The School Board of Escambia County, Florida, convened in Special Meeting at 8:35 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

Mrs. Janice Gilley

Dr. Elmer Jenkins

School Board Attorney: Mrs. Maureen George

Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Jim May

Dr. Mason called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

I. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Motion by Dr. Jenkins, second by Dr. DeWitt, to adopt the agenda, was unanimously approved.

II. ITEMS FROM THE BOARD

1. Discussion - County Commissioners' action concerning School Board Resolutions

requesting Ballot Measure on Appointed versus Elected Superintendent and Addition of Two At-Large Members to the School Board

After discussion with the Board Attorney, motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Dr. Jenkins, to discuss the County Commission's concerns about tabling the motion and sending it back to the School Board (so that the School Board can respond to the County Commission), was approved 4-1 with Dr. Mason voting NO.

The Board recognized the following speakers:

1) Ms. Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association, asked that the Board table this discussion until the Regular School Board meeting on October 19, 1999.

2) Ms. Cathy Roche, President, Escambia County Council of PTAs, reported that at the regular general meeting of the council, delegates voted unanimously that the referendum concerning selection of the Superintendent and expansion of the School Board be placed on the November, 2000, ballot (and not on the March ballot), due to confusion concerning the issue and to allow time to educate the general public and obtain input. She noted the council also voted to reverse the order so that the vote on expanding the School Board must pass before the vote on appointed Superintendent is considered.

3) Ms. Marie Turchi, 9980 Sorrento, Pensacola, Florida, 32507, commented that more public input should be obtained concerning the issue of appointed Superintendent.

4) Ms. Margaret Flannery, 914 Bartow Avenue, Pensacola, Florida, 32507, spoke in opposition to placing a referendum on the ballot concerning appointed Superintendent.

5) Mr. Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, spoke concerning the importance of focusing efforts to help students by providing programs and services that will lead to all schools achieving category 3 status or better.

6) Ms. Deidre Young, 2347 Arriviste Way, Pensacola, Florida, 32504, stated that she had asked School Advisory Council (SAC) Members to write letters to County Commissioners to request that the issue concerning appointed Superintendent be placed on the November, 2000, ballot instead of the March ballot.

7) Ms. Tami Buzbee, 530 Chadwick Street, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, spoke in opposition to the proposed ballot measure concerning appointed Superintendent.

8) Mr. Leroy Boyd, President of the Movement for Change, 208 Hart Drive, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, spoke in opposition to the proposed ballot measure concerning appointed Superintendent. He also commented concerning the Augustus court case.

9) Ms. Amanda Richardson, 2000 East Bobe Street, Pensacola, Florida, 32503-5423, asked that the Board table this discussion until the Regular Board Meeting on October 19, 1999. She expressed opposition to considering appointed Superintendent, and she suggested that the issue on School Board expansion should be clarified first.

10) Mr. Charles Knight, 1506 North 7th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, stated that he was present on behalf of the NAACP, and he asked that the School Board not request a ballot measure concerning appointed Superintendent.

11) Mr. Robert Hayes stated that as a parent, member of the NAACP and Movement for Change, he was opposed to considering appointed Superintendent and School Board expansion.

12) Ms. Doris Hayes stated that as a parent and member of the Movement for Change, NAACP, and PTA Advisory Board, she was opposed to holding this meeting at a time when many people could not be present to speak to the issues. She expressed opposition to School Board expansion.

13) Ms. Mary Stanton stated that as a member of the Movement for Change, she was opposed to appointed Superintendent and School Board expansion.

14) Ms. Faye Baldwin, 4223 Brookside Drive, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, NAACP member, expressed opposition to appointed Superintendent and School Board expansion.

15) Ms. Wanda Blackmon, 9275 Windsong Lane, Pensacola, Florida, 32534, asked that the Board table this discussion until a time when employees could attend.

Dr. Jenkins discussed the Augustus court case and asked the Board Attorney if the federal court would have to give permission regarding addition of two School Board Members-At-Large. Concerning the voting rights order, Mrs. George stated she understood that had expired but would verify that.

After discussion, motion was made by Dr. DeWitt and seconded by Dr. Jenkins, that the School Board tell the County Commissioners that although we believe we have the right to put this on the March ballot, we have heard from the community, and we will not challenge their decision to place it on the November ballot. Mrs. George cited draft minutes reflecting action of the Board of County Commissioners from meeting held on October 7, 1999, as follows:

"The Board tabled, to allow the Escambia County School Board to readdress at its next

meeting in a fashion that would be acceptable to the community, the matter of requesting the Board of County Commissioners to place referendums on the March 14, 2000, Florida Presidential Preference Primary relative to appointing rather than electing the School

Superintendent and to elect seven rather than five School Board members, with two as members-at-large. (Approved 3-2, with Commissioner Banjanin and Commissioner Junior voting no.)"

After discussion, Dr. Mason called for the vote and the motion failed 3-2 with Mrs. Gilley, Dr. Mason, and Mrs. Stidham voting NO.

Motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, that based upon the input received from the community, that the Board reverse the order of the resolutions to state first "Do you approve of a seven Member Board?" and secondly, "If a seven Member Board is elected, do you approve an appointed Superintendent?" The motion was seconded by Dr. Jenkins. Mrs. George suggested amending the motion in terms of asking the County Commission to change the order. Dr. Jenkins requested that the Board Attorney confer with Mr. Norman Chackin, Chief Lawyer, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, prior to putting this on the ballot, to determine whether or not permission is needed from the courts concerning addition of two at-large School Board Members. Mrs. George stated that she would follow up on that matter.

The Board recognized the following speakers:

1) Mr. Robert Husbands, Executive Director, Escambia NEA UniServ, commented that the Board would have the option of recalling the resolution from the County Commission.

2) Mr. Leroy Boyd, President of the Movement for Change, 208 Hart Drive, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, asked that Dr. Jenkins entertain a substitute motion that the Board: 1) not place appointed Superintendent on the ballot at all; and 2) not place addition of two Board Members-At-Large on the ballot.

3) Ms. Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association, asked that the School Board table this discussion until the October 19, 1999, Regular Board Meeting.

4) Mr. Roger Goldberg, 2675 Tambridge Circle, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, spoke in opposition to placing a referendum relative to appointing rather than electing the Superintendent.

Dr. Jenkins offered a substitute motion that the Board vote not to place this issue on the ballot at all. Dr. DeWitt seconded the motion. Said motion failed 3-2 with Mrs. Gilley, Dr. Mason, and Mrs. Stidham voting NO.

Dr. Mason called for the vote on Dr. DeWitt's original motion (that the Board reverse the order of the resolutions), and said motion failed 3-2 with Mrs. Gilley, Dr. Mason, and Mrs. Stidham voting NO.

Motion by Dr. DeWitt, second by Dr. Jenkins, that the Board table this discussion until the October 19, 1999, Regular Board Meeting, in order to allow more public input, failed 3-2 with Mrs. Gilley, Dr. Mason, and Mrs. Stidham voting NO.

Motion by Dr. Jenkins, second by Dr. DeWitt, that the Board not place the issue of appointed Superintendent on the ballot at all. Mrs. George suggested wording to take this back to the County Commission directing them to not put this on the ballot at all.

The Board recognized the following speaker:

Ms. Arlene Costello, President, Escambia Education Association, requested clarification concerning submittal of the resolutions and was advised that the resolutions were addressed at the September Regular Board Meeting under Agenda Item XII.10 Items from the Board Resolutions for Ballot Measures to be considered for Board Adoption - Dr. Mason.

Dr. Mason called for the vote and the motion failed 3-2 with Mrs. Gilley, Dr. Mason, and Mrs. Stidham voting NO.

2. Discussion - Judy Andrews School Property and CEI Exchange.

Mrs. George advised that the county had discovered a tax lien on this property and had asked the School Board to agree to a time extension. She noted that the 120-day time limit on

the agreement expired earlier this week, and the county may opt to draw up a new agreement. After discussion with Dr. David Epperson, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Planning and Maintenance, a motion was made by Dr. DeWitt, to send this matter back to the county. Dr. Mason relinquished the gavel to Mrs. Stidham and seconded the motion. Mrs. Gilley spoke in favor of taking more specific action. Mrs. Stidham called for the vote and the motion was approved 3-2 with Mrs. Gilley and Mrs. Stidham voting NO. Mrs. Stidham returned the gavel.

III. ADJOURNMENT

Prior to adjournment the Board heard comments from Mr. Leroy Boyd, President of the

Movement for Change, 208 Hart Drive, Pensacola, Florida, 32503, who expressed concern that the Augustus court order must not be terminated. Mrs. George advised that the School Board had voted unanimously for a five-year settlement agreement, and any objections to that agreement could be filed before October 31, 1999. Mr. Boyd stated that he would go on record in opposition to that settlement.

The meeting adjourned at 9:48 a.m. (Official recordings of this meeting are filed in the

Information Services Department.)

Attest: Approved:

___________________________ ____________________________

Superintendent Chairman