001school board meeting for October 7th to order and we will have the pledge by Mr. Buckles and lead us in that and the invitation by Miss Gillyard. Please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Let us pray. Father, in the name of your son Jesus, God, we have assembled here today. God, we have come to discuss, to share, to reason, God, about the affairs of this school district. God, we pray for clarity, for understanding. God, we pray that our hearts and minds, God, will focus on working together for the good, God, of those that we serve. God, we lift up the Buck family. And we pray your mercy, your
002hands of protection, God, that you would bless and keep them, God. Continue to keep your hands of mercy on this school district, on our superintendent as he leads us, oh God, and on this board, God, as we make decisions, God, to that will impact the lives of our children prayerfully in a positive way. God, we just pray that we won't ever forget that we are better together. We ask all this in Christ's name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Start with the presentations under B one and uh Miss Cahan and Mr. Inky, you are recognized. >> Good afternoon board members. Superintendent Cerny and staff and guests. Uh today, Felicia, this afternoon, Felicia and I are excited to share something that truly brings our mission and vision to life. It's our new brand video, PCSD, proudly shaping the
003future. This video represents who we are as a district. It showcases the everyday moments that define Putham County Schools. the learning, the laughter, the relationships, and the pride in our district that connects us all. Our PCSD mission is to provide a student- centered, safe, and caring environment that promotes academic excellence, reflects our diversity, celebrates the joy of learning, and equips all students with knowledge and tools to achieve their full potential in an everchanging world. PCSD, proudly shaping the future, takes these words off the page and turns them into something you can see and feel through the experiences of our students and the dedication of our staff. You can't fake what you'll see in this video. The authenticity, the smiles, the engagement. It's the heart of Putnham County Schools. This project is more than just a
004video. It's our story brought to life by the people who live it every day. It captures what words alone can't. That we are proud to be PCSD and we are proud of the vision and momentum that's carrying us forward. And now you're the first to see our new brand video, PCSD, proudly shaping the future. We are the Putnham County School District, a community united by one purpose, shaping the future. Our students are at the heart of everything we do. Inside of our classrooms, they learn to think, problem solve, and collaborate. Every question asked and challenge faced builds the future of Putnham County. Our teachers and staff are mentors, challenging students to discover their strengths and talents. They celebrate every success and instill a love of learning along the way. In Putham County, education is a
005shared responsibility. Our community stands behind every student, investing in their success and potential. Together, we are shaping tomorrow's leaders. We equip students with the tools to succeed from state-of-the-art technology to hands-on experiences. We provide opportunities for our students to explore their interests and develop real world skills. We are paving the way for greatness. Our students will challenge limits and set new standards of excellence. They will turn their passions into purpose and their ambitions into reality. Every student in Putham County holds the future in their hands. Their dreams, their voices, their stories. This is where the future begins. We are more than a school district. We are a community filled with purpose, promise, and possibility for our students. We are proud to be PCSD. Proud to be shaping the future. Proud to say we are the
006future. This project actually began with a conversation or a vision from Jonathan Hinky who said, "I have an idea for a video." And from there, it became a monthsl long in-house project that grew to what you just saw. I've had the privilege of seeing this project come to life. from the script to the storyboard to coordinating schedules with our schools and even being behind the camera a little bit to capture some of that footage. But I'd like to now call out Mike and Melissa McDaniel. We'll give them a minute to come out of the room. Mike and Melissa truly brought this vision to life with countless hours of filming, editing, and technical work to polish that final product you just watched today. And of course, we want to thank our students and staff. Every campus
007we visited welcomed us very warmly. We'd go in with a plan, and we always left with way more footage than we intended because everyone was so proud and excited to get us in their classrooms. At 3:30 this afternoon, our staff received the video by email and many of them are watching it right now alongside of you. After this meeting, it's going to be shared with our families and then later today with our community on social media and we would ask that you share it, be proud of it. This is our district and we are proud to be PCSD. Good. I >> like how long did it take y'all to film all that? >> Really? All squeezed into two minutes. >> Thank y'all for what you did. >> Pass that to the super get it. >>
008Okay board, we will now uh move to public comment. Is there any public comment, Miss? >> Okay. All right. No public comment. Um, we will now move to public hearing on our consent agenda. If I'll start with you, um, >> yes. >> Um, just for discussion, I wanted to pull G5. >> G5. Okay. >> Chief. >> All right. >> There you go. >> Skill yard. >> I'm I'm good, sir. Yes, sir. >> Mr. Buffer. >> I'm good. >> Mr. Pickkins, >> I'm good. >> Okay. Uh, I've had all my my questions answered. The chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve this consent agenda minus G5. >> Second. >> I have a motion and second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I post like sign. Motion carries.
009All right, we'll go to G5. And you are recognized. >> Thank you, >> Miss Wag. Um I had several long conversations with several different folks today. Um this regards the change order with Osley construction regarding our uh owner direct purchase funds. I'm still getting used to all the the acronyms but the ODP funds. So some of this didn't make sense to me. So, if anybody was out there looking at this particular item, I just wanted to explain some of the questions I was asking and the answers that I received. Um because what it looked like to me was that our general contractor had contracted with some subcontractors and then when the district decided to do direct purchasing which saves us the sales tax, then they took a certain amount that was somewhat estimated but a
010certain amount of money and transferred it back to us. And then the invoices for those materials were sent directly to Putnham County. We paid those directly. And then there was this amount which is not insignificant, $234,728 that was not used. And according to the change order, it looked like we just send it back and it goes back to their subcontractors. And I was wondering why does that money go to them if they haven't earned it or if you know where's this in the contract. So I had a lot of questions about this and initially one of the things that was told to me was it that's the way it's done and and that never sits really well with me. Um so they also brought up you know well you saved like $700,000 in sales tax.
011Well, that's all great, but now we're giving back $20 and some thousand. So, I was just I wanted to wrap my head around it and I wasn't real sure I was going to do so today. However, it was described and um and and Mr. bowling. I wasn't able to give you the information that uh I had received, but how it was described is the general contractor has uh they're called they have hard number lump sum contracts with their subcontractors and that these subcontractors and this was one of the pertinent parts. The subcontractors are generally billing the contractor in percentages. So they're going to get this amount. That was what their contract with them is the the general contractor is for a certain set amount. So they're not billing in hours and how much time they
012because if they go way over the contracted amount, that subcontractor has to eat that deficit. Now, if they get it done for less than the contracted amount, they get to keep the extra. So, that's a set amount. When we decided to do direct purchasing, they transferred what the subcontractor had estimated for the materials. They switched it over to us. Our district does a lot of paperwork, but it saved us all the sales tax on the materials, uh, which apparently was around $700,000, which is fantastic. >> 700,000. Yes. >> Yes. >> In sales tax. >> Yes. That was the number that was uh provided to me. Is that your understanding? >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, because that money was actually part of the lump sum contract that should have gone to the subcontractors. the fact that
013we did not use it, that's the reason whatever's left does go back to them because they're entitled to their lump sum contract minus only what was actually paid directly from us. And that may not have been the most eloquent explanation, but um they let me see if there's anything more specific. He also uh explained to me that any um any additional reservations, it just if it made me feel better that there is a statewide audit or a state level audit that always occurs with anything that's done in construction with the school districts. um and also mentioned that this is their 67th year in business and as he was I think knocking on wood he said they have uh not had any legal issues um to date in those 67 years which does say a little
014something about their reputation I would think. So after speaking um to well having multiple conversations today, I I just felt I needed to explain that in case anyone else had questions because I was really just adamant like why is this money going back to them? It should be our money kind of like the contingency works. Um, obviously I'm not in construction, but they did a very good job explaining it to me and um I feel I feel much much better about it and am and just fine with it now. So, >> I'm going to offer this up at the um risk of confusing you others um a little bit more. Um, I look at it as if you were getting three or four construction companies or let's say fence companies to build a fence in
015your backyard. Um, and then they each give you a price to build that fence. You in turn would go with the cheapest or the least expensive. I promise I'm not touching anything. You you would go with the least expensive amount. Obviously, all things being equal, the only difference here is that they say, uh, since they're building this fence for me and I I'm a nonprofit, I'm going to hand you back some money to go out and buy the materials for me so we can save the sales tax and then I'll let you keep the sales tax on it, but everything else I get back, you know, and I estimate it might cost 100 bucks for these materials. Well, if you go out and buy them for 80 bucks, you still owe me that other 20
016bucks back because it was in the original contract. That's how much I that was how much we agreed to do the entirety of the work for upfront. Does that make any >> any sense? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> That that's the way it was explained to me, too. So, um but very good. Appreciate you uh doing that, Miss Wagner. That's very helpful. So, I'll entertain a motion on G5 if you're >> I offer a motion that we accept uh G5B. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Have we have a motion in a second? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Okay. Board, we now need to adjourn the regular meeting and move into our emergency session. And we have two items uh under J1 request for stipens. And chair
017will is there any questions or comments about that? It was pretty self-explanatory in the backup material. Anybody on the board have any questions? >> Yes. >> Okay. Chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair, I'd offer a motion that we accept J1, the request for stipens, justification, explanation, time sensitive. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. And then our sec uh second number two J2 is a personnel allocations change and and I think this was one that uh probably was changed from from what we approved two weeks ago. But anyway, good backup information on it. Any questions, comments? All right. I chair will entertain a motion. I'll offer a motion that we accept item J2, the 202526,
018personnel allocations change number 12, 12.1 to 12.2, justification, explanation, time sensitive. >> I'll second it. >> All right. I have a motion and a second for approval. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Okay. board will go back into our regular session and we'll move to L1, our district safety and FSSAT. You're recognized Mr. Weaver. >> You missed a good presentation. >> I would have much rather been here. I >> I'm sure you would. Yeah. So this is a summary of basically the presentation we did during executive session. Uh the Putton County School District recently completed submissions in the Florida Safe Schools assessment tool. Purpose of these assessments were to comply with the requirements under Florida statute and the MSD commission's best practices. So related to those requirements
019and best practices um some of the things that were in place um either during the assessments or over the previous year would include uh coordinating a school community input and review team that examined and updated um our emergency operations plan. We furnished school safety uh resources to our area first responders. We conducted the three-year tours as required by statute with uh the area first responders. Uh we conducted a deep dive refresher training for our guardians, our current guardians that we already had in place. Uh we completed internal safety audits for each school. We effectively used our behavioral behavioral threat management tools. We have completed all the required safety trainings and drills as required by law. We enhanced our emergency communications ability and we effectively advertised and utilized the fortify Florida tool. As part of the
020FSAT, each school completed assessments which resulted in a wide array of recommendations. And just as a reminder for the board and in the public interest, those considerations included areas such as territorial reinforcements, target hardening, improving communications, access control measures, and a heavy focus on new and upgraded technology efforts. Another major component of the FSAT is the district assessment. And as a result of that evaluation, it was determined that our plans, policies, and procedures all align with statutory requirements and the identified best practices. In addition, the district is continuously evaluating programs for efficiency, effectiveness, or for enhancement and buildout. Some of those items include our threat management teams, our emergency trainings and drills, emergency communications, again, our reunification procedures, access controls, our security cameras, window hardening efforts, visual alert systems, and the guardian program. Based on
021the results of the school-based assessments, the recommendations will need the district support for planning, implementing, funding, monitoring, maintenance, and review. This is particularly important in consideration to the recommendations that will carry over into our new construction efforts. Those projects will need to be evaluated for incorporation as we build our new schools. The fiscal impacts for the safety projects of course will vary per school. This is based on the considerations uh or based on considerations such as like the school size um whether it's a recurring cost, whether it's grant funded um or if there's available district funding. Um I did I do have some rough estimates for you though. Some of the technology projects that I said I would like to look at recommending we focus heavily on um are estimated anywhere between 5 to8 million
022per school. All the other efforts would range roughly from 1.5 to 4.5 millions per school. the uh recommendations re any recommendations that were related to policy and training or short-term projects that that would be completed within like the first 30 to 90 days of school. The other identified efforts are extended projects with a timeline ranging between one and three years. So with that, in conclusion, um the recommendations that were identified in this summary and detailed in the executive session are presented to the board for input, discussion, and action. >> All right, board. Any questions? Apologize for missing that. I had a Travis, something we didn't we didn't cover very much. Uh, in past years, prior boards have have and have worked with uh students and community groups to maybe purchase a dog that'll smell gunpowder
023or things like that. And, you know, that's just something to keep in the back of your mind as we go through this process. But that looks like a lot of money, you know, but it's like we said in the in the earlier meeting, there's if it can happen, you've got to try to be prepared for it. And it it all stuff can happen, bad things. >> And I guess for the the public interest, this summary is fairly generic because our safety plans are actually protected um from public records. So, um, again, the summary is very generic, but as we talked about in >> one thing we do have in place though is Mags, that canine that we just received through grant funding, and she is gunpowder sniffing dog. So, >> thank you, >> Travis. I've
024got a couple questions. Um, first the um the additional money, the 1.5 I guess to five on the uh uh upgrades or or the work that the the other schools will need. Is that money coming from the legislature under the the Marty Stoman Douglas Act? >> Well, we we did kind of go over the funding in the executive session a little bit. So, >> talk to you. >> Yeah, if you that would probably be best if you don't mind. >> Yeah. And the and the other question >> it would be hard to talk about it without going into details on the project. >> The other thing is that you know we're paying what the sheriff's office over a million dollars now um >> for our YRD contract. Yes sir. I think that's rough roughly 1.2
025I believe >> you anticipate that's going to grow or should it go down when we'reing three schools. It went up roughly I want to say about 5% which was I based on I guess their raises they had received some raises. So >> so um following up on that you know um we had talked about and we had promised I don't know 12 or 10 or 12 people that showed up here during our budget meeting and you know were concerned about how they're going to pay their taxes on their social security. Um, we are going to start looking at um the potential for us to do our own security uh cost analysis versus what the sheriff what we're paying the sheriff. Is that correct? That's what I I understood. And I think that's something we need
026to start now, not wait till, you know, next July. Um Um >> Well, I mean we can do that. This is that this is the first I've heard of that, but >> me personally anyway. >> Yeah, we we discussed it at a couple board meetings back. Mr. Bowling made a presentation, but Okay. You know, I I just like to, you know, safety is my number one priority. Um, but you know, I certainly want to do our due diligence as we promised the taxpayers, especially those those ladies that showed up that we're going to start looking at the budget and trying to determine are there ways we can cut and save. And um um and so I I think that this this may this may be an opportunity. I don't know, may not be. But um
027you know, certainly with um closing, you know, eventually Mosley, James A. along um and then consolidating all the stuff in Crescent City. Um you know that that could be a potential from the standpoint of of the contract with the so I just that's my concern. I'm I'm starting to look now at at budget issues. >> I I don't want to speak out of turn. Um, but I would love to see as we consolidate schools, instead of reducing the the number of YRDs we have, that we have one at each school, including our elementarymentaries. That's what I would like to see. >> And that's that's things. Yeah. So, um, I hope I hope we can do that, Mr. superintendent over the next several months and continuing along the track of you know as uh that that's
028a big big big ticket item. >> Mr. Chair, we we have had internal conversations nothing formal >> about the question you talked about as far as our own security. We talked about that internally and there are someh inherent costs with that, >> right? >> Which u Thomas I mean Travis can elaborate on at some other time but um yeah you know we have preliminary look to that just for cost analysis but so we can >> we can definitely share that >> analysis. Okay. All right. And and I agree with you. I'd like to see a a youth resource officer at every school. Should be able to do that now because based on the number we have um you know with by next end of next year when the new new schools completed or con you
029know the new Kelly Smith's constructed and >> I just don't think we would be able to reduce the number of YRDs and do that because some of our larger schools have two YRDs, >> right? >> So I I do think it's feasible. I just don't think we'd be able to reduce the number to be able to pull that off. >> All right. >> Are we talking about going to something similar to what we had, but I guess on a larger scale? Remember, we had the >> car the the officers. >> I believe that's what he was referring to. Okay. >> I mean, we we we >> we went down that road in >> there's >> Yes. in a >> there's good pros and >> very detailed back when the guardian program was in place. So,
030and >> there there at that point I can tell you the numbers we looked at there was not going to be a cost >> pros and cons to either >> and one of the things would would uh that even even our sheriff's department is concerned about is getting it finding enough >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. the the the the personnel, the manpower to do it. I mean, certainly we c I mean, won't look at it, but we have to keep in mind that that if we're going to go at it, we're going to have to do it like we did uh with Marathon Health. I mean, go at it aggressively and and and >> make sure the people are in place and trained. We have um we have a total of 12. Within that 12,
031we have a west rover, central rover, who also does the um gunpowder dog, and a a south rover, and then um rover/truency. and the rovers. What we do with those though, those are the ones that bounce between our elementary schools because we're required by statute to have a first responder law enforcement at every drill and at every behavioral threat management meeting that we do. So, we came up with that concept years ago to be able to meet those requirements. So, plus if there's just an emergency, you know, if they have an angry parent or something that they can >> right, >> they can go. So, >> okay, board. Any other questions or comments? All right. Chair, I entertain a motion on >> I'm sorry. >> No, I was just saying a thorough report. >> Yes.
032>> Okay. All right. Uh, entertain a motion on L1. >> We >> Where's L1? >> Uh, Mr. Chairman, I make a I make a motion that we approve L1. >> Is that >> new business, I guess, is what you got it as? >> Under report. >> Oh, so we don't have to take any action on it. >> Under new business, we need to take action. >> That's what I thought. >> Oh, it is under. >> Yeah, it's under new business. >> And I made I made a motion. We >> I have a motion. We approve it. Second, too. Okay, >> I'll second it. >> All right, we have a motion in a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries unanimously. >> All right, we will move to our board
033member reports and Miss Pickkins, we'll start with you. >> Okay, thank you. Um, first I'd just like to say the Hispanic Heritage Readin at Middleton Bernie Elementary School was >> the compliance the compliance audit, >> excuse me, under M. Okay, >> this is this will be real quick. This is um this is just a report for um >> the first quarter um audit report where DOE's office of safe schools comes in and does audits of our school. Um so during the first quarter this year, they've only done audits at two of our schools, which represents only 13% of our total schools. For both audits, we had zero deficiencies. >> Yes. All right. Very good. Yes. Thank you, sir. >> Awesome. We don't have to vote on that. >> No, that's just a look for information.
034Okay. >> Okay. Um >> we are back to reports, Miss Pickkins. >> Okay. So, the um the readin for the Hispanic Heritage at Middleton Bernie Elementary School was wonderful. Um I read to some second graders. They asked very interesting questions. One young man wanted to make sure I knew that his older brother went to the Cambridge school out at Qi Roberts. So, um he seemed like he might be headed for the Cambridge school, too, because he um he asked very interesting questions. Um and then I'd also like to congratulate all the teachers of the year. It's a great time of the year when we see our teachers being celebrated as well as our support associates. Um, I look forward to our breakfast or and the awards ceremony. Um, also, uh, we did approve some band
035trips for Crescent City Junior Senior High School. U, Miss Jones does a phenomenal job and, um, has a really good working relationship with Troy University. Um, some of our band students have gone to Troy, um, on band scholarships. So, I commend her for her passion for her um her academic area. And also last week I I had a um concern about a bus stop with um one of my constituents and you know I was reminded what a wonderful job our bus and our transportation workers do. They were um so welcoming and the bus driver that that ran the route last year knew exactly the colors of the cars >> that picked up different students and I think we take that a little bit for granted that they really are our eyes and ears of what's
036happening in our community and um I think they're kind of unsung heroes and they're doing an important job and they're doing it well. That's all I have. >> Okay, Mr. Buckle. >> I I'll wait and see what else comes up. I'm right now I' been volleyball season, you know, staying busy and I got granddaughters playing and enjoying it. But I tell you what, it makes for a lot of long games, but I'm good. >> Miss Gillyard. >> Yes, sir. Um, I too shared with Mrs. Pickkins at Middleton Bernie, excuse me. And I did also read to a second grade class and and the teacher, Miss Shaw, was one of my students from Price Middle School. I got the opportunity to share with them the book on trailblazers of 11 people that were real people that
037did exist. And they talked about their dreams and aspirations when they grew up. also read at Brown and Pierce a second grade class during uh the Hispanic uh heritage month and the schools just went all out and made it a big affair and that's what we should do celebrate. Um also um just want to mention um the incident that occurred at one of our schools and it reminded me of something uh Mr. Weaver has shared with us and they're constantly telling our children see something, say something and and the Fortify Florida app. So, uh, got that. Uh, also want to have you to put on your calendar. Coach Mcool called last night. Um, the date is set to, uh, dedicate the press box to Mr. Ron Dennis. It's going to be on a Thursday night
038game. instead of a regular Friday night, it's going to be a Thursday night, October the 30th at 5:30. And he said, "Make sure you share with all the board members." So that >> is JV or Varsity. >> It's varsity, but it's a Thursday night for whatever reason. I I don't know why. Yeah, JB will be done by then. Um, also just want to mention that there were three flyers and and you got them as well in your in your uh district email, but just wanted to to talk about what uh Putnham Health task force is doing and all the great things and how they're trying to help our community. Uh, this is one that the Lee Connley House is doing, community self-care day um at uh the old Jenkins Middle School. It's going to be
039um Saturday, October the 11th. That's this coming Saturday from 12 to 4. And these are things that I hope that our parents are hearing, seeing, and taking advantage of. Uh the uh next one is October the 18th, and it's give cancer the boot. Uh the dish uh people in the county walk that day. Um many of the organizations and sororities are there and they're providing snacks for the walkers. Some choose to run it. Um it is important uh think pink and to because they're there many people that are survivors of of cancer and so they do a great work. And the final one that I want to share is the mobile uh mammogram screening. Again, this is not me. This is the Putnham uh health task force and it's going to be Friday, October the
04031st from 8 to 4 and free for women and you just schedule your appointment. Early detection can make a difference. That's what made the difference in my cancer, the early detection. And so I didn't have to go through a whole lot that some women had to go through because they were not detected until late. Final thing, uh, Trisha Murphy, uh, with the Palaca Daily News will be celebrating her 50th anniversary. She has been with them for 50 years. Uh, the celebration is going to be October the 16th. Uh, I call it on top of the building there. Um, October the 16th, I think, from like 4 to 6. So, I think, you know, for lack of daily news, has been very favorable to the Putnham County School District. So, we could think of that. Sorry
041I took so long, but Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Chairman, can I >> Sir I forgot to mention I >> we've we Miss Gillard mentioned in the prayer uh at the beginning of the meeting, but we do have a longtime school board employee who had a serious medical event in an office the other day and my heart goes out and I share all the board to those who tried to render assistance to him and u you as far as I know he's still on life support and u but I mean our hearts and and prayers go with the family. He's been with us a long time and >> but but those people that were there having been through that like some of us have, it's pretty serious when you're you're in that as well. So, our
042hearts and prayers are with them. That's it. >> Thank you. Thank you for that, M. Wagner. >> Well, I wanted to uh really say thank you for the video that uh was shown to us earlier. Um, we had a we had a little conversation right before our meeting about u they say symp she said she was a sympathy crier and uh we were laughing about what makes us cry. That just brought me to tears. Um just seeing the children and the the work that went into that video was was just wonderful. Um I think it's a great recruiting tool. It's just a great face of the county and and just very well done. I really liked it and it showed us from one end of the county to the other. It was very inclusive of
043everyone. So, uh really enjoyed that. Um and I wanted to say thank you to Mr. Weaver for his presentations um at this meeting and earlier people I know I never in my entire life understood the the depth and the scope of the requirements for safety and keeping our kids safe. Um there is so much that I don't know but just of what I do it's it's mindblowing and it's everything that needs to be communicated to us is done so um very very well so that we know what's going on but but Mr. Reaver just explains it on such a perfect level that that even I can understand. Um, and then I wanted to say also on the Troy State, I I say this every year. I just I always get excited when when music groups
044in our schools go somewhere because it meant so much in my life. I still play music. I'm in two bands. Um, it music has been a huge part of my life, but it also was a huge part of my high school experience, junior high. And those types of uh engagements at young ages all the way through can change lives so much. And one of the trips I took was to Troy State Game Camp >> and I remember it to this day and it it those things are so much more important than many uh many parents if just they don't even understand. So very >> I'm sorry to interrupt. Would you say what you said again about uh that man about >> Oh, I was saying Mr. Weaver did a a wonderful job um imparting the
045information so that even folks like I can understand it and that there's just a tremendous amount of information and we appreciate all your hard work. She really did say that before you but you were on the outside. You needed to hear it. >> He said that about himself earlier. >> Yeah. Yes. Earlier. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. He he No doubt. >> Well, thank you. Um and speaking of uh trips and and memories, uh I had the opportunity to be down at the Episcopal Church for the the encampment of the Union soldiers, those of Yankees invading again. Um but it and they had a host of students, you know, elementary and they were having a blast and it was absolutely, you know, a wonderful thing for them to see that and that to make, you know,
046see an actual kind of a living history of what they're learning about in school. And so, uh, I was tickled about that and I saw some of the bus drivers and they looked like they were having a good time, too. So, uh, and I did have a former student tell me, I don't know, a couple months ago about her trip when they got in March at the at at Florida Field. And, um, I said, "Well, great." I said, "Well, you know," and she was, I mean, this was like 20 years, 25 years ago. And she said she has never forgotten that and why she stayed in music. And so, uh, that's pretty much all I have. Mr. Holmes, >> just a small comment. And I happened to be discussing with board member Pickkins the fact
047that the Palaka JV beat the city 58 to nothing before the last week before the game. And in true Gator fashion, she said, "Yeah, but we don't have ninth graders on our team." >> Okay. >> No, he didn't. >> I remember that having played JV. >> True. True. >> Very good. All right, Mr. Superintendent. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um, >> see what he did. >> Thanks again to our comm's team. They work hard. Um, Felicia, Mike, and Melissa. >> Yes. >> And I think I mentioned last board meeting that is our number one thing now is really getting out and telling our message. Uh, Mr. Bowling and Mr. ODM and myself went to Tallahassee last week. Met with U. Senator Corey Simon and he met there was several superintendents there from small rural districts talking
048about just u what what are some positive changes we make in our special facilities program. So had a good meeting and I think you know the outcome of that will be really good for us. Um reminder Quent Stutter for those of you who know him he's in town. I'm actually leaving here to go to an event with him where he's at and I believe he's uh tomorrow going to be uh tonight he's at the board of county commissioners and tomorrow be at Valhalla Hall at the college just presenting on a revitalization. you know, he was at the beginning of that has been a good um advisor with our local people on that. Uh this week's FTE week and and we are really sending out a lot of communication about the importance of being at school
049because um you know that's when we do our student count. Um as was mentioned we have the teacher and the school related employees of the year being honored and um in our building Joanne Kirkpatrick who works up in CTE was our school related or district related employee of the year. So, congratulations. And um last week we had our superintendent engagement session which was held at the U auditorium, I'm sorry, at the cafeteria CL Overturf Center and had a good report. Of course, that's carried virtually too. So hopefully folks get got a update on a lot of our progress especially with our building program. And one last thing I just want to share with you and this is hot off the press. Um, last night I was in Orlando and received a nice little honor from
050it's the RTM business group in class link and they had a number of awards but I'm sharing this on behalf of the district. Um, I actually was selected as superintendent of the year from this national group and there was about 20 superintendents in the running. And again, they talked about the work that our district is doing as far as um, you know, our grad rates, our building program, turning around our schools and all that. So, I'm just very uh proud of that on behalf of the district. And that's what I said in my little talk afterwards. This really signifies what all the the staff and all of our schools are doing. So, just want to make you aware of that and just very proud that our district again is being recognized at the national level.
051So, that's all I have. >> Okay. And and I'd like to add on to Felicia and whoever's doing the Facebook postings. Y'all are doing a fantastic job. I love seeing our staff in there and especially the ones that are being recognized for teacher of the year and and support staff of the year. So, unless there's any other business to come for the board, we will stand adjourned. >> Thank you.