Updates on the Fight for Quality Public Education in Brevard County, FL
0:30 (upbeat music)
13:40 - Good morning, the June 10, 2020 board work session
13:43 is now called to order.
13:45 We are continuing with modifications to our workshop process
13:48 to address health and safety concerns
13:50 as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
13:52 Today board members will assemble in the boardroom
13:55 without community attendance.
13:57 They will be available via our usual streaming channels.
14:00 Pam, roll call please.
14:02 - Mrs. McDougall. - Present.
14:04 - Mr. Susan. - Present.
14:06 - Mrs. Belford. - Present.
14:08 - Mrs. Deskevich. - Present.
14:10 - And Mrs. Campbell. - Present.
14:12 - Thank you, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
14:18 - I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
14:21 of America and to the republic for which it stands,
14:24 one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
14:27 and justice for all.
14:33 - All right, we have several items on our agenda today
14:35 for discussion, including checking in on our progress
14:37 since we completed our self-evaluation,
14:39 identifying our annual objectives as a board for 2021.
14:42 Additionally, there are some other discussion items
14:44 that have been placed on this agenda.
14:46 We’ll go one by one, keeping track of our time
14:48 so that we can finish by 1230.
14:50 I also ask for each of you to sign the school board
14:52 working guidelines before you leave today.
14:56 If you all recall, when we wrapped up our self-evaluation,
15:00 one of the things that we discussed was a need
15:02 to kind of revisit because I think Ms. Campbell
15:04 and Ms. McDougall actually were not even aware
15:09 of the evaluation that we had done previously
15:11 and the objectives that we had set.
15:15 So at that point, I spoke with Ms. Escobar and I asked her
15:20 to put on quarterly board check-ins for us.
15:23 And I think it’s important because, you know,
15:25 we get bogged down in the work that we’re doing
15:28 each and every day, and sometimes we forget to do
15:31 what we need to do to take care of us as a team
15:33 and make sure that we’re still functioning well.
15:35 I think we certainly have seen many examples of boards
15:39 that don’t function well, and I think it hinders
15:41 their service to the community.
15:43 So I want to make sure that we’re all staying
15:45 on the same page and working toward the same goals,
15:47 addressing any issues as we go.
15:49 So the first thing that we have on the agenda this morning
15:52 is a progress check.
15:53 And that is just, how are you guys feeling?
15:56 Do you need anything?
15:57 Are there any particular issues that we need to address
16:02 before we get into establishing our objectives?
16:05 Because we did not get that done last time.
16:10 [ Inaudible ]
16:23 I’d like to move the discussion point to the active one
16:28 we’re talking about now, so that we can allow them
16:32 to give their testimony.
16:34 They’re not coming in, though, right?
16:36 No, they’re just going to be able to phone that,
16:38 give it to cell phones.
16:39 [ Inaudible ]
16:41 I just couldn’t get them to write a letter
16:43 or if you want to make something for the last time.
16:45 They can’t hear you.
16:53 [ Inaudible ]
17:05 To speak to that point, they would do that via the cell
17:08 phone, but they’re all together here and they’re in the
17:12 process of putting some other things together,
17:14 which makes it difficult for them to be available
17:16 all at the same time.
17:17 [ Inaudible ]
17:19 We have a motion.
17:20 Is there a second?
17:22 Do we usually vote at the work session?
17:25 We can’t vote on an item on the agenda, but we need guidance
17:29 as to what you all want to do as far as reordering the agenda.
17:34 Okay.
17:35 Any board members opposed to moving the AAU item up
17:38 on the agenda?
17:39 Can I ask the item a question?
17:41 Seeing that they’re on the agenda for our board meeting
17:45 on the 16th, I’m confused on why they need to speak now,
17:49 because I think there would be some discussion.
17:52 And I was on the impression that this was our check-in.
17:58 I’m just confused.
17:59 That’s all.
18:00 You know, help me understand why they need to come now
18:02 and not wait until the 16th.
18:05 So my discussion with Mr. Susan yesterday around the issue
18:08 was to have them available for questions.
18:12 Okay.
18:13 I think also my discussion when I was with Ms. Suhan,
18:17 she had mentioned that it was going to be on the agenda
18:19 and that she would be ready to answer any questions
18:21 that were going on with the multiple areas.
18:23 And one of the reasons that they are putting it on
18:26 for discussion today is because they literally are moving
18:30 at a fast pace to try to get these AAU Olympics in.
18:35 And it’s something that came up at the last minute.
18:37 They’ve been able to take advantage of a lot
18:39 of different resources and being able to discuss it
18:42 and possibly give direction to Dr. Mullins today
18:45 over whether we want to use the facility usage,
18:48 whether we want to waive fees, whether we want to use the track,
18:50 all of that stuff is part of this discussion
18:52 from what I understood.
18:53 So that’s why I asked them through the conversation
18:56 with staff, so that’s why I asked them to come
18:58 in the event that there were any questions.
19:04 So are we good with moving it to the top of the agenda?
19:07 Anyone opposed?
19:08 After the current one that we’re on.
19:10 It’s okay.
19:11 Well, progress check and board objectives,
19:13 I think, probably go together.
19:14 So I would suggest that we just go ahead and if we’re going
19:16 to move it up, let’s just do it and get it done
19:19 and then move into the rest if that’s okay with you all.
19:22 Sure. All right, Dr. Mullins, did you want to give us
19:29 an overview on this or how do you want to proceed
19:32 on that particular discussion point?
19:39 Am I working?
19:40 Okay. I can give the board a quick overview.
19:44 I’ve been in recent communication with,
19:47 of course, Mr. Susan and Mr. Buchanan, who is the vice
19:52 president of AAU, approximately Wednesday of last week.
19:57 He reached out to me.
19:59 I had inquired with the county on last Wednesday,
20:03 having been made aware of the county commission meeting
20:06 that occurred the Thursday prior that there was discussion
20:09 about moving forward with AAU.
20:12 In conversations with Mr. Buchanan, he is trying
20:16 to identify and determine what the facility needs would
20:21 be of the Junior Olympics and I believe he had a conversation
20:27 with Ms. Moore as recent as this morning to further define
20:32 what the facility needs would look like,
20:35 but I’ve not received a formal proposal as of yet
20:38 what that would look like.
20:40 He has indicated that there would be a need for a track
20:45 and two gymnasiums to host indoor events that include
20:55 baton twirling, competition, taekwondo, I believe karate.
21:03 And then if basketball, hosting basketball becomes
21:06 a necessity, I guess there’s still some question as to
21:09 whether or not Disney Wide World of Sports would be available
21:13 to host that and if not, they would have need
21:16 for additional gymnasiums to host basketball.
21:19 But I believe we’re still working through or waiting
21:23 for some definitive definition
21:26 of what a facility use would include.
21:29 There has been discussion that includes what track to utilize
21:34 and of course, consideration of the high school’s track
21:38 with required or necessary modifications
21:42 because I guess it could not host as it is in its condition
21:46 now, the games, but there has also been an inquiry
21:50 of utilizing satellite high schools track.
21:53 So they’ve not made a formal request either way.
21:57 Ms. Han has been working on what the necessities
22:02 of resurfacing Viera High School’s track would include
22:06 and the costs and so on.
22:08 I believe she’s got information ready to share
22:11 with the board this morning.
22:13 Ms. Belford, just to clarify, if you’d like, I can ask her
22:17 to patch in by phone versus in person.
22:20 So Ms. Han, you’d be prepared for us to reach out to you
22:22 at your desk ‘cause we are limiting guests
22:26 in here this morning.
22:32 - From a high level, I would say that at a high level,
22:41 there’s a board approval on Tuesday that includes a decision
22:50 on moving forward with construction
22:52 of Viera High School’s track, second, the board’s direction
22:58 on funding the modifications to Viera High’s track
23:04 if in fact, there’s direction to do the construction
23:08 and then three, there is, actually there’s four things.
23:14 Three would be the board’s direction on charging fees
23:19 for facility use by an outside organization.
23:23 In this case, AAU and then fourth, direction on the memorandum
23:29 of understanding presented by Brevard County Commission,
23:33 related to the contribution they’re prepared to make
23:39 to the resurfacing of Viera High School’s track
23:42 in the amount of $50,000.
23:44 Mr. Gibbs has done a review of the MOU and has raised
23:48 some questions and certainly some decision points
23:51 for the board as we move forward.
23:53 So I think that outlines the need for the discussion today
23:58 so that I can receive direction from the board
24:01 of what to have prepared and ready for potential
24:05 board approval on Tuesday.
24:07 We are on a very aggressive timeline so that discussion
24:12 is necessary today in preparation for Tuesday.
24:18 So Ms. Belfer, does that help?
24:20 - It does, thank you.
24:22 So I believe the first item that you addressed was
24:26 the project to resurface the Viera track.
24:30 That was your number one, right?
24:33 - Correct.
24:34 - Can I give a kind of an overview as to how–
24:37 - Real quick, didn’t someone send us the quote?
24:39 I can’t, did you send it?
24:41 - Yes, I emailed it to the board on Monday.
24:43 That was a quote.
24:44 Ms. Hahn has done some additional work since that quote,
24:49 since Monday, I believe.
24:51 Did you pass that around to the board members from Ms. Han?
24:55 - She did.
24:56 - I left it on her.
24:57 - Oh yeah, here it is.
24:58 So she’s prepared to answer questions related to some
25:02 additional costs that I’ve just made aware of this morning.
25:05 - Ms. Belfer, can I speak to the items?
25:08 So just to give you guys a heads up, how does the whole
25:12 thing came to be?
25:13 Like why are we dealing with something so quickly and what
25:15 is this on the agenda and how is all this piece working
25:17 together?
25:18 Like how does this glue come together?
25:20 On May 15th, I got a call to come real quick to a meeting
25:24 that they were putting together to discuss the possibility
25:27 of bringing the AAU Olympics to Brevard.
25:31 I listened to what the TDC chairman along with the county
25:35 commissioner and a couple other individuals had mentioned
25:38 and said, okay, I said, this has got to go to Dr. Mullins
25:41 and to our school board for approval.
25:43 And what we need to do is get them informed immediately.
25:47 So that day, an hour later, I contacted Ms. Suhan and
25:50 explained to her what was going on and reached out and made
25:53 sure that staff was aware.
25:55 Then on that Monday right after that, on the 18th, I reached
25:59 out to and talked to Dr. Mullins and just put it on his
26:02 radar and said, hey, here’s what’s kind of going.
26:04 At that time, it was an idea of trying to bring.
26:07 Now, at the same time as this happened, the city of Chicago,
26:11 the Disney, everybody had components to this whole AAU
26:15 National Olympics and they were making a buying push to do it.
26:19 So I had told Dr. Mullins and Su that based on what’s going
26:23 on, I would wait to engage until it actually makes it official
26:27 that they are coming to Brevard because right now, we don’t
26:31 know, on the 18th, we didn’t know what they needed.
26:35 Turns out that now the ask for the district is a track and a
26:39 couple of gyms. There’s also, just so you understand, almost
26:43 40 other sports coming on regionally impacting almost all
26:47 of our cities and all of the other municipalities.
26:50 So you have surfing, you have skateboarding, you have
26:54 swimming. Those are not facilities that are being used by
26:57 the school district. You have seven-on-seven football, you
27:00 have lacrosse, you have all of those other anomalies that are
27:03 happening outside of our school district. Part of the ask that
27:07 they were asking the school board to be a part of was not
27:10 only just to be a part of for the capacity but also one of
27:13 the issues that we have that’s a tremendous impact to our
27:16 schools is that our athletic budgets are decimated. So if you
27:21 have – if you call any of your coaches right now and you ask
27:24 them where are you with fundraising over this COVID, they
27:27 will tell you that that absolutely – they’re decimated
27:30 right now. And each one of these events that are inside each
27:33 one of our schools actually brings in $3 in concession for
27:37 every attendee that’s there. So if you’re talking about a
27:40 gym that’s going to be inside there hosting 10 days worth of
27:44 money and you have 10 teams in there, the impact for that gym
27:47 is anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 of concessions over that
27:52 time. So from that perspective, it starts to look like, okay,
27:56 this is a good thing for us to do. So what they had mentioned
28:00 originally was where is the best track that you have, what’s
28:04 going on, and I said the best track that we have right now is
28:07 probably in satellite. They had mentioned that their direction
28:10 was to go towards Vieira because of the other issues – the
28:13 events that are occurring there. So what I had said was Vieira
28:17 has completed all but about $20,000 worth of fundraising to
28:21 resurface their track. So if somebody was out – was able to
28:25 come out there and say that they were able to pay for the
28:28 difference, then there might be an opportunity to resurface the
28:31 track. So the county said what is the delta difference? The
28:34 TDC offered $50,000 to finish the track. So with that said,
28:38 that then – the track then became a conversation and that’s
28:42 when the team started getting involved and the team started
28:45 making quotes and come to find out that in the middle of that
28:48 process that they had to – which was not known to the
28:51 Vieira parents, which was not known to the TDC, which was not
28:54 known to the county commissioners, is that the
28:56 surface of the track has to be redone before the resurfacing
28:59 and enhancements are there. So the actual amount that was
29:02 needed to complete the project then increased. The issue that
29:06 you have when it did that was is that now the parents have
29:10 considered to – they have consistently raised more and
29:14 more and more money to where they are now past the threshold
29:18 with the county’s addition and now they are fundraising to
29:22 actually pay and offset the extra costs that is the job of
29:26 the school district to do that. So as far as the resurfacing,
29:30 they are now still fundraising to try to get to a point where
29:33 they can help us on the other end. The whole track issue has
29:37 multiple other fingers, but I just wanted to kind of tell you
29:41 why certain things were coming and how they came to us. So I
29:45 am here for any discussion and I would really love if we could
29:49 just let the TDC and the AAU guys speak to what is going on
29:53 because I am kind of moving around and I would love to have
29:56 them give the direction, the regional impact to our economy,
29:59 which is estimated between $7 million and $9 million, 8,000
30:03 to 9,000 athletes. All that stuff is better heard from them
30:06 and put together. Is there a way, Ms. Belford, that we can
30:10 call the TDC chairman and ask him to kind of give that input?
30:14 Ms. McDougall. I have a question. If I was reading the
30:18 contract that Mr. Gibbs sent us, it looks like that we couldn’t
30:22 charge for anything. They didn’t want us to charge a fee. They
30:26 didn’t want a facility use. They didn’t want a lot of things.
30:30 So I want to make sure that, number one, we are not paying a
30:34 fee because I have several schools that have been asking
30:38 for a track for years and here we are, Vieira gets it again,
30:42 when Cocoa Beach hasn’t, Merritt Island wanted to buy back.
30:46 Let me loan money and we said no. So I want some equitability
30:51 here between districts. I get very – my Cocoa Beach people
30:56 will be up in arms. There is no doubt about it in my mind.
31:00 So I really don’t want any money spent from our budget on this.
31:05 So if the parents have fundraised it, absolutely great.
31:09 But I’m also concerned about we can’t charge fees, we can’t –
31:13 I’m hearing concession stands. That’s the first I’ve heard
31:16 about that and I’m hoping that’s allowed. But what’s in it for
31:20 us? So if I can speak – if I can speak to your equity issue,
31:25 I would love to address that because it’s an issue that I had
31:28 when this whole thing started. I would love to communicate that
31:32 piece to you. But as far as the contract and what’s been going
31:35 on, I would love to ask the TDC chairman to speak to that along
31:39 with the AAU because I don’t think it’s appropriate that I
31:42 speak to what their requirements are, if that makes any sense.
31:45 So absolutely. Can we have that TDC chairman called?
31:51 So you want Mr. Crane? Cranis. Yes.
31:56 [ Inaudible ]
32:07 I think that’s going to be Sue explaining that in a minute.
32:10 I think that the track discussion is like the third of the
32:13 things. I think we need to decide – I would have brought that
32:16 up last and we just need to decide do we want to bring – give
32:20 the AAU the opportunity to come here? Are we going to waive the
32:23 facility usage fees like the county and all the cities are in
32:26 the process of doing? And then the Viera track is another
32:29 piece. I think we get kind of mulled down in a location that
32:33 is not really essential to what today’s conversation would be,
32:37 if that makes sense. My question after that comment would be
32:41 what are our costs outside of the track? And sorry that I’m
32:49 not familiar how these things usually run, but why – economic
32:57 impact understood, but where do they traditionally hold their
33:02 junior Olympics? It’s got four locations. I’m sure that Rusty
33:07 will answer that question. And do they get it for free
33:11 everywhere they go? Two million dollars each area pays to have
33:16 the Olympics come. Yes. They pay to have them come. So they do
33:23 get it. No, that’s their number. You want to call it again? I
33:33 mean they’re outside. While we’re waiting, I can potentially
33:50 address the facility use fees. We’re in the process – prior
33:57 to any of this transpiring, I believe I’ve made the board
34:00 aware that we’ve been in the process of reevaluating our
34:05 facility use fee rate schedule, because the facility use of
34:31 red and the green surfacing. Who knows the difference between
34:38 red and green surfacing? Anybody? It’s $20,000 in
34:42 difference. Red is a common – Like why would we pay more for
34:45 green? If it was the school wanted to, they could, but
34:48 they’ve never given direction. Because of the school colors,
34:51 that’s why. Yeah, but they’re not. I think that’s an option
34:55 that they’ve given. And I think Sue would be able to explain
35:00 why there’s an extra cost. She, because of the time delay, she
35:04 wanted to bring in a contractor who see it, which created –
35:09 » Mr. Kranis, can you hear me? Mr. Kranis, can you give us an
35:21 overview of kind of how you came to be through this system as
35:27 far as bringing the AAU Olympics, but then from your
35:30 perspective, there’s some conversation wrapped around the
35:35 actual MOU. » I haven’t. » Along with if you can give
35:39 the regional impact and why the TDC is willing to bring the
35:44 money towards Vieira High School. Thank you. » Sure,
35:47 absolutely. First of all, thank you for letting me speak. I’m
35:51 sorry I can’t be there in person. And I did want to
35:54 mention that my mom was a 20-year educator in the Brevard
35:58 County School System. She retired a few years ago. So very
36:02 near and dear to my heart. I’m the executive director of the
36:06 Tourist Development Office. We’re a department of Brevard
36:09 County. So I’m a Brevard County employee. I was contacted a few
36:14 weeks ago by the AAU and attended the same meeting Mr.
36:19 Susan mentioned in terms of the opportunity to bring the junior
36:25 Olympics here, which frankly is unprecedented because most
36:29 venues have to pay a significant amount of money to have an
36:33 event of this scale there. You know, my interest really peaked
36:38 when we talk about how many athletes and parents and coaches
36:43 and others will be coming into the community and staying here,
36:49 staying in hotel rooms and rental properties and staying
36:53 here and staying in hotel rooms and rental properties and
36:57 generating, you know, everything from sales tax, tourist
37:01 development tax for the county. So it’s a huge benefit to the
37:05 community and a huge benefit to individuals who are coming here
37:10 for, you know, basically the opportunity to play in these
37:14 games, which frankly probably would not have happened because
37:18 Virginia, which was holding the games, backed out and basically
37:22 said that due to COVID they didn’t want to go forward. So I
37:27 think we have a huge opportunity here. We reached out to the
37:32 State of Florida, Florida Sports Foundation got involved. They’re
37:37 very interested and got actually the governor involved and now
37:41 the governor has been very supportive of this. What we think
37:45 it will do for the community, I mean, depending on the number
37:49 of athletes, you know, we’re estimating anywhere between three
37:54 and $8 million economic impact, anywhere from 10 to 20,000 hotel
37:59 room nights. You know, that’s happening at a time where the
38:04 tourism industry, frankly, is decimated. We were down in April
38:09 75% from the prior year. So we need something like this. This
38:14 is something that will help everybody in the community and
38:18 it will help workers. It will help with employment. It will
38:23 help businesses. So this is, you know, this is something that’s
38:27 really critical to us recovering from what we’ve been
38:31 experiencing the last several months. I’m open to answer any
38:36 other questions at this point, but I will say we brought this
38:41 to the – not only to the tourist development council,
38:45 which is very supportive and our chair Charles Malone will be
38:49 speaking, I know, in a minute from their perspective, but then
38:53 we took it to the county commission. What the county
38:57 commission is committed to is because we heard that the track
39:02 was an issue and having a state of the art track was something
39:07 that would be beneficial to the games, the CDC had approved
39:12 $50,000 from our capital facilities fund to go towards
39:16 finishing the track at Viera High School. That was also
39:20 approved by the county commission. Then an additional
39:23 amount of money was approved for some operational expenses.
39:27 Originally the amount was $50,000. During the time that we
39:31 brought it to the county commission, sheriff ivy stood up
39:35 and said, well, I have $30,000 in forfeiture funds that I need
39:39 to do something with. I would like to commit those to this
39:43 event. So $30,000 is coming from the sheriff and then another
39:47 $20,000 from our operational budget at the tourist
39:51 development office. And then additionally to that, the
39:55 request was made to be able to use county facilities to hold
39:59 these outdoor events particularly. And we asked for
40:04 up to $50,000 in fee waivers from the parks and recreation
40:10 department of the county. That was approved. So right now
40:14 that’s where we are. We know that the games are now coming.
40:20 The governor will be here tomorrow to do a press conference
40:23 at 10 o’clock at Viera Regional Park. And of course you’re all
40:27 invited to that. But we’re very excited about it. It’s a huge
40:32 economic generator. It’s a huge job generator for us. And it’s
40:36 something that we really need right now in a time post COVID
40:40 of an economic downturn. » Peter, I appreciate your
40:44 conversation and giving us an update. I think where Mrs.
40:47 McDougall was questioning is that there’s an actual MOU that
40:52 we’ve been exchanging. And Ms. McDougall, did you want to ask
40:56 that question directly to him so that I didn’t speak for you?
41:00 » Yes, I have a couple of questions. Can you refresh my
41:03 memory of when these games will be held?
41:06 » Yes. And they’re targeting the last week of July and the
41:09 first week of August. And we haven’t nailed down all the
41:14 dates yet because it really will depend on which sports will be
41:18 coming. That’s a bit fluid. So once we know that, then we’ll
41:21 be able to lock down exactly what facilities are needed and
41:24 when they’re needed by. » So what I’m hearing, which you
41:28 added up some numbers here, so I just want to make sure I
41:31 understand. So we had $50,000 towards the track. Where is the
41:35 30,000 that Sheriff Ivey is throwing in? Is that going to be
41:39 part of the track also? And then you talked about your 20,000
41:44 from the TTC budget. Is that all going towards our facility
41:48 track? » The 20,000 from our budget and
41:51 the 30,000 from the sheriff will be going to any operational
41:55 expenses that the AAU will incur in order to hold the games here.
42:01 There are a lot of expenses related to bringing in judges
42:06 and umpires, things like that. So there’s travel expenses.
42:12 There are fees that they pay some of those people. So it’s
42:17 going to offset some of their expenses, their hard costs in
42:21 terms of the operations of the games themselves.
42:24 » Okay. So looking at the MOU, it appears that we can’t charge
42:29 anything. That – and then we – you are – the commissioners
42:33 putting in a commission said they would give 50,000 towards
42:36 our track. Well, our track, if I’m looking at the figures, is
42:40 this correct, like 400,000? Is that what it is? I’m just
42:43 curious where that money is coming from. We are in a very
42:46 tight area right now, money wise, as you well know. But
42:50 on top of that, I look at my two schools that also could use a
42:55 new track, and I – this is not quite equitable. I understand
43:01 the benefit for our county. I do. I understand it. We have
43:06 been hit very hard. But at the same time, what do I tell Cocoa
43:10 Beach residents when they’ve been wanting a track forever?
43:13 What do I tell Merritt Island who couldn’t borrow money from
43:16 us and loan back like another school was able to do? I am
43:19 concerned about that. So I just want to know where we’re getting
43:24 another $350,000, and how are we going to pay for this?
43:27 Ms. McDougall, for all fairness, he is, with the TDC, the actual
43:31 amount of money that we would allocate is going to be broken
43:34 down by Ms. Han, and where that all – he doesn’t have access
43:37 to numbers. He doesn’t have access to –
43:39 I just want him to know what the ramifications are for my
43:42 district and people in my district.
43:44 And I would love to answer those questions. As I said, as
43:47 far as the equity and the tracks and all the other pieces, but I
43:51 don’t think Mr. Cranis is here for that portion of the
43:54 discussion. They made a philosophical decision to make the
43:57 era the target not for any other reason, but it has one of the
44:01 best facilities. They have the best size as far as a track, and
44:05 they also have the money that has already been raised already
44:08 in hand for the rubberization that needed to be taken place.
44:11 That was their justification behind that. And that’s it. And
44:14 so I can talk to those facts here in a minute. But, Mr.
44:18 Cranis, I was more concerned about the MOU because Ms.
44:21 McDougall was speaking directly to the MOU and some of the
44:24 concessions and stuff like that, which is a great point. Is that
44:28 more of an AAU conversation with Mr. Buchanan, or can you speak
44:32 to what the school district is allowed to collect based upon
44:36 these games?
44:37 Sure. Yeah, I can speak to the MOU because we wrote that from
44:41 our county attorney’s office. So we had our county attorney
44:45 assist us with drafting that contract, that interlocal, if
44:49 you will. We’ve done many of those. They’re very common in
44:53 terms of when we provide grant money to different entities for
44:57 capital facilities particularly. That’s how that MOU was drafted
45:01 with that intent. It’s really meant to define what the school
45:05 board is agreeing to do and then what the school board is
45:09 agreeing to do and then what the CDC is willing to do.
45:13 As far as the facility rentals, that is the request that’s in
45:20 that contract is to grant the AAU access to facilities with no
45:26 fees associated with those facility usage. That’s exactly
45:33 what the county has done as well. We approved up to $50,000
45:37 in waiver of fees for all of our parks venues that will be
45:42 utilized as part of this. That was the same. Basically we’re
45:46 doing it, so we’re asking the school board to do the same.
45:49 Ms. Daskovich, I believe you had questions for Mr. Kranos.
45:52 I need some clarification. Is there two sets of $50,000, 30
45:57 from the sheriff, 20 from the TDC, and an additional $50,000
46:01 for operational expenses or there’s just a $50,000?
46:04 Correct. There’s $50,000 that we’re providing for the track.
46:08 That comes from our capital facilities fund. Then there was
46:12 an additional ask from the AAU of another $50,000 in operational
46:18 expenses of which, as it turned out, we’re providing 20 of that
46:23 and the sheriff is providing 30.
46:25 Okay. When I was taking notes, I wrote down an extra. I had 50
46:29 for Viera, 50 in operational, and then I had 30 and 20. That
46:33 second 50 is wrong. You said some of those operational
46:37 expenses will be things like umpires and such. If we don’t
46:41 charge facility use agreements, is there a potential for any of
46:45 those funds to go towards janitorial services and things of
46:48 that nature that our district is going to have to provide?
46:51 That is definitely a possibility. I would let Mr. Buchanan speak
46:56 to that because he’s very familiar with what expenses they
47:00 typically incur and what he believes those costs are going to
47:04 be, but I’m certainly open to that.
47:07 Is anyone opposed to holding it at the satellite track if there’s
47:13 issues that we can’t work out getting the Viera track ready in
47:17 time?
47:18 That would be a Stewart Buchanan kind of conversation. We can’t
47:22 speak to him if that’s their AAU. They would have the ability to
47:26 have that as a possibility, but I think that in the event he can
47:31 explain the reason behind why they came with Viera before
47:35 satellite and everything else.
47:37 It makes sense, but if that’s the last straw and that’s what’s
47:41 holding us back ultimately from going through this, if we think
47:45 everything else is fine but we just can’t get there because the
47:49 quote’s too high, I just want to know, are they opposed to doing
47:53 it over there?
47:54 » I think they’re going to have to do it over there.
48:54 » I assume those funds would be forfeited as well.
48:57 » Yes, ma’am.
48:59 » And the other question that I had is there – in the MOU,
49:05 you’ve addressed the facility use fees, I think,
49:08 but there’s also a requirement that any time that we advertise
49:13 events,
49:16 that we would have to list the TDC as a sponsor.
49:20 Is that same requirement being passed – I guess my concern is
49:25 we’re not hosting the event.
49:27 So we don’t have control over who the AAU is listing or the
49:32 Junior Olympics
49:33 or however all of that works is listing as sponsors.
49:37 » Sure. So that also is a standard clause in our contracts with
49:40 capital facilities.
49:43 What we would ask is that a sign be posted near or in front of
49:49 the facility that was constructed,
49:52 acknowledging that in part the facility was constructed with TDC
49:56 funding.
49:58 So that’s what that clause refers to.
50:00 Again, that’s the standard clause that we do with all our
50:02 capital facilities grants.
50:04 » Okay. And then the other question that I have, the discussion
50:07 from the county commission
50:10 indicated that, if I recall correctly, Viera High School was
50:13 only short $25,000
50:18 from the cost of the track.
50:20 And Mr. Susan made a commitment at that meeting that the
50:24 district would be willing to cover
50:26 anything that – they were anticipating $25,000 in a fundraiser,
50:32 and if they fell short of that, that the district would cover
50:34 those dollars.
50:36 The MOU reads specifically that the district will be willing to
50:40 cover whatever additional dollars there are,
50:44 not just the gap in that fundraiser, correct?
50:47 » Correct.
50:49 » Okay.
50:50 » If I can speak to that, the conversation that was going back
50:52 and forth about the actual fundraiser
50:55 was that in the event that they did not make the actual
50:57 fundraiser,
50:59 the county commission was concerned about us not being able to
51:02 make it.
51:03 And that’s why they put in the Reverter Clause of the $50,000.
51:07 The intent of the conversation was not to have the school
51:10 district make up the difference
51:13 of a fundraiser for Viera. That would never be.
51:15 So if that was communicated, I apologize for that.
51:18 What it was is there was a hang up over how much money was
51:19 already in hand for this fundraiser.
51:23 And the fundraiser was supposed to finish out on July 15th, and
51:25 so everybody was moving so fast.
51:27 And the question was, is if we only have $10,000 in right now
51:30 from the fundraiser,
51:32 can you get to the final fundraiser at the $25,000?
51:35 The conversation was there might be an opportunity that the
51:37 school itself may be able to pay for that,
51:40 not the district. And I apologize if that was communicated that
51:43 way.
51:44 Viera High School has internal athletic funds that they can use
51:47 in the event that they wanted to make up a gap.
51:50 And that would be up to them again, not myself, but the school
51:53 district to communicate and do those things.
51:55 So that was the conversation.
51:57 Since then, the Viera Crust Eat My Crust 5K has not only hit
51:59 their mark,
52:01 but they’ve now exceeded it and they’re into the green– they’re
52:03 into the other side.
52:05 So that’s no longer a moot conversation.
52:07 They’re also extending it to July 1st instead of being June 15th.
52:12 They’re bringing the funds, if we approve, to do this down to
52:14 the school district so that they can move forward.
52:18 And then they’re going to fundraise from here for the rest of
52:20 the time
52:21 to offset the cost of the actual other expenses that have been
52:24 incurred.
52:26 So I apologize if it sounded like the school district would do
52:28 that because that was not the intent.
52:31 I just want to say that internal school funds sometimes, when
52:33 they have them, they’ll make up that gap.
52:36 So if I could clarify that piece.
52:39 » Ms. King.
52:40 » Ms. Belfort, I don’t necessarily have a question for our
52:42 guest,
52:43 but I just would like to make a comment on what we’re talking
52:45 about right now.
52:47 Is it– I’d really love to hear from Ms. Han sooner rather than
52:49 later.
52:50 But it concerns me greatly that we have this MOU with the clause
52:53 that says,
52:54 “If we don’t get it done, this doesn’t happen.”
52:57 If that was the wrong hook for the $50,000, when we’re– like if
53:01 we vote on Tuesday, I looked at the calendar.
53:03 The six weeks, that’s all there is.
53:06 You know, the six weeks puts us out, I believe, to July the 28th
53:09 or somewhere in that window.
53:12 There’s no leeway.
53:14 And we’re in the rainy season and hurricane season and I just am
53:18 not super comfortable with the idea
53:22 of signing ourselves to that commitment of that particular track
53:25 and expending those funds with so little wiggle room.
53:30 So I’d really love to hear from Ms. Han so we can– ‘cause we
53:33 have a lot of really important– this is important.
53:35 We have a lot of really important things I don’t want to get sidetracked
53:37 off of.
53:39 I mean, I’m willing to stay till whenever, maybe with a short
53:41 lunch break.
53:42 But I would like us to keep moving through this if we can.
53:47 » Can we answer Ms. McDougall?
53:50 » Mr. Kranus, the question was on the table.
53:53 We want– if we want– one of the main points in this discussion
53:56 is that our athletic budgets,
53:58 which have been decimated from not being able to fundraise and
54:00 quite frankly,
54:01 they’re not even sure if they can even host some of the
54:03 operational things that they’re supposed to do.
54:06 They’re looking for the concessions, parking, those kind of
54:08 things.
54:10 And Ms. McDougall raised a great point that if in the event we’re
54:13 not able to get those funds,
54:16 then the argument that this is helping our athletic programs is
54:20 moot.
54:21 Is it the intent of the TDC and the AAU to not give us the
54:24 concessions
54:26 or the parking and those kind of externalities?
54:28 Can you speak specifically to that because I think that’s the
54:30 question that we’ve been asking?
54:33 Or if Mr. Buchanan–
54:34 » Yeah, I mean, I think honestly, I think that’s a question
54:37 Beth asked of Mr. Buchanan.
54:40 We obviously, as a TDC, we’re, you know, a local organization.
54:44 We would be happy for revenue to be generated to the local
54:48 schools from this.
54:51 But ultimately, Mr. Buchanan and the AAU control the gains and
54:54 would be the one to respond to that question.
54:58 » Can we ask before Ms. Suhan comes on just rusty to give us
55:01 those quick answers?
55:04 Is that OK?
55:05 Can we do that?
55:06 I know that we’re trying to push through but that– to me, that’s
55:08 a huge deal.
55:09 Like if we’re not getting the concessions and we’re not getting
55:11 those kind of things,
55:12 then I can’t make an argument why to impact our entire schools.
55:16 Does that make sense to you?
55:17 » Do we have any additional questions for Mr. Cranis before we
55:19 transition to Mr. Buchanan for two questions?
55:22 Thank you for your time, Mr. Cranis.
55:24 Is Mr. Buchanan available?
55:26 » Thank you very much.
55:27 I believe he is and I think the phone number is–
55:32 » Mr. Cranis, don’t repeat rusty cell phone over the phone.
55:36 This is being streamed live.
55:37 We’re going to call him.
55:38 We have his phone number.
55:39 Thank you.
55:40 » OK, perfect, perfect.
55:41 Thank you very much.
55:42 I appreciate your time.
55:43 » Thank you.
55:44 » Thank you, Peter.
56:13 » Ms. Rusty?
56:14 » Hi, Mr. Buchanan.
56:15 This is Ms. Steve Alford, the chair of the school board.
56:17 Thank you so much for joining us this morning.
56:19 » Oh, no, I appreciate– I appreciate you guys kind of
56:21 squeezing this in.
56:23 Thank you so much for listening.
56:24 » Absolutely.
56:25 So we have two quick questions for you.
56:27 Ms. Duskovich, do you want to repeat your question regarding the
56:30 operational funds going towards janitorial?
56:33 » Or you can just–
56:35 » So, Mr. Buchanan, one of the questions that came up was in
56:35 lieu of the request for us to waive our–
56:40 of the request for us to waive our facility use fees.
56:44 Would there be a consideration on your part of the 50,000 that
56:47 you all are getting for operational costs
56:52 for some of that to be allocated toward our district expenses
56:55 for additional janitorial services, et cetera?
57:00 » Well, what I would say is certainly janitorial services are a
57:03 key component.
57:05 For it to be a good deal needs to be a good deal for everyone.
57:08 But I was listening out here in the courtyard to your
57:11 conversations and absolutely we would pay janitorial stuff.
57:15 I mean that’s an expense, that’s an operating expense and I
57:16 would not want the district to have to bear any of that burden.
57:21 As far as concession goes, absolutely, 100% concessions belong
57:25 back to whichever schools that we decide we can use in this.
57:29 And I have had some very good conversation.
57:31 I didn’t have a nice conversation supporting with Chris Moore
57:33 trying to walk through what those possible needs would look like.
57:37 I will give you a little update if you’d like.
57:39 And as far as parking, traditionally no one is ever charged for
57:42 parking with this event other than some of the big convention
57:46 centers that this event typically goes to.
57:49 So yes, that would be a revenue source for the schools as well.
57:54 So yes, we would pay for custodial.
57:57 Yes, you get the concessions and yes, if you wanted to charge
57:59 for parking at those schools, that’s certainly not an issue.
58:03 And if you’ll just bear with me for just one minute and let me
58:06 just tell you why I’m even here.
58:09 Everybody’s got their own reasons.
58:11 I know Peter and Giles are here because of the economic impact
58:14 that this would have.
58:16 This event started in 1967, Hubert Humphrey started the Junior
58:19 Olympic Games, everybody’s probably heard of them.
58:22 And it’s traditionally gone to big cities, Houston, Detroit,
58:26 Greensboro, and those cities pay an exorbitant amount of money
58:30 in a bid fee.
58:32 The cash and amenities package just to get the games in their
58:35 community is around a million dollars.
58:38 And they typically have an operating budget of three or four
58:40 million dollars.
58:42 And they have two or three years to prepare for this.
58:46 But what happened was as Virginia Beach and Norfolk State said
58:51 we’ve got concerns over our venues and our governor’s office not
58:56 being supportive, we don’t think we can do this.
59:00 So the option was do nothing and allow this whole program to not
59:06 go forward for a year, piecemeal it out to different places
59:10 around the country, or try to do something.
59:14 And let me just, if you’ll bear with me one minute, I’ve been
59:17 involved in sports my whole life.
59:20 Prior to the Atlanta Olympic Games, we did the torch run through
59:23 the state of Florida and we coordinated that.
59:26 And President Bush sent me a very nice letter afterwards and he
59:29 said, you know, sports is such a key component to young kids’
59:32 lives.
59:34 We learn through sports life lessons. We learn teamwork, sportsmanship,
59:38 fair play, goal setting, hard work, and reward.
59:42 They may not be professional athletes, but they’ll be
59:44 professionals at something, and those sports lessons will serve
59:47 them well in their adult life.
59:49 And for almost 25, 30 years now, that had kind of been my mantra.
59:56 Sports is a tool for our children.
59:58 Well, I’ve done a lot of work with the United States State
1:00:00 Department in diplomatic sports missions. I did one in
1:00:03 Afghanistan in 2012.
1:00:05 Two years ago I did one to the Republic of Kosovo.
1:00:08 And I’m talking with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, and I’m
1:00:11 trying to be as intelligent as I can and smart as I can and talk
1:00:15 about these life lessons through sport.
1:00:18 And he stopped me and he said, you know, sports has a unique
1:00:20 platform to literally change the world because when kids are
1:00:24 playing sports, they don’t see their differences, they see the
1:00:27 sport.
1:00:28 He said, read Nelson Mandela and change your mantra that sports
1:00:31 through children have the ability to change the world generationally.
1:00:36 So my motivation is a little different. I get a paycheck from
1:00:40 the AAU every two weeks.
1:00:42 I need to be trying to cram what is a two-year process with a
1:00:45 lot of money into something like this.
1:00:49 But I felt it was at least my mission to reach out and see, did
1:00:51 I have solid partners that thought that this opportunity come
1:00:55 together in Brevard?
1:00:57 It did once before. In 1996, we moved it here after Houston had
1:01:01 some issues.
1:01:03 So I’m back in the mix, not because I want to be, but I feel
1:01:05 like I probably have to be, so I did reach out and said, I can’t
1:01:09 do this by myself.
1:01:11 I asked the tourist development council and they said, we’re all
1:01:13 in, we’ll support it.
1:01:15 I went to the Board of County Commissioners and said, we’re all
1:01:17 in, we’ll support it.
1:01:19 The sheriff, we’re all in, we’ll support it.
1:01:21 And a piece of this that we haven’t really talked about is the
1:01:23 Sunshine State Games, which brings the governor’s component into
1:01:27 that.
1:01:28 There will be opportunity for all of our kids locally to compete
1:01:32 in the AAU Junior Olympic Games without having to qualify.
1:01:38 And that part’s going to be managed by the Sunshine State Games,
1:01:40 so we got the buy-in from the governor.
1:01:43 So I appreciate you indulging me at least why I’m here.
1:01:48 I sure don’t need this headache, but I felt it was my mission to
1:01:51 at least see if it was possible and it’s doable.
1:01:56 What would my ask be? We need a track.
1:01:59 Viera would be perfect. It would be a beautiful place. It would
1:02:03 be the absolute pinnacle of a brand new facility.
1:02:07 But our track and field committee and some other folks said, you
1:02:10 know, what if it’s not ready, what if it rains, what if it’s –
1:02:12 we need a fallback.
1:02:14 We need a number two spot. Yes, we did look at satellite.
1:02:17 And if Viera, for some reason, were not ready or the funding did
1:02:20 not work, satellite is a possibility.
1:02:24 And as I think Mr. Susan said, we’re also looking at maybe Holy
1:02:28 Trinity or MCC.
1:02:30 We’d prefer to use satellite because we’d like those funds that
1:02:34 we mentioned to go back to those partners with the school board.
1:02:39 We do need gymnasiums. And Dr. Mullen spoke about the
1:02:42 possibility of bringing basketball.
1:02:45 It has not been formally announced yet, but the summer national
1:02:48 championships in basketball
1:02:52 that are traditionally at ESPN Wide World of Sports will be
1:02:54 displaced because the NBA is moving in there.
1:02:58 So we have an opportunity to bring in an additional component of
1:03:01 basketball.
1:03:03 And when I spoke on the phone this morning with the facilities
1:03:06 folks,
1:03:07 we did say that the ask would potentially include some gymnasiums
1:03:10 for basketball, maybe four or five for four or five days.
1:03:15 So our total ask from the school board would be a track.
1:03:20 And then gymnasiums, depending on how we do the schedule and
1:03:24 what was available,
1:03:27 we have not even began to go through that process yet.
1:03:30 But it would be anywhere from four to seven gymnasiums for
1:03:34 somewhere between five to seven days.
1:03:39 And of course, obviously, we would ask you guys to partner with
1:03:42 us just like everyone else has.
1:03:45 So I appreciate your indulging me, but that’s kind of my reason
1:03:49 for being here and answering your two questions.
1:03:54 Thank you, Mr. Buchanan. I have one additional question for you.
1:03:57 Do you all charge entry fees for people attending the games?
1:04:01 There is an entry fee. Traditionally, that has gone back to the
1:04:05 support committee that’s hosting the event for their operational
1:04:08 expenses.
1:04:10 Because this is kind of a combination between Sunshine State
1:04:14 games and the AAU, we’ve not really discussed how that division
1:04:19 would work.
1:04:21 But typically, those dollars go back just into the operations of
1:04:24 whatever sports committee is putting on that event.
1:04:28 And they are tremendous expenses. The timing equipment alone for
1:04:32 this event is $20,000 to rent.
1:04:36 That’s the – I mean, it’s just insane the amount of expenses
1:04:39 involved with this.
1:04:41 Thank you, Mr. Buchanan. Do any additional board members have
1:04:44 questions for Mr. Buchanan?
1:04:46 All right. Thank you so much for taking the time out to answer
1:04:47 our questions today.
1:04:49 We appreciate it, Mr. Buchanan. Have a great day.
1:04:52 Thank you.
1:04:53 Board members, is it your wish to have Ms. Han answer questions
1:04:56 on funding at this point?
1:04:59 Yes, please.
1:05:00 Thank you, Ms. Eskemar.
1:05:19 Thank you.
1:05:38 No routes found.
1:05:40 [ Inaudible ]
1:06:04 I’ve been in conversation with Mr. Buchanan about that and I
1:06:06 have more information I need to share with the board.
1:06:09 Yeah. But I have – well, I need – that’s the other piece that
1:06:13 I have for this whole thing.
1:06:16 [ Inaudible ]
1:06:35 Hi.
1:06:36 Hello, Ms. Han. Thank you for joining us.
1:06:38 Board members, I had some questions for you regarding the track
1:06:42 situation at Viera.
1:06:44 I think Ms. Campbell, you were the one to initially request –
1:06:47 Yeah. I just – if you could just – the email that was printed
1:06:51 and given to us with the most recent quote,
1:06:55 and then just if you could speak to the timing concerns.
1:06:59 Yes, ma’am. If you don’t mind, I’d like to walk through that
1:07:02 email and just kind of give you the perspective
1:07:05 on how we got to this particular proposal from Morton Smith.
1:07:10 As you know, this is a super tight schedule.
1:07:12 So I think the project initially started with, hey, what does it
1:07:15 cost to rubberize the track?
1:07:17 And so there was some numbers floating around in the $200,000
1:07:20 range.
1:07:21 However, as we started to look at the current condition of the
1:07:24 track,
1:07:25 it makes absolutely no sense to rubberize the track given its
1:07:28 current condition.
1:07:30 The track was rated fair back in 2018.
1:07:33 However, there’s recently been a sprinkler break that affected
1:07:38 the track surface, so it’s had to be patched.
1:07:41 So that – the track is not – it is in a condition where we
1:07:48 should not be rubberizing the surface
1:07:50 without resurfacing the track.
1:07:53 So given that, we were talking about how we could actually
1:07:56 implement this project in such a quick timeframe.
1:08:01 And in my professional opinion, the only way to really do that
1:08:04 is to engage Morton Smith, who is already on site.
1:08:09 They’re doing the Viera High School facility renewal project.
1:08:13 So we asked them to develop a proposal to actually execute the
1:08:18 project as a design builder.
1:08:22 In that way, they are bringing in the designer, who we actually
1:08:25 need to do design plans for the resurfacing
1:08:29 and the rubberization so that there is a standard against which
1:08:31 the performance of the subcontractors are measured.
1:08:36 So we’ll need design drawings for that. We also need design
1:08:38 drawings for permitting.
1:08:40 So that is incorporated into their proposal as part of their
1:08:43 work as a design builder.
1:08:46 There is a component in the proposal to resurface the track.
1:08:50 So that is a milling where basically you chew up the existing
1:08:53 asphalt and you lay down a new surface.
1:08:56 There is a component then that is to rubberize the track.
1:09:00 There are two different proposals for rubberizing the track.
1:09:04 You’ll see those on pages three and four.
1:09:07 Page three’s proposal is cheaper. That is a pervious surface,
1:09:11 meaning that water can seep through the surface.
1:09:14 Page four, that is an impervious surface. It’s about $60,000
1:09:18 more.
1:09:20 That is a better, long-lasting solution, but it also takes a
1:09:24 little bit longer to get that second impervious coding done on
1:09:28 the track.
1:09:30 So either solution will work. From a long-term maintenance
1:09:34 perspective, that initial investment of $60,000 up front,
1:09:38 if we can do it within the time frame, is a better long-term
1:09:40 solution.
1:09:42 Both proposals offer a five-year warranty. So either way we go
1:09:46 on the rubberization offers a five-year warranty.
1:09:50 So the proposal from Morton Smith is a not to exceed proposal.
1:09:54 It’s kind of a standard proposal similar to what you see for our
1:09:58 other construction projects.
1:10:00 It includes the resurfacing, the rubberization, and then the
1:10:03 normal and customary project management expenses.
1:10:10 Included in that proposal is some temporary protection in the
1:10:13 event that there’s light rain,
1:10:17 but I am also concerned if we have a significant amount of
1:10:20 rainfall in the next six weeks, that certainly is going to
1:10:23 impact our ability to deliver the track,
1:10:26 which causes me to share the Board’s concern about the $50,000
1:10:30 Reverter Clause.
1:10:32 I think once we make the commitment to do the track, that $50,000
1:10:36 needs to be part of the equation
1:10:39 because we can’t control the weather any more than the CDC can
1:10:41 control the weather,
1:10:43 and we have made that commitment to provide the track within the
1:10:46 best of our abilities,
1:10:48 and we have essentially stood up the team to be able to deliver
1:10:52 this in the time that the AAU needs the track completed.
1:10:57 In terms of the funding, my understanding as of today is we have
1:11:01 about $210,000 available to us.
1:11:05 That includes $143,000 that the school has raised, an additional
1:11:10 $17,000 in commitments from the high school’s fundraising arm,
1:11:16 and then the $50,000 from the CDC.
1:11:19 My understanding is that there’s ongoing fundraising, so there
1:11:22 may be additional resources,
1:11:24 but in terms of where we stand today, that feels to me like the
1:11:26 commitment that’s available.
1:11:29 So if we’re working from an estimate of doing the impervious
1:11:34 track of about $500,000,
1:11:38 that leaves us with about $290,000 that would fall on the school
1:11:42 district.
1:11:44 So in looking at our cash flow abilities, I can support that
1:11:49 investment based on previously allocated capital funds to
1:11:53 Facilities Department.
1:11:56 Now, this time of year, I typically will save my capital
1:11:58 resources in the event that I have facilities issues that come
1:12:03 up
1:12:04 that need to be addressed, usually as part of our construction
1:12:07 projects,
1:12:08 and you’ll see some of those on your agenda for June 16th, where
1:12:12 we – and when we get into our facility projects,
1:12:15 there’s something that happens, and we need to put $100,000 or $200,000
1:12:18 towards a project.
1:12:20 So I have the cash flow available to be able to support that.
1:12:26 From the perspective of actually funding the plan to fund the
1:12:28 project,
1:12:29 I had looked at the capital outlay worksheet that we discussed
1:12:32 at the board workshop a week or so, a couple weeks ago.
1:12:37 I believe that Pam handed a copy out to you, and our plan was
1:12:41 for the anticipated $500,000 coming into the school district
1:12:48 over the 96% collection rate that we would first allocate
1:12:52 resources towards the O’Gally locker room AC project.
1:12:57 In looking at the proposal for that project and talking with our
1:12:59 contractor, we are not going to be able to execute that project
1:13:05 quickly because it involves tearing out ceilings, and there’s a
1:13:08 lot of work that really can’t be done when school is in session,
1:13:11 coupled with what I understand to be about a 12-week material
1:13:17 lead time. So I won’t need the cash for the O’Gally locker room
1:13:20 project for quite some time, and therefore I can support the
1:13:24 track if the board chooses to move forward with this,
1:13:30 with my current cash available, and then as the revenue comes in
1:13:35 for next year, I’ll be able to execute the O’Gally project as
1:13:39 well.
1:13:40 So that would be the funding plan to basically insert this track
1:13:45 project into the mix for the capital allocation out of next year’s
1:13:50 budget,
1:13:51 but I do have the cash flow to support it this year if the board
1:13:53 would like to move forward with it.
1:13:56 » Can I–
1:13:57 » Board members have additional questions for Ms. Han.
1:13:59 » Can I– real quick.
1:14:00 » Are you questioning or are you getting additional information?
1:14:02 » Ms. Han.
1:14:03 » Okay.
1:14:04 » Ms. Han, in your indication–
1:14:06 » Yes, sir.
1:14:07 » I think a lot of us, including me, don’t ever want to put the
1:14:11 district in a position where we’re on the hook for $50,000 that,
1:14:15 you know,
1:14:17 because we didn’t get across the finish line. In your
1:14:18 conversation with Wharton Smith, what is their level of
1:14:22 confidence that they could get this project done?
1:14:26 » The level of confidence is very high other than the weather.
1:14:30 So if we have significant weather events, that’s– we won’t make
1:14:35 it.
1:14:36 And I just want to be brutally honest about that and I feel, you
1:14:40 know, a little bit uncomfortable taking that risk on–
1:14:43 fully on the school board side based on the fact that this
1:14:46 project has come to us so late in the game.
1:14:50 This is really the only way to get it done and we’ve got the
1:14:53 team in place to do it, Mr. Stusen,
1:14:56 but if there’s significant weather where they can’t work on the
1:14:59 track, that will impact our ability to deliver the track.
1:15:05 » Thank you, Ms. Han. I’m finished. Thank you.
1:15:07 » I have a question.
1:15:08 » Ms. Deskovich.
1:15:10 » Ms. Han, can you tell me a couple of things? I’m pretty sure
1:15:13 I know the answer but I just want to be sure.
1:15:16 The quote that we received from AstroTurf Corporation was around
1:15:19 200,000 and that’s because we– they didn’t–
1:15:23 which is strange. Did they go out and not realize that the track
1:15:25 underneath was in bad shape?
1:15:28 Why is that one 200,000 and Wharton Smith is 400,000? That’s the
1:15:31 question number one.
1:15:33 » Well, if you look at the Wharton Smith proposal on page three,
1:15:38 the rubberized track surface is about 200,000.
1:15:44 So it is just the quote– the subcontractor quote to do the
1:15:48 rubberization.
1:15:50 » Okay. I just wanted to clarify and make that– make sure that
1:15:53 was a true statement before we moved ahead on some of this.
1:15:57 The next question is, is the satellite high track impervious or
1:16:02 which one of these quotes,
1:16:04 the 423 or the 493 closely resembles what satellite high has?
1:16:09 » I would have to tell you I don’t know at this point. I
1:16:11 anticipated someone would ask that question
1:16:14 and I just did not have a chance to run it down this morning.
1:16:17 » Can I speak to that real quick? I can–
1:16:19 » Sure.
1:16:20 » So your satellite, as far as impervious and non-impervious, I’m
1:16:22 not sure,
1:16:23 but the satellite track is what’s known as a latex finish. What
1:16:27 Vieira was saving for is a polyurethane finish.
1:16:29 And the reason for that is, is that the reconditioning, kind of
1:16:31 what astronauts going through,
1:16:34 process is much more expensive on the back end for your latex
1:16:37 finish.
1:16:39 So they were raising the extra amount that they needed to get to
1:16:41 the polyurethane.
1:16:43 » Okay. And the polyurethane makes it impervious. That would
1:16:45 make sense.
1:16:46 » I don’t know. No, no, no. I don’t know the difference between
1:16:47 impervious or pervious.
1:16:49 Like that piece I don’t know. But I do know that the finish that
1:16:52 they were going to is replica of some of the college, school,
1:16:55 everything else.
1:16:57 So they wanted that higher piece. There was another conversation
1:16:59 where you spoke to the difference in the quotes.
1:17:05 So there’s a little bit of a difference is that Ms. Han, and
1:17:08 rightfully so, wanted to bring in a general contractor to
1:17:11 oversee it
1:17:13 so that she could get the project in the amount of time.
1:17:17 That quote that you had from that company is them working as the
1:17:20 general contractor.
1:17:22 Meaning that they would come in, they would do the work and
1:17:23 everything else.
1:17:25 So your original quote is like roughly around $200,000 and the
1:17:28 milling and all that stuff is 134.
1:17:31 And they do tracks everywhere else, but they have not done a
1:17:34 track this fast before.
1:17:36 So I think Ms. Han, rightfully so, brought Wharton Smith in,
1:17:38 which increased the amount of cost.
1:17:41 But it was so that we could solidify it.
1:17:44 So if you’re looking at the difference between the two quotes, I
1:17:47 think that part of it is, is that rightfully so,
1:17:50 Ms. Suhan brought in Wharton Smith to try to solidify it as
1:17:53 strong because they’re a great partner of ours
1:17:56 and they can get the project done, if that makes sense to you.
1:17:58 » It does. So Ms. Han, my next question is are you–
1:18:02 I can’t remember if you were in your position when we put the
1:18:04 satellite track in.
1:18:06 But how much did the district– because I think it’s important
1:18:09 because of the things Ms. McDougall brought up,
1:18:12 that it’s equitable. How much did the district put in towards
1:18:17 the satellite track originally and then through matching funds?
1:18:21 Do you know that and do you know the breakout of that?
1:18:24 » Let’s see. The school, I believe, chipped in about 73,000,
1:18:30 satellite high track club, 45,000,
1:18:35 City of Indian Harbor, 5,000, Delora, 5,000. The SIP matching
1:18:43 funds, they went through that process which is in the fall.
1:18:46 So it’s not timely enough for this particular project. It was
1:18:49 about 25,000.
1:18:52 City of Satellite Beach contributed 30,000. So it was a
1:18:57 community investment as well.
1:19:03 » But did the district resurface because a good portion of this
1:19:06 new quote is resurfacing.
1:19:08 And I feel like I remember when we did this that the district
1:19:10 said they were going to pay for the resurfacing
1:19:13 because that was maintenance to what was there.
1:19:15 But then the community, et cetera, needed to come up with what
1:19:18 it was to rubberize it
1:19:20 because the district wasn’t going to take that on because it
1:19:22 wasn’t equal to the other.
1:19:24 So–
1:19:25 » Yes, that is correct. We paid for the resurfacing.
1:19:30 » And in every case that we’ve ever done with any enhancement,
1:19:33 it has never been upon the responsibility of the school
1:19:36 to pay for the enhancement piece like that. We’ve always given
1:19:39 the base.
1:19:40 So we’ve always– so like satellite was 100 and it actually was
1:19:43 about $30,000 less
1:19:46 because they have the latex as opposed to the polyurethane.
1:19:49 And– but when I talked to Coach Butler about it because this
1:19:52 was–
1:19:53 I mean I literally tried to do as much, you know, ‘cause of
1:19:55 equity, I wanted to know all the questions.
1:19:57 He said they raised inwards of about $176,000 and that the
1:20:00 district took care of the rest of it.
1:20:02 But if you remember, there was also the expansion of two extra
1:20:04 lanes there.
1:20:06 There was extra work that was needed.
1:20:08 And I don’t know that exact number of the delta that the
1:20:11 district paid for but just like Suhan– Ms. Han said–
1:20:14 » I’m trying to compare apples to apples.
1:20:16 » Sure.
1:20:17 » Like we can’t give Viera $190,000.
1:20:19 » That’s a molotov.
1:20:20 » You have that information, Doctor?
1:20:21 » Yeah, we went back to the board agenda item and the board
1:20:25 committed an additional–
1:20:28 in addition to the school initiated project matching funds which
1:20:31 was 25,000,
1:20:33 the board approved an additional $25,000 that came from the
1:20:36 federally connected allocation
1:20:39 that have been set aside for special projects.
1:20:41 So the board contribution to that–
1:20:44 » But that– not to interrupt you but I do want to be clear on
1:20:46 that.
1:20:47 That was allocated funds that each individual board member had
1:20:51 to spend on our schools.
1:20:54 I know that sounds probably different to the public but the
1:20:57 board as a whole did not approve
1:20:59 that 25,000 going to satellite high track.
1:21:02 I chose to take the funds that– and I don’t want to get into
1:21:04 semantics here
1:21:06 but there’s a difference there because every board member here
1:21:08 besides the two that weren’t here
1:21:10 but that every board seat here spent that same amount of money
1:21:13 and chose where to spend it
1:21:16 if I would have chose to upgrade the gym or, you know, put more
1:21:20 workstations in,
1:21:22 satellite would not have gotten that 25,000 towards the track.
1:21:25 So sorry to interrupt you but I know there’s people watching
1:21:27 right now.
1:21:28 » Sure. No, I’m just going by the board agenda minutes that
1:21:30 were–
1:21:31 » That’s just a back story information.
1:21:34 I don’t– I just don’t feel like in my apples to apples at that
1:21:36 25,000 is apples that the board
1:21:39 as a whole said we want to take district general fund–
1:21:42 general capital funds and take them over.
1:21:44 » It was very clearly specific funds from that designated pot
1:21:48 of money,
1:21:49 that is– that’s my understanding as well.
1:21:51 » OK.
1:21:52 » And those pieces as we move forward were to make up the delta
1:21:55 to get to the rubberization portion
1:21:58 of it, not to pay for what the milling in the surface was done.
1:22:02 » So the question is do you, Dr. Mullins or Ms. Han, if you’re
1:22:04 still on it,
1:22:05 know what the cost is to repave it before– because the district
1:22:08 paid for that for satellite.
1:22:11 » I believe– Ms. Han, are you still on the phone?
1:22:13 » I believe that’s the 130,000, 40,000 milling and reserve–
1:22:16 asphalt resurfacing.
1:22:18 Did I say million?
1:22:19 » That’s–
1:22:20 » 130,000.
1:22:21 » I know what you meant.
1:22:22 » OK.
1:22:23 » So, 130,000 for satellite, 190 is what you need for on top–
1:22:27 » Hold on.
1:22:28 » But can we count the 50,000?
1:22:30 » If I could interrupt you just to be clear.
1:22:33 The 134,000 in the Wharton-Smith proposal is the subcontractor
1:22:36 bid.
1:22:37 So, you would need to add on top of that all of the general
1:22:40 condition costs, bonds,
1:22:42 insurance and things like that.
1:22:44 So, top of my head, that’s probably in the 160,000, 170,000
1:22:49 dollar range fully burdened.
1:22:52 The satellite track, we paid 205,000 for the resurfacing and
1:22:55 then we added the two lanes
1:22:58 as Mr. Susan stated and that was funded by the school at 73,600.
1:23:07 » So, we’d be comparing the 205,000 to the 190, is that– does
1:23:10 that make sense?
1:23:12 Does everyone else see it that way or is it–
1:23:14 » And I did want to make it known that Viera did not ask when
1:23:17 they were–
1:23:19 when they were fundraising, they did not ask to use the district
1:23:22 match
1:23:23 which was afforded to satellite also.
1:23:25 Those families raised that extra.
1:23:27 So, when you look at the 50,000 dollar revert clause, 25 of that
1:23:31 normally,
1:23:32 if this was under normal conditions, they would have applied for
1:23:34 under the same auspice.
1:23:37 That’s all.
1:23:38 » Ms. Han, when you told me the funding originally, you said
1:23:42 143 Viera raised
1:23:45 and then I– the next one I got was 50,000 TDC but there was a
1:23:48 number in between there.
1:23:50 I didn’t catch that.
1:23:52 » There’s– I’ve understood Mr. Susan, perhaps you can speak to
1:23:55 this,
1:23:56 that there was another 17,000 that was raised by one of the
1:23:59 community partners to Viera High School.
1:24:03 » I– yes.
1:24:04 » In talking with Ms. Robinson.
1:24:06 » Ms. Robinson asked at an earlier date what the fundraiser was
1:24:10 and at that time,
1:24:12 it was 10,000 which made up 143,000.
1:24:16 Since then, yesterday, I asked Mike Acosta what the input was
1:24:20 for how much money
1:24:22 and they said they had now succeeded in delivering the 25,000
1:24:26 dollars total.
1:24:28 So, if you’re looking at what you see there, add another 17,000
1:24:31 dollars to that
1:24:33 and that’s where– so you add your 143 plus the 50 plus the 17
1:24:36 and that will cover the rubberization.
1:24:39 And I’ll just be honest with you, the fundraiser hasn’t finished
1:24:43 and the ultimate biggest portion of a fundraiser is the last
1:24:45 seven days.
1:24:47 So, there’s some other components to this, both Rockledge High
1:24:49 School is trying to get this track also
1:24:51 because they’re going to use it as a fundraising source.
1:24:54 There’s a community effort behind this, stuff that I wanted to
1:24:56 talk to.
1:24:57 But when you’re talking about them raising the money by
1:24:59 themselves for this,
1:25:02 they’ve made the delta for the rubberization minus the 50,000
1:25:05 dollars.
1:25:07 I would almost argue if given another two weeks, they could get
1:25:09 that 50,000 dollars too.
1:25:11 But they’re just working to try to get to that resurfacing.
1:25:14 That’s all.
1:25:15 » That’s all the questions I have right now, Ms. Belford.
1:25:17 » Ms. Belford.
1:25:19 » I’m just taking a look at our capital outlay worksheet, Ms.
1:25:22 Hand,
1:25:23 that we discussed at our workshop, our capital budget workshop.
1:25:28 And I’m seeing that we had five high school track resurfacing
1:25:33 projects listed there.
1:25:36 Four don’t have the condition astronaut has poor.
1:25:39 The four being Cocoa Beach, O’Gally, Mill High and Rockledge.
1:25:42 Are those failed tracks?
1:25:45 » Yes, ma’am.
1:25:46 » OK. So, here’s my concern board is that we’re talking about,
1:25:49 you know,
1:25:51 Ms. Hand says she has the money if we, you know, want to go this
1:25:57 direction,
1:25:59 because of the O’Gally locker room situation not being able to
1:26:00 be done this summer,
1:26:02 you know, pushing that off.
1:26:04 But my concern is, you know, when I look at this list that we
1:26:05 all looked at and agreed upon,
1:26:08 that if there– if the money is not to be used because it can’t
1:26:10 be used this summer,
1:26:12 that there is a host– there are a host of projects on this list
1:26:15 of things that need to be done.
1:26:17 And while at a certain time, the district has committed to funds
1:26:21 for track resurfacing,
1:26:23 our priorities are the ones that are failing now.
1:26:26 And so, I congratulate Vera for all the great work they’ve done
1:26:29 in getting their track done,
1:26:31 but I just don’t feel comfortable with us as a board leapfrogging
1:26:34 over these five schools
1:26:37 who have failing and poor tracks that need to be surfaced.
1:26:40 And we haven’t even committed funds to them yet because we don’t
1:26:42 have them to get this done at Vera.
1:26:45 We’re here for this wonderful event, but that we already have a
1:26:48 facility that if we host this,
1:26:51 can already today without worrying about weather,
1:26:54 without worrying about potentially losing $50,000,
1:26:57 without worrying about an equity issue of, you know, whether
1:27:00 they chose us or not, you know,
1:27:02 we have a school that’s ready to go.
1:27:04 So if we– I just feel like– if I can just cut to the chase of
1:27:07 our discussion,
1:27:09 I just feel like if we’re going to agree to be part of the
1:27:11 hosting and, you know,
1:27:14 a few players with the rest of the county, I just feel like let’s
1:27:16 not make it complicated.
1:27:19 We have a track, we have a facility that can be used right now,
1:27:21 we don’t have to make it complicated,
1:27:23 we don’t have to take funds away from one kid to give it to
1:27:25 another kid.
1:27:27 We– let’s just do what is the simple solution.
1:27:33 » Can I answer to that?
1:27:35 So that’s a great question because that is the ultimate issue
1:27:38 that I wrestled with with this whole thing.
1:27:41 Bringing forward a school who if we can quite frankly say is on
1:27:46 the high socioeconomic status
1:27:49 at the same time as two schools that are in my own district do
1:27:53 not have tracks
1:27:55 and they are on the lower socioeconomics.
1:27:57 So I wrestled with this.
1:27:59 I even met with the track team and the track fundraising team
1:28:01 that I’m a part of for Rockledge.
1:28:05 And I talked to multiple people at O’Gally and I said, “Let’s
1:28:08 walk this thing through
1:28:10 because I don’t want this to happen with it looking like all of
1:28:13 a sudden you’ve got an emerald up here
1:28:16 and these poor people have been– I mean let’s look at Rockledge.
1:28:19 Thirty years they’ve been playing down there.
1:28:22 They’ve been the Cape Coast Conference champions for track
1:28:23 multiple times and never had an operable track.
1:28:27 That is ridiculous, right?
1:28:29 I agree with you a hundred percent.
1:28:31 Now here’s where it came in to be.
1:28:33 Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, O’Gally, none of them under the current
1:28:37 funding structure
1:28:39 are going to get resurfaced in the next 18 months.
1:28:43 In the next 18 months there is no money for any of those tracks
1:28:46 to be resurfaced.
1:28:48 At the same time Cocoa Beach, Rockledge are trying to fundraise
1:28:52 to put in their polyurethane finishes.
1:28:56 So there is– when I sat there and I said, “Okay, so we’re
1:28:59 looking at making this argument over they don’t have it
1:29:03 and Viera is getting theirs, I understand that.”
1:29:06 But what one parent brought up to me from Rockledge which was
1:29:09 this.
1:29:10 By Viera getting their track, we can utilize that track to
1:29:14 fundraise for our polyurethane.
1:29:18 They have a $120,000 delta that they need to make up.
1:29:22 And if we’re going to resurface their track first in 18 months,
1:29:27 they won’t make that delta unless they have the ability to use
1:29:30 this track.
1:29:32 So I called the Viera parents and they were a part of the
1:29:34 fundraising for the 5Ks that they’ve been doing.
1:29:37 I called the– and I just from a 30,000 foot view said, “How
1:29:40 does this work? How can we do this?”
1:29:44 And so the Rockledge could utilize the facility in a tournament
1:29:47 style and raise $30,000 for their own rubberization.
1:29:51 So that when we do go to get that track done, they are ready to
1:29:54 do the rubberization and Cocoa Beach can do the same thing.
1:29:58 The issue that we have is we’re fundamentally looking at this as
1:30:02 a should we pay or shouldn’t we pay which is great.
1:30:05 We have never asked a school or a parent organization to pay for
1:30:07 the milling of our track.
1:30:10 The main argument is we don’t want Viera to get it before the
1:30:14 other schools because they’re on the list of qualified.
1:30:18 But if we could enhance the other programs through the use of
1:30:21 the Viera facility, that’s where I was– then I was OK.
1:30:26 And that’s when I sat there and I called the Rockledge parents,
1:30:28 I called them all and I said, “Is this a viable option?”
1:30:32 I mean because the last thing I want to do is announce that we’re
1:30:33 going to do this and then turn around and get blasted from you
1:30:37 guys.
1:30:38 And they said, “Absolutely, we need that track to help out. We’re
1:30:41 looking forward to working with the Viera parents on raising for
1:30:44 that fun– that 5K.”
1:30:46 And I was more than excited because for the first time, I’ve got
1:30:48 literally two schools that hate each other whose parents are
1:30:51 going to work together
1:30:53 to try to create something beautiful for both schools. And when
1:30:57 I saw that, that’s the argument that I made.
1:31:00 And so when you speak to the Cocoa Beach piece, I also looked at
1:31:02 that and I said, “Well, wait a minute because those guys are–
1:31:05 they’re fundraising.
1:31:06 The Kiwanis Club is working really hard but they’re not there
1:31:09 yet. So they’re not at the point where they can make their delta
1:31:11 to have the polyurethane finish.
1:31:14 They’re just not.” And I didn’t understand that this was not
1:31:17 brought up like Matt Susan didn’t go to these guys and say, “Bring
1:31:19 it to Viera.”
1:31:21 They wanted the Viera complex because they didn’t– because it’s
1:31:24 the largest, it’s in the location for all of the hotels, for all
1:31:27 the restaurants, everything else made sense.
1:31:31 So that’s the equity piece that we talked about. This is an
1:31:33 opportunity because if Rockledge doesn’t get the opportunity to
1:31:37 use the Viera track,
1:31:39 they ultimately will not be able to polyurethane their track for
1:31:42 another year at least.
1:31:45 They have been fundraising for nine years and they’ve raised $40,000.
1:31:51 This will give them almost 15 to 20 and the 5K will give them 25.
1:31:56 They’re going to raise $40,000 with the Viera parents towards
1:31:57 their track. That’s what this argument was about when I came
1:32:01 across it.
1:32:02 And that’s the ultimate reason and I can’t tell you anymore
1:32:04 about that piece. I do want you to tell you that Viera is
1:32:08 literally on the next rung.
1:32:11 If you have your first four, they’re the next ones and the
1:32:13 sprinkler break has made theirs inoperable.
1:32:16 So Sue is going to have to go out there and redo that track a
1:32:18 portion of it anyway and expend cost to go there too.
1:32:21 I do appreciate that, Mr. Susan. I do appreciate the cooperation
1:32:23 between the schools but I just– considering the timeframe that
1:32:27 we have, that’s just too much.
1:32:29 It’s too much for me. And while those couple of schools seem to
1:32:33 be, like I said, have in the spirit of cooperation and
1:32:36 encouragement,
1:32:38 I appreciate that but I don’t know that the rest of the county
1:32:40 would see it the same way especially considering what we’re
1:32:43 risking by trying to fit this tight timeline.
1:32:46 And I understand that a hundred percent like– so two years ago,
1:32:50 I was out trying to fundraise and throw sod down at El Gallo
1:32:55 High School
1:32:56 so that we could have safe sod for the high school. And at the
1:32:59 same time, Palm Bay’s football field was put into inoperable use.
1:33:04 And we went and paid $700,000 to redo their entire trip surface.
1:33:08 It was not on our capital budget. It was not a part of our
1:33:11 allocations.
1:33:12 Do you know what everybody said about that? Then you go to
1:33:15 Melbourne. Melbourne is the same thing.
1:33:18 Not on our capital expenditures, not on anything, gets a failed
1:33:20 football field and then literally $700,000, we rush last summer
1:33:25 to put in.
1:33:27 But we– that’s being paid back. That is part of the payback
1:33:33 plan. And if Ms. Hansel on the phone, they have a 10-year plan
1:33:35 to pay that back
1:33:37 minus the credit that we give them for having turf which means
1:33:39 our maintenance teams don’t have to go out there and mow.
1:33:43 And at no time have we asked even for that option to have the 10-year
1:33:46 buyback. We have allowed other schools to have an opportunity
1:33:50 which I totally supported.
1:33:53 Without a doubt, when Melbourne came up, when you had your Merritt
1:33:55 Island, when we needed to do the concession stands, I made the
1:33:58 motion.
1:34:00 The bathrooms, I made the motion for a school that’s not even in
1:34:02 my district because that was something that John Craig wanted.
1:34:06 Like we as a school district and a school board holistically in
1:34:10 a group have been doing this in different places for different
1:34:15 groups the whole time.
1:34:17 And this is an opportunity, the opportunity to even have a 10-year
1:34:21 payback that I guarantee you if somebody walked across and said
1:34:26 to Vieira right now,
1:34:29 “Hey, would you think about that?” That’s an option that they
1:34:31 would probably take. And if you wanted to put it on the $50,000
1:34:34 reverter, they would probably be able to do that.
1:34:38 They hold a 5K, they raise $30,000. So if you’re having trouble
1:34:43 with that piece of it, then why don’t we take, if it seems like
1:34:47 there’s not enough support for it,
1:34:50 why don’t you ask Vieira High School and them if there’s an
1:34:53 opportunity for them to make up the $50,000 if that’s the crunch
1:34:57 on it?
1:34:59 It’s more than that, Mr. Sousa. I don’t want to keep going back
1:35:02 and forth, back and forth, back and forth. We have a solution.
1:35:04 We have a place we can host.
1:35:07 And honestly, we have some people in our community that are
1:35:09 going to have a problem with us hosting it to begin with.
1:35:12 Because while we’re saying, “Hey, we need concession stands,”
1:35:14 there are people still in our community that are concerned with
1:35:16 thousands of people coming in to our community.
1:35:19 And we’re going to have concession stands. That’s our students,
1:35:22 our staff, our volunteers that we’re, you know, we don’t have
1:35:25 protocols in place for how to run our concession stands in a
1:35:28 pandemic.
1:35:31 You know, we’re going to play ball and we’re going to, you know,
1:35:34 it looks like we’re moving to cooperate, but I just don’t see
1:35:38 why this has to be so much more complicated when we already have
1:35:40 a facility.
1:35:41 And satellite is not my school. I’m not territorial. If we were
1:35:44 talking about the same thing with one of my school’s tracks, I
1:35:46 would be sitting here saying the same thing.
1:35:49 We’ve got six weeks period until this thing’s supposed to start
1:35:53 and that’s how we’re giving ourselves no wiggle room and we’re
1:35:57 committing funds that I don’t see in the list of priorities.
1:36:02 So it’s not about let’s not let Vera get theirs before everybody
1:36:05 else does. We’ve already established our priorities.
1:36:09 I don’t feel comfortable reshuffling our priorities and putting
1:36:11 something on the list that wasn’t even on the list when we
1:36:13 already have something right now ready to go.
1:36:16 Ms. Campbell, Ms. McDougall has been trying to get in a word.
1:36:20 I think we could go on for a long time on this topic and I know
1:36:23 it’s on our agenda on the 16th and I’m just wondering if we
1:36:26 could move on because there’s so much more to talk about.
1:36:30 I think it is important. I think we do want to support the AAU.
1:36:35 Did I get that right? I forgot the U.
1:36:38 AAU. So we do because sports is important. I don’t think any one
1:36:43 of us here is denying that sports is important.
1:36:46 I agree with most of us. I mean, Ms. Campbell has a great point.
1:36:50 You have a great point.
1:36:52 Would this be wonderful for our county? Absolutely. I am worried
1:36:56 about the pandemic, as you know, but at the same time we do have
1:37:01 a facility and satellite.
1:37:03 So I think we’re kind of beating a dead horse at this point. I
1:37:05 think, yeah, it’s just like how are we going to make this work
1:37:09 for the organization and for us?
1:37:12 And I wonder if we can move this until the 16th so we can get on
1:37:15 to the rest of our agenda. I’m just asking that question.
1:37:19 I think that the AAU needs to know if we have the – if it is in
1:37:25 our capacity to – I think Ms. Han is trying to figure out some
1:37:29 things.
1:37:31 And I don’t know. Ms. Han, if you’re still on the phone, can you
1:37:34 communicate to us if this is the direction that you need today
1:37:38 or if that’s something that we can wait until Tuesday and have
1:37:42 this discussion again and do it?
1:37:45 We can’t vote on this today.
1:37:47 Right. No, no, no. I know, but I just wanted to know if Ms. Han
1:37:49 needed something.
1:37:51 We are going to prepare the contract documents if that’s the
1:37:58 sense of the board, because that’s in addition to the MOU with
1:38:04 the TDC or the AAU.
1:38:07 I’m not sure what the document is. They’ll be the MOU, but we
1:38:11 also have to approve the contract modifications on Tuesday if we’re
1:38:17 to move forward with this.
1:38:20 So I would be putting the contract documents on the board agenda,
1:38:24 and we would be starting between now and Tuesday to kind of do
1:38:27 some preparatory work so we would be ready to start working on
1:38:31 Tuesday.
1:38:33 And that’s specific to the track, Ms. Han, but the other AAU,
1:38:37 you know, they’re trying to figure out facilities and all that
1:38:41 stuff. That’s not a time certain.
1:38:45 If we decide to punt this thing for discussion down to Tuesday,
1:38:48 since we can’t give you board direction now, were you with the
1:38:52 intent that you were going to move on a lot of stuff beforehand,
1:38:55 or is it that this would not make a timeline change in the
1:38:59 events?
1:39:01 Well, the work I would be doing is preparing the contract for
1:39:04 the board to vote on relative to the track. The MOU, I believe
1:39:08 Mr. Gibbs is handling that, or Dr. Mullen.
1:39:13 And so I think that – but you don’t want to expend a lot of
1:39:16 energy if this board is not in favor of going out and utilizing
1:39:21 the Viera track.
1:39:23 And since it seems that Ms. Campbell is being held up on a
1:39:25 couple of issues, Ms. Campbell, would you entertain giving the
1:39:29 opportunity to try to figure out some creative funding that puts
1:39:33 this not in the middle of this?
1:39:36 Or is it that if we opportunity to give Viera the opportunity to
1:39:39 come back and say that they’ll cover the Reverter Clause over a
1:39:42 10-year lease, would you entertain that thought process in the
1:39:45 event that those things are taken care of, that they would go?
1:39:49 Or is it that you would not do that, even if those issues came
1:39:51 about?
1:39:53 I just feel like we’re having this conversation because of the
1:39:55 opportunity of AAU to come, and I don’t think we even have to –
1:39:58 while I understand why it’s a great opportunity for Viera to
1:40:01 take advantage, I just don’t think, considering the time frame,
1:40:05 that it’s reasonable.
1:40:07 And if we, for some reason, if AAU decides to go to MCC to Holy
1:40:11 Trinity and they don’t go to our service, which is a possibility,
1:40:16 that piece of those revenue sources is about $3,000 a day for
1:40:21 about a 10-year period. Did you factor that into your
1:40:24 conversation or your thought process?
1:40:26 It looks like they’re ready to go to satellite.
1:40:28 He just said there’s three opportunities to go to.
1:40:31 Well, I think maybe some of that has contingent on whether this
1:40:34 Board is willing to have them in our facility.
1:40:38 May I?
1:40:41 My biggest concern at this point is the weather. I mean, it has
1:40:44 been raining for weeks. What makes us think this is going to
1:40:47 stop raining for the next six weeks for us to put this in?
1:40:51 I don’t see how it’s possible. Mr. Susan, I want to support you
1:40:53 because it’s a free $50,000 coming towards us to get you guys
1:40:56 over the finish line. I understand that 100 percent.
1:41:00 Ms. Campbell, she just made it so simple. Instead of arguing
1:41:04 about all this, satellite is – I just was up here. I just
1:41:07 texted the city manager. I just texted the school. Are you able?
1:41:10 Are you willing?
1:41:12 Yes, we just need time to prepare. And so if we kick it down the
1:41:15 line and say you’re back up in case it doesn’t come through, now
1:41:18 they’re not preparing. The city’s not preparing for the parking
1:41:22 at the Schechter Center and different things.
1:41:25 Satellite’s willing and able, according to principal and city
1:41:29 manager. It’s an easy answer. I can’t imagine it’s not going to
1:41:34 pour rain for the next six weeks.
1:41:37 Well, I just looked up until the 24th. We have a percentage of
1:41:40 rain every day. And it usually happens in the afternoon,
1:41:43 unfortunately.
1:41:45 Say that again. The weather looks like it’s going to rain.
1:41:48 It has not rained in the last three weeks.
1:41:51 And it really is. We’ve got rain projected all the way through
1:41:53 the 24th. It’s as far as I’ll go from mine on my phone, but yeah.
1:41:57 Ms. Deskevich, if there was an opportunity for Viera to assume
1:41:59 the debt of the $50,000 that you’re mostly concerned about,
1:42:02 would you change your mind?
1:42:04 I mean, look, I want this thing to go to satellite. And if you
1:42:06 would have came to me in the beginning and they would have said,
1:42:09 no, the Vieras, we want to go to satellite, I just – I want to
1:42:12 try to make an opportunity for this.
1:42:15 Would you entertain the thought if you could take the delta of
1:42:18 the 50% and ask for kind of what we’ve done in other instances?
1:42:22 If I may, Mr. Susan, I didn’t realize the discussion was going
1:42:25 to go in the direction of the school assuming financial
1:42:29 obligation with a discussion of paying it back.
1:42:33 I would just make this board aware that former boards made a
1:42:37 deliberate board decision with board approval to eliminate that
1:42:42 practice with other schools.
1:42:45 That included Viera High School with the cost that they assumed
1:42:48 for constructing their concession stand in their bathrooms.
1:42:53 So I believe that those debts, if you will, were forgiven three
1:42:58 or four years ago and I was given direction as the COO at the
1:43:02 time to develop practices that were very specific about when and
1:43:08 how that could occur again.
1:43:10 And it is – it was limited by board direction, if I recall
1:43:14 correctly, to the resurfacing of a football field with AstroTurf
1:43:19 because we couldn’t assume the liability of a football field
1:43:24 surface being neglected in putting our students and obviously in
1:43:28 harm’s way.
1:43:30 So I would ask if that is something that the board is – this
1:43:33 board is willing and interested in reconsidering as a practice
1:43:38 for the district that I very specifically have direction from
1:43:43 the board that would be voted on because previously it was voted
1:43:46 on to forgive debt for that specific purpose.
1:43:49 And that we – I have time with staff to, again, develop
1:43:54 guidelines and specific expectations of how that would happen.
1:44:00 So, you know, just for – I inherited, if you will, that
1:44:02 practice that had been done over many years and was faced to
1:44:06 correct it, if you will.
1:44:09 And I would just ask, you know, that the board give that
1:44:12 direction. So I didn’t want too much more to go down that
1:44:15 conversation, not to bring back that – the expectation that
1:44:19 staff had been held to in the past.
1:44:22 » Mr. Gibbs, can I ask you a quick question? Can you push back
1:44:26 on the county attorney and get that taken out? Or put in
1:44:29 something related to – due to whether – I mean, these are
1:44:33 things beyond our control. I mean, is there anything that you
1:44:37 can push back on that? And I don’t know if the county attorney
1:44:40 would accept it or not, but I just want to know if you can push
1:44:41 back on that.
1:44:43 » I can certainly red line in a clause saying if we’re unable
1:44:47 to complete the project due to weather or force majeure
1:44:50 circumstances that we don’t have to repay the $50,000. I cannot
1:44:56 say the county will accept that proposition.
1:45:01 » Is it your intention that in the event that the $50,000 is
1:45:04 eliminated one way or the other that this would be more
1:45:07 favorable for you to do? Because I think that Ms. Campbell was
1:45:11 also held up on the fact that the resurfacing and milling was
1:45:14 not – she did not feel like it was appropriate to circumnavigate
1:45:18 these other pieces.
1:45:20 » Well, you know, I agree with Ms. Campbell because, quite
1:45:25 frankly, like you said, you’ve got Rockledge, I’ve got Cooper
1:45:30 Beach. » You’ve got Rockledge, too. » Well, yeah, Rockledge is
1:45:31 really yours, but yes. I mean, yes, it’s in my neighborhood. So,
1:45:32 yeah, absolutely. But at the same time, do they not like
1:45:36 satellite? I mean –
1:45:38 » No, no. I think Butler’s great. It’s there. It’s an
1:45:40 opportunity to take advantage of it. » It just seems like that
1:45:43 would be the easiest solution at this point. But I’m not that
1:45:45 convinced.
1:45:47 » I just didn’t want to give direction to Gibbs if in the event
1:45:49 that you still, no matter if the $50,000 is taken out, would not
1:45:53 even approve in the event of the milling and everything else
1:45:56 that was in it. That’s the crux.
1:46:00 » I’m just – I’m wrong with that. I’ll say it. » So, Ms.
1:46:03 Campbell, you do not wish for Ms. Hand to bring us back a
1:46:06 contract for the truck to be resurfaced next Tuesday? » No. I’m
1:46:10 not. » Ms. Dustovich, you do or do not wish for Ms. Hand to
1:46:13 bring us back a contract for the truck to be resurfaced next
1:46:16 Tuesday?
1:46:17 » Ms. McDougall. » Sorry. I know we need to wrap this up. But
1:46:29 I’m going back to Ms. Campbell’s comments. Vera’s not even on
1:46:32 here. » No. » It would be number 52. So why are we resurfacing
1:46:37 the underneath if it’s not even on our list of needing to be
1:46:40 resurfaced? Because that’s $200,000.
1:46:43 » That’s why Ms. Hand explained that it wouldn’t – to spend $200,000
1:46:50 to rubberize the current asphalt service – » So it hasn’t
1:46:55 failed. It’s just like we – if we’re going to, we need to now.
1:46:58 » Correct. » Okay. » It would be cost inefficient, I think.
1:47:07 » And just to speak to what Mr. Susan was asking earlier, I’m
1:47:13 not interested with Dr. Mullen’s backtracking on the school
1:47:19 board’s policy or a standard to not do loans except for astroturf
1:47:25 surfacing. That’s a lot of upending things in this one decision
1:47:29 when we have another solution available.
1:47:32 » If Vera can raise the $50,000, then – » We could. I just
1:47:36 don’t – see, the problem is – » Then we don’t need to rush it
1:47:39 now because Vera can raise that and you can do it next month or
1:47:42 the month after. » Absolutely. So I said that, right? I said
1:47:44 let’s just raise the money, but then they are literally going to
1:47:48 wait three years because they are behind the four other tracks.
1:47:52 So you have people that have been raising funds since 2012 that
1:47:56 are now going to sit there and wait until their number comes up
1:47:59 on the list of tracks.
1:48:02 » And just so you guys know, there’s a cracked sprinkler that
1:48:05 they’re going to remill anyway. I mean, it’s just – it’s okay.
1:48:09 I understand. Everybody here has a great, valid argument, but
1:48:12 they will be sitting on $200 and something thousand dollars. And
1:48:16 I guarantee you that Vera could make up that delta of the 50,
1:48:19 but we don’t have time. And that’s not fair to you guys, and I
1:48:23 understand that.
1:48:26 » So then I’m just going to throw this out there. I support
1:48:28 holding it at satellite right now, just – and not because it’s
1:48:31 my school, but because it just seems like the easiest option.
1:48:35 But I would definitely entertain the opportunity, Mr. Susan, of
1:48:39 moving Vera up on the list if they have the funds already ready.
1:48:43 And I feel like maybe we’ve done that in the past when
1:48:45 communities have come together and raised $200,000 that the
1:48:49 district can reorganize a few things to help meet and be a good
1:48:53 community partner to Vera.
1:48:55 » Really and truly, here’s what it came to. And Ms. Campbell,
1:48:58 thank you for all your – I agree with you. We don’t need to be
1:49:00 redoing policy. We don’t – I do. I believe in what you’re
1:49:03 saying 100%. I just – what it came to me was that Rockledge
1:49:07 could be able to fundraise quicker. And that, to me, because it’s
1:49:11 like trying to pull blood out of a stone down there for
1:49:13 fundraising. So you make great points, and thank you for doing
1:49:16 that. I really appreciate it. I don’t want to extend this board.
1:49:19 Ms. Belford, thank you for taking the time to do this and to
1:49:22 push it through.
1:49:24 You guys have been very, very cognizant of trying to make an
1:49:27 argument. I just think that in general, even Cocoa Beach, I plan
1:49:30 on going over there and helping them. This is a big deal for me.
1:49:34 And I just think that in general we need to be looking at these
1:49:36 tracks in the future. So I’ll do that. I’ll withdraw it since we
1:49:40 don’t have support for it.
1:49:42 But can I just say, can we give direction on – we have the
1:49:45 intent that we would like to work with AAU even though we can’t
1:49:48 make a move so that they can kind of start thinking because they
1:49:51 have all of these other organizations that are out there that
1:49:55 are trying to come.
1:49:56 And we make up a small portion of what it is. If we can just
1:49:58 kind of – I know we’re not allowed to vote, but if we can just
1:50:01 before Monday make the opportunity that they know that part of
1:50:04 the planning commission and everything else and the waiving of
1:50:07 fees, that’s what I really came to date with.
1:50:10 Like the Viera track, I wanted to do separate.
1:50:13 So if I may, Raynison, and move us forward on this. It sounds to
1:50:18 me like from what I’m hearing from my fellow board members and
1:50:21 if I misrepresent your intent, please let me know.
1:50:24 It does not sound like we have support for a contract to be
1:50:27 brought forward on redoing the Viera track on Tuesday trying to
1:50:30 meet the deadline of the six weeks.
1:50:33 So that I think addresses the MOU as well because that’s the $50,000.
1:50:41 Now I think, Mr. Gibbs, that I heard, and once again you all
1:50:44 correct me if I’m wrong, if the AAU is looking to do additional
1:50:48 things with us down the road and the TDC is willing to invest
1:50:52 those dollars and move that timeline to something more
1:50:55 reasonable, then maybe that’s a conversation that can be brought
1:50:58 forward.
1:50:59 But I think at this point what I’m hearing from you all, unless
1:51:02 those things happen, is the MOU is taken care of, the Viera
1:51:05 track is taken care of, and the funding for the track is taken
1:51:08 care of as far as direction being given, correct?
1:51:11 One small thing in the MOU. He verbally said they would cover or
1:51:15 help with custodial costs.
1:51:18 It’s a separate issue and that’s going to come under the
1:51:21 facility use agreement because this MOU is with the TDC, the
1:51:25 coverage of the custodial cost is going to be directly with the
1:51:30 AAU.
1:51:31 So Dr. Mullins, are you clear on direction on point one, two,
1:51:34 and four that you brought forward initially at the beginning of
1:51:37 this discussion?
1:51:39 I believe so, but let’s just make sure. Board direction is not
1:51:44 to move forward with bringing board approval on Tuesday for the
1:51:50 contract, which then resolves the funding issue for the track as
1:51:54 well as the MOU with the county.
1:51:57 But we do need to have further discussion on facility use
1:52:00 agreement and cost of fees.
1:52:02 Yes.
1:52:03 Thank you.
1:52:04 So facility use agreement, do you have any estimate on the cost
1:52:09 of waiving facility use for seven gyms and a track facility?
1:52:16 I attempted in anticipation of the discussion to try and get a
1:52:21 sense of what that would look like.
1:52:25 However, our facility use rates and charges, keep in mind, are
1:52:29 pre-COVID.
1:52:31 I think I mentioned earlier that I had been discussing with
1:52:35 staff the availability of facilities to outside organizations
1:52:40 and that our rate schedule may change based on enhanced
1:52:44 requirements to do cleaning and deeper cleaning and those types
1:52:48 of things in between events.
1:52:51 They have been working on that. That is not completed. We had
1:52:54 set a July 1 deadline for that to be able to communicate to our
1:52:58 outside groups that are currently using our facilities and have
1:53:02 that which had been suspended.
1:53:05 And that work is not completed. And it’s difficult to bring to
1:53:10 the board an estimate of those costs right now because we haven’t
1:53:16 received a defined scope of facility need.
1:53:21 So we’re not Miss Moore met with my phone with Mr. Buchanan this
1:53:25 morning and they had a conversation. And this morning, Mr.
1:53:30 Buchanan still isn’t in a place that he can fully communicate
1:53:34 what their needs are going to be.
1:53:37 So it’s difficult. He had defined it would be five days for
1:53:42 likely five gyms for five days for basketball. It would be two
1:53:48 gyms for five days for other indoor events.
1:53:53 The problem or the challenge right now is, is it six hours a day?
1:53:57 Is it eight hours a day? Could it be 10 or 12 hours a day?
1:54:01 And that would significantly impact the rates.
1:54:06 The other element that will be needing to manage for this is in
1:54:11 addition to custodial is supervision because we will have a
1:54:16 considerable number of people coming in on and off of our
1:54:21 campuses.
1:54:22 At the same time, we have teachers returning to campuses for pre
1:54:25 planning week. So teachers return on August.
1:54:29 Third, this event is scheduled to the dates that I received most
1:54:34 recently are August 1 through the eighth. So they would be co,
1:54:41 you know, co go working.
1:54:43 That doesn’t mean it’s it’s a logistical impossibility. It just
1:54:47 means we’ve got to plan and prepare for that, which would
1:54:50 require additional supervision.
1:54:52 And then, of course, the element of security. What would be the
1:54:56 security needs during the events as well?
1:54:59 So I’m hesitant. I would I would suggest the cost would be
1:55:06 considerable for but depending on the event.
1:55:11 So if it’s two gyms versus seven gyms, I mean, obviously that’s
1:55:14 that’s a considerable shift or spread of cost.
1:55:21 So the other element we’re trying to work through right now is
1:55:24 at the same time that these events would be going on at these
1:55:27 locations, our custodians are preparing and establishing our
1:55:31 schools to reopen to our students on August 11.
1:55:36 So we’ve got we talked quickly this morning. Would we need to
1:55:40 talk with you about contracted services or looking at a temp
1:55:45 agency to bring in some additional custodians to help
1:55:49 accommodate this? We’re really prepared and willing to look
1:55:53 outside the box.
1:55:55 What what can be done to accommodate and facilitate
1:55:58 understanding that our first priority and top priority has to be
1:56:01 preparing our schools, our students and our staff for the return
1:56:05 of school on August.
1:56:07 Well, pre planning August third return of students on August 11.
1:56:12 We can work through those things, but there are some the costs
1:56:16 would be would not be minimal, I would suggest. And I guess that’s
1:56:22 based on the perspective of who would be looking at it.
1:56:27 So is the board comfortable giving the BPS team the opportunity
1:56:32 to continue to have those discussions with the AU to see what
1:56:38 their you know what what our legitimate costs are and what the
1:56:44 what the AU might be willing to cover on those costs and
1:56:48 bringing that back to us on Tuesday.
1:56:51 For sure. I mean the sheriff is putting forward 30,000 that’s a
1:56:56 great put towards security.
1:56:59 Right.
1:57:00 Short.
1:57:03 Can I, can I speak real quick.
1:57:05 With the estimates that we have coming in on our half penny
1:57:08 alone. We will revenue almost $90,000.
1:57:12 Okay, towards our facilities.
1:57:14 Just in general as an overall. This is coming across the
1:57:17 district.
1:57:19 For each one of our school districts actual facilities which I
1:57:22 think should be spread between all athletic programs, no matter
1:57:26 who the gym gets the gym and everything else.
1:57:29 You’re talking about 10s of thousands of dollars.
1:57:32 So when we’re considering the whole how much it’s going to cost
1:57:35 against them, I would, I would just ask the board members to
1:57:39 consider the overall goodwill, and what we will be receiving
1:57:43 from these games in cash, because I think that when you look at
1:57:47 it overall, we have a delta in the athletics
1:57:49 that we’re going to be going towards, and some of those facility
1:57:52 use agreements are not there just because of the facility. The
1:57:55 actual cost of the district is the electricity is a third of
1:57:58 what that is.
1:57:59 So when you’re looking at a $71 charge for the school at $21
1:58:04 goes for the gym goes to electricity. So we’re literally
1:58:08 charging for just the use of the facility, and the people.
1:58:13 The custodians they said that they would cover. And so, in your,
1:58:16 your, your teams that are going to be hosting it, he’s been in
1:58:19 here for decades, with the same process, all the gyms have
1:58:22 worked on so they think a lot of these people that would be
1:58:25 doing this have already gotten the tournaments
1:58:28 now I’m just saying, when we look at and this is just when we
1:58:31 look at the cost coming back, I think that one of the things we
1:58:34 need to look at is the actual cost, not just what we’re charging
1:58:37 people, if that makes sense.
1:58:40 I would also say Dr. Mullins that before we bring forward a
1:58:43 recommendation to increase the fees and stuff like that that we
1:58:47 just have that discussion.
1:58:49 Yeah.
1:58:51 The facility use fee process, it does require board approval.
1:58:55 We were hoping to bring that to the board on June 30 for July
1:58:58 one but you know to your point Mr. Susan absolutely the fee rate
1:59:02 facility use agreement is part of board policy.
1:59:06 And that’s what we’re working toward. And just to piggyback off
1:59:11 in a little bit I think the, the general consensus is we want to
1:59:14 be good community partners we don’t want to make this difficult.
1:59:18 Sometimes here at the district we get in a bureaucratic bubble
1:59:22 and I think he’s just saying, if we can make it easier in
1:59:25 anywhere. Can we, can we err on the side of making it a little
1:59:31 easier instead of maybe.
1:59:33 I mean I’m okay with making the match for what the county puts
1:59:36 in to make the games come. We just mirror what they did. What
1:59:40 they did was they said we’ll give the first $50,000 to cost
1:59:44 anything after that a you picks up the cost.
1:59:47 They just basically said bring the games. And that’s what part
1:59:50 of that is. Thank you.
1:59:54 direction clear, Dr. Mullins. Well, I just I think we’re at a
2:00:05 place that the board needs to be considering that either we are
2:00:08 or not going to waive the fees and we’ll do what we need to to
2:00:11 establish what the process would be.
2:00:13 Certainly it’s going to need board approval because by policy to
2:00:16 waive facility use agreement fees that will require a board vote,
2:00:20 which obviously couldn’t happen today, it would come on Tuesday
2:00:25 at the earliest.
2:00:27 We can move in that direction for the board’s consideration and
2:00:34 I’ll do my best to estimate costs for the board so that they
2:00:41 understand what that would be. But I wish I could give you more
2:00:46 information today. I’m just hesitant. It sounds like Mr.
2:00:46 Buchanan by the end of the week may be able to give us, you know,
2:00:46 more definitive of what the scope of the facility need is.
2:00:48 And we’ll continue working with him closely to to work toward
2:00:52 that so we can give the board the information you need to make
2:00:56 that that final decision. And I think also it’s pertinent to
2:00:58 know that Cocoa Beach, along with all other city councils that
2:00:59 have events are in the process of waiving their fees to so Cocoa
2:01:04 Beach is in the process of they’re they’re going to be doing
2:01:06 swimming there, along with surfing and skateboard right so they’re
2:01:10 waving all the fees because they know that the revenue that’s
2:01:12 going to come in will offset the cost.
2:01:14 So I have no problem making my directive towards the school
2:01:17 board that I feel very confident that making a good partner in a
2:01:20 procedure is to not only accept the games, but then also waive
2:01:24 the fees. And then I would look forward to seeing how much that
2:01:27 comes back on Tuesday for both if that would the direction that
2:01:29 you would get and thank you for asking for that doctor moments
2:01:31 because I think we didn’t want to put you in a bad situation.
2:01:34 Yeah, and I would just add just so that we’re all clear there
2:01:37 are absolutely indirect fees for utilities and those types of
2:01:40 things. But in this case, there will be direct fees that we will
2:01:44 be obligated for people who will be working for services that
2:01:47 will be required and that type of thing.
2:01:50 I don’t know that we can reasonably absorb the services with our
2:01:54 existing staff, giving the other demands and responsibilities
2:01:58 they have at that time of year, when we’re getting ready to open
2:02:03 school. So I would propose I would suggest that there will be
2:02:05 operating cost expense that would come if the board chooses to
2:02:11 waive those fees for this event.
2:02:14 And I was just saying so that in the event that it came to
2:02:16 question, I am okay with giving direction that the cost of those
2:02:19 fees would be waived if we brought them forward on Tuesday. Does
2:02:23 that make sense to you? Okay. Does anybody else want to weigh in
2:02:26 on that?
2:02:27 I don’t because some of the organizations that are waiving fees,
2:02:31 that is the thing that they do and the primary thing that they
2:02:35 do, whereas our organization, the primary thing we do is not to
2:02:39 host these events. And so we’re pulling people off task to do
2:02:43 that. So I would not support waiving all fees for certain. I
2:02:45 mean, I want us to be fair, but I would just say I would say yes,
2:02:48 Madam Chair, let’s ask Dr. Mullins to work with his team to
2:02:52 continue to work with AAU on what their needs are going to be
2:02:54 and what facilities are going to be.
2:02:56 And what facilities agreement we can come to for that reason.
2:03:01 Thank you, Ms. Campbell. Any other board members supposed to
2:03:04 discuss that topic before we move on?
2:03:07 Does Dr. Mullins need direction from each one of the board
2:03:09 members to come up with a conclusion or because he just asked us
2:03:12 to give direction over the waiving of the fees? Did I read that
2:03:15 correctly?
2:03:17 I need to see what the fees are. I mean, you’re like five days,
2:03:19 seven days, 12 hours, how many people? Like I can’t say waive
2:03:23 fees if you then run the numbers and it’s $3 million. We don’t
2:03:26 have $3 million. Yeah, I can’t make that decision at all until I
2:03:30 see the fees.
2:03:32 And I would agree. I think we need to know what our additional
2:03:34 costs are going to be if we’re going to have to hire people to
2:03:37 come in and clean the schools because we do have a commitment to
2:03:39 make sure that we, our facilities are ready to receive our
2:03:42 students. And so I think that all plays a part of it.
2:03:45 I’m not opposed to officially waiving the facility use fees if
2:03:48 the AAU is covering a percentage of what we would have charged
2:03:52 in facility use fees. You know what I mean? I think that’s a
2:03:56 technical way of doing it.
2:03:58 Do we agree to waive facility use fees but we also have an
2:04:01 agreement that they’re going to pay us whatever out of their
2:04:05 operating grant, if you will. So I think we’re…
2:04:10 Yeah, I’m comfortable with the indirect fees, Mr. Susan. I know
2:04:13 where you’re going with this. Like I think that we can probably
2:04:15 absorb the utility bills for a week somehow. But if we have to
2:04:19 bring on more people, I can’t just say waive it when we have no
2:04:23 idea what that costs.
2:04:25 Are you good?
2:04:31 Yes, Ms. Han, thank you so much for your time.
2:04:39 Yes, we are going to recess for approximately three minutes and
2:04:44 then we will resume.
2:05:09 Thank you.
2:11:16 Getting us back on our original agenda, our first item was a
2:11:22 progress check, just to check in to make sure everyone’s doing
2:11:29 okay, no issues that we need to address, no support you need, no
2:11:33 requests you need to make, any of those types of things.
2:11:38 Okay, then when we was on to the establishment of our annual
2:11:41 objectives, we did have a few submissions, if you recall at the
2:11:45 end of our evaluation, we established five, typically we
2:11:48 established five annual objectives, things for us to include in
2:11:52 the coming year to keep our focus.
2:11:55 Obviously, our strategic plan provides overall objectives for
2:11:59 the district, but these are just specific objectives for the
2:12:04 board members.
2:12:06 And so I will share with you a couple of the items that came
2:12:11 forward and some of them are kind of roll forwards from the last.
2:12:18 The last one that we put together, one is making sure that we
2:12:26 are visiting each of our schools at least one time per year.
2:12:36 Everyone good with that one feel like it’s still a valuable one
2:12:36 to include sharing our champion information so each of us are
2:12:36 still assigned to champion particular departments or areas in
2:12:37 the district.
2:12:38 And so we I think initially, we had that for us to share out
2:12:43 during board reports at board meetings like once a month.
2:12:49 I don’t know if you want to keep that monthly make it quarterly
2:12:52 I know our staff teams have been pretty tied up so I don’t know
2:12:56 if we want to take time to meet with them once per month so that
2:12:59 we can do a report out or if we want to maybe request less
2:13:03 frequent while they’re adjusting to the new new norms and new
2:13:06 challenges.
2:13:08 Do we want to keep that monthly or do we want to go for doing
2:13:12 this kind of leak out as in our recognition times or I’m okay
2:13:16 with quarterly I just think sometimes you don’t necessarily need
2:13:21 to do it every month when sometimes those hit other ways.
2:13:27 » Maybe the goal could be to meet at least for me I need that
2:13:31 goal to meet once a month with my I don’t know that reporting it
2:13:36 out is a necessary goal.
2:13:39 I think we should report out as those meetings you know as there’s
2:13:42 something important for us to report out obviously from those
2:13:45 meetings but I’m more interested in that goal to make sure that
2:13:48 I’m meeting with my champion once a month that’s just my two
2:13:51 cents.
2:13:53 » And I think the overall goal is just to make sure that we’re
2:13:56 meeting with the community partners in general you know what I
2:14:00 mean and I think that we all do that we haven’t gotten to
2:14:03 community partners yet we’re on the board champion your board
2:14:07 championship area and your objectives.
2:14:11 » That’s last year we were all supposed to have submitted new
2:14:15 ones for the coming year so that’s what we’re trying to
2:14:18 establish so but I think that’s a good point Mr. Susan as far as
2:14:22 community meetings but on are we all good with establishing an
2:14:26 objective to meet monthly with our with the department that we
2:14:29 champion.
2:14:30 » Yeah and that can move around right I mean like if you have
2:14:33 leading and learning you’ve got obviously multiple people to
2:14:37 meet with that’s a good idea to touch base with someone.
2:14:41 » So we have visiting our schools at least annually we have
2:14:46 meeting monthly with the department that we champion and can you
2:14:53 want to just add reporting out as needed and reporting out as
2:14:58 necessary to the to the public.
2:15:02 » And then another one that was recommended was our state of
2:15:06 the district presentations which was one that we had talked
2:15:10 about and we had kind of started scheduling some of those and
2:15:14 then of course all of this happened so I think that’s still a
2:15:18 valiant effort for us to put forward I know it’s a little
2:15:22 challenging for us to do it right now but my hope would be that
2:15:24 as things start to open up that maybe we can get back on track
2:15:27 with those do you guys want to keep that as an objective.
2:15:31 » Yes especially now that we have Ms. Hensley to help us
2:15:34 coordinate that I know mine was supposed to be this week and it
2:15:37 got cancelled.
2:15:39 » Yeah so we’ll keep that the state of learning presentations
2:15:43 or state of the district presentations and then does Mr. Susan
2:15:50 do you feel like that kind of incorporates that community
2:15:52 outreach that’s kind of the purpose of those is to get out into
2:15:55 our community and share what’s going on in the district.
2:15:59 » I think that that that incorporates part of it one of the
2:16:00 things that I’ve done during this this process and it kind of
2:16:01 like really worked well is I grabbed the president of the Rotary
2:16:02 the head of the company know what I mean all of them and I do on
2:16:04 every Friday I’m meeting with PTOs and all that stuff but one of
2:16:08 the things we might want to think about is just having all those
2:16:16 individuals and having a meeting inside of our district via zoom
2:16:23 with them once a once a month or once every quarter.
2:16:27 » I found it to be amazing because it’s like tapped right in so
2:16:30 the physical needs of the community and what we can do to help
2:16:34 it works out so yes but I just wanted to offer up for suggestion
2:16:38 it’s really easy I meet with all of them on a zoom call every
2:16:42 Friday for now and it’s been amazing it gives them an
2:16:45 opportunity to talk to.
2:16:47 [ Inaudible ]
2:16:57 » No ma’am no just just if you in the event that you’re meeting
2:17:00 with your community offer them up a board discussion time via
2:17:03 zoom or wherever just to kind of collaborate because one of the
2:17:06 things I noticed when we started doing this crisis was that
2:17:09 everybody want every one of our agencies is working in silos
2:17:12 right now.
2:17:13 And so there needs to be some cross connectivity and I don’t
2:17:15 think anybody but the school district can actually do that
2:17:18 better I think that we touch every single agency and all that
2:17:21 stuff so that was just an offer it was just an offer on top of
2:17:23 what you already have.
2:17:27 » It’s a great suggestion ties in with another conversation
2:17:30 that we’re going to have shortly Mr. Susan so thank you.
2:17:34 » Another one which we had talked about I think when we were
2:17:38 together but also suggested was for each of us to invite and
2:17:42 host state and/or local officials to tour a school in our area.
2:17:47 And we had started to work on that and then everything happened
2:18:00 so do we want to –
2:18:05 to continue a commitment around that this year.
2:17:56 - Okay, you guys good with that?
2:18:00 - And I, just so you know, you can have your employee
2:18:02 or your teams reach out to them too.
2:18:04 So those pre-K teachers are in the process of meeting
2:18:06 with Debbie Mayfield, Randy Fine, all of them,
2:18:09 and talking about the legislation that we may be bringing,
2:18:12 but something that they felt.
2:18:13 So there’s an opportunity that in the event
2:18:15 we can’t bring them to the school
2:18:16 to actually have our people just reach out to them
2:18:19 and have a conversation over the phone.
2:18:20 It’s also very good for them
2:18:22 because they can connect to the principals.
2:18:24 So just another observation and opportunity.
2:18:27 - And I think a good point of that
2:18:28 is not just our legislative members,
2:18:30 but our city officials and things like that,
2:18:34 because some of them are very active in our schools,
2:18:37 but some of them really without an invitation,
2:18:39 you know, and a tour guide, you know,
2:18:41 to kind of help connect them.
2:18:43 I think that’s really important for those of you
2:18:44 who aren’t connected ‘cause they don’t already have kids
2:18:46 in our schools or they don’t already have that partnership
2:18:48 with their specific schools in their city.
2:18:50 So I think that’s really important
2:18:52 just to kind of tag, you know, we even put a,
2:18:54 you have to have a certain number or whatever,
2:18:56 but I think it would be good to each least annually
2:18:59 to host either one large one or several small ones,
2:19:04 you know, within our district.
2:19:06 - So we’ll say at least annually on that.
2:19:10 - Yeah.
2:19:10 - Just be careful of large groups
2:19:12 ‘cause nothing ever gets done.
2:19:14 It just doesn’t.
2:19:15 So like if you bring them intimately into a school
2:19:17 and discuss topics, but yeah, like a large one,
2:19:19 everybody just pontificates and nothing gets done.
2:19:21 - Yeah.
2:19:24 But at least if we can just set a goal of at least
2:19:26 each of us will do at least one.
2:19:27 Can we do that?
2:19:28 And some of us will do a lot.
2:19:32 - I think that, I think that’s great.
2:19:32 - You get more points, Mr. Susan.
2:19:35 I’m gonna make it a competition who holds.
2:19:38 - No, I don’t.
2:19:39 - I’m just kidding.
2:19:41 - So that gives us five objectives.
2:19:43 Do you all want to stick at five?
2:19:45 Do you want to expand?
2:19:46 - I missed one.
2:19:49 - Oh, I’m sorry, that gives us four.
2:19:51 - I’d like to propose one.
2:19:52 - Sure.
2:19:53 - A goal of maybe quarterly or annually
2:19:56 a board slash leadership development opportunity for us.
2:20:00 We’ve done a couple of those things at an offsite,
2:20:02 but maybe if we put it as a goal,
2:20:05 we’ll make sure it gets done.
2:20:08 - Quarterly?
2:20:10 - Twice semi-annual.
2:20:11 - Twice semi-annually?
2:20:12 - Like a professional development.
2:20:13 - Leadership development.
2:20:14 - Like we had when we had the leadership.
2:20:15 - Yeah, yeah, just something to.
2:20:17 - That makes sense.
2:20:18 - Can I?
2:20:19 - I’m sorry, I missed that.
2:20:19 - This touches something that I was gonna discuss
2:20:21 is that we have no collective want
2:20:27 to try to go to master board, right?
2:20:30 But I think that this board could really use
2:20:32 some kind of collective team understanding
2:20:35 of what our goal is and what we can do.
2:20:38 So we’ve talked in the past about bringing somebody in
2:20:41 to do kind of what the master board is,
2:20:44 but not the organization that we normally go through.
2:20:46 So I know that there might be some other ones
2:20:49 to technically get that.
2:20:51 I would entertain, and I didn’t know if you guys wanted to,
2:20:53 the opportunity for us to engage one of those organizations
2:20:57 minus the one that we don’t wanna go to,
2:21:00 that if we want to, I think that it would really help us.
2:21:03 I think that us getting together, understanding each other,
2:21:06 but then also the roles and everything,
2:21:08 I think it would infinitely save us
2:21:10 a lot of late night sleep.
2:21:12 So I wanted to bring that as an opportunity or an idea.
2:21:17 So what do you guys think?
2:21:18 - What else provides anything for school board?
2:21:22 - We can get, I mean–
2:21:23 - Wouldn’t necessarily have to be a school board.
2:21:26 - To be a board leadership team.
2:21:28 - Maybe we can reach out to the county
2:21:29 or some of the other organizations.
2:21:32 - The county runs different.
2:21:33 Like we are completely different in the way we think.
2:21:35 - But you know, I can’t remember her name,
2:21:38 Ms. Desters, the gal that you brought in
2:21:39 to do the leadership styles.
2:21:41 - Oh, Dransfield, Ms. Dransfield.
2:21:43 - You know, something like that.
2:21:44 You know, those kinds of things, if we say varied,
2:21:47 you may be something like what you’re talking about,
2:21:49 but maybe, you know, twice, once or twice a year
2:21:51 that we commit to.
2:21:53 - Ms. Belford, did you go through master board?
2:21:56 - No, we haven’t done master.
2:21:57 I went through chair chairmanship training,
2:22:00 but we haven’t done master board.
2:22:01 - The board before all the five of us were,
2:22:03 it was hanging on our wall in the conference room
2:22:05 for a while, they were master boards.
2:22:07 - I reached out to some board members from a long time ago,
2:22:12 just asking processes, procedures, what are your thoughts?
2:22:15 What did you guys run into?
2:22:16 And I went through some of the things and they said,
2:22:18 you know what, the one thing that really helped us
2:22:20 was master board training.
2:22:22 And I really liked the lady that came in and spoke to us
2:22:26 and it was great, but like, we literally need somebody
2:22:29 to talk to us from a school board perspective
2:22:31 of what our roles and responsibilities are
2:22:33 and what lanes we need to be in
2:22:34 and how we can effectively do that
2:22:36 because I think that that would help us.
2:22:38 So I would, I mean, here’s what I would think.
2:22:41 I think we reach out to the organization
2:22:42 that normally does it, tell them, look, we got issues.
2:22:45 We don’t, you know, there’s an issue there.
2:22:47 Let’s try to find how we can make that happen
2:22:49 and maybe they can set something up the same way.
2:22:52 That’s all, I don’t know.
2:22:53 And I’m just thinking outside the box and I apologize.
2:22:55 - For the record, I’m not a hundred percent opposed.
2:22:58 I just, what I have attended of theirs,
2:22:59 I haven’t found real useful.
2:23:01 And so that’s why I’ve been like,
2:23:02 eh, I don’t know if we want to spend the money and do it,
2:23:05 but I’m open.
2:23:06 I’m not like, oh, I’m not gonna do it because it’s them.
2:23:09 If it’s useful, it’s helpful.
2:23:10 The rest of you want to do it, I’m a team player.
2:23:13 - Ms. Belford, do you know who usually does those trainings
2:23:15 out of the FSBA team?
2:23:18 Do you like which one of the, is it the executive?
2:23:22 Is it Andrea, Ms. Tina?
2:23:23 - Usually it’s Tina.
2:23:24 - Tina Pinkerson, okay.
2:23:26 - Maybe they have something they can send us,
2:23:28 tell us how much it’s gonna be,
2:23:29 what exactly it would cover and we can–
2:23:31 - They have information on it.
2:23:32 The challenge with the master board training
2:23:33 and the reason that we haven’t done it in the past is,
2:23:35 if I recall, it’s about $25,000
2:23:38 for the master board training.
2:23:40 Requires the superintendent and the board to participate
2:23:42 at each of several meetings throughout the year.
2:23:46 And then you get your master board certification,
2:23:47 but every time a board member changes,
2:23:49 you have to go through the whole thing again
2:23:52 to continue your master board certification.
2:23:54 - Sounds like a big money trap.
2:23:56 - But I mean, yeah.
2:23:58 Mr. Susan, do you mind reaching out to them
2:24:00 and having conversations, seeing what the options are?
2:24:02 - I’ll be with them tomorrow.
2:24:03 - Can we pay half price and just get the material?
2:24:05 - Right?
2:24:06 - Or you just call the guy that normally does it
2:24:09 and say, hey, look, would you do this for us?
2:24:10 We really need some help.
2:24:12 And they would work with us.
2:24:13 I don’t, I think that in the current environment,
2:24:15 we need, we could make that recommendation.
2:24:18 - So as for our objective,
2:24:20 and I think it would be inclusive
2:24:21 of what you’re recommending, Mr. Susan,
2:24:23 semi-annual professional development opportunities
2:24:26 for the board.
2:24:27 Is that good for our objective?
2:24:28 - Yeah.
2:24:29 - That gives us five. - Collective
2:24:31 professional development.
2:24:33 - Do we want to, is there anything
2:24:35 that you all feel needs to be included beyond that?
2:24:38 - Is there a way to set that objective at a previous,
2:24:40 like meaning what do we need currently
2:24:43 may change year to year.
2:24:44 So that growth or that development,
2:24:46 maybe there’s a caveat that says,
2:24:48 you know, there’s a direction,
2:24:50 like the board needs to give direction
2:24:52 as to what they need help in
2:24:53 because every year it might be different, right?
2:24:55 So that’s just my thought process.
2:24:57 So that we, when we go to spend the time to do it,
2:25:01 the, yeah, the chair can reach out collectively and say,
2:25:03 hey, what do we need?
2:25:04 What do you guys feel?
2:25:05 And then that growth or that development
2:25:07 can be streamlined into what we’re doing.
2:25:09 - Yeah, and I think that’s a, you know,
2:25:11 these are annual objectives.
2:25:12 So they’re going to change every year.
2:25:14 But I think as we go through
2:25:16 and do our quarterly board check-ins,
2:25:18 that’s a great time to say,
2:25:19 hey, I feel like we need some guidance in this area.
2:25:21 Can we look at this for our next meeting?
2:25:23 Does that work?
2:25:25 So are we good with five objectives?
2:25:27 Is there anything else that anyone wants to add beyond that?
2:25:32 Okay, did you get all of those from Susquehanna?
2:25:34 Awesome.
2:25:35 So the next thing that we need to discuss
2:25:36 is our FSBA membership.
2:25:38 And I gave each of the board members
2:25:39 a copy of the budget for the board.
2:25:41 There was some question as to whether dollars
2:25:42 were set aside for that membership
2:25:44 or whether they had to be requested.
2:25:47 We do have dollars that have been allocated.
2:25:50 Previously, we have done FSBA membership
2:25:53 for four of the board members, I believe.
2:25:56 The annual cost on that is $23,524
2:26:00 for all five of us to be members.
2:26:04 If only four of us joined,
2:26:05 the total amount will be $18,819.20.
2:26:10 I do desire to continue my membership
2:26:12 with FSBA, Mr. Susan, Ms. McDougall, Ms. Campbell.
2:26:17 Ms. Duskovich, would you like to join us?
2:26:19 - No, thank you.
2:26:20 I will continue to abstain and save us what, $5,000-ish.
2:26:24 - But can I speak?
2:26:26 - Can I jump in for a minute?
2:26:29 I wish you were because on Friday,
2:26:32 the calls that we have had, they have been very valuable.
2:26:36 And they’ve had speakers that really speak
2:26:39 to what we’re struggling with, what’s going on,
2:26:42 how are they dealing with it, across not only the state,
2:26:45 but the last one was the Southern Educational School Board,
2:26:51 Regional Board, and they had, I share that with you all
2:26:56 because I think their website would be very helpful.
2:26:57 So I think there is some value.
2:26:59 - I agree that sometimes the conferences
2:27:04 don’t really have things that I wanna go to,
2:27:07 but some of the other things that they do offer is valuable.
2:27:10 Just an FYI.
2:27:11 - Thank you, Ms. McDougall.
2:27:13 - Can I speak to the memberships in general?
2:27:16 We had an allocated budget for two memberships.
2:27:19 And then all of a sudden we look at our budget
2:27:21 and there was a discrepancy in that other membership.
2:27:26 I thought we had given board direction
2:27:28 that we would have each board member
2:27:30 would have the opportunity
2:27:31 to join two of these organizations.
2:27:33 And we had an allocated amount.
2:27:35 And then in the event that a Tina Daskevich
2:27:37 or somebody wasn’t a part of one,
2:27:39 or Matt Susan wasn’t a part of one,
2:27:40 that the board allocation revenue could then be spent
2:27:43 in a way that they felt inside their schools.
2:27:46 I thought we had given that direction
2:27:47 up at the Brevard Achievement Center Conference Room.
2:27:52 And we did it in the morning there.
2:27:53 So is there any discussion about that?
2:27:55 ‘Cause it came up a couple of times in via emails.
2:27:57 And I would like to discuss it.
2:27:58 - We discussed, how I remember it is we discussed
2:28:01 allocating, I think 7,500.
2:28:03 So enough for your FSBA or the FCSBM.
2:28:06 And then we allocated the 7,500 so you could join both.
2:28:09 Any board member could be a member of both.
2:28:11 I don’t know that we said you could spend it
2:28:13 within your school after that,
2:28:15 but it’s not being reflected even in our budget.
2:28:20 - Is it?
2:28:23 - I think that there’s an opportunity
2:28:24 for professional development.
2:28:25 I think that there’s an opportunity
2:28:26 to do a lot of different stuff there.
2:28:28 And I just collectively as a board,
2:28:30 I think that it’s our budget.
2:28:33 So in the event that there’s an opportunity
2:28:35 to utilize funds instead of travel or whatever,
2:28:39 it’s kind of been an opportunity
2:28:41 that we can give that back to our schools
2:28:42 if we don’t use it.
2:28:43 I mean, I would like that discussion.
2:28:45 I actually, I would like to say
2:28:47 that in the event that we don’t do FSBA,
2:28:49 that we don’t join these organizations,
2:28:50 the 7,500 can be used as seed money for projects
2:28:53 or anything that we do.
2:28:56 - It doesn’t appear to me that we have $7,500 allocated.
2:28:59 We have $25,000 allocated for dues and fees.
2:29:02 And then each board member is allocated 2250 for travel.
2:29:12 - I do remember that conversation, Mr. Susan.
2:29:14 And I was, I came out of that, you know,
2:29:16 trying to remember that we were gonna allocate
2:29:18 for each board member,
2:29:19 the amount of money it would cost
2:29:21 to join both organizations.
2:29:23 So whether that happened or whatever, you know,
2:29:27 at this point, one of the organizations is debunked.
2:29:30 Correct?
2:29:31 - We dissolved.
2:29:32 - Dissolved is dissolved.
2:29:34 And so that opportunity is not there.
2:29:35 So we have opportunity for savings.
2:29:37 I would just say if, you know,
2:29:38 if one of our members doesn’t choose to join
2:29:40 and we have a savings of $5,000 or however much it is,
2:29:43 ultimately it is going back to the schools
2:29:45 because it falls to the bottom line and it gets,
2:29:47 you know, spent, I don’t want to have some creative way
2:29:52 to divert it some other direction.
2:29:53 I mean, it’s going back to the kids
2:29:54 and to our organization as a whole.
2:29:56 But now we have, you know,
2:29:59 we would have had to lower it back down this year anyway,
2:30:01 because we wouldn’t have had the opportunity
2:30:03 to join two organizations.
2:30:06 - One of the issues that we had was we had
2:30:07 a certain amount of capital dollars
2:30:09 that were allocated to us so that we could allocate those
2:30:11 to our schools a couple of years ago.
2:30:13 And it gave us an opportunity to touch on areas
2:30:15 that had not been funded prior.
2:30:17 And some of unique things that we are passionate about
2:30:19 as board members.
2:30:21 We ultimately understand that holistically
2:30:23 the entire budget, that’s our duty.
2:30:26 Like every single dollar that is spent
2:30:28 is our responsibility to approve, right?
2:30:31 And I think collectively we run into these situations
2:30:33 where there’s some really cool things at the last minute
2:30:36 that we could fund.
2:30:38 And that’s why I would like to have the conversation
2:30:40 that we utilize those funds the way that we would like,
2:30:43 whether that’s FSBA membership,
2:30:45 whether that’s growth for the school board member,
2:30:47 or whether that’s seed money that we want to choose.
2:30:49 We’ve allocated it every year and that’s my feeling.
2:30:53 That’s all.
2:30:54 I was able to do some nice stuff for my Title I schools
2:30:56 when I had the revenue.
2:30:57 - So you’re suggesting that we have,
2:31:01 because what’s showing on our budget right now
2:31:03 is the 25,000, which FSBA is going to cost us
2:31:09 18, 19, 19,000.
2:31:12 So that’s gonna leave a total of 6,000.
2:31:16 - But who made this budget?
2:31:18 ‘Cause this isn’t the budget we approved.
2:31:20 That’s my biggest problem.
2:31:21 How did these numbers change
2:31:22 from what we allocated for our own budget?
2:31:25 - The budgets that I’ve gotten in the past
2:31:27 are a little bit different.
2:31:28 When I asked for those Excel spreadsheets,
2:31:30 I mean, we found $200,000 in our own budget
2:31:32 falling to the bottom line every year under workers comp.
2:31:35 It was a bizarre thing, right?
2:31:37 So there’s actual, there’s another way to do that.
2:31:40 And this spreadsheet’s great, don’t get me wrong,
2:31:42 but the actual, like I just feel that Tina now,
2:31:45 ‘cause she doesn’t join FSBA,
2:31:46 should be able to use those dollars
2:31:48 the way that she sees fit,
2:31:49 whether she wants to give it back to the district,
2:31:51 that’s great, you as an individual,
2:31:52 but if you wanted to use that as seed money
2:31:54 towards your other stuff, you could.
2:31:55 - But it’s not budgeted as Tina’s money,
2:31:57 it’s budgeted as dues and fees from the board.
2:32:00 - It’s different than what we said before.
2:32:02 When we sat down, we all said,
2:32:04 we’re gonna allocate this amount of money
2:32:05 for each board member.
2:32:06 The way that they did that process-wise behind
2:32:09 is not consistent with what we said.
2:32:11 So we said, we’re gonna have this money
2:32:12 for each board member prior.
2:32:14 It’s not set up as board member one, two, three, four,
2:32:16 but they do have that breakdown inside there.
2:32:19 They have your breakdown on capital, on cost, on everything.
2:32:22 So on your travel, on every one of those.
2:32:25 So that is a separate breakdown somewhere else.
2:32:28 I’m just saying in the event, and I don’t, Ms. Belford,
2:32:30 like this would mean that I, as an individual,
2:32:33 would not have any revenue,
2:32:34 but I wanted to be able to in the future.
2:32:36 If we don’t wanna be a part of FSBA,
2:32:37 or if we wanted to utilize that extra funding that we had,
2:32:42 I’d like to.
2:32:44 - We might need to address.
2:32:45 So my calculations say that we should have 35,500
2:32:49 in that account.
2:32:51 - For the two, for the two things?
2:32:52 - We need to address if we wanna keep that
2:32:54 now that there’s only one organization
2:32:55 everyone wants to join,
2:32:56 or if that just rolls into dues and fees,
2:32:58 and you can use it for other dues and fees.
2:33:02 Because I think everybody ran short.
2:33:05 All of you that went to an FSBA conference,
2:33:07 and then when we tried to go to Tallahassee
2:33:08 with the students, you guys were like.
2:33:12 - We didn’t have any money.
2:33:13 - Yeah, you were out of budget, so.
2:33:14 - I think you had to borrow from me.
2:33:15 - I borrowed from somebody I know.
2:33:16 - I offered to send some of my funds over to you.
2:33:18 Like it, you know, it got, so.
2:33:20 - Well, Martina and I ended up saying.
2:33:21 - I don’t think this is a good budget for us,
2:33:22 is what I’m saying.
2:33:23 We’ve got too much in this account,
2:33:24 not enough in the travel.
2:33:26 It’s just, I think we need to address this.
2:33:28 And maybe today’s not the day, but.
2:33:29 - Yeah, probably I’m not going to be able
2:33:31 to resolve it today,
2:33:32 but so would we like to put that down
2:33:33 as a discussion for our next board check-in?
2:33:37 And Ms. Escobar, could we get a breakdown
2:33:39 on how those dollars are broken out inside the budget?
2:33:45 - Attempt to.
2:33:47 - I also know that I take the ads
2:33:52 out of that 25,000.
2:33:55 - The ads for our meetings come out of the dues and fees?
2:33:59 - So that tends to be pretty pricey.
2:34:03 - Right, especially when we have to run.
2:34:05 - Wow, how are we paying for all of that with $25,000?
2:34:09 - But dues and fees.
2:34:12 - No, she is a different line item than the 25.
2:34:17 The dues and fees is a.
2:34:20 - I think 737 under function 7100.
2:34:22 - Yeah, and then we have our,
2:34:23 these own individual dues and fees.
2:34:26 - Maybe they’re.
2:34:27 - Those are conferences.
2:34:28 Like when we go to a conference,
2:34:30 if we go to FSBA, it’s $300.
2:34:32 Or if we go to like a two day workshop, it’s $150.
2:34:35 That’s what that dues and fees goes towards.
2:34:39 - I really just want to scratch this thing
2:34:41 and make my own little spreadsheet because this is not,
2:34:46 why call it dues and fees and it’s object 737
2:34:48 if it’s something completely different than.
2:34:51 - I think you’re right, Madam Chair.
2:34:53 Like maybe this is for a longer, larger discussion.
2:34:57 Maybe we have our CFO come in
2:34:58 and explain the reasons behind this stuff.
2:35:00 And then we go from there.
2:35:01 But my overall intention is to allow flexibility
2:35:05 for our own budgets, depending on what we do.
2:35:08 Because I might be already in Tallahassee for something
2:35:10 and not need to use the money to travel with the kids.
2:35:13 I would like that flexibility.
2:35:15 Or if I wanted to pay for something out of our board budget,
2:35:18 as long as it’s within our purview,
2:35:19 then I would like to do that.
2:35:20 And that’s all.
2:35:21 So if that’s for a further discussion,
2:35:23 I think you’re right though.
2:35:24 Like we’re, I’m looking at a different budget on my screen.
2:35:27 This is a different budget and they do make sense.
2:35:28 We just don’t know how.
2:35:30 - So would you please make note for me to follow up
2:35:35 for our next board check-in to request finance join us
2:35:38 for discussion on the board budget
2:35:39 and how that all works out, like the specific.
2:35:43 We had scheduled them quarterly,
2:35:45 but we may need to look at scheduling one sooner,
2:35:47 depending on how many takeaways we leave with today.
2:35:52 So FSBA membership,
2:35:54 everyone’s good with the four board members
2:35:56 who’ve opted to join FSBA,
2:35:59 authorizing Pam to move forward with those two.
2:36:02 - Can I make a recommendation that Tina gets to spend
2:36:03 her own money the way she wants?
2:36:05 - I don’t know.
2:36:06 - Tina can do what she wants.
2:36:10 - It has to fall within, I don’t necessarily agree
2:36:13 unless we revamp what we’re doing,
2:36:16 but the way it stands now, no,
2:36:17 because it’s designated for professional development,
2:36:20 for dues and fees, for her to say.
2:36:21 - Tina can use her money to pay for the people
2:36:23 that are gonna come in and work with us on board.
2:36:26 - There we go.
2:36:27 - Since that’s one of the goals I brought forward,
2:36:30 that sounds like a wonderful idea.
2:36:31 - As long as it stays within the, you know,
2:36:33 I don’t want it to become, you know,
2:36:35 hey, let me give your school $2,000 for a new copy,
2:36:38 or boom, like I’m a, you know.
2:36:40 - Or give a program that has no money
2:36:42 that they can’t even fundraise out of a Title I school.
2:36:44 - I understand, but I think we have to,
2:36:49 in being true to the budget,
2:36:50 I think we need to stick with what it’s been designated for.
2:36:53 - So we’re good on FSBA membership?
2:36:56 - Yep.
2:36:57 - That moves us along to community mapping,
2:36:59 and Dr. Mullins, did you purchase books for them?
2:37:02 Have they received them?
2:37:03 - I did, and they’re in my office to take with them today.
2:37:07 - Awesome, so the next, I handed out a page to you all
2:37:12 that, no, you don’t have to now.
2:37:16 I handed out a page to you all
2:37:17 that says community mapping at the top,
2:37:19 and this is going to be one that we are going to revisit
2:37:21 for a more in-depth discussion as well,
2:37:24 but I’m gonna give you a high-level overview.
2:37:26 Dr. Mullins has purchased some books
2:37:28 for each of the board members
2:37:29 called “Communities Cannot Do It Alone.”
2:37:32 And it’s a, schools cannot do it alone, thank you.
2:37:36 And it’s a book that I had read a while ago,
2:37:40 like a long while ago, and then for whatever reason,
2:37:43 picked it up again and read through it again.
2:37:45 And it just seemed to really ring true
2:37:47 with some of the challenges that we’re facing right now.
2:37:49 And part of the concept of that book
2:37:52 is really bringing our community together around education,
2:37:58 which I feel like we do,
2:38:00 we have a very supportive community in Brevard
2:38:03 with regards to education.
2:38:05 But what I tend to see is that Tina is whacking
2:38:09 on one side of the tree,
2:38:10 and Matt’s whacking on another side of the tree,
2:38:13 and the Children’s Hunger Project is on this side of the tree
2:38:17 and the community food bank is on this side of the tree,
2:38:21 and we’re all kind of whacking away at the tree
2:38:24 on different issues,
2:38:25 but we’re not getting to where we need to go
2:38:27 because we’re not uniting in our efforts,
2:38:29 and we could do so much more
2:38:30 if we could unite in those efforts
2:38:32 and really be on the same page.
2:38:33 So part of getting to that point
2:38:37 is mapping out your community
2:38:38 and identifying who are the people in our community
2:38:41 that we need to be connected with
2:38:42 and what are they doing in our community.
2:38:44 So rather than me going,
2:38:46 I have this great idea that I need to do this
2:38:48 when someone else is already doing it,
2:38:50 we already have those connections and that map to say,
2:38:53 this is who’s working on this issue,
2:38:55 and hey, maybe if we’d partner them
2:38:56 with this other organization, we can tackle this together.
2:39:00 So rings true for feeding children,
2:39:04 it rings true for early childhood education,
2:39:08 so many aspects of our community challenges.
2:39:12 There are a lot of great people working on,
2:39:14 but we’re just not moving in the same direction.
2:39:16 So one of the things that I would like for us
2:39:19 as board members to do, if you all are not opposed,
2:39:22 is to take part in mapping our district.
2:39:26 And I don’t mean like drawing a map,
2:39:29 but what it consists of is sitting down and identifying,
2:39:33 and you’ll see on this spreadsheet,
2:39:35 foundations that are in your community,
2:39:37 civic groups that are in your community,
2:39:39 youth activities that are available in your community,
2:39:41 churches that are in your community,
2:39:44 and identifying who those people are,
2:39:46 like a point of contact and their contact information,
2:39:51 and then what do they do?
2:39:52 So maybe you have a nonprofit called Titusville Angels.
2:39:56 Well, what do they do?
2:39:57 What issues are they tackling?
2:40:00 The goal is eventually to have all of Brevard County
2:40:04 mapped out so we can identify these different groups.
2:40:07 But I felt like it would be easier rather than us,
2:40:10 and Nikki’s working on this as well,
2:40:11 but rather than us dumping that concept
2:40:15 on the team here at BPS,
2:40:17 we are out in our community a lot,
2:40:19 and we have a lot of that information.
2:40:21 So if we can all just collectively start
2:40:23 kind of filling in some blanks.
2:40:25 So my thought was, first, these groups are just groups
2:40:29 that I jotted down, like just brain dump.
2:40:32 Here are some different types of groups
2:40:34 that I can think of for us to identify in the community.
2:40:38 So what I would like to ask is for you all to just,
2:40:40 at this point, just look through these groups
2:40:43 and help me identify what we’ve missed
2:40:45 that needs to be included as to the different types
2:40:48 of groups in the community that we should be considering.
2:40:51 And then once we have gone through that exercise
2:40:53 and we’ve added everything in,
2:40:55 then I will go ahead and create or ask Pam or Tammy
2:40:58 to create a Smartsheet where we can start
2:41:03 plugging this information in
2:41:05 once we’re all on the same page with where it’s going.
2:41:07 Are you guys amenable to that task?
2:41:11 - Yeah, Tina doesn’t like Smartsheet.
2:41:13 - Huh? - Yeah, I don’t like Smartsheet.
2:41:15 I don’t like Smartsheet, but that’s not what my comment was.
2:41:17 - That’ll be good because it won’t duplicate.
2:41:19 - Or Google Docs or whatever.
2:41:22 I don’t care what we use.
2:41:23 - ‘Cause that way we’re not duplicating
2:41:25 if we’re all using the same documents.
2:41:26 - Right, because, yeah, because we don’t wanna,
2:41:29 and we can have it broken down by district, but you know.
2:41:33 - A lot of things cross over.
2:41:34 - Yes, and so I think it just makes more sense
2:41:36 for us to have a cohesive document
2:41:38 that we can work on mutually.
2:41:39 Are you guys good with that?
2:41:40 - Sounds good. - Okay.
2:41:41 - When you’re just talking about schools,
2:41:42 are you talking about our schools or charter schools
2:41:45 and supportive schools?
2:41:47 ‘Cause I see school towners didn’t know that.
2:41:48 - Yeah, all of the above.
2:41:49 So what are the private schools in your community?
2:41:51 What are the– - Universities.
2:41:53 - That are serving special needs students?
2:41:54 What are the– - Our university partners
2:41:56 as well, college.
2:41:58 - Yeah, so if you guys could task yourselves
2:42:02 with reviewing this, if I give you two weeks,
2:42:05 is that long enough for you to review
2:42:06 and make suggestions on–
2:42:08 - For categories?
2:42:10 - Categories to be included.
2:42:11 - And just to save some time here in duplicative efforts,
2:42:16 like Dr. Moans already has a list of all the churches
2:42:19 that he meets with, right?
2:42:21 - My thing is, is that like, I love this list.
2:42:23 Like this is me, right?
2:42:24 So I’m gonna go through it,
2:42:25 but I don’t wanna lose or miss things.
2:42:27 So is there any way that like Dr. Moans,
2:42:31 you could provide all those contacts for your churches?
2:42:33 You know what I mean?
2:42:34 ‘Cause I’ve got 25 that I meet with on Fridays that call in.
2:42:38 And so I can provide those,
2:42:39 but I don’t know if they’re all mine in the area.
2:42:41 Plus we may wanna engage the chambers
2:42:43 for some of these things
2:42:44 because they have multiple mastered lists of contacts.
2:42:47 Like they have it by category.
2:42:49 So we could literally start there
2:42:51 and then whittle down to the next level.
2:42:54 That would be my idea.
2:42:55 If we can engage the chambers,
2:42:56 get Dr. Moans and our communications department to fill now,
2:43:01 then we come behind and be all,
2:43:02 my rotary’s not in there or that kind of stuff.
2:43:05 If I could make that suggestion because that would do,
2:43:08 that would save us a lot of time in our two weeks.
2:43:10 - Yeah, well, and those two,
2:43:12 I’m not asking you to fill in these categories.
2:43:15 I’m just asking you to identify during these next two weeks
2:43:17 to identify categories that we have not included.
2:43:20 - Oh.
2:43:21 - And then we can move forward on the next step.
2:43:23 - I thought you were asking for the list done in two weeks.
2:43:25 - No, no, no, no. - I was like, oh my God.
2:43:26 Like I’ve gotta drive around for a while.
2:43:27 - No, yeah.
2:43:28 - I mean, off the top of my head,
2:43:30 I would just add to schools,
2:43:31 our colleges and universities specifically.
2:43:34 - Okay, and chambers.
2:43:38 - Ms. Balfour, may I just ask Pam,
2:43:40 will you please get with Tammy
2:43:43 and ask her to forward our community ambassadors list
2:43:46 as well as our business partners list
2:43:48 from government community relations to all the board members?
2:43:51 Just it’ll help spark some who we’re already connected with.
2:43:54 - Perfect.
2:43:56 - Mr. Gibbs, when my EDC meets or organizations meet,
2:44:00 I would love to bring one of my other school board members
2:44:02 if we’re in their district
2:44:04 and it’s a non-voting type thing.
2:44:06 Is that gonna give you a heart attack
2:44:07 if I reach out to Ms. Campbell and said,
2:44:08 “Hey, we’re meeting at this manufacturer
2:44:11 “that’s inside your thing.”
2:44:11 And I think it would be a great community connection.
2:44:14 As long as she’s in there,
2:44:15 we’re not talking about issues, right?
2:44:18 - Legally, you can do it.
2:44:19 I don’t recommend doing it.
2:44:22 Just from a perception.
2:44:22 - Would you like to come and stand between us?
2:44:25 - It’s just being at the same event.
2:44:27 When the perception is gonna be really,
2:44:29 they didn’t talk about school district things
2:44:31 the entire time they were at that event together.
2:44:33 I mean, what happens if the group brings up something
2:44:36 that is likely to come before the board at some point?
2:44:39 Are one of you leaving?
2:44:41 I mean.
2:44:42 - Yeah, I mean.
2:44:42 - Or if I come as an observer.
2:44:45 - Yeah, we can come.
2:44:46 We can do this Gibbs.
2:44:47 - Right, I mean, the law does not prohibit you
2:44:51 from attending the same functions.
2:44:53 It prohibits you from having any kind of discussions
2:44:55 with one another about things that are board business
2:44:59 or likely to come before the board.
2:45:02 - Yep, because I think that would help
2:45:03 a lot of organizations.
2:45:04 I would like to go to a board meeting
2:45:06 for the Children’s Hunger Project.
2:45:07 I would love you guys to come one at a time
2:45:09 to a board meeting at the EDC.
2:45:11 All of these different components, I think.
2:45:13 So we can learn basically our, you know.
2:45:16 There’s, okay.
2:45:18 - Thank you.
2:45:19 With your permission, I would like to flip flop
2:45:22 item eight and item nine because I feel like
2:45:24 item nine, I’m crossing my fingers,
2:45:26 is going to be a less lengthy conversation than item eight.
2:45:31 So I’d like to knock that out if we could
2:45:35 and then we can get on to item eight,
2:45:38 which is our graduation discussion.
2:45:40 Are you guys good with that?
2:45:41 - Sure.
2:45:42 - Okay.
2:45:43 Ms. Collins, Ms. Duskovich had asked
2:45:46 that we add this item to the agenda for discussion,
2:45:50 but I know that you have done some work around this.
2:45:52 So if you wouldn’t mind filling us in
2:45:55 on where you’re at at this point.
2:45:59 - Sure, well, just for background or summary,
2:46:04 you know, I’ve had an ongoing relationship
2:46:06 with our NAACP leaders across the district,
2:46:09 but particularly South Brevard
2:46:11 or the South branch of NAACP,
2:46:14 primarily because I was an area superintendent down there
2:46:17 for several years and developed a relationship
2:46:21 with President James Minus and other NAACP leaders there.
2:46:26 President Minus reached out to Ms. Duskovich,
2:46:30 or I think Ms. Duskovich actually reached out
2:46:32 to President Minus and just wanted to touch base
2:46:35 and see how, stay connected with what’s going on
2:46:40 in the world around us and certainly in our community.
2:46:43 And President Minus shared with us
2:46:45 and then afforded the board several resolutions
2:46:49 that were being developed and shared
2:46:52 at the recent Florida State Conference NAACP.
2:46:56 President Minus highlighted five,
2:46:58 particularly that of 15 resolutions that were developed
2:47:04 and just bring them to our attention
2:47:05 and share them with us and say,
2:47:08 let’s have ongoing conversation around them.
2:47:11 And the five that he shared,
2:47:15 or he highlighted specific for education
2:47:17 was resolution number two,
2:47:20 titled Bias Training Courts and Schools.
2:47:24 Resolution number four,
2:47:27 Curing the Epidemic of Black Youth Suicides.
2:47:32 Resolution number five,
2:47:34 I think they’re numbered for our management.
2:47:37 Actually, they’re not numbered from them,
2:47:38 but this one was civics, education, instruction, and K-12.
2:47:45 The next was COVID-19 and education
2:47:49 and another parent teacher associations,
2:47:52 donations deep in educational inequities.
2:47:56 So I think we’ve had them maybe a week,
2:47:59 little over a week and had a chance to go through them.
2:48:01 I’ve not had the opportunity to sit down with staff
2:48:04 necessarily and go through them
2:48:05 and share them with them,
2:48:07 but had some conversation with Ms. Deskevich.
2:48:12 One that I particularly wanted to highlight
2:48:15 is bias training courts and schools.
2:48:18 I know the board is aware and our community
2:48:21 or some community leaders are aware.
2:48:23 We actually had scheduled overcoming racism training
2:48:27 scheduled originally June, I think, 8th.
2:48:30 And given our, and it was inclusive
2:48:33 of our entire leadership team,
2:48:35 which is all of our principals, district leaders,
2:48:38 cabinet, of course, the board was invited.
2:48:40 We invited our NAACP leaders as well.
2:48:43 And we were anxiously looking forward to that training
2:48:47 and really coming together as a organization
2:48:51 around this issue even before we,
2:48:55 long before the current awareness
2:48:58 that we’re all responding to.
2:49:01 So that has been rescheduled in September
2:49:05 because it is best facilitated
2:49:06 when we can come together in a large gathering,
2:49:09 when we can come together as an organization.
2:49:11 So it is already rescheduled for September.
2:49:13 I don’t remember the date off the top of my head,
2:49:15 September 2 and inclusive of all the individuals
2:49:20 I have already mentioned.
2:49:21 We have included is an ongoing working relationship
2:49:26 with a gentleman who is leading that training
2:49:29 to work with our leaders throughout the district
2:49:31 as follow-up as well.
2:49:33 So just wanted to highlight that.
2:49:39 Also been in discussion with Dr. Sullivan
2:49:43 and looking at our curriculum,
2:49:45 particularly in middle school, U.S. history
2:49:49 and our social studies electives in high school.
2:49:53 She is in the process of working with her social studies
2:49:56 content specialist and teachers in the fall
2:50:00 to look at our eighth grade U.S. history curriculum
2:50:03 at African-American history specifically
2:50:07 and modules that could be developed to enhance
2:50:11 and compliment the curriculum that we have in place.
2:50:15 But in addition, I believe a year ago,
2:50:17 maybe two years ago, we piloted or launched
2:50:20 a African-American history elective course,
2:50:23 a year long course for high school.
2:50:26 And it was in place at one high school this year.
2:50:31 We’re looking to expand that a little bit further
2:50:33 this coming school year and continue to grow that.
2:50:37 It does take time when we add electives.
2:50:40 Keep in mind that typically our student population
2:50:43 is pretty static in terms of student growth.
2:50:46 So when we add electives,
2:50:48 we have to think about what we take off as electives
2:50:50 because we don’t have enough students
2:50:53 to go through all the electives, if you will.
2:50:55 So we have an intentional plan and path
2:50:58 to continue to grow that as an elective.
2:51:01 But I wanted to share that particularly in response
2:51:04 to the civics education instruction in K-12.
2:51:08 I followed up with President Minus on Monday, I believe,
2:51:13 and just let him know we were working through these things.
2:51:16 I shared with him some of the same highlights with him
2:51:20 and he was very appreciative and understood.
2:51:23 Let’s continue to come together
2:51:25 and talk through these and so on.
2:51:26 So that’s kind of where we’re at at this point.
2:51:31 - Dr. Mullins, can I say something
2:51:32 in regards to your US history piece?
2:51:35 So the gentleman that you brought to our engagement
2:51:39 last year, the principal to Palm Beach Lakes High School
2:51:43 has the most phenomenal program there
2:51:45 in regards to what it was.
2:51:46 And Kenny Johnson and I were actually gonna get in the car
2:51:49 and drive down there, meet with them.
2:51:51 We had it all set up and then COVID happened, right?
2:51:54 I would engage that conversation
2:51:57 when we’re talking about adding it to the curriculum
2:51:59 to be engagement into the high school portion,
2:52:03 not the seventh or possibly eighth grade,
2:52:05 because the 16 year old high school engagement
2:52:08 is ultimately infinitely more substantive
2:52:12 towards some of the race issues
2:52:14 that they’re trying to address.
2:52:16 I think eighth grade’s great.
2:52:17 We touch on it and stuff like that,
2:52:18 but there’s an actual curriculum that talks to,
2:52:22 as opposed to just talking about the slave
2:52:23 and the triangle trade and the slave trade
2:52:26 to actually talk about the kingdoms
2:52:27 and the beautiful things that were in Africa, right?
2:52:30 And that piece can be added very quickly
2:52:33 into our 10th grade American history.
2:52:35 And that I think is part of a conversation.
2:52:37 I used to do it in my class when I taught American history.
2:52:40 And I think that that’s something that we could do.
2:52:41 So please, as you’re moving forward
2:52:43 with that part of the discussion,
2:52:45 add that piece into 10th grade,
2:52:46 because I think I would find it more,
2:52:49 I don’t know, that seems to be a flash point in time
2:52:52 for kids when the individuals that are there
2:52:56 that need that education are not there.
2:52:57 And I would also say that the elective is 100% right,
2:53:01 but moving towards adding it as part of our education
2:53:05 inside of our school district is needed
2:53:06 because we can’t always offer the elective
2:53:08 to everybody, right?
2:53:09 We can’t always do that piece.
2:53:10 So offering a supplement to it would help, that’s all.
2:53:14 And then in the PTA’s, is he talking?
2:53:16 I spoke, I looked at the PTA donation one,
2:53:19 and it says inside there that he says low socioeconomic.
2:53:22 Is he talking about Title I schools?
2:53:24 So when we’re framing our argument over the PTA’s,
2:53:27 would that be the Title I schools,
2:53:28 or what was that piece there?
2:53:30 Do you know what I mean?
2:53:32 - Well, I wouldn’t suggest we had
2:53:34 in-depth conversation about it.
2:53:35 So I wouldn’t wanna try and interpret
2:53:37 or speak on behalf of President Meinert and Dan DeBlois.
2:53:42 But those are some of the things that we’ll talk through
2:53:44 and continue to meet with them about as we move forward.
2:53:47 We as a board, or you as a staff?
2:53:49 Yes, okay, I think this is the opportunity,
2:53:53 absolutely a time that we must look for expanded conversation
2:54:01 and opportunity to continue conversation
2:54:03 going across former formalities.
2:54:07 We need to ensure that we have the right voices
2:54:09 at the table and diverse voices at the table
2:54:11 and continue the conversation.
2:54:13 And I’m very receptive and open to all of that,
2:54:15 as we have been.
2:54:16 But I think, quite frankly, for us, just to that point,
2:54:20 we gotta look at our frame of how we have done.
2:54:26 And if we’re at a, and I believe we are at a place
2:54:29 that our frame hasn’t brought the results we want
2:54:35 of ensuring equity, access, opportunity
2:54:37 to all of our students.
2:54:39 And this is our time to say, to challenge our frame
2:54:43 and say, how do we move past where we have had a structures
2:54:47 and conversations in the past and move beyond them?
2:54:49 Not that conversations aren’t happening
2:54:51 and the relationships aren’t there.
2:54:52 We’ve got, I believe, very positive relationships
2:54:56 across our community, across many different groups
2:55:00 inclusive of our black leaders.
2:55:03 So we build on that and we say, let’s build
2:55:08 and let’s look to construct what we want to be next.
2:55:14 - Ms. Spelford.
2:55:15 - Hold on, just one second.
2:55:17 Ms. Daskovich, you had actually requested
2:55:19 that this item be included in discussion, I think.
2:55:22 Did you wanna take, what were you looking to achieve?
2:55:26 Are we, I don’t wanna gloss over what an outcome
2:55:30 that you were looking for.
2:55:35 - I wanted to, you know, I gave him to doctor,
2:55:38 he sent him to Dr. Mullins and I, I guess a week ago.
2:55:40 So I just wanted to open the discussion,
2:55:43 get these in front of you all
2:55:45 so we can start having these discussions
2:55:46 like Dr. Mullins recommended.
2:55:49 And then I’m hoping that we can get a document
2:55:52 from Dr. Mullins and staff,
2:55:56 because I feel like when I read through these,
2:55:58 oh, we are, we’re doing that.
2:55:59 And I don’t think the community knows how hard,
2:56:02 you know, Dr. Sullivan’s the one that comes to mind.
2:56:04 She has driven this since I’ve been on the board,
2:56:07 a lot of these ideas.
2:56:08 And so I think we need to communicate that
2:56:12 in our conversations to the community,
2:56:14 what we are doing and what we plan to do,
2:56:18 where we’re not, and we look at these and we can say,
2:56:20 oh, we’re already doing that one great,
2:56:22 but we could do this a little better,
2:56:23 or we could do that a little better.
2:56:24 So I wanted to have that discussion
2:56:26 and maybe direct Dr. Mullins to have staff
2:56:29 put something together tangible
2:56:30 that we can see exactly what we’re doing.
2:56:33 And where do we wanna go?
2:56:36 One of these in here does give me concern and pause,
2:56:38 like I don’t know that we could carry that out,
2:56:40 but maybe as a discussion, we could figure out
2:56:43 how maybe PTAs could adopt a Title I school
2:56:47 if they choose to.
2:56:48 I know in the Atlantic, we adopted Palm Bay Elementary
2:56:50 for a year or two, and I was serving there.
2:56:52 And it wasn’t, it still wasn’t equitable,
2:56:55 but we did a book drive for them and we did some things,
2:56:57 and maybe there’s, you know, maybe this is phases,
2:56:59 maybe there’s process, maybe it’s just educating
2:57:01 some of the more wealthier PTOs and PTAs
2:57:04 on what the needs are.
2:57:05 A lot of them will step up and be willing to serve.
2:57:08 So I think there’s work that can be done here.
2:57:10 I just, I thought it was important and timely
2:57:13 to get it in front of all of us for a discussion.
2:57:16 - Ms. Campbell.
2:57:17 - I would just say, I agree, Ms. Deskevich,
2:57:19 it’s good for us to look at all of these.
2:57:21 And as I was looking through each one,
2:57:23 I was like, okay, what, after I look,
2:57:25 you get through the whereases, right,
2:57:26 the circumstances, situations that they’re pointing to,
2:57:28 but what is the ask for each one?
2:57:30 And, you know, out of the five,
2:57:32 really only two of the asks directly come to us,
2:57:35 the bias training one and the one about,
2:57:40 it was number six on our list about COVID-19 education,
2:57:42 about making next school year be a time
2:57:45 to make up for lost time,
2:57:46 and I know that’s already part of our plan.
2:57:48 But I mean, just to be aware of these other ones as well,
2:57:51 because they’re, you know, they do affect us.
2:57:55 You know, one of the asks was to the CDC,
2:57:56 one of, you know, a couple to the legislature,
2:57:59 one to the DOE.
2:58:00 So, you know, but I totally agree
2:58:04 that, you know, these documents were formed as a statewide,
2:58:07 here’s as a state what we wanna see.
2:58:09 There are some things that we’re doing really well
2:58:10 in Brevard that we need to continue to do better,
2:58:13 but that we need to communicate
2:58:14 to our NAACP leadership and to our whole community,
2:58:19 here’s what we’re doing and make sure they are aware
2:58:22 of what is already in place and we wanna join them.
2:58:25 But I just wanna take a time,
2:58:27 and I know, you know, this is our first time,
2:58:30 we may also address this next Tuesday,
2:58:31 but this is our first time together
2:58:34 since all of the national turmoil has,
2:58:39 starting with the death of George Floyd
2:58:41 and then, you know, the riots and things like that.
2:58:44 And I think it would be, you know,
2:58:46 I just wanna say as, you know, we’ve been asked,
2:58:49 I’ve gotten a few emails, I’m sure you guys have as well,
2:58:52 and a few places where we’ve been asked, you know,
2:58:54 every leader elected or otherwise has been asked
2:58:58 to make a statement, to weigh in.
2:59:00 And I, you know, as a board member, I’ve thought,
2:59:03 okay, as in this role as a leader,
2:59:06 what is my responsibility?
2:59:07 Because the things that we’re talking about
2:59:11 aren’t necessarily related to our,
2:59:15 the conflict is not over what’s happening in our schools,
2:59:18 okay, but our schools are a huge part of the solution
2:59:25 and the education and the way we come together,
2:59:27 they’re training the next generation.
2:59:31 You know, I’ve had a conversation with someone
2:59:33 that some of the things that are evil,
2:59:38 still in our nation,
2:59:41 some of that is gonna have to be diluted over time,
2:59:44 over generations.
2:59:45 And so we have the great responsibility and privilege
2:59:48 of pouring into this generation and the next generations
2:59:51 and setting things up so that the path towards restoration
2:59:55 and reconciliation can continue.
2:59:57 So I just think it’s important for the people
2:59:59 who are watching and just, you know,
3:00:00 because I know how the people in this room feel
3:00:04 that we know racism is wrong
3:00:06 and we’re doing everything we can
3:00:07 and we’re so proud of our staff
3:00:08 for the things that they’re doing.
3:00:10 I say everything we can.
3:00:12 We can do more, can’t we, Dr. Mullins?
3:00:15 But that is our goal.
3:00:16 And so I just think it’s important for us, you know,
3:00:18 in this time.
3:00:19 And again, I hope that we’ll say something also again,
3:00:21 our more watched meeting next week,
3:00:24 but just to say, this is important to us
3:00:27 and whatever falls within our power of influence
3:00:31 as a school board and as superintendent,
3:00:33 as our district leadership,
3:00:34 and even down to our teachers and our other staff.
3:00:37 And, you know, this is, we wanna be part of the solution.
3:00:42 And so I’m thankful for our great relationship we have
3:00:46 with Mr. Minus and with our other NAACP leaders
3:00:49 and glad they feel comfortable sending this to us
3:00:51 and that we can have those conversations.
3:00:53 But, you know, I’m thankful for this team
3:00:57 and for the work that you guys are already doing
3:00:59 and that your goal is to continue to work
3:01:03 towards even having a greater impact on our students.
3:01:08 - I’d like to say something.
3:01:09 - Very well said, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Susan.
3:01:11 - I just wanted to say, Dr. Mullins,
3:01:13 in the years that I’ve been a part of this organization
3:01:16 since 2005, I’ve never seen a superintendent
3:01:19 more engaged into this realm,
3:01:21 along with deputy superintendent, Ms. Sullivan.
3:01:25 You deserve huge credit for this.
3:01:27 I’ve asked you and I know you’re not a boaster.
3:01:29 Like, I know you’re not, like, it drives me crazy.
3:01:30 I’m like, some days I just wish you would run out front,
3:01:32 hold a Paris conference and tell everybody what you’re doing
3:01:35 because this area, you are a champion.
3:01:37 And I have never, I’m telling you,
3:01:41 I wrote my history thesis on civil rights
3:01:43 when I was at Florida State
3:01:44 and I wrote it about Harry T. Moore.
3:01:46 So I spent two months writing a paper
3:01:49 that is about Harry T. Moore,
3:01:49 I did not even know when I was moving to Brevard.
3:01:51 And I understood the civil rights for this county
3:01:54 going back 150 years.
3:01:56 And I’ll tell you that it’s very, very significant.
3:01:58 And I’ll tell you, as soon as I came here as a teacher,
3:02:01 the first thing I did was get on the Harry T. Moore board
3:02:03 and start working on bringing kids up there
3:02:04 and doing all that stuff.
3:02:05 And I’ll tell you the lack of what you’re doing
3:02:09 was needed so bad then,
3:02:10 and I wanna commend you for what you do.
3:02:12 Like, I want everybody to know,
3:02:13 like, big banner across the world
3:02:15 that Dr. Mullins and Dr. Sullivan
3:02:17 have been leading this in what you’ve done, right?
3:02:18 So that’s the first thing I wanted to say.
3:02:21 I also wanted to say,
3:02:23 I’ve been meeting with the PTOs, PTAs,
3:02:25 and they’ve been cross collaborating.
3:02:27 Amazingly enough, our PTOs in Suntree Viera
3:02:29 have been literally donating clothes, food, money,
3:02:32 everything into our Title I schools down in the south.
3:02:35 They’ve actually started to become friends
3:02:37 and they’re starting that cross collaboration.
3:02:39 I think one of the issues that you run into
3:02:41 is that a lot of our Title I schools
3:02:42 receive Title I funding, right?
3:02:44 So that’s a huge chunk of money that they’re getting
3:02:46 to offset some of the costs.
3:02:47 So when the PTAs are raising up money,
3:02:50 some of the things that that Title I covers
3:02:51 is what the PTA is up north.
3:02:52 And I think that’s part of the discussion holistically,
3:02:55 but I’m telling you, they are ready.
3:02:56 Like, you just talked about adopt to school.
3:02:58 You don’t even, like we just have a circle
3:03:00 of the PTOs, PTAs, and one will say,
3:03:02 hey, we need baking goods
3:03:04 ‘cause we have a bunch of birthdays coming up.
3:03:05 And then all of a sudden the Suntree moms come down
3:03:07 with literally that.
3:03:09 They’re talking about outdoor classrooms, whatever it is,
3:03:11 it’s just like, boom, they all do it.
3:03:12 So getting them into a room and just letting them talk,
3:03:16 I think is part of that discussion too.
3:03:17 But I did just want to say, Dr. Mullins,
3:03:19 I know you don’t like to boast, but man, this is you.
3:03:22 Like, this is yours and you lead this district
3:03:24 and great job.
3:03:25 That’s all.
3:03:26 You know, could you do a press conference or something?
3:03:29 Big, bold?
3:03:29 - You look so uncomfortable, sir.
3:03:32 This is well deserved, that accolades.
3:03:34 - I appreciate that.
3:03:36 I would, those are very humbling comments.
3:03:41 But my, I’m not gonna, this has been a very heavy time.
3:03:45 If you know that this has been an area
3:03:49 I have wanted to lead and champion for our community,
3:03:53 I would defer to our black leaders,
3:03:58 our black moms, dads, our kids, and say,
3:04:01 do you feel that way?
3:04:03 And I’m not prepared to say that they would say yes,
3:04:07 because we can do more.
3:04:08 We must do more.
3:04:10 And yes, there have been requests for a statement
3:04:14 or a message.
3:04:15 And it is, I felt personally and even professionally,
3:04:22 it was necessary to take the time to understand better,
3:04:29 because I don’t know that I understood all I could or should.
3:04:35 And I met with our principals all day yesterday
3:04:42 and spent the first considerable amount of my time
3:04:46 with each of the principal groups,
3:04:48 sharing my personal journey over the last couple of weeks
3:04:54 with the images of the atrocities
3:04:56 of the death of George Floyd,
3:04:58 with the realization of what happened with Ahmaud Avery,
3:05:02 and needing to pause and just seek to understand better
3:05:11 why and how we are here.
3:05:15 And I don’t have the answers yet.
3:05:23 I believe that we are a community
3:05:25 that we can come together and we can work toward them.
3:05:28 Not can, we must and we will.
3:05:34 I shared with our principals yesterday,
3:05:37 every one of us, every one of us, if I were to survey said,
3:05:43 we got into this career,
3:05:45 this profession to make a difference.
3:05:49 And now we’re confronted with the reality,
3:05:52 with the personal challenge.
3:05:55 Are we making a difference for our white children,
3:05:58 for our black children, for our brown children,
3:06:00 for our children with different political preference,
3:06:04 with our children, our boys, our girls,
3:06:09 our children who have gender identity differences.
3:06:15 Because if we’re talking about racism and discrimination,
3:06:19 we’ve got to be thinking about every one of the kids
3:06:21 that come to us in our schools.
3:06:24 And that’s a very personal challenge to me.
3:06:28 And this is a time to really do some deep consideration.
3:06:35 Because at the end of the day,
3:06:37 we are, discrimination is intolerable.
3:06:43 Discrimination in any form, in any way,
3:06:45 in any possibility.
3:06:47 And we have to make deliberate decisions and choices
3:06:52 to be anti-racist and to be anti-discriminatory.
3:06:57 And framing that message almost as easier in talking
3:07:02 than it is in written word.
3:07:05 So I just share that now because sometimes I feel
3:07:11 like I’m better in spoken word than written word.
3:07:14 But most of all, I hope it’s expressive of my heart
3:07:22 for our community.
3:07:24 Every corner, facet, representation of our community.
3:07:28 Because if we can’t come together,
3:07:31 at the end of the day, no one person, no one group
3:07:34 can bring systemic change.
3:07:37 We’ve got to do this together.
3:07:41 And as educators, change has been,
3:07:45 we have been the groundwork, the foundation of change
3:07:48 in society, in our country, and in our community.
3:07:51 And this is an opportunity to make sure
3:07:56 that we don’t let this go by us
3:08:00 and not answer to the moral imperative.
3:08:05 So not can we change, not may we change, we will change.
3:08:13 We will bring change, we will be behind the change
3:08:16 and we will lead the change.
3:08:20 I don’t know what that looks like yet.
3:08:22 And you know what, I don’t know that I should be having
3:08:24 the strongest voice of what that is.
3:08:28 We need to make sure we have the voice.
3:08:31 We did Youth Truth Survey this year,
3:08:34 for the first time as a district.
3:08:35 If there’s anything I’m proud of, I’m proud of the fact
3:08:37 that we launched hearing our children’s voice.
3:08:42 I challenged our principals yesterday.
3:08:44 Have you pulled out your survey results
3:08:46 and started looking at the voice of your black children,
3:08:50 of your brown children, of all the diversity
3:08:53 represented in your kids?
3:08:56 And I had to admit, I hadn’t as a superintendent
3:08:59 for us collectively, I said, but I will be now.
3:09:03 So a statement of we will before we take time
3:09:13 to understand and dig and evaluate and know where are we.
3:09:19 And then let’s make sure we have the voices at the table
3:09:22 of where are we gonna go because we’ve gotta do it together.
3:09:26 And I know we will.
3:09:29 I’ve seen our community do that.
3:09:32 And I’m humbled that I am in a place of great responsibility
3:09:40 and great leadership at a time when we can make an impact.
3:09:48 We can fulfill our moral imperative
3:09:51 and we can be champions for every one of our kids.
3:09:55 And maybe for the first time we’ll come closer
3:09:57 to accomplishing our mission as an organization
3:10:00 and as educators than we ever have before.
3:10:04 When we can say we have served, we are serving,
3:10:07 we’ll continue to serve every student with excellence.
3:10:11 Excellence in the classroom and what they learn
3:10:13 because we’re not gonna settle for anything
3:10:17 but high expectations for our kids.
3:10:19 Preparing them to academically excel
3:10:21 every one of our kids in their future,
3:10:23 that is the promise of their future.
3:10:29 But it has to be on a foundation
3:10:31 and a rock solid demonstration of day-to-day actions
3:10:36 and day-to-day words and day-to-day deeds of dignity
3:10:39 and respect and looking out for each other
3:10:43 and lifting each other up.
3:10:46 And without that, our kids won’t be served with excellence.
3:10:51 That’s what we have to take this time
3:10:52 to make sure that we understand and we answer to
3:10:58 and we act for it.
3:11:00 So thank you.
3:11:03 - Yeah, hey, for Francisco, get that clip.
3:11:08 I want that window from beginning to end, cut me out.
3:11:11 I want beginning to end, I want that.
3:11:13 I know you hear me back there, you got it?
3:11:15 And then email that all to us so we can share it out.
3:11:17 And I will say this behind you, Dr. Mullins,
3:11:20 we do need to lead.
3:11:21 And I understand that there’s that humble leadership
3:11:23 that’s behind you.
3:11:24 Nobody knows these kids
3:11:25 and spends time more with them than us.
3:11:28 There’s not a coordinating agency that spends more time
3:11:30 and understands those kids than us.
3:11:32 We as a district, our schools, everybody else
3:11:35 need to lead this situation.
3:11:37 And I look forward to seeing what you’re powerful of.
3:11:39 I mean, you just did that.
3:11:40 That’s better than any freaking press release
3:11:42 that I’ve had in four years.
3:11:44 I’ll just tell you right now, that was amazing.
3:11:47 Thank you.
3:11:48 Sorry, I’m all pumped up now, gonna go run a mile.
3:11:50 - It’s all good.
3:11:53 Thank you, Dr. Mullins, for your leadership through that.
3:11:57 I know we’ve discussed the struggle
3:12:02 of how to verbalize what we’re working towards.
3:12:07 I appreciate you sharing that.
3:12:11 Okay, are we, Ms. Duskovich, did you,
3:12:13 Dr. Mullins, do you feel comfortable with the requests?
3:12:17 I think it started with a request for a document
3:12:20 kind of outlining what we are currently doing
3:12:22 around equity and support.
3:12:26 Are you comfortable with that request?
3:12:28 Okay, any additional requests on this particular topic?
3:12:31 Obviously one that we will be revisiting,
3:12:34 I think on a fairly regular basis.
3:12:36 So anything else for today on the topic of the resolutions?
3:12:42 Okay, then that brings us to graduation discussion.
3:12:45 And I believe Ms. Duskovich, you requested a discussion
3:12:48 around graduation today as well.
3:12:52 - Yes, I think it’s been, it’s pretty well known
3:12:55 that postponing graduations to July
3:12:58 has been very frustrating to me.
3:13:00 And I have a large group of parents and families
3:13:03 that are frustrated, but time is moving on.
3:13:07 And so I spent some time speaking
3:13:11 and asking Mr. Gibbs to help figure out
3:13:16 where the authority lies on who gets to like,
3:13:19 if we, all five of us decided that we didn’t like
3:13:23 this decision and we wanted to try to force through
3:13:27 an earlier graduation, what would that look like?
3:13:30 And legally, you know, is that in our authority realm?
3:13:34 Is that, and so if I could, I didn’t prepare you, Mr. Gibbs,
3:13:38 I’m sorry, but you already know this stuff
3:13:39 ‘cause you told me and you sent it to me.
3:13:41 So you could, kind of for the public’s purview
3:13:44 a little bit too, and for the other board members
3:13:45 that may not have read their email,
3:13:47 just help us understand where we are
3:13:51 and what the board’s authority is
3:13:53 to change a date on a graduation.
3:13:56 - All right.
3:13:58 First, the statutes and regulations do not mention
3:14:01 who has what this authority at all.
3:14:04 So everything, there is not even an AG opinion
3:14:07 that I found saying, you know, superintendent
3:14:10 versus school boards has this authority.
3:14:12 So when I was looking at it, I looked at it
3:14:14 and this would be the basis of my opinion operationally,
3:14:18 how does it work?
3:14:19 Everything that goes into it.
3:14:20 And it would seem to me based on the structure
3:14:25 of the statutes that it is more of an operational
3:14:28 determination for the superintendent to make.
3:14:31 And that’s just my opinion.
3:14:33 I’m sure it works.
3:14:34 And there may be policies that other districts have adopted
3:14:36 that say we’re going to approve these dates.
3:14:40 I didn’t get that deep into it at this point.
3:14:43 However, I would say even if statute said
3:14:45 it was the board’s decision by past practice
3:14:49 in this district, that power would have been delegated
3:14:52 to the superintendent because when I was looking at it,
3:14:54 this board has, I was not able to find any evidence
3:14:58 that the board has approved those dates in the past.
3:15:01 I was told that the superintendent sets them
3:15:03 and the board is advised of those dates.
3:15:06 So, and that’s consistent with how it’s worked this year.
3:15:10 So when the superintendent sets, he advised the board,
3:15:14 the pandemic came out, they moved from May to June.
3:15:18 At the time they were moved from June to July,
3:15:21 the pandemic was still up.
3:15:23 We were not in phase two yet.
3:15:25 Then the governor opened up phase two
3:15:27 and that opened up opportunities for larger gatherings.
3:15:31 So I would have, my conclusion would be ultimately
3:15:34 that the superintendent had no expectation
3:15:36 that he would need board approval to move those dates,
3:15:40 at least this year.
3:15:41 If you guys want to look at perhaps a policy moving forward,
3:15:45 that is something I can do additional research on.
3:15:48 I know in reaching out to other districts,
3:15:51 their superintendents are all making the decision
3:15:54 as far as anyone that responded to me.
3:15:57 When their dates have moved,
3:15:58 they have been at the superintendent’s authority
3:16:02 and obligation, so they are not taking it to the board.
3:16:04 Some didn’t even change their dates at all.
3:16:07 I think there were some smaller districts in the panhandle
3:16:09 that went off in May, no problem.
3:16:12 But those that have moved have moved
3:16:14 with the superintendent leading.
3:16:18 - So that’s really it, Ms. Belford.
3:16:20 I wanted to discuss it because of my displeasure,
3:16:23 but it turns out I don’t really have authority
3:16:25 to do a darn thing about it.
3:16:27 So just wanted that publicly to be out there.
3:16:30 - Mr. Gibbs, when you came to that conclusion,
3:16:33 which statutory power did you look at
3:16:35 in order to allow the superintendent
3:16:37 to make those type of indications?
3:16:39 - I looked at all of the duties and obligations
3:16:42 and responsibilities and the statutes of the board
3:16:44 and the superintendent, as well as the regulations on those.
3:16:48 And the board sets the broad stroke parameters.
3:16:51 There’s no, like I said, there’s no reference anywhere
3:16:54 as to graduation other than graduation requirements.
3:16:57 Those are set by the state, the school board
3:16:59 and its policy has implemented those graduation requirements
3:17:03 and it is even called for
3:17:04 in its policy graduation ceremonies.
3:17:07 And it set the requirements for participating
3:17:10 in those graduation ceremonies.
3:17:12 That’s as close as anywhere as the guidance gets.
3:17:15 So I concluded that the broad strokes
3:17:19 are it’s an operational decision
3:17:20 the superintendent’s gonna do.
3:17:21 And that makes sense strategically.
3:17:24 How much goes into planning graduation
3:17:27 for this number of high schools?
3:17:29 Is this event open?
3:17:30 Is it available?
3:17:32 Is, you know, how many times are you having to flip schools?
3:17:35 I gotta move this school to that date now.
3:17:36 If that had to come to the board every time,
3:17:38 is the venue even open now before it gets
3:17:41 onto the next board agenda for approval by the board?
3:17:45 I mean, can you do it?
3:17:45 Yes, I’m sure there are districts
3:17:47 where the school board does it.
3:17:49 But like I said, I didn’t get that deep into it
3:17:52 in the time I was looking at it,
3:17:53 but just the overall structure and scheme of the statutes.
3:17:57 And then I turned to, well, even if it was the school boards
3:18:01 is the school board utilizing it?
3:18:03 And that’s where I looked at historically.
3:18:05 The board has not set those dates here in Brevard.
3:18:08 So I would have said, you guys have delegated that authority
3:18:12 to the superintendent based on past practice.
3:18:15 And the superintendent going into this COVID situation
3:18:18 had no expectation that he needed to clear those dates
3:18:21 prior to, you know, making those decisions.
3:18:24 He did it in May to June.
3:18:26 There was no say, hey, wait a minute,
3:18:27 we need a board agenda approval.
3:18:30 There wasn’t any agenda items saying
3:18:31 we needed to set those dates in May before COVID.
3:18:35 So no, and there was no problems with that.
3:18:37 So to expect that the superintendent
3:18:40 would bring the decision to go from June to July,
3:18:45 because that one’s more controversial,
3:18:46 I would say would be disingenuous
3:18:48 and not fair to the superintendent.
3:18:51 - I guess my question is, and I’m sorry, Madam Chair,
3:18:54 can I go back and forth a little bit here?
3:18:56 So my question is, is that I understand past practices.
3:18:59 Like we’ve never questioned when a school
3:19:01 wants to hold their graduation.
3:19:03 Like that’s just been something that we do.
3:19:05 I think that the policy sets
3:19:07 that we are going to have graduations.
3:19:10 The question that I have is that
3:19:11 under the extenuating circumstances of having COVID
3:19:15 and under the extending circumstances
3:19:17 that we’ve sort of not followed the same policy
3:19:20 because of the way that we’re doing it
3:19:22 and all of those things.
3:19:23 Do you find that that circumstance negates previous,
3:19:30 you know what I mean?
3:19:31 Things that we’ve done to the point
3:19:32 where this is fresh territory.
3:19:34 Here’s the philosophical argument that I ask.
3:19:38 Does the board have the right to interject here?
3:19:42 So the superintendent decides to make a school board meeting
3:19:45 or to have a graduation and says,
3:19:48 we’re not gonna go ahead and graduate in June.
3:19:50 We’re gonna graduate in July.
3:19:52 Should the school board have the opportunity
3:19:55 to speak to that?
3:19:56 - You can certainly speak to it and you guys can all say,
3:19:59 hey, we prefer it if this were looked at
3:20:01 for a June graduation.
3:20:04 If you dig in and say, we’re ordering you
3:20:07 and he says, I don’t believe it’s your authority.
3:20:08 You’re gonna end up in courts
3:20:10 and you’re not gonna have graduation till August.
3:20:13 - If I could clarify for our public.
3:20:20 The board members were notified
3:20:22 that the recommendation was going to be made
3:20:25 that graduation would be postponed until July.
3:20:28 So this is not a situation where the superintendent
3:20:30 reached out to the board and said,
3:20:33 I’m doing this and I don’t care what you have to say.
3:20:36 We all had an opportunity for input.
3:20:39 And if we had said to him, if the majority, right?
3:20:44 Because of sunshine,
3:20:45 we can’t speak to each other on the issue, right?
3:20:48 But if the majority had said to him,
3:20:52 I’m not comfortable with this.
3:20:55 I think it’s important that our public know
3:20:56 that this board has such a relationship
3:20:58 with our superintendent
3:21:00 that he’s not going to overturn the board.
3:21:03 I mean, you guys are almost making it sound like
3:21:06 I’m digging my heels in and he didn’t listen to me.
3:21:09 And now I just, it feels incredibly uncomfortable to me.
3:21:13 And I feel like we’re putting Dr. Mullins
3:21:15 in kind of an icky situation here
3:21:17 because that’s not how it went down.
3:21:20 We all received the notification.
3:21:22 We all had opportunity for input, right?
3:21:25 So, and I get that maybe something came up after the fact,
3:21:29 maybe you’re reflecting your constituents’ feedback.
3:21:32 I absolutely get that.
3:21:33 I just don’t want to give the perception
3:21:36 that Dr. Mullins went against the wishes of the board.
3:21:40 - But how do you know that?
3:21:42 Because I gave my feedback and I was very strong on it,
3:21:45 but because of sunshine,
3:21:46 I have no idea what the four of you said.
3:21:49 I can wonder and guess,
3:21:51 which is why I wanted to bring it up today
3:21:53 because, you know, I’ve seen some things publicly
3:21:56 that Mr. Susan maybe wasn’t too thrilled.
3:21:58 I have no idea what their private conversation was.
3:22:00 Maybe he said, “Go ahead.”
3:22:01 And now he’s like, “I don’t really.”
3:22:02 I have no idea because none of us have ever discussed it.
3:22:06 So yeah, it’s an uncomfortable situation
3:22:08 and we seem to have to do this often,
3:22:10 not usually directed at poor Dr. Mullins,
3:22:12 but because we can’t have private conversations,
3:22:14 our uncomfortable conversations have to be public.
3:22:17 And so, you know, it’s a new territory
3:22:20 like everything else right now
3:22:22 because who’s moved graduations a month
3:22:26 and then another month, nobody ever,
3:22:27 because never had to do it before.
3:22:29 - Historically, it’s not an issue.
3:22:31 - What, I’m sorry?
3:22:32 - Historically, it’s not been an issue
3:22:33 and it’s never come up, but yeah,
3:22:35 this year being what it is, this has arisen.
3:22:38 - So Madam Chair, you’re 100% right.
3:22:40 Dr. Mullins reached out to us
3:22:41 where you just expressed our situations in between.
3:22:44 I think the problem is,
3:22:45 is that the collaborative effort of how those go to be.
3:22:48 I think that, you know, as far as us discussing
3:22:52 the situation, I as a school board member
3:22:55 don’t know that there might be objections,
3:22:57 there might be other things that we need to go to.
3:22:59 And you know, those kind of things,
3:23:01 I think now hindsight going back,
3:23:03 maybe something that we need to have part of our discussion.
3:23:06 And I’ll explain the athletics piece.
3:23:08 I expressed that I didn’t want to move forward
3:23:12 with the athletics piece that we were doing, right?
3:23:14 I wanted to try to open up athletics as fast as possible,
3:23:17 but there was no venue for me to kind of explain the why.
3:23:20 There was no process in place to do that.
3:23:22 And part of that is that we haven’t been meeting,
3:23:25 but once a month, right?
3:23:27 But the other process is,
3:23:28 is that I see it happening right now.
3:23:30 It’s like, it’s catching me because there are decisions
3:23:34 that are being made operationally that affect our community
3:23:36 and affect our citizens and our voters
3:23:38 that I think that we should have input on.
3:23:40 And I think that in during this time, since we’re, you know,
3:23:43 I’m not throwing haymakers or arguing,
3:23:45 I’m just saying that right now we are in a place
3:23:47 where the decisions collectively
3:23:48 should include the board moving forward in athletics,
3:23:53 in graduations, in all of that,
3:23:55 now that we have an opportunity to look at it.
3:23:57 When I looked at the statutes, Mr. Gibbs,
3:24:00 I read the constitution and it says,
3:24:04 school boards shall operate, control,
3:24:07 and supervise all public schools
3:24:09 in their respective districts and may exercise any power
3:24:13 as expressly prohibited by the state constitution
3:24:16 or general law, right?
3:24:18 So those pieces give us that general,
3:24:22 I felt area of control over this area.
3:24:26 And that’s where, when I started looking at this,
3:24:28 I was like, look, there’s,
3:24:29 I’ve never seen a situation where Dr. Mullins
3:24:31 and thank you to him,
3:24:33 that if three board members said they disagree with anything
3:24:35 that he would ever not move forward
3:24:37 and say the hell with you guys.
3:24:38 Like I just, I will give 100%.
3:24:41 I just think that we collaboratively should discuss
3:24:43 the decisions, right?
3:24:44 As we move forward for some of these big topic issues,
3:24:47 including graduation and athletics and stuff like that.
3:24:50 That’s all.
3:24:51 And I think that I would have loved to have heard
3:24:53 your objections or your objections, Ms. Campbell,
3:24:56 or Ms. McDougall, your positives.
3:24:58 Like, look, what do we have as a board?
3:25:00 Because ultimately the people that we represent
3:25:02 are the ones that we’re affecting,
3:25:03 both with work, with athletics, with kids,
3:25:06 with all that stuff, we are responsible to them.
3:25:09 And they don’t come to,
3:25:11 they don’t yell at the school district and people,
3:25:13 they yell at us.
3:25:14 So collectively we should have a voice.
3:25:16 That’s my only opinion.
3:25:18 And I would suggest that moving forward,
3:25:20 we have that opinion in that collective voice,
3:25:23 but I’m only one board member.
3:25:24 And no matter what the statute says,
3:25:25 as long as other board members are willing to do that,
3:25:29 then I can’t win, right?
3:25:30 That’s what my piece was.
3:25:31 - Well, and I would suggest that we,
3:25:33 we did have the collective voice as far as giving directions
3:25:37 to the superintendent.
3:25:39 My, my point, my, I guess my issue of concern is
3:25:44 it almost sounds as though a claim is being made
3:25:47 that the superintendent did not take input from the board.
3:25:49 And I think that he did.
3:25:52 And if any of us question
3:25:54 that he fudged the majority stance on that,
3:25:59 I mean, I don’t think that’s where you guys are going,
3:26:02 but I feel almost like that’s how it’s being portrayed.
3:26:05 Well, we don’t know if three board members
3:26:07 agreed with him or not.
3:26:08 Like that’s, that’s just a really.
3:26:11 - The issue is more if three board members disagreed
3:26:16 or if five disagreed,
3:26:17 did he have the authority to go do that?
3:26:19 That’s where my issue was.
3:26:21 And that was settled with our attorney.
3:26:23 That’s.
3:26:24 - And my issue is, is, you know,
3:26:27 the how and everything else in the past.
3:26:30 I think that collectively we should have a voice.
3:26:33 And where I say that is, is this,
3:26:35 right now there’s actions and teams
3:26:37 and they’re moving and everything like that.
3:26:39 And they’re going forward with a lot of operations.
3:26:41 Like we’re gonna hear about an athletics portion
3:26:43 that we may be doing some different things.
3:26:46 But part of that original process
3:26:48 is where I would like to engage
3:26:50 and give board direction
3:26:51 as to what our feelings are on certain things.
3:26:53 Prior to getting a phone call and saying,
3:26:54 “Hey, we’re moving forward with this.
3:26:56 Do you have any concerns?”
3:26:57 I don’t know what I might miss.
3:26:59 I don’t know if you had something you wanted to say.
3:27:01 That’s all.
3:27:02 I think that, and I was gonna make a recommendation
3:27:05 that we might wanna notice meeting every week here
3:27:07 until this thing crisis comes out
3:27:09 because we don’t know what’s coming.
3:27:11 And I think that having those conversations
3:27:13 and having Dr. Mullins, he’s very open about everything.
3:27:15 He’s not hiding anything.
3:27:17 He’s not sitting there saying, “Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.”
3:27:19 But what he’s doing is,
3:27:20 is that he’s trying to run a district
3:27:22 and he’s trying to do it as best as possible.
3:27:24 And what we’re saying is,
3:27:25 “Hey, we’re the collective voice, the people.
3:27:28 Can we be a part of that voice moving forward
3:27:30 in an open forum, not just on a phone call?”
3:27:33 That was my piece.
3:27:34 - Well, I think sometimes that comes down
3:27:36 to a scheduling issue, which brings your point forward.
3:27:39 That I get.
3:27:41 - But I would ask Mr. Gibbs.
3:27:44 Her original question was,
3:27:45 “If three board members are against something,
3:27:48 do we have the collective right to say no in that situation?”
3:27:52 So Dr. Mullins did not do this.
3:27:54 Please, please do this.
3:27:55 But for moving forward, she asked that point of question.
3:27:57 What is your thoughts on that?
3:28:00 - As it stands, the board, as I said,
3:28:02 there’s no clear yes or no on that.
3:28:04 Just the overall structure.
3:28:06 He’s in charge of operations
3:28:08 and the district has never set those dates.
3:28:11 So again, if you were to say next year,
3:28:13 who sets graduation dates?
3:28:14 I would say you guys have delegated that authority
3:28:17 absent your taking action to the superintendent,
3:28:20 even if it were clearly yours.
3:28:24 - If it’s not something we’re voting on
3:28:25 or have traditionally voted on as a school board,
3:28:28 then it’s his authority.
3:28:29 - You’ve never set those, so that’s where it is.
3:28:31 - Where I wrap my head around this piece is
3:28:34 the traditional part is out the window
3:28:36 due to the fact that we’re in code.
3:28:37 - Right.
3:28:38 - So like that’s the piece that I’m like,
3:28:41 to say to make arguments over based
3:28:42 in proper processes and procedures,
3:28:44 my argument is we’re in a different place right now.
3:28:47 That was the piece.
3:28:49 - It would be my concern with that
3:28:50 and any other operational decisions
3:28:52 that he has to make during the next few months
3:28:54 is that do we really, as a county, want five politicians,
3:28:58 as much as I don’t like being called that,
3:29:00 making operational decisions over all these little things?
3:29:04 Do we want the person who’s tasked
3:29:06 and who has a whole team of people
3:29:07 who are experts in their field making these decisions?
3:29:09 I feel like we wouldn’t even be here
3:29:11 except for people are so unhappy
3:29:12 and I understand why people are unhappy.
3:29:17 But let’s just talk about this board for just a minute.
3:29:20 We were made aware the day that the announcement was made,
3:29:24 which was May the 29th, okay?
3:29:30 We were made aware of that decision on that day.
3:29:33 The governor made his announcement to move us into phase two
3:29:35 if that were to affect any of our decision making
3:29:37 last Wednesday.
3:29:39 If at any time a member of this board
3:29:42 wanted to call into question the decision
3:29:45 that Dr. Mullins made or ask for a recall
3:29:47 considering new information of us being in phase two,
3:29:50 as soon as the governor made that announcement on June 3rd,
3:29:53 any of us could have called a meeting
3:29:55 and we would have had time to advertise
3:29:58 so that we could have a meeting before
3:29:59 and have a voting time today.
3:30:02 Nobody did that.
3:30:04 And so here we are in a meeting where we can’t really vote.
3:30:07 We can have this discussion.
3:30:09 I’ll be completely honest.
3:30:10 Before we could do anything to vote, to overturn,
3:30:12 to override would be next Tuesday.
3:30:15 And at that point we have the June graduations
3:30:17 were supposed to be Thursday the 18th
3:30:19 and then starting with our virtual school
3:30:21 and then graduations on that Saturday.
3:30:23 And honestly, at this point,
3:30:25 even if we were to have made the decision today,
3:30:27 I think it is very unfair of us to ask our team
3:30:32 to have such a quick turnaround
3:30:33 and to yank people’s chains one more time
3:30:35 and understand why people are upset.
3:30:37 But at this point,
3:30:38 when that announcement was made in May 29th,
3:30:40 as unhappy as people were,
3:30:41 they started planning of here’s our graduation dates.
3:30:45 It’s gonna be July and our teams are prepared for that.
3:30:48 And we’re doing all the other things
3:30:49 that we’ve got to do right now.
3:30:51 But then for us to hear on June 10th say,
3:30:53 okay, in eight days or 10 days,
3:30:57 or some of them have a little bit longer,
3:30:58 let’s turn the ship around and get this done.
3:31:02 I just don’t think it’s fair.
3:31:04 And like I said, I understand why people are upset
3:31:07 and some of them have been so vocal in communicating that.
3:31:11 And really lately, the kind of word that I’ve been getting,
3:31:15 let’s just be on it and get it on the table,
3:31:16 is people, let’s do the alternative graduations.
3:31:20 Let’s do this county’s doing this
3:31:21 and this county’s doing that.
3:31:22 But first of all, I feel like our superintendents
3:31:24 move forward with the wishes of the students
3:31:26 that he met with back in April,
3:31:27 who even said, even if it gets pushed to July,
3:31:29 we want an in-person graduation.
3:31:31 And it wasn’t just those students,
3:31:32 ‘cause I don’t wanna put all the pressure on them.
3:31:35 That wouldn’t be fair.
3:31:37 But our school leadership and all that was made collectively.
3:31:42 And so to have an in-person graduation,
3:31:45 and people have done all kinds of creative things.
3:31:47 And I will say this,
3:31:49 I don’t know if you would agree with me,
3:31:50 but I believe the class of ‘22 has been the most celebrated
3:31:53 senior class of all time.
3:31:55 And I know they’ve missed out on so much
3:31:57 and that’s why we poured so much into them,
3:31:59 but across the nation, I think they’ve been celebrated
3:32:01 ‘cause we all recognize how much they’ve lost out on.
3:32:04 But I just would not think that it would be fair at all
3:32:08 to ask people to turn the ship around
3:32:10 in such a short timeframe at this point,
3:32:13 when really as a board, we could have,
3:32:15 either any of us could have called this at an earlier time.
3:32:19 - If I may, I’ve got several issues here.
3:32:22 One, I attempted to,
3:32:25 I inquired about calling an emergency board meeting
3:32:27 and it turned out we couldn’t meet until tomorrow
3:32:29 with notices and stuff.
3:32:30 So it’s at this point, it doesn’t make any sense.
3:32:32 - Can you ask him to explain that process
3:32:35 of how that worked, how that request after you’re done?
3:32:38 - Well, it wasn’t a direct request.
3:32:40 I didn’t get that far.
3:32:41 I said, how would this work?
3:32:42 And he said, I would, he and I had some mixed communications,
3:32:47 which is why there was issues between all of us.
3:32:49 But I said to him, can you send out an email?
3:32:52 Or he said, I would send out an email,
3:32:54 something of that nature, asking if you all wanted
3:32:55 to have an emergency board meeting.
3:32:57 And it turns out he made phone calls instead.
3:33:00 - Special, yeah.
3:33:01 - Yeah, he made it very clear it’s not an emergency
3:33:03 because it’s not a disaster.
3:33:04 It’s a special board meeting.
3:33:07 And anyway, I also at the same conversation asked
3:33:12 about the authority, like, because I wasn’t sure
3:33:14 if we should have a board meeting,
3:33:15 if we didn’t have the authority to do anything,
3:33:16 why call everybody in and scramble if there’s,
3:33:19 if we have no authority to do anything.
3:33:21 And he, Mr. Gibbs kind of ran with it and called you all.
3:33:25 And apparently three of us said we wanted to do it.
3:33:28 But at that moment I was like, oh wait, no,
3:33:29 because at the same time he told me
3:33:30 we really don’t have the authority.
3:33:31 So that’s why there was no special board meeting.
3:33:33 And now we are, I mean, it is getting too close,
3:33:35 which is why I just wanted to take the time today
3:33:38 for Mr. Gibbs to say that.
3:33:39 The thing I take issue with, Ms. Campbell,
3:33:41 is you saying politicians making decisions.
3:33:44 These are big decisions for our community.
3:33:47 And this is our responsibility.
3:33:49 We may be politicians, but we’ve been elected by the people.
3:33:52 We’re the voice of the people.
3:33:53 And I take that so seriously and so intently.
3:33:57 This is, these are public schools
3:33:59 that are supposed to be represented by the public.
3:34:02 And we are the only five voices representing the public.
3:34:05 These are all, well, he’s our employee
3:34:07 and those are all his employees.
3:34:08 They’re not technically responsible
3:34:10 to the public of the public schools.
3:34:13 So to me, this is a huge philosophical debate
3:34:16 and this is kind of what I wanted to get in today
3:34:17 to understand from the five of us
3:34:19 how we look at our positions.
3:34:21 And I think that’s even what Mr. Susan was pointing at
3:34:23 in our training from FSBA or somebody,
3:34:27 how we view our positions.
3:34:28 Are we supposed to just uphold what our employee recommends
3:34:33 because they are the experts?
3:34:34 Or are we supposed to be the voice of the public
3:34:37 in the public schools?
3:34:37 And I think we may disagree on how I view that.
3:34:40 - Well, your point is very well taken.
3:34:42 So Mr. Gibbs, are you saying that she requested
3:34:46 an emergency meeting and that the reason that she didn’t
3:34:49 was because she was told that no matter what,
3:34:51 even if we had the emergency meeting,
3:34:53 we did not have the authority to change the graduation date
3:34:56 even if we had a majority of school board members.
3:34:59 - No, I had to make plans to schedule
3:35:01 the special session for tomorrow.
3:35:04 And she said, no, based upon my information of, you know,
3:35:08 my opinion that it was given to the superintendent,
3:35:11 even if it was yours, as I explained earlier.
3:35:14 When I walked her through that, she was like,
3:35:15 there’s no need for this special work session.
3:35:19 - Two reasons I decided not to.
3:35:20 One, his opinion.
3:35:21 He didn’t say there’s nothing you can do.
3:35:22 It was not that kind of conversation.
3:35:24 He said, this is my opinion.
3:35:26 This is how you’ve done it traditionally.
3:35:27 And that’s precedence.
3:35:28 And I accepted that.
3:35:30 And two, somebody mentioned that the date would have to be
3:35:35 so far out there at this point.
3:35:36 We were gonna meet today and now we’re so close.
3:35:39 You have to have 48 hours notice, right?
3:35:42 The earliest we could get into Florida today was Tuesday.
3:35:46 So 48 hours was Thursday.
3:35:48 You were already coming here today.
3:35:50 So she was, you know, at that point,
3:35:52 happy to discuss it here since my opinion was
3:35:56 that the authority had been given at a very minimum
3:35:59 to the superintendent.
3:36:00 - So I received a phone call, I think on Thursday, was it?
3:36:02 Was it Thursday that started this?
3:36:03 - No, it was a Friday.
3:36:05 - Was it Friday or Thursday?
3:36:07 - Friday. - Friday.
3:36:08 - And then at that point,
3:36:10 it’s a, we would put it inside the newspaper, right?
3:36:13 - You have to advertise it, yes.
3:36:14 - And then they need 48 hours.
3:36:17 They need 48 hours.
3:36:18 - No, they couldn’t get it in the paper until Tuesday.
3:36:23 - Four days to put an advertisement in the Florida today.
3:36:25 - Yeah, that’s–
3:36:26 - Because they don’t work the weekend.
3:36:28 So you’re just talking Friday and Monday
3:36:31 for the ad to run on Tuesday.
3:36:33 - But the Florida today said that they could not get an ad
3:36:36 in the paper until Tuesday because of the way
3:36:39 that their infrastructure works.
3:36:41 - They need two days leeway
3:36:43 and there’s not Saturday or Sunday.
3:36:47 - So the earliest according, because of the restrictions
3:36:49 in the thing would have been Thursday
3:36:51 that we could have done it.
3:36:52 - That’s the earliest we could have gotten it.
3:36:54 - And then, but then it hinges back on your opinion
3:36:57 that even if three board members said,
3:36:59 we want to have graduations in June, we couldn’t do that.
3:37:03 Not barring us being politicians.
3:37:06 - You guys can do whatever you want to do
3:37:08 at the end of the day.
3:37:09 You guys could have held the meeting and said,
3:37:10 hey, all five of us want to change back.
3:37:13 And I mean, you can sit here today and ask Dr. Mullins
3:37:16 to look at June dates and change it back.
3:37:19 - And understand I’m not making this argument right now
3:37:22 over the graduation.
3:37:23 I’m making this argument because we have some serious issues
3:37:26 coming forward before us.
3:37:28 And this sets precedent that the school district
3:37:30 can not make a decision on operations
3:37:34 during a COVID crisis to make it,
3:37:37 even if we’re in the majority.
3:37:38 That’s where I’m going with this, whether it’s athletics,
3:37:41 whether it’s graduations, whether it’s all of that stuff,
3:37:42 even school opening days.
3:37:44 I mean, like, do you, does that make sense?
3:37:46 - If it’s a statutory, well, it’s gonna depend
3:37:49 if it’s a statutorily given right to the superintendent
3:37:52 or it’s a school board area.
3:37:55 I mean, you certainly have the authority to give directives
3:37:58 on areas in your area.
3:38:00 If it’s operational, then it’s statutorily been given
3:38:03 to the superintendent, even the constitution says
3:38:05 you have the authority unless it’s mandated
3:38:08 or given to the superintendent.
3:38:10 So that’s the way it’s set up.
3:38:12 The question here is who has it?
3:38:14 There’s no clear answer, right?
3:38:16 You read it and there’s no guidance anywhere.
3:38:18 It doesn’t say the superintendent has authority
3:38:20 over graduation dates.
3:38:22 Doesn’t say the school board has authority
3:38:24 over graduation dates.
3:38:25 You’re gonna have to read it and infer.
3:38:27 And that’s what I did.
3:38:29 And that’s why I said, even if it was given
3:38:31 to the school board, the school board has never executed
3:38:34 its authority to schedule those dates.
3:38:36 So it delegated, if you had it, you would have delegated it
3:38:40 at some point in history.
3:38:41 Whenever graduation ceremonies came up,
3:38:44 I don’t know how far back it goes,
3:38:46 it was given to whoever was superintendent to schedule.
3:38:50 And that’s how it’s operated.
3:38:54 - I’ve just never seen-
3:38:55 - In an emergency, if you guys wanna do that,
3:38:58 that’s, there’s certainly you could call for certain things.
3:39:02 We don’t have standing meetings like every day
3:39:05 or another county did every day.
3:39:07 They were having meetings to discuss issues as they came up.
3:39:10 If you wanted to implement those, you can,
3:39:12 you’re free to do that.
3:39:13 It doesn’t give you any additional authority
3:39:16 over what area you have.
3:39:18 So if it’s an operational decision,
3:39:20 it would be an operational decision,
3:39:21 which falls on the superintendent.
3:39:24 - Okay, so what I guess I’m getting at is,
3:39:27 we are in a time period where we need to have this discussion
3:39:29 and thank you, Ms. Belford, for bringing it up.
3:39:32 If three board members say
3:39:34 that we wanna have graduations in June,
3:39:37 you’re telling me that that doesn’t matter.
3:39:40 Is that, I’m trying to get to that essence
3:39:42 because we may have these, these are,
3:39:44 and I understand that you’re trying to go around,
3:39:46 but maybe what we need to do is as a board say
3:39:49 that during this COVID crisis,
3:39:50 these issues are what we are going to ask
3:39:53 for collaboration and input on,
3:39:56 but we need to figure this out.
3:39:57 Like, I don’t wanna just kind of let this thing go
3:39:58 and then just, eh, whatever, because this is huge right now.
3:40:01 - If you can ask for collaboration on anything you want,
3:40:04 I’m saying that there’s nothing here,
3:40:07 saying one way or the other, right?
3:40:08 In my opinion, the way it’s set up, it’s an operational,
3:40:12 but even if it were yours, the board has delegated it.
3:40:15 If you want it back, you would need to undertake rulemaking
3:40:18 to say we’re going to approve graduation dates.
3:40:21 There would need to be some form of notice
3:40:24 that says we’re taking it back.
3:40:27 ‘Cause you’ve never exercised that duty, right?
3:40:30 You don’t walk in one day and say,
3:40:31 “Hey, we’re changing graduation dates.”
3:40:36 - Which what I’m hearing, Mr. Susan,
3:40:38 is that it’s a bigger issue than the graduation date.
3:40:40 So to rule make over setting graduation dates going forward,
3:40:45 I don’t think is resolving the concern
3:40:47 that you’re bringing forward.
3:40:48 - No, but I think that, I’m sorry.
3:40:51 - So, I mean-
3:40:52 - I think that this is athletics.
3:40:54 This is school openings, this is procedures.
3:40:57 This is all of that stuff that affects our people.
3:41:00 So when these people say-
3:41:03 - Well, procedure, I wanna click, procedures rulemaking.
3:41:05 So if you have rules on it, those would govern.
3:41:08 There are no rules on graduation dates, like I said.
3:41:11 - So if there’s no in the absence of rules,
3:41:13 then the school board has the authority
3:41:15 to make the decision.
3:41:16 - If it’s a policy decision, you would absolutely have,
3:41:19 but you would have to undertake rulemaking.
3:41:21 - Isn’t policy decision, isn’t it the policy
3:41:24 that we are going under for graduations that we are changing?
3:41:27 So ultimately, if it’s a policy that we are following
3:41:29 to make the change, the date change,
3:41:31 that falls under the school board
3:41:33 because we are the policy holders.
3:41:34 - There’s no reference to graduation dates in policy.
3:41:38 It just says they will be held.
3:41:40 - Okay, so if it’s not in the operation of the,
3:41:43 if it’s not expressively said by the policy,
3:41:46 if it’s not expressively said by the superintendent,
3:41:48 that that type of an operation and duty
3:41:50 falls onto the school board to make the operate.
3:41:53 - Operations. - No, operations
3:41:54 are superintendent, so.
3:41:56 - Operations, day to day operations.
3:41:59 - The board has, the board has directed
3:42:01 graduation ceremonies.
3:42:02 It has not provided any other parameters.
3:42:04 The superintendent has the obligation as the CEO
3:42:07 to implement that policy for graduation ceremonies.
3:42:10 He has done that, he schedules them year after year.
3:42:14 He goes about, make sure they come off.
3:42:17 This year, we got a wrench thrown in with COVID-19
3:42:21 and the CDC guidelines on distancing and everything.
3:42:24 And he considered, you know, met with students
3:42:27 and leadership and everybody wanted the in-person
3:42:30 as Ms. Campbell just said.
3:42:32 So he moved them to the summer.
3:42:34 When he decided, when he made the decision to move it again,
3:42:37 those parameters were still in place.
3:42:40 There’s no guidance.
3:42:41 The school board has not taken any guidance.
3:42:43 If you, the board wants to say,
3:42:44 “Hey, let’s revisit graduation policy and say we want this
3:42:49 and we want to set these dates and approve these dates.”
3:42:51 I will look at that for you.
3:42:54 But in right now,
3:42:55 I don’t know that that’s addressing your thing.
3:42:56 If you’re talking about something else,
3:42:58 facility use, where it’s a school board, right?
3:43:02 Then you can certainly weigh in on that.
3:43:07 So, I mean, the answer to your question
3:43:09 is more complicated than graduation.
3:43:12 I don’t know that we can build the discussion of your issue
3:43:14 around graduation because it’s gonna depend
3:43:16 on who’s right it is.
3:43:18 That’s where I’m trying to get to.
3:43:19 - And I don’t think that this system was set up
3:43:21 with the clause that I read in order to allow decisions
3:43:24 to be made during a crisis without board input
3:43:27 and which is not what happened.
3:43:29 I’m sorry.
3:43:30 Okay, please don’t understand I’m not saying that.
3:43:32 But without three board members approving.
3:43:35 Like I just, I literally have a severe problem
3:43:38 just like you were saying.
3:43:39 And then I understand that we keep saying
3:43:41 that we asked the kids,
3:43:42 but we asked the kids in April was what I heard, right?
3:43:45 I mean, did we ask them in April?
3:43:46 And meaning that May this decision was made.
3:43:50 So if we’re asking them in April,
3:43:52 I don’t understand we keep saying we pulled the students.
3:43:54 We pulled the students and I mean,
3:43:56 I would have thought that we would have pulled the community
3:44:00 with the students, the PTOs,
3:44:01 the other groups that are inside there
3:44:03 and said, graduating class, what would you guys like?
3:44:07 Like, I understand we keep using that
3:44:09 as some kind of a shield that we went to the public,
3:44:11 but was that done?
3:44:12 I’m sorry, and maybe there was a clarification
3:44:14 it was done in April.
3:44:17 - I will clarify because I was part of that discussion
3:44:21 with our student government leaders.
3:44:23 And I agree it does not necessarily fall back on them,
3:44:27 Mr. Susan, because we spoke with the students,
3:44:31 Dr. Mullins and I, and Dr. Sullivan,
3:44:32 and there were several other staff members
3:44:34 that were on the call.
3:44:36 The one thing that the students made very, very clear
3:44:38 was that they wanted a traditional in-person graduation
3:44:41 and they were fine with a date in June
3:44:43 and a date in July at that point in the conversation.
3:44:47 The thing that I will say is that, you know,
3:44:52 Dr. Mullins made the decision to push graduation
3:44:55 based on the recommendations from the CDC
3:44:56 and our ability to both provide a traditional graduation
3:44:59 as well as to be able to provide it safely.
3:45:04 And I’ll throw out there if you,
3:45:07 because I think it’s important,
3:45:08 how many of you have read the actual step-by-step plan
3:45:12 for reopening Florida?
3:45:13 Any of you?
3:45:15 Okay, so here’s a big, big, big, big concern that I have.
3:45:21 And I’ll tell you, you guys know, right,
3:45:23 like I try really hard to take into account
3:45:27 the perspective of all.
3:45:30 Under phase two, although everyone thinks
3:45:32 that the world has been completely reopened
3:45:34 and we don’t have to do anything anymore,
3:45:36 there’s still a very clear recommendation
3:45:39 that senior citizens, anyone with a preexisting condition,
3:45:43 stay at home still.
3:45:45 In phase two.
3:45:47 And so what my mind goes to is,
3:45:51 how many students do we have graduating
3:45:53 whose mother or father is battling cancer
3:45:58 and can’t go to their graduation?
3:46:01 Or is that student gonna be comfortable
3:46:03 going to that graduation and then going home
3:46:05 to someone who’s going through treatment for cancer
3:46:09 and is immunocompromised?
3:46:10 How many of our medically fragile students do we have
3:46:13 that are graduating this year that couldn’t go
3:46:15 to their own graduation right now?
3:46:17 Because they’re technically,
3:46:18 they’re still supposed to stay home.
3:46:20 How many grandpa, we have what, 5,000 grandparents
3:46:25 raising grandchildren in Brevard County?
3:46:27 How many of those students are graduating
3:46:31 that have been raised by their grandparent
3:46:32 and their grandparent would not be able
3:46:34 to go to their graduation right now
3:46:35 under the CDC recommendations?
3:46:38 I just, in phase three, it opens up
3:46:41 and those people who are currently recommended
3:46:43 to stay home then are encouraged
3:46:45 to still utilize social distancing,
3:46:46 minimize exposure to large crowds.
3:46:49 But right now under phase two,
3:46:50 they’re still supposed to stay home.
3:46:53 And 75% of our students, 50% of our students
3:46:57 who are graduating may be completely comfortable
3:46:59 and have no concerns about going to graduation.
3:47:01 But graduation shouldn’t be for 50% of the students.
3:47:04 It should be safe for everyone to attend
3:47:06 and for their families to attend.
3:47:07 And that’s what our students wanted.
3:47:09 They didn’t wanna stay six feet away from their peers.
3:47:11 They wanted to hug them and squeeze them
3:47:13 and jump up and down with each other and celebrate.
3:47:15 And it’s just frustrating to me.
3:47:19 And I get that people wanna move forward,
3:47:21 but I don’t think we’re thinking about every student
3:47:24 that we’re supposed to be serving
3:47:26 and every family that we’re supposed to be supporting
3:47:29 in trying to push this forward.
3:47:31 I just can’t.
3:47:34 - I didn’t think we were gonna have the graduation argument.
3:47:36 That’s why I just kind of asked Mr. Gibbs
3:47:38 so we could not get into pointing fingers.
3:47:40 But with that argument, Ms. Belford,
3:47:42 I have plenty of parents that their students
3:47:45 are heading off to the military.
3:47:46 July 1 seems to be the big day.
3:47:48 So there’s no answer for including everyone
3:47:52 in our graduations with what has happened.
3:47:54 And that’s not anyone’s fault in particular.
3:47:56 That is what’s happening in the times.
3:47:59 And so I wanna stand up for the people
3:48:03 that are also going to miss their graduation.
3:48:05 I don’t think they are saying anything negative
3:48:09 against the people that are too sick
3:48:10 to come out for the graduation.
3:48:11 But they’re gonna now miss their graduation
3:48:13 ‘cause they won’t be here.
3:48:14 So it’s just a really unfortunate situation all around.
3:48:17 - It is.
3:48:18 - Can I, in phase two it’s my understanding
3:48:20 that it’s for 50 or less groups.
3:48:24 Do we have any graduation class that’s less?
3:48:27 I don’t even think Edgewood or West, sure.
3:48:30 - But if you’ve watched, and you’ve been home, Cheryl,
3:48:32 so Cheryl, you’ve been watching a lot.
3:48:34 There’s, you know, you look around the country,
3:48:36 they’ve done 50, they’ve divided up three sessions
3:48:39 of smaller schools, they’ve done six feet on field,
3:48:41 you know, they’ve done, there’s a lot of creative.
3:48:43 - Well, there is creative.
3:48:44 And I’m just wondering for our,
3:48:46 I’m just throwing this out there,
3:48:49 that I know that in one district,
3:48:51 what they did, the students did walk,
3:48:53 but they live streamed the whole event.
3:48:55 So every single parent could go ahead and see that,
3:48:59 whether they could attend or not.
3:49:00 It just, I’m just saying,
3:49:01 because I wanna throw this out there, guys.
3:49:04 What’s gonna happen if we are the same place in July?
3:49:08 - Well, and I think we’re going to have to be prepared
3:49:11 for plan, you know, B or C, if we get to that point.
3:49:14 Absolutely, I don’t, you know.
3:49:18 - I reached out to my grandparents,
3:49:20 reaching grandchildren, representatives.
3:49:22 I’ve got a couple of them, and I asked them, I said,
3:49:25 personally, talk to me about this graduation.
3:49:28 Would it make a difference?
3:49:29 And they said, if we were to go,
3:49:31 it would not make it based upon, you know,
3:49:35 the phase two or the phase three.
3:49:37 They were under the same impression
3:49:39 when I was talking to them that,
3:49:41 and this is just for discussion.
3:49:43 Again, I’m not trying to advocate for things, but I just,
3:49:47 when we say that the, what about those people?
3:49:49 What about those people for cancer?
3:49:50 What about those people for medically fragile?
3:49:53 And that’s their choice to come to this graduation or not.
3:49:57 What I was mostly concerned about was the children
3:50:00 that were actually crossing the stage with the students,
3:50:02 just like was pointed out, was the military,
3:50:05 the kids that are going away to work,
3:50:07 the kids that are going away to colleges
3:50:09 or to already have leases signed for June, July 1st.
3:50:12 I think, and that’s where I come back to the,
3:50:15 let’s have these collaboratively discussed, right?
3:50:18 Because you bring up a good point,
3:50:19 and Ms. McDougall, you do too.
3:50:21 But I think in order for our public,
3:50:23 which is the other piece to it,
3:50:25 I think that we’re kind of missing,
3:50:26 is that the public needs to know all of this.
3:50:29 And a lot of this comes out in public discussion.
3:50:32 So when we make the decision to, we’re gonna go to July,
3:50:36 but the school board did not make a public discussion
3:50:39 over the events, then there’s not the argument.
3:50:42 So like right now, people are gonna hear you say that
3:50:44 and they’re gonna say, look, yeah, I mean,
3:50:45 I have a grandparent and that makes total sense.
3:50:48 But not having that discussion in the public,
3:50:50 not having that conversation does not allow them
3:50:53 to understand that end of it.
3:50:55 And then when we do that, then they get upset
3:50:57 and then they come back.
3:50:58 And then we, as a school district,
3:51:00 didn’t look like we were transparent and stuff like that,
3:51:02 which is, you know what I mean?
3:51:03 Not the case here.
3:51:04 I do, I fundamentally keep going back to two pieces.
3:51:08 One, I think it is the school district’s responsibility
3:51:11 to do things that are during the COVID crisis.
3:51:14 The second one is, is that it behooves us
3:51:16 to our people inside of our community
3:51:18 to have these discussions openly in front of the sunshine
3:51:22 so that all of the issues can be brought out.
3:51:24 Just like we do on everything else.
3:51:26 Dr. Mohns does an amazing job, he comes out,
3:51:28 he presents the budget, he presents the argument,
3:51:30 we debate it, and then we give direction.
3:51:34 That has happened so many times.
3:51:36 And I think that normally, if this was an operation,
3:51:38 everything’s an operation, now that we’re in COVID,
3:51:41 these decisions are affecting huge amounts of people
3:51:45 in different ways.
3:51:45 And I think that that needs to be before the people.
3:51:48 I think fundamentally we need to make that decision
3:51:50 pretty soon, if not today,
3:51:52 that where do we want this one to go as far as direction?
3:51:54 Do we want to give input into the athletics portion,
3:51:58 into the graduation, into not traditional operations
3:52:04 because we’re in COVID or don’t we?
3:52:06 I think that’s the argument.
3:52:06 And it sounds like, you know, Ms. Campbell,
3:52:10 you’re on one side where you’ve made an argument
3:52:12 that five politicians in a room, you know what I mean?
3:52:16 It’s scary.
3:52:17 - I want to clarify that when you’re done.
3:52:18 - Okay, I didn’t mean to say, I’m just saying like,
3:52:21 I believe that the power of the people
3:52:22 is inside the voice of our school district,
3:52:25 that we need to be making decisions in a crisis situation.
3:52:28 I would like to also have them collaborate.
3:52:30 That’s what I would like, that’s all.
3:52:32 - So I think what we need, and I’ll come to Ms. Campbell
3:52:35 for clarification on that comment.
3:52:36 But I think what we need in order to move forward
3:52:38 is what do you want to be run by the school board,
3:52:44 number one, because there are thousands of decisions
3:52:48 being made every single day.
3:52:50 So I think we need clarity on what things
3:52:53 you think should be about before us.
3:52:55 And then I think the second question is,
3:52:57 do we need to alter meeting dates
3:53:00 in order to make that occur?
3:53:03 Because like, I mean, we’re back here next Tuesday.
3:53:05 So surely there’s going to be an opportunity
3:53:08 to discuss some things next Tuesday,
3:53:10 and then we’re back two weeks after that.
3:53:12 So is the frequency of meetings enough
3:53:16 to accommodate those things that you want
3:53:18 the school board to have clarity on?
3:53:20 And I don’t know if that’s something,
3:53:23 I don’t know how we define that.
3:53:24 You know what I mean?
3:53:25 I’m happy to have the discussion.
3:53:26 I’m happy to, I’m not trying to shut you down.
3:53:29 I’m just saying.
3:53:32 - No, I agree with you.
3:53:33 So if we had a meeting every week
3:53:35 and this conversation had happened,
3:53:37 we might be able to give direction.
3:53:41 So meaning that if we had scheduled one for every Tuesday,
3:53:44 we wouldn’t have had to run through this crazy idea
3:53:46 with Florida Today taking four days to put an ad in
3:53:49 and all this other stuff.
3:53:51 So maybe the idea is not so much,
3:53:53 hey, we want to literally oversee every single operation
3:53:55 and all the stuff that’s going on.
3:53:56 I mean, I think that part of that is,
3:53:58 is that we should meet.
3:53:59 And if there’s a big,
3:54:00 I think that in big, tough issues like the athletics,
3:54:04 that that should be discussed in the open
3:54:06 as to why we’re making decisions one way or the other.
3:54:09 And that would give us an opportunity to say,
3:54:11 hey, Dr. Mullins, I’m putting this on the agenda.
3:54:13 Because the main problem we had was,
3:54:15 is that right now you were trying to call
3:54:17 an emergency meeting,
3:54:19 but we didn’t have enough time to give the thing.
3:54:21 And was it, what all these other pieces till it-
3:54:23 - I was inquiring about emergency meeting.
3:54:25 I want to be clear.
3:54:26 I didn’t ever actually say, let’s call an emergency.
3:54:28 - I was called and said that there’s a board member
3:54:30 that is requesting an emergency meeting.
3:54:32 - That’s because Mr. Gibbs and I had a miscommunication.
3:54:34 - Okay, all right.
3:54:35 So that’s what I was going off, I’m sorry.
3:54:38 I would say that a lot of it could be alleviated
3:54:40 by having a meeting every Tuesday.
3:54:41 So that during this crisis, if something comes up
3:54:43 and Dr. Mullins needs board direction,
3:54:45 we can do it in the public.
3:54:46 I also think that by doing that,
3:54:49 we are collectively showing our public what our voices are,
3:54:51 and we can do that here.
3:54:54 And they can understand,
3:54:55 rather than all of a sudden everybody jumping on Facebook
3:54:58 and attacking and assuming and everything else.
3:55:00 And that also doesn’t make Dr. Mullins into a situation
3:55:03 like he’s the evil guy behind the curtain
3:55:05 and Wizard of Oz pulling strings, right?
3:55:07 We’re all open, we’re all transparent,
3:55:09 we’re having the meetings,
3:55:10 and any issue that comes up, we can discuss.
3:55:12 But being limited during a time of crisis
3:55:15 becomes an issue, I think.
3:55:16 And I would recommend that we meet every Tuesday.
3:55:19 - Would you be satisfied if we tentatively scheduled
3:55:21 a meeting on our off weeks in between meetings?
3:55:25 And then if we don’t need them, we don’t have them?
3:55:30 - Is there a concern about meeting?
3:55:32 - Well, no, my only–
3:55:33 - We don’t have enough on the agenda?
3:55:34 - Yeah, my only concern is what?
3:55:36 I mean, if there is a particular issue
3:55:38 that you feel like needs to be discussed,
3:55:39 I’m absolutely more than happy to meet.
3:55:41 But I don’t want to show up and have a meeting
3:55:45 just because we said we were gonna have a meeting
3:55:47 when there’s not really anything pressing.
3:55:49 You know what I mean?
3:55:50 And there’s always things going on, but…
3:55:54 Ms. Campbell.
3:55:55 - So if I can kill two birds with one stone
3:55:57 and answer that last question,
3:55:58 but also just wanna clarify.
3:56:00 ‘Cause, and I’m glad you brought that up.
3:56:01 ‘Cause I, Ms. Deskevich, honestly,
3:56:04 sometimes I tend towards the one side, yes.
3:56:06 But I will say this, I think there are people
3:56:09 in our community who actually think that over the summer,
3:56:12 that this board, the five of us,
3:56:14 are gonna be making decisions on,
3:56:16 are we gonna be wearing masks when we go back?
3:56:18 How, what cleaning products are we gonna be?
3:56:21 I mean, seriously, they think we’re making,
3:56:22 people say, “Wow, you’ve got a lot of decisions
3:56:24 “to make this summer.”
3:56:25 And we do, we have a lot of really important decisions
3:56:27 to make this summer.
3:56:28 But those specifics aren’t the decisions
3:56:31 that this board is tasked with making.
3:56:33 We tasked those, and the legislature has,
3:56:36 to the superintendent.
3:56:38 I don’t think I said that right,
3:56:39 but you know what, you got what I mean.
3:56:41 As far as having the discussion,
3:56:43 you know, we’ve got the reopening task force
3:56:46 that has already been collecting information.
3:56:49 I think they’re up to six, 7,000 comments from the public.
3:56:53 You know, I, and they’re taking in those where they,
3:56:57 they are specifically asking each group of people
3:57:02 to have their input.
3:57:04 And they’re also looking at documents and the CDC guidelines
3:57:06 and all of that, and you know,
3:57:08 budgetary constraints and all that.
3:57:09 You know, I am happy to have whatever discussion,
3:57:12 we’ve had several, you know, hardy ones today.
3:57:17 What I wouldn’t wanna do is hamstring that task force
3:57:21 because they may be looking at the input
3:57:25 of 7,000 different people from our county.
3:57:28 And then the board came in and have a discussion.
3:57:30 And we have the few people,
3:57:32 I haven’t talked to 7,000 people.
3:57:34 I’ve got an email from, on this topic,
3:57:35 an email on this topic, and come in,
3:57:38 and then we might actually override something
3:57:40 that they’re working towards
3:57:43 when they’ve got the larger input, if that makes sense.
3:57:47 And plus they know, you know, what facilities can do,
3:57:50 what transportation can do.
3:57:51 We could come in as a board and say,
3:57:53 we want you to do this with busing next year.
3:57:55 You know, they’ve already been looking at experts and,
3:57:58 so I’m not, I don’t wanna give away our authority,
3:58:01 and I’m not saying that, and you’re right.
3:58:03 Thank you for reminding me to get where I need to be.
3:58:06 But at the same time, I don’t want to hamstring the people
3:58:09 who are doing the job because we as a board might come in
3:58:11 and go, oh no, nevermind, I know you’ve been working on it
3:58:13 for a really long time, and you’ve been listening
3:58:14 to 7,000 people, but we want you to do this.
3:58:18 So I just think we need to be really careful
3:58:19 moving forward this summer in those issues
3:58:22 to not take over when they’ve done a lot of work
3:58:27 in those areas.
3:58:31 - I’ll just, if there’s a second,
3:58:32 we’re not really doing Robert’s rules
3:58:34 in that fashion right now, but I can second Matt’s request
3:58:37 with Missy’s, with your caveat of,
3:58:41 let’s calendar it and put it on there.
3:58:44 I think it shows to the public that we’re engaged,
3:58:46 that we’re up on the issues, and if there’s nothing pressing,
3:58:50 we cancel it, if everyone else is okay with that.
3:58:54 Yes, ma’am.
3:58:55 - Mr. Gibbs, if we advertise for a meeting,
3:59:02 and then we cancel it, we would have to advertise
3:59:04 that we’re canceling it, right?
3:59:07 - You’d have to get it out publicly that it’s canceled.
3:59:11 You couldn’t, like, 5.30 roll around.
3:59:13 We don’t really have anything to talk about,
3:59:15 so we’re canceling it.
3:59:17 So you might as well, at that point, go on and just say,
3:59:19 hey, we don’t really have anything pressing.
3:59:23 - Can you 24 hours before, and is website
3:59:25 and social media enough, or you have to cancel it
3:59:27 in the same manner that you called it?
3:59:28 - The questions that are gonna come up are,
3:59:30 how are you gonna hold these?
3:59:31 Are they gonna be in person?
3:59:32 Are we opening our facilities up to these meetings?
3:59:36 Or are we saying no?
3:59:37 ‘Cause if you’re saying no,
3:59:39 you have to accommodate public comment
3:59:42 if you’re having a board meeting
3:59:44 where you can vote on anything.
3:59:47 So that if you’re not holding in-person meetings,
3:59:51 that means you’re doing the recording.
3:59:53 That’s 24 hours alone right there.
3:59:55 You’ve already got public comment.
3:59:57 So you’re gonna have to hold that board meeting
4:00:00 simply to come on air and say,
4:00:02 we only have public comment tonight, and here it is.
4:00:05 And we’re done.
4:00:07 So that would be a question.
4:00:08 If you’re gonna have public, it might be easier.
4:00:11 You can come in and say, hey,
4:00:12 we don’t really have anything, or you can just let it up.
4:00:14 Is there anybody that has any comments?
4:00:17 And do it that way.
4:00:18 But you’re gonna have people that are invested either way.
4:00:21 So I don’t know if you’re gonna wanna discard
4:00:24 those opinions if they came out.
4:00:26 If you’re holding in public,
4:00:27 are you gonna wanna just say go home at 5.30
4:00:30 because you don’t have anything really to discuss
4:00:33 as a board on that Tuesday, or are you gonna say,
4:00:36 we’re not listening to those public comments this week.
4:00:38 We’ll do it next week when we come on,
4:00:40 if they call in and recorded their conversation.
4:00:43 So those are the kinds of decisions
4:00:45 you’re gonna have to make with that.
4:00:46 If it’s a work session where you don’t need a vote,
4:00:49 just you have something every week
4:00:52 that you can collaborate with the superintendent.
4:00:54 This is what my people are working on.
4:00:57 What’s your opinions on that?
4:00:59 The public gets to sit there and listen to it.
4:01:01 You don’t do public comments generally at work sessions.
4:01:04 This discussion is gonna be had
4:01:07 if there’s a major decision that you wanna vote on
4:01:09 and you wanna ask the superintendent
4:01:11 if he’ll put it on the next agenda,
4:01:12 you would have that opportunity at that point.
4:01:15 You wouldn’t be inconveniencing anybody.
4:01:16 So those are the types of decisions
4:01:18 you’re gonna have to decide
4:01:19 if you wanna hold weekly meetings.
4:01:22 Otherwise my recommendation would be you advertise them,
4:01:24 you hold them if all that is,
4:01:25 is we’re gonna bring the public recording up
4:01:28 and everybody’s gonna listen to it
4:01:29 and we’re gonna say, that’s all we got.
4:01:31 Have a good evening.
4:01:32 We’re adjourned and that’s what you do.
4:01:33 - Our staff is working seven days a week right now.
4:01:36 We are in the middle of a COVID crisis.
4:01:38 I think that we as school board members
4:01:40 can come in once a week and listen to public comment
4:01:43 and discuss any items that we have coming up.
4:01:46 I truly do.
4:01:46 I think that the responsibility,
4:01:48 I think that by us not, and this is my personal opinion,
4:01:51 but us not coming in because we may not have anything
4:01:56 or in the middle of a crisis,
4:01:58 there’s always gonna be pieces and parts
4:02:01 that we need to discuss.
4:02:02 So my recommendation would be to come in
4:02:04 and allow public comment and allow people to speak
4:02:07 so that if there is a landmine out there
4:02:09 that we can address it, that’s all.
4:02:11 And I think that we owe it to our staff
4:02:14 who’s working their tail off too to be part of the team.
4:02:18 - I would just ask consideration Mr. Susan,
4:02:21 but us being here creates additional work
4:02:23 for our staff as well.
4:02:24 So I know it goes both ways, but Dr. Mullins.
4:02:31 - Thank you.
4:02:38 Thank you, Ms. Belfort.
4:02:44 Just gotta frame my thoughts.
4:02:51 I’m gonna take this opportunity to speak publicly
4:02:56 that I work very hard
4:03:01 to keep this board as informed sometimes on a daily basis,
4:03:05 well beyond the hours of a traditional workday.
4:03:10 I accommodate your schedules, your individual needs,
4:03:15 your individual perspectives,
4:03:18 and they consistently and predominantly weigh
4:03:21 into every decision that’s made in this organization
4:03:24 because I honor and revere your role
4:03:27 to represent our community and to represent your constituents
4:03:34 The decision of graduation was not made arbitrarily,
4:03:38 flippantly, or without careful consideration,
4:03:42 realizing that there was no even close to win-win situation.
4:03:50 We went through a deliberate and intentional process
4:03:53 to evaluate graduation when it became evident
4:03:57 that it was not gonna be feasible
4:04:00 at the end of the regular school year.
4:04:05 We presented to the board and the board affirmed a plan
4:04:09 to have graduation in June as a backup
4:04:11 and July as a backup as well.
4:04:14 I took the input of principals who received input
4:04:17 from their students, their seniors, their parents.
4:04:22 Yes, I met with our student government students via Skype.
4:04:27 And got their input.
4:04:30 Everyone understood, at least at the moment,
4:04:33 the implications of the world we’re living in,
4:04:36 the concerns and the safety measures
4:04:38 that would need to be in place
4:04:40 in consideration of each of those dates.
4:04:46 I was presented the realization
4:04:49 that to meet people’s expectations,
4:04:51 the district would have to make a decision by June 1st
4:04:54 for the June dates.
4:04:57 I conferred with staff.
4:04:59 I considered the situation.
4:05:02 We were in phase one.
4:05:03 And no indication of when we were gonna move beyond that.
4:05:09 I met my expectation to the announcement.
4:05:16 Weighed into consideration all of the factors.
4:05:21 And I made the deliberate decision to not put my kids,
4:05:25 our kids, in the middle of a grown-up decision.
4:05:30 I don’t think that’s a fair place to have put them in
4:05:32 because as much difference is represented
4:05:34 in this room right now,
4:05:36 there’ll be as much difference
4:05:37 represented among the students.
4:05:42 My heart is heavy and broken, quite frankly,
4:05:45 for our kids who have not had a traditional graduation.
4:05:50 And my heart is heavy as the father
4:05:52 of a military-bound young man myself
4:05:55 that our kids who are going in the military
4:05:57 may not experience an in-person graduation.
4:06:00 But my first and number one responsibility
4:06:03 to this community, to this organization,
4:06:06 to my role as a superintendent
4:06:08 is the health, safety, and welfare of our kids.
4:06:14 And it may be a long time
4:06:19 before we have universal agreement
4:06:21 on what health, safety, and welfare of our kids
4:06:24 and our community is gonna be.
4:06:28 And we’re gonna continue to struggle and strive
4:06:32 and disagreement on what that is.
4:06:35 At the end of the day,
4:06:37 regardless if it’s my decision to make graduation
4:06:40 when it is or it isn’t,
4:06:41 it will be my responsibility
4:06:43 to answer to the health, safety, and welfare of our kids.
4:06:48 And I would ask my board, our board,
4:06:51 to understand and honor that.
4:06:54 And help me answer to our community
4:06:56 where we’re at and why we’re there.
4:06:59 And we’re gonna continue to work
4:07:01 through the difficult decisions.
4:07:02 This is one of many that’s facing us for August 11th.
4:07:09 I’m gonna take this opportunity
4:07:11 and iterate to our public and to this board,
4:07:13 and I know you know,
4:07:14 but the men and women who are serving this district
4:07:18 right now, through this environment we have faced,
4:07:22 are some of the most admirable, hardworking,
4:07:26 dedicated, committed individuals
4:07:28 I have ever seen and worked with.
4:07:32 I can’t think of a cabinet member
4:07:34 that isn’t working a 12-hour day in this building
4:07:37 Monday through Friday.
4:07:40 And I know some of them and many of them
4:07:41 are working on the weekends
4:07:42 because I’m calling them and sending them emails,
4:07:45 getting clarification, and it’s not Monday morning
4:07:48 when I get a reply.
4:07:54 I am concerned at the proposition and suggestion
4:07:57 of more meetings to discuss.
4:07:59 You have entrusted me to be your CEO of this organization
4:08:03 and to handle the day-to-day operations
4:08:05 and the decisions of this organization.
4:08:08 And I will continue to work valiantly
4:08:11 to uphold my responsibilities
4:08:13 and charge this district forward.
4:08:16 But I have concerns if we’re going to talk…
4:08:21 Mr. Sousa, you’ve mentioned athletics.
4:08:26 My staff has been working
4:08:30 above all of the other responsibilities of the job
4:08:32 to develop a safe and sound process and plan
4:08:36 for students to have access to our campuses,
4:08:40 to resume conditioning in the summer,
4:08:42 which is voluntary and not paid, our individuals,
4:08:46 our coaches are not paid to do it.
4:08:52 So we’re prepared to move forward,
4:08:54 but I’m cautious now because I’m hearing
4:08:58 or it’s being suggested that the board is preparing to
4:09:06 have further discussion around it.
4:09:08 I support our staff’s process
4:09:10 to put together the guidelines.
4:09:12 We were prepared to roll it out
4:09:13 and begin training with athletic directors tomorrow,
4:09:16 but I can certainly pause that
4:09:17 if that’s the wishes of the board,
4:09:18 but I can’t pass up this moment
4:09:21 and not implore that our staff
4:09:28 is working like warriors
4:09:31 to support our community and our students
4:09:34 in a time we’ve all come to
4:09:39 the word unprecedented,
4:09:41 it seems to be redefined every day.
4:09:45 So I understand the concern
4:09:49 and the challenge around graduation,
4:09:52 but I would ask is the board suggesting
4:09:56 a change in our process and our procedure
4:09:59 over the indication of one situation
4:10:05 that could impact the efficiency of the organization?
4:10:11 I will certainly honor and respect the wishes of the board,
4:10:16 but I could not pass up the opportunity to one,
4:10:20 implore to the community,
4:10:23 the work that our employees are doing to support them
4:10:27 and our kids during a time that none of us,
4:10:32 this doesn’t even compare to the movies.
4:10:36 Our goal, our focus, our priority right now,
4:10:38 our mission right now is to open on August 3rd
4:10:43 with a safe and competent environment
4:10:46 for our staff and our students.
4:10:49 Our number one mission is to educate and serve our kids.
4:10:54 And we have an enormous climb ahead of us to do that
4:10:58 and ensure the community confidence
4:11:00 that I can in six weeks confidently sit here
4:11:03 and say before our community, we are ready.
4:11:08 We have got every universal precaution in place
4:11:11 and we’re gonna do everything we can to keep our kids safe.
4:11:14 Let’s get back to the business of focused,
4:11:16 intentional and deliberate learning.
4:11:23 So I would ask of the board
4:11:26 if this is a direction we’re moving in
4:11:28 that I be provided very clear direction
4:11:31 and understanding of what the expectation is
4:11:34 and what the expectation will be upon me
4:11:37 and our staff moving forward
4:11:40 and the information that will be requested
4:11:42 and required at these additional meetings
4:11:45 because it’ll be important that I meet with them
4:11:48 and help them understand
4:11:49 what the additional expectations are.
4:11:53 Thank you.
4:11:56 - Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
4:11:59 - I can follow.
4:12:01 So Dr. Mullins, I think that you pointed out
4:12:04 some great things.
4:12:05 Everybody’s moving.
4:12:06 We’re all going towards the same direction.
4:12:09 Staff is pushing
4:12:10 and they’re making these recommendations and efficiency
4:12:13 and there’s not a single person in here
4:12:15 that would disagree with that.
4:12:16 I think where the main issue that I would say is,
4:12:19 is that just like when I was speaking to you before about,
4:12:21 I said, hey, I have some concerns about the athletics piece,
4:12:25 the groups of kids that are gonna be allowed back,
4:12:27 what sports, all that stuff can we discuss?
4:12:29 That’s awesome, right?
4:12:30 So you and I might be able to collaborate on that one issue,
4:12:33 but everybody in here may be wanting input on that piece
4:12:37 or they may wanna give it to you.
4:12:38 And I may be wrong or right based on information
4:12:41 that I hear from my peers.
4:12:43 One of the, when we go,
4:12:45 the philosophical thing that you just said,
4:12:47 kind of I agreed all the way.
4:12:49 And then the philosophical piece at the end was,
4:12:52 if we have meetings,
4:12:54 we are somehow going to change the health
4:12:58 and wellness of our students.
4:13:00 And I just, my thing was twofold.
4:13:04 I truly believe that the school board should be weighing in
4:13:07 and giving direction.
4:13:08 And if that’s not at the time when it begins,
4:13:11 part of the conversation,
4:13:12 whether it’s all of those pieces of the athletics
4:13:15 that in the beginning we say,
4:13:16 hey, here’s what our concerns are,
4:13:18 or at the end, we need to have some input in there.
4:13:21 And I think that also the people need to understand
4:13:23 the argument from holistically
4:13:24 why we’re doing certain things.
4:13:27 And so when I say that the extra meetings
4:13:29 is to accomplish those two,
4:13:30 it’s actually bringing the school district
4:13:32 into the fold of the decision-making process,
4:13:35 which is statutorily what we’re supposed to do,
4:13:38 and just being a part of the process,
4:13:41 not just sitting here watching it happen
4:13:44 from a 30,000 foot view.
4:13:45 And I think that was what my concern was.
4:13:47 So when I’m making my suggestions,
4:13:49 please understand that it is in no way a vote of confidence
4:13:53 against what you do.
4:13:54 You and your staff do an amazing job.
4:13:56 I just think that during this process,
4:13:59 there’s been some questions that have been raised
4:14:01 as to our role.
4:14:02 And I feel like we have the right
4:14:04 to make those suggestions and those moves.
4:14:07 That’s all.
4:14:07 And I would recommend that we meet every Tuesday,
4:14:10 take public input.
4:14:11 And then if there’s an issue that comes up,
4:14:12 we would like to discuss, we can discuss it there.
4:14:15 But just like right now,
4:14:16 the athletics that you’re gonna,
4:14:17 you supposedly are gonna roll out
4:14:18 with the athletic directors.
4:14:20 I would like to see that prior to it being rolled out.
4:14:22 That’s all.
4:14:23 And I think that that’s a part of the conversation
4:14:25 for us to say.
4:14:27 That’s all.
4:14:31 - Ms. Campbell, would you like to weigh in
4:14:33 on additional meeting?
4:14:44 - I don’t wanna have a meeting for meetings sake.
4:14:48 Not casting, not making a judgment on motives or anything.
4:14:52 I don’t wanna have a meeting so that we are seen
4:14:54 as having the discussion.
4:14:56 I feel like when I have input, I give it.
4:15:00 And to Dr. Mullins and to cabinet,
4:15:03 I’ve sent articles and less,
4:15:04 “Hey, have you seen this?”
4:15:05 And almost every single time it’s been,
4:15:06 “Oh yeah, that’s the document we’re working off of.”
4:15:11 Responding to the public,
4:15:12 directing their input to the people who need it.
4:15:18 Am I willing to come here on Tuesdays?
4:15:21 Is there something we need to talk about?
4:15:22 But honestly, I prefer us,
4:15:26 when Dr. Mullins has something that he needs us to vote on
4:15:28 to move forward, then we come together.
4:15:32 But if the wishes of the board is to meet every week,
4:15:36 I’ll be here, I’ll clear my calendar,
4:15:38 except for the first week of July.
4:15:40 - Ms. Duskovich.
4:15:43 - I am flexible with what the board wants to do.
4:15:48 I can come Tuesdays, no problem.
4:15:52 I also, maybe we should consider the work session version
4:15:56 so that I feel like a board meeting puts staff
4:16:00 maybe at more work, and that would have to be something
4:16:02 Dr. Mullins would have to weigh in on.
4:16:04 But taking, recording public comments,
4:16:07 or them coming in, it just sounds like a lot more work.
4:16:11 But hearing the public voice is important, Mr. Susan.
4:16:14 So again, I just draw back to,
4:16:18 we’re the representatives of the public,
4:16:20 so you reach out and say, send me what you want me to voice.
4:16:24 I think that’s more what it’s about, Dr. Mullins,
4:16:26 for me, I don’t know about Mr. Susan,
4:16:28 it’s not about micromanaging the operations for me.
4:16:31 It’s more about, and Ms. Campbell,
4:16:34 I kind of picked up on what you said,
4:16:36 a meeting for meeting just to,
4:16:39 it sounds a little bit like
4:16:40 just so we can sit out here and talk,
4:16:42 but there’s also a role for that in our form of government,
4:16:46 which is that if 200 people message me,
4:16:50 they wanna hear their voice heard,
4:16:51 and I’m glad, I had forgotten about
4:16:53 the 6,000 public voices, that’s super important.
4:16:56 But if they can’t physically be here,
4:16:59 I’m their representative,
4:17:00 and there’s a role for them to watch it
4:17:03 and hear their concerns.
4:17:05 There’s sickly and elderly people right now
4:17:08 that are thrilled that you spoke up for them.
4:17:10 There’s a military student that’s probably happy
4:17:11 that I spoke up for them.
4:17:12 And there’s a role where they feel heard
4:17:14 when these things are discussed publicly.
4:17:17 If you’ve watched the news,
4:17:18 there’s some other districts in Florida right now
4:17:19 where a district came up and presented to the public
4:17:23 two options for opening,
4:17:25 and all five board members have now publicly come out
4:17:27 and said, “We never heard it, we never saw it.”
4:17:29 I wouldn’t expect something like that to happen here,
4:17:32 but without us touching base more
4:17:34 when stuff is changing so much,
4:17:36 I just wonder if it’s not an opportunity to touch base more.
4:17:39 Again, not to micromanage, Dr. Mullins.
4:17:41 At least, I don’t feel like it’s to micromanage.
4:17:43 It’s to be the public voice with each other
4:17:47 and to touch base with each other
4:17:48 because it’s frustrating that I can’t talk to you all
4:17:50 about everything we’re going through.
4:17:55 Was that a nice, confusing, non-answer for you?
4:17:57 - Ms. McDougall.
4:18:00 - I wanna say, Dr. Mullins,
4:18:03 I certainly have no desire to micromanage you.
4:18:05 I think the team is doing a fabulous job.
4:18:07 This is a very difficult time.
4:18:09 It’s unprecedented, as we say, over and over again.
4:18:13 I understand that it would be nice, certainly for me,
4:18:17 to see you all more often and to talk about things,
4:18:20 but at what point, what do we decide
4:18:22 that we wanna weigh in in?
4:18:24 At what point do we say, “Wait a minute, stop.
4:18:28 “We need to talk.”
4:18:29 Are we going, we’re gonna hinder our staff
4:18:32 to, this is a very short window,
4:18:35 and who knows what tomorrow’s going to bring?
4:18:37 We just don’t know.
4:18:38 It changes all the time.
4:18:39 So a meeting, do we wanna put one on every Tuesday?
4:18:43 I’m not sure, I don’t know if we need that,
4:18:47 but I understand that we are the voice of our public,
4:18:50 and I do want to represent them,
4:18:52 and that’s kinda why I talked about alternative graduations,
4:18:55 because I think we need to be thinking of that,
4:18:58 because I don’t know what July’s gonna bring.
4:19:01 So again, this is a wishy-washy response.
4:19:04 I don’t feel, unless there is something
4:19:07 that we need to weigh in in at this point,
4:19:10 I like the work sessions, I do.
4:19:12 We talk about a lot of different things,
4:19:15 but I can’t say that I think we need every single Tuesday.
4:19:22 - So I’m not hearing that the majority of the board,
4:19:27 I will tell you, I am more than happy
4:19:28 to be here on Tuesdays.
4:19:29 I have no problem coming here and having discussions,
4:19:32 and I think that it can be fruitful,
4:19:34 but I do think that we have to be cognizant of,
4:19:37 I mean, how many people, we have Dr. Mullins,
4:19:39 we have Mr. Gibbs, we have Ms. Escobar,
4:19:41 we have Mr. Francisco, we have Louis,
4:19:44 we have staff on hand in case we have questions,
4:19:47 like us coming here puts a drain on the resources
4:19:53 that are already incredibly strained,
4:19:55 whether we like it or not, it’s just the way it is.
4:19:58 So if I may suggest, and we have to be cognizant of timeline
4:20:04 because Pam has to have a way to advertise,
4:20:07 we are back here together next Tuesday,
4:20:09 so it’s not even a week away, right?
4:20:14 And then we have another one on June 13th,
4:20:17 so it’s only 15 days apart.
4:20:20 Perhaps the better option rather than just scheduling
4:20:23 to be here every Tuesday is if there is an issue
4:20:28 that comes up, any board member can send an email to Paul,
4:20:34 right, and say, I have concerns about this,
4:20:39 or realistically, the best way to handle it
4:20:42 would be to speak to Dr. Mullins and say, Dr. Mullins,
4:20:44 I really feel like we need to get board input on this,
4:20:47 and then he can coordinate scheduling that work session
4:20:51 for the following week, rather than us setting up meetings
4:20:54 and taking up staff time.
4:20:56 And as far as I’m concerned, I trust him to take board input
4:21:03 and be honest in following up with the rest of the board
4:21:07 as far as his actions.
4:21:10 You know, I don’t think he’s ever going to tell us,
4:21:15 oh, only two people felt this way, or you know what I mean?
4:21:18 I think if there is a board request to move in a direction,
4:21:22 he’s going to follow through with it.
4:21:25 And I think perhaps–
4:21:26 - I would never want any of our teams
4:21:28 to stop what they’re doing or to slow down
4:21:30 what they’re doing, because we might meet on a Tuesday
4:21:32 and change the direction, because they’ve got stuff to do
4:21:35 in a really timely fashion.
4:21:38 So would you all be comfortable with just knowing
4:21:40 that the opportunity is there to request that we meet
4:21:42 on and off Tuesday, if there’s something that comes up
4:21:45 that you feel needs urgent?
4:21:49 - First off, if I could request it,
4:21:52 it just seemed like everybody was kind of blue-gray area.
4:21:55 Like, oh, I liked the idea, but not really.
4:21:57 Okay, so I would like to get a yes or no,
4:21:59 if we could, just yes or no.
4:22:01 The second piece is, the answer to your question,
4:22:04 Ms. Belford, is that we’ve already tried
4:22:08 to possibly make a request for a meeting,
4:22:12 which would have slowed down and taken it up.
4:22:14 Like if you make the request on a Friday,
4:22:17 the earliest that we can get that meeting
4:22:19 is the next Thursday.
4:22:21 So if we’re meeting on a Tuesday,
4:22:23 generally everything can usually come up right then.
4:22:27 But by Friday, something might come up.
4:22:29 We can’t meet until the following Thursday.
4:22:32 And then sometimes everybody says,
4:22:33 well, do you really want to come in
4:22:34 because we’re gonna be back here the following Tuesday?
4:22:37 And I just think it becomes that piece.
4:22:40 I truly believe that in no way
4:22:42 is this a confidence vote on Dr. Moles.
4:22:44 And I don’t want that to be this way.
4:22:46 I just truly believe that there needs to be an avenue
4:22:49 for the people to come out and express what they’re feeling.
4:22:51 And I truly believe that we as board members
4:22:54 need to be giving our collective thoughts
4:22:57 on the processes and things that were coming in.
4:23:00 There’s a thousand pieces that are coming.
4:23:02 Like the teacher’s union, if you have to extend days,
4:23:05 if you have like all of these things
4:23:06 need to be collaborated and communicated.
4:23:09 And we’re only meeting, I think,
4:23:11 twice in the next month, I think.
4:23:14 And so a lot of those pieces,
4:23:16 I feel like having a meeting would be good.
4:23:18 Now that’s me.
4:23:19 I just said, I would like to have a meeting,
4:23:21 but I would just ask if everybody could say yes or no,
4:23:25 or give a definitive, I don’t want to meet her, I do.
4:23:27 You know what I mean?
4:23:28 Because what you’re saying is let’s just let everybody
4:23:31 just make a request.
4:23:32 And I think that’s too nebulous
4:23:34 because we still don’t even know what our power is
4:23:36 as far as a school district
4:23:38 and what we can make a decision about, right?
4:23:41 I think that the, like, if we can’t,
4:23:44 if operationally, like if it’s found out
4:23:47 from the state statutes that no,
4:23:48 you are not allowed to say anything about graduation
4:23:51 or that, well, then we are in wrong
4:23:53 by having meetings to try to do that.
4:23:56 I feel that we have the right to oversee
4:23:58 if something’s hicking up as collaboratively,
4:24:01 that’s just me.
4:24:03 - I don’t know that just discussing it, it’s wrong.
4:24:05 So I would say you’re not wrong
4:24:07 to have this type of discussion.
4:24:09 If you wanted, you know, at the end of mid-May,
4:24:13 if it came up, like, when are we going to do?
4:24:15 And you wanted a meeting on, let’s talk this out.
4:24:19 I don’t remember when it went to the board.
4:24:21 Dr. Mullins mentioned it went to the board
4:24:23 as far as approving June and July alternative dates,
4:24:27 but that was an opportunity.
4:24:28 So if you just want to have meetings
4:24:30 to discuss key issues, I mean,
4:24:33 who has the authority is a different question.
4:24:35 If you just want to discuss it,
4:24:36 you guys can sit here and schedule meetings twice a week
4:24:40 to come in and discuss things if you want.
4:24:43 So come in here and discuss all day
4:24:47 and let everybody know what your opinion is.
4:24:49 There’s nothing wrong with that.
4:24:50 You’re going to take up, you might take up resources
4:24:53 if you need staff to come in and provide that input.
4:24:57 - Ms. McDougall, would you like to schedule a meeting
4:24:59 every week, yes or no?
4:25:01 Mr. Susan.
4:25:02 - Yes.
4:25:03 - Ms. Deskevich.
4:25:09 - I don’t think it’s a black and white issue,
4:25:10 but I’m going to say no because I am,
4:25:13 I want to meet when it’s important.
4:25:17 So I said no.
4:25:23 - If it’s a work session,
4:25:24 can we cancel the night before or you can’t?
4:25:27 ‘Cause there’s no public comments.
4:25:29 - I mean, you can cancel them.
4:25:31 It just get posted that, hey, we’re not going to hold it.
4:25:35 - Yeah, and there’s no public comments.
4:25:36 - ‘Cause if you go back out there,
4:25:37 we could have it come out.
4:25:39 - Do we have to advertise a cancellation?
4:25:41 - You’re not going to be able to get an ad in
4:25:44 the day before you’d have to, I would say,
4:25:47 send out a, at least put it on the website,
4:25:49 post it wherever you can that you’re canceling.
4:25:54 - Sorry, I’m not giving you a yes.
4:25:55 I’m going to say yes to a work session
4:25:58 and maybe we just schedule a live right now.
4:26:02 - Ms. Campbell.
4:26:03 - I probably made it a little harder right now
4:26:05 because we had three, this is one of the times
4:26:06 we have three weeks to be doing more meetings.
4:26:09 So not counting today.
4:26:12 - Do we have three weeks between the next two weeks?
4:26:14 - No, we have two in June.
4:26:15 We have two in July.
4:26:18 - Same as usual, just not long.
4:26:20 This was the only one that changed.
4:26:22 This is the long stretch.
4:26:24 So.
4:26:26 - Okay, I’m going to go now as well.
4:26:29 If we would like to have a discussion at Tuesday’s meeting
4:26:34 about, you know, if we feel like there’s anything
4:26:36 on the horizon that we need to anticipate,
4:26:39 then I think we can certainly bring that up,
4:26:43 but I think we need to make sure that it comes up,
4:26:46 you know, in enough time that we can,
4:26:48 Pam can make arrangements for a meeting to be scheduled.
4:26:53 - All right, is there any additional discussion for today?
4:26:58 - Dr. Miles, I think you said you were going to give us
4:27:00 an update on athletics, but then you just said
4:27:03 you don’t want to give us an update on athletics.
4:27:10 - I can give the board an update
4:27:11 on the work that staff has done.
4:27:15 Ms. Moore has met with high school principals
4:27:19 and high school athletic directors,
4:27:22 a small group of them to work through what is called
4:27:26 our return to activity plan, allowing students back
4:27:30 onto campus in a very controlled and environment
4:27:36 with protocols and guidelines of what are expected
4:27:40 to ensure their safety.
4:27:42 Ms. Moore presented it to principals last week,
4:27:46 gave them all an opportunity to weigh in
4:27:48 and provide input to the proposal.
4:27:51 She met with them again yesterday
4:27:54 after my meeting with principals
4:27:56 and solidified the recommendations of return to activity.
4:28:04 We are moving toward or preparing,
4:28:06 we were preparing for as early as a June 22nd,
4:28:10 that’s Monday, June 22nd, access to campus
4:28:15 between tomorrow and next week.
4:28:18 Athletic directors would be trained
4:28:20 and would ensure they had the right processes
4:28:23 and procedures in place.
4:28:25 It would allow coaches on a volunteer basis
4:28:28 to provide conditioning opportunities for their athletes.
4:28:33 No guests would be allowed on campus outside of staff
4:28:36 and the student athletes.
4:28:39 They would be expected to work in groups no larger than 10.
4:28:43 There could be multiple groups at a conditioning session,
4:28:47 but they would be required to work in groups of 10.
4:28:54 We are at this stage of the return to activity plan.
4:28:59 Locker rooms would not be utilized.
4:29:02 Workouts should be conducted with the same groups
4:29:05 of five to 10 students and be adhering
4:29:10 to a minimum distance of six feet
4:29:11 between individuals at all times.
4:29:13 There’s other guidelines and expectations
4:29:16 for facilities cleaning, hydration.
4:29:19 We are prohibiting the use of multiple use water stations.
4:29:24 Students are expected to bring their own water bottle
4:29:27 and not share them.
4:29:30 And then guidelines on equipment, towels, shoes, clothing,
4:29:38 and so on.
4:29:40 So I can, I would suggest at this point
4:29:45 that we not slow the process,
4:29:47 but continue to train athletic directors tomorrow
4:29:49 unless there’s specific direction from the board to pause.
4:29:52 And we will provide the full details of the stage of plan
4:29:55 and wait for further direction.
4:29:59 - Can I ask a quick question?
4:30:01 Dr. Mullins, inside of the gymnasium, for instance,
4:30:05 we have say volleyball or one of those sports.
4:30:09 Am I hearing you correctly?
4:30:10 That if they were to work,
4:30:12 if they’re working out inside,
4:30:15 they cannot have more than 10 people, is that right?
4:30:17 Or is that outside and inside?
4:30:18 I’m sorry.
4:30:21 - Limitations on gatherings.
4:30:22 No gatherings of more than 10 people at a time,
4:30:24 inside or outside, in any one place,
4:30:28 in any one area or place.
4:30:30 Gyms and football fields can be considered
4:30:32 two separate areas or places
4:30:34 if students are appropriately separated.
4:30:37 With appropriate separation,
4:30:38 a track could also be considered a separate area
4:30:40 from a football field.
4:30:41 As many groups as can be supervised by an adult
4:30:44 and that meet all gathering guidelines is allowable.
4:30:47 - So Dr. Mullins, if we have a football team
4:30:49 that has 60 kids,
4:30:51 are they only allowed to have two sets of 10
4:30:55 on the football field?
4:30:56 Meaning that like the football players
4:30:58 or 10 are allowed on the football field,
4:31:00 10 are allowed on the track.
4:31:02 So meaning that they would have to have two coaches.
4:31:04 And if they’re to continue to maybe have them
4:31:07 all at one time rather than all day,
4:31:09 that would be that they would have to have
4:31:11 different locations throughout the school of groups of 10.
4:31:14 Is that what I’m hearing you say?
4:31:16 - After conferring with coaches, athletic directors
4:31:21 and all of the high school principals,
4:31:24 they felt like this accommodated the needs
4:31:26 that they would have for conditioning.
4:31:29 - Okay, but I’m just asking,
4:31:31 so if a football team has 40 or 50 people,
4:31:35 they can utilize the different facilities
4:31:37 throughout the day at the school,
4:31:39 as long as they’re separate in different locations.
4:31:42 So if there’s one on the soccer field,
4:31:43 there’s one on the football field,
4:31:44 there’s one on the track.
4:31:46 That was all I was just asking.
4:31:47 - That’s correct.
4:31:48 A group of football athletes could be as many as 50 or 60,
4:31:53 as long as they are managed in groups of 10
4:31:55 and there’s appropriate supervision.
4:31:57 - So on a football field, 50 yards by 100 yards,
4:32:00 only 10 people can go there.
4:32:02 Is that right?
4:32:03 Just I’m trying to make clarification
4:32:05 so everybody understands.
4:32:06 - Mr. Susan, I’m confident that we would make
4:32:08 those clarifications with athletic directors
4:32:10 when we train them.
4:32:11 I can’t speak specifically.
4:32:13 I can ask Ms. Moore to come and speak
4:32:14 if that’s the request of the board.
4:32:16 - I think what the question there is,
4:32:19 is that part of the concern is the larger teams,
4:32:23 also band, say for instance.
4:32:26 You have your bands that may want to start to condition.
4:32:30 It’s very difficult for one individual
4:32:31 or maybe three or four individuals to take
4:32:34 and condition all of those kids in separates all day long
4:32:38 to accommodate the large size.
4:32:40 So if you have a band that needs to work out at Rockledge
4:32:45 or Viera, then they have 200 people inside of there.
4:32:49 Then you’re gonna be talking about 20 coaches
4:32:51 trying to run an hour worth or whatever that is.
4:32:53 It just, it becomes a piece.
4:32:54 So I would hope that during the conversation
4:32:57 with the athletic directors and everybody else,
4:32:59 that social distancing on a field, which is six feet apart,
4:33:04 could accomplish part of that goal,
4:33:06 maybe in larger numbers than 10, that’s all.
4:33:08 - I will tell you, Mr. Susan, that I asked about,
4:33:11 they had just started a discussion about marching bands,
4:33:14 which happens usually in the summer.
4:33:15 And she said, once they get done with athletic part of it,
4:33:17 that that was what they were gonna be
4:33:19 turning their attention to next.
4:33:21 - Oh, so this doesn’t even include the band
4:33:25 and stuff like that.
4:33:26 This is only athletics.
4:33:27 - I do not believe this includes band.
4:33:30 - Okay, do you know Dr. Mullins of a specific time
4:33:34 certain that we might be able to get back
4:33:35 and have that conversation with the band directors
4:33:38 and stuff like that?
4:33:39 ‘Cause I apologize.
4:33:40 I thought that athletics was also inclusive of band
4:33:43 and possibly because I do know that those kids
4:33:47 need to be in shape too, Ms. Campbell, right?
4:33:49 ‘Cause they’re out there in the heat and everything else.
4:33:52 - Those kinds of things.
4:33:52 I mean, I can’t speak for every school,
4:33:54 but they usually start in July.
4:33:55 - I would just offer to the board that Ms. Moore
4:33:57 is in regular and ongoing conversation
4:33:59 with our school leaders and that includes representatives.
4:34:02 And she’s bringing forward a balanced approach
4:34:07 to providing access to our campuses
4:34:09 while also meeting the needs of the programs
4:34:11 that have made the request.
4:34:13 I can’t tell you at this moment,
4:34:16 Ms. Moore provided this to me at six this morning
4:34:20 when we were in the office.
4:34:22 And I haven’t had a chance to fully read it
4:34:24 since we’ve come to this meeting.
4:34:28 - If I just may real quick, thank you for making that happen.
4:34:33 - Any additional comments, questions, concerns?
4:34:37 All right, then we are adjourned.
4:34:39 Dr. Mullins.
4:34:40 - I just would appreciate direction from the board.
4:34:41 Are you comfortable with us moving forward
4:34:43 or would you like time to review it?
4:34:44 I realize I’ve been keeping informed individually,
4:34:47 but happy to, we’ll get this out to the board and.
4:34:54 - Ms. Campbell, you’re comfortable with them moving forward?
4:34:56 - Yes, don’t pause.
4:34:57 - Ms. Duskovich, comfortable with them moving forward?
4:34:59 - Yeah, open something, anything.
4:35:01 - Mr. Susan.
4:35:03 - Yes, and please get as fast as possible
4:35:05 to those band directors to appropriately open them too.
4:35:11 - Thank you.
4:35:16 - Don’t forget to sign Dr. Mullins.
4:35:19 (upbeat music)