Regular School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 – 7:00 p.m.

School Board Meeting Room

Stuart, FL  34994

 

Members Present

Susan Hershey – Chair

Lorie Shekailo-Vice-Chair

Dr. David Anderson

Laurie Gaylord

Nancy Kline

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox, Superintendent

Tom Elfers, School Board Attorney

Katie Gillen, Student Representative (MCHS)

 

Members Absent

None

 

Staff Present

Ginger Featherstone, Birgit Ager, Sandy Kesslering, Ray Parrish, Delores Calloway, Joyce Holmes, John Klatt, Darrell Miller, Deann Miller, Darla Miloszewski, Leighton O’Connor, Karen O’Connor, Rodger Osborne, Julie Sessa, Marshall Skinner, Rose Taylor, Mark Cocco, Linda King, Hank Salzler, Ruth Pietruszewski,  

 

Public

Marilyn Mordes

 

Press                PBPost – Mike Bender               Stuart News – Kelly Tyko

 

MCEA – Jeanette Phillips                       AFSCME – No Representation

 

Call to Order by the Chairman and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States. 

 

1.          Adoption of the Agenda:*

            A.         Additions, Deletions or Amendments to the Agenda

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox requested two additions and one deletion.  She asked to add Item 11-C, under Finance, Approve VACE Account for Credit Card Use at Riverside Bank. Under “open to the board,” she requested the addition of Approve Treasure Coast Educators’ Coalition Legislative Agenda.   She requested to remove from Item 14, the SAC School Improvement Plan and Membership for Palm City Elementary. 

 

Sue Hershey requested to add under Presentations, Presentation from FSBA.

            B.         Approval of the Agenda

Lori Shekailo moved approval of the agenda as modified, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

2.         Approval of the Minutes:* 

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of the 12/07/04 SCREMP Property Insurance and FEMA Workshop minutes, and the 1/04/05 Regular School Board Meeting minutes, Laurie Gaylord seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.                             

 

3.         Recognitions:*             None                                      

 

4.         Presentations:*           

            A   .      SCREMP Property Insurance and FEMA Update (COPY ATTACHED)

Julie Sessa provided an in-depth review of the storm damage on all district facilities caused by both hurricanes.  She told board members she would be preparing an update monthly or sooner if requested.  She reported the following progress:

ü      All facilities have been produced clean and dry by LVI and Paul Davis Restoration, emergency service providers.

ü      A construction company provided by the insurance company has inspected the majority of facilities roofing systems.

ü      All classroom facilities have had flooring replaced where it was removed after storm damage.

 

 

 

4.         Presentations:* (Con’t)

A.         SCREMP Property Insurance and FEMA Update (Con’t)

ü      All school facilities are now occupied.

Julie disseminated damage assessment handouts that contained a summary of each school or site’s primary damage, the total emergency services (clean up) costs to date, and an update on essential repairs by storm.  Costs associated with permanent work at school sites was provided when applicable.  Contents losses, such as furniture and fixed equipment, were not included. Financial handouts prepared by Steve Rusnak showed the expenditures and revenues collected for each storm and listed the dollar amount spent year to date at each site.

 

            B.         FSBA Presentation for $5,000 (COPY ATTACHED)

Sue Hershey asked to add this presentation to the agenda. Sue Hershey read the letter from Wayne Blanton, Executive Director of the Florida School Boards Association, regarding the $5,000 check being presented to the School Board of Martin County from the Florida School Boards Associations Hurricane Relief Fund. Contributions had come from all over the United States.  The funds are to be used to assist any employees that are in need.  Laurie Gaylord requested a thank you note be sent to the organization.  Sue Hershey agreed and suggested that the thank you note be from the Board and the employees in appreciation of the donation.

 

5.         Open to the Public:*

·         Parents of an ESE student came forward to request a closed meeting with the School Board members.  Sue Hershey explained that under the Florida Sunshine Laws that would not be possible.  Sue offered to set-up a date to meet with them herself.  The parents agreed.

           

6.         Removal of Items from the Consent Agenda:*                        None

 

7.         Approve Consent Agenda:*

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of the consent agenda, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

8.         CONSENT AGENDA

            A.         04/05 FY Attendance Zones:* (COPY ATTACHED)

           

            B.         Requests:*

                        1.          Use of Facilities:* (COPY ATTACHED)

                        2.         Field Trips / Use of Buses / Vehicles:* (COPY ATTACHED)

 

            C.         New Agreements:*                  None                          

 

            D.        Renewal Agreements:*            None

 

            E.        New Grants:*

                        1.          Head Start Supplemental Grant for Father Involvement for $4,000.00

Sue Hershey, former Head Start Policy Council member representative for the School Board, described the Father Involvement project.  She stated that it was a neat program. She applauded David Cardno, Fatherhood Involvement specialist, for his successful efforts achieving enormous father participation in the program.  Sue mentioned that this program has a twofold benefit.  Dads spend time nurturing their young children, and while sharing in the activities, are taking a step in solving the obesity crisis.

 

            F.         Renewal Grants:*                    None

           

            G.        Personnel Items:*

1.          Schedule of Personnel Recommendations (COPY ATTACHED)

2.          Leaves Authorized by the Superintendent  

            a.          Professional Leave (COPY ATTACHED)

            b.         Professional Leave, Travel, and Per Diem (COPY ATTACHED)

 

9.         Items Removed from the Agenda:*

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox requested removal of the SAC School Improvement Plan and Membership for Palm City Elementary.

 

10.        Construction:*

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 10, Lorie Gaylord seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

A.         Approve Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Starmer Ranaldi Planning and Architecture, Inc. and Associated Budgets to Provide a Security Camera System for Hidden Oaks Middle, Indiantown Middle, Murray Middle, and Stuart Middle Schools (COPY ATTACHED)

B.         Approve Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Pinewood Elementary Hurricane Damage Repairs (COPY ATTACHED)

C.         Approve Supplemental Survey for Warfield Elementary (COPY ATTACHED)

 

10.        Construction:* (Con’t)

D.        Approve Supplemental Survey for Murray Middle School (COPY ATTACHED)

E.         Approve Reduction in Retainage from 10% to 5% for all Subcontractors Working for The Morganti Group, Inc. at Jensen Beach High School (COPY ATTACHED)

 

11.        Finance:*

Lorie Shekailo moved approval of Item 11and of the added Item 11-C, Dr. David Anderson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

            A.         Approve Purchase Orders / Contracts (COPY ATTACHED)

            B.         Approve Monthly Financial Statements for December 2004 (COPY ATTACHED)

           +C.       Approve VACE Account for Credit Card Use at Riverside Bank (COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox asked to add Item 11-C to the agenda. Dr. Sara A. Wilcox explained that Darla Miloszewski had recommended setting up an additional Riverside bank account for VACE, since they are allowing community education students to register using their credit cards. It is a total of $115.00 to do this, and it would safeguard accessing district funds and protect our internal controls. 

 

12.        Bid Recommendations:*

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 12, Laurie Gaylord seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

            A.         Approval to Renew Bid

1.          MCSB BID # 1003-0-2001/JK Siemens Controls Maintenance and Equipment (COPY ATTACHED)

 

  1. Approve 2003-2004 SAC School Improvement Final Report for:  Palm City Elementary, Martin County High School, South Fork High School, Warfield Elementary:*

(COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 13, Lorie Shekailo seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Approve 2004-2005 SAC School Improvement Plan and Membership for:  Palm City Elementary, Jensen Beach High School, Martin County High School, South Fork High School and Warfield Elementary:* (COPY ATTACHED-PCE SAC School Improvement Plan and Membership REMOVED FROM AGENDA)

Laurie Gaylord moved approval of Item 14 with Palm City Elementary’s SAC School Improvement Plan and Membership removed from the agenda, Lorie Shekailo seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

15.        Open to the Board:*

            A.         Approve Treasure Coast Educators’ Coalition Legislative Agenda (COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox had requested to add Item 15-A to the agenda. Lorie Shekailo explained that the Treasure Coast Educators’ Coalition requested that our board support their legislative initiative in order to present it as a unified front to the Treasure Coast Legislative Delegation as they go up to Tallahassee. Nancy Kline reiterated how important it was to send the general consensus of all the boards to the legislature, and send a message of a united front. Nancy Kline encouraged her fellow board members to endorse the agenda.

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of the added Item 15-A, Lorie Shekailo seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

            Lorie Shekailo

Requested that Dr. Sara A. Wilcox inform Dr. Massey at I.R.C.C. that the School Board had endorsed the agenda, so that they can move forward with their approval.  The other school boards are meeting next Tuesday and will bring the issue before their boards for approval.

 

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Agreed to contact their office and explained that  paperwork will have to be signed by the School Board Chair and Superintendent. 

 

            Nancy Kline

Attended the Dedication of the Clarke Advanced Learning Center with fellow School Board members and district staff. She felt it was an awesome opportunity, which made her want to go back to high school.  She praised the collaborative effort made between I.R.C.C. and the Martin County School District. She thanked Julie Sessa for her hard work handling the damages and problems caused by hurricanes and keeping the board informed. She was pleased with the outcomes of the joint meeting with the City of Stuart, the School Board, and the Board of Martin County Commissioners. She felt this was where we needed to be to ensure that the School District was represented in the development of the PUD process early.  Nancy said we need to be involved on the ground floor level with the large increase in developments.  She will be attending a new school board training on the 16th and 17th of February in Tallahassee.

 

            Katie Gillen

Announced that report cards will be distributed on January 26th.  She provided an update on high school activities and events.

 

15.        Open to the Board:* (Con’t)

            Laurie Gaylord

Discussed travel plans and took the opportunity to check schedules.  The dates of the Day of the Legislature are March 15, 16, and 17th . 

           

            Sue Hershey

                        Informed board members that Master Board training would be held in Gainesville May 2nd and 3rd .

           

            Dr. David Anderson

Remarked that the technology in the Clarke Advanced Learning Center and what they are doing met his expectations by light years.  He felt the center would be a good mechanism to show students the latest in technology, and was sure high schools would want to take field trips to the center.   He was amazed that a public school district, with the help of the college and involvement of the state legislature, could reach this level. 

 

            Lorie Shekailo

Expressed her gratitude to the former School Board and appreciated their foresight for putting the Clarke Advanced Learning Center in place.  She represented the School Board at the Legislative Delegation at the County Commission offices.  She encouraged individuals to attend the County Council of the PTAs and spoke on the benefits acquired.  She thanked FSBA for their $5,000 check. 

                                   

            Sue Hershey

Talked to the students at the Dedication of the Clarke Advanced Learning Center. She portrayed the student’s excitement.  The students felt this was a totally new learning environment that was much more suited to the way they learn.  They love the place and their instructors and love attending school.  They were thrilled to be the first class.  She announced that OPUS is going to London.  Sue stated that all of our Fine Arts programs are top notch.  She felt the Soccer Dads is a great addition to our Head Start program.  Students at Bessey Creek invited all board members by mailing them each individually hand-made cards to their Character Education Partnership Day being held on April 15th from 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m.  She enjoyed the Teacher of the Year Celebration held at Club Med on

January 14th.   

 

            Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

                        Announced that April 15th is also the day of the State Volunteer Recognition. 

 

            Dr. David Anderson

                        Wants to start planning now for the expansion of enrollment at the joint center.

 

            Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Stated that the Clarke Advanced Learning Center was designed for the middle-of–the-road student, not the high academic achievers.   It was intended to motivate students.

           

            Nancy Kline

                        Felt that was the focus of what the donor wanted to do, encourage students.

 

            Laurie Gaylord 

Relayed how excited the teachers were to have the opportunity to teach at the Clarke Advanced Learning Center.  She announced that February 3rd was LEADERship Martin County Education Day.  A luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at MCHS Tiger’s Den and a board presentation will begin at 12:45 p.m. in the School Board meeting room.

           

            Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Heard many compliments at the center from people really impressed with the tremendous collaboration between I.R.C.C, the School District, and private funders.  Sara hopes the center will draw those middle students and hopes to have a diverse population there.   Over 34% of Martin County’s population is poverty level, and Sara hopes this center will help serve them.  She received great news from the Commissioner of Education.  Again this year we have the Region III winner of Student Volunteer of the Year.  The winner was Lena Gosik.  The recognition will be held in Orlando on the 15th of April and the Business Partners will be recognized on the 14th of  April. She congratulated Joann Hunt on her new grandson, Luke Ryan, weighing 7lbs. 6oz.

 

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

_______________________________                    

CHAIR (Sue Hershey)                      

 

___________________________

SECRETARY (Sara A. Wilcox, Ph.D.)