THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

MINUTES, JULY 31, 2003

 

 

            The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting/Public Hearing at 5:30 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

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark (was present via speakerphone)

                                                Dr. John DeWitt

 

            School Board Attorney:              Mr. Francisco M. Negron, Jr. (was not present)

 

            Superintendent of Schools:         Mr. Jim Paul

 

 

                    I.               CALL TO ORDER

 

Ms. Finkelstein called the Special Meeting/Public Hearing to order at 5:30 p.m.

 

                 II.               ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the agenda, was approved unanimously. 

 

               III.               FINANCE

1.       Presentation of 2003-2004 Budget

 

[NOTE: Handouts outlining the 2003-2004 Budget were provided to the Board prior to the Special Meeting (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”).]  Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of Budgeting, recapped the budget materials and Mrs. Barbara Linker, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, briefly discussed “rolled back rate.” 

 

              IV.               CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING FOR INPUT ON 2003-2004 BUDGET

 

      Ms. Finkelstein called for public hearing for input on the 2003-2004 Budget. 

      [NOTE: The following statements refer to Item V.D.18, “Fast ForWord Software for Various School,” which was deleted from the July 22, 2003 Regular Meeting agenda.]  Mr. Henry Marshall addressed the Board regarding Scientific Learning’s “Fast ForWord” software program.  He urged the Board to “release the funds” that were necessary to purchase the program, as he believed that it would be very beneficial for students.  Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy Superintendent, advised that a request to purchase the “Fast ForWord” software program (for various schools), would be presented on the August Regular Meeting agenda. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 V.               ADOPTION OF 2003-2004 MILLAGE

1.    Required Local Effort

 

      On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the Required Local Effort [6.049], was approved unanimously. 

 

2.    Discretionary – Basic

 

On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the Discretionary – Basic [0.510], was approved unanimously. 

 

3.    Discretionary – Supplemental

 

On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the Discretionary – Supplemental [0.229], was approved unanimously. 

 

4.    Capital Outlay

 

On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the Capital Outlay [2.000], was approved unanimously. 

 

5.    Total Millage

 

On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mrs. Bergosh, adoption of the Total Millage [8.788], was approved unanimously.

 

              VI.               ADOPTION OF 2003-2004 TENTATIVE BUDGET

1.    General Fund

 

On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Mr. Clark, adoption of the General Fund [$257,662,930.00], was approved unanimously. 

 

2.    Special Revenue – Food Service

 

      On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the Special Revenue – Food Service [$22,778,492.91], was approved unanimously. 

 

3.    Special Revenue – Other

 

      On motion by Mrs. Bergosh, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the Special Revenue – Other [$35,675,937.19], was approved unanimously. 

 

4.    Debt Service Funds

 

      On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the Debt Service Funds [$10,856,433.52], was approved unanimously. 

 

 

 

 

5.    Capital Project Funds

 

      On motion by Dr. DeWitt, seconded by Mrs. Stidham, adoption of the Capital Project Funds [$83,250,257.29], was approved unanimously.

 

6.    Internal Service Funds

 

      On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the Internal Service Funds [$45,933,277.43], was approved unanimously. 

 

7.    Total Budget (excluding transfers)

 

      On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption of the Total Budget, excluding transfers [$442,321,162.84], was approved unanimously. 

 

            VII.               SET DATE FOR FINAL BUDGET HEARING

 

         Motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to set the final Budget Hearing for Tuesday, September 9, 2003, 5:30 p.m., in the Board Room, at the Dr. Vernon McDaniel Building, was approved unanimously. 

 

         VIII.               ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the Special Meeting/Public Hearing adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

 

Attest:                                                                         Approved:

 

 

 

________________________________                   ________________________________

Superintendent                                                             Chair