The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Regular Workshop at 3:30 p.m., in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

Chair:  Ms. Linda Finkelstein        

Vice Chair:  Mr. Gary L. Bergosh     

Board Members:  Mrs. Cary Stidham

Mr. Ronnie L. Clark

Dr. John DeWitt

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

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent (representing Mr. Jim Paul)

I.  CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Finkelstein called the Regular Workshop to order at 3:30 p.m.

A. Open Discussion

‘Competitive Beverage Sales’

 Mrs. Stidham noted that ‘competitive beverage sales’ had once again, appeared on the list of preliminary “audit findings” from the Auditor General and questioned what would be done to “prevent this from happening on an annual basis?”  Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, explained that the laws regarding “competitive beverage sales” were very complicated and could be the cause of “confusion” at the school level.  She stated that staff would “clarify exactly what can and cannot be done (with regard to ‘competitive beverage sales’), to ensure that all schools are doing what they should be doing.”  

II.  COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT

 Mr. Ross listed the additions, deletions, amendments and corrections to the agenda.

III.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

IV.   COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

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

 This item was handled at the December 12, 2002 Special Meeting on the development of a legislative proposal. 

2. Project Challenge Presentation – Sheree’ Cagle

 (NOTE: The following presentation was based on a request from the July 15, 2002 Regular Workshop, that the “Project Challenge Schools” shall present ‘progress made’ to the Board, a minimum of three (3) times per year at the Regular Workshop.)  Mrs. Sheree’ Cagle, Director of Comprehensive Planning, gave a brief update on the progress of the District’s “Project Challenge Schools.”

3.  Proposal for Teacher Academy – Alan Scott

 Dr. Alan Scott, Director of Secondary Education and Mr. Bill Slayton, principal of Woodham High School, reviewed information provided to the Board, regarding a proposal (developed by District staff, staff at Woodham High School and Pensacola Junior College) for a Teacher Academy at Woodham High School.  Dr. Scott noted that this proposed cooperative agreement between Woodham High School (WHS) and Pensacola Junior College (PJC) would meet the objectives outlined in the articulation agreement (section) between WHS and PJC in developing a program to identify and prepare future teachers.  He explained that this agreement would be expanded to include the University of West Florida (UWF) in an effort to graduate teachers from UWF within two years of graduating from high school and “bring these teachers back into the District.”  He stated that the “by the time student in the Teacher Academy graduate from high school, they will have had sixty (60) hours of college instruction (first two years of college) and a high school diploma.”  Mr. Slayton noted that the program was “open to a full range of students,” and would consist of the following three ‘tracks’: 1) the Academy program; 2) the Academy Honors program; and 3) the Associate of Arts (A.A.) program.  He explained that the Teacher Academy program would be a fully integrated program “where once students enter, they have a defined curriculum.”  He noted that this was an effort to make students aware of what it would be like to be a teacher and to prepare them with the needed skills for becoming a teacher.  Dr. Scott stated that a formal proposal with costs would be presented to the Board at the January Regular Meeting.

Due to time constraints, the following items were moved forward on the agenda:

 Notice by the School Board of Escambia County, Florida to Name the Football Field at Escambia High School’s McArthur Stadium the “Emmitt Smith Field” – Cary Stidham (Item VII.A.a.3)

 Mr. Carl Leiterman, principal of Escambia High School (EHS), explained that naming the football field at EHS’s McArthur Stadium, the “Emmitt Smith Field,” was an initiative to honor Emmitt Smith, a past graduate of Escambia High School.  He noted that the students and faculty of EHS and the EHS School Advisory Council supported this initiative.   

Lease Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and the Association for Retarded Citizens-Gateway, Inc. (Item V.E.1.B.2)

 (NOTE: The following discussion refers to an issue previously addressed at the August 16, 2002 Regular Workshop regarding a request from ARC Gateway for use of the Petree facility to provide direct early childhood services for children with disabilities.)  Dr. DeWitt suggested that the Board consider the addition of a thirty (30) day dropout clause to the lease agreement.  He was concerned that the District may need additional classroom space for the next school year (beginning in August 2003) as a result of Amendment IX (the class size reduction amendment) and noted that if needed, the dropout option could be exercised.  He noted that according to the lease agreement, “this building would be committed through December 2003.”  Mr. Bergosh stated that while he would “hate to ever have to bump them (ARC Gateway) out,” the District did have a responsibility to “look out for our students.”  Upon inquiry by Mr. Ross, Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, stated that ARC Gateway had expected to lease the Petree facility on a long-term basis of a minimum of five years (as they had requested by way of letter to the Superintendent).

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Curriculum and Instruction

3.  Panhandle Area Educational Consortium Reimbursement Agreement (Migrant Pre-K)

 In answer to Mrs. Stidham’s question as to whether “this is considered supplanting,” Mr. Wayne Odom, Director of Title I, stated that actually, it was “the exact opposite.”  He explained that eligible migrant students attend pre-kindergarten classes at the McMillan Center and this agreement would provide reimbursement of a substantial proportion of the costs associated with those classes.  He stated that the children would be eligible for state or federally funded pre-kindergarten even without this reimbursement and were currently in pre-kindergarten classes funded by Title I funds.  He noted that approval of this agreement would allow the same number of children to be served and free the Title I funds to be used to defray the otherwise non-reimbursable costs of other pre-kindergarten students. 

5.  Renaming A. A. Dixon Elementary School to Dixon Educational Center

 Dr. DeWitt advised and Mr. Negron concurred that the renaming of a school would constitute a “rule change” and the District would need to follow the proper rule amending process (i.e., advertisement, public hearing, and adoption.)

B.  Finance

 No discussion was held.

C.  Human Resources Services

 Although not an agenda item, the following issue was discussed:

Substitute Teachers

 Dr. DeWitt stated that he had heard concerns from several parents regarding the number of classes that were currently occupied by long-term substitutes.  He explained that due to the hiring freeze, the District was unable to hire new teachers to replace those that had resigned and therefore, many classes were now occupied by long-term substitutes.  He noted that several classes were actually on their third or fourth substitute this school year.  He questioned “whether the District’s financial state was such that the freeze could be lifted for one week, to allow for the hiring of regular teachers for the second semester to fill those positions that are being held by a substitute?”  Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, explained that the District had budgeted $5.2 million in salary lapse for the 2002-2003 fiscal year.  She noted that budget projects showed that the District was short of that target if present trends were to continue.  Dr. DeWitt requested a “cost figure” for lifting the freeze for one week, to allow for the hiring of regular teachers for the second semester, to fill those positions that are currently held by a substitute.  He noted that the District’s first responsibility was to “teach students” and he was not sure that students “are going to get a lot with a substitute, if they are on their third or fourth substitute this year.”  Mr. Ross stated that while he would not argue as to the importance of having a “full-fledged instructor” in the classroom, he did have concerns regarding the financial aspect of Dr. DeWitt’s suggestion.

D.  Purchasing

 No discussion was held.

E. Operations

1.  Facilities Planning

B. Miscellaneous

2.  Lease Agreement between the School Board of Escambia County, Florida and the Association for Retarded Citizens-Gateway, Inc.

 This item was discussed earlier in the meeting. 

F.  Student Transfers

 No discussion was held. 

G.  Internal Auditing

 No items were submitted.  

VI.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 No items were submitted. 

VII.  NEW BUSINESS

A. Proposed Additions of Revisions to School District Rules

a.  Permission to Advertise

1.   Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-5.05(10) -  Auditorium Rental (*backup information pending)  N.B. Cook Elementary School Auditorium and Cafeteria Rental for Non-School Use of Educational Facilities

(NOTE: This rule defines the terms and sets the fees for use of the N.B. Cook Elementary School Auditorium and Cafeteria for non-school functions.)  Mrs. Stidham and Ms. Finkelstein noted that no backup documentation had been provided regarding this item.  Mr. Negron stated that he was still in the process of preparing this item and would provide the Board with the backup documentation prior to the December 17, 2002 Regular Meeting.

2.  Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-7.02 – Code of Conduct; Elementary and Secondary Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, Student Dress Code (*backup information pending)

(NOTE: This issue was previously discussed at the November 15, 2002 Regular Workshop and November 19, 2002 Regular Meeting.) Mrs. Stidham advised that the student dress codes currently in effect at schools already prohibit the same inappropriate clothing as listed in the proposed student dress code, but were apparently not being enforced in a consistent manner.  She was concerned that because there would be different interpretations of the requirements under the proposed student dress code, there would be a difference in enforcement “from classroom to classroom and school to school.”  She was also concerned that the proposed student dress code would put an extra burden on teachers, noting that ultimately teachers would be the ones expected to enforce it.  She believed that the Board should follow the process already in place, which incorporates this issue into the annual review of the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.  She noted that she would be “fully supportive of mandating uniforms or allowing schools to opt for uniforms.”   Mr. Ross noted that “whatever type of student dress code (including mandated uniforms) the Board decides to legislate, it still boils down to enforcement.”

He agreed with Mrs. Stidham, that the Board should follow the process already in place, which incorporates this issue into the annual review of the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.  Mr. Bergosh and Mr. Clark both believed that a consistent district-wide student dress code was needed, in order to ensure that students were dressed appropriately for school.  Both Mr. Bergosh and Mr. Clark also noted that they were proponents of uniforms.  Dr. DeWitt stated that the “feedback” he had received from students, parents and faculty members indicated support of uniforms.  He stated that he would support a mandatory uniform policy district wide if the Board so desired.  Mrs. Stidham requested that principals forward a copy of their current student dress code to Board Members. 

The Board recognized Kathy Breakall, who expressed her thoughts on this issue.

3.  Notice by the School Board of Escambia County, Florida to Name the Football Field at Escambia High School’s McArthur Stadium the “Emmitt Smith Field” – Cary Stidham

 This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.   

B.  Items from the Board

1. Request for Report from District Equal Employment Opportunities Coordinator – Linda Finkelstein

 Upon request by Ms. Finkelstein, Mr. Elvin McCorvey, Coordinator – EEOC, stated that because he had no report to make, but would provide the Board with information (EEO report) at the beginning of the following week. 

2.  Request Approval of Legislative Consultant Agreement – Gary L. Bergosh

Mr. Bergosh stated that he would make a motion (at the December 17, 2002 Regular Meeting) to approve the agreement with Mr. Mike Burns, for a period of six (6) months in the amount of $20,000 for legislative consultant services.  He noted that it was important to have a legislative consultant to “look out for our (the District’s) interests in Tallahassee,” and believed that Mr. Burns had done a “good job” of providing those services in the past.  Mr. Clark agreed that it was important to have a legislative consultant to “converse back and forth with Tallahassee.”  Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Bergosh stated that there was money available in the budget that could be utilized for this contract.  Mrs. Stidham noted than in past years, a lobbying firm had been hired for approximately $11,000 to provide legislative consultant services.  She questioned whether any data was available, to show that Mr. Burns’ efforts had made up of the difference of $9,000 that could be saved if the District contracted with a lobbying firm (for $11,000).  She noted that she would need to “see that annually, the District gets some sort of return on those dollars.”  Mr. Bergosh noted that the proposed amount of $20,000 was consistent with the amount paid by other districts for legislative consulting services.  He stated that he would provide the data requested by Mrs. Stidham.  Dr. DeWitt suggested that the Board consider issuing a “Request for Proposal” (RFP), for legislative consultant services and allow the community, as well as Mr. Burns to respond with credentials and costs.  Although Mr. Bergosh was not opposed to the issuance of an RFP, he believed that the District would need legislative consultant services during the time needed to complete the RFP process.  He suggested that the Board approve the agreement with Mr. Burns for a period of six (6) months and also issue an RFP for legislative consultant services. 

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 5:15 p.m.

Attest:                                           Approved:

__________________                 ________________

Superintendent                              Chair