THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
MINUTES,
The
School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Workshop Meeting at
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.
Superintendent
of Schools: Mr. Norm Ross, Deputy
Superintendent (represented Mr. Jim Paul)
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Finkelstein called the Regular Workshop at
A. Open Discussion
a) Master Calendar
[NOTE: The
following discussion refers to Board action from the
Due
to time constraints, the following item was moved forward on the agenda:
Update
on “Lights Out Program” – Ted Kirchharr (Item III.4)
[NOTE: The ‘Lights
Out Program’ was approved at the May 27, 2003 Special Meeting under General
Revenue Budget Reduction Recommendations 2003-2004. The ‘Lights Out Program’ is relative to a
procedure to blackout all exterior and interior campus lighting based on a
specific schedule.] Mr. Ted
Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, advised that staff had been
working on the ‘Lights Out Program’ for several months and had recently come
across several “unexpected issues” with regard to campuses where the majority of
the exterior lighting was provided by Gulf Power. Mr. Alan King, representative of Gulf Power,
reviewed information provided to the Board regarding those “unexpected
issues.” Mr. Kirchharr stated that staff
would propose the implementation of a pilot project (beginning second semester
through the end of the school year) to evaluate the ‘Lights Out Program’ at
three schools where the majority of the exterior lighting was provided by the
District. He noted that staff could then
present the Board with the data necessary for determining “whether or not the
‘Lights Out Program’ was worth the capital investment that would be needed to
go onto those campuses where Gulf Power provides the majority of the exterior
lights.” [NOTE: The following schools agreed to serve as
pilot schools in this effort:
b) Ethics Committee
(NOTE: The issue of a district-wide ethics policy
was previously addressed at the
c) Prescription/Drug Plan
Deductions
Dr. DeWitt stated that he
would add an item to the Regular Meeting agenda, regarding the reconsideration
of prescription drug plan deductibles (approved at the July 22, 2003 Regular
Meeting as part of the Health/Prescription Plan), which were scheduled to go
into effect on October 1, 2003. He noted
that according to the most recent budget figures, there were sufficient funds
to allow for the $100 plan year deductible to be reduced to $0. Mr. Kevin Windham, Director of Risk
Management, advised the Board that such an action would have an affect those
employees who had recently signed up to participate in Flexible Spending
Accounts (FSA) and elected their contribution amount with the $100 deductible
in mind. He also noted that “if we make
these changes now could result in more drastic changes this time next year.” Board Members requested the following
information regarding this issue: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) participation
numbers and Prospective additional costs to the District based on the following
deductible scenarios: $100, $75, $50, $25 and $0.
d) Dates for Meetings
-Town Hall Meetings
Board Members discussed the possibility of holding town hall meetings in each district throughout the county, beginning no later than November. Board Members indicated that they would coordinate with Mrs. Linda West, Administrative Secretary to the School Board, on the appropriate dates and locations.
-Strategic Plan Meeting (before
October 1)
Board Members agreed to schedule a Special Meeting (Re:
Strategic Planning) for
Change
Date of October Regular Workshop
In consideration of the Fall Break (October 13th
through October 17th), Board Members agreed to change the date of
the October Regular Workshop from
-Development of Legislative
Platform
Ms. Finkelstein stated that Mixon and Associates (Legislative
Consultants) had requested a meeting with the Board regarding the development
of the Board’s Legislative Platform for 2004.
The Board discussed the possibility of scheduling a Special Meeting for
that purpose, on either October 6th or October 7th at
Dr. DeWitt indicated that he would be adding an item to the
September Regular Meeting agenda, (possibly in the form of a policy revision)
regarding quarterly updates on the status of each charter school in the
District.
Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Mr. John Dombroskie, Director of
Purchasing, stated that a Request for Proposal (RFP) regarding exclusive
vending services was being prepared and would be shared with the Board prior to
its release.
II.
COMMENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT
No comments were made.
III.
COMMITTEE/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Update on Superintendent’s
Council for Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Dr. Doug Garber, Assistant
Superintendent for Human Resource Services, reviewed a portion of the
“graphical data” (i.e., graphs, charts) that would be included in the final
report from the Superintendent’s Council for Teacher Recruitment and
Retention. He noted that the final
report would be provided to the Board once reviewed and approved by the
Superintendent.
No report was given.
Mr. Malcolm Thomas, Director
of Evaluation Services, gave a brief demonstration regarding the ability for
schools and the public to access FCAT data from the District web-site.
ADD 4. Update on
“Lights Out Program” – Ted Kirchharr
This
item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
IV.
PROPOSED ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO
Notice of Intent to Adopt Emergency Amendment to
(Item II.A.5 on
(NOTE: This emergency rule change permits the Board to appoint an interim
Audit Committee Chair in the event of a vacancy and removes the prohibition
against Committee Members serving consecutive terms.) Ms. Finkelstein advised that the Board would
appoint an interim Audit Committee Chair, at the September Regular
Meeting.
Notice of Intent to
Advertise Revisions to
(Item II.B.1 on
Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, stated that an amended version
of this rule was forthcoming, which would include the following statement under
section 4.06 Educational Media Materials, item (3) Evaluation and Selection of Educational Media: “No book or other material containing hard
core pornography or otherwise prohibited by Section 847.012 shall be used or
available in the Escambia County School District.”
Notice of
Intent to Advertise Amendment to
(Item II.B.2 on
[NOTE: This issue was previously addressed at the
August 19, 2003 Regular Meeting under VII.A.1 “Cordova Park Elementary School
Advisory Council’s Request for Waiver of Portion of School Dress Code – John
DeWitt.”] Dr. DeWitt stated that the
purpose of this rule amendment, which was based on a request made by the Cordova
Park Elementary School Advisory Council, was to remove the “tucked in”
requirements for students complying with the Uniform Dress Code in grades K
through 5.
V.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Curriculum and Instruction
12. Agreement
Between
Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, confirmed that total funding
request of $63,000 was for services from one Speech/Language Pathologist.
15. Professional Services
Agreement for Human Resources Management Development
16. Professional Services Agreement for Human Resources Management
Development (HRMD) Consultant
Mrs. Linda Longacre, Director of Staff Development, explained that
the District had always provided a consultant for those employees who were
going through an internship. She noted
that it was now necessary to request an additional consultant, as there were
currently more interns than there had ever been at one time in the past. In answer to Mrs. Stidham’s question, Mrs.
Longacre stated that not every employee in the Principal’s Pool is given an
internship, in fact, there were some employees who had been in the Pool since
the late 1980’s and early 1990’s that had never received an internship. Mrs. Stidham and Dr. DeWitt believed that a
policy was necessary to remove employees who had been in the Pool for over five
years and not progressed to an internship.
B. Finance
No discussion was held.
C. Human Resource Services
1. Instructional/Professional
d. Out-of-Field
4. Other
Mrs. Stidham noted that several teachers would be teaching one
class period “out-of-field” due to scheduling at the school, as an extra course
was needed but there was not a teacher available who was certified in the
course. She had concerns as to “whether
the students would be getting a teacher who could actually teach that
course.” Mrs. Teenie Wehmeier,
Certification Manager, stated that while she understood Mrs. Stidham’s
concerns, she had discussed with the principals and they felt that these
individuals were very capable of teaching these courses.
f. Special Requests
6. Request approval for Carolyn Stallworth, teacher at Tate High to work the month of June and to be paid at her regular hourly rate of pay to update software and install new computers. She is to be paid from Educational Technology Funds.
Mrs. Stidham questioned why the Board was being asked to
approve this item in September, when it had already occurred in June. Dr. Doug Garber, Assistant Superintendent for
Human Resource Services, stated that the request had been submitted to the
Board, as soon as it was received in the Human Resources department.
7. Request approval for the
following instructional employees at Pine Forest High to work Saturday
detention for the 2003-04 school year and to be paid at their regular hourly
rate of pay. They are to be paid from
Advanced Placement Add on Allocation Funds
Mr. Clark questioned why Advanced Placement Add-on Allocation
Funds were being use to pay for instructional employees to work Saturday
detention. Mrs. Laura Shaud, Director of
Budgeting, stated that while it did seem “a little odd” to use Advanced
Placement funds for Saturday detention, it was permissible. She noted that although AP students had
generated these funds, they “could be used for whatever the school’s needs
are,” as there were no restrictions on how they were to be spent.
9. Request approval to add Teacher on Special Assignment/Roy Hyatt
Environmental Center under the Science Department on the Personnel Planning
Document.
In response to concerns expressed by Mrs. Stidham and Dr.
DeWitt, Mr. Paul Fetsko, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction, stated that this position would be funded through a Title V math
and science grant.
13. For Board Information:
Report on updated Personnel Planning Document for the 2003-04 school year.
Mrs. Stidham believed that this item should be listed on the
agenda for “Board approval” rather than “Board information.”
3. Risk Management
b. Summary
of District Safety Inspections
Mrs. Stidham believed that this item should be listed on the
agenda for “Board approval” (rather than as an “information item” as indicated
in the backup documentation), noting that according to Florida Statutes, the
Board must approve the report before it is submitted to the State Fire
Marshall. Mr. Steve Sharp, Coordinator
of Health, Safety and Environmental Operations, advised that the District
Safety Inspections had already been submitted to the State Fire Marshall
without Board approval. Board Members
requested that this item be placed on the October Regular Meeting agenda (for
“Board approval”) and that a copy of each safety inspection (rather than a
summary of all safety inspections) be provided in the backup documentation for
said meeting.
D. Purchasing
1. Bid Award: Custodial
Supplies, Bid #040102
Mr. John Dombroskie, Director of Purchasing, stated that due to
possible bid award protests by two vendors, the recommendation would be to
approve the award of the bid, conditioned upon and subject to the findings of
any formal administrative hearing.
The Regular Workshop recessed at
4. Bid Award: Employee Benefits
Consulting Services, RFP #033801
5. Bid Renewal / Extension: 403-B Compliance Services, RFP #1-98
6. Bid Renewal / Extension:
Pharmacy Benefit Management Services
Dr. DeWitt requested a list of all consulting firms (that the
Risk Management department has contracts with) prior to the
15. Sod for
Mr. Clark believed that it was “inequitable”
to spend $16,887.50 on sod for a practice football field at
E. Operations
1. Facilities Planning
B. Miscellaneous
2. Property Swap with
Mrs. Stidham noted that the “executive summary sheet” indicated that the purpose of this particular item was to “request direction from the Board on the proposed property swap” but gave no indication as to what the Superintendent’s recommendation was. Mr. Ted Kirchharr, Assistant Superintendent for Operations, stated that he would revise the “executive summary sheet” to indicate the Superintendent’s recommendation, which was to proceed with the property swap.
F. Student Transfers
No discussion was held.
G. Internal Auditing
No discussion was held.
VI.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No
items submitted.
VII.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Items from the Board
1. Appointment to
Ms. Finkelstein stated that a formal motion would be made at the September Regular Meeting, to appoint Mrs. Stidham (who had volunteered to represent the Board in that capacity) to the Escambia Juvenile Justice Council.
2. Job Description for Coordinator II for
Employee Services Chief Negotiator –
Upon inquiry by Dr. DeWitt, Mr. Ross stated that at that time,
the Superintendent did not support Mrs. Stidham’s proposal for a Chief
Negotiator position.
The Board recognized Bob Husbands, Executive Director of
Escambia NEA UniServe, who expressed his thoughts regarding this issue.
B. Items from the
Superintendent
No discussion was held.
C. Items from the General
Counsel
No discussion was held.
VIII.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business, the Regular Workshop adjourned at
Attest: Approved:
________________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chair