School Board Meeting- 2-3-26

001call the uh school board meeting to order for February the 3rd. Uh we will have the invocation led by Miss Pickkins and the invocation led 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 the name of your son, Jesus, we have assembled here today to conduct the affairs, God, of this great institution. God, we pray for your divine guidance. We pray, oh God, that we would act in the best interest of our children, our employees, God, and that we will serve our community well. God, we pray for those farmers that are suffering, that have lost crops due to the freeze. We

002pray, Father, because not only the farmers are hurting, but those that work to harvest those crops and then the grocery stores. So God, we know and we trust you to work everything out. God, we just pray for your divine guidance that we will make decisions, God, that that will be right for all of us with our hearts in the right place. We ask all this in Jesus's name. Amen. >> Amen. >> So, we're going to feel it in the grocery store. >> All right, board. We've got a number of presentations and we'll start with the spelling bee winners. Miss France, you're recognized. >> Thank you very much board and thank you to the people on the board who helped support the spelling be this year. This was our 57th annual spelling bee and we had

003nine rounds and on January 21st we have a winner who actually was our runner up last year. So I'd like to introduce Travis Ladson who is our runner up. Travis, you want to come on up? So maybe next year, Travis, you can be the winner winner because Alvin Williams, come on up. Was our runner up last year and he is our winner this year and he actually will be representing us in the spelling be regionals. They went nine rounds. I will say it was the most respectful and um teamwork oriented spelling bee ever. I I was so proud of the kids. They they did such a great job. Do you remember your winning word, Alvin? >> Yes. It was parachute. >> Parachute. Yes, sir. It was in nine rounds. And so they both did great.

004Actually, Alvin gets to take a giant plaque back to his school. So, I'm gonna bring it to him. I'm gonna ask Curtis Ellis to come on up. And if somebody's from Browning Pierce for Travis to come up. If not, that's okay. Hang on. >> Alvin, if I counted, this should be 57 names on here. Or is this the 57? This hangs in the school until next year when they bring it back. Alvin brought his just a little bit. >> He wants the lights on you. So, we are very proud of Alvin and our runner up. >> And Travis, hopefully next year you'll be up here with your name on the >> He's He's a He is a sharp kid. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Board, we will now move to item B2, the African-American Cultural

005Arts Council of Putham County Aspiring Youth Honores. And Justin Campbell, you come up and be recognized. >> Good afternoon, board. >> Good afternoon, sir. >> Thank you for having me. Um, I apologize in advance. I'm not used to talking to crowds, but I'm going to do my best. All right. So, I stand here not only as a proud employee of the Putnham County School District, but I stand here as the president of the African-American Culture Arts Council. And at our annual Martin Luther King commemoration brunch that is held annually in January, um we highlight individuals within our community uh that demonstrates community service, leadership and school and church and things of that nature. And this year we highlighted five individuals, five aspiring youth and one um inspiring adult. Um tonight, today we stand here to

006highlight those individuals because they are students within the Putnham County School District. All right. And so now I'm joined with one of our board members of the African-American Culture Arts Council who are going to announce those students and adults. Good morning everyone and I'm just going to say u my name is Lolita Thomas for those who may not know me um we didn't have some of our youth that could not be here but I definitely want to um highlight um and introduce them to you all. These young ladies thought um that it was really needed to stand up and be coaches for our little kids who wanted to cheer. um they are in the cheer programs at the different schools, but they wanted to lead the smaller kids in this cheer program. Um and they

007do this under the Pala Police Athletic League. So the first person that I would like to um that's here with us today is Somaya Edwards. She's a eighth grader at Putnham Arthma Arts and Sciences. Um, she is one of our cheer coaches for our tiny cheer leaders. Um, the other cheer coaches that could not be here with her, I'll call their names. Tanaya Cooper, she's a 12th grader at Qi Roberts Junior Senior High School. Jafara Wright, she's a 10th grader at Pelica Junior Senior High School. Shania Session, she's also a 10th grader at Qi Roberts Junior Senior High School. um and Velissa Thomas who is a 12th grader at Palica Junior Senior High School. So those are all of our young leaders um that's leading our cheer program. So Somaya is representing for all of

008them. So let's give them a round. And for our adult, um, Kimberly Edwards, who is also an employee of the Putnham County School District, who currently works at Mosley Elementary School. Um, Mrs. Edwards also feel it not robbery to give back to our youth um, in the community. She mentors um, and guides our youth as well as working with the youth at the school. So, we want to say thank you to all of them for all of the hard work that they do. Mr. Mr. Chair, while you come up here, let me remind the board, and I have some other dates, but uh since we just celebrated African-American um cultural arts on February 26 at 10:30, we're going to have our Black History Month celebration at the Jim Pegado Theater, our annual. This will be

009the fifth time we've done it. So, if you'd make a note of that, it's always a great event. >> The time? >> 10:30. >> Okay, board. We will now move to uh our mentor program and M. Kristen Carol, if you come up and be recognized. >> Okay. Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, Miss Kristen. >> So, Tanya and I are here today to speak about our new teacher program that we've spoken about before, but not the program itself. We are here today to talk about and recognize these four amazing ladies here that make up our team. They have no idea that that's what they're here for. They thought they were just going to wave if I pointed to them at some point, but they are here to be recognized. And so I would like for you

010all to come up. Surprise. Come on up team. Stay if you'll stand up here. I'm gonna um introduce them individually at the end because we have something for you as well. >> Kristen, while you're while you're doing that, I want to recognize Miss Jane Crawford, a former board me member that's here present with us today. Welcome back. >> Thank you. >> So, these ladies go above and beyond their job duties to help our new teachers, which in turn helps what we're all here for, our students. This program is extremely successful. It started in 2017 with a retention rate of new teachers at 65%. And it has grown throughout the last eight years. We've really had it going strong from 80 then to 86 and has stayed steady the last four years at 90 to 91%

011retention rate. And it's because of the work of these ladies that are the backbone sorry of this program. And we have had the honor, Tanya and I, several times to speak nationally in different in different places for different programs um all about our new teacher mentor program. And we just had one in Nashville with the American Association of School Administrators recently in November. And when we were going to go do that, I asked them to please pick some mentees and if they would come and do a podcast style video so that people could not just hear, but that they could feel and see the relationship and the support that our mentees get. So that's what I want to show you guys and hopefully you can feel that relationship and see that support. We use it

012for retention as well. It's a little under four minutes. Right. And for me it was a great experience because I got to know you like in our relationship became like organic. Yes. in the fourth grade where you took me by the hand and understand I was new to the teaching profession and you just kind of walked me through the process of understanding the importance of success criteria and student engagement and how we intend to reach goals every week, right? And >> and I I have so much value in the way that I was brought in like under you because a lot of the fingerprints of the things that you taught me still show. I had been out of the teaching uh K through 12 traditional classroom. I had been out of that spectrum for about

013over almost 20 years. >> So when I came back to the classroom, it was a bit overwhelming. >> And so thank God for the new teacher mentor program because it uh allowed the transition to become smoothly. >> Yes. Um, I didn't feel as much of a novice as I I really was, even though I had already taught, but >> it didn't seem like that. >> Being gone for that long, the FCAT, I think, was the last thing I remember. So, after like 18 years, that's >> and then Miss Keely comes along and wow. Um, >> that was divine that was divine intervention when they gave me Miss Miss Keely. I mean, she was consistent. She came every day. She before she could critique me, she watched me. She observed me. She took notes. And the

014critiques were were amazing. >> When um we went to the mentor um first teacher >> um program this year. It was amazing, >> right? It was amazing all the things that they the tools that they gave us to be prepared for coming into this year. all the strategies, all the communication. You know, I really love the atmosphere of not being able always being able to ask questions no matter how small, no matter how big and you know, people always willing to walk you through the process. So, >> the goal is is of of being inviting is very received, especially from someone like me. She's came in many times inside of my classroom during instruction and maybe take a small group while we're instructing the still process with the kids and and and also and helped

015me when I'm when she come in when I'm planning she say hey what about this and what about that gives me different tools and man it's just been an amazing experience I I really appreciate the effort you put into making sure that you know I um I have everything I need to be successful >> has been like my side by side person. When I say that, I mean like she has been like my saving grace. Um, there was times with this PLCP where I literally gave up mentally and Lynn has been like, "Nope, not on my watch. You're not doing it on my watch. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not next year. We got to finish this out. You're an amazing teacher." Like she always giving me encouraging words. So, um, doing this mentor mentee relationship,

016Lyn has been my person where like I go to her for everything. I may even call her about stuff that they got to do with mentor mentee relationship because I just need her advice or I need someone to listen to me. The three days that I had with you all with the onboarding that that was so infor it was serious institute. Yes. >> So informative >> you know you go to so many meetings and literally you could read the PowerPoint yourself and you and you're like okay we check the box you guys provided you know the training we attended. Everybody you know wins. It was it was enjoyable. It was so informative. I mean, it was so well put together and thorough even to even the baskets, the welcome baskets. Like even I know this

017is going to sound silly, but on a teacher salary, postits are very expensive. And you know, you guys thought of everything like our little goodie bags and all the things. I'm just >> I I really you guys really made it all just exciting to be a part of. You did. So ladies, we would like to recognize you and show our appreciation for all that you do. On behalf of the Putham County School District, thank you so much for all of your hard work supporting our teachers and helping our students. Okay, if you'll just for start and then we're going to do a picture at the end so y'all don't run off. So, I'm gonna start in alphabetical order with Lynn Castain. >> Well, thank you and Bobby Keely and Christy Meyer and Stephanie Smith. Well

018done, ladies. >> Very good. Very good. >> It is because of our great community and our schools and our businesses that were able to do these institutes. They support us to help us support our recognize our community. >> Thank you, Lyn. >> Can I add one thing that you can >> we started this and >> you know the n almost 90% retention rate means we don't have the uh teacher shortage like a lot a lot of other districts because when we hire them, we keep them and that says a lot for this team here. So, thank you'all for all you do. >> Good job. Absolutely. Very good. >> Um, we'll move to our ducks unlimited cert certification presentation. Or is who is doing that? >> Oh, me. >> Miss Huff, you're recognized. >> Yes, sir.

019Thank you. >> From Career Tech Unlimited. >> Good afternoon, board, and thank you for this um being able to do this presentation today. I have with me Caitlyn um Plant. She is from ICV and it's one of our industry certifications, the Ducks Unlimited through our environmental science program. And I also have Carrie Paul who is our science um coach for the district. And Caitlyn is going to present those that passed the industry certification last year. >> Good afternoon board. Thank you for having me today. >> Um so it's kind of a special month for us. So, ICV is primarily a CTE curriculum company and we host industry certifications on our platform which students can take to better themselves. Um, so it's more special this month because it is CTE month and we've been doing CTE

020across the country for a hundred years. Can you imagine that? Um, so I stand before you as a former CTE student who took an AG class in middle school and fell in love and then became an A teacher and now I'm here selling curriculum to school districts like you guys. So, it's very exciting, but it's even more exciting because we've kind of bridged a gap here. We've taken CTE and pushed it into the environmental science classes. So, they are being able to take a industry certification. We are targeting those level ones and two students that we normally wouldn't capture an acceleration point from and giving them the confidence and the ability to go out there and succeed and earn an industry certification and hopefully sparking a little bit of interest in them to go ahead

021and pursue something in CTE you know later down the road. So today we are presenting to Palaka Junior Senior High School Interlockan and Crescent City with their environmental science teachers. they had 10 or more students on their campuses pass our industry certification. So, we are one of the very few companies that um get to identify and recognize these teachers and students for their efforts. Um all the students got sent a certificate with that gold seal um during their school year with their achievement. But now we get to present a plaque and sign to them um that they can post up inside their schools and for years to come and kind of see all the names throughout the years. last year they got the same exact signs for those students who passed. Um, so these are

022students who earned this certification last school year. So what better time than CTE month to go ahead and present this. So thank you. >> I don't know if you guys want to take a closer look at them, but they're >> wonderful. Okay. I'm used to seeing Rodney from the backside like that. >> Paddling. Ah, he was great. >> Very nice. Very good. >> Just think a kid will walk in the hallway and show somebody their name. >> I mean it. >> Before we go to our our next I just want to put in a plug for um former congressman and commissioner of agriculture Adam Putnham who um is now president of and CEO for Ducks Unlimited. and uh he's a Florida a graduate and uh and I can tell you that he supports this program

023because agriculture and and environmental are so intertwined today. Uh most of my work I do with the a industry has got a strong environmental component to it. So I am so happy to see that y'all are doing this. Thank you so much. >> Very nice. Absolutely. >> All right, we will now Oh, same thing. Miss Huff, our Florida Career Pathways Network. >> Good afternoon again. >> Okay, >> so today I am honored to present to Amanda Bernie um our um Florida Career Pathways Network Secondary CTE Leadership Award. she was nominated um for the for this award and it was presented in January and um they didn't have a presentation during our conference so they asked us to be able to present during a board meeting. This is a significant honor and a testament to your

024dedication, leadership and impact in advancing career pathways and career and technical education. We are honored to recognize you in the official conference program and celebrate the meaningful impact you have had within your school district school district and community. Your work exemplifies the mission and values of FCPN and we are grateful for the difference you continue to make. Miss Amanda Bernie And that's just a small part of what she does. Here he is. >> Okay. Board, we will now have a strategic planning update by Mr. Jonathan Hinky. You are recognized. >> Before just if M. Mr. Chairman, if I could, I'd like to just recognize Miss Anna Bernie who's here today. If she's in the middle row there, she's the longtime career food service uh director in Putnham County and in one of our schools and

025she was able to knock the sad to have Thank you. Thank you. Welcome to the uh board meeting, Miss Bernie. Glad to have you here. >> All right, Mr. Hanky, good afternoon. >> So, I just have a couple of updates. Um, at our last meeting, I took you through our entire process and so I want to update you on a couple things today. First of all, uh, in February, we launched our education element surveys. That's our third party survey. Uh it's been open for just two days, but as of this afternoon in this board meeting, we have 192 staff responses, 205 family and community responses. Um and our students began taking it today. You all have a little pack of cards uh at your um seat for this afternoon's board meeting. Uh these are cards

026for you to take. the QR code links directly to the parent, family, and community survey. So, feel free to pass these out. Um, there's no point in holding on to them because as of next Friday, they will no longer be valuable. Um, so please pass them out. Um, you can also take them to sporting events. I know a couple of you attend a lot of those. Um, and you don't even have to give away the card. You can just have someone take the QR code snap on their phone and fill out the survey if they have not already done so. But this goes not to our student or staff survey. It goes to the family and community one. So that's a way for you to help promote it as board members. Um next up, uh

027this Thursday, February 5th, I'll be with Dr. Cerny in Gainesville meeting with our FADS cohort. Um I spoke about that the last time we met. On February 10th, I will be at the meeting of the board of county commissioners with Felicia Cahan and we will be com um speaking with them about our current strategic plan process and our family and community partnership survey. February 13th, these this round of surveys will close and then at the end of the month, we will meet uh with our focus group for the first time. I appreciate all of you for u submitting names to me and if you if you haven't gotten me um all of those names that's not too late. I will at the next board meeting give you the list of everyone who's part of that

028focus group. Um but I'm excited because we have a great group of people representing all parts of our community including our um parents and uh a few key staff members um and some others. So I will update you at that time. If you don't have any other questions, those are the updates I have for you this this meeting. >> Okay, sir. Thank you very much. Appreciate the information. >> All right, board. We are now ready to move into our um public hearing or consent agenda. Uh just uh one note note, >> public speakers. >> Oh, I'm sorry. We got a public comment. Yep. Getting ahead of myself. All right. So we have uh three speakers today and uh speakers just so you know we try to limit our comments to three minutes and and the

029board won't answer any questions um unless you know they want to and uh and uh the chair does have prerogative to uh to let you finish up if you are speaking and uh please state your name and address when you come to the uh microphone. So our first speaker is Mr. John Sims. come up and be recognized, sir. >> Good afternoon. Thank you for your time. >> Good afternoon. >> So, we got a little bit of a problem. Um, my daughter's homesick today. All kids in elementary school and high school, whatever, going to get sick. I have a problem when I look at pictures put on the internet of my daughter or my son's school bus being 20° 30° and I'm trying to figure out why my kids don't have heat on a school bus.

030When my kids step on that school bus, they are in the custody of this of the school district. And to see that, I'm pretty ticked off. You know, we can do better. We owe it to our kids, not just my kids. How many other school buses we got out there are the same way. So anyway, sorry I got a little ahead of myself. My name is John Sims. I live at 112 Florida Terrace, Florida home, Florida. I'm not just saying this for my kids only, but it bothers me when I call the bus depot, leave messages, and never get a phone call back. I have a critical illness myself. So if my kids get sick, I get sick. And when I get sick, it's pretty bad. I usually end up in ICU. So how many

031other elderly people out there have or watching their grandkids and when those kids come home sick, they get sick and they end up in the hospital. I think we owe it to our kids to not just give them an excuse. Well, our bus is 20 years old. Our bus is 25 years old. My truck's 24 years old. And the heat and air conditioner working that and my other car that's 22 years old. So if we got people just bypassing a heater core, so we got a little bit of a leak. So we're just going to take a hose, pull it off, bypass a heater core, and now we don't have to worry about a leak anymore. Or we got a fan that's dead. There's not too much to a heater. It doesn't cost that much

032to buy a blower motor. I mean, I appreciate y'all's time. I would like y'all to please look into this and find out why my kids I have the pictures on my phone if anyone would like to see them. It is literally 30° on that bus and 20° and my kids ride that bus from Georgia's Lake all the way to Melrose, one of the greatest schools in this district, but they're on there anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. And I don't believe that's right. Yeah, we can all say, "Oh, we walked through the snow and up five miles when we were kids." Yeah, I'm not doing to my kids. It's 2026. We our kids deserve a little bit of heat on the school bus. I know they ain't not going to get air conditioning. I

033didn't have that. But I had heat and our buses were old when in the 80s when I was going to school, but I would appreciate if y'all could do something about this. They ride bus 1308 and it's out like I said it serves the George's Lake community out there and uh thank you for your time and y'all have a great day. >> Thank you Mr. We'll be contacting transportation >> to see what the problem is. >> Thank you. >> Okay, our next speaker U Marsha Mezer um please come up be recognized name and address please. Yes, my name is Marcia Mezer and I have property at 674 State Road 26 out in Melrose. I hear Melrose a lot lately. Anyway, I'm glad to be with you this evening. Um, I just wanted to come to

034you. Um, I am with Parents on the Level. I am a parent advocate and I research school curriculum and frameworks and all of that kind of good stuff. And I found it really interesting that out of the state of Florida that we're one of only five counties here that is a member of the portrait of a graduate um framework. And I wanted to bring some awareness about portrait of a graduate to you um in order to just give the board a little bit of information on that as well. Just some things that I have picked up especially in 2026 with AI coming on the scene. Right. So there has been some information that's come through some of the organizations about how programs like impactor pathway things of that nature that would um record a lot

035of our students innermost thoughts emotions all kind things of that nature and would give them scores. And then also that there's a lot of peer work that's done within this that might cause our students to have a little discomfort in the classroom because of certain issues that may come up. And again, a lot of the scoring by AI that's on the horizon just brings me a lot of pause. So, the reason that I bring this to you is because I know you make decisions about AI and from what I can tell about your your beautiful district and I just love the vibe that I get here from all of you. You're just so friendly. I really appreciate it. But one thing I want to say to you about AI on the scene coming along like

036this. This is something to take very very seriously because I have looked into some of it. I have heard some of the people presenting from impactor pathway and there's other engines that are being created right now that I don't think we want to go into an Orwellian kind of a framework measurement like these uh produce. So again, my name is Marcia Mezer. I will be glad to answer any questions about it for you and I'm just so thankful that there's such a a wonderful group of people that serves this district. So thank you so much for letting me come and talk with you. I appreciate it. Have a good evening. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate your comments. >> Okay, board. And our last uh speaker is uh Tim Hotailing. So, please come up and be

037recognized, sir. Hi again. Tim Hotelling, 105 Riverside Way, San Mateo. Sent y'all a couple of uh packages. Um hope you've had time to go through them. Uh it all began as after the audit came down and there was some interesting contracting going on in it that didn't seem quite up to par. So, I went and took a look at the uh school board's web page on purchasing and it had open contracts and there were 17 I believe contracts are about to let and it was all sole source and it was all for people to go to uh convention centers for various meetings and symposiums. um places like Orlando and Panama City Beach. The soul source turn term is really significant and it's in the eyes of the law. says there is absolutely no other hotel

038in all of Orlando or all of Panama Beach City that has enough rooms and enough meeting rooms that they can uh bring our little meeting to. And that's that's just ludicrous at the very beginning. And there is a pattern in practice and a policy uh or so it appears um that that's how everything's issued. What really got strange was one of them that uh um again this is based on can't find anybody else that'll provide it. But they have an intimate relationship, not an intimate, a working relationship with a particular hotel and a particular beach and they contracted for uh these symposiums for spring and fall just like they had the year before. Uh there was one statement that uh they had taken a look at two hotels, but there is no reference. the law

039specifically states you'll go and ask or you put it out for bid and then you go forth and to to every professional I talked to and I asked I says I I don't want to be wrong am I wrong here they all broken out laughed says no this this is crazy so anyhow bottom line is you all got a problem I gave you a rather thick page or packet that I emailed to you and several have read. Um, and beyond that, I went into some other contracting and the interaction between NEAC and the uh school board uh which it appears that over the 50 years that NEFA's been around, it's grown up and evolved and it's become its own entity. By law, it's supposed to be a subcomponent of the of the school board. Um,

040but it has its own board of directors, which are all the school superintendent. So, the question is, do you guys control it? Do they control it? Who controls it? And who has the power and authority? One last sentence. I had the uh keeper of the records for NEAC tell me that the Putnham County School System is basically the contractor for NEAC for doing all of the uh uh check writing and and posting. Uh and it's like who's who's the daddy? Who's the baby? Uh who's who's on top? Um bottom line is I gave you the package today which was rather extensive which is entirely soul source. There's a lot of things that are documented that are that are don't appear to be handled correctly and it's a systemic thing. I'm not entirely systemic and probably

041next month I'll come back with some other other things talking about a look at it. But it all that all again goes back in reverse to my encouragement for a office of inspector general cuz when some big mouth guy comes and and runs off at the mouth, you can say, "Hey, go look." And they'll take a look at it and you'll know them. you can trust them and and their job is to find what what's normal and what's not normal, compare what you got and and give you all some stuff that you can trust to make management decisions. Um, right now none of that that I can see is available to you. >> Thank you, Jim. Appreciate your comments. >> Okay, board. >> It's a lot of opportunity for improvement. >> Yeah. And I do

042think your uh recommendation on a inspector general is a is a valid one. Um so we will now uh move to our consent agenda. And so board we will uh F12 has been pulled uh and there will be a full report at our next board meeting uh in conjunction with um Mr. Odum. >> F1 or removed. >> Removed. I'm sorry. >> 11 >> removed >> is an F11. >> F12. Yeah. Yeah. Wrong terminology. Uh, in our next meeting, Jonathan >> F12. I don't have an F12. I >> don't have Is it F11? >> Board financial 12 board financials. >> Board financials. >> I printed it out, so it must be Okay. >> Okay. Yeah. Okay. >> So, that one is removed. >> Yes, ma'am. And there will be um a presentation by Jonathan in our

043next meeting. Yes. And uh if you have any questions that or any issues, you know, financially, budget, or anything else that you'd like to for him to maybe address, you know, please forward that to him and contact him and and let him know. Okay. Thank you. So, uh Miss Wager, we'll start with you. >> I need to pull is it F three, F5, and F6. >> Okay. Miss Gillyard. >> No, sir. >> Mr. Buckles. >> Three. >> No, sir. I've been in early >> six. >> Yeah. Three, five, and six. >> Last couple of days. >> Okay. >> All right. Miss uh Pickkins. >> Um is there a representative from Casper here? >> Okay. Are you >> um Well, I would like to pull E5. >> E5. Okay. >> Okay. The chair will entertain a

044motion for the balance of the consent agenda excluding E5, F3, F5, and F6. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. A motion that we accept the consent agenda minus E5, F3, F5, and F6. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. And so we will start with you, Miss Pickkins, on E5. >> Um, I just had a question. Maybe um JD >> JD, can you come up to the podium please? >> Maybe um you you answered my question before, but um just I what I didn't understand was why we were why it was separated from the regular contract. >> Yes, ma'am. That um that's the third party building that we discussed. It's it was brought

045I had a conversation with David Martin who's with Casper Architects about this. He he he wasn't made I guess he didn't made made aware early enough to get in the meeting today. We had a conversation um back on the 30th about this. Um it is a third party review and he he did verify it's it's not required but it's something we do to help um the project get started, get permitting, get moving faster. Um he said that um NEAC NEAC has they they do have a plan review portion that they do but this is above and beyond the scope what they probably could do they don't have the manpower and time to get it done. Um and the whole his big selling point he said the reason we do this and it is on the

046A1A documents it's um it's an exclusion. I don't recall which page it's on. We discussed it earlier but um it's excluded from that for third party review. But his take was it's supposed to lead to a faster um more cost-saving um effort because it allows us to get started, get moving. Um obviously it's already it's on this one in the future. The question has been asked by actually two of the board members have asked me about it. Um why why was it excluded? Um and it was all I can say is it was I mean moving forward we're going to that's a good question we're asking. Um, I don't know that it will be in the future because it's been brought up enough times that it's uh, you know, why was this not included in

047it? Um, especially because it's not required. Miss Wagner had asked was it a required thing and um, my research said it was not and it was verified by Casper. It's not something that they have to do. But he he will make he he'd be more than happy to obviously field questions. I called him before I walked in because I wasn't sure if he was going to be here and somewhere in the mix we crossed, you know, lines and he was not going to be here. >> So, is Casper doing the plan review? >> Casper plan review that's a subject to this contract, but are they doing the plan review? >> Um, I don't know. This is above and beyond, I guess, what their normal architectural work was is doing. They're paying a third party to

048do the plan review is I is I think what the line item is. Casper paying a third party. >> It it in my understand they're a third party's doing it but it's a it's a cost to us that I believe's running through Casper. >> See >> so the 15,000 we're we're paying that. >> It looks like >> so permitting for skill projects is traditionally done through NEC, right? >> Yes. >> You don't require the county building department. you're actually allowed to bypass them in terms of your plan review. >> Um, so I guess I'm a little confused. Is NEC doing the plan review and then and then we're paying Casper 13,000 extra to expedite the plan review. >> Neph is not doing the plan review due to the scope of the project is what I

049was told because I asked was there no is there not we don't have anybody in house that like a plan review committee. It would take an army of people with everything we've got done here. Have to have something specific doing it. And um David said that there is somebody in the effect that does it. They but they don't do it on something the scope this large of a scope because of I guess the time constraints and the the size of the project. My question is, um, Casper's done they've done a building for us and we did, to my knowledge, we did not see this. This isn't a huge sum of money, but um I I still just question why it's on this this particular one versus the other school that they did for and maybe

050it's because we did run into a lot of permitting problems with that school, the primary, no intermediate school. Didn't we run into you recall if that was in the uh the last one? >> I don't I think we looked early. I couldn't find it in the last one, but and it's, you know, it's in the A1A documents. It's one of the exclusions is permitting um and PL in the plane review on this and it's it's in there. It's just wasn't I guess it wasn't caught, wasn't looked at. It wasn't thought it was going to be, you know, you know, jump off page. >> See if that was in the last one. I I do think that it's probably because we did run into permitting problems >> and and it was the architect's fault because they

051hired a civil engineer that that was from Colorado or somewhere and he didn't he never even done a water management district permit. That's not funny. But um that's the kind of thing I you know I was going to wait and see what the board said about this. But um I I you know I've had my issues with Casper, you know, throughout this entire process. I've expressed that to our our board council. Um I don't understand, having worked in construction, not at the level Mr. Thompson has, but um why that that we would need a third party plan review when we've got the architect that has all this experience. And I mean that's what they do. I mean that's their that's their responsibility. Um and unless there is an issue with an expedited review that's accepted

052by the regulatory agencies that would allow them to expedite their permitting process. Now that that could be I you know I mean um and you know what I do have faith and I and I talked to him briefly before the meeting uh about a couple other things not related to to the agenda. Um, but Travis signed off on this. Travis Woods, our maintenance and facilities director and and um, you know, I'm very confident he doesn't sign something unless it's it's right and it's important and it needs to be done. So, I'm guessing um, and we can clarify this and I don't know if we need we are having a special going to have a special board meeting um, >> Friday tentatively. Could could it wait until Friday until we could get some of the board's

053answers on this or does it have to be done? Is it imperative it's done today? >> I don't think we can. >> Can I add to that? Um, we have a special board meeting called Friday, >> right? >> How about can we contact Mr. Martin and have him show up >> to the board and let him explain exactly? >> Absolutely. >> Would that be sufficient? >> I agree. I agree with Phil. That would be more palatable. >> Okay. All right. So, the chair will entertain a motion to continue this agenda item to our Friday meeting. >> I move I move >> you'll ask him to show up for that meeting and then we'll put that on the agenda. >> Mr. Chairman, I move that we continue this agenda item until Friday. >> Second. >> All

054right. I have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I >> I motion carries unanimously. All right. We will now move to F3. >> Miss Wagner. I will >> JD. >> Thank you, JD. Yeah, >> I will say I pulled three both three and five uh based on what happens with six because they are all somewhat connected. >> Um F3 relates to a vehicle assignment. Um that of course is dependent on approval of the uh the hiring of Mr. Thompson. The F5 is also the personnel allocations. That's also based on the approval of F6. >> F6. >> Um so F6 I just want to you know for discussion sake here I have to give my opinion on this. Um we were notified uh a couple of weeks ago that the position

055that we had asked for that we'd asked to be created the executive director of construction management. We asked for that position to be created. We the district did that. Um they also created a job description for that um for that position. We were advised recently that they had hired Mr. Thompson um who my understanding is has been an an assistant vice or assistant principal um with the district for the last I believe 10 years if 10ish 12 >> but it's on our seventh year as >> okay um and I wanted to review the documents so some time ago we'd had conversations already about wanting to see the documentation that the interviewing committee um that the interviewing committee had and that the individuals that were being suggested for the for positions, the high up positions um

056would be told that everything was contingent upon board approval. I had questions as to whether either of those had occurred. It does appear that the it's the contingent upon board approval is in the paperwork that they do submit and the applicants have to sign off on that. I was glad for that. Um we did get the documentation a little bit late. Um but this is the first appointment since we had those conversations. Um I had some discussions on that. I think moving forward that would be fine. My concern here and this is of course nothing personal to any of the applicants. I think everyone on the board has received um communications regarding this matter. Um I'll repeat myself every single uh meeting that we have. Appearances are important. We've coming off of the audit issues

057and all of that. We've had the community looking at us. we are under a microscope which means not only do we have to do things as well as we've been doing them but better. Um and that is I think everyone's goal but I had concerns with some of the procedures going on. I have asked my questions with the district. I've reviewed the documentation and personally um reviewing all of it. I I'm I'm not comfortable um approving this appointment based on the and I realize there's interviews that have a a lot of weight and that's what was told to me is the interviews were very heavy heavily weighted but when I look directly at the um the applications the letters the the the resumeumés I can find no justification for this particular decision and This is

058again nothing personal. I've never met Mr. Thompson. I do not know him. Um but I'm looking at appearances and I can't justify it. Um my understanding from his documents is he's been an assistant principal for some time, seven years, been with the district I think longer than that. Um, so it has been a while um since he's been in the construction industry unless he's been working two jobs. I think the goal for creating this position was to have someone that is on top of the current construction industry has been building things. Um, based on what was listed, I don't I have not seen any huge uh projects that Mr. Thompson had done. Um, I looked at the documentation from Miss Whitehurst on other applicants. It's not my job to screen them, and I get that.

059It is not my job. It's a committee, a hiring committee and all that, but it is my job to approve or decline to approve um based on our review and based on the superintendent's recommendation. And that being said, it is the recommendation that we we hire Mr. Thompson for this position. Um I it's my understanding um that from our for our from our board's perspective we have to have good cause. Good cause is a very fluid u fluid phrase. But I think I personally don't believe based on the documents that I've seen that the qualifications rise to the level of what we had advertised for. Um, I'm also concerned on a secondary level here of where we have advertised. I know we advertised on our board site and on LinkedIn. Um, potentially a few other

060places, but I would like to know that we are advertising in, you know, construction like any big field has its governmental agencies that oversee it. they have magazines relating to it. I would like to see us be reaching out to the these bigger areas uh or bigger entities to try to include a more diverse uh uh pool of applicants. Um but again, part of my concern is is uh the the optics. Um and and I have no problem with pulling people from the district, especially ones that have been, you know, good employees. We we have all seen that. Um there's too much that shows me that too much concern for me of just the qualifications here. Um I'm not saying that I would favor one of the other candidates uh specifically, but I would like

061to see us uh actually readvertise this in a more extensive matter manner and and reinter personally. We've got some issues also relating that have been brought up to the board relating to veterans preference. Um I've I've talked to our our board attorney on some of these matters and I schoolboard law is not my specific um field but uh from what I have read there could be I'm not saying there is but there could be some issues with with how things are handled. and I just want to make sure that we are doing the right thing and we are hiring the right person. And right now I do not feel comfortable approving it. And so that's that's just my input on on F6 and of course F3 and F5 would flow however the boards. >> Okay.

062Thank you. Uh any other discussion or comments by the board? M my any comments or discussion, Miss Pickkins? Okay. So, I agree with um Miss Wagner, you know, from the standpoint of um you know, what we advertised for or what the job description was and and and where we are today. However, um I was I I had talked for some reason all three applicants uh had called me prior uh either after they applied or prior to applying and you know my only advice to them was if you feel like you're qualified you know I would definitely apply. So we ended up with four applicants and um you know with various experience um and you know the uh the interview process um included um one of the interviewers was um the the vice president of construction

063for St. John's River State College. Can't remember name right now but you know tremendous amount of experience. Um and also um Dr. Tom Hunter uh helped develop or develop the questions that they asked during the interview. Um in construction, I can tell you having worked in it years ago, um that there's there's two things. There are qualifications and there's a fit. You know, does that person fit in the position that they're going to have in relationship to the construction that's going to be occurring? Um, so I do think that that the applicant that the the superintendent recommended does make have that fit. Would I like for that applicant to have had more construction vertical construction experience? Absolutely. Um, I also wished that um, and I expressed this to the superintendent prior to the board meeting

064that that we had done a a board meeting, a special board meeting if you want to call it that, but you know, a non a scheduled board meeting uh, just, you know, for this item so that we could have had more time uh, you know, to look at it and and not be so far down the road. There also is, you know, an urgency from the standpoint of, um, where we are in the construction process. Um, and, you know, my recommendation and and really it's more than a recommendation. It's a statutory requirement that you know the board approves um you know hirings director and above essentially which is what we went through several months ago and made motions and and adopted that you know technically as a policy is that that occurs prior to the

065person you know officially starting and and um you know in this case we're we're right at the brink of that. um you know it's a very difficult decision uh that we have um and it's certainly one for me uh understanding and certainly Miss Wagner's points I think are are very valid and um you know this I think we did similar stuff similar issues that I questioned during the hiring of the purchasing uh director and that you know are we advertising these jobs in industry um publications where those, you know, other than Indeed, which I never look at Indeed, uh, but that that we're really getting the applicants that are that may be out there, uh, noticed that there's there's a job opportunity here. Um, it it really puts the board, like it did before, in

066a in a somewhat precarious position. Um and uh but I do understand you know what she's saying. Um so any other Miss Miss uh White you have any comments? >> Yeah. Um, I just want to um just say that one of the reasons we do an interview committee and have interviews is because um what we see on paper doesn't give you the whole picture of what a person is going to bring to a position. Um, and I'm I'm not going to go into details, but anyone can make a resume look really good. And um there are times that a lot of information gets added into packets that's not even relevant or that may be expired certifications just to kind of give some to what looks like some meat. So that's why we do interviews and

067that's why we do a committee so that it's not just one person and we try to have a committee that is well-rounded with different perspectives. So our committee consisted of the director of maintenance who has been very involved in all of the construction projects from the very beginning. The superintendent who has been working um over the last few months with the architects with the construction projects as well. um myself um and then um as you said the vice president of St. John's who was actually recommended by Dr. Hunter, I reached out. She was very glad to come in and do that. And um after we interview the four candidates, we have conversations just in general like there's nobody is rating anyone in front of anybody. That all comes individually and then it is sent in

068sent to me. Um, but in conversation I value her expert opinion and she very clearly stated hands down that Mr. Thompson is the one for our district. He is invested in our district. He has the experience of knowing from a school administrator's eyes of what should be happening in school construction. um knowing that you know I mean like he's been hands right there handson with um making sure that all the statutes from security to curriculum to all of those things he knows them. He was the only candidate who had any school leadership experience, who had experience with Florida statutes and with Florida building code. So, he had he had the most experience with all of that. Two of the applicants were out of state, did not know anything about Florida Building Code, did not know

069anything about Florida statutes. Um, one of them did know Florida Building Code but was not familiar with Florida statutes as it relates to what goes on with school districts. So, I just I just felt like it's very important that we understand that you can't get a full picture of a person based on something that's written on paper. That's why we have face tof face interviews. >> And >> thank you. You have a question. Well, >> this White Hurst, >> can you And again, I'm talking about optics here. >> Yes. >> This is a not as small a town as Melrose, but it's Palak is a small town, >> right? >> Everybody knows everybody. >> Is there anybody on that that hiring committee that didn't already know Mr. Thompson? >> The person from St. John's knew

070none of the applicants. >> Um, is it safe to say the rest of them? There's nothing wrong with them knowing him. Just saying. >> Yes. But I'm looking at the optics and perception, right? >> I've spent hours on the phone in the last week, right, on this issue. Um, >> those are not hours of pleasant conversations and I'm talking to people in the community, right, >> that are that are upset. They're not upset at him. Uh, he's obviously been a a great employee for us. They're upset that we not only chose to go in-house, which in and of itself can cause people to go, "Oh, you know," but but I I I take a little issue with the portraying him as knowing what should be happening from an administrator's position as has nothing to do

071with construction in my pos my opinion. what we need and I think what our goal was is to have somebody who knows construction well enough to read these contracts um because I can't you know it's very difficult reading for me I don't know it uh we need someone who can decipher those contracts see where they are you know if they're charging a percentage that should be reduced over here we need to know that they're gouging us um everybody wants to make a buck and we have already over the last year found several areas is where we have saved money because we've caught a few things but we need >> it shouldn't be you know on the board to be funding these things. We needed a person. >> That's what my intent was in setting up

072this position is somebody who is as knowledgeable as the people uh building the buildings because you got to be one for that one. >> Um and my my opinion is simply he does not rise to that. someone who has not been in the industry in 10 years, I can't see they can be as competitive with these these guys that come in here and give us their demonstrations and talk about all the ins and outs of the school building. And >> um I've told those guys to their face, they're wonderful, professional. I said, "But you can tell me anything you want. I'm not going to know the difference because I'm not in your industry." >> That's why I wanted somebody to rely on for the board to rely on. they can be the ones in there

073fighting for us and for our our the funds and help us be more fiscally responsible. >> Well, let me just let me let me give you a little bit of clarification where I'm coming from. So, last week I created a Google folder for him with every single contract that we have approved since the very beginning of this. Every contract, every change order, every GMP, every ERP. And as he started going through these, he already had questions like why is this this way? Why? Why is this looking at a GMP? Like because he's been in a school and he understands that you have to have cameras in places, you have to have um there's just so many different things like the IT parts of it and like he's starting to question like why wasn't this already

074in like you. So he's because he has that ability to see that he has already started questioning what's already been approved so that when the next one comes up, he's going to know exactly what to look for because he picked up on that. And so that I I mean so yes, he has been full-time in school administration in our schools, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't understand or have the ability to look at construction projects and see, wait a minute, this doesn't make sense so that he can ask the right questions and get the answers that we need. >> I I just >> and I I I I understand what you >> I can reach back and tell things, too. and and the board itself has multiple times found some issues brought issues up

075and save money. So, we're all able to read read some contracts and understand, but but there's a lot about construction. I don't know. My only well, not my only, but my biggest concern is simply >> the fact that he's been an educator, and thank you very much for doing that, but but that he's been an educator for 10 years. Um, if I was hiring a new legal assistant for my office and and somebody came to me, uh, I would want them to have come immediately from the same type of position, not one that took a a 10-year hiatus to do something different. And and that's people's lives change and they they go different paths. But this is to me one of the most important uh issues I've dealt with on on, you know, in the

076last year or so at least. Can I can I say something? First of all, we had a very qualified committee that interviewed went through the process, had an expert on the committee, and we ver uh we vetted this person very thoroughly like Miss White said, you made it very clear to whoever you is talking to you that you you oppose this recommendation, and that's fine. But you're one vote and >> Yep. and you made your case and you can keep making your case, but sometimes I take offense to the fact that you don't think we can hire qualified people to do this job. The man we pick is the most qualified to do this job. >> And say what you want to, but >> he's doing it already. He's doing a fabulous job. >> Well,

077and that's still contingent upon our vote today. And and you're absolutely right. I'm one vote. >> That's right. and and I will always only be one vote, >> but I it's also my job as a member of this uh board. >> Well, you've made that clear to to do my job and that's all I'm trying to do. You made that case. >> Not trying to beat a dead horse, but that's just how I feel. >> Is there I mean I y'all were talking about me, but I mean I mean it and I did I I was just sitting there listening. If you got questions specifically about that, I can about what's going on. I do think I mean this isn't a sales pitch, but it is a sales pitch. Um, I do like that. I

078mean, I went through this process. I was intimately wanting to know who was going to be the guy that y'all tried to hire. Nobody applied. So, I reached out and said the first time, so we reposted it and I said, "What exactly is going on?" I asked or ask some questions because this is my community is my school district. And I do have a very I mean, I'm a unicorn, if you will. Nobody has done all this stuff I've done. Just because I've I'm on my third career. I'm not leaving education. I love what I do. I've been a deputy sheriff, you I've I've been a school school teacher. I've been an administrator. I've been a contractor. I bring a perception to this that nobody else brought to the table. Apparently, I interviewed because I

079was encouraged. Please interview. We need somebody. Four people applied for this job and I through through all the process they picked me as the most qualified. It's probably the most uniquely qualified I think is the that is maybe with that issue. What I have is not I didn't go to business school. I didn't go to the Coglin School of Business. the Rinker Construction Institute over at Florida. I went to college for something and I did it for a while and then I was a contractor. I maintained all my certifications. I've maintained all my continuing ed and now I've joined education and I'm I'm happy to do what I'm doing. I've I've dove in this position head first. Um the the board members that asked about my background that have reached out have I feel like

080they they've been pleased with it. I was recommended please apply JD. We need somebody we need somebody at least go through the process. I'm not the most construction manager that the s that you would probably probably that applied. I don't even know the other three people that applied, but obviously somewhere in the mix they decided that JD Thompson was the most qualified candidate and I reached and I and I was honored to get that and I jumped in head first Monday morning. I've been doing this job. I'm loving it. There's a lot of things, a lot of questions. I think the big thing that the community needs, not just the school district, I mean I I've had two kids in the school district. my wife works in the school district. I want the school district

081to get the best that they can for what they're spending their dollars on. And that's what this position seems like it was created for. The idea that came up, Mr. Liry brought brought this up. You and I talked in in in depth about it. We want to get the best bang for our buck out of these dollars. If you have a construction manager that can go through files and sit upstairs and look at paperwork all day and never go to the field, you going to get a very succinct box of information. You get somebody that will do that and go to the field and talk the talk, walk the walk. That's who we're looking for in the district. And unfortunately, we had we had four people apply. Thankfully, I was the one that got chosen.

082I mean, if the board chooses for me not to do the position, then that's up to the board and the district will make a decision after that. But, um, only two people reached out and had questions and I think them they they seem very satisfied with the answers they got. >> Thank you, J. I I do bring I just I I think what I think may get miss m missing is I bring a unique lens to the table when I walk down a hallway. I'm not looking at it from a contractor standpoint. I'm looking at it from a parent standpoint or a deputy or anything else. I'm looking through all those lenses and I think that's beneficial to the school district. >> Thank you. Um, just to clarify, you know, I do think uh it

083is our responsibility and and you know, I do appreciate uh Miss Wagner and her opinion and and her research and her comments. I think that's that's that's part of it. Um, you know, reminds me of the same discussion that that that I had or we had, you know, several months ago. But here's the thing. Um, we're we're at a point now and I' I've talked with Dr. Hunter, who um for y'all that don't know, you need to Google him because he is um probably the most preeminent uh construction person maybe in the country. He built, you know, worked exclusively uh the company he was president of did all the defense work for our missile silos and and a whole host of other major projects. And you know, his comment to me was, you know, we

084need somebody that can look at these things and look at the contracts and understand, you know, as you had mentioned, you know, where there's something that doesn't look right. And um and you know, I think somebody that's worked in construction, you know, has that experience and the ability to do that. Now, you know, all things being equal, um, you know, we we probably should, you know, should have readvertised at the time. We did we did extend the the job description or the job advertisement, you know, beyond the holidays, uh, trying to get applicants. But, um, but, you know, we are where we are here. I'm I'm not sure that, uh, you know, we we have the luxury of of turning back now. Um and so even though I you know I do have some reservations

085um you know and this job is like any other job if if if the performance doesn't meet the standards um of the administration and the board then then we can make a change. So any other comments from the board? Okay. Chair chair, we'll start with items. We'll go backwards because item six really uh um is is the issue and if if that you know depending the vote on that u we'll then take up three and five uh together. So chair will entertain a motion on F6. And you're taking six first. >> Yes, ma'am. F6 first. >> This is what we have read. Um, Mr. Chair, I move that we accept item um F6 personnel matters district administrative appointment. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Miss Gearard has moved that we accept the administrative appointment recommended by the

086superintendent. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. I have a second. Any questions or comments? >> No. >> All right. Uh, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries 41. >> I didn't get to say it. >> Okay. All right. All right. So, we we'll take collectively uh F3 and five since they are directly related to F6. And so the chair will entertain a motion on F3 and F5 combined. >> I move that we accept item F3 and F5. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second for agenda items F3 and F5. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. All right, board. We will now uh move into our board reports. Um so, Mr. Pickkins, I'll

087start with you. >> Okay. Thank you. Um the uh the employee of the year um banquet was wonderful. Thank you, Miss Whitehurst, and her staff. Um, I feel like the way that we recognize the teachers individually with the videos makes it seem a lot more personal and um, we get a lot of good information uh, about each person and it's the same amount of time. I really like it. Very uniform. Um, literacy week last week was really good. It was a great opportunity to read at Middle Middleton Bernie Elementary School and then I on Friday I got to read at Aquilla Elementary School. I also got to judge their door contest um which there were several very good um doors. Um congratulations to our spelling bee winner. Um he he and his mom got here

088about 30 minutes um early today. So I got to converse with him and his mother and um really great family. Um and one thing that has every spelling bee that I've been in attendance um Carl Flag has told the kids that they're all winners and you had to be a winner to even get to the spelling bee um champ to the district spelling be. So I I wish him all the luck in the world and I think he's going to do well. His mom said he practices a lot. Um, last night I got to see the Lady Raiders win um their first round of the district basketball tournament. They um beat a team from Tampa. I just have a hard time understanding the FHSAA in the same district as Crescent City and Tampa are in

089the same district. that was kind of it's a long way for them to travel. Um and the boys also um are playing the Villages tonight. They beat Pearson Taylor last night and um uh so we did pass today um the academic calendar for next year. And so I think that parents should start now um looking at that and making appointments for doctors that you know are six months down the the way and and vacation times um coordinate that with the days off from school. That way our kids can be in in school >> early release, >> right? Or on the early re That's very good idea. Um so and then we had great great presentations today. That is such a a delightful way to begin our um our meetings and uh the mentoring program that

090again is just absolutely amazing and um so that's that's all I have. >> All right, Mr. Buckles. Uh I appreciate Mr. Larry support on behalf of some of the small district consortiums in Tallahassee. I know you're keeping up with what's going on and I appreciate that because I don't feel like doing it. I've had some shoulder problems. But I'd like to mention uh the the gentleman left that had the bus problem. I that's so unfortunate because my grandkids drove me crazy wanting me to call and cancel school like I could do that and you know and but I said hey you know FTE week you know you got to go to school you you got to do what you got to do and I've been threatened every every last few days by my grandchildren so

091I I I with that that being said that doesn't minimize the fact that we do try to keep these buses going and up and and I don't know that the bus is as old as they said it was, but we do have spare buses, but I'm sure the superintendent will be getting in that straight if he hadn't already got it straight. >> Miss White is working on it as we speak. >> Uh, literacy week. I I was invited to speak in the classroom of one of my granddaughters who's a kindergarten teacher at James A. Long. Pretty neat pretty neat deal. Um, well, it's always fun to hear the kids laugh and the questions they have because it's so much nicer than than what you normally get after a meeting like this. I I couldn't get

092out of the parking lot after the last board meeting for people trying to apply for the job that you just we just approved. So, uh, you know, from they I don't even think they applied, but it just I got people driving driving by me that asking questions. But I wanted to mention the tour we took of the school on Horseman's Club Road. growing up in Palatka in Putnham County and all of us that are getting to be an old guy like me, you know, it was a baby boomer time and you walk the school in the neighborhood schools and it was just a different time and we went out there the other day and we toured that school and it was just the opportunities for young people were absolutely incredible and and of course I

093started my career on that campus when it was a private school years ago and then a board bought it in the whole nine yards. But long story short, uh mobility rates, you know, we won't have that problem now where kids parents can't make rent, can't buy groceries, they have to transfer to another school zone two or three times a year. It's just it's going to do so much more academically. And then to see the gymnasium and the opportunities and and the safety criteria is just incredible at what has been done. Um, and I won't go into detail because it needs to be quiet, but uh it's a it's going to be a wonderful wonderful situation for years to come for kids that are fortunate enough to attend there. Uh it'll be a great facility when

094there's hurricanes and people can bunch up there and and you know and during those really scary times and it just beyond that I just I don't know I I get to thinking about the still I I I Googled how many school districts in the state of Florida had bond issues currently like we have in Putnham County and the best I figure was 18. Now, your Googles might be different than my Googles because I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I will tell you that it looks like we're the only one being charged a fee out of the 18 school districts. And I I may be wrong, but you know, I'm I'm not a lawyer, but I just look at the millions of dollars of property that the school district of Putinham County has

095passed to the county over the years. And I remember the county commission at the time, the former county commission coming and wanting help and a vision plan for the children of Putnham County to pass the better place where they could have a sales tax. And then fast forward to today and you know somebody should have caught this somewhere and it's kind of after the fact but I still think that that we're not something just not right about this that that this money can be fee can be collected to the tune of millions of dollars. it can be distributed after it's paid for whatever is being done at the local tax collector's office to the different agencies. Then the county turns around and they can give a reduction in millillage rates on property millage with money

096that was pulled off the bond issue. And I'm I could be a little off on that, but I just I just wish that there's a way that we could It's going to take somebody other than me because I probably don't have the patience and um to get in there knowing the history of what we've tried to do to work together with the various county uh commissioners over the years and they've all been in their own right, you you know, they care about what they're doing, but it doesn't always I I hate I hate when I feel like we get the short end of the stick sometimes and and that's really my beef. I just just hate to see that out of the 18 that I saw and maybe somebody can research it smarter than me

097and write a letter to the editor and and say how out of line I was to say this, but I just I just have to feel like it's we're kind of it's kind of a weird situation when we're the only school district in the state of Florida that anybody can tell me about that uh has been fe charged a fee and the attorney may correct me on that, but That's that's really it in a nutshell. I cold weather. I'm tired of it. I've had all I can stand. I'm like the my grandkids. I'm ready to stay home in the morning. >> Thank you. >> But that's good. Merry >> Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Um I too went uh to Middleton Bernie with Mrs. Pickkins and just a great time. Uh they get a thumbs

098up. They had people from every walk in that community there at the school all the way from the mayor all the way down uh supporting those kids reading to those students and the grade levels had books. I I had a sixth grade class and I read the book Bud Not Buddy and I just wanted to wet that appetite with the book and kind of pull out some things that and then all of a sudden they were into the book. Uh I did bring the book home and finish reading it. It is worth it. It is a must readad for kids. It's great. Um I too like Mr. Buckles u was just in awe at the tour of uh Palaca Intermediate A I think is correct. Um and want to thank Palaca Daily News for their

099coverage of not only the school itself, but what they did for James A. Long, uh the teacher of the year and the principal uh of the year and everything. And so they, you know, we're fortunate enough that that they're local here and and they support our schools and and they let others know that we're doing something right. Um the new mentee uh teacher mentee program. It I had to go a long ways back to think of when I first went in a classroom and what they had then they were called peer teachers. >> Peer teacher >> and the peer teacher received a stipen for helping you. Well, the peer teacher couldn't help you until after school because they were teaching their own class. But to have mentors that can actually go in the classroom while

100you're teaching, could video you, can critique you and help you and point out some things. I mean, it's it's just awesome. No telling, you know, I may still be teaching had that been the case there, but kudos to them. Uh and then finally uh the employee of the year always that banquet is great. Uh the the the food and the fellowship is just is second to none. >> Mr. Chair, can I ask you to take a brief intermission for you and I the attorney to step in side room there. >> Okay. Sure. Or we'll take a five minute recess. >> School board meeting back in session. So I I'm going to take responsibility for the fact that this is arising at this that this time. Um I think that uh it's fairly common knowledge that

101uh Mr. Thompson is a a relative of Mr. Buckles. The conflict of interest laws that I've dealt with in governmental entities for a long time have been very narrowly construed to deal with pecuniary gain, direct pecuniary gain. And the nepotism laws, as we have seen previously in some conversations and actually researched it, don't apply to school boards. Um, and we've we've we've confirmed that, too. I think there's a bill in the legislature now that might change that, but right now they don't. So, I had already resolved in my mind that there wasn't a conflict uh with Mr. Buckle's voting. But as I'm sitting here and looking at statutes and phones are phones and computers are a mixed blessing because they let you look at stuff when you're not in your office and and as I'm

102sitting here looking at it in an abundance of caution or from an abundance of caution um I ask that we adjourn for a second and basically either either have Mr. rebuckles, go ahead and and uh and acknowledge uh disclose the conflict, which I've kind of already done, or we go ahead and ask that that vote be retaken and Mr. Buckles abstain. The vote would appear would it be a confirmation vote either way. I I feel like I just don't want to lead a board member into a a situation where later on somebody tries to come back and void a vote based upon a vote that didn't really matter. I appreciate you doing that. I appreciate >> I appreciate it, too, because it really it really wouldn't have mattered whether I did or didn't. I'm still

103going to I'm still going to catch it. I mean, I I get it. I'm related to so many people throughout Putinham County and all the way down to Orange County and wherever back through Banell and whatnot. But, um, he uh, Mr. Thompson is my nephew and uh you know I was very surprised when I heard that he applied but like I said I didn't get out of the parking lot that I didn't have other people that interviewed stomping me in the parking lot but uh they were no relation but anyway I've seen other people in here today that were related to me that have gone that uh some some were up awarding prizes and some weren't. But I would like to uh just back out and withdraw my vote and let uh if that's the

104way we would do it and let the board do what the board will do. >> So we can do it one of two ways. We can either revote, you know, bas motion for reconsideration, revote, and that's probably the cleanest way to go. >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. The chair will entertain a motion from someone on the prevailing side to um re uh >> this is E5. Uh D6 I mean >> F6 F6 to F6 >> reconsider F6 F6 F6. Excuse me. I'm sorry. >> We don't have to we >> we have to have a motion to reconsider. >> Okay. >> By by someone that voted in the affirmative >> by one of the four votes that voted in favor. >> Okay. Should should there be a vote to revote? Yeah, that's what a

105motion to reconsider somebody who was on the prevailing. >> Should I make the vote to reconsider? No. >> No, you can't. >> Okay. Well, I'll make the motion that we reconsider the vote on F6 um the personnel matters. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> All right. I have a motion in a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. carries 4 >> three >> with him with Mr. Bulk's ab four >> 31 I'm sorry 3-1 with Mr. Both was abstaining. All right. Now we will >> carry 31. The motion to reconsider. Car. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That >> Yeah, that was the motion to reconsider. >> I'm sorry. I wasn't voting no on that. >> Okay. So 40 motion to reconsider. >> That would have then passed.

106>> All right. >> 40. Yes. 40. >> Buckles didn't vote on that. That'd be a 40. >> That's correct. Four 40. Okay. So the motion to reconsider carries 4. Uh we will now uh have the motion on F6 for approval or denial. So that chair will entertain a motion on F6. >> Mr. Chair, I make a motion that we accept F6 personnel matters district administrative appointment. >> I second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All in favor signified by >> Mr. You're going to abstain. >> I'm going to abstain. >> All right. All right. that the record show that Mr. Buckle is abstaining. Uh, all right. So, all in favor signify by saying I >> I opposed. >> No. >> All right. Motion carries 3-1. >> Thank you. And I apologize

107for the confusion. >> Thank you again. >> Okay. Uh, will you finish, Mr. Yard? >> Oh, yes, sir. >> Okay. All right. Miss Wagner, did you >> Yeah. Uh, I wanted to just piggyback on some of the things they had said. the employee of the year banquet was uh just wonderful. Um and the tour of the new school um was also nice. I will say one of the things I like the most is the windows. There are windows and uh I was I went to high school in a brand new at that time $8 million high school. And uh one of the worst things about it was half the classes were on the interior and there was no windows and it really affects people's mental health and and just overall wellness I feel like. Um

108so I was happy to see all that is beautiful. Um I would have gotten lost if we hadn't have had such a wonderful uh tour guide. And um just a couple um couple other things. Thank you to the the finance department today by the way. They said they helped me um understand a few things and we pulled um they they ended up pulling that one item that's going to get all fixed. I was happy to hear that. Um and I will not go into well I will not go into um any of what I'd said before. I've said that enough. But I will say I have read you know Mr. Tim here uh has spoken several times. I read when people send me stuff. I try to read it all. Now, I may not agree

109with some of the things I've I've been sent from him or anybody else. Um if if I don't believe it's worth looking into, then um I simply don't. And that's my choice. But the the more I've thought it over, the more the idea of an inspector general um is really looking to me like a way to take the pressure number one off of our board um and and our our superintendent and even some of the district staff um because it would I don't have all the information yet. I'm still I'm still researching it myself, but I think my my my personal opinion right now is I think that's the route we need to go and I think there's a lot of benefits for it. Not the least of which um I like the idea that

110there uh there can be like a and and not saying we need this particularly, but it's a good feel and it's a good look. um having u the ability for staff in our district to uh make a complaint or make a suggestion or something completely anonymous like a whistleblower type thing. Um a lot of people justified or not, you know, might feel scared to bring things to people's attention. I've had people come to me and tell me some things they like or dislike. Sometimes if it's a dislike, they're like, you know, I don't want my name being repeated. Maybe they're scared of losing their job and maybe it's unfounded. Maybe it is founded. I don't know. But if anyone was to feel like that, having an option like that would help. Um I think having

111a completely independent person, I don't know how exactly it needs to be set up, but I I think that could actually be an incredibly beneficial step for us. And I don't know what the next what the next step would be from me just saying this, but I will be looking into it more and maybe bring more information back when I have it. Um I don't know if anybody else has looked into it. >> I have. Yeah. >> Okay. Um so I'd like to just I just wanted to make that known. I'm looking into it. I think it might really help ease uh tensions from the highest levels uh down potentially to all levels. and I I'm I'm just very interested in it and that's all I had to say. >> You good? Yeah. >> Okay.

112All right. Thank you. So, um I would piggyback on uh my colleagues comments about uh the teacher of the year. Um what an incredible program. Um the um human resources staff did a great job. I still need to get the name of the lady that made the sugar-free desserts so I can get some more. Um and uh but but you know, you really when you watch those videos of all the employee and support personnel and you know uh it's just amazing the uh the caliber and the quality of of staff that we have in this district. So uh always look forward to that. Uh one of the easiest things I do the whole year. So, um, also would like to, um, say that that the reading program that that has, you know, went on the

113last couple of weeks, um, again this year I got to read, um, at James A. Long, U, Miss Higin Bothotham, you know, um, calls me and or sends me has her staff send me an email and I enjoy it so much. Um, I read the book I am Dixie and it was fascinating. I I I I wanted to take it home and read my granddaughters and they said, "Well, you can get it at the book fair." So, uh but but again, the students in that class, and there were actually two there was another class in there, two fourth grade classes, were so respectful and attentive. Uh it was just amazing. It was really heartwarming to see uh you know, the job that those teachers are doing with those kids. And the kids asked some great

114questions. It was about a service dog, blind service dog. And um you know just just a really fascinating uh day or morning for me having that opportunity. Um you know and I'll just finish up with this. We we are faced with in this with on the board with a lot of difficult decisions and you know there are a lot of moving parts that that we have to all take into consideration. I agreed with, you know, a lot of what Miss Wagner said and it's it was a very difficult decision for me. Um, but again, you know, the one thing that we we need to keep in mind that there is a probationary period that every new employee uh has to be will be a part of. And so, you know, I'm I'm interested to see

115how things move forward uh with this position and and the and the now um executive director of uh of building construction. Um and with that, uh any other comments from the board? Oh, I'm sorry. We'll go to Mr. Holmes first. >> Yeah. briefly the presentation in which the subject of AI was brought up touched a nerve for me and uh hopefully our IT folks can think about this a little bit. I had the opportunity to consult with a owner of a video uh production company this this week. Nothing to do with schools. And as an aside, he showed me a little bit of what he could do with AI. scary folks. >> He can take a still picture of you doing nothing but >> sitting there. >> Yeah. >> And he can punch in what

116he wants AI to do with that and have it mimic. Let's say it's a 10-year-old. the actions that a 10-year-old would be expected to take, movements, facial expressions, head movements, and produce a narrative on video that it's scary. So, I I don't know what all it's going to open up for school in terms of publishing photographs, >> yearbooks, all kinds of things. But I think we're probably going to have to keep our eyes on the in the industry in the school industry at seminars and the conferences and things of that nature, what schools, what standard they're going to be expected to adhere to in order to avoid it. you're not going to be able to completely avoid it, but I think that at some point there'll be some standard that kind of evolves of what

117you're supposed to do just like has evolved with emails or your your internet u passwords and things of that nature. And I just I think it'd be good for all of us to keep that in mind. And if you go to a seminar and that topic is is on the agenda, I think we're going to need to take a look at it sooner rather than later because this stuff is moving faster. Then we can >> Miss France and myself are going to Orlando, I think, next month and going to have an all day training on that and we will definitely bring that up. >> There you go. >> You know, Don, even a even a regular handwritten note sometimes can make a kid want to commit suicide. >> Can you imagine where this is going

118with AI? >> I really can't. >> I can't I don't know that I want to imagine it's going to. >> Thank you, uh, Superintendent. Yeah, I mentioned last meeting um and I'll mention it again that uh Pton County School District is number one in the nation out of 14,000 school districts uh as far as graduation growth over the last 10 years. But we also have another entity in our community that is ranked in the nation and that is the InRan Junior Senior High School competitive cheer team. They they finished number five in the nation Sunday night. >> Wow. and um we're actually going to bring them in at the next board meeting and highlight them. I'm not going to say my granddaughter's on that team, but she is. Okay. Uh we are going to stick

119with the special board meeting Friday. We have not got receive confirmation of the ERP being ready, but if for some reason it's not. I've been told it will be, we will let you know in plenty of time, but we we'd like to uh have you entertain that in a timely manner. Um, if you'll check your calendar, groundbreaking for Paka Primary School will be on Tuesday, February 17th, two weeks from today at 10:00 a.m. Uh, topping off ceremony is uh, at Crescent City Junior Senior High School this Friday be right after the board meeting at 11:45. So, we scheduled that so wouldn't take you away from home too much. The superintendent's um, community engagement session will be February 5th. That's Thursday night at Jenkins Elementary at 5:30 and you know that's where we we have a

120lot of people present. I present and um the community can come out and ask questions and and it's also I believe online. So we have those on a regular basis. This Friday night, excuse me, the following Friday night, February 13th, we're going to have a batting cage dedication. Um, as you know, you approved this uh a couple board meetings ago for Ben Bates, and they're going to be dedicating the batting cage that he financed. It's that large structure in right field, right field foul line, and that will be at 6:30. >> It is nice. And they just put the uh the the name up today. Uh this week's FTE week. Parents, make sure your kids are in school because this is crunch time. We got to have them counted. Uh this week is also National

121Counselors Week. They do a fabulous job. So if you see your counselor, give them a hug or a handshake. And then last thing, uh last week, thanks to Jonathan Hanky and Shelley Raburn, they uh hosted, I think, the first Pathways to uh success family night. We had all of our high schools represented, had our colleges there, and had a good crowd, I thought. and they were able to find out about the choices that are offered and um just a great night. So, thanks to you and your team, Jonathan. So, that's all I have. >> All right. Um any other questions or comments for comments from the board? I just have one. Um the uh the tour the Pla Intermediate School was exceptional. I did call Sarah Jean uh when I was picking up my granddaughter

122from Kelly Smith and said, you know, it just came to me. Um we are going to put James A. long campus on there. She said, "Yep." She said, "I forgot to say that, but it's all being taken care of. We're going to do that." So, it will be the Palaca Inter Intermediate School, James A. Long campus, and then Kelly Smith will be Palaka Primary School, Kelly Smith campus. So, um, >> honoring their legacy, right? Yes. Thank Thank you for that. So, uh, just wanted everybody to know that because, uh, two, uh, very important people in in the history of, uh, the Putnham County School District. So anything else come before the board. All right, we will stand adjourned.