SCHOOL
BOARD OF
REGULAR MEETING
The School Board of Pinellas County,
Florida, met in Regular Session on
Mr. Benjamin delivered a statement in
memory of former School Board Member, Mr. Thomas C. Todd. This was followed by a moment of silence.
The Invocation was
given by Pastor Richard Baldwin, Dunedin Assembly of God,
Introduction
of the following representatives of professional and community organizations
was given by Dr. Stone: Carolyn Smith,
PESPA; Mayme Hodges, North Pinellas Retired Educators Association; Pat Scarberry, DMAC; Vic Rowley, Pinellas County SACs; Jill Vines, Pinellas Arts for a
Complete Education; Lew Williams, Operations Team; Lynn Porter, The Tampa Tribune; and, Monique Fields, The
St. Petersburg Times.
Dr. Stone
acknowledged the recent passing of Mr. Richard Cash, a man who has always been
a strong advocate for the arts and attended virtually every Board meeting to
emphasize the importance of art education for children.
The Honorable Nelly Khouzam, Circuit
Court Judge, delivered the Oath of Office to Newly Appointed Board Member, Ms.
Janice Starling. Ms. Starling was
appointed by Governor Bush to fill the seat formerly held by Mr. Todd.
It
was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Dr. Gessner to adopt the
agenda.
DELETE: C – PRESENTERS OR SPECIAL ORDER
The
motion to adopt the agenda was carried with a 7-0 vote.
A. Mr.
Jim Madden, Director, Unitary Status Implementation, presented the Choice
Update. Discussion followed by Board
Members and Dr. Hinesley.
B. Dr.
Hinesley introduced the Following Newly Appointed Administrators:
Ms.
Felita G. Lott, Principal
Dr. Herman
Allen, Principal
Ms. Lott and Dr. Allen were greeted
and congratulated by the Board.
C. Ms.
Donna A. Henry, a full time employee at
Mr.
Benjamin stated that there are several speakers on this same issue, including
the next agenda item. The Board agreed
to hear all speakers wishing to express the same or similar sentiments before
the Board begins their discussion on this issue.
D. Ms. Karen Pucillo stated that she is
an employee at Stavros Institute and that her daughter has been attending
Presentations From the Audience
– specifically those with similar concerns:
John
Bischoff – Requested that the Board reconsider the denial of the Special
Attendance Permit/Medical Request originally approved for their son to attend
Northwest Elementary, rather than his zoned school, Maximo Elementary. He stated that the rationale for the denial
is racially discriminatory.
Judson
Sweigart -- Stated
that his wife is an employee at Walsingham Elementary and that they had
received approval for a Professional Courtesy Special Attendance Permit for
their son to attend Walsingham, rather than his zoned school,
Dr. Hinesley stated that there were
four schools out-of-compliance at the end of last school year; that this was
pointed out to the Board with the choice of rezoning or trying to correct the
issue by reconsidering Special Attendance Permits; that it didn’t make sense to
rezone neighborhoods for one year; and, that staff thought it could be
addressed through SAPs, with the exception of
medical, employees, and severe hardships.
Dr. Hinesley stated that he and Mr. Bowen communicated to Mr. Escarraz
that they had concern with having to rezone one year prior to Choice; that the
number of children that would have to be rezoned would be substantial in order
to be in compliance with the requirement; that he requested some leniency for
this one year; and, that the problem occurred with two schools, Campbell Park
Elementary and Lakewood Elementary. Dr.
Hinesley stated that Mr. Bowen requested agreement from Mr. Escarraz that we
not have to comply with the 42% and that Mr. Escarraz would not agree to any
leniency. Dr. Hinesley stated that the
Board would not be just impacting these 26 students, but would be impacting
hundreds. Dr. Hinesley stated that staff
has looked for some way to remain with the approval of the SAPs but found no
other answer. He stated that the
district must demonstrate an effort to remain in compliance with the 42%, and
that Mr. Bowen, in a memo, stated that his advice is to remain in
compliance. Dr. Hinesley stated that
staff has since rescinded all but medical SAPs.
Discussion
following by Mr. Bowen, School Board Members, and Ms. Kathy Walker.
Mrs. Lerner suggested that a letter
be written to Mr. Escarraz requesting that in the interest of high student
achievement and retention of employees he allow these two schools to remain
with their present student enrollment, allowing the action rescinding the SAPs
to be withdrawn. Mr. Benjamin and Dr.
Gessner suggested that the Board request a meeting with Mr. Escarraz to discuss
this issue. Mr. Bowen was directed by
the Board to contact Mr. Escarraz to request that he meet with the School Board
to discuss this issue further on Wednesday, July 31, prior to the Board’s
meeting with DMAC.
1. It
was moved by Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Cook to approve the Amendments to
Policies 6.12 Advertising & 6.125 Advertisement or Announcement of
Non-School Events.
Dr. Hinesley presented a brief overview of the proposed
amendments.
1a. The motion to approve Amendments to Policies 6.12 and 6.125
was carried with a 7-0 vote.
2. It
was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Dr. Gessner to approve the
Amendments to Policy 7.33 Use of Electronic Resources.
Dr.
Hinesley reported that the following change had been incorporated into the
amendments:
Page 13, Lines 38-40 – However, the district may
establish limited forums to solicit and communicate the personal views of
employees or members of the public on specific topics. The Superintendent or designee shall
determine the appropriate hour and duration that a forum will be available.
Mr.
Bowen reported that the Second District Court of Appeals had a ruling that it
is not necessarily public record if the e-mail is personal. Mr. Bowen, in light of this ruling, suggested
the following language change:
Page
13, Line 9 – “Any information generated, stored or sent through electronic
resources is the same as any written document and is may be
subject to Florida’s public records act, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.”
Mrs.
Lerner stated that she had spoken with Ms. Ambler to receive clarification on
what is defined by “personal.” Mrs.
Lerner stated that Ms. Ambler had clarified with her that the term “personal”
does not relate to educational issue, i.e., the Governor’s A+ Plan, grading of
schools, vouchers, etc.
2a. It
was moved by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Mrs. Gallucci and carried with a 7-0 vote
to change the wording as proposed by Mr. Bowen.
2b. It was moved by Mrs. Lerner to amend the policy by adding
“that personal views about issues related to education and education policy can
be used on open forum.” This motion to
amend failed for the lack of a second.
2c. The main motion, as amended (2a.), to approve the Amendments
to Policy 7.33 Use of Electronic Resources was carried with a 6-1 vote, Mrs.
Lerner voting against.
3. The
following individuals addressed the Board during Presentations From the Audience:
Carolyn Smith, PESPA – Addressed the
Board to extend a welcome, on behalf of PESPA, to Ms. Janice Starling, newly
appointed Board Member.
Mark Klutho –
Addressed the Board to stated that the “district is still building dumb
schools” and that this is negatively impacting the district’s utility bill and
maintenance costs.
Rob McMahon, PCTA – Welcomed Ms. Starling to the
Board. Mr. McMahon, speaking against the
State’s school grading system, stated that he had sent a letter to Dr. Hinesley
requesting that he discourage schools from using their school grade on their
marquee or in their newsletters as an advertising tool. Mr. McMahon reported that Dr. Hinesley’s response was that this could be seen as a form
of “censorship,” and, therefore, did not plan to do so. Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr.
Hinesley.
4. It
was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Mrs. Cook to approve to Consider the
Adoption of Amendments to Policies 9.01 Professional Services Selection and
9.07 Construction Manager Selection.
Dr.
Hinesley stated that this is the second reading and recommended approval.
Mrs.
Cook, referring to page 17, line 13, requested that staff find better wording
for “1. a rotating Board member.”
4a. The motion to approve Amendments to Policies 9.01 and 9.07
was carried with a 7-0 vote.
5. It
was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Ms. Starling, and carried with a 7-0 vote
to approve the consent agenda, as submitted.
5a. To approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting
of
5b. To approve the Personnel Actions as Recommended by the
Superintendent. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5c. To approve the Recommendation to Dismiss Mr. Captain Hall,
Teacher Assistant ESE I,
5d. To
approve the Dunedin High School Yearbook Bid Selection of Walsworth
Publishing Company for School Years 2002-2003, 2003-2004, and 2004-2005.
5e. To
approve the Acceptance
of Vehicle Donations to PTEC,
5f. To approve the Acceptance of a Boat, Motor, and Trailer
Donation to PTEC,
5g. To
approve the Acceptance of a Vehicle Donation to PTEC, Clearwater, from Suncoast Maintenance Council International Truck and Engine
Company, Sunstate International Truck LLC, Benjamin Brinketski
5h. To approve the Following Special Projects: (Copy/copies, as
appropriate, to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
- All
-
- Reading Coaches Model Project: $407,828
- Partnerships in Character Education Project: $1,235,779
- Adults with Disabilities Project: $741,823
- Renewal of Education of Homeless Children Project: $80,414
- Renewal of Title I, Part D Project: $664,716
- Renewal of
- Renewal of Agreement with Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc: $362,100
- Agreement with
- Renewal of Agreement with
- Renewal of Agreement with MicroSociety,
Inc.: $47,000
- Agreement with Tom Massey:
$9,000
- Amendment to FDLRS Gulfcoast Project: $28,569
- Renewal of Boys and Girls Club
Project: $80,121
5i. To approve
Budget Amendment No. 9 (May 2002) to the District’s 2001/2002 Budget.
5j. To approve the
Financial Statements for Month Ending
5k. To approve the
Petty Cash Funds for 2002-2003.
5L. To approve the
Agreement With Bayfront Medical Center, Inc. to continue the
5m. To approve to Allow
Pinellas County Students to Receive Dual Enrollment Credit for Participation in
the Girls and Boys State Program.
5n. To approve an
Agreement With the National Conference for Community and Justice to Conduct
Human Relations Workshops and Retreats During the 2002-2003 School Year. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5o. To approve the
Agreement With the Pinellas County Arts Council to Provide Cultural Programming
Through the School Curriculum. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5p. To approve the Health Agreement With Sherif M. Serag, MD – St. Mary’s
Family Practice Center. (Copy to be found in Supplemental
Minute Book #97.)
5q. To approve the Agreement Between Gulfcoast
North Area Health Education Centers, Inc. and Pinellas Technical Education
Centers St. Petersburg Campus Dental Assisting Program. (Copy to be found
in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5r. To approve the Instructional Program Agreement With
the American Heart Association. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5s. To approve the
Agreement with Head Start. (Copy to be found in Supplemental
Minute Book #97.)
5t. To approve the Agreement
with Head Start. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5u. To approve the Renewal of the Interagency
Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5v. To approve the
Agreement With the City of Clearwater for the Development of a Joint-Use
Driveway for
5w. To approve the Grant of License to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Authorizing the
Temporary Use of a Portion of the Tyrone Middle and Elementary School Sites by
FDOT During Reconstruction of Tyrone Boulevard Drainage.
5x. 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 Second Quarter
2002.
5y. To
approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement With Edward C. Hoffman, Jr., Architects,
A.I.A., P.A. for Architectural and Construction Contract Administration
Services in Connection With Additions, Remodeling, and Renovations at Dunedin
High School in the Amount of $103,805. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute
Book #97.)
5z. To
approve the Amendment
No.3 to Agreement With Criswell, Blizzard & Blouin
Architects, Inc. for Architectural and Construction Contract Administration
Services in Connection With Constructing a new Nina Harris ESE Center for an
Increase of Additional Services Fees by $4,950. (Copy to be
found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5aa. To approve the Acceptance of Partial Substantial Completion
for new Construction of Paul B. Stephens ESE Center as of
5bb. To approve the Acceptance of Partial Substantial Completion
for new Construction of Nina Harris ESE Center as of
5cc. To approve the Acceptance of Final Substantial Completion of
Sanderlin Elementary School as of
5dd. To approve Change Order
No. 1 for HVAC Remodeling and Renovations at
5ee. To approve Change Order No. 9 in the Amount of $71,320
for the Re-roofing and Exterior Renovation Project at
5ff. To approve Change Order
No. 10 for the Re-roofing and Exterior Renovations at
5gg. To approve Reimbursement of Isolated
Transportation for D.S. R. for the 2001/2002 School Year.
5hh. 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 #97.)
6. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and
seconded by Dr. Gessner
to approve the Advertisement of the Public Hearing to Consider
the Amendment to Policy 6.15 Pupil Assignment to Schools (Attendance
Districts).
Dr. Hinesley stated that the proposed
amendment will be forwarded to DMAC before it is presented to the Board for a
second and final reading. Dr. Hinesley
stated that Mrs. Gallucci had mentioned that she did not see the fundamental
school transportation issue included; that is was
mistakenly omitted; and, that it will be included before the second reading.
Pat
Scarberry, DMAC – Addressed the Board to encourage their support of this
policy.
Mrs. Gallucci stated that because
charter schools are advertised as public schools, she has concern that those
parents enrolling their child in one will not understand that by doing so they
are giving up extended grandfathering.
Mrs. Gallucci requested that an effort be made to clarify this issue
with parents who select a charter schools.
Mr. Benjamin requested that this clarification be included in the
policy.
6a. The motion to
approve Amendment to Policy 6.15 was carried with a 7-0 vote.
Dr. Hinesley stated that this is self explanatory and is
consistent the Board’s workshop discussion.
Rob McMahon, PCTA – Addressed the Board to encourage
the Board to pass this goal. Mr. McMahon
commended Dr. Gessner and other members of the Board who said we need such a
“goal.”
Discussion followed by Dr. Gessner and Mr. Benjamin.
8. Mrs.
Cook left the meeting at
9. Dr.
Hinesley’s report included the following:
o
Congratulated
Ms. Starling and welcomed her to the Board.
Dr. Hinesley commended Ms. Starling for meeting with various members of
the district staff.
o
Updated
by the Board on the ESE plan. Dr.
Hinesley stated that Ms. Rouse and Ms. Harshbarger
have been meeting with a countywide ESE Advisory Committee to put in place a
transition plan. Dr. Hinesley stated
that the Board is represented on this committee by Mrs. Bostock and that they
will receive more information as it becomes available.
o
Stated
that he traveled to
o
Stated
that Mr. Bowen, who is basically the district’s contact with the County for the
Zero site property, has reported that the County has since returned to their
original plan for that site. Dr.
Hinesley also stated that the County has changed from discussing this property
as interest free to now assessing interest, which would change his thoughts and
recommendation on this property. He
stated that two appraisals are being performed and that he has now asked Mr.
Bowen to investigate purchasing the property, rather than using a
lease/purchase plan, if the cost is reasonable, minus the contaminated
property.
o
Stated
that the district has been in discussion with the City of Clearwater about a
possible land swap for a piece of property zoned appropriately for the north
county expanded bus compound; that staff has now learned that the City may be
relocating the water treatment plant near the Courtney Campbell Causeway to
this property; and, that he has asked both Jim Miller and Walter Miller to
investigate the district’s options.
10. Mr.
Bowen stated that he attempted to contact Mr. Escarraz to request the meeting
with the Board regarding
11. Reports
from School Board Members were as follows:
Schools
Visited or Functions Attended by Board Members
Concerns
Expressed, Written, or Oral
Mrs. Bostock – Acknowledged
that she will be going against the Board’s processes to make the following
suggestion but requested that the Board consider renaming
Mrs. Lerner – Requested an
update on the areas in Maintenance that are not air conditioned. Mrs. Lerner also stated that she had received
a call from a groundskeeper saying that they have no air conditioning in the
cabs of their trucks. She contacted Mr.
Walter Miller who stated that this is an area maintenance issue and that the
new trucks being purchased do have a.c. Mrs. Lerner stated that this is a health and
safety issue and asked for information as to whether the older trucks could
have a.c. installed.
Mrs. Gallucci – Stated that
FSBA invited districts to give their input to the FSBA Legislative 2003
Platform but that the input must be received by August 7. Mrs. Gallucci suggested, and the Board
agreed, that the following items be included:
Changing the Classroom First Bill to include the indirect cost, i.e.,
psychologist, guidance counselors, librarians, technology specialist, etc.;
Amending the META agreement requiring training hours for the ESOL teachers; McKay ESE Voucher
issue; the grading of schools; full funding for transportation; and, bringing
teacher salaries up to the national average.
Wording will be sent to the Board by Mrs. Gallucci, through the Board
Office, before the input is sent to FSBA.
Stated that the best deal on property for the
alternative high school is the site already owned by the district in
Dr. Gessner -- Stated that the Board Members
received a letter from Steve Seibert regarding the adoption of the Growth
Management Bill which requires that school boards enter into interlocal agreements with the various governmental agencies. Dr. Gessner stated that the letter refers to
future meetings to discuss the assistance the state is willing to offer to
promote these agreements. Dr. Gessner
stated that the Pinellas Planning Council has agreed to work with the School
Board, the
Ms. Starling – Thanked the
Board and staff for the nice welcome.
Ms. Starling stated that this is the opportunity of a lifetime and
thanked Governor Bush for giving her this opportunity to serve this community.
Mr. Benjamin – Stated that the
Board Office had received a call from the St. Petersburg City Commission
requesting that a meeting be scheduled between the two groups to discuss the
African-American male graduation rates and Choice. Mr. Benjamin stated that Chairwoman Flowers
has requested that the meeting take place in
12. Mr. Benjamin announced that this meeting
will adjourn and that the Board will reconvene at 7:00 p.m. tonight to conduct
the First Public Hearing on the 2002/03 Millage Rates
and District Budget.
13. Dr. Stewart’s summary included the
following items:
o
Mr. Bowen will attempt to arrange a meeting for the
Board and Mr. Escarraz to be held prior to their meeting with DMAC on
Wednesday, July 31.
o
Mrs. Lerner requested information on the number of
groundskeeper trucks that are air conditioned and whether a.c.
can be installed into the older trucks.
14. There
being no further business to be brought before the Board, this meeting
adjourned at
______________________ _____________________
Chairman Secretary
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