The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Workshop 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 (entered the workshop at 10:20 a.m.)

Dr. Hal Mason

Mrs. Vanette Webb

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Stidham called the workshop to order at 9:00 a.m.

II. FINANCE

1) 2000-2001 BUDGET

Ms. Patricia Wascom, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, presented and reviewed handouts entitled "Escambia County 1999-2000 Year End Update." Ms. Wascom discussed the general fund budget and unrestricted fund balance. She noted a decrease in compression adjustment funding. Mr. May stated that the district ended up with 500 FTEs less than the number given by the state to budget, and he noted one reason was the negative impact of the Governor's A+ Educational Plan. Mr. May reported that out of $4,900,000 in new dollars which the district will receive from the state, $1,300,000 of that is categorical funding.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

Mr. Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, commented regarding health insurance costs.

After discussion, Ms. Wascom stated that a request would be presented at the Board Meeting to authorize appropriate transfers related to the 1999-2000 budget increase in health and workers' compensation.

ADD: 2) UPDATE ON EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST - CURRENT AND PROJECTED HEALTH

CLAIM EXPENDITURES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG EXPENDITURES

Mr. Chris Clark, representing AON Consultants, gave an informational presentation concerning health care contributions and factors that will require additional funding. He discussed increased medical coverage utilization, costs of the prescription drug plan, and overall increases in health care costs. Mr. Joseph Bernard, Director of Risk Management, provided clarification concerning the health insurance claim process.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

1) Mr. Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, spoke concerning employee health benefits.

Ms. Barbara Linker, Director of Budgeting, commented concerning the budgetary impact of transportation costs. After discussion regarding the budget, Mr. May stated that he would ask the Board to support him in asking the Governor to reconvene the Legislature to discuss equitable funding for all counties.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

Ms. Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association (EEA), spoke regarding budgetary concerns and the need for cooperation throughout the district.

III. ADJOURNMENT

The workshop adjourned at 12:25 p.m. (Official recordings of this workshop are filed in the Information Services Department.)