SCHOOL BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA

REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 2001

The School Board of Pinellas County, Florida, met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 13, 2001, at 5:00 P.M. in the Conference Hall of the Administration Building, 301 4th Street SW, Largo, Florida. Present: Mr. Thomas C. Todd, Chairman; Mrs. Nancy N. Bostock, Vice Chairman; Mr. Lee Benjamin, Mrs. Carol J. Cook, Mrs. E. Jane Gallucci, Dr. Max R. Gessner, and Mrs. Linda S. Lerner, Members; Dr. J. Howard Hinesley, Superintendent; Dr. John Stewart, Deputy Superintendent; Mr. Lanse Johansen, Chief Business Officer; and, Mr. John Bowen, School Board Attorney.

The Invocation was given by Dr. Ronald Stone, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources & Public Affairs. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and video presentation of “God Bless America” by the students of Largo High School.

Introduction of the following representatives of professional and community organizations was given by Dr. Ronald Stone, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources & Public Affairs: Carolyn Smith, PESPA; Carolyn Bluett, PCCPTA; Vic Rowley, Pinellas County SAC; Richard Cash, Pinellas County for a Complete Arts Education; Ray Smenner, Pinellas County Arts Council; Kelly Ryan Gilmer, The St. Petersburg Times; and, Oscar Robinson, Operations Team.

It was moved by Mr. Benjamin, seconded by Dr. Gessner and carried with a 7-0 vote to adopt the agenda.

Dr. Hinesley requested that the Board consider the following changes:

ADD: CONSENT #32a Request Approval of the Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement Between the Sheriff and the School Board for Furnishing of an Interim Chief of Campus Police

DELETE: CONSENT #26

The School Board, through consensus, agreed to accept these changes.

A. There were no representatives from the Students Rights and Responsibilities Committee present at this meeting.

B. Mr. Tim Tankersley, Administrator, Food & Nutrition Management, Tallahassee, presented the USDA Southeast Region Best Practices Award as follows:

Dolores McCoy – Promoting a Healthy School Environment

Lynn Geist and Mary Ann Powanda – Successful Food Quality Control

Ms. McCoy, Ms. Geist, and Ms. Powanda were greeted and congratulated by the Board.

C. Ms. Jeanne Reynolds, Supervisor, Pre K-12 Music presented for Board Recognition Ms. Linda Clark, “Ms. Wheelchair Florida,” for 2001. Ms. Clark was greeted and congratulated by the Board.

D. Dr. Clide Cassity, Director, PTEC, presented for Board recognition the following International VICA Contest Winner:

Dien Tran – 3^rd Place, Welding, World Skills Championship

Mr. Tran was greeted and congratulated by the Board.

Dr. Hinesley took this opportunity to introduce two journalists visiting our country from Thailand.

E. Mr. Ray Smenner, Assistant Director, Pinellas County Arts Council, addressed the Board to update them on the various efforts to promote the arts within our schools. Mr. Smenner also stated that people are turning to the arts as a bonding form since the September 11 terrorists attack.

1. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Mr. Benjamin to approve the Adoption of Amendments to Policies 7.05 Petty Cash Funds and 7.17 Travel.

Dr. Hinesley stated that this is the second reading for these amendments and recommended approval.

1a. The motion to approve the Adoption of Amendments to Policies 7.05 Petty Cash Funds and 7.17 Travel was carried with a 7-0 vote.

2. It was moved by Mr. Benjamin and seconded by Mrs. Gallucci to approve the Adoption of Amendments to Policy 7.10 School Internal Funds – Principles.

Dr. Hinesley stated that this is the second reading for these amendments and recommended approval.

2a. The motion to approve the Adoption of Amendments to Policy 7.10 School Internal Funds – Principles was carried with a 7-0 vote.

3. It was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mrs. Gallucci, and carried with a 7-0 vote to approve the Consent Agenda, as amended.

3a. To approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of October 22, 2001, and the workshops of August 28, 2001, September 4, 2001, and October 30, 2001 as submitted.

3b. To approve the District Monitoring and Advisory Committee (DMAC) Recommendation on Extracurricular Activities.

3c. To approve Aon Risk Services As Agent of Record for Property & Casualty Insurance Program.

3d. To approve the Amended and Restated ITFS Excess Capacity with Sprint (Bay Area), formerly Videotron (Bay Area) Inc.

3e. To approve the Personnel Actions as Recommended by the Superintendent. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3f. To Authorize the request to File a Counterclaim in the Case of Pilot Construction Services, Inc. v. School Board of Pinellas County, Circuit Civil Case No. 01-7511-CI-21.

3g. To approve the Acceptance of Donation, a 1995 Ford, four-door, sedan automobile, to PTEC, Clearwater, from James Wade Byers.

3h. To approve the Membership Agreement Between Northeast High School Center for Finance and the National Academy Foundation. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3i. To approve the Following Special Projects: (Copy/copies to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

- School Renovations and IDEA Technology Grant: $3,998,684

- Research-Based Reading Program: $74,937

- Toshiba American Foundation Grant: $699.55

- Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant: $225,000

- Project Connect Grant: $6,500

- Allegany Franciscan Foundation Classroom Supplies Grant: $4,750

- Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Grant: $2,000

- Renewal of Agreement with Directions for Mental Health: $56,000

3j. To approve Budget Amendment No. 1 (September 2001) to the District’s 2001/02 Budget.

3k. To approve the Financial Statements for Month Ending September 30, 2001, for Fiscal Year 2001-02.

3L. To approve the Investment Portfolio Financial Statements for the Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2001.

3m. To approve the Health Agreement With Pinellas Urology Incorporated. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3n. To approve the Health Agreement With Gulfcoast Oncology. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3o. To approve the Agreement With the National Conference for Community and Justice to Conduct Human Relations Workshops and Retreats During the 2001-02 School Year. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3p. To approve the Agreement With the Palladium Theater to Provide Performing Space to Music and Theater Groups. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3q. To approve the Interagency Partnership Agreement Between Pinellas County Schools and the Boley Centers for Behavioral Health Carem Inc. to Provide an In-School Prevention Program to High Risk Youths. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3r. To approve the 2001/2002 Sponsorship Award Agreement With the City of St. Petersburg Wherein the City Will Pay the School Bus Parking Fees at the Bayfront Center. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3s. To approve the Renewal of the Agreement With Dunedin Jr. Falcons, Inc., Permitting the Dunedin Jr. Falcons to use a Portion of the Dunedin High School Playfield. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3t. To approve the Renewal of the Joint-use-Of-Facilities Agreement With Palm Harbor Community Services Agency, Inc., for the Reciprocal Use of School Board and Agency Facilities. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3u. To approve the Report to the School Board of Facility Leases, Joint-Use Activities, and Other Community Uses Processed by the Real Property Management Department During the Third Quarter 2001.

3v. To approve the Agreement With Biltmore Construction Company, Inc. for Construction Management Services in Connection With New Construction, HVAC Remodeling and Renovations at Lake St. George Elementary School in the Amount of $570,960. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3w. To approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement With Metric Constructors for the Addition of $1,752,899, Resulting in a Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $7,781,000 in Connection With new Construction, Remodeling and Renovations at Maximo Elementary School. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3x. To approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement With Rosier/Jones Associates to Provide Design and Construction Contract Administration for the Total HVAC Renovation at Largo Central Elementary School in the Amount of $24,370. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3y. To approve Change Order No. 1 for the Re-roofing and Exterior Renovations at Palm Harbor Middle School. This Change Order will increase the contract amount by $104,150 with no time extension. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3z. To approve Change Order No. 2 for the Re-roofing and Exterior Renovations at Tarpon Springs Middle School. This Change Order will increase the contract amount by $154,005 with no time extension. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

3aa. To approve the Reimbursement of Isolated Transportation for M.J.R. for the 2001/2002 School Year.

3bb. To approve the Reimbursement of Isolated Transportation for T.F. for the 2000/2001 School Year.

3cc. To approve the Bids to Vendors at Prices in Bid Documents in Accordance with Bid Policies and Statutes. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)

4. Mr. Todd stated that Mrs. Bostock is chairing the Board’s subcommittee reviewing the Superintendent’s contract and asked that Mrs. Bostock update the Board on the subcommittee’s progress.

Mrs. Bostock recommended that the Board approve this item indicating the Board’s desire to have Dr. Hinesley continue with the district as our superintendent. Mrs. Bostock explained that approval of this item will also waive the sixty-day negotiation time line so that a contract can be approved at the December 11, 2001, School Board meeting.

Dr. Gessner stated that it is certainly appropriate that the Board continue their contract with Dr. Hinesley.

Mrs. Lerner questioned if there will be a workshop for the Board on this issue. Mrs. Bostock stated that there is no workshop planned but that any Board Member can attend the subcommittee’s next meeting scheduled for November 20.

4a. It was moved by Mr. Benjamin, seconded by Dr. Gessner and carried with a 7-0 vote to approve the contract extension and negotiation time line, indicating the Board’s desire to have Dr. Hinesley remain as superintendent.

Dr. Hinesley thanked the Board for their kind words and for their desire to negotiate a new contract with him.

5. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Dr. Gessner to approve the 2002 Legislative Program of the School Board of Pinellas County, as presented.

Mrs. Gallucci commended Steve Swartzel (Legislative Liaison) for compiling the proposed program. Mrs. Gallucci suggested that the Board may want to add a phrase to encourage the Legislators to look for a stable source of funding.

Discussion followed by Dr. Hinesley and Board Members.

Mr. Jade Moore, PCTA, addressed the Board to congratulate Dr. Hinesley on the vote he received from the Board and thanked him for choosing to stay in Pinellas. Mr. Moore stated that if the Board requests “stable” funding, it would be just like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.” Mr. Moore urged the School Board to seek “stable and adequate” funding from the state. Mr. Moore stated that unless the state experiences tax reform, school districts will go through this each year.

5a. It was moved by Mrs. Lerner and seconded by Mr. Benjamin to amend the original motion by adding the following in the lead of our Legislative Program: Pinellas County Schools will support tax reform that is fair, equitable, and stable and will adequately provide for the critical needs of Florida’s children, families, and citizens. Discussion followed and Mr. Benjamin withdrew his second to this amendment: Thus the amendment failed.

Discussion followed.

5b. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci, seconded by Mr. Benjamin and carried with a 4-3 vote, Mrs. Bostock, Dr. Gessner and Mr. Todd voting against, to table this motion to approve the 2002 Legislative Program.

The Board Members requested that this item be scheduled for a workshop on Tuesday, November 20, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., and then placed on the agenda of the organization meeting scheduled for 11:00 a.m., November 20, 2001. Mr. Swartzel will forward to the Board optional wording to capture their intent for their consideration during that workshop.

6. The following individuals addressed the Board during Presentations from the Audience:

Glenda Datsko – Addressed the Board to say that the alternative high school planned for the High Point area is really a juvenile justice facility. Ms. Datsko urged the Board not to build that facility in their neighborhood.

John Whitmer – Addressed the Board to voice his objection to the alternative high school being built in the High Point neighborhood, especially so close to the elementary school.

Robert Craig -- Addressed the Board to voice his objection to the alternative high school being built in the High Point neighborhood.

Dr. Hinesley stated that he had distributed to the Board a summary of the most recent meeting with the High Point community. Dr. Hinesley stated that this is not a juvenile justice facility, and that the alternative high school needs to be located close to PTEC. Dr. Hinesley stated that the district would rather place the school on the 49^th Street property, but that is does not look feasible in the foreseeable future. Discussion followed by Board Members. This issue will be placed on the January 29, 2002, evening meeting agenda. Board Members requested that a joint meeting be scheduled with the real property staff of the County to review properties the County has available for a possible trade in order to construct this school.

Mark Klutho – Addressed the Board to present photos of the trees and shrubs surrounding this building and to say that they are being “butchered.”

7. Dr. Hinesley’s report included the following:

¨ Stated that Ms. Westfall and Mr. Iachini are taking the report card idea out of Volusia County to see how that might work for Pinellas County.

¨ Stated that he received a letter from the high school principals regarding the request by the Board for reconsideration of the closed-campus policy. Dr. Hinesley stated that the chairman of the high school principals stated that they unanimously voted not to consider changing to an open-campus policy. A letter will be prepared and sent back to the students.

¨ Stated that Mr. Todd and he met with Mayor Baker and had very good discussions on multiple issues, one being the Mayor’s commitment to increase the number of mentors in the schools in St. Petersburg and to participate in fundraising for scholarships for students attending St. Petersburg schools. Dr. Hinesley stated that the reason for setting that meeting was to seek assistance in relocating Head Start. Dr. Hinesley stated that Mayor Baker is committed to working with the district on a long-term solution, but he does not have many ideas for a short-term solution. Dr. Hinesley stated that he and Jim Miller will continue to work with Head Start on this issue.

¨ Stated that the district is receiving many letters from agencies being impacted by the state’s budget cuts requesting that we write letters in support of them not being cut. Dr. Hinesley stated that this district does not plan on doing this since all district’s efforts must go towards saving dollars for education.

8. Reports from School Board Members were as follows:

Schools Visited or Functions Attended by Board Members

Westgate Elementary (Veteran’s Tribute); PCTA Workshop; Education Foundation Doorways Celebration (Tropicana Field); Police Athletic League – Mr. Benjamin (Sheriff Rice’s Board); Commissioner Christ’s Safety and Security Summit - USF; Florida Center for Survivors of Torture (Mr. Benjamin – Committee Member); Head Start Board of Directors Meeting; Focus Group – Choice Applications; Family Life and Education Committee Meeting; Clearwater High; Bardmoor Elementary; PCTA/PCCPTA Public Engagement Project; St. Petersburg Jr. College (Mrs. Cook – Speaker); Focus Group for Choice Survey; MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization); School Transportation Safety Committee; Florida PTA Annual Legislative Conference; Lake St. George Elementary; Palm Harbor Middle; Cross Bayou Elementary; Future Business Leaders of America; Curlew Hills – Palm Harbor Veteran’s Day Celebration

Concerns Expressed, Written, or Oral

Mrs. Cook – Stated that she has been asked to serve on the Metropolitan Planning Committee’s School Transportation Safety Committee and that these appointments are made by the County Commission. Mrs. Cook stated that she attended her first meeting at which there were many issues discussed, i.e., high school students hastily going through neighborhoods. She stated that this committee also asked that the district work with them, prior to a school opening, to discuss traffic patterns and needs. Discussion followed by Dr. Hinesley and Jim Miller.

Mrs. Gallucci – Stated that she has received notice that the Pinellas County Reading Association is asking for reading materials, books, and writing materials to be given to the shelters. Mrs. Gallucci stated that a bag has been placed in the Board Office and encouraged Board Members to donate such items to this cause. Pick up will be December 13. Stated that while she was attending a meeting at Campbell Park Elementary School, staff asked her if the district could have a process by which staff members could offer their suggestions on how money could be saved, i.e., suggestion box or committee. Dr. Hinesley responded that there are presently two processes in operation, short-term and long-term, and proceeded to describe both processes to receive input from staff.

Mrs. Bostock – Apologized first to her daughter’s principal and school for bringing this forward now, but stated that yesterday she received a letter in her daughter’s backpack from the City of St. Petersburg stating that her daughter participated in a class conducted by a St. Petersburg police officer on different types of touching. Mrs. Bostock stated that this is a wonderful program but that her concern is the letter was sent to parents after the children attended the program, not before. Mrs. Bostock questioned what the district’s policy is on identifying sensitive issues, i.e., good-touch/bad-touch program, and what is the policy on giving prior knowledge to parents. Mrs. Bostock requested that the Board discuss the issue of informing parents and identifying programs at a future workshop. This request received consensus of the Board.

Dr. Gessner – Stated that consistently, since he came on the Board, he has made school safety an issue and that today many had the opportunity to participate in a round-table discussion with the Commissioner of Education. Dr. Gessner questioned whether the district has looked at their safety response plans in view of what has happened recently with regards to mail, etc. Dr. Hinesley stated that people who have handled the mail were invited to participate in a teleconference conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Dr. Hinesley stated that the people in the Administration Building mailroom are wearing the glove protections and taking the precautions that are a part of that tape. Dr. Hinesley stated that part of that discussion cautioned our bus drivers not to park in an empty lot or shopping center between runs, but that they should return to the compound as a safety precaution. Dr. Hinesley stated that he has received another packet of information that was forwarded to Lt. Cutting, Acting Chief of Campus Police, for review and dissemination through Campus Police.

Mr. Benjamin – Commended Transportation Director Terry Palmer for the great operations so far this year. Mr. Benjamin stated that there is a definite improvement in the level of efficiency.

Mrs. Lerner – Stated that she recently met with Mr. Walter Miller and Mr. Terry Palmer to question the $170,000 for the consultant. Mrs. Lerner stated that she spent hours studying the RFP, looking at the two proposals and came out of that meeting realizing that it was a good expenditure of dollars. Mrs. Lerner asked if the Board was interested in looking at the amount of money budgeted for Choice, i.e., the parent information centers, the transportation costs, the Department of Unitary Status. Mrs. Lerner stated that with the tight budget times, the district may want to look at ways of reasonably cutting back on some of these expenditures. Dr. Hinesley stated that he can send Mr. Madden’s (unitary) and Ms. Zahn’s (communications) budgets to the Board; that there is $17.5 million in a contingency fund; that Dr. Stewart took the leadership to ask departments to review the budgets needs for the four family information centers; that Mr. Palmer will be reviewing the transportation options; and, that they will probably develop a two-year budget for transportation, the family information centers, etc. Dr. Hinesley stated that there are plans to make the Lealman Bus Compound more efficient from the capital outlay dollars. Dr. Hinesley reminded the Board that the $17.5 million are non-reoccurring dollars. Mrs. Bostock questioned if the district is “on line” for the fundamental schools that will be receiving transportation, realizing that some of the fundamental schools cannot physically handle the buses and that many of those families will not select transportation thus presenting a situation of having both bus traffic and car traffic at those sites. Dr. Hinesley will check into that concern. Stated that she was pleased that the Board had the opportunity to honor Ms. Clark earlier in this meeting and requested that there be a method of recognizing any employee, at a Board meeting, who has received some type of an award. Dr. Hinesley will look into that. Stated that when she came on the Board, one of Dr. Hinesley’s initiatives was to create the Department of Community Services and Human Relations and the multicultural committees. Mrs. Lerner then read a few sentences from “Directions & Dimensions” newsletter to dispel the misconceptions of what multicultural education is about. Commented on the freedom and respect she feels is due our teachers when they are deciding what they will provide in their classrooms as assignments, i.e., how they will approach a particular book or issue. Mrs. Lerner cautioned the Board and stated that the issue related to the book, “The Chocolate War,” comes under subjects warranting a workshop. Mrs. Lerner suggested that the Board discuss this at a workshop in January before making any decision. Mrs. Bostock stated that this issue and related issues could be scheduled at that time. Dr. Hinesley stated that the district’s committee is reviewing that book and then another committee with community representation will review it for age-appropriateness.

Mr. Todd – Stated that he was impressed with a National Geographic report on Afghanistan, specifically the children in refugee camps. Mr. Todd questioned if the district could do anything to help these children, i.e., collecting and sending blankets to those children. Dr. Hinesley stated that contributions are being collected to go directly to the White House in response to the President’s initiative for these children. Dr. Hinesley stated that the possibility of sending blankets can be looked into but the question would be how to get the items to the children.

9. Mr. Bowen stated that he had no report.

10. Dr. Stewart offered the following summary of directives given to the Superintendent for follow up:

¨ Staff will look into a policy to inform parents of sensitive issues that will be discussed with students prior to the instruction being held. This will be done after the first of the year.

¨ Staff will prepare a list of awards won by district personnel and invite them to a Board meeting for recognition.

¨ Workshop will be scheduled to discuss the subject of “academic freedom” and First Amendment issue. This subject will be tied to the issue of intranet items scheduled in January.

¨ Staff will immediately begin checking into what schools can do to help children in Afghanistan.

11. There being no further business to be brought before the Board, this meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

______________________ _____________________

Chairman Secretary

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