REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 21st, 2004	Jump to Page   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

1. Recognition of Tom Walker - recognized the work and impact of Dr. Walker in the school system as Dr. Walker is retiring after 35 years of service to the district.

2. Administrative Appointments - Joe Stokes, Principal of King Middle School.

3. Legislative Issues - noted there is new legislation which will have an effect on school districts, and which has not been funded. He also discussed the contract with Mixon & Associates to serve as lobbyist for the school district.

4. Joint Use with Manatee County Government - informed Board Members of a meeting held today with Manatee County Government staff and the possibility of using PECO (Public Education Capital Outlay) funds for joint use.

5. Public Officials Financial Disclosure Form - reminded Board Members of the July 1 deadline for submission of their completed forms to the Supervisor of Elections.

6. Budget Recommendations - provided information regarding the Budget Workshop scheduled for tomorrow evening.

7. Special Meeting re QZAB (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds) Recommendation - noted the Manatee School Board Leasing Corporation will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday night for the purpose of the QZAB financing.

8. Meeting with Congressman Jim Davis - informed the Board of a workshop scheduled for August 18, at 1:30 p.m., with Congressman Davis, to discuss No Child Left Behind.

9. Commendation for Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Scores - commended teachers, parents, administrators, and students for the recent success regarding FCAT Scores. He noted 75 percent of the district's schools received an A or B grade.

10. Issue of Board Appeal - provided information regarding the appeal process in response to a public comment made this evening.

11. Agency Administrative Associate - Introduced Darlene Reynolds, Agency Administrative Associate, to the Board.

SCHOOL BOARD WORKFLOW CHART

Board Members commented regarding revisions and additions to the School Board Workflow Chart.

(A copy of the current Workflow Chart can be found in the Superintendent's Office.)

NEW BUSINESS

DISTRICT SAFETY AND SECURITY SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT - 2004

To comply with Florida Statute 1006.07(6) a Best Practices for Safety and Security self-assessment was completed to help our District review our current safety and security practices. Each superintendent must report the results of the self-assessment to the school board at a publicly noticed school board to provide the public an opportunity to hear school board members discuss and take action on the report findings by July 1st of each year. The District must also provide the Commissioner of Education a copy of this report within 30 days of the school board meeting. This year the District contracted with the National Institute of School and Workplace Safety to conduct an independent assessment of our safety and security practices.

National Institute of School and Workplace Safety, with guidance from the District's Safe Learning Environment Committee, conducted our District's safety and security best practices assessment using the technical assistance guidelines provided by the Department of Education, Office of Safe Schools.

Mr. Miller moved, with a second by Mrs. Harvey, to approve the District Safety and Security Self-Assessment Report - 2004 and that the report be forwarded to the Commissioner of Education as required by law. Motion carried 5-0. (Copy of Report may be found in the Risk Management Department.)

APPROVAL OF QUALITY ZONE ACADEMY BOND (QZAB) RESOLUTION (#04-06a) AND FINANCING DOCUMENTS

The Federal government has established a financing program called Quality Zone Academy Bonds which allows school boards to borrow funds interest free. The lender under this type of financing arrangement would receive tax credits in lieu of interest.

The School Board applied to the Florida Department of Education for an allocation on the Quality Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) program and received an allocation of $1,306,087. These documents authorize the Superintendent and School Board Chairman to close this loan under the terms of the resolution. A lender for this loan will be determined through a competitive bid process.