Board Action






Highlights of the 8/14/09 School Board Meeting
"Schools and Staff in Action"

RESOLUTIONS
BRAZIL NATIONAL DAY TO BE CELEBRATED SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
The School Board adopted a resolution of support for Brazil National Day, to be celebrated September 7, 2009.  Throughout the history of Brazil, September has been a month for commemorating Brazilian culture and celebrating Brazilians achievements and contributions.   In adopting the resolution, the Board urged all schools, centers and departments to support the intent of Brazil National Day.

SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS DECENNIAL CENSUS 2010
The next Decennial Census will be taken in 2010. The results of the census will determine political representation to the United States House of Representatives, state legislatures and local governments, as well as the amount of funding that will be provided by the federal government for a number of programs. The School Board appointed Beverly A. Gallagher to serve on the Census 2010 Complete Count Committee as Chair of the Education Subcommittee.  The role of the subcommittee is to work to spread awareness about the census throughout all of Broward County's education outlets.  Through the adoption of a resolution of support, the Board urges all residents to participate.

EMPLOYEES REWARDED FOR MONEY-SAVING IDEAS
Two District employees were recognized and presented with checks for the money-saving ideas they each submitted to Broward County Public Schools Harness the Power incentive program. The incentive program was developed in collaboration with all of the District's employee groups, to save the District money, streamline its operations or increase revenue. Ideas submitted by Tom Giglio, Supervisor of Relocations in District Maintenance, and Kathie Herrera, a second grade teacher at Stephen Foster Elementary School, are the first to be selected for implementation. Giglio's idea is to use a different sized vehicle to deliver and collect inventory from schools, reducing the number of trips necessary and saving $5,000 in time and gas. Giglio received $500 for his suggestion - 10% of the District's estimated total savings during the first year.  Herrera's idea is for certified District and area staff to serve as substitute teachers twice each month.  Her idea will go into effect this school year and will result in a savings of $200,000 in funds used to pay substitute teachers.  Herrera received $5,000 for her suggestion, which is the maximum program award.

APPROVED
SUPERINTENDENT'S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT AMENDED
The Board approved an amendment to Superintendent James F. Notter's employment agreement that extends the term of his employment through July 31, 2014.  The amendment also provides the Board an opportunity to extend his employment for one additional year, through July 31, 2015.

DEERFIELD BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL TO RECEIVE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
With the Board's approval, Deerfield Beach Middle School will receive a cutting-edge Photovoltaic System (solar power system) installed free of charge by the Florida Power & Light Company. "Next Generation Solar Education Stations" are being donated by the company to six schools in its service territory, to help teach future generations about the benefits of renewable energy. The station will be able to generate emissions-free electricity and will be a hands-on tool for students to learn how solar power works.

WESTGLADES MIDDLE SCHOOL RECEIVES $5,000 AWARD
The School Board authorized the Superintendent to sign the needed form to accept a $5,000 award presented to Westglades Middle School.  The award is part of a prize earned by one of the school's students in the Arnold "Best in Class" Sandwich Challenge Contest. Alex Shepard won the Grand Prize in the challenge to create a healthy sandwich recipe using the company's bread. Along with the award for his school, Alex received a $1,500 savings bond.   He calls his creation Honey Mustard Turkey Surprise.  It is made with whole wheat bread, turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, mayo, honey mustard and strawberries.

PERSONNEL
The Board approved the following appointments: Christine Centrone, Interim Assistant Principal, Silver Trail Middle; Alona DiPaolo, Interim Assistant Principal, McArthur High; LaTrell Edwards, Specialist, (ESEA Title I) Basic Schoolwide Project & Program Improvement (Grant Funded); Jeannie Floyd, Principal, Lauderhill Middle; Jill Holste, Curriculum Specialist, Physical Education; Lisa McBride, Manager, Transportation Terminal and Amalia Pares-Pomerantz, Task Assignment, Assistant Principal, Sunland Park Elementary.

The Board also approved the following reassignment: Tyson Thompson, Assistant Principal, Stoneman Douglas High.

SCHOOLS AND STAFF IN ACTION
BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS FINALIST FOR URBAN SCHOOL BOARD
EXCELLENCE AWARD
The National School Boards Association's Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) announced that Broward County Public Schools is one of two finalists for the organization's Annual Award for Urban School Board Excellence. The award honors urban school districts that demonstrate progress in educating children and serve as role models for excellence in school board governance in large urban districts. Atlanta Public Schools was named as the other finalist for the award.  The winning district will be announced October 10 during the annual CUBE conference to be held in Austin, Texas. 

A news release issued by the National School Boards Association indicates that Broward was recognized for its "continued success and national attention for the development of community engagement policies and working to close the achievement gap, especially with limited English proficient students."

For more information on the award, visit (www.nsba.org/cube).

DISTRICT EMBRACING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF MILITARY PERSONNEL
The Family Readiness Team, a non-profit organization that supports our soldiers and families, in partnership with the District's Student Support Department, recently received a $75,000 grant award from the Dade Foundation. The award will be used to expand and develop a new innovative model program aimed at providing outreach and support to students and families of American Soldiers who are currently in readiness for deployment, have been deployed or who have returned after serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. The initiative offers a variety of services, including individual and group counseling, community outreach, home visitations, tutoring, training and educational opportunities and sports and family events within the Family Readiness Groups of the military units.





Board Action is a publication of the Public Relations & Governmental Affairs Department
Phone: 754-321-2300
Fax: 754-321-2318

Additional Information