The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Budget Workshop Meeting at 12:34 p.m., in the Board Room at the Administrative Building, 215 West Garden Street, with the following present:

Chairman: Dr. Elmer Jenkins Vice Chairman: Dr. John DeWitt

Members: Mrs. Barbara Morris

Mrs. Vanette Webb

School Board Attorney: Mr. Louis F. Ray, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May (entered the Workshop at 12:42 p.m.)

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Workshop was called to order at 12:34 p.m. by Chairman Jenkins. Dr. Jenkins stated that Mr. Jim Bailey, School Board Member, District 1, was recuperating from surgery and could not be present today.

II. FINANCE

1998-99 PROPOSED BUDGET -- Mr. Wallace Odom, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Affairs, filed for the record and briefly reviewed the following documents:

A. Memorandum dated May 11, 1998, from Mr. Wayne Pierson, Department of Education, and the 1998-99 Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) Planning Document; and

B. Document for the 1998-99 Budget Workshop, dated June 22, 1998, relative to the School District of Escambia County, as follows:

1) Impact of Funding Changes - Comparison of 1998-99 Final Legislative Action and 1997-98 4th FEFP Calculation;

2) Projected District Millage Levies;

3) Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Levies by Fund, 1998-99 Fiscal Year;

4) Analysis of Tax Roll, 1986 - 1998; and

5) Millage Levied by School Board, 1978-79 to 1998-99.

Mr. Odom advised that a 9-1/4% increase has been estimated by the state for property taxes in Escambia County next year. The preliminary figure provided by the Property Appraiser was a 5.9% increase. Mrs. Webb stated that backup materials were received just before the Workshop began, and she would have preferred 48 hours in advance. It was noted that the referenced memorandum from the Department of Education was previously distributed, and pertinent related information was provided today. Mrs. Morris commended staff for keeping Board Members informed and for providing preliminary budget information this early in the planning process. It was noted that this Workshop was properly advertised, and the agenda was prepared and distributed in advance. Following discussion, the remainder of the 1998-99 Proposed Budget Calendar was presented, as follows:

Tuesday, July 14, 1998, 9:00 a.m. Second Budget Workshop with School Board

Thursday, July 23, 1998, 5:30 p.m. Special Board Meeting to give permission to advertise the Tentative Budget and Millage

Saturday, July 25, 1998 Advertisement to run in newspaper

Tuesday, July 28, 1998, 5:30 p.m. Special Board Meeting/Public Hearing on Adoption of Tentative Budget and Millage (the Regular July Board Meeting will immediately follow the 5:30 p.m. Meeting)

Tuesday, September 8, 1998, 5:30 p.m. Special Board Meeting on approval of the Annual Financial Report and Adoption of the Final Budget and Millage

III. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Mrs. Morris, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adjourn the Budget Workshop at 1:07 p.m., was unanimously approved. Chairman Jenkins announced that the Regular Board Workshop would begin at 1:30 p.m.

Attest: Approved:

__________________________ ______________________________

Superintendent Chairman