School Board Action Meeting: June 9, 2026

001She's running against. >> Good evening everyone. We are ready to begin this evening's board meeting. Sergeant-at-arms, has the lobby been tended to? >> Yes. >> Thank you. We request that all electronic devices be turned off or put in silent mode. Also, please refrain from using flash photography except during the special presentations portion of this meeting. I am pleased to welcome you to the June 9th, 2026 schoolboard meeting. The time is 6 pm and this meeting is called to order. We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public of the district's mission, which is to ensure that each student achieves his or her highest potent personal potential and the district's vision to be a worldclass school system. This evening agenda includes invocation, pledge of allegiance, acknowledgements, recognitions, public comment, cons consent action

002items which include three items under board office, one item under board auditor, 13 items under academic student services, 11 items under school choice and administration, seven items under business services, six items under human resources, two items under information systems, six items under safety, security and fleet operations, and then 20 items under facility operations, the Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation meeting, and the good of the order and other business. Board members, is there a motion to adopt the agenda? >> I also move to adopt the agenda. >> Moved by Miss Langford Fleming. >> Second. >> I'll second the motion. >> Second by Mr. Ribble. [music] >> Sorry about that. Okay. Please record your vote. >> [snorts] [snorts] >> motion to approve the agenda passes 70. As is the custom of the board, Miss Fleming will

003lead us in the invocation, after which Miss Jordan will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Please rise. Joining us tonight is Pastor Marcus Miller. He's a student pastor at First Christian Church here in Fort Myers, Florida. Welcome. >> Thank you very much. Members of the board, thank you so much for having me here tonight. Uh I wonder would all of you bow your heads with me in a time of prayer. Father God, we thank you so much for the ability that we have to gather here uh God and have discussions that need to be had and God all for your glory, but also for the good of the students that you've entrusted to the care of the people in this room. God, I thank you for the hearts that you've given every single person

004here who's here to serve um and all those who are here to make their voices heard and and their positions known. Father, I pray that you would reign over it all and that God, you would continue uh Lord to to lead. Uh your word says that if you train a child up the way that it should go, when they're older, the child will not depart from it. And so God, I thank you that in Lee County, Florida, children can be trained up the way that they ought to go with character, uh with dignity, and and Lord Jesus, that as they're older, they will not depart. So we pray a blessing over every single person here tonight, and we pray it in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. >> Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of

005the 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. Be seated, please. Next on the agenda is the character word for June. The character word for June is cooperation. Working together for a common purpose. The design displayed on the screen was created by Joel Zinda, an 11th grade student at Asterero High School. Board members and superintendent, it's time for recognitions. >> He's doing the first one. The school district of Lee County is proud to recognize the 2026 Florida High School Athletic Association state track and field champions. The competition was held at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville from May 6th to May 9th, 2026. When your name is called, please line up at the ramp to my

006left side of the boardroom. Dave Lar Rosa, director of athletics, will present you with your certificate. First up, Kobe Johnson is a senior at Dunar High School and won the class 3A state championship in the 110 meter hurdles with an impressive time of 13.72 seconds. Although he is unable to be present tonight, we'd like to acknowledge and celebrate his outstanding accomplishment. >> He's here. >> Oh, he's here. That's him. >> Well, come over here. Sorry, but I was told differently. CONGRATULATIONS [applause] >> [applause] >> The leader of leaders Next, we recognize Dylan Gorley of Gateway High School, who won the Class 4A boys pole vault state championship with a jump of 15 feet 3 in. Yeah, that's impressive. YEAH. [applause] Accepting the award on his on his behalf is Gateway Boys track assistant coach Ron

007Mackington. The school board and superintendent are pleased to recognize these student athletes along with their coaches for their commitment, determination, and hard work that led to these remarkable achievements. Thank you. [applause] So joining me at the lectern are Don Payne, Special Olympus athletic director coordinator for Lee County Parks and Recreation, Coach Megan Ducenberry of Cypress Lake High School, and Coach Garrett Copeland of Fort Myers High School. Y'all can come on down. Mr. Payne is a former teacher and athletic director with the school district of Lee County. Throughout his distinguished career, he was honored as a Golden Apple teacher and was selected as the teacher of the year finalist. The school board of Lee County is proud to recognize two exceptional student athletes who exemplify the highest standards of dedication, versatility, leadership, and sportsmanship. When your

008name is called, please come forward and line up next to your coach who will present your certificate. We kindly ask that all recipients remain in place until everyone is recognized. I'm so excited about this. [laughter] Our first honore is Cody Beuti who has been named the unified male athlete of the year. Cody, [applause] >> wait just one moment. [applause] Come here, Cody. Cody's achievements span multiple athletic disciplines, demonstrating that true athletic excellent knows no boundaries beyond the medals and titles he represents the very best of Lee public schools throughout his work ethic, leadership, inclusiveness, and positive attitude. On behalf of the school board of Lee County, we congratulate Cody on these outstanding accomplishments. Thank him for representing our district with distinction and proudly recognize him as the unified male athlete of the year. >> Thank

009you. [applause] >> You're welcome. All right, we're going to go up there. Okay, we're go through this. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You're very [applause] Next, we are honored to recognize Jada Becker, who has been named the unified female athlete of the year. Jada's athletic versatility, dedication, and competitive drive has resulted in an exceptional year of achievement. Tonight, we proudly recognize her accomplishments. Unified basketball 2025 state runner-up team, unified bowling participant. Jada is an outstanding student athlete whose leadership, perseverance, and character have made an lasting impact on her school community and unified sports program. For the past three years, Jada has been a dedicated participant in unified basketball, serving as both a leader and role model for her teammates. [snorts] She played an integral role of 2025 student runner-up team, demonstrating not only athletic skill, but

010also exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship. As one of two female athletes participating in the unified basketball at Cypress Lake High School, Jada has helped pave the way for greater inclusion and representation with her program and her commitment dur determination and leadership continues to inspire her peers and strengthen the culture of unified sports. The school board of Lee County and the superintendent proudly congratulate Cody and Jada along with their coaches for their commitment, perseverance, and hard work. Their achievements reflect the very best of unified sports and serve as an inspiration throughout the district. We are so proud of you. Thank you, [applause] >> Jada. >> [applause] >> Thank you. [clears throat] The next item on the agenda is public comment. Attorney Dodig, please address the item of public comment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Schoolboard policy provides the

011opportunity at this point in the meeting to address the board concerning any matter on this meeting's agenda or any other matter relevant to the operation of the school district. Please complete a public comment card and place it in the provided basket. If you need a public comment card, our staff can provide one. The rules concerning public comment are posted in the back and will be made from the podium in the front center aisle. Please be advised that the board will not respond during public comment to remarks made by speakers. The purpose of public comment is to provide feedback on district issues such as duties, responsibilities, decisions, and the general operation of the district. The school board is viewpoint neutral during public comment. We ask that the quorum be maintained and respect be shown as is

012expected when a government agency conducts official business. Therefore, abuse of language defined as [clears throat] swearing, use of profanity or name calling is prohibited. In addition, clapping, hissing, booing, or a display of temper during public comment is prohibited. Speakers who fail to follow proper decorum in the chambers will be ruled out of order by the board chair or the board attorney and any speaker continuing with such remarks will be required to relinquish the microphone per schoolboard policy 0169.1 and may be removed from the chambers by the sergeant-at-arms. Per schoolboard policy 0169.1, the time per speaker is three minutes if there are 1 to 20, two minutes if there are 21 to 30 speakers and one minute if there are 31 or more. The maximum time allotted for public comment is 1 hour 60 speakers. You

013will find a countdown on the big screens in the front of the room when you are speaking. Once your time is elapsed, the microphone will automatically shut off. Please state your name when you approach the microphone. I will call your names. Five speakers at a time. Please follow the staff's directions when lining up in the back of the room. Mr. Chair, there are 18 speakers who wish to address the board this evening, which means three minutes per speaker. Thank you. Please ensure you have completed a public comment card to provide the public comment. The card is a public record that identifies those who speak and provides contact information for the staff to follow up. Is there anyone in the audience who wishes to address the board but did not fill out a comment card? We

014have one out in the audience there. Can you come up and fill out a card? [clears throat] Thanks. >> Thank you. That makes 19, sir. >> Okay. Attorney Dodig, would you please proceed with the public comment? >> Sure. Would the following individuals please line up? Lunavara at the podium. Kathleen Wyn, Deanna Coronado, Stacy Hodgson, and Tiffany Sherry in the back of the room. Good evening. Well, turn the volume up. Good evening, superintendent board Lunavar, retired teacher and advocate. I'd like to thank board attorney do and executive secretary Miss Schaefer for taking care of my ADA accommodation. When it comes to federal law, city of Cape Coral is learning the hard way as well as the county commission will. I don't like seeing teachers crying and begging for their jobs. First you had a teacher shortage.

015Now you have a teacher overage. If you didn't have teachers, all you board members and district administrators would be out of your lucrative jobs. Board members, you make as much as a starting teacher. Let's start with the budget. Now, I got this in the mail about a month ago, and it's not printed. It's printed at schoolboard expense. You're asking students to come to Lee County. Waste of money. Then you got to fire teachers. Exhibit one. Next, I'm going to show you how to get some cash real quickly here. First of all, let's sell a lot of the property the district owns. This is public record from a few years ago. Public record from a few years ago. Sell it. Owner says sell. You got money. Next, use the contingency fund. It's a 29 million. Use

016some of the 488 million you appropriated it for reserves, which includes the contingency fund. you have capital outlay from the state, you could transfer it and it won't hurt because you got the one and a half% [clears throat] millage for capital outlay from the whatever Joe Biden helped me. I lost my train of thought from you know the half a cent sales tax. All right. So, I'm really uh disappointed, but return to an appointed superintendent. Elected superintendent has limited experience, whereas an appointed superintendent such as Dr. Bernie here could be selected and based on his expertise. I really see some mismanagement here, not to mention politics. I've asked the board to sponsor a ballot initiative, but you all have refused. If you even call me back anymore, it can be done. You do not want

017to take the initiative. You just want to blame Spencer Roach, retired, the former legislature. On a sad note, I had to put down Jasper, my service dog, who helped me with my anxiety, neurosis, and my Vietnam veteran [snorts] PSTD disability. Uh, he was a great dog. He uh >> Thank you, sir. >> I've lost I lost my true friend. >> Thank you, Mr. >> True Friend. >> Thank you, sir. >> You're welcome. >> Kathleen win. >> Don't forget to find all that money. Superintendent, I help you. Hello, I'm Kathleen Wyn and I'm a certified K through2 health teacher with eight years of experience as a prevention specialist. The last seven of those years here at the district. Inconceivably, this time last year, the only two prevention specialist positions in our entire district were eliminated under

018the guise of right sizing. According to what I was told by TAC, the district said these were grant positions. That is not the case. I'm revisiting this topic to remind the board how the loss of those positions may impact our students as well as the message that it sends to the public. Just last month, the FDA made decisions that will allow more flavored ecigarettes and nicotine pouches to be sold in the US, including fruit flavors, which are very popular with kids. They also had issued guidance that will let certain um flavored ecigarettes and nicotine pouches stay in stores, pending scientific review. This big change in the FDA's approach to flavored tobacco products is one that could have disastrous effects on young people. The CEO of the American Lung Association cont condemned this decision, stating, "After

019years of recognizing the dangers flavored ecigarettes pose to youth, it's deeply troubling to see FDA ignore the scientific evidence and reverse course." This leads me to ask, how is the district using the $2.2 2 million it's been receiving in dual settlement funds. As policies meant to keep nicotine vapes and pouches out of student hands are being eliminated, our work is becoming even more urgent. We need to shift the focus from catching students with vapes to giving them the tools to never start through prevention education and if they do vape, how to quit through cessation support. Open gate metal detectors at school entrances and vape detectors in the bathrooms are not the solution. In a May 2024 WIC news story, when we first received our pay first payment from Juwel, a district administrator said there were

020plans to implement educational programs on the effects of substance abuse and to provide resources for students battling addiction and that we're very excited about some of the opportunities we have. So, where is the money going? Florida statute 103.42 mandates that all students in grades K through 12 are taught every year about the dangers of youth substance use, which includes nicotine. Without the support of prevention specialist, are all of our schools in compliance with this requirement? The public deserves to know, especially in the elementary schools where prevention is the most important and the responsibility falls on the individual teachers. It is not too late for the district to change course. Write the wrong that was made and bring back the district's experts in prevention for school year 2627. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dina Coronado. >>

021Good evening. My name is Diana Coronado. We know what's done is done. we are here to talk about is why why is this how a school board treats one of the best leaders it employs. People do not choose to leave Okamik looking for a better leader because they know that is unlikely to exist. This man David Howdyshell pours his heart and soul into our school day after day. David Howdyshell leads by example, modeling the patience that all adults need when communicating with adolescence. He is the reason we show up every day and give 100%. He is the reason teachers not only pour into their students, collaborate, plan, examine, retach, and comply with tasks that do nothing but comply because we know it reflects on him. We know he does not want to add another thing

022to our plate. But we know it reflects on how well he does his job and we want to give him our best because that's exactly what he gives us every single day. He is the principal that is outside in 100 degree weather every single day at parent pickup. He is the guy soaked to his knees pushing a broom in the courtyard to help the water dissipate so that our theater kids can showcase their acting ski skills and everyone can get into the gym. He is the principal who is in the halls every single day high-fiving, asking kids about their art project, listening to their poem, complimenting their run at the track meet from the night before because he was there to see it at 9:00 p.m. Even though his days start at 5:00 a.m. Winnie

023wakes up to get an email out and begin all of his other work managing and communication with 60 staff members, 1,200 students, and 2400 parents. His door is always open for the big things and the small things. and he will always follow up. He is not the type of person you need to remind of anything. He remembers everything because everyone matters to him. I made the mistake of voting for some of you once. I won't do it again. >> No clapping. [cheering and applause] No clapping, please. No clapping, please. Stacy Hodgson and will Cadence Hill, Pat Hammermeister, Jamie Hill, Joanne Zavy, and Brook Hos please line up. [clears throat] >> Hello, my name is Stacy Hodson. I've been a teacher at Oakmick Middle School for four years going on five. I'm a career changer [clears

024throat] with previous skills working in healthcare, law enforcement, and the state of Florida. My principal, Mr. Hattyishell, has demonstrated dedication not only to the student we teach and care for, he also inspires all of us to strive for excellence for our students and each other. I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I actually didn't think I would have three minutes because I would have kept it not short and sweet. In my years of other professions, remember I've worked in other areas other than teaching. I've never had a leader like Mr. Hattishell with staff that no not only want to work with him and for him, he inspires us, me want to do more. I have also seen his professionalism and above and beyond think outside the box thinking with the students and their families.

025Having a leader that others want to work for and inspire and emulate is a very rare thing. I believe that Mr. Hatty Shell has been dishonored. I think he should be back at our school. He's a wonderful leader. He connects with families, students, staff in the way I've never seen before in teaching and in law enforcement, healthc care, and working with the state of Florida. Since I do have the time, everyone quietly that's in support of Mr. Hattishell and no Kamik, please stand up. >> Ma'am, ma'am, out loud, please address the board. >> Please address the board. >> I didn't realize there are many people here supporting Mr. Hattie Shell. I believe this board has made a mistake in transferring Mr. Hadtie Shell to a different location. He's an inspiration to all of us at

026our school and I hope you take my words into consideration. It's okay to make a mistake. All organizations make a mistake. People make mistakes. School boards make mistake and I believe this is one. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tiffany Sherry. I am Tiffany Sherry. I have taught in Lee County classrooms for 19 years and 16 of those years have been at Okamik. I have uh served under lots and lots of principles and I've actually been encouraged and asked to share with you a very specific story. Even though I know that no one here questions David Howdy Shell's integrity, nobody questions his character. Nobody questions his dedication and his diligence. Nobody questions that. And if this were simply a matter of his skills and expertise were needed elsewhere and that's why we had to lose him,

027we'd be cheering for him. We wouldn't be here in what feels like defense of him. How could he have been demoted? So, a story that I feel obligated to share to those who don't know, although some of you did receive letters from family members of mine. Um, during Hurricane Helen, I was trapped in my house and I reached out on Facebook and said, "Does anybody have a lifted truck?" The water in my house was up to my hips. My appliances were floating around. I was terrified for my life. And I had friends offer, "If you can get to 41, I'll meet you there." He said, "What's your address? I'll be there in 30 minutes." He waited through hurricane waters a mile from US41 to my house. And when I'm on the phone with him asking,

028"What are you doing?" Cuz I'm terrified to do what he's doing. He says, "I just thought you needed to see a friend." He knew that I needed the bravery that he had. I cannot express to you what that means in terms of leadership and what that means in terms of inspiration. And what was amazing to me was that as astounding as this story was, everyone who knew him wasn't surprised. We are here not only in support of him, but the way that he has been treated in no way reflects his character, his integrity. To be demoted from principal to assistant principal feels like a dishonor. It is inappropriate. It is unjust to do this to someone who has gone so far above and beyond. When we think about what we want our students to see,

029he [snorts] is the very measure of everything we want our modeled for our students. What are we telling our students in this action for what does he mean? >> Thank you, ma'am. Cadence Hill. >> My name is Cadence Hill. I am a former student of Okamic Middle School. I attended my entire middle school career. Mr. Hattyshell was the principal all three years I went. I don't know Okamik without him and our princ our students and our teachers love him. It was never a dull day with Mr. Hatty Shell as our principal. Out of all of the principles I have met, he stands out. Our school's motto is rise, respect, integrity, service, and excellence. Mr. Hattyishell was our perfect role model. Our staff and students would not be the same without him. I don't think that

030this was a I clearly am not as evolved or as of your stature, but I think that this was a a pardon my speech but dumb decision. If you have any way to undo it, I know I you probably won't, but for our school, for Ohemik's sake, please reconsider. As you clearly didn't take into account the students in demoting Mr. Hattish Shelton, assistant principal. Thank you for your time. Pat Hammermeister. I'm a resident of East Lee County. My children went to school here. I was a teacher's assistant for quite a few years. I'm retired now, but I need to tell you that Mr. Howdyshell is a wonderful principal and I live out east and I have seen a lot of good people who were um principles, assistant principles, teachers leave Eastley County. And I feel

031like East Lee County is getting a bad deal of stuff because everybody leaves for one reason or another. And this is my home. My children go to went to school here and my grandson is living with me now and he is going to go to school at Okamic Middle School and I can't imagine him having to go to a school with a new principal. I think that Mr. Howdy shell would understand my grandson because he has always been close to all of the students where he works. I know this because I worked at that school, Oak Hammock Middle School. Also, I am asking you to please leave him alone. leave him as principal at Oak Hammock Middle School. I don't know what you have you based your decision on, whether it's money or whether it's

032something incomprehensible. I don't know. But I'm telling you that you are making a big mistake. Out east here, it seems like wonderful people come to work, they stay a year or two years, and then they get transferred somewhere else. That's not fair. And I am very disappointed that Mr. Howdy Shell will not be our principal at Oakmik Middle School again this year. That's all I have to say. I just wonder if any of you as I look at you understand as a grandparent what I am feeling because my grandson is going to be going there and I was thrilled to know so many people were going to be having his >> times up ma'am. Jamie Hill. >> Good evening, Dr. Carlin and board members. My name is Jamie Hill. I've taught the school district of

033Lee County for 26 years for many different principles and none have compared to David Howdy Shell when it comes to support, understanding, and hard work. The moment I set foot on campus at Okamik, I knew it was the right place for me and I attribute that to Howdy. He is the hardest worker on our campus and shows how much he cares about the students and staff every single day. I'm also a parent as you saw. My daughter Cadence was a student at Okamik for three years. I knew that when I heard Howdy speak so highly and in such a sincere manner about his teachers and the staff at his open house that I wanted her to attend that school. David Howdy Shell is an example for our students and staff of what an exceptional principal

034should be and it has been an honor to work with him. I'm disappointed and mystified by the decision to remove him. I'm even more confused by the district's decision to demote a man of that caliber and integrity. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Joanne Zavi and would India Palencia, Jolene Yner, Daniel Becker, Jennifer Burroughs, and Todd Doozenberry please line up. >> Hello, my name is Joanne Xavier. I am a teacher at Okamik. I've been there for this is going on my 11th year, but 10 years ago when I started, Mr. Howdy shell was a math teacher and [snorts] he returned as our principal. When I saw the email that Mr. Howdy Shell wasn't coming back, I was saddened that I couldn't even read it. I took about two days and then I

035read it to respond to him. Good. Good evening. I wanted to say Mr. Howdy Shell is a great leader. I have enjoyed working for him and I was excited about where he wanted to take us in the fall. [snorts] At the start of the 2526 school year, he shared the vision with us on where we had to go as a school and even the year prior. It was evident that he and the administrative team had a big bus to drive. I would tell Mr. Howdy Shell in the hallway, you're driving a big bus. The task was not light. He has been gracious in how he has handled situations we were not aware of. He listened to us at leadership meetings and he executed things to help us along the way. Informative poster strategies in the

036restrooms. He sat at the table with us to develop a strategy on how we were going to target our students through intervention plans for all levels of students. He was the boots on the ground. He didn't just talk about it. He was teaching students during that period of intervention. Mr. Howdy Shell made some difficult decisions moving instructors out of our comfort or familiar zones to support students because it does matter that they succeed. Thank you for taking time with us. Teachers who needed support in the classroom, needed help in understanding data, and are still looking for creative ways to ensure we are okay. Mr. Howdy Sh Mr. Howdy Shell put human beings first. He leads by example. We love you. I love you. Remember, you're always an Oki. Mr. Howdy shell's drive aspirations for us.

037What we are doing as a team and what our students are able to do and achieve brings life to our motto. I rise, you rise, we rise. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you, Brook Hos. My name is Brooke Hos and I'm addressing you as a parent of a recent Okamic graduate and a currently enrolled student to express my deep concern regarding the dismissal of principal David Howdyshell from O'Hamik Middle School. Throughout his tenure at Okamik, Mr. Howdy Shell has demonstrated the qualities that families hope to see in a school leader. integrity, accessibility, accountability, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to students. His leadership has played a significant role in creating the positive culture, strong sense of community, and supportive learning environment that has made Okamik a school that students, families, and staff are proud to

038be a part of. Mr. Howdy Shell understood that effective leadership extends beyond managing daily operations. It requires building trust, fostering re relationships, and creating an environment where students feel valued and supported. Communication was another hallmark of his leadership. Families were regularly informed about school events, important updates, student achievements, and opportunities for involvement. This transparency helped strengthen the partnership between home and school and ensured that parents remained connected and engaged in their children's educational experience. Mr. Howdy Shell also cultivated a culture centered on respect, responsibility, and excellence. Under his leadership, Okamik maintained a strong sense of stability and purpose. students, staff, and families knew what was expected and felt supported in working toward shared goals. The reaction from students, parents, and staff following this dec decision should not be overlooked. The widespread concern and disappointment expressed

039throughout the Okamic community reflect the trust, respect, and confidence that Mr. Howdy Shell earned during his time as principal. Leaders who build meaningful relationships and inspire confidence within their school communities are not easily replaced. Families deserve transparency regarding decisions that have such a significant impact on their school community. I respectfully urge that the school board carefully reconsider the po carefully consider the positive impact Mr. Howdyshell has on Okamik Middle School and the message this decision sends to the students, families, and staff. Exceptional leaders are rare and Mr. Howdyshell has consistently demonstrated the qualities that educational leaders should embody. In conclusion, the decision for our second child to also attend Okamik Middle School was greatly impacted on the fact that Principal Howdyshell and faculty are exceptional. I hope the concerns being voiced by Oak Hammet community

040will be given thoughtful consideration and that this decision will be reconsidered. I give a resounding kaka in support of principal Howdy Shell. >> Thank you. [sighs] India Palencia. >> India Palencia. Um, you're hearing a lot from the community tonight about the decisions that you have made and how they're impacting our schools and our community. And those decisions are based off of a $92 million budget deficit. So, I want to talk about that $92 million budget deficit because it's really confusing. Um, you know, we've been given a lot of explanations. It's the economy, declining enrollment, expiring COVID funds, vouchers, and the ever elusive legacy spending. I have to admit, legacy spending is my favorite because nobody knows what that actually means. It's kind of like Bigfoot. People keep talking about it, but nobody's actually seen it.

041And that's really the problem. Every time the public asks questions, we get more explanations, but fewer answers. Not even the local news media can explain what's happening. And they all get different answers, too. Coming to this podium has started to feel like screaming into the wind. We ask where the money went. We ask who made the decisions. We ask what went wrong. And somehow we're expected to be satisfied with vague phrases and PowerPoint slides. But here's the point, the part that should concern everyone. It's not just the public that can't get answers anymore. We're watching elected board members struggle to get answers too. The people elected to oversee this district are being shut down when they ask questions at board workshops. They're being discouraged from asking questions by email. They're treated like asking questions is

042somehow the problem, but asking questions is literally their job. If board members can't get clear answers, exactly how are we supposed to get them? And while everyone dances around the truth, real people are paying the price. Real people in this community. A deficit is a financial problem. A lack of transparency is a leadership problem. And leadership problems don't get solved by avoiding questions. They get solved by answering them. While we continue playing this game of hide-and-seek with the truth, real people are paying the price. The solution isn't complicated. Stop hiding behind buzzwords. Tell the truth of how we got here. Answer the questions and start fixing the problem before it gets even worse. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jolene Younger. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Jolene Yunker. and I'm a science teacher and

043garden sponsor at Okamik Middle School. Mr. Howdyshell is one of the best principles I have ever met in my 18 years of teaching in three different counties. He's humble. He leads by example. He builds deep trust across our entire school community. We have been working relentlessly to grow a mature ecosystem, building staff capacity, student resilience. We are just seeing those first fruits of that labor. Yet you are ripping out those solid roots without reason. Let me be clear. A few numbers on a screen do not tell the whole story. David Howdyshell is more than a number. He is the one of the people on our campus that knows every single student and everything about them. He is the one calm voice in every situation. He is one pair of ripped dress pants helping to retrieve

044a student who had eloped underneath a portable. He is one Saturday literally tilling the soil to make connections with our hard-to-reach students. He has countless hours that I've seen mopping him the mopping the floor with just the mop head and his nice shoes and picking up every piece of trash he sees. He is the one leader that we, the staff and our students, and I do mean some hard-to-reach students that I have that love him and respect him, want to continue working with. He is one man who deserves to stay and see the fruits of the harvest he has planted. Oak has changed so much since he's been there. He has brought this pivot to our school, this momentum that you might not see on paper, but it's there. And our kids feel it. They

045feel the expectations. I'm here tonight not putting my child to bed. This is not something that many of us have ever chosen to do before. So, please just think through the unjustice that's been done here. He doesn't necessarily have to be at the oak, but to deprive students of him being a principal. I don't know how you can do that. Thank you, Daniel Becker. Good evening. It's quite an honor to be here with three minutes. That's um uncanny compared to the previous meetings I've attended. Um my name is Daniel Becker. I'm a resident of school district 2. Uh looking over the past year, you have fired teachers, disciplined students for executing their first amendment rights, stopped immunization of students based on quack science, fired coaches for having adult sexual consensual sex. Not recognizing a $92.4

046million deficit. firing teachers and staff to make up for the deficit. And meanwhile, the chair, the head of security officer, and another person went to Washington on taxpayer dollars when the school district already retains people to do that. Now, you all are moving and firing principles on a whim. How do you move forward? Well, try gaining some empathy. Stop dictating based on political ideology. And finally, get back to common sense respect for principles, students, teachers, staff, each other, and your bosses, the taxpayers. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker is Jennifer Burroughs, Enwood, Stenia Reed Hall, Julie Martinez, Jen McDagel, Douglas, Douglas Caledo, Goyleso, and ex Axel Aras. Please line up. Go ahead, ma'am. >> Hello, my name is Jennifer Burroughs and I'm a dean and educator at Oakmak Middle School. I started there in 2012

047under Clayton Simmons when David Hydishell was a teacher. Within a few years, I had been appointed the academic coach and leadership and department head for the ELA department. David Howdyshell was a peer collaborative teacher at that time and kind of took me under his wing. Showed me how to read data, showed me how to do small groupoup interventions, showed me the stuff that you guys do not see that happens in schools. David Howdyshell this year alone spent the first semester and second semester doing small groupoup interventions as a principal inside classes with these students and he inspired teachers to give up their planning periods and asking for volunteers to do that on their own. We did it without pay. We did it because he is a true leader. That is who he is. He's the

048first one there in the morning. He is the last one there at night even when it is not his late night. I know as a career changer that leadership happens and it changes. I don't have a problem with that. We wouldn't be here tonight without that reasoning. However, I voted for a lot of you that are sitting here. You are all elected officials at this time and I know Mr. persons that your response is you do not make those decisions for the faculty. I understand that but you are here to approve them tonight and your role as board is to hold the superintendent and the other executive directors accountable. So instead of just approving something based on what they're telling you, you should be doing your research because the message that you are sending to

049the public is that you do not honor or care about hardworking individuals who do the work in these buildings day in and day out. I have not seen many of you in the building. I have seen you there, Dr. Carlin, but I have not seen you truly talking to the teachers about what is going on in those classrooms. You say you put students first. You say you want that outcome. Well, come and find out what we're doing. And instead of supporting a principal who is out there providing initiatives for student testing and celebrating him when it is against state guidelines and his whole school's test scores are at risk because last I checked with the state guidelines, you are not allowed to provide things to students if they do well on school test and jumping

050out of a plane if they did well last I checked was against state guidelines. And so instead of celebrating principles that break the state laws, celebrate the principle. >> Your time's up, ma'am. >> Ma'am, your time's up. Thank you. Todd Denberry. >> Hello, my name is Todd Euzenbury. I'm a teacher coach at Cypress Lake High School. And earlier today in your workshop meeting, um, you were talking about how you had a visit out to DC and you got to meet groups and individuals and that it helped you get a seat at the table. That's kind of what I've been talking about with ESC and the clusters and the changes that you want to do. Uh, the teachers would like to have a seat at the table and I know that you guys said at the

051board meeting, the workshop, that that's where where where you needed to be to get the things you needed. Um, the next thing is staff's afraid to speak up in Lee County. I get text messages, I get emails, I get phone calls daily. Can you speak about this? Can you speak about that? Because I'm afraid to do it. I am not afraid to lose my job. I was looking for a job before I got this one. I love what I do. I'm going to continue to be here and speaking up for everyone. But it is a shame that as professionals they're afraid to speak up for retaliation from administration or from the district. Unified sports, you got to see just a little glimpse of it. Unified sports has been going on for about eight years now.

052We have had events around the district with very few people attending. Now, as it has gathered steam and we have become the biggest district in the state of Florida doing unified sports, everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon. And there's all kinds of different stories out there. I want to offer myself and two other teachers that have been involved with it from the beginning, which would be Michelle Smith from Lehi and Garrett Copeland from Fort Meyers. We would be willing to meet with anyone anywhere at any time. This is something we want to get out. We want everyone involved. We want to go from elementary all the way to high school. So, I would be more than willing and they would be more than willing to do that. Talked with him earlier today. The next

053thing is the Special Olympics. After talking with many, many people, I've decided I will host it this year, even if it's going to be my last one. It has been a great ride. I hope I get to continue it. Uh the date is going to be December 11th. I'm hoping that all of you can get out there to see exactly what's going on and you can see it for yourself when 20 schools get together and we have 2,000 people and we have 250 people from local businesses and organizations and another 150 alumni. The last thing I want to talk about was uh last night we have 104 foreign teachers that still have contracts. We have several teachers that do not that are citizens. That's not right. We are not in a shortage anymore. We're in

054an overabundance. The other 104 should be citizens. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Stenia Reed Hall. Good evening everyone. I'm here in solidarity with everyone regarding Mr. Hadell. Um, my son attended Oak Hammet Middle School for the past two years. He's heading to high school in August. I also served as the DAC rep for the school for the past school year. And I can attest to Mr. Hardashelle's commitment to the students and teachers and faculty at the school. He conducts monthly staff meetings even when attendance is low every month. He informs the parent body weekly regarding communications via email. Additionally, he works along with the other assistant principles and teachers to provide the valuable education and resources for the students. He works to meet and exceed the benchmarks to increase the school grades. Mr. Had

055Shell is an asset to the school and should retain his position as principal for the upcoming school year and beyond. He should not be removed involuntarily. Thank you. >> Thank you, Julie Martinez. Good evening. My name is Julie Martinez. I am here because I filed a teacher misconduct complaint involving a teacher at Fort Myers High School who is not a teacher of my sons, receiving reports that she had described my son to another teacher as a drug user and a bad kid and later made comments to students suggesting that he would have a criminal record within five years and implying that he would one day roofy girls. As the matter was reviewed, additional information surfaced, including reports that the same teacher later described another student as giving school shooter vibes to another teacher and a

056classroom full of students. What began as a teacher misconduct complaint evolved into questions about the investigative process itself. Multiple witness statements corroborated the complaint, yet the findings stated there were no corroborating evidence. Records indicated that parents had been contacted when they had not. In addition, the teacher's own written explanation describing her opinions about my son dating back to April of corroborated my son's original complaint. Her statement also included allegations about my son that were unsupported, yet they remained part of the investigative record. As a parent, I have spent the last eight months attempting to understand how these conclusions were reached. I have followed every process available to me, including the school, the office of professional standards, your lighthouse reporting system, and the office of the inspector general. The OIG later referred the matter to your

057district leadership. Most recently, I was informed that the matter is considered closed. However, I still do not understand how corroborating information was evaluated, how key findings were reached, or what review, if any, occurred of following the OIG referral. I am bringing these matters before the board today because they remain unresolved after months of following the district's complaint and review processes. This is no longer simply a question about one complaint. It is a question about whether parents can have confidence in the processes used to review complaints involving student welfare, teacher misconduct, and professional accountability. I am asking for transparency, accountability, your cooperation, meaningful responses regarding both the reported conduct and the review process that followed. Thank you very much, >> Janet McDel. Good evening. Uh my name is Jen McDagel. Uh I'm a Lee County parent.

058It's nice to be here on a night when we get actually three minutes. That's pretty uh unusual. Uh I want to address the suggestion made earlier today to add a second monthly meeting to ensure there's enough time for the public who elected you to share their concerns. Uh it was suggested uh in the meeting earlier today that the vote not even be held until November after the next election. Uh this county as many are talking about here has laid off nearly 500 teachers and staff like Mr. Howdy show who've spent their entire lives building relationships and caring for our children. Parents and teachers packed this room in May. Families of medically complex children spent months in anxiety inducing uncertainty. And in addition to my four-year-old who's starting kindergarten in the fall, I am the mother

059of a medically complex child who passed away in 2023. So I know the agony these families face every single day. And they do not need the extra stress of these decisions that are made without them. And meanwhile, this board wants to make wait until November, nearly half a school year from now before it even votes on whether to give the public more access to its elected representatives. The people in this community are not asking for a favor. They're asking to be heard. Teachers and staff who just lost their jobs deserved a seat at the table before those decisions were made. Not a promise that maybe by November this board might decide to create one. Leadership is not convenient. It does not wait for a better calendar window. I'm asking this board to not wait to

060bring that vote forward. Do it now, this month, because this community you serve cannot afford to wait until November for you to decide whether they matter enough to hear from them. Thank you. >> Thank you, Douglas Caledo. I'm sorry if I apologize that wrong. >> That's all right. You're trying your best. >> Okay. Thank you. Good evening. I would like to thank everyone for being present today. This issue regarding Mr. Howdyshell has a big impact on me and many others. Why do I care so much about a principal? Mr. David Howdyshell isn't just a principal. If you ask any teacher, staff member, or student, I guarantee you that you would hear nothing but positive remarks about him. He's extraordinary. If it was raining on at parent pickup, he would put on a raincoat, have an

061umbrella, or simply go out into the pouring rain to make sure every student got into their car safely. He woke up early on a Saturday to help beautify the school on March 7th, 2026. During Hurricane Helen, he helped a teacher on a tremendous scale, and he is always has something nice to say with a friendly smile on his face. My mom says that Mr. Dr. Howdyshell is a fine example of common sense as well as as of good human values. I am lucky to have been in Okamic Middle School with David Howdyshell in charge. He is a man that not only raised attendance but also let us pie him in the face as PBIS celebrations. People like Mr. Howdy Shell are needed in all parts of the planet and I believe he is needed most

062in Okamik Middle School. Um, he kept the behavior under control. He is a friend that Okamic Middle School relies on. He is fair when it comes to making decisions. And most of all, he is one of the few individuals that I know deserve respect from everyone. There are sons in our universe that give light and life in all aspects. The name of one of them is David Howdyshell. Thank you wherever you are for existing. Thank you for your attention. Thank you. Axel Aries. >> Good evening board members. My name is Axel Aras. I'm brother of Yal Aras, a student at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center and vice president of Little Voices of Buckingham. So, for those who may not know us, Little Voices of Buckingham is a parent-led advocacy foundation created by families to advocate for

063vulnerable students. We speak on behalf of medically fragile students at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center. And we also advocate for students with severe behavioral needs at Royal Palm. We don't discriminate. We advocate for all children. Tonight, I ask you to remember what inspired you to serve in education and in public service. Think back to the reason you chose to sit in those seats. Think about being the person who puts children's needs first. Our families continue to live with uncertainty surrounding the proposed colllocation of Buckingham and Royal Palm. While we've been told that the move has been paused, parents still don't have a written confirmation that Buckingham students will remain in their in their current school for the entire 2026 to 2027 school year. that written assurance matters. Our children depend on consistency. They depend on routine.

064They depend on familiar staff, familiar hallways, classrooms, specialized supports that help them navigate each day. For medically fragile students, stability is not a luxury. It's a necessity. Buckingham Exceptional Student Center was specifically designed for these students. It served them successfully for decades. It was built to meet their unique needs. So many parents continue to ask the same question. Why remove medically fragile students from a building that was created specifically for them? We're also concerned about the removal of capacity information from the district website. Families were repeatedly told that capacity numbers were a major factor in the discussion surrounding the proposed move. Yet, information that was once publicly available is no longer available in the same way. Instead of creating clarity, this creates confusion and distrust. Families deserve transparency when decisions affecting their children are being

065discussed. We are also aware that the student has retained that the district has retained legal counsel regarding this matter. From a parents perspective, that's concerning. When families continue asking questions and seeking answers, but attorneys become involved before concerns are fully addressed, it can create the appearance that re resources are being spent defending a decision rather than engaging the community. We would much rather see collaboration than conflict. >> [sighs] >> We also remain concerned about staffing reductions and uncertainty surrounding future plans. Whether intentional or not, these actions create fear among families and staff and leave many wondering whether decisions have already been made behind closed doors. We've also heard concerns that not every student may transfer as a move if a move occurs. Our students should never be treated as numbers or used to solve a

066capacity issue. Their future should not depend on whether families decide to leave or feel forced to have services elsewhere. Nothing about us without >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Chair, that is the end of public comment. Just for the record, there were 20 speakers exactly. >> Thank you. And thank you to the audience for their comments. Next is the approval of action items in the agenda under consent. The documentation of action items listed under consent is made available to board members seven business days prior to the board meeting. We are expected to review all the material and we have an opportunity to speak with the superintendent regarding any items we may have questions about prior to the meeting. Members, are there any agenda items you wish to pull for discussion? Mr. Fiser, >> I have

067no set items. Chair, >> Mrs. Gio Vanelli, >> I have none. Thank you. >> Mr. Ribble, >> I have none. >> Miss Jordan, >> I am actually going to pull and I know that that this is something that we're supposed to tell you in advance, but just based on um M1, approval of personnel recommendation. I just want >> clarity on how that takes place. >> Okay. Miss Langford Fleming. >> I have none. >> Miss Shaviano, >> I have none. >> And I have none. Is there a motion to approve the agenda's consent action items with the exception of the pulled item M1? >> I move to approve. >> Snford Fleming. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Fiser, please record your vote. [clears throat] Motion passes 70. >> Superintendent Carlin. >> Whoops. Sorry. >>

068Go to the uh go to the pull. Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. We have one pulled item to address M1. >> Is there a motion to approve Dr. Collins recommendation for M1? Mr. Fischer. >> Motion to approve item M1. Chair. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. And second by Miss Jordan. >> [clears throat] >> is moved by Mr. Fischer, second by Miss Jordan. Is there any discussion, Mr. Jordan? >> Thank you. Uh the reason I pulled this uh was because of the fact I do believe that we have so many people here speaking on this matter and I believe that they need to understand how these decisions are made and it is not the board who decides where staff administrators or anybody will be going and that per the statute

069what that looks like when the superintendent makes these decisions, it is upon us to uh approve them unless there is something so >> out of whack that we um cannot do that. >> So if if I could have someone share that, that great. >> Dodic, would you like to uh expound on first off our duties and the fact that this is sort of a personnel >> matter that we don't normally discuss? So under under Florida law, the school board um approves job descriptions and approves a positions to be hired. They do not approve individual recommendations in the sense that they can only object if there is just cause to either hiring or transferring or in this case transferring someone. So the superintendent makes the recommendation, the board approves that absent just cause, which is a

070significant showing under the law. And I believe that's what the board member is asking me to explain. Correct. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Is there any other discussion or >> Miss Janelli? >> Uh thank you, Miss Jordan, for bringing that um forward. You know, I think it is important for the community to understand that we um we approve the superintendent's recommendations. We can ask questions, but we do not determine who goes where and you know who's on first and who's on second. Um we have to trust the process at some point. She is privy to much more information honestly regarding the schools regarding the the teachers what qualifications she has the information. We do not have qualifications. We alls we know is that they're a principal somewhere or they're a teacher somewhere. We really don't

071have individual qualifications. So we just have to trust the process. Uh, I'm confident that um some of the staff changes will only be an asset into the the new school that they get assign reassigned to. I I am confident in that and I will be following up to make sure that that they have the support system to be um successful. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Mr. Lford Fleming. Um, I'll just kind of add to what Miss Ganelli said. Um, Dr. Carlin was elected by our county because they trusted you. Um, I trust you as a board member to make those decisions and there is information that we are not privy to and I think that's important for the county to have. I will say that as a former educator of 20 years, I've gone

072through multiple administrative changes. Um, I do believe that the person at that is going to be replacing is an amazing principal and I I don't want to fall short of that either. Um and and I'm I guess in my public comment I'll have more to say regarding um Mr. Howdy shell. But I just think it's important that the public know since you pulled the item, Miss Jordan, that while yes, it may not be our uh in our purview, we as a board and the community has decided that our superintendent and her staff are going to make the best decision for our students. And um that's all I say all I have to say right now. Is there any other discussion? Miss Jordan. >> Thank you, Miss Langford Fleming. And the only reason I pulled this

073is because I do believe that they they should have the reason because when we just sit up here and we make decisions, it it gets confusing. They're like, "What the heck are they doing?" So to me I believe that we owe them the people who come here to speak and not saying that the person who would be there is definitely a wonderful person but it's just I believe that you still need to understand how this all takes place and thank you all for indulging me in this. >> Thank you. >> I would just like to say this is not uncommon in government. I mean, we have in the county commissioners, they approve the budget for the sheriff. The sheriff makes all his staff decisions. They do not tell the sheriff who he can promote or

074not promote or move or transfer. They have no say in that. Uh they can do something with the budget or something. I mean, it's just very common. And all throughout government, this is common different duties for different boards. Um, >> can I ask? >> So anyway, um, Mr. Lford Fleming, >> I'm sorry. I just have one question through the chair to the superintendent. Um, when we make when when your staff when you all make these decisions, are you looking at the whole gambit and do we have all of the um, endofear statistics, testing scores, etc. Would you mind touching on that just a little bit to clarify with the public? >> Absolutely. So, I want to be abundantly clear. I do not want to get into personnel issues at this table. I do not think

075it would be appropriate. I would never put anybody in that situation. So, I want to just kind of have that disclaimer um because I don't think >> best practices exist in that regard. However, when um myself and our administrative staff make decisions, we do it with the best intentions of children in mind. And it is a complete picture that is utilized uh using student achievement data. I think we even quoted our board policy today that um you all have in your board uh policies. It basically says the superintendent makes the decision that is in the best interest of student achievement as the primary decision uh for who goes where as an administrator and then beyond that other decisions that are made um that I'm not going to get into at this time. Thank you. >>

076Thank you for that clarification. >> Thank you. All right, I believe we're ready for a vote now. Uh, this will be a roll call. M1. >> Mr. Fiser. >> I, >> Mr. Janelli. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ribble. >> Hi, M. >> Jordan. >> Hi, Mr. >> Langford. Fleming. >> Hi, Shabiano. >> Hi. >> And I Please introduce any administrators in attendance who have new assignments approved under consent agenda. >> Thank you very much uh Mr. Chairman. So present this evening are the following administrators um who have been um reassigned or um promoted. So we'd like to start with Jill Geril uh who is now the assistant principal at Cape Elementary. [applause] Dr. Thomas Millins, principal, Santael School. [applause] Richard Leister, director, core curriculum instruction and assessment. [applause] Dr. Nikita Watson, principal, Eastley County High School.

077[applause] Trayvon Davis, assistant principal, Eastley County High School. [applause] Daniel Pinkerton, principal, Gateway High School, [applause] and Justin Budm Bud Meyer, the director, arts, athletics, activities, and administration. [applause] Congratulations to all of you uh who are newly assigned and your roles. We're very excited. We know uh that you are going to provide extraordinary leadership and we look forward to seeing your [snorts] leadership and action in your new site. So, thank you very much for stepping up and uh for leading our students and our schools. Thank you. Next on the agenda is the Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation meeting. We will now take a recess from the regular school board action meeting to attend to this matter >> and they can go to dinner. >> Yes. And we'll allow So if all the uh people

078that received appointments if they would like to leave so they can get to work early even though it's summer. We [laughter] Thank you very much. All right. Now, we'll take a recess from the regular school board action meeting to attend to this matter. The time is 7:26 p.m. As president of the Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation, I would like to call this meeting of the Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation of June 9th, 2026 to order. The time is 7:27 p.m. This evening's agenda includes public comment, two secretary recommendations, good of the order, other business, and adjournment. Directors, the president will entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. >> I move to adopt the agenda. >> Stanford Fleming. I'll second. >> Mr. Ribble will second. >> Okay. The motion has been made to adopt

079the agenda by Miss Fleming, Langford Fleming, excuse me, and by Mr. Ribble. This will be a roll call vote. All those in favor say I or >> yes. Mr. Fischer, >> I. Mr. >> Janelli, >> yes. >> Mr. Ribble, >> I. >> Miss Jordan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Langford Fleming. I >> Miss Shaviano >> I >> and I am an I. Motion carries 70. Attorney Dodig, would you please address the matter of public comment? >> Yes, sir. At this time, members of the public have an opportunity to comment on the items outlined on the agenda for the leasing corporation. Mr. President, I do not know I don't I'm sorry. Let me see. [laughter] There are no individuals signed up to comment. >> All right. We'll now move to the secretar's recommendations. Dr. Carlin, please state

080your first recommendation. >> Thank you, sir. Approval of the December 1st, 2025 Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation minutes, excuse me, meeting minutes. >> Thank you, directors. You have heard the secretary's recommendation to approve the December 1st, 2025 Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation meeting minutes. I will now entertain a motion. Mr. Fischer, >> motion to approve the minutes. >> Second, >> Miss Jordan. Secretary's recommendation has been moved by Mr. Fiser and seconded by Miss Jordan. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, this will be a roll call vote. All those in favor? Mr. Fischer, >> I. >> Mr. Jvenelli, >> I Ribble. >> Hi, Mr. >> Miss Jordan. >> Hi. >> Miss Langford Fleming, >> I. >> Shaveaniano, >> I. >> And I'm an I. Motion carries 70. Dr. Carlin, would you please state your

081second recommendation? >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Approval of the resolution authorizing the issuance of refunding certificates of participation series 2026A to finance the defeasence and current refunding of all or portion of the outstanding certificates of participation series 2016A maturing on or after August 1st, 2027, thereby refinancing a portion of the cost of Bonita Springs High School, the series 2016A facility and authorizing execution of related documents in connection with the issuance of the series 2026A certificates. Directors, you've heard the secretary's recommendation to approve the resolution authorizing a the issuance of refunding certificates of participation series 2026A in an aggregate amount not to exceed $55 million for the purpose of refinancing the cost of Bonita Springs High School. The series 2016AA facility. B, the sale of series 2016A certificates in a negotiated public sale, the execution and

082C, the execution delivery of an amended and restated schedule of the 2016 AQ to the master lease and D, the execution and delivery of continuing disclosure undertaking. E, the execution delivery of an escrow deposit agreement. F, the acceptance of a commitment for the issuance of a municipal bond insurance policy, if appropriate, and G, the execution of related documents in connection with the issuance of refunding series 2026A certificates. I will now entertain a motion. Mr. Fischer, >> motion to approve. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Mrs. Giovenelli. The adoption of the secretary's recommendation has been moved by Mr. Fiser and seconded by Mrs. Giovenelli. Is there any discussion? Mr. Fischer, just for record and madam superintendent or somebody else, if they correct me, I believe we're expected to save around $3.8 million with

083this refinance. >> Looks like it. That is correct from the expert back here. >> Thumbs up from the back. Yes. Yes, sir. Put that in the >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you for putting that in there. >> Is there any other discussion? >> This will be a roll call vote. >> Please signify by saying I or yes and opposed by saying nay or no. Mr. Fischer >> I. >> M. Jimelli. >> I. >> Mr. Ribble. >> I. >> Miss Jordan. >> I. >> Miss Langford Fleming. >> I. >> Mrs. Shaviano. >> I. >> For $3.8 million. I'm an I. >> Motion carries. 70. We'll now move to the good of the order. Other business. Please note that comments may only be made in your capacity as directors or officers of the corporations. Are there

084any comments? Uh Mrs. Jimali, Mr. Ribble. >> Oh, you're talking evening comments? No. >> No, this is only for the lease. >> Only for this. >> Okay. I have none. Miss Langford Fleming. >> I have none. >> Mr. Shaviano, >> I have none. >> Mr. Fischer, you're not even on here. >> None. >> No, sir. >> Thank you, Dr. Carlin. >> I have none. Thank you, sir. >> All right. At this point, having no other business and seeing no objection, this meeting of the Lee County School Board Leasing Corporation is now adjourned. The time is 7:33 p.m. I will now reconvene the regular schoolboard action meeting of the June 9th, 2026 meeting. The time is 7:33 p.m. Now, for the good of the order for the members here, we'll start at with Mrs. Shabiano >>

085for a change. >> All right. Um so I wanted to say thank you to the two students who came to speak um for public comment. It's greatly appreciated. Um wanted to highlight obviously end of year and attending uh their graduations these past few weeks. Um obviously it's great to see our students some athletes that I know students I know uh walk across that stage. I know it's a big moment for our families. Um looking forward to the summer and hopefully everyone kind of recouping and resting and all [snorts] the things. But, um, again, I think for, you know, the public that comes out and and has what I've taken away a lot is that our sometimes our workshops maybe aren't tuned in as much as our action meetings. And our workshops is where a lot

086of the the meat and potatoes happens, where these topics come up and we hash that out here on the dis. Our action meeting is where we're just casting the vote on what we've discussed prior. So I think it's important to highlight because I hear rubber stamped no one's listening all of these pieces and I don't think I can stress enough there's a lot of conversation that happens on this dis and that happens behind these walls during our one-on ones, multiple one-on ones, department one-on ones, all of the pieces once these items arrive on our action meeting agenda. So, I would just maybe stress um and I always say because I've I've had conversations on the phone over the last couple months and I and I always say like did you watch the workshop because we

087discussed this piece or did you catch the workshop because we actually dissected this further because there's a lot of information. That's where all the information is presented is the workshop. Um so, I think I I just kind of want to maybe stress and take away that. Um, this meeting isn't the only meeting where we have these discussions on these items that come up. So, I've always said again, my door is always open. I haven't turned on a meeting yet. I welcome a meeting. Um, our phones are out there. Um, please schedule the time. I have them here and off site. Um, we do listen and we do partake. Um, so just kind of keep that in mind that once it hits this this meeting at six o'clock, it's been discussed at prior workshops, the morning

088of and prior. So, just kind of something to keep in mind um as far as how this process works. And then I think also to maybe I'll just quote Mr. Ribble on like these awesome pictures that he's been handing out all day today. Um, you know, there's a there's a lane that we stay in, um, as part of our legislative and our executive body. And as was discussed, um, earlier, we do not make the decision for personnel. We do not say where they're going. We have we have no say in that piece of it. Right? That is the function and the role of the superintendent. Um, that was what she's been trusted to do. That is her job. I cannot say that I understand all of the things and all the knowledge that she's had

089in her 30 plus years in this district. Um, and again, she was elected to do just what she is doing. And the only recourse and peace like Miss Jordan has said and Miss Janelli has said is that we can hold up or make a question if there's someone that's brought up that does not meet the qualifications. That's it. if they meet the qualifications for that role unless there's another reason we're not within our guidelines to hold that up. So just again a takeaway is these things happen and and I think coming in here and and participating understand that there's a lot of conversations before we get here and I welcome the conversations and I welcome the opportunity to have further discussions with the public and anyone else for anything that comes up on this dis

090or in the public because we're out there. Um, so again, we're here obviously we here we're here to serve you. Um, I have our families that I I keep in constant connection with on on things that pop up. So please, the door is open, the phone is always on, our emails are always open. Um, please have that conversation just to have a better understanding of this whole process because it is not an easy process, but there's a lot that goes into it. So just excited again for this upcoming school year and for the summer. Um, I know there's a lot of changes taking place. Changes are not always fun and exciting. change is hard. Um so again, I always say give grace. Um there's a bigger picture that comes into play for that and at

091the end of the day um when those things do or do don't turn out that falls on the superintendent. That's that responsibility and she has to answer for that and that's our part of our job as well. So again, thank you for everyone that continues to come out and continues to reach out and have those conversations. We do hear you. We do listen. There's a lot of followup behind it. Um, and just thank you to our teachers and our staff and our administration, our district office for all the work that you guys do day in and day out. Um, I see the late night messages and late night emails and over the weekends. There there's a lot that happens in this district. We are the second largest employer in Lee County. >> And I don't

092know if I can stress that enough. The second largest employer in Lee County. So, just thank you for everything that you guys do. Uh, thank you to our families. Um, I hope you enjoy the summer with your with your kids. Um, and look forward to a better new school year. Thank you, >> Mr. Lford Plumbing. >> Thank you. Sorry, you're going to have to bear with me a little bit because I yielded my time to this evening. Um, thank you, Dr. Shaker. I've heard amazing things about the summer summit. So much shout out. Oh my gosh, I would love to see that happen again. middle of the year just to excite pe teachers again. So, I don't know if there's leftover money in the grant that paid for this, but hey, let's go for it

093because I heard some amazing things. Teachers, usually when teachers leave their [snorts] school year, speaking of a 20-year veteran, um you know, you're a little bit ready for like c catch my breath, but that is not what I heard at all. They were excited. They're going to go out and be incredibly involved in the fall as they always are, but maybe with a little bit of oomph. So, thank you for that and thank you for um the, you know, our our personal connections that we have inside this community that was willing to work with us on being able to give them that great experience. Um, let's talk about really quick. Um, our vetting process, which is what I have gotten a couple of questions about because of some latest stories. Um, I know that our

094superintendent and staff are vetting our employees, making sure that the right people in the right places. Um, but you have to also remember that she has only been here for two years and we need to just make sure that we're doing our vetting process and our interview process with fidelity. So, I would charge our school district to make sure that we're continuing to raise the bar on that because not only do we want we want a certified CL teacher in every classroom, we want an incredible classroom teacher in every classroom. And um Lee County should be a place where people strive to want to work in. And um and and raising that bar and meeting that bar I don't think is a a bad thing necessarily. Um today somebody mentioned maybe it was Miss Gioanelli

095about extra workshops. I like the idea of having extra workshops when we're heavy loaded because I feel like at the end of the workshop when we have 13 items on something and it's not always just in May that we can't give the opportunity to that part of cabinet that is presenting to us the amount of time because we're inside of a 5h hour window at that point. So maybe that is something that we um come back to the table. And I know there was a constituent talking about waiting until November. That's just out of pure courtesy of possibly a new board because our calendar is already set and August will be here before we know it and we can have those conversations again. Um I I enjoy public comment. I think that it's where we

096all learn so much. It's the reason why so many well all of us I think on the day has come to go out to schools because that's sort of public comment for us. We get to really hear from constituents that work inside of our district. Um what else? I went to this amazing event and I want to shout it out because I think it would be something that all of our schools could learn from. It was called the grit conference that Eststerero High School held. And then before that they held a fierce conference. So they held a fierce for um women leadership and then they hel held a grip for gentlemen leadership and what a great concept at Asterero High School. It was really over the top. They connected with so many people in our

097community and I was so thrilled that they asked me to come and speak. Um but I think it's something that we could use in all of our high schools. So, I just wanted to kind of uh shout that out a little bit. If you could see my notes right now, you wouldn't understand any of what I was writing. Um because I loved the big bus comment tonight. And thank you to Cadence and Douglas that came and spoke. Students have so much weight in our um decision making. You have you you bring so much to the table and I and I hope that students don't ever forget that. Thank you to Special Olympics. Um, that was probably one of the best recognitions most I was so honored to be able to give that recognition tonight to

098Cody and Jada. And um, and I want to thank the teachers and that coaches that are behind that program. Um, transparency and budget. I know I heard that at some point this evening. I cannot tell you how much I think that Sarah Cox really brought it to the table today and and to her team, thank you so much for that because that was sheer budget transparency. Um gosh, I'm all over the place here. Okay. Um we had an amazing principle that was spoken about this evening. I'm not going to talk much more about that because it's not in my lane as a board member, but I just want to say thank you for what you have given and I have no doubt that big things are going to happen for this person um within our

099district in the future. We had a person talk about um prevention. That is really close to my heart because I have young teens myself and um and I know some of us may not have young teens, but we have maybe grandchildren and that is such a challenge every single day being thrown at them. And so I I would like to have more conversation about prevention specialists um you know on my in our one-on- ones and how we can bring that somehow back in the district or or what that actually looks like. Dr. Carlin, you I I know that that's close to you as well. Um sports because you know I'm not going to leave this meeting without talking about that. Um, families, make sure that you get your sports forms done, please. Over the summer,

100[snorts] every student that is coming new to the district, playing in high school, and our ninth, that means our ninth graders, you need to go get your EKG. Um, Dr. or Mr. Larosa has done a great job at getting that information out. And um I know there are multiple ways to be able to get that, but make sure you connect with your primary care or the school that your student is attending to make sure that your child is getting their EKG. They cannot participate in sports without it. Um let's talk really quick. Oh, about paying coaches. Um we're talking about budget. I know that's going to be coming up. I'm a big advocate for our coaches and their um assistants, especially being a former coach myself. You don't coach because the money in high school.

101You don't. But they give up a lot of family time. They give up a lot of family time. They give up [clears throat] family time in the evening and over the summer. right now um are I'm going to probably get this wrong, so don't quote me. Football coaches $3,442. That's like $7 an hour and they are missing out on their own kids and family. Um spring coaches, some are at 12:15. they they love those athletes, but I think it's something that we really need to start talking about. Um, and then I I'm almost done, chair. I'm so sorry. This was me giving up my time this afternoon. Um, thank you to our SRO's. I'm never going to forget to thank you all for being here, for being for us, from and for number one, being

102for our students. And then our graduations. Holy smokes. What an amazing May in this in the county of of Lee for our graduates. And um that is always such a highlight for me. I had a handshake from a gentleman that shook my hand so hard my hat flew off. And um we we just to see their smiles walk across and to make sure that we at the district are um continuing to keep graduation and the fidelity of what it means to walk across the stage is so incredibly important to me as a former educator. I guess I'm you never really take your education hat off, but um super highlighted moments there. you know, I got one more and uh one more graduation to go, but congratulations to the teachers of finishing their school year out.

103Thank you for so much hard work and I can I hope that they are safe and have a memorable summer and um as well as our students and their families. And that's all. >> Jordan, >> I'll be quick. Just [laughter] >> Okay, so I I do have I do I do have a few things. Um so I I did have the opportunity to I did attend the summer summit. I did go and I participated in that with the teachers. I learned a lot and I tried it on my grandkids and it does work. So I was really helpful. It was really helpful to me and my family. Uh I also had the opportunity to um step in and watch for a while and participate with Dr. Savage actually uh the Steven CVY trust little game

104that we played. That was interesting. Uh and I just really appreciate the fact that all the principles were here. The uh the teachers were participated and they they did get a lot out of that. As Miss uh Jada has already mentioned, graduation was phenomenal. I I believe I shook over 200 no 200 2,000 hands uh this year with that. And I know there is one more to go. We did the Franklin Park sendoff. They used to do the gentleman welcome, but this year uh last year they started it when the kids leave, everybody comes, the community partakes, everybody comes to a school and they send the kids off for the summer and letting them know how much they're cared for and we want we want to see them back. So that was really uh it

105was really well done. The Jules, Miss Wine, I know she has come here before and spoke about this and I had asked that question. And I had got received that answer regarding that earlier today about the jewel settlement and it was back in it's been some time. So back in May 7th of 2024 is when the we had a workshop on that and we're uh every the funds were going to be going to. But I think that maybe it' be great for us to have like a um just a a renew just to check to see are we are we still on track with everything that we said back in 2024 and where is where are we at with those funds uh participating with that because I I believe that um Miss Kathy and I

106forget who else was in that. We had two of the prevention people who were here and they were um part of that that settlement or they believe that they were. So, I just wanted to say that and I did want to uh when Axel, Mr. Axel came up and spoke about Buckingham and mentioned that we had legal counsel. Um I I was kind of taken back on that one because I had not heard anything about that. I don't know if that is true, but if we could get some um insight on that perhaps. And then the num the capacity numbers are now down off of our website through the chair to the superintendent. Just I it disappeared. I don't know where that went. >> Be happy to look at that. >> Yeah, that would be

107>> I that was news to me so I made a note of it for our staff just to double check. Thank you. >> I don't know where that went to. And then um al so let's see and and I would love to do a second when we started with the one meeting a month we went with that saying that if we were to need extra meetings that we would put them back on so that way we could do the work of the board. So I I think that maybe we should still look at you know possibly doing that as well. And I just want to say thank you to all the teachers, the principles, everyone for the the year, our our parents, our students, and hopefully uh wishing everybody a a really safe summer and

108looking forward to next year. Thank you, >> Mr. Ribble. >> Okay, real quickly here, I want to echo what two of my comrades to my left already stated about our our superintendent and the great job that she does and the confidence that we have in her. I communicate with our superintendent almost every day and most Saturday and Sundays, believe it or not. So, she's totally engaged. She totally communicates. She has a great staff and a great cabinet who I think are do an excellent job. I can't wait till the numbers come out at the end of June. I know for a fact, Nathan, the reading scores are going to be blown away because you folks have just done an outstanding job with the reading program. Uh, enough said on the graduations. wore her hands out

109shaking hands and I can attest to Jada's hat getting knocked off her head cuz my wife was standing right beside her and she was the one that caught it. So, [laughter] uh, so if you have any doubts about what happened with her hair, grow up. Really? Come on. Let's let's get for real. Okay, real quickly, we had it. One of the best events I've attended in my two years on the board was the Legacy Awards uh night last Tuesday night. A week ago, Tuesday, it was just outstanding. And we had 81 folks come through there. They they were so excited and so proud. I get a kick out of we hear the negative stuff and social media loves to pray. But you know what was amazing? Not anybody from the news press or any of

110the news stations were outside to talk to our folks as they left that evening because they would have been blown away with how positive everybody was about working for the school district. And speaking of that, we had a we have a uh a math coach for the West region that was recognized that night for being teacher of the year. And guess what? She's one of four people that are on the list to be selected teacher of the year for the state of Florida for. So I can tell you for the folks, many of us are leaving tonight or early tomorrow morning to go to the schoolboard association meeting in Tampa. And I got to tell you what I'm going to be doing. And I'm going to be lo lobbying for this young lady, Laura Blackburn

111because she's very deserving and an award and I hope we can do everything we can. I know she's going through interviews this week in Tallahassee. So if you know anyone in in uh in the powers to be in Tallahassee or the schoolboard association, don't forget she's our she's our lady. We want to get her uh teacher of the year for the state of Florida. That's all I have, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Miss Janelli. >> Okay. I I'm gonna I have to add a little bit to the graduation. Yes, we uh I did five graduations and I am actually done. But and it's my fa one of my favorite things to do every year. But one of the speakers and I was trying to remember which school it was actually spoke on not having their

112phones. That was his speech. And I'm trying to think I don't I know it wasn't Gateway. I'm thinking it was either Fort Meyers or maybe South, but I'm not sure. Um, so don't hold me to that one, but I was so impressed and they they cheered him on because he brought back how they had conversations at lunch. I mean, he what it actually did for his uh se, you know, class of having that community back and not being um, you know, out, you know, on their phones and distracted by the phones. And I thought I was so impressed that that was his, you know, his graduation speech. Um, so I just thought I'd throw that out there. But, um, I wanted to bring up, uh, someone, the gentleman from Cyprus brought up the Special Olympics.

113Did he say that was December 11th? December 11th. Okay. I wrote that and I wanted my calendar. >> Good. Yes. Okay. So, I want to bring that back up. Um and then through the through the chair to the superintendent there was a lady that com that about the complaints and investigation process but I did see that um uh Mr. Nulan Chief Nulan spoke pulled her aside. So I I just wanted to um acknowledge that uh as well. And then I wanted to to to the OKMC staff you know I hear you. Um, actually I I don't know your principal, but I do after tonight. And um I know he may not be your principal this year, but I am confident that Mariner Middle is going to be one of the lucky high middle schools this

114year and because of just his leadership style and the impression that he left at Okamik, his imprint will be now on Mariner. So sometimes we have to when we when we get blessed somewhere else and a door closes that door opens for someone else to be blessed by the same person that that left their imprint in Okamic. And so I am going to be asking every day and I promise you that how he how he's doing and the support that he's doing because I'm confident that he will be a principal in 2028. So um I would like to see that. That would be my uh and I think that with the right um guidance I think that he'll be put somewhere that he does leave his imprint again as a principal. Um, I really that's

115really all I had uh other than on the July 21st meeting I may not be in attendance and I wanted to bring that up because normally in the last uh 10 years we do not have a meeting in July except for the last week of July that the last Tuesday of the month and I had told my daughter that I had committed to keeping my two grandchildren uh while they went on a European vacation um cruise and that was scheduled way before the calendar came out. So, this is the first time that we actually have a a board meeting uh not the last week of the month, but the third week of the month. So, I just want to go on record for that because I may uh be doing it from uh trying to

116be in a quiet room somewhere where my grandchildren are going to be um on their my phone probably looking at things they're not supposed to be doing on YouTube. Um so, that is it. I just wanted to say thank you to the staff, teachers. Have a great summer. Please take time for yourself, including families as well as students. Take time to do something with your children and enjoy your summer in this short break and get ready to gear up for 2026 27 school year. Thank you, >> Mr. Fischer. >> Thank you, [clears throat] Chair. Uh, one thing I want to clear up, we do still have prevention education district that has not gone anywhere. I don't make sure the public is aware of that. So, I serve on uh, Thrive, which is actually the former

117drug free coalition board and we do a lot with the school district, including and we have the sheriffs and Florida National Guard and a lot of uh, partners in that. So, I want to reaffirm to the public to make sure that that is in place in this district and there are uh, opportunities that uh, from the outside that help with that. So, uh, one of the things that, uh, I I'd like to talk about is being both a, uh, board member and an attorney. I love civics. It's one of my favorite things. So, and, uh, when I go to schools, and it kind of reminded me of what Mr. Pson said today. You know, we I, you know, especially when I get to elementary school, uh, you know, I talk about they ask me what

118a board member does, and we talk about, you know, budget and policy, you know, passing and changing laws. And one of the things that I always talk about every year and my uh kids are aware of this is um contracts. You know, I talk about, you know, obviously an a agreement between, you know, a business or service and the school district. And with tonight's vote, we approved Q10, the ice cream contract tonight. So, I tell [laughter] my I tell my kids every year, uh it's a year-to-year vote for me, so you better be nice to me. But um I I think it's always a fun way to to interact with the students, especially elementary to help them understand what a board member does and how that works. So uh great job everyone on proving that

119tonight. Um want to go into uh everyone mentioned uh graduations. What a what a fun time. You know, you spent a million different hands with all of you. Uh it was a great time. I also uh want to recognize I was able to attend the uh final graduation as well as Miss Jordan for uh North Fort Myers principal Debbie Diggs who'll be retiring. Uh it was amazing. I want to uh publicly recognize and thank her for her service and wish her you know the best of luck in in uh you know her her second act as she goes on to something else. So uh really cool moment. She even took a uh selfie with the entire graduating class on stage. So it was really special. So uh Principal Digs, thank you for everything you've done.

120Uh and I also want to uh recognize um as well as everyone mentioned the teachers, the staff and the students especially the teachers and the staff to please make sure to unplug this summer. Take it easy the best you can and looking forward to seeing you all back in August. Thank you so much. >> All right, my turn now. What's been left that hadn't been said. >> It's never easy to be the chair you get to go last. I did go to one graduation that was extra special and that was at the Buckingham Exceptional Center. I've been there every year. We had nine students this year graduate and they got across [clears throat] the stage in various ways either in a wheelchair or walker and but they were they were so excited. The whole staff

121was excited. It's it's hard to explain. you think something that small, but it's it's really moving when you're there. But also this time of the year is time for scholarships. And we went to a whole bunch of different programs that have given out scholarships to these students from the foundation giving out 51 full scholarships for their uh program that they run and then the different various scholarships from the Rotary clubs and uh my particular Rotary Club is actually doing uh eight scholarships uh this Thursday night. So it's an exciting time. But the our ultimate goal, you know, we have kindergarteners, you hard to think, it's hard to think about that, but our ultimate goal is to get them graduated, to get them ready to go to their next phase of life. And last year, we

122had the highest graduation rates we ever had and we exceeded that again this year. So that it's it's we're doing a good job there. We've had more certifications for career tech and we're way above the numbers that we should be for a district our size. We're the eighth largest in the state and we're I think the fourth or fifth largest in the state in certifications. So I'm I'm excited about that. And of course we have the large largest RO2C program in the state and in the nation. and a lot of the students are going into the military or into college JOTC from there. It really produces leaders. So, I'm really excited about our ultimate goal. We're always working to make it better. There's no doubt about it. So, it is I think it was a

123very good year overall. And because of that, I have confidence in the superintendent. You're doing a great job. Thank you. You don't get told that hardly ever. [laughter] Matter of fact, none of us get told that, but that's that's uh part of the life of being an elected official. All right. Uh attorney Dodie. >> Yes, >> I would agree with that about the superintendent. Um there is no counsel that has been retained for the Buckingham matter. Just to clear that up. Um I have I can give a bit of a Juul update, but I'd rather do that in writing to you all. So, we have received um a number of um payments from both Juel and Altria and um I'll confirm that with M Miss Cox, but um we don't have all the money yet,

124believe it or not, but um it is on the way. Um two things of personal privilege. One, the World Cup soccer tournament starts this Friday and let's go USA. So, um a huge um event here in the United States. And finally, a real personal point of privilege. June 21st, I'm sorry, June 9th, 2021 was the day I married my wife. And today is my 25th wedding anniversary. So, happy anniversary, Bridget. I know she's watching. And um she's a very good fifth grade teacher in this district. So, thank you. That's all I have. >> All right. Great. Superintendent, [laughter] Carla. >> All right. Thank you very much. And uh happy anniversary. That's fantastic. We're so glad we got to celebrate with you. to >> hopefully we're going to get you home soon enough to have some

125uh maybe a late dinner. So, thank you so much for being here. Um I just want to thank our board members. You know, um it is really easy to get caught in the negativity and the noise and I just want to really thank you for focusing on the work. You know, when I came and was elected, and I know this is something new for Lee County, at least in our lifetime, having elected superintendent, I want to tell you that the passion that I felt that day when Miss Shavaniano, Mr. Ribble, Miss Giovenelli, and myself were sworn in. That passion still exists even after gosh 19 months already, right in the in the position. Um, I want to thank you for focusing on the work because in the noisy world and like I said, it's very

126easy to find problems. Problems are so easy to find. That simple. What I think is more challenging is finding the good stuff that's happening. things like our teachers every single day in the classroom teaching the benchmarks. That's not always exciting stuff, but I can tell you we had a celebration with our principles over the initial data that's coming out. More children reading than ever, more children on level for math, the learning gains. I mean, it takes your breath away when you get to see the science achievement that's happening. US history, civics. I mean, we have so many areas that are up and that is a tribute to our teachers, to our support staff, and to our principles who are working day in and day out. So, I just want to just thank you for focusing

127on that, not getting caught in the noise, but really focusing on what's most important, and that is student achievement. That is helping our children to improve every single day. And that's what you're doing by recognizing the good stuff happening in this district. Um, [clears throat] I also want to uh compliment you because today we talked about some really important stuff. Hurricane preparedness, right? So along with all of that comes safety and security, right? Hurricane preparedness. We talked about our school district's budget and uh thank you for your compliments. I want to extend those also to our team, [clears throat] Miss Cox, Mr. Aosta, and and all of our team members. The capital plan and the uh very extensive um pieces of information that were shared. Thank you very very much because our goal as an

128administration, we're an open book. You have a question, we're going to get back to you. No question about it. We're going to make sure you have the information. Um we talked about legislative updates today. We talked about the hard work of our um government relations team and how much work that they do in partnership with us as a governance team as well as many other folks in our community. So again, just lots of lots of focus on the good stuff. board policy updates in accordance with law, making sure those things are taken care of. So, there's just so much that I could brag about with this district. Buses on time, student achievement up, graduation rate up. I mean, we're winning and winning and winning. And I'm just so proud of this district. I'm proud of

129our staff. I'm proud of our central office, our principles, our administrators, our teachers, our support staff, everybody working. One vision, one team. We said it when we came in and I think maybe those were just some words. What we're seeing now is the payoff when we work together as a team. When we're all rowing the same direction, nothing is impossible and we're seeing the results of that. So, I just really want to thank the board for your leadership. We talked about graduation. What a great I mean great couple of nights, several nights. Nothing better than watching the kids walk across the stage, seeing the excitement on their faces. I did ask about their plan A and B. Uh Mr. the persons was standing next to me. We got to hear a few of those uh

130responses and boy, our students are off to a running start. So, congratulations to the class of 2026. Best wishes and know that you're never a stranger. You can always come back to the school district family and we welcome you with open arms. Can't wait to hear about the great things you do. And then finally, congratulations to our students and staff on an outstanding school year. Um I could brag about you, all of us could brag about you from now until the morning time. Uh but we're uh making sure Mr. Mr. Dota gets home to have his anniversary. So, we want to make sure we take care of our friend. But all kidding aside, thank you for the work you do. Thank you for your diligence. Thank you for putting students first, which is something this

131administration will always do. Um, we're okay with the criticism because I will stand up every single day for student achievement and I know you will too. So, thank you very much. Proud to serve as the superintendent of this school district. Thank you. >> And thank you. Then the next scheduled meeting of the board will be July 21st, 2026. At this point, having no other business to come before this body and seeing no objection, this meeting is adjourned. The time is >> 8:09. Thank you. I took off my watch. Have a great evening.