REGULAR MEETING, THE SCHOOL
BOARD OF BREVARD COUNTY
April 12, 2005
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida met in
regular session on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 5:30 p.m., at the Educational
Services Facility, 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. Notice of the meeting was advertised in The
Eagle newspaper Thursday, April 7, 2005, and the affidavit of publication with
a copy of the notice attached is filed in supplemental minute book #205, page 205-1.
Chairman
Larry Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Larry Hughes, Robert Jordan, Janice Kershaw, Bea Fowler, Amy Kneessy
Chairman Hughes asked
for a moment of silence in memory several students and teachers who recently
passed away: Guadalupe Bonilla, a
student at Golfview Elementary; Billie
Wittig, a teacher assistant at Eau Gallie High; Tyler Segarra, a student at Andersen Elementary; Almerinda
“Rindy” Lucas, a counselor at Cocoa High;
Emily Ranyak, a student at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School; Will Riehl,
a student at Satellite High; and Allie
Rubiella, a student at Satellite High.
Also for Staff Sgt. Stephen Kennedy who died in Iraq. Stephen is the son of employee Robert
Kennedy, Chief Accounting Clerk.
The Invocation was led by Sam Borges, 68h grade, Jefferson Middle School, and
the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tiffany- Smith, an 88h grade
student at Jefferson Middle School.
A
motion was made by Robert Jordan and seconded by Janice Kershaw to approve the
recommendations for the revisions to the agenda. The motion carried unanimously and was so ordered.
The
following changes were then made to the agenda:
Revisions:
E-1. Student Expulsion(s)
B-1. 2005 Principal Achievement Award for
Outstanding Leadership and 2005 Outstanding Assistant Principal
Dr. DiPatri recognized
Terri Kulaga, Rockledge High School; Nel Marshall, Hoover Middle School; and Jenny Boudreaux, Port Malabar Elementary
for winning the Brevard Public Schools’ 2005 Assistant Principal Achievement
Award for Outstanding Leadership. Also
recognized were Jim Willcoxon, Melbourne High School; Mark Tormoen, Clearlake Middle School; and Terry Lee, Enterprise Elementary School for winning the
Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership. Chairman Larry Hughes presented the
Assistant Principal’s with framed certificates and the Principals with framed
certificates and clocks.
Dr. DiPatri announced
that the Leadership Team would be recognized at a luncheon to be held on
Wednesday, April 20th, along with retirees over the past five years.
B-2. Presentation of the Principal
Supporting of the Arts Award in Brevard Schools
Sheri Snow, Brevard Art
Educators Association President, recognized Michael Corneau, R.L. Stevenson School of the Arts,
Robin Novelli, Southwest Middle, Linda Picolella, Riveria Elem., Nancy
Rickards, Cambridge Elem., Pennie Wade, Lewis Carroll Elem., and Cynthia Ford,
R. Williams Elem. for their nomination as a Principal Supporting of the
Arts. Bridget Geiger, Arts Teacher at
Longleaf Elementary School, presented an award to Longleaf Principal Marilyn
Sylvester for being
chosen as the Principal Supporting of the Arts during the 2004-2005 school
year. Longleaf Elementary 6th grade
student Amanda Bisset also presented Ms. Sylvester with a piece of art. Amanda’s design
will be reproduced for tote bags and t-shirts for BAEA members to purchase
B-3. School Board Art Show Awards Presentation
Peggy Nolan, Arts Resource Teacher,
announced the names of the 2005 K-12 Art Show winners and the students were
recognized and presented awards from Board Chairman Larry Hughes and
Superintendent Dr. DiPatri. A list of
the winners is filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-2 through 205-17,
inc.
Dr. DiPatri announced that
President George W. Bush is honoring math teacher Dianne Peterson from Surfside
Elementary with the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence and that Ms.
Peterson would be recognized at the April 26th board meeting.
C-1. Special
Recognition of School Library Media Week and Brevard Library Media Programs
Sharon Reynolds, Media Resource
Teacher, read the Governor’s greetings and the proclamation in recognition of
April 10-16, 2005 as School Library Media Week. A motion was made by Janice Kershaw with a second by Robert
Jordan to accept the proclamation.
Motion carried unanimously. A
copy of the proclamation is filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-18
through 205-19, inc.
C-2. Presentation
on Electronic Prepayment of School Lunches
Larry Henshaw, Director of Food & Nutrition
Services, made a presentation to the Board on a new program for accepting
credit card prepayments for school meals and responded to questions by the
board. A copy of the presentation is
filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-20 through 205-32, inc.
C-3. Presentation – Adequate Yearly
Progress
Sandy Demmon, Area III Superintendent and Chair of the
APY Committee, along with committee members Sara Stern, Karen Schafer, and
Richard Meyers, gave a presentation on Adequate Yearly Progress. The presentation included the communications
timeline, requirements of the law, proposed amendments by Florida, and comparisons
of the Governor’s A+ plan with the No Child Left Behind Act. Janice Kershaw suggested the consequences
for a school not meeting AYP be reflected in the brochure being prepared by
staff. A copy of the presentation is
filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-33 through 205-36, inc.
The Chair reminded the
public that there is three minutes per speaker set aside for discussion. The following persons addressed the Board:
Amy Kneessy requested Item E-4 be pulled. A motion was made by Robert Jordan with a
second by Janice Kershaw to approve Items E-1 through E-3 and Item E-5 through E-12. Motion carried unanimously.
The below listed items were therefore approved.
E-1. Student
Expulsion(s)
Approve student expulsion(s)
2005-101, and 2005-102, for failure to comply with the Stipulation/Conduct
Agreement and issue Final Orders confirming expulsion in each case presented.
E-2. Approve Minutes
Approve the minutes from the
special workshop held on March 8, 2005; the minutes from the regular meeting
held on March 8, 2005; the minutes from the special joint workshop with Brevard
Community College Board of Trustees held on March 9, 2005; the minutes from the
expulsion hearing held on March 22, 2005; the minutes from the special meeting
held on March 22, 2005; and the minutes from the special finance workshop held
on March 23, 2005.
E-3. Purchasing Bids & Agreement
Award the
Purchasing Bids listed below:
a.
05-031/CN
– Plumbing Supplies - Maintenance Warehouse – 2004/05
b.
05-032/CN
– Construction Materials II – Maintenance Warehouse – 2004/05
c.
05-034/BM
– Window and Store Front Systems Replacement II – Maintenance – 2004/05
Re-Award the RFP
listed below:
d.
RFP
#00005 – External Independent Auditing Services – Financial Services – 1999/04
- 2004/05
Award the Sales and Service Agreements listed below:
e.
BellSouth
Frame Relay Agreement – Educational Technology – 2005/06
Copies of the bid
tabulations are filed in the Purchasing Department. Copies of the agreements with Ernst & Young and BellSouth
Business Systems, Inc. are filed in
supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-37 through 205-68, inc.
Approve the transfer of
Terri H. Moeller from the position of Principal at Jupiter Elementary School to
the position of Principal at Gardendale Elementary School, on annual contract,
effective June 2, 2005. Annual salary
based on grade 26 of the Nonbargaining Salary Administration Program. Approve the transfer of Debra J. Crannell
from the position of Acting Principal at Coquina Elementary School to the
position of Principal at Coquina Elementary School, on annual contract,
effective April 13, 2005. Annual salary
based on grade 26 of the Nonbargaining Salary Administration Program. Accept
the resignation of Michael S. Story, Principal at Imperial Estates Elementary
School, effective April 1, 2005. Accept
the resignation of Clenton L. Taylor, Principal at University Park Elementary
School, effective June 30, 2005. Accept
the resignation of Hartzel C. Jennings, Principal at Roosevelt Elementary
School, effective June 30, 2005. Approve
the routine instructional staff recommendations, as filed in
supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-69 through 205-78, inc.
Approve the reclassification
of David K. Martin from the position of Project Field Coordinator at
Maintenance to the position of Project Manager at Maintenance, effective March
11, 2005. Annual salary based on grade
25 of the Nonbargaining Salary Administration program. Resume attached. Approve the routine support
staff recommendations, as filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-79
through 205-84, inc.
E-7. Reappointment
Nominations of Teachers for 2005-2006 School Year
Approve the reappointment
nominations of instructional staff for the 2005-2006 school year contingent
upon completion of certification requirements and course work, on or before their beginning date, as filed in
supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-85 through 205-206, inc.
E-8. Job Description
Approve the following job
description: Director of Food Services,
Nonbargaining Grade 27, as filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-207
through 205-209, inc.
E-9. Job Description
Approve the following job
descriptions: District and School
Security Fingerprint Technician, Bargaining Grade 19; District and School Security Coordinating Clerk,
Professional/Technical Hourly Grade CC, as filed in supplemental minute book
#205, pages 205-210 through 205-214, inc.
E-10. Board Member Nominations
for Brevard Schools Foundation
Approve the following as
board members for the Brevard Schools Foundation: Wendy Kaloski, Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Kennedy
Space Center Federal Credit Union; Dean
H. Stewart, Owner, Dean Stewart Photography;
Wayne Corbin, Director, Supplier Management Procurement for NASA Systems
for The Boeing Company.
E-11. Field Trip for South
Brevard Area High Schools FIRST Robotic Team (Voltage 386)
Approve the request for
Bayside, Eau Gallie, Melbourne, Palm
Bay and Satellite High Schools and West Shore Jr./Sr. High School FIRST
Robotic team consisting of 35 students, 3 teachers, 7 fingerprinted and
registered engineering mentors, and 3 fingerprinted and registered parents to
compete for 3 days (Thursday – Saturday) 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. April 20-24 in
Atlanta, Georgia. Travel days are
Wednesday, April 20, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 23, 7 p.m. until
Sunday, April 24, 2005.
E-12. Field Trip for Merritt
Island High School – First Robotics Team’s Atlanta Competition
Approve the request for one
Merritt Island High School teacher and three (3) fingerprinted mentors from
United Space Alliance and Lockheed Martin to take ten (10) students from the
Merritt Island High School FIRST Robotics Team #801 to Atlanta, Georgia from
April 20, 2005 through April 24, 2005.
The team will participate in the 2005 Championship event that is being
held April 21-24, 2005. The students
will miss three days of school, April 20-22, 2005.
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. In addition, authorize the removal of
certain inventory items as directed by the Audit Committee on December 16,
2004. The items to be removed from the
inventory are reflected on the attached list, as filed in supplemental minute
book #205, pages 205-215 through 205-266, inc.
Amy Kneessy requested this item be
pulled and questioned what the Audit Committee is doing to address missing
property. Dr. DiPatri explained that
the property identified as missing in the news article in December is property
from 1968 through 2004. He also stated
that the process for removal of property was not being handled properly and is
being rectified. Michael Degutis,
Assistant Superintendent for Financial Services, stated that $3.2 million, or
85% of the equipment was purchased prior to December 1999. The $400,000 balance is either missing,
stolen, DCR’d without proper paperwork, or not reported properly. Currently, 51% of the equipment is in the
schools and the remaining 49% is being actively looked for. A letter will be sent to the board in the
next Superintendent’s weekly update.
Bea Fowler suggested giving old computers to students in need. Steve Muzzy, Assistant Superintendent for
Educational Technology, stated that computers sent to surplus were either sent
to other schools or cannibalized for parts.
However, most were not useable.
There being no further discussion, a motion was made by Amy Kneessy with
a second by Robert Jordan to accept the recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
Dr. DiPatri took this
opportunity to recognize employees for the reclassifications and/or transfers,
resignations or retirements as listed under Items E-5 and E-6.
A
motion was made by Robert Jordan with a second by Janice Kershaw to accept the
recommendations for Items F-1 through F-15.
Motion carried unanimously. The below listed items were therefore
approved.
F-1. 7th
Grade BLAST
Approve implementation of the BLAST program
for all seventh grade students for the 2005-2006 school year.
F-2. Department of Juvenile Justice 2005-2006 School Calendar
Approve the 2005-2006 School Calendar for the
Juvenile Justice Sites, as filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-267 through 205-268,
inc.
F-3. Agreement: School
Board of Brevard County and the National Deaf Academy
Approve the Agreement between the School
Board of Brevard County and the National Deaf Academy in the amount of
$153,300.00 for residential placement of one Brevard County student, as filed in supplemental
minute book #205, pages 205-269 through 205-279, inc.
F-4. Brevard County Nutrition Standards Recommended by the
Food & Nutrition Advisory Committee
Approve the Brevard County Nutrition
Standards as recommended by the Food & Nutrition Advisory Committee, as filed in supplemental
minute book #205, pages 205-280 through 205-284, inc.
F-5. Consultant Agreement with Dr. Larry Coble
The Office of Educational Leadership &
Professional Development requests to contract with Dr. Larry Coble
to provide a two-day leadership development session on June 7 & 8, 2005 for
40 administrators/non-instructional leaders, as filed in supplemental minute book #205,
pages 205-285 through 205-295, inc.
F-6. Contracted Services Agreement between Riviera Elementary
School and Kagan Professional Development
Approve the contracted services agreement
between Riviera Elementary School and Kagan Professional Development in the
amount of $5,750.00 to provide the Cooperative Learning Structures for Success
Two-Day Workshop for Riviera Elementary teachers on Friday, October 14, 2005,
and Saturday, October 15, 2005, as filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages
205-296 through 205-298, inc.
F-7. Contracted Services Agreement for a One-Day Workshop
between Palm Bay Elementary and Larry Bell, Multicultural America, Inc.
Approve the contracted services agreement
between Palm Bay Elementary and Larry Bell, Multicultural America, Inc., to
provide a full-day workshop on July 29, 2005, for the teachers and staff of
Christa McAuliffe Elementary, Harbor City Elementary, Jupiter Elementary, Palm
Bay Elementary, Port Malabar Elementary, Turner Elementary, University Park Elementary
and Westside Elementary, as filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-299 through
205-305, inc.
F-8. Titusville High School Band Field Trip to the “American
Musical Salute” in Boston, MA
Approve field trip to Boston, MA to perform
in the “American Musical Salute” to the veterans for approximately forty-three
students, two instructors and ten chaperons.
F-9. Educational Field Trip for Astronaut and Titusville High
School Technology Students to Attend the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition in
Atlanta, Georgia on April 20-23, 2005
Approve an educational field trip for ten
Astronaut High and Titusville High School Technology students to attend the
F.I.R.S.T. Robotics championship competition in Atlanta, Georgia on April
20-23, 2005. The students are members
of a Robotics Team sponsored by Boeing Corporation and ASRC-KSC. This will require the students to miss three
(3) days of school. There will be no
cost to the School District.
F-10. Fieldtrip for Members of the Astronaut High School
Wrestling Team to Attend a Wrestling Camp at Appalachian State University in
Boone, North Carolina
Approve a field trip for Astronaut High
School Wrestling Team to attend a Wrestling Camp at Appalachian State University
in Boone, North Carolina. This will be
of no cost to the School District.
F-11. Rockledge High School Field Trip – International Career
Development Conference – Anaheim, California
Approve the request for one
Rockledge High School teacher and two students to go to the International
Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California, April 26 to May 1,
2005. Four school days will be missed.
F-12. Extend Emergency Response & Crisis Management Consultant
Agreement with Joan Madden
Extend the consultant agreement with Joan
Madden to oversee the Federal Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant at
no cost to the District. This agreement
is contingent upon approval of the grant extension by the Federal Department of
Education, as
filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-306 through 205-309, inc.
F-13. Emergency Response & Crisis Management Consultant
Agreement with Rain & Brehn Consulting Group, Inc.
Extend the consultant agreement with Rain
& Brehn Consulting Group, Inc. to evaluate the Federal Emergency Response
and Crisis Management Grant at no cost to the District. This agreement is contingent upon approval
of the grant extension by the Federal Department of Education, as filed in supplemental
minute book #205, pages 205-310 through 205-317, inc.
F-14. Approve Nomination of School Board Representatives to
Local Planning Agencies for Melbourne and Brevard County
Approve Mr. Hughes nomination of Lorretta
Goggin as the representative to the Melbourne Local Planning Agencies and Matthew
Wood as the representative to the Brevard County Local Planning Agencies as
required by the Interlocal Agreement for Public School Facilities Planning.
F-15. Water Line Extension Bill of Sale and Easement at Endeavour
Elementary School
Approve the easement and bill of sale for
water line extension at Endeavour Elementary School. A copy of the easement and bill of sale is filed in the Office of
Facilities Management.
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The Chair called for a break for a School News Now
segment at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:15 p.m.
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G-1. Revisions
to School Board Policies
Hold public hearing and approve the
recommended new or revised policies listed below: 0131.1, 1129, 1210, 1214, 1420, 2430, 2531, 3121.01, 3129, 3210,
3214, 3420, 4129, 4210, 4214, 4420, 5113, 5122.01, 5440, 5610, 5730, 5880,
6330, 6423, 6520, 7110, 7230, 7430, 7530, 7540.02, 8210, 8400, 8405, 8452,
8800, 9900.
Notice
of the Public Hearing was advertised in The Eagle on Thursday, March 17, 2005,
as filed in supplemental minute book #205, pg. 205-318.
Chairman
Hughes declared the public hearing open.
There were no speakers on this item and the public hearing was declared
closed. A motion was made by Robert
Jordan with a second by Amy Kneessy to accept the recommendation.
Larry
Hughes had questions on several policies.
Ethics Policies 1210, 3210, and 4210:
Change word ‘educator’ to ‘employee’.
Strike ‘The state code specified that:’ from first page, 2nd
paragraph, last sentence. Replace
Florida Code with Department of Education Rules. Policy 5113 – change phrase ‘School of Choice’ to ‘School
Choice’. Staff members stated the
changes would be made and Robert Jordan and Amy Kneessy accepted the changes to
their original motion.
The
motion carried unanimously. A copy of
the policy is filed
in the School Board office.
H-1. Spanish
K-12 Program Proposal
Recommendation: Approve the allocation of 12 teacher units
so that 11 elementary Spanish teachers and 1 elementary Spanish Resource
Teacher may be hired by June 1, 2005 to develop and deliver Spanish instruction
in 2nd grade classrooms in all elementary schools beginning in the
2005-2006 school year. Approve the
proposed plan for the implementation of Spanish instruction K-12.
Robert
Jordan asked about a ranking of priorities in the staffing plan
recommendations. Lee Berry, Deputy
Superintendent, stated that the staffing plan is the same recommendation status
from last year. He indicated that staff
hoped to have a recommendation by June when the budget workshop is held. Discussion was held on recommendations for
technology specialists. Janice Kershaw
stated she had concerns that there are more pressing needs than implementing a
Spanish program. She said that there
were inconsistencies from teacher to teacher and school to school on how a
program should be delivered and suggested finding a way to make a program like
this optional, such as a 7th period. Dr. DiPatri stated they would go back and talk to school
staff. He also noted the board would
need to feel strongly about implementing this program because it is a five-year
commitment. Amy Kneessy stated that in
her visits to schools, the non-Title 1 schools felt they have a need for other
programs. She also stated that the
school bookkeepers need help as there is a large turnover in this area, and
that there is a greater need for resources for technology and art/music
programs. Bea Fowler suggested calling it
the Foreign Language Program. Robert
Jordan has concerns with the cost and felt something needs to be done other
than what is being proposed. Larry
Hughes stated he supports the foreign language program and that it needs to be
provided at the earliest possible age.
H-2. Internal
Audit Report of Full-Time Equivalent Student Membership – Phase II
Recommendation: Accept the Internal Audit Report of
Full-Time Equivalent Student Membership – Phase II as presented to the Audit
Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting on March 24, 2005.
H-3. State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs Statewide
Mutual Aid Agreement
Recommendation: Approve the State of Florida, Department of
Community Affairs Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement
H-4. Supplemental
Educational Service Provider Contracts
Recommendation: Approve the 2005-2006 revised Supplemental
Education Service Provider/District contract and on behalf of the Board,
authorize Dr. DiPatri to sign the contracts with individual providers.
H-5. Upgrade to Automated Calling System
Recommendation: The Educational Technology Department
recommends Board approval to upgrade the School Connects System from 24 lines
to 48 lines.
H-6. Consultant Contract with Dr. Michele Borba
Recommendation: Approve contract with Dr. Michele Borba to
provide six (6) 2-hour workshops on No
More Misbehavin’, 38 Different Behaviors and How to Stop Them. (October 3-7, 2005).
H-7. 6th Grade Field Trip to Washington, DC and
Philadelphia, PA May 15-21, 2005
Recommendation: Approve the educational field trip for Sabal
Elementary School sixth grade students to travel to Washington, DC and
Philadelphia, PA, Sunday May 15 – Saturday, May 21, 2005.
H-8. Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School Chorus Field Trip to Carnegie
Hall, April 4, 2006
Recommendation: Approve a field trip for Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr.
High School Chorus to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY, April 4, 2006.
H-9. Electrical Utility Line Easement for Site Improvements at
Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School
Recommendation: Approve and execute attached documents
related to Site Improvements at Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School: Easement to Florida Power & Light for
electrical service.
H-10. Approve the Student Accommodation Plan for Fiscal Year
2005-2006
Recommendation: Approve the Student Accommodation Plan for
Fiscal Year 2005-2006.
H-11. Nominate School
Board Representative to Local Planning Agencies in all Cities within Brevard
County
Recommendation: Approve the nomination by
board member Robert Jordan of John Chambers to serve as representative to the
Local Planning Agencies of the municipality located wholly or partly within his
residence area as required by the Interlocal Agreement for Public School
Facilities Planning.
H-12. 7-Year
Facilities Plan Recommendations
Recommendation: Approve the
Superintendent’s recommendations for the 7-Year Facilities Plan, per the
revised document dated April 4, 2005.
Janice Kershaw asked if another
revision would be submitted after last night’s public meetings. Dr. DiPatri stated that no changes, other
than minor adjustments, were suggested.
Janice Kershaw also voiced a concern that the grand total was still
higher than the financial plan and felt that some changes were included in the
plan only because a board member asked for it.
She felt that some items needed to be cut to balance the figures and
suggested cutting everything by 2% and preparing a priority list. Bea Fowler noted that acoustics in the music
room at Cocoa Beach had been removed from the list and needed to be
addressed. Robert Jordan he felt they
should balance the figures by reducing the reserve and said he had a concern
that staff did not have time to re-do the plan again. Amy Kneessy pointed out that some of the costs were estimates as
they don’t know the actual costs yet.
Bea Fowler stated she did not want to see any items cut from the list
but did suggest a life-cycle cost study be conducted. She also stated she would like to see information from
Hillsborough County on roofing projects.
Discussion was held on delaying
approving the plan for another two weeks.
Dr. DiPatri stated he felt if it was delayed it would send the wrong
message and that it would put staff past June 1st for
commencement. Larry Hughes noted the
uncertainties, one of which is impact fees, and feels the board needs to lay
out priorities. He also suggested they
defer on some items until a later point. Robert Jordan stated he felt it was an excellent list and the
board should proceed. Larry Hughes
responded that he felt it was a pork filled package and he was concerned with
the amount of pork it contained. He
stated that if the board could identify three projects that are wasteful that
could be rejected, he would support the plan.
Amy Kneessy responded with a list of major renovation needs at several
of the schools in her districts. Janice
Kershaw stated that changes would be made along the way and suggested making it
an 8-year plan. Dr. DiPatri reminded
the board that there are 3 large projects on the list that are contingent upon
enrollment. Ms. Kershaw also voiced a
concern with one of the latest revisions involving the music program at West
Shore and requested staff asks them if this meets their needs. Dr. DiPatri again pointed out that not all
the suggested projects are priority and will be done in year six or seven. Larry Hughes noted that the board, in two
weeks, would only be approving a plan that will establish a goal but would not
be a commitment that everything on the list will be accomplished. Bea Fowler also pointed out that the board
will have to approve each project as they come up.
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Larry Hughes questioned the status
of discussions with Palm Bay on land transactions. Dr. DiPatri responded that there is a letter provided to the
board where Palm Bay has agreed to swap some land. There is also some discussion on a YMCA plan and a meeting has
been scheduled for May 6th concerning this issue.
Larry Hughes also asked about status
of Elementary School “T”. Ed Curry,
Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Management Services, responded that the
developer has not responded to staff inquiries. Mr. Hughes requested they contact the developer again.
Robert Jordan stated that
he appreciated the Board and the discussions they have concerning issues of
importance.
Janice Kershaw announced
the Arts Festival being held at the Brevard Zoo from April 13-15 and extended
an invitation to the Board and the public to attend.
Larry Hughes made final
comments concerning the facilities list.
Amy Kneessy asked about
reconvening the school calendar committee.
She stated that she had visited Indialantic Elementary and presented
them with a $300 check. She also
reminded the Board that she would be leaving on Friday, April 15th,
to represent the district at the National School Board Association’s conference
in San Diego.
Dr. DiPatri reported on a conference call held today by
Education Commissioner Winn concerning the Universal Pre-School program. He distributed information discussed in the
call. He also noted that Brevard can continue
with the Step FOURward program and is eligible for state funding of $2,500 per
student. A follow-up call is scheduled
for April 13th with more details.
Dr. DiPatri stated that the district has to notify the Commissioner by
April 22nd if they plan to participate and more detail will be
presented to the Board on April 26th. A copy of the status report is filed in supplemental minute book #205, pages 205-319
through 205-324, inc.
Amy
Kneessy questioned if this was why she had noticed more pre-K playgrounds being
added to the schools. Brenda Blackburn
stated that they had been adding more playgrounds to the Step FOURward schools
but was not sure if they were because of this particular program or other
programs already in place. Janice
Kershaw congratulated the pre-school programs that recently received
accreditation. Dr. DiPatri noted that
11 of the 27 classes had been certified.
He will update the board with more detail at the next meeting. In response to a question by Bea Fowler on
how the schools are chosen, Dr. DiPatri stated that it is based on the free and
reduced lunch program.
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
___________________________________
Chairman
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Secretary and Superintendent
of Schools