The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 3:30 p.m. in the Board Room at 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 meeting at 3:33 p.m.)

Dr. Hal Mason

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. Mrs. Webb asked if the legal notice referenced the particular cases to be discussed in Executive Session, as well as the names of the attorneys who will attend the Executive Session. Mr. May stated that a court reporter will attend the Executive Session and the names of those who are present will be stated and included as part of the transcript. Mr. Negron concurred and noted that procedure outlined by Mr. May would comply with the Sunshine Law. After discussion, Mr. Negron advised that the cases to be discussed in Executive Session (to be held immediately after this meeting) involved Mocar Oil and an individual by the name of Dodd.

Dr. DeWitt called for the vote and the motion was approved 4-1 with Mrs. Webb voting NO. Dr. DeWitt returned the gavel to Mrs. Stidham.

PRESENTATION -- REQUESTED BY BOARD RE: LEGISLATIVE PLAN TO PAY BONUSES

FOR SPECIFIC GROUPS OF EDUCATORS THIS SCHOOL YEAR

Dr. Douglas Garber, Director of Employee Services, reported that four types of bonuses were approved by the Florida Legislature as follows:

1) Retention and Recruitment Bonus - Escambia County was given a fixed amount of money for retention and recruitment based on the number of people recruited or retained in five critical areas (Math, Science, Exceptional Student Education, Foreign Language, and Computer Science). Dr. Garber advised that there was an August 1 deadline for notification purposes, and since not all schools were in session, a broad letter was sent to everyone stating that the bonuses were available based on meeting the entitlement criteria. Dr. Mason inquired as to when the Board should approve the plan. Dr. Garber stated that it would be back to the Board for purposes of payment after all of the eligible teachers are identified. Chairman Stidham inquired concerning the number of eligible teachers, and Dr. Garber stated that would be determined after the State qualifies whether or not computer science teachers in the Vocational/Technical and Applied Technology areas are eligible. Upon inquiry from Dr. DeWitt, Dr. Garber advised that the monies will be sent to the district, and the district will issue checks to the teachers (up to a maximum of $1200 depending on the number of eligible teachers).

2) Bonuses regarding Advanced Placement Classes - In high schools, students (who score 3 or above on advanced placement exams) will be identified, and the teachers will get $50 for each student meeting that criteria (up to $2,000).

3) Bonuses for teachers in "D" and "F" graded schools - It was noted that there are currently no "D" or "F" graded schools in this district.

4) Lead teacher money will be directly distributed to the teachers (classroom, library, and media teachers only). The district will have no responsibility for the bookkeeping and the monies must be used for classroom materials. The bonus amount is up to $3,500 for each teacher (in schools that were previously graded "D" or "F") based on student achievement criteria. It was noted that student achievement data will have to be developed, and input will be obtained from the principals in order to determine these bonuses for payment by October 1, 2000.

Dr. Mason asked that Dr. Garber provide Board Members with a matrix of the information.

Dr. DeWitt commented that there is funding in the amount of $100 for every "A" graded school. Mr. May noted that is a different source. Dr. DeWitt asked if those monies could be spent at the discretion of the teachers.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

Mr. Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, advised that those monies will be spent as determined by the School Advisory Councils, staff, and the on-site administrators.

Mr. Gene Pettis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, provided an update to the Board regarding Exceptional Student Education (ESE) opportunity scholarship vouchers for students with disabilities. He noted that the previous deadline of August 1 was moved to August 15, and since that time, the State has removed the deadlines for private schools (and parents) to make requests for the vouchers. He stated that the financial impact has not been determined, and there have been up to 30 applications for private school vouchers. He stated that a private school has been granted permission to operate by the State of Florida, and students have also applied for transfer within the school district for public school scholarships. He noted that the district will provide transportation for the public school students, which will impact transportation dollars; however, the district will not provide transportation for the private school students. Ms. Yvonne Gray, Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), advised that the district will get reimbursed for those students that are bussed within the district.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD - FREEZING ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Dr. Mason, to put a freeze on the employment of all administrative positions including professional technical positions. After discussion, Mrs. Webb expressed concern that support areas are critical, and she stated that she could only approve this with the stipulation that any exceptions can come before the Board. Dr. DeWitt stated that the Board would have that flexibility. Mr. May cautioned the Board about making blanket policies, especially regarding jobs that affect student safety. He suggested that the Board consider looking at positions as they come open and decide whether or not to fill those vacancies. Mr. Pettis commented concerning physical therapist and occupational therapist positions, that the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department is short six therapists and that any time delays (due to vacancies) would directly impact delivery of services which must be provided by law. Dr. Mason expressed that over the 60-day time frame, the Board could hold a Special Meeting in order to address any critical positions. Mr. May added that in terms of student safety, there may be a time when he makes a temporary placement in a position because of safety issues. Upon inquiry from Mrs. Webb, Mr. May provided clarification concerning the Crisis Management Plan.

Dr. DeWitt commented that it was his understanding that the cost involved (in contracting out for physical therapists) would be significantly higher than it would cost to hire them. Mr. Pettis stated that it was brought to the Board's attention that the district cannot hire them all.

The Board recognized the following speakers:

1) Mr. Michael Connors, Director of Transportation, advised that the Garage Manager and Assistant Garage Manager positions are vacant, and those are critical positions.

2) Ms. Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association, asked that the Board also consider positions that become vacant; i.e., when employees retire, in order to determine whether or not those positions would be filled.

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

III. REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLABORATIVE BARGAINING AND LEGAL ISSUES

Motion by Dr. Mason, second by Dr. Jenkins, to go into Executive Session, was unanimously approved.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:11 p.m.

Attest: Approved:

______________________________ ________________________________

Superintendent Chairman