1. Attendance

Minutes: 

Board members present: Barbara A. Harvey, Chairwoman, Walter E. Miller, Vice-Chairman; Robert C. Gause, Harry G. Kinnan, and Jane R. Pfeilsticker. Also present:  Dr. Roger Dearing, Superintendent; Lynette Edwards, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Herb Tschappat, Assistant Superintendent for District Support Services; Tim McGonegal, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services; Rob Shapiro, Staff Attorney; and John Bowen, School Board Attorney.

2. Call to Order

Minutes: 

Chairwoman Harvey called the meeting to order at 5:46 p.m.

7. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Winners

8. Approval of Minutes

Attachment: M022508.pdf
Attachment: W030508.pdf
Attachment: S022608.pdf

Motions:
Motion and approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 25, 2008, Special Meeting of February 26, 2008, and Workshop of March 5, 2008.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Harry Kinnan
Second: Jane Pfeilsticker
Robert Gause	- Aye
Barbara Harvey	- Aye
Harry Kinnan	- Aye
Walter Miller	- Aye
Jane Pfeilsticker	- Aye

42. Public Comments

Minutes: 

Trish Dezso - announced the first  Parent University, being held at Braden River High School on April 12, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

Darlene Sharts - Language Learning Impaired (LLI) Program - supports continuing the current program.

Tara Gourlay - Language Learning Impaired (LLI) Program  - thanked Ron Russell and the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) staff for meeting with the parents of LLI students.  She said she believes the best decision will be to leave the LLI program as is.

Shannon DeChelbor - Language Learning Impaired (LLI) Program  - expressed disappointment that no final decision about this program has yet been reached.

Dave Miner - trusting the public with information.  He also announced that earlier in the day he learned that he had lost his appeal regarding the release of the appraisal for the purchase of the Professional Support Center.

James Copeland - student capacity at Freedom Elementary School.

Scott Klabin - student capacity at Freedom Elementary School.

Raphael Allen - said he had encouraged gay and lesbian students who believed they had been bullied to contact the School Board Members.  He noted the meeting for minority subcontractors who want to bid on district projects was held earlier in the day.

Shawn Lutus - Language Learning Impaired (LLI) Program - submitted a request to speak, but noted on the request that she would not be speaking.

43. Approval of Naming the Anna Maria Elementary School Auditorium the James P. Kronus Auditorium

Minutes: 

Ms. Margi Nanney, Public Information Officer, introduced Ms. Cindy Harrison, Guidance Counselor at Anna Maria Elementary School.

Ms. Harrison noted she is speaking on behalf of Mr. Levengood, Principal, who could not be in attendance at the meeting. 

Ms. Harrison requested that the Board name the auditorium at Anna Maria Elementary School the James P. Kronus Auditorium.

Motions:
Motion and approval of naming the Anna Maria Elementary School Auditorium the James P. Kronus Auditorium.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Robert Gause
Second: Walter Miller
Robert Gause	- Aye
Barbara Harvey	- Aye
Harry Kinnan	- Aye
Walter Miller	- Aye
Jane Pfeilsticker	- Aye

52. Board Comments

Minutes: 

Mr. Miller

 

Jessie P. Miller Elementary School Dedication - said this was a wonderful event.  He said he was impressed that 87 staff members attended the dedication.

 

Read Across Manatee - he read at Sea Breeze and Miller Elementary Schools.

 

Dream Oaks Camp - said he serves on the Board for the Foundation for Dreams, which operates Dream Oaks Camp.  He thanked the anonymous community member who matches every pint of blood donated with a $100.00 contribution to Foundation for Dreams.

 

Board Priorities - reminded the Board that the Florida School Boards Association recommends that school boards develop Board priorities for their 2008-2009 district budget.

 

Central Florida School Boards Coalition - reported on this meeting, which he attended earlier in the day.  He passed along compliments from the Coaliltion members to district staff for the best practices session which was hosted by Manatee County in February.

 

Ms. Pfeilsticker

 

Parent University - affirmed the value of this event, being held at Braden River High School on April 12, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

 

Budget - stated she believes that the solution to the school district's financial needs lies with the state legislature.  She encouraged community members to contact their state legislators about this issue.

 

Science Master Grant - reminded teachers that this grant allows 50 district teachers to earn Master's Degrees in science.

 

Reading Leadership Team Grant - kudos to Linda Guilfoyle, Director of Curriculum, for writing this grant.

 

Palm View Elementary School - affirmed the need for renovation work at this school. 

 

Mr. Kinnan

 

Superintendent Updates - asked the Superintendent to continue to work for speedy closure of the questions about the Language Learning Impaired (LLI) Program, and student allocations at Freedom Elementary School.  

 

Budget - requested Dr. Dearing speak with each Board Member regarding the district budget.  He also requested that a Board workshop about the budget be scheduled soon.  He suggested that every department and program should justify all items in their budget.

 

Manatee Education Foundation - said he sees the Foundation playing an even bigger role in supporting teachers in the future.

 

Legislative Luncheon - reported that the Board met with the local legislative delegation.

 

New Teacher Celebration - attended this event last week.  He said about 60 of the first-year teachers from the district attended the celebration.

 

Student Allergies - noted that the district has over 2,700 students with various types of allergies.  He said that House Bill 495 empowers school nurses to stock and administer EpiPens as needed.  He said he supports passage of this bill.

 

Middle School Athletic Program - said he has requested a report from Ms. Angela Essig, Director of Middle Schools, about the status of this program.

 

Mr. Gause

 

Superintendent Updates - said he would like to see the LLI Program and the Freedom Elementary School student allocation discussions brought to resolution.

 

Read Across Manatee - he read at Anna Maria Elementary School.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Winners - kudos to both of the students who read their winning speeches to the Board earlier in the meeting.  He noted that Dyrren Barber, the winning senior, is also a very accomplished musician.

 

Buster Griffith - reminded Board Members that the ceremony honoring Mr. Griffith is being held on March 20, 2008, at the Courthouse.

 

Public Comments - asked Board Members if they are willing to review the Board policy about public comments at School Board meetings.  He noted the importance of treating all public comment speakers with respect.  

 

Dr. Dearing said he will talk with each Board Member about their thoughts on public comments guidelines.

 

Mrs. Harvey

 

Thomas Pinkas - extended condolences to the family of this Palmetto Elementary School student.  She commended the Palmetto Elementary School team for their quick response in support of the students.

 

Read Across Manatee - she read at Myakka Elementary School.

 

Elementary E - commended the Department of Construction Services and community members on the planning taking place for this school.

 

Manatee High School - commended Mr. Kinnan for his excellent facilitation of the Town Hall Meeting which recently took place at the school.

 

Minority Contractors - said she met earlier in the day with local minority contractors who would like to work on district projects. 

 

Florida A & M University - announced that on March 11, 2008, at 6:30 p.m., at the Sarasota Motel and Marina, the president of the university will make a presentation regarding enrollment and scholarship availability.  High school seniors need to take copies of their transcripts to the meeting, if they are interested in applying for a scholarship to the university.

53. School Board Workflow Chart

Attachment: March 10 2008.pdf

54. Comments by John Bowen

Minutes: 

Mr. John Bowen

Professional Support Center Appeal - confirmed that earlier in the day the Second District Court of Appeals entered an Order without an opinion on this matter, which means that the Circuit Court's previous decision on this matter stands.  There was no school district violation of the Public Records Act in this matter.

55. Comments by Dr. Roger Dearing

Minutes: 

Dr. Roger Dearing

Budget - said he believes the payroll reduction proposed during public comments is a periodic political statement by that individual.  He noted that the district will need to make comprehensive budget cuts.  He explained that the budget cuts currently being discussed are a result of a reduction in sales tax revenues, and are not attributable to the passage of Amendment One.  He said that in the future, the district will need to conduct business differently, and advised that services will be reduced.  Dr. Dearing also outlined the next series of meetings that will take place to discuss the budget, including a Board Workshop in the near future. 

Language Learning Impaired (LLI) Program - said he and Ron Russell, Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) are meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of the program.  Dr. Dearing said they are discussing a modified LLI program, not a VE (Varying Exceptionalities) program.  He also advised the parents of LLI students that the restructured program will not have the same level of service or staffing as the current program.  He explained the funding of Reading Coaches as it relates to the ESE and LLI programs. 

Freedom Elementary School - spoke about the projected student allocations at this school.

Palmetto Elementary School - said the district is very close to an announcement about this project.

Read Across Manatee - said district-wide, Read Across Manatee was a great success.

Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) - reminded Board Members that FCAT Testing starts tomorrow.  He asked parents to be sure their children get sufficient rest, and eat a good breakfast on testing days.  He said statistics show that a serving of orange juice in the morning actually helps students academically.

Central Florida School Boards Coalition - reported on this meeting, which he attended earlier in the day.

Student Progression Plan (SPP) - said he will be asking that the SPP be revised to meet the state's requirement of the reading remediation for Level 1 students.

56. Adjournment

Minutes: 

There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairwoman Harvey adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.

 

_____________________________              _______________________

Roger Dearing,  Ex Officio Secretary             Barbara A. Harvey,

and Superintendent of Schools                      Chairwoman