Volusia County School Board - School Board Meeting Regular Session 7⧸29⧸2025

001all of the people. >> Good afternoon. Welcome to the school board meeting for Valuchia County. Today is Tuesday, July 29th, 2025, and it is 4:34 p.m. In just a moment, I'm going to ask you to stand because, as we do in our schools, we recite the pledge of allegiance, we hear the national anthem, and we observe a moment of silence and reflection. This summer has been a little tough. We have lost members of our current faculty and staff. We have lost individuals that gave 30, 40 years to Valuchia County schools and retired. And some of those individuals played multiple roles. And so tonight, as we do the moment of silence and reflection, if you know of any of those of any individual that passed away um while we've been off, I'd say just take that

002moment to remember that person and the difference, the positive difference they made in Valuchia County Schools. So, it's my privilege to introduce to you this evening two beautiful young ladies that are standing over here to my right. They are part of the Dand High School government association. We have the president and vice president for the upcoming school year. They're also members of the Dand High Chorus. We have Jacqueline Lef in white and we have Hannah Upperq in green. And they have been gracious enough to come back in because they're not back in school yet. and they're going to actually lead us in the pledge and they're going to sing the national anthem for us. So, at this time, please stand and join me. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of

003America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Oh, say can you see by the dawn early so proudly we held at the twilight [Music] Who's brought stars through the perilous fights we watch. [Music] gave prosp [Music] [Applause] and the home of the brave. Thank you. You may be seated. [Applause] Thank you ladies for coming and you did a wonderful job. We appreciate you. At this time, I'd like to welcome everyone that's here in the audience or if you're listening at home, I'd like to introduce those that are here with me. Starting here on my far left, I have Mrs. Donna Brozmer representing district 4, Mrs. Christa Goodrich representing district 2, Dr. Gilbert Evans, our schoolboard attorney. Moving over to the far right, we

004have Miss Celeste Gilmore, our agency clerk. She puts all the work into this. And we have Miss Jesse Thompson representing district three. Mr. Ruben Cologne, our vice chair, representing district 5, Dr. Carmen Balgaban, our superintendent, and I am Miss Jamie Haynes, and I represent district 1, and I'm currently your chair. Items for approval on this agenda this evening are items 1.03, 2.02, 4.01, 5.02, 7.02, and 19.01 through 19.07. Public participation times for items on the consent agenda. So, if you wish to fill out a card to speak about anything on tonight's consent agenda, please see Danielle Johnson over here and she will give you a green card. If you wish to speak at 6:00 p.m. or at the end of the meeting um for anything that's general interest pertaining to public education in Valuchia County,

005please see her also for a yellow card at 6 PM or shortly thereafter. We will provide 15 minutes at that time, but if we have more cards, we will go on to a later time. Time will also be provided for public comment on any action item before a board vote is called on that item. This evening, we also have a special color we only pull out a few times during the year, and that's the blue card because we will be holding a public hearing tonight on the initial budget for the 2025 2026 school year. So, if you're here and you wish to speak on anything about the initial budget piece, please see Miss Johnson and fill out a blue card. So, our district vision statement is to create lifelong learners prepared for an everchanging global

006society. So, at this time, we're now moving on to item 1.03, approval of the minutes. Board members, you've had an opportunity to read the minutes from the June 24th, 2025 where we had a special session, a workshop with work session, and a regular session. Do I have a motion to approve the presented minutes? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mrs. Brosmer. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Goodrich. Any discussion over any of the minutes? Okay, hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the amendments from the meetings we held on June 24th, 2025, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? It passes unanimously. We are now moving on to item 2.01. Dr. Balcomin. Are there any agenda changes before the agenda is presented

007to the board for approval? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Okay. As you've heard, there are no changes to this evening's agenda. It will stand as written. Do I have a motion to approve the presented agenda? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Cologne. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Any discussion over the agenda? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the agenda for this evening's meeting, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? It passes unanimously. We are now up to item 3.01. Announcements by Dr. Balaban. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, board members. Those of you in the audience, good afternoon. Those of you listening at home, good afternoon and thank you for tun tuning in. Um, as the chair shared with

008you and I encourage every single one of you that if you have an opportunity, we had a workshop this this morning and in that workshop we did a full presentation when it comes to our district accountability system and we addressed some basic myths, misconceptions and that link will be available for you. So, I really encourage you that you take a a few minutes to log on to that link and learn about your county and the work that we as a team have been able to achieve together. But because I see some students in this audience here today and if you're listening in and you're a student, I want to say first and foremost, congratulations to every single student in this district. When we received news from DOE that we're officially an aid district, what that

009means is that our students showed how exemplary they are. That's what it means. Their learning that they've obtained from their teachers and from the support systems that are in place. And what do I mean by that support system? I mean everyone here in this district, regardless of a role in which they serve. So if you're a custodian, the work that you do is important. We need to keep our buildings clean and safe. If you're in the operational division, their work that you do to ensure that those conditions are present for students and staff to be able to do their jobs right, but also learn. If you're a bus driver, you're getting our our students to to school in a timely manner and and safe. If you're a cafe worker, you're ensuring that our students have

010a nutritious meal so that they can learn. And it takes an entire village, guys. An entire village. So, first and foremost, I would say this to you. I think that we're truly I don't think I know we're truly blessed to be in the position in which we're in. So, for me, I say thank you to God for his guidance in getting us to where we are. Congratulations to our students who have exhibited their ultimate performance which is A-rated. To our parents for choosing our district to every staff member in this district for everything that you have done. To our board each and every one of you for the support that you provide on site and behind the scene. For all the cheerleaders that are out there. For those of you that on days that we

011encountered so so many barriers we have encountered throughout these years, but for all of you that were there with a word of encouragement removing some of those barriers, assisting us in removing some of those barriers. Thank you. And what this means to this community. So once again, congratulations to the entire Valuchia County community. Well achieved. Well achieved. [Applause] I will share with you only six highlights and then we have a short um short video of I think that we did as a board and some of you were out of town I believe but a video that we did where we'll show that on only six highlights but please tune in into the workshop please do so. So for the first time, ladies and gentlemen, since 2008 2009, Valuchia County, as you know, is an A

012rated district with the highest points ever achieved in history here in the county. [Applause] We have for the first time 100% of our schools rated A, B or C. And 75% of our schools A, B, A, and B. Okay? With no D's, no Fs, and no turnaround oversight. What I mean by turnaround oversight meaning that the state is not supervising any of our schools. That's huge. That has never been accomplished before. Also, we went in terms of ranking. We have 67 districts in the state of Florida. Three years ago, our ranking was 40. We were in the 40th percentile out of the 67 districts. Last year we were 29 and this year we're in the top tier we are 24. [Applause] Now we also have two schools. We have many schools but you're going to

013be logging into that workshop right? Yes. >> Yes. Um but mainland our flagship school for the first time they have achieved an A status. [Applause] >> Can we just say Buck pride >> never dies never dies >> never dies. >> And Edith Stark Edith Stark Elementary there are only two uh schools in the entire state that improved from an D two an A only two in the entire state. Edith Stark, ladies and gentlemen, is one of them. And I will end it with this. In 2020, we had seven out of our 67 schools rated an A. Seven. Today, today for the first time, I will share with you that all of our Valuchia County high schools have attained an A or B status >> and this is again first time in history. So again, what

014this represents, it represents the work of our students, the learning that they have obtained and they're able to showcase the hard work and dedication of our teachers and every individual in this county, our leadership. Very proud of you guys for being hands-on day in day out supporting our our teachers, supporting our pair professionals, whoever it is that needs that support so that our students can be successful. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for being so committed to Valuchia County Public Schools and I am so proud to be part of this system. So, thank you all. Now, we've got that short video and one more announcements. Hello school families. Today we are surrounded by members of our school board and our district team and we have some very exciting news to share with

015you. This is a special moment more than 15 years in the making and we are truly truly blessed to be in this position today. I am extremely proud to share with you that based on the Florida Department of Education grading system, Valuchia County Public Schools is an A rated district for the first time since >> and we can cut it. The last A was earned in the 2008 2009 school year. >> They will access the vid the the link from the workshop today. Now, last but not least, very important, Schoolway Cafe, free breakfast and lunch for next year. >> Okay, so I want to thank the entire team. As you know, this program elim eliminates the collection where uh of our family having to submit an application and so forth. And we know how important

016it is, right, Miss Haynes? >> Yes. I was going to say as I've been hearing other districts across the state have been cancelling that they're not doing free breakfast and free >> for all students and I am so thankful that Valuchia County is going to continue that practice this year. >> It's important for our students and you're absolutely right. I know you had called me and I told you that we will ensure that every student receives universal breakfast and lunch and that's it. That's for my announcement. Well, did did we talk about pre-planning and when the teachers are coming? >> Um, we're going to do that at the end. I was going to do that at the end. Is that okay? Trying to move it along. >> That's good. All right. Then we're moving now

017right along into item 4.01, which is our administrative appointments and transfers. Dr. Balin. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Board members, I would like to ask Rakinia Hinsson to join us, please. So I think you you will agree with me this this is a familiar face, right? Um share just a little bit of background with you regarding Miss Rkenia. She's obtained her bachelor's degree from the Florida Florida&M University, a master's degree from Florida&M univer&m University, a doctorate degree from Florida&M University, worked at the Florida Department of Health in Valuchia County as the health education program manager. Um, was an adjunct professor at Bthun Cookman University. worked at the Florida Department of Agriculture as a program accountability specialist. She also worked for the Florida Department of Transportation as the district training coordinator and as a planning liaison

018currently servicing serving with us as the community involvement specialist in student services in Valuchia County. So, if you uh with the recommendation, if it's approved, I'm asking that Miss Rakenia Hinsson becomes the new coordinator of nursing services for Valuchia County Public Schools. Effective start date July 30th, 2025. >> Thank you. You've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have someone to make a motion? >> I will gladly make that motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Clone. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Brosmer. Any discussion? Okay. Hearing none, I'll call for it. Oh, >> yeah. >> Go ahead. >> Start the clock. I have three minutes. I I just want to say thank you for your service. I mean, I heard more about you than I knew uh previous to. However,

019uh clearly you've served your community. Uh and I know you come from the esteemed Bthoon Cookman. >> Oh, sorry. You taught at Bthun Cookman. You're from FAMU, >> correct? >> Got it. I knew that. But again, thank you for your service and thank you for your willingness to serve our students, especially those with the greatest need. So, thank you. >> All right. At this time, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of Rakia Henson becoming our new coordinator for nursing services, please say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? Congratulations and welcome. Well, good evening members of the school board and uh Dr. Balgabin. Uh thank you for this opportunity. You know, when I came to Valuchia schools, I've always been like adjacent to Valuchia schools and I wasn't quite sure like where I

020fit in and I think I found my home. So, thank you. Um, I would also just express my sincere gratitude for entrusting you with this role. Um, it's an honor and a responsibility that I accept with deep appreciation and commitment. Um, I recognize the importance importance of this role in promoting not only the physical health of our students but also their emotional and mental well-being as well. A healthy child is a ready learner and I am proud to be a part of a team that values the whole child and as a foundation for academic success. Um as we all know the landscape of health is evolving. Um it's not just about chronic diseases but it's about mental health and also ensuring equitable equitable access to care as well. Um these are also opportunities where we

021can make a difference. So my goal is to foster collaboration among just not just not the nurses but the counselors, the staff and the families as well so that every student has the support that they need to thrive. Um thank you again for this opportunity. I look forward to serving our students, the staff and the fam and our families with both dedication and heart. So thank you. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, I would like to ask Miss Kimberly Felner to join us. >> You're transferring. >> She's not. >> Okay. >> All right. But I will still So, I still want to share and again, this is this is someone that it's very familiar to us. Um, but Miss Felner, she's obtained her bachelor's degree from South Regina College,

022Colorado, a master's degree from Western Governor's University. She holds certifications in the following areas at leadership principal. She was one of our principal as you know middlegrades integrated curriculum middlegrade science business education and exceptional student education. She's she worked in Valuchia County since 2006. Started as a teacher at Pineriidge High School and then went on to becoming an assistant principal of Pineeridge High School. then became the principal intern at Pineriidge High. Then she was appointed as principal at Discovery Elementary and Deltona Middle School. Then became the accounting/marketing manager at Fox Hollow Cottages. That's when she had to take that break. Came back to Valuchia County as a teacher at High Banks Learning Center and currently serving as the administrative dean at High Banks Learning Center. Uh, with your approval, I'm recommending that Miss Kimberly Felner

023becomes the new principal of High Banks Learning Center. Effective start date June 30th, 2025. And this makes my heart happy. >> So, board members, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have a motion? >> I will gladly make that motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Clone. Do I have a second? >> A second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Goodrich. I'm going to call for the vote then at this time. three minutes. And so again, I want to congratulate Miss Felner. I know she's not here today, but uh you know, she's been at High Banks uh serving our students uh since she returned back uh to the district and uh her heart is for those kids and she I think she has found her calling. Not that she didn't find it before, but she loves on

024those kids. just non-stop. So again, congratulations, Miss Felner, and once we vote, I will see you soon. >> Okay, I'll call for the vote at this time. All those in favor of Miss Kimberly Felner becoming the principal at High Banks Learning Center, please say I. I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Then it passes unanimously. [Applause] [Music] >> Okay, moving right on. How am I doing? You're doing great. >> Doing great, huh? Better than Mr. Cologne. >> Three minutes. I'm I'm modeling the correct >> Yes. Yes, he is, too. >> All right. Um, I would like to ask Miss Melissa Diamond to join us. Miss Diamond. We'll share with you a little bit about Miss Diamond. She's obtained her bachelor's degree from Stson University, a master's degree from University of Florida. She holds certification in the following

025areas. Ed leadership, elementary education, English speakers of other languages, reading gifted, uh currently enroll in the aspiring leadership program academy, sorry. She's been with us here in Valuchia County since 2017. Started as a teacher at Forest Lake Elementary and then went on to becoming a gifted teacher at Forest Lake Elementary, then became the map coach at Forest Lake Elementary. currently serving as the academic coach at Orange City. We had to change it up a little bit there. Orange City Elementary. I'm recommending with your approval that Miss Melissa Diamond becomes the new assistant principal of Orange City Elementary. Effective start date would be J July 30th, 2025. >> Okay. Board members, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have someone that will make a motion? >> I will gladly make that motion. >> Thank

026you, Mr. Cologne. Do I have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. [Laughter] >> Let me I'm absolutely Okay. So, for everyone that's wondering why I'm sitting here and I'm not saying anything because typically I talk about everybody that comes up here because I've worked with them or known them. In June, it was decided and this is the last time that appointments will be this way. I need all of you to know appointments changed from here on out, but it was decided that board members would no longer speak during appointments. So that's why Mr. Clone and I have been looking at each other um because the majority rules whether we vote that way or not. And so I've been trying to model the behavior. But yes, Mr. Clone, go ahead

027and speak. you know, your journey here is is uh thanks for the clock. Your journey here has been a long one and and I know that you've uh the way Dr. Balgabin described it doesn't really speak to what it took you to get here. And so I want to congratulate you. Thank you for serving our students and I'm looking forward to seeing you at Orange City Elementary and continuing to serve our students. Um so again, thank you and congratulations. So, at this time, I'd like to call for the vote. All those in favor of Melissa Diamond becoming the assistant principal for Orange City Elementary, please say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? Then it passes unanimously. Congratulations. [Music] [Applause] >> Good evening, Madame Chair, members of the school board, and Superintendent Belgen. I am so

028honored to be here tonight and that you are entrusting me with the assistant principal position at Orange City Elementary. As you know, I've spent the last two years there as an instructional coach and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to support our Orange City community, watching the educational journeys of this community continue to soar is not lost on me and I am so thankful to be a part of such amazing work. To my Orange City family of Road Runners, thank you for embracing me two years ago. I am so eager to continue to learn and grow with you. To my past administrators, thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone, challenging me, and always being there. To Virginia Freeman, thank you for trusting me in this role. I am

029so excited to continue to work with you and make OCE the best elementary school. Your grace and leadership inspires me every day to not only be the best leader, but to be the best version of me. Finally, to my husband, Adam. Thank you for being such an incredible partner and source of support. You have always supported my dreams and helped to do whatever it takes to make them happen. I couldn't do this without you. Go Road Runners. [Applause] >> Okay, so our last appointment is Miss Lindseay Ramos. Miss Ramos. Miss Ramos has obtained her bachelor's degree from Austin Ped State University, her master's degree from Stson University. She holds certifications in the following areas: Ed leadership, uh, exceptional student education. She's been with Valuchia County Schools since 2018. Uh, started as a teacher at University

030High, then became went on to becoming a teacher at the land high. uh became a teacher on assignment at Dand High and currently serving as an administrative dean at Dand High. So with your approval, I'm recommended that Miss Lindseay Ramos uh serves as the assistant principal of River Springs Middle effective start date July 30th, 2025. >> Thank you. You've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have someone that would like to make the motion? >> I will gladly make that motion. >> Thank you, Mr. flown. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Goodrich. And since this is the final time we will do it this way, I'm going to break the new policy. >> You were serving as a model so far. >> Anymore? >> Out goes the model

031piece since he decided to talk for three of them. I happen to know that Dand High is absolutely going to miss you. Okay? Because anybody I talk to on that campus, they talk about you in such a positive light, in a positive way. But what I will say is you're staying on the west side of the county. You're staying you've you've been in district one. You're staying in district one. And I see Mr. Vaughn sitting back there. And I know that he will with open arms welcome you to River Springs Middle. And for anybody that does watch the workshop, you'll hear a little bit about what we said about what like middle middle school is like. But it's a new challenge and a new chapter for you. And I know you're going to do a

032great job and I look forward to seeing you also at River Springsman. So at this time, we will call for the vote. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Congratulations. Thank you. [Applause] >> School board members Haynes, Cologne, Goodri, Rosmer, and Thompson, and to Superintendent Balgaban. It's an honor to come before you this evening. I come before you today with deep gratitude and excitement as I accept the role of assistant principal River Springs Middle School. First and foremost, I'd like to sincerely thank Principal Vaughn, Dr. Drayton, Dr. Castelli, and Dr. Vay, Superintendent Balgaban, and the school board for this incredible opportunity. I am truly honored by your trust in me and committed to upholding the values and spirit of the Gator Way. I'm also thankful to the mentors and leaders who

033helped shape my journey. To Dr. Hughes, thank you for laying the foundation of my understanding of exceptional student education and for showing me what it means to be a dedicated and effective ESC educator. To Mr. Duramo, your mentorship over the past three years has been invaluable. Your unwavering support and example of calm, determined leadership has taught me that even in the face of challenges, there's always a way forward. Your passionate dedication to Bulldog country has left a lasting impression on me. And while it is bittersweet, bittersweet to leave such an incredible team, I carry with me the lessons and memories with honest appreciation. As a proud Dandai graduate, Dand will always hold an extremely special place in my heart. As I step into this new chapter, I am committed to leading with kindness, integrity, and

034a spirit of collaboration. I believe in creating a school environment where every student, teacher, and staff member feels a true sense of belonging. To my family, thank you for being my foundation. Your love and support and encouragement has been a steady force behind every step of my journey. To the River Springs community, I look forward to building strong relationships and working together to ensure every student thrives. Students are our purpose. I'm honored and ready to fully immerse myself in the Gator Way, growing, learning, achieving success, taking responsibility, being open-minded, and striving to be safe alongside each of you. In closing, I am both humbled and motivated as I begin this new journey at River Springs Middle School. Thank you. [Applause] Um, we need everyone to stay, but at this time we need Miss Workman to

035come up to finish out the appointment piece and then we will do photos. Good evening. We have two administrative transfers this evening. The first is Jay Strawther, special schools principal at High Banks Learning Center to coordinator of student services. And the second is Alita Sue Hopkins, coordinator of ESSE to ESSE assistant principal, New Simra Beach High uh middle school, I'm sorry, middle school. >> Thank you. All right, then. This time we will start um with the order in which we had you come forward um to be appointed. And so you are invited, your family is invited to come with you and any friends that are here or administrators. Take it off. >> Congratulations. Let's scoot in just a little more to the side. >> Come this way just a little bit. Three, two, one. >>

036You can come this way if you want. They're walking over there a little bit. There's only two in it. It's not like heard. [Laughter] >> You look like so much work. All right, everyone. >> You can join us. Dr. >> Guys, want to head that way? >> Congratulations. All right, you guys. >> Absolutely. I'll be there. There we go. >> A stunning red >> jacket. Congratulations again. >> Thank you so much. >> Good to talk to you. It's good to talk [Laughter] >> Dr. V. No need >> we got to do it again. >> Yes. >> Hey, >> we we need Lindsay back with Mr. Djaralamo and Mr. Vaughn. >> Skipped out on the photo. >> One consent, one budget to public. because He's giving you >> Tennessee. Yeah. She always tells you the public

037hearing cannot take place before 5:30 p.m. for the budget. So, at this time, we are going to move down the agenda to I have one comment card for the consent agenda. So, we're going to move into um 6.01 public participation concerning items on the consent agenda. I have one card and the and the item the person wishes to speak about is item 13.02 which is the memorandum of agreement between the school board of Valuchia County and the Valuchia County African-American Leadership Council. Would Mr. John Nicholson please did I say it correctly? Please come forward. Welcome, sir. You have three minutes. >> John Nicholson, Daytona Beach, Florida. Several years ago, uh you all were going to close schools. Not this particular board, but a previous board. Um one of the reasons for closing the board, the

038school which was a black school in our city, um was that you had gotten permission from this board. Well, I had never heard of the board. I'd only been in Daytona Beach for 30 years and had gone to about 4,000 meetings and there was this board mentioned. So, I talked to several blacks in the city, three of which were on the board, and they had not been contacted by the school board about the closing of Bonner Elementary School. So, I'm wondering, does this board ever meet? And if so, do they represent the city of Daytona Beach? because Bonner at that time was going to be remodeled. Okay, we had set aside a great deal of money and within three months as soon as school ended, they were going to remodel the school across the street.

039They were completing the renovation of Halifax um housing. All right. The school board in its infinite wisdom had decided that blacks no longer had large families and they would only have one child per family moving into the hut housing, which seemed very unusual to the black people in our community because many of our single mothers had multiple ch children. And so a project of 400 would have more than 800 children, which would more than enough to fill Bonner Elementary School. So, I'm asking you, is this board still relevant? And if it is, if anything happens, that the rest of the city be aware of what's happening. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, at this time, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. So, we're at item 7.01. Dr. Balgaban, do you have any

040items which you wish to remove from the consent agenda? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Board members, do you have any items that you wish to remove from the consent agenda to have a discussion about or to speak about and vote on separately? >> Mr. Cologne. >> Yeah. So, I'd like to ask a question about 12.09 and uh 13.02. >> 12.09 9 and 13.02. Anyone else? >> And we don't need the vote on them separate. >> What? >> And we don't need the vote on them separately. >> Okay. Is there anyone else that wants anything removed from the consent agenda for discussion? All right. Then, Mr. Clone, we'll start with item 12.09, which is the contract amendment for types A, C, and D, school buses, and optional equipment. >> Yes. So, I wanted Dr. be if

041we could get an explanation on why we think this is going up in price. >> Okay, here we are. Enid and our new director for transportation, Mr. Kangi. >> Welcome. Welcome. >> And our CEO, Miss Paddicore. So my question is why why are we in why do we believe why is this price going up that much and are we still going to meet budget? >> We are under budget first off. >> Um there's not going to be any cost difference this year. The $5,000 will come in next year and that is because of tariffs. All right. There's um uh different companies that are three contracted bus uh that we purchase buses from. Some parts will come from overseas and that's where the the price adjustment comes from of $5,000. >> All right. Uh that was

042my question. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. >> All right. Then we're moving on Mr. Clone to item 13.02. >> So I have a question Dr. B. Um have we uh calculated uh what the costs will be to the school district uh for that uh because there are certain things that we are responsible for. >> Yeah. So I know that uh you had sent an email to staff regarding that and they were working on that. So Patty and Dr. Evans, this was this is in regards to the um >> memorandum >> the services for theou. >> Good evening again. Um the as you all know we opened a beautiful Titi Elementary School Ti small elementary school in Daytona Beach last at this time last year and the old uh site sits on the back

043side of that and that school has been um repurposed for our ESSE administrative complex. Um Jquis Copeland executive director and over a hundred people are now housed there at the old Tur because they were spread out across the district and all in classrooms and different schools wherever they could find a place. So, we've renamed that the Daytona Beach Administrative Complex. Um, and this piece of property, this piece of that property that the um center will be at is the old uh media center and two portables. Correct. And so, um the cost of electricity we that school is up and running and operational every single day. So, there is no additional cost to run that because the air is going to be on or the heat will be on because we have over 100 employees housed

044there. Um, as far as any minor maintenance, I'll let Mr. Smith speak to that. >> Yeah. As far as uh maintenance with the media center, we're going to we had to redo the carpet a few weeks ago because we had a leak. Other than that, the carpet was good. We did u add new paint on the walls. Uh remove some furniture, but it was very minor the money that we put into that building. As far as the portables, we left them as is. Um they're in good fairly good condition. Uh we will not put any type of major money into those portables. Uh once they go bad, we will demo them. So very minimal cost. >> Custodian. >> Okay. Oh, and so the custodial I know that was one of the costs you have. We

045would have to track um I don't have that yet because I haven't moved in, but they're cleaning. We have two full-time custodians on site cleaning that site every day because again we have employees there. So, we would have to um we can begin to track how many like if it's an hour a day that they're going in and cleaning up. My understanding is the council won't be using it on a daily basis. Um anything outside of the normal custodial working hours, they would have to pay for for custodians to come in and clean if they're going to use it on a weekend. We don't like trash to sit, especially if there's food over the weekend for obvious reasons. So, they would have to um handle that or take care of that in advance with us.

046And also the media center and the two portables have been sectioned off um so they will not have access to the rest of the campus. >> Great. Very good. And if I remember correctly, I think the annual cost of this, Mr. CE, I know you're back there hiding, was less than 10,000 a year when we looked at uh the total portion of cost that this area would cover. And so, um, I I was glad to hear that, you know, and I didn't know that we had folks working out in Tur. So, uh, at first my questions was were around, um, thinking we were not using that building and we're going to be supporting a new building, but we are using that building. And so, uh, for that reason, I am supportive of it. And I'm

047grateful to you all for uh outlining the cost and what the actual consideration is as far as the board's responsibility and what will be taken care of. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. If there's no further discussion, then at this time I'd like to call for uh I'd like someone to make a motion to approve the consent agenda items for this evening. >> I'll make the motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mrs. Good. >> Thank you, Mrs. Sprmer. Any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda items for this evening, please say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay, it passes unanimously. We have six minutes before we can move into the hearing. I don't believe we can do another item.

048So, we're going to take a very short recess and I expect you to be back in here at 5:30 to do the public hearing on the budget. Thank you. I know it's too much. Welcome back. At this time, I am closing the current schoolboard meeting and I'm calling to order and opening the public hearing for the presentation of the proposed tenative district adoranium property tax millage rates levy and the recommended tenative Valuchia County Schools operating budget for the fiscal year 2025 2026. >> Dr. Balman, >> thank you. Uh, Chair Haynes, we already have with us here seated the the team. They're ready to come forward and share with you the proposed tenative district advaloran property tax millage rates levy and the recommended ten tenative VCS operating budget for the year fiscal year 2526. And >>

049I ha I happen to have two um individuals that have completed cards for public input. So, we're going to start with the public input piece. And so, the first card was filled out by Logan Blossom. Okay, we will hold that one. The next card was filled out by Jacob Tito. Please come forward and you'll have three minutes to speak. Welcome. >> Thank you, uh, ladies and gentlemen of the board. I really appreciate your time and attention. Now, I just have a story and two questions. Um, the story is that on September 16th, 2025, Miss June is going to lose her house. She lives right here in Valuji County. She's behind on her taxes by five figures. So, I just want the board to know that every single decision you make, I could never make. It

050is a very tough decision and task that you have. And I just hope that you have taken every single opportunity to look at your budget and see if there's anything you can do to see if there's any savings anywhere in the budget. Now, I'm assuming that you guys have done that. Um, Mr. Superintendent, I'm I'm sure that you have gone through this budget with a fine tooth comb, but have you gone to the state and asked to be doed? Have you taken every resource that's available to you? Um I I don't know if you're allowed to to answer during my comment, but please do. >> We I apologize, but we do not answer when you're doing public comments so that you have your full time and typically we will answer at a later time or

051we will have someone come to meet with you to answer your questions. >> Yes, ma'am. Okay. >> Um I'm aware that this is a very tough thing for any public agency to do. It's probably very similar um to any one of us going for a proctologology exam. It's not fun, but it's necessary. So, I'm just asking that this agency go through every single possible uh task or every single possible thing you can do before you raise taxes on people like Miss June who will lose their house due to decisions that are made. And I'm not talking about cutting pay or cutting jobs. I'm talking about things like potential extra licenses in for Microsoft, things that do not affect student learning. That's all I'm asking is to please use every tool at your disposal before you

052raise taxes on poor Miss June. Thank you for your time. >> You >> Thank you. I will call one more time Logan Blossom. Okay. Then at this time we will move forward with your presentation. Well, first of all, good afternoon board members and uh Superintendent Belgamin. Um, let's go ahead. >> Yeah, this slide aligns with our budget with the district strategic goals and our guard rails. Emphasis is placed on staffing, student learning conditions, operation efficiency, and then stakeholder engagement. This is an overview of the public hearing agenda. We will present the proposed militant budget, take comments, adopt resolution, and set the date for the final hearing. The budget calendar reflects a nine-month process with key milestones leading to final adoption in September. Tonight, we will present the tenative milit rates and tenative budget for your

053review. For part of the pres presentation, we will follow a scripted format that is required by the Florida Department of Revenue Truth and Militch legislation. On September 9th, we will be the present. We will be presenting uh the final mill rates and budget for board approval. Trim ensures transparency and public budget communications. It mandates specific formats and requires two public hearings for millage and budget discussions. This slide defines a mill and how it translates to property tax calculations. For example, $100,000 of taxable value at 1 mill equals $100 in taxes. Again, we're following a scripted format that's predefined. The Florida Department of Education um Florida Education Finance Program, better known as FFP, is the mechanism by which state and local funds are allocated to Florida school districts. The Florida legislature sets the required local effort

054millage. They also set the prior period funding millage adjustment rates that must be levied by this school board. The school board must levy the required local effort mil and prior period funding adjustment millet in order to receive any state funding under the Florida education finance program. This is a breakdown of the proposed millage rates for the 202526 year. Total milage is 5.279 mills. That includes the required local effort. Again, the um also is the prior period funding adjustment, your basic discretionary operating and your capital outlay. This is a comparison of current and prior year milit rates to show changes and trends over time. The change between the two years is a reduction, not an increase, a reduction of 0.006 mills. As required by TRIM, we must compare the proposed milit rate to the roll back

055rate. The rollback rate is the milit rate that would generate the same amount of revenues as last year if applied to the current year's adjustable taxable value. Under trim, the rollback rate is the basis for determining if tax rates have increased or decreased. This slide compares the proposed millet rate to the roll back rates. The current state law roll back rate is 2.9455 mills. The current proposed state law millage rate for 202526 school year is 3.0310 mills. The proposed rate is 2.9% more than the roll back rate. The roll back rate for the total millage is 5.1257 mills. The proposed total milage rate is 5.2790 ms. The proposed total rate is 2.99% more than the roll back rate. Since the proposed tenative mil rates exceeds the roll back rate, Florida statutes 200.065 065 requires the

056legal advertisement has to be a notice of a proposed tax increase which was advertised in the Daytona News Journal Sunday, July 27th, 2025 paper. The Valuchia County Schools Board total amount of tax dollars levied will increase by 19 $19.5 million for school related taxes for the 202526 as compared to the prior year. While the milit rate is decreasing, the total levy is increasing by 5.35 over the prior year. Again, the milit rate is going down. So, how are my property taxes collected or calculated? The taxable value of homeowner's property equals the assessed value as determined by Valuchia County Property Appraisers office less the 25,000 homestead exemption if applicable. The homestead exemption is an amount that is exempt from addum taxes. The amount is established by law for properties used as owner's primary residence. It is

057normally $25,000. The portion of property tax related to school funding equals the taxable value divide up by a th00and times the school district milit rate. So how would this impact taxpayers in Valuchia County? This slide illustrates the changes in school related property taxes for Valuchia County homeowners over the last several years. In this example, a home valued at $200,000 in 202122 school year would have generated roughly $1,15.35 in school related property tax. If the owner qualified for Save Our Homes by the 202526 school year, the assessed value of the same home would be $224,833. Based on this valuation, school related property tax would be $1,55.17. This is an increase of $32.26 from the 2425 school year, but a 5-year cumulative increase of $39.82. This is the district's total budget and summary form we'll be adopting

058tonight. The general fund consists of four funds. The general operating fund which is the main fund where most expenditures are paid. That's where your FFP money flows in and that's where most the expenditures occur related to that funding. You have your capital reimbursement fund. I did rename that fund for this year. Last year it was called maintenance of plant. Okay. So now it's called general fund capital reimbursement. Also, we have the prek program and an extended date programs. In addition, tonight you'll be approving budgets for debt service fund, which is used to pay for the outstanding bonds of the district. We do have some opportunities that will be coming down um um the line here and I'll be sharing that in upcoming board meetings to do some refunding that would potentially save the district some

059money. Also, capital project fund which accounts for major construction and renovation projects. special revenue fund which consists of our grants and special programs food service also known as as cafe and our internal service funds which accounts for the district's workers comp property general liability fleet and our print shop. The total tenative budget for all funds is1 bill175 million $237 $237,000 and $213. The district has seen a reduction of students attending a traditional and virtual school program since the 2223 school year. This report shows the actual unweighted FTE students the district gets paid on through the Florida Education Finance Program and the projected unweed FTE students for the 20256 school year. And there's the report. Um we do not have anything yet as of um the survey 3 which hasn't been released to us. That would

060have been the February March FTE survey that would be included in our FFP 4th calculation. So we still haven't received that information from the state. The traditional and virtual program is continuing to see a reduction of students over the prior school year of 1,421 students. Scholarship program is expected to see a majority of the student growth for the 2526 school year. The traditional and virtual program account for roughly 81% of the total unweighted FT. The budgeted unweighted FT that you see there, also known as undistributed unweed FT, would be allocated once the student placement is known. This slide represents the general operating fund estimated revenues for the school year 2526. As compared to the prior school year current budget, the estimated revenues decreased by roughly $18.8 million. This slide provides a snapshot of our recurring

061general fund operating budget across three po key points in time. the original adopted budget from September 2024, the current budget through May of 2025, and the tenative budget for the 20256 school year. Let's start with the revenues. You'll notice a reduction of 30.21 million from the current budget to the tenative budget for the 2526 school year. This is a decrease in primarily due to a decline in student enrollment across your traditional and virtual programs and the continued migration of students to your alternative education options such as family empowerment scholarship. Additionally, some revenues like A+ funds and certain grants are not budgeted until received, contributing further to the year-over-year variance. As revenues decline, we've taken steps to adjust our spending accordingly. On the expenditure side, we revisit our projected um um we revised our projections downward

062from 594.2 million in the adopted 2425 budget to 548.98 million in the 202526 school year. While this represents a reduction, this is part of a controlled spendown as I keep mentioning in every meeting. um the strategy that allows us to maintain staffing levels, projected classroom resources, and invest in key initiatives despite funding pressures. This slide represents the current general fund operating budget by major object, also known as account grouping. Total salaries and benefits is projected to make up roughly 81.7% of the total operating budget in 2526 school year. The final budget presentation will incorporate the roll forward appropriations, beginning fund balances, and actual expenditures to provide a comprehensive financial overview when that budget's uh um adopted in September. I'll include all that information. Madame Chair, this is a time for um um public comment or

063for the um board member comment. >> Mr. clone. >> So, could you remind me of the millage rate for the last four years starting with 2020 2020? Let's do five. What was the millage in 2020 and then what is it uh today? >> Okay. The millage rate in 2122 >> that's good >> was um 5.802 802 mills. The militage rate in 2022 23 was 4 I mean sorry let me back up 5.482 mills. In 232 24 it was 5.49 and we're decreasing every year our millages. Um 2425 it's 5.285 285 and for this upcoming year in 2526 it's 5.279 mills. So every year it's there's a reduction. So every year we've voted to decrease the millillage. >> That's correct. >> And every year the legislature has also decreased the required local uh requirement of the

064maximum. Yes, >> that is that is correct. And so while it is calculated as a tax increase in technicality, we have gone from 5.802 millillage to 5.279 millillage. Is that accurate? >> That's accurate. >> Thank you. That was my question. >> Mrs. Rosmer, I have a few more questions than than I guess past discussions have had. I I wasn't sure how this process worked. I've never been part of it before. And so I went back and watched the last two similar meetings for the the last two years. And last year there weren't any questions, but the year before that uh there were some. So, I realized this is my my chance to make them. And and unlike Mr. Cologne, who looks at at the the numbers, that's um a lot harder for me. I I

065try to look at where the money's going. And the one of the things that kind of jumped out at me um in looking back two years and and looking at those two budgets compared to the one that we're considering tonight uh was everybody's favorite subject, the Enterprise Elementary replacement school, otherwise known as Deerry K8. And what I noticed was that two years ago in the five-year plan, there was $2 million um allocated for the master plan, excuse me, um for next year for 2627 and $36 million uh for the following year, which I assume was for the for the construction of the school. And without going through all of the details between then and now, um, now it's $72 million for this year in our budget. Um, which is twice what it was two years

066ago. And so I wondered how that happened. Um, I I realized that in some respects it's a placeholder. We don't know if or when that school is going to be built, but the difference in the number I thought was significant. Uh, and I um I noticed too that we've already spent uh almost $15 million on on that school um project. I assume that that I without line items, it's hard to know what it was spent on. I assume that it was for the properties for maybe for the purchase of Buckley and Spring Vista. Uh that comes to somewhere in that >> That is correct. We did purchase the property for for that. Yes, that is correct. Been charged to that. >> So, I thought I thought that 15 million might be for that, but there

067hadn't been anything in the budget leading into it um last last year. So, I was trying to figure out exactly how that worked and and now, and I don't know if this is a question for you or if it's from Mrs. poor or who it's for, but we couldn't close on the one Spring Vista property because of the cloud on the title. Um, we got another contract with the seller. Um, but the seller has withdrawn that so and and it's back up for sale as I understand it. And so my concern is that we may be facing getting into a bidding war for that for that piece of property. And so I'm trying to figure out how what the what the specific budget impact is um in that kind of a contractual uh confusion I

068suppose for the time being. And I'm also um concerned about that the difference between the 36 million and and the 72 million in just that two-year period with with no um I'm not aware of any bond issue or anything that has generated that and I'm guessing that maybe that's intended. I think you and I spoke about that and that would be intended at such time as the school is approved. >> Correct. We we initially going back remember when we um um I would say about a half year ago now at least a half a year ago. Um we initially um were going to issue debt for the enterprise project but that fell through. So now we're um in we're holding we're in holding pattern right now to move forward with that enterprise project. Once we

069do we'll issue the debt at that time. So, we um had a a bond anticipation note at that time with um I want to say it was Bank of America. I'm trying to remember the bank I was using at that time or Webster, but um um yes, that's correct. So, when we move forward with that project, the time when I'd be issuing debt, we are issuing some debt for some projects that we have disclosed in your budget book here. I could share that with you, but I don't know if I would need to go down that road with you because I think you have a an a question more related to enterprise and the cost increase there. So, I would have to ask Miss Core for her assistance. >> Yeah, >> Miss Core, you heard

070all of the the questions from >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Good evening. Um, and I and I know that part the enterprise replacement school was part of the original sales tax referendum and has been through the pro project oversight committee long before probably any of us were even sitting in our seats. Um, and so Enterprise due to its age was one of the schools identified to be a replacement school. Of course, it doesn't designate where the replacement school should be. And as time goes on and movement happens in the county where we had property before we don't need anymore and we need property in different places as building occurs where the green space is. So certain parts of our county are saturated but other parts of our county are still growing. Um I believe and

071I would have to go back and double check but prior when it was first on the five-year well first of all we do a five-year capital plan every year. However, we h it's a five-year plan forecast, but we amend it every year and we have to send it to DOE in October of every year. So, there may be items that say for 2627 school year and then there's a supply chain issue, we can't get the chiller or something and it gets moved a year. So, you'll see it and it may be it may show up in different years on the plan. Um when the enterprise replacement school was initially put on the plan, it was put on as an um elementary replacement school. as we know that's smaller. It doesn't cost as much to build

072an elementary school. Um since then we have visited several K8 schools. We were looking at the K8 model because where a lot of the students come to Enterprise are from the city of Deerry. The city of Devi only has one elementary school. All the students who are middle school that live in Deerry are bust out to either River Springs and a few maybe to Deltona Middle. So, the thought was to build a K8 to keep those students. Um, as compared to other municipalities in our district, they're the only municipality that has middle school kids that don't go to school in their middle school for the size and the number of students there are, not like a Pon Inlet or something like that that's very small. Um, so once that was changed to a K8, that

073immediately changed the cost. In addition, just over the last year, we have already seen increasing costs on on all of our um supplies that we're using in the construction side. So, that price has creep crept up a because just the cost of goods and services are higher now. Um contractors and general man general project managers are passing the costs on to us as well as going from um maybe a five or 600 seat elementary to a over,300 seat K8. Okay, that that makes a lot of sense. Um going from from the elementary to the uh to the K8 as well as the increase in costs of course. Um so I I appreciate that uh that information very much. Um >> and on that on that part of the budget, I have one more question, but

074I think it's for Mr. CE on that part of the question. Thank you very much, Mrs. Core. Okay. The the only other question I have is that um we are uh this is a matter of public record. We are a party to I don't know a couple dozen uh legal actions. And I couldn't find in our narrative where that shows up in the budget. what we've spent on on outside uh council and attorney's fees, what we spent this year, and what we have budgeted for this coming year. >> Yeah. Where that where that's covered is in your general fund here. Let me get to that. It would be under the the board expenditures for legal. >> When you have the page, would you just let me know what it is? >> Yeah, I'm let me

075see if I can find it. >> Sorry about that. Okay. That currently we do have a budget right now um under purchase services. It's under the board. >> Can you tell me what page you're on? >> It would be page 33 in your budget book. >> Oh, that's where I am. Yeah, it's it's kind of grouped under purchase services. That's >> under purchase services. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Is it But that's not the full That's not That includes things other than legal fees, I would assume, or not. Let me let me pull that for you. Yeah, under under I have some legal services here for roughly about 35 under right now under purchase services you have district audits, internal audits, legal services, um some shredding services and some legislative liaison. That's what we have currently

076in purchase services. >> The legislative liaison is the lobbyist contract. Is that correct? >> And we and we also have under that's that's under function 7100 that's the board function. Okay. And then under 7200 function we also have legal services under that under purchase services for $350,000 we put aside for that. >> That's for this year. This >> that's for this Yeah, that's for this upcoming year. >> That's correct. >> I think she asked for what page that's on. Did you >> It's not in there. It's in your purchase services lump sum. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. And thank you for that clarification, too. Um Okay. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Okay. I just want to um clarify a few points that you made. You did a very good job on

077the presentation, but I just want to go back to the page where um you know the 2025 25 26 proposed millage rates are at. You were clear on that, but I just want to make sure that the public hears it a second time. We are told what the millage rate will be. >> Yes. >> We unlike the county or the cities, >> correct, >> cannot come in and choose our own millage rate. >> That's correct. And the reason why we're told that is because the state along with DOE has already calculated knowing because we have to we submit every part of our budgets. We submit our plans. We submit what's going on in capital and all that and they come back and they determine what the required local effort has to be. And this is

078where um sometimes individuals are a little confused because they may go watch a county meeting or attend a county meeting or they may go to the city meeting and watch that and see where the individuals sitting on the county council or the city councils are allowed. They're able to choose what they want it to be. But here, if we don't vote to pass what the state has sent down stating that we will collect for millillage, which continues to keep going down, the millage rate, they tell us what it's going to be, then we're out of compliance. >> That's correct. >> Because we don't really have a choice. What we're doing is when we vote on this is basically we're rubber stamping what the state sent because if we don't agree with it then the funding

079is not released to us. >> Yeah. And Miss Haynes for for everyone's knowledge too and please the board um council can um correct me if I mistake this. What drives that specifically is under Florida law uh specific sections 200.065 065 and also section 1011.03 and Mr. Cologne, you set this year on the value adjustment piece where individuals could come, individual homeowners, and they could speak about the school part of their tax, their property taxes, and then you guys had to you were part of a group that made a decision based on each individual's testimony. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. And did you have a lot of participants? >> There were uh there were not a lot of folks who ended up coming as a hearing. Uh there were obviously but when folks contest their taxes, it's

080typically because they don't agree with the property value that's being assessed. Uh I can't recall anyone who came to speak specifically uh disagreeing with the schoolboard taxes in particular. how you know although the property value is clearly affects that uh as well. >> All right. So I just want that to be clear. We're not here tonight for the tenative budget nor when we get to the final budget. We're not here we didn't just select an amount that we wanted to collect from people. We were given that amount from the state. >> That's correct. We keep reducing it each year. But also what is happening that people need to recognize is new homes are continuing to be built and or people are selling the homes they're in and someone new is purchasing them. I personally won't

081sell the home that I'm living in right now because if I were to sell it, I would make a nice profit. You're like, "Well, why wouldn't you do that?" Well, because then when I go buy something, my property tax rate is going to go up based on the new price I pay for a home. So, I'm better off to stay in a home that I've been in for 22 years where I bought it for $110,000 than to sell it for $400,000 and move into $450,000 home that I'm going to pay a lot more money on. >> There is portability law. um rule as well. So we they can use portability um but again they would have to apply for it and it would have to be approved. >> So Mr. Tito who came forward >>

082best advice we could give his neighbor you know it's heartbreaking to hear if anyone's going to lose their home. We are one part of the taxes because we just collect the school piece that we're required by law to do. But then there's the other pieces depending on where her home sits, depending on when she bought it, depending on whether or not she qualifies, you know, for homestead or if there's any other I I have friends that have homestead widowerower, all types of things on theirs. And so ideally her first step in line of defense would be to put forth that she wants to contest some piece of what is happening and fill out the paperwork and possibly be heard or go to the hearing for a determination to be made. And Mr. Cologne is our

083representative um that he agreed to sit on the piece for the school part and we are thankful for that. >> She's our representative. We appreciate that. >> He said for me twice though. >> And so I just want I just wanted Mr. Tito because he came tonight and he spoke. I wanted him to understand where we're at and that we do look at all the pieces and parts and what we are facing every day is the cost of electricity is going up in our schools, the cost of food's going up, the cost of transportation, um salaries, benefits, all of those things are going up. Just the cost to buy textbooks and the materials that our students need are going up. And I'm always about looking to see if there's somewhere else we can save money,

084but we're in a situation that we don't have a choice on the amount that we collect. >> Yeah. And I did share with you um Madame Chair as well is that there is a possibility to refund some debt and that's from the 2016 issue. So like I said, I'll be bringing that forward. There is a potential net present value savings. Um I think that um number is right a little over three million at this point but again as we know as the market fluctuates that could change. So I just wanted to share that we always are looking for um um the the the ability to save the district money either through these refundings or even when we issue debt you know time to market right so we pay a lower interest rate. And the final

085thing is on slide 19. Um it appears that our operating overage or deficit this year will be a deficit again of approximately what 8.94 million. >> That's correct. >> And that is part of what you have been spending down the fund balance. Do you have an idea yet of where the fund balance will end? >> Well, right now we're still we're still trending right at that mark. Um, and like I as I shared with you, if you actually opened up the annual budget from the beginning this year, I'm following a plan and that plan just it marries with this nicely. So I' I've I've shared that many times that we were it's a controlled spendown. We we don't know what gets thrown at us through the course of the year when the state um had

086some issues this year not being able to really account for and I shouldn't say the state, it was the Department of Education. I don't think they were set up well enough to to track the PEP students and scholarships properly. So what happened was we got hit with some prorations this year. Our last payment for the year, we were shorted on our last payment for the year. So that totaled about $6.5 million that was just taken right from your budget that you were said you were going to get this money and they just pulled it right back. Um so these are the things that we it's hard to budget and and of course even at the federal level you know if they they share with us that you know there's a potential that they're going to

087hold withhold money then that changes your budget strategy and how you think and approach things. So you know it's it's it's very dynamic and but I think we're pretty much on top of it. Um I'm blessed to work with a great team to to navigate these challenges that are constantly thrown at us. What can we cut? What can we maybe shift a little bit? So those it's it's very fluid the budget is. I'll say it that way. >> And we don't receive all the money at one time. We receive it in quarterly payments or drop downs. >> Yeah. Through the course every every month we receive our payments. Correct. >> And so have we yet received the fourth calculation? >> No. No, we have not received the fourth calculation. And I don't even know what

088our third FTE um survey results are yet. So that's why I don't have them displayed. If I would have knew them, I would have displayed them. I'm hearing though that they are going to release them. Um I'm I'm just not sure when and I'm hopefully in time before the we um produce the annual budget for you for your adoption in early September. >> Thank you. Miss Goodrich has another question. So this year's total budget is 1.175, right? >> Yeah. For all your funds, correct? >> Okay. And last last year it was 1.536. Is that right? >> That's correct. You Yeah. You >> pretty significant difference in the in a good direction. Correct. >> Yeah. Um what's what's going on there too is we had the um entitlement funds that was the er funds that we

089were rolling off of. So we still had some money there that we rolled forward. Uh so that made a chunk of it. We also were going to be issuing we were going to issue a debt issue. So when we did that and had a proposed debt issue that raised our budget, but some of that didn't materialize this year. Okay, >> cool. And so I just earlier today during the workshop I addressed some myths on social media. I wanted to address some that you and I have spoken about. So when we talk about a controlled spend down and a budget deficit, I don't know that the world necessarily knows what that means. And so from our conversations, we start with a budget and then sometimes the numbers changed based on our monthly payments and based on

090what the state calculated and then what they recalculate on top of that. Um we found that our calculations they lowered them towards the end of this year or this school year and also we've seen a lot of money go into scholarships um and private private school. And so what I don't think you're given enough credit for because it's so easy for the for people behind a screen to say check and see what they're doing. Is this real? Well, we sat down and checked it together. And not only are you doing exceptional work, you saw in advance before any of the state numbers came out what was going on. And that's when you began um to make sure we had enough money to cover if there were issues. So, so when and you and I spoke

091about the words budget deficit, sometimes that's misunderstood. It's not as if we're we've over spent $25 million. That's not the case at all. It's we had a budget. This was what the budget was because of a variety of factors. The budget has a deficit, not the bank account. Correct. >> That that's correct. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> And so when you're doing your controlled spend now, we're spending that from our savings, right? Savings that we set aside so that we could do this. >> That's correct. So, I want to commend you on the work you've done. And I I think that Valuchia County is more than blessed to have you at the helm. As you know, I'm a numbers person. We've gone over this, you and I, quite a bit. And for anyone out there

092that questions what we're doing or if there's anything behind the scenes or all the, you know, stuff you hear out there, come. Like, this is a a budget meeting. Where are all the people that have these questions and what do they want to know? What? come to our meeting and ask us because I don't think there's anything to hide. Um I do think we look at everything that we possibly can. Does the school board look at how much we spend on individual cell phones? No, we don't go that far. We don't go that far down. That's not the job of what we do. But we do have people that are doing that and coming up with budgets based on the numbers that that are needed and the numbers that were given from the state. So

093wanted to commend you on that. And then um the last thing is my understanding, it was brought up that there was a property with a cloud on the title and I've got the email too from the guy that wanted to sell it to us again. Um but my understanding on that property is that we've already made two offers on that property and this may not be a you question. Yeah. Um but we already made two offers on that property that were offers that were in our comfort range of what we wanted to spend and those offers were rejected. So if I misunderstood that, please let me know. >> Um thank you. you. And so you're referring to the little over 6 acres and dear adjacent to the 19.8 that we've already purchased. Um the 6

094acres would be nice to have but are not required to have to build our school. Um there there was not a clean title and the owners was on the owner of the property to clean it up because we will not enter into any agreement like that. Um he wanted us to buy it and then us figure it out. We weren't going to do that. Um, this went back and forth and as recently as last Thursday, uh, Ron Young was still trying to work with the seller. Um, because he came back and he was motivated to sell. We could not reach an agreement. He could not clear his part of the title. It's also encumbered with the HOA across the street with some some contractual things there that we would not get involved in as a

095school district. Um, and so my understanding is yes, he's now listed it with another agent and it's for sale again. Um, but it is not necessary for us to have that property to build our school. >> Just answered my last question before I said it. >> Thank you. >> Dr. Belgum, please make a note of that for my evaluation. >> Well noted. >> Yeah. No, but again, just my last comment is I know that there's a lot of questions. Budget is a very very people see a number like 1.175 and and that's a big number, right? So, it sounds like what are they doing? Please, if you have questions, reach out to us. we can get the answers for you. We have an exceptionally intelligent CFO, exceptionally intelligent CFO that knows these numbers inside and

096out. And so it's an open book. We're a public entity. Come see us, >> Mr. Cologne. >> Yeah. And so last question is, are you presenting a balanced budget uh for this year for us? >> Yes, I am. >> Wonderful. And uh Mr. Tito, I appreciate you coming out uh and bringing that story and I can tell you we didn't know you were coming, but Mr. CE, there was a slide that talked about the millage rate for a house that was $200,000 for the last five years. Um, and so I'm going to go based on the assumption, just your same assumption that that your neighbor's house is worth $200,000. And I don't know who your neighbor is or where you live. Um and so arguably what would have been the difference in the last five

097years and and and our circumstances are not far from the rest of a lot of people in our community that are struggling. However, in the five years I believe you said in your presentation uh it would have gone up how much? >> Well, between the the cumulative total >> cumulative >> it was $39.82. So you'll see that, you know, and and I pointed out the millage rate on purpose because though it is marked as a tax increase, and tomorrow the newspaper is going to call it the massive cha tax increase, and they do this every year, so we're used to that. They definitely don't put on there, congratulations, school board, you went from 5.802 to 5.279. They're not going to do that. They never do. And so bringing it to life and I appreciate you

098bringing that story to us. The reality is that our portion of it has actually gone down though nobody will ever tell you that. It doesn't sell newspapers. It doesn't sell news stories. It just doesn't. And so um I I I think it's a very unfortunate situation. you know, is it, you know, are there, you know, do I wish we could do like some states that don't charge taxes on folks who don't have kids? Well, if we weren't 47th, 48th in per student funding from the state, we may have a different calculation, a different, but that's our reality. It's what we deal with. you know, when you look at, and I'll never forget, I had a young a couple reach out to me, uh, and they said, "This county in Georgia doesn't charge their senior citizens

099money for schools." And I'll never forget, I started doing homework, and this was before Chat GPT was here. I started doing homework, looked up that county, and their per student allocation was about $6,000 more from the state than Florida was. And so that means that that school district and so I called them up and said, you know, if we got as much from the state as they get in that county from from the state, that would be an extra $45 million for our school district. Maybe we could do something like that for the seniors, but because that's not the case. And so our millillage has gone down. The impact on that dear lady who's going through five years of a hard time and there's no question about that. Um and and yes, it is a

100hard decision. And it's a hard decision in part because of course every year it's it's a tax increase and the school board increase the taxes when in reality it by definition it is, but it really hasn't been. Uh, and so, uh, I hope that my friends in the news journal are listening. Uh, Mark, I hope you're listening. 5.802 down to 5.279. I look forward to that being the headline tomorrow morning. Thank you. Just one final thing. Um, anyone that wants to find the book that basically has 127 pages. It is posted under board docs tonight where they could go there or it's also posted where on our website. >> It's on our website actually. If you open the homepage of the website and you kind of scroll to the bottom it will say fiscal transparency.

101You click on that it would take you to all of our financial reports. So you'll see the wonderful ACER that we produced. You know here um it's also in part of my package here. You have all your budgets. You have your annual, your tenative budgets out there. Uh the preliminary budget was posted out there so they can see the history of uh if they just want to take a look at that information and pull it down and read it for some light reading, throw it in chat, GPT, see what it says. So, >> thank you, Dr. Balaban. So, I I want to thank Todd and and the entire team, and I want to mention something that we have been doing diligently this summer, but we're going to need all of us to assist with this.

102As we all know, and I truly believe this, that a strong public education is a great equalizer, right? And we take a lot of pride in the work that the entire village has done here in Valuchia County. Yesterday I had eight interviews backtoback and one of the uh the channels that came to interview me actually the gentleman instead of interviewing me he spent maybe 15 minutes just talking about his experience with Valuchia County because his child attends Seabbze High School and he was sharing with me that prior to that where his child was enrolled it was not a public school and and was talking about the experience erience between both and the level of services and his child is part of the ACE program and the growth that he has seen in his daughter and

103he was just going on and on. So, I even joked with him. I said, "I thought you were here to interview me." But anyway, long story short, I was telling Danielle, I said, "Danielle, these are our customers and these are the experiences that we need to put out there." And it's really, really important because if you look at the budget, there's a lot of uncertainties. For example, how many scholarships will be opted for for next year? when we do the recalc, you know, where our numbers will come in, but you can't take away services from students that that are still here, but you know, they left two weeks ago because you can't say, "Oh, I you know, it just doesn't work that way, right? You budget for all of this in advance." And I say

104this to us because as adults, we really have to be informed before we speak. And I commend you. I commend this board and I commend all of you that if you don't have the answer to a question, instead of going on social media and listening to groups of people sharing their opinions, if you think that's informing you, that might be a myth, right? It's important to go to the source because if I am a parent and I'm shopping for an education and I don't know anything about Valuchia County, but I'm going to be looking at social media and I see these comments that are being made. Mind you, we know that many of these comments are illinformed and I take that to make my decision. Unfortunately, I might be making a decision that will not

105be in the best benefit of my child. So, I say this that we may think that at times, you know, I'm doing this because I'm trying to to to to score some points here or settle a score. We need to be responsible, especially if we're adults. So our team I've put together an entire team that has been working sharing you probably saw about what's taking place on the east side the east schools your area each of you right the all of the the um acceleration programs that we have all of the myriad of services that we offer so that parents will have the information the right information so that when they have to make decisions because the one of the most important decisions that we can make in our lives as parents or a guardian

106is where and what type of entity and services we want our children to be exposed to. That's probably one of the most important decisions that we could make. And there's a lot of families that don't know what to look for, what questions to ask, what are some comparative to look at. They don't know. It's not like going into Bloomingdales and shopping for a pair of pants, right? So, I say this with a lot of love and respect. I love this community. I chose to be a part of it and I believe in the services that we provide. And I want to thank this board for the support that you provide in your governance. But it's going to take every single one of us to be the change that we want to see here in Valuchia

107County. And that means inform ourselves if we don't have the right information because the information that we put out there could be the detriment to a child and their future. It really could be. I say this to you because we really need to reflect. And I've seen, again, I've been in four counties. I've said this before. We've I've dealt personally with many challenges professionally, but I have never seen a group, a small group of individuals that are so resilient into putting out information. nonstop consecutively that when you examine that information, there's so many fallacies to it. So, I say this as your superintendent, okay? For as long as I'm here, I care about this county and I care about every child in this county. But let's all all of us be responsible in the information

108that we provide and be the example that we want our children to be. And I so I need all of our help with this because so far it seems like we're tracking the right direction for for the numbers. But as you know, Miss Haynes, and all of you, the first two weeks we do DNA, and DNA means students who do not enter our school. They're not physically there. But it's going to take all of us to be be able that we are informing our community accordingly so that they can make the right decisions for their children. Thank you, >> Thompson has. >> Thank you. I just have one little thing and uh Mr. CE, I did go on our website to see exactly where it is and to make sure it was easily accessible for

109anyone who wants to and it's all there. It's great. Um, but also I just had a question for you because I've had people ask me this question before. The Florida Lottery has commercials saying that they give money back to public schools and I have people ask me about this often. Well, how much money do your schools get from the Florida Lottery? And so that information also seems to be available under there. Love that. But just wanted to ask the question, how much did we receive this year from lottery funds? And I'm asking because it says there are no resources or collections to display. And I feel like I've gone back in past years and had a similar response, but I just wanted to double check. >> I'm just gonna that would be a fair response

110again. So >> just in case other people ask me this question because it really does come up quite a bit people like >> lottery. Yeah. And fair question. I don't know if I can give you um an answer right now, >> but um we don't receive too much money from the the from the lottery funds. They're used for other purposes, right? >> But I I'm sorry. >> No, go ahead. >> Yeah. So, I I don't have >> Okay. Well, >> answer for you exactly how much the state actually receives and how much they actually allocate for the districts. If we do get that information and if it is more than zero, could we put it under the lottery fund section under the financial transparency section on the website? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay.

111So, now we're moving on to 5.02, 02 the resolution for 2025-10 levying the tenative district ad valorium property tax millage rates for fiscal year 2025 2026 >> you want me to >> I'm going to read it is that you want to read it or you want me to read it >> I I can yeah you want me to read it too >> either way you just let me know CFO >> one has to read it >> let me get to that page >> I I can read it Todd I have it Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um I recommend approval of the resolution number 2025-10 of the SC Florida of the school board of Valuchia County, Florida leaving the tenative advalorum property tax millage rate for fiscal year 2025-2026. Required local effort required local effort

112prior period adjustment. Discretionary operating, additional operating for the general fund, district discretionary local capital improvement for the capital funds and depth services for the depth service funds on all taxable properties within Valuchia County, Florida for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2026. And then um superintendent, let me just finish real quick on those military you you mentioned. Uh the district required local effort is 3.031 mills. That would generate roughly 2111,346359. Discretionary local capital improvement 1.5 would generate 104 um,592,392. in your discretion disc uh district school uh tax discretionary millage of 748 mills would generate 52 million 156 739 the total millage rate to be levied exceeds the total roll back rate by 2.99%. This is where we would take a vote. >> So superintendent your recommendation is the approval All

113right, board members, you've heard that the superintendent has recommended approval for resolution 2025-10 levying the tenative district adoran property tax millage rates for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Do I have someone that would like to make a motion to approve? >> I'll make the motion to approve. >> Thank you, Miss Goodrich. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Cologne. Any final discussion before I call for the vote hearing? None. All those in favor of approving the resolution 2025-10 levying of the tenative district advaloranium property tax mill rates for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Please say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Okay. Then it passes unanimously. We are now moving on to 5.03. the resolution of the 2025-11 adopting the tenative VCS operating budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. So Mr. >> I

114I'll take it from you super if that's okay. Yeah, it's resolution number 2025-11 adopting a tenative budget a resolution of the Valuchia County School Board adopting intended budget for fiscal year 2526. Whereas the school board of Valuchia County, Florida did, pursuant to chapter 200 and um 1011 Florida statutes approved tenative militaries and the tenative budget for the fiscal year July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2026. And whereas the Valuchia County School Board set forth the appropriation and revenue estimates for the budget for the fiscal year 2526. And whereas at the public hearing and in full compliance with chapter 200 Florida statutes, the Valuchia County School Board adopted the tenative and milit rates and the budget in amount of 1 billion175,237,213 for the fiscal year 20256. Now there be it be resolved that the attached budget

115of Valuchia County School Board including the militrates as set forth therein is hereby adopted by the school board of county as a tenative budget for the categories indicated for July 1st um 20 June 30th 2026. Um madam chair this is looking for board approval. >> Thank you. Do you have a recommendation? >> He just read the recommendation. Thank you. >> The board members, you've heard the recommendation. Do I have someone that who will make a motion to approve resolution 2025-11 adopting the tenative VCS operating budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Clone. Do I have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> Anyone opposed. So,

116it passes unanimously. It is now 6:36 p.m. and I am adjourning the public hearing for this year's millillage and budget. I'm now going to open back up the school board meeting and we are moving right into public participation. which is item 18.01 and it is 6:37 p.m. >> Madam Chair, real quick on the last slide on the final budget's going to be September 9th, I believe. That's >> Yes. >> Thanks. >> Yes. So, I have two cards. Um, Miss Johnson, do you have any additional cards for public input? Okay. Um, you can go ahead and bring that one up. All right. This is the general education time. Those of you that are coming forward to speak, I just want to remind you that you'll have three minutes each. First is going to be Mrs. Elizabeth

117Albert. Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board, superintendent Dr. Balivan, members of the audience. Uh, want to talk to you tonight about contracts. Uh, just approved a bunch of contracts on the consent agenda. Uh, but I want to remind you that a contract is more uh than a document. It's a promise. It reflects mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a commitment to the success of our schools. When we honor the terms of our agreements, we affirm the trust between educators and leadership. That trust is the foundation upon which collaboration and excellence are built. Our teachers and staff show up every day with passion and perseverance and a deep commitment to their students and this district. They deserve the same commitment in return. Upholding our contracts is not just about a legal

118obligation. It's about ethical leadership. It sends a clear message that this board and the leaders in this district value the work of our teachers, our pair of professionals, and our office specialists, and that you recognize their importance within the district. When challenges arise, as they always do, open and honest dialogue allows us to find solutions together. We are not adversaries. We are partners in this work, and that is also set forth by chapter 447 of the Florida statutes. When decisions are made in isolation, however, without the input of our union, it breeds suspicion and erodess the confidence that every employee should have in their employer. Failing to partner with our union not only disregards the voices of teachers and staff, but it also breaks trust, compromises transparency and transparency and styies the collective spirit that

119is essential to creating positive culture within this district. As leaders in a public school system, we have a responsibility to lead with empathy and transparency, especially when the outcomes of the decisions that are made, result in negative impacts on the individuals and the families that this district serves. Decisions of this magnitude, when made without warning or clear and concise communication, send a message that individuals are not valued or respected for their contribution to this district. Whether it is right or wrong, people build their lives around their roles in our schools. And when those roles are taken away or reassigned without fair warning, it creates a ripple effect, making others feel apprehensive and fearful. I know that our public schools are under attack from a variety of sources, a variety of enemies even. That is why

120it is critically important that we work together in a way that honors the agreements that we've made in good faith and prioritizes treating our teachers and staff with dignity and respect. Respecting the contracts with view. It's not just about the rules. It's about doing what's right for the people who have worked so very hard to make this district an A. Thank you. >> Next, Mr. John Nicholson. John Nicholson, Daytona Beachside. 55 years ago, this county of Alia decided that they would integrate our schools by themselves rather than having the state or the federal government integrate for us. In doing so, we decided to create 27 islands in the city of Daytona Beach and bus our black children out to neighboring white schools and thought that would be kosher. It did not work out well. The

121last superintendent said that he was going to start eliminating that and going back to neighborhood schools. My question is, are we still going back to neighborhood schools? I think it is the best option to have the children be able to walk to school, know their neighbors because on our commission we have three commissioners living in the same neighborhood that went to three different high schools because they were on different blocks. That doesn't make any sense. Uh secondly, um Beachside Elementary, the last time I was here, we were discussing closing two elementary schools on the beach side and combining them. It was decided that it would be combined into um Orte um Orton Elementary School and it would be a K through eight. It opened as an elementary school. The mayor says he knows why it

122was opened up as an as an elementary school, but he refuses to say why. And he doesn't know why, and I've not been able to find out from anybody here why it was done. Could you tell us why? because it'd been 50 years. And on the island, we had three elementary schools, no middle school, and a high school. In our city, at one point, we had six elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. That statistically doesn't work. There should be a place on the beach side for those students from three different elementary schools to go to a middle school. We need that K through eight at Beachside Elementary School. Lastly, I've always wondered if you all had thought about and I thought about it years ago about when Margaritavville was coming about buying

123homes there because the baby boomers were retiring. All those teachers require that were retiring could have been coming to Daytona Beach and teaching in our schools. When you retire at 50 or 55, you're not ready to roll up and go to bed. All right? They needed something to do. And if they were able to teach one class a day at a school, that's nothing. It's added income and it keeps them busy and it's something that they did. If we could think about it now, can we get some of those retirees who are perhaps drama teachers or uh symphony orchestra or the unusual ones that we cannot find teachers and that don't require six different classrooms. If we can get them into the school, I think it would be beneficial for us to have all the

124teachers that we possibly can have. Thank you. All right. At this time, we're moving on to item 19. 01. All of these items from 19.01 through 19.07 are board action items. I have a card for 19.06. So before we discuss that one, we will have Miss Albert speak. So we're going to start with item 19.01. This is the adoption of proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 101, internal organization and operation of the school board. >> Dr. Evans. >> Yes. Uh Madame Chair, this particular board rule has been advertised as per our procedure. It was discussed at our last board meeting as well. So we want the board to adopt policy 1901. I'm I mean board policy 101. I apologize. >> Okay. So, board members, this item has already been advertised for more than the 30 required

125dates. We talked about it um at the last meeting. And so, superintendent, your recommendation is >> Yes, ma'am. I I recommend adoption of the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 101, internal organization and operation of the school board of Valuchia County, Florida. Per the recommendation of the superintendent, do I have someone that will make a motion to approve schoolboard policy 101? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Goodrich. Any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of adopting the amendments to schoolboard policy 101, internal organization and operation of the school board, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? It passes unanimously. We are now moving on to item 19.02, adoption of proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 208E

126and S. These are the student code of conduct and discipline. >> These particular this particular item was also discussed at our last board meeting. It has been advertised and it's up now for the board to approve adoption of policy 808208 ENS student code of conduct and discipline. >> Dr. Balman. >> Madam Chair, I I recommend adoption of proposed amendments to school board policy 208 ENS student conduct of student code >> of conduct and discipline. All right, board members, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent to have someone that would like to make a motion to approve. >> I'll motion to approve. >> Thank you, Miss Goodrich. Do I have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. Any discussion? Go. So, hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in

127favor of adopting the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 208s, student code of conduct and discipline, please say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? It passes unanimously. 19.03 adoption of proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 511, safety and security of facilities. >> This policy was discussed at our last board meeting and it has been advertised and is now up for adoption. Lord policy 511, safety and security of facilities. And these changes were made to be in compliance with new law. >> Madame chair, I recommend adoption of proposed amendments to school board policy 511, safety and security of facilities. >> Board members, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have someone that'd like to make a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Do I have a second? >> Second. >>

128Thank you, Mrs. Brosmer. Any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of adopting the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 511, safety and security of facilities, please say I. I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Okay, it passes unanimously. We are now moving on to item 19.04, adoption of proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 523, school board vehicle usage policy. Madam Chair, this policy was discussed uh at our last board meeting and it has been advertised and we're asking the board to adopt policy 523, the school board policy on vehicle usage. >> Madame Chair, I recommend adoption of the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 523, school board vehicle usage policy. >> Board members, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have someone that would like to make a motion to approve?

129>> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Miss Goodrich. Do we have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Any discussion? Okay. Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 523 for schoolboard vehicle usage, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? Passes unanimously. We are now moving on to 19.05, adoption of proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 801, public participation in schoolboard meetings. At our last board meeting, policy 801, public participation in school board meetings was discussed with the chain one change recommended. It has been um advertised and now it's up for adoption by this board. >> Dr. Bman, >> Madame Chair, I recommend adoption of the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 8001, public participation in schoolboard meetings. Do I have

130a board member that would like to make a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Clone. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Brosmer. All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of adopting the current proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 801, public participation in schoolboard meetings, please say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? It passes unanimously. We are now moving on to item 19.06, request to advertise proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 801, public participation in schoolboard meetings. Dr. Evans. Oh, wait. Oh, I have public input. Mrs. Albert, I apologize. See, he kept me on my toes. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Balgabin, members of the audience. So, I would like to ask you if

131you're looking at this proposed policy change to uh move down. I I took a screenshot. I don't have it live, but I think it's towards the um second paragraph. It's a standalone all in red. And so, I'll quickly read it to you. And the the language that is being proposed as an addition to this policy states, "A speaker may speak for him, herself, or on behalf of someone else during the public participation for non-aggenda items portion of the board agenda. During public participation for any non-aggenda item, if a speaker chooses to speak on behalf of another, this is considered using his or her one allotted time." So, I found that to be a pretty interesting potential addition because when we had a discussion probably more than a year ago about allowing individuals to speak on

132behalf of others, uh there was some con there was conversation, there was a modification to the speakers card and and we went along our business and and everything seemed to be fine. Uh what I'm wanting to to ask here tonight is why why why are why is this proposed change necessary? Uh we're talking about three minutes of time uh when we would speak on behalf of another. This is a tool in the toolbox that let's face it, it's really used by us as a union, the only union in the district. And the reason why we do this is because quite frankly and very honestly your employees, some of them are very fearful of coming to speak publicly in front of the board. Um this is should not be a new statement. Uh many of you

133have heard this before. It's it's not not something that I don't think is uh a new fact. Um they're afraid of retaliation. And I know uh firsthand when we've had our leaders in this district come and speak to you uh with issues that they feel are important enough to take time out of their lives to bring to you. Uh oftent times there's text messaging going on to their supervisors or principles uh and they're questioned the very next day. Uh so part of the ability to have their concerns brought to you is through us, me in particular. Um, uh, I think that at some point in time there were members of this board that welcomed public input and participation. I see this as a way to shut that down. Um, and then just in the remaining

134seconds, I have a point of clarification. If you were to approve that new language, there are two uh, non-aggenda public participation. So hypothetically, if I was to read on behalf of an individual in the first round, I would not based on what I'm reading forfeit my ability to stay to the end of the meeting and come and speak again. So if you could answer that at some point, um I'd like to know that as well. Thank you very much. Okay, Dr. Bman, do you have a recommendation? >> I do, Madam Chair. I recommend authority be granted to advertise the proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 8001, public participation in schoolboard meetings. >> I have a recommendate a motion to approve. >> I'll make the motion to approve. >> I have someone to second. Second. >> Now

135it's time for discussion. Mrs. Bromer, you may start. >> I just thought this the questions that were raised uh should be answered, clarified. Um and and maybe you can help me refresh my memory. I thought that if a speaker spoke on behalf of someone else, they could do that one time, but they didn't relinquish their own time. Do do I misunderstand how it was before? I thought that was what what we did before that that they could speak for someone else for one other person. They can't come and speak for like six people but but they could speak for one. >> You are accurate. The way we have been operating is that anyone may come forward and fill out a I'm going to use the cards because that helps. a green card to speak on

136any um item on the consent agenda. So, you know, if there's 60 items there and there's three of them they wish to speak about the way we've been operating, they could fill out three different cards and put down the numbers that they wish to speak about and we give them three minutes. We have the six o'clock general um education topic time or shortly thereafter, you know, depending on what's happening where we have allowed them to um fill out yellow cards and they could fill out a yellow card and they could read a letter on behalf of someone and we still allowed them if they wish to speak for themselves they filled out. So one card represented who they were speaking on behalf of the other one was themselves. Then when we get to the action

137items in anyone, just as um Miss Albert did just a moment ago for 19.06, anyone can fill out a card to come forward to speak on an action item before a vote is called. And there's no limit. I mean, you can only speak one time per action item and that has to be spoken by yourself. Then at the end of the evening, we have allowed people to fill out cards because some people get off work at that point in time and it can be a general education item that they want to come and share. So that's what we have allowed and we have allowed three minutes for any of those time periods for people to come up and speak. Uh what I'm going to say is Dr. Evans reached out to me to have a

138discussion because I did not bring this up. It had to have been brought up by somebody else on the board with discussion about making some changes to this. And I don't I don't know I don't know where the changes were coming from. I don't know why the changes were coming and I'm going to allow you to speak and Mr. Clone and then I will say something after that. Thank you for that for that detail. Um my inclination is to not distinguish between categories of of comment periods. So if if um if someone if a a public speaker is speaking for another person, they're also allowed to speak for themselves. That that's in one of those categories. I don't I don't see the need to change that for for the other categories. So that that's just

139how how it's striking me at the moment. All right, Mr. Cologne. >> So, as we've been sort of looking at ourselves and our practices, we've made changes in order to streamline our meetings, some of which I didn't agree with, but we made the decision as a board. And when I think back on when we started the reading for a lot of that had to do with COVID people were afraid to come uh and speak during COVID and we really that's when that really took off. That was a a big deal. Since then, you know, I I'll share with you, you know, where are we going? So, we're streamlining. We're going to have a clock that's going to stop us from speaking. Okay. We're going to limit our time. We're limiting other folks time in a

140lot in an attempt to streamline the meeting. Are we taking away people's ability to come and speak? Absolutely not. I can tell you that there are school districts right now who have moved their public comment off camera. They do it off time just like the county, just like Deltona does. um they do it um and and in fact one county did it that way and and I don't necessarily agree with it but I'm just saying where we're going. one county did it that way because folks were coming and saying other people's names and the law now doesn't prohibit from somebody saying little Jimmy Smith did this to my kid and so that's why some counties have taken it even off and municipalities have done that now I don't think we have that kind of an

141issue I think that our public comment is generally respectful even during co it was we didn't all agree but we were respectful of one another and we listened to each other out. And so I have never heard of one person get fired in our district because they came and spoke to us. That's not the case. Um typically yes, that is a culture thing. It happens in the best of organizations where you know if you asked, well tell me who got canned because they came and spoke. Well the answer is nobody. And so, um, you know, I I think that as we're looking to streamline ourselves, as we're limiting ourselves, as we're looking to streamline our meeting, uh, I think that's consistent. The other part I'll say is when we went to the 15 minutes, because

142it used to be public comment until all cards were read. When we went to the 15 minutes, the second time to speak was considered a continuation for those who could not get in the first 15 minutes. Somehow, it ended up being two agenda items. It wasn't the intent. It was if you didn't get to speak in the first 15 minutes, then we would finish listening to the rest of the cards later. So arguably and and I remember Mr. Perseus I think Perseus was chair at the time. Um that was that was it. So it was really the cards who didn't get read at six would move on to the end of the meeting and we would listening to them then. So how we proceeded to having two different agenda items versus one agenda item which

143gives every single person who wants to come to speak three minutes on a topic that is not on the agenda in addition to being able to speak to all the agenda items. That is the way that it was designed to be. Now again after we did that COVID hit and it you know there was a lot of sentiment and we were sensitive to that and so we allowed people to come and read. We allowed these different time periods and so you know I I'm not necessarily opposed to not having the two time periods but I also believe that everyone is in what we're saying is everyone gets three minutes. That's what we're saying. Everyone gets three minutes. Whether you come and and I'm a big proponent of public comment. I've always supported it. Whether you

144come here to pray, to yell, to scream, whatever it is, it's your three minutes. And we're we're not taking that away. We're still giving every single person who walks into this building three minutes to address us as a board. The way this is structured and the way we're wording this gives us arguably six minutes if that's what we choose to do. If we choose to continue to leave it as two agenda items because again it was never intended. It was supposed to be at the end we revisit whatever was remaining over here. So, I I happen to know that our public comment is a lot more generous than a lot of other counties. I think we give folks the opportunity to come. I think we are uh open. Uh I have never heard of anyone

145getting fired or, you know, yes, you come here and say something, it's going to have I mean, this is, you know, free speech is not free. It comes with consequence sometimes. There's no doubt about that. But if folks are truly coming to address an issue in the same fashion, how many times don't we hear something and we follow up with the superintendent and say, "Hey, this doesn't it's just not seen." So that's my thought process. I think overall we're streamlining ourselves. I would have probably had to been quiet two minutes ago if the timer was running. Uh we're doing that to ourselves. And so, um, to to think that we wouldn't be doing that to every aspect of our meeting as we're trying to streamline it, which again, we decided that as a board. Um,

146so that's what I have. Thank you. I I just um I guess want to wrap it up because as the person who first broach the subject of stream streamlining, I can't very well argue against streamlining. So um and I agree that we are generous with multiple opportunities for public comment. So I appreciate the answer to the public question. Um but that was all I needed. So, what I'd like to add is um that when Dr. Evans called me and we discussed this, I said multiple times, this is my personal feeling. If someone takes their time out to come here to fill out a card, whether it be a green card, a blue card, a yellow card, whatever card, and even if they wait till the end of the evening to speak, I want to hear

147what they have to say. So I have always been open about and and trust me co 250 people one night we listen to speak. So anything we do now is nothing compared to what we did then. But if they come here I want to hear because I'd rather hear it here than to see it on social media or not even see it on social media. and misinformation is being spread out there or they're not getting the assistance or the help they need. But my understanding is because of our last board meeting, the majority rules that they want things streamlined, but where I mean, so we're we're going to vote on this. I just But I need you to know I'm not against streamlining things, but I'm open to always hearing public input. Any other Okay,

148then we already have a motion and a second to advertise the item. So, at this time, I'm going to call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the request to advertise proposed amendments to schoolboard policy 8001 public participation in schoolboard meetings, please say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Please say nay. Nay. So it does pass to go to advertisement 4 to one. We're now moving on to item 19.07, esports participation in state league. Thank you, Madam Chair. We have with us Dr. Matt who's our chief technology officer, joined by Mr. Vince Rosheneck. How are you, Vince? >> Good, sir. He's our specialist for career and technical education. And they will share with you, I think you're you're familiar with esports, but they would like to give you an update of where we

149are, but this is a topic you're very familiar with. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm Matt your CTO, >> and I'm Vince Roshin. Good evening, uh, Madame Chair and members of the board and our superintendent. >> First off, this aligns with guard rail, uh, two and three, and of course, our major goal of all students will engage in high levels of learning every day. So, for an introduction, uh, before I get into the real content of this, a little bit of an explanation of why I'm here. Uh in 2019, the board decided to disallow esports in the district uh along with a previous superintendent back then. Um there was some reasoning behind that. There was a game that is no longer part of the esports league. It's not used anymore in

150in the league. Uh that had some terminology that was offensive on social media. So at the time uh they disallowed it. So, I'm here to uh try to reintroduce esports to the district and get your permission to do so since a board did disallow it with no limit to how long that disallowing was to be in effect. So, first off, FASA now uh endorses esports. There is a esports league that also was not around in 2019. So, a lot has changed. Uh the system has matured. The league is very robust. Many of our school districts around us uh participate. All the large ones participate. So, we're one of the few larger school districts in Florida that still is not participating in esports. It's a competitive gaming. You might say, well, why why video games? Why

151let students play video games? It's a lot more than just video games. This is a team sport much like any other team sport. It requires uh all of the things you could think of with team sports. you know, the cooperation, the leadership, the strategy that goes with it. Uh, it's a barrierbreaking all-inclusive kind of activity. A lot of the students that you might find in esports, you won't find necessarily in other activities. participation in the league uh is is is not a difficult thing for us like in back in other days we had to m maybe find schools to play but now it's not only state but national even international if you were to look this up online you would be amazed at the size and the participation of some of these tournaments they're being

152held in audit uh like basketball auditoriums packed with people. The benefits of esports, the educational benefits, as I mentioned before, it's teamwork, strategic thinking, communication skills, uh provides opportunities for scholarships. There are very large scholarship opportunities in the esports more than many traditional sports. It encourages STEM learning through gaming technology and improves student enrollment and attendance. There is research on esports. The results indicate that participation in competitive gaming can enhance problem solving abilities, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and digital literacy. However, there are some challenges. Uh, two is it's it's not easy to get students in ESSE programs into esports. So, it's not as inclusive as some other sports could be. Another one is health impacts, specifically sleep deprivation. This is actually a um an effect of its popularity. Students often in esports will practice long

153into the night. So parents have to be counseledled about, you know, we practice here at school. You don't have to practice late at night and let your kid just keep on going till the Wii hours. They love it. Uh it's it's very engaging and they will lose a lot of sleep if you don't monitor that. Safety measures in esports games are now very carefully selected to be age appropriate. Strict content restrictions and serve ensure a safe environment and those are regulated by the state league. Uh it's supervised play. Uh this isn't something that teachers just say, "Oh, go on in there and play some games." There is a staff member that has to supervise the tournaments and the play at all times. It focuses on positive digital citizenship and online behavior. And now Vincent will

154talk about the integration with CTE. >> So I think when we were brought uh esports into the district uh before one of the things that I was very concerned with was it just wasn't video game playing that there was other elements that there was educational elements that they would be brought in and and taught. So when we first did it, uh we did it through NASA and NASF allowed us to utilize our teachers to kind of write curriculum based on uh the esports gaming and programming. In fact, a lot of that same uh content is still used that was written by some of our teachers here in our district. Um so I'm excited to kind of bring this back and then uh Dr. is right that uh some of the terminology maybe it wasn't understood

155and you know some of the terminology like kills it wasn't in the way that may like volleyball uses the same term. U so it we can see that now with taking some of the games out that might be construed differently and also putting an educational element into it. It really benefits I think the students more. So we have 15 career clusters that can get involved in this as well because when we used to have things where we brought it where the schools would compete against each other, we would need help from the marketing uh students or we would need help from uh a variety of or the uh AV students to tape some of it. So, it was really aligned with a lot of uh other of the career clusters uh that were part of

156the whole process. And lastly, they do get a lot of hands-on uh game design and development, especially the students that are taking game and design in the four different high schools that offer it. This is mutually supported by both IT and CTE. them of course on the curricular side uh through their programs that already exist uh in games and simulations. Uh from our point of view in its we will help select the equipment, deploy the equipment and technically support the equipment. So in conclusion, esports offers educational de developmental and career benefits. It's safe now and structured. Uh it's endorsed by FASA and it integrates seamlessly in already existing CTE programs. So we ask that you now uh give us your support by reversing the decision of the 2019 board to allow esports in VCS. >>

157Mr. Cologne, >> does the state currently support with the curriculum frameworks the use of esports in our schools? >> It does. Yes. >> So the Florida Department of Education supports this >> as part of All right. Bring me a policy. I will certainly support it. Thank you, >> M. Thompson. Thank you. I have questions. >> Um, a couple. Um, so there there's it looks like there's different leagues based on different games and there's different systems. So, will we be providing the different systems that will be used and will it be to every high school and are there any grants that support this? Sorry, that was extremely loaded. >> So, uh, what was the first question? >> So, who is providing the different systems? Are we Valuchia County schools providing the different gaming systems? >> I

158can ask some of that. >> Well, go ahead. >> So, the I know that when we did it in the uh four gaming simulation programs ormies throughout the district, we would utilize some of our uh CTE funds, okay, that the programs generate and then that would purchase the systems and all four schools have that. >> Okay. And then we would hold internal competitions first and then it would go state and then hopefully national. So in that year 2019 we did well enough that we were had teams that were going to go national and all the equipment was we had it in classroom and we still do the same systems. We still provide it. >> So we have the PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switches available. >> Yes. And if they're not we'll be buying new ones.

159>> So there is funding for this. Okay. There's capital funding specifically designated for CTE equipment. >> Okay. >> And they do have it in their classrooms already, too. >> Okay. They do. >> Yes. >> Um and then next is more of a safety thing because I know some of these games if you were to play them at home on some of these systems, you can chat with other people who are external to is that something that we're going to block or are students going to be open to chatting with people who >> that is a a problem that I have encountered in the past. In a previous district, we had e es esports where I worked uh in Colorado and there's a very widely used platform that you really can't change from called Discord. Um

160and it has special groups in it that are nationally connected. So if you play against another team in the state or in another state, >> uh you're all on the same platform. That's why we can't just say, "Well, we're going to change this to something else." We have to be able to connect into all those other teams. uh they could say things on Discord that are inappropriate, much like they could on any of our systems. So, we have to have our teachers teach them good digital citizenship about when you talk on Discord um with your team and against the other teams. This is not a time to use inappropriate language or trash talk that would then, you know, be online. >> But will they be limited to just playing the teams or will be they

161be open to whoever else is playing? I'm speaking more of when they're practicing at school. Will they just be open to anyone else who's playing or will it just be them playing against each other in practice? >> Well, they will be playing against other teams and scrimmaging against other teams. When we open up Discord so that they can speak online, they could get into other groups on Discord. So, that's one of the reasons for that parental I mean not parental uh for our staff supervision, you know, to see that they're not going online and finding other Discord groups to do things inappropriately with. >> Okay. Thank you. Those were my questions. >> So, two of us were here in 2019 and we didn't approve it because there were not safeguards and there was some inappropriate

162content. But now that it's being reviewed and the games do not have inappropriate content, I can support this. I think one last comment. Before when we would do internal game, we we did try to uh make sure that we looked at what games were out and sometimes it was more our own safeguarding and but now with a national organization involved with it. I think there's way better safeguards than trying to do it in-house. It's it's a different time right now. >> Yes, madam chair. I recommend approval of esports participation in state in the state league. >> Members, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do I have someone that would make a motion to approve want to speak? >> I do. >> Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Cologne. >> Do we have any policies right now

163that address esports? We looked at that possibility and really no one in the state writes this as a board policy because it's much like any other activity or sport. Like we don't have a special policy just for playing soccer. Uh you know we don't have a special policy for any of our clubs that's just this club. So we did not write a policy for that very reason. Uh there is no example of one in the state. I literally researched every single district's policies and they just don't write it this way. >> So, it's not often the what, it's the it's the how. And so, I think that the supervision piece is huge. I think that the game selection is huge. And mind you, you know, a lot of our kids, you know, they play online

164at home. You know, my own kids do. And so, um, but when these kids are in school, they're our responsibility. And so, um, I I would trust and of course the how is on the superintendence, uh, table. Um, there are guidelines we have to follow as part of the state league that are at this link here. uh there's a whole handbook that each district has to do these things and much of them are about like how you supervise people what systems have to be in place so we will be following the state guidelines so Dr. be as long as you are and and I know that you always you see oversee everything but I think you know as you talk about discord we all are I know very well what discord is like and I

165think that there's a difference between when a child accesses discord in school because it's school uh versus being at home at home discord is discord um and if it's not supervised, you can have that um can have an uncontrolled situation. And so, you know, a child a child who, you know, their their privileges are taken away after, you know, we don't have this in policy. So, it's going to be based on whatever >> it'll be under the student tech use policy. For instance, right now, if a football player posts something to to their personal Instagram account that bullies another football player on the team, that could be suspended from that school's football team. It's the same policy that basically says do not do these things online or there are consequences. >> But, but you used

166an example of the word kill. And the word kill other than I'm gonna kill a mosquito typically in a school environment is not an acceptable word. Now you made a great point on the volleyball side. They use the term kill and that is an appropriate term in that context. It is very and again I listen to my kids play sometimes and they get into these games. they're really really into them. But what you're able to get into at home under your parents' supervision is not the same as the conversations you're going to have when you're at school in the schoolhouse. So I I am still supportive of this. I just want to make sure that we are if we're not going to address it through policy that we have procedures in place to ensure that

167our students are safe that the students who's are participating that we have that parent consent that parents understand what exactly we're we're getting their child is going to be a part of. That's important. Uh, and so I'm still supportive of it, but those are things are important to me. So, thank you. >> It's Brazil. >> I'm supportive of it as well. Um, but I definitely understand your hesitation. Um, and my thought is that because this is a new area for the school to be going into, there are state guidelines and we start there. But as we use it, if it becomes apparent that we need policies that are specifically directed to the use of of this program, it would be appropriate for us to develop them then based on those experiences. So we're we're planning

168on starting on a small scale, right? And what I would recommend that you guys do is to really look at the rules for engagement and supervision. rules for engagement and supervision and devise a way where we can have oversight over the rules for engagement and supervision. And once we have that, I would like for you to share that with each board member and myself. I've I've looked at the the the the booklet and I looked at everything that's there that's been approved by FADS. But I think if this is the piece that we're concerned about because this is the piece in 2019 why it went away, right? So I think if we can just get this very concise, precise and determine from a district standpoint what that oversight would look like in each school implementation

169and then we share with each of us and then go from there if that's okay with you guys. >> That's good rich. So I have similar concerns and it's mostly for safety for our kids, right? But I also see the benefit of this is forward thinking. This is the way of the future. So we don't want to be behind either. But much like um you know when our county council did a dog beach for when they approved that they did a temporary approval because there were some concerns and there were valid safety concerns that they wanted to make sure they could work through. So, what I would ask is if if we do this, if we move forward with it, which I would be supportive of, could we in a year um have you guys

170come back and and give us and do this first year as a trial and see how it goes and make sure, you know, there the things that we don't know yet that we don't know. We'll find out throughout the year and you can, you know, after a year, maybe then make it permanent. But it would also give, you know, the kids some good incentive to know they have to use it appropriately and to set that standard from day one that this is a trial. we have to do a good job at this and if we don't we don't get to have this. So that would be my feedback. >> That's my understanding it's University High that's going to use it to start with. >> Is that I mean that's what >> I'm actually leaning more

171towards possibly a different school because the teachers get promoted. So the teacher I had in place is now in another role. So, but I do have four teachers that teach this. So, I've actually more it would probably be more like Atlantic High. >> Okay. [Laughter] >> I just that this is what was in the background information originally that they put on the it was >> consent because University High is a um a game >> had amazing game and sim teachers that that are both in different roles now. >> Of course they are. We can't seem to keep them in those roles. >> And amazing teachers at Atlantic High. Yeah, he is. >> We have gaming and simulation there. Correct. >> We have it at four different schools. Yes. >> Yeah. Four different schools. So, this

172is like a component of the gaming and simulation that we already have in our schools. >> But even >> I imagine the enrollment for those programs is going to increase significantly when this this is considered the one big hunk that is missing from that program. And I have other teachers that teach technology that would love to get involved in this besides game and sim. But like what you said, we could do it as a trial and I think that's a great idea. Uh we do it maybe smaller scale and then we grow it from there. What I like is that what you stated is that that now the games the ones that got us in the issues before they're no longer part of this. I think we're it's a much the landscape is much better

173than it was before. Um, but your concerns are valid. Discord, I understand that. But if we have the teacher monitoring that, I think we'll be good. >> Mr. Cologne has another question. >> I do not. I just want to make a motion to go ahead and approve the recommendation of the superintendent. >> Oh, okay. >> Second. >> Who seconded it? >> Prosper. >> Thank you, Mr. Prosper. Okay. If there's no further discussion, I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving esports participation in the state league, please say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay, it passes unanimously. >> Thank you for your support. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> We are now back up to public participation, which is item 20.01. I see Miss Johnson has a card. Okay. Um,

174Mr. Nicholson, it's submitted another card. >> John Nicholson, Daytona Beach Side. Since you have that loophole, I'm going to take advantage of the loophole and speak a second time. >> It's a loophole. It It should not be there. All right. It was intended for something else, but I'll take it. Anything I can get. What I'd like to speak about is something that popped up 20 years ago when the city was going through uh a revamp and looking at itself. And on one of the committees, I was on the education committee and we spoke to 13 schools in our uh city. Uh well, we spoke to 12 of the 13. The principal of uh Seb High School refused to speak to us. He did not consider himself a school for C uh for uh Daytona Beach

175and refused to speak to us but spoke to all the others and one of them uh was Campbell uh junior high and the problem she had was that so many students I already talked to you about the 27 Highlands so many of her students were bust out she was underenrolled so underenrolled that she did not have enough students to teach the classes that she wanted to teach because you have to have so many people to be able to teach a subject. She did not have enough students. So, it hurt her the boundaries. A second boundary that we have a problem with is Atlantic High School. When Atlantic was built, then um Spruce Creek right after it. There weren't enough people living around Spruce Creek to fill the school. So, they put the boundary 80% the

176distance to Atlantic. Well, once it started to grow, Atlantic was stuck with like 800 students and Spruce Creek had like 3,000. And the logical thing would be move the boundary. And yet you all wouldn't do it because obviously the parents at Spruce Creek wanted their kids to go to Spruce Creek. But it was the logical thing to do because Atlantic was underenrolled. All right. Where I live, I am less than a mile away from what was Ortona. Five miles away is Long Street, which is the closest school. Long Street, even though for eight blocks, anybody in my neighborhood could have walked to an elementary school. They had to be bus five miles to the other one. Many of these things seem illogical to me. When you had your islands and uh B was open. Their

177boundary was one block north, one block east, one block west of the school. Then they had the hut housing on the south and everybody else had to be busted in because those were the boundaries. One of the buses came from Derby. Now Bonner was 93% black. They bust in from Derby. 79 students, 79 black students were busted from Derbishshire into Bonner to integrate it. It made no sense. I'm asking you to look at your boundaries, please. >> Thank you. Okay, we are now up to um item 21.01. I have something that I need to um bring forward at this time if you don't mind. uh that we have to make a decision on. We have now received um the the school grades and the district grades. So at this time it is time to set

178up the timeline to do Dr. Balgabin's evaluation. We we can never do even though several of the components have nothing to do with the school grade because there's lots of things that um a superintendent is evaluated on and but a component of it does require that piece and we're at the mercy. Although I will tell you since we moved to the new assessment we get the grades and the scores a whole lot quicker than we used to get. Sometimes we set waiting till December to get um scores. So um the past couple years the um way this process has been handled is we have used the chief um for human resources which is Mr. Cash. Now a couple years ago it was Miss Hazel. That individual would email out to each of us a a

179blank copy of the evaluation that had our name on it. So each of us would receive an email with a blank copy and then at that point in time we would be um expected to complete our evaluation and submit it back in and once it is submitted back in then whoever um and this is an ongoing process. It used to be different when we had outside counsel also, but the chair would go meet with the person that collected all of the data and um I will tell you Mr. Cash, it was very easy last year when I came to meet with you because everybody had submitted their evaluation. You give your ranking for each of the areas and then you have an entire comment section. You can write as much as you want or as

180little as you want. That is entirely up to you. But then he would put the entire document together. Years ago, we used to do averages. It was a joke. I'm being honest with you. I watched people submit and just everything came out like it's all perfect and you never knew who submitted what or how they evaluated and they would just do a generalized comment. So, Dr. Mr. Evans and I just had a brief discussion about it and he and uh Mr. Cash had a discussion. So, if you don't mind coming forward, uh we need to set up a timeline. And so, what you did last year um for those of us that had already evaluated even the year before was you sent us out our blank copy and then you sent us out our previous

181copies of the evaluation. >> Correct. So that would involve Miss Thompson, Mr. Cologne, and myself. Um, and then for Miss Goodrich, and Miss Brosmer, you'd be sending them just a blank copy with their name at the top of it. Looking at the calendar and looking at the times for the meetings that we have coming up. I need to know um how long approximately how long it's going to take you to fill out your evaluation because what we just do here is we just set a date of when it has to be back to Mr. Cash and he and Dr. Evans are going to meet together and verify um what they do is they just everything gets transferred onto one document and I know that you guys saw the documents last year um when you were

182sworn in you saw evaluations that we had completed and it's all that way it stays true to it's none of this averaging stuff. It's just this is exactly how I evaluated her on each of the items and the comments that I provided it. I prefer that. I'm open to if somebody doesn't prefer it, but it makes no sense to me to try to average something when this you can give a clear picture of where you stand and she then knows, you know, what's working or what's not working or what needs to change. At the same time, last year when we were doing the evaluation, I know that throughout the year, information is collected throughout the year and is available. Um, and I don't know who has the information. >> We have them. >> You have

183it? So, we're more than welcome or allowed to ask to have a meeting with either of these gentlemen and they can have the information there if that will assist you in filling out your evaluation. Like if there's an area you're just not sure about and you say, "I'd like to see this." So the next time we have a meeting is August 12th, but that is going to be a consent a workshop and a consent agenda only meeting. So ideally we need to do the evaluation, submit it to them, they compile it, I will go in and all I do is verify that yes, what they have compiled is accurate. The only thing we have done is if there's a spelling error or something, we have reached out and said this word is misspelled. May we

184please have your permission to correct it? Because I really don't think it would look good if as an educational facility if we put out something where and everybody can, you know, when you're writing a comment at some point misspell a word or something. So approximately how long do you need? Because the thought is if we can get it into them, they can compile it. You just verify it, then it will be shared with all of you and um they can share it with Dr. Balgaban prior to her coming into the board meeting and then we could at the August 26th board meeting that would be on for a brief discussion. And I'd welcome those of you that are new to go back and you can see what we've discussed in the past. So if it

185comes out to you tomorrow, can you can do that? >> I can. >> Okay. If it comes out to you tomorrow, could you have it back to Mr. cash by the 14th of August for him to compile him and Dr. Evans and then I'll meet with them just to verify that it is accurately what you and all I do is just look and make sure with them I don't touch the document or anything and then we would bring it forth on the 26th of August. Does that work for everyone? Is that good? Because I didn't know what your schedules are and we never know when it finally comes out what everyone's schedule is. Okay. Is that good with both of you? Okay. So, Mr. Cash is going to send each of us an individual email

186tomorrow with the documents attached. We can make an appointment by reaching out to him or Dr. Evans, whichever one has availability. if you wish to come in and review any of the documents to help fill out a section for what's the evidence that's been collected. But we will have our finalized documents emailed back to him by Thursday, August the 14th for them to start compiling sometime the following week. If you guys will just let me know what works for you, then I will come in and verify that it is accurately. Um and then they will sh Dr. Evans will sh they'll share it with um Dr. Bagaban and then we will it'll be on the agenda for the 26. Does anyone have a problem with any of that? Okay. All right. That was the one

187thing that I needed to bring up um this evening. And we've got the dates down, >> ma'am. The 14th due and then we'll have it on the 26th board member uh meeting agenda and I'll send it out tomorrow. All right. So, does anyone else have anything that they'd like to discuss? >> I have one item if I may. >> Yes, your honor. I mean, chair, um, as you all know, we had been discussing methods by which we would, um, streamline the board meeting and there was one item that we had not reached consensus and that was regarding administrative appointments. So, Mr. Cash is going to share with you um what we ascertain from you guys as how we will go forward with um administrative appointments. >> Thank you, Dr. Evans. And just very quickly to

188memorialize, you guys did a lot of work on June 24th in your discussions. So, you made decisions already about opening comments which at that meeting that night the chair instituted immediately. Uh you talked about recognitions that they'd be national and state and the purview of the superintendent. You talked about the meeting calendar and pardon me, it's been referenced a couple times. I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Miss Gilmore, the agency clerk who worked handinand with members of the cabinet and Dr. Evans and myself. That calendar is already published and out there's a correct agency clerk. So, the general public can see that as Miss Haynes alluded to, Chair Haynes, that the meeting would be changing from a regular to a consent board agenda after workshops. So, you guys agreed on that. you agreed on

189your closing comments which you're about to participate here in just a minute about the three and five and then the board would not need the chair would not need to wait till the end to to have those conversations. The one thing that was uh not clear and you uh kind of charged us to do was to reach out and on the administrative appointments. So the consensus was and speaking to all of you along with Dr. Evans was that the uh administrative appointments would still be able to come to the meeting. they would still be able to be recognized and speak and the consensus was they would speak for one minute that the uh approval would be on consent agenda item not an individual vote which would necessitate I want to make sure the board's aware

190a changing of the order that consent would need to come before administrative appointments obviously because you wouldn't want to appoint somebody that hadn't already been approved on consent and then as the photographs are typically taken here photos would still be taken with the uh person that was appointed and their loved ones and family but rather and going up, they would exit with a member of the communications team with Danielle's team outside and have a photo taken with their friends or loved ones. So, that is where we reached. I just wanted to make sure I brought it forward so I can memorialize it if there's anything that needed clarification from the board. So, just to reiterate, the appointees would come speak publicly for one minute, be recognized, have their photo taken, and it would be a

191consent agenda item with having to change that consent prior to the appointment. >> Mr. clone. >> The only thing I would add is if they're only going to speak for a minute that we make it optional that they come only if they want to come, not that they have to come because that's a long ride for one minute. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> Agree with that because that's a really long ride from Beachside for one minute. So, I think they it should be known to them that it's not required and I' I'd like them to not feel pressured to have to come that there's nothing negative about them not coming. it's their option to come and if they want to come. But I know there's people that have expressed to me they would

192prefer to not drive, but they feel like it's disrespectful to not drive and I I don't think they should feel that way. I think they should they don't want to drive out here. and our communications team can still so if they take a picture at their school then our communication team probably seek out that picture way >> just my thought >> if I may too just um I wanted to get with Miss Workman as well I think what we want to do is improve our practice in human resources so when we send the information out to the appointee we'll give them some guidelines to your points that you may come and speak for a minute. Address the board. This is how the photo will be taken. So it's it's it's um universal for all of

193them. And we'll make that point to your point, Miss Goodrich. Optional. You're not required, but you're more than welcome. >> And if they're not going to come, then we have their picture already. And I think we're going to do something. And again, I don't know what this is going to look like, but we're going to have their image already kind of ready to go and it'll be standardized and cool. Thank you, Mr. Cash. >> Sir, >> any other items? >> Okay, I just at the end, it's August 5th, pre-planning. August 5th, everyone. Pre-planning. That's when our uh pre pre-planning begins for our teachers on August the 11th. That's the magical day >> because we get to welcome our students back on August the 11th, our first day of school. So, >> so I want to

194address one of the things that came up during or maybe a couple that came up tonight during public input. Mr. Nicholson, I want you to hear this. Okay. So, I'm on year 39 with Felicia County Schools. Since I started as a teacher, I learned about the islands when I went to work for federal programs and grants and we were housed in portables behind where Tur and Campbell Middle were. I did not previously know about the islands because the bulk of my work had been on the west side of the county. The islands never sat well with me. It made no sense to sit there in the morning and watch 10 or 12 buses pull in and two K, you know, two homes here. They got on this one. The next two got on this one

195and that they were sent out. So, I want you to know that that no longer happens. We built a brand new elementary school for Tur small. That was one of the first things that I brought up when I got on the board was that we needed that school had been prom that community had been promised a new school and it had been ignored. So that was one of the things I brought up. Mr. Clone was on the board with me at the time. His eyes got real big and he said, "Where is that at over here on the west side of the county?" And I said, "It's not. It's on the east side of the county." And so what he always did early on when we were both on the board together, he would drive

196to see what I was talking about and he came back and so he got on board with it and we had Mrs. Wright and others here that got on board with it. But we were extremely excited last year when we opened up that brand new school and we brought those children back. So they're no longer being bus some sometimes up to 45 minutes away from where they've lived. that community is back and it is whole and those kids are going to elementary school there and middle school there because we even did resoning for that. So, I didn't want you to think that that was still happening. And I wanted you to know that that is something that was corrected and those children are in the community because I truly believe in a community school and

197I believe if at all possible, kids should stay in the community that they're living in to go to school and we should cut down on as much busing as we can because the state doesn't even fund our busing at 100%. So that's additional money that we have to take from other areas each year in order to bus students. And so I wanted you to know that and um that has been corrected. So those kids are there now staying in their community. Anything else? All right. Then at this time it is 7:48 p.m. and this meeting is ajourned. Daniel.