THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA
APPROVED MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING
February 16, 1999
The School Board of Alachua County, Florida, met in regular session duly called at 7 p.m. in the Boardroom, 620 East University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Present were: Bill Cake, chairman; Barbara Sharpe, vice-chairman; Judy Brashear, Bev Carroll, and Chester Leathers, members; Lawrence Marazza, superintendent; and James F. Lang, attorney for the Board.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cake, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
| APPROVAL OF MINUTES | Motion by Dr.
Leathers Seconded by
Mrs. Sharpe Moved to approve the minutes of February 2, 1999, as presented. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| ADOPTION OF AGENDA | Motion by Mrs.
Brashear Seconded by
Mrs. Sharpe Moved to adopt the agenda for the meeting of February 16, 1999, as presented. Add Action Items B.3.a.(3) Student Case No. 99-16-SB and B.3.b., Administrative Appointment, Wiles Elementary School Principal. The question was called on the agenda as amended. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| BOARD MEMBERS/ SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS |
The Board extended their
condolences to the family and friends of school bus
driver Jim Rimes. Mrs. Brashear made the following requests:
Board members announced events, conferences and activities attended. The Board agreed to schedule a workshop on Tuesday, March 2, 1999, 9 a.m. to discuss evaluation criteria for the performance appraisal system for the Superintendent’s supplemental salary. |
| RECOGNITION— STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT SAT/ACT PERFECT SCORES |
Mrs. Jackie Johnson, Public
Information Officer, presented information to the School
Board regarding the recent success of local students on
the SAT and the ACT. Mr. Bill Herschleb, principal, Eastside High School, introduced the three students from Eastside High who scored perfect 1600s on the SAT in 1998: Minta Akin, Colin McCann and Andrew Kao. Mr. Vince Perez, assistant principal, Buchholz High School, introduced student Tim McMahon, who scored a perfect score on the ACT. The Board presented each student with a token of appreciation. |
| PTA FOUNDERS DAY | Mrs. Janice Yrausquin, president, Alachua County Council of PTAs, announced that February 17, 1999, is PTA Founders Day, marking the 102nd anniversary of the National PTA organization. She also highlighted the outstanding achievements of several of the more than thirty PTA/PTSA organizations in Alachua County. |
| CITIZEN INPUT | The following
suggestions/recommendations were presented to the Board
for consideration:
|
| REPORTS— LEGISLATIVE UPDATE |
Ms. Joy Frank, Legislative consultant, provided the Board with an update on various bills and issues currently being considered in Tallahassee in anticipation of the legislative session, which begins in early March. She reported on the major issues currently under consideration, which include additional student testing, school readiness, ESE funding, and opportunity scholarships (vouchers), teacher certification, truancy and safe schools, etc. She reported that the two Alachua County programs, Project PASS and Leadership Academy, have been presented to the legislators for their consideration. |
| MEETING ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS IN READING, WRITING AND MATH |
Dr. Dan Boyd, assistant
superintendent, Instruction, and members of his staff
presented information regarding the Florida Comprehensive
Assessment Test (FCAT), the Sunshine State Standards, and
the methods currently being used to meet accountability
requirements in reading, writing and math. The goal is to
prepare every student in this district with the academic
skills necessary for them to be successful. Mrs. Brashear suggested a community awareness event to prepare school advisory council members, Chamber of Commerce, parents, businesses and the community for the FCAT and allow them to take some sample tests. Mrs. Sharpe commended Dr. Boyd and his staff for an excellent presentation. Mr. Cake expressed concern on how the Board will work with the students who do not handle the test well. Dr. Gunnar Paulson, president, Alachua County Education Association, voiced the concerns of many teachers related to the Academic Improvement Plans (AIPs) and the overwhelming paperwork involved with the new requirements. |
| STUDENT CASE NO. 99-03-X |
Mr. Tom Wittmer, staff
attorney, reported that the student is charged with a
serious breach of conduct, verbal abuse toward school
officials causing physical disturbance at the school
site. A hearing was held February 1, 1999. Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Dr. Leathers Moved the hearing agent’s recommendation to expel the student through the first semester of the 1999-2000 school year, but be permitted to attend the Gainesville/Ocala Marine Institute and be reassigned to the alternative center upon successful completion on probation. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| STUDENT CASE NO. 99-11-X |
Mr. Wittmer reported that
the student is charged with battery on a teacher. A
hearing was held February 1, 1999. Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Mrs. Brashear Moved the hearing agent’s recommendation to expel the student through the 1999-2000 school year, but be permitted to attend the alternative center on probation beginning June 14, 1999. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| STUDENT CASE NO. 99-16-SB |
Mr. Wittmer reported that
the student is charged with a serious breach of conduct
while on the school bus. Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Dr. Leathers Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to extend the suspension of the student’s bus riding privileges through March 2, 1999. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT OF WILES PRINCIPAL | Motion by Mrs.
Brashear Seconded by
Mrs. Sharpe Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Barbara Buys as principal of Wiles Elementary School, effective April 19, 1999. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| CONSENT AGENDA | Motion by Mrs. Sharpe
Seconded by Mrs.
Carroll Moved to approve the consent agenda as described in item 1. (See Supplementary Minutes Book.) The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0 |
| ADJOURNMENT | The meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m. |