Jeff Bergosh Blog: School Board Meeting Minutes 7-15-2008

Guidelines

I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following :

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

School Board Meeting Minutes 7-15-2008

I am posting these minutes to expedite information dissemination. Much more complete and detailed minutes will be posted in 4-6 weeks on the school district’s website. In the mean time, these minutes are what I feel were the big “takeaways”, a macro look at my impression of the meeting. These are condensed, abbreviated, shortened, and to the point.

All Board Members present (Jeff Bergosh via speakerphone.)

PTA Presentation—given by Cindy Gerhardt. Thoughts from PTA national conference given by Mrs. Gerhardt.

Proposed additions or revisions to school district rules

5 items approved (Note: under revisions to student progression plan, I had contemplated making a motion to balance the number of absence days allowable from 3 the first semester and 13 the second semester to a more balanced eight for both first and second semester. I was advised by the board attorney that this would be a violation of State DOE regulations)

Safe Harbor—I made the motion that a safe harbor provision be added to the elementary and secondary rights and responsibilities handbook. The motion was set aside due to time constraints of the required advertising of such a change. The issue received support from others on the board and will be added to the next board workshop agenda.

Public Forum: 3 Speakers

1 Speaker did not approve of all literature and textbooks the district uses

1 Speaker did not approve of students who are suspended having their tests/homework not counted during their suspension timeframe.

1 Speaker (Bill Vincent) did not like the fact that some non-tenured teachers may not be re-hired due to budgetary constraints.

June Meeting Minutes Approved

Entire Consent Agenda approved.

All Curriculum items approved

All Finance items approved

All Purchasing items approved

All Operations items approved

Board voted to accept the superintendent’s recommendation regarding the following:

23 students expelled from regular school facilities for various infractions, including 14 for possession of drugs, and 2 for sexual misconduct.
1 Employee suspended for 2 days

1 Employee terminated

Meeting adjourned at 7:50