001Good evening. It is Monday, August 11th. I'd like to call this regular schoolboard meeting to order. Uh 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, faculty, staff, and community. Um, happy first day of school. I think today went over extremely well. Very few emails to the contrary, which is always a good sign. Um, and a lot of happy faces on campuses. So excited to have the meeting this evening. Um any changes, amendments, additions or deletions to the agenda this evening? >> Yes, sir. >> Superintendent. >> Um a revised
002HR personnel list was added to board docs today and the board has been provided a copy. >> All right. Perfect. Hearing no objections to that. We'll move forward. Um approval of the minutes. Superintendent. Do you have a recommendation? Recommend approval of the minutes from the special meeting and public hearing tenative budget July 28th, 2025 and the regular school board meeting 20 July 28, 2025. >> So moved. Second. >> Got a motion by Mr. Dodd. Second by Mr. Matias. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I passes 50. Representation. We have none. Uh moving on to public input. First card this evening is Miss Jessica Siki from the LCA. Good evening, chair, superintendent Cornnegie, and board members. As we begin a brand new school year, I want to share how excited we are on behalf of
003Lake County Education Association. There's a buzz of energy across the district. New goals, new opportunities, and the same commitment to our students. We're hopeful this year will be amazing for both students, staff filled with opportunities for growth, success, and connection. We have we had some wonderful conversations and felt genuine excitement at this year's launch into lake. Events like that remind us how much passion and talent we have entering our schools every day. We also want to acknowledge and appreciate the ongoing collaboration between LCS and LCA. Even when things come come up unexpectedly like Glade on a Friday, we've been we've seen firsthand the willingness to connect and problem solve together. We'd especially like to recognize Rob Oyer for taking time to join a Zoom call and answer employee questions about this year's insurance plans. Rob
004and Marisel Sant Santiago have gone above and beyond, consistently responding quickly and thoroughly to all to all of our many inquiries. We're also grateful to Assistant Superintendent Rob Felner and Guido Zamora for being just a phone call away and responding with urgency when issues arise. and a sincere thank you to Superintendent Cornnegie for always being willing to talk through concerns even when caught in the middle of a Florida downpour. These moments reflect the strong and growing collaboration between the district and the association and we look forward to continuing that partnership throughout the year. Thank you. >> Well done. Thank you, Jessica. Next up, Mr. Farmer Bank Self. Farmer Bank Selfridge, Clay Road District, South Lake County. Farm tip of the day. Uh, did you know that peanuts are related to beans? Peanuts are actually legumes.
005Uh, peanuts grow underground and you can grow peanuts in Florida. Um, Madame Superintendent um, board chair u, and board uh, distinguished guests, three words, integrity, honesty, and character. Three intangibles we look for in our representation. Honesty. Honesty is saying it the way it is. Uh refraining from hyperbole, refraining from exaggeration. Integrity is actually words which equal action and action which equal words. Character is that jiniqua that we have inside of us that uh makes us who we are. that conviction which drives us to be superb. Um now that we're in an offoff off year of elections and municipality elections at that we are looking for representation who have all three of these aspects. Um so as we go forward uh we look for conviction and character we look for honesty and of course we look
006for uh integrity. I am Farmer Banks Helick. Thank you for allowing me to speak. May you all be blessed. >> Thank you, Farmer Banks. Any other cards this evening? All right, seeing none, going to move on to the education report. Uh, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson. >> Good evening, everyone. Happy first day of school. One thing I love about education is we get to celebrate multiple new years. Um, so happy new year. With that, the 19th annual Stepping Out for Education was a success on July 25th and 26th. The Mirrorball winner was Lake County School's own Marlene Strong, and she also won the influencer award. Stepping Out exceeded our gross revenue goal of $154,543 being raised with our net revenue being over $94,000 and that's without counting our matching dollars from the state. Additionally, we are also
007c celebrating the success of our red fored school supply drive throughout the month of July where 30 businesses participated and we collected 5,724 pounds of school supplies. This is being distributed through our three Apple Mart locations and it surpassed last year's school supplies collection of 2,700 pounds of supplies. Speaking of Apple Mart, the new teacher shopping day was held this past Friday on August 8th and we welcomed 41 teachers from 15 different schools. This also um was a great opportunity to implement our new checkout platform of the school supplies um which allows me to provide y'all some exciting numbers this evening. On Friday, $6,000 $956 worth of supplies were provided to the new teachers. That's an average of $198 of savings per trip for our teachers. So, we're excited to continue implementing that and seeing
008that number grow. We have also successfully held two new world reading events so far um for our parents and families with the first one being July 17th ahead of the Leburg back to school bash and then one on July 31st in Claremont ahead of the pep rally for public education. We will have four more of those events scheduled throughout the school year, but our goal is to have those sooner than later while our parents and families are engaged. Next up, um we have our Scott Strong Memorial Golf Tournament on October 10th at Harbor Hills. Um and we are excited to welcome back the Hans and K. Jacobson Foundation as our presenting sponsor. Since opening registration for that event on August 1st, we have 16 teams that have registered. And next after that will be the
009Renaissance Fair coming on November 1st, 2nd, um, and then 7th through the 9th with the education day being November 7th. Um, we have matched our ticket sales so far. Um, we have three weddings scheduled, a special event, and we're anticipating 75 vendors. We'll do auditions for the cast on August 23rd at South Lake High School. And we've also started to recruit volunteers for our Take Stock and Children program. They are gearing up for the fall semester and we have three welcome back events occurring over the next two weeks. We are welcoming 14 new mentors bringing our mentors to a hundred. Um we are also excited to host our first meet, greet, and grow event sponsored by Insight Credit Union where we will welcome our 41 new students, their families, and their mentors for the opportunity
010to connect um and be able to start the year off on the right foot. And then finally, we were able to um distribute $7,000 to four scholarship recipients for the Second Stage Supplemental Scholarship Endowment. These are alumni of the Take Stock and Children program continuing um to be successful in college. Are there any questions? >> Amazing work. >> Thank you, Dr. Johnson, as always. >> Item 6.02, attorney report. Mr. Cole. >> Uh yes, sir. I don't have a report as such, but I am going to recommend that when you get to the consent agenda uh that the board pull item 10.03 and put it uh out for separate discussion. There's a couple procedural uh things that we need to talk about. >> Okay, we can do that. All right. In that case, moving on to
011the consent agenda. Superintendent, do you have a recommendation? >> Do I recommend approval of consent agenda items 8.01 to 10.02? >> So moved. Got a motion by Mr. Matthi. Second by Mrs. Cunningham. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I passes 50. All right. Then that brings us to item 10.03, uh, the educational assistance plan, masters of education. >> Superintendent. >> Or Mr. Cole. >> Mr. Cole. >> Perfect. Be happy to. So, attached to this item, you you have three agreements. This is for tuition assistance program. And uh two of the documents will require signatures and they will require signatures for every participant in the program. Um rather than having each of those documents come back to this board every time and there are multiple people involved, it might make some sense to have a
012delegation of authority to the superintendent to be able to sign those documents. So those are the documents directly with the credit union, the documents with the district board. So uh it's a matter and so that's the first one. The second part is um we are going to execute anou with the union uh to make sure this program is is consistent with the CBA. And so I would also ask that you delegate authority to the superintendent to sign thatou which will basically just authorize this program. >> So what do you want us to do? So, a motion to Oh, okay. I would recommend a motion to delegate authority to the superintendent to sign the agreements attached to item 10.03 and to sign an agreed upon with the union uh for the same purposes. >> So, moved.
013>> Second. Got a motion by Mr. Th second by Mr. Dodd. Any discussion? >> Would it be the superintendent or her designate? >> That's fine. Yep. I think that's a nice addition to the motion. Yes. >> That is my only question. Good question. Any other discussion? All those in favor? Go ahead. >> Then I need to do it as amended. >> Yeah. So, so moved as amended. >> Seconded as amended. >> Got it. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I I passes 50. Thank you, Mr. Cole. All right. Moving on to the discussion. We actually have no items this evening. Um, do we actually have to approve the item still? >> Yes, we still need to approve the item. >> Well, that was Yeah. >> Did we not do that? >> No, I
014think you're right. That's >> Oh, approve the amendment. Okay. So, then do we >> So, we just need to approve item 10.03. We've now delegated authority sign. >> Got it. >> Second. >> All right. Um, any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I passes unanimously. All right. Now, in that case, no discussion this evening. So, moving on to item 12.01, the superintendent's report. >> Well, we have already acknowledged that today was the first day of school. So, happy new year to everyone. It was a great day. I had a chance to visit schools. I know all of our staff was out visiting schools today and doing cafeteria duty and just want to say thank you for a great start. It was it was quiet long pickup lines that seem to be our biggest challenge
015but that is our challenge every year and um but as we know those always get better as the days go on and um everybody gets settled in. So we just appreciate appreciate everyone's hard work today and everyone's patience moving forward and happy new year and be another great year. >> Very good. Dr. Luke, >> I would say ditto to all of that. um first day of school praise and recognition and fun. Um, and I also wanted to say with the Red for Ed um the the drive, I got to work there a couple of Fridays ago when we were collecting school supplies and I was um like it was amazing the amount of school supplies and the kinds of school supplies and the I just whenever we were sorting through the the supplies that we
016were receiving, it was um very encouraging and it I went out and like texted some of my teacher friends or my recent graduates and even not so recent graduates and just said, "Hey, like if you haven't gone to the Apple Mart, you have got to check it out. So, this community really wraps its arms around um Lake County schools in that manner. And there was a lot I actually had received a phone call from someone about school supplies and and what we were doing for certain at certain schools to collect them and I was even able to talk about it then. And so, it was amazing. It was a ton of school supplies to see that 5,000 pounds in reality. I don't think I saw all of it. I only saw that one day of
017pickup, but it was incredible. It's really incredible. So, the the the um Apple Mart is a wonderful thing and we're really thankful for it. And that's it with all the well wishes for the birthday. >> Very good, Mrs. Cunningham. >> Well, this past weekend was busy. I'd like to offer my thanks to Tari's High School and Mount Dura High School. They both opened up their gyms and cafeterias this weekend for back to school events. Um they were very well attended. Also, I want to say something about launching to Lake. um our assistant superintendent did an excellent job last week in his um greetings for the our new teachers and it was an interesting and very well put together. So Dr. um Tiffany did a great job. And as far as phone calls, I only got
018two today and I don't think either of those are serious. So we're off to a great start. >> Mr. I'd of course like to congratulate the district on a very successful first day and and a great welcome back to all the teachers and students and other staff and faculty members. Um and big thanks to the staff for their responsiveness leading up to the first day. I'd get those random calls that um for whatever reason folks felt like uh their their schoolboard members are going to be more helpful than the staff and uh and certainly I try to be but uh but really it's the staff that uh that makes those phone calls a lot easier because um just everybody was just so quick to respond and help me out with the information that we needed
019and and to you know solve some of the the challenges that folks had brought forth. And with that I just like to also offer a thanks to the South Lake Chamber for hosting uh two breakfasts for the teachers and welcome back events there in South Lake County. It's just so huge and there's so much energy and I just don't even know how the teachers bring that much enthusiasm at 7 o'clock in the morning but you know they do and um anyway thanks Mr. Felner for delivering some remarks on behalf of the district there. >> All right thank you thank you Mr. Dodd Mr. Matias >> and I'm going to follow with the accolades to the district. I got no phone calls no emails knock on wood. So this was probably in my 13 years the
020most successful launch of a new year and God bless all the teachers and administrators and staff and everyone that comes together to make this all possible for the benefit of our kids. I want to I want to talk about a little bit 10.03 since we pulled it and this is very special to me. Superintendent and I talked about it about eight years ago and I think the greatest gift that our teachers can give to a child is to be lifelong learners. That gift is enhanced when our teachers also volunteer to be lifelong learners. And this opportunity um I think is going to be tremendous for learning their skills and what they bring to the table for the kids. And I'll tell you a story that after 911 my bucket list was to go back and
021get my masters. So I was 50 years old. I also wanted to use it as an example for my sons. And I was I had underwear older than any of the students in the class. Just to say that. and and initially my wife had challenged me and I said it's just my bucket list. That's what I just want to do it. Um and did and I've got to tell you I was a better leader for it. It didn't make me another dimes worth of um or bring any more revenue into the company but for me personally u my ability to lead was enhanced. So us giving those opportunities to these teachers I guarantee you is going to pay dividends a thousand%. And we should all be very proud of Superintendent U pushing this initiative through.
022Insight that kind of made it possible. All of the stars aligned. We hiccuped a little bit. I'll admit that. Like talking to you guys, that was a little hiccup. But we'll sort that out. But but I think it was because we were so excited. Just so you know, um that the it truly is a blessing to our teachers and will be a blessing to our kids. That's it. >> Very well said. Um, one other item on the agenda I wanted to highlight was we had four or five um, SRO contract renewals on the consent agenda today. So, want to give a shout out to the sheriff's office and as Mr. Mabberry confirmed for me today the 11 municipalities that also participate in our school resource officer and deputy program. Uh, we could not do it
023without you guys. Thank you Deputy Robeck for what you do in our schools and the rest of your fellow deputies that that show up every day to keep our kids safe. Um, busy last couple weeks. Um, want to give a shout out to the Leburg Area Chamber and Mount Dora Kowanas and the Mount Door Community Trust for two uh, jam-packed back-to-back sessions Friday morning. Um, also want to give a shout out to Addition Financial. Last Wednesday they did a release of their renovate to educate um, classroom makeover and this year they did a family school leaison at Leburg Elementary. Florence Katzenberg um, redid her portable and really cleaned up her space and the look on her face walking into it was pretty special. She helps hundreds and hundreds of kids at that school day in
024and day out and every year. Um, and just to see the passion she had to walk into that space and that renewed sense of purpose and excitement was just really special. Mr. Felner was there. Thank you for what you did there as well on your many stops last week speaking on behalf of the district. We appreciate you. Um, and also wanted to just challenge my fellow board members. I made it to all nine of my schools today. It was a busy day. Uh, but got to get them to the all I save the middle schools for the end. So, I had a little more time to get there before 4, but a lot of excitement today. Um, a lot of kids and staff really happy and at peace to be there. It was probably the
025the best feeling I felt the last three years on every single one of those campuses, which is just a testament to uh this the students and staff that we've got at each of them in the direction we're going. Um, so kudos on a great first day and let's make it a great second day. Um, any further comments before we adjourn? No, sir. >> Any objection to adjourning? No, sir. >> We are adjourned. Thank you very much.