THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

MINUTES, APRIL 22, 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

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 Dr. Jenkins, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to approve all presentations and recognitions, was approved unanimously.

 

II. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

 The Board and Superintendent presented plaques to representatives from the law firm of Kerrigan, Estess, Rankin and McLeod; the Pensacola News Journal; and the Levin and Papantonio Family Foundation, in appreciation for their continued support of the School District through endeavors such as school partnerships and special recognition ceremonies for employees and students.

 

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.     Pensacola Youth City Council Members

 The Pensacola Youth City Council was formed at the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year as an advisory board to the Pensacola City Council, to provide youth with the opportunity to learn about city government, to provide a service to the community, and to develop leadership skills.  The following members were recognized for attending City Council meetings, attending meetings with various city departments, cleaning a city cemetery and appearing on the “Community Issues” television show:  Ryan Dyson, Tate High; Jodi Fisher, Pine Forest High; Malissa Gardner, Pensacola High; Vanece Gordon, Woodham High; Marie Gossman, Woodham High; Andrew Guyton, Old Hometown and Pensacola High; Zachary Heng, Washington High; Lehua McAllister, Pensacola High; Jaylen McGrew, Pensacola High; Alicia McMillan, Washington High; Morgan Leigh Myers, Old Hometown and Escambia High; Danesha Robertson, Escambia High; Ashley Roy, Woodham High; Laura Smith, Washington High; Kimberly Speer, Catholic High; Craig Thompson, Catholic High; and Reginald Todd, Washington High.

 

2.       Partnership Agreement Signing

Dr. Larry Reid, Fine Arts Specialist, gave a short synopsis of the support that the following programs provide to the School District: Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Children’s Chorus, Kaleidoscope & Ballet Pensacola, Pensacola Museum of Art, and Gulf Coast Chorale.  Dr. DeWitt and the Superintendent joined with representatives from those groups in signing partnership agreements with the School District.

 

3.       Schools Taking Action to Reform (STAR) Recognition Program

 The following schools were recognized for receiving the Schools Taking Action to Reform (STAR) recognition from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), for their achievement in being SACS accredited under the Commission on Elementary and Middle Schools; receiving a performance grade of A or B from the Florida Department of Education; and their hard work, dedication, and commitment: Bellview Elementary, N.B. Cook Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Bailey Middle, Beulah Elementary, Workman Middle, A.K. Suter Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, Cordova Park Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, McArthur Elementary, Molino Elementary, Pensacola Beach Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary, and Ferry Pass Middle.

 

4.       Escambia County History Fair Teacher of Merit

Colleen Boyett, a teacher in the Pre-International Baccalaureate Program, Pensacola High School, was recognized for being chosen as the Escambia County History Fair Teacher of Merit.  Ms. Boyett has been involved in the history fair competition for ten years.  She has served as a community judge, volunteered as a graduate student, worked with students as a beginning teacher, and currently is the chairperson of the Pensacola High School History Fair.  She has mentored hundreds of student entries, many of which received district, state, and national awards.  She will represent the District in the state level competition.

 

5.       Katherine C. Pomeroy Award

 Anthony Capps, a student at Bailey Middle School, was recognized for receiving the Katherine C. Pomery Award, which recognizes the Junior Best Show.  Anthony received this award for his Individual Documentary entry.

 

6.       J. Earle Bowden Junior Historian Award

 Michelle Ow, a student at Pensacola High School, was recognized for receiving the J. Earle Bowden Junior Historian Award, which recognizes the Senior Best in Show.  Michelle received this award for her Historical Paper entry.

 

7.       Escambia County History Fair State Team

 The following students were recognized for placing first or second in various categories at the Escambia County History Fair and will participate in the Florida History Fair: Vithia An, PATS Center/Old Hometown; Lia Brune, PATS Center/Old Hometown; Jen Bullock, Pensacola High; Anthony Capps, Bailey Middle; Jason Chandler, Pine Forest High; Samantha Combs, Pensacola High; Ana Eligio, Pensacola High; Jenna Ezell, Bailey Middle; Elizabeth Fleischhaurer, PATS Center; Angie Fontaine, Pensacola High; Tanya Gallagher, Bellview Middle; Jacqueline Goodman, Pensacola High; Amanda Goodson, Brown-Barge Middle; Laura Hanna, Pensacola High; Courtney Harris, Pine Forest High; Maggie Hereford, Brown-Barge Middle; Tiffany Hoffman, Warrington Middle; Lindsey Howell, Pensacola High; Carrie Hunter, Pensacola High; Ryan Jacobi, Pensacola High; Kate Kashur, East Hill Christian; Laura Lamar, PATS Center/Old Hometown; Rachel Lamar, Washington High; Jessica McClure, Pensacola High; Alexandra McLachlen, Bellview Middle; Megan Miller, Bellview Middle; Ben Morse, Pensacola High/Old Hometown;  Lindsay Nelson, Warrington Middle; Matt Nichols, East Hill Christian; Michelle Ow, Pensacola High; Zack Piper, PATS Center/Old Hometown; Etenia Ponder, Pensacola High; Andy Pope, PATS Center/Old Hometown; Jarred Reiling, Pine Forest High; Hengel Reina, Pensacola High; Cathy Ruszkowski, Bellview Middle; Jessica Schisler, Pensacola High; Ronald Shreve-Flagor, Pensacola High; Samantha Smyth, Pine Forest; Jessica Solomon, Bellview Middle; Krystal St. Julien, Pine Forest High; Jennifer Trollinger, Pensacola High/Old Hometown; Allison Veasley, Pine Forest High; Leslie Ward, East Hill Christian; Brayden Weekly, East Hill Christian; and Krista Westmark, Pensacola High.

 

8.       Duke University Talent Identification Program

 The Duke University Talent Identification Program is designed to identify and support academically talented students.  Participation in the program is completely voluntary, and eligible students must be in the seventh grade and have scored at the 95th percentile or higher on standardized achievement tests.  All students who qualified for recognition have earned scores on the SAT or AC comparable to college-bound high school seniors.  The following students were recognized for being invited to attend a statewide recognition ceremony to be held in May: Rachel Boston, Sarah Halstead, Travis Heatwole, Brian King, and Samantha Rogers, Workman Middle; Ethan Luppert, Sean Scalf, Phuong Thach, David Whitten, and Michael Yoffredo, Brown-Barge Middle; Rebekah Carlson, Sarah O’Farrell, and Krysten Sanders, Ernest Ward Middle; Amy Eckerle, Bellview Middle; Melissa McLester, Erica Taylor, and Clayton Treis, Bailey Middle; Daniel Brock, and Lena Sestnov, Ferry Pass Middle.

 

9.       Quality Assurance Review Recognition

 The following Juvenile Justice programs from the Escambia County School District were recognized by the Quality Assurance Review process as being ranked in the top 60 programs in the State: Pensacola Boys Base received 14th, PACE Center for Girls was ranked 22nd ; Juvenile Detention was ranked 39th, and Outward Bound received 59th.

 

10.      25th Annual Leavey Award for Excellence

 Connie Brown, Pensacola High School, and Marie Rowe, PATS Center, were recognized for being chosen by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge to receive the 25th Annual Leavey Award for Excellence for their excellence in the teaching of economics.  Only twenty-seven educators throughout the United States were chosen to receive this award.  Miss Brown and Miss Rowe received an all-expense trip to Philadelphia to attend an awards dinner and each will receive $7,500 for their personal use.

 

11.      State Science and Engineering Fair

 Thirteen students represented the Escambia County School District and the West Panhandle Region at the State Science and Engineering Fair that was recently held in Lakeland, Florida.  The following five students were recognized for going on to receive awards at the Fair: Anna Harageones, Ferry Pass Middle; Andrew K. Molina, Brown-Barge Middle; Falon Mihalic, Washington High; Lorielle Ouimette, Washington High; and Natalie Treadway, Washington High.

 

12.     Jefferson Davis Community College Annual Math Competition Winner

 Marcus Green, a student at Northview High School, was recognized for placing first in the Jefferson Davis Community College Annual Math Competition.  This annual event was sponsored and held at Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, Alabama and involved 17 different high schools.

 

13.      Reflections Photography Contest Winner

 Jacob Kotick, a second grade student at A.K. Suter Elementary School, was recognized for receiving the Primary Distinguished Award for the State of Florida for his entry in the Reflections Photography Contest.

 

14.      Naval Aviation Museum Award

 The Naval Aviation Museum Award was given to Rob Daniel and David Thompson, students at A.K. Suter Elementary School, who received second place in the Escambia County History Fair Elementary Group Division.

 

15.      History Fair Elementary Logo Contest Winner

 Taylor Wachtel, A.K. Suter Elementary student, was recognized for receiving second place for her entry to the Logo Contest of the Escambia County History Fair.  Her entry was also named Best in Show at the T.T. Wentworth Museum.

 

16.      “Kaps for Kids” Design Winners

 Carlos Turner and Miracle Boatman, students at A.A. Dixon Elementary School, were recognized for creating the winning cap (Carlos) and t-shirt (Miracle) designs for the Ronald McDonald House’s “Kaps for Kids” 2002 fundraiser.  A representative from Big Rhino Screen Printing presented the students with framed pieces of their work.  The following seven “runners-up” were recognized for having their designs used on holiday greeting cards and other items throughout Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach: Jasmine Crenshaw, Janeisha Allen, Ashley Donald, Alexis Jenkins, Jerrandin Pankey, Keidra Sanders, and Rebecca Reed, A.A. Dixon Elementary.

 

17.      South Regional Parent Group of the Year

 Ensley Elementary School’s PTA was recognized for being chosen as the South Regional Parent Group of the Year by PTA Today, Inc.  The school will be featured in a special issue of PTA Today Magazine that will go to all 80,000 K-8 schools in the country.

 

18.      2002 Governor’s High School All-Stars Program

 Taren Walton, a junior at Pine Forest High School, was recognized for being chosen for the 2002 Governor’s High School All-Stars Program based on her academic success, citizenship, leadership skills, and community service.  One winner was chosen for each district in the state, and was honored at a luncheon hosted by Governor Jeb Bush and Lt. Governor Frank Brogan in Tallahassee.

 

19.      2002 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Teacher Work-Study Grant

 Jane Phillips, Culinary Arts Instructor at Pine Forest High School, was recognized for being named as recipient of the 2002 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Teacher Work-Study Grant. She will receive $2,000 for summer work that will entail activities designed to enhance her food service teaching qualifications.  The grant is funded by the H.J. Heinz Foundation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

20.      eGuidance Center Online Education System Participant

Pine Forest High School was recognized for being chosen as one of only one-hundred leader schools in the country to pilot the eGuidance Center and Online Education Center.  The school was chosen from 18,000 high schools nationwide as a leader in the field of career and educational development.  The center is the first resource designed to connect families, educators, and students in preparing students for the transition from high school to post-secondary education.

 

21.      Cooperative Education Clubs of Florida/Business Professionals of America State Contest Winner

LeeAnn Black, a senior in the law academy at Woodham High School, was recognized for receiving second place in Legal Office Procedures at the CECF/BPA State competition.

 

22.      Florida Elk’s Americanism Essay Contest

Seth Williams, a fifth grade student at Bellview Elementary School, was recognized for receiving first place in Division I for fifth and sixth grade students for his essay on Americanism.  Seth will receive a $700 savings bond, a trip to attend the Florida State Elks Convention, $100 to use at any theme park in the convention area, and one night hotel’s stay during the convention.  His essay will now be sent to the National Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest as one of two winners from Florida.

 

23.      USA Today Education Online “Best Bet” Website

The staff of USA Today Education online selects three “Best Bet” websites each week that they feel would be of educational value to their subscribers.  Jean Odom’s Drama Website section of N.B. Cook Elementary School of Arts website was recently chosen as one of these Best Bets.  The website was featured during the week of March 12-19 on the USA Today Education homepage.  Fewer than 150 sites are selected each year as a Best Bet site.

 

24.      2nd Annual Educator’s Leadership Summit

Linda Maletsidis, Principal, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, was recognized for being invited by Governor Jeb Bush to participate in the 2nd Annual Educator’s Leadership Summit in Tampa. The focus of the summit will be “Improving Student Achievement in Reading.”

 

25.      Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Middle Schools

 Patti Burt, Principal, Pine Meadow Elementary School, was recognized for being named to the Commission on Elementary and Middle Schools, an initiative of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  SACS is the accrediting association for grade schools, colleges, and universities throughout the Southeast.  Ms. Burt is the only educator from Florida to be named among the 28 new members elected by the Commission’s delegate assembly.

 

26.      Recognition of Andrea Cain

Andrea Cain was recognized for coordinating and writing grants for Pensacola High School and the Pensacola Museum of Art partnership.  This partnership focused on the Dr. Seussville Exhibit at the Museum.  The project was a two-year endeavor that brought together teachers and students from various curriculums.

27.      Thespian Festival Winners

Will Hedgecock and Leighton Bryan, students at Pensacola High School, were recognized for receiving awards for their talents at the District and State Thespian Festival.  Will was recognized for his Solo Musical and Leighton was recognized for her Costume Design.

 

28.      Jobs for Florida’s Graduates Conference Winners 

The following students from Escambia and Pensacola High Schools were recognized for receiving a variety of awards at the Jobs for Florida’s Graduates Conference: Rachel Arnett, Christopher Wilaby, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Isaca Byrd, Sallie Brannon, David Cayton, Jolene Baughman, James Shumake, Kashandria Quarles, Brian Leverett, Johnna Atherton, Tiffany Lowery, Marquita Jenkins, Erin Lipscomb, and Kenneth Milton, Escambia High School.  Chester Hayes, Tierra McAroy, Michael Johnson, Alexandra Blackston, Kassandra Frear, Traniece Williams, and Dionneshea White, Pensacola High School.

The team from Escambia High School was also presented with the Alabaster Eagle Award for their outstanding display of leadership, professionalism, sportsmanship, and congeniality.  The team from Pensacola High School won first place in the Quiz Bowl competition.

 

ADD  29.  Washington High School’s Black History Brain Bowl Team (Griots) State Winners

This five member all girl team, coached by Walter Gulley Jr., was recognized for winning the 17th Annual Statewide Black History and Culture Brain Bowl.  This is the fourth time in six years a team from Washington has won the state competition.

 

III.               ADJOURNMENT

 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.  A reception sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence followed the meeting. 

 

Attest:                                Approved:

________________         _____________________

Superintendent                   Chairman