Manatee School Board Agenda Results: 9/24/2012

BRADENTON -- At Monday's meeting, the board voted "yes" on replacing Bob Gagnon with a more long-term superintendent in the interim, until a permanent one is found. Former Charlotte County Superintendent David Gayler is the board's pick but has not yet been confirmed. Mr. Gagnon will stay on the board as interim superintendent then. The board also voted unanimously on accepting the Florida School Boards Associaton's offer of performing the search for a new permanent superintendent, as well as approving expenditures that were addressed with skepticism by many members of the board due to still-present distrust of the numbers of the 2012-2013 budget. 

AGENDA AMENDMENTS (5:45 p.m.)

1.Agenda Amendments - p.7

ATTENDANCE (5:45 p.m.)

2.Attendance - p.8

CALL TO ORDER (5:45 p.m.)

3.Call to Order - p.9

4.Pledge of Allegiance - p.10

5.Invocation - p.11

6.Approval of the Orders of the Day - p.12 (Motion passed 5-0)

Attachment: ESOL 2 OOF Sept 2012.pdf
Attachment: Subj Area 2 OOF Sept 2012.pdf
Attachment: Work Plan District Report 2012-2017.pdf
Attachment: Addendum for September 24, 2012.pdf
Attachment: Agenda Item - Supt. Gagnon's Plan.pdf
Attachment: Agenda Item - Interim Superintendent.pdf
Attachment: Agenda Item - Superintendent Search 2012.pdf
Attachment: Agenda Item - MEA Presentation.pdf
Attachment: Agenda Item - Audit Committee Recommendation.pdf
Attachment: Agenda Item - FundEducationNow.pdf
Attachment: FSBA Contract.pdf
Attachment: M091012.pdf
Attachment: S091712.pdf
Attachment: W091812.pdf

STUDENT CELEBRATION
RECOGNITIONS (5:48 p.m.)

7.Recognition of Lakewood Ranch High School Academies - p.13

8.Recognition of Braden River High School Academies - p.14

9.Recognition of Southeast High School Academy - p.15

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS (6:05 p.m.)

10.FundEducationNow Presentation Christine Sket and Cathleen Oropeza from advocacy group Fund Education Now spoke before the board. They presented a power point on various current issues in public funding for education. The data they presented stated that major cuts were made in 2007 and 2008 before the stimulus added money to the budget in 2009, followed by consecutive cuts in the last 3 years. The presentation also stated that Florida education spending has been far below the national average.

Mrs. Oropeza quoted Article IX, Section I of the Florida constitution, focusing on the part that states that all students under the state's constitution will be given a high quality education. She then talked about legislation that she said dilutes education funding: among these noted in the presentation were the FCAT legislation, virtual school requirements, for-profit charter management organizations. and private vouchers. The two argued that the net result of such spending was increased class sizes, loss of art, music, electives, a narrowed curriculum, and an increased need for remediation in higher education. They also expressed concerns that digital learning is being used as a fundamental learning process by replacing the teacher's interaction with the student instead of as an enhancement to the student-teacher learning process. Mrs. Oropeza also noted that this year's narrowly defeated "Parent Trigger" bill will be up again for a vote next year in the Florida Senate. 

Board member Julie Aranibar at 13m: thanked the two for their comments and the points they brought up, then questioned the accuracy of the national education funding chart they presented, noting that not all state government funding is the same, and that other states have to pay taxes that are not required in Florida. "...We don't always equate the value of home costs and not having to pay an income tax in Florida." She also made a point of talking about digital learning: "We have digital learning, but also digital parenting - parents who sit their kids down in front of the TV, (etc.) The school can't possibly be everything for everyone." 

Board member Barbara Harvey brought up her concern that the 2013 plan to allow parents to transfer students whenever they want, as often as they want. She said,"What would that do to a child (who's transferred to different schools) multiple times?" The two presenters were then thanked for their time after postive comments about their presentation by board members Robert Gause and Harry Kinnan.

11.Manatee Education Association Pat Barber from the MEA was at the meeting to present information on Amendment 8, which will be on the state ballot in November. Barber explained that while the Amendment was phrased in a benign way that suggested it was about anti-discrimination, one of its purposes was to allow for a shift in education funding to non-public schools. Barber advised everyone to read it carefully and be sure they understand its intent and possible impact.

12.Superintendent Bob Gagnon’s Plan Bob Gause gave a run-down on the points of the dual roles that he is curently filling, as both Interim Superintendent as well as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. He said that was looking forward to working for the new superintendent or interim superintendent "if that is the direction of the board." Ms. Aranibar expressed confidence in the interim superintendent so far. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS (6:40 p.m.)

13.Public Comments - p.16  Public comments were various and contentious. A veteran and employed electrician of the school district was the first to give a public comment. He expressed discomfort with the fact that he went into a classroom one day while working to find a class that was not standing during the national anthem, and that he had brought it to the principal's attention but was still concerned. Mr. Gagnon advised he would look into the issue.

Robert Moates was next, speaking about the search for a new superintendent: "We have to understand what we as a community desire in a superintendent." He also brought up the question of who will be the one who is chosen to write the next budget.

Bruce Proud, business agent for the Manatee Education Associaton, and Linda Schaic expressed concern about what they believed to be shifty details in the budget. 

Larry Hickman, an educator in Manatee County, raised questions about the evaluations that the board and other high-ranking members of the district compared to teachers such as him, suggesting that their evaluations were much more gentle than those for lower-ranking members of the district. 

PUBLIC HEARING (7:00 p.m.)

14.Public Hearing for Approval of the Tentative District Educational Facilities Plan - p.17 Angela Fraser of the district's finance department went over a summary of expenditures for new construction and maintenance projects and debt services. Ms. Carpenter said, "I have said before that I have no confidence in the numbers (of the 2012-2013 budget)...we need (more information) before we approve any more expenditures. If we don't know that we have money, we don't have to spend it."

Mrs. Harvey, Mr. Gause, and Ms. Aranibar also expressed her concern with the current numbers of the budget, all essentially agreeing with Ms. Carpenter's words. "We haven't begun our first audit, we don't know what we're going to find, and all I'm asking is that we take a second look at this (plan later). I'm not prepared to move forward on this," Ms. Aranibar said.

Despite the board's stated concerns, only Ms. Aranibar dissented on the vote.

Attachment: Work Plan District Report 2012-2017.pdf Motion approved 4-1, with Ms. Aranibar dissenting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:20 p.m.) (Approved 5-0)

15.Approval of Minutes - p.18

Attachment: M091012.pdf
Attachment: S091712.pdf
Attachment: W091812.pdf

CONSENT ITEMS (7:22 p.m.)

Approval of Consent Agenda

16.Approval of September 24, 2012 Consent Agenda - p.19 (Motion Approved 5-0)

Purchase(s) Bids $100,000.00 and Under

17.Approval of Renewal (1) on Emergency Generators-Annual Inspection and Preventative Maintenance, MCSD No. 12-0027-MR - p.20

18.Approval of Purchase for Yearly Maintenance Agreement from Horizon Software International, MCSD No. 13-0016-SM - p.21

Purchase(s) Bids Over $100,000.00

19.Approval of Bid for Lakewood Ranch Retrofit Sound System, MCSD No. 13-0006-SM - p.22

Attachment: 130006bl.pdf
Attachment: 130006T.pdf

Contracts and Grants

20.Approval to Amend Contract for Professional Services Between the School Board of Manatee County and Y.E. Services, Inc. for Occupational Therapy Services for the 2012-2013 School Year - p.24

Attachment: YE Services 262006 OH.pdf

21.Approval of the Contracts with Various State Approved Providers for the Provision of Supplemental Education Services for Eligible Students during the 2012 – 2013 School Year - p.25

22.Approval of the New Agreement Between the School Board of Manatee County and Two Sweetbay Supermarkets to Provide Programs for On-The-Job Training for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) for the School Years 2012-2015 - p.27

Attachment: Sweetbay No. 1742.pdf
Attachment: Sweetbay No. 1922.pdf

23.Approval to Renew the Contract Between Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the School Board of Manatee County for the 2012-2016 School Years - p.29

Attachment: CONTRACT - MANATEE PORT 12-16.pdf

24.Approval to Renew the School Health Services Plan for 2012-2014 - p.30

25.Approval of Two Revisions to the 2012-2013 Adult-Career Certificate Tuition and Fees for Manatee Technical Institute (MTI) - p.32

Attachment: Revised MTI Tuition and Fees.pdf

26.Approval to Renew the Contract Between Amer-I-Can, Inc. and the School Board of Manatee County for the period of Augsut 23, 2012 through January 18, 2013

Construction Services

27.Approval of Extension of Certificate of Level of Service for Public Educational Facilities - p.34

28.Approval of Manatee High School Grant of Easement - p.35

Attachment: 32nd Street Grant of Easement 092412.pdf

29.Approval of Manatee High School - Substantial Completion - Storm Water System Alterations, Cafeteria Serving Line, Kitchen Floor Replacement - p.36

Attachment: MHS Storm Water Alter & Cafeteria Serving LIne Substantial Completion and Punchlist.pdf
Attachment: MHS Storm Water System Alterations Summary Sheet.pdf

30.Approval of Manatee Technical Institute - SR 70 Campus - Partial Substantial Completion - Bus Loop and Signalization - p.37

Attachment: MTI - SR70 Summary Sheet.pdf
Attachment: MTI SR70 Partial Sub Comp Bus Loop & Signals 081612.pdf

Human Resources

31.Approval of the Report of Teachers who are Out-Of-Field in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) - p.38 

Attachment: ESOL 1 OOF Sept 2012.pdf
Attachment: ESOL 2 OOF Sept 2012.pdf

32.Approval of the Report of Teachers who are Out-of-Field in Their Subject Area(s) - p.39

Attachment: Subj Area 1 OOF Sept 2012.pdf
Attachment: Subj Area 2 OOF Sept 2012.pdf

33.Approval of the Appointments, Change of Assignments, Deceased, Promotions, Reappointments, Reassignments, Recommendations for Professional Service Contracts, Resignations, Retirements, Terminations and Transfers - p.40

Attachment: Resume - Jennifer Mroz Gonzalez.pdf
Attachment: Resume - Kim Lane.pdf
Attachment: Resume - Jodi O'Meara.pdf
Attachment: Resume - Jomayra Cesteros.pdf
Attachment: Resume - Beth Marshall.pdf
Attachment: Resume - Janet Lewis.pdf
Attachment: Board Material 09-24-12.pdf
Attachment: Addendum for September 24, 2012.pdf

Miscellaneous

34.Approval of the School District of Manatee County Master Inservice Plan - p.41

Attachment: Master Inservice Plan Boardwork September 24, 2012.pdf
Attachment: School Board Approval MIP Sep 26, 2012.pdf

35.Approval of the Use of Bay Area Schools Purchasing Consortium Interlocal Agreement, MCSD No. 13-0027-RH - p.42

Attachment: 130027RH- BASPC Interlocal Agreement.pdf

36.Approval of the Charter School Application from Visible Men Academy - p.44

37.Approval to Deny the Charter School Application from Kid's Community College Charter School, Manatee - p.45

Attachment: LETTER - DENIAL Kid's Comm College Charter School, Manatee 12-13.pdf

38.Approval to Deny the Charter School Application from Manatee Y Technological High Charter School - p.46

Attachment: LETTER - DENIAL Manatee Y Tech High Charter 12-13.pdf

INFORMATION

Leaves

39.Leaves for September 24, 2012 Board Meeting - p.47

Attachment: Leaves 09-24-12.pdf

OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS (Discussion Items Pulled from Consent)
NEW BUSINESS (Non-Consent Items) (7:24 p.m.)

40.Approve the Settlement Agreement Entered into by and Between the Superintendent and AFSCME and Ricardo Hernandez in Full Settlement and Resolution of the Grievance Filed by Hernandez - p.48 Due to information about the investigation that was not clear at the time of the meeting, Mr. Gagnon requested the item be removed for investigation, and thus it was withdrawn from the agenda. 

Attachment: HERNANDEZ Signed Settlement Agreement 091412.pdf

41.Approve Superintendent’s Exceptions to the Recommended Order and Adopt Recommended Order Rendered by the Administrative Law Judge with the Superintendent’s Exceptions and Enter a Final Order Terminating Wampole's Employment Effective 09/25/12 - p. 49 (Motion made to terminate Ms. Wampole's employment effective September 25 2012, approved 5-0.)

Attachment: WAMPOLE Recommended Order 081612.pdf
Attachment: WAMPOLE - Petitioner's Proposed Exceptions to the Recommend 083112.pdf
Attachment: WAMPOLE Respondent's Response to Petitioner's Exceptions 091012.pdf

42.Consideration and Approval of Audit Committee Recommendation Regarding a Law Firm to Engage an External Auditor (Motion approved 5-0) Before the motion, Dr. Richard Conner came before the board to address his concern that Dr. McGonegal is not obligated to participate in the upcoming forensic audit. Board attorney John Bowen advised this was the case because the board did not have subpoena power to do such a thing as Dr. McGonegal is no longer an employee of the district.

Mrs. Schaich, who was at Monday morning's Audit Committee meeting, also commented stating her concern that the forensic audit, from the general consensus at the meeting, would have a "narrow, laser-like focus," expressing doubt that the supposed explanation of new teachers for the class size amendment causing the deficit held water.

Audit Committee Chairman Jim Toomey spoke before the board, recommending the St. Petersburg law firm, Trenam Kemker, for identifying and selecting the auditor for the 2012-2013 budget.

43.Approval of Appointment of Superintendent on an Interim Basis (Amended motion passed 5-0: Mr. Gagnon will be replaced with a more permanent temporary superintendent until a permanent one is found. Kinnan made a motion to accept Mr. Gagnon as superintendent until his interim replacement is on board. Motion passed 5-0.)

44.Approval of the Selection of a Firm to Assist in the 2012 Superintendent Search (Motion approved 5-0) Mr. Miner made a public comment regarding the search, suggesting he and Mr. Moates be involved in the process, as one of them will be a member of the board come November.  

Attachment: FSBA Contract.pdf

SCHOOL BOARD WORKFLOW (9:20 p.m.)

45.School Board Workflow Items - p.51

SCHOOL BOARD PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS (9:23 p.m.)

46.School Board Proposed Agenda Items - p.52

BOARD COMMENTS (9:25 p.m.)

47.Board Comments - p.53

SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY COMMENTS (10:00 p.m.)

48.Comments by John Bowen - p.54

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT (10:05 p.m.)

49.Superintendent's Comments - p.55

ADJOURNMENT (10:15 p.m.)

Adjournment of Meeting

50. Adjournment - p.56