The Chairman called the meeting to order.  Mr. Wyrosdick led us in a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mr. Wyrosdick mentioned there would be plenty of opportunities, graduations, Take Stock in Children, etc. to participate in end of the year activities at various schools this week and next week as we close the 2014-15 school year down.

We are entering into a special session of the legislature as they get back together over the next 20 days or so to put together a budget.  Mrs. McCole and group will also begin the process of putting our 2015-16 budget together and preparing it for presentation to the board in July. 

The Superintendent also wanted to explain that our Board Members have to review a great deal of material in the seven day period right before a board meeting.  Their paperwork is presented to them online and they can access it via computer, but we do print out one copy for the file.  The meeting this morning contains over 800 pages.  He expressed his appreciation for what they do to get ready for a board meeting and thanked them for calling him or district staff when they have a questions about anything that is sent to them.

Sherry Smith, Director of Student Services introduced Mr. Vince Nguyen, Health Educator with the Department of Health.  He thanked the board for allowing them to be here.  Mr. Nguyen shared with the board that he has received 34 Tobacco Free banners, one for each school.  He will be delivering them to each in Santa Rosa County to keep the word out that we are a Tobacco Free School District.  The banner he has here tonight is being presented to the District Office today.  The remainder of the banners will be delivered to each site over the summer.

Mrs. April Martin, Director of Elementary Education announced that Ms. Brenda Dwiggins and Ms. Dana Fleming from Pea Ridge Elementary School won the Family and Community Involvement Award for this region.  They will travel to Tampa in July to be presented with the award by the Commission of Education.

Dr. Barber, Director of Federal Projects shared with the board there are 3600 Title I schools in the State of Florida.  Only 18 of those schools were chosen to win the Exceeding Expectations Award.   One of the 18 that won this award is our own Bennett C. Russell Elementary School.  BCR was selected based on a combination of criteria consisting of 2014 FCAT scores and observations and interviews that occurred during the East Coast Technical Assistance Centers (ECTAC) site visit.   Ms. Suzi Godwin, Principal came forward and shared with the board some of the many gains in reading and math that her students made.   Ms. Godwin was very proud of her students and her faculty and said that it was their goal to earn this award again next year.

Mrs. April Martin, Director of Elementary Schools came forward and shared with the board that Escambia County, Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County participated in the Pensacola Invitational Math Competition.  She was proud to announce that our students did very well in the competition.  The following students were asked to come forward so they could be recognized.  Holley-Navarre Intermediate School with Mrs. Mosley, Pea Ridge Elementary School with Ms. Brenda Dwiggins (won 5th place).  Jay Elementary School  (won 2nd place)accompanied by Mrs. Allen, S. S. Dixon Intermediate (won 1st place) accompanied by Martha Gough.

Mrs. Martin also announced that Gulf Breeze Middle School took 1st place in the Middle School competition.

Mrs. Charlin Knight, Director of Workforce Education came forward and announced that twenty-five students enrolled in Career and Technical Education Programs at Locklin Technical Center competed in the State Skills USA Competition.  She asked Maria LaDouceur, Principal of Locklin to come forward. 

Ms. LaDouceur was proud to announce that 21 Locklin Tech students exhibited outstanding performance by placing 3rd or better at the state level in their program area.  14 of those students (4 High School students and 10 adult students) placed first in their program area and will have an opportunity to compete in the National Skills USA Competition in June at Louisville, Kentucky.

She introduced the students who were able to make it to the board meeting this morning and their instructors from the following programs.  Automotive Service Technology (Joe Peirce and Michael Castleberry, instructors); Heating-Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology (Joe Hamel, Instructor); Electricity (Mike Adams, Instructor) and Practical Nursing (Tiffany York & Teresa Peirce, Instructors).

No action, information only.

The board approved the request to advertise for a public hearing on the 2015-16 School Choice Plan to be held June 25, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

The Chairman opened the floor for the public forum and asked if anyone wanted to address the board regarding any item not on the agenda.

Mr. Michael Alexander came forward indicating he wanted to address the board regarding the Alternative Placement of his son.   He has some medical information he wanted to share with the board, however he wasn't aware this is a public meeting.  He would like to address the board in private.

Mr. Wyrosdick, Mr. Green and Mr. Gunter explained the procedure we use when informing parents of a scheduled alternative placement hearing before the committee.  Parents are given a choice of 4 options outlined in an informational letter to them.  One of those options is to have a full administrative hearing before the board.  Mr. Alexander did not indicate he wanted that and therefore the board and attorney are not prepared for a formal hearing.  Mr. Wyrosdick told him that he can share whatever information with the board that he desires.   Mr. Alexander will be called on to speak to the board when they reach the Alternative Placements on the agenda.

 Leslie Bell, Sodexo came forward to present the Food Service Quarterly report.  Ms. Bell stated she is going to review the following items:  National School Breakfast Week, Student Well-Being, Professional Standards, and Safety Audits.

National School Breakfast Week was March 2-6, 2015.  She showed some pictures of decorations and banners that various schools used during the week to encourage students to eat a healthy breakfast. 

The annual Future Chef Culinary Competition was held on March 26, 2015 at Benny Russell Elementary School.  She thanked everyone who helped make the event successful. The eight finalist were awarded plaques and given their apron and chef hat to keep.  Special congratulations to the 2015 winner "Megan Wallace" from Oriole Beach Elementary.  She won with her "Freedom Crunch Wrap.

Mrs. Bell stated that almost everyone who serves in food service is required to fill the  Professional Standards for school nutrition professionals as a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA).  The rule, requires a minimum amount of annual training hours for all state directors of school nutrition programs, school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff.  The required training topic areas will vary according to position and job requirements.  There are also minimum hiring standards for new state directors of school nutrition programs, and school nutrition program directors.  The final rule will take effect on July 1, 2015.

Mrs. Bell shared that third party audits are conducted by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).  All ten audits we received that were conducted from NSF were Superior Scores.  We received nine perfect 100 scores and one 99 score. 

The board approved Phase 3 Central High School, Gymnasium HVAC Replacement, Convert Existing Weight Room into new Locker Rooms/Toilet/Shower Room Addition/Relocate Existing Weight Room (to existing boys and girls locker rooms).

The board reviewed the status of the current DAG Architects construction projects.

The board approved awarding the Holley-Navarre Middle School Kitchen/Cafeteria Expansion to Jack Moore & Company, Inc. with a total bid of $895,000.00 as the lowest and best.

The board reviewed the status of the current Pinder-Martin Construction Projects.

The board approved the following change order.

Hobbs Middle School Kitchen Expansion - 10 day weather related extension of time for Phase I.

The board reviewed the status of the current of the Gulf Breeze High School HVAC Renovation.

 Mr. Harrell reminded the board that this easement has been discussed previously.  The City of Gulf Breeze now has the Easement ready for signatures.  Granting this easement to the city is for the purpose of improving drainage and preventing flooding, both for the Gulf Breeze Schools campus and the homes located at the back of the schools.  The only commitment for the school district is the easement, the City of Gulf Breeze is doing all the work.  They plan to get the drainage installed over the summer months before school begins 2015-16.  All of the work will be underground and is all gravity driven.

Mr. Harrell shared with the board that he recently met with Mr. Henry and decided to formalize an agreement that was made back in 2007.  Henry agreed to donate 15 acres on Cecil Road to the district for use in building a future school in exchange for the board not objecting to Mr. Henry's submission of Phase I of Woodlands Subdivision.  The Board and Owner agree that if the Board should determine the property owned by Mr. Henry or his entities in another location would be more suitable for their future plans and if Mr. Henry  agrees to the substitution of said property for the 15 acre tract, then the new parcel will be substituted for the currently identified property.

Mr. Harrell presented the Capital Outlay Budget for 2015-16 fiscal year.  He highlighted a few items to help summarize major projects and also shared his estimated funding for 2015-16:

Gulf Breeze High School - Phase 3 Chiller Plant & HVAC Renovation - $1,400,000

King Middle School - Chiller Plant & HVAC Renovation - $2,500,000

Milton High School - Chiller Plant & HVAC Renovation - $2,000,000

Technological Infrastructure and computer upgrades totaling $1,500,000

County wide school site technology needs totaling $300,000

Property Casualty Premium $1,047,113

Bus Lease $1,445,193

COPS $3,461,000

The board approved the following change orders decreasing the projects payable below to the appropriate contractor by the amounts shown.  These decreases are to reflect recent payments made to suppliers and the associated tax savings acquired through direct purchasing.

Gulf Breeze High School - Chiller Plant Phase II, A. E. New Jr., $301,282.08

Hobbs Middle School - Kitchen/Cafeteria/Bus Ramp/Parking, A. E. New Jr., $28,180.76

King Middle School - Kitchen/Cafeteria, A. E. New Jr., $87,066.90

The board approved the administrative appointment of Christy Baggett as Assistant Principal, Chumuckla Elementary, effective June 3, 2015. 

The board approved the following two job descriptions:

Coordinator of Mathematics and Science (Revised)

Teacher Assistant I - Pre-K Headstart (Revised)

 The Chairman opened the floor for the Student Alternative Placements and Expulsion and asked if anyone here wanted to address the board.  Mr. Alexander (representing student #A15-0272-32) will address the board at the conclusion of board action on the other alternative placements.

The board approved the list of student alternative placements/expulsions as submitted.

Mr. Alexander came forward to speak to the board regarding the alternative placement of his son.  Mr. Green explained to the board and Mr. Alexander that since he didn't indicate on the original paperwork that he wanted a full administrative hearing the board isn't prepared, however he can address the board on behalf of his child.  There was a brief discussion on the confidentially of the student's medical information.

Mr. Alexander thanked the board for allowing him to speak.  He explained that his son brought material (calcium power) to school purporting it was cocaine.  After reviewing the Student Code of Conduct he noticed if his son had actually brought cocaine or alcohol to school, he would have received 10 days suspension and a 2nd chance before he faced expulsion.  His son's punishment is harsher and he didn't bring anything except a food product to school.    He shared with the board that his son has already signed up for the JROTC camp this summer but will not be allowed to attend if the alternate placement is upheld.  Part of the disciple is not being allowed on campus.  Mr. Alexander has already enrolled his son in Virtual School instead of the Learning Academy.

 Mr. Wyrosdick appreciates Mr. Alexander being here, it shows how much he cares about his son.  The Superintendent's recommendation for alternative placement is consistent with other recommendations.  He told the father that his son will have the opportunity to return to his school much earlier than one year. 

The board approved the Superintendent's recommendation for alternative placement for one calendar year with academic services at LASR for student #A15-0261-32.

The board approved the revision to the 2015-16 School Calendar.  The Legislature gave us an opportunity to start school earlier than originally planned.  The school year will begin for students on August 10, 2014.  

Dr. Scott mentioned that she has received comments about graduation services occurring over the Memorial Day weekend.  The same thing will happen again in 2015-16.   Mr. Hinote explained that the schools have to work well in advance with the auditorium in order to find a date available for the high schools to use it.

Ms. Susan McCole, Assistant Superintendent for Finance came forward and stated she wanted to recognize and thank Marilyn Brown and Kathy Strickland.  They are the accountants that prepare the financial statements for us.  She mentioned they work with the auditors, and other districts and attend training when offered to help make sure we are preparing our statements correctly.  She appreciates all the hard work that goes into preparing these statements.

Ms. McCole was excited to report that we received an excellent audit, the best one we have received since she started working with the school district.  She read a portion of the audit summary results that stated "no significant deficiencies relating to the audit of the basic financial statements are reported in the Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters based on an audit of financial statements performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.  No instances of noncompliance material to the basic financial statements of Santa Rosa County District School Board which would be required to be reported in accordance with Government Auditing Standards were disclosed during the audit.  The audit went on to report that Santa Rosa County District School Board was determined to be a low risk auditee, as defined in OMB Circular A-133.

Mrs. McCole said that she was sometimes asked about our long-term debt.  At June 30, 2014, the district has a total long-term debt outstanding of $42,967,734, which is comprised of $4,485,350 of bonds payable and $38,482.384 of certificates of participation payable. 

She also wanted to clarify the Fund Balance and the Financial Condition Ratio.   She explained that we have five different types of funds.  The first is unassigned (can be used at school board discretion); 2.  Assigned (project set up, district project encumbered); 3. Committed (majority of these funds are school based budgets) 4. Non-spendable (inventory) and 5. Restricted (mainly Federal and State programs).   When you look at the end of the year Fund Balance it is a total of all these funds, which can be misleading because they can't all be used.   The state uses the unassigned and assigned funds to determine our Financial Condition ratio.

Mr. Wyrosdick thanked Susan and her staff for all the hard work that went into the audit.  It is nice to know that a third party coming in and reporting that there were no citations is pretty profound.   

Mrs.  Boston thanked everyone for the cards and kind notes she received on the passing of her father.  She also mentioned that she enjoyed the Take Stock in Children Banquet last night.

Dr. Scott  said that this is the time of year when we get to see students graduate and see why we do what we do in the school district.  She will not be in attendance at the next board meeting due to attending a workshop at Harvard.

Mr. Peden wanted to reiterate what Mrs. Boston said about the Take Stock in Children Banquet and the Ed Foundation volunteers.  He said he has been to enough banquets now that he sees some of the children from four years ago graduating now.

Mrs. Granse saw the student she has mentored graduate this year and that made this year special. 

Mr. Winkles mentioned the sad occasion this week when we lost one of our own in a tragic car accident.  Mike McMillion was a tremendous individual who loved kids and always used the expression that "it is all about the kids."   It was overwhelming the amount of people lined up to pay their respects to him.  Mr. Winkles asked that we keep his family in our thoughts.  This is a tremendous loss to the school district.

The Superintendent wants to reconvene the Conflict of Interest committee to address some concerns that have come up.   We will be scheduling a meeting shortly.  We will be going back to two meetings a month for the next few months as we begin to prepare for next school year.  We have a large amount of personnel appointments to get in place so we can be ready.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

DONE AND ORDERED IN LEGAL SESSION by the School Board of Santa Rosa County this 21st day of May, 2015 A. D.

                                                                                SCHOOL BOARD OF

                                                                                SANTA ROSA COUNTY

                                                                                ________________________________

                                                                                Chairman

_______________________________________

Superintendent and Secretary