001>>Sally Harris: GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 6th, 2018 MEETING OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. I AM SALLY HARRIS, THE BOARD CHAIR. HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WE SERVE MORE THAN 200,000 STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH 12th GRADE. OUR TEAM IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN 25 NEW DEDICATED -- DEDICATED PEOPLE WORKING AT MORE THAN 245 SITES. THE BEST WAY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY IS TO INVOLVE YOU, THE PUBLIC, IN WHAT WE DO. YOU ARE WELCOME TO E-MAIL OR MEET WITH ANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, AND FOLLOW OUR DISTRICT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. BOARD MEETINGS ARE STREAMED LIVE ON WEBCASTS AND CARRIED LIVE ON CABLE, CHANNEL 635, AND FRONTIER FIOS CHANNEL 32. AS YOUR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY. WE WILL INCLUDE TIME FOR AUDIENCE
002COMMENTS AS WELL AS WE ADDRESS OUR AGENDA. OUR AGENDA AND ANY SUPPORTING MATERIALS CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE IN ADVANCE. THEY ARE POSTED SEVEN DAYS BEFORE EACH BOARD MEETING ON OUR WEBSITE ALL OF US AT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHARE ONE VISION, PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE. WITH YOUR HELP, WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR MEETING TONIGHT. MEMBER SHAMBURGER, WOULD YOU NOW LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE FOLLOWING QUOTE. FIND THE GOOD THAT'S ALL AROUND YOU. FIND IT. SHOWCASE IT. AND YOU WILL START BELIEVING IN IT. JESSE OWENS. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. (MOMENT OF SILENCE). THANK YOU. NOW PLEASE STAND FOR THE
003PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. [ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ] >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SHAMBURGER, WOULD YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR STUDENT ENTER FEIGNMENT FOR THIS EVENING? >>Tamara Shamburger: MY PLEASURE. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE SHORE ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL PANACEA STILL DRUM -- STIHL DRUM BAND TO THE PODIUM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. >>Sally Harris: THEY ARE JOINED BY PRINCIPAL SHERRI BOLLINGER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL KEVIN MCDONALD, CONDUCT EARMARK JENKINS, AND MAGNET LEAD TEACHER BRYAN DRUGA. THESE WONDERFUL FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS ENTERTAINED US PRIOR TO THE START OF OUR BOARD MEETING. GO AHEAD. [ APPLAUSE ] >> HELLO. MY NAME IS MALANI OF THE I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. AND I LIKE IT BECAUSE IT CALMS ME. >> JORDAN. I LIKE PANACEA BECAUSE IT HAS POTENTIAL. >> MY NAME IS HENRY. I'M IN THE FOURTH GRADE. I LIKE PANACEA BECAUSE IT'S FUN TO PERFORM
004WITH. >> I'M TERRY. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. AND I LIKE PANACEA BECAUSE IT'S A WAY OF DOING MUSIC NO DIFFERENT WAY. >> MY NAME IS DEONI. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. IT GRABS MY INTEREST. >> I'M HALEY AND YOU LIKE PANACEA BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IT MAKES. >> I LIKE PANACEA BRUCE IT TEMPS ME HOW TO STAY ON TRACK. >> MY NAME IS TAN. I AM IN FIFTH GRADE. I LIKE TO PLAY PANACEA BECAUSE IT'S A NEW WAY. >> I'M TRINITY. I'M IN FIFTH GRADE. I LIKE PANACEA BECAUSE IT'S A NEW EXPERIENCE AND I LOVE IT. >> MY NAME IS JALA. I'M IN SIXTH GRADE. AND I LOVE PANACEA BECAUSE IT'S A FUN EXPERIENCE TO HAVE. >> AND I'M SHERRI BOWLINGER, THE PROUD PARAGRAPH AT SHORE, AND IT ALLOWS STUDENTS A CHANCE TO PERFORM. AND
005WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO DO THIS WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP THROUGH HOST AND ARTS COUNCIL. WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP THIS PANACEA PERFORMANCE GROUP WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. SO GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THAT. IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Tamara Shamburger: KIDS, WAVE TO THE CAMERA TO EVERYONE AT HOME. >> HI! (LAUGHTER) >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HAVE INTRODUCE JASMINE LINDALA, OUR CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FROM SICKLES HIGH SCHOOL WHO WILL BE SERVING AS OUR STUDENT SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE THIS EVENING. WANT TO WAVE AT US? [ APPLAUSE ] AND IF AT ANY TIME YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE INPUT TO THE MEETING, JUST LET MR. AYRES KNOW AND HE WILL LET US KNOW. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BOARD MEMBERS, WE HAVE THREE WITHDRAWN AGENDA ITEMS
006TODAY. C-404. C 405. C 406. I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES TO BE APPROVED TODAY. THEY ARE FOR JANUARY 23rd, 2018 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, AND JANUARY 30th, 2018 STUDENT FORUM. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER VALDES. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. MEMBER SHAMBURGER, WOULD YOU NOW READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES? >>Tamara Shamburger: AS WE BEGIN THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING, LET ME QUICKLY REVIEW THE FORMAT OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. FIRST, PLACE
007SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES. THE BOARD'S AGENDA IS A CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS ON THE AGENDA ARE APPROVED WITH A MOTION AND VOTE UNLESS AN ITEM IS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION. THE AGENDA AND BACKUP DOCUMENTATION ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. THIS MEETING CAN BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING ON THE LIVE WEBCAST ON CABLE TV AND ON VIDEO MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THE ONLINE VIDEO ARCHIVES. THERE ARE SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM BEHIND ME THAT ALLOW ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO HEAR THE MEETING. 45 MINUTES HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SPEAKERS ARE GRANTED THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS A SINGLE AGENDA ITEM OR A TOTAL OF FIVE MINUTES TO ADDRESS TWO OR MORE AGENDA ITEMS. IF TEN PEOPLE OR MORE ARE PLANNING TO ADDRESS A SINGLE TOPIC, OUR PROCEDURE REDUCES SPEAKING TIME
008FOR EACH PERSON FROM THREE MINUTES TO TWO. THIS IS TO MAKE SURE WE HEAR FROM MORE PEOPLE DURING THE SAME AVAILABLE TIME. YOUR COMMENTS ARE IMPORTANT. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENTS, OUR STAFF WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND THEY WILL KEEP OUR BOARD INFORMED ABOUT THE RESPONSE. OUR SCHOOL BOARD RESPECTS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD. WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING YOUR TIME TO BE HERE. ANY BEHAVIOR INTENDED TO INTERRUPT THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. OUR CIVILITY POLICY IS IN EFFECT. >>Sally Harris: BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE TRY TO KEEP YOUR COMMENTS CONCISE AND ON TOPIC DURING THE MEETING. WE HAVE ONE ITEM THAT WILL BE TAKEN AT TIME SPECIFIC TODAY. 6:00 P.M. WILL BE EMPLOYEE INPUT. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS
009REPORTS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT REQUIRING BOARD APPROVAL. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WERE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION AND SEPARATE VOTE. A 01, 02, 03. C 201, 202. C 401. 402. 403. C 601. 602 R. 603. 604. 605. 606. 607. 608. 609. 6-10 R. C 7.01, 7.02. C 12.01. 12.02. C 13.01, 02, 03. AND SUSPENDED AGENDA. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THOSE ITEMS PULLED. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER STUART. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. THANK YOU. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN MOVED UP. I WILL READ THE ITEMS IN THE ORDER THAT WE WILL TAKE THEM. A-01, 03, 02, AND C-602.4. IF ANYONE HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TO ONE
010OF THESE ITEMS YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THOSE ITEMS BEFORE THE BOARD VOTES ON IT. PLEASE SEE THE COMMUNICATIONS TO MY LEFT IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR ONE OF THOSE ITEMS. BOARD MEMBERS, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT EACH OF US WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO DISCUSS AN AGENDA ITEM AND WE WILL USE THE TIMER. IF YOU GO BEYOND THE TWO MINUTES, WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO HOLD YOUR COMMENTS AND REQUEUE IN THE LINE OF A BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS FOR THAT ITEM. IF A BOARD MEMBER HAS NOT PULLED AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION BUT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO AN ITEM, AT THE MEETING, PLEASE GET IN THE QUEUE TO SPEAK TO THAT ITEM. WE WILL NOW TAKE THE ITEMS THAT WERE MOVED UP ON THE AGENDA. WE WILL
011TAKE BOTH A-01 AND A-023 TOGETHER. AO 1. ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION BLACK HISTORY MONTH, FEBRUARY 2018, OFFICE OF DIVERSITY WITH, MRS. HARRIS AND MRS. SHAMBURGER AS A HIGHLIGHT, AND MRS. MINERVA SPANNER MARROW, CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER WILL READ THAT PROCLAMATION. AND WE DO HAVE SOMEONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TO A-01. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT SALLY HARRIS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME AS THE CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER TO READ THE PROCLAMATION IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF, AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS CITIZENS OF A GREAT NATION TO RECOGNIZE AND REFLECT ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CELEBRATE THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEGACIES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, WE PAUSE TO REFLECT
012ON THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR WORK IS UNENDING IN THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY AND EQUITY FOR ALL PEOPLE. WHEREAS, OUR AFRICAN HERITAGE IS VITAL AND RICH INGREDIENT IN THE CULTURAL GROWTH OF OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE ACHIEVED GREAT STAT TOUR AND A CLAIM AND THEIR INFLUENCE REACHES FAR BEYOND OUR NATION'S BOUNDARIES, AND WHEREAS MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS COURAGEOUS INDIVIDUALS HAVE PLAYED KEY ROLE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR NATION, FREQUENTLY OVERCOMING GREAT ADVERSITY TO DO SO, AND WHEREAS THE STUDY OF PROMINENT AFRICAN AMERICANS PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH VALUABLE ROLE MODELS AND A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING THAT AMERICA'S STRENGTH LIES IN THE DIVERSITY OF HER PEOPLE, NOW THEREFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN FLORIDA HEREBY PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2018 BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND
013URGES ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND TO HONOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STATE, AND OUR NATION. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] I HAVE SOME COMMITTEE PARTNERS WITH ME BUT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THE MANY BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITY, CELEBRATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. YOU HAVE A LIST IN FRONT OF YOU, SO I DON'T WANT TO READ THEM ALL. BUT PLEASE PERMIT ME TO HIGHLIGHT THE FOLLOWING. THESE ACTIVITIES ASSIST IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AROUND ISSUES OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. THESE ARE CONTESTS WITH A FOCUS ON LITERATURE, PERFORMING ARTS AND VISUAL ARTS, MY-ON, ONLINE READING PROGRAM CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS. THE AFRICAN READ-IN TEACHING ACTIVITY WHICH PROMOTES
014LITERACY IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY, OOPS ALSO INVOLVING MANY VOLUNTEERS. OUR DISTRICT SUPPORTS THE PROMOTION OF THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND CAMPAIGN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ABOVE ALL, WE WOULD LIKE TO CELEBRATE OUR INCREASED GRADUATION RATE FOR ALL STUDENTS INCLUDING OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS. THANK YOU TO SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, OUR STAFF, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS FOR THIS GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE EXEMPLARY STATUS FOR THE TEACHING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, AN HONOR BESTOWED UPON US BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. MCDONALD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EXEMPLARY STUDENT OF CHARACTER, $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER GOES TO OUR STUDENT FROM STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL, NORIAN JAMES, AND A SCHOLARSHIP FOCUS ON DIVERSITY AND CHARACTER. LASTLY, THE CULMINATING ACTIVITIES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION AT THE FAIRGROUNDS ON STUDENTS DAY, FEBRUARY 8th, FROM 10:00 TO 3:00. I HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE.
015AND THE THEME THIS YEAR IS AFRICAN AMERICANS IN FILM, STAGE AND SCREEN. WE HAVE 27 SCHOOL COMMUNITY DISPLAYS, AND ACTUALLY ALSO A FEW CELEBRITIES THAT WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE. I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I JUST CAME FROM THERE TODAY. IT WAS EXCITING TO SEE THE TEACHERS THERE. THE COMMUNITY, WORKING TOGETHER TO ACTUALLY PUT THE DISPLAYS TOGETHER. AND THIS IS LIKE I SAID A CULMINATING ACTIVITY. BUT THIS IS A FEW MONTHS OF LESSONS BEING HELD IN THE CLASSROOM, AND THE TEACHERS HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RACISM, ABOUT STEREOTYPES, ABOUT DIVERSITY, AND ABOUT HISTORY, BECAUSE WE KNOW BLACK HISTORY IS U.S. HISTORY. THIS IS A BIG EVENT, A BIG CELEBRATION, AND I'M PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL COMMITTEE PARTNERSHIP IN MAKING THIS A REALITY. I DO HAVE TO THANK EVERYONE -- AND I DON'T WANT TO FORGET ANYONE. SO THANK
016YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THESE ACTIVITY AT THIS EVENT IS HAPPENING, BUT I DO HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS FOR SPONSORING AND LEADING THESE EVENTS. AND A FEW OF THEM WILL SPEAK RIGHT AFTER I COMPLETE THIS. DR. DENNIS HOLT. MARY LOU WHALEY. FRED HEARNS. DR. SAMUEL WRIGHT. YVETTE LILAS. ERIC GRAHAM FROM OFFICE SUPPLY DIVERSITY -- OFFICE OF OUTREACH AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT UNDER DR. SYKES. OUR DIVISION OF OPERATIONS, AND THE ENTIRE TEAM OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND ALL OTHER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HAVE MADE THESE EVENTS AND PROJECTS A REALITY INCLUDING THE ARTIFACTS THAT WE HAVE ON-SITE TODAY BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING. THANK YOU EVERYONE ON BEHALF OF OUR DISTRICT. THANK YOU, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, FOR SUPPORTING OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OUR ACTIVITY. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SHAMBURGER WOULD
017LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING. >>Tamara Shamburger: ONE CORRECTION. YOU SAID STUDENT DAY IS ON FEBRUARY 8th. IT'S IN FACT ON THE 9th JUST FOR THE RECORD AND FOR THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM DR. WRIGHT, FOR THE RECORD. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY TASK FORCE I.WANT TO COMMEND THE DISTRICT FOR YOUR EXEMPLARY STATUS. I CAN JUST LOOK BACK AND THINK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THIS DISTRICT IN TERMS OF THE INFUSE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN OUR CURRICULUM. AND I KNOW THAT DR. COTTAGE, YOU WANT YOU WOULD BE JUMPING IN HIS GRAVE BECAUSE YOU NAMED THE SCHOOL IN HIS HONOR AND HE IS SEEING THIS ALL COME TO FRUITION. I WANT TO SAY TO YOU THAT WE
018WANT TO CONTINUE ALONG THESE LINES IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN OUR CURRICULUM. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH DR. DENNIS HOTEL, AND I UNDERSTAND THE SUPERINTENDENT IS AWARE OF THAT, THAT AFRICAN AMERICAN TASK FORCE WILL BE BRINGING SOME INSTITUTE TO TAMPA THIS YEAR, JUNE, AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DISTRICT GIVING US SUPPORT IN MAKING THAT A REALITY. AND GETTING SOME OF YOUR GURUS LIKE MR. WASHINGTON AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN OUR MOVEMENT. SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT ON THE 28th OF FEBRUARY, AMPLIFY WILL BE HERE AND THAT'S A INNOVATE YOUR TEACHING AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY TO CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE PRESENT AT MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 1:30 ON THE 28th. THAT'S APRIL GILLIARD, PRINCIPAL, AND HE WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE
019IN ATTENDANCE AT THAT PROGRAM. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. WE SUPPORT BLACK HISTORY. AND AT EVERY LEVEL, WE SUPPORT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT EVERY LEVEL, AND CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. AND WE ARE PRAYING THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU THE WISDOM AND INTELLECT TO MOVE THIS DISTRICT FORWARD. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. >> SCHOOL BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF. FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE UNANIMOUS VOTE THAT YOU TOOK A FEW WEEKS AGO NAMING THE DR. CARTER G. WOODSON SCHOOL IN NORTH TAMPA. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND WE LOOK FORWARD NEXT YEAR TO HAVING THE CARTER WOODSON SCHOOL EXHIBIT AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR. WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE THIS FRIDAY. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL COME. THERE'S A DAY FULL OF ACTIVITY SCHEDULED
020WHERE THE STUDENTS OF THIS COUNTY WILL BE PERFORMING AND SHOWING YOU SOME OF THEIR TALENT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE THEME THIS YEAR, AFRICAN AMERICANS IN FILM, INFLUENCES OF STAGE AND SCREEN. AND I HAVE TALKED WITH MINERVA SPANNER-MORROW, AND THAT WOULD BE A GREAT THEME BECAUSE A SILENT FILM WAS SHOT HERE IN TAMPA, THE BIRTH OF A RACE. IT WAS INTENDED TO BE AN ANSWER, A RESPONSE TO THE BIRTH OF A NATION. SO THE MADE HISTORY, FILM HISTORY, 100 YEARS AGO IN 1918. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THAT THEME. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I REPRESENT THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY, TAMPA BAY CHAPTER. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH SLIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR OUR EXHIBIT THIS YEAR, AND WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NAMING CEREMONY OF THE DR.
021CARTER G. WOODSON SCHOOL. THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU, GUYS. WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM BEFORE WE VOTE. FIRST WE HAVE RAY BONTE. AND THEN WE HAVE JOSSEN FIEND ARMOTTO. >> TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. HOLD ON JUST A MOMENT, PLEASE. >>Sally Harris: YOU MAY GO AHEAD, MISS AMOTTO. >> JOSEPHINE AMOTTO, A RESIDENT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND AM A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF THREE AFRICAN SLAVES, EUROPEAN AND JEWISH, AND THE CARIBBEAN IS KIND OF GREAT THAT WAY. SO I AM A PROUD DESCENDANT OF THAT. I WANTED TO SPEAK FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH, BECAUSE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE HAVE GROWN AND GONE THROUGH IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND IN OUR COUNTRY ARE STILL ALIVE AND WELL TODAY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE ARE HAVING APAR AT DISTRIBUTION OF CHILDREN, OUR CITIZENS OF
022COLOR IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AND I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT OUR HISTORY THAT IS HAPPENING HERE AND NOW. MORTON ELEMENTARY, OAK PARK, FOSTER, SHIHI, MEMORIAL MIDDLE, POTTER, ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE SAFE SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION WITHIN TWO MILES. YET, ESPECIALLY FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, THOSE ARE FULLY FUNDED TRANSPORTATION SCHOOLS WHERE HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS EXIST. BUT THOSE CHILDREN DO NOT RECEIVE SAFE SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL. THE FURTHEST BUS STOP IS 1.5 MILES. THAT'S AS FAR AS YOU CAN MAKE A BUS STOP. TWO MILES IS THE DISTANCE FROM A STUDENT'S DOOR TO THE FIRST SCHOOL DOOR. WHY IS THAT DOOR TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FURTHER FOR OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR THAN IT IS FOR ALL OUR OTHER STUDENTS WHO HAVE A GREATER ACCESS TO OUR SAFE SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL? I HAVE SPOKEN HERE MANY TIMES
023ABOUT 100% OF OUR TITLE 1 STUDENTS HAVE LESS SAFE SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL. 100% OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE 70% MORE OF A STUDENT BODY POPULATION OF RACIAL OR ETHNIC MINORITIES LOST SAFE BUS SYSTEM TO SCHOOL. THAT IS A DISPARITY PLAYING FIELD. WE ARE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT EQUITY WHERE YOU GIVE SOMEONE MORE SO THEY HAVE EQUAL PLAYING FIELD. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT IS NOT EQUAL AT ALL. OUR STUDENTS, EVERY SINGLE STUDENT HAS THE SAFEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL WHICH IS THE AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS. ON THAT TWO-MILE ROUTE, WE HAVE REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS. WE HAVE VIOLENT RAPES. WE HAVE LOTS OF THINGS ALONG THAT ROUTE. WHAT ARE ATTENDANCE RATES IN THESE SCHOOLS AND HOW MUCH DOES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO PUBLIC SCHOOL PLAY INTO THOSE? I AM A PROUD AMERICAN AND I AM
024VERY PROUD OF THE BLACK HISTORY THAT IS TAKING PLACE IN OUR COUNTRY, AND OUR COUNTY, AND I FULLY SUPPORT THE PROCLAMATION AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE DOING THAT'S POSITIVE. BUT WE CANNOT CHANGE WHAT WE DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE. AND WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISPARATE DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE RAY BONTE. AND AFTER RAY, IT WILL BE URSULA ODHAM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM VICE CHAIR, HONORABLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, SUPERINTENDENT STAFF. I AM RAY BONTE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. JOINING ME TODAY ARE OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD, DR. JASON PEPPY PROVIDING YOU SOME INFORMATION. DR. KIM MARCH, WHO IS NOT HERE, OUR PAST PRESIDENT. MR. KEN HART, OUR PRESIDENT-ELECT. DR. SHERRILL WILSON. OUR SECRETARY.
025AND SOON TO BE DOCTOR ANN MARIE COURTNEY. SO WELCOME. PASSA IS GROWING IN MEMBERSHIP, WITH OUR THREE CORE PRINCIPALS OF LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIP, AND FELLOWSHIP. AND WE BRING THOSE CORE PRINCIPALS TOGETHER AS WE JOIN THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY WITH GREAT SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, AND OUR TALENTED -- AS A LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION, HASA KNOWS GREAT LEAD OARS WHEN WE SEE THEM. AND WE HAVE AMAZING LEADERS THROUGHOUT THIS DISTRICT. TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT INITIATIVE, TO RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, HASA WILL BE RECOGNIZING ALL OUR GREAT BLACK LEADERS FROM PRINCIPALS TO ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, COORDINATORS, SUPERVISORS, DIRECTORS, AND MANAGERS, AND SUPERINTENDENT-LEVEL LEADERS. WE HAVE MANY, MANY, MANY GREAT BLACK LEADERS WHO SERVE THROUGHOUT THIS DISTRICT WITH DISTINCTION, DEDICATION, AND DETERMINATION. SO FOLLOW US. I PROVIDED YOU A HANDOUT, A SAMPLE, OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TWEETING SINCE FEBRUARY 1st.
026DIFFERENT BLACK LEADERS, TITLES AND GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY PROVIDE THIS DISTRICT EVERY DAY. SO FOLLOW US ON HASA LEADERS, AND ALSO JOIN US NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE TAMPA BAY HISTORY MUSEUM FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 AS WE CELEBRATE TOGETHER BLACK HISTORY MONTH. MARTIN LUTHER KING ONCE SAID, EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT, BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE. WELL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE LEADERS SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS EVERY DAY, AND WE CELEBRATE THEIR GREATNESS TO SERVE, TO HELP PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR LIFE. SO THANK YOU. AND THANK ALL OUR LEADERS IN THIS DISTRICT. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. URSULA ODHAM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS. THE LAST TIME THAT I WAS HERE, I CHALLENGED YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE TIMES THAT YOU SAW A DOLL, A BOOK OR A MUSEUM
027EXHIBIT THAT LOOKED LIKE YOU. AND I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WHEN I WALKED IN AND I LOOKED OVER TO THE LEFT I SAW A WONDERFUL ARRAY OF BEAUTIFUL FACES THAT REPRESENTED EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. BUT THEN I WAS HORRIFIED THAT YOU TOOK DOWN DORIS ROSS REDDING, LEON LOWRY, AND OTHER PEOPLE. SO WHAT I SAY TO YOU IS THAT WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE COME IN, THEY NEED TO SEE A BLACK WOMAN, LITTLE BLACK GIRLS NEED TO SEE A BLACK WOMAN IN THE CENTER. LITTLE BLACK BOYS NEED TO SEE A BLACK MAN IN THE CENTER. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT EVEN LITTLE WHITE BOYS NEED TO SEE WHITE MEN IN THE CENTER AS WELL. SO WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE DOWN, PLEASE PUT SOMETHING BACK UP. BUT THE REASON I'M HORRIFIED ABOUT MR. REDDICK IS I ALSO
028HEARD DURING LAST MONTH OR LAST PRESENTATION, THERE IS A GUY THAT GAVE A PRESENTATION THAT WAS SPEAKING LIKE THE FEDERAL EXPRESS GUY, REAL, REAL FAST. BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT PRESENTATION HE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY NOT BEING NEEDED. MAYBE MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T HEAR THAT. I HEARD IT BECAUSE IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, I PARTICIPATED IN THE FAIR EXHIBIT, AND I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE, ALL OF THE HARD WORK AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO DO IT. AND I KNOW THAT I HAVE HAD AN IMPACT. IT'S ALL AROUND ME. THE PROOF IS. SO IF BY CHANCE I PICKED UP ON THE FACT THAT MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE MRS. REDDICK BECAUSE HER EYES MIGHT HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT MIGHT BE DONE. I SAY TO YOU THAT ECONOMICS,
029WHEN YOU GIVE JOBS, IS MONEY, AWARD RFPs TO BLACK PEOPLE OR PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED, AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL IMPROVE AS WELL. AND WHEN YOU IMPROVE ECONOMICS OF THE COMMUNITY, I SUSPECT THAT SOME OF THE SCHOOLS THAT FAILING RIGHT NOW WOULD IMPROVE AS WELL, BECAUSE THEIR FAMILIES WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE RESOURCES. SO YOU PRODUCE A STUDENT THAT IS PRODUCTIVE. THEN THEY COME AROUND AND HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AS WELL. SO I THAT WAS A MISTAKE, AND THAT THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I SUPPORT AND THANK YOU. BUT DON'T DO ANYTHING CRAZY. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS, I NEED A MOTION TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE.
030DO I HAVE -- ALL RIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION BY LYNN GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR SEPARATE VOTE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, IF YOU WILL VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. THANK YOU. THE MOTION HAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. >> MADAM CHAIR? YOU HAD MRS. SHAMBURGER -- OKAY, VERY WELL. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU THANK YOU. AND I KNEW THAT'S WHAT IT WAS FOR. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRIFFIN TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH, FEBRUARY 2018. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. AND THANK YOU. IT IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING TO A-03, ADOPTION OF THE PROCLAMATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE NAACP FREEDOM FUND DINNER OUTREACH AND
031SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT. THIS WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS AND MEMBER SHAMBURGER. LARRY SYKES, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR OUTREACH AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION. >> MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE OUR OWN DISTRICT LEADERS, AND WE HAVE TWO OFFICIALS IN OUR MIDST TODAY THAT WE WILL RECOGNIZE, AND ONE IS COMING UP TO READ THE PROCLAMATION. MRS. MATHIS. SHE'S ALSO THE CITY COMMISSIONER FOR PLANT CITY. SHE'S ALSO A FORMER MAYOR OF PLANT CITY. SHE WILL BE RECOGNIZED FIVE PEOPLE AS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER FROM THE BLACK HERITAGE CELEBRATION IN PLANT CITY ON FRIDAY. AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR VICE CHAIR, MRS. SHAMBURGER AS AN OFFICIAL IN THIS DISTRICT. TWO OF OUR POWERFUL WOMEN IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. MRS. MATHIS WILL NOW READ THE PROCLAMATION. >>
032THANK YOU, DR. SYKES. GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON SALLY HARRIS, THE HONORABLE VICE CHAIR, AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS AND HIS STAFF. IT IS INDEED AN HONOR FOR ME TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION ON OUR BEHALF, TO OUR PARTNERS, THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, THE NAACP, AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 100th YEAR ANNIVERSARY. DURING THIS YEAR'S ANNIVERSARY AT THEIR ANNUAL FREEDOM FUND DINNER, AND THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, 2018, WE WILL HONOR OUR LEAD, LEARN, EMPOWER, ADVOCATE, DREAM STUDENT WINNERS. THE CONTEST CHALLENGED STUDENTS TO CREATE AN ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION EXPRESSING HOW HE OR SHE HAS BEEN INSPIRED BY A BLACK LEADER. WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION IN OUR MIDST. MRS. YVETTE LEWIS, PRESIDENT OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP, FREEDOM
033FUND EVENT CHAIR, AND MR. JOSEPH ROBINSON, SECOND VICE CHAIR, AND CHAIR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CO-CHAIR OF THIS EVENT. THEY ARE HERE TODAY. AND IF POSSIBLE THEY CAN JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM. PLEASE. THANK YOU. THE PROCLAMATION READS: WHEREAS THE NAACP IS THE OLDEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN THE NATION, HAVING WORKED FOR RACIAL EQUALITY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, AND WHEREAS THE TAMPA BAY NAACP WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1917 AND MERGED WITH THE PLANT CITY BRANCH IN 1996 TO BE KNOWN AS THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP, AND WHEREAS THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP OFFERS STUDENTS SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, WHEREAS THE ANNUAL FREEDOM FUND DINNER WILL BE HELD THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, 2018, AT THE HILTON, TAMPA DOWNTOWN, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS THE GOALS
034AND EFFORTS OF THE NAACP AND SENDS ITS BEST WISHES TO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANCH NAACP FOR A SUCCESSFUL FREEDOM FUND DINNER. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE ADOPTED THIS DAY OF FEBRUARY 2018 BY THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA. [ APPLAUSE ] AND THAT IS THE READING OF THE PROCLAMATION. I DON'T KNOW IF EITHER OF THEM HAD ANYTHING TO SAY. WE KNOW MR. ROBINSON HAS SOMETHING TO SAY. (LAUGHTER). >> I JUST WANTED TO THANK HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT AND ALL THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER AT THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANCH TO MAKE THIS FREEDOM FUND DINNER A TRUE SUCCESS. THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME WORKING WITH THE LEADS PROGRAM, AND I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT DR. SYKES OFFICE, IT HAS BEEN AMAZING, AND I AM SO EXCITED THAT OUR FREEDOM FUND
035DINNER IS WELL OVER 900 PEOPLE. WE HAVE SOLD OUT. AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL DAY. BUT THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP. AND I WISH THAT WE CONTINUE TO BETTER OURSELVES AND TO GROW TOGETHER, AND WE CAN DO THIS ALL. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAVE TIME ON THIS CLOCK. BOARD MEMBERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG JOURNEY FOR THE NAACP HERE. AND YOU WANT TO DEFINITELY THANK MARY LOU WHALEY. I AM GOING TO CALL THAT OUT FRONT. BUT LET ME GIVE YOU SOME REAL BLACK HISTORY. DID YOU KNOW THAT IN 1917, YES, WE CELEBRATED 100 YEARS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE 101th YEAR. IT'S ALSO VERY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE VERY FIRST FEMALE AFRICAN PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL BRANCH WAS ELECTED IN 1818 AND
036GUESS WHAT HER NAME WAS. BEACH UM. THAT'S WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT. I WANT TO THANK YOU. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE NAACP IS RELEVANT, WE ARE STRONG, AND I'M MOVABLE. AND YOU KNOW I DON'T GET INVOLVED UNLESS IT'S GOING TO BE A SUCCESS, WE ARE GOING TO SELL OUT AND WE ALL MAKE SOME MONEY. SO I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE TO COME ON OUT, GET THERE EARLY, HAVE A GOOD TIME, AND THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE NAACP IS MEMBERSHIP. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS PARTNERSHIP. WE WANT TO THANK HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UP HERE FIGHTING THIS THING FOR DECADES. AND I JUST WANT TO
037SAY THANK YOU ALL. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE? ALL RIGHT. THEN I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER AND A SECOND BY MEMBER VALDES. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW WE NEED TO VOTE. AND WE HAVE THE SAME -- RIGHT? GET IT RIGHT, GUYS. THANK YOU. I NEED A MOTION TO OOH PROVE THE PROCLAMATION, RECOGNITION OF THE 2018 EXCELLENCE -- ADOPTION OF THE PROCLAMATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE NAACP FREEDOM FUND DINNER. A SECOND BY -- A MOTION BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER. SECOND BY MEMBER VALDES. PLEASE -- ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND
038IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] NOW WE WILL GO TO A-02. RECOGNITION OF THE 2018 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WINNERS AND FINALISTS, OUTROACH AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT. THIS HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER SHAMBURGER, AND ANN MARIE COURTNEY, SUPERVISOR OF OFFICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. AND WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. HONORABLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF. ON BEHALF OF OUTREACH AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT UNDER DR. LARRY SYKES, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE OUR 2018 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS AND FINALISTS. IN THE WORDS OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE, AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER. EACH OF OUR 13 FINALISTS MOTIVATE THEIR COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, AND
039BECOME MORE. THEY ARE LEADERS IN THEIR SCHOOLS, AND POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENTS EACH DAY. ON JANUARY 16th, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HILLSBOROUGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION, OUR FINALISTS WERE RECOGNIZED AT THE STRAZ CENTER BY AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 1700 GUESTS. KIM YOU, THE PRESIDENT OF HILLSBOROUGH FOUNDATION AND MIKE McCULLEN, CHIEF ADVANCE OFFICER, ARE JOINING US TONIGHT AS WE RECOGNIZE THESE AMAZING PROFESSIONALS WHO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE. >> ON BEHALF OF THE FOUNDATION, THERE'S NO GREATER HONOR THAN TO SPEND AN EVENING CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE BEST. AND I KNOW THERE'S MANY MORE OUT IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS WORKING EVERY DAY. I PERSONALLY WAS INCREDIBLY INSPIRED TO BE A BETTER PERSON THAT NIGHT. AND SO WE ARE THANKFUL TO BE PART OF IT. AND WE ARE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL EVERY YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE BEST. THANK YOU FOR
040THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. >> AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FINALISTS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR TO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. [ APPLAUSE ] THE FINALISTS FOR IDA S. BAKER, DIVERSITY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR, PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. [ APPLAUSE ] AND TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST, WILL YOU PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? [ APPLAUSE ] OUR 2018 INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR WINNER, MIRIAM VELEZ HERNANDEZ, FROM DOVER ELEMENTARY, IS UNABLE TO BE WITH US TODAY DUE TO ILLNESS. SHE DOES SEND HER REGARDS AND HER THANKS. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP OUR REMAINING WIN OARS, OUR IDA S. BAKER DIVERSITY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR, CHRISTINE CAMPBELL FROM VAN BUREN MIDDLE SCHOOL. [ APPLAUSE ] AND OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR, BONNIE BRESNYA
041FOR A PICTURE WITH OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. [ APPLAUSE ] >> LADIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO EACH AND EVERY DAY. >> WE HAVE A SPEAKER. >> GOOD EVENING. SUPERINTENDENT, AND BOARD MEMBERS, AND MEMBERS IN OUR AUDIENCE. I AM SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE. AS ANNOUNCED MY NAME IS SONYA FERGUSON AND I AM WITH AGF ALLIANCE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. WE ARE LOCATED AT 1248 EAST HILLSBOROUGH AVENUE. AND I'M TRYING TO CATCH MY BREATH BECAUSE I HAD TO RUN UP HERE. IT'S NOT LIKE MY EARLY DAYS WHEN I WAS A TRACK STAR. I WON ALL MY RACES, BY THE WAY. REALLY, IT IS AN HONOR, BECAUSE WHEN I LOOK AT THE HILLSBOROUGH DISTRICT SCHOOL DISTRICT, I CONTINUE TO REALLY ADMIRE HOW YOU INTENTIONALLY GRADUATE LEADERS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
042TO FOCUS ON AN AREA THAT IS DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB IN THE DISTRICT FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. YOU SEE, AGF ALLIANCE, IN CONSTRUCTION, EMBRACED THE 15th SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT THAT ARE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE OFFICE OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY, OSB. AND I WILL SAY OSB, RECOGNIZED THE LEADERSHIP UP HERE EARLIER. THEIR LEADERSHIP TEAM INSPIRES, EMPOWERS, AND FACILITATES EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN OUR BUSINESS. THEY IGNITE OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE, SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRITY IN SERVICE, AND TRUST. AND TONIGHT, I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO HONOR THEM. THIS IS THE MONTH FOR EDUCATION AND CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY. I WANT TO HONOR OSB. THEY ARE VITAL TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE ARE A SMALL MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS, AND FOR OSB, THE CHAMPION OF POSITIVE APPROACH TO CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY BY FOSTERING AND ENCOURAGING REGULAR AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. WE ARE
043PROUD OF THE POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF OSB'S ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT FOR BUSINESS, KEY SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND BEHAVIORS TO ENSURE THAT THE DELIVERY OF HIGH IMPACT QUALITY OF WORK IN A WAY THAT FOSTERS CREATIVITY, TEAMWORK, AND COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT, WHILE ALSO RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS. >>Sally Harris: YOU NEED TO FINISH YOUR THOUGHT. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> MY TIME IS UP. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, AGF VALUES THE WEALTH OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH OSD. YOU HAVE AN AWESOME, AN AWESOME DEPARTMENT HERE, AN AN AWESOME PARTNERSHIP THAT BUILD RELATIONSHIPS IN THE OFFICE OF SUPPLY AND DIVERSITY. AND I WANT YOU TO ALL REALIZE THAT THEY PUSH YOUR GOALS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] OKAY, BOARD MEMBERS, I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE.
044I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE PUSH YOUR BUTTON WHEN THE LIGHT APPEARS. THANK YOU. AND THE MOTION IS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. SO NOW I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOGNITION OF 2018 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WINNERS AND FINALISTS. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER AND A SECOND BY MEMBER STUART. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY. SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. AND THE VOTE IS UNANIMOUS. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. [ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBER SHAMBURGER, LOW PRESSURE READ THE PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES? >>Tamara Shamburger: THE BOARD VALUES AND APPRECIATES YOUR COMMENTS. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO TELL THE BOARD WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND. IN ORDER
045TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY RAISE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, IT IS THE BOARD'S PRACTICE TO NOTE YOUR COMMENT AND TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT STAFF RESPOND TO YOU AFTER YOUR QUESTION HAS BEEN RESEARCHED. TO THAT END, THE BOARD WILL NOT TYPICALLY RESPOND TO YOUR COMMENTS FROM THE DAIS. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. I WILL READ THE FIRST FIVE OR SIX PEOPLE, AND THE FIRST THREE HAVE FIVE MINUTES. JOSEPHINE AMOTTO. JASON FERGER. MARK KLUTHO. BRUCE DELK. JAMES GOODY. KENNETH HART. >> ARE YOU READY? MY NAME IS JOSEPHINE AMOTTO, RESIDENT OF LITHIA, FLORIDA AND I WILL TRY TO MAKE THIS FAST. IF YOU KNOW ME AT ALL, YOU WILL NO STATEMENTS TO MY KIDS, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? EVERY TIME THEY TRY TO TEST MY BOUNDARIES. SO THIS IS
046SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE MAYBE SOME PEOPLE ON THE BOARD MAY NEED TO ASK SOME PEOPLE PRESENTING INFORMATION TO YOU. THE HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS EXIST ALONG EVERY SINGLE WALKING ROUTE OF THE 66 SCHOOLS IN THE 7500 STUDENTS THAT LOST SAFE BUS TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL. ON DECEMBER 6th THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS AND YOUR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION MANAGER TOLD YOU THAT THOSE HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS NO LONGER EXIST. YET IN 2016 THE RECENTLY DISMANTLED SAFETY OFFICE HAD 1400 DOCUMENTED HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITION ROUTES THAT INCLUDED SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS AND SOME OF THESE ROUTES THAT MAGICALLY SUDDENLY NO LONGER EXISTED, YET NO ONE, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT, NOR WERE ANY CAR COUNTS DONE WHICH IS PART OF THE HAZARDOUS WORKING CONDITIONS SINCE 2014. HOW CAN WE DO AN AUDIT THAT'S SUPPOSED TO INCLUDE CARBONS BUT HAVEN'T BEEN DONE
047SINCE 2014? YOUR CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION WAS SUDDENLY MADE A SAFETY MANAGER AND IT WAS SUDDENLY IN A LONGER PART OF THE SAFETY OFFICE AND THE SAFETY AUDITS WERE NEVER ADDRESSED. THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY MANAGER HAS ZERO CERTIFICATION IN PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, OR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY. HE HAS A HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT, BUT NOT CERTIFICATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY OR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY. THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS IN TRANSPORTATION MANAGER ALSO STATED ON THE RECORD TO THE GIBSON CONSULTING GROUP THAT THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WILL PURPOSELY MAKE CHILDREN, CHILDREN, WAIT AT BUS STOPS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIMES TO HARASS PARENTS TO TRANSPORT THEIR KIDS IN THE CAR SO THEY CAN ELIMINATE THAT BUS ROUTE. ASC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAS PRESENTED TO THIS BOARD BY YOUR TRANSPORTATION MANAGER AS A SPECIAL ID TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, WHEN
048IN FACT ALC IS A CONTRACTED DISPATCH SERVICE WITH SUBCONTRACTED PRIVATE DRYERS, PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES, LYFT DRIVERS AND PRIVATE DRIVERS. THESE SUBCONTRACTORS DO NOT PRESENT THEIR INSURANCE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE $300 THAT YOU IN LIABILITY PER DRIVER PER VEHICLE. THEY DO NOT HAVE A SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THEY DO NOT HAVE BEEN THE PROPER TRAINING TO TRANSPORT OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THEY DO NOT SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO RANDOM DRUG SCREENING AS SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS DO. THEY DO NOT TAKE ANNUAL TRAINING LIKE SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS DO. AND I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A LIST OF DRIVERS THAT I WAITED 90 DAYS FOR, FROM THE ALC. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OUR ALC DRIVERS. THE DRIVERS SUBMITTED FOR NATIONAL FINGERPRINTING AND RECEIVED CLEARANCE ON THE SAME DAY. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND
049CRIMINAL HISTORY, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO GET YOUR NATIONAL FINGERPRINTS FOR SCREENING AND GET IT BACK THE SAME DAY. HIGHLY UNLIKELY. YET MOST OF THE DRIVERS ON THIS ACL LIST MAGICALLY HAD THEIR NATIONAL FEDERAL CLEARANCE OF CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK LEVEL TWO IN ONE DAY. ALSO, SOME OF THE DATES THE DRIVERS WERE SUBMITTED, FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND THE STATE, DON'T EXIST LIKE JULY, 2017, AUGUST, ZERO ZERO, 2017, THE MANAGER WHO SUPPOSEDLY SUBMITTED THE DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR FINGERPRINTING HAS NOT WORKED FOR ALC TRANSPORTATION IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SINCE 2016. BUT SOMEHOW, HE SUBMITTED FINGERPRINTS FROM THE DRIVERS TRANSPORTING OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FROM A HILLSBOROUGH ADDRESS IN 2017. DON'T KNOW. HE HASN'T WORKED HERE SINCE 2016. HE'S WORKING IN MIAMI. THE PHONE NUMBERS DO NOT MATCH THE ADDRESS OF THE PEOPLE SUBMITTING THE
050DRIVERS. WE HAVE DELRAY BEACH PHONE NUMBERS, ORLANDO ADDRESSES, AND ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ADDRESSES OF THE PEOPLE SUBMITTING FOR OUR DRIVERS. NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWING JESSICA LUNSFORD ACTED TO TRANSPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS AND SEPARATE THEM FROM THEIR LOCAL SCHOOLS, AND FOLLOWING THEM TO OTHER SCHOOLS, AND THEN DENYING THEM EQUAL ACCESS TO SAFE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION, AND BEING WITH THEIR PEERS, THE TRANSPORTATION IS SUBSTANDARD, DANGEROUS, INADEQUATE, AND ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. BOARD MEMBERS NEED TO START ASKING THE QUESTIONS, WHERE IS THE BACKGROUND CHECKS? WHERE ARE THE LICENSURES? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. YOU MUST START ASKING, HAVE THEY REALLY LOST THEIR MINDS? BECAUSE THEY ARE PRESENTING YOU WITH ABSOLUTELY FALSE INFORMATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. AND SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS? >>Jeffrey Eakins: THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I RESPOND HERE. THERE WAS A LOT
051OF INFORMATION THERE THAT CAME TO THIS BOARD, AND THERE WAS SOME INACCURATE INFORMATION THAT CAME DURING THAT PARTICULAR TIME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER HAS A CHANCE TO GET TO THE BOARD THE ACCURATE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW UP ON SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED BY THIS SPEAKER. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR THAT RESPONSE. NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. FERGER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JASON FERGER. I'M A STAKEHOLDER. MRS. GRIFFIN, BLESS YOUR HEART. DO YOU THINK YOUR OUTBURSTS AT THE LAST MEETING WOULD INTIMIDATE ME? WAS YOUR TEMPER TANTRUM A VIOLATION OF YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING STANDARDS AS OUTLINED IN THE WAY OF WORK DOCUMENT? SECTION C STATES AN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER WILL NOT ENGAGE IN PERSONAL ATTACKS FROM THE DAIS. WERE YOUR COMMENTS, MRS. GRIFFIN, MENTIONED OTHERS
052FROM EXERCISING THEIR LAWFUL RIGHTS? THERE WAS A WORKSHOP ON THE VERY SUBJECT DAYS LATER YET YOU WERE ABSENT. SURPRISINGLY? UNFORTUNATELY NOT. WAS YOUR OUTING AN ACCUSATION OF AB AN ABSENT BOARD MEMBER FOR YOUR PERSONAL POLITICAL BENEFIT OR THAT OF OTHERS? WAS YOUR BEHAVIOR A VIOLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES OUTLINED IN THAT WAY OF WORK DOCUMENT UNDER H WHERE IT STATES THAT BOARD MEMBERS SHALL NOT DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ACQUIRED DURING THEIR OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY. AND SHAME ON YOU, MR. EAKINS, TO ARE SHARING INFORMATION FROM ONE BOARD MEMBER TO ANOTHER. I'LL SAY THIS. DURING THE -- DIRECTING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO TRACK EXPENSES RELATED TO MY OR OTHER'S RECORD REQUESTS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF YOUR INABILITY TO GRASP YOUR ROLE. IT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU SIT UP THERE AND WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS JUST LIKE THE GRIFFIN SEX SURVEY.
053ITEM 6.09. 177, 000 DOLLARS INFORM SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY. WHY IS THIS NOT GOING OUT FOR COMPETITIVE BID? IS IT DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT CONFLICT OF INTEREST REGARDING THE BOARD ATTORNEY AND AN ADDITIONAL LEGAL WORK HIS FIRM DOES FOR THE DISTRICT? ITEM 4.07. SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION. EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO A FAIR AND HONOR EVALUATION. FEEDBACK IS A GIFT. I HOPE THAT THIS YEAR BOARD MEMBERS RESPECT THE PROCESS AND DO NOT INFLUENCE THE OTHER'S EVALUATION. WOULDN'T YOU AGREE, MR. PORTER? AND MRS. STUART? LAST WEEK I MET WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERNS. I GAVE YOU THE E-MAIL REGARDING RECENT PROMOTION. SINCE IT'S NOT BEEN PROPERLY RESPONDED TO, I WILL SPEAK ABOUT IT HERE. MANAGER SAFETY AND TRAINING. FIRST I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ALL THE PE TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE I KNOW PERSONALLY. HOWEVER I AM
054QUESTIONING WHETHER YOU OR MR. FARKAS CAN JUSTIFY PROMOTING A PE TEACHER TO THE HEAD OF THE DISTRICT SAFETY DEPARTMENT. HOW IS THIS EMPLOYEE QUALIFIED TO OVERSEE SELF-INSURANCE PROGRAMS LIKE GENERAL LIABILITY, WORKER'S COMP? HOW IS THIS EMPLOYEE QUALIFIED? WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE, TRAINING OR CERTIFICATIONS? WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DOES OAF TO OVERSEE THE DEPARTMENT FOR SAFE DRIVER, DRUG TESTING, WALKING SAFETY, TRANSPORTATION SAFETY, CODE COMPLIANCE, BUILDING INSPECTIONS, COG MANAGEMENT, ASBESTOS COMPLIANCE, HAZARDOUS WASTE, BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE, ET CETERA? ARE YOU PUTTING THE STUDENT, STAFF AND VISITORS OF THIS DISTRICT IN HARM'S WAY DUE TO THE PROMOTION OF AN UNQUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL? NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT MORTON POTTER ELEMENTARY AND THE NEARLY $1.4 MILLION THAT'S BEEN SIPHONED OFF AWAY FROM OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. I BELIEVE THAT WITH A BUDGET OF AROUND 3 BILLION DOLLARS THIS HAPPENS OFTEN.
055A LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS MOVING THE NEEDLE, ONE IS WHICH IS THE USF LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. IN FACT THE TIMES ARTICLE SAID ADVOCATES SAY HOPE IS ON THE WAY FOR TROUBLED POTTER. MAY OF 2017, IT ALSO SAID THE PLANS WERE IN PLACE FOR A TEACHER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT POTTER. OKAY. SO -- I'M SORRY, AT MOORE. PLANS WERE UNDERWAY TO PUT IN THE POTTER. YET MY RESEARCH FOUND THAT THE USF PROGRAM WAS NEVER IMPLEMENTED AT POTTER. FURTHERMORE IN OCTOBER OF 2017 ANOTHER ARTICLE IN THE TIMES STATED THE DISTRICT WILL CHOOSE TO PARTNER WITH AN OUTSIDE CONSULTING FIRM AS A BACKUP PLAN. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, ALL OF YOU, UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP THOSE IN FRONT OF YOU AND BEHIND ME, WHY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HAS THE MOST NUMBER OR THE HIGH OATH NUMBER OF FAILING SCHOOLS IN
056THE STATE? AGENDA ITEM 6.10. THE CONTRACT EXPIRED JANUARY 31st, YET SIX DAYS AFTER THAT, THIS WORK IS BEING DONE WITHOUT A CONTRACT. YOU ARE RUBBER STAMPING. YOU ARE RUBBER STAMPERS. THOSE IN FRONT OF ME, PLEASE TELL ME WHY THIS DISTRICT HAS $1.4 MILLION TO SPEND ON THE TBA OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, $216,000 THIS YEAR ALONE IT WILL BE. HOW DO YOU HAVE MONEY FOR ANOTHER OUTSIDE CONSULTING FIRM BUT YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY TO IMPLEMENT A TEACHER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR THE DISTRICT'S MOST NEEDY SCHOOL? YOU CLAIM YOU HAVE NO MONEY FOR RAISES FOR OUR TEACHERS, OUR BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS. YOU HAVE NO MONEY FOR SOAP IN OUR SCHOOLS BUT YOU FOUND MONEY FOR YOURSELVES. THAT'S RIGHT. THE SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS RECENTLY GOT A NICE RAISE IN THEIR PAY. STATUTE SAYS YOU CAN DECLINE THE RAISE
057BUT TO MY UNDERSTANDING NONE OF YOU DID. PAY THE TEACHERS. PAY THE SUPPORT STAFF. AND STOP YOUR TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENTS. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: MADAM CHAIR, AND I KNOW THAT WE SAY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO ADDRESS THINGS. BUT THAT'S JUST A WAY OF WORK. THERE'S NO STATUTE THAT GOVERNS US. THERE'S NONE OF THAT. AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE TOOK A VOTE ON. AND I HAVE A LEADER'S RESOLUTION THIS YEAR THAT I AM NO LONGER GOING TO LIVE OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE TO MAKE OTHERS FEEL COMFORTABLE. AND I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MALICIOUS ATTACKS. AND FOR SOMEONE TO RESPOND AND ADDRESS THAT IS NOT AN OUTBURSTS, IT IS NOT A TEMPER TANTRUM. IT'S STATING FACTS. WHY MASK YOUR VOICE, MR. FERGER? WHY? WHY HIDE WHO YOU ARE? WHY DO YOU
058ACT LIKE SOME SORT OF COMMUNITY JOURNALIST WHEN YOUR SOLE INTENT WAS TO TEAR CERTAIN PEOPLE DOWN IN THIS DISTRICT, AND NOW OTHER EMPLOYEES IN THIS DISTRICT ARE GETTING CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF YOUR FIRE? THERE ARE WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO HAVE COME FORWARD AND HAVE CHANGED THE DIRECTION OF THIS DISTRICT FOR THE BETTER. WHEN PEOPLE CAME TO ME AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT CHILDREN BEING IN HARM'S WAY, THEY SIGNED REAL WHISTLEBLOWER AGREEMENTS AND PROTECTIONS, AND PUT THE TRUTH OUT THERE. I AM ABSOLUTELY FINE WITH THE PERSON. I AM ABSOLUTELY FINE WITH THE TRUTH IF IT'S MEANT FROM THE RIGHT PLACE. MR. FERGER, I DO NOT BELIEVE WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM IS THE RIGHT PLACE. NOW, ME ADDRESSING YOU IS JUST THAT. MRS. SNIVELY, I'M SORRY YOUR NAME CAME INTO IT. I'M SORRY YOU WERE NOT HERE.
059YOUR FRIEND ASKED ME TO PROVE IT. NOT ONLY DID YOU STATE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, YOU ALSO STATED TO THIS BOARD IN ONE OF OUR RETREATS THAT YOU KNEW THAT YOU WERE FRIENDS WITH HIM. YOUR PAGE IS FULL OF FALSE INFORMATION. I HAVE HAD TO CHALLENGE YOU TO TAKE DOWN INFORMATION THAT YOU WERE ATTRIBUTING TO ME FROM ANOTHER APRIL GRIFFIN, FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY FALSE. AND I HAD TO THREATEN TO SUE YOU. YOU HAD A FAKE NAME. I DECIDED TO FIND OUT WHO YOU WERE. AND I DID. IT'S BEEN CONFIRMED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE. SO CONTINUE TO DO YOUR COMMUNITY REPORTING AND TRY REPORTING FACTS. AND TRY MOVING THIS DISTRICT FORWARD, AND TRY NOT TO ATTACK PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING A GOOD JOB FOR THIS DISTRICT. >> I HAVE JUST TWO COMMENTS. ONE -- >>Sally Harris:
060I DON'T -- THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION. >> MRS. STUART TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GET BACK TO ME ON INFORMATION AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GET BACK TO ME ON THE INFORMATION I JUST GAVE YOU THERE. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MR. KLUTHO, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. >> MARK KLUTHO, 14496-29th AVENUE NORTH, LARGO. HERE WE HAVE 6.09. MORE LAWYERS FOR THE BOARD. HMMM, THAT'S GOOD. 7.01. HVAC FOR GORRIE. YEAH. HMMM. FIX THE BEAST, WILL YOU? I DON'T THINK SO. AND THEN APPROVE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE FOR THE CONVERSION OF VAN BUREN MIDDLE AND CALHOUN ELEMENTARY INTO A K-8 SCHOOL. WELL, I DON'T NEED TO LOOK AT THE PLANS. AND I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO GET IT WRONG. YOU KNOW, YOU JUST KEEP DOING IT WRONG OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
061BEFORE I GO ANYWHERE ELSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST STILL KEEPS ME IN A PODIUM. WELL, HERE IS THE WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED. YEAH. AND HERE IT IS. PODIUM. FROM THE GREEK. A LITTLE FOOT. NOW, HOW CAN A LITTLE FOOT BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS? I'M NOT GOING TO STAND ON THIS THING. A RAISED PLATFORM FOR THE CONDUCTOR OF AN ORCHESTRA. IT'S A LECTERN. NOT A PODIUM. WELL, HERE IS THE LATEST HEADLINE. WARMING COULD SOON EXCEED PARIS ACCORD LEVELS. THIS IS FROM THE BRITISH SCIENTIST. WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY KEEP GETTING IT WRONG. AND WHAT HAPPENS IS, IT'S WORSE THAN WHAT THEY ARE PREDICTING. OH, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT WORSE. AND GUESS WHAT. IT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPID BUILDINGS BELCHING THE CARBON. SO WHAT DO WE HAVE? THIS IS FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES. EARTH'S CREATURES. THINK
062ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING TO THE PLANET. NATURE IS UNDEFENDED BY THE POWERS THAT BE, HAVING NO VOTE. WELL, SEE, YOU JUST SEEM TO DISREGARD ALL THE SCIENCE THAT WOULD GIVE THEM A CHANCE. AND SO YOU HELP LEAD THE EXTINCTION. THE FIVE THAT CAME BEFORE, HUMANS DIDN'T HAVE A HAND IN THOSE. THIS ONE IS ALL BECAUSE OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR. THE STUPIDITY. YOUR STUPIDITY, IGNORING SCIENCE. AND YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT CIVILITY. YOU ARE SO FAR FROM BEING CIVIL, IT IS A CRIME. I MEAN, YOU ARE CAUSING THESE ANIMALS PAIN. YOU ARE CAUSING PLANTS AND ANIMALS TO BECOME EXTINCT. HOW IN THE WORLD IS THAT CIVIL? WHAT LEGACY IS THIS? (BELL SOUNDS) LIKE THE ARTICLE SAYS, THEY DON'T HAVE A SAY. THEY WILL JUST DISAPPEAR, BECAUSE YOU IGNORE SCIENCE. FLAGRANTLY IGNORE IT. TAKING TAXPAYERS MONEY AND
063BURN IT. THE CARBON UP IN SMOKE. (BELL SOUNDS) WHAT A LEGACY. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MR. BUSTIL. >>ARE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'LL TRY TO BE BROPHY AND POSITIVE. I THINK WE COULD ALL USE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT RIGHT NOW. MY NAME IS JIM GOODE, PROUD PRINCIPAL AT TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND HERE TO HIGHLIGHT PARTNERSHIP WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE. OUR BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS. HARRIS, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS AND CHIEF OF STAFF, I HAVE WITH EVER ME FOUR MEMBERS THAT MAKE THIS PARTNERSHIP WORK SMOOTHLY AND EFFICIENTLY. WE STARTED THIS PARTNERSHIP IN 1 AUGUST LAST YEAR AND GRADUATED THE FIRST CLASS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT. WITH ME I HAVE DEBBY SMITH, OUR ADVISER, DOES A GREAT JOB WITH. THAT CHIEF DELK, THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE TRAINING CHIEF IN
064CHARGE OF ALL THEIR PROGRAMS. I HAVE ANDY MUZZY, WITH BOTH LEVY AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE AS WELL AS LEEY TECHNICAL. THE FIRST CLASS 1701 GRADUATED LAST MONTH AND 100% OF THOSE GRADUATES PASSED THEIR FLORIDA STANDARD PRACTICE. [ APPLAUSE ] SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND IT WAS NICE. YES. MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan Valdes: CONGRATULATIONS FOR THAT. BUT I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE WE CAN KNOW ABOUT THAT GRADUATION. I DIDN'T SEE A NOTIFICATION OF THAT. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE ATTENDED THAT AND CELEBRATED THE STUDENTS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE TO SPEAKER KENNETH HART. AND WHILE HE'S COMING FORWARD, COULD I GET PATRICK THOR, CELIA DEVITO, HARDEN, NOQOR AND ERIC RUST? >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MR. EAKINS, MR.
065AYRES, MR. PETERS, DELIGHTED TO BEER WHO. I AM GOING TO GIVE THIS GROUP GOOD NEWS AS WELL. I'M THE PRACTICE PRINCIPAL AT ALONZO HIGH SCHOOL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THAT BUT I WANTED TO LET NOW THAT. REALLY HAPPY TO BE HERE. LAST SPRING, ONE OF OUR TEACHERS, ONE OF YOUR TEACHERS, WANTED TO BECOME A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CERTIFIED EDUCATOR. AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH SOME HOOPS AND SOME WHISTLES TO DO SOME THINGS. AND SHE HAD TORE DO SOME PROJECTS IN HER AP CAP STONE CLASS. SHE WAS SUCCESSFUL. AND I AM DELIGHTED TO TELL YOU THAT THE TEACHER BEHIND ME, HER NAME IS JENNIFER GILLMAN, SHE IS OUR AP CAP STONE TEACHER. SHE IS A WONDERFUL LADY. SHE'S A PHENOMENAL TEACHER. SHE BROUGHT SOME OF HER STUDENTS, BUT NOT
066ONLY IS SHE NOW AN ENGLISH TEACHER, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CERTIFIED EDUCATOR, SHE WAS ALSO SELECTED AS A RESULT OF THE WORK BY HER KIDS, SHE WAS ALSO SELECTED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AS A NATIONAL EDUCATOR OF THE WEEK. I AM REALLY PLEASED TO INTRODUCE HER. NOW, THIS IS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. SO CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ] I BROUGHT HER WITH HER STUDENTS TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT THE PROJECT WAS, HOW MUCH WORK WAS INVOLVED, SO THAT YOU CAN CONGRATULATE HER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND MRS. GILLMAN. >> THANK YOU, PRINCIPAL HART, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND ESPECIALLY MY STUDENTS, THESE THREE OF MITT 39 THAT HELPED ME ACHIEVE THAT. THE PROGRAM FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 2015, STILL IN BETA PHASE. IT SHOULD LAUNCH OFFICIALLY LATER THIS YEAR. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 500
067CERTIFIED TEACHERS. MOST OF THOSE IN THE UNITED STATES. AND CANADA. 13 OF THEM ARE IN NO. I'M ONE, YES. SO I AM GOING TO QUICKLY RUN OUT OF TIME. I JUST WANT TO SAY THERE ARE THROW PHASES THAT TEACHERS GO THROUGH. WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH ONLINE TRAINING. THEN WE NEED TO DO SOME CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES. AND THEN WE FOLLOW UP WITH A WRITTEN REFLECTION AND SHORT VIDEO THAT WE SUBMIT TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE INTO THEIR PROGRAM. SO VERY QUICKLY, ONE OF THE PROJECTS WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE PLASTIC BOLT COUPLES ON CAMPUS AND TRY TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO BE MORE ECOFRIENDLY. ANOTHER ONE UTILIZE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TOOLS OF THE MAP. AND THEY WERE LOOKING INTO A FAMILY TREE, AND MIGRATIONS AND SOME HE CAN ECOLOGICAL ISSUES WITHIN THOSE COUNTRIES. THEN THE
068THIRD PROJECT THAT I GAVE TO THEM WAS TO CLOTHES IN THE CLOSET. AND THEY ACTUALLY HEAVY TO DO SPREADSHEETS, INVESTIGATE WHERE THOSE CLOTHES WERE MADE VERSUS WHERE THE HEADQUARTERS WERE, DOING ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE COST AND SAVINGS THAT WERE DONE. SO IT WAS QUITE THE PROJECT AND I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL MY STUDENTS. WE HAVE ANNALIESE, ALLISON ... TO REPRESENT THE 39. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME OUT TONIGHT TO HONOR THEM. PATRICK THORPE. >> GOOD EVENING EVENING, MADAM CHAIR. MY NAME IS PATRICK THORPE. I'M A LICENSED ARCHITECT AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER HERE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA. I AM ALSO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTSES, TAMPA BAY CHAPTER, AS WELL AS A TRUSTEE ON THE TAMPA BAY FOUNDATION FOR
069ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN, HERE TO ADDRESS YOU THIS EVENING ABOUT LEE ELEMENTARY. I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE NAMING CONVENTION OF THE SCHOOL. I AM KNOW IT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LOWBALL OFFER THAT WAS GIVEN BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE DEMOLITION OF THIS HISTORIC STRUCTURE BY NEGLECT. CURRENTLY, NOTHING HAS REALLY BEEN DONE TO PROTECT THIS HISTORIC STRUCTURE FROM FURTHER DAMAGE. A FENCE HAS BEEN PUT UP AROUND THE PROPERTY WHICH IS A PALTRY ATTEMPT AT BEST BECAUSE A FENCE WILL NOT STOP RAIN FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING. JUST THIS PAST SUNDAY, TAMPA ALONE RECEIVED ALMOST 2.5 INCHES OF RAIN WATER. A SIMILAR SITUATION HAPPENED LAST SUNDAY. SO WITHIN THE PAST NINE DAYS, THAT'S A TOTAL OF ALMOST 4 INCHES OF RAIN WATER. ENTERING THE BUILDING. IF I WERE TO CUT
070MY HAND, I WOULD NOT WAIT TO CALL THE DOCTOR TO PUT A BAND-AID TO STOP THE BLEEDING. I WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IMMEDIATELY. AND RIGHT NOW IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS DONE THE SAME WITH THE ROOF AT THE LIE ELEMENTARY. I CANNOT STRESS THE -- STRESS THE FACT THAT THE LOSS OF THIS HISTORIC STRUCTURE TO OUR COMMUNITY WILL CREATE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ECONOMICALLY FAR AND WIDE, NOT JUST TO THE TAMPA HISTORIC DISTRICT, BUT TO THE ENTIRE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. YET IT SAYS IT NEVER THE WRONG TIME TO HAVE DO THE RIGHT THING. WELL, IT'S BEEN THE TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING. PROTECT THIS ASSET FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. CELIA DAVITA. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I AM A SOPHOMORE FROM LETO HIGH,
071AND I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR OBVIOUSLY TWO YEARS. AND I HAVE MADE VERY MANY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE TEACHERS THAT I WORK WITH, AND THE STUDENTS, AND I AM JUST HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN NOT GIVEN TO THEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO, YOU PROMISED THEM HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS THAT WORK HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SOMETHING THEY DID NOT RECEIVE AND YOU PROBABLY KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. A RAISE THAT THAT THAT THEY WERE PROMISED. THESE TEACHERS DESERVE THIS. AND THEY NEED THAT MONEY. I'M SURE YOU KNOW THEIR SALARY, BUT THEY DO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE PAID FOR. YOU SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THEM AND IT YOU BROKE IT. A STUDENT SIGNS A CONTRACT WITH EVERY STANDARDIZED TEST THAT WE EVER TAKE, AND MANY DON'T BREAK IT INCLUDING
072MYSELF. I TAKE MANY STANDARDIZED TESTS OVER MY LIFE AND I HAVE NEVER BROKEN THOSE RULES. WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU SOCIETYING FOR ALL THESE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THESE SCHOOLS? I HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL FOR SOME TIME NOW AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TEACHER OUT THERE DOES NOT COME IN AT 7:30 AND LEAVE AT 3:30. MY COACHES, ARE WORKING WITH US FROM 3:30 TO SOMETIMES 7:00 AT NIGHT. BECAUSE WE ARE DETERMINED TO BEAT OTHER SCHOOLS THAT WE COMPETE WITH. SURE, WE CAN USE NEW TEXTBOOKS AND LAPTOPS. BUT TEACHERS DESERVE WATER AND ELECTRICITY AT HOME. STUDENTS DON'T WANT ANYTHING BUT FOR YOU TO USE THAT MONEY AND GIVE THESE TEACHERS WHAT YOU PROMISED THEM. TEACHERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL ANYWHERE. YOU CANNOT DENYth THEM THIS RAISE BECAUSE
073THE FUNDING ISN'T RIGHT OR BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE IT SHOULD GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. IF TEACHERS WORK TO THE CONTRACT, I BELIEVE THIS, GRADUATING RATES WOULD DECREASE DRAMATICALLY IN MY OPINION AND OUR SPORTS TEAMS WOULD BE HALF AS GOOD. MOTIVATION WOULD BE UTTERLY LOST. I DO WANT TO GO TO UNIVERSITY? DEFINITELY. BUT ALL THE MOTIVATION IS NOTE FOR MYSELF. IT IS FOR MY TEACHERS THAT I HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS OVER THE PAST YEARS. I REMEMBER WHEN MY MOTHER DECIDED TO BE A TEACHER AND DIDN'T GO BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY RULES THAT BROKE HER MOTIVATION TO BE A TEACHER. THIS BROKEN PROMISE IS GOING TO DRIVE FUTURE TEACH AREAS WAY FROM THIS COUNTY AND WILL DECREASE EVEN MORE IN AVAILABLE TEACHERS AND WILL HAVE TO INCREASE A CLASS SIZE WHICH WILL LEAD TO LESS ONE ON ONE TIME
074WITH THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT. I AM SIMPLY ASKING YOU TO RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION TO DEPRIVE THESE TEACHERS OF WHAT THEY WERE PROMISED. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. BILLY ARMQUEST HARDEN. >> HI. MY NAME IS ARMQUIST HARDEN AND I'M IN THE 7th GRADE ATMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL. TODAY I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT TEACHER WAGES. AS A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT I KNOW HOW HARD TEACHERS WORK. FOUR YEARS AGO, THESE HARD WORKERS WERE PROMISED A $4,000 RAISE THAT WILL BE AWARDED THEM AFTER THREE YEARS OF NO RAISES WHATSOEVER. OUR SCHOOL BOARD ASSURED OUR TEACHERS THAT THEY COULD AFFORD IT. THEY PROMISED NOW THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS DECLARED THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD THIS. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US AS STUDENTS? THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON PROMISES. IS THAT REALLY WHAT
075WE LIKE TO TEACH THE FUTURE GENERATION? TEACHERS HAVE SHARED THEIR STORIES FROM HEALTH ISSUES AND TO EVERYTHING ELSE. AS A STUDENT I AM ASHAMED AT THE LACK OF EMPATHY SHOWN TOWARD THESE PEOPLE BEARING THEIR SOUL. NOW MORE THAN EVER WITH THE GOVERNMENT TRYING TO PRIVATIZE OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE NEED OUR TEACHERS. IF YOU FIGHTING WITH THE TEACHERS THAT MEANS YOU ARE FIGHTING WITH THE TEACH STUDENTS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. LET OUR SCHOOL BOARD BE AN INSPIRATION TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA. GIVE THE TEACH OARS THEIR PROMISED RAISE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AND REMEMBER THAT I AM SUPPORTING THE TEACHERS WHO SUPPORT THE STUDENTS. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: NOEL LICKOR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SIX OUT OF SEVEN OF YOU WHO VOTED TO END SAFE BUSING WITHOUT ALL THE
076FACTS AND THE DATA AND DON'T SEEM TO CARE AT ALL ABOUT FIXING IT. THE SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD HAVE HAD TRANSPORTATION CONDUCT FIELD AUDITS BEFORE VOTING TO END SAFE BUSING. HOW CAN YOU END SOMETHING SO FUNDAMENTAL LIKE BUSING WITHOUT FULLY EVALUATING AND THEN ANALYZING THE DATA? THIS BOARD'S DECISION TO END SAFE BUSING WAS A HASTY AND DANGEROUS ONE. MY NEIGHBORHOOD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TRANSPORTATION IN JUNE OF 2017 STATING THAT WE DO QUALIFY FOR HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS, AND THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE A BUS. BUT HERE WE ARE ALMOST SIX MONTHS INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR AND STILL NO BUS. THIS IS 21st STREET. IT'S PART OF THE ROUTE OVER 50 CHILDREN MUST USE TO GET TO AND FROM LENNARD HIGH SCHOOL. WHEN IT RAINS, WHICH IS A LOT IN FLORIDA, HALF OF THE ROAD IS UNDER WATER
077FORCING THE CHILDREN TO WALK DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. WHEN IS IT GOING TO END? A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY HAS ALREADY BEEN HIT AND KILLED BY A CAR IN AUGUST ON THIS SAME ROAD. ALSO, I WANT TO ADD THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE RESTRICTED BY TWO TO THREE MINUTES JUST BECAUSE A SPEAKER'S TOPICS ARE NOT ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA. MAYBE IT'S ON THE PUBLIC'S AGENDA. AND GIVE THE TEACHERS THE BONUSSIZE THAT THEY HAVE EARNED F.THIS BOARD KEEPS THIS UP YOU ARE GOING TO SCARE AWAY ALL THE GOOD TEACHERS AND DESTROY THIS DISTRICT. YOU CAN'T HAVE A GREAT DISTRICT WITHOUT GREAT TEACHERS. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WHILE ERIC IS COMING TO THE MIKE, CAN ANGELINA PALICIA AND RYAN WAZINSKE COME UP? >> GREETINGS DISTINGUISHED BOARD MEMBERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
078PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SUPERINTENDENT, LEGAL SERVICES, AND OF COURSE OUR CITIZENS. MY NAME IS ERIC RUS, AND I AM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE NAACP YOUTH OCCASIONAL AND I HAVE MY PRESIDENT RIGHT HERE JAMES CHRISTIAN POLK. AND SO FIRST, AS A TEEN EXPECTING TO GRADUATE FROM THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 2016 BECAUSE IT REALLY SHOWS HOW MUCH EFFORT YOU DO PUT INTO BETTERING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. AS WELL AS IT WAS A RECORD BREAKING GRADUATION IN OUR COUNTY. THE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO APPROXIMATE FOLLOW THIS AMAZING TREND AND ALSO WORK WITH YOU AS NEEDED TO GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND OTHER MINORITY GRADUATION RATES. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT TOMORROW IS HIV -- BLACK HIV AND AIDS AWARENESS TODAY.
079TOMORROW THE STATE OF FLORIDA -- FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL RELEASE A REPORT RELEVANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND ALL OF FLORIDA REGARDING HIV AND AIDS. AS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A DROP IN INFECTIONS IN SOME COMMUNITIES, THE NAACP IS CONCERNED THAT THE DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STATISTICS CONCERNING HR HIV AND AIDS OUTBREAKS DOES NOT MIRROR OUR DESIRED OUTCOMES AS DO OTHER COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT IN REVIEWING TOMORROW'S REPORT THAT THE STATISTICS FOR ADULTS INCLUDE AGES 13 AND ABOVE. THAT MEANS THAT YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE GROUPED AS ADULTS WHEN IT COMES TO INFECTION RATE STATISTICS. IT IS OUR COMMITTEE'S UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS GROUPING IS DUE TO SEXUAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN YOUTH OF 13 AND UP. THE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL ENCOURAGES THE BOARD TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON
080THOSE NUMBERS AND HOW OUR YOUTH MAY BE GETTING LOST WITHOUT IT. WE ARE ALL AVAILABLE TO MEET OR DISCUSS FUTURE OUTREACH FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN ALL OF TAMPA AS WELL AS PREPARE TO CONSIDER STRATEGIES FOR 2018 TO 2019. WE ARE ALL AN AMAZING COMMUNITY AND YOU HAVE PROVEN TO BE CAPABLE. WE KNOW HOW TO GRADUATE OUR STUDENTS. LET'S NOT DROP THE BALL ON THEIR MENTALITY RATE. I'M SO EXCITED TO GRADUATE IN 2022. [ APPLAUSE ] >> MR. RUS, COULD YOU >> MR. RUSS, COULD YOU STAY THERE FOR JUST A SECOND AND THE SEX SURVEY, WHICH WAS THE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY THAT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER. IT'S BEING CALLED A SEX SURVEY, BUT IT WAS THE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY. ALL KINDS OF HEALTHY OR UNHEALTHY CHOICES THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE MAKING. WE ARE USING THAT
081DATA. WE APPLIED IT TO OUR DISTRICT, AND WE'RE USING THAT DATA TO ADDRESS CURRICULUM IN OUR SCHOOLS TO MEET SOME OF THE NEEDS THAT YOU JUST SPOKE ABOUT SO ELOQUENTLY. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS INVITE YOU, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, TO BE A PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS AROUND WHAT WE'RE DOING AS A DISTRICT TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS ON HEALTHY CHOICES THEY CAN MAKE NOTING FACTS THAT ARE EXISTING AROUND THEM AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO THAT? >> OF COURSE. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO COMMEMORATE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE AWARE OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND NOT JUST THE ONES WE LEARN ABOUT IN SCHOOL. BUT RATHER TO GO MORE IN-DEPTH IN OUR CURRICULUM. THE CURRICULUM WE LEARN IS QUITE SHALLOW AND
082I THINK WE COULD FURTHER IT BY PARTICIPATING WITH YOU. >> YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A CONVERSATION WITH YOU AND BRING YOU -- BRINGING YOU ON TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM THAT CHANGING THAT. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WHILE ANGELINA IS COMING TO THE MIKE, I WANT TO CALL UP AFTER RYAN, JESSICA WHITE TO SPEAK. >> HI. MY NAME IS ANGELINA. I'M FROM COLEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT TESTING. A LOT OF TEACHERS HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FSA QUESTION IS REPEATED OR IT HAS AN ERROR. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD -- THAT US AS STUDENTS SHOULD FEEL CONFIDENT TO GET A VALID TEST WITH NO ERRORS. AND A LOT OF STUDENTS DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING THE TEST BECAUSE IT HAS ERRORS AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW
083TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. SINCE TEACHERS AREN'T ALLOWED TO LOOK AT THE FSA TEST AT ALL, THE SCHOOL BOARD CAN RESPOND IF A TEACHER COMES UP HERE AND SAYS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF ERRORS ON THE TEST, THEY CAN SAY THAT YOU LOOKED AT THE TEST. ACCORDING TO LUMOS LEARNING.COM, ON ONE FSA THIRD GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEST, THERE ARE MULTIPLE ERRORS IN ONE QUESTION. I MYSELF HAVE HAD ERRORS ON MY TESTS AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A VALID TEST, NOT A TEST WITH MULTIPLE ERRORS. THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE TEACHERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE TEST AND IF THERE IS A SPELLING ERROR OR ANY TYPE OF ERROR, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THE SCHOOL BOARD IF THERE ARE ERRORS. LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, STUDENTS SHOULD BE CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE
084ENOUGH TO HAVE A VALID TEST. AND IF THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE TEST REVISE IT, WHY ARE THERE ERRORS? ALSO, CAN'T PEOPLE REVISE IT EVERY YEAR TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO ERRORS AND IT IS A VALID TEST? THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: MR. RYAN HAJINSKY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THANK YOU. NO ONE LIKES A BULLY. WE TEACH OUR KIDS HOW TO STAND TOGETHER IN SOLIDARITY AGAINST BULLYING. WE ALSO TELL THEM WHEN THEY SEE SOMETHING TO SAY SOMETHING. MANY WOULD ARGUE THAT SILENCE IN THE FACE OF BULLYING IS TO BE EXPLOIT IN THE ACT -- COMPLICIT IN THE ACT ITSELF. BILLS LIKE HB 1 GIVE VOUCHERS TO STUDENTS SO THEY CAN BE UPROOTED FROM THEIR SCHOOL AND GO TO ANOTHER. PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE CONSEQUENCE -- BECAUSE SIMPLY REMOVING THE BULLIES WOULD
085MAKE TOO MUCH SENSE. THE IRONY IS THAT TALLAHASSEE IS THE BULLY. IN OUR 67 COUNTIES THROUGHOUT FLORIDA ARE THE KIDS WHO ARE ROUTINELY PICKED ON. SO WHEN WILL YOU STAND UP? WHEN WILL YOU SAY SOMETHING? WHEN WILL YOU FIGHT BACK? YOU SAID NOTHING AND DID NOTHING LAST YEAR WITH HB 7069. THIS YEAR, YOU'VE HAD TIME TO BE PUBLICLY OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE NEW TRAIN BILL, HB 7055, YET YOU'VE SAID NOTHING AGAIN AND AS CLICHÉ AS THIS MAY BE, THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING. WHEN ALL OF YOU WERE ELECTED YOU SWORE AN OATH TO PROTECT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION. PERSONALLY I'M A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE WHO BELIEVES WE SHOULD BE OBEY THE LAW AS WRITTEN AND RAILED AGAINST MULTIPLE WAYS AND LEGISLATURE AND CONTINUES TO SUBVERT THE DOCUMENT BY LEGISLATING AROUND IT. HB 7055 HAS 11 PAGE INTRO AND 32
086SUBJECTS VIOLATING A PRIME RULE FOR HOW BILLS ARE TO BE WRITTEN. IT IS A HODGEPODGE OF GIVEAWAYS OF TAXPAYER MONIES TO PRIVATE AND FOR PROFIT MANAGED CHARTER SCHOOLS. IT INCLUDES LANGUAGES THAT DECERTIFY TEACHER UNIONS THAT DON'T MAINTAIN A 50% MEMBERSHIP THAT FLIES IN THE FACE OF ARTICLE 1, SECTION 6 THAT STATES EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS TO COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN SHOULD NOT BE ABRIDGED OR DENIED. ALSO, PROVISO LANGUAGE TO THE BILL THAT HOLDS ALL OF THE STATE'S FUNDING HOSTAGE UNLESS THIS TRAIN WRECK IS PASSED. HAVE YOU EVEN HEAD HB 7055 YET? MY GUESS IS NO. IF YOU HAVE, YOU MAY LOOK AT THE FACT THAT ALL OF YOU ARE LOOKING AT A PAY CUT, WHICH MAY HAVE RILED UP ONE OF YOU WHO THIS IS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME. IT MEANS YOU WILL BE PAID BY THE ESTABLISHED
087FORMULA OR SAME LEVEL AS A FIRST-YEAR TEACHER, WHICHEVER IS LESS. LET'S GET BACK TO YOUR DUTIES AS OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVES. YOU HAVE CORE VALUES. NUMBER 6 SAYS YOU VIGOROUSLY AND INTELLIGENTLY ADVOCATE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND STUDENTS ON THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. SEVEN SAYS COMMIT INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY TO BE WELL INFORMED ON NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL INITIATES AND PRACTICES. I'LL SKIP THIS AND SAY THIS, YOU GUYS DEFINITELY EXEMPLIFY SOME OF THE CORE VALUES BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION, YOU ARE FAILING. YOU ARE NOT DOING IT. THERE'S NOTHING PUBLIC THAT HAS BEEN SAID AND EVERYBODY SHOULD BE OUTRAGED BY THIS. WE NEED A CHAMPION. WE NEED CHAMPIONS, PLURAL. I'M GOING TO SAY THIS, WE NEED SOMEBODY LIKE BILLY TOWNSEND IN POLK OR CHARLIE
088KENNEDY IN MANATEE WHO WILL BE OUR OUTSPOKEN CHAMPION, WHO WILL JOIN THE CONCERNED EDUCATORS AND FIGHTERS IN THIS FIGHT? WE NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER. KIDS NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER. PUBLIC EDUCATION NEEDS YOU MORE THAN EVER. [NO MICROPHONE] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. TIME IS UP. JESSICA WHITE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JESSICA WHITE AND I AM A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER. I'VE BEEN TEACHING FOR TEN YEARS. I AM A HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER, AND I SERVE OUR UNION AS A SENIOR BUILDING REPRESENTATIVE AT MY SCHOOL. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU REMEMBER HELP I SPOKE LAST YEAR. MY FOCUS WAS ON FEELING INVISIBLE. I AM HERE TODAY TO KIND OF CHANGE THAT THEME TO THE THEME OF FEELING A LITTLE BIT IGNORED. THE SCHOOL BOARD TIMES HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED TO
089A LATER TIME, WHICH SHOWS AND MAKES ME FEEL THAT YOU DO NOT SEE TEACHERS OR PARENTS AS A VALUABLE ASSET OR WANT US TO BE PARTNERS IN OUR OWN CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE US. IF YOU TRULY SAW EDUCATORS AS PARTNERS, THEN WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND I'M SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING ABOUT THIS BOARD WITHHOLDING THE PAY WE HAVE EARNED AND PROMISED. PLEASE DONS IGNORE US. -- PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE US. IT'S CLEAR POOR DECISIONS WERE MADE WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET AND ALL OF US ARE AWARE WHAT IT WAS. SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE SITTING THERE THINKING QUIETLY THAT IF I IGNORE IT, I HOPE IT WILL PASS. I KNOW WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE AS A TEACHER, OF COURSE, IT'S FAR LESS DETRIMENTAL, LIKE FORGETTING TO GO TO THE
090STORE TO BUY MATERIALS FOR ICE CREAM SUNDAES WHEN MY STUDENTS EARNED IT AS AN INCENTIVE. I RUN OUT LATE IN THE NIGHT WITH MY OWN MONEY TO BUY THE SUPPLIES BECAUSE THEY EARNED IT AND I'M GOING TO KEEP MY PROMISE. SOMETIMES IT'S NOT MY MISTAKE. IT'S MY PARTNER'S MISTAKE. HE'LL CALL ME UP AND I'LL BUY PIRATE-THEMED PARTY BAGS BECAUSE IT IS THE THEME AND I'LL DO IT FOR THE KIDS. WHAT IS YOUR LATE-NIGHT RUN? A WISE WOMAN ONCE TOLD ME IF YOU COME COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEMS, YOU NEED TO COME WITH SOLUTIONS. SO I BROUGHT A FEW WITH ME. THESE IDEAS WILL NOT ONLY SHOW THAT YOU'RE LISTENING TO ME AND MY FRIENDS AND OTHER PARENTS AND THAT YOU'RE TAKING ACTION, BUT IT WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS AND MY CHILDREN WHO I HOPE
091TO BE STUDENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. CHANGE THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TIMES TO A LATER TIME. INCREASE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNING TIME. BE ADVOCATES FOR US AND INCREASE RECESS TIME. MAYBE INCLUDE SOME HELP FOR STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SOCIAL SKILLS AND SUPPORT US WITH VOTING AGAINST HB 7055. STOP CONNECTING OUR PAY TO EVALUATIONS AND TEST SCORES AND USE IT AS A TOOL TO SUPPORT TEACHERS LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO IN THE FIRST PLACE. BE VISIBLE. DON'T JUST SEND DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TO OUR SCHOOLS TO GIVE US MORE DEMANDS AND CRITICISMS. BE OUR CHAMPIONS AND GET TO KNOW US. DECREASE ASSESSMENTS, THE ONES THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CONTROL. GIVE TEACHERS MORE AUTONOMY IN THE CLASSROOM. I KNOW MY TIME IS LIMITED, SO I'M JUST GOING TO STOP THERE AND LEAVE YOU WITH THIS. EVERY YEAR
092AS A THIRD GRADE TEACHER, IT'S MY JOB TO GET KIDS TO PASS THE FSA. >>Sally Harris: FINAL THOUGHTS. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> SOMETIMES TWO GRADE LEVELS BEHIND AND IT'S MY JOB TO GET THEM TO PASS AND EVERY YEAR I PERFORM THAT MIRACLE. I MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERY DAY, SO LET'S SEE YOURS. PLEASE DON'T IGNORE US. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS, WE WILL MOVE TO C 6.02R, APPROVE THE EXTENDING LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE myON LLC TO PROVIDE myON READER TO ALL PREKINDERGARTEN, GRADES 8 STUDENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING, HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER STUART, MEMBER SNIVELY, AND MR. MIL BORN, SUPERVISOR OF LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES FOR GRADES K-5 WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL PARTNERS THAT WE WILL BE INTRODUCING. THANK YOU. >>
093GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, SCHOOL BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE THIS EVENING. I DO WANT TO START WITH OUR PARTNERS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT IS A PARTNERSHIP. I WANT OUR PARTNERS THAT ARE HERE TO STAND. AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE KELLY PARIS, THE CEO FROM THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. [ APPLAUSE ] AND SLATE COUNTS IS ALSO WITH US FROM THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. ANDREW BRIDENBA, DIRECTOR OF THE TAMPA-HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY. AND, OF COURSE, OUR myON FOLKS, DAVID AND JULIE COLE, LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES AND MICHELLE ROGERS, OUR READ ON myON PROJECT MANAGER. [ APPLAUSE ] AND IN TOWN FOR THIS, ALMOST EVERY YEAR, HAGEN POUNDSTONE, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES FOR THE SOUTHEAST FOR myON. I DON'T THINK I MISSED ANYBODY UNLESS THEY CAME IN AFTER I -- >> [NOT SPEAKING INTO A MICROPHONE]
094>> UNITED WAY IS HERE. ELLEN IN THE BACK. SORRY ABOUT THAT. THE READ ON myON PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT'S STRATEGIC PLAN BY PROVIDING A STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENGAGES EVERY CHILD, ENGAGING AND COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES AND STAKEHOLDERS AND SUPPORTING DIGITAL LEARNING INITIATIVES. IT'S EXCITING TO THINK THAT WE'RE ENTERING OUR SEVENTH YEAR OF THIS PARTNERSHIP. IT'S TRULY A UNIQUE COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES myON, FIRST OF ALL, TO ALL CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO GRADE 8 IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND THE GROUP, THIS GROUP OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES ALSO SERVES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND CREATES PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE HEALTH AND EDUCATION AND WELLNESS FOR ALL OF OUR COUNTY. THE MAIN GOAL OF READ ON myON FROM THE BEGINNING HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE EACH CHILD WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ALMOST 7,000 ENHANCED DIGITAL BOOKS TO ENCOURAGE READING AND INCREASE LITERACY
095RATES AND PROMOTE READING THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS TRULY BEEN AN ANCHOR AND A FOUNDATION FOR THIS PROJECT, THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH myON AND ITS DEVELOPERS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO INTEGRATE THE USE OF myON INTO OUR CLASSROOM CONTENT, THROUGH DIGITAL LITERACY TOOL KIT, CREATION OF PROJECTS, AND REALLY MAKE IT PART OF THE CURRICULUM. THESE PIECES MAKE IT A VALUABLE TOOL IN OUR CLASSROOMS AS THE NEED TO DELIVER DIGITAL CONTENT AND INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY EVER INCREASES. AND I WANT TO -- I HAVE WITH ME -- USUALLY I'M UP HERE BY MYSELF WHEN I DO THIS, BUT WE INVITED SOMEONE WHO IS ON THE FRONT LINES. THIS IS KAYLA GOSSELIN. SHE TEACHES KINDERGARTEN AT RAMPELLO. SHE WILL SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT myON FROM HER AND HER STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE. >> THE
096REAL FRONT LINES IN KINDERGARTEN, RIGHT? SO THERE'S 26 OF MY KIDS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE. I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE REALLY GIVE OUR TEACHERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS WORKING IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND HOW WE'RE USING IT IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND THIS PROJECT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME. I'M SHINING THE LIGHT A LITTLE BRIGHTER ON PEOPLE WHO LET MY KIDS SHINE AND LET ME SHINE AS A TEACHER. I HAVE USED myON IN ANY FORMAL OBSERVATIONS AND MANY POP-INS, MANY, MANY WAYS OF MY TEACHING. I HAVE AN AWESOME COWORKER WHO I COTEACH WITH WHO HAS 37 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE. SO myON IS A DIFFERENT WAY TO APPROACH LITERACY FOR HER. SO IT'S KIND OF A LEARNING PROCESS FOR BOTH OF THOSE, SOMETHING THAT IS INTERESTING FOR ME AS WELL,
097I WAS A BRAND-NEW TEACHER WHEN THE myON PROJECT WAS FIRST ROLLING OUT, SO IT WAS NEW FOR ME. IT WAS NEW FOR THE TEACHERS THAT I WAS WORKING WITH, AND TO SEE MY KIDS ACTUALLY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROJECT THEMSELVES AT FIVE AND SIX YEARS OLD IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY PRAISE AND REALLY TAKE NOTE OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO REALLY HELP THEM WHEN THEY ARE IN THIRD GRADE AND THEY ARE HAVING TO CODE ACTUAL TEXT BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING myON DOES. I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN IT. I HOPE YOU HAVE. WHEN THEY READ THEY HIGHLIGHT THE WORDS BUT ALSO POINTING OUT THINGS IN NONFICTION TEXT LIKE THE CAPTIONS AND LABELS AND THINGS WE ALWAYS HEAR IN THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE. I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN FIFTH AS
098WELL. WHY ARE THEY MISSING THE NONFICTION? WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? WHY CAN'T THEY FIGURE OUT WHERE THE CAPTION IS? THAT'S SOMETHING THAT myON HAS DONE. IT'S HIGHLIGHTED ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING TESTED ON SOME OF OUR ASSESSMENTS. SOMETHING THAT I REALLY WANTED TO MENTION, TOO, WHEN THEY SAID, COULD YOU COME AND TALK TO THEM WHAT myON MEANS TO YOU AS A TEACHER. WE AT RAMPELLO USED TO HAVE A CERTAIN SITUATION WHERE WE HAD KIDS WHO WERE CHILDREN OF PARENTS WHO WORKED IN DOWNTOWN. THAT HAS SHIFTED SINCE WE'VE BECOME CHOICE. AND SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE STARTING TO NOTICE, AT LEAST AT THE KINDERGARTEN LEVEL, IS WE'RE GETTING KIDS FROMME -- FROM SOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED HELP IN THE SOCIAL SKILLS. THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT THAT WE CAN GO INTO THEIR OWN PERSONAL ACCOUNT AND
099CREATE SOMETHING JUST FOR THEM BASED ON THEIR NEEDS. IT'S ALSO A RELATIONSHIP BOOSTER. WE SIT WITH OUR KIDS IN THE VERY BEGINNING AT FIVE AND SIX YEARS OLD, WHO SOME OF THEM HAVE NEVER SEEN A COMPUTER BEFORE. WE TEACH THEM HOW TO USE THE MOUSE, HOW TO SEARCH, AND WE'RE SEEING THE KIDS USE OUR ANCHOR CHARTS FROM AROUND THE ROOM WE MAKE TO ACTUALLY INPUT THEIR OWN SEARCHES. AND TO SEE A FIVE- AND SIX-YEAR-OLD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS FABULOUS. THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTNERS WHO SAW THIS IN OUR KIDS AND WANTED TO BRING THIS FOR EVERYBODY WHO VOTED TO SAY, YES, BRING myON TO OUR CLASSROOMS BECAUSE OUR RESOURCES ARE VERY LIMITED. THIS IS A FREE RESOURCE THAT THESE KIDS CAN USE INSIDE THE CLASSROOM, TAKE IT HOME, TEACH THEIR PARENTS. I READ
100THIS BOOK AT SCHOOL. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WOULD TAKE THE BOOK THAT MY TEACHER READ. I WANTED TO TAKE THAT BOOK AND READ IT MYSELF. THESE KIDS ARE NOW SEEING THE BOOKS WE'RE READING. THEY ARE GOING ON THE COMPUTER AND TYPING IN THAT EXACT TITLE TRYING TO FIND IT AND THEY ARE REREADING IT. THAT'S SOMETHING WE TEACH THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I THINK WE'RE SEEING THIS AT AN EARLY AGE. THE COALITION, I'M SO EXCITED THEY ARE DOING THAT IN THE SUMMERTIME BECAUSE WHEN THEY COME INTO KINDERGARTEN, THIS IS IN OUR CURRICULUM GUIDES. THE ELEMENTARY DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OF GIVING US THOSE OPTIONS IF WE SEE THAT THE RIGOR NEEDS TO BE INCREASED OR SOME INDIVIDUAL APPROACHES NEED TO HAPPEN. SO THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT. [ APPLAUSE
101] >> THANK YOU, KAYLA. AND JUST A FEW MORE THINGS -- JUST A COUPLE MORE THINGS. AS A PROJECT, WE HAVE BEEN A MODEL FOR THE NATION. WE FREQUENTLY HAVE VISITORS THAT COME IN TO SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING FROM A NUMBER OF STATES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL AROUND THE NATION. OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS ALSO CONTINUED TO WORK AROUND THE CONCEPT OF SHARING RESPONSIBILITY AND OWNERSHIP FOR READING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL AND REGULAR SCHOOLTIME, SO EXTENDED BREAKS. AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE A BIG PART OF THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES THAT'S WHEN OUR KIDS ARE WITH THEM WHEN THERE IS A BREAK OR SUMMERTIME AND HOST AS WELL. DURING THE SUMMER, OVER 230,000 BOOKS WERE OPENED. 153,000 BOOKS WERE COMPLETED, AND WE HAD TRAINING AND SUPPORT IN OVER 150 COMMUNITY SITES LAST SUMMER. WE'VE PARTNERED WITH HOSTS TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM
102PROJECTS AFTER SCHOOL. THE myON TEAM COLLABORATED WITH ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES TO PROVIDE ALIGNMENTS TO THEIR STANDARDS AND THEIR CURRICULUM. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN PROVIDED AND A KEY COMPONENT TO WORLD LANGUAGES AND THE NEW DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUT THERE. WE'VE COLLABORATED WITH ELA AND ELEMENTARY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SECOND AND THIRD-GRADE SUMMER READING CAMP. THERE WAS A PART OF THAT LAST YEAR. CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT myON HAS BEEN INTEGRATED INTO AS WELL AS HEAD START CURRICULUM. WE HOLD AN ANNUAL SUMMER READING SUMMIT. LAST YEAR, THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING HOSTED US AT AMALIE ARENA. THERE WERE OVER 40,000 ENTRIES FOR SUMMER READING EXPERIENCES JUST THIS LAST SUMMER. THE BUCS, WE HAVE A READING CHALLENGE WITH THEM. LOWRY PARK INITIATIVE, WE'VE PARTNERED WITH SENIORS IN SERVICE FROM THE CHILDREN'S BOARD TO INCREASE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
103WITH LOWRY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS. WE'VE BORROWED -- BROWSED MORE BOOKS THIS YEAR THAN IN ANY YEAR AND 6% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR, AND LOTS OF NEW ENHANCEMENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED. GOAL-SETTING FEATURES, NEW REPORTS, INTERFACES, ALL KINDS OF THINGS. AND WITH DIVERSITY IN MIND, YOU HEARD EARLIER TODAY, myON IS HOSTING OUR SECOND ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN DIGITAL READ-IN FROM FEBRUARY THE 1st TO THE 28th WITH AGE APPROPRIATE TITLES CURATED TO ALIGN TO THAT INITIATIVE, ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE. WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES ROLLING OUT THIS MONTH, HOPEFULLY, THE NEXT UPDATE FOR myON WILL HAVE A SPANISH USER INTERFACE WHERE IN THE CLICK OF A BUTTON, YOU CAN TRANSFORM THE INTERFACE INTO SPANISH WHICH WOULD MAKE IT MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE AND USER FRIENDLY FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S A LOT THAT'S HAPPENED.
104AND THERE'S AN ATTACHMENT, I THINK, I HOPE YOU TAKE A LOOK AT HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS. IT'S AMAZING WHEN WE PUT THAT TOGETHER, I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT, BUT AS YOU LOOK FROM YEAR TO YEAR, WE HIGHLIGHTED THE HISTORY OF THIS PROJECT, AND IT'S AMAZING HOW WE'VE GROWN AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN SIX YEARS. WE HAVE ALSO PUT SOME GOALS IN THERE AND SOME PLANS FOR THE FUTURE THAT WE WANT TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I THINK THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THIS AGENDA ITEM AND READ ON myON. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. AND DON'T GO ANYWHERE. MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE HIGHLIGHT AND FOR TALKING ABOUT THIS GREAT PROGRAM. TO THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, I'M SORRY, I MISSED
105YOUR NAME, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PASSION AND FOR WHAT YOU DO EACH AND EVERY DAY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REALIZE, BUT YOU'RE PREPARING THE CLASS OF 2030. WOW, RIGHT? I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PASSION AND YOUR EXCITEMENT FOR THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT ACTUALLY HAS HELPED YOU AND THE STUDENTS AS WELL. I BELIEVE, MR. MILBORN, WASN'T IT LAST YEAR WE HAD OVER A MILLION HOURS OF STUDENTS THAT READ? THAT'S JUST AMAZING. I'M SURE THAT WE'RE PROBABLY -- WE'LL PROBABLY EXCEED THAT ONCE THE SPANISH VERSION COMES IN, BECAUSE THINK ABOUT IT, THAT COULD BE A WAY OF BEING ABLE FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING STUDENTS TO LEARN ENGLISH BETTER AND BY THE SAME TOKEN, OUR ENGLISH SPEAKING STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO ALSO LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE. IT IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION. THE PARENTS, AGAIN,
106TEACHING THE PARENTS AT HOME, THEY CAN ALSO HONE IN ON THEIR SKILLS IN LEARNING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE PROGRAM MOVE FORWARD AND GROW WITH US. >> THIS IS KAYLA GOSSELIN. I WANT HER TO GET THE CREDIT SHE DESERVES. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. PLEASE DON'T GO ANYWHERE. I NEED TO MOVE DOWN TO THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT PULLED THIS FOR COMMENT FIRST. I NEED TO ASK MEMBER STUART IF YOU WOULD GO NEXT, PLEASE. AND THEN IT WILL BE MEMBER SNIVELY AND THEN WE'LL GO TO THE NAMES ON THE BOARD. >>Melissa Snively: I WANT TO FIRST THANK THE PARTNERS WHO ARE HERE AND THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM AND HELP FUND WHAT WE BRING TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ACTUALLY TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NOT JUST TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. THANK YOU ALL FOR
107YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT LITERACY AND REALGD FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IS OF UTMOST PRIORITY. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE myON FOR ANOTHER RECORD YEAR. I KNOW THAT IT'S ALL LISTED IN THIS BEAUTIFUL REPORT THAT JOHN HAS PROVIDED, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD YET ANOTHER RECORD YEAR, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. I KNOW THAT WE CONTINUE TO SET GOALS AND STRIVE TO DO BETTER AND BIGGER THINGS FOR STUDENTS. AND I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU, ALSO. WE ARE A NATIONAL MODEL IN THIS AND YOU CREATED THAT. I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO OTHER DISTRICTS WHO HAVE COME HERE AND ASKED, HOW DID YOU PUT THIS MODEL TOGETHER? I KNOW THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. I KNOW THE COLES VERY WELL, AND I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS, BUT
108IT IS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR HOW YOU BRING ALL THESE PARTNERS TOGETHER. I HAPPENED TO WALK INTO MS. WHALEY'S OFFICE LAST WEEK, AND I CAME TO SEE HER ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, AND SHE WAS ON THE PHONE AND ON THE SPEAKERPHONE AND I WAS TURNING AROUND TO LEAVE, SHE SAID, WAIT, MS. STUART, ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS JUST WALKED IN. I THOUGHT, OH, MY GOSH, WHAT IS SHE WALKING INTO. BUT IT WAS SOMEONE FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA WHO WAS VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT WE WERE DOING AND SAW THE AGENDA ITEM AND SAW THE WORK. WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL THIS HAS BEEN FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THEY ARE CALLING. THEY ARE COMING HERE, AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR US TO BE A MODEL. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE THE WONDERFUL WORK. THANK YOU FOR
109COMING FROM RAMPELLO AND SPEAKING TO THE ACTUAL WORK THAT HAPPENS IN THE CLASSROOM. WE SEE THAT. ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN myON COMES, BUT TO HAVE YOU COME AND EXPRESS HOW THIS WORKS FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS AND FOR YOU AND YOUR OTHER TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM, THAT WAS REALLY GREAT. THANK YOU, JOHN. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND THANK YOU, JOHN, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING IT AND THANK YOU, MS. GOSSELIN. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING TO MYON. I APPRECIATE THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION THAT YOU ADDED TO THE AGENDA ITEM AS WELL AS SOME OF THE LONG-TERM GOALS THAT myON HAS. I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FROM AN EVALUATIVE STANDPOINT AS A BOARD MEMBER. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE DETAILED INFORMATION AS WELL AS, THIS IS A PRETTY BIG INVESTMENT FOR
110OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT'S OVER $1.3 MILLION OF AN INVESTMENT. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DELINEATING HOW THAT MONEY IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS IS BROKEN DOWN. I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT GOES AND THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE GETTING. COULD YOU, EITHER JOHN OR DEBBIE, COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE EXPANDED SERVICES THAT THE NEW CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE WENT BACK TO NEGOTIATE, AND THEY ARE COMING BACK WITH THE SAME CONTRACT PRICE AS PREVIOUSLY, SO WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE THAT, BUT THEY ARE ALSO EXPANDING SOME SERVICES TO OUR DISTRICT. YOU ALLUDED A LITTLE BIT TO THEM, BUT I WANTED TO JUST GET A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON SOME OF THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES, WHAT THOSE WILL BE FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
111AND THEN ALSO, IF YOU COULD ALSO KIND OF TALK ABOUT HOW myON ALIGNS WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. HOW DOES IT MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH REGARD TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN? >> AS REGARD TO THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND THINGS, FROM THE BEGINNING, AS WE HAVE -- WE STARTED WITH myON WHEN THE PRODUCT WAS BEING ROLLED OUT. THE INITIAL SUCCESS OF OUR PROJECT LED THEM TO DO A LOT OF WORK WITH US. AND AS THEY WOULD BEGIN TO DEVELOP NEW PIECES, THEY WOULD COME AND WE WOULD PROVIDE FOCUS GROUPS AND FEEDBACK AND ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. AS THEY ROLLED OUT ENHANCEMENTS TO THE PRODUCT WHICH WOULD COST ANY NEWCOMER COMING TO myON ADDITIONAL PRICES TO GET THIS PIECE ADDED ON AND THIS PIECE ADDED ON, THOARPS THOSE WERE JUST
112GIVEN TO US AND ALLOWED TO HAVE THEM WITHOUT COST. ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO myON AND WE DON'T PAY FOR THAT. OUR PROJECT HAS ALWAYS BEEN K-8 OR BIRTH TO 8 IN THE COUNTY OF. BUT HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT. AND A LOT OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS YOU WILL SEE ELL STUDENTS, ESE STUDENTS, STRUGGLING READERS, THOSE KIND OF CLASSES THAT HAVE MADE USE OF myON. WE DON'T PAY FOR ANY OF THOSE ADDITIONAL SERVICES. AND SO IT'S BEEN BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP, BY AND LARGE, AND WE'RE BENEFITING THEM AND THEY ARE BENEFITING US, AND SO THEY HAVE PROVIDED A LOT OF THAT AT NO COST. THE COST, IF WE HAD TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE IS TWICE AS MUCH AS WHAT WE'RE PAYING. IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.
113IT'S BEEN A GREAT BENEFIT TO US AND IT BENEFITS THEM AS WELL. THERE IS A PIECE FOR FLUENCY AND VOCABULARY, LOTS OF THOSE PIECES AND THEY COME TO US AND WE HELP THEM WORKING ON THOSE KIND OF THINGS AND WE BENEFIT FROM THAT. >>Melissa Snively: AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE ADDED SERVICES BECAUSE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT -- HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS, AS WE WERE ABLE TO SEE FROM THE MATERIAL THAT YOU PROVIDED TO US. >> AS FAR AS THE STRATEGIC PLAN. >>Melissa Snively: CORRECT. >> AND I MENTIONED THE THREE PIECES THAT JUMPED OUT TO ME. I MENTIONED THEM FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. A STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENGAGES EVERY CHILD. CERTAINLY AS A PRODUCT, myON IS ENGAGING, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S IN AN AREA WHERE OUR KIDS ARE WITH TECHNOLOGY, BUT THE
114CONSENT IS VERY ENGAGING. AND IT IS FOR EVERY CHILD. IT IS STUDENT-CENTERED, IT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THEIR READING LEVEL AND THEIR INTEREST BEN IT RECOMMENDS BOOKS TO THEM. SO THAT'S A KEY FACTOR. IT'S ENGAGING AND COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES AND STAKEHOLDERS, ANOTHER PIECE OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS REFER BACK TO OUR PARTNERSHIP AND LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND OUR PARTNERS, OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES. THAT'S WHAT THIS WHOLE PARTNERSHIP IS ABOUT. ONE OF THE PERFORMANCE METRICS IS DIGITAL LEARNING AND DIGITAL LEARNING INITIATIVES. AND THIS CERTAINLY IS -- RESTS RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THAT. EVEN THINKING ABOUT GRADUATION RATE AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION TO ALL OF THAT? LITERACY AND READING. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS PROMOTING AT ITS VERY FOUNDATION. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU
115FOR YOUR RESPONSES. I KNOW I APPRECIATE IT AS A BOARD MEMBER. AND I THINK THE PUBLIC APPRECIATES IT, TOO, TO BE ABLE TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS INVESTING INTO LITERACY FOR STUDENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP, AND LET'S CONTINUE TO PROMOTE LITERACY TO OUR STUDENTS AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS. HELP THEM ACHIEVE SUCCESS. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY. >>Lynn Gray: JOHN, I'M SO IMPRESSED. myON HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE I BEGAN USING IT. I THINK THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU'VE ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAS MADE AN INCREDIBLE ABILITY TO CHANGE WITH THE CHANGE OF TIMES. I REMEMBER JUST USING IT AS JUST A TEACHING TOOL FOR READING, AND THIS WAS IN THE '80s, LATE '80s. BUT I WANTED TO SAY THAT THE MODEL
116THAT I SEE, AND I HOPE OUR SUPERINTENDENT TAKES NOTE, WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN PARTNERSHIPS IS THE WAY WE PAY FOR THIS, AND THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF BUY-IN. IT WORKS TWO WAYS. WE NEED THE MONEY BEWE NEED THE INTEREST. NOW WE HAVE THAT MARRIAGE. I THINK OVER AND OVER, AS WE MOVE FORWARD AT TEACHING AND LEARNING, WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL THAT THIS TYPE OF MODEL THAT YOU'VE EXECUTED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US ADOPT MORE AND MORE. WHAT I WANTED TO FIND OUT, AND THIS IS FOR OUR TEACHERS. OUR TEACHERS I KNOW LIKE THIS PROGRAM. OUR TEACHERS ARE HAPPY THAT IT'S ALIGNED WITH FSA STANDARDS. IT GOES INTO DIVERSITY AND EVEN THE AFFECTIVE AREAS OF TEAM BUILDING, GOAL SETTING AND ALL THE OTHER
117ATTRIBUTES OF A FINE LEADER. GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF TEACHERS WHO ACTUALLY USE IT, EITHER YOU CAN SAY PER WEEK OR PER MONTH, JUST SO I KNOW THE VOLUME OF THE FIDELITY? DO YOU HAVE THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION? >> THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GET YOU SPECIFICALLY. I KNOW IN WHAT I'VE PROVIDED WE'VE SAID THAT THERE WERE 90,000 USERS LAST YEAR. THAT'S UNIQUE USERS THAT LOGGED INTO THE PROGRAM. WE CERTAINLY COULD TEASE THAT OUT AND TELL YOU HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE TEACHERS. AND I WOULD SAY IN THE ELEMENTARY WORLD, IT'S GOING TO BE -- IT IS NOT GOING TO BE 100%, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY CLOSE, BECAUSE I MENTIONED THAT MANY OF OUR CONTENT AREAS HAVE INTEGRATED THE SCIENCE CALENDAR, THE SOCIAL STUDIES CALENDAR. THERE ARE
118ELA AND WRITING PIECES THAT INCLUDE myON TEXT AS PART OF THEIR CURRICULUM MAP. AND SO IF THEY ARE FOLLOWING THAT, IF THEY ARE USING IT, MOST OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE USING THOSE PIECES BECAUSE OUR SUPERVISORS HAVE INTEGRATED THAT IN. IT BECOMES A RESOURCE THAT EVERYBODY HAS. SO IN A SOCIAL STUDIES LESSON, IF THERE IS A GREAT TEXT IN myON THAT CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT EXPANSION, WE DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT FOR EVERYBODY BECAUSE IT'S THERE. IT'S IN myON. IT'S IMMEDIATELY ACCESSED BY EVERYBODY. BUT CERTAINLY, WE COULD PROVIDE YOU WITH SOME SPECIFIC NUMBERS FOR TEACHER USE. ABSOLUTELY. >>Lynn Gray: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT ANY TOOLS WE BUY SERVE THE TEACHERS' NEEDS AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE USING IT. I THINK YOU'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB. I
119DON'T WANT TO BE REDUNDANT. GROWING WITH THE TIMES, CHANGING WITH THE TIMES. CHANGING WITH THE DEMOGRAPHICS, CHANGING WITH THE FSA STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. ALL THIS IS PUT INTO THE myON. AND IT'S JUST SUCH A GREAT OUTCOME THAT WE'RE -- THAT YOU'RE SHARING WITH US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SHAMBURGER. >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION AND TO OUR WONDERFUL TEACHER FROM RAMPELLO AND FOR ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED. ONE THING ABOUT THIS DISTRICT IS WE'RE NOT A PERFECT DISTRICT, RIGHT? PEOPLE ARE VERY OPEN ABOUT LETTING US KNOW HOW IMPERFECT WE ARE. BUT -- BUT THERE'S A LOT, A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE DO PERFECTLY AND THAT WE'RE REALLY, REALLY GOOD AT, A LOT OF THINGS. MORE THINGS THAN PROBABLY
120NOT. I WOULD SAY myON IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. IT'S REALLY AWESOME WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF BOOKS. EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO. OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT. THERE'S ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF BOOKS. I THINK IT'S A REALLY, REALLY GREAT TOOL AND I'M PLEASED TO SEE THE USAGE HAS CHANGED. ONE THING I WANT TO SAY IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE MAXIMIZING THIS RESOURCE. SO I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO MS. COOK ABOUT IT AND YOU, TOO, JOHN, IF I COULD PLEASE GET SOME DATA ON THE NUMBER -- THE USAGE PER SITE, PER SCHOOL, THEIR USAGE. I THINK THAT'S REALLY CRITICAL WHEN WE LOOK AT SOME OF OUR LOWER PERFORMING SCHOOLS. IF YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT DATA, THAT WOULD REALLY HELP MAYBE SOME DEEPER ANALYSIS OF THESE SCHOOLS AND HOW WE CAN
121BETTER UTILIZE IT. MR. PETERS, THAT MAY BE GOOD DATA FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO USE TO ADD TO YOUR ARSENAL OF RESOURCES WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT OUR TURNAROUND STRATEGY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY SCHOOLS IN MY DISTRICT WHERE LITERACY MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE, THAT THEY ARE MAXIMIZING AND USING THIS myON SERVICE. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PARTNERS AND TO EVERYONE FOR THIS WONDERFUL SERVICE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO COME AND LET US HONOR YOU. SO THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 2.01, APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE OF THE PLACEMENT OF REGULAR STUDENTS. MS. GRAY HAD A COMMENT ON THIS ITEM. >>Lynn Gray: MY COMMENT COMES
122BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND PARDON ME IF -- OH, WE'RE -- 2.01 AND 2.02 I HAVE TOGETHER. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS HANDLE 2.01, 2.01 IS REGULAR STUDENTS. 2.02 IS EXCEPTIONAL. IS I APPRECIATE THIS ACTION AND WE MUST FIND THE BALANCE OF KEEPING OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL VERSUS ON THE STREETS. I WOULD LIKE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD LIKE MORE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. WE ALWAYS WANT THAT. WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT COME ABOUT TO OUR SATISFACTION. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO REVIEW, AS WE HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES WE'RE USING WITH THE ESE, SUCH AS THE CIVIL CITATION PROGRAM THAT WE'RE NOW WORKING WITH GARY WISEMAN, STATE ATTORNEY ASSISTANT. NOW, MY QUESTION IS, WE SAY THAT THE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT POPULATION IS 100% -- THIS IS NOT FROM WHAT YOU HAVE SAID, WINNIE, IT'S IN THE
123DOCUMENT. 100% FOLLOWING THE IEP. AND YET THERE ARE SEVERE CASES OF DISCIPLINE. WE CALL THEM RUNNERS. SOME OF THE KIDS ARE OUT OF CONTROL. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT I SHARED WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT WE DON'T SOMETIMES CAN'T CATCH THESE RUNNERS. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE ARE NOT SECURING WITH AN IEP, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THESE KIDS THAT WE DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO HELP? I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE THE ANSWER. BUT SUPERINTENDENT, CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND RUNNERS? MAYBE EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHAT RUNNER IS. >>Jeffrey Eakins: WE REFER TO THAT AS ELOPEMENT HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH. THAT'S KIND OF THE TECHNICAL TERM. WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT THAT IS HOW THEY EXPRESSED SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING. WE CERTAINLY HAVE PROCEDURES IN PLACE, PREVENTIVE PROCEDURES IN
124PLACE, OBVIOUSLY, THROUGH OUR SCHOOL-LEVEL SERVICES, ESE SERVICES AT OUR SCHOOL SITE, BUT THAT'S IDENTIFIED TYPICALLY IN THE IEP AND WHAT KIND OF STRATEGIES ARE GOING TO BE UTILIZED IN ORDER TO PREVENT THAT. CERTAINLY, EVERY SCHOOL, I WAS ONE INCLUDED AT THE -- AS A PRINCIPAL AND A TEACHER, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE THE ISSUE THAT PERHAPS CREATES THAT CHALLENGE FOR THAT PARTICULAR CHILD THAT DAY. YOU DO HAVE TO SOMETIMES RESPOND TO THAT. YOU THEN HAVE TO DEBRIEF, CIRCLE BACK, FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO ULTIMATELY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT CHILD IN THE MOST LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT. AND CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THAT IEP TEAM TO PROVIDE THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT CHILD IS GOING TO NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. ULTIMATELY, WE WANT TO HELP EVERY CHILD BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR
125DISTRICT. SOME CHILDREN ARE GOING TO NEED MORE SUPPORTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT THAN OTHERS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW THE LAW BUT WE ALSO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE THAT IS GIVEN TO US BY THEIR TEACHERS, THEIR PARENTS AND EVERYBODY ELSE INVOLVED IN THAT IEP TEAM. >>Lynn Gray: I APPRECIATE THE ANSWER. I ALSO APPRECIATE THE DILEMMA THAT TEACHERS FACE WHEN WE HAVE AN IEP STUDENT THAT DOES PRESENT DANGER TO THEMSELVES AS A TEACHER OR TO OTHERS AND/OR TO OTHERS -- THIS MIGHT NOT BE RESOLVED THIS EVENING -- BUT I'M NOT QUITE SATISFIED THAT OUR IEP AND THESE STUDENTS, THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE AND TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT NOT ONLY THE OTHER STUDENTS, BUT OUR TEACHERS. AND I'M VERY CONCERNED, AND WE CAN EARMARK THIS FOR LATER, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE GOING
126THROUGH, AND THIS IS McDONOUGH ELEMENTARY JUST RECENTLY. WE CAN'T IGNORE THAT THERE IS, IN FACT, A DISCONNECT, AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WE'RE MOVING ON TO 4.01, APPROVE THE PERSONNEL LIST 944. I GUESS WE'LL TAKE 4.02 ALSO BECAUSE, MS. GRAY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT FOR THOSE TWO. >>Lynn Gray: AIMPG I DO HAVE A COMMENT AS IT RELATES TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT. NOT LONG AGO, I RECEIVED CALLS AND LETTERS FROM THE SAFETY DIVISION, SAFETY SPECIALIST, NOT SCORES, BUT ENOUGH TO SHARE WITH ME THAT THERE IS MISMANAGEMENT GOING ON IN THE HIRING. I AM NOT HAPPY TO LEARN THAT SOME OF THESE FOLKS, WHICH THEY HAD PERFECT RECORDS, WERE LET GO AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS HIRED IN THEIR PLACE, YET THEIR FILES WERE NOT ANYTHING OTHER THAN PERFECT OR WHATEVER THE RIGHT ADJECTIVE
127IS FOR A FILE THAT HAS NO PROBLEMS. SO HERE THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT HAVING JOB SECURITY, AND WE HAVE NEW PEOPLE COMING IN WHO DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE SAME CERTIFICATIONS. NOW, THIS IS SAFETY. SAFETY IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME, NOT THAT I DON'T APPRECIATE CERTIFICATIONS FOR TEACHERS, BUT YOU'RE DEALING WITH ASBESTOS, OSHA, FIRE. THOSE CERTIFICATIONS ARE CRITICAL. SO WHEN WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE SPENT YEARS GETTING THEIR CERTIFICATIONS WITH QUALIFICATIONS AND ARE REPLACED BY THOSE, BY SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE AS MUCH AND YET THAT PERSON WHO IS WORKING HAS A PERFECT RECORD, I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS PARTICULAR SAFETY DIVISION. I HOPE -- I'M GOING TO TRY TO WORD THIS RIGHT -- IT'S JUST FOR, THIS IS JUST HAPPENING IN
128THIS SMALL POCKET. I HOPE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING THROUGHOUT WHEN WE HIRE NEW PEOPLE, HOW ARE WE CHECKING THEM? HOW ARE WE VETTING THEM? IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS A BOARD FOR ME TO KNOW WHO IS HIRED, WHY THEY ARE HIRED, WHAT'S THE PAY DIFFERENTIAL AND IS THERE AN EXPERIENCE, DEFICIT OR NOT? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT 55 NEW HIRES, AND I JUST HOPE THAT WE ARE -- AND I'VE GOT TO DO MORE THAN HOPE. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT WE HAVE TO HIRE WITHIN OUR OWN SCHOOL DISTRICT, I'M HOPING MORE AND MORE, THAN GOING OUTSIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE HIGH-CALIBER CERTIFIED SAFETY INSPECTORS IN THIS CASE. I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT ALONE THERE, BUT MANAGEMENT IS A CONCERN. I'M NOT -- I HAVE ANOTHER TOPIC, BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO OVER MY TIME. SO
129I'M GOING TO LEAD IT THERE. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING AWARE OF THE TIME. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. WHILE WE'RE ON THIS TOPIC, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT, IF YOU COULD, SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DIRECTOR OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY. COULD YOU KIND OF HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DIRECTOR THAT WE HAD OF THIS PARTICULAR POSITION AND WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF REPLACING THIS POSITION? IT'S OBVIOUSLY A POSITION OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, AND WITH A MULTITUDE OF RESPONSIBILITIES THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS. AND SO MY CONCERN IS WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW DO WE REPLACE THIS PERSON AND WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR REPLACING SOMEONE AND WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT NOW? >> I'LL TRY TO TAKE THAT
130QUESTION. FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN. THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR OF RISK MANAGEMENT SAFETY RETIRED BEFORE THE DIVISION CAME UNDER MY LEADERSHIP. THAT WAS ANNOUNCED THERE. RIDER BEFORE WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE DIVISION. AT THAT TIME, WE ADVERTISED THE POSITIONS THAT CAME OUT. TWO PEOPLE SELECTED IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. THE MISINFORMATION I WAS LITERALLY WRITING AN E-MAIL TO YOU AND I'LL MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE E-MAIL TO SO YOU HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION SO YOU DON'T HEAR THE MISINFORMATION. THE FIRST RESPONDERS WE HEARD TONIGHT AND THE LIES ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS IS DISTURBING TO ME. I KNOW WE DON'T RESPOND TO PUBLIC COMMENT. SOMEONE AS MR. CULPEPPER IN CHARGE OF FIRE AND SAFETY, PE TEACHER WAS AS FIRST RESPONDER. HE WENT TO -- HE WAS HURT ON THE JOB AND COULD NO LONGER BE A FIREFIGHTER.
131HE GRADUATED FROM ARMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HIS LIFE BUT DECIDED TO GO BACK TO ARMWOOD TO BE AN ASSISTANT COACH BECAUSE HE COULD NO LONGER BE A FIREFIGHTER. THE FIRE COLLEGE TALKS ABOUT FIREFIGHTER INSPECTIONS. HE'S ALSO CERTIFIED TO BE APPARATUS AND FIRE OFFICIAL, BY THE FIRE COLLEGE BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. SO THE IDEA THAT HE ALLUDED TO THAT HE HAS NO QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION IS REMARKABLE TO ME BECAUSE THE FACTS ARE THERE AND THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE INFORMATION. I WILL ATTACH THIS TO THE DOCUMENTATION I SENT TO THE BOARD WHICH SHOWS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THERE IS A REGISTRY JUST LIKE A TEACHERS CERTIFICATE, THAT SHOWS WHAT CERTIFIED IN. HE'S CERTIFIED AS A BUILDING OFFICIAL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE WHEN HE HURT HIS KNEE AND
132COULDN'T BE ON A 911 CALL, DIDN'T MEAN TO BREAK HIPAA. HE HAD TO FIND ANOTHER POSITION. YOU DON'T KEEP UP YOUR TEACHING CERTIFICATE. HE NO LONGER COULD BE A FIREFIGHTER. HE DID NOT DO THE COURSES TO DO THAT. THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS ALREADY GIVEN HIM CREDIT FOR THREE OF THE COURSES. HE'S COMPLETED TWO. FINISH THE NEXT ONE NEXT MONTH. YOU DON'T KEEP UP YOUR CERTIFICATIONS FOR A JOB YOU NO LONGER COULD DO. HE DIDN'T LOSE THE KNOWLEDGE OR THE TRAINING HE WENT THROUGH IN FIRE COLLEGE. HE WILL HAVE THE CERTIFICATION OF FIRE OFFICIAL IN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. I DON'T MEAN TO PUT PRESSURE BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLINE COURSES. IT'S CLEAR HIS EXPERIENCE MAKES HIM A QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THAT POSITION. THE PERSON IN CHARGE, THE DIRECTOR WE HIRED, EIGHT-PERSON PANEL WITH
133ALL THE COMMITTEES, ALL THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY IT. HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION, HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION. BUILDING CODE INSPECTOR, IMPORTANT POSITIONS THAT DEAL WITH THE SAFETY OFFICE AND HAVE DEALT WITH THE SAFETY OFFICE FOR YEAR. WE SELECTED AN INDIVIDUAL. ATTORNEY. THAT EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH INSURANCE. THEREFORE WE FELT WE HAD THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. SOMEONE TO HANDLE THE FIRE PART OF THE JOB AND SOMEONE WITH THE BACKGROUND INSURANCE. AS YOU KNOW, IN HR -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE SKILL SET WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WHERE WE WERE GOING AS A DISTRICT. WE HAVE THE ABILITY WITHIN THE FIRST 97 DAYS TO TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT AND WE CHOSE TO DO THAT FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL. WE HAVE NOT REHIRED FOR THAT JOB FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. THE FIRST IS TO HAVE STABILITY WITHIN
134THAT DIVISION. MS. GRAY ALLUDED TO A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE THERE. I'LL BE HONEST, BOTH OF YOU KNOW ME. I'VE STRUGGLED WITH SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE FOUND THAT I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH AS A SAFETY DEPARTMENT, RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE WITHIN THAT DIVISION. I DON'T THINK THROWING THE DISTRICT UNDER THE BUS TO SAVE MYSELF, THAT'S NOT WHO I HAVE EVER BEEN NOR EVER WILL BE. PLEASE, BEFORE YOU GET BEHIND SOMEONE AND TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT THEY ARE, PLEASE MAKE SURE I GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU INFORMATION THAT WOULD HELP YOU SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE IN THAT AREA. FIRST, THE FIRST RESPONDER THAT'S BEEN THROUGH FIRE COLLEGE IS A FIRE OFFICIAL AND WILL HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION BACK UP FOR HIM WILL BE THERE. THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL, I
135DON'T PLAN ON HIRING THE POSITION IN THE CURRENT STATE OF BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS, I DON'T THINK IT IS A SMART DECISION TO HAVE. SOMETHING IMPORTANT YOU NEED TO KNOW AS A DISTRICT. FOR OUR LIABILITY CASES JIM MURMAN -- HAS REPRESENTED THE DISTRICT FOR OVER 40 YEARS. WHY WE HAD A DIRECTOR FOR SAFETY AND CASE MANAGEMENT, BROAD SPIRE, THE COMPANY THAT SERVES TTHE WORKMEN'S COMP CASE AND JIM MURMAN, ATTORNEY OVER 40 YEARS. HE STILL GETS THE CASES THAT GO TO HIM. JIM MURMAN IS THE EXPERT IN THAT AREA. MOST PEOPLE YOU ASK IN THE CITY, WILL TELL YOU HE'S AN EXPERT IN THE AREA. HE'S STILL THERE. WE ALSO HAVE FIRST FLORIDA INSURANCE BROKERS WHO HELP US WITH THE POLICIES WE HAVE FOR GENERAL LIABILITY. THEY WORKED WITH US FOR OVER TEN YEARS. THEY ARE STILL THERE.
136WE HAVE EXPERTS AT EACH ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT HELP US TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. THERE'S NO ONE THAT'S AN EXPERT IN WORKMEN'S COMP, LIABILITY, FIRE OFFICIAL, ALL THOSE THINGS WITH ASBESTOS ABATEMENT. ASBESTOS ABATEMENT IS ANOTHER TOPIC INTERESTING BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL THAT DID ASBESTOS ABATEMENT THREE YEARS AGO, FIVE YEARS AGO IS STILL DOING IT RIGHT NOW AT THE SAME SALARY IN THE SAFETY DEPARTMENT. I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE GAP IS. I KNOW WHERE THE MISINFORMATION IS COMING FROM, BUT THE IDEA THAT A FIRST RESPONDER WHO WENT AND WALKED IN FIRES FOR TEN YEARS DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY. I WAS EMBARRASSED WE HAVE SOMEONE UP THERE CREATING LICE ABOUT FIRST RESPONDER. CREATING LIES ABOUT FIRST RESPONDER. I HAVE FULL FAITH. HE WENT THROUGH THE FIRE COLLEGE AND HAS EVERY CERTIFICATION. HE WILL RENEW BECAUSE IT
137DID LAPSE WHEN HE WAS TEACHING IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. NOW I THINK -- I'LL PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION, BECAUSE I KNOW ME SPEAKING IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE, BUT I'LL PROVIDE YOU THE DOCUMENTATION. IT'S DEFINITELY DISHEARTENING TO HEAR THE LIES AND TO HEAR THE IDEA THAT SOME PEOPLE BOUGHT INTO THOSE LIES. >>Melissa Snively: OKAY, WOW. MR. FARKAS, YOU ARE A FAST TALKER. I DON'T APPRECIATE THE DEFENSIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ME EITHER. BECAUSE I ONLY ASK YOU THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO -- ASKED YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR RISK AND SAFETY DIRECTOR. I DIDN'T ASK YOU ANYTHING ABOUT MR. CULPEPPER EXCEPT WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN TO REPLACE. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE NOT REPLACING THAT PERSON, IS THAT CORRECT? >>Christopher Farkas: I APOLOGIZE IF I CAME OFF DEFENSIVE TOWARDS YOU. IT WAS THE SPEAKER. MS.
138SNIVELY I APOLOGIZE. THE REASON I WENT TO MR. CULPEPPER, HE WAS THE ACTING -- >>Melissa Snively: IT'S OKAY. JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION. THANK YOU. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO ELABORATE THAT MUCH. I ASKED REALLY SIMPLE QUESTIONS AND ALL I WANTED TO KNOW WAS THE ANSWER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MOVING TO ITEM 4.02, APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS, TRANSFER, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS. I AM SO SORRY. I WAS MOVING ON. MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. MR. FARKAS, I DON'T NEED ANY DOCUMENTATION. THAT'S DAY-TO-DAY, YOU DO THE HIRING THROUGH HR, WE APPROVE AND DENY THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS. SO THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU. I HEARD THE CONVERSATION IN THE BACK. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DOCUMENTATION. I THINK THAT'S FAIR TO ASK. I DISAGREE
139RESPECTFULLY, MS. VALDES. BUT I AM VERY GLAD THAT YOU ADDRESSED SOME OF THE MISSTATEMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE AND SOME OF THE COMMENTS BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE AND THE BOARD MEMBERS IN OUR WAY OF WORK, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CORRECT MISINFORMATION WHEN IT'S BROUGHT FORWARD BECAUSE THAT'S HOW MISINFORMATION SPREADS AND THAT'S HOW WE LET SOME THINGS GET AWAY FROM US. FRANKLY, I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSE AND THE INFORMATION, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT BACKUP DOCUMENTATION, TOO. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: AT THIS TIME, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS. >>Jeffrey Eakins: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. HARRIS. ON 4.02A THIS EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS, I HAVE FOUR PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENTS. THESE FOUR PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENTS WERE AT THE FOUR SCHOOLS THAT AS I WAS ENGAGING THE STATE BOARD THAT THEY DIRECTED ME TO MAKE PRINCIPAL MOVES AT. I DO WANT
140TO -- I'LL ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENTS AND MAKE A COUPLE OF STATEMENTS AFTERWARDS SO YOU CAN KIND OF UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR NEW PRINCIPALS AND THEN OUR CURRENT PRINCIPALS THAT ARE AT THOSE PARTICULAR SITES. I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT TWANITA MARTINEZ, CURRENTLY THE SUPERVISOR OF TITLE ONE IN ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS WILL SERVE AS PRINCIPAL AS DOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. LAURA, CURRENTLY AN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COACH AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL SERVE AS PRINCIPAL OF MANGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. TERRY HAWTHORNE, CURRENTLY A HUMAN RESOURCE PARTNER, HUMAN RESOURCES -- IN HUMAN RESOURCES WILL SERVE AS PRINCIPAL OF PALM RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. DEBBIE MILLS, CURRENTLY THE ELEMENTARY GENERALIST IN THE OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING WILL SERVE AS PRINCIPAL OF PIZZO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AFTER MY PRESENTATION TO THE STATE BOARD, I ENGAGED THE COMMISSIONER
141AND THE CHANCELLOR AROUND THE DECISION THAT I WAS DIRECTED TO MAKE THE CHANGES AT THESE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS. I FELT LIKE IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO SHOW THAT ANY CHANGES WE WOULD MAKE WOULD BE OF LEADERS WHO HAD BEEN IN VERY SIMILAR SITUATIONS AT THESE CURRENT SCHOOLS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES IN AND HAD GREAT AMOUNTS OF SUCCESS. ALL THE NAMES OF THE PRINCIPALS THAT I'M APPOINTING TONIGHT HAVE GONE INTO SCHOOLS, EITHER A SCHOOL THAT HAS A GRADE LOWER THAN A C, EITHER A D OR F AND MOVED THE SCHOOL TO A C OR HIGHER. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE CURRENT TURNAROUND SCHOOLS. I DID ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE CURRENT PRINCIPALS, BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN GREAT PROGRESS BEING MADE THIS YEAR AT THOSE SCHOOLS AND THE DATA WAS REFLECTING THAT PARTICULAR PROGRESS.
142I'M STILL WORKING WITH THE STATE ON OUR FINAL RESOLUTION. CURRENTLY, THOSE PRINCIPALS WILL BE MAINTAINED AT THOSE SITES IN A SUPPORT ROLE. WE FELT LIKE THE CONTINUITY, ESPECIALLY LEADING INTO THE LAST 40 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FSA IS CRITICAL THAT THE LEADER WHO HAS THE RELATIONSHIPS, WHO HAS THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DATA AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE, MAINTAINS THEIR ROLE AT THAT PARTICULAR SITE AND SUPPORT ROLE FOR THE NEW PRINCIPAL. YESTERDAY, IN KNOWING THAT TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION WAS COMING TO THE BOARD, WE DID GO OUT TO ALL FOUR OF THE SCHOOLS AND EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP. THERE IS A NEW PRINCIPAL THAT WILL BE RECOMMENDED TOMORROW. THAT IS TODAY, FOR YOUR SCHOOL. WE EXPLAINED WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP OF THAT CURRENT PRINCIPAL IS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF COLLABORATING WITH THE CURRENT LEADER ON EVALUATIONS,
143ULTIMATELY HAVING FINAL DECISION MAKING AT THOSE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS. BUT WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND WE KNOW THE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS AND SUPPORT THAT OUR CURRENT LEADERS AT THOSE SCHOOLS WERE PROVIDING. WE ALSO EXPLAINED TO THE STAFF THAT THOSE CURRENT PRINCIPALS WOULD MAINTAIN THEIR PRESENCE AT THAT SCHOOL, WORKING WITH THE NEW INCOMING PRINCIPAL TO BE ABLE TO ULTIMATELY TAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE THIS YEAR. AND WE KNOW THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE SEEING AT THOSE SCHOOLS. WE'RE ANTICIPATING A C OR HIGHER. WE FEEL LIKE OUR SCHOOLS NEED CONFIDENCE RIGHT NOW. OUR TEACHERS NEEDED TO HEAR THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT AT THE FOUR SCHOOLS. THE FOUR LEADERS COMING IN SERVING AS THE PRINCIPAL AT THOSE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN IN THESE SHOES BEFORE, AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE WORK THAT IT TAKES, BUT WE
144ALSO KNOW YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY THE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE PROGRESS THAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING AT THOSE SCHOOLS. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND. ONCE AGAIN, I'M STAYING IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE CHANCELLOR AND THE COMMISSIONER ON ALL OF THIS AS AS WE MOVE FORWARD. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, AND I UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR KEEPING THOSE PRINCIPALS THERE. THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE IN VERY, VERY, VERY TIGHT TIMES FINANCIALLY. AND I HAVE VOTED AGAINST CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS FOR A REASON. JUST LIKE WITH QUALITY TEACHERS CONTRIBUTING TO A STUDENT'S SUCCESS, I UNDERSTAND THAT QUALITY LEADERS ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT SUCCESS. I KNOW THAT YOU WITH OUR VAM THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS AT THE SCHOOLS. WE'VE HAD THAT CONVERSATION. THAT BEING SAID AND UNDERSTANDING THAT FSA IS
145COMING, UNDERSTANDING THE RATIONALE, I'M STILL DOING THE MATH AND IT'S STILL A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY TO HAVE TWO ADMINISTRATORS AT ONE SCHOOL, DO YOU HAVE A SOLID PLAN IN PLACE FOR THE END OF THAT TIME FRAME THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US? >>Jeffrey Eakins: ONE THING TO BE CLEAR, THERE IS NO SALARY SHIFT WITH ANY OF THESE PARTICULAR MOVES. AND HERE'S HOW THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. ALL FOUR OF THE CURRENT POSITIONS, INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BEING APPOINTED TONIGHT ARE ALL IN DISTRICT LEVEL POSITIONS. THEIR POSITIONS WILL NOT BE BACKFILLED DURING THIS TIME. THE SALARIES THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW WILL BE MAINTAINED IN THEIR CURRENT ROLE. AND WE ARE NOT FILLING ANY OTHER POSITIONS. SO THERE WILL BE NO SALARY SHIFT OR INCREASE AS FAR AS THE DISTRICT IS CONCERNED DURING THIS PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME. >>April
146Griffin: IS THE MOVE PUTTING SOME PEOPLE BACK NO A SCHOOL SITE? OKAY. SO IT'S A WASH AS FAR AS THAT'S CONCERNED. NOW, GOING THE NEXT STEP, THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE WHO ARE THEN BACKFILLING THEIR JOBS, AND PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THAT. TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOW GOING INTO THE SCHOOL SITE. SO IT'S A WHOLE RIPPLE EFFECT. WE KNOW WHEN SOME BIG SHIFT LIKE THIS TAKES PLACE. I KNOW THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE WORK ON THE BACKS OF SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES. HOW IS THAT -- AND I DON'T NEED THE DETAILS NOW, BUT I'M ASKING THE QUESTION FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT, BUT HO HOW IS ALL OF THAT GOING TO BE DEALT WITH AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR FUTURE MOVES, TOO? I KNOW THERE
147ARE A LOT OF DECISIONS MADE WHERE SOME ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS ARE CONCERNED. I WANT TO GIVE YOU THAT AS FOOD FOR THOUGHT. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SUPERINTENDENT, SINCE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC OF APPOINTMENTS, I AGREE WITH MS. GRIFFIN ABOUT APPRECIATING THE INFORMATION BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US BECAUSE BY LAW IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS BOARD MEMBERS TO APPROVE YOUR APPOINTMENTS AND APPROVE YOUR JOB DESCRIPTIONS TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION AHEAD OF TIME. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST IS WHEN YOU'RE BRINGING US APPOINTMENTS, THE PROCESS OR THE WAY OF WORK HAS BEEN TO SAVE THE APPOINTMENT INFORMATION UNTIL RIGHT BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING, MAYBE THE DAY BEFORE, A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING, WHICH DOESN'T GIVE BOARD MEMBERS MUCH TIME TO TAKE A
148LOOK AT THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS. IS THERE A WAY WE COULD GET THAT INFORMATION FURTHER AHEAD OF TIME, MAYBE WITH A JOB DESCRIPTION, WITH THE CREDENTIALS OR QUALIFICATIONS OF THAT INDIVIDUAL SO WE CAN COMPARE AND BE ABLE TO HAVE BETTER INFORMATION FOR APPROVING OR NOT APPROVING THE APPOINTMENTS THAT COME TO THE BOARD? >>Jeffrey Eakins: ABSOLUTELY, MS. SNIVELY. I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BOARD FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH ANY APPOINTMENT I BRING TO THE BOARD. WE'VE HAD VERY FEW ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS. TYPICALLY PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENTS OR AP APPOINTMENTS. THAT JOB DESCRIPTION IS STATIC AS FAR AS THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND PRINCIPAL AT THE SCHOOL. WE CAN GIVE YOU BIOS, GIVE YOU INFORMATION. I CERTAINLY CAN MAKE SURE THE BOARD HAS INFORMATION PRIOR TO THAT SO YOU CAN KIND OF
149-- >>Melissa Snively: GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE HAVE NOT HAD VERY MANY ISSUES WHERE WE HAD TO TABLE AN APPOINTMENT. I THINK IT'S BETTER FOR US TO BE AWARE BECAUSE IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS BOARD MEMBERS TO APPROVE THOSE APPOINTMENTS THAT YOU BRING TO US. THAT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY FOR US. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION SO WE CAN FEEL BETTER WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU BRING TO THE BOARD WITH THOSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SUPERINTENDENT, I'M CURIOUS, THESE APPOINTMENTS TECHNICALLY AT THESE FOUR SCHOOLS WOULD BE UNTIL JULY 1? CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EVALUATION PROCESS AT THIS SCHOOL AND WHO WILL ACTUALLY BE DOING THAT EVALUATION PROCESS. I KNOW YOU AND I HAD AN OFF-LINE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT
150A LITTLE BIT. >>Jeffrey Eakins: EVERY CONTRACT IS ANNUAL. SO EVERYTHING WILL BE REVIEWED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE YEAR FOR ALL OF OUR POSITIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS, SO THAT WILL BE KIND OF HOW WE HANDLE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH TO JULY 1. BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR, AS WE TALK TO OUR TEACHERS TODAY, THE FOUR SCHOOLS TO UNDERSTAND. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE CURRENT PRINCIPAL WILL SERVE IN A COLLABORATIVE ROLE WITH A NEW PRINCIPAL COMING IN. THAT PERSON ALONG WITH ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL HAVE CONDUCTED ALL THEIR EVALUATIONS LEADING UP TO THIS TIME OF YEAR. BE FAIR TO ALL OUR TEACHERS IN THOSE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RIGHT INFORMATION IS PASSED, THE TIMING, ANYTIME ONCE YOU START THE YEAR AND MAKING ANY KIND OF ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES, THAT CREATES GREAT ANGST
151FOR OUR TEACHERS. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE CONTINUITY WAS THERE WITH THE LEADERSHIP, THE OBSERVATION, THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEACHER AND THEIR EXPERTISE AND THAT COULD BE TRANSFERRED THROUGH THE COLLABORATION WITH THE NEW PRINCIPAL. >>Cindy Stuart: MY LAST REQUEST WOULD BE -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO ADD THIS TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE MOVES AND HOW THIS WILL LOOK AND WORK, PLUS THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP IN PLACE, BRING US AN UPDATE IN A FRIDAY REPORT, DETAILS OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DIFFICULT AT THE SCHOOL SITES THAT THESE LEADERS ARE GOING TO BRING FORWARD AND WHAT THEY SEE AS NEEDING TO BE DIFFERENT. >>Jeffrey Eakins: ABSOLUTELY. AND WE WILL ADD IT TO TURNAROUND UPDATE. IN THE ELEVATE SECTION OF THE SUSPENDED AGENDA, AT THE WORKSHOP THE OTHER DAY,
152WE KIND OF MORPHED IT INTO ELEVATE, SLASH, TURNAROUND UPDATE. WE'LL MAKE SURE WE INCLUDE SOME OF THE COMMENTS DURING THAT TIME. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AT THE END OF THE BOARD WORKSHOP THE OTHER DAY, WE LOST QUORUM, WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY TAKE A VOTE AND PUT THAT ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. AT THIS TIME, WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TAKE THOSE ITEMS THAT WERE SIMILAR TO THE ELEVATE SCHOOLS, I THINK IT WAS ITEM 4 AND 7, AND CREATE AN UPDATE ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA ON THE TURNAROUND SCHOOLS. >>Jim Porter: THERE ARE TWO WAYS FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO PLACE ITEMS ON AGENDA, BY FORMAL VOTE OR CONSENSUS. I THINK THE AGREEMENT OF THE THREE MEMBERS LEFT WAS THAT IT WOULD BE ON
153THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. THE SUPERINTENDENT AGREED. YOU MAY MAKE A MOTION TO FORMALIZE IT, BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT AGREED AND BOARD MEMBERS THAT WERE PRESENT WERE UNANIMOUS IN REFLECTING IT TO BE ON. I THINK THE SUPERINTENDENT'S INTENT IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. >>Melissa Snively: FOR PUBLIC RECORD, I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO FORMALIZE THE MOTION. I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION TO DO THAT. >>Sally Harris: ALL RIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER SNIVELY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER STUART TO PUT THIS ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. IS THERE DISCUSSION? >>Jim Porter: I THINK THE MOTION WOULD INCLUDE THE COMMENTS THAT MS. STUART MADE AS WELL, AND THAT WOULD BE THE SUPERINTENDENT AGREED TO THAT AS WELL. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: COULD SOMEONE PLEASE BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE WHAT WE'RE VOTING
154ON? >>Jim Porter: AT THE WORKSHOP ON TURNAROUND SCHOOLS, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT PUTTING THE STATUS, AS TIME PROGRESSES, THE PROGRESS OF TURNAROUND SCHOOLS AND A CONSTANT UPDATE ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. MS. STUART TODAY JUST ASKED THAT IN PARTICULAR PRINCIPALS, IN THE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS BE INCLUDED IN THAT SO ALL WRAPPED UP INTO THAT. >>Sally Harris: ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. THANK YOU. IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. MOVING TO ITEM 4.03, APPROVE TEACHERS CONSIDERED OUT OF FIELD. MS. GRAY, YOU HAD A COMMENT. >>Lynn Gray: YES, I DO. THIS IS JUST A COMMENT AND A QUESTION FOR MS. WHALEN. WE UNDERSTAND TEACHERS ARE BEING CONSIDERED OUT OF FIELD AND WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT THE BEST EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIP FOR STUDENT LEARNING. CAN YOU JUST SHARE WHAT THE STEPS ARE THAT YOU
155ACTUALLY TAKE TO KEEP TEACHERS IN THE FIELD THAT THEY ARE TEACHING? >> SO WHEN PRINCIPALS ARE MAKING THOSE ASSIGNMENTS, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CREDENTIALS FOR THE TEACHERS. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS ON HERE IS ALSO RECEIVING HER ESE CERTIFICATION ALONG WITH THE SUBJECT AREA CERTIFICATION, SO THAT'S TAKING TWO PARTICULAR AREAS THAT SHE HAS TO FOCUS ON. IF THEY ARE NOT ALREADY GRADUATING FROM A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WITH ESOL DO MY AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE 63 TOTAL ON THIS AGENDA ITEM, YOU WILL SEE THAT 30 OF THOSE ALONE ARE TO RECEIVE THE ESOL ENDORSEMENT. THOSE ARE ALL REQUIREMENTS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE GIVE THE TEACHERS THE YEAR TO BE ABLE TO EARN THOSE THINGS, WORK WITH THEM AROUND GETTING THOSE SUBJECT AREA CERTIFICATIONS. WITHOUT HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY AND OPTION,
156THIS IS ANOTHER 63 POTENTIAL VACANCIES THAT WE WOULD HAVE FOR OUR STUDENTS IN NOT HAVING TEACHERS THAT WERE ABLE TO BE IN FRONT OF OUR STUDENTS. THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO EARN THOSE ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE BASED ON THE ASSIGNMENT. >>Lynn Gray: I APPRECIATE THAT ANSWER BECAUSE OVER AND OVER, I KNOW WE WANT BETTER PERFORMANCE IN ALL THE REALM OF EDUCATION, BUT WITHOUT AN IN-FIELD SUBJECT AREA TEACHER, IT DOES CREATE A DEFICIT. AND KELLY SUBS DO NOT MAKE IT. I WAS SO SADDENED TO HEAR THAT ONE OF THE SULPHUR SPRINGS PRINCIPALS SAID THAT ONE OF THE KELLY SUBS WAS BETTER THAN THE TEACHER THAT WAS IN THE CLASSROOM. NOTHING AGAINST KELLY SUBS, MY BROTHER IS ONE. WE JUST HAVE TO STEP UP OUR GAME. AND I REALLY THINK,
157SUPERINTENDENT, WE NEED TO LOOK AND SHARE WHAT WHEARS -- WHAT WE DOING OUTSIDE THE BOX TO KEEP TEACHERS IN THE FIELD IN THE CLASSROOMS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. >> CAN I ADDRESS ONE PIECE OF THAT? RELATED TO OUR LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENTS WITH KELLY SUBS, ALL OF OUR KELLY SUBS IN LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENTS HAVE BACHELOR DEGREES. SO THEY HAVE THAT CREDENTIALING, SO TO SPEAK. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I PUBLICLY MENTION THAT BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT AS WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND TEACHERS AS WELL. >>Lynn Gray: ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW TAKE ITEM 6.01 AND 13.01 TOGETHER, APPROVE THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED IN DECEMBER 31st, 2017. THIS ITEM IS BEING HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER GRAY, AND MER SNIVELY. 13.01 IS THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL POSITION
158REPORTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017. MS. GRETCHEN SAUNDERS, CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >>Gretchen Saunders: THANK YOU, MRS. HARRIS. AGAIN, WE WANTED TO BRING YOU ITEM 6.01, THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS. AS A REMINDER, THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS, EVERY MONTH WE BRING THEM TO YOU AS WE'RE MOVING MONEY AROUND IN EACH OF THE FUNDS. THE ONE WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AND QUESTIONS WE HAD WAS REALLY REVOLVED AROUND THE SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT. PAGE 10 OF 14 ON THE AGENDA ITEM, YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE RECEIVED IN MONIES OR NEW BUDGETS FOR TURNAROUND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, TITLE ONE FUNDS, TITLE THREE, SCHOOL READINESS, QUICK RESPONSE, TECHNOLOGIES, ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH. SO ALL THE TIME WE'RE RECEIVING MONEY COMING IN THAT WE HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR. BUT THAT'S ALL BROKEN DOWN AND WE HAVE THE CLIFF-NOTE VERSION BEHIND EACH PIECE OF
159INFORMATION. ITEM 13.01 IS AN INFORMATION ITEM. THIS IS A BASIC OVERVIEW OF EACH OF THE FUNDS OR THE CHECKBOOK. WE HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REVENUE. ONE OF THE THINGS WHAT IT WE WANT THE COMMUNITY AND FOLKS TO REMEMBER IS WHEN WE'RE BUILDING THE BUDGET, THE BUDGET IS PREPARED USING A MODIFIED TRUE BASIS OF COMING TO. WHAT THAT -- ACCOUNTING. WHAT THAT MEANS, WHEN THE REVENUE IS RECEIVED, IT'S RECOGNIZED. WHEN THE EXPENDITURES HAPPEN, THEY ARE RECOGNIZED. SO WHEN WE BUILD THE BUDGET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, IF WE DO NOT HAVE AWARD NOTIFICATIONS OF A GRANT COMING IN, WE DO HAVE THE FEFP INFORMATION FROM THE STATE ONCE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS, WE BUILD THE BUDGET AROUND THAT. IF WE JUST HAVE THE GRANTS OFFICE MAY HAVE APPLIED FOR GRANTS, YOU'RE NOT
160GOING TO SEE THAT IN THE BUDGET, BECAUSE IT BUILDS THE BUDGET AND THE NUMBERS MAY NOT COME IN. WE HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, AND THIS IS DEFINED ALSO, STEPHANIE HEATEN AND THE TEAM PUT TOGETHER THE POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT THAT WE BROUGHT TO YOU IN DECEMBER. THIS GIVES THE SNAPSHOT VERSION OF THE PAFR, THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT, AND IT BREAKS IT DOWN MORE INTO THE BASICS OF WHAT MAKES UP ALL THE FUNDS IN THE DISTRICT. GENERAL FUNDS. STUDENT NUTRITION SERVICES, DEBT SERVICE, CAPITAL PROJECTS AND OUR OTHER, WHICH IS OUR INSURANCE FUND. BUT AGAIN, THAT'S ON THE WEBSITE. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS. AND ADDITIONALLY, UNDER ITEM 13.01, WE TBREAK BREAK IT DOWN FURTHER IN THE BACK OF THE DOCUMENT. SO WE HAVE CHARTS OF AND -- CHARTS AND GRAPHS THAT BREAK DOWN, SALARY
161AND BENEFITS, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, PART OF OUR ELECTRICITY, ALL OF THAT IS BROKEN DOWN IN THE CHARTS IN MORE DETAIL. WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING LOTS OF CALLS FROM THE COMMUNITY HELPING PEOPLE, SENDING THEM INFORMATION, SENDING THEM TO THE WEBSITE. SO THE WORD IS GETTING OUT THAT IT'S OUT THERE. WE JUST ARE EXPLAINING IT A LOT BETTER TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE AS WE'RE WRITING THIS AS FINANCE GEEKS, WE UNDERSTAND IT. WE USE THE ACRONYMS LEFT AND RIGHT. AS WE'RE LEARNING, WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND SHARE MORE DETAIL. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY, YOU WERE DOWN FOR A COMMENT. >>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MS. SAUNDERS. MY COMMENT IS ARE WE IN A MORE FAVORABLE POSITION MONETARILY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL AND/OR NONINSTRUCTIONAL PAY ON THE ONSET OF THIS DOCUMENT? >>Gretchen Saunders: THESE FINANCIALS AS OF DECEMBER 31st.
162AS OF DECEMBER 31st, EVERY YEAR IN THE PAST WE HAVE RECEIVED THE FLORIDA EDUCATION FINANCE PROGRAM THIRD CALCULATION. BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANE THAT HAPPENED IN -- THIS YEAR, WE HAD A SECOND SURVEY OR A THIRD CHEEKS IN THE SEAT COUNT FOR DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE. AS OF DECEMBER 31st, WE HAD NOT RECEIVED THAT INFORMATION. WE JUST RECEIVED IT IN JANUARY, WHICH NEXT BOARD MEETING YOU'LL SEE THE JANUARY FINANCIALS, ALL THAT TO SAY WE WENT DOWN IN FUNDING. SO WE ARE $5.9 MILLION LESS IN FUNDING AS OF JANUARY THAN WE DID WHEN WE BUILT THE BUDGET IN JULY. SO MANY DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE DOWN IN REVENUE BECAUSE OF THAT. WE AGAIN WILL HAVE ANOTHER FTE CALCULATION OR FTE SURVEY COMING UP AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO TURN OUR NUMBERS IN AGAIN TO
163SEE HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT OUT THERE. THAT IS AN ONGOING QUESTION THAT WE CAN ANSWER, BUT AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO MAKE UP FOR THE $6 MILLION. >>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MS. SAUNDERS. SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, HAVE THESE BUDGET AMENDMENTS IMPACTED INSTRUCTION IN ANY WAY AS WE HAVE NOW BEEN SAYING THAT WE HAVE LESS -- HAVE YOU HAD ANY IMPACT -- HAS THIS RESULTED IN ANY IMPACT TO INSTRUCTION? >>Jeffrey Eakins: I DON'T THINK AS FAR AS ANYTHING THAT OCCURRED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WITH THE BUDGET, I DON'T BELIEVE SO, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE $6 MILLION REDUCTION THAT WE RECEIVED AS A PRORATION DEFINITELY CREATES A STRUGGLE FOR US GETTING TO THAT FINISH LINE THAT WE SET GOALS FOR. WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN. OBVIOUSLY,
164WE'VE RELEASED ALL OF THE SUPPLY MONEY OUT TO OUR SCHOOLS. WE HAVEN'T RESTRICTED ANY OF THAT THIS YEAR. EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS LOOKING AT DISTRICT-LEVEL BUDGETS AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE KEEP THINGS VERY, VERY TIGHT MOVING FORWARD SO IT DOESN'T IMPACT THE CLASSROOM OR THE SCHOOL. >>Lynn Gray: I'M GLAD YOU PHRASED IT THAT WAY. I WANT TO KEEP A CONTINUAL LOOK AT HOW OUR BUDGET IS IMPACTING INSTRUCTION, GOOD OR BAD, BUT I DEFINITELY THINK THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR BUDGET AS IT RELATES TO THEIR ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY INSTRUCT IN THE CLASSROOM AND NONINSTRUCTIONAL. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR CONTINGENCY FUND. ON PAGE 3 OF
16510, THE FUND BALANCE AS OF 7/1, 2017, 140,774,025. AND THEN IT SAYS, THE FUND BALANCE OF 12/31, 243,852,104. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR, BECAUSE WE DON'T KEEP OUR CONTINGENCY MONEY OUT OF A SEPARATE FUND. IT'S ALL IN ONE GENERAL FUND. SO WHEN THE PUBLIC LOOKS AT THIS, THEY MAY LOOK AT IT AND INTERPRET IT AS, OH, OUR FUND BALANCE IS $243 MILLION BECAUSE THAT MONEY HASN'T BEEN SEPARATED OUT. SO TRULY, OUR CONTINGENCY FUND IS 140,774,025, IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT A MORE ACCURATE NUMBER? >>Jeffrey Eakins: THAT IS CORRECT. AS REVENUE COMES IN, BEFORE WE GO TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE DOLLARS, THEY ARE HELD IN OUR CONTINGENCY UNTIL THOSE DOLLARS ARE DISTRIBUTED. >>Melissa Snively: WOULD IT MAKE SENSE OR BE PRUDENT TO KEEP THAT MONEY IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- IS IT LEGAL, STATUTORILY?
166>> IT'S KEPT WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND HAS A SEPARATE FUNCTION NUMBER AND PROJECT NUMBER. IT IS SEGREGATED. THE OTHER REASON, YOU BROUGHT UP A REALLY GOOD QUESTION ABOUT PAGE THREE OF TEN AND WHY THE FUND BALANCE HAS CAUGHT UP. PROPERTY TAX REVENUES COMING IN, THEY STARTED IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, AND WE RECEIVE ALL THE WAY THROUGH MARCH WHEN THEY START SLOWING DOWN. WHAT THIS -- YOU CAN SEE THE EXPENSES HAVEN'T CAUGHT UP TO THE REVENUE YET. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WHEN WE BUILD THE BUDGET, WE HAVE TO BUILD IT BASED ON WHEN THE REVENUE COMES IN. SO IN NOVEMBER, IT STARTS THE RAMP-UP, WE START GETTING PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS. >>Melissa Snively: I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT CONCERNS ME IS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR CONTINGENCY TOTAL IS AT $140 MILLION. AND HOW IN AN
167EMERGENCY SITUATION, HOW LONG CAN WE OPERATE ON $140 MILLION? >>Jeffrey Eakins: $140 MILLION IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS LIKE TWO PAYROLLS. >> WE'RE TWO PAYROLLS AWAY. ONE MONTH AWAY. >> NO, THIS IS JUST PAYROLL. THAT WOULD COVER PAYROLL. >>Melissa Snively: OUCH. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION AND CLARIFICATION. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU. I AGREE WITH MEMBER SNIVELY. I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT BROKEN DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THIS JUST FOR THE SAVE -- SAKE OF CLARITY, FUND BALANCE, I.E., CONTINGENCY FUND AS WELL BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE THAT CLEAR. IF WE COULD BREAK THAT DOWN A LITTLE BIT FURTHER. >>Gretchen Saunders: YES, MA'AM. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THAT INFORMATION ALSO, I BELIEVE, WILL HELP US WHEN TALKING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS. I THINK THAT
168WILL BE A VERY GOOD TOOL THAT WILL ASSIST US IN TALLAHASSEE. >>Gretchen Saunders: WE'LL PUT A NARRATIVE NEXT TO IT. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MOVING TO ITEM 6.03, APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THINKING MAPS, A LANGUAGE FOR LEARNING BINDER FROM THINKING MAPS, INC., A SOLE-SOURCE PROVIDER FOR THE THINKING MAPS. A LANGUAGE OF LEARNING PROGRAM, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS ITEM IS BEING HIGHLIGHTED AND COMMENTED BY MEMBER GRAY AND MEMBER SNIVELY. TRICIA McMANUS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >>Tricia McManus: AND SCOTT RICHMAN WILL ACTUALLY COME FORWARD TO DO THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM AND REALLY LOOK AT HOW IT SUPPORTS OUR STUDENT PLAN OF LOOKING AT
169TALENT MANAGEMENT. SO 1998, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS THE FIRST DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO HAVE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION. OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, WE CERTIFIED 3,000 PLUS TEACHERS. ONE SITTING HERE, ACP GRADUATE. FIRST GRADUATE BACK IN 1999 AND VERY PROUD OF HOW MANY FOLKS HAVE BECOME PRINCIPALS, SUPERVISORS AND OTHER FOLKS IN OUR DISTRICT AS WELL AS TEACHERS STILL TEACHING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE PROGRAM NOW FOR 13 -- SO WATCH TEACHERS GROW. WHAT WE DO IS WE BRING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE NONEDUCATION MAJORS TO HELP FILL THE GAPS. WE WERE CALLING EARLIER ABOUT RECRUITING TEACHERS. WE TRAIN FOLKS IN EDUCATION AND PEDAGOGY. BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE AVERAGE TEACHER COMING OUT OF A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, THEY HAVE AN INTERNSHIP AND A BAG OF TRICKS. SOMEBODY LIKE MYSELF, WHEN I CAME IN
1701996, I WALKED IN WITH NOTHING, NOT KNOWING WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. WHAT THINKING MAPS HAS DONE FOR US IN ACP, IT'S ALLOWED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE TEACHERS A BAG OF TRICKS. IT HELPS TO GET KIDS TO HIGHER ORDER LEARNING AND HIGHER ORDER TO THINKING, MOVING BEYOND RECALL AND COMPREHENSION IN THE CLASSROOM. WE ADOPTED THIS PROGRAM BACK IN 2013 UNDER ONE OF OUR FEDERAL GRANTS. WE ARE NOW READOPTING IT WITH AN UPDATE FROM THINKING MAPS. WE LOOK AT THIS AND SAY DO WE WANT TO KEEP DOING THIS? ACP IS SELF-SUSTAINING. IT IS A PROGRAM THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF. WE GET NOTHING FROM THE DISTRICT TO PAY FOR THIS. IT ALL COMES OUT OF WHAT THEY PAY IN A PAYROLL DEDUCTION OR A CHECK THEY SEND FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS. WE SUPPORT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT
171SCHOOLS WITH ACP. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, THE DATA, EVALUATION DATA FOR TEACHERS LAST YEAR. WE COMPARED YEARS ONE THROUGH THREE FOR ACP GRADS. WE COMPARED ONE THROUGH THREE FOR FOLKS WHO WENT THROUGH OTHER PROGRAMS. COULD HAVE BEEN TRADITIONAL OR OTHER TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS. WHEN IT COMES TO WRITTEN EVALUATION SCHOOL, ACP TEACHERS SCORED ON AVERAGE 3.5 POINTS ABOVE THEIR COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE RECOMMENDED READOPTING THINKING MAPS AND RESTRAINING A -- RESTRAINING A BUNCH OF OUR TRAINERS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: JUST REALLY QUICKLY, I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THE FINANCIAL IMPACT JUST FOR PUBLIC RECORD, FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ACP. IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM BASED ON THE EVALUATION INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVED. I DID WANT TO MAKE A SUGGESTION AND REALLY, SUPERINTENDENT, THIS
172IS FOR ANYONE WHO PRESENTS TO THE BOARD. SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON THE EVALUATION, FOR EXAMPLE, 96.5% OF TEACHERS AGREED THE TRAINING CONTENT WAS APPROPRIATE AND BUILT UPON KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPANTS, WHICH IS FANTASTIC. HOW MANY TEACHERS DID THAT INCLUDE? IS THAT THREE TEACHERS OR 13,000 TEACHERS OR 300,000 TEACHERS? I JUST NEED SOME PERSPECTIVE AS A BOARD MEMBER TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED TO US SO THAT WE CAN BETTER EVALUATE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FULLY INFORMED OF THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR OUR TEACHERS. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE HIGHLIGHT. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION. >> ABOUT 300 TEACHERS LAST YEAR WENT THROUGH THAT. THAT'S THE EVALUATIONS FOR THEM. GRAY GRAY PIGGYBACKING ON WHAT MEMBER SNIVELY SAID, I THINK IT'S ALWAYS WISE THAT
173WE HAVE AN EXPLANATION OF THE ACTUAL LEARNING GAINS. WHAT ARE WE GAINING FROM THIS INVESTMENT? THE MORE WE DO THAT, THE MORE WE FIND THE TRANSPARENCY AND, OF COURSE, THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE EXPENDITURE AND THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE LEARNING GAINS. IF WE COULD JUST PUT THAT IN THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I THINK IT WOULD HELP EVERYONE'S UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING. >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. I'M SORRY, MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: MR. RICHMOND, BEFORE YOU LEAVE, YOU AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE AGENDA ITEM AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THE ACTUAL PROGRAM IS STARTING TO PAY FOR ITSELF. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT? >> WE CHARGE A FEE FOR THE PROGRAM. COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE CHARGED $1200 WHICH HAS BEEN THE
174RATE SINCE 2008. WE FOUND THE PROGRAM COSTS WERE CATCHING UP. COST OF BOOKS, COST OF TRAINER FEES AND EVEN COST OF MY SALARY COMES OUT OF THE PROGRAM. IT PAYS FOR ITSELF IN THAT ESSENCE. WE WENT AND GOT APPROVAL FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT TO RAISE THE PRICE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. IT'S GONE UP TO 100 THIS YEAR. IT WILL GO TO 1500 NEXT YEAR. THAT COVERS EVERYTHING, LIKE I SAID, BOOKS, MATERIALS, ALL THE SUPPLIES WE USE IN THE OFFICE, INCLUDING ALL THE TRAINER FEES. >>Cindy Stuart: THE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 24,000 IS THAT TRULY COMING OUT OF THE DISTRICT BUDGET OR IS THAT REVENUE BEING GENERATED AND THEN COMING OUT OF ACP? >>Gretchen Saunders: REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE PROGRAM. SURETY SURETY OFFICIALLY, THERE IS NO COST TO THE DISTRICT OUT OF OUR CURRENT BUDGET
175FOR THE PROGRAM. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 6.04, APPROVE THE CENTER FOR SIMULATION AGREEMENT WITH CERTIFICATION PARTNERS LLC TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATION TESTING FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WORKFORCE. THIS ITEM IS HIGHLIGHTED AND COMMENTED BY MEMBER GRAY AND SNIVELY. CHRIS JARGO, DIRECTOR OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >> FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INCLUDED THE MODELING AND CERTIFICATION FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR SIMULATION ON THE 2017-18 CAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION FUNDING LIST. CAPE IS CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION. WE REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE NCS AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ALLOW DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATION EXAMS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND A VARIETY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS INCLUDING OUR MODELING AND SIMULATION PROGRAM. THESE TYPES OF CERTIFICATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED AT OUR SCHOOL SITES THROUGH AN ONLINE TESTING PLATFORM PROVIDED BY
176CERTIFICATION PARTNERS WHICH IN 2016-17 ALLOWED STUDENTS TO EARN 664 CERTIFIED INTERNET WEB INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE EVALUATED BY THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS ACHIEVED BY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. CERTIFICATION TESTS ARE A REQUIRED PART OF CAREER THEMED COURSES AS OUTLINED IN THE CAPE LEGISLATION. STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY EARNING THE CERTIFICATIONS GENERATE WEIGHTED FTE FUNDING AND ARE INCLUDED IN THE CALCULATION OF SCHOOL GRADES. INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS ARE ONE OF THE KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AS PART OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY, COMMENT? >>Lynn Gray: THANKS, CHRIS JARGO. IT'S AN EXCELLENT BEN BIT OF NEW CAN YOU SHARE WITH US HOW MANY CERTIFICATIONS WE HAVE GROWN TO? IS IT 53 INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS NOW? >>Christopher Jargo: YES, WE HAVE A WIDE
177VARIETY OF INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS. OVER 53 TYPES OF CERTIFICATIONS WERE OFFERED TO STUDENTS. WE LOOK FOR THINGS LIKE THIS TO CONTINUE TO GROW THOSE VARIETIES FOR STUDENTS. >>Lynn Gray: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE DO CONTINUE TO OFFER A VARIETY OF CERTIFICATIONS? >>Christopher Jargo: THE TYPE OF CAREERS ARE CAREERS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING. MODELING AND SIMULATION IS AN INDUSTRY WE SEE GROWING CURRENTLY BUT ALSO INTO THE FUTURE. THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS THEY PUT OUT THE LIST EACH YEAR, WE REVIEW IT AND CHECK WHICH OF THE NEW CERTIFICATIONS ALONG WITH OUR CURRICULUM. IF IT'S APPROPRIATE, WE ADD THEM TO OUR COURSES. >>Lynn Gray: YOU'RE KEEPING UP IN A VERY, VERY POSITIVE WAY, EFFECTIVE WAY WITH INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS, AND I APPLAUD THAT AND SO DOES EVERYBODY WHO IS GETTING CERTIFIED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY.
178OKAY. MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE OVER THE YEARS CREATED SOME WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP AND SOME WONDERFUL ACADEMIES. WE HAVE THE MANUFACTURING ACADEMY. WE HAVE THE MARITIME ACADEMY, AND WORKING THE CULINARY ACADEMY, BUT WORKING WITH INDUSTRIES WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY NEED AND THE WORKFORCE THEY ARE HIRING. AND WITH THOSE INDUSTRIES, DEVELOPING THE CURRICULUM AND THEN GOING TO THE STATE AND GETTING THAT APPROVED IS SUCH A WONDERFUL THING. I DON'T THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT RIGHT NOW, TOO, WE'VE GOT TO BE VERY DYNAMIC IN THIS. IT'S GOT TO BE A VERY FLUID PROCESS. THE STATE, YOU ALL, I HAVE TO SAY, SHOULD BE COMMENDED BECAUSE TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SORT OF RELATIONSHIP WITH TALLAHASSEE
179THAT WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING THESE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS. WE ARE NOW PREPARING STUDENTS FOR JOBS WE DON'T EVEN KNOW EXIST. AND TO BE ABLE TO BE ADAPTABLE AND DO SO IN A VERY, VERY QUICK WAY IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU ALL AND YOUR STAFF ARE TO BE COMMENDED. BECAUSE I'VE WATCHED YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OVER SEVERAL DIFFERENT CURRICULUMS AND BRING SUCCESS BACK TO OUR DISTRICT AND TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN THAT. I ALWAYS TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE THAT WHATEVER THE NEEDS ARE OF THE COMMUNITY, WE CAN MEET THEM AND WE CAN DO IT VERY, VERY, VERY QUICKLY. SO THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: OKAY. I THINK YOU'RE FREE. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, WE'RE CLOSE ENOUGH, I DO BELIEVE, TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE INTO EMPLOYEE INPUT.
180WE WILL NOW TAKE EMPLOYEE INPUT. THEN -- EVEN THOUGH WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, IT'S SOMETIMES DIFFICULT FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT TO ATTEND THE MEETING AT 3:00. THERE ARE MANY WAYS FOR EMPLOYEES TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD, INCLUDING THROUGH UNION REPRESENTATIVES, E-MAILS, PHONE CALLS, ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. THE BOARD DOES WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. WITH THIS SECTION OF OUR AGENDA, WE ARE CREATING ANOTHER AVENUE FOR EMPLOYEES TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD. WE HAVE SET ASIDE 30 MINUTES FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ABOUT ANY ISSUES THAT ARE ON THEIR MIND. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A DISCUSSION ABOUT SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA BUT RATHER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ABOUT
181ANY ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR JOB OR THE DISTRICT. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES. I WILL NOW CALL THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS TO THE MIKE. GENE CLEMENTS, JOSH NEWHOUSE, LAURA MEHAN AND CHRIS RESNICK. >> GOOD EVENING. OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF HOW THEY PREPARE OUR CHILDREN WOULD BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO DUE TO THE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY. AS EARNERS, SPENDERS, AND TAXPAYERS. AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE COUNTY, YOUR EMPLOYEES COULD BE CONSIDERED THE BIGGEST COG IN THE LOCAL ECONOMIC MACHINE. THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THIS COMMUNITY IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO HOW MUCH YOUR EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, THEIR ABILITY TO PAY RENT, MORTGAGES AND BUY GOODS AND SERVICES. AS MEMBERS
182OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO TEACH, ASSIST, COUNSEL, DRIVE, COACH, AND INTERPRET FOR YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY. WHEN THEY COME BEFORE YOU, WHEN THEY SPEAK TO YOU AND WRITE TO YOU, LISTEN WITH OPEN MINDS AND OPEN HEARTS. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION. SHOW THAT WHAT THEY THINK AND FEEL MATTERS TO YOU. SINCERELY. BECAUSE NO ONE -- NO ONE KNOWS BETTER WHAT STUDENTS NEED THAN THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE STUDENTS' NAMES. AND THAT'S US. YOUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF. NO ONE IS MORE DEDICATED TO OUR STUDENTS THAN THOSE WHO SPEND EVERY WORK DAY WITH OUR STUDENTS AND MANY DAYS AND HOURS BEYOND THE CONTRACT PREPARING TO MAKE THOSE HOURS WITH THEIR KIDS MORE PRODUCTIVE. THAT'S US. YOUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF WHO I KNOW ARE DEDICATED AND CARE DEEPLY FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
183BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO WANT THEM TO RESPECT THEIR EMPLOYER, TO FEEL APPRECIATED, RESPECTED, TRUSTED, AND TREATED AND PAID FAIRLY. FORGIVE ME IF I SOUND LIKE -- WITH MS. EDGECOMB RETIRED, I'VE BEEN HERE WAY LONGER THAN ANY OF YOU NOW. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE ABOUT THIS DISTRICT AND ESPECIALLY OUR KIDS AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE THE DISTRICT THAT ATTRACTS AND CULTIVATES TALENT AND DEDICATION, NOT DRIVES IT AWAY. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> MR. NEWHOUSE. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOSH NEWHOUSE. I'M A MEMBER OF THE SLIGH COUGAR COMMUNITY. MEMBERS, DIGNITARIES, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, ONCE AGAIN I'D LOVE TO BE WITH MY FAMILY ON THIS LOVELY EVENING, BUT INSTEAD I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU TO TELL YOU IF YOU WANT A DISTRICT TEEMING WITH DISCOURAGED AND FRUSTRATED
184TEACHERS, YOU'VE GOT IT. I SAID BEFORE WE'RE TIRED. WE'RE RESIGNED. WE ARE GOING BEYOND THE CONTRACT FOR OUR STUDENTS BUT THERE IS A RESIGNATION UNDERNEATH THERE. SOMETIMES QUITE LITERALLY A RESIGNATION. WE NOTICED IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE IF YOUR FRANCHISES ARE GOING TO BLEED THE BEST TEACHERS. USING SPORTS HERE. THEY ARE LEAVING THE LEAGUE FOR BETTER HORIZONS. THE TEAM HAS ALREADY SEEN LOSSES. WITHOUT A HAIL MARY PASS, THE TIME WHERE THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED TEACHERS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A MASS EXODUS. THE DAY OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DYNASTY MAY BE ENDING. WHO WILL BE SHEPHERDING US TOWARD THE HOLY GRAIL OF 90% GRADUATION? WITH ALL THE PRESS FOCUSED ON THE WAY TEACHERS ARE CURRENTLY BEING TREATED, WHO WILL SIGN ON BOARD? WE'RE BEING BLED OUT. WE ARE BLEEDING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OUT OF SCHOOLS
185AND DISTRICTS. WE HAVE JOURNEYMEN TEACHERS WHO ARE REPLACING OUR HEAVIEST HITTERS AND OUR SUPERSTARS. HOW WILL WE STAUNCH THE BLEEDING. AT ALL SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, WOULD IT BE NICE TO REALLY FEEL LIKE ALL HANDS ARE ON DECK? 40 DAYS, BUT FOR 40 YEARS. WE NEED MORE THAN PLATITUDES AND TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS, WE NEED MORE THAN TECHNOLOGY. WE NEED THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE COUNTRY. MAYBE THIS IS THE CONTINGENCY, THE EMERGENCY, WE'RE TO USE SOME FUNDS FOR BECAUSE OTHERWISE THAT BLEEDING IS NOT STOPPING. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> MS. MEHAN. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE NEXT SET OF SPEAKERS. DONNA CLARK, MARIA CALVO, SHARON ALBINES AND DERRICK. >> HELLO. GOOD EVENING. BOARD MEMBERS, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, MY NAME IS LAURA MEHAN. THIS IS MY FOURTH YEAR TEACHING AND SECOND YEAR IN HILLSBOROUGH. LAST MONTH, I TOOK
186MY STUDENTS TO PERFORM AT THE SECOND LARGEST EDUCATION MUSIC CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE IS HELD IN TAMPA EVERY YEAR AND I OFTEN GO ON MY OWN DIME TO PRESENT ON HOW TO PUT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM. THIS YEAR, I WAS PERSONALLY INVITED TO PRESENT AGAIN AND BRING ONE OF MY ENSEMBLES. I DECIDED TO BRING MY ROCK BAND. COUGAR ROCK BAND, SEVEN STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, FOUR NONVERBAL, ONLY ONE IS ABLE TO READ AND ALL SEVEN HAVE SOCIAL IMPAIRMENTS. REGARDLESS OF THEIR CHALLENGES, THEY LOVE MUSIC. AS A GROUP WITH A LOT OF PRACTICE, ADAPTATIONS AND SUPPORT, THEY WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PERFORM IN OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED MY CLINIC. THEY LEFT WITH SMILES AND SERIOUSLY THEY LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD JUST PERFORMED FOR THE GRATEFUL DEAD. THEY PROBABLY RETURNED TO OUR CAMPUS WEARING
187BRIGHT YELLOW T-SHIRTS THAT THEY DESIGNED TOGETHER. I TEACH STUDENTS KINDERGARTEN TO 12 PLUS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES. OUR STUDENTS ARE LOW FUNCTIONING THAT MANY CAN'T READ THEIR NAME AND UNABLE TO DRESS AND RESPOND TO A SIMPLE YES OR NO QUESTION. I USE ADAPTIVE MUSIC AND INSTRUCTION IN ORDER TO MEET THE ACCESS POINTS SET BY THE SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS. TOGETHER WE HAVE A GREAT TIME MAKING MUSIC IN MY CLASS. AS A RESULT, WE GET OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE FLORIDA EDUCATOR MUSIC CONFERENCE. THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT MUSIC EDUCATION. MY STUDENTS AND ALL STUDENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH DESERVE MUSIC EDUCATION. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THAT WILL LAST. PERSONALLY, BEING THIS IS ONLY MY SECOND YEAR IN HILLSBOROUGH, I'M NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE $4,000 RAISE SO I WILL NOT BE TALKING ABOUT THAT. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH I'M
188PAID RIGHT AT THE COST-OF-LIVING FOR THE TAMPA BAY. I LOVE TAMPA AND I MAKE SACRIFICES AND HAVE A SECOND JOB. I HAVE TWO TEACHER CERTIFICATIONS, ONE MASTERS AND SIX HOURS AWAY FROM MY SECOND MASTERS, HOWEVER I GET PAID THE SAME SALARY AS SOMEONE WITH ZERO CERTIFICATIONS. DOESN'T -- INTENT TO LEARN. THE FACT THAT ADVANCE DEGREES AND CERTIFICATIONS ARE UNRECOGNIZED IS A DISSERVICE TO STUDENTS. >> PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR COMMENTS. >> I WILL E-MAIL YOU THE REST BECAUSE I PREPARED FOR THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> MR. RUSSNICK. >> THANK YOU. THANKS FOR PRONOUNCING MY NAME RIGHT. [AUDIO DROP] TO INTIMIDATE OTHERS. AND AS TEACHERS AND FRANKLY AS HUMAN BEINGS, IT'S OUR MANDATE TO PREVENT THIS WHEREVER WE SEE IT, BECAUSE THE COST IS NOT JUST FOR THOSE BULLIED BUT IT'S ALL THOSE AROUND WHO
189WITNESS IT. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO FRUSTRATING TO YOUR TEACHERS, YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR STUDENTS TO SEE WHAT WE FEEL AS OUR DISTRICT BEING BULLIED BY POLITICIANS IN TALLAHASSEE. WHEAFT DONE WITH THE -- WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WITH THE RECENT EDUCATIONAL LAW, NOT ONLY UNETHICAL BUT ILLEGAL. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 3, SECTION 6, YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE OF IT, EVERY LAW SHALL EMBRACE BUT ONE SUBJECT MATTER INDIVIDUALLY. 7069 CONTAINED MANY THINGS TOGETHER. 7055 IS MORE OF THE SAME AND IF POSSIBLE, A FAR WORSE LAW FOR ALL OF US. EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM. THERE'S AMPLE AMMUNITION FOR A WELL-SUPPORTED LAWSUIT AND MANY MULTIPLE DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE ARE TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST IT. AND THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA. SO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD HAVE
190EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT WE WILL HAVE RETRIBUTION IF WE STAND UP AGAINST THIS. WHAT MESSAGE DOES THAT SEND OUR CHILDREN? WE'RE NOT WILLING TO STAND UP TO THE BULLIES. WE PREACH THEM EVERY DAY THAT THEY NEED TO STAND UP TO BULLIES. THINK ABOUT THAT. VICTIMS OF BULLYING, BYSTANDERS THAT FAIL TO SPEAK AGAINST IT, THEY ALSO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT. YOU GUYS ARE THE GATE KEEPERS OF MANY EDUCATIONAL DOLLARS THAT GO TO FUND ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, NOT JUST A FEW. IF WE REMAIN SILENT IN THIS COUNTY, THEN WE'RE COMPLICIT IN THE GUTTING OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE. DON'T ALLOW OUR DISTRICT TO BE BULLIED. DON'T IN TURN BULLY THE EDUCATORS THAT WORK TIRELESSLY FOR GAINS DESPITE DWINDLING RESOURCES. HONOR THE PAY SCALE THAT YOU USED TO HIRE MANY OF THE TEACHERS AND
191THAT YOU PROMISED US. GIVE OUR ESPs WHO WORK SO HARD FOR LESS THAN A LIVING WAGE, THE RAISE THAT THEY DESERVE AND HELP FIGHT THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER 7069 AND EVIL FLOURISHES WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU, MR. RUSSNAK. MRS. CLARK. >> I'M DONNA CLARK. A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHER OF 24 FOURTH GRADERS AT THONOTOSASSA ELEMENTARY. WHERE JUST LAST WEDNESDAY, ANOTHER AMAZING TEACHER LEFT THE FIELD OF EDUCATION. I'M NOT HERE TO ADDRESS THE INSANE WORKLOAD THAT TEACHERS ARE GIVEN, THE UNREASONABLE NUMBER OF CLASSROOM HOURS SPENT TESTING, THE FACT THAT MASTERS DEGREES ARE UNRECOGNIZED IN THIS COUNTY, MEANING EDUCATION DOESN'T VALUE EDUCATION. I'M NOT HERE TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING PRESSURE TO PRODUCE HIGH TEST SCORES IN MIGHT OF UNCONTROLLABLE OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER, ILLNESS, TRAUMA, AND LACK OF
192PARENTAL SUPPORT. I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ONE THING. THE $92 THAT WERE OFFERED TO SO MANY TEACHERS THAT WERE EXPECTING 4,000 AS CONTRACTUALLY AGREED UPON. MANY OF THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS ARE MATH TEACHERS. SO HERE'S THE MATH PROBLEM. IF TEACHERS OFFERED $92 BUT PROMISED $4,000, WHAT PORTION OF THE PROMISED PAY RAISE DID THE SCHOOL BOARD TRY TO DELIVER? THE CORRECT ANSWER IS 0.023. OR 2.3%. THINK ABOUT THAT. TEACHERS GIVE 100%, YET ARE GIVEN 2.3%. SO I'VE GIVEN SOME THOUGHT TO HOW TO SPEND THE $92. SADLY, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO PURCHASE ONE INK CARTRIDGE FOR THE PRINTER THAT MY GRADE LEVEL SHARES BECAUSE WITH TAX, IT WOULD COST MORE THAN $92. NOR COULD I BUY TWO OF OFFICE DEPOT'S CLASSROOM ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENERS, WHICH I'D LOVE TO HAVE A BACKUP, BUT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAVE ONE.
193I COULDN'T TREAT MYSELF TO A CINNAMON LATTE AT STARBUCKS EVERY DAY BEFORE WORK FOR A MONTH. TO RECAP, ONE INK CARTRIDGE, $98. TWO PENCIL SHARPENERS, $116. 20 LATTES, $93. A SCHOOL BOARD WE CAN TRUST, PRICELESS. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MARIE CALVO. >> HI. MY NAME IS MARIA CALVO. I'M A VETERAN TEACHER. MARKED HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, VOTED TEACHER OF THE YEAR AT TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS WITH FIVE YEARS LEFT. I LOVE MY JOB. I LOVE MY STUDENTS, I LOVE MY COWORKERS, I LOVE MY SCHOOL. WHY AM I HERE IF I LOVE MY JOB SO MUCH? WELL, I'M JUST NOT FEELING THE LOVE BACK FROM YOU. WE KEEP HEARING HOW MUCH WE ARE APPRECIATED, WHAT A GREAT JOB WE'RE DOING; HOWEVER, WE ALL KNOW ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. HERE WE ARE IN FEBRUARY
194AT AN IMPASSE IN BARGAINING REGARDING THE SALARY PROPOSALS. IN THAT ULTIMATE DO, OUR SALARY SCHEDULES THAT INCOMING TEACHERS EAGER TO BEGIN THEIR CAREERS ARE LOOKING AT AND COMPARING TO DECIDE WHAT COUNTY THEY WANT TO WORK IN. MY DAUGHTER IS ONE OF THOSE INCOMING TEACHERS. SHE WILL BE GRADUATING IN MAY FROM USF. WILL THESE NEW TEACHERS, WILL MY DAUGHTER CHOOSE HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO OR PINELLAS? I WOULD LOVE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO CHOOSE OUR COUNTY, BUT IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR ME TO BACK UP THAT SUGGESTION. I HAVE BEEN A PROUD HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TEACHER FOR MANY YEARS, ALWAYS TOUTED OUR COUNTY AS BETTER THAN THE REST, ALWAYS DEFENDED OUR COUNTY WHEN OTHERS BAD-MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES PUBLIC EDUCATION -- BAD-MOUTHED PUBLIC EDUCATION. EARLIER TODAY, I POSTED THE FOLLOWING QUOTE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, "IF IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, YOU'LL
195FIND A WAY; IF IT'S NOT, YOU'LL FIND AN EXCUSE." PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO MAKE SURE I CAN CONTINUE TO BE PROUD TO WORK IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. SHARON ALBANESE. >> HELLO. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU, I'M APPROACHING MY 30th YEAR OF TEACHING, AND I'M COMMITTED TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND HAVE BEEN MY WHOLE CAREER. WORKING AT THREE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, SPEATION SPECIAL EDUCATION, TITLE ONE AND CURRENTLY AT AN AREA TWO SCHOOL. I'M A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHER. MY TWO CHILDREN ATTENDED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS, GRADUATED FROM SICKLES HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL YOUNG ADULTS. I'M PROUD OF MY CAREER, THE WONDERFUL TEACHERS, SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS. I'M PROUD OF THE COUNTY THAT I NEVER LEFT AND I COULD HAVE. BUT CURRENTLY,
196I FEEL SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED. THE SALARY PROPOSAL THAT'S BEING THOUGHT OVER RIGHT NOW IS NOT WHY I'M HERE. IT DOESN'T APPLY TO ME. BUT I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY BECAUSE OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT IT DOES APPLY TO. WE DO WHAT WE CAN. WE WORK LATE. WE WORK ON WEEKENDS AT TIMES. MY FAMILY CAN TELL YOU STORIES. MY HUSBAND TRIES TO BE PATIENT. HE'S BEEN THERE THE WHOLE TIME. BUT MORALE IS THE LOWEST I'VE EVER SEEN. YOU EXPECT US TO PERFORM AND BE ON YOU ARE A A GAME BUT WHAT WE RESPECT FROM YOU IS NOT BEING HONORED, NOT EVEN CLOSE. DIFFERENTIATION, HIGHER-LEVEL QUESTIONING, MEETINGS, GRADING PAPERS QUICKLY TO GET IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK TO STUDENTS. THESE ALL TAKE TIME. SO CHANGE THE EVALUATION EXPECTATIONS TO MATCH THE AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN FOR PLANNING AND OUR CONTRACT HOURS. WE
197DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR ESSENTIALS, AS I WAS TALKING TO A TEACHER RECENTLY, DOESN'T EVEN HAVE SOAP FOR HIS CHILDREN. SO I SPEAK FOR TEACHERS NOW, FUTURE TEACHERS LIKE MY COLLEAGUE WHO JUST SPOKE AND ALL OUR STUDENTS. PLEASE DON'T DIG YOUR HEELS IN BECAUSE WE'RE FIGHTING BACK. WE NEED YOU TO WORK WITH US. PLEASE GIVE US SOMETHING TO WORK WITH. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WHILE DARREN IS COMING TO THE MIKE, FAY COOK, KRISTEN HOLLOWAY, ERIN ZION, JULIE, LEO HEGARTY AND SCOTCH HUTCHENSTEIN PLEASE LINE UP. DARREN? >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DAREN ESSRIG FROM TURKEY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. I WANT TO THANK SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE BOARD FOR HEARING ME SPEAK TONIGHT. I RECOGNIZE YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR DISTRICT. AND DOING THE WORK YOU SEE
198BEST. MR. EAKINS, I GRA HE THAT STRONG SCHOOLS DEPEND ON STABLE FINANCES. YOU ARE TRYING TO DO YOUR BEST TO PUT US ON STABLE FOOTINGS. THIS IS NOT A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO APPEASE STOCKHOLDERS BY DECREASING STAFF AND INCREASING PRODUCTION. INSTEAD, THIS IS A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH ONLY MISSION IS TO EDUCATE A STUDENT SO THEY ARE PREPARED FOR LIFE. UKS DO THIS BY FOCUSING -- YOU CANNOT DO THIS ON FOCUSING FROM THE TOP-DOWN APPROACH WHEN IT SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE CLASSROOM UP. HOW CAN WE PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE IN CLASSROOMS WITH NO AC IN THE SUMMER MONTHS? HOW CAN WE PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE WHEN THEY HAVE NO SOAP TO WASH THEIR HANDS DURING THE MIDDLE OF FLU SEASON? HOW CAN WE PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE WHEN I CANNOT MAKE
199COPIES BECAUSE WE HAVE NO PAPER? I SEE PLENTY COPIES OF THE AGENDA HERE TODAY. I ALSO SAW SOAP IN THE BATHROOMS. I FEEL A WORKING HVAC SYSTEM, FRESHLY PAINTED WALLS, BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, AND FRUIT-INFUSED WATER. YET MY CLASSROOM HAS PEELING PAINT, BROKEN WATER FOUNTAINS AND OLD PROJECTION EQUIPMENT THAT DIES WITHOUT ANY REPLACEMENT. YES, WE NEED SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. NO ONE IS ARGUING THAT. BUT IF YOU TRY TO BUILD AN IVORY TOWER ON ROTTEN PILLARS, EVERYTHING WILL CRUMBLE. STUDENTS COME INTO THE SCHOOLS TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY, THAT THEY ARE CLEAN AND FRESH LOOKING. THEY SHOULD COME TO SCHOOL WITH A SENSE OF PRIDE. WHEN THEY SEE THE SCHOOLS ARE FALLING APART, THEY FEEL LEFT BEHIND. MR. EAKINS, YOU WROTE TO US THREE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. TWO OF THEM HAVE BEEN FAIRLY POSITIVE AND ONE WAS
200NEGATIVE. YOU SPEAK OF BARRIERS AND NEGATIVES THAT WE FEEL AND YET WHEN WE TRY TO ADDRESS YOU, WE GET TOLD THAT WE'RE FOOLISH OR WE GET BULLIED FROM THE PULPIT. YOU ALSO SAY HOW WE'RE DOING IN OUR GRADUATION RATES. AND YET ANOTHER MESSAGE, THE MIDDLE ONE, YOU SAY THAT YOU'LL BE ELIMINATING POSITIONS HELD BY QUALITY PEOPLE. HOW CAN PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT IN THEIR POSITIONS WHO DO GREAT WORK IF THEY HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT POSITIONS THAT CAN BE ELIMINATED OR DO NOT HAVE -- I'M ALMOST DONE. SO, HOW CAN I TELL MY FAMILY THAT I COME TO A DISTRICT THAT PAYS ME LESS THAN OTHER DISTRICTS WHEN I'M GETTING RECRUITED? HOW CAN I TELL THE NEW HIRE IN MY DEPARTMENT THAT THIS PAY SCALE THAT YOU GAVE HER IS VALID? WHEN YOU DON'T RESPECT IT
201FOR THE TEACHER STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY. I ASK YOU THAT -- I ASKED YOU GUYS -- I'M GOING TO KEEP SPEAKING FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER. I'M ALSO ASKING FOR RESPECT WHO WORK DAILY WITH CHILDREN AND PUT THE RESOURCES -- [MICROPHONE OFF] THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: FAY COOK. MS. COOK. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOTTING THIS TIME SO THAT WE CAN COME AFTER OUR WORK HOURS AND NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP OUR STUDENT TIME TO BE HERE. I AM FAY COOK, A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER. LIKE SOME OF THE PRIOR TEACHERS, I HAVE LESS THAN TWO YEARS LEFT. IN A YEAR AND A HALF I WILL BE DONE. I AM IN DROP. THAT IS MY MAXIMUM TIME. SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, I WANT TO REMIND YOU WHEN YOU FIRST BECAME SUPERINTENDENT YOU
202TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE MY CLASSROOM BACK BEFORE I RETIRED. I'M STILL COUNTING ON THAT TO HAPPEN TO THE MICROMANAGEMENT TO CEASE SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU TWO THINGS I READ. I'M AN AVID READER. I READ THE NEWSPAPER EVERY MORNING BEFORE I COME TO SCHOOL. I READ IT ALMOST WORD FOR WORD. AND DEAR ABBY, THIS WAS OVER THE HOLIDAYS, A GIRL HAD WRITTEN TO HER SAYING THAT SHE HAD A FRIEND THAT SHE WAS CONCERNED HAD ANOREXIA OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF EATING DISORDER. ABBEY'S ADVICE TO HER WAS TO TALK TO YOUR P. E. TEACHER. TALK TO YOUR P. E. TEACHER BECAUSE YOUR P. E. TEACHER WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES. ANOTHER LETTER LESS THAN A WEEK LATER, ANOTHER YOUNG PERSON, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A
203MALE OR A FEMALE, WROTE IN TO SUSPECT THAT SHE HAD A FRIEND SHE FEARED WAS BEING ABUSED. THE ADVICE THAT DEAR ABBY GAVE HER WAS TALK TO YOUR TEACHER AND TALK TO YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AT SCHOOL. WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE THE GENERAL PUBLIC EXPECTS US TO FIX EVERYTHING. WE ARE STILL HIGHLY RESPECTED AMONG MANY PEOPLE. WE NEED TO FEEL THAT RESPECT FROM OUR LEADERS. AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD ASK YOU, HONOR OUR CONTRACT. THE MONEY IS NOTHING TO ME. THERE'S NOT A TIME I'LL GET FROM IT, BUT LIKE SOME OF THE PRIOR SPEAKERS, I SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO COME AFTER ME. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: KRISTEN HOLLOWAY. >> LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS KRISTEN. I'M A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER, A TAXPAYER, A
204CONSTITUENT, AND A CITIZEN. ONE OF THE IDEAS INFLUENTIAL OUR FOUNDING FATHER IS WHEN WRITING THE DECLARATION AND CONSTITUTION WAS JOHN LOCK'S IDEA OF A SOCIAL CONTRACT. NOT UNLIKE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD AND EMPLOYEES WHEN WE ENTERED INTO THE CURRENT PAY SCALE FOUR YEARS AGO. MANY OF US AGREED TO GIVE UP THINGS. AND IN RETURN, A PAY SCALE THAT REWARDED THREE YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL TEACHING. WE'VE HELD UP OUR END. CAN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY THAT YOU HAVE TOO? AS A CITIZEN AND CONSTITUENT, I ASK THIS QUESTION NOT TO BE FOOLISH, IN FACT, THE OPPOSITE. QUESTIONING OUR ELECTED LEADERS IS NOT ONLY A RIGHT BUT SOMETHING AS A CITIZEN I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR A LIST OF GRIEVANCES AGAIN. HOWEVER, I'M ASKING YOU, MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, THE FOLLOWING SNSHES
205HOW CAN YOU CLAIM TO BE A STEWARD OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY WITHOUT WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUDGET? IF YOU DO HAVE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUDGET, HOW IS THIS NOW AN ISSUE WHEN THE SALARY SCALE HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND IS A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR OPERATING EXPENSES? HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE THIS COMING IF YOU ARE LOOKING OUT FOR MY MONEY AS A TAXPAYER? IF THE LEGISLATIVE BILL AND FUNDING IS SUCH AN ISSUE THIS YEAR, WHY ARE YOU NOT PUBLICLY FIGHTING IT AND FIGHTING FOR US? WHY FALSELY ADVERTISE THE CURRENT SALARY SCHEDULE TO NEW HIRES IF IT'S NOW NOT SUSTAINABLE? WHY ARE YOU NOT PUBLICLY LOOKING FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS? IN BOSTON, THE DISTRICT ACTUALLY HELD A COMPETITION VIA M.I.T. TO SOLVE BUSING CONCERNS. THEY GOT SEVERAL OPTIONS AND DIDN'T
206PAY ANYBODY UNTIL THEY WON. WHY NOT PARTNER WITH HART TO PROVIDE BUS SERVICE WHERE IT'S ALREADY AVAILABLE FREEING UP RESOURCES FOR OUR RURAL AREAS? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH USING OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE -- OUR KIDS -- TO HELP SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS WITH INNOVATIVE WAYS AND INCLUDING THEM AS STAKEHOLDERS. THEY CAN MAKE PICTURE FRAMES, PAINT ARTWORK, RUN AIR FORCE BASE -- RUN AV EQUIPMENT. IT IS VALUABLE EXPERIENCE. IF THE BUDGET WAS TIGHT, WHY DID EQUIPMENT SIT UNUSED TO RENOVATE THE BOARDROOM? HOW MUCH OF YOUR JOB ARE YOU EXPECTED TO DO WITHOUT PAY? ONCE UPON A TIME I WORKED FOR A DISTRICT PEOPLE WERE FIGHTING TO GET A JOB. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT THAT PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING TO GET IN INSTEAD OF FIGHTING TO GET OUT? [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: ERIN ZION.
207>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS. I WAS RECENTLY SPENDING MY TIME LEARNING MORE ABOUT TEACHING THIS WEEKEND, LISTENING TO MAYOR LEVINE FROM SOUTH MIAMI BEACH. AND HE SAID THE FOLLOWING. WHAT IS THE JOB OF THE SCHOOL BOARD? SAID, WELL, RUN THE SCHOOL BUSINESS. HE SAID, RUN THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS A BUSINESS. IT'S A BUSINESS. AND HERE YOU ARE, I SAT HERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU BROUGHT IN SOMEBODY FROM OUR OWN DISTRICT, WHO IS PAID TO HELP FOSTER CHARTER SCHOOLS, COME IN AND SHOW THEM HOW THEY HAVE TO DO ALL THEIR WORK SO THEY GET THE CHARTER FROM THIS DISTRICT. GO AHEAD AND PUT A PEER IN THERE LIKE YOU DO TO EVALUATE US AND LET THEM DEAL WITH THAT KIND OF SCENARIO. BE THAT VORACIOUS ON HOW WELL THEY DO.
208THAT VORACIOUS ON WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR SCHOOLS. WE DON'T DO THAT. WE ARE A BUSINESS THAT BRINGS IN ANOTHER BUSINESS TO STEAL OUR MONEY. WEAAND WE ALLOW IT AND WE PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK, HOW WELL WE DID HELPING THEM TAKE THE MONEY. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. MAKE THEM WORK HARDER. MAKE THEM COME TO US AND SHOW THAT THEY REALLY DESERVE IT. DON'T HELP THEM BY WASTING OUR DOLLARS WITH STAFF MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THAT. SO, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BUILDING WHEN THEY ARE DONE WITH IT? THEY SET IT UP IN A REIT SO THE PUBLIC FUNDS PAY FOR THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT, AND YOU HAVE NO RECOURSE ON IT. SO WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THEY WALK AWAY WITH A HUGE PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT CAN'T BE GOTTEN AT, THAT IS
209NO LONGER AN ASSET OF PUBLIC FUNDS. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE. YOU NEED TO HELP CHANGE IT BY PETITIONING THE STATE TO CHANGE IT. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: JULIE FEMMORY. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS JULIE FAMREY. I'VE BEEN A TEACHER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILDREN FOR 31 YEARS, ALL OF THEM IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS. NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TONIGHT BUT I'M GOING TO ASK ANYWAYS AND I HOPE YOU, MR. EAKINS, WILL ANSWER THEM BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON VIA IN THE E-MAIL. QUESTION ONE, WHAT PAY SCALE ARE YOU USING OR REFERENCING IN YOUR RECRUITING BROCHURES OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS? THIS IS WHAT I FOUND WHEN I WENT TO THE DISTRICT WEBSITE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT SECTION. IT'S THE 16-17 INSTRUCTIONAL PAY SCALE. IT'S DATED 1/13/17. BUT THERE'S NO WARNING OR DISCLAIMER THAT
210THIS PAY SCALE IS UNDER NEGOTIATION. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 69 ESE VACANCIES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. IF MY NIECE, WHO IS A FOURTH YEAR ESE TEACHER FROM A NORTHERN STATE WERE TO MOVE HERE AND BE HIRED NEXT WEEK, WHAT SALARY BAND WOULD SHE BE PUT IN? THE FIRST ONE AT $38,000 OR THE SECOND AT $42,000? THE WAY I SEE IT, IF SHE WERE TO LOOK AT WHAT'S POSTED ON THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL WEBSITE, SHE WOULD ASSUME BASED ON HER YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THAT SHE WOULD BE MAKING $42,000 A YEAR. AND HERE'S THE THIRD QUESTION THAT I WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER TO, MR. EAKINS. ISN'T WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED FALSE ADVERTISING? IF SO, I BELIEVE THESE PRACTICES MIGHT BE ILLEGAL. NOW, I SAY "MIGHT" BECAUSE I AM NOT A LAWYER BUT I'M PRETTY SURE THAT WE HAVE THE
211BOARD ATTORNEY HERE TONIGHT. YOU MAY WANT TO CONSULT WITH HIM BEFORE YOU ANSWER MY THIRD QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF YOUR RECRUITING PRACTICES. AGAIN, MY NAME IS JULIE FAMMERY AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE AN ANSWER BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: LEO HEGARTY. >> IF I COULD GET THE TIMEKEEPER TO HOLD UP FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I HAVE TO GO TO THE CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL AT 7:00. I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK IT IS A HIT AND RUN SPEECH. I HAVE TO GO OUT THE DOOR AS SOON AS IT'S DONE. OH, YOU DIDN'T HOLD THE CLOCK. YOU NASTY PERSON. MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF, TONIGHT I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO PUT FORTH DEFINITIONS FOR YOUR PERUSAL AND ANYONE WATCHING AND LISTENING. MOMENTUM,
212THE IMPETUS AND DRIVING FORCE GAINED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROCESS OR COURSE OF EVENTS. HARD TO TELL WHEN SOMETHING IS LOSING MOMENTUM, BUT EASY TO SAY AND SEE WHAT OLD MO IS WORKING. LOOK AROUND THE ROOM, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. AS MEN OR RISING AND FALLING BY THE NUMBER OF BLUE SHIRTS YOU SEE HERE, PRETTY EASY CALL. TRUSTWORTHY, BEING ABLE TO BE RELIED ON AS HONEST AND TRUTHFUL. THIS ONE NEEDS NO EXPLANATION. YOU FOLKS LOSE MORE OF THAT WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES EVERY TIME THEY LOOK AT THEIR PAYCHECK. DEDICATION, THE QUALITY OF BEING COMMITTED TO A TASK OR A PURPOSE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AGAIN, TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU THIS. WE'RE NOT GOING AWAY. THIS HALL, AS WELL AS SURROUNDING AREA, WILL BE OVERFLOWING WITH IRATE AND VOCAL MEMBERS UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO DO THE
213RIGHT THING. THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT. MORALE. THE CONFIDENCE, ENTHUSIASM, AND DISCIPLINE OF A PERSON OR GROUP AT A PARTICULAR TIME. AT THIS TIME, MORALE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW. IN MY ALMOST 30 YEARS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I HAVEN'T HAD SO MANY TELL ME HOW UNAPPRECIATED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT MADE THEM FEEL. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THEM IN THEIR WORKPLACE IN A NEGATIVE WAY. IF YOU DON'T, WELL, THAT IS JUST FOOLISHNESS AGAIN. TENACIOUS, NOT READILY RELINQUISHING A PRINCIPLE, POSITION OR COURSE OF ACTION. HERE'S WHAT'S BAFFLING TO ME AS WELL AS THE REST OF MY MEMBERS, YOU SHOW GREAT TENACITY WHEN TELLING YOUR EMPLOYEES THAT THERE'S NO MONEY FOR THE AGREED UPON, BARGAINED FOR SALARY MOVEMENT, BUT WHEN IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE WHO
214HAS PUT YOU IN THIS POSITION, PLEASE DON'T RUN AND COWER LIKE A BUNCH OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GIRLS WHO JUST HAD THEIR MONEY STOLEN BY A BULLY LEGISLATOR. IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST US, TAKE A STAND AGAINST THEM AS WELL. I DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU THE DEFINITION OF COURAGE, OR DO I? [ APPLAUSE ] >>Sally Harris: SCOTT HOUGHTONSTEIN. >> MADAM MEMBERS, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, TIME IS LIMITED, SO I'LL JUMP DIRECTLY TO ADDRESS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROPAGANDA AND LEADERSHIP. NAMELY IN THE DISTRICT RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IRMA. I ASK YOU WHERE WERE YOU DURING THE HURRICANE? I SPENT THE NIGHT HURRICANE IRMA HIT AT MY SCHOOL, VOLUNTEERING IN A SHELTER, JUST LIKE MY WIFE DID THE NIGHT BEFORE. SHE'S A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT ANOTHER PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL IN OUR DISTRICT. AT OUR SHELTER, THE DISTRICT
215TOLD US TO STAY IN A BUILDING THAT THE RED CROSS DEEMED UNSAFE AS A SHELTER. AND THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND PETS THAT WERE SHELTERED WENT WITHOUT AIR-CONDITIONING BECAUSE THE DISTRICT DIDN'T TURN IT ON AND WE WERE TOLD WE DIDN'T IN IT TO RUN -- WE DIDN'T NEED IT TO RUN A SHELTER. WHERE WERE YOU? WHEN LEE ELEMENTARY BURNED DOWN, I ASKED WHERE WERE YOU. YOU KNEW THE BUILDING HAD WATER DAMAGE. I ASSUME YOU KNOW THAT WATER AND ELECTRICITY DON'T MIX. WHY DIDN'T YOU SECURE POWER TO THE BUILDING TO PREVENT THIS TRAUMATIC EVENT FROM HAPPENING? WHERE WERE YOU? YOU TOUTED THE DISTRICT'S RESPONSE TO THE FIRE INSTEAD OF PREVENTING IT. YOU TOUTED THE DISTRICT FOR SHELTERING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO DID THE WORK OF SHELTERING WERE JANITORS, STUDENT NUTRITION, BUS
216DRIVERS, TEACHERS, ESPs, MANY OF WHOM ARE MINORITIES OR FEMALE OR BOTH. ALL OF THEM ARE A TARGET OF HOUSE BILL 25 WHICH LOOKS TO DECERTIFY UNIONS. YOU TOUT EQUITY IN HELPING THE DISADVANTAGED BY SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, YET WHERE IS YOUR LEADERSHIP IN SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THIS BILL? THAT'S NOT THE ONLY LEADERSHIP YOU'RE MISSING. WHERE ARE YOU ON 7069? WHERE WERE YOU? WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW ON 7055? [MICROPHONE OFF] >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] BOARD MEMBERS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A BREAK FOR A FEW MINUTES? WE WILL TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS. THANK YOU. [RECESS] >>Sally Harris: AT THIS TIME, IF WE COULD PLEASE FIND OUR SEATS. NO. MY MIKE IS NOT ON. IF YOU COULD PLEASE FIND YOUR SEATS AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. WE NOW OF A QUORUM
217BACK IN THE -- WE NOW HAVE A QUORUM BACK IN THE ROOM. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 6.05, ACCEPT THE PIGGYBACK OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN VIR CROARKS INC. AND PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. EDUCATION, CLASSROOM, MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORT FURNITURE, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION. THIS ITEM IS BEING HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER SNIVELY WITH A COMMENT FROM MEMBER GRAY AND MEMBER SNIVELY. GRETCHEN SAUNDERS, OUR CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >>Gretchen Saunders: THANK YOU, MRS. HARRIS. THIS AGENDA ITEM IS A PIGGYBACK WITH THE PRINCE WILLIAM SCHOOLS VIA THE CONTRACT FOR SCHOOL FURNITURE, PURCHASING OF STUDENT DESKS AND STUDENT CHAIRS, AND WE DID THIS AGENDA ITEM BECAUSE WE DO HAVE TWO RENOVATIONS COMING UP WITH SICKLES OR THEY ARE IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW, SICKLES AND CALHOUN VAN BUREN. >>Sally Harris: WITH THE ABSENCE OF MS. SNIVELY
218FROM THE DAIS RIGHT NOW, MEMBER GRAY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT. GRAY GRAY THANK YOU, MS. SAUNDERS. MY ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE, COULD WE HAVE THE ITEMIZATION OF ALL THE EXPENDITURES FOR THIS? WE'RE LOOKING AT SEVERAL FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT, MAYBE THE MAJOR PARTS? >>Gretchen Saunders: YES, MA'AM. >>Lynn Gray: THANKS. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: THANK YOU. MS. SAUNDERS, THIS IS APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE PLACE -- NO ITEMIZATION IS AVAILABLE YET. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR NEED ACTUALLY IS YET. THIS IS AN APPROVAL OF THE PIGGYBACK TO HAVE THE PRICING FIXED, CORRECT? >>Gretchen Saunders: WELL, THERE MAY BE THE LIST OUT THERE OF WHAT WE NEEDED. THAT'S WHY WE WANT FORWARD WITH A CONTRACT. >>Cindy Stuart: BUT IT'S NOT FINALIZED. >>Gretchen Saunders: NO, NO. WE HAVEN'T ORDERED ANYTHING YET. >>Cindy Stuart: THE
219RENOVATIONS AREN'T COMPLETED AT SICKLES AND VAN BUREN CALHOUN IS NOT COMPLETED. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIX PRICING. >>Gretchen Saunders: YES, MA'AM. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MOVING TO ITEM 6.06, ACCEPT THE HIGHEST RANKING PROPOSAL FROM ADVANCED CABLE CONNECTION. RFP 17015-DST-IV, SOUND SYSTEM INSTALL AND REPAIR. BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION. THIS ITEM WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER SNIVELY WITH A COMMENT FROM MEMBER GRAY. MEMBER SNIVELY AND GRETCHEN SAUNDERS, THIS IS YOURS ALSO. >>Gretchen Saunders: THANK YOU. THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT REQUESTED BY THE COMMUNICATION AND ELECTRONICS TEAM FOR SOUND SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND REPAIR SERVICES. ANYTIME WE HAVE A SPEND OVER 50,000 OR ONE UPCOMING FOR $50,000, IF WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT IN PLACE, WE EITHER PIGGYBACK OFF OF ONE OR DO AN RFP PROESS. THAT'S WHAT WE DID. WORKING WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS FOLKS, THEY FELT WE COULD
220POSSIBLY HAVE A SPEND FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION OF THE PUBLIC ADDRESS OR THE P.A. SYSTEMS AT THE SCHOOLS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT. >>Lynn Gray: THANKS, MS. SAUNDERS. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS EXPENDITURE AS IT RELATES TO AFFECTING STUDENT LEARNING? >>Gretchen Saunders: AS PART OF THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL OUTLAY PLAN, ONE OF THE ISSUES, SAFETY. THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM IN THE SCHOOLS. SO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE TO MAKE SURE -- SO ULTIMATELY IT AFFECTS THE CLASSROOM FOR SAFETY. >>Lynn Gray: OKAY. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: ITEM 6.07, APPROVE THE DISPOSAL OF OBSOLETE TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION. THIS ITEM WAS HIGHLIGHTED AND COMMENT BY MEMBER SNIVELY. GRETCHEN SAUNDERS, THIS ONE IS YOURS ALSO. >>Gretchen Saunders: THANK YOU, MRS. HARRIS. WE BRING TO YOU THE APPROVAL FOR DISPOSAL OF OBSOLETE
221TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY. THIS GOES THROUGH JEFF ROBISON'S SHOP. ASSETS AND PROPERTY THAT WE CAN NO LONGER FIX OR WE HAVE SALVAGED FOR PARTS ELSEWHERE. WE BRING IT TO YOU SO WE CAN WRITE IT OFF THE BOOKS. YOU'LL SEE ON THE DETAIL PAGE EVERYTHING THAT WRAPS UP OR ROLLS UP TO IT WITH THE YEARS OF THE PURCHASE AND THEN IF THERE WAS ANY BOOK VALUE AND WHAT WAS OUR METHOD OF DISPOSAL, WHETHER IT'S RECYCLING, TRADE IT IN, ET CETERA. WE TRY AND DO SEE AS THEY COME IN -- DO THESE. IT'S PROBABLY ONCE EVERY OTHER MONTH WE BRING THESE TO YOU ALL. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? OKAY. THANK YOU. ITEM 6.08, APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES WITH HILL AND KNOWLTON STRATEGIES. EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS ITEM IS
222BEING HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER SNIVELY AND A COMMENT BY MEMBER GRAY AND MEMBER SNIVELY. AND TRICIA McMANUS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >>Tricia McManus: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM WHICH DIRECTLY SUPPORTS OUR DISTRICT'S STRATEGIC PRIORITY OF COMMUNICATION AND OUR GOAL AREA OF TALENT MANAGEMENT. AS YOU KNOW, WE RECENTLY RECEIVED THE FEDERAL TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER INCENTIVE PROGRAM GRANT. IT'S A FEDERAL GRANT DESIGNED TO CREATE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS IN OUR HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOLS BY RECRUITING, SELECTING, HIRING, DEVELOP AND SUPPORTING THE VERY BEST LEADERS SO THEY CAN LEAD THEIR STAFFS AND STUDENTS TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE. WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE TRADITIONALLY STRUGGLED TO BECOME MODEL SCHOOLS, AND WE KNOW THAT THEY CAN AND WE KNOW THAT LEADERSHIP IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF
223THAT. YOU ALL HAVE STATED THAT. IT IS RESEARCH BASED AND WE KNOW JUST FROM TALKING TO TEACHERS WHAT IT TAKES TO TEACH IN SOME OF OUR HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOLS AND LEADERSHIP IS CRITICAL TO SETTING THOSE RIGHT CONDITIONS. SO THIS PARTNERSHIP, WHICH IS COMPLETELY FUNDED BY THIS NATIONAL GRANT THIS FEDERAL GRANT, WILL SUPPORT ONE COMPONENT OF THE TURNAROUND LEADER PATHWAYS. AND THAT IS A VERY SERIOUS MARKETING CAMPAIGN. WE WANT TO CHANGE THE FACE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO TEACH AND LEAD IN A HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOL. AS A PERSON THAT HAS DONE THAT, IT IS AN HONOR WHEN YOU ARE ASKED TO DO THAT. IT IS AN HONOR. AND LEADERS AND TEACHERS THAT DO THIS WORK ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN LIVES. SO THIS MARKETING CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO HELP US CREATE THE TOOLS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP
224US RECRUIT, SERVE AS RECRUITMENT TOOLS, MARKETING TOOLS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR LEADERS THAT ARE GOING INTO OUR TURNAROUND LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? >>Lynn Gray: LET ME JUST PASS. THANK YOU, TRICIA McMANUS. VERY GOOD PRESENTATION. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY KEEP IN-HOUSE INSTEAD OF SPENDING 150,000 ON CONTRACTING IT OUT TO A FIRM? I KNOW THE FIRM. THEY ARE HIGHLY CAPABLE, BUT I WAS ALSO CURIOUS AS TO HOW WE CAN MAYBE KEEP THAT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF WE COULD, AS OPPOSED TO CONTRACTING IT OUT. AND THEN MY SECOND QUESTION WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFICITY IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK FOR 150,000, I WAS KIND OF HOPING TO SEE
225A LITTLE MORE OF A DETAIL OF WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE GETTING FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. IT'S A LITTLE BIT GENERAL. AND IF WE WENT TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS, AND WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM, IT'S VERY SPECIFIC, LINE BY LINE, AS TO WHAT WE'RE GETTING FOR OUR DOLLARS WITH THE TOTAL AT THE BOTTOM. I WAS HOPING TO SEE SOMETHING MORE LIKE THAT FROM KNOWLTON. >> SOME OF THE SPECIFICS FOR WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE DOING ARE LISTED IN THE, NOT IN MY COVER LETTER, BUT IN THE ATS, OR IN THE SCOPE, IN THE SCOPE OF WORK THAT'S INCLUDED. SOME OF THOSE THINGS, JUST TO TELL YOU IN A NUTSHELL, INCLUDE VIDEOS, CAPTURING THE WORK THAT IS HAPPENING IN THESE SCHOOLS IS GOING TO -- IT'S CRITICAL, BECAUSE THERE IS A
226PERCEPTION THAT IT IS DIFFERENT THAN IT IS. AND THE WORK OUR TEACHERS AND LEADERS ARE DOING HAVE TO BE CAPTURED. IT IS AMAZING WORK. SO CREATING VIDEOS IS ONE. CREATING INFO GRAPHICS. CREATING KEY MESSAGES, MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THAT -- ALL OF THOSE, THERE ARE MANY TOOLS THAT ARE PART OF THIS THAT TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO DEVELOP. HK STRATEGIES, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US INITIALLY THROUGH OUR FIRST GRANT WITH WALLACE. THAT'S WHY WE USE THEM. THEY KNOW THE WORK. THEY HAVE A DEEP KNOWLEDGE WITH THE PIPELINE AND WITH THE TURNAROUND LEADER PATHWAYS, AND THEY CAN COMMIT LIKE COMPLETE ATTENTION TO THIS PROJECT. SO THE GOAL, AND I'VE ACTUALLY TALKED TO GRAYSON AND DAVID TODAY. THE GOAL IS THAT WE DO TAKE ON THESE PROJECTS BUT THE INTENSITY THAT IT NEEDS, ONE SPECIFIC
227PROJECT IS NOT NEARLY AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU ARE SPREAD ON MANY MASSIVE PROJECTS. BUT OUR GOAL IS, WE ONLY ACTUALLY WILL BE WORKING WITH THEM FOR TWO YEARS OF A FIVE-YEAR GRANT. THE OTHER THREE YEARS, WE WILL HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THAT WE WILL MAINTAIN OURSELVES. >>Melissa Snively: I APOLOGIZE, I DID SEE ON PAGE 12 THEY DID HAVE IT BROKEN DOWN TO WHERE THAT TOTAL INVESTMENT IS GOING IN EACH CATEGORY. >>Tricia McManus: CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING? THE GOOD THING ABOUT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, THEY ALLOW YOU TO ACTUALLY DO THINGS ABOUT EXTERNAL FOLKS THAT MAYBE HAVE NOT ONLY THE TIME THAT THEY CAN DEDICATE TO IT, BUT ALSO A SKILL SET AND A STRENGTH, AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE WORKED WITH ANY PARTNERS, BECAUSE OF GRANT FUNDING. IF THAT OPPORTUNITY DID NOT PRESENT ITSELF, WE WOULD
228NOT HAVE BEEN THINKING WE SHOULD PARTNER WITH ANYONE, IF THAT DID NOT COME UP. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GRANTS. LET'S WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT CAN COME IN, BUILD CAPACITY IN-HOUSE AND THEN SUSTAIN THE WORK OVER TIME. >>Melissa Snively: THEY ARE VERY TALENTED FIRM. IT CERTAINLY WASN'T ANYTHING TO SAY AGAINST THEIR FIRM SPECIFICALLY. BUT I WAS JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHAT THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WAS FOR GOING OUTSIDE AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING IN, BUT WHICH YOU HAVE ALREADY ADDRESSED THAT YOU LOOK IN FIRST BEFORE YOU LOOK OUT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. AND MS. MacMANUS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS AGENDA ITEM. I WAS REALLY, MEMBER SNIVELY, A LITTLE BIT ON THE BUILDING CAPACITY.
229I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING COLLECTIVELY WITH THE CONSULTANT AND MR. DAVID VALDES IN COMMUNICATIONS FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO BUILD HIS CAPACITY AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO, AS MARKETING MANAGER, TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THAT CAPACITY AND CONTINUE THE WORK. SO I APPRECIATE THE HIGHLIGHT AND THE INCLUSION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT TO BUILD THAT CAPACITY. AND HOPEFULLY NOT JUST FOR THESE -- FOR THE TURNAROUND SCHOOLS, BUT THEN THERE WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HELP FOR ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MOVING TO ITEM 6.09, APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH ACKERMAN LLP FOR SCHOOL BOARD SERVICES, BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION. AND THIS ITEM HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER STUART, MEMBER SNIVELY AND MEMBER GRIFFIN WITH COMMENT FROM MEMBER GRAY,
230STUART, SNIVELY, AND GRIFFIN. GRETCHEN SAUNDERS, CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER, WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >>Gretchen Saunders: THANK YOU, MRS. HARRIS. THIS AGENDA ITEM, WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD TO YOU THE CONTRACT WAS HELD WITH ADAMS AND REESE. WORKING WITH MR. PORTER, THE NEW LAW FIRM, WE DO HAVE A DECREASE IN PRICING. SO THIS CONTRACT HAS THREE PIECES TO IT. THE FIRST IS FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER LEGAL SERVICES. THERE IS A FLAT FEE. SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES, AND ALSO LITIGATION SERVICES FOR US. THOSE ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE SEPARATE SECTIONS. THERE IS AN EVALUATION PORTION OF IT AND A QUESTION HAD COME UP ABOUT WHY THIS WASN'T A BID. THIS IS CONSIDERED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE UNDER THE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 6-A-1.012. AND IT'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. COMMENT, MEMBER GRAY. >>Lynn Gray: MY COMMENT IS THIS. WE'RE FACING
231VERY DIFFICULT FISCAL CRISES. WHILE THE TBAE WASN'T SOMETHING I COULD APPROVE AND WHY THE IREADY WASN'T SOMETHING I COULD APPROVE, I AM WONDERING ABOUT THIS COST, TOO. LET ME DIG INTO IT. EACH COST WE INCUR NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT CAREFULLY. OUR ATTORNEY JIM PORTER HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB, AND WE ALL SHARE THE ENJOYMENT AND HIS EXPERTISE. THAT GOES VERY, VERY HIGHLY REGARDED. I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY A LAWYER WHO DEALS WITH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT REQUIRE REPRESENTATION OF THE CLIENT, AS WE DO NOW AT THE LOWERED PROPOSED COST OF $13,750 OR $165,000 PER YEAR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE MONTHLY FLAT FEE MORE THE PER HOUR FEES. MY CONCERN IS AS WE ARE ALWAYS GOING THROUGH NEW EXPENSES OR EXISTING, CAN WE NOT FIND A WAY TO
232-- AND I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT THE BID, BUT I DO PROPOSE THAT WE LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT THIS PARTICULAR COST. CAN WE NOT PUT THIS BID OUT FOR A MORE REASONABLE COST, WHICH I'VE BEEN SHARED ABOUT 2,000 PER MONTH AND $300 PER COUNSEL HOUR. I THINK IT'S OUR JOB TO BE FIDUCIARY. LET'S JUST SAY PROACTIVE, AND START LOOKING AT WAYS EVERY TIME WE CAN SAVE MONEY, AS DIFFICULT AS THAT DISCUSSION AND DECISION MAY BE. AND I CAN'T SAY OTHER THAN EVERY TIME WE GET AN ITEM THAT HAS A HIGH EXPENSE, WE ALL, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT IN TERMS OF HOW CAN WE LESSEN, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE TEACHER SALARIES AND THE NONINSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PEOPLE NOT GETTING THEIR SALARIES UPGRADED AND AIR CONDITIONING AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS AND LACK
233OF SOAP. SO THAT'S MY QUESTION. FEEL FREE TO ANSWER. >>Gretchen Saunders: WHEN WE STARTED THE PROCESS WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND ACTUALLY ALL THE LEGAL SERVICES, WE MOVED FROM AN HOURLY RATE TO A FLAT FEE. WHEN WE LOOKED AT MR. PORTER'S CONTRACT AND WE LOOKED AT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HE GAVE TO EACH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, WE JUST -- WE ORIGINALLY BASED THIS ON 40 HOURS A WEEK BUT I KNOW HE'S AVAILABLE 24/7 VIA CELL PHONE, ANYTHING, E-MAIL. AND FELT THAT THIS WAS A VERY FAIR AMOUNT FOR HIS CONTRACT AND IT WAS A FLAT RATE. WE MOVED AWAY ALMOST FOR ALL OF THE CONTRACTS FROM AN HOURLY LEGAL FEE. >>Lynn Gray: SO MY QUESTION IS, THE FLORIDA, THE STATE OF FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT REQUIRE REPRESENTATION, QUOTE, REPRESENTATION, OF THE CLIENT, AS WE
234DO NOW AT A PROPOSED COST OF $13,750. I UNDERSTAND THE FLAT FEE, AND THAT IS A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER MONTH. AND I UNDERSTAND THE LITIGATION PER HOUR. I NEED CLARIFICATION ON THIS POINT THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BY LEGAL PEOPLE WHOM I KNOW, WHY ARE WE REQUIRED TO PAY THIS AMOUNT AS A SCHOOL BOARD? IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE DECIDED? IS IT SOMETHING THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT WANTS? >>Gretchen Saunders: THIS WAS DECIDED BY THE BOARD. >>Lynn Gray: BY THE SCHOOL BOARD. >>Gretchen Saunders: YES, MA'AM. >>Lynn Gray: OKAY. AND AT THAT TIME, I WAS NOT PRESENT, MEMBER SHAMBURGER NOR MEMBER SNIVELY. AS THE OUTCOME, AND THIS IS NOT THE MOST COMFORTABLE POSITION TO BE IN, BUT I WOULD SAY IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT A MAJOR COST SAVINGS IN THIS AREA. IF WE
235PUT IT OUT FOR BID, I THINK THAT'S NOT A BAD ALTERNATIVE. OR IF WE PUT IT OUT FOR CONSIDERATION. IT MAY BE FUNNY TO YOU ALL, BUT MONEY THAT'S NOT GOING TO THE SCHOOLS FOR OUR KIDS, FOR THE TEACHERS, FOR THE SUPPORT PERSONNEL, FOR THE SOAP, FOR THE TOILET PAPER, THAT I TAKE SERIOUSLY. I'M NOT GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MICKEY MOUSE. I'M SAYING, AGAIN, IF WE CAN SAVE MONEY, I WOULD LIKE FOR ALL OF US TO LOOK AT IT, BE EARNEST AND PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND LET'S TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. SO, MS. SAUNDERS, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, AT THAT POINT WOULD YOU OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE? >>Jim Porter: WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONTRACT REPRESENTS. THE BOARD INITIALLY IN
2362013, I BELIEVE, CHOSE TO PUT AN RFQ OUT FOR ITS OWN ATTORNEY. AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS ONE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING BOTH THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT. BOTH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE, THE DISTRICT WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY HAVING AN ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD AND AN ATTORNEY FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT. I RESPONDED TO THE RFQ. I WAS AWARDED THE CONTRACT. I WAS WITH ANOTHER FIRM AT THE TIME. AND WHAT I OFFERED UP TO THE DISTRICT INSTEAD OF AN HOURLY RATE WHERE I WOULD BILL THE DISTRICT BY THE HOUR AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, BOARD MEMBERS, MY RATE ON THE STREET IS MUCH HIGHER FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS THAN I CAN OFFER YOU. TO SAVE THE DISTRICT MONEY AND TO ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO HAVE A SET BUDGET EVERY MONTH WITH NO SURPRISES,
237I AGREED TO A FLAT FEE THAT REPRESENTED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS. AFTER SIX MONTHS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS SPENDING MORE TIME AND SO THE 13,750 FLAT FEE WAS ARRIVED AT I THINK IN 2015. I HAVE NOT TAKEN A PAY INCREASE SINCE THEN. THAT IS A FLAT FEE. YOU APPROVED MY CONTRACT A FEW MONTHS AGO WITH THAT SAME AMOUNT. THIS IS JUST CHANGING LAW FIRMS. AT THE SAME AMOUNT. THE BOARD ALSO SUBSEQUENT TO ME BEING CHOSEN AS SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY ASKED ME TO TAKE ON THE POLICY DRAFTING THAT WAS FORMERLY PERFORMED BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY. I AGREED TO DO THAT, AGAIN, FOR A FLAT FEE OF $2,000 A MONTH. AND THAT WAS DEEMED TO BE AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF MONEY BASED ON THE TIME SPENT TO DO TWO POLICY CYCLES. YOU AGAIN APPROVED
238THAT A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE $2,000 FLAT FEE. WHAT I'M BRINGING FORWARD TODAY IS A REDUCTION -- A REDUCTION FOR THE POLICY PORTION FOR $1,000 A MONTH. SO THAT'S SAVING THE DISTRICT MONEY. THE DISTRICT ALSO HAD ASKED ME TO HANDLE -- OR MY FIRM TO HANDLE SOME OF THE LITIGATION THAT THE DISTRICT HAS TO HANDLE. OTHER LAW FIRMS ALSO HANDLE LITIGATION. MY FIRM WAS GOING AT A RATE THAT WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER. THE NEW FIRM I'M GOING TO IS ALLOWING ME TO BRING A CONTRACT TO YOU FOR A LOWER HOURLY RATE. SO THERE ARE THREE THINGS I'M PERFORMING FOR YOU. THE REPRESENTATION OF THE BOARD FOR A FLAT FEE, NOT AN HOURLY FEE, AND THAT WAS DECISION OF THE BOARD. AND MS. GRAY, YOU VOTED FOR THAT A FEW MONTHS AGO AS WELL. THE POLICY PIECE
239I'M BRINGING AT A REDUCED RATE. I'M CUTTING MY FEE IN HALF FOR THE POLICIES. AND YOU'LL RECALL, BOARD MEMBERS, THAT YOU DECIDED TO DO A POLICY CYCLE TWICE A YEAR INSTEAD OF ONCE A YEAR. WHEN I BECAME YOUR SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I HAD TO DO WAS HANDLE A POLICY HEARING OF 99 POLICIES THAT WERE BEING BROUGHT AT ONE TIME. SO WE WORKED TOGETHER AS A BOARD AND AS AN ATTORNEY TO COME UP WITH A STANDARDIZED POLICY PRACTICE AND CYCLE THAT HAPPENS TWICE A YEAR. I CAN BE HONEST WITH YOU, BOARD MEMBERS, THIS IS A FULL-TIME JOB, BUT IT'S NOT -- THAT'S NOT -- IT CAN'T BE A FULL-TIME JOB FOR ME. THE RATE I'M OFFERING YOU IS MUCH LOWER, AGAIN, THAN I COULD OFFER ANY OTHER PRIVATE CLIENT. MY NEW
240LAW FIRM IS ALLOWING ME TO REDUCE MY COST TO THE DISTRICT. YOU ALL APPROVED THE EXACT SAME CONTRACT A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU RENEWED MY CONTRACT AFTER AN ACCEPTABLE EVALUATION. I'M BRINGING TO YOU NOW AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE THE DISTRICT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IMMEDIATELY. THE -- IF YOU APPROVE THIS THE FILES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO MY NEW FIRM. THE RATES WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO DOWN. MY MONTHLY FLAT FEE FOR THE POLICIES WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO DOWN. YOUR OTHER OPTION FOR THE POLICIES IS TO GO BACK TO A COMPANY CALLED NEOLA THAT WAS DOING IT BEFORE. THEN SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD AT THE TIME AGREED THAT THAT WAS NOT A GOOD USE OF DISTRICT RESOURCES. WHAT I'M BRINGING FORWARD, I CHOSE TO GO TO ANOTHER LAW FIRM FOR PERSONAL REASONS AND FOR REASONS THAT WOULD
241ALLOW ME TO BRING A CONTRACT TO YOU TO SAVE THE DISTRICT MONEY GIVEN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION THAT THE DISTRICT IS IN. I CONSIDER IT A COMPLETE HONOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD. I'M HAPPY TO DO THIS. IT'S AN ISSUE, AGAIN, TO EXPLAIN TO A LAW FIRM WHY MY HOURLY RATE IS SO LOW REPRESENTING YOU. THAT IS JUST A FUNCTION OF HAVING A LAWYER IN A LAW FIRM. THAT'S SORT OF WHERE IT IS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND FULLY THE SITUATION. YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO THIS. THE BOARD CHOSE TO DO THIS CONTRACT. >>Lynn Gray: IF I MAY JUST RESPOND, AND I SEE THERE IS A LINE. THERE IS GOOD REASON WHY A REEVALUATION -- AND YOU CAN APPRECIATE THAT -- IS DONE AFTER TWO OR THREE MONTHS. EVERY TIME WE GET THE BUDGET, WHICH
242MS. SAUNDERS SO NICELY GIVES US PER MONTH, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING CLOSELY AT HOW WE CAN SAVE MONEY. YOUR SERVICES HAVE ALREADY BEEN AGREED TO BY THE BOARD, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S NOTHING THAT ONE PERSON CAN DO. AND I NEVER WILL DENY YOU THAT YOU ARE A WONDERFUL AND COMPLETE EXPERT. THAT'S NOT REALLY THE CASE. I WILL SAY THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING MORE CLOSELY AT THIS KIND OF MONEY BEING PUT OUT. DO WE REALLY, REALLY HAVE TO HAVE THIS? WE HAVE OTHER LAWYERS. AND I THINK AS A BOARD WE WOULD BE MUCH MORE RESPONSIBLE IF WE STARTED LOOKING AT TRYING, IN THE FUTURE, FINDING A WAY TO SAVE MONEY ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE, MR. PORTER, BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. I DON'T
243WANT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL BY THE WAY THE NAMES ARE UP THERE, BUT I HAVE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE THAT PUT THEIR REQUEST IN EARLIER. I WILL GO BY WHAT'S ON THE LIST AND THEN I'LL GO UP TO THE BOARD UP THERE. SO IT WILL BE MEMBER STUART, MEMBER SNIVELY AND THEN MEMBER GRIFFIN. MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND MR. PORTER, I AM SORRY THAT YOU ARE HAVING TO SIT AND LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE I SO APPRECIATE THAT YOU WENT OUT OF YOUR WAY TO SAVE THIS DISTRICT MONEY. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. I KNOW THE CONSTRAINTS THAT YOUR FORMER FIRM WERE PUTTING ON YOU AND HOW YOU WERE HAVING TO CHARGE US A PARTICULAR RATE TO THIS DISTRICT. SO I APPRECIATE FULLY THE REPRESENTATION THAT THIS BOARD HAS. IT MAKES ME
244EXTREMELY NERVOUS THAT I HAVE BOARD MEMBERS HERE SITTING TALKING ABOUT NOT HAVING REPRESENTATION AT THIS DISTRICT. I DON'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME THIS BOARD DIDN'T IN SOME FASHION HAVE REPRESENTATION AT THIS DISTRICT. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE PROBABLY THINK IT'S NOT THAT BIG A DEAL. SCHOOL BOARD LAW IS EXTREMELY COMPLICATED. AND THAT IS WHY THIS DISTRICT NOW DOESN'T HAVE JUST ONE ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTS THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD, BUT WE HAVE TWO. WE SEPARATED THAT MANY YEARS AGO. I WAS HERE FOR THAT CONVERSATION. THERE WERE VERY, VERY STRONG REASONS WHY WE DID THAT. AND IT REALLY MAKES ME NERVOUS I THINK TO -- TO THINK THAT WE POSSIBLY DON'T NEED REPRESENTATION. YOUR SERVICE TO THE BOARD AND THE ADVICE YOU GIVE AND INFORMATION YOU BRING FORWARD IS INVALUABLE, AT LEAST TO THIS BOARD MEMBER.
245AGAIN, I COMPLETELY APPRECIATE THE SAVINGS THAT YOU'RE BRINGING FORWARD AND YOUR EFFORTS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. MS. SAUNDERS, WHAT IS THE TOTAL SAVINGS ON THIS CONTRACT FOR THE ANNUAL? FROM WHAT IT WAS BEFORE TO THE NEW CONTRACT. >>Gretchen Saunders: WELL, THE SAVINGS -- I'LL HAVE TO GET THAT TO YOU. I DIDN'T BRING IT WITH ME. I AM SORRY. >>Jim Porter: IT'S HARD TO PREDICT BECAUSE THERE IS A FLAT FEE. I'M CUTTING THAT IN HALF. THAT'S AN INSTANT SAVINGS OF $12,000. >>Gretchen Saunders: IT IS THE LITIGATION PIECE I DON'T HAVE. >>Jim Porter: THE LITIGATION PIECE, SO I CAN CONTROL THE COST, THAT'S WHY I DO A FLAT FEE SO GRETCHEN AND YOU KNOW EVERY YEAR WHAT THAT IS. WE CAN'T CONTROL WHO SUES US. >>Cindy Stuart: CAN YOU AT LEAST SPEAK TO THE RATE OF LITIGATION
246FROM THE PREVIOUS FIRM TO THE CURRENT. >>Jim Porter: PREVIOUS RATE FOR PARTNERS FOR HIGH LEVEL CASES WAS $310 AN HOUR AND IT WILL BE REDUCED TO 275, 250 FOR ASSOCIATES AND 100 FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS AND PARALEGALS. >>Cindy Stuart: AGAIN, I COMPLETELY APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE NOT ONLY LEFT THE FIRM YOU WERE WITH AND GONE TO ANOTHER FIRM, VERY REP USABLE FIRM LOCALLY -- REPUTABLE FIRM LOCALLY BUT YOU WENT OUT OF THE WAY TO SAVE THE DISTRICT MONEY, PROBABLY IN LIGHT OF OUR BUDGET SITUATION AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICE THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. ALL RIGHT. MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: I WAS THE BOARD MEMBER WHO ORIGINALLY BROUGHT UP WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST PUBLICLY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH
247THE FORMER ATTORNEY, AND IT WAS NOT HIS FAULT. IT'S THE WAY THE DISTRICT SET IT UP, BUT IT WAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. HE WAS REPRESENTING THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND HE WAS REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL BOARD. AND, FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A LOT MORE MONEY TO BE SPENT ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SIDE THAN ON THE SCHOOL BOARD SIDE. AND PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEIR BREAD IS BUTTERED. IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE. WE WENT THROUGH A VERY EXTENSIVE SEARCH. WE HAD TWO ROUNDS OF APPLICATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY COME INTO THIS SCHOOL BOARD. WE SAT THROUGH VERY, VERY EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS AND HAD SOME VERY HIGHLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE COME FORWARD. YOU WERE THE CREAM THAT ROSE TO THE TOP ON THAT. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT BODY THAT DOESN'T HAVE REPRESENTATION. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE AN ATTORNEY. THE CITY COUNCIL
248HAS AN ATTORNEY. THE MAYOR HAS AN ATTORNEY. HIS OWN ATTORNEY. THE MPO HAS AN ATTORNEY. IT IS VERY, VERY COMPLICATED THE WORK THAT WE DO AND WHAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, AND WE WORK VERY HARD AT THAT. WE HAVE A LOT OF CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE TO READ EVERY SINGLE BOARD MEETING. AND THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR ATTORNEY, ALONG WITH STAFF TO UNDERSTAND THOSE CONTRACTS IS INVALUABLE. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE LOWERED OUR COST. I HOPE THAT ALL OF OUR VENDORS ARE LOOKING AT DOING THAT. AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE. I KEEP SAYING THAT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE COMMUNITY AND JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT BUDGETS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND TOP DOLLAR ON EVERYTHING, THAT WE CAN GET
249SOME SORT OF DISCOUNT AND USE OUR POSITION IN THE LEVERAGING OF THAT. I SUPPORT THIS, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT YOUR COSTS DOWN AND YOU'RE CONSIDERING WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH AS A DISTRICT. I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THIS DISTRICT ARE ALL DOING THAT. AND IT MIGHT BE LITTLE INCREMENTS HERE AND THERE THAT EACH ONE OF OUR VENDORS IS WORKING ON DOING, BUT TRYING TO WORK WITH US TO GET US TO THAT NEXT PHASE BECAUSE I DO HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE GOING TO COME OUT OF THIS ON THE OTHER SIDE, THAT THE RATING AGENCIES ARE GOING TO KEEP US AT A LEVEL THAT WE WON'T COST THE TAXPAYERS MILLIONS, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR ON INTEREST PAYMENTS ALONE IF WE LOSE THAT RATING. YOU KNOW, THERE'S
250A LOT GOING ON RIGHT HERE. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET CONTROL OVER, AND I SUPPORT THIS CONTRACT, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE WORKING WITH US AND TRYING TO BRING THOSE COSTS DOWN. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE REASON I WAITED BECAUSE I WAS THINKING MAYBE SOMEONE WOULD ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ALREADY, SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO POSE ANY. I WAS TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT WITH MY TIME. JUST FROM AN HISTORICAL ASPECT, JUST SO I CAN UNDERSTAND AND ESPECIALLY FOR SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO WEREN'T HERE WHEN THE BOARD ACQUIRED YOU, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME HISTORICAL ASPECT OF HOW THE BOARD OPERATED PRIOR TO YOU BEING HIRED AS A SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY? AND IS THAT
251NORMAL FOR SCHOOL BOARDS TO HAVE THEIR OWN ATTORNEY? >>Jim Porter: IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SPEAK, BECAUSE I WASN'T HERE. I WASN'T PART OF THE DISTRICT AT THE TIME. THE DISTRICT HAD ONE ATTORNEY THAT REPRESENTED BOTH THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE ATTORNEY SAT WITH THE BOARD, JUST LIKE I DO, BUT GAVE ADVICE TO BOTH THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT. MOST DISTRICTS I THINK HAVE IT SPLIT UP WHERE YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BODY AND AN ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT. EVERYONE DOES IT SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY. AT THE TIME, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD -- I THINK EVEN THE BOARD ATTORNEY, AND THE BOARD AGREED THAT MAYBE IT WAS TIME FOR THE 8th LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE REPRESENTATION THAT WAS MORE THOROUGHLY DELINEATED. AND FOR AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT
252AND THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE STAFF AND AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THE BOARD. THAT WAS A COLLECTIVE DECISION. I DIDN'T SEEK THE JOB. THERE WAS AN RFQ PUT OUT AND I RESPONDED TO THAT. SO I CAN'T RESPOND AND AS TO THE WAY IT WORKED, BUT YOU HAD ONE ATTORNEY PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE TO BOTH BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT. THE CITY COUNCIL HAS THEIR OWN ATTORNEY AND THE MAYOR HAS HIS OWN ATTORNEY. THEY OBVIOUSLY WORK TOGETHER. I WORK MOSTLY WITH MR. GIBSON. OFFICIAL CLIENTS ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. >>Melissa Snively: I KNOW YOU ARE PART OF AN ASSOCIATION OR GROUP -- >>Jim Porter: SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEYS. SOME HAVE IN-HOUSE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE IN-HOUSE WITH A WHOLE STAFF OF ATTORNEYS. PINELLAS HAS AN IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY, AND THERE'S MORE THAN ONE ATTORNEY. IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN OPTION THE BOARD COULD CHOOSE. YOU HAVE
253TO THINK ABOUT BENEFITS. YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO PAY AN ATTORNEY TO BE IN-HOUSE. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO IT. THIS BOARD, THIS DISTRICT CHOSE TO GO THIS ROUTE. >>Melissa Snively: YOU BROUGHT SOMETHING UP THAT MAKES ME WANT TO ASK MS. SAUNDERS. SO COMPARATIVELY WITH HOW WE DID IT BEFORE MR. PORTER STARTED IS WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO OR WHAT THE BOARD AT THE TIME DECIDED TO DO, A COST-SAVINGS MEASURE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. >>Gretchen Saunders: GOING FROM ONE ATTORNEY BOTH REPRESENTING THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD TO TWO? >>Melissa Snively: WELL, WE HAD ONE ATTORNEY IN-HOUSE BUT ALSO A LOT OF HIS STAFF WAS HELPING THE IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY, IS THAT CORRECT? DID HE HAVE A LOT OF STAFF? >>Jim Porter: THERE WAS NEVER AN IN-HOUSE
254ATTORNEY HERE. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HAS NEVER HAD AN IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY. >>Melissa Snively: SOMEONE WITH A FIRM. SOMEONE REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT VERSUS -- >>Jim Porter: HILLSBOROUGH, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HAS NEVER HAD -- >>Melissa Snively: GOT IT. GOING FROM ONE ATTORNEY THAT REPRESENTED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH A STAFF AT THEIR FIRM TO A SEPARATE ATTORNEY, ONE REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL BOARD AND ONE REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IS THERE A WAY TO MEASURE THE COST SAVINGS OR -- I KNOW IT'S HARD TO MEASURE LIABILITY -- >>Gretchen Saunders: PRIOR TO THE BOARD WHEN THERE WAS ONE LAW FIRM, THE TEAM REPRESENTED EVERYTHING. THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD. THE HOURLY RATE FOR EVERYTHING WAS $125 AN HOUR. THEY KEPT THAT RATE THE SAME FROM THE TIME I FIRST CAME INTO THIS POSITION UNTIL THAT PERSON LEFT OR
255THAT LAW FIRM LEFT. THAT WAS NOT INDUSTRY STANDARD. THAT WAS NOT GOING -- I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT $125 BILLABLE RATE CAME FROM. BUT IT WAS HELD CONSTANT, AND THEN, OF COURSE, THEN WE WENT TO TWO WHEN THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT DECIDED WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO. OF COURSE, GOING RATE, I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT THE GOING, LIKE $400 AN HOUR FOR OUTSIDE SERVICES. SO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WAS RECEIVING A HUGE BENEFIT FROM THAT LAW FIRM. THAT LAW FIRM WAS OFFERING A LOT FOR $125 AN HOUR. THERE ISN'T ANYBODY THAT COULD MATCH THAT. WENT ON AN RFP, COULDN'T BE TOUCHED. >>Melissa Snively: OF COURSE, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICES, I THINK IT'S LEGITIMATE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN A PUBLIC FORUM BECAUSE WE ARE BEING SCRUTINIZED FOR OUR EXPENDITURES AND WE WANT
256TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE VERY AWARE OF WHAT WE'RE SPENDING. WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT MR. PORTER HAS MADE TO REDUCE HIS FEES, HIS RATES. SO MY NEXT QUESTION WOULD BE, YOU AND I DON'T SPEND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME TOGETHER, SO I WAS WONDERING, DO YOU TRACK THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND WITH EACH BOARD MEMBER? LIKE HOW MUCH TIME OR DO YOU TRACK THE AMOUNT OF TIME, LIKE THE HOURS IN EACH MONTH SPENDING WITH THE BOARD? >>Jim Porter: ONE OF THE BENEFITS TO THE DISTRICT HAVING A FLAT FEE, YOU DON'T RECEIVE A BILL BROKEN DOWN WITH HOURLY RATES. IT'S MORE OF -- I'M AT YOUR DISPOSAL 24/7. YOU HAVE ALL CALLED ME AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND CONTACTED ME AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND I ALWAYS TRY TO BE RESPONSIVE. >>Melissa Snively: YOU ARE
257VERY RESPONSIVE. >>Jim Porter: I TRADITIONALLY SPEND MORE TIME WITH WHOEVER IS CHAIR BECAUSE THE DUTIES OF THE CHAIR DICTATE THAT. AND THEN IT DEPENDS ON EACH INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HER DISTRICT OR ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT'S HAPPENING. IT'S NOT CONSTANT FROM MONTH TO MONTH. IT SORT OF DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE AS AN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER. AND I COLLECTIVELY REPRESENT THE BOARD WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES THAT COME UP. >>Melissa Snively: OKAY. MY LAST QUESTION, AND THIS IS JUST FOR TRANSPARENCY TO SHOW THE VALUE OF WHAT YOU DO FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT DOESN'T REALLY SPECIFICALLY SAY WHAT THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CLIENT ENTAILS. SO I WAS HOPING THAT YOU COULD KIND OF ELABORATE ON WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT BRING VALUE TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD. >> SURE, THE
258MOST OBVIOUS ONE IS SITTING WITH YOU AT ALL YOUR BOARD MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS, HELPING THE CHAIR AND THE SUPERINTENDENT WORK THROUGH THE AGENDA, MAKING SURE AGENDA ITEMS ARE IN THE CORRECT ORDER, ANSWERING QUESTIONS THAT BOARD MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE ABOUT ANY PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEMS, DEALING WITH CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES THAT COME UP, FIRST AMENDMENT IS AN OBVIOUS ONE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT. DEEJ WITH ANY -- DEALING WITH ANY VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT COME UP ON A DAY-TO-DAY AS IT RELATES TO THE SCHOOL BOARD. I WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS STAFF. I INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC. I INTERACT WITH THE PRESS AND OTHER ATTORNEYS THAT ARE INTERACTING WITH THE DISTRICT. THAT'S SORT OF A REPRESENTATIVE THING. IT'S HARD TO GIVE YOU -- EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS, MR. PORTER. >>Sally Harris:
259THANK YOU. MEMBER SHAMBURGER. >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SO I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE CONVERSATION. I CERTAINLY RESPECT EVERYONE'S OPINION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. BUT FOR ME, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS SIMPLY DISCUSSED TO APPROVE -- ASKED US TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION FOR REDUCED FEE. WE JUST SAT HERE AND HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT ONLY HAVING A MONTH'S WORTH OF MONEY IN OUR ACCOUNT TO PAY BILLS. WHEN YOU BRING A REDUCTION, THIS IS THE STUFF SHE SHOULD BE STANDING UP AND APPLAUDING. IT SHOULDN'T BE ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT IT. I RESPECT EVERYONE'S OPINION ON IT. MR. PORTER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US A REDUCED CONTRACT. AS MEMBER STUART SAID, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT. IN FACT, MOST ATTORNEYS WOULD BRING US A HIGHER RATE JUST BECAUSE THEY MOVED FIRMS. I'M TRULY
260GRATEFUL FOR THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW MUCH WE DO TO GET TO OUR GOAL SO WE MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN OUR DISTRICT IS TAKEN CARE OF. FOR THAT, FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, TO APPROVE A REDUCTION IN YOUR FEES, ABSOLUTELY, YES, I SUPPORT IT. AND LRPGZ WILL DO SO. IF PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES WITH YOUR SERVICES OR WHATEVER, THAT'S FINE. THAT IS THE TIME FOR YOUR EVALUATION, OR WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NEW CONTRACT. BUT FOR TONIGHT, I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE'S ANY REAL DISCUSSION ABOUT APPROVING OR -- A REDUCTION IN FEES WHEN WE'RE IN FINANCIALLY BAD SHAPE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY. >>Lynn Gray: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CLARIFY. THE IDEA THAT WE'RE PAIGHTS -- PAYING THIS AMOUNT OF
261MONEY, I AM SURE IT IS VALID. MUCH NEEDED AND ALL THE RATIONALE IN THE RIGHT PLACE. HOWEVER, AGAIN, WE ARE IN A FISCAL CRISES, AND I THINK THAT THIS ITEM CAME UP. I LOOKED AT IT CAREFULLY WITH A TEAM OF OTHER ATTORNEYS, AND I WAS GIVEN SOME GUIDANCE AS TO WHERE WE COULD SAVE MORE MONEY. I'M NOT SUGGESTING WE DON'T NEED REPRESENTATION. OF COURSE, WE NEED REPRESENTATION. I'M NOT SUGGESTING WE DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY. OF COURSE, WE SHOULD HAVE AN ATTORNEY. ALL I AM SUGGESTING IS THAT WE ALL AS A BOARD LOOK AT THE $13,750 PER MONTH, OR $165,000 PER YEAR, AND LET'S SEE IF WE CAN EVEN GO A LITTLE BIT LOWER. OR CHANGE THE MAKEUP OF THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT. THIS DISCUSSION I THINK IS A HEALTHY ONE. I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE
262PUBLIC TO KNOW HOW WE'RE SPENDING MONEY. AND I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE US IN DISCUSSION, AND NOT AGREEING ON EVERY PIECE OF MONEY RIGHT AWAY. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO ALWAYS LOOK CAREFULLY AND SUGGEST THINGS THAT WE CAN MAKE COST SAVINGS. MR. PORTER, I DON'T NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT THAT AND NOT ASKING. I AM JUST LOOKING OUT FOR THE WELL-BEING AND WELFARE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR SCHOOLKIDS. AND THAT'S MY ONLY MOTIVE. ALL THAT BEING SAID TO ME, THAT IS MY ONLY MOTIVE. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE. IT IS ONLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AS I SEE RIGHT NOW ARE HUGE, AND WE ARE IN A CRISES MODE. >>Sally
263Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU. AND I, TOO, APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION, BECAUSE IT DOES ALLOW US TO KIND OF EDUCATE ONE ANOTHER AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING, AND WHY WE'VE MADE SOME OF THE DECISIONS THAT WE'VE MADE. WE WEREN'T TRACKING IT BEFORE REALLY THE WORK THAT WAS BETWEEN THE LITIGATION SIDE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE BOARD. AND WE HAD A RIDICULOUSLY LOW AMOUNT THAT WAS BEING CHARGED, BECAUSE IT CARRIED OVER FROM CROSBY FEW WHO HAD BEEN WITH THE BOARD AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 40 YEARS, AND THEN WHEN MR. GONZALEZ TOOK THAT JOB, HE MAINTAINED THAT SAME AMOUNT. BUT LET ME TELL YOU HOW THERE WERE -- AND THE REASON WHY IT CAME TO THE PLACE WHERE WE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO HAVE A BOARD ATTORNEY AND
264THE SUPERINTENDENT NEEDED A SEPARATE ATTORNEY, WE HAD A YOUNG LADY, UNFORTUNATELY, AND SOMEONE WHO I WILL NEVER FORGET AND I WILL SAY HER NAME AND I WILL SAY ANOTHER NAME THAT GOES WITH HERS. ISABELLE HERRERA WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO PASSED AWAY WHILE IN OUR CARE. AND MONTHS LATER, ALMOST THE END OF THE YEAR, A LAWSUIT CAME FORWARD, AND I HAPPENED TO TAKE OVER THE CHAIRMANSHIP RIGHT AFTER OCTOBER WHEN THAT LAWSUIT CAME FORWARD. AND FOR SOME REASON, I WAS DEPOSED IN REFERENCE TO THE LAWSUIT THAT WE WERE RECEIVING FROM ISABELLA HERRERA'S FAMILY THAT HAD PASSED AWAY IN JANUARY, JENNY CAV AEROPASSED AWAY IN OCTOBER AND ISABELLA'S FAMILY CAME FORWARD RIGHT AFTER THAT WITH A LAWSUIT BECAUSE, AND THIS WAS THE NUMBER ONE REASON I DIDN'T DECIDED THAT WE NEEDED AN ATTORNEY. AND WE DID EXPLORE
265IN-HOUSE, AND WE DID EXPLORE OUTSIDE COUNSEL, BECAUSE THE COST WAS IMPORTANT TO US. IT COST MORE FOR IN-HOUSE COUNSEL. WE DETERMINED THAT. AND WENT THE ROUTE THAT WE DID FOR THAT REASON, FOR THE COST SAVINGS. AND NOW WE HAVE EVEN MORE COST SAVINGS THAT'S COMING TO US. BUT IN MY DEPOSITION, THE ATTORNEY FOR THE HERRERA FAMILY ASKED ME THIS QUESTION. WERE YOU AWARE THAT THE HERRERA FAMILY WANTED TO MEDIATE IN LIEU OF LITIGATION BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR DAUGHTER NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN? THEY WERE NOT LOOKING TO SUE THIS DISTRICT. THEY WERE LOOKING TO MEDIATE AND ANDTO PUT SOME PROCESSES IN PLAC TO CHANGE SOME THINGS THAT -- SOME PROCEDURES THAT CAUSED THEIR DAUGHTER TO DIE. THEY WERE TOLD BY THE BOARD ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTS THIS BOARD WHO WAS BEING
266SUED TO TAKE A LONG WALK OFF A SHORT PIER. THIS BOARD WAS NEVER TAKEN INTO A MEETING AND ASKED IF WE WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD, IF WE WANTED TO MEDIATE OR IF WE WANTED TO LITIGATE. THAT'S WHY WE NEEDED OUR OWN REPRESENTATION. THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY I DECIDED THAT WE NEEDED TO SEPARATE THE TWO. SO IT HAS BEEN A LONG, LONG JOURNEY, AND, MR. PORTER, YOU HAVE DONE A FINE JOB AND IF YOU WEREN'T, I WOULD TELL YOU, AND YOU KNOW THAT. I APPRECIATE THE COST SAVINGS AGAIN AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO VOTING TO SUPPORT THIS RECOMMENDATION. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BOARD MEMBERS. >>Cindy Stuart: MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY, CAN I ASK THE BOARD TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE? >>Sally Harris: I
267HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FROM MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND FROM MEMBER GRIFFIN TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A SUBSEQUENT MOTION THAT THE BOARD APPROVE ITEM 6.09, THE CONTRACT WITH AKERMAN, LLP FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY SERVICES. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER VALDES, IS THAT A SECOND? I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER VALDES TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT. IS THERE DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. AND IT PASSES 6-1 WITH MEMBER GRAY VOTING NO. THANK YOU. >>Jim Porter: THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS. >>Sally Harris: MOVING TO ITEM 6.10R. APPROVE THE AGREEMENT OF TECHNICAL SERVICES WITH THE TAMPA BAY
268ARTS AND EDUCATION NETWORK, TBAE, TO PROVIDE VIDEO BROADCAST SERVICES, BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION, REVISION EVALUATION, INFORMATION ADDED. THIS ITEM WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER GRAY, MEMBER STUART, MEMBER SNIVELY AND MEMBER SHAMBURGER, MEMBER GRIFFIN WITH COMMENTS FROM MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER STUART, MEMBER SNIVELY AND MEMBER GRIFFIN. GRAYSON KAMM, COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA OFFICER, WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. >> GRAYSON KAMM: THANK YOU, MS. HARRIS, BOARD MEMBERS. I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT THIS ITEM AND ABOUT HOW IN THE PAST, OF COURSE, WE'VE CALLED IT TBAE, BUT I'M GOING TO BE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION INTO HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV. GOT A PowerPoint THAT WILL SORT OF WALK THROUGH AND OBVIOUSLY TALK WITH YOU OVER THE TIME ABOUT WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS RELATED TO THIS
269AND ALSO LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WE SEE OUT THERE THAT WOULD PRESENT ALONG WITH THIS. AS WE GO INTO THIS PowerPoint, I'LL KIND OF WALK YOU THROUGH WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. AND I'LL CHECK WITH OUR TECHNICAL GUYS, IF YOU WANT TO BRING THAT UP. I THINK I E-MAILED IT. PRETTY SURE I DID. I'M HELPLESS WITHOUT THE PowerPoint, AS YOU GUYS IMAGINE. DON'T KNOW HOW TO TALK. BRING MY LAPTOP UP AND TURN IT AROUND. >>Sally Harris: WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A COMMERCIAL BREAK AND WE WILL COME BACK HERE. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM 7.01. TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE ON THAT. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 7.01, APPROVE APPOINTMENTS OF A DESIGN PROFESSIONAL AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AT GORRIE ELEMENTARY. AND THIS ITEM
270HAS A COMMENT BY MEMBER GRAY. >>Lynn Gray: LET ME ASK, DOES THIS GO TO MS. SAUNDERS, THIS QUESTION? IT'S A FINANCIAL QUESTION. >>Gretchen Saunders: YES, MA'AM. >>Lynn Gray: CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF TAKING $4,26 $4,262,570 FROM OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX FUNDS, WHICH JUSTIFIES THIS EXPENDITURE, THE PROCESS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW? HOW -- HOW DO WE COME ABOUT THE RATIONALE FOR GETTING THIS MONEY? FROM THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND? >>Gretchen Saunders: THE MONEY IS PART OF THE CHECKBOOKS WE TALK ABOUT WITHIN THE FUNDS. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX IS WHAT WE GET FOR THE SALES TAX PORTION, WHAT WE TAKE IN-HOUSE, BASED ON WHAT WE TOOK TO THE BOARD, WE CAN ONLY SPEND CERTAIN THINGS ON CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNTS. IN THE CAPITAL OUTLAY BUDGET, THIS IS WHERE THE DOLLARS RESIDE. >>Lynn Gray: THIS JUSTIFIES THE
271EXPENDITURE? >>Gretchen Saunders: YES, MA'AM. >>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU. >>Gretchen Saunders: YOU'RE WELCOME. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. ARE WE READY? ALL RIGHT. WE WILL RETURN TO 6.10R, THE AGREEMENT FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES WITH TAMPA BAY ARTS AND EDUCATION NETWORK, SOON TO BE HOPEFULLY HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV. >>Grayson Kamm: THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE. APPRECIATE THAT. I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN IT ALL TAKEN CARE. ALSO WITH US SCOTT MAIDEN AND JESSICA STURGESS FROM TBAE. THEY HAVE COME OVER FROM THEIR HEADQUARTERS FOR THIS IN CASE WE HAVE SPECIFIC OR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. AS I WALK THROUGH THE PowerPoint, YOU'LL SEE WHERE WE'RE TAKING THIS AND WHY WE'RE VIEWING IT THIS WAY. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT HOW HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV WILL ALIGN WITH WHAT OUR DISTRICT IS DOING. FIRST, IT INCREASES COMMUNICATION WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND IT BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH A TELEVISION STATION,
272ONLINE STREAMING, DOWNLOADABLE APP AND MORE. AS YOU KNOW, LIVE BOARD MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS IMPROVE OUR CONNECTION WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ENRICHES OUR STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC WITH MATH HOMEWORK HOT LINE, STEAM AHEAD, TIDE TALKS WITH THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM, STUDENT-CREATED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMING AND MORE. SO, HOW DO WE TRANSFORM FROM TBAE TO HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV? WELL, YOU'LL SEE THE EXISTING CHANNEL REBRANDED, ITS USES EXPANDED. WE'LL BE REACHING STAKEHOLDERS IN NEW WAYS, IN SCHOOL OFFICES AND PUBLIC SPACES. ON DEMAND STREAMING OF SHOWS ONLINE. SHAREABLE LINKS TO STREAMING SHOWS THAT WE CAN THEN SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THIS WILL COME WITH NO INCREASE IN COST, PLUS NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO OFFSET THE COSTS THROUGH SPONSORSHIPS. PLAN LAUNCH IS THE SPRING BREAK TIME FRAME FOR THIS INITIATIVE. WHAT WILL HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV LOOK LIKE? I KNOW IT'S TINY
273ON THE SCREEN BUT THE IDEA IS TO LOOK AT THE BLOCKS. LATER IN THE EVENING, CLOSER TO THE BOTTOM, SO YOU'LL SEE THE BIG GREEN BLOCKS ARE SCHOOL SHOWCASE, WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT IN A MOMENT. YOU'LL SEE THE BLUE IS SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND REPLAYS. THE LIGHT YELLOW IS MATH HOMEWORK HOT LINE AND REPLAYS OF PREVIOUS ONE. KIND OF THE HOMEWORK SWEET SPOT FROM 5 TO 7 P.M. THE ORANGE IS LOCALLY PRODUCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT WILL RUN THROUGHOUT THE EVENING. ON THE WEEKEND, OPPORTUNITIES FOR, RIGHT NOW, IT'S SCHEDULED AND WE CAN WORK WITH THIS AS WE GO, TO REPLAY OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS. WE'VE GOT A SPOT IN THERE FOR SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING THAT WE COULD EXPAND INTO A BLOCK IF WE SEE FIT. IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA
274OF THE OVERVIEW AS WE'RE BRINGING THIS PROGRAMMING TOGETHER. THE BIGGEST CHANGE WITH HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV DURING THE DAY, SCHOOL SHOWCASE WILL AIR FROM 5 A.M. TO 5 P.M. IN 200 PLUS SCHOOL OFFICES AND PUBLIC SPACES. THIS IS A SAMPLE PUT TOGETHER OF WHAT THIS WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND SO THIS IS TAKEN FROM OUR TWITTER FEED, A POSITIVE MESSAGE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS, CONNECTING PEOPLE TO WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND OUR DISTRICT. YOU'LL SEE IN THE NEXT ONE, THIS IS FROM OUR Facebook PAGE. THIS CAN BE FROM OTHER PEOPLE POSTING OUR PEOPLE AND TALKING ABOUT THEM. PEOPLE CAN SEE THEMSELVES IN THE SCHOOLS. THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OUR GRADUATION RATE INCREASE. ACROSS THE BOTTOM, YOU'LL SEE THERE IS A SCROLL THERE. WE'LL LAUNCH WITH A SCROLL IN PLACE. IF IT'S TOO
275DISTRACTING, WE'LL TAKE IT DOWN. BUT YOU SEE IT THERE. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADD BILINGUAL WORK TO IT. WE COULD PUT UP SPANISH LANGUAGE SLIDES AS PART OF THIS, BUT I THINK THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY CONSISTENTLY IN THAT CRAWL TO PUT UP THE SAME THING IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH, SO THAT CRAWL CAN REACH THAT LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR FAMILIES THAT WE KNOW ARE OUT THERE THAT PREFER TO RECEIVE MESSAGES IN SPANISH. OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL SORTS OF DIVERSITY AND EDUCATION MESSAGES. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE LAUNCHING IN OUR DISTRICT. THIS IS A REMINDER ABOUT THE DEADLINE FOR CHOICE IN MAGNET SCHOOLS. ALL THESE THINGS IN OUR SCHOOLS ALL THE TIME AS A WHOLE NEW COMMUNICATION CHANNEL WITH FAMILIES. I KNOW FAMILIES ARE BUSY. I KNOW IT'S HARD TO REACH THEM. WE TEXT THEM, CALL
276THEM, E-MAIL THEM. THIS IS ONE NEW AND FRESH VISUAL AVENUE TO REACH THEM. YOU'LL SEE HERE, THIS IS ACTUALLY A PRESENTATION OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO ACTUALLY TAKE A LIVE LOOK AT OUR NEWS DESK PAGE AS WE'RE UPDATING THAT WITH NEWS AND OUR TWITTER FEED. WE CAN TRULY PUT UP ON THERE URL. HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS.TV/NEWS. SOMEBODY WAITING IN THE OFFICE CAN PULL OUT THEIR PHONE, TIEPPED IN AND SEE WHAT -- TYPE THAT IN AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE SEEING AND READ THE ARTICLE RIGHT THEN AND THERE. AND THEN OPPORTUNITY FOR SPONSOR MESSAGES. SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION AS A SAMPLE SPONSOR. WE CAN SHOW STATIC AND VIDEO MESSAGES FROM THEM. SILENT. WE DON'T WANT TO DISRUPT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT OFFICE ENVIRONMENT. BUT CONVEYING NOT JUST ABOUT THE SPONSOR, BUT ALSO WE HAVE INTEREST FROM
277SPONSORS IN TALKING ABOUT THEIR OWN MESSAGING OF WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS OF EDUCATING FOLKS. WE'VE GOT TALKS WITH HOSPITAL THAT'S INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING AND GETTING OUT HEALTH INFORMATION THAT THEY WORK REALLY HARD TO DEVELOP AND REACH. AND THIS AS WHOLE NEW WAY TO REACH AN AUDIENCE WITH THAT. YOU KNOW, SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION, FOR EXAMPLE, WORKS WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY. THESE ARE THE KINDS OF MESSAGES THAT THEY CAN BRING ALONG WITH THIS. AND WORTH MENTIONING, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO USE THE NPR/PBS PROTOCOL WITH SPONSOR MESSAGES. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE, 50% OFF! ORDER NOW! IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT THEY CALL IMAGE SPOTS, TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY DO IN THE COMMUNITY OR AS I SAID, YOU HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT WANTS TO GET A WORD OUT ABOUT AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE ALONG THE
278WAY. HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV WILL HAVE TREMENDOUS REACH, EXPANDING TO MORE THAN 200 SCHOOL OFFICES AND OTHER PUBLIC SPACES. YOU DO THE MATH ON THAT, CONSERVATIVELY, YOU'RE LOOKING AT MORE THAN 3.6 MILLION PARENTS, STUDENTS, EDUCATORS DURING A TYPICAL SCHOOL YEAR. ALSO STREAMING IT ONLINE. EMBEDDED IN OUR DISTRICT WEBSITE, BOTH SPECTRUM AND FRONTIER, FI OWES AND -- FIOS AND A DOWNLOADABLE APP. A LOOK AT SPONSORSHIP LEVELS. THESE ARE REFLECTING SIX-MONTH COMMITMENT. AS I SAID, A CRUCIAL PART OF THIS IS HAVING SPONSORS OFFSET THE COSTS INVOLVED IN THIS. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT. THIS WILL BE A SIX-MONTH COMMITMENT. HERE'S A SAMPLE OF WHAT YOU WOULD SEE FOR MISSION SPONSOR LEVEL, A SIX-MONTH COMMITMENT AT $10,000, YOU WOULD GET A FULL HOUR -- YOUR MESSAGE WOULD BE CONNECTED WITH A FULL HOUR OF SCHOOL SHOWCASE DURING
279THE DAY WITH MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT YOUR MESSAGE AND SHOW THAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING WHAT WE DO. THERE WOULD ALSO BE AN OPPORTUNITY BEFORE ONE OF OUR EVENING PROGRAMS TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY WHOEVER YOU ARE. THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT. AND I LOOK AT THIS JUST LIKE SPONSORING FOOTBALL PROGRAM OR THE PROGRAM FOR PERFORMING ARTS PERFORMANCE, WHERE THE MAIN REASON YOU DO IT IS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. IT'S NICE TO GET THE BENEFIT OF THE NAME RECOGNITION, BUT YOU'RE IN THIS TO HELP THIS COMMUNICATION CHANNEL AND SUPPORT THE DISTRICT. INTEREST IS ALREADY GROWING. AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, A FEW WEEKS THAT WE'VE HAD THIS READY TO GO OUT. WE'VE ALREADY GOT SEVEN POTENTIAL
280LAUNCH SPONSORS FOR THIS. THAT'S INTEREST AFTER A PRETTY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MULTIPLE LEVELS. EVEN IF THAT WAS THE LOWEST LEVEL, STILL LOOKING AT $35,000 IN ANNUAL REVENUE. THE INTEREST IS THERE. WE'RE JUST OUT OF THE GATE ON THIS AND WE'RE SEEING THIS CONTINUING TO GROW. MORE THAN IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT ARE A LOT MORE THAN A TV CHANNEL. WE TALK ABOUT THE TV CHANNEL. I'LL GO THROUGH IT QUICKLY. BRANDED MANAGED CHANNEL. WE HAVE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS COVERED LIVE WITH A MEETING ARCHIVE, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY VALUABLE FOR US. SCHOOL SHOWCASE, MATH HOMEWORK, IN-LINE HCPS, SUPERINTENDENT PRESS CONFERENCES, DISTRICT PRESS CONFERENCES, STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. ADDITIONAL VIDEO PRODUCTIONS AND VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES. SO THEY'LL WORK WITH US ON THINGS, AND WE ALSO CAN HAND THEM PROJECTS THAT THEY CAN
281PRODUCE THAT WE CAN'T POTENTIALLY PRODUCE IN-HOUSE. EMERGENCY BROADCASTING, VIDEO PRODUCTION AND GRANT CONSULTATION, TROUBLE SHOOTING CONSULTATION, SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION. I TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS CHANGING TO HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV, BUT I'VE INDICATED IN SOME CONVERSATION WITH YOU, I SEE THIS MOVING IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND A LOT OF WAYS. AND THIS WOULD BE A SAMPLE OF THAT NEW APPROACH. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT MAKING TV SHOWS. THIS IS ABOUT USING ALL OF OUR PLATFORMS AND USING PARTNERS OF EXPERIENCE PRODUCTION FOLKS TO CREATE THAT. SO STUDENT PRODUCTION IS A GREAT EXAMPLE HERE. YOU HAVE STUDENT PRODUCTIONS GOING ON AT SO MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS, RIGHT? WE HAVE HIGH SCHOOLS, SPOTO, CHAMBERLAIN, BLAKE, CRANKING OUT SOME REALLY AMAZING HIGH-QUALITY STUFF. AND THEY ARE LIKE 26 THAT ARE ALSO DOING. I JUST DIDN'T MENTION. I APOLOGIZE. WHAT HAPPENS
282IS, WE GATHER THAT WORK FROM THOSE SCHOOLS. AND AS WE BRING THAT TOGETHER, THEN WE GET THAT -- OUR HANDS AROUND THAT AND WE PASS THAT ON TO OUR PARTNERS AT TBAE WHO ARE PROS AT PICKING THE BEST. THEY LITERALLY, THEIR CAREERS HAVE BUILT TV PROGRAMS. THEY WOULD LITERALLY BE ABLE TO PULL THAT TOGETHER, TURN THAT INTO A SHOW. SO YOU GET ONE FINISHED SHOW FOR THE NETWORK AND THEN YOU GET SHORTER SEGMENTS. AND THEY PRODUCE THAT ALL UP. THEY PUT THAT ALL TOGETHER. AND THEN THROUGH DISTRIBUTION PATHWAYS, WE SPREAD THAT BACK OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES. YES, THE TV CHANNEL, BUT ALSO THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA SHARING AND THINGS THAT CAN GO VIRAL. ALSO ON-DEMAND STREAMING, SO I CAN SEND PEOPLE THE LINK AND THEY CAN GO WATCH THE SHOW, EVEN IF THEY DON'T DO APPOINTMENT
283TELEVISION. SO IT'S MORE THAN JUST A TV CHANNEL. IT'S A PRODUCTION PROCESS THAT MAGNIFIES THE WORK WE DO. DEMELOS A SIMILAR EXAMPLE. WE HAVE A SPANISH LANGUAGE GROUP OUT THERE, ABOUT 18% OF OUR FAMILIES PREFER TO GET MESSAGES IN SPANISH. THEY HAVE COMMUNICATION NEEDS. AS MUCH AS ENGLISH LANGUAGE FAMILY, IF NOT MORE, RUN UP AGAINST CONFUSION AS THEY TRY TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE EDUCATION PROCESS. WE GATHER THE NEEDS TOGETHER. WE THEN ON OUR END WORK WITH OUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S TRANSPORTATION, STUDENT NUTRITION, ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS, WE BRING THAT TOGETHER. AGAIN, TBAE PULLS THAT INTO A PROGRAM THAT WE THEN CAN AIR AS A FINISHED SHOW BUT THEN AGAIN ALSO SHORTER SEGMENTS. SAME WAY, THROUGH DISTRIBUTION PATHWAYS, WE CAN SHARE THAT OUT ON A TV CHANNEL.
284DIFFERENT SHORTER SEGMENTS ON YouTube CHANNEL, ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE ITSELF. WHEN YOU GO TO TRANSPORTATION, I'VE GOT A VIDEO RIGHT THERE AWESOME PRODUCED THAT WILL WALK YOU THROUGH IN FIVE MINUTES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT IN NATIVE LANGUAGE. E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS, PARENT UNIVERSITIES. THESE ARE ALL DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO USE THIS AS MORE THAN JUST A TV CHANNEL. SO IN SUMMARY, I GUESS MY POINT BEING TBAE, AS I SEE IT MOVING FORWARD, IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A TV CHANNEL. YES, IT IS A BRANDED CABLE CHANNEL. IT IS ALSO A BOARD MEETING TRANSCRIPTION AND ARCHIVING SERVICE WHICH IS INVALUABLE AND WOULD COST US SIGNIFICANT MONEY OUTSIDE OF THIS. ONE STOP PRODUCTION HOUSE FOR PROJECTS WE WANT TO GET DONE AND CAN'T DO IN-HOUSE. IT'S INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. IT IS AN INSCHOOLS COMMUNICATION PLATFORM.
285IT'S A COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORM BOTH BY PEOPLE WHO TUNE IN AND WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO PUT IT ON IN THEIR OFFICES AND THEIR SPACES AS WELL. IT'S AN ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORM, ON DEMAND PROGRAMMING THAT WE CAN SET UP. I WILL SAY, IT IS LOWER PRICED THAN ITS COUNTERPARTS. THE CITY OF TAMPA, THEIR BUDGET FOR THEIR TV STATION IS $1.3 MILLION. OUT OF $1 BILLION BUDGET. SO JUST FOR COMPARISON SAKE, IT IS LOWER PRICE THAN ITS COUNTERPARTS. THAT IS MY PRESENTATION ABOUT HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL TVs AND WHERE WE SEE IT HEADED. I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. >>Sally Harris: WELL, WE HAVE AT LEAST SIX COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW. SO DON'T GO AWAY. >>Grayson Kamm: I'LL BE RIGHT HERE. >>Sally Harris: AND I AM FIRST, AND I AM GOING TO TAKE THAT POSITION. I WILL TELL
286YOU THAT I WAS PART OF THE CAC MANY YEARS AGO. I THINK IT WAS ACTUALLY BEFORE TBAE, AND WE DID A HUGE INVESTIGATION ON WHAT IT WOULD COST TO OWN OUR OWN STATION AT THIS DISTRICT. AND WAY BACK THEN, THE COST WAS SO ASTRONOMICAL THAT WE FINALLY GAVE IT UP. I THINK AT THAT TIME IS MAYBE WHEN THEY MADE THAT COMMITMENT TO TBAE. THIS IS SOMETHING THE DISTRICT HAS WANTED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR SUPERINTENDENT HAS BEEN CHALLENGED WITH IN HIS POSITION WAS COMMUNICATION, TRANSPARENCY, AND BEING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. AND THIS MEETS ALL OF THOSE EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS BOARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND FOR THIS DISTRICT. I FEEL THAT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY. THE PART THAT I LIKE, AND MS. SNIVELY, YOU'LL PROBABLY AGREE WITH ME, WE HAD THIS IDEA THAT
287WE WANTED TO TRY TO RAISE MONEY IN THIS DISTRICT EVERYWHERE, IN ANY WAY WE CAN. AND IT'S JUST FUNNY JUST TALKING TO YOU ON A ONE ON ONE, YOU HAVE GOTTEN ME SO EXCITED ABOUT THE PARTNERS THAT HAVE ALREADY SURFACED BEFORE WE'VE EVEN TALKED ABOUT THIS PUBLICLY, WILLING TO SUPPORT THIS. I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IN NO TIME, IF THIS IS APPROVED TONIGHT, THAT THOSE PARTNERS WILL SPEAK UP AND COME IN, AND WE'LL ACTUALLY HAVE THE CONTRACT COVERED IN SPONSORS IN NO TIME. SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I THINK YOU'VE DONE A GOOD JOB PRESENTING IT. AND I LOVE THE IDEA THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY HAVE A TV STATION THAT IS CONNECTED TO THIS DISTRICT AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. SO I THANK YOU. SAYING THAT, MEMBER GRAY, IT'S YOUR TURN.
288>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU. NOW, GRAYSON, IT WAS BRILLIANT. YOUR PRESENTATION WITH SCOTT MAIDEN AND MYSELF AND YOU. I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A WIN-WIN SITUATION, AND STILL DO. STILL DO. NOW, I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS GOING TO DENY IN THIS PARTICULAR BOARD THAT THIS IS A GREAT NEW AND FRESH MODEL AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US CAN DENY THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED MARKETING. SO THAT'S A GIVEN. THE ONLY CONCERN I HAVE, AND ACTUALLY THERE'S TWO. THE SUSTAINABILITY. WHEN WE DEAL WITH STAKEHOLDERS AS FAR AS DONATIONS, HOW CAN WE SUSTAIN OR PLAN IN A WAY TO HAMMER ALL THESE GREAT, ECLECTIC MARKETING DEVICES, HOW CAN WE SAY TO THE PUBLIC OR THIS BOARD, HOW CAN WE SUSTAIN THIS PARTICULAR -- I MEAN, AS A RACE DIRECTOR, I DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHEN I GET THESE CONTRIBUTIONS,
289RIGHT? YEAR AFTER YEAR. AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SUSTAIN, LIKE MILES FOR MOFFITT. REALLY LARGELY DEALT WITH PNC BANK. THOSE KINDS OF GIVERS. JUST ANSWER THAT AND THEN I HAVE ONE OTHER COMMENT. >>Grayson Kamm: I THINK THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. THE RACE DIRECTOR I THINK ANALOGY IS A GOOD ONE. YOU GENERALLY HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME CORE PEOPLE WHO YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH COUNT ON EVERY YEAR AT SOME SLICE OF THE PIE. BUT IT DOESN'T GET TO THE FULL SLICE. SO THAT'S THE QUESTION OF HOW WE DO IT. THE SHORT ANSWER IS, WE'RE BUILDING THIS AS WE GO. THE LONGER ANSWER IS, IT IS A BIGGER QUESTION ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER AVENUES WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, ABOUT RAISING FUNDS IN THE DISTRICT. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REACHING OUT FOR NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITH ATHLETICS,
290IF WE'RE LOOKING AT -- NOT TO SCARE ANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE TALKING, WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT LIKE REGIONAL PARTNERS TO LAYER ON. WE'RE NOT COMING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AND SAYING YOU'RE GONNA WORK WITH US AND NOT YOU GUYS. IT'S TRYING TO ADD THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, JUST LIKE THIS, FOLKS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN ASKED OR REALLY HAVEN'T HAD THE VENUE THAT APPEALS TO THEM YET. SO AS WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, WE'LL HAVE TO REALLY CREATE A MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL WAY OF WORK IF WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING TO FUND RAISE IN THIS AVENUE, THIS AVENUE, THIS AVENUE. THAT'S MORE THAN DAVID CAN DO WITH A FEW HOURS OF HIS DAY. I THINK THAT'S A LARGER CONVERSATION THAT I THINK WE'RE ALL WILLING TO HAVE. IF WE'RE GENERATING REVENUE
291TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND WE NEED, YOU KNOW, AT SOME LEVEL OF, YOU KNOW, COMMISSION OR SOMETHING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION WE'RE WILLING TO HAVE. THAT WOULD BE MY ANSWER IS WE'D HAVE TO LOOK. TO GET THIS LAUNCHED, I THINK WE'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES. BUT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THIS AND OTHER FUND-RAISING INITIATIVES I THINK IS A SEPARATE QUESTION THAT I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE. >>Lynn Gray: IT'S AN IMPORTANT ONE. I WANT TO SAY THIS, AGAIN, MY VOTE IS ALREADY DECIDED, BUT I WILL HAVE TO SAY, I WILL LOOK AT THIS VERY CAREFULLY IN RELATION TO THE FACT THAT OUR STRUCTION AND NON-STRUCTION SALARIES ARE IN JEOPARDY -- NONINSTRUCTIONAL SALARIES ARE IN JEOPARDY AND I'M HERE AS AN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER SUGGESTING THAT WE HOPEFULLY GET THE STAKEHOLDERS TO
292PAY FOR THIS. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS FOR INSTRUCTION AND NON-INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT IN OUR STUDENTS' LEARNING. THAT SHOULD BE OUR PRIMARY FOCUS. I THINK THIS IS A VEHICLE TO BRING ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO THE FOREFRONT. I THINK YOU WORKED WITH SCOTT VERY DILIGENTLY TO FIND AN ECONOMIC MODEL, IF YOU WILL, TO HOPEFULLY BE SUSTAINABLE. THANKS. >>Grayson Kamm: THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, MR. KAMM AND THANK YOU TO TBAE FOR BEING HERE AND FOR WORKING WITH US ON THIS AND VERY CHALLENGING TIMES. I SUPPORT THE NEW MODEL. I'M GLAD TO SEE WE'RE FINALLY MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR A WHILE, BUT I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT. AND
293THAT IS, THE TIME FRAME ON THIS. THIS IS A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT, AND SO HOW LONG INTO THE ACTUAL CONTRACT DO WE DECIDE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FUND THIS VIA SPONSORSHIPS OR WE'RE NOT? I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE -- THE BOARD NEEDS TO HAVE SOME PRETTY CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. WHO IS THE POINT PERSON WHO IS GOING OUT SEEKING THOSE SPONSORSHIPS? AND WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT? AND AT WHAT POINT DO WE SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S JUST NOT HAPPENING OR IT IS HAPPENING AND IT'S FABULOUS, WHICHEVER ROUTE WE GO. I NEED KIND OF A TIME FRAME. WE COULD GO A WHOLE YEAR AND NOT HAVE ANYTHING THAT REALLY PAYS FOR WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- I KNOW IT'S NOT WRITTEN IN THE CONTRACT,
294BUT THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF SERVICES FOR THEM TO DO. THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY DO FOR US CURRENTLY. IF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >>Jeffrey Eakins: ABSOLUTELY. I APPRECIATE TBAE FOR CONTINUING OUR DIALOGUE OVER THE LAST YEAR, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A KIND OF WORK IN PROGRESS. I KNOW MANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, MS. GRIFFIN HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS. OTHER BOARD MEMBERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT UTILIZING THE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS. HOW CAN WE DO THAT BETTER? SCOTT AND HIS TEAM HAVE STAYED TRUE TO THEIR WORD ON WORKING ON THE PLAN, SO TO SPEAK, AS WE'VE BEEN GOING FORWARD. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. OBVIOUSLY, TONIGHT IS THE BIG NIGHT. THIS IS THE NIGHT THAT WE BRING THIS FOR APPROVAL. EVERYTHING, ALL THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD WITH
295POTENTIAL SPONSORS HAS BEEN ALL ABOUT POTENTIAL. TONIGHT REALLY MAKES IT REALITY FOR US TO NOW GO OUT AND SAY WE ARE NOW CONSTRUCTING THIS. FROM THIS POINT ON, I BELIEVE, UNTIL THE MARCH SPRING BREAK TIME FRAME, IT IS REALLY ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROTOCOLS AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO DELIVER POST SPRING BREAK, THE SHOWCASE CHANNEL AND THE OTHER PROGRAMMING, SO IT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT OF WINDOW TO WORK ON SPONSORSHIPS. START TO DEVELOP -- I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO ASK AT THE END OF THIS, MS. STUART, IS PERHAPS THIS WOULD BE A GOOD ONE FOR ME TO UPDATE ON A SUSPENDED AGENDA BECAUSE I THINK AS WE GO AND GAIN SPONSORSHIP THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR, WE CAN KIND OF COME BACK TO THE BOARD AND
296SAY WE'VE REACHED THIS PARTICULAR LEVEL, LIKE THE BAROMETER, GOING UP SO WE CAN SEE THE SPONSORSHIP LEVELS COMING IN. I THINK ONCE THE CHANNEL IS IN PLACE AND THEN WE BRING A REAL LIVE CHANNEL TO OUR POTENTIAL SPONSORS, THEY WILL THEN SEE THE VALUE OF AND EXPOSURE THAT OUR FOOT TRAFFIC IN ALL THE OFFICE SPACES AND ALL THE WAYS WE HAVEN'T EVEN THOUGHT OF THAT WE CAN UTILIZE MANY OF THESE PARTICULAR ASSETS ACROSS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, I THINK THAT WILL BE WHEN OUR SPONSORSHIP LEVEL STARTS TO GO UP. RIGHT NOW, BETWEEN NOW AND SPRING BREAK IS GOING TO BE REALLY THE DEVELOPMENT, PUTTING ALL THE DIFFERENT PIECES IN PLACE, THE STRUCTURES TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE CHANNEL POST SPRING BREAK OUT INTO OUR SCHOOLS. ONCE THAT OCCURS, WE'LL USE THE TIME FRAME, DAVID VALDES
297FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, HE'S KIND OF LOOKING AT SEEKING SOME OF THE MAIN SPONSORS. BUT WE'RE ALL INVOLVED IN OUR CONVERSATIONS. I'VE SAT IN ON SOME CONVERSATIONS, GRAYSON SAT IN ON SOME CONVERSATIONS, MARYLOU WHALEY HAS BEEN INTRICATELY INVOLVED IN LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT PARTNERS RIGHT NOW TO LET THEM KNOW THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. NOW THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SEE REAL TV CHANNEL IN ACTION AND SEE WHAT POTENTIAL EXPOSURE THEY'LL HAVE. >>Cindy Stuart: I'M HEARING NOW TO MARCH, BUT I GUESS AS A BOARD, I THINK WE'RE -- I'M LOOKING FOR AN OUT CLAUSE. IF THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. IF WE HAVE SPONSORS THAT SAY, LOOK, WE SPONSOR OTHER THINGS WITH THE DISTRICT, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS RIGHT NOW? WHAT IS THE OUT CLAUSE FOR THE DISTRICT? I'M SEEING THIS IS A ONE-YEAR CONTACT
298JANUARY, 2019. THE SPONSORSHIP IS NOT BUILT INTO THIS CONTRACT. THAT CONCERNS ME A LITTLE BIT. I'M KIND OF HAVING TO GO ON MR. KAMM'S ABILITY AND ANYBODY HE TAPS AND YOU TAP, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, TO ACTUALLY RAISE THE SPONSORSHIPS. BUT I THINK I NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE, AND WHAT THAT MARKETING PLAN AND GAME PLAN LOOKS LIKE. I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE MARKET IS, BUT I'M WONDERING, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS BEFORE, IF THE MARKET WILL BEAR THE MONEY THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. >>Jeffrey Eakins: ONE OF THE SLIDES THAT GRAYSON PUT UP, SO THIS CONTRACT IS THE SAME LEVEL CONTRACT THAT IT HAS BEEN. SO NOTHING CHANGES AS FAR AS THE PRICING OF THIS CONTRACT. SO EVERY SPONSORSHIP WE GET FROM THIS POINT ON
299LITERALLY LOWERS THE LEVEL OF DISTRICT FUND COMMITMENT FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT. SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT I WOULD WANT TO BRING BACK TO EACH BOARD MEETING JUST TO KIND OF GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH SPONSORSHIP SO YOU CAN START TO SEE THESE KIND OF TAKE HOLD OUT THERE WITH OUR PARTNERS. >>Grayson Kamm: ALONG THOSE LINES, ALSO, IF WE WERE TO END THIS AGREEMENT OR NOT RENEW THIS AGREEMENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THERE ARE STILL SOME COSTS OF THINGS THAT WE WOULD WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO. WE HAVE TO BEAR THAT IN MIND. WE WOULD WANT TO STILL STREAM OUR BOARD MEETINGS AND POTENTIALLY CAPTION THEM AND ARCHIVE THEM AND THOSE DO ADD UP AS COSTS. IT'S NOT 100%. WE GO FROM THAT TO ZERO. WE WOULD REPLACE A
300PORTION OF THAT WITH NEW COSTS WITH A DIFFERENT PROVIDER. IF WE WANTED TO ARCHIVE OUR BOARD MEETINGS AND TRANSCRIBE THEM, WHICH I MIGHT TAKE FROM YOU ALWAYS THAT WE WOULD. >>Sally Harris: OKAY. THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I LIKE THE DIRECTION YOU'RE GOING. >>Grayson Kamm: THANK YOU. >>Melissa Snively: FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANYONE WHO DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO HEAR MY COMMENTS SIX MONTHS AGO, YOU ALREADY KNOW I CAN'T SUPPORT IT IN ITS CURRENT STATE. I AGREE WITH MEMBER STUART. YOU'RE BUILDING SOMETHING. IT'S JUST NOT BUILT YET. AND SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE WHEN YOU COME BACK IN A YEAR. AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS FROM THE STATEMENT OF WORK, FROM 2007 -- AUGUST 2017, EXCUSE ME, TO
301JANUARY, THERE WERE ABOUT 50 BULLET POINTS OF ITEMS THAT WERE GOING TO BE PART OF THIS CONTRACT. AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THE RESULTS OF WHETHER TBAE HAS MET THOSE BULLET POINTS. I'D LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THEM. MAYBE THEY HAVE. BUT AS A BOARD, I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SIX-MONTH CONTRACT AND SAY, HERE ARE THE 50 THINGS YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DO IN YOUR CONTRACT. HAVE YOU DONE -- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE DONE SO FAR. BECAUSE I LOOK AT THE NEW CONTRACT, WHICH HAS PRETTY MUCH VERY SIMILAR BULLET POINTS OF EXPANSION OF SERVICES, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF TBAE HAS COMPLETED THEIR AGREEMENT FROM THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT OR NOT. SO THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL I THINK AS A BOARD TO
302HAVE THAT INFORMATION, TO HAVE THAT DATA. I ALSO APPRECIATE VIEWERSHIP DATA. AND I APPRECIATE VIEWERSHIP GOALS AS WELL, TO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS OR THE LAST 12 MONTHS WITH REGARD TO VIEWERSHIP. AND WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR VIEWERSHIP NOT JUST IN THE NEXT YEAR, BUT IN THE NEXT -- WE'RE TALKING LONG-TERM STRATEGIES NOW AS THE 8th LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY. WE CAN'T JUST BE YEAR AFTER YEAR. NOW, OUR CONTRACT MAY JUST BE FOR A YEAR WITH TBAE, BUT IT BEGS THE QUESTION, WELL, WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND HOW DOES IT ALIGN WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN? SO LET'S NOT THINK ABOUT YEAR TO YEAR ANYMORE. LET'S THINK ABOUT WHAT IS YOUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY WITH TBAE AND HOW DOES THAT ALIGN WITH OUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT?
303SOME OF THE COMPONENTS I DID LIKE, EVEN THOUGH I VOTED AGAINST IT SIX MONTHS AGO, I DID REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF INTERNSHIPS. AND ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT, THERE WERE GOING TO BE -- THERE WAS GOING TO BE A NEW STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO FURTHER PREPARE STUDENTS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE WITH AT LEAST FOUR INTERNSHIPS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HAPPENED OR NOT, BUT I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT IT IF IT DID BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD IS WHAT'S IT DOING FOR THE STUDENTS, RIGHT? SO THOSE ARE JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT TIME THIS CONTRACT COMES UP, IN ADDITION TO THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE WITH THE SPONSORSHIPS, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH A LITTLE -- AS A BOARD, A CONSENSUS ON HOW FAR
304DO WE GO WITH SPONSORSHIPS? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO DRAW THAT LINE? WHAT DOES THAT REALLY LOOK LIKE? AND THAT NEEDS TO BE ON PAPER. WE NEED TO SEE THAT PLAN. I'M GOING TO BE IN FAVOR OF THIS IN THE FUTURE IF THIS CAN BE FULLY FUNDED WITH SPONSORSHIPS FROM OTHER ENTITIES. AND WHAT I'D REALLY LIKE, IF WE END UP CREATING A REVENUE STREAM THAT IS MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE US ON A MONTHLY BASIS, I'D LIKE TO SEE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO PURSUE THIS AS A CAREER, TV PRODUCTION OR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. WITHIN REASON AND LAW. SO THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO PRESENT AND TO THINK ABOUT, AND THEN TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DO THINK THAT IT'S MOVING
305IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT TONIGHT. AND I WILL ASK AFTER EVERYONE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IF I CAN PULL IT FOR A SEPARATE VOTE AT THIS TIME. AT THAT TIME. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SHAMBURGER. >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOST OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED. BUT MR. KAMM, IN REGARDS TO SPONSORSHIP, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMITMENTS AT THIS POINT? HAVE WE ALREADY STARTED MARKETING IT? ALSO, HOW MUCH DO WE ANTICIPATE? IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE WILL GET TO A POINT WHERE IT IS NO COST TO THE DISTRICT AND MAYBE LIKE MEMBER SNIVELY SAID, ANY RESIDUALS COULD BE OFFERED AS SCHOLARSHIPS? >>Grayson Kamm: WELL, THE FIRST ANSWER IS, WE'RE UP TO SEVEN ON COMMITMENTS. WE DON'T HAVE A LEVEL,
306THEY ARE BASICALLY GOING BACK TO THEIR DIFFERENT FOUNDATIONS, MARKETING TEAMS, FIGURING OUT WHAT LEVEL. WE BASICALLY HAVE SEVEN PEOPLE ALREADY WHO SAID WE'RE IN FOR SOMETHING. IF YOU LOOK AT THE BARE, IF THEY ARE ALL IN AT THE BASE LEVEL FOR A YEAR, THAT'S $35,000 TOWARDS THIS. AND, YES, THE WAY THAT STRUCTURE IS BUILT OF SPONSORSHIPS, AND IT USES THAT TIERED SPONSORSHIP, WHICH IS VERY -- YOU KNOW, USED IN A LOT OF NONPROFITS, A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS, THAT ALLOWS ENOUGH ROOM TO OFFSET THE ENTIRE COST OF THIS. SO IT'S THERE IN THE BONES IF WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE A PRODUCT THAT FOLKS WANT TO SPONSOR AND WE'RE ABLE TO THEN ALSO REACH OUT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE. >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND JUST LOOKING FOR LONG TERM, WE KIND OF THAT A
307CONVERSATION ABOUT ONE OF THESE -- KIND OF HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT ONE OF THESE, WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL TO TAKE THIS HILLSBOROUGH TV OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT, MAYBE IN SPACES WHERE A LOT OF FAMILIES CONGREGATE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IS THAT A POTENTIAL WITH THIS SERVICE? AND IF SO, HOW SOON COULD SOMETHING LIKE THAT BE INCORPORATED? >>Grayson Kamm: IT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND ABSOLUTELY IT IS. IT'S ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING IT BE ON CABLE AS OPPOSED TO PULLING UP A STREAMING APP OR A DEVICE TO PULL IT DOWN. PRETTY MUCH IF YOU CAN HOOK A CABLE BOX UP, YOU CAN FIRE UP AND WATCH IT. THAT'S AN ADVANTAGE TO THE SYSTEM. IT'S A MATTER OF REACHING OUT TO OUR PARTNERS AND APPEALING TO THEM AND SAYING YOU'VE GOT THE RIGHT SPACE. WE'VE
308GOT SOMETHING THAT WE THINK THE PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR BUSINESS WILL WANT TO SEE AND BE INTERESTED IN AND ROLLING THAT OUT. SO IT'S ABSOLUTELY POTENTIALLY THERE. IN MY CONVERSATION, A FEW OF YOU BROUGHT THAT UP. IT IS A PHENOMENAL IDEA. SO THAT'S THE KIND OF 2.0 THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON. THE QUESTION OF HOW SOON, I THINK OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS -- OUR TWO PRIMARY FOCUSES ARE GETTING IT READY TO LAUNCH SPRING BREAK TIME FRAME AND FINDING THOSE LAUNCH SPONSORS WHO ARE ABLE TO GET US, KIND OF PROV THE CONCEPT WE'LL GET THERE. THE NEXT BEYOND THAT, OKAY, WE'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD, WHO ELSE WANTS TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD? >>Tamara Shamburger: LASTLY, PUTTING ON MY FINANCIAL STEWARD HAT IS THIS A TEASER RATE? OR HOW SUSTAINABLE IS THIS
309RATE GOING TO BE? I KNOW THIS WAS A RATE WE APPROVED LAST TIME, BUT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BUNCH OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES. WHEN THIS COMES BACK NEXT YEAR, SHOULD IT BE APPROVED, IS IT -- ARE WE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SOMETHING SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER? SO, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE TO GET LURED IN WITH THE TEASER RATES. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING STUCK WITH SOMETHING WE CAN'T FINANCIALLY SUSTAIN. >>Grayson Kamm: TWO THOUGHTS ON THAT. ONE IS, AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK NOT ONLY TBAE STAFF BUT THEIR BOARD AS WELL FOR UNDERSTANDING WHERE WE ARE AND WORKING FOR IT. WE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TO THEM THAT THIS IS THE TOP. SO THAT MESSAGE HAS BEEN DELIVERED AND RECEIVED. SO THEY ARE THINKING HOW CAN WE WORK
310WITHIN THAT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. THE OTHER THING, AND SCOTT CAN TALK TO THIS IF YOU WISH, BUT I'LL TRY TO SUMMARIZE. TBAE IS A NONPROFIT THAT OPERATES TWO CHANNELS, THE TWO EDUCATION ACCESS CHANNELS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE -- HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV WOULD BECOME -- WOULD TAKE WHAT IS ALREADY THE PRIMARY CHANNEL AND BECOME THAT. THE SECONDARY CHANNEL, WHICH HASN'T REALLY BEEN USED VERY MUCH, PROGRAMMED VERY THOROUGHLY, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO TAKE THAT A NEW DIRECTION AND FIND COMPANIONSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR THAT CHANNEL. THAT'S A WAY THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO BASICALLY OFFSET INCOME, HAVE A WAY TO STABILIZE THEIR REVENUE STREAM. SO THEY HAVE A PROPOSAL AND A POSSIBILITY AND AN IDEA ON A WAY TO BUILD THAT OUT, TO MAKE SURE THAT A YEAR FROM NOW THIS NUMBER, WHICH WE ALREADY
311TOLD THEM IS THE TOP, WILL WORK, AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR BILLS. DID I SUMMARIZE IT ALL RIGHT, SCOTT? >>Tamara Shamburger: ONE LAST QUESTION POPPED IN MY HEAD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- WELL, MAKE SURE THAT IT IS VERY FLEXIBLE. I KNOW EVERYTHING IS VERY SCHEDULED AND WHAT THE PROGRAMMING WILL BE, BUT MAYBE SIX MONTHS DOWN THE LINE THE SUPERINTENDENT PROVIDES US WITH AN UPDATE IF THERE MAY BE CHANGES WE WANT TO MAKE TO HOW WE'RE DOING THINGS WITH THE CHANNEL IS THAT GOING TO BE ALLOWED WITH THIS CONTRACT? >>Grayson Kamm: ABSOLUTELY. SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT HAS CHANGED, WE ARE THE FINAL ARBITER OF THE PROGRAMMING ON OUR END. OBVIOUSLY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH IT, SO IT WOULDN'T BE DONE IN A VACUOLE. THEY HAVE BEEN A GOOD PARTNER ON IT.
312YES, ULTIMATELY, IT'S US WHO MAKE THE DECISIONS ON WHAT GOES AND DOESN'T GO ON THAT CHANNEL. >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU. >>Grayson Kamm: YOU'RE WELCOME. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRIFFIN. >>April Griffin: THANK YOU. I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE HAVE A LONGER CONTRACT ON THIS. YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY HARD AS A BUSINESS TO SUSTAIN ON SIX-MONTH CONTRACTS. AND THIS IS ONE THAT FOR YEARS WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON. THIS IS AN ASSET THAT HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED FOR YEARS, IN MY OPINION. AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE STUDENT-PRODUCED WORK THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW ON THIS DEDICATED CHANNEL THAT WILL BE THE HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS -- >>Grayson Kamm: HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV. >>April Griffin: HS TV. AND, BY THE WAY, PEOPLE DO CONFUSE US WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY GOVERNMENT ALL THE TIME. I
313HAVE PEOPLE CALL COMMISSIONERS FOR ISSUES WITH THEIR BUSING OR THEIR ISSUES AT SCHOOL AND THE COMMISSIONERS THAT I HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH WILL REFER THOSE PEOPLE TO MY OFFICE. YOU KNOW, SO I THINK IT'S GOOD TO BRAND IT SEPARATELY. I REALLY LIKE THAT IDEA. AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED FOR YEARS. WE HAVE SO MUCH TALENT IN-HOUSE WITH OUR STUDENTS THAT THEY CAN PRODUCE THEIR WORK AND SHOW IT ON TELEVISION, NOT JUST ON YouTube, WHICH IS WHAT THEIR -- WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW. AND FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR WORK ON A TELEVISION CHANNEL I THINK IS REALLY EXCITING. MEETING OUR STAKEHOLDERS WHERE THEY ARE WITH INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE IS REALLY IMPORTANT, TOO. AND THE GREATEST GENERATION AND THE BOOMERS DO NOT GET THEIR INFORMATION THE WAY THAT THE MILLENNIALS DO AND EVEN THE
314XERS. I KNOW THE OLDER GENERATIONS WATCH TV. THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS WATCH THEIR PHONES AND YouTube AND NETFLIX AND HULU AND SLING TV, AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER OPTIONS. WHAT I HEAR FROM THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN TBAE IS THAT THEY'RE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, TOO, TO MEET ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS WHERE THEY ARE, AND I LOVE THAT. I LOVE BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY IN THE WAY THAT THEY WANT TO CONSUME THAT INFORMATION. I AGREE WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS WHO TALK ABOUT THE SPONSORS AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. NOW, YOU TALK ABOUT SEVEN DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INTERESTED NOW. I WOULD CAUTION THAT YOU NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT TOO QUICKLY UNTIL THE BOARD HAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. I HEAR YOU SAYING, IF I HEARD CORRECTLY,
315THAT LIKE YOU'RE LOOKING AT LIKE A PBS MODEL WHERE THAT'S CONCERNED AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT. >>Grayson Kamm: YEAH, IN TERMS OF THE CONTENT OF THE SPONSOR. >>April Griffin: I LIKE THAT, SO THAT PART WE ARE ALREADY KIND OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT THAT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT TYPES OF SPONSORS WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW ON THESE CHANNELS, TOO. BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE ALL MIGHT HAVE SOME VARYING IDEAS ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE OR NOT APPROPRIATE. MY SUGGESTION, AND I THINK IF WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO PUT THIS ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF WORKSHOP AND CONVERSATION SOONER THAN LATER ABOUT WHAT SPONSORSHIP TYPES OR WHAT
316KIND OF ORGANIZATIONS WE WILL ALLOW TO SPONSOR. >>Grayson Kamm: THERE'S SOMETHING ALREADY IN PLACE ON THAT, IF I CAN JUMP IN FIRST. WE TALKED THIS THROUGH. MARYLOU WHALEY ACTUALLY HAS A PANEL OF PEOPLE THAT MEETS ROUTINELY TO TALK OVER POTENTIAL PARTNERS. WITH OUR ORGANIZATION. SO IF YOU'VE GOT AN ORGANIZATION THAT YOU WANT TO BRING IN TO PARTNER THAT MAY STEP IN AN AREA THAT IS QUESTIONABLE IN A WAY, THEY MEET AS A PANEL AND DISCUSS WHERE WE ARE. >>April Griffin: THAT'S NOT THE BOARD, THOUGH. >>Grayson Kamm: UNDERSTOOD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATION. >>April Griffin: ABSOLUTELY. I HEAR THAT. BUT THAT'S NOT THE BOARD AND I THINK THAT THE BOARD SHOULD HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT. >> I CAN OFFER A DATE FOR THAT. BECAUSE ON THE 15th, WE'RE HAVING
317A WORKSHOP. IT'S A VERY BROAD TOPIC, BUT IT'S MORE ABOUT INNOVATION, WAYS THAT WE FEEL LIKE AS A DISTRICT WE WANT TO THINK DIFFERENTLY AROUND. I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY SPACE AND TIME DURING THAT WORKSHOP TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE PART OF THAT IS REALLY ABOUT MARKETING -- >>April Griffin: THAT WORKS FOR ME. AND I THINK THAT IF WE COULD GET THAT LIST OF DIFFERENT PARTNERS AGAIN, BECAUSE I KNOW WE RECEIVED IT IN THE PAST, BUT IF WE COULD GET THAT LIST OF PARTNERS PRIOR TO THAT MEETING SO WE CAN ALL LOOK AT IT AND DISCUSS IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I HAD A CONVERSATION -- I CAN'T REMEMBER WITH WHO, BUT WITH THE SLIDES THAT YOU'RE SHOWING ON THE TVs IN OUR SCHOOLS AS PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AND OUT OR WHATEVER, QR CODES ARE
318REALLY A GREAT WAY TO -- AND THEY ARE VERY EASY TO CREATE. IF YOU HAVE A SLIDE, BUT THEN THERE'S A WEBSITE THAT PEOPLE NEED TO GO TO TO GET MORE INFORMATION OR TO GET FORMS OR TO GET A VIDEO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I THINK QR CODES COULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD UTILIZE AS WELL. LIKE I SAID, PEOPLE CAN WALK UP. THEY ARE VERY EASY TO CREATE, SNAP IT WITH THEIR PHONE, AND THEN THAT WILL TAKE THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO GO. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO TBAE FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US ALL THESE YEARS. SIX MONTHS AT A TIME, I KNOW THAT'S BEEN DIFFICULT. THEY HAVE INCREASED THEIR SERVICES TO THIS DISTRICT WITH OUR GRADUATIONS, AND THAT HAS BEEN JUST -- I MEAN, IN AND OF ITSELF, A PHENOMENAL CONTRIBUTION FOR OUR
319FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO LET THEIR LOVED ONES THAT ARE NOT IN TOWN WATCH THOSE. THERE'S BEEN MORE DONE FOR LESS MONEY OVER THE YEARS, AND I FOR ONE APPRECIATE THAT. I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THIS. AND, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, I'VE TOLD YOU, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK ON, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT, IS COMMUNICATION. YOUR MESSAGE IS SO CLEAR WHEN YOU GET IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND YOU LAY THE FACTS OUT AND NOW WITH THIS, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BE MORE THAN ONE PLACE AT A TIME. AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. SO THE QUALITY OF THE CONSISTENCY, BECAUSE WHAT PEOPLE READ IN AN E-MAIL IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM HEARING YOU SAY IT AND EXPLAINING IT. I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS PARTNERSHIP. I DO
320LOOK FORWARD TO THE INFORMATION THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING BACK TO US ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND THE TIMELINES. I AGREE WITH MEMBER STUART ABOUT THE TIMELINES AND GETTING THOSE IN PLACE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A SOLID PLAN. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS. I APPRECIATE IT. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. FIRST OF ALL, TO SCOTT AND JESSICA THAT ARE HERE TODAY, THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH US, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO THANK YOUR BOARD. FOR REALLY TRULY WORKING WITH US, AND I KNOW THAT IT WAS A CHALLENGE, AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING THROUGH THIS WITH US. SO I APPRECIATE IT. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CITY OF TAMPA SPENDS $1 MILLION IN
321THEIR TV, AND WE LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE ALLOCATED, IT'S REMARKABLE. IN REFERENCE TO THE SPONSORSHIP, MR. KAMM, YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE SPONSORS OR FOLKS COMMITTED TO DOING SOMETHING. CAN YOU NAME ME JUST A FEW RIGHT NOW THAT YOU HAVE ASKED? >>Grayson Kamm: I DON'T WANT TO GET OUT AHEAD -- THESE ARE LIKE -- IN SOME -- I'M NOT PUSHING BACK. I'M THINKING THROUGH THE LIST BECAUSE IN SOME CASES THAT FIRST CONVERSATION WITH A MARKETING PERSON, I'M IN, I'VE GOT TO GO TALK TO -- >>Susan L. Valdes: THE REASON I ASK, I DON'T WANT THIS BOARD TO THINK THAT THERE ARE SPONSORS ALIGNED ALONG THE WAY, READY TO GO AND HAVE THAT MISCONCEPTION. I WANT TO LEAVE HERE TODAY KNOWING THAT THIS CONTRACT IS FULLY FUNDED WITH OUR LINE ITEM THAT WE HAVE
322ALLOCATED WITH THIS, WITH THE INTENTION THAT, YES, INDEED, WE ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN SPONSORSHIPS TO OFFSET THE COST. BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, YOU KNOW, LET'S LOOK AT ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE DOING, AND THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVEN'T REALLY MENTIONED, AND MEMBER GRIFFIN, YOU TOUCHED ON THOSE, WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE GRADUATION, THOSE LIVE STREAMING ARE VERY IMPORTANT. ALSO, ANOTHER THING, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS REMEMBER, BUT LAST YEAR, DURING GRADUATION TIME, WE HAD MARQUEES, BILLBOARDS OUT THERE CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR GRADUATIONS. THAT ALSO CAME FROM TBAE. AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE EXPECTED TO DO FROM THE CONTRACT PERSPECTIVE, FOR INSTANCE, THE INTERNSHIPS AND SOME OF THE PROGRAMMING DID NOT OCCUR BECAUSE STAFF STOPPED IT. THINGS STOPPED BECAUSE WE HAD A CONVERSATION A FEW MONTHS AGO
323ABOUT WHAT WE'RE HAVING TODAY. SO, YES, I DO EXPECT THE INTERNSHIPS TO OCCUR, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO WORK WITH STAFF. STAFF HAS TO WORK WITH TBAE AND THE SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT THESE STUDENTS HAVE SAFE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THE STUDIO AND VICE VERSA. SO THERE'S A LOT OF LOGISTICS THAT HAVE TO GO ON. BUT WHEN STAFF SAYS, NO, WE'RE GOING TO STOP THIS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, THEN THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS IN THE CONTRACT THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, WERE NOT SATISFIED. I DO NOT HOLD THAT AGAINST TBAE AT ALL BECAUSE THEY WERE STOPPED. SO MOVING FORWARD, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE SUSTAINABILITY IT HAVE -- THE SUSTAINABILITY OF IT. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE COST WE HAVE, MS. TOSSOONIAN, FOR NEARLY ABOUT A YEAR, RIGHT, MORE OR LESS. SHE IS
324A DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CITIZEN WHO HAS CHILDREN IN OUR DISTRICT AND MADE IT A POINT THAT WE WERE NOT SERVING OUR STUDENTS AND OUR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING FAMILIES ACCORDINGLY. AND SHE CAME EVERY BOARD MEETING AND SPOKE ABOUT THE NEED TO ADDRESS THESE FAMILIES SO THEY, TOO, CAN BE INFORMED. CLOSED CAPTIONING IS NOT CHEAP, PEOPLE. AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AGAIN, TO TBAE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO IN THE VERY FRUGAL MANNER THAT YOU DO, AND ALWAYS WITH THE INITIATIVE OF A, YES, WE CAN PULL THIS OFF AND, YES, WE CAN DO IT. BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, I AM NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ANYONE. SO IF WE WIND UP HAVING MULTIPLE SPONSORSHIPS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT
325THIS, I AGREE. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ALWAYS A WONDERFUL THING, ESPECIALLY FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE COMING IN TO INTERN THAT WANT TO CONTINUE, ABSOLUTELY. BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, LET'S LOOK AT THE TRUE COST OF WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE THIS IS A BUSINESS. AND THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN THIS DISTRICT OR IN ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REAL. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TEXTBOOK ADOPTIONS, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE MUST DO, GUESS WHAT, WE HAVE TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS ON TEXTBOOKS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO. THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT MANDATED TO DO SO, BUT THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS, THAT THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE. AND THIS PARTICULAR SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSPARENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ACCESSI ACCESSIBILITY, FOR
326THE PURPOSE OF INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY IS AN ASSET TO THIS COMMUNITY LIKE NO OTHER. AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND JUST KNOW THAT I REALLY DO WANT TO CONSIDER THE SPONSORSHIPS WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT, BUT LOOKING AT THE TRUE COST OF WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE DOING TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS CONTRACT. >> I LOOKED BACK AT MY NOTES AND I CAN TALK ABOUT THE FIELDS THAT THE FOLKS ARE INTERESTED IN. WE'VE GOT TWO FROM MEDICAL AND FINANCIAL, TWO FROM FINANCIAL SERVICES, TWO FROM THE KIND OF CAMPS AND FAMILY FUND SORT OF GENRE, AND ONE THAT IS A JOBS AND CAREER KIND OF FIELD. THAT GIVES YOU SORT OF THE CROSS-SECTION OF WHO'S INTERESTED SO FAR. >>Sally Harris: THANK
327YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY, ARE YOU BRINGING IT TO -- MEMBER STUART? >>Cindy Stuart: BEFORE MS. SNIVELY MAKES A MOTION TO VOTE ON THIS SEPARATELY, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT IF THERE'S CONSENSUS TO ADD THIS TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA FOR YOU TO BRING US BACK SPONSORSHIP UPDATES. AT EVERY BOARD MEETING SO THAT WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF WHERE WE ARE ON SPONSORSHIPS. AND ANY HICCUPS THAT WE RUN ACROSS. DO I HAVE CONSENSUS? I'LL MAKE A FORMAL MOTION TO ADD THE TBAE AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS TV SPONSORSHIP TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. >>Sally Harris: ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER SNIVELY TO ADD THIS TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. IS THERE DISCUSSION? THEN SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa
328Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PULL THIS AGENDA ITEM FOR SEPARATE VOTE, PLEASE. >>Sally Harris: I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER SNIVELY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. AND IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>Jim Porter: SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE A MOTION REGARDING THE ITEM. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. I MAKE A MOTION TO UPHOLD THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. >>Sally Harris: I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER VALDES AND A SECOND BY MEMBER STUART TO UPHOLD THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. AND THE VOTE CARRIES 6-1 WITH MEMBER SNIVELY VOTING NO. THANK
329YOU VERY MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS NEW ADVENTURE. >>Grayson Kamm: THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS PROCESS. I FEEL LIKE -- THIS IS MY FIRST AGENDA ITEM, I FEEL LIKE I FORGOT TO SAY WHAT I NEED TO SAY. I APOLOGIZE. I DO WANT TO THANK TBAE STAFF AND THEIR BOARD, AS I SAID, FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. THANK ON MY TEAM, DAVID VALDES AND DOREEN, THEY REALLY STEPPED UP TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. AND MARYLOU WHALEY AMAZING, THANK YOU TO HER TEAM AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR HIS LEADERSHIP. HE IS AN AWESOME BOSS AND EXCITED TO WORK FOR HIM. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: AND I WAS POLITE TO GIVE YOU THE FLOOR BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ASKED TO REMIND THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT WE DO
330HAVE A TWO-MINUTE REQUEST, AND IF YOU TALK LONGER THAN TWO MINUTES, YOU PUSH THE BUTTON AND COME BACK AROUND. I'M JUST SAYING WHAT I'VE BEEN ASKED TO SAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING ON TO ITEM 7.02, APPROVE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE, GMP FOR THE CONVERSION OF VAN BUREN MIDDLE AND CALHOUN ELEMENTARY INTO A K-8 SCHOOL. A COMMENT BY MEMBER GRAY AND A HIGHLIGHT AND COMMENT BY MEMBER STUART, AND CHRIS FARKAS, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME. >>Christopher Farkas: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THROUGH THE TINDALE-OLIVER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE LOW CAPACITY IN CORE SCHOOLS. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE, CALHOUN, CURRENTLY AT 38%, BUT NOT A REAL REPRESENTATION BECAUSE THEY KNEW THERE WOULD BE A TRANSITION. A LITTLE BIT HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAN LAST YEAR. VAN BUREN BEING AT 41%. THE COMBINATION OF
331THAT SCHOOL, CARTER G. WOODSON, PRE-K THROUGH 8 SCHOOL IS ONE THAT PROVIDES SEATS FOR KILOMETER KIDS THAT WE NEEDED IN THAT CORE AREA. AS WE TALKED ABOUT, PIZZO WITH THE MOSI SCHOOL CLOSING DOWN, THE SEATS WE NEEDED IN THAT AREA WERE THERE AND BUILDING NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS CLOSER TO $20 MILLION, WE FOUND THE $3.5 MILLION PRICE TAG CONVERTING THE TWO SCHOOLS INTO ONE CAMPUS AND CREATING THE ELEMENTARY SEATS IS A MUCH BETTER SETUP FOR DOING THAT. IT WAS IN THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BRING THAT ITEM TO YOU. WE'VE WORKED WITH THE AREA SUPERINTENDENT AND THE PRINCIPAL FOR THAT SITE TO LOOK AT MAKING IT ONE SCHOOL. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FROM A CULTURE STANDPOINT THAT MR. WILSON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS ONE SCHOOL. THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THAT'S COME
332TOGETHER. LONG ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS AND THE WILLIAMS COMPANY IS THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER, HAVE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER IN WORKING WITH US TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE OUT OF THE NORMAL OF WHAT WE'VE DONE. WE'RE EXCITED WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND HAVE THE BOARD OUT FOR A RIBBON CUTTING FOR WHAT THE SCHOOL WILL LOOK LIKE FOR CARTER G. WOODSON. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMENT, MEMBER GRAY. >>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER HARRIS. MR. FARKAS, JUST ONE QUESTION. THE GUARANTEED MANAGES UP PRICE -- MAXIMUM PRICE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL, HOW FIXED IS THIS PARTICULAR COST? WILL IT GO HIGHER OR LOWER? >>Christopher Farkas: GREAT QUESTION. ACTUALLY A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE. WON'T GO HIGHER WITHOUT US DOING A CHANGE ORDER. THE BOARD SEES MORE THAN 10% OF THE ORIGINAL COST, WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE
333THE LAST THREE YEARS. CAN'T SAY IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE THAT WILL HAPPEN. THAT'S NOT OUR GOAL. THE REALITY IS WE HAVE BUILT IN CONTINGENCY FOR THE OWNER. IF WE MAKE A DECISION OR THE CONSTRUCTION FIRM, SO WE ANTICIPATE TWHEALDZ GO OVER THAT. THE LAST NINE ITEMS WE CLOSED OUT HAVE BEEN A RETURN BACK TO THAT. LESS THAN THE PROJECT OF THE GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE. WE ANTICIPATE THE SAME THING. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SHAMBURGER. >>Tamara Shamburger: MR. FARKAS, A QUICK QUESTION. THIS IS REALLY FOR MY EDUCATION. KIND OF TRIGGERED IN MY MIND BECAUSE WE DON'T SO OFTEN SEE SIGNIFICANT WORK IN THESE KIND OF COMMUNITIES, RIGHT? JUST WONDERING, WHAT IS THE PROCESS, WHAT KIND OF PROCESSES DO WE HAVE IN PLACE, MAYBE EVEN THROUGH OSD, REGARDING HIRING MINORITIES FOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS THAT HAPPEN IN THE MINORITY AREAS?
334KIND OF TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT. >>Christopher Farkas: I WOULD BE HAPPY TO. WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE SPENDER WITH OSD IN THE DISTRICT BY FAR EVERY YEAR AND CONTINUE TO MAKE RECORDS IN THAT AND WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT IN WORKING WITH MINERVA AND HER CREW AND ERIKA TO MAKE SURE THAT CONTINUES WE HAVE A REQUIREMENT OF 20% EXPECTATION OF OUR CONSTRUCTION FIRMS OF EVERY PROJECT THAT ARE IN THERE. IT IS ALSO ONE WHEN WE HAVE PROJECTS IN OUR CORE AREA, IT'S A LOT EASIER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PERMITS TO BUY INTO THAT AND SUPPORT THE IDEA. THERE IS NO QUESTION, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE THE 20% EXPECTATION IS THERE. WE SUPERSEDED THAT EACH YEAR. IN THE REPORT YOU'LL SEE FROM OSD THAT COMES OUT WILL SEE WE CONTINUE
335TO PUSH THAT UP. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE PRIDE IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PROJECTS. THE NUMBERS ARE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER USUALLY IN OUR CORE PROJECTS THIS ONE WE ANTICIPATE THE SAME THING. WE STRIVE TO BE ABOVE OUR GOAL IN OUR DISTRICT IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE PROJECTS AND THIS YEAR WE'VE DONE THAT. >>Tamara Shamburger: DOESN'T IT GO DEEPER INTO PEOPLE IN THE AREA? >>Christopher Farkas: IT DOES, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A -- I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHEN YOU HAVE A $3.5 MILLION PROJECT, THERE ARE BIG DOLLARS THERE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE QUALITY THEY HAVE IS THERE. WE DO HAVE FIRMS AND WE'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH FIRMS TO ENSURE THAT THEY'VE GOT QUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT CAN DO THE WORK. WE HAVE THAT. WE HAVE THAT WITH THE OSD
336OFFICE. DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH MR. MOORE, WITH MR. GRAHAM. YES, IT FACTORS INTO IT. DEFINITELY A BIG PART FOR US. I THINK THAT EACH ONE OF OUR FIRMS HAS SEEN, IT IS A SCORING PLACE ON HOW THEY GET SCORED. OSD, WE LOOK AT WHAT THE HISTORY WAS. WE TRIED TO IT, THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THE REPUTATION, BOTH PAPER SCREENING AND INTERVIEW. THEY GET AN ANSWER ON THAT. SOME OF THE CHANGES TO YOUR POINT, SOMEBODY FROM OSD REPRESENTATIVE THAT VOTES ON EVERY SINGLE PROJECT NOW. THAT'S NEW. THAT WASN'T THERE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. WE TRY TO PUT A PRIORITY ON OSD TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WORK ON THAT PROJECT. >>Tamara Shamburger: OKAY. PERFECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 12.01, HILLSBOROUGH
337COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2018. THIS IS BEING HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS AND MR. STUART WITH A COMMENT FROM MEMBER GRAY, AND MR. PORTER, OUR SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY, WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM FOR US. >>Jim Porter: SO, BOARD MEMBERS, THIS IS A NEW PROCESS FOR YOU ALL. IN THE PAST, YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS WERE DONE BY THE CHAIR AFTER YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETING IN NOVEMBER. IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY, AND A NEW WAY OF WORK, YOU'LL BE DOING YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS HERE TONIGHT. WE'LL GO THROUGH THE LIST OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED OR ARE INVOLVED WITH, EITHER BY STATUTE, BY INVITATION, OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS. I'LL GO THROUGH THE LIST OF WHAT ORGANIZATIONS THERE ARE, WHO'S CURRENTLY SERVING. IF THAT PERSON, AND YOU CAN DECIDE WHO IS GOING TO SERVE. IF THAT PERSON WANTS
338TO SERVE AND NO ONE ELSE THAT'S INTERESTED, IT WOULD BE PRESUMED THAT THAT PERSON WOULD. IF TWO OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE SAME POSITION, YOU'LL HAVE TO VOTE AND WHOEVER RECEIVES THE MOST VOTES WILL BE IN THAT POSITION. AND THEN THE INTENT IS GOING FORWARD THAT YOU WILL DO THIS IN NOVEMBER AFTER YOU CHOOSE YOUR CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR. THAT'S WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DO. AGAIN, IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY IT SEEMS LIKE A FAIR WAY OF DOING IT. AND MS. HARRIS HAS ASKED ME TO SORT OF, BECAUSE IT IS A NEW PROCESS, TO SORT OF GO THROUGH IT WITH YOU AND WE CAN TAKE IT AS SLOWLY AS YOU LIKE, IF IT'S CONFUSING TO YOU BECAUSE IT IS A COMPLETELY NEW WAY OF WORK FOR THIS DISTRICT, WE CAN ALWAYS BRING IT BACK AT THE
339NEXT MEETING AS WELL. BUT THAT'S THE INTENT. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO, I THINK WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE IS TO NAME THE ORGANIZATION, NAME THE BOARD MEMBERS CURRENTLY SERVING, AND JUST, I GUESS, ASK IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE AND IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO TAKE ON THAT ROLE AND IT WILL EITHER BE BY CONSENSUS OR VOTE. WE'LL GET STARTED. I DON'T KNOW, MS. SNIVELY, IF YOU WANT TO WAIT FOR MS. SNIVELY OR IF WE WANT TO START. >>Sally Harris: I THINK SHE CAN HEAR. >>Jim Porter: OKAY. I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD ON THIS ONE. ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, THE FIRST ONE IS HEALTHY START COALITION, AND THAT'S CURRENTLY -- LYNN GRAY CURRENTLY SERVES IN THAT POSITION. I GUESS THE QUESTION WOULD BE, NUMBER ONE, DOES MS. GRAY WANT
340TO CONTINUE TO SERVE? AND NUMBER TWO, IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? >>Lynn Gray: I WOULD JUST SAY, YES, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE. >>April Griffin: I WAS WANTING TO GET A LIST -- A PRINTOUT OF THE LIST OF ASSIGNMENTS. >>Jim Porter: IT'S NOT PART OF YOUR BACKUP? >>April Griffin: NO. COULD WE GET THAT REAL QUICK? >>Jim Porter: THE OTHER OPTION, WE HAVE A MEETING IN TWO WEEKS. IT'S UP TO YOU ALL. WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT, WE CAN GO INTO THE BOARD -- >>Sally Harris: SENT OUT ON JANUARY 16th, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IT. THANK YOU, MS. SNIVELY. >>Jim Porter: WE'RE MAKING HARD COPIES AS WELL. >>Sally Harris: WHILE THEY ARE WAITING, WE'LL COME RIGHT BACK TO THAT. 12.02, APPROVE THE SCHOOL BOARD WAY OF WORK DOCUMENT. THIS IS BEING HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER STUART WITH
341A COMMENT FROM MEMBER GRAY. MR. PORTER, THIS IS ALSO YOURS. >>Jim Porter: BOARD MEMBERS, YOUR WAY OF WORK COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF THE CHAIR, MS. HARRIS, THE VICE-CHAIR, MS. SHAMBURGER AND ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER IN THIS CASE, MS. STUART. IT'S A LIVING, BREATHING DOCUMENT THAT THE BOARD HAS CHOSEN TO USE AS A WAY TO GOVERN YOURSELVES. IT IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW. IT IS NOT BINDING O ON YOU. IT IS YOUR SELF GOVERNANCE AND UPDATED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR AS NEEDED. THE COMMITTEE MET OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS. DIFFERENT CHANGES WERE RECOMMENDED. THE DOCUMENT WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR COMMENT. WE HAD NO COMMENTS FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS NOT ON THE COMMITTEE. SO WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TONIGHT AS PART OF YOUR BACKUP IS THE RECOMMENDED MODIFIED WAY OF WORK. I'D LIKE
342TO GO THROUGH THOSE CHANGES WITH YOU TONIGHT. FIRST TURN TO PAGE 3, THIS IS THE CORE VALUES. THE PRIOR DOCUMENT HAD CORE VALUES ONE THROUGH 12. MS. SHAMBURGER PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL CORE VALUES, AND SO IF YOU FLIP THE PAGE, TO PAGE -- BETWEEN PAGE 3 AND 4, ITEMS 13 THROUGH 18 ARE NEW TO THIS DOCUMENT. AND THESE WERE PROVIDED BY MS. SHAMBURGER AND THE COMMITTEE AGREED, THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR CORE VALUES. THE NEXT CHANGE -- AND I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE FAIRLY RAPIDLY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STOP ME IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS OR ANY CONFUSION. THE NEXT IS ON PAGE 10, INVITATION TO BOARD MEMBERS. THIS IS ADDRESSING AN ITEM OR AN ISSUE THAT ARISES WHEN A BOARD MEMBER OR DISTRICT RSVPs FOR AN EVENT BUT UNABLE TO GO AND THE DISTRICT
343IS STILL CHARGED. THE WAY OF WORK COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED AND IF THAT HAPPENS, THAT THAT BOARD MEMBER, THAT STAFF PERSON WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE TICKET IF THEY DON'T FIND A SUBSTITUTE TO ATTEND FOR THEM. SO THAT PUTS THE ONUS ON YOU ALL AS BOARD MEMBERS, IF YOU ACCEPT AN INVITATION AND CAN'T GO FOR WHATEVER REASON AND YOU CAN'T FIND ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER OR STAFF PERSON TO GO, YOU WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THAT. THAT'S THE INTENT BEHIND THAT LANGUAGE. >>Melissa Snively: SHOULD WE ASK QUESTIONS AS WE GO ALONG? >>Jim Porter: PROBABLY AS YOU GO ALONG SO IT'S FRESH. >>Melissa Snively: THE BOLDED SECTION IS THAT THE SECTION YOU'RE REFERRING? >>Jim Porter: YES. >>Melissa Snively: DO WE HAVE, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, DO WE HAVE A LIMITATION ON FUNDS TO SPEND ON
344TICKETS AS FAR AS EVENTS ARE CONCERNED? SOME EVENTS COST $25 FOR A LUNCHEON. SOME COULD BE $100 FOR A GALA. AND SO HOW DOES THAT, WHERE DO WE DRAW THAT LINE FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS? >>Jim Porter: YOU ARE CONTROLLED BY THE GIFT LAW. SO THERE ARE CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THAT WILL TRIGGER. YOU HAVE SET FUNDS IN AMOUNTS FOR TRAVEL BUT I'M NOT AWARE -- >>Melissa Snively: WE BUY OUR OWN TICKETS, RIGHT? LIKE, IF WE'RE GOING TO A LUNCHEON FOR $50 FOR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, WE WANT TO GO, THEN I BUY MY OWN TICKET FOR THAT, IS THAT CORRECT? >>Jim Porter: IT DEPENDS ON THE EVENT AND IF IT'S DIRECTLY RELATED TO A FUNCTION THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS -- >>Melissa Snively: ASSUMING IT IS A SCHOOL BOARD-RELATED EVENT. SHE'S HANDING OUT THE ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS.
345I'M SORRY. >>Jim Porter: I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY SET LIMITS FOR THE BOARD. IF THEY ARE OVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT, YOU HAVE TO REPORT THEM. >>Melissa Snively: RIGHT. IF THEY ARE GIVEN TO US AND MORE THAN $50 IN VALUE, WE HAVE TO REPORT THAT. >>Jim Porter: SOMETIMES A DISTRICT WILL BUY A TABLE. LIKE THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. >>Melissa Snively: RIGHT, RIGHT. OKAY. I WANTED TO GET CLARIFICATION. >>Jim Porter: THERE'S ALWAYS A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. AND THE FRUSTRATION HAS BEEN THAT IF A COMMITMENT IS MADE TO ATTEND AND NOT ATTEND, THAT'S MONEY THAT IS BEING WASTED. THAT'S WHAT THIS WAS INTENDED TO AGREES. >>Melissa Snively: ASSUMING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PAYING FOR THE DISTRICT. >>Jim Porter: YES. IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR IT INDIVIDUALLY, THIS WOULD NOT ARISE AND BE TRIGGERED. >>Melissa Snively: IT DOESN'T ARISE
346IN MY SITUATION. I PAY FOR ALL OF MY TICKETS UNLESS IT IS A SPONSORED EVENT. BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THERE WAS THAT PARTICULAR OPTION THERE FOR SOME SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. ANYONE IN THE DISTRICT. INCLUDING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. >>Jim Porter: YES, INCLUDING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. THE NEXT, IF YOU TURN TO PAGE 11, BOARD COMMITTEES -- >>Lynn Gray: MR. PORTER, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT AND THIS WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO PAGE 9, GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE USE OF CELL PHONES WHILE WE'RE ON THE DAIS AS A MEANS OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION. THINK OF THIS AS US NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THEM, PERHAPS THEY MIGHT THINK IT'S RUDE. PERHAPS SOME OF US MAY BE VIOLATING THE SUNSHINE LAW. CAN WE NOT PUT SOME TYPE OF RESPECT FOR THE USE OR OVERUSE OF CELL PHONE
347USAGE WHILE ON THE DAIS DURING A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING? >>Jim Porter: YES, YOU CERTAINLY MAY. AS YOU MATTERED FROM MARYELLEN FERRIS, IT'S NOT LEGALLY INAPPROPRIATE OR NOT ALLOWED TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE. YOU ARE CREATING A PUBLIC RECORD IF YOU ARE USING A DISTRICT PHONE AND YOU'RE COMMUNICATING ABOUT DISTRICT BUSINESS. BUT IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE PERCEPTION, THE BOARD COULD TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO SELF-GOOD AFTERNOON -- SELF-GOVERN YOURSELF WITH THAT. IT'S A MATTER OF THE BOARD'S INTENT. >>Jim Porter: IT DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY SAY CELL PHONES, BUT GOES TO WHAT MS. GRAY IS SPEAKING ABOUT. >>Lynn Gray: I THINK THERE'S MORE THAN THAT. I THINK THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SUNSHINE LAW OBLIGATIONS FOR US TO BE HONORING THAT PARTICULAR PARAMETER. AND I THINK IF WE PUT SOMEWHERE IN THE VERBIAGE OF CELL PHONES, I
348THINK THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT. WITH RESPECT TO MARY HELEN AND WHAT SHE OFFERED TO SHARE WITH US. >>Jim Porter: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR INTENT WITH THAT? >>Lynn Gray: LET ME ANSWER THE EXACT QUESTION YOU ASKED. WHAT IS MY INTENT, BECAUSE WE WORK AS A BOARD, I HAVE ONLY ONE INTENT THAT WE ALL LOOK PROFESSIONAL. THAT'S MY INTENT. AND IF WE'RE USING CELL PHONES WHILE SOMEONE IS SPEAKING AND, YOU KNOW, WHILE WE'RE ARTICULATING, I THINK THAT DOES NOT MAKE US LOOK PROFESSIONAL. SO THAT'S THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. THAT IS MY TAKE ON THAT. >>Cindy Stuart: MADAM CHAIR, SO I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT WE'RE ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE DOING HERE. THIS WAS THE WORK OF A COMMITTEE, AND THE COMMITTEE BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AND THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS FOR, AS
349FAR AS I KNOW, AT LEAST A WEEK, IF NOT TWO. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT IF WE HAD ALL THESE LINE-BY-LINE CHANGES THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE, THAT THIS WOULD HAVE COME TO YOU AS OUR BOARD ATTORNEY TO COME BACK TO THE COMMITTEE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS INDIVIDUALLY LINE BY LINE UP HERE. >>Lynn Gray: THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED TO MR. PORTER BEFORE. >>Cindy Stuart: DIDN'T COME BACK TO THE COMMITTEE. >>Lynn Gray: STILL, IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED AND I DO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I DON'T WANT IT TO GO INTO THE CYBERSPACE. I'D LIKE FOR US TO DEAL WITH IT. IF WE ALL DISAGREE, THAT'S ONE THING. IF WE CAN FIND A MIDDLE GROUND, I THINK IT, AGAIN, SHOWS RESPECT TO THE PROCESS. >>Cindy Stuart: THE PROCESS WAS, THIS IS
350COMMITTEE WORK. >>Jim Porter: MS. GRAY TALKED TO ME ABOUT IT. I SUGGESTED SHE BRING IT UP IF SHE WANTED TO INCLUDE IT INTO THE DOCUMENTS. SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, I CAN COME BACK. WE CAN GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE DOCUMENT. THIS IS NOT SET IN STONE OF WHEN YOU HAVE TO ADOPT THIS AND WHEN YOU CAN MODIFY IT. I COULD WORK ON LANGUAGE AND WE CAN RECONVENE THE COMMITTEE AND YOU COULD CONSIDER IT. I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT. >>Sally Harris: I NEED CONSENSUS. DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THIS OR GO BACK? >>Jim Porter: YOU CAN CONTINUE WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE DOCUMENT TONIGHT. THIS WOULD JUST BE CONVENING THE COMMITTEE AGAIN TO DISCUSS MS. GRAY'S REQUEST. OKAY. THEN WE'LL DO THAT. SO TURNING TO PAGE -- >>Sally Harris: MS.
351VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. MR. PORTER, ON PAGE 10, IN REFERENCE TO THE BOLDED STATEMENT OF THE TICKETS THAT ARE PURCHASED, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WHEN WE -- BECAUSE THIS DOCUMENT HAS CHANGED -- IT HAS EVOLVED THROUGHOUT THE MANY YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN UTILIZING IT. SO IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THE INTENT OF THIS PARTICULAR SUGGESTION OR NORM OR WAY OF WORK WAS THAT IF THE DISTRICT, FOR INSTANCE, LET'S SAY WE'RE GOING TO AN HEF FUNCTION, GREAT EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING TO THE DIFFERENT EVENT AT THE FAIR. EACH OF THOSE TICKETS HAVE A COST TO THEM. SO THE DISTRICT HAS PURCHASED THOSE TICKETS ON OUR BEHALF. IF WE DO NOT ATTEND, THEN THAT PARTICULAR TICKET IS REIMBURSABLE TO THE DISTRICT, BECAUSE WE DID NOT FROM US, BECAUSE WE DID NOT ATTEND.
352THAT WAS THE INTENT OF THIS PARTICULAR. SO THIS SAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IT SAYS IF TICKETS ARE PURCHASED BUT BOARD MEMBER DON'T ATTEND, THEY WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. SO WHO IS THEY? >>Jim Porter: THE INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER WHO DID NOT ATTEND. >>Susan L. Valdes: THEY WILL REIMBURSE THE DISTRICT. AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THAT SAYS. >>Jim Porter: SOME ORGANIZATIONS WILL REIMBURSE AND SOME WON'T. >>Susan L. Valdes: NO, NO, NO. I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT WE WOULD REIMBURSE. IN OTHER WORDS -- I GUESS I NEED CLARIFICATION ON THE BOLDED ITEM BECAUSE UNLESS THIS IS SOMETHING NEW SINCE I WASN'T A PART OF THE COMMITTEE, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, WHEN I WAS PART OF THE COMMITTEE WAS THE FACT THAT WE BOARD MEMBERS RSVP TO MANY DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT THE DISTRICT IS PURCHASING TABLES FOR AND SEATS FOR US
353TO ATTEND. AND THEN IT'S AN EMPTY SEAT. SO THE DISTRICT HAS PAID A TABLED AMOUNT FOR US, AND WE DO NOT ATTEND, THE INTENT OF THAT WAS FOR US, FOR NOT ATTENDING THAT EVENT, THAT THE DISTRICT PAID FOR US, THAT THEN WE WOULD PERSONALLY REIMBURSE THE DISTRICT FOR THAT TICKET THAT INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER DID NOT ATTEND. WHEN I READ THIS, I DON'T SEE THAT CLARITY IN THERE. WHAT I SEE IS THAT IF -- WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS IF I BUY A TICKET TO GO SOMEPLACE AND I DON'T GO, I CANNOT TURN THAT TICKET IN, THAT RECEIPT IN FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE I DID NOT ATTEND, WHEREAS I'M THINKING IT'S THE OPPOSITE WHERE THE DISTRICT FRONTS THE TABLE, FRONTS THE TICKET, AND THE BOARD MEMBER IS AN EMPTY SEAT. >>Jim Porter: THE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THAT, AND IT
354WAS A QUESTION OF TRACKING IT AND HOW YOU ALL WOULD WANT TO BE. WOULD YOU WANT TO BE INVOICED FOR THAT? WE DID FLIP IT, MS. VALDES. YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. >>Susan L. Valdes: BECAUSE WHAT I READ HERE -- >>Jim Porter: YOU'RE RIGHT. WE WENT -- I MET WITH MS. SAUNDERS AND SHE SUGGESTED THAT WAS AN EASIER WAY TO SORT OF TRACK IT INTERNALLY. >>Susan L. Valdes: HOW WOULD THE DISTRICT GET REIMBURSED IF -- I MEAN, BECAUSE OR OR WE SAYING WE BUY THE TICKET AND THEN -- WHAT ARE WE SAYING WITH THIS? , THE INTENT OF THE COMMITTEE IS THAT WE PURCHASE THAT TICKET TO ATTEND TO, LET'S SAY, THE GOVERNOR'S LUNCHEON, WHICH MOST OF US WILL BE THERE, THAT INSTEAD OF THE DISTRICT PURCHASING THE TABLE THAT THEN THE BOARD MEMBER PURCHASE THAT TICKET
355AND IF THE BOARD MEMBER DOESN'T, GO THEY CAN'T PRESENT THAT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE -- THAT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. EITHER WE GO, AS IF WE BUY A TABLE AS A DISTRICT. DO YOU FOLLOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I NEED SOME CLARITY FROM THE COMMITTEE BECAUSE, AGAIN, I WASN'T PART OF THE COMMITTEE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MIND-SET, WHAT THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS. >>Jim Porter: I THINK WHAT I HEARD FROM THE COMMITTEE WAS THERE WAS A SENSE OF CONCERN ABOUT INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS RSVPING TO AN EVENT AND NOT SHOWING UP. AND THE DISTRICT HAVING TO EAT THE COST OF THAT. SO IT WOULDN'T APPLY TO SOMETHING LIKE A FAIR WHEN A TABLE WAS BEING BOUGHT OR -- IT'S MORE ABOUT INDIVIDUAL TICKETS. AND
356SO THAT WAS -- AN ISSUE IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE WITH MS. SAUNDERS' HELP, WE CREATED LANGUAGE THAT WOULD ADDRESS THAT. BUT IF THAT'S NOT A CONCERN OF THE BOARD -- >>Susan L. Valdes: THERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL TICKET? I'M THINKING ABOUT TICKETS. I'M THINKING ABOUT WHEN THE DISTRICT USES DISTRICT RESOURCES, FREEDOM FUN, FOR INSTANCE. WE PURCHASED A TABLE. WE HAVE TICKETS TO GO. AND THE TICKET WAS PURCHASED FROM MY -- I'VE GOT A SEAT. GOD FORBID SOMETHING HAPPENS, I CAN'T GO. I SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT. >>Jim Porter: I THINK EVERYONE AGREES THAT THE BOARD MEMBER WHO DOESN'T SHOW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE THE QUESTION WAS, HOW TO ADDRESS THAT INTERNALLY FROM MS. SAUNDERS' STANDPOINT. THAT WAS THE NUT WE WERE TRYING TO TRACK. >>Susan L. Valdes: I GUESS I NEED CLARIFICATION
357FROM MS. SAUNDERS IN REFERENCE TO -- I WOULD LIKE THIS PORTION REALLY CLEAR. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS PORTION TO BE SPECIFIC AS TO WHAT IS IT? ARE WE TALKING ABOUT A DISTRICT TABLE? ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, I WANT TO GO TO A CHAMBER LUNCHEON. USUALLY I BUY THE TICKET -- I MEAN, YOU FOLLOW WHAT I'M SAYING? >>Jim Porter: I THINK IT'S MORE TO ADDRESS WHEN BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL INVITATIONS AND IT'S DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUR JOB, SO THE DISTRICT IS ABLE TO PAY FOR IT. SO YOU RSVP MAYBE TO A CHAMBER LUNCH. YOU'RE NOT GETTING A TABLE. IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL TICKET. YOU RSVP YES. THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND THEN YOU DON'T SHOW. SO TYPICALLY IF THE DISTRICT BOUGHT IT
358IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT WOULD BE ONE THING. IF YOU BOUGHT IT AND SOUGHT REIMBURSEMENT, YOU WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED. THAT'S WHAT THIS LANGUAGE IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS. IF YOU WANT TO ADD IT BACK IN THE OTHER LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS THE TABLE SITUATION, WE COULD DO THAT. BUT THE ISSUE IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE WAS WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED. INDIVIDUAL TICKETS. >>Susan L. Valdes: THAT CLARIFIES IT FOR ME THAT WAS THE DRINKS. -- THAT WAS THE DIRECTION. >> MAYBE ADD EXAMPLES. WOULD THAT HELP? >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SHAMBURGER WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING. >>Tamara Shamburger: I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT IF WE RECONVENE THE COMMITTEE THAT WE LOOK AT CLEANING UP THAT LANGUAGE. BUT IN TWO SECONDS, THAT WAS THE INTENT. IF YOU GO TO AN EVENT, THE DISTRICT PURCHASES THE TICKET, AND YOU
359DON'T GO, YOU PAY IT BACK TO THE DISTRICT. IT'S REALLY THAT SIMPLE. I AGREE, WE SHOULD PROBABLY CLEAN UP THE LANGUAGE. IF WE CAN DO THAT AND RECONVENE THE COMMITTEE. >>Jim Porter: I THINK WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE IS TO HAVE TWO PARAGRAPHS. MS. VALDES WAS CORRECT. WE SPECIFICALLY CHANGED THE LANGUAGE FROM A BOARD MEMBER AFFIRMATIVELY BEING CHARGED TO NOT BEING REIMBURSED. SO THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS. I THINK YOU IDENTIFIED -- WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WHEN THE COMMITTEE RECONVENES KEEPING THE ORIGINAL PARAGRAPH AND OOPGD THE REVISED ONE AND I THINK THAT WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE. >>Susan L. Valdes: I'M THINKING IN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BUDGET -- BLESS YOU -- THE BUDGET AND OUR RESOURCES, THAT THAT IS -- >>Jim Porter: MOVING ON. NEXT SECTION, PAGE 10 AND 11 ON BOARD
360COMMITTEES, THIS IS REALLY CLEANUP LANGUAGE MORE THAN ANYTHING. WE CORRECTED THE TITLE OF TEACHING TO TEACHING AND LEARNING. SO THAT'S JUST SORT OF A CORRECTION WE CLARIFIED THAT THE TERM OF MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD COMMITTEES IS FOR TWO YEARS. AND WE CLARIFIED THAT MINUTES FROM THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS SHALL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AS INFORMATION ITEMS ONLY. SO THE COMMITTEES THEMSELVES WILL APPROVE THE MINUTES, AND THEN THE BOARD WILL HAVE THEM AS SORT OF AN INFORMATION ITEM JUST SO THE ENTIRE BOARD SEES WHAT THE COMMITTEES ARE DOING. NEXT SECTION IS BOARD MEMBER TRAVEL. THIS IS ANOTHER CLEANUP SECTION WHERE WE TOOK OUT SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF BOARD MEMBER TRAVEL AND JUST LEFT THE STATEMENT INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS OFFICIALLY REPRESENT THE BOARD ON CERTAIN OUTSIDE COMMITTEES BY LAW OR BY INVITATION, AND THEN WE TOOK OUT THE SPECIFIC
361EXAMPLES BECAUSE BY LISTING SOME WE FELT LIKE WE WERE POTENTIALLY LEAVING OTHERS OUT. WE WENT INSTEAD OF MORE SPECIFIC WITH THE CHANCE OF LEAVING SOMETHING OUT, JUST MORE BROAD. THAT'S JUST CLEANUP. LET'S SEE. ON PAGE -- >>Melissa Snively: WHAT IS THE SET DOLLAR AMOUNT IT REFERS TO IN THE PARAGRAPH, WHERE IT SAYS, EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL BE ALLOCATED A SET DOLLAR AMOUNT TO BE USED FOR DISCRETIONARY TRAVEL AND SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR NON-DISCRETIONARY TRAVEL. THEN THE CHAIR IS REQUIRED TO HAVE MORE DUTIES AND RECEIVE 10% MORE THAN OTHER BOARD MEMBERS. >> I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR THIS YEAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS AGREED UPON AMONGST THE BOARD MEMBERS. >>Melissa Snively: IF WE COULD LOOK BACK, I DON'T RECALL A SPECIFIC NUMBER AT THIS JUNCTURE. >>Jim Porter: WE'LL
362MOVE ON TO PAGE 19, ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS. AGAIN, WE'RE GOING -- WE'RE CLEANING THIS UP AND AS I DESCRIBED, AT YOUR REORGANIZATION MEETING, INSTEAD OF IT HAVING IT BE THE CHAIR'S SOLE DISCRETION AND WE'RE TAKING OUT THE SPECIFIC NAMES OF PEOPLE LISTED BECAUSE THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED TO BE SORT OF A GUIDE, NOT AN OF THE MINUTE SORT OF THING. SO WE WOULD REMOVE THE CHART WITH THE NAMES. THEN THE FINAL ADDITION, THIS IS A NEW SECTION AT THE VERY END CALLED PARADES. AND WHAT THE COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDING, THE DISTRICT RESOURCES CAN'T BE USED TO PARTICIPATE IN PARADES UNLESS THERE IS A COMMITMENT OF AT LEAST FOUR BOARD MEMBERS WHO WILL COMMIT TO THE PARADE. THOSE ARE THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES. YOU MAY ADOPT THIS TONIGHT AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK WITH ANOTHER DOCUMENT IF YOU
363LIKE AFTER THE COMMITTEE RECONVENES TO CONSIDER THE SUGGESTIONS MADE TONIGHT. >>Sally Harris: ARE WE DOING THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? >>Jim Porter: YES. YOU WOULD NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE WAY OF WORK DOCUMENT AS PRESENTED TO YOU. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. BOARD MEMBERS AND MR. PORTER, AND I THINK MR. EAKINS, I HAD -- MS. ARJA TO PASS OUT APPROVED PROCLAMATIONS. AND ON PAGE 20, WE TALK ABOUT PROCLAMATIONS AND THAT THE BOARD HAS AN APPROVED LIST OF PROCLAMATIONS. AND THIS WOULD BE NORMALLY A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT. AND I ASKED FOR A COPY OF THE LIST THAT COMMUNICATIONS HAD, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A COPY OF THE LIST. AND THIS IS ONE THAT WE, THE BOARD A WHILE AGO APPROVED. AND I
364JUST WANTED TO SEE IF WE WANTED TO INCLUDE THIS IN OUR DOCUMENT SO THAT THEN WE HAVE THOSE IN FRONT OF US AS WE LOOK AT THEM EVERY YEAR, BECAUSE THERE MAY BE SOME THAT MAY BE ORGANIZATIONS THAT NO LONGER EXIST. I SEE ONE HERE THAT I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE STILL DOING MED WEEK, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH OSD. YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE THE NAACP FREEDOM FUND DINNER. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO A PROCLAMATION. AND THE FREEDOM FUND DINNER IS THURSDAY. I DON'T KNOW. THAT'S RIGHT. WE DID IT TODAY. GOOD. OH MY GOSH, IT'S LATE. JUST THOSE THINGS. HISPANIC MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR. THAT HAPPENED LAST SEPTEMBER. WE DID NOT DO A PROCLAMATION. WHICH WE ARE HOPEFULLY GETTING READY TO DO ONE SOON FOR THEM TO MAKE UP FOR THESE.
365THE NATIONAL HISPANIC SCIENTIST IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WE, YOU KNOW, THE VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION. THERE ARE A FEW HERE THAT MAY B BE, YOU KNOW, -- I DON'T KNOW. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE BOARD MEMBERS, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS PART OF THE DOCUMENT SO WE CAN CONTINUE JUST TRACK ON WHICH ONES DO WE NEED TO ADD SOME? YOU FOLLOW WHAT I'M SAYING? THE HUMAN RIGHTS BREAKFAST. OUR HEROES LUNCHEON HONORING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRE RESCUE. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THESE PROCLAMATIONS AND WE DON'T. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE ARE AT EVENTS IN WHICH THE CITY OF TAMPA IS HONORING AND DOING PROCLAMATIONS. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE DOING PROCLAMATIONS. THE SCHOOL BOARD SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE AND THE SCHOOL BOARD IS ABSENT. JUST SAYING. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SHAMBURGER.
366>>Tamara Shamburger: JUST A QUICK QUESTION. MEMBER VALDES, NEGATIVE PARTICULAR OBJECTION TO THIS BEING ADDED TO THE WAY OF WORK, BUT I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN PROCLAMATIONS, BUT TO ME IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE ONUS IS ON THE GROUP, THE ORGANIZATION TO REQUEST THESE PROCLAMATIONS. AND ONCE WE GET THAT REQUEST, WELL, WE'LL KNOW WE HAVE AN APPROVED LIST. THERE'S NOT A PROCESS OR VOTE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY APPROVED, BUT THE ONUS REALLY SHOULD BE ON THE COMPANY OR THE ORGANIZATION TO REQUEST A PROCLAMATION OR ARE WE SUGGESTING THAT THEY BE DONE AUTOMATICALLY? >>Susan L. Valdes: WE'RE SUGGESTING -- BACK THEN WHEN WE MADE THIS DECISION, WE SUGD THAT WE DO IT THIS WAY -- WE SUGGESTED THAT WE DO IT THIS WAY BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WE WOULD GO SOMEWHERE AND WE WOULD FEEL -- YOU KNOW, THEY
367WOULDN'T KNOW TO ASK THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR A PROCLAMATION. BECAUSE THEY LOOK AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND THE CITY, SO IT IS A DIFFERENT THING YET WE ARE AT ALL THE EVENTS WHERE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP SERVE OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES AND WE'RE ABSENT FROM THAT. SO IN AN ATTEMPT TO, NUMBER ONE, THE RESPECT OF WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD AS AN ELECTED BODY, WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, AND BE PRESENT. AND NUMBER TWO, JUST BEING THERE AND NOT -- IT'S AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION WHEN WE ARE THERE AS A BODY AND WE DON'T HAVE -- AND WE'RE THERE TO HONOR AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HONOR WITH. >>Jim Porter: YOU WOULD NEED A MOTION, AND IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER MS. VALDES' REQUEST, THE APPROPRIATE MOTION WOULD BE TO ADOPT THE WAY OF WORK WITH
368THE LIST OF PROCLAMATIONS ATTACHED. AND MS. GRAY ASKED ME TO MAKE CLEAR ON THE RECORD THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL BE RECONVENED TO CONSIDER MS. VALDES' LANGUAGE CHANGES AND -- LANGUAGE CHANGES. >>Sally Harris: OKAY. MEMBER STUART. MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? MEMBER GRAY. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY TO ACCEPT THE WAY OF WORK. THAT IS A MOTION BY MEMBER STUART AND A SECOND BY MEMBER GRAY TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. THANK YOU. DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. AND THE MOTION CARRIES. NOW, MAY I HAVE A MOTION? MEMBER STUART. AND A SECOND BY MEMBER VALDES. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. DO YOU REALLY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? >> I LIKE PUSHING PEOPLE'S BUTTONS. I'M HUNGRY, TOO.
369I HAVE FOUR KIDS AT HOME. I HAVE TO TUCK THEM IN. APPROVE PROCLAMATIONS. I WANT TO DEFER TO MR. PORTER BECAUSE I KNOW THIS LIST IS NOT COMPLETELY ACCURATE, NOR IS IT COMPLETE. AND SO DO WE NEED TO ACTUALLY ATTACH THIS TO THE DOCUMENT OR THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO ENGAGE IN THE PROCLAMATION PROCESS? BECAUSE THIS IS KIND OF TYING US -- TYING THESE INTO THE DOCUMENT OFFICIALLY WHEN SOME OF THESE MAY OR MAY NOT REALLY NEED TO BE ON THE LIST AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO TO ADD THEM? DO WE CHANGE THE DOCUMENT EVERY TIME WE WANT TO ADD THEM OR MAKE IT A MORE GENERAL, LET'S ADD PROCLAMATIONS TO THE WAY OF WORK? >> WELL, I THINK PROCLAMATIONS ARE ALREADY IN THE WAY OF WORK. I THINK THE REQUEST BY MS.
370VALDES IS TO, I GUESS, AS ALMOST A REMINDER WHAT THEY ARE. I THINK JUST LIKE THAT DOCUMENT IS A LIVING BREATHING DOCUMENT THAT CAN BE AMENDED, THAT COULD BE AS WELL. SO MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOTION AS AMENDED WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE ATTACHED, AND IT WOULD BE REVISED AS NEEDED. >>Melissa Snively: LIKE THE ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS. >>Jim Porter: SORT OF. THE ATTACHMENT WOULDN'T NEED BOARD APPROVAL EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO ADD A PROCLAMATION. THAT DOCUMENT EXIST. I THINK HER POINT WAS, THE DOCUMENT EXISTS AND WE'RE SORT OF FREE FLOATING BECAUSE NO ONE, MAYBE YOU WEREN'T EVEN AWARE OF IT. BY ATTACHING IT TO THE DOCUMENT IT'S HOUSED SOMEWHERE THAT YOU ALL HAVE ACCESS TO AND CAN SEE. AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE AMENDED AS NEEDED. AND SOME WOULD BE TAKEN OFF AND SOME WOULD BE PUT
371ON. >> I DIDN'T WANT TO TIE OURSELVES DOWN. EVERY TIME -- >>Jim Porter: IF YOU'RE ADOPTING -- BUT AN ATTACHMENT LIKE THAT I THINK -- IT'S MORE OF AN INFORMATION ITEM FOR YOU ALL FOR THE PUBLIC. >>Melissa Snively: OKAY. THAT WAS MY QUESTION. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MY LITTLE SPEAKER LIST HERE IS A LITTLE CONFUSING. WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION. OKAY, MEMBER VALDES. MEMBER GRAY, I GUESS. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? ALL RIGHT. MEMBER VALDES. >>Susan L. Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES, MEMBER SNIVELY, IT WAS JUST TO KEEP IT THERE AS A REFRESHER TO LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHICH ONES THEY ARE, AND AS WE ARE MOVING. I'LL JUST COME BACK TO IT. I LOST MY PLACE. SORRY. >> MS. GRETCHEN IS BACK WITH THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BY MS. SNIVELY. I WANTED TO ASK HER IF
372SHE COULD PRESENT THAT. >>Gretchen Saunders: AMOUNTS FOR INCOUNTY TRAVEL $2,000 AND OUT OF COUNTY TRAVEL, 1300. THE AMOUNT THAT WAS ALLOCATED FOR IN-COUNTY TRAVEL, IN COUNTY WAS $2,000 AND OUT-OF-COUNTY, 1300. 1,300. >>April Griffin: I DON'T REMEMBER THAT AMOUNT. AND I DON'T REMEMBER ALLOCATING AN AMOUNT FOR IN-COUNTY TRAVEL. BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME BOARD MEMBERS WHO DON'T GO ANYWHERE AND SOME BOARD MEMBERS WHO GO EVERYWHERE. I THINK WE HAD THE DISCUSSION THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO LIMIT ANY BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE IN THEIR SCHOOLS, AND THAT'S WHAT IN COUNTY TRAVEL IS FOR. I FELT LIKE WE HAD OUR DISCRETIONARY AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBERS EXACTLY, BUT WE HAD OUR DISCRETIONARY AND OUR NON-DISCRETIONARY. OUR NON-DISCRETIONARY WERE THOSE PLACES THAT WE WERE REPRESENTING THAT WERE VOTED ON BY THIS BOARD AND THEN WE HAD SOME NON-DISCRETIONARY --
373I MEAN SOME DISCRETIONARY DOLLARS THAT WE COULD USE TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT AT OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT WE FELT WE COULD BRING BACK MORE INFORMATION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO THOSE NUMBERS JUST DON'T -- I DON'T RECALL THOSE NUMBERS. I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT, BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT OUR IN COUNTY TRAVEL HAD LIMITS ON IT. MS. HARRIS WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. BECAUSE SHE'S EVERYWHERE. I DON'T KNOW. THAT -- I JUST DON'T RECALL THAT. SORRY. >>Sally Harris: OKAY. WE'RE BACK TO THE VOTE, I THINK. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE WAY OF WORK WITH COMING BACK WITH IMPROVEMENTS? WE'VE ALREADY HAD IT PULLED. DO I HAVE A MOTION? BY CINDY STUART AND SECOND BY MEMBER VALDES. ALL RIGHT. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, WHEN YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR, PLEASE VOTE. AND IT PASSES
374WITH APRIL GRIFFIN BEING A NO. SO NOW ARE WE GOING BACK TO THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS? >>Jim Porter: I WOULD LIKE TO. WHEN MY ORIGINAL WAS TAKEN -- YOU ALL HAVE IT, BUT I DON'T. NOW I DO. AS I SAID, BOARD MEMBERS, THIS IS A NEW WAY OF WORK FOR YOU ALL. WE'LL GO THROUGH THE ASSIGNMENTS, ANNOUNCE WHO'S CURRENTLY SERVING AND ASK IF ANYONE ELSE -- IF TWO OF YOU ARE INTERESTED, YOU HAVE TO VOTE. FIRST IS HEALTHY START COALITION. THAT IS CURRENTLY HELD BY LYNN GRAY. LYNN GRAY IS THE HOYLE START COALITION. THE APPROPRIATE QUESTION TO BE ASKED, DOES MS. GRAY WANT TO CONTINUE AS THE HEALTHY START COALITION? >>Lynn Gray: YES. >>Jim Porter: AND IF ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER IS INTERESTED? MS. GRAY WILL CONTINUE ON THAT. THE NEXT IS THE ARTS COUNCIL OF
375HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THAT'S ALSO LYNN GRAY. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE STILL INTERESTED IN? >>Lynn Gray: YES. >>Jim Porter: IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE ARTS COUNCIL? MS. GRAY WILL CONTINUE AS THE ARTS COUNCIL. THE NEXT UP ON THE LIST IS THE FAMILY HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION BOARD. IT'S FORMERLY HILLSBOROUGH KIDS HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THAT'S MS. GRIFFIN. IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT. MS. GRIFFIN WILL CONTINUE. METROPOLITAN, THE MPO, MS. GRIFFIN IS CURRENTLY THE ALTERNATE. MS. STUART, DID YOU WANT TO CONTINUE IN THAT ROLE? ANYONE ELSE AS AN ALTERNATE THAT WOULD WANT TO BE AN ALTERNATE, MPO? SHE'LL CONTINUE TO BE AN ALTERNATE. NEXT IS HILLSBOROUGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION. THAT IS MS. SHAMBURGER. SOMETHING YOU'RE STILL INTERESTED IN? ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? MS. SHAMBURGER WILL CONTINUE AS HILLSBOROUGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION. JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARD CIRCUIT 13 ALTERNATE, THAT ALSO
376IS MS. SHAMBURGER. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING AS AN ALTERNATE? IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? MS. GRAY WILL CONTINUE. I'M SORRY. THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DETAIL. TWO DIFFERENT BOARD MEMBERS. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES, MS. SHAMBURGER, INTERESTED IN CONTINUING? ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT. THE NEXT ONE IS THE CHILDREN'S BOARD, MS. HARRIS IS ON THAT. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING? IS ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER INTERESTED IN THAT? AT THAT POINT, ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE CHILDREN'S BOARD BESIDES MS. HARRIS AND MS. GRAY. OKAY. AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH OF THE TWO BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. THAT'S A NEW -- I KNOW IT'S ARCED FOR YOU -- IT'S AWKWARD FOR YOU. IN THE PAST, THE CHAIR WOULD HAVE DECIDED THIS. THIS
377IS IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY. AND SO YOU ALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRIVE FOR THE SAME GOAL. >> A MOTION? >>Jim Porter: YES. I WOULD RECOMMEND TURNING THE GAVEL OVER TO MS. SHAMBURGER TO AVOID ANY SORT OF -- BOARD MEMBERS, YOU'LL NEED A MOTION TO APPOINT EITHER MS. HARRIS OR MS. GRAY TO THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. THAT MOTION WILL REQUIRE FOUR VOTES. NEED AN AFFIRMATIVE MOTION TO APPOINT ONE OR THE OTHER. >>Cindy Stuart: A MOTION TO APPOINT MS. HARRIS TO CONTINUE HER WORK AT THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. >>Tamara Shamburger: IS THAT A SECOND, MS. VALDES? WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPOINT MS. HARRIS TO CONTINUE HER TERM ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. DISCUSSION, FIRST? ANY DISCUSSION? MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, BECAUSE I DON'T FOLLOW THE SPECIFIC WORK OF MS. HARRIS ON THE CHILDREN'S
378BOARD AND IT'S A WONDERFUL PROBLEM TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO DO THAT, BUT JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, I KIND OF WANTED TO HEAR ABOUT WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD AND MAYBE WHY YOU HAVE AN INTEREST ON BEING ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. I THINK THAT'S FAIR JUST TO, YOU KNOW, TO ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF. CURIOSITY. BEFORE I VOTE. >>Lynn Gray: I WOULD JUST CONCUR SALLY TO REMAIN THERE, BUT I THOUGHT THAT YOU MAY BE WANTING TO -- I THOUGHT THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN OPENING AN AVAILABILITY. BUT IF THAT'S NOT THE CASE, I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THERE, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN ON THERE, AND I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR THAT AND YOUR HARD WORK. BUT IF THERE WAS AN
379OPENING, I WOULD HAVE WANTED TO GO IN THERE. IN THE EFFORT OF BEING TRANSPARENT, I DON'T WANT TO EVER HAVE TO PUT SOMEONE IN A BIND TO VOTE YOU OFF. THAT WOULD NOT BE PROPER. >>Tamara Shamburger: IS THAT A WITHDRAWAL? >>Lynn Gray: IT IS A WITHDRAWAL. I'M SO SORRY. >>Jim Porter: MS. HARRIS WILL CONTINUE ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD. NEXT IS LOWRY PARK ZOOOLOGICAL BOARD. THAT IS CURRENTLY MS. HARRIS. ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? MS. HARRIS WILL CONTINUE. MS. HARRIS IS THE FSBA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON. I ASSUME YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THAT, YOU WERE VOTED FOR THAT. SO THAT'S SORT OF -- SOMETHING YOU'RE DOING. YOU'RE ALSO ON THE FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALTERNATE. SO THAT WAS ALSO VOTED ON, I BELIEVE. THAT JUST SORT OF CONTINUES. THE NEXT UP IS THE STRAZ
380CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THAT'S CURRENTLY MS. STUART. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE STILL INTERESTED IN DOING? IS THAT SOMETHING ANYONE SELLS INTERESTED IN DOING? MS. STUART WILL CONTINUE. MS. STUART IS ALSO THE HILLSBOROUGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION ALTERNATE. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WISH TO CONTINUE? DOES ANYBODY ELSE WISH THAT POSITION? MS. STUART WILL CONTINUE AS THE ALTERNATE. THE NEXT ONE MIGHT REQUIRE SOME DISCUSSION ON GLAZER CHILDREN MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS. BOARD MEMBERS, YOU MAY RECALL THAT LAST YEAR, MS. STUART AGREED TO SERVE ON IT, RELUCTANTLY, NO OTHER BOARD MEMBER OFFERED TO AND SHE AGREED TO CONTINUE HER SERVICE. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WISH TO CONTINUE? >>Cindy Stuart: I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE IT. I HAVE FOUR OTHER BOARDS TO SERVE ON. IF SOMEONE ELSE WILL TAKE IT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
381IF NOT -- IT'S A MONTHLY MEETING. >>Jim Porter: I THINK THERE IS, ON SOME OF THE BOARDS THAT YOU MAY SIT UPON, IF YOU WERE NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OR AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER, EX OFFICIO MEANS BY VIRTUE OF YOUR OFFICE. YOU CAN STILL BE A VOTING MEMBER. IT MEANS YOU'RE ON THE BOARD BECAUSE, IN THIS CASE, YOU'RE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. IF YOU WERE APPOINTED TO SAY THE TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART, YOU WOULD BE EXPECTED TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION. ORGANIZATIONS DO EXPECT YOU TO, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO. THE BENEFIT TO THE ORGANIZATION OF HAVING AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS A BIG ONE. AND SO I THINK ON SOME OF THESE YOU MAY BE PRESSURED TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION. I DON'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE
382AN OBLIGATION TO DO THAT. BACK TO THE GLAZER CHILDREN MUSEUM. IS ANYONE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THAT. >>Cindy Stuart: OUR RULE AT GLAZER IS TO MAINTAIN A PRESENCE IN THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, WHICH BARBARA HANCOCK CURRENTLY DOES AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO BRING STUDENTS TO THE MUSEUM ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGH OUR TITLE 1 STUDENTS GO THERE FOR FIELD TRIPS. >>Jim Porter: WHY DON'T WE COME BACK TO THAT. JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARD CIRCUIT 13, MS. STUART SERVES ON THAT. DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE ON THAT? ANYBODY ELSE WANT THAT? MS. STUART. MPO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION, BOARD MEMBERS, YOU'LL RECALL THAT THE MPO ADDED THE SCHOOL BOARD AS A VOTING MEMBER ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO. AND MS. STUART WAS REALLY THE ARCHITECT OF THAT ALONG WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS THAT SUPPORTED IT. SO
383SHE'S THE ONE ON THAT. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO -- OKAY. MS. STUART WILL DO THAT. THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITIES SCHOOL, MS. VALDES WAS ELECTED TO A TERM THROUGH 2020. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE ELECTED TO, I BELIEVE, RIGHT? SO THERE'S NO ACTION ON THAT. FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND YOU HAVE A TERM INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED. NO ACTION ON THAT. SO THE FLORIDA STATUTES REQUIRE THAT YOU ALL SERVE ON THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD. AND MS. VALDES IS THE CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE. DID YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THAT? >>Susan L. Valdes: YES. >>Jim Porter: IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD? MS. VALDES WILL CONTINUE. AND MS. VALDES IS THE FSBA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON ALTERNATE. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? >> SURE. >>Jim Porter: ANYBODY
384ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? OKAY. MS. SNIVELY YOU'RE ON THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO CONTINUE? ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? MS. SNIVELY WILL CONTINUE. YOU'RE PART OF THE CENTRAL FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD COALITION. IS THAT SOMETHING -- LET ME FIND OUT IF SHE WANTS TO DO THIS AND THEN WE'LL TALK TO THAT PIECE. YOU WANT TO CONTINUE. ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING. SO MS. GRAY HAS INDICATED TO ME PRIVATELY THAT SHE WAS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS AN ALTERNATE. I RESEARCHED THE BYLAWS. I SPOKE WITH STAFF PEOPLE. WE GET ONE VOTING MEMBER, BUT MS. GRAY IS ENTITLED TO ATTEND THE MEETING, ANY OF YOU ALL ARE ENTITLED AND THEY DO ALLOW FOR ALTERNATES. SO THAT WOULD BE A NEW POSITION, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD DO PURSUANT TO THEIR BYLAWS. SO
385IF MS. SNIVELY CAN'T GO, THEN YOU COULD GO. ALWAYS BE AWARE, BOARD MEMBERS, IF YOU SHOW UP AT SOME OF THESE THINGS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPERLY NOTICED IF MORE THAN ONE OF YOU ARE THERE. I WOULDN'T WANT YOU AND MS. SNIVELY TO GET IN A SUNSHINE LAW PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU WERE BOTH AT THE SAME MEETING. MS. SNIVELY, ALSO ON THE BOARD OF THE TAMPA THEATRE. SOMETHING YOU WANT TO CONSIDER. >>Melissa Snively: [MICROPHONE IS NOT ON] >>Jim Porter: DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT? COMMIT TO THAT MS. SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: [MICROPHONE NOT ON] >>Jim Porter: MS. HARRIS WILL DO TAMPA THEATRE. >> [NOT SPEAKING INTO A MICROPHONE] >>Jim Porter: WE HAVE SOME WINNERS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. SO MS. SNIVELY IS GOING TO DO THE GLAZER CHILDREN BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AND
386SALLY HARRIS WILL DO THE TAMPA THEATRE. MS. SNIVELY, YOU'RE ALSO THE ALTERNATE TO THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WISH TO CONTINUE? ANYBODY ELSE INTERESTED IN THAT? OKAY. BOARD MEMBERS, THAT COMPLETES THE ITEMS THAT YOU NEEDED TO TAKE ACTION ON. I KNOW SOME OF YOU SERVE ON COMMITTEES INDIVIDUALLY. THAT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD ITSELF WOULD VOTE ON. THESE ARE THINGS YOU ALL NEEDED TO DISCUSS AS A BOARD. CONGRATULATIONS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE DONE IT THIS WAY. IT SEEMED TO WORK VERY WELL. >>Melissa Snively: SOMETIMES WE CONTINUE TO DO THINGS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN. I WAS CURIOUS BECAUSE I CAME INTO THIS POSITION, AND THESE WERE THE ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS THAT EXISTED. HOW OFTEN DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO SEE IF WE STILL
387NEED TO BE A PART OF THEM OR ADD DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS TO THE LIST? >>Jim Porter: AGAIN, THAT'S A PROCESS THAT'S ONGOING. SO ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN MS. STUART WAS CHAIR, SHE ASKED ME TO PREPARE SORT OF A DOCUMENT, A LIST OF WHY WE WERE INVOLVED IN THESE. I DO HAVE THAT AND THAT AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE. I THINK WE CONTINUALLY LOOK AT WHAT IS REQUIRED. WHAT MAYBE CAN COME OFF THE LIST. A PERFECT EXAMPLE IS THE MPO, COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS IS ANOTHER GREAT ONE. MPO WAS SPECIFICALLY, THEIR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT CREATES THEM WAS MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THE SCHOOL BOARD. SO OBVIOUSLY WE HAD TO INCLUDE THIS. SO I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CONTINUALLY LOOK AT. AND AS BOARD MEMBERS BECOME ACTIVE AND BRING THINGS TO THE TABLE, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD
388INVOLVE THE WHOLE BOARD, THEN THEY WOULD BE ADDED TO THIS LIST. >>Melissa Snively: I WOULD THINK THAT IN OCTOBER WHEN WE BEGIN TO LOOK AT THE WAY OF WORK AND WHEN THE COMMITTEE GETS BACK TOGETHER TO REVIEW THE WAY OF WORK, AGAIN, MAYBE THAT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO PULL OUT THIS LIST AND DISCUSS THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON IT AND IF WE NEED TO ADD ANY OR TAKE ANY OFF OF THE LIST. >>Jim Porter: I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. AGAIN, SO THE EXPECTATION AS BOARD MEMBERS, YOU WILL DO THIS IN NOVEMBER WHEN YOU REORGANIZE. YOU WILL ELECT YOUR CHAIR, YOUR VICE-CHAIR, AND THEN GO RIGHT INTO YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU. >>Lynn Gray: THAT'S A POINT WELL MADE BECAUSE WE HAD A DISCUSSION, MS. HARRIS, LAST YEAR ABOUT THE
389CHILDREN'S BOARD, FOR EXAMPLE. AND I THINK PROBABLY WITHIN OUR OWN SELF, OUR OWN GOVERNANCE, WE CAN PROBABLY HANDLE A LOT OF THIS PRECEDING THIS FORMAL EXECUTION OF YEA OR NAY. I AGREE WITH MEMBER SNIVELY, AS WE HAVE ELECTIONS COMING, NEW BOARD MEMBERS MAY OR MAY NOT BE HERE, WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY REEVALUATE WHERE WE'RE AT, WHAT COMMITMENTS WE WANT TO MAKE, AND I THINK IT'S A NECESSARY PROCESS. IT KEEPS US ALL HEALTHY AND ON THE BALL. THANKS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. AND THAT WAS A JOB WELL DONE FOR A VERY DIFFICULT PROJECT. SO WE APPRECIATE YOU LEADING US THROUGH THAT. SO THANK YOU. I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO VOTE ON THE ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER SHAMBURGER AND A SECOND BY MEMBER STUART. ANY DISCUSSION?
390SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. AND IT IS UNANIMOUS. OKAY. YES, WE'RE GETTING SILLY NOW. ALL RIGHT, ITEM 13.02, INFORMATION ITEM, TRANSITION TO K-8 GRADE CONFIGURATION AT THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, CHIEF OF SCHOOLS. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER GRAY, MEMBER STUART, MEMBER SHAMBURGER, MEMBER SNIVELY, WITH COMMENTS FROM MEMBER GRAY, MEMBER STUART AND MEMBER SNIVELY AND SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM WITH ITEM FOLLOWED BY ANNA BROWN, AREA SUPERINTENDENT FOR AREA 3. >>Jeffrey Eakins: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, MS. HARRIS. WE'LL TRY TO DO THIS EXPEDITIOUSLY FOR YOU, BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ITEM, ALONG WITH 13.03 TONIGHT. 13.02 ADDRESSES EXPANDING ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR PARENTS. YOU KNOW, I HAVE TASKED OUR STAFF AND OUR AREA SUPERINTENDENTS TO LOOK VERY MUCH ACROSS THEIR AREA AND SEE EXACTLY WHERE THE COMPETITION IS FOR OUR
391STUDENTS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE COMPETITION IN 2018 IS PRETTY FIERCE FOR OUR STUDENTS. KNOWING THAT THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE, I ASKED FOR OUR AREA SUPERINTENDENTS TO REVIEW THEIR AREAS AND FIND OUT WHAT STRATEGIES AND WHAT YEAR -- WHAT OTHER WAYS TO LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES AND SEATS IN ORDER TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I TASKED AREA SUPERINTENDENTS TO DO ALONG WITH LOOKING AT OTHER ISSUES THAT THEY SEE IN THEIR AREA THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS WE'RE REVIEWING THESE ENTIRE AREAS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. DR. BROWN IS HERE TODAY TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON SOME OPTIONS THAT WE'LL MAKE AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS FOR 2018-19. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
392GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM FOR YOU. TONIGHT, I'M BRINGING TO YOU INFORMATION ABOUT AN INNOVATION AND PROGRAM ADDITION THAT WE ARE MAKING TO THREE SCHOOLS. OVER THE PAST YEAR, AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT HAS JUST SAID, WE'VE BEEN ASKED -- OUR DISTRICT HAS BEEN ASKED TO RESPOND TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS BY THINKING DIFFERENTLY ABOUT HOW WE GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE TASKED WITH MAKING DECISIONS THAT ARE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, AREA SUPERINTENDENTS ARE ANSWERING THIS CALL BY ASSESSING THE NEEDS IN THEIR AREAS AND ARE RECOMMENDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MULTIPLE DISTRICT DIVISIONS, WE ARE LISTENING AND WE ARE RESPONDING. NEW ATTRACTOR PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN ADDED AT DAVIDSON, SMITH, WEB, PIERCE, THE NEWLY NAMED CARTER G. WOODSON
393K-8. TURNSER BARTELS K-8. AND THE -- THE ADDED PROGRAMS ARE ATTRACTING MORE STUDENTS TO MAKE THE CHOICE TO ATTEND THESE SCHOOLS. WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS TO ADD OR EXPAND UNIQUE PROGRAMS TO BUCHANAN, LIBERTY, FREEDOM, GRECO, LETO, WHARTON AND MORE. WE CLEARLY SEE THAT TO BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, WE NEED TO OFFER INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT INCLUDE BOTH NEW IDEAS AND RE-CREATING EXCITING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS IN OUR CURRENT SITES. AS I ASSESS THE COMMUNITIES IN AREA THREE, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT WE HAVE VERY DISTINCT NEEDS IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES. SOME OF THESE NEEDS ARE BEING MET WITH THIS INNOVATION AND OTHER NEEDS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. THIS AGENDA ITEM SPEAKS SPECIFICALLY TO THREE SCHOOLS IN AREA THREE: LUTZ ELEMENTARY, MANISCALCO, ELEMENTARY AND PIZZO ELEMENTARY. FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, WE
394WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE THESE SCHOOLS INTO SITES THAT SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8th GRADE. SIXTH GRADE WILL BE ADDED IN THE '18-19 SCHOOL YEAR FOLLOWED BY AN ADDITIONAL GRADE LEVEL EACH YEAR UNTIL WE ARE COMPLETELY TRANSITIONED IN 2020-2021. WOW, THAT'S OUT THERE. IN THE LUTZ AREA, FAMILIES ARE SPEAKING LOUDLY WITH THE CHOICES THEY ARE MAKING ABOUT WHERE THEIR STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL FOR GRADES 6, 7, 8. WE STARTED THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH 473 VACANT ELEMENTARY SEATS AND POPULARITY RATES OF LESS THAN 60%. FAMILIES HAVE BEEN LEAVING THESE TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS EARLIER THAN FIFTH GRADE IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEIR 6th, 7th, AND 8th GRADE SEATS AT LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS. THIS INNOVATION ANSWERS THE CALL FROM THESE PARENTS. IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA, FAMILIES ARE OFTEN FRUSTRATED BY THE LONG BUS RIDES THAT THEIR CHILDREN MUST
395TAKE DAILY TO ATTEND MIDDLE SCHOOL SINCE THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO MIDDLE SCHOOL SEATS IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA. THE CONVERSION OF PIZZO TO A K-8 ANSWERS THIS CALL BY PROVIDING THE FIRST LOCAL OPTION TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN GRADES 6, 7, AND 8. ALL THREE OF THESE CONVERSIONS ALLOW PARENTS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS TO HAVE MULTIPLE, VIABLE OPTIONS FOR THEIR STUDENTS. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS TRANSITION IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY. THIS INNOVATION IS UNIQUE BECAUSE THE SEATS FOR GRADES 6, 7, AND 8 IN THESE SCHOOLS WILL BE OFFERED THROUGH CHOICE AND WILL BE CAPPED AT 110 SEATS PER GRADE LEVEL. TO ANSWER THE CALL FOR OPTIONS, THERE WILL BE NO BOUNDARY CHANGE WHICH WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH TWO VIABLE OPTIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL. TO ANSWER THE CALL FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY,
396EACH SCHOOL HAS VACANT SEATS AVAILABLE TO INCLUDE THESE NEW GRADE LEVELS, WHICH MEANS THERE IS NO COST FOR CONSTRUCTION NEEDED. TO ANSWER THE NEED TO MAXIMIZE SEATS IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PROGRAM PLANNING FOR BOTH THESE NEW SITES FOR GRADES 6, 7, AND 8, WHILE ALSO PROGRAM PLANNING AT OUR TRADITIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS. TO INCLUDE ALL STAKEHOLDERS, WE WILL BE COLLABORATING WITH CTA TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKING CONDITIONS ARE POSITIVE THROUGHOUT THE TRANSITION. WE WILL HOLD COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO INFORM AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR ALL. STARTING THIS MONTH, EACH SCHOOL WILL BEGIN TO ADVERTISE AND RECEIVE APPLICATIONS FOR THE SIXTH GRADE SEATS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. PRIORITY PLACEMENT WILL BE OFFERED TO STUDENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN THE ELEMENTARY BOUNDARIES. FAMILY, TO PROACTIVELY PLAN, INCLUDE ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND CAPTURE LESSONS LEARNED
397DURING THE THREE-YEAR TRANSITION, WE ARE USING A PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPROACH. THE PROJECT PLAN INCLUDES REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS, DECISION POINTS AND A CHANGE CONTROL PROCESS THAT CAPTURES INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN REPLICATE THIS INNOVATION. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU. WE'RE EXCITED TO BE PARTNERS WITH OUR FAMILIES AND PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER GRAY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? >>Lynn Gray: IT'S A SPLASHING -- SPECTACULAR PLAN AND GREAT ONE AT THAT. IT'S TIME FOR US TO COMPETE AGAINST THE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT ARE CAPTURING MANY OF OUR CHILDREN. ONE THING THAT STANDS OUT IS YOU'RE BRINGING STABILITY TO THE CHILD. THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES FOR THE WELL-BEING OF A CHILD IS TO HAVE ONE PLACE, ONE SET OF PEERS, ONE WAY TO GET HOME
398WITHOUT BUSING. I MEAN, STABILITY IS GOING TO COUNT FOR A LOT PLUS THE COMMUNITY WILL BUY IN. THEY ARE ALREADY BLESSING YOU ALL FOR THIS IDEA. FISCALLY SOUND. WE CAN GET BETTER PRICES FOR DESKS, FOR CHAIRS, MAINTENANCE, BECAUSE NOW YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF QUANTITY, SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE PRICING THINGS BETTER, AND THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS BORING, BUT IT DOES ADD UP AFTER A WHILE. THEN I THINK MAXIMIZING THE SEATS IS REALLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. AND WE ONLY CAN DO MAYBE MORE CONVERSIONS, NOT LESS, BUT THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET OUR FTE UP, MS. SAUNDERS, SO YOU CAN GET MORE CHOCOLATE. AND I THINK IT LEAVES ME WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE, AND THANK YOU, DR. BROWN, FOR JUST REALLY GIVING AN EXPERT REPORT
399AND HELPING US UNDERSTAND THIS CONVERSION. AND MR. EAKINS, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, I CONGRATULATE YOU FOR THIS AS WELL. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: I WILL BE BRIEF BECAUSE YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB THE OTHER DAY WHEN WE MET EXPLAINING THE RATIONALE AND REASONING BEHIND THIS PROCESS. AND JUST WANTING TO REPEAT MYSELF IN PUBLIC COMMENDING YOU AS AN AREA SUPERINTENDENT FOR REALLY TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS HERE AND COMING UP WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. THAT IS GREAT LEADERSHIP IN OUR DISTRICT, AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT OUR AREA SUPERINTENDENTS ARE REALLY TAKING INITIATIVE TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR OUR STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT. SO THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SHAMBURGER. >>Tamara Shamburger: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, THANK YOU SO MUCH. MR. PETERS AND HIS TEAM, DR. BROWN, THANK YOU SO
400MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION. WHAT COMES TO MIND, AS YOU KNOW, IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOTTEN. I THINK THIS IS EXACTLY THE CHANGE THAT THIS DISTRICT REALLY NEEDS. SOMETHING DIFFERENT. ESPECIALLY I'M EXCITED ABOUT PIZZO, AS WE DISCUSSED, BECAUSE FOR THIS COMMUNITY, UNLESS, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE THAT PARENT OF THAT STUDENT THAT TAKES THAT, WHAT, HOUR, 45-MINUTE BUS DRIVE ALL THE WAY OUT AND THEN BACK, YOU KNOW, AND THEN IN AN AREA WHERE WE REALLY NEED PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT, YOU KNOW, THIS WILL REALLY HELP THAT BECAUSE PARENTS THAT DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO GET OUT TO THESE FAR SCHOOLS, NOW THEY HAVE MORE OF A COMMUNITY SCHOOL. AND I THINK FOR THIS COMMUNITY, PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. SO NOT ONLY WILL IT HELP, YOU KNOW, OUR FTE
401AND ALL THAT OTHER GOOD DISTRICT STUFF BUT JUST THE COMMUNITY SENSE IS PHENOMENAL. I'M VERY EXCITED AROUND THIS WORK, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT. SO THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: AND THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 13.03, THE EARLY LEARNING UPDATES. AND THIS ITEM WAG HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER -- WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY MEMBER HARRIS, MEMBER GRAY, MEMBER SHAMBURGER, MEMBER SNIVELY WITH COMMENTS BY MEMBER GRAY AND MEMBER SNIVELY. AND TRACYE BROWN, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND WE ARE GETTING STICKERS. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, AND I ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I'M DOWN HERE. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
402SO LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THE PowerPoint UP. THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT'S GREAT LEADERSHIP TO HELP MOVES -- MOVE US IN A DIRECTION OF EARLY LEARNING IN A VERY POSITIVE DIRECTION. SO WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON MANY THINGS, BUT WHAT WE KNOW WE HAVE IS A CHALLENGE. AND THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US IS TO IMPROVE GRADUATION RATES. KINDERGARTEN READINESS IS A REAL INDICATOR, AN IMPORTANT INDICATOR IN THE SUCCESS -- FUTURE SUCCESS OF OUR KIDS. AND WE KNOW THAT BASED ON OUR KINDERGARTEN READINESS RATE THAT OUR KIDS ARE NOT ALWAYS COMING SUFFICIENTLY PREPARED. WE ALSO HAVE A WAIT LIST OF KIDS, APPROXIMATELY 15,000 OF OUR KIDS IN OUR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ARE NOT GETTING ACCESS, AND PARENTS ARE WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE
403ADVANTAGE OF GREAT EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR THEIR KIDS. THAT'S BEEN -- WE'VE BEEN CHALLENGED BECAUSE WE'VE NOT HAD THE SEATS. CURRENTLY, THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES, AND ALSO THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE OFFER, CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND, DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TO NAVIGATE. SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE OUR GRADUATION RATES. AND WE KNOW THAT BY EXPANDING EARLY LEARNING, IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, THERE'S A DIRECT TIE TO OUR GRADUATION RATES, IMPROVING OUR GRADUATION RATE, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR KPIs OFFER STRATEGIC PLAN. SO WE ARE -- WE'RE LOOKING VERY CAREFULLY AT THE AVAILABLE SEATS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BUILDINGS, IN OUR SCHOOLS. THIS CLASSROOM SPACE SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST. WITH THE
404EXISTING FUNDING SOURCES THAT WE HAVE, WHICH ARE VPK DOLLARS, HEAD START DOLLARS, I.D.E.A. DOLLARS, AND ALSO TITLE 1 DOLLARS, WE ARE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR OPTIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IF YOU'LL LOOK INTO AT THE GRAPH THERE, YOU'LL NOTICE, IT'S VERY INTERESTING, BECAUSE THIS IS SOME OF THE WORK OF HECKMAN. THIS IS HIS RESEARCH. AND WHAT IT SHOWS US IS HOW IMPORTANT THE EARLY INVESTMENT IN OUR CHILDREN REALLY IS. THE EARLIER WE INVEST OUR DOLLARS IN KIDS, THE GREATER THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT. IF YOU'LL NOTICE, WHEN WE INVEST, STARTING AT PRENATAL, LOOK AT THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT. THAT'S WHERE IT'S STEEPEST. SO WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT HOW THEY INVEST IN EARLY LEARNING. SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE HAVE DECIDED TO LAUNCH BOL BEGINNINGS.
405-- BOLD BEGINNINGS. THIS IS OUR WAY OF CREATING ONE UMBRELLA FOR ALL OF THE OFFERINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. HAVING ONE NAME UNDER A SINGLE UMBRELLA GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE THE CONFUSION AND ALSO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES. IT ALLOWS US TO SIMPLIFY THE COLLABORATION AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING ACROSS OUR DISTRICT AND OUTSIDE OF OUR DISTRICT. IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO POTENTIALLY GARNER MORE SUPPORT, DONATIONS, AND RECEIVE GRANTS. SO OUR GOAL, REAL CLEAR, START STRONG, FINISH STRONG. WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT BY PROVIDING ALL OF THE KIDS IN THIS COMMUNITY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE HIGH-QUALITY, INCLUSIVE EARLY LEARNING EDUCATION. TO REACH OUR GOAL, WE'RE GOING TO DO A FEW THINGS. AND WE'VE ALREADY STARTED. WE'RE GOING TO ADD 400 EARLY LEARNING SEATS FOR
406THE '18-19 SCHOOL YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A CLEARLY DEFINED MARKETING STRATEGY TO ENSURE FULL USE OF CLASSROOM CAPACITY. AND I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO JUST TO SAY WE'VE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL AND VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD HERE. WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE SILOS IN OUR DISTRICT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT. AND WE'RE GOING TO ESTABLISH AN ENTRY POINT. AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY CRITICAL HERE, AS WE LISTEN TO DR. BROWN TALK ABOUT THE WORK THAT SHE'S DOING IN AREA THREE AND WHAT THE OTHER AREA SUPERINTENDENTS ARE DOING. WE'RE GOING TO ESTABLISH AN ENTRY POINT TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN STUDENTS FOR THEIR ENTIRE EDUCATIONAL CAREER. SO NO LONGER ARE WE LOOKING FOR KINDERGARTEN TO BE THE ENTRY POINT FOR OUR STUDENTS HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE'RE LOOKING FOR
407THAT CHOICE TO BE MADE VERY EARLY AT PRE-K. BUT WE'RE NOT DONE. WE'RE GOING TO LAUNCH AN AWESOME CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE FAMILIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS. WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH BETTER ACCESS TO SERVICES THROUGH THIS ONE BIG AWESOME, BOLD, BEGINNINGS UMBRELLA. WE'RE GOING TO DECREASE WAIT TIMES AND WAITING LISTS, AND WE'RE GOING TO UTILIZE AND ESTABLISH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE EARLY LEARNING COUNTYWIDE FOR ALL PROVIDERS. WHERE ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS? WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING TO EXISTING. THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO THANK THE LEADERS IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ON EARLY LEARNING AS A PASSION. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK THOSE SCHOOLS THAT WE'VE RECRUITED RECENTLY TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL EARLY LEARNING CLASSROOMS. SO KUDOS TO THOSE LEADERS. WE'RE GOING TO ADD CLASSES,
408TOO. YOU CAN SEE THE LIST HERE. AND I'VE PROVIDED YOU WITH -- YOU'RE GOING TO BE RECEIVING A CATCHY -- COPY OF OUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN. I THINK DR. BROWN MENTIONED PROJECT MANAGEMENT. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT HAS BEEN CRITICAL FOR US TO HAVE A CLEAR PLAN THAT HELPS US STAY ON TRACK, ON TARGET TO AVOID MY MISSTEPS. BUT YOU CAN SEE, WE LISTED THE SCHOOLS, CHIARAMONTE, ROOSEVELT, SCORE, TAMPA BAY BOULEVARD, BELL CREST, PANELLA, HAMMOND, MORGAN WOODS, TOWRK, TWIN -- TOWN N' COUNTRY, WOOD, SHAW, WHICH WILL BE OPENING A NEW BUILDING. USF PATEL, BROWARD, EDISON, FOREST HILLS, FROST, IPPOLITO, PALM RIVER, CORK, JACKSON, CARTER G. WOODSON, POLSON, FOSTER, YATES, DAWSON, GIBSONTON, AND WIMAUMA. AND I MENTIONED ALL THOSE SCHOOLS BY NAME BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE WE'RE ADDING THESE SEATS. WE WERE CHALLENGED BY OUR
409SUPERINTENDENT TO BE CREATIVITY AND LOOK FOR WAYS TO INCREASE ACCESS, AND I DO BELIEVE WITH THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE WORKING IN EARLY LEARNING, WHICH, BY THE WAY, I'M SO PROUD OF THIS TEAM. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT WHEN ARE WE GOING TO DO IT? WE'RE AMBITIOUS. WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR, FOR THE '18-19 SCHOOL YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO BE RECRUITING AND ENROLLING STUDENTS IN A SPECIAL TIME FRAME THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON BUT WE WILL PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION OUR -- IN OUR MARKETING PLAN. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS AT EACH OF OUR SITES WHERE WE MAY NEED TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE FACILITIES TO ACCOMMODATE OUR LITTLE PEOPLE. OUR LITTLE JEWELS. WHO ARE WE FOCUSING ON? WHO ARE WE TARGETING? WELL, WE'RE GONNA START PRIORITIZING WITH
410OUR FOUR YIELDS. ALL BEGINNINGS ENCOMPASSES MANY AGES, BECAUSE IT IS OUR GOAL TO ACTUALLY MOVE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BIRTH, BUT WE'RE GOING TO START WITH FOUR-YEAR-OLDS, AND WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN THAT RECRUITING PROCESS SOON. WE WILL START TO ADD, AS TIME GOES ON, THE YOUNGER YEARS, WHERE WE HAVE MORE SPACE AND WHEN WE'RE READY TO TAKE THAT LEAP. BUT FAMILIES WILL HAVE A ONE-STOP SHOP AS OUR GOAL. THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO SEARCH ALL OVER FOR WHAT IS THE RIGHT FIT, WHAT WE WANT IS FOR THEM TO COME TO ONE LANDING SPOT WHERE WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND DIRECT THEM TO WHEREVER THEY NEED TO BE. THIS IS SO THAT PARENTS -- EASIER FOR THEM TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS, SO THAT THEY LAND WHERE THEY SHOULD. WE WANT
411TO MAKE THIS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS TO CHOOSE US. HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS? WE WANT TO PROVIDE BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO ENROLL THEIR KIDS. OUR INTENT IS TO MAKE IT CONVENIENT. THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS, WHICH I THINK IS CRITICAL FOR US, WILL BE OFFERED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH, AND ANY OTHER LANGUAGES THAT MAY BE REQUIRED. SO ARE YOU READY, FREDDY? THIS IS THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO LAUNCH THIS CAMPAIGN? "READY FREDDY" HELPS US EDUCATE OUR FAMILIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS. USING THIS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM, WE HAVE READY FRED, AND IT'S FREE. SO READY FREDDY IS OUR GOAL IS TO MIX THIS VERY FUN MASCOT WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES AND FOR KIDS. WE WANT TO ENGAGE THEM ALL. THE COST IS LIMITED TO,
412YES, WE HAVE TO PAY FOR COSTUMES, BUT WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET DONATIONS FOR THAT. BUT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AWARE OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR KIDS TO COME TO SCHOOL READY TO LEARN. SO WITH THAT, I WILL SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE. THIS IS REALLY, REALLY EXCITING WORK FOR US. AND, AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR SUPERINTENDENT FOR JUST NUDGING US ALONG AND KEEPING US MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THANK YOU, MR. SUPERINTENDENT. >> MEMBER GRAY, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? >> TRACY, YOU SPOKE BOLDLY. AND I CAN SEE WHY. I KNOW YOU ARE VERY EXCITED AND YOUR TEAM HAS DONE SUCH A STELLAR COMPREHENSIVE JOB. I HAVE JUST A FEW REMARKS. THE GOAL IS OF COURSE HIGH QUALITY, EARLY LEARNING
413EDUCATION. OF COURSE, WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THREE YEARS OLD, BUT FOUR YEARS OLD IS A GOOD PLACE TO START. I DEFINITELY LIKE THE IDEA OF A PILOT, 400 SEATS SO WE CAN TEST IT OUT AND THEN WE CAN BUILD IF SUSTAINABILITY. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE REMINDED. GREAT PROGRAMS COME AND GO. BUT WE WANT THIS ONE TO STAY. IN FACT, WE WANT TO DEVELOP AND BECOME THE MODEL ABOVE AND BEYOND. AND I THINK YOU ARE THE PERSON TO LEAD THAT CHARGE. I KNOW WE HAVE STAKEHOLDERS. I SPORE TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE KATHY CASTOR WANTS TO BE PART OF THE SITUATION AND THAT LEADS ME TO THINK OF SOMETHING RIGHT NOW THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU. WE MAY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT A SEPARATE COMMITTEE OF BOLD
414BEGINNINGS BECAUSE YOU HAVE ONE, BUT DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? GO AHEAD. >> YES, I WOULD. JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND. TWO YEARS AGO, WE STARTED A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AROUND EARLY LEARNING IN THE BROADER HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMUNITY. IT OFFERS ONE PIECE OF THE EDUCATION OF OUR EARLY LEARNERS. BUT WE HAVE FOLKS ACROSS THIS COMMUNITY, PRIVATE PROVIDERS, THAT ARE ALSO OFFERING EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ALSO HIGH QUALITY. SO WE PULLED THIS GROUP TOGETHER SO WE WERE ACTUALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE KNOWLEDGE, ALL OF THE PROGRAMS, ALL OF THE RESEARCH, AND WE PULLED THIS GREAT GROUP TOGETHER, AND SUPERINTENDENT HAS LED THIS GROUP. OVER THE COURSE OF THE TWO YEARS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED GAPS AND BARRIERS, AND WE CREATED THESE WORK GROUPS AROUND ABOUT FIVE OR SIX THEMES. AND RECENTLY, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS
415REALLY WORKED CLOSELY WITH SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO HELP FORM A PLANNING COMMITTEE TO HELP TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. WHAT I TALK ABOUT TONIGHT WAS WHAT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS DOING. BUT WHAT THIS PLANNING COMMITTEE IS WORKING ON IS BE HOW THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO RESPOND TO EARLY LEARNING AND ENSURE THAT IT'S A COMMUNITY VALUE, AND THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER, POOLING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES, AND ALL OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS SO THAT WE MAKE IT EASIER FOR EVERYONE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE SUPERINTENDENT WANTED TO TALK ANY MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, WORK WITH THE PLANNING COMMITTEE. >>Jeffrey Eakins: SO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE THAT HAS CONVENED NOW TWICE, ALSO WENT OUT, AND ON THIS PLANNING COMMITTEE THERE
416ARE FUNDERS THAT ARE PART THIS COMMITTEE. THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER FUNDS AND ACTUALLY HIRED A THIRD PARTY TO NOW OVERSEE THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN HILLSBOROUGH. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE WHERE THE REAL EXCITEMENT STARTS. WE ARE A PIECE OF THAT EXCITEMENT, BOLD BEGINNINGS. AND WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN DISTRICT. BUT WE KNOW THAT 15,000 CHILDREN RIGHT NOW DON'T HAVE THE ACCESS OR THE QUALITY THAT WE WOULD WANT THEM TO HAVE. THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT. AND SO THIS GROUP AS WE STUDIED OTHER LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE DONE THIS WORK TO REALLY REFINE AND LEARN FROM SOME OF THEIR SUCCESSES, SOME OF THEIR MISTAKES ALONG THE WAY, CREATE OUR OWN STRUCTURE, AND THIS IS WHAT THE THIRD PARTY IS GOING TO WORK WITH OUR
417COMMUNITY ON AND THIS PARTICULAR PLANNING COMMITTEE. IT'S EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF THE VERY BEGINNING OF WHAT I BELIEVE WILL SUSTAIN GREAT SUCCESS FOR THIS COMMUNITY LONG-TERM. >>Lynn Gray: WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS YOU ARE REEDUCATING OR LET'S SAY EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PRIORITY OR THE NEED FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. AND IT IS A COMMUNITY BUY-IN WHICH YOU ALREADY HAVE. BUT IT'S JUST GREAT NEWS. AND AGAIN, IT'S AN EDUCATION FOR ALL OF US TO EMBRACE. SO YOU CAN SUSTAIN THAT POWERFUL MOVEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE LEARNING, THE INTELLECT OF THE CHILD. SO EXCITING OF THE. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY? >>Melissa Snively: NO, JUST A GREAT PRESENTATION. YOU SAID THERE WAS A STRATEGIC PLANNING REPORT THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE TO BOARD MEMBERS? OKAY. WELL, NO RUSH. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. AND
418I'M EXCITED TO LEVERAGE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THESE STUDENTS. IT'S -- AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE RESULTS. WE KNOW THE KTIs GETTING THESE CHILDREN IN AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AT AN EARLY AGE AND NOT JUST THAT IT BENEFITS THEM WITH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, BUT IT ALSO HAS HEALTH BENEFITS. IT ALSO HUES BENEFITS TO OUR SOCIETY IN GENERAL, MORE LIKELIHOOD THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL GROW UP TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, INDEPENDENT, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. SO GREAT WORK. AND IT'S FREE. THE FINANCIAL IMPACT. I LIKE THAT. SO GO FREDDY. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MECHANIC STUART? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGE MRS. BROWN AND HER TEAM. I WENT TO SOME OF THOSE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS WE HAD, AND LEARNED HOW TO BRING EARLY LEARNING BACK TO THIS DISTRICT.
419I THINK WE ARE WERE KIND OF BEING HELD HOSTAGE AND BEHOLDEN TO OTHER PROVIDERS OUT THERE AND TO ANOTHER GROUP. IT'S NICE TO SEE US KIND OF BRINGING THAT BACK HOME AND FINDING A WAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTROL THE OUTCOMES OF WHAT WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS NEED. SO I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU. >>Tamara Shamburger: I WASN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AROUND THIS. IT REALLY HAS BECOME A PASSION OF MINE. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THIS BOARD IS THIS IS -- KINDERGARTEN IS WHERE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP REALLY STARTS SO IT'S VERY, VERY CRITICAL. I THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP THAT. IT WILL CERTAINLY HELP MY CONSTITUENTS AND THE
420COMMITTEES THAT I REPRESENT, HAVE THEM GET READY FOR SCHOOL, AND WE ELIMINATE IF WHOLE SORT OF SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF WE NEED TO ELIMINATE. SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, SO MUCH. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL WORK. WE HAVE DONE SOME GOOD THINGS IN THE DISTRICT. THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT. THANK YOU, MRS. BROWN. >>Jeffrey Eakins: I DO WANT TO ECHO TRACY AND HER LEADERSHIP. THE TEAM WE HAVE IN EARLY LEARNING RIGHT NOW IN OUR DISTRICT. THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH WAITING TO TAKE THIS AND RUN WITH IT, AND THEY HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB. SO THANK YOU, TR ACYE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MRS. VALDES. >>Susan Valdes: MR. EAKINS, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR LIVING UP TO THIS EXPECTATION. THIS WAS ONE OF YOUR VERY FIRST THINGS THAT
421YOU WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN YOU WERE APPOINTED, AND HERE WE ARE. THINGS DO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. BUT IN ORDER TO GET IT RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO PLAN IT RIGHT, GET THE RIGHT RESOURCES, THE GET THE TRAIN ON THE RIGHT TRACK. AGAIN, MEMBER SHAMBURGER, I AGREE IT'S GOING TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY SO MUCH TO BE ABLE TO GET THESE LITTLE ONES READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. IT'S AMAZING HOW OF COURSE THE STANDARDS ARE A LOT HIGHER FOR OUR STUDENTS, WHICH IS NOT A PROBLEM. WE JUST HAVE TO HELP THEM GET THEM EARLIER, WE CAN GET THEM INTRODUCED TO CURRICULUM, AND THE STRUCTURE, THE BETTER OFF THEY WILL BE. SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THESE PROGRAMS GROW AND COME TO FRUITION, AND HOPEFULLY SEE IT EXPAND AS WELL. SO THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: NOW WE
422WILL MOVE TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. AND WE HAVE A HIGHLIGHT AND COMMENT BY MRS. SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAD JUST ASKED SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS TO GIVE US A REPORT ON THE GIBSON CONSULTING REPORT THAT CAME TO OUR DISTRICT BACK IN 2016. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME INFORMAL UPDATES THAT WEREN'T TECHNICALLY ADDED TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DOCUMENT THAT PROPERLY AS WELL, EVERY TIME YOU UPDATE SOMETHING ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA THAT WE DATE THAT INFORMATION. BUT IF YOU COULD PLEASE GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE COMPARED TO WHERE WE WERE, TO START WITH. THANK YOU. >>Jeffrey Eakins: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MRS. SNIVELY. AND IN THE SUSPENDED AGENDA TODAY WE HAVE A COUPLE OF UPDATES. ONE ON THE GIBSON STATUS UPDATE. AND THEN
423MR. PETERS AND MRS. MacMANUS ARE GOING TO GIVE A LITTLE UPDATE FOR US AS WELL. I WILL JUST RUN THROUGH SOME OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR COMPARED TO WHEN THE REPORT WAS GIVEN TO US AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THAT REPORT. AND AS YOU SAID, WE HAVE STARTED TO BRING THIS YEAR SOME ACTUAL AGENDA ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN POINT BACK TO THE GIBSON REPORT BUT WE. REALLY CATALOGUED THEM ON THE AGENDA. SO I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. OF COURSE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ITEMS ON THE INITIAL SAVINGS WERE OUR INSTRUCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS OF PERSONNEL AND HOW WE ARE GOING ABOUT DOING THAT. SO BASICALLY, MOVING FORWARD, THIS PARTICULAR YEAR TO NEXT YEAR, OUR GOAL IS TO REDUCE ABOUT 850 TO 900 MORE INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS, OR ACTUALLY SOME NON-CORE UNITS, TOO, WHICH IS GOING
424TO TOTAL ABOUT $38 MILLION. 38 TO $39 MILLION. CURRENTLY, WE ARE AT ABOUT A 5.9 MILLION SAVINGS SO FAR THIS YEAR ON OUR INSTRUCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS JUST SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE COUNT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR. NOW LAST YEAR, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR WE STARTED TO REDUCE EMPLOYEE COUNTS TREMENDOUSLY. WE WENT THROUGH A REDEPLOYMENT WHERE ABOUT 600 LESS AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME, AND IT'S TRACKING ABOUT 13 TO 1400 LESS THAN WHEN WE STARTED. SO IN THIS FINAL PHASE WILL PROBABLY BRING US DOWN TO ABOUT 24,500 EMPLOYEES. THAT'S THE FINAL GOAL AS WE PUSH TO THE FINISH LINE FOR THAT PARTICULAR ITEM. IN THE AREA OF TRANSPORTATION, OF COURSE, OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL BUS ROUTES, THE COURTESY BUSING, I PROJECT SAVINGS
425ABOUT $3.5 MILLION. FOR LINING UP BELL TIMES, PART OF THE GIBSON REPORT, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT NOT REMEMBER THAT, BUT FOR THE 2018-19 ESTIMATED SAVINGS, WE ARE ESTIMATING IT AROUND $2.5 MILLION IN REDUCED COSTS BASED OFF OF THAT PARTICULAR AGENDA APPROVAL. INFORMATION SERVICES, WE ARE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTING A TIME KEEPING SYSTEM. THIS IS BOARD APPROVED IN DECEMBER 2017. IT'S A TWO-YEAR BUDGET NEUTRAL. THE PROJECT START IS JANUARY 8, 2018. GO LIVE WITH TRANSPORTATION, PAYROLL JULY 1, 2018. AND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-19 OUR ESTIMATED SAVINGS WILL BE $1.4 MILLION FROM THAT PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION. ON CUSTODIAL STAFFING THERE'S CURRENTLY A COMMITTEE LOOKING AT THE CUSTODIAL STAFFING PROGRAM AND HOW IT RELATES TO DISTRICT NEEDS AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS. WE ARE JUST IN COMMITTEE ON THAT RIGHT NOW SO I DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF PROJECTIONS
426MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT PARTICULAR ITEM BUT I WILL GIVE THAT UPDATE AS SOON AS WE HAVE THAT AS FAR AS OUR ENERGY SAVINGS, WE BROUGHT TO THE BOARD THE ITEM REGARDING MUMMIZE. RIGHT NOW 26 SCHOOLS WITH ANA SCOPES INSTALLATION PROCESS SAVING TODAY ABOUT $265,000 WITH THAT IMPLEMENTATION TO DATE. AND THE REAL ESTATE, AND WE HAVE SECURED APPRAISALS FOR FOUR SITES. THREE OF THEM ACTUALLY COMPLETED. WE HAVE ISSUED AN RFP FOR REALTOR SERVICES, AND FOR FISCAL YEAR 17-18 OUR ESTIMATED PROCEEDS IS ABOUT $1.5 MILLION FOR THAT PARTICULAR REAL ESTATE. NEXT, WE ARE LOOKING AT MEDICATE REIMBURSEMENT. THAT LOOKS TO COME TO THE BOARD PROBABLY IN THE NEXT BOARD MEETING OR TWO. AND SO WE ARE LOOKING PERHAPS AT FEBRUARY 20th WITH BEGINNING SOME SYSTEM CONFIGURATION FROM MARCH 12th TO THE APPROXIMATE 1st. IN APRIL, DOING SOME
427DATA IMPORTS. AND THEN STARTING FROM APRIL THROUGH AUGUST, SOME END USER TRAINING, AND BEGIN THE CLAIMS SUBMISSION, AND WE ARE ESTIMATING THE ESTIMATED INCREASE -- NOW THIS IS REVENUE, NOT SAVINGS, THIS IS REVENUE GENERATED NEXT YEAR, $2 MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR MEDICAID AND 2.1 FOR -- ACTUALLY 2 MILLION THIS YEAR AND 2.1 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR. WE HAVE IN JANUARY -- (LOST AUDIO). >>Jeffrey Eakins: OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR PROCUREMENT, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO LOOK AT CONTRACTS, AND BETWEEN THE FISCAL YEAR 2016-17 AND 2017-18. WE HAVE REDUCED OUR CONTRACTS BY $2.3 MILLION. OUR BUSINESS TEAM, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON PHASE 2 OF THE GIBSON REPORT WAS MORE ABOUT PROCESSES AND EFFICIENCIES, BUT SOME PROCESSES. SO A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF RECOMMENDATION WHERE NOW WE HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT BETTER EXPLAINS ALL OF OUR FINANCES
428TO THE COMMITTEE, IN A USER FRIENDLY WAY. THE GIBSON REPORT RECOMMENDED WE START THE BUDGET PROCESS EARLIER, AND WE HAVE. WE REALLY STARTED NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS PRIOR YEAR. THE BIG ITEM THAT WAS BROUGHT UP BY THE GIBSON REPORT WAS ALL OF OUR COUNT CODING STRUCTURES NEEDED TO BE REVISED AND UPDATED TO BETTER TRACK OUR EXPENSES IN THIS DISTRICT. SO WITH OUR CURRENT -- AND OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR IN FORCE SOFTWARE WE ARE LOOKING AT UPDATING OUR ACCOUNTING STRUCTURES SO WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU SO YOU CAN HEAR ABOUT THAT. AND OF COURSE THE BOARD. YOU CAN'T FORGET YOURSELF. RECOMMENDATIONS IN PHASE 2 THAT YOU REMEMBER SUCH AS BOARD EFFICIENCIES COMMITTEES WAS ONE OF THOSE EFFICIENCIES, WAY OF WORK, WHICH YOU DID TONIGHT, WAS A PART OF THAT. TIMING YOUR
429AGENDAS BETTER. OH, NO COMMENT. (LAUGHTER) OKAY. SO WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. OKAY. WORK IN PROGRESS. AND FINALLY, THE TIME STAFF PRESENTATIONS, AND I'M WORKING ON THAT, TOO. WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TOGETHER. AND THOSE ARE RIGHT NOW, SOPHIES CAL YEAR 17-18, THERE IS A TOTAL PROJECTED SAVINGS OF ABOUT 15.4 MILLION AND TOTAL PROJECTED SAVINGS FOR 18-19 OF $46.3 MILLION. SO THAT'S MY UPDATE FOR THE GIBSON REPORT. AND THE THIRD PHASE, WHICH IS THE MORE PROGRAMMATIC PHASE, OUR STAFF IS STARTING TO WORK ON SOME OF THAT AS WELL. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE ON OUR ELL PROGRAM, TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO BASED OFF THE RECOMMENDATIONS. SO I WILL KEEP YOU ABREAST AS THOSE CONVERSATIONS MOVE ALONG. AND THE SECOND UPDATE -- >> I JUST ASK
430QUICKLY ON THE PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN COMPLETED? >>Jeffrey Eakins: ALL BUT ONE ON PHASE 1 HAS BEEN COMPLETED. ACTUALLY, THE INSTRUCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS WILL BE COMPLETED WITH THIS LAST PHASE. THE ONLY ITEM THAT WE HAVE NOT IMPLEMENTED BUT BASED OFF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OFF CUSTODIAL STAFFING,. >> AND DID THAT GO AS PLANNED AS FAR AS THAT'S CONCERNED, RIGHT? >>Jeffrey Eakins: AND FROM THIS POINT IT'S JUST AN ONGOING REVIEW OF THAT. WE DIDN'T DO SUB -- DID DO SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION AS LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. >> I APOLOGIZE PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THIS NOW. YOU CAN SAVE IT FOR ANOTHER MEETING IF YOU WANT TO. BUT AS YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH THESE CONSULTING REPORTS AND HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT
431WAYS TO REDUCE EXPENDITURES, ARE THERE THINGS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE CONSULTING REPORT THAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO REPORT ON, THAT HAS EITHER REDUCED OUR EXPENDITURES OR CREATED REVENUE FOR OUR DISTRICT? >>Jeffrey Eakins: I THINK THE ITEM HERE TONIGHT, YOU KNOW, PART OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN OUR DISTRICT TO LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES BETTER, LOOK AT HOW OUR SEATS ARE EMPTY AND WHERE WE CAN LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES TO GARNER MORE INTEREST BACK INTO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT'S GENERATING MORE REVENUE FOR OUR SCHOOLS. THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY IN THE REPORT, BUT WE FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, BASED OFF OF THE COMPETITION ACROSS THIS ENTIRE STATE WITH REGARD TO STUDENTS AND EDUCATION, WE HAVE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY, WE HAVE TO MAKE MOVES ON THE
432CHESS BOARD, WE HAVE TO DO THINGS THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF DOING BEFORE. I THINK THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT ALSO I BELIEVE WILL START TO GENERATE THE REVENUE, AND ALSO HELP US TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT AS WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER GRAY? >>Lynn Gray: SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, JUST A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FEMA. DID WE GET ANY RESPONSE? >>Jeffrey Eakins: SO WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED -- WE ARE STILL WORKING. MRS. WHELAN -- AND SHE CAN FEEL FREE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE UPDATE, BUT WE HAVE A PERSON WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DIRECTLY. RIGHT NOW ALL MONEY HAS GONE OUT FROM THE DISTRICT TO PAY FOR THE EXPENSES. WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY REIMBURSEMENT. WE ARE STILL ANALYZING ALL OF OUR SITES. AND MRS.
433WHELAN? >> WE COMPLETED THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS. WE FINALIZED THOSE THE SECOND WEEK IN JANUARY. I WAS JUST NOTIFIED THIS MORNING THAT ALL OF OUR SHELTERING INFORMATION IS NOW GOING THROUGH THE COUNTY. WE DO NOT GET REIMBURSED DIRECTLY FROM FEMA THROUGH THAT. SO I AM WORKING NOW ON WHO THE COUNTY CONTACT IS, BECAUSE THE COUNTY GETS REIMBURSED THROUGH FEMA, AND THEN THE COUNTY REIMBURSES US AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT. THAT I JUST FOUND OUT AND WAS MADE AWARE OF TODAY. SO MORE INFORMATION TO COME AS I CONTINUE TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION THROUGH THIS PROCESS AS WELL. >>Lynn Gray: TWO OTHER ITEMS. THE SEVEN PROPERTIES, ARE WE GOING TO CASH THEM IN SOON? WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THAT? >> WE ACTUALLY ARE IN APPRAISAL PROCESS. WE HAVE APPRAISALS BACK ON THREE OF THE SEVEN PROPERTIES. THERE'S TWO
434OF THEM, ONE LEFT IN THE NEXT 13 DAYS WE WILL FINISH THEM ALL. WE HAVE ALREADY MET WITH THE BUSINESS DIVISION. THERE WILL BE AN RFP. SO IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS WE'LL SEE AN RFP FOR SALE ON ALL SEVEN OF THE PROPERTIES AT THE SAME TIME AND THE APPRAISAL WILL COME IN EITHER AT OR ABOUT WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION ESTIMATE WAS SO, SO FAR IT'S GOOD. >>Lynn Gray: FOR THE SAKE OF INFORMATION, YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATED SUM? >> 1.5 WAS THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WE GAVE FOR THE SEVEN PROPERTIES. $1.5 MILLION. BUT OBVIOUSLY SALES. OUR APPRAISALS ARE COMING IN ABOVE THAT. >>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MR. FARKAS. SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, YOU MENTIONED THE CONTRACT, YOU ARE GOING TO SAVE 2.3 MILLION WHICH IS A LOT. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT -- NOT RIGHT NOW, BUT MAYBE MRS. SAUNDERS CAN
435GIVE ME OR THE BOARD A LIST OF THOSE CONTRACTS THAT THE PEOPLE -- >>Jeffrey Eakins: WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. COREY MURPHY IN OUR PROCUREMENT OFFICE IS TRACKING ALL OF THAT AND IT'S ALL THE RENEGOTIATION THAT OUR GREAT PROCUREMENT OFFS DOES BEHIND THE SCENES TO HELP US GET BETTER PRICES SO SHE HAS BEEN CATALOGING ALL OF THAT SO I WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET THAT. >>Susan Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. MAYBE THE BOARD WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING IN THE NEAR FUTURE A WORKSHOP TO TALK ABOUT THIS SECOND PHASE AND THOSE IMPLEMENTATIONS, AND WE CAN MAYBE SEAL OFF PHASE 1 AND TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN PHASE 2. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE BOARD WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING THAT. WE COULD HAVE A DEEPER DIVE INTO THAT CONVERSATION.
436IT'S JUST A RECOMMENDATION. >>Jeffrey Eakins: I CAN CONTINUE BRING BACK TO THE BOARD -- PHASE 2 IS WHAT A PROCESS IS. PHASE 3 IS MORE PROGRAMS. SO WE WILL BE GLAD TO DO WHATEVER THE BOARD'S WISHES ARE. >>Sally Harris: ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO UPDATE AND OUTREACH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT. >>Jeffrey Eakins: SO I DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT. AND BEFORE WE TURN IT OVER TO -- I HAVE LOTS OF THINGS HERE IN FRONT OF ME. JUST A FEW THINGS I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. FIRST OF ALL, THE HILLSBOROUGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED $110,000 IN INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PROJECTS. THEY RANGE FROM $250 TO $2525th HUNDRED TOTALING 75 PROJECTS. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT. VOTING FOR THE TEACHERS ROCK $20,000 WEDDING GIVEAWAY ENDS WEDNESDAY,
437FEBRUARY 7, 2018. SIX HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TEACHERS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE ULTIMATE MINGIE'S FARM WEDDING ON MAY 12, 2018. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT. IT WAS MENTIONED EARLY WHY YOU BUT MCDONALD PARTNERSHIP WILL AWARD A $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO ONE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NOMINATED BY THEIR TEACHER FOR EXEMPLARY CHARACTER AND FOR FOSTERING DIVERSITY. WE WANT TO THANK McDONALD'S FOR THEIR SUPPORT HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. JUST A TOTAL VOLUNTEER UPDATE. WE ARE UP TO 32,991 UNDUPLICATED APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS NOW IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 5,500 MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN LAST YEAR. WE WANT TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND OUR VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS. FINALLY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE THAT THE PUBLIX CHARITIES AND FEEDING TAMPA BAY FOOD PANTRY SCHOOLS WILL FORMALLY OPEN TO THEIR
438STUDENTS BY THE END OF THE MONTH. BOARD MEMBERS A RIBBON CUTTING INVITE WILL BE FORTHCOMING TO YOU. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF THAT. AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN THE NAACP DISTRICT, LEARN, EMPOWER, ADVOCATE, DREAM WINNERS GRADE 3 THROUGH COLLEGE. THAT'S HAPPENING LATER THIS WEEK. NOW I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. PETERS FOR THE TURNAROUND UPDATE. >> CAN YOU CHECK THE COMPUTERS? I DON'T THINK WE RESET THEM FOR DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. OH, I'M SORRY. ALL RIGHT. SORRY. MADAM PRESIDENT, MADAM VICE PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD. JUST WANT TO GIVE A QUICK UPDATE WITH OUR TURNAROUND SCHOOLS. OBVIOUSLY, WHEN WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, WE LIKE TO SEE INCREASING GRADUATION RATE, COMMUNICATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS, BUILDING STRONG CULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP. JUST TO SORT OF WALK YOU THROUGH THE SCHOOLS REAL QUICK
439AND SHARE A COUPLE HIGHLIGHTS. AT MARCH, THEY ARE DOING SOME -- MORT, THEY ARE DOING SOME INDIVIDUALIZATIONS, PERSONALIZED LEARNING AND REGROUPING, AND HAVING TEACHERS ALIGN THEIR SILL SETS TO THE NEEDS OF KIDS. THEY ARE OFFERING EXTRA TUTORING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, AFTER SCHOOL, ON SATURDAYS. AND RIGHT NOW THEIR DATA IS SHOWING THEIR PERFORMANCE THIS YEAR IS WELL ABOVE LAST YEAR'S. OVER AT POTTER, 50 COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAME OUT AND ATTENDED A BREAKFAST. THEY PLEDGED MONEY TO SUPPORT INCENTIVES TO GET AND REWARD OUR STUDENTS FOR COMING OUT FOR THEIR SATURDAY ACADEMY WHICH OBVIOUSLY SERVED OVER 5 DOZEN FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS IN THE AREA, MATH AND READING. OVER 30 PROFESSIONALS FROM THE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERED TO MENTOR THROUGH THE STUDENTS LEARNING SCHOOL AT SHEEHY. OVER 30 TEACHERS SHOWED GROWTH ON THE DIAGNOSTICS AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT
440IS, AND HOPEFULLY IT'S A GOOD INDICATOR OF WHERE THOSE STUDENTS WILL LAND. OAK PARK, WE EXPERIENCED SOME IMPROVEMENT IN BEHAVIOR. TEACHERS HAVE FOCUSED LESSONS ON ENSURING THAT KIDS ARE ENGAGED. AND WE KNOW THAT RIGOROUS ENGAGING LESSONS IS THE FIRST LINE OF OFFENSE TO STUDENT BEHAVIOR. AND ALSO JUST GENERALLY CREATING A DEEPER DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE AROUND THE STANDARDS AND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF DELIVERING STANDARD BASE INSTRUCTION. TEACHERS PLANNING IS MORE FOCUSED. FOSTER. THIS FIRST GROUP OF STUDENTS IS A NATIONAL ELEMENTARY HONOR SOCIETY AND SCHEDULED TO HOST THEIR FIRST FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE NEXT MONTH. SO THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE TWO LEFT FEET LIKE ME, ENJOY. WASHINGTON. STRATEGIC SUPPORTS USING COACHES, ELSs, SORT OF ALL HANDS ON DECK. THEIR VOLUNTEERS AND TEACHERS HAVE A LASER LIKE FOCUS ON WRITING, AND WRITING IMPROVES A MULTITUDE OF SKILLS. AND ALSO IF THE
441PROJECTIONS HOLD TRUE, WE EXPECT PROFICIENCY AT WASHINGTON TO DOUBLE IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS. MEMORIAL. OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL TURNAROUND. RIGHT NOW, THEIR KPI DATA, 13% MORE STUDENTS HAVE ZERO OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR. AND THAT'S HUGE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE BIG DETERMINANT IS KEEPING KIDS IN SCHOOL. THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. LOOKING AT THE FORM, INTERIM ASSESSMENT DATA, STUDENTS ARE ANSWERING MORE QUESTIONS ON A SEMESTER EXAM CORRECTLY THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR. AND THIS SHOWS -- INCIDENTALLY, MEMORIAL CORRECT OVER LAST YEAR. MEMORIAL STUDENTS SHOWED AGAIN OVER LAST YEAR'S SEMESTER EXAM DATA AND ALSO CLOSED THE GAP FOR THE DISTRICT, EVEN SURPASSING THE DISTRICT AVERAGE AT THE 7th GRADE LEVEL AND OVERALL PERCENT CORRECT. AND SORT OF A LITTLE BIT -- I AM NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS DEEPLY BUT
442IF I CAN DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE GRAPH, TO SORT OF HIGHLIGHT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND THE GREEN SHOWS HIGHLIGHT, IT SHOWS INCREASE FROM GRADE LEVEL FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR. SO YOU CAN SEE SORT OF OVER TIME, AT LEAST AT THAT GRADE LEVEL, HOW STUDENTS ARE PERFORMING. AND IT'S ALL AREAS IN JUST ABOUT ALL GRADE LEVELS. THOSE LEVELS ARE DOING BETTER THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR. SO WE ARE REALLY OPTIMISTIC AROUND WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN OUR TURNAROUND SCHOOLS. SOME QUICK KPI DATA. ATTENDANCE IS HOLDING STUDY. THE COLORED BARS ARE THIS YEAR, THE GRAY SORT OF BACK DROP IS WHERE STUDENTS WERE, WHERE SCHOOLS WERE LAST YEAR. AND YOU CAN SEE ACROSS THE BOARD WERE EITHER AT WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR, MAYBE A LITTLE BELOW OR MAYBE ABOVE FROM LAST YEAR, AND
443THIS IS THE PERCENT OF STUDENT WHO HAVE AT LEAST 90% ATTENDANCE. ALSO I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE HURRICANES WHERE WE TOOK A LITTLE DENT IN ATTENDANCE. BUT STILL IN ALL OF THAT OUR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IS STILL RISING. STUDENTS WITH ZERO SUSPENSIONS WE TALKED A LITTLE ABOUT THIS, AND WE ARE STILL ON PAR AT A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS. WE LOOK AT POTTER. THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF AROUND SUSPENDING FEWER STUDENTS. IF OF WE LOOK AT THAT, SOME OF OUR TOUGHEST SCHOOLS ARE KEEPING OUR KIDS, AND BECAUSE THEY FOUND OUT THAT WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER WHEN THEY ARE WITH US VERSUS AT HOME. SO JUST DOING SOME REAL GOOD WORK AROUND THAT. AND JUST SORT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL DATA, MORE SPECIFICALLY MEMORIAL. THE PERCENT OF STUDENTS PASSING
444ENGLISH, LANGUAGE, MATH AND ART COURSES DURING SEMESTER ONE. AGAIN DOING SOME REALLY GOOD WORK. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF HOT POCKETS THAT WE NEED TO DRILL DOWN IN, 8th GRADE, PASS RATE NOT AS HIGH AS WE LIKE IT. >>Sally Harris: BUT REMEMBER IT'S ENGLISH AND MATH. BUT STILL DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB, AND STUDENTS DO HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO REBOUND AS A RESULT OF THAT. SO THAT'S A REALLY QUICK HIGH-LEVEL STATUS CHECK OF WHERE WE ARE WITH TURNAROUND. I WANT TO BRING TRISHA IN TO TALK ABOUT YOU MAY HAVE READ AN ARTICLE THAT WAS POSTED AND MAYBE THE BUZZ AROUND THE DISTRICT THAT WE ARE GETTING READY TO HAVE OUR 40 DAY BLITZ, OUR STRATEGIC SCHOOL SUPPORT, ALL HAND ON DECK, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT EFFORT, AND TRISH IS GOING TO TALK
445A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. >> THANK YOU. SO BASICALLY, FOR THE NEXT 40 DAYS, PRIOR TO FSA, THE ACTUAL ELA PORTION BEGINNING, BECAUSE WRITING IS BEFORE THAT. DISTRICT STAFF IS GOING TO -- AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR, DISTRICT STAFF HAS BEEN PUSHING INTO SCHOOLS ALL YEAR, AND WHAT WE HAVE DECIDED IS IN THE NEXT 40 DAYS, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY CRUNCH TIME. AND EVERY DAY COUNTS. EVERY MINUTE COUNTS OF EVERY DAY. AND SO WE WANT EVERYONE TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE PERFORMING. SO WE HAVE SELECTED 10 OF THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE -- THE 7 ON THAT FIRST COLUMN THAT YOU ALL TALKED ABOUT THE OTHER DAY AND AN ADDITIONAL THREE TESTS, DISTRICT, CENTRAL FIGURES GO INTO THOSE SCHOOLS AND PUSH IN VERY STRATEGICALLY. SCHOOLS HAVE IDENTIFIED THOSE
446NEEDS. THEY CAN BE FROM TUTORING, SMALL READING GROUPS, VERY FOCUSED, TO MATH GROUPS, TO PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY TO COVERING SO THAT THE SCHOOL LEADERS CAN ACTUALLY BE IN THEIR CLASSROOM. SO IT'S A VARIED APPROACH, AND IT'S BASED ON WHAT THE SCHOOL NEEDS. BUT WE WILL HAVE PROBABLY CLOSE TO 100 CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF MEMBERS SPENDING TIME TWO TO THREE DAYS FOR PERIOD OF TIME IN SCHOOLS EVERY WEEK FOR THE NEXT 40 DAYS TO PROVIDE THAT INTENSIVE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT. AGAIN, 40 DAYS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE, AS A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOLS THAT THAT IS CRITICAL TIME THIS NEXT 40 DAYS. SO WE ARE EXCITED. THANK YOU TO ALL THE DISTRICT DIVISIONS FOR ACTUALLY EVERYBODY IS PITCHING IN. AND IT REALLY IS ABOUT OWNERSHIP. IF OUR SCHOOLS SUCCEED, ALL OF US CAN CELEBRATE, AND IF
447OUR SCHOOLS DON'T, IT IS ON ALL OF US. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER STUART? >>Cindy Stuart: MR. PETERS, CAN WE JUST GET A COPY OF THAT PRESENTATION? E-MAILED OR COPY MAILED FOR US? THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: DO YOU HAVE MORE? >>Jeffrey Eakins: GO RIGHT INTO MY COMMENTS. I DIDN'T THINK YOU WOULD WANT ME TO. I WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME UPDATES HERE AS WE CLOSE OUT THE MEETING. I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF OF A LEE ELEMENTARY UPDATE. >> AND I TALKED TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY WHEN THE FIRST INTERIM ASSESSMENT CAME BACK, TEACHERS THAT WERE HERE FOR THE BOARD WORKSHOP. BUT DID WANT TO MAKE SURE, IT IS OUR INITIAL OFFER FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT CAME IN JUST FOR THE REBUILD. AGAIN THAT WASN'T FOR THE CONTENTS. IT
448WAS LOWER THAN WHAT WE EXPECTED. WE -- WE HAVE ALREADY ENLISTED AN ENGINEER, DENNIS FERNANDEZ FROM THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF THE CITY OF TAMPA. I TALKED MY FIRST CONVERSATION THE DAY AFTER THE FAIR AND CONTINUED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND CONSULTATION ABOUT THAT. SO VAN HUSEN CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SPECIALIZES IN RESTORATION. THE NEXT DAY WE ENLISTED THEM TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE TEAM. THEY ARE ASSESSING. THEY THINK A 30 DAY WINDOW IS THE RETURN FOR THEM TO COME BACK WITH A PRICE AND OPTIONS OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. AND AT THAT TIME AS SOON AS WE HAVE THAT, THEN THE UPDATE WILL GO TO THE BOARD AS WELL. BECAUSE THE NEXT CONVERSATION WILL BE WITH THE INSURANCE ADJUSTORS. WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE INSURANCE BROKER TODAY TO TALK ABOUT WITH OUR NEXT STEP, MAYBE
449SURE WE WERE IN LINE WITH WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE, AND MR. CULPEPPER AND I SPENT ABOUT THREE HOURS WITH THE INSURANCE BROKERS TODAY TO GO INFLUENCE ALL OF THE THINGS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PREPARED FOR WHAT THOSE NEXT STEPS ARE. WE ARE PREMED FOR THAT. I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE THAT NIGHT, MR. EAKINS THAT WERE THERE THAT NIGHT, THOSE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF WATER PUT ON THAT FIRE. BECAUSE IT'S A HISTORIC BUILDING, FOR 110-YEAR-OLD BUILDING, THE WATER INTRUSION OR WATER DAMAGE WAS ONE THAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT OF THAT FIRE. AND IT SPARKED UP AT 4:00 THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY PUT A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND GALLONS TOO. SO WE WOULD LOVE TO TARP THE SCHOOL. THE PROBLEM IS -- AND I WANT TO REMIND -- THE FIRST THING
450WE NEED TO DO IS SECURE THE BRICK WALL. WE PAID THAT OUT OF DISTRICT FUNDS TO MAKE SURE WE HAD AN ENGINEER TO MAKE SURE THE FACADE DIDN'T FALL DOWN. THE REST OF THE BUILDING IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TARP. WHEN YOU ADD A TARP TO A BUILDING YOU ARE ACTUALLY ADDING WIND TO IT SO THE WIND SPEEDS THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE UP THERE WOULD BE AN ISSUE FOR US TO DO THAT. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD COVER FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION BUT BASED ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ADJUSTOR THAT IS A CONDEMNED BUILDING, AND WE COULDN'T GO IN AND HANG TARPS EVEN IF WE WANTED TO. THAT BEING SAID, THE CONTENTS THAT WE HAVE, HISTORIC CONTENTS ARE THERE, BRICK WALL, STILL SOMETHING WE ARE FOCUSED ON. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE REPORT
451FROM OUR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER TO GO OUT, AND OBVIOUSLY THE BOARD, THE FIRST OFFER WE GOT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE FIRST TEAM TO KNOW, AND THEN WE'LL CONTACT THE COMMUNITY AND THE SCHOOLS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AT LEE TO TALK ABOUT NEXT STEPS. BUT AGAIN ABOUT THREE, THREE AND A HALF WEEKS FROM NOW WE'LL GET OUR REPORT BACK AND SET UP OUR MEETING WITH THE INSURANCE BROKER NOW, PREPARING FOR THAT MEETING, THAT REPORT TO COME BACK. >>Lynn Gray: MR. FARKAS, WE ARE ENJOYING A LOT OF CONVERSATION IN THAT COMMUNITY, AND I KNOW MEMBER SHAMBURGER IS AWARE OF THAT AS WELL ABOUT THE RENOVATION. AND AS OUR MEETING CAME UP WITH COMMISSIONER KEN HAGAN, THERE IS INTEREST PROBABLY ON HIS PART. I THINK IT PROBABLY WOULD BE WISE FOR US TO CONSIDER -- AND MR. PORTER,
452YOU MAY WANT TO JUMP IN ON THIS -- EITHER A WORKSHOP FOR A DISCUSSION ON THIS TOPIC, WHETHER WE SHOULD RENOVATE OR BUILD NEW, OR DO YOU FEEL, MR. FARKAS, IF THE COMMITTEE MEETING IS ENOUGH, I MEAN, EVENTUALLY THE BOARD IS GOING TO HAVE TO WEIGH IN ON SOME OF THESE COSTS, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENTIALS. SO WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO IS BE PROACTIVE AND ESTABLISHING THE DISCUSSION OPENLY BEFORE IT GETS TO BE TOO MUCH, TOO MANY DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS AT ONE TIME. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE? >> MY FEELING IS MY JOB IS OH TO BRING BACK TO YOU ALL PERSPECTIVES SO IT NEED TO BE THE COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE AS WELL. WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THAT SCHOOL FROM BOTH SIDES. I HAVE, WHY WOULD YOU BUILD THAT AGAIN, TO, YOU CANNOT BUILD THAT AGAIN,
453ON A REGULAR BASIS. OUR JOB, AT THE COMMUNITY MEETING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, TALKED ABOUT WHEN WE HAVE THIS INFORMATION, YOU WILL THE FIRST ONES. BUT THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES THERE. THE FUNCTION OF THE SCHOOL AS IT IS WITH LOCKHART AND THEN THE REBUILD. WE ANTICIPATE HAVING A MEETING JUST FOCUSED ON THE REBUILD FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARENTS THAT AT LEE. SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION TO MR. EKE TOWNS MAKE SURE YOU GET COMMUNITY FEEDBACK. HERE IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY THINKS, HERE IS THE PUSH BACK. THAT'S PART OF OUR JOB TO GET THAT INFORMATION. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT PREMATURELY BECAUSE I THINK HAVING THE NEGOTIATION AND THE FIGURES NEEDS TO BE BEFOREHAND. WE HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER. BUT IT
454WOULD BE GREAT TO TALK TO MAX, AND TALK ABOUT WHAT GAP IS FROM FUNDING AND THEN PROVIDE YOU FEEDBACK. I'M SURE YOU WILL HEAR IT AT THE BOARD MEETING AS WELL. OF COURSE ANY MEETING LIKE THAT WE'LL INVITE ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS, INVITE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AS MR. HAGAN TALKED ABOUT TODAY, TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THE MEETING AS WELL. BUT I FEEL LAKE PART OF OUR JOB IS TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY FEED BACK, PARENT FEEDBACK, AND OF COURSE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS. ALL OF THOSE ARE FACTORS. GRAY GRAIL WHAT I AM HEARING IS YOU WOULD RATHER WAIT UNTIL THE REALITY OF WHAT WE ARE GETTING BACK FROM THE INSURANCE. AND WHAT I AM HEARING, TOO, LET ME UNDERSTAND, DOES THIS -- IS THIS ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA RIGHT NOW FOR DISCUSSION,
455AT LEAST? >>Jeffrey Eakins: IT'S NOT CURRENTLY ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA, BUT I CAN GIVE YOU AS REGULAR UPDATES TO BE THIS AS WE GET INFORMATION COMING IN. SOMETIMES, BETWEEN MEETINGS, INFORMATION COMES IN. I FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO KNOW IT THEN. SO WE'LL MAKE SURE WE REACH OUT AND DISCUSS IT WITH YOU. BUT -- >>Christopher Farkas: I THINK WE'LL HAVE AN UPDATE -- THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL PROBABLY BE THE DATE WHEN WE HAVE THE MEETING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. WHEN WE HAVE THE PARENT MEETING. I FEEL THERE WILL BE INFORMATION BOARD MEMBERS AS WE DO THAT. WHETHER IT'S ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA OR NOT, I FEEL MR. EAKINS AND I WILL HAVE INFORMATION. >>Lynn Gray: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PUT IT ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA NO FORMAL WAY. >>Sally Harris:
456I HAVE A MOTION TO -- DO I HAVE A SECOND? I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER SNIVELY TO PUT THE LEE INFORMATION ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. DO I HAVE DISCUSSION? >>Melissa Snively: WELL, I HAVE A QUESTION AT THIS POINT. AGAIN MAYBE DEFER TO MR. PORTER AS TO -- YOU NOTICE, THE SUSPENDED AGENDA IS GETTING LONG. SO WHAT IS THE CRITERIA? WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF HAVING A SUSPENDED AGENDA? AND WOULD THIS BE AN APPROPRIATE ITEM TO ADD TO IT, OR IS THIS TOO MUCH OF A SHORT TERM ITEM? >> THE SUSPENDED AGENDA IS REALLY FOR THE BOARD TO ALLOW YOU TO BE UP TO SPEED ON ITEMS THAT ARE MORE THAN SHORT TERM PROJECTS. THIS IS NOT A SHORT TERM PROJECT. IT'S SHORTER TERM THAN SOME. IT'S APPROPRIATE TO
457PUT ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. >> THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO KNOW. >> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ON THERE. YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERWHELM YOUR REGULAR AGENDA WITH A SUSPENDED AGENDA THAT TAKES LONGER THAN THE REGULAR AGENDA. BUT AS FAR AS THE TOPIC GOES, HIGHLY APPROPRIATE. >>Melissa Snively: THEN MY NEXT QUESTION BECAUSE IT LEADS INTO IT, IT MAY BE TIME FOR THE BOARD TO PUT THE SUSPENDED AGENDA ON THE AGENDA TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA, AND DO WE NEED TO AUDIT THAT AND SEE IF EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THERE STILL NEEDS TO BE ON THERE OR IF WE NEED TO CLEAN IT UP? >> THAT'S ENTIRELY UP TO THE BOARD FOR THE APPROPRIATE ACTION. LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY. YOU COULD BELABORING THAT AN AGENDA ITEM. >> I KNOW. THAT'S
458WHAT I'M SAYING. (LAUGHTER). >> OR YOU COULD ASK THE CHAIR TO LOOK AT IT. >> IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HURT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER GRAY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER SNIVELY TO ADD THIS TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. DISCUSSION? MEMBER STUART? >>Cindy Stuart: YES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE, TO MR. FARKAS' OFFICE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT, THAT ADDING THIS TOPIC TO THE SUSPENDED, I DON'T WANT US TO GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE ARE GETTING UPDATES AND THAT WE ARE PUTTING INFORMATION OUT BEFORE WE ARE READY TO PUT IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC. I WANT US TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE, BUT THIS IS A REALLY DELICATE SITUATION IN WHICH THERE THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON BOTH SIDES OF WHERE WE
459GO. SO I DON'T WANT THEM TO MAKE IT MORE OF A CONVERSATION BY ADDING IT TO THE SUSPENDED AGENDA AND GETTING REGULAR UPDATES WHEN WE COULD BE GETTING THOSE INDIVIDUALLY, AND MAYBE THE PUBLIC IS NOT READY FOR US TO MAKE A DECISION. I DON'T KNOW, DO WE HAVE A TIME FRAME OR AN EXPECTED TIME FRAME FOR HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO TAKE AND FOR US TO GET INTO A POSITION OF MAKING A DECISION? >>Christopher Farkas: I WOULD BE PRESUMPTUOUS IF I GAVE YOU THAT TIME FRAME BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD OUR INITIAL SIT DOWN WHERE WE COUNT ACTED WHAT THE TIME FRAME WOULD BE. IT COULD BE THREE WEEKS FROM I KNOW WE HAVE THAT MEETING AND READY TO GIVE YOU A REAL FIGURE. MY GUESS IS HE THEY AREN'T GOING TO COME UP WITH
460OUR FIGURE, SURE, WHATEVER YOU GUYS CAME UP WITH. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME NEGOTIATION. WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUT ANYTHING OUT THERE THAT'S GOING TO HURT US IN THE ABILITY TO SELL THE PROPERTY. IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT THAT WOULD PUT US IN A BAD SITUATION, WE'LL MAKE SURE WE DON'T PUT YOU IN A BAD SITUATION TO HAVE IT. EITHER WAY, I THINK THE PROCESS AND THE STEPS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PART FOR YOU TO BE AWARE OF. AS MR. EAKINS SEWED, WE'LL HAVE ONE ON ONE, WHETHER WE DO IT FORMALLY IN A BOARD MEETING. I MIGHT CALL EACH OF YOU OR TALK TO EACH OF YOU AS SOON AS WE CAN TO APPRISE YOU OF WHAT'S GOING ON. I DON'T THINK WE'LL SHARE INFORMATION THAT COULD HURT US BUT I DEFINITELY
461THINK THERE WILL BE TIMES BETWEEN BOARD MEETINGS WHERE YOU WILL HAVE UPDATES FROM US OR BOTH OF US. >> AND DOESN'T MEAN EVERY ITEM ON THE SUSPENDED AGENDA. SO WHAT MR. FARKAS JUST SAID, THE DISCRETION IS UP TO YOU, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DONE AT A BOARD MEETING. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY? DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY MEMBER GRAY, MEMBER SNIVELY. IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHT APPEARS. >>Jim Porter: THE MOTION FAILED 3 TO 3. >>Sally Harris: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE MORE? >>Jeffrey Eakins: YES. OUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OFFICE DOES A GREAT JOB WITH THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. AND I AM GOING TO COMPRESS THAT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE INTO ONE OF THEIR VERY BEST SLIDES, OKAY? SO AS
462SOON AS THAT GETS UP THERE, I WILL TURN TO THAT SLIDE. SO THIS IS JUST A BREAKDOWN REAL QUICK OF THE TWO BUDGET THAT HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE. I WANT YOU TO VERY QUICKLY SEE IT. ALTHOUGH BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ARE INCREASING THE OVERALL PER PUPIL BY ABOUT $100 PER CHILD, THEY DO IT COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY. ON THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE, IF YOU LOOK AT ACTUALLY THE FAR LEFT HAND CORNER, FAR LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THIS PARTICULAR CHART, THE SENATE HAS INCLUDED IN THEIR BUDGETS SPECIFIC CATEGORICAL. SO LITERALLY EVERY AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT'S INCREASED FOR FUNDING FOR EDUCATION BY THE SENATE HAS STRINGS ATTACHED TO IT. DISTRICT GET MORE MONEY BUT YOU MUST SPEND IN THE THESE CERTAIN WAYS. WHEREAS THE HOUSE, THEY HAVE PROVIDED ABOUT $100 MORE PER CHILD, ABOUT 75
463OF THOSE DOLLARS ARE ACTUALLY AN INCREASE IN THE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION SO THAT ALLOWS THE DISTRICTS TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH THOSE DOLLARS ON HOW WE USE THEM, AND WE JUST DON'T USE THEM FOR CERTAIN THINGS. THE SENATE ACTUALLY REDUCES THE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION FROM WHERE IT WAS LAST YEAR AND THEN PUTS ALL OF THE EXTRA MONEY IN THESE CATEGORICALS THAT YOU SEE ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. THE REQUIRED LOCAL EFFORT IS IN THE SENATE, THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP THE REQUIRED LOCAL EFFORT, THAT MEANS WHATEVER PROPERTY VALUES INCREASE THIS YEAR WE GET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, BUT ONCE AGAIN ALL THOSE EXTRA DOLLARS GET FUNNELED INTO SPECIFIC PROGRAMS. THE TEACHER SALARY INCREASE ALLOCATION, THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THAT MONEY -- WE WOULD NOT GET THAT MONEY
464TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE. IT WOULD LITERALLY COME LIKE IT CAME THIS YEAR, $1200 FOR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, $800 FOR EFFECTIVE I.DON'T WANT ANYONE TO GET EXCITED, TOO EXCITED ABOUT THAT MONEY COMING FOR NEGOTIATION PURPOSES FOR DISTRICTS THAT WOULD NOT BE THE CASE WITH THOSE PARTICULAR DOLLARS. HOPE SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES, THOSE ARE DOLLARS THAT GOING TO BE PUT IN PLAY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SCHOOLS THAT WOULD QUALIFY TO RECEIVE MUCH LIKE CHAMBERLAIN AND ROBLES DID THIS YEAR. THEY RECEIVED SOME ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS OF HOPE DOLLARS TO KIND OF TRANSFORM THEIR SCHOOL. THEY PUT MORE MONEY BACK INTO THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM IN THE SENATE. AND THEN THERE'S ABOUT $40 MILLION FOR MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE. ONCE AGAIN THOSE DOLLARS WOULD COME TO THE DISTRICT BUT THE DISTRICTS WOULD HAVE TO USE THEM FOR THOSE SPECIFIC PURPOSES. WHEREAS THE HOUSE
465HAS MORE OF AN OPEN BUDGET, WHERE WE WOULD GET THE DOLLARS AND BE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE WITH WHAT OUR LOCAL NEEDS ARE. THAT'S KIND OF A VERY QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE TWO BUDGETS. BUT I WANTED YOU TO BE ACQUIRE, A LOT IS IN PLAY RIGHT NOW. A LOT COULD CHANGE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BUT THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THINGS SIT RIGHT NOW. DO YOU WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR STRAWBERRY CREST CHARTERS OUT THERE? THEY WON THEIR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE CHEERLEADING CHEER CHAMPIONSHIP. [ APPLAUSE ] FOUR. THAT IS PRETTY INCREDIBLE. WE HAD A SPECIAL SURPRISE OVER -- I WANT TO GET MY NOTES ON THIS CORRECT -- IT WAS AN COPYRIGHTING EMOTIONAL DAY FOR THREE OF OUR STUDENTS LAST WEEK. THEIR DAD AIR FORCE SERGEANT MARQUISE HAYDEN RETURNED HOME SURPRISING ALL THREE OF THEM AT THEIR SCHOOLS.
466THE FIRST SURPRISE WAS AT MAGNET AND THEN TINKER. WHEN THE FAMILY WAS ALL BACK TOGETHER SERGEANT HAYDEN SAID HE TRAVELED 36 MAILS FOR THIS MOMENT. WE THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE. WE ALSO THANK HIM FOR THE SACRIFICES-AND HIS FAMILY MAKE EVERY DAY FOR ALL OF US. AND THEN FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WE HAVE OPENED UP NOMINATIONS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PRISM AWARDS. SO REMEMBER PRISM, STANDS FOR PRIORITIES. WE HAVE OUR FIRST AWARD WINNER CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ OVER ON THE FAR WALL, WE HAVE THE FUTURE PRISM AWARD WINNER. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH HALF A YEAR AND FEEL IT'S TIME TO START TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS OAR EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE COMMUNITY STOW WE CAN HAVE ANOTHER PRISM AWARD WINNER IN THIS BOARD ROOM. WITH THAT, THAT'S MY COMMENTS. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. WE'LL GO
467TO BOARD COMMENTS WHICH I HOPE IS VERY SHORT. (LAUGHTER). I'M GETTING FAISTT. IT'S LATE. MEMBER STUART. >>Cindy Stuart: THANK YOU. I WILL BE VERY, VERY BRIEF R.I WANTED TO JUST THANK THE SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF TODAY, STUDENT CORE SERVICES FOR BRINGING TO THIS DISTRICT THE PROGRAM, AND IT WAS AN AMAZING MORNING. THANK YOU, MRS. BROWN, FOR HAVING THE STAFF HERE AND THANK YOU HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, AND OUR FAN FAVORITES FOR BEING THE FIRST SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT TO ACTUALLY TAKE ON THIS PROJECT. SO WE TALK ABOUT STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. AND THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE, FREE PROGRAM THAT IS BEING STARTED THERE. I WANT TO THANK THE ROGERS MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA. THEY ARE DOING A RALLY NEXT WEEK TO JUST WAKE UP AND ALERT THEIR PARENT DRIVERS TO THE HAZARD OF
468DRIVING IN THE DARK AND DRIVING AROUND THEIR SCHOOLS. SO WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT THEM WITH THE MPO AND STAFF OVER THERE AND BRING SOME RESOURCES TO THEM. AND I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE PARTICIPANTS. I ACTUALLY WAS AT THE CHEERLEADING COMPETITION ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WITH MY CHILD, AND STRAWBERRIES CREST IS AN AMAZING TEAM. BUT ALL THE TEAMS THAT COMPETED, IT WAS REALLY AN AMAZING DAY. SUPERINTENDENT, I HAVE ONE REQUEST OF YOU. CAN YOU GIVE ME -- DO ME A FAVOR? I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR SOMEONE TO START REVIEWING SOONER VERSUS LATER THE FLU DATA AND THE FLU -- WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS THAT ARE EXTREMELY ANXIOUS ABOUT NOT JUST MINE. SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE FLU YET BUT A LOT OF THEM, PARENTS ARE VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT OUR POLICY AROUND
469EXAM EXEMPTIONSS SO WE HAVE KIDS COMING TO SCHOOL SICK. I HAVE GOTTEN E-MAILS FROM TEACHERS WHO ARE HOME SICK BECAUSE KIDS ARE COMING TO SCHOOL SICK. IF YOU COULD GATHER SOME DATA AND MAYBE HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND THEM, THAT EXEMPTION, AND MAYBE I KNOW WE HAVE DONE IT IN THE PAST. YOU KNOW, LETTING THAT GO FOR A YEAR IF THINGS ARE REALLY BAD OUT THERE. I'M HEARING MIXED REVIEWS ON WHERE IT'S BAD AND WHERE IT'S ON THE. I HAVE GOT ELEMENTS WHERE THEY ARE SPENDING HOURS CLEANING THE OFFICE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY BAD AND OTHERS I'M HEARING NOTHING. SO IF WE CAN GATHER SOME OF THAT FROM WHATEVER DIVISION HANDLES ABSENTEEISM AND STUDENT ATTENDANCE. SO THANK YOU. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. MRS. VALDES. >>Susan Valdes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. MR. EAKINS, LET'S KIND OF
470SLOW THE CONVERSATION. JUST DOING A LITTLE BIT OF REFLECTING. ON THE ISSUE OF EQUITY TODAY AND OFTENTIMES WE HEAR ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION SITUATION, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AND I DO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR OWN ROADS. I MEAN, IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. THE CAPACITY OF THE SYSTEM IS USUALLY NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO ABSORB, YOU KNOW, ALL THE WATER WHEN THE RAINS COME IN. FOR INSTANCE, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE ARE STREETS THAT ACTUALLY THE STUDENTS HAVE TO WALK TO SCHOOL, AND IT ACTUALLY FLOODS. THERE IS A PERMANENT SIGN ON HESPERIDES OFF OF -- I WANT TO SAY MINNEHAHA WHERE THERE IS A PERMANENT SIGN THAT SAYS ROAD UNDERWATER. BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS, THAT ROAD IS UNDER WATER. AND IT'S WITHIN LESS THAN TWO MILE RULE, OKAY? SO I HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO VOICE
471MY CONCERNS IN TALLAHASSEE AS WELL AS WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ABOUT THIS SITUATION, AND CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE. AND I HAVE ADVOCATED TO THE STATE TO SEE ABOUT REDUCING THAT MILE, BUT FUNDED. IN OTHER WORDS, INSTEAD OF TWO MILES. WE'LL DO THE MILE, BUT FUNDED, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THESE KIDS THAT ARE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD STILL FALL UNDER THE TWO-MILE RULE ANYWAY, AND THEY WOULD FALL UNDER THE ONE-MILE RULE ANYWAY. SO EITHER WITH SOME OF THE DISTANCES OF THE WALKING SITUATION MAY NOT NECESSARILY FIX THE SITUATION FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE -- RELATED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. WE HAVE BEEN -- A LOT OF OUR SCHOOLS, JUST BY -- JUST GEOGRAPHY AND THE FACT THAT IT'S CONVENIENT, BECAUSE PARENT DO WANT TO GO TO NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS. THEY REALLY DO. BUT BY
472THE SAME TOKEN THAT'S WHEN WE START TO CREATE AGAIN SEGREGATED SCHOOLS. SO I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR CONCERNS AS WELL IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO AFFORD OUR CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITIES. SO MY QUESTION TO YOU AND TO STAFF IS, YOU KNOW, HAVE WE LOOKED AT BOUNDARIES, TO LOOK AT THE EQUITY OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT STUDENTS THAT MAY BE WOULD BE IN THE INNER CITY MAY NOT NECESSARILY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO SEE DIFFERENT THINGS. BUT THE SAME TOKEN STUDENTS IN RURAL AREAS, THERE'S SOME GAPS IT AS WELL OUT IN THAT AREA. SO AS WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THIS WITH THE SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY THE SCHOOLS THAT WE ARE KEENLY LOOKING AT, MAYBE THAT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THAT AND SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO
473TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD IN GIVING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. SO WITH THAT IN MIND, I AM GOING TO GO BACK INTO THIS ONE, BECAUSE WE AS A BOARD DECIDED NOT TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT WITH OUR SISTER COUNTIES IN BROWARD AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BECAUSE OF OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. AND YET WE REALLY TRULY RESPECTFULLY LISTEN, PAY ATTENTION TO THE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR CONCERNS. AND RIGHTFULLY SO, WE SHOULD SPEAK UP. I HAVE. AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE AS WELL. AND I SUGGEST THAT WE CONTACT LEGISLATORS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR DELEGATION AND REALLY SHARE WHAT OUR PREDICAMENT IS, THIRD IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. 8th IN THE NATION. I URGE THE TEACHERS TO HELP US BY WRITING THE LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE CONCERNS THAT THEY BRING TO US. SOME OF THESE CONCERNS, YOU KNOW THAT
474THEY ARE OUT OF OUR CONTROL. AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I AGREE. BUT I REALLY DO CHALLENGE US TO GO -- AND NOT GO TO OUR COMFORT ZONE, AND JUST TALK TO OUR DELEGATION. WE MUST BE VOCAL WITH THOSE THAT DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR ARE NOT OUR FRIEND, FULL, TO PUBLIC EDUCATION. AND THE TEACHER VOICE IN TALLAHASSEE, YOU KNOW, WRITTEN LETTER, AND LETTING YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW THEY FEEL, WILL HELP USFULLY IT WILL BE HELPFUL. THE SAME WITH THE STUDENTS THAT COMB AND TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT THE TESTING. I WISH WE COULD LOOK AT THE TEST BEFORE AND PROOFREAD IT. I WISH WE COULD. BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE TEST. TEACHERS DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE TEST. THE STATE OF FLORIDA ADOPTED THIS TEST
475WITHOUT EVEN REALLY VETTING IT. WE WERE THE GUINEA PIGS OF THE AND YET THERE WERE STILL THINGS THAT WERE WRONG ON THAT TEST. AND WHO SUFFERED FOR IT? OUR KID. SO TODAY, WE ALSO HEARD FROM MRS. SAUNDERS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A STATE REDUCTION OF 5.9 MILLION. SO DO WE HAVE THE MONEY TO JOIN A LAWSUIT, PAY TEACHERS WHAT THEY DESERVE, PAY A LIFIC LIVING WAGE, PAY THE EMPLOYEES WHO DRIVE OUR STUDENTS A LIVING WAGE? AND BY THE WAY, WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY FTE. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS. AND IT'S NOT FALLING ON DEAF EARS. NOR THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP. I KNOW I EXERCISED MY COURAGE OFTEN. AND AGAIN, I REMEMBER A BUS RIDE YEARS AGO THAT MEMBER GRIFFIN AND I TOOK ALONGSIDE
476WITH THE TEACHERS UNION, AND CARRY ANN RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN SHE OH SPOKE ABOUT IT. AND FOR THE RECORD FOR ME IT WAS NEVER ABOUT SEEKING UNION SUPPORT FOR A BID FOR REELECTION. IT'S ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT AND NOT POPULAR. AND I WISH THAT THE EFFORTS WOULD BE TARGETED TO TALLAHASSEE AND REALLY LOOK AT WHAT THE CORE PROBLEM IS, AND CONCENTRATE ON THOSE THINGS THAT WE, THIS BODY, HAS NO CONTROL OVER. YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT WAY OF BEING ABLE TO VOICE OUR -- OUR DISMAYS FOR HOUSE BILL 7069. AND BE ABLE TO DO THINGS NO DIFFERENT WAY. AND SHARE OUR CONCERNS. IN A MORE TACTFUL MANNER, AND WITHOUT HAVING TO BRING IN AND SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON A LAWSUIT. THE ONLY WAY -- AND
477I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT YOUR REPORT ABOUT THE MEDICAID, BECAUSE WE CAN'T GENERATE FUNDS. MEDICAID IS A WAY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GENERATE FUND, AND WE HAVE MISSED OUT ON THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, BECAUSE THAT DID FALL ON DEAF EARS OF PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP. IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT CAPITALIZING ENOUGH ON OUR MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT, WE ARE NOT A MEDICAL BIDDING SERVICE, WE ARE AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY THAT WE ARE NOT TRAINED TO DO SO. SO WE NEED THOSE EXPERTS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT AND HELP US GENERATE THAT REVENUE SO THAT WE CAN REINVEST. AND ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE, LAST THURSDAY, WE HAD A WELLNESS MORNING HOSTED BY DR. SHOTSBERG AND HUMANA, AND I BELIEVE WE
478HAD MAYBE ABOUT 140 FOLKS FROM -- 140 INDIVIDUALS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, TO COME IN AND GET THEIR WELLNESS. AND I KNOW THAT THE AREA SUITS, I REALLY COERCED THEM TO SAY, YOU CAN'T GO TO LUNCH, YOU HAVE GOT TO GO GET HEALTHY AND GET CHECKED. SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY AND THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE, BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING IS A HEAVY LIFT. IT'S NOT EASY. HERE WE ARE, AND IT'S ALMOST AN 8-HOUR MEETING AND I WILL SHUT UP BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST AN 8-HOUR MEETING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE MUST BE HEALTHY. AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU, STAFF, MR. EAKINS, YOU DID, TOO. SO YES, IT'S AWESOME. DON'T FORGET. GO 365 AND STAY HEALTHY. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO EACH
479AND EVERY DAY. I DO APPRECIATE IT. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER GRAY. >>Lynn Gray: LET ME FLY INTO THIS AND HOPEFULLY FLY OUT OF HERE SOON. WE THANK THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA FOR ACCOMMODATING ALL OF OUR DISTRICT ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TODAY, A SPECIAL THANKS GO TO OUR ONGOING EFFORTS OF THE ARTS COUNCIL, CAROL VICK AND MELANIE FAULKNER. ALWAYS WORKING SO HARD TO SPREAD THE BEAUTY AND THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THE ARTS. I ALSO WANT TO SAY, I WANT TO COMMEND -- YOU ARE STILL HERE -- JASON PEPE AND KRISTIN DAVIS. YOUR WORK IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. AND THE CONNECTIVITY THAT WE SHOULD DEMONSTRATE ACTIVELY FROM EACH OF THESE BOARD MEMBERS IN TALLAHASSEE IS NEVER MORE PARAMOUNT THAN NOW. I THINK IT'S ROLLERCOASTER 10755 IS ADDING UP AND PREVIOUSLY 7069. WE CANNOT POLITELY TAKE THIS ANY MORE. I
480AM DEFINITELY -- I HAVE NEVER BEEN AN ACTIVIST BUT I AM DEFINITELY GOING INTO THAT TALLAHASSEE TRIP TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY WITH A MORE, LET'S SAY, ASSERTIVE VERBIAGE, CONVERSATION. BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT EAKINS, FOR MAKING THIS CONNECTION, THE POLITICAL CONNECTION. IT SHOULD BE OUR MIDDLE NAME. YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITH SCHOOLS WITHOUT MONEY. AND YOU DON'T GET MONEY FROM, OBVIOUSLY, NECESSARILY, OUR IMMEDIATE TAXPAYERS. WE HAVE GOT TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND GET THEIR EAR AND THEIR RESPECT. SO WE CAN GET THE MONEYS WE NEED FOR OUR CHILDREN TO EDUCATE THEM. >>Sally Harris: MEMBER SNIVELY. >>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS SINCE THEY WERE BOTH BROUGHT UP RECENTLY. ONE, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BACK FROM SUPERINTENDENT ON SOME OF THE AREAS OF THE COUNTY WHERE
481STUDENTS LOST THE COURTESY BUSING THAT WERE DEEMED STILL -- JUST BY COMMON SENSE HAZARDOUS AREAS TO WALK. THERE'S ONE ASPECT OF MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE CHECKING A LIST TO SAY, IS THIS HAZARDOUS OR NONHAZARDOUS ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, BUT THEN THERE'S ANOTHER ASPECT OF SAYING, WOULD YOU LET YOUR OWN CHILD WALK ON THIS ROAD TO SCHOOL? BECAUSE THERE ARE STILL SOME AREAS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY I WOULD NOT LET ANY OF MY CHILDREN WALK TO SCHOOL ON EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE LESS THAN TWO MILES. AND I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE GETTING AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THOSE AREAS IF WE ARE ABLE TO RESTORE SOME OF THAT TRANSPORTATION. WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE WITH MR. FARKAS, AND MR. BEEKMAN, BUT IT'S BEEN A LITTLE WHILE, AND I THINK IT'S TIME
482FOR US TO CIRCLE BACK AND FIND OUT WHAT ARE WE DOING IF WE CAN RESTORE, IF WE ARE ABLE TO RESTORE SOME OF THE BUSING IN THE AREAS THAT ARE STILL DEEMED HAZARDOUS TO A NORMAL COMMONSENSE -- SOMEONE TAKING AN APPROACH THAT WAY, RIGHT? SO, OKAY. AND THEN LEGISLATIVELY, I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOARD TAKING A STAND. AND I THINK MY OPINION ON THAT IS WE DO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE IN OUR WAY OF WORK, WE TALK ABOUT BEING A BOARD, AND HAVING -- BEING A UNIFIED FRONT, RIGHT? AND SO WHEN WE TALK TO OUR LEGISLATORS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE BOARD, BECAUSE LEN IS GOING UP TO TALLAHASSEE TOMORROW, I AM GOING UP TO TALLAHASSEE TOMORROW AS WELL. AND WHEN WE TALK TO OUR LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE TO MAKE
483SURE THAT WE ARE DELINEATING OUR PERSONAL OPINIONS VERSUS THE SCHOOL BOARD'S CONSENSUS. THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. WE CAN'T GO INTO LEGISLATORS' OFFICES OR TALK TO THEM WHETHER IT'S IN THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE OR WHETHER IT'S IN TALLAHASSEE AND COME ACROSS LIKE WE ARE SPEAKING FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE WHOLE BOARD. SO IF WE DON'T HAVE A CONSENSUS, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL HOW WE MAKE OUR STATEMENT OR PLEA. AND IT'S PERFECTLY FINE TO HAVE A PERSONAL OPINION AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT PORTRAYING THAT OPINION TO BE OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD. AND SO THAT'S THE ONLY PIECE OR THE ONLY RECOMMENDATION I WOULD MAKE TO EACH OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, BECAUSE SOME OF US HAVE SOME LONG-TIME RELATIONSHIPS AND STANDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LEGISLATORS, AND
484SOME OF US ARE NEWER TO IT, AND JUST I THINK AS A WAY OF A REMINDER WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE MESSAGE OUR POSITIONS. WHETHER THEY ARE PERSONAL OR WHETHER THEY ARE ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT EVENING. >>Sally Harris: THANK YOU. I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS I NEED TO SAY. AS CHAIRMAN THIS YEAR, THIS HAS BEEN MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A TEN MINUTES MINUS AN 8-HOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. SO I WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT TO MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO GIVE ME SOME IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN NOT HAVE THIS HAPPEN. I WILL SAY THAT EVERY SINGLE BOARD ITEM WAS PULLED THIS TIME FOR EITHER COMMENT OR HIGHLIGHT OUT OF THE ENTIRE AGENDA. SO I KNOW THAT THE DISTRICT STAFF IS CONCERNED. ARE THEY NOT
485GETTING TO US -- WHAT CAN WE DO AS THE PEOPLE STILL IN THIS ROOM THAT HAVE TO BE AT WORK TOMORROW AT SEVEN, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HAVE BOARD MEETINGS THAT, AS THE MEDIA SAYS, ARE 100% TRANSPARENT ON THE WAY WE DO WORK AND STILL HAVE REASONABLE BOARD MEETINGS. SO I AM GOING TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO EITHER E-MAIL ME OR MAKE SOME SUGGESTIONS, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL TIRED. AND YOU CAN'T EVEN THINK AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. BUT AN 8-HOUR BOARD MEETING IS GETTING KIND OF RIDICULOUS ON ALL OF US. SO I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW MANY OF US TALKED AND HOW LONG WE TALKED. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE NUMBERS THIS TIME. BUT WE HAVE TRIED THE TWO-MINUTE BUZZERS. I WON'T SAY ANYMORE. JUST PLEASE, ALL OF YOU,
486GIVE ME IDEAS. THAT ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP US TO PULL THIS TOGETHER, AND MAYBE STILL DO WHAT'S RIGHT, BEING TOTAL TRANSPARENT. HOWEVER, SHORTEN THESE MEETINGS. EFFICIENTLY. I HAVE JUST, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THREE PICTURES, FOUR PICTURES TO SHOW YOU. I DID ATTEND THE BATTLE HELD AT ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL. IT WAS A VERY GREAT EVENT CELEBRATING THE ART WORK THAT THE STUDENTS DID THAT WAS THE WINNING ART WORK WAS VERY GOOD. AND THEN, LET'S SEE, THAT'S PART OF THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. BELTS. SEE, I'M TIRED. ONE OF THE PICTURES THAT WAS ONE OF THE WINNERS THAT WAS DRAWN BY THE STUDENTS. AND THEIR ART WORK WAS JUST TREMENDOUS. IT REALLY WAS. AND THEN I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND TELL YOU THE REST OF THE THINGS, AND THEN THE SLIDE SHOW CAN GO. I
487ATTENDED THE EAST BAY HIGH SCHOOL 50th ANNIVERSARY. THAT WAS EXCITING. THEY DID THE DIFFERENT AREAS AS YOU WALKED IN. IT WAS REALLY FUN AND THEY HONORED ALL THE PRINCIPALS THAT HAVE EVER BEEN THERE AT THE SCHOOL THAT ARE STILL LIVING. THEN WE HAD THE STUDENT HIGH SCHOOL FORUM HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM, AND WE HAD A SURPRISE VISIT FROM THE WWE SUPERSTAR TITUS O'NEILL, AND THEN WE HAD THE -- THERE'S THE STUDENTS. AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL. I AM REALLY SORRY THAT IT'S SO LATE. AND HELP ME TO MAKE IT SHORTER IN THE FUTURE. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 7:50. I MEAN 10:50. A 7 HOUR 50 MINUTE MEETING.