THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, JANUARY 29, 2002

 

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:   Ms. Linda Finkelstein

 

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

Mrs. Cary Stidham

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.  Motion made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to approve all presentations and recognitions, was approved 4 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh absent for vote.

 

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.   United Way Outstanding Achievement Awards

 Ms. Verteen Morris, Director of Resource Development for United Way, presented awards to Blue Angels Elementary School, Brownsville Arts and Sciences Academy, Washington High School and the Human Resource Services Department, for their involvement in the 2000-2001 United Way Campaign.

 

2.  Recognition of School Attendance Zone Advisory Committee Members

The following committee members were recognized for their hard work and dedication to public education during the process of revising attendance zones:  Captain Steve Keeley, Ellison Bennett, Ralph Tice, Diana Fordham, Dr. Ulysses Hughes, Dr. Michael Ambrose, Darnell Sims, Bob Husbands and Eugene Brown

 

3.  Recognition of Employees Who Assisted with the Fatal Car Wreck near A.V. Clubbs Middle School

Ms. Susan Morgan recognized the following employees, including the school resource officer, behavior specialist, sub bus aide, and bus drivers for their assistance and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty:  Jeff Swanson, Robert Davis, Mary Smith, Johnny Blackmon, Willie Pryor, Vickie Lindsey, Kip Schulenberg and James Sturdivant

 

4.  National School Counseling Week – Resolution

 Dr. Garth Grove, Guidance Specialist, accepted the following resolution:

 

Resolution

 

WHEREAS, school counselors are employed in public and private schools to help students reach their full potential; and

 

WHEREAS, school counselors are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development;  and

 

WHEREAS, school counselors help parents focus on ways to further the educational, personal, and social growth of their children ; and

 

WHEREAS, school counselors work with teachers and other educators to help students explore their potential and set realistic goals for themselves; and

 

WHEREAS, school counselors seek to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help students become productive members of society; and

 

WHEREAS, comprehensive developmental school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby proclaim the week of February 4-8, 2002 as

 

NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK

 

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 regular meeting of said Board.

 

5. Florida School Volunteer Month – Resolution

 

Mrs. Peggy Pilcher, Coordinator of Volunteer and Business Partnerships accepted the following resolution:

 

Resolution

 

WHEREAS, citizens from all walks of life are giving a gift of their time, talent, and resources to public education; and

 

WHEREAS, working under the guidance of teachers and administrators, community members are of valuable assistance in providing students with the individualized attention that is so essential to their education;  and

 

WHEREAS, more than 12,000 volunteers contributed more than 2 million hours of service, and over 500 Partners in Education and over 600 mentors exhibited genuine interest in the development of children and contributed significantly to the education of youth during the 2000-2001 school year;  and

 

WHEREAS, the recognition of school and community partnerships provides a basis for a continuing commitment to school improvement by increasing the involvement of the community in the classrooms of Escambia County;  and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County wishes to recognize the value and dedication of those who aid in guiding the education of our students by proclaiming the month of February as

 

Florida School Volunteer Month

 

and does hereby order a copy of this resolution by spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said Board and a copy be tendered to every Escambia County, Florida public school.

 

6.  Outstanding Volunteers of the Year

 

Mrs. Peggy Pilcher, Coordinator of Volunteer and Business Partnerships, recognized the following Outstanding Volunteers of the Year for the Escambia County School District: Jessica Boyd, Outsanding Youth Volunteer of the Year (volunteers at Sherwood Elementary); Mike McCracken, Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year (donates his time to A.A. Dixon Elementary); and James Parker, Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year for the district and for Region I for Florida (a volunteer at Warrington Elementary).

 

7.   Outstanding Partners in Education

 

Mrs. Peggy Pilcher, Coordinator of Volunteer and Business Partnerships, recognized two local employers that had received the Commissioner of Education’s Recognition Award for the Escambia County School District.  Mr. Sandy Sansing received this award for the assistance he provides with the Golden Apple Awards, Spelling Bee, Drivers Education Classes, Cram the Van and his partnership with Longleaf and Cordova Park Elementary Schools.  The City of Pensacola also received this recognition for allowing employees one hour a week to work as youth motivators and mentors.

 

8.   Mathematics Educators of the Year

Ms. Annola Hall, President of the Escambia County Council of Teachers of Mathematics, recognized the following “Outstanding Mathematics Educators for the Year”:  Wanda Hampton, Mathematics Educator of the Year for Elementary School; Lillie Eubanks, Mathematics Educator of the Year for Middle School; and Irene Gilgun, Mathematics Educator of the Year for High School.

 

9.  Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year

 Mary Bailey, physical education teacher at Jim Bailey Middle School, was recognized for receiving the “Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year” award by the Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  Ms. Bailey is one of only six finalists nationwide for the National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award.

 

10.  Statewide Finalist for Senate Youth Program

 Thomas Philpot, a student in the International Baccalaureate Program at Pensacola High School, was recognized for being chosen as one of only four finalists statewide in the Senate Youth Program.  He competed in Tallahassee with ten state finalists and was chosen as an alternate.

 

11. National Teacher Appreciation Day/Week – Resolution

 

Madonna Jackson-Williams, President of the Escambia Education Association, accepted the following resolution:

Resolution

 

WHEREAS, teaching is America's most significant and highly respected professions;  and

 

WHEREAS, teachers open children's minds to the magic of ideas, knowledge, and dreams;  and

 

WHEREAS, teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation of good citizenship;and

 

WHEREAS, teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby proclaim the week of May 5-11, 2002 as

 

NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

 

and Tuesday, May 7, 2002 as

 

NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

 

and encourages students and citizens of our community to implement appropriate strategies and activities to recognize the important role and contribution of teachers.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said Board and a copy be tendered to Madonna Jackson-Williams, President of Escambia Education Association, and each work location so that it may be displayed during the month of May.

 

12.  Sunshine State Scholars Program

 Courtney Ann Whitehurst, a student at Washington High School, was recognized for being chosen as the Escambia County School District’s Sunshine Scholar for 2002.  She will represent the district in regional competition.

 

13.  Certified Fraud Examiner Recipient

 The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners awarded Kevin Windham, an employee of the Escambia County School District’s Internal Auditing Department, the designation of Certified Fraud Examiner.

 

14.   Student Messenger for Florida State Representative

 Morgan Myers, a senior at Escambia High School, was recognized for being selected to be a messenger for Florida State Representative Greg Evers.  She will serve in Tallahassee the first week of February.

 

15.  Florida Association for Technical and Industrial Education Educator of the Year Awards

 This association recognizes career and technical education teachers and administrators who provide outstanding leadership and support of technical and industrial education.  Employees from the George Stone Vocational Center were chosen Rookie Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Instructor of the Year, and Outstanding Administrator of the Year.  Brian Metcalf, Rookie Teacher of the Year; Mark Ard, Outstanding Instructor of the Year; and Beverly Stagg, Outstanding Administrator of the Year

 

16.  National Board Certified Teachers

 Mr. Gene Pettis, Director of Employee Services, recognized twenty-four teachers who had recently earned National Board Certified Teaching Standards Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  The teachers were presented with certificates from the District and plaques from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.  The Florida Humanities Council would also provide teachers the opportunity to attend a Florida Center for Teachers seminar free of charge.  Linda Ables, Pine Forest High; Sharon Adams, Pensacola High; Aisha Adkison, Tate High; Patti Beacham, McMillan Center; John Bouchard, ESE; Donna Bowers, Northview High; Shirley Delisle, ESE; Barbara Emmons, Sherwood Elementary; Mary Exum, Pine Forest High; Richard Gilbert, Warrington Middle; Bonita Halford, Lincoln Park Elementary; Wanda Hampton, Ferry Pass Elementary; James Hurley, Pine Meadow Elementary; Drucilla James, Brentwood Middle; Traci Lewis, McArthur Elementary; Xiuqing Wang Li, Pensacola High; Glorida McLeod, Washington High; Tracy Morgan, Escambia Westgate; Sarah Mosko, ESE; Nancy O’Neal, Ransom Middle; Shauna Paedae, Woodham High; Janet Pennewell, Lipscomb Elementary; Pamela Riley, West Pensacola Elementary; and Hazel White, Brentwood Middle

 

17.   National Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Youth Essay Contest Awards

 The following students in the ROTC program from Pine Forest High School wrote essays that received national awards in this contest that is open to K-12 students throughout the nation:  Elizabeth Abbott, Aubrial Bess, Claude Doughty, Daniel Einspahr, Angela Gould, Catherine Jones, Louis Livatino, Emily Mitchell, Robby Moore, Jason Elijah Rigsby and Eric Williams. The topic of the essays were “The Role of an American Citizen in the 21st Century” and participation in this contest was required by the students’ teacher, Lieutenant Commander Kirk.

 

18.   School Library Media Week – Resolution

Ellen Crow, President of the Escambia County Media Specialist Association, accepted the following resolution:

 Resolution

 WHEREAS, school library media programs provide access to a wide variety of necessary educational materials such as books, magazines, audio and video tapes, laser discs, instructional television, computer software, and information databases; and

 WHEREAS, school library media programs provide learning activities designed to enhance reading motivation and establish the literacy skills necessary for lifelong learning; and

 

WHEREAS, the full potential of school library media programs is dependent upon trained professional library media specialists whose varied skills assist teachers and students in effectively using this wide range of information resources; and

 

WHEREAS, it is important to recognize school library media specialists and the important role they play in education;

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Escambia County does hereby proclaim the week of

April 14-20, 2002 as

 SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA WEEK

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said Board and a copy be tendered to Ellen Crow, President, Escambia County Media Specialist Association.

 

19.   Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge George Award

 The Pensacola Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation chose Connie Brown and Marie Rowe, teachers at PATS/Old Hometown, to receive this award for their economics project to raise money for St. Michael’s Cemetery.  Ms. Brown and Ms. Rowe had their class create sketches of the cemetery, which were turned into high quality stationary and proceeds from the stationary were donated to the St. Michael’s Foundation to assist with the cemetery’s maintenance.

 

20.  High Performing Title I Schoolwide Project Schools

 Bellview Elementary School and Pleasant Grove Elementary School were recognized as “High Performing Title I Schoolwide Project Schools” by the Bureau of Equity, Safety and School Support of the Florida Department of Education.  In addition to this honor, the schools were also awarded with certificates by the State, for “Attaining an ‘A’ Achievement Grant in 2001.”

 

21.   Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Bell Ringer Award

 The Old Hometown publication “Voices of the Past, Pensacola Remembers Our World War II Veterans” received the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Bell Ringer Award by the Pensacola Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation.  Students interviewed dozens of Pensacola citizens about their memories of World War II to compile this book.

 

22.  Sunshine State Public Relations Association Special Purpose Award

 The Old Hometown publication “Voices of the Past, Pensacola Remembers Our World War II Veterans” received first place in the Special Purpose Category from the Sunshine State Public Relations Association.

 

23.  Program Featured as Best Practice in Publication

 The Old Hometown program was featured as a Best Practice example for Oral History teaching in the publication “Homespun:  Teaching Local History in Grades 6-12” for their methods on teaching history to students.

 

24.   2001 Wilma Simmons Golden Service Award

 Dr. Jacqueline Young received this award from the Florida Council for the Social Studies for her lifetime service to the social studies.  Dr. Young has been a member of the Council since 1973, and is a past president of the organization.  Governor Jeb Bush also appointed her to the West Florida Historic Preservation Board.

 

III. ADJOURNMENT

 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.  A reception sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence followed the meeting.

 

Attest:                                                     Approved:

______________________________ _____________________________

Superintendent                                    Chairman