001Good evening everyone. Welcome to our May 11th regular school board meeting. What a great crowd here tonight. But 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. Superintendent, do you have any changes, amendments, or deletions? We have a revised HR transaction list that was added this morning and the board has been provided a copy. Board members? No. So we're going to move right into the minutes. I recommend [clears throat] approval of the minutes from the regular school board meeting April 27th, 2026. Board members? So moved. Second. Any discussion? All those in
002favor? I. Any opposed? 4-0. Okay. Now we're into recognition and boy we've got some recognition tonight. The first one is 4.0 4.01. Lake Sumter State College education graduates and future teachers. This is amazing. And so this is going to be Superintendent Dr. Luke and Mr. Diodati. Oh, Mrs. Johnson. Dr. Johnson, sorry. Go right ahead. I'll use this to sit here. >> Good evening, everyone. The Education Foundation of Lake County is excited to be here today to recognize the inaugural class and graduates of Lake Sumter State College's Bachelor's in Elementary Education program. Of 23 graduates, 91% completed a paid internship experience and they completed the program with an overall 3.57 Lake Sumter State College GPA. The 23 graduated students impacted over 1,500 K through 12 students across Lake and Sumter counties. I'd also like to take
003a moment in addition to recognizing these students to also recognize the executive director of the program, Marni Kay, and the vice president of academic affairs at Lake Sumter State College, Karen Hogans. Today, the Education Foundation is specifically celebrating 19 students who were serving in Lake County schools through this program. Across 10 different schools, they spent their spring semester. In addition to their coursework, they immersed themselves in a full-time internship, Monday through Friday, where they took over full classroom responsibilities with the support of a supervising teacher on campus as well as a Lake Sumter State College internship coordinator. I know there's many of them in the room, so I also want to acknowledge them as well. During this experience, the students were responsible for everything from planning to grading, even working with families and collaborating with
004their colleagues. 100% of the student interns said the program improved their effectiveness as an educator. 81% said they feel better prepared to pursue their career in teaching as a result of the experience. And 100% said the mentorship mentorship they received from their supervising teacher was valuable to their development. This program aligns with core mission of the Education Foundation to connect the community with public education. And we are proud to support a program that attracts and retains quality educators. And so that is why today, in addition to a small gift from Lake County Schools and the Education Foundation, we're also covering the cost of the students' internship credit hours of $1,467 each. >> [applause] >> Surprise! As I call your name, um please join us at the front to receive your gift and your check. We'll
005take a group photo. Um make sure that y'all get recognized. Um and do a group photo outside as well. Okay. Robin Lambert, Heather Joyce, Felicia Lopez, all from Eustis Heights. >> [applause] >> Tara Donaldson of Umatilla Elementary School. >> [applause] >> Ashley Mercier of Triangle Elementary School. >> [applause] >> Alexandria Clark, Ellen Barrett, Olivia Freeman all of Treadway Elementary School. >> [applause] >> Caitlin Caldwell of Beverly Shores. >> [applause] >> Kyriana Montes of Fruitland Park as well as Jordan Williams. >> [applause] >> Alina Caban Perez, Kayla Reyes, Madison Alexander, Andrea Morales Moncado, Pine Ridge and Lake Point. >> [applause] >> Jacoby Scott, Abigail Goad, and Danny Parker, mascot. >> [applause] >> And last but not least, Jason Baker of Spring Creek. >> [applause] >> Dr. Luke Dr. Luke, when y'all finish, if they could come
006around and let the last two board members congratulate them. >> [applause] [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> I've had a chance to see some of these amazing now graduates in the classroom and what a tremendous impact they're already having on our students. So, we look forward to seeing the the many, many years of continued impact and service. So, proud of them. Superintendent, we're at 4.02. You're already there. And so, this is going to be the student advisory committee recognition. Thank you, Chairman. It's always a bittersweet event as I say goodbye and I cannot believe it has been a year that I've had the opportunity to work alongside these amazing students. Four years ago, we started the Superintendent Student Advisory Committee and every year is just such a pleasure to get to know these students, hear the student
007voice, see the impact that they're making as school leaders. And this group is unlike like all of them has is have become very special to me and so it's always hard to see them go but I know that they are headed on to just continue to do amazing things all headed to college and the workforce and I know they'll continue to have a tremendous impact in changing our world for a better place as they've already changed my life and for the better as well as I know the schools that they've impacted so I have just a token of appreciation it seems to be a theme tonight that our education foundation steps up every time we need something and so they provided a small token on my behalf to be able to give to these students.
008Just to wish you all well and you're all behind me but I need to speak into the mic. Let you know how much I'm going to miss you but I'm still here if you all need anything please don't hesitate to reach out to me and tonight we also have the opportunity as they come up they're going to um introduce their school representatives that will be taking their place on the committee for next year. Some of the schools have not conducted their student elections yet so they don't have their representatives so you'll look forward to meeting them in the new year but those that are here tonight are going to go ahead and introduce their um student body presidents, vice presidents or other leaders that have come with them tonight. So we're going to start with
009our two representatives from Mount Dora High School, Joshua Brown and Peyton Taylor. If they'll come up and they're going to do they don't have their representatives with them but they'll we'll look forward to seeing them in August and I just want to thank you both Thank you. >> [applause] >> We'll take a group photo as well. Representing Lake Minneola High School was Carolyn Cute and Catherine Mizell. >> [applause] >> From Eastridge High School is Jasmine Gaines. >> [applause] >> From Eustis High, Anna Orr. >> From South Lake High is Victoria Outler. >> [applause] >> And from Tavares High School we have Keyshawn Rimjet. >> [applause] >> From Leesburg High is Sophia Ross. >> [applause] >> And from Umatilla High is Emily Snow. >> [applause] >> So they're going to come as soon as we take
010a photo, right? >> [applause] >> All right, now we're going to go in reverse order. If you'll just stop by and introduce the students that are here with you tonight, if you have some with you, and if not, again, we'll look forward to seeing them in August. Wish you all the best. It has been my pleasure. So thank you for your service and being on this committee and being so incredibly dedicated. Also want to acknowledge acknowledge Mr. Feltner. He's been working alongside me with this group and he's been a been a a great person to bounce some ideas off of with our students. So want to thank him as well. All right, we're going to You're up. Hello. My name is Emily Snow. I am the vice president of the student body and the senior
011class at Umatilla High School. It is my pleasure to introduce our um and student body president. Um Preston Finn. Does he come out? Yes, Preston Finn. And I would also like to recognize our vice president um who is unable to make it, uh Landon Webber. You will meet him in the new year. I'm Sophia Ross. I'm the student body president at Leesburg High School. And with me I have next year's student body president Ava Barnes. >> [applause] >> Hello, I'm Keshawn from Tavares High School. I'm the SGA president. And today I have my replacement Lena Bracciale, our SGA president, and Madison Stesney, our senior president. >> [applause] >> Hello, I am Anna Orr. I'm from Eustis High School and I'm the a executive student body president. Um today with me I have our executive president
012Caleb Baxley and our vice president Noah Connor. >> [applause] >> Hello, my name is Jasmine Gaines and I served as the student body president for East Ridge High School alongside the senior at body president for East Ridge as well. Neither our president or vice president can make it, but our upcoming president is Isis Small and our vice president is Daniel Griffin. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Catherine Weisel. I'm the current student government pres- or I guess former student government president of Lake Minneola. And this is Carolyn Q, our vice president. And with us today is our next senior class president, which is Joshua Nowinski. And then our student government president Aleah Green will also be representing, but could unfortunately not make it tonight. >> [applause] >> Hi everyone. My name is Peyton
013Taylor. I am the student body and class vice president at Mount Dora High School and our elections aren't over yet. So, more results are to come. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, good evening chair, Bill Mathias, board members, Superintendent Courtney Guy. On behalf of the Lake County Education Association, it is my honor to introduce LCA secretary and board member Elizabeth Liz Slaughter, who will represent or will present the Cynthia Schumacher scholarship. Each year, LCA awards a scholarship established by Cynthia Schumacher, a long-time advocate, Lake County school educator, and LCA leader to recognize Lake County graduates. The scholarship is available to graduating seniors who are the children or grandchildren of our amazing LCA educators. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, school improvement, community service, and intended majors that support public education. Liz Slaughter, who's presenting
014the award tonight, is a veteran Lake County school educator. She has taught primary and secondary. She currently serves as a literacy coach at Mount Dora High School, and she has served on the LCA scholarship committee for many years. We are excited to have her continue this amazing tradition. So, Liz. On behalf of Lake County's Education Association, it's my true pleasure to present the Cynthia Schumacher maker uh scholarship to six outstanding seniors. The first one, Land Baltonis, is from Leesburg High School. He's planning to attend Santa Fe College and then transferring to the University of Florida. Majoring in accounting, member of the National Honor Society Beta Club, and is an AICE um diploma recipient. Um has been on the soccer, swim, tennis varsity teams, is an Eagle Scout, lifeguard, just to name a few of the
015honors and talents. >> [applause] >> Secondly, Domi Lelo Lela Dosumu from Lake Minneola High School, is attending the University of Florida, majoring in engineering, is a member of the National Honor Society, Aviation Club, AVID, is a travel basketball coach and manager of the girls and boys basketball team, has always had a fascination with motorsports and Formula 1. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of innovating engineering minds that construct the fastest motor vehicles on the grid. The dream is to be able to join the Gator Motorsports team in Formula SAE E to be part of this magic. >> [applause] >> Alexis Peresi from Lake Minneola High School, is attending the University of Florida, majoring in health science and pre-med, is varsity competition captain, SGA varsity club social media chair, HSCA mentor, and a South Lake Hospital volunteer.
016The goal is to become an anesthesiologist to make an impact on the healthcare field. >> [applause] >> Caleb Paul from Lake Minneola High School, plans on attending Daytona State College majoring in culinary management. Member of the Key Club, e-sports, and is passionate about culinary arts. His passion for culinary arts grew through the curiosity of working in the kitchen and through his family. >> [applause] >> Jamar Robinson from East Ridge High School plans to attend the University of Central Florida pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering. Certified in Aero Deck and innovator is a member of the Lake Steel Orchestra and has been recognized by the National College Board program. His goal is to become a commercial pilot for Delta. >> [applause] >> And last but not least, not able to be here um because of a
017former commitment, is Spencer Shadi Shadirier from Mount Dora High School, will be attending Florida State and pursuing a degree in biochem. An active member of the JROTC part of the National Honor Society and swim team. Is planning to simultaneously participate in the Air Force ROTC to become an officer in the Air Force while pursuing his goal in becoming a dentist. >> [applause] >> This scholarship honors Lake County seniors continuing their education and strong families of our LCA members. Congratulations to you all. We are very proud of you and all of your accomplishments and we are excited to be able to support your next chapter. Thank you. After photographs, could you guys come around? Like this way. This way. Come around. Yes. Stay away from the spirit. Okay. Now then, 4.04 Mr. Rob Feltner with the
018superintendent's reading challenge. Mr. Feltner. I'm stepping in. Oh, miss Oh, Dr. Feltner. >> [laughter] >> So, it is with great pleasure um that I get to talk about the superintendent's reading challenge for the 25-26 school year. It was a tremendous success with 32 schools across the district participating and inspiring a love of reading in students of all ages. Here are some statistics. Together 12 20 elementary schools engaged in 11,893 readers. Three K-8 schools included 3,369 readers. Five middle schools inspired 1,892 readers, and four high schools saw participation from 3,799 readers. In total, 20,953 students read an incredible 396,766 books this year. I'm going to pause for applause there. >> [applause] >> So, tonight we'd like to proudly celebrate the schools that met the Superintendent's Reading Challenge and commend their students, teachers, staff, and families for
019their dedication to literacy and lifelong learning. I'd also like to turn it over to Sherry Smith, who is our current K-5 ELA Program Specialist. And just a little side note, this is her last Superintendent's Reading Challenge presentation after 33 years serving in Lake County Schools. >> [applause] >> Good evening. We will get started with elementary schools first. Just a little um housekeeping. We'll do elementary, the K-8 schools that um they all got um elementary and middle, so they'll be the next, and then middle school, and then high school. So, let's get started. Astatula Elementary. Beverly Shores Elementary. Cypress Ridge Elementary. Eustis Elementary. >> [applause] >> Eustis Elementary Fruitland Park ELEMENTARY GRASSY LAKE ELEMENTARY >> [applause] >> Groveland Elementary Leesburg Elementary Moss Lake Elementary Pine Ridge Elementary Rhymes Early Learning Center Pal Grass Bay Elementary Seminole
020Springs Elementary >> [applause] >> Sorento Elementary Tavares Elementary >> [applause] >> Treadway Elementary Triangle Elementary Umatilla Elementary >> [applause] >> The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake Congratulations Elementary Schools. >> We're going to take your picture now. We have So, we will follow You can all say congratulations. Congratulations. Yeah, love y'all. You're amazing. >> [applause] >> Okay. Um We'll go ahead with the K8s and the middle school. Aurelia M. Cole Academy. Lake Point Academy. Minneola Horizons Academy. Mount Dora Middle. Oak Park Middle. And >> [applause] >> Go ahead and do the high schools. Yeah, that's right. And our high schools, East Ridge High School. Leesburg High School. And Mount Dora High School. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Okay, we're at 5.0 which is public input. We'll start with Elizabeth Emery, LCEA. Good evening, Chair Bill Mathias,
021board member Superintendent Cornegie. We hope you had a restful weekend. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the student progression plan committee. We appreciate the committee, district leadership, and school board for listening to educator concerns and revising the redo language. The conversations during the committee and board workshop showed how important continued collaboration is for clear understanding and effective implementation of these policies. Monday's referendum training was well attended and we received encouraging feedback. We look forward to continuing this work and have already reached out to district leadership to schedule MOU conversations. Last week, LCA celebrated our dedicated members and retirees at our end-of-year meeting and banquet. Nearly 70 members, leaders, and guests joined us as we recognized a year of hard work, advocacy, hard work, and advocacy. Congratulations to our award recipients. The worksite activist
022award winners, Rob Lerner from Lake Hill School. Rookie rep of the year award was Candace Whitford from UCES High School Elementary. Activist commitment award was Christine Palmer from Minneola Horizon Academy. Vice president's award was Samira Russell from Beverly Shores Elementary. And the president's award was Coral Hanson from Eastridge High. As students finish assessments and prepare for graduation, we hope the end of May brings joy and good news for everyone. Including positive outcomes from the Florida legislative special session beginning tomorrow. We remain hopeful for a meaningful movement on the education budget so that Lake County school educators can see more than a $400 annual salary increase for the 2026-27 school year. A strong education system depends on three things. Student success, investment in public schools, and recruiting and retaining excellent educators. Thank you for your continued
023partnership in building the strong education system Lake County deserves. Thank you. Banks Hilferty. Farmer Banks Hilferty, Clera District. Uh farm tip of the day. Um it's time to put your summer crops into the ground. Uh there is an overlap between spring and summer. However, no worries. Uh some of the things you can put into the ground are watermelons, um black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, uh peanuts, and also, believe it or not, loofahs. Those exfoliating scrubbies. You can actually grow them in Florida. Time to go to the villages. Yeah. The these are the organic ones. And um believe it or not, you can actually eat a of of a loofah when they're green. They um taste like a cucumber. Um Madam Superintendent, um Chair, um There is a farm in North Clermont, up near the Lakeridge Winery.
024Um it is 7 acres and 15 different gardens. It has three farmers that work the farm, and these three farmers participate in what's called crop share. Uh the yield is um, uh, given to each one of them and the extra yield is actually given away. Once a month this farm, um, opens a farm tour. Uh, this is a about a 90-minute to an hour and a half in length. It is a taste whatever's in season is picked and eaten right then and there. It is an organic, and uh, farm which means that there are no pesticides or herbicides at all on, uh, the the food. It is a, uh, teach. Uh, the object of this farm is to teach people how to grow their own groceries because when you grow your own groceries, um, believe
025it or not, um, you don't have to pay so much in the grocery store. And it is a takeaway where trees and plants and seeds are given away to those who attend. Uh, this farm has over 15 different gardens from a food forest to an 88, um, uh, fruit-bearing tree orchard to, uh, a vineyard of 15 plants which give about 40 to 60 lb of grapes per year. It is also, uh, has a raised bed garden, uh, uh, uh, two shade gardens, a pineapple patch, a blackberry patch, wild blackberry patch, um, and it is there for the community. The ownership of this farm is actually the head farmer. Um, he does not own it. His children and grandchildren actually own it and it is aptly called the named the Giving Farm. I am Farmer Banks
026Helfrich, advocate for South Lake County, candidate for State House District 25. Also, I reside on this farm. May you all be blessed. Thank you for allowing me to speak. Thank you. Mr. Dan Lackey. My name is Dan Lackey. I'm a school bus driver for Lake County. This is the third year I've been in here. I can't seem to get any budge on the referral problem we have with as a bus driver. I asked the assistant principal at Umatilla Elementary, what would they do if a child got into a fight on my bus? What kind of penalty? His words were, if it was a minor altercation, it would be 1 to 2 weeks. If it was a major, it would be kicked off the school for the school year, off the bus. And I asked him
027why, and he says, because they're a danger to the other kids. What I don't understand with Lake County is why they assume that danger, but do not assume a danger of children getting referrals on a school bus for distracting the school bus driver, whether it be standing up, would it be coming unbuckled and going over the back of the seat, would it be for throwing things? I have one child this year that I thought would never break the record I had the last 2 years. I had 16 referrals 2 years ago on two girls, two sisters. Same two sisters last year had 18. This young man, by himself, has had 15 referrals. What's his penalty? So far they've given him 1 day off. About the third or fourth, another day off about his eighth or
028ninth, and another day off. Actually, they gave him 2 days off, but he showed up at the bus stop on the second one, so I can't not pick him up. I have to pick him up, so technically it was just a 1-day suspension. I just don't understand how they leave the decision for referral penalties to an administration that gets graded on their attendance. I just don't get it. I was told one time last year from that AP, he had two referrals cuz the referrals got backed up on these two girls last year and he handed me the referrals and his words were, "We can't continue to do this. This is a waste of time." I agree. Make the penalty enough to satisfy that the parents get these kids in line because obviously the penalties you
029have for your schools is not enough. When the principal and assistant principal are basing it on, "Well, we have to get him to school." Well, these parents, both those two girls and this young man, have had their parents take them to the bus stop, pick them up at the bus stop morning and afternoon in a vehicle. It can't be they can't get there if they don't have a school bus. I would appreciate if Lake County would revise that system. Thank you. Okay, reports 6.01 Education Foundation, Dr. Johnson. Good evening, superintendent, board chair chairman, and school board members. As I think we can all tell this year is wrapping up with much to be proud of. The Ladies for Education Golf Tournament was held on April 17th and surpassed our fundraising goal by bringing in more
030than $30,000. The attendees also had the opportunity to hear from the Linda Colemire Scholarship recipient, Ryan Thompson of Leesburg High School. On April 28th, we held the volunteer celebration which recognized a number of honorees. The 2026 Lake County School District Volunteers of the Year including Nelaya Wesley of Tavares High School with the Youth Award, Megan Hunt of Groveland Elementary with the Adult Award, and Esther Hoglan of Eustis Heights Elementary with the Senior Award. This year's Take Stock in Children Mentors of the Year included Mary Ann Cross and Jim Miller. The Education Foundation also recognized Dance It Studio as the 2026 Business Partner of the Year. Kevin Stone received the Scott A. Strong Volunteer of the Year Award for nearly a decade of dedicated service as the Foundation's Volunteer Board Attorney, and Lauren Vasquez was recognized
031as the Board Member of the Year. We also held the Lasting Legacy Celebration in partnership with the district's employee relations team and communications team, where we recognized the district's retirees as well as three Alumni Hall of Fame inductees. And also on April 29th, we celebrated at the Scholars and Supporters Breakfast, which recognized 53 Education Foundation scholarship recipients and 29 Take Stock in Children graduates. The value of these scholarships surpassed $250,000, and with that graduation also comes the opportunity to welcome new students. And so, Take Stock in Children will welcome 60 new students for the 2026-27 cohort. It is the last week of Apple Mart for the school year, and so through May 6th, 925 teachers have utilized the resource, which equates to more than $140,000 in school supplies going to our classrooms and students. And
032this summer will include our school supply drive as well as preparing for our 20th anniversary of Stepping Out for Education. We are sold out for the Saturday night event on August 1st with limited tables and seats available for Friday's show. Are there any questions? Great. Thank you. >> Amazing. I don't know if you saw it, but when you made the announcement about these interns receiving the reimbursement back for their their their internship credits. Holy cow, you see how many jaws just dropped and the gasps I heard it. I was glad to hear that. There were tears. >> It was it was it was an incredible sight. I I I I was really thankful for that vantage point. So, thank you. Thank you for that. Well done. Okay, 6.02. Mr. Cole. No report. Uh before we
033move on, we've got two items that are on the consent agenda that I would like for Mr. Cole to address, which is if you could just speak to the evaluation on the superintendent and then also uh 8.05. Okay. On the evaluation, the uh it's broken down in two parts. Part one, which had a possible 375 points, the superintendent scored 370 out of 375. And on part two, which is done as an average with 2.0 being a perfect average, she scored a 2.0. Very good. And that brings us to what we're going to be to the reason part of the reason why we're doing 8.05. So, which is going to be extending the superintendent's contract for 1 year. So, superintendent, thank you very much. Okay, moving to the consent agenda. Superintendent. I recommend approval of consent
034agenda items 8.01 to 10.03. So moved. Okay. Okay. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. >> I. 4-0. Okay. That takes us into discussion. Yes, sir. Uh first thing we have is we're going to move into a public hearing. So, at this time I open a public hearing for tentative approval of policy 2371 HOPE Scholarships. At this time, is there anyone in the public who would like to speak to this uh policy? I don't seeing none, the uh public hearing is closed. Superintendent, you have a recommendation? I recommend tentative approval of the policy as presented. So moved. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. 4-0. All right, the next is 11.02. At this time, we'll open a public hearing for tentative approval of the student progression plan for 2026-2027. Is there anyone who would
035like to speak to this issue? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing. Superintendent? I recommend tentative approval of the student progression plan for 2026-2027. So moved. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. 4-0. Next, we have uh item 11.03. Again, we will open a public hearing for tentative [clears throat] approval of the code of student conduct and policy guide for 2026-2027. At this time, would anyone like to speak to that issue? Seeing none, the public hearing is closed. Superintendent? I recommend tentative approval of the code of student conduct and policy guide for 2026-2027. So moved. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. 4-0. Okay. Superintendent report. Well, unfortunately, we have a lot of letters of condolence that were sent since our last meeting, so I'd like to recognize those. First of all, to
036the family of Eleanor Martin, she's a bus monitor in transportation. Denise or I'm sorry, Dennis Heller, father of Jeffrey Heller, front office clerk at Windy Hill Middle School and father-in-law of Erica Heller, media specialist at Windy Hill Middle School. Tory Brunold, former intensive reading teacher at Eustis High School and mother of Matthew Brunold, teacher at Eustis High School. Holly Brown, former teacher at Eustis High School. Spencer Blackman, brother of Dr. Vanessa King, principal at Treadway Elementary, and Valerie Thompson, language arts teacher at Lake Success Elementary. And Barbara Metz, condolences were sent to her family. She's a retired teacher. And also to the family of Karen Levy, who is the mother-in-law to Kyle Braswell, principal at Mount Dora High School. So, condolences to those families. So, we started this meeting with a lot of recognition and
037celebrations. So, I have a few more for you tonight. First of all, I want to congratulate Ms. Rashonda Scott of East Ridge High School. She's been named the 2026 Florida Assistant Principal of the Year. We're very excited for this news and look forward to her recognition coming up at a state luncheon that will be happening in June. I also want to congratulate the Nerds of Prey. Now, that's a great title. The Nerds of Prey Robotics team from Lake Minneola High, they were recently named the 2026 Robotics World Champions at the world competition in Houston, Texas. Some of these students have been working with robotics since elementary school. And we are so proud of these students and their coach, Mr. Bartholomew Nash, and special thanks to Principal William Roberts for all their support and encouragement. Graduations
038uh ceremonies are starting, and we have the first high school graduating on Friday night. That's Lake Minneola. Um I know you all have all of those on your calendars, but I just want to wish congratulations and best wishes to the class of 2026. Also want to thank the board for all of your your feedback and comments through my evaluation cycle this year. I always enjoy spending time with each of you and and gathering that feedback and just thinking about what's next. Um as we think about what's next, um first of all, thank you for the contract extension. This, as you all are very much aware, this will be my last contract extension. However, um we do know that testing is well underway, and our data is trending up. So, I'm very, very hopeful as we
039hit math over the next 2 days that we'll we'll see continued progress from our students in our schools. I look forward to sharing those results and just finishing strong. So, just want to thank you. Um lastly, just a reminder that Memorial Day is coming and we're closed on Monday, May 28th. And the last day of classes is Friday, May 29th. So, this is our last board meeting before our students leave us for the summer. So. Okay. Thank you, Superintendent. Board member comments? Good evening. Um it's a special time of the year again where we have lots of people come and we get to give lots of congratulatory remarks. Um I'd like to congratulate all the different participants tonight. All their hard work. Um I'd like to offer a special congratulations to Dr. Luke and Mr.
040um Dodd. Uh it is really nice to see them take the lead along with the Education Foundation and Dr. Johnson and to see the bright, shiny faces who are starting out their journey in education. That's a wonderful thing. I'd like to offer a special congratulations to Bart Nash, the uh robotics coach at Eastridge. Uh I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Nash. Um he was the robotics coach at Carver Middle for a number of years. And he has attended the world event before, but he's never been able to bring home the first place trophy. So, I am very, very pleased and very happy that he's been able to do that. I know that's been long time been a long time gold of his. Um with that said, I look forward to seeing all of
041you at the different graduations. Thank you. All right. Well, this was um this was really certainly a fun week for for science and and the really the whole STEM world because this week we had a chance to also go visit really a cool academy where the students had connected with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station and it's been their questions. And what was really exciting about this event well, one, the student engagement was already pretty exciting, but also what a big deal the school made about the event that really they they did it up and and got the students so excited and you know, had this whole presentation prepared in the auditorium and it was it was just so so exciting to to hear these questions the kids had asked the astronaut and and
042to see him answer it and see, my favorite part though was that, you know, as the astronaut's answering the questions, he could just let go of the microphone and it would it would it would just stay there for a moment before it would float away, you know, and he didn't you know, he could talk with his hands, so anyway, it's pretty cool pretty cool to watch that. Uh also pretty cool to watch the the Lake Minneola High Robotics team. I tuned in live to watch that moment and it was it was so thrilling and exciting to just see that see that that victory for them. It was pretty exciting. One of the big reasons I tuned in not only because they are of course Lake County and and Lake Minneola High School, but one of
043the members of that team, his younger brother happens to be a member of the Cypress Ridge Alpha bots, the robotics team there, who by the way went to St. Louis and in for their world competition brought home the Think Award. So, it was pretty exciting to see Cypress Ridge come home with a world award, too. Certainly that must maybe run in the family, so big big excitement to them. But but embedded in all this, I really want to give a shout out to Virginia Showalter. I know that she is retiring this year and she has uh just helped that program grow tremendously over the the last number of years that she has coordinated those efforts and um I I I don't know what she's going to do with all her spare time, but she's probably
044going to have a lot of it on her hands after >> [laughter] >> after after how much work she has poured into that program. You know, it's uh certainly we have a team of so many dedicated educators educators that go well beyond their contract hours and and it is not lost on me to see the work that she has done, so many thanks to her. Right. Um I have a couple of things. I wanted to obviously thank everyone for the recognition this evening of our graduating teachers. Um many of them, one of them is actually on the appointment agenda item tonight for Treadway Elementary School as a teacher. So, obviously it's a it's a love it's a work of of love and a work of passion, but it wouldn't be accomplished without the partnership that
045Lake County Schools just continues to provide. And tonight's recognition Education Foundation that has been supporting our interns for the last several years is just a testament to the investment that we have in in growing that teacher education pool and and investing in our future employees. And so, I wanted to thank everybody that has been a part of that. It has been a a joy to to be able to be in that process. And tonight I hope, I know we had the advantage of looking. Just so you guys know, the students were aware that they were receiving their tuition reimbursement. It was something we decided to keep as a secret. And so, we encouraged them to attend tonight so that we could celebrate them. We told them that we had some gifts for them from the
046district and from the Education Foundation, but when she read off the amount of money, there were tears in the back row and like genuine like Oh my gosh, I've gotten three text messages tonight. I love you. Thank you so much. So, I know it's not me. So, I want to tell you all that they are really feeling received and appreciated and like a part of this family already, which is the point of the program and the embeddedness of it the nature of the work. So, thank you all very much. Um the second thing I wanted to um mention is that last week Lake Sumter State College celebrated four graduations. It was our biggest graduation ceremony ever. Um and dual enrollment students are some of the coolest students. So, we have so many students in this
047district that have already graduated with their AA degree from college. And it's just a reminder of how many opportunities that provides for students that might not otherwise be able to afford it or have an opportunity to go somewhere. And so, it's really cool to be on the front lines and see them. They're all represented with their cords that show dual enrollment. And a couple of nights before graduation, I got to be involved in a ceremony where we just recognized dual enrollment students. And they all wear their high school cap and gowns, and so the room is full of like orange and blue and white and green and like it was so cool to see our students and to be able to be a part of that in that way and represent us in in a
048different way that I've been used to. So, it was really cool. I've heard great things about testing so far. Um so, I know that the scores look great, and I just want to say thank you again. I know it's Teacher Appreciation Week last week, and all of the work is really starting to All of the work from the year is starting to come to fruition, and so that's amazing. Um I was really excited about the approval of the Eustis High School addition. Got some opportunities do some media with Sherry last week, and we are excited as a community to see that come to fruition. I can tell you as a mama with two babies going through that. You know, Mrs. Cunningham, you've experienced it to have them on one campus is going to be an
049amazing thing. And so, thank you all for approving that tonight, and that's all I have. Thank you. That was a lot. So, mine's going to be pretty short, but I have to tell you that sitting back here and and watching this legacy moment for you, Dr. Luke, and with you working with Dr. Luke, Mark. Um this was her vision that we would grow our own teachers, and to see that graduating class and to see the excitement on their faces sitting from here looking out and their appreciation for what Dr. Johnson, your the Education Foundation did is it just warms the heart, I will tell you. And and I know that they're going to continue to be successful and we'll continue to grow our own. And when everybody else is looking for teachers yeah, we got
050ours covered. Like Farmer Banks, we're going to just grow our own. >> [laughter] >> In the winter we plant them, and then you process them in the spring. For just a minute, the the NOPs, Nerds of Prey I had the opportunity uh with Congressman Webster to go in and visit with those young men and I think maybe one woman. Um a year or so ago. And they were speaking about needing some money so my company donated some cash to them and I went I was invited to go out when they were kicking off their national competition. And there is an excitement and a spirit across this country because they were all tied in at the same time to kick off this whatever they were doing. I sell pots and pans for a living. I got
051no clue. But but then to see them win the world championship oh my gosh, I can't wait to to visit with them and and celebrate for half a second before graduation. And then last is the graduation and the first one for me is this Friday. And I have to tell you that in my 14 years on the board the thing I look forward to the most was graduation. And it was shaking these young men and their and young women as they are going off in all different directions but that we played I played some part we played some part in that foundation and improvement on that experience for them. And so this will be my last and and it's somewhat surreal to tell you the truth. And I noticed each year for some reason they
052seem to be getting smarter. I don't know. >> [laughter] >> And younger. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and dumber but anyway. So that's all I have and I think that we're all finished for the evening so meeting adjourned.