Dr. Janssen stated that there have been some changes incorporated into the proposed Amendment to Policy 6.15 since the first reading.
Mr. Madden presented a PowerPoint to clarify the proposal before the Board which includes the opportunity for children to remain at their present school without district-provided transportation and the zone maps for consideration for both the elementary schools and the middle schools.

The following individuals addressed the Board regarding the proposed amendment to policy 6.15:

Bob Manning, James A. Carroll, Gregory Premer, Peter Roos, Linda Chaney - St. Pete Beach City Commissioner, Melinda Sharp, Eric Baird and Mayor of Treasure Island, Mary Maloof - Addressed the Board to speak against the proposed closing of Gulf Beaches Elementary.  Speakers requested that the school and community be given one year to allow them to explore options that could keep their school open. 

Elizabeth B. Horton - Addressed the Board to speak against the proposed closing of Kings Highway Elementary. 

Angelena Hollister, Fernando Gutierrez and Brandi George - Addressed the Board to speak against the proposed closing of North Ward Elementary.  

Angela Katz, Rosemary Vieira, Debi Fiegle, Cathy Houck, Holly Wintermeier and Laurie Clark - Addressed the Board to speak against the proposed closing of Palm Harbor Elementary School.

Tim George, teacher at Rio Vista Elementary School - Addressed the Board to state that he does not believe the Board will realize the savings projected by closing these schools.  Mr. George stated that there are surveyors on the Rio Vista Elementary right now studying that property for the construction of permanent portables on that piece of land. 

Chrissy Willette, Tracy Eads, Vickie Dickson and Leslie Brady - Addressed the Board to ask that the Coachman Fundamental program remain intact and moved seamlessly to the new site, with no change in the school's leadership.  Ms. Willette read a letter from the school's SAC to support this request.  The speakers also requested that, should Administration consider any changes, those changes should first be presented to the school's SAC group first.  Ms. Eads submitted handouts from the Coachman Fundamental PTA stating that the move to a larger campus makes sense; but, requested that the school be allowed to maintain their present standards and practices without any change in order to maintain the fidelity and integrity of the program. 

Holly Atkins, Lisa Valentine and Shevy Silverberg - Addressed the Board to request that the Board keep Southside operating in south St. Petersburg and maintain the small campus.  Speakers requested that the Board show the financial analysis used to support the closing of their school.  Handouts were presented to the Board to support this request.

The meeting recessed at 12:12 p.m. and reconvened at 12:34

William Teller, Denise Culbertson, Bruce Keebler, Nancy Howry, Kim Ford, Kim Geiss, Beverly Pizzano, Marchon Kennedy, Nikki Hervey, Alex Jarmolych, Melissa Stickler, Lisa Morett, Paula Zitzelberger, Kelly Nascarella, Jennifer Fels, Joe Stiehler, Cathy Houck and Shawn Becklund - Addressed the Board to request that "grandfathered" students be permitted to remain in their present schools with their parents providing the transportation.  Speakers requested that the district rank enrollment with a priority for those already in the school in order to provide the most stability and least disruption in open enrollment.

Mark Klutho - Stated that he has heard two School Board Members and the Attorney use the word "is" when they should have used the word, "are."   Mr. Klutho stated that he sees another 7-0 vote coming on this item; that the money spent on energy is wrong; that the district should be building high-performing buildings; and, if all of these schools were high-performing buildings, the district would have the necessary resources to provide every student with a future without destroying the planet.

Joe Baez - Addressed the Board to request that nothing be changed for the students attending Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary School.  Ms. Clark explained that magnet and fundamental programs fall under different criteria and will not be affected.

Malcolm Stewart - Addressed the Board to state that it was insane when a school was told to ban peanut butter sandwiches because one student was allergic to peanuts.  Mr. Stewart requested that the Board listen to people who come before them to plead their cases. 

Linda Dremstedt, teacher - Addressed the Board to state that she believes the district reached this budget concern when the Board agreed to spend money on getting students to school instead of improving poor schools.  Ms. Dremstedt stated that this county has been run like a rudderless ship, spending money on computer programs and refreshing computers, etc.   Ms. Dremstedt suggested  no new essential training unless it is absolutely essential.   

Dr. David McKalip - Addressed the Board to state that our schools are failing because of over-spending decisions by this Board; and, that he has seen literature offering free stress counseling for employees when he has to pay for his own, government- paid insurance plans for the employees, paid retirement plans for the employees, etc.  Dr. McKalip stated that he is the president-elect of the medical association and that he came to a Board workshop but was not permitted to speak.  Dr. McKalip stated that the Board should forget the diversity agenda and eliminate the control of the unions. 

John Hauser - Addressed the Board  to say that, as a parent and SAC chair, he sees a lack of vision and forward thinking; that over these past years there have been six assignment plans; and, that he hears problems but no solutions.  Mr. Hauser suggested that the Board increase the number of fundamental schools and have gifted programs in each school.  Mr. Hauser stated that the changes to middle school came at the last minute; questioned whether high schools would be next; and, expressed concern with the change taking place in grade books where parents will be unable to log in and get information.

Dr. Janssen stated that she and Mr. Madden spoke late yesterday and that the intent of the proposal related to grandfathering is that if a student wishes to remain at their present school to the highest grade, the district will not ask the student to reapply every year.

Discussion followed by Board Members.  Mr. Robinson clarified the difference between Policy 6.03 and rule-making, and stated that it is believed that rule-making provides the best protection to the public to give the biggest door into the window of Board policy.  Mr. Robinson will confer with the Superintendent and return to the Board with a recommendation. 

It was moved by Ms. Clark and seconded by Mrs. Cook to divide out from the main motion the recommendation for Gulf Beaches Elementary School.  This motion failed with a 3-4 vote, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Hayden, Mrs. O'Shea and Mrs. Wikle voting against. 

Discussion continued by the Board Members, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Madden and Dr. Janssen.  Board Members questioned the wording in section III -Student Assignment Guidelines and Process.  The Board requested that the meeting recess to allow the administrative team to reword this area, clarifying the intent of the policy.  
The meeting recessed at 3:25 p.m. and reconvened at 3:59 p.m.

Mrs. O'Shea read the proposed language, as amended by staff during the break, replacing section III. Student Assignment Guidelines and Process, as follows: 
·	Starting with the 2009-10 school year elementary students enrolled in Pinellas County schools will be assigned to their zoned school.
·	Elementary students attending a non-zoned elementary school (defined to exclude magnet and fundamental schools) in 2008-09 will be given an option to remain at that school through the highest grade offered.  Unless eligible, transportation would not be provided.  Parents electing to exercise this option must notify the Student Assignment Office of their election within a time frame to be designated. 
·	Students enrolled in a Pinellas County school in grades 6-7, 9-11 will be assigned to their current school for the 2009-10 school year and will be allowed to remain at that school through the highest grade offered.

The proposal, with the revised language, was approved with a 7-0 vote.