Board Briefs—JUNE 3, 2008 In This Issue... Public Comments Board Member Reports Highlights from Superintendent's Report PUBLIC HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 BUDGET Supplemental Appropriations Increase Meal Prices   Teacher Contract-Agreement Englewood Middle School Basketball Policy Update-Policy JLCD-Administering Medicine to Students Consensus

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Board Member Reports

Ms. Thompson recommended that students and their families take advantage of the many excellent programs and services available at the Englewood Public Library this summer. The Library sponsors a summer reading program that starts June 8. Kids sign-up at the library reference desk. Kids are encouraged to read 5 hours or more each week. Storytime for young children is available each week and every Friday during June and July is activity day for kids 12 and up. Tutor Vista, allows students to contact live a professional tutor through computers at the library. To learn more about these or other events and activities call the library or check the web site.

Ms. Miller reported that the Englewood Education Foundation received $11,785 from the Major Savers fund raising event. The Foundation will keep half, to be used for Creativity Grants for teachers and Scholarships for students, and the schools will divide the remaining half based on their number of sales.

Ms. Howard said she attended, along with other Board Members, several district events including the retiring teachers reception, the Englewood Middle School Continuation, Englewood High School's Senior Awards and Graduation. She described the beautiful metal podium made by a senior boy, with materials donated by his employer, that was his gift to the school.

Highlights from Superintendent's Report
Mr. McDaniel reported that he met with a group of school administrators to review student behavior and look at options for student discipline. The group will study models of In-School-Suspension including costs and address ways to fund suspension/expulsion programs. A communications plan, for external communication, is being worked on this summer partly based on the recommendations of the committee and from the audit conducted by Ordinary Magic. Mr. McDaniel attended his first EHS Graduation and was overwhelmed by the talent of the students who performed and spoke at the event. The event was well planned and executed and he congratulated Ms. Torres and her staff for their excellent work. Mr. McDaniel noted that the work on Professional Learning Communities, with principals and key teachers being trained, has begun. This will allow for an effective start as training for all teachers begins at the start of the next school year. With the goal of improving current School Improvement Plans and tying them to the District Improvement Plan, Ms. Vedra and Ms. Ansley will conduct a workshop, for district administrators, that will take them through the process of linking the two plans.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 BUDGET
There were no public comments on the Budget.

Supplemental Appropriations
The Board approved Supplemental Appropriations for the Capital Reserve Fund provided by Ms. Peg LaPlante. These revisions are generally due to carryover adjustments or receipt of additional funds.

Increase Meal Prices
The Board approved increasing by 5 cents breakfast and milk along with an increase of 10 cents for full lunch and second lunch meals. Next year food prices will be: Elementary Breakfast $1.20, Elementary Lunch $2.15, Secondary Breakfast $1.35, Secondary Lunch $2.35, a second breakfast $1.75 or lunch $2.80, milk will cost $.55 for elementary and $.60 for secondary students. Ms. LaPlante explained the cost for food continues to rise, a trend she expects will continue, so increasing meal prices is necessary. These small increases will probably not cover the increased costs but the district is trying to not over-burden families.

Teacher Contract-Agreement    
The Board approved and ratified the Teacher's Negotiated Agreement between Englewood Educators and the Board of Education for 2008-2009. Mr. McDaniel provided a summary of the changes to the agreement. Ms. Neubert, who served on the negotiating team, commented on the positive attitude and good cooperation between the negotiating teams.

Englewood Middle School Basketball
The Board approved offering 7th and 8th grade girls and boys basketball at Englewood Middle School. Mr. McDaniel emphasized athletics benefit students by promoting increased learning and self esteem. The cost for the entire program will be $16,000. Middle school basketball will be a positive addition to EMS and serve as a feeder program for the basketball program at EHS.

Policy JLCD Update—Administering Medicines to Students
The Board approved changes to policy JLCD. Ms. Gail Neubert explained the changes to this policy stating a Permission Request form must be signed by the parent or guardian and the health care provider for over-the-counter and/or prescribed medicines to be administered to a student. All medicines must be in their original container. Persons administering medications will be trained by the school registered nurse. By adopting this policy the Board brings the policy in-line with current practices at all the schools.

Consensus Items
The Board approved the following consensus items:
a. Personnel Recommendations & Addendum
b. Policies BG-School Board Policy Process, IHBF-Homebound Instruction (includes IHBF-R), IHBG-Home Schooling (includes IHBG-R), JEA-Compulsory Attendance Ages, JFBB-Inter-District Choices/Open Enrollment, and JFA/JRC-Student Records/Release of Information on Students 2nd Reading.
c. Approval of textbook BSCS Science: An Inquiry Approach level 1 & 2 for a 1st Reading.

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