We believe: Every child can learn, and each child can learn more than he or she is now learning.
We believe: The School District and its employees have mutual obligations for support and development toward continuous improvement.
We believe: A healthy public school system is key to the maintenance of a healthy democracy .
The School Board of St. Lucie County held a Regular Workshop Meeting in the School Board Room on November 17, 2009 at approximately 5:15 p.m.
PRESENT: MR. TROY INGERSOLL, Chairman
ALSO PRESENT:
Member Residing in District No. 5
MRS. KATHRYN HENSLEY, Vice Chairman
Member Residing in District No. 4
DR. JOHN CARVELLI
Member Residing in District No. 3
MS. CAROL A. HILSON
Member Residing in District No. 2
DR. JUDI MILLER
Member Residing in District No. 1
MR. MICHAEL J. LANNON, Superintendent
MR. DANIEL B. HARRELL, Attorney
Chairman Ingersoll called the meeting to order and State Representative for District 81, Mr. Adam
Fetterman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consideration of Application for Charter – Tradition Academy of Innovation (Proposed K-8)
Chairman Ingersoll opened the public hearing to receive comments on the proposed application for charter for Tradition Academy of Innovation (K-8 Charter School-within-the-Workplace).
Ms. Virginia Ditman, grandmother of a charter school student, Mr. John Hage, President/CEO of
Charter Schools USA, Mr. Ken Haiko, Chairman of Renaissance Charter Schools, Inc., Ms. Kathy
Gagnon, parent of Renaissance Charter School students, Dr. Richard Houghton, President of
Torrey Pines Institute, and Torrey Pines Institute staff scientist Lydie Trautmann, individually addressed the Board and explained their reasoning as to why the application for charter should be approved. Mr. Hage read a letter of support from the Port St. Lucie City Council into the record.
Following public comment, Chairman Ingersoll closed the public hearing.
Dr. Kathy McGinn, Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning & Central Services, came forward to explain the charter application review process that the district staff team had undertaken using the Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument and established application evaluation protocol. As a result of the process, and considering all information provided thus far, staff was recommending to the Superintendent that the application for the proposed K-8 Charter School-within-the-Workplace (Tradition Academy of Innovation), based on deficiencies as outlined in the completed Application Evaluation Instrument, be denied.
Board members pointed out and received a legal interpretation from Attorney Dan Harrell relative to the significant differences between a charter school and a charter school-within-a-workplace— differences which Mr. Harrell said were not insuperable but when offered to work through them, charter school representatives decided they wanted to come to the Board as opposed to working through those issues. Board members also voiced their concerns and questions about the charter
We believe: The core business of the St.
Lucie County School District is creating challenging, engaging, and satisfying work for every student, every day.
We believe: Quality schools are the responsibility of the entire community.
We believe: The School District must promise continuous improvement in student achievement and in the success of each individual.

school’s instructional programs and types of innovation. Questions about enrollment projections, staffing, budget, exceptional student education, and curriculum were a concern.
Dr. Miller confirmed with Attorney Harrell that the Board’s interpretation of the [charter school] statutes was true and accurate. She then stated, and other members concurred, that she was in favor of creating a charter in-the-workplace just not in the format that was presented at 850 students. Dr. Miller stressed that conversation should be continued due to the needs of the community.
Mrs. Hensley explained that the Board had been involved in economic development efforts, some of which brought scientists and researchers into the community (Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institute, Smithsonian Institute, University of Florida, etc.), over the past 15 years and she encouraged the Superintendent to continue his dialogue to meet that need. The Board understood the issues and the law and it was important that it not set a precedent by ignoring parts of the law for different agendas. The Board needed to follow the law and meet the need [of students].
Ms. Hilson stated there were rules that had to be followed and as representatives of the community and taxpayers, her priority was to the students and families. She did not serve any special interest. Due diligence had been done--there were legal red flags that needed to be worked on.
Dr. Carvelli concurred with other board member comments and said he hoped charter school representatives could work out something that fit the needs of students and the law.
Chairman Ingersoll said the Board had opened three charter schools over the past 4-5 years. All had come before the Board and been worked on together. He felt this situation could be worked out. Mr. Ingersoll said there was a need for this school but this wasn’t the right application. It needed to be revised.
The Superintendent said staff had spent a great deal of time on this issue and clearly the applicant did have the opportunity to delay tonight’s action and perhaps find a way to move forward. The packet information pointed out specific failures to meet statutes in the application. Mr. Lannon wanted the public to understand that it was the application itself that the evaluation team found insufficient to recommend for approval. He reminded everyone that over a year ago, he had shared a method whereby a smaller version of this application could be offered to interested parties (scientists interested in moving here)---something to fit the scope of the community.
Student enrollment was flat due to economic conditions and Mr. Lannon found it to be redundant to the need and not in the taxpayers’ best interest at this time. The Board understood what was being done in the community to create new/high wage and exciting jobs because it had invested one billion dollars in schools to meet that issue.
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board deny the application for Charter School based on the deficiencies as outlined in the completed application evaluation instrument
(Hensley/Miller/Carried 5-0).
Addendum 14. GY "Kids at Hope – A Pledge to Remember Day" Resolution – November 24, 2009
Mr. Keith Davis, Principal at C. A. Moore Elementary, and Principal Teri Barenborg from Garden
City Early Learning Academy, read the Resolution designating November 24, 2009 as "Kids at
Hope – A Pledge to Remember Day"
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board adopt the resolution as read (Hilson/Hensley/Carried 5-0).

Addendum 15. BS School Psychology Week Proclamation – November 9-13, 2009
Dr. Bob Brugulio, psychologist with the ESE Department, assisted by two school psychology interns, read the School Psychology Week Proclamation.
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board adopt and proclaim the week of November 9-13, 2009 as "School
Psychology Week" (Miller/Carvelli/Carried 5-0).
Addendum 16. OR Florida Parental Involvement in Education Proclamation for November 2009
Parent Lisa Worden, who explained she was an advocate for children with disabilities, read the proclamation designating the month of November 2009 as Florida Parental Involvement in
Education Month.
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board adopt the proclamation as presented (Hilson/Miller/Carried 5-0).
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board approve consent agenda items # 1 through #9 (Hensley/Carvelli/
Carried 5-0).
1. SR Personnel Agenda & Leaves
2. SR CTA/CU Waiver for Fairlawn Elementary – Article IV.A. Work Year/Hours
3. TB Payment of Bills 10.31.09
4. TB Monthly Financial Report 10.31.09
5. TB RFP 10-10 HVAC Mechanical –Contract Labor
6. TB RFP 10-11 Electrical – Contract Labor
7. MS License Agreement for Bus Stop Location with Tradition Development Company
8. MS First Amendment to Agreement for Contribution of School Site – Midway Development East, Inc.
9. AG Project Agreement with Paul Jacquin & Sons, Inc., for Bayshore Elementary
10. BS Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Penalty, & Final Orders #008 - #014
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board approve
Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Penalty, and Final Orders #008 through -#014 (Hensley/Miller/
Carried 5-0).
11. KM Academic Business Plan Report
Dr. Kathy McGinn reviewed the mid term report that covered Critical Goals 1 – 4 with board members. Dr. McGinn stated the district was on track and would be able to meet class size targets of 18, 22 and 25.
12. TO Skyward Report
Mr. Terence O'Leary, Assistant Superintendent for ITS, presented a Skyward Project Status Report
(power point) to the Board. The district was undergoing transition of its entire system’s operation.
Mr. O’Leary gave a project goals and management overview, reviewed the Skyward timeline, and presented summaries on finance, student information, training, and support. A family access demo was presented for the Board’s information.

Addendum 17. OR Update on Drivers Ed
This report was postponed.
Addendum 18. ML Report from LPA Middle School Modernization Advisory Committee
Dr. Samuel S. Gaines, Chairman of the Lincoln Park Academy Middle School Modernization
Advisory Committee, updated the Board on the Committee’s work to date and stated it was unanimously recommending that the Board adopt Scenario/Option #3 (see supplemental minutes packet) at a total estimated budget of $20 million. Board members thanked Dr. Gaines for his leadership and the Committee’s expeditious work. With the Board’s approval, Mr. Lannon indicated staff would bring back an operational plan that included fiscal information and timelines for a possible target date of August 2011.
Action: There was a motion to accept the Committee’s recommendation of Scenario/Option #3 as discussed (Hensley/Miller/Carried 5-0).
Addendum 19. TB Legislative Delegation Meeting – November 20, 2009
Mr. Tim Bargeron, Assistant Superintendent/CFO for Business Services, discussed the upcoming legislative delegation meeting and topics to be presented, such as
- Developmental research (laboratory) schools, section 1002.32(9)(e) F. S.
“Capital millage equivalent funding”,
- K-12 education funding – inequity in per-student funding (see 2009-10 FEFP calculation,
-Developmental research (laboratory) schools – modify DOE “District Grade” calculation for St. Lucie Palm Pointe Lab/Charter School
(currently excluded),
- Restore 2 mil funding for Developmental research (laboratory) schools
- Equalize funding
- Allow developmental research (laboratory) school’ test results to count in “host district’s grade calculation”.
Dr. Miller informed board members that she and Mr. Lannon had met with Sen. Joe Negron to talk about several issues, including the charter lab. He understood the issue and would bring it forward on the Senate side if someone could be found on the House side to do the same.
Problems with the equalization formula, class size reduction, and the need for a regional approach on issues were also discussed.
13. JM School Board/Superintendent Target #7 Discussion
Opportunities for parents and community members to learn about St. Lucie County schools will be expanded in 2009-2010 through activities that include...(see Critical Goal #3 – Key Strategy #1 in
Academic Business Plan).
Board members agreed to initiate parts of Strategy 1 of Critical Goal 3. Dr. Miller volunteered to develop a process for citizens to “shadow” school district staff members; Mr. Ingersoll said he would work with Dr. McGinn to invite community groups on school visits throughout the school year, and Mrs. Hensley agreed to develop a process of sharing information gained by individual board members who serve on community boards, and/or in other organizations or community groups.
Board members also talked about other community activities, meetings, and correspondence.
It was mentioned that there would be an executive session immediately following the regular workshop meeting.

There were no unscheduled speakers.
After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Ingersoll adjourned the November 17, 2009 regular workshop meeting at approximately 7:55 p.m.