January 31, 2013
Special Dinner Meeting
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WORKSHOP WITH BREVARD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
January 31, 2013
The School Board of Brevard County, Florida met in special session on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 6:00 p.m., at the
Educational Services Facility, 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida, to discuss various funding and budget
issues. Notice of the meeting was advertised in the Florida Today; on Thursday, January 15, 2013 the affidavit of
publication with a copy of the ad attached is filed in the Affidavit File in the Board Office.
OPENING EXERCISES
Chairman Dr. Barbara Murray called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board Members Present: Dr. Barbara Murray, Amy Kneessy, Karen Henderson, Andy Ziegler
Board Member Absent: Dr. Michael Krupp
Brevard Legislative Delegation Present: Representative Tom Goodson, Senator Thad Altman, Senator Andy Gardner,
Representative Steve Crisafulli, Representative Ritch Workman’s Aide, Emily Bleeker, and Senator Goodson’s Aide,
Amy Gregory.
School District Staff: Michelle Irwin, Director of District Communications; Judy Preston, Associate Superintendent of
Financial Services; Harold Bistline, School Board Attorney
---------------------------------------------Prior to the start of the meeting Melbourne High School culinary arts program students served dinner to the Legislative
Delegation hosted by Brevard School Board.
---------------------------------------------Chairman Dr. Barbara Murray welcomed the Senators and Representatives of the Legislative Delegation, and their
Aides and stated the importance of this meeting. She turned the meeting over to Dr. Brian Binggeli who gave a
historical budget overview.
Representative Goodson questioned whether the school district gave money to the Charter Schools. Dr. Binggeli
explained that how the Charter Schools receive money from the state.
Chairman Dr. Barbara Murray covered the following topics as it relates to Funding:
a) Emergency Quarter or Half Mill
b) PECO Alternatives
c) Reduction of Local Effort
d) Capital Budget Compression for District with Military Installations/High Percentage of Federal Land
e) Tracking of Proposed Teacher Increases separate from FEFP; if Approved
Representative Goodson questioned how much Federal land makes us Brevard County. Dr. Binggeli noted
approximately 50 percent.
Discussion ensued about the 2500 dollar bonus for teachers in the Governor’s proposed budget.
Ms. Preston explained that the funding formula for the federally funded land does not look kindly on large school
districts.
Ms. Kneessy covered the following topics as it relates to Flexibility:
a) Class Size
b) Corridor Bussing
c) Sales Tax Revenue
January 31, 2013
After discussion surrounding corridor bussing, Representative Goodson requested a letter from the district so that he
could help get answers for the school district in regard to instituting a pay-to-ride fee for bus service to and from
choice schools.
Ms. Henderson covered the following topics as it relates to Unfunded Mandates and Reasonable
Timelines/Expectations:
a) Technology Infrastructure
b) Online Assessments
c) Teacher/School Value-Added Measure (VAM) – Only 27% direct VAM for Brevard Public School Teachers
Mr. Ziegler covered the following topics as it relates to Data Informed Legislative Decisions & Ongoing
Communication:
a) Virtual Education
b) Charter Schools
c) Two-way Communication on Educational Issues
d) Ongoing Discussion
Representative Goodson requested a wish list from the School Board to be given to each member of the Legislative
Delegation as they go into session.
Representative Crisafulli thanked the Board members for their hospitality and stated, “At the end of the day, we know
we all have to work together for the good of our kids”.
Chairman Dr. Barbara Murray made closing comments and adjourned the workshop of Thursday, January 31, 2013 at
8:06 p.m.
Chairman: ______________________________
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools