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CLOSED CAPTIONING IS PROVIDED ON ALL BROADCASTS AND PAST MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE. WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY. WE'LL INCLUDE TIME FOR AUDIENCE COMMENTS BEFORE WE ADDRESS OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. OUR AGENDA AND ANY SUPPORTING MATERIALS CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE IN ADVANCE. THEY ARE POSTED SEVEN DAYS BEFORE EACH MEETING ON OUR WEBSITE AT HillsboroughSchools.org. OUR VISION IS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE AND THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS, EVERY DAY. TODOS LOS ESTUDIANTES, TODOS LOS DIAS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN EDUCATION. WITH YOUR HELP, WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. Karen Perez: THE BOARD MEETING FOR MARCH 5th IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.

HI. I'M KAREN PEREZ, CHAIR OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THAT INCLUDES CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL AND ADULTS THROUGH OUR WORKFORCE PROGRAM. HI. I'M JESSICA VAUGHN, THE SCHOOL BOARD'S VICE-CHAIR. OUR DISTRICT IS THE 7th LARGEST IN AMERICA, AND OUR TEAM IS MADE UP OF 24,000 PEOPLE WORKING AT CLOSE TO 250 SITES ACROSS THE COUNTY. OUR DISTRICT IS DIVERSE AND DEDICATED. OUR BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD IN OUR BOARD AUDITORIUM ON SELECT TUESDAYS AT 4 P.M. THE BEST WAY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY IS TO INVOLVE YOU, THE PUBLIC IN WHAT WE DO. YOU ARE WELCOME TO MEET OR E-MAIL ANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND FOLLOW OUR DISTRICT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ARE COVERED LIVE BY HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV ON SPECTRUM 635 AND FRONTIER CHANNEL 32. MEETINGS ARE ALSO STREAMED LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE AT HillsboroughSchools.org.

MEMBER VAUGHN WILL NOW LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. [MOMENT OF SILENCE] THANK YOU.

CLOSED CAPTIONING IS PROVIDED ON ALL BROADCASTS AND PAST MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE. WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY. WE'LL INCLUDE TIME FOR AUDIENCE COMMENTS BEFORE WE ADDRESS OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. OUR AGENDA AND ANY SUPPORTING MATERIALS CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE IN ADVANCE. THEY ARE POSTED SEVEN DAYS BEFORE EACH MEETING ON OUR WEBSITE AT HillsboroughSchools.org. OUR VISION IS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE AND THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS, EVERY DAY. TODOS LOS ESTUDIANTES, TODOS LOS DIAS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN EDUCATION. WITH YOUR HELP, WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. Karen Perez: THE BOARD MEETING FOR MARCH 5th IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.

NOW PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] Karen Perez: IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO HEAR THE VOICES OF THE CHILDREN IN THE BACKGROUND. MEMBER VAUGHN, WILL YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT? Jessica Vaughn: ABSOLUTELY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ALAFIA ELEMENTARY WORLD DRUMMING ENSEMBLE ALONG WITH PRINCIPAL LISA JACKSON AND INSTRUCTOR JAMES HENTHEL. THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF OUR BOARD MEETING. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE STUDENTS UP TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. NATHAN. I'M IN THE FIFTH GRADE. LOGAN VAUGHN, FIFTH GRADE. KAYLONI, FIFTH GRADE. FIFTH GRADE. CHARLIE, FIFTH GRADE. CADENCE, FIFTH GRADE. ANSIL, FIFTH GRADE. BIANCA, FIFTH GRADE. OLIVER, FIFTH GRADE. ALEX, FIFTH GRADE. LEVI, FIFTH GRADE. GAVIN, FIFTH GRADE. AUBREY, FIFTH GRADE. ITALIA, FIFTH GRADE. MARLEY. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. FIFTH GRADE. BRENTLY, FIFTH GRADE. ROME, FIFTH GRADE. FIFTH GRADE. JAMES, GRADE 23 MAYBE.

MEMBER VAUGHN WILL NOW LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. [MOMENT OF SILENCE] THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. PARENTS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND TAKE PICTURES. OH, SORRY. MS. JACKSON, DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF? I'M LISA JACKSON, VERY PROUD PRINCIPAL OF ALAFIA ELEMENTARY. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! AWESOME JOB! NICE. Karen Perez: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, PARENTS, FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENTS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS. I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.

NOW PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] Karen Perez: IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO HEAR THE VOICES OF THE CHILDREN IN THE BACKGROUND. MEMBER VAUGHN, WILL YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT? Jessica Vaughn: ABSOLUTELY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ALAFIA ELEMENTARY WORLD DRUMMING ENSEMBLE ALONG WITH PRINCIPAL LISA JACKSON AND INSTRUCTOR JAMES HENTHEL. THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF OUR BOARD MEETING. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE STUDENTS UP TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. NATHAN. I'M IN THE FIFTH GRADE. LOGAN VAUGHN, FIFTH GRADE. KAYLONI, FIFTH GRADE. FIFTH GRADE. CHARLIE, FIFTH GRADE. CADENCE, FIFTH GRADE. ANSIL, FIFTH GRADE. BIANCA, FIFTH GRADE. OLIVER, FIFTH GRADE. ALEX, FIFTH GRADE. LEVI, FIFTH GRADE. GAVIN, FIFTH GRADE. AUBREY, FIFTH GRADE. ITALIA, FIFTH GRADE. MARLEY. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. FIFTH GRADE. BRENTLY, FIFTH GRADE. ROME, FIFTH GRADE. FIFTH GRADE. JAMES, GRADE 23 MAYBE.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. I HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY. JANUARY 30th, 2024, SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP, AND FEBRUARY 20th SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP -- EXCUSE ME, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE ITEMS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. PARENTS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND TAKE PICTURES. OH, SORRY. MS. JACKSON, DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF? I'M LISA JACKSON, VERY PROUD PRINCIPAL OF ALAFIA ELEMENTARY. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! AWESOME JOB! NICE. Karen Perez: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, PARENTS, FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENTS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS. I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER VAUGHN AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. BOARD MEMBERS, I WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER THE FORMAT OF TODAY'S MEETING. AS A REMINDER, WE ARE A NONPARTISAN BOARD WHO BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN BE EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND SUCCEED. OUR DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING. TO PAVE THE WAY FOR EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AGENDA STATEMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK WITH 30 SECONDS FOR FINAL THOUGHTS. AFTERWARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT CAN RESPOND. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK IN THE QUEUE.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. I HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY. JANUARY 30th, 2024, SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP, AND FEBRUARY 20th SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP -- EXCUSE ME, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE ITEMS.

MEMBER VAUGHN WILL NOW READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES. Jessica Vaughn: AS WE BEGIN THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO QUICKLY REVIEW THE FORMAT OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES. THERE ARE SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM BEHIND ME THAT ALLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO HEAR THE MEETING UPON STEPPING AWAY FROM THE DAIS. THIS MEETING CAN BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTION ON LIVE WEBCAST, ON CABLE TV AND ON THE VIDEO MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THE ONLINE VIDEO ARCHIVE. Karen Perez: WE HAVE ONE ITEM SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN, AND THAT'S AT 6 P.M., EMPLOYEE INPUT. WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF THE TAMPA BAY TIMES NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION WEEK, MARCH 4-8, 2024.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER VAUGHN AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. BOARD MEMBERS, I WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER THE FORMAT OF TODAY'S MEETING. AS A REMINDER, WE ARE A NONPARTISAN BOARD WHO BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN BE EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND SUCCEED. OUR DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING. TO PAVE THE WAY FOR EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AGENDA STATEMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK WITH 30 SECONDS FOR FINAL THOUGHTS. AFTERWARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT CAN RESPOND. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK IN THE QUEUE.

MEMBER VAUGHN WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING THIS RECOGNITION. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU, CHAIR PEREZ. NEWSPAPER AND -- NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION IS A PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES THE USE OF THE DAILY NEWSPAPER AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSROOM TOOL. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STUDENTS WHO LEARN BY USING THE NEWSPAPER OR AN ONLINE NEWS FORUM ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME LIFELONG READERS. NEWSPAPER AND EDUCATION PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BETTER LEARN ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM. STUDENTS CAN BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT GREATLY BROADEN THEIR MINDS. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE TAMPA BAY TIMES NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS SERVED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING CLASSROOM NEWSPAPERS, COMPANION MATERIALS, AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT. NEWSPAPER AND EDUCATION BELIEVES IN HELPING A CHILD LEARN TO LOVE READING, WHICH WILL IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND.

MEMBER VAUGHN WILL NOW READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES. Jessica Vaughn: AS WE BEGIN THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO QUICKLY REVIEW THE FORMAT OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES. THERE ARE SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM BEHIND ME THAT ALLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO HEAR THE MEETING UPON STEPPING AWAY FROM THE DAIS. THIS MEETING CAN BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTION ON LIVE WEBCAST, ON CABLE TV AND ON THE VIDEO MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THE ONLINE VIDEO ARCHIVE. Karen Perez: WE HAVE ONE ITEM SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN, AND THAT'S AT 6 P.M., EMPLOYEE INPUT. WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF THE TAMPA BAY TIMES NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION WEEK, MARCH 4-8, 2024.

Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER VAUGHN. THE BOARD WELCOMES COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS AND VALUES YOUR INPUT TO THE BOARD. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENTS, OUR STAFF WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED ABOUT THE RESPONSES. OUR BOARD RESPECTS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING YOUR TIME TO BE HERE. HOWEVER, IT IS REQUESTED THAT WHEN YOU ADDRESS THE BOARD, COMMENTS ARE NOT DIRECTED PERSONALLY AGAINST A BOARD MEMBER OR A STAFF MEMBER. BUT RATHER DIRECT IT AT THE ISSUES. ANY BEHAVIOR INTENDED TO DISRUPT ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. OUR CIVILITY POLICY IS IN PLACE. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

MEMBER VAUGHN WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING THIS RECOGNITION. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU, CHAIR PEREZ. NEWSPAPER AND -- NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION IS A PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES THE USE OF THE DAILY NEWSPAPER AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSROOM TOOL. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STUDENTS WHO LEARN BY USING THE NEWSPAPER OR AN ONLINE NEWS FORUM ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME LIFELONG READERS. NEWSPAPER AND EDUCATION PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BETTER LEARN ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM. STUDENTS CAN BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT GREATLY BROADEN THEIR MINDS. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE TAMPA BAY TIMES NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS SERVED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING CLASSROOM NEWSPAPERS, COMPANION MATERIALS, AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT. NEWSPAPER AND EDUCATION BELIEVES IN HELPING A CHILD LEARN TO LOVE READING, WHICH WILL IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND.

THIS AFTERNOON, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. THE REMAINDER OF YOUR THREE -- A REMINDER, YOUR THREE MINUTES START WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING. WHEN THERE ARE 30 SECONDS LEFT, YOU WILL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT ON THE LECTERN. A RED LIGHT AND A CHIME WILL INDICATE WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP. I WILL NOW CALL UP THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS. I THINK APOLLO BEACH ELEMENTARY SHOULD GO TO K THROUGH 8 BECAUSE ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO NICE AND I JUST WANT IT TO GO SO I CAN HAVE FRIENDS FOR A LONGER TIME. I LOVE GOING TO AFTER-SCHOOL VICTORY AND SOMETIMES I GET TO BE A WALKER AND I LOVE THAT. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO. MY NAME IS ELIE McNEIVE AND I WOULD MAKE APOLLO BEACH A K-8. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HI. I'M JESSICA McMAYBE TO. I WILL BE READING A SPEECH BY ALLY BRADLEY.

Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER VAUGHN. THE BOARD WELCOMES COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS AND VALUES YOUR INPUT TO THE BOARD. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENTS, OUR STAFF WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED ABOUT THE RESPONSES. OUR BOARD RESPECTS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING YOUR TIME TO BE HERE. HOWEVER, IT IS REQUESTED THAT WHEN YOU ADDRESS THE BOARD, COMMENTS ARE NOT DIRECTED PERSONALLY AGAINST A BOARD MEMBER OR A STAFF MEMBER. BUT RATHER DIRECT IT AT THE ISSUES. ANY BEHAVIOR INTENDED TO DISRUPT ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. OUR CIVILITY POLICY IS IN PLACE. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

I AM A MOM OF TWO WONDERFUL BOYS AT AND ITS. FIRST GRADER WITH A SOON TO BE KINDERGARTNER NEXT FALL. I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 15 YEARS. I BEGAN MY CAREER TEACHING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WHICH LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR ME AS AN EDUCATOR IN TERMS OF MY PHILOSOPHY ON CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. THE STUDENTS I TAUGHT THERE CAME FROM EXTREMELY CHALLENGING HOME LIVES AND I WOULD BE LYING IF I SAID THEIR SCHOOL EXPERIENCES WERE MUCH DIFFERENT. THEY WERE PASSED THROUGH GRADES WITHOUT MEETING STANDARDS TRUANT MORE DAYS THAN PRESENT AND LIVED IN A SURVIVAL MINDSET. HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF TOOK THE TIME TO GET TO IN ME, BUILD THEIR TRUST AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR POTENTIAL, THE HARD EXTERIOR SHELL STARTED TO FALL AWAY. WHEN I MOVED TO FLORIDA I STARTED TEACHING IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL. WHILE THE LACK OF BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES WAS REFRESHING ON THE FLIP SIDE WAS A BELIEF THAT ALL CHILDREN WERE, QUOTE, A STUDENT.

THIS AFTERNOON, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. THE REMAINDER OF YOUR THREE -- A REMINDER, YOUR THREE MINUTES START WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING. WHEN THERE ARE 30 SECONDS LEFT, YOU WILL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT ON THE LECTERN. A RED LIGHT AND A CHIME WILL INDICATE WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP. I WILL NOW CALL UP THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS. I THINK APOLLO BEACH ELEMENTARY SHOULD GO TO K THROUGH 8 BECAUSE ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO NICE AND I JUST WANT IT TO GO SO I CAN HAVE FRIENDS FOR A LONGER TIME. I LOVE GOING TO AFTER-SCHOOL VICTORY AND SOMETIMES I GET TO BE A WALKER AND I LOVE THAT. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO. MY NAME IS ELIE McNEIVE AND I WOULD MAKE APOLLO BEACH A K-8. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HI. I'M JESSICA McMAYBE TO. I WILL BE READING A SPEECH BY ALLY BRADLEY.

WASN'T MUCH ROOM FOR INDIVIDUALITY OR SUPPORT FOR VARYING LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT. ODDLY ENOUGH I WAS MISSING THE DEEP PURPOSE I FELT IN D.C. I DECIDED TO STEP BACK INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. I WAS FORTUNATE TO LAND A SPOT TEACHING AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, EISENHOWER. I HAD HEARD ALL THE HORROR STORIES BUT KNEW WHERE I BEGAN TEACHING MY CAREER I KNEW THERE COULDN'T BE ANYTHING MORE CHALLENGING. WHAT I FOUND WAS NOT THAT THE KIDS WERE MORE CHALLENGING BUT BECAUSE KIDS ARE KIDS BUT THAT ADMINISTRATION DID NOT HOLD THE KIDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BEHAVIORS OR TO THEIR ACADEMICS. EISENHOWER ISN'T A BAD SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY HAVE, QUOTE, BAD KIDS. IT STRUGGLES BECAUSE ADMINISTRATORS DON'T STAY THERE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE ONES THAT COME THROUGH THERE ARE NOT THE RIGHT LEADERS FOR THAT POPULATION. I KNEW THAT YEAR THAT I DID NOT WANT MY CHILDREN TO ATTEND THAT SCHOOL.

I AM A MOM OF TWO WONDERFUL BOYS AT AND ITS. FIRST GRADER WITH A SOON TO BE KINDERGARTNER NEXT FALL. I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 15 YEARS. I BEGAN MY CAREER TEACHING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WHICH LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR ME AS AN EDUCATOR IN TERMS OF MY PHILOSOPHY ON CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. THE STUDENTS I TAUGHT THERE CAME FROM EXTREMELY CHALLENGING HOME LIVES AND I WOULD BE LYING IF I SAID THEIR SCHOOL EXPERIENCES WERE MUCH DIFFERENT. THEY WERE PASSED THROUGH GRADES WITHOUT MEETING STANDARDS TRUANT MORE DAYS THAN PRESENT AND LIVED IN A SURVIVAL MINDSET. HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF TOOK THE TIME TO GET TO IN ME, BUILD THEIR TRUST AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR POTENTIAL, THE HARD EXTERIOR SHELL STARTED TO FALL AWAY. WHEN I MOVED TO FLORIDA I STARTED TEACHING IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL. WHILE THE LACK OF BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES WAS REFRESHING ON THE FLIP SIDE WAS A BELIEF THAT ALL CHILDREN WERE, QUOTE, A STUDENT.

I WATCHED DAY AFTER DAY AFTER THE A-B STUDENTS SAT COMPLACENT AND STAGNANT IN THEIR LEARNING BECAUSE OF THE BEHAVIORS TOLERATED AT THAT SCHOOL DERAILED LESSONS IN ALMOST EVERY CLASSROOM. THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANT MY CHILD AND PROBABLY NOT MOST PARENTS WANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. OUR CHILDREN NEED BETTER. OUR CHILDREN DESERVE AN EDUCATION SPACE WHERE THEY ARE SUPPORTED, CHALLENGED, ACCEPTED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I EVENTUALLY MOVED ON TO A LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOL WHERE MY OLDEST STARTED KINDERGARTEN IN HOPES OF FINDING AN ACADEMIC SETTING WHERE HE WOULD THRIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS RIDDLED WITH BAD EXPERIENCES. LACK OF QUALIFIED EDUCATORS AND INEXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP. WHILE I AM STILL CURRENTLY WORKING AT THE SAME CHARTER SCHOOL, WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY OPENED FOR CHOICE AT APOLLO BEACH ELEMENTARY I TOOK IT BECAUSE I VALUE MY CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH, THEIR SAFETY AND THEIR GROWTH WHILE ABES HAS BEEN AN ADJUSTMENT FOR MY FOURTH GRADER DUE TO THE YEARS OF NOT-SO-GREAT EDUCATION IN CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Karen Perez: THANK YOU.

WASN'T MUCH ROOM FOR INDIVIDUALITY OR SUPPORT FOR VARYING LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT. ODDLY ENOUGH I WAS MISSING THE DEEP PURPOSE I FELT IN D.C. I DECIDED TO STEP BACK INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. I WAS FORTUNATE TO LAND A SPOT TEACHING AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, EISENHOWER. I HAD HEARD ALL THE HORROR STORIES BUT KNEW WHERE I BEGAN TEACHING MY CAREER I KNEW THERE COULDN'T BE ANYTHING MORE CHALLENGING. WHAT I FOUND WAS NOT THAT THE KIDS WERE MORE CHALLENGING BUT BECAUSE KIDS ARE KIDS BUT THAT ADMINISTRATION DID NOT HOLD THE KIDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BEHAVIORS OR TO THEIR ACADEMICS. EISENHOWER ISN'T A BAD SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY HAVE, QUOTE, BAD KIDS. IT STRUGGLES BECAUSE ADMINISTRATORS DON'T STAY THERE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE ONES THAT COME THROUGH THERE ARE NOT THE RIGHT LEADERS FOR THAT POPULATION. I KNEW THAT YEAR THAT I DID NOT WANT MY CHILDREN TO ATTEND THAT SCHOOL.

WILL SPEAKERS 5 THROUGH 10 LINE UP. I'LL FINISH THE LETTER FOR HER. I'M A GRADUATE OF PLANT HIGH SCHOOL A FEW YEARS AGO AND I AM THE GRANDMOTHER OF THE TWO THAT GO TO APOLLO BEACH. I'LL FINISH THE LETTER BECAUSE I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. HE LOVES SCHOOL. FINALLY UNDERSTANDING HARD WORK IN THE CLASSROOM AND TAKES PRIDE IN THE REWARD OF HIS HARD WORK. HE FEELS SEEN AND APPRECIATED BY HIS TEACHERS AND IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ENSURING HE DOES HIS PART TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. HE'S ALWAYS BEEN MORE QUIET AND RESERVED BUT THIS YEAR HE HAS OPENED UP. HE SEES HIS PEERS OUT AT GAMES AND EVENTS AND HE LIGHTS UP. HE HAS FOUND HIS VOICE AND IS USING IT TO STAND UP FOR HIMSELF AND EXPRESS HIS NEED AND IS BECOMING THE BEST VERSION OF HIMSELF. I FEAR THAT IN A YEAR AND A HALF WHEN HE ENTERS MIDDLE SCHOOL, HE WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS OF A SCHOOL LIKE EISENHOWER.

I WATCHED DAY AFTER DAY AFTER THE A-B STUDENTS SAT COMPLACENT AND STAGNANT IN THEIR LEARNING BECAUSE OF THE BEHAVIORS TOLERATED AT THAT SCHOOL DERAILED LESSONS IN ALMOST EVERY CLASSROOM. THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANT MY CHILD AND PROBABLY NOT MOST PARENTS WANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. OUR CHILDREN NEED BETTER. OUR CHILDREN DESERVE AN EDUCATION SPACE WHERE THEY ARE SUPPORTED, CHALLENGED, ACCEPTED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I EVENTUALLY MOVED ON TO A LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOL WHERE MY OLDEST STARTED KINDERGARTEN IN HOPES OF FINDING AN ACADEMIC SETTING WHERE HE WOULD THRIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS RIDDLED WITH BAD EXPERIENCES. LACK OF QUALIFIED EDUCATORS AND INEXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP. WHILE I AM STILL CURRENTLY WORKING AT THE SAME CHARTER SCHOOL, WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY OPENED FOR CHOICE AT APOLLO BEACH ELEMENTARY I TOOK IT BECAUSE I VALUE MY CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH, THEIR SAFETY AND THEIR GROWTH WHILE ABES HAS BEEN AN ADJUSTMENT FOR MY FOURTH GRADER DUE TO THE YEARS OF NOT-SO-GREAT EDUCATION IN CHARTER SCHOOLS -- Karen Perez: THANK YOU.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT OUR OPTION WOULD BE BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BRING HIM BACK TO THE CHARTER I CURRENTLY WORK AT DUE TO THE REVOLVING DOOR OF TEACHERS IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE LACK OF STRUCTURE IN GENERAL. I WOULD LIKE MIDDLE SCHOOL -- I WOULD LIKELY CHOICE HIM TO ANOTHER SCHOOL WHICH MEANS NAVIGATING MY TWO YOUNGER CHILDREN TO APOLLO BEACH, MIDDLE SCHOOLER TO A SCHOOL SOMEWHERE AND TO MY OWN SCHOOL -- NOT EXTENDING ABS TO A K-8 NOT ONLY ENSURES MY KIDS GET TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN ONE PLACE AND FEEL SAFE TOGETHER BUT ALSO PROVIDES THEM CONSISTENCY, STRUCTURE, AND CHALLENGING ACADEMICS THAT THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE FROM LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC OPTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. ALLEY BRADLEY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY I'VE SEEN MY GRANDKIDS GROW UP IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. I GREW UP IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

WILL SPEAKERS 5 THROUGH 10 LINE UP. I'LL FINISH THE LETTER FOR HER. I'M A GRADUATE OF PLANT HIGH SCHOOL A FEW YEARS AGO AND I AM THE GRANDMOTHER OF THE TWO THAT GO TO APOLLO BEACH. I'LL FINISH THE LETTER BECAUSE I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. HE LOVES SCHOOL. FINALLY UNDERSTANDING HARD WORK IN THE CLASSROOM AND TAKES PRIDE IN THE REWARD OF HIS HARD WORK. HE FEELS SEEN AND APPRECIATED BY HIS TEACHERS AND IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ENSURING HE DOES HIS PART TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. HE'S ALWAYS BEEN MORE QUIET AND RESERVED BUT THIS YEAR HE HAS OPENED UP. HE SEES HIS PEERS OUT AT GAMES AND EVENTS AND HE LIGHTS UP. HE HAS FOUND HIS VOICE AND IS USING IT TO STAND UP FOR HIMSELF AND EXPRESS HIS NEED AND IS BECOMING THE BEST VERSION OF HIMSELF. I FEAR THAT IN A YEAR AND A HALF WHEN HE ENTERS MIDDLE SCHOOL, HE WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS OF A SCHOOL LIKE EISENHOWER.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. I WENT ON TO BECOME A REGISTERED NURSE OF 43 YEARS AND I THINK GIVING MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS THE EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE TO GET OUT AND BE REAL SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY AND STAY IN FLORIDA IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. MY NAME IS VICTOR, AND I WOULD LIKE THIS SCHOOL -- APOLLO BEACH TO HAVE AN 8th GRADE BECAUSE IT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I LIKE HOW THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE. THEY ARE MY FRIENDS. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. MY NAME IS ROMAN, AND I WANT K-8 BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND NICE AND SHE'S NICE. BE GOOD IN MY CLASSROOM. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. CAN SPEAKERS 7 THROUGH 10 -- I MEAN, 10 THROUGH 15 PLEASE LINE UP? GOOD AFTERNOON. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT OUR OPTION WOULD BE BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BRING HIM BACK TO THE CHARTER I CURRENTLY WORK AT DUE TO THE REVOLVING DOOR OF TEACHERS IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE LACK OF STRUCTURE IN GENERAL. I WOULD LIKE MIDDLE SCHOOL -- I WOULD LIKELY CHOICE HIM TO ANOTHER SCHOOL WHICH MEANS NAVIGATING MY TWO YOUNGER CHILDREN TO APOLLO BEACH, MIDDLE SCHOOLER TO A SCHOOL SOMEWHERE AND TO MY OWN SCHOOL -- NOT EXTENDING ABS TO A K-8 NOT ONLY ENSURES MY KIDS GET TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN ONE PLACE AND FEEL SAFE TOGETHER BUT ALSO PROVIDES THEM CONSISTENCY, STRUCTURE, AND CHALLENGING ACADEMICS THAT THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE FROM LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC OPTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. ALLEY BRADLEY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY I'VE SEEN MY GRANDKIDS GROW UP IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. I GREW UP IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

COLLEEN BEUNUCCI, PART OF THE APOLLO BEACH K-8 INITIATIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE NEW PROJECT THAT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST THURSDAY INVOLVING TWO NEW BUILDINGS FOR STUART MAGNET MIDDLE AND JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WHILE I UNDERSTAND IT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON BY YOU YET, IT WON'T BE PASSED -- STATING THAT WE ARE EMBARKING ON A SIGNIFICANT JOURNEY, ONE THAT MARKS A MILESTONE FOR OUR SCHOOL IN THE CITY OF. THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD TWO STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES FOR JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND STEWART MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL, INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN $70 MILLION. I'M NOT HERE TO ASK YOU TO VOTE AGAINST IT. I UNDERSTAND THE AREA OF TAMPA HAS EXPERIENCED INCREDIBLE GROWTH, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO EXPAND. HOWEVER, I AM HERE TO POINT OUT THAT LIKE STUART'S COMMUNITY, APOLLO BEACH HAS EXPERIENCED INCREDIBLE GROWTH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE GROWTH FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. I WENT ON TO BECOME A REGISTERED NURSE OF 43 YEARS AND I THINK GIVING MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS THE EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE TO GET OUT AND BE REAL SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY AND STAY IN FLORIDA IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. MY NAME IS VICTOR, AND I WOULD LIKE THIS SCHOOL -- APOLLO BEACH TO HAVE AN 8th GRADE BECAUSE IT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I LIKE HOW THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE. THEY ARE MY FRIENDS. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. MY NAME IS ROMAN, AND I WANT K-8 BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND NICE AND SHE'S NICE. BE GOOD IN MY CLASSROOM. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. CAN SPEAKERS 7 THROUGH 10 -- I MEAN, 10 THROUGH 15 PLEASE LINE UP? GOOD AFTERNOON. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

EASY TO OVERLOOK US BECAUSE WE'RE NOT LOCATED IN THE HEART OF TAMPA, WE ARE BUSTING AT THE SEAMS. THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS ABOUT BUILDING ON APOLLO BEACH'S CAMPUS, BEING THAT IT IS LOCATED IN A FLOOD ZONE. BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, STUART IS ALSO LOCATED ON A FLOOD ZONE. WHAT I FIND MOST INTERESTING OF ALL IS THE PROJECTED COSTS. THE STUART PROJECTED COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 70 MILLION, WHEREAS APOLLO BEACH'S PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 26 AND 40 MILLION. AS A FORMER ENGLISH TEACHER, I AM DEFINITELY NOT A MATH EXPERT, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE THEIR PROJECT IS CONSIDERABLY LESS MONEY. I STATED IN THE PAST AND WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE TODAY THAT OUR COMMUNITY ISN'T LOOKING FOR ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE A WORLD-CLASS TRACK OR FANCY AUDITORIUM. IN FACT, I HAVE PARENTS CONSTANTLY ASKING ME, WHY CAN'T WE JUST PUT UP SOME TRAILERS?

COLLEEN BEUNUCCI, PART OF THE APOLLO BEACH K-8 INITIATIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE NEW PROJECT THAT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST THURSDAY INVOLVING TWO NEW BUILDINGS FOR STUART MAGNET MIDDLE AND JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WHILE I UNDERSTAND IT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON BY YOU YET, IT WON'T BE PASSED -- STATING THAT WE ARE EMBARKING ON A SIGNIFICANT JOURNEY, ONE THAT MARKS A MILESTONE FOR OUR SCHOOL IN THE CITY OF. THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD TWO STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES FOR JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND STEWART MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL, INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN $70 MILLION. I'M NOT HERE TO ASK YOU TO VOTE AGAINST IT. I UNDERSTAND THE AREA OF TAMPA HAS EXPERIENCED INCREDIBLE GROWTH, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO EXPAND. HOWEVER, I AM HERE TO POINT OUT THAT LIKE STUART'S COMMUNITY, APOLLO BEACH HAS EXPERIENCED INCREDIBLE GROWTH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE GROWTH FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE PARENTS IN APOLLO BEACH ARE LOOKING FOR A VIABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTION FOR OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS BECAUSE WE TRULY VALUE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WE TRULY VALUE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE'RE ASKING THAT WE CAN ALL THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. LET'S EXPLORE OPTIONS LIKE TURNING US INTO A MARINE SCIENCE CENTER OR ANOTHER IDEA. WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE FUNDS THAT WILL BE DEDICATED TO A FUTURE UNNAMED WATERSET ELEMENTARY IN APOLLO BEACH. HOWEVER WE HAVE A LOT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. SO IS IT POSSIBLE TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO THE APOLLO BEACH K-8 PROJECT INSTEAD? PLEASE, LIKE I'VE ASKED YOU IN THE PAST, LET'S ALL THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS THAT ARE LIVING IN APOLLO BEACH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO. HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, MY NAME IS RICHARD ZION.

EASY TO OVERLOOK US BECAUSE WE'RE NOT LOCATED IN THE HEART OF TAMPA, WE ARE BUSTING AT THE SEAMS. THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS ABOUT BUILDING ON APOLLO BEACH'S CAMPUS, BEING THAT IT IS LOCATED IN A FLOOD ZONE. BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, STUART IS ALSO LOCATED ON A FLOOD ZONE. WHAT I FIND MOST INTERESTING OF ALL IS THE PROJECTED COSTS. THE STUART PROJECTED COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 70 MILLION, WHEREAS APOLLO BEACH'S PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 26 AND 40 MILLION. AS A FORMER ENGLISH TEACHER, I AM DEFINITELY NOT A MATH EXPERT, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE THEIR PROJECT IS CONSIDERABLY LESS MONEY. I STATED IN THE PAST AND WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE TODAY THAT OUR COMMUNITY ISN'T LOOKING FOR ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE A WORLD-CLASS TRACK OR FANCY AUDITORIUM. IN FACT, I HAVE PARENTS CONSTANTLY ASKING ME, WHY CAN'T WE JUST PUT UP SOME TRAILERS?

I AM A GRANDFATHER OF TWO GIRLS IN APOLLO ELEMENTARY AND A GRANDSON IN EISENHOWER. I'M HERE TO REINFORCE THE ADDING OF THE K-8 FOR APOLLO BEACH. THERE MAY BE MORE ESSENTIAL TIME IN A CHILD'S EDUCATION THAN THEIR ADOLESCENT YEARS. ALL TOO OFTEN THESE ADOLESCENT YEARS ARE SPENT IN POORLY DESIGNED MIDDLE SCHOOL SETTINGS WHICH INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE STUDENTS WILL SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE AND FALL OFF THE ACADEMIC TRACK. THE SOLUTION IS TO ADOPT A SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE GRADES TO BE STRUCTURED AS CONTINUATION OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY. THIS CAN BE BEST ACCOMPLISHED BY STRUCTURING K-8 GRADES WITH SEPARATE BUILDING ON THE SAME CAMPUS OR TRAILERS, WE USED TO CALL THEM MODULE. THE BALANCE APPROACH PROVIDES THE BENEFITS OF A SEPARATE MIDDLE SCHOOL STRUCTURE WITH CHALLENGES THAT CAN DERAIL EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS WHEN THE STUDENTS ARE THRUST INTO A LARGER FOREIGN SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AT THE FRAGILE TIME OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT.