Moved to adopt the agenda for the special meeting of September 3, 1998, as presented.

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Superintendent Marazza briefly updated the Board on completion of his school visits during the first two weeks of school.

PUBLIC HEARING—
ADOPTION OF MILLAGE LEVY FOR THE 1998-99 FISCAL YEAR

Dr. Mary Chambers, assistant superintendent, Business Services, reviewed the Budget Information Sheet and noted that a .353 millage reduction is being recommended. She pointed out that even though an overall millage reduction is being recommended for the school levy for the 1998-99 school year, the district is levying the maximum allowed by law for school taxes.

Dr. Gunnar Paulson, president, ACEA, encouraged the Board to consider personnel prior to adding other items to the budget.

There was no additional input on the millage levies.

Dr. Chambers read the Millage Resolution.

RESOLUTION DETERMINING
REVENUES AND MILLAGES LEVIED

RESOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA, DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF REVENUES TO BE PRODUCED AND THE MILLAGE TO BE LEVIED FOR THE GENERAL FUND, FOR THE DISTRICT LOCAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND, AND FOR EACH DISTRICT BOND INTEREST AND SINKING FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1998, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 1999.

WHEREAS, Section 237.091, Florida Statutes, requires that upon receipt of the certificate of the property appraiser giving the assessed valuation of the county and of each of the special tax school districts, the school board shall determine by resolution the amounts necessary to be raised for the District School Fund, for the District Local Capital Improvement Fund, and for each District Bond Interest and Sinking Fund, and the millage to be levied for each such fund including the voted millage; and

WHEREAS, the certificate of the property appraiser has been received;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the District School Board that the amounts necessary to be raised as shown by the officially adopted budget and the millages necessary to be levied for each school fund of the district for the fiscal year are as follows:

1. DISTRICT SCHOOL FUND (nonvoted levy)

a) Nonexempt assessed
b) Amount to
c) Millage Levy valuation be raised

$5,214,250,938 LRE $32,242,581 6.509 Mills
BASIC DIS $ 2,526,304 .510 Mills
SUPP DIS $ 1,238,385 .250 Mills

2. DISTRICT LOCAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND (nonvoted levy)

a) Nonexempt assessed
b) Amount to
c) Millage Levy valuation be raised

$ 5,214,250,938 $ 9,907,077 2.000 Mills

4. DISTRICT INTEREST AND SINKING FUND(S) (voted)

a) Nonexempt assessed
b) Amount to
c) Millage Levy valuation be raised

$ 5,214,250,938 $ 3,888,528 .785 Mills
$ 5,214,250,938 $ 3,591,315 .725 Mills
$ 5,214,250,938 $ 5,176,448 1.045 Mills

5. THE TOTAL MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED EXCEEDS THE ROLL-BACK RATE COMPUTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065(1), F.S., BY 2.32 PERCENT.

The administration recommends that the School Board adopt the Millage Resolution for the 1998-99 fiscal year as read.

Motion by Mr. Cake         Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved to adopt the Millage Resolution for the 1998-99 fiscal year as read.

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Dr. Chambers read the Budget Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA, HEREBY ADOPTS AS ITS FINAL BUDGET THE TENTATIVE BUDGET PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ON JULY 30, 1998, WITH THE AMENDMENTS SHOWN ON SCHEDULES I THROUGH VII APPROVED THIS MEETING, CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING FUNDS AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 1998-99 FISCAL YEAR:

FUND APPROPRIATION

The administration recommends that the School Board adopt the 1998-99 Budget Resolution for the 1998-99 fiscal year as read.

Motion by Mrs. Sharpe         Seconded by Mr. Cake

Moved to adopt the 1998-99 Budget Resolution as read.

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

The administration recommends that the School Board approve the 1997-98 Annual Financial Report and Related Cost Report for submission to the Department of Education.

Motion by Mr. Cake         Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved to approve the 1997-98 Annual Financial Report and Related Cost Report for submission to the Department of Education.

Following discussion, the Board expressed concern that the Chance Charter School audit report, which indicates they are operating with a deficit fund balance of $51,000. Dr. Chambers informed the Board that the district has been writing checks to the Chance Charter School under the current contract and they do have operating monies. The Department of Education is aware of their negative fund balance and audit. She noted that there is one other charter school in the state that is also in a deficit fund balance situation and there has not been a determination made at this point which direction the district is to take, but the district is in contact with them daily.

Board members noted that they have received a request from a statewide information-collecting group requesting a copy of the Chance Charter School audit report. Mrs. Sharpe requested the Superintendent look into this situation and report back to the Board. She also requested that in the future she be apprised of these types of issues prior to outside groups.

Responding to Mrs. Carroll’s question, Mr. Birkett stated that to his knowledge the district is not liable for Chance Charter school’s $51,000 deficit fund balance. All charter schools are covered by the amount of liability insurance coverage, which was required prior to the charter taking effect.

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Motion by Mr. Cake         Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved to accept the base bid of $4,919,000 and additive alternates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 in the amount of $501,900 and award a contract for construction totaling $5,420,900 to R. Hyden Construction, Inc., Gainesville, Florida, with completion of this project to be within 306 consecutive calendar days from the date indicated in the "Notice to Proceed."

It was noted that the anticipated opening is Fall of 1999.

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Motion by Mrs. Sharpe         Seconded by Mrs. Brashear

Moved to accept the base bid of $3,541,000 and additive alternates no. 1, 2, and 3 in the amount of $24,500 and award a contract for construction totaling $3,565,500 to David Nixon, Inc., Gainesville, Florida, with completion of this project to be within 352 consecutive calendar days from the date indicated in the "Notice of Proceed."

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Motion by Mrs. Brashear         Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved to accept the selection committee’s ranking recommendation in order of preference: (1) PPI Construction Management, Gainesville, Florida; (2) Beers Construction Company, Tampa, Florida; and (3) Ajax Building Corporation, Gainesville, Florida

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Chairman Rhea announced that an executive session is scheduled immediately following the meeting to discuss negotiations.