The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Workshop Meeting at 4:30 p.m., in Room 160, Hall Center, 30 East Texar Drive, 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

School Board Attorney: Mr. Francisco Negron

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Stidham called the workshop to order at 4:30 p.m.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1) MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE

Mr. Leroy Boyd, President, Movement for Change, distributed and reviewed a handout (filed in Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit A) regarding educational issues impacting the community. He brought the following items to the Board's attention to address concerns expressed by Movement for Change:

a) Curriculum/Lesson Plans - Need for African-American music teachers, particularly band directors; and the need for music curriculum by African-American composers.

b) The ReDirections Program - Need for African-American administrators in this program in order to provide role models.

c) Two-Year Federal Report - Mr. Boyd stated that Movement for Change had requested information regarding Individual Education Plans (IEPs), including Special Education students. Mrs. Webb stated that Special Education is federally funded, and she suggested that the audit information concerning those programs could be helpful.

d) Augustus Court Case - Mr. Boyd commented that a fairness hearing was not held concerning this case. He stated that Movement for Change did not want the case dismissed; however, Judge Collier had ruled otherwise. Dr. Jenkins stated that the Judge had offered a fairness hearing. Dr. Jenkins also stated that he was a plaintiff in the original case and that he had voiced his concerns to the NAACP Attorney as well as Judge Collier. Mr. Boyd asked that the School Board be mindful of where to locate any new schools that are built.

e) African-American Recruitment - Need for more African-American and Hispanic teachers, especially males, in the school system. Dr. Mason informed Mr. Boyd that the School Board had granted authority to Mr. Elvin McCorvey, Director of Affirmative Action, to hire minority teachers on the spot.

f) Neighborhood Learning After School Program - Mr. Boyd asked if the program was going to continue. Mrs. Webb stated that the Board had previously voted to continue the program.

g) Enrichment Programs for the Summer - Mr. Boyd asked if enrichment programs would continue and was advised that changes had taken place in state guidelines and monies were cut starting in 1999/2000. Mr. Boyd inquired concerning efforts to help get the original program back in place. Dr. Jenkins stated that it would be necessary to appeal to the Legislature for more money.

h) Pay Raises for Teachers, Support Staff, Special Education Assistants, and Substitute Teachers - Mr. Boyd requested that the Board consider increasing pay for substitute teachers from $50 to $100 per day. He noted that surrounding counties pay higher salaries for teachers, and he suggested cutting back on administrative staff if necessary in order to find monies to increase pay for teachers.

i) Zero Tolerance - Mr. Boyd commented concerning expulsions and suspensions, and he stated that enrollments in the ReDirections Program would indicate a disproportionate number of minorities compared to the majority population. He asked that the Board look at how zero tolerance is defined in order to provide objectivity.

j) Black History Day - Mr. Boyd stated that there was an issue this year about black history programs, particularly at the high school level, and he noted that Washington High School had only provided for a diversity program. Mr. Boyd expressed concern that only two schools had a black history program. Mr. Boyd also commented that more black male principals are needed.

k) School Assemblies - Mr. Boyd asked how Movement for Change could become involved in school assemblies. Dr. DeWitt suggested that they consider participating on School Advisory Councils, which need more minority representation.

Dr. Mason stated that Movement for Change had requested information concerning the impact of uniforms at Brownsville, as well as current data regarding a Two-Year Federal Report alleging that too many black pupils are being placed in Special Education Programs. Mr. Boyd replied that information concerning Brownsville Academy was provided in a timely manner, but the information did not provide adequate data. Dr. Jenkins noted that the school has had uniforms for less than two years, and time will be needed in order to collect data. Mr. Boyd stated that he had also requested data as to how many African-American students had been placed in Special Education programs. Mrs. Webb referred to information provided in April, 2000, from the Special Education Department, and she inquired as to whether that information was sufficient. Mr. Boyd stated that the (Movement for Change) education committee has the information and he will provide it to the Board.

Mrs. Webb asked for input from staff concerning the single audit act. Mrs. Patricia Wascom, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, noted that the single audit information is included in the Audit Report from the Auditor General. She added that Cherry, Bekaert, and Holland, Independent CPA firm, will be performing an audit based on the contract approved by the Board in June. Mrs. Webb asked that the audit information be provided to Mr. Boyd.

Mrs. Webb asked that staff provide a breakdown of data on Exceptional Student Education mandates. Ms. Yvonne Gray, Director of Exceptional Student Education, advised that the data is sent to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) every year. Mrs. Webb asked that the data be provided to Board members and members of the Movement for Change.

III. ADJOURNMENT

The workshop adjourned at 5:30 p.m. (Official recordings of this workshop are filed in the Information Services Department.)