Impact ofpf Classroom Size Reduction Amendment

and Growth on Elementary School Capacity Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 – 5:00 p.m.

School Board Meeting Room

Stuart, FL 34994

Members Present

Susan Hershey –Chairman

Lorie Shekailo-Vice-Chair

Dr. David Anderson

Laurie Gaylord

Nancy Kline

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox, Superintendent

Tom Elfers, School Board Attorney

Members Absent

Katie Gillen, Student Representative (MCHS)

Staff Present

Rodger Osborne, Rose Taylor, Ruth Pietruszewski, Steve Rusnak, Dr. Frank Raffone, J.Lisle Bozeman, Hank Salzler, Joan Hunt, Nancy Marin, Cece Hysmith, Brenda Watkins, Darrell Miller, Delores Calloway, Darla Miloszewski, Mike Lindgren

Public

David Quigley, Dick Hall, Nikki vanVonno

Press PBPost – Mike Bender Stuart News – Kelly Tyko

Hometown News-Chris Butler TV 5 News- Ian Devier

MCEA – No representation AFSCME – No representation

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

1. Presentation on Elementary School Capacity Issues

With indecisive direction coming from the State of Florida, J.Lisle Bozeman explained that Facilities is trying to establish determining factors to plan facilities, meet district needs, and satisfy compliances. Three major elements are looked at when planning for school facilities:

1) Capacity

2) Enrollment

3) Planning Parameters

J. Lisle Bozeman discussed and explained capacity issues. Currently we are using the Florida Inventory of School Housing (FISH) to measure capacity, which is approved by the state, but does not include the Class Size Reduction Amendment. Currently district wide capacity is 9,838 student stations. When the Class Size Amendment is applied, total district wide capacity is amended to 7,346 student stations. The Constitutional Amendment requires the number of students per classroom to be reduced by two per year until compliance, achieving the following ratios:

1) 18 per classroom PreK-3

2) 22 per classroom 4-8

3) 25 per classroom 9-12

The Class Size Reduction Amendment requires by 2006 grade groupings be in full compliance at district levels, by 2008 at school levels, and by 2010 at individual classroom levels. The master planned capacity established by the School Board as optimal size for elementary schools per CSR Amendment 9 was 750 student stations per school.

The Capital Outlay Full Time Equivalent (COFTE) defines the limits of new construction for which state funds can be spent. If not within the limits of COFTE state funding is unavailable for school buildings. COFTE is calculated by the Department of Education (DOE) annually and is the basis of the Five Year School Plant Survey. All construction of new student stations must be Survey recommended. By 2010 COFTE is projecting 9,162

1. Presentation on Elementary School Capacity Issues (Con’t)

student stations for Martin County School District. The estimated cost to implement full compliance with CSR Amendment 9 by 2010 would be $31,139,932.00.

J.Lisle discussed enrollment. Current enrollment is 7,482. New developments will increase enrollment. A five year projection based on unbuilt units of permitted and approved development projects estimates 1178 additional elementary students will be expected.

Facility Planning Areas have been approved by the School Board. The county has been divided into these areas by natural and man-made boundaries. J.Lisle defined the Facilities Planning Areas by using color maps labeled as following:

1. North East-Jensen Beach

2. North West-Palm City

3. West-Indiantown

4. Central-Stuart

5. South-Hobe Sound

The maps included visual circles indicating the locations of the county’s new approved projects. The City’s approved projects were not included on the mapping. She gave an overview by using the colored maps on speculated growth in each Facility Planning Area. The estimated cost to accommodate CSR Amendment 9 and expected growth by 2010 is $32,751,801.

She discussed planning parameters, which included:

1. Plan full implementation of CSRA 9 per Florida Constitution

2. Reduce classroom size for K-5 from (SREF) allowed

3. Plan according to Board approved Facility List for elementary schools

4. Evaluate new school needs by Facility Planning Areas

5. Plan all elementary schools with a capacity of 750

Using the present planning parameters, J. Lisle felt confident that Martin County School District would not be overbuilt if the Class Size Reduction Amendment is repealed. She also felt confident that if enough permanent student stations were not built by 2010, the difference could be accommodated by portables. She stated that district facilities staff was looking for affirmation to the stated planning parameters to address future school planning. Facilities staff recommended that the School Board direct the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which came about through the Interlocal Agreement, to focus on the north west Facility Planning Area for new elementary school siting. The direction needs to be done through a resolution.

Rodger Osborne explained how the cost per student station was computed and answered the board’s questions. The cost per student station is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which keeps going up each year. He stated that student station cost caps are too low. Facility personnel around the state suggest that a square footage cap be used instead of a per student station cap. Rodger discussed the class square footage requirements and the standards the district is using. Because utilities, land, professional services, and outside costs vary, vertical construction is limited to four feet from the building to try and equalize.

J.Lisle Bozeman updated board members on the City of Stuart approving bringing the district into their PUD benefit process, similar to what the County had done. They went along with Martin County School District’s ideas for the contributions for mutual benefit. The School Board will be working with them on their development activities.

2. Open to the Public

· No representation.

.

3. Open to the Board

· Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Complimented J. Lisle and Rodger Osborne, stating that this is better information than they have ever had before. She said communication will be much better with J.Lisle’s newly added and much needed position.

· Sue Hershey

Commented that this was a wonderful presentation.

· Laurie Gaylord

Added to Sue Hershey’s compliments, and stated, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

· Lorie Shekailo

Judged the Science Fair. She reported that she will go to Tallahassee tomorrow to be trained in Legislative lobbying. She looked at middle schools.

3. Open to the Board (Con’t)

· Nancy Kline

Participated in Master Board Training. She taught an integrated Art, Math, and Science lesson in Indiantown. She is moving around to different schools and volunteering. She did a radio show and answered about 400 questions from the community and the public.

· Laurie Gaylord

Brought forward a board member calendar, which she wanted to update at each board meeting. She announced that the League of Women Voters is honoring Susan Burrows at their Susan B. Anthony luncheon. She attended “Read with Your Sweetheart” at Crystal Lake Elementary on February 14^th. She read to a group of fifth graders. She praised a mural that was painted by volunteers at the back of the school and suggested members take a trip to view the painting. She thanked everyone for their participation in the Education Day for Leadership.

· Lorie Shekailo

Stated that she attended the Alumni Leadership luncheon. They were pleased with the Education Day, welcoming the Board’s participation. They thought that this was a welcome addition to their Leadership Day.

· Sue Hershey

Informed members that she will be attending a growth management hearing in West Palm Beach and will address school issues as related to growth management. She enjoyed the Leadership Day. After visiting other schools, she realized that no one maintains their schools as well as we do. Even our joint use areas are maintained well.

· Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Attended the Governor’s press conference in Tallahassee. She is encouraged that the Joint Resolution will be focused on beginning teacher’s salaries. It was said at the press conference that beginning teacher’s salaries would begin at $35,000 and there should be movement in the steps. Dr Sara A. Wilcox explained that keeping class size reduction at the district level gives districts flexibility. Many districts in the state are extremely concerned about meeting that class size reduction and having to take their music rooms and art rooms for space. She felt that a lot of unintended consequences have resulted from this amendment. She wants to monitor and have good input with the implementation of the bill. They talked with the Governor on “No Child Left Behind.” Dr. Sara A. Wilcox had the opportunity to emphasize the importance of equity. The Governor was supportive of equity at the beginning of the implementation, basing it on FTE instead of need. The Governor said that equity was high on his priorities. They talked to the Governor about VPK emphasizing that many districts can not certify meeting the space requirements for class size reduction in 2008. Commissioner Winn indicated that there may be a solution coming for that. The state has withheld the certification hoping there is a resolution to it.

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

_______________________________

CHAIR (Sue Hershey)

_______________________________

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