Special School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 21, 2005 – 1:00 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

 

Members Absent

Kristin Conrad, Student Representative (JBHS)

 

Staff Present

Julie Sessa, Jim Copeland, Garret Grabowski, Cathy Brennan, Sabra Avery, Hank Salzler, Ruth Pietruszewski  

 

Public

Doreen Loughman, Jay Hoffman

 

Press               PBPost – Mike Bender              Stuart News – Kelly Tyko

 

MCEA – No Representation                 AFSCME – Lisa Edwards

 

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

None

B.                 Approval of the Agenda

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

           

2.         Open to the Public:*

No one requested to speak

 

3          Declaration of Emergency:* - (COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox said that she thought it was prudent to do this Declaration of Emergency with Hurricane Wilma pending.  The effective date had been made from October 21st to November 30th. to extend the declaration through hurricane season. Dr. David Anderson suggested that the Board give the Superintendent the discretionary powers each year to have the ability to declare it on her own, for any kind of disaster.  Dr. David Anderson said that they trusted her and felt she should have that power. Dr. Sara A. Wilcox said she would check into it.  She was not sure if that could be done.  Dr. Sara A. Wilcox said part of the reason she had to do this now was so that she could pay the employees in the shelters. The Superintendent thanked David for that idea, and she appreciated his emotions of trust.

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 3, Lorie Shekailo seconded, and the motion carried unanimously

 

4.         GMP for Warfield Elementary School Cafetorium:*- (COPY ATTACHED)

Julie Sessa set-up a panel of her facilities staff, capital finance staff, and W.G. Mills to answer any questions Board members may have had. She advised that Rodger Osborne and Keith Holman, Martin County Emergency Operations Center, have had discussions on the Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area (EHPA) for Warfield Cafetorium.  Indiantown did not have adequate shelter space.  Rodger and Keith discussed design criteria.  Song + Associates, Inc. worked on the EHPA changes to the cafeteria.  Their contract was amended in July 2005 to convert it to an EHPA shelter.  Risk Management has filed a $430,000 grant application through the local mitigation strategy 404 money with the County for EHPA.  There are 800 applications, at this point they have only looked at 10, and no decision has been made as to whom will be funded.  The grant is being filed with the Department of Community Affairs.  Julie reviewed the GMP for the cafetorium totaling $4,022,755.  Sue Hershey expressed her feelings that the shelter was a community program, and that the county should bear some of the responsibility, and maybe even the state.  Board members asked questions.  Dr. David Anderson asked when the completion date would be.  Doreen Loughman, W.

 

4.         GMP for Warfield Elementary School Cafetorium:* (Con’t) (COPY ATTACHED)

G. Mills, answered that it would be finished in October 2006.  Julie Sessa stated if the District is lucky, it may be done in 10 ½ months.  The contract, she continued to explain, was for 12 months.  Lorie Shekailo remarked that the bond/risk insurance and hardening costs should be added into the square footage price.  Nancy Kline showed concern about the number of bids.  There was only one bid for plumbing, HVAC, and steel. Out of 18 sections, 7 categories had only one bid.  Doreen explained they had a hard time getting the numbers of bids, because many contractors did not have the workforce.  W.G. Mills called as many contractors as possible for bids. Nancy asked if the project was re-bid would they expect to get more bids.  Doreen Loughman and Jay Hoffman, W.G. Mills, said they had been concerned about the number of bids, but that was the best they could do.  Lorie Shekailo asked if there was someone in house that checked the bids to ensure that they are in the realm of the industry.  Jay Hoffman answered yes. Board members discussed the height of the covered play area.  Dr. David Anderson asked how many phases were projected.  Julie answered that there were 5.  Sue Hershey reminded Board members and Julie that it was important to have a good facilities plan to incorporate it in the Comp Plan.  Dr. Sara A. Wilcox commented that the plan should be financially feasible, and continued to reflect that money is the part that prohibits us from doing all the phases at once.  Lorie Shekailo commented that she thought the District had to amend their 5 year capital plan in order to do the COPs.  The 5 year capital plan that was approved was on July 1st.  Dr. David Anderson stated that St Lucie County had extended their sales tax for twenty years.  Nancy Kline asked if the GMP was recommended by both the Facilities Director and Superintendent. Julie Sessa, Facilities Director, and Dr. Sara A. Wilcox, Superintendent, both answered yes. 

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 4, Lorie Shekailo seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

5.         Open to the Board:*

 

Lorie Shekailo

            Requested that Dr. Sara A. Wilcox give an update on the impending Hurricane Wilma.

 

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Stated it’s the same model with the storm projected to exit Florida through Stuart.  EOC is projecting more than just a wind event, but it is still too early to tell.  School has not been closed as yet, because there are still a lot of changes that can occur.  EOC suggested that the District wait until the 11:00 a.m. update tomorrow.  The outbound calling will be used to contact staff and students.  Principals all have their hurricane kits.  The District is ready to staff the shelters.  Based on the information, the Special Needs Shelter at Challenger could open on Sunday. If other shelters are needed, it will be JBHS, WES, PSE, and HOMS.  If it is a tropical storm event, Red Cross may use churches instead of schools.  Some activities for Saturday have been cancelled, and others will occur. Some events are still being discussed. ACT testing will continue.  Dr. Sara A. Wilcox thanked everyone for coming in to meet on the GMP.  She stated that it was important to get this done, so the District can get started on the project.

 

Lorie Shekailo

Wanted to comment publicly about the letter to the editor on Jensen Beach Elementary School.  She said it is misrepresentative of that school.  The woman complained that the District does not encourage parental involvement.  Lorie Shekailo has put in over 2000 volunteer hours herself at JBE.  Lorie stated the letter was not very fair. 

 

Sue Hershey

Informed Board members that the Regional Planning Council approved the agreement to be the facilitator for the Interlocal Agreement.

 

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

 

 

 

_______________________________                    

CHAIR (Sue Hershey)                     

 

 

 

_______________________________

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