001Good evening everyone. Welcome to our June 22nd, 2026 regular school board meeting. Before we begin the work of the district, let us stand for a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Superintendent, do you have any changes, amendments, additions, or deletions? >> I have no changes, amendments, additions, or deletions. >> Board? >> Uh yes, uh 10.03 due to uh potential conflict. Um if we could pull for separate consideration, that's the dual enrollment agreement with Lake-Sumter State College. >> Me, too. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Noted. Okay. Representation? We have no representation. So, let's go to the Never mind. Minutes anyway.
002>> I recommend approval of the minutes from the school board workshop May 27th, 2026 and the regular school board meeting June 8th, 2026. >> Board? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? I vote. Okay, now representation. Is there representation? Now we'll have public input. We'll start with Lila Perot. Perot? That's right. >> Hello. Good evening, Chair Mathis, school board members, and Superintendent Carnegie. My name's Lila N. Terrio, and I'm the fantastically, wonderfully happy president of the Lake Community Arts. I'm also a retired music educator and a former executive director of the Florida Alliance for Arts Education. I'm here tonight to share some exciting developments that demonstrate the power of the community partnerships in supporting arts education in for Lake County students. This fall, Lake Community Arts
003will once again partner with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra to bring the Young People's Concerts to Lake County on October 22nd and 23rd in 2026. Working closely with Lisa Posley and Lake County Schools, we will help coordinate this ensuring that thousands of elementary students experience a live symphony orchestra performance. Lake Community Arts will finance student transportation while musician fees are being supported through generous grants through Orlando Magic and Disney. In addition, Lake Community Arts will coordinate with district leadership to provide two professional development days to arts educators, host the high school honors choir, and contribute to the elementary honors choir for this coming school year. We're also very proud of our growth in our community arts programs. Lake Community Choir has grown to more than 150 singers, and we've presented two concerts to audiences exceeding 750
004attendees. The enthusiastic response from our community demonstrates a strong desire for arts experiences that bring people together across generations. This year we launched Children Sing serving students ages 7 through 11, and we recently completed our very first summer camp. These programs provide young people with opportunities to develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Looking ahead, we're excited to launch the very first Lake Community Concert Band beginning on August 26th at Lake Minneola High School. The ensemble will be conducted by Dr. Michael Antman and will provide another avenue for musical growth and community engagement. In September, arts and cultural organizations from across Lake County will gather at the Mission Inn Resort and Club to begin forming a county-wide arts and cultural alliance. Our goal is simple, connect the arts organization and artists with
005educators and schools so that we can provide additional resources, guest artists, workshops, and learning opportunities for students throughout the district. Lake County Schools cannot do this work alone and community organizations cannot do it alone either. By working together, we can expand access to high-quality arts education and enrich the educational experiences to all Lake County students. We will look forward to our continuing partnership with Lake County Schools and supporting the outstanding work being done every day in your classrooms. Thank you. >> Um perfect. Thank you very much. Karen Carroll? >> [laughter] >> Good evening. You can tell who does this regularly and who doesn't. I brought with me Bobby Rowe from the North Lake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and I'm excited to just share an opportunity. We have a number of local churches that are
006banding together for a larger community outreach coming November and one of the portions of this larger outreach, we're hoping to reach some of our schools. So, I'd like to share the opportunity. We have a Global Expressions team that is a multinational team that travels through Europe, South America, Africa, and also the US and they'll be coming to North Lake County in November of 2026 and we would like the opportunity to reach out into the North Lake County middle and high schools um for an assembly opportunity where we'll be promoting positive choices, healthy uh relationships, good self-worth, things that are obviously near and dear to every educator's heart. Um we do have 17 schools that we've identified, middle and high schools. Some of them are public schools, some are private or charter schools, and we'll be
007reaching out to those administrations individually, but as a whole we are hoping to get the support of the Lake County School Board to back the the the event, uh or should I say the opportunity. Each administration would have the ability to choose whether or not they wanted to participate, what day that would would fit into their schedules, and how they would like to have that operated through their administration. Um it would take about 40 to 60 minutes per presentation. We could probably do three schools a day, four if we really if we're really tight. And uh we're excited for the opportunity because those students need to hear a positive message from people that they recognize, that they're familiar with. Uh the urban arts method methods that they use to communicate, hip-hop, breakdancing, rap, skateboarding, and
008other exciting things that are engaging, probably more so than the teachers are prepared to pull off during their sessions. So we're hoping that we can get the school board behind, at least from a from a uh positive perspective, let the administrators know that this tour is coming to Lake County, and that we'll be reaching out to them through the FCA and also the Powerhouse Project. Thank you. You want to say something? >> And one of the topics is bullying. Um I know that in uh October uh we have national bullying awareness in Lake County in our schools, and so that's one of the topics that they'll be talking about is bullying, and so they go hand in hand, um especially coming off of October going into November into the holiday season. So again, thank you
009guys. >> If I may, Chairman. Ms. Carol, your phone number is on here. If it's all right, I'm going to give you a phone call and we can talk more about this opportunity if that's all right with you. Okay, thank you. >> Elizabeth Emery. >> Good evening, Chair Bill Mathias, board members, and Superintendent Carnegie. We hope you enjoyed your Juneteenth and Father's Day weekend. Jessica and I would like to express our appreciation for the opportunity to attend the Lake County School Summer Academy alongside hundreds of our colleagues from across the district. The message that all means all is powerful and meaningful. Last week we also had the opportunity to participate in our union summer leadership. We participated with locals from across the state and took 15 Lake County School educator members with us. They took
010part in a deep dive into their personal why, learning about the impacts of legislative changes, and exploring how to move public schools forward with guidance from field experts. As we continue collaborating to move Lake County public schools forward, we are excited about the start of collective bargaining and the conversations surrounding instructional compensation. We appreciate CFO Scott Ward and Chief Negotiator Guido Zamora for taking the time to present the budget so quickly after the state finalized the budget. LCA bargaining committee has been reviewing more than 500 survey responses to help provide um guide to the proposals and discussions at the table. We look forward to continuing productive conversations this Wednesday at LCA's office. We are excited to continue our training for the millage uh for safety, security, and salary referendum. Next Monday, June 29th from 9:00
011to 11:30 at the Clermont Performing Arts Center, there will be another opportunity for Lake County school employees and community partners to learn about this local effort. Lastly, we are offering several professional development opportunities this month and next including a combined 40-hour reading course and a 20-hour students with disabilities course. These courses are free and they can help meet certification requirements for educators. Educators can sign up and view the courses at lcea.org/pd. Thank you for your continued partnership in building the strong public schools Lake County schools deserves. >> Thanks so much. Farmer Banks. >> [clears throat] >> I am Farmer Banks Healthrick. I live in the Clay Road district. Farm tip of the day, it is watermelon harvesting season and here's a super cool hack on when to harvest watermelon. The vine that goes from the
012ground to the vine that goes to the actual watermelon, where they intersect, there will be a curlycue on the opposite side. That curlycue, when it turns brown, your watermelon is ripe to be picked. Madam Superintendent, board, um is America morally and ethically bankrupt? Do we find ourselves in a transactional society where everything is for self rather than for the communal good? There's an adage, you never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer. You can't take it with you. You ask any hospice nurse what the reoccurring theme on our deathbed is and you will hear I wish I would have spent more time with my family. I wish I would have worked less. I wish I was kinder and more compassionate. 10 college students were each given $10 each. 10 of them were told, I'm sorry,
01320 college students were given $10 each. 10 of them were told to go spend it on themselves. 10 of them were told to go spend it on someone else. Those who spent it on themselves came back and their happiness was flatlined. Did not change. Those who spent it on others, their happiness increased. Joy happens when we serve others. During World War II, Oskar Schindler, a factory owner in Austria, saved over 1,400 Jews. At the end of the war, the 1,400 survivors came and thanked him for saving their lives. Do you know what he did? He kicked his car. He broke down. And he said, "I don't need this car. I could have saved 20 more of you." I began with a question at the beginning and I'm going to end with a question. And that
014is, if we are not here to serve, why are we? I am Farmer Banks-Helfrich, candidate for State House District 25, and I am here to serve. May you all be blessed. Thank you for allowing me to speak. >> Moving to reports. Attorney report, Mr. Cole. >> No report. >> And there's no one in unfinished business. So, consent agenda, superintendent. >> I recommend approval of consent agenda items 8.01 to 10.02 and 10.04 to 10.14. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> By those Okay. Hold on. Now we're going to do two out of three? Okay. Separately now, 10.03. >> This item was held due to um a conflict for Dr. Luke and Mr. Dodds, so they'll be abstaining from this vote. So, at this time I recommend approval
015of item 10.03, the dual enrollment agreement with Lake Sumter State College. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Five vote. Okay. And now we're at 11. Who would like to discuss it? 11.01. >> Yes, sir. We have a uh at this time we're going to move into a public hearing for consideration of the tentative approval of policy 6330, acquisition of professional architectural, engineering, landscape architectural, or land surveying services. Uh 6340, modifications and alterations to school buildings. And 6345, change orders. At this time, if anyone would like to Excuse me, speak to that issue, uh now would be the time. Seeing no one, um the public hearing's closed. >> Superintendent, you have a recommendation? >> I recommend approval of 11.01, tentative approval of the policies as listed. >>
016So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Five vote. This time uh we're going to open a public hearing for final approval of the student progression plan for 2026 to 2027. Uh at this time, does anyone like to make a public comment on this plan? Seeing none, the hearing is closed. Superintendent, do you have a recommendation? >> I recommend final approval of the '26-'27 student progression plan. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Five vote. This time we'll open a public hearing for final approval of the code of student conduct and policy guide for 2026-2027. This time we'll open the public hearing for comment. Does anyone like to com- Would anyone like to comment on this item? Seeing none, the public hearing
017is closed. >> Superintendent? >> I recommend final of the 2026-2027 code of student conduct and policy guide. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I vote. >> This time we would like to open a public hearing for final approval of policy 2371 Hope Scholarships. Would anyone like to speak to this issue? See none, the public hearing is closed. >> Superintendent. >> Recommend final approval of the policy as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I vote. >> Now we're into superintendent reports. >> We had one letter of condolence that was sent to the family of Shirley Renee White. She was a gifted teacher in our ESE department. Also, wanted to make sure that the board and the public is aware that Neola
018is transitioning to a different platform other than BoardDocs. And so, um when you this will go live July the 8th, the current policy link will remain publicly accessible through the transition period. And when you click on where you would normally go to find BoardDocs, you'll be redirected at that point. And these two ladies on the end have been very intimately involved in the transition process, and if you have any questions, board, they can certainly assist you. We'll make sure that that link is very visible and accessible, so. You will no longer be going to BoardDocs. Okay? And then just um and as Anne Marie mentioned our summer leadership last week, but I too just want to extend my thanks to Mr. Feltner and his team for organizing and leading our our learning last week. It
019was incredible and very inspiring as we prepare for the year ahead, but also a good time of celebrating the accomplishments of this past year, so I wanted to say thank you. Also, thank you to Ollie Zachary in procurement. He hosted another vendor networking fair, which has become a a great annual event and a great way to get more uh local businesses involved in the work of the district to support our students. And also want to thank uh Mr. Zamora and his team. They hosted a successful trades and transportation hiring event last week. Uh they have a virtual hiring event for instructional positions planned for July 8th and a district-wide event coming up later this summer. So, lots happening during our busy summer time. So, um also I just want to say thank you to Leland.
020Um always exciting to to hear what's next and we're so excited that the community uh Lake Community Arts is bringing back the Leland Philharmonic. It was an incredible opportunity last year. So, excited to see that again this year. Just thank you for all you're doing. >> Okay, board member comments? >> Uh ditto per usual. Um had the opportunity to send some attend some real leadership in the morning sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday and Mr. Feltner and Dr. Feltner knocked it out of the park per usual. So, thank you for what you do and did during that event and excited for the next school year to get started. Um and also I believe this is the last meeting. So, I just want to extend another round of thank yous to Ms. Natalie Challenger for her years
021of service to the board. Um we are going to miss you tremendously. We know that Jess will do a wonderful job uh filling in your shoes. But, Natalie, thank you for all the years that you've given us in the district. You will be missed. >> I'd like to welcome Jessica and tell her that we're very happy to have you. We're looking forward to working with you. And Natalie, wow, I was trying to remember the other day when I first met you. I guess it's been a really long time, like decades. So, it has been a pleasure to work with you closely. I look forward to hearing about your great adventures, especially those with your grandchildren. So, happy retirement. >> All right. Well, I also had a chance to stop by summer leadership one of the
022mornings and absolutely amazing, absolutely incredible. Uh powerful message. Uh Elizabeth, I think you capsulated that perfectly. You know, and talking about the power of that message of all means all. I think it's a great motivation, a great inspiration for all of us as educators to kind of refresh and and going into the year, which almost made me feel like summer was over cuz we're here talking about this message, but really summer's just beginning. So, there's a whole whole chance to just kind of reflect on that all over the summer before the before we welcome our students back. Um also, thank you for your partnership, Ms. Terrio, because I had a a fifth grader last year who happened to go to the symphony and I happened to go at the same time and it was we
023had a chance to talk about it afterwards and he was so moved by the experience and so uh just to make that partnership available and to our students and and to expose them to um really high-quality arts experiences just absolutely amazing. So, I appreciate you and I appreciate the superintendent for supporting that partnership. It's been outstanding for this district. And uh speaking of outstanding for this district, Natalie, I never thought we'd see the day because I tell you uh these last uh I guess 12 years on the board have just been absolutely so smooth and and flawless and and you just make it look easy. And so, thank you for all all that work. It's been absolutely a great ride with you and wish you all the best and I know uh you're leaving us
024in great hands cuz I've seen I've seen kind of a glimpse of this transition, so I have no doubt um we'll just continue to feel uh you know, just a flawless smooth transition. So, thank you for all that. >> Yeah, I'm laughing because one of the one of the most important things for me as a board member with you, Natalie, has just been the ability to gently remind and nudge and I'm laughing cuz I had a little nudge from Jessica like, "Don't forget to send me your >> [laughter] >> emails." So, she's already She's already learning very quickly. So, we are excited, but thank you very much. I think Mr. Johnson 12 years it seems like it was yesterday and um seamlessly kept us organized and on track and we appreciate your service and I
025hope you get all the snuggles in the world from your amazing grandbabies and in your future endeavors. So, thank you. And Ms. Terrio, I'd love the opportunity to connect after the meeting with you as well. Okay. That's all I have. >> So, first, isn't it amazing when you have a great leader, the work you've done in bringing the groups together? Amazing. And so, we we look forward to continuing that partnership. And I know who is the the cheerleader on the side that's making it happen. So, thank you very much. So, now on 14 years ago, um I came on this board. And as a stone rookie, the gentle reminders was more than helpful. And Natalie always greeted us with a smile, a cup of coffee when you started the meeting, just thoughtful just moments that
026you have no idea how much it's appreciated. And for this board member who was an absolute stone rookie, you were always just so kind. And and I'm very grateful for that. And um so, as you move forward, I'll be chasing you in about 5 months. >> [laughter] >> But, Jessica, you have huge shoes to fill. I know you'll do amazing. And because Natalie Styles has leave us better than she found us. And I know that she's been very caring in making sure that you're set up for success. So, um with that said, this meeting's adjourned.