The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Workshop Meeting at 9:00 a.m., in the Board Room at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Administration Building, 215 West Garden Street, with the following present:

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

Members: Mr. Gary L. Bergosh

Ms. Linda Finkelstein

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

School Board Attorney:  Mr. Francisco Negron, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul

CALL TO ORDER

Dr. DeWitt called the workshop to order at 9:00 a.m.  Dr. DeWitt introduced Ms. Holley Smith, who has assumed the position of Recording Secretary to the Board.

Dr. DeWitt introduced Judge Terry Terrell, who addressed the Board on current issues involving the truancy program and the interaction of the district’s Visiting Teacher Department.

COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT

The Superintendent listed the additions and deletions to the agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes for all March and April meetings will be presented for Board approval.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report from Mike Burns, Coordinator of Community and Legislative Affairs

Mr. Burns gave the following update:

House Bill 1902, Civil Service Bill, passed and will be sent to the Governor for signing.

Senate Bill 1594, which deals with changing retirement from 20 to 25 years, died in committee.

Senate Bill 708, which deals with sick leave policies, was passed.

House Bill 303, SCRIPT Bill (120% student capacity) will come back next year.

7. SAZAC Committee Recommendations

Mr. Bob Husbands, SAZAC committee member, gave a brief review of the report previously submitted to the Board.  He indicated that they had worked with the mandates as outlined by the Board paying close attention to the SCRIPT Bill and its potential impact on the district.  He further stated that the committee is on schedule to make their final report to the School Board in October.

CONSENT AGENDA

Curriculum and Instruction

2. Cooperative Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and Chris A. Bailey, LMHC. For prevention and intervention activities for students.

4. Cooperative Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and Winter Grace Guidance Center for counseling services to students and families.

Dr. DeWitt asked if federal dollars from the special education budget could be used as fund sources for Items 2 and 4.  Ms. Yvonne Gray, Director of Exceptional Student Education, responded that the funds could not be used for those particular agreements.

Field Initiated Studies Education Research

Dr. DeWitt asked how this research would benefit the district and how much time would be involved for district personnel.  Ms. Edwinna Williams, who will oversee the research for our district, stated that we will be developing programs for teen parents through a grant at no cost to the district.

16. Contract for Charter Agreement between Beulah Academy of Science Inc., and the School Board of Escambia County, Florida.

Ms. Finkelstein wanted clarification on the request for granting a ten-year renewal and changing from year-round to traditional school year.  Mr. Charles Thomas, Director of Alternative Education, and Ms. Sherri Bailey, Director of Beulah Academy of Science, explained that the request for ten-year renewal is allowable by statute after a charter school is in existence for three years.  Also, the school is seeking to purchase additional property, which would require securing a loan.  A ten-year contract would provide lenders, who require evidence of stability, a means to consider a loan request.  In answer to the question about changing the school year, Ms. Bailey stated that although their population liked the year-round calendar, it was decided to move to traditional calendar because the Escambia School District had eliminated all year round programs, returning to the traditional calendar.  Dr. Jenkins also expressed his concerns about the minority make-up of the student body at Beulah Academy.  Ms. Finkelstein requested additional information, regarding the end of year reports from all charter schools, be provided to the Board prior to the regular meeting.

19. The Charter Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and New Road to Learning Inc., dba, Ruby J. Gainer School for Reaching Your Dreams.

Dr. DeWitt asked about the change in the name originally proposed.  Ms. Celestine Lewis, Director of Ruby J. Gainer School for Reaching Your Dreams, stated that the name change was based on advice from their attorney.   She further informed the Board that a new building had been secured and that they have about 130 students to be registered with another 40 students on the waiting list.

30.  Agreements between the School Board of Escambia County and Gulf Wind Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Inc.; Creative School Age Child Care, Inc.; Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc.; Unique School Age Child Care, Inc.; and Childhood Dreams Learning Center, Inc.

In answer to Ms. Finkelstein’s question, these are renewal agreements.

B. Finance

No discussion was held.

C. Human Resources Services

2. Request approval for following high school guidance counselors to work 20 days the months of June and July to be paid at their regular hourly rate of pay:

Edwins, Annette            Escambia

Etters, Raymond            Escambia

Smith, Mary                  Northview

Early, Sandra                Pensacola

Calhoun, Michelle          Pensacola

Olnhausen, James          Pensacola

Ferguson, Naomi           Pensacola

McCorvey, John            Pine Forest

McKibbon, Sherlyn        Pine Forest

Telatovich, Linda           Tate

Webre, Laurian             Tate

Brown, Gina                  Tate

Bordelon, Shirley           Washington

Reeves, Cheryl              Washington

Wells, Marilyn               Washington

Williams, Deborah         Washington

Williams, Kathryn          Woodham

Watson, Florence          Woodham

Nesbitt, Marvetta          Woodham

Gilmore, Kathy              Woodham

Dr. DeWitt questioned the need for this many counselors.  Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, stated the reasons were because of changing to the seven period day, retention, promotion and other changes made for the coming school year.

Purchasing

Change Notice #1 to Purchase Order #203580 (Pharmacy Provider Services Corp.)

In answer to Ms. Finkelstein’s inquiry, Mr. Barry Boyer, Director of Purchasing, stated there had been a delay in getting the new contract completed and therefore an extension to the old plan was necessary.

10. Compass Florida Solution for Secondary / GED for George Stone Vocational Center

Dr. DeWitt stated that he would be abstaining from voting on this item and will be filing a Memorandum of Voting Conflict Form.

28. Bid Award: Dental TPA Services/PPO Network, Bid# 01 36 01

Board Members expressed the need for additional information.  Questions were asked about provider list, procedures, covered and not covered, i.e. cosmetic, and reimbursement formula.  Mr. Joe Bernard, Director of Risk Management, and Mr. Chris Grant, representative of AON, explained the process by which finalists were selected to administer the program, “Usual and Customary Cost Formula”, and use of network and out of network providers.   Mr. Bob Husbands, Executive Director of Escambia NEA UniServe, urged the Board not to approve this bid award until further information was provided.

Facilities, Maintenance and Operations

No discussion was held.

F. Student Transfers

Dr. DeWitt stated that he would be making a motion regarding allowing the transfer of students of district employees.

G. Internal Auditing

No discussion was held.

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (PREVIOUSLY TABLED ITEMS OR ITEMS POSTPONED UNTIL CURRENT MEETING)

No items were submitted.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Proposed Additions of Revisions to School District Rules

3. School Board Rule 6Gx17-3.12 – SOLICITING PERSONNEL SCHOOL

Mr. Bob Husbands, Executive Director of Escambia NEA UniServe, had some concerns with the proposed wording of the rule, in particular the use of the word “agency.”  Mr. Negron stated that the wording was appropriate, however, because of Mr. Husband’s concerns, if the Board wished, additional language could be added to clear up the issue.

4. School Board Rule 6Gx17-5.08 – RISK MANAGEMENT

Mr. Joe Bernard, Director of Risk Management, suggested that the language under the workers’ compensation portion of the rule be changed to read “shall not exceed $15,000.00 per claim payment.”  The consensus of the Board was to make the recommended changes prior to approval.

B. Items from the Board

2.  Reconsideration of Approval of New K-8 School “C” – Elmer Jenkins (Original Board Action on April 17, 2001, Agenda Item V.E.1.b.2)

Dr. Jenkins inquired if a vote to rescind required a 4-1or 3-2 vote.  Mr. Negron stated that a motion to rescind can be passed by majority vote, 3-2.

Request to Support “Catching Kids Doing Right” Program – Cary Stidham

A representative from Applebee’s restaurant explained their program, “Catch Kids Doing Right,” and requested permission to place posters in schools promoting the program, which urges students to wear bicycle helmets.  This program is a collaborative effort between Applebee’s and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.  The Board asked the Superintendent to work with the program representatives.

C. Items from the Superintendent

1. Update from Transportation Staff on Trunk Routing and other issues

Mr. Jerry Caine, Director of Operations, and Ms. Sharon Ball, Route Supervisor, reviewed the information provided in the packets that had been distributed to the Board prior to the workshop.   They have set a deadline for the June School Board Meeting to present final proposal on school starting times, designated bus stops for trunk routing and procedures of notifying parents of changes.

2. Blue Ribbon Committee Recommendation

Mr. Ed Gray, Blue Ribbon Committee member, stated that the mission of the committee was to identify dollars that could be used to increase teacher salaries.  This effort resulted in recommendations for closing and consolidation of some schools and programs.

D. Items from the General Counsel

1. Resolution Revoking and Terminating the Revocable Escambia School District Risk Management Trust

Mr. Negron stated this resolution coincides with the proposed advertisement for the School Board Rule 6Gx17-5.08 – Risk Management.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the workshop adjourned at 11:45 p.m. (Official recordings of this workshop are filed in the Information Services Department.)

Attest:                               Approved:

______________________________   ________________________________

Superintendent                                          Chairman