1. Agenda Amendments - p.7

2. Attendance - p.8

Minutes: 

Board members present: Robert C. Gause, Chairman; Harry G. Kinnan, Vice-Chairman; Julie B. Aranibar, Karen Carpenter, and Barbara A. Harvey. Also present: Tim McGonegal, Superintendent; Darcy Hopko, Assistant Superintendent for District Support Services; and Scott Martin, Staff Attorney.

 

Jim Robinson, School Board Attorney for the Pinellas County School District, acted as School Board Attorney in John Bowen's absence.

3. Call to Order - p.9

Minutes: 

Chairman Gause called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m.

8. President's Volunteer Service Award - p.14

Minutes: 

Dr. Mary Cantrell, Executive Director of Manatee Technical Institute (MTI) made a presentation to the Board.  She introduced three MTI students who have been nominated to receive the prestigious President's Volunteer Service  Gold Award.  She invited each of the students to describe his or her volunteer work to the Board.

Larry Hakes, a student representing the Cosmetology department, said their group of about 30 volunteers worked with homeless individuals through the Health Department and Salvation Army.  He also gave haircuts at the School Support Center to help raise funds for United Way.

Claudia Cruz, a student representing the Business Technology department,  worked with a group of 11 students to collect holiday gifts for new MTI students' families.  In addition, they collected holiday gifts for a group of families living at the Salvation Army.

Frank Agresta received the Young Adult Award, and worked as a Manatee Emergency Medical Services volunteer.

Following this presentation, Chairman Gause announced that the next item to be addressed would be item #14, Report and Presentation item, Health Insurance Fund.

9. Public Comments - p.15

Minutes: 

Linda Schaich - spoke about the district's health insurance and worker's compensation funds, and said she is not in favor of the district considering an on-site health clinic.

Tom Garland - urged the Board to find a solution to fix the health insurance fund balance immediately.

Tom Whitaker - expressed concern about a comment that was made at a recent Johnson Middle School PTO/SAC (Parent Teacher Organization / School Advisory Council) meeting, about consideration of a plan to merge Central High School with Southeast High School.

Ms. Aranibar explained the nature of this recommendation, which was submitted to the Superintendent from the Budget Committee.

Dave Miner - said that the Board is ultimately responsible for the health insurance deficit.  He also said he does not think there was enough information in the agenda about the financing documents that would be considered later in the meeting.

Linda Neely - expressed her displeasure with the Superintendent and the Board for allowing a deficit in the health insurance fund.  She also said she is opposed to the traffic relief lane being added at Braden River Middle School.

Peggy Martin - made three suggestions to the Board:  vote no on the wellness center; hire an outside auditor to review all district financial records; and the new Board Members select the outside auditor, who should be from Manatee County.

Michael Becks - said he is concerned about where the funds to eliminate the health insurance fund deficit will come from.

Brian Kendzior - as the Wakeland Elementary School SAC (School Advisory Council) Chair, said he is not in support of the Budget Committee recommendation to combine Johnson Middle and Wakeland Elementary Schools into one K-8 IB (International Baccalaureate)  program.

10. Approval of Minutes - p.16

Attachment: M032811.pdf
Attachment: W033011.pdf
Attachment: S040411.pdf
Attachment: W040411.pdf

Motions:
Motion and approval of the Regular Meeting of March 28, 2011, Workshop of March 30, 2011, Special Meeting of April 4, 2011 and Workshop of April 4, 2011.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Karen Carpenter
Second: Julie Aranibar
Julie Aranibar	- Aye
Karen Carpenter	- Aye
Robert Gause	- Aye
Barbara Harvey	- Aye
Harry Kinnan	- Aye

11. Bring Home The Gold - Volunteer Partnership Recognition - p.17

Minutes: 

Dawn Allen, Coordinator of Community Involvement, presented this item to the Board.  Following a short video about the "Bring Home the Gold" program, whereby district Payroll Department staff taught high school students about paychecks and payroll deductions, she recognized the Payroll Department Director and staff members who participated in the program.

12. Celebrate School Library Media Month - April 2011 - p.18

Attachment: Schl Libr Media Month Proclamation 04-2011.pdf
Minutes: 

Superintendent McGonegal introduced this item to the Board.  He invited Chandra Horvath, Library Media Services Manager, to make a presentation to the Board.

Ms. Horvath described events that would take place in the district related to School Library Media Month.  She invited Marie Masferrer, Media Specialist at Orange Ridge - Bullock Elementary School, to read Governor Rick Scott's Proclamation.

Ms. Aranibar said she is excited about the blending of media and curriculum.

38. Approval of Recommended Order Rendered by the Administrative Law Judge in the Matter of MCSB v. Karyn Cena SBMC Case No. 10-0015; DOAH Case No. 10-8694 and Rejection and Denial of Respondent’s Exceptions - p.55

Attachment: Cena - Respondents Exceptions to Recommended Order 3-18-11.pdf
Attachment: Cena - Petitioners Response to Respondents Exceptions to Re.pdf
Minutes: 

Superintendent McGonegal introduced this item to the Board.

Acting School Board Attorney Jim Robinson reminded the Board of their responsibility as a quasi-judicial body in this matter.  He described the order of events that would take place, as follows:

• The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) had heard the case and provided the Board with a Recommended Order.
• Attorneys for both parties had an opportunity to file exceptions to the ALJ's Recommended Order.
• The attorney for each party would have 15 minutes to address the Board.  The Superintendent's attorney would make the first statement, and had the option to reserve some of his time for rebuttal, following the statement by the attorney for the employee.

Scott Martin, attorney for the Superintendent, made his statement to the Board.

Melissa Mihok, attorney for the employee, made her statement to the Board.

Mr. Martin made his rebuttal statement to the Board.

The Board held discussion prior to voting on this matter.

Motions:
Motion and approval of the Recommended Order Rendered by the Administrative Law Judge and rejecting and denying Respondent’s Exceptions.	- PASS
Vote Results
Motion: Barbara Harvey
Second: Robert Gause
Julie Aranibar	- Aye
Karen Carpenter	- Aye
Robert Gause	- Aye
Barbara Harvey	- Aye
Harry Kinnan	- Aye

Motion Minutes: 

Following the motion and second on this item, the Board clarified the matter of the employee resigning or being terminated.

Following the vote on this item, Chairman Gause recessed the meeting at 8:03 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at 8:16 p.m.

48. Board Comments - p.67

Minutes: 

Mrs. Harvey

Budget Committee - reminded the community that comments in the media about potential school closings were based on recommendations from a committee to the Superintendent.  She advised community members that anyone can make budget suggestions by e-mailing the Superintendent.

Through the Tunnel - announced this documentary would be featured at the Sarasota Film Festival, and would be shown on April 14, 2011 at the Sarasota Opera House.

Health Plan - restated that the decisions that were previously made about the health insurance plan were made with the best interests of the district in mind, and were not politically motivated.

Mr. Kinnan

On-Site Health Clinic - said the Board continues to be open to ideas to help the district save money.  He said he thinks the Board should place this initiative on hold for the time being, pending further research by the Superintendent.

Honor Choir - congratulated students from district high schools who participated in this event, which was hosted by Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch on Saturday, April 9, 2011.  This program was funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota through a Weller Grant.  He thanked the community for its continuing support of education.

Her Story - congratulated Mrs. Harvey on being honored by the University of South Florida by being invited to participate as a member of this panel discussion earlier in the day.  He thanked Mrs. Harvey for her service to education in Manatee County.

Charter Schools - in response to the discussion about charter schools at the Central Florida School Boards Coalition meeting earlier in the day, he said that the district has a good relationship with charter schools.  He noted that Senate Bill (SB) 1546 effectively removes local control of charter schools from local school districts.

Ms. Aranibar

Budget Committee - described the process that was used to arrive at budget recommendations which were submitted to the Superintendent.  She explained that the Superintendent will review all of the recommendations that were made, and then bring a budget to the Board for approval.

Ms. Carpenter

Manatee School for the Arts (MSA) - said she attended MSA for a groundbreaking celebration on April 5, 2011.  That same evening one of their founding teachers, Master Ellis, was murdered. She said that the Superintendent's staff was very helpful to MSA students and staff during that difficult time, and the MSA staff very much appreciated their help.  She said the memorial service for Master Ellis reflected the immense respect the MSA students had for this instructor.

Health Insurance Fund - said she would like to have a full discussion about self-funding the district's health insurance and other insurance.  She said the focus of the district should be to help students learn, dream and achieve, and not to be in the health care business.

Mr. Gause

Charter Schools - said that the loss of Master Ellis at MSA was very sad.  He noted that the district has always supported the charter schools.  He said that, considering the current popular and legislative support for charter schools, he has talked with the Superintendent about doing some demographic comparisons between district charter and traditional schools.

Palmetto Elementary School - noted that the demolition of the old school was approved on the Consent agenda earlier in the meeting.  He reported that every effort was made to find an alternate use for the facility, but no appropriate use was found. 

On-Site Health Clinic - said the process for investigating the possibility of an on-site health clinic was important and valuable.  He said he does not support going forward with the clinic.  By consensus, the Board did not want to move forward with that concept at this time.

Community Climate - acknowledged that there is a lot of angst in the community, resulting in frustration and expressions of anger.  He said the Board must be cautious to ensure that this climate is not created within the district.

Health Care Options - requested that the Superintendent bring to the Board information about the legal, liability, and fiscal implications of issuing an RFP (Request for Proposal) for other health care options.  He requested this information be presented at the first Board meeting in May at the latest.

Workforce Funding Equity - asked the Board Members to encourage legislators to continue in this endeavor, and to thank them for their efforts so far.

FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) - wished district students well on the FCAT, which was being administered that week.  He reminded parents that students should go to bed early and have a good breakfast in the morning.

49. School Board Workflow Items - p.68

50. Comments by John Bowen - p.69

Minutes: 

John Bowen

Mr. Robinson - said that though the circumstances that brought him to the Board meeting were sad, "It's great to be in Manatee County."  He commended the Board on their civility, advanced governance and boardsmanship, and professionalism.

John Bowen - expressed his sadness at the passing of Mr. Bowen's wife.  He shared comments made by Mr. Bowen about the goals he had for his life.

51. Comments by Tim McGonegal - p.70

Minutes: 

Tim McGonegal

John Bowen - added his thoughts and prayers to the Bowen family for their loss.

Budget Committee - announced that Ms. Aranibar and he taped a program that had been airing on METV about the district budget and Budget Committee.

Palmetto Elementary School - congratulated district staff on obtaining a permit from SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District), allowing the district to claim the impervious surface credit and making future use of the old school site much easier.