SCHOOL BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
REGULAR MEETING September 11, 2001
The School Board of Pinellas County, Florida, met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at 1:00 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. Ron
Stone, Associate Superintendent, 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.
Introduction of the following
representatives of professional and community organizations was given by Mrs.
Janet O’Harrow, Information Specialist: Carolyn Smith PESPA; Rob McMahon,
PCTA; Carolyn Bluit, PCCPTA; Pat Scarberry, DMAC; Richard Cash, Pinellas Arts
for Complete Education Coalition; and, Oscar Robinson, Operations Team.
It was moved by Mr. Benjamin and
seconded by Dr. Gessner to adopt the agenda.
DELETE: Item B
ADD: Consent
Item #32 – Appointment of Ms. Mary Lou Krentzman to Serve on
the District Monitoring and Advisory Committee (DMAC)
The motion to adopt the agenda, as amended, was carried with a 7- 0 vote.
A. Mr. Ray Smenner, Assistant Director, Pinellas County Arts Council, addressed the Board to recognize the distinction Perkins Elementary received from the Arts for a Complete Education/Florida Alliance for Arts Education (ACE/FAAE). Mr. Smenner stated that Perkins Elementary was one of three schools receiving the recognition of an Arts Achieve Honoree, and he displayed the award received by the school. He introduced Mr. Richard Cash, Ms. Sue Froemming, Arts Supervisor, Ms. Jeanne Reynolds, Music Supervisor, and Mr. Tim Topper, Theater Teacher at Perkins, who shared in this achievement. Ms. Pat Archibald, Program Director for Perkins Elementary, read comments written by the principal, Mr. Bob Lister, who was not in attendance. He complimented and endorsed the arts program. Ms. Archibald thanked the Board for their support.
Board Members thanked Mr. Smenner and those responsible for this recognition.
1. It was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mr. Benjamin, and carried with a 7-0 vote to approve the Consent Agenda, as submitted.
1a. To approve the minutes of the
Regular School Board Meeting of August 21, 2001, as submitted.
1b. To approve the Proposed
Superintendent’s Improvement Plan.
1c. To approve the Plan to
Identify Teachers In-Field Through Demonstration of Subject Area Expertise.
1d. To approve the Rental
Agreement With Ruth Eckerd Hall (PACT, Inc.) for 2001‑2002 Outstanding
School Volunteer Recognition Event on April 2, 2002. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1e. To approve the Personnel
Actions as Recommended by the Superintendent. (Copy to be found in Supplemental
Minute Book #95.)
1f. To approve the Recommendation to Accept the
Stipulation to Suspend Ms. Patricia Gibson, Secretary I, IDEA Part B, Druid
Complex, for Three (3) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be found in Supplemental
Minute Book #95.)
1g. To approve the Recommendation
to Dismiss Mr. Otho L. Johnson, Plant Operator, Clearwater Intermediate School.
(Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1h. To approve the Recommendation to Dismiss Ms. Leslie L.
Jones, Physical Education Teacher Assistant, Curtis Fundamental Elementary
School. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1i. To approve the
Recommendation to Dismiss Ms. Dorothy Newlin, Food Service Manager Intern, Walter
Pownall Service Center. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1j. To approve the
Recommendation to Dismiss Mr. Robert D. Smith, Food Service
Manager Intern, Walter Pownall Service Center. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1k. To approve the Following
Special Projects: (Copy/copies, as
appropriate, to be found in Supplemental Book #95.)
· Agreement
with the University of South Florida (USF): $574,807
· Agreement
with the University of South Florida (USF): $48,895
· Governor’s
Mentoring Initiative – School Based Project: $14,910
1l. To
approve Budget Amendment No. 10 (June 2001) to the District’s 2000/2001
Budget.
1m. To
approve the Financial Statements for Month Ending June 30, 2001 for Fiscal Year
2000-2001.
1n. To
approve the Annual Financial Report (2000/01).
1o. To approve the
Principals’ Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ending June 30,
2001.
1p. To approve the Internal Audit
Reports for Elementary Schools, Middle
Schools and Multi-Grade Level Centers for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2000.
1q. To approve the Increase in
School Food Service Change Fund for
East Lake High School Cafeteria.
1r. To approve the Investment Portfolio Financial Statements for the Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2001.
1s. To approve the Corporate
Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of a $70,000,000 Tax Anticipation Note.
(Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1t. To
approve the Renewal of the Agreement with the University of South Florida to
Provide The Saturday Morning Academic Enrichment Program, “YES We Care!, for Minority Students. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1v. To
approve the Resolution to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Requesting the Use of FDOT Right-of-Way for Stormwater Collection. (Copy to be
found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1w. To
approve the Renewal of the Agreement With Friendship Baptist Church, Inc., St.
Petersburg, for the Joint Use of Facilities by Seventy-Fourth Street Elementary
School and the Church. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1x. To approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement With Creative Contractors, Inc. for the Addition of $4,561,457, Resulting in a Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $10,964,700 in Connection with the Construction of a Replacement Facility at Fairmount Park Elementary School. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1y. To approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement With R. J. Bunbury, Company, Inc. for the Addition of $4,289,860, Resulting in a Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $10,344,260 in Connection with the Construction of Sanderlin Elementary School on the Former St. Petersburg Challenge School Site. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1z. To
approve the Agreement With Lincoln Construction, Inc. for Construction
Management Services in Connection With new Construction, HVAC Remodeling and
Renovations at Cypress Woods Elementary School in the Amount of $396,800. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1bb. To
approve Change Order No. 1 for the Re-roofing and Exterior Renovation Project
at Tarpon Springs Middle School.
This Change Order will increase the contract amount by $116,975 with a
time extension of sixty-two (62) calendar days. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #95.) (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book
#95.)
1cc. To
approve the Construction Change Directive No. 1 for the Re-roofing and Exterior
Renovation Project at Tarpon Springs Middle School. This Construction Change Directive will increase the
contract amount by a maximum amount of $60,000 with a time extension of five
(5) calendar days. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1dd. To
approve the Construction Change Directive No. 2 for the Re-roofing and Exterior
Renovation Project at Tarpon Springs Middle School. This Construction Change Directive will increase the
contract amount by a maximum amount of $30,000 with no time extension. (Copy to
be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1ee. To
approve Bids to Vendors at Prices in Bid Documents in Accordance with Bid
Policies and Statutes. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #95.)
1ff. To
approve to Appoint Ms. Mary Lou Krentzman to Serve on the District Monitoring
and Advisory Committee (DMAC).
2.
It was
moved by Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Gallucci
to approve Setting a Public Hearing and Authorizing the Advertisement of
the Public Hearing to Consider the Amendment to Policy 2.21 District Monitoring
and Advisory Committee (DMAC), first reading.
Dr. Hinesley stated that this was
the first reading of the proposed policy to include the review of Charter
Schools as part of the advisory responsibility of the DMAC in compliance with
the Court Order.
Mrs. Mary Schoonover, DMAC member,
requested this item be tabled in order to allow DMAC time to review this policy
before it is brought to the Board for approval.
Discussion followed by Dr. Hinesley
and Board Members.
Mrs. Lerner made the motion to table this policy and have
the first reading for the Board at the next School Board meeting.
Mrs. Gallucci seconded this motion. This motion failed with a 2-5 vote, Mr. Benjamin, Mrs.
Bostock, Mrs. Cook, Dr. Gessner, and Mr. Todd voting against.
Dr. Gessner stated that processes
regarding requests for action by the Board from a member of a committee, rather
than the entire committee, needs to be reviewed.
Mr. Bowen stated that the judge was
not satisfied with the charter school provision of the original stipulation;
that the judge ordered this particular part of the stipulation be sent back to
mediation; that two paragraphs were added to the stipulation, amending the
stipulation to include specific requirements for bringing charter school
applications and charters to DMAC and the Legal Defense Fund prior to School
Board action; and, that there is no discretion by the Board or DMAC in changing the wording or adding to this
stipulation. Mr. Bowen stated that
a way of work with DMAC needs to be established in order to disseminate
information.
Discussion followed by Mrs.
Schoonover, Mr. Bowen and Board Members.
Mrs. Bostock stated that this
provision could have been presented to DMAC ahead of time, but there is time
between now and the second reading to do this.
Mrs. Gallucci suggested that a
flowchart be prepared to show how things are presented to DMAC and in what
order they come to the School Board.
Mr. Benjamin stated that one
representaive from DMAC should not request postponement on Board issues, but if
there is a request, it should come from the DMAC Committee. He stated that, hopefully, the Board
can have a workshop with DMAC in order to sit down and clarify procedures.
Mrs. Lerner stated she looked
forward to having a Board workshop after DMAC’s retreat in November and
working together on processes.
Mr. Todd indicated that any
accusations regarding violation of the Court Order should come from the Legal
Defense Fund, not from individual members of a committee.
2a. The
motion to approve Setting a Public Hearing and Authorizing the Advertisement of
the Public Hearing to Consider the Amendment to Policy 2.21 District Monitoring
and Advisory Committee (DMAC), first reading, was carried with a 5-2 vote, Mrs.
Gallucci and Mrs. Lerner voting against.
3.
It was
moved by Mr. Benjamin and seconded by Dr. Gessner to approve the Adoption of
Tentative Five-Year Facilities Work Program (2001/02 through 2005/06).
Dr. Hinesley stated that this was a
tentative five-year work plan that went to DMAC and that DMAC made recommendations to the plan
back in July and again on August 30, 2001, at which time DMAC voted to support
the plan. He stated that this is a
planning document that changes quite often should priorities or projects change
and dollars for relocatables were amended into this plan.
Mary Schoonover addressed the Board
and stated that the DMAC had empowered her to speak to the Board on this issue;
that the DMAC continues to find that the processes to add and renovate existing
facilities are being made in a non-discrimatory manner; that capital outlay
processes and procedures should be more user-friendly and clear ; that there
should be a clear, concise process to explain the capital outlay processes at
the school level; that principals should be required to include SAC’s
when they are developing their educational plant surveys; that procedures should be clarified to
help schools resolve disagreements for individual project ratings; that student
capacity criteria should be reevaluated; each high school should be filled
before adding any permanent classrooms; and, that portables at the high school
level should be eliminated.
Ms. Pat Scarberry addressed the
Board and stated that there is a need by the DMAC, the School Board, and
administration to follow procedures and processes.
Discussion followed by Board
Members, Dr. Hinesley, and Dr. Runkle.
3a. The
motion to approve the Adoption of Tentative Five-Year Facilities Work Program
(2001/02 through 2005/06) was carried with a 7-0 vote.
4.
The
following individuals addressed the Board during Presentations From the
Audience:
Emily Rogers Coeyman - Addressed the Board and requested
a list of School Board meeting dates.
She expressed her concerns with the possibility of relocating Tyrone
Middle School students. Discussion followed by Board
Members and Dr. Hinesley.
5.
Dr.
Hinesley’s report included the following:
· Stated that the ten-day count
revealed incoming kindergarten students were down, and middle and high school
students were up; adjustments have been made, and it appears it’s not as
bad in years past; and, all teachers with advanced contracts have been
placed. Discussion followed by
Board Members and Dr. Hinesley.
6. Mr. Bowen’s report included the following:
· Stated there was a local news allegation that the school system was violating state law by requiring student accident insurance for those students participating in extra curricular activities and athletics. Mr. Bowen assured the Board Members that the district is not in violation of any state law. Dr. Hinesley stated scholarships are available for those students who cannot afford to purchase this insurance. Discussion followed by Board Members.
7. Schools
Visited or Functions Attended by Board Members
Northeast
High School Reunion – 1961; Paula Lamb Retirement; Countywide Graduation;
Literacy Press Conference; Phi Delta Kappa Meeting; Community Alliance Planning
Meeting; St. Petersburg Community Alliance; R’Club Planning Retreat
Concerns
Expressed, Written or Oral:
Mrs. Bostock – Stated the subcommittee reviewing the attorney’s contract, consisting of Dr. Gessner and Mrs. Bostock, met with Mr. Bowen to discuss the extension of his contract. The three changes are: a new three-year term, increasing compensation, and an automatic extension provision. Mrs. Gallucci and Mrs. Lerner expressed concern regarding the 6% recommended increase and the rollover contract. Discussion followed by Board Members and Mr. Bowen. It was moved by Mrs. Bostock and seconded by Mr. Benjamin to approve the second amendment to the employment agreement for the attorney’s contract with the addition in Section 4, after Section A & B, language is added indicating the Board will take an affirmative vote on the attorney’s contract by the end of June each year. The motion carried with a 5-2 vote, Mrs. Gallucci and Mrs. Lerner voting against. Mr. Todd requested that Mr. Bowen send out the approved language to the Board Members.
Mrs. Lerner – Expressed her concern regarding the events of the day and hope that this may give new resolve for all citizens to work together for what our country stands for.
Mr. Benjamin – Emphasized that what has occurred this week in New York and at the Pentagon makes us stop and think what is really important in this life.
Dr. Gessner – Agreed that this is a most tragic day for our country and hoped we all would remember to keep the families of all those involved in our prayers today.
Mrs. Gallucci – Stated she would like to reach out and touch her family because of today’s tragic events. Questioned if Board Members had received the information regarding “Take Your Dad to Work Month.” Mrs. Gallucci stated the Department of Education stresses the importance of a father’s involvement in their child’s education. Dr. Hinesley stated this information would be communicated to the schools. Stated that out of three workshops proposed for the NSBA Conference in April, two were accepted - Collaborative Bargaining Process with PCTA and Communication for Higher Student Achievement. Expressed concern over the letters Board Members were receiving regarding the construction concerns by residents near Paul B. Stephens. Dr. Hinesley stated the problem regarding drainage seems to have been resolved.
Mrs. Cook – Expressed concern over the construction issues at Paul B. Stephens and requested that the construction be completed as soon as possible. Stated that the School Board, administration, and PCCPTA are involved in a program that invites legislators into the schools for parents to speak to legislators regarding legislative issues. A list will be circulated from the Board Office requesting Board Members to attend several meetings, if possible. Mrs. Cook stated that these meetings should be very positive, and this input should help make the next legislative session very successful.
Mr. Todd – Remembered another tragedy that took place on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He stated the attack carried out this morning was intended to kill innocent men, women, and children. Mr. Todd requested that we remember the people touched by this tragedy and the leaders as they decide what to do.
8.
Dr.
Stewart stated no Board requests were noted.
9. There being no further business to be brought before the Board, this meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
______________________
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Chairman Secretary
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