RULE NUMBER: Policy 6.144.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Codifying the Board's prohibition against discrimination by the District's contractors and vendors in the solicitation, selection, or treatment of their subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, or commercial customers on the basis of race, color, sex or national origin.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This proposal implements the Board's commitment, expressed in paragraph (2)(e)(ii) of Board Policy 6.143 ("Diversity and Equitable Utilization in Business") to adopt a commercial nondiscrimination policy.

SPECIFIC RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: §§ 1001.41(2); 1001.42(22); 1001.43(2), (6), Fla. Stat.

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: §§ 1001.41(1), (3); 1001.42(10)(i); 1001.43(2), Fla. Stat.

CONTACT PERSON: Dr. Otelia DuBose, 3300 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33406.

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT of the proposed rule development may promptly be obtained without cost from the School District's web site at www.SchoolBoardPolicies.com/revisions.htm .

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: Development of the proposed rule is anticipated to be considered at the School Board's Special Meeting on Policies on March 29, 2006, anticipated to begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 3300 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, Fla. If time limitations preclude hearing this proposal on March 29, it may be heard at the special meeting on April 5, 2006, anticipated to begin at 3:15 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 3300 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, Fla.  AGENDA: A copy of the agenda will be available by March 22 on the District's Web site. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this hearing is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours in advance by contacting the Board clerk at 434-8139. This hearing is open to the public.

Publish: March 15, 2006