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. I'M NADIA COMBS, 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.
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 MATERIAL 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. THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION. WITH YOUR HELP, WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. Karen Perez: THE BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 27 IS CALLED TO ORDER.
MEMBER COMBS WILL NOW LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. THANK YOU, PLEASE JOIN ME FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE. [MOMENT OF SILENCE] THANK YOU.
NOW PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] Karen Perez: MEMBER COMBS, WOULD YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENT ENTERTAINMENT. Nadia Combs: I WOULD HIKE TO THANK THE ROLAND PARK. ALONG WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND THE DIRECTOR. THE WONDERFUL STUDENTS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF OUR BOARD MEETING TODAY. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE STUDENTS TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. WONDERFUL JOB. HELLO. MY NAME IS DONNA. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS GARY. I'M ALSO IN FIFTH GRADE. HELLO. MY NAME IS LEO. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS OWEN. I'M ALSO IN FIFTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS MATTHEW BENNETT. I'M IN FOURTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS SONYA. I'M IN FOURTH GRADE. HI, MY NAME IS KATHLEEN. I'M IN FOURTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS DANE. I'M IN FOURTH GRADE ALSO. HI. MY NAME IS NAN. I'M ALSO IN FOURTH GRADE.
HI. DYLAN. I'M IN THIRD GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS LAUREN. I'M IN THIRD GRADE AS WELL. HI. MY NAME IS REMINGTON. I'M IN FOURTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS LANDIN. I'M IN FOURTH GRADE. HI. MY NAME IS RAYMOND. I'M THE ELEMENTARY STRINGS TEACHER. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD AND THANK YOU TO MRS. LESSEE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS SHERYL GUERRA. I AM THE PROUD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS. I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY. DECEMBER 9, 2025 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AND DECEMBER 16 SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER VAUGHN AND A SECOND BY MEMBER COMBS. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. BOARD MEMBERS, I WANT 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 TO SUCCEED AND OUR DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING. TO PAVE THE WAY FOR EFFICIENT AGENDA STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK WITH 30 SECONDS FOR FINAL THOUGHTS. AFTERWARDS, THE SUPERINTENDENT CAN RESPOND. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK IN THE QUEUE.
MEMBER COMBS WILL NOW READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES. Nadia Combs: 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 LIVE WEBCAST, ON CABLE TV AND ON MONITORS IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THE ONLINE VIDEO ARCHIVE.
Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER COMBS. WE HAVE ONE ITEM SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN, 6 P.M. EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT INPUT. WE WILL NOW READ THE RECOGNITIONS. WE HAVE A-1, RECOGNITION OF THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS BEST KREWE AWARD. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP ANN MARIE COURTNEY, DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT, PHILANTHROPY, AND OUTREACH. GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, CABINET MEMBERS, AND GUESTS. THE BUCS BEST KREWE PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY OUR AMAZING PARTNER, THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, WHO ARE CELEBRATING -- HAVE CELEBRATED -- THEIR 50th SEASON IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA. THIS MONTHLY AWARD RECOGNIZES STANDOUT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND SUPPORT STAFF FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE, OVERALL IMPACT ON STUDENTS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE BRIAN FORD, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS HERE TO ANNOUNCE THIS MONTH'S AWARD RECIPIENTS. WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
OUR FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY. MADAM CHAIR, THE REST OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT AYRES, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HOPE EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT WINTER BREAK. WELCOME. WE'RE GOING TO START THIS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OFF ON SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR THE STORIES. THIS MONTH ARE OVER THE TOP. FIRST OFF, MICHELLE SOTTO, THE PRINCIPAL AT FOREST HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU EVEN GOT YOUR BUC RED ON. I LIKE THAT. BUC RED. AGAIN, WE HAVE A TRADITION AT ONE BUC FOR ANYBODY THAT'S NEW THAT ANYBODY THAT GOES OVER AND ABOVE GETS A GAME BALL. WE DIDN'T HAND OUT ENOUGH OF THE GAME BALLS THIS SEASON, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY. WE'LL TURN THE PAGE. VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE SEASON THROUGHOUT OUR 50th YEAR HISTORY BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP HERE WITH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL AND THE FOLKS THAT WE'VE RECOGNIZED.
THE STORIES HAVE BEEN UNBELIEVABLE. THIS MONTH IS NOT ANY DIFFERENT. THESE COMMENTS ARE COMING FROM YOUR FACULTY, YOUR STUDENT BODY AND NOT ME. I JUST WAS AMAZED AT HEARING THESE. THESE ARE SUCH HEART-RIPPING STORIES AND THANK YOU. ON BEHALF OF THE GLAZER FAMILY, OUR ENTIRE ORGANIZATION, I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK ALL THREE OF THE WINNERS THIS MONTH FOR THEIR EXTENDED EFFORTS AND THEIR COMMITMENT AND PASSION TO EDUCATION, TO THE STUDENTS, AND TO THEIR FAMILIES. COMING FROM YOUR FACULTY, MICHELLE SOTTO'S LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO FOREST HILLS ELEMENTARY HAVE MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES. BECAUSE OF HER VISION AND HARD WORK, THE SCHOOL BUILT A STRONG CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS CONTINUES TO GROW. YOU LEAD WITH YOUR, UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT HAS RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY WITH STRONG GAINS IN PROFICIENCY AND LEARNING GROWTH, ESPECIALLY IN READING. SUPPORTED BY INTENTIONAL, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT STRENGTHENS INSTRUCTION ACROSS THE BUILDING AND CAMPUS.
MS. SOTTO LEADS BY EXAMPLE. ATTENDING PLANNING SESSIONS, ENGAGING IN DATA CHARTS AND MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT PRESENCE IN THE CLASSROOMS EVERY SINGLE DAY. BEYOND ACADEMICS, SHE ALSO LED FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN RECORD-BREAKING PARTICIPATION AND MONTHLY SCHOOL EVENTS, STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL. IT'S TREMENDOUS. MRS. SOTTO'S COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP HAS CREATED A JOYFUL, COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE FEEL VALUED AND SUPPORTED. HER IMPACT IS UNDENIABLE, AND SHE'S HELPED MAKE FOREST HILLS NOT JUST A SCHOOL BUT TRUE FAMILY. NEXT UP, KAYLA. COME ON UP HERE. CONGRATULATIONS. WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR THIS STORY. I'M GLAD I'M NOT PART OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE, BECAUSE THESE ARE AMAZING. AGAIN, THIS IS COMING FROM YOUR FACULTY, YOUR ADMINISTRATION, AND YOUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. MS. BALMER IS A DEDICATED AND DEEPLY CARING LEADER WHOSE WORK MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND THE ENTIRE POTTER ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY. SHE LEADS BLOSSOMING MOTHERS, A PROGRAM THAT BRINGS MOTHERS TOGETHER AND STRENGTHENS FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BUT HER IMPACT GOES FAR BEYOND ANY SINGLE INITIATIVE.
MS. BALMER WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER TO CONDUCT HOME VISITS THAT HELP ADDRESS ATTENDANCE CHALLENGES AND REMOVES BARRIERS THAT KEEPS STUDENTS FROM LEARNING. TALK ABOUT EXTENDED EFFORTS. WHEN STUDENTS ARE SICK AND FAMILIES CAN'T BE REACHED, SHE DOESN'T HESITATE TO CHECK ON THEM PERSONALLY BECAUSE STUDENT WELL-BEING ALWAYS COMES FIRST. THAT'S COMING FROM YOUR STUDENTS AND YOUR FACULTY AND YOUR FAMILIES. AMAZING. SHE ALSO MANAGES THE CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY, ENSURING FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND BUILD STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT PROVIDE LASTING SUPPORT. MS. BALMER LEADS WITH EMPATHY, URGENCY, AND HEART. AND BECAUSE OF HER STUDENTS AND FAMILIES DON'T JUST RECEIVE HELP, THEY FEEL HOPE. YOU ARE AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO POTTER ELEMENTARY. THAT'S ASTOUNDING. CONGRATULATIONS. ON BEHALF OF THE GLAZER FAMILY AND OUR ENTIRE ORGANIZATION, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ONE IS KIND OF PERSONAL BECAUSE BOTH MY BOYS WENT TO STEINBRENNER HIGH SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY GRADUATED FROM STEINBRENNER.
THIS YOUNG LADY HAD AN IMPACT ON BOTH OF THEM. CONGRATULATIONS. COME ON OVER HERE. MARIE PUSKAS MATH TEACHER, STEINBRENNER HIGH SCHOOL. WOW. YES. WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR SOME STATS ON THIS AND THE AP CLASSES WE TEACH HERE. AGAIN, THIS IS COMING FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION, YOUR FACULTY, AND YOUR STUDENT BODIES AND SOME RETIRED GRADUATED STUDENTS I'M SURE. HAVE YOU EVER MET A TEACHER WHO DOESN'T JUST TEACH THE SUBJECT BUT TRULY LIVES IT? MRS. MARIE PUSKAS IS THAT TYPE OF TEACHER. TEACHING ISN'T JUST HER JOB, IT'S WHO SHE IS, HER CALLING. THE SECOND STUDENTS WALK INTO HER CLASSROOM, THEY FEEL IT. THAT'S COMING FROM OTHERS. WHEN CLASS SIZES GROW AND MOST PEOPLE FEEL OVERWHELMED, MARIE'S RESPONSE IS ALWAYS "SEND ME MORE, SEND ME MORE." HER AP STATS CLASS ARE CONSTANTLY, CONSISTENTLY FILLED WITH CAPACITY BECAUSE STUDENTS KNOW THEY WILL BE SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND CHALLENGED BY A TEACHER WHO GENUINELY BELIEVES IN THEM AND THEY NEED IT FOR COLLEGE.
MY KIDS WERE LIKE THAT. SHE GIVES ENDLESSLY OF HER TIME OFFERING TUTORING BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL, ONLINE SUPPORT AND EVEN SUNDAY SESSIONS, PLEASE BECAUSE SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO SUCCEED. BECAUSE OF HER IMPACT, THE AP STATS PROGRAM AT STEINBRENNER HAS GROWN SO MUCH THAT SHE NOW TEACHES A FULL DAY COURSE, SOMETHING UNMATCHED IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. WHAT MAKES MARIE EVEN MORE SPECIAL IS SHE NEVER STOPS TRYING TO GET BETTER. SHE COMPLETELY REBUILT THE WAY SHE TEACHES AND COLLECTED STUDENT DATA TO MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING. THE RESULTS WEREN'T JUST ACADEMIC. STUDENTS FELT MORE CONFIDENT, MORE CAPABLE, AND MORE WILLING TO TRY. THAT IS THE KIND OF IMPACT YOU DON'T FORGET. THESE ARE ALL QUOTES FROM PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE AFFECTED. EVEN AS A DEVOTED MOTHER OF FOUR, SHE'S OFTEN AMONG THE FIRST TO RIVE IN THE MORNING AND THE LAST TO LEAVE AT NIGHT. ALWAYS SHOWING UP AND ALWAYS POURING INTO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY WITH HER HUSBAND BEING THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT THE SCHOOL.
MARIE LEADS WITH HEART, EXCELLENCE, AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT IN OTHERS. THERE'S TRULY NO ONE MORE DESERVING OF THIS RECOGNITION. THOSE ARE ALL THE COMMENTS, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE GLAZER FAMILY AND OUR ENTIRE ORGANIZATION, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU. BEFORE WE TAKE A QUICK PICTURE WITH EVERYBODY, I'M ALL ABOUT STATS. THAT'S WHAT FOOTBALL IS. THERE WAS A RECORD THAT WAS BROKEN HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. EVERYONE SITTING UP HERE ON THE BOARD IS PART OF THAT. SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR DEDICATION, BUT THE RECORD THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS THE HIGHEST GRADUATION IN DISTRICT HISTORY. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THIS IS SOMETHING FROM A LITTLE PRESS RELEASE THAT I CAME ACROSS, IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE DISTRICT'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE FOR THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR IS AN IMPRESSIVE 90.9%. THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 2.9 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER THE PRIOR YEAR. AGAIN, THE HIGHEST GRADUATION RATE IN DISTRICT HISTORY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WITHIN THE DISTRICT. BUT THERE'S ONE GENTLEMAN THAT LEADS. WE HAVE A GAME BALL FOR YOU. THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER GENTLEMAN THAT I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THIS PROGRAM ON YOUR SIDE AND REALLY HELPS -- THE WHOLE TEAM DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB. THIS GENTLEMAN HAS A BIG BIRTHDAY COMING UP ON FRIDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JEAN TAVARES, 40 FOREVER. HE'S REALLY NOT 40 AND HE IS MUCH OLDER THAN I AM. MUCH, MUCH OLDER. Karen Perez: THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND CONGRATULATIONS. TO ALL THE WINNERS. WE ARE GOING TO GO TO RECOGNITION A 02, BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2026.
MEMBER WASHINGTON WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. SINCE 1926, AMERICANS HAVE RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED BLACK HISTORY MONTH. OBSERVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMMEMORATES THE FACT THAT OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CELEBRATE THEIR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS ON LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, THE SCHOOL BOARD ENCOURAGES SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF TO PLAN SCHOOLWIDE ACTIVITIES AND LESSONS FOR STUDENTS TO HONOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND TO OUR NATION. THE BOARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANCE OF HONORING THE SIGNIFICANT CULTURE AND HISTORICAL LEGACY OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE. IN CELEBRATION, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE VARYING DEPARTMENTS RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CONTRIBUTION AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY.
Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER WASHINGTON. OUR NEXT RECOGNITION IS A 03, RECOGNITION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH. JANUARY 2026. MEMBER GRAY WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ALIGNED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, IMPACTS AND AFFECTS AS MANY AS 27.6 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING CHILDREN WHO ARE TRAFFICKED FOR LABOR AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE, FLORIDA RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION FOR THE NUMBERS OF REPORTED CASES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE AVERAGE AGE OF TRAFFICKED YOUTH IS 11 TO 13 YEARS OLD. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS, SUPPORT STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, SCHOOL COMMUNITY OFFICERS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN HELPING VICTIMS ACCESS SPECIALIZED SERVICES. THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE RISK FACTORS OF VULNERABLE YOUTH AND CHOOSES TO EDUCATE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE WARNING SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND INCREASED USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A PLATFORM TO CONTACT, RECRUIT, AND GAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR VICTIMS.
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITY OF, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OF TAMPA BAY TO TAKE AN ADVOCACY ROLE TO COMMUNICATE INFORMATION TO STAKEHOLDERS SO THAT ALL STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IDENTIFY AND REPORT HUMAN TRAFFICKING SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE THAT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY FORM OF THIS CRIME. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.