Regular Meeting – September 26, 2006
MINUTES
The School Board of St. Lucie County held a regular meeting in the School Board Room on September
26, 2006 that started at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
MRS. KATHRYN HENSLEY, Chairman
Member Residing in District
DR. JOHN CARVELLI, Vice Chairman
Member Residing in District
MS. CAROL A. HILSON
Member Residing in District
DR. JUDI MILLER
Member Residing in District
No. 4
No. 3
No. 2
No. 1
(Dr. Miller left the meeting after
Special Orders of Business.)
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
DR. SAMUEL S. GAINES
Member Residing in District No. 5
MR. MICHAEL J. LANNON, Superintendent
MR. DANIEL B. HARRELL, Attorney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Frances K. Sweet Elementary “ Sweet Sounds”, directed by Mrs. Christine Hill, led the Pledge of Allegiance and
sang musical selections.
MINUTES
September 12, 2006 Expulsion and Regular Meetings
Action: There was a motion to approve the minutes for the regular
and expulsion meetings of September 12, 2006 as
presented (Miller/Hilson/Carried 4-0).
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
1. BS Very Special Arts of Florida (VSA) Award to Shavada Jones
Mrs. Barbara Slaga, Assistant Superintendent for ESE/Student Services, explained that Mr. Dan
Galloway, art teacher at Dale Cassens School, typically entered his students’ artwork in various
competitions. One student, Shavada Jones, who had created a painting called “My Window Shows a
Scary Hurricane”, won a prestigious award in the 2006 VSA National Competition called “A View from
My Window”. Chairman Hensley, Superintendent Lannon, Principal Larry Bashear, Teacher Dan Galloway
and Assistant Superintendent Barbara Slaga all took great pleasure in presenting a plaque and a copy
of the painting to Shavada in recognition of her great achievement.
#27 Bowl for Kids Sake Recognition (The Board agreed to move this item up on the agenda.)
Dr. Judi Miller expressed her great appreciation to the many schools and district employees who had
participated in the “Bowl for Kids Sake” fundraiser sponsored by Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The district
raised a total $19,000. Dr. Miller presented posters and trophies to the following schools that raised
the most monies during this event: Principal Pauline Hebb from Morningside Elementary, Principal
Scott Neil from Lakewood Park Elementary, and Principal Juanita Wright from Floresta Elementary.
STAFF REPORTS
2. OR Curriculum Report – School Improvement Plan Presentations:
Fort Pierce Central High, Parkway Elementary, Bayshore Elementary
Every school year, individual schools throughout the district present their updated school improvement
plans to the Board. Fort Pierce Central High School, Parkway Elementary School, and Bayshore
Elementary School each briefly outlined their school/student profiles and proficiency results from
2005-06 and their strategies and targeted goals for 2006-07. Board members were provided with a
written copy of the plan for further review and information (see supplemental minutes report).
Following the presentations, board members individually made encouraging remarks and expressed
their appreciation for the effort and work that had been put into developing the plans. Mr. Lannon
stated that schools now had tools to be able to provide teachers with diagnostic evidence of where
children were which provided them with the opportunity to move forward.
3. ML Superintendent’s Report –
Working on the Work (WOW) Presentation
Mr. Lannon informed the Board that the district’s professional development team had recently received
two highly recognized national awards for its Working on the Work program—an initiative of great
importance to the district. The district as a whole and Forest Grove Middle School were recognized at a
recent ceremony. Mrs. Debbie Iseman, Executive Director of Professional Development, reiterated that
the district’s core business was to create challenging, engaging, and satisfying work for boys and girls
everyday. Mrs. Iseman expected to see profound learning changes as a result of everyone’s dedication
and commitment to this plan. Carla Moore and Nick Zrallach, WOW specialists from the professional
development department, used their “performance” skills (On TV Today) and a video to highlight a
school that was committed to designing and engaging work, St. Lucie West K-8 School.
Mr. Lannon continued his report :
School Improvement Plans would continue to come to the Board as
brief and comprehensive presentations.
With approximately 38,700 students now attending school,
classroom fluctuations would begin to stabilize.
The Board would begin to receive progress reports on the next
two new schools, Jenkins Road School and Fort Pierce Central High.
Mr. Lannon informed the Board that the Hispanic population
had increased 4% in the past three years and continued growth
was expected throughout Florida. In an effort to bring Hispanic
leaders, community members and parents into the schools,
Mr. Lannon had helped to organize a self-regulating committee that
met on the second Monday of each month in the board room
at 6:00 p.m. It was hoped this would be an ongoing, positive
process. The school system was reaching out to bring more
and more people in.
On October 12, 2006 at 12:00 p.m., Mr. Lannon informed the
Board he would be meeting with approximately 70 ministers
from across St. Lucie County. The ministerial association
was responding to Mr. Lannon’s request to talk about
education in an expanded role using the faith community.
This was part of the district’s academic business plan that
described the need for communities, families, and the school
system to come together to help with increased student
achievement and higher student expectations.
Mr. Lannon was pleased to be included in welcoming the
Torrey Pines Institute to St. Lucie County during a special
celebration at the Tradition Town Hall where Governor
Bush and other community members had gathered.
Mr. Lannon reported on his trip to Dallas, Texas where
he and nine others had attended a design conference
focused on education’s new frontier about student
achievement and accountability. Today’s learners are
different. They are saturated with stimuli since birth and
they want to be immersed in learning.
CTA REPORT
No report.
CWA REPORT
No report.
PAPER REDUCTION TASK FORCE REPORT
No report.
CONSENT AGENDA
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve
consent agenda items #4 through #23 as presented
(Carvelli/Hilson/Carried 3-0).
Discussion: prior to stating the question, Dr. Carvelli commented on items #18 and #23. Regarding
#18, Dr. Carvelli said he appreciated that additional property was secured at that site. It was a very
tight site. Dr. Carvelli stated he was also glad to see the guaranteed maximum price come forward for
the Tradition LAB School (#23).
4. SR Personnel Agenda and Leaves
5. TB Payment of Bills
6. TB Monthly Financial Report 08/31/06
7. KP Forest Grove Middle School Donation (Total Value $1,175)
8. KP Fort Pierce Westwood High Trip to National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, 10/25-30/06
9. MK High School Trust Counselor Program Partnership Agreement
10. MK Supplemental Educational Services (SES)
11. SW Learning for Life Character Education Program Grant
12. SW Ninth Amendment to Transportation Disadvantaged Coordination Agreement with St. Lucie County
13. DI Master In-service Plan & In-service Component Catalog for 2006-07
14. KM Agreement for Food Services for 2006-07 with PACE Program for Girls
15. BS School Health Services Plan 2006-2008
16. BS Professional Services Agreement for Hospital/Homebound Services with Michell R. Sparks
17. BS Collaborative Agreement with Florida Blood Centers
18. MS Addendum to Contract for Spears Property
19. HA Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools (TFS) Program and Open Airways for Schools Program
20. AG Continuing Service Agreement for Architectural Services to Donadio & Associates
21. AG Continuing Svc. Agmt. with C. R. Klewin Southeast Inc. - Hurricane Prevention & Repairs due to Wilma 10/05
22. AG Project Agmt. with Paul Jacquin & Sons, Inc.- Construction Mgmt. Svcs. at Manatee Elem. Parent Pick-Up
23. AG Final GMP for Tradition LAB School from Proctor Construction Company
OTHER BUSINESS
24. BS Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Final Orders #895/MB/09-09-93/0371/06-07
#897/JF/11-10-91/0201/06-07
#899/03-05-93/0072/06-07
#901/AS/11-06-91/0261/06-07
#896/MB/08-08-94/0371/06-07
#898/AH/12-09-89/0161/06-07
#900/DO/06-09-90/0411/06-07
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve
Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and
Final Orders #895 through #901 (Carvelli/Hilson/Carried 3-0).
GROWTH MGMT./LAND ACQUISITIONS/INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS REPORT
Mr. Marty Sanders, Executive Director, gave a progress report on the School Bus Stop Committee. The
committee had already met three times and had concentrated on background work. It would now
begin looking at routing improvements.
Regarding agenda item #25, Interlocal Agreement with the City of Port St. Lucie for Western Annexation
Area, Mr. Sanders stated one of the first school sites being pursued in the annexed area was in the
Cooper Creek Development. The district had also issued a land RFP but only seven sites were
submitted. One site was in the blue zone, 6 sites were in the green zone, and there were no sites
submitted in the red zone. Those sites were going to be evaluated by staff and the Public Schools
Advisory Committee.
At Mr. Lannon’s request, Mr. Sanders gave the Board more background information on four
developments that were annexed into the City of Port St. Lucie under the condition they provide
adequate school sites. Agreements were prepared indicating school sites would go directly to the City
of Port St. Lucie. Senate Bill 360 mandated that School Boards be part of the discussion and that
adequate public facilities be provided. Several projects came forward but the Board was not in the
direct line to obtain the school sites. Now, those school sites would come directly to the district and
the Board was assured the sites would be for public schools, not for private schools or any other use.
The impact fee credit agreement would assure that developers get credit for the land they set aside for
public schools. This was a fair agreement for all. As a result of reconfiguring the schools from
elementary, middle and high, the district actually gained 2000 more student stations.
Mr. Lannon told the Board he was exceptionally proud of the work that Mr. Sanders and Attorney
Harrell had done to be able to assure the citizens of St. Lucie County there would be adequate student
stations. Mr. Lannon thanked both for their work.
On another matter, Mr. Sanders said he would be bringing back to the Board an interlocal agreement
with the City of Port St. Lucie regarding the McChesney Park security and parking space situation.
BUDGET/FINANCE REPORT
Mr. Tim Bargeron, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services and CFO, informed the Board he
would be scheduling an executive session sometime in the near future, possibly in October 2006.
FACILITIES REPORT
Mr. Alan Gilbert, Executive Director of Facilities/Maintenance, stated he would be introducing the
architect for Copper Creek at the next board meeting.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
25.
Interlocal Agreement with the City of Port St. Lucie for Western Annexation Area
This agreement allowed school sites from the western annexation area to flow directly to the school
system and facilitated the granting of impact fee credits. The City of Port St. Lucie retained the option
to plan, finance and construct a school facility if it so desired until each site was planned for by the
district. Prior to approval, Mr. Harrell highlighted a few changes to the Interlocal agreement such as:
(1) there was an exception out of the legal description that was inserted to exclude the original
Tradition property (it was handled with an impact fee credit); (2) the City acknowledged that
conveyances through the agreement satisfy the various conditions within the development orders and
the annexation agreements; (3) in the credits agreement language (paragraph 2), there was modified
language that tracked the methodology by which the credits come to the Board, and (4) once the
school system executed an impact credit agreement and made provision for the prepayment of impact
fees and the receipt of the sites, the school system would have adequately addressed the public school
student station needs associated with each individual development.
Action: The superintendent recommended the Board approve and
authorize the execution of the Interlocal agreement with
the City of Port St. Lucie for the Western Annexation Area
in substantially the form provided with the changes as
discussed by Attorney Harrell (Hilson/Carvelli/Carried 3-0).
Dr. Carvelli asked about density and mixed use with age restriction. Mr. Harrell responded there would
be approximately 28,000 non-age restricted units. It was anticipated there would be some smaller
percentage of age restricted units in the area. The impact of the school system is non-age restricted.
The age restricted could impact the transportation network but it would not have a direct effect upon
the public school facility needs. Mr. Sanders noted there may be about 4,000 age restricted units
which had been factored into the DRI process on the transportation network.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS
26. KH Proposed 2007 Legislative Program of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards
Mrs. Hensley asked that the Board consider the proposed 2007 legislative program of the Greater
Florida Consortium of School Boards. The consortium worked by consensus and it was asking that
every School Board vote on this item. Mrs. Hensley had not received any input and did not anticipate
any problems with the entire platform.
Action: There was a motion to accept the 2007 Legislative program
of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards as presented
(Carvelli/Hilson/Carried 3-0).
Mrs. Hensley then informed board members that the FSBA Committee Day was scheduled for October
4-5, 2006 during which the consortium agenda would be part of the discussion.
Board members were asked to provide names of individuals who were interested in serving on the
Unitary School System Advisory Committee and the Budget Review Committee.
Chairman Hensley
stated she would like to finalize those committee memberships at the next board meeting.
Mrs. Hensley also asked that board members speak favorably about Referendum #9 regarding research
and education.
Ms. Hilson mentioned she wanted the Board to look at two training options, namely, the “Educating
Children in Poverty” training, and master board training. Mrs. Hensley concurred and noted the Board’s
name was already on the master board training list and it may be possible to move up the training
date. Mrs. Hensley agreed to keep board members updated.
27. JM Bowl for Kids Sake 2006 Appreciation
See Special Orders above.
UNSCHEDULED SPEAKERS
One speaker, Jenifer Fuson, received assistance during the meeting from Mrs. Kathy McGinn, Assistant
Superintendent of Planning and Central Services, and left without speaking to the Board.
Mr. Jose Vega described the schedule of events for the “Drums on Fire” fundraiser coming up on
Saturday, October 7, 2006.
ADJOURNMENT
After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Hensley adjourned the
regular September 26, 2006 meeting at approximately 7:48 p.m.