West Florida Army ROTC Program, and he presented the outstanding Civil Service Medal to Jeanette Corbett, Principal at Edgewater Elementary School, for her extraordinary service and support to soldiers and their families from March, 1971, through December, 2000.

C. TATE AGGIE NEWS TEAM

The Superintendent distributed awards to Tate High School students Melissa Aiken, Jonathan Bullard, Levi Daniel, Stephanie Goen, Chris Rossen, James Barberi, Michael Wilcox, and Sponsor, Candace Gibson, for their coverage of the inauguration of President Bush.

D. NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS

Mr. Gene Pettis, Director of Employee Services, presented plaques to National Board Certified Teachers including Cathy Bain, Suzanne Bosso, Jackie Hurley, Roberta Hurston, Barbara Jacobs, Lynn Kinder, and Timothy Rowe.

E. CERTIFIED INTERNAL AUDITOR DESIGNEE

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Sam Scallan, Director of Internal Auditing, for his achievement in earning the title of Certified Internal Auditor.

F. READ ACROSS AMERICA - RESOLUTION

The Superintendent presented Arlene Costello, Escambia Education Association (EEA) President, with the Read Across America Resolution inviting parent and community involvement in the education of children and proclaiming the week of February 27 through March 4, 2001, as "Read Across America Week."

G. SCHOOL RELATED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Kim Bradshaw for earning the title of School Related Employee of the Year for 2001.

H. FLORIDA SCHOOL VOLUNTEER MONTH - RESOLUTION

The Superintendent presented Peggy Pilcher, Director of Business and Volunteer Partnerships, a Resolution recognizing the value and dedication of those who aid in guiding the education of students by proclaiming the month of February, 2001, as "Florida School Volunteer Month."

I. OUTSTANDING YOUTH VOLUNTEER

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Lauren Basford, for earning the title of Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year for 2001.

J. OUTSTANDING ADULT VOLUNTEER

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Regina Smith for earning the title of Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year for 2001.

K. OUTSTANDING SENIOR VOLUNTEER

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Anna Vidak for earning the title of Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year for 2001.

L. COMMISSIONER'S BUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARD

The Superintendent and Board Members recognized representatives from Washington Mutual and the Pensacola News Journal for their contributions to education and their success in receiving the Commissioner's Business Recognition Award.

M. PINE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM - RESOLUTION

The Superintendent presented Paul Kattau, Principal, and Jerry Pollard, Coach, with a Resolution congratulating the Pine Forest High School Football Team, its players, coaches, managers and trainers, as District, Region, North Florida and 4A State Champions.

N. FIRST PLACE WINNER IN SENIOR GROUP DOCUMENTARIES, NATIONAL HISTORY DAY

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Danny Tuzio for this achievement.

O. ESCAMBIA COUNTY SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Brian Alaback, Sandra Harwood, and Kent Redich, Escambia County Social Studies Teachers of the Year.

P. GEORGE WASHINGTON HONOR AWARD

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Sarah Cohan for her achievement in receiving the George Washington Honor Award.

Q. NATIONAL EDPRESS AWARD FOR BEST HIGH SCHOOL LITERARY PUBLICATION

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Melinda Beckett and Connie Brown for this achievement.

R. SIRS GLOBAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Ellen Vinzen, SIRS Global Education Teacher of the Year.

S. FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS TO MOROCCO

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated April Matteus and Cindy Redecker, Fulbright Scholars to Morocco.

T. ARMONK SCHOLAR TO GERMANY

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Leah Robertson, Armonk Scholar to Germany.

U. NATIONAL BRONZE AWARD, SAVE OUR HISTORY VIDEO CONTEST

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Louis Vallon for this achievement.

V. ESCAMBIA/OKALOOSA WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL SOUTH LOGO CONTEST

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Lynn Dunaway, who was the winner of the Escambia/Okaloosa World War II Memorial South Logo Contest.

W. FLORIDA FINALIST FOR UNITED STATES SENATE PROGRAM

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Allison King, Florida Finalist for the United States Senate Program. Miss King was also recently named Florida's Junior Miss.

X. STEVE TUNICK LEARNING AWARD

The Superintendent and Board Members congratulated Melinda Beckett, recipient of the Steve Tunick Learning Award.

III. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Paul announced that a reception sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence would follow the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 4:24 p.m. (Official recordings of this meeting are filed in the Information Services Department.)

Attest: Approved:

________________________ __________________________

Superintendent Chairman