SPECIAL WORKSHOP, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
March 13, 2007
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida held a
workshop on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., at the Educational Services
Facility,
Chairman
Robert Jordan called the workshop to order at 2:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Robert Jordan, Janice Kershaw, Larry Hughes, Barbara Murray
(Note: Amy
Kneessy was delayed by traffic and joined the meeting at 2:10 p.m.)
Dr. DiPatri stated the reason for this workshop is for information on the selection of High School “CCC” and Senate Bill 360 and how it affects our schools. He stated that growth management does not reflect the data and it is clearly contradictory. Both of these items are on the agenda for tonight’s meeting for Board action.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT SB 360
Judy Preston, Associate Superintendent for Financial Services, distributed a handout listing of schools and FISH data before class size reduction change, FISH data as of January 7, 2007, and the difference between the two. The 2nd column shows true student stations. A copy of the document is filed in supplemental minute book #220, pages 221-111 through 221-112, inc.
Each Area Superintendent discussed a sample ESE classroom in one of their schools noting the FISH capacity for each space. Staff noted that the Department of Education does not recognize special education classes and Pre-K classes also do not count. They also pointed out that a classroom actually holds the amount of students list on the FISH data especially when the classroom is used for special education type classes. Betty Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, distributed a handout noting the number of exceptional education classrooms and students in each school and the average number of students per classroom by Area. A copy of this handout is filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-113 through 221-116, inc.
Dr. DiPatri stated that these contradictions need to be made known to the Legislators and that the FISH data needs to be made real to recognize exceptional education classes. Larry Hughes stated that pressure needed to be placed on the Department of Education to change the FISH data.
Dane Theodore, Planner for Facilities Management Services, stated that it has to be a financially feasible plan and if you want to get to a lower level of service, you have to build more classrooms. Dr. DiPatri suggested bringing this issue up to the Central Florida School Boards Coalition. Dane Theodore responded that this group is already trying to address this issue.
Ed Curry, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Services, stated that staff will be recommending the Board adopt a Level of Service (LOS) at 100% permanent capacity. A copy of the report prepared by Kimley-Horn was provided to the Board and is filed in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-117 through 221-133, inc. Larry Hughes questioned how schools currently under capacity would get done to 100%. He stated that there are two issues: excess capacity and too many schools with too many students; and four options: do nothing, move students, cap schools and bus students, and grandfather kids as they did at Meadowlane Elementary School. Dr. DiPatri stated the Facilities Plan would help alleviate these issues. Dr. Tom McIntyre, Area I Superintendent, stated that the Area Superintendents had looked at moving students but costs associated with this would be additional bus runs and drivers.
SITE SELECTION – HIGH SCHOOL “CCC”
Ed Curry, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities
Management Services, informed the Board that this item is on tonight’s agenda
as a presentation and action item.
A letter received this date from Bayside Lakes
Development Corporation concerning Site #1 was provided to the Board, a copy of
which is filed
in supplemental minute book #221, pages 221-134 through 221-137,
inc. Ed Curry stated that the letter
addressed three issues; access to
Tom McIntyre, Area I
Superintendent, reviewed information on the locations of the two sites under
consideration. Site #1 is a district
owned site in the south area of the county and Site #6 is the developer owned
site located west of I-95 in
Dr. DiPatri stated that he will recommend building on Site #1 and proceed with the purchase of Site #6 at tonight’s meeting. Larry Hughes pointed out that this would require a super majority vote.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the workshop
adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Chairman:
______________________________
ATTEST: ______________________________________
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools