THE SCHOOL BOARD OF

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

MINUTES, AUGUST 7, 2003

 

 

            The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Emergency 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                             Vice Chair:       Mrs. Cary Stidham       

 

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

                                                Mr. Ronnie L. Clark

                                                Dr. John DeWitt

 

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

 

            Superintendent of Schools:         Mr. Jim Paul

 

 

                    I.               CALL TO ORDER/ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Ms. Finkelstein called the Emergency Meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  She advised that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss bus transportation issues as they related to the safety, health and welfare of students.  On motion by Mrs. Stidham, seconded by Dr. DeWitt, adoption to agenda, was approved 4 to 0, with Mrs. Bergosh absent for vote.   

 

                 II.               BUS TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

(Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit “A”)

 

[NOTE: The following discussion refers to a memorandum issued by the Transportation Department, that had been sent to certain parents/guardians of bus riding students, informing them that the stop where their student boarded a school bus was within the Board’s defined walk zone and would no longer be serviced effective Monday, August 11, 2003.]  Mrs. Stidham referred information that outlined the specific bus stops throughout the district that would no longer be serviced effective August 11, 2003.  She expressed concerns with regard to student safety (i.e., walking conditions), specifically addressing the bus stops that would no longer be serviced in the Escambia High School area.  In response, Mr. Shawn Dennis, Director of Transportation, advised that the Transportation Department had followed the same protocol for implementing the “walk zone rule” this year, as had been followed the previous two years (in accordance with School Board Rule 6Gx17-6.02).  At the request of Mrs. Stidham, Mr. Kirchharr stated that the courtesy service for certain bus routes within the Escambia High School zone could be extended until the August 19, 2003 Regular Meeting, to allow time for the Transportation Department to monitor the issue and report back to the Board. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               III.               ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

 

                        Attest:                                                              Approved:

 

 

________________________________                    ________________________________

Superintendent                                                  Chair