Duval County School Board - November Meeting
Below are the highlights of the November 5, 2012 Board meeting:
Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and the Board recognized Seniors on a Mission volunteers. The group of about 300 seniors dedicate much of their time to the Teacher Supply Depot. Each year the volunteers take approximately 76 mission trips to various organizations. These hardworking "young at heart" individuals have spent more than 2,700 community service hours serving Duval County Public Schools. Their age range is from 70-107. Externally, the seniors have served 28 local non-profits this year.
To view pictures from the meeting, visit the
DCPS' Flickr photostream.
Board Approves Resolution Detailing Anticipated Funding Loss
The Board approved a resolution supporting federal budget sequestration. Sequestration is a legal process in which automatic spending cuts are triggered. The National School Boards Association and school boards across the country are bracing for the cuts by passing the same resolution. The sequestration was implemented in the Budget Control Act of 2011.
The Budget Control Act of 2011 includes a provision to impose $1.2 trillion in across-the-board budget cuts to almost all federal programs including education that would become effective January 2, 2013. The district could experience fewer course offerings, teacher and staff lay-offs, and reduction in support for programs like extended day, summer programs and professional development opportunities.
Board Approves Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) Resolution
The Board approved a resolution to qualify for the interest-free Qualified Zone Academy Bond program of the federal government. Approximately $81 million of the 2010 QZAB allocation to the state remains available to the District if bonded no later than December 31, 2012. QZABs require a 10% community match, in order to reach the targeted project funding, the School Board will need to receive and accept $3,150,000 in community matching. This allows the district to borrow without interest. If completed, the district plans to use the funding to provide upgraded technology to several schools.
Board Approves Resolution to Help Reduce Amount of High-Stakes Testing
The Board joined forces with the Florida School Boards Association and superintendents across the state by approving a resolution opposing the amount of standardized testing that is required by school systems. The resolution will also limit how testing is used by the State Accountability System.
Board Approves Salary Schedules
The Board approved the salary schedules to reflect the negotiated increases for AFSCME Council 79, Duval Teachers United - Teachers; Duval Teachers United - Paraprofessionals and Duval Teachers United - United Office Personnel of Duval. Additionally, this action authorized a one-time payment of $700 for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 for administrators and exempt employees not represented by a bargaining unit.
Board Defers Six Charter School Applications
The Board deferred six charter school applications for further review:
- Scholar Preparatory Academy
- Valor Academy of Leadership, Elementary
- Valor Academy of Leadership, Middle
- Valor Academy of Leadership, High
- Innovations Middle Charter School
- Stephen Biko High School
Board Approves Partnership with City to Offer Driver Education Program
The Board entered into an agreement with the City of Jacksonville to receive funding for driver education through the Driver Safety Trust Fund program for the 2012-13 school year in the amount not to exceed $265,000.
In 2002, The Florida Legislature passed the Dori Slosberg Driver Education Safety Act to help provide funding for driver education programs. The legislation allows city officials to add a $3 surcharge to each traffic violation.
Funding will be used for the following items:
- Fuel for driver education vehicles;
- Repairs/maintenance for all driver education vehicles;
- Salaries and benefits for seven part-time driver education instructors and one full-time resource teacher; and
- Teaching aids and supplies
Board Approves Calendar for Upcoming School Years
The Board approved calendars for the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. The district's calendar committee, which is comprised of members who represent all major operations of the school district that include secondary schools, elementary schools and PTA representatives, worked together on the calendars. The calendars are similar to the 2012-13 calendar and include the following major items:
- The school year begins no later than 14 days prior to Labor Day;
- The first semester continues after students and teachers return from the Winter Break and does not end until mid-January;
- A day dedicated to teacher training is included during the week prior to students reporting back to school;
- Spring Break has been set for the third full week in March to coincide with the Spring Break for the University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville; and
- Five days have been incorporated into each calendar between October 1 and February 1 and are designated as "Weather Days" to be utilized as school days should the need arise.
Board Approves School Improvement Plans and 2012-13 District Advisory Council
The Board approved annual district and state improvement plans for each school effective through December 2013. In addition, the Board approved the School Advisory Council memberships for each district school, effective through August 2013.
Board Approves Termination of Teacher's Contract
The Board agreed to terminate the contract of Kristopher Hunter for unprofessional conduct. Mr. Hunter was a teacher at Arlington Middle School.
Board Approves Sale of Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School
The Board approved the purchase and sale agreement with Mt. Sinai Missionary Holiness Church, Inc. in the amount of $1,000 for the sale of Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School. The appraised value for the property is $0 and the highest responsive bid was $1,000. Because the facility would continue to deteriorate and be vandalized, the Board approved the deal as being in the best interest of the district.
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