The Invocation was offered by Mr. Taylor; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Thigpen.

Transcription

1 The Invocation was offered by Mr. Taylor; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Thigpen. The School Board of Okaloosa County met in Regular Session on January 16, 2001, in the School District Administration Building, 120 Lowery Place, SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. PRESENT: Rodney Walker, Chairman Cindy Frakes, Vice-Chairman Howard Hill Lloyd Taylor Cathy Thigpen Don Gaetz, Superintendent C. Jeffrey McInnis, Esq., Attorney to the Board The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed visitors and presenters. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion to approve the Agenda as amended was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously (All changes approved by the Chairman at Workshop): Personnel Appointments: Added as item #7, Appointment of Food Service Manager at Elliott Point Elementary Consent Agenda: Added as item #21, Self-help project for additional parking spaces at Silver Sands School Discussion Agenda: Item #3 was amended as HRMD Plan Revisions recommended by the Superintendent for approval; item #5 was amended as School District Athletic Facilities Capital Outlay Project, presented by Rodney Walker and not recommended for approval by the Superintendent Construction Program: Added as item #4, Submission of the Program Status Report for December 2000 VISITORS: 1. The winners of the elementary and middle school divisions of Tech Bowl 2000 were recognized by the Board. Mr. Hill presented certificates to the students and faculty leadership of Valparaiso Elementary School as winners of the elementary division. Mrs. Frakes presented certificates to the students and faculty leadership of Meigs Middle School as winners of the middle school division. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS (Workshop Only): 1. Construction, facilities, and capital outlay report (Exhibit 01-1): A. Progress report on Sverdrup/Delta Program 2, presented by Rodney Walker B. Progress report on athletic facilities, presented by Bill Smith C. Five-year capital outlay plan, presented by Superintendent Gaetz 4

2 CONSENT AGENDA: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously: 1. Minutes of Workshop Meeting of December 7, 2000; Minutes of Regular Meeting of December 11, 2000; Minutes of Special Disciplinary Hearing of December 7, 2000; and Minutes of Special Meeting of December 20, 2000, recommended by the Superintendent for approval. 2. Approval of Finance Recommendations, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval: A. Adoption of a Resolutions through authorizing the use of facsimile signatures for each District bank account B. Adoption of Resolution for authorization to enter into agreements with financial institutions for use of electronic transfer of funds 3. Budget Amendment #2, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-2). 4. Monthly Financial Report for December 2000, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-3). 5. Payment of Invoices dated January 16, 2001, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-4). 6. Warrants in the amount of $31,271,091.80, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-5). 7. Acceptance of donation to Bluewater Elementary School from the Arts Council of Northwest Florida in the amount of $1000 and from Don Gaetz in the amount of $ , presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-6). 8. Acceptance of donation to Cherokee Elementary School from the Cherokee PTO in the amount of $11,200.00, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-7). 9. Acceptance of donation to the Destin Middle School Computers For Kids Program from Newman-Dailey Resort Properties in the amount of $ and from Jim Liufau in the amount of $1000, presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-8). 10. Acceptance of donation to the Fort Walton Beach High School cheerleaders from Carr, Riggs & Ingram in the amount of $ , presented by Patricia Wascom and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-9). 11. Surplus Property List #01-11, Heat Pump to be cannibalized for parts, Okaloosa Applied Technology Center, presented by Debbie Hurst and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-10). 12. Reimbursement of $49, to the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners for engineering services for the School Crosswalk Project, presented by Bill Smith and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-11). 5

3 13. Agreement between the School Board of Okaloosa County and the University of West Florida to develop, print and tabulate School Climate Surveys, presented by Terry Hecker and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-12). 14. Agreement between the School Board of Okaloosa County and VSA Arts of Florida, Inc., to provide grant money for the purchase of materials and transportation for ESE students to participate in VSA, presented by JoAnn Tabor and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-13). 15. Title VI Roll Forward Budget Amendment, presented by Diane Kelley and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-14). 16. Personnel Recommendations, presented by Becky Spence and recommended by the Superintendent for approval: A. New Hire Report (Exhibit 01-15) B. Leave Requests (Exhibit 01-16) C. Transfer Report (Exhibit 01-15) 17. Employment Separations, presented by Becky Spence and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-17). 18. Cleared Certification Requirements and Issuance of Contract for School Year, presented by Becky Spence and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-18). 19. Reinstatement of Sick Leave due to line-of-duty illness/injury/medical examination, presented by Becky Spence and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-19): A. John (Mike) Killimett, Bruner Middle, 4 days B. Henrietta Thompson, Fort Walton Beach High, 20 hours C. Valery Webb, Baker School, 2 days 20. Bids and Purchasing, presented by Rick Norris and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-20, see bid file for additional information): A. Approval of Bids and Purchasing Requests: (1) Bid for Gas Fired Heaters for Crestview High School awarded to Air- Tech, Inc., in the amount of $17, (2) Renewal of RFP 99-4 Inventory Services awarded to Regis Inventory Specialists in the amount of $18, (3) Renewal of Bid #99-B45 Asphalt Paving Contract awarded to Greene Construction, Fixed Price Bid, Facilities Planning (4) Revised recommendation for Bid #01-B25 Staple & Frozen Food - Mutual Wholesale total amount of $266,575.68; Daffin Food Service total amount of $301,125.19; total bid amount of $858, (5) Re-award of Bid #01-B18 Lawn Service for Valparaiso Elementary School to Gulf Coast Landscape, Inc., in the amount of $ for contract period no. 1 (6) Sagebrush Technologies, Inc., Sole Source, for District-wide Athena Technical Support in the amount of $13,007.00, Media Services 6

4 B. Rejection of Bids and Purchasing Requests: None 21. Self-help project for construction of additional parking spaces at Silver Sands Schools, presented by Bill Smith and recommended by the Superintendent for approval (Exhibit 01-21). DISCUSSION AGENDA: 1. Motion to approve a Waiver of the OCEA Master Contract to pay a bonus to teachers and support personnel from Florida School Recognition Funds was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously: A. Combs-New Heights Elementary School (Exhibit 01-22) B. Mary Esther Elementary School (Exhibit 01-23) 2. Motion to endorse the educational aspects of the Florida Arts Congress-2001 and authorize payment of $50.00 for a one year membership in the Florida League of the Arts for Okaloosa County Schools as recommended by the Superintendent for approval was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Thigpen and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-24). 3. The HRMD Plan revisions presented by the Superintendent s transition team and recommended for approval by the Superintendent were approved on a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-25). 4. On a motion by Mrs. Frakes and seconded by Mr. Taylor the Board unanimously adopted the Okaloosa School District State Legislative Agenda for the 2001 Session and endorsed the Florida School Boards Association s Legislative Priorities for 2001 (Exhibit 01-26). The Chairman authorized Mrs. Frakes to represent the Board and present the adopted Legislative Agenda at a meeting with the Legislative Delegation on Thursday, January 18, PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS: 1. The Superintendent s recommendation for the following individuals to fill the three Assistant Superintendent positions was approved on a motion by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously: Assistant Superintendent-North County School Operations - Wayne Ansley (Exhibit 01-27) Assistant Superintendent-Central County School Operations - Robert McEachern (Exhibit 01-28) Assistant Superintendent-South County School Operations - Frank Fuller (Exhibit 01-29) 2. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the appointment of Terry Hecker to the position of Chief Officer-Quality Assurance and Curriculum was made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mrs. Frakes and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-30). 3. The recommendation of the Superintendent to appoint Donna Hannah as the Principal of Longwood Elementary School was unanimously approved on a motion by Mr. Taylor and seconded by Mr. Hill (Exhibit 01-31). 4. The Superintendent s recommendation to appoint Dr. Lamar White to the position of Principal at Ruckel Middle School was approved on a motion by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-32). 7

5 5. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the appointment of Janie Varner as the Principal of Niceville High School was made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mrs. Frakes and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-33). Mr. Gaetz advised the Board that Mrs. Varner will continue to serve as the coordinator of the University School Program. 6. The Superintendent s recommendation for the appointment of Linda Winthurst to the position of Office Manager-Superintendent s Office was approved on a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-34). 7. Motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for the appointment of Mary Mercer to the position of Food Service Manager, Elliott Point Elementary School, was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-35). Mr. Gaetz announced that he has made the following temporary assignments (Exhibit 01-36): Dr. Van Crigger as Assistant Principal at Choctawhatchee High School; Dr. Tom Grandstaff as Principal of Crestview High School; Donna Erdman as Director of the Juvenile Justice Schools; Glenda Robinson as Principal of Southside Elementary; and Sandra Foster as Principal of Plew Elementary School. The Chairman recessed the Regular Meeting and called to order the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. McInnis presented for the Board s consideration the following new job descriptions recommended by the Superintendent for approval: A. School Support Coordinator B. Contract Coordinator C. Coordinator, Safe Schools and Student Activities D. Manager, Student Health and Safe Schools E. Specialist, Evaluation and Academic Support F. Program Director, Evaluation and Academic Support G. Specialist, Grants and Non-Operating Income H. Program Director, Exceptional Student Education (Quality Assurance) I. Office Manager, Superintendent s Office J. Program Director, Community Affairs K. Program Director, Health and Safe Schools The Chairman called for public comment; there was none. Motion to approve the new job descriptions, as enumerated above, was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Frakes and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-37). The Chairman concluded the Public Hearing and reconvened the Regular Meeting at 6:17 p.m. DISCUSSION AGENDA (cont.): 5. Mr. Walker stated that his original proposal was to provide funding for a multi-purpose athletic facility at Fort Walton Beach High School and for a Title IX facilities upgrade program. Because of the uncertainty of revenue needed for the Title IX facilities and possibly a technical high school, he was proposing that only the funding for the athletic facility at Fort Walton Beach High be considered at this time. With an estimated $5 8

6 million cost for the athletic facility, he suggested funding be provided through a 10-year Certificate of Participation. He identified four unencumbered, undesignated general revenue sources (95%-100% ad valorem taxes, DoD funds, rebate, and racetrack fund) that could be used to pay the interest only on the COP for three or four years at which time the Technology dollars ($500,000 per year for two more years) will be paid back and the current COP ($2.4 million per year for three more years) will be paid off. At that time approximately $3 million will be available to pay the new COP and the balance available for other capital projects. Mr. Walker emphasized that the revenue sources he identified to make the interest payments are non-recurring funds and cannot be used for salaries but are funds that can be used as a one time source to make the interest payments on the COP. He also stated that he would be willing to wait on determining the amount of the COP until the final design has been determined and a construction cost estimate received. Mrs. Wascom verified the amount and availability of the general revenue sources and the debt service amount and pay-off dates identified by Mr. Walker. She stated that she is currently in the process of reviewing the Sverdrup/Delta program and the current year budget to determine the district s financial status. This process will take approximately six weeks to complete. Mrs. Frakes and Mr. Hill stated that they preferred to wait until Mrs. Wascom has time to review the budget and the Superintendent and his staff have time to evaluate all the capital needs before committing to the proposed financial obligation. The Chairman recognized members of the public who requested the opportunity to make comments on this issue. Mike Foxworthy, speaking on behalf of the OCEA Board, stated that while they shared the concern of the inequity of athletic facilities, they also had concerns with the funding source. They recommended the facility be funded through a half-cent sales tax or a lock-in charge for all athletic tickets county-wide. Darryl Fields and Richard Maddox stated support of the athletic facility and encouraged the Board to provide adequate funding. Mr. Hill stated that he could not support the proposal at this time. He requested the Superintendent and the facilities director work with the school to develop a smaller plan for athletic facilities, maybe just the stadium and track, and to review funding options. Mr. Taylor offered his full support of the athletic facility stating that the school has been promised the facilities for 30 years and that he believes now is the time to deliver on that promise. Mr. Walker stated that he has supported the request of other schools for stadiums and stadium lights, field houses, wellness centers, etc., and it is time to deliver on the promise of athletic facilities for Fort Walton Beach High. He added that he is willing to table the issue if there is a possibility that another board member will support the proposal given additional time to review the budget. Mrs. Frakes stated that she didn t think this was the right time with the district undergoing major reorganization and facing Title IX issues. She further stated that she thought an increase in the millage rate should be considered for the purpose of building the athletic facilities. She then offered a motion to table the issue for further review. 9

7 Mr. Hill stated that he would second the motion if it included a request for the Superintendent to have the facilities director review the design plan and offer some design options and cost estimates. Mrs. Frakes accepted the amendment. Mr. Walker asked that the motion include a date certain for the Board to reconsider the issue. Mrs. Frakes agreed. The motion as amended by Mrs. Frakes is to hold in abeyance until the first regular meeting in March the proposal to fund the construction of a multi-purpose athletic facility at Fort Walton Beach High School and that the Superintendent is requested to review the design plans of the proposed facility for possible design options, and to provide cost estimates and funding options. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hill and carried unanimously. The Superintendent suggested that the services of Hanscomb, Inc., an independent cost evaluator on contract with the Board, be used to provide the cost estimates for the proposed design. Motion to authorize the Superintendent to forward the design plans for the athletic facility to Hanscomb, Inc., for the purpose of providing an independent cost evaluation was made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Frakes and carried unanimously. Mrs. Thigpen requested the Superintendent develop guidelines for the use of the shared facilities between Fort Walton Beach High School and Choctawhatchee High School. Superintendent Gaetz assured the Board that every effort will be made to develop the guidelines. Should a satisfactory agreement between the schools not be reached, he stated that the stadium will be operated by the district office and an appropriate reduction will be made to the budget of Choctawhatchee High in order for the district to take care of the stadium maintenance for both schools. CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM/OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE'S BUSINESS: 1. Motion to approve Sverdrup/Delta Capital Outlay Program No. 2, Task Order No. 1, Change Order No. 23 was made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mrs. Frakes and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-38). 2. Motion to approve Sverdrup/Delta Capital Outlay Program No. 2, Task Order No. 3, Change Order No. 10 was made by Mrs. Frakes, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried unanimously (Exhibit 01-39). 3. The Board acknowledged the submission of the Program Status Report for November 2000 covering the activities of Sverdrup/Delta on the Okaloosa County School District Construction Management Program, presented by Ray Gabriel, Program Manager (Exhibit 01-40). 4. The Board acknowledged the submission of the Program Status Report for December 2000 covering the activities of Sverdrup/Delta on the Okaloosa County School District Construction Management Program, presented by Ray Gabriel, Program Manager (Exhibit 01-41). BIDS AND PURCHASING: None ATTORNEY S BUSINESS: None 10

8 BOARD MEMBERS BUSINESS: Mrs. Thigpen stated that several months ago the Board directed the previous Superintendent to develop heat index guidelines for student participation in physical education classes and extra-curricular activities. She asked Mr. Gaetz if this had been done. Mr. Gaetz responded that he has seen nothing in the files to indicate that this directive was completed and that he will address the matter. Mrs. Thigpen requested the Superintendent have all pertinent information regarding agenda items to be considered by the Board distributed in the agenda package and not presented to the Board at the meeting and request approval. Other board members concurred with the request. Mr. Gaetz stated that every effort would be made to honor the request. However, there are some personnel issues that must be presented at the meeting in order to obtain the Board s approval in a timely manner. Board members indicated that those issues are acceptable for presentation at the meeting but other matters on the agenda should be distributed in the package in order to have sufficient time to review the information and to request additional information if necessary. Mr. Walker suggested the Board reverse its regular meeting schedule by holding the first meeting of the month in Fort Walton Beach and the second meeting of the month in Crestview. He also suggested that the 4:00 p.m. workshop prior to the second meeting be eliminated and the regular meeting be scheduled for 4:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. Motion was made by Mr. Hill that the Board conduct regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month with the first meeting of each month to be held at 6:00 p.m. in the School District Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach and the second meeting of each month to be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview; and, that the Board conduct a Workshop at 9:00 a.m. on the Thursday preceding the second Monday of each month in the School District Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Frakes and carried unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT S BUSINESS: Mr. Gaetz announced that open forums for parents of special needs students have been scheduled for the week of January 22 nd in various locations throughout the county. These meetings have been scheduled to provide parents the opportunity to express their concerns and to receive their input on ESE programs. 1. Antioch Elementary School third graders to visit New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 20, 2001 (Exhibit 01-42). 2. Baker School JROTC cadets to attend drill competition in Wetumpka, Alabama, January 19-20, 2001 (Exhibit 01-43). 3. Bruner Middle School eighth graders to visit New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 20, 2001 (Exhibit 01-44). 4. Plew Elementary School fifth graders to visit the U. S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, May and May 17-18, 2001 (Exhibit 01-45). 5. Walker Elementary School fifth graders to travel to Mobile, Alabama, on March 30, 2001 (Exhibit 01-46). 11

9 There being no further business to come before the Board, and upon motion being duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Teresa Epperson, Recorder DON GAETZ RODNEY L. WALKER SUPERINTENDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD CORPORATE SECRETARY 12