Title: 1.  CALL MEETING TO ORDER

Requested Action:

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOW CONVENED IN ITS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING.

I WISH TO EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO EVERYONE PRESENT AND TO OUR TELEVISION VIEWER4S TO THIS MEETING OF THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.  THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IS HERE TONIGHT TO LISTEN TO RESPORTS FROM DISTRICT STAFF AND TO SET POLICY FOR THE DISTRICT THAT WILL IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.  WE WILL ALSO ADDRESS BUDGETS, CONTRACTS, PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, AND OTHER BUSINESS ITEMS THAT REQUIRE A VOTE OF THE BOARD.  THE MANAGEMENT AND DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE DISTRICT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.  IT IS NOT THE ROLE OF THE BOARD TO MAKE MANAGERIAL OR OPERATIONAL DECISIONS.  THE BOARD HAS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO ASSIST THE SUPERINTENDENT IN RESOLVING MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES.

IF ITEMS APPEAR TO MOVE QUICKLY, IT IS BECAUSE THE BOARD MEETS IN AN AGENDA WORKSHOP TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE BOARD MEETING FOR AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS.

THE WORKSHOP FOR THE JANUARY 7, 2008, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 11, 2007, AT 10:00 A.M., AND THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND.

AS A SHOW OF COURTESY AND RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, WE ASK THAT ALL MOBILE PHONES AND BEEPERS BE TURNED OFF AND THAT NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY BE USED DURING THE MEETING.

FOR THOSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD DURING OUR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE PORTION OF THE BOARD MEETING, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ACCEPT SPEAKER CARDS UNTIL 6:20 P.M.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO JOIN US THIS EVENING AND FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE OPERATION OF THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.