SPECIAL MEETING, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
April 24, 2007
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida met in
special session on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., at the Educational
Services Facility,
Chairman
Members Present:
Robert Jordan requested a moment of silence for Christian Ward, a
kindergarten student at
The Invocation was led by, Kaitlin Hall, 5th Grade,
Dr. DiPatri announced that he had received a FAX
from Chancellor Yecke with the Department of Education, and that they had found
the STAR plan submitted by Brevard and that it had been approved by the State
Board. He noted that staff from
A
motion was made by Barbara Murray with a second by Larry Hughes to approve the
recommendations for the revisions to the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
The
following changes were then made to the agenda:
Additions:
C-5. Law Week Resolution
H-9. Purchase
of
H-10. Contract
for Purchase of High School “CCC” Site
Revisions:
E-1. Student
Expulsion(s)
F-1. Renew the School Boards Property Insurance Policies
H-1. Job Descriptions (Revision)
H-2. Approve the Five-Year Charter Contract for
River’s
B-1. Recognition of Major General Titus Hall
Christine
Davis, Acting Director of District Communications, read a proclamation honoring
General Major Titus Hall for his contributions to the students of
B-2. Outstanding School Volunteers
Lynn
Clifton, Director of Brevard Schools Foundation, announced the Outstanding
School Volunteers in the Youth, Adult, Senior and
C-1. Proclamation for Substitute Teacher Week
Christine
Davis, Acting Director of District Communications, read a proclamation to approve
Substitute Teacher Week, May 7-11, 2007. A motion was made by Amy Kneessy with a
second by Janice Kershaw to approve the proclamation. Motion carried unanimously. A copy
of the proclamation is filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-417
through 222-418, inc.
C-2. Proclamation for Teacher Appreciation Week
Christine
Davis, Acting Director of District Communications, read a proclamation to
approve Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11, 2007. A motion was made by
Janice Kershaw with a second by Larry Hughes to approve the proclamation. Motion carried unanimously. A copy
of the proclamation is filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-419
through 222-420, inc.
C-3. Recognize May 6-12, 2007 at National Nurse Week
Christine
Davis, Acting Director of District Communications, read a proclamation
to adopt May 6-12, 2007 as National Nurse Week in Brevard County Public Schools. A motion was made by Barbara Murray with a
second by Janice Kershaw to approve the proclamation. Motion carried unanimously. A copy
of the proclamation is filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-421
through 222-422, inc.
C-4. 3rd Annual District Career Fair
Evelyn Henville, Director of Recruitment and
Retention, made a brief presentation to the Board on the 3rd Annual
District Career Fair to be held on Friday, June 8, 2007 at the Radisson Resort
at the Port. A copy of the presentation
is filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-423 through 222-431,
inc. She also mentioned that a Career
Fair for support staff has been scheduled for May 19, 2007 at the Educational
Services Facility.
In response to a question by Amy Kneessy on what
financial incentives were being offered, Ms. Henville stated that there is a
$3,000 sign-on bonus and paid relocation for critical shortage areas if they
are hired that day or through October.
There is also a $1,000 bonus being offered for interning and staying in
Brevard.
C-5. Law Week Resolution
Christine Davis, Acting Director of District Communications,
read a resolution to approve April 30 – May 4, 2007 as Law Week. A motion was made by Barbara Murray with a
second by Amy Kneessy to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. A copy
of the proclamation is filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-432
through 222-433, inc.
The Chair reminded the
public that there is three minutes per speaker set aside for discussion. He also stated that the Board would not
respond to issues this evening but the Superintendent would investigate and
respond in a timely manner. The
following persons addressed the Board:
A motion was then made by Barbara Murray with a
second by Larry Hughes to approve Items E-1 through E-10. Motion carried unanimously. The below listed items were therefore
approved.
E-1. Student Expulsion(s)
Approve student expulsion(s)
for failure to comply with the Stipulation/Conduct Agreement and issue Final
Orders confirming expulsion in each case presented.
E-2. Budget
Amendment #6 for the Operating Fund, 2006-07
Approve resolution #6 to amend the
Operating Fund Budget, as filed in
supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-434 through 222-451,
inc.
E-3. Warrant
List – March 1, 2007 Through March 31, 2007
Approve the Warrant List for the
period of March 1, 2007 through March 31, 2007, as filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-452
through 222-453, inc.
Total expenditures were $48,855,197.52.
E-4. Surplus Property
Authorize the removal from
inventory and disposal of surplus property according to prescribed procedures
in Florida Statutes 274.05 and 274.06, as
filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-454 through 222-457,
inc.
E-5. Purchasing
Bids, RFPs, RFQs, Sales & Services Agreements
Award the
Sales and Service Agreements listed below:
Scholastics, Inc – Office of Curriculum &
Instruction – 2006/07, as filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-458
through 222-478, inc.
Approve the routine support
staff recommendations, as filed in
supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-479 through 222-485,
inc.
Approve
the transfer of Betsy B. Butler from the position of Principal at
E-8.
Approve the budget amendment
to the School Board of Brevard County’s contract with the Early Learning
Coalition of Brevard to provide the Florida First Start program, as filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-492
through 222-494, inc. This budget amendment is an
increase of $30,325.
E-9. Consultant Agreement –
Approve the agreement in the
amount of $1,200.00 with Ms. Gloria Skurzynski to conduct a school-wide
presentation and slide show on May 8, 2007, to the students and staff of
E-10. Easement & Bill of Sale to City of
Approve the waterline easement,
Ingress/Egress Easement and Bill of Sale requested by the City of
Dr.
DiPatri took this opportunity to congratulate personnel listed under Item E-7.
Janice
Kershaw requested Item F-3 be pulled. A
motion was then made by Amy Kneessy with a second by Larry Hughes to accept the
recommendations for Items F-1 through F-2, and F-4 through F-12. Motion carried unanimously. The below listed items were therefore
approved.
F-1. Renew
the School Board Property Insurance
Grant the Superintendent authority to bind the School
Board’s Property insurance policies as of April 25, 2007.
Approve the appointment of
Robert L. Donaldson to the position of Acting Superintendent, Office of Area
IV, effective May 1, 2007 through May 31, 2007.
F-4. Magnet
School Assistance Program (MSAP) Proposed Grant 2008-2010
Approve the final application of a district-wide grant
for the next cycle of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), 2008-2010
for the following schools: Riverview,
F-5. Tech
Approve the renewal of the subcontract agreement with Brevard Community
College (BCC) regarding Tech Prep grant terms and conditions and reimbursement
of funds, up to $18,500, as filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-497
through 222-498, inc.
F-6. History Alive! Teacher’s Curriculum
Institute Workshop
Approve the History Alive! Teacher’s Curriculum Institute Workshop, as
filed in supplemental minute book #222, pages 222-499 through 222-501,
inc.
F-7. Consultant
Agreement with
Approve the consultant agreement for
F-8. Consultant
Agreement for Elaine Leclerc
Approve a contract between the School Board of Brevard County and
Elaine Leclerc for accounting services to be provided at Explorer Elementary
and
F-9. GradeQuick
Web and Edline – Parent, Teacher and Student Online Gradebook Solution
Accept a proposal from Jackson Software for GradeQuick
Web and Edline Parent/Student/Teacher online products.
F-10.
Approve the educational field trip for
F-11. Field Trip for
Approve the field trip for
18 students to fly on USAF HS-130 at Patrick AFB, FL.
F-3. Additional Guidance
Staff
Approve funding for
additional guidance office staff under SSNP guidelines for all middle schools
and the (4) four 7th – 12th grade high schools. It is recommended that each 7-8 Middle
Schools and four 7-12 High Schools add a new position to their Counseling
Department entitled Guidance Services
Professional. This position is
designed to maximize direct counselor-student-family contact as required by the
SSNP initiative. The new position would
take counseling support duties traditionally assigned to counselors and place
them with the Guidance Services Professional who would coordinate and organize
those duties. The position would not
require a Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling. In addition, it is recommended that in all
middle schools and the four 7-12 high schools each Counseling Department have a
Guidance Clerk that would provide additional clerical support and assistance to
the Guidance Department. This is year 1
of a 2-year Tier I enhancement plan for secondary school counseling
departments.
Janice Kershaw requested this item be pulled and
questioned if job descriptions for these two positions would be submitted for
Board approval at a later date. Betty
Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, stated that no job
descriptions were needed as the Guidance Services Professional in a teacher
position and the Guidance Clerk position is the same as a Data Entry Clerk
which already have job descriptions.
Janice Kershaw stated she doesn’t agree with this being a
teaching position with the person continuing in the same salary. Betty Dunn stated this person needs to have
teaching credentials. She also pointed
out that if the person does not work out in this position, they can be moved
back into the classroom. Amy Kneessy
agreed that there are resource teachers who don’t teach in the classroom and
that this position should have teaching background for some of the
qualifications. Janice Kershaw stated
she saw this position more as administrative and feels they should add a
statement on the job description that certification is preferred. Dr. DiPatri stated he believed this person
needs to be familiar with and understand the school environment. Joy Salamone, Director of Labor Relations,
noted that the word preferred could not be used.
After further discussion on the
duties and qualifications for this position, a motion was made by Janice
Kershaw to approve the recommendation with a stipulation to bring back a job
description with qualifications, salaries, etc.
The motion was seconded by Larry Hughes.
Motion carried unanimously.
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The Chair called for a BPS News video break at 7:19
p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:31 p.m.
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Amy Kneessy stated she would like to discuss Item H-2,
Janice Kershaw stated she would like to discuss Item H-1, and Barbara Murray
stated she would like to discuss Item H-8.
H-1. Job
Descriptions
Recommendation: Upon the
retirement of the Secretary for School Board Affairs, combine position duties
with those of the Secretary for School Board Office. A three member cross-functional team will be
developed to provide backup of all School Board support services. Cost savings will be realized through the
Janice Kershaw how approval of this
item would reduce overtime when the recommendation states they are going from
four positions to three positions. Dr.
DiPatri responded that there would be staggered schedules and each of the three
positions would be cross-trained.
H-2. Approve
the Five-Year Charter Contract for River’s
Recommendation: Approve the
five-year charter contract for River’s
Amy Kneessy questioned the financial
stability of this charter school and stated she wants reassurance they are on
solid ground. Vicki Mace, Director of
Choice Schools, responded that an audit was recently done by an outside
firm. Dr. DiPatri stated that he would
like to have the Legislature require the Auditor General to conduct audits at
charter schools every three years as is required for the district.
Amy Kneessy questioned if the
charter was in compliance with Title I.
Vicki Mace stated they are and noted that another audit would be
performed September 30, 2007 before construction on the new facility
begins. Amy Kneessy asked for current
enrollment and how many students are registered for next year. Robert Jordan asked if the new building was
being built to SREF standards. Vicki
Mace stated she would provide this information to the Board prior to the next
meeting.
H-3. Westside
Elementary Consultant Agreement with Dr.
Recommendation: Approve the
Contracted Services Agreement between
H-4. Consultant Agreement –
Clearlake and
Recommendation: Approve the agreements in the amount of
$2,400.00 with Ms. Gloria Skurzynski to conduct school-wide presentations and
slide shows on May 9 and 10, 2007, to the students and staff of Clearlake and
H-5. Consultant Agreement with
Learning Wheels and
Recommendation: Approve a consultant agreement between
Learning Wheels (Julie Teague) and
H-6. Field Trip –
Recommendation: Approve the request for the
H-7. “Al Werneke Field” –
Recommendation:
H-8.
Recommendation: Approve the
attached Amendment No. 2 for a deduct of <$4,223,180.54> and contract
time extension to August 4, 2006 for substantial completion and December 31,
2006 for final completion to the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract for
Construction Management services with H.J. High Construction Co. at Sunrise
Elementary School. Accept the contract
as complete and authorize release of retainage.
Barbara
Murray asked if the project punch list had been completed. Ed Curry, Assistant Superintendent for
Facilities Management Services, responded that the project has been finalized
and this is normal project close-out procedure.
Larry
Hughes stated he needed to respond to Janet Eastman’s comments on bargainable
funds. He noted that although it is true
that school districts will receive 6.6% across the state, much of those
categorical funds are already earmarked for certain uses. The Board has been told by FSBA and members
of the Legislature that the district can expect about a 3% increase in
bargainable funds.
Janice
Kershaw asked if the district could have closed captioning of the board
meetings.
Amy
Kneessy asked Robert Jordan if he received any information at the National
School Boards Association Conference on the distribution of materials. Robert Jordan stated he talked to several
attorneys and they all agreed with Harold Bistline. He has contacted a public relations group and
an administrator in
Robert
Jordan stated he talked to staff about the teacher’s missing a pay period due
to the later school start date. Mr.
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
___________________________________
Chairman
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools