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 – March 24, 2009
MINUTES
The School Board of St. Lucie County held a regular workshop in the School Board Room on March
24, 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
MR. MICHAEL J. LANNON, Superintendent
MR. DANIEL B. HARRELL, Attorney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order and Chris Harrison, recording secretary, led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
Facilities Use Procedures Manual and Fee Schedule
Chairman Miller called on Mr. John Dixon, Director of Maintenance, who described the
length of time and number of people that had been involved in re-writing the manual
and fee schedule. The goal was to make sure the district could recoup its cost when
school based activities and/or school partnerships, government, community agencies,
youth athletic leagues, private interest and non government entities used school
facilities.
Chairman Miller opened the public hearing to receive comments on the proposed
amendments to the Facilities Use Procedures Manual and Fee Schedule. Hearing none,
the public hearing was closed.
Individual board members thanked Mr. Dixon and other staff members for their diligent
work to help develop a fair and comprehensive manual. Chairman Miller stated that the
district had a mutual use agreement with the County and City of Port St. Lucie that had
fostered a good working relationship between all parties and provided the community
with the opportunity to use recreational facilities. The goal was to collaborate and share
facilities with partners that provide a reciprocal use. The Chairman stated that the
Board would continue the mutual use agreements with its partners when it got a
comparable value in return.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve the
Facilities Use Procedures Manual and Fee Schedule as presented,
including the caveat mentioned by Chairman Miller that the Board would
continue to collaborate and share facilities with partners that
provide a reciprocal use; it would continue the mutual use
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.
agreements with its partners when it received comparable value
in return (Ingersoll/Carvelli/Carried 5-0).
TABLED ITEM (from March 10, 2009 Meeting)
1. SR Calendar for 2009-2010 (Recommended approve calendar as presented - Hensley/Hilson)
Action: The Superintendent recommended the Board approve the
2009-2010 calendar as presented (KH/CH/Carried 4-1,
Mr. Ingersoll against).
Discussion: prior to stating the question, Mr. Ingersoll maintained that he would like to see the
early release days occur on Wednesdays instead of Fridays. There were too many students absent
when early release days were scheduled on Friday.
CONSENT AGENDA
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve consent
agenda items #2 through #10 as presented (Hensley/Ingersoll/
Carried 5-0).
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
SR Personnel Agenda & Leaves
TB Payment of Bills
TB Monthly Financial Report
TB RFP 09-17 Computer Repairs
OR Florida Virtual School Connections Academy Contract
OR Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Center Program Agreement
KS Carl D. Perkins Grant Roll Forward Allocation
AG Project Agreement with Paul Jacquin & Sons, Inc. – Relocate Hybrids to Marine Oceanographic Academy
AG Deductive Change Order #2- Owner Direct Purchases at Copper Creek (Allapattah Flats K-8)
OTHER BUSINESS
11. BS Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Final Orders #092 - #111
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve Stipulated
Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law & Final Orders #092 through #111
(Carvelli/Hilson/Carried 5-0).
SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE
12. ML 2009-2010 Budget Plan Presentation
Superintendent Lannon shared details of his budget recommendations that he was going to
formally present to the Board at its April 7, 2009 regular meeting. Individually, board members
had previously indicated to Mr. Lannon that they would refrain from making any comment until
they had a formal recommendation in front of them. (FYI - The budget plan is available in writing
through the district's website and the board meeting can be viewed via on demand video also
through the website.)
Mr. Lannon spoke about the revenue decline that Florida had been experiencing and was
continuing to experience, most particularly in funding for K-12 education. In St. Lucie County, the
district had been working with CTA, CU and CWA since August of 2008 to identify budget
reduction strategies while also monitoring revenue changes during the 2008-09 school year.
Input from community members was included in the plan, e.g., suggestions made at the February
26, 2009 town hall meeting and over 300 suggestions received through budget@stlucie.k12.fl.us
email.
The budget plan included $30 million in proposed cuts. Since School Boards in Florida cannot
levy taxes in addition to the tax rate approved annually by the State Legislature, the targeted
reduction of $30 million was based on an anticipated drop in revenue of 11% as compared to the
2008-09 school year. Proposed cuts included reductions in athletics, the closing of three schools,
reduction in contracted services including the SRO program, reduced spending on staff,
modifications in transportation to reduce costs, reduction in utilities and increased flexibility in
categorical spending to meet local needs. Currently, there were no double digits "across the
board" salary cuts and layoff of all annual employees had been avoided. The plan worked to
maintain programs (such as athletics) at a reduced level rather than entire elimination. The plan
also complied with the class size amendment ratios of 18, 22, and 25 to 1 measured on school
averages.
Plans to inform parents, students, and employees had been formulated so that all affected would
have information as soon as possible. On March 20, 2009, parents of children who currently
attend schools recommended for consolidation would receive both a letter and a Connect Ed
message regarding changes for their children. Employees who were affected by the plan had been
informed of those changes on March 18/19, 2009. By freezing vacant positions throughout this
past school year, it was anticipated that many displaced employees would continue to be
employed with the district at a different school location. The proposed changes would take effect
on July 1, 2009. Employees would be notified of any changes in revenue that may result in
modification to the plan that would lessen its impact.
UNSCHEDULED SPEAKER
There was one unscheduled speaker who addressed the Board on the budget. Mr. Jeffrey Furst, St.
Lucie County's property appraiser, stated he was speaking as a parent, community member, and
concerned citizen—not as a property appraiser. Mr. Furst talked about lower property values that
were unheard of before. The good news was they were not deteriorating at the rate they were
before but the state would have to be vigilant. As everyone knew, new construction had almost
been eliminated and property values would probably fall again this year. He had been in contact
with others about the situation and stated he and they would plan for the worst and hope for the
best.
Chairman Miller thanked Mr. Furst for his comments and agreed there were no words to say how
serious the situation was.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Mrs. Hensley talked about the State Children's Services Council meeting she had attended in
Tallahassee during which people expressed deep concern about the budget and its impact on
programs and children. Mrs. Hensley also mentioned the upcoming Ag Tour scheduled for April 4,
2009 at 7:30 a.m. at the USDA building. Lunch would be provided.
Dr. Carvelli congratulated all schools for their participation rates during FCAT week this year. He
hoped all 10th graders had done well [on the FCAT] since their graduation depended on the
results.
Dr. Miller thanked SCRIPPS and PALM BEACH POST representatives for their participation in the
recent editorial board meetings. District staff members were also recognized and thanked for their
participation.
Dr. Miller mentioned that a meeting for all elected officials had been scheduled on April 24, 2009.
Mr. Larry Pelton, Executive Director of the Economic Development Council, was spearheading the
meeting. The meeting would provide an opportunity for people to discuss/brainstorm about
innovative ways to support education.
UNSCHEDULED SPEAKERS
Mr. Bill Medina stated he had come to talk about the closing of a school but, after listening to the
budget presentation and comments, he now realized how serious the situation was. He said he
had already written to his legislators and he encouraged others to do the same thing—tell them
what you want...children shouldn't be moved around like cattle.
ADJOURNMENT
After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Miller adjourned the
March 24, 2009 regular workshop at approximately 6:42 p.m.