REGULAR MEETING, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
February 27, 2007
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida met in regular
session on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., at the Educational
Services Facility,
Chairman
Members Present:
Chairman
The Invocation was led by, Samantha Dahl, 5th Grade, Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary School,
and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jamie Chaney, 6th Grade, Dr.
W. J. Creel Elementary School. The Dr
.W. J. Creel Eagle Express Show Choir, under the direction of Kim Dickman,
Music Teacher, entertained the Board and audience with a musical number.
Dr.
DiPatri requested that Item C-5 be moved up before Item C-3. 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. Proclamation – Support of Bills Proposing
Stronger Penalties for Persons Who Give/Sell Alcohol to Underage Persons
H-14. Charter Renewal Recommendation for Explorer
Elementary and
H-15. Charter Renewal Recommendation for
H-16. Field Trip for Merritt Island High School
and Melbourne High School – FIRST Robotics Teams – Columbia, S.C. Palmetto
Regional Competition
H-17. Contract with Jackson Grayson, Jr. of APQC
to Present at the March 21 Leadership Team Meeting
H-18. Contracted Services for an Actuarial
Valuation Report for Other Post Employment Benefits
Revisions:
E-1. Student Expulsions (Revision)
E-4. Support
Staff Recommendations (Supplement) (Revision)
G-1. School Board Policy Revisions (Policies 6480 – Expenditures
& 6610 – Internal Accounts)
H-5. K-12 Visual Arts Textbook Adoption
Deletions:
H-7. Charter Renewal Recommendation for Einstein
Montessori and Explorer
B-1. Recognition –
Marian Winters, Executive Director of VSA Arts of Florida, recognized
B-2.
Dr. DiPatri announced
that Brevard now has 20 of the 28 music demonstration schools statewide and introduced
Da-Laine Chapman, Music K-12 Resource Teacher.
Ms. Chapman noted that June Hinkley, recognized earlier in the meeting,
originally started this program. Ms.
Chapman then announced the 6 new Music Demonstration Schools in
C-5. Proclamation – Support of Bills Proposing Stronger Penalties for
Persons Who Give/Sell Alcohol to Underage Persons
Dr. DiPatri introduced Tyler Winik,
C-1. Youth Art Month, Music in Our Schools
Christine
Davis, Acting Director of District Communications read the resolution to adopt
the month of March as Youth Arts Month, Music in Our Schools Month, and Theatre
for Life Month as supported by the Florida Legislature and the United States
Congress. A motion was made by Janice
Kershaw with a second by Barbara Murray to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. A copy
of the resolution is filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-10
through 221-11, inc.
C-2. Proclaim March 5-9, 2007 as
Christine
Davis, Acting Director of District Communications read the resolution to
proclaim the week of March 5-9, 2007 as National School Breakfast Week. A motion was made by Larry Hughes with a
second by Janice Kershaw to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. A copy
of the resolution is filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-12
through 221-13, inc.
C-3. School Age Child Care – Gold Key Assessment Presentation
Brenda Blackburn, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum
& Instruction, noted that child care services are now available in every
elementary school. She then introduced
John Wigley, Director of Adult/Community Education, Debi Embry, Coordinator of
School Age Child Care, and Jo Nash, School Age Child Care Program Development
Coordinator. Ms. Nash made a presentation
on the safety standards developed and Debi Embry discussed the Gold Key programs
five components. In response to a question by Barbara Murray, Ms. Embry also
explained the summer program which is an all day component for students who do
not attend SOAR. Ms. Embry also
responded that the assessment instrument is the district’s own tool. Robert
Jordan suggested awareness of safety, in connection with the presentation on
this assessment plan, should be a topic of discussion at the next Best
Practices session. A copy of the
presentation is filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-14 through
221-32, inc.
C-4. Presentation
on Secondary Schools of National Prominence
Brenda
Blackburn, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, Margaret
Lewis, Director of Career and Technical Education, and Betty Dunn, Assistant
Superintendent for Student Services, made a presentation to the Board on the
Secondary Schools of National Prominence initiative. Margaret Lewis spoke to the middle school
exploratory model and Betty Dunn discussed the role of the counselor and
individualized programs of study.
Discussion was held on the plan and staff responded to questions by the
Board. A copy of the presentation is filed in supplemental minute book #221,
pages 221-33 through 221-42, 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:
1. Dr. Ron Barile,
2. John Russo, BFT, Rockledge – Teacher Salaries and Time
Limit for Public Discussion
3. David Thompson,
Amy Kneessy requested Item E-3 be pulled and Larry
Hughes requested Item E-7 be pulled. A
motion was then made by Larry Hughes with a second by Janice Kershaw to approve
Items E-1, Item E-2, and Items E-4 through E-6.
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. 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 #221, pages 221-43 through 221-45, inc.
Approve the appointment of Wesley D. Sumner
to the position of Director, Office of District Communications/Public
Information effective April 2, 2007.
Annual salary is based on grade 29 of the Non-Bargaining Salary Administration
Program. Approve the extension of the
reclassification/transfer of Christine A. Davis in the position of Acting
Director, Office of District Communications/Public Information from March 2,
2007 through March 30, 2007. Approve the
routine support staff recommendations, as
filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-46 through 221-52, inc.
Accept the retirement of Walter L. Christy,
Director of Secondary Programs, Curriculum and Instruction, effective February
28, 2007. Approve the routine instructional staff recommendations, as filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-53
through 221-55, inc.
E-6. Job Descriptions
Approve
new job descriptions; Code Compliance
Specialist I, Code Compliance Specialist II, Technology Analyst – Transportation
Systems, and FTE Specialist, as filed in
supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-56 through 221-76, inc.
E-3. Purchasing Bids & Agreement
Re-Award the Purchasing Bids listed below:
a. #06-028/BM – Electrical
Contractors – Maintenance –2005/06, 2006/07
b. #06-029/BM – General
Contractor Services –
c. #06-034/CN – Air
Conditioning & Heating Parts –
Award the Purchasing Bids listed below:
a. #07-030/BM – HVAC Modifications at
b. #07-032/BP – Band Uniforms –
Award RFP’s listed below:
c. #07002/LH – Building and Fire Inspection and Plan
Review Services – Facilities Services – 2006/07
Amy Kneessy requested this item be
pulled and questioned why there was such discrepancy in cost estimates for
Speegle Construction as compared to the other four general contractor
bids. Staff was not available from the
Purchasing Department to respond to this question. Therefore, a motion was made by Amy Kneessy,
with a second by Larry Hughes, to table Section b) of the purchasing bids but
to approve all other bid recommendations.
Motion carried unanimously. A
copy of the bid tabulations is filed in the Purchasing Department office.
An explanation of the difference in
bid amounts by Speegle Construction and why they are listed for vendor re-award
needs to be provided to the Board.
E-7. Purchase/Move/Install Relocatable Classrooms in Support of
Authorize the Facilities Services Team to
purchase 26 new relocatable classrooms from a pre-qualified manufacturer at a
cost not to exceed $1,345,682 (including freight, set up and general
conditions) and complete all work associated with the installation of the new
classrooms and relocation/installation of 14 existing classrooms
(infrastructure, furniture, permitting, administration and contingency) at a
cost of $2,143,008, for a total cost not to exceed $3,488,690.
Larry
Hughes pulled this item for discussion.
He noted that he does not oppose the item but wanted to clarify that the
target is to reach 100% level of service.
He noted that there is an overabundance of student stations but they are
in the wrong areas of the district. He
proposed the Board hold a workshop on how they plan to meet the 100% level of
service (LOS).
Janice
Kershaw questioned when staff planned to remove all relocatable classrooms and
how they planned to dispose of them. Ed
Curry, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Management Services responded
that all units should be eliminated in three years and they would either be
sold or used for non-student activity.
Barbara
Murray requested that staff keep a close eye on Lewis Carroll Elementary
demographics. Mr. Curry responded they
would review every year.
A motion was then made by Larry
Hughes with a second by Amy Kneessy to accept the recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
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Dr.
DiPatri took this opportunity to congratulate personnel listed under Items E-4.
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Janice
Kershaw requested Item F-2 be pulled for a question. A motion was then made by Barbara Murray with
a second by Janice Kershaw to accept the recommendations for Items F-1, and F-3
through F-15. Motion carried
unanimously. The below listed items were
therefore approved.
F-1. 2007-2008
Staffing Plan Recommendations
The Staffing Plan for 2007-2008 is being recommended
at this time to be the same as the 2006-2007 plan.
F-3. Revised
Instructional Operational Plan for
Revise graduation requirements for
F-4. Summer
Opportunities for Advancement and Remediation (SOAR) 2007
Approve the Summer Opportunities for Acceleration and
Remediation (SOAR) program for the summer of 2007.
F-5. Summer
Voluntary Prekindergarten
Approve district participation in the Summer Voluntary
Prekindergarten Program as it is mandated and funded by the State of
F-6. Joint
Use Agreement between the School Board of
To allow the City of Satellite Beach, the Town of
Indialantic and Town of Melbourne Beach to use the Eau Gallie High School
auditorium as an Emergency Operations Center during man-made and natural
disasters. A copy of the agreement is
filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-77 through 221-78, inc.
F-7. Summer
Fine Arts Theatre Licensing Agreements
Approve the licensing agreements with Tams-Witmark for
three (3) performances of Brigadoon
in the amount of $2,785 and Music Theatre International for three (3)
performances of Thoroughly Modern Millie
in the amount of $2,810; authorize reserved seat ticket prices of $10.00 for
the Orchestra and Lower Tier sections and $8.00 for the Upper Tier section, as
filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-79 through 221-85, inc.
F-8. Contract
for 11th Grade Students to See Pirates of
Approve the contract for 11th grade
students to see Pirates of Penzance at a total cost of $102,678.00, as filed in
supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-86 through 221-97, inc.
F-9. Resolution
to Retain Exclusive Authority of
Approve the recommendation to submit a resolution to
the State Board of Education to retain exclusive authority to authorize charter
schools within
F-10. Proposed
Contract with
Approve the proposed three-year contract with American
Evaluation Services, Inc. (AES), in the event the proposed grant is awarded,
and the School Board then approves the award., as filed in supplemental minute
book #221, pages 221-98 through 221-100, inc.
The contract is for annual evaluations to be submitted to the U.S.
Department of Education of three magnet schools if they are funded by the
Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) federal grant 2007-2010:
F-11. Proposed
Contract with Craig Dixon of
Approve the proposed contract between Dixon Building
Services (Bid #06-029-EM) and McNair Middle Magnet School for on-site
consultation in the installation of a magnet school promotional sign, as filed
in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-101 through 221-102, inc.
F-12. Agreement
for
Approve the contract in the amount of $3,900 between
the School Board of Brevard County and AIMS Education Foundation for
professional development services at
F-13. Affiliation
Agreement with
Approve the Affiliation Agreement between Holmes
Regional Trauma Center, a department of Holmes Regional Medical Center and
Brevard County Public School Board to set forth terms and conditions with
respect to the participation in Operation NOW (Not On Our Watch) an educational
awareness program for teenaged drivers, as filed in supplemental minute book
#221, pages 221-105 through 221-109, inc.
F-14.
Approve field trip requested by Titusville High School
German Club to go to
F-15. Proposed New Facility for Central Area Adult/
Authorize the Office of Facilities Services to
purchase/install/furnish a 22,458 modular classroom/office complex and complete
necessary infrastructure improvements on the School District owned McLarty
Stadium site in the City of Rockledge at a cost not-to-exceed $3,801,000.
F-2. Secondary
Schools of National Prominence-Modifications to Credit Requirements
Approve the deletion of Life Management Skills as a ½
credit requirement for students in the Secondary Schools of National Prominence
Plan. The change will increase the
number of elective credits that a student may take from 7.0 to 7.5.
Janice Kershaw noted that there was
a high level of duplication of standards in some courses and questioned how
students would be getting the other 10% of curriculum from the Life Management
Class if they deleted the ½ credit.
Brenda Blackburn stated it could be incorporated in the HOPE course.
A motion was made by Janice Kershaw
with a second by Barbara Murray to accept the recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
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The Chair called for a BPS News video break at 7:40
p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m.
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G-1 School
Board
Approve/adopt the new/revised School Board Policies
listed below and authorize the Superintendent to advertise for public hearing: 1121, 1121.01, 2210, 2261.03, 2421, 3120,
3121, 3121.01, 4121, 4121.01, 5130, 5410, 5460, 5463, 6480, 6610, 7434,
7530.01, 7540.08, 7540.09, 8350, 8400, 8420.01, 8462, 8475, 8500, 8605, 8606,
9211, 9700, and 9701.
Larry Hughes requested Policy 7434
be pulled, Janice Kershaw requested Policies 7530 and 9700 be pulled, and Amy
Kneessy requested Policy 1121.01 be pulled.
A motion was then made by Amy
Kneessy with a second by Larry Hughes to accept the recommendation with
exceptions. Motion carried unanimously.
Amy Kneessy noted there was a
typographical error in Policy 1121.01 – Page 3 – Item C: misspelled word – “my” should be “may”. A motion was made by Amy Kneessy with a
second by Larry Hughes to accept Policy 1121.01 with correction. Motion carried unanimously.
Larry Hughes requested Policy 7434 –
Tobacco – be left out of the district’s policies and be renegotiated every
year. Harold Bistline pointed out that
this language is in the BFT contract and the Board could not violate the
contract. Larry Hughes stated he was not
asking to delete the language but asking to leave the original policy in
place. Amy Kneessy stated she supported
this position and Barbara Murray stated that the policies should align with
district practices. In response to
discussion, Harold Bistline, Board Attorney, stated that if staff tried to
enforce no smoking on school grounds, it would possibly be an unfair labor
practice. Barbara Murray made a motion
to accept the policy revision recommendation.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
Janice Kershaw requested Policy 7530
– Cellular Phone Technology – be pulled and suggested this policy be re-looked
at to allow more flexibility for employee personal and business use. Dr. DiPatri pulled this item for further
review.
Janice Kershaw requested Policy 9700
– Working with Special Interest Groups – be pulled and stated she felt the
policy was not user friendly or realistic when working with outside
groups. Dr. DiPatri stated he agreed
with the policy and feels anything dealing with students should be
approved. A motion was made by Janice
Kershaw with a second by Barbara Murray to table Policy 9700. Motion carried unanimously. Lee Berry pointed out that the policy could
be left in tonight for purposes of advertising for public hearing and the Board
could make changes at that time. A
motion was them made by Larry Hughes with a second by Janice Kershaw to
reconsider tabling this policy at this time.
Another motion to approve Policy 9700 was made by Janice Kershaw with a
second by Amy Kneessy. Motion carried
unanimously.
G-2. Catherine
E. Weedman Fine Arts Suite – Coquina Elementary
Coquina Elementary would like the School Board to
approve the dedication and naming of the new fine arts suite, “The Catherine E.
Weedman Fine Arts Suite” and authorize the Superintendent to advertise for
public hearing. A motion was made by
Larry Hughes with a second by Amy Kneessy to accept the recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
H-1. Public
Sale of Series 2007 Revenue Anticipation Notes
Recommendation:
H-2. Issuance
of Series 2007C Certificates of Participation
Recommendation:
H-3. Contract
for Consultant Services with Electronic Training Solutions, Inc.
Recommendation: Engage
Electronic Training Solutions, Inc. of
H-4. High
School Major Areas of Interest
Recommendation: Approve the
Major Areas of Interest selected by each High School.
H-5. K-12
Visual Arts
Recommendation: Approve the
recommendation of the K-12 Visual Arts Committee to adopt the instructional
materials listed for the following courses at the following instructional
levels: High School:
H-6. School
Advisory Council Membership Report
Recommendation: Approve School
Advisory Council Membership Report for 84 schools and the alternative school
sites.
H-8. Amendment
#1 and Amendment #2 to
Recommendation: Approve
Amendment #1 for the
H-9. Agreement
for
Recommendation: Approve the
contract in the amount of $1,200 between the School Board of Brevard County and
Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski for professional development services at
H-10. Educational
Performance Field Trip to
Recommendation: Approve an
educational field trip for 24
H-11.
Recommendation: Approve the
H-12. Growth
Management Legislation (SB360) Compliance Actions
Recommendation: Accept the
1/8/07 projections report prepared by
Kimley-Horn & Associates (provided as Attachment I) as the basis for
population and student enrollment projections that will be included in the
proposed Interlocal Agreement for
H-13. Student
Recommendation: Approve the attached
H-14. Charter Renewal Recommendation for Explorer Elementary and
Recommendation: Recommend the renewal of the charter contract
for Explorer Elementary and Middle School.
H-15. Charter Renewal Recommendation for
Recommendation: Recommend the renewal of the charter contract
for
Amy Kneessy stated she had serious
concerns with the renewal of this charter with the contingencies since she felt
the two contingencies were major issues.
She stated that this is their third year as a public school and they
must comply with State statutes for FCAT testing, which is not being done. She also stated she is especially concerned
with the personnel issue.
Dr. DiPatri stated that the Board
had only the next two meetings to take action on this item as the district had
to act by April 2nd. He
stated that he would not approve the actual contract if the items of
contingency were not met by then.
Lengthy discussion continued on the
personnel issue of the Director not being allowed on campus when he students
were present due to a felony conviction from 1988. The school’s administration had assured the
district that this would not happen, when in reality, it has been
happening. Dr. DiPatri stated that the
school was violating the law and their commitment to the School Board. The charter school will be notified in
writing again that this is not to occur but if it does, the district will
terminate their contract.
H-16. Field
Trip for Merritt Island High School and Melbourne High School – FIRST Robotics
Teams – Columbia, S.C. Palmetto Regional Competition
Recommendation: Approve the
request for Jackie Francisco, School Board Employee and five (5) fingerprinted
mentors to take approximately twenty (20) students from the
H-17. Contract
with Jackson Grayson, Jr. of APQC to Present at the March 21 Leadership Team
Meeting
Recommendation: Engage
H-18. Contracted Services for an Actuarial Valuation Report for Other
Post Employment Benefits
Recommendation:
Approve a contract with Gabriel Roeder Smith and Company (GRS) to engage
in an actuarial study for the School Board regarding Other Post Employment
Benefits (OPEB).
Janice
Kershaw reported that she had attended an Internet Safety Class. She suggested staff look into internet safety
efforts and training for students and SRO’s.
Janice
Kershaw stated she would like to see an analysis of what the tax proposals
would do for the district.
Robert
Jordan stated he had received a call from Florida Today newspaper asking if the
Board had a position of FCAT testing. He
suggested the Board think about a response.
Robert Jordan reported on his re