School Board of St. Lucie County

Special Joint Meeting - August 17, 2006

MINUTES

The School Board of St. Lucie County held a special meeting/workshop in the School Board Room on August 17, 2006 which started at 6:30 p.m.

PRESENT:MRS. KATHRYN HENSLEY, Chairman

Member Residing in District No. 4

DR. JOHN CARVELLI, Vice Chairman

Member Residing in District No. 3

DR. SAMUEL S. GAINES

Member Residing in District No. 5

MS. CAROL A. HILSON

Member Residing in District No. 2

DR. JUDI MILLER

Member Residing in District No. 1

ALSO PRESENT:MR. MICHAEL LANNON, Superintendent

JOINT WORKSHOP WITH UNION BOARD/REPRESENTATIVES ON LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2006-07

Chairman Hensley stated St. Lucie County was about working together and sharing the vision. Now was the appropriate time to collaboratively set legislative priorities. Sitting at the table with board members and Superintendent Lannon were Ms. Vanessa Tillman, President of CTA, CTA/CU, and the union’s Board of Directors that consisted of Chris Hill, Bob Kalmin, Shirley Hagwood, Peter Rinelli, Monette Wynn, Pam Jenkins, Chuck Brothers, and Vicki Rodriguez.

The group looked at three pages of proposals and a Pledge brochure (see supplemental minutes packet). There was a smooth and open exchange of ideas and topicsthat resulted in the following final draft of six main legislative issues (not in priority order) to be submitted to consortiums, districts, governmental agencies/organizations and ultimately to the Treasure Coast Legislative Delegation for support.

Smaller class sizes through full funding of both operational costs and construction costs of new school facilities while amending 1003.03(4)(a) to allow the reversal of class size reduction penalties in the event the district achieves the required minimum class-size ratios.

Better funding for public schools through annual increases to base student allocations to adequately meet full enrollment needs.

Support for schools in need rather than private school vouchers.

Competitive wages for teachers and support professionals and repeal of differentiated salary legislation to ensure recruitment and retention of our best and brightest education professionals.

Balanced impact of property/casualty insurance premiums statewide so that “high risk” districts are not forced to spend a greater percentage of overall budget dollars on insurance thereby reducing the dollars spent in the classroom.

Commitment to prepare students for high skill/high wage occupations associated with Florida’s ResearchCoast through full restoration of FEFP career and technical program funding weights for middle and high schools.

Other priorities of importance to the Board and Union consisted of the following.

Clarification of concurrency legislation so that school needs are fully addressed as a part of overall community planning for growth.

Adequate housing for teachers and support service professionals to enable them to live in the communities in which they work.

Dedicated funding for school resource officers and nurses through provision of funds to public law enforcement agencies and local health departments specifically earmarked for provision of health and safety services for children in public schools.

Discussion was discontinued and Chairman Hensley adjourned the August 17, 2006 joint workshop at approximately 7:38 p.m.