SPECIAL WORK SESSION, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
June 20, 2005
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida held a
workshop on Monday, June 20, 2005, at 3:00 p.m., at the Educational Services
Facility,
Chairman
Larry Hughes called the workshop to order at 3:04 p.m.
Members Present:
Larry Hughes, Robert Jordan, Janice Kershaw, Bea Fowler, Amy Kneessy
Dr. DiPatri led the Pledge of Allegiance. A copy of the agenda is filed in
supplemental minute book #207, page 207-373.
WORKSHOP PROTOCOLS
Harold Bistline, School Board Attorney, cautioned
the board that there is on-going criminal investigation in the events that
occurred at Endeavour Elementary concerning former teacher Daniel Cliatt and
that there is a possibility that the district will be involved in litigation
over that matter. Because of this, he
requested the board members be forward looking in their comments and questions
at this workshop.
Larry Hughes noted that most people only know what
they read in the paper or see on television and probably don’t have much to add
to the dialogue. However, he stated that
the board knows there are things that need to be improved upon such as
providing mechanisms to enforce that no teacher provide tutoring to their own
students.
Dr. DiPatri stated that the authorities are not
sharing too much concerning the investigation with district staff during the
initial stages. Bea Fowler asked if the
district would know how many children were impacted and what steps would be
taken to help them psychologically. Larry Hughes suggested this would be answered
under Dr. DiPatri’s review of the events.
REVIEW OF EVENTS
Dr. DiPatri stated that the incident at Endeavour began on Friday, April 22, 2005, when a teacher observed the teacher in question, Mr. Cliatt, displaying what appeared to be inappropriate behavior with a student. The Principal was informed, who informed the police and the area superintendent. The police immediately began an investigation. Staff members with District Security and District Communications also were informed and became involved in the process. The teacher in question was arrested on Saturday, April 23, 2005. The school staff was informed on Monday, April 25, 2005.
Cocoa Police officials informed district staff that they could provide counseling to students only. Four counselors, Intervention Services, and a staffing specialist from the district office were made available to the school. Counselors from the State Attorneys Office were made available at the end of the week for students and staff.
Dr. DiPatri stated that he made two errors in judgment. One error was to allow the Principal and Assistant Principal to attend a planned conference. This was allowed in an effort to keep activities as normal as possible. The second error was in not crafting something acceptable to the police to be sent home to parents.
Dr. DiPatri has appointed a committee to develop procedures to look at how the district should handle future traumatic incidents along with a committee on safety issues. Improvements in communications will be a focus of this group. The committee will report back to the Superintendent in about five weeks.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Bea Fowler questioned what the district is doing to find out which children have been affected and what is being done to help them get through it. Dr. DiPatri stated he presumed that the State Attorneys Office would provide this information to the district. In the meantime, counseling is being provided. Bea Fowler stated her biggest concern is that the abused students may become future abusers. She suggested that the district speak to a professional on how to deal with this. She also stated that she had been informed that some of the students who came forward have been persecuted and vilified by other students.
Amy Kneessy questioned if there are any district-wide programs on sexual abuse prevention. Betty Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, stated there is a life skills program which deals with peer pressure and bullying but not specifically with sexual abuse. It teaches students refusal skills and what to do when they are in an uncomfortable situation. There are prevention programs out of the Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools. Ms. Dunn stated she felt that schools need to teach students, during the first two weeks of school, what sexual harassment is and how to deal with it.
Amy Kneessy asked what has been planned for the first week of school at Endeavour to get off to a good start, with students and the community. Dr. DiPatri stated he was working with the Principal and staff to plan some type event such as an opening picnic, etc.
Janice Kershaw asked if anything was planned for additional training with staff to deal with these type situations.
Betty Dunn stated that in the Human Sexuality curriculum there is a good touch/bad touch lesson which could also be done for young students. This program is available for K-3 students at the elementary level.
Larry Hughes asked if the alleged cases are confined only to the school or if they also happened in the school. Dr. DiPatri responded that what he knew was only hearsay.
Larry Hughes asked if opportunities would be provided for transfer of schools for students who may have problems re-entering Endeavour. Bea Fowler pointed out that this was already available under school choice. Larry Hughes thought more could be done to facilitate. Dr. DiPatri stated that some students are moving on to a new school environment but parents would be consulted.
Larry Hughes also asked if Endeavour had an anti-bullying program. Sandy Demmon responded that they did.
Larry Hughes asked if the teacher allegedly involved had been with the same students for years. The Principal indicated that he had not.
Robert Jordan stated the incident needs to be kept in perspective and that overall we have a good school district.
Bea Fowler stated the district needs to help in the healing process. Suggested having a party or some type celebration during the summer planned by the community with support from the district.
Larry Hughes again noted that the board and district is not part of the investigation and knows very little. However, communication is a key issue for the future.
UPDATE ON ENDEAVOUR PROGRESS
Dr. DiPatri reviewed the events that have occurred at Endeavour when they were deemed an “F” school at the end of the 2002 school year and stated staff would review the changes implemented beginning with the 2003 school year. A copy of the presentation given is filed in supplemental minute book #207, pages 207-374 through 207-406, inc.
Brenda Blackburn, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum Services, reviewed the historical data starting with June 11, 2002 when the Superintendent recommended a plan to promote improved student performance which the board approved in July. She reviewed highlights of this plan which is still in place.
Sandy Demmon, Area III Superintendent, discussed the accomplishments, initiatives and interventions for the 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 school years. She sited some of the initiatives to monitor and increase student achievement and professional development opportunities that have been introduced. Ms. Demmon also pointed out other changes in technology, grants received, facilities improvements, mentoring and community and business partnership programs, and parent and family involvement/support.
Brenda Blackburn stated that class size has been a priority since the plan was implemented and compared class sizes from November 2004 and May 2005. The average core academics class size for 2005 was 14.33 for PreK-3 grade and 14.70 for grades 4-6, compared to district averages of 17.67 and 20.23 respectively.
Sandy Demmon provided information
on the additional costs and financial support needed to implement the changes
necessary compared to the expenditures at Golfview and
Jim Hulse, Director of Accountability, Testing & Evaluation, reviewed student achievement through the FCAT five-year history in reading and math for grades 3-6. He also reviewed the school grade history from 2002 through 2005.
Sandy Demmon reviewed the results of a client survey sent to parents in April. The majority of the surveys returned indicated that parents rated the school either excellent or good.
Brenda Blackburn touched on future steps for the 2005-06 school year. Programs implemented will be continued and or extended and the requirements for No Child Left Behind will be implemented. Aggressive actions have been taken at Endeavour and staff feels the quality of services is the best they can be.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Janice Kershaw stated she would like to see comparisons of other schools around the state that have brought their grades up from an F or D. This information should include if any boundary changes were made and how many students opted out. She would like to see a summary of students who did transfer out, how their score compared when they were at their home school versus their new school, how the scores may have changes for students at the new school from one year to the next, and if the students at the new school came from the home school or a private school or new to the area.
Bea Fowler stated she had asked for and received a report on third grade students pulled from the Endeavour area and sent to Williams Elementary. She noted that the students attending Williams Elementary did better in FCAT reading and questioned why this happens. She also asked how the students were picked to attend Williams. Sandy Demmon responded they were a group of students along the 520 corridor area. She also believed that some were teacher or other school board employee’s students.
Dr. DiPatri stated that they should not give up and that some initiatives are just now beginning to take hold. Bea Fowler stated that the problem is that Endeavour is an inner-city school and is the only one in the county. She stated she is not satisfied with the improvements and felt they should be doing better. She felt the district has an opportunity to reverse the cycle of poverty. Betty Dunn reminded the board that children develop at different stages and that good changes will happen over time.
Janice Kershaw stated she was not advocating sending Endeavour students to another school but is interested in data on students who had opted out.
Amy Kneessy commended the
Superintendent and staff for the numerous programs initiated. She questioned restoring the school resource
officer. She also stated that the small
class sizes need to be maintained and that she advocates spending more money on
people and not on programs. Dr. DiPatri,
in response to her question on the resource officer, stated he had requested
funding for an SRO for next year and has requested the City of
Robert Jordan stated that the parents need to get more involved. This may require more education for parents and requiring them to be involved.
Bea Fowler suggested that child care be provided when they have a PTO or SACS meeting. Heather Martin, Resource Teacher and PTO President/SACS Secretary, responded that these meetings are held in the media center and that parents are welcome to bring their children with them.
Larry Hughes asked about student
mobility. Sandy Demmon stated they have
a high mobility rate, which is a continuing problem. A lot of movement is within the
Larry Hughes questioned teacher retention at Endeavour. Sandy Demmon stated she did not have specific percentages but could provide them.
Larry Hughes asked what the results of the decision are from moving from a longer school year to a longer school day. Sandy Demmon stated it was her opinion that it was a good decision because of issues in the summer such as custody problems, reluctance to not change vacation plans, etc.
Larry Hughes summarized some points from the workshop:
a. Looking at student centered solutions
b. More interested in improving student performance than school performance
c. All board members feel this is a good investment
d. Stability important
e. Community and parental involvement is weak
f. Need to stay the course
Bea Fowler stated there are
examples of success which they need to look at.
Larry Hughes noted that they should look at Molly Ray Elementary in
Bea Fowler stated this was an opportunity and the board’s responsibility to break the cycle of poverty and felt that not enough progress has been made in the past three years. Dr. DiPatri stated more should be done but urged the board to stay the course and give staff a couple more years. Larry Hughes mentioned a letter received from The Brevard Association for School Administrators (BASA) stated the ITI program is a 3-7 year process and that the district is just now seeing results. A copy of the letter is filed in supplemental minute book #207, pages 207-407 through 207-408. Amy Kneessy reiterated that more staff is needed. Robert Jordan stated that focus needs to be on reading, writing and math.
Larry Hughes closed the meeting with the comment that everyone wants to do a better job and that the board has indicated a vote of confidence for the staff.
ADJOURNEMENT
There being no further discussion, the workshop
adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Chairman:
______________________________
ATTEST: ______________________________________