Moved to approve the minutes of December 15,1998, as presented.

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

Moved to adopt the agenda for the meeting of January 19, 1999, as presented.

Add the following two student Cases to Action item 2.e.: (3) Student Case No. 98-97-X and (4) Student Case No. 99-03-X.

The question was called on the agenda as amended.

Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

The fourth grade teachers and students at Hidden Oak, Talbot and Wiles Elementary Schools were commended for being recognized statewide in the Commissioner of Education’s Monday Report in recognition of their performance and achievements.

The Facilities staff was commended for their efforts in maintaining the schools.

It was noted that the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter at Buchholz High School was chosen as a pilot school for new national leadership development curriculum. Only 16 schools around the country were chosen to pilot this program for 1998-99, which was developed by the March of Dimes and the National FBLA organization.

Westwood Middle School was commended on its technology program being selected as the 1999 International Technology Education Middle School Program of the Year by the Florida Technology Education Association.

Recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Keeper of the Dream Award were congratulated.

Mebane Middle School principal Dr. Chet Sanders was commended for his article entitled Tips for the Middle School Parent that appeared in the January edition of North Florida School Days.

- A citizen provided statistics on the district’s discipline problems at the elementary level and the costs involved to implement and expand the school resource officer program and the behavioral resource teacher program. The Board was urged to replace ineffective administrators and teachers.

- A citizen and former member of the district’s multicultural curriculum task force feels that no changes have been implemented as a result of the contributions and efforts made by the task force and urged the Board to honor the differences of every member of the community.

The regular Board meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing convened.

PUBLIC HEARING—CONSIDER THE 1999-2000 AND 2000-2001 PROPOSED SCHOOL CALENDARS

- Friday, November 12, 1999, unpaid day.

- Extend the Thanksgiving holiday to begin on Wednesday, November 24, 1999, unpaid day.

- January 3, 2000, teacher workday.

Mrs. Carroll voiced her support of the following:

- Extending the Thanksgiving holiday to include Wednesday, November 24, 1999, unpaid day.

- Teachers have requested that the day grades are to be turned in precede a weekend.

- Spring break April 17-21, which would include Good Friday.

Responding to Mrs. Sharpe’s question, Dr. Gary Combs, ACEA calendar committee chairman, stated that the proposed calendars have been thoroughly reviewed by ACEA and teachers have provided and addressed parental concerns.

Mrs. Brashear requested principal and parental feedback and input relating to ACEA’s proposal of the last day of school being a Tuesday or Wednesday and the impact that may have on graduations.

Mrs. Carroll requested Mr. Dukes provide copies of the proposed calendars to the PTA presidents and School Advisory chairs.

Mrs. Sharpe requested staff obtain parental input.

- A representative from the NAACP expressed concern with the labeling of children, specifically labeling black children as "at-risk," and the socio-economic and racial patterns. The Board was informed that the local NAACP may possibly join Miami/Dade County in their lawsuit alleging that black children are not being educated. The Board was urged to provide information that the majority of black students in Alachua County are given the opportunity of a fair and good education in all grades. The Board was also urged to review their current zoning practices, particularly the zoning of new Elementary School "E," review the rationale that is used for the Board’s student assignment policy for new schools to ensure that it will not create another violation of civil rights for black students.

- A parent from Haile Plantation urged that the Board not split the neighborhood between Wiles Elementary and Elementary School "E."

Mrs. Sharpe informed the Board that the Florida School Boards Association made the decision not to join the Miami/Dade County lawsuit. The association felt it was premature to file a lawsuit against a new administration, and she will provide the Board with copies of the Brief on this decision.

- $245,000—writing program for middle and high schools;

- $187,000—inservice grant (first phase of the Leadership Academy);

- $235,000—middle School Reading program; and

- $210,000--staff development for Sunshine State Standards and

FCAT for the Florida High School.

Several west Gainesville schools would be all white if we did not have racially based busing.

There are currently minority students in all west Gainesville schools who are not bused in to achieve racial balance. They are either within walking distance or they take a bus because they live more than two miles from the school, but still within the school’s geographic region.

Few responses from black parents at several schools to a school choice survey sent out last year.

Under the parameters of that survey, parents were only asked to return the survey if they would prefer their child attend a different school. Those that were satisfied with the school their child was attending did not need to return the survey.

Motion by Mrs. Sharpe      Seconded by Mrs. Carroll

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the District Facilities List as presented.

Following discussion the mover and seconder agreed to remove the 40 student stations from the magnet list and add them to the Hawthorne Jr./Sr. High School Facilities List.

The motion now reads: "To approve the District Facilities List with the removal of the 40 student stations from the magnet list to the Hawthorne Jr./Sr. High School Facilities List."

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

The proposal for consideration addresses the current short-term zoning for Elementary School "E," with the long-term solution to be addressed in the strategic planning process.

Dr. Dan Boyd provided the following overview of the educational programs to be offered at Elementary School "E," (capacity -- 678 students) which were developed by a committee of parents, teachers and administrators:

- Two Pre-K classrooms (3 and 4 year olds)

- Four K-5 classrooms

- 26 teachers

- One Art, One Reading and One Music teacher

- Principal

- Guidance counselor

- Behavioral Resource Teacher

- Curriculum Resource Teacher

- Media Specialist

- No Title I services would be anticipated

Dr. Mel Lucas, director, Research/Evaluation, presented a Zone-line plan for Elementary School "E" and provided the Board with statistical data.

Concerns/suggestions expressed by the Board:

- Students that are currently bused are now walking to the new school—safety-to-life

- Look at growth percentages in five years

- Traffic safety

Mrs. Sharpe expressed concern that some neighborhood schools have pockets of all black students or all white students and she prefers to continue to see a mix of students and not slip back into segregation, and provide the best education possible for every student.

Motion by Mrs. Carroll      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved to schedule a public hearing 7:30 p.m., February 2, 1999, on the proposed Zone-Line Plan for Elementary School "E."

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

Motion by Mrs. Brashear      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to authorize execution of the change order in the amount as presented.

It was noted that the mandatory requirements came in after the bid was received.

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

Motion by Mrs. Brashear      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to exercise the option and enter into the contract for the purchase of the property at a price of $112,000.

It was noted that the total acreage of the seven lots is 2.12 acres.

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

Motion by Mrs. Sharpe      Seconded by Mrs. Carroll

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to extend the student’s suspension through February 2, 1999.

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

Motion by Mrs. Carroll      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to suspend the student’s bus riding privileges through the end of the 1998-99 school year.

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

Motion by Mrs. Brashear      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the administration’s recommendation to extend the student’s suspension through February 2, 1999.

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

Motion by Mrs. Carroll      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the hearing agent’s recommendation that the student be expelled through January 15, 1999; be reassigned to the alternative center effective January 20, 1999, on probation.

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

Mrs. Carroll referred to Student Case No. 99-02-SB in which the student set a fire on a school bus. She expressed concern that incidents on school buses do not prevent the student from continuing to attend school. She requested the Superintendent research this issue with staff and report back to the Board on a way to inform the Board of other action taken.

The Board requested copies of the highlights of Plan B.

Mrs. Brashear stated that there is a need to deal with underachieving high I.Q. students, particularly boys.

Motion by Mrs. Brashear      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved to schedule a public hearing February 2, 1999, 7:30 p.m., to consider the amendment to Special Programs and Procedures for Exceptional Students Document, 1998-99, District Plan B.

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

Motion by Mrs. Brashear      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Resolution to establish the Bell Ringer Recognition program to formally recognize employees who have "gone the extra mile."

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

Motion by Dr. Leathers      Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Resolution for The Cambridge Group to provide strategic planning services for the district.

Mrs. Sharpe feels that the district will benefit by a strategic plan, but has several concerns and questions relating to how strategic planning will fit into what the district is currently doing and how school advisory councils and school improvement plans fit into this process. She urged the Board to reserve the right to work with what the district is currently doing.

Superintendent Marazza assured Mrs. Sharpe that strategic planning will build on the quality of the district, not tear it down, and is meant to make the district more effective and efficient. He pointed out that the district is doing very well operationally and if it weren’t, he would not be making this recommendation. Strategic planning will establish a policy that will require every program to justify itself every three years and will analyze the strengths and weaknesses which will lead to strategies that will drive budgeting.

He urged the Board’s full commitment with the process and noted that a newsletter entitled the Strategic Planner has been developed and will be distributed to schools and the community if approved.

Dr. Leathers urged the entire community to become involved in the strategic planning process.

Mrs. Carroll stated that strategic planning is a vehicle to evaluate everything that is done in the system as to whether or not it is good for the students and if the money is being spent wisely.

Dr. Marazza stated that the strategic planning facilitators will be trained to work effectively with each school in conjunction with their school improvement plans and their strategic plans.

Mrs. Sharpe supports the continuation of the SACs being empowered by Florida Statutes.

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

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to adopt the legislative priorities as presented.

Following discussion the Board recommended the following changes to the Legislative Priorities:

Instruction:

- Delete residential mathematics/science academy.

- Fund Leadership proposal to read "Fund Leadership Academy proposal that will include three institutes for professional development--the Professional Teacher Institute, the professional Administration institute, and the Leadership Institute. (Send copies of the proposal to the Legislative delegation.)

Legal:

- Approve the item relating to providing immunity to district’s that provide the use of property for recreational use on the basis that if it has already passed it would be deleted.

- Charter schools—change to read, "Provide that all Charter Schools be monitored, supervised and funded directly by the DOE."

Finance:

- Change language on item for ESE & ESOL mandated programs to read, "Remove the funding caps and fully fund the ESE and ESOL mandated programs. Allow district flexibility in the provision of ESOL services."

Facilities/Transportation:

- Add capital outlay statement to address the issue of no funds to remodel old facilities.

The mover and the seconder agreed to accept the changes as presented.

Chairman Cake requested Board members receive copies of the revised legislative program prior to January 27.

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

Moved to schedule a workshop February 4, 1999, 9 a.m. to discuss evaluation criteria for the performance appraisal system for the Superintendent’s supplemental salary.

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

Moved to appoint Georgeann Mullally as principal of Elementary School "E," effective April 19, 1999.

Superintendent Marazza informed the Board that staff will begin the process of appointing a new principal for Wiles Elementary School.

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

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to enter into a contract with Dr. Joy Frank and Associates, Tallahassee, Florida, for professional services to represent the district for one year as lobbyist.

Mrs. Sharpe expressed serious concerns with the timeliness of this contract since legislative committees began meeting in November and most state agencies have already given their input and will present their budgets. She pointed out that Alachua County already pays dues to the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS) and do an excellent job of lobbying for all school districts. She also noted that Grace Northrup, Alachua County teacher, attends the legislative session and lobbies for ACEA.

She suggested that Dr. Mary Chambers, assistant superintendent for Business Services, or Finance Director Keith Birkett attend the legislative session, increase their salaries rather than hire a consultant for $25,000 for an entire year. She pointed out that there are only three legislative months. The school district would be better served and the Board would be better stewards of the taxpayers money.

Responding to Mrs. Sharpe’s question, Board attorney Lang stated that this position was not advertised because the position is for professional services and does not require advertisement. He also noted that he did not review the contract with Dr. Frank.

Mrs. Brashear expressed her support of the contract because the Board has given the superintendent unanimous instructions to hire someone this evening.

Mrs. Sharpe noted that she has researched this issue and feels that $25,000 is way out of line and will not support the contract to hire Joy Frank to represent the district as its legislative lobbyist.

Mrs. Carroll expressed her support of the contract and requested that a Legislative report be included on every agenda.

Mr. Cake stated he will support the contract, but requested that the Board receive regular written feedback from Dr. Frank on legislative issues, especially those that interest this Board, and Dr. Frank should provide a way for Board members to communicate their concerns to her and provide feedback.

The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 4-1

Moved to approve the consent agenda as described in items 1-13. (See Supplementary Minutes Book.)

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

Chairman Cake stated that if Board members have requests of the Superintendent or his staff, they should meet individually with the Superintendent and make those requests.