School Board Meeting- 5-12-26

001board meeting to order for May 12th. Uh just a public information, if you don't have a seat now, we as we go through the recognitions and people leave, there'll be seats available and and the big crowd that's outside, we'll call you in when we get to you on the agenda. So, we'll open the meeting with a pledge of allegiance by Miss Pickkins and invitation by Miss Gillyard, please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Let us pray. Father, in your name, we have assembled here today. God, we pray for divine guidance. We pray oh God your blessings be upon these young people God that we have come today to recognize

002God for their hard work for their perseverance and we come God to thank the parents that support and do all of the things that parents should do. We thank them for the sacrifices that they make, God. That not only these that we recognize today are athletes, but they're student athletes, scholars, learning and doing their very best. God, we pray for their safety that you will continue to keep them and watch over them. God bless this district and all of our stakeholders and this board, God, as we go through the agenda to make decisions, God, that will impact the lives of our children. We ask all this in Jesus's name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Okay, board. We'll start with our presentations today. And our first one is a recognition of our state athletes by Miss Drew.

003You're recognized. >> Thank you. Thank you. And good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. >> Um, I'm proud to be here today to recognize an outstanding group of student athletes who have advanced to various levels of state competition. Their success reflects far more than athletic ability. As Miss Gil Miss Gilliard was saying in her invocation, these students have balanced their academics, their practices, their competition, and teamwork with dedication and discipline. Through athletics, they've developed resilience, leadership, accountability, and perseverance. And these are all qualities that help shape well-rounded individuals and strong future citizens. We celebrate not only their accomplishments in competition, but also the character they demonstrate in the classroom, in their schools, and throughout the community. At this time, what we will do is we'll call up by school the athletes and either the AD of the

004school or their coach will call up those specific teams and then they'll have a few words to say about their teams and then we would like to get a picture of each team with Dr. Surency and Mr. Liry and then we'll come to the next team. So, we'll do that with each school if that works for you guys. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, at this time, I'd like to call up AD Rollers from Palaka Junior Senior High School. Give me one second here to get a little bit organized. I want to be as efficient as possible here. So, just give me one minute here. Okay. Good afternoon everybody. My name is Coach Rollers. I am the athletic director at Palaca Junior Senior High School. And I want to thank the board for allowing us

005to do this today. This is such an honor to be able to stand up here in front of everybody and brag on Palaca High School and our our student athletes and our coaches. Um I don't know if any of you in here have ever coached anything in junior high or high school, but it is absolutely a labor of love. And I was talking to Miss Drew just a few minutes ago. Um, our coaches do not get near enough the recognition that they deserve. Uh, we have a group of men and women that I'm extremely proud to represent and support. Uh, they do everything the right way from compliance to practice to sportsmanship. The crowds in the community are behind us like no place that I've ever been. And so, it is truly an honor to

006be uh the athletic director here at Palaka Junior Senior High School. So, when I was asked to gather up a list of of athletes that have competed beyond their district level, um I started really it was a neat thing for me to do because I've just was named the AD, permanent AD about a month ago. I'd been serving in the role on an interim basis since January, but it really gave me an opportunity to dive into all of our sports and to really analyze the success that we have had. And I got to tell you folks, I was blown away by the number of athletes we had both in individual sports and team sports that not only competed at the district level, but were able to move on if it was a team, but was

007they were able to move on into the state playoffs. And if it was an individual sport, many many competitors able to move on beyond district level into regional and state competition. So as a community, you have so much to be proud of. You know, often times we get caught up in the negative and the media doesn't often do the things and say the things that are truly reflective of what is going on at our high school, but I think that you have an opportunity after today, whether it's Interlock and Crescent City or Palaca to be extremely proud of the students and the coaches that we're going to call up today. So, I'm going to go ahead and get started. I've kind of left them blind a little bit out there. So, we're I'm going to

008bring them in one by one, sport by sport, rather. And the first group that we're going to bring in is our swimming team. So if there's somebody out there that can get Coach Booth to come in, Coach Booth and the swimming team. Coach Booth, if you wouldn't mind coming up here and just saying a few words and introducing each uh of your a student athletes and just talking just a minute about each one if you can and the team. >> All right. So, I'm Coach Booth. We took over uh me and McKenzie King took over from uh Coach Josh White who had been longtime uh swim coach. I don't know how many years he'd been doing it for a very long time. He still uh helped us out a lot. We uh we had one

009state qualifier who's not here with us today cuz she actually has swim practice. She practiced at the University of Florida. So, she's actually headed to practice as we speak. Uh, we had some groups that made it to some um some folks made it to regionals, qualified districts for regionals, and so we're super excited about this um this coming year. So, um gosh, I'll start on this side right here, I guess. So, I got Ka Vincent. She's a seventh grader. Uh it was really her first year competing. She qualified uh for regionals and in um in relays. We got Min Hansford. Uh he also was on a relay for for um through districts and made it to regionals. Uh let's see here. We got Jackson Gil uh qualified individually and on a team uh individually for

010the 100 back and then was it the medley relay or the freestyle relay? Both. Yeah, we we had some our relays were were very very good. Wyatt Tillis uh qualified on uh for the relay team um going into I should say you I won't say you guys grades cuz some of y'all some of you like Evan on the end are leaving us very soon. So, um, anyway, but Wyatt, uh, he he competed, uh, and made regionals, uh, as on the, u relay team. Got Braxton the Malloy, same thing. Made it as a relay team. Young man goes to Qi Roberts for Pla Junior Senior High School. Glad to have him. He'll be a freshman next year. So, we are fairly young as a team. And then Evan on the end, Mr. Evan, the senior. How

011many years have you competed, Evan? Five. And he will be leaving us. He's also a multisport athlete. You guys will see him up here again a little bit for weightlifting as well. But these are the folks that we uh were able to get here today and very proud of them. Look forward to getting back in the pool. We're getting our pool redone so you guys can come out and see the new pool starting in July when we start practicing and our meets will start in August. So, but this is our group we brought with us. Super excited uh to have them here today. >> She's just seven. Wow. Which one? The girl. Okay, next up, if somebody could be so kind as to call in Coach Caitlyn Smith, who is going to talk about our

012softball team and our girls weightlifting team. We're going to try to combine both of those into one since Coach Smith is the coach of both of those. So, Coach Smith. >> Yeah, they are. This is weightlifting, our weightlifting program. Um, we were fourtime district champs, uh, regional champs this year. Um, nine girls qualified for state and we had the highest finish this year that we've had since I've taken over the program in the last six years as seventh place in the state. So, um, three girls, Pearl Lopez, um, she's a senior, Makyra is also a senior, and then Kenise Passmore, three of the girls who made it to state this year. >> Picture first with them. Yep. >> Yes. I'm also the coach for softball. So, um, this year we were district runnerups and we

013got a bid to regionals and we played regionals at Eustace. We ended up losing, but um, it's a huge accomplishment to play a strength of schedule strong enough that gets you a regional bid even if you don't win district. So, um, these are three of our juniors. We had no seniors. So, Emma, Hannah Faulner, and Cali Taylor, the juniors of our team who made it to regionals this year. That's your baby, >> huh? >> That's your baby. Your granddaughter. >> She's No, she's she's close to my house. her a little bit and I know we we have to be in a hurry here, but um I'm a longtime football coach and I told somebody this the other day and I couldn't believe I was saying it. The most enjoyable athletic event I attended all year

014and I went to basketball, baseball, softball, track, all of them was the girls softball game over at Santa Fe where we did end up losing that game in a um a district championship game. But it was such an exciting thing and I would tell you what she said you need to be aware of. None of those young ladies are seniors. That is a young team that is going to be around for a very long time playing at a very high level. So season's over now, but please just as we get rolling into the next school year, keep in mind because that's a program that Coach Smith has done a tremendous job putting on the map and it's going to stay there. So great job, coach. All right, next up is our competitive cheer team and

015this is Coach Strickland. Coach Strickley, you want to talk a little bit about that? >> Sure. >> Hi. So, this was my first year teaching or coaching competitive cheer. So, it was a large learning experience for me. Um, my team actually came out. They did great. They um never glitched during the season at all. Um, I also have a young team. Um, I'll have at least three juniors returning next year and my age range went from juniors all the way down to eighth graders. So we do look forward to continuing to grow in our next season. >> Sorry. >> Okay. So um first one is Bren Bernard, Paisley Williams, Hadley Griffith, and Cara Rios. Okay, next up is our boys weightlifting team. Boys weightlifting. the hardware. >> I'd like to introduce our uh head weightlifting

016coach, also our head football coach, Coach Lance Lowry. >> I hope I don't think you'll need me to need that. Um What an awesome season to win districts and regionals the first time since 2019. That's pretty cool. Um, they dominated pretty well. The greatest thing for me as their coach is I get all of them back except one, but I'm going to try to figure it out. >> Thank y'all very much. Introduce >> Dearius Curry, >> Edin William Risell picture. >> Thank you. Next up is track and field. Track and field crowded that doorway. >> Male or female? I guess I saw one of the high jumpers a while ago at mail. Okay. >> Oh, look at there. >> Oh, yeah. >> More hardware. >> Y >> I'd like to introduce coach John Broman. >>

017Hello to you all. Thank and thank you for having the PLA High School track and field team. My name is Coach Brahman and I get the honor to introduce and brag to you all all about the accomplishments of this team. We have a mix of young athletes and senior athletes who are who are vets. Although it seems as if they have been doing this for years, a lot of them usually a team is comprised of a few leaders and a bunch of people to follow their lead. On this team that just isn't the case. Sure, you always have an outlier, but the majority of this team chooses to lead each other down the proper path to success. That's why this team has been so successful. Not to brag about some of their accomplishments. The boys

018team went on dominating districts for a win, making them back-to-back champions um in districts. Then moving on to regionals and and getting runners up after a very fantastic season. after all all the work that they put in for all the season and the postseason, they went on and had the the best finish we've had in in state and since 1984 and they got joint runners up. The girls team is a whole other story. The girls team has now gone winning their fifth districts in a row, dominating the district each time, which is a huge accomplishment by itself. They then went to get fifth place in the regions and then also went and got top nine in the state. Now to introduce you all to these athletes. Um if you raise your hand when I mention

019your name please. Um Destiny. She is a junior current triple jump and high jump record holder for PHS. Placed third in the triple jump this year. Kindle, a junior in her second year, has become our first high jump state champion in PHS school history. Elijah Ibanz, a 5-year track and field athlete who is the third fastest uh 1600 meter runner in school history and the sixth fastest 800 and the fastest we've had in the last 10 years since 2016. Bodie Green, a freshman, his first year in track. Um he was a 2A district 4 champion and state qualifier in his first year as a track athlete um doing javelin. Correct. Javelin. Um Tommy. He's a five-year track and field athlete, a six-time placer, and the current 400 hurdle record holder who will be attending University

020of West Florida this fall on a school on a football scholarship. Next is Jazara. She's the current PHS record holder for the 400 and 400 meter hurdles. Will attend Jacksonville State University on a track scholarship this fall. NEXT WE HAVE Kendrick Wright Jr. a junior in Palaka High School that has broken the 100, 200, and 400 meter record this year. He is our first two-time state champion in 100, and 400 since Aaron Carter in 2016. Thank you to you all. That was a bad. >> Oh man, dude. Password didn't write anything, man. Okay. Well, do you want to talk about some accomplishments, man? All right. Come around here. And as they're walking out before we call the next group in, I I was actually fortunate enough to attend the state championships which were held at

021UNF in Jacksonville. And I cannot tell you how cool it was to sit there decked out in Palka gear and there's BS and Bishop Kenny and Reigns and everybody and our guys are just running right by him time and time and time again. It was the coolest thing to to be in attendance for that. So, next up is uh wrestling. Coach White, you want to come on up? You want to talk? I don't want to. >> Uh uh thank you for having us here. Uh we are missing five guys. Two of them are working. The rest are sick. Uh I did we we had two girls that were here. They wrestled for us this year. And unfortunate their state tournament for weightlifting was the same day as wrestling district. They would have made it the

022state in wrestling. So anyhow, we have uh Curtis Wright wrestled 138. Drayton Reed at 185 182 and you guys met Pearla and uh Ma earlier for weightlifting so they wrestled for us this year. Uh this is was a good team this year. We had a great team. Um we just keep trying to build every year although I won't be there. So this is my last harrah. Thank you. It's been some jingling up in here with those meadows. >> Okay. Where's my sheet? here. I believe baseball. There it is. Uh, baseball is up next. Coach Cerny, you want to come on up? >> Hello everybody. Uh, thanks for having us today. Uh, Mr. Superintendent and the school board. Thank you guys for having us on this day and recognizing everyone's achievements. Um just wanted to talk

023about our team here a little real quick. Uh we had a very uh successful season. Um finished the the season with a 21-7 record. Uh back-to-back district championships. I know uh some of our board members were at the all county banquet last night and got to hear some of the talk we had about that. And I think a few of you guys were actually at our district championship and got to see some of the excitement. And uh we're very proud of these boys. uh the majority of them standing here were actually on both of our district championships uh from the last season and this season and um you know they've worked really hard to get to where they're at today and we're truly proud of how far each of them have come and you know

024the future that each and every one of them have. But um we really appreciate you guys having us today and um did I wanted to we recognize them name by name here? Okay. >> All right. Okay. Starting from left to right here, we have uh Morgan Wigs, Ryan Cerny, Mason Malloy, uh Jacob Gaskin. Make sure I got it. Uh Luke Oberman, >> got to look here. Okay, Ashton Huerta, Kase Thomas, sorry, >> Paxton Sweat, Tanner Acres, and Rodney Blackwelder. Each and every one of these guys. Oh, sorry. Yeah, I got A GOOD MAN. UH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE GUYS had a role in our success. Um whether it was pitching, swinging the bat, defense. Uh but going to miss our seven out seven out of the 10 up here as seniors and we're

025surely going to miss everything they've done for us and they're surely going to have some big shoes to fill. But we look forward to having the three juniors back and hopefully we can be here up here again next year doing this again. But um thank you again everyone. and um have a great day. >> Oh yeah, >> I'm just not today. They matched last night. >> Oh goodness. >> Just a little bit about them as they're making their way out. Um, Coach Cerny and I attended a Rotary Club lunchon. city. We have one more for Black High, but then can we go to Pres? >> Yes. >> Second. They're lined up. >> Okay. >> Coach Cerny and I attended a Rotary lunchon about a month ago and we were talking about how good the baseball

026is here in northeast North Central northeast Florida and all these teams. I don't know if you're familiar with any of the teams in Jacksonville, but these teams that have six, seven, eight, nine division one siges that are getting ready to go play college ball, some of them are probably going to get drafted. And as good as that group was, coach doesn't have anybody that throws 95 miles an hour or hits it out of the park 12, 15 home runs a year. But what he does have and what he's done a tremendous job of is building a chemistry with those guys. And it is fun to watch them play. Gritty, cohesive unit that love playing baseball with each other. And I often say, you can tell how good a team is and how connected they are

027when something good happens. How do they celebrate? And boy, you should have seen them after they won the championship against Santa Fe. It was fun to stand there and watch them celebrate with each other and really enjoy a cool moment. So, last but certainly not least, we're going to call up our our fishing group and uh Miss Ashley Or is here. Thank you. >> Hey, so I'm Ashley Our and I'm one of the coaches for the fishing team of the high school. So, I want to take a moment and recognize uh several of our outstanding student anglers for their accomplishments um at the state tournament this year. So, first congratulations to uh Tucker Ricks and Preston Smith for finishing in the top four at the state level. And they also earned the opportunity to advance

028to nationals later this summer. And so, this is a really it's a really incredible um accomplishment and we're so very proud of their work and dedication to get there. I also want to recognize Pax and Sweat and Lane Goodson. Uh they placed in the top 10 at states and then Cooper our and Chandler Kasein and they finished in the top 20. So they um these students have represented our district with great sportsmanship, commitment and perseverance and we congratulate them um each of them on their outstanding season. big time just bunch of scholarship. >> Thanks, coach. Yeah, really. >> I believe Miss McDaniel said Crescent City Junior Senior High School would be next. >> 100 grand. >> Yep. >> Come on up. just introduce yourself and >> introduce the boys and tell us a little bit

029about them. >> Good afternoon. Um I'm Coach Troy Henry, Preston City. Uh this season was a phenomenal season uh for us. Uh I've worked with this group of young men probably I think going on year four. Um couple district championships. Um but this is the first time we actually had uh somebody make the podium uh in Crescent City since 1995. So, I'm extremely >> uh happy with the result. Um, one of the young men uh that should be here uh is actually at MIPS right now. Um, he is going into the military. Uh, and that'd be Jeremiah ODM. Um, but Horatio Rodriguez is one of our juniors um that place uh both third and uh fifth places. Uh Jas uh Brantley is a senior, trusting Green is a senior, and Omar MC is a senior.

030And they will definitely be missed. Do we have representatives from competitive cheer from Crescent City High School? They'll be next. just introduce them. It's okay. Just tell us a little bit about your team, what they've accomplished this year, and tell us their names. >> Um, and your name. Hi, my name is Rebecca Tacero and I coach the Crescent City High School competition cheerleading squad and I brought five of them with us today. These are our all county cheerleaders as well. Um the far end, Janiah Washington, I can't see them all. Uh Jackie Sanchez, Molina West, Evelyn Brady, and Samaria Walker. Um we this is our first year in Game Day, and I'm incredibly proud of the growth and uh accomplishments that they made throughout this year. I wasn't really prepared to speak with that. >>

031Good job, ladies. Okay, moving on to Interlockan Junior Senior High School. >> Not here. Okay. All right. Well, I would like to um in their be on their behalf just recognize the names that were sent to me from Interlockan Junior Senior High School. Um for girls weightlifting, third at the state level was Bailey Ridley. a state qualifier, Maya Vincent for girls weightlifting. Um, state qualifier for track, Maya Shyver. State qualifier for boys weightlifting, Harley Hacker and Trent Milik. and two state qualifiers for um cross country, Paisley Guestford and Agatha Wigum. Thank you for your patience. I know that took a little while, but it did warm my heart to see all the kids that represent our county and the great things that they're doing and the love that they showed for each other. um you

032know in a time where people choose to like coach Wallers said focus on negative things this is amazing and heartwarming so thank you >> thank you Miss Drew >> okay board we will move to U presentations the second one is the national mythology exam Lundy you've come forward be recognized please >> good afternoon I'm care about how this is all by itself. >> It's hard for a little person to have to wait through all of that that excitement today. I am very excited to be here to recognize Owen Bose. He is one of our first graders and I I had to bring a script so I could be prepared. But he took this year he took the national mythology exam and he earned a perfect score and a gold medal on that test. So I

033would like to I would like to share a little bit about that. That is an exam that offers students a chance to showcase their mastery of classical mythology from ancient Greece and Rome. The National Mythology Exam is taken by over 9,000 students from around 400 schools globally each year. The exam contests are organized by the excellence through classics committee of the American classical league. They have done this exam at the middle and high school level for several years at Qi Roberts. Owen took the exam and earned the perfect score and a gold medal. This is a first for Putnham County. While some of our Qi Roberts students have earned gold medals, none have ever gotten a perfect paper award before. He started studying for this exam last summer and kept with it the entire year.

034taking the exam at the end of February. He had to read from several books and listen to literally hundreds of hours of podcast about Greco Roman mythology. His parents would like for me to share that they also want to make it clear that Owen was able to do this because of his great education that he gets at Melrose. He loves to read and learn because he has had such great teachers and people around him like Mrs. Raznik, Mrs. Tess and Mrs. Brown Owen, we are super proud of you. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was my favorite subject in >> mythology. You wrong. Yeah. Congratulations. I didn't even know that was the topic they studied. >> All right board, we will now move to um there are no retirement recognitions. So, uh Miss Carol for

035the certification reg recognition, please come forward be recognized. >> Good afternoon. >> I have a team coming up to join methology. Let me Google it. So, we are here today to recognize some individuals, some teachers with outstanding achievements. Before we start, I'd like to introduce the mentor team that's up here with me that does help support these individuals. And I have Stephanie Smith, Lynn Chastain, I have Christy Meyer, who has since moved to be one of our APs, and I have Bobby Keely. So, this is our Putham County School District amazing mentor team. and their job is to support new teachers sitting at you 0 to 5 years experience. And one of the main things they do is they support these temp teachers that are on temporary certificates. So just to explain that a little

036bit, teachers that come to us on temporary certificates have been um deemed by the state of Florida Department of Education um based they're eligible and it's based on their degree and their content knowledge. So they're eligible to teach and um they have five years on temporary certificate to work through a lot of requirements that they need to reach their professional certificate which is what all us teachers strive to have. And when I talk about all of these things that they have to do, it is hard hard hard work. And so several of the things they have to do is they have to take three or four state exams. They have additional college coursework on top of their bachelors that they have already. They have reading competency coursework that they have to take. Again, it is

037strenuous and it takes a lot of time for this for them to do this, which is why they are allowed the five years. So, what they are doing is they are working all day teaching our amazing students. They are going home and they are studying for exams. They are working long hours to complete the coursework. not only again the college coursework but the reading endorsement coursework so that they can be the best teachers for our students and that's what's important. So we just would like to recognize them today because we appreciate them so much for persevering and sticking it out again doing all of that hard work and learning for our students. Um we have 11 that have actually completed all of the coursework and have the certificate back from the state of Florida. We

038also have eight that have completed all the coursework are waiting on the state of Florida to get their certificates to them and we will recognize them the next time. So that's 19 individuals that have worked really hard to move from their temporary certificate to get their professional certificates. So we're so proud of them. So what so what we're going to do is just Miss Chastain is going to read out those names and if you guys will come up here we have your teaching your new teaching certificate framed for you. Yes. And then a little star because you are stars for all of the work that you put into this. >> Oh, we got to let some of some of them are out there. I think that >> she said okay. Thank you. >> She took

039the she took the certificates. Okay. So, the first teacher we would like to recognize is Miss Hannah Faucet from PALAKA HIGH SCHOOL. WE WOULD LIKE TO recognize Miss Amanda Brown from Aquilla Elementary. Miss Christy Meyer from Melrose Elementary. Mr. Elijah Campbell from Mosley Elementary. He wouldn't let me down. Mr. Bina Rice from Neie from Mosley Elementary. Miss Brittany Goodwin from Interlockan High School Junior Senior High. Miss Shante Mack from Browning Pierce Elementary. Mr. Sawyer Weaver from Qi Roberts Junior Senior High School. >> Miss Katric Katricia Champagne from Aquilla Elementary. Thank you. Thank you. >> And Mr. Jonathan Goodwin from Interarkin High School. We are super super proud of our new professional certified teachers in Putnham County. >> YES. SHAKE some free. Congratulations. >> Sawya. >> Only one score. Perfect score out of 9,000 or just

040the first one we've ever had. I'm not I'm not sure. I think I think she said Chad's name. Qi had had people earn gold before >> touch saw a perfect story. >> Maybe it's just that. >> All right. Tell the whole family. >> All right. Awesome. >> Oh my god. He was wow kid. She said >> Oh, I thank you so much. Oh wow. >> He's phenomenal. >> He's working on his PhD right here. >> I know he was. >> Just so you know. >> Okay. >> Wow. >> Say information but application. >> Good afternoon board. Um, six years ago, we went into partnership with TPG Cultural Exchange where um, we have had the honor of having teachers from other countries come over and um, teach in our schools and they have brought so much

041um, to our students and to the peers around them. um they initially come over for a three-year um contract and then if we so choose to do so and they would like to um they are allowed to extend for two years. Um so the max is five and um so this year we have our first group of five I'm sorry our first group of four that's leaving after a full 5 years and they are all from one school um Jenkins Elementary and so I'm going to ask Miss Adams to come up. We just want to recognize them and just let them know how much we appreciate them giving up um their time and and they've lost a lot of family time um to be here and so much that they've given to our district. All

042right. Thank you for having all of us. It's an honor to be here. I have with me Mr. Lucas Bennett, the assistant principal who um got moved to our school this year. So, he's had the privilege of watching these young ladies as well. If there's anything I can say about this program, um I did not I was not there for their first year, but I heard lots of horror stories and I'm sure they could probably write a book. Um these four ladies coming to our not only our district, our country did not know each other as well. So they came on their own. So they've learned a lot about some things um they as they came. I'm just going to be honest with you. I every time I think about this, I want to cry

043because these four ladies have brought an immense opportunity to our school, for our students, for us as employees. Um, and there's just not enough words to say. So, I'm going to do some one at a time, just tell you one little short little blip about each of them so you can kind of get a better picture. So, at first we have Sharon Cartah. Sharon comes to us um let me get it here because and if I if I butcher this they're going to have to forgive me. Um from Manila in the Philippines. Um she says that her parents have always given her the support that she needed to be strong and on her own. Um her goals are to work within the university system in her country. Um and at one point in life, which

044is two years, if you they came on a J1 visa, I've learned a lot about visas, too. If you come on a J1 visa, they have to go home for two years. and she said she would love to come back and nobody has dibs on her. Okay. All right. Lorraine Ramos. Lorine. And let me go back. Miss Cartah taught second grade math and science for us. Miss Ramos also is coming to us as a second grade math and science um teacher. She comes from a small town in southern Luzon um called Berdeos. I'm hoping I say that right. Quizone. Um her sons have been her greatest motivation. Um and they're twins. Am I right? >> Yes, they are. Um she plans to continue her education and hopes to return also to the US to pursue

045more teaching opportunities. Miss Chris Lee Gnob. All the kids call her Gungob. She has taught third grade math and science and her hometown is Sabu. Sabu. Is that correct? Um she has a sister who is also on this J1 visa. Um teaching in Chicago, working in Chicago. um she'll be continuing her post-graduate studies in special education and she's going to be returning and doing some traveling before she finishes that. She's gonna she's the youngest and she's going to enjoy some life. And next we have Miss Miss Melanie Moloamo. Miss Miss Moolo has taught our STEM programs for K to5 students and she has worked closely with federal programs. Um I'm I'm just going to have her come up too. Hannah, come on up, baby. Hannah is her daughter who came with her. She is part

046of our family as well. Um she has grown many friendships since she's been here in the United States and she's also going to be leaving them and I know that's a bittersweet moment for her. Um, Miss Malamola's husband is a seaf farer on board an international ship. So, between the two of them, they're always, I guess, you know, not home. So, that's not a great thing. She's going to be applying for teaching positions in the Philippines. And she's thinking about um also coming back maybe at some point in time. And once again, nobody else has dibs. I do. All right. So, I just want to say thank you ladies. I can't tell you what you have brought to my life. I was not here your first two years. They can cook. >> They can cook.

047Um, so we're going to miss them tremendously and I recommend any teacher get on the program. It was great. Thank you. >> From Japan and had her stay with Sylvia for a year, work with the kids and go in classroom, teach them everything. My goodness. I had no idea it was going to be this many people. Wonderful. >> Congratulations. >> The little Looks like she's not going to want to go back. Yeah. >> All right, board. We will move to our crime stoppers poster winners and Mark Lewis. Councelor, you are recognized. >> Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, school board members, for this continued opportunity to recognize our Crimestoppers poster winners. For those of you who may not know, Crimestoppers has been going on for about 20 years in all four of our

048counties in conjunction with the Crimestoppers of Northeast Florida, the Sheriff's Office, and other folks where we have a theme that see it, say it, stop it. Now, obviously, a paramount concern of everybody, parents and educators alike, is the safety of our kids. And one of the ways we can ensure that our kids are safe is to educate them. to educate them if they see something to say something and then something can be stopped. Up here with me is Jordan Tilton from the state attorney's office and also Allison Lint from Crimestoppers. And today we're going to do something the state attorney's office normally doesn't do, and that's hand out some stuff that folks actually want. It's going to be some money. So, we categorize it by uh elementary school first, then we'll do middle, and then

049we'll do high school. We're going to start with third place, then second place, then first place. Third place, I believe, gets $100. Second place is $150, and then first place is $200. So, we're going to call the kids up. If you wouldn't mind, if you'll stay up here, and we'll get a group photo at the end. So, we'll start with elementary school, and I have as third place and fifth grade, Everly Wall. Wow. And then for second place elementary school, I have Rosie Hinton. >> Her outfit is cute. And then first place for elementary school, I have Anthony Strickland. >> Moving on to the middle school category, I have in third place, and I believe this is the second time in a row for her, Bella Carrier. Second place for middle school would be Isabella

050Hollowwell. And then first place for our middle school category would be Ava Beck. And I have it as the second time in a row for her AS WELL. ALL RIGHT. NOW FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY, THIRD place would be Charlotte Scratton. Second place would be Britlin Ross. >> And last but not least, first place for high school would be Victoria Delator. If everybody could join me in one final round of applause for these kids, PLEASE I wish we could have seen >> I didn't pay attention to Susan when she said >> presentation. >> Okay board we will now move to both presentations six and seven. We'll start with six but uh Miss Michael will be uh the spokesperson on both of them. So, Miss Michael, please come forward and be recognized. >> Thank you. Good

051afternoon, everyone. >> Good afternoon. >> I'm Michelle Michael and I am just the contact person for Putinham County for Thrive Scholars. So, today we're going to recognize two outstanding groups of students from our district's Thrive Scholarship Program. First of all, our graduating class of 2026, Thrive Scholars, and our newly accepted class of 2027, Thrive Scholars. If I could have all of you come on up and stand, and then I'm going to say a little bit about Thrive, and I'll hand out your certificates and um I will announce the names of the students. There may be some outside, >> Miss McDaniel. >> Okay. I didn't know if you heard me. There might be some outside. Thank you. I have a little traffic. >> I know it for sure. There's a lot going on. >> See, two

052of them are especially smart. They've been on FSU. Sure. >> Is that it? >> Are there any other Thrive? >> I know we had we had our new Thrive. We have two new Thrive students. Okay. Very good. Awesome. I'm just going to tell you a little bit about Thrive really quick. The Thrive Scholars Program is a highly competitive college access and leadership program designed to support high achieving students from underrepresented communities as they prepare for college and future careers. Students must complete a rigorous application process that includes multiple rounds of review and interviews before being selected into the program. So, they can all attest for that. It is a very long, lengthy process. Being accepted into Thrive is a tremendous accomplishment, but remaining in the program requires even more dedication. These students commit countless hours

053to academic enrichment, leadership development, college preparation, mentoring, and summer learning experiences in which when they're in the summer learning experiences, they are taking college courses on a college campus. So, it's very rigorous and all they're doing all of these things while balancing the responsibilities of high school life. Our graduating seniors have demonstrated incredible perseverance, discipline, and determination throughout their journey, and our newly accepted scholars are being are beginning an exciting path filled with opportunity and growth. Today we celebrate not only their academic achievements but also their commitment to excellence, leadership and creating a bright future for themselves and our community. So I will start first by announcing the class of 2026. So these are our graduating seniors and they're receiving a certificate of recognition proudly um honoring them for being a 2026 Thrive Scholar. And

054then we'll have then I'll announce the newly the new scholars. So class of 2026 graduates Andre is it May or my okay thank you Andre Mai and Andre will be attending the University of Florida. We have Dakota Wait and Dakota will be attending Florida GF Coast. Then we have Keelin Williams. And Keelin's going to, as you can see, Florida State University. And right next to to Keelin, you'll see Riley Eisbury. And Riley is also attending Florida State University. Not with us today is Cameron Cabaro. and he will be attending Santa Fe College um in the fall. And then we have our two new class of 2027 Thrive Scholars. So they will be going through the rigorous program this summer. Where are you going this summer? Have they stated yet? >> Okay. >> St. Louis. So

055they'll be there for six weeks and they'll be taking college classes. So, our two new um Thrive Scholars, class of 2027, we have Annabelle Lamb from Qi Roberts Junior Senior High School. And we have Reinie Chin from Qi Roberts Junior Senior High School. And I'll hand them their certificate and then we can do a photo real quick. Thank you guys. >> This is awesome. David, you going to be real long tonight. >> I'm going to sleep tonight. >> I'm talking about real long with your presentation. >> I don't know where I realiz Such a wonderful thing. I just wish it wasn't dressed in a suit. >> That was my student Michelle. She was Michelle Williams before Michael. coming in. >> Mhm. >> Cuz it's this one. The lamp. >> Yes. The lamp for learning. >>

056Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm not Michelle, but we're tagging out. I'm Cindy Bellamine. I'm the outgoing president of our Gamma Delta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa here in Putham County. And um I have several of my sorority sisters here with me. The Gamma Delta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa teachers honorary sorority annually awards top sixth graders from each student sixth grade students from each of our Putham County School District elementary schools. This year our award has been renamed. We use usually gone by the name of Lamp of Learning. This year we've decided to revise the name a little bit to the Alice M. Riyals Lamp of Learning Award in honor of our devoted ADK sister who shared her teaching gifts with students at various Putham County School District schools over the span of her 25 plus

057years in educational service. We're proud to present these certificates and $50 cash awards to the following students. So, just come up and you'll receive a certificate and an envelope. Don't lose that envelope for sure when I call your name. From Aquilla Elementary School, Emily Narve from James A. Long Elementary School. Taylor Richardson, who will be awarded by her grandmother, Miss Nita Richardson. grand child from Kelly Smith Elementary School. Kamara Jobson from Putnham Academy of Arts and Sciences. CAITLYN THOMAS from Melon Learning Center. Emily Grace Boils from Melrose Elementary School. Annabelle Hess from the Children's Reading Center Charter School. Adeline Jones from Browning Pierce Elementary School. Bailey Thomas from Mosley Elementary School. Trinity Tucker from Middleton Bernie Elementary School. Joselyn Martinez from Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Elementary School. Ayla Kat. Congratulations to all of you. We're

058just going to line up behind y'all. If you'll move forward a little bit. Okay. Congratulations. Susan, >> thank public comment. >> I didn't receive any. >> Okay. I'll ask if anybody wants to speak. Open. >> Aren't you glad? >> I'm more. I'm talking about nobody want to speak. That's what I mean. She >> That's a lot. >> And it's worth it. It's well worth it. >> I think we need to do this every board me. Yeah. >> But we need to do all do it at the end though. So So everybody can hear all our wonderful discussion. >> Where would they put them? That's right. Yeah. >> We could have the board meeting at the like a high school or somewhere. Okay. >> Okay. Board, we will uh >> move to uh public comment. I

059don't have any speaker cards, but if anybody from the public that's going to stay uh would like to speak, um now's your opportunity. Okay, seeing none, we'll move to our consent agenda. >> And Miss Pickkins, I'll start with you. >> I had all my questions answered. >> All right, Mr. Buckles. >> I'm good. >> Miss Gillyard >> been taken care of. Thank you, sir. >> Miss Wagner, >> I have nothing. >> Okay. I I either So, uh, chair will entertain a motion on the consent agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I move that we accept the consent agenda. I'll second that. >> Okay. You have the motion to accept the consent agenda as presented and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Like sign opposed. Motion carries. All right. Board. We'll move uh

060to adjourn this meeting and move into emergency meeting session. And uh we have two items um on the agenda under I. So the board will we can discuss one. You have any questions, discussion? If not, I'll take a re I'll take them accept the motion. >> That's the tea health. >> Yes, ma'am. The tele health purchase equipment purchase. >> Awesome. >> Mr. Chair, I make a motion that we approve item I1, distance learning grant. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second for I1. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion post like sign. Motion carries. All right. Uh item two, the coop number seven cuas number 69 and number 75 uh with the Crescent City High School Parish McCall. Um chair will entertain a motion. >> I'll offer

061a motion that we accept item I two. >> Second. >> All right. Have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. Motion carries unanimously. >> All right, we will now move to unfinished business. Um item K and um >> new business, >> I'm sorry, new business. Um and u K1 is appointment of a board representative to serve on the Putnham County Value Adjustment Board. Miss Wagner has served last year and I believe the year before. >> no, just last year. >> Just last year. >> Did you have so much fun you'd like to do it again? I'm I'm happy to do it again. >> All right. I I mo motion. Well, I'd like to uh nominate or appoint uh Mrs. Linda Wagner to serve as our value adjustment

062board member. >> I'll second that. >> All right. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> You are appointed. And then our citizen representative, Mr. Jud Newfield. >> I'm sorry. >> I need an alternate also. >> Oh, an alternate for that. >> Um >> we can um I'd like to nominate Mr. Bill Liry, >> your current the current alternate. >> He's the current alternate. Yes. I mean, you're doing a great job. So, don't I mean, >> that's right. >> Hey. Hey. >> Yeah. There you go. >> I have a motion. >> I have a second. >> All right. Motion in a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All right. Uh K2, the appointment of our citizen representative. That's required by statute. Mr. Jud Newfield has been our appointed

063member and is doing a fine job. Um, any motion on that? >> I'd like to make a motion if he's willing to accept it that we reappoint him. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion in a second. And I know he would like to continue serving. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> What about an alternate on that >> for the Do we need an alternate? >> There's no alternate for citizen. >> Okay. Yeah. So >> the next one. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Just >> are we on three? >> We're we're just starting three now. >> Oh, okay. >> So, appointment of a board member to serve as the representative and an alternate on the school boards association advocacy commi committee which is dealing with legislation

064both federal and state. >> I'd like to nominate Mr. Phil Liry. >> I second that. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I >> motion carries and our alternate >> I'd like to nominate Mr. David Buckles. >> I'll second that. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries. Um I'll try not to be absent for any of their please. >> Mr. You do quite well down there. >> Okay, we'll we'll we'll move to our board reports. Um and Miss Wagner, I'll start with you. David, sorry. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, let me start. Mr. Buckles has a >> I'm passing out a a little handout here to everyone. >> And uh

065I'm doing it because of some concerns that I've been carrying with me for >> oh, a year or two now. And and uh I I don't think it's going to be a big surprise to you, but you know, we're very fortunate in Putham County. We've got some We've got some great county commissioners that are legacy folks that families have been here for years and they didn't have to move in from across the world to try to learn about Putinham County and what we do. Um I'm proud of our, you know, some of our elected local officials that do a lot of things for us. But if you look at what we're dealing with here, I I I just have to tell you that it I this um well, we we went through some grief a

066few years ago to to take a bond issue before the people of Putnham County to build schools for the children of Putnham County. And it passed. And without a single phone call, a single, hey, did you know, uh, a tax a tax collector at the time elected to start drawing money off of this voter approved by the voters for the children of Putham County, money that takes away from the facilities that we're we're trying to renew and re revitalize and build new ones and and it just kind of it's I I've I've heard several of us. We've all had some problems about this in the last couple of years and but it's finally come to a head in in some of the counties where if you look at Sarasota County, which I passed out, they're

067they had a tax collector down there and they called it a tax collector money grab. That's what it's called on the uh website. If you look at what what they you know people have put on social media things that have happened. There are other districts that are and this is primarily not a bond referendum but these are sales tax and and where like St. John's County has a sales tax for school district. A lot of school districts have, but some of these counties are the tax collectors are trying to siphon the money off. And uh and and they have probably some legal right to do it, but just because it's right, I mean, you can carry a gun, but you don't want to walk into a school with it. This is about the children of

068Putnham County. And this is I've I've done this before, but in 2002, I submitted a vision plan at the at the request to the county commission for the children of Putnham County for them to help pass, and I wanted to stay out of it. The school board wanted to stay out of it, a sales tax for the better place. And I wrote here in a brief little paragraph uh to interested citizens, I prepared the vision plan for children of Putnham County, Florida at the request of the Putham County Board of Commission County Commissioners and the committee charged with preparing and organizing the better place for Putnham County. This plan encompasses all aspects that may affect the children of Putnham County. It is my hope that you will enjoy reviewing this document and that you will

069join me in working for the betterment of Putnham County. And it passed and I don't know how many more years, but I know the county I think still draws money off of that. And this is not against the county because we've got some of the best county commissioners. I know them personally. They had parents in education. Some of them, some one of them had a daddy on the school board and and just I could go on and I could brag on them and but the the former tax collector that that engineered this never once to my knowledge, Mr. Superintendent, did did this person ever pick up a phone and say, "Listen, we're going to try to siphon millions of dollars away from the children of Putham County by doing this." And that's essentially what it

070is. it, you know, and and I'm not, you know, I didn't like it for a while, but now that I see that we've got other people in the state of Florida undergoing this, um, you know, it it they call it the I guess the stuff I've been looking at and we could superintendent could send it to you. It says they call it the tax collector money grab and I think they're trying to resolve some differences. I know that uh you you you can't say you're going to here for us. If we're say in 10 years down the road, we need money to finish building a school in Putnham County for the children of Putham County. And we can't collect the money. And I I know Jonathan's here to do this. And I I sound kind

071of like a I'm mad. I'm not mad. I'm just very measured about this because um you you we're going to need money and I I would like to basically ask the board to let's direct the superintendent to find someone that can help us navigate this system to where we can work out some type of mutually agreeable situation with the tax collector of Putnham county and certainly with our our great county commissioners and clerk of court and I mean we got some great people even the tax collector now she she was an active parent had great kids I used to take them home drop them at her house I mean this wasn't something that a group sat down and decided there was some legal counsel I'm sure was involved in this but that legal counsel didn't

072share it with our legal counsel at the time. And >> Mr. Buckles, could I um and board you? >> Mr. Buckles and I discussed this before the meeting and and um I was going to ask if Mr. Odum could come up and >> let Jon if you would show them. >> I just want the board to realize how much money we're talking about especially over the life of the bond. >> I mean and and really since >> chair that if that's okay. >> Yeah. Since this time, and you guys have heard it, and you probably know about it, we've given property to the county at the request of the former tax collector to add prop build the senior center and and we've given the old Johnson school. I could go on and and but it's

073not necessary. Build sidewalks, city water, and sewage, run things, but we'll let Jonathan tell you. >> You're recognized. >> Thank you, Jonathan. >> Thank you. Uh I am Jonathan Odum. I'm chief financial officer of the district. Um, and I was basically asked to provide information on the commission that was collected based off the issuances. And so I went back and every October the tax collector sends us a reconciliation document of unspent revenues from uh commissions they've collected from all municipalities in the in the county. And so with our first issuance of 100 million from the school district, they collected a total of $127,000. $127,728 and that was part of $4,137,359.96 they collected from all municipalities. And so by statute what happens is those numbers are broken down in percentages. And so ours was 3.0698%. So,

074at the end of their year, um, they had $967,13753 left over. So, instead of us getting back the 127 that could either go to rebuilding schools or go to um paying down the debt, um, we are only allowed to get back the 3.0698% of that 967,000. And thus we got back $29,688.86 which is a return back of the funds of 23.38%. And so of that 127,000 they collected from us, they they were able to keep 76.62% but it actually went back to the BCC. Um the following year the commission went up because that June we got the second issuant, excuse me, not the following year, last year. Um it went up that June we got the next issuance and there's only a few months in between us getting that and their year ending and plus

075they were past most of the collection of it. Um, so it only went up to 143 or $140,31246 of 4,567,46728 and they had a remaining 931 931,6984 that year. That actually left us with 3.07% 07% of the commission collected and got us back $28,621.76. So I just want to point out in all of that um their commission collected from everyone went up, their remaining left at the end of year went down and our return went down. So over the course of 30 years for one issuance, if they're averaging just easy numbers, $125,000 a year in commission, that is um $3,750,000. One issuance, we're doing three. That's $1,250,000. If we get back an average of 20% of that, that'll reduce that. That'll return to us $2,250,000. And so over the course of the 30 years, and

076because it actually the issuances took um a 4-year period, um over the course of 34 years, they would collect $9 million off of the $300 million bond. And that would all go straight to them to use for the year. whatever they don't use most of or that $9 million amount would be returned to the BCC, not to anything that could possibly pay down the bond or go to something for the kids in a school. >> So, so the county doesn't then reimburse us. They can keep all the money even though the money was collected from us. Correct. >> Correct. because in each so in the first year they contributed 92 round it up 92.5% of total commissions of all the municipalities the second year they contributed 92.3% of all the municipalities so when it was

077explained to me and and if I just want to go back >> you do whatever you need to do we need you on this >> real quickly is um it was explained to me by the former tax collector that um the monies that weren't you that they didn't use and of course they're limited to only spending money on capital outlay. They can't use money any of this money for salaries or any of that stuff. >> Correct. >> So you're pretty limited when you already got building and facilities and all that. So, it appeared to me we'd get back, you know, probably 97 98% of the money, but you know, it would go to the county commission and then they would pay us back. Well, obviously that hasn't happened, which I'm just learning about it today.

078But, you know, also originally when all this started, you know, I asked the board attorney and and and had a discussion with the board that that our our bond attorney dropped the ball, you know, essentially to start the whole thing. He never told us that this this was in statute that they could do that, although hardly any any tax collectors in the state had done it. um which I thought was unusual and I and quite frankly I thought um that they held some liability because you know he just assumed that not there was no big that that wouldn't happen. The tax collector here wouldn't collect it. Well the tax collector here is a complete fee office. They don't they don't get any money from the the county from the county commission. Theirs is all based

079on collection of fees. Now, never do do I think that, you know, and they turn back money every year. So, by them taking money from us from the bond issue, it you know, it it really just was going to be to me a a return, although unnecessary one >> um to go to the commission and then to us. So, >> um this is alarming to me. This is alarming. uh you know, 9 million over over 30-year period in a bond when that money can be used for other capital outlay projects dealing with construction and and and that stuff with the district. >> And I want to clarify it. It's 11,250,000. I'm saying 9 million based off if we get back 20%. The first year we got back 23.38%. The second year we got back 20.4%.

080So it had a huge drop there. So, there's also a possibility it could be less and they take more. Also, one thing I did forget >> to mention is this year, we don't have the number yet. We won't get it till October. However, Laura um the from the tax collector's office in finance gave me a call and we spoke on the phone earlier and I just asked her if she could give me an estimate of what it was uh are at this point and um they have currently collected 243,000 this year which is in line 127,000* 2 is 254 with their last couple months of their collection and they're on the back end of collecting a lot of it. So, that's right in line. And when it comes next year, um, after we get the

081June one, well, it won't show up on next year's report. It'll show up on the following year. On the following year's report, it'll be 375 to 380,000 a year. >> Phil, my my comment has to do with I'm not I we've got great people working for the county. I I mean, I could go on. You You love them, too. Love some of them. I mean, we we all know them. That's not really their problem. I The bond attorney didn't catch it. Our attorney didn't catch it. But I would have liked to have thought given the fact >> our attorney at the time was attorney. >> Yes. And given the fact that the school district has helped the county over the years, but that's a county that would be the county commissioner. It wouldn't have been

082the tax collector at the time, but I believe that person was a one of the county commissioners that they at least give you a phone call. I mean, this is money that was passed by voters for the children of Putnham County, the kids. This isn't about us. This isn't about what you going to do over there at another office. I I mean, we're going to work together. We we prove that. And of course, Phil, your expertise comes in handy with this. And but I just want to know and I I I think the superintendent I'd like to see him have the latitude to reach out to whoever's been working some of the other counties. These are sales tax issues. Am I correct? They're not Don. These >> people that was a special millage referendum. the

083the email that I sent you had to do with um Sarasota County and the money we're talking about there was a one mill uh special assessment that was imposed, not sales tax. Um and um so but I'll stop unless you have questions at that point. Well, all I want to do is just try to let the superintendent have the latitude to pick up somebody that can run the ball for us and and help figure out what's going on here, what we can do. Do we find a separate pot of money and put it aside with the county and the school district? What do we do? I don't know. But those are options that we need to look at. My question would be um since they they return hundreds of thousands of dollars to the to

084the county every year that they have that the tax collector has in surplus fees that they don't that they didn't need to run their office and a and a large portion of that would be from the bond. You know, why wouldn't the county then reimburse us? because I I believe and I I don't want to state this in uh written in stone but I believe that the formula that by which the funds are returned is established by statute and that's based upon the percentage of as as Mr. Odum's in my opinion correctly stated it's based upon the percentage of contribution by the entity at issue. So our contribution was 3 >> 3.0698 the first year >> 3.06 we get 3.06 of the surplus. Then the statute says you basically get back in relation to the

085percentage that you contribute. Now the discretionary part so I'm not sure the county has a discretion. U couple things to note and I'm not trying to campaign against or for anybody. Couple things to note. Um is that um the the budget for the tax collector isn't approved by the county. >> Right. >> I'm sorry. Huh? >> By the um department of revenue. >> Right. Not by the county commission. So they don't control the budget of the of the tax collector. But the emphasis in the Sarasota case, and this is the first I'm aware of, first challenge I'm aware of that's been filed to the charging or assessment of a fee or commission by a tax collector. In this case, it was on, as I said, um one mill adorum assessment that the district had had

086passed. But this is the first I'm aware of. And if you remember some of our prior conversations when this first was made known to us which was a surprise um I don't I wasn't with the board when uh it was passed or discussed but my understanding is that and I think even the attorneys acknowledged that they did not talk to the board about it because when this matter was discussed even at I believe a schoolboard attorneys association meeting and question was asked how many of you have ever seen this happen in your districts? Nobody said yes. I mean, they they had not there was no history, experience or precedent and um no conversation. It was asked cuz the superintendent had we had discussed it and he had made contact with some people he knew and

087asked him to bring it up. think at a superintendent's meeting or the school board association attorney's meetings and as the the it was put back to us there was crickets in the room when the question was posed because it it just was not a known a known subject. So when uh when the superintendent forwarded this to me and maybe Mr. Buckles forward to you don't know how it got to to me about Sarasota having done something I contacted the attorney that filed the lawsuit and that's the email that you have. I had a conversation with him this morning uh and he sent copy of the complaint that he filed. But the important thing to note as I told uh in the email to Mr. Buckles and Mr. Superintendent Cerny was um there really hadn't been

088a court ruling on any of this because apparently what happened there was um basically, for lack of a better term, public opinion uh sort of uh seemed to result in a voluntary reimbursement of $2 million by the tax collector. So the complaint, the legitimacy, the what was has not been established. You know, he filed a lawsuit and uh and but it hasn't been he filed it for declaratory judgment saying and declaratory judgment is way by by which you ask the court to rule upon a matter about which there's uncertainty. So they filed for declaratory judgment and they filed for injunctive relief to keep the tax collector from u collecting and I guess they got a partial reimbursement at this point. Now I rather than taking a lot of his time at this morning um I

089asked him if he'd send me the copy of his complaint so I could become versed with it and then I could discuss it more intelligently with him to see how much apples to apples we have with what he filed and what we have here. For one thing, it's a big deal. I don't know whether or not his prop his tax collector is feebased because I'm sorry >> that was a question I posed earlier too. >> Yeah. Because if they're not feebased then we're talking not talking apples to apples talking apples to oranges because if they're not feebased and they're getting a budget from the county commission. Right. >> Right. >> Uh but if they're feebased they're not. >> So I don't know that. I don't know if the same logic would apply to collection of

090a bond issue as it would apply to collection of an extra mill. Um, so there's there's some issues here, but the fact that somebody has at least stepped out there and and filed a suit gives us some some room to to, you know, to further explore. When when we talked to the bond attorneys, uh, who incidentally made an awful lot of money off of this deal, uh, I should have said that. So, I guess we can Pretend I didn't say it. They hadn't they didn't have a clue as to whether or not, you know, there was >> not getting anything. But I I worry about a future a future board a few years now from now trying to deal with not having enough money to finish a school here in Putham County for the kids.

091What the bond issue was voted for. It wasn't voted for the tax collector's office to distribute and to do nice things, which is good if you can work out a solution and do it. And I would hope that locally we could work this out without going into any super dynamic crazy stuff. >> Our contention was it was a discretionary commission that they could charge. That's the same contention that is the basis of this lawsuit that it was not an obligation on the part of the tax collector to assess the fee. It was discretionary with her at that time her still her I guess uh there for her and that was the contention of the lawsuit was that it's discretionary you're not obliged to do it therefore if you're not obliged to do it you have

092the discretion >> not to or to do it in part and I guess that was that allowed them the freedom down there to refund 2 million without there being any kind of additional authorization. Well, to me there there's two important issues here that we we need to get clarification on. Uh one, um you know, I I don't have a problem with the tax collector getting a a fee is whatever fee that it cost them, not >> millions of dollars, you know, to to collect the bond. Okay, that's fine. Um so, we need to have an understanding of that. And then secondly, you know, we need to find out from the county commission, you know, of how muchever they reimburse thundous thousands of dollars if that includes, you know, part of the bond the collection on

093collecting the bond. Um, and it's a tax, you know, essentially it's it's under the abalorum tax bill you get from under the school district from from the tax collector. We need to find out, you know, is are they getting monies that should actually be coming back to us because I don't think the tax collector can send us money back directly. The only one that they can I believe under under do rules because they actually come under the opices of the county commission is back to the commission of their surplus. >> Yeah. But um they could do it >> without >> in a different way by simply not if if we're correct that it's a discretionary fee they're imposing, they could give us the relief by not charging the full fee or the full amount that

094they've charged. >> Yeah. I I Yeah. And and and if you can't and you can't use that fee for anything essentially but capital outlay, I mean, you're you're limited. I mean, you know, they're not building any new buildings or, you know, I mean, I don't think they're buying a new supercomput or anything like that. So, you know, what exactly, you know, and I knew they they have fees for, you know, they just like us, you know, their biggest cost is probably their staff, you know. Um but uh yeah, I I I see that this is Now the one thing I think that we also ought to consider is having the bond attorney since he's the one that screwed up essentially. You know, let him file the complaint on our behalf. And so, let me make

095it clear. I can't tell you that he screwed up. I mean, I can all I can tell you is that from everything I've learned, he did not inform the district of the fact that the tax collector could impose a fee. Do you agree with that, Jonathan? >> Um, I came in near the end of this process, but and when I came in, I hadn't heard anything about it until it happened. >> Yeah. >> so and they did they were somewhat surprised, I think, when the first question the question first came up. And so our our former board council I think when I brought that up um I never we never got an answer and and then in that time frame the transition started you know to you. So um you know I I think there's

096a um a responsibility the bond attorney that because that was in statute and whether or not any other school district ever done it didn't mean that they couldn't. You know a tax collector couldn't do it. Well, I do want to say our former rep um council, there was an inherent conflict there because they that particular office had council representing the tax collector's office. >> Oh. >> As well >> and the school district. So, >> right. I mean, >> I don't think they were in a position to address it because of that. >> I just want to see us work out the the right thing to do. I mean, this is about the kids. It's not about some office banking up a bunch of money. It's about getting it back to the children and the new

097schools that they're building. >> And I I just want to say I think Mr. Buckles, Mr. Chair, if you don't mind. >> Yes, sir. >> Is asking, you know, asking me to do something to address this and I guess what I want to hear is what the consensus of the board is and also need some guidance from our council as well. >> All right. Well, let's do this, Mr. Superintendent. Let's start with Miss Pickkins and I each board member that hadn't already spoken, you know, let's hear what you have to say. >> Okay. So, when we first heard about this, it was in reference to a document that was old, like really old, wasn't it? In the eight >> the statute was done. Yeah, >> it was in the >> early >> I know the

098statute was done, but there was an old opinion issued by the AG from like the 70s. I want to say no. I remember you brought that up, didn't you? Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, and and it was the word shall in that particular, >> right? >> And and and that was the one that's the word that seemed to give our tax collector the ability to do it or that she was compelled to have it done. that shall um it it didn't say May. I that's kind of what I remember. And then didn't they they could charge up to a certain percent but then they lowered the percent that they were going to charge us. Am I correct in that? >> That is correct. It it I don't know the exact threshold but it was 3% and

099then when it hit that threshold it lowers to 2%. >> Okay. So >> based upon collection, in other words, you lower when it hits >> based on when how much you collect was a threshold. I don't remember the exact dollar amount, but it's based off of how much you collect. Correct. >> And then when you hit that threshold, it goes from 3% to 2%. We hit the threshold the first year, and that's what dropped us to the 127, 127,000. And so really 127,000 should be our number, essentially our main number to base it off of going forward. And that's kind of where I I actually reduced that number to 125 when I gave you the estimates earlier. >> So I gave you a low end estimate >> not not to money the water but I

100think at some point we did ask what the additional costs would be if any to the tax collector of collecting funds from the bond issue. I don't think we ever got an answer to that question though. >> Okay. >> Right. And I don't >> think that kind of goes to Mr. Lir's point a minute ago about you know they should get whatever it cost them to collect it but >> Right. I don't think it's anywhere near what we're being charged. >> Um, >> so I'm in favor. I I' like Mr. Buckle said, I've he wasn't particularly happy with it, but it was like we felt like we had no recourse. I mean, we were being told that this is what was going to be done. And and I like you, Mr. Liry, I felt like

101we were going to get back a much larger portion. um than we are. >> And I asked Mr. Holmes a question because >> Sure. >> I think you you uh showed us that opinion, didn't you? or the do you recall it being a shall or may or >> I really would not want to step out there from my at this point because it's been a while you know and uh my thought would be that the way to go forward if you choose to go forward would be to um reacquaint ourselves with the scenario based upon the I'm sure those fellas down there uh big bigger school district much more budget for um litigation and it's a it's a firm that has it's a I don't know if it's a national firm but it has many

102they have many branches that the firm that's filed the suit and he seemed very willing to speak to me. Uh I my thought would be that we talk to him and see how much similar similarity we have with our issues and our circumstances and if that helps us avoid readmitting the wheel then you know we can get some additional information and insight from that and then we could bring that back to you and uh you know see where where that's headed. I mean it would be the ideal world they would be apples to apples with us fee based everything right on board and we'd get a court ruling that says no she doesn't have to do it or he doesn't have to do the tax collector doesn't have to char charge that fee. Well, then

103you've got current president and you know the world's the world's clean and bright. Selling works out that way. But at least we could get some insight and then that would um I I believe you're correct that opinion was old. >> I think we had two opinions actually. I think we had some competing opinions back at the time. they were relying on one and I had found a different one and um >> but you know what the attorney general's opinion is not law right I mean it's an interpretation in and of itself and they change >> sometimes um so >> depending upon where that should lead and like you say you got a 30-year track record ahead or 30-year span ahead you know there are a lot of possibilities but I I would not want to

104go out further on a limb right now because number one it's not a fresh topic I don't even have I don't have anything in front of me right now, but my point was um you know, they stepped out there and and filed it. I don't know if it'll go any further because they may now be getting voluntary reimbursements by the property and tax collector. And as you the article indicated, apparently there was there was there were quite v there was some quite vocal opposition to the idea that tax collector would charge commission on the on the ad on the 1m mill assessment in the community. Um so maybe they'll get enough out of that travel so they won't push it to a conclusion. But you know there are lots of possibilities. I mean, even to

105the point that if they've done a lot of research and they're kind of ready to go and have a firm thought about their position, I'm not suggesting it, but it's possibility that, you know, you might even move forward with them in in litigation if they're >> Well, that's kind of my line of thinking. I I just But go ahead and finish. I wait chairman recognizer. >> Do you could you tell me again to this date, how much have they collected >> this year? Yes sir. >> Okay. This year is 243,000. Um and they have May, June, July, August, September. >> And then and the year before what did they get from us? >> The year before they got 140,000. Now that was the full first year issuance and a few months of the second issuance.

106>> Hearing this and and what Mr. Buckle stated, I mean, we're looking at completing schools and the amount of money that is here. We're not talking chunk change. We're talking about monies that could be used to to complete projects and not necessarily the building of our new schools, but certainly the ones that we're talking about renovating down the road that have a little wear and tear that >> Yes. I'm I'm for us moving forward to do so. >> I wasn't quite finished. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> All I was going to say is as well as I know our current elected officials in Putnham County, I don't see where they would have any any desire to keep money that the voters of Putnham County voted for the to go to the children of

107Putnham County. But I that's me saying that. I kind of like what Don said on maybe the superintendent contacting the legal counsel and looking because there's some other school districts wrangling with this issue and I've done a little checking on uh sales tax and and and you know some of the other stuff but to to just to even sit here and have to say well may or shall this about kids and and I know you guys feel the same way it is but I know we've got to jump through some hoops, but I I just feel like with with the right help and and and and the right contact, I think we'll get it worked out. I'm just I can't help but believe that. >> All right, Miss Wagner. >> Um I'm I'm of two

108minds here. On the one hand, if it's if it is, and I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of what happened because I was not here when the original bond went through, but if it is, this may be more for you, but if it is a discretionary um matter for the tax collector, while I agree it's it this is money that was voted on that should be going to the the kids, but if it is discretionary, Um, how do you fight that? Because discretionary means discretionary. >> I think the fight is having it acknowledged that it is discretionary. If it's contingent that it's an obligation, then you have that to stand behind if you're the tax collector. Right? I don't have a choice. Got to charge it. Statute says I got to

109charge it. So, even if I wanted to give it to you, I can't. um you get your percentage back based upon the statutory formula etc etc etc which is very small but if it's discretionary now then >> then that puts the ball in her court to justify the need to take the full amount so I think the fight is uh is it discretionary or uh is it an obligation now he when I talked to him on the phone briefly this morning he seemed very he seemed very certain in the position that it was discretionary. But again, I didn't have a long conversation with him. I wanted to read his pleadings so that, you know, I could discuss it more intelligently with him. But if that was the if that if that is a conclusion and

110if it is an apples and apples comparison, you know, feebased blah blah blah, then that would be where the public opinion could come into play. >> The the the >> the track that Mr. buckles is taken about hey this was passed for the benefit of the kids >> the kids >> that's where that would be that's where the track would come into play so I think that's I think that's the key >> did you did you examine on the attachment of that email did you examine the the court document >> okay because there is an attachment on there and I'm just wondering >> he sent me the complaint >> right >> he sent me the actual complaint they filed um which you know is the is normally the basis of or based upon a lot

111you know, the research you've done and and you make the allegations that you think are and he seemed very willing to talk to me further about it, but I wanted to read exactly what he said. That all happened this morning >> and I wanted to read exactly what he had said and then have a chance to talk to him some more. But >> if >> Go ahead. >> I I just also wanted to touch on the the the board attorney. I don't even know who it was, but there does seem to there should be some kind of accountability there if >> the bond attorney. Yeah, I'm sorry. Not the board attorney. Um, yeah, the I mean if >> Yeah, I mean there seems like there should be some inclusion of of who was doing the

112representation there. The fact that it was an old a very old statute perhaps is kind of irrelevant there because there's a lot of law that goes back a long way. um just because it's not utilized uh often or it's just not customary um is kind of irrelevant if it's still on the books. You hear all the time about some really crazy laws that are still on the books. >> Um >> and that and that that is very true and that was my biggest concern when I came out of this, you know, when it first originated and I just said, "Look, you know, maybe we ought to file suit against the bond attorney and let them figure out how that we they can get us out of it." And you know, we just kind of, you

113know, we didn't we didn't move forward with it. But I don't think any of us, you know, at that time really understood how much money we were talking about. I mean, this this is just astonishing to me. >> Um, but here's a recommendation that I would make. Let's let the board attorney and the superintendent move forward and and find out some of this information. Uh, come come back at the next board meeting and present it to us. what and and maybe some some uh options that we could pursue. >> Would that work, Mr. Superintendent? >> I'm consensus. I'd like to see the superintendent contact >> his education counterparts and Don had the op the latitude to work with. I think you're going to find more attorneys that are dealing with some of this because I

114maybe I'm wrong on my stuff I'm looking up, but uh and I don't our people locally, they they're good people. They don't mean bad, but it's like Phil said, I I think we need to do and go ahead and let Don and Rick handle it and go from there. I'm >> all I can take of it. I just >> Jonathan can also work with us >> and right and the CFO. Correct. And anybody else on on administration? Okay. I I'll entertain a motion to do that to uh have the uh Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we approve the motion to or that that we get the attorney, Mr. Holmes, to contact uh who he needs to contact and the superintendent to contact anyone throughout the state he needs to contact to bring the

115information back to us >> with and with some possible recommendations. >> Yeah. Do you I I don't think we're going to need to contact the county, but it would be nice if somebody did let them know that we're looking at it. I'm sure they'll hear it tomorrow, but it's no, you know, most of them are good, wonderful people. I know that they didn't have anything to do with this. >> We did. >> Oh, okay. >> And I do want to say we did bring this up to >> the current the tax collector at the time during a bond oversight meeting. >> Yeah. >> And had a healthy discussion about it. >> Good deal. Okay. So, I have a second. Any more discussion? >> So, you're bringing this up as an emergency item because it's not

116agenda. >> Yes. So, and that's that's fine. Just acknowledge that you're bringing up as emergency item. >> Emergency item. >> Okay. All right. Um, we have a motion in a second. Um, Miss Miller, did you get that? >> All right. Very good. So, uh, this is an emergency item based on these numbers. It's more than an emergency. Um, so all in favor of the motion signify by saying I >> I >> oppose. Lock sign. Motion carries unanimously. >> Okay. We will now go to you, Miss Wagner, for your board report. >> Um, just very brief and to the point. Um it was a long long uh line of presentations today, but it was uh very uh enjoyable to to see and um congratulations to all the athletes and um I'm just looking forward to uh

117this busy month of graduations and more awards ceremonies and uh hope everybody stays safe through throughout and I'll leave it at that. Okay, Miss Gillyard. >> Uh, real quick, I shared with the superintendent during our time that one of our former employees years ago, she was the executive secretary for Mr. Harry Bernie down in Crescent City. Uh, as we speak, she's still alive today. She turned 100. She was Corine Tilman at the time, but now she's Corine Milton. She was the executive secretary. Um, so I wanted to share that. Um, just mentioned Brown and Pierce did an awesome uh recognition of their teachers, staff, and volunteers at a dinner last Thursday uh night. Mrs. Scranton and her staff did a phenomenal job. It was like you had stepped into some fancy restaurant. It was just

118phenomenal. And just want to send a shout out to them for that. Um, got an opportunity to see Cinderella. uh last Friday and uh got a chance to hug Mr. P and he said this is it for him. This is his final production. That was his granddaughter on stage. She was Cinderella. So it was just great. >> Also uh got an opportunity to pres to participate in the National Day of Prayer last Thursday right next to here at uh St. James I think it's St. James. Yes, St. James Methodist Church. Uh just want to commend uh principal Chris Lee for a phenomenal job. Uh he was tasked with praying for education and administrators and he laid it down calling out specific things for our district. And the final thing the uh they've spoken about all

119of our athletes so I won't go into that. Uh the banquet softball and baseball banquet last night was just great. Second to none. I'm done. Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Buckles, do you have anything else? >> Phil, I've done enough. I think you got it under control. >> All right, Miss Pickings. >> Okay. I just had a little bit. Um the Take Stock in Children senior awards was um really nice uh and very special for me because I had my first um I have my first senior um that we've been together for four years and so it was it was really special. Um, also just congratulations to all the coaches and all of the all-state athletes today, the the children with their art, everything was um really really good. And you know, it was long,

120but sometimes we need a big dose of good, you know, positive. So um and you know, I'm looking forward to the graduations and the promotions and um honors programs that awards still to go. So, um it's a busy time in the school district. Um it's also a time to reflect, but it's really a a time to just um be happy about where we are. >> Thank you. Um I just I'll be as quick as I can with this. Uh I passed out before the meeting to everybody on the DS. um the issues of importance to small school districts in this the special legislative session on the budget started today and of course they'll be going until they uh adopt a budget which could be a month you know um I'm hearing not very positive things

121but just as you go down this list and and one thing I wanted to point it out to everybody and especially in light of our our earlier conversation about funding and and taxes and that type of thing. And the special facility construction program, which we've taken advantage of significantly. Um, in this in the budget currently that they're debating, the Senate funded all the recommended projects. The House proposal did not include any special facility construction funding. The school districts affected or with approved projects are all predominantly small school districts financially strained like us. Baker, Bradford, Dodto, Gaston, Hardy, Henry, Holmes, Lefayet, Union, and Wakulla. We need to be very focused on the budget and and understanding, you know, what the implications and the things that we're dealing with, not only in this budget process the legislature

122is currently going through, but in future ones. Uh, you can see the other rule, district supplemental services is important to us. um funding to mitigate the FY25263 calculation. Uh obviously assistance to school districts and financial emergency. There are two of them currently, Union and Glades. Um and then most importantly, and this has got to be done, segregate funding of the voucher program and pass legislation that separates funding for voucher choice programs in a separate funding program. Um, and that is imperative for us to write the ship and and and for school districts, big and small, because you read every day in the press clips how all these schools, you know, Valuchia Countyy's got to cut 25 million. St. John's County is laying off teachers. I mean, it's just unbelievable what's happened. But but I do

123want to just last thing real quickly just br you know tell you what what's being said in Tallahassee by the press and what they're they're seeing and of course they've got you know full-time people up there in the capital that you know school districts across Florida are hitting a financial wall ahead of the 2627 school year facing higher cost and dwindling enrollment of punishing combination already promoting plans for hundreds of teacher and staff layoff in some areas. Currently, we're we're not in that boat, but there are a lot of our friends that are. Uh, but however, lawmakers, and this is the key point, are unlikely to send a major cash infusion to patch a public schools battered by years of enrollment losses. All while Florida's universal school choice program flourishes and is expected to see

124another year of voucher growth. You know, we are in a at a time that I don't think ever in the history of public education in this state that we faced. And you know, if the legislature doesn't come and and help us, you know, as the superintendent and I were talking earlier before the meeting, there will be a lot of school districts that are just going to go belly up. And um so anyway, I did, you know, send emails to our our two legislators, you know, asking them to prioritize these for the small districts. Um we'll see what happens, but I'll be following it close and if anything I need to get information to y'all before we meet again. I'll I'll be sure and do that and make sure it's in the sunshine. That's all I

125have. Okay. Mr. Attorney, you have anything? Just briefly, it's enlightening to me sitting up here watching some of the accomplishments of some of the kids in our district, even for someone who thinks they're a little bit aware of what's going on. If you'd have told me we had a first grader who scored a perfect score on Greco Roman mythology, oh my gosh, I probably had mythology going in the first grade, but I don't think it was Greco. >> Greco Roman got one of those when he was in the first grade. >> Just amazing to me. just absolutely unbelievable. >> Yes, sir. >> Both of his parents, by the way, are um former teachers of the year for the district. So, >> yeah. >> Mr. Mr. Superintendent. >> Yeah. And I'll be brief. Um first of

126all, I'm flying to Miami Thursday for all the superintendents in Florida are meeting with all the college presidents in Florida with the commissioner of education. So, um I hope to bring back some information. Not sure if it'd be positive or not, but anyway, we'll be meeting there. Um, and going back um, Mr. Chair to your comments about, you know, especially small districts, you know, they small districts are very vulnerable right now financially. >> I mean, big districts, you're filling this too, but small districts are >> a few students away from going belly up, be honest with you. And I actually contacted the director at NEPAC, uh, Patrick Weneck, and asked if we could schedule a time where the board of directors or all the superintendents and the CFOs could actually get together and some of

127our our assistant superintendents to get together and just meet and talk about it sooner than later. you know, what can we do as a a consortium in small districts where possibly we could share ideas, we could possibly share services across district lines. I mean, we we're at a place now if we don't come together and try to resolve this, then we're all going down one by one. So, anyway, we we have planned something uh going to tie it on to our June board of directors meeting. Actually, I think we're going to try to have it in this room, but we'll meet and um I'll hope to come out with some ideas and some some strategies to address what you brought up. So, we're on it. Also want to announce that um uh very happy Ashley

128Mcool, our executive director of federal programs and her staff have been working. You know, it's really important for our community to have afterchool care. And you know for a number of years we've been uh funded by 21st century. Um but that is never a certainty. So we want to en ensure that our schools provide that after school care whether we get the funding or not. So they have created you might have seen in our social media they submitted uh four applications to continue and expand the 21st century extended day program. And these programs have taken on a new name now. They call them crew clubs and that's an acronym stands for u create c creativity resilience exploration and wellness. So that's really going to be the focus of our afterchool programs. But essentially we're going

129to have afterchool programs whether we get that funding or not. And I just want our public to know that because you know that's huge. People are working. They they depend on that and we just don't babysit. I mean they have activities and extended day activities. So I just want to mention that final thing is I want to mention that um today I made phone calls to seven different individuals and informed them they are our new products of Putin this year. >> Oh good. >> And I just want to quickly uh call their names out and uh tell you what category they represent and what high school. First one is agriculture, Jerry Mullins, and he's a 1982 graduate of Inan High School. For business, uh, this this person's a graduate of Pala High School 2000. You

130may have heard of this guy, Charlie Douglas. So, he is really excited about it. In community service, LSE Guerrero, who was actually one of our employees, graduated Crescent City High in 97. in the area of education. Another familiar name, Joe Pickkins. And uh he actually graduated in 1976 from Crescent City High in healthc care. >> He was in remedial studies. >> He's going to he's going to watch this meeting, David. I'm sure. >> I hope he does. in healthcare. Brandy Traxler and she graduated >> wonderful >> in Arkin High in 2005 in industrial manufacturing Delta Neely. >> Good deal. >> Who I remember at PHS U class of 1994. And finally, another common name in public service, Jarvis Wright >> is u the selection there. He's a PHS grad from 2007. And I do want

131to point out >> we are trying to kind of narrow down our celebrations and I invited them to their high school graduations if they'd like to come. But we we are not going to do the breakfast like we have in the past, but we are going to do the rooftops. >> No grits >> at We'll get you grits. >> That's the quote of the day right there, is it? No grits. We are going to have the rooftop celebration on the river center. Um, we don't have the exact date yet. Might even tie that to the end of a board meeting where y'all can come, but we invited all of them and their families uh sometime early to mid June. So, as soon as we get that date finalized, >> Rick said there may or shall

132be grits. >> Cheese grits. >> That's been spoken a couple times today, hasn't it? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> So that's all I have and congratulations. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> All right. No other business come before the board will stand adjourned.