The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 9:00 a.m., in Room 160, at the J.E. Hall Educational Services Center, 30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

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 9:10 a.m.  On motion made by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the agenda was approved unanimously.

DELETED II. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

III. BUDGET PROCESS

Budget Reduction Proposals

(NOTE: At the April 29, 2003 Special Meeting, 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.)   Board Members believed that there several issues referred to in the budget reduction “options” provided by the Superintendent, that he should be able to go ahead and present in the form of “recommendations.” (i.e., closure of any schools, number of class periods that teachers at the high school level would teach each day, and the elimination/realignment of any positions).  They requested that the Superintendent present his budget reduction “recommendations” at the May 20, 2003 Special Meeting.

Class Size Reduction Implementation (Amendment 9)

Board Members posed questions regarding the proposed implementation of Class Size Reduction (Amendment 9), however it was the general consensus of staff that there were too many ‘unknowns’ to answer such questions specifically.   

Concept of Zero-Based Budgeting/Concept of Site-Based Budgeting

Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Ms. Finkelstein stated that attempts to arrange presentations regarding the concepts of ‘zero-based’ and ‘site-based’ budgeting had been unsuccessful. 

Proposal for Utilities Cost Savings

Mrs. Stidham and Dr. DeWitt were concerned with the projected increase of approximately $1,000,000 in utility costs and requested that staff develop a proposal that would result in a substantial amount of savings in utility costs.  Mr. Ross stated that staff would try to have that information available for the May 20, 2003 Special Meeting.

IV. HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES

ADD 1. Agreement between Escambia County School District and Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.

(NOTE: At the April 29, 2003 Special Meeting, the Board accepted a “proposal” from Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. (GBS), subject to the attorney’s review of the “contract” (agreement) when received.)  Motion was made by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to approve the “Agreement between Escambia County School District and Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.”  (NOTE: The following statement refers to “page 1 of 11” of the agreement.)  Mrs. Stidham stated that the following statement included in the agreement would need to be revised to reflect the date of May 12, 2003:  “This agreement is made and entered into this 29^th day of April 2003.” (NOTE: The following statement refers to “page 5 of 11” of the agreement.)  Mr. Negron referred to last sentence of “paragraph 1” under section III.B.2 “Obligations of Client”, which read: Any commissions received from the insurance carriers will be used to offset this fee.”  He suggested that the agreement be re-typed with the omission of that sentence.  Mrs. Stidham offered a “friendly amendment’ to the motion, to approve the “Agreement between Escambia County School District and Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.,” with “page 5 of 11” re-typed as suggested by Mr. Negron.  Dr. DeWitt accepted the “friendly amendment.”  Motion as amended was approved unanimously.

V. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Special Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

Attest:                                                                   Approved:

________________________________        _________________________

Superintendent                                                   Chair