The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 5:30 p.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

Mrs. Janice Gilley

School Board Attorney: Mrs. Maureen George

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

I. CALL TO ORDER

Dr. Mason called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Elmer Jenkins, School Board Member, District 3, was out of town.

II. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

The Superintendent added an item to the agenda (see Item VIII.1). Dr. Mason added

two items (IX.1 and IX.2 under Items from the Board).

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Mrs. Gilley to approve the agenda as amended, was

unanimously approved.

III. FINANCE:

PRESENTATION - 1999-2000 TENTATIVE BUDGET/TENTATIVE MILLAGE

Ms. Barbara Linker, Director of Budgeting, gave a power point presentation (filed as Exhibit A in Supplementary Minute Book). She discussed the rollback rate noting that the millage rate being proposed to levy for 1999-2000 is less than the rollback rate, which is the reason for advertising notice of budget hearing rather than notice of tax increase.

IV. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING FOR INPUT ON 1999-2000 BUDGET

Dr. Mason opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak; there was

no response.

V. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE MILLAGE FOR 1999-2000

1) Required Local Effort

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the Tentative Millage for the Required Local Effort of 6.251, was unanimously approved.

2) Discretionary -- Basic

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the Tentative Discretionary Basic Millage of 0.510, was unanimously approved.

3) Discretionary -- Supplemental

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the Tentative Discretionary Supplemental Millage of 0.250, was unanimously approved.

4) Capital Outlay

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the Tentative Millage for Capital Outlay of 2.000, was unanimously approved.

5) Total Millage

Motion by Mrs. Gilley, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the Total Tentative Millage Rate of 9.011, was unanimously approved.

VI. ADOPTION OF TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR 1999-2000

1) General Fund

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) General Fund in the amount of $237,908,435.19.

After discussion, Dr. DeWitt made a motion to eliminate the lapse factor for teachers for the first semester of the next year and eliminate the lapse factor for grant funded positions for the entire year, and reassess the situation at that time. Mr. May noted that a cost analysis was done on doing away with freezing teacher positions the first semester and it would probably be about $300,000. He asked that the Board consider student shortages at Bibbs and Dixon Elementary Schools and what could be substantial shortfall in FTE. After discussion, Dr. DeWitt suggested approving the motion, noting that additional fiscal data is forthcoming, and this motion can be rescinded at the September Board Meeting if money is not available. Mrs. Stidham seconded the motion. Dr. Mason called for the vote and the motion was unanimously approved.

Mrs. Stidham discussed out-of-county travel noting that over the past year only $140,000 was used (out of almost $180,000 budgeted) and the request for 1999-2000 is $197,000. Mrs. Stidham made a motion to keep the out-of-county travel budget the same as last year with the exception of MIS (that they would be able to increase their budget), but that there would be a reserve set aside of $15,000 that could be used for any trips that need to be taken, with the exception of the Board Attorney, Legal Assistant, and the Affirmative Action Coordinator. Dr. DeWitt recommended that the actual travel budget for next year be left at $140,543, leaving the three budgets mentioned (Board Attorney, Legal Assistant, and Affirmative Action Coordinator) untouched, and add $15,000 to put in reserves to be used at the discretion of the Assistant Superintendents for travel (which would bring the total to $155,543). Dr. DeWitt seconded the motion. Dr. Mason called for the vote and the motion was unanimously approved.

Dr. DeWitt expressed concern as to the need to show what the Board is doing in terms of a financial commitment to put monies into programs to make a difference in getting schools off of the D and F categories list. He stated that he had suggested getting a cost analysis on putting a class size on all D and F schools. Mr. May noted that staff is addressing this and Ms. Annette McArthur, Director of Elementary Education, has been involved in looking at class loads, FTE allotments, and taking from reserves and Title I where needed. Dr. DeWitt noted that the Board will not adopt the final budget until September 9, which will allow time to provide numbers of students and follow-up information.

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Mrs. Gilley, that monies saved on the out-of-county travel be split between the seven high schools, which would be approximately $4,000 a piece, to go toward minor sports. Dr. DeWitt stated that the motion would support the recommendations staff made in the Title 9 schools report concerning minor sports, especially for females. Mrs. Stidham noted that the monies split ten ways would be approximately $400 for each sport, with minor sports being anything other than football.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

Mr. Bob Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, noted concerning other Category I and II schools, that the Board will adopt School Improvement Plans (SIPs) for the next school year. He also asked that the Board vocally and visibly express support and respect for the Category I and II schools and stop referring to them as "failing" schools.

Dr. Mason called for the vote on the General Fund and the motion was unanimously approved.

2) Special Revenue - Food Service

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) Special Revenue - Food Service for 1999-2000 in the amount of $19,967,123.09, was unanimously approved.

3) Special Revenue - Other

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) Special Revenue - Other for 1999-2000 in the amount of $23,659,435.28, was unanimously approved.

4) Debt Service Funds

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) Debt Service Fund for 1999-2000 in the amount of $7,630,375.85, was unanimously approved.

5) Capital Project Funds

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) Capital Project Funds for 1999-2000 in the amount of $97,179,473.02, was unanimously approved.

6) Internal Service Funds

Motion by Mrs. Stidham, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) Internal Service Funds for 1999-2000 in the amount of $30,617,219.49, was unanimously approved.

7) Trust Funds

Motion by Mrs. Gilley, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the (Tentative Budget) Trust Funds for 1999-2000 in the amount of $322,192.28, was unanimously approved.

8) Total Budget

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the total Tentative Budget for 1999-2000 in the amount of $411,327,307.30, was unanimously approved.

Ms. Linker stated that the Board will be getting a revised Capital Outlay Budget tomorrow which will reflect changes made in the budget immediately after the last meeting to reduce PECO funds by $100,000 (restroom renovations), and addition of School Infrastructure Thrift (SIT) funds approved for Beulah Charter School.

VII. SET DATE FOR FINAL BUDGET HEARING

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Gilley, to set the final budget hearing for September 9, 1999, at 5:30 p.m., to be held in the Administrative Building, Garden Street, was unanimously approved.

VIII. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

1) Consideration of Extended School Year Funding, Re: Memorandum from Florida Department of Education (FDOE)

Mr. Gene Pettis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, advised that in February the state had sent out a survey wanting to know which School Districts might be interested in trying any schools on extended year. He noted there was no turnaround time and the School District was not ready to commit for particular schools at that time; however, with Mr. May's discussions with the Governor and Commissioner of Education, there was agreement to add A. A. Dixon and Spencer Bibbs Elementary Schools to that list. Additional information has since been received that School Districts may apply to add more schools, and in June, we had added the other names as potential requests for extended year funding. Mr. Pettis advised that a memorandum had been received from the state indicating that if we wish to receive the funds, the Board would need to make a commitment by August 1, 1999, agreeing to a twelve-month contract for the teachers in each of the extended year schools, with the understanding that would be the 2000-2001 school year. Mr. Pettis also noted that there had been a verbal indication from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) that we could apply for this, but in all likelihood it was going to be very questionable whether they will add any replacement schools because of potential litigation between the Senate and the Governor. He asked if the Board wished to ask for the other schools that are on year-round and pursue extended year planning dollars for those schools with the stipulation enumerated in the memorandum.

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Mrs. Stidham to approve the plan and go after the money. Mr. May stated that he was uncomfortable with a twelve-month contract for teachers which is a bargaining issue. He recommended that if the Board wished to pursue this, that the issue be sent forward to collaborative bargaining with the ability to deal with those things that affect terms, wages, and employment that are covered in the contract. Dr. Mason stated that he would like to see a needs assessment for each of the schools, as well as an implementation plan, evaluation components and advantages of an 11-½ or 12-month contract opposed to any possible down side. After discussion, Dr. DeWitt amended the motion to approve this, but that before we accept the first planning dollar, we assess the situation based upon the status of collaborative bargaining and needs assessment data addressing funding. The Legislature will meet again and may do something different next year but we do want to have this kind of information available including cost analysis, collaborative bargaining status, and a needs assessment.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

Mr. Bob Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, notified the Board that part of what the Board was discussing is negotiable. He expressed that this is another new program with no regulations, and Florida law requires that regulations be promulgated by the state. He suggested possibly amending the motion to provide that there is a state commitment for full funding which phases into FTE funding.

After discussion, Dr. Mason called for the vote and the motion failed 3-1 with Mrs. Gilley, Dr. Mason, and Mrs. Stidham voting NO.

IX. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1) Recommendation/Decision on Whether or Not to Release the Draft of the Management Audit provided by MGT

After discussion, motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Mrs. Stidham, to recognize the existence that the Draft of the Management Audit provided by MGT has been released and that it has been and always will be a public document, was unanimously approved.

2) Item from the Board - Press Release Regarding Management Audit - Dr. Mason

Motion by Mrs. Gilley, second by Mrs. Stidham, to adopt the press release regarding the Management Audit, was unanimously approved.

X. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. (Official recordings of this meeting are filed in the Information Services Department.)

Attest: Approved:

____________________________ _____________________________

Superintendent Chairman