001call the school district board to uh to order uh for today, December the 16th. And we will be led in the pledge by Miss Wagner and our invocation by Miss Gillyard. Please stand. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America. 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 Jesus, we come this afternoon. We come to say thank you. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. God, we thank you for how you watch over our children and those God that work to make this district what it is. God, we thank you for our stakeholders. And now, God, we pray for a blessed Christmas celebration as families
002will come together and rejoice and eat and fellowship. God, we just pray your continued watch upon each home, upon each individual. Now God, we pray that you would lead us and guide us today as we attend the business of this district. Help us, oh God, to do what is in the best interest of our children and our staff. We ask all that in Jesus's name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you. All right, we'll move to our first item of business, uh, presentations. and uh Miss France, the Sun Sun Sunshine State Scholars, you're recognized. If I could please have Paisley and Sia, is that correct? >> CF up at the front. So, this is really exciting. Um, each year Florida's school districts uh recognize over here. You're in the front, guys. Thank you. Recognize their top
00311th grade students in the areas of science, technology, math, and engineering. This year, Paisley along with her parents are going to travel in October. Oh, no. In to Orlando in March. And uh this program is designed to bring together scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in STEM fields and create a network networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from the Florida college system. So Paisley is our Sunshine State Scholar. Say CA sorry is our runnerup. And even if you're a runner up, you're going to put that on all Florida college applications because it means a big deal to be a Sunshine State Scholar finalist. So, it's a two-day program that honors all the scholars and their significant academic accomplishments, celebrates their potential, and for the um parents, uh there will
004be representatives from all of the Florida colleges and universities to meet with the students and discuss higher education opportunities. And it includes workshops for college applications and information system uh sessions on college funding for students and their parents. So if Paisley cannot go, although I know Paisley already did her work, right? You already filled out your forms, you will represent us at Putnham County. So I want to thank both Paisley and Sayya. Paisley's from Placa Junior Senior High School. Sea, I'm so sorry. Patel is from Qi Roberts Junior Senior High School. These are our Sunshine State scholars for this academic year. >> Very good. >> Awesome. Awesome. >> Congratulations. I don't remember you ever getting an academic award. >> I was thinking Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. We uh we move on to our next
005uh presentation, the successful citizenship award. And uh the education foundation gives this uh all right I see that you're here and then we'll also should I guess you'll do the aerospace grant um which is the next one. So please come up and be recognized. >> All right. Good afternoon everyone. >> Good afternoon. >> So I am Iette Jones and I'm the chairperson for the education foundation of Putnham County and we are here and excited to give out our successful citizen award. Um we do this award twice a year and students can be nominated by someone in the community. They can be nominated by a teacher, by a um peer. And these are students that are going above and beyond in their um in their community. And I left my phone. Um we have two students
006that are being recognized this time. We have first Mr. Andrew Wallwick. Andrew, come up. And so I just want to say some of the things that his the person that nominated him said about him. Um so they said that is nothing in life nothing in life can be more honorable than writing a reference on behalf of this student who has set out to take advantage of every aspect of life and all it has to offer. As a sophomore at Palaca Junior Senior High School, Andrew is a student in the aerospace program, and we're going to talk about that a little later, in which he has learned to become a pilot. Currently, he is on track to fly his solo flight, and this was back in October. So, have you already done your solo flight? Great.
007>> Awesome. and um he's going to be one of the youngest pilots, well he was one of the youngest pilots to accomplish such an endeavor at the ripe old age of 16. This passion and love for flying is being shared to every student um Andrew is in contact with in the program at his school in hopes that each of them will understand how valued they are ultimately inspiring them to recognize that they too can one day become a pilot. And Andrew it it was like three pages of um information about Andrew. But I am so inspired by Andrew and I'm so happy that Andrew is um taking part in the aerospace program. Um that's one of the programs that we're going to talk about in just a few minutes. And Andrew, I want to thank
008you personally for all of the things that you're doing. And I want to present you with this check for $250 and this certificate from the education foundation. I think his dad knows a little bit about >> little bit. >> I want to just say I'm glad his grandmother's here, Nancy, who's a long time employee. >> Nancy, good to see you. Thank you, >> Congratulations. >> Good job, Andrew. >> And our next student that is being recognized is William Cohen. William, can you come up? Alrighty. So, William is a senior at Interlockan Junior Senior High School, and the these are some of the things that the person who nominated him said about um William. This student has been in JOTC since the ninth grade and has attended numerous community service activities within the program. This student
009has helped clean the Sister Spring Cemetery, helped set up and take down events at the local American Legion, and events at the local recreation company. This student has debriefed the interlocking town council to host an area 1 JOTC raider competition. He has also achieved many different leadership positions within JR the JRTC program. He has earned the position of deputy commander, raider commander, and color guard commander. All while being part of the interlocking JOTC command and staff. And that's why he was nominated. So, William, I want to say thank you for all that you do. And I want to present you with your $250 check and a certificate. Congratulations. >> I got one more chance. >> Yeah, go ahead. kind of check. >> So, this is the big check. So, this is a very special check.
010And this one goes to the Putham SC County School District. And this is actually part of the state of Florida's um matching grant. And what we're doing with this one is we're helping with that aerospace engineering program um that we just uh spoke about. And so this is the first part of that um matching fund which is worth the amount of 31,000 $15.90. And again this is awesome because it helps students um like Andrew um to be a pilot at the age of 16 which is an awesome feat. And so we want to present this to the school district. That's awesome. >> Love hearing that. >> Yeah. >> Thank you so much. All right, superintendent, you are recognized for your >> state of the district. I just once again want to thank the educational foundation
011of Putinham County and uh they do tremendous things and um especially our flight program. All those flight hours, they're not cheap and uh thank you so much for providing that. You know, every year in the fall, we always come back and um share kind of a um progress report, if you will, on how the district has done over the past year. And over the past few years, we've been really using our strategic plan to kind of guide us in that report. So, um, I'm going follow my script here. So, good afternoon board members. Today, I'm pleased to present our annual state of the district presentation. It's a tradition every fall to share with you in our community strategic plan that highlights the highlights from each year. You should have a copy of the presentation in
012front of you. I would ask that you please hold any questions until the end of the presentation. At the heart of everything we do, uhoh, there it is. At the heart of everything we do is a simple but powerful truth. We are proud to be PCSD, a district unified around students, our mission, and our community. Our mission and our vision revolve around one focus, that's our students. Every initiative, every message, and every decision is guided by ensuring that all students across Pentam County have access to quality education and opportunities. This past year included the release of our district's new brand video, which you just saw. This in-house project showcases all of our PCSD campuses and the variety of learning opportunities available to our students. Most importantly, it highlights the positive student and staff relationships throughout
013our district and the amazing potential of our students. Our strategic plan plans course of action outlines five areas of focus along with the long-term strategies for each area. Since 2022, we have been publishing strategic plan action reports each fall documenting accomplishments from the prior year. This year's 202425 report includes the actions from year four of our 5-year plan and can be found on our district website. I will now share with you a few highlights from the report for each of our areas of focus. So in the area of district grade data under academic excellence, our 2025 district grades showed improvement achievement in all four content areas. This improvement is evidence of our f of our focus on improving achievement by strengthening tier 1 core instruction. Our 2025 district grade showed an increase in 10 of
014the 12 components and the highest percent of total possible points since the modern calculation began in 2015. So you can see an increase in all those areas. Along with our focus on achievement, we invested additional funding, time, and support into reading and math interventions in grades kindergarten through six. This past year saw the adoption and purchase of even more instructional materials to better meet the needs of our students. In the area of career and technical education, we now offer 14 different programs across our four secondary schools. Recent additions to our programs include aerospace technologies, which we just talked about, and building construction technologies. We also continue to invest in legacy programs like advanced manufacturing, aggra science, allied health, automotive maintenance, and welding. These career programs provide our students with job skills needed right here in
015Putnham County in the whole child area. And if you notice up in the right corner are the different uh emblems of our areas of focus in the whole child area of focus. We were grateful to partner last year with the nonprofit organization who we play for. We provided 673 free electroc cardiogram heart screenings to students in grades 7 through 12 across our district. in our district's mental health mental wellness team started a new resilience roots program focused on strengthening families through therapy and mental health. We were honored to receive the funding from the United Way to support our resilient roots family therapy program and trauma focused services. Focusing on the whole child includes making sure our students are supported during and after the school day. Rounding out the highlights of our support for the whole
016child is Jazzy and Bouncy. Jazzy is our district's therapy dog who I think you've met here before and Bouncy is an animatronic dog introduced to our district's youngest students to promote resilience. One of our greatest accomplishments in the area of premier workforce was a ribbon cutting ceremony for our PCSD wellness center powered by Marathon Health. Our new wellness center provides no cost care to employees on district health insurance plans. Our goal of having a premier workforce was supported this past year with raises for all instructional, classified, and support staff. Additionally, we reached a starting we reached a starting salary of $48,000 for new teachers. Negotiations also resulted in new supplements and other financial benefits for our employees. We are known for we are known throughout the region for our district-wide learning communities and collaborative approach
017to professional learning. Our district invests significant funding in growing the knowledge and expertise of our teachers, leaders, and staff in an effort to be the premier workforce in northeast Florida. Our ongoing revitalization plan is foundational to our safety and modernization areas area of focus. This plan represents a once in a generation investment in our students, our schools, our community, and our future. We currently have three campuses under construction. Crescent City Junior Senior High School, Palaca Intermediate, and the new Middleton Bernie Elementary School. Crescent City Junior Senior High School is being built in phases on the current site. The junior high in the CTE wings just opened in November and students and staff are already utilizing those spaces. The new gymnasium is set to be completed in 2026. This rebuilt campus is being constructed with special
018facilities funding appropriated by appropriated by the state legislature. This upcoming year will be especially transformative for our central area as we open the new Palatka Intermediate School. Palaca Intermediate will welcome its first class of students in grades three through six this coming August. The new Middleton Bernie Elementary School in Crescent City will also welcome students and staff in August of 26. Similar to Palaca Intermediate, it is being built with with the general obligation bond funds. When it comes to community collaboration, our farm-to-school program reflects not only our commitment to healthy meals for our students, but also our support for local farmers in Northeast Florida. A state grant of almost $800,000 help make these purchases of local produce possible. We are committed to celebrating our district and highlighting the incredible people who make it special. Our
019district's podcast, known as the pulse, gives students, teachers, staff, and community partners a platform to share their stories. It has helped us strengthen relationships and brings awareness to the great things happening in PCSD in our community. We are also committed to meeting our community's desire for choice. And this past year, we added even more district choices for families. In addition to adding Putinham Flex and Putnham Flex for homeschool students, we developed contracted services for families that are now being offered in the current school year. The highlights I've shared with you this afternoon reflect some of the progress we made during the past year. As our district enters the fifth and final year of our current strategic plan, I want to share what the year ahead will bring. The new Palaca Primary School serving grades kindergarten
020through 2nd is set to rise in the heart of our district central area. This new campus will streamline our Palaca feeder pattern and build a more connected and consistent learning experience for all of our students. And that is uh if you're not sure, that's where the current Kelly Smith Elementary is located. On the west end of the county, we are beginning the Melrose Elementary project. These construction projects in phase two of our revitalization plan seek to unify learning, create consistency in the student experience, and bring safe and modern schools to all communities in West, Central, and South Putham County. Our goal is simple. Every student deserves the same excellent learning environment. PCSD is in an incredible period of growth, modernizing our schools, strengthening communication, expanding opportunities, and centering everything we do around students. In January,
021we will kick off strategic planning for a new three-year plan that will guide our district through the 2029 school year. We will begin this work with a presentation during the January 20th board meeting outlining the timeline and the process. In the year ahead, our stakeholders will have opportunities to help shape the future with our next strategic plan. As superintendent, my team and I are committed to continuing to strengthen our school district and we appreciate your support. At this time, I'm able to answer any questions that you might have. board. Any questions? >> I I have one. Go ahead. >> Um that that last picture of Melrose. Um is that the design that we are going through? I've not seen a picture. >> Can you go back to that? >> And uh >> Yep, that's it.
022And you see the gym on the left. So that's looking across Highway 26. >> And um >> No, that's wrong. Yeah, 26, right? Yeah. >> Yeah, that's off of 26. Um, and I know we had had I I had had some discussions with them about the trees and and what's going to the corner is what it's going to look like. Um, who would I be contacting at this point with that regarding the issues like that? >> We can talk we can talk to u Casper Architects. Okay. >> Who is doing that? >> I know they had they had talked to before. And if you'll if you'll get with me, we can uh get them on the phone or >> do whatever you'd like. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yep. Any other questions? >> Any questions
023by the board? >> Very good. >> Thank you, sir. >> Okay. Thank you very much, board. >> Okay. We'll move to public comments. I don't have any um speaker cards. So, >> all right. We will move to our consent agenda. And I will start with you, Miss Pickkins. >> I don't have anything. It It's been removed. >> Mr. Buckworth? >> No, sir. >> Miss Gillyard. >> I'm going to pull G1. >> G1. All right. Miss Wagner. >> I do not believe I have anything to pull. >> Okay. And I will pull F19. So, the chair will entertain a motion for the balance of the consent agenda. >> I'm sorry. Before we I did not have anything to pull. >> Uh, but I do have to recuse myself from item F16 and item F17. >> 16
024and 17 recuse. Okay. >> Bill, did you say F19 and >> G1. Mr. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion that we approve the consent agenda as appro as presented except for F 19 and G1. >> All right, I have a motion. Second >> or a second by Miss Pickkins. All in favor? >> Mr. Chair, I have to recuse from those two. So, >> okay. And u right we for the uh record we'll show that Miss Wagner is recusing herself from >> voting on F16 and 17. All right. >> So should we have that removed so she can vote on the rest of the agenda? >> That was my question. I don't know how that works. >> Yes, I think you should. Go >> ahead and pull it so she can recuse herself on those two
025votes and then she can vote on the >> Mr. Chair. I'll I'll pull F What were they again? >> 16 17 and 19. F16, 17, and 19 from for Miss Wagner for Miss Wagner. >> And then G1 >> and G1. >> Not 19. >> Yeah. 19. >> You put everything to pull. Okay. >> Okay. All right. We have a motion and a second by Miss Pickkins. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. All right. Let's go. 16 and 17. We'll do those. And um Miss um Wagner will be recusing herself. So I chair will entertain a motion on F-16. >> I make a motion we approve F16 >> and 17 or just doing >> Well, I thought he said I thought he just said one at the time. >>
026He said one second. >> All right. I have a a motion and a second for items uh F16, which is the James Morren Company internal accounting audit contracting services. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Oh, or carries 40, sorry. Um, and then F17, the James Moore Gasb Consulting Services. >> Um, I move, Mr. Chair, to uh accept item 17, the James Moore GSAB Consulting Services. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> I motion carries 40. >> All right. And then I pulled F19 and I just had one concern uh and honestly I I somehow missed this when uh when I was going through the the agenda um on the assistant superintendent for business
027operations. um you know we're we're making some changes to that and you know since this position supervises or you know oversees several different departments including purchasing finance and and the the accounting chief financial officer. you know, I I think there should be a stronger um qualification in here related to either having a undergraduate or graduate degree in business administration or finance or accounting or or or some some form of that. um in addition to the experience and I know that um the current um assistant superintendent for business operations, you know, has all the other experience and qualifications that are that are in this description, but I'm I'm more concerned about when she leaves one day and and we're looking for, you know, hiring a new one. Um I just think that um we're we're putting
028significant interest on um you know master degree in in Florida's educators certification and ed leadership and that those those three areas specifically although transportation and and maintenance and those are all highly you know uh technical fields um you know I think it just needs to be a little stronger Um note in here, you know, maybe desired business, you know, some type of business, accounting or finance. Um, you know, either in the qualifications or in the knowledge and skills. >> This is a construction management job. >> no, this is >> Oh, okay. I got you. Business operation. >> You >> So, I I will just um make a comment. I mean, we are talking about me. Um, so if you will look like this, it says supervises those specific positions and I am not over those
029departments. Those people are over those departments. So there is a director of finance that has the qualifications to run finance. I am that person's direct supervisor. So it is more about the leadership of supervising than running the day-to-day departments. There is not any one person that could run all of those departments. And so that that it is about the leadership that I bring to my job to supervise the people who run those departments. >> But what if we had a an applicant that didn't have the experience long term and the leadership that you have? I mean, where where would we where would we look at someone in the future that essentially, you know, had more of the uh because I, you know, I think the biggest concern to me is is those three areas um
030finance, accounting, and purchasing uh because of the just the the volume with a $26 million budget, you know, administrative budget. So, I'm not I'm not challenging you on your qualifications. Um, you know, I think that uh you make up for a lot of these things that that you know that normally may may not be in part of this. We can always come back and look at the job description. >> We can in 2027 when I leave >> in 2027. Okay. That's that's what we'll do. All right. I I entertain a motion for F19. >> I make a motion we approve F19. No. >> You need to second. I think you made the motion. >> No, no, I can't make the motion. Okay. Oh, yeah. Mr. Buckles need second by you, Miss Gillyard. >> M I'll
031second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Okay. We will now move to G >> G1. G1. >> Oh, G1. I'm sorry. Yes, ma'am. You're recognized. >> All right. From the expulsion committee. This is a student uh that the expulsion committee we've uh discussed at length and we are going to uh re re uh visit this particular case in the student. So the student is back in school in a contained self-contained environment where he is away from the other students and the committee has opted to revisit his >> so we wouldn't take any action on on G1 >> right I would suggest you table it >> table yes >> all right chair will entertain a motion to
032table G1 >> I you motion >> motion that we table yes >> all right second by Miss Pickkins all in favor signify by saying I >> I >> motion carries unanimously. >> Okay. We will now move to um item under unfinished business the um executive director construction management job description and Miss Whitehurst or superintendent. Do you I mean >> Miss Whitehurst. >> Okay. >> Can address that. >> All righty. you're recognized. >> So, based on the last board meeting and the um request from the board that we pursue um hiring a construction manager um and that's also been something that has been discussed at the bond oversight meetings. So, at that point um the process of this is we have to have a job description first. It has to be added onto the personnel allocations
033and then we can start the process. So, I reached out um to several districts in the state of Florida who have construction going on and they sent me their construction manager job descriptions and I um sent those out um to some to select people, specifically Travis Woods was very involved in it and we went through them and we liked some things from this county and we liked some things from another county and so we started putting it together um in in light of the new organization chart that you just approved, um the the decision was made that this person would be a direct report to the superintendent. And so that is why when you look at um job codes and the crosswalk with DOE, certain like people who report that that kind of dictates what
034their titles can be. And so that's why it's an executive director of construction management. um just so it matches up with the crosswalk and and what line item that would be um with DOE. We took into consideration um the recommendations around what their degrees were in um years of experience. Um so this is this is here for discussion. Um, if there are things that the board would like to see as adjusted, um, my understanding is you can make that and make that part of the action and we can change that. I would really like for us to be able to get this done so that we can post and get this hopefully hired um, no later than the end of January. >> Okay. Board, any any questions? Well, my my only question or it's not
035really a question. Uh you mentioned Mr. Hunter uh on the bond oversight committee and and some of his concerns and I was the one who recommended he be on the bond oversight committee and I agreed with him a long time ago when we started this process. But Florida statutes in the state of Florida, every school district uses construction management firms. I don't have a problem doing this if it's not gonna just cost us a lot more money and I don't think it is after speaking with Jonathan ODM. So, uh I'm feeling better about it. Um >> and I also want to point out that I tried to be very specific in the the performance responsibilities that um this would that this position is is specifically around school construction. So when there is no school construction,
036>> right, >> that's it. >> This this position really can't exist, >> right? >> And let me ask one one thing that um was brought up and I want to be clear about this under job goal. >> It does say special facility projects and I believe we're funding this out of bond money, >> right? And it says bond and special facilities because Jonathan, I believe we're using >> we we'll have some general fund out of that so that it can be both. won't be funded accordingly. >> Yes. Yes. It will it will have um a a portion that will be out of general fund primarily out of the bond. >> I have a question that's >> Yes. >> reference one of the requirements looking at the performance responsibilities and then looking at the physical requirements
037exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally. >> I know that was brought up >> really diagram. So if I mean if you're on a construction site and I mean there there are times that you could possibly have to move something might have to pick me up if I >> and and there's always that um perform other duties. Um and so for risk management purposes we have to make sure that there is something that is on there that states that this could possibly happen. So that that is why I I already had a couple of people asking about that too and I'm like no it's not like they're going to be doing that on a daily basis but they could be on a site and they have to help move something and if they get
038hurt if that's not on there then we have some issues >> from a risk management standoint. >> Are we going to continue to have a construction management firm in these projects or is that going to go away when this is hired? >> This this would take the place of that >> from my understanding. That's correct. Right. Superintendent. Yes. >> That makes sense. >> Mrs. Whitehurst. Yes ma'am. just just for me. Uh satisfactory criminal background check. Uh DUI wouldn't >> No, that No, it it is um that goes along with statute >> um Florida statute 435.04. Um there are very specific especially now there's very specific level two background check requirements that all all employ even current employees are having to go through it now again too um any prospective employee has to meet that so
039that is a satisfactory criminal back to ground check it it goes with everything that is listed there and no I cannot tell you what they are are but I can tell you it's 435.04 4. >> Okay. Any other questions, Miss Whitehurst or comments? Okay. All right. Well, the chair will entertain a motion on approval of J1, the uh job description for the construction management manager. >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve G1. >> I'll second. >> All right. We have a motion and second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. We will now move to uh our new business. The first under K1 is the consensus to advertise uh resend policy 2020 >> on the next page. You'll see why. All right. and chair will entertain
040a motion on um K1. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion that we approve item K1, consensus to advertise to resend policy 2205. >> Second. >> All right. Have a motion second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Unanimously. We will now move to K2 on the consensus to advertise for amended policies. Chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion that we approve item K2, consensus to advertise amended policies 7510 and 8651. >> I'll second that. >> All right, we have a motion and second. All in favor? Do you have a question? Why? >> I actually I actually do. On the >> You're recognized. >> I'm sorry I'm so late on these things. 8651, the the schoolboard owned vehicles. And this might be a question
041for our council. Um but in reviewing several items on the um the new business, we're calling them in some places schoolboard owned vehicles and in other places we're calling them districtowned vehicles. And it's very inconsistent even on some of the same documents. So can we before we pass this policy I think we need to know adopted it needs to be did does the school board own these vehicles or does this the district >> the district does >> okay then I would ask that this be because there's multiple places in this particular policy um it's calling it school board owned so I just thought it might need to be because we have a handbook also on the agenda and it differs ers from what our policy says. I just want some consistency. >> Well, I agree.
042Consistency should should be achieved. I think that um you know, it could be technically defined as the Putnham County School District vehicle and you could put a parenthesis with a quote that just says district own vehicle or district vehicle, but I agree with you that should be consistent throughout. But you could make that if you choose to move to to pass this, you could make that part of the motion that the wherever the term schoolboard vehicle is used that the term district owned vehicle be substituted. >> Okay. >> So, can you >> Okay. So, do >> you want to add that to your motion? >> Yes. >> All right. So, I'd like to add to the motion that in policy 8651, anywhere it's written schoolboard owned vehicles would be changed to Putnham School District owned
043vehicles. >> I'll second that. >> Is that good enough? >> All right, we have a motion second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Mr. Chair, can I Yes, sir. >> clarify something real quick. Um, I made the comment a minute ago about construction management. We we will we have construction management on contract. We're talking about uh Ajax and Parish McCall. The one I'm the one I was referring to is design management. >> Right. >> So construction management, we already have those are the ones who are actually building our schools. >> Right. So, we we've got construction management and and we've hired a construction manager to manage construction man. I I still think after my conversation with uh Mr. Odum that I I feel comfortable heading this direction because
044you're going to phase some of these folks out in the next couple of years, right? Yeah. >> I'm thank you for that clarification. We'll move on to um three item three uh consensus to advertise and I believe all the policies need to be read into the motion >> by number. Yes, correct. And so the chair will entertain a motion. Uh, I'll offer a motion that we uh approve item K3, consensus to advertise amended bylaws and policies 2260 6 2280 2 410 2 417 2 4 1 2 42 1 2 431 2431.01 32 1 0 3 2 1 3 3 4 2 3 4 1 0 37 0 0 4 1 2 0 4210 424 42 51 36 52 0 52 23 5330.01 5410.01 01 546 56 0 5630 754.02 O27544 0 9800 0 per Nola
045update volume 26 number one. >> I'll second that. All right, we have a motion and a second on K3. All in favor signify by by saying I. I. Motion carries unanimously. >> And thank you, Miss Pickkins. >> Yeah, thank you, Miss Pickers. That was very >> I was going to recommend Miss Wagner do that. >> Okay. All right. We'll move to number four, our handbook for the uh procedure of using school facilities. Any questions or comments by the board? >> All right. chair will entertain a motion. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Mrs. White, you're recognized. >> So, on these next two items, they are procedures. Um, procedures are not necessarily um approved by the board. They are attached to different policies that we have. Um, and I just want to be very careful because if we
046see that especially like with this use of facilities procedures handbook, we've got new buildings being like rolled out like there there's going to be things that we're going to need to change as we come up to those. And so I just wanted to make sure like that I put these items on here so that y'all would be able to see what we are doing with use of facilities, especially with the next one, the district vehicle usage. But with handbooks and procedures, those are just telling us how we're actually going to do the details of the policies that they're attached to. Um, so I I just wanted to share that information. >> Okay. Well, then we will change the motion to uh accepting the um the document and um it will be included in our policies.
047Correct. >> Yes, we didn't have a motion yet. >> Oh, we didn't have a motion. I'm sorry. >> Don't need a motion. Okay. >> Being approved. >> All right. We'll we will accept. >> Let me ask a question. Okay. Mhm. >> So, it's your intent that these guidelines, handbooks, facilitate and implement the policies that the board adopted? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Let me ask the attorney a question and and I know I know where I'm going with this. There are going to be situations to where there may come an emergency. Whether it be, as we've had in the past, a train derailment, a hurricane, some calamity somewhere, bad wreck, student die on a field trip. I don't I don't need to keep hashing that point, but I think there needs to be some latitude
048and and uh in this and some common sense that you can't just paint yourself in a corner because an administrator may have to jump in a vehicle that they're not even supposed to be driving and take it somewhere to save a life or something. there approval of the superend. That's that's all I wanted to clear up because you you can't you can't always predict exactly what's going to happen >> because some of them did say superintendent or >> design who are >> to your point I'm sorry to to your point exactly that was um and and I I spoke with Miss Whitehurst earlier for longer than she would care to probably but um and and there are some dis I don't want to say discrepancies but there's a in one place like in the manual
049it may say someone is to report certain things to their supervisor uh and the superintendent or and someone else and somewhere else it says something very similar that says or or >> and in in the legal field and and an or shall and should those all make a big difference. So, um, she was certainly open and this, uh, is my my understanding is this can be kind of a fluid document and can be, um, worked on as we go. It doesn't need our right approval particularly, but they're wanting us to be able to give input on it. and I've given some and I I will um be >> Miss Wagner. My my only concern is that there may come a time when someone has to drive a vehicle and >> right now it's the it's
050the use of facilities and and again that's why I wanted to make this statement that >> we we do not we do not put procedures before the board. This was a matter of these are new things with this use of facilities. We have not had anything like this in place before and we wanted to be very transparent about we're going to start charging for the use of facilities and so we wanted some very clear guidelines. We've reached out to some other districts who have things. We've met with risk management at NEC. They agree that we need to have something like this. But there are things that may need to be fixed. I mean, there's a couple principles that have already said when I sent this out for them to review, they're like, "I don't know
051about that." I'm like, "Well, let's give it 6 months. Let's try it for second semester and then we can see, you know, so it is going to be a very fluid document." Um, and the same thing with the um and I'll go ahead because they're they're not action items. um the the district vehicle usage. I'm I'm so glad and and it's like I was explaining um to Miss Wagner. I'm working on all of this and I wanted to get it on the board agenda because both of these are things that the intent is for us to roll them out January 1st. This is the last meeting that we had before then. I knew there was going to be some things that were going to be pointed out that cuz I had already noticed it after
052I talked to Susan. I'm like, Susan, do you want me to correct it and put it on there again? like so any feedback that I can get will be very much appreciative on either one of those handbooks. >> But the key is that the guidelines are consistent with the policy. >> Correct. >> Yeah. It they you have the policy that states the district is this is what we do and then this is the guidelines of how do we do that. Yes. >> As long >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we approve. Are we still going to talk some more? >> We don't have to. >> No, we just we don't have to approve information. >> It's just information. Okay. >> All right. So, we we will just um accept the
053information as presented and included in the um agenda and the information is there if anybody wants to review it in the public. Um so we will now move to uh K6 the auditor's general findings and internal investigation and uh miss >> can I ask u yeah >> yeah miss >> has some information statement >> yes state of the board >> before you discuss that >> are y'all tired of hearing from me >> okay um following the auditor general's final report which identified concerns regarding mileage reimbursement submitted by Mr. Bowling. The district immediately initiated um an investigation. During the initial review, documentation revealed discrepancies in mileage claims to ensure a thorough and objective process. The decision was made to consult with an outside investigative firm. Preparations for the interview phase went were underway and scheduled to
054begin immediately after the Thanksgiving holiday. However, before interviews could occur, the employee voluntarily separated from the district. Once an in an individual is no longer employed, the district cannot compel interviews or proceed with disciplinary investigations. Although the disciplinary investigation could not proceed, I continued a comprehensive review of all available documentation to assess the accuracy of the mileage reimbursements. This postsparation analysis included mileage reimbursement submissions, fuel usage reports, toll invoices, PECARD transactions, and other supporting records. From the time period that is in the um audit report of February 2020 through June of 2025 of the mileage reimbursements that are in question, there were 39 reimbursements submitted. Of those 39, there are five that have definitive supporting documentation that shows the district vehicle was used and the re so therefore the reimbursement should not have occurred. However,
055the other 34 there are no definitive records that confirm or refute the district vehicle use during those mileage reimbursement time periods. Actually, there are some of the doc of the reports and documentation that indicate that most likely a personal vehicle was used. These findings have been reported to the office of professional practices with the department of education. U Mr. Bowling is a certificated um he has a teaching certificate. So that is required to be reported to them. It has been reported to them. And in addition, um I had already been notified um right around the time that this all began that um law enforcement had been already contacted and local law enforcement had turned it over to FDLE. I did verify that FDLE was indeed investigating and um as of this week I have talked
056to the FDLE investigator and from um he shared information with me that that does support what I have found as well. um that investigation is still ongoing. So I can't really share a lot more of that, but as soon as that um investigation is completed, which um the investigator did say that they are trying to finish that up as quickly as they possibly can. Um so as soon as that is finished and they release a report, then I can share that with um the board as to what that is. Um as far as professional practices, that's that's on their timeline. Um but everything has been reported to them as well. Okay. Board, do you have any questions for Miss Whitehurst? Okay. All right. Um, I was one that actually asked that this be placed on
057the agenda. Um, and um, there was some confusion or I guess um, language that wasn't included in in the the first email the superintendent said sent out that said the investigation had concluded, but that was not the case. any any because the employee had resigned, there were no more um anything could be done as far as punishment or whatever from that standpoint. But the investigation continued and Miss Whitehurst uh in conversation with the board attorney and I and all in individually that each of you all met and I'm assume discussed the same thing. Um that she continued it looked at the uh records going back to 2020. So that would be for the last five years. And so I just wanted to be sure that our board policy 8700 on antifraud was met. And I
058do think it was because of the statements that Miss Whitehurst just said uh just related relayed to us. But let me tell you, the policy says if an allegation of fraudulent misconduct involves a district employee, former employee, applicants, or independent contractor, the superintendent shall conduct conduct a thorough investigation. I believe that's still ongoing and so we'll have more answers uh once those are completed. So, anybody else have any questions or comments? >> Well, this this wouldn't be the first time that something like this has occurred. I won't go into detail, but uh it's every seven or eight years somebody uses a vehicle they're not supposed to and and then it creates a stir and or they use it in a way that they shouldn't and they either either if they hold a Florida teaching certificate
059they're subjected to professional practices or the some of the things that uh Miss Whitehurst was talking about. So, it's really not unusual. I I feel I don't like that it happened and I certainly uh certainly wish that uh everyone and I spoke to like finance director and the superintendent. I'd like to see our our travel form say anybody that that submits something that's not on the levels, you know, would be immediately subject to termination. But, you know, then again, you're boxing yourself in a corner and like I always say, you you don't know what's going to happen and what's going to take place. But this was a certainly it it's heartbreaking for me. >> Yes. And I just Oh, I just want to add that I feel uh having heard everything and read what I've
060read is that uh due diligence is being given. The investigation is still ongoing. Um nothing is being swept under the rug. Everything is is being brought out, looked at so that we would make sure that we are adhering to policy. Is it 8,700? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. making sure that and in the future what I like uh also that I heard when I met with them earlier today is that in the near future we're trying to fine-tune and polish up these areas where those things could slip through. We're trying to make sure that that is taken care so that it does not repeat itself or or no one has the the ability to you know >> correct >> omit something or not follow through with what should be done and so you all
061commend it. >> I uh I want to completely agree with with what you just stated because I I think I said in the prior meeting um it's not just a matter of identifying what's happened. identifying why it happened and how it how we can stop it from ever happening again. Yes, >> it it it concerns me a little when when Mr. Buckle says it's happened before in the past and it may have been a long long long time ago, but it's something that we we have to be aware of and it it concerns me we didn't have at least enough safeguards in place uh to the point where where checks were written that that should not have been and we should not just have one check, we should have multiple checks. Um, I was very
062encouraged by the meeting today uh with the superintendent and Miss Whitehurst. I I was I was uh very happy to hear it was my understanding that there was no ongoing investigation. I was uh not not real happy about that assumption and I I was incorrect and I'm glad I was. So, we don't know the final results yet. And again, we can't speak a lot on that until we have that. But I'm glad that this the investigation is ongoing. Um, we need to know, we need to know. I mean, we need to know what happened, why it happened, and how we are not going to let it happen again. It might be a small thing this time, but it's a matter of trust for our community, and they have to be able to trust us with
063with the funds for this district. So, I'm I'm happy with our progress and and I look forward to more updates. >> Mr. Pickles, >> I just I too was very encouraged by the meeting today and I concur with what everyone has already said. Um it it is a you know we need to do our due diligence and we are >> okay. I don't think we need to take any motion on this. We can just accept it forformational purposes and and Miss White's uh comments are part of the record. So, we will move to uh board reports and um Miss Wagon, we will start with you. >> All right. Um I I wanted to bring up one little thing from today's agenda uh in my comments and that's just the Niola updates. Um for those that
064don't know, we we rely on Niola, a company, to keep our policies up to date as far as in compliance with state law. Um, I'm very glad they have to do it and not us >> because there's a lot and and we get those updates and we can see what's being changed and we can um, you know, that we then vote to approve them or not. But, uh, and I've had contact with Neil in the past and that's their basic job is to make sure our policies are in compliance with the law. And since policym is our number one purpose up here, um, that's important to me. So, I just I've I think I've commented before maybe a year ago that when we we always get these updates u that Miss Pickkins had to read
065out all the numbers. Um and it says per Neola update volume 26 number one. Um I don't know for a fact and and I did already speak with Susan. I just wanted this to let the other board members be aware. Um it's really really important to me that I know whether these um these amended policies are if these amendments are from Neiola or not. And I don't know whether in prior times on prior agendas if if the amendments don't say periola or you know but that but our but our district can make our own changes and I just would really like something set in place where we know for sure th this clump I' I'd rather it be on a separate um agenda line perhaps that says these are the ones that these are the
066changes that Neola has told us we have to have to get in place. The other thing is some of the Miola changes are optional. There's one in there today that the the change is actually optional. We chose to opt out of it because we've already got it covered in a different policy. So, I would just really like those maybe on a different line if there is a change that our district is making on its own. I'd like to have see that separately so that we know these areas and these are ours. Is that >> that's what one and two are. >> Okay. Okay. >> For just from them. If it doesn't take as >> Okay. Great. Great. Cuz I don't know that we often have >> Yeah, we don't have a lot that I think
067our district is doing. So, if that's how it's being done now, I'm I'm totally satisfied with that. >> Great. Um and then I just wanted to say uh I really liked in the pres the superintendent's presentation the farm to the farm to school. Um that is something I thought has been very important in school districts and I'm really glad um we are maintaining that and congratulations to the recipients today for the sunshine and state scholars and the successful citizen award. Um those are a little bit uh unique. We see a lot of sports um recognitions in here um and some scholastic. I I really liked these and best of luck to all of them. And other than that, enjoy the parades and the holiday season and drive safe. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Gillyard. >>
068Yes, sir. um got an opportunity to attend the uh all county uh football banquet and we just can't say enough uh number one uh to the staff at Palaca High have it set up really nice and make us feel comfortable but definitely to the Theobbo family and to Georgia Pacific and them supporting these young men in their endeavors. Um the uh had an opportunity yesterday, my sorority, we have adopted Brown and Pierce Elementary School and to watch the kindergarteners. We we were in with a group of kindergarteners and second graders that parents had pre-ordered some gifts for them and and they were shopping and the funniest thing is the parents may have put on the list Papa, Nana, whomever else is in the household and then but the kid would come in and grab something
069real quick for them and say, "Now, I want this for me and that for me." So, it was really cute and we had a great time. Yesterday, uh Mrs. Pickings and I got an opportunity to proctor down at Middleton Bernie on the 1st of December. We were in math classes and it's not like it was when we were in school with the paper pencil scratching and figuring. They had scratch paper but everything was there on the computer. It was I was with Mr. Walls. It was an experience. Uh the final thing um my email was hacked. uh they have actually hijacked my email. I have not been on my personal email. I have not been receiving any email since November the 19th. And and that email was important to me because I get church information
070from my district. But what it did do, I I do apologize to all of my friends that were hit up uh with uh using tragedies to try and milk people for money. uh stating uh stage four cancer and death of family members of mine and and send money, but I'm I'm I'm so thankful that enough people know me to say this didn't sound like Sandy asking for that. And so I'm still in the process of trying to get it straightened out. But I want to give two thumbs up to our IT department. I met with uh Mr. borum. And it's amazing how they keep this district safeguarded against those people that are out there with evil intent. And he allowed me to see it just bouncing everywhere. Somebody from Great Britain don't even but it's
071just and so we just have to be very very cautious of what it is we have. And sometimes people may assume we're we're we're, you know, blowing them off, not answering their email. But I'm I'm cautious now. If it says external, I I I just cannot open it because I don't want to subject this district to having, you know, our our information, our data uh ransomed uh or somebody try and receive a ransom from us. So again, just be cautious um with your emails and what you open. And I've learned so much by going through the workshops, people fishing, but I don't know what I clicked when I clicked. It might have been ordering something. I don't know. But anyway, I I do apologize if you received that from me. Final thing, just want to
072wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. >> Thank you, Miss Mr. Buckles. >> Well, I'd like to wish everybody a merry Christmas as well. I've got something I want to read real quick. I mean, we've you've acted like you've never had an audit before with audit findings. Now, it had a kind of a, you know, different finding, but I want to read what the Florida Auditor General has said. Uh, recently, Florida Auditor General slams administration of school choice scholarships. Senator Don Gates introduces a bill to correct many of the identified shortcomings of the scholarship voucher programs. Uh on any given day, the state of Florida can't account for more than $270 million in education funds. A big number, a big problem according to report released this past week by the
073state auditor general. Now, you haven't read this in the Pala newspaper and not not that you should have to, but I just want to let you know that it's it's a serious thing. According to the audit report, this has led to public schools not being provided all the state funding there due under an archaic and poorly designed process within the state department of education. The audit report sums it up. Under the best of circumstances, state education funding would follow the child. However, as participation in all facets of the state education system, particularly scholarship programs significantly exceeded expectations with student mobility greater than ever. delays in finalizing student surveys, FEFP calculations, and scholarship cross checks along with challenges in the effective administration of cross check results in accounting for and recouping potential ineligible funds contributed to
074statewide funding shortfall and a system where funding did not follow the child. In other words, the promise of the state legislature in enacting universal vouchers that state funding will follow the student isn't working. uh Escambia school board member Kevin Adams the long no vote during the board of tax debate this fall uh learned about it and and you've got now Don Gates who's a former school superintendent from Escambia County is a state senator he's introducing legislation to try to recoup this money it's you've got people taking the money for their kids and then they decide they want to send them to school they've already spent the money it doesn't follow the child, then you wind up with a school district having to roll back 11month employees where they can't get salaries. And it's not something
075the school system did. It's a matter of of the state of Florida. It's not, you know, you're not just looking at Putnham County getting an audit. You got the the auditor general slamming, you know, the the legislature. So, I think it's serious to know that this isn't some contrived thing that somebody messed up and they're going to roll people back and the next thing you know is going to run in the paper and it'll be on social media and you got people saying they're firing all the teachers. Well, that doesn't even apply to the teachers. It was worked out in a way that didn't impact them. But it does impact our children because some people take the money and they use it inappropriately. Then they send their kids on out to public school and and
076it's you you can't serve them. You you just you can't find a way to pay the money. Can't do it. And it's a mess. And when you've got a situation like now where they're looking at you have three vacant classrooms in a school and somebody can come up and sit in set up a school of hope within a school. Who's going to know that that teacher is not somebody that's planning on pulling a gun and shooting a child? Who's going to know it's not a, you know, I'm sure there's going to be certain rules and regulations, but the principal and the kids at the school are going to have to interact with these kids. It's whatever sounds politically popular is what's popping out of everybody's mouth in Tallahassee and everywhere else. And it shouldn't be
077that way. They need to think about what we're doing here. You know, I started in a private school. Everybody wanted, you know, for three years I worked in a private school. And people back then in the good old days, they wanted tuition tax credit just for sending their kids to private school. My mother taught 50 plus years. I mean, 20 over here at private MLY preschool, then at Panile Academy. There's a place for parochial schools and there's a place for charter schools, but it's getting ridiculous. It's absolutely ridiculous when every other word that comes out of somebody's mouth is some other kind of educational option and who's not for alternatives. But when you're 300 million, you can't find it. I mean, enough people in Putinham County don't like the fact that the majority of the
078voters voted for a bond issue and that's why you get so many hits on on social media and stuff that go squirrely over this stuff. And I understand I I'm I've got a song that that was sent by a grown man, a businessman, because we had a bad audit finding. And I'm not going to call his name, but it's just it's I I just can't understand why people can't be rational. And this whole thing is not I I as I read the last cycle where it said there teachers are losing their jobs. It was very clear that there are problems like Putnham County is like every other school district in the state of Florida. There's at least $300 million right there at it that they can't put their finger on. And somebody's going to have
079to find a way to do it. And hopefully Don Gates will get it straightened out. I know the governor doesn't want it to be this way. He he certainly would wants public schools funded and wants alternatives funded, but you can't blend this stuff and put that money in FEF silos and then not not have the money when it comes time to feed the kids or take them home from school or whatever. So, I'm off my rant. I appreciate it, Mr. Chairman, for you letting me do that. >> Excellent points, Mr. Buckles. Mr. Pickkins, >> thank you. Um, first it's always great to have uh Iette Jones come from the educational foundation and again recognize our students. I think they're just doing an excellent job. I got an invitation to the gayla um in the mail.
080So y'all should be looking for that. Um December is extremely busy. We I did go Miss Gillyard was there at Middleton Bernie. I um enjoyed it so much that I went back several times. Um I was in a second grade um sixth grade and um once I was in a kindergarten um one of the things that I observed was whomever was teaching um the kids test taking strategies, they were folding their papers and making little individual scare squares on their paper. And I I just thought, you know, the teachers really need to know that things that they're teaching these children are actually helping them on the test or at least be organized on the test. Um, I I did have a little hard time wrapping my head around 5-year-old kindergarten students having to take a
081a test on a computer. That seemed a little bit difficult. and I questioned it just because I don't know if I want my 5-year-old granddaughter to be proficient on a computer yet. So anyway, um it was um wonderful to go to the all county banquet and and I know that you you all have um experience Jim Mcool a lot more than I have, but I am I was very impressed with all of the young men represented and especially the boys from Crescent City. They all looked, you know, like had their polos on and the GPA were incredible um for a lot of the the the student athletes. Um but Jim Mcool when he speaks, what I hear is just a really calming voice. Um somebody that has so much experience and I just value every
082conversation. It's not I don't talk to him very often, but every time I do, I take something home from that. Um, >> Bill and I had the opport. >> Um, sorry, Susan. Um, so uh, Bill and I had the opportunity to go to um, Frozen and again it was absolutely amazing. Um, I actually coached Riley Asbury uh, when she was in second grade. So, I just could not believe how she was wonderful last year when she was in the play, but she was amazing as Elsa. So, um I also got to go to the winter concert at Crescent City Junior Senior High School. And what Miss Jones did this year is she had marching band, beginning band, advanced band, the dance flag girls, and the chorus. And so they every everybody got to present and
083it was it was really really wonderful. Um and the drum line. You can't forget the drum line. Uh but one thing she did with her advanced band, I'm not musical and so I really appreciate people that are musical. Um, but she gave them a a piece of music that they had never seen before and they played it and and I guess they struggled. It sounded pretty good to me. Um, but what she's they will play that after practicing in the spring concert so we can all see the the complete um so how they work through that. So um it was it was really educational. Um, quickly I'd like to thank the the board of county commissioners and the wreck department for cleaning up and fixing our fields down in South Putham. I went to a
084a recreation league baseball and softball which is not been down in the south end for a long time, a very long time. And it's great that that Judy Jackson, Ashley Jones um work for the rec department and they tried to start baseball and softball and and it's going really well. In fact, I think this is their last week. But the fields are amazing and um just because they have really put the time and effort and work into making the fields good and and I believe when kids have places to go for recreation um I think it keeps them out of trouble. gives them another adult that is putting into their life. I just think it's a great thing. Um and I also um last I would like to thank the fair board for the festival
085of lights. I got to take my granddaughters, Bill and I did and um it's it was just neat that we could take them Grammy and pop could take them to a place right near our home and I just thought it was fabulous. and I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. >> Thank you, Miss Pickkins. >> My >> So, I just have a few items. Um the first I would like to echo um Mr. Buckle's comments. Um having lobbyed and worked in the legislative process for over 25 years, I can tell you they're fast to pass uh dumb legislation and then forever to fix it. But um what I've seen um is you know since uh Governor Bush that uh there's been basically uh death by a thousand cuts and
086we hadn't got through the thousand cuts yet uh to the public school system >> which just is is hard for me to understand. I mean, um, having, you know, the experiences and the the educational opportunities I had in public school here, um, and extracurricular, you know, playing football and doing those things, I just think that we're we're going the wrong way. And, um, and the fact that, you know, they lose $300 million, I can assure you if we lost anything close to that that, you know, the National Guard would be here. But um but at any rate, I I do think that at some point in time, we've got to um establish some common sense and some some goals um with respect to um you know, vouchers and uh you know, the fact that I
087think the superintendent said at the beginning of this year, we we had 69 people that uh students that were getting the voucher money, but they were sitting in our desk. Um, you know, there's there's got to be accountability at the state level. And I honestly think that again, trying to mix it in the FEFP and the silos is just a huge mistake. I did uh briefly mention that um in a in a not a meeting, but kind of a passing uh with um Representative Sap. Um but uh it's it's just I mean what what we've seen for certainly the last eight years um with with the way that they've underfunded the public schools and shifted the funding to private and uh you know Christian schools which I have no problem with. I mean I think
088that's fantastic. uh you know, but there there's got to be there has got to be um a reversal or or else we're all public school systems in the state are going to suffer. >> Phil, I I want to disturb you just a minute. You mentioned a meeting or two ago that you weren't going to go to Tallahassee. I think you probably ought to consider going up there and lobbying with the small district or Chris Dulan or some of them try to try to work on this thing. I somebody's got to get up there. And I know the superintendent association will be doing the same thing, but our school board association, they got to get they got to do something. I don't know. Everything's meant to hurt public schools. It's crazy. >> Yeah. Um Thank you.
089The um the all county football awards, you know, um for me the highlight was listening to Mr. Gent, the >> communications um director at GP. the speech that he gave about, you know, football not just being about athleticism and athletics, but about character. And um I was fortunate enough to be uh coached by the first African-American coach, Coach Robert Johnson, my fresh freshman year after integration, who was the most phenomenal character builder uh and you know just outstanding um person from from both sides from the athletic side and and from you know personal life that he he really did an outstanding job. I also would like to see, you know, how we could rejuvenate um the football programs in the county. Um you know, attendance and participation. Uh I know that it's not viewed as
090it was when Mr. Buckles and I played. You know, it was an honor and everybody wanted to be on the team, but um doesn't seem to be that way now. But it was a excellent banquet. The um all of the athletes that were recognized um you know were very special. many of them are going to go on and play college football. And I I think that's a resounding um you know, positive situation from the the coaches and the and the staff that that work with them. Um I also want to mention the educational foundation, the the gayla. I think that you can buy tickets online at the uh at the the Putnham County Education Foundation. Uh it's always a excellent um event and it raises money to do things like uh they were uh the
091check that they gave us today for our aeronautical program. Um the reminder and the superintendent sent this out I think yesterday. The cheerleading competition um at Interlarkin High School for our team that went to Hawaii um is at 6 pm and and um you know it's it's basically goes an hour. So uh uh I've never been to one and so I'm I'm looking forward to attending. Yeah, the schedule had it warmup time, water drinking, >> right? And then the last thing I'd like to mention and and uh this is just something in general um you know a lot of discussion uh about you know the new school opening on Horson's Club Road and and things are moving forward and uh want to recate recognize Mr. Chairs the interim principal at Flaca High School. Welcome to
092the school board meeting. you'll probably be at a lot more. And um but the uh the del lane on 19 that there really isn't one going on the Horsesman's Club Road. And I just was wondering um I know DOT is not the easiest state agency to work with, but we ought to probably try to talk with them and see if that we could convince them uh to put in a del lane so that you know a lot of the traffic that's coming that's going southbound on 19 and turning right on the Horseman's Club to go to the school uh can be accommodated. And uh I think there's already planning to be one on State Road 20 where they'll be turning right uh coming uh east. But um I travel that road every day because I
093I live out there and uh the traffic is just kidding. I I've been I've just been surprised in the last eight years it's just grown astronomically. So um >> Bill, I thought Walton Pelisir had mentioned there might be a del lane there, but you're on the transportation commission, I mean committee. you could talk to them >> the county and we'll work together. >> Yeah. And I know the county is very interested in it and um I've been twisting Mr. Pelic's arm and telling him he's got to be a little more vocal. So uh but he is he he's aware of it. So um and that's Oh, Mr. Superintendent, are you maybe prepared to discuss the letter from the secretary of DOE on the the colleg's charter school thing OP were there? Um or you want
094to wait to another meeting? >> I was waiting. I'm not prepared to talk about it right now. >> Okay. All right. Um if if you maybe sometime in January if you could because I was confused about it. I really didn't understand it. But um and I can also talk to you later. But I think the board uh should should I think you all got copies and so we uh we'll we'll put that um as a discussion item maybe on our next agenda. And that's all I have. So Mr. Holmes. >> All right, Superintendent. >> Thank you. Uh we had a heck of a day today at Crescent City Junior Senior High School. In case you didn't hear, they had a pretty much a complete power failure. Uh some of the construction there evidently uh had
095a was it a fuse box or a transformer actually blew up and shut the entire school down. So, I just uh that happened in the middle of the day and I want to compliment principal Tim Adams, all of his staff, his teachers, our district staff went down there and we had parents lined up all the way down Highway 17 uh wanting to pick up students. We sent um a number of messages out trying to, you know, inform them about what was happening. And the bad news is they will not have power for the rest of the week at and we have sent out communication saying that um you know students will not be returning to school at Crescent City Junior Senior High for the remainder of the week. So we'll work on scheduling and all
096that kind of stuff. But we did send that out. So parents, if you didn't get it, you should be getting an email about that. But u it was one of those things that happened and thank goodness nobody got hurt. Amen. >> Um do want to Mr. Liry mentioned about our new leaders. Uh we sent out a communication about um we named the new principal at Laka Intermediate School for next year and that's Kathy Oyster and she'll actually start transitioning February the 1st. And uh Dr. Chairs I say Dr. chairs who just earned his doctorate Friday will be the uh interim principal at Paka Paka Junior Senior High. So, congratulations. And Michelle Higen Botham, who's done a fantastic job at James A. Long, will be the new principal at Paka Primary beginning the fall of 27.
097So, um and that'll be again a K2 school. Um, just a reminder, we start winter break after this Friday. Friday is the last day of school this week. >> Teachers will return on January 5th for a planning day. Students will return on Tuesday, January 6. So, January 6th is the first day back. >> Teachers come back. >> January. >> Second. Thank you. January 2nd. And they'll be there the 5th, but come back on the second. Thanks for that correction. That's why I have y'all here to remind me about that stuff. Um, winter sports are is in full bloom right now. Going strong. Basketball and all that kind of stuff. So, turn out I might even go to a basketball game tonight when I leave here and have a grandson playing. So, might go to that.
098Uh, and congratulations to Ben Bates Jr. Y'all voted to name the batting cage the the bowl after Ben Bates. he's been very faithful in supporting that program financially and every other way and uh hopefully they'll be unveiling that at the beginning of the season. So, congratulations, Mr. Bates. That's all I have. >> Okay. >> I have one other um Susan sent us an email about the Putham County legislative reception on February 19th. Um J.R. Grimes was talking to me. There'll be it's not just our representatives. It's like 30 different and it's just going to be for us in my opinion. I think that's it would be important for us to to show up as a board. That's my opinion. >> And what's >> it's um February 19th from 5 to 8. >> Let me just
099uh >> in Tallahassee >> P. Yes. Well, that's why I wanted Phil had mentioned he wasn't going to go and I just if you could >> what what happens is that during the legislative session >> every entity public private >> association have a day we at Farm Bureau and David attended many of them and one of the largest in the in the uh the basement of the uh the civic center there >> and um you know we I mean fed them drinks I mean all kind of things you know, it was just the one of the biggest ones of the year. We never got 30 legislators. And let me just tell you what happens is that legislators and because there's only 60 days, they get um invitations for every event and every day of the
100legislative session that evening, there are five to 10 to maybe 12 events that they have an opportunity to attend. Um um and I spoke with the chairman of the the county commission about this and I said I don't know who's footing the bill or whatever. Um but I can tell you that you probably would get more done by trying to go and make appointments with those members individually. Not that uh you know but every county has a day. Um it's just um >> they just show up, >> right? They just show up. And um you know I hope that they could get 30 there. I' I'd be surprised and I certainly um am willing to pay my own way to go up. Um but I just I hope that they're not um especially, you know,
101with the competition. I guess what I say if if if a member has the the opportunity to go to the governor's club for a dinner with the Florida Power and Light lobbyist and and their team, >> they're gonna go with the money. >> They're going to go there. And it's that's just the reality of it. And listen, I I I fought I fought it and participated in it for 25 years and I could tell you it's uh you never know. But but I do think um I agree with you from the standpoint of if they're going to do that and and they're I guess invited all the the the public officials in the county to attend that um you know, we ought to make a good showing uh for that and and and also support
102our two uh members. you know, Representative Sap and Senator Leak because I know they will show up. >> Yeah, Judson will be there >> anyway, but thank you for that. And um there's also um the rule days um which is uh coming up and I think S Susan's already sent out information for that. So without any other business come before the uh the board, we'll stand ajourn.