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

Mrs. Cary Stidham

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

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 9:02 a.m.

A. Open Discussion

Tabling of Agenda Items

Mr. Bergosh noted that several items were tabled at the June 18, 2002 Regular Meeting.  In an effort to “give staff and the public an opportunity to understand why we are tabling,” he suggested that the Board engage in “full discussion” at the Regular Meeting regarding each item that is to be tabled.  While he concurred with Mr. Bergosh’s concern, Dr. DeWitt noted that the purpose of the Regular Workshop was to allow staff and the public an opportunity to hear full discussion on such items.  He noted that all items that were tabled at the June 18, 2002 Regular Meeting were discussed at the June 17, 2002 Regular Workshop, so “none of the items that were tabled were a surprise.”  Mrs. Stidham reminded the Board that according to official rules of parliamentary procedure, “once a motion to table an item is made, it can not be discussed.”

2002-2003 School Improvement Plan for Century Elementary School

Dr. DeWitt stated that the Board would need to schedule a Special Meeting to consider approval of the 2002-2003 School Improvement Plan for Century Elementary School.  He stated that as required by the Legislature, the Plan would be sent to Tallahassee for the State Cabinet to review on August 13, 2002.

Pensacola City Council

Dr. DeWitt stated that Mayor John R. Fogg, City of Pensacola had requested (by way of letter) the presence of the Board and the Superintendent at an informal luncheon hosted by the Pensacola City Council.  He noted that this request was an “effort for legislative bodies to start meeting together to discuss joint issues.”

Ultimate PEP Rally Event

Dr. DeWitt advised that the Ultimate PEP Rally had requested a Board liaison and Administration liaison be assigned to their “planning committee.”  He noted that the Superintendent had assigned Mrs. Linda English, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, to represent the administration.  The Board collectively agreed to assign Mr. Bergosh, to represent the Board.

II. COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT

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

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

IV. COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

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

Mr. Burns reported that “committee meetings”, should occur the last week in November (2002) or first week in December (2002) and “delegation meetings”, should occur the first week in January (2003).

Due to time constraints, the following item was moved forward on the agenda:

Mock Trial School Program – Linda Finkelstein (Item VII.B.1)

Mr. Joseph A. Zarzaur, Jr., McKenzie and Taylor, P.A., addressed the Board regarding a proposal for a district-wide Mock Trial Program (sponsored by the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association).  He noted that in the past, this program was implemented during Law Week and was geared specifically toward those grammar and middle schools that have a limited opportunity for positive interaction with the justice system.  He proposed that this program be implemented on a more permanent basis, so as to involve more members of the Association (Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association), and, in turn, impact more students in the community.  He did not believe that the program should be restricted to only those schools that have the least opportunity for a positive legal exposure, but rather available to all schools, paying particular attention that none are overlooked.

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

Speakers at Regular Workshops

In response to concerns expressed, Dr. DeWitt explained that “only people that are asked to come forward (either by the Superintendent or a Board Member) are allowed to speak during the Regular Workshop.”  He noted that public forum discussion was reserved for the Regular Meeting.

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Curriculum and Instruction

12.  Project Challenge Intervention Plan

Dr. DeWitt noted that the plan included a statement that “the Superintendent shall meet with Project Challenge Schools a minimum of three (3) times per year.”  He requested that the plan also include a statement similar to the following:  “The Progress Challenge Schools shall present ‘progress made’ to the Board, a minimum of three (3) times per year at the Regular Workshop.”

22. The Charter Agreement from the District School Board of Escambia County to Reaching Your Dream, Inc. dba Ruby J. Gainer School for Reaching Your Dream

Mr. Charles Thomas, Director of Alternative Education, advised that Ruby J. Gainer School for Reaching Your Dreams, had recently relocated to 1600 East Moreno Street (formerly the East Hill Christian School building).

28. Comprehensive School Reform Title I, Part F Grant

Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Wayne Odom, Director of Title I, explained that he was “unable to find a way to require a performance guarantee on their (Connect) part, when their performance depended on our implementation of their training.”  Mrs. Stidham questioned whether the District would receive feedback (from Connect) to “ensure that the teachers are implementing the training properly.”Mr. Odom stated that “there is that kind of formative and evaluative feedback built into their training and on-going effort, however the real measure of the success is student achievement and that is dependent on our implementation.”

36.  The Charter Agreement between the District School Board of Escambia County, Florida, and Intervention Groups, Inc. dba Gulf Coast High School

(NOTE: The following statements refer to an approved motion from the May 24, 2002 Special Meeting, to allow “Gulf Coast High School to remain open for at least one year, with a review by the District before the ‘doors open’ for the new school year, followed by quarterly reviews, to ensure that all inefficiencies that were identified in the investigative report administered by the District were corrected.) Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, the Superintendent stated that he believed that Gulf Coast High School had now complied with all concerns expressed at previous meetings. Mr. Charles Thomas, Director of Alternative Education, stated that “the assurances given by Mr. Otha Leverette, III, (principal of Gulf Coast High School) make me feel very comfortable that they are headed in the right direction.”  The Superintendent stated that it was “very clear that a lot of work had been put into it,” however he “wished those things now in place, would have been done a long time ago.”  Mr. Thomas noted that as directed by the Board, the District would continue to monitor the school and conduct quarterly reviews.  In answer to Dr. DeWitt’s question, Mr. Thomas stated that as in the past, the District would provide buses to Gulf Coast High School.  He noted however that “they (Gulf Coast High School) will be required to provide the certification and to do the inspections on those buses.”

B. Finance

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

Financial Status Report of Projects and Grants   

Ms. Finkelstein noted that the Financial Status Report of Projects and Grants was “usually a monthly report,” and questioned why it was not included on the July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting agenda.  Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, explained that “there would be no point in doing one for June because it (June) is an on-going project of trying to get everything posted and closed out.”  She noted that there would probably not be another report until September.

C.   Human Resources Services

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

High School Band Director Positions

Dr. Jenkins noted that there were several high school band director positions that had been advertised.  He reminded the Board that he had agreed to help ‘recruit’ for those positions in an effort to employ at least one African-American band director within the District.  Dr. Doug Garber, Director of Human Resource Services, stated that the District was searching “high and low” to fill those positions, but noted that “at this point we are just not getting quality applicants.”

1.  Instructional/Professional

b. Reappointments

3. 4^th Year Annual

Boulanger, Kathy      Yniestra      (temp certificate)

Riley, Ann      Escambia High      (temp certificate)

White, Tracy      Bratt      (temp certificate)

Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Ms. Teenie Wehmeier, Certification Manager, explained that these individuals were properly certified but still on temporary certificates and therefore, according to Florida Statute, they are not eligible for professional services contracts. She stated that some of these individuals were not teacher trained and therefore, they were eligible for an extension in order to finish all their professional courses.  The Superintendent stated that he would “assume that when a principal makes this type of recommendation, they are were doing so in an effort to keep good teachers.”  He stated that he would contact the principals that made these particular recommendations, to ensure that is the case.  Dr. DeWitt questioned whether these recommendations were “fair for those individuals who have earned their degrees and received certification, yet were not hired.”  He believed that the District should “respect those individuals that are professionally responsible in terms of certification.”

f. Special Requests

6.   Request Board to rescind action taken on June 18, 2002 Board Meeting and reinstate the position of Manager – Business Affairs for the 2002-03 school year.

Upon inquiry by Mr. Bergosh, the Superintendent stated that this was a request to reinstate the position of ‘Manager – Business Affairs’, which was needed in order to conduct business in the Finance Department.  (NOTE: The following statements refer to discussion from the April 26, 2002 Special Meeting.)  Dr. DeWitt noted that while the Board was not necessarily opposed to this position, they had previously expressed concerns with establishing any administrative or professional/technical salary schedule position, until appropriate adjustments were made to all salary schedules.  (NOTE: The following statements refer to a previous request to “convert three (3) Accountant positions to Financial Analyst positions” that was discussed at the April 26, 2002 Special Meeting.) Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, stated that she “would like to know that this position (‘Manager – Business Affairs) remains intact,” until she knew “what was going to happen with the Financial Analyst positions.”  She noted that the elimination of the ‘Manager – Business Affairs’ position was “tied to creating and upgrading those (accountant positions) to Financial Analyst positions.”  Ms. Finkelstein and Mrs. Stidham both stated that they “could not make that decision until they saw what the budget looks like.”  Dr. DeWitt stated that he would make a motion (at the July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting) to table this item.

7.  Request approval of job description of Manager VII – Central Shipping and Receiving and to establish the position for the 2002-03 school year.

 (NOTE: This issue was previously discussed at the April 26, 2002 Special Meeting)  Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, stated that this request was for the reinstatement of the Manager VII – Central Shipping and Receiving position.  He noted that warehouse surcharge revenues should compensate for the additional amount required to fund this position.  Dr. DeWitt stated that while he was “not against the position,” he believed that a decision should not be made until “we see what the budget looks like.”  Mr. Kirchharr noted that “if you take the logic particularly of identifying the surcharge fund source, that is not going to change whether it is this month or next.”

8. Request approval to revise the job description of Subject Area Specialist – Physical Education, Health, Wellness, Driver Education and Athletics.

9. Request approval to establish the attached job description of Teacher on Special Assignment – Physical Education, Health, Wellness, Driver Education and Athletics for the 2002-03 school year to be paid from general revenue funds.

 Mr. Manny Harageones, Subject Area Specialist, Physical Education, Health and Wellness, explained that the request to revise the job description for his position (Subject Area Specialist – Physical Education, Health, Wellness, Driver Education and Athletics) was due to the fact that he would (as requested by the Superintendent) assume the coordination of the planning, implementation, articulation, and evaluation of the high school athletic program.  He explained that the revised job description denotes a change in job title, to reflect all of the functions of his department.  He noted that the other components of the job description were generic enough to cover all appropriate performance responsibilities.  Due to the addition of the high school athletic program responsibilities to his job description, he believed that he would require some assistance and therefore, recommended the job description for a ‘teacher on special assignment’ (Teacher on Special Assignment – Physical Education, Health Wellness, Driver Education and Athletics).  Mrs. Stidham suggested a more comprehensive job description for the Subject Area Specialist – Physical Education, Health, Wellness, Driver Education and Athletics, which would “really go into what the responsibilities would be.” The Superintendent stated that the job description (Subject Area Specialist – Physical Education, Health, Wellness, Driver Education and Athletics) would be revised, to reflect Mrs. Stidham’s concerns.

3. Risk Management

c.  Health and Prescription Drug Rates for FY 2002-2003 – Determine Plan and rate changes for budget year

Mr. Chris Clark, AON Benefits Consultant, reviewed information provided to the Board regarding proposed recommendations for ‘Health and Prescription Drug Rates for FY 2002-2003.’  He stated that the Employee Benefit Trustees had met for several months to discuss projections (based on analysis from AON) of an estimated 4.5 million dollar cost increase in the health plan.  He noted that there were three primary options for the allocation of the additional costs: District contributions, employee/retiree premiums and plan changes.  He stated that the Trustees had decided that the District should absorb 2.5 million dollars of the increase, with 2.0 million dollars to be absorbed by a combination of plan changes (mostly prescription drug plan) and employee/retiree premium increases.  Mr. Joe Bernard, Director of Risk Management, stated that the Insurance Committee had met the prior week to discuss the proposed recommendations.  However, because several members felt that they had not had enough time to review the issues, no vote was taken.  He noted that a meeting of the Insurance Committee was scheduled for the following day (July 16, 2002).  Dr. Jenkins expressed concern with the proposed recommendation for an increase in retiree premiums.  He believed that an increase of $106.61 to $150.00 per month (as proposed) would be “a significant increase for a group of individuals who usually are making less money and tend to have more medical problems.”  Upon inquiry by the Superintendent, Mr. Clark stated that there was a subsidy of $5 per year of service (capped at 30 years) provided by the State to pay retiree health care premiums.  Mrs. Stidham was concerned that the proposed recommendation for a co-pay increase (on the Choice Plan) of $20 to $25 would negatively affect families with children.

The Board recognized the following speakers, who expressed their concerns regarding Insurance Committee meetings: Madonna Jackson-Williams, President of Escambia Education Association, Bob Husbands, Executive Director of UniServe, and Ellen Lawrence, UniServe Director.

After discussion, several Board Members requested that a list of all options for the allocation of the additional health insurance cost, be provided prior to the July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting.

Due to time constraints, the following item was moved forward on the agenda:

Guaranteed Maximum Price for New K-8 School (Molino/Barrineau Park) [Item V.D.44]

The Superintendent stated that there were “some unanticipated costs for the new K-8 school in Molino/Barrineau Park.”  Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, and Mr. Bill Greenhut, Greenhut Construction Company, Inc., explained that there were three broad areas where additional costs had been identified: 1) site conditions/road conditions of that particular parcel/site; 2) additional square footage associated with the building and 3) an increase in cost per square footage associated with the building.  Mr. Kirchharr noted that the “guaranteed maximum price from the contractor is $10,861,556 (10.8 million).”  Dr. Jenkins expressed his concern that Mr. Greenhut “put forth the maximum effort to employ minority subcontractors.”  Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, the Superintendent recommended that “we move forward in order to make sure we meet the target date (for the opening of the school).”  Mrs. Stidham noted that this issue was discussed by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for Facilities, however “there was no real decision made on how to handle.” 

D. Purchasing

2. Bid Award: Collator, Bid #024902 (item was tabled from June 18, 2002 Regular Meeting)

Mr. Barry Boyer, Purchasing Manger, stated that this request for a ‘collator’ was part of the “overall development” of the Print Shop.  He reminded the Board that as discussed at previous meetings, the purchase of updated equipment (including the ‘collator’) would enable the Print Shop to effectively handle any printing, binding or reproduction request.

3.  Bid Award: Flexible Spending Account Administration, RFP #024101 (item was tabled from June 18, 2002 Regular Meeting)

Dr. DeWitt noted that he would not support the outsourcing of the “Flexible Spending Account Administration,” when those services “could continue to be done in-house.”  Mrs. Linda Lewis, Director of Payroll, explained that outsourcing of the “Flexible Spending Account Administration” was critical to finance operations.  She noted that those functions (i.e., marketing of the plan, receiving of claims, auditing of claims, reimbursement of claims) were performed by staff positions that had now been eliminated.

4.  Bid Renewal / Extension: Cleaning Standardization System, Bid #25-98 (item was tabled from the June 18, 2002 Regular Meeting)

Mrs. Stidham noted that she had received information from a citizen, which she had forwarded to Mr. Barry Boyer, Purchasing Manager, regarding concerns with the “Cleaning Standardization System.”  Mr. Boyer explained that this particular bid renewal/extension was for the fifth year of a five-year bid, to provide a standardized cleaning system, that includes technical assistance and products (which are stocked and distributed through the Central Warehouse) for facilities throughout the District.  This is a request for authorization to purchase products as required to replenish inventory during the term of this agreement.  The Superintendent noted that this item would be amended this item to six months (July 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002).

22.  Bid Award: Multi-Year Standardized Instructional Television Head End Equipment

Upon inquiry by Ms. Finkelstein, Mr. Ron Peacock, Director of Facilities Planning, stated that this item was a continuing contract with a cost between $20,000 and $25,000 per school (various fund sources). He explained that services under this contract would be on an “as needed basis.”

44.  Guaranteed Maximum Price for New K-8 School (Molino/Barrineau Park)

This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.

E.  Operations

3.  Maintenance

A.  Miscellaneous

1.  Informational Item: Update on Custodial Services

(NOTE: This item, though informational only, suggested that the District consider hiring an outside consultant who, after careful study of the custodial operations should make recommendations on improving the level of services and reducing the operational cost for the District.)  Dr. DeWitt did not understand “why a consultant was needed to come in here and tell us what we probably already know.”  Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, stated that “what we may lack is the level of expertise from a different perspective.”  He believed that a consultant could help us evaluate how we can cut cost and improve service with our current employees.”

The Board recognized Ellen Lawrence, UniServe Director and Custodial Operations Committee member, stated that the Committee strongly recommended that an outside consultant be hired to assist the District in evaluating custodial operations.  

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

Configuration of New K-8 School (Molino/Barrineau Park)

The Superintendent noted that the Florida Department of Education had questioned “why the new K-8 School (Molino/Barrineau Park) was not already configured as a K-8.”  Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, stated that there is a process for consolidating both the Century Elementary and Carver Middle school sites into a single K-8 school, that would officially “remove one of the cost centers and designate a single cost center for a single K-8 facility.”

The Regular Workshop recessed at 12:55 p.m. [for a 1:00 p.m. Special Meeting (Executive Session) and a 2:30 p.m. Special Meeting] and reconvened at 3:27 p.m., with the Superintendent, Mr. Negron and all Board Members present.

F.  Student Transfers

No discussion was held.

G. Internal Auditing

No discussion was held.

VI.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

No items were submitted.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

A.   Proposed Additions of Revisions to School District Rules

1. Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-2.02(4)(d) – Certificated Instructional Personnel

Dr. Doug Garber, Director of Human Resource Services, advised that this particular rule revision was necessary to meet new State requirements for gifted certification.

2. Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-5.02(4)(a) – Purchase Language

Mr. Barry Boyer, Purchasing Manager, explained that the first section of this particular rule revision would establish a new Superintendent purchasing/contracting authority and Board purchase approval requirement that would be consistent with the Florida State Statute and Florida Department of Education Administrative threshold amount for bidding.  He stated that the second section of this rule revision (which was inadvertently “left off” when the Board policy book was adopted in November) establishes an exemption of Board approval for the purchase of state and county approved textbooks. Dr. DeWitt was concerned that the revision regarding purchasing/contracting authority did not “define a limit, but rather just states that it will be consistent (with Florida State Statute and Florida Department of Education Administrative threshold amount for bidding).”  He believed that the current $15,000 “cap” was sufficient and therefore, would not support this request.

3.  Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-5.02(4)(d) – Purchasing Language

Mr. Barry Boyer, Purchasing Manager, explained that this rule revision was necessary to be consistent with Florida Administrative Rules, which stated that “Information Technology Resources as defined by Section 282.303(13) Florida Statutes may be purchased, leased, leased with option to purchase, or rented and may be acquired through a competitive solicitation procurement process or by direct negotiation and contract with a supplier, as best fits the needs of the school district as determined by the school board.”

4. Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-5.02(5) – Purchase Requisitions

Mr. Barry Boyer, Purchasing Manager, explained that this rule revision would redefine “low value purchase” to be consistent with the Florida State Statute threshold amount for fixed assets or property.

5.   Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-5.02(7) – Competitive Solicitation Procurement Process

Mr. Barry Boyer, Purchasing Manager, explained that this rule revision would change the threshold amount requiring formal Invitation to Bids or Request for Proposals in accordance to the amount established by Florida State Statute and Florida Department of Education Administrative Rules, and would adjust the threshold amount for Informal Request for Quotations accordingly.

7.  Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-7.02 – Code of Conduct; Elementary Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

Mrs. Stidham noted that the rule states that “by authority of the Florida State Board of Education your child is privileged to ride a school bus provided that you live two miles or more from school.”  She noted that that particular statement should be consistent with Board policy that states that “bus service will be provided for elementary students who live one mile or more from school.”  Dr. DeWitt noted a statement within the rule that read “obey the bus driver cheerfully.”  He requested that the word “cheerfully” be omitted from that statement.

8. Notice of Intent to Advertise Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-7.09 – Pupil Progression Plan

Dr. Alan Scott, Director of Secondary Education, stated that this item was submitted for “information only” as it was simply a “draft of a draft.”  The Superintendent noted that this item would be deleted from the July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting agenda and presented at a later date.

B. Items from the Board

1.  Mock Trial School Program – Linda Finkelstein

This item was addressed earlier in the 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 3:55 p.m.

Attest:               Approved:

______________________________________________________________

Superintendent                        Chairman