001Good evening everyone. Welcome to me turning on the microphone. Welcome to our February 9th 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. >> Superintendent Board, any changes, additions, or deletions? >> I do have um two. So, there were revisions and an attachment were added to item 8.06 06 today and we'll be pulling that item for separate consideration. An addendum was added today to item 9.02 and the board was provided copies of all of those items. >> Board members sir, >> superintendent approval of minutes. >> I
002recommend approval of the minutes from the special school board meeting public hearing on instructional materials January 26, 2026. The regular schoolboard meeting January 26, 2026 and the school board workshop February 2nd, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I vote. Okay. Public input. We'll start with Farmer Banks. Hellfrick, Clayo District, South Lake County. Farm tip of the day. Um the freeze a couple of weeks ago, week and a half ago. Um the best uh to do is leave everything the way it is. Give it a month. Um and most of the stuff will grow back. Uh and so don't kill it or don't trim it. Um chairman, uh madame superintendent, distinguished guests, um Heidi the pig farmer spent four years and thousands of dollars um attempting to get a
003conditional use permit from Lake County. Um, she had been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. She was also approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Services. Um, once I heard this story, I pulled her aside and I said, "Would you like me to help you?" She said, "Of course." First thing we did was get on a three-way phone call with um our county commissioner, Sean Parks. 17 minutes later, that led to a conversation that I had um a telephone conversation with a friend of mine who works within government. He's a lawyer and he works within land use. That led to um my friend and Heidi um talking um and then reaching out to Meg at the planning and zoning department here in Lake County. Uh Heidi then ended up taking a trip
004up to Tarveris right here. Uh spent the afternoon filling out a a permit, a conditional use permit, paid the fee. Um and in July of last year, uh she was presented in front of and put on the uh the agenda for the planning and zoning board of Lake County. She presented for about 15 minutes. There was opposition from some of her neighbors. Now granted, she lives in agriculture, the green swamp, 20 acres. Um there was support from people like myself and also her friends. Um and as a supporter of regenerative farming, of community farming, uh for three minutes I spoke in in favor. It was approved 4 to one. Uh from there it went to August uh of last year to the board of uh county commissioners. Again, she stood up and presented. There was
005slight opposition. I also turned around and uh spoke in favor uh and it was approved unanimously. She now has a conditional use permit. Um what I do is I help people navigate through government uh from federal to state to county to municipality. Uh this is what I do quite well. In fact, uh my mother always said uh use honey not vinegar. Uh and it has worked out quite well. Government does not have the answer for everything. However, government's sole purpose is to service its citizens. I am Farmer Banks Hellfrick. Thank you for allowing me to speak. um advocate for South Lake County, candidate for state house district 25. May you all be blessed. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Elizabeth Emory. >> Yes, you can come up if you want to go to that mic.
006>> You just wait. Okay. [laughter] >> Thank you, chair, board members, and superintendent Cornnegie. At last week's schoolboard workshop, Mr. Matias closed with a sentiment that I share. He said he was proud of this board, and so am I. It can be challenging to find solutions that simply make sense and aren't politically charged. Navigating today's highly polarized political landscape is delicate. The anti- labor message that was mandated to be sent today by the Florida Commissioner of Education is a great example of this. But I continue to be optimistic and hopeful because of the great leadership of this district and this board as well as the amazing citizens of Blake County. I'm incredibly proud to be both a graduate of Lake County Public Schools and an educator in this district. I am proud to represent the
007educators of Blake County and I'm proud to stand with you as you make this important vote today. I wore my sparkly sneakers in honor of this joyous moment and to show that I am ready to work. I'm ready to go doortodoor and make phone calls and do whatever it takes to support this effort. Jessica, I our board and the more than 1300 LCA members stand ready to support you and this work. I believe this board cares deeply for this district and our community. This vote shows your commitment to investing in the dedicated educators and employees who make student success possible. Thank you for your continued support of Lake County Schools, our employees, our students, and the entire Lake County community. >> Jessica, >> chair, board member, Superintendent Cornnegi. Thank you. We have been very hopeful
008about the future of Lake County Public Schools, especially after the thoughtful and productive school board workshop. Important concerns were raised about the spread of misinformation about our public schools. Unfortunately, state politicians are once again creating confusion and misplacing blame, which makes it harder for our community to come together and focus on what truly matters, supporting our students and the educators who serve them. This message currently being sent by the Florida Commissioner of Education distracts from the incredible work our educators do every day. When educators received that letter, many were upset and it neg negatively impacted their day. Our educators and community members understand that we have a strong collaborative partnership and at the end of the day we want all this. We will all want the same thing, a strong community and a good quality
009of life for all of Lake County residents. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with several of our legislators. Over the next two weeks, Elizabeth and I will each be taking a group of Lake County educators to Tallahassee so they can speak directly with lawmakers and share their lived experiences. I share this not as a not only as a 22-year Lake County educator, but also as a parent of a middle school student. What matters to me is strengthening our community for for my child and for every child we serve. I am proud to be part of Lake County Schools and I'm encouraged to see this board standing by educators with your actions. Thank you for standing with our educators, our staff, and our Lake County families. Noah Ortigga. >> I know what Hello. >>
010Hello. >> So, when I was playing with my friend, we were playing tag and Okay, I was playing with my friend and we were playing tag and I didn't The teacher say, "Mom, Mr. Stout, he I didn't hear him say I didn't hear him ring the bell." That means like line up. And he yelled at me, "Noah!" And he grabbed me by his shirt like this. and Leelu Schaefer threatened to burn down my house and kill my family, kill my friends, and kill me when I'm asleep. >> And thank you for hanging me. >> Thank you, Noah. >> And Mrs. Ortika, you can go next while you're there. >> Good afternoon. Um, I'm here to discuss the same issues that my my son just stated, and to discuss all of the other issues that I've
011seen on the news in regards to Arna, which was accused of abusing children with special needs. Um, Amanda Arnetta Baker that was caught uh smuggling drugs into the Orange County court system. Michael Cor Koneski who was found to have child porn in the school. Um the abuse of Kevin Finley who was dragged by a school administrator Dean. Um that was in the news. Um Debbie Hartto um that was another staff uh member here in Lake County that said uh uh racial slurs. And the most recent um incident that occurred was to Kylin Williams in Eustace Middle School where and the administrator was fired. And I have here that Miss Cornnegie said uh and found that it was immorality, misconduct in office and incompetency. But what I am here to discuss is who's taking accountability for
012all of these incidents that are occurring here in our school that are putting our children in direct um contact with these individuals with putting them in their um all of these uh motions of having to endure this type of treatment in Lake County schools. And I just don't see how none of these um people that have been found, none of them have any um charges. So if they're not being charged, then we want accountability as parents. And I'm not seeing any of that. Miss Diane Cornnegie over here claims with Miss Warner that's sitting over there that I in my stature that I'm 51, 128 pounds. I'm such a threat that she had the police accompany me and my mom and surveillance us while we're having lunch with our child. She also is responsible for not
013allowing me to go to my son's third grade graduation. And he's my only child. So, if you all here agree with her, then I'm going to ask for everyone that is going to be voting upcoming November to really understand the issues that we're having here. I also submitted some paperwork to have her removed or consider it for removal. And I desperately want some change here because this is unacceptable that all of these incidents happened so close to so close to each other. It's just unacceptable. It's embarrassing. It really is that nobody's taking accountability for any of it. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mrs. Ortigga. Is it Lety Ortigga? Betty Ortigo. particip Okay. Thank you, Pablo Alvarez. >> Hello. I'm uh Noah's grandfather and you know I just want to know that uh I to let
014it let them uh my daughter participate in uh in Noah's activities in the school. you uh she like she said she wasn't uh uh she she didn't couldn't go to the uh graduation. She could she can go to the to the school to pick him uh pick him up or have lunch with him. And uh what I want to and I also Noah is afraid to go to go to school. He he has autism and uh he says that the teachers uh um is uh yell at him a lot and he's afraid. He don't want to go to school and uh we need to that thing to be solved. Uh that that I had to say. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Reports Ed Foundation. Dr. Johnson. Good evening, superintendent,
015board chairman, and school board members. On January 29th, the education foundation hosted the celebration inspired by excellence at the Claremont Performing Arts Center. This event celebrated nearly 150 honores, including the school related employees, rookie teacher of the year, and teacher of the year. With more than 500 attendees at the event, we announced Trevor Misgates of Lake Technical College as the rookie teacher of the year and Michelle DC of Sarrento Elementary as the teacher of the year. The school related employee of the year, Kim Capstraw, also was represented and provided remarks at the event. A brief survey went out to the honores and principles and I am proud to share with y'all this evening that of those who responded 100% felt recognized and appreciated because of the event and the event made them feel positive about
016their contributions to the Lake County School District. Thank you for those of you that could be a part of the celebration and to our sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible. We're now looking ahead to a number of other programs this spring semester. Take stock and children will host a workshop for students this Thursday focused on business etiquette. Applications for the next cohort are due this coming Sunday, February 15th. And then juniors and seniors in the Taketock program will participate in campus tours of Lake Tech and Lake Sumpre State College on February 24th. The Education Foundation's scholarship deadline is March 1st and we're solidifying plans to host two New World Reading events at the beginning of March to align with the ReadAcross America week. The Scott Strong Memorial Scholarship Clay Shoot is scheduled for
017March 13th. Apple continues to be an important resource for our educators. Through February 4th, we've had visits from 660 teachers. This equates to $102,300 worth of school supplies going to our classrooms and students. On average, that's more than $4,000 worth of school supplies a week. Mascot continues to be our most visited location. And then finally, Lake County School's employee giving challenge through the employee giving campaign ended in December and we are recognizing the following schools and departments for their participation. The highest percentage of new donors goes to the college and career readiness department. And the highest percentage of participation goes to Lake Tech, Oak Park Middle, and Taris Elementary. We'll be hosting a coffee truck at each of those locations to celebrate their participation in the coming weeks. Are there any questions? >> Great work.
018>> Thank you. >> It was an amazing night. >> Okay, Mr. Cole, >> no report. Okay, superintendent. >> All right, so we are on consent agenda. So I uh recommend approval of consent agenda items 8.01 to 8.05 and 8.7 to 10.03. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Those in favor? >> I vote. >> Okay. >> So we're going to go back to item 8.06 um which needed separate considerations. I don't know if Mr. Cole if you'd like to speak to this item. >> Yes. This is uh regarding the u uh expected request for a 1m uh millillage on the ballot this year and uh it requires a resolution of the board in order to start that process with the county commission and so we have attached that resolution uh to the agenda
019and uh we are asking the board to approve that resolution. So, I'm hereby recommending approval of the attached resolution authorizing the 2026 Lake County 1 mill um new millillage proposal and ballot language. Mr. Chairman, >> hear a motion. >> So, moved. >> It's a hearty second. Everybody [snorts] moved in a second. [laughter] Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> 5. Excited about that one. >> [snorts] >> on discussion item. >> There is no discussion. This was the followup to our recent board workshop. So I'll just ask you to go ahead and make a motion and I will make a recommendation for approval materials recommendation. >> Motion 11.01. >> So move second. >> Second. All those in favor. >> Any opposed? goes 5. >> Okay, superintendent letters. >> Um, we had two
020letters of condolence that were sent since our last meeting. Um, first of all to the family of Francis Warren, retired teacher assistant at Beverly Shores Elementary. And also to Brian Lingerfeld. He's the husband of Diane Lingerfeld who passed away last week. And it's a tremendous loss for our district. Um, she was our legal records assistant in risk management. So, condolences to those families. And then just a few more highlights. It was literacy week. I know we were all out in schools having a chance to read. Great day of celebration, our week of celebration. Um and just want to thank the schools for the invitations and all that they do every day in their classrooms and across campuses to um reinforce and um inspire a love of reading. Also want to congratulate all the students that
021participated in the science and engineering fair last week. Um it was a great um celebration of the great talents of our students and their innovations and um all of the future problems of the world that they are ready to solve. So that was exciting. Um I also want to invite parents and students to take our annual stakeholder survey. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. We'll be going out um and we are closed in honor of President's Day on Monday the on President's Day which following Monday the n 19th I believe. All right, that's all I have tonight. Sir, >> just a couple tonight. I want to give a shout out to GO and his team with the bargaining unit and also to LCA and SEIU leadership on finally getting to tens of agreement on
022our compensation packages for 2526. Thank you for your efforts in a very challenging year um and working collaboratively to get those across the finish line. Um looking forward to more conversations ahead and hopefully some some better outcomes in the future. Certainly um optimistic that we can get this referendum across the finish line and get some more well-deserved funding um in the hands of our teachers and staff uh that make everything else happen. So, thank you all for your efforts there. Um and also want to give a huge shout out to uh Principal Wolf and Leburg Elementary. I know I saw Jessica there Saturday morning as well, but they did their first annual book bus um where they um got a bunch of books put together, rented a bus from the district and went to the
023neighborhoods um and told the parents and families they were coming and the kids were able to come pick out free books um and really talk literacy during that time. I know they were very successful that morning, so wanted to to congratulate them on those efforts. That's all I've got tonight. Thank you. >> It's always a good thing when people can come together and work toward a common goal. I am very excited to be a part of this new initiative and I believe we're going to be very successful. So, thank you very much for your support and hopefully we'll all be there when we've been successful. Uh I don't really have anything else. Oh, a little birdie told me that uh Dr. Luke is having a birthday. So, I'd like at this time to wish her
024a very happy birthday tomorrow. >> Happy birthday, Dr. Luke. >> Happy birthday, Mr. Well, there is no doubt when you hear three moves in a second that the board is very passionate and excited about something. And I'm excited to have such great partnerships with our our students, our staff, and everybody in the community, and all the stakeholders that I'm confident that people will come to step up and support the school district uh in this in our effort to seek out this one mill. It's certainly been um a very motivating couple of weeks uh to be able to go out and celebrate with staff. Um, I heard from while I was visiting uh to one of our schools and the the lady at the front desk said that she was uh she attended the event as
025a school related employee of the year this past week, the inspired by excellence and she said that she just couldn't she couldn't believe just how special she felt in that event that you know I I think our ed foundation was already top-notch in what you were doing but you you found a way to to elevate an even great thing and make it even better. So it was truly special night. So thank thank you to you Dr. Johnson, all your team that poured a lot into making that event happen because it was it was an incredible night of celebration. And then um like the others, I enjoyed celebrating student achievement success this week in the context of science fair, getting a chance to judge the elementary projects. I steered clear of the secondary this year because
026last year those kids blew me away and I didn't understand what they were talking about. Anyway, the elementary that was more more my speed and uh it was great. It was so much fun to do that. So, um, thank you CIA and your team for the invitation and for all the work that you, uh, do and putting that event on. I know it's certainly very meaningful for the kids. And then, uh, you know, the kids somehow, um, found a way to express, um, something very meaningful back to me, which I thought was what is the music? Is that is that like the end of the Oscar speech? Time to be done, [laughter] man. There's just so much good stuff going on in the district, right? So much to be proud about. this past week, you
027know, with with literacy week getting a chance to go out and and read in classrooms, I got a whole stack of some handdrawn cards that came back and uh anyway, it just brought brought such joy to see to see these these kids little um drawings and and thank you notes. And you know, that's not why we do it. We don't do it for the thanks, but uh but certainly that's the moment where you you look back and say, "Yeah, that was that was a lot of fun to do." So, thanks thanks kids for making the opportunity for us to go out and loop. Um, ditto. This is the worst chair to Well, that's the worst chair in this room, but we're excited for the partnership. Um, I also wanted to recognize the CIA. I got
028to do the middle school and high school science fair. There was a couple that we were like, we need some help, like a second set of eyes on this. So, it was very good. And I usually do elementary and I did middle and secondary or middle and high. So, but it's great work and it's a total team effort. It's always impressive how much those those ladies and gentlemen coordinate for the smooth running of that event. And and to your point about making something better, I feel like this year they implemented an hour before the students come for us to preview and that made it run even more smooth. So like you said, you don't think it's possible, but they find a way to do it better. Um I also want to recognize Aurelia Cole Academy
029and Sagress Bay. They hosted our students last Monday during our workshop. I didn't get to go and see the professional learning day in action, but they again open their doors to the students that are studying to become teachers um very shortly will be hopefully in Lake and Sumpre County schools and they let them do instructional rounds and they let them practice with kids, bring kids to the library and they get to many teach lessons with manipulatives and anyway it was a great day. Miss Latizia Hogerbrook um also came and and shared about um ELEL learners, English language learners, and um I know Amber Estro and Gary Locust and Emma Frasier and obviously Mr. Voyco, they're just huge partners and I just wanted to thank them. So that's all I have. >> Well, I got a
030quick one because some people had to leave really quick. But I do want to say this that some years ago it was Mark and Stephanie and I in an election year went out and campaigned for the 75 that would provide safety and security and mental health and it has saved lives. I will tell you that um we now after years 14 for me of trying to get fairness and funding for our schools have taken the made the commitment that we will do it. If they won't help us we will do it and I know that it's going to be successful and I look forward to being out there talking to the public with you guys and um and I think it's I think it's going to be great that again we take our own destiny
031and I am very very proud of this board. So with that said, it is good night.