SCHOOL
BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
The School Board of Pinellas County, Florida, met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 29, 2002, at 5:00 P.M. in the Conference Hall of the Administration Building, 301 4th Street SW, Largo, Florida. Present: Mr. Lee Benjamin, Chairman; Mrs. Nancy N. Bostock, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Carol J. Cook, Mrs. E. Jane Gallucci, Dr. Max R. Gessner, and Mrs. Linda S. Lerner, Members; Dr. J. Howard Hinesley, Superintendent and Ex-officio Secretary; Dr. John Stewart, Deputy Superintendent; and, Mr. John Bowen, School Board Attorney.
The Invocation was given by Gary Hofmeyer, Bethany Reformed Church, 6740 Park St. S., S. Pasadena, FL. 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; Rob McMahon, PCTA; Carolyn Bluett, PCCPTA; Chase Wiley, SR&R, Tarpon Springs High; Pat Scarberry DMAC; Richard Cash, Pinellas County Arts for a Complete Education; Bill Williamson, Operations Team; Kelly Ryan Gilmer, The St. Petersburg Times; and, Lynn Porter, The Tampa Tribune.
Mr. Thomas C. Todd was not present for this meeting. Therefore all votes will reflect a total of six voting members.
It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Dr. Gessner to adopt the agenda.
Dr. Hinesley informed the Board that Mr. Charles Bakanas, Consent Item #5, had requested an administrative hearing and requested that the Board approve the alternative reflecting that request.
The motion to adopt the agenda was carried with a 6-0 vote.
A. Chase Wiley, Tarpon Springs High School Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee, addressed the Board to share information on several new programs being implemented at Tarpon Springs High and activities at the school.
B. Dr. Hinesley commended Terry Boehm, Education Foundation President, for his fine work in setting a goal to have more educators recognized in the Outstanding Educator Recognition Program. He thanked Cigna and Time Warner for their contribution and the Devil Rays for working with the Foundation.
Dr. Stone stated the committee working on this program completely revised the process this year and 127 nominations were received Dr. Stone introduced the following Semifinalists and Finalists:
Semifinalists
Commitment to Improvement of the Profession
Donna Coffey Melrose Elementary STARS
Sandra Ladd Plumb Elementary Fourth Grade
Creativity & Innovation
Patricia Hughes Pinellas Park High Biology
Inspiring Students to Performance at Higher Levels
Phyllis Sava Sexton Elementary Physical Education
Kathryn Wiszowaty Dixie Hollins Adult Education Ctr. Adult Basic Education
Commitment to Children and Families
Chelsea Riley Sexton Elementary Fifth Grade
Ashley Sullivan Safety Harbor Middle Social Studies
Ambassador of the Profession
Elsa Heintz Dunedin Highland Middle Physical Education
Finalists
Commitment to Improvement of the Profession
Margaret Bryant Northwest Elementary 1-3 Emotionally Handicapped
Lela-Anne Carroll Meadowlawn Middle Reading/Language Arts
Carolyn Schafer Sexton Elementary Speech/Lang. Pathologist
Creativity & Innovation
*Jane Charland Ozona Elementary First Grade
Michelle Crosby Perkins Elementary Elementary Art
Shannon Livingston Skycrest Elementary Elementary Art
Inspiring Students to Performance at Higher Levels
Debbie Love Seminole Middle Middle School Gifted
*Phyllis Selkow Ozona Elementary Reading Specialist
Jean Wark Perkins Elementary Kindergarten
Commitment to Children and Families
Gail Lulek Safety Harbor Middle ESOL
Peggy Ross Rio Vista Elementary Fourth Grade
Nancy Sigmon Palm Harbor Community School Adult Literacy/Parenting
Ambassador of the Profession
James Pribble Melrose Elementary Technology Specialist
Ann Spear Safety Harbor Middle Family/Consumer Sciences
Carolyn Underwood Largo High VE Specialist
* Absent for This Recognition
The educators were greeted and congratulated by Board Members.
C. Mr. Rob McMahon, PCTA, assisted by Ms. Carolyn Smith, PESPA, addressed the Board to discuss the survey data obtained from teachers and support professionals regarding the extra time and money that these employees put into their jobs on behalf of the students they teach and serve. He stated PCTA’s concerns with state funding of education and discussed solutions, including raising property taxes, to pay for public schools. Mr. McMahon stated teachers and support professionals need to be rewarded for their dedication.
Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr. Hinesley.
1. It was moved by Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Gallucci to approve the Recommendation to Accept the Stipulation to suspend Susan Huber, Teacher, Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Student Education Center, for Fifteen (15) Days Without Pay with such dates determined by the Office of Professional Standards.
1a. The motion to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept the stipulation to suspend Susan Huber, Teacher, Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Student Education Center, for Fifteen (15) Days Without Pay with such dates determined by the Office of Professional Standards was carried with a 6-0 vote.
2. It was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mrs. Cook, and carried with a 6-0 vote to approve the Consent Agenda, as submitted.
2a. To approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of January 15, 2002, as submitted.
2b. To approve the New Components to Be Added to the Master Plan for Inservice Education for 2001-2002.
2c. To approve the Personnel Actions as Recommended by the Superintendent. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2d. To approve to suspend Mr. Charles Bakanas, Welder Journeyman, Maintenance Department without pay effective January 30, 2002, pending the outcome of the administrative hearing. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2e. To approve the Host Agency Agreement Between the City of St. Petersburg, Florida and the School Board of Pinellas County. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2f. To approve the Following Special Projects: (Copy/copies, to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
- Agreement with Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas, Inc.: $35,000
- Amendment to Eisenhower Professional Development Project: $75,651.99
- Amendment to Agreement with Public Works Academy: $24,000
- Renewal of Time Warner Mini-Grants: $9,974
- Safe and Drug Free Schools Enhancement Project: $24,535.85
2g. To approve the District Budget Flexibility Resolution.
2h. To approve the Second Amendment to Charter Contract With Bay Village Center for Education, Inc. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2i. To approve the Health Agreement With Dr. Berc Sarafian. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2j. To approve the Waiver of School Board Policy 4.01, Section Dress Code, for Fairmount Elementary School’s School Improvement Plan, Goal C.
2k. To approve the Health Agreement With Healthsouth Corporation. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2l. To approve the Middle School Uniform Course Descriptions, 2002-2003.
2m. To approve to Utilize a Performance Based Diploma (GED Exit Option Model).
2n. To approve the Agreement With Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Inc. to Continue the Partnership School at South Ward Elementary. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2o. To approve Authorization to File a Quiet Title Action on Lot 9, Block C, Sunny Slope Sub, 1915 40th Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida, Parcel Number 27-31-16-87156-003-0090, for Expansion of the Thurgood Marshall Middle School Site. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2p. To approve the Agreement Between Pinellas County, Florida and the School Board for Joint Participation in the Construction of a Storm Drainage System to Serve the Meadowlawn Middle School Site, the Drainage Basin and the Grant of Perpetual Storm Drainage Easement to Pinellas County. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2q. To approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement With HCBeck, Ltd., for a Partial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in Connection With New Construction at Campbell Park Elementary School in the Amount of $8,005,000. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2r. To approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement With HCBeck, Ltd., for a Partial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in Connection With New Construction at Gulfport Elementary School in the Amount of $7,910,000. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
2s. 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 #96.)
3. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Mrs. Bostock to approve the setting of a public hearing and authorize the advertisement of the public hearing to consider the proposed amendment to Policy 2.20 Communications and Public Relations.
Dr. Hinesley stated this was the first reading of this policy and is a follow up to the communications review by an outside public relations organization for school districts and also developed by the Communications Committee.
3a. The motion to approve the setting of a public hearing and authorize the advertisement of the public hearing to consider the proposed amendment to Policy 2.20 Communications and Public Relations was carried with a 6-0 vote.
4. It was moved by Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Gallucci to approve the Operating Budget Parameters as presented.
Dr. Hinesley stated this is the set of parameters to use in developing the budget and priorities in developing the budget.
Dr. Gessner stated he would vote for these parameters but believed salaries should be placed at a higher priority.
Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr. Hinesley.
4a. The motion to approve the Operating Budget Parameters as presented was carried with a 6-0 vote.
5. It was moved by Mrs. Cook and seconded by Dr. Gessner to approve the Extended Learning and ESE Extended Year, 2002 recommendations as submitted.
Dr. Hinesley stated this item addresses the concerns Board Members expressed at a workshop regarding extended learning opportunities at the elementary level.
Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr. Hinesley.
5a. The motion to approve the Extended Learning and ESE Extended Year, 2002 recommendations as submitted was carried with a 6-0 vote.
6. The following individuals addressed the Board during Presentations from the Audience:
Mary Russell, Representing TUFF - Addressed the Board to introduce the organization, TUFF. She stated its purpose is to unite teachers, support staff, students services personnel, parents, and students to initiate change in the school system. Ms. Russell stated this organization will work hard to address the rights of teachers and compensation issues and would support PCTA’s effort to improve teacher salaries and conditions. Discussion followed by Board Members.
Michael O’Leary - Addressed the Board regarding the proposed zoning at Leila Davis Elementary when Choice is implemented and the necessity to look at how this impacts the students living close to the school. Mr. O’Leary stated there will be many students living within a short distance from the school who will not be allowed to attend Leila Davis Elementary. Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr. Hinesley.
Rob McMahon, PCTA - Shared his concern with the Board that Florida Power is contributing $5 million in scholarships to unregulated, private schools and is participating in the corporate income tax credit voucher program. Mr. McMahon suggested that the Board show their disappointment with Florida Power for taking this money from public education by supporting a school district blackout or brownout. Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr. Hinesley. Dr. Hinesley stated a faster response may be achieved by contacting Mr. Terry Boehm and requesting a letter be written on behalf of the Foundation to corporate leaders, referencing the conversation today, and then having the Board write a separate letter. Board consensus was reached to have Dr. Hinesley request that Mr. Boehm, on behalf of the Foundation, write a letter to corporate leaders, referencing the Board’s conversation today, and discussing the Board’s separate, written response at the February 14, 2002, Board workshop.
7. Dr. Hinesley’s report included the following:
¨ Stated as part of the superintendent’s group, he met with Governor Bush and his staff on Monday. The issues discussed were: federal legislation is going to potentially mandate specific criteria for retention; the state will receive $42 million of federal money for reading that will be allocated for training and model programs; the federal money received will be given by competitive grants to schools, not districts; whatever grants are received, must meet the specific criteria that is in the federal legislation and the models will be evaluated; the Governor Bush agreed to work with the district on addressing some issues involving relocatables for the future; and, the Governor is going to continue with his efforts on flexibility, but there are two programs that are not flexible, textbooks and school recognitions.
8. Mr. Bowen stated that he had no report.
9. Reports from School Board Members were as follows:
Schools Visited or Functions Attended by Board Members__
Tarpon Springs Middle; Tarpon Springs Elementary; Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary; Riviera Middle; John Hopkins Middle; Dixie Hollins High; Northeast High; PTEC Graduation; Tarpon Springs High –Senior Projects (Mrs. Cook – Judge); Ribbon Cutting for the New Leepa Rattner Museum; North Shore Elementary (Aero Space Day); Teacher Appreciation Breakfast (Long Center); MLK Breakfast; Ridgecrest YMCA (Ribbon Cutting); Pre-School Parents Group – St. Paul’s Lutheran (Dr. Gessner – Speaker); PCCPTA; NEHS – Hall of Fame Induction (Mr. Benjamin Inducted); Pinellas Marine Institute Board Meeting; Tax Reform Rally, Support Employee of the Year Breakfast; Resource Center for Women Dinner; Holocaust Museum Humanitarian Awards Dinner; Suncoast Community Mental Health Executive Committee and Board Meetings; Public Access Television Advisory Committee; Asian FACE Center Board Meeting; District Communication Committee Meeting; Suncoast Earth Force Community Advisory Meeting; Gay, Straight, Lesbian Education Network Board Meeting; Retired Educators Meeting (Mrs. Lerner – Speaker); Human Services Coalition Meeting; Tax Reform Rally
Concerns Expressed, Written, or Oral
Mrs. Lerner – Expressed her concern regarding the high cost estimate given to partition off offices for Board Members. She requested that several offices in the Administration Building, not currently being used, be made available for Board Members to meet with parents and constituents. Discussion followed by Board Members. Stated a letter was received from Community Alliance requesting reinstituting Board participation in their meetings. Discussion followed by Board Members. It was the consensus of the Board to stay with the position that Mrs. Athanson would represent the Board on any concerns regarding the school system, and if there was an issue that Community Alliance felt needed a School Board Member’s attendance at a meeting, the Board would make every effort to accommodate the request.
Mrs. Gallucci – Stated how successful the National Certification for teachers has been and encouraged the State of Florida to continue to fund this program. Requested that the Board clarify exactly what information was asked for at the January 15, 2002, School Board meeting regarding the alternative high school site. Mrs. Gallucci stated this should be discussed at the February 14, 2002, Board workshop in order to make clear what information the Board is asking staff or Dr. Hinesley to produce. The Board agreed to discuss this at the February 14 workshop. Discussion followed by Board Members. Stated she had received a call regarding a MEGSSS Program at Carwise. Mrs. Gallucci wanted to clarify, publicly, that the Board is not voting tonight on an additional program. Dr. Gessner, as a member of the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC), stated that he is forwarding the Board a copy of a magazine article that was sent to him from Mr. David Healey from the PPC, dealing with planned growth, the schools’ involvement, and the redevelopment of communities. He stated this is an issue that will impact the school district. Mrs. Gallucci stated she will also copy Board Members on a growth management bill that was emailed to her by Secretary Siebert’s office. Dr. Gessner stated the PPC has given input into the development of this legislation and believes this should be discussed, as a Board, to give input back to the PPC.
10. There being no further business to be brought before the Board, this meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
______________________ _____________________
Chairman Secretary
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