001[music] >> I [music] love you. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] >> Good evening. I would like to ask Dr. William Allen to please give our invocation. I would ask you all to please stand and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh let's pray together. Heavenly Father, uh you are with us tonight. Uh you are the provider. You're the healer. Uh you are peace. Uh you are the great shepherd, as well. Father, uh I confess that we are tired and we we need uh you to sustain us. So, our school year, it's coming to a close. Our students, our staff, they need uh physical healing. Maybe they need provisions. They need peace. And we know that you are the great shepherd. So, thanks for our guest tonight. Um may they
002be honored. Uh guide us as we make these decisions for everyone that's connected to the school district. Uh we ask all these things in your son's name. Amen. >> At this time, I would like to invite Kamaya Burgess to come forward and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge of 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. >> Thank you. You may all You all may be seated. However, Kamaya, I'm ask you stay there for a second. Kamaya, that was fantastic. Thank you for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I've got a few questions for you. >> Okay. >> Um could you introduce yourself and anyone else you brought with
003you tonight and tell us what grade you're in. >> My name is Kamaya Burgess and I'm with my mom, Karen Rogers, my sister, Danielle Smith, and my principal, Ms. Gideons, and I'm in eighth grade. >> Excellent. Can you tell us a a little bit about yourself? Do you have any hobbies or any other activities that you really enjoy doing? >> I like to play softball, basketball, and volleyball. >> What an athlete. Good job. Um how about telling us a little bit about your favorite subject in school? >> My favorite subject is science because it's gives us a lot of hands-on experiments to learn better. >> Excellent. So, athlete who loves science. Um can you tell us what are your biggest dreams for your future? >> I want to be a pediatric doctor. >> Oh, excellent.
004I'd go to medical school. Yeah. And I notice here that you are Ms. Gideons is the principal and you're at Dundee Ridge Middle Academy, which is one of my District 6 schools. I'm very proud that you're here. Can you tell us a little bit about what you like best about Dundee Ridge Middle Academy? >> I like all the teachers cuz they make a fun learning environment and I like how the school allows me to build long-lasting friendships. >> Oh, excellent. Excellent. So, I would like to say thank you for joining us tonight, Kamaya, and hope you have a great finish to the school year. Finish on a positive note and just continue to excel. Can we please give Kamaya a round of applause for being here tonight? >> [applause] >> And now Kamaya, family, guests,
005if you could please come forward for a picture. >> [clears throat] >> Right, good job, Kamaya. >> [applause] >> Good evening, everyone. I wish to extend a warm welcome to everyone present on this evening of Tuesday, May 5th. The board, superintendent, and I are pleased that you have joined us as we celebrate student achievement, review information, and make policy decisions related to the effective operation of the Polk County School Board. Our goal is to ensure that we achieve our mission, which is to provide a high-quality education for all students. I would like to call the May 5th, 2026 regular school board meeting to order. Board members, the first item on our agenda tonight is to accept our agenda. Superintendent Hyde, are there any revisions to the agenda as printed? >> Good evening, Mr. Chair, members
006of the board, members of community and staff. There are several adjustments for this evening's agenda. Item B as in boy, number one, new administrators, an attachment was added. Item L, number six, approval for the use of funds, permanent generators, Tenoroc High School, special needs shelter, that item was removed. Item L number five, approval for the use of funds permanent generators at Tenoroc High School special needs shelter, that item was removed. Item M as in Mark number one, non-instructional personnel actions attachments were added. Item M as in Mark number two, administrative and instructional personnel actions attachments were added. Item N as in Nancy number one, renewal of Microsoft Azure Crayon attachment was added. Item S number three, purchase of fine arts instructional materials, attachments were updated. Item U number one, comprehensive agreement for the BBB High
007School, attachment was updated. And item U number five, July 1st, 2026, board retreat date change discussion item was added. I'm sorry, I giggled. I can't help but think of Sesame Street every time I say those letters and numbers, so thank you. That concludes all of the amendments for this evening. >> Thank you, Superintendent Hyde. >> You're welcome. >> So, at this time the chair will entertain a motion to accept the agenda for May 5th, 2026 with the noted revisions. Do I have a motion and second? >> Motion to approve the agenda with revisions as presented. >> Second. >> It's been moved by board member Keys, seconded by board member Wyatt. Is there any discussion? >> [clears throat] >> Seeing none, I would like to remind you all to please uh record your votes electronically. Thank
008you, board members for uh for recording your votes electronically. We will now proceed to vote uh by voice. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries unanimously. The next item up is new administrators. Superintendent Hyde, would you lead us through our next item? >> Yes, sir. My pleasure. Good evening, board Again, good evening again, board members and members of community staff. At this time, there are two new administrators to announce. You're already familiar with these changes, but we wanted to go ahead and bring them in for some public recognition. First, we have Jean Monacelli, principal at Lakeland Highlands Middle School, who was transferred and promoted to principal at Harrison School of the Arts. He's been on campus now a little over a month, starting his fifth
009week, if I understand correctly. All right. Congratulations, sir. >> Good evening, Board Chair Schrappless, school board members, and Superintendent Hyde. First of all, thank you for giving me the chance to continue to serve in the capacity of principal. A job that I do not take for granted. I love it. I am very excited to serve in this new capacity at Harrison. I am very passionate about arts education. My own fine arts background helped me move to the United States many, many years ago. I did teach. My first job out of college was teaching music, and I had a great memories of my 10 years serving in that capacity with Polk County Public School. I As I stepped into this role, I'm excited to continue to support fine arts, support the 12 wonderful departments that we
010have at Harrison. I'm learning a lot about many new things every single day. So, I'm excited to take Harrison, you know, into as we approach our 40th anniversary and continue to lead the state, the district, and the nation in arts education. I am very thankful for the support that I have received over the years from many people, including Ms. Nave, who I think is here. I saw her earlier. You know, thank you for your support. My two years working under your leadership at Lakeland Highlands were instrumental in my success and the success of our school at Lakeland Highlands. I want to say thank you to the Lakeland Highlands faculty and staff. Uh they're amazing. They have wonderful teachers, educators, um secretaries, um parents, community. Um I I learned so much in my time there. Um
011thank you to Mr. Levine. He is here and he's been so helpful in my transition at Harrison. It is not a easy transition uh because it's such a unique place. Um so, [snorts] thank you. Uh Mr. Bruno, thank you for the opportunity. Um I'm looking forward to working under your leadership. And um and thank you to many principals and regionals, Ms. Cangelosi over the years supporting me, uh Mr. Dr. Young at Mulberry High School, and um my my mentors from the New and Novice Program, Amy King and uh Danae Clark. They've been amazing. It takes a village to get this job done. I feel like I have a pretty strong village. So, thank you all. I am looking forward to to seeing you all of you at Harrison. Uh our performance calendar is almost ready.
012I'll be sending it to you pretty soon. Come out and experience the magic that happens in our awesome place. I am very thankful for that support. I know that it's not it's not easy to have a performing and visual arts center like we have it here in Polk County. Not every every district has that blessing because it takes funding, it takes a vision, and you'll have it. And thank you for for that support. Uh we do not take that for granted, and we're going to do everything we can to to make us proud and support our students and our teachers at Harrison. Thank you again for the opportunity. >> Thank you, sir. GREAT JOB. >> [applause] >> WHEN YOU LEFT, IT WAS LONGER. >> OKAY. OKAY. >> [applause] >> And next we have Ms. Jennifer
013Martinez who was previously the assistant principal at Lakeland Highlands Middle School who's been promoted to acting principal at Lakeland Highlands Middle. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Good [snorts] evening, Board Member Sharpless, Board Members and Superintendent Hyde. Thank you for the opportunity to address you this evening. I'm truly honored by your confidence in me as I step into the role as acting principal. I do not take this opportunity lightly and I'm deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in my leadership during this important time of our school. I would like to thank Ms. Nave, my regional superintendent, for allowing me to grow under her leadership and for believing in me enough to support my acceptance in this role. Your guidance and confidence has meant a great deal to me. Thank you to Mr. Monicelli for allowing
014me to grow while holding onto your coattails the last couple years. Your calm, thoughtfulness, leadership, and steady guidance have played in a significant role in shaping my development as a leader and I'm truly grateful for the example you have continued to set. I would like to thank my family for supporting me as my work hours grow longer and for believing in me during the moments when maintaining balance is challenging. Your encouragement, patience, and unwavering support makes this work possible. Lastly, thank you to my work family for believing in me as I have grown professionally over at Lakeland Highlands for the past 9 years. Being able to lead the same school where I have learned, served, and built lasting relationships makes stepping into this role feel natural and deeply meaningful. I am proud to serve in
015this capacity and look forward to working together to ensure continued growth, stability, and success for our school community. Thank you. >> Congratulations. Come on down, Jean. >> [applause] >> That concludes new administrators for this evening, sir. >> Thank you, Superintendent Hyde. The next item up is our special recognitions. Superintendent Hyde, would you lead us through our special recognitions? >> I would be happy to. At this time, I'd like to ask Ms. Wyatt to please step down for this evening's recognitions. And very appropriate since we were discussing the arts earlier today and it's I know it's a passion point of Ms. Wyatt's, the two recognitions that we will start with today focus on the arts. The very first one is I'd like to welcome representatives from Congressman Scott Franklin's office and Congressman Scott Franklin to please
016come to the podium for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition Award. Thank you for being with us this evening. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Chairman Sharpless, board members, Superintendent Hyde. This is a a great privilege for me to be here tonight to present this because normally we're in DC during this time and I haven't been able to attend in the past. So, thankfully I'm here. Um, we are we're representing and recognizing now our 2026 winner of the Congressional Art Contest, which is something I was very unfamiliar with before going to Congress, but since 1982, we've had a nationwide art competition where every high school in every district in the country is allowed to participate and each of the 435 Congressional Districts selects one winner for the calendar year and that student's art is on display in
017the capital. Uh it's actually in the tunnel between the House office buildings and the capital. We we get to walk past those multiple times every day and they're they're broken up by state and district. So, every day I get to walk past the the art of all the students from throughout the country and I'm a little biased, but I think we've we've had some tremendous winners over the years and our art stands out. Uh this year is no exception. Our theme uh with this year being America's 250th birthday is happy birthday happy 250th birthday, America. Uh across our eight counties in Florida Florida Congressional District 18, we had 67 entries. That's not a number we made up. It really was 67. So, uh if you can imagine that was quite a deliberation to to to
018work through to figure out a winner cuz we had some tremendous entrance. So, um we've got runners-up and others that we recognized last week at the AGB uh Museum of Art former Polk Museum of Art, but the one who stood out uh head and shoulders above all the rest was our winner, uh Carice Silva, who is right here next to me. Uh Carice is a sophomore now at Harrison School of the Arts. Uh it is you would not believe the quality of art that we see and and even down to some of our uh ninth graders in different schools, it's unbelievable. But, Carice uh her piece stood out above all. It's kind of it's it's hard to see unless you're up close, but I'd love to have her tell you a little bit about it,
019but but as I do, um and in recognition of this, she and and one person and I'm assuming mom uh may get to come up next month uh to to to EC. Southwest Airlines pays to have all the winners from across the country fly up for a day to recognize their art being put on display. So, last year's the 2025 pieces will come down and the 26 pieces will be put up. And, um, I'll make sure we're It's an It's an interesting piece that you have to see up close. So, not only is there tremendous artistic skill there, but also, and I'll let her explain to you about the sewing component of that. But, if we could Carissa, if you could tell a little bit about your your piece of art here. >> Um, thanks.
020Okay, so my piece of art is definitely like inspired by the flag, if you can't tell. But, I just thought like if you're honoring America for a birthday, like I don't think you can make a art piece without a flag. So, I had to, you know, talk to my friends and teachers trying to figure out how to make the flag interesting because I assume that a lot of people were going to do the flag for happy 250th birthday. So, um, talking to my teacher, since we joke a lot, we he told me originally to paint stitching that says happy 250th birthday on it, but I decided that it would probably be more interesting to just sew it myself. And since women originally did sew the American flags before like factories and everything, I thought it
021would just be really interesting. So, you could see like all the holes on the back. And I definitely stabbed myself a lot. But, it's fun to tell. And I thought it was a very interesting, um, like theme for this year. >> Well, thank you, Carissa. And if you have a chance to look at it, it's actually it says happy birthday, uh, happy 250th birthday America stitched into the painting, which I thought was incredibly creative. There's some funny kind of stories as as this came about, but Carissa did not sew. That was not a skill set she had before. And she said she mentioned that she had stuck her finger with the needle and asked her she knew what a thimble was and she she didn't but that's actually what the people seamstresses who do a
022lot of sewing would do to keep from sticking sticking their fingers with needles but it's a beautiful painting. It will be on display and for anyone who's able to make it to Washington over the next year. If you do come up, first we'd love to have our office give you a tour but we can show you Carissa's piece of art. It will be on display in the capital. So it's a tremendous competition. If you know children out there who you know I Carissa's at Harrison. Obviously Harrison's very much into the arts and they're about the contest. We had all of our entrance were from I think eight seven or eight different schools throughout the district. We'd love to have more so if you know any aspiring artists, they don't have to go to Harrison in
023order to do that. So we want to have as many as we can but but thank you all for giving us the opportunity to recognize Carissa and all the hard work that she did. Thank you very much. And I also have a certificate we'll present her as well. >> [clears throat] >> Hang on for one second. >> Nancy Ms. Perry, sorry. Do we have a portfolio case at at your office or anywhere in storage? I just I want to make sure we're protecting her artwork, especially if it's going to be traveling. So, could we connect with them and make sure we get them that? Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Next item up, I'd like to welcome the Bartow City Commissioner, Ms. Trish Pfeiffer, to please come forward for the City of Bartow's artwork
024recognition. Good evening. >> Good evening. Thank you so much. It's so great to be back. And first I got to say that was a fantastic presentation, Ms. Silva. And um I loved your artwork. I loved your story behind it. And keep creating because it'll always be a gift. That was beautiful. Thank you to have having us back this year. Um this is the eighth year of the Mayor's Art Club, City of Bartow Mayor's Art Club. This started in 2015. I literally stole the idea from Paducah, Kentucky, and I admit it freely. Um and I retooled it a little bit for us, but uh I thought it was a great idea. We had not very inspiring art in our chambers and thought we could liven it up. We had just had it painted. So, the schools
025that participate are Union Academy Middle School, Bartow Middle School, and Bartow High School. And we've done this every year. We had a 2-year reprieve when I wasn't a commissioner because no one picked up the ball. And so, it kind of stopped, but I was back and I picked it back up. I'm the facilitator of it to help the mayor, so they don't have to stress out over this. Uh we The judges for this are the mayor, uh the CRA representative, Director of Strategic Partnerships. That should sound familiar. That's Ms. Crowley. She was there. Um Polk Arts Alliance executive interim director, Ms. Cummings. Our city clerk, our director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts, and our city manager. We have a very sophisticated system of voting. I know you remember this from last year. We had
02668 submissions. We all get different colored Post-it notes. And after they're all laid out, we put our Post-it notes on the top 10. So, we had 68 submissions. I don't know. Maybe we started with 12. It depends on how many submissions. But, I will tell you it's very difficult, right, Mayor? >> Very. >> [clears throat] >> Very difficult. There's a lot of himming and hawing and, you know, who are we going to pick? And anyway, it gets narrowed down to It's supposed to be six, but it's like, "No, we got to have that one." So, it ends up being this year 13. So, that's how that came about. I do want to mention that Polk Arts Alliance donate $50 gift cards as recognitions for the students, and we appreciate that partnership. They in turn also
027do a really nice article in the magazine. Mike Patel from the UPS Store, he's the one that prints these, and he goes He came and delivered them last week, and he goes, "Well, tell me about this." And I told him, and he goes, "Well, I want to help." So, he donated gift cards to the three art teachers for their, you know, helping me bug them to collect this art. So, what we do is when the art is Where's a piece? Here's an original that um Annika. Thank you. That Annika did. This is what it looked like. And so, it comes you know, this size. We even had one that was a postcard, so it was tiny. Hold that. So, this is what it ends up looking like. I literally took it off the wall because
028our public works mounts it. You can see they mount it on a frame. It's Velcroed. And this is what it gets blown up to be. So, it's nice and big because the scale is important for our big spaces. So, that's what that one looks like. And then, um let me just tell you one last thing and then the mayor is going to uh bring them up. Uh so, what happened is the hospital, I just happened to complain about some artwork on the walls that was fading. And I was like the the um CEO that was there at the time, he was a really cool guy. I said, "You need some artwork." And you know, come look at our mayor's art club. I have this in a whole portfolio, which we have over 60 pieces now.
029And they loved it. And so, they purchased the whole portfolio. It's all up at BayCare Bartow Hospital. So, go take a tour. And you know, the students' names are there. So, they um the mayor is going to tell you the seven students that got selected this year out of the 13. And so, that's been a really neat partnership. And they look forward to it every year because they're looking They're They've added a new wing and they're looking for this art to go in the new wing. So, I think that's the details. Now, the mayor is going to take over. I'll be Vanna White and help get this situated and tell you who the artists are. Thank you, Mayor Tucker. >> Good evening, everyone. I am Taniya Tucker. I'm the mayor of Bartow. Um and we
030are going to go ahead and present some awards. I think all of you have one of these at your stations because there's a couple of them that are here tonight, but we did not bring their pieces because as Trish said, they are mounted to the wall and it was a little more difficult to get them off than we thought. We did manage one, but um we are still going to bring them up to recognize them and I will um go through which um art piece is theirs. So, we will start with our first one and that is Jaylen Spalding and on your chart it's number three which is the pretty little pink cupcake. Is she's here? Okay. Um Yeah. And so the the title of that piece is cupcake dreams and she is from Bartow
031High School and she is 15 years old. >> [applause] >> And this is Ms. Terra Hurt. She is the art teacher from Bartow High School. Couldn't do this without her assistance. I guess her mother. All right. Our our next recipient is Lilly Lilly Price and she did the picture number five which is the um the visit from beyond. She is from Bartow High School and she is 16 years old. Okay. Now the next piece is Aniga Sarabi and she has the piece number nine and it's entitled seaweed. She is from Union Academy and she is 13 years old. >> [applause] >> Okay, our next piece is um number 11 and that is Isabel Para Giddings and she um has Cultures Homes from Union Academy and she is 14 years old. >> [applause] >> And Isabel
032had three pieces selected. You'll see that on your program there. And that should have been Cultures Home. I'm going back and forth between glasses and no glasses. Sorry. Um our next piece is uh Naeisha Baker and her piece is Grace Under Light and she is from Bartow Middle School. She is 13 years old. >> Okay, Naeisha could not make it. So, this is what her piece looked like. >> I like that one. >> 13 >> It's beautiful. Great job. >> I'll put it up. What >> Bartow Middle School, the principals here. Do you want to come up? Come up. And and and the art teacher. Yeah, y'all came. Come on. >> [laughter] [applause] >> Okay, so if uh if you would students come back up, please. We'll do a one group shot. And while they're
033coming up, I'll go ahead and um recognize the students that had their pieces selected at for um Baycare Hospital. Um Actually, Bartow Regional Hospital. Um that includes uh Jesus Cruz from Bartow High School, Satya Moore from Bartow High School, Jaylen Spalding from Bartow High School, Peyton Pauley from Bartow High School, Lilly Price from Bartow High School, Anaga Sarabi from Union Academy, and Na'Asia Baker from Bartow Middle School. So, those students will have their pieces um displayed at Bartow Regional Hospital. >> Congratulations again. >> [applause] >> Thank you again for the opportunity to be here. It's great seeing you, and uh we appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> And next, I'd like to welcome Ms. Carolyn Gerow, director of recruitment and engagement. So, she can please come forward to recognize the latest graduates of our
034Leading from the Classroom cohort. >> All right. Good evening, members and Superintendent Hyde. >> [snorts] >> As they enter in, well, Teacher Appreciation Week is this week, right? What a great way to celebrate some teachers of ours, some fabulous teachers. So, today we are proud to recognize the educators who participate in the Leading from the Classroom, a meaningful leadership opportunity that allows teachers to lead while continuing to make an impact on their students' lives every day. Through their action plans, participants tackled real needs in their schools, launching initiatives like teacher wellness clinics, one-stop-shop resources for their teachers, and a lot of other action plans. As we celebrate the program's 10th year milestone, with more than 205 graduates, we also celebrate the lasting impact these teacher leaders have made across our district. Their innovation, commitment, and
035passion amplifies the power of the teacher leadership, the difference they make in Polk County Public Schools. So, we're going to go ahead and recognize them. As we come up, we have um awards for you guys. So, if you want to grab your award and we'll take a picture with you. Okay? Stephanie Sims at Winston Academy. >> [applause] >> Deborah LeGrant, our Bruce Wagner. Our very own Teacher of the Year, Elizabeth Heaton, Bartow High School. >> Who does crossing duty in the afternoons? >> Asian. >> [laughter] >> Do you know what happened? My leg ran out of water. >> Your leg? Jessica Brown, Garner Elementary. Victoria Mills, Bartow High School. >> [applause] >> Yuritza Ruiz Pena FROM DUNDEE ELEMENTARY. >> [applause] >> ROBIN KINGSLEY FROM SLEEPY Hill Middle. >> THANK YOU. >> JENNALYN WILCOX FROM LAUREL
036ELEMENTARY. Emily Copelan from Crystal Lake Elementary. >> [clears throat] >> First up. >> Very good. >> And Stephanie Huter from Hospital Homebound. Yeah. And I'd like to recognize the few that could not attend tonight due to other illness. So, we have Jacqueline Teague, Yvonne Sprinkle, Audrey Hoff, and Nika Dean. >> Thank you. >> And Chastity Bobo. >> Could we get you all for a group photo, please? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And Anissa Fullwood has been our program leader. She is a teacher advocate like nobody, so I appreciate all she's done. >> [applause] >> Thank you, teachers. Happy Appreciation Week. >> Thank you. That concludes special recognitions for this evening, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Superintendent Hyde, and all those who took time out of their schedules to join us tonight for special recognition.
037We appreciate you. Next is public comments for items on the agenda to be voted upon as adopted at the start of the start of this meeting. Before we begin, I would like to welcome the public and go over our public comment process and opportunities for this evening. We will have two opportunities for public comment this evening. The first will be for items on this evening's agenda to be voted upon. As always during this time, comments will be limited to those items on the agenda. At the end of the meeting, we will have an additional opportunity for public comment on items that are not on this evening's agenda. To register to speak, community members must fill out a speaker card in the lobby prior to our meeting. All speakers will be given 3 minutes. The light
038over here will turn yellow when you have 1 minute left, and then you will hear a beep when your time has concluded. All comments should be directed to myself as board chair. As a reminder, public comments are an opportunity for us collectively to hear your thoughts and comments. This is not a question and answer session, and comments are not are not to be directed at individual board members. However, if you are seeking additional information, I encourage you to contact any of us or the superintendent's office outside of board meetings, and we would be happy to have deeper conversations with you. We have no uh no uh individuals signed up for uh comments tonight on agenda items. So, seeing uh seeing that, we will move to uh our next item, which is approval of today's consent
039agenda. The chair will entertain a motion to accept the May 5th, 2026 consent agenda as printed. Do I have a motion and second? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> It's been uh the motion to approve was made by board member Allen and seconded by board member Miller. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I would like to remind you to please record your votes electronically. We will now proceed to a voice vote. All those in favor of accepting the motion to approve the May 5th, 2026 consent consent agenda as printed, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Next, we come to our action agenda for tonight's meeting. Our first item on the agenda is U1 entitled comprehensive agreement for BBB High School. The suggested action is
040to approve the compre- comprehensive agreement between the school board and Fortress Secure LLC for the delivery of a new high school campus in the northeast portion of Polk County. The chair will accept a motion and second. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> It's been uh moved to approve by board member Miller and seconded by board member Fields. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I'm going to ask all board members to vote electronically. We will now proceed to to a voice vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries unanimously. The next item is U2 entitled American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 227 2025-2026 salaries and collective bargaining agreements. The suggested action is to approve the 2025-2026 AFSCME contracts, including the 2025-2026
041salary settlement for bus drivers, attendants, and van drivers as recommended by the superintendent. >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved by board member Wyatt, seconded by board member Miller. >> Ready. >> Please record your Oh, is there Is there any discussion? Seeing none, board members, please vote electronically. We'll now proceed to a voice vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries unanimously. The next item of business is U3 entitled Bridge Prep Academy of Polk Middle High Charter Application. The suggested action is to approve Bridge Prep Academy of Polk County Middle High Charter Application. The chair will accept a motion and second. >> So moved. >> It's been moved by board member Wallace. Is there >> Second. seconded >> board by board
042member Allen. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I want to remind board members to vote electronically. >> [snorts] >> We'll now proceed to a voice vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed, same sign. Motion carries unanimously. Item U4 has been pulled from the agenda, so we will go to item U5 entitled July 1st, 2026 board retreat date change discussion. The suggested action is to approve the July 1st, 2026 board retreat date change to July 13th, 2026. The chair will accept a motion and second. >> Motion to approve as presented. >> Second. >> Been moved by board member Keys, seconded by board member Wyatt. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, please vote electronically. We'll now proceed to a voice vote. All those in favor, signify by saying I.
043I. All those opposed, say same sign. Motion carries unanimously. >> [snorts] >> The next item on our agenda tonight is our superintendent's report. Superintendent Hyde, do you have a report for us tonight? >> I do, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Um so, our next meeting will be on June 9th, 2026. Work session will be at 12:30 p.m. Board meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. Both will be held here at the district office located at 1915 South Floral Avenue in Bartow. And as you know, it is the season. We're heading into graduation time, the second best day of every school year as compared to the very first day each year. Um, it's an exciting time. I look forward to seeing you and many of our elected officials. We've been getting great responses from many of
044them asking to participate. Our mayors are presently working. If not, they haven't already completed, they will be completing their video to recognize those students from their areas. And we have a short video we'd like to show you to help kick off the season. >> [music] [clears throat] >> We are excited to congratulate this year's class. Board members, you know, it's it's a truly exciting to watch those students walk across the stage, see those smiles, see the ones that aren't smiling, um, who try to sprint across the stage cuz they want to get off stage as quickly as possible, but what what always touches me and I get goosebumps every time I watch this and I you know, I've been a superintendent now for 12 years. But there's a story behind every kid. And we're part
045of that story. Starting sometimes as early as pre-K and we're not the only ones. Obviously, we partner with families. We partner with our community members, but it takes a team to get these kids across the finish line. Some get there a little easier than others, but what matters most is they all get there. And so we kick off our graduation season with our center schools and then we have it builds from there. A lot of tradition built into our graduation ceremonies as you know. Um, we oftentimes joke about those traditions and who wants to go back to their stadium versus who wants to do it at our P Funding Center. But what again, what matters most is this year we will we will again have the blessing and the opportunity to shake over 7,000 hands
046as kids walk across the stage. And that is a testament to every single one of our almost 14,000 employees who at some point played a role in that child's life and getting them to this point. So want to say thank you to them. Thank you to our amazing administrators who stay focused on this. This is an area where we have consistently improved year over year. So [snorts] with a 93% traditional public school graduation rate, obviously we're focused on seeing that improve, but that says a lot about our system. And so thank you for the opportunity. Mr. Chair, the only other thing I have to add is I had the pleasure of attending an event last Friday at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School where one of our community business partners, um, and I'm going to make
047sure I bring this back in the future meetings. I want to give that whole team credit, but they donated 48 bikes to ensure that every second grade student on that campus got a free bike and more importantly helmet and a water bottle and parents were contacted. They made arrangements to come pick them up. And every parent, I think they had four bikes that were being picked up between yesterday and today remaining and we're going to be taking a team out there to do some bicycle safety training with those second graders before they leave for summer but what a great demonstration of their commitment to helping us and helping our children helping our schools so wanted to end on that positive note as well thank you Mr. Chair. >> Thank you superintendent. Next we will move
048to our attorneys report Mr. Green you are now recognized. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Tonight I'll be requesting authority to advertise a public hearing to be held on June 9th 2026 during the regularly scheduled board meeting for policy updates presented during the April 14th and May 5th school board work sessions for rule development. The text of all proposed rules scheduled for the public hearing will be available at the time the notice is published. This moment I wanted to before I read the list of policies into the record because one of the policies at tonight's work session specifically bylaw 0147 there was a discussion about the current text and a suggestion for an amendment. I wanted to allow the board to formally make that amendment and change if they request to do so. >> Believe the
049suggested amendment was to strike the the parentheses as well as um uh >> I'll get to yours uh >> the tur- the the >> Yes. >> language of chambers of commerce >> Correct. >> from the bylaws so that is the recommended uh amendment from earlier at the work session. Do we have a motion and second? >> Motion to approve with the suggested revisions. >> Second. >> It's been moved by board member Keys and seconded by board member Wyatt for the suggested amendment of striking the um um the terminology uh Chamber of Commerce and the parentheses from the bylaw. Since this is an amendment, we will we will not vote electronically on this. Um the the item that's in front of you electronically will be for a later vote, okay? So, please don't vote on this
050electronically yet. So, we will do a voice vote for this amendment. All those in favor? Oh, is there any discussion? Sorry. >> So, Chair, I I >> Give me 1 second. Board member Allen, you are now recognized. >> Thank you, Chair Sharpless. I would like to issue an amendment to bylaw 0147 entitled compensation as well. This amendment does not change what board members can or cannot do. Uh it just simply ensures that what we do is clearly visible to the public. >> Board member Allen >> So, this would be an amendment to the amendment. >> Okay. >> Um so, basically, I'd like to make a motion to amend um by adding a statement. >> Could this be two separate amendments, or are you amending the strikeout language? >> Yeah, I mean, I would defer to
051our general counsel on that one. >> I believe I As Chair, I would I would believe, and you can correct me, I think we need to vote on the uh first amendment, and then we can offer up a second amendment, only because that won't be necessarily the same language. >> I I agree. Um excuse me. I agree because I believe the the suggested second amendment has nothing to do with that. So, >> Mhm. >> uh vote on the the current uh motion on the table, and then you can get to the second one. >> Thank you. >> Right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Green, and I will I will recognize you again after this first amendment. >> Thank you, Chair. >> Okay. Um Board member Miller, you are now recognized to discuss discussion on this
052first amendment. >> I'm going to have I'm going to ask Mr. Green to read that again um so we can we clearly we clearly hear it. This is to provide I think when it was proposed there was some additional language, um, in what would be covered for board members expenses to professional development and such. But instead of, um, but instead of limiting it using language as in chambers and such, it's leaving it open, um, to be determined and we talked about that could be reported later in a report, but this would change it. Can you read again how how it would be stated for for the public and for the board? >> Do you want me to state it um, with the parenthetical that'll be stricken or or with that language? >> I would read
053it and then say what's going to be stricken. >> Very well. So the current language would read, "The board may authorize all approved expenses for membership of its board members in recognized school board associations and other appropriate professional or non-partisan organizations only when such membership is directly related to education in the best interest of the district and essential to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the board member, i.e. chambers of commerce. Expenses of a board member incurred in the performance of his or her duties will be paid by the board member using their annually approved funds provided that each member submits a written statement of his or her expenses consistent with board policy and with the constraints of budgeted resources. So within that, um, the phrase in the parenthetical, i.e. chambers of commerce, would be
054stricken under the current motion on the table. >> All right, board member Miller, you're still recognized. Is that all? >> Yes, thank you. I it's using the word using it as an example with i.e. doesn't lock it in as something that would limit, but if that makes the board feel better to remove it all together, I'll support that. Thank you. >> Right. Thank you, Board Member Miller. Board Member Fields, you're now recognized. >> Okay, I wasn't here for the work session when this occurred. So, my question would be I don't see it on the agenda. Am I missing it? >> The the actual uh No, it's not on the agenda. Um it's the attorney's report is on the agenda and um >> I see that, but that's for um >> That's it. >> Um authorization
055for a public hearing, but I don't see this item. >> Because this be because this item is part of that public hearing, this is where he was saying uh and I got you can fill in, but that's why. It's being offered. >> the reason uh that I brought it up at this time is this is one of many um potential policy updates. Um there was a batch raised back on April 14th and then a new batch today on May 5th. Um the only discussion um that came up in today's work session or or the previous one for that matter dealt with 0147. And in order to keep it on the the schedule that'll be uh advertised in public hearing, um because there seemed to be consensus at the work session to strike a parenthetical. Um
056I thought the most efficient way to handle that was to um see if the board wished to remove that now. If that can't be accomplished, then uh that could be pulled and brought up at a future meeting for um for consideration. >> Well, I I won't support it like this, and that's fine. Uh I'm one of seven. Um I think that it should be on the agenda as an item. I understand the the the item is listed as authority to advertise. That's not what this is saying. So, it is what it is. >> Thank you, Board Member Fields. Board Member Wyatt, you are now recognized. >> Thank you. I have two things. First, I want to just clarify because you when you read it, um Mr. Green, the first parenthetical was not included in what
057you read, so I just want to confirm it will still read and other appropriate professional non-protestant or non-partisan organizations except those membership associations excluded by state statute section 617.221. That is staying in there, correct? >> I do apologize. Um let me Let me make sure I've got >> I mean, that's what it says on the attachment from earlier, so I'm >> Yeah, and then I I think I have an I don't have that attachment with me. I have I have an attachment that was not the right attachment. So, I want to make sure I have the right attachment. Um Okay, here it is. Sorry about that. There it is. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. >> So, my question was the the first parenthetical, the except those memberships associations excluded by statute >> Yes. >> is
058still >> reread I need to reread this because uh the version I had was um slightly different. So, if I may, uh the current language and I'll again I'll read it as it was proposed at the work session this evening. Um It reads as follows, "The board may authorize all approved expenses for membership of its board members in recognized school board associations and other appropriate professional non-partisan organizations, except those membership associations excluded by Florida statute section 617.221 subparagraph one. Only when membership is directly related to education in the best interests of the district and essential to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the board member, i.e. Chambers of Commerce. Expenses of a board member incurred in the performance of his or duties will be paid by the board member using their annually approved funds, provided
059that each member submits a written statement of his or expenses consistent with board policy and within the constraints of budgeted resources. So, the motion on the table was to delete the second parenthetical, which reads i.e. Chambers of Commerce, basically define that uh that subset of um potential organizations. Thank you. >> Thank you. I will be supporting this this evening. I the amendment I do have concerns that we just talked about how this procedurally works at a retreat and what we indicated we would do when we have consensus during a board meeting of making changes that we would have those changes in front of us before it came to a board meeting or in a work session before it came to a board meeting. Um I'm disappointed that that already has not happened. So, that's just
060my comments, but I will be supporting this this evening. >> I did I did send this language in in the email that this specific um bylaw with the the exact language um >> I've not >> on the 28th April 28th. >> Board member Wyatt? >> Thank you. I'm good. >> Okay. Board member Miller, you're now recognized. Oop. Went that >> It was fine. >> Here, give me a second. Let me All right. Board member Miller, you're recognized. >> My only comment is I support this as an it's not a hard it's not a hard change that we're making, but if it's procedurally being muddied, then we might need to put this on the agenda for the next work session. I don't know that there's a a rush to do it. Thank you. >> Thank you,
061Board member Miller. Uh Board member Wyatt, you recognized again or no? Okay. All right, sorry. Board Board member Allen, you're now recognized. >> Thank you, Chair Sharpless. Yeah, I'll be supporting the amendment uh tonight um and reflecting towards the future, uh we still have opportunities for us as board members to comment on this during public hearing uh on the April 14th and the May 5th. Um so, we still have opportunities to maneuver language if we're not happy uh with it, but as far as uh this amendment in particular, I'll be voting in favor of this amendment based on our conversation at work session today. >> Thank you, Board member Allen. Is there any more comments? Seeing none, we'll now proceed to vote on the amendment as stated. All those in favor, please signify by saying
062I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. >> I. >> Vote six to one, it passes. So now it's amended. We've stricken the language. Um Board member Allen, I think you had you were you want to be recognized. Board member Allen, you are now you are now recognized. >> Thank you, Chair. So I'd like to issue an amendment as well now to bylaw 0147 as reflected in what we just voted upon entitled compensation. Um this amendment that I'm proposing does not change what board members can or we cannot do within this bylaw. It just simply ensures that what we do is clearly visible to the public. So I would just like to make a motion to amend by adding a statement. I did send the statement to our general counsel. I'll read it on
063record. And it states this, the superintendent or designee shall annually publish a public report summarizing all expenditures associated with each board member during the budgetary meeting. Um that would be my proposed language for the amendment. Um and I yield the floor, Chair. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Board member Keys, you have now seconded the motion. Um Is there any discussion on the motion? Board member Fields, you are now recognized. >> Okay, now a while back, I don't remember how long ago, when someone from the board was proposing making changes, we said that you would need to bring a hard copy and provide it to each board member. I don't have a hard copy, but I'm again, I was late today for good reasons, and maybe something is here that I
064have not seen my eyes on. Uh everything should be done in decency and in order. And I think [snorts] one of the things that Ms. Miller said is very relevant. Is this an emergency item? Can this not come at a different time? Why are we pressing? I'm voting against it, but I still want to know why. And the reason why I'm voting against it, not because I don't believe in what the policy says, but the way that it's being done to me is just not in decency and in order. And that's just my take on it. >> Thank you, Board Member Fields. Board Member Miller, you're now recognized. >> Yeah, I just want to say that I That's what I was referring to earlier and even at the retreat. Um I have examples of previous
065amendments um and changes that were brought in paper form to submit it to the attorney and not the rest of the board isn't transparent and something you're trying to be transparent in. Um I don't know why I'm trying to figure if someone could share why the rush is on this to do this tonight. I would rather see it done This is a procedural. And then we can have the conversation that that what was explained is already in writing and is it a procedural or does it need to be policy? I just don't know the rush for this. So, I would not be supporting this. I think this needs to be done in order as Ms. Fields has recommended. Thank you. >> Thank you, Board Member Miller. Board Member Wyatt, you're now recognized. >> Thank you.
066I'm going to agree with my colleagues. I While I don't necessarily believe that this needs to be in policy, it needs to be in procedure. My larger concern is how in in the last year somehow our policy making has morphed where everything anytime a board member wants to make any changes even if we discuss it in a work session and it's fully agreed upon that we need to make the change, we're doing things on the fly at a board meeting without having any of the writing in front of us often times. Um and that's extremely frustrating. I am a visual learner. If you tell it to me, you have to tell it to me 10 or 15 times if it's not actually in writing in front of me. Um so, I I will be for
067both of those reasons be moving be voting this down. Um, but I also am not opposed to delaying this item to a subsequent meeting. Um, but I do think that this is it is has become very clear that we need to have this process um, discussed and agreed to in a work session. >> Thank you, Board Member Wyatt. Board Member Allen, you are now now recognized. >> Thank you, Chair Sharpless. I just want to point out that I did note this during our work session today that I had a concern and that I would be bringing this forward. So, the fact that we moved through an amendment based on our conversation from work session today uh, demonstrates that we can do what I'm asking, right? Now, I'm not opposed to moving um, this addendum to
068the public hearing, which would then extend uh, if, you know, it would be the will of the board. Um, if I brought the amendment in the April 14th public hearing, would then um, require us to have an extra public hearing on it. And I'm not opposed to that. It doesn't need to be timely. But I would say based on what we just voted upon in regards to what was discussed at the work session is the exact same thing that I'm asking by uh, offering this amendment now. Um, I yield the floor. >> Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you, Board Member Allen. Board Member Wyatt, you are now recognized. >> Thank you, and thank you for those comments. I think the the biggest difference is that the amendment was fully discussed in the work session before
069the one that we just approved that it was deleting those three words and two parentheses, whereas I don't think we got an actual language during the work session to to even see in writing. Um, so that's my the difference in my mind. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, board member Wyatt. Um I would like to offer up something. I just want to be very clear. My role as board chair is to facilitate the meeting, right? It's if a board member makes a motion, it's as board chair, it's my job to to hear that motion and hear especially if it's seconded and to continue. So, um it's not my purview to accept or deny a motion based on um my own personal biases. So, I that's why you know, board member whenever um Mr. Green
070suggested the motion, I I asked for the amendment. Take someone to agree to that, right? And someone to second it before we can discuss it. I did the same thing when board member Allen asked for an amendment. I asked for a second. That's the part That's the parliamentary procedure way of doing that. So, I just want to be very clear that I'm running this meeting based on parliamentary procedure and I don't want that to be construed in outside of this meeting. So, thank you very much. Board member Miller, you're now recognized. >> I think you all have good intentions in trying to follow proper procedures. And when I mentioned this to Mr. Green earlier, he referenced what he shared in the retreat as some kind of training and I respect you very much, Mr. Green,
071but I think there might need to be written procedures for how this is going to go about because in the past we have dealt with things differently. People have been on the board longer, had more of a formal procedure. It was more transparent. It it wasn't rushed and it it gave time for good conversation. So, I think we need to go probably need to go back to having you instruct that so you're not, you know, not saying you need to insert yourself in the middle of people trying to make amendments and voting, but giving them an outline, giving us an outline of what you think would be um a better way to get things done, but I I appreciate Mr. uh Dr. um Allen with with um his suggestion of not or his agreement that
072this isn't something that's that needs to be rushed, and maybe this needs to be on the next work session, unless others feel that it's a something that's time narrative. Thank you. >> Thank you, Board Member Miller. Board Member Keys, you're now recognized. >> So, this is just a question of parliamentary procedure because it's been motioned and seconded, does then and Dr. Allen's expressed it doesn't need to be an urgent matter, does the motion then need to be withdrawn? If we've agreed that it can be postponed until or if the discussion has been it can be postponed till later. So, a question, not a suggestion. >> Mr. Green, you're now recognized to answer that parliamentary procedure question. >> It >> [clears throat] >> It could be withdrawn if the if the board um agrees to allow
073it to be withdrawn. The other choice is to vote. So, it's one of those two. Um if if the board allows it to be withdrawn, then Mr. I'm sorry, Dr. Allen can withdraw it. >> Board Member Keys, you're still recognized. >> I'm good. >> All right. Board Member Wallace, you are now recognized. >> Just a comment is um I'm assuming, Mr. Chair and Mr. Green that any given board member, this time it happens to be Dr. Allen, like uh is allowed to bring an amendment to something that we discussed um even if the amendment's contents itself were not discussed previously, we're not Are we violating procedure? I've heard the term proper, improper, so is is there anything Um this is not a hill I want to die on. I'm happy to do with what the
074board wants to do, but what I just wanted to understand as a new board member is is If let's say all of us said, "Yep, let's take Dr. Allen's amendment and and incorporate whatever language he brought forward, is there anything improper according to any of the professionals opinion here? >> Okay, so is that that's a question directed to me? >> Or or or Mr. Green or whomever would like to answer it. >> I will tell you parliamentary procedure-wise, you are it's absolutely permissible. However, board members in the past have stated they would like to have >> Right. >> Um the you know, more of a uh uh uh uh a how do I say this? A notice in writing. So, it's it's not parliamentary it's not a uh violation of parliamentary law. >> Okay. But,
075it it is permissible. However, there's a preference of the board to have things in writing ahead of time. >> Okay. >> Mr. Green, please correct me if I'm wrong. >> No, that's correct. So, the reason just to back up here, the reason this was the um suggestion was brought up is I was about to request authority to advertise the various policy updates as you saw them at the last two work sessions. Because there was a discussion about changing the 0147 and there seemed to be consensus on at least one change prior to requesting authority to advertise it as it as it read there need to be some formal action by the board to amend it. That was done in the first amendment. Um that opened the door to a second amendment and the board can
076either act upon that or can be withdrawn. >> Mr. Chair? >> Yes. >> So, thank you for clarifying because I just wanted to make sure I understood that we were not uh potentially considering something that was um a vowel of any proper procedure. That said, um if any number of my colleagues would like to go through the um formal process of noticing it and discussing it, then I'm not opposed to that. >> Thank you, board member Wallace. Board member Fields, you are now recognized. >> Okay, we're going to beat this horse to death. Um but I vividly remember and I don't know if it was voted on it was just consensus by the board that whenever someone wants to bring a policy that has not been presented before that they would put it in writing
077because some of us have to have it before we can vote on it. I don't just vote on something without verbally seeing it. Excuse me, visually seeing it. I don't have any problem with what Dr. Allen is proposing. God knows I don't. I don't have any problem with what anybody is proposing right now, but everything should be done in decency and in order. It's not even on the agenda and we're voting on it. I don't get that. I really don't. So while I say I don't I don't um think that it's a bad thing to do, but I will not support it today. And I'm done with it. So we're going to vote for it, let's vote. If we're going to uh remove it, then let's do that so we can move on, please. >>
078Thank Thank you, board member Fields. Is there any more discussion? Seeing none, we will now proceed to vote on the amendment uh that was presented by uh board member Allen. All those in favor of the amendment by board member Allen please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed, same sign. >> I. >> The motion uh fails to a vote of 1 to 6. So now the recommended motion is to approve to advertise the public hearing on June 9th for the policy updates presented at the April 14th >> May I read them into the record? >> Should the various policies I apologize. >> Uh yes, once I let me finish and then I will recognize you. The recommended motion is to approve to advertise the public hearing on June 9th for policy updates presented
079at the April 14th and May 5th school board work sessions. Is there any discussion? I will now recognize Mr. Green. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. So just to read the list of policies that had been previously presented at the April 14th work session and the May 5th school board work session. They were as follows: Bylaw 143.1 Residence Areas, Bylaw 169.1 Public Participation at Board Meetings, Policy 1210 Whistleblower Protection, Policy 2266 Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint and Investigation Procedures, Policy 2421 Career and Technical Education, Policy 2450 Adult and Community Education, Policy 3120.04 Employment of Substitute Limited Employment Agreement and Part-time Instructional Staff, Policy 3211 Whistleblower Protection, Policy 4120 Employment of Support Staff, Policy 4211 Whistleblower Protection, Policy 5330.01 Self-administered Medication, Policy 5460 Graduation Requirements, Policy Student Parent Rights, Policy 8405 School Safety and Security, Policy 8420
080Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response Agencies, Policy 8470 registered sexual predators sex offender. And the following are the policies presented at today's May 5th work session. Bylaw 0147 compensation. Bylaw 0149.3 board staff communication. Policy 1243 professional meetings. Policy 27, I'm sorry, policy 2370.02 magnet and choice program schools. Policy 3129 conflict of interest. Policy professional meetings. Policy 5830 student fundraising. Policy 6325 procurement. Federal grants funds. Policy 6605 crowdfunding. Policy 6608 school support organizations accountability and oversight of fundraiser and crowdfunding disbursements. Policy 6610 school internal funds. Policy 7230 gifts to school district. Policy 7540.02 web content apps and services. Policy 8330 student records. Policy 8600 Hm. Excuse me. Transportation. Policy 8600.04 bus operator qualification certifications discipline and termination. Last but not least, policy 9700 relations with special interest groups. That's all. >> Thank you, Mr. Green.
081Is there any discussion, fellow board members? Seeing none, we will now need to uh uh record our votes electronically. The mo- The motion again is to approve uh to advertise the public hearing on June 9th for the policy updates presented at the April 14th and May 5th school board work sessions. So, please uh vote electronically. >> I'm getting >> I'm not getting in the vote. >> the meeting since it wasn't on this one. >> It's not coming through to me. >> I got it. >> You got it. Okay. There it is. Perfect. So, please make sure to vote electronically, board members. >> [snorts] >> All right. All right. Now, we will proceed to a voice vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes. Thank
082you, Mr. Green. Our next item on our agenda is our auditor's report. Ms. Matthews, you are recognized. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good evening. I am bringing forward recommendations for one appointment and two reappointments to the Audit and Finance Committee. First, Mr. Terry Borglin is recommended for appointment to the Audit and Finance Committee by school board member Kate Wallace to fill the vacancy for the district three seat. Mr. Borglin has more than 25 years of executive financial leadership experience. He currently serves as chief financial officer of Trans4S Inc., a trucking and mining enterprise, with direct responsibility for capital strategy, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow and liquidity planning, and board-level financial reporting. He holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Accounting from Florida Southern College. He is actively involved in industry and community leadership, having served as
083past chairman and treasurer of the Florida Trucking Association, past chairman of Heartland for Children, and as past board member for the City of Lakeland Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Borglund's appointment for a 3-year term will commence upon approval by the board. >> Thank you, Ms. Matthews. The recommended motion is to approve the appointment of Mr. Terry Borglund to the Audit and Finance Committee. The chair what recommend The chair welcomes a motion at this time. >> Miss I move to approve um Mr. Terry Borglund to be appointed to the Audit and Finance Committee. >> And a motion by board member Wallace. Do I hear a second? >> Seconded by board member Keys. Is there any discussion? >> Quick one is we're lucky to have him and um I would appreciate the board's support for him to
084to serve and he um is a great community leader and professional. >> Thank you, board member Wallace. Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, we'll now proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the appointment of Mr. Terry Borglund to the Audit Audi- Audit and Finance Committee, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Ms. Matthews, you are now recognized. >> Next are the reappointments for a second 3-year term as allowed by the charter. Mr. Salvatore Tropia is recommended for reappointment by School Board Chair Justin Sharpless for the District 6A. Mr. Tropia, CPA, is a senior audit and tax manager at Bunting, Trip, and Ingley with over 18 years of public accounting experience. He holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Southeastern University.
085He has been a valued member of the Audit and Finance Committee and has graciously agreed to serve a second term effective upon board approval. >> Thank you, Ms. Matthews. The recommended motion is to approve the reappointment of Mr. Sal Tropia to the Audit and Finance Audit and Finance Committee. The chair welcomes a motion at this time. Motion to reappoint Mr. Tropia. Then moved by board member Keys. Is there a second? >> Seconded by board member Wallace. Is there any discussion? I will take a point of personal privilege and just say uh, you know, this is uh his Mr. Tropia um, his service to the um, Audit and Finance Committee is appreciated. Thank you if you're watching. Um, and I I'm honored to have him represent uh, District 6 on the committee. Is there any other
086further discussion? Seeing none, we'll now proceed to vote. All those in favor of the motion to to approve the reappointment of Mr. Sal Tropia to the Audit and Finance Committee, please signify by saying I. >> I. All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Ms. Matthews, you're now recognized. >> Thank you. Mr. Christopher Reader is recommended for reappointment by school board member Lisa Miller for the District 7 seat. Mr. Reader is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Winter Haven. He holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Florida Southern College. He is also a valued member of the Audit and Finance Committee and has agreed to serve a second term effective upon board approval. >> The recommended motion is to approve the reappointment of Mr. Christopher Reader to the Audit and
087Finance Committee. The chair welcomes a motion at this time. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Then moved by board member Miller, seconded by board member board member Keys. Is there any discussion? Board member Miller, you are now recognized. >> I just want to thank Mr. Reader for continuing his service. Uh Um, I've served on that committee. It's, you know, if you love numbers, it's great. And he obviously does, so we appreciate his service. Thank you. >> Thank you, Board member Miller. Board member Keys, you're now recognized. >> I'm going to echo that as as having served, not in a board capacity, but on that committee as both initially and then as the chair. Um, served on it simultaneously with Mr. Reader and Mr. Turpin, and I would tell you that, um, it's one of
088those things that's a labor of love. You have to be engaged and know what's going on, so I appreciate both of them willing to serve or to continue to serve. >> Thank you, Board member Keys. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, we'll now proceed to vote. All those in favor of the reappointment of Mr. Christopher Reader to the Audit and Finance Committee, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Ms. Matthews. >> Thank you. >> Now we come to the part of the evening where we have our board member reports. Tonight, I will go in district order, starting with Board member Allen. >> Thank you. formal comments tonight. I yield the floor. Thank you. >> Thank you, Board member Allen. I now recognize Board
089member Keys. >> I'll be really, really short cuz we just did this last week. Um, just a few quick, um, events. The attended Commitment Day, um, at Ridge Community was a fabulous event. Um, and then also, uh, we had the Commendation event yesterday at the SOC, which is fantastic and to be able to recognize, um, those individuals that that serve so selfishly for our district. Um, one more, the Video Awards. Was able to attend those and see all the talent, um, and and brought back memories as my daughter MC'd that event years and years ago, so was happy to happy to see the achievements there and then um finally and I know they do this all the time but was able to attend the um production of Alice in Wonderland Jr. at DSA and uh
090tried to hold back the tears because the next day was the matinee and the final performance of with my daughter who was Alice in the play at DSA so uh but um as spoken up tonight the immense amount of talent we have in the district um and the arts education is fantastic so uh had a good time attending these events. >> Thank you board member Keys. I now recognize board member Wallace. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh I attended the same events that board member Keys mentioned uh both the play the commendations at the Sheriff's Office um and also just enjoyed some of the other community events that the municipalities will invite us to um congratulations to the city of Winter Haven on their new recreation and cultural facility. It's uh state of the art
091beautiful was I'm proud to represent the district there briefly before heading to the awards the video awards. Um I'm looking forward to participating in all my first set of graduations as a board member um and look forward uh to anybody watching if your children are graduating look forward to celebrating and taking part in that and uh I know everybody will be out of school the next time we convene and so I wish all of our employees and our students a happy and healthy summer um and lastly I uh it is teacher appreciation week and I know we had principal appreciation last week uh but I will be sending a grant to all 20 campuses in my district um to for those principals to use uh their most pressing needs and they're going to hit maybe
092at the end of this week but they are coming and I just want all I wish I could do it for the whole county but I want everybody in my district three to know that I really appreciate them and um and uh hope that that will be a blessing however it's used. So um with [clears throat] that, I'll return it um to you. you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. >> Thank you, Board Member Wallace. I now recognize Board Member Wyatt. >> Thank you. I think this is the first year in the my time on the board that I have missed the video awards. I had a family commitment, which made me very sad to have to miss. However, I want to give a shout-out to two schools who it sounds like swept the competition. Both of
093which are in District 4, in case anyone was wondering. But, that would be Winter Haven High School and Jewett Academy. I especially want to give a shout-out to Jewett Academy because, I mean, Winter Haven always does great. But, Jewett Academy has really stepped up their game in the past couple of years. So, the fact that they have have come as far as they have, that teacher deserves a ton of credit. That was a program that had not just it was kind of floundering for a little while, and she has come in and totally changed it around. I've been so impressed to see the things that have come out of there. And when they say, you know, all of our academies and all of our programs take just take one great teacher to to really make
094the difference, I think that is true. So, those are all of my comments for tonight. Go, District 4. >> Thank you, Board Member Wyatt. I now recognize Board Member Miller. >> For my comments tonight, I have a video from Project Search. They have a completion ceremony. That is the program that we are partnership with Lakeland Region Lakeland Regional Center for Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation, and this program provides job training for students with disabilities, and it's a 2-year program. I can tell you that all the graduates are hired. They're either working for the district. We have two working for us in food service. They're working for the hospital. They're working for restaurants in the area. They are learning skills to be gainfully employed and become independent, which is the goal for all of us. So, I
095will direct you to the screen now. Thank you. >> [music] >> Daschle Morales, he's learning skills that will help him get a job like stocking and bagging here in the storeroom, working with food [music] service. >> Hey, when he's with the others, I will get [music] Project SEARCH. Right now, I'm in GI. I learn about bed pads, work with patients, and important [music] towels. >> Jose is an intern, and he works [music] at the cafeteria here at Lakeland Regional Hospital. >> Hi, I'm Beth Hayes. [music] I'm a intern at Project SEARCH. I Three things I learned [music] today from Project SEARCH were how to fold laundry, fix machines, and get a job. >> I'm Wiley Narmore, and I'm the facilitator of Project SEARCH [music] at Lakeland Regional Health. Project SEARCH provides real-life work experiences with
096hands-on job skill [music] training that takes place entirely within the workplace environment. Through these [music] different worksite rotations, our interns have the opportunity to learn remarkable, transferable skills, [music] which assist them in finding them employment. >> Hello, my name is Mindy Dennis. My favorite [music] thing at Project SEARCH is seeing all the different job skills that the interns learn during the year. Every year they amaze me. >> Hello, my name is Bailey White [music] and I am the employment specialist for Center for Independent Living here at Lakeland Regional Hospital. My role here is to support the interns with job readiness skills [music] and help them get ready for the job that they will get. My favorite part is how far they come from the beginning of the program to the end of the program. [music]
097>> Hello, my name is Jim and I am the food service and storeroom department at Lakeland Regional. I help the employability skills and [music] training such as customer service and food services. >> Hi, I'm Tim Hutchler with Lakeland Regional Health. We're currently in a cafe here. I'm the retail service manager. Work with the Project [music] SEARCH interns. We help with employability skills, training, job readiness, life skills that they they can learn in our cafe. My pleasure to work with them each and every day [music] and I help them get to the next level. >> Hi, my name is Joe. I'm with the GI unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. I am a mentor for the interns for Project [music] SEARCH. We help with job skills. >> Hi, my name [music] is Kathy. I'm a laundry
098supervisor here at Lakeland Regional Hospital. We help mentor the Project SEARCH interns. It's an amazing opportunity for us and the intern. Gives them marketable projects and skills for outside work. >> Hi, my name is John Tramley. We're with engineering. I help mentor [music] the interns for Project SEARCH. I help with employability and training such as working skills, life skills, social skills, and working with tools to help the interns get [music] a job. >> [music] [music] >> We appreciate them. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you, Board Member Miller. Uh I'll be brief in my uh comments tonight. I I also joined uh some of our other board members for the for Sheriff Judd's commendation of Bartow High School Assistant Principals, Mr. Keating and Mr. Simmons. Thank you for uh the act of bravery
099you did to earn that commendation um in keeping our students safe. Um I do want to take uh a moment just to say I'm very excited about graduation. Specifically, McLaughlin Academy of Excellence's first ever graduation this year. Um it's really special for me um as a uh as board chair, um I attended McLaughlin Academy of Excellence as a middle schooler. Um I taught at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence. And now being able to return to watch um Um, their first ever graduation is a really special thing for me personally. And so, congratulations Dr. Leatherwood, the staff, the students of the first graduating class ever. And the last thing I'll end with is, um, as it said earlier, this is Teacher Appreciation Week. We can all think back to a teacher who made an impact on our
100lives and changed our trajectory. Um, I guarantee I could ask everyone that watched this video uh, to name a teacher and they would name it. Um, truly, teachers, uh, from the bottom of my heart, as your board chair, um, thank you for the work you do, for caring about your students, and making an impact every day in their lives. Uh, our district would not be functional without our teachers. Um, and as a parent as well, I want to say thank you for the impact you make. And with that, we'll that will conclude my board member comments. Last, but not least, we have our, uh, next item on our agenda, which is public comments addressing items not on our agenda tonight. As noted earlier, to register to speak, community members must fill out a speaker card
101in the lobby prior to the meeting. All speakers will be given 3 minutes. The light will turn yellow over here with and you will hear, uh, you have one when you have 1 minute left, and you will hear a beep when your time has concluded. Please note, although board uh, the board encourages community participation, no immediate action will be taken on items presented during the this public comment portion of the meeting. If follow-up board action is required, then the matter may be placed on the agenda at a subsequent meeting in accordance with board school board policy. I have one individual who has signed up to speak today. Uh, when I call your name, please come forward and state your name and address for the record, and you will have 3 minutes to speak. Khalid Daniels.
102Khalid Daniels, please come forward. You have the floor, sir. >> Thank you. Um Khalid Daniels, um from Nashville, Tennessee, representing Quaver Ed. Uh address this is my first board meeting, so my apologies. Clock's running anyway. I wanted to um make a statement today. We've been partnered with Polk County Schools for the past 10 years with Quaver Ed, so wanted to express some gratitude in that partnership, but also wanted to um just make you guys aware of a few things. Um so [snorts] first and foremost, um we understand the board was obviously considering a proposal to replace Quaver Music with a curriculum from Hal Leonard. And again, I'm here to provide some context. So first and foremost, as opposed to Hal Leonard, um Quaver Music is the only K-5 music curriculum that went through a rigorous
103process and was approved by the Florida Department of Education. So this ensures alignment with the Florida state standards, including connections to math and literacy, and provides protection against potential lawsuits and parent concerns. Second, [snorts] as opposed to Hal Leonard, Quaver Music is or has a 10-year track record in Polk County with high curriculum usages across all schools in the district. So this um ensures continuity for teachers and students. Number three, unlike Hal Leonard, you're seeing the theme here. Um Quaver Music provides district administration a dashboard to ensure implementation fidelity and accountability. So with Quaver Music, the district can actually customize its own curriculum and centrally track teacher usage over time. Number four, unlike Hal Leonard, Quaver Music gives each student an individual account. So students have their own dashboard and avatar, interactive music room with
104games. Um there's a ton of stuff on there, but long story short, um, all of this really increases student engagement. Those individual student accounts can also support remote learning when needed. We were there for you guys during the pandemic and we were happy to do it. Um, a few other things, unlike Hal Leonard, all Quaver Music resources are in Spanish. This addresses a significant equity issue given your high ES, uh-oh, run out of time. High ESOL and ELL population. Integrated as well in the Quaver Music is an app to reward positive behavior and academic achievement. Um, fifth and critically important is the level of support that we provide. Unlike Hal Leonard, Quaver Music has no one covered costs. Quaver Music includes professional development, implementation planning, customization assistance, and rapid response teacher support on demand. Finally,
105also from a financial perspective, Quaver delivers 12,000 resources at approximately $2 per student per year. With that said, it is a proven curriculum, again, currently used in Polk County, um, but also 51 of Florida's 67 counties. In contrast to the alternative, Quaver Music meets all needs and covers all these costs. So, that the new arts leadership can experience this value, um, that the previous administrator relied on. Beth Cummings, I think you all mentioned her earlier. Um, we would recommend that the board continue with Quaver Music for 1 year at 109 >> Thank you. Board members, the next order of business is adjournment. There being no further business, this meeting of the Polk County School Board is now adjourned. Thank you.