001Thank you. Welcome. I would like to call this meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Tonight, we will have Miss Moller sit with us for in place of Mr. Meyers, our schoolboard attorney. We'll begin with reflection provided by Mr. Johnson >> followed by the pledge of allegiance by Powell Middle School. >> If we stand, please. >> Um, heavenly father, guide this body in its deliberation to find decisions favoring the students in our county and soothe our hearts and pursuit of amical solutions to the problems facing this district. Well, I just have a moment of silence. Thank you 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. Thank you. You may be seated. Mr. Pender. >> Hi, my
002name is Ella Shepard. I'm in seventh grade and I attend Powell Middle School. >> Hi, my name is Gracie White. I'm in eighth grade and I attend Powell Middle School. >> Hi, my name is Regina Squires. I'm in eighth grade and I attend Powell Middle School. Hi, my name is Kesi Clark. I'm in seventh grade and I attend Powell Middle School. >> Hi, my name is Linda and I attend Powell Middle School. Hi, my name is Kaitlin N. I attend Powell Middle School. >> Hi, my name is Kendy Kase and I attend Pal Middle School. >> Hi, my name is Lily Pritchard and I attend Pal Middle School. >> Hi, my name is Nathaniel Balantes and I attend Pow Middle School. >> And hi, my name is Ray Pender. from the superintendent of Hernando County
003Schools, POW Middle School, thank you for coming out tonight. Parents, principal, thank you everybody that came out. Um I remember uh middle school years with my kids and they're they're grown up and out of the house now. Um and it's a it's a long struggle that you feel right now transporting them everywhere and all of that, but that ends soon, believe it or not. It seems like forever, but you know, they'll come bit get to the point where they're maybe driving soon, not in middle school hopefully, but in high school. And um they'll be on their own. So enjoy the struggle right now. That would be my advice to you from someone just a little bit on the other side of this and uh my 28 years in middle school. So um students, thank you
004for coming out tonight. parents, thank you for driving them around and taking them to all their things, even if they don't tell you thank you. And if you do get a chance tonight, tell your parents thank you for the things they do. Parents, thank you. Students, thank you. Have a great evening. Thank you for coming out, POWELL. >> And our school spotlight today is going to be from Powell Middle School. You come forward. Thank you. Good evening, Madame Chair, board members, and Mr. Pinder. My name is Alex Rasader, and I'm the proud principal at Powell Middle School. Thank you for the opportunity to showcase Powell tonight and recognize all of the amazing things that have been going on in and around our school. Just before the holiday break, our students and staff participated in our
00512 days of Jolly Mayhem with dressup days as we prepared to host our annual Winterfest. This is by far our largest event of the year as Powell welcomed over 1,500 family members who had the pleasure of watching our very own band, chorus, and dance students perform across three shows. We had vendors, food trucks, amazing student artwork on display, karaoke, and even pictures with Santa and the Grinch. Our performing arts department worked extremely hard on preparing for this as just a week later they performed at Universal's CityWalk and then again for the fifth graders at Floyd Sunost and Chocachy elementary schools. These were all great opportunities for families, students and community members to see the hard work and daily dedication of our students and staff. Our student government and our very own Panther mascot had a
006float in the annual Brooksville Christmas parade, while our growl newspaper staff were featured on the Hernando Suns float. We recently hosted a Mc Teacher night at the local McDonald's where Powell teachers and staff worked to take orders, hand out food to families in the drive-thru, and greet customers in the lobby. Many of our families and students came out to support our school with this fundraiser helping us raise over $400. Since returning from the break, our students have been busy in taekwond do as they work diligently towards their endofear tournament. Students have been testing for new belts, stripes on existing belts, and are excited to show off their skills in front of their teachers, peers, and family members in May as they work towards trying to earn a gold medal. Students in weightlifting have been utilizing
007new equipment paid for by Millage, as well as a new digital program designed by Coach Blackwell where students track their progress. Students enter their daily workouts and the program keeps track of gains and muscles worked. Culinary has been busy in the kitchen as they prepare for their year-end serve safe certifications. And although being in the kitchen is their favorite part, Miss Ringer reminds them daily of the importance of food safety and handling. This week, we actually have two students who were selected to perform with the Florida All State Middle School Band and Choir. Juliet Bushall and Julie Torres will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform in Tampa with the top selected students from across the state. Earlier in the year, we also had two girls and six boys selected to perform in honor choirs
008for the Florida American Coral Directors Association in Orlando. We are the only school in Hernando County with students participating in this event. So, we are really proud of our eight performing arts panthers. Finally, we just wrapped up our second round of fast testing and our students are excited and encouraged. Our data is moving in the right direction as we increase proficiency and growth. The teachers look forward to using these next few months to get the students where they need to be for their final test in May. As you can see, our Panthers have been very busy and we look forward to all the exciting things that 2026 has to offer. Thank you. >> Thank you. Let's give a round of applause for Powell. Great job. Thank you. Okay, we will move on to item number
009one, 26-3514. Approval to adopt the agenda dated January 13, 2026. I have reviewed the revisions to the agenda dated January 13, 2026 and find that there is good cause to permit the revisions to item number 15 26-3530. Approve an overnight field trip for a DS Parrot Middle School student to attend Allstate Honor Band at the Florida Music Education Association's Conference on January 15th through the 17th, 2026 in Tampa, Florida, and the deletion of item number 1126-3494, approved field trip for West Hernando Middle School, Thespian Society Troop 12068 to Orlando, Florida to complete to compete at the 20 26 Florida Junior State Thespians Festival from February 4th through the 8th, 2026. May I have a motion and a second? Any discussion, board? Okay, please vote. And that passes 50. Do we have any elected officials in
010the room that would like to speak? Okay. We will now move on to our student representative. Item number 22 26-3515 Jera Abdul Raheem of Springstead High School to share an update of school related activities and events with the school board. Hi Jera, welcome back. >> Hi. Okay, these are the school updates. So, at the Christmas parade, these are just some of the recaps. Explorer K through 8, they had a beta club float and Brooksville Elementary had their lyrical leopards. Um, Parrot placed it first in their youth division for, I believe, Leader in Me. And then Wikiwatchi High School, these are the winter events, um had a winter wonderland event and visited visits to local hospitals and senior living and a fun campus activity called Grinching. They had a secret Grinch mess of the classroom of
011teachers that students voted to get Grinched. And then at Nature Coast, they had a Christmas movie night on their football field in a winter wonderland with plenty of outdoor games, activities, and food stands for students to enjoy. Uh for literacy week, Motton will be celebrating literacy week through fun dressup days. JD Floyd is hosting a reading night to celebrate. In honor of literacy week, Springstead will be hosting a books and brownies event January 27th. Explorer is participating with their stars, stripes, and story times for K through 2nd students. And then Deltona Elementary School is celebrating literacy week in fun and exciting ways. They will have a bookmark contest and each class will be designated will be design. Yeah, they design a piece of a quilt and then they have a patriotic dressup day. Nature Coast
012is looking forward to engaging with students of Sun Coast Elementary for literacy week. Um JD Floyd Sunshine State Book Club is still going strong. Students are about halfway done with their books already. At Challenger, Mr. Wallace hosted first robotics club meeting of the year. Explorers Beta Club received second place at the Brooks Brooksville Christmas Parade. This semester they're relaunching the elementary student council focusing on third and fourth graders this year. Pinroves Safety Patrol had a visit to Evergreen Woods where they took Christmas mugs and candy to the residents and St. Carols. PBIS students at Spring Hill Elementary earned Kona Ice for positive behavior and they had many staff and student celebrations. Brooksville had their career expo and festival and their PBIS field day. Westside is excited about their book vending machine purchased with a grant
013from HC HCF and will be delivered this week. Uh students will earn coins through PBS and accelerator reader to be able to use the vending machines. Their third grade PB their third quarter PBIS activity is going to be kickball games. And then Parrot recently reopened their leopard lounge. Students can purchase passes with live school points and it's a great way to reward positive behaviors. Other school updates in December, an amazing 589 Brooksville Elementary students earned perfect attendance. Fox Chapel is happy to see that how their discipline data is trending this year. Their out of school suspensions are down 32% this year and their major major level disciplines are down 31%. Sun Coast is having their fifth grade parent night coming up and there will be representatives from Fox Chapel, Powell, Nature Coast, Central, Springstead, and
014Hernando County's college and career programs department. West Hernando's middle school's open gym for boys basketball has just started and there is a team being assembled. Um, flag football is also getting started. And then for Nature Coast, an upcoming event is their senior class has their Washington DC trip. As the date approaches, seniors are excited about going. And then these are some events that everyone is invited to. Chocat uh Chochatt is hosting their citizens academy. Fox Chapel is doing family celebration signs. Spring Hill Elementary School is doing a family and friends night. East Side is doing books book buddy bash. And then Hernando High School is doing Matilda Jr. the musical. And then every second Friday, Deltona does Twisty Treat Spirit Nights. And then this wasn't on the PowerPoint, but I wanted to include it. was
015the fact that there will be a delegate event January 26th. Miss Chris will be reaching out to the board with personal invites if they would like to attend. That is all. All right. Thank you very much. Okay. We'll move on to item number 326-3516. Approval of the minutes from the informal workshop and regular schoolboard meeting of December 9th, 2025. May I have a motion and a second? Any discussion board? Please vote. And that passes 5-0. Now we move on to our public hearing items. White speaker forms. Item number 426-3432. Public hearing and final approval of the Hernando County School Volunteer Handbook. This item received tenative approval at December 9th, 2025 workshop. Do we have any speakers for this item? No speakers. Okay, we will move on. Moving on to item number five, 26-3499. Enter a
016final order expelling the student in case number E 2026-12-01 for the remainder of the 2526 school year with educational services. May I have a motion and a second? >> I do apologize. Let's go back to item number four. May I have a motion and a second? Please vote. And that item passes 50. Okay. Now I will move on to number five. Item 26-3499. Enter a final order expelling the student in case number E2026-12-01 for the remainder of the 2526 school year with educational services. May I have a motion and a second? And please vote. and that motion passes 5. Item number six, 26-3500. Enter a final order expelling the student in case number E202612 for one year with educational services. May I have a motion and a second? Please vote. And that motion passes 5.
017Item number seven, 26-3520. Enter a final order expelling the student in case number E 202612-03 for one year with educational services. May I have a motion and a second? Please vote. And that motion passes 5-0. Moving on to item number eight, 26-3517, citizen input on agenda items, green form. Are there any green speaker forms? Okay, Miss Mockler at MOR, if you could please read the instructions for this item. Yes, board chair. This is the opportunity for the public to address items on the board's agenda for this meeting. The agenda for this meeting is located by the entrance to the boardroom. To speak at this time, you should have already completed a green citizen input speaker form, also located on the tables at the entrance to the boardroom. You should indicate the item or items you
018wish to address on the citizen input form. Those speakers who wish to address general matters not on the agenda this evening should complete the pink citizen input form. The opportunity to speak on topics not on the agenda will be provided later in the meeting. If you have any attachments you wish to share with the board, please provide them to the board secretary prior to me to speaking. Each speaker will have three minutes during this segment of the agenda. Speakers will be called to come forward by the chair person. Prior to making your remarks, please state your name and address for the record. Inquiries or comments made during citizen input may be followed up and reported to the board by the superintendent or staff thereafter. Thank you. May I have speaker number one, please? Please state
019your name for the record. Good evening. Lisa Miserio, Burbank Drive, Brooksville. And tonight I'm here speaking as a parent. Um, my son is an eighth grader this year, so he has had a wonderful experience his entire time at Challenger KA. But one thing I wanted to share with you is that literally less than one semester of his time there was spent with any kind of sub like a long-term sub or sub coverage. He's been so so fortunate and I know that that's not the average experience that we have right now because of the number of vacancies we're carrying. So we are very grateful that that's been our experience. Um, and the reason that I uh brought it up at this time is because I look at the um personnel recommendations and I noticed that we
020have nine leaving and we've hired four on this specific agenda. So that's a net negative five for our district. And I think that's something we need to continue to stay mindful of. Um people are feeling a lot of pressure, a lot of stress in their work roles right now and um it doesn't seem like that's letting up anytime soon. So I want that experience for every parent in our district and for every student in our district that they would have a certified qualified teacher in their classrooms the entire time that they are going through our schools. And I think that's something that we're all striving for. Um, I do believe that we're all striving for that. Um, the way for us to get there is that we value people and we make sure that the
021people who are currently employed in our district are valued and value can mean lots of different things. Um, but ultimately that experience has been wonderful. I hope it continues. He's going to Nature Coast next year. Um, he's keeping sharks in the family. So, um I'm excited, very excited about that and I really hope that he has a wonderful experience for the next four years that we can also be proud of um with certified qualified teachers teaching him every step of the way. Thank you. >> Thank you, Casey. >> Miss Duval, >> may I comment? >> Yes. Um, what uh Lisa has just shared with us is something that I talked to someone else about this afternoon. So, I had no idea you were going to say something, but you know, on our personnel recommendation sheets
022and forms that we have that we see for each meeting, my question and comment was perhaps where and not just for instructional but non-instructional where you have the number of people retiring or resigning. Um, could we have a running total on that sheet of how many persons we've lost due to those kinds of things and how many persons we've added? So, we have like a running total of how many vacancies we have. Um, >> Mr. Pender >> Ray, is that something that we can easily add? I think the running total would be the vacancy, how many vacancies we currently have and that's provided I think about once a month. Pam sends that out. So I don't I mean I can we can put it on every agenda somewhere in a box or something. >> How
023about how about the last meeting of each month? Yeah. The only meeting of each month. >> I think we can time >> can have that >> uh the vacancy list about that time. So it'll be updated before that meeting. I don't want to create additional work, but I think for us as a board, it might be good to have tabs on where we are and where we're going. >> I agree. And if we could break it down by people retiring and people leaving, that would be nice to know as well. >> Well, that's on the agenda. >> Yeah, like I said, I don't want this strictly for instructional. I would like to see the numbers across the board. >> Thank you, Miss Rodriguez. And I don't think that there's any um thing that you have
024to worry about when it comes to value. I can speak for myself and I believe correct me if I'm wrong for the rest of the board up here. The definition of value means many things. You are exactly right. But we value our teachers wholeheartedly. Um without our teachers, none of us would be here. Without our teachers, we wouldn't be educating our students. So our teachers are everything to us. So please don't ever feel that we don't um think that that word means a great deal and it's very significant to us. So for me to speak just how I feel about a teacher, I value a teacher. Um I think that they wear many many hats as well as administration as well as non-instructional instructional everybody that it takes to run this community. I think we're
025the biggest employer in Hernando County and it takes a lot to educate these students and to do it proper and it also takes a lot of funds. So, at the end of the day, don't mistake sometimes how things appear and what's being said as a fact because there's a lot of things to it all that make up um the big picture. So, as members up here, we can only do so much and we can only do what we're capable of doing with what we have to do it with. So, I value each and every one of you teachers that are out there. Everyone who's listening, please let everyone know that I, Shannon Rodriguez, adore all of our teachers. It's a hard job and it's you're very, very committed and it's a thank thankless job. So
026many days and it's long hours and you are very, very appreciated. So, I just wanted to add that. So, value, you are right. I do value. Thank you. All right, we're going to move on to the adoption of the consent agenda, items 9 through 28. Does anyone want to pull any items from the consent agenda? >> I don't want to pull anything, but I would like to make a general comment after everyone says. >> Does anyone have an item to pull? I'd >> like to pull 16, please. Okay, number 16. So, Miss Juval, you want to speak after she pulls item 16? Correct. Okay. >> Item 16. Okay. Would you like to? >> If I can have a motion to adopt the agenda with item number 16 pulled. I have a motion and a second,
027please. Okay. Go to number 16. Okay. Item number. Do we need to vote on it? Okay. I apologize. Please vote on that. And that passes 5. Okay. Item number 16, 26-3536. Amend the approval for the overnight field trip for Springstead High School students to attend the Florida Music Education Association Conference in Tampa, Florida from January 15, 2026 through January 17, 2026. Miss Rodriguez. I just have some concerns. Who would I direct that to? Who would be speaking on this? >> Okay, >> Miss Okay, you got your question answered. Miss Pierce is here. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. How are you? >> I'm well. How are you? >> Good, thank you. So, did we we already approved the same trip last board meeting? Is that correct? >> There was there's two different things happening that
028same weekend. It's chorus and band. >> Okay. So, one was chorus and now this one is the band. >> Okay. So, help me figure a little bit of this out so that it's out there for everybody to understand if they're confused a little bit. Um, when we're looking at the budget sheet and everything, why do we have so much more money on this budget sheet? $1,700 is requested for is it just one more student? >> Okay. >> I think it's just the the price of the hotel. >> How many nights are they staying for this conference? two. >> Okay. So, if I'm calculating this right, correct me if I'm wrong, they're pretty much spending over $800 a night on a hotel room. >> Yeah. And that was cheaper than the original one that they had
029found. >> Well, originally on the last one we approved, it was $510 for two. >> That's for the chorus >> for two nights. >> I think it's the planning ahead of time. I think is, you know, this one was a little bit later in with our band director in the midst of um changing over to our school from his school. All that kind of thing was happening at the same time. So, I guess I'm still a little confused because it's almost $800 a night on one hotel room and we did $510 for two nights and then we added one more student and it took us up to $1,700 for two nights. I don't have the budget sheet in front of me. So >> I guess that amount seems excessive to me. >> I agree. >>
030They let me ask this also. Go ahead. >> If I understand it right, an additional chaperone was added and at that point in time, the room rate was 600 almost $685 each night. The original room rate. Can I ask someone? Why was another chaperone added? >> I'm not sure it was even needed at this point. >> Well, it's a parent and then the band director. >> The parent. >> Well, the kids parents that's the the kid that is going, right? >> The new child that's going, >> right? >> The their parents are going. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> As is the band director, >> right? So, if the kids' parents are going, why do we need another chevron? because the band director should be there as well. I I guess you know to celebrate with
031the kid and watch what happens and and attend. And I think his >> Well, I guess the way I'm looking at it, I thought if we have the parent chaperone, the parents are chaperoning is what it said in here whenever I was reading it. >> Then it looked like we had a second teacher chaperoning as well at $800 a night. >> Yes, you do. >> Am I correct, Mrs. Duval? So, I think that that's $1,700 on two nights and it's for it doesn't it's not fiscally responsible. And then the other problem I have is it's a non-refundable room and that was booked without being approved prior to board approval. And that I do have a significant problem with at the rate of $800 a night. I mean, we're in Tampa. I guess for $800 a
032night to me it's like you went to Las Vegas and you booked one of the rooms there. >> I was just floored. was too when I heard the price. I agree. >> Now, do they not need to run this by you? Do do they have court to book an $800 a night room time two times three times four without asking anybody? And especially without it coming before and getting approved and it being non-refundable. Are these the things the fine print that we look at and that we make sure? Because me working for you, I would think to myself if if I'm going to book a room, I'm going to read on it. And if I see non-refundable, which that happens up here with things we're going on, we don't do that until something's approved because
033we know non-refundable means we're taking a huge risk. And then what if it doesn't get approved? Then we're stuck with that room. >> So >> I don't disagree with anything you're saying. >> So at this point, I'm wondering, >> it was all about the timing of when it happened >> and also about the level of um hierarchy. Nobody's checking with nobody and nobody's ask you. So you as the >> chief in charge, >> why would that go by without you being um asked? Why wouldn't why would that happen without you? >> Because it was all after the fact. >> So the question becomes, if that's not approved by this board, who's going to pay the hotel room? >> I don't think I'm I'm thinking he's not going to go and stay in a hotel room.
034He'll >> It's non-refundable. >> Non-refundable. It has to be paid. Well, >> so who's going to pay it without $1,700? >> Who doesn't approve it? >> That's a good question. I don't have an answer for you. >> Right. Right now it's coming out of band, >> right? >> Ban money. >> So they work that hard to try to get a kitty put into a box for money for things that they need. But yet we have parents going that were chaperones. And it's it's written on there. It's stated on there if you read it that it's the um the kids the kids parents are running. So I'm still at a loss of >> and I think the band director found a hotel room away from because this is at the convention center area down in Tampa
035and there's a lot going on this weekend which was probably why the price is ridiculously high. But um there was there is place there are places to stay that are not that expensive. So, I just don't think that they did their due diligence in trying to find a place because they knew the band had the money because they're the, you know, band booster parents that are involved in, >> you know, that are really involved and so they knew the band had the money. So, I'm assuming they just figured that I don't know. I can't speak for these people, >> but I'm just assuming that they figured it would be paid for. >> Yeah. >> But you already had a chaperone. That's the problem. You already had a chaperon. >> This person wants to go. That
036band person, >> whoever. This is going to be your new band director. >> Yes. He just started. This is a bad day. >> So, so he could have gone he could have gone and just driven back and forth and saved $1,700 of the band's money >> because you you were >> I He's I don't think he's staying in the room. That cost that money much. >> Is that Zachary? Yeah. >> Yeah. Yes. >> So, that was not my understanding. >> It's under him the reservation to my knowledge. >> Well, he probably made the reservation, but I don't >> Who do you think is staying in the room? >> The parent. >> The student, right? With this I'm sorry. >> The parent and the student staying, >> right? That that was my understanding. Yes. >> For
037$1,700. >> That's what the price of the room is. Yes. But I was also told that the students are required to be there sometimes at like 5:30 in the morning and there's all day long and it's all day long, >> right? It is it's very intensive. >> So I think that's the reason they wanted to stay at that hotel because they >> but you still have to go through the proper channels. You still have to get it approved. You have to go to the principal when you're going to spend $2,000 on two rooms for two nights. That still is absurd. So, you still have to go and you have to ask before that you an alert should come up in your brain that says, "My goodness, that's a lot of money for one night, $800.
038Do you think I should do this or should we try to look elsewhere and just drive even if it's $530 if you just drove 15 20 minutes over to the and you could get a room for a normal $240 a night?" >> I think most of those were already booked because of so many events happening um that they were booked months in advance and they couldn't find a room. And also with the new band director, this kind of slipped through the cracks and so the student wasn't going to be able to go at all. So they had to >> do this last minute last minute from what I was in. >> The thing that bothers me is it being nonrefundable without board approval, >> right? Understanders approval. >> It was approved by somebody >> other
039than this board. That's not being fiscally responsible. And what bothers me even more to that degree is that the principal isn't even aware of the particulars. You don't even know who's staying where and who's staying what and what parent who paid for >> based on what I was told. That's but apparently it's not the correct information. I wish I had the packet in front of me. I should have done >> but that's but you were never you were never afforded the opportunity to be told. >> Correct. >> And so therefore I think you know >> I think it was because of the timing of all of it. happened right before Christmas break, you know, and then the new band director was coming on board. >> If I were the principal, I would be upset that
040this is happening and that we're caught like this in a non-refundable room for this kind of money and if it didn't get approved or it doesn't get approved, now we're out that kind of money. I think that it just seems >> it's not the brightest decision and if I were the principal, I'd have a problem with that because I would expect everybody, you know, you have meetings with them all, correct? I'm assuming you and they all have somewhere they're not getting the memo that when they do something like this, they have to run it by a leadership, >> right? Well, I think it'll get better now that we have a full-time band director and he's there all, you know, >> is he is he the one that >> has been very difficult as you can
041imagine. He comes over after working a full day at another school and was coming over to work with our band and they had a great season and they did amazing things. But then, you know, then he's now he just started Monday at Springstead. So, >> he was working at the school since when October. >> No, he's been he's No, he just started on Monday at Springstead. >> He he didn't work at Springstead before that. He was our band director, but he was not in our school as a teacher. >> How long was he? >> He's been there since September 11th. >> So, this could have been booked earlier in a regular room, possibly without the cost, without a non-refundable room at a different rate. >> Possibly. I don't know when they were told that this
042child had a had um you know, been picked for the honor band. I don't know. I mean, we've had other >> It's hard because we don't know the details. It sounds like sounds like we don't >> not all of the details because there's other things that our kids were doing, too. We had the festival of the bands at USF that or the festival of the winds. We had students go there. That wasn't an issue. You know, it's just >> it's just naturally it's a huge shock when $800 a night. >> I agree. >> I mean, I I had to look at it five times. $800 a night for two nights. I had to think this has to be a typo. It's kind of criminal that that's what they're charging because they know they have >>
043we're in a dilemma because >> captive audience. >> If we do not approve this, a deserving student probably will not go to Tampa to be in in the honor band, which would be a shame. >> And yet we approve it. Procedures weren't followed where we're notified before somebody authorized an expense that's well beyond limits. And here we are crying for money. And this is not handled correctly, not from the top down. So I I I'm I don't know. I have a dilemma with this because it one hand the best thing to do is to let the student perform in this band. But we don't want to send the wrong message that things can be willy-nilly. We are fiscally responsible for the money in this district. Every penny of the money in this district. >> What
044can we do in the future to ensure this doesn't happen again? >> Well, of course, you know, with him being in the building, that is going to help a lot. Um, and he'll meet with me and with his the administrator that's over the band um on a regular basis. And you know as these things come up then um you know we'll make sure that things are handled correctly. I mean this you know I can assure you that this will never happen again. Um and you know it is a dilemma and you don't want a kid to miss out for something that an adult did right because that's not fair to this child who has earned his right to be there. Um but I understand what you're saying as well. Who's in charge of of the
045expenses expenditures of the till? Like is it just one person that gets to spend out of it? How well >> the band boosters? No. The >> band right now, >> but they have an organization. They vote on things themselves. I don't know if that's how this all you know I'm not at every single band booster meeting. Mr. Beach is over ad as the administrator over the band. He goes to most of them. But doesn't he report to you and tell you hey money? >> Yes. And he then you should be aware of he was ready honestly when we heard the price he's like I'll just you know I he was pulling out his American Express card and he said I'll just pay for it myself because we didn't want the kid to suffer. That was
046the bottom line right we didn't want the kid to suffer. The band has done a lot of things to raise money so it will come out of the band fun. >> When is this trip? >> This weekend. That's the other. >> My question is I bet when this is over, if I were to get on the phone and call around in Tampa, I have a probably 95% feeling that I'm sure I could find a room >> probably. But then the the fact remains still, but that's what I'm trying to say. No, I hear you. >> I just don't >> Mr. um Federer had found a room that was cheaper. That was my understanding. So, um, but the parents had already I don't know if they had already booked the I don't know exactly how it
047all >> So, so did the parents book the room and >> I don't know that for I'm not sure >> who's got the money out >> the band >> on boosters on what what card was used >> a district card >> I don't know you have the packet I don't know >> it doesn't it Is there was there a purchase order done? >> No, I don't believe so. >> Things like hotel rooms and stuff like that's usually put on a PC card. >> I think the the band booster as part of being a booster has to be um >> but I think you also get a p you do a purchase order first and when it's authorized then you get the pec card. You don't get the pec card first. They have the hotel card
048now too, right? That's what they would be. >> Travel card. Yeah. >> But from my knowledge that let's flip something from um the parents room bill is the cheaper one and it's the band director that's the expensive room. >> Well, that was not my understanding. >> So, >> yeah, it's the the band director has the cheap room, the normal rate of $500 something dollars for two nights, which that calculates to north. >> Oh, the band director does. >> Yes. Yes. She said it opposite, Miss a second ago. >> You said it the opposite way. >> No. Yes, it is opposite. The parents have the cheaper room. The band director has the most expensive. >> Oh, okay. Then that that was completely not what I was told. >> Yeah. The band director is the one spending
049the $1,700, which that's odd to me that because you would think he wants to keep that till up as high as he can because he needs those funds. So that's odd to me that he would spend $,700 $800 a night for himself for a room. It's the parents that have the cheap room, the normal rate for 530 or 540 for two nights. >> So it's the band director that's got the $1,700 >> and that hotel is the Marott $1,700 for two nights. >> That's where we go. One is Hilton and one's >> the FSBA goes to the >> Marriott. >> This one says Waters. >> Usually this one is downtown, I believe, where the >> No, the Tampa Mary at 505 Water Street. >> Okay. So, the band director has the expensive room. What did
050>> Yeah. Right down at the convention center. Yeah, Mary or the WA Water Street is right there by um Ashley is over by like where the Straz is. >> Yeah. >> Not It's not right next door, that's for sure. >> So now he's got the expensive room. What did he use to purchase that? Is it a district card? >> It would be the the travel card from my understanding. and it was non-refundable and it wasn't approved. So, did he just assume the $800 a night wasn't going to matter? I guess you'd have to ask him. I don't know what his thought process was. When I when Mr. Beachch shared with me that he had found another room, he was talking about the band director had found another room was my understanding. Now, maybe he put
051his name on the one. I don't know. >> Mr. Johnson, do you have anything else to say? >> I don't know what to think, but no, for now, no. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> I just think that he picked the penthouse suite, and I'm confused of this, and I'm not I'm not happy with it. I I don't know. Um, I just I can't say $1,700 for two nights for the band director to stay in a hotel. I I just I don't know. I regardless, it's already been I mean, we can say yes or no. We can say no, but it's already the money has been spent and we're not going to get the money back regardless either either way. >> Yeah. I'm I'm not okay with putting my name on $1,700 $800 a night for a
052room that a band director did that was not approved. That's going against everything that we sit up here and stand for. >> So if this doesn't pass, Mr. Pender, what does that look like for >> Well, they would not. >> This is just for the hotel room, correct? >> So they wouldn't be able to spend the night there, but we would still spend 1,700. We would still pro I mean, if it's non-refundable, I doubt they're going to change that at this point. And we're going to be charged $1,700 for them not to go. >> So, both the band director and the student >> or not to spend the night? They go, >> right? They can go, but they can't spend the night, meaning that he's got to be there at 5 in the morning, meaning
053they have to leave Spring Hill. >> And who's going to police that they didn't use the room? That's non-refundable. >> And how do we know for sure? I mean, everything's so evasive. Nobody knows anything. How do we know that if I got on the phone with the hotel right now that we can't get our money back? >> At least 80% of it usually 90%. I >> the other hotel room that was only $500, right? >> For two nights. >> So the band director can drive back and forth and the parents can stay in that one. I mean, I don't I I don't know what else to tell you. I, you know, I hate to take the opp the chance to lose that money, but you're right. They might just say, you know, oh, we'll be
054able to fill it anyway because there'll be somebody else that'll take that room. I don't know. >> What time is it? 6:40. I wonder if we can make a phone call to the hotel and see if it's refundable. >> Um, I mean, it's worth a phone call at least while we finish while we and then circle back to this. At least we would know that answer. want to do that. Okay. >> Okay. We have a recess. We will have a recess at 6:48 p.m. Okay, recess we will convene now our at 7:10 p.m. and move on to our citizen input. Um before we do that, I would like to say on item number 16, we're going to come back to um at the very end of the meeting. So, citizen input on general topics, pink
055speaker forms 29 26-3518, citizen input on Hernando County school issues on which the school board customarily takes action. Do we have any pink speaker forms? Okay, Miss Moer, if you could read the instructions for this item, please. >> Yes. This is the opportunity for the public to address any general topic of relevance to the operation of Hernando County Schools. To speak at this time, you should have already completed a pink citizen input speaker form located on the tables at the entrance to the boardroom. If you have any attachments that you wish to share with the board, please provide them to the board secretary prior to speaking. Each speaker will have three minutes during the segment of the agenda. Speakers will be called to come forward by the chairwoman. Prior to making your remarks, please state
056your name and address for the record. Inquiries or comments made during citizen input may be followed upon with the speaker and reported to the board by the superintendent or staff thereafter. Although the board encourages citizen participation, please understand that no immediate action will be taken on items presented during the public comment portion of the meeting. If follow-up board action is required, then the matter may be placed on the agenda at a subsequent meeting in accordance with schoolboard policy. Thank you. May I have speaker number one? Please state your name for the record. Kimberly Maroon BSO. Um, first I want to I have a lot of points I want to talk really quick, so I'm sorry for that. Skate night was awesome last night. Um, it was really great. The kids enjoyed it. Um, I'd like
057to see more of that because that was really cool. Michelle, thank you for the conversations we had. Um, it was really great. I appreciate you very much for that. Gracie and Susan, Casey, I love the conversation we had. Thank you. Um and Mr. Pender, we got to have some outside of the realm besides here in the boardroom conversations, which was really nice. Um really enjoyed it. Love hearing some of your perspectives from being in the educational realm. So, thank you so much. Um safety patrol is awesome. My daughter gets to experience it this uh semester at Challenger. Um I love how they do it. um for some whoever up there um that it doesn't count against them, but it counts against perfect attendance. So, that's what I would like to find out about. Uh live
058streaming the bargaining meetings, thank you because I wasn't able to make the last one. I really love that. Um whoever came up with that, keep going with that because I like that. Um when you brought up, Miss Casey, when you brought up for the phone at the informal, I am so on the fence. like I agree and then I'm like this way and then I'm like this way and then I'm like this way. So I saw both of your points and I saw I would like to hear more if you guys really could bring I'm sorry I got interrupted so I couldn't finish listening. Um but I would like to hear more um to make a educational uh decision as a parent and let you hear what I think but I would love to hear
059more because I saw both sides. Um so I can't even give you my opinion as a parent on that one yet. Um Liam's class, my youngest, he is in um second grade. Uh Mrs. Barrett and Mrs. Liberty, they're doing this really cool thing um having mystery readers, so they give clues. I get to um do that next month for him. They've had parents. They've had um one parent is actually a teacher there that got to do it, too. So, I don't know if they have any openings, but if you're interested in doing that, I think that'd be really cute. I'm choosing to read My No No No Day. It's a really great book. Look it up. It's um about a child who doesn't want to do anything. They don't want to wear their shoes. They
060don't want to wear their socks and they just kind of, you know, scream no no all day. But the moral of the story is tomorrow's a new day and we all get a new day to start over if we had a bad day. So, it's a really cute book and um for anybody who's interested. Um last but not least, thank you teachers for everything you do. I appreciate you so very much. I know again I say it every time. I know what you've done for my children, but know that as a parent, I thank you. Thank you. And that is all of our citizen input tonight. Moving on to justformational agenda items. Item number 3026-3505, deductive change order 002 to the contract with J Dunn Construction Company for the 30 classroom addition for Winding Waters
061K8 and Wikiwatchi High School is provided for the board's information. No board action is required. All right, school board members, are we ready to circle back to item number 16? Miss Rodriguez, are we ready to circle back? Circle back. Okay. Are we ready to vote or do we want some more discussion on this item? [clears throat] >> I'd like to hear what the outcome was. >> Okay, Mr. Rodriguez. Um, so we've called the hotel and also called a different number that they gave us to call. So we've spoke to several people and they will not take it away. So it was booked as non-refundable. Um, it was um asis. So there's nothing that they can do unfortunately. So that amount is stuck. >> I feel confident in saying that the family that they are um
062that is going spending that kind of money. Yes, I do agree that that is absurd. I know this family is very involved in the booster club and does help a lot and I'm sure um that they will continue to support the band. Miss um Pierce is going to come back and and clarify some issues or discussion that we had questions we had. Thank you. >> And I apologize that I didn't come prepared. Um I if I had known that this was going to be a question, I sure would have known more. So, but I did talk to my band director. He himself booked this room um with his own credit card because he knew he wanted this child to go. Now, back in September, they had a block of rooms at this hotel, which is
063where my band, where Springststead's band is playing all day, every you know, for the entire um conference. So, they need to be in that hotel. Now, back in September, at that point in time, Zach didn't know that he was going to be the band director in January. He just assumed he would see them through competition season, if even that long. We had no idea. So, the block of rooms that they had set aside, which are usually less expensive, were gone by the time he knew he was going and the child was going and all that was happening. So that so come December when they found out that the child was going that's when he made the hotel reservations is my understanding and at that point in time the prices were ludicrous obviously because they know
064they have a captive audience right they're a business you know but all that being said he knew that it hadn't been approved yet which is why he used his own card for the so that the child wouldn't miss out on going due to the fact that we hadn't been able to do what we needed to do to make it happen. Does that make sense? I mean, I get the hotel. I get it. But at that time, I think I don't think he thought he had any other options. He has made his own arrangements. He's not staying at that hotel. That's for the parents and the child. And the other hotel is for the course student, the female student and her parent. So, the band director and the chorus director, neither one of them are staying
065in those hotel rooms. The band director is making other arrangements for himself and the chorus teacher lives close by, so she's going to drive back and forth >> and >> so the hotel rooms are for the students, >> right? >> But, >> and I feel like this puts us in a bad predicament. >> I hear you. >> Because my back's against the wall. >> Under no um circumstance is this a reflection on the parents because I know how much parents do. >> Absolutely. especially band parents. Oh my goodness, what they do. >> They go above and beyond. >> So this puts me in a bad position because >> puts us all in a bad position. >> I'm very thankful to have them, thankful for the support, thankful for the finances, thankful for all that they
066do, but at the end of the day, once again, >> we have to be good stewards of the constituents money and the money that is in that till and where the money goes and how it is being put out. So, I guess the lack of oversight from administration not knowing and nobody telling anybody anything and then booking it without board approval, that's a problem because at this rate, if this is how we conducted business and this is what we do and we're just like, well, okay, we understand for the kid we have to do it. Which >> I'm not being nonchalant about it at all. I'm not >> but I'm just I'm speaking from my perspective. You know, it sets the presidents and it sets the tone because other people are going to feel like,
067okay, well, if we did something without board approval, it wouldn't be okay. But here we are. >> Well, that's why he knew that he had to do it with his own credit card because he knew it wasn't approved ahead of time. >> But what's on here that came to us was that money. So, he didn't just use his own card and think he wasn't going to get the money back. >> Well, he's hoping that was that's what he said. That's the hope. But that doesn't necessarily mean that that's what's >> he took the risk because he was very passionate and proud of this child and wanted this child to be there with the team as hard as the child has worked felt that he deserved it. >> I would like to let me in the
068motion one second. Miss Duval would like >> and I think that's great that risk and I'm all for that because I would do anything for a kid too. So I commend him for that. But when you do do something like that, it's that means everybody in the in the district could just haphazardly say, you know what, the kids are important because they are. So we're just going to take the risk and I'm going to put 2200 on my card and you know what, they're going to see it as it's for the kid and they're just going to approve it. So that we'd have that happening buzzing all over. Does that make sense? Am I saying that correctly? So yes, sometimes when we're put >> I felt like I think he was in the same kind
069of position that you feel like you're in right now. Right. At that moment he didn't feel like he had any other options and so this is what he chose to do. So >> Miss Dval, >> give me one second. >> You want to call on Mark? I think it's like >> Mark. >> Yeah. I I I think I would like to amend the motion to approve the trip without the finances. Don't approve any any kind of expenses. Can we do that, Mrs. MCO? Miss Mon, >> he put it on his >> amend to prove the trip without the expense and let let the band >> if they want to pay for it, pay for it. >> I've got it. >> Miss Duval wants to add in real quick. >> Go ahead, Mu. >> I'm sorry
070to take a few time >> because it's not before I get the answer to the question that I'm >> This isn't the parents fault, you know. This is just it didn't it wasn't proper policy and procedure >> and it's a lot of money. So >> Central's going on the same trip, >> same hotel. They made their reservation December 8th. It was $245 a night. Okay. Beyond that, I've asked Joyce to check on something because I don't want to say something that is out of line or out of turn on this, but I may have a a solution. Okay? So, please bear with me. >> And I just don't want this opportunity to take away from the student because it's not their fault. >> I understand. We >> We all have that student in mind. And
071it's not the parents. They're going to help out. >> I don't think he >> I don't think any of this >> Where does the blame blame lie? >> I don't know that there's any blame to I think it's just a matter of >> course there's blame. Somebody approved something without board authorization. >> No, he used his own credit card. So >> I have to say though, but he did but it's still on here and so we're having a discussion, >> right? >> If it wasn't on here, we wouldn't have to stand here and have this discussion because he used his own credit card and he was fine with that. But he's not. He's looking for compensation. So therefore, hoping therefore understands that that may not happen. >> So therefore, that puts it back on us.
072But that puts us in a bad position. So regardless, I don't like being put in that position. I don't ever want to be put in that position again. So the blame lies on lack of oversight from administration. That's where the blame lies. So, I'm sorry, but it is what it is. I mean, would you disagree? Is that >> No. No, I wasn't. >> And I'm sorry. I just I don't like being put in this position either, you know? I think it's a bad position to be put in. >> I've just asked for a quiet pause, please. >> Can we take a moment of silence? Yes, please. 3600. Okay. All right. Here's here's my thought. Uh, obviously the board does not want to see uh the student miss out on this opportunity. Obviously, this band director
073needs a lot of guidance on dealing with finances, timelines, etc., etc. Rather than penalize the band boosters account, because that is hardearned money by the band boosters, my request is, and Dana would have to approve it, take the $1,700 out of the principal's internal account. That's where the money comes from. Money goes back to band boosters. >> Miss Beers, do you want to come up? >> Approved. >> She said approved. I would like her on the record for that. Thank you. >> Does that make Absolutely. And that seems like a fair way to solve it to handle it. >> Thank you very much. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, M. Like I said, I hate being >> I'm willing to take responsibility for my actions. Let me amend. I make a motion we approve it with
074the funds being paid for out of the out of the springstead uh principles discretionary fund. >> Internal account. >> Do I have a motion for that? >> A motion. My motion. >> A verbal. May we do a verbal, please? Board. >> Yes. >> My motion. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Who do you have for motioning so we have it correct? >> Okay. All who's a second? >> First one is stated. >> And then are we doing a verbal vote? >> I stated the motion. >> Mr. Johnson. Mrs. Bonick. You want to second it? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Okay. >> Do we have to vote on that as well? >> Verbal. >> Yes. Okay. Verbal. Yes. >> Verbal. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. For me. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Now we can vote on
075We have to vote on on the original motion. >> All right. So, item number 16 26-3536. Amend the approval for the overnight field trip for Springstead High School students to attend the Florida Music Educator Association Conference in Tampa, Florida from January 15, 2026 through January 17, 2026. Please vote. May I have a second? I'm sorry. May I have a motion? A second, and please vote. And that passes 5-0. Thank you. Okay. Now we come to our general counsel comments. Do we have any comments? >> I don't have any this evening. Thank you. >> Okay. Board members, do we have any closing comments? >> No. Um, I'd like to do a shout out to Winding Waters for the front desk. We have a Mrs. Melissa Caruso guy and a Mrs. Denise James and they work the
076front desk at Winding Waters. And as board members, we're all over the county. We're in all the schools. And I think that the face of the school um, of course, is the front office and the staff there. And that is your first impression and it makes a lasting impression. And they are always cheerful. They're always bright. They have a lot on their plate. That's a hard hard job to sit there at that front desk and deal with all of the things coming in them coming towards them at once. It's a lot of activity and they always make it look so easy and they do it with um with a smile. So, I just wanted to say that I do really appreciate them in the way that they make the parents feel. It just means a
077lot. So, I wanted to make sure I said that. I've been wanting to say that and I keep forgetting. And then um I am proud to be serving in the legislative um liaison role representing this board and the superintendent as well as our community including the teachers, the students and their families. So today is the opening day for our legislative session. Our district's priorities deserve a strong voice in Tallahassee. So myself and Mrs. Bonszik at the end of January will be traveling to Tallahassee to meet with our local legislators. these local voices that we have here in our community, they do matter and when we advocate together, the lawmakers listen. So, I think it's extremely important for us to um go there and be able to express our sentiments and how we feel and things
078that are happening here and then to bring that back that feedback back to you guys. Um advoc advocacy comes in many forms and our teachers are the backbone of every achievement. They're not line items. They are the heart of our mission. So once again earlier that ties into whenever I explained how important they are and advocacy means ensuring that they have competitive pay, professional respect and the tools that they need to thrive. Advocacy is not optional. It's our responsibility. So our students and teachers cannot be in the room today in Tallahassee. So we are their voice whenever we go there and we must use it with courage and clarity. Legislative decision should expand access, not restrict it. Our job is to ensure policies lift students up, that they benefit teachers with the resources needed, and
079strengthen public education. With this being said, Mrs. Bonszik and myself stand ready to work with legislators to craft solutions that reflect the realities of classrooms and the needs of our community. I would be remiss if I didn't also extend our appreciation to our elected local state officials for their support of the district and their collaboration around our district initiatives. So, I take this job serious. Um, I hear your voice. I hear the concerns. I know we have a lot of work to do. So, I just wanted you guys to know that um it's very important and it's a significant role and I'm blessed to be able to do it and to be able to speak on your behalf. And other than that, I hope you guys have a great night. Thank you guys all for
080coming out. Thank you for sta Thank you staff. Thank you for all that you do to make our board meetings efficient and for always being there like earlier tonight and helping us along the way. We couldn't do it without you. And I thank all of the constituents, families, parents, everyone who takes time out of their night to come up here and to support us. It means a lot. And I hope you guys have a safe drive home. God bless each and every one of you. Have a good night. >> Thank you, Mr. Pender. So, if I can ask um Gina and Jen to come up. We had some good news in the last couple hours. So, I wanted to share that with you. While you're coming out up, just want to remind people that this
081Monday the 19th is the MLK parade. So, uh come out. I think it begins at 10:00. Um also, we had one teacher that we didn't recognize from Powell that had 30 years, uh the 30-year pen in the book. She wasn't here. Um but her name is Anita Sola. So I wanted to recognize her and ladies if you could give us the good news hot off the press. >> Good evening board. Um DOE released our graduation rates. Um so we are excited to share some data with you. U we'll also send you that data as well. I'm here with Jen Mirbach. She's our director of assessment and I'm going to turn it over to her and she's going to share the good news. All right. We are beyond excited to share that the 2425 federal graduation
082rates have been released and the results are outstanding. In the 2324 school year, our district's graduation rate was 88%. Our 2425 graduation rate is 93.5%. Which is an increase of 5.4%. WI and exceeds the state by 1.3%. All of our high [clears throat] schools have increased their graduation rate. We also increased our ESSE graduation rate from 86% to 92.9%. A total increase of 6.9%. Which is also surpassing the state by 3.8%. This achievement is a direct reflection of our school's unwavering commitment, hard work, and dedication to supporting students each and every day. The data has been broken down for each high school and we can share that with all of you. Thank you. >> Thank you. What a great way. >> Thank you. Great way to end the meeting on a positive note. Just I
083didn't give you the opportunity. Did you have anything to say? >> Good night everyone. >> All right. And then I would just like to say as we begin the new year, may the year ahead of us bring renewed focus, steady progress, and positive outcomes. On behalf of the board, we wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. And this meeting is adjourned at 7:34 p.m.