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 Meeting –December 9, 2008
MINUTES
The School Board of St. Lucie County held a regular board meeting in the School Board Room at
approximately 6:00 p.m. on December 9, 2008.
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.
Chairman Miller announced to the audience that this was the first board meeting to be held in the
School Board Room since the District Office had been flooded in August 2008. Great appreciation was
expressed to all who worked so hard to restore and repair the District facility and to those who had
welcomed district staff members into their schools as temporary homes during restoration efforts. Dr.
Miller also announced another first—this was the first board meeting to be recorded for broadcast on
the district’s educational channel 13.
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement for Public School Facility Planning
Chairman Miller opened the public hearing to receive comments from the audience on the amended
and restated interlocal agreement for Public School Facility Planning that was being considered for
approval by the Board. She then asked Mr. Marty Sanders, Executive Director of Growth Management,
to give a brief overview of the planning process that had occurred in the past. Following Mr. Sanders’
review, the Chairman called for comments from the audience. Hearing none, the public hearing was
closed and Superintendent Michael Lannon made the following recommendation.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve the
revised amended and re-stated agreement in substantially
the form as provided by Attorney Harrell (Hensley/Carvelli/
Carried 5-0).
Charter School Application for Imagine-Tradition, LLC for Proposed Imagine International
Academy at Tradition Charter School
Chairman Miller opened the public hearing to receive comments from the audience on the proposed
charter school application for Imagine-Tradition, LLC. At the Chairman’s request, Dr. Kathy McGinn,
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.
Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning/Central Services, explained that a request to postpone
(continue) the public hearing to February 24, 2009 had been received from representatives of the
charter school.
There were no comments forthcoming from the audience.
recommendation from Superintendent Lannon.
Chairman Miller then called for a
Action: The superintendent recommended the Charter School Application for
Imagine-Tradition, LLC be continued to February 24, 2009 (Hensley/
Hilson/Carried 5-0).
MINUTES
11.18.08 Re-organizational, Regular; 11.25.08 Regular Workshop
Action: There was a motion to approve the minutes of
November 18, 2008 (re-organizational and regular)
and November 25, 2008 (regular workshop) as presented
(Carvelli/Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
1. JS St. Lucie County Schools Scholar Athlete Recognition – Port St. Lucie High
Mr. Jay Stewart, District Athletic Director, introduced representatives from Port St. Lucie High School
who asked the Board to recognize two outstanding scholar athletes from their school, namely, Natasha
Thomas and Alex Robinson.
2. MH St. Lucie County Education Foundation Recognition of Ball Sponsors/Silent Auction School Participants
Ms. Mary Holmgren, Executive Director, and Mrs. Elizabeth Mallonee, President, recognized Foundation
Ball sponsors and schools who participated in the silent auction. It was announced that the Grand
Benefactor was Torrey Pines Institute. Platinum sponsors were C. R. Klewin, Cummings & Jacquin
Construction Companies, Proctor Construction, and Schenkle Shultz Design Team. All were thanked
for their support and participation in the Ball.
The following schools were presented with award trophies for their baskets in each of the following
categories: Lincoln Park Academy received the Most Creative Artwork award. White City Elementary
School received the Most Creative Basket award. Fort Pierce Central High School received the Highest
Bid Basket award, and St. Lucie Elementary School received the Highest Bid Artwork award.
3. MH St. Lucie County Education Foundation Recognition of Bank of America Donation ($10,000) (Delete)
This item was deleted from the agenda. No action was taken by the Board.
4. BS Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Model Schools
Ms. Barbara Casteen, Director of Student Services, recognized the following schools that had met the
criteria and demonstrated a high level of implementation of the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) model:
Gold status winners were Windmill Point Elementary, Indian Hills School and Delaware Avenue School;
Silver status winners were Weatherbee Elementary, Savanna Ridge Elementary, Port St. Lucie
Elementary, Mariposa Elementary, Lawnwood Elementary, and Lakewood Park Elementary; Bronze
status winners were Southport Middle School, Forest Grove Middle School, Floresta Elementary and
Bayshore Elementary.
5. BS “You Make a Difference” Award Winner – Anna Phillips, Oak Hammock K-8 School
Ms. Barbara Slaga, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and ESE, informed the Board that the
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council had chosen Anna Phillips as the St. Lucie County recipient of
the “You Make a Difference” Award. It was explained that eligible nominees were educators or
administrators from Florida public and private schools who demonstrated excellence in the practice of
educating students with Developmental Disabilities alongside students without Developmental
Disabilities.
CTA REPORT
CTA/CU Vice President Vicki Rodriguez announced that the joint press conference held earlier during
the day was very successful. She stated employees had agreed to forgo any additional compensation
at this time in order to help avoid job cuts.
Ms. Rodriguez sent out a call to action and invited
everyone to join the Union’s upcoming “Stand Up for Education Rally” in January 2009.
CWA REPORT
No report.
CONSENT AGENDA
Action: The superintendent recommended that the Resolution Seeking
Federal Financial Assistance to Fund School Operating and
Construction Costs be declared an emergency item #1 to be
Added to the consent agenda for Board approval (Hensley/
Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve consent
Agenda items #6 through #20 and emergency item #1 as
Presented (Carvelli/Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
6. SR Personnel Agenda & Leaves
7. SR Revision to Early Dismissal Calendar for 2008-09
8. SR Revision to 2008-09 School Year Calendar
9. TB Approval to Release RFP 09-14 Wireless Equipment Installation and Lease Agreement
10. OR Title I School Improvement Fund 2008-09
11. BS Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Jennifer L. Capezza for Hospital Homebound Instruction
12. BS Amendment to PSA with A+ Associate Therapy Professionals, Inc.
13. BS Amendment to PSA with Jennifer Houck for Assistant Physical Therapy
14. BS Amendment to Collaborative Agreement with Agricultural and Labor Programs, Inc. (ALPI)
15. BS Amendment to PSA with Diane Kaufman for Child Find Services
16. BS PSA with Steven Rife for Hospitalized Homebound Instruction
17. BS Amendment to PSA with Treasure Coast Interpreting, Inc.
18. BS Amendment to Deaf Communications Specialists, Inc. for Hearing Impaired Interpreting Svcs.
19. BS Amendment to Tallahassee Community College Agreement – Responsibilities of Educational Consultant
20. AG Change Order #1 – Port St. Lucie High School Chiller Line Replacement
SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF REPORTS ON SELECTED TOPICS
21. OR Literacy (Reading/Writing) and Advanced Coursework Offered in Schools
Mr. Karlheinz Haas, Director of Curriculum and School Improvement, assisted by curriculum
department staff members Betty Hicks, Crystal Morgan, and Donna Dorio, presented a report on
reading and writing curriculum, assessment activities, and ongoing continuous improvement.
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Lannon discussed the following topics:
-
Solidarity in advocating for children due to the hard financial times that the state/nation
was facing,
Proposed modifications to board meeting prep timelines,
Upcoming changes to student assignment plan,
Executive session scheduled for December 22, 2008 on bargaining issues
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
No report.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Mrs. Hensley reported that the Transportation Planning Organization now had an executive director on
continuing contract; informed board members about a new pilot program on science education-- “Sally
Ride Camp”, (to be held next summer just for girls at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute);
announced that the next Five County Group meeting was scheduled for December 11, 2008 from 1:00
P.M. – 3:00 P.M. in the conference room located on FAU’s SLW campus; the Greater Florida Consortium
of School Boards’ members had decided to organize a new “50th and No More” group that would put
together some ideas and recommendations for state legislators; the FSBA December conference helped
pull together educational officials/members in an effort to jointly come to some resolution about the
state’s budget crisis; the FSBA Advocacy and Legislative committees were merging to become
advocates for legislation; the annual Ag tour was focusing on Ag-based industries in St. Lucie County,
and on a final note, the FSBA website now had a “hot button” that gave access to email addresses for all
elected officials.
Mr. Ingersoll expressed sincere appreciation to the district’s media staff and facility staff for their
efforts to tape board meetings for later broadcast to the community and for making whole the district
office so that all employees could return to the building. He also had attended the FSBA December
conference and received training in marketing and litigation.
Ms. Hilson mentioned that she had participated in two full days of training during the FSBA December
conference and she appreciated learning how to speak to legislators and networking with other school
board members. She also appreciated the large group of people who turned out for the Fort Pierce
“Sights and Sounds” parade.
Dr. Carvelli thanked Mr. Lannon for his update on the status of the economy and agreed that board
members and the superintendent, as the district’s leadership team, would be faced with some very
tough decisions in the future due to the fact that the economic status kept changing.
Dr. Miller said it was very important that the January rally for education be a collaborative and diverse
effort, consequently, she had offered to help with the meeting(s). Dr. Miller talked about the need for
an annual district calendar of events and joint meetings with other municipalities. She had spoken with
the Port St. Lucie City Mayor about scheduling a joint meeting sometime in late February or early March
2009. Regarding the Board’s January 27th workshop meeting, Dr. Miller hoped that the Board could
look at a list of workshop topics still on the table and any new ones to be added to the list. At the
Board’s February 24, 2009 workshop, she hoped to be able to look at strategic planning and the
results from the focus group meetings. On a final note, Dr. Miller indicated the St. Lucie County
Education Foundation was working hard to bring in increased funding. The Foundation had posted the
scholarship guide on the district’s website and guidance counselors were asked to encourage students
to use it.
UNSCHEDULED SPEAKERS
There were no unscheduled speakers.
ADJOURNMENT
After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Miller adjourned the
December 9, 2008 regular board meeting (the only meeting in December 2008) at approximately 8:19
p.m.