001I'd like to welcome you to the school board's business meeting at the Joan Idollet Jr. TEC. Today is Monday, July 28th, 2025, and I would like to call this meeting to order. The time is 6 PM. I ask that out of respect to everyone, please silence all electronic devices at this time. Also, if you have any materials you wish to share with any board member, please give that to our executive assistant, Mrs. Mo. >> All right, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Are we getting the kids back next month? >> Um towards the end of the month, I hope. Yeah, maybe. >>
002Okay. I miss your ROTC kids. >> Dorian says yes. >> Okay, good. Good. All right. Um board members, before we adopt the orders of the day, um I'm asking um the superintendent to speak to an item that I find of good cause to be added to the action agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you board members for the dialogue and conversation during our workshop this this afternoon. Uh, and as a result, I ask the board chair to consider uh good cause for the following item. Um, and leading in the interest of caution, I am seeking the board's authorization to approve a classical education pilot for the following curriculum use in kindergarten and first grade only at Pelican Island Classical Magnet School. The curriculum includes but is not limited to Singapore math, great books and
003explo uh explode the code. Um this exp uh the expectation is to expediously uh review all legal sufficiency in accordance with policy 2520 and section 106.28 and 106.283 283 will happen simultaneously and be brought to the board when it is fully meet when it fully meets the requirement set forth in the policy. This author authorization supports the commitment to lead uh with school choice, parental rights in Indian River County. And we'll discuss the item uh when it is brought forward. >> Okay. So, we're going to add this item. >> Madam Chair, >> uh hold on one second. Gonna go back here. Okay. So, I'm going to add this item as an action item. >> And I'm not sure what number we're up to. >> 11. It would be 11 C. >> Thank you. >> 11
004C. Okay, Mr. Rosario. >> Um, for Dr. Moore and for Miss Is this on? >> It's on. It's just not close enough. They're always on. >> Okay. Um, for Dr. Moore and Miss Enville. Uh just a note, there are two items that were emailed to us that were not included in the item that you just mentioned in terms of curriculum. Um and that would be the new American cursive penmanship and the story of the world. So those were the other two items that were included as curriculum that I believe need to be added as a pilot. >> So I'll I'll amend it when we get to add those two curriculum. >> Yeah. So, I just wanted you to know that was in email dated February 10th. >> That's what I was going for. Okay. >>
005Okay. So, board members, are there any um other items that anyone wants to move from consent to action or add to discussion? >> Okay. Then I'm going to call for a motion to accept the adoption of the orders of the day as amended. >> So, move. >> Second. >> Okay. Jones and Pasca. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? That passes 5-0. We are to the superintendent's report. Dr. Moore. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to provide an update to our community regarding our academic outcomes. Um the board had the honor and privilege of hearing this about six hours ago. Um so we were going to duplicate that presentation. uh and this looks at the overall outcomes for the last five years and I'm going to fi kind of focus
006in in the last three years. So when you look at uh language arts grades three through 10, that is the state accountabilities uh group of children they look at for improvement in ELA or decline. You can see 1819 18/19 is the last full year there was an academic outcome prior to my arrival uh as well as the pandemic. So we went from 31st to 10th. That is a top 10 state ranking. We're very proud of that. When you look at com um language arts third grade and third grade for us is is a big movement uh or a major priority. We went from 38th of 67 to number two. One of uh a second in the state ranking uh which we're also very very proud of in looking at mathematics grades 38 algebra and geometry.
007uh that basically takes you through in in most cases through 10th grade uh 36th in the state to 14th in the state and looking at science uh grade five grade eight those students take endofear assessment in those two grade levels as well as as well as biology uh a state ranking of 35th now to a top five state ranking when you look at social studies um which includes civics and seventh th grade US history in high schools. Uh depending on what grade they take it, sometimes ninth, sometimes uh mostly 10th though. Uh once again, um below on the bottom average, the bottom side of the a um bottom side of the lowest 50%, 38 of 67, another top 10 state ranking uh this past school year. When you look at middle school acceleration, 56 uh
008to another top five ranking of number two in the state. When you look at all students who tested, so the results that I just reviewed looked at the children who contributed to the school grade and those are students who are present in October as well as in February. This is all students who actually took the test and we put 18/19 through 2425. But I really would like you all to focus in on the last three years. Um 2223 was the first A in a very long time. Uh and each year uh since then we have been an A district. But even though we were an a district in 22 23 with 59% of our white students uh scoring at proficiency, we're able to improve that by 10 percentage points over the last two years to
00969. Black students improving from 33% um of our students at proficient uh to 49% significant improvement. Hispanic students 41 to 53 uh and the the total number 48 to 60 a 12 percentage point um in increase the increases at the end are from all the way back to uh 1819. So we have met and exceeded where we were before the pandemic. Most cases we did that two or three years ago. And looking at combined mathematics, still focusing in on 22 23 to this year, uh, white students improving nine percentage points, black students improving 13 percentage points, Hispanic uh, students improving 13 percentage points uh, for a total uh, 52 to 62. So a uh, across uh, all students, you're seeing significant rates of growth. uh you're seeing some of our lowest performing subgroups uh continue
010to grow uh at a faster pace, catching up to uh their counterparts. When you look at state rankings in in terms of our students by by subgroup, once again significant rankings as a whole, uh white students 32 to 17, black uh 42 to number 11 in the state, Hispanic 41-7 in the state and total rankings in ELA 38-13 and combined mathematics uh 34 to 18 for white, black, 43 to a state ranking of 11. um uh Hispanic 38 to 16 uh for a total of 40 to 17. So no matter which way you slice um this apple or banana or whatever it is you want to call it across the board, uh your teachers, your administrators are performing at incredibly high levels. So as mentioned, we were 38 of 67 in the state. That's all
011components that make up the state grade. Where did we land um a few weeks ago when the state released these outcomes? We are now a number five district, a top five district in the state of Florida, which is absolutely uh right where we should be and we're striving to improve upon that. When you look at this slide, this is a slide that I've used um when I got here. here. And the intention of this slide is to bring the community uh to a level of awareness that Charlotte and Martin County uh are outperforming us. And they are very similar districts in size. Although Martin County has a whole bunch more money than we have uh in terms of overall size and demographics, uh makeup of our community very similar in both Charlotte and Martin. Bvard,
012uh, much bigger system, but very similar to us as a community. And then I always included Miami Dade because that's the district that I came from. So I want you to focus in on Indian River County as I transition to the next slide. Uh, that's where we were in 1819. And this is where Indian River County is now. Um, significant improvement. And when you compare us to the other districts, some of the districts are still trying to get back to where they were in 1819. Others are basically where they were. Um, but Indian River County, uh, significant improvement in terms of letter grades for our schools. When you take a deeper dive at letter grades, 47% of our schools were an A or a B in 1819. 100% of our schools are A or B.
013And we're the only one on this slide who can claim that. I think there's only a handful of uh I think it was 14 uh districts in the state that had all A's and B's. Um but don't quote me on that. Uh individual school success that we want to celebrate. Dodger Town uh moved to a C to a A. >> Glendale moved from a B to an A. Vero Beach Elementary School from a B to an A. Uh Gford Middle School a B to an A. Uh Sebastian River B to an A. Storm Grove Middle School B to an A. Sebastian River High School B to an A. And these are the schools who all maintained their A grade. uh and the simple fact that not another not a lot of other districts can say
014zero schools regressed an academic letter grade uh every school either maintained or improved. Um so there's going to be a lot of additional funding coming to coming to our teachers and staffs and A+ money um once again this year because significant uh rates of improvement. Uh additional school light school highlights to share. Uh Beachland celebrated a 91% of its students scoring at three or above in third grade. Uh very exciting. Uh Liberty Magnet was right behind them at 89. So they've set the bar for us moving forward and we're very excited to ensure that we make that 90 group uh crowded at the end of next school year. Indian River Academy 85% a traditional neighborhood school top 4% of all elementary schools science score for fifth grade absolutely outstanding um and this is a chart
015that I shared with the board um and basically what it highlights this is also a slide that I shared with each leadership team last week uh each school site uh school site leadership team and you see at the bottom our rate of growth identifying our goal goals for 2526 and it it's not significant growth. It's very similar to the growth that we had last year uh as well as the previous year. So this is a pathway to having 900 points which would exceed the highest performing uh district in the state of Florida. It's very doable. Uh, and we're very, very excited to go after a year's worth of growth for every single student in this district. And we are leveraged in order to do so. So, some additional updates. Uh, we are at the end
016of today. We're nine days away from opening the 2526 school year, but the team who who sits in front of the board and myself has been uh eagerly at work. um I would say all summer long, but this work started significantly before then. Some one of the new things that we're rolling out is is my SDIRC app, which is the school district in the palm of every parent's hand. Uh provides news, events, messaging, uh groups uh for classroom parents to be together. your very specific events that are happening all aligned and designed for your specific school. Uh as well as rooms which are opportunities to engage and create chats uh with with other teachers and other groups wi within the school. All designed uh where the teachers are the narrators of this. They're creating their
017particular schools in which they want to receive that information. Gone are the days of having to filter through our cloggy 15click website um that that no one up here has really really enjoyed. We we we hear you and we're going to a system if it's more than three clicks. Dr. Shafty, that's too many clicks. That's a quote from her. That's why I was giving her credit. Um was just completely e excited to participate in the district leadership professional development. Uh we had that two weeks ago um at Northern Trust where they just provided us the space to to meet and you see our our leadership team meetings. This is all district personnel, our senior um senior staff and above working together to refine their practices and create their wildly important goals and connecting their wildly
018important goals um to um our district's u plan and initiatives moving forward. So, we are aligning from the district's way of work in order to streamline and provide the highest level of support and service for our teachers and our administrators as we move into next school year. Last week was exhausting, but probably the best kind of exhaustion you can experience where we spent three full days engaging, that's why it's called engage, uh, engaging with the leadership team. So what you see here are the leadership teams of each of our schools looking at what worked last year, defining opportunities to shift and modify practice uh and identify what are the systems key initiatives in order to ensure that we pick up those additional points moving into next school year. uh very excited about the depth, the
019quality and intentionality in which each of those teams uh were talking uh and the specificity of their plans is is putting us in a great starting point. Uh this is just some visual of those three-day event. We actually started at at Gford Pool uh with a team building activity where they had to build boats out of cardboard. Everyone survived uh and most of the boats um floated with with absolute expertise. It was just a joyful experience and you can just see some of the the joy of our staff and that's IRA pointing out top 4% so they they told us that and the level of engagement uh of our staff during those three days. So we are absolutely locked and loaded um in terms of our alignment between the district and the teachers uh and
020leadership teams and really really looking forward uh to continue to build upon our academic outcomes and uh we will do that in the next couple slides. This is some of the information that we're doing to get the good word out about our school system. I feel like I've done more interviews in the last week than I've done in the last two years. uh really really really proud to talk about the work um all of our teachers and principles and administrators are doing. Our three uh key areas uh as we move into next school year is connected by community. Uh and we say connected by community meaning we thrive together to build strong, supportive and trusting relationships with families, staff and community partners. So we start that conversation uh by connecting to each other uh within
021this district office uh within schools in order to ensure that we truly are we understand uh what we believe how we believe it and we and we fully want to be in service to our community. Last year we spoke a lot about customer service. Uh now we're talking about our community thriving together and our schools being viewed as a true hub of of connection in our communities. I don't think a lot of school systems are talking about their schools uh with that level of intentionality. And we're very excited to push out our pillar events, which are communitywide events throughout the year where we're going to use the voice of the public school system uh to bring awareness around the great things that build community with parents uh and with our community inside of our schools.
022opening the doors, doors wide open, access fully available uh in schools seen as true hubs within our community, fueled by innovation, we challenge what is possible. And I told the board this uh this this afternoon that our last five years of success we celebrate. We're very very proud of. But that was very intentional to get us to this level of academic success to engage in the conversation around reinventing what public education is all about. And we're going to challenge the norm. We're going to uh use this incredibly neat strategy which we call listening uh listening to our community, listening to our parents, uh and and figuring out ways that we're going to question what is the the norm and create a public school system that is truly standing in service of its community. One of
023the highlights of of or examples of that is this board uh approved a a legislative priority to seek flexibility for high performing school districts. I had the opportunity to to share that because I think it's innovative and I think um from a state's perspective, you need to highlight systems that are doing this work at an outstanding way and give them the opportunity to pilot or or or innovate to kind of lead the path, be the beacon of of hope. Um and not not all counties were receptive um to that. Um so we are leading from the front front in this uh specific area and then driven by leadership and we say leadership it's very important to hear the words we lead at every level. Every employee in this system is a leader. Uh and we
024want to connect with them to empower them to take the initiative to have a level of integrity uh to be heard to to find ways for us to do this work more efficiently, more effectively um and really really begin to fuel our leaders to transform this system. Leadership will drive the innovation. And right now in our school sites, um, our principles, um, with the leadership of their teachers and teams are really pushing us to define ways to to fund some of the innovation ideas that they they have in the oven right now that they're baking. And I look forward uh, to bringing to this board uh, as soon as they're they're fully developed. Uh, Madame Chair, that is the presentation for this board meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you. Kudos. >> I'll take it. >>
025And All right. We seem to be doing that for you a lot, which is a good thing. All right. Um, procedures for public input. At this time, I'm going to um read our um procedures for public input. According to our schoolboard policy 0169.1, during regular business meetings of the board, the board offers the following two opportunities for the public to provide input. First opportunity on an agenda item and consent agenda andor action agenda item prior to the board taking official action on a propos proposition and during the public input section for items not on the agenda. For those who are watching, please understand that though we have established proper decorum and expectations of professionalism, when it comes to individuals who wish to provide public input, this is a live broadcast. Each individual speaker shall be
026allotted for up to three minutes during public input and up to three minutes to an item on the consent agenda and or action agenda as indicated on the order of business as it exists at the time the meeting starts. The time period may be adjusted by the presiding officer. Individuals may only speak about an item given uh once. Individuals who filled out the speaker's form are allowed to address the board. Individuals may not delegate this allow their allotted time to speak um for other individuals. An item is moved from either the consent agenda or discussion agenda to the action agenda. Individuals will have the opportunity to speak to the item prior to the vote of the board. During the meeting, please refrain from clapping or outbursts of any sort so that we can proceed with
027dignity and with decorum and may not infringe on any individual's first amendment rights in this limited public forum setting. As board members listen to individuals without interruption, individuals are asked to give board members the same respect. Board members may or may not address any individual statements at the end of the public input comments. I will be recognizing calling up individuals two at a time in the order in which the speaker forms were received. The first individual will be called to the podium to speak and the second individual will be in line to speak. The executive assistant to the school board will be our official timekeeper. When you when the speaker is at the podium as you see the time clock is visible to the left on the dis and you will hear a beep at
028the end of your three minutes. If you have anything to give to board members or the superintendent, please do this through our executive assistant, Mrs. Mo, sitting right here. All right. At this time, we have four speakers. Our first speaker is Margaret Murray. Our second speaker will be Jennifer Pippen. >> Good evening. My name is Margaret Murray and I am the vice chair of Education Champions, a grassroots group that advocates for strong public education here in Indian River County. Tonight, I rise to offer congratulations and sincere appreciation. The Florida Department of Education recently awarded the A rating for the third time in a row. That's a significant achievement and it didn't happen by accident. That rating reflects real results. Improvements in reading, math, and science scores, growth in student performance, and a deep commitment to
029academic excellence. These outcomes are the direct result of the hard work of our students, our teachers, our support staff, our principles, our administrators, and the leadership and direction of our superintendent, Dr. Moore. In a time when public education is often under attack, this district continues to deliver. that matters. In speaking, it speaks to the strength of the teams who lead our schools and the commitment to put students first. So, on behalf of education champions and many community members who support our public schools, thank you and congratulations on this welldeserved success. Lastly, we hope this board continues to support and empower the leadership team. I want to repeat that. We hope this board continues to support and empower, look the word up if you don't know what that means, the leadership team so that momentum built
030can continue for the benefit of every child in Indian River County. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, next up is Jennifer Pippen. On deck will be Thomas Kenny. >> Good evening. My name is Jennifer Pippen and I'm the proud chairman of Moms for Liberty here in Indian River County. I want to start by commending Dr. Moore and his staff for their hard work and preparing for the new school year. The clarity and transparency of the new student forms, focus system, and app are a strong reflection of your commitment to honoring parental rights and having full transparency. We see it and we appreciate it. For the first time since our organization became involved in education locally, we're seeing real measurable academic improvement. Test scores are finally rising. And we believe that it's no coincidence it's the
031result of the persistent accountability, strong leadership, and community involvement like many from our Moms for Liberty parents, grandparents, and community members. Despite the noise from fringe liberal activists and biased media outlets who have tried and failed to discredit our work, we have stayed focused on what matters, the success of our students, and the strength of our in our schools. As you could see in the presentation today, we've worked closely with the district since shortly after Dr. Moore arrived. We've served on committees, attended countless meetings like this one, asked tough questions, and fought for transparency and excellence. Why we don't expect a thank you like you do with other community partners. Tonight, I want to publicly thank our Moms for Liberty members of over 5,000 here in Indian River County who've been consistently showing up, staying
032informed, and making sure this district puts students first. We're proud of the progress and will keep doing the work, not for the recognition, but because the children of Indian River County deserve the best education we can give them. I watched the superintendent workshop today. Um, I know you guys covered a lot. Um, I have a couple questions. So, with a classical school curriculum, I want to understand why it's being considered supplemental if that entire school is going to be doing that classical um, you know, education. And that doesn't make sense to me because as a parent maybe I wanted to review that curriculum or the parents there could have had the options to review different curriculums like we have with everything else math, science, social studies, things like that. Um so I think having more
033transparency of what curriculums could have been adopted would have been better for this board. Um and the parents. So the parents may have chosen a different curriculum um that are signed up to go to that school and start in a couple of weeks. Maybe they would have chosen one over the other. Um and I feel like it was kind of done in the dark. I know you guys had a lot of conversations about the classical curriculum and curriculums that you guys could have chosen from, but you never had it narrowed down or had citizen input or had community input. Um, and it's not that I don't trust um, the amazing staff that we have, but why was this different from any other um, curriculum adoption that we've had in the past. So, um, I hope
034we can rectify that and thank you for your time and let's make this school year the best one yet. >> Thomas Kenny is next. Kevin McDonald is our last speaker. >> Hi everyone. Um, I want to go to the workshop today because there's something I've been hearing through the chair from Mr. Dyer about the slight of hand of the state and their budgeting and how 70% of the students in the county that take advantage of scholarships have never attended school here. And then there's the whole idea now that uh through the chair, Miss Jones said that it we're not on a level playing field any longer since this has taken place. Uh those parents have never been on a level playing field. They're taxpayers. Regardless of uh the accounting twostep and the slight of hand,
035the end of the day, they pay taxes. and they had to pay taxes, not use the school system and educate themselves somewhere else as as to their choosing. The state has recognized that and has said we are going to fund the public's education, not necessarily the public education institutions at a level we funded them before. We're going to we're going to expand how we fund our constitutional mandate. I think that's very significant. You know, you would say we're doing really well. We're fifth in uh ranking. Dodgertown, for example, got an A, but the ELA at third grade in Dodgertown is 47. So, parents may ask the question, how does that get an A if the ELA at third grade? One of the most important grade gradings, I might add, for test assessments that we bank
036all of it on is a 47 and they still the school still gets an A. For example, V elementary jumped 22 points from a 47 to a 69 this year and achieved an A. We're not ignoring the work that's being done and all of that stuff, but the reality of it is the fifth is compared to schools that are measured this way. I mean, in Hillsboro County, a much bigger uh district, they're still fighting over whether or not gender queer is good literature with its pictures of disgusting sex acts for kids to look at. So, you know, understand how you're graded and who is your competition in those grades and in those rankings. There are schools in our county that are beating charter schools, Beachland, Liberty in Reading, and other areas. And I think that's
037awesome because that's who you're going to really be measured by. And I've said this before, so I would appreciate that you would understand the plight of those who want to have to be recognized by the state in a chance to educate their kids as they see fit. And I am glad the state is doing this. One thing Dr. Moore has always done, this recognized choice in this district. >> Mr. McDonald will be our last speaker. >> Thank you. First, I wanted to uh have the opportunity to congratulate not only Dr. Moore, but all the people in the staff who I know have been working harder this summer than they they do all during the school year. And the results show it again this year. So, I congratulate them on that. And and I recall back
038a year ago when I challenged Dr. Moore and I said that he was next year going to be the number one school district in the the the state. And I was pleased to see at the workshop today that he uh took up that challenge and he's made that that commitment. So, I'm looking forward to to seeing those results. Um, and it's it's due to him, his staff, the board as well, and of course all the teachers and staff on the schools. Um, one of the things Dr. Moore said today in the work uh workshop meeting was to inspect what you expect. It's a very common um business term and and concept. And we need to remember remember that as a school board as well. Well, our job is not only her job is not only
039to provide guidance um for what they're going to do but also provide oversight. And so regarding the classical curriculum um oversight is really important and it seemed that through the workg group uh discussion that was being slighted to a degree. Um we have to remember that while you have the best the temptation is to let the best run with what they've got. But that's not your challenge or your responsibility as a board. It's not just give them direction, let them do well, but to inspect what you expect. So you do have the responsibility and the need to make sure you provide that additional insight and that oversight through the course of the process, including things like this curriculum. I was real pleased to see that it's going to come up that that Dr. Moore took
040it on himself um to uh make that initiative where perhaps it should have come from the board. But I'm glad to see that you're going to take it up and and make it a formal action this evening. And I I think that it's important and the temptation is to trust the best and overlook the the put your oversight in the worst, but you also have to just do your due diligence when you've got the best because you want to make sure that you help them stay the best and help him stay the best. And last, I've heard mention um some things about um supporting publica education. I've seen that a number of times, and it just struck me that when I was on the board, my goal was not to support public education. My goal
041was to support student education to the degree that it falls under your direct authority. That's great. You should do the best you can. But ultimately, our goal is student education, whether it's through vouchers and and and other systems. Whatever works best for those students as decided by their parents should be our ultimate goal. Thank you. >> Okay. Um we're moving on to consent agenda. Um we do have a speaker on this um speaker on number 6E which is the approval of the school media center book orders for 2025 2026. I believe it's Miss Pippen. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm going to keep this brief. So, um, we had a group, uh, look over the list of books, um, and we compared it to the other, um, DOE removal lists. So, the DOE
042removal list for 2425 has not been released yet, but we did, um, compare it to the, um, books, you know, previously removed from other school districts. Um, a lot of them are really great books. I really am happy with the direction that they're looking at. It was, um, pretty streamlined. They had um both ends of you know some debatable issues. Um they got um a lot of characters which I thought was really great into the elementary um getting more back to basics. So I was really happy to see um what was on the list and they were pretty um you like I said streamlined across all of the schools. Um I didn't I I haven't maybe I missed it seen any high school or middle school lists that have ordered yet. I believe there was
043one middle school. So, uh, my question to the board is when are they going to start ordering new books in that capacity? Um, you know, since the, uh, libraries have been weeded out. I saw a lot of, um, elementary orders, the past couple orders that they've done. Um, and I also wanted to thank you guys for the process, um, being able to see those lists and getting them approved through the SAC. Um, you guys are doing a really great job and as much as we criticize and had a lot of problems with this with the board, I wanted to compliment you and the way that this was handled through the SAC committees, bringing it to the board, having full transparency of what's being put in our children's classrooms and libraries. So, thank you. >> Okay,
044we have an item that has um was amended in the consent. We don't need to speak to it, right? Because we discussed it at the workshop. Okay. So, um I'm going to at this time then um recognize the superintendent report recommendation for uh that item to be amended and added to the consent. >> I'm sorry. Say again. >> It was It was It was >> We already amended it. >> Okay. So, we're good. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. So, um I'm going to ask then for us to have uh call for a motion. Wait, as amended, >> m Madam Chair, uh point of order question. >> You said he already amended it, but when I mentioned the two particular uh curricula curriculum, >> it's not that one. >> Is it not that one? >>
045No, it was the one that had the little errors. The number D was one and >> Oh, just incorrect. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. >> Different one. Got it. >> That's under consent. The other one is an action item. >> Got it. Got it. >> Okay. I'm gonna call for a motion um for the consent agendum as um amended. >> So move. >> Second. >> All right. I've got Jones and Dyer. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Okay. That passes 5. All right. We are to action agenda item and we're going to start with the Adam added item of classical pilot. Dr. Moore. Thank you, Madam Chair. And as Mr. Rosario referenced, I'm going to re read this item, and it will be an amendment to the initial item that I
046read um at the beginning of this meeting. Uh leading in the interest of caution, I am seeking the board's authorization to approve a classical education pilot for the following curriculum use in kindergarten and first grade only at Pelican Island Classical Magnet School. The curriculum includes but is not limited the curriculum includes but is not limited to Singapore math great books and ex uh explode the code. Uh it also includes uh new American cursive penmanship and story of the world. Let me go find out where I left off. Um the expectation to expediously review for legal sufficiency in accordance with policy 2520 section 106.2 28 and 10006.283 will happen uh simultaneously and will be brought to the board when it is fully meets when it fully meets the requirements set forth in policy. This author authorization
047supports uh our commitment to lead with school choice uh parental rights in Indian River County. So that is the the item um that is before you. Based on the conversation today, uh immediately following the um workshop, I had the opportunity to to sit with our attorney and staff and review um the process, the extensive process that was put in place. Um and we approached this as a supplemental curriculum and meeting with the attorney. Um I I think it's in the board's best interest uh to approve this item. What this item seeks to do is to um move to a pilot program and while at the same time go through um the adoption process that is set out in those policies and sections that I highlighted. Let me be clear. the work that the system did,
048the teachers did, the training that took place, um couldn't be any more transparent. Uh we sold parents on this curriculum. Um we sold a classical education. Um unfortunately what we have not done apparently Miss attorney um is approve the as approve this curriculum as a core curriculum. Why did we not do that? Because I assumed or I well let me assume I believe it to be a supplemental curriculum. I don't have to be right. Uh I have to be legal. Uh and I have to protect this this board and myself. So, we crafted this item um together with Dr. Shafty uh myself and the attorney. Um so, this is the item that's before you. Uh it allows us to continue to deliver on what we promised parents we would be providing on day one while
049at the same time give every assurance to this board that the established policies uh were executed um the way they should they the way they should be. >> Amy, you want to add anything? That's the item before you. >> Okay. And so before discussion, I'm going to ask for a motion to um approve this item. >> I make a motion. >> Okay. Dr. Dyer, Mr. Dyer, and uh Miss Fario. >> I'm sorry. All right. Any discussion on this item? >> Yes, >> Mr. Rosario. >> Yes. I'm glad that I brought this up then today because it needed to I've been bringing this up for months. This isn't something new. I have the agenda as far as February even talking about curriculum, when are we going to get it and when are we going to approve
050it. So I'm glad um that we talked about it today um if not for for this particular purpose. The other the question though that I have for you Dr. more. You said it will be brought back to us um when it is when it fully meets and then I didn't catch the rest of the thing that you said. Um but when you say it will be brought back to us, do you mean at the end of the 30-day? >> Yes. Well, we will begin notification. >> Can you talk a little bit about the timeline and the expectations on that, please? >> So, we will tomorrow morning we'll begin the notification process. uh conduct the appropriate meetings. Uh what follow um and then bring then bring it back to to the board. Um the initiation of
051of the pilot program allows us to deliver on what we're currently doing uh an additional notification to parents which they will say yeah that's what you told me. Um there there no issues there. So it was a great um problem solving process. Dr. Jones. >> Um, just a few. Are you finished, Mrs. Ario? >> I'm waiting for him to drop the mic. There you go. >> Okay. >> You know, when I look at magnet stu school development, we our first magnet school was Oyola in 1988, and I remember when we started, um, we really built it from the foundation up. It just didn't happen magically, you know, in a year or so. um OciOello with the math and science team, Rosewood with the core curriculum and then Liberty Magnet with the I preIB my uh
052leading into the high school. You know what's really really important in this is that and I I can look back at all the magnet schools each year they they became better, they became more focused, the staff development, the support from the district. So again, I know this doesn't happen overnight and and I've seen magnet schools in other areas where there's simply a magnet, but there's really nothing special about them. So each of these areas and obviously since 88, we have we've been holding strong on our magnet schools and I wanted to continue with the classical. I just want to make sure obviously that they have the PD, the support, the principal, the give and take, you know what I mean, Dr. more because this work this doesn't work with the curriculum and so forth and
053uh um as they go into the sixth seventh and eighth grade along with um Oyola and Rosewood you know those will be the same kind of issues they have but you know we begin with a foundation and then we have to really really monitor how that continuum is working in in these subject areas and I I know with our parents our students our our leadership our district staff we can do that. It's just something that just is not going to happen overnight and we just got to be here for them. >> Dr. I'm just glad we're we're following the process and the uh the board policy. >> Mr. Dyer, >> yeah, I think this is uh really a great thing. I understand there's been tremendous demand for the for the classical program and uh you
054have to start it somewhere and I think that uh and uh when Dr. Moore and I met with the commissioner of education they certainly commended us for uh the process that we're going through and the sources that we were using to develop the education curriculum. Uh I also believe that we were the second one in the state to do this. We're tied for first because we're both starting >> right happening right at the same time. >> We're first. >> So we're blazing new new territory and so you know there is no state approved classical curriculum. >> So I think that uh it does take a lot of thought and a lot of work uh which the team has been doing but the the proof is in in the pudding and I think that we've got
055a great idea that was started and uh thanks for Mr. McDonald really for uh talking about this some months ago and I think it is a reality and uh it's a it's a good thing and I believe that uh this program will be executed well and that the curriculum will uh will be done properly and according to the statute number >> 106.28 and 283 >> 100.628 >> 106.28283 >> and 106.283. >> Um I may I follow up? >> Yes. >> Um I just I want to go back to the timeline if I may. Um what I what I'm concerned with is an extended pilot period. Um where I don't know what this letter what this pilot is going what the outline of the writing is going to be in terms of a pilot. Is it
056going to be a pilot for up until 40, 50, 60 days? Is it a pilot for the whole year? Um, is it a pilot until the uh approval process like that? I want to make sure that we're not doing a pilot for, you know, six months when in fact all we're needing is the the the official adoption program. So if that if the pilot can be included in that a pilot until the official adoption pro process. >> So my to my in intent and and doing this um relatively quickly and why we decided on that language is we will map out the required timelines vet it for legal sufficiency. uh and when we bring the item which I am hoping to be at our very next board meeting that would evaporate the and the item
057would state so there's no there's the pilot has come to a close >> that won't be 30 days but that's okay >> it won't be >> then at the minimum September the minimum >> yeah for sure >> okay >> we were worried about madam chair we were worried about >> putting a specific time frame on it in case that yeah >> correct no I I get it what I don't want is for it to go on for infinity because we weren't clear about what that infinity where that that should end >> and beyond which happens all the time if we're not clear >> it's interpreted >> you know to just go on for forever >> excuse me >> so I'm not familiar with some of the this curriculum but I am familiar with Singapore math
058um >> and I know Singapore math to be very um classical in its nature are there how many other math programs are there that are classical? I mean, how long is this process going to be because of that? >> There's not a core curriculum for that. The the advantage we have is is in terms of working with the staff and working with the parents that work has has been done. Um, so once we put the process in in place, I I I I couldn't imagine there being any other recommendation. This is the recommendation of of staff going through the process. they will rank them. Uh it's going to be hard to rank when there's only, you know, there's not a core curriculum that exists. This is a a curriculum uh that we've worked with the
059teachers in the community to develop. Uh now, when the state does and they're in process, as Mr. D was saying, creating their own classical curriculum. We're going to have to go through uh that process as as well and evaluate what we've currently put together um and what the state has put together. But when you're leading from the front, uh these are the kinds of things that that that that take place. You you know, we want to move as fast as we possibly can. Um >> we just got to be able to move as fast as we c uh possibly can and remain legal. >> Okay. So, I'm going to call for the vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? That passes 5-0. >> Thank you, Dr. Shafty. >> All right. We
060are in action agenda item 11A, public hearing for adoption of the revisions to schoolboard policies. There are several. Um, do I need to read every single policy number? >> I think you can refer to the agenda. >> Okay. I'm going to refer to the agenda on the various policies, three pages. This item deals with approval for adoption of revisions to schoolboard policies as noted. Dr. more. Have you documented that this public hearing was properly advertised in accordance with state statutes? >> Yes. >> We now recess this meeting to conduct the public meeting as advertised. Public hearing is now in session. The time is 6:51. Dr. Moore, are there any written responses to the advertised public hearing to be read at this time? >> Not at this time. >> The public is invited to address only
061this issue at this time. Is there an individual representing an organization or of his own personal or public interest that wishes to speak? >> Hearing none. >> Seeing none. All right. Uh the announced public hearing for approval of this noted as noted on this item. Adoption of revisions to schoolboard policies has been conducted pursuant to notice and ample opportunity to address this issue has been provided to all. The board meeting is reconi convenoned at this time. The time is 6:52. I'll call for a motion for the approval of the adoption of revisions to schoolboard policies as noted. >> So move. >> Dr. Jones. >> Second. >> Mr. Dyer. Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Passes 5-0. Action agenda item 11B. Public hearing for adoption of revisions to the
062code of conduct student code of conduct handbook for 2526 school year. This item deals with approval for adoption of revisions to the code of student conduct handbook for 2526 school year as noted. Dr. Moore, have you documented that this public hearing was properly advertised in accordance with state statutes? >> Yes. >> We now recess this meeting to conduct the public hearing as advertised. The public hearing is now in session. The time is 653. Dr. Moore, are there any written responses to the advertised public hearing to be read at this time? >> Not at this time. >> The public is invited to address only this issue at this time. Is there an individual representing an organization or his own personal or public interest who wishes to speak? >> You wish to speak? >> I do. >>
063Okay. I I just want to commend the the committee uh and staff for the work you did around the code of conduct. As you know, there have been um state changes as it relates to the uh cell phone policy and once again this district uh this school board led from the front uh in terms of changing its policy. What was changed in state statute align with the work that we were already doing. So a number of times superintendents have reached out to who are scrambling to change their policies uh and code of conduct um and your code of conduct it will be used as a model. So I I think that was worth noting. >> Um before I conclude this part of it um I did have lunch with some administrators in another district the
064other day and they were all complaining about how they're going to deal with this and I kind of told them that we've already dealt with it and how it h how we handled it and stay tough. All right. So, the announced public hearing for approval of adoption of revisions to code of student conduct handbook for 2526 school year has noted on this item has been conducted. Pursuant to notice an ample opportunity to address this issue has been provided to all. The board meeting is reconvened at this time. The time is 6:55. I'll call for a motion for approval of the adoption of revisions to code of of student code of conduct handbook for 2526 school year as noted. >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Rosario with the first. Doc Dr. Jones with the
065second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Anyone opposed? It passes 5-0. All right. At this time we have no items on our discussion. Uh school we are to school board member matters. Dr. Jones first take one. >> Uh I just want to thank Dr. Moore cabinet all teachers for another um great academic year. Looking forward to the new one. Uh we do need new posters that say top five instead of top 10 doc. So better to get that rolling. Um, please for our parents and I'll be talking about this on Bob Seuss tomorrow. Our orientations are coming up. It's a great time to be at your schools and meet your teachers. Take a look at the website. Look at our my SDIRC. I go on that app every
066day. It's wonderful. Um, I get I did get to stop in at Storm Grove with the leadership um with all the principles and AP APS and the team leaders and it was a wonderful event. They're ready to go. They're looking at their data. They're looking to see how we can become number one. And I loved it when Dr. Moore said, "Every person, every position we have relates to how we're going to get there." Support, district, administrators, uh, instructional, and I believe that's very, very important. Um, I was, uh, I worked with the Gy Gford Heritage uh, association. They had a public education forum on July 1st. Thank you to Mr. Green for speaking there. Thank you to Robbie Brackett, Barbara Hammond, Miss Sheer from Indie River State College. It really really was a good program.
067Very well attended near a holiday weekend. So very very proud of that. And um I constantly looking at schools and how things are going and the Bill Wilson track and field looks good. I know they started on the creative playground and I'm very very excited to see our timelines on that. So, um, you know, excited for the new school year and our I think all the teachers come back to Ver Beach High School next Tuesday, the 5th. >> That's fun. >> That's the opening. So, again, thank you for a great school year and looking forward to another great one. >> Stop. >> Uh, Dr. Pasco, would you like to go next? >> Sure. Um, so I want to definitely thank all the uh teachers, administrative staff, and everyone else in the district who um is
068able to improve our scores to the to this point. Um, as we just kind of uh reviewed today. Um, and I I can't understate that. Thank you and the appreciation for how much hard work has gone into improving scores and outcomes. And I know um it's a lot of hard work and it's underappreciated. Um but I want to make sure you understand that. But I want to follow that up with, you know, a sobering thought and um just the the desire to not be complacent because we're we're considering ourselves one of the best districts in the state. You know, number five with the goal and intention to be number one. Um but what we're we're celebrating is a a proficiency um as an example uh that went up uh in English from 54 to 60%
069proficiency. Um and I so I just want to caution us patting ourselves on the back too much. You know, I think that um you know, if you were to talk to a family of four kids and let's say they were homeschooling or they weren't homeschooling and 60% of their kids were proficient in math or English, I I don't think they'd see that as a success, right? I don't think any parent or family would consider that successful. Um, so I, you know, I just want to add a sobering thought with the recognition to all the hard work that's gotten us here. Um, and I think Dr. Moore knows this that we are nowhere near stopping. You know, that number needs to go up into the 90s and ultimately we need to shoot aspirationally for 100. Um,
070but 60% is not where we stop and celebrate. Um that's where we supercharge and keep going. >> Mr. Zarya. >> Um yeah, so I went to engage um last week. I can't remember which day I went and um I was happy to see Haimeme um Albertie in in his element. Um so welcome to the district again, sir, as a formal welcome. Um, and it was really exciting to see all of the leaders um, engaged, as is the title, engage, and um, really excited about the new year. So, I'm happy about that. Um, and I'm excited about what is to come. Um, we have two weeks left for schools opening and, um, I know children all over the county are getting ready. I walked into um Walmart the other day and it took me by surprise
071that all the supplies are up and out and my son is going into his senior year. So of course I was like, "Oh my gosh, I miss being able to buy your school supplies." And now he doesn't need any of that stuff. But um it really just brought me back to that place of even parents how they they welcome the new year. Maybe it's to get the schools to the the students back into the schools, but they do welcome the the new school year and they're excited for that opportunity, too. So, I'm glad. And then um also I want to give uh offer congratulations to the district to all of the teachers, all of the school staff, all of the district staff members, all of the um the staff from behind the scenes, the the
072the tech, the um safety security, everyone that we don't even uh typically recognize. um even our school resource officers who have an impact and who um really do mentor children um uh day in and day out. So I just want to thank everyone involved when we say that it is a uh community effort. It really is a community effort. Um and uh I think Mr. McDonald said it best when he said um it's student education, right? It's educating students and putting students first. being best by kids is really with that mindset. I don't think anyone can go wrong. So, uh I think I'm probably gonna steal that phrase from you, Mr. McDonald. But I do um I am excited and congratulations to everyone for a job well done and let's let's see if we can
073get 100% of our schools to an A next year. >> Mr. Yeah, I I I want to add my congratulations to the entire district uh teachers, administrators, uh certainly the leadership for the results that you saw. What was what we accomplished last year was nothing short of amazing. uh to get to number five. But what was even more impressive to me is coming out of your engaged meeting and saying you're going to be number one. And that to me when you you know you're you're talking about they're not settling for what is they are going after number one and they have laid out how they can get there what they need to do student group by student group student by student to drive us to the number one position. And when you look at that
074you can say my gosh we can do it. We can be number one in the state. does that doesn't diminish anything that we still have a ways to go. I agree there there are areas and pockets of what we're doing that even as an a district are unacceptable but I think within the data when you dig in a little bit too I looked at Vero Beach Elementary the moonshot school and to see them come to to an A and to see them come from where they were in literacy I what was it under 50% 40 something% and now they're 71% and that's one that We actually spent the resources through intervention, through teaching coaches, and through a lot of classroom dedication and got that school to 71% which was the I guess our district average
075in in third grade uh reading. >> But the most amazing thing to me, now this again is a title one school. There are two teachers in that school that achieved 90%. two teachers that achieve 90%. Which is equal to beach. That's amazing when it shows you and that was what that whole demonstration school was about. If we can do it there, we can do it anywhere. And so I would commend you on the tremendous progress we made last year, but more so on the fact that you're not resting on the laurels and you've set your goal as to be number one and know how you're going to get there and have made that part of your accountability for this coming school year. I mean, that's that's pretty impressive and amazing. So again, a salute to
076everybody in the school district and thank you for the what you have done and for what you're about to do. >> Thank you. Um I also attended engage and uh got an opportunity to speak to the staff and thank them for all their hard work. Um the leadership that was there and um right before I spoke, Dr. Moore spoke and he said um basically you know think about how you're going to get a little bit more from each of your members and each of your staff members and each of your teachers. ask for a little bit more, a little bit more. So, I said on behalf of the board, Dr. Moore, I want to ask for a little bit more from you. And he immediately came back with, "Yeah, we're going to be number one."
077So, um, good for you that you're still going forward and and striving and making sure that all kids can read, all kids are successful. Um, I also attended zoning and planning this past week. We still have some more building going on in this in this county. Um, more homes being created. did uh somebody said, "Oh, they were talking about the big huge um two projects that are going up, one close to here and one on the south county." And I said, "Oh, those were approved a long time ago. They're just starting to to come to fruition." So, it does take a long time for that to happen, but it's still happening. Uh I also attended the Treasure Coast Council Local Government's uh annual barbecue in Okchobee. And of course, if you don't order the prime
078rib, you get the chicken. They make fun of you. So I got the prime rib. Um the speaker there was the past president of the Florida Association of Counties and he was in Okachobee County Commissioner Terry Burroughs. He's very good and he was talking about um you know this tax um alleviation that the govern the governor wants to do and how it would affect counties like um Okachobee and different from our county and because most people live there year round versus our people because the tax would come from people that are visiting. So it was quite interesting to kind of be in tune with that um and how it would affect the schools too was one of the comments that was made. So that was interesting. I also attended the um school board association um
079conference in June and I didn't mention that in the last meeting. I don't want to go into everything but I did get these and I wanted to get those out to all of you. I attended this session. Um this is Hennis Corporation or communications. They are a communication company that works with crisis management. Hopefully we'll never have to call them. Um, but they have some really great uh key things that we need to know. And so they gave me this little um kind of tip sheet to give to you guys about social media when you're interviewed and things like that. So I gave that to you. Um the other thing I attended was the real time crime center. I went down there and visited. Um quite fascinating. Uh if you haven't been, you're more than
080welcome to go. Uh, Sheriff um Flowers is inviting everybody to go and um here you go. And he welcomes all of us. It was interesting to watch all our cameras. >> Um, you can see all of our cameras, which is nice. And they're monitoring that in one area. Um, but other people that walk through will not be able to see our cameras. That was on because it was summertime and I was a board member. Um, but just so you know, if anybody else walks in there and they're not going to be seeing kids, so don't worry about that part. Um, but it was interesting. I was there in July 4th. I went that morning and I got to see the Sebastian parade route from the eyes of the deputies that were driving down the parade.
081Um, so it was kind of interesting. There was also a chase that I got to watch. >> Cool. >> Um, my heart was pounding and I thought, gosh, what is what's it like to actually be in the chase if I'm just actually just watching it on his uh camera? So that it's it's really interesting to go see that. I highly recommend all of you go. Um and the last thing I want to talk about is something else that came up at the um Florida School Boards Association conference. And this was somebody that um I met and talked to for a while and they're doing a free Holocaust learning experience. And the other board members that um have had this happen in their district raved about it. And so this is something that I'm going to
082give that information to you, Dr. Moore. And I think um it would be worth looking into. It's free. So um it was Holocaust um information for kids kind of like what we had with the um >> butterfly. >> Yeah. But it was a little different than that. So um good because they had had that also. All right. And with that and I'm going to turn over to the superintendent for his closing. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. The next two weeks will be extremely busy. Uh I'd like to highlight a few events. uh August 3rd through the 11th, we'll kick off what we're calling our our blessings week. Uh we have created a slide and I have recorded a video that we sent to every church uh and synagogue that we can possibly imagine and we're
083asking for our entire community to pray our teachers, pray our administrators uh into this upcoming school year. So, it'll be displayed uh at each of those uh churches and synagogues this weekend. Uh and then we'll be able to feel the power of that prayer uh next week, next next weekend, right prior to the opening of schools. And our faith-based partners uh have truly been one of our greatest groups that we meet with and and leverage behind um and and supporting those who really are ultimately doing God's work. Um orientations, we set an expectation that orientation is our first opportunity uh to make a first impression on all of our children and all of our families. and for each school regardless of the level uh to make it very very intentional uh to ease the burden,
084the strain, the stress of returning to to schools. Um later in the the following week after August 5th, uh we're going to have a first premiere in Big Sky, Montana, uh of the documentary series um that was done on us and our work around moving to third grade proficiency. uh and very very excited about the level of awareness and acknowledgement um that this is going to bring to our system. The company that did this um documentary, their last one was on um on Peacock. So, who knows? Let's see how how famous this work could be done. Um and as we closed out at um engage la last week, the the message throughout the week um was to make number one a byproduct of creating ourselves in a way to ensure that 100% of our students
085experience a learning gain. Not 60, not 55, 70, but to be hold ourselves accountable um for a year's worth of growth. And the simple fact is uh if you show up on our doorstep, you are welcome in our schools and we are going to take you wherever you may be uh and wrap our arms around you, your family and provide quality education um and at a minimum at a minimum provide a year's worth of growth. Um, and for a student in a level one, a year's worth of growth to make a learning gain requires you to make in some cases a year and a half worth of growth. Level ones and level twos, your rate of growth has to be more in order to have a learning gain. Where high achieving students uh can just
086account for uh what would be a typical year's worth of growth. Um, and and that was the plan. And I think I went into it a little bit more in detail during the workshop, but our 76 to 100 percentile, there's opportunities uh to hold ourselves to a higher standard to make sure uh yeah, being proficient, you know, some some kids on the last on the first day of school, they can take the assessment for the end of the year and be proficient but not have a learning gain. And we collectively, just not me, just not staff, um, as a community of of leaders at each of our schools, that humongous crowded picture that I showed you, collectively agreed, yeah, we're we're ready. Our we have a level of readiness to take that on and actually
087uh achieve it. Um, so the intentionality of of where we're what we're walking into is absolutely outstanding. Um I I have not been able to voice this in the most appropriate way, but this is going in year six and the depth of our teachers, our teacher leaders and our administrators in terms of what they're talking about and how they're problem solving uh isn't something that I've been able to experience in 31 years. U and I think the outcome is is reflective of that. The ownership that uh teachers and staff take in regards to these are our kids is something that is unique to our community. The fact that in this community everyone is welcome. I I don't care u if you're advocating for for education and you're advocating for our for our children, you're welcome
088at our table. Um and I think that is a prime reason. Um although there's people in this room or sitting on opposides who have completely different political uh opinions. Um that's great. You live in Indian River County. Uh we want you to contribute to this story that we're telling. Um and because of that and our willingness uh to say, "Hey, you live in Indian River County. You love our kids. Uh be part of the solution." And and I think time and time and time again uh because of those relationships and that commitment um we are where we currently are. So, we have set an expectation, a a goal. Um, I always tell the story, um, then I'll stop rambling and we all can go home because this, look how fast this board meeting was. Um,
089you know, I was sitting right over there during my my initial meeting and and I just looking at the numbers and visiting the community, I said, "Every school here should be an A." I mean, there's no reason schools uh that are in the inner city in Miami can be an A and every school can't be be here. Um, and that's that's will be one of the byproducts of holding ourselves accountable uh to doing whatever we need to collectively do uh to provide every student um the services, the support, the love, the care, the encouragement, uh the push, the discipline, whatever it may be, we will provide uh to get them at least a year's worth of growth. So, we're going for uh what no other system and and Dr. Pos, you're right. No, other other
090systems are are, you know, we look, we're an A. I I first thing I told all, you know, stop talking about being an A. No, no kidding. We're an A. We're'll be an A next year. Um, but we've set the highest standard for ourselves and I think we're locked and loaded uh and ready to have all kinds of issues and concerns. Uh, we're going to have a meeting right after this and and deal with a concern. we just learned about. Um, so thank you, Madam Chair. >> Okay. I'd like to thank everyone for viewing and coming out this evening. Um, at this time, I'd like to ask, is anyone objecting to me adjourning the meeting? >> No. Okay. The time is 7:16. We're adjourned.