The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Organizational Meeting at 5:45 p.m., in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:  

Board Members:  Mr. Gary L. Bergosh

Mrs. Cary Stidham

Mr. Ronnie Clark

Dr. John DeWitt

Ms. Linda Finkelstein      

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

Superintendent of Schools:    Mr. Jim Paul

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Superintendent called the Organizational Meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

II.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

On motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the agenda was unanimously approved. 

III. ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

A.  Election of Chairman for 2002-2003

Motion was made by Mr. Bergosh, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to nominate Mrs. Cary Stidham to serve as Chairman for 2002-2003.  Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to nominate Ms. Linda Finkelstein to serve as Chairman for 2002-2003.  After a call for further nominations, a motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to close nominations for election of Chairman for 2002-2003, was unanimously approved.  The Superintendent called for the vote on the original motion for Mrs. Cary Stidham to serve as Chairman for 2002-2003, and the motion failed 3 to 2, with Mr. Clark, Ms. Finkelstein and Dr. DeWitt voting “No.”  The Superintendent called for the vote on the motion for Ms. Linda Finkelstein to serve as Chairman for 2002-2003, and the motion was unanimously approved.  

B.  Election of Vice Chairman for 2002-2003

Motion was made by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to nominate Mr. Gary Bergosh to serve as Vice Chairman for 2002-2003.  Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to nominate Mrs. Cary Stidham to serve as Vice Chairman for 2002-2003.  After a call for further nominations, a motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to close nominations for election of Vice Chairman for 2002-2003, was unanimously approved.  The Superintendent called for the vote on the original motion for Mr. Gary Bergosh to serve as Vice Chairman for 2002-2003, and the motion was approved 3 to 2, with Dr. DeWitt and Mrs. Stidham voting “No.”

C.  Designate Date and Time of Regular Monthly Meeting and Workshop

Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to designate the third Tuesday of each month as the date for the Regular Meetings (with Public Forum beginning at 6:00 p.m. to be immediately followed by the Regular Meeting), and to designate the Friday before the Regular Meeting as the date for the Regular Workshops (beginning at 9:00 a.m.).  Mr. Bergosh suggested that the Thursday before the Regular Meeting be designated as the date for the Regular Workshops beginning at 3:00 p.m.  He noted that the public and some school personnel find it difficult to attend morning workshops (9:00 a.m.) and believed that workshops held in the afternoon would allow those individuals a better opportunity to attend.  Mrs. Stidham and Dr. DeWitt expressed concern that afternoon workshops would not be fair to staff, as they may be required to “stay after work (noting that workshops generally last four (4) hours).”  Mrs. Stidham noted that normally, the public was not allowed to address the Board at workshops, as the workshop was simply an opportunity for the Board to discuss agenda items and to receive input and additional information from staff.  Dr. DeWitt noted the public would be provided ample time to address the Board at the Regular Meetings (during Public Forum and on any agenda item).  Mr. Bergosh offered a substitute motion to designate the third Tuesday of each month as the date for the Regular Meetings (with Public Forum beginning at 6:00 p.m. to be immediately followed by the Regular Meeting), and to designate the Thursday before the Regular Meeting as the date for the Regular Workshops (beginning at 3:00 p.m.).  Substitute motion was seconded by Mr. Clark.  Dr. DeWitt offered a “friendly amendment” to the substitute motion, that the Public Forum begin at 5:30 p.m., (rather than 6:00 p.m.) immediately followed by the Regular Meeting.  Mr. Bergosh and Mr. Clark accepted the “friendly amendment.”  Substitute motion (as amended) was approved 3 to 2, with Dr. DeWitt and Mrs. Stidham voting “No.”

D.  Appointment of Parliamentarian

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Dr. DeWitt, that the School Board Attorney (Mr. Francisco M. Negron, Jr.) serve as Parliamentarian, was unanimously approved.

E.  Designation of Parliamentary Procedure

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mr. Clark, to designate Robert’s Rules of Order (Revised) as the parliamentary procedure to be followed for the conduct of official business of the School Board, was unanimously approved.

F.  Procedure for Granting Formal Hearing (Expulsions)

Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, that “if requested, students can be immediately granted access to a formal hearing without having to appear before the Board,” was unanimously approved.

IV.   AWARDS TO OUTGOING OFFICERS

The Superintendent presented awards to Dr. DeWitt and Ms. Finkelstein in appreciation for their services in their respective roles as Board Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2001-2002.

ADJOURNMENT

The Organizational Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. (The Board reconvened at 6:25 p.m. for Public Forum, followed immediately by the Regular Board Meeting.)

Attest:              Approved:

_______________________________        _______________________________

Superintendent                                                  Chairman