SCHOOL
BOARD OF
REGULAR
MEETING
The School Board of Pinellas County,
Florida, met in Regular Session on
Mr. Benjamin stated that Mrs.
Gallucci had been out-of-state for a meeting and would be arriving late for
this meeting.
The Invocation was given by Pastor
Jim Howell, Woodlawn Church of God,
Introduction of the following
representatives of professional and community organizations was given by Dr.
Stone: Rob McMahon, PCTA; Ashley
Robinson and Daniel Holm, Students Rights & Responsibilities Committee,
Clearwater High School; Pat Scarberry, DMAC; Vic Rowley, Pinellas County SACs; Ray Smenner;
Pinellas Arts for a Complete Education; Cathy Athanson, Operations Team; Lynn
Porter, The Tampa Tribune; and, Kelly
Ryan Gilmer, The St. Petersburg Times.
It was moved by Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs.
Bostock to adopt the agenda.
PULL: Consent 18d
Mr. Benjamin requested that Item #4
under Unfinished Business be moved to be the first item under Unfinished
Business.
Dr. Hinesley informed the Board that
the individual in Item #12, Ms. Toni Mitchell, had requested an administrative
hearing and that his recommendation will therefore be Alternative #1.
The motion to adopt the agenda was
carried with a 6-0 vote, Mrs. Gallucci not present.
A. Mr. Jim Madden, Director,
Unitary Status Implementation, presented the Choice Update.
* Mrs.
Gallucci arrived at
B. Ashley Robinson and Daniel Holm,
Students Rights and Responsibilities Committee ,
C. Mr. Terry Boehm, President, Pinellas County
Education Foundation, presented information to the Board on the new BIC
Challenge grant, a grant for school attractor programs. The Foundation will match school funds 50
cents on the dollar, on a first-come, first-served basis, until grant money is
depleted. Mr. Boehm introduced Jennifer
Ruthruff from BIC Graphic Global.
Ms. Jeanne Reynolds, Supervisor of
Pre K-12 Music, presented information on a program between the Education
Foundation, Cox Target Media and Time Warner with an art/poster that incorporates
the American Flag with the Pledge of Allegiance. A signed print was presented to the Board for
display in the
The Board Members greeted Mr. Cawthon and Mr. Leaning and expressed their appreciation
for their contribution.
D. Mr. Tom Stanton, Supervisor, Elementary
Science and Social Studies, presented to the Board for recognition Ms. Teri
Ferry,
Ms. Ferry was greeted and
congratulated by the Board.
E. Ms. Doretha
Jackson, Supervisor, Community Involvement, presented the following schools
that received
Bauder
Elementary McMullen-Booth
Elementary
Brooker Creek Elmentary Northeast High
Curtis
Fundamental Elementary Oldsmar
Elementary
Garrison
Jones Elementary South
Ward Elementary
Joseph
L. Carwise Middle Starkey
Elementary
Leila
Davis Elementary Tarpon
Spring Fundamental Elementary
Marjorie
Kinnan Rawlings Elementary Tarpon Springs Middle
Principals and representatives from
these schools were greeted and congratulated by the Board.
F. Ms. Irene Weiss and Ms. Amy Epstein,
1. Dr. Hinesley stated that the
administrative hearing had been conducted and requested that the Board accept
the Administrative Law Judge’s Recommended Order and adopt the Final Order for
Pinellas County School Board vs. Mr. Thaddeus Starling, reinstating Mr.
Starling with back pay and benefits.
Ms. Starling requested to be recused from this item stating that she is related to the
referenced employee.
1a. It was moved by
Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Gallucci to accept the Administrative Law
Judge’s Recommended Order and adopt the Final Order for Pinellas County School
Board vs. Mr. Thaddeus Starling.
Mrs. Lerner stated that she agrees
with the recommendation and that a the Board’s last workshop the Board is going
to continue to work on the employee discipline policy so that the Board does
not just have dismissal as the only option for an employee with a drug-related
or inappropriate sexual conduct offense.
1b. The motion was carried with a 6-0 vote,
Ms. Starling having abstained, to accept the Administrative Law Judge’s
Recommended Order and adopt the Final Order for Pinellas County School Board
vs. Mr. Thaddeus Starling.
2. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and
seconded by Mrs. Bostock to adopt the proposed policy Amendments to Policy 4.06
Field Trips and Activities.
Dr. Hinesley recommended approval.
2a. The motion to
adopt the proposed amendments was carried with a 7-0 vote.
3. Dr. Hinesley requested that the Board
table this item and suggested the Board schedule this issue on their
3a. It was moved by
Dr. Gessner and seconded by Mrs. Bostock to adopt the proposed policy
Amendments to Policy 6.15 Pupil Assignment to Schools (Attendance Reports).
3b. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci, seconded
by Mrs. Cook and carried with a 7-0 vote to table this item.
4. It was moved by Mrs. Gallucci and
seconded by Mrs. Bostock to adopt the proposed policy Amendments to Policies
6.17 Photographs of Students and 6.18 Purchase of Commemorative Items.
Dr. Hinesley recommended approval of
the proposed amendments to Policies 6.17 and 6.18.
4a. The motion to
adopt the proposed policy amendments was carried with a 7-0 vote.
5. It was moved by Dr. Gessner,
seconded by Mrs. Cook, and carried with a 7-0 vote to approve the consent
agenda, as amended.
5a. To approve the minutes of the Regular School
Board Meeting of
5b. To approve the Contract With Hartford
Insurance Company to Provide Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefits For
Law Enforcement Officers as Required by Florida Statute 112.19. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5c. To approve the Life Insurance Company of
North America Policy to Provide Catastrophic Interscholastic Athletic Insurance
Through June 30, 2003, with an Option to Negotiate Renewals for Subsequent
Years.
5d. To approve the
Personnel Actions as Recommended by the Superintendent. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute
Book #97.)
5e. To approve the Recommendation to Accept
the Stipulation to Suspend Mr. Lloyd Evans, Bus Driver, Transportation
Department for Three (3) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be found
in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5f. To approve the Recommendation to Accept
the Stipulation to Suspend Ms. Eileen Hickman, Teacher, Dunedin Elementary
School, for Five (5) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5g. To approve the
Recommendation to Dismiss Ms. Lisa Marion, School Office Clerk II,
5h. To suspend Ms.
Toni Mitchell, Teacher,
5i. To approve the
Recommendation to Dismiss Ms. Linda Morris, Pending Placement Employee, Support
Service Personnel Department. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5j. To approve the Recommendation to Suspend
Mr. Alphonso Rogers, Plant Operator, Tyrone Middle
School for Three (3) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5k. To approve the
Recommendation to Suspend Ms. Monica Scherer, Elementary Education Coordinator,
for Three (3) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5l. To approve the Recommendation to Suspend
Ms. Gwenervere Woods, Bus Driver, Transportation
Department for Three (3) Days Without Pay. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5m. To approve the Seminole High School Marching
Band to Perform in the Bands of America Marching Band National Regional
Competition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, November 7-11, 2002.
5n. To approve the
Following Special Projects: (Copy /
copies, as appropriate, to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97).
- Renewal of
- Renewal of Agreement with Seniors in
Service of
Bay, Inc.: $36,951
- Renewal of Fiscal Operations Report (2001-02) and
FISAP
Application: $53,560
- Amendment to Partnership for School Safety & Security Project: $15,000
- Amendment to Even Start Family Literacy Project: $30,676
-
- Flight Sight Project:
$890
- Healthy Interactive Prevention Clubs Project: $60,000
-
- VALUE Project: $10,000
- Read with Someone Every Day Project: $350
- Pinellas County Refugee Education Project: $4,274,420
- Agreement with MGT of America, Inc.: $7,000
- Agreement for Reading Coaches Model Project: $4,500
- Agreement with
- Agreement with American Productivity and Quality Center (Closing the
Achievement Gat): $100,000
Mrs.
Lerner, having pulled the Special Project, Renewal of Learning for Life
Project: $110,000, allowed the speaker
to this item to address the Board first.
Mr. Jeff Shimer, volunteer in the Learning for Life Project –
Addressed the Board to indicate his support for this program and to urge the
Board’s continued support for the Learning for Life Project.
Mrs. Lerner
stated that she wished to clarify why she must vote not to support this
project. Mrs. Lerner questioned whether
it is cost effective to spend $110,000 on this number of students; stated her
concern with the State telling the district how to spend these dollars; and,
expressed her concern that the Learning for Life Project is a subsidiary of the
Boy Scouts. Mrs. Lerner stated that she
has concern with the present set of leaders at the national level of Boy Scouts
who promote discrimination based sexual orientation.
Discussion
followed by Dr. Hinesley, School Board Members, and Ms. Linda Jones
(Supervisor, Safe and
It was
moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by Ms. Starling, and carried with a 6-1 vote,
Mrs. Lerner voting against, to approve the Special Project - Renewal of
Learning for Life Project: $110,000.
5o. To approve the
Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) Plan for 2002-03.
5p. To approve
Budget Amendment No. 10 (June 2002) to the District’s 2001/02 Budget.
5q. To approve the
Financial Statements for the Month Ending
5r. To approve the
Annual Financial Report (01/02).
5s. To approve to
Retire Tagged Fixed Assets Reported Missing 2001/2002.
5t. To approve to
Retire Certain Miscellaneous Tagged Fixed Assets.
5u. To approve to
Retire Tagged Fixed Assets Reported as Stolen or Destroyed.
5v. To approve to
Retire Tagged Software as Obsolete.
5w. To approve the
Cooperative Agreement with the School Board of Orange County, Florida, Relating
to the
5x. To approve the Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Pinellas County, Florida, to Fund
the Alternative High School with Penny-for-Pinellas Surtax. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5y. To approve the
Adoption of the Corporate Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of a $40,000,000
Tax Anticipation Note. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5z. To approve the 2002-03 School Improvement Plans.
5aa. To approve the Lease Agreement Between Ruth
Eckerd Hall (PACT Incorporated) and the School Board of Pinellas County for the
2002-2003 Outstanding School Volunteer Recognition Event on April 8, 2003 . (Copy to be found in Supplemental
Minute Book #97.)
5bb. To approve the Renewal of Agreement with the
5cc. To approve the Health Agreement With Northside Hospital. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5dd. To approve the Renewal of an Agreement With the Florida Holocaust Museum for the 2002-2003 School
Year . (Copy to
be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5ee. To approve the Interagency Partnership
Agreement Between Pinellas County Schools and the Boley
Centers for Behavioral Health Care, Inc. to Provide an In-School Prevention
Program to High Risk Youths. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5ff. To approve the Renewal of Agreement With the Florida Orchestra to Provide Cultural Programming
Through the School Curriculum. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5gg. To approve the
Supplemental Survey for
5hh. To approve the
Supplemental Survey for
5ii. To approve the
Supplemental Survey for
5jj. To approve the
Supplemental Survey for
5kk. To approve the Supplemental Surveys for
Azalea Elementary School (0002), Bardmoor Elementary
School (0004), Bay Vista Elementary School (0009), Bear Creek Elementary School
(0010), Belcher Elementary School (0011), Belleair
Elementary School (0012), Cross Bayou Elementary School (0022), Garrison-Jones
Elementary School (0039), Gulf Beaches Elementary School (0041), Lakewood
Elementary School (0050), Lealman Avenue Elementary
School (0054), Leila Davis Elementary School (0027), Mount Vernon Elementary
School (0064), Ponce de Leon Elementary School (0092), and Skycrest
Elementary School (0110).
5ll. To approve the Agreement With Seminole
Youth Athletic Association, Inc. (SYAA) for the Reciprocal Use of Athletic
Fields and the Grant of Surplus Light Fixtures to SYAA. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book
#97.)
5mm. To approve the Quit Claim Deed Authorizing the Return
of the Q-5 Site to Club Corp. Golf of Florida, L.L.C., a Delaware Limited
Liability Company.
5nn. To approve the Preliminary Design Phase II Submittal for the
new Construction, Remodeling, and Renovations at Shore Acres Elementary School
for an Estimated Total Cost of $11,032,033. (Copy to be found
in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5oo. To approve the Agreement With Wannemacher Russell Architects, Inc. for Architectural and
Construction Contract Administration Services in Connection With new
Construction, HVAC Remodeling and Renovations at Tarpon Springs Fundamental
Elementary School in the Amount of $301,430. (Copy to be
found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5pp. To approve Amendment #1 to Agreement With
Hoffman Architects, P.A. for Architectural and Construction Contract
Administration Services in Connection With new Construction at Campbell Park
Elementary School in the Amount of $32,450. (Copy to be found
in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5qq. To approve Amendment #1 to Agreement With
Hoffman Architects, P.A. for Architectural and Construction Contract
Administration Services in Connection With new Construction at Gulfport
Elementary School in the Amount of $40,175 .
(Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5rr. To approve
Addendum No. 2 to the Interlocal Agreement Between
5ss. To approve the Agreement With Lincoln
Construction Inc. for Construction Management Services in Connection With new
Construction and Remodeling at Starkey Elementary School in the Amount of
$402,733. (Copy to be
found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5tt. To approve the Agreement With Mathews
Construction for Construction Management Services in Connection With new
Construction, HVAC Remodeling and Renovations at Tarpon Springs Fundamental
Elementary School in the Amount of $391,700.
(Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5uu. To approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement
With Creative Contractors, Inc. for a Partial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in
Connection With new Construction at Sunset Hills Elementary School in the
Amount of $7,200,000. (Copy
to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5vv. To approve Change Order
No. 2 for the Renovations and Additions at
5ww. To approve Change
Order No. 4 for the new Construction of Azalea Middle School. This Change Order will decrease the
Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) by $5,575,223.52 with no time extension. (Copy to be found in Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5xx. To approve Change
Order No. 9 for Additions, Remodeling, and Renovations at
5yy. To approve the
Acceptance of Partial Substantial Completion of Construction of Bay Point
Middle School as of
5zz. To approve the Vehicle Use Agreement. (Copy to be found in
Supplemental Minute Book #97.)
5aa*. Request
Approval of 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 District Monitoring and Advisory
Committee Recommendation in the Area of Quality of Education.
Michelle
Denard, DMAC – Addressed the Board to state that
DMAC is still concerned with the disproportionate number of African-American students
being suspended, that DMAC realized that the district has a plan to look into
this issue, and requested that more details of this plan be brought
forward. Ms. Denard
stated that DMAC is also requesting continued support for students
transitioning back from suspensions; that DMAC has not received an update on
the success of such programs as the 500 Role Model Program, etc.; and, that
support should be continued on programs helping African-American students. Ms. Denard
expressed concern that African-American students are highly represented in ESE
classes and under represented in gifted classes and that as Choice begins, low
SES students will be placed in schools without adequate funding to address
their needs. She stated that DMAC urges
the Board to ensure that community involvement is considered to be a critical
area in order to ensure high student achievement for all students.
Mr. Benjamin extended the Board’s
appreciation to DMAC for their work.
Mrs. Lerner requested that the Board
schedule the issues presented by Ms. Denard at a
future workshop and requested that Dr. Hinesley provide the Board and DMAC with
his recommendations.
Dr. Hinesley clarified that Title I
dollars do not follow the student and, therefore, is not recommending that request.
6a. The motion to
approve the District Monitoring and Advisory Committee Recommendation in the
Area of Quality of Education was carried with a 7-0 vote.
7. Dr. Hinesley presented the proposed
Amendment to Policy 10.07 Routing Guidelines; stated that this is the first
reading; and, recommended approval. Dr.
Hinesley stated that this policy was initiated by Mr. Palmer (Director of
Transportation) and that it provides guidelines for taking the district’s buses
onto private property.
Mrs. Gallucci thanked Mr. Palmer for
providing these guidelines but expressed concern that the district’s obligation
to pick up an ESE student in a gated community may be hampered by these
guidelines.
Dr. Gessner requested that a letter
be prepared by the district that parents of ESE students who are impacted by
these guidelines may present to their community organization. Dr. Hinesley agreed.
Dr. Gessner, referring to #3,
questioned whether the district could request and receive a “release of
liability.” Mr. Bowen stated that he did
not think that a homeowners association could give such a document but that he
will look into this.
Mrs. Lerner expressed concern with
“g” and routes being impacted if a stop would make a “run unduly delayed.”
7a. It was moved by Dr. Gessner, seconded by
Mrs. Bostock, and carried with a 7-0 vote to set a public hearing and authorize
the advertisement of the public hearing to consider the proposed amendment to
Policy 10.07 Routing Guidelines.
8. The following individuals addressed the
Board during Presentations From the Audience:
Jeannine
Oldani – Addressed the Board to express her
concern with the ESE allocation changes at her school and requested that
allocation of these units be performed more equitably. Discussion followed by Ms. Jan Rouse
(Assistant Superintendent for Middle School and Exceptional Student Education)
and School Board Members.
Rob
McMahon, PCTA – Addressed the Board to share two concerns brought to him
from PCTA members. Mr. McMahon requested
that the Board and the Superintendent take steps to protect employees’ social
security numbers when distributing information such as insurance forms,
contributions forms, etc. Mr. McMahon stated
that he has received concern from teachers regarding the “walk-throughs” at schools and that these visits are perceived to
be evaluative. Dr. Hinesley responded.
Gail
Johnson, Denise Prior, and Claire Walker – Addressed the Board to request
that the Superintendent and the Board award quality points retroactively. Dr. Hinesley stated that this issue is
being taken back though the “feedback” process at this point. Mrs. Lerner stated that this issue is
scheduled to be discussed at the
Garry
Hart, Robert Thompson, Edward J. Hoffman, and Frank Galloway – Addressed
the Board to express their concern that the expansion of the
9. Dr. Hinesley’s report included the
following:
o
Stated
that staff, at the September 25 Board workshop with the City of St. Petersburg,
will be presenting a brief overview of the district’s efforts to receive
unitary status by the Federal Court and the various plans that have been
presented and discussed with the city officials prior to the Choice Plan. It was decided by the Board that the
presentation should be scheduled for one hour and allow one hour for the
Board’s dialogue with the City Commissioners.
o
Stated
that the Education Foundation, due to scheduling issues with the Mahaffey
Theater, found it necessary to schedule their annual Gala on April 29, a Board
meeting evening. Dr. Hinesley requested
that the Board change the beginning time of that Board meeting from
10. Reports from School Board Members were as
follows:
Schools Visited or Functions
Attended by Board Members
Paul B. Stephens Dedication; Event
Honoring Bill Heller, USF; Former NEHS Teacher Reunion; Ebony Scholars
Motivational Awards; Administration Building 9/11 Program; County PTA Workshop;
Ponce de Leon Elementary 9/11 Activities; Train the Trainer for Mentors in Pinellas
County; Education Foundation Luncheon With the Business Community; MPO
(Metropolitan Planning Organization); Sheriff’s Advisory Committee (Dr.
Gessner- Speaker); Superintendent’s/Business Leaders Luncheon; Pinellas County
Sheriff’s Advisory Council (Mrs. Bostock – speaker).
Concerns Expressed, Written,
or Oral
Mrs. Lerner – Requested
that Board Members save page 57 of the minutes regarding when communities
install lights on softball fields, etc. Mrs.
Lerner requested that this issue, on a much larger scale, be discussed at the
next workshop. Board Members agreed.
Mrs. Cook – Stated
that she spoke with Dr. Hinesley after the article in The St. Petersburg Times regarding
the transportation for fundamental schools.
Mrs. Cook stated that the article did not make it clear that the
transportation for fundamental schools would be arterial busing similar to the
magnet schools transportation.
11. Mr. Bowen stated that he had no report.
12. Dr. Stewart stated that
there were no requests presented by the Board.
13. There being no further business to be
brought before the Board, this meeting adjourned at
______________________
_____________________
Chairman Secretary
/db(02sept24)