The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 9:00 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 (joined the meeting in progress at 9:04 a.m.)

Dr. Hal Mason (joined the meeting in progress at 9:05 a.m.)

Mrs. Vanette Webb

School Board Attorney: Mr. Francisco Negron

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

I. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt to adopt the agenda. Chairman Stidham relinquished the gavel to Dr. DeWitt and seconded the motion. Said motion was approved 2-1 with Mrs. Webb voting NO. Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Mason were not present for the vote. Dr. DeWitt returned the gavel to Mrs. Stidham.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1) Approval of Settlement Agreement Documents in the Tate Chiller Litigation (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit A)

The Board recognized the following speaker:

1) Mr. Robert Heath, Attorney representing the School Board in this case, addressed the Board and recommended approval of the settlement agreement.

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt to adopt the Settlement Agreement (in the Tate Chiller Litigation).

Chairman Stidham relinquished the gavel to Dr. DeWitt and seconded the motion. Mrs. Webb inquired concerning cost figures. After discussion, Dr. DeWitt amended his motion to approve the contract with the stated amount in the first sentence of the settlement agreement. Mrs. Stidham accepted the amendment to the motion. After discussion, the motion (as amended) was approved 3-2 with Dr. Mason and Mrs. Webb voting NO. Dr. DeWitt returned the gavel to Mrs. Stidham.

2) Multiple Copies of Correspondence Provided by General Counsel's Office - Cary Stidham

Chairman Stidham stated that the Board Attorney had expressed concern regarding the request for copies coming out of his office and time constraints involved in meeting the request. The Chairman asked Board Members if they wished to receive copies of all day-to-day correspondence out of the Board Attorney's Office. After discussion with the Board Attorney, Dr. DeWitt, Dr. Jenkins, and Chairman Stidham indicated that they did not wish to receive copies of day-to-day correspondence from the Board Attorney's Office or from Risk Management. Mrs. Webb and Dr. Mason indicated they wished to receive the copies for information purposes.

The following item was brought forward:

III. ITEMS FROM THE ATTORNEY

ADD: 1) Contract with Robert N. Heath, P. A. (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit B)

The Board Attorney stated that he had conferred with Dr. David Epperson, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Planning and Maintenance, concerning possible claims arising from Whitesell-Green in the construction of N. B. Cook Elementary School, and there had been indications that there may be a need to consult with a construction law expert. Motion was made by Dr. Jenkins and seconded by Dr. DeWitt, to approve the contract with Robert N. Heath, P.A. Dr. Mason inquired concerning possible conflicts of interest on the part of Mr. Heath.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

1) Mr. Robert Heath, Attorney, stated that he had no conflict with either of the firms (Whitesell-Green or Baskerville Donovan, Inc.). After discussion, Chairman Stidham called for the vote, and the motion was unanimously approved.

RECESS

Chairman Stidham called for a recess at 9:45 a.m. in order to reconvene in Special Workshop. The Special Workshop adjourned at 11:24 a.m., and the Special Meeting reconvened at 11:25 a.m. with all Board Members present.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD (CONTINUED)

The following item was moved forward.

ADD: 5) Modification of 2000-2001 School Calendar to Make Memorial Day a School Holiday - Hal Mason

Motion was made by Dr. Mason that the Board modify the school calendar to make Memorial Day a school holiday, giving staff the discretion to meet existing needs while doing so. Mrs. Webb seconded the motion. No vote was taken on this motion.

The Board recognized the following speakers:

1) Dr. Doug Garber, Director of Employee Services, suggested addressing this issue in Executive Session.

2) Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, cautioned the Board that proceeding with this could result in the Association filing an unfair labor practice charge.

After discussion, Dr. DeWitt offered a substitute motion that the Board table Dr. Mason's motion until the next Executive Session, at which time it will be discussed as a bargaining issue. The substitute motion was seconded by Dr. Jenkins. Said motion was unanimously approved.

ADD: 6) Summer School Enrollment Restrictions - Hal Mason

Dr. Mason requested input from staff as to whether a policy is needed concerning summer school enrollment restrictions. Dr. Robin Largue, Director of Secondary Education, noted there is not a policy, and she commented that this matter is best handled with administrative guidelines. She stated that she had sent E-Mails to principals regarding enrollment of private school students in courses on a space available basis.

The meeting returned to the regular agenda.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD (CONTINUED)

ADD: 3) Recommendation to Make Last Day of School for Students attending Dixon and Spencer Bibbs Elementary, Noon on June 15, 2000 - John DeWitt

ADD: 4) Recommendation to Make Last Day of School for Teachers and Staff at Dixon and Spencer Bibbs Elementary, on June 20, 2000, with the remainder of the pay period being classified as "Leave with Pay" - John DeWitt

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Dr. Jenkins to approve the following (Item Numbers 3 and 4) as listed:

3) Recommendation to Make Last Day of School for Students attending Dixon and Spencer Bibbs Elementary, Noon on June 15, 2000 - John DeWitt

4) Recommendation to Make Last Day of School for Teachers and Staff at Dixon and Spencer Bibbs Elementary, on June 20, 2000, with the remainder of the pay periodbeing classified as "Leave with Pay" - John DeWitt

Dr. DeWitt added the caveat to the motion "subject to the approval of the Governor and Cabinet."

The Board recognized the following speakers:

1) Fonda Roberts, Teacher, A. A. Dixon Elementary School, addressed the Board in support of the motion to approve Item Numbers 3 and 4.

2) Brooke McElroy, Teacher, A. A. Dixon Elementary School, spoke in support of the motion.

3) Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association (EEA), appeared before the Board in support of the motion.

4) Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, expressed support for the motion.

Concerning potential financial impacts to the district, Mr. Gene Pettis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, noted that Spencer Bibbs and A. A. Dixon Elementary Schools previously received a grant in the amount of $80,000 for extended year for thirty additional days. He advised that staff had contacted representatives of the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), who indicated that if the district did not fulfill the requirements of the grant (210 days for extended year), the district could have to return the entire $160,000 in grant funds to the state. Dr. Clarence Ladner, Special Assistant for School and Community Services, provided clarification regarding information received from the state.

Motion was made by Mrs. Webb to table this motion until the Regular Board Meeting on June 13, 2000. Dr. Mason seconded the motion. Dr. DeWitt explained that would only give two days for notice. No vote was taken on the motion to table. After discussion, Mrs. Webb called the question. No vote was taken on the question. Dr. DeWitt stated that his motion (to approve Item Numbers 3 and 4) included caveat language ... "pending approval from the Governor and Cabinet, and with the assurance that the district will not be penalized and will lose no funding."

The Board recognized the following speaker:

1) Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association (EEA), appeared before the Board in support of the motion with the caveat language.

Chairman Stidham called for the vote and the motion was unanimously approved.

III. ITEMS FROM THE ATTORNEY

ADD: 1) Contract with Robert N. Heath, P. A.

This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m. (Official recordings of this meeting are filed in the Information Services Department.)