SCHOOL
BOARD OF
REGULAR MEETING
The School Board of Pinellas County,
Florida, met in Regular Session on
The Invocation was given by, Pastor M. J. Glymph, Prince of Peace Lutheran
Church,
Introduction
of the following representatives of professional and community organizations
was given by Dr. Ron Stone, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources and
Public Affairs: Carolyn Smith, PESPA; Lindsey Walker and Jacintha
Anderson, Students Rights & Responsibilities Committee,
Mr.
Benjamin introduced Erica Tabor, a Senior at
It was moved by Dr. Gessner and
seconded by Mrs. Cook to adopt the agenda.
ADD: ATTORNEY’S REPORT – Request approval to retain Thomas M. Gonzalez of
the firm Thompson, Sizemore & Gonzalez to represent the School Board in the
case of Graham v.
PULL: CONSENT
#3, #5, and #8
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.
B. Lindsey
Walker and Jacintha Anderson, Students Rights and
Responsibilities Committee, Seminole High School, shared information regarding
activities at their school.
C. Dr.
Hinesley presented Dr. Bill Heller,
Dr. Heller was greeted by the Board
and presented with a globe trophy in appreciation for “making a world of
difference” in the field of education.
D. Mr.
Elliott Stern of Raymond James, and Ms. Valerie White, Principal of Mount
Vernon Elementary School, presented a report on the partnership between Raymond
James & Associates, Inc. and
Mr.
Stern and Ms. White were greeted by the Board.
E. Ms.
Pam Harshbarger, Director for Exceptional Student Education, stated that the
Governor and his Cabinet have declared the week of
Ms. Harshbarger introduced the
following individuals who recently received special recognitions:
Margaret (Pam) Bryant
Council
for Exceptional Children Suncoast 176 ESE
Teacher
of the Year
Susan
Johnson
Council
for Exceptional Children Suncoast 176 ESE
Jack
R. Lamb Rookie of the Year Award
Susan
Daniels
Council
for Exceptional Children Suncoast 176
Nancy
Givens Administrator of the Year Award
Ms. Bryant, Ms. Johnson, and Ms.
Daniels were greeted and congratulated by the Board Members.
F. Ms.
Carolyn Underwood, Pinellas County Teachers Association, addressed the Board regarding
the paperwork required for completion by ESE (exceptional student education)
teachers. Ms. Underwood presented a
handout to the Board Members with background information and requested that the
Board do what they can to ease the load for these teachers. Ms. Underwood encouraged the Board Members to
visit ESE teachers to see first hand the amount of paperwork associated with
their job.
Discussion
followed by Board members. Mrs. Cook
suggested that Ms. Underwood supply the Board Office with a list of teachers
who would welcome a visit from a Board Member.
Mrs. Lerner suggested that any practice by a teacher to handle the
paperwork be placed on a “best practice” site on Places.
1. Dr.
Hinesley stated that Ms. Bolivia Walker, Food Service Manager,
1a. It
was moved by Mrs. Gallucci, seconded by Mrs. Cook, and carried with a 7-0 vote
to dismiss Ms. Bolivia Walker, Food Service Manger, Bay Vista Elementary
School, effective October 8, 2002.
2. It
was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mrs. Gallucci, and carried with a 7-0
vote to approve the consent agenda, as amended.
2a. To approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting
of
2b. Mrs. Lerner, having pulled this item, suggested
that the Proposed Superintendent’s Improvement Plan be tabled to allow
discussion of the details of the plan at the next Board workshop.
It was moved by Mrs. Bostock and seconded by Dr. Gessner to approve the Proposed
Superintendent’s Improvement Plan.
It was moved by Mrs. Lerner, seconded by Mrs. Gallucci, and carried with
a 7-0 vote, to table the motion to approve the Proposed Superintendent’s
Improvement Plan to allow discussion of the details for the plan at the next
workshop.
2c. To approve the Personnel Actions as Recommended by the
Superintendent. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
2d. This item was pulled to allow a speaker from
the audience.
It was moved by Mrs. Cook and seconded by Dr. Gessner to approve the 403
(b) Tax Deferred Annuity and 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Programs Guidelines.
Tom Moriarty, InterSecurities/AEGON –
Addressed the Board to request that other criteria be included in the guidelines considered
when staff is selecting the providers for 403(b) and 457(b) programs. Mr. Moriarty requested that a company’s
partnership with schools, i.e., mentoring and financial support of the Doorways
Scholarship Program, be considered; that oral presentations from providers be
considered to further clarify their services to the district; and, that
certification of vendors be requested.
Discussion followed by Dr. Hinesley, Mr. Bowen, Board Members, and Mr.
Ted Pafundi (Director of Risk Management and Insurance).
Dr. Hinesley expressed concern with the legality of Mr. Moriarty’s first
request and suggested that the Board allow him to research the possibilities of
the second and third requests.
Mr. Pafundi clarified that these are just guidelines. He also informed the Board that he is working
on forming an appeal process for vendors who are not selected.
The motion was carried with a 7-0 vote to approve the 403 (b) Tax Deferred
Annuity and 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Programs Guidelines.
2e. To approve the Following Special Project: (Copy/copies, as appropriate, to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
- Prevention
and Early Intervention Project: $968,900
2f. To approve the Financial Statements for the Month Ending
2g. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and seconded
by Dr. Gessner to approve the First Amendment to Charter
Contract with Academie Da
Vinci, Inc.
Mrs. Gallucci, having
pulled this item, stated that Mr. Tom Wittmer,
Assistant School Board Attorney, has done an excellent job communicating the
purpose of these additional clauses to the Academie. Mrs. Gallucci stated that one question that
still needs to be answered is whether these clauses should be sunsetted for Academie Da Vinci, Inc., in 2007.
Mr. Wittmer
addressed the Board to state that he has spoken with Rick Escarraz, Esq.,
(Attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund) and that the following has been
added in paragraph 5, “That these new sections of the charter shall remain in
effect until such time that the sponsor implements choice plan without
ratio.”
Mrs. Gallucci clarified
that “sponsor” refers to the district and questioned whether this additional
phrase is acceptable to the Academie. The principal of Academie
Da Vinci, present at this meeting, indicated her
approval.
The motion was carried
with a 7-0 vote to approve the First Amendment to Charter Contract with Academie Da Vinci, Inc. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
2h. To
approve the Agreement Between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County and
the School Board of Pinellas County for Rawlings, Lakewood, and Rio Vista elementary
schools. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
2i. To approve the Supplemental Survey for
2j. To approve the Supplemental Survey for
2k. To approve the Supplemental Survey for
2l. To approve the Supplemental Survey for
2m. To approve the Supplemental Survey for
2n. To approve the Renewal Agreements for Dropout Prevention
Programs at Department of Juvenile Justice and Community Agency Facilities. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
2o. To
approve the Record Plat for the Campbell Park Elementary School, Douglas L.
Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School, Fairmount Park Elementary School, Thurgood
Marshall Middle School, James B. Sanderlin Elementary School, and Bay Point
Elementary/Middle Schools; and Gulfport Elementary School.
2p. To approve the Acceptance of Partial Substantial Completion
of Construction of Bay Point Middle School as of
2q. To approve the Acceptance of Partial Substantial Completion
for Renovations and Additions to
2r. To approve the Acceptance of Partial Substantial Completion
for new Construction of Meadowlawn Middle School as
of
2s. To
approve the Agreement With Plisko Architecture, P.A.,
AIA for Architectural and Construction Contract Administration Services in
Connection With new Construction for the Window and Cabinet Replacement Project
at Bear Creek Elementary School in the Amount of $33,675. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
2t. To
approve the Agreement With Robert P. Resch III
Architect, for Architectural and Construction Contract Administration Services
in Connection With Providing Cabinet Replacement at Sawgrass
Lake Elementary School in the Amount of $29,760. (Copy to be
found in Supplemental Minute Book #98.)
2u. To approve Change Order No. 1 for the CCTV Installation
Project at
2v. To approve Change Order No. 11 for the Re-roofing and
Exterior Renovations at
2w. 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 #98.)
3. Dr.
Hinesley’s report included the following:
Ø
Stated
that he has been contacted by one of our partners in the public sector
interested in knowing whether Dr. Hinesley personally, or he and the School
Board, might be interested in partnering with SPC, USF, and others to join a
position of why the constitutional amendment on class size has a negative
impact. Discussion followed by Board Members and Dr. Hinesley. It was
moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Ms. Starling, and carried with a 7-0 vote to
authorize the Superintendent to not only attend meetings of this group but to
also represent this board’s opposition to the amendment based on today’s
discussion and comments previously made by this board; and, that Dr. Hinesley should
report back to the Board on the total membership of this group before adding
the name of the Pinellas County School Board to the list supporting this effort.
Ø
Stated
that the article recently printed in The
St. Petersburg Times refers to a recommendation for “Places” that he
received from Judy Ambler and with which he was in agreement. Dr. Hinesley presented an example of an
e-mail posted on “Places” which he felt was not appropriate for a district
e-mail system to convey.
4. Mr.
Bowen’s report included the following:
Ø
Requested
authority from the Board to retain Thomas M. Gonzalez of the firm of Thompson,
Sizemore & Gonzalez to represent the School Board in the case of Graham v.
Pinellas County School Board, Case No. 8:02-cv-1157-T-17MSS. It was
moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Mrs. Gallucci, and carried with a 7-0 vote to
approve Mr. Bowen’s request.
5. Reports
from School Board Members were as follows:
Schools
Visited or Functions Attended by Board Members
Meeting
with St. Petersburg City Council and Mayor; DMAC meeting; Mentor Training
Workshop at Southern Oak Elementary Mentor (Mrs. Cook – taught); Education
Foundation Luncheon with Business Leaders; Education Foundation Presidents as
Principals Luncheon.
Concerns
Expressed, Written, or Oral
Mrs. Cook – Requested that Dr.
Hinesley consider returning the publication, Topics to circulation in
departments and schools as an informational tool to employees. Dr. Hinesley agreed to consider this.
Dr. Gessner – Stated that he
had received a call regarding the closed-circuit televisions at
Mrs. Lerner – Questioned the
proposed timeframe for the October 15 workshop, stating that she has a
Mrs. Gallucci – Stated that the
Board is invited to the unveiling of the extended learning adventure resulting
from the partnership between the district and the County. This unveiling will take place on October 30
at Stavros Institute.
Further details will be forwarded to the Board. Complimented a
recent article in Florida Trend
regarding the state’s budget and revenue shortfalls. Stated Judy Conte, President of FSBA,
urged each member of the executive board to make an effort to inform the public
of the contents in Article 9, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution which
states that “the education of children is a fundamental value of the people of
Florida and, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate
provisions for the education of all children residing in these borders….” Mrs. Gallucci proceeded to read Article 9.
6. The meeting recessed at
7. Dr. Hinesley presented for approval by the
Board the request to set a
Public Hearing and Authorize the Advertisement of the Public Hearing to
Consider the Amendment to Policy 5.15 Reporting Student Progress and
7a. It was moved by Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Cook to set a Public Hearing and Authorize the
Advertisement of the Public Hearing to Consider the Amendment to Policy 5.15
Reporting Student Progress and
Matt Alderman (student- East
Discussion
followed by Board Members, Dr. Hinesley, Dr. John Stewart, and Mr. Tom Wittmer (Assistant School Board Attorney).
7b. It
was moved by Mrs. Gallucci, seconded by Ms. Starling, and carried with a 7-0
vote to amend the original motion and to direct the Superintendent to include
all three options in the advertisement for this policy amendment.
7c. The original motion to approve to Set a Public Hearing and
Authorize the Advertisement of the Public Hearing to Consider the Amendment to
Policy 5.15 Reporting Student Progress and
8. Mrs. Cook stated that prior to the recess,
she mentioned that PCCPTA had taken a stand on the Class Size Amendment but
this is not correct. Mrs. Cook stated,
however, that PCCPTA is providing a forum regarding the Single Member District
issue for the School Board on
9. There
being no further business to be brought before the Board, this meeting
adjourned at
______________________ _____________________
Chairman Secretary
/db(02Oct08)