THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

MINUTES, JANUARY 23, 2003

 

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 Building, 215 West Garden Street, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

 

Chair: Ms. Linda Finkelstein                                

 

Vice Chair:  Mr. Gary L. Bergosh (was not present)

 

Board Members: Mrs. Cary Stidham

Mr. Ronnie L. Clark (entered the Special Meeting at 10:15 a.m., via speakerphone)

Dr. John DeWitt

 

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

 

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul (was not present)

 

 

I. CALL TO ORDER

 

Ms. Finkelstein called the Special Meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

II.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 On motion made by Mrs. Stidham and seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the agenda, was approved 3 to 0, with Mr. Bergosh and Mr. Clark absent for vote.

 

III. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”)

1.  Evaluation/Selection of Finalists Regarding Request for Proposal (RFP) for “School Board Legislative Liaison/Consultant/Lobbyist”

 [NOTE: The following discussion refers to a motion approved at the December 17, 2002 Regular Meeting, “to prepare and advertise a ‘Request for Proposal’ (RFP) for legislative consultant services.” (The issue of “legislative consultant services” was last addressed at the January 17, 2003 Regular Workshop.)]  Ms. Allison Watson, Senior Purchasing Agent, briefly outlined the procedures to be used during the meeting.  [NOTE: Responses to the RFP for “legislative consultant services” were received from the following firms: Poole, McKinley & Blosser; Mixon and Associates.]  Dr. DeWitt moved to reject both proposals (bidder responses).  Motion died for lack of a second.  Ms. Watson noted that each Board Member had previously received a copy of the RFP, each bidder’s response and evaluation worksheets.  Based upon review of the RFP responses, Board Members had been instructed to assign points for each bidder on the evaluation worksheets. Each Board Member was given the opportunity to explain the points that they had assigned for each of the following categories of the RFP response: Organizational Experience and Qualifications; proposed Account Management Team Experience and Qualifications; Technical proposal (proposed approach for scope of services and costs); and References. 

 

Mixon and Associates

Ms. Finkelstein assigned a total of 95 points; Dr. DeWitt assigned a total of 67 points; and Mrs. Stidham assigned a total of 93 points, for an overall total of 255 points for Mixon and Associates.

 

Poole, McKinley & Blosser

Ms. Finkelstein assigned a total of 40 points; Dr. DeWitt assigned a total of 27 points; and Mrs. Stidham assigned a total of 59 points, for an overall total of 126 points for Poole, McKinley & Blosser.

 

The Special Meeting recessed at 9:34 a.m. and reconvened at 10:15 a.m., with Mrs. Stidham, Dr. DeWitt, Ms. Finkelstein and Mr. Clark (via speakerphone) present.

 

Mr. Clark, who entered the Special Meeting at 10:15 a.m. (via speakerphone), was given an opportunity to explain the points that he had assigned for each of the following categories of the RFP response.

 

Mixon Associates

 

Mr. Clark assigned a total of 98 points, for an overall total (when combined with the previous overall total of 255 points) of 353 points for Mixon and Associates.

 

Poole, McKinley & Blosser

 Mr. Clark assigned a total of 55 points, for an overall total (when combined with the previous overall total of 126 points) of 181 points for Poole, McKinley & Blosser.

 

In conclusion, Ms. Watson stated that she would invite both bidders to make oral presentations to the Board at the January 27, 2003 Special Meeting.

 

IV. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

 

Attest:                       Approved:

 

Superintendent          Chair