The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Board Room, at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel (Administration) Building, 215 West Garden Street, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

Chairman: Dr. John DeWitt  (was present via speakerphone)

Vice Chairman: Mrs. Cary Stidham (Chaired meeting)

Board Members: Mr. Gary L. Bergosh

Ms. Linda Finkelstein

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

School Board Attorney: Mr. Francisco Negron, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent, represented Mr. Jim Paul

I. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

On motion made by Ms. Finkelstein and second by Dr. Jenkins, adoption of the agenda was unanimously approved.

II. PRESENTATION OF TENTATIVE BUDGET AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE TENTATIVE BUDGET AND MILLAGE

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”)

Ms. Barbara Linker, Director of Budgeting, gave a brief review of the Fiscal Year 2001-2002 Proposed Tentative Budget and Millage.   Motion was made by Mr. Bergosh and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to approve for advertising, the 2001-2002 Tentative Budget and Millage, and to set August 2, 2001, 5:30 p.m., at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel (Administration) Building, as the meeting for a Public Hearing and Adoption of Tentative Budget and Millage.   Motion was unanimously approved.

III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (PREVIOUSLY TABLED ITEMS OR ITEMS POSTPONED UNTIL CURRENT METING)

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “B”)

A. Permission to Adopt Emergency Rule Change

1. School Board Rule 6Gx17-6.02(2) – ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSPORTATION (tabled from July 17, 2001 Regular Meeting)

Motion was made by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to adopt Emergency Rule Change, School Board Rule 6Gx17-6.02(2) – Eligibility for Transportation.  Motion was unanimously approved.

IV. ITEMS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “C”)

ADD 1.  School Health Services Grant Contract Amendment

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for the School Health Services Grant Contract Amendment.  Motion was seconded by Ms. Finkelstein and unanimously approved.

ADD 2.  Donation of two (2) school buses to Beulah Academy

Motion was made by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for donation of two (2) school buses to Beulah Academy.  Dr. DeWitt stated he could not support these items (Items 2 and 3) because he did not consider them an emergency.  Mrs. Stidham and Ms. Finkelstein expressed concerns that District schools had not been given the opportunity to request surplus buses.  They also questioned the method of notification of availability of surplus buses.  Mr. Bergosh suggested that development of a Board policy would be helpful.  Dr. Jenkins had concerns because he did not feel Beulah Academy was fulfilling its Charter, in that he did not believe they were representative of the community.  Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, explained that the process used for making this recommendation was the same as previously used for bringing this type of request to the Board.  He understood the concerns expressed and would review the procedure and report back to the Board.  Ms. Finkelstein called the question, which was unanimously approved.  Motion was approved 4 to 1, with Dr. DeWitt voting “No.”

ADD 3. Donation of four (4) school buses to Jacqueline Harris Pyramid School for Learning

Motion was made by Dr. Jenkins, seconded by Mr. Bergosh, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for donation of four (4) school buses to Jacqueline Harris Pyramid School for Learning.  Motion was approved 4 to 1, with Dr. DeWitt voting “No.”

V. ADJOURNMENT

Before adjourning, the Board set a  Special Meeting for Monday, July 30, 2001 at 8:00 a.m., at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel (Administration) Building, for the purpose of reviewing the School District Dental Plan.  Ms. Finkelstein moved to adjourn the special meeting at 6:10 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Dr. Jenkins and unanimously approved.

Attest:                                                              Approved:

__________________________                    ___________________________

Superintendent                                                  Chairman