Moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 1999, as presented.

The question was called.              Upon Vote: Motion passed 4-0

Moved to adopt the agenda for the meeting of February 2, 1999, as presented.

Delete Action Items 2.a., Proposed Calendars for 1999-2000 and 2000- 2001 School Years—Second Reading, and add to the March 2, 1999, agenda and B.1., Legislative Update, and add to the February 16 agenda.

The question was called on the agenda as amended.

                                               Upon Vote: Motion passed 4-0

The Board extended condolences to Hidden Oak Principal Doris Richardson and family on their recent loss.

Mrs. Karen Scarborough, Business Partnership Specialist, presented First Union with Alachua County’s 1999 Partner in Education award.

The following volunteers were recognized as Alachua County’s 1999 Outstanding School Volunteers: Mathew Braddy (Youth Category), Sidney Lanier; Michael Debois, (Adult Category), Wiles Elementary; and Waltraud Schmid, (Senior Category), Lake Forest Elementary.

Dr. Mel Lucas, director, Research/Evaluation, presented a brief overview of the proposed Zone Line Plan for Elementary School "E" and provided statistical data. He stated that the six factors considered in developing the proposal consisted of the following: provide a sufficient student population; reduce the overcrowding at Wiles Elementary; provide for safe access to Elementary School "E"; treat neighborhoods as intact units; limit bus transportation time and distance; balance the racial/ethnic diversity among the schools, and limit the high percentage of free/reduced lunch students, except in such cases where a school would qualify for special funding.

Mrs. Brashear arrived at the meeting.

Chairman Cake opened the floor to public input.

Several residents and parents affected by the proposed zone line plan for Elementary School "E" presented the following concerns and suggestions for Board consideration.

• Residents of Haile Plantation in the subdivisions of Grahams Mill/Amelia Gardens/India Station/Bennetts Garden/Century Oaks/Hamptons urged that the Board not split Haile, but consider Haile as one neighborhood; include south and east of Amelia Gardens, India Station and Bennetts Garden in zone "E"; expressed concern with the splitting of Haile Plantation and the affect it will have on property values; and the loss of Ann Mullally as principal of Wiles.
• Enrollment in the next five years.
• Consider the golf course as a boundary
• Alleviate congestion.
• Support neighborhood schools.
• Minimize busing.
• Recognize that neighborhoods have different needs and take funds out of privileged schools and place in disadvantaged schools with a high population of free/reduced students.
• NAACP president urged the Board to improve the educational achievement of black students and noted the NAACP will not take a position on the issue of rezoning of Elementary School "E" based on the movement of bodies.
• A representative from the Cultural Arts Coalition requested the Board make all schools equal and provide an equal education for all students, especially economically disadvantaged children who are bused
• Zone Dogwood Estates, Pepper Mill and Tower Oaks to "E." rather than Idylwild Elementary, which would diversify the student population in "E."
• Zone both Cedar Ridge and Sugarfoot communities to Idylwild.
• Zone Dogwood Estates to Wiles or "E" rather than Idylwild, which would improve the diversity in "E." Late buses and safety continue to be a problem for these students. Consider zoning younger students to neighborhood schools.
• Consider making Wiles and "E" K-2 and 3-5 schools.
• Designate and publish the names of all the neighborhoods affected.
• Opposed to leaving space for growth in "E" rather than allowing students who live closer to attend.
• Necessary to have adequate facilities for all schools.
• Support equal opportunity for all students to receive a quality education.
• Modifications to the proposal are necessary.

Dr. Dan Boyd, assistant superintendent, Instruction, explained how schools are allocated elementary units. The goal of the proposed zone line plan for Elementary School "E" is to affect the least number of schools, recognizing that there are underenrolled schools and the necessity of filling "E" immediately. Long range planning will be addressed through the strategic planning process to address the districtwide zoning problem.

Mrs. Sharpe informed the public that Mrs. Mullally was not forced to leave Wiles, she personally made the decision. The new principal chosen for Wiles will be the best person for that particular school. She stated she was saddened over the number of e-mail messages she has received and the reasons given by parents for not wanting their children to continue at Wiles due to the increased number of economically disadvantaged students and the affect this would have on property values. She informed the public that the Board has done the best possible job in upgrading east-side facilities as well as facilities in the outlying areas with the money available. She pointed out that a certain amount of busing is necessary.

Mrs. Brashear pointed out that an additional school or two will be needed in the future, but there is an opportunity with the Board’s current zoning policy for exemptions, which allows for individual flexibility. She expressed her support of the proposal with some improvements based on the fact that the Board will be working on a long-range plan through the strategic planning process next year.

Mrs. Carroll stated she supports neighborhood schools and noted that the district has been commended by outside groups for racial and socio economic balances, particularly at the high school level. The Board has been committed to remodeling older schools and will continue in the future as monies become available. She predicted that Hidden Oak, Wiles and Elementary "E" will be overenrolled when they open and noted that she does not reside in Haile Plantation. She urged the Superintendent to move rapidly on appointing a new principal for Wiles following the parent input sessions.

She stated that she supports most of the proposal and made the following suggestions for staff consideration:

• Provide numbers from the Dogwood/Tower Oaks area.
• Provide numbers for the area that is currently zoned to Woodlawn (bused into Wiles and live within walking distance of Prairie View and Williams).
• Help with the Cedar Ridge/Sugarfoot mobility issue in terms of numbers.
• Look at the issue of the children that go to Hidden Oak and cross Idylwild.
• Parents who might leave the Dogwood/Tower Oaks would leave Idylwild underenrolled for a period of time.
• Provide numbers of how Wiles and "E" will look in terms of gifted programming and the commitment on the part of the Board if either of those schools has a great impact, and include Hidden Oak.
• Consideration should be given as to whether to use the street or the golf course as the dividing line—consider the ages of the children.

Mr. Cake expressed the same concerns as Mrs. Carroll and made the following suggestions:

• Zone Dogwood Estates neighborhood for "E" or Wiles.

• Faster growth in the Mentone and Hickory Forest than North Haile, which will put more students in Wiles

• Concerned with taking students out of Wiles, but strategic planning process can review other areas.
• Problem with busing students 12 miles across another school zone.
• Concerned with the teacher selection process and noted that the teacher contract deals with teacher transfers. Reminded parents that Hidden Oak will have to give up students, therefore, teachers will have to come from Hidden Oak and there will be vacancies due to attrition at both schools. Teachers who also live very close to "E" may also want to transfer and there may be teachers that live in Haile who may want to teach at "E."

Mrs. Brashear requested staff check into the early/late bus situation in the Dogwood Estates area.

Mr. Tougaw informed the Board that the district is short of bus drivers.

Moved to approve the resolution supporting Student Support Services Week (February 8-12) as presented.

The question was called.           Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

• Dr. Gunnar Paulson, president, ACEA, expressed concern that the annual financial audits currently being conducted by the Auditor General’s Office are proposed to be eliminated through a bill in the state legislature, which would force school districts to pay for their own audits. Districts would have to contract with independent CPAs for their annual financial audits and the cost would be borne by the school districts.

Chairman Cake urged Superintendent Marazza to inform the Board’s Lobbyist Joy Frank of this issue.

Dr. Mary Chambers, assistant superintendent, Business Services, informed the Board that Alachua County has gone on record as opposing the bill and has signed on with FSBA and several other districts opposing this initiative.

Motion by Mrs. Brashear        Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the hearing agent’s recommendation to expel the student through the first semester of the 1999-2000 school year, but be permitted to attend the alternative center beginning June, 1999, on probation.

The question was called.        Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Motion by Mrs. Sharpe        Seconded by Mrs. Carroll

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to extend the student’s suspension through February 16, 1999.

The question was called.        Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Motion by Mrs. Carroll        Seconded by Mrs. Sharpe

Moved the hearing agent’s recommendation to confirm the student’s assignment to the alternative center.

The question was called.        Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Motion by Mrs. Carroll        Seconded by Mrs. Brashear

Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to extend the student’s suspension through February 16, 1999.

The question was called.        Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0

Moved to approve the consent agenda as described in items 1-10. (See Supplementary Minutes Book.)

The question was called.        Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0