001There we go. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome as I call to order the August 2025 meeting of the Escami County School Board. Whether you're joining us via our live stream or in the audience, we appreciate your interest in the education of students of Escamia County. The mission of Escami County Public Schools is providing equal access to quality public education that embraces the uniqueness and potential of each student. We are united in our mission. At this time, I ask that you as your cell phones and electronic devices. As a reminder, there are two public forum options. There will be a public forum for agenda items only including the consent agenda stu and student employee discipline at the beginning of the meeting and then a public form at the end of the meeting for any items
002pertaining to school district business or public education. Additionally, if you are speaking to either speaking to any of the items for public hearing, you'll be called to speak during the agenda public forum. If you wish to speak at either of the forums, you must complete a form located on the back table of the room and bring it forth to Miss Harris at the front table. If you wish to speak at both form forums, you must fill out a form for both. All speakers must be all forms must be submitted prior to the start of the agenda public forum. This meeting was properly advertised in the Pensacola News Journal legal notice number 11486509. [Music] It is the tradition of the Escamian County School Board to begin each meeting with the invocation or motivational moment followed by
003the pledge of allegiance. This month, Mr. Fesco, District 2, will lead us. If you'll bear me some due diligence at the moment. Um a bunch of years ago there were people from Escambia County who had gone to a training on curriculum mapping. Some of the more experienced uh seasoned um older people who were in the room or had that training. a lady named Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Uh she uh did the training on the curriculum mapping and she always began every one of her presentations with a chair on the stage. I want to call everyone's attention to the chair and Heidi implored people. She says, "Think of a child you know or a classroom of children or a school of children or a community of children. keep them in that chair during all the work and
004all the business that we conduct this evening so that we remember that what we do is about children first and everything we do affects those children. We as as leaders in the community and in the school district need to be mindful that the children do come first and we need to make decisions that's going to be in their best interest always and ever. Now, if you'll please stand with me and let me offer a short prayer. Heavenly Father, as we meet today and every time we meet, let us always give thanks to you for the many blessings, for your protection, for your guidance, for your wisdom. And may we always remember the child that needs us to be their protector in Jesus name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
005America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mr. Fesco. At this time, we'll move to the adoption of the agenda. Mr. Superintendent, are there any additions or deletions to your recommended agenda? Yes sir. Under section 21 consent finance accounting operation item B has been added. Under section 24 consent finance procurement we've deleted item P and we've added item U and item B. Under section 31 consent operations facilities planning miscellaneous item B has been deleted. Thank you. State statute and schoolboard rules require that changes made to the agenda after publication be based on the findings of good cause determined by the person designated to presside over the meeting and stated in the records. Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda?
006So moved. I'll second. Any discussion? No discussion. Please vote. Good. What you think? I did approve five to zero. Any correction? We'll make a note that that uh Mr. Harold seconded that motion. We'll get it corrected for the minutes. Thank you. Thank you. Moving into committee departmental reports and special recognition. Mr. Superintendent, we start with PTA update. Come on up, young lady. Good evening, superintendent and school board members. Thank you for giving me this time to report on PTA in Escambia County. For the audience, I am Melanie Gamble, the current president of the Escambia County Council of PTA. August, as you know, has been very busy month, not only for y'all, but the 30 PTAs as they assisted in greeting the teachers and students back in all our schools. Our parent volunteers are already making
007a difference in the daily routine of our schools by lending a hand where needed. As you may know, PTA's membership count starts over each school year. We ended last year with 3,086 parent, grandparent, community, and neighbor members. As of today, we already have 1472 of these parents, teachers, students, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and your neighbors who have joined to support the PTA mission uh throughout our county. I hope you've had a chance to join at least one PTA. And remember, you can join more than one. As a membership association, our strength comes from our members voice. Let me know if you need information on how to join. County Council's purpose is to train, support, and assist all of our local units in our schools. One of our main events is the annual fall leadership training, which
008is set for September 6th at Marcus Point Baptist Church from 8 to 2. You each received an email invitation to our event, and we hope you are able to spend the day with us. But if not, please try to stop by at some point and meet our special guests from Florida PTA. Check out the exhibit hall with resources from local businesses and nonprofits. And most importantly, meet with some of the wonderful parents who have volunteered their time and talent to run their PTA. There's free coffee and breakfast at 8 and free lunch and some little bit of fun in the exhibit hall starting at 11:30. We hope to see each one of you on September 6th. Another important date to put on your calendar is March 5th for our 2026 National PTA Reflections Arts Awards
009Ceremony to be held at Washington High School's auditorium. We are looking forward to celebrating our creative students in the areas of visual arts, literature, dance composition, film production, and photography. And as a little bit of a teaser, mark your calendars for the afternoon of February 16th for a special family event in honor of National PTA's Founders Day. ECCPTA and our local units are looking forward to assisting our schools throughout the year to ensure an engaging, productive school year for all of our students in Escambia County. Thank you again for allowing me time to speak on PT PTA in Escambia County. Thank you, Millie. Thank you, Mr. Williams. May I say something? Yes, sir. Uh, Miss Gamble, I want to thank you for all the things that the PTA does for uh all over the district
010and all the schools. Uh, when I was a principal, we had a 100% membership for 10 straight years. And I can tell you that's one of the things when you get parents engaged in a building. Not only that, it increases your volunteers. There's just so many pluses to that. Thank you for all that you do for boys and girls. Thank you. It's all the parents that are out there in the trenches at the schools that are helping. And on that note, if I may, um, MacArthur is reinstating their PTA on September 4th. And I'll send you a notice of that, Mr. Herold. I think that's your district. I've already met the principal and she's filled me in on that. Oh, okay. Thank you very much. We've got quite a number of celebrations tonight, so just
011bear with us. Bring your patience. Um, if Miss Graham and Miss Waters would come to the podium tonight, we're fortunate to recognize some some students that have run won scholarships, and Miss Graham and Miss Waters are going to help us celebrate. Thank you for being here this evening. Yes. Good evening. Good evening. I'm Elizabeth Graham, the construction career dar's co-chair. Um, it is a pleasure to be here today to distribute some more scholarships to Spam County students. Um, for those of you who are not aware, construction career days is a nationwide event that we hold annually on Northwest Florida holds at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds. Um it has been a great opportunity to bring students in to get an experience, hands-on experience um of what the industry has to offer. Um we are continuously
012growing in our industry and there is a huge need for um the workforce to come into the industry. Um with this it also gives a a greater opportunity to hand out scholarships. We did um raise enough money to hand out another $50,000 this year. Um 37 scholarships are going to be awarded this year with 10 of those being awarded to Escambia County students. Um with that, I'll go ahead and start calling them out. If y'all would like to come down and take a photo with each one to shake their hand or we can take a group photo after. Are you Miss Graham or Miss Waters? I'm Miss Graham. So what we'll do, we'll let you announce each of them. Okay. And then their school board members are going to come around right now. Okay. and
013we'll be out front and all of you eventually once we get everybody on the podium we'll get a good group picture. Okay, that sounds great. All right. Well, I'll start out with our $2,000 scholar scholarships with Jake Boutwell from North View High. [Applause] Sorry, Tyler Gilmore from North View High. Congratulations, Heath Washington from West Florida. [Applause] Congratul and our $500 scholarships. Alec Clark from Tate High, Maravia Johnson from Northview. Congratulations Miller Richards from Tate. Hi, sorry Jaquan Richardson from North View and Randy Williams from Tate High. We also had Rondaia Greer and Jackson Simmons. They are not able to be here today. [Applause] And for the ones who have not been able to attend or have been, please um join us again at the spring 2026 event. Thank y'all. Next, we have the opportunity to
014recognize the North View Lady Chiefs that are here with us tonight. Coach Holland, Mr. Cheryl, all of the ladies. Let me tell you a little bit about what they were a Come on up. You You can move while I talk. I'm an old coach as well. The Northw Chiefs were able to go to the state final four for the first time ever in the history of the school. They also, this one here, I really like. They beat Jay High School twice. Am I correct? Three times. That's even better. Way to go. If you two ladies and the coaches would introduce themselves, we're going to get you to come up and greet each one of the board members. We have a certificate for you and then we'll get Coach Holland to take it back to the
015other other players. All but one of the players from last year's team will be coming back this year. and a lot of them are involved in other activities tonight, including a volleyball game if I'm correct. But we're very proud of each of you. Okay, if you'll tell us your name and then come on up. So, I'm coach Amy Holland. I'm the head softball coach at Northview High School. And like you said, this is not our whole team, but the rest of our team is playing in a volleyball game. And so, um, we're just glad to be here today. We thank you for supporting us. Um, I know I received several emails from you from different ones who congratulated us and um, it was a great season and um, we're hoping next year we can bring
016that trophy back to Escambia County. So, we really appreciate everything that you've done for us. Um, this here is coach Sean Tindle. He is a new coach that we brought on this past year. Um, he has helped us tremendously. Our other head coach, his daughter's playing tonight, so he is not here. So that's John Mali, but this is coach Sean and he has helped us tremendously and so I'm very proud of him. Um, and this is Bailey Burquette. She is our catcher and she was a 10th grader this past year. Um, and she did a phenomenal job. This is our first baseman. Um, she actually had our highest batting average this year. Um, her name is Avery Stucky. She played first base for us. Um she did pitching some for us also. Uh so we're
017excited. We only had like 10 varsity players. How we made it through a state championship with 10 players as a coach, you know, that's kind of hard to do, but we just we feel like we had protection with us. So um thank you for your support and we hope to bring the trophy back next year. [Applause] Our next presentation this evening is what's known as the superintendent's choose wellness challenge. Perhaps I should choose it, but these are schools that have done a remarkable job in getting all the individuals that work at their site. Um, and I'm going to announce some of these winners. I'm going to announce all of the winners. Um the first is that school that will receive $250. Um the highest percentage participation at the middle school level goes to another school
018from the north end, Ernest Ward Middle School. Tyanna and your team, please come forward. Next award is for the highest participation at the high school level. Northview High School. [Applause] Distance does not matter, does it, Mike? Next award is for the highest percent participation at the major department level and that is Spencer Bibs who's Dr. Colo and Mr. Alibab. The next award is for the most improved and the winner in that category is success academy. We'll make sure that we get their award to them. And then finally, the big winner from 2024-25 of the Superintendent Wellness Challenge, Molino Park Elementary School, Miss John and your team. [Applause] All right, here we go. [Applause] Mr. Windham had written a long presentation that I should have made. So, I apologize. I'll do that next year. Okay. No,
019just just please stay board. We have two very significant proclamations, resolutions that we're going to be handing out tonight. The first one, if the individual that's going to accept this for the rally rally foundation, please come forward. Miss Payne, do you have that to read? Well, Miss Payne will read it and then we'll get you to come greet the board. Okay? I've got a little something. You'll get to say everything you want to say, okay? Because this is certainly a worthwhile cause. When we think about that empty chair, it should tell all of our hearts what we need to do. Whereas children of Escambia County School District Whereas children are Escambia County School District's most valuable resource and their health is crucial to our county's economic development, continued success and well-being as a whole. And
020whereas Northwest Florida reports an average of 50 local children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. And whereas cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the United States. Yet, childhood cancer research is severely underfunded where less than 10% of the National Institute of Health allocates cancer research funding to children. And whereas research in the field of childhood cancer will allow for better treatment options, safe quality therapies, and ultimately a cure for this deadly disease. And whereas Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research has provided a valuable resource to children and families who are afflicted with this horrendous disease. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Escambia County School District does hereby recognize the month of September, 2025 as childhood cancer awareness month and encourages others to participate in efforts throughout the year to
021raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer research with Rally GF Coast while supporting families who face devastating effects and cost. Be it further resolved that a copy of this proclamation be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said board and that a copy be tendered to Rally GF Coast adopted this 19 day 19th day of August 2025. Um so my name is Haley Brown and I'm our program and rally kid manager for Rally Golf Coast. I wanted to start off by saying thank you to the Escambia County School Board for recognizing this um initiative of childhood cancer awareness month. I have the honor of serving our rally kids and their families every single day as our office is located directly in the Stutter Family Children's Hospital here in Pensacola, Florida. Each day we
022work in their honor and in their memory. So one day no parent has to hear the devastating words that their child has cancer. 47 kids are diagnosed with cancer every single day in America. If you think about that, that's almost two full classrooms of children diagnosed with cancer every single day. 93 cents of every single dollar Rally Foundation raises goes directly towards funding childhood cancer research and finding better treatment options with fewer long-term side effects and hopefully a cure. This recognition means the world to us and our families and we are a village of support during the toughest battles of these famil family's lives. So, thank you so much Next will be a proclamation for the PTA membership month. Miss Gamble, please come forward. Whereas the Escambia County Council of PTAs has a long tradition
023of seeking the highest possible educational advantages for all children and youth so they can recognize and realize their full potential. And whereas the Escambia County Council of PTAs assists parents in developing the skills they need to nurture and protect their children and encourages parent and public involvement in public schools in our community and speaks on behalf of children and schools in the community in organizational meetings and before public governing bodies. Whereas during the month of September 2025, special activities will be held to promote parent involvement, expand the membership of the Escambia County Council of PTAs, and broaden the PTA's base of support so it becomes a stronger and more effective voice for children and education. And whereas it is the role of the Escambia County Council of PTAs to encourage parent involvement by promoting an
024environment in which parents are valued as primary influences in their children's lives. And whereas for more than 128 years, PTA has been a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong champion for public education, committed to making sure parent participation in education is meaningful. Now therefore, be it resolved that the school board of Escambia County, Florida, does hereby recognize the month of September 2025 as PTA partnership or membership month in the school district of Escambia County, Florida, and calls upon families, schools, businesses, and communities to be our partners in announcing this resolution and to become active and participating this month. Be it further resolved that a copy of this proclamation be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of said board and a copy be tender to Melanie Gamble ECC
025PTA president and Samantha Strickland ECC PTA first vice president adopted this 19th day of August 2025 Five. [Music] Thank you, Mr. Superintendent. We do not have any agenda public forum form. So we'll move into the adoption of the minutes. Item A, July 10th regular work regular workshop. Can I get a motion? Moved. I'll second. Any discussion? Please vote. approved five to zero. Item B, July 15th regular meeting. I'll move that those amendments. I'll second move that second. Any discussion? Please vote. Approved five to zero. Item C, July 24th special meeting. So moved. Second. Been moved and second. Any discussion? Please vote. Approved five to zero. Item D, July 31st special meeting. So moved. Second. So moved and second. Any discussion? Please vote. approve five to zero. Thank you. Next, we have items for public hearing.
026Item A, policy 7 7320. I'll move that. I'll second. Go ahead, Carissa. Okay. Thank you. Any discussion? Please vote. approve five to zero. Thank you. This brings us to the consent agenda. Is Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. A second. Are there any items to be pulled? Curriculum, finance, human resource, operations, superintendent, including student employee discipline. Please vote on the consent agenda. M minus Well, we didn't have any pool items. Please vote on the consent agenda. approve five to zero. Thank you. Uh next we have items from the board. The first item is item A. Um out of district travel. I'll move that we accept that. I'll second. Moved and second. Any discussion? Wait. Oh, coming up. Approve five to zero. Item B, FY25206 out of state travel. Can I
027get a motion? I move that we accept the uh as written the out of state travel. A second. Been moved and second. Any discussion? Please vote. Miss Alderman. The next item. I'm sorry. get the results first. Approve five to zero. Okay. On item C, do I relinquish to the the vice chair to do this? Because I will make the motion at this point. You your carry out, Mr. Harold, if you wouldn't mind carrying out the vote. Uh, thank you, Dr. Williams. Uh, do I have a motion? I move to amend the um I make a motion to amend the school board resolution 2025-1. And I'll second. Is there any discussion, Mr. Chair? Yes, sir. That one. Oh, you're right. Yeah. I I will be voting no on this motion. Um and I and in a
028way, one of the biggest complaints I seen on it last time we had this referendum, it was on that ballot, which was what, several pages, had all those other referendums. This will be the big topic on that that primary. And uh if people want to vote, they'll come vote. If they don't want to vote, then they don't care about the issue. So uh I'm going to go ahead and uh support what we've already done and vote no. I will be voting yes. Um the what is the goal of this resolution? It is to get the wide variety of snapshot of the entire community. So I we have more people voting in the general than we do in the primary. So I would like to see a bigger picture, bigger opportunity for all families to come
029out and show their support. Okay. You through Miss Posh? Yes. Dr. Dr. Williams. Uh no problem. All right. U Mr. Fesco, you have anything you want to say? Okay. Um I would uh I waited till last as the chair. I would uh recommend that our members of the board who voted for this in the past continue this that we not uh that we not break the pattern that we've already established with this uh this there's been a lot of special interest lobbying on this uh it uh it would not be before us tonight if that special interest had uh had gotten their way and it stayed in the other group. So uh I would just say this uh this in my opinion this is what's best for boys and girls. is best for the community.
030Uh and it's uh I agree with what one of my colleagues just said that there's a lot of uh uh there's going to be a lot on the ballot and if people are interested, they'll come out and vote. Before this when this was held, all of the advantages were toward the group that sponsored the referendum. A bunch of money was thrown at this and it barely passed. uh now uh the wording is more favorable for it and uh uh I would recommend that we vote uh uh that they uh we continue the way the things are now. Okay. Are we ready? Okay. I was um we need to revote. We would ask to I had to do the motion over again. Okay. Sorry. that ma'am. Okay. It's already changing. So with a with a ver
031his verbal is okay. Is this verbal? What I want to do to make sure we get it on the record. Right. I would like for you to Okay. Restate the motion. You Let's do a voice. Roll call for the And then we'll do ma'am. Do a roll call for votes. Have each board member state their vote. Um you made the motion. So Mr. Williams. Yes. Second the motion. Yes. Mosh. Yes. Uh, Mr. Adams, no. Mr. Fedskco, no. Mr. Harold, no. So, the motion fails two to three. There we go. Thank you. And we will omit item D and we move into a public forum. We'll now begin public forum. The purpose of public funds allow members of the public to address the school board on any matter regarding education and administration of our schools. In
032this setting, we as board members are not compelled to answer questions or respond to you and typically will not engage in back and forth dialogue in this venue. However, the board and the superintendent would note your contact information for response if appropriate. As always, we invite you to contact any of us by phone or by email for followup. Our meeting times and locations are posted on the Escami County School District website. Speakers must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the policy and posted on the agenda. You are expected to be respectful in your address to the board. You also asked to use titles and not individual names. Personal attacks against schoolboard members, superintendent, staff, employees will not be tolerated. Please direct your comments to the chair. Personal attacks against other speakers and outbursts during another
033speaker's time will also not be tolerated. If you fail to follow these guidelines, you will be warned by the chair and subject to removal if violations continue. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes. Miss Oden will serve as a parliamentarian. Miss Buzzwell is a timekeeper and will start the timer with your opening remarks. The buzzer will sound when your time has elapsed. When the timer sounds, please bring your comments to a close. The first speaker we have is Ashley Gallagher. You have three minutes. Can you hear me? Last week, Judge Mendoza ruled that book banning or book removal in public schools under HB1069 is unconstitutional. Fascists want to control what books our children have access to. Don't enable them. Ray Bradbury wrote a book about book burning in a dystopian America called Fahrenheit 451. He
034said, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." If this effort were truly about protecting children from sexual content, you should remove the Bible, not Little Rock Nine, a book about the end of racial segregation and schools in Arkansas. But that's not what this is really about. This is about robbing our youth of resources and materials that teach critical thinking and empathy. It's an attack on education. This is still a democracy. No banning or removal of books. No demonizing our teachers and librarians. You wonder why there is a shortage of teachers when they get paid scraps while being scrutinized by Nazis who don't even have children in school or don't even live in Escambia County. Last month's book removals, 311 came from complaints from Clay County,
035not Escambia County. We don't need a war on woke. We need adequate support for our teachers. Our children are not endangered by a book about two penguin dads. The second leading cause of death for children in the US is firearms, not books. Thank you. We have McKenzie Ramsey. You have three minutes. Mackenzie Ramsey. I am here today to ask about the school board's decision to remove hundreds of books from our school libraries in light of the recent ruling by a federal judge that HB1069 is unconstitutional. I am a former Escambia County educator and an avid reader. I read many books on this list and I find the reason for banning them absolutely ludicrous and the blanket removal of books dangerous. When I was a teenager, I read many books that alluded to sexual concepts or
036even had overtly sexual scenes. And this did not make me a deviant sexual predator. In fact, it was some of the only access I got to sex education. It was where I learned about what consent is, what the signs of toxic and abusive relationships are, and how to practice safe sex. These books didn't push me into having sex. They gave me guides on how to create boundaries around it, how to say no, and how to put confusing feelings into words. Having access to books is a lifeline to many students in our county. Whether that be to help them understand and navigate this puberty and hormonefueled phase of their lives or to help them understand their blossoming and multifaceted identities. Furthermore, after reviewing the submissions for the books that were removed from the libraries, I noticed
037that one person's name showed up over and over again, which I will not mention because she is an employee of this county. She uses phrases like sexual deviance and indoctrination when referencing books with queer themes. And she says that books that describe the black experience are race baiting and anti-white. Knowing this, I'm having a hard time understanding why we are allowing a single person who is so clearly fueled by homophobia, racism, and xenophobia. the power to remove so many books from our libraries when this board put together a committee of thoughtful individuals who wanted to read these books thoroughly and make an informed decision and then decided not to take the recommendations. Why is her voice so much more powerful than theirs? Additionally, from a purely economic standpoint, it makes no sense for us to
038continue spending money on this endeavor. Continuing with this policy in light of the recent ruling will lead to costly lawsuits. And as a former educator in this county, I'm well aware that there's no money for this. It is a slap in the face to everyone in this county who works so hard for the laughable paychecks to take money that could buy school supplies, pay for staff, or upgrade AC units and spend it on banning books. All of this is to say that I strongly encourage the school board to retract their earlier decision to blanket ban these books as it will come at a great cost both financially and emotionally to the citizens of Escambia County, especially our students. Next we have Mr. Raphael Lopez. You have three minutes. Hello everybody. Thank you for being here.
039My name is Raphael Lopez and this is my son right here with me. Uh members of the board, I stand here tonight not just as a parent, but as a father with my son and because this is who it's all about. This is who it's all about. Kids, um Florida's uh Florida's Constitution is clear. The people have the right to know. Okay. Chapter 119 is clear. Access must be prompt, costs must be reasonable, and excuses are not compliance. When the Department of Education can find 211 emails, but as Scambia claims 13,000 for the same vendors, something is wrong. It's very wrong. And when I ask to search for search terms, itemized cost, and rolling production, I'm not asking for favors. I'm demanding the law to be followed. I've narrowed my request in good faith and
040I've cooperated. What I haven't received is transparency. So, this is bigger than me. This is about whether the district represents the rights of parents, the rights of children, and the rights of the public. So my son deserves better. Every child in in Escambia deserves better. And this district won't honor the Constitution. So I say that just as I had an open letter to the board that I'm not going to read here, but it is public record. So, um, everyone of here should have it. I believe you had it. We had an email exchange just a few minutes ago, but it's it's I'm sorry, it's in your email. Just a few minutes ago. But anyways, I just wanted to have it all be public record. Uh, this is about privacy and transparency. So, there's an open
041letter out. Uh, feel free if you'd like to take a look at it. It is public record and everyone here has a copy of it. So, I would love to have an answer cuz I'm very mad about what's happening, what we're allowing, what you guys are allowing. I'm here to protect this kid and all the kids I can't see, and I'll go ahead and stand up for it. I can't be quiet, so I do need an answer, and I'm going to do my best to raise and protect him. That's my responsibility. So, I'd love to have an answer to my open letter and what I mentioned today. Thank you. Next we have Kalista Kalistra Brown. You have three minutes. Hello, my name is Kalista. I am a resident of Escambia County and am an alumni
042of the Escambia County School District. I have a younger sister attending fifth grade in the county as well as my dad that started his new job as a teacher at Escambia High School. I'm here today to urge this board to please issue necessary guidance to school employees that ICE cannot enter schools and question students without a warrant. Guidance provided by this board is absolutely necessary because after speaking with my community, including workers, students, and even teachers, I've learned that there is a very large disconnect between uh what the law states, what the people actually know about the laws, how their rights could be affected, and how they are being affected. So what the laws do state according to the fourth amendment is that ICE cannot enter a public school, search, question, or seize students and
043staff without a judicial warrant and only a judicial warrant. Probable cause doesn't usually apply in this case without very specific documentation about the individual that ICE rarely provides unless they're looking for someone specific, typically an adult. Regardless of what your personal opinion is on immigration, legally students have a right to attend public school, regardless of race, national origin, and yes, even immigration status. Schools legally cannot ask about a child's immigration status during enrollment, even if an ICE agent asks for it. Still, most people are not aware of these laws. And with both parents working 40 plus hour work weeks, taking care of their school-aged children, and still maintaining their health and wellness on top of that, students, teachers, and working people should not be blamed for not knowing the law without being told them directly.
044Again, this is why I'm urging the Escambia County School District to provide guidance to school employees in regards to potential ICE raids in order to make the law accessible to the people in the school district. Specifically, this should include uh ideally a written response policy and preparedness plans in advance. Um designating at least one authorized person per school to review warrants and subpoenas. document all interactions with immigration enforcement and of course train non-authorized staff and volunteers on how to respond to ICE requests. Thank you for your time and consideration. Next, we have we have Christian Palmer. You have three minutes of Christian Kirsten. Kirsten close. Close. Um, I'm Kirsten Palmer. Some of you um might know me. I've had two kids uh in one or more Escambia County schools since 2018. I'm also a PTA
045volunteer and I have been involved in everything from advisory council to cutting a million little pumpkins up for Halloween to sell for 25 cents a piece. Um, what I've enjoyed the most in all this time is the Reflections Art program. I've led it at my son's elementary school for four years, at my daughter's high school for four years, and for the Escambia County Council PTA for three years. Um, it's in the name. It's a reflection of our student body, their identities, their pride, and their struggles. Um, some of you have been to our awards ceremony and hopefully took the time to appreciate the creativity and minds of our diverse student body. We've used themes like I matter. This year's is I belong, but I fear that they're hearing the wrong message from you. Who seek
046to ban literature that reflects their lived experience. I've also served on I think six book committees since they began. I've learned a lot. I've read a lot. Um the first year saw the resignation of Michelle White, our media specialist. Um and then our beloved principal midyear along with several teachers. I thought the COVID years were really hard on them, but this was way worse. The burnout was obvious and severe and continues. Myself included. The last book I had to read was 600 pages of a fairy fantasy novel. Did I enjoy it? No. But do I have the right to tell anyone else that they wouldn't enjoy it? Also, no. The last move of just yanking every title banned by Klay County is especially concerning. I would hope that we aren't sending this message to our
047students that if all your friends jump off the bridge, you can jump too. Um, the first time we as parents were given the choice of opting in or out of YA and challenge materials, less than 5% of us even answered. Um, stating very clearly that this is not an issue for us and it should have ended there. We didn't need to do everything else. It's important to note that materials in our library didn't just appear there. They've been meticulously reviewed and well by wellestablished literary organizations and selected by trained professionals who have years of education and expertise on what's appropriate for them and their age level. Lastly, we don't have book banning money. There's a sign out front that we can't get bus drivers and instead we're spending $800,000 on lawyers fighting something that's continually
048ruled as unconstitutional. Remember those signs that say allin for students means all of them. That includes queer students and students of color and all the titles that reflect them and their lived experience. Please listen to the majority of students, parents, and teachers, the majority who do not support this. Thank you very much. Next, we have Mr. Charlie Dial. You have three minutes. Hello. Hi. Uh, my name is Charlie Dial. I'm an Escambia County resident. I didn't go to school here, but I did next door in Walton County. So, I'm kind of a local. Um, and I'm also here to ask this board to issue urgently necessary and reasonable guidance to school employees that they should not allow ICE to enter our schools without a warrant. There's a lot of confusion over what the law requires
049of teachers and administrators on this issue. And it's the responsibility of this body to make it clear that in Escambia County, in accordance with the law and the mission statement read at the beginning of this meeting, all students have equal access to quality education. The law does not require school employees to allow ICE into our campus campuses without a warrant. and that needs to be clarified to our teachers and much more importantly to our students and their families who put their trust in Escambia County schools. I also just want to say that kind of like Kalista said, I really don't believe that this is an issue of what your views are on immigration. Uh I I really don't. This issue is actually much simpler than that. Do we go beyond what the law requires? Do
050we allow ICE to use our schools as collection sites to frighten our children to undo the hard work that every school employee does every day to make schools a safe environment, a place of learning, a place that students and their families trust? Or do we simply follow the law and demand that if ICE wants to come into our schools that they have to have a warrant? That's it. either go beyond the law to serve ICE or follow the law to serve Escambia County students. Give them peace of mind and reward their trust. This is a credibility issue. If you're unwilling to offer this guidance, how can you really say that you're making decisions with the safety of our children in mind? How can you say your mission is to provide equal access to quality education?
051Our school workers need to understand their rights. They need to have the support of this body and so they need clear and strong guidance about the legal options they have to protect their students, our students, our community. Uh, thank you. Thanks. Alonso Jennis. Hi. Um, my name is Hi So Alfonso. Um, I'm an Escambia County resident. I also work for Escambia County Public Schools. Um, and I have for a year now. And, um, like everybody here, I'm very concerned about our students. I'm also very concerned about our teachers. Um, right now with what's going on, um, with ICE, they really are acting lawless. They are not following the law. They're in fact breaking it every single day. They are busting down people's doors. People have probably seen those videos in DC how they're treating human
052beings. They're beating them on the streets. Is that following the law? And so right now, what we're asking today, what we have, we actually have come here before. Um for those of you who don't know, uh we came here in the last school um school year and now we're coming again um because we really want you guys to listen to us. Um what's happening is serious. They are not following the law. They are coming into places without warrants and we want to provide guidelines to teachers who really don't know what to do in case ICE does come in. They they don't know the law. So, we would like you guys to to come come out with guidelines that say the law, hey, you don't have to let ICE in without a warrant that will say,
053can you provide me your badge, your um your name, what agency are you coming from, why are you here? Simple questions like that. Many counties in Florida have come out with these guidelines. You guys can probably um look at what those guidelines have been and follow suit. Um, but these have been proven to help um and to deter unlawful entry from ICE because they have come in without warrants, sometimes with false warrants that don't have the person's name on them that isn't signed by a judge. Cuz in order to come into a school, you need a judicial warrant. That's one that's signed by a federal judge. And they have come with ones with administrative warrants or with no warrant at all. So, we really just want these simple guidelines. Um, and like Charlie said, this
054is really just following the law. We're not asking you to go beyond the the law. It's actually the opposite. Follow the law. So, hopefully we can deter um ICE from doing really really terrible things in the place where our children go to school. Okay. It is very very scary to be a child right now in a in in Florida schools and be in fear that you yourself or your classmate or your friend is going to be unlawfully taken by a random stranger. So thank you. [Applause] Next we have Leila Kuran. You have three minutes. Good evening. My name is Leila Holiday. Now, I got married. Um, I for keep forgetting about that. Uh, I'm a a local resident. Um, I grew up all through my years in the, uh, Scambia County Public School District and
055now I have been and am currently a teacher. I love the school that I work for. I love the district. Um, I'm here, uh, as many before me have said, just to request that the the county implement a system. Um, even if it's just a standardized paper, even if it's just one of those emails that are sent out, just something um that allows educators, staff, faculty to know the procedural uh happenings of, you know, immigration policies and enforcement in our schools and how we can protect our students as a whole and in general and especially our immigrant students. Um, the school that that I'm currently employed for, like I said, I love it. I love our students. Um, and our student population is at risk. And we have to acknowledge that at at the beginning
056of last school year, I had far more immigrant students than at the end um because of fear, because they were afraid to come to school. Um, and I think a lot of that could be cleared up just by by having um something even just posted at the front of the school. Like we have so many posters. I'm sure I'm sure my school is not the only one. We have so manyformational things so that people can be informed. And that could just be one that, you know, students and their parents can be informed that their their school is taking care of them, wants to protect them, um, and wants to keep them safe. So, I really hope that everyone speaking here um, it it builds up to to a case cuz this isn't the first time
057that this has been brought up and I know it was put on the news and it was just very vague that we're going to follow the law. I think that um, people would appreciate some more clarity on that. So, thank you for your time. Um, thank you for listening. Have a great night. Next speaker is Deshawn McKenzie. You have three minutes. Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is Deshawn McKenzie. Um, I'm also a teacher here in Escambia County and a member of the education association. Um, I'm here to follow suit with a few other people have spoken already with a simple request that our school board follow suit with other districts across the state in issuing specific guidelines regarding ICE. Um, we've seen a summer of prolonged ICE raids across the country and throughout the
058Gulf Coast. And with recent large federal funding increases to ice, we can expect an increase in activity here in Pensacola and the larger Escambia County as well. Um, last school year as raids began, we we as teachers began to see a rise in absenteeism and fear among our parents. I've heard from social workers that families are refusing to answer the door, that kids are refusing to come to school. In off thereord conversations with co-workers because there's a lack of guidance and our administrators don't have the answers they're looking for. They're saying things like, "I'll borrow the door to protect my students or I I'll, you know, making drastic gestures because they care about their students and want them to be safe and they don't know the law either." Um, as was referenced earlier, I know
059that it was vaguely put out on the news that the district will just follow the law, which I think is important, but leaving it to every individual administrator, parent, student, and teacher to know the law, you know, like uh inside and out is not very thorough when the district could easily put out very clear guidelines of what the law is in layman's terms. That would make it much easier for everyone else to follow the law. um because of the the lack of clarity and you know people I I can speak for teachers specifically folks are busy folks do not have the time to study the law and know every all the ins and outs of immigration especially if it doesn't affect them directly. Um so because of that there's confusion and fear and it's running
060rampant when simple policy could address those fears. Um regardless of folks political beliefs or leanings we should all move to put children first in this in this district. In this instance, all of all that that requires is a cursory review of the law that is given out like was mentioned before like many of the emails we receive as far as the policies, the guidelines, what we're doing to handle certain things. I know at the beginning of this school year, we had a very thorough meeting on what the laws were around cell phone policy in school and it was very well explained and we were all aware and all right, cool. This is the law now. We need to follow it uh around ICE raids and ICE approaching schools. We could easily have a faculty meeting
061that takes 20 to 30 minutes that e that very simply breaks down the law there as well rather than leaving it vague and leaving it for teachers, students and administrators to figure it out for themselves. Um counties such as Lee County, Orange County, Bvard County, St. Lucy County, Oyola, and my hometown county of Seminal County have already done this laying out a very simple blueprint that the district would follow. It actually would be very little work for our school board because there's already a blueprint that exists across the state as far as what the laws are. I don't think we're asking for anything more than a clearly laid out assessment of the law as it exists. And it would allow teachers, parents, and most importantly, students to feel a sense of safety when they're interacting
062with their schools. Thank you. [Applause] Next, we have Miss Linda Fussell. You have six minutes, three minutes donated from Susan. Okay. Thank you. Good evening. I've heard a lot about book review committees in uh the past month and I'm guessing that most of you picked up the phone and called several of your friends or acquaintances and asked them to be on the book committees to represent your views about books. I know you did because several book review members stated that so and so called me and asked me to participate. The committees are comprised of citizens representing each of the schoolboard districts come to the committee each with their specific viewpoint. Even with that viewpoint, whatever it is, the committees have voted a majority of the time to retain challenge books. That includes the people you
063all called because you felt they represented your views and the viewpoint of your district. That includes the community member who, after having been given the definition of pornographic and was told by other book review members that the book they were reviewing did not contain pornography, was quite unhappy with the group decision to retain the book. Or the community member who insisted on showing videos from their phone of so-called proof that being gay made one a pedophile. That book decision was to ban the book. Committee members discuss the book through the questions they are asked to respond to and come to a decision to retain age up age down or ban the book. That is how the process works. There are not left-leaning committees that voted to retain each book or right leaning committees that voted
064to remove each book. There are simply community members who of nonpartisan elected officials. The book committee should continue, not be discontinued, because the board does not like the decisions of the community. I had to use my teacher voice there. The motion that the I think I still do. The motion that the board agreed to in July to remove books without review and to stop all purchases of books is very problematic. Was it the intent of this board to have teachers pack up their classroom libraries and for new teachers not to have a classroom library at all? Because that is what has happened. Teachers put in a lot of time, energy, and effort into creating reading opportunities for their students, and now they are unable to provide those because the board thinks it's a good idea
065to take away classroom libraries from students. I don't believe that was the intent intent at all. A federal judge has ruled that the state's 2023 law on banning pornographic books is too broad and violates the First Amendment, and that the Miller test be used to determine if a book is harmful to minors. This ruling makes it clear that book challenges cannot merely judge a book by its cover or a maliciously selected excerpt. You have all taken a an oath to uphold the Constitution. This includes protecting our students first amendment right to access information free of viewpoint discrimination. House Bill 1069 has been ruled largely unconstitutional. respect the rights of our citizens and return unconstitutionally removed books to the library shelves. Every objection must be put through the Miller test to determine whether a material is
066harmful to minors under Florida law. This means a full and fair public review process that considers the work in its entirety. Bad policy comes at a cost. Don't put our funding at risk by continuing to violate the rights of our students. Litigation is costly and does not improve community trust in our public schools. And speaking of policy, 2520 and 2522 works to further restrict books and the rights of students to read. The Department of Education book removal list becomes the guide for books which cannot be selected, not qualified certified educators. A profanity count is now the norm for choosing books at various levels. The ruling last week states that restriction cannot be enforced until a lack of literary, artistic, scientist, scientific, political value has been proven true for certain ages, grades that are to be
067restricted from access. There's a good chance that this policy is unconstitutional and subject to further legal challenges. Maybe you should consider pausing this update until there is further clarification. The school district has already spent close to $800,000 in taxpayer dollars to defend itself from two First Amendment lawsuits. And are you willing to risk another expenditure on two or two on book removals and book policies? I hope not. Thank you. Next, we have Pam Schwarz. You have three minutes. It's not on the form, I think. Is there a form by Miss Beck? It's a form that Barbara Beck, but it does it does say she donated. It didn't come up. You have six minutes. You have six minutes. Thank you. The Daly Lama said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." He was
068exiled from his country and culture of Tibet by the Chinese government who is still trying to punish people because of the way they were born into a specific culture and language. I am very concerned that that is happening in our country today. And today, August the 19th, I received in my mail a certificate of appreciation for being a humanitarian. I have never donated to this organization, but I am getting so many things from nonprofits today who want to promote a better world with humanitarianism. And I am so sad that my government does not seem to have that humanitarian attitude towards all people in the world, much less the people in our country. I am a woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an American humanitarian. I am also an imperfect Christian disciple striving to be
069more like Jesus Christ that I believe is a role model of the way, the truth, and the life. And I am concerned about a government that promotes lies and misinformation without evidence and facts to defund all of our institutions that have been a part of our constitution and have what have made our country great. It's not hatred that makes our country great, but it's the democracy that believes in government of the people, by the people, for the people. And Abraham Lincoln after the civil war or during the civil war gave his speech that he hoped it would not perish from this earth. And I am concerned that that is what is happening right now. Loving life, liberty, learning, and the Lord. I'm an activist promoting God's love for all people and God is the one
070that created the beautiful diversity in this world. And yet we have governments from the national and the state level who were saying if you have programs that use diversity, equity, and inclusion, you're going to have your funding cut. They are defunding our public schools. They are attacking our universities. They are defunding research that has helped people around the world to be healthier and to promote international good relationships of peace and justice for all people everywhere. And I believe that God is the one that promoted us to use the golden rule and to love one another as God has loved us, to love our neighbors as ourselves. And his idea was that we would show inclusion, respecting diversity, respecting equity and the achievement and prosperity for all people. We were told what does the Lord require
071but to act justly, loving mercy and walking humbly. And I am sad that my government has people that are not humble. They apparently do not love justice for all people because some of the things that they're dismantling makes me afraid for my bill of rights and the freedoms that I have enjoyed in my 77 years. And I am afraid that my prosperity my pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post pro post proerity is not going to have the same prosperity with the American dream and promoting peace and justice and love worldwide because I'm afraid my government is playing God and God will be their
072judge one day. the partisanship. If anyone is supporting a partisan party in power over the good and general welfare of all the people and I am thinking of all the children that I taught that haunt my heart. One in nine children in Escambia County is suspected of child abuse. You can't protect the innocence of children. Our job is to prepare them for the realities of the world in a way that does make not make them afraid but empowers them with the confidence that they have by developing each one of their individual potentials as individuals who are unique. And when we come together sharing our unique individual gifts and strengths that God gave each one of us, we're created in his image, but we are each unique. And if we do not learn how to cooperate
073and collaborate and be united in sharing the love of God, I fear for this country's future, the future of the people here on earth when we disrespect the planet and all people that God created. So I am asking you overcome our focus on book banning and abortions, banning abortions. You're not going to change whether we have people that are LGBTQ. You're not going to change people's religious beliefs. You keep changing the laws and confusing people, which enables those to promote their own power and profit because of the confusion that people are in with culture wars, with trade wars, and the things that are going on in this country right now. So for the love of God, I beg you, get over your partisanship and think about those children in those chairs and the future. They
074are our future. And when our government is defunding public education and our officials that we elect here are condoning that either by their silence or other things, we need to do better. Next speaker is Ally McDonald. You have three minutes. Hello. Is this I can't tell if this works. Okay, great. Hello, my name is Ali McDonald. Uh I graduated from Pensacola High School in 2019. Go Tigers. Uh u and I received an excellent education. Uh, I've been very proud to say that I received a high quality education from a public school in Northwest Florida. Um, and recently I looked at the resolution passed last month and approximately four out of six of my senior year uh, curriculum for my English class had been removed. Um, and so I can tell that people today, the students
075today are not getting the same excellent education that I did. And that's a little concerning. Um, when I did some more reading, I saw that school board policy 2522 said that any action to remove material will be accompanied by a statement from the board for the reason for its removal. In my opinion, because someone else did is not a sufficient reason to remove material. Uh, and that was the reason that was given for removing hundreds of books from not only the library but from all curriculum uh, in the Envia County School District. I understand that a lot of school boards are coming under scrutiny um from the attorney general, from the public. Um but I think that's part of holding a public office and I think you have to do what's best for the kids.
076Um when I was a student at Pensacola High School, I remember there was one book, I think it's called Simon Versus the Homo Sapien Agenda, uh adapted into a movie called Love, Simon. Um that's what it was called. Anyway, I remember seeing that book when I walked into the Pensacola High School library and feeling just for a second a little bit more normal. Not fully normal, but it was really nice to know that there were other kids somewhere, even if just in a book, that were like me. And I really worry for kids who don't have that anymore. Um, because I had a good high school education. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it. I don't think there was anything traumatizing about it. I don't think there's anything pornographic about letting teenagers see
077that there are other teenagers like them or learning about history. Um, so I urge all of you to take into consideration the ruling that the House bill was recently deemed and I think accurately unconstitutional and to think about I don't know the kids in those seats as a lot of people have said before. Uh whether or not they should be worried that a book about someone like them is going to get removed. whether one of their friends is going to be removed unconstitutionally and illegally because their teachers didn't know what to say or their administrators didn't know what to say when people exercising force through IC came to their classroom. So that's all I wanted to say. Thanks for your time. Next speaker we have is Rachel Bismog. You have three minutes. Hi, my name
078is Rachel Bismar and I have two children in public school here in Escami County. I am deeply disappointed that the school board has unanimously voted to forego the committees that analyze whether a book is obscene as a whole and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific um value as a whole. in favor of pulling books off the shelves blindly simply because someone in the community or the state complaints. Some titles pulled include Anti-Racist Baby, a board book that simply encourages celebrating a diverse community much like ours, The Hate You Give, a young adult novel that takes us along as a teen girl grapples with a violent encounter with a police officer and how she navigates the aftermath within the various communities that she inhabits. Little Rock Nine, a graphic novel that retells part of the
079story of the civil rights movement. I know why the cage bird sings, an autobiography that shows how strength of character and a love of literature helped Maya Angelou overcome racism and trauma. Am I sensing a theme here? Why are we suppressing the academic and narrative exploration of the American black experience? Other titles include the experiences of women as a whole and discuss women's roles in society. Still more titles discuss practical matters concerning normal human sexual development. Many of the band books discuss um the LGBTQ experience. Instead of having these books available to our teens in Escambia County, we are pretending these subjects and experiences don't matter when we know they do. Not one of us will ever know exactly what it's like to be someone who is different from us unless we crack open that
080novel and live live inside that character's head for a while. What about our parents rights? You might ask. Well, there is a system in place for parents to have complete oversight over what their children read. However, some people in the county and state are walking all over my parental rights, and I don't like it. No one would dare to come into my house and dictate which foods I have available for my children. So, why is someone who isn't a professional or a librarian able to stop my children? Why is someone who isn't a professional or a librarian able to stop my children from reading about the black experience or women's perspectives or LGBTQ um lives at school? It's not right for a tiny minority of parents to control what is available to all the students.
081It is worth noting that the committees that formerly analyze the the value of flag books would often slate a book to only be read by certain age group, but the committee rarely pulled a book off the shelves. Librarians and teachers are educated profession professionals who know what they are doing. Trust them. All we are asking as parents is that you reinstate the review process. Thank you very much. [Applause] Thanks. Dazelle Warren, you have three minutes on this. Good evening. Um, tonight I'm going to address um an issue that has been brought to my attention. Uh, I've received several calls, texts, emails from staff about many concerns and a lot of them were discussed tonight by other speakers. Tonight, I'm going to address the one, the two-factor authentication. We acknowledge the district's imple implementation of the
082two-factor authentication as a necessary step to curing sensitive systems. However, we must also address the growing concerns among staff regarding the use of personal devices for this mandate. Employees are currently given two options. Use their personal cell phones or pay a $50 fee for a manual overrides tool which carries a $300 replacement fine if lost. And if I'm mistaken on that, please let me know. This presents a clear issue of fairness and financial burden. More importantly, it raises questions about liability and privacy, especially when personal devices are used to fulfill district requirements. Staff have also reported receiving numerous texts daily, which not only consumes personal data, but also creates an ongoing intrusion into their personal devices. This level of access combined with the potential for audits or searches in the event of a tech violation
083has understandably cause discomfort. Additionally, communication about this policy has been inconsistent across work sites, leaving many unsure of expectations and alternatives. And as several of the speakers have already said, there needs to be some clarity. I need to make one thing clear. Employees should not, and I repeat, should not be told by admin that they have to do it and it is not an option when this concerns their personal device that they are paying with their money. We respectfully request clarification on the following. Will the district formally guarantee their personal devices used for authentication will not be subject to search, audit, or monitoring? What options exist for staff who do not wish to use personal devices that has no financial cost? Can the districts devices be configured to receive authentication codes which I know is
084possible because I have seen that on a computer? Will the district provide written guidelines outlining the scope of monitoring and employee rights regarding personal device usage? We ask for a clear and equitable resolution that supports both the district's security goals and rights of its employees. Thank you. That concludes our public forum. Anything else from any board members? I would like to say something. Yes. Yes, Miss Burgos. Um I would like to say thank you to those that came out to speak especially about the immigration and the ICE information. Um, I wanted to ask our attorney. I did consult with my attorney as well, but um wanted to find out um ICE agents. Are we having issues in Eskimi County with ICE agents coming into our schools? Not truly a legal question. Um but I h
085this is something that I have discussed with the operations in the safe schools department and it is my understanding that there have been no ICE interactions at the schools. Uh the closest we came was there was a construction site adjacent to Myrtle Grove Elementary. Yes. But as far as ICE agents showing up at our schools, uh to my knowledge, that has not occurred. Um as you know, federal law enforcements can um go in and you know do what they are supposed to do, what their their duties are. Um read a little bit about this. um they have the right to do whatever duties that anywhere. DHS or Department of Homeland Security in the past have had a policy not to go to schools, not to go to churches, not to go to uh bad women's
086shelters, but or other sensitive sites, but we can look at that policy and make sure we have a policy in place to do that. But I still does not go to schools unless there's like a compelling reason. So that's that's what I'm hearing. So you know, we'll have to discuss this further. Thank you. Yes, Mr. Adams. Um I'm sure Keith, you have told the employees if a law act of law enforcement of any type comes in, they better not barricade a door or do something like that, right? I mean, well, we've Not once, not twice, but often is law enforcement is law enforcement. That's right. Yeah. They're they're risking getting a felony and going to jail. Yeah. And and before we close, I'd just like to make the announcement of a civil rights icon that
087passed away on last evening, Reverend HK Matthews, a person I I respected highly that was contemporary of my my father and a great civil rights leader not only in Escamia County but nationwide. So, uh just wanted to mention that. Anything else from the Yes, sir. Mr. Harold. Uh thank you, Dr. Williams. I was visiting Pine Meadow Elementary today and I was pleasantly surprised. We had requested uh that assistance from the county in getting a crosswalk there. It's a very serious situation there where they're building a bunch of town homes and things. And I drove up there today and dog on if it wasn't there. So, what I I stopped and talked to the uh uh principal, not the principal, assistant principal at Pine Meadow, took pictures of it, sent the superintendent in operations because this
088is an example of of good cooperation there, them helping us in a critical need. So, I just want and I want to thank Commissioner Barry for his efforts in that. Thank you. Okay, if there's nothing further, we are journ.