REGULAR MEETING, THE SCHOOL
BOARD OF BREVARD COUNTY
March 8, 2005
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida met in
regular session on Tuesday, March 8, 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, March 3, 2005, and the affidavit of publication with
a copy of the notice attached is filed in supplemental minute book #204, page
204-26.
Chairman
Larry Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
Members Present:
Larry Hughes, Robert Jordan, Janice Kershaw, Bea Fowler, Amy Kneessy
Chairman Hughes requested a moment of silence for Robbie
Buddington, a senior at Rockledge High School, who was a victim of a car
accident on March 4, 2005.
The Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led
by Tiffany Hattendorf, a 12th
grade student at Melbourne High School.
Chairman
Hughes requested that Item H-13 from the Information agenda be moved to Item
E-11 under the Consent agenda. 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:
Additions:
H-12. School
Age Child Care Programs-Summer Fee Increase
H-14. Relocatable
Classroom, On-Site Renovation and Relocation (Districtwide) (Revised funding
amount)
Revisions:
E-1. Student Expulsion(s)
E-6. Instructional Staff Recommendations (Addendum)
E-10. FEMA FY 2005 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program Grant Applications
E-11. Design/Construction
of 10 Classroom Building Additions at Westside, Meadowlane and Manatee
Elementary Schools (moved from Item H-13 under Information)
Dr. DiPatri requested that
the additional recognition item on Read Across America be moved ahead of the original
Item B-1 on the Bayside Culinary Program recognition. There being no objections from the Board, the order was changed
to reflect Read Across America as Item B-1 and the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certification
Awarded to Bayside High School as Item
B-2.
B-1. Disney
Teacherrific Awards
Dr. DiPatri introduced Rebecca Godsil, Walt Disney World Ambassador,
along with Mickey Mouse, who recognized the 2004 Disney Teacheriffic Award
winners. The following teachers and
their schools were recognized:
B-2. Recognition of National Board Certified
Teachers
Dr. DiPatri made a brief statement on this program
and congratulated the 61 Brevard County teachers who received National Board Certification in November
2004 as the “NB Class of 2004”. He also
thanked the Brevard Federation of
Teachers and the School Board for their strong support of this program and
commended district staff, led by Pat Shelton, Director of Certification and
Instructional Professional Development.
Dr. DiPatri noted that Brevard has the 2nd largest percentage (8%) of
National Board Certified teachers in the nation with 381 NBCT’s in the
district, making Brevard have the 4th highest number of NBCT’s in
the state. He also noted that seventy-seven
of our eighty-two schools have at least one National Board Certified
Teacher. Each teacher stated their
name and school, were congratulated by the Board and the Superintendent, and
received their pin. A list of the
teachers recognized this year is filed in supplemental minute book #204, pages
204-27 through 204-29.
C-1. Summer Opportunities for
Advancement and Remediation (SOAR)
Brenda Blackburn, Associate Superintendent
for Curriculum, gave a brief presentation on the Summer Opportunities for Advancement and Remediation (SOAR)
program being offered this summer. This
program will provide a comprehensive program for K-12 students to include
remedial, course make-up, and enrichment programs. Lynn Spadaccini, Director of Elementary Education, spoke to the
elementary program and Walt Christy, Director of Secondary Education, spoke to
the secondary program. This subject is
also on the information agenda for tonight requesting Board approval of
approximately $4.2 million to support the program.
Staff
responded to questions by the board.
Janice Kershaw asked if paid transportation could be provided if room
was available on buses. Bea Fowler
asked about including SAT testing as a course offering. Dr. DiPatri stated staff would respond to
these questions before the next board meeting.
A copy of the presentation is filed in supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-30
through 204-49, inc.
C-2. Presentation by the Food
& Nutrition Advisory Committee
Dr.
Thomas W. McIntyre and Mr. Larry Henshaw, co-chairs of the Superintendent’s Food and Nutrition
Advisory Committee, made a presentation regarding nutrition
recommendations for school cafeterias.
Larry Henshaw reviewed the committee’s responsibilities, initial changes
, proposed changes for elementary/middle/high schools, and the effects on each
of these groups of students. Mr.
Henshaw also noted that all eighty-two of Brevard schools are registered with
the USDA as Team Nutrition Schools, which makes Brevard 1st in
Florida to have 100% of school registered.
A copy of the
recommendations and the presentation is filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-50 through 204-72, 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-3 be pulled for
discussion. A motion was made by Bea
Fowler with a second by Robert Jordan to approve Items E-1 through E-2 and
Items E-4 through E-11. Motion carried
unanimously.
The below listed items were therefore approved.
E-1. Student Expulsion(s)
Approve student expulsion(s)
2005-74, 2005-75, 2004-76, 2005-77, 2005-78, 2005-79, 2005-80, 2005-81,
2005,82, 2005-83 and 2005-84 for failure to comply with the Stipulation/Conduct
Agreement and issue Final Orders confirming expulsion in each case presented.
E-2. Approval of Minutes
Approve the minutes from the
expulsion hearing held on February 8, 2005; the minutes from the regular
meeting held on February 8, 2005; the minutes from the expulsion hearing held
on February 22, 2005; the minutes from the special meeting held on February 22,
2005; the minutes from the special facilities workshop held on February 28,
2005; and the minutes from the County Commissioners’ Summit held on March 4,
2005.
E-4. Purchasing Bids & Agreement
Award the RFQ’s listed below:
a.
0515/JO
– Continuing Contracts for Test, Adjust and Balancing Services – Facilities
Services – 2004/05
b.
0516/JO
– Continuing Contracts for Design Build Services for MEP Projects – Facilities
Services – 2004-05
c.
0517-JO
– Continuing Contracts for Civil Engineering & Land Surveying Services –
Facilities Services – 2004-05
Copies of the contracts are filed in
the office of Facilities Management Services.
Copies of the bid tabulations are filed in the Purchasing Department.
E-5. 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 #204, pages 204-73 through 204-78, inc.
Approve
the reclassification/transfer of Peter
F. Tridnivka from the position of Dean/Assistant Principal (10 month) at
Melbourne High School to the position of Assistant Principal (12 month) at
Hoover Middle School, on annual contract, effective March 9, 2005. Annual salary based on grade 23 of the
Nonbargaining Salary Administration Plan.
Approve the reclassification of
Jerrie A. Mallicoat from the position of Teacher at Titusville High
School to the position of Dean/Assistant Principal (10 month) at Titusville
High School, on annual contract, effective March 9, 2005. Annual salary based on grade 24 of the
Nonbargaining Salary Administration Plan.
Approve the routine instructional staff recommendations,
as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-79 through 204-87, inc.
Approve
the routine support staff recommendations, as filed in supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-88 through
204-90, inc.
E-8. Job Description
Approve
the job description of Resource Teacher Pre K–12 School Drug Prevention &
School Safety, Pay Grade: Contract, as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-91 through 204-93, inc.
E-9. Summer Fine Arts Theatre
Licensing Agreements
Approve
the licensing agreements with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. for three (3)
performances of Kiss Me Kate in the
amount of $2,845 and Music Theatre International for three (3) performances of Beauty and the Beast in the amount of
$3,890; authorize reserved seat ticket prices of $10.00 for the Orchestra and
Lower Tier sections and $8.00 for the Upper Tier sections, as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-94 through 204-104, inc.
E-10. FEMA FY 2005 Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Program Grant Applications
Authorize submittal of a
Pre-Disaster Mitigation program grant application to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). Should the
school district receive the maximum award possible ($3 million), the district’s
cost-share would be $1 million, and a total of $4 million would be available to
execute projects.
E-11. Design/Construction of 10 Classroom Building
Additions at Westside, Meadowlane and Manatee Elementary Schools
Authorize
the Facilities Services Division to contract for the design and construction of
three 10 classroom building additions similar to those recently constructed at
Croton and Sabal Elementary Schools.
The new building additions would be constructed at Westside, Meadowlane
and Manatee Elementary Schools at a cost not-to-exceed $4,950,000. The following actions are required for
student occupancy of the new additions by 9/16/05:
1) Change order to existing design/build
contract for the Sabal/Croton projects with P.A.V.C.O in the amount of
$4,500,000.
2) Notice-to-Proceed to P.A.V.C.O. issued
3/23/05.
3) Notice-to-Proceed to Allen Engineering
issued 3/23/05 to complete required civil design/permitting tasks utilizing our
existing continuing contract at a cost not-to-exceed $52,950.
4) Revision of D.O.E. encumbrance authorization dated 3/01/04 to utilize
"Classroom for Kids" funding.
E-3. Use of School Board
Contingency Fund for Emergency Purposes
Authorize temporary use of
up to an additional $2,000,000 of School Board contingency funds to deal with
the aftermath of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.
Amy Kneessy requested this item be pulled for further
clarification. Judy Preston, Associate
Superintendent for Financial Services responded that this was only being
requested as a safeguard while insurance reimbursement is in process. She also stated that every effort would be
made to replenish the fund at year end when they close the books. There being no further discussion, a motion
was made by Amy Kneessy with a second by Janice Kershaw to approve the
recommendation. Motion carried
unanimously.
Larry Hughes thanked Dr. DiPatri and staff for
preparing Item E-10 on the grant application for FEMA Pre-Disaster funds.
Dr. DiPatri took this
opportunity to congratulate Peter F. Tridnivka and Jerrie
A. Mallicoat for their
reclassification/transfers as noted under Item E-6.
Amy
Kneessy requested Item F-5 be pulled for discussion. A motion was made by Robert Jordan with a second by Bea Fowler to
accept the recommendations for Items F-1 through F-4 and Items F-6 through
F-16. Motion carried unanimously. The
below listed items were therefore approved.
F-1. Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report – June 30, 2004
Accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. A copy of the report can be viewed in the Office of Financial
Services or the Office of the School Board Secretary.
F-2. Financial and Federal Single Audit Report
Accept
the Financial and Federal Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2004 as requested by the Auditor General – State of Florida,
as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-105 through 204-177, inc.
F-3. Above Ground and Underground Fuel Storage Tank Insurance Policy
Approve
the District’s Storage Tank Third Party Liability Coverage Insurance policy
effective 24 March 2005, as filed in supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-178
through 204-181, inc.
F-4. Marketing Agreement with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Approve
entering into the marketing agreement with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company,
as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-182 through 204-184, inc.
F-6. Chesapeake Research Review, Inc. Approval
Approve the use of Chesapeake Research
Review, Inc. to perform the Internal Review Board (IRB) function for the
Federal Grants to Reduce Alcohol Abuse approved by the Board May 25, 2004. Authorize the Superintendent to affix the
appropriate signatures.
F-7. Consultant Agreement – Golfview Elementary & David
Greenberg
Approve
the agreement in the amount of $999.00 with Author David Greenberg of Greenberg
Inc. in Portland, Oregon to present a motivational workshop for students in
grades K-6 on May 11, 2005 at Golfview Elementary Magnet School,
as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-185 through 204-186, inc.
F-8. Clearlake Middle School - Consultant Agreement
Approve
agreement in the amount of $1,700 with Ms. Gloria Skurzynski to conduct three
school-wide presentations and slide shows each day on April 14 and 15, 2005, to
the students and staff at Clearlake Middle School about the books she has
written and her career as a writer. This
will be funded by School Improvement and Bright Ideas grant,
as filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-187 through 204-188, inc.
F-9. Field Trip for Nine DeLaura Middle School Students to
Participate in a Firsthand Experience by Visiting our Nation’s Capital and the
Historic Sites in Washington, D.C. March 28-March 31, 2005
Approve the field trip for DeLaura Middle
School to participate in a historic tour of the sites at our nation’s capital
in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 2005 - March 31, 2005.
F-10. Field Trip for the Eau Gallie High School AFJROTC Drill Team to
Attend 9th Annual Air force JROTC Southeastern Regional Drill
Championships, Tifton, Georgia, March 12, 2005
Approve the recommendation for the Eau Gallie
High School AFJROTC Drill Team to attend the 9th Annual Air Force
JROTC Southeastern Regional Drill Championships in Tifton, Georgia, March 12,
2005.
F-11. Field Trip for Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School Band Program to
Participate in Heritage Music Festival in Washington, D.C. March 30 – April 4,
2005
Approve the field trip for Cocoa Beach
Jr./Sr. High School to participate in the Wind Ensemble concert performance at
the Heritage Music Festival in Washington, D.C. on March 30, 2005 – April 4,
2005.
F-12. Field Trip – Jefferson Middle School – New York City
Approve the request for 19 Jefferson Middle
School Drama Club students and 17 chaperones to travel to Broadway in New York
City during spring break 2005. Travel
dates are March 29 through April 1, 20005.
No school days will be missed.
F-13. Rockledge High African American Society College Tour
Approve the request for two (2) Rockledge
High School teachers, one (1) teacher aide from McNair Middle School, one (1)
registered volunteer and 36 students to go to Atlanta, Georgia for a college
tour. This trip will be from Sunday,
March 27 through Saturday, April 2, 2005 during Spring Break. The students will not miss any school.
F-14. Field Trip – Rockledge High – Music Showcase Festival in Atlanta,
Georgia
Approve the request for 11 parents, one
teacher and 104 Rockledge High School students to perform at the Music Showcase
Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. This trip
will be from Thursday, April 28, 2005 thru Sunday, May 1, 2005. The students will miss 1-1/2 days of school.
F-15. Cocoa High School Robotic Team Trip to Atlanta, Georgia
Approve trip to the FIRST World Championship
Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20-24, 2005. Approximately 20-25 students will be attending, 5 adults (3 are
employees or registered volunteers at Cocoa High School) and 2 engineer mentors
from Analex Corporation who were fingerprinted in the 2003-2004 school year.
F-16. Titusville
High School German Club Trip to Helen, GA
Approve field trip to Helen,
GA for approximately seventy students, one instructor and seven chaperones.
F-5. Adult Education Part-time Teacher Salary Increase
Approve the recommendation to increase the
hourly rate for the Adult Education part-time teachers.
Amy
Kneessy requested this item be pulled and questioned if the county comparison
in hourly rates was correct that there was a gap of from anywhere between $1.00
to $14.00 difference. Joy Salamone,
Director of Human Resources/Labor Relations, responded that is was. Judy Preston explained that this group was
not part of the bargaining unit. Amy Kneessy requested staff to look at salary for
adult ed part-time teachers to bring up to levels with surrounding counties in
the future. Larry Hughes stated he
would like to see it tied with beginning teacher’s salary even if it happened
over a five-year period in small increments.
He also suggested this should be another topic to discuss with
Legislators. A motion was then made by
Amy Kneessy with a second by Robert Jordan to accept the recommendation. Motion carried unanimously. A copy of the schedule is filed in
supplemental minute book #204, pages 204-189 through 204-193, inc.
----------
The Chair called for a break for a School News Now
segment at 7:21 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:39 p.m.
----------
G-1. Revisions
to School Board Policies
Approve the recommended new or revised
policies listed below and authorize the superintendent to advertise for public
hearing: 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.
Amy
Kneessy noted that she, along with Anne Spencer with Brevard Federation of
Teachers, have concerns about the Ethics policies. She also noted that she was aware that the Superintendent had a
meeting to discuss these concerns scheduled with Ms. Spencer and staff and
requested the Superintendent send an e-mail to the Board on the results of that
meeting. Janice Kershaw noted that Congressman
Weldon’s office has a ‘civility policy’ in their office and suggested the
district adopt something similar. There
being no further discussion, a motion was made by Robert Jordan with a second by
Amy Kneessy to approve the recommendation.
Motion carried unanimously.
Copies of the policies are filed in the School Board Office.
H-1. Revenue
Anticipation Notes – Series 2005
Recommendation: Approve resolution authorizing the issuance
of Revenue Anticipation Notes (RAN) in the amount of $29,290,000.
H-2. 2005-2006
Staffing Plan Recommendations
Recommendation: The Staffing Plan for 2005-2006 is being
recommended at this time to be the same as the 2004-2005 plan.
H-3. Summer Opportunities for
Advancement and Remediation (SOAR)
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the SOAR program for Summer 2005. The comprehensive summer school proposal
(SOAR) will require approximately $4,240,822 to implement. Of that amount, $2,526,055 is in the 2004-05
adopted budget. I am recommended
utilizing the following funds anticipated not to be expended by June 30,
2005. These items total $1,714,767 and
are as follows: Optional 7th
Period Allocation: $325,476; Unutilized
McKay Scholarships: $698,157; 15.4
Class Size Units of Remaining 27.4 Units:
$691,134 for a total of $1,714,767.
An additional $471,072 will be utilized to support the SOAR program from
department budgets.
H-4. Elementary
Social Studies Textbook Adoption
Recommendation: Approve the adoption of Houghton Mifflin Social Studies as the district unified Elementary
Social Studies Program for all K-5 students (see attached list).
Bea Fowler commended staff for the
hard work and recommendations of the committees on the adoption of textbooks
for this item along with Items H-5 and H-6.
H-5. Secondary Social Studies Textbook Adoption
Recommendation: The District Secondary Social Studies
Textbook Adoption Committee is recommending that the district adopt the
instructional materials listed for the following courses (see attached
listing).
H-6. Secondary Drama, Journalism and Speech Textbooks Adoption
Recommendation: The District Secondary Drama, Journalism,
and Speech Adoption Committee is recommending that the district adopt the
instructional materials listed for the following courses (see attached
listing).
H-7. Field Trip – Gardendale Elementary to Sea Camp, Big Pine Key, FL
Recommendation: Approve the request for one Gardendale
Elementary Magnet School teacher and seven (7) fingerprinted volunteers to take
twenty (20) sixth grade students from Gardendale Elementary Magnet School to an
educational Sea Camp field trip at the Newfound Harbor Marine Institute in Big
Pine Key, FL. The sixth grade Sea Camp
field trip is being held from April 29, 2005 through May 1, 2005. The students will miss one day of school.
H-8. Field Trip – Rockledge High – National Dance
Competition/Seminars Myrtle Beach, SC
Recommendation: Approve the request for three (3) registered
parents and one coach to take the Rockledge Rage Dance Team, which consists of
13 students, to attend a National Dance Competition and workshops in Myrtle
Beach, SC. The trip will be from May 12th
thru May 14th, 2005. The
students will miss 1 day and 2 periods of school.
H-9. TCP – Educational Student Leadership Summit – Cocoa High School
Recommendation: Approve the field trip to New York City for
three students and two chaperones for Sunday, April 3 through Tuesday, April 5,
2005, in order to attend the Foundation for Excellence Schools Educational
Student Leadership Summit. Two school
days will be missed.
H-10. Mary Rose Writing Consultant – Mims Elementary School
Recommendation: Approve the expenditures for the consultant/presenter,
Mary Rose. The professional services at
the cost of $1400.00 will be paid by Mims Elementary.
H-11. Indialantic ES Replace Chiller Plant – Approve Change Orders,
Accept Project as Complete, and Authorize Release of Retainage
Recommendation: Approve change orders totaling
$6,465.19. Accept the project as
complete and authorize the Superintendent to release retainage.
H-12. School Age Child Care Programs-Summer Fee
Increase
Recommendation: The superintendent recommends an increase to
the summer fee schedule for school age child care programs: Increase full time summer fee from $65.00 to
$75.00; Increase summer daily drop in
fee from $15.00 to $18.00; Increase a
summer before/after fee from $42.00 to $50.00.
H-14. Relocatable Classroom,
On-Site Renovation and Relocation (Districtwide)
Recommendation: Authorize the Facilities Services Division
to rebuild 35 hurricane damaged relocatable classrooms on-site, convert 8
non-classroom relocatables into classrooms and relocate 9 relocatable
classrooms in support of our FY05/06 Student Accommodation Plan at a cost
not-to-exceed $765,000. Utilization of
our existing continuing contract vendors for the infrastructure improvements,
relocation, conversion and rebuilding of the units is required to provide these
classroom relocatables by 8/1/05.
Janice
Kershaw requested clarification on this item.
Ed Curry, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Management Services,
forty portables had been identified as needing repair. If the estimate for repairs exceeded $4,000
to $5,000, he would make the assessment to replace them with new ones. Since that time, his staff has repaired one
portable and made plans to re-build thirty-five existing units, contingent on
approval of classroom additions at three elementary schools. These thirty-five units will then have a
life expectancy of ten years.
Robert Jordan reported
that he had visited Oak Park Elementary and shadowed the principal for the
day. He applauded all principals for
their work in running a school, along with all support staff. He questioned that elementary schools did
not have a report card software system.
Lynn Spadaccini responded that they have used a couple schools as a
pilot but received no positive feed back.
In fact, she stated the response was to stay with the paper
version. She reported that they did
have electronic kindergarten reports this year.
Amy Kneessy reported that
she had visited the North and Central Abeyance Centers and explained the
programs for the benefit of the audience.
She also reported that Holland Elementary School had received a donation
of $97,000, from a donor who wished to remain anonymous, to be used for
playground equipment.
Larry Hughes stated he
would like to respond to Janet Eastman’s comments concerning the Governor’s A++
Plan. He stated that the decision to
either go for higher salaries for teachers or to go for smaller class sizes are
both the right thing to do but he hoped the Legislature would look at this
issue and not put it on for referendum.
Dr.
DiPatri mentioned that the Board had a joint meeting scheduled for Thursday,
March 9th from 3:00 to 5:30 with Brevard Community College. He also reminded the Board of the Teacher of
the Year dinner being held on Thursday, March 10th at the Radisson
at 6:00 p.m.
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
___________________________________
Chairman
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Secretary and Superintendent
of Schools