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, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

Chairman:   Dr. John DeWitt            Vice Chairman:   Ms. Linda Finkelstein

Board Members:  Mr. Gary L. Bergosh (was not present)

Mrs. Cary Stidham

Dr. Elmer Jenkins (entered the Workshop Meeting at 9:30 a.m.)

School Board Attorney:  Mr. Francisco M. Negron, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools:  Mr. Jim Paul

I.  CALL TO ORDER

 Dr. DeWitt called the Regular Workshop to order at 9:00 a.m.

A.  Open Discussion

Budget Planning Process – At the request of the Superintendent, Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, gave a brief review of the process being used in planning for the budget “shortfall” next year.  He stated that recommendations regarding budget cuts and other money saving suggestions, will most likely be presented to the Board at the February Regular Meeting.

II.  COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT

 The Superintendent listed the additions, deletions and amendments to the agenda.

III.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 Minutes for all December meetings will be presented for Board approval.

IV.   COMMITTEE REPORTS

1.   Report from Mike Burns, Legislative Consultant to the School Board

Mr. Burns gave the following update:

 Appropriated Funding Increases – Mr. Burns provided the Board and Superintendent with a handout regarding “Appropriated Funding Increases” which outlined the Governor’s proposed budget increases for this year.

Prospective Legislation:

House Bill 191 – Requires school districts to hire an Inspector General.

House Bill 265, Senate Bill 422 – Gives school boards the option to extend the benefits of the “Barry Grunow Act” to certain school district employees and certain non-instructional personnel who provide indirect services to students, in addition to teachers and school administrators.

 House Bill 311, Senate Bill 390 – Authorizes school districts to opt out of restrictions applied to allocations for formula-funded categorical programs and to use such funds at their discretion.  Mr. Burns stated that while this issue has support from both the House and Senate, due to procedural rules, the Senate President could “hold up” the Bill and not allow it to go to the “floor.”

 House Bill 657 (does not have a co-sponsor on the Senate side) – Allows school districts to levy a discretionary sales surtax [up to eight (8) years] for school capital outlay or school operations.

 Florida Corporate Contribution Tax Credit (Florida Statute 220.187 – Credits for contributions to nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations) – Encourages private and voluntary contributions to nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations to expand educational opportunities for children of families that have limited financial resources, by giving tax credits to individuals and corporations across the State.   The program is managed by the Department of Revenue and the Department of Education and became effective January 1, 2002.

V.   CONSENT AGENDA

A.   Curriculum and Instruction

1.   EPA Environmental Education Grants Program, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Youth

Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Ms. Linda Hartmann, teacher at Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, stated that the “matching funds” include the cost of salary for her as “Lead Trainer” and the cost of software and license. She noted that this grant is not specifically for the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, but rather for the entire district.

3.   Service Agreement between the Escambia County School District and the University of West Florida for Annual School Climate Surveys

 Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Dr. Wesley Davis, Director of Evaluation Services, stated that the “surveys” are paid for with School Advisory Grant funds.

4.  Cooperative Agreement between the School District of Escambia County and Pensacola Electrical Apprenticeship           

 Dr. DeWitt noted that the “summary sheet” indicated no cost to the District, however, the “agreement” indicated that there are costs associated.  Mr. Tommy Taylor, Director of Applied Technology, explained that there are costs associated, however, those funds would be “re-cooped” due to increased enrollment.

B. Finance

8.  Disposal of Capitalized and Non-Capitalized Assets:

d)  Memorandum of Understanding for Electronic Equipment Recycling

 Dr. DeWitt noted that Mr. Negron had reviewed this item and requested changes to the “terms” of the contract as well as the “signature block.”  Ms. Deana Hendrix, Executive Secretary, Finance and Business Affairs, stated that the amended contract would be presented prior to the Regular Meeting.

C.   Human Resources Services

1.  Instructional/Professional

f.  Special Requests

ADD  4. Request approval of the final School District Calendar for the 2002-2003 school year

Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Dr. Doug Garber, Director of Human Resource Services, stated that the calendar for the 2002-2003 school year had been approved by the “calendar committee” and all bargaining units, for submission to the Board.  He noted that the “calendar committee” had expressed concern that the calendar be publicized as quickly as possible (upon approval), in an effort to notify all families of the calendar dates.

2.  Educational Support Personnel

d.  Suspensions

-Employee #5501-0061-6, Custodial Worker I at Bellview Middle, suspended without pay for three (3) work days effective January 16, 2002 for misconduct

 Dr. Jenkins stated that various employees had expressed concerns that sometimes employees who are recommended for “suspension without pay” are not afforded “due process.”   Dr. Doug Garber, Director of Human Resource Services, reviewed the process for recommendations of “suspension without pay,” noting that those types of recommendations require Board action.

D.  Purchasing

 Dr. Jenkins made inquiry concerning the number of contracts given to minority businesses.  Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, stated that information was being gathered and a memo would be forthcoming.

E.  Operations

 No discussion was held.

F.   Student Transfers

 No discussion was held.

G.  Internal Auditing

 No discussion was held.

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

VII.    NEW BUSINESS

A.  Proposed Additions of Revisions to School District Rules

Permission to Advertise

ADD   1.School Board Rule 6Gx17-3.02(4) -  ATTENDANCE ZONE GRANDPARENTING PROVISIONS

b.  Permission to Adopt Emergency Rule

ADD 1. School Board Rule 6Gx17-3.02(4) -  ATTENDANCE ZONE GRANDPARENTING PROVISIONS

Ms. Finkelstein stated that the purpose of School Board Rule 6Gx17-3.02(4) is to permit students in grades K-4 affected by attendance zone revisions (as approved at the January 8, 2002 Special Meeting), to continue in the same elementary school designate for the 2001-2002 school year, permits students in grades 5-7 affected by attendance zone revisions to enroll in and/or continue to attend the middle school designated for the 2001-2002 school year and allows students in grades 8-11 to enroll in and/or continue to attend the high school designated for the 2001-2002 school year if the request is made during spring registration, the student does not change residences, and the student provides transportation at the student’s expense.

B.  Items from the Board

3. Allocation of Federal Funds – John DeWitt

 Dr. DeWitt asked that the Board review the information he had previously provided, regarding issues related to the traditional allocation of Title I funds.  He recommended that the Board request the Superintendent to present a new plan, which addresses those issues, at the February Regular Meeting.  The Superintendent stated that some of the issues were already being addressed and he would prepare a report for the February Regular Meeting.

C. Items from the Superintendent

 No discussion was held.

D. Items from the General Counsel

 No items were submitted.

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Attest:                               Approved:          

____________________ _____________________

Superintendent     Chairman