THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Regular Meeting – November 18, 2008
MINUTES
The School Board of St. Lucie County held a regular meeting in the Audeteria at Samuel S. Gaines
Academy on November 18, 2008 at approximately 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
DR. JUDI MILLER, Chairman
Member Residing in District No. 1
MR. TROY INGERSOLL
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
ALSO PRESENT:
MR. MICHAEL J. LANNON, Superintendent
MR. DANIEL B. HARRELL, Attorney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order and Recording Secretary Chris Harrison led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
School Board Policy #2.22 – Board Meetings
Chairman Miller opened the public hearing to receive comments on proposed changes to Policy #2.22.
Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve
Policy #2.22 as presented and amended (Ingersoll/Hilson/
Carried 5-0).
School Board Policy #3.43 – Bullying & Harassment
Chairman Miller opened the public hearing to receive comments on new Policy #3.43.
Ms. T. A. Wyner, Chair of TC Chapter ACLU of Florida, came forward to speak. She urged the Board to
ensure that the rights of all students are protected by creating a policy that prohibits discriminatory
school related harassment and bullying but that did not infringe Constitutionally protected speech. She
also urged that the policy include a provision that specifically stated it must be construed and enforced
in a manner consistent with the First Amendment rights of students.
There were no further speakers and Chairman Miller closed the hearing.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve Policy #3.43
As presented (Carvelli/Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
MINUTES
Action: There was a motion to approve the minutes for October 14, 2008,
October 28, 2008 and November 6, 2008 as presented (Hensley/
Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
1. District Scholar Athlete Recognition
Mr. Jay Stewart, District Athletic Director, along with Lincoln Park Academy Principal Alan Cox and
other school representatives, introduced two deserving and highly accomplished scholar athletes,
namely, Luc Overholt and Crystal Durham, for recognition before the Board.
2. Florida Parental Involvement in Education Proclamation for November 2008
Governor Charlie Crist had proclaimed November as Florida Parental Involvement in Education
Month. In St. Lucie County, the district also recognized Parent’s Involvement in Education during
the month of November. Ms. Yvonne Johnson from the Title I Office introduced Samuel S. Gaines
Academy parent Earlene Bernard to the Board. Ms. Bernard proceeded to read the proclamation
and the superintendent made his recommendation.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve the
Proclamation as read (Carvelli/Hensley/Carried 5-0).
3. School Psychology Week Proclamation – November 10-14, 2008
Lincoln Park Academy student Kelly Shutt read the proclamation designating the week of November
10-14, 2008 as School Psychology Week.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve the proclamation
As presented (Ingersoll/Hilson/Carried 5-0).
STAFF REPORTS
4. Curriculum Report
a. Instructional Technology Update – Mr. Nick Zrallack from the Professional Development
Department demonstrated via power point how one would navigate through the district’s
online environment for curriculum development and instructional management- FOCUS.
The district’s scope and sequence was divided into elementary, middle, and high school
levels. Within each level, it was subdivided into subject areas: math, reading/language arts,
science and social studies, according to grade levels. Focus was organized the same way.
Mr. Zrallack also identified survey data from the previous school year on CAVS training and
its impact on the classroom.
b. Collaborative Bargaining/IB Compact – the following individuals, all of whom continued to
be involved in collaborative bargaining, gave witness to the process by reciting the Interest
Based Decision Making Compact that had recently been crafted during a recent two-day
training session: Tim Bargeron, Martha Vickers, Rick Poulette, Samuel Roinson, John Dixon,
Vanessa Tillman, Christine Taylor Alan Cox, Karlheinz Haas, Terence O’Leary, Sue Ranew,
Genelle Yost, Bernadette L. Floyd, Buster Nelson, Pamela Jenkins, Shirley Hagwood, Monette
Dillon-Wynn, Victoria C. Rodriguez, Kevin Perry, Laura Lovett, Christine Hill, and Kathy
McGinn (not present). The beginning statement of the Compact read as follows:
“St. Lucie County School District, its school board members, the CTA, CU, and CWA are
committed to building the capacity and skills of our leaders to utilize the Interest Based Decision
Making Process. We recognize that all decisions made at varying levels in the school district
impact all members of the school community in varying ways. Therefore, we resolve to build
common understanding of issues throughout our diverse school community in order to arrive at
decisions that are mutually beneficial to all members of the school community.”
Board members were excited and appreciative of the dedication of all involved. They too had
attended some of the training sessions and expressed how privileged they were to sit with
everyone in such an honest and open discussion. All committed their support and signed the
compact which was to be displayed in the district’s office.
5. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Michael Lannon gave special recognition to Dr. Kathy McGinn for scheduling 42
focus group meetings that included board members, administrators, schools, parents and
community members so they could come together to share information one on one. Once all focus
sessions were completed, the information would be compiled and reviewed with great interest.
Mr. Lannon informed the Board that on December 9, 2008, it could resume holding its meetings in
the School Board room which had recently been restored after it was flooded during Tropical Storm
Fay. Some employees were starting to return to their offices and it was anticipated that all would
be in the building before the winter break begins (December 22, 2008).
CTA REPORT
CTA/CU President Vanessa Tillman informed the Board that the meeting between Dr. Owen Roberts
and union member teachers on the grading policy went very well. He had listened to the district’s
best practitioners and they were glad to have that opportunity. Ms. Tillman assured the Board that
the continued dialogue and open communication would continue. Chairman Miller was glad to hear
that lots of teachers gave input and that communications on the grading policy were moving
forward.
CWA REPORT
No report.
CONSENT AGENDA
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve consent
Agenda items #6 (Page 1-A of item #6 was pulled for separate
vote regarding Discipline of Employee Wendy Portillo) through #12
(#13 was pulled for separate vote), #14 through #19 (#20 was deleted),
and #21 through #24 as presented (Hensley/Carvelli/ Carried 5-0).
SEPARATE VOTE ON ITEM #6, (Page 1-A Wendy Portillo)
Prior to stating the question, and at two separate times, Chairman Miller announced that anyone
who wished to address this matter should come forward to speak. There was no response from
the audience.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board suspend Wendy Portillo without pay for
one year and re-classification to annual contract. Upon her request for hearing, the superintendent
recommended Ms. Portillo be suspended without pay pending final decision following hearing.
(Carvelli/Ingersoll/Carried 5-0).
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board refer the Wendy
Portillo matter to The Florida Division of Administrative Hearings
for a full due process Evidentiary hearing before an Administrative
Law Judge (Hensley/Carvelli/Carried 5-0).
SEPARATE VOTE ON ITEM #13 – TB RFP 09-06 – Pupil Transportation Services
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve item #13
As presented (Carried 4-1; Ingersoll against).
Discussion: prior to stating the question, Mr. Ingersoll stated he could not approve the bid award
when only one was received. Dr. Carvelli stated that even though 20 were sent out, only one bid
was received and there should at least be two. Mr. Sanders explained there had been a pre-bid
hearing with several vendors to get them interested in bidding.
6. SR Personnel Agenda & Leaves
7. SR Job Descriptions - Behavior Technician, Child Care Aide -LAPP, Job Coach, Pre-K Paraprofessional
8. TB Payment of Bills
9. TB Monthly Financial Report for October 2008
10. TB Approval of Budget Committee Member Change
11. TB Bus Driver Uniform Payroll Deduction Slot
12. TB Quarterly Investment Report
13. TB RFP 09-06 – Pupil Transportation Services
14. TB RFP 09-07 – Term Contract for Integrated Pest Management Services
15. OR College and Career Readiness Initiative, SB 1908
16. OR 2008-09 School Improvement Plans, SAC Membership Lists and By-Laws
17. OR Test Maker for Reading, Math, Science, and Writing
18. OR Articulation Agreements with Indian River State College
19. JS Interlocal Agreement with St. Lucie County Fire District for Athletic Purposes
20. CT Authorization to Advertise Public Hearing on SB Policy #6.60 – Drug & Alcohol Testing (Delete)
21. BS Re-Approval of Health Science Student(s) Experience Agreement with Indian River State College
22. BS Professional Services Agreement with Ronald D. Seelinger for Hospital/Homebound Teaching
23. BS School Health Services Plan 2008-10
24. AG Deductive Change Order #3 for Owner Direct Purchase at School CCC-A (New Fort Pierce Central High)
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
No report.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Mrs. Hensley talked about the groundbreaking ceremony for New Horizons’ 20 bed facility that she had
attended recently. It was started up with some state money, however, she encouraged members to
speak positively about the need for this type of facility so that hopefully more money would be
forthcoming to help pay for it when it is finished.
Mr. Ingersoll talked about a Friday night football game during which he had witnessed Mr. Kevin Perry’s
admirable attempts to care for individuals who needed ambulance services.
Ms. Hilson, who attends monthly School Health Advisory Committee meetings, shared information
about the Wellness Subcommittee programs that were being developed to raise awareness about
diabetes and weight gain. She also stated she was receiving wonderful amounts of information from the
focus groups and was anxious to see the final results.
Dr. Carvelli reminded board members about the Fort Pierce “Sights and Sounds” parade scheduled for
Sunday, December 7, 2008. He also congratulated Dr. Miller for the awesome fund raisers that she
comes up with on behalf of Big Brother Big Sisters. People have a great time and good food while raising
funds for a good cause.
Dr. Miller mentioned that the Legislative Delegation was coming to St. Lucie County on December 11,
2008. Both she and Mr. Lannon said they hoped to attend. Mrs. Hensley suggested that perhaps the
chairman of the District Advisory Committee should try to attend also.
Dr. Miller invited those interested to attend an up-front discussion with United Way representatives
who were developing a voluntary action center for the community.
Chairman Miller announced that the Board and Superintendent would be meeting in an executive
session immediately following the regular meeting.
UNSCHEDULED SPEAKERS
There were no unscheduled speakers.
ADJOURNMENT
After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Miller adjourned the
regular November 18, 1008 meeting at approximately 7:55 p.m.