001Good evening, everyone. We're ready to begin this evening's board meeting. Chief, has the front lobby been attended to? Thank you, sir. We request that all electronic devices be turned off and put in silent mode. Also, please refrain from using flash photography except during the special presentations portion of the meeting. I'm pleased to welcome the September 9th, 2025 schoolboard action meeting. The time is 6:01 p.m. and this meeting is hereby called to order. Board member Debbie Jordan and Armored Persons will be participating via Teams remotely. Pursuant to board policy 064-1, they are eligible to vote on items during tonight's action meeting. Miss Jordan and Mr. persons, are you on the line right now? I am. Thank you. I am also. Thank you. Thank you both. Both. We'd like to take this opportunity to remind the members
002of the public of the district's mission, which is to ensure that each student achieves his or high his or her highest personal potential and the district's vision to be a world-class school system. On this evening's agenda includes invocation, presentations of colors and pledge of allegiance, acknowledgements, recognitions, public comment, consent action items which include five items under board office, one item under board auditor, one item under executive services, nine items under academic and student services, three items under school choice administration, one item under strategy, seven items under business services, one item under human resources, one item under information services, one item under legal services, one item under safety, security fleet operations, 21 items under facility operations, and four items under good of the order or other business. Board members, is there a motion to approve tonight's
003agenda? Okay. Do I have a second? A second. Okay. Moved by Mrs. Javiano, second by Muanelli. Please record your vote whenever you're ready. Miss Jordan, how do you vote? I vote it. I voted yes. And Mr. Persons, I am a yes. I can vote. Okay. Thank you. Motion carries 6. At this time, as the custom of the board, Mrs. Juvenelli will lead us in the invocation, after which after which Mrs. Chaviano will lead us in the presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance. Please stand, everyone. Heavenly Father, we gather here today as a community committed to education, growth, and compassion. We thank you for the opportunity to come together, united in our shared purpose to serve all students, staff, and families. Today, we also pause with heavy hearts to remember Shila and the Desimore's family.
004She was a bright light in our school community. Her sudden departure has left us all grieving. And we ask for your comfort and peace to surround her family, friends, and everyone that touched by her life. Lord, let Shila's spirit inspire us to live fully, love deeply, embrace each day with gratitude and kindness like Shila did. Help us honor her memory by fostering the safe and supportive inclusive environment where every student can grow, thrive, and feel loved. Grant us wisdom and discernment as we make decisions today, guiding us to act with integrity, compassion, and a focus on complete well-being, including the safety and mental health of all our students. May this meeting be fruitful, and may your presence strengthen our purpose to serve diligently, remembering that our work touches lives and shapes futures. Let's let us
005all live like Shila. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Amen. Introducing the cadet who will present the national colors for our pledge of allegiance tonight. Lieutenant Colonel Brent Dah, the senior army instructor for the Idis Baker High School JRTC program. Lieutenant Colonel Dah dedicated 26 years to the Army, fulfilling various roles in aviation companies and battalions throughout his career. This marks his fifth year as JROTC instructor within the district. Thank you. Presenting the national colors tonight is Cadet Amarie Nanho, the cadet battalion executive officer for the Idis Baker High School JOTC program. Cadet Nanho is a member of the National Honor Society and is an honor role student. She is actively involved in the JOTC marksmanship team and has been the commander for approaching two years. Ketanho is planning on attending University of Florida
006after graduation and competing for an ROC scholarship. After her four years, she plans to pursue her law degree. Please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next up on the agenda is character word for September. The character word for September is acceptance. Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. Steven CVY. This design displayed in this school on the screen was created by Tim Timothy Mohan, a 10th grade student at North Fort Myers High School. Great job, Timothy. Now, at this point, we're going to move Oh, we have acknowledgements for the month of September. The school board of Lee County rec acknowledges the following
007state recognized events for the month of September 20, 2025. American Founders Month, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, September 17, 2025, and Freedom Week September 22nd to 26 of this month. So now we're going to move on to recognition. So board members, please join me in the pit for recognitions. You're up first. Good evening. Joining me at the lectern tonight are Matthew Bredenamp, coordinator of adult and career education, Dr. Mary Meyers, Dean of the School of Business and Technology. Nicole Bailey, cyber camp coordinator and other cyber camp staff and instructors in attendance. Okay. All right. Just you guys. That's good. Okay. The school district of Lee County in partnership with Florida Southwestern State College and the Air and Space Forces Association is proud to recognize the winners of the 2025 Cyber Patriots Summer Camp competitions. Cyber
008Camp is a unique opportunity for middle and high school students across Lee County to explore the world of cyber security. Over the course of the week, students engage in hands-on labs in Windows, Linux, networking, and system administration, all while learning the importance of teamwork and problem solving. Now, it is in its third year. The program culminates in a team-based cyber patriot competition where students put their skills to the test defending virtual networks from simulated cyber attacks. This enriching experience is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors Sunost Credit Union, MASH Grape Grape Technologies, and the Lee County Sheriff's Department. Their contributions allow students to attend at no cost and help provide the resources and prizes that make this program so impactful. When your name is called, please come forward to receive your CERT
009certificate and join the board members and the superintendent in the pit for photos. The standard camp is designed for students who are new to cyber security. This year's champions demonstrated a strong grasp of the foundational skills taught throughout the week. Standard team winners were Hadesa Finelis from Cape Coral High School. Rebecca Finelis from North Fort Meyers Middle School. Thank you. Thank you. Aransa Nedo from Challenger Middle School. Madison Williams from Mariner Middle School. Did I get them all? Oh, the advanced the advanced camp challenges returning students and those who with prior experience to tackle more complex cyber security scenarios requiring advanced technical skills and quick thinking under pressure. Please come up when your name is called. Noah Brand from Dunbar High School. Max Leapa from Dunar High School. Tahes Abdai from Asterero High School. Santos
010Tamyak Shaw from Dunbar High School. and Jessica Maren from Dunar High School. The board members and superintendent are proud to recognize and congratulate these students for their outstanding achievement. Thank you guys. Thank you. Joining me at the lectern tonight is Kimberly Mohamm, coordinator district threat management student services. The National Save Promise Club Foundation honors and celebrates the creativity, dedication, and hard work of youth who strive to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming schools and communities. Each awardee receives national recognition, $250 to support their club activities, a Safe Promise club toolkit, and an award banner for display on their campus. This year, out of more than 4,000 Save Promise clubs nationwide, the school district of Lee County is proud to have four schools recognized for the 2425 school year. These clubs were selected for their innovative programming,
011strong student leadership, and meaningful outreach that inspired kindness, built connections, and empowered their peers to speak up and take action. Their efforts have made a lasting impact within their schools and serve as powerful examples of youthled change across the county. When your school is called, please come forward to receive your certificate and join the board members and superintendent in the pit for photos. from Challenger Middle School. Club advisor Jennifer Pepe. Congratulations. Yes. From Diplomat Middle School, club adviser Katherine Howard. from Lehi Senior High School club advisor Judith Cron. Congratulations. Thank you. The kids are behind me. Oh, I love it. Good job. Congratulations. And lastly, although they could not be with us tonight, Oasis High School, the board members and go ahead. The board members and superintendent are proud to recognize and congratulate these four
012schools, their club sponsors, and the student members for this outstanding achievement. You don't have to put my knees in there. Okay. All right. Appreciate You know, you're stupid, but they'd be hurt. Okay. Joining me at the lect turn tonight is Daniel Knap, coordinator of teaching and learning. So, the Lee County AI and HI Innovation Challenge was launched last year by the Lee County Economic Development Office in collaboration with the Horizon Council's STEM to career connections committee. It is generously funded by the Horizon Foundation with additional awards supported by Career Source Southwest Florida and proudly hosted by the Edison Awards. These partners came together create a virtual competition for local high school students focused on solving a real world challenge facing our community. Lee County's job market is booming, but we don't have enough workers. So
013students were then tasked with developing innovative AIdriven solutions to help small businesses and key sectors such as healthcare, logistics, construction, manufacturing, and education bridge the workforce gap through recruitment, upskilling, automation, and smarter workforce planning. One outstanding team, the solvably strategist from Dunbar High School worked under the guidance of their sponsor Belinda Bell to combine human intelligence with the power of artificial intelligence. Their solution, Smart Scholar, is an AI powered tool designed to address the teacher shortage crisis by reducing stress and workload for educators. Smart Scholar can generate curriculum-based lesson plans and assignments, provides substitutes with clear summaries of current and past lessons, and keep students engaged even when teachers are absent. By doing so, it supports teachers, students, and substitutes, helping to make classrooms more manageable and consistent. Now, when your name is called, please
014come forward to receive your certificate and join the board members, superintendent, your administrators, and your sponsor in the pit for photos. Tonight, we're proud to recognize the following high school students. Hudson Hudson Belchure, Sherena Madashidi. Great job, Alicia Satir. Congratulations. Congratulations. The school district recognizes Hudson, Sherena, Alicia, and commend them for their innovation, creativity, contributions to addressing workforce challenges in Lee County. We're incredibly proud of your accomplishments and look forward to the continued impact you work. Great job. Hi. Joining me at the lecture tonight is Dr. Shaker, Dr. Nathan Shaker, Chief Academic Officer. The School District of Lee County is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2025 Florida Educational Risk Management Association, FERMA, Best Practices Award. Each year, FERMA honors school districts across Florida that demonstrate excellence in safety practices, claims reduction, and the
015effective management of workers compensation programs. At this year's firmst summer conference, the school district of Lee County was awarded the best practices award for achieving the lowest experience modification factor in the state and an impressive 0.71 compared to the industry standard of one.1 or 1.0. When you na when your name is called, please come forward to receive your certificate and join the board members and the superintendent at the pit for the photos. This recognition reflects the outstanding leadership dedicated efforts of Warren William Warren Wilson ACA JD Doctor of Risk Director of Risk Management and Internal Compliance. Kathy Richards, ACA CR SRM, CISR, risk management coordinator. Thank you. Their work has s significantly improved the district's safety practices, reduced workers compensation claims, and strengthened our overall approach to loss management. The school board and the superintendent
016are proud to recognize Warren and Kathy for their unwavering commitment to excellence and the positive impact they made across our district. Thank you. There are Great job everyone. Super impressive and this is all what the school district is about. We're going to move on to item E, public comment. Attorney Debrie Brun, please address the item of public comment. Thank you and good evening. School board policy provides the opportunity at this point in the meeting to address the board concerning any matter on this meeting's agenda or any other matter relevant to the operation of the school district. Please complete a public comment card and put it in the basket provided. If you need a public comment card, they are provided by our staff. The rules concerning public comments are posted in the back and will be
017made from the podium in the front center aisle. Please be advised that the board will not respond during public comment to remarks made by speakers. The purpose of public comment is to provide feedback on district issues such as duties, responsibilities, decisions, and the general operation of the district. The school board is viewpoint neutral during public comment. We ask that decorum be kept and respect be shown, which is what is expected when a government agency conducts official business. Therefore, abusive language defined as swearing, use of profanity or name calling is prohibited. In addition, clapping, hissing, booing, or a display of temper during public comment is prohibited. Speakers who fail to follow proper decorum in the chambers will be ruled out of order by the board chair or the board attorney. Any speaker continuing with such remarks
018will be required to relinquish the microphone per board policy 0169.1 and may be removed from the chambers by the sergeant-at-arms. Per board policy 0169.1, the time per speaker is 3 minutes if there are 20, 2 minutes if there are 30, and 1 minute if there are 31 speakers or more. The maximum time allotted for public comment is 1 hour 60 speakers. You will find a countdown on the big screens in the front of the room. Once your time has elapsed, the microphone will automatically shut off. Please state your name when you're approach the microphone and I will call your names five speakers at a time. Please follow staff's direction when lining up. Mr. Chairman, there are 15 individuals that would like to address the board and the time per speaker is 3 minutes. Thank you,
019Madam Attorney. Please ensure you have completed a public comment card to provide public comment. The card is a public record identifying those who speak and providing contact information to staff for follow-up. The cards are located with staff in the hallway. Is there anyone in the audience who wishes to address the board but has not filled out a public comment card? Okay, I am seeing none. At this point, whenever you're ready, please start public comment. Attorney to Brie Bruno. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Will the following individuals please line up? Kaylee Jones, Christian Reyes, Robert Daniels, Christina Stewart, Dana Burton. So, we're going to ask the speakers to step back a little bit except for the first person who's going to speak. You can go to the microphone. And our sergeant-at-arms is giving direction. Thank you, Mr.
020Nulan. All right. You can go ahead. Hello, my name is Kaylee Jones. I am a senior at Fort Myers High School. I am also a Girl Scout working on my Gold Award project. This project is to increase awareness of the safe haven law as it permits pertains sorry to infant surrender and to secure a location to install a safe haven baby box locally. Since 2016, there have been 33 known illegal baby abandonment deaths in Florida. Just last year, there were two baby abandonment deaths in our state. A baby was found in a trash dumpster by a roofing company employee in March in Broward County. And in April, a University of Tampa student gave birth in her dorm room, then placed the infant in a trash bag on campus. The Safe Haven Baby Box is a
021life-saving device installed on the outside wall of a fire station or a hospital that allows a mother to legally and anonymously surrender her infant. In March of this year, these boxes were added to our safe haven law as a legal surrender location. Currently, there are seven baby boxes in Florida with a new location opening soon in North Collier County and one in a planning stages in North Fort Myers. I've been working with Fire Chief McMillion in hopes of finding a location here in our city. I am here today asking that our school district authorize the posting offormational signs in all middle and high schools. These signs would contain information about the Safe Haven Law and Safe Haven Baby Box Hotline number. By calling the hotline, they will talk to a licensed mental health professional who
022will walk them through all the options available and provide support along the way. Some of these mothers in crisis are young, such as a mother in Tampa. It is important to educate our older students about of their surrender options should they need it. These options include renting an infant up to 30 days of age in person at a fire station or hospital, calling 911 if they don't have transportation, or anonymously in a safe haven baby box. If these signs help just one person, it will be worth it. I will be happy to collaborate with anyone from the school district on the design of these. Recently, Kentucky passed a law requiring all high school to display posters such as these. And I believe that all future states will someday follow their example to help prevent baby
023abandonment deaths. Thank you very much for allowing me speak today and have a great night. Please no, please no clapping. We know you appreciate it, but it's a business meeting. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Christian Reyes. I am speaking from Dumbar High School as a senior. I have come today as to voice complaints about various students for the cell phone policy. First, Florida does not ban high school students from using phones during non-instructional time. The Department of Education is studying six districts before issuing any statewide model policy in 2026. This means we're living under is state law. It is it's the this district choosing to be as strict as possible and these choices have various consequences. Right now a major if a major incident were to happen at school, the district's office has
024told us several times to use our Chromebooks to contact our parents to make sure we are safe. And this is not only dangerous, this is also very risky considering how we cannot contact anybody outside of our own school district lease schools. I also would like to challenge the argument that nostalgia should not be the basis of the argument. Considering how if you were to say we didn't have phones back in my day, I could use the exact same argument to bring up we shouldn't have met detectors, nor should we have sorry. Anyways, point being and when teachers compare this to our standard workplace we have today, it is seen as even they have access to their phones on a day-to-day basis, including during their lunch. And even in the most strict environments in the average
025workforce, you are expected to at least have some leisurely time on your phone. I would also like to bring to your attention the fact of the phone policy is a bit harsh and I feel we can mitigate it and find some middle ground between us and maybe the law. Thank you guys for your time. Good evening. I'm Christina Starret. I'm here to speak independently of some concerns I have at my school building. Although I believe some of these issues are happening at other buildings throughout the district. I teach in the only BSI school in the district. We started the year without our building being fully staffed and as of yesterday we're still not still not fully staffed. Our building is also inherited two extra or more ESE classes taking us up to 11 units. Our
026principal had the privilege of interviewing and hiring as many as 32 positions before the beginning of the school year. I have asked questions from various people that I know throughout the districts questions such as how is it that one the one and only BSI school opened the school year without being completely staffed? How is it that the one and only BSI school is rated at tier two, even having difficulties filling positions, is in the east zone and other schools are ranked as tier 4. I understand money was allotted to entice people to come to the hard staff school buildings, but in our case, the incentives were not enough when teachers could choose to go to other tier four schools and make more money than they could make at the BSI school. I also question why
027as if we are the only BSI school, how do we not have the support of the district to retain the class size numbers we currently have, keeping the current number of teachers in their our own positions? I question how the district expects teachers that have been part of the building for multiple years, staying on our building because we love it to continue to support it. How is it that the district is supporting teacher morale and promoting teacher recruitment and retainment in our situation? I would like to know how the district expects the teachers to that have stayed in our building. Our veteran teachers, have welcomed and mentored new teachers are expected to continue to do their jobs as well as take on more tasks without being discouraged and also without being so stressed having the
028stress affect us emotionally and psychologically. If this plan, if this district plans to retain teachers, especially in hard to staff and BSI schools, this situation needs to be readressed and a new plan implemented moving forward. Thank you. Will the following individuals please line up? Joe Phillips, India Palencia, Denise Everly, Anthony Call, Lou Navara. My name is Robert Daniels. I'm going to play a little game called then and now with you. Then is the school year 2010 2011. Then we had 5,393 teachers on staff by the reports submitted to the state DOE that anyone can access. Now, in the 2526 school year, 15 years later, we currently have 5,182 teachers on staff, by the numbers given by the bargaining team a couple weeks ago. So, that's the district's own numbers. By those numbers, this means that
029there's 211 fewer teachers 15 years later. began the question of how there could have been a communication that we only had 37 open positions considering that back in 2010 we had 80,820 FTE equivalent students in the district. Yet this year the reported numbers as of July were 120,876 full-time equivalent for the students. You'll know that's different from the actual number of students because that's the weighted FTE including the extra funding or extra percentage of a student represented by ELLL and exceptional students. Back in 2010 with the average of roughly 5,400 teachers, the average teacher pay adjusted for today's dollars was 68,100. As of two years ago, the average pay for the district was 5 sorry 59,281. That's down $9,000. I don't have any information for this year on that because bargaining is still in progress.
030The current bargaining field agreement, the most recent options would bring the starting salary up to finally meet adjusted for inflation. what I started at 14 years ago. So, we're finally fixing starting teacher pay, but we are not fixing the average teacher pay, the experienced teacher pay, the advanced teacher pay. The question is though, when we've gone from 80,000 to 120,000 in FTE, where has the money gone? Because it's not going to the teachers, the percentage of the general fund allotted to teacher salaries has decreased by 9% as of last year. I wasn't able to come earlier. I don't know the current general fund total, but I bet it's even higher now. Thank you. Hi, my name is Dana and I'm here to bring up a problem with Island Coast High School. I want to know
031why Island Coast High School is one of the only high schools in Lee County that only has two lunch periods because the principal doesn't want to staff additional people there. I heard you Miss Carlin were there the very first day and saw how bad the this lunch cycle was. Kids aren't getting lunch. They're not getting time to eat. There's nowhere for these students to eat. And again, why is Island Coast, as far as I've heard from many parents and people in this district, is one of the only high schools that only has two lunch shifts because they refuse to staff for three. I think that's wrong for parents. That is wrong for kids. You have kids going home every day hungry because they're not being served lunch. They don't have enough time to eat with
032lunch. If a teacher allows that student to go into their classroom to eat lunch so that they have somewhere to eat, that becomes an issue. This is a major issue where kids are not getting time to eat properly. Thank you. My name is India Palencia. Tonight, this board is set to consider spending another $90,000 on outside lobbyists on top of the $180,000 we're already paying two lobbyists who by measurable standards have not brought in a single dollar for our district. That's $270,000 for lobbyists. while our teachers and staff are working two to three jobs just to cover rent, groceries, and gas. And here's the irony. Board members are paid the same as every entrylevel teacher. Yet, most people might say that the workload is not the same. Teachers are in classrooms all day, every day,
033working hard to make sure our kids have the best educational outcomes. You hold monthly meetings and you meet people in the community. And some of you are even exploring the idea of not physically showing up to these meetings. Imagine if teachers did that. Fiscal responsibility must mean more than balancing numbers on a spreadsheet. It means making choices that reflect our values. Right now, our spending says we can find a quarter of a million dollars for lobbyists, but not to ensure you can live on your paycheck. Based on your own workshop today, $270,000 could go to some unmet needs like sun shades, HVAC repairs, cabinetry, flooring, restroom renovations, and needed schools, or even your compensation improvements. Lobbyists are supposed to get us resources. If the two we already pay haven't delivered, adding a third doesn't solve
034the problem. It compounds it. We have better, more affordable ways to advocate. We can build business partnerships in our community with community-minded businesses and groups. We can work directly with legislators. All of you are elected officials sitting up there. You have that ability. In fact, two are out doing it right now. We should be trained to do that. We can make sure that we mobilize our community. You have an entire group of people who come here regularly who are happy to speak out on behalf of our Lee County students. So, I'm asking you to vote no on this contract. Let's stop spending on what doesn't work and start investing in the classrooms and people who make our schools run. Our students are watching how you spend their future. Thank you. Hello, I am smoking Joe.
035They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Well, congratulations. We the citizens have been your idiots long enough. We have begged for fair pay for teachers, bus drivers, and staff. You smile, nod, and treat our words like background noise, like we just read the back of a champagne bottle or something. Alva residents have shown up religiously pleading with you not to bulldoze their community just to bus in kids from elsewhere. And still you act like the district doesn't already own land where schools are actually needed. And then there are invest the investigations, those magic reports that always seem to come out tilted in the favor of the protected ones. You call it oversight, we call it a cover up. But here's my favorite part. Somehow
036the district is broke when it comes to paying staff, but flush when with cash when it comes to hiring lobbyists. And wouldn't you know it, these lobbyists sure look a lot like campaign managers with shinier titles. Quit proquo. You call it strategy. We call it taxpayer funded back scratching. There's a saying in education, if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull explanated. Don't worry about your hammer. And you've got the baffling down to the science. But here's the thing. The citizens are catching on. We're not your idiots no more. So if you insist on ignoring us, maybe you should stop running the school board and start running the circus. At least the clowns would be where they belong. And if that stings, good, because nothing's more pathetic than watching these people dressed
037in suits act like ring masters when deep down they're just elephants shoveling their own crap. Now, I heard this about y'all wanting to start doing remote working when you're on vacation. Look, if you can't come in here once a month and avoid your jet two holiday, you don't need to be on this board. I'm smoking Joe. I'll be dissecting this district. Any parent, teacher, administrator that wants to come on dissect the district, contact me or my staff. Have a good night. My name is Anthony Call again on another board night. I've lost base so I can come to this board meeting. it was nice y'all put a two-page thing up on on your website saying that what I said on Mr. Joe's website on his podcast wasn't true. But tell me this, last year we
038had 620 routes or more. We couldn't get it done. Miraculously, we cut everything down to 555 routes. Our seniority list came out today. I looked at it. We have 540 regular drivers. At any given time, we have 30 people that called out, not including our people on workers comp or out on medical leave. But yet, you know, we I lied. I can't figure that out because when I bid, I bid on a 7.5 hour route so I could spend time with my family. When I showed up for our first meeting in our district, I was handed an envelope that said, "Now I run nine and a half hours every day. When I get there, now I take another route." So in 9 and 1/2 hours, I squeeze in where I run from North Fort Myers,
039Cape Coral, back and forth. Two schools in the morning, three schools in the afternoon. That was really fun in the rain. I'd like to know where y'all getting your numbers from because I don't see it. And I also don't see where I did my training of 20some hours and I'm looking at my paycheck and I got paid 16. When I went upstairs to my supervisor and asked her about it, she says, "Oh, you got to email this person for what? I worked it. I'm a bus driver." And then I get another email. Oh, guess what? You've been a bus driver here four years. I've carried my CDL since I was 18 years old. I had a commercial driver's license at 21 years old. I carried my class A fully endorsed. You know what the district
040decided to give me a raise as? According to my thing, one year gave me 30%. I carry more qualifications than most drivers. I've towed everything. I've driven everything on the road. And you tell me I'm only worth 3%. You wonder why people are talking about leaving. There's drivers there that are here just here for retirement to make the extra money and get the benefits. You're running them ragged and every day they want to quit, but they need the benefits of the money. They don't want the hours. They want quality. That's why I went from a gened bus to an ESC bus because I'm tired of not having quality. Now I meet my parents every day. They're happy. But I'm still doing 9 and 1/2 hours on the ESC bus. I have one student that's on
041my bus for over an hour. A special needs child. So, and then you extended you extended our area from Beayshore Elementary all the way to Nelson Road in Cape Coral. But no more drivers. You just keep extending stuff. You said we are the fastest growing count, one of the fastest growing school districts in the state of Florida. Pay us, get us drivers, because what you're doing is you're going to sink us so deep that you're going to have to call ANS to come help us out. That's why I see 20, 30 vans lined up for private drivers to take kids home because we can't do our job. Your time is up. Thank you for your comments. Will the following individuals please line up? Jessica Lane, Stacy Cruz, Jacqueline Perez, Robert Rio, and Leanne Leo Laurer,
042Denise Eberly, I've shared video clips from past meetings where many of you raised serious concerns about building NNN High School in Elva. In those videos, you warned about safety, wildlife, nearby gun ranges and costs. Mr. Fiser reminded us to watch costs. But today, you are moving forward with the very project you once said was risky, irresponsible, and too expensive. the school would have been halted immediately or the school should have been halted immediately the moment phase one cost jumped by 22.5 million. Phase one is not construction approval. It exists to test if a site is responsible and affordable. That increases that increase was a red flag. Instead, the project advanced just like Riverdale costs overran 30 million over budget and public trust was lost. Now, NN is already at $162 million with no South Florida
043Water Management District permit, no FGA water sewer plans or permitting, and a shifting timeline from 2027 in meetings to 2029 on paper. This is exactly what phase 1 was supposed to prevent. Runaway costs, broken promises, and loss of trust. And the hum the human cost is even greater. Lehigh acres is a majority minority community. These students are not seat fillers. They deserve safe local schools in their own neighborhoods, not long bus rides in Alba to serve developers. Your own words in these videos show you knew better. Our kids are not pawns. Halt this project. Hold the workshop you promised. Restore physical respon fiscal responsibility, transparency, and trust. There's one other part. Your own words in those videos show you knew better. The kids are not pawns. Where is my ending? Oh, okay. Also, did I
044miss somehow the vote for phase two approval? Was the Daniels family even asked for their opinions or consent before attaching Ruby's name to this school? That is not transparency. That is coercion of the community and most disturbingly of school board members. Propaganda. Also, I just want to tell you that OCR title six complaint has been accepted by the federal DOE. So I would like to caution you all that you see how this works out and plays out and see what their decision is before you decide to move on with this NN school. Thank you. Good. Evening, superintendent, school board, Lunavar, your nemesis, Cape Coral. I'm over my co, but you know, it took a while and u I think Miss Giovenelli thought I got it here two months ago, but I got it at those
045meanspirited people at the city of Cape Coral. I'm very upset that the school board and the district have told parents and teachers that there is a certified teacher in every classroom. While there may be a teacher that is certified, that does not mean they are qualified to teach the class. Mr. Fiser, in our call, you said the DOE says that they are certified, so it counts. No, it does not, sir. You must be certified in your subject area to teach. I taught. If you and your superintendent gibberish held true, why are you not paying supplements to the teachers who hold master's degree who are not in field DOE and school districts in Florida? You look that one up. You pay no supplement. I got it for 30 years till they changed it all. And I
046never was an administrator. I had an MS degree in administration. Dr. Carlin and the board, you can fool some of the people some of the time and you know the rest. In that light, I have requested the public records for the certified teachers by name in field and out of field. Also, the public record of the list of all teachers who are out of field by certification. You keep these records. I know I have them from a couple years ago. Now, the public's records department has ignored me. It's a month now. So, I think to ask you, what are we hiding here, Dr. Carlin? I want those documents to be released. And I urge the press to do some of their investigative reporting. I know them. Literacy. Another point. 48% for third graders in the
047district. But Dr. C's told all the parents they're all A and B schools with a couple C's. Well, that's fine, but let's talk about literacy. They're at 48% literacy in third grade. I met with Mr. G. Lombardo and the VA. We're He's going to support. So, he told me an amendment to have Veterans Day closed all across the state. Now, I'm going to work with him. I ask for your report, your support. I guess I owe two apologies here. I'll make them quick. Miss Gvenelli, yes, you did go to Washington, but you went on your own. And Mr. Fiser, yes, you said there was not enough money, but like I said, I found you money the Thank you for your comments. Your time is up, sir. Thank you. Call me. Come on. Let's go. Come
048on. Come down. Come on. Come on. My name is Jessica Lean and I'm here on behalf of two senior students from Island Coast High School who I feel as though have been targeted and treated unfairly on an inhouse investigation. Sorry. I am here as a parent and an advocate for two students from Island Coast High School. both of them who are seniors who I feel have been targeted and treated unfairly for in an in an in-house investigation treated with by administration and the coaching staff of the football team. I have also submitted an appeal to Lee County District and as well as the board. I have sent emails as well requesting attention to ensure that this investigation was done thoroughly and fairly. Both of those boys are student athletes who have a bright future and
049they are being robbed of the opportunity to be able to succeed and further their love and their desire for sports. I am asking for you guys to please pay attention, look into and investigate how the administration handled it. I do not feel that the evidence quote unquote that they state they have is facts. I feel they went off of impulse. I feel like they went off of their liking and disliking of the children. And that's it. Thank you. Good evening everybody. Robert Ryu, North Fort Meyers. I work for the district. I'm not wearing my uniform tonight because if you go somewhere with your uniform, you see Lee County Schools. What's going on with schools? not enough teachers, blah blah blah. It's not worth fibbing. Be honest with the people we're taking when we're driving down.
050It's not worth it. You're putting us down by doing what you're doing. Point number two, wages. I got my little email today. I'm getting 3%. The shirt I'm wearing today says Jeffrey Construction LLC. He's been here for years. I trained him in Connecticut. He worked at Bellera, right? So, how did you guys do the study? Is it not verifiable? I sent him two slips that said state of Connecticut HIC number. My home improvement contract was number. I got 3%. So, I got a guy, if you go to Dunbar, that floor was done. The guy works for us. He got 3%. He's laid floors for years. He still does side jobs for Wayne Wilds. You got 3%. What's going on? Last thing, bus drivers. Okay, train them. Mr. Jared, you're here. I had a bus cut
051me off so he could stop at Westwood. He was in a far lane. Went over three lanes to stop. They do that a lot over there. Somebody's going to get hurt. That's all I want to talk about. Good evening. My name is Leanne Lee Ober. I have nothing written down. You're welcome. I thought a lot about what I wanted to say and one can only imagine all of the things that I could possibly talk about. I don't know why I feel like I have to say that I was born here in Cape Coral. I went to school here. I was a greenie. I know what it's like to get a really great score on the FCAT and your English teacher give you a sprite from the Interact Club. I know what it's like to be
052at a football game and not necessarily enjoy going to football games as a high school student, but hey, let me microwave that questionable patty and sell it for $10. All that to say is that when I started to go back to school, Florida State, FSW, a minor time at UF, thankfully when I decided to go to my daughter's school after receiving an AA in 2021 during the COVID era, I become an Eagle and through the school district of Lee County, I also became an FGCU Eagle. I thank you. I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of something and I think that everyone in this room isn't here if you feel differently. Correct. So, thank you. Thank you for Dr. Denise Carlin what you tried to do to put a certified teacher in
053every room. I understand you your need and why you had to do it. However, it created a lot of demoralization in our community, not just as those in the education education system, but also as a parent. So for instance, you see these new teachers come into the school and yes, you want to support them, but as someone who's already been in the school system, in this community and love this community and everything we've been through, it's hard. It hurts. And when you give an opportunity, you want them to succeed. Again, we wouldn't be here if we didn't want our community to succeed. I merely ask is that you take what we are saying and I thank you for this platform because they are systems that exist for us to come together to not combat, not
054challenge, but merely just have a circle of a table that says, "Hey, maybe we can do better." So for instance, if you are going to move forward with an initi incentive, please let's go collaborate with our peers and our union and otherwise if this doesn't exist, what else do we have? Thank you. Good evening. before I get started, I've been getting text messages that the public speakers are not being heard on your live feed. It's not being shown. So, can you put my clock back at 3 minutes, please? I just wanted to state that. Good evening. We are a multi-billion dollar school district, yet the systems we use to manage public funds are outdated and sloppy. Our bidding system looks like something a middle schooler put together for a district handling billions of taxpayer dollars.
055This is unacceptable. These are the bid sheets for NN and they are questionable. As board members, you approved this contract. You need to go and look at all the crossouts and how points were taken away from certain builders that went in favor of the builder who got the project. We also have $5 million worth of steel sitting in maintenance yard. And these are the pictures. now and this is the pictures in 22 $5 million rusting away and rotting. The steel was purchased for the school in a sero called AAA that was never built. The district told the public that the steel would be reused. But here we are years later and it's still rusting away. So what are you guys going to do about that? Meanwhile, our teachers and bus drivers, the people who actually
056make our schools run, are overworked and underpaid. Teachers are stretched thin. Bus drivers are barely making a living. And yet this board insists on claiming that you have enough staff. That is not true. The district has created a system that confuses the public and hides shortages of certified teachers and bus drivers. That's not transparency. That's called deception. There's also the matter of the questionable investigation in transportation. More than $10,000 of district property went missing at 3:00 in the morning. And yet there's been no meaningful investigation by professional standards. I received an email from them through a public records request that it was an informal investigation. How can the public trust this district with billions of dollars when even theft at this at this level isn't properly investigated? The community deserves honesty, accountability, and respect for
057the people who serve our students every single day. That starts with fixing the bidding system, addressing waste, paying our teachers and bus drivers what they are worth, and being truthful to the public. Thank you. Stacy Cruz. Mr. Chairman, that concludes public comment. Thank you, Madame Attorney. Thank you everyone for your comments as a board. We truly truly appreciate your feedback. Also, kudos as well to the students that exercise their first amendment right. At this point, we're going to move on to the agenda to consent action items. Okay. Item R or item F to Q and then item R, approval of consent action items. Next is the approval of action items in the agenda under consent. The documentation for action items listed under consent is made available to board members seven business days prior to the
058board meeting. We're expected to review all the material and we have an opportunity to speak with the superintendent with any questions we have regarding the recommendations. Some of these items have also been briefed or workshop with the board in advance of appearing on the action agenda. Board members are any agenda items you wish to pull for discussion under unfinished business. First, Mrs. Juvenelli. I have none. Thank you. Mr. Ribble, I have one. F2. Okay. F two. And that was audit committee approval. Yes, sir. Is that it? Okay. Miss Jordan, I will be pulling H1. Okay. H1 will be for state lobbyist services. Correct. Correct. Okay. Any others? Okay. Mr. Persons? No, thank you. I have none. Okay. Mrs. Mrs. Langford Fleming, I have none. Mrs. Javiano, I have none. Okay. And I have none. So,
059I'm going to ask for a motion to approve tonight's tonight's consent action items with the exception of pulled items F2 and H1. I'll move. Okay, we have a second. I'll second. Okay. Moved by Mrs. Langford Fleming, second by Mrs. Jabiano. Please record your vote whenever you're ready. Oh motion is approved 70. Before I go into other items, Dr. Carlin, are they new administrators that you wish to introduce tonight? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm very proud to announce the appointments upon the approval of the consent agenda of the following individuals. So, congratulations to Ryan Turner, assistant director, payroll, Luke Stinger, coordinator government relations. Christopher Brightman, assistant principal of Stero High School. Kevin Calfie, coordinator, human resources. Jeffrey Newman, assistant director, financial accounting and property records. Matthew Braden Camp, director, adult career and applied curriculum education. Jill
060Morland, assistant principal, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts. Kristen Rice, assistant principal, Mirror Lakes Elementary. Ashley Sheplac, assistant principal, Mirror Lakes Elementary. Natalie Walters Grant, assistant principal, Colonial Elementary. Congratulations to our newly appointed administrators. We cannot wait to see the great work that you're going to do with our children and congratulations to our folks that are here at the district office. We look forward to working closely with you. Thank you. Thank you, Superintendent Carlin. congratulations to everyone. As I always do, I'll ech echo Mr. Persons. Please have a great evening tonight. Enjoy and we'll see you tomorrow. So any administrators in attendance, we'll take a quick break. You guys want to exit the boardroom? serious Everyone, there's still one more person. We apologize for that. Dr. Carlin, our apologies. there is one more assistant
061principal, Lauren Amile from Bonita Springs High School, assistant principal. Our apologies. we will absolutely be excited for you and can't wait to see you at Bonita Springs. Thank you. Congratulations. I didn't get an email. Okay. Okay, we're going to resume. we're going to go into unfinished business table items. First item up is item F2. Dr. Carlin, please read your recommendation. Thank you very much, sir. My recommended action is approval of the appointments to the audit committee effective January 8, 2025 for the terms indicated. Board members, is there a motion to approve? I'll make the motion to approve it. I'll second. Moved by Mr. Rible, second of Miss Juvenelli. Discussion. Go ahead, Mr. Ribble. Okay. The reason I pulled this item, it's kind of confusing. It says January 7th, 2025 school board meeting agenda at 6
062p.m. And it said that it says on here approval of the appointment of the audit committee. And then on the second page, it looks like we already voted on this. But the reason I pulled it was I think we're getting ourselves into a situation again where some of our committees forget what their purview is. And if I reminisce back six years ago when I was on strategic planning, that's how I first met Kathy Dri Bruno Bruno because we had to bring her in to referee our committee at the time was strategic planning and we're all over the board arguing about all kind of things the district should be doing except for working on a on a 10-year strategic plan. So, I'm hearing things from various folks about this audit committee and some of the players
063that are on there, one of which I appointed. And I just want to caution the folks that are assigned to this committee, that take a look at your charge, which is real easy. In the second paragraph, it says, "You're there to make recommendations to the board in the selection of its board internal auditor, to make recommendations to the board internal auditor and with creating an annual audit plan, and thirdly, to make recommendations to the board concerning audits. Anything outside of that is not your purview and we shouldn't be discussing." So although I make I made the motion tonight to approve this and I believe these three folks can do this, I understand we have a new chairman and I think he knows the direction that he needs to go in to keep this committee on
064track so that they worry about audits and not other things that shouldn't be on their agenda. That those those are my comments. Thank you for your time. Superintendent Carl. Yes, and Mr. Ribble, you bring up a very good point. this item was brought forward to correct the term expiration date which was approved on January 7, 2025. So we just wanted to clarify that. Thank you. Do you need anything else? Mr. Ribble? No. Any other discussion, Miss Jordan or Mr. Persons? No, I'm good. Thank you. I have none also. Okay. Will this be roll call? Okay. Everyone get ready to vote. signify by saying I ordinelli yes Mr. Ribble yes miss Jordan I Mr. Persons I Mrs. Langford Fleming I Mr. Javiano I and I'm an I motion carries 70. Next up is item H1 and
065whenever you're ready Dr. Carlin please present your recommendation. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Approval to award request for quote number R257509TA for State Lobby Services to Ballard Partners, Inc. as indicated on the attached tabulation sheet. This request for quote will be effective for three years beginning September 10th, 2025 through September 9th, 2028 with renewal options for three additional one-year periods upon the written agreement of the vendor and the district for up to $90,000 for the first year of the base contract period of September 10, 2025 through September 9, 2026. Approval authorizes the superintendent to ex execute all related documents. Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Miss Jordan, as you pulled this item, if you want to give any discussion. Oh, wh sorry, sorry, sorry, forgot the motion. Sorry. This way. Is there a motion to approve item board
066members a motion to approve item H1? I'll make the motion approve H1. Is there a second? I'll second. moved by Miss Rible and seconded by Miss Langford Fleming. Sorry about that, Miss Jordan. Now you may proceed. That's okay. Thank you. Well, I had already sent you my thought process on this and I will tell you I do have a problem with this one. We had a meeting on March the 4th and we spoke about the when we were a awarding the contract to Ballard Partners for the federal at that time. I brought I had pulled that item and I brought it up about the state. I asked the superintendent to please make sure that she reinstated it. the fact that we would not be using them in the state of Florida and it is documented
067on YouTube where we could go back and anybody could go back and look at it which I said that to you all the time and the minutes of that action meeting where that was stated that we would not use them in states. My other issue is this is $30,000 more than any of the other ones that were presented. I know that they were asked to go out and get some quotes, so it wasn't as formal as it would have been. And then I do have concerns of the objectivity of the scorers on this. Nothing against the people who scored them, but I do have a an issue with that because I think that it could be a little bit of a conflict. And then even I will say this being up in here in Washington
068and I want to put this out there as well. I've everything is paid for by my own personal self. I have talked to people are the government relations from other districts in the state of Florida and others and they are the ones who are doing this. They're they're not lobbyists. They actually work for their district. We just hired a new person. So now we have two of them. between the two of our government relations and all of all of us doing our due diligence and our job. I don't see the need for this at all. And my other thing would be when is Gray Robinson's contract up. Thank you, Mr. Ribble. Yeah, I have I have a comment to make on this and I'm probably going to take my three or four minutes on this
069one because I have a lot to say about it. So, as many of you folks know, I was on the council and I was mayor of village of Asterero. And I became right off the bat in 2015, we became a village. I was assigned to the Florida League of Cities where I became the vice president and then I wound up being the president of the Florida League of Cities for the years that I was as I was mayor. now, you got to remember the state of Florida, we have 67 counties, 411 municipalities. So my point was I was at a meeting my second year with the Florida League of Cities. It was 2016 up in Tallahassee and there was someone there from a from another firm and he asked us how many folks used a
070certain law firm. 70% of the attendees for these 411 cities raised their hand that they were using the same law firm. Now, what do you think happened to those folks when there was money available for septic to sewer or water or whatever else or whatever else is on your plate in your community that you're struggling to do repaving or whatever the case may be. They use a cookie cutter approach these large firms and everybody gets a fraction of the piece of the pie. That's how it works. And that's when I ran into Dane Eagle who was an elected official was 2015 and Ray Rodriguez. And at the time we have a real and we still have a problem with this a lot better than it was. The Sterile River was totally polluted. We needed to
071get a study so we can apply for money to clean up the river because we have trailer parks on both sides of the river that just dumped their sewage into that river. Now, we've come a long way since then, but Dane Eagle was a person that I worked with for six years and Ray Rodriguez, and we got a lot of action, a lot of doors open, and a lot of funding that we didn't have. The moral to the story is I know that Dane Eagle is the real deal. I don't care what anybody says about who he knows and who he doesn't know. I'm talking to you as an elected official from the village of Asterero where he has a lot of credibility. And his last two years, if you remember when he was termed
072out from 2020 to 2022, he was assigned as a director of economic development for the state of Florida. You don't put somebody in there that's incompetent in that office to have that title and to bring business into Florida, which he's done an excellent job until now he's back in in what he does best, which is lobbying. So, I totally am going to support Dan tonight and the appointment of this contract. That's all I have. Thank you, Mr. Ribble. Other discussion, Miss Juvenelli, Mr. Persons or somebody in the line. Were they asking? It made a sound. No, I was I was just going to ask a question please on this is not about an individual person. It is about a company as a whole. So, I just want to make that very clear that it has
073nothing to do with an individual person. Thank you. Okay, go ahead, Mrs. Juvenile. So, for me, I just want to emphasize the importance of ensuring that Ballad firm is actively advocating for Lee County specific lobbying needs. Our priorities are unique and it's a cru it's crucial that their efforts translate to into tangible outcomes and particularly in securing funding that directly addresses our community's challenges. We need clear, measurable results and regular updates on their progress. If the results are also benefiting other counties without specifically advancing Lee County's interests, that's not a win for us. And it raises questions about the value of continuing with Ballard. We did not invest in this partnership to see our resources benefit others in our in at our expense. If we do not see meaningful progress or commitments toward towards bringing
074us the necessary funding focused directly on Lee County's needs, I will need to reconsider our partnership with with Ballard and whether their contract continues to serve our best interests. It's essential that we work with the firm whose efforts are aligned with our goals and who can deliver results that benefit Lee County. Our community success depends on effective advocacy and I trust that if the firm is truly committed they will prioritize our needs and demonstrate the impact of their of their efforts. So for me like I love Dane Eagle too. So, I would have loved to have seen Ballard been our lobbyist for the state because I'm not seeing much results in federal, but that's kind of the now we're we've got the cart before the horse a little bit. So, I am on the fence
075on supporting this because I'm not seeing any results federally. but I do believe and I am concerned with hiring, Miss Jordan brought up a good point, hiring another government relations. I feel like when we go to Tallahassee, we do a lot of it for ourselves. and we have a lot of good contacts that we've been doing advocating and I think we've had great leadership between the superintendent and actually our government relations that has been going has that has been going to Tallahassee and working for us. So, I'm I'm really a fence writer on this on this because I feel like like I said, the cart before the horse. I would have liked to seen them state versus federal. I'd love to hear what anybody else has to say before I really make my dis my
076decision. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone want to go my comments? I have comments. Yeah, I would like to say something, Mr. Persons, if I may. Go ahead, sir. Thank you. I've been looking at this and like Miss Jordan, I have talked to a lot of people while we're up in DC what they're doing in their states. It just seems to me spending $90,000 on a state level lobbyist is excessive. I believe these funds could be better invested directly into our schools and classrooms. We already employ a government relations director who I have found is more than capable of representing our district's interests at the state level. In addition, our board has established strong personal relationships with members of the local state delegation. Almost all the boards has these can communicate with them locally. This includes
077connections with the state board of education, the chair of the K12 budget subcommittee, and both the current and immediate past Senate presidents. These are all extremely important people. I think most of these legislators would rather get talk to us personally than even a lobbyist. I also want to point out that in the past we needed a lobbyist simply because they would not talk to the board. The board was fractured and it was very difficult to get anything done. And when the board changed, we had three new people three years ago and then two new people now. we're open arms. They're embracing us and I think it's really great. These relationships give us direct access to these decision makers. I also found out that Orange County School District, which is double our size, functions effectively with
078only a government relations director and without any additional expense of a state level lobbyists. I have no criticism with the firm that we're looking at. They're one of the best in the state. I think actually all of them that applied were excellent firms. But I just think at this time with our unique position and existing relationships and our current capabilities, I just don't see a need for this additional expenditure. At this time, I just believe our district is best served by relying on a strong foundation we have already have in place rather than committing to this unnecessary expense. That's all I have to say on it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Persons. Anyone else before I give my comments? Okay, I'm going to proceed. So, thank you to my board members for their feedback. I
079will be an absolute yes vote on this. So, as Mr. person said, "We have spent years rebuilding the reputation of this board and this district, especially with local officials as well as the state, and we've made a lot of inroads, and we've been joined by a fantastic superintendent as well as two other additional fantastic board members. We've had on board a fantastic government relations team and they have done an amazing job. But I think part of this is we need to understand that we need somebody first up in Tallahassee and we're not going to be up in Tallahassee all the time with that. We need somebody from a team that knows the governor's office, the speaker of the house and the senate president and be in involved with the experience with that. And also it's
080time to take this district to another level. no offense Mr. Persons, I'm not concerned about what Orange County does. I want Lee County to be a leader in this state, which we're showing to be. And part of that is not just money. I hear about results about money, but we need to talk about policy. And we've had some wins in this district. We've now gotten the point that we now have respect again from local officials and Tallahassee. Not just money, but we need to look at the big picture of policy and the implications we've had with that. Even look at our federal side, just the change we've made in the Army Corps engineers, our government relations team, as well as the federal lobbyists that have helped reduced four or five years on our Army Corps
081engineer permits down to a year and a half. How much that has helped us now on a state level, I want us to be a player that helps work together with Tallahassee when they're coming out in policy. I want to be partners with them. In the past, that has not been true. And that is because this the reason the ability of where our district has been is nothing against anyone else and I know all of us will continue to advocate but as I said we need as I said we can take this to another level that we can help shape the state as I said I want to be the leader in the state in academics in transportation you name it and that's what I think we'll do with this. though and that firm has
082talented people just you know said I want the people that have those relationships day in and day out have the resources just the same as we do at federal level and going back to you know I appreciate everything the work of our of our prior lobbyist I really mean a lot for that and I and I want to appreciate and recognize superintendent Carlin with a transparency because if I recall under the prior administration there was no RFQ it was pretty much told who that person was going to be and the board had gone along with that. So, I want to note that for the record. So, I appreciate that. Superintendent Carlin. Anyone else have any comments before we go to vote? I do. When Mr. Fischer, when you just said that the prior superintendent when
083we had the last lobbyist, the board members actually brought them forward. The superintendent did not bring them to us. We brought them to the superintendent and then it was brought back to us. But we were the ones who initiated that. And again, I must keep remind everybody this conversation happened on March the 5th. So if we can't even stand by the words that we say when we're not going to do something and we just do it, how how do we have people trust us? That's all I have to say. Thank you. But again, there was no RFQ during that. It's a big difference. anything from Madam Superintendent before we proceed? This will be a roll call vote if we're ready. Okay. Signify by saying I or nay. Miss Juvenelli, nay. Mr. Ribble, I. Miss Jordan.
084Nay. Mr. Persons. Nay. Mrs. Langford Fleming. I. Mrs. Chaviano. I'm an I. Motion carries. 43. Thank you everyone. We are now going good of the order. okay. So, I will start with Mr. Juvenelli. Thank you. I'll be really quick. I just wanted to say thank you for all the I went to all my schools but right around it took me about three weeks. most of it the first week of school, but I attended all of them and they were all just really busy with new school, but I just did a quick visit with every one of them in my district, too. And like I said, they were busy with the first couple weeks of school and it was really nice though. They were really happy to see me. I always bring a little something. So,
085I brought cookies and they and they for them to share. So, they kind of needed that sugar at the at the time of day that I was there most of the time. So, I just wanted to thank all the hardworking staff and teachers because the beginning of the school year is like almost very chaotic and you have kids that don't know where they're going or how they're going there. I mean, it's just really it's I don't know how the I don't know how they do it actually, the staff. but I also wanted to thank all the speakers tonight because they were very every one of them that spoke was it was important and we missed you, Mr. Daniels. Welcome back. And there were the Mr. Roberts, we missed you, too. So, I just wanted to
086let every let them let all the speakers know that we are listening because it's really important to hear especially some things that's going on in another school at a high school. I've already sent my emails asking about that information and what's going on with, you know, two lunches and so forth. the other thing I attended last Friday was the success academy and I had lunch with two students from there and two students from the YPAP which is lamb's and listening to those students they were ready to get the two of them were ready to go back into their traditional school setting and doing well and the mindset of the new principal is awesome. he doesn't want to keep them there. So, I look forward to getting the information, the data, how long they're there, and
087how fast they move on back into their schools because that's not the place for their that's not the supreme place to be educated and they need to be back in in the schools that where they either where they came from or another school that's good that's best suited for them. I also wanted to bring the attention that m Monday the 1st of September was Labor Day and we all celebrated that and I'm just excited that everybody had time to re revamp and recoup because they everyone needs that time off and especially Labor Day really started with our trades and our maintenance department. We don't have enough people there. there's it's they're short staffed and we know it and I just want them to know that it's important their jobs are important and that I hope
088they were able to relax on September 1st. I also wanted to bring up the fact that it's important to make sure that our students are safe and safety is a priority and we represent all students in all zones. So, I will always champion that because we need we need schools in the east zone right now and we can't afford another day to to delay it. And there was some information that was given today that had a time difference or a date difference and the in the triple in school is supposed to be done in 27. So, I'm looking forward to that to being done on in 2027, not 2029. and the only other thing that I want to talk about is this board and how great it was to have the pass this budget even
089though it was it's a little less money. we're trying to cut costs and it's and I really appreciate the staff that worked hard to do that today and presented the budget. You know, I'm proud to be that we're we were able to pass this budget while maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility. During my time on the school board, I've never seen such dedication from our superintendent and staff to work together in finding meaningful cost savings while still supporting our students and staff. I think that's really important. next year we could have even less money. So, I think operating on less is more and that's what I hope that we can do and do better. I look forward to bargaining finishing up soon next month. They're working very dig diligently and hard on that and then
090we can discuss more about what's best for teachers and their salary. I think I recognize that it's important and I will always champion for teachers and staff. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Juvenelli. Mr. Ribble. Yeah, I have a couple things. Since I always go real short, I'm going to take up a little bit more time this time. So, let me start on two positive things. I was sent a nice email here the other day from my alma mater, Kutztown State University, where I'm a big alumni and I have quite a few scholarships invested up there. A few folks came down here to go to school, by the way, that are on my dime, which I'm real proud of and so hopefully they'll stay here. But, I was sent an email here the other the other
091morning. We had a Cape Carl graduate that just graduated here this past May by the name of Sage Thaddo and she's a freshman this year on the volleyball team and a starter. Now they lost their first game to Chestnut Hill, but she was credited with five assists. So we had a local lady here do well in Pennsylvania and hopefully she's going to get her teaching degree and come back here in four years. and we'll welcome her with open arms. Then back in my hometown of Vsterero, if anyone watched the game on on Sunday night with the Bills versus the Ravens, if you noticed, they had a kicker they had to bring in that was retired. And now, you know, it just goes to show some of us old guys still have it. This guy's 41
092years old. He flew in that morning for the game and kicked the winning field goal. His name is Matthew Phillip Prader. and he was born August 10th, 1984 and he had graduated in 2002 from the great Astero High School. So, someone in my district did well. Now, for the bad news, we had our benefit meeting and which should have went for three hours and unfortunately we only scheduled it for an hour. We have our great committee man here the Dr. Arusi who's assigned to our committee and I know he was making faces during at me during the whole meeting because we couldn't believe how AON A who's the provider of the benefit came to the meeting. They knew we had an hour and they stuffed us with three hours worth of information hoping that we
093were going to vote for the package they were presenting for this year. And I got to tell you, we held our ground and we're making them come back because if you take a look at our expense for this past month, it went up $2 million from 12 point from 10.3 million to 12.3 million. And that's only with an increase of 195 folks. So, we really have to take a look at this benefit plan. You know, our folks work hard. We pay big bucks for this plan. We got to make sure we're getting the biggest bang for our buck and that they're doing the right thing. And if you would, there's 83 slides here. And if you would see some of these slides, you need to have a triple magnifying glass to read these slides, which
094is totally unacceptable. So, we sent them back and we'll see what they come up with next month. But if they want to have a contract with us, they're going to have to sharpen their pencil and do a much more professional job. And I assure your involvement and your tenacity, Dr. Andre, you do a great job. That's all I have. Thank you, Mr. Ribbon. Miss Jordan. Thank you. I just really I want to give a shout out to Nicole Bailey. she is the one who has ran the cyber patriot camp for the last couple years. She has worked so hard to do that and I have watched it grow and I just really wanted to give her a shout out because I know that a lot of that falls on her. So, I just really appreciate
095the fact that she is continuing to do that and give our students another opportunity there. same with the promise clubs, all the schools need those. It does wonders for the kids. So, I do appreciate that and thank you, Miss Juvenelli. I when you were speaking about the cutting cost and meaningful meaning cost savings again I just can't help but look at our teachers, our bus drivers and everyone who comes up and keeps speaking to us and then we just spend another $30,000. I know it's just $30,000, but every sent to me does matter. And I just wanted to to make sure that you know that was stated again. And thank you so much. Appreciate it. We're doing wonders up here. Thank you, Miss Jordan, Mr. Persons. Yes, it is hard work and boy is that
096a lot of walking up here. But what I wanted to do is inform the board that in our next action meeting, I'm going to be bringing forward a resolution to support the removing of mandatory vaccines from our students. The state is already going to education looks like they're going to be doing this for several of the vaccines, but there are other vaccines that are mandated in state statute. I believe this is a parental rights. I think a parent knows and should be making that decision of whether their child has to take a certain vaccine or not. And we've done that with many other things. I mean, we're for parental rights on masking and many other issues. So, I think we should stay consistent and I'll be bringing a resolution for that. And if the board
097passes a resolution, I think we would be putting that also on our legislative agenda for the legislators to ask them to do that. So, that'll be coming forward and you know there's a lot of talk about whether it causes autism or not. 22 years ago there was one in 150 children were autistic. Now it's one in 31 is autistic. Something's going on. So until we know that I think people need to be more cautious than they are now. But anyway, I'll be bringing that resolution forward. I'll send everybody a copy of it. I just want you to be aware and the public to be aware because I'm sure there'll be some people against it and some people for it. I just wanted to get that out there. So that'll be the next board meeting. Thank
098you. Thank you, Mr. Persons. both Miss Jordan and Mr. Persons have a safe flight back. Mrs. Langford Fleming. Yes. Thank you. yes, it's been great to get back out to our schools. Kind of I always let them catch their breath before I hit too many at one time because chaos. Oh, it's it's just an exciting time for sure. I also want to give a shout out to somebody who probably doesn't get a lot of recognition, but I had the opportunity to work in our United Way kind of our giving room over here and they have Evelyn and her crew have it down to a science and I know that there are many ways that our community members can partner with United Way. So, just wanted to, bring the that attention to the public. I was
099able to go to success academy a couple of weeks ago, followed by a pep rally. so lots of activities. but Dr. Christino is really changing the culture in that environment. Some I almost worry a little bit that the kids are going to love him too much to want to leave, but that is you are right, Miss Gnell. his goal is to get back and he's he's like I don't want to see you again here, but that's exactly the purpose of the program. So, thank you. I just want to sort of piggyback off of u appointments. Giovanelli said that safety is our number one or my number one priority. And I know that every day at every event here at the district, school, extracurricular, what it is that cannot be that we cannot cover all of
100those bases without the hard work of Chief Nulan and our amazing SRO's like the gentleman here. Thank you so much. I'm always so appreciative that you're here in the evening and just and thank you to those out there that are working hard every day to keep our students and staff safe. That's all I have. Thank you, Mrs. Lang for Fleming, Mrs. Javiano. Yeah. So, mirroring all the the first week fun and I did the tours and I also try to kind of stay out of it because it's a little hectic. I have one that does transportation. I do drop off on another and it's chaos on both ends. So lots of love and respect in the morning to all the parents and I hope you have your coffee. cuz it's crazy at least by diplomat.
101I will say that. but no I've had been able to tour success in all the schools and just thank you to the teachers for everything that you're doing in the classroom. I'm I get updates on a daily from my daughter and the other 23 lovely ladies I get to coach on a daily basis of what is happening in all of our classrooms. and I love when they're excited and they're excited about what's happening and their projects and their assignments and what they're doing. that makes me happy and I know that they love what they're doing and when they love their school and they love their teacher and it just one little chip for that age group for them to love school I think is so much better. So thank you for all the hard work
102and everything you're doing in the classroom and for all of our sports that are kicking off and all of our games that are happening and the pep rallies that are happening. I love it. I love the school spirit. just all the things. It's just an exciting, I think, fall type of year in Florida, even though it's very hot. it's just it's just a fun time, I think, for the school year. So, yay. Keep trucking on. Looking forward to next month. but that's it. Just safe and fun. Just good soft entry into the school year. I will take it. That it, Mrs. Shave. Yeah. Thank you. Okay, I'll get my comments. I'll try not to go too long. like everyone else, first day of school visits. I visited every school in the west zone. I went
103into the Frey, so hopefully they didn't get too ticked off at me. So, but they're good people doing good work. So, appreciate that. really just some some great things going on in this district. so I'm excited. Kudos to Superintendent Carlin and her entire team for really just a fantastic start to school. I mean, there's always issues. you know that. But as I said, just the attention you and your staff and the principles out in the schools, I'm I'm very impressed and I appreciate that. So Dr. Carlin and associate superintendent Matthews and I had opportunity to go up to OciOla County and visit Neo City, which is essentially a high school set aside for steam, you know, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. I had to do that fast, but very impressive, very interesting things going
104on with some certificate programs up there, including the use of AI and just the collaboration. So, there were some really interesting ideas that I think we can kind of bring back because we have fantastic students in this district and just some of the opportunities that we could kind of help present with some of the things we learned up there is a great learning experience. So, many others. I've attended some football games, had some, you know, very interesting ones around here. I love the spirit. I attended a pep rally at North Fort Myers High School. That was amazing experience. So, for those of you who haven't been to a pep rally before, I would highly suggest that the schools. So, last one. I'm going to try not to embarrass him too much in the crowd. So,
105we're actually joined by, Lucas out here who is a foreign exchange student coming over, goes to school over here. So I believe he's a junior. So and he is actually here to see how government and the schools work here. So I think that's really amazing and I appreciate him taking the time to to go and take a gander how things go. I told him I said you know it's interesting. It'll be interesting meeting and especially you know I hope you learned a lot during public comment as well. So that's all I have at the moment and I will turn over to Attorney Bron. I don't have anything. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Superintendent Carlin. Thank you, sir. just a quick reminder that September is American Founders Month and we are very proud in our schools to
106be celebrating that particular month. We've also initiated table talk with our families. that's a social media campaign out there. And of course the whole goal is to discuss with our students information about the constitution, the principles upon which our nation was founded and the patriots who came before us and pave the way for all of the wonderful freedoms that we enjoy as a nation. So that's a big month that we're kicking off. I also would like to just piggyback on our my colleagues on the board relative to a huge kudos to our staff. the beginning of the school year I equate it to lifting a plane off the tarmac. You know how you're sitting on the plane and you hear the engines start to roar and then it runs down the the runway and then
107you feel all the energy taking that off, right? Taking off into the sky. That's what taking off. That's what kicking off a new school year is like for all of our employees, almost 13,000 strong. So, I just want to give a huge shout out to our teachers, our principles, our assistant principles, all of our support team members, and our central office. We are one team, one vision. and we're all in this together and just so incredibly proud of everybody's role that they played in getting that huge plane off the tarmac. And I like to say we're cruising at that 30,000 level foot level right now. Sure. Absolutely. There are bumps along the way. You know, if you ever want to have fun, go ride on a bus the first day of school with one of
108our bus drivers and see all the all the fun that they have. They get to greet our children. Sometimes the little ones get on, you ask them their name, and they just smile at you. And you ask them their name again, and they smile at you. So, it's just huge kudos to our bus drivers. and all of the patience and all of the wonderful efforts that they put into their job each and every day. And then our teachers working extremely hard to welcome our children back. we used to have a saying, get them in, feed them, get them home. but our teachers do so much more than that. They are engaging in the Florida benchmarks instruction on day one. I had the privilege during the first week just like you all did to get out
109and to visit almost 20 schools. So, it's just fantastic to get out there and then I will be kicking off my 90minute visits to each and every school throughout the school year. My goal is to walk classrooms and to see the great things that our teachers are doing and also to have conversations with them about what we can be doing better as a district. So, just thank you to our board members for getting out there and being boots on the ground and supporting our teachers and our schools. I also want to give a shout out to our board members. You know, there's a lot of information that goes out on social media. There's, you know, sometimes good news, sometimes bad news that comes to board meetings. And I just want to thank you for your
110relentless focus on the work. On the work. We are headed to becoming an a school district number one in the state of Florida of the Big 10 and things that are so important to us. We want to hear from our public. We love when our public comes to speak with us because it gives us an opportunity to address their concerns. We also invite our public to make sure that they contact their school teacher, their principles, all of those folks. here at the district office, we have regional associate superintendents who and HR folks that are more than happy to to help. So, please reach out to those folks. You're certainly always welcome to come to a board meeting. We'd love to see you here. It's nice to see parent engagement, but please know that there are
111also people out there that are ready and willing to help you. But I just want to compliment our board for keeping focused on the work. I couldn't agree with you more, Miss Giovanelli. Safety and security is our top priority and we will do everything possible to make sure our students are safe. and also student achievement is extremely important in this district. Right now, those of you who have heard me say this many times, we are number nine out of 10 of the 10 largest school districts in Florida that cannot remain. And I just want to thank our team here as well as our principles for all of the work that they are doing with walkthroughs with helping to provide conditions in classrooms that make it conducive to our teachers teaching. So just thank you all
112very much for a great beginning of the school year and thank you to our board for keeping focused on the work. That's what's going to help us become an a school district. Those are my comments. Thank you. Thank you, Superintendent Carlin. I just want to echo that. It's been a long day and I truly appreciate my colleagues up here how we've had some very tough conversations which we sometimes differ on but it's been so professional and I love the discussions we have. I just want to say I appreciate all of you. So now next scheduled meetings of the board on Tuesday, October 7th, there will be a schoolboard workshop at 1 p.m. followed by a schoolboard action meeting at 6 p.m. At this point, having no other business to come before this body and seeing
113no objection, this meeting is adjourned and the time is 7:53 p.m. Have evening.