001[music] >> Now, I would like to ask Vice Chair Keys to please give our invocation. I would ask you all please stand and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Let's bow our heads. Heavenly Father, we just thank you so much for your gifts, Lord, as they abound. And we thank you for bringing us all here safely tonight. We pray over this meeting, Lord, that we would use our good judgment, the wisdom that you've given us, Lord Father, that we would keep in mind all of the teachers, all the students, um and all the staff of our schools, Lord, bless them as they go about their days. Lord Father, we pray that on our way home that you would give us travel mercies. Lord, for our veterans right now that are serving in
002our active military in conflicts overseas, we pray for them, Lord Father, that you would protect them. Um and we just thank you for the chance to come together, Lord, and to um just to share ideas openly in a country where we have the ability to do that. We thank you for all this in Jesus' name. Amen. At this time, I would like to invite Raymond Michael uh uh Michael, sorry, to come forward and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Is it on? Testing, testing, testing. It is on. Go ahead. 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, for liberty and justice for all. You may all be seated. However, Raymond, you need to stay right there for
003a minute, okay? >> I like that. I love the manners. Great job, parents. Um Now That was fantastic, Raymond. Um Could you introduce yourself and anyone you brought with you tonight and tell us what grade you're in? I'm in fourth grade, and I brought my principal, Miss my reading my my corrective reading librarian, my reading teacher, and my vice principal, my grandparents, and my math teacher was supposed to be here, but she was busy. Thank you, Raymond. [laughter] Um could you tell us a little bit about yourself? I I I read that maybe you you did really well on some tests last year, and I wondered maybe you could share that and just a little bit about yourself. >> my fives last year? Yes. I I'm planning to get more fives. Awesome, yeah. Good job.
004>> [laughter and gasps] >> Can you tell us about your favorite subject in school? What is that? >> Math. Excellent, math. So, what are what are your biggest dreams for your future? I want to be a paleontologist. Oh. Watch a lot of Jurassic Park? No, I just when I was in first grade, I didn't know what job I was, and I just read through a job book, and there it was. I like dinosaurs, so I just figured cool. >> [laughter] >> I like that. I like that a lot. Um can you tell us what you like best about your school, Snively Elementary? I I like that there's a lot of loving staff. I have a lot of friends, and that I hope I I there is a lot of things that Miss Miranda help helps
005us with. There's staff student things, like the duck race. >> [laughter] >> the duck race. What is it? Can you expand on what is the duck race? >> where you choose ducks and like accessories for the ducks, and you go to the playground, and you race them down the slide with a water bucket, and I got second place. Awesome, good job, the silver medal. Good job. Well, um Miss Miranda, [clears throat] that's a the duck race is a big hit, so you must continue that. Um and and I got to tell you Raymond, just for your age to come up here and how articulate you are and um the way you're able to answer these questions, you might want to think about, in addition to being a paleontologist, maybe a politician in the future, cuz
006you might have it in you. Um so, just want to just want to congratulate you on on your fives from last year, and I wish you the best of luck in your test this year. Thank you for being here and doing the Pledge of Allegiance for us. Hey, everyone, can we give him a round of applause, please? >> [applause] >> All right, family, come on up for a picture. And and Miss Miranda, staff. After we do a after we do a family picture, y'all could come up, too. That'd be great. Every all the Snively family. >> [snorts] >> Staff members. Monet Miranda. Principal Miranda, sorry. >> [snorts] >> Excellent. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you, Raymond. We appreciate you. >> [applause] >> Good evening, everyone. I wish to extend a warm welcome to everyone present
007at tonight's board meeting. 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 we achieve our mission to provide a high-quality education for all students. I would like to call the March 24th, 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? Yes, sir, Madam Chair there are Mr. Chair, there are. Item L number one, Duke Energy easement request at Bethune Academy. That item was removed. Um we had not received the document yet. Items O number one, amendment inspired interpreting sign language interpreters ESC title.
008An attachment was updated. Item U number one, resolution 2025-2026 -11 school board authorizing award attachment was updated. Item U number four, contract renewal for the City of Winter Haven um Rowdy Gaines Aquatic Center. That item was removed. Again, the contract was not finalized at this time. And item U number five, charter school annual enrollment capacity for school year 26-27. That item was added to allow for the board to vote back-to-back. That concludes any amendments, sir. Thank you, Superintendent. So, at this time, the chair will entertain a motion to accept the agenda for the March 24th, 2026 uh board meeting with noted revisions. Do I have a motion and second? It's been moved by board member Keys, seconded by board member Allen. So, the motion on the floor is to accept the March 24th, 2026 school
009board agenda as presented. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All 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, Mr. Chair, board members, there is one administrative announcement this evening. I'd like to introduce Amanda Smith, previously the testing coordinator at Davenport School of the Arts, being promoted to assistant principal at Davenport School of the Arts. Congratulations. Thank you. And I'm going to have to take some notes. This may not be as eloquent, then, but it's going to work. Um good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board, uh Superintendent Hyde, uh my regional superintendent Dr. Brooks, and my principal uh Cindy Brayton. I am truly honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to stand before you today
010as a newly appointed assistant principal of Davenport School of the Arts. Uh Mr. Chairman, members of the school board, Superintendent Hyde, uh thank you for your leadership and for allowing me to continue growing my career within Polk County Public Schools. I am incredibly appreciative of the trust that you place in your leaders and your commitment to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education. I am completing my 20th year uh with Polk County Public Schools, and I'm especially proud to serve in a district that lives out its motto of putting students first, a belief that will continue to guide my work through each day. Um Dr. Brooks, I did want to thank you for your support and your guidance. Your leadership continues to inspire a vision of excellence across our schools in our northeast
011region, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow under your direction. Mrs. Brayton, thank you for your mentorship, your belief in me, and your example to set each day, that the example that you set for us each day. Um your leadership has shaped not only our school, but also my own growth as an educator and a leader. I am honored to be working alongside you. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to my assistant principal colleagues, uh Mrs. Kimberly Best and Mrs. Alicia Hughes. Your support, guidance, and willingness to share your knowledge have meant so much to me. Um I am grateful to work with you uh as well as alongside you. Um you are both dedicated and inspiring leaders that I look forward to looking up looking up to. I
012would also like to thank last but not least, I would also like to thank my family and friends. Your unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me have made this journey possible. You have stood beside me through every challenge and every success that I've had, and I'm incredibly grateful to have you as my foundation. Um as I step into this position, I do so with purpose and a strong commitment to service. I will lead with the mindset of putting students first in every decision that I I make. Um I intend on building meaningful relationships, supporting teachers, engaging families, and ensuring that every student feels valued, challenged, and inspired each day. I am committed to working collaboratively to continue the strong tradition of excellence that defines our school. Um thank you again for this uh incredible opportunity,
013and I really appreciate it. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> So, if we could have all [clears throat] of your friends, colleagues, please join you for photos. >> [snorts] [cough] [clears throat] >> Ms. Wallace, if you'll remain. >> [clears throat] >> The next The next item up is our special recognitions. Superintendent Hyde, would you lead us through our special recognition? Yes, sir, Mr. Chair. As I mentioned, Ms. Wallace is joining us this evening to celebrate employment recognition. At this time, I'd like to welcome Ms. Carolyn Gerow, director for recruitment and engagement, to recognize this year's graduates of the Greenhouse Project. Good evening, Superintendent and board members. Good evening. Tonight, I would like to recognize six of our Polk County Public Schools employees who have achieved an important milestone by completing their bachelor's
014degree in education through our Greenhouse Program. The Greenhouse Program offers tuition reimbursement for PCPS employees who are interested in becoming a teacher by allowing them to continue working full-time while completing their degree. These individuals balanced work, course work, personal responsibilities, and today they are now teaching in our classrooms and serving our students. Their dedication represents the power of growing our own educators and investing in the people who already know and are committed to our district. If you do know a Polk County Public Schools employee who is interested in becoming a teacher or needs guidance or career pathways in education, please reach out to the recruitment office by emailing [email protected]. We'd be more than happy to support them and guide them every step of the way. We currently have around 30 employees who are in the
015program getting their degree in education. So, we have around six that we're recognizing today. We have one that is here today. I'm going to call her up, Ms. Emily Huggins. She was a para at Chain of Lakes, and now a teacher at Chain of Lakes. >> [applause] >> Good and then we have five that I'd like to recognize as well that were had prior commitments for today. Amanda Worts was a bus driver and now she is a teacher at Sandhill Elementary. Nancy Fox was a para at McLaughlin Middle and she is now a teacher at McLaughlin Middle. Jessica Rigdon was a para at Willow Oak and now she's a teacher at Willow Oak. Joseph Adams was a para at Doris Sanders and now a teacher at Lawton Chiles Middle. And Breanna Blankenship was a para
016at Garner and now she's a teacher at Garner Elementary. Great job, girls. >> [applause] >> That concludes recognition for this evening, sir. Thank you, thank you, Superintendent Hyde. I also want to do a quick thank you to all those who took time out of their schedule to join us tonight. Um, >> [clears throat] >> next is our public comments for items on the agenda to be voted upon as adopted at 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 different 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
017agenda. And lastly, at the end of the meeting, we will have an additional opportunity for [cough] public comments 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 the meeting. All speakers will be given 3 minutes. The light will turn yellow over here when you have 1 minute left and then you will hear a beep when your time is concluded. All comments should be directed to myself as the board chair. As a reminder, public comments are an opportunity for us to collectively hear your thoughts and comments. This is not a question and answer session and comments are not to be directed at individual board members. However, if you are seeking additional information, I encourage you to contact any of
018us or the superintendent's office outside of board meetings and we would be happy to have deeper conversations. We do not have any speakers on the public comments for items on the agenda tonight and so we will go directly into our approval of the minutes. Board members, we now need to approve four sets of minutes. The first sets of first set of minutes is for the September 2nd, 2025 school board retreat. The chair will entertain a motion to accept the September 2nd, 2025 school board retreat minutes as as written. Do I have a motion and second? It's been moved It's been moved by board member Fields, seconded by board member Keys. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I would like to call for a vote. Those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed
019say nay. Motion carries unanimously. The second set of minutes is for the February 24th, 2026 school board work session. The chair will entertain a motion to accept the February 24th, 2026 school board work session minutes as written. Do I have a motion and second? It's been moved by board member Wyatt. Seconded by board member Allen. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I would like to call for a vote. Those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. Motion carries unanimously. The third set of minutes is for the February 24th, 2026 school board meeting. The chair will entertain a motion to accept the February 24th, 2026 school board meeting minutes as written. Do I have a motion and second? It's been moved by board member Wallace. Seconded by board member Keys. Is there
020any discussion? Seeing none, I would like to proceed to vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. Motion carries unanimously. And now we're on the fourth and final set of minutes and it is for the March 10th, 2026 school board work session. The chair will entertain a motion to accept the March 10th, 2026 school board work session minutes as written. Do I have a motion and second? It's been moved by board member Keys. Seconded by board member Allen. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I would like to call for a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. Motion carries unanimously. The next item is approval of today's consent agenda. The chair will entertain a motion to accept the March 24th, 2026 consent
021agenda as printed. Do I have a motion and second? It's been moved by board board member Allen, seconded by board member Wyatt. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, oh, I do see something, sorry. Board member Fields, you are now you have the floor. Okay, sorry. Board member Allen, you have the floor. Thank you, Chair Sharpless. I was just going over our out-of-state field trips that we're approving tonight and it took me back to the science fair just recently and I do see that one of those students is traveling to Phoenix and I was just looking at the the title of it. It says a new hierarchy for geometric hyper geometric and higher order functions. An investigation of series, category theory and operators. I mean, this this student was incredible and him presenting. So, just excited
022to see our students travel beyond and present their their academic work and the success that they've been working within the classroom and going out beyond. So, just excited to support that. Just want to say that. Thank you, Chair Sharpless. Thank you, board member Allen. Seeing no further discussion, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda for tonight's meeting signify by saying I. All those opposed, nay. Motion carries unanimously. Next, we come to our action agenda for this evening. And the first item on our action agenda is U1 entitled Resolution 2025-2026-11 School Board Authorizing Award. The suggested action is to approve the resolution 2025-2026-11 School Board Authorizing Award. The chair will accept a motion and a second. It's been moved by board member Wyatt. Do I have a second?
023Seconded by board board member Allen. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion, fellow board members? Board member Fields, you are now recognized. I missed something, but I thought we were going to have a presentation on this one. Superintendent Hyde, can someone come up and Certainly we can before we vote. We can have a presentation on it. At least Ms. Jenkins, if you'll please come forward. I was waiting for the discussion portion, a request for staff to come forward. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Good evening. Mike Weiner with us. He's our bond counsel tonight. So, what we're bringing to you this evening, he can answer any additional legal questions that I'm unable to answer. But we're bringing this to you to approve as to form and during the workshop we talked about the
024potential projects that may change the amount. We have a $305 million that we are seeking approval. We've also listed an interest rate that we hope to not go above. Those are our parameters that you're approving this evening. Do you have any Do you Chair, I can talk to Good afternoon. Mike Weiner, Holland & Knight, bond counsel to the district. So, the resolution before you is very similar to all of the prior financings that the district has done. It authorizes the issuance of certificates of participation, but within the parameters that Ms. Jenkins described. So, maximum principal amount of $305 million, maximum interest rate 4.75% and a maximum maturity date of January 1st, 2046. So, we expect to be within those parameters. If for whatever reason things changed and we couldn't meet those parameters, we'd be back
025in front of the board. It's a very long packet. You'll notice many, many pages and that's because you're also approving all of the forms of the legal documents that are being used to sell the certificates. So, within there you'll see that there's the lease schedule, an amendment to the lease, the master lease, um master ground lease and ground lease agreements, disclosure agreement, and a certificate purchase contract, which is the sale to the underwriters, which is Raymond James and Jefferies, and the offering statement, which is the offering document used to market the bonds. So, after the school board were to approve, then we would move to the financing corporation, which for districts is a little bit unique compared to other local governments because we have the financing corporation which acts as the less less e under
026the um under the documents and the um less less ee less or of the district under the ground lease and less ee under the um lease agreement. But, happy to answer any questions. Mr. Chair, if I may. Yes, you may. Thank you. Um Mr. Mr. Keys was unable to join us earlier, but he had submitted a question. The document, Mr. Keys, was updated following our conversation. You'll find two documents in there. And And Mr. Keys, what was clarified earlier, which was part of your initial question, was there was a discrepancy in in the project amounts and and your assumption that that was or your question was that the funding that would be used for the new high school. The answer is no. Uh again, all references to financial dollar amounts have been removed because again,
027you're you're approving the form. The numbers will be um updated and and approved by the board at a later date. However, the new high school, to address your question specifically, Ms. Jenkins was able to share that that we were the the district intends, with board approval, to use existing impact fee revenue to address that. So, that would not come under this for borrowing or debt service. Um additionally, the board had asked a question earlier about prioritization. And so, what I shared was obviously, we have an uh retreat coming up. So, the $56 million that's currently identified for deferred maintenance, as you may recall, our commitment is to bring to you all of the deferred maintenance in that summary report that we were that we contracted for. And And the board will help us prioritize which
028projects to address and what timeline we will follow. For example, roof replacements, window replacements, HVAC replacements, plumbing replacements, those types of things. So, I just wanted to provide that summary to Mr. Keys' benefit cuz I know that that was a question he submitted earlier. And it's a good summary for the general public, as well. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Superintendent. Um Board member Fields, do you have any additional comments? No, I'm good. Thank you. Thank you. I uh recognize Board member Keys. Thank you, Superintendent Hyde, for sharing that information. Um and I although I wasn't able to be in attendance anytime Ms. Jenkins stepped to the podium, uh I I get interested. So, I was able to watch it remotely, and I did see some of those. So, thank you for explaining the, you know,
029that this is a form that we're approving that basically the language of that, and the amounts will come back later, but I think it's >> [snorts] >> uh one of those things, and I believe as Ms. Fields, I was watching the work session, um statement that she made that it's uh a lot to grasp when you're looking at a document that's 275 pages. I will tell you that um I stayed up early early into the morning going through going through going through. So, I [snorts] appreciate staff's um willingness to come up and explain that and to answer those questions, and I I have a a better level of comfort that I've I've posed those questions, they've been answered. So, um thank you to Ms. Jenkins, thank you to Superintendent Hyde for taking the time to
030address those concerns, and to Ms. Fields for making that statement. It is I I I have a new appreciation, um still kind of being the the the in this role, you know, know it just a little over a year, of how much it takes to review some of this documentation. So, um kudos to everybody in the background that works on those things. Cuz it's a heavy lift. Thank you, Board member Keys. Board member Allen, you are now recognized. Thank you, Chair Sharpless. Uh yeah, I appreciate the extra documentation we were asking for earlier. Uh just as a point of reference for um sake of transparency, as well, how much do we currently have in bond debt that we're carrying currently? I was referencing our budget book. Um just wondering if you know right offhand. I
031don't know the exact number right offhand. I know that we are close to only, I believe it's 5% debt. Yeah. I can Okay. pull up that exact >> Yeah. No worries. That's okay. Yeah, thank you. Uh you know, I think the priority list was the big concern for me, and uh you know, if we exceeded available funding, uh you know, what the decision process would be and so forth. And I I think I've got a some direction on that. So, I appreciate the responsiveness. That's all I have, Chair Sharpless. Thank you, Board member Allen. Seeing no further uh debate, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor of uh the motion to accept to approve the resolution 2025-2026-11 school board authorizing award, signify by saying I. I. I. All those All those opposed
032say nay. The motion passes unanimously. Next up, we have uh agenda item U2 entitled BridgePrep Academy of Polk Charter Renewal. The suggested action is to approve the charter renewal for BridgePrep Academy of Polk for 5 years. The chair will entertain a motion and second. It's been moved by Board member Fields. Seconded by Board member Wyatt. Is there any discussion? Board member Fields, you are now recognized. I believe there were two areas uh that were of concern, and they were addressed uh and and explained quite well. So, I'm happy that uh they were addressed, and and I feel comfortable voting in support of of this renewal. Thank you, Board member Fields. Thank you. Seeing no further debate, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving the item U2, BridgePrep Academy of Polk
033Charter Renewal, signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes unanimously. Next up is item U3 entitled Mi Escuela Montessori Charter Renewal. The suggested action is to approve the charter renewal for Mi Escuela Montessori for 10 years. The chair will accept a motion and second. It's been moved by Board member Fields. Second. Seconded by Board member Keys. Seeing no debate, wait. Sorry. Is it moved and seconded that we approve the Mi Escuela Montessori Charter Renewal? Is there any debate? Board member Wallace, you are now recognized. like to uh memorialize as the school Mi Escuela Montessori is in District 3, that I'm thrilled to see the way they have grown and progressed since their initial opening. Um would like to congratulate Kelly De La Cruz and all her staff, all the parents,
034all the volunteers, all the stakeholders. And uh they broke ground earlier this year, or maybe late last year. It's all a blur now. Um on their new facility in North Bartow, uh on Old Eagle Lake Road. And uh they're going to be serving more students and and providing I've had many parents say to me from Bartow area that they wanted to see more middle school options. So, because they're expanding and doing that, um I think that's a great timing. So, I just want to congratulate them, and I'm thrilled to support their renewal. Thank you, Board member Wallace. Seeing no further debate, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor of approving item U3 entitled Mi Escuela Montessori Charter Renewal, please signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes
035unanimously. Next up is item U4 entitled Victory Ridge Academy Charter Renewal. The suggested action is to approve the charter renewal for Victory Ridge Academy for 15 years. The chair will accept a motion and a second. Motion to approve the Victory Ridge Academy Charter Renewal. It's been moved by Board member Keys. Do I have a second? Seconded by Board member Fields. Is there any discussion? Board member Keys, you are now recognized. So, I just want to say what a what a great thing it is to have Victory Ridge in our community. The great work they do, especially servicing those students that um have [snorts] special needs, and they do a a great job, as it shows in their expansion. And the community has echoed that. Also in sound financial position. So, um what a great job
036they do, and happy to have them in our community. Thank you, Board member Keys. I would also uh like to take a a moment of personal privilege and um say that I, you know, as someone uh born and raised in Lake Wales, uh I know they've expanded now to Davenport, but the original facility there in Lake Wales, I know the impact it's had on the community. Um uh it's it's ran by great administration, um and truly uh appreciate what they do for some of our students um that that truly need a facility like Victory Ridge Academy. So, that that's all I have. Seeing um no further debate, I would like to proceed to vote on uh U4 entitled Victory Ridge Academy Charter Renewal. All those in favor of approval, signify by saying I. I. I.
037All those opposed, nay. Motion Motion passes unanimously. The final action agenda item is U5 entitled Charter School Annual Enrollment Capacity for school year 2026-2027. The suggested action is to approve the charter school annual enrollment capacity for school year 2026-2027. The chair will accept a motion and second. It's been moved by board member Fields and seconded by board member Wyatt. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor for on of for item U5 entitled charter school annual enrollment capacity for school year 2026-2027, please signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Next up >> [laughter] >> we have financing corporation for the school board of Polk County. Uh item W1 entitled election of secretary secretary for the financial corporation. The
038suggested action is to approve the election of Superintendent Hyde as secretary of the financial corporation. The chair will accept a motion and second. Move to approve. A move to approve by board member Keys sorry, board member Allen seconded by board member Keys. Is there any discussion? Okay. We will now open the meeting as the financing corporation. There's a motion and second on the table for uh the election of Superintendent Hyde as the financial or the secretary of the financial corporation. Is there any discussion? Board member Wyatt, you are now recognized. Sorry, that was for my my question. Gotcha. Okay. Is there any other uh debate? Seeing none, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor of the election of secretary for the financial corporation of Superintendent Hyde, see please signify by saying I.
039I. I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes. Congratulations, Superintendent Hyde. You're now Can we call you Secretary Hyde? >> [laughter] >> Now we're Now we're on to item W2 entitled fine resolution finance corporation 2025-2026-10. The suggested action is to approve the resolution finance corporation 2025-2026-10. The chair will accept a motion and a second. Motion to approve. It's a move by board member Keys. Do I hear a second? Second. Seconded by board member Fields. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will now proceed to vote. All those in favor of item W2 entitled resolution finance corporation 2025-2026-10, please signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed say nay. Motion passes unanimously. Now we will close the financing corporation meeting and we'll go back to our regular scheduled board meeting. The next item on our
040agenda is our Superintendent's report. Superintendent Hyde, do you have a report for us tonight? I do, sir. On April 10th, 2026, we will host our board retreat at 9:00 a.m. at Jim Miles Professional Development Center located at 4270 Wallace Road in Lakeland, Florida. On April 14th, 2026, we will host a work session at 9:00 a.m. at the district office. On April 28th, 2026, we will host both a work session and board meeting beginning at 12:30 p.m. for the work session and board meeting starting at 5:00 p.m. Both will be held here at the district office. The address is 1915 South Floral Avenue in Bartow. That concludes the Superintendent's report, sir. Thank you, Superintendent Hyde. Now we come to the part of the evening where we have our board members' report. Tonight, I will go in
041district order and we'll start with district one board member Allen. All right. Thank you, chair. I do have maybe four or five items here I just want to draw attention to. First of all, a big special thanks to Mike Music and the team at Music Roofing for their incredible generosity to our staff. I was on site at Dixieland Elementary and we had a chance to honor Ms. Lydia Oliver. It was a really incredible and and by the way, she's been in the district for so long even going back to when I was at Stevens Elementary. And so she's been around for a long time in the school district and her reaction just brought tears to us. Really impressed with Mike Music's son who was really involved in that throughout the day that day. So I
042appreciate the uh contribution and support of the Music family and their staff. And then secondly, I just wanted to thank the board for the opportunity I mentioned earlier to attend CASB as a national conference that took place last week. Uh incredible valuable experience connecting with school board members from all across the United the United States and just bringing back some really great ideas and innovation and as it relates to student success. And then thirdly um [snorts] this would be the second year I believe that GMF Steel had their career fair and I think we had well over 800 students that were bust to this incredible opportunity. It was over at the hangar at Sun And [snorts] I mean there were so many different vendors that were present, simulations, welding simulations. I remember last year Ms.
043Miller was actually welding, you know, with VR headgear on. But I mean there are just some really great connections for our students. So really events like this highlight that growing importance of the trades. So I just want to say thank you to GMF Steel for the infrastructure around that and you know, especially for our transportation division to support that and maneuver so many students. I know I went to grab a chicken biscuit that morning from Chick-fil-A on my way and they were actually preparing all the Chick-fil-A lunch boxes for that 800 student count which was incredible. So they were fed as well. Um and then I want to say thank you to executive director Tracy Porter and the Polk Education Foundation for hosting very extremely powerful the JAR TCS scholarship luncheon. And to Colonel Mark
044Tillman for his moving first-hand account of piloting basically George W. Bush on 9/11. It was an experience that really stuck with me in a big way and you know, I admit it was I just remember wrapping up that lunch and then having to transition to my classroom and it was just so emotional and then just to have to maneuver right back to the classroom after that. Um but it was very meaningful to me in the sense of duty and country but it just reinforced how impactful those opportunities for our students and then the community to take part in that. So thank you. Thank you to Ms. Porter. And then lastly in my comments here, I know that everybody's celebrating, right? On Monday? I hope everybody's celebrating. You You got it. Yes. Every year we celebrate
045the national pencil day on Monday the 30th. I did get a an email from a principal inviting me to come out and and read my pencil book and I've got this, you know, the large pencil that I bring as well. So I'm excited to be and I had a brief block in time on Monday. So I'm going to go read the pencil book to some students at Philip O'Brien. So hope y'all get a pencil and actually like sharpen it on Monday. You know, when's the last time you sharpen a pencil? Yesterday? All right. Thank you, Ms. Fields. Thank you, Ms. Fields. Chair Sharpless, that's all I have. Thank you. Okay. Next up district two, vice chair Keys, you're recognized. What a tough act to follow. Um I'm going to echo a lot of what Dr.
046Allen said. You know, had the opportunity Well, first, you know, I'll start off with kind of close to where you ended, not with pencils Okay. but with seeing Colonel Tillman and hearing that presentation, likewise very moving to hear those stories. Somebody who's there and had first-hand experience with what was going on during the the course of that day and to me it gave me a moment to reflect on what I was doing on that day, you know, and not knowing all the things that were happening behind the scenes but just to hear you know, the emotion that was involved with that event, the leadership that we had at the helm that day and and kind of what was going on in their minds. What an awesome experience just to be able to step in to
047that story and and do it and and and like Dr. Allen said, very moving. One of those things that I think, you know, as we have the privilege to attend some of these events, that's that's one I'll take with me for a long time. I think that's going to be a constant memory and to be able to have and I was lucky enough to sit at table one and and sit next to Colonel Tillman and just as as myself and and you know, James Rain and Colonel Tillman were talking about the some of the stories we shared as veterans and the things that we've seen, just so much appreciation for for him and being able to share. And then to to present that scholarship to the student that day I had trouble not tearing up.
048What a fantastic opportunity. So, you know, thank you again to Colonel Tillman for that but you know, and then Tracy Porter and the whole team at Polk Education Foundation, what a fantastic event. I walked in there not knowing what to expect and the room was full. So not only to to Polk Education Foundation but to those that were in attendance, the community that supported and [snorts] raised to raise funds for something like that, it absolutely outstanding. And I will tell you that we go around, you know, and talk to to school board members from other districts, but the community support that we have here in Polk County is I would say second to none to being able to to get behind our students in that. So, that was was important. Again, I sound like I'm
049going to echo you the whole time. Thank you [clears throat] to the board again for allowing us the opportunity to go to the COSCO conference in Louisville. Um one of those sessions that I sat in had to do with the response to um when there's, you know, violence at a school in in particular school shooting. And to hear stories first hand of what happened in those days and then also the follow-up, the things they plan now, >> [snorts] >> was very touching as well. Also some very interesting things on finance. And it's it's I think entertaining is the right word as you hear from other districts that are maybe not the size that we are in Polk County. And some of the struggles and issues they have. And I said it's almost kind of like
050oh, you you think that's something. You struggle with a, you know, budget of whatever your size is, no disrespect, but it's it's amazing to hear stories from other districts, see what other districts around the country are doing because Florida is really on it on its own kind of how we structure our district. So, it's always fun to hear those things and to take away things from that that you talk to other board members and bring back some of the stories, but to hear those things, but also kind of reflect on things we are doing well. You know, we I sat through a presentation of what they're doing in Fulton County and some of the pathways they have to graduation and these high school say yeah, we already do that well, you know. And so, to
051it's kind of almost a thing um sort of a pat ourselves on the back moments too. So, that was great. Um and then you know, just a a time over spring break to reflect. I I was able to take a few days with with my daughters, you know, and really spend time with them. So, that was great and hear about their journeys, but always excited to spend the time off and to come back energized and just we're very fortunate in Polk County to have wonderful, you know, students, wonderful staff, educators, you know, administration. And I think we're we're in a special place. And so, I appreciate that. So, that's all I have. Thank you, board member Keys. Now recognize from district 3, board member Wallace. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I have a pretty long
052list, too, but I will try to move it along quickly. It was a very busy last month where um and this year-long appointment term I'm in is going so quick. I already feel like it's about to end even though it already just started. But I just throughout this last month, first I got to sit in on my first formal committee meeting. I talked about this at the work session today, but it's the superintendent's insurance committee where all of the direct stakeholders, vendors, district representatives, PEA representatives, myself as a board member, we go over the the the health insurance and ancillary benefits and the and the health of that overall plan since we self-insure. Um and a lot of positive, constructive moves are are happening in terms of making sure that our district is in a
053good position to meet our obligations as budgeted and to make sure that all of our employees and whoever they insure as part of their families are getting the services and care that they need in an affordable way. So, I look forward to bringing back I think the next year or two this board's going to have an opportunity to make even more exciting choices about where we take that. And and so, I just like I said earlier, I thank the superintendent, staff, and leadership for making sure that our district is moving in the right direction on something that is um can be wildly complex, expensive, but yet very vital to making sure that we have great management of that part of our organization. Um I said when I got appointed that I wanted to visit every
054school in my district, all 23 campuses that 20 PCPS operates. And I am not there yet, but I am I have visited 10, I believe, of those 23 so far. Uh and was able to visit I have two schools that are in unincorporated South Lakeland and then a number in Mulberry and a few in Bartow. And I just want to thank all the principals, APs, teachers, who welcomed me, showed me around. Um I heard that Mulberry is a great best kept secret about Polk County. And after touring through Mulberry, look, I'm Bartow, I bleed orange and blue. But when I was touring through there got to be a blue streaker for a little for a day or two, I can see why why that's been said. They have something special in the water there in
055that community. Uh the leadership, the beautiful campuses that have been redone, particularly the middle school and the high school. I can tell why the community would be proud. Um but of course, all the schools I toured all had different special things about them and it is already swelling my pride to to represent district 3. And I do look forward to continuing to tour. I do not ever get spring break being in the private sector in my day job. But uh and the only frustration I had about spring break is that was one less week of time I had to to get on the ground visiting schools in district 3, but um I will continue to vigorously make my appointments and come see everybody before end of school year test taking time. I know it's not
056the last day of school. It's more like after mid-April, I probably shouldn't bother. So, I'm I'm on it. But thank you again to the schools. I also had the opportunity to a hint to attend the historical marker ceremony at Union Academy in Bartow honoring Mrs. Longworth. And I know she had a formal name, but it was her first name was it was like I wanted to make sure I called her by her nickname. Yeah. Yeah, Luella. Luella, that's right. And and her great-grandson um former mayor, city commissioner Leo Longworth was there. But she is credited for naming Union Academy, which was originally a Rosenwald school. And a Rosenwald school was schools that were privately fund-raised by uh African-American leaders in the South to create schools for African-American children when unfortunately uh there were no public
057schools available for African-American children at the late 19th century and early 20th century. So, one of the buildings at Union Academy is an original facility with that Rosenwald school and it's one of the only one still standing in the state of Florida. So, um one of the things I said uh at that ceremony was that while they those schools especially in the 20th century and there's a lot of a living alumni that attended Union Academy and knew her and remember her as a piano teacher and a woman of high expectations and she taught second grade. But one of the things I remarked is that the schools might have been separate and they might not have been equal, but they were never inferior. And um you know, there's there's a lot of proud legacy and history
058and it's so remarkable that now everyone who enters in the front of that building will be able to see how it got its name and someone as extraordinary as her and the and the kind of history and legacy that school represents. And as a proud alum myself, I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to attend Union Academy and I'm excited for its future. And I'm grateful to Mr. John Wright who is the principal at the school right now who is doing a wonderful job as an interim leader. And encourage everybody who is shopping around for schools to to give Union Academy a look. I also had the privilege to attend the JROTC scholarship luncheon and want to commend Ms. Tracy Porter and the PEA PEF staff for the great job they did at that
059event. It was a full house at First Presbyterian Lakeland on Lake Hollingsworth in their facility. And I also got the opportunity to see Colonel Tillman speak at the City of Lakeland's Sun 'n Fun breakfast. That was that same morning. So, Polk County did a good job of harnessing our special guest while he was in town because he headlined two different two different gatherings and he told um different stories at both, but uh uh you know, something about 9/11, all of us who are old enough to remember, you know, remember where we were and how we were um impacted, but Colonel Tillman got to be around Polk County and Congressman Adam Putnam a lot on 9/11 cuz he had flown everybody to flown the president to Sarasota and then Congressman Putnam was there and boarded Air
060Force One and went right back to Washington. And so, we all have those connections even though they seem so far away and it's very special. I got the opportunity to attend my first About Face Awards ceremony. And for those who don't know who that what that is, that is students who had maybe been showing some academic or behavioral struggles or any any of those lanes and challenges that had shown dramatic improvement in any of those areas and were being recognized for that by their individual schools. So, we recognized several dozen. Superintendent, would you say maybe between 70 and 100 students? It was a lot of students. There were 81 total. Oh, I'm not a bad estimator. Okay. There were 81 total students nominated, um but only about 60 attended. Well, thank you to First Baptist
061Church of Bartow for allowing us to use that facility, but we had a delicious early morning breakfast prepared by the culinary students at Lake Region. And then we got to hear from um Mr. Tinsley, um a widely respected leader who has a compelling life story and I do want to read um where he encouraged the students um and and then we got to recognize each of them and they most all of them brought family members and teachers and it was special and I'm just so glad that we as a district take the time to recognize these students. It's not just about the valedictorians or the state championship winners. It's it's about students who are working hard and and and really not giving up and and we believe in all of our students and so it
062was moving, encouraging, and um and I want to also thank all of the individuals and business partners who support that specific event. Um the headliner of which was was Tico. So, thank you to our friends at Tico. And then uh coming up Oh, actually, before I talk about what's coming up, I would like to extend my profound condolences to Wahneta Elementary and the friends and family of Ms. Lisa Kennedy. She tragically and suddenly and unexpectedly passed away and she was a 26-year veteran of our system and a a part of the Wahneta family. I didn't know her um and I'm sorry that I didn't, but she sounded like an extraordinary woman and just representative of the kinds of people who show up to our schools every day to serve our children and their communities. Just
063wanted to publicly acknowledge that. And I know that because Mrs. Miller is not here today, but one of her classmates um I think it was uh Reverend Leonard um from Jew who was a counselor at Jewett Academy. He was tragically killed um by a drunk driver. And a family man, a church leader, um uh a male servant, you know, in an in an area where um that it's really hard to have someone with all of those characters investing in our children in that setting. I again didn't know him. Don't know a lot of the direct people involved, but just wanted to publicly acknowledge that and extend my profound condolences um to all of everybody who was impacted by his loss and we're very sorry that that happened. And on a more positive leaning note, I'll
064conclude by saying that I'm very much looking forward to the dis the the Barnett Family Discovery Center groundbreaking with Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay on the campus of Tenoroc High School. That'll be on March 30th coming up around the corner. Uh when I was in my previ- two jobs ago when I was the head of what used to be called Lakeland Leads, we uh I was partnering with then Representative Melanie Bell and she said, "I want to bring um this special experience to Polk County students that other students are getting and that um so something similar, it doesn't exist anymore, but it was called Enterprise Village, but uh I I don't think she'll mind me saying this, but Ashley Bell Barnett and I as middle school students went and visited when we were attending UA.
065And um I was in charge of the town newspaper shock. That was my role >> [laughter] >> I assumed um but it's an experience where students will be able to get um awarded imaginary life situations, their job, their um family situation, their income, and then they'll go from station to station and they'll have to build a budget and um they'll be able to for example enroll in utilities, decide if they're going to buy a car, buy furniture, and they get to really learn what it's like to make financial decisions and if we hadn't started instilling it yet, that'll be one of the first times that they'll get to start um embracing financial literacy. And so uh there's been years and years of championship by so many stakeholders, many businesses, many donors, of course chief of
066which is the Barnett family, but what an opportunity for what will be close to 25,000 students from not just Polk County, but hopefully neighboring counties and also students from all kinds of schools and educational settings, not just public schools. So, it's for all children in the area who want to come take field trips um and it'll continue to draw more people to the Tenoroc area and extend this incredible memorable experience to our students. So, groundbreaking for that March 30th. Um and there's more, but uh I think we're going to be honoring our volunteers, I think on March 31st and um another great event that I will make a point to attend. And that'll be it, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the the marathon that it was a great month. Thank you to Board Member Wallace.
067Now, Board Member Wyatt, you are recognized. Thank you. There are so many great things going on in our school and I think this next few months we probably all could talk for 30 minutes, but I promise I will be very, very brief. Um the Inside PCPS winner was in Winter Haven the end of February, so we got to welcome them to Winter Haven High School. Um I popped in for the session on some of our athletic programs. Um and one of my favorite things that we really try and highlight in that program is the partnerships that we have with other organizations. Um if you are interested in learning more about our school district, it is now is the time to apply for Inside PCPS. It really is a great program. It's run in partnership with
068Polk Vision. Um but just a chance to pull back the curtain and see all of the great things happening in Polk County Public Schools. Um all of the real things happening. They even get to serve lunch, do car line duty, um but really understand what it's like to be a part of our school district. Um the other thing I want to highlight is yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with Auburndale High School Civics Academy. Um and wow, those students are impressive. Um I feel like we are in really good hands. Um I told several of them that you know, we have term limits on school board now, so I need them to get ready to to run in the near future and they are just really incredible students that know what they're interested in,
069um know what they they believe, but are also so willing to listen and understand. Um that we did an exercise with them where they have to put their values in order and you're given 25 values and putting them in order and really makes you think. Um but it was just cool to to hear them defending to each other, you know, ex- tell me why you feel that way. Tell me why you think honesty is more important than kindness or vice versa and having them defend it to each other was really cool to listen to. Um talk to any high schoolers and you will you'll have some hope in in the future. Um and then last, I want to give a shout-out to Snively because they were here tonight and you all got to meet my
070new friend Raymond. Um but they are doing incredible things over at Snively Elementary School. They have um what they refer to as Saturday School um where they have six teachers that come in and help with tutoring on a Saturday. Um and Ms. Miranda shared with me recently that she got an email from a student who was not originally invited to attend Saturday School because he was scoring way higher than um kind of their target population and emailed her and said, "You know, I know I wasn't invited, but I really want to come. This is the best like I can I come every day? Can I come on Sunday? I just want to be at school cuz this is the best thing ever." Um and that is just such a testament to what we do in
071Polk County Public Schools and great principals. Um I'm excited to go and attend their duck races hopefully soon. So, I'll let you know if I find out a date for those, but that concludes my report. Thank you, Board Member Wyatt. Board Member Fields, you are now recognized. I'll be very short. Um some of the items that I was going to uh expound on have already been covered, but I will say that I did attend the About Face Award uh breakfast and Mr. Tinsley did an amazing job uh just sharing his his story. He has an interesting story uh and he has really been successful. He's a great example of what one can do uh no matter what their uh upbringing might might be. So, we want to thank him for coming and doing that. It's
072always exciting to see Mr. J.J. Corbett uh at the Union Academy historical marker. Uh just seeing him uh just excites me because he has made so many sacrifices so that folks like me can be where we are. So, I want to publicly always uh respect him and commend him him for his his uh sacrifices. And uh I also attended the JROTC scholarship luncheon. Um I wanted to also commend the the music family eight uh eight families benefiting and if you look at what it would cost for a roof, that's about 200K, $200,000 that they've actually been able to invest back into the community. So, we want to commend them for that and congratulate the eight people that benefited from that. And then the last thing that I have um I was able [snorts] to go
073to the uh Sheriff Office annual crossing guard recognition luncheon and that was a neat experience. My first time going uh and the room was packed. Superintendent Hyde attended as well and um and quite naturally Sheriff Grady Judd was there and everybody was just uh excited to see him and uh and everyone was very well respected and there were awards for people that spent there for 5 years, 10, 15. I think one person has been there at least 25 years as a as a crossing guard. And then there was maybe about 10 to 15 people who had perfect attendance. They never missed a day of making sure that our babies are safe when they're crossing. And Superintendent Hyde knew a lot of the crossing guards. I was amazed at how he was able to relate to
074them. So he travels a lot. Uh but uh I [snorts] think overall, as Ms. White said, busy times and we're going to get busier, but it's a good thing. And that ends my report. Thank you, Board Member Fields. I'll now have my report. Um want to start out by saying today is National Agriculture Day. Anyone who knows me know that knows that I'm pretty passionate about uh the agricultural industry. Um and so uh just want to thank the the farmers, the uh agriculturalists that feed our country, that clothe our country, that help fuel our country, um and all the sacrifices they make uh to help us. So, congratulations and happy National Ag Day. Um saying on that same theme, um earlier this month, I was able to uh volunteer. This is my third straight year
075volunteering with the Ag Fest. I know we had that uh we had a presentation uh last month on Ag Fest, but I was able to attend that, uh see fourth graders from around our district come, and I was a group leader for the following classes. Uh Alta Vista's Tony Salazar, Snively's Jamie Natal, and Laurel's Quintero Rodriguez. And I just want to say those three teachers, your classes were well-behaved. Good job. Uh but it was great to see our fourth-graders from around the district uh there learning about our agriculture industry. Um and uh you know, going along with the whole agriculture theme, I want to congratulate Auburndale FFA. They had the state champion state champion nursery and landscape uh evaluation team uh for all of Florida. Uh team members include Guinevere I'm going to I'm going
076to butcher this last name. Paleo Paleologus. Woo. Lacy Veda, Casey Bellamy, and Emily Hoyt. So, congratulations to the teachers there um that helped coach them and con- congratulations to those students. Uh always love whenever we bring home a state championship to Polk County. Um I also got to attend an event with Board Member Keys earlier uh this month. It's one of my I won't say my favorite, but one of my favorite events of the entire year. And that's um Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder's Kids Tag Art Awards. I love it. Um this was the 20th anniversary this year. And the funds that have been raised to go to our fine arts program in this county, $727,720. By a simple program that came from the idea because he got thank you notes uh and there on
077the thank you notes there were tags that the kids made. Um thank you uh to Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder for investing in our school system, investing in fine arts. I know it's a passion of yours. Um I attended two events that were already mentioned. I'll be real brief with them. First, the historical marker uh honoring uh Lula Simmons Longworth at Union Academy. Um truly inspirational. And then also uh want to thank Commissioner Music and Music Roofing. I was able to attend uh the uh giveaway at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence with teacher Serita Battle. Truly um just thankful. She was brought to tears. Um I won't get into the story that she shared there, but I'll just say that uh Commissioner Music, you have made an impact in the lives of teachers, and for that
078I thank you. The last thing I'm going to talk about is CASBA that um Board Member Keys and and Board Member Allen have also discussed. One of the takeaways that really uh hit home with me um was during one of the sessions, there was a lady there and I'm going to look up her name right this second. Um her name was Tammy Phifer. And she was the chief external affairs operator for an organization called Unite. And if you ever get a chance, go to dignity.us. And it's uh something that it was very impactful to me. Um you know, Board Member Allen and I and Board Member Wallace have also talked and and all the board members up here have talked about the importance of measure measurements, data, all that kind of stuff to to see
079where we're at. And one thing that we don't measure is the impact of our words. And so how do we measure when someone's saying something truly hurtful or truly helpful? And so they developed something called the Dignity Index, and I'm going to show you this right here. Um the Dignity the Dignity Index talks about your speech, and it ranks from one to eight. Um and I'll I'll give you a quote from each of those. So, eight would be highly dignified comments. One would be a very low dignified. So, eight. Here's a quote. Each one of us is born with inherent worth. So, we treat everyone with dignity, no matter what. A one. They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us. The point is words matter. The way we
080talk to each other matter. And the rhetoric that we see all over the country, locally, everywhere, it's important on how we treat each other with dignity. So, I challenge everyone listening tonight, think about the words you say. Go to dignity.us. See, hey, you know, when when someone's giving a a speech or a um a talk, even a TV show, start to evaluate that on your metrics. See how often we're getting messages that are ones, twos, threes versus how many times we're getting eights, sixes, and sevens, right? Be positive. Uplift one another. Um and it's just something that really impacted me, and I just wanted to share that tonight. Um so again, dignity.us. And with that, I will conclude my board report tonight. And the next item on our agenda is public comments addressing items not
081on our agenda tonight. As noted earlier, to register to speak, community members must fill out a speaker card in the lobby prior to the meeting. All speakers will be given 3 minutes. The light will turn yellow when you have 1 minute left, which will be over here. And uh you will hear a beep when your time is concluded. Please note that although the board encourages community participation, no immediate action will be taken on items presented during the public comment portion of this meeting. If follow-up board action is required, then the matter may be placed on an agenda at a subsequent meeting in accordance with school board policy. I have a list of individuals who have spo- signed up to speak today. Could you please come forward when I call your name? And then behind uh
082the podium here, you'll see a red line and tape. That'll be your on deck. So, I'll also call who's on deck. So, if you could state your name and address for the record, you will have 3 minutes to speak. So, first up we have Albertine Richard. And on deck will be Tamiko Bennett. Albertine, you are recognized. Thank you. And good evening to our superintendent and all of the board members. I'm glad to see you all this evening. My name is Albertine Sullivan Richard. My address is 2105 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Haines City. I am speaking on behalf of the citizens that live in the radius of the Bethune Academy school in Haines City. We have some concerns. We're concerned about the traffic congestion in the radius of the school. The congestion is
083very bumper-to-bumper before school and after school. Many of the parents are coming early to pick up their students, uh their children, and the traffic [clears throat] is very bad. Many of our streets in the area, the citizens that live in the area, we can't get out of our driveway because of the traffic. Haines Street is blocked where the school is located. Bartow Street is the middle of the street. There's congestion there because there's an intersection. MLK is the main street that goes through the city, and the parents are using all these streets plus Avenue L to get to Bethune Academy. So, we're asking you to please help us. I in order to get to a place, I have to leave about 45 minutes early just to get through that section when I have an appointment.
084I'm in District 2, as you know. And so we're asking Mr. Keys and anyone else who can help us. Please, please, let us sit down and try to compromise on a situation that will help the community, the citizens that live in the area, [clears throat] and the school. We would like to know, the citizens, what plans have the district decided to help alleviate the congestion in the area? Presently, cuz we've been going through this for several years, and in the future. And when can the citizens meet with Mr. Keys and anyone else on the board to help us sit down together and compromise on this situation to make it better? We need to know what the school board is thinking, and then we're asking the school board to know the feelings of the citizens. There
085have been several confrontations in certain sections where these streets are located. Thank you, Ms. Richard. Thank you. Please help us. Superintendent Hyde, can you direct someone for follow-up? >> Yes, so there there's very little that can be done given the the construction in that area. As you know, the biggest challenge we have is when a school is built and neighborhoods grow around them, there's very little we can do. We have no control over roadways. That community also has no sidewalks, and that's one of the reasons why you are seeing parents asking students probably to meet their ride one or two blocks over from the main campus. The one thing we can do is I can ask safe schools to go out, conduct a traffic study, and determine if there's a better way for us to
086um load buses, load cars, and conduct dismissal. Um it is unfortunate, board members, you hear this from time to time, but we are landlocked, and so there is very little we can do to address traffic congestion. That's a municipal issue, that's a county issue, but we're willing to explore any options we can. Um looking at the map, they have very little in the way of infrastructure um for the bus loop. Ma'am, you've had your time. Um so they they there's very little there in the ways of infra in the way of infrastructure as far as a bus loop, a parent pick up, those types of things. So, again, we can have safe schools go out and evaluate that property and determine if there's a way for them to reconfigure those. Um other than that, I
087don't know that mo- modifying school start or stop times is going to change that at all because the congestion, if it's being brought to or created by parents who are picking up their children, changing the start time and end time of the school day is not going to impact local traffic at all. Um We have asked law enforcement in these types of situations as well to be present in the community and ticket if needed. There af- often times there's a reluctance on behalf of municipality to ticket individuals cuz they're trying to strike a balance, but I I think the only commitment I can make to the stakeholder, the constituent, and to the board is to start with the safe schools evaluation, and then determine if anything else is needed from there. I also need to
088look at the property. Um there does seem to be some vacant property. I'm going to assume it's to the north of the school on um 10th Street. So, that's presently where the bus loop appears to be. Um Without making any promises, that's going to require a fairly significant process because just to clarify, even when we have land, putting pavement on that creates an incredible issue for us that we have to go through swift mud because now you've created an impermeable surface for water runoff and those types of things. So, there's a lot of engineering, there's a lot of things that have to be reviewed. So, we'll explore everything, and we have the stakeholders, the constituents' contact information. So, once we get a report back from safe schools and facilities and operations can look at it
089and make an assessment, we'd be happy to follow up and schedule a follow-up meeting with them. And board member Keys, I believe this is your area, and so as a result, I'll be happy to extend the invitation to you as well. Thank you, Superintendent Hyde. >> And [snorts] um can we would you be willing to have your staff meet with the the the person to get their contact information? >> We have it on the card. Uh no, we don't. It should have been placed on there, but we'll we can follow up. >> can you can Ms. Rouse, if you can or Dr. Brooks, if you'd step out with them and get their contact information, I'd appreciate it. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. I'll be in touch. Give us about a week, please, so safe schools
090can go out and do their evaluation, and then we'll schedule a meeting. Um happy to come to you and invite Mr. Keys, your board member representative, as well. But Dr. Brooks is in the back wearing a black shirt. He'd be happy to get your contact information so we can follow up with you. All right. Next up, we have Tamiko Bennett. You are recognized uh to for comment. Good evening, um superintendent and the staff, the board members. November 29, 1975, my distant cousin, the late President Gerald Ford, signed a special education law, officially the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which was changed in 1990 to the IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, because before that, so many kids, so many children with disabilities were denied an education. My cousin wanted to make sure that any
091young person with a disability got a free education. My son, Elijah, on October 28th, a situation happened when he was in middle and elementary school at um Eastside. Uh in November, me and my son came here in 2024, and he talked about the situation that happened concerning situations that happened to him. Today, even the different with the different helps that my son gets, going to the behavior center, mentors, and everyone, he's still dealing with the trauma that had happened to him, and I still haven't received a callback from the the people that talked with me outside. Um I wanted to suggest that our public educations educators, excuse me, educators take some type of classes to help them to deal with children that has disabilities. I know that we they're doing a lot that they can
092because they're carrying a lot of weight as far as our teachers and administrators, strators, but I really feel like some kind of counseling, you know, classes for them to know how to deal with children when they're having meltdowns versus their, you know, different behaviors and when they're going through something, ways to be able to talk with them. My son has went to different schools, um but the the ones that bully him, beat him up, and all the stuff like that, they ended up being at in middle school at the same school. So, he's in he was in the classroom traumatized, but at the same time trying to do everything he can to be a good student. And it is affecting his grades and everything. Now, he's at another school, um Westwood, where in Haines City,
093and I thank God for the transportation department that made accommodations and everything so that they can pick him up in Haines City, take him to Westwood, and back. But we need to do something about our education educators as far as helping them to understand the differences. Like I said, they carry a lot because they're dealing with a lot of students in our um public school system, and I commend you, you know, for everything that you're doing as the board to help them. But we do need to get on some other level, we do need to have them to help some some kind of classes or anything to help our students, our children, you know, whether they're our children, whether they're grandparents, you know, whoever, to make those kids feel safe and not in a fight-or-flight
094mindset when they're at school. Thank you, Ms. Bennett. Board members, [clears throat] 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.