SCHOOL
BOARD OF
REGULAR MEETING
The School Board of Pinellas County, Florida, met in Regular Session on
The Invocation was given by Dr.
Ronald Stone, Associate Superintendent, Human Resources. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
and a video presentation of “God Bless
Introduction of the following representatives of
professional and community organizations was given by Dr. Stone: Carolyn Bluett, PCCPTA; Vic Rowley, Pinellas
County SACs; Bill Williamson, Operations Team; Lynn Porter, The Tampa Tribune; and, Kelly Ryan
Gilmer, The St. Petersburg Times.
It was moved by Mr. Todd and
seconded by Dr. Gessner to adopt the agenda.
PULL: CONSENT #4, #20, and #28
The motion
to adopt the agenda was carried with a 7-0 vote.
A. There were no representatives from the Student Rights & Responsibilities Representatives at this meeting.
B. Mr. Jim Madden, Director, Unitary Status Implementation, presented to the Board the Choice Update. Discussion followed by Board Members.
C. Ms. Susan S. Froemming, Supervisor, PreK-12 Art, presented to the Board the following students who will receive national awards in The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and in the 21st Annual Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery:
Kurt
McRobert from
Luv Patel from
Robyn Wilsbach from
Kelly Reaves from
Representing VICA
Nathan Zook, Air Cooled Engines student at SVEC/Teacher,
John McNamara
Andrew Sanders, Carpentry student SVEC/Teacher, John
Veenstra
Andrew Brandt, Customer Service student SVEC/Teacher, John
McNarmara
Chase Fleeman, Architectural Drafting student, Dunedin
HS/Advisor, Jim Starling
Matthew Lewis, Printing student Pinellas Park HS/Teacher,
Shane DeMartino
Joseph Cremin, Advertising Design student at PTEC
Clearwater/Teacher, Milton Watts
Larry Garcia, Cabinetmaking student PTEC Clearwater/Teacher,
Bert Pruitt
Stephanie Florimonte, Extemporaneous Writing student PTEC
Clearwater/Teacher, Milton Watts
Robert Vlasblom, Marine Mechanics student PTEC
Clearwater/Teacher, Bill Orr
Dean Sullivan, Prepared Speech student PTEC
Clearwater/Teacher, Milton Watts
Kevin Zawada, Residential Wiring student PTEC
Clearwater/Teacher, Rick Baker
Chris Sutherland, Brick Masonry student PTEC St.
Pete/Teacher, Ed Robertson
Joseph Savage, Plumbing student PTEC St. Pete/Teacher, Eddie
Jackson
Ignacio Ramiorez, TV Media student PTEC St. Pete/Teacher,
Bruce Copeland
Kenneth Adams, TV Media student PTEC St. Pete/Teacher, Bruce
Copeland
Representing HOSA
Neil Hughes, Extemporaneous Writing student PHUH/Teacher,
Leila McKinney
D. J. Webb, Bio Debate student PHUH/Teacher, Leila McKinney
Scott Spicciati, Bio Debate student PHUH/Teacher, Leila
McKinney
Blake Roberts, Bio Debate student PHUH/Teacher, Leila
McKinney
Teresa Turner, Knowledge Testing (Pharmacology)
Michelle Hines, Biomedical
Melissa Sharpe, Biomedical
Sandra Bozarth, Biomedical
Sonya Devlin, Biomedical
Sandra Climes, Basic Concepts of
Edythe Adams, Administrative Medical Assisting PTEC St.
Pete/Teachers, Evelyn Gardner & Gerri Williams
Charles Dieterle,
Mary Jane Sleger, Human Growth and
Donna Beattie, Extemporaneous Speaking PTEC St.
Pete/Teacher, Diane Klieger
Students were greeted by the Board
Members and presented with medallions in recognition of their accomplishments.
Dr. Hinesley presented a brief
overview of the proposed amendments and stated that the requested changes are
included. Dr. Hinesley stated that this
is the second reading and recommended approval.
1a. It
was moved by Mrs. Bostock and seconded by Mr. Todd to amend the motion by to
change the following language on page 18, lines 18-19:
“School
staff will not is not required to investigate the theft….”
Discussion followed by Board Members
and Dr. Hinesley. This motion was withdrawn.
1b. It
was moved by Mrs. Bostock, seconded by Mr. Todd and carried with a 7-0 vote to
amend the main motion and change the following language on page 18, lines
18-19:
“School staff will not
investigate the theft is not responsible for theft of these items when
stolen, broken, or lost.”
1c. The
motion to adopt the proposed amendments, as amended, was carried with a 7-0
vote.
2. It
was moved by Mr. Todd and seconded by Mrs. Gallucci to adopt the proposed
policy amendments to Policy 4.02 Code of Student Conduct
Postsecondary/Workforce Development.
Dr.
Hinesley stated that this is the second reading and recommended approval of
these amendments.
2a. The
motion to adopt the proposed amendments was carried with a 7-0 vote.
3. It
was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded by Mr. Todd to adopt the proposed
policy amendments to Policy 4.03 Attendance.
3a. It
was moved by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Mr. Todd, and carried with a 7-0 vote to
amend the motion and change the language on page 44, line 2, and lines 6-8,
respectively as follows:
“All children who have attained the age of six (6) years
or who will have attained the age of six (6) years by February 1 …”
“A student who attains the age of sixteen (16) years
during the school year shall not be required to attend school beyond the date
upon which he attains that age. In
accordance with section 232.01 F.S. a student 16 years old may withdraw from
school by submitting ……..”
3b. The
motion to adopt the proposed amendments, as amended, was carried with a 7-0
vote.
4. It
was moved by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mrs. Cook, and carried with a 7-0 vote to
approve the consent agenda, as amended.
4a. Mrs. Lerner, having pulled this item,
requested that additional language be inserted into the minutes in Item K (page
50) to indicate that the Board Members are concerned with Gibbs High School
being so landlocked and have requested that the Superintendent and staff pursue
purchasing land to the south of the school, even if the DOT allows the district
to use their land.
Dr. Hinesley stated that there was such discussion by the Board prior to
the motion but that the Board also discussed the possibility of moving some of
the parking over to PTEC where the truck driving range is located. Dr. Hinesley stated he subsequently
contacted Dr. Kuttler at SPC to discuss the possibility of an articulation
agreement to move the driving range over to the
Discussion followed by Board Members.
A statement will be added to the minutes of the May 21 meeting to
indicate that Board Members requested that staff pursue the purchase of
additional land for
It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci, seconded by Mrs. Lerner, and carried with
a 7-0 vote to approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of May
21, 2002, with additional clarification.
4b. To approve the
Authorization of the Implementation of an Employer Sponsored Section 457 (b)
Deferred Compensation Plan.
4c. To approve to
Extend the Aetna Health Plan Contract to Provide Health Insurance Through December
31, 2003, with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent Years.
4d. To approve to
Extend the CIGNA Health Plan Contract to Provide Health Insurance Through
December 31, 2003, with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent Years.
4e. To approve to
Extend the Humana Health Plan Contract to Provide Health Insurance Through
December 31, 2003, with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent Years.
4f. To approve the
CIGNA Behavioral Health Contract to Provide an Employee Assistance Plan Through
December 31, 2003, with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent Years.
4g. To approve to
Extend the American Dental Plan Contract Through December 31, 2003, to Provide
Dental Insurance with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent years.
4h. To approve to
Extend the Cole Managed Vision Contract to Provide Vision Care Insurance
Through December 31, 2003, with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent
Years.
4i. To approve to
Extend the Metropolitan Life Insurance Contract Through December 31, 2003, to
Provide Dental Insurance with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent
Years.
4j. To approve to
Extend the Prudential Life Insurance Contract to Provide Board Paid Basic Life,
Dependent Life, Voluntary Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
(AD&D) Insurance Through December 31, 2005, with an Option to Negotiate
Renewals for Subsequent Years.
4k. To approve the
Personnel Actions as Recommended by the Superintendent. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book
#96).
4L. To approve the
Recommendation to Accept the Stipulation to Suspend Mr. Linden Brown, Bus
Driver, Transportation Department for Three (3) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be
found in Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4m. To
approve the Recommendation to Dismiss Ms. Jennifer Mitchell, Pending Placement
Employee, Support Service Personnel Department. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4n. To
approve the Following Special Projects:
(Copies/copies to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96.)
- Renewal of Title I Part A - Basic
Project: $23,775,802.79
- Renewal of Agreement with Educational
Computing Technologies, Inc.: $62,000
- Renewal of Safe and Drug free Schools
Entitlement Grant: $795,031
- Renewal of Prekindergarten Early Intervention
and
- Renewal of Child Care Worker Training
Project: $163,618
-
- Elementary School Foreign Language Incentive
Project: $ TBA
- Teaching American History Project: $332,047
- Agreement with United Methodist Cooperative
Ministries: $6,477
- Agreement with New Growth Community
Development Corporation: $18,000
4o. To approve
Budget Amendment No. 8 (April 2002) to the District's 2001/2002 Budget.
4p. To approve the
Financial Statements for Month ending
4q. Mrs. Gallucci, having pulled this item,
moved approval of the request for a Waiver of School Board Policy 5.15, Section
3, Reporting Student Progress and Class Ranking – High School, for Lakewood
High School’s School Improvement Plan.
This motion was seconded by Mrs. Bostock. Mrs. Gallucci stated that she had spoken to
Dr. Hinesley regarding this item and requested that he share the conversation
with the Board.
Dr. Hinesley stated that Mrs. Gallucci had a good question, and that he
did not have the answer. He stated that
Mr. Thomas Hatton, Assistant Principal,
Dr. Gessner stated that the sentence, “All students with eight or more
tardies for all classes will be required to take final exams.” is not
clear. He stated that it could be read
that a student takes final exams if in each and every class the student has
eight or more tardies. Dr. Gessner
stated that he believes this has been clarified to read “that all students with
eight or more tardies in any one class will be required to take the exam in
that class.”
Mr. Hatton stated that the intent of the language was to indicate that
if a student had a cumulative total of eight or more tardies they would have to
take the final exams but, it is not necessary to pass the final exam in order
to pass the course. Mr. Hatton
clarified that the student could accumulate those tardies over their six-period
day.
It was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mr. Todd, and carried with a
7-0 vote to change the language as follows:
“ All students with eight or more tardies for all classes will be
required to take final exams.”
The motion was carried with a 7-0 vote to approve the Waiver of School
Board Policy 5.15, Section 3, Reporting Student Progress and Class Ranking –
High School, for Lakewood High School’s School Improvement Plan, as amended.
4r. To
approve the Agreement With Weber and Tinnen, P.A. for Structural Engineering
Design and Construction Contract Administration Services in Connection With the
Construction of Covered Physical Education Play Areas at Various Elementary
School Facilities Countywide in the Amount of $70,840. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4s. To
approve Amendment No. 12 to Agreement With Renker Eich Parks Architects, Inc.
for Architectural and Construction Contract Administration Services in
Connection With Additions, Remodeling, and Renovations at Clearwater High
School in the Amount of $4,312. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book
#96).
4t. To
approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement With Wannemacher Russell Architects, Inc.
for Architectural and Construction Contract Administration Services in
Connection With Remodeling and new Construction at Maximo Elementary School in
the Amount of $6,070. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4u. To
approve Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement With Peter Brown Construction, Inc.
Increasing the Partial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) by $1,321,879 in
Connection With Remodeling, Renovations, and HVAC Replacement at Largo Middle
School. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4v. To
approve Change Order No. 3 for Additions, Remodeling, and Renovations at
4w. To approve the
Agreement With GLS Suetholz & Associates Architects to Provide Design and
Construction Contract Administration for the Windows and Storefronts
Replacement of Buildings 1, 2 and 3 at Coachman Fundamental School in the
Amount of $39,103. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4x. To approve the
Renewal of Vehicle Use Agreements (Eckerd College, Inc. National Youth Sports
Program; The Salvation Army; St. Petersburg College, National Youth Sports
Program; and, The Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater St. Petersburg,
Inc.) (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4y. Dr. Hinesley stated that this item should
have been placed under the Nonconsent items and that all future items dealing
with Choice will be placed under Nonconsent.
He stated that this item was previously presented to the Board at a
workshop and presented a brief overview of the recommendation. Dr. Hinesley stated that the model
recommended is being used with some of the district’s schools already. Dr. Hinesley stated that this is the most
efficient and least expensive option and that this does not limit the ability
of the district staff to put on additional buses when necessary. Dr. Hinesley commended Mr. Palmer,
Transportation Director, for providing this information.
Dr. Gessner questioned whether the plan is to not have one bus for more
than two schools. Dr. Hinesley agreed.
Dr. Gessner questioned what procedures will be in place to ensure that
elementary students do not get off the bus at the wrong school. Mr. Palmer responded that a procedure is not
in place yet but that there will be prior to implementation.
Discussion continued by Board Members, Mr. Palmer, and Dr. Hinesley.
Mrs. Gallucci requested that Dr. Hinesley place more background information
when presenting similar agenda items.
Dr. Hinesley agreed. Mrs. Bostock
stated that information on the training for drivers should have been included
in this item.
It was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mrs. Cook, and carried with a
6-0 vote, Mrs. Gallucci not present during the vote, to approve the
Transportation Delivery Model to be Used for Choice in
August 2003. (Mrs. Gallucci indicates
her lack of support for this item during her Board report.)
4z. To approve the
Authorization to Lease Warehouse Space for Storing Surplus Furniture and
Equipment That Has Been Removed From Schools and is Being Held for Sale. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #96).
4aa. 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 #96).
5. The
following individuals addressed the Board during Presentations From the
Audience:
Harold Andres –
Stated that he operates a defensive driving course and expressed concern that
there is nothing in law that requires a driver to stop their automobile when a
bus is stopped, i.e., heading north or south, and their car is traveling
east/west. Mr. Andres requested that
the Board and staff take steps to add to the present law in order to further
protect students loading or exiting a bus.
Dr. Hinesley requested that Mr. Andres meet with Mr. Terry Palmer,
Director of Transportation, to look at the regulations before the Board takes any
action on his request. Feedback will be
provided to the Board following the review.
Carolyn Smith, PESPA – Commended Dr. Hinesley and the Board who stayed with their promise to
implement the Salary Adjustment Study (SAS).
Ms. Smith also thanked Mr. Benjamin, Dr. Gessner, and Mrs. Lerner for
participating in the “hands across the bridge” initiative. Ms. Smith suggested that when the district
begins using the new transportation model they consider identifying students
for different schools by letters of the alphabet or numbers, rather than colors
since schools usually use colors to identify buses.
Mark Klutho
– Addressed the Board to state his objection with the district driving school
buses more miles to implement the Choice Plan.
Mr. Klutho also stated that the district is still building
“low-performing schools” and is still ignoring science and technology in school
design.
6. Dr.
Hinesley’s report included the following:
Ø
Stated
that Mr. Benjamin and he represented the district at a recent Education
Foundation retreat at which the $3.4 million mortgage for
Ø
Stated
that the Board had approved the date of
Ø
Stated
that
Ø
Expressed
his appreciation to the bargaining units, Mr. Johansen and Mr. Doug Forth for
the process and final agreements regarding salaries. Mr. Benjamin expressed the Board’s
appreciation for this process and final product.
7. Mr.
Bowen’s report included the following:
Ø Requested that the Board extend his
contract for an additional year to take his contract to
Ø Stated that Mr. Wittmer’s contract
expires
8. Reports
from School Board Members were as follows:
Schools
Visited or Functions Attended by Board Members
University High IB Banquet; District
Personnel Retirement Dinner; NAACP Banquet; PCCPTA March Meeting; Gus Stavros
Family Recognition; Education Foundation Retreat; Northeast High Hall of Fame
Committee Meeting; Athletic Recognition Banquet; Lakewood High Celebration;
McMullen Booth Elementary Business Partners Appreciation Breakfast; Tarpon
Springs High Senior Farewell; Coach of the Year Luncheon.
Concerns
Expressed, Written, or Oral
Mrs. Gallucci – Stated that the
Board had agreed to review the Attorney’s evaluation instrument and questioned
whether that is still the intent of the Board.
Dr. Gessner and Mr. Benjamin stated that they believe the instrument is
fine as it is. A majority of the Board
(Mrs. Bostock, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Gallucci, and Mrs. Lerner) agreed to review the
instrument. Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Bostock, and
Mrs. Lerner will serve on this committee to review the evaluation instrument,
with Mrs. Cook serving as chair of the committee. Stated that her Rotary Club recently
had a speaker from
Mrs. Lerner – Stated that the
Board Members had each received an invitation to a special event at the
Dr. Gessner – Stated that he is
pleased that the Board has set a date to discuss salary goals for
teachers. Acknowledged the fact
that the Board, at today’s meeting, approved the renewal of a grant for
approximately $24 million to go to Title I Schools. Dr. Gessner stated that he believes that the
general public does not realize the amount of resources being used by this
district to significantly reduce the achievement gap. Requested information on costs
associated with salary goals - a) to reach national average, b) to reach
southeast average, c) to reach position of #1 in
Mr.
Benjamin – Stated that the Choice Plan is a tremendous challenge and
will not come to fruition without some hard work. Mr. Benjamin stated that he feels very
confident that it is going to be successful and is looking forward to moving
this plan forward. He stated that the
transportation piece is extremely important and that he feels very positive
about it.
9. Dr. Stewart’s summary included the
following items:
Ø
Mr. Palmer will look into the multiple school
transportation routes to report on the successes of the delivery system.
Ø
Staff will look at air conditioning in the
maintenance shop and other areas in district buildings that need to be air
conditioned. Report will be sent to the
Board through Friday Update.
10. There
being no further business to be brought before the Board, this meeting
adjourned at
______________________ _____________________
Chairman Secretary
/db(02jun4)