I'M JESSICA VAUGHN, CHAIR OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WE SERVE MORE THAN 200,000 STUDENTS INCLUDING CHILDREN STARTING WITH OUR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS AND CONTINUING WITH ADULTS THROUGH OUR WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. I'M KAREN PEREZ, THE SCHOOL BOARD'S VICE CHAIR. OUR DISTRICT IS THE SEVENTH LARGEST IN AMERICA, AND OUR TEAM IS MADE UP OF 24,000 PEOPLE WORKING AT CLOSE TO 250 SITES ACROSS THE COUNTY. (SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE) OUR DISTRICT IS DIVERSE AND DEDICATED. OUR BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD IN OUR BOARD AUDITORIUM ON SELECT TUESDAYS AT 4:00 P.M. THE BEST WAY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY IS TO INVOLVE YOU, THE PUBLIC, IN WHAT WE DO. Henry "Shake" Washington: 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. 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. Jessica Vaughn: THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18 -- THANK YOU -- IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
MEMBER PEREZ WILL LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF REFLECTION FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER I'M COMMITTED TO ADVOCATING FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT'S CRUCIAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO OPEN OUR DIALOGUE AND PROACTIVE APPROACH TOWARDS ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AMONG OUR YOUTH. THE RISE IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PARTICULARLY AMONG TEENAGERS EMPHASIZES THE URGENT NEED FOR ONGOING CONVERSATIONS AND SUPPORT AND THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE. I CONTINUE TO URGE OUR DISTRICT, OUR PARENTS, AND STUDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSIONS AND UTILIZING OUR RESOURCES. BY FOSTERING A CULTURE OF UNDERSTANDING AND DESTIGMATIZING MENTAL HEALTH, WE HAVE EMPOWERED OUR STUDENTS TO SEEK HELP AND SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED. LET US CONTINUE TO CHAMPION FOR INCREASED FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE THE CARE AND ATTENTION THEY DESERVE.
TOGETHER, WE HAVE AND CONTINUE TO CREATE A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE MENTAL HEALTH IS VALUED AND THE CONVERSATION SURROUNDING IT ARE ENCOURAGED. OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS CAN MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION, EVERYONE IN THIS DISTRICT, TO THIS VITAL CAUSE BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH DOES MATTER. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THAT. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLE ALLEGIANCE.
(PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE) Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. MEMBER PEREZ, WILL YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT? Karen Perez: ABSOLUTELY, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL DRUM LINE ALONG WITH PRINCIPAL ALLISON WRIGHT AND DIRECTOR, VERONICA JACOBS. THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF OUR BOARD MEETING, AND AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO INVITE THE STUDENTS UP TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. MY NAME IS ERIC RODRIGUEZ. I'M IN THE ELEVENTH GRADE AND I PLAY THE CYMBALS. MY NAME IS JUSTIN MENDOZA. I'M A GRADUATING SENIOR AND PLAY THE BASS DRUM. JONATHAN RIVERA, ELEVENTH GRADE AND I PLAY SNARE. ELIJAH GUITEN. I'M IN TENTH GRADE AND PLAY BASS DRUM. MAX, ELEVENTH GRADE AND I PLAY THE QUAD DRUMS. EMILY HILL, TENTH GRADE AND I PLAY CYMBALS. AIDEN MORALES, TENTH GRADE AND I PLAY THE BASS DRUM. MY NAME IS JOMIA, I'M IN THE NINTH GRADE AND I PLAY CYMBALS.
MY NAME IS EMMANUEL AND I'M IN THE NINTH GRADE AND PLAY CYMBALS. MY NAME IS BOMAN AND I'M IN THE NINTH GRADE AND PLAY CYMBALS. KIARA, I'M A SENIOR AND PLAY BASS DRUM. MARY, I'M IN 12TH GRADE AND CENTER SNARE. VERONICA JACOB, I'M THE BAND DIRECTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US AND SUPPORTING MUSIC EDUCATION. GOOD AFTERNOON, ALLISON WRIGHT, PRINCIPAL AT BRANDON. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MS. JACOB. OUR DRUMLINE, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN HOLD THAT FOR THAT LONG AND KEEP ON RHYTHM. THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND SHOWCASING ALL THE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AT BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL. Jessica Vaughn: NOT ONLY DID YOU SOUND AMAZING, BUT YOUR UNIFORMS ARE FANTASTIC. YOU GUYS LOOK GREAT. NICE JOB. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY DR. HAHN. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. WE HAVE ONE SET OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY. OCTOBER 28, 2025, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER PEREZ AND A SECOND BY MEMBER COMBS. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. BOARD MEMBERS, I'D LIKE TO GO OVER THE FORMAT OF TODAY'S MEETING. WE'RE A NONPARTISAN BOARD WHO BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN BE EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND TO SUCCEED AND OUR DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING. TO PAVE THE WAY FOR EFFICIENT AGENDA STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS, YOU'LL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK WITH 30 SECONDS FOR FINAL THOUGHTS. AFTERWARDS, THE SUPERINTENDENT CAN RESPOND. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOU'RE ASKED TO GET BACK IN THE CUE. MEMBER -- IN THE QUEUE.
MEMBER PEREZ WILL READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES. Karen Perez: 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 CAPTIONING ON A LIVE WEBCAST ON CABLE TV AND ON VIDEO MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT ALSO CAN BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING ON THE ONLINE VIDEO ARCHIVE. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE ITEM SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN. THAT'S 6:00 P.M. FOR EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT INPUT. NOW WE'LL DO OUR RECOGNITION, A01 RECOGNITION, AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK, NOVEMBER 17 TO 21, 2025, AND NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL DAYS, NOVEMBER 19, 2025. DR. HAHN WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. Stacy Hahn: FIRST CELEBRATED -- THANK YOU, CHAIR VAUGHN, FIRST OF ALL.
JUMPED RIGHT IN. FIRST CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 4 THROUGH 10 IN 1921, AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO CREATE GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND RAISES AWARENESS THAT EDUCATORS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUSINESS LEADERS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STUDENTS ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN SUPPORTING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS. AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK PRESENTS ALL AMERICANS WITH THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD RECEIVES A QUALITY EDUCATION. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. IS THAT THE WHOLE THING? I DON'T HAVE IT HERE. Stacy Hahn: I HAVE NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS DAY. NOVEMBER 19, 2025. TODAY WE'RE CELEBRATING SUPPORT -- EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS AND NATIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS DAY WAS FIRST CELEBRATED AFTER THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION'S REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CALLED FOR THE CREATION OF A WAY TO HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF. NATIONAL ESP DAY IS A TIME TO STRENGTHEN, SUPPORT, AND RESPECT FOR OUR COLLEAGUES.
TODAY SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE INVALUABLE SERVICES THAT ENABLE STUDENTS TO LEARN AND POSITIVE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS. ESPs ARE EQUAL AND ESSENTIAL PARTNERS IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS. AND NATIONAL ESP DAY IS OBSERVED ON WEDNESDAY DURING AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK. Jessica Vaughn: ALL RIGHT. I THINK THAT'S IT, RIGHT? YOU DID A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. SAID THAT VERY PROFESSIONALLY. ALL RIGHT. NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SO LOUD. I'M GOING TO TRY TO MOVE IT AWAY. THE BOARD WELCOMES COMMENTS FROM CIT 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 OUR BOARD INFORMED OF THE RESPONSES. OUR SCHOOL BOARD RESPECTS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING YOUR TIME TO BE HERE. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ABOUT ANY ISSUE YOU'D LIKE AND YOU'LL NOT BE INTERRUPTED.
HOWEVER, ANY BEHAVIOR INTENDED TO INTERRUPT THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. WE DO REQUEST THAT YOU TRY TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.
THIS AFTERNOON, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. REMINDER THAT YOUR THREE MINUTES START WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING. WHEN THERE ARE 30 SECONDS LEFT YOU'LL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT ON THE LECTERN AND HEAR A CHIME. A RED LIGHT AND CHIME WILL INDICATE WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP. I'LL CALL UP OUR FIRST FOUR SPEAKERS. OUR FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS. ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS. ALL THE SPEAKERS. HI, MY NAME IS ALYSSA. I WILL BE TRANSLATING FOR HER. (SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE) IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE TODAY. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE GREAT ATTRIBUTES OF MS. KAREN PEREZ AND ALSO -- AND SHE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT HER RADIO PROGRAM THAT SHE HAS ABOUT HEALTH WITH EDUCATION. KAREN PEREZ HAS SHOWN TO BE A PERSON OF INTEGRITY WITH A BIG HEART AND COMMITTED. MS. KAREN PEREZ HAS A SEGMENT IN HER RADIO PROGRAM EVERY SUNDAY WHERE SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO COME AND SPEAK ON BEHALF -- NOT ONLY DOES SHE COME IN AND INVITE COMMUNITY LEADERS BUT ALSO SPEAKS ABOUT THE GREAT AND WONDERFUL THINGS THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HER COLLEAGUES ARE DOING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES FOR THE YOUTH WHICH ARE THE FUTURE OF TOMORROW.
FOR OUR RADIO STATION, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE KAREN PEREZ COME AND SPEAK BECAUSE SHE SHARES OF ALL THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE AND ALSO FOR OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS OR PARTNERS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT'S OFFERED. SHE IS DEFINITELY A PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE COMMUNITY AND FOR US TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE -- SHE IS A PUBLIC SERVANT 24/7. SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED NOT JUST WITH HER WORDS BUT HER ACTIONS THE PASSION SHE HAS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE YOUTH. THE INFORMATION IS SO IMPORTANT THE PUBLIC HAS RAVED IT IN A -- HAS RECEIVED IT IN A POSITIVE WAY AND IS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH THE RADIO STATION OR VEHICLE AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF MISINFORMATION IS OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THROUGH THIS VEHICLE, SHE IS ABLE TO SHARE WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CLARIFY MISINFORMATION THAT IS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO I INVITE EVERYONE HERE TO JOIN US ON SUNDAYS FROM 10:00 TO 11:00 IN THE MORNING, SUPER Q106.7FM. 1300 AM. AS LATIN AS YOU. EVERY SUNDAY. THANK YOU. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. GRACIAS. MUCHOS GRACIAS. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. HOLA -- NO, I'M JOKING. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS GIANI HUNT. I AM HERE TODAY AS A PARENT OF THREE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY STUDENTS. AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN AND AS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SCHOOLS OF HOPE AND IT'S IMPORTANT. AND THE REASON THAT IT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE GOING TO SHAPE WHETHER SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTY REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE OR WHETHER THEY'RE HANDED OVER TO PRIVATE OPERATORS WITH NO LOCAL OVERSIGHT OR NO LOCAL OVERSIGHT AND NO LOCAL VOICE. FLORIDA SCHOOLS OF HOPE, THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE LAW -- OR THE ORIGINAL WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE TARGETED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IN PERSISTENTLY LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS.
HOWEVER, THIS NEW ADJUSTMENT HAS WARPED THAT INTENT. INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING AND LIFTING UP STRUGGLING SCHOOLS, IT TURNED A FOCUS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM INTO A STATEWIDE CHARTER EXPANSION TOOL ALLOWING PRIVATE OPERATORS TO SEIZE PUBLIC SCHOOL SPACE. EVEN IN SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY, NO TRANSPARENCY AND NO LOCAL SAY. PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN CLEAR. THEY WANT INVESTMENT IN THE SCHOOLS THEIR CHILDREN ALREADY ATTEND. THEY ASK FOR SMALLER CLASS SIZES, MORE READING COACHES, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES AND COUNSELORS AND SAFE FACILITIES FOR THEIR STUDENTS. FAMILIES WANT AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING, BILINGUAL AIDES AND UPDATED TECHNOLOGIES. THIS NEW RULE DIVERTS RESOURCES AWAY FROM THOSE PRIORITIES AND HANDS THEM TO OUTSIDE OPERATORS WHO ANSWER TO NO ONE LOCALLY. AND THE HARM FALLS HARDEST ON THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS. A CHILD WITH DISABILITY MAY LOSE A THERAPY ROOM THAT'S LABELED "VACANT." A TITLE 1 SCHOOL SERVING LOW INCOME FAMILIES MAY BE FORCED TO SHARE ITS CAFETERIA OR GYM WHICH WILL DISRUPT MEAL TIMES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
IT WILL DISRUPT THE EXISTING PROGRAMS AND IT CAN COMPROMISE THOSE SAFE SPACES FOR THOSE STUDENTS. AND LET'S FACE IT. DISTRICT -- WE'RE GOING TO PAY TWICE FOR IT. AND THESE CHARTER SCHOOLS, THEY'RE NOT PAYING ANYTHING FOR IT. HOPE OPERATORS GET RENT-FREE ACCESS TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND LIKE MAINTENANCE AND EVEN SECURITY. EVERY DIVERTED DOLLAR MEANS FEWER ELECTIVES AND FEWER SUPPORTS FOR THE VERY STUDENTS THAT NEED IT MOST. I ASK FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND ADVOCACY. TO STAND WITH THE PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND RESOURCES GO WHERE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THEM TO GO ALL ALONG. IN THE CLASSROOMS AND IN PROGRAMS THAT SERVE OUR CURRENT STUDENTS RIGHT NOW. AND I JUST ASK THIS THAT WHATEVER TOOL YOU HAVE IN YOUR ARSENAL, PLEASE USE IT. THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR YOU TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SO PLEASE USE IT.
DO NOT HOLD BACK. FAMILIES ARE ASKING FOR THIS, COMMUNITIES ARE ASKING FOR THIS, AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUR COOPERATION. THANK YOU. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE. GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ELLEN LYONS. I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE THE BOARD TO SUPPORT THE REPEAL OF AMENDMENTS TO A FLORIDA LAW THAT LETS PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT CHARTER OPERATORS OCCUPY SPACE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR FREE. UNTIL THIS YEAR, THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOOLS OF HOPE STATUTE WAS TO OFFER FAMILIES AN OPTION FOR A CHARTER PROVIDER IN A PERSISTENTLY LOW PERFORMING SCHOOL. HOWEVER, IN 2025, THE LEGISLATURE MADE CHANGES TO THE SCHOOLS OF HOPE STATUTE WHICH NOW ALLOWS PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT OPERATORS TO OCCUPY CLASSROOMS, CAFETERIA SPACE, ATHLETIC FACILITIES, AND OTHER SPACES FOR FREE. WITHOUT PAYING A DIME OF RENT FOR THE USE OF THOSE FACILITIES. AND THE PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT CHARTER OPERATORS WILL ALSO GET FREE STUDENT NUTRITION SERVICES, FREE CUSTODIAL SERVICES, FREE NURSING SERVICES, AND EVEN FREE ELECTRICITY.
NOW, WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS COST? BECAUSE EVEN ELECTRICITY IS MORE THAN $100 A YEAR PER STUDENT. IT CAN BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. IT'S US. IT'S US, THE TAXPAYERS, WHOSE PROPERTY TAXES SUPPORT EDUCATION. ALSO, THE LAW ALLOWS THE PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT OPERATOR TO GET ACCESS TO THE STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR THE DISTRICT. THAT'S EXTREMELY TROUBLING. TWO FOR-PROFIT OPERATORS ALREADY TARGETED 22 SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT AND EVEN MORE DEMAND LETTERS MAY BE ON THE WAY. FOR-PROFIT OPERATORS ARE NOT JUST TARGETING PERSISTENTLY LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS. THEY'RE TARGETING EVERY SCHOOL WITH A VACANCY. WELL, THE VACANCIES ARE BASED UPON THE FLORIDA INVENTORY OF SCHOOL HOUSES REPORT WHICH IS -- LOOKS AT SQUARE FOOTAGE AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS. SOME SCHOOLS ARE STABLE. THEY ARE PERFORMING PERFECTLY FINE. AND THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE AS MANY STUDENTS PER SQUARE FOOT. IT DOESN'T MEAN THE SCHOOL HAS ROOM TO SUPPORT ANOTHER SCHOOL UNDER THE VERY SAME ROOF.
THE SCHOOLS OF HOPE STATUTE WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE A PRIVATE -- A TOOL FOR PRIVATE OPERATORS TO OCCUPY STABLE SCHOOLS. SO PLEASE SUPPORT THE REPEAL OF THE 2025 CHANGES TO THE FLORIDA SCHOOLS OF HOPE STATUTE. THANK YOU. Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.