Regular School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 20, 2005 – 7:00 p.m.

School Board Meeting Room

Stuart, FL  34994

 

Members Present

Susan Hershey -Chair

Lorie Shekailo-Vice-chair

Dr. David Anderson

Nancy Kline

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox, Superintendent

Tom Elfers, School Board Attorney

Kristin Conrad, Student Representative (JBHS)

 

Members Absent

Laurie Gaylord

 

 

Staff Present

Joe Flanagan, Gail Olsen, Jenny Lambdin, Essie Rains, Don Merritt, Ginger Featherstone, Joan Hunt, Kit Weir, Nancy Marin, Gail Newman, Cece Hysmith, Tracey Miller, Larry Green, Mary McWilliams, Ray Parrish, Jeri Eckler, Loreen Francescani, Susan Burrows, Delores Calloway, Rae Hollenbeck, John Klatt, Darrell Miller, Deana Newson, Rodger Osborne, Dr. Frank Raffone, Julie Sessa, Marshall Skinner, Mark Cocco, Helen Kleinfeld, Gail Williams, Linda King, Mary Alice Stewart, J. Lisle Bozeman, Hank Salzler, Ruth Pietruszewski,  

 

Public

Denise Garcia, Eileen Helfman, Deborah Kline, Terry May, Nick Blount, Cal Montgomery, Joseph Toth, Hays Henderson, Sam Ferrari, Guierlmo Cabrera

 

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 called Board members’ attention to the updated personnel recommendations for out of field teachers.  The teachers must be approved before FTE.  She also called the Board’s attention to the updated organizational chart.  No deletions were made to the agenda.

            B.         Approval of the Agenda

Lorie Shekailo moved approval to adopt the Agenda with updated back-up documentation, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

Sue Hershey announced that Laurie Gaylord was not present, because she was recovering from surgery.

 

2.         Approval of the Minutes:*

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of the 8/2/05 Special School Board Meeting , Public Hearing, and Regular School Board Meeting minutes, 8/2/05 Exploration of Financing Alternatives for Future Capital Project Construction Workshop minutes, 8/12/05 Special School Board Meeting minutes, 8/23/05 Capital Plan Workshop Meeting minutes, 9/6/05 Special School Board Meeting minutes, 9/12/05 Special School Board Meeting minutes, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. 

 

3.         Recognitions:*                        

A.         Recognition of the Superintendent’s Purchase Prize High School Juried Art Show Award Winner-Kathleen Shing-JBHS

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox stated that each year Rose Taylor and herself select and purchase a painting from the Juried Art show.  Dr. Wilcox said that the student’s work was phenomenal, and it was not easy to choose one piece. This year’s chosen painting was displayed in the front of the Board room. The paintings are hung in the Superintendent’s office.

 

 

 

 

 

3.         Recognitions:* (Con’t)

B.                 Recognition of Awarded EFMC Enrichment Grants

Dr. Frank Raffone introduced Eileen Helfman from the Education Foundation to award the enrichment grants.  He recognized the Education Foundation as a great partner to the School District.  Eileen Helfman informed the Board that since the inception of the Enrichment Grant Program, the program has funded more than $300,000 in classroom enrichment grants impacting many children in the Martin County School District.  Most of the funding is drawn from the annual Bids for Kids auction, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, and other private donations from business partners and community members.  She announced that they were funding 58 grants for a total of $54,910.68.  BCE, Challenger, CLE, FAWE, HSE, HOMS, JBE, JBHS, JDParker, MCHS, PCE, PWE, PSE, SFHS, SMS, and WES were awarded funds for their grants.  PSE received the most grant awards, a total of twelve. 

 

4.         Proclamations/Resolutions:*

            A.         Daughters of the American Revolution-Constitution Week, September 17-23,

2005- (COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Frank Raffone introduced Debra Klein, Treasurer of Martin County Bar Association and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR.  She asked the School Board to join on behalf of DAR and proclaim the week of September 17-23rd as Constitutional Week, joining in with the City and County Commissioners.  The Martin County BAR Association is stressing co-equalness of the three branches of government, executive, legislative, and judiciary, that provides the checks and balances necessary for the system of government in the United States.  September 17, 2005 marks the 218th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention.  Debra Kline read the proclamation.

            B.         Martin County PTA Membership Month-September-Denise Garcia-

(COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Frank Raffone introduced Denise Garcia, PTA President.  Denise said she was proud to be part of a PTA where the School Board gives so much support.  She asked Sue Hershey to read the proclamation.  Sue Hershey read the proclamation. 

            C.         FSBA Advocacy Committee Senate/House Resolution Endorsing American

Education Week – (COPY ATTACHED)

Lorie Shekailo read the FSBA resolution.  She then announced that Gayle Harrell would take a tour of the schools on 9/27/05 and enjoy one of the School District’s healthy lunches.

D.                Character Counts in Martin County Proclamation- (COPY ATTACHED)

Sue Hershey introduced Terry May. Terry stated that October would mark 10 years of Character Counts in Martin County.  She thanked everyone for their generosity and appreciated their support.  She presented two plaques, one to Dr. Sara A. Wilcox and one to Sue Hershey, since they were two of the eight original founding Board members.  She recognized them both for their outstanding and dedicated service.  She recognized Nick Blunt, a member of the Advisory Council.  She passed out lapel pins to the Superintendent, School Board Attorney, and Board members.  Sue Hershey read the Character Counts proclamation.

 

5.         Presentations:*

            A.         Presentation on JBHS Ball Fields and Landscaping-(COPY ATTACHED)

JBHS Ball Fields

Joseph Toth, Schenkel Shultz Architects, gave a power point presentation giving visual perception of the existing conditions, existing field issues, the approach to corrections, and the baseball/softball field corrections.   The proposal has been sent to a national athletic architectural firm in Denver, Co., as a check to make sure what they’re doing is going to work. He showed slides of the present fields and compared the current fields to the fields with the proposed modifications.  He stated that Jensen Beach Boulevard is a major hurricane evacuation route, so that is why the foul ball nets that are there now had been designed to meet 140 mph winds.  The nets will be positioned so the foul balls are caught before they go up and out, catching the ball at the backstop.  The backstop will be extended to go up to 42 feet and screening added to the backstop to deflect balls.  The height of the screening will be moved up 25 feet.   The present field is situated in the best way possible oriented for safety reasons. The pitcher would not be throwing into the sun. Wetlands were tagged.  Home plate will be moved in fifteen feet.  Lorie Shekailo informed Joe that she had volunteers that offered to assist with this project.  Joe told her to have the volunteers get in touch with him.

 

Landscaping

Hays Henderson, landscape architect from Houston Cuozzo, updated Board members on the landscaping plan.  He showed photos, and he brought a set of plans.   Trees were planted along the sidewalks.  The larger trees were placed on the buffer area; pines, live oaks, sables, magnolias, and red cedar trees. Large trees were about eighteen feet overall, whereas the original large trees were only eight to ten feet tall.  The goal was to have a variety of vegetation for seasonal change and visual variety.  Smaller trees will be under story trees that will provide a buffer from four to eight feet in height. Large trees will provide a canopy.  Visual screening was increased significantly.  He showed photos of the plant material recently installed.  He stated that within a relatively short time the branches will begin to grow together and with the canopy trees there should be a full canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.         Presentations:* (Con’t)

            A.         Presentation on JBHS Ball Fields and Landscaping

Landscaping

that will screen off the elements, as the plant material grows taller as it ages and matures. Maintenance will have to be ongoing to keep the limbs from penetrating the screening.  Plant material was selected that would not spread to minimize that maintenance headache.  He felt this was a significant improvement over what was initially proposed for landscaping this area.  The revised landscaping has created a significant increase in the budget.  Lorie Shekailo said she has received many compliments on the plantings.  Hays said it will take a year or so before the bigger trees will be transitioned into the native soil, then they will really take off.  Right now the trees are transitioning and establishing roots.  A change will not be seen in the first year, it will be seen in the second year.  Next spring will bring recognized growth and a noticeable difference will be seen.  The landscaping should achieve the desired visual effects.

B.                 Hurricane Recovery Update-(COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox introduced Julie Sessa and recognized her promotion as our new Director of Facilities.  Dr. Sara A. Wilcox praised Julie and her staff’s performance during the hurricane. Julie Sessa presented a power point presentation updating Board members on Hurricane Frances and Jeanne damages, repairs, insurance claims, and FEMA reimbursements.   Julie stated that the District has collected $5.4 million out of $6.9 million in FEMA reimbursements, so the District is doing much better than most of the other governmental agencies.  Julie distributed a financial hand-out, discussed projects, and reviewed the reimbursements and insurance claims on storm damage.  

 

6.         Open to the Public:*               No Representation

           

7.         Removal of Items from the Consent Agenda:*

 

8.         Approve Consent Agenda:*

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

 

 

9.         CONSENT AGENDA

            A.         05/06 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:*     

                        1.          Approve the Collaborative Agreement between the School Board of

Martin County and YMCA of the Treasure Coast-(COPY ATTACHED)

                        2.         Approve Cooperative Agreement between Tykes & Teens, Inc. and the

School District of Martin County-Indiantown Teen Parent Center-(COPY ATTACHED)

                        3.          Approve Memorandum of Agreement between AFSCME and MCSB

Regarding Fingerprinting for Employees –(COPY ATTACHED)

                        4.         Approve Memorandum of Agreement between MCEA and MCSB

Regarding Fingerprinting for Employees –(COPY ATTACHED)

5.                   Approve Agreement between Martin County School Board and Florida

Atlantic University to Provide Reading Certification to Title I Teachers-

(COPY ATTACHED)

6.          Approve Interlocal Agreement for Special Needs Shelter with County-

(COPY ATTACHED)

 

            D.        Renewal Agreements:*           

1.          Agreement with Pediatric Services of America, Inc. and the School Board of Martin County to Provide Nursing Services to a Student at Jensen Beach Elementary-(COPY ATTACHED)

 

            E.        New Grants:*              None

 

            F.         Renewal Grants:*

            1.          Approve Boys and Girls Club Mentoring Services Grant-“Project

Learn” for $69,536-(COPY ATTACHED)

2.                   Approve 2006 Head Start Continuation Grant for $2,195,918-

(COPY ATTACHED)

 

            G.        Disposal of Surplus Property:* (COPY ATTACHED)

 

 

 

 

9.         CONSENT AGENDA (Con’t)

H.        Personnel Items:*

1.          Schedule of Personnel Recommendations (COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox recognized and congratulated Julie Sessa on her promotion to the Director of Facilities.  Dr Wilcox remarked that whatever Julie does she does well.  She recognized Joan Hunt, who had gone in the drop program and was being rehired at this Board meeting. Sue Hershey welcomed Julie as the new director and extended her congratulations to Joan Hunt.

2.          Leaves Authorized by the Superintendent

            a.          Professional Leave Only-(COPY ATTACHED)

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

3.          New Job Descriptions

            a.          Benefits Technician-(COPY ATTACHED)

            b.         Substitute Bus Operator-(Ex. 9-H-3-b)

4.          Revised Job Description

                                    a.         Food Service Assistant Manager-(COPY ATTACHED)

                        5.         Personnel Allocations 2005-2006-(COPY ATTACHED)

                        6.         Approve Organizational Chart-(COPY ATTACHED)

                        7.         2005-2006 Master In-Service Plan Update-(COPY ATTACHED)

 

10.        Items Removed from the Agenda:*     None

 

11.        Construction:*

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

A.         Approve Amendment #1 to Contract with Schenkel Shultz Inc. for

Additional Professional Services at Middle School AA (Project 3500)-

(COPY ATTACHED)

            B.         Approve Request for Reimbursement form Martin County Board of County

Commissioners for the County’s Portion of Construction Cost of Goldenrod Road per Interlocal Agreement (Pineapple Park)- (COPY ATTACHED)

C.         Approve Five Year School Plant Survey-(COPY ATTACHED)

            D.        Approve 2005-06 Five Year Work Program-(COPY ATTACHED)

            E.        Approve Reduction in Retainage from 10 Percent to 5 Percent for Contractors

Working on Hobe Sound Replacement School Project –(COPY ATTACHED)

            F.         Approve Final Payment to Hennis Construction Company, Inc. for Damage

Remediation Work at the Environmental Studies Center-(COPY ATTACHED)

            G.         Approve Resolution Requesting Closure and Abandonment of SE Lake Street

on School Board Property at Spectrum Campus-(COPY ATTACHED)

            H.        Approve Final Payment to Hennis Construction Company, Inc. for Damage

Remediation Work at the Indiantown Adult Learning Center-(COPY ATTACHED)

            I.          Approve Purchase Order to Advanced Roofing, Inc. for Miscellaneous

Roofing and Sheet Metal Work at Martin County High School Due to Damage form Hurricane Frances and Jeanne-(COPY ATTACHED)

            J.          Approve Exemption to the Florida Building Code Requirements for

Enhanced Hurricane Protection Areas at Murray Middle School Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Building-(COPY ATTACHED)

 

12.        Finance:*

Lorie Shekailo moved approval of Item 12, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

            A.         Approve Purchase Orders / Contracts (COPY ATTACHED)

            B.         Approve Monthly Financial Statements for July 2005- (COPY ATTACHED)

            C.         Approve Monthly Financial Statements for August 2005-(COPY ATTACHED)

D.        Approve Capital Funds Budget Amendment #06-301-(COPY ATTACHED)

E.        Approve General Fund Budget Amendment #06-101-(COPY ATTACHED)

            F.         Approve Special Revenue Funds Budget Amendment #06-4201(COPY ATTACHED)

            G.        Approve Food Service Budget Amendment #06-4101-(COPY ATTACHED)

            H.        Approve Change to Petty Cash Custodian from Rita Miller to Robin Tucker

for Warfield Elementary Food Service-(COPY ATTACHED)

            I.          Approve Change to Petty Cash Custodian from Ken Cummings to Gail Olson

                        for Felix A. Williams Elementary-(COPY ATTACHED)

 

13.        Bid Recommendations:*

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

            A.         Approval to Piggyback Bid

                        1.          Palm Beach County Schools Bid #05C-37R for Purchase of Bread and

Bread Products-(COPY ATTACHED)

                        2.          Union County Schools Bid #2005-02 for Ice Cream Products-

(COPY ATTACHED)

 

13.        Bid Recommendations:* (Con’t)

            B.         Approval to Renew Piggyback

                        1.          FL State Contract # 250-000-03-1 for Information Technology

                                    Hardware (COPY ATTACHED)

C.         Approval to Award COOP Bid

                        1.          COOP BID SDIRC # 2006-01-01 for Juice Products (COPY ATTACHED)

            D.        Approval to Piggyback RFP

                        1.          School District of Osceola County RFP # 03-06-03 NM for Type IV

Multi-Story Modular Classrooms, Delivery and Installation (COPY ATTACHED)

 

14.        Approve 2005-2006 SAC Membership for:  Crystal Lake Elementary, Hidden Oaks

Middle, Hobe Sound Elementary, Murray Middle, Port Salerno Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, South Fork High School-(COPY ATTACHED)

Lorie Shekailo moved approval of Item 14, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

15.        Approve 2004-2005 School Improvement Plans Final Report and 2005-2006 School

Improvement Plan Drafts for:  Crystal Lake Elementary, Hidden Oaks Middle, Hobe Sound Elementary, Murray Middle, Port Salerno Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, South Fork High School – (COPY ATTACHED)

Lorie Shekailo moved approval of Item 15, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

16.        Approve Equity Report for the 2004-2005 School Year-(COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 16, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

17.        Rule Revisions:*

A.         First Review and Approve Advertising Per APA of 5610.01 Expulsion of Disabled Students-(COPY ATTACHED)

Dr. David Anderson moved approval of Item 17, Nancy Kline seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

                       

18.        Open to the Board:*

Kristin Conrad

Reported that Florida Writes testing is this week, and FCAT retakes are next week.  SFHS has been observing Constitution Week by holding assemblies each day by grade, focusing on the foundations of our freedoms in America. Judge Robey and Alan Force of the Martin County Bar Association will be guest speakers at assemblies at MCHS promoting Constitution Week. MCHS girls’s golf and volleyball are undefeated.  Students unveiled a new tiger statue in front of the school, donated by the Class of 2004.  Gary Moseley, of Moseley Construction, donated his time, crew, and equipment to pour the concrete slab and unload and place the tiger.  Dads are coming to school on Friday, and the students are worried about their Dad making it from one end of the campus to the other in five minutes. SFHS has collected over $6,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.  College Career night will be held at Treasure Coast Mall on October 17th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. JBHS’s homecoming is next week. 

 

Nancy Kline

Thanked Delores Calloway for all the School Improvement plans.  She remarked that they were so strategic and informative.  The goals and plans were exciting.

 

Lorie Shekailo

Reiterated Nancy Kline’s remarks on the School Improvement Plans.  She stated that she used to help prepare the plans, so she can appreciate all the effort involved.  She attended the MCEA No Child Left Behind Education seminar.  She stated that every time she attends another seminar, she learns something new.  She had the pleasure for many years of judging enrichment grants.  She felt it was a shame that there was not more funding to award all the grants.  She remarked that they were all good and all deserve to win.  It would be a noble goal to do more fund raisers to provide funds for more grants to be awarded.  She announced that she would not be able to attend the Legislative Committee meeting, so she suggested choosing an alternate. Sue Hershey would represent the School Board at the Legislative meeting this week.  She nominated Nancy Kline to be the alternate.

 

Nancy Kline

            Accepted the nomination and agreed to be the alternate for the Legislative Committee.

 

Dr. David Anderson

            Thanked everyone who expressed their condolences to his family.  He lost his sister Saturday morning.

 

Sue Hershey

Reviewed dates.  She announced that October 20th was the FSBA Legislative Committee in Tampa. She announced that  Making a Difference was coming up on the 27th in Palm Beach, November 3 & 4th was the School Board training, November 29th  was the  semi-annual FSBA meeting, and concurrency workshops were being held  on the 29th and 30th.    The workshop on the 29th was being held at the Hilton Palm Beach at the Airport.  The workshop on the 30th was being held at I.R.C.C. in Fort Pierce.

 

Dr. Sara A. Wilcox

Asked if when our legislator, Gayle Harrell, visits our schools that Hank or Frank talk with her about the co-teaching model and support facilitation.  She wanted Gayle to see that program in action.  She felt it was important that our legislators be educated about the co-teaching model and support facilitation, because of class size reduction, and the fact that there is a lot of opposition to giving us credit for that.  She stated that it is best practices with ESE and ESOL population to have them in mainstream and have the special teachers working with them in the mainstream.  She asked Hank to coordinate his schedule to make sure that Gayle Harrell sees some good examples.  She stated that visual is so important.  She continued to explain that there was a lot of discussion on this topic last week at the Superintendent’s conference.  Commissioner of Education, John Winn, is totally opposed to giving class size reduction credit, because he feels that some schools are using it just for class size reductions and not the best practice model.  Dr. Wilcox said she will be attending the growth management workshop in Palm Beach, since the workshop on growth management at the Superintendent’s conference was cut down.       

 

 

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

 

_______________________________                    

CHAIR (Sue Hershey)                      

 

 

 

_______________________________

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