001I'll call the meeting of the school board to order and uh will be led by the pledge by Mr. Buckles and invocation by Miss Gillyard. Please stand. 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. Just before we do our invocation, we're going to ask that we all observe a moment of silence uh in honor of our former chief of police for the Putnham County School District and the sheriff of Putnham County, Mr. Jeff Hardy. So, we're going to ask that we have a moment of silence and then we will do our invocation. Let us pray. Father, in the name of your son Jesus, we have assembled here today. God, we pray as
002always for your guidance. Father God, in times we just need your direction. We need you to instruct and lead us and guide us. For God, all of us here are basically here for the same reason because we love our children. We want the best education for them. Our stakeholders are here because they support our teachers, our staff. And so God, we just pray that as we sit here, God, you help us to make the best decisions that we possibly can to move our children forward so that they are competitive at any level. God, we just bless your name and we thank you for the leadership of our superintendent and for those here at the district office and most especially for all of our administrators. God, it takes all of us to make it work together
003for our students. And then God, for those students that will come to be recognized for their achievements, God, we want them to know that we celebrate them, that we see them, and that we appreciate them. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen. >> Amen. >> Okay. Board, we will start the meeting with uh our presentations. Under B1, we'll have our retirement recognitions and Miss Whitehurst. >> Oh, I'm sorry. You want to do this one first? All right. >> Wait a minute. Sorry. Um we will start with the Qi Roberts academic team. Y'all got promoted to number one. So, please come up and uh who's representing them be recognized. Good afternoon. My name is Caitlyn Bose. I'm the coach of the Putnham County Academic Team. Uh my co-ach in this and in all
004things is Mr. Ian Bose. Um, and I'm here today to present to you the Florida State Champions of the Commissioners Academic Challenge, which is in its 39th year. So, this is a 40-year tradition in the state of Florida, where teams from each county are invited. Um, so while we all come from Qi Roberts, we're there representing Putnham County, and they have won this FHSAA sanctioned tournament. We are the state champions. Um, so a round of applause of these for these students. Yeah, that's an ovation. Yeah, >> I'm going to briefly just recognize them by name um and just acknowledge the folks who helped us get here. So, our freshman, uh Bruce, if you'll wave, Bruce Pvat, he's in just ninth grade and a state champion. Um we have our sophomore, uh Cheyenne Penna, who actually
005skipped a grade, so she would have been a freshman. Uh we have one junior, Bethany Redmond, who unfortunately had a family emergency, so she can't be with us today. Um but she's fabulous. She's very involved in the band. And we had three seniors. Uh Aiden Stewart, uh who has a pilot's license. Um Brandon Brown, who's a really accomplished classical studies student. And then um our very first here in Putnham County, he is an allstate player, the very first one ever from Putnham County for academic team, Dominic Bodakan. So all of these students have won a $500 scholarship each. They get state champion rings uh as well as their medals. Um and we just want to thank of course uh Superintendent Serny, the board um also Miss Renee Huff and the CTE office um as well
006as our administration for their support and thank you for recognizing these students again. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We also want to recognize Miss Charice Williams, assistant principal at Qi Roberts. Thank you. on the Wi-Fi. >> On the Wi-Fi. >> Yes. >> We didn't have to worry about that, did we? >> No. No. No, >> I didn't. >> And they give >> I didn't get none of that. >> Welld deserved, too. >> Okay. >> Also impressive. >> All right, board. Uh we will now move to our retirey recognitions. And uh Miss Whitehurst, you are recognized for those. >> Good afternoon, board. Um it is you can tell it's starting to get towards the end of the school year because we may see more and more that we are recognizing as they make decisions. Um so today
007we are actually we have seven but I believe five of them are here so we're going to be honoring them. I want to start out with Miss Sarah Clifton. Um she is retiring from James A. Long. Come on up. Um, how many how many years total >> here? All together, how many years have you served in education? >> 61 years. >> I saw her a while ago. >> Third retirement. That's awesome. You want to do >> Yeah. >> You want to get them in? >> You want to get the rest? >> Yeah. them individually. >> Let's do them individually. >> We'll do them individually. >> I say individual. >> Individual and then group. >> She deserves an individual. >> Huh? 60 years. >> She's been telling me what to do since I was in kindergarten.
008retired. >> Yes. >> Wow. >> Unbelievable. >> Okay. And now we want to recognize um Mr. D. Pull. He has been at Middleton Bernie as a par profofessional and he has served the district for 29 years and he had a year with the sheriff's department. So a total of 30 years. We are gonna do one other person with him first. >> Okay. >> Oh, >> it's very special person. So, >> they kind of go together. Um, we are also going to be recognizing Miss Tammy Pulum and she has been a teacher at Middleton Bernie and she has 36 years with Putnham County Schools. Congratulations. Uh >> oh. >> Okay. And now we are going to recognize Mr. Ronnie Rollers. He has been with us in the um maintenance department or maintenance department for the last
00911 years. And we have one more that we want to do. This one's a um I think maybe a little bit special for some people that will be standing up here. Um we want to recognize Miss Penny Cerny. She has been um our one of our school psychologist and she served Putnham for 29 years and has given education a total of 39 years. Best luck to you. >> Yeah, she still doesn't know how to change a tire. >> She can't change tires. >> Driver's Ed. Yeah, I told her in driver's >> ed. >> All right. Thank you. >> That's it. >> That That's all of them. I thought they were going to do group. >> I guess not. >> I thought they thought you were going to do the group. >> All right, board. We
010will move to our um second presentation. American Heart Association. Miss Kenna Foster, if you'll come up please and be recognized. So, good afternoon board and superintendent. Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Immediate CPR can double or triple a victim's chance of survival. And when combined with AED, survival rates can increase by 50% or higher. Today, I would like to thank the American Heart Association and HCA Healthcare for their generous donation of 12 CPR and school training kits. These kits will help our district meet the requirements of House Bill 1607 and board policy 2417, ensuring students receive CPR and first aid training, including AED use and hands-on skill practice once in middle school and once in high school. Each kit includes the materials needed to
011train in a single class period and can be used to train thousands over time. On behalf of the superintendent and board, thank you for your continued support and commitment to student safety. And I'd like to show you. So, in each of these handy dandy, which is so nice for individuals like me that have to pull it around, there are 10 of these fellas with the practice AED. So, the students will be able to practice how they put the pads on and then actually be able to do the compressions. Um, it also has a curriculum in there so that we can train the staff and then myself also will be helping deliver these in the school. So, if we could bring you guys up and thank you with >> Canada, you think you're going to have
012them at work sites like in this building and in >> the Yeah. Anything to I'm always happy to train if somebody is wanting um to learn hands only CCPR. Are you signing up to be my first victim, Mr. Bubbles? >> No, but I have I have had employees have a heart attack and give mouth to mouth and chest compression and and then lose them on the way to the hospital before. So, >> okay. >> Anywhere that we can do that, you let us know. >> Okay. I will. >> Kenna, do you want to introduce the hospital team or you want Janet to do it? >> I'll let Janet So, Mr. Books, I will work with operations Sarah Jeene or someone to get that going. Miss White or somebody. >> Jan, come up here and introduce
013your team. Well, your boss in your team, excuse me. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm Janet Martin and this is Landon Smith, our CEO over at HCA Florida Putinham. I also have Shelby Bobbit with me from the American Heart Association and also Amy Johnson who's also traveled to come be with us today. >> Great. Thank you. >> Get a picture. At >> least she didn't grab Phil one said get the dummy to a surgery. She's out. So, I don't know when I'm gonna back, but I had no I was in the office. I think so. I just Make sure you picture. >> Hey, young man. >> How you doing? >> All right. Good to see you. >> I was with clients all afternoon, but >> am I right? >> But like I said, I've got
014my main appointment last Monday and I don't know when I'm going to get back. >> Mr. Chair, can just update us on who we play for >> program? >> All right. >> Yes, ma'am. Please proceed. >> So, um, this year, as we continue to strive to be a heart healthy district and make sure that all our employees and students are safe, we will be offering the EKGs um to student athletes. But we're not just limiting that to athletes. It is for all incoming 7th graders through 12th grade. But specifically on April the 20th, Palaca High from 6:00 to 8, Crescent City Junior Senior High, April 20th from 4 to 6. Interlockan Junior Senior High May the 8th from 9 to 1. Interlockan Junior Senior High May 15th 9 to 1. So you can go to
015the district website, the links are on there. Questions were asked last night um in regards to Qi Roberts. So those athletes would go to the school that they generally play for or just register any school and we'll open that up. Any other questions? >> This the third year we've done it. Th >> This is our second year. >> Second year. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> And last year we had how many? 500. >> We we had over 500 and we had four students identified that required surgery. >> Right. >> Yes, sir. >> Incredible. So, um this will be in compliance with the new law that all incoming 9th grade athletes require an EKG. Of course, the parents could opt out with um through their physician paperwork. And then all 10th through 12th graders, if it's
016the first time they're playing sports in their high school career. So, it is a new law this year that takes effect. >> I had a presentation at the superintendent's conference last week. They have a project atom >> which is in South Florida, which is same similar type thing. So, uh, very worthwhile. The the number of student athletes that are impacted by that is >> Yes, sir. >> You know, very troubling. >> It is troubling. >> Would are we going to offer it again like the physicals again in the spring or late fall? >> So, I do not coordinate the the physicals. I only coordinate the EKG parts, but if there are ever a group of students that need a EKG, I'm always willing to contact who we play for. If they have the capability to
017ship me a machine, I go do the EKGs. But I do believe over the summer, Crescent City is having a physical, but we're really trying to push them now because that new law takes effect and it's even if you have the intent to play. So, um, we got to get these kids the EKGs, of course, unless their parents opt out through their physician. >> Physical, excuse me, if their physical is not due until November 10th, then insurance won't pay for the, but they could still come get the EKG. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Is that all, sir? >> Thank you, Kenneth. Very, very good presentation and thank you for all you do. All right, board. We'll move to our public comment um on the uh agenda and we just as one
018speaker has signed up Mr. Tim Hotailing Hotelling. Mr. Tim if you would come up and give your name and address and you are recognized sir Tim Hotelling 105 Riverside Way San Mateo. Um, I sent you all a couple of this is in in regards to uh the consent agenda where there's a request for uh uh given $6,000 back or so. And I thought there was some perspectives that you all need. I sent you emails. I have some copies here if you anybody wants some more. But I'm sorry if you could pass this. there's an addendum coming around which is my point right now. Uh all of the newspaper press claims that the reason for the the request was because of uh uh all criminal they could not prove criminal intent. I would submit it because
019that's the way the information was presented to uh FDLO or FDLE because in the agent's report it specifically identified it the purpose was to determine if there was a petite lararseny. And as you can see from the list of uh uh applicable statutes that could be uh considered violated, there's a whole mess of them that do not require a finding of criminal intent. They figure that if you've been uh working for the school for or the business whatever for 30 years and you probably wrote part of the policy uh that you should probably know the policy and there's a lot of court decisions that say that if you sign on the bottom line or even if your signature just appears on the bottom line that says I certify that I certify is uh goes beyond
020any kind of a need of intent. Uh, I would respectfully suggest that uh um this presentation might be reviewed. Don over there knows him or uh a prosecutor and you you if you want to push it then take it back and have it re-examined because it was a faulty faulty investigation from my perspective. >> Thank Thank you, Jim. Okay board. Um before we start our public hearing on our consent agenda, uh superintendent, you have some comments? >> Yeah, I um Mr. Chair, you could u emailed me yesterday and asked me if we would pull E5 regarding the refund request uh just for further review and um so I consented to that and we actually are going to have that discussed tomorrow during our audit workshop. So we we will give more information and provide more
021details. So and then we can put that on the a future board agenda. >> Thank you. And uh also for the record uh E7 has has been has been withdrawn also. So um we will start on the uh each board member. Um and Miss Pickkins will start with you. Any any items to pull off the consent agenda? >> Oh, sorry. I had all my questions answered. >> All right, Mr. Buckles. >> I'm good. Mrs. Gilliard, >> everything in the answer. I have nothing to pull. >> Wagner. Okay, then I'm good. So, uh, chair will entertain a motion on the consent agenda, please. >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve the consent agenda as presented, minus, E5, and E7. >> Correct. >> Second. >> All right. Have a motion and a second. All in
022favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries unanimously. All right. We'll move into we have no unfinished or new business. So, we will move into board reports. And Miss Wagner, I'll start with you. >> Well, I just want to say once again, congratulations to those state champs that set up here um earlier. That's really really impressive and hope they know how proud of them that we are. >> Um I also wanted to mention when Kenneth Foster was up um you're you you were the one that spoke to the insurance committee uh not long ago. Um and I just wanted to say thank you for that. It was um uh regarding the vaccinations. Uh I had some questions that she really was able to lay out to me and and just a reminder that was
023brought up in our conversation. Uh our employees are bombarded with so many emails daily and if you ever ask them about it, you see the eye rolls and go, "Oh my gosh, all the emails from various sources." But it just goes that particular issue, it really was an important one. So, um I just encourage all the employees do try to u at least give a glance to some of these um emails because they may have some very important implications. So, just give them a read and if you have questions um do reach out and ask. I wish I had and I had I did not and luckily you were at our our meeting and I do appreciate it. And beyond that uh just looking forward to the meetings tomorrow and um I will pass the
024>> Okay. Thank you, Miss Gillyard. >> Yes. Real quick, sir. Um, >> yes. >> Oh, okay. You got it. Okay. Just want to give thanks uh from the Zeta FBA sorority for all of those that helped uh in in the autism awareness uh uh presentations. Uh certainly to Mr. Andy Bernett and to Superintendent Sery uh and for the outing at CEO. Also on that same note, the city of Palaca and Crescent City uh councilman and and city commissioners did recognize autism awareness. And so as a member of that sorority, we say thank you. Uh got an opportunity, the three of us, to ride in the uh catfish festival. Uh it the the festival was great, well attended, but the thing that got me the most was at the um council meeting. Um Mayor Meyers mentioned
025uh the the profits that were made and the students that they will be able to help to go to college, the scholarships that would be given. That was the most important part of it. Um and I say ditto to what uh Mrs. Wagner said in regards to our state champs and the final thing just this is more so to our students uh there scholarships out there uh monies that are being given to help students to go to college and we're finding that few of them are filling out the applications and applying and I say that from firsthand experience. Um I was shocked to get back only three from a school and I will not name the school but but the the monies are there and we encourage our children to to just basically what you've
026already done your your community hours your volunteer hours your your your academics your grades you already have those and they generally just ask them to write an essay on a given topic and and don't ask for that many words so we got to get them out of that I won't say laziness this but might say apathy but the monies are there and and we want to encourage them to go for it. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> I'm done. >> All right, Mr. Buckles. >> Uh Mr. Attorney, are you going to be at the workshop? >> I plan on it. >> Good. Well, I'll save my questions till then because I'm I've about, you know, I've looked at this long enough and I've I've just never quite Well, no, I have. I've seen people try
027to make something out of this stuff over the years and to the point it's just something we need legal advice on tomorrow for sure. But uh what I would like to report on would be the passing of our former he was our first chief of police of the school district in Putham County when the laws changed and we could hire one Jeff Hardy. Uh I mean we we mentioned him in the beginning and I I just can't let it go without saying enough that uh you know Jeff we he was a basically got out front of of the Coline situations after that took place and went to work with us. I I can remember a bomb threat at Palatka High where the kids had been out for a couple of hours. Rick would probably remember
028this. He was there and uh in the one of the back rooms, a diesel or kerosene had leaked onto a some bags of what was called fertilizer. Well, I went out there and they had the St. John's County Sheriff's Office and a robot going down the sidewalk real slow and the kids have been standing out there thousand, you know, 2,000 kids for an hour or two. And I drove down there to the room and went in and it was dolomite lime. And I loaded it in the back of my truck, which I know I was a little younger then, but I I threw it in the truck and I drove up to where the robot was and Jeff was with the bomb squad out of St. John's County and I told him I had the
029bomb in the back of my truck and I was taking it to my mother's house to throw out. It was dolomite lime. And he got mad and threw his phone down and busted it. And it was just one of those really funny deals that I mean he he was doing everything right and he did his heart was in it. And I I tell you he put together groups where administrators were on call to go look for a missing child. Um and and uh one of his one of his final statements that we talked about was the fact that when he passed that the first person he wanted to see in heaven was Haley Cummings. >> Haley Cummings. >> But that's me. That's that's it. >> Okay. Miss Pickkins. >> Well, I'm an emotional person, so
030Miss Mr. Buckles has me a little in a bother now. that that was a horrible time. Um >> terrible >> uh the catfish festival uh did it it was successful and it's mainly or the only reason it's successful is because of the volunteers. Um the other Rotary clubs and come and they work all day. They're committed to it just like the Rotarians in Crescent City. And a huge part of the success has to do with the students at the high school. Um my husband has done the swamp cabbage after Mr. Buckle's dad and um he asked when they were cutting the trees down, which is not a very fun thing to do. Um he asked for the guys to raise hands or girls, there's girls to raise hands if they had um started this project
031when they were in high school. And Bill said he was amazed that they began this when they were in JR OTC and or maybe the um FFA club and they've continued to give of their time as young adults and it's it's just a wonderful thing to see a whole community and not just the South End but other communities coming and helping. Um I also this time of year you see all the Facebook posts about the the different achievements of our students you know how who got points and made read enough books to qualify and it it really makes you feel good you know that our schools are doing a wonderful um job. Uh also, um the the students that have completed their industry certifications that just gives them, you know, a oneup on people that
032haven't done that. I I don't think we celebrate our our programs enough. You know, I I saw just yesterday nine nine kids at the high school in Crescent City had passed their egg and um and then before that it was welding. And I just think, you know, they these kids, they have a starting block and then they can jump wherever they want to. Uh um also Tammy and D um Fulam are are going to be hugely missed at Middleton Bernie and um they've I D was my JV volleyball coach for quite a while and I have some really hilarious stories and uh I one of my fondest memories of Tammy was her singing um the rose in the high school um homecoming contest and she was extremely talented even back then. So that's a huge
033huge void to fill for us. And lastly, uh Miss Wagner and I got to go to the um take stock and children mentors mixer, which you know, I've said before, I think it's a fabulous program. Um and I was extremely proud that um Kenan Henry won take stock mentor of the year. Kenan does a lot and uh coaching wise he's a custodian who takes his job extremely serious. He coaches football, flag football, girls basketball. I I think he wanted to even start track this year. He's he's just always always busy, but he also mentors 10 kids. >> I think that's pretty impressive. So, um hats off to Kenan Henry. >> Thank you. Awesome. >> Um, I'd just like to mention, um, we did finish up with the fair. I think somebody mentioned that earlier. And,
034um, there were almost 200 animals sold, um, you know, steers, um, and pigs and, and other chickens and other animals. There's over 200 kids participating in that. And, uh, it couldn't happen without all the volunteers. And Miss Huffle can attest to this that I think the only people that are paid are the the judges and then the auctioneer and everything else is um you know volunteer work and let me tell you you know 30 steers and 140 something pigs and chickens and everything. It's it's a big job and a lot of responsibility. So um hats off to to all the volunteers that that help with that every year and certainly this year. And then again uh the retirees recognition. I mean, um, you know, the the service that they have performed for the district and
035and and making it what it is and helping our students is just immeasurable. And I congratulate them again. And I hope that you do like my mother did when when she retired after 25 years. She told my dad she was going to Europe and he could come or not. She didn't care. So anyway, that's all for me. M Mr. Attorney, I think. >> All right. Mr. Superintendent. >> Yeah. a few um you may want to check your calendars. We did have today the Isaiah City Kuanas all a all a banquet today at the Shrine Club and uh we had Mr. Tom Hunter give the keynote and uh just a very nice meal and u you know little event for our students seventh and eighth grade who've earned all A's for the year. So very nice.
036Uh tomorrow just a reminder we have our uh workshops on instruction materials. Jen at 9:00 and our workshop on audit findings at 9:30. And then Thursday, April 16th, our top scholar ceremony will be at the sale over turf auditorium at 7:00 p.m. right in the middle right at the same time as the baseball game. So on Monday, May 11th will be the all county sports banquet and that will be at the PLA PLA Junior Sea Commons area at 6:00 p. p.m. and we we have rescheduled the May 12th soul source workshop. I think you contacted them already, didn't you? And that has been moved to Wednesday, May 27th at 2 p.m. Um, I do want to announce I talked to Sheriff Delo a few minutes ago and he says there will be a memorial ceremony
037for Jeff Hardy. It will be June the 4th at 2 PM and we're trying to work out the uh facility, trying to have a large facility. Soon as we have the details on that, I'll let you know. But that is a date and time. And uh just want to give a shout out to the Placa Junior Senior High Baseball Team. Actually have one of their assistant coaches in the back and they are playing tonight for the first game. They are number one seed in their district playing east side at 7 pm. And Brian, if I'm not mistaken, our team is 19 and six. 19 wins, six losses. So, you know, having a good year. And uh just another shout out, I think I can take the privilege just to congratulate my wife Penny for 39
038years of um being a school psychologist. And I'm just uh I'm looking forward to her being home so I don't have to do dishes and laundry as much. Right. Don't say anything. >> Somehow I don't. >> And being a school psychologist and not be able to test kids and all that, I feel like I'm the only one that's going to be tested from now on. So I might be uh you might find out something about me. >> Studying you for years. >> Yeah, I've been studying. Just write a report on me. >> Thank you. That's all. >> All right. Okay. Any other business come before the board? If not, we will stand adjourned. >> 9:00 tomorrow.