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>>Stacy Hahn: MEETINGS ARE STREAMED LIVE ON OUR WEB SITE AT HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG. CLOSED CAPTIONING IS PROVIDED ON ALL BROADCASTS AND PAST MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE ARCH ARCHIVE. >>Patti Rendon: WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY. WE WILL PROVIDE TIME BEFORE WE ADDRESS OUR ABOUT IS ITEMS, OUR AGENDA AND ANY SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE IN ADVANCE. THEY ARE POSTED SEVEN DAYS BEFORE EACH MEETING ON OUR WEB SITE, HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG. >>Jessica Vaughn: OUR VISION IS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE. THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION. WITH YOUR HELP, WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. >>Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. THANK YOU. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF A ALLEGIANCE.

>>Karen Perez: HI, I AM 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. >>Nadia Combs: I AM NADIA COMBS, 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 ITS COUNTY. >>Lynn Gray: OUR DISIS DIVERSE AND DEDICATED. OUR BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD IN OUR BOARD AUDITORIUM AT SELECT TUESDAYS AT 4 P.M. BEST WAY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS IN OUR 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 2.

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] >>Henry "Shake" Washington: MAY BE SEATED. >>Karen Perez: IF ANYONE IN THE BOARD ROOM WHO HAVEN'T SIGNED IN AND ARE GOING TO BE SPEAKING DURING COMMENT, PLEASE -- CHECK IN.

>>Stacy Hahn: MEETINGS ARE STREAMED LIVE ON OUR WEB SITE AT HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG. CLOSED CAPTIONING IS PROVIDED ON ALL BROADCASTS AND PAST MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE ARCH ARCHIVE. >>Patti Rendon: WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY. WE WILL PROVIDE TIME BEFORE WE ADDRESS OUR ABOUT IS ITEMS, OUR AGENDA AND ANY SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE IN ADVANCE. THEY ARE POSTED SEVEN DAYS BEFORE EACH MEETING ON OUR WEB SITE, HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG. >>Jessica Vaughn: OUR VISION IS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE. THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION. WITH YOUR HELP, WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. >>Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. THANK YOU. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF A ALLEGIANCE.

MEMBER WASHINGTON, WILL YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENTS ENTERTAINMENT. >>Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SCHOOL CHORUS WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND THE DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN WU. THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF THE BOARD MEETING. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE STUDENTS TO COP UP AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. >> HI, I AM JASON MARTIN AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HILL LOW, GUSTAVO AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> LUCAS, AND I AM 7th GRADER. >> HI, LUVELA AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM BROOKLYN WHITE AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HIP, LILIANA ROMERO AND I AM IN THE 7th GAME. >> HI, NAOMI PARKER AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> I AM RAYLIN AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM AVA PARADISE AND IN 8th GRADE.

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] >>Henry "Shake" Washington: MAY BE SEATED. >>Karen Perez: IF ANYONE IN THE BOARD ROOM WHO HAVEN'T SIGNED IN AND ARE GOING TO BE SPEAKING DURING COMMENT, PLEASE -- CHECK IN.

>> HI, ANGILY IN 8th GRADE. >> MARIO AND I AM IN 7th GRADE MY NAME IS SOPHIA AND I AM IN 7th GRADE. >> I AM LEXI AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM JESSIE MARTINEZ AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HEIM SHAUNA ABILITY TIME IN 8th GRADE. >> I AM ALSO IN 8th GRADE. >> I AM ELIZABETH SALAZAR AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> CARRIE SANDER AND TIME IN 8th GRADE. >> ATHENA AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> JASMINE TORREZ AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HELLO, I AM CHRISTINA WU, THE CHORUS DIRECTOR AT EISENHOWER MIDDLE SCHOOL. MY THIRD YEAR. I GRADUATED FROM FSU, A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL ALUMNI. I WENT TO CHILES ELEMENTARY. LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL AND SO INSPIRED BY MY CHORAL DIRECTORS GROWING UP THAT I DECIDED TO COME BACK AND DO THE SAME FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION.

MEMBER WASHINGTON, WILL YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENTS ENTERTAINMENT. >>Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SCHOOL CHORUS WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND THE DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN WU. THESE WONDERFUL STUDENTS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF THE BOARD MEETING. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE STUDENTS TO COP UP AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. >> HI, I AM JASON MARTIN AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HILL LOW, GUSTAVO AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> LUCAS, AND I AM 7th GRADER. >> HI, LUVELA AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM BROOKLYN WHITE AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HIP, LILIANA ROMERO AND I AM IN THE 7th GAME. >> HI, NAOMI PARKER AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> I AM RAYLIN AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM AVA PARADISE AND IN 8th GRADE.

HOW I LEARNED TO BE A GOOD FRIEND, HOW TO TREAT OTHERS AND HOW TO COME OUT OF MY SHELL AND BE THE PERSON I AM TODAY . I COULDN'T DO ANY OF THAT WITHOUT MY PAST DIRECTOR. I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THOSE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE HOW KIDS BENEFIT THROUGHOUT LIFE AND HOW THEY GROW UP IS IRREPLACEABLE. I CONTINUE TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >>Karen Perez: I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.

>> HI, ANGILY IN 8th GRADE. >> MARIO AND I AM IN 7th GRADE MY NAME IS SOPHIA AND I AM IN 7th GRADE. >> I AM LEXI AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HI, I AM JESSIE MARTINEZ AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HEIM SHAUNA ABILITY TIME IN 8th GRADE. >> I AM ALSO IN 8th GRADE. >> I AM ELIZABETH SALAZAR AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> CARRIE SANDER AND TIME IN 8th GRADE. >> ATHENA AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> JASMINE TORREZ AND I AM IN 8th GRADE. >> HELLO, I AM CHRISTINA WU, THE CHORUS DIRECTOR AT EISENHOWER MIDDLE SCHOOL. MY THIRD YEAR. I GRADUATED FROM FSU, A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL ALUMNI. I WENT TO CHILES ELEMENTARY. LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL AND SO INSPIRED BY MY CHORAL DIRECTORS GROWING UP THAT I DECIDED TO COME BACK AND DO THE SAME FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION.

A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY. A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MEMBER COMBS. WE HAVE ONE SET OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY, MARCH 10, 2026, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

HOW I LEARNED TO BE A GOOD FRIEND, HOW TO TREAT OTHERS AND HOW TO COME OUT OF MY SHELL AND BE THE PERSON I AM TODAY . I COULDN'T DO ANY OF THAT WITHOUT MY PAST DIRECTOR. I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THOSE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE HOW KIDS BENEFIT THROUGHOUT LIFE AND HOW THEY GROW UP IS IRREPLACEABLE. I CONTINUE TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >>Karen Perez: I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND 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 TO BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN BE EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND TO SUCCEED. OUR DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH HAD 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, AT SUPERINTENDENT CAN RESPOND. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK IN THE QUEUE.

A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY. A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MEMBER COMBS. WE HAVE ONE SET OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY, MARCH 10, 2026, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

MEMBER WASHINGTON WILL NOW READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES. >>Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS YOU 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 MEETINGS UPON STEPPING AWAY FROM THE DAIS. THIS MEETING CAN BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING ON LIVE WEBCASTS, ON CABLE TV, ON VIDEO MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT ALSO CAN BE VIEWED IN CLOSED CAPTIONING ON ONLINE VIDEO CAR CHIVE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER WASHINGTON. AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND 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 TO BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN BE EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND TO SUCCEED. OUR DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH HAD 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, AT SUPERINTENDENT CAN RESPOND. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK IN THE QUEUE.

>>Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER WASHINGTON. WE HAVE ONE SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN, ONE ITEM. AT 6 P.M., EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT EN PUT. WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER RECOGNITIONS. OURS FIRST RECOGNITION A 01 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH APRIL 2026.

MEMBER WASHINGTON WILL NOW READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES. >>Henry "Shake" Washington: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS YOU 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 MEETINGS UPON STEPPING AWAY FROM THE DAIS. THIS MEETING CAN BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING ON LIVE WEBCASTS, ON CABLE TV, ON VIDEO MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT ALSO CAN BE VIEWED IN CLOSED CAPTIONING ON ONLINE VIDEO CAR CHIVE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND MEMBER HAHN WILL HIGHLIGHT IN ITEM. >>Stacy Hahn: THANK YOU -- EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU, CHAIR PEREZ. AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH, WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXTEND OUR HEART-FELT GRATITUDE TO THE MANY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY. VOLUNTEERS PLAY A VALUABLE ROLE IN SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF IN COUNTLESS WAYS. FROM TUTORING STUDENTS, MENTORING YOUNG MINDS TO ORGANIZING EVENTS AND PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR CLASSROOMS, YOUR EFFORTS TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE MORE THAN 75 2 R-- 7522 PREG PARTNERS TO CONTRIBUTE 79,408 VOLUNTEER HOURS VALUED AT MORE THAN 25,088, 801 TO THE IT IS STRICT FOR THE 2024-'25 YEAR. IN MONTH WE HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE SELFLESS CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO GIVE THEIR TIME, ENERGY AND TAD INCIDENTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS THRIVE. VOLUNTEERS HELP CREATE A RICH, EDGE GAUGING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENHANCES ITS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR EACH STUDENT.

>>Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER WASHINGTON. WE HAVE ONE SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN, ONE ITEM. AT 6 P.M., EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT EN PUT. WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER RECOGNITIONS. OURS FIRST RECOGNITION A 01 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH APRIL 2026.

>>Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER VAUGHN -- I MEAN MEMBER HAHN. [LAUGHTER] RECOGNITION A 02, RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH. IT WAS IN MARCH OF 2026. AND I AM HONORED TO RECOGNIZE THE NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER MYSELF, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR THE VITAL ROLE SOCIAL WORKERS PLAY IN SUPPORTS OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. SO HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE MARCH AS THE NATIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS MONTH A TIME TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS TO SOCIETY AND OUR SCHOOLS. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS SOCIAL WORKERS UPLIFT, DEFEND AND TRANSFORM. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR AMAZING SOCIAL WORKERS DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SOCIAL WORKERS SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL'S EDUCATION TEAM. THEY ARE -- THEY ARE EXCEPTIONALLY SKILLED AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO STUDENTS WHO FACE SERIOUS CHALLENGES.

AND MEMBER HAHN WILL HIGHLIGHT IN ITEM. >>Stacy Hahn: THANK YOU -- EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU, CHAIR PEREZ. AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH, WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXTEND OUR HEART-FELT GRATITUDE TO THE MANY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY. VOLUNTEERS PLAY A VALUABLE ROLE IN SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF IN COUNTLESS WAYS. FROM TUTORING STUDENTS, MENTORING YOUNG MINDS TO ORGANIZING EVENTS AND PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR CLASSROOMS, YOUR EFFORTS TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE MORE THAN 75 2 R-- 7522 PREG PARTNERS TO CONTRIBUTE 79,408 VOLUNTEER HOURS VALUED AT MORE THAN 25,088, 801 TO THE IT IS STRICT FOR THE 2024-'25 YEAR. IN MONTH WE HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE SELFLESS CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO GIVE THEIR TIME, ENERGY AND TAD INCIDENTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS THRIVE. VOLUNTEERS HELP CREATE A RICH, EDGE GAUGING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENHANCES ITS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR EACH STUDENT.

NOT ONLY AT SCHOOL BUT ALSO OF LIFE. HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE APPROXIMATELY 250 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS. ONE AT EVERY SCHOOL. AND THEY OFTEN GO FAR AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY BY PROVIDING VALUABLE RESOURCES TO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS WHO COME TO THEM FOR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU FOR ALL -- TO ALL THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS FOR WHAT YOU DO ON DAILY. AND THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SCHOOLS AND STAFF FOR CELEBRATING THEM. SO BEAUTIFULLY DURING NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH. THE BOARD -- 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 OUR BOARD INFORMED ABOUT 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 ISSUES YOU LIKE AND WILL NOT BE INTERRUPDED.

>>Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MEMBER VAUGHN -- I MEAN MEMBER HAHN. [LAUGHTER] RECOGNITION A 02, RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH. IT WAS IN MARCH OF 2026. AND I AM HONORED TO RECOGNIZE THE NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER MYSELF, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR THE VITAL ROLE SOCIAL WORKERS PLAY IN SUPPORTS OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. SO HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE MARCH AS THE NATIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS MONTH A TIME TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS TO SOCIETY AND OUR SCHOOLS. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS SOCIAL WORKERS UPLIFT, DEFEND AND TRANSFORM. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR AMAZING SOCIAL WORKERS DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SOCIAL WORKERS SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL'S EDUCATION TEAM. THEY ARE -- THEY ARE EXCEPTIONALLY SKILLED AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO STUDENTS WHO FACE SERIOUS CHALLENGES.

HOWEVER, A-- INTERRUPTED.ANY BEHAVIOR TO DISRUPT THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. WE ASK YOU TRY TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

NOT ONLY AT SCHOOL BUT ALSO OF LIFE. HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE APPROXIMATELY 250 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS. ONE AT EVERY SCHOOL. AND THEY OFTEN GO FAR AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY BY PROVIDING VALUABLE RESOURCES TO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS WHO COME TO THEM FOR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU FOR ALL -- TO ALL THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS FOR WHAT YOU DO ON DAILY. AND THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SCHOOLS AND STAFF FOR CELEBRATING THEM. SO BEAUTIFULLY DURING NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH. THE BOARD -- 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 OUR BOARD INFORMED ABOUT 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 ISSUES YOU LIKE AND WILL NOT BE INTERRUPDED.

THIS AFTERNOON EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. REMINDER THAT YOUR THREE MINUTES START WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING AND THERE WILL BE 30 SECONDS LEFT. YOU WILL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT ON THE LECTERN AND HEAR A CHIME. A RED LIGHT AND A CHIME WILL INDICATE WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP. I WILL NOW CALL UP THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANITA BLOOM, AND I HAVE PROUDLY CAUGHT AT PIZZO K- FOR SEVEN YEARS AS THE ART TEACHER. I WAS HERE AT LAST BOARD MEETING, AND I BROUGHT ALONG A BUNCH OF MY FRIENDS. I AM GOING TO TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF. EARLY ON IN MY CAREER, MY TRAINING CAUGHT ME THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET A STUDENT INVESTED IS TO CREATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. AND I AM SURE YOU WILL ALL AGREE THIS IS EMBEDDED IN OUR TRAINING AND WE ARE TAUGHT EVEN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF SITUATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM WITH MOST EFFECTIVELY BE MITIGATED WHEN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS EXIST.

HOWEVER, A-- INTERRUPTED.ANY BEHAVIOR TO DISRUPT THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. WE ASK YOU TRY TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

WHEN WE DEAL WITH STUDENTS WITH TRAUMA, WE COUNT ON THIS. I CAN PROUDLY ATTEMPT THAT PIZZO K-8, OUST BEST ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE STRENGTH OF RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE. OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR BEST AND STRONG AND BUILT ON TRUST. OUR STUDENTS ARE GENERATIONAL WITH TEACHERS EDUCATING CHILD, SIBLINGS AND EVEN PARENTS. WE PARTNER WITH FAMILIES TO ENSURE ARE SAFE, FED, CLOTHED, HOUSEDED FROM HURRICANES AND WELL-EDUCATED. WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE PROBLEM AT HAND. OUR FAMILY IS BEING EVICTED. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT THE DOING OF THE BOARD, BUT AT THE ENDS, THAT IS WHAT IT IS. WHAT STANDS OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PARENTS, OUR STAFF, OUR FAMILY IS THE HURRIED WAY WE ARE BEING PULLED ALONG. SOME MY PURPOSE TODAY S TO CONVEY TO YOU WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB AND EARNED A SEAT OF THE TABLE AS STAKEHOLDERS AND WE NEED FOR YOU TO STOP RUSHING THROUGH.

THIS AFTERNOON EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. REMINDER THAT YOUR THREE MINUTES START WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING AND THERE WILL BE 30 SECONDS LEFT. YOU WILL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT ON THE LECTERN AND HEAR A CHIME. A RED LIGHT AND A CHIME WILL INDICATE WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP. I WILL NOW CALL UP THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANITA BLOOM, AND I HAVE PROUDLY CAUGHT AT PIZZO K- FOR SEVEN YEARS AS THE ART TEACHER. I WAS HERE AT LAST BOARD MEETING, AND I BROUGHT ALONG A BUNCH OF MY FRIENDS. I AM GOING TO TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF. EARLY ON IN MY CAREER, MY TRAINING CAUGHT ME THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET A STUDENT INVESTED IS TO CREATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. AND I AM SURE YOU WILL ALL AGREE THIS IS EMBEDDED IN OUR TRAINING AND WE ARE TAUGHT EVEN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF SITUATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM WITH MOST EFFECTIVELY BE MITIGATED WHEN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS EXIST.

WE HAVE A YEAR IN PLACE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE A PART OF CONVERSATION, WE ARE HOPING YOU INCLUDE US MORE SO. EVERY POSHLT FOR SUCCESS NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDING MOVING US AS A UNIT. DISMISSING A DAMS AS TOO LARGE DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THINGS WE CAN TO DO MITIGATE THIS. SEATS FROM STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS INTO OUR BOUNDARIES, EXTENDING CHOICE WINDOWS AND INCENTIVIZING MORE ENROLLMENT BY DEVELOPING US INTO A MAGNET. WE NEED TIME TO ACTUALLY BE PART OF THIS DISCUSSION AND TO BE HEARD. WE HAVE SUGGESTIONS, QUESTIONS AND IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. I TEACH ART FOR THREE ACCESS POINT CLASSES EACH WEEK AND SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILY. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WILL AGREE THAT EACH ONE OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE CRUCIAL. WHY ARE WE READY TO PULL THEM OUT AND START ALL OVER AGAIN WHEN ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR SR.

WHEN WE DEAL WITH STUDENTS WITH TRAUMA, WE COUNT ON THIS. I CAN PROUDLY ATTEMPT THAT PIZZO K-8, OUST BEST ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE STRENGTH OF RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE. OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR BEST AND STRONG AND BUILT ON TRUST. OUR STUDENTS ARE GENERATIONAL WITH TEACHERS EDUCATING CHILD, SIBLINGS AND EVEN PARENTS. WE PARTNER WITH FAMILIES TO ENSURE ARE SAFE, FED, CLOTHED, HOUSEDED FROM HURRICANES AND WELL-EDUCATED. WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE PROBLEM AT HAND. OUR FAMILY IS BEING EVICTED. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT THE DOING OF THE BOARD, BUT AT THE ENDS, THAT IS WHAT IT IS. WHAT STANDS OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PARENTS, OUR STAFF, OUR FAMILY IS THE HURRIED WAY WE ARE BEING PULLED ALONG. SOME MY PURPOSE TODAY S TO CONVEY TO YOU WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB AND EARNED A SEAT OF THE TABLE AS STAKEHOLDERS AND WE NEED FOR YOU TO STOP RUSHING THROUGH.

TIME AND HELP A SOLUTION THAT RESPECTS YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU ARE PROMISING PARENTS THAT WILL NOT TAKE STUDENTS AND THROW US INTO OVERCROWDING. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT ALL EYES ARE ON YOU AND WE WILL KEEP COMING BACK AND REMINDING YOU AND THE PUBLIC PROMISES THAT YOU HAVE MADE. OUR COMMUNITY IS WATCHING HOW EACH OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY FIGHT FOR US OR DISMISS US INTO THE MASS. FOR OUR FAMILIES WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, THEY ARE VOTING ON THE VEERS OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOU AND KNOWING THEIR CHILD'S HISTORY AND LONG-TERM NEEDS. VOTING ON LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP YEARS OF SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR CHILDREN'S NEED. COMMITTED TO KNOWING AND GROWING MATTER. PLEASE CONSIDER US. IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS. >>Karen Perez: NEXT SPEAKER. [ APPLAUSE ] >> HI, EVERYBODY, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA MALONEY, A MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING AT DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET AT THEIR SCHOOL GARDEN ALONG WITH A TERRIFIC GUY NAMED NATE FARLEY THAT CAME TO US WITH THE COALITION OF COMMUNITY GARDENS.

WE HAVE A YEAR IN PLACE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE A PART OF CONVERSATION, WE ARE HOPING YOU INCLUDE US MORE SO. EVERY POSHLT FOR SUCCESS NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDING MOVING US AS A UNIT. DISMISSING A DAMS AS TOO LARGE DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THINGS WE CAN TO DO MITIGATE THIS. SEATS FROM STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS INTO OUR BOUNDARIES, EXTENDING CHOICE WINDOWS AND INCENTIVIZING MORE ENROLLMENT BY DEVELOPING US INTO A MAGNET. WE NEED TIME TO ACTUALLY BE PART OF THIS DISCUSSION AND TO BE HEARD. WE HAVE SUGGESTIONS, QUESTIONS AND IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. I TEACH ART FOR THREE ACCESS POINT CLASSES EACH WEEK AND SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILY. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WILL AGREE THAT EACH ONE OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE CRUCIAL. WHY ARE WE READY TO PULL THEM OUT AND START ALL OVER AGAIN WHEN ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR SR.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE FIRST HAND THE MAGIC THAT CHILDREN EXPERIENCE WHEN EXPOSED TO GARDENING, THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THE COALITION, THE TAMPA GARDEN CLUB AND RIVERVIEW GARDEN CLUB, A MINI PILOT PROGRAM SERVING 11 TO 12 CHILDREN ONCE A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL FROM APPROXIMATELY 3:30 TO 5. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY CAN SHARE OUR EXCITEMENT AND GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE LIVES OF THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GROW. FROM SPROUPTTING SEEDS, THE DUNB GARDEN CLUB PLAN AND NURTURE. PREPARE NEW FOODS, LEARN OF ITS PROCESS AND ABOUT NUTRITION. CHILDREN ARE WILLING TO TRY NEW FOODS. KALE CHIPS AND ARTICHOKES, IF THEY ARE GROWN THEMSELVES. OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE AND FRESH AIR AND THEY WORK TOGETHER AND A SENSE OF AGENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY. THEY LEARN TO APPRECIATE BUGS AND UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO WATER APPROPRIATELY. THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF THEIR GARDEN.

TIME AND HELP A SOLUTION THAT RESPECTS YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU ARE PROMISING PARENTS THAT WILL NOT TAKE STUDENTS AND THROW US INTO OVERCROWDING. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT ALL EYES ARE ON YOU AND WE WILL KEEP COMING BACK AND REMINDING YOU AND THE PUBLIC PROMISES THAT YOU HAVE MADE. OUR COMMUNITY IS WATCHING HOW EACH OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY FIGHT FOR US OR DISMISS US INTO THE MASS. FOR OUR FAMILIES WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, THEY ARE VOTING ON THE VEERS OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOU AND KNOWING THEIR CHILD'S HISTORY AND LONG-TERM NEEDS. VOTING ON LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP YEARS OF SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR CHILDREN'S NEED. COMMITTED TO KNOWING AND GROWING MATTER. PLEASE CONSIDER US. IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS. >>Karen Perez: NEXT SPEAKER. [ APPLAUSE ] >> HI, EVERYBODY, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA MALONEY, A MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING AT DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET AT THEIR SCHOOL GARDEN ALONG WITH A TERRIFIC GUY NAMED NATE FARLEY THAT CAME TO US WITH THE COALITION OF COMMUNITY GARDENS.

I DON'T HAVE TIME IN THREE MINUTES TO OUTLINE ALL THE BENEFITS OF GARDENING FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, BEHAVIORAL ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. DOCUMENTED IN THE LITERATURE. HEIM HERE TO PLEAD FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ESTABLISHING A LARGE PILOT WITH DUNBAR, STEWART MIDDLE SCHOOL, JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE STEWART CAMPUS PROVIDES FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND AND INSTALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE IT. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION FROM THE JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER LIFE AT TEXAS A&M, ONLY ABOUT 35% OF THE JOB OPENINGS IN AGRICULTURE ARE FILLED EACH YEAR. WE NEED MORE FOOD SCIENTISTS, FARMERS, BOTANISTS AND ENGINEERS TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF FEEDING THE WORLD SUSTAINABLY AND WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS. EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD AND HELP FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. EXPAND OUR PILOT PROGRAM IS A LOGICAL AND ACHIEVABLE NEXT STEP TOWARD PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE FIRST HAND THE MAGIC THAT CHILDREN EXPERIENCE WHEN EXPOSED TO GARDENING, THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF THE COALITION, THE TAMPA GARDEN CLUB AND RIVERVIEW GARDEN CLUB, A MINI PILOT PROGRAM SERVING 11 TO 12 CHILDREN ONCE A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL FROM APPROXIMATELY 3:30 TO 5. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY CAN SHARE OUR EXCITEMENT AND GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE LIVES OF THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GROW. FROM SPROUPTTING SEEDS, THE DUNB GARDEN CLUB PLAN AND NURTURE. PREPARE NEW FOODS, LEARN OF ITS PROCESS AND ABOUT NUTRITION. CHILDREN ARE WILLING TO TRY NEW FOODS. KALE CHIPS AND ARTICHOKES, IF THEY ARE GROWN THEMSELVES. OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE AND FRESH AIR AND THEY WORK TOGETHER AND A SENSE OF AGENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY. THEY LEARN TO APPRECIATE BUGS AND UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO WATER APPROPRIATELY. THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF THEIR GARDEN.

GARDENS ARE NOT EXPENSIVE. THEY REPRESENT TONS OF INKIND DONATIONS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM NOT-FOR-PROFITS AND MANY, MANY HOURS OF VOLUNTEERS TIME. WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DISTRICT, GARDEN SPACE THE USUAL PROBLEMS OF SHIFTING LEADERSHIP AND FOCUS AND A LACK OF CONTINUITY. WE NEED TO SURE THAT ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE VETTED AND TRAINED TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND STAFF. WE NEED TO DOCUMENT OUR EXPECTED SUCCESSES BY TRACKING ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER TIME. >>Karen Perez: THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. >> I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH YOU LISTENING TO ME. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Karen Perez: MY NAME IS MAX ENTREAGO, A STUDENT AT HOWARD W. BLAKE. CAME HERE WITH A SPECIFIC PLAN BUT EVERY DAY SEEMS TO BE EVER-CHANGING AT BLAKE AND I HAD TO MODIFY A FEW THINGS. I WILL START WITH A BIT OF HISTORY. BLAKE IS A HISTORICALLY BLACK -- PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOL.