THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

MINUTES, NOVEMBER 10, 2003

            The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 1:30 p.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:                   Mrs. Cary Stidham       

            Board Members:           Mrs. Carissa Bergosh (was not present)

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark (entered the Special Meeting at 1:08 p.m.)

                                                Dr. John DeWitt

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

            Superintendent of Schools:         Mr. Jim Paul

                    I.               CALL TO ORDER/ADOPTION OF AGENDA

(NOTE: The purpose of this Special Meeting was to address issues on policies to be presented for advertising and/or adoption at the November Regular Meeting.)  Ms. Finkelstein called the Special Meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.  On motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the agenda, was approved 3 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh and Mr. Clark absent for vote.  

                 II.               PROPOSED ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES

1.       Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-7.09 – Student Progression Plan

Upon discussion of “Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-7.09 – Student Progression Plan” motions were made concerning the following sections:

GRADE PLACEMENT AND TRANSFER OF CREDIT(S)

PRIVATE SCHOOL (NOT REGIONALLY ACCREDITED) AND HOME EDUCATION

(1) High schools shall accept at face value the credits of students transferring from a Florida public school, from a public school in one of the other forty-nine (49) states, from a regionally accredited non-public school, or non-public school which is recognized by SACS as meeting standards, from a Department of Defense school or from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency under the governance of the National Study of School Evaluation. 

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to make the following revision: 

High schools shall accept at face value the credits of students transferring from a Florida public school, from a public school in one of the other forty-nine (49) states, from a regionally accredited non-public school, Pensacola Christian Academy, or non-public school which is recognized by SACS as meeting standards, from a Department of Defense school or from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency under the governance of the National Study of School Evaluation.

(NOTE: Mr. Clark entered the Special Meeting at 1:08 p.m.)

Ms. Finkelstein offered the following revision as a “friendly amendment” to the motion on the floor: High schools shall accept at face value the credits of students transferring from a Florida public school, from a public school in one of the other forty-nine (49) states, from a regionally accredited non-public school (including Pensacola Christian Academy), or non-public school which is recognized by SACS as meeting standards, from a Department of Defense school or from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency under the governance of the National Study of School Evaluation.  Dr. DeWitt and Mrs. Stidham accepted the “friendly amendment.”  Motion as amended, was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.   

SUMMER SCHOOL

For the 2003-2004 school year, summer school at the secondary level (other than designated in an IEP) will be limited to seniors who need a course to graduate with the Class of 2004. 

      Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to make the following revision:  For the 2003-2004 school year, summer school at the secondary level (other than designated in an IEP) will be limited to seniors who need a course to graduate with the Class of 2004.  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.

COURSE CREDIT

                                  SEMESTER EXAM EXEMPTION

No semester exam exemptions are permitted for the first semester.  A student in a semester course second semester may be exempt from the semester exam after having earned an “A” average for the two nine-weeks of the semester.  A student in a year-long course may be exempt from the second semester exam if the student has earned at least a “B” average for the first semester grade and an “A” average for each of the two nine-weeks of the second semester.

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt to make the following revision: No semester exam exemptions are permitted for the first semester.  A student in a semester course second semester may be exempt from the semester exam after having earned an “A” average for the two nine-weeks of the semester.  A student in a year-long course may be exempt from the second semester exam if the student has earned at least a “B” average for the first semester grade and an “A” average for each of the two nine-weeks of the second semester.  Motion died for lack of a second. 

2.       Notice of Intent to Adopt Revisions to School District Rules, Chapter 6

        Upon discussion of “Revisions to School District Rules, Chapter 6” a motion was made concerning the following section:

6.11 - BUS DONATION AND EMERGENCY TRANSFER PROVISIONS (Charter Schools)

      Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to add an item under Section 6.11 – Bus Donation and Emergency Transfer Provisions (Charter Schools), with verbiage indicating that “prior to the transfer of any surplus school bus, the name ‘Escambia County School District’, will be removed (from the bus).”  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.

3.    Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-2.04(9) - Hiring Freeze

           No discussion was held.

4.    Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17 – 2.12 (1)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j);(2)(b)(c)(d)(e);(3)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(k(1)(2)(3)(1);(4) – Community and Parent Involvement

           No discussion was held. 

5.    Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-2.04(3) – Position

     Advertising

           No discussion was held. 

6.    Notice of Intent to Adopt Amendment to School District Rule 6Gx17-2.32(8) and (9) - Political Activities of Personnel

                              No discussion was held. 

7.    Notice of Intent to Advertise Revisions to School District Rules, Chapter 5

      Upon discussion of “Revisions to School District Rules, Chapter 5” motions were made concerning the following sections:

5.01 FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING – FISCAL MANAGEMENT

5.01(1)(e) Timely and accurate financial reports shall be reviewed by the Superintendent (or designee) and submitted to the School Board on a regular basis.  The monthly and annual financial reports presented to the Board shall summarize financial activity by major types of funds, functions and objects and maintain compliance with state requirements

      Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mr. Clark, to “move the verbiage from 5.01(1)(e) to 5.01(9).”  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.

5.01(2)(h) The Superintendent (or designee) may approve ordinary expenditures, including salary payments, from July 1 until the Board approves the tentative budget and, thereafter, may expend in accordance with the tentative budget, and the requests as presented, until such time as the final budget is adopted.  Extraordinary request for advance funding may be brought to the Board for specific approval, if necessary, prior to the adoption of the final budget. 

                              Motion was made by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to make the following revision

to the last sentence under 5.01(2)(h): Extraordinary request for advance funding may shall be brought to the Board for specific approval, if necessary, prior to the adoption of the final budget.  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.      

5.01(15) Facsimile Signatures: The facsimile signature of the School Board Chair and the Superintendent may be affixed to warrants as authorized by School Board resolution provided an affidavit has been filed in accordance with Section 116.34(3), Florida Statutes.  The facsimile signature of the School Board Chair may be used on contracts with instructional staff members and warrants. 

5.01(15)(a) As used herein, facsimile signature shall mean a reproduction by engraving, imprinting, stamping, digitizing or other source of the manual signature.

5.01(15)(b) The Vice-Chair of the School Board shall have no authority to sign warrants or school documents except when he/she is required to assume the duties of the Chair.  When the Vice-Chair assumes such duties, he/she shall be legally empowered to sign such warrants and other legal documents as the Chair would be empowered to sign. 

5.01(15)(c) Designated personnel in Finance and Business Services and Human Resources are authorized to use the facsimile signature of the School Board Chair and the Superintendent. 

      Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mr. Clark, to strike the verbiage under 5.01(15)(b) and under 5.01(15)(c) and to make the following revision to the last sentence under 5.01(15): “The facsimile signature of the School Board Chair and the Superintendent may be affixed to warrants as authorized by School Board resolution provided an affidavit has been filed in accordance with Section 116.34(3), Florida Statues.  The facsimile signature of the School Board Chair and the Superintendent may be used on contracts with instructional staff members and warrants by designated personnel in Finance and Business Services and Human Resources.”  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote. 

5.02 PURCHASING

5.02(11)(b) In the event the products or services which are the subject of the Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal are essential to the operations of the District, the School Board in order to assure continuation of services may direct the award recommendation as presented conditioned upon and subject to the findings of a formal administrative hearing.  As such, the Purchasing Director shall be authorized to negotiate and enter into a short-term contract with the proposed awardee or to purchase essential materials on an as needed basis. 

      Motion was made by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to make the following revision to the last sentence under 5.02(11)(b): As such, the Purchasing Director Board shall be authorized the Purchasing Manager to negotiate and enter into a short-term contract with the proposed awardee or to purchase essential materials on an as needed basis.  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.     

5.04 TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR SCHOOLS

     Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to request that the Superintendent develop a policy regarding guidelines for cellular telephones used by District employees, to be presented to the Board prior to the December Regular Workshop.  (NOTE: No vote was taken on this motion.)  

      Motion by Ms. Finkelstein, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to recess the Special Meeting at 3:00 p.m., was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.  (NOTE: At this time, the Board convened in a separate Special Meeting scheduled for 3:00 p.m.)  The Special Meeting reconvened at 3:20 p.m., with Ms. Finkelstein, Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Clark, Dr. DeWitt, Mr. Negron and Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent (representing the Superintendent).  (NOTE: Mrs. Bergosh was not in attendance.)  

      At the request of Ms. Finkelstein, the Special Meeting recessed again at 3:20 p.m. and reconvened at 3:30 p.m., with Ms. Finkelstein, Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Clark, Dr. DeWitt, Mr. Negron and Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent (representing the Superintendent).  (NOTE: Mrs. Bergosh was not in attendance.) 

5.07 INVENTORIES AND PROPERTY RECORDS

5.07(6) Gift of Property: In the event that an individual, organization, or group gives, donates or contributes tangible personal property or the cost or part of the cost of such property to or for any school, the donor shall be notified that the property shall become the exclusive property of the School Board of Escambia County, Florida.  All gifts and contributions shall be accepted upon this condition.  All gifts and contributions shall be reported to the Budgeting Department on prescribed forms.  The lending of such property to a school shall be handled in the same manner as if that property were purchased by the School Board. 

      Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, that “5.07(6) be revised to include a reference to the technology guidelines.”  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote. 

5.08 TRAVEL

      Motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to request that the Superintendent provide an analysis of the financial impact of increasing meal and mileage travel rates, was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote. 

8.       Notice of Intent to Advertise mandated revisions by the Florida Legislature to the prescribed publication “Special Programs and Procedures for Exceptional Students” as implemented by School District Rule 6Gx17-4.02

                                No discussion was held. 

               III.               ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “B”)

1.       Request for Development of Policy Regarding Criteria for Student Admittance for all Magnet Schools and Programs – John DeWitt 

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, “to request that the Superintendent develop criteria for student admittance for all magnet schools and programs to be presented for advertisement on the December Regular Meeting agenda”.  (NOTE: The Superintendent entered the Special Meeting at 3:45 p.m.)  Motion was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote. 

ADD           2.  Status of School Choice Office Renovation  

        Mrs. Leslie Travis, Office of School Choice Coordinator, reviewed information provided to the Board regarding the cost estimates for renovations for renovations to the proposed School Choice Office at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center.  Mrs. Sheree’ Cagle, Director of Comprehensive Planning, responded to questions posed and comments made by the Board, regarding the proposed physical layout of the School Choice Office.  

              IV.               ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Attest:                                                             Approved:

________________________________       ________________________________

Superintendent                                                 Chairman