THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 25, 2001

 

The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in a  Special Recognition Meeting at 6:00 p.m., in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

 

Chairman: Dr. John DeWitt

Vice Chairman: Mrs. Cary Stidham

Board Members: Mr. Gary L. Bergosh

Ms. Linda Finkelstein

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

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

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul

 

I. CALL TO ORDER

 

Dr. DeWitt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  State Representative Jeff Miller gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.  Motion made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to approve all presentations and recognitions, was unanimous. 

 

II. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

 

Mr. Ronnie Arnold, Director of Information Services, served as Master of Ceremonies, for the program.  The School Board and Superintendent congratulated all of the honored recipients that were in attendance, on the following achievements.

 

1. Presentation by Legislative Delegation - Certificates to Schools that Received School Recognition Program Funds

State Senator Durell Peaden, State Representative Jeff Miller, and State Representative Holly Benson, presented certificates to the ten schools that received funds through the School Recognition Program for either being graded an ‘A’ or improving one letter grade under the Governor’s A+ education plan.  Those schools included the following:  Pleasant Grove Elementary, Jim Bailey Middle, Workman Middle, Molino Elementary, Ransom Middle, N.B. Cook Elementary, Carver Middle, Brownsville Academy of Science, Bellview Elementary and Beulah Academy of Science.

 

2. Recognition of John Appleyard and Braden Ball

John Appleyard, owner of The John Appleyard Agency, Inc., and Braden Ball, former Pensacola News Journal publisher, have donated 750 copies of their book, ‘You Can Get There From Here, Going Places in Northwest Florida”, for every Escambia County School District middle school teacher for use in their classrooms.Appleyard and Ball co-authored this book about transportation in Northwest Florida in the Twentieth Century.

 

3. SkillsUSA-VICA National Winners

Jahmal Leonard and Rick Chapman, students at George Stone Vocational Technical Center both competed in and placed at the SkillsUSA-VICA National Competition held the end of June in Kansas City, Missouri.

 

4. World Food Month – Resolution

 

Resolution

WHEREAS, the welfare of our citizens, and of young people in particular, is a concern of all Americans; and

 

WHEREAS, the School Board of Escambia County recognizes the need for voluntary efforts by citizens to provide for the welfare of others, as well as to supplement the efforts of government to promote the general welfare; and

 

WHEREAS, the School Board of Escambia County wishes to recognize and to assist the Manna Food Bank in its efforts to relieve hunger in our community; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby recognize the month of October as

 

WORLD FOOD MONTH - FOOD FOR FAMILIES

 

and does hereby encourage administrators, teachers and school children to recognize and support this event.                         

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby order a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the special meeting of said Board and a copy be tendered to Timothy Evans, Executive Director, Manna Food Bank.

 

5. National D.A.R.E Officer of the Year

Pensacola Police Officer Wayland Mann was named the National D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer of the Year by the National D.A.R.E. Officers Association at a ceremony in Los Angeles in August.  This is the first time ever that the national winner has come from Florida.  Officer Mann oversees the D.A.R.E. programs at Hallmark and Holm Elementary Schools, and Workman Middle School.

 

6. Retirement of Debbie Parrish – Resolution

 

Resolution

WHEREAS, Debbie Parrish has served the community as a leader in the dance community for twenty-three years; and

 

WHEREAS, she has taught children of all ages the joy and discipline of dance and worked tirelessly to enrich the community through the art of dance; and

 

WHEREAS, she has served the Escambia County School District by creating and producing Hansel and Gretel as an arts-in-education activity for eleven years through enriching the education of over 84,000 third graders; and

 

WHEREAS, she has been a creative force behind Pensacola’s only resident dance company, Ballet Pensacola, since its inception and has served as Artistic Director of Kaleidoscope & Ballet Pensacola since 1981;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby congratulate Debbie Parrish upon the occasion of her retirement, and commend her for her contribution to the richness of the cultural life of Pensacola, Escambia County, and Northwest Florida.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the special meeting of said Board and a copy be tendered to Debbie Parrish.

 

7. Celebration! Sharing Success in Environmental Education Award

Escambia Westgate Center was one of only ten schools in the state to be recognized by the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium for its excellence in environmental education.  The implementation of its program involved a partnership with Ferry Pass, Lipscomb, and McArthur Elementary Schools.  Escambia Westgate received a check in the amount of $1,000 and a plaque in honor of its achievements.

 

8. Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Recipient

Jessica Dean, a student at Washington High School, was awarded this scholarship by the Florida Department of Education.  The scholarship is worth $1,500 per year and is awarded to one student in each geographical area in Florida who has the highest GPA and test scores.

 

9. American Education Week/Educational Support Personnel Day – Resolution

Resolution

WHEREAS, our American Democracy depends on an informed and well educated populace;  and

WHEREAS, the public schools of America play a significant and irreplaceable role in providing a free and excellent educational opportunity to each American citizen; and

WHEREAS, Escambia District Schools support Highest Student Achievement and consistently perform at and above state and national norms; and

WHEREAS, officials, employees, and supporters of Escambia District schools recognize and appreciate the significant responsibility of educating every citizen and daily demonstrate their commitment to a high quality educational experience for every citizen; and

WHEREAS, teachers and educational support employees represented by Escambia NEA, the officers and members of the Escambia County Council of PTA, and the officials and leaders of Escambia District Schools are significant partners in the effort to provide high quality schools for citizens of Escambia County; and

WHEREAS, the week of November 11 - 17, 2001 has been designated American Education Week to honor the work of teachers and other educational employees;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby proclaim November 11 - 17, 2001 as

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

and further, in specific recognition of the contributions of Educational Support Personnel to the overall mission of public schools, the School Board proclaims Wednesday, November 14, 2001 as

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL DAY

and encourages education and community leaders to A Walk in Our Shoes @ on that day;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said Board, and copies be provided to leaders of the Escambia NEA UniServ and each work location so that they may be displayed during the month of November.                                                                                 

10. Holland & Knight Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest Winner

Chelsea Corcoran-Quadt, a student at Pensacola High School, received regional first place for her essay centering on her grandmother’s life as a child in Nazi Germany.  Chelsea received $500 and a week in Washington with the other winners, where they visited the National Holocaust Museum and talked with Holocaust survivors.

 

11. National History Day Award Winners

Nine students representing five entries from Escambia County received national recognition for their performance in National History Day competition at the University of Maryland. Those students included: Kimberly Patterson, Andy Pope, Cameron Colbert, Emily Rowe, Jamie McMillen, Andrea Johnson, Jenny Gibson, Brendan Heath and Mallory Heath.  Over 2,000 students from around the country competed in fourteen different categories.

 

12. Exceptional Student Education Week – Resolution

Resolution

WHEREAS, throughout its long history, American education has opened the doors of opportunity for people of all backgrounds and ages; and

WHEREAS, educational programs for exceptional students, including those that have disabilities and those who are gifted, are a significant example of the American principle that every individual be given the opportunity to contribute his or her utmost to the good of the community; and

WHEREAS, the need for further progress in the education of exceptional students is an integral part of the initiative for school improvement and accountability; and

WHEREAS, the 850 teachers and support personnel who are directly involved in the education of exceptional students deserve recognition for the contributions they make to students;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby recognize the week of October 7 - 13 as

EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION WEEK

and urges all principals, students, parents and citizens to join in this recognition and show their appreciation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby order a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the special meeting of said Board and a copy be tendered to Yvonne Gray, Director of Exceptional Student Education.

 

13. “Just Say No” Poster Contest Winners

Two students from A.K. Suter Elementary School were honored at the North Florida District Conference of the Optimist Club in Lake City for being the fourth and fifth grade winners of the group’s “Just Say No” poster contest. Alicia Schindler, who is currently a sixth grade student at Workman Middle, was the fifth grade winner and Angelina Malamo, a current fifth grader at Suter, was the fourth grade winner.

 

14. National Family Literacy Day – Resolution

Resolution

WHEREAS, family literacy programs raise the education level of parents, and through instruction, help parents gain the motivation, skills, and knowledge needed to become employed; and

WHEREAS, family literacy programs improve parenting skills of adults and the relationship of parent and child through planned, regular interaction; and

WHEREAS, family literacy programs increase the developmental skills of preschool children and better prepare them for academic and social success in school;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby proclaim Thursday, November 1, 2001

NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY

in Escambia County, and all citizens are encouraged to observe this time with activities that promote literacy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said Board and copy be tendered to C. Wayne Odom, Director of Title I.

 

15. Governor’s Award Program for Economics Winners

Connie Brown and Marie Rowe, both teachers at the PATS Center and Old Hometown, received this award for their lesson plans that they developed for their students.  Wanting to assist St. Michael’s Cemetery after it was vandalized, the students created an enterprise selling stationary featuring student sketches of the cemetery, with the continuing profit being donated to the cemetery foundation.

 

16. Florida Global Education Teacher of the Year

Melody Stalker, a teacher at Sherwood Elementary School, received this award from the Florida Council for the Social Studies.  She will receive $500 for herself, $500 for her school, and a trophy at the October conference in Tampa.

 

17. Recognition of Hunter Scott

For the last six years, Hunter Scott has undertaken a successful legislative effort which resulted in the exoneration of Captain Charles McVay, who was court-martialed after his ship, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk at the end of World War II.  As a result of Hunter’s diligence, a Navy Unit Citation was awarded to the crew of the Indianapolis, and Congress expressed that Captain McVay was not responsible for the loss of the ship and the deaths of the majority of the crew.

 

18. Florida Physical Education Awards

The Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance, and Driver Education will honor several school district employees at its conference on October 19 in Jacksonville.  Escambia County teachers have been chosen to receive awards for the Middle School, High School, and Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for the state of Florida.  Those teachers included:  Mary Bailey, Terrie Wright and Charles Booher.

 

19. Florida Parent Involvement Award

Ensley Elementary School’s “Focus on Fathers” program was chosen as the Parent Involvement Award Winner for the state of Florida.  The program, which was started by Judy Miller, works to make fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and others a more active participant in their children’s school.

 

20. NEED Project State Winners

Bellview Elementary School was named the 2001 Elementary Level School of the Year by the National Energy Education Development Project.  Workman Middle School was named the 2001 Junior Level School of the Year and was also a National Level Junior Finalist.  The schools were chosen to receive these awards for their excellence in energy education in their schools and in the community.

 

21. Southern Institute Educator of the Year

Dr. Jacqueline Young, Social Studies Specialist for the school district, was named the 2001 Educator of the Year for Tulane University’s Southern Institute for Education and Research.  This award is given every year to the educator who has worked with ceaseless devotion to promote tolerance education.  She will receive her award at a ceremony on October 10 in New Orleans.

 

22. Five Star School Awards

Eighteen elementary and middle schools from Escambia County have been chosen to receive the Five Star School designation for the 2001-2002 school year.  The Five Star School Award is presented annually to those schools that have shown evidence of exemplary community involvement.  Schools that will be receiving the award for the seventh year are Beulah Elementary School, Pam Thompson, principal; N.B. Cook Elementary, Sharon Sudduth, principal; and Cordova Park Elementary, Tom Marucci, principal; for the sixth year are Lipscomb Elementary, Thomas Harrell, principal; and Scenic Heights Elementary, Meg Garthwaite, principal; for the fifth year is Warrington Elementary, Peggy Tucker, principal; for the fourth year are Hellen Caro Elementary, Martha Ellen Wiseman, principal; Pensacola Beach Elementary, Beverly Patteson, principal; Pine Meadow Elementary, Patti Burt, principal; Sherwood Elementary, Mary Ellen Wiggins, principal; and A.K. Suter Elementary, Beverly Patteson, principal; for the third year are Oakcrest Elementary, Patricia McElfresh, principal; and Ernest Ward Middle, Ruth Vannerson, principal; for the second year are Jim Allen Elementary, Rebecca McBride, principal; Ensley Elementary, John Dell Hucabee, principal; and Pleasant Grove Elementary, Linda Maletsidis, principal; and for the first year are McArthur Elementary, Marcia Nowlin, principal; and Workman Middle, Jeff Pomeroy, principal.

 

23. Warren Tracy Beginning Teacher of the Year Finalist

Lisa Newcomb, a teacher at Jim Bailey Middle School, was chosen by the Florida Council for the Social Studies as one of three state finalists for this award. Ms. Newcomb is the Department Chairperson for Social Studies and is the History Fair Chairperson for Bailey Middle School.

 

24. Superfund/Environmental Health Partnership Program Recipient

Janice Carl, a teacher at Escambia High School, was one of only sixteen teachers to complete this one-week program.  This is a rigorous science research program that gives teachers the opportunity to become actively involved in current environmental health research.

 

25. National Board of Certification for School Nurses Recipients

Ten school nurses that work with the Escambia County School District recently passed the National Board of Certification for School Nurses.  Those nurses included:  Nelda Bratcher, Karen Capps, Patricia Jefferson, Juanita Lindsey, Linda Kent, Suzanne McCarthy, Barbara Shoulders, Trena Webb, Linda Woodson and Karen Thoennes.  Only 1,574 school nurses nationwide have earned their national certification.  These nurses work in a variety of capacities with our schools.

 

26. Escambia County Social Studies 2001 Teachers of the Year

The Florida Council for the Social Studies will recognize these Escambia County elementary, middle, and high school social studies teachers at their 44th annual conference in Tampa for being chosen Social Studies Teacher of the Year. Those teachers include:  Mark Goolsby, Jill Oliver and Walter Gulley.

 

27. Council on Aging Hall of Fame Inductee

Since 1992, thirty students from the 6th grade at Ransom Middle School have been meeting with twenty to thirty homebound or disadvantaged elders at Cottage Hill Methodist Church.  The students and elders meet to socialize, and for elders to continue to share in the life of their community and provide younger children with a better understanding of the older generation.

 

III. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.  A reception sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence followed the meeting.

 

Attest:                                   Approved:

 

______________________ _________________________________

Superintendent                                       Chairman

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