001Lord, just thank you for all you do and we're just so thankful for your mercy. Lord, in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Justify, I pledge algiance 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. >> Miss Hogan, have there been any changes to the agenda? Madam Chair, >> do I hear a motion to adopt the agenda? >> Moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> I would like to welcome everyone this morning to the our board meeting. And we are going to start this morning with superintendent highlights. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for your patience. I'm sorry we're
002running a little behind today. So, I appreciate your patience. And Mrs. Bray, we're going to have you come up and tell us wonderful things with your students. So each year in Ley County, um we have our book battle. It's it's rotated between the different schools. It's for grades six through eight. Um and so because we have the book battle, one of the things that we struggle here at Boston with is trying to find time to work with those kids. Our kids do not have transportation, so it has to be something during school. Um, so I think it was last year, last year we started what was called book club. So we got a bunch of students that were interested in doing the book battle and so we started our little book club and so they
003get passes. They come during their lunchtime to the media winner with our reading coach as well as one of our English teachers. And so we started that and so we thought that was a good opportunity to share with you what we do. our book club. So, um, today I have three of my book club members. How many are in there right now? >> Seven. >> There are seven. So, three wanted to come and present today. And with Barbara, our reading coach, we're here to support our kids today. So, they're going to introduce our themselves and tell them a little bit about what we do with our book club at Boston High School. Thank you for allowing us to speak with you today. I'm Kira. This is Bana and Elena. We are members of the BMHS
004book club. We are excited to share how our club supports literacy, student engagement, and a love of reading at our school. To begin, we'd like to give a quick overview of our book club. Our book club is a voluntary group open to students in grades 6 through 8. We meet once a week with Dr. Barber to read and discuss books from the SSR list. The club originally started to prepare for the Levy County Book Battle, but has grown into a space where students can enjoy reading and meaningful discussions. Our work in book club also supports our school's larger academic goals. >> Book club supports literacy instruction aligned with the Florida BEST ELA standards. Through reading and discussion, we build comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. The club also encourages students to enjoy reading and supports
005readers of all levels. Next, we'll explain what our weekly meetings actually look like. Students read independently outside meetings. When we meet on Wednesdays, we discuss the books and practice competition style questions. These meetings help us improve comprehension we call and discussion skills. One of the most important parts of book club is student involvement and leadership. Our book club currently has seven students from grades 6 through 8. Veteran members take on leadership roles such as team captains. They help motivate others and assist with writing and reviewing practice questions. Book club also has a strong impact on learning and skill development. Through book club, students strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, speaking and listening and higher order thinking skills. We also make crosscurricular connections which helps us apply what we need to read other to other subjects. We can
006also see this impact of data and evidence. Book club members have consistently maintained proficiency on fast assessments. As a group, we shown growth over time. Regular participation and engagement with texts help support continued reading development. In addition to book club data, we also see growth across the school. Over the past three years, schoolwide reading proficiency has increased. Our school focuses on encouraging a love of reading and students are expected to read consistently. Reading is logged through Beanstack and ELA classes which builds accountability and reading stamina. Thank you for allowing us to share our book club experience with you. We appreciate your continued support of literacy in student programs at BHS. [applause] I have any questions? >> What book are you reading? >> Do you guys read the same book at the same time? >> Okay.
007>> So, we have the list of books and we divide it evenly within our group and we each take turns reading books. >> So, we all get so we get all covered. >> Okay. There's 15 total. >> Okay. >> So, you end up with five to six each. And does she come up with questions for you guys so that you're prepared for the book battle? >> We read the books and then we help come up with questions so we can ensure that they are very accurate and >> as we read the book each question and it helps. >> What are your names and what are your grades? >> Um I am I >> [laughter] >> Are you [laughter] a couple times? I'm also insane. >> I This is just fabulous. Um, you know, I was
008involved with the book battle when I taught and I did work with groups, but we had to meet at lunchtime >> because there just was no other other time. Sometimes begging for after school as it got closer, but then transportation was a problem. So, this is great. Uh and it is is you know not only great with the goal of winning the the um the battle of the books >> but you are winning so much more because you are becoming such indepth readers and that's that's wonderful. Congratulations and keep it up. >> Great job. Good job. >> Great job. >> Thank you. >> Good presentation. picture over in front of the screen. >> Camera. >> Yeah, because they may want me to read. [laughter] >> Do you have any boys on the team? [laughter] >>
009We did early on this year, but >> y'all scared off the boys. [laughter] >> That probably explains the success. Boys are nasty. Stay away from [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. >> That's true. >> Thank you, Morgan. >> Thank you very [applause] much. >> Madam Superintendent, now our proclamations. >> Yes, ma'am. Do they want to leave? >> You guys are welcome to leave if you want to slip out real quick. >> We already held you long enough. Make you wait 30 minutes for the meeting to start. Sorry about that. >> Trying to get you out of school all day. [laughter] Thank you, Madam Chair. Um hopefully we'll get through my raspy voice, but we have three wonderful proclamations um today and all the board members have put their signature on them, but I'd like to read these
010aloud if you don't mind. the FFA week proclamation. Whereas FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America and the future of food, fiber, and natural resource systems. And whereas FFA promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success among its members. And whereas agriculture education and FFA ensure a steady supply of young professionals to meet the growing needs in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. And whereas the FFA motto, learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve, gives direction and purpose to these students who take an active role in succeeding in agricultural education. And whereas FFA promote citizen volunteerism, patriotism, and cooperation. Now, therefore, I, Mrs. Tammy Bole, superintendent of the school board of Levy County, do hereby proclaim February 21st through the 28th, 2026 as
011National FFA week in the Levy public levy county public schools. >> The second one is for career and technical education month proclamation. Whereas February 1st through the 28th of 2026 has been designated career and technical education month by the association for career and technical education and the school board of Levy County. Whereas career and technical education offers students the opportunity to gain the academic technical and employability skills necessary for true career readiness. Whereas students in career and technical education programs participate in authentic meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement. And whereas career and technical education provide students with career exploration opportunities earlier in their educational experience which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career
012pathways. And whereas leaders from business industry nationwide report increasing challenges related to addressing the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE related fields including healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing, cyber security and information technology. And whereas career and technical education prepares students for these and other fulfilling careers by offering integrated programs of study that link secondary and post-secary education and lead to the attainment of industry recognized credentials. And whereas career and technical education programs ensure that employers have access to a qualified and thriving workforce, ensuring America is a strong and competitive economy. Now therefore, I'm Mrs. Tammy Bole, superintendent of the school board of Leafy County, do hereby proclaim February 1st through the 28th, 2026 as Career and Technical Education Month in Levy County Public Schools and urge all
013citizens to become familiar with the services and benefits offered by the career and technical education programs in this community and to support and participate in these programs to enhance their individual skills and productivity. And last but not least, this is the FBLA week proclamation. So whereas Future Business Leaders of America, FBLA, is a nonprofit educational organization whose first chapter was established in Johnson City, Tennessee in 1942. Whereas Iowa became FBLA's first state chapter in 1947. Whereas FBLA includes more than 200,000 members and adviserss in 4600 chapters nationwide in middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, career and technical schools, and private business schools. And whereas FBLA is a professional business organization dedicated to bringing business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. And whereas FBLA members perform community
014service activities and strive to build a students understanding of the realities of the modern business world. And whereas FBLA FBLA teaches middle school, high school, and college students basic business and leadership principles and assists them in the transition from school to work. Now therefore, I, Mrs. Sammy Bole, superintendent of the school board of Levy County, do hereby proclaim February 8th through the 14th, 2026 as National FBLA Week in Levy County Public Schools. [applause] >> Thank you, Miss Bole, Mr. Wayne. Morning board members. >> Good morning. >> So, this is a social media post to let the Chief area know that one of their buses has an extended stop alarm as of this morning that's been viewed 1,324,44 times. So, since we struck a cord, I just thought I'd let you know what our efforts are.
015>> And trying to stop the illegal school bus passing. >> We um participate in an annual survey through uh Department of Education and it's uh they'll tell us a month. They'll say a Wednesday, pick a Wednesday of this month and all the drivers will report on paper how many times they're legally passed. So this is last year's numbers. So we were passed 10 times and you know 8,300 times for the state and that's that national number is one day of illegal bus passing and their estimate is 39 million passes a year. >> So it's quite a problem and almost all of our accidents having it happen at bus stops. We've been doing the survey since 2012. So that's just kind of showing our numbers and the data they asked for and we're kind of consistent
016here in leaving. >> Yeah. So 16 was a high. >> So we had we've invested in three extended stock arms. They are about $3700 a piece. They're not cheap. And we have one on a brand new bus in Chief. In Willist, we have an area that's the bus that's passed the most on 121. And then the English Yankee Town area has an extended stop. So these are the traffic cameras and this is standard equipment. We're not paying extra for this. And uh the picture to my left uh that's going to catch the the license tag. And we as you can see in that picture, we've kind of had to modify. That's a bus with an extended stop arm. So we had to drop the camera to get around that big arm. The middle picture is
017looking out the windshield. And then the one in the top left corner of the bus is catching the whole situation. And that's uh just standard equipment. So we have eight buses with these cameras and uh we're reporting probably two to three illegal passes a week to the sheriff's office. Okay. So that's the law in Florida. It's a little different in other uh states. If you illegally pass the bus, it's a $365 fine and four points. If you have a second offense within five years, it's a six-month uh suspension of your license. If there's an injury or fatality, it's a $1,500 fine, 120 hours of community service, and one year without your license. So, our process at Levy is all bus drivers report when they're passed through dispatch. And uh the buses that have these cameras,
018we pull the video off the bus. Uh these buses have eight cameras. We drop it to just the outside cameras. We email that to the sheriff's office. They review it and they go to the house with a citation. And if the person don't remember doing this, they've got their laptop with the video. So it is a lot of work on everyone. Um, but they're reporting that about 90% of the videos I send are receiving citations. >> So that's our process. Okay. So these are videos that go to the sheriff's office. You're going to see where some people are just confused. Some people are blatantly passing the bus. Uh you'll see all kinds of different things. >> They're short clips so they can I don't need Good morning. Good day. >> Bye, Mom. >> Love you.
019>> See you later. I'm checking out. >> Oh, wow. Your brothers. Let's go to grandpa. Okay. Okay. Don't see all right. Yeah. And he's having to press through some of this. This is against >> Did he hurt? No, I mean it didn't mess up. [laughter] >> Didn't hurt the arm. >> The arm, >> not the arm. >> I'm sorry. [laughter] >> He stopped his >> He stopped just in time. >> Yeah, the arm has breakaway bolts. Okay. Halfway. >> Good. >> Yeah, that kid's crossing the street. >> Yeah, that's scary. >> How long are the yellow lights on before the >> Yeah, I know. The ruling is you run the yellow lights for at least 200 ft. The drivers are trained if it's a higher speed to run them >> a little bit longer. >>
020So, I mean, it's not like you're just pulling up and then throw an arm out there. They clearly can see it's yellow before they >> and it's judged like like a red light >> judging kind of. [laughter] No, >> he just saw the camera. North Florida [laughter] like four years of my life. You didn't need to straighten up. Oh my goodness. >> There's other things that's happening too. You just don't have it. >> That's the truth. >> Wow. [clears throat] >> So, we are putting a lot of effort into putting a stop to this. >> Interesting to see if this >> helps, you know, if it if it >> Yes. >> changes those. >> I think y'all post them on Facebook the pictures. Oh man. Embarrassing. Hey, look. >> For that >> or if that's
021legal, but yeah. >> I don't know if it's legal or not, but you know, >> I guarantee it would change shamed into this stuff, >> man. Ask Ask for forgiveness, not permission. Just >> Hey, we didn't ask put it out there. That way, we could see that that white truck of yours. Oh, God. >> That's Deon White. >> I I was just shocked because it's not a felony. I think my driver's ed teacher, Coach P, put the fear of God in us as far as passing a school bus. It's just shocking to me how how many people do that. >> And we have had um >> one car that has done it twice >> and that person's lost their license. >> Wow. >> Oh my. >> I've seen people get confused like say on the
022middle one where it's a pave divided but you still have to stop. >> Yes. >> You know that can be somewhat confusing but I mean this stuff I mean there's >> that's a lot of is just blatant. They don't want to stop. >> The buses run basically within five minutes. They could leave for work a little earlier and avoid it. >> Oh yeah. >> Kill a child. >> But it's for sure. >> Yeah. I mean, they're distracted. It looks like they're not even paying attention to any of them. >> Thank you, Mr. >> All right. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Great, >> Mr. Gore. Morning. >> Good morning. >> Morning, Mr. Gore. >> Um, it's it's the time for a quarterly report based on audits. Um this is October December. We had three
023um audits during that time. We did have two findings. Um those were corrected um that day. Um but again, those audits are random um by me. Um I'm required to um locally audit every single school um throughout the school year. Um, and then safe schools, um, they show up unannounced. Um, I do get a phone call when they're in the parking lot and, um, they they unannounced on it. So, we had three during that time period from October to December. Had two findings. Those have been addressed. Um, just so you know how those if there is findings on what they do, and they could be minor to major. It just depends. I uh, I'll answer what I can. um um to follow up those findings. They're unannounced visits randomly as well to to follow up
024on any findings we have. Um I'm proud of what we do. We're you know um we do a great job from from maintenance when there's security issues to addressing it whether it's something mechanical that can be fixed or you know transportation and Joe you you've seen what he brings. We can't have book clubs if we don't have safety, right? So, um, our administration, our partners with Le County Sheriff's Office, um, I'm thankful for how hard everybody works. Um, I wouldn't say that if I wasn't. Um, so, um, you know, it's a collective effort and, uh, we all do the best we can to keep everybody safe. So, um, that's where we're at on this quarterly report. If you have any questions, I may or not be able to answer them right now, but um know
025my door is always open and I'll always take a phone call if you ever have questions about anything safetywise. So, I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Happy birthday, Bel. Happy birthday. >> I appreciate it. The uh days are long and the years are short. [laughter] >> So, thank you guys. >> Thank you. Now is the time for public comments. Miss Hogan, have we had any emails? >> Uh, yes, Madam Chair. We have one. I put a copy in front of each of you and it's regarding a athletic event and the matter is being looked into. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. to add to that. Um just to let you know that the SRO um our SRO has reported that incident to their superior and it also has been reported by our
026school principal to FHSAA. So all the reporting has been done on our end and the investigation is still open. >> Thank you Bo. >> Do I hear a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting? >> So move. Second. We hear a motion in a second. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes and we'll start with Mr. Asel. Do you have any questions regarding the consent agenda? >> Uh, no ma'am. The not really. The only thing I would say is if we would look at our student trip request, I would recommend anybody with the opportunity that could volunteer to go on a sixth grade field trip to St. Augustine, go to it. You won't learn a thing about St. Augustine. You'll have a good time with a bunch of kids. And when
027it comes to those Florida State Fair things, I would also encourage people to go to that. See all, you know, we always think of the fair as being over there, but go see how that's done. Then you'll say, "Wow, we really do it right over here." Um, anyway, I would encourage participation in those. >> Uh, some of my happiest times were chaperoning with a bunch of kids I didn't know. You learn a lot. >> Oh, yeah. >> You learn a lot. Don't learn a thing about St. August. [laughter] learn a lot. >> Thank you, Mr. Asma. Yes, ma'am. >> Miss Campbell, >> No question. Miss, >> no. Mr. White, >> no question. >> Okay. Do I hear a motion to approve the consent finance agenda? >> So, move. >> Second. >> It's been moved and
028seconded. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. And superintendent comments. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I just want to give a shout out to Breezy out there and your team. I've already been receiving text messages about the lighting going up about the lighting going up. So, thank you very much. Um, that's appreciated. And I know I know it wasn't easy to accomplish in both areas, but it is appreciated. So, if you can thank everybody for me. operational reach. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. Uh the a quick mention about the Tallahassee trip. Of course, the two gentlemen were missed on the board, but the Levy ladies got it done. And uh we did miss you, but we had a productive two days and uh it was enjoyable. I think some pictures
029went out on our website and went out on Facebook uh for that visit. And Dr. McDougall and uh Chiron James, they were exceptional and showed us around the Capitol. We didn't get on any crazy elevators that we weren't supposed to this year. We had we had a good time. Um, and again, it was productive and we did see our representative, Senator Mlean and Representative Johnson. And uh, we had some great conversations with them. I just want to give a brief mention about the beast feast on February 21st. It's coming up. Devon, do you have any plans to do meat this year or >> Yeah, I was going to do some venison. >> Okay. Yeah, you're still up for that. >> Okay. I will um order the lobster mac and cheese. I checked with Mrs. Whitehurst
030and no one is doing that this year. So, if you're all good with that, >> um get that done. And looking forward to visiting Cedar Key after the board meeting. And that's all I have. Short and sweet. Thank you, Miss Bole. Mr. Aspel. >> Thank you, ma'am. I would I would first say it was good to have the um reading club, the book club come in. That's that's two in a row where we've shown reading can be fun. Contrary to popular belief, it can be and I'm I'm thrilled to death with that. Um this past Saturday was the fourth annual TJ Snider Gaming Tournament. Um TJ was a student at Bronson High, graduated Bronson High School shortly after graduation was diagnosed with cancer, passed away from cancer. Mr. Wilson started that as a scholarship in
031um TJ's honor um in association with Gator Gaming. It's turned into a very big deal. It was hugely successful again this year. It continues to grow. Um that that's cool. I would like to also say congratulations to Kendall Keller, district spelling bee champion from Bronson High School. Um hopefully she will do much better in spelling bees than I ever did. Um on side note, I lost the spelling be when I was a kid because I could not spell potato. >> Oh, okay. >> We won't go any further than that. Understand? >> Um I'll explain the story one day. So, I'm pulling for Kindle. Uh, congratulations to Mattie Stewart and Carson Meeks finished the second FFA district contest. Carson and Exemporaneous Maddie in discussion meet also on February 27th. I know Mr. Whitehurst may have some
032stuff going on, but we have the FFA alumni annual food fest will be that day. I think this is the 21st second year of doing that. And uh it' be a cake auction as well as uh >> good. >> What did I get in trouble with with Annie saying if you're going to go to one I don't want to get in trouble. I won't say that again here. If you're going to go to pick one of these piece things to go to, >> go to the food fest. >> I would not say that where people would hear that. >> I think that's the 27th though, right? >> That's 27th. >> So then the beast 21st So it won't be back to back. >> If you got to choose, I would never say choose one over
033the other, but if you had to choose. Okay. Um, and then lastly, okay, lastly, I have a Twix bar available to the person who answers this trivia question correctly. >> As has been pointed out, the first FBLA district in a school, first school was Johnson City, Tennessee. What famous person in OUR [laughter] >> I said it >> just like a [laughter] person just blurted out >> Steve all right was a preacher in the >> Yeah. >> There you go. So that's >> actually when I saw it that's the first thing I thought was >> Johnson City and was a member there. >> I didn't raise my hand like the attorney did. >> That's [laughter] kind of blurred it out. >> We're used to race to follow. >> We're used to that. >> That's it. >>
034All right. >> Thank you, Mr. Asbel. Miss Campbell. >> Um well, I enjoyed the presentation about the book battle and the book um >> book club. Yes. I think it's wonderful. And um you know we just proclaimed for FFA and CTE and FBLA celebrating them. And what I'm celebrating is that we have these programs going on in our schools every day this is happening and I think it's wonderful. >> You ever notice some kids that are in those programs? We see them in the meeting and after the meeting, not in the secret private meeting before the meeting. You ever notice that? [laughter] Anyway, um also the uh oh, Tallahassee. Tallahassee was very interesting. Um this time we got to sit in on two sessions and one was uh debate over the school success bill with
035a component about sex education and it was unbelievable to hear the the uh >> comments. Um the other was about cursive writing. Cursive writing did get passed and uh so we'll be having cursive writing in our schools again. Um but it it was really an eyeopener. Lots going on. Lots going on about education. Um the color run which I reported was last Saturday. That was incorrect because it is this Saturday in Cedar Key. Uh, Cedar Key and Chief Elementary Schools safety patrol. Yes. >> Thank you, Miss Cand. >> Oh, sorry. That's it. Okay, Miss Baxter. >> Um, I too enjoyed the presentation on the book club. I wish that we could implement that in all the schools because it it is important. Um, at Chief Elementary School this week, they have literacy week going on.
036Lots of activities. Next week they have a book fair that I believe the PTO sponsors and they also are going to have an open house. And at the high school basketball is winding down and the girls weightlifting um had their district finals last Thursday as we were just rolling in from Tallahassee and um that went really well. They had five girls finish in first place and several girls double medal in their categories >> and this coming Saturday will be the regional finals and they're expected to do well in those. And um yes, Tallahassee, every time we go I feel like I learn something new. Miss Campbell was right though. There was a lot of emphasis on education. There was just so many bills that were related to education. Um, and I felt like we're building
037a rapport with some of those senators and representatives. That's important in your state. That's all I have. Thank you. Right. >> A couple things. U first, FFA competed in districts. Williston, the middle school chapter did get through, so they'll be competing in state. Um, but we also had White Norse place second in tractor driving. calls McGawan placed second in creed. Um the farm business man I mean the farm procedure team for the high school the senior chapter finished second and then Annabelle Whitehurst placed second and prepared public and Mayberry finished third. Prepare public for middle school. Um also I got sent a message. Apparently, the Gainesville Astronomy Club has purchased property in Chief and they are wanting, you know, for kids or, you know, anybody uh organizations to kind of come out um you know,
038go to property and do all the things. And I can lead information with with Angela. You might like to contact them. Um also, like Miss Baxter mentioned, it's literacy week. So, the schools foundation is going around with the book bus. They were in Willist and Whisper Winds yesterday and they're at Chief Elementary this morning. >> Um to going around passing out books and um torn a little cold today be out there passing out the bus. >> Yes, [laughter] >> I might want to get on the bus with the kids. Um anyway, so they've had good participation there. Um and the basketball's going good, girls and boys. And then Wilson soccer is taking on PK Young tonight in district. So that's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. W. I left my phone at home, so
039I'm trying to remember all the things. Yankee Town. Um, we have bingo night on Thursday night and we have our spots that were vacant have been filled. One of the math spots, um, Miss Richardson says it's been filled with a fabulous math teacher and the data is already showing the progress. She was a her first, so that's exciting. Um, love the proclamations. Mr. Wayne, your presentation was just shocking to me. We need to work on that as in the legislature next year. Do something with that. Um, and I think that's it. So meeting adjourned.