The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Workshop at 11:00 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               

Board Members: Mrs. Cary Stidham

Mrs. Carissa Bergosh

Mr. Ronnie L. Clark

Dr. John DeWitt

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

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim Paul

I. CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Finkelstein called the Special Workshop to order at 11:00 a.m.

Although not agenda items, the following issues were addressed:

 Request to Change Date of February Regular Workshop to February 17, 2003 – Linda Finkelstein

At the request of Ms. Finkelstein, the Board collectively agreed to change the date of the February Regular Workshop from February 14, 2003 to February 17, 2003.

Installation of Mrs. Carissa Bergosh, School Board Member, District I

(NOTE: Mrs. Carissa Bergosh, wife of Mr. Gary Bergosh, School Board Member, District I, was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the School Board in her husband’s absence, which was due to his call to active duty as a Marine Corps Reserve officer.)  Mrs. Carissa Bergosh was installed as School Board Member, District I, by Mrs. Faye Borders.  Mrs. Bergosh stated that she was honored to be selected by Governor Bush to continue her husband’s work on the School Board and looked forward to working with the other Board Members, the Superintendent and staff in an effort to continue moving the District forward.

Election of Vice-Chairman for 2002-2003 (remainder)

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to nominate Mrs. Cary Stidham to serve as Vice Chairman for 2002-2003. Ms. Finkelstein called for the vote on the motion for Mrs. Cary Stidham to serve as Vice Chairman for 2002-2003, and the motion was approved unanimously.

II.  eAGENDA DEMONSTRATIONS

(NOTE: This issue was previously discussed at the January 17, 2003 Regular Workshop.)

Mr. John Dombroskie, Director of Purchasing and Business Affairs, explained that each vendor would be allotted forty-five (45) minutes for product demonstration and fifteen (15) minutes for responses to questions and comments posed by the Board, Superintendent and staff.  He noted that several of the vendors were based out-of-town and therefore, would present their product via Internet and speakerphone.

1.  Apple Computers

Brian Hoskins, representative of Apple Computer, Inc., gave a demonstration of their product, “Electronic Board Meeting Solution” and responded to questions posed by Dr. DeWitt regarding types of training and support provided with the purchase of the “Electronic Board Meeting Solution.” 

The Special Meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. and reconvened at 12:15 p.m., with all Board Members, Mr. Negron and Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent (representing Mr. Jim Paul) present.

2.  IDEA Integration

Mr. Steve Steuart and Ms. Amanda Napolitano, representatives of Idea Integration, gave a demonstration (via speakerphone and internet) of their product “e-Agenda Manager” and responded to questions posed by Dr. DeWitt regarding types of training and support provided with the purchase of the “e-Agenda Manager.” 

The Special Meeting recessed at 1:00 p.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m., with all Board Members, Mr. Negron and Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent (representing Mr. Jim Paul) present. 

3.  Dell Computers

Mr. Mark Root, representative of Dell Computers, began a demonstration (via speakerphone and Internet) of a Dell product, which the Board and staff determined to be irrelevant to the eAgenda initiative and as a result, the demonstration was terminated.

The Special Meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. and reconvened at 2:45 p.m., with all Board Members, Mr. Negron (came in at 2:55) and Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations (representing Mr. Jim Paul) present. 

4.  Texas Association of School Boards

Ms. Patricia Horton, representative of Texas Association of School Boards, gave a demonstration (via speakerphone and internet) of their product “Board Book,” and responded to questions posed by Dr. DeWitt regarding types of training and support provided with the purchase of the “Board Book.” 

Following the conclusion of the eAgenda demonstrations, Mr. Dombroskie reviewed the recommendation regarding eAgenda, previously made by a “committee” that was formed to review that initiative.  (NOTE: The committee’s recommendation was previously presented at the October 21, 2002 Regular Workshop and the November 13, 2002 Special Workshop.  The recommendation for limited implementation of the eAgenda initiative is as follows: 1) use existing GroupWise system to begin the electronic transfer of agenda items; 2) purchase Adobe Acrobat software for the creation of PDF files by selected staff and support personnel; 3) train selected staff on the software process for submission of agenda items; 4) schedule demonstration(s) of RFP respondent’s proposals; 5) make the agenda available on the District website for public review; and 6) after presentations and trial implementation, review the process, software and hardware for further implementation and/or direction for the eAgenda initiative.)  Mr. Dombroskie noted that the recommendation for limited implementation of the eAgenda initiative would give appropriate stakeholders a low-cost opportunity to explore the efficiency of this initiative to be able to make a more informed decision related to expansion of this communication solution.  Mr. Kirchharr noted that the eAgenda initiative consistent of basically two issues: 1) creation of an electronic agenda (eAgenda); 2) meeting management function.  While he believed that the “committee’s” recommendation would provide for the creation of an electronic agenda (eAgenda), he was not certain that “meeting management function” could be provided.  After further discussion, the Board collectively agreed to consider only those proposals made by Apple Computers (“Electronic Board Meeting Solution”) and Idea Integration (“e-Agenda Manager”).

III.  ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Workshop adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Attest:                                    Approved:

Superintendent                       Chair