1. Call to Order

Minutes: Chairman Janice Kershaw called the meeting of March 11, 2008 to order at 5:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Minutes: 

Members Present: Janice Kershaw, Larry Hughes, Amy Kneessy, Barbara Murray, Robert Jordan

Chairman Kershaw requested a moment of silence for John Walker, a teacher at Central Area Abeyance Center and Laurie Joseph, a Senior at Bayside High School, who recently passed away.

6. Adoption of Agenda

Minutes: 

Dr. DiPatri read the following changes into the agenda.

Consent Revision
F-1.   Student Expulsions

Information Additions
H-20.   2008-2009 School Year Calendar

Motions:
Approve the adoption of the March 11, 2008 agenda and its revisions.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Robert Jordan
Second: Barbara Murray
Larry Hughes	- Aye
Robert Jordan	- Aye
Janice Kershaw	- Aye
Amy Kneessy	- Aye
Barbara Murray	- Aye

B. District Communications

7. B-1. 2008 Civic Star Award Recognition

Minutes: 

Dr. DiPatri announced that Melbourne High School Academy of Business and Finance in partnership with the Melbourne/Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce was the  recipient of the 2008 National Civic Star Award. The National Civic Star Awards are bestowed on school districts that implement unique and creative methods to cultivate community partnerships which results in enriched student achievement. Dr. DiPatri noted this is the second consecutive year Brevard Public Schools have earned the honor, having been recognized in 2007 for its Hurricane Katrina Relief effort.

The 2008 National Civic Star Award was presented by Sodexho at the American Association of School Administrator's National Conference on Education on February 14-17, 2008, in Tampa, Florida.

Chairman Janice Kershaw and Dr. DiPatri awarded three plaques and congratulated the following recipients:

MHS Principal, Jim Willcoxon and MHS Teachers, Maureen Lemos – Director, Business Electives and Michael Mahl – Academy History Honors

From Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Deborah Ballard, Director, Workforce Development and Education
Ed Kinberg, Board of Directors, Managing Partner of Kinberg & Associates
Holly Wesche, current Vice Chairman of Education for the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, owner of Wesche Jewelry.

Brevard Public Schools -Brenda Blackburn, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

 

B. Certification & Instructional Professional Development

8. B-2. Recognition of National Board Certified Teachers

Attachment: NBCT Updated 021508.pdf
Minutes: 

Dr. DiPatri thanked the School Board and the Brevard Federation of Teachers for their strong support of this program.  He also commended Dr. Pat Shelton, Director of Certification and Instructional Professional Development.  Dr. DiPatri noted Brevard has the 3rd largest percentage of National Board Certified teachers in the nation, and is first in Florida among the larger districts.  There are currently 567 NBCT’s actively working in the district.  He also reported that all eighty-five of the district’s schools and two Charter Schools have at least one National Board Certified Teacher.  The district is currently at 11.3% of our eligible teachers being National Board Certified, and is moving toward our Strategic Plan goal of having 15% of the eligible NBCT by 2010. 

Each of the 92 Brevard County teachers who received National Board Certification in November 2007 introduced him or herself and were congratulated by Dr. Richard DiPatri, Chairman Janice Kershaw, Dr. Pat Shelton, and BFT President Anne Spencer. 

9. Public Discussion

Minutes: 

The Chair reminded the public that there is a maximum allotted time of three minutes per speaker set aside for public discussion. She also stated that the Board would not respond to issues this evening but the Superintendent of Schools will investigate your concerns and respond in a timely manner. The following persons addressed the Board:

1. Anne Spencer, BFT, Rockledge - Merit Pay, NBCT
2. Janet Eastman, BFT, Rockledge - 08-09 School Year Calendar
3. Dan Bennett, Cocoa - Merit Award Pay
4. Deborah Rhyne, Mims - Merit Award Pay             

F. Board Office/Superintendent

10. F-1. Student Expulsions

Attachment: 2008-82.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-83.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-84.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-85.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-86.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-87.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-88.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-79.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-80.pdf (Confidential Item)
Attachment: 2008-81.pdf (Confidential Item)

11. F-2. Approval of Minutes

F. Purchasing & Warehouse

12. F-3. Surplus Property

Attachment: MAR_11_08.pdf

F. Human Resources

13. F-5. Support Staff Recommendations

Attachment: Support Staff 03-11-08.pdf

F. Secondary Programs

14. F-7. Summer Fine Arts Theatre Licensing Agreements

Attachment: Tams-Witmark.pdf
Attachment: Contract Confirmination.pdf

F. Student Services

15. F-9. Safe Schools/Healthy Students - PROJECT WOR2K! Working On Raising Resilient Kids!

F. Area I Superintendent

16. F-10. Field Trip for Melbourne High School - FIRST Robotics Team to Palmetto Regional Competition at Clemson University

Attachment: MHS FIRST Robotics Team.pdf

F. Area II Superintendent

17. F-11. Field Trip for FIRST Robotics Team #233 (Rockledge High, Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, and Viera High School) and FIRST Robotics Team #425 (Eau Gallie High School) to participate in World Championship Event in Atlanta, GA, April 16-20, 2008

Attachment: Robotics_USFIRST.pdf

F. Project Management

18. F-12. Interlocal Agreement and Two Related Utility Easements for The City of Titusville at Oak Park Elementary School

Attachment: Interlocal Agreement with Exhibit A.pdf
Attachment: Utility Easement with Exhibit B.pdf
Attachment: Utilty Easement with Exhibit C.pdf

19. F-13. Certification of Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) Data

Attachment: Certification Form.pdf

F. Approval of Consent

20. Approval of Consent Agenda

Motions:
A motion to accept Items F-1 through F-3, F-5, F-7 and F-9 through F-13.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Robert Jordan
Second: Amy Kneessy
Larry Hughes	- Aye
Robert Jordan	- Aye
Janice Kershaw	- Aye
Amy Kneessy	- Aye
Barbara Murray	- Aye

F. Purchasing & Warehouse

21. F-4. Purchasing Bids, RFPs, RFQs, Sales and Services Agreements

Attachment: SSA 0810CH - CTB McGraw-Hill - Adult Ed - 3.11.08.pdf
Minutes: Dr. Murray questioned whether there were matching district funds to the grant in purchasing bids. Judy Preston, Associate Superintendent of Finance, stated there are no matching district funds.

Motions:
Award the Sales and Service Agreements listed below: a) SSA #0810/CH – Adult/Community Education	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Barbara Murray
Second: Robert Jordan
Larry Hughes	- Aye
Robert Jordan	- Aye
Janice Kershaw	- Aye
Amy Kneessy	- Aye
Barbara Murray	- Aye

F. Human Resources

22. F-6. Instructional Staff Recommendations

Attachment: Instructional Staff 03-11-08.pdf
Minutes: 

Dr. Murray had questions on the ESOL certification and the district's expectations in regard to meeting the requirements of teachers that are not ESOL certified.

Joy Salamone, Director of Labor Relations, stated all of our schools have at least one teacher that is ESOL certified. There are some instances,  if the student requires ESOL services and the teacher is not currently trained, then the student is moved to a teacher that is certified. Ms. Salamone also stated that ESOL classes are beginning after FCAT testing for those teachers that need to be trained in ESOL which is not an option.

Motions:
Approve the routine instructional staff recommendations.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Barbara Murray
Second: Larry Hughes
Larry Hughes	- Aye
Robert Jordan	- Aye
Janice Kershaw	- Aye
Amy Kneessy	- Aye
Barbara Murray	- Aye

F. Adult/Community Education

23. F-8. Approve the Proposed GED Testing Fee Increase

Attachment: GED Testing Fees for#364FCC.pdf
Attachment: GED Budget 2008 rev2.pdf
Minutes: 

Ms. Kershaw stated her position had not changed on the GED Testing Fee increase and would still encourage the district to come up with some creative ways to offset the increase. Ms. Kershaw also stated that in the current climate, she is not in favor of passing an increase on to students that could use the assistance on getting their GED.

Ms. Kneessy stated she does support the recommendation to increase the GED Testing Fee increase and would support the increase of the fee in one step to $50.00 if needed. The majority of the students getting their GED, had the opportunity to get a diploma at our expense the first time and we do not supplement students for outside testing for SAT and those that are applying to colleges. The district has not increased the fee for 10 years.

Motions:
Approve the proposed GED Testing Fee increase from the current $40 to $45 as of July 1, 2008, and to $50 as of July 1, 2009.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Larry Hughes
Second: Barbara Murray
Larry Hughes	- Aye
Robert Jordan	- Aye
Janice Kershaw	- Nay
Amy Kneessy	- Aye
Barbara Murray	- Aye

Motion Minutes: 

The Chair called for a BPS News video break at 6:37 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 6:50 p.m.

H. Board Office/Superintendent

24. H-1. First Amendment to the Superintendent's Employment Agreement

Attachment: Sch Bd 1st Amendment Superintendent contract.pdf

H. Financial Services

25. H-2. Update on Budget Outlook for Fiscal Years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009

Attachment: Budget Outlook and SOAR Program 02.26.2008.pdf
Minutes: 

Dr. DiPatri made a brief presentation to the Board to address items; H-2. Update on Budget Outlook for Fiscal Years 2007-08 and 2008-09 and H-6. SOAR 2008 and its related attachments as it relates to the recent and upcoming budget cuts.

Discussion ensued amongst the Board and the Superintendent in reference to the upcoming budget cuts. Ms. Kershaw gave several suggestions on possible ways for the district to cut the budget.

Ms. Kershaw encouraged the Superintendent to bring to the Board ideas on what might be done with the reserve funds above and beyond what we need to keep for Board policies.

Dr. DiPatri stated the process for budget cuts will begin on April 23, 2008. A budget worshop has been scheduled for that day to discuss next year's budget.

Ms. Kershaw and Dr. Murray commended the Superintendent and staff in regard to the work that they have done with the budget reductions.

 

H. Accounting Services

26. H-3. Public Sale of Series 2008 Revenue Anticipation Notes

Attachment: Working Papers RAN Agenda.pdf

27. H-4. Financial, Operational and Federal Single Audit Report

Attachment: Financial, Operational, and Federal Single Audit.pdf

H. Risk Management

28. H-5. Renew the School Boards Property Insurance and Boiler & Machinery Insurance Policies

Attachment: Property, Boiler & Machinery Insurance Supporting Documents.pdf
Minutes: 

Mr. Hughes pulled this item for clarification on whether the Legislature has approved or is about to approve, that we can use the districts capital dollars for property insurance.

Mark Langdorf, Director of Rick Management, stated the Legislature would be voting on that amongst other things that have been prepared for the Senate. It is not a done deal but it looks promising.

Mr. Hughes suggested that we send strong support to our legislative deligation.

H. Curriculum & Instruction

29. H-6. SOAR 2008

Attachment: Budget Outlook and SOAR Program 02.26.2008.pdf
Attachment: SOAR_Bd_agenda_item-attachment[2].pdf

H. School Choice

30. H-7. Charter Renewal Recommendation for Educational Horizons Charter School

Attachment: Ed Horizons - District Analysis.pdf
Attachment: Ed Horizons Renewal Document.pdf

H. Elementary Programs

31. H-8. Consultant Agreement with Dr. Susan Hall - 95 Percent Group

Attachment: Susan Hall Resume Complete 9-19-062.pdf
Attachment: Consultant Agreement Summary - Title II 5.15.08.pdf
Minutes: 

Mr. Hughes pulled this item for more information on the instructional cost.

Dr. DiPatri stated that the Board will only receive consultant agreements if the hourly cost is over $100 per hour and was verified by Judy Preston, Assistant Superintendent to Financial Services.

Dr. Murray suggested that during a budget crisis year the district look at data to ensure the consultants are providing the results that we need and whether the training could be done in house.

Mr. Jordan questioned if this item would be paid from Title II monies. Lynn Spadaccini, Director of Elementary Programs, stated this is from Title II Federal money that has to be used for training.

Dr. DiPatri questioned whether we could pay our own teachers to conduct the trainings from Title II monies as Dr. Murray suggested. Ms. Spadaccini stated that we could use our teachers since there are no guidelines given on how to spend the monies, only that it has to be spent on training, preferably on reading but there is flexibility there.

H. Middle School Programs/K-12

32. H-9. AIMS Staff Development Workshop

Minutes: 

Mr. Hughes requested more information about the AIMS consultant hourly rate of $450.

Beth Thedy, Director of Middle School Programs, stated the hourly rate included salary, travel, $220.50 worth of materials for each participant, handouts, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Mr. Hughes stated that he is very concerned about the cost vs. benefit ratio on this workshop.

Mr. Jordan questioned whether we could do a train the trainer program.

Dr. DiPatri stated there are some organizations that have proprietary rights to the workshops and do not have the train the trainer model.

Mr. Hughes stated the Harris Corp. has been fabulous about supporting professional development and making contributions. He questioned whether we could do an outreach to one of our math and science business partners like Northrup-Grumman, Lockheed Martin, or Boeing and sponsor these types of workshops.

H. Secondary Programs

33. H-10. Contracted Services Agreement With Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)/High Schools That Work (HSTW) ~ SREB Needs Assessment Exit Report

Attachment: SREB HSTW ~ Contracted Services Agreement ~ Bottoms.pdf

H. Alternative Sites

34. H-11. School Board of Brevard County and Crosswinds Youth Services

Attachment: Contract CWspace 07-08.pdf

35. H-12. Department of Juvenile Justice 2008-2009 School Calendar

Attachment: DJJ Calendar 08-09.pdf

36. H-13. Agreement between Child Care Association of Brevard County, Inc. and School Board of Brevard County

Attachment: Contract - CCA.pdf

H. Area III Superintendent

37. H-14. Field Trip - Merritt Island High, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Jefferson Middle School Robotics Team - FIRST Robotics Team Competition in Atlanta, GA

Attachment: Robotics_USFIRST.pdf

H. Area IV Superintendent

38. H-15. Titusville High School German Club Field Trip to Helen, Georgia

39. H-16. Consultant Agreement: Oak Park Elementary - Julie Teague of Learning Wheels

Attachment: consultant agreement.pdf

H. Project Management

40. H-17. Amendment #1 to Agreement for Design / Build Services for Additions and Renovations at Satellite High School

Minutes: 

Mr. Hughes questioned why the district is adding additional student work stations at Satellite while at the same time projecting that our student population is going to decrease from 1450 to 1100 over a period of three years and plateau at 1100.

Ed Curry, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities, explained that before initiating this project, we looked at the condition of all the buildings, and did a Castaldi Analysis, which  is State authorized and determines whether the district should build new or fix the current facility. The district received DOE approval to basically demolish the school and rebuild it. After looking at the needs, we have come up with a better and more cost effective way to deal with the renovations and maintain the programs that are currently at Satellite High School.

Mr. Hughes requested additional information about this project before the next School Board meeting of March 25, 2008.

Ms. Kneessy questioned whether the additional cost would be covered by impact fees and not increase the district's debt. Mr. Curry stated that Ms. Kneessy was correct on both counts.

Mr. Curry stated to the Board that he will be giving the Board a site plan showing what was originally agreed upon and what we are currently doing and where the work will occur and the population information that Mr. Hughes requested.

Ms. Kneessy stated that she completely supports this amendment.

Ms. Kershaw questioned whether it is expected to be completed by November 2008. Mr. Curry stated that we are looking at the time line now and negotiating the final contract language including schedule and fees.

Mr. Jordan asked what would happen to the impact fee money if the Board does not approve this item. Mr. Curry stated he would have to go back to the committee and make a recommendation to spend the money elsewhere. Mr Jordan stated that he agrees with Ms. Kneessy and supports the recommendation.

Discussion ensued amongst several of the Board Members and Mr. Curry for further clarification on the addendum of the Satellite High School revisions.

41. H-18. Amendment #1 to Agreement for Design / Build Services for Additions and Renovations at West Shore Jr/Sr High School

Attachment: Amendment No. 1 - West Shore.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit A.pdf

42. H-19. Amendment #3 to Agreement for Design / Build Services for Additions and Renovations at Palm Bay High School

Attachment: Amendment No 3 - PBHS.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit A - PBHS.pdf

H. Additional Items

43. H-20. 2008-2009 School Year Calendar

Attachment: Memo 08-09 School Year Calendar.pdf
Minutes: 

Ms. Kneessy requested adding this item to the agenda and pulled it for discussion.

Discussion ensued between the Board Members and Dr. DiPatri in regard to the school calendar and different senerios on trying to get the school exams before the winter break.

Mr. Jordan would like to see data from a sampling of schools on how the student's exams compared from previous year to this year.

44. Board Member Reports

Minutes: 

Mr. Jordan requested that Dr. DiPatri look at the MAP (Merit Award Program) to see what the  impact would be if his vote was changed on the MAP program. He also stated that he spoke with Mr. Bistline in regards to rescinding his vote and it would take a 2/3 vote from the Board.

Mr Hughes stated that if Mr. Jordan rescinded his vote then the district would have to renegotiate the teachers' contracts.

Mr. Kneessy stated that there is an Audit Committee meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. and she plans to attend. She is concerned about the audit report on Palm Bay Community Charter Schools. Ms. Kneessy encouraged the Board to read the audit report. In the executive summary, we may have a significant financial concern. Ms. Kneessy wanted to comment publicly that the district may have another charter school in financial trouble.

Ms. Kershaw needed some clarification on the guidance counselors to student ratio and why there were some of the discrepancies.

Dr. DiPatri stated that we would get the Board more information out of the numbers on the guidance counselors and do our best to balance the ratios especially since we are beginning to implement Part II of  SSNP.

45. Adjournment

Minutes: The School Board Meeting of March 11, 2008 was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.