REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 7th, 2004	Jump to Page   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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BOARD COMMENTS

Mrs. Harvey

Congratulations to Graduates - congratulated the district's graduates, the quality of the graduation ceremonies, and the student speeches. She noted that for those students who did not pass the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test), there are other options, such as the SAT (Scholastic Achievement Test) and ACT (American College Testing).

Johnson Middle School Dancers - commended the Johnson Middle School Dancers for their recent performance at Disney.

Mr. Kinnan

Congratulations to Graduates - concurred with Mrs. Harvey's comments.

Mr. Miller

Congratulations to Graduates - congratulated the district's graduates, and their families. He apologized that he was unable to attend local graduation ceremonies, due to his 50th high school reunion, which he attended that weekend.

Annual Migrant Shoe Program - encouraged participation in this program, which requests a $10.00 donation to purchase shoes for migrant children.

Streamlining the Board Book - requested that staff streamline the size of the Board Book.

Mr. Simmons

Congratulations to Graduates - congratulated the district's graduates.

Response to Public Comment - noted that Dr. Dearing has the authority to spend up to $25,000.00 without Board approval, which was done in the situation of the contract with Mixon & Associates as the lobbying firm for the Board. He said the Superintendent had informed the Board about the opportunity to hire the firm before he did so.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

1. Administrative Appointments - Roy Larson (Director of Elementary Schools); Dr. Louis Robison (Director of Middle Schools); Pat Boling (Director of Purchasing); Sandra Ford (Director of Food Services); and Joe Stokes (Principal, King Middle School).

2. Mr. Brunner's Absence - noted that Mr. Brunner is missed, while recovering from recent surgery.

3. Mixon & Associates - referring to a public comment, he said that under State Statutes, the Superintendent is allowed up to $25,000.00 for contracts, goods and services and purchases without formal Board approval; he had spoken to the Board about the contract and the $600,000.00 cost savings.

4. Graduation Ceremonies - commented on how wonderful the ceremonies were.

5. Board Attorney Contract - said the current Board Attorney contract expires August 2004 and is up for renewal.

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

CONSIDERATION OF PETITION FOR SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY PENDING TERMINATION OF STEPHEN J. FOISY

This Employee was placed on paid administrative leave on April 27, 2004 The Employee is employed as a School Bus Driver. Employee disabled the Child Reminder System safety device from his bus on numerous occasions, thus endangering students under his care. Employee's actions constituted a violation of Florida Administrative Code Rule 6B-1.006 of the Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida, which is applicable to all employees of the Manatee County School District by School Board action. The Employee's conduct also constitutes misconduct in the performance of duties, incompetence, gross insubordination, willful neglect of duty, and misconduct which endangered the health and safety of students under his care. The conduct and action of Employee constitutes just cause pursuant to Section 1012.40 Florida Statutes and Chapter 6.11(1) of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the School Board of Manatee County, warranting suspension and subsequent dismissal of Employee.

The Superintendent recommends the termination of the Employee and has recommended a suspension without pay pending the Board's consideration of the termination. The Board considered the Superintendent's Petition for Suspension without pay pending termination on June 7, 2004. The Board deliberated and determined, by vote, whether the Petition for Suspension without Pay should be granted or denied.

It was noted that the employee was not present.

The Employee has been placed on paid administrative leave by the School Board pending a final determination on the Petition For Suspension without Pay. However, if the Employee is reinstated, the Employee may receive back pay for the time of the suspension.

The Superintendent recommended Board approval of the Petition for Suspension Without Pay of Stephen J. Foisy, Employee, effective June 7, 2004, pending termination.

Mrs. Harvey moved, with a second by Mr. Miller, for approval of the Petition for Suspension Without Pay of Stephen J. Foisy, Employee, effective June 7, 2004, pending termination. Motion carried 4-0. (Copies of Notice, Petition for Suspension Without Pay and Termination can be found in the Supplemental Minute Book.)