001this evening, school board awards and presentations. Um the presentations are for the school district of Indian River County and we invite students to come and perform. That's why we're here. We love students. Um I ask out of respect to everyone though, please uh at this time silence all electronic devices. It's okay to take them out and take pictures of your of your children, but just have them turned off as far as the sound. At this time, I would like to call the meeting to order. The time is 5:30. And before I recognize the student, I do have a commercial. So, I'm very proud of the sharks because the senior project is the shark bite and the shark chomp, which are two drinks that they are selling now, which is really cool in the culinary arts
002department. >> Yeah, [clears throat] I know. I I drank mine. [laughter] Um they're wonderful. So, um they don't have any preservatives, so they only last for three days, but um go Sharks. Very exciting that they're doing that. All right. At this time, I'd like to turn it over to our superintendent for a series of awards and presentations. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, for that commercial. Uh, Sebastian Colony appreciates it. Uh, turn it over to Dr. Shafty, who has a number of presentations for us. >> Fantastic. Good evening and welcome to tonight's awards and presentations. This portion of the agenda allows us to celebrate the incredible creativity, talent, and dedication of our students and staff across the school district of Indian River County. We are proud to begin this evening by highlighting the arts which play
003such an important role in inspiring our students and enriching their educational experience. To start us off, we are excited to feature a musical selection from our students at Sebastian Elementary School of the Arts. Their upcoming performance piece is titled Dalmatian Congo from Disney's 101 Dalmatians Kids Play. Please join me in welcoming Sebastian Elementary School of the Arts under the direction of Miss Mr. Hudson and Miss Mason. [applause] purple. Yeah. Yeah, we are. >> [cheering and applause] >> Miss Miss Mason, Miss Hart, and Mr. Hudson, will you please join us up front for the photo? Miss Hart, Mr. Hudson, Miss Mason, >> I know you were. >> And families, as soon as Miss Hodge is finished, you may go in the center and take as many photos as you would like. two and three. I'm going
004to take one more and three. Okay. What an amazing job. Let's give them a round of applause. [applause] Next, I would like to take a moment to reflect on a special event we recently hosted. To help us celebrate our student artist, I would like to bring to the podium, Mrs. Carrie Wall. Good evening. Earlier this month, we hosted the superintendent's art gallery, Art Under the Stars, an evening dedicated to celebrating the creativity and talent of student artists from across our district. The event showcased outstanding artwork from elementary, middle, and high school students in a professional gallery setting for families, community members, and local artists to enjoy. This year, guests had the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork as part of the community choice award with over 340 votes cast during the evening. From the
005exhibition, seven students were selected to receive premier awards recognizing exceptional artistic skill, creativity, and expression. Tonight, we are proud to recognize these outstanding student artists and celebrate the remarkable work they have created. Please come forward when I call your name. Carmela Arnett, Best in Show Elementary School, Dodgertown Elementary, [applause] third grade. >> Her her piece is called Creating My Own Constellation. >> Oh, wow. >> Next we have William Chu, [snorts] Best in Show Middle School, Storm Grove Middle, [applause] >> eighth grade with his piece titled Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Daniela Martinez, best in show 2D art high school, Vero Beach High, 10th grade with her art glass marbles. Katie Persons, best in show 3D art high school. She's from Indian River Charter High, 10th grade with an amazing turtle called Myrtle. [snorts] [applause] Conrad Arnold,
006best in show digital art, Indian River Charter High, 11th grade with his piece called The Signal. [applause] Christian Herado, Community Choice Award, Storm Grove Middle, 7th grade with There's No Place Like Home. >> That's right. [applause] and Yuri Jeanvier, Superintendent's Choice Award, Dodgertown Elementary, fifth [applause and cheering] grade, guided by the light. >> I like that one. >> Uh board members, if you will stand, we'll take a picture. >> Yeah, I was going to say Stop right here. Go ahead. over here. One more. Thank you guys. If you will please have a seat with your families. We have two more special awards to do. Go ahead. Have a seat. Thank you for helping us celebrate our student artists. Another unique and meaningful feature of this year's gallery was the community canvas titled our collective story.
007You may notice that canvas displayed just behind our board members. Inspired by the iconic painting Starry Night, this collaborative mural celebrates creativity, voice, and community. As each phrase is added, the mural will continue to grow into a shared work of art woven together by voices, ideas, and creativity of everyone who participates. Just as every brushstroke adds to a painting, each word contributed helps tell our collective story, not only as a district, but as a community. And then finally this evening, we have a special recognition we would like to share. At this time, I would like to invite Miss Dana Matheni to join me at the podium. [applause] [cheering] >> She's so excited. [laughter] In addition to serving students at Dodgertown Elementary, Miss Matheni also serves as our district art lead and the creator of that
008beautiful canvas you see behind us. In this role, she provides guidance, expertise, and support for art educators across the district. Her talent, leadership, and passion for the arts help strengthen visual arts instruction and creates meaningful opportunities for the amazing kids she serves. She leads this work with professionalism, creativity, and poise, and her contributions truly make a difference. Miss Matheni, on behalf of the school district of Indian River County, please know that this work does not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your leadership and the impact you continue to make on behalf of our students and our arts program. It is our pleasure to present you with this certificate of recognition for your efforts. Miss Mini, please join our school board [applause] members. [applause] This beautiful piece Beautiful sweetie. >> Love Myrtle. >> Myrtle. Come on.
009Come on. Thank you. >> Congratulations. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Another one. Yes. [applause] >> Thank you to our students, educators, and staff who continue to inspire us through their creativity and dedication. Dr. Moore, this concludes awards and presentations. >> So, I just want to make a comment. Michael Michael's art is up in the um state capital, and when I was up there, I took a selfie with it, and I also took a picture of it. So, I'll get that to Michael. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. So well done everyone. >> Thank you. >> All right. I believe that's the end of your >> Okay, so I'm going to call this meeting to close at 5:44. We'll have our business meeting at 6 o'clock. you to the school board business meeting at the Joan Idollet
010Jr. TEC. Today is Monday, March 16, 2026. I'd like to call this meeting to order. The time is 6 o'clock. I ask that out of respect to everyone, please silence all electronic devices at this time. Also, if you have any material you wish to share with any board member, please give that to our executive assistant, Mrs. Moes, sitting right here on the end. Before I begin the meeting, I'd like to take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Freddy Wilk. He was a beloved community leader, a mentor, and an advocate for children and families of Gford and Indian River County. For decades, Mr. Wolfark devoted his life to uplifting others through his work with the Gford Youth Achievement Center, and his timeless commitment to strengthening our community. His kindness, humility, and unwavering
011dedication to young people will continue to inspire generations to come. At this time, I invite you to join me in observing a moment of silence in his memory and the lasting impact that he leaves behind. Thank you. Please join us in the pledge of allegiance led by our Sebastian Elementary School students, Willow Roi and Finn Kettle Zano. Also, we have our Vero Beach High School ROC led by Mr. Ragdale. I pledge algiance 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. >> [snorts] >> Thank you to our ladies of ROC. [applause] All right, board members. It is that time of the day where we do the adoption of the orders of the day. Are there any
012items that any board member wishes to move from consent to action or add to discussion? Okay, seeing none, then I'm going to call for a motion to accept the adoption of the orders of the day. >> So move. I'll second. >> Dr. Jones, Dr. Rosario, >> and um all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Passes 40. All right, Dr. Moore, I'm going to um go ahead and hand you over the mic. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Before we have the superintendent report, we do have a proclamation, our moonshot community proclamation. So, Marie O'Brien, Barbara, if you can come to the podium. And as they do, um, this used to be something that was specific and unique to Indian River County, but mark my words, as we are, um, signing off on
013this proclamation this evening, as do a number of community organizations, uh, or elected bodies across our entire community. As a result of the work that we did, our wired to learn fast summit, 31 different states, 14 different uh, districts in the state of Florida. Just last week, a district in Georgia uh took on the uh moonshot moment. Uh and you will see a number of states or I'm sorry, a number of districts throughout the country taking on uh this moonshot moment. So, a momentum a a movement has has started. So, I am proud to be a part of it. Oh, there it is. >> Um, thanks. I am Marie O'Brien. I work for the learning alliance and I have the privilege of being the manager of the Moonshot Community Action Network. We call it MAN.
014Um, the work to ensure that our children are ready for kindergarten and 90% or more reading on grade level by the end of third grade takes an entire community. So for more than 15 years, the learning alliance has partnered with the school district and the community and so many people here are part of this moonshot community action network. It really takes an entire community. Um you know, literacy is everybody's business. Um so with the wire tole learn fast summit and it's just all helping us to reach that goal to make Indian River County the leading literacy capital of the nation. And what we heard at the summit was we are that. So I wanted to introduce Barbara Hammond. Barbara is um I hope you don't mind but the mother of the the moonshot moment. So
015um really Barbara um has started this and um as the learning lines were the managing partner of it and Barbara's really been the um she and Liz the brainchild behind it. >> Um thanks the um my child and my co-founder's ch children child had trouble reading in kindergarten and third grade. though personal passion turned into a commitment to all children and the success we've had, the reason 31 states came was because this school district has shown that we know how to teach kids to read by third grade and thrive thereafter. And um so we need to give that hope and inspiration. there was a documentary done on the work and at the summit we showed the pieces and parts that mattered to educators in the field and four days later we had um a premiere
016at Riverside Theater for everybody in the community and for anybody who did not see that on April 10th. Um we have a showing of it at the theater guild at 100 p.m. with the Ver Beach Film Festival. Um so tickets are free so any um body who wants to go and has not yet seen that uh please do. It was um at the premiere it was not only the premiere of a 23minute director's cut version of the work being done prenatal to third grade and beyond but it was also uh many people from the community um who have really failed retirement and thrown their lifeblood into it. One of them being David Dyer um who sits on our school board today. But why is literacy the most important thing in our nation? And it is
017our nation's 250th anniversary. And I was just approached two days ago by somebody who saw it. And he said, "You really need to say that democracy requires literacy for all." And we haven't been solid enough in communicating that, which surprised me because I thought that is the reason I do this work. Um but um you know, I really encourage anybody who hasn't seen it to come, but I really want to thank Dr. Moore and his unbelievable team and all the teachers. You guys are all my heroes. This is the hardest work. Um and I know you're not often congratulated for what you do and everybody on the school board who dedicates their times to making sure that kids are not only reading by third grade but thriving thereafter. Um so the the shining example that
018happened at the summit and that people are responding to is they can't believe a community and a school have joined hands to create incredible outcomes for their children. And it's Cadam, Savannah, Georgia that just declared this moonshot goal. Um, they've upped the Andy to 95%. [laughter] Um, so we'll see, but we are going to declare Moonshot Nation and ask everybody at the summit to please join hands and co-author what are the non-negotiables, what do we all know needs to happen? And when communities come together and stand for that, we can help all children read and thrive. So, thank you all for doing the work with us. Did you want to read the proclamation? >> Um, >> Here, Marie. >> I know, right? >> Well, thank you. You know, this is said schools can't do it
019alone. It really takes an entire community. Um, so our proclamation for this year is whereas reading proficiency is essential to educational achievement, workforce readiness, and lifelong opportunity. And whereas Indian River County is committed to our moonshot goal of ensuring children are ready for kindergarten and reading on grade level by the end of third grade. And whereas the school district of Indian River County has made measurable progress and is now tied for second in the state of Florida for third grade reading achievements. Thank you. [applause] Whereas our community recognizes that strong early language development is a critical predictor of kindergarten readiness and future reading success. And whereas a thriving community strengthens language and literacy development across homes, early learning settings, schools, and community spaces. And whereas early screening and assessment of language and literacy skills are
020essential to understanding children's needs and ensuring timely support. And whereas supporting parents and caregivers through awareness, resources, and access to evidence-based programs strengthens the child's early language development and their long-term success. And whereas literacy begins before school, and schools can't do it alone because literacy is everybody's business. So now therefore, the school board of Indian River County does hereby proclaim our continued commitment to the moonshot goal and to advancing policies, partnerships, and community efforts that promote early language development, strengthen families, and improve literacy outcomes for all children. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Okay, I'm going to call for a motion for approval for the 2026 Moonshot Community Proclamation. >> So move. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? >> It passes 40. Thank you. Everybody come on
021up. Hello. >> Good. >> Hello, Vicki. >> Hi. How are you? >> Here we go. And one more [laughter] >> cheese. >> Thank you. All right. Next item is the superintendence report. And that is a beautiful picture of the superintendent. Okay. That is a beautiful picture of the superintendent's art gallery. Uh as was referenced earlier, just an absolute beautiful event. We wanted to have it underneath the stars. The weather did not cooperate, but it was just as nice inside that gym. uh a absolutely outstanding night that highlighted so much talent in Indian River County. Uh March 26 was the Golden Impact Awards. This kind of was an award that kind of celebrated the work that we're doing with with parents and PTAs. It was a Beachland's PTA that was recognized uh and they have really
022helped us as we've created what we call our pillar events uh to to build some of the success that they have around their parent network across our entire community. Uh, Sunrise Rotary was the opportunity to share uh, the information uh, with with them regarding what's going on our school system, everything they need to know. Uh, superintendent's art gallery under the stars was March 5th. That was the picture I just spoke about. And then Rosewood Magnet School campus community open house. That was an absolute wonderful event. That's me back there serving some pizza with the appropriate gloves on. And then later that afternoon, that same day, uh the Metablazer drone competition. Absolute a true competition. Uh they're really challenging each other. It was really, really neat to see. Uh these are no longer just low tech
023little things. These are high-tech uh high skills needed to communicate and engage and to operate these devices. Uh it was wonderful to see so many of our schools competing. It was almost like a football game. Uh, Congressman Heratopoulos was able to visit us. Uh, that was absolutely outstanding. We weren't sure what was going to happen, but we're glad he was able to sneak in a visit at Vero Beach Senior High School, highlighting some of our vocational programs. Um, John John Zyl 5:00 hour. That was the opportunity uh for me to sit with Dave Lavine, who is the CEO, oh no, co-founder of KIP Academy. So, it was a great conversation regarding two different structures of public education. uh how we are addressing the challenges. It was a really really fun evening. Uh and later later
024in the week, March 14th, the Ben Franklin uh society lunchon at at JI that was another opportunity to share the work of our school system. And then just this weekend, ELC had the uh had me and come speak about the school system, the success that we've had, just another opportunity uh to share the great work. And that was Saturday. So that brings us up to date. Madam Chair, >> uh thank you, sir. You know, I remember um gosh, your second year on the board, somebody made the comment, "You're not out in the community enough." >> I think you've solved that problem. >> All right. Thank you. >> So, at this time is usually citizen input, but we have no one signed up for citizen input tonight. So, we're moving to our consent agenda. I'm like
025to call on a motion to approve the agenda. Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? It passes 4 Z. >> All right. We didn't have any items con pulled for consent to action. So now we're in our action item. We have a public hearing for adoption of instructional materials, non-state adopted instructional materials for Pelican Island Classical Magnet School. This item deals with the approval and uh Dr. Moore, have you documented that this public hearing was properly advertised in accordance with state statutes? >> Yes, ma'am. >> We now recess this meeting to conduct the public hearing as advertised. The public hearing is now in session. The time is 6:16. Dr. Moore, are there any written responses to the advertised public hearing to be read at this time?
026>> Not at this time. The public is invited to address only this issue at this time. Is there anyone that would like to speak or speak on behalf of of an organization? All right. Um, I'm going to conclude that the announced public hearing for instructional materials adoption for non-state adopted instructional materials for Pelican Island Classical Magnet was conducted pursuant to notice and ample opportunity to address this issue has been provided to all. The board meeting is reconvened at this time. The time is 6:16. I'm going to call for a motion then for the instructional materials adoption. the non-state adopted instructional materials for Pelican Island Classical Magnet as noted. >> So move >> Dr. Jones. >> Second, >> Mr. Dyer. Any discussion? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? It passes
02740. >> Action agenda item 9B, the approval to participate in the Florida Educator Health Trust Fleet. Um, at this time instead of reading all this, I'm going to ask if this superintendent could present this item with Mr. Green. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Green will present the item. >> Thank you, Dr. Moore. Madam Chair, as we um have briefed and as we shared a workshop earlier today, one of the um vehicles allowed for governmental entities under chapter 112.80 of Florida statute is the ability to risk pool in um certain insuranceances, health insurance and property casualty. And as you know, we're already a member of scrimp for our property casualty, which is a seven group um county consortium. This fleet, the Florida Educator Health Trust, is actually set up under that same statute as a
028nonprofit trust. It was established last March, March 21st by three founding districts and as of today there are 17 member districts. Each superintendent or design is a board um of trustees on the fleet health board. What you have before you tonight is a participation agreement that if were approved tonight would allow fleet to consider adding Indian River County to that list of 17 districts which includes Pulk and Brevard and Collier and a long list of other districts already participating. What that would do is it would allow the school district to participate with over 44,000 other lives in a risk pool where currently we're bidding things on about 1,400 lives on the plan. things like stop-loss insurance, things like pharmacy commodities, things that we buy, different prescription drugs, and allow us to share that risk and
029be able to enter into a risk um pool. Upon if the board were to approve that and when Fleet were to adopt us into the trust, we then would have a one-time flat fee of $10,000 that allows Fleet to come in, review all of our contracts, and start getting to work on collecting everything it needs to start a bidding process on all of our um stop-loss insurance, our pharmacy insurance, all of those things around our medical, not including cafeteria plans such as cancer, vision, and dental. Those are outside of this. This is health insurance. Then it would allow um a member fee of $225 per member per month to actually engage with Fleet to start the work of becoming our um agent of record, doing our actuarial services, doing our administrative of our health insurance
030plan, providing that guidance. We would remain self-insured. We still have all the same decision making that we have today to choose our plans, choose our design, choose our rates, but we will be doing it under the opices and guidance of a nonprofit trust fleet. In the item is also the ability for the superintendent and or his design to um sign any papers needed to join that trust other than the participation agreement and the purchase authority for that. The estimated amount right currently is around 31 to $32,000 a month depending on the number of active employees. That does not include retirees or dependents on the plan. Solely active employee um members who have chosen our health insurance. So this item is for you as a board to consider joining the fleet um board of trustees. >>
031Okay. Thank you. Um we don't have any speakers to this action item. Correct? >> No ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. Um discussion by any board members. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Um I would just reiterate if anyone has caught the tail end of what you what you shared, Mr. Green, that they go back to today's uh workshop and listen to the discussion um in in the the whole part of that discussion um because board members asked some uh pretty poignant questions uh regarding this effort. this doesn't solve our problem. Um, but certainly it is it seems to be a good step in the right direction to get to some kind of resolve uh regarding where we are with our health insurance um premiums and the claims that we have coming in. Um, so I I
032thank you for that. I'm glad that we are um trying something else and I and I am hopeful that this will work out in in our favor uh mostly to benefit our employees. So, thank you for that. >> Yes, Dr. Jones. >> Yes, thank you, Mr. Green. Um I think it's evident that that we're working together with our teachers and support staff to hopefully have a better plan. Um I think we mentioned today that we could possibly after a year or two save on prescription six to 14% just our medical bills in general 7 to 13%. We talked about this last time how the last four months we had a high number of claims and of those claims very high claims. So and then working together to look at some new plans. Maybe we can't
033offer all that we have now so we could reduce the cost, but thank you for working on this and doing the best for our employees. >> Mr. Dyer, you good? >> Yeah, I think this is a terrific uh idea and a terrific approach. We're going to spread risk over 44,000 lies versus the 1,400 here in the district. Uh should be big savings. Uh just to take the kind of the average or the mean of uh what Dr. Jones just uh quoted based on our prescription and insurance cost what would the savings at say 10% be? >> So on our prescription cost that spend is currently $12 million. So if we were to get 10% there that's about 1.2 million. But our overall anticipated expenditures in the program next year is $30 million. So, a well-run
034self-insured plan under fleet with volume buying could result in 7 to 14% savings on that $30 million over a threeyear period as we continue to refine and design and be able to enter into the risk sharing pool. >> So, I do have a question. I forgot to ask it in the workshop um about the $22 >> 225. >> Okay. um are we going to pass that on to our employees right away or are we going to absorb that? How are we going to do that? >> So, we're not passing anything on to the employees. What will happen over time? Just like we pay people today to do work, whether we pay brokers through commissions, whether we pay companies, it will all become an expense in the health insurance fund. Our goal is to get that
035expense to be lower than $30 million, which is the estimated amount. Whatever that expense is, that's how we determine the premium. So eventually when the premiums do come about and we charge those premiums, it will recoup that cost in the health insurance fund. Um but no costs are being passed along um to employees other than their current premiums until we do open enrollment in August then um then in October selecting new plans. >> Thank you for stating that. I appreciate it. All right. So I'm going to call for a motion for approval to participate in the Florida Educator Health Trust. >> I make a motion. Second. >> All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? It passes 40. >> We are on a roll tonight. All right. Action agenda item 9C,
036the approval of Somerset Charter School application. Um this is uh back in January 9th, 2026, Somerset Academy um applied to open two new charter schools. the uh Somerset Academy West Bureau and Somerset Academy West Bureau Middle School in Indian River County. In August of 2027, per Florida statute 2.33 and schoolboard policy 9800, the charter school application review committee, ARC, was established to review the application with the model Florida charter school application high-erforming charter school system replication evaluation instrument. That's a lot. Um based on their review, ARC members recommended approving the application and details of the review can be found in the backup. All right. Um do we have any speakers signed up for this item? >> No, ma'am. >> No. Okay. Thank you. Any discussion by board members? Dr. Jones. >> Uh thank you. Thank
037you to Miss Bieber and Miss Baser for this application. It was very well done. And uh I still have a couple concerns as was stated on the application um from our committee. And one of them was states recruitment plan will work with local YMCA. In River County does not have one and they said they would look at other areas for that uh facility does not provide a self-contained room for IEP students with accommodations. I think everyone knows that even in public schools, we have several several students with IEPs, 504 plans and so forth. So I want to make sure that is going to be provided. and then the process of reviewing applications for African-American students based on the disegregation order with the district. I believe they said they are doing transportation. So, you know, whatever
038happens on this when the contract goes out, Dr. Moore and board members, I want to make sure that we are sure this is going to happen. That's my concern with this. >> Anyone else? Okay. I'm going to call for a motion for approval of the Somerset Charter School application. Make a motion. Thank you. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> It. Passes 40. All right. And we don't have any discussion items at this time. So, I'm going to turn it over to school board member matters. Is there someone that would like to go first? >> Sure. >> Okay. Dr. John, >> as Dr. Moore stated in his report, um the Rosewood magnet parent day was excellent. I was there for about an hour and a half. I saw the model classrooms.
039I saw parents, grandparents, and students. They were excited. They like taking their picture with Mr. Fouse having pizza, getting all the information from everyone who was there, welcoming them. So, job well done on that. Looking forward to that for Oyola going to Oslo, the art gallery this year. Thank you to Carrie Wall and IT and Miss Basura's area. It was just fabulous. The art in the school district is unbelievable as you could see as they uh displayed them today the winners. So, thank you very much. It was a wonderful night. Um Sebast River High School baseball had a salute to veterans and first responders last week. Fred Jones, the mayor, was the person who pitched the first um strike, I can tell you. And um uh Mr. Ryan RS he who is here. Oh, okay.
040He's out there. He got off the helicopter and um presented the first ball and uh it was wonderful and I think they do that at Vero tomorrow. Attended the Vero Beach High School football awards. Done very well. Performing arts centers. They had a great season. Executive roundt. All the nonprofits meeting together to see if we can work together on a solution to find something more centrally located for all of our nonprofits. um Indian River Cares data was shared again about the health components, the areas of concern. I shared those with board members about three months ago to and it's kind of like what we're looking at uh with fiscal responsibility, healthy organizations um where students can get help or uh adults can get help. Economic development council is working on a strategic plan and that's
041going very well. the Golden Impact Awards uh with SEESAC. It was so great to have Beachland Elementary PTA awarded. Um it was great that we had a school system uh school there and uh I know how hard they work. Um the I just want to thank Dr. Moore. You know, we're in that time where we'll be coming up on that last test maybe in May, early May or second week of May. And um the district staff is out there working with students who may need a little extra help, whether it's language arts or math. and I know they're going into classrooms and helping the teachers. So that is very much appreciated. Um the environmental learning center has Indian River cares in Vero Beach kind March 21st. Miss Baronborg will be speaking at that event. And
042um you know I want to reiterate what Miss Hammond said about how democracy needs literacy. So, I think that's important that we can continue to put out there when we talk about we're helping our students. And I believe spring break is next week, so I want to make sure that everyone has a safe and relaxing spring break. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Sure. Um, uh, the tour from Ad Henderson, um, and FAU High School in Boca Raton was, um, very nice. I'm I'm glad that we were able to take a field trip and visit another school. Uh and uh it was just a a really nice um option for public school. Uh they claim to be a public lab school which is quite different from what we are used to. So um it was
043just nice to have that opportunity to go see something different. Um and then um uh I just received an email um earlier today that says that I have uh achieve the distinction of certified board member from the Florida School Board Association. >> So congratulations. >> Thank you. So good on that. A lot of hours of training um to receive that distinction. So I'm I'm proud um to receive that. Uh the other thing I would like to uh share is something that was shared with me on social media. Um that is a line dancing event at the American Icon Brewery. I know that we have a lot of things going on in the school district, but this is going to be on March 25th and it is a fundraiser for Healthy Healthy Start Coalition. So, I
044think it's just a really nice opportunity um if anyone is free from 7 to 900 pm to be able to go and and and dance and do your own little thing and um raise some money for a really good cause. >> That's amazing. >> Mr. Dy, >> well, I I also attended uh and watched Dr. Moore uh and the uh Dave Leven who was head of uh Kip Academy at the John's Island event and I could say that he held his own in support of a public school district and I felt very good about what Indian River County is doing uh compared to a national charter school which I think they had what 280 thou 280 schools and about >> two billion what a couple billion was his budget couple of billion dollar budget and
045I thought actually we had a much better high school graduation rate than they did which I was very very pleased. Uh I also heard uh earlier on when uh we were talking about literacy and being tied for second in terms of third grade reading that that uh Dr. Moore said we're going to be number one. So, I am looking forward to us being number one next year in the state in third grade literacy. It really is important. If kids can't read by third grade, you you've got to learn to read so you can read to learn and you've got to get it done by third grade. And if you don't get it done by third grade, it it only one in four kids catch up. So, it's such an important thing and I really commend
046the school district on uh on on what they have done. uh and uh I think in the interest of perhaps setting a world record for a board meeting, I will stop at this time. >> Okay. So, um I attended the Treasure Coast Council local government's meeting. Uh we meet with four different counties, the city, the county commissioners, and the school uh representative from the school boards. And this month's presentation was quite interesting. It was about our airport in Indian River and the expansion project. So, um I thought it was a great presentation that you all would be interested in, not as a school thing, but as a personal thing. Um quite interesting. So, the superintendent's art show, yes, it was great. Um we got these great drinks there. It was wonderful. And of course, the
047art was amazing. the board of directors meeting for FSBA. Um, I attended that because I'm on the board of directors for FSBA and the minutes are forthcoming, so you should be getting those soon. Uh, Rosewood open house at Storm Grove was outstanding. Everything I heard from parents as I was walking around the campus was how beautiful the campus was, how big it was, how modern it was, and what an opportunity for our kids. So, they were extremely excited about it. Um, the drone competition for the Metablazers was awesome. Um, it's great when you have elementary kids working together to try to figure out how to get a drone through all the different mazes. So, that was wonderful. Uh, Agnes Peoples and thank you to Mr. Green and his sons. They were judges and I know
048that was a rough job. That was a rough job. Agnes Peoples meeting. We uh have met and looked at um how many applications were there? >> 29. And so we have a lot of qualified girls to be able to interview. Uh those interviews will take place next week and uh we should be able to have um an idea of who's going to be getting the scholarship. It's a huge scholarship. Um planning zoning, I attended that and for Indian River County and there's a fire station that is going to be um built in uh Vero Lake Estates right on the corner there. So it'll serve our Sebastian River High School kids which is great. um visited Jeff Bush's program over at Vero Beach High School again. Um he is the biotech teacher over there. Has fantastic
049ideas. Um wonderful program. Kids love it. His entire we were meeting during his planning time. He did not get to sit down and talk to me for more than two minutes before another student knocked on the door to come work on their experiment. So that's what he does during his um planning hour. Dr. more. He invites children in all the time to work on their um their experiments. I also saw Sher White over in the media center. She's super excited about all the things that are going on over there with the media center and with the um cafeteria, but they do need help with the coffee stains that are on [laughter] during the day. They need extra help with that. Um Healthy Start was mentioned. My daughter is on the board for the Dancing with
050the Vero Stars, which um supports Healthy Start. She was a star two years ago and now she's on that board and um she talks about how wonderful healthy start is and what it does for our kids and our parents that have newborns and things and she took advantage of it when she had her kids. So, it's a great opportunity for um our parents in town. So, this was one of the items that I grabbed from um the conference and it is what um Philadelphia is doing up there is they have uh the ABCs um of they put them all over these banners all over their playgrounds and it's to teach young children their ABCs, but they also put a character that is local to that area on there. Um the learning alliance has done this
051over in our library and it's on the um the sidewalk, well not sidewalk but the front of the library, the main library. So if you haven't seen it, go over there and see it. Um it's wonderful. I would love to see banners and playgrounds as well as what they do up in Philadelphia. And this is the Thrive shirt from the family funfest. And the reason why I'm pulling putting this up is we have a lot of students here tonight and you can get volunteer hours on things like this and you get a free t-shirt. So, um, look in those opportunities. They're out there. If you don't know when they are, contact the school district and we'll let you know because, um, we're always looking for volunteers for activities for young children. So, that's all I
052have at this time. I'd like to call on Dr. Moore. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Spring break is two weeks out and I would hope >> I thought so. everybody has the opportunity to enjoy it. We are pushing e extremely hard because that is what we do. Um so everyone in our community is going to deserve a nice time to disconnect and relax and we'll come back and finish the year strong. >> Okay. And see seeing that and I heard that a lot of the district people are going to be going and moving books from libraries during that those first two days. So, thank you for organizing that and we're already starting the big move. Um, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight and um to the students, I hope it wasn't too
053boring and long. Uh, we before we adjourn though, please refrain from approaching the dis and begin making your way towards the exits. We appreciate your your cooperation with this as we clear the building promptly. We do um have SRO's here that need to get home to their families. At this time, the meeting is adjourned at 6:39.