The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special 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 Special Meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

II.   ADOPTION OF AGENDA

On motion made by Ms. Finkelstein and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, adoption of the agenda (as amended), was unanimous.

III.    ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1.      Proposed Sale of the McReynolds Building (item previously discussed at July 30, 2002 Special Meeting)

Mrs. Stidham moved to “place the McReynolds property up for bid, following the normal procedure (for disposing of real property) of requesting sealed bids at a minimum of the appraised value ($520,000), within a twenty (20) day timeframe.”  Motion was seconded by Mr. Bergosh for discussion.

The Board recognized Mrs. Celestine Lewis, Executive Director of Jacqueline Harris Pyramid School of Learning (JHPSL), who requested that the Board consider negotiating the sale of the McReynolds property to JHPSL.  

Dr. Jenkins stated that he would “hate to see an educational building become a commercial type facility when it could be used for an educational purpose to help a charter school (Jacqueline Harris Pyramid School of Learning) that really wants and needs it.”

Mr. Bergosh referred to a memorandum provided by Mr. Negron (as requested at the July 30, 2002 Special Meeting) regarding all available options for disposal of real property.  (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”)  He noted that according to Mr. Negron, the Board did have the ability to dispose of real property without receiving public bids and to limit negotiations for the sale of real property to one vendor.  He stated that he had “no problem with allowing Jacqueline Harris Pyramid School of Learning (JHPSL) to purchase the McReynolds property at the appraised value ($520,000).”

(NOTE:  The following statements refer to a special referendum election, which will be held on September 10, 2002 regarding the One-Half Cent Sales Tax Extension.)

Dr. DeWitt and Mrs. Stidham were concerned that limiting the sale of the McReynolds property to one vendor could have a negative effect on voters’ decisions to approve the One-Half Cent Sales Tax Extension.  Dr. DeWitt believed that “going out for sealed bids, to the highest bidder over the appraised value,” was the most equitable way to dispose of the McReynolds property.  Mrs. Stidham agreed, and noted that any proceeds from the sale of the property would flow into subsequent capital outlay projects to benefit students throughout the District.

In response to concerns expressed by Dr. DeWitt and Mr. Bergosh (regarding terms mentioned in the memorandum provided by Mr. Negron), Mr. Negron explained the distinction in declaring the property “surplus” versus “educationally unnecessary.”

The Special Meeting recessed at 9:35 a.m. [for an Special Meeting (Executive Session) called by Mr. Negron] and reconvened at 11:25 a.m., with the Superintendent, Mr. Negron and all Board Members present.

Mr. Kirchharr advised that the Board had approved a resolution at the October 16, 2001 Regular Meeting that “declared the (McReynolds) property unnecessary for educational or ancillary purposes and designated it as surplus.”

Mr. Bergosh made a substitute motion to “undeclare the property as surplus, declare it as unneccessary for educational purposes and to direct the Superintendent to negotiate with the Jacqueline Harris Pyramid School of Learning (JHPSL) a sale of the McReynolds property for $520,000 (the appraised value), with closing to be held within 60 days.”  Substitute motion was seconded by Dr. Jenkins and approved 4 to 1, with Mrs. Stidham voting “No.”

IV.    CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “B”)

1.   Title I Program Nonpublic Services Contract with Sylvan Learning Systems (Item previously approved at July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting (Item V.A.26) pending negotiation of performance guarantee clause.  Unable to reach agreement with Sylvan for performance guarantee clause and therefore, request reconsideration of approval of contract as originally submitted.)

Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to approve the Title I Program Nonpublic Services Contract with Sylvan Learning Systems.  Dr. DeWitt stated that while he was concerned with “giving taxpayer dollars to nonpublic schools without a performance guarantee clause included in the contract with Sylvan,” his understanding was that “we really don’t have much choice according to Federal Statutes (‘No Child Left Behind Act’).”  Motion was unanimously approved.

V. OPERATIONS

1.  Lease Agreement between The School Board of Escambia County, Florida and Brett Ward for Property at Ernest Ward Middle School (Item previously approved at July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting (Item V.E.1.B.3).  Due to various clerical errors, the document had to be retyped and resubmitted.  Request reconsideration or confirmation of previous approval.)

Motion made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to confirm previous approval (from the July 16, 2002 Regular Meeting) of the Lease Agreement between The School Board of Escambia County, Florida and Brett Ward for Property at Ernest Ward Middle School, was unanimous. 

2.      Proposed Sales Tax Extension List

Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, stated that this item was a request to modify the name of a mislabeled project listed on the ‘Proposed Sales Tax Extension List’ that was previously approved at the March 19, 2002 Regular Meeting.  He explained that the “General Renovations and Additions” project for O.J. Semmes Elementary School had been incorrectly labeled, as the “New Media Center” project.  Motion by Dr. Jenkins, seconded by Ms. Finkelstein, to approve the Proposed Sales Tax Extension List, was unanimously approved.

VI.   ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

Attest:     Approved:

______________        ____________

Superintendent     Chairman