001Good afternoon. It is Tuesday, February 10th, and we are going to go ahead and get our regular school board meeting started. As we do in all of our schools, we're going to stand for the pledge of allegiance and observe a morning moment of silence and reflection. Today's pledge is going to be brought to us by the students at Citrus Grove Elementary. >> Please stand. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Moment of silence. Thank you. You may be seated. Want to thank our amazing students at Citrus Grove for that wonderful uh pledge of allegiance. Want to welcome everyone to our school board meeting. introducing the folks who are here with me.
002We'll start off on the left hand side. We have Miss Christa Goodri, Mrs. Christa Goodrich, who is our vice chair representative of District 2. Next to Miss Goodrich, we have Miss Dr. Gilbert Evans, our school board attorney. Coming over to the right, we have Miss Celeste Gilmore, our amazing agency clerk. Next to Miss Gilmore, we have Miss Jesse Thompson, District 3 representative. Next to Miss Thompson, we have Miss Jamie Haynes, uh, representative for District 1. Next to Miss Jamie Haynes, we have Dr. Carmen Balgabin, our superintendent, national superintendent of the year, and my name is Ruben Cologne, and I have the honor and pleasure of serving district 5 and serving as chair this year. Items for approval on this agenda are 1.03, 2.02, 5.02, 17.01 through 17.04, and 18.01. Public participation times will be for
003items on the consent agenda and at 6 pm for items of general interest pertaining to public education in Valuchia County. Time will be provided for public comment on any action item before a board vote is called. Time will also be provided at the end of the meeting for public [clears throat] comments for items of general interest pertaining to public education in Valuchia County. Uh, next item on the agenda 1.02 02 district vision statement and it is to create lifelong learners prepared for an everchanging global society. And so we always uh start our meeting remembering that. Item 1.03 approval of the minutes board. You've had the minutes presented and shared. Uh are there any amendments to the minutes? Otherwise, I will entertain a motion to approve. make a motion to approve all three um minutes from
004the last meeting in January. >> Wonderful. >> I will second that motion. >> Second that motion. There's been a motion made by Miss Jamie Haynes, seconded by Miss Thompson. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> All those opposed, please say nay. >> Motion passes. Superintendent Dr. Balgabin, are there any agenda changes before the agenda is presented to the board for approval? Chair, I have no changes. >> Wonderful. Board, you've heard the uh no changes to the agenda. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> Motion to approve. >> I second that. >> Motion's been properly moved by Miss Goodrich, seconded by Miss Haynes. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Motion
005passes. Next item 3.01, announcements by Dr. Balgaban. Thank you board and uh board members. Good afternoon to everyone in the audience. Those of you listening at home, thank you for tuning in. We do have a few announcements. Um the month of February, we have we are celebrating Black History Month, the entire month of February, Internet Safety Month, Love the Bus Month, and National Career and Technical Education Month. So with that said, you are going to see that our schools will be celebrating in multiple fashion. Also, February the 10th is safer internet day. February the 15th, it's National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. And do we do we love and appreciate our SRO's and our guardians in our schools. Thank you for all that you do, captain, under your leadership and the entire team where they
006prioritize our students and staff safety. Um, also we have uh on February the 16th, we all know that it's President's Day and there is no school on February the 16th. In case you missed it, and I know you did not, our graduation rates. So I want to congratulate every single parent of VCS, every single staff member of VCS, our leadership at the school level, district level, our board, everyone for the historic graduation rate, and this is basically our students demonstrated how successful they are and prepared. 98.6 for our traditional high schools. If you look at just our traditional high schools, it's 98.6. And if you look at our schools with charter students, it's 95.6. Um, so once again, congratulations to the entire team, but most importantly to our wonderful students because this is a reflection
007of their learning. Um, also the challenge coin. Chris Ber, uh, the team was here earlier today and our transportations. He received the challenge coin last, but our transport transportation calculation shows that Valuchia County is ranked highly in the state for our transportation management with our percentages of revenues versus our expenditure being the highest in the state. So, we are at a 68.8% 8% when uh overall the average for other districts is about a 50%. So I want to thank you guys for the incredible work that you do in routing and how you're really progress monitoring our um arrival or um time or or uh for both morning and afternoons and how you're pivoting whenever it's needed to make those adjustments. So thank you to the entire team but under the leadership of Chris Ber literacy
008week we know that literacy it's important to read every single day and um so for national literacy week our schools did lots and lots and lots of activities to promote the love for reading. Reading is one of our pillars as you know here at VCS and we're committed to this foundational skill. Weeks like this reminds us that taking 30 minutes daily to read sets students up for a lifetime of success and good habits. So, let's continue to promote that good habit, not just in school, but also on the weekends before after because reading is pivotal to our student success. Government Day, we have several high schools that are participating in government day. class uh most recently in Tallahassee, we had our teacher from uh University High School along with many students from that class that
009were there and they were sharing about the learning that they've experienced and really to see that enacted and what it looks like. It's truly powerful. I know we have several other schools that will be joining and going soon, especially during the month of February. We would like to also congratulate one of our very own um for the Florida School Board Association, Miss Jamie Haynes. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. [applause] He has been awarded the advanced certified board member distinction for her commitment and pro uh professional growth and development in this field. So, I know that it's it's it's many many courses and many hours that you've put in, but thank you, Miss Haynes, and congratulations board. I think this morning during the workshop, you heard about our three pillars, and as you know, reading uh literacy is
010one of them, preK through 12. I'm very proud to report that when it comes to our PM2, our K through 2, kindergarten through 2 grade, the results have been in and they are they really shows this concerted effort and deliberate uh uh focus when it comes to ensuring that our students are engaging in meaningful learning especially as it relates to literacy. One of the things that we've seen is that for the past three years, our K through second, there's improvement in every subject area. So, we're very once again grateful for the team. Um, our classroom teachers, our dedicated classroom teachers, our parents, our staff. Thank you for all that you do. We are also seeing that Chisum the special recognition. We have five elementary schools that increase in K through 2nd um in every subject
011area. Chisum, Citrus Grove, Ostein, Palm Terrace, and Pathways. So, congratulations to those five elementary schools. Also, we have 16 schools that excelled in math assessments and four that led in ELA growth. So, again, like I said, this is a team effort. So, congratul congratulations to the entire gang. Pineidge High School and Launch Credit Union. Um I know that several of of us were there. Wow, what a beautiful branch. And I remember that it was just two years ago that um David Himenez and the launch team met with us and say how can we grow this? how can we what are some other schools that we're looking at that would be you know good uh for us to have the this financial literacy and we looked at several schools and we've decided that Pineriidge would be
012a very good candidate we have some other schools that are in the making um and we know that one of them it's your your it's in your area um Miss Haynes but I want to thank for the thank them for this partnership because as you know we have in every single high school entrepreneurship and financial literacy, but how powerful this is when our students are working in the in in the launch credit union. They're experiencing what it is these skill sets on a daily basis. And we heard from many of our students there at Pineriidge how excited they were and what this means to them. So again, thank you to our partnership with Launch Credit Union College Expo at Mainland. We have uh it was just last week and our rising senior from all high
013schools had the opportunity to connect with more than 40 instate and out of state colleges and university through the interactive college expo experience. So we have a video that we will show at the end. Also the University of Northwestern Ohio students from Taylor Middle, the land Atlantic Mainland High had an incredible day um with the University of Northern O Northern Ohio and when it comes to motorsports team and and learning all about I didn't even know that there was a a school where you can go to really right here to learn how to race car driving. No idea. But they were sharing with me all about this certification and what it entailed. And I'm going to tell you I have a whole lot of respect for race car drivers. >> Going to sign you up.
014>> Uh I don't think I'll be able humbly. I will tell you that I will have to say it's not something that I think that I will be good at because I I I practice in one of those immersive um experiences. I was sitting next to Brad Pitt [laughter] and I'm going to tell you I try to focus on the road. I couldn't. I had to keep [laughter] looking at Brad's pit Brad ears, okay? Because it it's incredibly fast. You're really low. It's incredibly fast and it's it's a specialized skill set. So, I have a newfound uh respect for race car drivers. I've got to tell you, I Here I go. Um, our Super Bowl, we know that uh Leonard Williams. >> Yes. >> Right. He uh from he's a former Mainland High Buccaneer. [laughter]
015So, and guess what? They won the title. >> Yes, they did. >> So, congratulations. [applause] >> That's two years in a row. >> They say Buck Bride never dies. >> Never dies. And two two last announcements before we watch the video. I I have to share with you that right off hot off the press. Yesterday we were at the Learan School of Excellence and Mr. Learan was there along with uh Food Brings Hope and Homes Bring Hope and Mr. Lamarind um pledged yesterday another $500,000 >> for our [applause] Lean School of Excellence. So I want to thank him. I want to thank him for his partnership. I want to thank NASCAR because they're going to be doing something pretty amazing for our students this coming Friday where students from three of those schools will have
016an opportunity to vis visit the speedway, receive helmets, bicycles, you name it. So, I want to thank them. Advent Health was there, their part their partner with with this endeavor as well. And also the week before I had an opportunity of meeting with with an incredible lady uh Mrs. Loman and she has also pledged another $300,000 for uh Jen, are you listening? For our steam project with uh Moas. So, thank you [applause] also um and now we have a short video for you, Mr. Cologne, because we didn't want to disappoint with the videos. Hello everyone. So today we're at Mainland High School for our college and career expo. We have all high schools represented here and we have uh over 56 colleges here today. I found it really interesting from all the different colleges especially
017a health cuz I had never heard about it before and they're very friendly to all of us. >> Had a great time especially talking to FSU about their medicine program. For me, I was really interested to go to FSU and UCF because those are programs I was already looking into. >> I had a great experience today. I thought it was really interesting getting to ask questions face to face with all the different colleges from Florida and from like out of state as well. So, it was great experience. I really appreciate this event alone because it taught me a lot of stuff that I didn't know and I'm super thankful that I could be here right now to just overall know this information especially as a senior for them to come here and help us and
018guide us to put us on track. I'm very grateful for this event. >> I enjoyed this event a lot. It was very it was very wholesome. I already know my decision where I want to go to but I did encourage myself to look into more cyber security programs. >> Yeah, it's so fun here. I'm really interested in aviation and aerospace and there's a lot of colleges and programs that are over here. A booth that stood out to me today definitely was Avent Health University. I'm really excited for a few colleges. I want to go to radiology. So, I'm pretty excited to look at what they have here. >> We are here to bridge the gap between local university, state colleges, and then also just not in the state of Florida, but throughout the nation. >>
019There you go. >> THERE YOU HAVE IT. >> [applause] >> SHOUT OUT TO ALL the high schools that coordinated ensuring that our students could make it there that morning or that day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. So, Dr. Balgabin, are there any changes to the consent agenda? >> Chair, I have none from my end. >> Okay. Uh, do we have any public comment cards for the consent agenda? None. Very good. Board, there are no changes here. No proposed changes to the consent amenda. Are there any items any board member wants to pull for discussion? >> Yes. >> I have one. um the budget amendment for the fiscal year which is item 8.02 I believe that's Would you like that as a separate vote
020or do you want to have some discussion prior to the >> I just need some discussion um and I've already talked to um the group that I need to come up and have them explain something. >> Thank you Dr. Balovit. Actually, okay. I think actually it's on 803, >> correct? >> Instead of 802. >> 803. >> It's on 80. >> Okay. The financial statement. Dedra. Nice to see you, Dedra. >> Thank you. Welcome. New mom to a beautiful baby. Congratulations, Miss Haynes. Your question. >> I'm pulling it up because I sent it in to be answered. >> Wonderful. >> It has to do with one of the projects listed um for Dand High and Ron Young is I think prepared to help answer that question. So, the reason why I brought it up is I
021had community individuals ask me about it. So, it has to do with the um tennis courts at Dand High and why was the cost so high for the tennis courts there compared to another school? >> Good afternoon, board. The question was why were the courts at the land high expensive and I'll just um flash back to 32525 that is when the board approved the plans and then 62325 is when the bid was approved. The second lowest bid was for 555,000. And the reason the the courts were so expensive at Dand High is because apparently when the courts at Dand High used to be behind the school and when the construction was done and the additions and renovations were done at Dand High, those courts were moved to the front by the football field. And apparently
022some dirt uh was excavated during the construction and used as the subbase for the tennis courts. And we all know that dirt in Florida, sand is not a stable building platform. So the tennis courts had to be excavated. The dirt that was brought in had to be excavated and fill had to be put back in with um stabilizing uh lime rock um to stabilize the ground. So that that any anytime you are u paving asphalt it's very expensive. So that's the main reason was because the the site had to be excavated and built back up. So, and I think another question was how much was spent on professional services and about $50,000 was spent on professional services, geotech and that sort of thing. But thank you because I had already had this conversation um because
023of it being asked, but I needed some of the public to hear because it had come from more than one um area that basically you had to start from scratch all over again. And that's why they haven't been able to play there. But now that you've done this, they're going to have a safe place to play because where they were playing was not safe. So thank you. I appreciate that. That was my only >> Very good. Does anybody else have any questions? Otherwise, I'll entertain a moment a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Miss Goodrich. Do we have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed, please
024say nay. >> Motion passes. Next item on the agenda 15.01 administrative appointment introductions. Dr. Balgaban. >> Yes chair. I have two uh today and the first I would like to ask Miss Dedra Whittenberger to come forward. Um, it is my honor among all of you here today, those of you who are here, those of you who are listening, to introduce to you Dedra Whittenberger as our next chief financial officer and her effective start date will be February 16, 2026. I could say a lot about DRA, but we have, as you know, we have uh cartailed how this is being done, but there will be a um social media post that will be put up and it will talk about her credentials and how long she's been with VCS and some of the work that she's
025done in the past. But it it is my honor to introduce to you and to um recommend you as our next chief financial officer, Dedra. >> Wonderful. And seeing as we've already voted on this, congratulations and welcome. [applause] >> I'll make it short and sweet. >> Take your time. >> All right. Uh, Dr. Balabin, Chair Cologne, and school board members, I am truly honored and grateful for the trust you have placed in me. Serving as the chief financial officer is a responsibility that I accept with humility and a strong commitment towards stewardship, transparency, and a sound financial planning in support of our students and staff. I am thankful from the mentorship and collaboration of my colleagues, my predecessor, and unwavering support of my family and friends. I look forward to working with district leadership and
026the board as we navigate future challenges and continue to strengthen our financial foundation of our district. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. [applause] >> Dr. B, >> you stay for one minute. >> Oh, sure. >> I wanted to address you. I actually wrote something I wanted to say to you. So, I want to take a moment to publicly thank you for having the courage to take on this role. It takes a a tremendous amount of bravery. This is an extraordinarily important job. It's one that carries immense responsibility, intense scrutiny, and very little public reward. CFOs overseeing organizations with budgets over a billion dollars are often compensated at levels that reflect that pressure. With the average CFO of a company our size making over $420,000 a year and a package over seven figures. here. We're
027going to ask you to carry that same responsibility and I would actually argue even more responsibility for a fraction of that while serving in an environment that can be very unforgiving. You're stepping into big shoes, shoes that I believe would share with you that there the stress and pressures of this job can be overwhelming. There will be moments when people people you have never even met are waiting for you to misstep. Some are going to be ready to pounce on every single error you make. Others may do little to no research and still declare your work or your knowledge wrong. That is the real reality of this position. And it's not easy. But I do have some good news. You are not alone. You are part of a community filled with leaders who want to
028see you succeed. We have business leaders, financial professionals, and public servants who are ready to help. people you can bounce ideas off of, seek counsel from, and lean on for resources and perspective. Our community does truly value transparency, and there will be times when something is new to you. This is your first time in this role, and that's expected. Transparency is not a weakness, it's a tool. Use it to build trust and ensure that every decision is grounded in what is best for our students. I also want you to know that I prayed for you this morning. I pray that you'll be guided to make bold decisions that benefit our children and our community. that you'll remain steady regardless of social media drama, regardless of those who wait for you to fail, and that you
029will always remember this. You are the backbone of an institution that shapes the future. Your work helps propel the next generation towards greatness, and that matters more than any noise. I'm glad you're here. I see your bravery, and we're all rooting for you to succeed. [applause] >> Thank you. Dr. B. >> Thank you, chair. Uh, at this time, I would like to ask Miss Melissa Corin to come forward. MELISSA, [applause] >> as you can see, we have Shark Nation here. [laughter] It is my honor, chair, to introduce Meliss Melissa Curran as the new assistant principal for of Atlantic High, home of the Sharks, A-rated school. Um, effective start date February 11th, 2026. >> Wonderful. Congratulations and welcome. >> Thank you. Um, Chair Ruben Cologne, school board members Goodrich, Haynes, Rossmer, and Thompson, and Superintendent Balgaban.
030Thank you. It is truly an honor to accept the assistant principal position at Atlantic High School. I appreciate the trust that you have placed in me and the opportunity to continue serving Valuchia County Schools. I am excited to return to the high school setting and to support our mission of igniting a passion of learning in all students. I have been fortunate to grow throughout my journey in Valuchia County and I am grateful for the colleagues who have shaped me along the way. From my early years at Southwestern Middle School and University High School to Taylor Middle School where I transitioned into administration, each experience reinforced the importance of community in education. Returning to Atlantic High School last year reignited my passion for working alongside teachers, students, and families. Mr. Watson and the Atlantic administrative team,
031thank you for your leadership, support, and mentorship as you challenged me to be my best. To my McInness family, I am incredibly grateful for the time in elementary education. Understanding the foundation of instruction and working closely with students and families in Dillion Springs has been both humbling and impactful. Mrs. Kamacho, thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and mentorship. I am a stronger leader because of you. I would not be here without the unwavering support of my family and friends. Your encouragement and belief in me means everything. I am excited to return to Atlantic High School and commit to the same passion, dedication, and heart to our staff, students, and community. I look forward to all we will accomplish together. Thank you and go Sharks. Go Sharks. [applause] >> Thank you so much and congratulations once
032again. All right, we're going to move on to board action items. Our first board action items. And so if you all want to go, I think they've got pictures for you all out there. And unless you want to stay and listen to our travel confirmation, you're good. I figured that. [laughter] You're welcome. You could listen to it on the way home. Thank you everyone and congratulations. All right, next item on the agenda. We're going to move on to 17.01 school board member travel travel confirmation. And so this is really a schoolboard item. And so, uh, as you all are aware, we, uh, are required by law to, uh, provide to the public anywhere that we plan to travel, uh, in this next year. We took it all the way until January, I believe, uh, to
033cover that. And so, our hopes is that that will be on the agenda in December. So, that will cover all the way through. Another change that you're going to notice on here is the Cosba events are not listed on there. However, if any member of the board wants to attend a Cosmo event, just let us know and we can uh certainly add that to it. Um and are there any questions, thoughts, feelings, or concerns? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve our school board member travel confirmation. I make the motion to approve our schoolboard member travel confirmation for the the year of 2026. >> All right. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Motion's been properly made by Miss Hayne, seconded by Miss Goodrich. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor,
034please say I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Thank you. >> Did you have a card for that? I see you. No. I don't have the yellow cards. Who's got the yellow cards for public comment? >> They're out there taking pictures. I >> think they're on our desk there, I would imagine. >> Was there anybody in the public that wanted to speak on item 17.01? Wonderful. Okay, I'll take those since we've moved on. All right. Next item on the agenda 17.02 Benchmark Education Company purchase and adoption of elementary K5 English language arts Spanish language arts dual language instructional materials presented by Dr. B. >> Thank you chair. As we heard earlier today during our workshop a presentation on this uh the adoption. I would like to ask Miss uh Dr. Dr. Desiree Robinsky, our
035coordinator for instructional materials and media services, along with Mrs. Heather Norris, our coordinator for English language arts, to share regarding the next two items regarding purchase and adoption of instructional materials. So, you've got two items. We do. >> Thank you. Welcome. >> All right. Thank you. The first item 17.02 02 is the request for the purchase and adoption of the benchmark education materials for elementary English language arts and Spanish language arts. >> Superintendent, so this item is the one that we uh workshopped earlier this morning. Um superintendent, is there a recommendation? >> Yes, chair. I recommend approval of the purchase and adoption of benchmark education company print and digital instructional materials for elementary K through five, English language arts and Spanish language arts dual language. >> Thank you. Do we have any public comment cards
036on items 17.02? >> Thank you board. You've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do we have a motion to approve? I make a motion to approve the purchase of the benchmark education materials for K through five. We >> have a motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> Motion's been properly made by Miss Hayne, seconded by Miss Thompson. Any further discussion? And so I will add again, we talked about this a lot. And again, thank you all to your team for your hard work. I know that getting it to this point and across the finish line is is quite the task. Uh and again I want to thank you all for your hard work. >> You're welcome. >> Hearing no further discussion. All those in favor please say I. I. All
037those opposed say nay. Motion passes. Next item on the agenda 17.03 Savas Learning Company purchase and adoption of secondary 6 through 12 English language arts instructional materials. Dr. Balgabin. >> Chair. I recommend approval of the purchase of adoption of Savas Learning Company English language arts instructional materials for g grades 6 through 12. >> Board, you've heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do we have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Do we have a second? >> I second that. >> Motion's been properly made by Miss Goodri, seconded by Miss Haynes. Any further discussion? Again, this item was discussed at length in the workshop today. Um hearing no further discussion, all those in favor, please say I. I. All those opposed, please say nay. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Next. And again, there were no public
038comment cards for that item as well. Next item on the agenda, 17.04, 04 resolution 2026-3 supplementing resolution 2025 06 authorizing a first amendment to the series of 2025A ground lease. Dr. Balgabin >> uh chair I would like to ask Mrs. uh Dedra Whittenberger. She's here. Um I think Oh yeah. You already took your picture [laughter] >> now. >> Yep. So, guess what? Our new CFO. How does that sound? And along with Miss Jamie Wilson, who's our director for finance, is Jamie here? Okay, here she comes. They will share with you um about resolution 2026-03. >> Here council is here. Our bond council is >> our bond council. Oh, great. Our bond council is also here. >> George Smith bond council is present. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. >> Thank you and welcome and thank you
039for coming to Central Florida [laughter] >> from all the way up north. Hi, I'm George Smith. I'm your bond council. It's a pleasure to be before you again today. Um, your CFO has asked me to introduce the resolutions to you. Obviously, we have the resolution for the school board to adopt and to consider uh and an identical resolution for the corporation uh which has been scheduled at 5:30. the resolution just for background in uh last year 2025 in the uh about June or July. I'd have to look back at the date. I don't have that in front of me. Um but I could tell you that anyway in May 1st 2025, you approved the issuance of some bonds to finance two additions. One of those additions has been delayed. Um, and what the IRS would
040prefer that you do is pick another project and and finance that so that money just doesn't sit um basically invested and and they'd rather it be deployed to to uh for capital purposes. So, um your uh facility team has identified these other projects that would replace that addition and then I guess when the addition is ready, you would you would then evaluate then how how to pay for that. But those funds uh within the first amendment to the um ground lease uh it identifies that instead of those funds being used for um was it Pineidge? >> Thank you. U Pine Ridge High School. They would now be used they would still continue to be used for pathways which was th those two were your original additions and instead uh they would now also be used
041um for improvements at Ostein Elementary, Pinre Elementary, River Springs Middle School, Silver Sands Middle School, Sugar Mill Elementary School, University High School, Pineidge High School, and Seab Breeze High School. So, some HVAC, some uh parking lot extension, some bus loop, just some to accelerate those projects that apparently have been on your to-do list. Uh and this will allow those to be accelerated and then you'll be able to use the funds that were intended for those or that you would identify in the future for your other projects. Um so, this is just the bank. Uh Webster Bank was your lender back in 2025. They've reviewed this project amendment and have uh consented to that. Their consent was required. Uh and so now it's for your consideration. Wonderful. Superintendent >> Chair, I recommend approval of resolution 2026-03,
042which supplements resolution number 2025-06 and authorizes the execution and delivery of a first amendment to the series 2025A ground lease. >> Already heard the recommendation of the superintendent. Do we have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. All right, we have a motion and properly moved by Miss Goodriidge, seconded by Miss Jamie Haynes. Are there any questions, thoughts, feelings, or concerns? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. All those opposed, please say nay. Motion passes. Thank you so much. Now, we're going to recess the schoolboard meeting and convene the Valuchia County School Board Leasing Corporation meeting. We will initiate the Valuchia County Schoolboard Leasing Corporation meeting. First item on the agenda is 18.04 resolution 20264LC supplementing resolution to number LC and authorizing a first amendment
043to the series 2025A ground lease uh presented by Dr. B. >> Thank you chair and the team is in place. Anything you would like to share before I make the recommendation? >> Same analysis. [laughter] >> Wonderful. And so for those listening, this is our leasing corp. And so it's a different branch of what we do. Uh same uh similar resolution as we had taken before. Uh and so did we have a motion? I don't remember. We did. Motion and second. All those in favor, please say did we think we need >> No, we didn't motion. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Sorry, >> superintendent. Do we have a recommendation? >> Yes, chair. I do. I I recommend approval of resolution number 2026-04 LC, which supplements resolution number 2025-07 LC and authorizes the execution and delivery
044of a first amendment to the series 2025A ground lease. >> Thank you. I have checked the cards. There are no public comment cards for uh this item and so I will entertain a motion. Board, you've heard the recommendation. >> Motion to approve. I will second that motion. >> Have a motion by Miss Goodrich, seconded by Miss Thompson. Any further discussion, questions, thoughts, feelings, or concerns? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. >> Now, those opposed say nay. >> It is now 5:14. We're going to adjourn the Valuchia County School Board Leasing Corporation meeting and reconvene our schoolboard meeting board. That was the last item as it relates to business. We have a time certain at 6:00 for public comment. And so next item to move to would be board member comments. Unless
045there So, so here here's attorney. Are we able to go ahead and listen to these cards now? It seems that we're at the end of our meeting. >> No, I think since it's a time certain, >> however, if we ensure that we're here at 6:00 to listen to any additional cards, is anybody that is here to speak to from the public have any opposition to that and anybody on the board? So, we could listen to the cards now. We will be here at six o'clock for any new cards. >> They'll be able to. If they're not here, we'll give them an opportunity at six, >> right? So that's fine. If they're not here, we will do them at 6, but anybody who is here can speak now. >> That's okay. We have a weird gap
046anyways. Wonderful. Well, wait. So, Mr. Gabe Wanziaak is first. All right, I'll come back to him. Amanda France. I'll come back to her. Elizabeth Albert. Yeah, we will be here at 6 for them. No doubt. Come on, let's get it out of the way. Let's do it. >> You said yes. very odd having this kind of conversation with you because it's noticial but I have a card in to speak on behalf of another >> okay >> and I have my own card >> I'm good with that >> only folks all right let's just do it on this other person first there are some so point of personal so there are some comments that were But we don't have people to read them. So I made copies for you all. >> If they're here at 6,
047they can read them as well. >> Gotcha. Understood. Okay. So, this will be on behalf of Miss uh Zincerman. >> Okay. [sighs] >> Whenever you're ready. >> All right. Okay. So, again, I'm reading on behalf of another. My name is Sheila Zincerman and I want it on the record that I support young people's free speech and their right to stand up against policies that cause real harm, including ICE practices that separate families and create fear in our communities. Students are paying attention. They see what is happening and they are responding the way generations before them have by speaking out. That is not a substantial disruption. That's civic engagement. I have more than 45 years of experience organizing in high schools and in the workforce. As a student and later as a worker, I helped organize
048protests against the closure of the Connecticut Department of Social Services local offices. Yes, we walked out of work and then onto the sidewalks. Those actions were nonviolent, strategic, effective, and necessary since closures harmed families with children. The protests were covered by the New York Times. History is clear. When young people are allowed to engage, democracy is strengthened. When they are punished, trust is broken. Student free speech is not something to suppress. It is something to nurture. Schools should teach students how to disscent responsibly and participate without fear of retaliation. I urge this board to work with students, not against them. Create safe pathways for expression. Protect students who take principled nonviolent stands. Punishment teaches silence. Collaboration teaches citizenship. Do not stand in the way of students who are already on the side on the right
049side of history. Thank you, Sheila Zincerman. >> Okay, >> Miss Albert. >> It's okay. >> Okay. All right. So, this is speaking for myself. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. So, uh this is the 2025 edition of the Florida school laws book. So, inside of this laws book is chapter 447, which establishes the rights and guarantees uh for labor unions and employees. Within the general provisions, the law states the working person, unionist or non-unionist, must be protected. The right to work is the right to live. Further, part two of chapter 447 specifically addresses public sector unions. Section 447.30 301 guarantees public employees the right to self-organize, to form, join, or assist labor unions um or labor organizations of their choosing or to refrain from such activities as the individual deems personally appropriate. Section 447.501
050501 further prohibits public employers, their agents or representatives from interfering with, restraining or or coercing public employees in the exercise of any rights guaranteed them. Encouraging or discouraging membership in any employee organization by discrimination in regard to hiring, tenure, or other conditions of employment. As reminder, pay is a condition of employment. I'm sharing this with you tonight because we have received multiple reports from employees across different job classifications describing statements made by supervisors, district leadership, and even some elected officials regarding union membership and participation. Such conduct undermines both the spirit and the intent of chapter 447 and may constitute an unfair labor practice, which can lead and carries significant legal consequences. To be clear, the actions are a direct violation of the law I just referenced, and the penalties are substantial should an unfair labor
051practice be filed. Public employers are to remain neutral with respect to employee organizing. Using position, authority, or access to employees to influence, pressure or intimidate or even sway employees against union membership undermines statutory protections and violates the law. So accordingly, we expect all supervisors and representatives of the employer to immediately cease any conduct that interferes with or attempts to influence employees protected rights and to govern themselves in full compliance with chapter 447. This is not optional. Any further violations will be documented and pursued through all appropriate legal remedies available. Thank you. >> Thank you. and Miss Bernelspar is not here. So, we will call these names back at six o'clock. All right, board. We are going to move on to board member items. Items 20.01. Uh, do we have any board member comments? Miss Thompson,
052>> thank you so much. And so, some of this stuff I'm going to try to go through it fast, but someone was touched on earlier. >> Any time, >> you're right. We have plenty of it right now. >> I will do just that. Um, so a couple things I want to recognize. One, we have um an amazing German teacher over at Spruce Creek High School who's also um doing the teaching as well online to other schools, which is phenomenal and amazing. Um, she does such a great job. I was in her classroom earlier today because she got an award for her use of technology. Um, I know that we want our students to be ready for the world ahead. You say that repeatedly and foreign language is part of that. And so I would really
053like us to explore ideas of recruiting more teachers of these foreign languages who really embrace just not the language but the culture as well and look at different avenues and routes because I feel like there could be more recruiting in that area because she is I believe and someone correct me if I'm wrong our only German teacher right now in the county. And I just feel like we keep expanding these programs and I love it because we're expanding down to the elementary level and I would love to see that continue to grow but I would also love us to have people in there because I mean if anything happened to her now we don't have that. So that's one and that ties in to the um it tech department today giving out awards to teachers
054for using their tech. I highly encourage anyone to look them up because some of these teachers are thinking so outside of the box with what they're using. Uh there was a teacher at Spurs I was at Spruce Creek this morning and he um he teaches the piano and it was amazing everything he put together in Canvas and so I know we're sharing this the teachers are sharing it with each other and I really appreciate that. Um and I know we'll probably highlight this because we always do but I just want to bring that up because um teachers are thinking outside the box. I think that's awesome. While we're on Spruce Creek and this is um I'm going to step up on this soap box probably repeatedly. I'm sorry you all are going to get tired
055of it. I I still really think there's a way to do a new Spruce Creek High School. Um, once again, I was there today. The sinks are in the hallways. It's It's dark. It's enclosed. It's old. And as much as I love their old traditions because they are beautiful. I sincerely believe that we can explore a couple different options to try to get a new Spruce Creek High School for those students because every time I see these new schools, I love them and they're great and I love celebrating them, but they really deserve a new school. And I think that um it's been pushed off for way too it's been pushed off since I was in high school, which was obviously like two years ago, but I really think that we should look into this
056some more. >> So, and Dr. Bodman, you touched on this. The Northwestern Ohio Driven to Succeed program, they went out to the racetrack, the Taylor uh students out in Barberville, it was muddy. Thank you, Dr. Vier, for being out there. Appreciate your shoes probably getting a little ruined out there. Um, but the Taylor students got to go out there and see the opportunities. And it wasn't just race car driving, but it was all the different elements. It was PR, it was marketing. It was so cool to see all the different opportunities. And then they went to Atlantic High School and had Atlantic and they had mainland and they had to land. And it wasn't just the people from the school, but it was younger people. They were the drivers and you could see them really
057getting into it. They were under the cars. And it was such a good experience. I did want to thank our CTE program and everyone who put that together because that was absolutely phenomenal hands-on learning. I would love to see more of that. The ESC family conference was great. Thank you to everyone who put that together. I would love to see us expand our outreach to that so we could have more families there. I know it's a Saturday. I get it. Um, a lot of events going on. Um, the Pineeridge Credit Union was beautiful. I am jealous of Mr. Cologne right now because it was gorgeous. It looked absolutely amazing. The community turnout was phenomenal. So, thank you to everyone who's there. College Expo was also amazing. You saw the students. You saw the video. There
058were so many colleges there and I went around I was like I want to know what I'm going to do when I grow up and there was so much interest in the student involvement. So thank you to the team who put that together. Many of all of us I believe were at that uh school counselor uh to celebrate them and their great work. Thank you for that. >> Thank sorry it's been a month since we had a meeting. I'm sorry. Um there was a mandatory reunification training at Atlantic High School. Thank you to everyone who took part in that. And not only did it happen through once, it happened through multiple times. And things were adjusted based on what happened. And it gives me so much hope as a parent who has kids in this
059school that it wasn't just like, oh, let's walk through this training and see what happens. And you know, whatever. Like it was adjusted whenever there was an issue. It was adjusted instantly. And I love that. And I love our team that put all that together. And also, thank you to every single school who invited us out to read. I know many of us did go out to the schools to read. I love it. It's one of my favorite things. please invite us more to come read to those kids or listen to the kids read. That's the other fun part. Um I will stop talking now but just there's so many great things that have happened and I think that not that's not touched on enough. So that's also that's building high school. Thank you. >>
060Wonderful. Um I don't see anybody else on there. I >> Miss Goodrich. >> Sure. I wrote my notes again on this one too. I want you stole a lot of my thunder. So Congrats to the school counselors and all the other things Jesse just said. Um I want to bring up that I do think it's time that we start um having some hard conversations. We've seen districts around us um having to make some, you know, decisions regarding how to handle declining enrollment. And those are tough decisions. They're going to be painful. They're going to be things that are emotional for anyone involved. But I don't want to be sitting here pretending like that's not a reality. And so I would like to say we need to start looking at those conversations. And I know that
061the public will be very intensively involved in that as they should be. But we have buildings that are not at capacity or that are extremely expensive to maintain and we have to use ex like thoughtful careful consideration of how we want to address this because we can't ostrich this. So, we can't stick our head in the sand. It is happening and it's real. And there are opportunities where we were going to build schools before or have to maintain schools that are very difficult to maintain or are not at capacity that we can take those funds to bring in more programs or maybe take the funds that would have gone to something else to rebuild a school that is at capacity. So, I think it's a great opportunity for us to take what we have and
062improve on it and make strong financial decisions for our taxpayers. The great news is I think the state is behind us. They want to see us doing this. So, it's a great time for us to um start having those conversations. And then I wanted to um thank the members of the divine nine. So they show up consistently to mentor students and they're everywhere I go I run into members of the Divine Nine. So shout out to them. What amazing leaders they are in our community. So I just wanted to recognize them. I saw them at Campbell today and just they're always invested in our community. So um okay, we also all received an email um addressing some of the things out on social media about us. And so I want to take a moment to
063speak directly to our parents, educators, and community members who have reached out with your concerns via emails and phone calls who don't choose to use social media as their preferred outlet. First, let me be clear. Valuchia County has achieved something truly historic. For the first time in 16 years, as we share proudly, our district has earned an A rating from the Florida Department of Education. By the way, that's not from us. and our graduation rate is at an all-time high. That success belongs to our students, our teachers, our administrators, and our families who support each other every day. I understand and share the concern when our progress feels overshadowed by negativity and misinformation. Public education is complex and it deserves thoughtful factbased discussion, not narratives that diminish the hard work happening in our classrooms. As
064a schoolboard member, I have made a deliberate choice to use my voice to highlight what is going right to correct misinformation with facts and to advocate for our schools in professional spaces in the community and in the media. I do not believe that every forum on social media is productive and I choose to spend my time where meaningful dialogue and positive outcomes for students can actually occur. That all being said, accountability and transparency truly matter. When concerns are raised that are fair and grounded in fact, they deserve to be examined. I'm guilty of not doing this sometimes. We can't put on our blinders from personal differences and miss opportunities to do better. However, we must always separate constructive oversight from bad faith acts that distract from su student success and erode trust in public education.
065I want parents to know we're listening and we care deeply about the narrative surrounding our schools because it impacts morale, enrollment, and most importantly, our kids. I will continue to speak up for our district's accomplishments, confront misinformation when when appropriate, and focus my energy on decisions to help students thrive. Disagreement will happen on any board. What must remain constant is our shared commitment to truth, professionalism, and student success. Our teachers deserve to be celebrated. Our students deserve adults who put them first. And our community deserves leadership that stays focused on moving Valuchia County schools forward. So for those reaching out that don't want to put themselves publicly on social media for fear of attack, thank you for caring enough to engage and thank you for standing with our students. I look forward to addressing any
066additional matters in the right setting with all the voices at the table and hopefully with one shared goal in mind, doing what is best for our students. And lastly, congratulations Seahawks, especially Leonard Williams, a graduate of Mainland High School, where buck pride never dies. And if you haven't taken a chance to read his story, it is quite inspirational. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Haynes. >> I'm actually glad we're doing this tonight. Um because this is the part I've been missing since we changed the school board meeting. So, I'm happy that we're being able to share tonight. >> We still have a timer. >> Huh? [laughter] >> Start the clock. No, just kidding. >> I'm just kidding, Jamie. >> Okay, so I'll piggy back off of something that Miss Thompson said.
067I hear you about Spruce Creek High. Um, Dand High was built in 1961 and it has had some buildings added along the way, but I I hear what you want to do, but we have to look at where the money is going to be from. So, it's [sighs] been a busy January and February. I will tell you one of the highlights though was um going out to see our volunteers of the year and the senior volunteer of the year was in district 1 and she's a teacher that retired after 30ome years and she's been coming back now for I think 11 years and volunteering to continue to work with small groups of students and to me that's the best thing that she could do but she does not look her age she looks a whole
068lot younger than what she is but that's great And I don't know if you guys have done this, but in um Manatee Cove and River Springs Elementary, we've been doing furniture reveals. And so I've got to go and be there when they cut the ribbon. Um teachers were selected at both schools by two different companies to come in and redo their classroom. And it was I thought it was a brilliant idea. So I don't get credit for coming up with this but these companies are coming in putting the furniture in the classrooms at no cost to us >> so that we can try our students can try out the furniture the teachers can try out the furniture and then they get to give feedback you know to the district. So, as the district's looking at
069we need, you know, to redo a school or we need furniture for a new school, they're actually getting feedback from students and teachers. And to me, it's just like when we get feedback by feeding them food from Schoolway Cafe and they get to vote on which foods they like. Well, now they're voting on the furniture that's in their classrooms and giving honest feedback. And I only wish that when I was teaching high school, what they put in um one of the middle school classrooms at River Springs that I had thought of it. So, anybody that's ever taught middle school when they're all on the same level, they hide their cell phones so you can't see them in their laps and teachers can't see them. So, you walk into this room and it gave her a
070lot more space. There are four levels. the tables are at four different heights with the chairs going up with the levels. They can't hide anything. She even wrote that in her survey. She's like, "The kids can't have their phones out." And she said, "Who would have thought stadium classroom seating and it's just the tables and they just adjusted the heights and adjusted the chairs." She's like, "Discipline and everything is running so much smoother in her classroom because she can see everyone and they can see her." So, I love that piece. But um also we um Dan does an Arbor Day and they had stopped it for a while but they've started it back and each year they choose a different elementary school and it was at Citrus Grove this year and they gave out trees
071to all of those students in fourth grade. It was a wonderful program and they they gave them the directions and everything on how to take them home. But in doing that, I also was over at Dand Middle School and I judged for the FFA competition and the for two areas and the winners are the ones that are going on to the state to represent us and it was really tough to judge because especially I did prepared speeches and both of the young ladies that had their prepared speeches had relevant topics and they knew the information and I was so proud because I'm like they know they they knew more about electric cars than I would ever think of knowing. And they could tell you how much natural water is used just to create a battery
072and everything. We all need to learn what these people, these young ladies know. Then we were at the UNCCF kickoff, a few of us. We were also at the Valuchia County band, some of us, the elementary chorus and stomp and all the things that they do. And those are wonderful things. If you've never attended any of those, you really should go and hear. When I walked in and the middle school students were playing for the band, I actually thought they were the high school students. They were that good. They were phenomenal. And then also, as you said, we've been out reading, doing spelling bees, but I also did a few other things. I worked on the bylaws for the Central Florida Schoolboard Coalition with another group so that we could update the bylaws. Some changes
073needed to be made. We'll be voting on that. And then we went to FSBA legislative days in Tallahassee the end of January. And I will say we worked together as a team other than Miss Celeste who was back here holding down everything for us. The rest of us sitting here were there and we went together along with a few other people. We had Miss Copelan with us. We had uh Miss Crims with us and Mr. Langenbach with us. We went in there and we had our platform and we talked and we met with everyone there and we got great responses. I mean, we talked about attendance and ESSE and school counselors and mental health counselors with all those hours and you know, what could we possibly do so that we can get them employed and
074maybe pay them for their internship hours so that they can work with our students. But we had a great time up there and got to hear updates. Um, at the time we were there, because I know this is a hot topic for everybody, they had narrowed it down from 30ome proposals for property taxes. They're down to 20ome proposals for property taxes. And they kind of went through them and told us what was good and what wasn't because sometimes you can read it and think it's good, then you find out it's really not the one you want. I think the issue is going to be tough though for them to come up with something because I think everybody wants to own that bill. They want their name on that bill if we get to that point.
075But we worked together and we had a great time and we I felt we made some great progress and that they actually opened up and listened to us. And I have to say, Miss Copelan did a fabulous job talking about what's happening with ESSE and what our percentage of increase has been since CO and how they haven't raised the money, but yet we have more students. And with having more students, that requires more people. You need more occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language teachers, pair professionals. but where's the money for the additional people that we need? But I think it went really well and it was an honor to be there with all of you and to serve on that. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Well, I will take advantage of the time.
076Shout out to all our FFA students. They all went a lot of them went to the state fair in Tampa. A state fair is two weeks in Tampa and so uh they are still going through. A lot of our students are presenting there. We talked about Main and Grab Saturday. Saturday was awesome. Had the opportunity to uh step into snow crab. Sand crab nation. >> Sand crab. [laughter] >> Sand crab nation. Uh yes. >> This is the second time I hear snow crab. [laughter] >> Sounds good. >> So he knows I'm just busting. But uh they played Pineriidge in one of the regional uh championships and uh in this case uh they were victorious. So kudos to the Sand Crabs at Seabbze High School. Uh I will denote it was great to see Carl and
077his wife there. As you know, they're very tied into uh that community and it was great to see that they're still invested in our schools. Um we had the ESSE forum. Shout out to everyone who put that together for parents. It was great uh to be there and to be able to help, which was a little bit different than I expected. We had parent I had parents coming up to me saying, "I've got this concern, that concern." And just being able to walk across the room and say, "This is the person you need to talk to." That was amazing. And so, I'm thinking next year I may, if if Dr. be permits. I think we should have a table there because sometimes, you know, our folks, you know, they our our our community members, there
078was one mom who she has written to me over the past x amount of years and she walks up and says, "Hi, I'm such and such." And we've always talked and so I was able to meet her. That was pretty cool. And we had a long in-depth conversation with Miss Copelan who's all over uh the situation and making it better. So that was great. There was also uh another mom which Dr. B, if I can take a moment of privilege and uh who brought up the um angel sense system. And so if you all remember there was a time when the sheriff's office started to give those out and it was sort of like new technology. We didn't know kids were showing up with it. Uh, and so Dr. B, can we share an update
079on where we are with that? And I didn't plan on this, so I apologize in advance. >> Miss Copelan can come up. Actually, Miss Copeland shared this with me, Mr. Cologne, that you took that pair to her and we talked about it because she gave me an update. She'll share with you where we are with that device. So, we did our research on Angel Sense, as you said, Mr. Cologne, it was new. And so, what the Angel Sense device does, it does two things. It tracks the student, but there also is a two-way communication with the device. And so, what we ask of parents when they're using Angel Sense on their child at school that they turn off the two-way communication device, but they can still use the device for the tracking aspect of it,
080but not the two-way communication. >> Great. And so that was very relieving to this parent who knows her child well and uh was very relieved that we had changed our position. Uh and so we were able to communicate that. So that was awesome. Uh shout out to Heritage Middle School. You know there is no parent engagement like parent engagement at Heritage with Miss Sonia Pina. Uh they had Chandler Powers who is the uh he's a former student from University High. And so what he does is he makes custom cleats for all these NFL players across the entire country pretty much. And so uh he was uh the guest speaker at their event. So that was wonderful. Launch Credit Union. I won't go on and on about that, but that was great. Our students were super
081excited and and that's awesome. The counselor event was great. and we'll go here. Literacy week. So, shout out to all the schools who went all out for literacy week. I mean, just the creativity, the the story book festivals, the walks. Uh, that was just great. We talked about that. You all took everything. >> All right. >> Got excited. Okay. Other than that, I think that is all I have. It is 5:46. We will reconvene at six o'clock for public comment. Thank you. All right, we will go ahead and get started. Uh, public comment. First card, Mr. Gabe Wniaak. Gabe Wnjak. Welcome. Thank you. In all honesty, I didn't expect to be first. >> You were first. Yeah, I I guess so. So, I saw a letter Oh, it's my time. Okay, put it on the
082clock. All right. So, I saw stated in the in a letter that we were going to be talking about the the uh protests that are going on in schools such as my high school, Atlantic High School, from when I went there 12 years ago. Uh, I do understand the right to peacefully assemble. However, I do not believe high school is the best place to do it. I say this because when I was in high school, a student would be kicked out of class if they spoke out against the teacher, hence the first amendment. When I was mercif mercilessly bullied and decided to one day fight him, I was suspended. Same as when I had a belt buckle that looked like brass knuckles, hence the second amendment. Every day after that, I never knew when I
083would get a random search and they would search my stuff, hence the fourth amendment. The bill of rights does not constitute what goes on in a public school. That being said, I would also like to sort of put an eye openener out there. We have a $1.4 4 billion budget for the for the Valuchia County schools. Is that right? Around 1.4 billion. Close to 62,000 students. You divide that amongst every single student, it's around $23,000 per student. Now, when you look at a private school cost [snorts] K through 12, the average the average uh tuition per student is around $11,000. So, [clears throat] see, I know I'm uh talking about something that would take a lot of your jobs away. However, I believe that parents should be able to invest in their own kids. When
084you have a stay-at-home mom, say, who has to have a job to put their kids through school, if you give the money to them, they'll be able to invest the into their own kids education, whether it be protests or some sort of technical school, plumbing. You can teach your kids what they need to know. When I was in Atlantic High School and I went to economics class, I couldn't tell you the difference between a communist and a capitalist. All I knew was that my teacher went to school on his bike. He did not own a phone. And when it rained, he rode his Prius. So, that being said, I know I'm definitely not preaching to the choir. And I believe that's all I really have to say. So, yeah, I still got 16 seconds left.
08514. 13. All right, I'm done. >> Thank you so much. Next up, Amanda France. Welcome, Miss France. >> Hi. >> Good evening. Good evening, board members and Dr. Balgabin. Today, I am here to share my resignation with the board. I'm here to put a face to the name on the paper that you will eventually see before you. I am here because my voice is louder than the 2% raise that was settled upon for the hearts and backbones of every school. And I realize now more than ever as my children are going through Valuchia County schools, I cannot sit idally by and let things go and grow. So although I didn't enter education with the notion of making boatloads of money, I did enter education to make an impact. But unfortunately, my voice will have to
086be in the form of a parent as teachers are not heard. Let me begin by saying I truly appreciate Mrs. Castellanos speaking with me upon hearing that I made the decision to resign from Valuchia County Schools and truly giving me the time and space to express the things I have experienced over my nearly 10-year career as a teacher and coach. I did note her surprise though when I had discussed the blatant shift in direction when Dr. Balgaban took the seat of superintendent. I have to wonder if the response was authentic and that she did not know that teachers have a certain perception of Dr. Valgaban or is it tonedeaf to what the teachers are screaming from most campuses all over the district? Lack of support with student behavior while hiding behind a facade of being
087invested in all aspects of every child's education. Your teachers know the only thing there's an investment in is the excessive data and numbers being collected on pretty paper. While we are on the topic of numbers and investing in every student, I can't wait to hear to how Dr. Valabin students are responding to the interventions implemented in the group she is facilitating since this is the second year she's deployed an all hands-on deck approach sending out district employees who most are not experts in the area they're remediating and most have been out of the classroom for years. Taking these students out of their classrooms where their teachers are the expert in the content area devalues their teachers expertise for mere fact that the students they had or had not been performing on that pretty paper. I
088would like for you to stop and consider what may have impacted that data point on that piece of pretty paper next time you are working on remediating students. Did this teacher have to have multiple days where he or she could not teach to due to excessive behaviors in the classroom? Has this teacher reached out for help on their campus to try to help students get placed where they should be and were met with resistance? Please remember that these classrooms have stories. These students have stories and your teachers certainly have stories. My last question to you, when do you plan on starting to listen to your teachers? I'm running out of time, so I'm going to go ahead. Signed, a former coach and teacher whose story ended with Valuchia County. Because I wasn't heard, I was
089silent. >> France. Next up, Reel Spar. Welcome, Miss Spar. >> Good evening. Um, my name is Vanell Spar, teacher at Cherry Tmar Elementary. Um, I wanted to say thank you for having someone come out and look at the field for our students. Um however our students are not able to participate um this year in fitness festival because of the area out there but it is finally being looked at and hope that uh they will be able to take care of all of the areas that are not uh safely usable for our students. And second thing um I think in the last school board meeting when you all were discussing uh Mrs. Haynes was discussing the newest school and you mentioned about the media center where the you could see you could the students could see
090out but no one could see in. Well, at Tur that has not been taken care of. When we first got to the school once we started school last year 2024 25 school year they did start the process. There are three pieces of film up and I just thought about it when I left school today. Um, there are three pieces of film up where they were conducting a search to see which one they would use. It never got completed. Those three pieces of film are still up. You can see directly into the um media center as well as the whole front of the school. So our whole all the doors are exposed. That means the students are exposed. That means the teachers are exposed. That means parents when they're visiting are exposed. That means visitors are
091exposed. That means you are exposed. So when will we get it corrected? And I know district people have been out there multiple times, especially after I say something to bring light to it. This is one more thing that we need to bring light to because that is a safety issue. That's a safety issue. And like I said, I thought about it as I was leaving school today. My main thing was just to say something about the field area, but it's a safety issue. And just like we want students to be safe in other zip codes, I need our students to be safe in that zip code 32114. So, I'm not sure how long it will take for it to be taken care of, but um I think that should be on our top one list
092because it's about safety and security of the students at Ty Small Elementary. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up, Miss Debbie Parker. Good evening. I'm Debbie Parker and I'm speaking for myself tonight. I'm speaking in support of the Freedom to Read and the Freedom to Learn and Literacy Week. Also wanting to thank you for the opportunity to help celebrate Freemanville Day and Black History Month. In 2015, the city of Port Orange declared the second Tuesday in February as Freemanville Day. So that's today. And just a couple of days ago, W 2 News told the story of this black community that years later became part of Port Orange. It was founded as a freed man settlement by Dr. John Milton Hawks right after the Civil War, 1886. It's location just it's located just north of Dunladen
093and there's a historic site marker on Ridgewood there. Are there any teachers in Valuchia County sharing this story? Are there any teachers in Valoosa County School District that don't fear that telling this story might cost them their jobs? Might the Valuchia County School Board have any influence in ensuring educators job retention for next year's Freedmanville Day? At least we've seen banners honoring West Faluchia Black Leaders displayed on Woodland Boulevard. And right now, there are banners on International Speedway Boulevard featuring local African-American pioneers, both men and women. On the Daytona Beach government website, there are new long lists of black history icons presented every year. Last month, after attending the dedication of Rosewood Park, I shared here that Dr. Marvin Gun Dunn is a graduate of Dan's own Uklid High School. This FIU professor ameritus continues
094to educate in the state of Florida. Dr. Dunn holds teach the truth tours and learning trees lessons throughout Florida. You can find his website dunhistory.com, his books, these are just two of them, only two, and speaking engagements, too. For example, as part of Black History Month's celebration this year, he'll be speaking tomorrow in in Winter Park. As Dr. T Dunn teaches, it's not all good. and Valuchia Remembers Community Coalition works in conjunction with the Equal Justice Institute to recognize five Valuchia men. Between the years of 1891 and 1939, there were five lynchings in Valuchia County. You can find a historical marker on West Rich Avenue that commemorates the place where Mr. Lee Bailey was lynched. The other four were murdered in or near Dand just north of Daytona and between Daytona and Dand. Lee Snell
095was a veteran of the US Army Quartermaster Corp. Herbert Brooks was a black man murdered in police custody, he as well as others never had the opportunity to defend themselves in court. Even though history may be uncomfortable, it must be taught and it must be learned. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Parker. Next up, Robin Bradshaw. >> Good evening and welcome. >> Hi, good evening school board members and superintendent. I would like to share my experience with focus leave and the issues I encountered as I believe this is a broader concern affecting staff. In October, I was absent for two days due to severe severe illness. Unbeknownst to me, my leave was entered twice for the same day. Because of this error, I was docked 1.75 hours of pay as Focus did not recognize that
096I had already been docked for those days. At this time, I was unaware that this was an ongoing issue and did not think to check the system until December. When I reviewed my records in December, I noticed not only the incorrect doc leave, but also that I had not received my acred leave for October and November. I immediately contacted the staff member on my campus who handles payroll. She reached out to the payroll department and included me on the correspondence. While I received updates regarding the dock pay, I did not receive updates about any info about the 14.5 hours that or one day of sick leave that I had taken. I followed up many times and after winter break reached out again to both my campus payroll person and view. After two months, it was
097finally resolved. I know that I am not the only employee that this has happened to, and I am concerned that there may be many other staff members who are unaware that they need to doublech checkck their leave and pay for errors. While it is good practice to review records, this has not historically been part of the process, and it places an additional burden on employees who are already stretched thin. I share this not only to explain my experience, but to ask that the system and its oversight be reviewed so that staff are not negatively impacted by errors outside of their control. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next up, Lisa Led Better. >> Welcome, Miss Led Better. I was born in Valia County and went to Valuchia County schools and now I'm a
098great grandmother and one of my five children was born to be a teacher and she's recently been she teaches in elementary school for several years and it's been breaking my heart that she doesn't want to be a teacher anymore because she's been hit in the classroom by a students and she even has had a student bring a gun to school this within the same month. She has PTSD as a result and I just hope that she heals and stays in the classroom because she was born to be a teacher. So I want to know what the board and with this administration for my family. My parents were both teachers. I was a teacher before we became other things such as doctors and lawyers. And now that we're having children and grandchildren are becoming teachers, how
099can I encourage my grandchildren to become a teacher when they're not even protected? My own daughter in the classroom in elementary school. They put the student back in her classroom. The same student who assaulted her. The same student that brought a gun to school. They put behavioral labels on these children. They don't put them in appropriate care or help. And now we wonder why in Florida, much less the nation, we have students going to schools and hurting other people and killing other people because it's not addressed even as young as elementary school. Instead, the teachers are not protected. So, what is the board and the administration going to do to ensure our teachers are protected? I'd be happy. Years ago, I worked for Valuchia County government. had lots of green ribbon and blue rib ribbon
100committees. I was a planner and I'd like to know if you're going to have workshops and how to solve these problems and not let good teachers quit and resign and you end up taking whatever you know grabbing at your list of hoping somebody will teach instead of having the teachers that were born to be teachers that can really help your students. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next up, Amber Dupi. Good job of pronunciation. >> Uh, Mr. Dupi from our arts department is >> All right. >> Well, he's not here, but that's his last name, and so we say it all the time, so I had a cheek cheat card there. Thank you, and welcome. >> And thank you for the opportunity to speak with y'all this morning, this this evening. >> My name is Amber
101Dupi. Um, I'm a parent of a a young man who is part of your school system. He came to my spouse and I about five years ago from the foster system. He was recently most recently placed with FUNCH. He was in the system since he was three. Um and he came to us after being in five different homes. 11 different homes I'm sorry. So to land the plane he was a student of Miss Amanda France. He was originally in the EBD program and he was the first graduate of the EBD program at Sugar Mill. She was his first teacher. So when she came up here to speak, it was pretty emotional for me because I think it's really, really, really sad for the students to lose such a teacher that had such a great impact
102on our son and his development. the circumstances. We've heard them. You guys are aware of them. And I'm not one to just sit here and complain about blah blah blah. There's a problem. Students are violent. Nothing's being done about it without having a solution. I don't have one, but I'd like to see one because I really hate the idea of more teachers like like Miss France not not being able to influence and and help our kids. I mean, Wesley, like you can look him up. like he had a really bad past and he's now thriving. He's in middle school. He's he's he would be here right now because when I told him what happened, he wanted to know how old the kid was. Like, I'm not wanting my kid to jump somebody for for doing
103something wrong to another kid. But that's how passionate he is about Miss France and what she's done for him. Yeah, he's at his football game right now. He's doing very well. He's in all advanced classes, but he wouldn't have been there without her help. And you guys, like I came from Catholic school up north. We would not have this problem up there, okay? And I have nothing. All I do is pay taxes and and advocate for such great teachers. And I hate seeing this happen. So, um, I know I give you back your 41 seconds, and I appreciate your your your attention to this matter. Thank you so much. Have a great evening. >> Thank you and thank you for coming. Or does anybody have any additional comments? Well, that ends public comment. That's the
104last item on our agenda. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you.