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, with the following present:

Chairman: Dr. Hal Mason Vice Chairman: Mrs. Cary Stidham

Members: Dr. John DeWitt

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

Mrs. Vanette Webb

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

I. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

There being no objection, adoption of the agenda was unanimously approved.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

INTERVIEWS FOR AND PROCEDURES TO SELECT BOARD ATTORNEY

The Board conducted individual interviews with the following candidates for School Board Attorney to serve as in-house counsel:

1) Ms. Maureen George

2) Ms. Patricia Lott

3) Mr. William Green

Upon conclusion of each interview, each candidate was asked to provide to the Board by tomorrow

morning his or her written expectations in terms of salary, terms of length of contract, termination or buy- out clause, staffing, office space, equipment needs and related cost estimates. In further discussion, Dr. Jenkins suggested that the Board may wish to revisit this at the end of one year for purposes of comparing costs of in-house counsel vs. outside legal services in order to assess financial obligations.

RECESS

Dr. Mason announced that the Board would recess at 11:55 a.m. and reconvene the following day,

March 16, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. for Board action on this matter.

The Board reconvened at 11:00 a.m. on March 16, 1999, with all School Board Members and interim

Board Attorney, Mr. Edward Fleming, present.

Dr. Mason announced that Mr. William Green withdrew his name from consideration, having accepted another job offer. He advised that the remaining applicants submitted their written expectations as the Board had requested. Board Members discussed contract terms noting that appointment of Board Attorney generally takes place each November at the organizational meeting. Mr. Fleming suggested that the Board consider offering a contract that would last through November, 1999, and the following November (2000), with a 60-day mutual termination clause for both parties.

After discussion, motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Dr. Jenkins, that Ms. Maureen George be hired as School Board Attorney, subject to negotiation of a mutually acceptable contract to come back before the Board for approval, was unanimously approved.

Dr. DeWitt presented a compensation package for Board consideration. After discussion,

motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, to adopt the compensation package as amended (changing the termination clause to 60 days instead of 45 days). It was noted that Mr. Fleming would be involved in the negotiation process. Discussion was held with Dr. Clarence Ladner, Special Assistant for School/Community Services, and Ms. Gloria Johnson, Director of Payroll, concerning the

salary schedule for professional staff. Dr. DeWitt modified the motion to change the salary schedule for the legal assistant/secretary from Pay Grade 11, Step 1 to Pay Grade 6, Step 1 - $27,868, with appropriate adjustments to benefits. Dr. Mason called for the vote and the motion as amended was unanimously approved. (Supplementary Minute Book, Exhibit A)

Dr. Mason commented that further research will be done with input from the Superintendent on creating the two positions on the personnel planning document, including them in the budget, and designating office space, so that the Board can take action at the March Board meeting. Mrs. Webb inquired concerning statutory authority governing designation of office space. Dr. DeWitt commented that the Superintendent had indicated that he would make arrangements for the office space. Mr. Fleming stated that he would look at the issue of statutory authority for future reference.

III. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. (Official recordings of this meeting are filed in the Information Services Department.)

Attest: Approved:

______________________________ _______________________________

Superintendent Chairman