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 (entered the Special Meeting at 9:05 a.m.)    

Vice Chair:   Mrs. Cary Stidham   

Board Members:   Mrs. Carissa Bergosh

Mr. Ronnie L. Clark (entered the Special Meeting at 9:05 a.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

Mrs. Stidham called the Special Meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  On motion by Mrs. Bergosh, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the agenda was approved 3 to 0, with Mr. Clark and Ms. Finkelstein absent for vote. 

II. UPDATE FROM UNITED HEALTH CARE (UHC)

(NOTE: The following presentation was requested by the Superintendent at the April 21, 2003 Special Meeting.  Ms. Finkelstein and Mr. Clark entered the Special Meeting at 9:05 a.m. during this presentation.)  Mr. Mark Fulton, representative of United Health Care (UHC), gave a brief review regarding healthcare benefit management services.

III. INSURANCE CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATIONS

(Supplemental Minute Book, Exhibit “B”)

(NOTE: The backup documentation for this item included a proposal from Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. (GBS), to provide consulting services for the District’s medical and prescription drug plan, from May 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003.  This item was a request for the Board to cancel the contract with AON Consulting Services, Inc., and accept the proposal from GBS.  The total fee for the services outlined in the proposal would be $14,500 payable upon receipt of an invoice from Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.) 

Upon inquiry by Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Joe Bernard, Director of Risk Management, explained that no “contract” had been received from Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. (GBS), only the “proposal” as presented.  He stated that if the Board accepted the “proposal”, he would then obtain a “contract” from GBS.   Dr. Doug Garber, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, noted that GBS would provide consulting services for the District through June 30, 2003 (as indicated in the “proposal”) and as of July 1, 2003 a “Request for Proposal” (RFP) would be issued to secure a new consulting firm.  Motion made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to accept the “proposal” from GBS (as outlined in the backup documentation), subject to the attorney’s review of the “contract” when received.

IV. BUDGET PROCESS

Budget Reduction Proposals

(NOTE: At the April 21, 2003 Special Meeting, the Board had requested that the Superintendent provide additional budget reduction proposals.) The Superintendent stated that he would provide the Board with budget reduction “options” by May 2, 2003.  He noted however, that he would not provide any budget reduction “recommendations” until additional information regarding the “budget situation” was received.

Implementing a four (4) day work week during the summer

(NOTE: At the April 17, 2003 Special Meeting, Dr. DeWitt requested information regarding any possible cost savings associated with the implementation of a four (4) day work week during the summer.)  Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, briefly reviewed information regarding the implementation of a four (4) day work week during the summer.  She explained that summer school was scheduled for five (5) days a week during the month of June, and therefore, a four (4) day work week would only be possible during the month of July.  She noted only a minimal cost savings resulting in the decreased usage of utilities. (NOTE: Board Members requested no additional information regarding this issue.) 

Closing all buildings during winter break

(NOTE: At the April 17, 2003 Special Meeting, Mrs. Stidham requested information regarding any possible cost savings associated with the closing of all buildings (including both administrative buildings) during the Winter Break.)  Dr. Doug Garber, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resource Services, briefly reviewed information regarding the closing of all buildings (including both administrative buildings) during the Winter Break.  He explained that while many District facilities already close during the Winter Break, closing all buildings (including both administrative buildings) would result in a savings of utilities.  He advised that the impact (on employees) of closing all buildings was a bargaining issue.  Mrs. Stidham requested the following additional information regarding this issue: 1) cost savings associated with closing all buildings during the Winter Break, with the exception of one administrative building; 2) employees that could possibly be required to take leave during the Winter Break; 3) employees that could be reassigned to an “open” administrative building during Winter Break (if they could not be required to take leave); and 4) cost savings associated with requiring employees to take leave during the Winter Break. 

Warehouse Information

Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, stated that an analysis of the warehouse had been conducted to determine its cost effectiveness.  The Superintendent stated that the analysis would be provided to the Board on May 2, 2003. 

Print Shop Information

While information was provided to the Board regarding the cost effectiveness of the Print Shop, Mrs. Stidham was concerned that the information lacked detail.  The Superintendent stated that he would later provide the Board with as much detailed information as possible regarding this issue. 

FCAT Explorer versus EduTest

In answer to Mr. Clark’s question, Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, stated that FCAT Explorer was being used throughout the District, as it was a free of charge program that students could access the program both at home and at school by way of the Internet.  He noted that FCAT Explorer was basically a set “practice test” for the FCAT format.  At the request of Mr. Clark, Mr. Fetsko gave a brief comparison of FCAT Explorer versus the EduTest software program that was approved by the Board at the April 17, 2003 Regular Meeting (Item V.D.11).  (NOTE: Board Members requested no additional information regarding this issue.)

Request for Information (RFI) – Technology Assessment Consultant

Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, the Superintendent stated that he would provide the Board with a copy of the Request for Information (RFI) for a Technology Assessment Consultant, prior to the May 12, 2003 Special Meeting. 

Professional Services Contracts from General Revenue

Dr. DeWitt noted that there were going to be many professional service contracts (i.e., guidance counseling, family therapy, etc.) on the June Regular Meeting agenda.  He noted that many of those contracts were funded through the general revenue budget and believed some “justification” as to whether those “extra services” were “something we can afford to continue to provide.” 

V. PURCHASING

1. Bid Renewal/Extension: Pharmacy Benefit Management Services

(Item tabled from April 17, 2003 Regular Meeting)

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to approve “Bid Renewal/Extension: Pharmacy Benefit Management Services,” effective May 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003.  Dr. DeWitt noted that the District had received two “audit findings” on this contract and questioned whether those had been corrected.  Mr. Joe Bernard, Director of Risk Management, stated that the District was currently working with Advanced PCS to address those issues.  Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mr. Clark, to amend the motion on the floor, to approve “Bid Renewal/Extension: Pharmacy Benefit Management Services,” pending the correction of the two “audit findings.”  Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, advised against the amended motion, noting that the two “audit findings” could not be corrected immediately and yet these services would need to continue.  After discussion, Dr. DeWitt withdrew the amendment and Mr. Clark with the second.  Original motion to approve “Bid Renewal/Extension: Pharmacy Benefit Management Services,” effective May 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003, was approved unanimously. 

VI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.

Attest:                                                            Approved:

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