THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
MINUTES,
The
School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at
Chair: Ms. Linda Finkelstein
Vice
Chair: Mrs. Cary Stidham
Board
Members: Mrs. Carissa Bergosh
Mr.
Ronnie L. Clark
Dr.
John DeWitt
School
Board Attorney: Mr. Francisco
M. Negron, Jr.
Superintendent
of Schools: Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy
Superintendent, represented Mr. Jim Paul
I.
CALL TO ORDER/ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Ms. Finkelstein called the
Special Meeting to order at
II.
HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES
1. Stop Loss Agreement – Safeco
Life
Motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mr. Clark, to approve “Stop Loss Agreement – Safeco Life,” was unanimous.
The Board recognized James Nims, who questioned why the Board had scheduled a Special Meeting at a time during the day when many District employees and members of the public would not be able to attend. He also expressed his opposition to the establishment of a Chief Negotiator position. (Item III.1 “Job Description for Chief Negotiator”)
2. United Health Care Amended
Contracts/Agreements
Motion by Mrs. Stidham,
seconded by Mrs. Bergosh, to approve “United Health Care Amended
Contracts/Agreements,” was unanimous.
3. Lump Sum Settlement Workers
Compensation
Motion by Mrs. Stidham,
seconded by Mr. Clark, to approve “Lump Sum Settlement Workers Compensation,”
was unanimous.
AMENDED 4. Out-of-Field
Teachers
Motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mrs. Bergosh, to approve “Out-of-Field Teachers,” was unanimous.
III.
ITEMS FROM THE BOARD
1. Job Description for Chief
Negotiator (item was deleted from
Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mr. Clark, to
accept job description for Chief Negotiator.
Mrs. Bergosh questioned why the establishment of a Chief Negotiator
position was necessary, noting that there was “already a position (Assistant
Superintendent for Human Resource Services) handling negotiations as part of
its collateral duties.” Upon inquiry by
Ms. Finkelstein, Mr. Ross stated that the Superintendent did not support Mrs.
Stidham’s proposal for the establishment of a Chief Negotiator position, as he
had concerns regarding funding.
The Board recognized Bob Husbands, Executive Director of
Escambia NEA UniServe, who expressed his thoughts regarding this issue.
Dr. DeWitt questioned whether it would be possible for the
Board to participate in the interview process for this position (if
approved). Mr. Ross stated that he
believed that the Superintendent would agree to allow the Board to participate
in the interview process for this position.
As suggested by Dr. Doug
Garber, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, Mrs. Stidham
offered a “friendly amendment” to her motion, to accept the job description for
Chief Negotiator and to add the position to the Personnel Planning Document
(PPD). Dr. DeWitt accepted the “friendly
amendment” and the motion (as amended) was approved 4 to 1, with Mrs. Bergosh
voting “No.”
2. Amendment to
Motion by Mrs. Stidham,
seconded by Mrs. Bergosh, to approve amendment to School District Rule
6Gx17-2.32 (8) and (9) – Political Activities of Personnel, was
approved unanimously.
IV.
PURCHASING
ADD 1. Lease Purchase
of “Fast Forward Software”
(NOTE: Dr. DeWitt
abstained from voting on this item and filed a Memorandum of Voting Conflict
Form.) Motion was made by Mrs.
Stidham, seconded by Mrs. Bergosh, to approve the Lease Purchase of “Fast
Forward Software.” Mrs. Stidham offered
a “friendly amendment” to approve the corrected Termination Rights Agreement
for the Lease Purchase of “Fast Forward Software.” Mrs. Bergosh accepted the “friendly
amendment” and the motion (as amended) was approved 4 to 0, with Dr. DeWitt
abstaining from vote.
V.
ADJOURNMENT
Prior to adjournment Ms.
Finkelstein advised that a Special Workshop (with Mixon and Associates,
Legislative Consultants) would be held on October 6, 2003, at 11:00 a.m., in
Conference Room “B” at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building. There being no further business, the Special
Meeting adjourned at
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairman