Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council: April 26, 2007 — Report from the Chair

Grant review update

On March 30, 2007, PCJJC officers and Grant review team members, Vice Chair Matt Sullivan and Membership Registrar Cathy Corry, hand delivered the 2007-8 grant application scores to Pat McGhee at the DJJ facility in St. Petersburg. Hours before, the required electronic version of the was emailed to DJJ in Tallahassee. The grant application scores were review at a special meeting of the Council held on March 29, 2007.

DJJ support

The Council has been in frequent contact with DJJ Deputy Secretary Rick Davison concerning

1. The Department’s role in the dispute between the Council and the Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Board: “…please know that the Department has no authority to intercede in local differerces between the Boards and Councils.”-Davison email to Plyer 4/20/07.

2. The Council’s differences with the Department in the interpretation of the of the law concerning grant applications:

“Failure to comply with the requirement of the confirmation letter is in violation of FS 985.676 (2) (a) 1. Proceeding with the grant review and approval process would be contrary to good stewardship of the public trust.” –Plyer, Chair Pinellas JJC, email to Davison 3/18/07.

“the Department has determined that the grant application process…fully complies with Section 985.676(2)(a), Florida Statutes.  There has been no violation of the statute by the Department in the grant application process –Davison email to Plyer 3/21/07.  

3. The Departments support of the Council: “the Department of Juvenile Justice will continue its commitment to the Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council as it continues to support the needs of children of Pinellas County and Circuit 6.” –Davison email to Plyer 3/13/07

Report card on moratorium on school-related arrests

On April 26, 2007, I sent an email to school superintendent Wilcox and members of the Pinellas County School Board. It summarized signs of continuing improvement in their efforts to reduce school-related arrests. Although the total count of charges is down 25.5% from a year ago, the percent of charges for “childhood misbehavior” (disorderly conduct and disruption of school environment) remains high at 28%. Also, the report noted that two schools continue to rank in the top 10 for school-related charges for the past two years. They are Clearwater High School and Richard L. Sanders. A copy of the letter was sent to all Council members and is submitted for the record. Copy [of report card] submitted for the record.

The Chair spent most of April dealing with Pinellas County Commissioner Calvin Harris’ attacks on the Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council. A series of emails summarize what has been going on (these documents submitted for the record).

• 03/29/07 From DJJ: C6JJB meeting notice but excluded most PCJJC appointees
• 04/10/07 To Calvin Harris: Resend C6JJB meeting notice to all members
• 04/18/07 To C6JJB Statutory Members: Stop Calvin Harris (no reply)
• 04/24/07 Correspondence Plyer and County Attorney Churuti: Harris harasses PCJJC
• 04/24/07 Correspondence Plyer and DJJ Deputy Secretary Davison: DJJ’s legal advise to C6JJB

The next meeting of the Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Board is Monday, April 30, 2007 at 2:00PM, 315 Court Street, Clearwater – 5^th floor.

Next Council meeting is 7:00 pm Thursday May 24, 2007 a the Seminole Community Library (727) 394-6905.

This report is submitted for the record by Dave Plyer, Chair, Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council.

This Report from the Chair was submitted for the record by Chair Dave Plyer April 26, 2007.

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