STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BREVARD COUNTY
June 30, 2005
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida met in special session on Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 1:00 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, June 23, 2005, and the affidavit of publication with a copy of the notice attached is filed in supplemental minute book #207, page 207-481.
Chairman Larry Hughes called the workshop to order at 12:53 p.m.
Members Present: Larry Hughes, Janice Kershaw, Bea Fowler, Robert Jordan, Amy Kneessy
Chairman Hughes then turned the workshop over to Superintendent DiPatri who reviewed the strategic plan process, which included the Board’s vision and mission, along with the timeline of events up to this date and future scheduled events. He noted that this is the first year that the district will move to a district accreditation for all eighty-two schools.
The strategic plan will be reviewed at this workshop and brought back to the Board on July 26th for information and for formal presentation on August 9th. Final adoption of the plan by the Board will be on August 23, 2005.
Vicki Mace, Director of Choice Schools, presented a summary of the progress of the 2004-2005 objectives and reviewed the suggested new goals and objectives/strategies developed by senior staff. A copy of the slide presentation presented is filed in supplemental minute book #207, pages 207-482 through 207-484. She noted that there are ten priority strategic plan objectives and fourteen new strategic plan objectives. Each of the five goals and the objectives attached to each of the goals was reviewed:
Goal 1 – Safe, violence-free schools: two new objectives
· Convene a committee to examine all major safety and security issues at the school level
· Develop and implement, for the 2006-07 school year, a 5 Star Comprehensive Review for safety and security
Goal 2 - Enhanced curricular and instructional opportunities: four new objectives
· Engage all high schools in a comprehensive review in the 2005-07 time frame to create individual high schools of national prominence by 2010-2011
· Enhance the rigor and relevance of the high school curriculum, support the completion of comprehensive individualized programs of study, and provide high school students increased opportunities to enroll in additional for credit courses by 2008-09
· Addition of 7 period day or block scheduling by 2008-09
· Review current procedures/policies of the Expulsion Alternative Programs by 2005-06
Goal 3 – Management of projected work force shortages: three new objectives
· Review the professional development system by 2006-07
· Use distance learning to develop, implement and evaluate delivery program of staff development by 2006-07
· Improve recruitment of minorities for administrative and leadership positions by end of 2005-06 school year
Goal 4 – The highest levels of community and parent involvement: no new objectives
Goal 5 – Adequate and appropriate educational facilities: one new objective
· Implement communication plan on progress of the 7-Year Facility Improvement Plan
Dr. DiPatri noted that this was the end of the five year cycle and he would like to take a look at a new Strategic Plan during the next year.
Chairman Hughes reviewed and discussed each of the suggested objectives for 2005-06 as developed at the Senior Staff Retreat.
Janet Kershaw questioned why Goal 2 on Curriculum and Instruction was only limited to high schools. It was agreed that the wording should be changed to encompass all secondary schools under Items bb. And cc.
Amy Kneessy suggested alternative programs be explored for students being recommended for expulsion prior to the expulsion actually being approved. Bea Fowler suggested looking at in-school suspension. She also requested that staff look at the zero tolerance policy. Amy Kneessy requested the policy be looked at for consistency. Janice Kershaw suggested that the programs offered also be reviewed. Robert Jordan stated that the procedures should be reviewed once a year anyway. Larry Hughes pointed out that they were talking about changing the whole program including the name.
Returning to Item dd., Bea Fowler requested a flexible scheduling system be initiated such as double period when talking about 7th period or block scheduling.
In discussion on Workforce, Robert Jordan had a suggestion to implement a tuition reimbursement program for administrators to obtain a higher degree and to provide supplemental compensation upon achievement of a degree. Lee Berry stated that they did not have a tuition reimbursement for non-bargaining administrators this year but staff will bring it to the Superintendent and the Board when they do non-bargaining salary adjustments. Administrators also get their doctorate and specialist supplement once they earn it. Janice Kershaw suggested they look at restructuring the job duties of administrators. Bea Fowler requested the requirements to be certified as a high school administrator. Amy Kneessy stated they should look at the management style of the district as they grow.
On the objective of establishing an annual salary for board members not to exceed the annual salary of beginner teachers, Janice Kershaw stated she felt this was more of a political issue than an educational issue and she didn’t feel it belonged in the Strategic Plan. Larry Hughes agreed but reminded the board that they were required by law to establish their salary every November. Robert Jordan voiced his concern because the board said they would add this to the Strategic Plan back in December.
Discussion was held on professional development and educational leadership standards. Lee Berry stated that staff would be looking at other ways to offer training to staff members other than all day workshops.
The Board then reviewed and discussed the list of individual board member suggestions for objectives. A copy of this document is filed in supplemental minute book #207, pages 207-485 through 207-486, inc. These suggestions will be incorporated into the final Strategic Plan.
Janice Kershaw discussed charter school conversion and changing Endeavour Elementary to a charter school. Larry Hughes questioned if they should implement for schools earning a D for more than 2 years. Bea Fowler suggested making Endeavour a school of choice and require parental involvement. Amy Kneessy stated that although she supports parental involvement, she did not support micro-managing at the Board level and does not support the direction the Board is going in.
Other topics of discussion zero-based budgeting, personnel issues, reforming high schools on the Daggett model, add extra time to elementary and middle schools, fee for service programs, management structure of the district, addition of a fifth area, salary issues, comprehensive foreign language program, Project Prism, wellness program, and deletion of Charter District as a goal. Larry Hughes stated there are too many objectives. Should delete all that are required by law.
There being no further questions, the meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
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Chairman
ATTEST:
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Secretary and Superintendent of Schools