Minutes of the School Board of Alachua County, Florida

The School Board of Alachua County, Florida, met in regular session duly called at 7 p.m. in the Boardroom, 620 East University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Present were: Bill Cake, chairman; Barbara Sharpe, vice-chairman; Judy Brashear, Bev Carroll, and Chester Leathers, members; Lawrence Marazza, superintendent; and James F. Lang, attorney for the Board.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cake, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Chairman Cake noted that the Board’s thoughts and prayers are with teachers, parents and students in Littleton, Colorado, where violence occurred today. He informed the community that a School Violence Prevention Task Force was appointed in September of last year and the task force has been meeting regularly and will report back to the Board on May 4, 1999. He pointed out that each school has its own emergency procedures, which are reviewed and practiced by staff.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES	Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Mrs. Brashear Moved to approve the minutes of April 6, 1999, as presented. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA	Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Mrs. Carroll Moved to adopt the agenda for the meeting of April 6, 1999, as presented. Add as Action Item B.2.a.(3), Student Case No. 99-25-X. The question was called on the agenda as amended. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0
BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS	Board members announced the activities and events recently attended. Mrs. Carroll announced that at the recent Volunteer of the Year Award Program the following individuals won awards: Grace White, Public Relations Officer, won the E.T. York Community Volunteer Award; Claudia Siders, Howard Bishop Middle School teacher, won the Gainesville Sun Service Award; Karen Novak was nominated for the Education Volunteer of the Year; Michael Dubois, Wiles Elementary School volunteer, won the Education Volunteer of the Year award; and the Eastside High School Key Club won for the best student group. Mrs. Brashear requested a discussion item at the next Board meeting to get an update on the testing backlog.
RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS—KIDS COUNT AWARD	Representatives from First Union National Bank presented the "Kids Count Award" to Lincoln Middle School Volunteer Robert Walker. A monetary award was also presented to Mr. Walker and Lincoln Middle School.
SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA WEEK/ INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM ESSAY CONTEST WINNER	Ms. Alice Bryan, Santa Fe High School Media Specialist, introduced Gainesville High School student Alison May as the winner of the Intellectual Freedom Essay Contest for her essay on Freedom of Speech during school library Media Week.
JOHN DALE HAYNIE, III, ENDOWMENT—LOFTEN HIGH SCHOOL	Dr. Ellen West, principal, Loften High School, recognized Mr. John Dale Haynie, III, for his endowment to Loften High School in the amount of $371,362.87. A plaque will be placed in Loften’s Media Center along with a portrait of Mr. Haynie and his family.
TEACHER RECOGNITION PROGRAM HONOREES	Mrs. Grace White, Public Relations Officer, presented the 40 honorees of the Alachua County Teacher Recognition Program to the Board and announced that Mr. Tom Ringwood, ESE teacher at Gainesville High School, has been selected as Alachua County’s representative to the 1999 Florida Teacher of the Year Program.
ALACHUA COUNTY BELL RINGER AWARD	Mr. Kent Johnson, teacher and varsity coach at Hawthorne Jr./Sr. High School, was presented as the April 1999 Alachua County Bell Ringer Award recipient.
CITIZEN AWARD	The following suggestions/recommendations were presented to the Board for consideration: A citizen urged Board members to require administrators and teachers to enforce behavior in the formulation of building a school strategic plan and if such standards cannot be enforced, suggested they be replaced. A grandparent expressed concern for the health and safety of students, especially elementary-age students, housed in portable classrooms, which do not have covered walkways to the main buildings on campus. The Board was urged to obtain grant funding to provide covered walkways and protective covering for students.
PRESENTATION—EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM	Mrs. Ann Crowell, director, Family Services Center, presented highlights of the School Board of Alachua County’s Early Intervention Program and Family Support Initiatives: Head Start, Early Head Start, Florida First Start, Pre-kindergarten, Early Intervention and Full Service Schools. Head Start staff presented an overview of the services offered to preschool age children and their families including an overview of the program; the philosophy of early intervention; the curriculum focus; and program data. The Board commended everyone involved with the Head Start Program.
STUDENT CASE NO. 99-23-X	Mr. Tom Wittmer, staff attorney, reported that the student is charged with possession, sale and transfer of a controlled substance. A hearing was held April 23, 999. Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Dr. Leathers Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to extend the student’s suspension through May 4, 1999. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0
STUDENT CASE NO. 99-24-X	Mr. Wittmer reported that the student is charged with repeated use of abusive language and disorderly conduct. No hearing was requested. Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Mrs. Brashear Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to expel the student through the 1999 extended school year. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0
STUDENT CASE NO. 99-25-X	Mr. Wittmer reported that the student is charged with possession of a controlled substance. Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Mrs. Carroll Moved the superintendent’s recommendation to extend the student’s suspension through May 4, 1999. The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0
CONSENT AGENDA	Motion by Mrs. Sharpe Seconded by Mrs. Carroll Moved to approve the consent agenda as described in items 1-2. (See Supplementary Minutes Book.) The question was called. Upon Vote: Motion passed 5-0
ADJOURNMENT	The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.