Board Meeting 12/9/2025

001that you give your wisdom and your guidance to all of us here, that you protect everyone in this room, these students, teachers, parents, everyone, that you continue to heal our community. We know that there are many out there and some within our own family here within our school district that need your your support. They need your strength. They need your healing. Please do that for them. Please always be within us and allow us to live each day more like you and let our hearts feel your presence in each and every day. In all in your name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Please address the flag. 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

002for all. >> Sounds good. All people. >> M. Hogan, have there been any changes to the agenda? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Do I hear a motion to approve the agenda? >> So, move second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. >> Welcome everybody. It's so good to see all of your beautiful faces this evening. It's our last meeting of 2025, so I'm excited to kick it off this way. Um, and we will start with Miss Bole. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, [snorts] this is going to be a little bit of a surprise and I'm glad it's very fitting that all of you are here this evening. Um, as a little background to everyone, I don't know if anyone in the room has heard of the Florida

003Tax Watch. Anybody hear of that? Maybe some FFA students. Oh, council has. Um, leading up to this, and I think Miss Angela can tell you, I was contacted by the Florida Tax Watch via email a few times, and we both thought that number one, it could be a scam. We weren't sure. Um, but finally they were persistent and I was able to get someone on the phone and this person gave me a little bit of background about the Florida Tax Watch and they said, "We have one of your principles on our list and we need to interview you and ask you a few questions about this principle." I went, "Okay, that's fine." Um they said after we question you, we will go ahead and get with our panel and we will determine if this particular

004principal wins what they call the tax principal leadership award. So it took a little bit went through the inter interview process and lo and behold it wasn't but a few days ago that I was contacted again and the principal that they had among many she told me that our principal here in Levy County had one and let me tell you what they look at. This principle is not nominated by us, any of us in Levy County. This is something that this program does since to identify Florida's most effective principles in high-risk K through2 public schools. A little bit more. The program, the Tax Watch Florida, it analyzes students student student performance data over several consecutive years and the results are weighted to find those principles making a difference in communities that need the attention most.

005So, with that said, this evening, this is definitely a surprise. Um the principal that was chosen for the principal leadership award and this will be for the leadership that this principal gave to Yankee Town School is none other than Mrs. D. Westfall. [applause] [laughter] I'm just thankful that I didn't figure it was scammed. [laughter] >> This is for you. Congratulations. So proud of you. And um I don't know all the specifics yet, but so far what I do know um that was sent to me is in the spring you will be recognized at a location and date to be determined and you can pick however many people you want to bring with you. Um but it's a ceremony for you. You will receive a $1,000 cash prize. >> You will receive a flag. [laughter] >>

006Um you will have a table space for guests at the awards ceremony. And this is this is exciting. Um you have the opportunity to nominate one student from your school to receive a 2-year academic A+ challenge match. >> Wow. Wow. [applause] >> I did. I kept it a secret from everyone except >> Oh, don't crack the lens. >> Get up in there, y'all. Get in there together. >> Ashley, get up there. Shank. >> You [laughter] shank Ashley. >> Ashley. >> Keep the board. >> Don't put me about. >> All y'all get in there. I'm be on the get up there. Get up there. Drop it. [applause] No second law. >> You just laughed at me. >> That white horse girl ain't smiling. on. You serious? >> Yes, I will keep on. >> We're at a

007board meeting. >> All right. >> Did you switch for the next highlight? >> We have your Will Middle High School FFA. >> The FFA Parro contest consists of three major parts. A written exam of general knowledge, usually 25 questions. demonstration which you will see tonight and more questions for all team members after the demonstration. The team members are Katie Troop, Audrey Hardy, Avery White, Skyler Brooks Cooper, Kale Curry, and [applause] Our team competed Our team competed at subd district in Chland where we placed first. We will compete again in January at district in Lafayette. We are we are excited to compete and have been studying very hard to learn. We are thankful for our coaches. Missy, Miss Priscilla, Miss Jamie, and Mr. Robbie Sister. [applause] >> Yeah, I know. >> Is ready further business to

008come before this meeting? Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Wers. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that our chapter conduct a supervised agricultural experience project tour for incoming sixth graders. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that our chapter conduct a supervised agriculture experience project tour for incoming sixth graders. Miss Whitehurst, as the maker of the motion, you have the first right to speak. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. supervised agricultural experiences, better known as SAEs are projects FFA members do outside of FFA that relate back to agriculture. Since every FFA member has to have one, I think that this would be very beneficial for our chapter. So, please join me in passing this motion. Mr. Chairman, >> Miss True. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encouraged the assembly to fail this motion. When

009I was in sixth grade, I didn't even know what agriculture was. Instead of rushing into FAE, I believe we should let our sixth graders take a introduction class like introduction to AD, which can not only help them learn about essays, but it can help them pick an SAE that fits their personality. Please help me fail. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Hardy, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembly to pass this motion. A great place that we could hold this event would be in our cafeteria and we could have various booths about the different and what they do. So our incoming sixth graders can go around and see what we have to offer in our agriculture classes and for SAS. So I encourage the assembly to pass this motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr.

010Blanc. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I the assembly to vote up on this motion. Last year we did an SAE agriculture experience project tour and it really benefited me a lot. This year I decided to grow tomatoes for my SAE because of the project tour that we did. So I encourage the assembly to vote up on this motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Brooks, >> I encouraging someone to go up on this motion. We just purchased a mini bus and a truck and our ACT teachers can can drive these vehicles and help transport students can help transport students. Please help me in passing this motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Whitehurst. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembly to pass this motion. Many of the SAEs in Willist are beef and swine production

011and I think that this um SAE project tour could help get some diversity within our SAS. So I encourage the assembly to pass this motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Bl. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I the assembly to vote up on this motion. I believe a great time to host this project tour would be in February during during National FFA week because it is a time when we go to the elementary school and talk to incoming sixth graders and younger students about agriculture. So I encourage the assembly to vote up on this motion. >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Truth. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembly to fail this motion. I believe that SAE requires normally developed at a later commitment it takes to have this. Please help me fail this.

012>> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Harding. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembling to vote up on this motion. If we teach our incoming sixth graders, well, current fifth graders about all our different SAE opportunities, they could also learn more handon things for in the classroom. So, whenever they get to apply for what extracurriculars they're going to do, they can also have agriculture and FFA online whenever they So, I encourage the assembly to pass this motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Brooks, >> I encourage these to on this question. A lot of people do not understand an SAE and seeing a real project would help them better understand SA. So, please help me pass the motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Blanc. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to amend this motion by

013striking out project tour and adding in workshop. So, if read this mo so if passed, this motion agreed. I move that our chapter conduct a supervised agriculture experience workshop for our incoming sixth graders. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that we amend this motion by striking out project toward inserting the word workshop. So with pastor be I move our chapter conduct a supervised agriculture experience workshop for our incoming sixth graders. This subsidiary motion is debatable and amendable. Miss Leblanc, as the maker of the motion, you have the first right to speak. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I made this amendment because workshops are very hands-on and specific and I believe if you did a workshop uh our sixth graders could gain more personal and one-on-one information than doing a project tour.

014So I encourage the assembly to vote up on this motion. >> Mr. Chairman >> Miss Hardy. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembly to pass this amendment. In previous years, we have held this event where we have multiple adviserss and or FFA students walking around where they can see and help out with the SA. So our incoming sixth graders can really learn how to build an SAE and help out their agriculture experience altogether. So I encourage the assembly to pass this motion. Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Whitehurst. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembly to fail this motion. I think that a workshop would take a lot more time um out of I think a workshop would take a lot more time uh since it's more one-on-one. Um so I and this

015is time we don't have. So I encourage the assembly to fail this motion. >> Mr. Miss Brooks, >> I encourage the assembly to pass this amendment. >> A workshop would be easier to plan because because sixth graders can remain in one place instead of going around on a tour. So, please help me in passing. Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Troop, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman. I encourage the assembly to fail this amendment. I believe to really showcase our SAS, we would have to go to the different facilities and farms where they really came to life. So that our six incoming sixth graders could see what it really takes for their specific SAS and we could also showcase all the hard work our members have put into this. So please help me bail this amendment. >> Is

016there any more debate on the amendment? Hearing none, we're now to vote. All in favor passing the amendment say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. Nay. >> The opinion of the chair. The nays have it that the amendment fails. Is there any more debate on the motion that our chapter conduct a supervised agriculture experience? >> I call for division. >> The division has been called for. We'll now take a vote by more visible means. All in favor of passing this amendment, please rise. Three, thank you. All oppose, same sign. Two, thank you. Three in the affirmative and two in the negative. The amendment passes. We will amend this motion by changing it to read. I move that our chapter conduct supervised agriculture experience workshop for our incoming sixth graders. for the debate on

017the main motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Brooks, >> I move that our chapter >> I move that when we adjourn we meet be back at 5:00 on Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the shop. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded that when we adjourn, we adjourn to be back on Friday at 5:00 in the a shop. This privilege motion is not debatable but is amendable by time that you're hearing amendments hearing. None of the obstacles motion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. In the chair, the eyes have it and the motion passes. When we adjourn, we will turn and be back on Friday at 5:00 in the act shop. Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Whitehurst. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

018I move to lay this motion on the table. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that we lay this motion on the table. This subsidiary motion is debat neither debatable nor amendable. Therefore, we will head straight to a vote. All in favor passing this motion say I. >> I. >> All say nay. >> Nay. >> The chair. The days have it and the motion fails. Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> I rise to a question of personal privilege. >> State your question. >> It is getting rather warm in here. May I please remove my official FFA jacket? >> You may not. As a standing rule of our FFA chapter that we keep on our official address during regular meetings. Therefore, I cannot grant your request. Is there any

019further debate on the main motion? >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Hardy, >> I move that we take a fiveminute recess for informal consultation. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded that we take a fiveminute recess for informal consultation. This privilege motion is not debatable but is amendable by time. Do you hear any amendments? Hearing none to vote. All in favor pass this recess say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. >> Nay. >> Chair. The days have it and the recess fails. Is there any debate on the main motion? >> I rise to a question of parliamentary inquiry. >> State your inquiry. >> What are my rights to debate on this motion? >> You speak for two two turns for maximum of 10 minutes each. Let us answer your question. >> Yes.

020Thank you. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Miss Brooks, >> I move that we adjourn this meeting. >> Second. It has been properly moved and seconded that we adjourn this meeting. This privilege motion is not debatable nor amendable. Therefore, we will head straight to a vote. All in favor of passing this say I. >> I. >> All post say nay. >> Nay. >> The chair. The nays have it. The German fails. Is there any more debate on the main motion? >> Are you going to the basketball game? >> I point of order. >> State your point. >> Members are speaking without recognition of the chair. >> Point well taken. Members, please refrain from speaking without recognition from the chair. Is there any more debate on the main motion? Hearing none, we now ask you to vote. All

021in favor pass this motion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. >> Nay. >> The chair the eyes have it. And the motion passes. Our chapter will now conduct a supervised agricultural workshop for our incoming sixth graders. Members, please be reminded that when we adjourn, we adjourn to meet back on Friday at 5:00 in the egg shop. Meeting adjourned. [applause] >> [laughter] >> still in one piece. >> More visible means of >> a new handle. We don't have a fancy speaker like the middle school. I apologize. Um like the middle school team um at subd districts um our high school team um also plays first. We will also be competing at districts in Lefayet. Um I have asked Mr. Bennett to put a timer on. I'm hoping that this big screen will keep

022them under time because we have a hard time with that. So fingers [laughter] crossed. >> Um we're looking for 11 minutes or less. So and oh I should introduce you guys. This is Payton, Carly, Annabelle, Angelica, Cash, and >> Welcome. >> [applause] >> Um, no. >> Sorry. They normally get a minute, but you guys, this is a long time, so they can get folks. >> Is there any new business to come before the assembly? >> Miss Madam Chairman, >> Mr. Mr. B. >> I move that our chapter host a community forum on the importance of protecting agricultural land in Florida. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that our chapter host a community forum on the importance of protecting agricultural land in Florida. This motion is debatable and amendable. Mr. Bon, as

023the maker of the motion, you have the first start to speak. >> Thank you, Madam Chairman. I made this motion because being from a rural town, it is our job as an FFA chapter to advocate for rural communities. As Gainesville and Ocala both approach um rural land and um our increasing urban sprawl, we are seeing a a [music] decrease in the amount of rural agricultural land in Florida. I believe this community forum could help advocate for those farmers. For these reasons, pass the motion. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Madam Chairman, Miss >> Thank you, Madam Chairman. Members, please vote with me in passing this motion. Seeing as there are so many lands that are being destroyed in Florida, there are already acts put in place such as the World Land Protection Protection Act. If we were

024able to host community forum on acts such like this, we could really inform our community on why our land is the most important asset that we have and how we are helping feeding America by producing the crops that our town has been producing since the 1800s. Vote with me in passing, please. >> Madam Chairman, >> Mr. Hires, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I move to suspend the standing rule that an advisor present for a vote to be taken. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that we suspend the standing rule that an adviser must be present for a vote to be taken. This motion is not debatable nor amendable and requires a two-thirds vote for passage. >> I rise for a point of order. >> State your point. >> The motion to

025the motion to suspend the rules requires a majority vote for passage not 2/3. >> Point not well taken. >> I I appeal the decision of the chair. >> State your appeal. According to Robert's orders, the motion to appeal requires a twoth3 vote for a to suspend the rules, but a majority for a standing rule. Um, the decision of the chair has been appealed. All in favor of um sustaining the chair's decision, please rise. All oppose. Same sign. Five. Thank you. With none in the affirmative and five in the negative, the chair's decision is not sustained. Um, suspend the rules requires a majority vote for passage. All in favor of suspending the standing rule, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, please say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and

026we will suspend the standing rule that an adviser must be present for a vote to be taken. Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> Madam Chairman, >> Miss Whitehurst. >> Thank you, Madam Chairman. In the FFA creed, I am Tiffany coined the phrase, I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true. As the next generation of agriculturists, it's essential that we safeguard our rights as agriculturists um and protect our farmland in this um community forum. Vote yes. >> Madam Chairman, Miss Vertran. >> Thank you, Madam Chairman. I implore the assembly to pass this motion because we have a perfect place we can host this community forum at our local agurism hotspot, the blueberry farm. And I think while we have this community forum at this blueberry farm, we'll be able to

027show the importance of agriculture land. Pass motion. >> Madam Chair, >> Mr. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am in favor of this motion. As Wilson is a relatively small town, we are very big on tradition and upholding past values. I believe that showing our community that we care about the land and the legacy of this town will greatly help our FFA chapter membership rights. So, please vote me in passing this motion. >> Madam Chair, Mr. Raven. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I stand in favor of this motion. I believe that if we hosted this community forum, we could invite some of our local lawmakers and policy writers to help them advocate for farmers just as we are advocating in our small towns. For these reasons, pass the motion. >> Madam Chair, Mr. >> Thank you,

028Madam Chair. I move that we refer this motion to a special committee of three with the power to act. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that we refer this motion to a special committee of three with the power to act. This motion is debatable and amendable. Miss Gianis, as the maker of the motion, you have the first right to speak. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Members, please vote with me and passing this referral. I think that this motion is of huge importance to not only our community, but our chapter. We were able to show how much we truly cared about the land that the Lord has given us. And if we were able to refer this, we would be able to take the time that we really needed to look over,

029plan out everything that we needed, and gather the resources so that we could do such a great way to find all the information we needed to really greatly vote with. >> Madam Chair, Mr. B. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I am not in favor of this motion. Although I do believe that it's important that we put a lot of time and effort into this motion. With this motion having the power to act, this means that three members of our society are allowed to vote for this matter. I believe that this motion requires more say than just three members. For these reasons, fail the referral. >> Madam Chair, Miss Bren, >> thank you, Madam Chairman. I implore the assembly to fail this referral because um the three members that are on our special board, they are

030really educated in our agriculture land and I think they will be able to put their foot forward for this motion pass amendment. Madam chair, Miss Wers. Thank you, Madam Chair. I disagree with the previous speakers. If we were to refer this motion to a committee, this would give us plenty of times to contact our local AIS extension office in Bronson, which is an excellent resource on um this community forum as they have um information and infographics about our agricultural land in our community. Vote yes, >> Madam Chair. >> Mr. Hires, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I'm not in favor of this referral. With a motion like this, it's best that we get that we go through with it as soon as possible. and I just don't believe that it would be beneficial for our chapter

031to wait for the committee to get back to us before we go through these motions. Please vote me in failing this referral. >> Is there any further debate on the referral? Seeing none, we will now proceed to vote. All in favor of passing the referral, please say I. >> I. >> All opposed, please say nay. Nay. >> In the opinion of the chair, the naysay have it and the referral fails. Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> Parliamentary inquiry. >> State your inquiry. >> What are my voting rights concerning the main motion? Your voting rights include um two um or you can speak for a majority. Does this answer your question? >> Yes. [laughter] >> Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> Madam Chair, >> Miss White, >> I

032move that we amend this motion by adding on in partnership with Florida Farm Bureau so that if passed, the main motion would read, I move our chapter host a community forum on the importance of protecting agricultural land in Florida in partnership with Florida Farm Bureau. Second. It has been properly moved and seconded that we amend this motion by adding on in partnership with Florida Farm Bureau. So that if passed, the motion would read that our chapter host a community forum on the importance of protecting agricultural land in Florida in partnership with Florida Farm Bureau. Is Miss Whitehurst as maker of the motion, you have the first right to speak. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Please vote up on this motion. um former Levy County FFA alumni um Miss Jamie Gerald currently um is a big

033advocate on behalf of our FFA chapter with the Florida Farm Bureau. I think having that contact would give us um the um necess necessary contact for this community forum in contact with um Florida Farm Bureau. But yes, >> Madam Chair, >> Mr. Bman, >> thank you, Madam Chair. This amendment is vital to the main motion. I uh Florida Farm Bureau works to advocate for local farmers and also educate them on um local policies that may affect them. I believe that this will be so vital to um helping protect agricultural land in Florida, especially rural Florida. So for these reasons, please pass [clears throat] the amendment. >> Madam Chairman, >> Miss Bertrren, >> thank you, Madam Chairman. I implore the assembly to pass this amendment because a lot of our community is a part of the

034Farm Bureau and I know every single one of them would love to um love to put their input on this community forum. So pass the motion. >> Madam Chair, Mr. Thank you, Madam Chair, and Mr. passing this amendment. I think that the floor of Farm Bureau is a great choice for partnership on this motion, seeing as they are already so informed on how much the land of our state means to us. So, if we could partner with them, we can inform our community of that as well. That would be >> Madam Chair. >> Mr. Harris, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I am in favor of this amendment. As this form will be a sort of a gift to our community, I believe it would be good for our chapters to draw the funds for this

035form from a source other than our community itself. I believe that will be very good for our chapter standing in our community. So, please vote me in passing this amendment. >> Is there any further debate on the amendment? Seeing none, we will not proceed to vote. All in favor of passing the amendment, please say I. >> I. All oppose, please say nay. >> Nay. >> In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and we will amend this motion. Our main motion now reads that our chapter host a community forum on the importance of protecting agricultural land in Florida in partnership with Florida Farm Bureau. Is there any further debate on this motion? Madam Chair, >> Miss Whitehurst, >> I move that we lay this motion on the table due to the arrival of

036our guest speaker. >> Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded that we lay this motion on the table. This motion is not debatable nor amendable and requires a majority vote for passage. All in favor of passing this motion, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, please say nay. Nay. >> In the opinion of the chair, the naysay have it and we will not lay this motion on the table. Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> Madam chairman. >> Miss Vertr. >> Thank chairman. I move that when we adjourn, we adjourn to reconvene next Thursday in the ash shop. Second. >> It's been properly moved and seconded that when we adjourn, we adjourn to reconvene next Thursday at 3:00 in the egg shop. This motion is not debatable nor amendable

037and we will now proceed to vote. All in favor of passing this motion, please say I. >> I. All oppose, please say nay. >> In the opinion of the chair, the naysay have it. And this motion fails. >> Division. >> A division has been called for and we will now vote by more visible means. All in favor of passing the motion, please rise. Two. Thank you. All post same signs. Three. Thank you. With two in the affirmative and three in the negative, the motion fails. Is there any further debate on the main motion? >> Madam Chair, Miss Geniuses. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Members, it is vital that you vote with me on this motion. Our FFA motto has a line that says living to serve. We cannot serve. We do not protect our agricultural

038land in our state. Not only do our crops and our food and our livestock all need this land, so do we. There is no humanity. There is no earth. But Madam Chair, >> Miss Bertrren, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I implore the assembly to pass this motion because growing up in a rural community, um all surrounding you is jobs on agriculture land. And if we um if we have this community formed to protect the agriculture land, the 2% of America that is working on agriculture land will be able to be protected and they can keep their jobs. Pass the motion. >> Madam Chair, Miss White. >> Thank you, Madam Chairman. Please vote up on this motion. Um, I come from five generations of Americans who provide the food, fiber, and fuel of today's growing population.

039It's essential that we have this community forum in order to spread the knowledge um of the agriculture industry and therefore safeguard our rights as the American farms and ranches. Vote yes, >> madam chair. [clears throat] >> Mr. Ryers, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I'm in favor of this of this motion. As an FFA chapter, we draw a lot of our funding and support from our FFA alumni who and which consists largely of agriculture producers in our town. I believe that they would appreciate our initiative on this main motion and it would benefit our chapter greatly. So please vote me in passing this main motion. >> Is there any further debate on the main motion? Seeing none, we will now proceed to vote. All in favor of passing the main motion, please say I. >> All

040oppose, please say nay. >> In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the main motion passes. We are about to adjourn this meeting, but before we adjourn, I would like to remind the assembly um that when we adjourn, we adjourn to reconvene next Wednesday at 3:00 in the act shop. Meeting adjourned. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good job. >> Very good job. >> Why the time frame? >> You did. >> How much time is it is deducted? >> Stress. >> Two points per second. >> Oh, >> okay. All right. >> Don't have any convince me. So, I mean to me, >> you're talking so fast as it is. >> How are you supposed to make that any faster? >> Talk less. >> Who's the biggest competitor? Who's your biggest threat? >> Always. Right.

041>> That's where districts are. >> That's right. Home. >> Home court. >> Yeah. >> You can do it. They can do it. >> Absolutely. >> Can I ask how old the middle schoolers work? How old are y'all? >> Did not ask. >> No. [laughter] How old are y'all? >> They're six. >> Seventh and how old are y'all? >> 12. >> 11. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> 19 came 11. >> Okay. And and a young man with the last name Cooper. Are you related to Miss Clemensy? >> Cuz you beat a gabble like her. >> [laughter] >> That one is I'll claim that one. >> Yeah, that one is >> that was >> Hey, is there some special announcement also about today? >> Is there something special today? >> Birthday. [applause] >> I think [cheering] it

042would be nice if we all sang happy birthday. [laughter] >> And I don't sing, >> but I think we should. >> All right. So, somebody that has a better voice than me, start it. >> Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to [singing] you. Happy birthday, dear. Happy birthday to you. [applause] >> How old are you? How old are you? >> I'm 17. Oh, >> you should make your dad take you to dinner tonight. >> We got to get in the heat. [laughter] >> No, you can't. >> Quit wasting time. Let's get Where we going? Where we going? I got my own money, daddy. [laughter] >> We'll take a five minute break unless you guys want to listen to the audit outcomes with Miss Lake if you'll pass. Five minute break. >> Thank you very much.

043[applause] >> Good job. >> Such a good job. where you are. >> You're good. >> No, please. [laughter] >> Okay. Next on the agenda, Miss Lake with the audit outcomes. You know how I drink a short? [laughter] >> That's happened a couple times, hasn't it? >> I'm gonna try to talk as fast as >> we'll put you on timer. [laughter] >> 11 minutes. >> Yes. 11 minutes. Okay. I'm going to start with our internal audit findings. That portion will be a little bit longer. Uh, annually we have Ferguson Gray who audits our internal accounts. And by internal accounts, I mean all the schoolbased accounts. So this uh page one says in their opinion the financial statements were presented fairly in all material respects but we did have three findings and one management concern. So if

044you go to page 26 of the Ferguson Gray audit report, you'll see in a little table those findings and as they have carried from year to year. So these are findings that we've had every year. Finding number one was segregation of duties. So that's where they want uh controls where the same person are not performing the same activities. The person writing your check should not be the person balancing your bank statements. Uh cash reporting it. We have a deadline for how long it takes for cash collected to be receeded and deposited. So, we had some issues with timeliness and the purchasing and cash dispersement process was finding number three. And it says there were several instances where purchases were made prior to obtaining principal approval. So, there was signature approval but in these cases that

045approval was not attached to the so that is a problem. There should always be prior approval. And then the management the uh concern that did not rise to the level of a finding is incorrect recording of an interbank transfer. So just to simplify that we had a school chief middle high school that changed banks when they changed banks. The way we handled it on our end they didn't like. So that's a case that probably would never happen again. It was just the way that we uh accounted for those funds as it transferred banks. So we have a solution to fix that. because that's an issue when we don't change them at the beginning of the year. So, I'll go through very quickly the number of findings per school. I just think it's good to see

046because it sounds like the findings are a lot and you'll start to see that really there aren't that many instances when you think of the size of our schools and the fact most of these processes are handled by one person at each school. So, Bronson Elementary School only had one finding. So that was there was a purchase made from internal funds that they say they did not have documented pre-approval for Bronson Middle High School had four findings. One was for money collected took more than 5 days to be deposited. The other they noticed that a collection date on the receipt was not eligible or they couldn't read it. Uh the other was during testing they noticed that there was a purchase without pre-approval and the fourth was there was a purchase without sufficient documentation to

047support that purchase. Cedar Key had five uh they had two instances where funds collected did not have a collection report on file. They were there were three purchases made from internal funds that did not have pre-approval. There was one purchase that was missing a an electric or hard copy of the purchase order, so they couldn't determine if preapproval was obtained. There was another instance where a check was issued that did not contain two authorized signatures. That sounds scary, but sometimes in these really small schools it is difficult, but we need to ensure that they have the proper signatures. And the last one was there was um money collected. There was one instance of money collected where it took more than 5 days for it to deposit it. One thing to keep in mind is they're

048testing they're doing tests, sample tests. So they're not testing every transaction, but so this gives you an idea though of what they tested. Chief Elementary had three find three findings. One was funds collected outside the school office were not turned in by the next business day. There was one where a check was issued that did not contain two signatures uh or it did contain two signatures, I'm sorry, but one was not the principal and our policy in the red book determines dictates that one be the principal. And finally, there were two purchases that did not have documented pre-approval. I believe talking to my finance officer. We already have a workaround for that. They are getting preapproval, but it's somehow not flowing through the system. So, we're we're creating a check request and it's already that's

049already been created, but they have not been using that. Every school should use a check request so that they're getting approval on the plan. Chief Liinal High School had four. There were some accounting issues with some transfers between funds the way it was recorded uh as a revenue and it should not have been recorded that way. That's pretty easy to do because before internal accounts were accounted for separately. Now they're part of our larger uh AFR so our annual financial report. So it requires some extra steps to to make that to make those two marry. There were seven purchases made from internal funds that did not have documented pre-approval. There was one purchase that did not have supporting documentation for review. And there was one instance where the collection report was not dated by the

050person that club funds. So they couldn't see how long it took to get that in. Joyce Bulock only had one and it was two purchases that did not have preapproval by the principal. Elementary had three. One instance where the collection report was not dated again by the collector so they couldn't assess if it was timely. There was one purchase that did not have pre-approval from the principal and there was a journal entry that didn't have supporting documentation. Wilston Middle High School had four two instances where the collection report was not dated so they could assess timeliness. three instances where the purchase, this is uh violating our policy, but three instances where purchases exceeded $2,500 and they did not submit it for superintendent approval prior to the purchase. There were two purchases made from internal funds

051that did not have documented preapproval by the principal. And two instances were noted where funds were collected outside the school office and not turned in by the next day. Finally, Yankee Town had three. One instance where uh funds were collected and not submitted within the one business day, a purchase made from internal accounts that did not have supporting documentation, and two journal entries that did not have secondary approvals. So, what happens is my finance officer collects this data. She submits this data to the school and we ask the bookkeepers to tell us what they're going to do to correct these actions. Some of these things are their control, but it's important for them to take ownership and tell us things that they're going to do to try to make this um make these findings not

052reoccur. So, they do that. They go through that with us. We work with them on our end to see if it's training or if it's something else we can institute. Often, it's things outside their control like the collection in a timely manner and they have to talk to the principal to remind the teachers and so forth. But all in all, uh these I think this was a very good outcome. there are things we can do better and we do work with them to to do better. Do you have any questions or concerns about any of that? >> I had one but you answered it and it was about the money at Chief Middle High School that find Okay. >> Okay. >> And some of those we have new people in those roles. So some of

053that's going to happen just because we have we have new people. But my finance officer tries to look through all their transactions and catch those before the audit. for example, when there's nothing attached to a journal entry, that's a red flag for us. So, usually she's able to catch those in advance. So, sometimes while it rises to the level of a finding, we are able to find where that support documentation was. It just wasn't where it should have been during the audit, but we have red flags that we look for and because if you're going to have fraud occur, it is going to occur in your internal account. So, we push from the finance department to limit cash. limit limit limit cash I don't need an action on that that was justformational only the next

054two will beformational and then I will have an action item for you at the end so the charter schools fall under us as a sponsor so every year they are audited by an organization called Chryson Associates where Purpose and Gray they're separate uh CPA firm they do both whispering winds and Nature Coast so we're happy Nature Coast had no findings and they uh were reported that their financial statements were presented fairly in all material [clears throat] respects. So whispering winds I'm sorry I don't >> whispering winds is good. Nature coast had the saying that everything was presented uh fairly uh in and materially but they did have one finding. This finding was new for me. So It's actually called deteriorating financial condition. And what started this finding was they their fund balance deficit or their

055deficit that impacted their fund balance. Should they have that same level of deficit this year, they do not have sufficient fund balance to cover them. So what happens is their auditor issues this finding and they talk about the decrease in the net position and they go on to say that they're they cannot sustain a similar decrease worth 2526. So what that does is that kicks off statute 10002.345 and that forces us it's called a financial emergency and the requirement on our end is if a financial audit conducted by CPA in accordance with 218.39 reveals one or more conditions one of those conditions is this uh financial deteriorating financial condition then we have to assist the charter school in coming up with a financial recovery plan. We have to notify the commissioner of education within seven

056business days of this finding, which we did. And we have 30 days after that to file a financial recovery plan with the state uh after we notify the commissioner of education. So I think day 30 is today or tomorrow but the way everything aligned we needed to get it board approved by nature coast and then we needed to get it board approved by board approved by you all. So the first thing we did was set a meeting uh I can't say name Mr. L myself met with Mr. from nature code and we talked over this finding and got some ideas from him on what he was looking to do in that financial recovery plan. We talked through some things that might work or may not work. We also suggested three conditions from the district moving

057forward that their financial statement either have their financial condition ratio or they provide me they provide me with monthly financial statements. They provide me with another form that I don't normally receive. so that I can calculate their financial condition ratio. They have already complied with that. I ask for a cash flow statement or analysis to to come to us monthly with those statements. They've already provided that. And then I asked for monthly budget to actual statements and that can be built into their financial statements. I do not believe that piece was on their last uh financial statement, but I know he's working on all of that. So that just helps us because it is our responsibility to ensure that they are fiscally sound or if not that those notifications occur. This would come up in

058an operation finding that the district could actually be find sound found have findings. >> So that's where we are with that. They did turn in a fiscal recovery plan. I have attached that to this presentation for you all to review. Basically what it is showing you is at the top it's showing you their estimated general fund revenues. This would be based on I gave them this number based on their second calculation but I updated it with the FTE that we received for their third count. So their October count because I knew it was going to go down. And then you have their general fund expenditures. As you can see their expenditures exceed their revenues. Um, and you can see they're starting out school year with a 5.59 financial condition ratio. So, the next section is

059showing you the things that they're going to change, reduce, or remove to recover looks like about $20,000. So, they want to reduce their expenditures by $20,000. And at the end of this school year, they will still have a financial condition ratio above 3%. So, all of that we are agreeable to. Now, we just have to watch monthly to see >> if they're doing. >> Um, so what we would do is come before the board and let you know their board did approve this on December 1st and we would ask >> unless you have any questions that our board approve this and we will continue to monitor monitor it with major post. >> I make a motion I'll make a motion to approve the recovery plan. Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >>

060What if I don't comply to it? >> I knew you were going to ask me that. Um, failure to correct deficiencies. The sponsor may decide not, this is coming straight from statute. The sponsor may decide not to renew or may terminate a charter if the charter school fails to correct the deficiencies noted in the corrective action plan within one year of being notified of the deficiency. or exhibit one or more financial cons consist conditions, excuse me, emergency conditions for two consecutive years. >> So that that is I'm not sure how easy it is to use that part of the statute, but that's what we'd be looking for. And if they fell below 3% um anyway, but that would be in statute how we could remedy that. But for now, we will just hold them to

061the same we have and if they fall below 3% we're we're going to have to get um a different recovery plan or fiscal recovery plan. They're experiencing some of the same things that we're experiencing a reduction in FTE. I I feel that Mr. B was very open to learning how he might be able to change. The only reason I ask is because and I think you'll remember this a few years back there was one of those charter schools there was a little keeping up who was in school problem and they wanted to bill us and we don't have any authority on anything. >> I I get aggravated with us getting the bill and we don't have authority to do anything. That's that's my aggravation. >> Yes, that was with spring winds. Um you're correct. So

062we will monitor that and if at any time it meets one of those conditions we will come back before the board. >> Okay. >> Any more discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> All those opposed same sign. Motion passes. >> Thank you Miss Le and Mr. Lot. You're next on the agenda. >> Good evening. >> Seems like forever that I introduce this first policy. [laughter] Uh but as you remember uh very shortly thereafter we had two more so we just grouped them all together but we have three policies that are before the board uh 4 44 which is participation in home education private school and virtual school students and extracurricular activities and intracolastic athletics. Um, a lot of that language u came from House Bill 443 and revisions to Florida statutes 106.15. Again,

063that's a model policy that came from NECA for us. Uh we also have 4.31 which was uh another uh policy dealing with athletics in particular transfer students and those students that we have to approve good cause for um which basically um this a situation where a kid transfers to a to one of our schools um the conditions are such that he should be eligible to participate uh very shortly and not have to wait out in in order to participate. Um we had that language already in our um um student code of conduct. So we just want to formalize language on both of those. And then the last one that we had was 5.42 school health services and they added some mental health referral language in now. Um so as far as I know we've had

064no public comments. Uh we have advertised for the uh required length of time and in one case well beyond the required length of time uh for that and uh so at this time unless there are any questions we would ask for approval of these new board policies here a motion for approval >> so moved second >> it's been moved and seconded any discussion seeing none all those in favor say I >> all those opposed see motion passes thank you Mr. Lot and next up is Mr. Freezy. >> Good evening. >> I'm here before you tonight to give you an update on the purchase of our emergency purchase of the fire alarm system for Josbook Elementary School. We're doing this under the emergency purchases and bids section of board policy 7.13 and we are required to

065reach out to at least two vendors to get uh quotations to follow this policy. We reached out to three and got three quotations. I have uh made sure each one of them could uh you know, provide the services, which we would not have reached out to them if we didn't think they could. And Mr. Huber has has a lot of time in this trying to in the weeds and figure out u you know what we need as far as the uh services. We went through all the bids in depth and have presented those findings to Mrs. as policy states and upon my Mr. Huber's evaluation and recommendation, she authoriz us to proceed. I'm here to update you and give you tabulations and our reasons and justifications. And it says we need ratification according to the

066policy. So, does that mean I'll be asking them for Yes, that's what I thought. Okay, so get back over here. Okay, uh we received the quotes from three companies. Uh Midstate Electric came in at $132,500. Uh, Central Fire and Communications came in at $76,800. And Scion's Building or Science Building Solutions, which is a division of WWAT, came in at $76,310. They're the lowest bid, very competitive from Central Fire and Science and I'd like to make a recommendation in the end, Mr. Huber to move forward central fire and communications as a contractor for project. We believe any of these companies are capable to beat the project like I said but the cost really narrowed our choices down to two which would be science and central fire. When we asked Mr. Huber asked for request for uh

067bids. He specifically requested that each company provide a cost for a system that is not proprietary, which means we can purchase parts ourselves, do the labor oursel using RTX without having to go through a particular vendor or uh company for services, software, and we do a lot of our work in house. This wasn't such a big project. We'd probably be doing it in house, but we just don't have the staff. So, the uh Scion provided us with a quote that was a nonproprietary system, one that Mr. Huber specifically asked not be quoted. >> And all there number is $490 less. We will recommend going with central fire communications due to that reason. I believe we're going to save a bunch of money in the future for the district. The system is going to require repairs

068down the road, updates, and it isn't what we requested to be quoted. >> That's right. >> So, we have used all these vendors for difference. Continue to use all these vendors and good with any of them and we just think that central fire communications is best for this particular project. So I'm asking for approval. >> Do I hear a motion for approval? >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you for all the work and I will quickly you did that. >> I think it hit the ground running so Good. >> Hoping to get them done for Christmas. No guarantees, but >> I'm going stay here. >> Yeah, >> I need a [laughter] [snorts] >> Hello. We have a whole

069team of people with us for this uh board approval request. Um but I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on the workforce development capitalization grant relative to agro technology. You guys are aware that we received a grant from the state for agro technology expansion but I haven't had the chance to really onboard you with what that means and what it looks like for our district. There's a lot of um front loing that had to happen before I felt comfortable sharing with you the vision and the plan because I wanted to make sure that I heard from all of our schools and our principles relative to what they feel like is the next step for expanding agro technology on all of their campuses. So, we felt like this is the perfect time in coming

070to you with um approval to give you some updates and help you better understand the grant and where we're headed with it. So ultimate ultimately as I mentioned it is a state funded grant. Uh Governor DeSantis wants to be the leading state in career and technical education in the next two years. And so he has invested many many of millions of dollars into career teched. And so the state has offered um something called workforce capitalization incentive grants to secondary and post-secary institutions. Um I applied for the grant back in maybe May. We probably started the process um in February sometime 2025 and then we were awarded the grant for agro technology expansion around June of this year for $1.7 million. Um that was the max amount that we could apply apply for and so we

071went all in. We didn't leave any money on the table. Um and the focus area specifically for that round of workforce capitalization grant aka the CAT grant was agro technology specifically. Um the state really feels like agro technology is the wave of the future in career pathways as well as other career pathways but this one specifically. And it really spoke to um our strong a programs in all four of our schools um and even Yankee Town taking on a little bit of a there. Um, so you'll notice that it doesn't show Yankee Town on here because it's for 912 programs. Um, so the aggro technology focus is Bronson High, Sear Key, Chief of Mil, and Wilston Middle High. Um, and the goal is to provide those real world opportunities for students to get more hands-on

072learning experiences, but maybe relative to agro technology. Um, we know that career pathways are changing relative to agriculture and so we want to expose them to what it could look like and how careers have shifted uh because of technology. Now that sounds really fancy to be quite frank. We just need to upgrade our facilities so that we can have awesome opportunities for our students and we want to sprinkle in the aggro technology exposure. So, we're starting at ground zero of upgrading facilities because that is the number one priority for our schools. Um, that funding window for this grant is June 2025 through June 2027. So, we have some time, but in my mind, we have no time. Um, I feel to kind of go off script for a moment that my background in construction, I

073now know why God placed me in that world of work for about eight years before I moved into my passion of teaching. And that's to support this very project and I know what it takes to coordinate um a construction project and I want to make sure that we have enough time to spend all the money and capitalize on what's available to us. So I say through June of 2027 um but we're going to try to move as quickly as possible and we have been even though it feels like uh you're just now coming to us. So, if we look at the progress we've made since we received the award in June, um this summer we hosted a summer workshop in partnership. Um I'm going to skip down to like the sixth bullet. Michelle Crawford is

074here in the audience and we hired her under this grant as a OPS for grant support and as curriculum and instruction alignment. So, she is been helping me and I feel incredibly blessed to have her level of expertise as part of this pro process because she is very familiar with agriculture. Um, but her and I hosted a workshop this summer with our ACT teachers. And you can see some pictures up here of the teachers really hashing out on chart paper what do they want? What's their utopia? What are their ideal needs? What do they really want to see happen for students? So that we could like kind of start pulling stuff out of their brain and figuring out okay from here where are our priorities? because they have ideas and even since June their ideas

075have changed about 56,000 times and so uh every time they go to a conference or they go see another a program it shifts their focus and what they want to do. Uh so it's been exciting to see how eager they are. We then um Kelly Barnes, I have to attribute this to, she wanted to go see Lefaya and Belle's um a facilities because Belle received the CAT grant the year prior and they used some of the funding for a barn a barn expansion and um Lefayet I don't believe received the CAT grant but used other funding to build a new pig barn operation facility. And so when Kelly asked could she go take off the day and see those facilities I said absolutely but can we all tag along so that all of our ACT

076teachers across the district could get to see that. So me and Breezy and Matt and jumped into the mini bus and all of our a teachers went and tooured um those two facilities. So that's what that top and bottom pictures are. the schools embraced us, took us in, and basically told us the good, bad, and the ugly about their experience and what they suggest and recommend that we do or purchase or build. Um, so it was a really great day together. It was a great day to kind of kick off. >> And Michelle was with us. Yes, absolutely. Um, and so after that, we then really mirrored what Bell High School's advisor and a teacher did, which is he kind of on his own by himself created these priority projects that he wanted to do.

077And within every priority project, he then listed if I want to accomplish this priority, these are all the things that I need to purchase in order to accomplish it. And then he prioritized all the purchases. And so, um, in seeing his approach to it, Michelle and I decided we need to adopt that because we're going to be maybe buying things we don't need to be buy right this moment and we want to leverage using these funds appropriately and immediately. And so, we brought the teachers back in for a second workday. Um, and they basically built a massive spreadsheet that we're all very familiar with. um and it shows every project under the sun that they want to do h they want to see happen with their programs. The cool thing about this um priority project

078list is it really outlines what their utopia is, but it doesn't mean that it's all going to be accomplished under the CAP grant. Um the good news is we continue to receive Perkins federal funding to support career teched. So we're able to take their priorities, determine what is the ultimate top priority. um what does it take to accomplish that? How much is it going to cost? And then if there's money on the table, we can meet some other priority needs or at least now we kind of have this five-year strategic quote unquote plan of accomplishing all their visions and goals relative to this CAT grant specifically Perkins funding or maybe even Kate funding in the future, but really focusing on Perkins. Whip, do you have anything that you want to add to that? I don't

079mean to put you on the spot. Okay, please jump in. You should be standing up here with us. Okay. Um, we did go ahead and purchase three of the three vehicles, three a trucks. I'm sure you saw that advertised. Um, those were written into the CAP grant initially. Uh, Brandon helped us acquire those. U Mr. Joe and transportation, shout out to their team, too. And so, we got the act trucks. They're now all at the school. Every um school has one. Chief purchased theirs last year out of their cape funding and they were like ready and eager and it was before we ever knew this CAT grant opportunity existed and so that's why um it feels like well we had a chief get one um it was before we knew this money existed and then

080we also purchased an additional van to keep over transportation so that the A teachers could check it out to go compete in events if they needed to fit more students in a vehicle besides the truck. So, we added to that fleet down in transportation. Um, and then the only other like major purchase, and this isn't incredibly major, has been two large chicken coops, one for middle hide and one for Cedar Key School. They're mobile and large, and so they can kind of like pick it up with the tractor and move it around. Um, those were kind of immediate needs for those schools to continue the projects they were already doing with dilapidated situations or Cedar Key, the lack thereof. Um, We already spoke to Michelle. Again, a huge blessing. Um, someone I incredibly admire and

081have been very excited to learn from. Through this process, we've had teachers engage in quite a bit of professional learning, whether it be through NEX Skills Ignite or um any of their relative a PL and so the CAT grant has supported a lot of that professional learning time. For now, I'm doing very minimal purchases or allowing um very many purchases on consumables or equipment or capitalized assets because I really want to know how much is it going to cost for the construction of the projects. That's my top priority with this grant because later on I can always buy the consumables through Perkins if I spend all my money on the build side of things. Um I would like to see a balance of both. But given the unknowns and kind of a little bit why

082we're here today on what the design is going to look like for these and the cost is going to look like um I don't want to spend all of our money now on buying tractors or attachments or things and then not have enough to do the construction which is the priority. Um I did have a meeting recently and Miss Bole and I have talked about this same with Mr. Mlullen. Um, I met with someone about bringing our drone a drone certification here, which is a perfect fit for agro technology expansion. I know Kelly Martin specifically was really excited about that opportunity. And so really, it's I put that in here as a stay tuned, but I'm sure you're hearing out in the world about drones being the new thing and really where agriculture and other

083um business entities are headed with delivery. And so I would really like to see that opportunity embedded in our act tech program. I'm gonna pass the mic to these fellas here to talk about our >> I wasn't able to be part of it, but we did have a mandatory meeting for the all the construction that anybody be able to do a proposal and there was seven of them that showed up to you all meeting and six of them actually sent a proposal in >> and uh we have two companies here tonight. Scorpio construction represented by Mr. Eric Anderson and Msina and Sons Construction, Anthony Msina, they uh have been very gracious to be involved and showed a lot of interest in this project and >> we presented in the um in the mandatory pre-bid meeting

084basically the priorities and a scope of work that we as a team were able to sit down and dissect from what the teachers visions were. Um, I'm really impressed with how they were able to take what what wasn't much and be able to provide kind of a a direction that we need to head in, but we're nowhere near figuring out what the cost is going to be or even what the design looks like. So, ultimately, um, we need someone to help us design it and have that level of expert. >> To give you an idea of that, uh, it'd be like going to your house and saying, "We want a barn." You don't know exactly what you want. you want this, this, and this. But somebody's got to tie that together and make it all

085work out at the end to get what you want. And that's where the company and and I think it was just too overwhelming for us to try to do it in house. I think we could have got there, but it been it been a project. So, >> and there are some things that you guys have said inhouse you can do that are not relative to this scope, but they're pretty minimal. So essentially I am gonna kind of skip ahead just a little bit so that we can then come to you and ask permission um to go into some negotiations on contract. But the goal would be that after we engage with the construction manager, we're able to kind of come up with that finalization of a project timeline and begin those construction phases. Once we

086the construction is mostly done or we have a really kind of solid ction on numbers and amounts. Then I'll move forward with purch purchasing those consumables, capitalized um non-c capitalapitalized assets and then continue our cross program coordination kind of the work we're doing across the district to really align this program. And then I envision providing you guys with periodic update on where we are both with the construction manager um with the project in general and just overall I would like to see our a teachers come here and showcase uh what their vision are too. >> so we had a rubric that we all um did together and scored it together and Scorpio was overall the best we thought. But what we would like to ask is to award it to Scorpio first and then to

087Msina Sons the second in case we can't come to terms with Scorpio to begin with. We don't have to come back and forth to be able to ask you all to go for the second option. Yeah, someone that's been on the board for a while and even been involved, you know, we've had that problem with the school before. And uh not that it's necessarily going to be a problem, but till we can get down, like I said earlier, in the weeds of things, we don't know, they don't know what exactly we're going to be needing. So, we got to make sure it's the best fit for both and the cops work out and it's a lot of a lot of moving parts because we're so many different places with so many different projects at each

088place. That's why we need somebody to manage this project. If I have an alternate, then >> saves some time. >> Then we can go right on without having to go through the process again. And I think one of the most important things I completely forgot to add in the presentation is that the state doesn't allow new construction. So we can't go in and build a brand new barn, right? It's all remodel of existing structures, which there in lies some of the issue in in need for construction manager because they're having to make adjustments to stuff that's existing. So if you're wondering why we're not building brand new, state doesn't allow brand new. They don't allow the living or the dead. I can't buy cows and stuff like that either. Uh so weird limitations on that

089large of a sum. So we're having to get pretty creative. But some things you'll probably hear or see at some point that Little High got really creative and crowdsourced funding for a new barn and site work for that new barn. Um and that's something that they're doing on their own to get it so that when we're ready to outfit that barn, we can do that through the ACT grant. But we can't build something brand new. Can't do an extension on >> model. >> So there's a barn there. You could >> run another wing. >> Exactly. Is >> sort of ish. [snorts] >> All right. So >> and and y'all are confident in your choices >> because I believe in y'all. >> We are in either one of these companies. >> It's these two guys. >>

090You can't ask us in front of them. [laughter] >> But yes, uh the it come down to what our rubric was asking and that's where the choice is separated a little bit. We pulled this from other rubrics and or we meaning her uh because she's good with that kind of thing. She y'all can't imagine the hours she's put into this and the time we had I think a almost four hour meeting >> coming to this conclusion >> just for this going over the different uh aspects is a lot to figure out and try to get apples to apples not that any one of the companies >> weren't qualified uh they just didn't what we were looking for up here. Some of them left some stuff out, so it kind of kicked them out. Very, very

091good participation. >> Well, as a fellow who sat here many years ago and watched one firm say, "We'll build that school and we can do it. We can do it cheap. We do it better than anybody ever." And then about a month later, we can't even come nowhere near that school. I like the idea of us having a backup plan so we don't have to start all over. >> I like that. smart. >> Our goal, as we've stated with them in our pre-bid meeting, uh is to get the most we can get for Levy County. >> Pay them for their services, but we want to try to get the most we can get for Levy County. >> Well, to wrap it up, sorry, >> Mark work them all. >> Uh to wrap it up, I

092do want to give you a heads up just while while I have the floor, you will hear or have heard that we were awarded an additional cap grant. So, I wrote a second one for health, our health academy and applied cyber security. Um, I actually included our hospitality. We tried to spin it as um farmtotable so we could get a food truck for Cedar Key, but the state is really not feeling hospitality and culinary at all. It blows my mind because we are a hospitality state. Um, but according to them, they're not high wage. So, here we are. So, I wrote the grant for 1.8 million. We are awarded 900 of 1,000. Um, we don't have the money in our hand right this very second. Uh, we're waiting on approval for the RFA, but I

093imagine we would have that in the next month or so. So, that impacts Wilson Middle High School and Chief Middle High School with their health science programs and Bronson Middle High School. We started a brand new applied cyber security program this year in Mike Wilson's class. And so we'll be looking at adding some technology and instructional materials to bring on applied cyber security. Um with the health programs really just equipment. I'm looking at a really cool uh kind of tractor trailer situation that is a um yes a lab. What is the word? A simulator. And so they walk into it and basically it's a hospital and every room there's you know where you enter and kind of have them check you in, take you back to get your weight, then go into surgery or go

094into the doctor's office. And so the kids can almost act as though they're in that. I know our schools kind of have a lab environment, but to take the students through an entire process would be really amazing. >> Virtual, right? More virtual. >> Um, no, not virtual. Everything's actually real. Um, and so that's why the word simulation sounds weird because I thought that too. >> Um, but you're just kind of acting as though but with real live situations. And that could be will be shared between both the schools. So they would get days where they would use it. Um so yeah, I just wanted to say thank you to Miss Bole, Mr. Lot, Mr. McClullen for allowing me to run with these ideas. Um our board members for hearing us out and Brandon of course

095and finance, you guys put up with me every day with different things. um my department, Michelle, and just all the people behind the scenes that are making this happen for our school and our students and teachers. >> So, you need a motion from us for >> Do you have any questions first? >> Particularly to Mr. >> I'm [laughter] trying to think trying to think. Is it warmer here than in Alabama? [laughter] >> Right now, the air is not even on. >> I know. >> I move I move we accept the recommendation. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you very much. >> Don't talk too much time. >> Another presentation. >> Now's the time for public comments. >> No, one more.

096>> We got one more. One more. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Morgan. [laughter] I'm sorry. >> I'm so sorry. [laughter] All right. So, good evening board. Uh, a few meetings ago, you all approved a for us to go out for requests for proposals for WAN services. So, for the members of the public, just like uh people at home have to procure internet services for their house, we have to procure internet services for our schools. And so, we do that through the federal program. And this request for proposals is basically the connections that service and go from our network for to all of our school sites. So I'm pleased to report that we had excellent participation. Um we did have multiple bids. Um there were very good bids. Uh and in the end um I

097can say that the scoring committee um felt like we just had to lean back on what some of the rules of P rate say, which is everything. being equal, you have to put the highest value on the action count of the service charge that they would place. So given all of that, the recommendation of the committee was that we um recommend that they approve the contract that they do. This will be a um the proposal is for a three-year contract with two one-year extensions. So this would secure our women and services for the next five years. Um there's a menu options in terms of bandwidth and all that. So we can choose that and work with them to develop the contract which we will interview later today. So um I do want to say that

098I really appreciate all the companies that participated in this um proposal process um worked with all of them in various capacities before. They all had great proposals and it was reassuring as a small district that sometimes has limited options for internet services that there are people out there that are interested in my business. So that's my recommendation. >> How's their reliability been? >> It has been it has been fairly solid recently. Um, and I will say that if you look at the scoring, um, there is a very significant cost difference between that and the next provider. And I will say many of the other providers may be leasing services from the organizations that own the >> Do I hear a motion? >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those

099in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you, Mark. >> Thank you. >> Now is the time for public comments. >> Seeing none, we'll move on to approval of minutes. Do I hear a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. >> Did you want to speak? >> Sorry, I rushed. Sure. I rushed through that. I'm sorry. >> It's from the FFA. >> Yeah. Right. [laughter] Right. >> Yes, exactly. >> She's ready to go. [laughter] >> Um, moving to the consent agenda. Has everyone had a chance? Does anybody have any questions, concerns? Seeing none, do I hear a motion? >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> Motion passes. >> Superintendent's

100comments. there already. >> Fine. >> Finance is in consent. Okay, that's right. It's all together. >> Sorry. >> Okay, I'm >> um wow. I'm trying to write this down so I don't ramble and keep everybody here longer than than you want to be on a Tuesday evening. >> Four hours. [laughter] >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [laughter] >> No. um the the conference that we all attended. It was wonderful. Um you know, I know it's a drive. I know it takes everybody out of their comfort zone a little away from their normal routines and that's a lot. It's a lot to ask, but thank you for doing what you did to attend. I think we had a great time. Um I think it lets us >> bond a little bit more as a

101group. And we only talk about food, friends, and family. that's that's all we're allowed to talk about when we're away. So, that's that's what we stick to. >> Um the the legislative workshop very valuable, I think. Um appreciate you showing up early. Appreciate the district showing up early because it takes all of you away from it. leading into that. I know that nobody wants to talk about the the B- word, the budget word, but I want that all of you to know prior to that legislative workshop, you had the lead team at district meeting for another, we've talked about meetings before, but today was another meeting um for three hours. So, we are taking this very seriously. We're talking about it. We're bringing the team together and getting ideas from each district leader, coordinators, everyone.

102Um, Miss Kim has broken down every subject that we need to see within her budget as well. that will be shared you know that's also able to be shared with you but just so you know here at district we are taking line by line and getting ideas and seeing what we can do um so we are taking it very seriously just just want you to know that um another step that we've talked about in the past and I know you've those that have been on the board for a while have worked with one is the strategic plan. So, we had one years ago. I think when I first came on the board, it was just kind of phasing out. Um, [snorts] we're going to bring that back because I think as a district, a strategic

103plan takes all of their knowledge and expertise. It'll take your knowledge and expertise and we kind of move in one direction. You know, admin will be involved, stakeholders will be involved. Um, so you will probably get an email shortly from some team leaders out there at district and we'll break it down at this point into five separate areas of focus. That may change. Um, send out some surveys to the public, rotaries, things like that. Small businesses, get everyone involved. And I think by building a team and working towards one goal, we are really going to move Levy County forward. and still focus on the budget aspect and still work towards what's going to happen in the future and saving our dollars and making sure that that student achievement is not um affected. Okay. So, I

104think with that one goal um it's a good plan, but the uh the goal to have this finished may seem kind of steep, but we gave ourselves six months and maybe by June 1st we'll have everything put together and roll that out with professional learning that'll happen over the summer and then roll right into the next school year with that strategic plan and vision. Okay. Uh I don't want to take any FFA state chant not if you're going to talk about that I'll skip that. Uh the we didn't have a meeting before the gala before the gala. No, >> not at >> not yet. So >> I think it was very successful at Chief Middle High School, the cafeteria. Um the decorations were beautiful. Didn't didn't miss anything and everyone worked very hard at that.

105Le County School Foundation just tremendous amount of work. Always >> good turnout. very good turnout and other than that I know I won't be talking to many before you know Christmas our Christmas break's coming up the kids are working hard teachers are working hard testing and merry Christmas happy new year and I can be done >> madam chair just um with the new system there was an additional item 16 that did not fall under military leave request that did not fall under the consent agenda. So we probably need a vote >> a vote on that. >> Okay. Do I hear a motion move? >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. >> Motion passes. >> Mr. Asel, you're up. >> Oh, thank you, ma'am. >> We have award

106count of 100 tonight. >> I got moved. We'll start off with um congratulations to Bronson FFA's farm and aggra business management team. Uh team members were Carson Meeks and Tess Blockco and Kazeta Russ. They finished first in state in that contest. Uh not only that, the high individual for the state was from Bronson Carson Meeks and the second high individual was from Bronson >> and Tea Spl. So we're really proud of them. Um everything seems to be going real smooth so far and I am thrilled to death with the young people that were here tonight. >> Uh that contest I did that when I did that contest in school 40 years ago was completely different and I asked the one child that I knew knew what she was doing. Miss Whitehurst. Um my day Robert

107Philpot was you make cakes you move motions. So I asked her about that. I kept hearing maker or I make this motion. Maybe that's acceptable now, but I will even sit here and nothing against you good people. But I will hear some of y'all say I'd like to make a motion. What pops in my head is Mr. Philpot, don't make motions, you make cakes. Motion to me. Anyway, that's another story for another day. Um, moving on that I I I drugg down to Tampa to the uh conference. I'm generally the last guy to get there and try to be the first guy to leave because I'm terrible with those things. Um, but at the same time, I like it for a couple reasons. Number one, general public doesn't know this, but I think they should

108understand this. We don't get to talk to each other except right here, and it's always about this stuff. So, it's great to, like you say, we get to talk about food, family, and friends, and you get to realize that that's a real human, and you have life experiences, and you get to know each other better than just this cut and dry. Uh, and I use the term dry on this stuff here. Um, so it was good to be off with all you. And I'm sorry if I bored you. And I I've been accused of monopolizing conversations. >> You didn't bore us. [laughter] >> Definitely not. monopolization. [laughter] >> There's lots of witnesses that'll tell you he does. >> I certainly enjoyed it. >> We're being recorded. [laughter] >> I I enjoy hearing camera talk. Okay.

109>> I know a lot about this person sitting there. [laughter] >> Let's keep that. >> Good, bad, good. Um anyway, there the other part I like about it is >> if you go to that thing, I wish everybody could go to the thing really. Especially people that think >> seriously >> Le County don't have their stuff together cuz you talk to some neighboring counties and they ain't got their stuff together. >> We got our stuff together. That's not saying we always vote alike. That doesn't mean we always agree on everything. But that's saying we handle it with civility. We have ultimately the best for the district involved. And there's not this silly ying which you witness in other places. And if you sit in on a couple of those little those little uh out session

110things, there's some of those places got crazy problems not only among their board, but then they they have a hard time communicating with their constituency, which to my knowledge, I can only speak for me. I'm an open book. You may want to talk to me. We'll talk about it. I may not be able to help you, but we'll sure talk about it. You may not get the answer you want, but you'll get the honest, truthful answer. And that's what all these people here do. I did hear a couple things that I thought were great ideas. Some things we already do that uh and we we we I think we were all in there to hear that. I like the idea of the student board members where they where the kids come in and have have

111they don't have a boat, >> but you know, I thought about it. I'm my kids are now grown. When I had kids in school, I knew what was going on in school. Now I'm kind of out and about. And it'd be nice to know that, hey, what we think is a a big priority may not be a priority to a kid or something that we sit here going because I I anybody was here will know when we had the idea of the cell phone. Got to put that cell phone up. I wasn't sure I like that. It' have been great heard what a kid thought. >> Working on that. >> What a kid thought. I think those are great. Uh, another one showed an example of a of a total compensation report that they give

112to the employees at the end of the year. um to better explain, hey, this is your salary, this is your supplement, this is this, this is what your health insurance is worth, this is what your retirement, the benefits, all that stuff. And then they spoke of and years ago when Mr. Hastings did, he called it just the facts and and Mrs. Bull does a great job. You send out a thing at end of the weeks and it's great. Um, some of these schools would talk about that and I thought, well, that is we've we've done that for a long time where go ahead and put out the fire before it gets away. This is the fact, whatever the fact is. Oh, I heard they're going to push down Yankee Town School and build a build

113a water park out there. No, ain't nobody doing that. But before it >> gets to snowballing like things will, the facts come out. And uh there were a lot of other things that I heard that I was like, I really have to do that. We're already doing that. This is a new idea to y'all. We already do that. We already talk about. We have workshops. We do this. And I think it's great to work with people that uh we got it together. That's pretty awesome. And I wish we could load up everybody go down to Tampa. >> Everybody meaning the county. I don't know where we'd all sleep, but just to spend a day with it and you go, "Wow, we are fortunate that we have caring, intelligent, with the exception of me." >> People

114who are on top of their game and and are looking out for the best interest of the district as a whole. That's kids, that's employees, that's parents, all of them. Um, I think that's awesome. And and sometimes the counties you can see going maybe not. Uh, I'll leave it at that and I will say merry Christmas, happy new year, all that and I can't wait to see you next year. >> I'll have new stories for you. [laughter] >> Be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be listening. [clears throat] I too enjoyed the conference and uh the hot topics were AI and schools of hope and of course money but we also got to hear firsthand the expectations of Tallahassee from the commissioner which was very interesting. Um but it really was a great time to to

115be together and we we do have a very very good team. and uh we communicate well and what Cameron just said, we're about the whole county. >> We're about our schools, but we are about the whole county. And and I like that and it's it's uh it's a great place to be sitting on the board because when I did also hear some of the stories of other board members, I was thinking, "Thank the Lord I'm bleeding." That's right. >> Thank the Lord we're small. Um but anyway, uh besides that, tonight was a very full night and um it was great to to watch um the FFA perform. I mean, they're fantastic. Really good. And I wish them well in their next competition. And it's and it's always great to hear all that's going to happen

116in the county and you know hearing the different requests and the changes. Uh we we're always moving forward and and uh I'm happy with that. Um our Christmas program was wonderful and I think that you know as I was sitting there I was thinking it it it was a packed house. There was so many people. the town was there >> and um it just brings everybody together and um and it just uh I thought, "Wow, here we go. Check it off for title. >> We're we have people together. We're working on a program. We're doing something academic, but we're having fun." Um and and it was great. And um a lot of work went into it and I was proud of our uh teachers and Ja our art teacher who coordinated it and we had

117a volunteer for the music who's been wonderful but it brings the community together and is just a great example of Levy County Schools at their best. >> Thank you Miss Baxter. >> Um well at Chief Elementary their Christmas concert is next week. looking forward to that. Over at the high school, they have um an AVID activity going on this Friday that I am planning to attend. So, I'm looking forward to those things. I enjoyed the conference, too. Wow, we've got a great team. Um I was so impressed with Wilson [music] Middle High School FFA and uh they did a great job. Very impressive. And I want to thank Tanya Taylor for all the I you really have done a lot of work on this project already and we just appreciate you. I know that you

118have help from Breezy and Mac and Brandon and Michelle and different ones, but thanks for what you're doing there and thank you Kim always making it sound a lot simpler than it really is. We appreciate you. Um, but I also want to do a shout out. I am so proud going to the conference last week. Linda and I have been working on becoming certified board members. We're not there yet, but we're getting close. But our superintendent, >> she has become a certified superintendent. And I'm proud of her because that is a lot of work. She's had tests to take and study for and it's been a process with all that she's already doing. we're retired and we [laughter] haven't accomplished um our certified board member yet, but I'm I'm just proud of her and um

119and and her leadership and merry Christmas to everyone. >> Merry Christmas. >> I'll get your back for that. >> Again, I enjoyed the FSBA. They won't brag on themselves, but Miss Lisa and Miss Linda did get their emerging leaders. >> That's right. >> Little pin. So, that's right. >> That was sort of an accomplishment. Yeah. So, I know that was something Levy County in the first year to be able to get that. So proud of y'all for that. And I'm a Cameron, too. And you know, having these workshops and hearing some different ideas from other places, it's kind of good to kind of see what's going on and also see how good we got it. Um enjoyed the FFA. Um like I say, thank y'all for allowing them to come here and kind of get

120a little practice in. Certainly means a lot. You know, the more they can get in front of people, the better it is. So proud of them. Hopefully they can take down the Fant. So, [laughter] >> take them down. >> And then also the middle school farm business management team got second in the state and the tool ID the middle school tool ID team got fifth in state. So, give a shout out to them. Um, and like I said, Tanya, thank you for the Oh, and everybody else's work on, you know, that's a lot of money. So, I mean, you know, buying vehicles, renovate barns. I mean, that's that's big time stuff for Lady County. So, I'm glad that uh glad that money's out there and you chasing it and getting all we can. So, um

121and I say just enjoy all y'all and hope everybody has a merry Christmas and a happy new year. See you in 2026. [laughter] >> Miss Boil, did you have did you >> um I I did want to say something to Tanya and I had TT here and it [laughter] covered up. Um I just I know how well I haven't done it but I can imagine have a good friend in in the construction area out of Gainesville. Um, but that is a lot of work, everything that you've done. And I just [music] remember a year ago coming into this role and have sit having sit down conversations with you about certain things that you had already done and then to see it progress to where it is now. Um, it's a lot of work. So, thank

122you for keeping the schools and the students at the forefront and and doing all that work and everybody behind the scenes. And thank you for letting me do that. You're welcome. >> Um, I'll be quick. Yankee Town had their Christmas play program last week and Turkey Bingo tonight. Um, wrapping up testing. They're on the right track moving forward. Parley Pro is amazing. I'm so proud of those kids and their adviserss. Um, and also so proud of Miss Westfall. I'm one of her biggest fans and she's just remarkable. So, super proud of her. And I'll echo what everyone said about the conference. I sat in a um a chairman's session one day and >> one of the subjects was a protocol in different um counties, a protocol book, and how they react. And I'm like, protocol

123book? What is that? And it's just how they they literally have like a set of rules on how to interact with each other and how and I'm like we vote against each other, but we were all with the exception of Miss Linda, but you've been here forever and you married an old Levy County family, but we were all raised to respect each other and to disagree in a respectful way. And our protocol is after a meeting, you good? We're good. We're good. That's our protocol. [laughter] So, um I'm just so thankful to be a part of this county and for all of you guys that just were in such good hands. And merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Meeting a journ.