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
Regular Workshop Meeting – October 27, 2009
5:00 p.m.
School Board Room
4204 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
MINUTES
The School Board of St. Lucie County held a regular workshop in the School Board Room on
October 27, 2009 at approximately 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
DR. JUDI MILLER, Chairman
Member Residing in District No. 1
MR. TROY INGERSOLL, Vice Chairman
Member Residing in District No. 5
DR. JOHN CARVELLI
Member Residing in District No. 3
MRS. KATHRYN HENSLEY
Member Residing in District No. 4
MS. CAROL A. HILSON
Member Residing in District No. 2
SANDRA WOLFE, Interim Superintendent
DANIEL B. HARRELL, Attorney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Adoption of New School Board Policy #5.10 and Revised Policies #2.22, #2.23, #3.90, #5.21, #5.23,
#5.232, #5.35, #5.70, and #6.13
#5.10 – Student Enrollment, Emergency Contacts, Release, Parent Participation and Decision-Making,
#2.22 – Board Meetings
#2.23 – School Board Rules
#3.90 – Charter Schools
#5.21 – Primary Residence of Students
#5.23 – Background and Purpose for Controlled Choice Plan
#5.232 – Student Assignment Procedures
#5.35 – Granting Permission for Students to Leave the School Campus
#5.70 – Student Records
#6.13 – Work Year, Work Day and Year of Service Defined for Personnel
Chairman Miller opened the public hearing to receive comments from the audience.
none, the public hearing was closed.
Hearing
Attorney Harrell noted there was a correction on Policy #5.23, page 206, second line--change "3-8"
to read "K-8".
Action:
Interim Superintendent Wolfe recommended the Board
approve policies #5.10, #2.22, #2.23, #3.90, #5.21, #5.23 (with
correction as stated), #5.232, #5.35, #5.70, and #6.13
as presented Carvelli/Hilson/Carried 5-0).
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.
CONSENT AGENDA
Action:
The Superintendent recommended the Board approve
consent agenda items #1 through 6 (#7 was deleted),
#8 through #11, and addendum items #18 (Policy #5.241
was deleted from #18) and #19 as presented (Hensley
Carvelli/Carried 5-0).
1. SR Personnel Agenda & Leaves
2. SR Job Descriptions (New): Head Athletic Coach, Program Specialist 21st Century Program
3. SR CTA/CU Contract Waiver for Morningside Elementary School – Article IV. A.
4. TB Qualified School Construction Bond Program (QSCB) Resolution 2009
5. TB Toussaint L'Ouverture Intern'l. School, Inc., d/b/a/Charter School of Fort Pierce Audit Report
6. TB RFP 10-01 Solid Waste Collection and Recycling Services
7. TB RFP 10-06 Preventative Maintenance for Generators (Delete)
8. TB ITB 10-07 Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid for Buses
9. BS Professional Services Agreement with Isaura Henry – Translator Svcs. for Child Find
10. AG Project Agreement with C. R. Klewin for Playground Equipment Installation District-wide
11. AG Change Order #3 to C. R. Klewin for Port St. Lucie High School Chiller Line
Addendum 18. CT Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing on Policies #3.53, #5.24, #5.241
(Deleted by the Board), #5.32, #7.70, #8.31
Addendum 19. GY Northport K-8 Student Trip to Boston, MA on April 16-18, 2010
OTHER BUSINESS
12. BS Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Penalty, & Final Orders #202 (2008-09) and
#003 - #007 (2009-10)
Action:
The Superintendent recommended the Board approve
Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Penalty
and Final Orders #202 and #003 through #007 as presented
(Ingersoll/Hilson/Carried 5-0).
SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE
Addendum 17. KM Financial Corrective Action Plan-Toussaint L'Ouverture Intern'l. School, d/b/a/
Charter School of Fort Pierce
Prior to district staff's review of the financial corrective action plan prepared by the Charter School
of Fort Pierce, Chairman Miller informed members of the audience that the Board would hear
comments from those who wished to address the subject. The following fifteen speakers stated
their opinions, all asking that the Board keep the Charter School of Fort Pierce open: Jay Lundy,
Patrick Young, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Parsons, Roberta Williams, Marvin Parsons, Paul Johnson,
Brad Rogers, Calesti Lundy Carol Johnson, Ronda Young, Phillip Bogard, Cynthia Schneider, Joseph
Bernadel, and Rufus Alexander. There were five other individuals who chose not to speak but
requested they be contacted to discuss the Charter School of Fort Pierce, namely, Kelli Wolfcale,
Dawn Bach, Teresa Turba, Stacey Sheats, and Luz Caceres. All five had indicated on the speaker
request form that the Board reject a proposal to terminate the charter of the school.
Following the speakers, Dr. Kathy McGinn, Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning/Central
Services, reviewed the Charter School's corrective action plan (see supplemental minutes packet)
and then followed up with the district's response. As set forth in the written reports on file, the
Charter School's deteriorating financial condition, along with findings on the viability for
continuing operation, were outlined. Upon careful review of the Charter School's corrective action
plan, it was concluded that the Charter School was not financially viable and that implementing
the governing board's approved plan would not enable the school to continue operating. The plan
showed continuing deficits for the current school year with the school year ending in a deficit
position. In addition, the Charter School's corrective action plan allowed for three consecutive
months of deficits, which was good cause for termination under the charter contract. There was
no explanation of how the school could continue operations while incurring extended deficits.
Dr. Diane Allerdyce, Principal of the Charter School of Fort Pierce, asked the School Board to reject
district staff's proposal and to work with the Charter School to help make it more viable. Dr.
Allerdyce noted that comments from the "community" [speakers] emphasized the fact that the
school was wanted and needed. Dr. Allerdyce said she believed the school's plan was feasible.
She mentioned that today an error in the budget had been found which needed further review. She
stated there was no need to close the Charter School especially when its financial situation didn't
show a deficit for several months. She maintained that student scores were rising--academics
were improving. There was one "sticking" point in that the Charter School might show a deficit for
next year but the statute allowed for charter schools in a financial emergency to recover over a
two year period according to Dr. Allerdyce. Otherwise, she and her Board had proved to be
financially responsible; they were acting in good faith, and had answered every question.
Action:
The Interim Superintendent recommended that the Board
(1) Accept the findings and determinations set forth in the Superintendent's
Report and Recommendation;
(2) Request the Commissioner of Education to
(a) reject as infeasible the Corrective Action Plan prepared by the
Charter School of Fort Pierce, and
(b) determine that no other or additional component will render
the Plan feasible;
(3) Schedule a hearing to consider immediate termination
of the Charter for the Charter School of Fort Pierce at the Board's
regular meeting to be held November 10, 2009, and direct the
Superintendent to notify the Charter School's Governing Board of
the date, time, and location of the hearing (Carvelli/Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
Discussion: prior to stating the question, board members thanked everyone for their comments
and proceeded to express their concerns:
- the Charter School was not following the original intent of its mission
which was to focus on English language learners from Latin America
grades 6-12;
- the law did not allow the School Board to support a Charter School that is
in an unstable financial condition;
- it was unclear if the students were getting the education they need;
- it was unclear how the inaccurate information on the Charter School's
deficit would effect its financial picture;
- it was unclear how teachers were being paid based on the FTE;
- it was unclear if salary cuts were in place;
- it was unclear if the Charter School's lease had been amended;
- it was unclear what number of Charter School students were on grade
level in the core academic areas.
13. KM Charter School Update
Dr. Kathy McGinn presented a brief verbal report on Nau Charter School and Renaissance Charter
School. There was some discussion about health aides in charter schools that required follow-up.
It was mentioned that the Health Department had been contacted to help incorporate charter
schools into its' overall scope of health services.
14. KM Quarterly Update on Academic Business Plan for 2009-2010(Delete)
This item was deleted from the agenda.
15. TO Progress on Skyward Implementation (Delete)
This item was deleted from the agenda.
Addendum 16. OR High School Accountability & Grading
Dr. Owen Roberts, Assistant Superintendent for Accountability & Assessment, gave a
comprehensive power point on the new high school grading system which was a significant
change to the way high schools were graded beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. In
addition, the law required an equal focus on access to rigorous, accelerated coursework, as well
as performance in rigorous, accelerated coursework; college readiness, and graduation rates.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Mrs. Hensley mentioned she would be attending the 15th Annual FSBA Legislative Committee Day
in Tampa on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Board members were asked to provide her with
discussion items of interest, if any.
Mr. Ingersoll was pleased to inform members that each school with a culinary arts program had
agreed to cook a certain number of turkeys for the community Thanksgiving turkey feed.
Ms. Hilson was going to attend the Governmental Leaders Luncheon meeting on November 5,
2009 at Sam Snead's Restaurant in Port St. Lucie.
Dr. Miller said the Lincoln Park Academy Middle School Modernization Advisory Committee had a
successful organizational meeting and had made plans to tour the facilities at Palm Point
Educational Research K-8 School and the Fort Pierce Westwood High MOA campus at FAU.
The Board determined it would move its November 24, 2009 Regular Workshop meeting to
November 17, 2009 in the School Board Room.
UNSCHEDULED SPEAKERS
There were no further unscheduled speakers.
ADJOURNMENT
After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Miller adjourned the
October 27, 2009 regular workshop at approximately 7:35 p.m.