001as much as we can for all the blessings that you bestow upon us. We also ask for your wisdom and your guidance for the remainder of this meeting. We ask that you watch over all our students, our teachers, our admin, everybody here at district and this board that you give them peace and comfort if they need it. You give them healing if they need that. We know that you know our hearts. You know our hearts only. We also pray that we can act to each other more like you in each and every day. We pray all this in Jesus's name. Amen. Please address the flag. >> 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
002for all. >> Miss Hogan, has there been any changes to the agenda? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Do I hear a motion to approve the agenda? Adopt the agenda. >> So move. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. I would like to welcome everyone tonight and we're going to start off the meeting with superintendent's highlights. Um, sorry, I had a moment. No, we are going to ask Dr. Hancock from Wilson Elementary School to come present for us this evening. >> Thank you, board, for hearing us today. This is one of my favorite parts of the job is when I get to brag on teachers and students and the amazing things that they're doing. So, um these are funations. >> Um so, this year, I think it
003came back last year. You guys know I stepped back to Wilson Elementary. Um Bailey came last year and she um brought the accelerated reader or AR initiative back to elementary. It was there years ago. It's been used in schools, you know, across the state. My came through with AR um and it has slowly kind of faded a little bit um because of how it was used. It was used for um grades which is not the goal of accelerated reader. Accelerated reader is to help students develop a love of learning and love reading. So Miss Bailey came and she brought that purpose back to Accelerated Reader and back to Wilson Elementary. So last year it was um brought back to to Wilson. This year full scale with um all of our grade levels and um we
004just kind of wanted to share you know how it's going. Um we brought some of our fantastic readers so they can kind of talk to you about it themselves about how it's going at the school and I can't wait for you guys to hear from them. Uh but we wanted to share a little bit about it. So you know we know why reading matters. It's going to build that vocabulary. It's going to build that background knowledge of comprehension confidence. Um they can read across all subjects and students enjoy the reading more when they get to choose the book, right? We have a lot of lessons that our amazing teachers are implementing, but they don't get to choose a topic. It's the curriculum that's given to us. So, they, you know, may or may not like
005Thomas Edison and the model T, but they're going to read about it because that's what comprehension, right? So, this is an opportunity for students to select some of their own personal um material that they can go through. Maybe they love sports, maybe they love ballet, whatever it may be. they can go in and they can pick a just right book for them. They get a book on their level and they can read it independently and they give them a little quiz afterwards so that they can check their comprehension. Um it's immediate feedback for them. They did well, you know, they pass the comprehension and you have a celebration because they are growing from their levels. You know, they might be a 2.7 when they grow to fourth grade level which is where they should be.
006The other thing it does is it gives them personals. So the teacher can go through and set and say, "You know what? I want you to have, for example, Miss Bailey set for the class this semester, this quarter, 10 AR points for the nine. I want you have 10 points." Each book that they read could be anywhere from half of a point to gay, what was the highest number you read? >> 54 points. So we've got a third grader reading. [laughter] point. >> So, I think he has goal pretty quickly. Um, but when you do have some other students who struggle to read, struggle to comprehend, and it gives them an opportunity to meet their own personalized goals. They're not competing with, they're competing with themselves and that and building those points. So, um, just
007some things that it's helping us do. It's helping us create a more joyful environment around instead of it being a task that they have to attend to. It's more of an opportunity for them participate in something that they are choosing. So with that being said, I am turn [laughter] from elementary school and I teach third grade. And as you know um as an adult, if we want to get better at something, we have to practice. Well, that philosophy is the same in third grade. If we want to get better at reading, we have to practice. And accelerated reader is just a platform that I use, the tool that I use in the classroom to practice reading. kids really know what I do. Um, AR is in in my classroom. The way I use it, as
008said, I um have a goal set each week for the students. They have to get a point a week. That was before Christmas. Um, before Christmas, we're working on fluency to increase their fluency and confidence in themselves. Like she mentioned before, they are reading on their level. And so it's not like, you know, I'm intimidated because reading has always been a struggle for me and so I can't do these books that she's asking me to read. It is on their reading level. >> And so when they're meeting goals and and on their level, they feel confident so that they want to try harder things. Um and then at the end, you know, this time of year, what we're working on for testing season, as you know, it's hard for um me to encourage them to
009read with the technology that I'm competing with in the school world. And so when we're um engaging them in prizes with the AR store that we have um we are increasing stamina with the long marine. So what I'm doing in my classroom now is last Friday when they came back from grade we took a field trip to the school library and we picked up our very own chapter books on our reading level. All 21 students left the library with the chapter book. And as of today, I have four students that have finished their chapter book and taken an AR test and felt very good about it. They're so excited. Like after recess, usually I do a readaloud with them, but now today on yesterday, today they're like, can we please just read for 15 minutes?
010Um, so they are, you can see it changing the students um motivation. They want know that I'm secretly doing these things um encouraging them to read. And if you really think that I'm just up here talking about it and making you believe me, I actually brought some real life testimony. I'm gonna start with Mr. James Gennis. He is actually a former student. I taught him last year and he has a really good story. >> Go ahead, sir. >> Hi, my name is James Gennis. I go to fourth grade at elementary. I'm here to talk about I like the accelerated reading program. I love prizes. I mean, who doesn't love prizes? AR makes more fun for me because it gives me goals to work towards. It motivates me to read more books and it helps me
011pay attention while I'm reading because I know I'll take a quiz when I'm done. I also like I also like that AR makes me feel proud of myself when I reach my goals. I hope we can keep Accelerator Accelerated Reader at our school because helps motivate kids like me become stronger readers and enjoy reading. Thank you for for allowing me to speak to you about why I love AI. >> Thank you for [applause] >> and we have his brother Grant who has a very different story and I love it just as much. Go ahead, tell us about it. Hello, my name is Grant and I'm in the fourth grade at Wilston Elementary School. At the start of third grade, I wasn't the best at reading. But then our teacher, Miss Bailey, showed us AR. And
012then I'm very competitive, so she sent out the weekly things for most AR points, and I love to get on it. So, um I it helped me just want to read more. So then I found it helped. So then I asked my mom to help me find books that I would like to read and I continued reading and reading and reading and the more AR points you get the better prizes you can get. So I wanted the bigger prizes obviously [laughter] and then by the end of the school school year now I'm getting I got a four on my fast. >> Oh wow. [applause] She thought, "Okay, well last year, you know, she really pushed it." No, we have more more reading this year as we have Mr. Nagel. Would you like to come and
013feel more at school? has helped by tests [cough and clears throat] and schools. [applause] >> As you can see through our real live testimonials here, we um have really encouraged in the third grade classroom and it has gone beyond the third grade classroom because I believe the boys are still reading this year. >> Yes ma'am. >> Um and so I am super excited as you heard them mention the AR store. It has been um something that the community has come behind us and really rallied up the funds to do it because as you well know funds are limited at some points and um how that works is like I said they they take the quiz and they earn points. Most picture books are points chapter books are more according to the number of words in
014the book. Um they earn their points and we have done one AR store the first AR store um we didn't have many shoppers because it was our first time. So anything over five points they can shop. Um this time we I know that for M professor Nagel here he has his mind set on a TV that was 300 points >> and I believe he made that goal to get the so next Friday he will be getting a TV and so we [laughter] are >> the prize right [laughter] >> brand new TV and super exciteful at how a lot of things how Um, you know, the Lord has blessed me to be able to bring this initiative here and to encourage students for something that will become really out of third grade a lifelong thing. You
015know, reading is everywhere when we're adults. Absolutely. >> And so, not only that, but the way that the community has rallied around us and and helped us to support this initiative. >> Um, and that's I appreciate Miss Bailey and her vision most because, you know, you get in a position and you do things for a while and you're like, "All right, prizes." So, we're gonna buy them Jolly Ranchers and give them a double dollar, right? And Miss Bailey's like, "Oh, no, no. We have to incentivize them." And you would not believe if you walked into this AR store that she rallied the community to donate and our PTO and um it was largely funded by our community. There are TVs, there are um like hoverboards, there are roller skates, there are, you know, and then
016it goes down to the little stuff, the pencil toppers and things like that, but There are hundreds of items in these stores for students to come in and use those AR points to purchase. So, it is an incentive program for some of our reluctant readers, you know. Um, so we definitely want to make sure that our um donors know that we appreciate them. We appreciate what they've done. They knocked door to door. They went to Walmart to get a gift card. Um, you know, those types of things to make sure that the TVs of the world were there for He's on that TV from day one. He's like, I'm [laughter] >> free. >> You work for it. [laughter] >> It's exciting to see it kind of catching fire and growing with the students. Um and
017honestly we took one of our special areas um and starting in January instead of going to um what was our old guidance program they are now going to the media center and that is going to be their opportunity time for teacher readaloud um to check out books to take AR tests to kind of help grow that in the classroom and give them some opportunities outside of our instructional lens to get these points. Um so we are excited for what this program is doing. I will um say as you know a little bit of a testimony, Miss Bailey's um students and their growth in reading and their overall proficiency is outstanding. It is definitely um one of the highest um that I've experienced and worked with and uh I I attribute most of that to her
018amazing teaching abilities. Um but I do think that a piece of this is her ability to truly grow that level of learning and reading for them at their own level where they can what they want to do. So, um is an expensive program. I'm holding my breath that we're going to be able to continue to fund it as it goes on. Um but I do see it has value. We've taken away that stigma that grades are attached. >> The grades are not allowed to be attached to this because that's when it kills. You know, you fail the test and you get a zero, then it kills that. Um it's only working positively towards points. If you fail the test, no big deal. So, um, hopefully keeping that foundation moving forward. I've seen a lot of
019success with it. >> Any questions? >> Well, I just have a comment. Thank you, Miss Bailey, for bringing that back. >> I'm a retired teacher and so is Miss Campbell. We love you. We love accelerated reader. And I think that was the problem with the grades being attached and the cost of the program. Um, but here you went out and got community support. I think that's fantastic because as you said read, you know, we want to create good readers, readers that love to read and um the only way they're going to get better is by doing more of it. So, thank you. >> I have a comment and a question if you're or you're you were going ahead. >> Yeah, my question was uh I So, the community support is is with the store. >>
020It is this year, but my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, is last year. actually rallied to help pay for the program to get it lost. >> Okay. So they so that is where the funding came from this year. >> I believe this year we were able to purchase it from school funds. The >> was it through title funds or >> it was through internal principal funds. We were excuse me internal principal. >> Okay. Oh internal >> we were able to purchase it. So um >> very good. Well, I'm very very happy that it's back and I'm very happy that it's being used correctly and I was loved hearing you all >> tell us about it. >> They did a fabulous job. >> Congratulations. I very proud of you. Keep reading. Keep reading. >> So,
021what does it cost? >> Oh, goodness. Um, well, >> roughly $3,600 for just the program. They try to package it with other things and honestly Jerry's in here but um there were some other programs that they were trying to sell and charge and whatnot. So we worked a deal this year that's vocabulary. Yeah. Um we worked a deal this year and it actually we got away with the good end of that. So I'm hoping moving forward continue to honor that deal. Um but anywhere from three to $5,000 depending on the number of students and what options you purchase. there's a option where you can purchase um online readers and so they can just basically go into their Chromebook, select a book that they want to read and read that book. >> Um but it makes
022me nervous about what they have access to, >> right? >> So we opted not to have that. Um last thing I need is a book that has controversial >> topics in it on their Chromebook. Um, so we opted not to have that control lesson for students. >> I think it's great that it's not tied to the grade because um, I have three children came through a time when it was tied to the grade and I tell you it killed their desire to read it. Absolutely. I have one that I realized he's a genius after what he told me about that um, when he was 12 and it was like, "Yep, you are a smart man when he told me that." Anyway, we'll have that conversation later on. I am thrilled to death to see somebody
023actually use this like it's supposed to be used. Um the y'all are not as old as me. There used to be a thing called riff. Reading is fundamental and they made the fun part of fundamental a different color because reading should be fun. >> Um and I think sometimes with the old way of using it, we forgot the fun. >> It was a task. >> It was it was a job. It was It was all Yeah, there kind of killed it. You're right. Uh my other I do have a question though. What kind of TV is it, my man? >> Yeah. >> I want to say like in >> maybe times five. [laughter] >> Okay. So, we we're going to work on our math, but that's [laughter] okay. Good size. Work in your bedroom, that
024kind of thing. >> Yeah. It's not going to interfere with your reading. [laughter] >> I know, right? >> You got plans for it. It's not going to interfere with our reading, though, right? [laughter] >> If you read enough books, you can get another TV. >> That's right. [laughter] >> Come on. >> Look, dude. You read enough books, get these TVs, you sell them. [laughter] >> Oh my gosh. >> Oh, man. >> Don't listen to >> Yeah. Miss Hancock, I'll just say I I've said this several times in board meetings. I'm a big fan of AR. Also, my boys used it, loved reading because of it, not tied to a grade. I want all of our schools in the county. I feel like we can rally behind coaches. Let's rally behind academics, too. Um, and I
025think the return on investment is huge when we do that. So, yeah. >> Appreciate Miss Bailey and the support from administration >> and community and everything. Grant, I do have a question. Who got more points, you or James? >> James. [laughter] No hesitation. >> Is he cheating or is he legit? [laughter] >> I think the best part of this is one of those Bailey's idea was pizza with the principal. So I get to eat pizza for lunch three days this week. >> This is friends. >> Nice. >> A good job guys. >> Good for you and us cuz you get pizza and we get pizza, too. [laughter] >> It's a win-win. >> What day? >> I hope Mr. Asel may show up. >> Yeah. What day? [laughter] Thursday, Friday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. [laughter] >>
026I think it's awesome. I I really do. I think this is great. And I agree. We should have it every school as long as they understand. >> Do it this way. >> Yeah, exactly. >> This way. This is great. >> You know, we hear about pilot programs. >> Brilliant. >> Great job with that. Is it? >> Yeah, we have THE [applause] >> Can we get a picture of them up here? The boys and the teacher and Dr. >> And if you guys want to slip out after the picture >> at bedtime, [laughter] >> wherever you wherever you'd like. >> 87 pages into two. that first. >> So, did you finish the book, the Harry Potter book, or you in the middle of it? >> Um, I finished it. >> Good [laughter] for you. >> Third
027grade reading Harry Potter. >> Yeah, that's a big deal. [applause] >> And he's not with me yet, but you >> got Follow the trail. [laughter] >> Give that voice a voice. >> Thanks for coming. See you later. >> Thank you for having us. >> Thanks for coming. >> Byebye. >> What were you reading? >> Dog man right now. >> Oh, Big Nick's awesome, >> dude. That's a [laughter] he Oh my goodness. Next on the agenda, we have Mr. Stockman and Mr. Eastman. [laughter] >> You got to go home with that. >> Good evening. >> Thank you all for taking a little time for us today. And I have Mason is going to talk, but I I have an unofficial request and a statement. Very impressive those young men >> how they could stand up and
028They do a better job than me or Brandon [laughter] stand up here addressing people. But I think I can speak for most of our staff. Can we move these presentations to the last? >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Because we come up here with some exciting news right now, but it ain't near as exciting. [laughter] >> Hard to compete with that for sure. >> So that's unofficial request. [laughter] So okay. >> All right. We're here to award a Ruben. We went back out back in uh November to advertise. Um we had a mandatory pre- bidding uh pre- bid meeting December 4th. We had 70 17 companies show up to that um preid meeting. >> And I'm going to say 11 of those 17 did the pre-qualification the day that we had that pre- bid meeting. We have
029a pre-qualification. They all have a deadline to submit that in. I say that because on the paper in front of you or on your computers, you'll see six bids or that we tabulated. We had eight actually sent in, but two of them did not have the deadline for the pre-qualification stuff, so we did not open those up. >> Um, this project's going to take place during fair break, the fair break and spring break, so to have this done before summer, so hopefully to eliminate any summer issues we have, schools. Um, as you can see on that sheet, uh, Louis Walker roof was the lowest bid across the board just about and our recommendation is going to be to approve Louis Walker roofing and Gary is with Louis Walker roofing today. He showed up. >> Oh,
030thanks for coming. >> Thanks. Thank you for coming. >> I'd like [laughter] [clears throat] I'd like to say uh Mr. G and Lewis Walker uh come to us with a we have certain warranty parameters that we ask for and they come to us with a product that we haven't used in recent years a manufacturer. So we had to get deep in the woods to make sure that warranty met and Mr. uh Gary went above and beyond providing all that gave us contacts with them. We got direct emails from the manufacturer from Big Wig there and you know ensuring us that the warranties and the copies they got met everything and and went above what we were. So we were real pleased and so we think we're going to get that same effort through the project
031and they assured us they could get it done >> during our parameters. We do have weather options and then if they if something happens then it has to be weekends or after schools out to to get it done. And uh this is a company that's been in business for years. It's first time they've done work for us. May in my recent memory it may have been a long time ago but they're reputable company by everything we can determine. So glad to have him. And if you'll notice the pricing by having so many people uh participate uh there was over $100,000 difference between the best price and the highest price. That's pretty significant. >> That's over half the cost of the project which allows us to do stuff >> at other projects. So the participation really
032helps >> very dependent. You got any questions? >> You think get get it done within the two week? Is it a week and another week or >> Yes. >> Unless weather practice long as we don't get a storm come through in the middle of it. >> That's right. >> But even even with that, we're prepared. We need to do a weekender. >> Yeah. >> We'll we'll get it done as quickly as we can. The weather doesn't know, >> we'll easily have done those. And I'd like to thank Mr. for help working with us to make sure we hit the safety >> stuff >> on this project. >> I move we accept the recommendation. Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you
033very much. >> Thank you. >> And Mr. Bennett, >> thank you very much. >> Thanks for coming. Thank you. >> Read a good book tonight. [laughter] >> Good book. >> Yeah, that's a good one. >> Good evening. Um, as you may know, class size compliance is written into the constitution of the state of Florida. And the way that's defined is in grade prek through three, there needs to be no more than 18 students per class. Grades four through 8, 22, and grades 9 through 12, 25. So, because our district schools, public schools or schools of choice. That requirement is calculated at the school average level for each grade band and considers only classes defined as core by the Florida Department of Education. So things like English, math, etc. So this is reported twice a year
034by our district as of all districts in surveys two in October and survey three in February, but October is the one that we're considering tonight. So it's important to note that class size is calculated for this requirement is not the same as actual class size because it is an average. Um and that is just a difference due to how the calculation is made. So for our 25 26 October survey 2 almost all of our schools and bands are in compliance. We ended up with only two schools that were just barely out of compliance. Chief Elementary School was out of compliance with a average of 23.42 in grades four and tied only and Joyce Bulock was out of compliance just barely just over the cap of 18 at 18.38. >> So what you have before you
035uh is the compliance plan that I have developed in conjunction with the school administrators of the schools. And I will say when it comes to class size, it's a game of predicting the future, right? Every year you know what you think is going to be your involvement when they show up each year and that's what your is based on and then the first day of school happens and we adapt, right? >> And so kudos to all the schools that work very hard to make our classes as compliant as as we can. Because we ended up out of compliance, we're required to submit this compliance plan, which details what the school will do to work towards compliance. And I would ask any questions that you may have a motion to approve it. There's no penalties associated
036with being out compensated. >> No financial. Right. >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you, Mr. Bennett. >> And now's the time for public comment. Seeing none, we'll move to the approval of minutes. Do I hear a motion to approve minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I >> motion passes. Moving to the consent agenda. Mr. Asbel, do you have any questions about the consent or finance agenda? >> All All my questions have been answered. I will make a comment that has made before. It always gets me in trouble, but at this point, I'm committed to trouble. Um, I know life changes.
037I know things happen. I don't like people to resign in the year. Um, you can resign at the half, you can resign at the end. I get it. I know where you're going. I know everything revolves around what you're doing. I get it. But you have a commitment to kids. >> I know. >> Now, I can I can work with I' I've caught a fit about making these comments and I'm I'm a big boy so I'm prepared to take them. Um, there are things I understand. Sickness. so and so's job, you know, a spouse's job, things, but but in reality, when you're leaving here to go to another school, we all know you're going, we know what your motivation is. Stay with the kids. The kids need you. Leave at Christmas break, leave in June,
038don't leave in February. Don't leave one week after we come back to school. You know, um don't show up to class on Tuesday and then decide on Thursday, you're leaving. That's just my opinion. Uh, we're professional people. It's always fascinating to me that we talk about contract contracts. Contracts. >> The only people helping the contract is this side. >> That's >> Well, how does that work with >> contracts? That's uh that's just my my little beef for the moment and I'll I'll let it fly. And I >> David, how does that work with contracts or superintendent? >> I'm just making sure I'm >> the chair person. Mr. PL Um so uh I have heard people who know more about classroom management and education than I do that if you have somebody who doesn't want to
039be in the classroom the quality of instruction may not be where at the level that we want. So that's just one practical issue. Um but the that is correct the way the contracts are written that the employees are not bound to finish out the year or incur some sort of penalty. >> Just curious about that. >> They're used I mean there is on the books a reporting mechanism to the state um for teachers who do leave within their contract period but um to my knowledge the state does not take any action and has not for the last decade plus. >> Mr. Asbel, do you have any more comments? >> No. No. And then I'm I'm always glad to see us go into things. You know, we can't be it be it students, be it faculty,
040be it staff, we go to things. You can't learn you can't possibly know everything you need to know if you stay locked up right here. Go out, learn things. I think that's good. I was just beating a horse. So, I'm done. Thank you. >> Miss Campbell, do you have any comments >> on the consent agenda? >> No, I have no questions. >> Okay. Miss Baxter, >> no. No questions. U just comment coach Puit I want to thank his years of service um certainly to think a legend like that to come to Willist in four years that was um certainly he mentored a lot of young men and you know I feel like made that program a lot better than it was and wish him the best of luck hope to beat him on the field
041[laughter] >> I'll echo that too one of those young men were my fun so we'll it was a great experience and was and Dukes too coach Dukes and seeing Judson and Hancock on there is um exciting. Yeah. >> So you I'm sure he'll have a new appreciation for his mama >> being in the classroom after all these Yeah. >> Um and that's all I have. So do we hear a motion to approve the consent and finance agenda? >> Certainly. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. >> We have superintendent comment. Thank you madam chair. Um, guess I'll say happy new year to everyone. This is our first meeting since the new year. Hope everyone had an enjoyable break and all of you did as well.
042Um, Miss Mrs. Lewis stopped some of us in the hallway today and um was on top of I don't know if you've seen the message yet put out on Parent Square, but our grad rate came in at 96.4, which put us at number seven. out of 67. >> Wow. Wow. That's great. >> That ain't bad. >> That's great. >> Wanted to um tell you all that the two days before the students return. Um of course, you know, the professional learning and the SIP days just to let the board know and to thank the district very much for all their hard work. Um they were very successful and there was a transportation inservice going on at the same time and I that was very successful [clears throat] as well. Um for the first time ever I
043took a bus driver test [laughter] but it's you know it's kind of good to see that they're taking a test. Um you think that some of the questions were silly but they're not silly really. They're not. It's common sense. Um, so that it was it was really nice to see that. >> How'd you do? >> She's not gonna be filling in for the bus driver. [laughter] >> We still have a shortage. >> I got a high B. >> There were 50 questions. >> Good. [laughter] >> Um, also >> there will uh two of wonderful Levy legends. I guess I'll call them Levy legends are inductees. I don't you've probably seen it already on Facebook for the 2026 Florida FFA Hall of Fame. And so those two wonderful women are Michelle Crawford and Marcia Smith. >>
044Oh, that's great. And it was very nice of um during the SIP day or PL day actually at Bronson in the CTE world, Tanya made mention and they were both in the room and she surprised them. Um but everybody had a minute or two to talk and talk about the just the relationship and what they've you know some people in the room they taught and they're now educators and they spoke and it was incredible to hear. So, they're very excited and it's welld deserved. Um, quick mention of two copies that I passed out to all of you. One of which will reference Thank you. a historical marker program and the other one at the top looks more official. It will reference the National Register of Historic Places. Tomorrow morning, I've scheduled an email to send
045to all of you at 8:00. So, you can go into this marker and you can read a little bit about that program. And then attached to the historic site is basically a history of the Cedar Key Middle School building that's been there since 1915, I believe. >> Wow. So where this is originating from even as a board member years ago sitting going to the SA SAC meetings there was always talk of this has been for some years but there's been changes in SAC members. Um so I want the board to be aware and and I've discussed some of it with district as well. They would like two separate things to happen. So that's why I sent you the two separate things. One, they would like to see a historical marker >> and you'll read the
046difference between that. It just sits outside the fenced in area, >> you know, on the property and gives a little explanation of it would be that school, >> the brick building. A historic site is a lot more um entailed. Mr. Delaney and I have discussed it and he's done some research. We're still doing more research. I just want you to start doing some research and be familiar with the two um guidelines for for both of them and then we'll discuss this more and possibly some of the SAC committee members will come before you and talk a little bit about why they want to do what they do on the historic site end and on the historical marker end. So that's what that is doing. Tomorrow morning you'll get that about 8 a.m. >> Okay. So
047just be prepared. We'll talk about it more. >> Okay. And I think that was my list. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. That's all I have. Mr. Asel. >> Thank you. Um, I'll start off by saying we're back at school. It's going good. That's going to be the extent of my school talk for right now. Uh, as superintendent brought up, uh, we do have the two individuals being admitted into the FFA Hall of Fame and were, and I'm going to concentrate on one. Was she just the A advisor, FF, a teacher, FFA adviser for Bronson High School? I would beat a drum for her. >> But Marcia Smith's maiden name is Asel her. >> So, of course, Mr. Whitehurst, [laughter] >> we let her stay over there in Willist a little bit, give you then we
048brought her back over here and got all that Williston mess out of her and straight her up and then boom, Hall of Fame. Um, just because we knew it was going to happen that way. But let me let me get on with that. Got me sidetracked. The um to say I'm proud of my cousin is an understatement. Her daddy and my daddy brothers uh and I love her dearly. Um and I am incredibly proud of her, but I'm going to say something completely different. We always talk about influence. We always talk about oh made a difference. We start. Oh, Marsha Smith, Marcia Asel Smith is by far the most influential FFA member the Bronson FFA chapter has ever produced and I was one of them. Um, if you just look at it, you have a
049kid, let's go back in time to a long time ago, you have a kid, a girl, they came through school at the time that girls were not prominent in FFA, especially in Bronson. She was signed up to be in the home class and a teacher, Buddy D, said, "Hey, I think you need to look at a think you need to consider this." Convinced her, had to convince her mama that it was okay for this girl to be in an A class. And that led to her being very active in the FFA on a local level. She became a state officer. She went to school to be an A teacher. And then she had this celebrated career. And now she sits in the FFA Hall of Fame instead Florida because one teacher cared to speak to
050a child. He didn't have to. He said, "I see potential in you." Too often children pass by a teacher, a grownup because they're in a hurry because, "Oh, I got to I got I got to fill out this form. I got to do this. I don't have time for you." and they miss the opportunity. And and we as schoolboard, you miss the opportunity to say, "Hey, you matter." And I can see something big is coming because of you. Just one little conversation. Boom. You produced a Marsha Smith. How many kids passed by? It could have been another Marshia Smith and we missed her. So, I'm thrilled to death about that. Not only is she she did she retire an eagle, she's ate up being an eagle. Okay. Um and uh being an aspel knew it
051was coming. Great. >> It was just a matter of time being from Bronson and being an aspel. But I wanted to be publicly known. I'm incredibly proud of her. And I am sure glad that Buddy De's took time to say to a girl going from the eighth grade to ninth grade, hey, maybe ought to think about act and was willing to talk to the parent and convince a mama because there's been a many kid that's been blessed by Marsha because of that conversation. That's wonderful. >> That's all I >> Miss Campbell. Um, I just want to um say again uh how excited I am that accelerated reading is back. We do have it in Cedar Key also. Um, and I hope that the other schools will consider getting it back because it's definitely an effective
052but a great program to getting kids reading for the right reasons. um homecoming week at Cedar Key and um there will be an alumni game on the Saturday which is always a lot of fun. Um a lot of people come back and try to play like they used to play. We usually have injuries unfortunately but hopefully we won't have too many this year. And also on um Saturday of this week, Chief Elementary School and Chief uh and Cedar Key School is sponsoring a color run sponsored by the safety patrol. >> Looking forward to that. >> Great. Thank you, Miss Ber. Um again, wonderful presentation of Willist Elementary at Chief Elementary School. They're currently doing WEDA testing, which most of you probably probably know what that is. If not, it's the um English learners. It's a
053good way to see how they're progressing. They also have a spelling bee on January the 16th coming up and volunteers, including Miss Lyndon, myself, will be beginning next week at the elementary school. Over at the high school, they just had a fantastic PBIS event and also um a recognition of all the honoral students. And we have a young woman, Na Na Asia Bivvens, who reached 1,000 points playing basketball. So, we're proud of her. And they have an avid trip planned to FSU next week. >> And that's all we have. >> Thank you, Mr. White. >> Um, a couple things. Uh just the Wilson FFA fishing tournaments coming up uh February 27th and 28th. Um and the Fellowship Christian Athletes uh courts for Christ on January 31st. So anybody that's um interested in sponsoring that Wilson
054please reach out to the school. Um certainly enjoyed the accelerated reader program. Miss Bailey, I know she puts a lot into what she does. She's certainly been an asset um to that school. um and appreciate um it's just a real honor for two Levy County teachers to be in the FFA Hall of Fame. I know that's a representation of all the people students that came through and just what their dedication is to them and you know and our support and the school support of that FFA programs throughout the district. Um certainly exciting news for the graduation rate of having number seven in the state. I mean you think all the counties and number seven little old Levy County. >> Yeah. I think that's flexing their muscle a little bit and I know it goes to
055the teachers, administrators, you know, just from top down bottom, you know, just it takes everybody. So I know that's a lot of people's hard work and I'm just fortunate to be over here representing you know certainly haven't said that in a while but I'm certainly humbled to be in this seat and I know we make a lot of important decisions you know when we're up here and I don't take that job lightly and neither does anybody else up here and just appreciate everyone. That's all I have. Thank you Mr. White and thank you for your comments and meeting adjourned.