The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 8:05 a.m. in the Board Room at the Administrative Building, 215 West Garden Street, Pensacola, Florida, with the following present:

Chairman: Mrs. Cary Stidham Vice Chairman: Dr. John DeWitt

Members: Dr. Elmer Jenkins

Dr. Hal Mason

Mrs. Vanette Webb (entered the meeting at 8:10 a.m.)

School Board Attorney: Mrs. Maureen George

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

I. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Dr. Jenkins, to adopt the agenda, was approved 4-0.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1. Hiring of School Board Attorney

Chairman Stidham noted that an offer (previously made to Peter Williams to serve as School Board Attorney) was declined by Mr. Williams. After discussion, a motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to make the same offer to hire Francisco Negron to serve as School Board Attorney. Dr. Mason expressed his concern that there had been a limited number of applicants, and he expressed that the district would be better served to readvertise the position. After discussion, Chairman Stidham called for the vote and the motion was approved 3-2 with Dr. Mason and Mrs. Webb voting NO. Later in the meeting Chairman Stidham verified that Mr. Negron had accepted the offer of employment as School Board Attorney, with a March 1, 2000, beginning date.

2. 2000-2001 Budget Process - Establishing Priorities and Time Line

After discussion, a motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to adopt the

Total Quality Management (TQM) concept to work out a system of establishing Board priorities. Dr. Mason suggested adopting a vehicle for setting priorities rather than setting priorities now. Chairman Stidham called for the vote and the motion was approved 3-2 with Dr. Mason and Mrs. Webb voting NO.

Chairman Stidham noted that the TQM system is an effective method for the Board to address budget priorities and come to consensus; however, this will be an on-going process and additional meetings will be held as needed. Mrs. Patricia Wascom, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, facilitated the TQM process and formulated a draft document entitled "Summary of the School Board of Escambia County, Special Meeting of February 11, 2000 (2000-2001 Budget Process - Establishing Priorities and Time Line)" which was filed for the record in the Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit A.

III. ITEMS FROM THE ATTORNEY

ADD: 1. Modification to George Contract (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit B)

After discussion, a motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to approve the modification to the contract with Maureen George, adding two words "employee cases" to Section C of said contract. Mrs. Webb stated that she still had questions regarding the contract which would need to be addressed by Mrs. George. Chairman Stidham called for the vote and the motion was approved 4-1 with Mrs. Webb voting NO.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m. (Official recordings of this meeting are filed in the Information Services Department.)