001[Music] I got you. [Music] Happy. [Music] Good evening everyone. I would like to call this meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. The reflection will be provided by Mr. Johnson followed by the pledge of allegiance by Nature Coast Technical High School. If we all please stand like to invoke God to oversee these proceedings and keep us keep the students forefront in our mind what's best for the students and for this community. And we'll just have a quick moment of silence please. Thank you. I aliance 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, Nature Coast, for coming out today. Uh, we'll pass the mic around for you guys to introduce yourselves. Uh, Mr. Ellerman, I
002think, are you handling that tonight? Okay, I see the thumbs up in the air there. >> My name is a senior in high school at N Coast Techno High School in the Beta Club of I am a Junior. >> Hello everyone. My name is Calvin TR. I'm a junior at Nature Coast Technical. And I'm part of Beta. >> Hi everyone. I'm Jakea at Nature Coast Technical High School and I'm a junior. >> Hello, I'm Caleb Hodes. I'm in 11th grade and I'm in Nature Coast Technical High School Beta Club. Hello, my name is Justin Teague, high school at Nature Coast. >> Hello, my name is Haley Doyle. Um, I am a junior at Nature Coast Technical High School and part of the Beta Club. Hello everyone, I'm P Gaga. I'm a junior at Natur Coast
003Technical High School and in the Beta Club. and I am a senior. >> Hi, my name is Kyra Smiley and I'm a senior at Nature Coast Technical High School and I am the president of Beta Club. >> Hello, I am Emily Fishoffer. I am a junior in high school in Nature Coast Technical. I am in the Beta Club. Um, you want to pass it out? All right. And the Beta Club members here today from Nature Coast Technical High School are receiving a certificate of appreciation and a Chick-fil-A free chicken sandwich and a cow, which we will mail to them. >> Not to be not to be confused with the east side cow, Mr. Ler. Thank you nature nature coast and parents for coming out tonight. >> Is Mr. Mersbach here tonight? >> Oh, there you
004are. >> How are you, sir? >> I'm good. How are you? Doing good. Thank you. >> Uh good evening, Chairperson Rodriguez, Vice Chairperson Johnson, Superintendent Pender, and members of the board. Uh my name is Brad Mersbach. I'm principal of Nature Coast Technical High School. Uh first, I'd like to begin by thanking our Nature Coast Technical High School Beta Club students and their sponsors, Miss Palawit and Mrs. Stenstöm, for leading the pledge of allegiance this evening. They're an outstanding representation of leadership, service, and pride that define our campus. Uh in fact, Mrs. Stenstöm is going to be recognized here in a little bit for her 30 years of service. So, we can do a early round of applause for Miss Denstrom. At Nature Coast Technical High School, we take great pride in being more than just
005a high school. We are a career and technical community of learners where students don't just study their subjects, they live them. Our culture is built on purpose, pride, and performance. The foundation of what we call the Techway, where sharks lead and culture thrives. We offer full programs of study in a variety of career and technical education clusters. Digital cinema, information technology, commercial art technology, allied health, automotive, engineering, aerospace, criminal justice, culinary arts, energy technician, and performing arts. Each is a multi-year program that pro provides authentic industry-based learning and prepares students for success beyond graduation. Our digital cinema students are constantly behind the camera creating stories that move people from promotional pieces for the school to full productions that showcase their professional level editing and storytelling skills. In fact, they just returned last night from a
006competition in New York where they put together two production teams competing against 40 other schools and both teams finished in the top 10. In information technology, students build websites, develop games, explore cyber security through challenges, and apply data data analytics to real world problems. The focus is on hands as a hands-on experience in technical fluency across multiple areas of digital innovation in order to remain current with industry demands. Our commercial arts technology students provide creative services across the district, designing eighth grade and senior night banners, team photographs, t-shirt designs for schools, blending creativity and professionalism in every project as our students get hands-on experiences. The allied health program continues to thrive with students engaging in clinical experiences that put them sidebyside with health care professionals, gaining firsthand knowledge uh and certifications that prepare prepare them
007for careers in nursing and patient care. In automotive, our students are turning wrenches and diagnostics into opportunity. Uh performing real maintenance and repair work while preparing for ASC certification and direct entry into the workforce. Our engineering students are busy tackling design challenges, applying CAD software, robotics, and fabrication to develop innovative solutions to real world problems. The aerospace program continues to take learning to new heights quite literally with students exploring flight principles, aerodynamics, drone technology, giving them a launchpad into one of the fastest growing industries in the country. Our criminal justice students learn from real world law enforcement professionals practicing everything from courtroom procedures to traffic stops, developing leadership, discipline, and civic responsibility. In culinary arts, students combine creative and precision serving faculty uh cater catering events and mastering techniques that build both confidence and culinary
008experience. Our energy technician program uh prepares students for tomorrow's infrastructure from electrical safety and solar technology to green energy, helping build the workforce that powers our community. And finally, our performing arts students bring the creative heartbeat to our campus this weekend. They'll showcase the passion their passion during their annual Halloween spooktacular. a student prov uh produced event that highlights their both their talents on and off the stage. We're also proud of how our programs collaborate beyond our own walls. Partnerships and community connections are central to who we are because when schools work together, everyone wins. A perfect example is our digital theater program led by Mr. Wald uh whose students recently partnered with East Side Elementary to produce a music video project giving elementary students a professional production experience and showing how our sharks use
009their talents to lift others. That's the tech way. That's what it's all about. Combining skill, creativity, and collaboration to leave and uh to lead, serve, and inspire. Uh thank you for your continued support of our career and technical education and for recognizing the incredible work happening across our district. At Nature Coast, we're proud to be home of the sharks, where innovation meets opportunity, and where students truly learn the tech way. At this time, I'd like to let Mr. Wald, Dr. Ler, and Mr. Schwarz come up and talk about the project they collaborated on and show you the video on their final results from their collaboration. You guys want to come up? >> Yeah. >> Good evening. Um, so about a month ago, uh, Mr. Wilder and his son Kaden is right here in the front
010row. There you go. All right, Kayen. Yeah. Um, they approached me and Mr. Wilder actually called me in the car line. And you know, all the principles in the room know if you get called in the car line to scoot up and go talk to a parent, sometimes it's not good, right? So, I was wondering what's what's this about? and he said, you know, hey, we're going to be moving at the end of this year and, you know, I I make music and Kayen and I have really been working on a song for East Side that kind of just um is a total package of everything you guys do at Eastside Elementary. I'm like, "All right, cool. Send me the song. That'll be awesome." About a week later, I got the song on my email
011and I knew right away there was only one man and his students to call and that was Mr. Wald. And I um and I I gave him a call and I said, "Listen, man." And Mr. Schwarz and I said I said we're going to make a video that's going to be awesome. We're going to have this and Mr. Schwarz is he's game for everything we do and I when I called you it was just he's like let's do it. So I'll let you kind of take over how it happened from there because it was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to show you guys. >> Um yeah when uh Dr. Loster reach reached out he was like we got a song and I I could tell he wasn't like super confident in his pitch thinking that
012like we get a lot of these requests cuz we do. and he's like, "No, it's a real song." Uh, and I played it and it was a real song and I was incredibly impressed with the song. I've got it memorized now. I've probably listened to it a couple thousand times. Uh, my students as well. We went through the process. I gave it to my senior class. Uh, we brainstormed a bunch of ideas that we thought would be creative. Um, it was all hinging upon a good performance. We were going to go for the performative piece. Uh, and then Dr. Loster had a bunch of good ideas for B-roll and we ended up combining a bunch of ideas. Uh, my students led the way. I literally had nothing to do with it uh aside from encouraging
013them to do it and they were OJT students or dual enrollment students. So they were able to get on campus over there um without missing any school time and they brought equipment and they were there for a few hours and and you can tell them what it looked like on campus. >> So uh on campus was incredible. They showed up and they were able to meet up with our other East Side student Javian Trinidad's here. Say hi Javian. >> He is a performer. So he's one of our fifth grade safety patrol leaders. You guys all know we push leaders and he learned the song prior to the video so he could be the performer cuz Kaden's a second grader. He's a little nervous, right, Kayen? It's all right though. He's in the video. He has
014a cameo. But I will tell you something. You know, everything that Mr. Mersbach talked about and it's like that with all their programs was just incredible seeing the students in work. Like Mr. Wall said, he had nothing I had nothing to do with it. I introduced him to um Miss Brand Huber, our media specialist. It was a busy day for me at the school with meetings and such and she took them and they were all over campus and I would just walk around campus and seeing like behind thes scene footage of this video being made and it just became um something that all the other students were buzzing about. So before we posted it online, it has over 10,000 views online by the way already. Um uh before we even post Yeah, it was pretty
015cool, right? So before we posted online, we did a watch party during lunches. The kids had no clue about it. Some of them remember seeing like a video team out there and the amount of applause they got afterwards was just incredible to see our students so excited for it. So, it was really cool. >> So, I guess we're right here. >> Yeah. Uh we we did a watch party as well with the high school students and they were they were bopping their head in my classroom, right? So, 130 kids saw it, but they were bobbing their heads and loving it and they just thought it was the cutest thing. And uh I just thought you wrote a really great song, man. You did a really great job. And there's like four or five versions of
016the song. >> So, listen this. >> Yeah. which is crazy. They gave us like multiple songs and there was one. >> This is This is really suspenseful. When do we get to hear it? >> Oh, yeah. I know. I'm so excited. Sorry. I'm just pumped. It was great. You're great. Run. >> You're so right. >> East Elementary where the legends are made. Brooksville Sunshine. We parade in the shade. Principles of all step behind ready for change. Purple and yellow squad. The game got upgraded. Leopards on the proud hallways feeling electric. Power up the lead. Every move's majestic. Morning bell rings. The energy's kinetic. Mighty roar echo. This vibe's infectious. >> East side roaring so loud. Can't ignore it. Purple and yellow. Watch us explore it. Power up to lead. We going to soar it. Leopards
017on the rise. Let the world adore it. >> East side roaring so loud. Can't ignore it. >> Purple and yellow. Watch us explore it. >> Power up to lead. >> We going to soar it. Leopards on the rise. Let the world adore it. Classrooms buzzing brains and beef mode. Math facts flying. We cracking every code. Science lab popping. Volcanoes explode. Brooksville's finest. Our futures untold. Recess champs. We the kings of the court. Cafeteria squad with the trade carrier sport. Principal pep talks. Keep us ready for more. Staff's the dream team. They never fall short. >> Let me hear it. East side elementary. [Music] >> Let's go. East side roaring so loud can't ignore it. Purple and yellow watch us explore it. Power up to lead it. We going to soar it. Leopards on the rise.
018Let the world adore it. East side roaring so loud. Can't ignore it. >> Purple and yellow. Watch us explore it. >> Power up to lead. Oh, >> we going to it. Leopards on the rise. Let the world adore it. [Applause] Can we have a picture with you? >> You want to come front? Come up front. We'll get you a picture. Where's our singer? Okay. [Laughter] I follow you. Good job. Yes. >> So, one of the things that was said in the course of I wrote down a few things, as you might imagine, is that we got out of the way and the students led. So, I think that's a statement that we need to keep playing in our minds as adults that we're there to guide. But if we really get students to lead the
019way, it will become something better than East Side thought it would be. Maybe was is it Caden? Kaden thought it would be, the parents thought it would be, or Nature Coast thought it would be. And when you get two people working together, uh, two groups working together, students working together, and it's better than either group thought. And since East Side is a leader in me school, that's called synergy. That's habit six is synergy. It's not a compromise. It's not 1 + 1 equals 2. It's 1 + 1 equals 3. And I say that intentionally. It's better than either group thought it would be. So that's synergizing. So I was impressed. Uh M Dr. Lstra sent me the video before he posted it and immediately um I was so impressed by everyone working together and it
020just gets better when you hear of an elementary school working with a high school and those student leaders leading the younger ones. So I'll end with a quote. Steven Cvy said, "Leadership is about communicating someone's worth and the potential so clearly that they begin to see it in themselves." And I think that that's if we can do that every day in Hernando County Schools to our students and to our staff, to our faculty, then we are succeeding. So, thank you East Side. Thank you Nature Coast for your leadership and putting this together. And leadership does not have a size to it. It doesn't mean because you're in first, second, third grade that you can't be a leader. I believe that you can and you are leaders no matter what grade you're in. So, thank you
021to both schools for doing that. >> Thank you, Mr. Pender. What's next? What's next, gentlemen? American Idol. Thank you for being here and for that presentation. It was very nice. So item number one, 26-3386, approval to adopt the agenda dated October 21st, 2025. >> Do we want to Okay, let's go back to Mr. Ellman is going to give some certificates, so we'll back up. >> Go ahead, Mr. Ellerman. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board, Superintendent Pender, community members, students, faculty, and staff. At this time, on behalf of the Hernando County School District, I would like to recognize the following Nature Coast Technical High School employees for exemplary service with the district for more than 30 years. As I call your name, please receive your certificate and stay at
022the front for a group photo. Virginia Critzer, [Applause] >> Richard Homer, and Deborah Strinstrom. [Applause] So from the conversation we were having 38 years, 32 years, 42 38 in Fernando County. >> Wow. [Applause] almost. [Applause] And we just want to thank each and every one of you for your dedication to our district. Thank you for making a difference. Item number one, 26-3386, approval to adopt the agenda dated October 21st, 2025. I find good cause to allow the revision to item number 13, 26-3385, to include Hernando High School students. Can I please have a motion? A second. Please vote. And that motion passes four to zero. Thank you. Do we have any elected officials? So last week I had the honor of attending the student delegate election at which time Mrs. Abdul Rahim was voted in
023to represent our county as this year's student representative to the board. Welcome Jera. We are very pleased to have you. >> Thank you. >> So, we would like you to give our school update. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um for Brooksville Elementary um on October 17th. >> I'm sorry. Before you do, I just want to Can you introduce yourself a little bit? Tell us. >> Absolutely. >> Sorry. >> I should have told you that. um just so that everybody we got to hear this last week and that way everybody listening and everyone in the audience can get to know her a little bit. >> Okay. Hello, my name is Jira Abdraeim. I am a senior at Springstead High School. Um I am involved in Impact and have leadership with Impact Club as
024well as our school spirits club EFC. I am also the president of our acting troop. Um, I've been I was the junior delegate last year, so I got to see Santiago and see what he did with the board and figure out that I wanted to do this, too. So, yes, >> we are so pleased to have you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Now, can you please give your school update? Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. Okay. Uh over the past some of the past events at Brooksville Elementary, on Friday, October 17th, all students at BES received at least one book as part of their book blast event. Um on October 24th, they will be having a PBIS event called Exploration Mini Dome. They will also be celebrating Unity Day as well as ribbon week. Uh at
025Chokatty they are inviting us to go west and sorry a musical celebration of Americans westward expansion and then on December 12th they are also hosting their annual winter wonderland and all of us are invited at Deltona Elementary on f sorry on Friday October 24th they will be having a dance party as well as their McDonald's de night at Eastside elementary school. Over the past couple weeks, Eastside has had some fun events from spooky steam night to a buddy stuffing event to a Halloween parade coming up that involves the prek, VPK, and kindergarten. JD Floyd is doing a trunk retreat on October 30th and the student council will be helping at Motton Elementary. Sorry. Motton has seen some great leaders through their leader in me program. They will also be having a color run fundraiser and
026a booken at Spring Hill Elementary. Um they have recently had a house sorting party, title one night and the first prep rally. They are also taking donations for school supplies and for the toy drive. They are also guest readers from they were also had guest readers from Springstead High School's IB program. upcoming events that they have. They will be starting their year yearly Thanksgiving canned food drive celebrating unity day and red ribbon week and hosting their annual color run fundraiser. Sunost Elementary School. Some of the past events that they had was October 2nd they had their title one night and some of the upcoming events was October 22nd they will be celebrating unity day. October 24th is their trunk retreat. Westside Elementary School. Some of the upcoming events at Westside is having a quarterly PBIS
027dance for students with positive behavior on Friday. And then October 30th, they are having their trunk or treat event. Parents will read a book with their ch child, then participate in trunk-or-treating. DS Parrot Middle School DS Parrots Middle School's leader and me students will be visiting Motton Elementary and Eastside Elementary on Monday, November 10th. Fox Chapel. Oh, of some of the past events that they had was October 17th, Dogs with Dye. Students with perfect attendance received hot dogs made by their principal, Mr. Dye. October 18th, community event. They had a community event where they carved pumpkins. And then some of the upcoming events that they have is October 24th, they will be having a color run as well as their PBIS event where students can pick what room they want to do. October 30th is
028their Glowene dance party that leads into their trunk or treat. November 5th, they have pajama dress down day as well as PBIS home visits. November 7th, their student government will be hosting their veterans day breakfast. PAL Middle School. Some of the upcoming events is October 23rd is MC Teacher Night. October 24th is their PBIS event as well as their paint a pumpkin event. October 30th is their first prep rally. Their football team went three and three and they have made it to the playoffs. Explorer. Explorer has created a math club and a morning announcements teams as well as holding their title one night. They also gave out academic awards for the first quarter. Some of the upcoming events is October 24th is their first prep rally for all grade levels. Their football team is undefeated
029in their regular season and are going to playoffs. And then October 30th they will be hosting their first trunk or treat. Hernando High School. On October 20th, uh, Hernando High School had a band extravaganza featuring all middle and high school marching bands in the county in Tom Fischer Stadium, Springstead High School. They are inviting us to come out October 22nd to see a night of student directed one acts. October 24th, they are doing a senior color wars and then October 29th, they are inviting the community to come to the free impact event, keeping kids safe, navigating current substance use trends, taking place at the Springstead Theater. Thank you for listening. [Applause] >> Thank you. Well done. >> 26-3211, recognition of the October Hernando County School District veteran, Mr. Ellerman. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of
030the board, Superintendent Pender, community members, students, faculty, and staff. At this time, on behalf of the Hernando County School District, I would like to recognize the October veteran of the month, Mr. William Pierce. Mr. [Applause] Pierce is a retired US Army staff sergeant who served in Operation Desert Storm and two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His decorations include a Bronze Star Medal. Mr. Pierce now continues to serve his community as an environmental services technician at Westside Elementary. At this time, principal at Westside Elementary, Dana Kublick, would like to say a few words. >> Good evening, Madame Chair, members of the board, and Superintendent Pender. I am Dana Kublick, the principal of Westside, and this is Dino Platney, our assistant principal. And if you just strap in for a minute, I'm going to talk about Bill's
031wonderful honors in his 26 years of service with the US Army. Throughout his military career, Bill served in multiple vital roles, including Army aviation scout, Army recruiter, specializing in guidance and operations, and military police combat special operations specialist. His leadership, courage, and commitment exemplify the highest standards of military experience. Bill's outstanding service is reflected in his many awards and decorations, including Bronze Star Medal, Merritorious Service Medal, Army Commenation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Saudi Arabia Service Medal, Kuwait Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Orus unit award and mentorious unit commendation. In addition, Bill earn earned several badges of distinction including combat action badge, air assault badge, and army recruiting badge. Each representing a high
032level of skill, discipline, and dedication. During his military career, Bill proudly served with some of Army's most respected units, including the 101st Airborne Division, the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment Blackhorse, and the Third Infantry Division. Bill's 26 years of service reflect a lifetime of honor, courage, and sacrifice. For the last 12 years, Bill's values have continued to inspire us all at Hernando County Schools. Bill has worked as an EST at Hernando High School and now Westside Elementary. He takes pride in his work, leaving every classroom spotless. Our fifth graders look forward to their high- fives in the back hallway every afternoon. Bill takes time to help students, especially those in our ESC classrooms. They all love Mr. Bill. On a personal note, our families have stood beside each other for the last 24 years. Bill has
033always been one of our favorite soldiers. It is an absolute honor to be here tonight to recognize not only my employee but lifelong friend. We are so proud of you. Thank you for your service. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] On behalf of the board, thank you, Mr. Pierce, to our country and our district. Thank you so much. Item number 3, 26-3347. Approve proclamation number P26-00002, Hernando County Schools Bullying Prevention Acts of Kindness Week, November 10th through the 16th, 2026. >> Turn it. Push your button. >> No, push your button. Oh, sorry. Um, good evening, Madam Chair, board members, Mr. Pender. Uh, my name is Ryan Wilson, and I'm representing student services. Uh, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this proclamation. Um, I definitely would have made it a wrap if I knew we were
034making videos, but it was too too late now. All right. >> You didn't get the memo. >> Did not get the memo. If I would have known, I would have took it back to 97, you know. >> Thank you. Just So, can can you just freestyle? >> No, not freestyle. That that's past my time. I'm not that skilled. I will say this though, I can I I can do the worm, right? I can do that. Um, sorry, taking up time. Uh, so again, thank you for allowing me to read the plamation. Um, whereas it is important that Hernando students be protected from bullying, harassment, and its tragedies and recognize that bullying and harassment are a form of violence with lifelong effects. As we acknowledge that a safe physical and emotional environment is a significant goal
035and a personal right for each individual. And whereas as we acknowledge that there are many incidents of depression, poor self-esteem, anxiety, aggression, self-destructive behaviors, and violent acts that children resort to in defense of bullying and harassment. And whereas all parents, students, and especially those leaders in education, healthcare, and law enforcement, government, and business need to collaborate with each other to focus public attention on this important issue of school safety and work to change the social climate and social norms in regards to bullying and harassing behavior. And whereas bullying and harassment are learned behaviors and occur in environments other than just school. And whereas individuals and communities have the responsibility, the power and the knowledge of the resources available to stop bullying and harassment in its tracks. And whereas heightening awareness in helping each other to
036recognize and respond effectively to bullying and harassment behavior will promote respect, safety within our learning environment and beyond into our family community. Be it resolved and proclaimed. Uh, our schools are committed to bullying and harassment prevention and officially designate November 10th through November 16th, uh as Hernando Countyy's bullying and acts of kindness week. Thank you. Um, and just before I go though, we would like to invite any parents, community members uh to participate in our anti-bullying committee which will be Wednesday, December 10th. If you want information, just contact student services. [Applause] >> Thank you so much. That's a wonderful proclamation. Can I please have a motion? Any discussion? >> Please vote. And that motion passes four to zero. Thank you. Item number 4, 26-3387, approval of the minutes from the informal workshop and regular schoolboard
037meeting of October 7th, 2025. Can I please have a motion? A second. Any discussion? Please vote. >> And that motion passes 4 to zero. Thank you. Item number 526-3346. Enter a final order expelling the student in case number E 2026-9-01 from the school bus for one full year. Can I please have a motion? >> A second. Please vote. >> And that motion passes 4 to zero. Item number 6, 26-3350, enter a final order expelling the student in case number E, 2026-09-02 for one academic year. Can I please have a motion? A second. Thank you. Please vote. And that motion passes four to zero. Item number 7, 26-3355. Enter a final order expelling the student in case number E 2026-9-3 for one academic year. Can I please have a motion >> in a second? Please vote.
038And that motion passes four to zero. Thank you. Item number 8, 26-3388, citizen input on agenda items. Are there any green speaker forms? >> Thank you, Mr. Myers. Can you please read the instructions for this item? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> This is the opportunity 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 of the boardroom. You should have in you should indicate the item or items you wish 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.
039The opportunity to speak on items not on the agenda will be 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 speaking. Each speaker will have three minutes during the segment of the agenda. Speakle speakers will be called to come forward by the chairman prior to making 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. Those are the instructions. >> Thank you, councel. And our first speaker is Mrs. Kimberly Molo. if you would please come forward. >> Kimberly Morin, Brooksville, Florida. Um I'm discussing agenda item number 2126 3311. Um I was just curious how many board members
040were going and um I was curious if you could a lot of us don't even know what is discussed at these conferences. if you know, maybe you could educate us, the public, since we are exceeding $500 to go to Tampa. Um, I would also like to know what the start and stop time is each day. Like, do you start at 9:00 a.m.? It stops at 7. I was just curious, you know, cuz I keep seeing it. They're they're they're on here multiple times and I'm want to educate myself on what you guys do there and how many's going and so forth. Um, and to justify like I understand getting a hotel like good lord, I get it. if you're getting out there at 7:00 a.m. who want or 7:00 p.m. who want to drive all
041the way back to drive all the way back at 5:00 a.m. So, I was just curious if you could educate us on that. Um, I would surely appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you. We are at the portion for the adoption of consent agenda items number 9 through 21. Do we have any board members who would like to pull items from the consent? >> No. No. >> Can I please have a motion? >> Uh, Madam Chair, though, if I could address Mrs. Moloon, the uh school board association discussed a lot of issues between policies, ethical uh innovations in education and different programs. There's several workshops that are attended um by by members who attend and it starts at 8:00 in the morning and runs to 5:'lock in the evening and there's some events in the
042in the evening as well. I've always found them very educational and very informative. Some of the subjects are unique. Some of the ideas we brought back. One of those one year for example was the gentleman's clubs that we put in place in 2016 and I that stayed in place through the beginning of co which was great for behavioral uh issues with students. So there's a lot of lot to be gained from these sessions a lot of knowledge and how to be better board members. >> Thank you very much. Okay, we're on the adoption of the consent agenda items number 9 through 21. Can I please have a motion and a second? Please vote. And that motion passes four to zero. Thank you. At this time, we're at the portion for citizen input on general topics.
043These are pink speaker forms. Item number 22 26-3389. Citizen input on Hernando County school issues on which the school board customarily takes action. Are there any pink speaker forms? >> Thank you. I'll trade you. You're welcome. Our first speaker is Mrs. Kimberly >> Moruni. Well, at least I get done early tonight. Hey, Brooks, Kimberly, Brooksville, Florida. I want to comment on teacher raises. Uh, my understanding it's 20ome. It's $470 for the whole year. So that'd be like 20ome a paycheck, 20 something cents an hour if they only work their contract hours. Um, family insurance rate going up. So essentially now they're getting no raise and including taking more money away from them. These these teachers really impact our students. I've seen the impact from my oldest on down. They do a lot for these kids.
044They're asked to put their life on the line if something is to happen at that school. They are asked to put their life on the line to protect these children. They deserve more. And and I know you can't discuss it and it's okay and I know you can't comment, but and I get that and that's a-ok. Okay. But you should know what how a parent feels. These teachers do so much for these kids. They teach them how to think and not what to think. They teach them how to do math equations. They teach them all the wonderful things about science and history and and now they're doing a leader in me. Like these teachers go above and beyond every day. And they deserve better than that. They absolutely do. And I'm going to put it
045out there to the teachers. If you only want to work your contract hours, please do. You can contact me and I will do whatever I can to help you, to take some of that off your plate because you guys deserve more and you deserve more parents to back you. You deserve this board and this district to back you. Maybe we need to look at the no offense, not saying anything mean. Maybe we need to re-evaluate from the top down. Maybe we're a little too topheavy. Maybe we have things at the top that we may not need right now because we need these teachers. We're not going to have 20, 30, 40year teachers. We keep going the way we're going. Economy isn't there. Prices of everything are still going up. And how do you expect them
046to survive? You can't. On that note, I just want to raise one more issue. But I stand with you teachers by the way. One last issue. I had an issue last week, I think it was, or two weeks ago. My daughter had a substitute bus driver I contacted, did everything the right way. This the substitute bus driver got a slap on the wrist. He told kids to sit their asses down in the seat. No, that is not going to happen on my watch. My daughter was scared of this guy. He was not very nice. and he made a little kindergartener walk back to their bus stop and he gets a slap on the wrist. I don't think so. Somebody needs to look into that. I made I got the email what what the results was
047because I wanted the information and they sent it to me. So, somebody needs to take care of it and it's route 29. Mr. Lonnie was out that day and it was a substitute. Please take care of it. That guy needs to be gone now. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Our next speaker is Miss Gracie Mun. >> Good evening, Scubber and Ray Pender. Um, I would like to say a few things. First is Miss Bailey and Silva. They are amazing teachers. Actually, I'm actually doing way better in schools than last year because last year I did not learn that many ways. And I thought to myself, I'm like, why aren't they like giving us more ways to learn in math? Because I bad at math, but now I'm really good at it thanks to Miss Bailey.
048But I don't I don't know why they didn't let us learn more like ways last year because last year I'm not understanding and we learned like only three ways and I found like and I asked my friend how how many ways there is in math and she's like oh yeah there's like a lot of ways. Even my mom found a lot of ways but yet they don't want to teach us those ways because they think other kids learn the same ways and yet they don't. And I learn different than because every student is different in that school and every student learns different ways. So I think they should learn more ways than they should because my mom found tons of ways and I learned a lot of ways this year because of Miss Bailey and
049she is good. She is on it. She's supposed what to do and I actually grateful that I have her and Mr. a tit because they gave me one of these sheets and it's like a time sheet because I'm bad at times, but now I know I have that sheet and I can use it on testes. I'm not allowed to use on fast test, but I'm allowed to use it on actual testes. So, I think that's wonderful. Um, thank you, Mr. To, for that. And thank you, school. Have a good night. [Applause] Thank you. Our next speaker is Mrs. Pamela Gobin. >> She's why we do what we do. Um, Pamela Goin. I am a resident of Spring Hill for too many years. and I wanted to speak um about the current bargaining. Um a couple
050of points, several things that that hit me, but one of the things was that um 470 offered. Well, $35 of that is out of the district funds. The other 100 400 435 is what the state was offering for all allocations for salary increases. Um health insurance clarification. Thank you for picking up that amount, the increase, but it tells us that we have a long way to go. Working with our health negotiations, contracts, looking at other options. This is just not going to happen. And if I were paying for all my kids on the family plan, I'd have nothing. Um, mill is part of the salary. We fought really hard to get our county to increase and continue the millillage. If current Florida talk is getting rid of property taxes, then the millage is gone. There's
051just so many things that you have to take into consideration is including millillage as part of our salary. um loss of experienced teachers. Back to the 80s, the the golden parachute, how many businesses lost all their experienced um upper echelon employees? Everybody knew coming in. Sure, they saved some money on new new pays, new salaries, but you lost a lot of experience. I don't really want us to have that keep happening here. So my ask, please strongly consider the offers and solutions that have been have been already presented by the HCA HCTA bargaining team. Continue to look into some of the things that they have suggested and offer some more. I I I heard them out and there were some things that I thought might be possible possible ways. That's all I have to say
052except for congratulations, Jazer. I'm so glad to see you there. You deserve it. [Applause] >> Thank you. Our next speaker, Mrs. Susan Prible. >> Hi, Susan. Susan Pribble, retired teacher, Brooksville, Florida. Um, I wanted to speak about teacher salaries because a lot of the teachers cannot be here because they are working lots of extra hours working at football games, basketball games, tutoring, and getting their lesson plans ready because I know when I was teaching it was not a 9 toive job. We worked all day, all night, and most of Saturday and part of Sunday. And they deserve more than what they're getting. When I started teaching, it was 1985. My salary was $15,000, which was, you know, okay for me. Then the board paid 100% of my single health insurance. I was on bargaining for
053a while. And I remember when they took it out of the percentage and made it a dollar amount, and I was like, "Oh man, that's not going to be good." I applaud you guys for continuing to contribute more. Uh, when I retired, which was three years ago, I was a little bit short of uh Medicare times. I paid $800 a month for my insurance. So, people who are getting their school insurance that that's and it's probably more now because that was three years ago. So, I know you guys are contributing. Uh over the years, the salary rose, but the amount teachers paid for insurance also rose. The district paid more for our insurance, but it was also so expensive to pay for family coverage. My husband was also a teacher. We were both on the
054school insurance, and you got a little bit of a discount because we were both on it. We only had one child, but the family plan was so expensive, we had to take her off that and get private insurance, which, you know, at the time it had a very high deductible, and we were lucky that she didn't have any medical issues. I don't know how people who have children who do have issues can handle it. These days, health costs are rising at an alarming rate. I know the board is contributing more, but they're only increasing the teacher salaries by less than $500. teachers who have the family plan insurance will move backwards. I'm sure you can see how important it is for people to have healthy families. And also, I know I'm not here speaking for
055the non-instructs, but many of them work just to pay for their insurance. Please find money to offer teachers a livable raise. Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Miss Kathleen Robinson Harrison. Good afternoon, school board members. Kathleen Robinson, Spring Hill, Florida. Um, I came up here to speak about a gentleman that spoke last uh month in regards to his resentment to his daughter being um, searched and all of the procedures that we have to take nowadays in order to be safe. And I want to and I don't want to argue with anyone. I don't want to, you know, discuss anything outside when we leave or be threatened. That's not a good thing with me. But the fact of the matter is I don't think that the gentleman is very educated in what
056is happening in this world. And unfortunately, it's coming close. And Hernando County does not want to be one of those people on TV with something tragic happening on a school bus or in a school. And this is a harsh reality. Our world is changing and it is changing fast. And in order to try to keep our students, our teachers, and our bus drivers in attendance safe, we have to go to this process of searching, looking, and hoping that we don't find anything that would hurt anyone. And I want this gentleman to understand that he is not the only father that has a child that has to be looked at, watched, searched, or whatever. There are all of us. pretty soon, one day, things may come to the point where we have to be searched to
057go into our houses. Who knows? I don't know. And I hope that doesn't ever happen. But I want him to understand that this world is changing and we have to change with it to stay safe. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Mrs. Harrison. At this time, we are at the portion for Um, closing comments. So, council, Mr. Myers, do you have any? >> I have no comments, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, sir. School board. >> Mr. Johnson, >> thank you. >> Uh, I mentioned at the interlocal agreement hard facts regarding the school district. This year we took we have about a $200 million payroll and our contribution to the FRS was increased by 2.5%. That's $5 million. Same time we received a $41 increase in the FRS per student. We have 25,000 students, roughly
058$1 million. So, we are $4 million less this year in what we can spend than we were last year. And next year doesn't look to be any better the way the state legislature is doing it. They're the ones that control our budget. So, please don't blame us for what's going on with negotiations. And that's all I'm going to say about that. Other than that, welcome Jazeriah. Jazziah, is that right? Jira. >> Jer. >> Jesia. I'm sorry. Um, >> Jer, can you pronounce your full name again? >> Jazzeria Abdul. >> It's phonetically spelled. So, Jira Abdul Raheem. >> Okay. >> I apologize. >> I'm not being >> And it's good. Uh, but since our next meeting is is a few weeks away, I wish everybody have a safe Halloween and remember those people out there that
059going to be trick-or-treating. Look both ways when you cross the streets cuz cars may not know what you're doing. And if you're driving, please, please drive slower than you normally do. And pay attention because they will be little ghosts will be darting out in front of you unaware of what's their surroundings. Oh, I I beg everybody take extra caution when you're driving on Halloween and be cognizant. They'll be out there later than you expect. And um to all, please be safe. We hope to see you back in November. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Hawkins. >> Sure. I just want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to be here tonight um for your thought, excuse me, sorry. um for your thoughtful input shared. As our board, our goal is
060to continue working together to make decisions that support our students, staff, and community. Um also want to say welcome to the board. You did great for your first meeting and everyone have a wonderful night. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hawkins. Mrs. sponsor. >> I will piggy back on Miss Hawkins that yes, as board members, we do all sit and think of our teachers and our staffs and trying to make it the best possible for them. Um, Miss Mel Rooney and to you, um, most of our conferences when Tampa 2, it's 7:00 a.m. that we start and we get done 5 6:00. So that's why they usually stay in a hotel room and not everybody goes but you got to budget for everybody to be able to go if they want to go. Like in
061December I am not going but other board members will be going. Same way with when we go up when we go to Tallahassee or Gainesville, it's the same thing. But most of those me meetings are, so you know, are to educate us on our policies, our procedures, and our things that we can and cannot do and things that sometimes we wouldn't know as a board member unless we went. So in December usually is a new board me board meeting start with existing board members to learn. So that's like almost a mandatory because I had no clue. So in December of the first year I went I went um I think Mr. Pender did write down to check into this for the bus scene also. And with that I wish everybody a good night. I appreciate
062everybody for coming out and and speaking. Thank you. >> Thank you Mrs. Bonsik Miss Abdul Rahim. I just wanted to say thank you for coming out, guys, and have a great evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Pender. >> So, this week I uh last night, I believe I I think it was last night, I went to the band extravaganza at Hernando High School. It was another opportunity to see our high school students working with our middle school band students and um they did a great job performing. I got to give out some spirit sticks award and I have to create correct what I said at that. I said that I believe the teachers made the spirit sticks but I was told afterwards that it was the band moms that made the spirit sticks. So I want
063to do a shout out to the band moms that made the spirit sticks um that we passed out there. So it was a great night. Um also just another announcement. If you're on Parent Square, you got the announcement today that we are going to be moving to a new website tomorrow. Um, so hopefully that goes very smoothly and you don't see any glitches or anything like that. But whenever we do these technical things, Mr. Ellerman has u reassured me that no one will know the difference if we didn't tell them, but I figured we should tell you anyway. Um, but you will see some differences and hopefully some improvements in functionality. Um, and we will continue making that website as best that we possibly can. Um, congratulations, Jera. And, uh, you did great. And we'll
064see, >> Jer. >> I said it right. I said it right. >> Right. >> Abdul Raheem. >> See, I got it. >> Very good. >> Thank you. So, thank you everyone. Thank you for coming out tonight and um have a great safe Halloween. >> Thank you, Mr. Pender. So, as a board, we just completed an executive session dealing with negotiations. We do appreciate everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. Please understand, by law, we cannot comment in detail due to ongoing negotiations. But I do want to express that we as a board, we value our teachers and all employees deeply. Your work is the foundation of our district's success. We are committed as a board to supporting and your sustainable outcomes as discussions continue. So, we are here to support you. I just
065want to thank everyone who took the time to be here tonight. Your comments and support are appreciated. Have a great night. Drive careful. And God bless each and every one of you. Thank you. And this meeting is adjourned at 7:05 p.m. [Music]