The School Board in Action

Agreement to Provide ACDelco Training at Sheridan Technical Center
Sheridan Technical Center provides state-of-the-art specialized Industry Services Training to meet the needs of local businesses and industries. One program it offers provides training to ACDelco personnel in South Florida in manufacturer specific diagnosis and repair techniques. The Board recently approved an agreement with Melior-Delaware, Incorporated that will provide training for ACDelco instructors and technicians. All students enrolled in courses offered through this program are employed in the automotive industry and/or dealerships that sell ACDelco products. Courses range in length from one to eight days on topics including electrical systems, engine performance, braking systems and electronic diagnosis.

Toyota Techs Continue to Train at Atlantic Technical Center
The Board gave its approval to renew an agreement with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. to provide the latest in automotive training to Toyota dealership technicians. Through an affiliation with Atlantic Technical Center, Toyota dealership technicians participate in courses to obtain manufacturer specific diagnosis and repair techniques. All students enrolled in the courses are currently employed at Toyota dealerships. Courses include: automotive power train, air conditioning systems, suspension, electronics, drivability and auto body repairs. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been in effect since 1995, Toyota also provides instructional materials, specialty tools and equipment and instructor updating.

Council of the Great City Schools Agreement Extended
The Broward County Public School District is one of four urban school districts taking part in a project to recruit, prepare support and license 125-175 competent special education teachers across the school districts. Broward's goal is 28-30 teachers. The Board's approval to extend this agreement enables the District to continue its efforts to meet the scope of work required for the program with the Teaching and Leadership Center at Florida Atlantic University.

Applications to Teaching Tolerance Grant Program Approved
The Board approved submission of two new applications to the Southern Poverty Law Center under the Teaching Tolerance Grant Program. The center requested applications from K-12 teachers to take part in this program, which provides resources to teachers for student-focused projects that promote acceptance of diversity, peacemaking, community services or any other aspect of tolerance education. Seminole Middle and South Plantation High schools have submitted applications for a total of $3,200. Both schools' projects include objectives that demonstrate improved social skills for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and promote acceptance of special needs students into the "general" student population.

Frequently Asked Safety Questions (and Answers!)

Q: What are the requirements to be a safety inspector?

A: Safety Inspectors hold a dual certification. First, an inspector is certified by the State Fire Marshal's Office as either a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector (certified to conduct fire inspections in any building in the state) or Special Fire Safety Inspector (certified to conduct fire inspections in schools only). Safety Inspectors must also successfully complete courses offered by the Department of Education pertaining to the State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF). In addition, Safety Inspectors must successfully complete the new National Fire Protections Agency and the new Rule 4A-58 fire code classes. They are also required to earn 40 continuing education units over a three-year period in fire safety in order to renew their fire inspector license.

Q: What books do you use in order to determine what is "safe”?

A: The Safety Department maintains a library of assorted codebooks that are used for reference when determining a solution to a safety problem. However, the SREF codebook is the primary source. It lists all of the codes that have been adopted by SREF, including the Uniform Building Code, ADA and OSHA.

Q: Can local fire departments inspect schools?
A: Yes. In 1998 the Florida Legislature changed the Florida State Statute pertaining to school inspections. The change mandates that fire departments conduct annual fire inspections of public schools in their districts – these annual inspections complement the inspections performed by School Board employees each fiscal year. Since July 1, 2000, the District has conducted joint inspections of all public schools with the fire departments located in the cities and unincorporated areas of Broward County.

Should you have any questions or require further information, call 754-321-4200 or visit the Safety Department's Web site at www.broward.k12.fl.us/safetydept.