001Good evening. It is Monday, November 10th, 2025. I'd like to call this regular school board meeting to order. Please stand for a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. >> Thank you. 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. >> Well, good evening superintendent, fellow board members, staff, the community. Thank you for being here with us this evening. Um, moving on to item two. Um, board, do we have any changes, amendments, additions, or deletions to the agenda this evening? >> No. Superintendent. Any changes? >> All right. Hearing none, we'll move forward with the agenda as presented. Um, moving on to item three, approval of the minutes. Superintendent, do you have
002a recommendation? >> I recommend approval of the minutes from the regular school board meeting October 27th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Got a motion by Mr. Matias, second by Mrs. Cunningham. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Passes 50. >> Um, representation. We have no items this evening, so moving on to public input. I do have some cards. Um, first up is Miss Jessica Siki from LCA. >> Yeah, since Elizabeth's not able to join us this evening, um, Jessica asked for an extra minute. So, >> thank you. >> No problem. >> Good evening, board members, superintendent, and community. Valerie, LCA's office manager, and I had the privilege of volunteering this past Friday at the education day during the Renaissance Fair. It was such a joy to see our students, educators, and families have
003a wonderful time. The Lake County Educational Foundation does so much for our schools, and the LCA has a long history of supporting their work. Events like this strengthen our community and directly support our students and classrooms. Before I continue, I want to share a message from our LCA president, Elizabeth Emory, who is unable to be here tonight as she recovers from a life-changing event. On Sunday, October 26, my husband and I were involved in a serious car accident. We are both still recovering, but the outgoing of kindness and support from this community has lifted our spirits and reminded us of its strength. I want to thank the superintendent, district leadership, and human resources for their compassion and my union family, fellow educators, and FA staff for their incredible support. This experience has reminded me of
004what truly matters. Our health, our well-being, and the people who sustain us. Everyone deserves that same care and stability. And that can only happen when we invest in the people and institutions that hold our community together. Strong public schools are the foundation of a thriving community. They not only educate our children, they nurture the people who go on to serve and strengthen our community. While at the hospital, I was cared for by a former Leburg High School student who is now a nurse. That moment reminded me how our investment in students today becomes our community's well-being tomorrow. I urge you to remember that investing on our educators is not only right, it's an investment in our collective future. With a nearly 15% fund balance, now is the time to direct resources to get toward our
005sorry toward our employees so they can continue the extraordinary work they do every day. Elizabeth's work speaks directly to the heart of what our educators and schools need. As she said, strong public schools build strong communities. But to keep them strong, we must stand together and fully fund education. With the rising costs of food, utilities, and insurance, our employees, both instructional and non-instructional, are struggling to make ends meet. Florida statute 1011.051 requires a minimum fund balance of 3% and Lake County schoolboard policy requires 4%. Our district is well above that. So tonight, I ask, is there money within these reserves that can be used to help attract and retain our incredible educators? Currently, district funds should serve our current students and support the people who make our schools run. When employees have financial stability, they
006spend locally, strengthening small businesses, supporting families, and uplifting Lake County. And just as importantly, investing in our employees encourage them to stay with Lake County Schools. When LCS employees feel valued and fairly compensated, they build lasting careers here and become the mentors in high impact veterans who shape generations of in of students. So tonight, I echo Elizabeth's call. Let's show our educators that they matter, not with words, but with meaningful action. Because when we invest in our educators, we invest in our students, our families, and our entire Lake County community. Thank you. Thank you, Jessica. Next up is Miss Bobby Blau. >> Three minutes. Yes. >> Hi. Um, thank you, um, superintendent and board for this opportunity to speak to you. Um, I want to talk about the value of educators. I'm going to try
007it without notes and see how I do. Um, so, uh, educa, being a teacher is one of the few jobs that the day you walk in, you're expected to be 100% competent at what you do. Um, it's a is a difficult task um, for a veteran. It's a really difficult task for somebody who's brand new. And, um, you have to have a bachelor's degree. And Florida has allowed us now to have people come in with um with a probationary or temporary uh certificate so that they can learn on the job, which I think is is fabulous. But uh with that bachelor's degree, we h we come in here having spent lots of money on our education. And when I came here, uh I was kind of surprised at how much teachers were paid. And so
008what I started thinking about was what does $400 in performance pay look like for me? And so um if I take it for my 10 months of working as a teacher, it's $40 a month. I think I can go to McDonald's with my family for that. Um but then I thought, what is it? If I um look at my 196 day contract, then that would be about $2. It's actually $24, but they're not making pennies anymore. So, I didn't bring the poor pennies, but the reality is is that teachers are feeding their families 365 days a year, that's a dollar. And if I add up the pennies and 10 cents per day, we need to do better for our educators. We need to think about the future for them and the future for Lake County
009schools. I love working here and I have colleagues that have dedicated years and years and years to Lake County schools and I want to honor them by um showing my little math lesson. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Miss Blio. Next up is Farmer Banks. >> Farmer Banks Helf Clay District South Lake County farm tip of the day. Uh now is the time to put tomatoes in the um ground. Uh the quintessential fruit vegetable. A couple of hacks that you can keep in mind. One is when the brown leaves on the bottom become brown. Clip them off, put them down, they become fertilizer. Uh another thing is um here in Florida, the Everglade tomatoes are um are perfect. They're indigenous. Uh and they grow like weeds and they'll grow all the way
010until roughly June. Um uh superintendent, madam superintendent, uh council, uh board, um chair, um what is the fundamental right of our constitutional republic representative democracy? Is it the right to speak? Is it the right to worship whoever we want to worship? Is it the right to bear arms? Is it the right to vote? The fundamental right of our government is the right to vote because without it we have no voice. We have no representation and we have no democracy. So how can we ensure to make sure that we have um voting within our country? First and foremost we can encourage our fellow citizens to vote. Um this is the most powerful and the best country in history. Uh and it's because we have a democracy as well as a republic. uh we can uh put
011aside the first Tuesday of November as a national voting day uh to encourage uh to bring celebration to this day for us to vote. Third thing we can do is we can do what Australia does and that is find those who do not vote in America. We find those who do not pay their fair share of taxes and I'm pretty sure everyone in this room or in earshot will agree that voting is more important than taxes. And the last thing is when we hear those people say my vote does not matter. That's why I do don't vote. You can agree with them. Their vote does not matter when they do not vote. So I encourage you all to take ownership of our country, of our republic, of our democracy uh by participating, by voting, by
012being a part of this process because only when we are part a part of it will we continue to keep it. We choose our representatives. Our representatives do not choose us. I am Farmer Banks Hellfrick, candidate for state house district 25. May you all be blessed. Thank you for allowing me to speak. Thank you, Farmer Banks. And last, but certainly not least, Miss Leel Tero. >> Bet you guys know why I'm here. [laughter] >> I'm super excited. This is it. This is our week. Um, we've had a few wrinkles, but trust me, they have been ironed out. Um, good evening, Superintendent Cornnegie, board members Matias Brandenburgg, Dodd, Cunningham, and Luke. My name is Leel Tero and I represent Lake Community Arts in partnership with the Orlando Philarmonic Orchestra. We're excited to bring the Young People's
013Concert to Lake County this week, November 13th and 14th. We'll have two performances at Minnola High School and then on Thursday and on Friday, we'll have two performances at Leburg High School for North Lake students. I look forward to seeing all of you at the VIP coffee reception before the first concert at Lake Minnola. We'll start at 9:30 a.m. The concert's at 10:30 and um I encourage you to stay so that you can see the performance which will take maybe 45 minutes. Um we're really grateful to our supporters Disney Florida Theatrical Association, Mount Dora Community Foundation, Bill Matias, the Logan Foundation, and Sydney Brown. We're still finalizing our last bits of transportation funding for South County students with the Community Foundation of South Lake. At this time, I'd also like to thank the cooperation of
014a number of Lake County school staff, including Stacy Doherty, Tammy Sain, and Jerry Groves at the transportation department. Oh my goodness, if you have not tried to move 25,00 on each day, you haven't done anything. It's going to be insane, the buses. So, I really want to thank their cooperation. [clears throat] Also, the administrators at Leburg and Lake Minneapolis high schools, especially Roger Rice and Stuart Milchman. They have been my contacts and they have been awesome and available all the time. I want to thank the elementary school principles and the music teachers and the fifth grade teams and in particular Ce uh Sicily Bosley who is at the district office uh in professional learning. Also let you know that our community choir has its first performance on November 22nd at Claremont Celebrates and our winter
015concert we're calling a wondrous re revelation will be at the Claremont Performing Arts Center on December 1st at 6 PM and you can get your tickets on the city website. Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you, Miss Tero. All right, moving on to the superintendent student advisory committee. Um, we do have two students here this evening. Uh, Michaela Valerie Collins from South Lake High School and Victoria Outler from also from South Lake High School. Ladies, if you like to come on up. >> Hi, my name is Victoria Outler. I'm the president Eboard president at South Lake High School. So, the SSAC met earlier today and we discussed our agenda and our top priority was designing a link for school websites to better inform high school students about the many important dates and
016events to help them prepare for college. Hello, my name is Michaela and the website would include things such as what is Common App and what are the deadlines, what is stars and sparks and how to use it, when and how to apply for college and what scholarships are available, how and who are qualified for bright futures, checklists of things to do when starting your freshman year, when to take SATs or SATs, benefits of CTE programs and certification, SAT preps, opportun unities available to students including free prep resources. >> Also on the agenda, we discussed the new Florida law regarding school start times and the superintendent shared with us a short presentation about the pros and cons of the later start times for high school students. and each school agreed to use the QR code provided
017on that presentation and share it out along with the presentation to the students at our school so we can gather their input which is required for the law. Regarding the SACE meeting, two dates were proposed for the annual SGA leadership conference and each representative will share the dates with their school sponsors and determine the availability of either dates before our next meeting when we will begin the begin to draft the agenda for the conference. >> Also, a fun fact about some things that are happening at South Lake right now. Our football team made it to district, so we're throwing them a pep rally this week. We're also having a November fundraiser where it's called stuff the turkey and we're going to put a big fake turkey in the front office and basically people can go
018faculty and students can donate money or canned food or anything that they think is important. And we're also also having a best October door fundraiser where teachers decorate their door and we're going to run a poll and then students can vote on who which teacher has the best decorated door and they'll win a trophy celebrating their accomplishment. And that's all that we have for today. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you ladies for being involved and for being here this evening. We appreciate it. >> All right, moving on to item 6.02, the attorney report. Mr. Cole, >> no report. >> Easy enough. So, moving on now to the consent agenda. Superintendent, do you have a recommendation? >> I recommend approval of the consent agenda items 8.01 to 10.03. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Got
019a motion by Mr. Matias. Second by we'll give that one to Dr. Luke. Um, any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I passes 50. Um, moving on now to the discussion item or the discussion agenda this evening. Item 11.01, the direction regarding rebuilding Eustace Elementary School. Uh, Kelly Randle. >> Thank you, board members. Um, as you know, so we have gone through a master planning process for Eustace Elementary School. Um the most recent update was the September 3rd workshop and since then we have done a lot more work. Um but first before we get into that I want to go ahead and recognize some members of the community who are here in the audience today. Um Mayor Hawkins with the city of Eustace. They have been an amazing partner and I think they will
020continue to be an amazing partner as well as Father Peralt with St. Thomas Episcopal Church and a couple of community members who came out and gave us input and really participated in the process. So, we appreciate that. Lori Baxley and Fred Rodans from um city of Houston. And then also we're joined by Bobby Gilmore with uh DACG which is our construction manager. And Bobby's sitting quietly over there in the corner just ready to ask answer any questions you might have. Um so I wanted to highlight a couple of things. So the plan the revised master plan is on um board docs. So you had an opportunity to see that. Um, as you know, basically brief description, um, we are looking at rebuilding on site um, on the current Eustace Elementary School site, keeping the historic
021front of the building and building 7, which is the classroom building built in 2006, and um, then basically replacing the remainder of the buildings. So the two classroom wings where the basements are um would be demolished and replaced with 21st century learning facilities, the basically the face of Eustace Elementary would be um swapped to Lemon Avenue. And so that is kind of the plan. I don't I think you have all seen it and are very familiar with it. So I don't know that you you probably need too many more details. Um the couple of the other things that are on the agenda are um just asking for direction as far as uh negotiating with St. Thomas Episcopal on a long-term lease of their land. Um applying to the city of Eustace for a vacation of
022Salem and Howard Streets, sorry, Salem Street and Howard Lane. Um and cleaning up any zoning or future land use. um depiction that we need on that site and then also utilizing Kurtright Center as a swing school for this. So the timeline basically would be when um the high school moves out of Kirrite in 2027, then uh we would start construction on Eustace Elementary School and have a two-year construction window and move them back in in 2029. So um that's the basics. Some things that have come up since the workshop uh is a question about what capacity to build at. So our original plan was to build at 750 students. given the size of this property that we have to work with um and some of the concerns about the new schools of hope legislation not
023over building capacity um and also just the uncertainty of the timing of additional growth and development in that area. Um most of the growth and development is in the Eustace Heights uh zone and so you know we are concerned about overbuilding capacity. So we'd like to to discuss or or propose to the board that we build the school at 650 student stations instead of 750. And what that looks like physically um is if you are looking at the plan and you see the there are two twostory buildings and so we would build one of those actually at one story and that um would basically with some reconfiguring of the room should take us to about that maximum 650 student station level. So that is uh an additional item. So I am here ask answer any
024questions that you might have forward. >> Any questions for hearing the recommendation? >> Superintendent, do you have a recommendation? >> I do. I am recommending approval of the concept plan for rebuilding Eustace Elementary School with a capacity not to exceed 650 student stations on the current site at Citrus Avenue. um and asking that the board direct staff to begin the design development process and enter into negotiations with St. Thomas Episcal Church and the city of Eustace as outlined in the plan. >> Got the recommendation. We have a motion in a second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Got a motion by Mr. Matias, second by Mrs. Cunningham. No, absolutely. Before we get to board comments, is there anybody in the public that would like to speak on this item this evening? >> Seeing none, we'll
025move to board member comments. Who'd like to start? >> [clears throat] >> But the one thing I would like to say is if we're going to drop the capacity, I want that second story, the first story already pre-built so it could handle an addition. >> Did you get that answered today? >> Yes. You want to go ahead and address that because I >> So my concern with that is is [clears throat] basically the same thing that happened to us currently. Right. So the building eight, seven, building seven, which is a building that was built in 2006, they actually designed to theoretically have a second story built on top of it. The building code has changed in the past 20 years since they did that. And so it is no longer we're no longer able to
026meet code and build a second story. I mean, we can we can design it, but there's no guarantee that in 20 years or even 10 years that there won't be a building code change and we won't it won't be effective, right? Does that make sense? >> Not really. But same with Carver Middle as well. we built that sixth grade building to do it and that's not able to >> so the the building code changes the requirements are more stringent and so now basically we can't build a second story on top of that um and I'm I'm >> I have a problem with that so I we need to look at that further >> okay we can certainly talk with Schultz about that >> about the capacity or about the building >> about being able to
027design it so that would be able to have a second story building >> in your opinion you don't need the capacity in the next 10 or 20 years >> so it's very unpredictable right now right so most of the growth is in the Eustace heights zone even at 650 it's 250 students more than Eustace Elementary is currently running >> so you know we would still we try to probably fill that in the short term with some other special programs um to make sure that we're not having underutilized capacity. Um and then I think our just with the changes that are coming with the vouchers with um potential charter schools um and the fact that most of the growth is actually in Eustace Heights and in kind of that Treadway zone, then I think that we
028could adjust for that through additions at some of the other elementary schools and through reszonings. Mr. Pleasant, I I understood in the past it seemed to be your approach that regardless of charter schools that were coming or going that we needed to make sure that it was our responsibility to educate kids and so we can't always guarantee that they'll stay open or closed and those types of things. So I don't love making decisions based on that. And I believe School of Hope is a school that's in accountability um rebuilding where they've gotten a D or an F in several concurrent years. Are we worried about US elementary school in that capacity? We're not really, but we're just worried about having capacity that might be claimable. Right. So, um, so basically there are some my reading
029and and I am no schools of hope expert although I suspect we will become more and more um is that you know if there's nothing available in that area then they can look outside of that area for for capacity. So I think um >> so the legislation actually changed this year um to where the schools of hope there's what they call opportunity zone. So there's it's no longer contained to just schools that have been underperforming. So any schools within an opportunity zone, Eustace um is an in one of they call an opportunity zone um would allow for any school within that area regardless of performance if there's any underutilized space that they could have the rights to that that underutilized space >> and they pay for it. >> No, >> they don't pay for any
030of it. >> I saw the legislation come through or the update about the possibility to sit and have conversation with the legislator about that. We're going to have a workshop on that in December with Robert Stewart from Grey Robinson coming to meet with us to talk about that needs to be at the top of our legislative platform and priorities this year is is looking at how do we revise that language just knowing that it is um going to be very detrimental. >> Mr. Chair, I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Do you have [clears throat] examples of what special programs might go in there? >> Um, you know, I will defer to teaching and learning on those. Um, I think there's been a few discussions, but um, but I, you know, I I know
031where the capacity is. I don't necessarily know what will fill it and what best fits it. So, I think that's a further discussion as we go. >> Yeah, I'd like to know that. >> Well, I can tell you some of our priorities, VPK being one of those and really looking at how do we expand those spaces in that area. Um, I know that there has been an interest. I've had a chance to talk to Mayor Hawkins about some of that and how do we um look at some of the private providers and providing more opportunities for VPK in the area that just that early childhood opportunities as well as um our one of our elementarymies that's currently located at another school maybe moving that program over might be a better location there for that. So
032those are those are kind of the two that we're focused on right now especially with VPK. >> How many students do you expect that that would serve? Um, I can't give you a number currently. Um, certainly we will be trying to get as many VPK um, students into the schools we possibly can. >> I'm very happy to hear that it might include VPK. >> And you made the capacity decision when? >> Um, preferably as soon as possible. >> No. When did you did you propose this capacity? When did you guys have the discussion about reducing the capacity? I think we discussed it in the last like two weeks. It was Yes, >> it was last week. Um when was November 5th? >> Last week. >> Okay. That was the date of the email when you
033brought to me all of the information about the option and that being one of the options. Um including building it at the at the onetory, which is what we talked about um tonight. also constructing it in as as a shell, the second floor as a shell as an as one of the proposals as well. That one didn't result in any cost savings. The um not building the second floor was a cost savings of about one and a half to two million up front. Um the um building the second floor with just as a a shell was probably going to amount to maybe about 500,000 less was what you had estimated. Um and then there was even reducing the capacity further. There was an option for that which we didn't think that that was a wise
034option. So we kind of went with the one in the middle in the middle that was going to result in the bigger cost savings as well as what we felt was more um feasible and the next based on what the growth is that we're seeing the pattern that we're seeing >> by by not building the second floor. One option was to configure it in a way where we could potentially add a second floor later. But what I'm hearing is that there we can't bank on that because building codes may evolve by the time we need it. This shell idea that you talk about, is that does that help us overcome some of those potential changes in building code, but then um we can add the capacity later that that the capacity? I I guess my
035concern is if we don't have the capacity available through this project, how are we ever going to be able to add capacity later? It seems like we've locked ourselves out of that. And so I'm wondering if the shell even though it wouldn't save as much money >> is is an a possible avenue to that. We still >> it's definitely an option. I >> think it wasn't at Beverly Shores where they had put the infrastructure in. Whoever had that foresight had put infrastructure in so that it really mitigated some of the costs with that building. Wasn't it Beverly Shores? >> Uh no I think you're thinking of Sarrento Elementary when I came and actually Mrs. Cunningham would know very well when I came to the district there were 10 classrooms that had been >> they were
036a little more complete than we're proposing but um they were considered shelled out and so then when they reached a capacity or an enrollment where they needed that extra space basically we were able to just go in and open up those rooms and um and add them to the to the capacity for the school. So, what are we voting on? We voted on that the site because because I'm not comfortable that we landed where the design needs to be or the capacity. >> Um, cor well >> guess we could vote on however much we're able to decide tonight and then maybe need to know the timeline for when we need to make a decision on the capacity or design. >> Sooner than later. Perfect world. I mean, the recommendation was at 650. We can certainly
037have a discussion at changing that capacity. I am certainly in favor of that 650. Um I think looking at the constraints on this site and actually at the current numbers now as Kelly mentioned as well, we've got 400 some odd kids at Eustus Elementary School right now with current permanent capacity of 475. Um and then when you look down the other ones, I just don't envision us adding 500 plus elementary school kids in Eustace. And if we did, we've got extra room to add at Eustace Heights where the growth is or out at Seminal Springs if growth goes out that way. I think 650 is as much as this site can hold well and I am supportive at 650 but I don't think I can get there at 750. I just don't think the site
038can can hold that appropriately is my only concern. How many acres is this site? 4.9 with the with the >> um >> leasing by the way. Thank you. That that is we we're huge hugely gracious and I don't think we've expressed that yet in this this meeting but thank you. It's probably closer to six something with um with the church's property as well. >> Okay. >> Wasn't the concern with increasing the size of Eustace Heights due to its performance and the ability to run a large school? That was I mean when we go back to the very beginning of this conversation that was a concern. >> True. So >> we have 150 seats at Eustaceite. So I don't think we're anywhere near having that conversation anyway. Um I I agree with you. I don't want
039to add additional capacity there either, but I don't think we're in a position to need to do that at at either site nor anytime in the reasonable future um based on current >> I just the argument was that we have capacity sites. You you just said it. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Oh, I just don't I don't want to set us up in a position that we we have a school that tends to go in and out of of of DA status in over the past 20 years of service in this district that I've had that I've seen that school come in and out. It's a flexible school that can thrive and of its challenges as well. And I just don't want to set it up. We're We're sitting here now, so it seems like a
040great solution currently, but if we look, this school's 100 years old. It's It's concerning. I don't know why the 650 has to I guess my my biggest concern is the timing of this. I don't I don't love that I was called today about it. If I'm being honest with you, I might be able to get there. I understand the concerns with the size of the property. I understand hugely the concerns with the schools of hope with the change in legislation. Um, and I do I know the the direction that we're seeing, right? I understand all that and that's today's trajectory and I know I was once told by somebody very smart that you make the best decision you can with the information you have at the time, right? We can't see into the future. Um,
041but it does give me concern that we're set and we've worked so hard financially to set this board up into a position where future boards don't run into the same issues and challenges that we had in 2014, which was 11 years ago, which is crazy to think that it's that long ago. Um, $2 million in savings today will be a 700 million uh dollar school in 30 years, right? Like at the rate of of the cost of things now. I just anyway it's I wish that we would have had a little bit more opportunity to digest and have some questions answered before we were brought to answer a specific motion at 650 capacity. I absolutely support the motion as it is without the capacity. >> Where where does the motion say 650? That was the
042recommendation. recommendation. So >> and I can we can certainly make any changes to that recommendation that the board approves. If you want us just to approve the site plan the um and we can move forward. DA DACG is listening to the conversation to come back with um some recommendation in regards to really we're talking about do we build the the three option you proposed which is do you build it at one story do you build it at two and shell it out or do you fill do you feel it go ahead and fill out the whole building and those are your three options >> I I'd feel a lot more comfortable creating some closure on the site I think that you know would be beneficial for the community to know where we've landed on that
043and and be able to to close that chapter but I'd like to have more dialogue about the the >> and I apologize for the last minute notice. This did just come up recently as we were thinking about, you know, a couple of different factors and I totally agree with the conversation around Eustace Heights. It was my intent never to to increase that school beyond capacity. I totally agree with your position on that, but they are under capacity, so there is space there. And just the conversation about growth, knowing that that Treadway is on the five-year plan and when we build that, we can look at the student growth in that area. that would it wouldn't necessarily fall to Eustace Heights. It would be go necessarily to Treadway where we're going to be building there anyways
044in the next couple of years so we can build capacity there. I honestly didn't didn't think that there would be a lot of opposition from going to the 750 650. So I apologize that was for not giving you advanced notice on that. So I'll amend the recommendation that we'll just approve the site plan, go ahead and direct the board to to move forward with the negotiations with the church and the city of Eustace. We can continue to work with DACG, have more conversation as a board and individually to decide what we want to do in terms of the capacity if that's all right with the board. >> Yeah, >> I'll make the motion to approve that. We're going to just vote on the site as amended and move on. >> Second. >> All right. Any
045other discussion? >> So, would we um would we come back together as a board to discuss that at the December workshop or is that is that already an actionpacked agenda or would they just not >> We can lots of parts of this, right? agenda to come back and make any final decisions in regard to the capacity and hopefully that gives DACG enough time to >> um if they're available to come and just >> does it give you enough time >> like I don't want to rush the decision right but I also understand what I'm hearing also is that time is of the essence right >> my understanding is they have been part of the conversation which resulted in the recommendation on November the 5th which was just last Wednesday >> so >> and we talked
046about it at staff meeting on Thursday so that was it's so it's kind of was kind of last minute for us too but in my mind it made it made sense. So I just >> if I can make a recommendation we do have to come back with the um with the contracts with um DAC well actually pre-proposal or pre-construction proposal and the design contract with Shenko Schultz and so we move forward with this part of it and then we can make that discussion part of the um the discussion with the design proposal kind of part of that. We can provide you with whatever information you need between now and then. >> If the building if one of the buildings was designed to take a second floor, but you're saying that the codes have changed, there's
047no grandfathering of that or that would allow. Are you certain about that? You need you need to come forward. >> Put you on the spot, Bobby. >> I guess that would be a discussion with uh Sean Towers, the building official. I'm not sure about the grandfathering in a third authority having jurisdiction. He would make that decision. >> Oh, you haven't looked at that. >> We have not. No. >> Okay. Well, that could that could create that extra shell capacity if it was if we knew for a fact that we could be grandfathered. I will say I don't think that Sean can grandfather something 10 or 20 years away. >> Well, well, I don't know. We do work all over the country and when you go into these historical areas, there's a lot of things that
048are grandfathered. So, let's just say that >> we can certainly look. >> Any other comments? >> No, I appreciate the extra. >> Of course, my only comment is I'm not comfortable above 650. I know we're not locking that in now and looking at the votes. I think it's certainly still going to get there, but I'm going to be a no just out of the capacity issues. Um, so just want to put that on the record now. Um, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed I. Passes 41. >> You voted no on just the site. >> You voted no on the site. >> That's what we were talking about. >> Right. But I I'm not comfortable with the site above 650 student stations. We're there. We haven't decision. >> It still passed
04941. I I I get it, but I'm just I'm not comfortable that number. >> Good. Let's move on. >> All right, Kelly. Thank you very much. Um, so moving on the superintendent report this evening. >> Um, just a couple of things. We have our annual college and career expo coming up on Friday the nove November the 14th at the Claremont Art and Recreation Center. Um, I want to thank our college and career readiness team for organizing this great event. It's going to include um all of our um juniors and seniors will be invited with free um transportation for all of those students who would like to attend. Also, just if you'll check out our website, we have food pantries um on our social media pages that have um have been identified for any families that
050are in need of additional food services. Um also, we will be closed tomorrow for Veterans Day and just want to um recognize and thank all of our veterans for their service. And lastly, students are out next week and our offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. That's not next week. That's two weeks away. We're we're gonna be closed Thanksgiving. [laughter] >> I'm I'm think I'm reading this going that's that's that's about that for that that week. So we're gonna be closed on Thanksgiving. >> Oh man. [laughter] >> Um also we had just two letters of condolence first of all to um the family of Wanita Taylor. She was a route manager in Leburg transportation department and also to Kina Dollar um and her family. She's a bookkeeper at Eustace Heights Elementary. She
051lost her husband, Lawrence Dollar, who was the head custodian at Bever Beverly Shores recently. So, condolences to those families. >> Dr. Luke. >> Um, I wanted to express my um um I was I [clears throat] was shocked by um Elizabeth Emery and her family and their tragedy. And I it I think it even more so speaks to her as a person and how much she cares for this district that she had a message for us today despite everything that she's going through. And so I would appreciate you just continuing to let her know that we're thinking about her and we appreciate her representation of Lake County and Lake County teachers. Um I also wanted to recognize the media specialist at Simol Springs Elementary School. She was um she was recognized at the FAME conference this
052year as a Florida powers library school which I would like to more about personally, but um I'm really proud of her achievement. Um I also wanted to um thank gosh I have a couple I've lost elementary, Lake Hills Elementary School, Lake Hill School and Grassy Lake Elementary School. Um they again their partnership with our preparing future teachers is incredible and they um always open their doors and allow our students to come in and learn from them. And I know that's not always easy just with everything going on and all of the buildings and they are model schools um that anybody could walk into at any time and just see the power of what's happening in those rooms. Um and their their leaders spend a lot of their time with us as well. And it's just
053incredible the giving of time that is received. And I got to learn a little bit from Dr. Felner today and that is always a pleasure. I always learn something when I'm in her presence and I'm super grateful to have her at the helm of art teaching and learning and leadership. Um the other that I wanted to do was thank you. So, Mrs. Cunningham's coming on Thursday to talk with our newest students about parent um interactions and so we're excited to have you and have your expertise as well. And I feel like there was something else but I cannot remember what it was. So, thank you. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mrs. Cunningham. >> Well, I'm excited about talking to future educators about interactions with parents. Um that's always a very interesting thing. Uh,
054I'd like to express my appreciation to the education foundation and to yet a stellar performance the last two weekends. I had the pleasure last weekend of actually working and Mr. Dodd, I heard that you were there on Friday. Uh, but it is always such a joy to see the people that come and and have them enjoy themselves. Um, I also since Mayor Hawkins is in the audience tonight, I'd like to point out that I had the pleasure of attending two events recently at Eustace Middle. All happened because of the chief of police and and the city manager and Mayor Hawkins and both were very instrumental for our students. One was I think I spoke about it uh in previous meetings the young man the boxer the Olympic medalist and also another gentleman who has written
055a book uh about taking violence out of the hands of our young people. So I just want to thank you sir for always being a great partner and always helping us. Um I don't think I have anything else. >> Thank you Mrs. Cunningham. Mr. Dodd. >> Yes I had a chance to go out and visit and volunteer at the Renaissance Fair on education day. It's always my favorite day because you get a chance to interact with with all the students that come out and big thanks to the education foundation for just continuing to to pour so much energy into this event because it's I mean it's so much fun from the community side of things and and certainly does a lot of great for the kids. Also um piggybacking on the uh the idea of
056these these professional learning days at Lost Lake um Lake Hills and Grassy Lake, I had a couple of observations having visited those schools. one just how deeply schools are diving into data now. Um I remember I think my time in the classroom was it's was a little while ago now but uh but it was it was really like in in in its infancy and I felt like we were doing a lot with it. Now what I'm seeing huge huge um in what these people are how they're how they're using data to inform direct uh instruction and make a lot of decisions and and I think it um is certainly probably one of the leading causes of why our performance has been on the rise. Um so so I'm thankful for that. The other observation is
057the collaboration between schools. I remember a few years ago we had a presentation from Lake Hills talking about structured classrooms and what that looks like. And we seamlessly went from Lake Hills over to Grassy Lake and saw the same elements implemented there. And Grassy Lake was talking about how they had learned so much from Lake Hills and what that was able to do in terms of of their their structure for the classroom for ESC rooms. And um it's it's just amazing to see that type of collaboration going on. Um speaking um I guess related to collaboration. I appreciate the Eustus community by the way because uh you know here's the guy from Claremont and I so you know it's not like I I spend every day in Eustus and the fact that you feel comfortable
058you know picking up the phone and calling the guy from Claremont. I appreciate uh certainly you know as we are here to elected to serve the district. We're elected to serve the district right not just our own district. And so I always like to understand and really dive into um issues happening outside and and to fully understand that to make the best decision. So um I appreciate appreciate the collaboration from there. I appreciate the extra time from this board to to look at that capacity piece because I think that is critical and I I certainly don't want to rush and and um get that one wrong for a board for a couple of decades from now. And um one other question I did have just because I think that it's important for um for everybody
059in the public to also know is is I I want to make sure we're all working on the same numbers for fund balance and I know we don't have the gift of of having our CFO tonight, but we certainly heard some numbers on on our fund balance and I've heard different numbers on our fund balance and I know we're going to step into an executive session a little later and I know that we'll we're going to try to make some decisions based on numbers and and so on so forth. Um I'm wondering if Mr. Ward has left that information that we might be able to have that on the record. Where is our fund balance now? >> Yes. So as it is budgeted currently it is um about that 3% mark. It is not 15%.
060Last last year um we ended at at 12%. This year we anticipate that once everything settles at a maximum we would be at 8% but currently we are at the 3% mark and we're hopeful that by the end of the year with laps and other things that we can get to 8%. So it's it went from 15 to 12 and then from 12 to 8. >> Okay. All right. >> Hopefully hopefully >> hopefully >> actually I should say to right at 3%. >> So So right now we're sitting at like 3%. >> That is correct. Our budgeted fund balance right now is sitting right at just above 3%. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you, Mr. Dodd. Mr. Matias, >> it's interesting that you would mention Mrs. Baxley because she's always been so shy.
061[laughter] I can't imagine you reaching out beyond Eustus. No, this has been a great conversation and good collabor collaborative effort between everyone to do make the right decision and so and we will uh to Elizabeth um she is constantly in our prayers and her husband and for her to send that message was wellreceived I will tell you that. Um then to Renaissance Fair, it's always a thrill to work at. Um to see our young men and women actors and uh I happen to have uh the booth I was over at Pirate Cove part of the team that came in was from Leburg High School. Uh the principal and her APS and and uh was good fun slinging beer and meat and we had whiskey in our booth. So um we were pretty popular. [laughter] No,
062Blind Monk is where I usually am. And so, um, that that was an extra incentive. Um, Thanksgiving's coming up, so I want to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving and, uh, and we'll look forward to December 8th and then new year. That's all I have. >> Per usual, I echo all those comments. Uh, Jessica and Bobby, thank you for being here this evening. Um, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Elizabeth and thank you for the good work that you all continue to do on behalf of teachers in our district. Um, looking back at my calendar the last couple weeks, um, we did also have a couple announcements. We went down to Claremont, um, to surprise Rashonda Scott as our assistant principal of the year from Eastridge High School, which was always a great thing
063to do. And also, uh, Dr. Vanessa King at Treadway Elementary School as our principal of the year for the district. So, two very deserving candidates um, that have done great work for kids and will continue to do so in the future. I've got no no doubt there, so I want to give them a shout out. Um, and then also want to thank Kelly. Um she and I attended the uh wellness white economic roundt last Monday down in Claremont um as we continue to try to identify a school site for the high school down that area. Um had some really good conversations with various developers after the meeting um as to land that may be available and our local delegation continues to look at legislative options um for other land that's down in that that way
064as well. Um, so we expect some more conversations here in the next couple months. Um, and we'll certainly bring those back as they come and I think Kelly's got some ideas to to hopefully finally get that done. We had the right people in the room and had some good conversations and expect that to continue moving forward. Um, so hopefully we can get that done sooner than later. Um, and last but certainly not least, um, happy Veterans Day to all those that have served. I know Miss Strawn served and I'm sure there's others in this room that have served as well. So, thank you what you've done for us. Um, we are the the land of the free because of the brave. So, thank you to those. Um, have a very happy Veterans Day tomorrow and
065a very happy Thanksgiving coming up the next couple weeks. Any other comments before um adjourning this first meeting this evening? No, sir. >> All right, we are journed. Thank you very much.