001call the uh school board meeting to order for uh Tuesday uh May 13th. And um we will be led in the pledge by Miss Holly Pickkins and then our invocation uh 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, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the blessings of it. Thank you for the opportunity, God, to serve our community, to serve our students, God. God, as we quickly approaching the close of yet another school year, we pray safety for our students, God, that your arms of protection will be around them. God, we want to take this opportunity too to thank our
002parents for uh supporting and encouraging and motivating their children to be the very best that they can be. Now God, as we conduct the affairs of this school district, some topics may not necessarily be uh the warm and fuzzy ones, God, but we must take care of the affairs of our our district that concerns all of us, God. We just pray for wisdom. We pray for guidance. And we pray, God, that we would keep in mind that it's all about the children and what is in their best interest. We do lift up God that family, the ones in East Palaca that lives were cut short. God, we pray uh grace and mercy just continue to direct and guide us in the affairs of this district. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. Amen. Okay, we'll move
003to presentations. And uh under under tab B1, there are uh agendas in the back of the room. And if anybody wants to speak, there are also blue cards that you can fill out and uh bring up to Miss Jackie here. Um so, um Miss Whitehurst, you're recognized. Good afternoon. Um I get the pleasure of being back again today to present um three of our retirees and just recognize um what they have done for our district. Um our first one um we want to recognize is Miss Joanie Humphre. She has been at Melon Learning Center as a teacher and she's been with the district for three years. Is Miss Humphre here? Okay. All right. We'll we'll go to the next one. Um, we also want to recognize also from Melon Learning Center. Am I standing like
004is it where I'm standing? I think Miss Gillyard's causing all that problem. Okay. All right. Um, Miss Jill Lenny has been with us for 33 years with a total of 35 in FRS as a prek associate. Congratulations. look at. Yeah. [Applause] And we also would like to recognize Miss Diane SPE. She has been with our um ESC department as a teacher. She's been with the district for 2 years and has served with the FRS for 20. Is Miss Spees, did she make it? Okay, we'll make sure we get these. Thank you. Our second presentation, um, our great state attorney, R.J. Larissa. Please come up, R.J. with your team and, uh, and, uh, show us all the good stuff that you've got today. Well, thank you so much, sir, and thank you all of the uh
005school board members for allowing us to continue with this fine tradition. For those of you in the audience that may not be aware, the state attorney's office along with the sheriff's and other folks throughout the four county circuit. We have a a poster contest every year and all four counties participate. I'd like to bring Allison Lince up and Tina Kelly up as well to help me because we're gonna have some fun today. You know, the state attorney's office isn't a place that folks are chomping at the bit to come visit. You know, and usually when we give something out, it's not something people want, but today we're going to be giving out some checks to some kids who did some fine work with this poster contest. And I want to say I I I I
006think I saw Superintendent Serny uh on the TV. Uh we're also partnering with your school district in safety first success always. It's quite an initiative with all four superintendent. And I just want to give a shout out to you and to your team because it is awesome what we're doing here. And Miss Gillard, you talked about our children and we must protect them. I couldn't agree with you more. the theme for our poster coin pillar. And you know, we might need you to come on. I think I may be friend, didn't see it, say it, stop it. You know, as parents, we are always concerned about our kids and our grandkids when they when they go to school. Didn't used to be we were too worried about that. But as time has gone on, things
007have changed. And while I say that we have the safest and the best circuit in the state of Florida, if not anywhere, we we must make protecting our children a priority. And one of the best ways to do that is to teach them how to protect themselves and to protect others. So the see it, say it, stop it is the theme where if they see something, say something about it, and then we can stop it. Because let's face it, folks, we think we know what our kids are doing and we try, but we don't always know what goes on at the schools and on that social media. So, this contest is a way to help get these kids to understand how important it is for them to help us keep them safe and give us
008all some peace of mind. So, I think I've said enough at this point. We're going to start with elementary school. Then we're going to go to middle school and high school. We go with third place, second place, and first place. So, third place gets a $100 check. Second place gets $150 check and first place gets a $200 check. These kids are awesome with their talent. I'm always grateful that we've been able to have this this uh tradition. So, we're going to start. Now, I understand that the third place winner elementary school from from Browning Pier, Nathan Jones, couldn't make it, but Tina's got his poster which she's going to show all of you and we'll make sure we get we'll get the check to whoever you want us to so we make sure that y'all
009gets it. Okay. Second place from Panal Baptist Academy, uh, is McKenzie Fredell. McKenzie, are you here? All right. All right. And McKenzie, why don't you come right over here? We're gonna get a We're going to get a picture with everybody here in just a minute. Okay. And then we have our first place winner from Melrose Elementary is Lily Slay. Lily, where are you? [Applause] Yes. Thank you for participating tonight. Yeah. Can we see her poster? Show your postage. Look at this poster. Isn't that wonderful? Would you like to wait for all of them or do Yeah, let's do them all. Do them all. Okay. Why don't y'all just hang out right there if you don't mind? It's like a cartoon. Okay. And then we'll start now with middle school with third place from Interlockton is
010Bella Carrier. Bella [Applause] I'll turn the posters around so everybody can see them. that night. [Applause] Place middle school seventh grader from Qi Roberts is George C. George. [Applause] Good job. And and first place in middle school, a seventh grader that's homeschooled, Ava. Aa [Applause] sh [Applause] Okay, now we now we head on to the high school and we're going to start with third place 12th grader from Panal Baptist Academy, Brian Douglas. Brian, are [Applause] you want to show your poster everybody? [Applause] Okay, second place uh on the 12th grader from Panil Baptist Academy is Haley McGib. [Applause] Yeah, show me your pose, please. [Applause] And first place on the high school level, a ninth grader from Qi Roberts, Olivia Eland. [Applause] Olivia, let's show everybody. How about one more quick round of applause for
011RJ? Yes, sir. You and your ladies get in and and and the whole board will stand up behind and y'all can get everybody in there. Yes, sir. Very important. Everybody hold up your post. I didn't see me either. I want to see day. Thank you so much [Applause] as always. Thank you. Keep keep the work going. Thank you. I will We'll now move to uh presentation uh B3. And Mr. Hanky, I believe that's you. Good afternoon board. Uh I'd like to introduce to you uh Jeff Brewer and Allison Ira from Cambridge and they'll be presenting the award. So, good afternoon, uh, Superintendent Surency, who's online with us today, school board chair, Mr. Liry, uh, members of the board, Putnham County educators, families, and students. It is a privilege to join you today on behalf of
012Cambridge University Press and Assessment as we recognize an extraordinary accomplishment. It is with great pride that we name Putnham County School District as the Cambridge District of the Year in the small district category for the 2024 2025 academic year. We know that all districts and schools in the Cambridge community do fantastic work and are driven by the success of every learner. However, each year Cambridge selects three school districts across the United States in the large, medium, and small district categories which rise to the top in demonstrating exceptional commitment to academic excellence. This award is not given lightly. It is based on three criteria. Demonstrating a deep and consistent commitment to opportunities in education. expanding student access to the rigorous Cric Cambridge curriculum and maintaining or improving student performance on Cambridge exams. I'm thrilled to share
013that Putinham County has exceeded all of these expectations. Cambridge prioritizes excellent teaching and learning. We aim to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and practical application of their education. We work with educators, researchers, and policy makers worldwide to deliver evidence-based programs that enhance student outcomes. However, it is you all who implemented this program to meet the local needs for your school and student community, and you have done this successfully. With eight schools now offering the Cambridge program, the district has expanded pathways for students to engage in advanced coursework that prepares them not only for graduation, but also for success in higher education and beyond. Your educators have remained steadfast in their commitment to both access and achievement, ensuring that growth in participation is matched by continued academic success. The strength of your students performance
014reflects more than preparation. It reflects a systemwide culture of high expectations, thoughtful support, and belief in the potential of every learner. That culture is a credit to the vision and dedication of your district leadership, educators, and community. We are also deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you. Our collaboration with Putnham County has been both inspiring and meaningful and we value the relationships we have built with your team. We want to particularly thank Superintendent Dr. Rick Serny, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Instruction, Laura France, and members of Dr. Cerny's executive leadership team for their role in expanding Cambridge programming in the district. Congratulations on this well-earned recognition. We celebrate with you today and look forward to what we will accomplish together in the years ahead. Congratulations. [Applause] Yes. Thanks. [Applause] While they're working on the
015uh speaker there, I just like to say the Cambridge program is fantastic. Um and our staff um from uh Miss France and Mr. Hanky and all the ones that they work with have done an outstanding job expanding it and um um it's really making a huge difference in our academic curriculum here. All right, we'll move to uh presentation on our district high school baseball team, which I watched you guys and your coaches come on [Applause] up. While they're coming up, I just wanted to I should have announced this earlier. The superintendent is on school business and so he's joining us by video. And uh Mr. Bowling, our so our associate superintendent is here with us at the DS. Thank you. Make a presentation. I got it. Oh, there you are. I'm sorry. I'm short compared
016to them. You can't see me back here. Good afternoon, board members. It's my great pleasure to recognize a group of athletes who have demonstrated incredible dedication and teamwork on the field. This year, our Palaca Junior Senior High School varsity baseball team made us all proud by capturing the district championship title. Under the leadership of Coach Cerny and the rest of his coaching staff, which Mr. Helms is here today, and he can let you guys know who else is on his coaching staff, under their leadership, this and with the support of their families, these young man men showed hard work, perseverance, and school pride. Winning a district championship is no small feat. It requires discipline, resilience, which we talk about a lot in the state of Florida, and a deep commitment to team goals. These student
017athletes balanced their academics with countless hours of practice and competition representing our district with sportsmanship and class. They are the first district champs since 2016. I learned today. They finished the regular season and district tournament on an 11game winning streak and won 14 of their last 15 games before the playoffs began. Please join me in congratulating the 2025 district championship baseball team. At this time, Coach Cerny, if you want to come [Applause] forward. Thank you, Miss Drew, and uh board members for having us today. Um very proud of our team and everything we accomplished this season. Um you know last year we were uh 9 and 17. Had kind of a rough year but the boys you know really were set out to accomplish something this year and uh we really turned it around and
018were able to finish with an 18 and 10 record a district championship which we were very proud of. Um and you know many we feel like there's many more things to come with a lot of these guys coming back next year. Um, but we really have a great group here. They worked extremely hard. Uh, we actually started out the season uh, four and seven this year. So, we kind of hit a rough patch there for a little while, but uh, once everybody kind of beared down, stuck together as a team and really, you know, counted on each other, we were able to turn it around and like Mr. Drew was saying, you know, got on an 11game winning streak and uh 14 out of our last 15 games we were able to win and uh
019you know, kind of brought some excitement back to Palaka High School baseball. We haven't seen in a little while. So, the boys really did well this year. We're proud of all of them. Um and uh our coach, coach Brian Helms is here today. Uh we I want to recognize two of our other coaches, uh Matt Buckles and Melvin Dasher. All of them were very instrumental in the success of our team this year. Um like it takes it takes a village along with the coaches and players, our parents supporting us and of course our fans as well. Um but it was a great season and we couldn't be more proud of them and uh looking forward to the future. And Ricky, would you introduce yourself as a head coach? We know, but for the Yes, sir.
020I'm sorry. I'm Ricky Cerny. I'm the head varsity baseball coach at Palaka High School. Uh it's my second season. Uh played here obviously. I've coached here as an assistant before uh and was a part of some district championship teams and was really I was really excited to see you know the kids really get to get that moment or experience that moment this year. Um and I really feel like there's a lot better things in our future. I think we have a really good shot next year to do well if the boys work hard like they should. But um you know we have a really good group and uh you know can you proud of them each individually individually? Yes I can. I'll go right down the list here. Uh starting from left to right we
021have Tristan Beina. We have Hayden Becker. Uh Morgan Wigs Ryan Cerny. See there. I can't see everybody right there. That's uh Tanner Acres Ashen Huerta Landon Eckles. Jacob Gaskin, Luke Overberman, Paxton Sweat, uh Kase Thomas, Braden John's, and Mason Mallaloy. And that's Coach Brian Holmes you see on the other end down there. Also, I wanted to recognize a couple that weren't here today. We have uh Joseph Solomon. He wasn't able to make it, but he was a big part of our team as well. Senior and uh Joel Hutchinson as well. Yeah. But um really proud of our group and again thank you board members, Mrs. Drew and everyone from the district staff for recogniz recognizing us today. Um thank you again. Thank you coach. We appreciate it. I got to watch Hayden. Y'all played some
022great great games. Congratulations. Wonderful. All [Applause] right. Nice and parking. Yep. Okay. Okay, we'll move to our uh last presentation and that is uh by Miss Whitehurst and Miss Kristen Carroll. The recognition of recent professional certificate teachers recognized. Hey, good afternoon again. Um so I think it's been we're almost in our 10th ninth or 10th year of having a district mentor program and each year we try to do something a little bit different to just continue to tweak it. And one of the things that we wanted to start doing was um recognizing the hard work of our new teachers. And so I'm going to go ahead um I'm going to turn this over to Kristen Carol. She is truly the um HR administrator who handles our entire mentor program, oversees the mentors, and then she's
023going to introduce the mentors, and then they're going to recognize some some hardworking teachers. All right. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Up and down. Okay. Okay. So, I'm going to introduce to you our new teacher mentor staff, like the best mentors in the world that support, they support our new teachers to our district. And by new, I mean they have like zero to five years experience or they may have experience somewhere else, but they also still have a mentor for that first year with us to get acclimated. So, we can help support them in that way. This is Stephanie Smith, Bobby Bobby Keelley, Lynn Chastain, and Christy Meyer. So, one of the things they do is they support our new teachers that are on temporary certificates. And so to explain a temporary certificate is the state
024has deemed them um able to teach based on their content knowledge, but they have some things they have to work through within 5 years to get that professional certificate, which is every teacher's goal to get that professional certificate. And some of those things are exams, there's college coursework, there are um reading competency courses that they have to take. And it's a lot of work. And so, not only are they working all day and learning through the job to be the best they can be for our students because that's the most important, they are also then going home and studying and doing their tasks for their college courses for their reading endorsement and studying for their exams. And so, we recognize like what hard work that is and that they stuck it out for our students
025and we really really appreciate them. So that's why we decided to start that this year to recognize those that moved to that professional that did all that hard work. We have like five out there waiting on DOE to process the application that we were like, "Please let them get it here, but we'll get them next time." So what we're going to do is just call you up and as we call you up, we'd like you to stay up here. We have your professional certificate framed for you and we have a little star pin because you are superstars and we appreciate all the hard work that you have done for our students. Awesome. Okay. [Music] Okay. We'll start with Cheyenne Pibbus. [Applause] Next, Kaylee [Applause] Pagano, Stephanie Russell. [Applause] She's on Rose Delaney. [Applause] Uh Meline
026Kennedy Brown. [Applause] Joshua Krill. [Applause] Uh we have another teacher, Taylor Dykes. She was unable to be with us today, but her principal, Miss Leah Lundy's, is going to take her certificate in her behalf. And the last teacher that we have today, her name is Jordan Craig, but she was also unable to be with us today. And we're going to make sure that she gets the certificate. [Applause] I want to get the mentors in there. Stand up. Yes. [Applause] I just want to say this is one of the things that we have been presenting nationally and many other states and districts across the state have picked up what we're doing and they're implementing it in their own school district. Awesome. Thank you, Miss White and and Miss Carol. Outstanding. That is uh fantastic. Um and
027um makes somebody like me uh feel really old cuz I've known Maddie since she was running around on a baseball field with my son and her brother. So, congratulations and uh we look forward to y'all being the system in the school system here and for many years to come. Okay, we will now go to public comment. Miss Jackie, any public comment? Anybody in the public have any comments? Okay. All right. We will now go then to D1, the adoption of amended policies. And um chair will entertain a motion. Um I'll offer a motion that we adopt the amended policies 1430-.01 3430.01 4430.01 second. All right, I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All right, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I. Motion carries unanimously. Now move to the consent
028agenda. Uh, and I will start with you, Miss Wagner. Do you have anything to pull? I do not have anything to pull. All right, Miss Gillyard. Nothing, sir. Mr. Buckle, I came in early. I'm fine. Uh, Miss Pickkins. Well, I kind of would like to discuss E6 and seven. Okay. I had that on my list, too, to pull. And uh I do I think Mr. Bowling has a presentation for. So, I'll entertain a motion for the balance of the uh consent agenda. Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion that we approve the consent agenda minus uh E is it E1 and E6? E6. E6 and E7 for not not E1. E6 and E7. Second. All right. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? All All in favor of the motion signify by
029saying I. I. I. Opposed like sign. Motion carries unanimously. All right. Let's move to E6 and 7. We'll do them together since really they're tied together. But before we get into a discussion about that, I'd like Mr. Bowling I think has some new information for us today. So, Mr. Associate Superintendent, I'll turn it over to you. Yes, sir. And I think we actually have members from both Marathon uh here in person perhaps and online, or at least I was told I would be. I think they'd like an opportunity to present um first. Uh and then I'd also um like to hear from the insurance committee members themselves. Um perhaps the chair, Andy Bernett. I think he's here somewhere. Yeah, he's all the way in the back. in Mark Modal, our union president. So, uh, a
030lot has happened since we, uh, brought this, uh, to you for consideration or we put it on the agenda. And I think it's it's important that we kind of see this through today so we can get all the information out then and and inform the board as much as we can based on information that we have right now. Um, so let's hear from um, members from Marathon first, please. All right. with a representative or representatives of Marathon Co to the podium. Please give your name and address for the record. Hey everyone, my name is Micah Mohan. I'm a client success manager for Marathon Health. Um I will I will actually turn it over to those who are on the phone right now. um they have a um presentation and then I can just cover any
031questions or gaps that they have. Thank you. All right. Uh Miss Bul Bulock, you're the only um Jamie, I can read that part. Um you're recognized or designate someone to go ahead and get started with the presentation. Miss Berdick, you're uh actually muted if you'd like to unmute. Anybody else? She can hear me. There she is. There you go. Hi everyone, manager for Marathon Health. Um I'm joined on the call today um with Joe Charles who is our real estate director. Um and I will have Joe sort of talk about um some of the challenges that we've had with our um construction bill and where we are financially um as we look at um moving forward with this project. All right. Thank you. Hey everybody. Uh Joe Charles here with Marathon Health as she stated
032um in charge of the real estate and the buildout for this project. When we when we started down this road, it was kind of, you know, great that we had this facility that, you know, you guys could utilize. It was kind of being just sitting there. Um during the process of the permit pro application with the city, we found out we do need to add the parking lot. So after we kind of molded over, we reached out to some engineers, pulled up some drawings, they've um you know, everything right now for this is in for permitting. Um but coming to find out, that's just something that we have never dealt with. So, what we had to do to satisfy the permit to get the uh occupancy, we would have to build out the parking lot.
033And come to find out, it was a little more substantial cost and than we had anticipated. It came in roughly a little over 500,000 to build that. And we were notified that any anytime that you know you guys go to use or you know want to change anything on the building they would require this as part of kind of a requirement to get that co. So that left us with the fortunate to you know again build out this parking lot that we didn't anticipate. So, we have that cost uh along with the TI buildout of retrofitting the the I believe it's the old media space that you guys have in there. Um roughly a little over $600,000 to outfit that. So, all in we're looking about $1.1 million um for this project to get off
034the ground. And in the background, like I said, we are moving forward. So, we are kind of getting the ball rolling so that way we're running parallel tracks. Um, but that's what uh we're at right now. Okay. Any questions of the board? Well, my one question maybe he answered because of the permits, but I just I thought we would be through now and instead we're looking at cost now. Well, thank you, Miss Pickiggins, and I I agree. I I mean I I was surprised that we I thought that you know we we were going to be able to open um this month um but and at the latest June. But at any rate we um I think according to Mr. Bowling the um Marathon is has expended about roughly $50,000 on architects and engineering. Um,
035my biggest concern, and as y'all know, I was the lone vote against the selecting this vendor, um, you know, to spend $1.1 million, uh, is just to me unacceptable taxpayers money. And I and I do think there are options. Um, you know, we went from originally 441,000 was the estimate on it. And you know, we were cautioned by our board attorney at the time that, you know, he had never seen estimates that didn't go up. So, we're now looking at 660,000 and then almost $500,000 400,000. Yeah. 500,000 for a parking lot. So, I believe Mr. Bowling uh has been working diligently since last Friday on some other options. And is you want to present those now or you want to have them? Well, I'll just briefly mention and then I'll ask uh anyone from the
036insurance committee if they'd like to speak. But um as you're referencing, you did come to see me and and you did you were very um direct about your about the way you feel about the overruns and cost and you did have one ask uh for me which was to um explore the possibilities of rental properties. So, I did um and you know, we we landed on a few on Ziggler Drive, actually. And um I I I've never opened up and operated a clinic before, but the the properties that we're looking at or we looked at um either are currently doctor's offices that will come online later this summer, um or they're they were previously a doctor's office. So, it's maybe close to turnkey ready. I'm not sure. Um, but um Mark Spalding can give you
037some provide some pricing information. We've got some preliminary numbers already. Um, but you know, it's may be worth exploring, but we did take a look at your request and we did find some other alternatives. So, that's kind of where we are right now. Mr. Yes. I have a question. Uh, the rentals you ask him to look in into, are those supposed to are you asking for those to just kind of substitute until ours is in order? you looking at just uh well my recommendation was that we look at you know uh temporary permanent facility in that um you can pay a lot of lease and rent with 1.1 million over you know a long period of time um before we go to I ask Mr. Spalding to come up is there any questions for the
038representative I wanted to say one more thing and I I like seeing Mr. Spalding stand up here. That would be nice because I like to make him stand up. But u you know when we entered this this this new arrangement we we were going to it was a like let's start and see what happens. And we've seen what happened and the prediction was not as good as we would like. But uh I I think that the options that I've talked with uh Mr. Bowling about uh this week and today in particular are some pretty good options. But um you know it's it's going to change and I you know who who knows we'll have to hear from the you know Federation of Teachers and go from there but I agree with the chairman that you
039know we we are all in this together to figure out how we can provide the best opportunity at the lowest possible price. And then we originally had a million-doll building sitting there that, you know, to use and thought that might be good, but it's going to turn out that it's maybe more trouble than it's worth until we find out more information. So, I'll go on from there. All right, let's do this. So, in in order, I will call up the chairman of the insurance company. You can sit down and come back if we have any questions for you and then I'll go to Mr. Spalding. So, Andy, you want to come up? Yes, sir. Thank you. Andy Bernett, chair insurance committee. So just um just want to echo some of the board's thought. Um you
040know we the committee at our last meeting got these costs. I think frustration was used by the union. I use disappointed because you know we want what's best for our employees and we absolutely feel a wellness clinic is something that will serve these needs. Um, and you know, maybe this is the social science teacher in me. Um, stoic philosophical phrase is sometimes the obstacle is the way. You know, we had we thought we had a good plan. Obviously, we've had a change here and um think this idea has real merit um to have this facility. I looked at some of the preliminary numbers and like Mr. Diri said, you know, $1 million goes a long way. has a lot of years of rent. Um I definitely think in my opinion, if it's the pleasure of
041the board, we meet next Thursday, the insurance committee does and I think um it's something we absolutely need to consider and discuss and then bring that back to you. Okay. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Bernett? M Oh, Miss Gillyard. No, sir. Oh, okay. Thank you, Mr. Spalding. Could you come up and give us the numbers you got? Can we also hear from Mr. Moto if he'd like to mark would you like to speak? Okay. All right. Come on up, Mark. Whichever you like, come on up. Chairman board, Mark Spalding, 3400 Crow Avenue with Coldwell Banker. Mr. Buckles, I appreciate you acknowledging me and if I need to, I'll bring my youngest daughter to keep you in in control here. She's a nurse now. She'll be kicking my legs off. Um, Mr. Bowen contacted me
042about space that is currently on the market for lease and what other space I might know of. Um I have two uh suites at 700 Zagler currently advertised for lease. Um and there is another one coming up that's not being advertised, but we have a a physician vacating two of the suites the end of the summer. So I don't know what information you have or don't have. If you'd like me to talk pricing, I'd be happy to do that if you could. We don't have any of that. You don't have that? Okay. Um, these spaces are all a little bit different size. Two of them are a couple hundred feet apart. 11819 square ft and 11690. The one that's not on the market is 3,000 square ft. Um, the numbers I'm going to speak would
043work across the board for all of them. Uh, so you can almost double the numbers, the base rent for the 3,000, but the rest of the fees pretty much stay the same. Uh, our base rent is $15.50 per square foot per year, um, which is below market for that area. I have leased spaces out there well above $20 a square foot. So, um, it's a good building. There's one of the units have been freshly painted. All new LED lights. Um flooring's about 18 months old, so usable, not the prettiest, uh but not ugly either. Um the add-on fees, which is what you got to look out for in commercial rent rentals. Um there is a $175 per month reimbursement to the owner because we have um very few water meters. So, the owner pays you
044water, sewer, and garbage, and that is a $175 reimbursement to him for that. Uh, there's a $150 a month maintenance fee, which covers the HBAC system, repairs, and replacement, which is a big deal. Um, and we cover any water leaks and drippy faucets and all that, but the simple fact is we are paying the water bill. So, if you got a drippy faucet, we want it to stop. Um, and like I said, it's AC those numbers are the same per unit across the board. Um, Mark, when would the 1,800 plus square foot U unit be able to be available? The 18/19 square foot is suite number four. It is available as we speak right now. Um, the monthly base rent is 20 I'm going to say 2350. Rounded it off just a couple cent, but
045it is available today. And that's the one that has the fresh paint and new LED lights there. There is a suite next door to that currently being occupied by the owner and I have talked to him this afternoon and I told him I might be kicking him out in a year or two if we needed to grow. Okay. All right. Any any questions from the I was I was a fan early on of of trying to work out a solution with the county and and obviously that wasn't what the bargaining unit wanted to do and so we were trying to reach a a solution. And I did like the fact that I wanted proximity to the hospital in case somebody was at the clinic and they needed to be hospitalized immediately, you wouldn't have to
046run an ambulance back into. But that's that's just my thinking there. But it didn't work out that way and I certainly supported uh the bargaining unit u request on that. But that's all I've got to say. I I we're going to have to figure something out. Yes, Miss Gillard. Yes, no, I'm I'm okay. I'm going to hear Mr. Mold first. Sorry. I did forget one item, Mr. Chairman, is rather important to be honest. Uh, proriter share of property taxes is added onto that which is about $2.50 a square foot per year. Can I ask a question? Yes, sir, you can. Council, what are the the term lengths that the owners are looking for? We we prefer a minimum of three years. We we'll take a five. We'll do options. Um, you mean Three year with
047an option to renew. And there's a 5% increase uh annually. 5% rental increase annually built in added in on the base rent. And obviously if the other fees change, then we would adjust accordingly. Since we're a school board, we since they are a school district, we would not pay sales tax. If you're exempt, you do not pay sales tax and that's going down and hopefully be eliminated by the governor soon. Anyway, it's in a bill until it is. Until it is. That's exactly right. Real quick, Mr. Bernette, do you remember off the top of your head or anybody on your committee what's the square footage of our our building? So, I think the buildout space and and feel free to jump in um online, Marathon, but I think it was just over 2,000 square feet.
048Just over two and yours again, Mr. Spalding 19 1819 1819. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you, uh Mark. And um so Mark hormonal, you are recognized, sir. Thank you. Uh so I I'll stay uh I'll just say that my position on the opening a clinic is the same as it was before. I think that this is something we still need to move forward with. Uh obviously uh Friday when we heard the uh estimate for the parking lot, that was a shock. Uh uh that was surprising. So um I I think look exploring options, pivoting to a different option. I think uh certainly you know this when I I think when I first saw the numbers I was thinking that was a monthly I was like oh we can't afford that but
049but yearly you know something in the neighborhood of 30 to $35,000 a year half a million goes a long way uh that's just the parking lot you know cost goes a long way towards a lot of years of rent. Um so I I I my position as the uh on the insurance committee and uh as the president president is that we still need to move forward uh with Marathon but uh but I think this is an intriguing option here for getting a clinic up and running in the short term. Uh I went out had the opportunity to go today to see the properties and u um that suite 4 is and I and obviously Marathon need to take a look there maybe some little things that need to be done but but it's a doctor's
050office like you know maybe maybe turkey maybe ready to go uh and that's uh something that uh I know we are very eager to open the wellness center you know um so the delays I think Andy spoke earlier about how I I've been very frustrated you know with the uh with the delays cuz uh like you Phil, Mr. Larry, you know, originally April was the original the original way back the original could be open in April, you know, but um and here we are May, but but uh so um I think this would be a this could uh as a way for us to pursue the opening of the clinic in a much more timely fashion and and also less upfront investment, you know, um which may be palatable to the board as well. Well,
051and and let's let's be honest. Let's let's watch how it unfolds and work with Marathon. If this is what we the decision is and you know, if we're out there and and it doesn't work out, then we may well go with a different firm and still have a place located there and not have the investment in it. But, you know, I'm very optimistic that it'll go well. But now you Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. But now, Mr. Bernett, you mentioned that your committee wanted to meet. We have a meeting scheduled for next Thursday. It's on the calendar already. That's what I was going to That's where I was headed wherein if we could possibly table this until we I mean because what we're hearing at least we're not totally out in the
052cold. We And you're going this afternoon. You said I went earlier today. Earlier today, you've already seen it. Was there earlier today? All right. All right. Okay. Here's here's what I'm going to do. Um, any any questions for our union representative? Okay. Any questions for Andy? Thank you, Mr. Mr. Bolan. Do you have anything counselor? Well, I have additional questions, but it may be something you're going to cover. So, but there very briefly would be Go ahead. Has has Marathon if Marathon is going to be the provider you stick with, have they looked at the facility? one and two is there a need to do any upfitting to these facilities with upfront costs? Okay, those are two big choices. So, um Marathon is aware and I I shared the uh information um and and again
053you guys feel free to jump in, but I did share the preliminary information that I I received. Now, I don't think anyone from their team has had the opportunity to actually go on site and do an actual inspection, but they do have um specs, I believe. Um if not, we can get those to them as quickly as possible. Um I know the uh I did ask Mr. Spalding if we could do minor renovations if needed, and he said absolutely. Um and I too did go out and take a look at property separately. Um, so and the other question was, you know, was there going to be any upfitting costs? Again, we're again again we're we're hopeful that it's close to turnkey ready. Um, and that's a very attractive thing about this. They they are um
054either operating as doctor's offices or they have in the past. though I didn't know if Marathon had planned on don't having any specialized equipment that might require electrical or other infrastructure in order for them to operate as they had planned. That's that was simply my question. Very good question and and we'll do everything we can to get those questions answered before the next insurance committee meeting. But did you have a comment? She may have had one, Phil. I I don't know. Click. Okay. Well, here's what I'm going to do. She's unmuted now. Yes, you can. Okay, you can come to the podium, please. Yes. All right. Thank you. I was just going to comment that um you're right. We have not seen the space yet. Once we are able to get the plan layouts, we
055can look at the electrical and the internet uh capabilities, but um and we can review the space and walk it um and give some feedback if there is. I do believe looking at what we have seen there would be minimum um but we do require a certain amount of data drops. I can send over the facilities guide over to um Thomas again just to sort of review what specs we do need and go through that. As far as um how soon could we open as soon as we have a building? We have our provider hired. We have our MAS who have job offers as of Monday have been submitted out to our medical staff. We have everything ready to open except for the building. So, we are definitely prepared to move as fast as possible.
056Uh once we do determine where our space is and what we need, um the only thing that might take a little bit of time and we always have a plan A, B, and C is our internet source. So, sometimes getting fiber into the building if there isn't or internet access in our ISP setups sometimes takes a few weeks. Um, so depending on that timeline, but definitely we'll work closely with Thomas to look at those layouts, get that information from Michael Spalding and his team and hopefully um get some answers back to um the insurance board and our contacts with you guys um soon. Okay, thank you. You have any comments? Yes. Um well, Jamie covered most of it, so um I have fewer now. Um I do appreciate everyone's cander about the cost and the
057delay. We feel the same way. Um, just one last point I wanted to point out is that if we're going to use this building for any reason, we're going to have to put that parking lot on there. Um, that was a city requirement. And so, if we don't have the parking lot now and we want to use this building, let's say for a completely different reason 10 years later, the cost of a parking lot plus the um drainage pond and the lighting and the landscaping and everything else will probably be much higher. And so we would be happy to do an ROI analysis. We're kind of neutral about um using that building versus renting a space because we do both for a lot of the school districts we support. Um but that's just something to
058keep in mind as we're evaluating both sites. So otherwise we're ready to go. I'm curious um you know and I guess there's been such a we've had several uh issues with our building construction with our schools and everything. How did y'all not know that that a parking lot wouldn't be required in the building process? I mean, y'all done this before, right? Yes, we have. Um, go ahead. And it I was say it just it varies. I mean, not even from state to state, city to city, but just municipality, municipality. So, it's just everyone has their own kind of rules and what they stick to and what they let slide and don't let slide. And I think too um one thing when we were going through our initial contracting is we were not made aware of
059that there would need to be a driveway. We would have just assumed uh there would always be a driveway and due to our healthc care um needing ADA compliance, making sure we had the right amount of handicap spots um we had to go back and get surveys done and one thing the fire department needs to be able to you know turn around a fire truck and ambulance. because this building is now going through repering um occupancy laws obviously have changed um and requirements. So that was where we So that that's the the the increase from 200 411,000 to over 600,000. Correct. Um the increase um the amount that was in the contract which was that 400,000 plus whatever that was just for the interior. We were not made aware that we even need to be
060considering um doing a driveway um an access point for the health center until Thomas made us aware of that uh requirement in October of um 2024. And that's when we had to start searching out and getting uh construction engineers in there uh civil engineers and um the surveyors out. So that did take um time until roughly, you know, April to get everything back um and then get our general contracting bids done. So um that's sort of where that process has taken us over the last five months. Well, I I just personally find it very difficult to believe having been in construction, done construction, that you would you would have to understand or have to deal with parking requirements for handicap and ADA access and all that. and you were completely focusing on the inside of
061the building. But irregardless, I'm going to bring it back to the board. U Mr. Pickkins, I'm gonna start with you. Do you have any questions or comments? Well, I don't think my initial question was really answered why it's taken so long, but again, I guess it was the permitting, but I just feel like we approved this and I really thought everything was going and you know, maybe that's on me for not finding out, but I just feel that I mean, we could have known this two months ago and then we'd be, you know, having the same the discussion then and it might be open for the summer when a lot of our teachers and employees have time to actually go to the doctor. So I I feel your frustration and um you know it's even
062more uh disturbing to me that had we gone with people's one our employees would have been receiving health care for the last eight or nine months um and at no additional cost to the insurance fund or certainly to our general fund. And I um I I am going to talk at the end of the meeting under my comments about how um maybe we can resolve future problems like this in in in general. But Mr. Buckles, do you have any quick comments? Quick comment is I just I can't believe that governmental entities like the school board and the and the city and municipalities can't work together to try to figure out a solution to wave the parking requirements and use existing parking on site. That's all I'm gonna say about Miss Gillard. Um, I've pretty much
063stated mine. Uh, other than the fact that we we we took the recommendation from those we entrusted it with, which is our insurance committee. They came back with Marathon. I voted for Marathon. And so what we're going to do is just make the best of what we have. All right. We we now have a situation. We're going to brainstorm and we're going to make it work. because our employees, as Mrs. Pickin said, is our number one concern, making sure they have a facility. And so, uh, still, uh, you all still with Marathon, you still and and that's what, well, that's where my one goes. Okay. Uh, Miss Wagner, Ian. Okay. Um and yes, it was made very clear to me last Friday that that unanimously uh the insurance committee and administration is, you know, in
064locked in with with Marathon. Um the qu the the last question I have is is if in fact this works out um that we are going to lease or rent a building um will those that lease that monthly lease money come out of our insurance fund? Is that is that the um I mean it won't come out of the general fund. Correct. Johnson's out here. I mean are you looking at the attorney or are you looking No, no. I'm asking you, Mr. Bowwin. I mean, do you know? Well, that would be something that we would need to um discuss internally in the insurance committee. I think my assumption is that it would come from the insurance fund since we were going to use the uh at least um the the insurance fund for at least
065um the buildout cost minus the parking lot. Okay. Um we were going to bring to you a proposal to um cover the parking lot through capital. Um, but you know, we I I think we need to take this back to the insurance committee and and then we'll come forward with a recommendation at some point in the future. Okay. Well, let me be very clear. Um, I'm certainly um open and I'm just, you know, one board member to um the original $400,000 being used for rent and after that time us, you know, looking at, you know, where we are from from a a cost standpoint. But again, uh I can't support anything that's going to put additional stress on us on our general revenue funds which are limited and and board. Let me just tell you,
066you know, property assessments are going up. We're in a recession, pre-recession period. Cost of everything are still, you can't blame it on the pre previous administration. Prices have not gone down. We are going to be facing this as we move forward. So, it it um again goes back to my original um opposition to Marathon. Not that they're not a great company, but the cost that we were going to have versus being able to walk in and our employees be able to take advantage of it. You know, it wasn't long after I was on the board that we started this. And so, we're going on almost three years. So, what what I'd like to do is I think it's the consensus or the recommendation of the staff administration that we table this give the insurance company
067the opportunity to review it and come back with a recommendation to us at our next meeting. Correct. Absolutely. All right. If I could make one more. Yes, sir. Mr. gentleman indicated that we probably they would be willing to deal ROI investment or calculation on the theory that we're going to have to fix that parking lot sometime that may not be accurate because normally the triggers have some familiarity with the city's codes. Um normally the need to do this kind of vast improvement comes with a change of use or a major change in the structure of the facility. So, if you assume that you're going to change the use of that building from what it has been or that you're going to do a major renovation, then what he said may be accurate that you're going
068to have to do something with the parking lot. But otherwise, I'm not sure that's accurate. So, I just just put that in there. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Well, we'll um I tell you is part of the motion uh Mr. Would you mind uh meeting with the city and finding out, you know, is is there an option from that standpoint so that if if in fact something can be worked out that, you know, we'd go back to the original or to the uh the cost of uh of the building we've got. Okay. All right. The chair will entertain a motion on E and we'll do E6 and seven combined. Holly was the one that pulled it. I'll make a motion that we table items E6 and E7. Second. Okay. I have a motion
069and a second. Any discussion? Any questions? All right. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I. Opposed lock sign. Motion carries unanimously. So, we're on our way. Okay. We will move to u temporarily um recess our regular board meeting and go into emergency session. And we will start with item L1. I'll um offer a motion that we accept item L1, the 2024 2025 personnel allocations change number 22.1 22 through 22.9 justification explanation timesensitive. I'll second that. All right. All right, I have a motion and a second on the P the 2425 personnel allocations change item L1 um and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I like sign opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Mr. Chair, yes ma'am. I offer a motion that we accept item L2 2025 2026 personnel allocations change
070number two and 2.1. Second. Yeah, Holly seconded. Okay. I have a uh motion and a second for item L2 on the 2526 personnel allocations and the changes. All in favor signify by saying I I like sign oppose like sign. Mr. Carries unanimous. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we approve L3 21st century community learning center summer program June 2025. Justification explanation timesensitive. Second. All right. I have a motion and a second for item L3, the 21st Century Community Learning Center summer program. Outstanding program by the way. Um, so all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed like sign. Motion carries. Item L4 has been pulled. So we will now go back into our regular session and we will move to our new business. Um, item N1. Mr. Chairman, I'd make
071a motion that we approve N1, consensus to advertise revised policy 92000 and new policy 21 two, excuse me, 9271 per Niola special update. Second. All right. I have a motion and a second for approval of item N1 on the consensus to advertise policies 92000 and 9271. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Like sign opposed like sign. Motion carries unanimously. All right, let's move into our board reports. And Miss Wagner, we will start with you. Just a couple of notes from some of the agenda items. I noticed um I believe it's Crescent City is going to Troy State um their band and um I always get excited when I see the the music groups being able to participate in this. I went to Troy State band camp myself and it was a a fantastic
072experience and it's just something that stays with you forever. So the more um not just educational but the the extracurricular activities are just so special. Um, and if you know me at all, you know, music is still very important to me. Um, I'm looking forward to tonight going to the Qi Roberts um, awards ceremony. Um, as we all know, what's that? Is it tonight? Awards. There's one tonight and one Thursday night, I believe. Oh, okay. I'm going to the Thursday night. Okay. All right. Um, yeah, the the the schedule has been crazy this year and so we're all trying to uh get to as many as we can, but um there's it seems like there's more awards ceremonies. Maybe that's a a good thing. Um and then I also wanted to commend the um those
073that got their certificates today. Um I'm I'm very well aware of the requirements to when you're on a temporary um teaching certificate and there's a lot that they have to do. So I was really really happy to see those um those folks getting their certificates and just really wanted to remind people as well because it is graduation time and just you know everybody slowed down. There's a lot of uh activities going on and we want to keep our kids safe. um and those in the community to just you know keep it safe as we go through graduations and all the fun activities involved in that. That's all about Thank you, ma'am. All right, Mr. Fury. Yes, sir. Um just want to again as usual with Mr. Pignatada. Just when you think that it can't get
074any better, any good like the Hair Bear commercial says, it it's they they performed Anastasia uh and I got a ch chance to see it on Friday night. They were phenomenal. I mean, just great. Um do want to even though they celebrated it last week, want to uh let all of our teachers and all of our employees know that we appreciate them. Last week was teacher appreciation week and the great impact they have on our students. We saw that here today. Be it art, be it uh sports, uh academics. I mean, it's just just a great thing. And to the district for for being nominated Cambridge district of the year. Uh that's second to none. And um with the program of the teachers that received their professional certificate, uh Mrs. Whitehurst whispered that the other
075districts are now uh taking on what we're doing. They're emulating and imitating what we're doing. In other words, they're copying us doing what we uh have done. And our district is doing that. We are now becoming a beacon and other districts are looking at what we are doing and uh supposedly a poor district doing all that we're doing. uh shows them that it's in the quality of the people that we have. Uh mentioning that we have some that are presenting STEM to hub. Um I think it was in in Pennsylvania somewhere. Uh just just great. You don't get invited to these conferences just because you want to go. you have to have something to give a share that can make other districts uh step up their uh performance and whatever it is that they are
076attempting to do. And so we have presenters there. We also have presenters at the innovative approaches to mental health, our superintendent being a part of that and and Mrs. Drew and a Kimberly uh Simmons. I mean, it's just it's just great what the people here in the district are doing. every committee, every team uh works collectively to get the job done. And we may not say it enough, but we appreciate your efforts and all that you do to make our district uh shine as it is. But most importantly, that our children are the recipients of all that you pour into. And the final thing just want to mention uh on yesterday the outpouring of love uh for Mrs. Darus uh Nielsen aka Peanut. Uh the lives that were touched by one of our former employees,
077Mr. Gary Nielsen. It was just phenomenal and it, you know, it was great. It it showed that that he made a difference in in this in this district in this community. Thank you, sir. All right. Thank you, Mr. Gearart. Mr. Buckles, I'd reiterate what Sandra said on Gary Sandy said on on Gary Nielsen. I was trying to be a gentleman. Sorry. Um but uh you know, it was it was packed. I went to the overflow room and and brought back vivid memories of my childhood with Gary and he was a year ahead of me in school, but we played little league baseball, basketball, football, you name it, we were there all the way growing up and and u then I watched him leave a pest control job many years ago and come to the school
078district and he spent countless hours filming graduation ceremonies and ball games and things to try to help young people feel better And uh I listened to what Sandra said, Sandy said a while ago and and you know when you got a he got a title one school district and I don't care what the political verbiage is out there to try to tear down public education and you got kids scoring in in in and in in subgroups throughout the school district in manners that if you had a nationwide comparison, you'd be looking at at well above the national average and given what some of the rural districts in Florida deal with. And I couldn't be more proud of our teachers and principles and what they've done and district staff to help our students live better lives.
079And like Linda said, it's that time of year. It's what I always dreaded and worried about. We'd bring the drunk the drunk the drunk cars from the from the drunken wrecks onto school campuses and let the kids look at them and quite often they may have known who was in the accidents and in an effort to try to save somebody's life during the uh the graduation season because it's a it's a miserable road when you have to go to you know any child's funeral and it's just pitiful. But I'll and and uh I'll pass it on to to you. Okay. Um for I love when we have um presentations and to have five is really uh very special. I noticed the the young men from Palaca walk in and they all like held themselves very
080well and they I love that they were all wearing they were a team. They were a team up here. it wasn't, you know, they didn't have different shirts on. They had all the same polo. And so, you know, I commend their coaches because, you know, he they got them there. And um but I I really enjoyed that. Um I also I think I thought, you know, US District of the year, Cambridge, that's the whole United States. That's a lot of school districts. And so, you know, kudos to everyone that works with our Cambridge program. Um, I will mention also that two students from Crescent City got um scholarships to Troy. So, two will be attending Troy. Um and uh I did go to the senior awards and at Crescent City Junior Senior High School and
081it was unbelievable the amount of dollars and in scholarships that were given to the class of 2025. Um, of course, Miss Gillard um gives a an scholarship for her um in remembrance of her family members. And um the really neat thing is, you know, she can speak better than most people. And so she had the whole attention of everybody um without with a poor microphone system. She was in control. and um their scholarship helps a student with all the essentials that cost a lot of money when you're going to school. And I just think that's just it makes that one even, you know, super special. So, um and again, Crescent City's Rotary Club gave 23 scholarships um of $1,500. And I Ronnie Hughes started the Catfish Festival 40 some odd years ago. And the main
082reason was to give kids a scholarship that would at least get them through the first year of school at say St. John's and so that there was no excuse that you know they they didn't or the excuse that I can't afford it was taken away just to give the kids um an opportunity to go to college. And so to see that 23 $1,500 scholarships were given this year is just, you know, it's outstanding. Um you know, and so thank you to everyone that supports the Catfish Festival because that's what's used um to go there. I also um Miss Scranton called me and asked me if I'd like to come to the graduation walk at Middleton Bernie Elementary yesterday morning and in the rain and you know it was it was pretty rough in South Putham
083yesterday morning. Um I think there were about 87 graduates that showed up and they all had their you know caps on I mean gowns. Some of them had their caps on and they walked through Middleton Bernie and then they came back to what they call the glow zone and um Miss Scranton told them she said you don't even realize that you have just given 1,66 students a core memory of what it means what it looks like to graduate from high school. I just thought that was extremely profound. Um, and it it was it was great. They they you know, smiling. They had the bubble machine. The kids were walking through the bubbles. I think the seniors appreciated it, but I know that the students that got to see them walk through the halls. That was
084that was really good. Um, and then lastly, I would be remiss if I did not um say that after last Thursday, I just want it known that my heart is with the community of Crescent City and the students that that go to school there. And um I know that this school district will keep our kids safe in their schools and keep them safe till they get off that bus. And that's all I have. Thank you, Mr. Pickings. Okay. Um, first of all, I would like to um agree with everything that that was said and and I was also going to mention the fact that um I wasn't surprised but disappointed that um that there were federal officers and local officers in proximity to the school and and the uproar that that caused which I think
085was very unnecessary. But at any rate, you're absolutely right. Our students are are come first and we will always protect them in any manner we can and make sure that they are safe. And I think we do that every day and and um our staff from administration to school administration to teachers and support staff all do that. Um, one of the things on our consent agenda, and I was going to pull it, and then I decided I just do it under my reports, is that, uh, I talked with Nikki Hawthorne this morning, our school food service director, and I talked to her last week, excuse me, and I told her, I said, "Nikki, you're always out of sight and out of mind." But I said, "You do such an incredible job with food service." and
086and um you know I have four granddaughters and I go eat lunch with them at schools and um the food is just amazing. I mean in the choices they have is even better. But a program that we don't hear about but maybe once a year if if as it comes to us to be approved is our our wellness program. and that in each facility that the school district has, we have a wellness coordinator and and this is all facilitated through Miss Hawthorne and her staff. And um I'm going to read their names because they do an outstanding job in each of the in their in their capacity to try to help our employees maintain a healthy lifestyle and uh in conjunction with hopefully us getting the clinic open. Uh these two things I think will
087result in number one lower premiums because our our our employees will be healthier and number two a better lifestyle and a more enjoyable lifestyle. But um Cheryl Mezer with Brownie Pierce Elementary School. Uh Michelle Michael with the CEO District Center. Ranita Ross with Crescent City Junior Senior High School. Wendy Mason the district administrative building here. Melissa Whittington at Interlarkin Junior Senior High School, Kathleen Sheffield at James A. Long Elementary, Julie Williamson at Robert Jenkins Elementary, Shana Cribs at Kelly Smith Elementary, Philip Wilkinson at the maintenance department, Lisa Massie at Melon Learning Center, Mary McKibben at Melrose Elementary, Von Shell Offford at Mosley Elementary, Cara Degider at Aquila Elementary, Britney Wilkinson at Palaka Junior Senior High School, and Tammy Thornton at Qi Roberts High School. They all do a fantastic job and um um I'm I'm
088so happy that we have this program and that the uh the administration initiated it several years ago and it's working very well. Um, one of the things that, you know, we talk about and that we just see and continue to see, um, every time we meet is the outstanding, uh, job that that we are doing as a district and specifically in our schools and with our education and all the different awards that that they receive and and really um, unparalleled, I think, in for a public school system, a small, you know, public school system. I I see now that that you know we're not alone in in declining enrollment. Although I think Jonathan, this year we we were neutral. We didn't lose any. You were a little up. We're a little up. So, you know,
089that's a good sign. But some of these other school districts are starting a recruiting program where they're going reaching out to students that have left for for whatever reason, you know, uh either through the receiving the uh the scholar the um the funding from the state for um their education through either charter or private schools. But I think we have a tremendous amount to offer and both academically and athletically um with what what we offer here. And I I would like us if the if it's the board consensus for us to look at maybe establishing a recruitment program um for the district and that maybe we can get some of these students back. I think that uh some things are going to be hitting home when when um some of these parents realize the responsibility
090and the requirements of having that, you know, um teaching with receiving that $8,000 from the state, but there also a lot of strings attached to it. and that hopefully we could get some of these kids back in the system so that they they're not out for two or three years and they come back and and and and struggling to keep up with with where they are and certainly their grade level. So that's one of the things I want to throw out. The other thing is is that about four months, I think it was March of 23, not long after I was elected, I went to the superintendent and I and I, you know, asked him would he consider um hiring a building professional that had a degree in building construction and and experience in major
091construction projects to come on board uh and to um you know be the district's employee uh representing us on all construction projects in in every manner working under the associate superintendent. Um certainly the associate superintendent has a plateful without all this and um we've gone through a number of uh issues with with our new construction. Um, you know, the thing with Marathon, honestly, I I just I find it hard to believe that that maybe they didn't they haven't inquired and that wouldn't have been a question that they would have asked early on about, you know, parking. But so it wasn't I think an employee a person a professional in that in a position representing the district and even though I know that the architect I guess technically represents the district you know uh I think
092that they've made some major errors over the last couple of years. I just would feel better if we had a professional on staff that would review all these projects that from the very start before they ever got started to asssure every step is met along the way so that we don't get to a situation where like we are now. you know, 7 months behind in in uh at least three months behind in opening a clinic and still struggling with construction and other other issues. I just think that um you know at when you're talking about um essentially spending $300 million on new construction and reconstruction that it certainly warrants a a position that could could that we could take advantage of. So, I just throw those out for you to think of think about and
093um you know, we can discuss it in another meeting or maybe even have a workshop. Um, but I do I do think that uh um you know I wish I wish the superintendent would have and and at the time I understand that you know his thoughts were it could be handled between you know our administration and and staff and and the architect but I just would feel better if if we had you know that that that that professional person on board. So I'll stop there. Um Mr. Holmes, nothing. Mr. Bowen. Yes, sir. I do have a few things. Okay. Um, so June 3rd, the board meeting will be held at 2:30. June 3rd. Yes, ma'am. Okay. I understand that's the next board meeting. Yes, it is. The next board meeting. It'll be an hour. 2:30.
094It'll be at 2:30 right here in this building. Okay. Um because the product of Putinham event, the rooftop event will be happening at 4:30. So I'm I'm guessing this is I understand it. So um we can conduct board business and then attend that event. What was that second event? What is the event? Product of Putinham. It's a rooftop event. This is what I have. Um do you have any elaboration? This is new. This isn't the breakfast. No ma'am. That we're doing Oh, this is something else. This is something new at the rooftop. From what I understand is product rooftop at 4:30. So they wanted to um meeting back up an hour conduct the business and be able to be able to Okay. And and I'm assuming the rooftop is the the uh environmental center was
095formally. Yeah. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. So last week was teacher appreciation week. Uh, of course we're all proud to celebrate our teachers who make a difference every day. Um, their impacts go far beyond the classroom and into the communities and hearts and homes. Um, and we just want to thank all of our teachers for doing everything they do to inspire our future. Um, we want to also congratulate the cast and crew of Anastasia. Um, and to Mr. Jim Picnado for the magnificent job he always does. Second to none. We're thrilled to share that Renee Huff, director of career and technical education uh for the school district, has been honored as the 2025 workforce education innovator. Um this award [Applause] is that a state or surprise? That was a state award, I
096believe. I'm not surprised. Um, this award celebrates Rene's tireless commitment to creating opportunities to prepare students for real world success. Um, PCSD continues to align career and technical programs with the evolving needs of our local workforce, power, empowering our students and strengthening our community in the process. Special congrats to Haley Faulner of Palaca High School or Palaka Junior Senior High School. Devin Williams of Interlockan Junior Senior High who were named this year's MVPs for all county softball and baseball teams last night at the uh John Theobo all county softball banquet and baseball thank banquet. We'd also like to uh uh congratulate and thank our coaches that and you saw one of them here today for all of their dedication and everything they poured into our students and also our sponsor Georgia Pacific for stepping up
097and sponsoring this event for our students. Um and this was I think uh Miss Pickkins mentioned this one earlier, but this was always one of my favorites as a high school principal and then reflecting back on when I was an elementary principal as well. But um seniors have been walking doing their senior walks through the elementary schools and it is just um a really special event to see um the the impact that the seniors make on the little guys when they come through with their capping gowns and and uh it's a very special event. Um last week's all a lunchon was a wonderful event. Want to thank the Kowanas Club of the Aelia City for hosting and to Ian Bose and our superintendent Rick Cerny for being speakers uh and for pouring into our students.
098And then our product of Putnham honores will be recognized this Friday. Keep an eye out for that. And last but not least, I hate to end on a somber note, but our hearts and prayers go out to the family um and all the families that were affected in the houseire over in East Palaca. We're we're getting information in on a daily basis and and none of it seems to be good. So, we are here to do everything we can to support those families. That's all I have. Okay. Any other discussion for the board? All right. Without objection, we'll stand a journ.