001Tessy. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome, as I call to order the May workshop of the Scamia County School Board. The purpose of this workshop is an open discussion on items brought forth by the board and the superintendent along with review of the agenda items for our regular meeting. Please sal your cell phones and other electronic devices at this time. If you wish to speak at the public forum, you must complete a speaker request form located on the table at the rear of the room and bring it to Miss Harris at the front table. Our first item on our agenda today is the discussion of the calendar. Uh we'll look at the rest of May and all of June. Let's look at May 1. Of course, we have all of the graduations I don't know
002if others are interested or uh will be able to but on the 21st at 11 o'clock um at Achieve Academy CAPS their elementary program is having a metriculation ceremony 11 11 o'clock that's on the 21st on the 21st. Yes. Okay. Any other additions to the month of May? T Tuesday night we'll get our parking. Yeah. I was looking to see if Miss Morgan talk. Okay. Okay. I will mention that. I will try to attend both events on the 23rd IV convocation and take stock. Um, let's look at the month of June. I believe this is when the 4-day work week began, Mr. Superintendent. Yes, sir. And again, what are the hours of the hours of work from 7 to 5? 7 to 5 Monday through Thursday, except for two weeks. The week of Junth, Junth,
003we take Junth off and July 4th. July 4th, it's four days, eight hours a day. Okay. From the board, any any additions to June June calendar. Uh seeing no no additions let's move to a public sorry on the 16th of June we have our discussion and agenda workshop then I also got a notice that at 11:00 on the 16th is the foundation's annual lunchon Joe MacArthur sent that out I don't know if others have seen that now if we're not able to be there we're not able to because of the meetings but just to know that know that you know some people may not want to talk so much so that we could go to it and so I'll do the option what you want. I know always. Okay. Thank you for that update. Okay.
004They they administrator for breakfast on the 5th of June 7:30 in the morning here in room 160. Next we uh have the if there's no more corrections auditions we move to Mr. Superintendent the public forum update. No. Okay. Next, we have on the U agenda, Mr. Adams, legislative update. Yeah. I uh I put this on the count. I told Elizabeth when I did yesterday, if somebody else puts it on there, fine. But if not, but uh I did not realize that it was going to be such an unsettled situation where you got a conflict between the governor, the speaker, and the pre the the president of the Senate. And sometimes in between each other, they got conflicts. So, um, the one thing I believe the the K through8 cell phone ban went through the House
005and Senate side and it's waiting the governor to sign it or has the governor signed it? It has not been I believe it's been sent to the governor, but it has not been signed. Not been signed. Okay. So, so there's a lot of lot of stuff that we don't know yet how it's going to be working out. Um, and also the budget has been postponed and I didn't know with Mr. St. See, does that impact the millage process we're going through or anything else with them not approving a budget yet? Right. No, currently it won't that but if something gets held up, we'll have a problem with second calculation in July. So, if it lasts until July, I think we're uh in uncharted territory. But uh we'll get a second calculation that has required local
006effort uh millage rate. And so that's what we're looking for to get the trim process um to where we can get a budget to the board to advertise. And uh so right now is is really just we're working through the whole process on the appropriation side. So we're budgeting, we just don't know what the revenue is going to be, right? And that's really the case. That's how we budget anyway because we take care of business. We work through the uh grids as Mr. Fesco is well aware to generate the teaching units based on the student population. All the other budgeting issues we take care of through per pupil amounts. Um so none of that has changed. Uh all of that is is just going to continue uh through the next few weeks. But once we
007get a revenue, we're going to well, even before we get a revenue, we're probably going to look at kind of a worst case scenario with the House version. Uh maybe add a little bit that we might think we know a little bit more that the Senate might do. Um and try to get something to you. I just don't want it to be I know Mr. Leonard, we talk about this all the time. I don't think we want to give you anything unrealistic, but the appropriation side is what it is because that that's what it takes to run the schools. That's what the teacher units are generating through the per pupil, the pupil population. And all we're waiting on is what's the revenue. So, we'll see how far down the hole we're going to be because
008it is going to be a bad year. We know that. I've already seen school districts where they're slimming up, you know, right? they and we've done we've done that also. I think Mr. Leonard's probably briefed you many times on the uh number of units that we're putting out there based on about a 600 unweighted decline between this year and next year. Good deal. And only other question well the train bills there's three of them but the one that's got the most on it is um 1692 miss you've been tracking that one too. Um, I couldn't really figure out what the the deal was with that cuz it's got uh it's got everything. Well, 1692 now is the bill that we material was that is harmful for the miners. It passed on the house side. Um
009Michelle Solsman co-sponsored it and it just wasn't taken up on the Senate side. Yes, like a lot of bills. But uh so that's not the train bill. 1255 was a train bill. That's what I was trying to think of. But uh where it's got the u academics of certain educational funds, emergency l corporal punishment, um background screening for private schools, you know. Um so it seemed like a mixed bag, but I didn't see anything really that uh unless y'all have you anything that FFBA worried about on that train bill. The one thing that did pass through a train or you can call it a train hurricane hurricane call it um was the job engine charter school and the conversion charter school that did pass hasn't been sent to the governor I guess it's been sent
010to the governor it's not been signed but there were those items were in there some of the things that did not get passed that we think will be back for next January that particular session will be some of those things that um free up like course credit, certain credits that um if you pass the course would count. Um algebra, trying to think maybe geometry, there were a couple of those. Um the remember the third calculation got held up because of the um vouchers and how some students the information would show that they had been u enrolled as a voucher student but when we when we or another school district sent the information in that student was actually enrolled at a school district. Well, the same thing has happened with the fourth calculation. They finally cleaned
011up the third calculation. They're working through the fourth calculation to do the same thing. We hope that there will end up being a a form that allows each school district when a student leaves our system and accepts a voucher, we would be able to withdraw that student with a certain code in our student information system. And then if a student has a voucher and returns or initially enters into our school district, there would be a code so that the funding mechanism tells you how much money you should get and who should get the money. Um we are not by ourselves. There are several school districts where a student or their family would receive the voucher money and then after FTE count would enter into a school district. It's the school district's responsibility to educate those
012students that show up. So hopefully they do come up with that fix. That was in I think it's 1255 that required DOE to come up with that fix. So very unsettled process, but uh I see they did the safety bill and u it look like the big thing on that one is is that sheriffs don't have a choice now on the guardian program and I would assume that would it be the city chief police chiefs too but uh they have to train those guardians. So that was big change not something else. That's only if if the county school board has adopted a guardian program then the sheriff of that county is obliged to train. Yes. One thing Mr. like to make certain we're also aware as it relates to that. Now, if you have a
013club or an activity that's occurring like on Saturday morning up at school, you don't have to have security. Oh, okay. Like they thought you were supposed to have had during this school year. Or if in the evening there's football practice or basketball practice, by law, you have had to have a security armed security officer present. They did clean that up. Now, it's just like um a principal has responsibility for all students from 30 minutes prior to school start time to 30 minutes after school dismissal. So, that will be the same amount of time that we're required to have an armed guard on campus. So, that's that is a good thing. A quick question, Adams, you might have been referred to the bill that Representative Salsman had, is that the one that had to do with
014driver? Uh, no. What I was talking about is where they um now they um you can consider the value of the whole book even if it has age inappropriate content. Yeah. Uh that it passed overwhelmingly on the house and I and I think I think this next session the next year it'll have a good chance again. I think it just got caught up in the political fights that are going on over there right now. So there's a lot of some good bills did not go through and some bad bills did. I call them bad, but did the requirement that all students have driver's ed go through or not? Or am I did I dream that somewhere? I don't think I did. I remember hearing about that bill, but I don't know what the stat because
015that is huge. Which now? Which bill? What is this about? Driver's ed. It was a bill to require driver's education for all stu all high school students that they would have to say and that will be one of those things that really affects because all of the required courses that need to be taken. There's no vacancy something that would have to go in order for that to happen. And you know as it is now we have a limited number of driver's ed teachers. Um and I would say right off the top of my head neither I nor Mr. Adams need to ever be thought of as driver ed teachers because we don't want the kids learning from us. Um but we had a meeting with um Jessica Jay on Monday and I do not remember
016her mentioning whether that passed or whether it did or it didn't. But uh we'll make sure we get up with her and find out. And I believe Chris McFarland Chris is she coming on June the 5th? So, she'll she'll do a presentation at that administrator's breakfast on June 5th. It does appear that it passed. It did. All right. Well, that that makes Well, I you know, I'm looking around this room at who could teach driver's ed, and I'm not riding with any of y'all. Um, but it it becomes problematic in that there are so many required courses. Where do you fit it into the student schedules? And there again, where do we get the funding for the additional cars that will be needed, teachers that will be needed? I don't read this I don't read
017the legislation as requiring us to provide the driver's education course. I have not done this is not one of the bills that I've been doing a super deep dive into but what it says is that uh a student who is 15 year the department DHSMV may issue a learner's driver's license to someone who is at least 15 years of age who and who has satisfactorily completed a driver's education course. So what that does approved by the department that's DHSMV not the department of education. Uh, oh no, I'm sorry. Here's which meets or exceeds the Department of Education driver education traffic safety classroom course description. So, um, that's if you want to get a learner's permit. Um, and I I don't read this as mandating that we offer that think you're it's not a mandate that
018every student must take driver's education. And I believe I'll have to verify this. In order to take our driver's ed class, you have to have already been issued your permit as it stands now. But if it's a required if it becomes a required course. Yeah. Yeah. It it's the snake is eating its tail. All right. Thanks. Thank you. You finish on that. Well, Ellen, do you have anything to add on any bills you're tracking? We would need another workshop. No. No. Well, the the highlight I mean, you got anything you're worried about? The really high value things are still very much up in the air. Yeah. So, it's unsettled. It's it's bad. And for the public, the what's going on is you want the speaker that wants to cut sale tax. You got the governor
019wants to cut homestead property taxes. And then the senate, I don't think wants to be involved with either one of them. But uh so it's a it's it's a tough situation, but hopefully they'll get together and uh get it all figured out. Okay, next item is yours as well, Miss uh Mr. Adams. Klay County Library Policy. So I have uh so I have talked with Miss Odum about this before I put before we come to this meeting. So I'm going to try to stay to what I'm going to speak about. If somebody mentions something if she thinks it may conflict with what's the legal stuff go that's going on now. uh if she does stop you. I mean, we could always have the executive session on that part if y'all are concerned about something. So,
020I'm going to read the four items that I would like for my fellow board members to um consider. Okay. And um and so what I'm going to do is read down through them real quick and I might give Miss ODM a chance to talk and then we can go back. Uh Elizabeth's going to put the uh the Clay County process up there. So, um, but anyway, um, the first one, adopt Klay County Schoolboard community standards. Two, adopt Klay County Schoolboard process for reviewing compliance with state laws restricting books that violate the community standards. Okay. Um, Klay County has the community standards. adopt Lake County Schoolboard process for parents, legal guardians to opt in to restricted books allowing access for their child. So how this whole thing works, they check to make sure it don't violate
021state law. Then it goes through another filter with the community standards. If it if it fails on community standards, it goes in restricted. If a parent wants access for their child that restricted area, they got to they got to opt in. Um, this fourth one is going to be probably a big one here. Okay. Uh, what I'm, and this is really based on what Judge Weatherall had his quote that was put on studio 850. It's up there in the public and, uh, is eliminate the book uh, district review committee. The book review committee. Um, Elizabeth, put the quote for the judge up there that I gave you. Okay. So, um, but anyway, I I agree with Judge Weather Weatherall that it creates unnecessary complications and greatly slows down the book review process. We had to
022do it at one time, but it's not the law now. Okay? So, we don't have to do it. Uh, meet a specialist and state and other staff and review to see if the book violates state laws requiring removal or if that book violates the community standards requiring the book being placed in restricted space. The citizens can still challenge just like they did before. Okay? you can challenge the book, but this time it go directly to superintendent and the board. So, and so I agree with Judge Weatherall with his quote there that it just unnecessarily complicates the situation. Uh, as we know, depends on whether you lean to the left, you lean to the right on what the pe people going to speak when they get to this podium here, or whether they vote. And, uh,
023so I think it it it'll knock out a lot of stuff that we have to worry about with people quitting. And I'm a little worried on my side of people that's called me and saying they're going to drop off the book committees. Okay. So, um to me it it just make it easier. So, these changes will respect parental rights. Okay. It provide confidence that our students won't be introduced to age and appropriate content because they didn't opt into it. Okay. And the book uh change will allow us to shorten the time it takes for the challenges to be resolved. I think this board can do it fairly quickly, you know, uh, and if the board, majority board in agreement, our board attorney could start the process of incorporating changes and then go through the whole
024procedure we did before with the do the hearings and everything else, Miss ODM to that. So, that's where I'm that's what I wanted to say real quick. So, you know, there's four items uh that I'm looking at. Miss ODM, you have any comments? I I was just going to say the the Klay County does not do away with the committee process. They do not that that's different. That's a different thing. And it actually um one thing I think you should be aware of is it the nondist representatives are parents, not not community members. Um you know, we we tried to cast a broader net to determine what the community thinks about these books. But Clay, the um the outside members are parents only, right? Um but the judge is correct. We don't we're not required
025to have a book committee. We can make the decisions on our own. He is correct. But the clay the clay policy if if the book is not removed by the initial review process, it every book has to go to a committee. Every single one. Right. I don't I don't want to do that part in place. Okay. Okay. That I I that's why I didn't ask for it. Okay. Yeah. I don't want that part of it. They're struggling the same way we are on that one. But uh the the main the main difference of what Clay does is if um they still have a committee the preliminary review is is this obscene and pornographic. It it's kind of the equivalent of what we have right now where Mr. Leonard and Mrs. Vincent can look at a
026book and say, you know, either we don't think this is age appropriate. you know, you've got an adult book in an elementary school or we have no certified media specialists who have selected this title from a statutory standpoint that don't belong in our schools. We're going to we're going to pull it out. They have that authority. Now, that's the equivalent of what is is contained in the first step of the clay process. Um, beyond that, um, they identify whether or not there is a certain kind of content in there. Uh, right. And those are the ones that are are detailed in the clay policy. And uh and yes, you're correct. If if those items are present, then the committee reviews it and says yes, those elements are there or no, those elements are not and
027then they make decisions about what should happen with the book. Should it be restricted to a certain level? Should it be removed altogether? Um but yes, if it does contain um the content that is listed in the community standards, it goes to an optin. Um it's only available with parental consent. Right. Yeah. So and and for sure I do not want to pick up the book committee for Klay County. Okay. So Okay. What I'm looking at is that we got to trust our media specialists and to do the right job. If they don't, they've got a superintendent and they make the decision, they inform the person that protesting about the book that, hey, we agreed with you or didn't agree with you. And then if they want to challenge it, it'll come right back here
028to this board and we'll vote on it and move the system move right along. And it should clean up and shorten. And I think that's what the judge was looking at is how fast I and I looked at the the ones we the report Keith submitted to the judge the other day. I I look at these things, you know, and I'm starting to look at books and I'm going like, okay, you know, I feel like I'm in the same place I was before. Okay. And uh but I think this is a way we got to look at a long range solution without drama, you know. So if it like I said, they're going to check first. If it's pornographic material, it's state law. It don't it's not supposed to go there. But the problem is,
029you know, what was the federal judge that said, "I recognize pornographic material when I see it." You know, so it's hard to for a interesting that you should just mention that the 11th circuit just issued an opinion which said that is not there was a I I don't remember the exact um I I will send you all the opinion because I just got it yesterday and I'm still digesting it. But it essentially says that you know I know it when I see it is not legally sufficient. Oh, it is it is unconstitution. Well, that was a federal judge that said that before. It's unconstitutionally vague and and this is a this is a federal appellet court. Right. Right. Right. So, where's the 11? We can't use that anymore. It's not California. Uh, no. It's the
03011th circuit which governs us. I was just making a joke. But anyway, so I I think, you know, if I get the majority of the board where she can actually put something together for us, you know, to bring it back to us, but uh I think it'll simplify the matter. Then we got the community standards, you know, so it don't go right back out into the general population of books and uh and it doesn't require to have a book committee set up. That's that's what I'm looking at. Mr. Superintendent, did you have something to say? I've studied this for quite a while now. Once Mr. Adams made the presentation, I wanted to make certain. And I'm glad you asked the question of Ellen because I knew that Klay County one, they have a state compliance
031team that does the initial review, right? And then they have another committee which is a little bit different than ours. It is a eight member committee, but it's your representatives would be parents, right? Um, your your current board policy is is Ellen, I believe it's the third or fourth iteration of a library book review policy. But what I hope we do get to where everybody is agree in agreement and we have a policy that we can abide by and work feverishly to do what we need to do so we can get back to educating kids, right? Um because that's ultimately what we're responsible for. The one thing that I am I've been for it um long before I started doing this particular job. Community standards. Um now they're difficult to get to because we are
032a community. Um, and we were close to doing it and then probably would need an executive session uh to tell you why we didn't. But if that's the direction this board wants to go, I would be in full support of that. Um, creating community and it may be that everybody here is in full support of what another school district has done. I would want to hear y'all have that conversation. Um the other thing that I highlighted um and of course I'm going to agree with Judge Weatherall. So he is correct. Our current board policy says may go to a committee but it also stipulates what the superintendent can do in consultation. It does not give full authority to either myself and my position or to Bradley and her position. So, I want to make certain
033everybody hears that. [Music] Um, and I really believe in this and I hope we can figure out a way to make certain that it is uh communicated well and well in advance and often. parents, their child is ultimately their responsibility and there should be a mechanism that is communicated well and is communicated often for them to make decisions and I actually had Bradley send me some information. So, let me read through to you. So, you know, we have 36,000 um 200 students pretty much today. Um out of that number, 97 students have limited access selected. 11 students have no access selected. Of the students listed and out of that number, uh 21 are high school students who are the only students in our district who have access to young adult fiction books by default. In
034contrast, 1739 students have selected YA opt-in access. This selection is made in middle schools where students only have access to YA fiction books if they have parental permission, including 10 students with limited access. And I could go on. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I think that is one place. And I I'll Brad if you want to come up and talk about how we do it currently because I think that's important for you to know. Like at the beginning of the year, how are our parents notified? And I just gave you some pretty alarming numbers about who's taking advantage of it and who is not. Do I agree with that being part of it? Yes, if you're asking me. Thank you, Brad. Sorry to bring you up. No problem. Did you have
035a particular question you'd like me to address? Uh the communication that goes to parents for them to be able to make those selections is to access in the library. So, we have a K through2 library access policy and that is posted on our district site and on every one of our school library websites and they also have the ability to go into focus and the forms where they can change their students access are available to them at any time in focus. They could go in and they could make a selection, you know, multiple times through the year if they so chose. I will also note that anytime that we have a family who has asked to have limited access for their student, we have our media specialists contact those families so that they understand what
036the limitations are and what is allowed content for those students. Yep. Good job. All right, several questions that will all tie together. We saw the numbers and and I'm kind of surprised and the ones you've said of the limited number who have taken advantage of doing things, but I go back to how many parents in out of the 36,200 um actually go into focus to look at anything other than occasionally at a grade? Do they even know that that's there for them to do that? I I I don't know that the the a I don't know that a majority of parents are actually a accessing focus for things other than checking a grade every now and then. So that's one kind of Oh, you're right. You know, I think that I don't know how parents
037in this district wouldn't know that there are issues related to library books and and and would then look at what their options are. But a lot of people there's there's a lot of other things on their plate or as uh Wayne ODM would say, there's a lot of wolves closer to my sled than that. And those parents would say, you know, I'll get to that when I could get to it. I want to go back to the community standards. Can we adopt another community's standards as ours? I don't know. I I don't know that legally that that would fly. We could we could edit it if we could. Yeah. It's just a basic template of this is what they did, right? Right. And then you know in these processing policies we we will add and
038change and but we there there has to be a process that we would have to go through to show that we have reached out to the community and gotten because um there are people who say you know you think this is the community standard and it's not. This community has changed and it's not what it used to be and and and are they right are they wrong? I don't know. as always. And and and so and so unless we go through a local process of saying these are the community standards, I don't know what they really are. To me, there's some things that are no-brainers, but that doesn't always make it in the court. Okay? And it wouldn't just, you know, I know when I see it isn't going to make it. Um you didn't
039select the proper uh committee standards and they could take that you're running for office again. Well, I get that. But I would like for us to do this, do it right, and make sure that we're doing the what's best for students long term and to keep parents um happy, not happy, maybe have parents have the confidence in the schools in the school district that we are doing what's best for students, period. And so I'd like to go through the community standards process and have that and adopt that. I like the idea of moving things up. I'd like to have all this behind us. I also would like us to look at what was suggested a couple times at board meetings by someone from the audience who says, "Why would we have different standards for what's
040in our media centers versus what's in our classrooms?" I agree with that. I think that that they should be the same. that because materials in the in the media centers are instructional materials. They they are materials that students are learning from and that students are teachers are using as resource materials to teach from to to glean information from and and so keeping the standard the same I think would be important. I do too. It's kind of a no-brainer to me. Now, does this add a lot of angst to our attorney as she looks at these kind of things? Yes, it does. But that she uh he will go through it and give us what her best legal recommendation would be. But uh I do like the idea of having things quicken and go on. I
041don't like to make uh judges unhappy with us and I would like to just see this end but everybody know this is where we are, this is why we're here and whatever. I would rather we make good decisions for our community and our students than somebody who doesn't live in this community tell us what we have to do. Yes, sir. Okay. Anything else? Miss M. Go ahead. Um thank you for saying that. Yes. uh want to make sure that we are in control of Escami County. Let Escami County make that decision what's best. As far as the parents having the responsibility of our kids, they have a process where they can, you know, be a part of making that choice what's appropriate for their children and what's not. Um you had mentioned about focus and
042that information is on the website. Is this also information that's given during orientations, back to school, things like that? Yes. So, there is a library access form that outlines what it means to make different selections or that uh the default selection is unlimited access within that school level. So, like elementary, elementary, etc. Um that does go out with the initial packet at the beginning of the year. Okay, good. Now, we once had a call out. I don't know if individual schools are including it in their callouts at the beginning of the year, but we could we could implement something of that nature as a reminder. And we also have the YA optin form which does describe that young adult books may have more mature content and are intended for 13 to 18 year olds and
043that is included for middle schools at the beginning of the year. Okay. Yes. I would like for that information to be Let me say what I'm proposing is different than what she's saying. Okay. Okay. because the community standards play does that filter. It's not just for middle school. It's high school and it's down and they they show in our community standards that of course K through five you're a little bit more stricter next and then next. So what she's explaining what we're doing is nothing like Clay. No. But I would like to see us having a little more proactive stance so our parents can because when I hear the low numbers of parents that are currently opting in, opting out, that brings concern. The parents not active in their child's education, they would not get
044access to that restricted face. Okay? Because it takes a parent to opt in. Opt in. Now, you know, there's one side that wants everything everybody to opt out. There's a reason, but there'd be very little I don't think there'd be very little kids that be opting in to go see respected books myself. Got it. Yes. Got it. Okay. Thank you. Um I think that was it. I can read my writing. Thank you. Thank you. First of all, I'd like to say this has been a festering issue for a number of years. Anytime you have something like this that the board is involved with, it distracts from the learning process for boys and girls. And that's a shame, but it's a process that has lingered too long. You know, I think all of us will agree
045with that. It's a process that if it lingers much longer every time that distracts from this learning process that that's our primary focus. Um, I like what uh the superintendent said a few moments ago. He said that the parent is primarily responsible for this. And I like the fact that what Ms. Vincent said that we're continuing to inform uh but those numbers are low. They're extremely low. That that's like a red flag to me. I don't know if the other board members I think that I picked up on a couple of you uh feeling that same way. That red flag needs to be improved. We need to give parent that says that we need to give parents better information to deal with or find new mechanisms to make sure that that go that information gets
046out there. Parents are the first teachers. We're the second teachers, but it seems in recent years the responsibility has been put a lot more on the side of the school boards and so forth. Um I like many of the things that in this proposal here, but I do have a little concern about it. And the concern is we're in the middle of some legal processes and I'd like for Miss Odum to say whatever she feels comfortable saying about that uh today because if we go changing if we go from one boat to another in the middle of this process that could dramatically change how to the positive or the negative. But as board members every decision we make up here on this DAS it makes some people happy and some people sad. And we always
047want to make the majority of the people happy in this district because uh we serve them each of us our individual districts and serve as a district as a whole. So uh I'm I'm concerned about that, Mr. Adams, that aspect of it. That's why I got the quote from the judge up there is saying that yes, he would like to see us go to a simpler process. Well, so you're the judge is not the problem right now. Right. Right. Except that he'd like for us. But I like what Miss Bgosh said also. We don't want them telling us how to do our business either. And of course they have the power to do that. Do that. Miss ODM, you want to weigh in on that any of uh not at this time and not in
048this forum. Okay. I uh uh that's a little concern in the back of my mind how you know with what's going on if if we if we change uh if we change policy in the middle of this and changing policy takes time. this would be over a period of time. You know, you'd have the first readings and so forth that it's not something that's going to happen overnight. Uh it um anyway, I'm going to stop there saying with this Can I ask a question, Ellen? And really, it's all so we know that the judge has said has told us that may appoint um a review committee within your current policy. If um challenge comes in, hypothetical, is it allowable? Miss Vincent and I, we've gone through a bunch of books, y'all. Um we've made decisions
049that take books to different places. Not all of those have been communicated because we we don't just do it in 10 seconds. much more. Would would you be comfortable with them simply if we don't put them in the committee? They come to you. They should go to you guys first. You and your media direct. In my opinion, we should not have a problem because we should not have inappropriate content coming in because our media specialists are supposed to review this matter. Okay. But for some reason, we got it coming in. So, no, I'd rather it come to y'all first and then you make a recommendation to the board. Yay or nay. All right. My opinion. Um, I I agree with what Mr. Adam said. I think it needs to go through the process that we
050normally go through. Whatever the policies current says, we need to go through that policy and stick to it. When you go to changing things, ladies and gentlemen, that's when you begin to get in trouble over things like this. And we've got we've got two things. Well, I don't know what I can say there and what I can't. So much we've got some litigation that could you know that that that's in the process of taking place and I don't know how favorable they'll look upon all that. Okay. The one thing that I did want to add is we have changed the policy several times since the litigation has begun. So it's not um we need to be very mindful and careful if we want to go down that road. It is not something that can be
051done overnight, but it is not entirely unheard of for us to change the policy while the litigation is pending because we certainly have have done so. Thank you for weighing in on that. That's that's kind of what I wanted to I was I was pushing to kind of see if you were going to say something like that because uh I am in agreement with some of the things in this and I do like some of the things in it, but I want us to move cautiously so we don't dig the hole deeper is what I'm saying. Okay, I'm done now. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Adams, for that and the length of the discussion there. I think it's something that we will not resolve tonight. It's going to be an ongoing situation. Thank you, Miss Vincent,
052for all that you've been doing as well. We appreciate what you've done for our county, and I'm sure this is will come back up again. Thank you, Brad. I think the next item on the on the agenda is is Mr. Fesco. I believe you have the recommendations for superintendent salary. I I do, but that's later on the agenda, but I'll go there. Oh, it is next. Never mind. I'm looking past that. Um, we all, I believe, received from the state uh probably two or three months ago, a recommendation that they do annually. The state says that this is what they recommend for the salary of different people. Well, one of the the ones was that brought up was the superintendent salary. And and I bring that up in that when we switched from the elected
053to the appointed um people who who were very vigorously working in favor of making that change made the statements that we know that the appointed was going to cost a lot more and if the community needed to step up and do that they would. Um it did cost more. They never stepped up and did anything but that's there. at that time that the superintendent um Mr. Thomas was uh making what the state uh recommended I think 154,000 or 150,000 a year. The appointed superintendent um everywhere made in excess of 200,000. So when we went to the appointed um that's what we did for Dr. Smith and we were in agreement with that. Uh but when Mr. uh Leonard stepped in and was brought in uh his salary is still at the 150 level. Well, the
054state has now said for an elected superintendent of this district size, their recommendation is $25,000 a year. So that's about $55,000 less than the superintendent is currently um being u awarded. I think that we went through the process of making sure raises went to everybody in the district. We did the um ESPs, we did the instructional, we've done the administrative, but I think that we really do need to look at fairness and equity for the superintendent's position. Uh I think that uh if we are not at least doing what the state recommends for the uh elected which is always less than the appointed um I think it's a disservice and and I I don't think it's I just don't think it's right and so I bring that to the rest of the board for discussion
055or comment or or thoughts. Miss could you weigh in on that? Is there any distinction between elected and appointed? Can we can it be applied? It you are free to negotiate salary with an appointed superintendent. Okay, that's that's a at any time or or during the contract renewal process. You you can if you wanted to mutually agree to amend um his contract, you can absolutely do that. Right now he has a contract for a set salary with certain bonuses and provisions for different aspects of the contract. But if if it is the will of the board to equalize his pay with that which appointed I'm sorry elected superintendents make for a district of our size, it's within your purview to do that. Um I'm sorry. Go ahead, Miss Can I go ahead and what I
056was saying? Thank you. I appreciate that. uh the superintendent earns in his contract some initiatives I notice uh and uh when you mentioned that 154 salary I thought it was much more than that because we uh last December uh when we do the superintendent's contract this year I thought it was more like 172 you know but having said that you know and the initiative that he's gotten uh I believe that uh we do need to do something like that we don't need to we do need to increase his pace so that it's it's comparable comparable with others uh superintendent of schools comparable to ours. Uh of course that's a board's decision but uh and we are about to face some very difficult times uh uh financially you know so certainly that would have to be
057looked into the equation but are you talking about levelizing it for this year right now uh for December or are you talking about waiting to December to renegotiate that? Yeah, I I bring it forward for us to discuss and for us to do what we feel is right when we feel it's right. Um, personally, I'll say this that uh I don't want to rehash things in in the past. History does present things, but but I was in a situation where I went into a position that the salary was not commensurate with everyone else's. And for two years I worked at a salary which was half of what my colleagues made because of contractual situations. Um I saw that as unfair in that it affected retirement and some other things. So I think that when we're
058looking at equity for what's happening um with others in the district again we've settled with all the other areas ESP instructional administrative. I think that it's um it's the honorable and correct thing to do to recognize that we have a superintendent who I think is working exceedingly well and hard and faced difficult things and continues to um he's not in it for the money. He said that and he agreed to things. But I think that when the state is telling us that we are significantly if if it's a $30,000 difference or 25 whatever I when when the state's saying that it's we're significantly below what should be given to somebody if they were elected in that same position and and again they typically heir on paying less not more. I think that it's it's right.
059I think this is the time to do it. Um to make it part of the incoming budgets. I had a uh uh I had support from um people who are f financially um in the no to say that this would be the right thing to do and this would be the time to do it. I think we could amend it now. Uh, and if if it's uh if at least three people agree with me, then I'll make the motion to do that um our next meeting. I know I can't make a motion now, but uh you know, I can do it at the next meeting for then things to go through in in June. I would I I want to ask a couple of questions though, Mr. Besco, from my view. What were the 205,000?
060Did that include uh travel and other benefits or was that just the base salary that the states recommended? They according to what I read it was just the base salary that the travel any other benefits anything else is always in addition to that. Well, uh, from a personal standpoint, I have been in the same situation you have been, and I'm sure there are others in the audience who've been in that same situation where, uh, um, uh, when you move from one position to another and you go back to step zero, you're making $25 more than you did and then there's no raise for two years. And so suddenly I was on a bus with a bunch of other principles uh and a lady uh who was in Connecticut my last year there and she said,
061"Our salary is just terrible. I only make $144,000 a year as an elementary principal. I like I nearly fell out of my seat, you know, because uh that wasn't near what we were making in Escambia County, you know. Uh but uh I I could support that what you're saying, Mr. Fetsco. uh because we want our superintendent that he's doing a great job. Uh he's leading our district in a commendable way and we need to uh we need to reward him and if that's what the state comparison is then uh we need it might we may not make it to that point this year but we need to to look at it and see what we can do. If you you make that motion we see what happens. Um, chair. Go ahead, Mr. Um, I'm in
062agreement with you, Paul. Um, we were in a pretty bad situation and he was able to come in as interim, you know, and it he really he really you could just tell the change across the school district and um so I even though we don't always agree, I've been a big fan and uh yeah, I believe he should at least get paid what elected superintendent with these other appointed superintendents getting paid more. So, I would support your motion. Uh, Paul. Yeah. Mr. Lyn, you had comment. Your light was on. I didn't know if you had a comment. I was I do know how much I currently make my base salary or I shouldn't say I know what's in my contract. It was 17250. So, you on the money. My old marketing teacher was correct. So,
063I think it's more than that now because we did have a pay increase. It's very uncomfortable to have to talk about this. very uncomfortable. Um, but I I don't mind I don't mind listening. In fact, let me let me Can I say something? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. So, um, I'm reminded and I get reminded often of how you as an individual, you have plenty of room for growth, how you really need to be getting better day in and day out. And today I was reminded in a kind and gentle way that I'm not as good as Nehemiah because it only took Nehemiah 52 days to rebuild the wall. And unfortunately, it's taken myself and our team a lot longer than 52 days. Um, but I think we are headed in the right direction. I think
064we have a great relationship with you as board members. Um, and know all you got to know, it doesn't matter how much or how little that we make, we're going to work hard because we care about what we do and that's taking care of these kids. Um, so that's what I wanted to tell you, sir. I'll do better over the next 104 days. I promise. Thank you. Uh, let's move on. Miss Fesco, what any other comments? You have comments? I'm sorry, Miss I would be in agreement, too. Um, now of course we have to look at the budget and make sure that we're being respectful, responsible for that. But I know our superintendent's currently he's working his booty off. uh give sending us emails at 6:00 in the morning notifying us about schools, but appreciate
065that and I know that we all in agreement that we appreciate what he's doing for our district and what the staff is doing. Yeah. Thank you for all your comments. Next, Mr. Fesco, land at 57th and Lillian Highway. Yes, sir. Um, many of you, well, no, not many of you may not, but some of the ones who've been around a long time realize that the land that's on the corner of Lillian Highway and 57th Avenue, what used to be the old Myrtle Grove Center back when most of you were kids, um, is is there and it's vacant and it belongs to us. I was approached by the uh county commissioner from district 2. Um, Commissioner Kohler has asked if there would be a way for us to work with them for the utilization of that
066property to turn it into a westside library. And along with library, then an area that would uh be um not really a playground, but a but an area of interest for students like a splash pads and things like that for for young children. And I said, "Well, since the property has sat vacant for quite a long time, at one time, uh I know that the district was looking at having a bus barn on the west side, and that's no longer being looked at. So, it's there. Uh I just bring it to you all's attention so that um we could have some agreement that say that would be a very good thing to do for the Myrtle Grove area. It would be a good thing to do for the citizens on the west side of town.
067And it it's a good working relationship between the the district and the commission. And so if if no one would be opposed to that, I've already talked to Mr. Dennis about it, talked to the superintendent um and there didn't seem to be obstacles. And I guess the next step would be for um either Mr. Dennis or the attorney to reach out to the county and say, "Yeah, we go forward." It would meet you, Mr. Dennis. Okay. Are they ask him to just utilize to purchase it? Is it Well, if there's a purchase involved that it would be at a nominal cost in order for him to be able to utilize what money he has available to do the library and and not opposed to doing that, but I think that we go forward and at
068least get it appraised to see what the value of the property is and then go forward. But but I'd like us to look at, you know, finding a way to make that happen if at all possible. Okay, Mr. Mr. Harold. Um I think that's a good idea, Mr. PCKO, but I also want to raise the point that uh a cooperative relationship with another governing body like the county commission that works two ways. You know, it works for us, it works for us and them. And it hasn't worked really well for us in some instances that I could name. Uh but I won't, you know, because that's the past and we want to move forward with that. Uh uh that I can remember the Myrtle Grove Center when it had the walls only threequarters way up
069and you sit in assistant superintendent's office and you heard every word that everybody in there said, so you knew what was going on all over the district. And I was not aware that we we own that property. uh that's that would be a good use of that property and and I I would be willing to support that but as again uh I've had some negative experiences over the uh years. One of them is an exit out of a school where I was principal that went downhill in a hurry, a light out front. And I could just go on and on and on with that. But that is that is the last hole in golf as we say. And the next hole is uh we're always looking to do what's best for boys and girls. But
070somewhere along the line, that discussion needs to be had that it's not us all give and them all receive, you know. So I I I I understand that and I agree with you 100%. I do will say this that in since his uh election and and placement in as a county commissioner for district 2 um Mr. Kohler has worked vehemently or feverishly to make sure that we have sidewalks leading to our schools. For a long time there were no sidewalks on Jackson Street. There were none that led up to any of the schools on the west side of town in that area. and he is working and continues to do that and has committed to doing even more along those lines. So, there's some and again if there's going to be a cost to the
071property, let's see what it is and go forward. not a guarantee, but uh just like um other district and I I think of the latest one the the library that was done near uh Belleview Elementary that was the old regions bake district one has a regional library. I think being that close just two blocks away from Myrtle Grove Elementary School, Escambia High School, less than a mile to West Pensacola and less than a mile I think to Sherwood. it it would be a a public library facility that could get a lot of use from students in the times that you know our schools aren't open. So if um the rest of the board is in agreement then I'll ask the superintendent Mr. Mr. Dennis to to reach out to the commissioner and and go forward.
072So u Mr. Chair. Yes sir. The um you know Paul I'm I'm good with this except I agree with Tom. You know, it needs to go both ways. I know we had two superintendents they put in for land at site 8 and we were getting dollar signs thrown at us. Okay. Which in my opinion would have drove the economy even better for that that whole area, you know. So, so hopefully we can't look at the past always, but um I think we gave land for community center up in district five. Um, was it didn't we provide land for uh uh Steven Barry up there for a community center? Well, I don't even want to go in crosswalks. Okay. Cuz I got a bunch of them. Yeah. But uh but I believe we gave them land,
073but it u but it seems like when it's the other way around, they want to know how much money we're going to give. So that's But I'm I'm I'm fine with com M sub. You like that? have a comment. Okay, Mr. Chair, I would also be in agreement, but I would caution. I just want to make sure we do all our research first, find out how much this property is worth, and you know, just like what Mr. Herrell and Mr. Adams also shared, "We want to make sure what's best for our kids, what's best for our school district, and we're not giving property away, but we are, you know, being responsible with our taxpayers money." Mr. Dennis, did you have anything? I was just going to respond to Mr. Adams in terms of we have
074had conversations about land swaps and those type of things in district 5. The only actual conveyance we've done so far is adjacent to Jim Allen. It was a sliver that we conveyed over for the use of an expanded wellness track that both the school and the community get to use. I in the it came back that in conversation um I think the idea of uh land being used for that purpose but having a u reversion clause that if indeed it stopped being used for the public library that land would come back to us is also another possibility and it would have a building on it that was better than what the old Myrtle Grove Center was. I like that. I like the reversion clause. Yes, sir. That's actually part of our procedure. Now, anytime we
075do any kind of conveyance that is not a direct sell to a private entity, especially other municipalities, other municipal agencies, we have a intended use for reversion clause and all that. That includes the fire station and the police substation adjacent to Warrington Elementary and various others throughout the community. money for we did we didn't ask for money for the land right no sir we typically structure a conveyance document that is devoid of any funds but has that reversion should they change the intended use I didn't think we've been charging the county commissioners on land we have certainly done that sir we sold them to Wedgwood school years ago oh yeah that was way before me for them to use we and we have we have a history in both directions and that was driven by
076the sheer value of the property as miss brought to the pointed out, we need to understand what it's worth before we consider a donation or a partnership or an outright sale. We are actually working on those numbers right now, sir. Okay. Thank you. You got something else? Yep. My last one is the solar power. I've had constituents contact me to ask why the school district isn't looking at placing solar panels on tops of the schools and and I thought, I don't know. and um maybe it's too cost prohibitive, maybe there's other things involved with it, but I thought that I'd bring it up for discussion and then we'd let operations take a look or say, "Hey, the energy people say yay, no, whatever. These are the problems with it. This is why we would or
077wouldn't." Just a possibility as we look forward into ways of saving money. I know that I personally added solar panels to my house and I am just as happy as a clam. Um it it uh has been very worthwhile. But that's on a private personal situation. What it would take to do large scale or whatever. I don't know. But you know, we might want to explore that. I just bring it forward for us to look at in ways that could be cost effective, cost-saving and whatever. My my uh sense of humor goes and says, "Well, that would be one more thing that would protect those roofs from all that leaking." So, um soon as you talked to me about it, I made certain that I got in touch with Mr. Dennis because that is I
078I know absolutely anything anything about I don't know anything about solar power. So Sean, if you want to take it from there. Well, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you we definitely need to look again. We are constantly looking for ideas like that. Uh you're absolutely right. There's actually an uptick in residential solar in this region. Residential solar. Reason being the typical utility demand of a res of a residence versus the square footage of your typical roof allows you to put a grid together that gets you what you need. We actually have solar panels on two different schools right now. One is Global Learning Academy and I'm not sure if the panels that were on George Stone are still in operation. Both of those were done not so much to generate power but
079to be used as a teaching uh component in both those schools. Those were done in what's known as a co-generation type of scenario where it's not big enough to power the school but it's big enough to another source of energy that offsets some cost. If you take a look around the community as you drive home tonight, you will not see very many large commercial structures with solar at all. Reason being, most of those are flat roofs or very um instructional type of roofs. We have a lot of what's known as EP EPDM membrane roofs, which is a big piece of rubber. And when you mount solar panels to those types of roofs, as you know, with your shingled roof at your home, you're putting a lot of roof penetrations in there. And it's actually the
080opposite of what you just said. It does present penetration and leak issues. Not saying that the technology hasn't gotten to a point where that's a problem. Certainly any solar guy can come in here and tell you we've got a fix for that. The question is, can we afford enough of the panel, enough of an array to offset enough of the energy. The good news is you have two excellent energy managers and hopefully they're both listening right now because they just got a homework assignment. Um Paul, they now have a process on these commercial roofs with a liner. They don't penetrate. They got this adhesive they put down. You see the guy walking across. So the technology is advanced. But you could also go with ground mounts, too. I went with a ground mount. You went
081with a roof mount. So, um I'm going to get a $69 electric bill this next month. I'm happy, you know. So, um, but yeah, it we could actually leverage off half cent sales tax to reduce our overall utility bill even by just selling electricity back to to FPL. You know, that's a so maybe you find technologies better now. Absolutely. Again, you're you're right about adhesion, but I will tell you the largest challenges we had in storms were not the penetrations, but things bouncing across those roofs under the wind. And guess what solar panels do? Anybody that's driven to Tallahassee since the last storm with all those field arrays has seen them all looking this way and that way. They're subject to that. So, that's a vulnerability we need to consider, but we're not dismissing the
082opportunity. Are there Can I add something to that? Are there any uh hazards to the solar panels that we that has been brought out for commercial buildings and things like radiation or increased heat and things like that? I've heard uh I've seen some brief studies that said that in increases the heat a lot. If you Google it, it'll say that in the area around it. So, and also I' I'd be concerned about roof mounting those things, the things that you were saying a while ago. Uh I know that there may be some new methods to that. But and also those things tend to wear out after about 10 years and have to be replaced if I'm 30 years. Okay. And also there ad I see advertisements all the time about having to have them clean
083to work effectively. So, I don't know. So there's there's a lot of there's a lot of big questions in my mind there there that would need to be answered. Yeah. Again, I I bring it forward for us to look at for the the study for the energy managers to take a look and say feasibility yay or nay pros cons, you know, co the return on investment cost rate, you know, is it worth it for us to look at? I think it's a it is time to look. We looked at the electric buses. We looked at the you the LNG, all of that stuff. It wasn't time. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But, you know, I think it being good stewards of the finances, that would be a way if if we were able to
084save the kind of money like um my power bill went from $200 to zero. But then when FPL took over from Golf Power, it went to $25 a month because there's a $25 connection fee that you pay whether you use their electricity or not. With with my process, I have I run on battery backup. So I've got batteries that I don't sell nothing back to the power company. I'm I'm loading up big old batteries, solar batteries, and u and then you run off that. So if the power goes out for Paul, if he don't have the batteries, he has no lights. With me, I'm cooking. I got air conditioning on. I got everything going. So that's the difference. When their team looks at the systems, you have to decide. And and those those big batteries
085have gotten awfully cheap now. Yeah. As long as Trump don't raise the tariffs up 280%. You'll be checktorm. We all go to Mr. Adams for dinner. That's I was getting ready to say that and that was my concern the initial cost in this but you know I think that's something that our energy manager managers will look at and thanks again for that item. Last item is the military child review. Miss Bergosh. Yes. In March of this year, the school district um presented a resolution identifying April as the month of military child or military child month. I want to give you a little bit of history. I know people that have been attending the workshops and have heard me talk about this already. I apologize, but I want to give you more information. This um identifying
086April as the month of military child was developed in 1986 by Department of Defense Ga Casper Weinberger at the time. And this basically tried to acknowledge what our military children go under. Having to move a lot, having to be that new kid, having to start a brand new school, you know, from um different kind of curriculums, different require it and this is just to give them some support, recognition and honor and and let them know we appreciate their service too. So at this time we've had our military councils counselors at various schools have done activities throughout last month and these are some pictures. I'm going to go ahead and give you a PowerPoint and I'm not going to show the whole 7 and 1/2 minutes. It's I'm only going to show a scam be counting.
087So yes, enjoy. [Music] Happy. [Music] For those of you that have not heard about why purple, purple is the color for all military children, regardless of the branch of their parents, Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Combine them all, they're supposed to make the color purple. Actually, it's black, but it's close. [Music] Let's go. [Music] We can go ahead and stop. Well, thank you for indulging me, but I wanted to show you and highlight all the great things that were going on in our schools for last month. Yeah, thank you, Mash. Go ahead, Mr. Fesco. I thank you, Mr. Pash. And I know that it's it's really a a lot of the westside schools are already very much involved and I know Escambia High utilizes what they call the quarter deck daily
088and and uh the uh the support for the students and and from the military is definitely a very good thing. So thank you for bringing that to everyone's attention. Yes, I have. Thank you Miss Bgosh for bringing that. I was surprised at the number of uh students that we have in the north end in district five that parents work at NAS. I had a young man at my house yesterday with my grandson and his parents are uh uh stationed at NAS and they're moving to St. Augustine uh the day after school is out and he was telling me about all his friends at school that were going there and then I got to thinking about it. District 5 is full of of military children out in the north end as all the other districts are.
089Thank you so much for bringing that to everyone's attention. Thank you. And I and I I really appreciate the military their support. I'm the Navy brat. U so I was uh well, let's see. My I was born in Memphis, Tennessee when my dad was at that base up there. And then my brother was born in San Diego, California when he was there. And then my sister was born in Sanford, Florida. That military base probably gone. And uh it is difficult on the military child when they're moving from school to school. you know, fortunately my mom said after he went on the carrier that come back here to Pensacola and he'd come visit when they get off the boat, you know, so but uh but yeah, there's not a lot of stability in and the military
090is doing a good job of putting them money and resources out and I'm glad the school district is partnering as well as they are with the military and I I have not even got one complaint this year from a military child. So, I mean that's that's pretty good, you know. Yeah, we had it different. Okay, thank you very much for bringing it to our conscious. Appreciate it. Uh, next we have the comments from the superintendent. Any additional comments? All right. Do we need to take a break? Are we good? You want to take Let's take a break before you do that. Okay. 10-minute break. Next item we have up will be the superintendent's comments. Thank you. We're going to go ahead and let Superintendent Lennon go ahead and make his comments. So, in at the
091June workshop that Monday morning, there will be a couple of items. As you notice, I didn't put anything on this month. Um, Mr. Bobbit will give us a preliminary review of where we are with the end of year assessment. Um I believe you will be very pleased. Um Mr. Saint Seir will give us a preliminary review of where we are from a budget. I be I believe you'll be very displeased, but uh he'll get us where we need to be. Um Adams in the legislative review talked about cell phones. So today you're going to be looking at and then Tuesday night you'll be voting on the student code of conduct. So in the secondary student code of conduct you'll see two different provisions. One for middle school students because you know you basically can't use
092them during school K through eight. And then the high school, they didn't do anything. I do want you to know, and I hope it's it's up to you to look at me and say, "No, don't." But I I don't think we have any control over it. DOE through the direction of the legislature is going to pick six school districts to be a pilot for high schools. Two small, two medium, and two large. So there is a one in 22 chance those medium-sized school districts that we would get selected. So we may be bringing the student code of conduct back back at a later date to update what we would do in high school if that occurs. Did I make an error? Did we No, you're absolutely right. But I did have a thought that what
093we could do is with the current draft that's being proposed for advertising, we could insert some language proactively saying that in the event the school district is selected for the pilot project, the prohibition on the cell phone use during the day um will apply to high school as well. That would be in the advertisement. Well, if if we could um we could make those edits between now and Tuesday if it's the board's will to go down that road. And my apologies. How do y'all feel? Um but that way we would not have to come back within this year and change it. We would just need to make absolutely certain that if we are selected as the pilot uh project that all notifications are sent out to the high school students. Take care of that Mr.
094Wilson. Okay. And I'll I'll get with Mr. Wilson and we can come up with something appropriate. Then the other thing, so part of the legis this what we do know is passed, I don't know that it's actually been signed, is everything that's related to vouchers and like being able to participate in different ath activities on our public school campuses. Uh private school student can participate in band, private school student, homeschool student can play basketball, take additional classes, whatever it may be. what we've what we are taking a look at and we'll be prepared to do is to charge that fee that is appropriate to the same level as the FTE of one class. So if you take one class it might be 17th of the FTE or if you play football as you all know
095there's expenses that go along with it. So, if you're homeschooled or you go to a private school and you're going to play play lacrosse at our school site, there would be a fee that's associated with that because you're involved in that activity. Um, I don't know exactly what that's going to look like. We'll be meeting with Mr. Sier, Mr. McFarland, and other members of that team to make certain that we bring you a fee schedule if that is appropriate. We'll only know once we brought it to you and you tell us yes or no. So, there are other school districts that have already done it for other items. Okay. [Music] Um so the warehouse just recently went through an inventory 1.2 1.3 million dollar worth of items. There was a $450 disparity there. Pretty remarkable.
096Um, the North View Lady Chiefs will be leaving early next week to participate in the Final Four in ladies softball. Wish them well. Uh, hopefully they come out victorious. We'll be able to have them present hopefully in June if that's the case or certainly invite them just simply for the success they've had thus far. Um, speaking of successes, I think this number is correct, Mr. Harold. We should break the 12,000 number on Cape Certification Tuesday. So, that that's huge. 12,000 there. Um, so got that one. Booker T. Washington High School had several students be recognized as New World Scholars. There are either three or four students from Pensacola High School that will be participating in the National History Award show where they will be presenting their information that they've already received the state awards. If
097they we're going to do everything we can to get them here in June as well so you can recognize them. And then the last two items is our ESE compliance for IEPs had zero findings. And then just recently was able to meet this this individual um was the Cox hero for one of our schools. um has significant disabilities. Okay. Hospital homebound scored a five on his algebra one EOC. So I mean it is incredible. Um look at Sandra. So very very proud of what's what's getting done by some remarkable teachers and students. Um so I wanted to be sure I shared those things with you before we get started. Thank you. Thank you. This moves us into the uh review of the regular monthly uh agenda. Mr. Superintendent, are there any additions or deletions to
098this month's agenda? Yes, sir. Uh, under section 8, consent alternative ed, item A is deleted. Under section 20, consent finance, item E is added. Under section 24, consent procurement, item Y, item Z, and item AA have all been added under section 32 operations uh facilities procurement. Item P has been added and then under section 45 internal [Music] auditing item C has been added. Okay. Thank you sir. Thank you. It is Miss Burgos month to bring the invocation and the pledge. Uh this moves us into the minutes of April. And then that takes us to um six proposed additions and revisions of rules and first reads. We have three items for first read. The first item is is item A section 7320 in policy. Mr. Williams. Yes. Could I speak to 6A? Yes, sir. All right.
099Let me go ahead. Yes, sir. All right. uh this uh I brought to the board workshop uh this addition to our policy manual and the superintendent had a couple concerns about it and so we took care of those concerns and the policy was rewritten and uh uh that's what's on here today and I would encourage the board's approval on this. It protects those legacy and historical items that uh and it uh gives some structure to that uh uh to that process. Uh Mr. Dennis and his team uh did an amazing job in rewriting that and I would like to thank him and I'd like to thank the superintendent also for his cooperation in that. I feel like this is something that the district really needed. Uh it's something that we played around with for a
100long time and this policy uh the two things that we took out was bringing it before the board and then the other thing was directing the superintendent. We took both of those items out at the superintendent's request and I think what's there gives a lot of strength and power to the superintendent to help uh manage that. Uh we govern the superintendent administers and so uh therefore uh when there's a construction or anything else going on then they will get detailed information uh from uh facilities about uh the policy so that everyone understands that. So and I want to thank the board for their cooperation with this and the superintendent Mr. Dennis again. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. H. Any other comments on that? Next item is uh item B, elementary code of conduct. Moving
101on, last item is item C, secondary code of conduct. This moves us into the consent agenda. Are there any items to be discussed? Starting with the curriculum items 8 through 19. Hearing none, we'll move next to finance items 20 through 24. Moving into human resources items 25 through 29. Next is operations items 30 through [Music] 39 items from the superintendent. There's one item from the superintendent's uh from the superintendent item 44. It's the approval of the agreement of the legal services between the school board and Escamia County and Kirkland McGee and and Gant attorneys at law risk management. Okay. Last we have the internal audits and I believe we will have comments from um Mr. David Bryant. This is the last time y'all will see David Bryant here. Where's he go? Yeah, my first day,
102three hours into it, I got an email about the president. So, that was an interesting first day. Um, so uh I'm here because we uh do have a few audits on the uh the wrapping those up. Um one being the controlled opener review. Um that was a a long time coming. We had it was assigned to a couple different people and we finally made it to the end. Uh the big takeaway there is the district is following uh the policies and procedures set forward by the state. Um you there's a always been the concern about you know is this a a true fair lottery process. And so we we went through the entire process you know from the applications to the appeals process to the pulling of the people that go into the lottery sending
103out the letters all of that. We we followed that entire process over the year. did make some recommendations. Just clearing up some language mostly um making sure that we're we're treating our internal applicants the same as we're treating our external applicants when we can. Certain things you can't do. Um it's hard to uh to judge the behavior of a homeschool kid. And so you really can't uh take that as a factor. Uh but we do take that for our internal students. Just a few things to clean up there. Um if there's no questions on that, I told Mr. Williams that I would kind of give you a uh a uh update on where we are um with my replacement. Uh the the board's tasked the audit committee with the uh the appointment removal uh hiring
104of the director of internal auditing. And so the uh the audit committee met uh last month and uh came up with a process. That process is uh the job's already been advertised. It's been advertised for a couple weeks. It will end on the 19th. As of this morning, there were 12 applicants already. And so uh the way the process will work is there'll be an internal committee uh made up of myself and uh a few other people uh mostly that internal auditing works with uh that will uh interview do initial interviews and then uh after after those interviews are done um we'll have some finalists and then uh those finalists will likely uh maybe have lunch with or meet the office staff that are there. So that way they can get a feel for the
105office staff and get a feel and be kind of part of the process. And then uh the finalists will be interviewed by the audit committee. Um all this process is uh because the board delegated a a function of their responsibility to the audit committee is subject to sunshine. So all these things will be advertised. Um all the discussion will take place and then once the audit committee uh has zeroed in on a candidate then um they'll make a recommendation to the school board or the person. So, uh, uh, traditionally, you know, we never really had this process, you know, just one time before years ago, 19 years ago when I was appointed. So, um, we'll get with with Miss Odum about and the superintendent about kind of logistics towards the end about negotiations and, you
106know, we've advertised the the starting salary, which is the starting salary, which is on the the not anything like the superintendent, it's like any other employee. And so, uh, Hopefully that process will go smoothly. Like I said, 12 candidates so far. Um, looking to hopefully have them start around the first of the fiscal year, but that'll really depend on, you know, how quickly we can get the meeting scheduled and and when someone can leave a job and come come here. Go ahead. Go ahead, Miss Fesco. Um, 19 years ago, I don't know who was on the committee who selected. I I think they did a good job. Um my question has to do with um would it be appropriate because the auditor, the attorney, superintendent are the only employees that the board has. It would
107it be appropriate for the chair to be part of that interview committee? You could um said it's it's I said the the the current uh structure is that the board's delegated that to the audit committee, but um if the chair wanted to sit on that committee, that's perfectly appropriate. I think that um it's really going to be up to the chair. Thanks a lot, Mr. Fesco. We call that volunteer. Yeah. Currently, the the thought process was for the first committee that it would probably be myself, probably Miss Odum, uh Mr. Windham because we do so much with risk management as it relates to hurricanes and insurance. Um and then probably someone that the superintendent would like and you know maybe one or two others would like to have an odd number. Um that would be
108that first uh committee and then probably if the the second committee actually interviewing the finalist if you wanted to be part of that then we would just make it where you'd be part of that. Yeah. Just looking at the timeline I I wouldn't mind serving but um because I will be in Tampa part of June for the conference I'm not sure when the interviews will be scheduled. So, if you give me the information, I'll consider it and we can we can work around it. All right. Yeah. Thank you, Miss Fesco. Anything else? Thank you, Mr. Brian, for your services to our um to our county, and I remember you when I was at Pensacola High School, and I used to get those letters quite often reminding me that something needs to be turned in, but
109you were consistent, and you kept us out of trouble. So, I appreciate that. Thank you. I I did want to say that we talked be during the break a little bit that uh the reviews at the school level that the the 16 cost centers out of that 14 had zero loss of inventory which I go back to the early 2000s and there were so many things that were missing and so I think the audit department has really worked and and as you said with the superintendents who've been in office to really bring that uh level of accountability to where it needs to be. So, I thank you for that. You're you're leaving us in a lot better shape than than you found us. I I think it's astounding when you look at our inventory losses.
110You know, there's $43 million worth of assets out there that we keep track of and $10,000 worth a year and that includes all the stuff that are out in charter schools that we keep on our books and private schools that we keep on our books. It's just amazing. Yeah. Yeah. I thank you for the great job you've done and wish you the best in your new job. And I'll miss our conversations that we've had in the past, but you've always responded pretty quickly and uh you know, thank you for everything you've done for the school district. Thank you, David, for your service. Care about this brings us to the public forum. We have uh one speaker, Miss Manley Eubanks. You have three minutes. Hello, my name is Melanie Eubanks and I would just like to
111encourage you to reconsider and figure out how to deal with these reconsideration committees. I've been serving and they are flawed. I see it over and over again and um from getting quorum waiting um zoom etiquette um it's obvious that there's a lot of friendship in the leader with a lot of the members and um it I if you want to contact me about some things I saw even calling people to remind them it's time to be on Zoom I just I don't know that I have a problem with that there's a lot of familiarity and it's like it's no wonder these books are not being removed. Um if we would follow the law then we would not have these books. We need to keep stuff that is age appropriate and um it doesn't need to
112be sexually explicit, obscene, puriant, pornographic and we really need to try to provide things, excuse me. We need to provide things that are wholesome for our children. We need to tighten up on our procedure and we need to be logical, not emotional. And we need to watch out for loopholes so that we can end this process. I was told personally that I have the wrong definition of pornography. And um if I have that I might have the wrong defi definition of purant. If it causes one student to stumble, we need to stop and error on the side of caution. We need to step back and clear our thinking. These committees have been designed to live things as they are. We need to change our policy and our media department guidelines. I want to thank each
113board member and the superintendent for your action to get rid of this filth. There seems to be a disconnect between the committee and how they vote and what you would want to uphold for our students. Please remember to be proactive. Begin with a end in mind. How will your choices affect the future? I have already heard you talk about that in your meeting today. How is it going to affect our schools? It's time to sharpen the saw and make our media centers safer places. Thank you. Thank you. We do not have any other speakers. This brings us to the end of our meeting. Are there anything else for the common good from the board members? Mr. Superintendent, we we're good. If there's nothing else, we're now join adjourn.