Updates on the Fight for Quality Public Education in Brevard County, FL
0:00 (upbeat music)
11:02 - Good afternoon or evening.
11:05 I’m happy to welcome all of my fellow board members
11:07 and call the October 6th, 2020 school board meeting to order.
11:10 We continue to modify meeting processes
11:12 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
11:14 Public attendance is permitted on a limited basis,
11:17 allowing for 30 persons in addition to staff
11:19 and board members to be present.
11:21 All public comments will be in person this evening.
11:24 Pam, roll call, please.
11:30 - Present. - Present.
11:38 - The board will now hold a moment of silent reflection
11:41 and invite the viewing audience to join us.
11:56 Thank you.
11:58 Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
12:03 - I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
12:07 America
12:08 and to the republic for which it stands,
12:11 one nation, under God, indivisible,
12:14 with liberty and justice for all.
12:23 - At this time, I would like to offer my fellow board members
12:25 and Dr. Mullins the opportunity to recognize students, staff,
12:29 or members of our community.
12:31 Ms. Duskovich.
12:34 - I just have one general huge shout out.
12:36 For those that don’t know, it is National Principal Appreciation
12:39 Month.
12:40 And so usually towards the end of the year we have Teacher Appreciation
12:43 Week
12:44 and we celebrate our teachers, but this is a good time.
12:47 Just take a day this month if you can at your child’s school
12:50 or if you’re an employee.
12:52 Maybe reach out to your principal and your administration
12:54 and just give them a shout out if nothing else.
12:57 They are, the things they are doing right now,
13:00 to get our schools through this time, but honestly the last
13:04 couple of years
13:05 with security risks increasing and then being so responsible,
13:09 not just for education, but for literally the lives of the
13:11 students
13:13 and their staff.
13:15 They’ve got a lot weighing on them for, it’s just remarkable.
13:20 If you really look around, you know, some of these principals
13:23 have 2,000 plus students that they’re responsible for their
13:26 education,
13:27 keeping them safe, keeping them well, and now COVID on top of it.
13:31 It’s just, it’s a huge responsibility and we owe them a sincere
13:33 gratitude.
13:35 So just wanted to take the time to do that.
13:37 Thank you.
13:38 - Thank you, Ms. Duskovich.
13:39 Ms. Campbell, you want to go next?
13:41 - All right, so last week I became officially certified
13:44 as a Youth Mental Health First Aider.
13:47 And so this is not to pat me on the back.
13:50 I’m about to thank our Student Services Department
13:52 because we now are making this program that our teachers have.
13:55 We now are making this program that our teachers are trained in
13:59 because they are very off, are getting trained in,
14:01 because they’re very often the first line of care for our
14:03 students
14:04 and their mental health.
14:06 We’re now making that available to parents in the community.
14:08 So thank you, Chris Moore and your team.
14:10 Please pass that on because we’ve sent that out.
14:13 There are a couple other dates, so just advertisement.
14:15 You can go on the website and find some other dates.
14:17 I think there’s a Saturday and then there’s one that’s broken up
14:20 between two evenings.
14:22 The training was fantastic, and I wanted to give a shout out to
14:25 Anna Curry,
14:27 who did part of the training.
14:29 She is a social worker at South ALC, and also to Teresa Cavanaugh,
14:33 who is one of our coordinators for Brevard Aftercare.
14:36 They did a fantastic job training us.
14:38 And it was really exciting to see not only some parents,
14:41 a handful of parents, but also kudos to our public library staff
14:46 because they sent a couple of the youth service coordinators
14:50 from our libraries to also do the training.
14:53 It was all virtual because they have direct contact with youth
14:57 in our area.
14:58 So I was really excited to see that, and I just want to
15:00 encourage
15:01 other community members and parents who have influence over our
15:05 young people
15:07 to take advantage of that opportunity because it was really good.
15:10 Thank you, Ms. Campbell.
15:12 Ms. McDougall?
15:14 I only have one, and I want to remind people that BAC Arts,
15:21 which is the Brevard – oh, my goodness, my mind. I’m losing my
15:25 mind.
15:26 Achievement?
15:27 Yeah, no, it’s Brevard Arts – I just thought council.
15:32 But the BAC, along with Montlier Injury Law Firm, is putting on
15:37 the
15:38 annual holiday card contest, which invites all of our
15:42 Brevard County Elementary exceptional students to design a cover
15:46 for their holiday card. So I just want to give a shout-out for
15:48 them doing it.
15:50 Don’t forget the deadline is November 6th, and I hope most of
15:53 our students
15:54 participate in this.
15:56 No, it’s – no, it’s – thank you so much.
16:02 It’s Brevard Cultural Alliance. Oh, my goodness.
16:06 Thank you, Ms. McDougall. You’re so welcome.
16:10 Thank you, Susan.
16:13 Thank you, Ms. Belford. First off, I wanted to say thank you, Ms.
16:18 Campbell.
16:19 My daughter was born – my fifth child, and my daughter was born
16:23 last week.
16:25 And Ms. Campbell went out and got me these fine balloons.
16:28 I’m trying to bring them in the picture here.
16:30 Our daughter, Collette, was born seven pounds, four ounces,
16:34 and we’re really excited to the new addition to the family.
16:37 And I wanted to tell everybody how nice it was that Ms. Campbell
16:39 got me
16:40 these – along with you guys – and how I may not be the best
16:43 reciprocating
16:44 individual when it comes to gifts out of everybody, the guy in
16:47 the room, right?
16:49 So when you guys are all, “Hey, make sure you get money from
16:51 Matt,
16:52 because we know he won’t do anything,” kind of thing,
16:54 I really appreciate you guys, and I appreciate you going out for
16:56 the balloons.
16:57 And I appreciate, you know, you guys keeping me in check
17:00 and making sure everybody gets taken care of.
17:02 Otherwise, my daughters and everybody will tell you that’s just
17:04 the way it would happen.
17:05 So thank you, Ms. Campbell, and thank you to everybody that gave
17:07 me the thanks for the baby.
17:09 The other thing is I was really excited to hear that you were
17:11 talking about getting certified,
17:13 because one of the things I was talking about when I was on the
17:15 phone with the, you know,
17:18 the Capital Outlay team that I have, right?
17:21 That’s my team, so we’re championing.
17:23 I brought up the fact that prior, about two years ago, Dr. Mullins
17:26 said it was okay
17:27 if I went out and got trained to be a bus driver, right?
17:30 So there was an opportunity to do that.
17:32 Now, it doesn’t mean for everybody out there –
17:34 and Dr. Mullins is probably falling over in his seat right now
17:35 –
17:36 on driving any of our children during BPS hours, right?
17:40 But the opportunity presents itself that if I’m able to get
17:42 licensed,
17:43 that means that if I wanted to take the children from my Boys
17:45 and Girls Clubs
17:46 or my dock neighborhoods or something like that,
17:49 we might be able to take them out to the Space Center.
17:51 So I was really excited, and I heard about your thing that was
17:54 going on,
17:55 and I was just like, “Oh, yeah, that’s right.”
17:57 So I’ll be applying next summer to come in and get the driver’s
17:59 license.
18:01 You okay with that, Dr. Mullins?
18:04 Absolutely. Just be prepared.
18:06 I’ll also solicit you to be a bus driver sub, so –
18:10 Anyways, that would be great.
18:12 And I also wanted to say thank you to Dr. Mullins and Dr. Theti
18:15 for clearing up some of the confusion that was going on
18:18 with the coaching supplements earlier.
18:20 They did a phenomenal job.
18:21 There were some people that read something a little bit odd,
18:23 and what they did was they took it in.
18:25 They said, “Hey,” you know, they got it wrapped around,
18:27 got the right information out, and they did a great job.
18:29 So I wanted to say thank you to that.
18:31 And with that, I’m good.
18:33 I reserve the rest of my – in case I want to bring anybody
18:35 up for an award later or something like that.
18:39 We can talk about that later, Mr. Susan.
18:42 Dr. Mullins?
18:44 Thank you, Ms. Belfort.
18:45 I would like to take a couple minutes.
18:47 I want to recognize some folks.
18:49 First, Ms. Campbell is very aware.
18:52 Central Middle School is in the meadow lanes.
18:54 This is exciting news.
18:56 We have long awaited to fix the chiller plant situation on Wingate
19:02 Corridor.
19:04 Those schools were on a shared chiller plant system.
19:08 The sales surtax, the current initiative, funded the repair of
19:12 that.
19:14 And Sue and her team, I know she would give all the credit to
19:16 the men and women
19:19 out in the field that have made that possible from specking it
19:23 out,
19:24 the specifications, to keeping the school informed,
19:28 to having temporary support for the chillers.
19:32 But we are in progress, and I think by December we’re going to
19:37 be 100 percent
19:38 onto the new system.
19:40 So I just wanted to give that shout out because we’ve been –
19:43 we’ve all experienced some difficulties with that system.
19:48 I also want to give a shout out to our Procurement and
19:50 Distribution Services
19:52 Department because they’ve been awarded the prestigious 25th
19:56 annual achievement
19:58 of excellence and procurement for 2020 from the National Procurement
20:02 Institute.
20:04 The AEP award is earned by public and nonprofit agencies that
20:06 demonstrate
20:08 a commitment to procurement excellence.
20:10 This annual program recognizes procurement organizations that
20:13 embrace innovation,
20:15 professionalism, productivity, leadership, and e-procurement.
20:20 The AEP program encourages the development of the excellence as
20:23 well as
20:24 continued organizational improvement to earn the award.
20:27 So for 2020, there were 188 successful applicants, including 40
20:33 different
20:34 counties, 69 cities, 15 higher education agencies, 22 school
20:38 districts,
20:39 34 special districts, five state agencies, and three others.
20:44 Brevard Public Schools is a first-time winner for 2020 and one
20:49 of only three
20:50 Florida school districts to receive this award.
20:54 The other two districts were Orange and Palm Beach.
20:57 We don’t find that surprising right now because our team across
21:00 the back
21:02 has hailed our procurement and distribution team, particularly
21:06 helping us
21:08 get through this supply chain challenging time of COVID.
21:12 They have negotiated, renegotiated, they have followed through
21:16 with contracts
21:18 and procuring supplies, putting us in a position to be at the
21:21 front of the line.
21:22 So can’t give a loud enough and formal enough shout out to our
21:27 procurement team.
21:28 Mr. Novelli, please let the team know that we acknowledge them
21:30 tonight
21:32 and commend them for their ongoing commitment to excellence
21:35 to support our entire organization.
21:43 And last, I want to take a moment and recognize we are in
21:47 Employee of the Year
21:49 and Teacher of the Year nomination season, and I think it’s
21:52 noteworthy
21:54 that this year we have three sheriff office SROs who were
21:59 selected
22:00 among their school’s employees for Employee of the Year.
22:04 Corporal Kent Goodebow from Freedom 7 Elementary,
22:08 Corporal Jackie Saxemeier from Edgewood Junior Senior High
22:12 School,
22:13 and Corporal Victoria Sumlin from Fair Glen Elementary.
22:17 We value our law enforcement officers, our school resource
22:20 officers in our schools
22:24 and the part of team that they bring to our school environment.
22:29 They’re not guests on our campus. They’re not a separate agency
22:32 part of our schools.
22:34 They are part of our team. And the board will indulge me for
22:37 another moment.
22:39 Lieutenant Neal wrote some very kind words about BPS and the
22:43 environment
22:44 we’ve created with the team, and I would appreciate if I could
22:47 read that
22:48 on behalf of Lieutenant Neal.
22:52 It can be difficult for law enforcement officers at times to go
22:54 from the known
22:56 into the unknown when they enter the school resource officer
22:58 role.
22:59 When they enter into a school with a strong and caring
23:00 administration,
23:02 it’s evident. As the program has grown and adjustments made,
23:06 it’s very rewarding to watch examples of these dedicated public
23:08 servants
23:09 working alongside with your administrations as a team.
23:13 The three corporals receiving this award are great examples,
23:17 but also says volumes about your administrators as well.
23:20 Leadership promotes greatness and is not without work.
23:23 You have incredible educators that are deserving of this award
23:25 and they chose their SRO.
23:28 That’s a team we are lucky to have and many other examples of
23:31 this.
23:32 I’ve seen a lot of changes over the past two years and this is
23:34 good stuff.
23:36 So, congratulations to our deputies and Lieutenant Neal and
23:42 Major Lanza.
23:44 Thank you for your support and to set them up for success.
23:48 Most of all, we appreciate being part of a team and I think it’s
23:50 a nice
23:51 companion to Ms. Deskovich’s compliments to our administrators,
23:56 our principals who helped create that team environment across
23:58 our schools
24:00 to make our schools better, make our schools safe,
24:03 and make our schools a place of success for our kids.
24:07 Thank you.
24:08 Thank you, Dr. Mullen.
24:10 So, I started making my list for recognition and I had to kind
24:15 of rethink my approach
24:17 because I don’t want to be the one who keeps us up here for 30
24:19 minutes.
24:20 So, at our last board meeting, one of the things that I
24:23 recognized was Pilot Club,
24:27 who had reached out to one of our schools and brought thank yous
24:29 for all of the staff there.
24:31 This week, I want to say a huge thank you to Sunnies Barbecue
24:34 who gave free meals to all of our teachers this week if they
24:36 went into Sunnies to pick up.
24:40 But in addition to that, I started making a list of our team
24:45 members that have handled
24:48 just some challenging situations over the past couple of weeks
24:51 for me or through me, working with me.
24:54 And I suddenly realized that really what I need to do is I just
24:58 need to recognize
24:59 if you all who are in the audience would just turn around and
25:01 look at the folks
25:03 that are sitting at the tables around the room.
25:07 I literally could spend 30 minutes telling you each and every
25:10 one of these people I have gone to
25:12 in the past week with requesting assistance to meet the needs or
25:17 concerns of our constituents.
25:20 And I think it is incredibly important for us all to realize
25:23 that all of these people
25:25 that are sitting at these tables had full-time jobs prior to COVID,
25:29 full-time and then some.
25:30 And the challenges that have come to our district with the pandemic
25:35 and keeping things safe
25:38 and responding quite frankly to a tense environment where many
25:42 people seem
25:44 to not be the most compassionate and grace-giving right now.
25:49 But these folks who are sitting around the room have taken on
25:51 still those tasks
25:53 that they have been doing for all of this time on top of all of
25:56 the COVID response.
25:58 And I would suggest, and you all can tell me if I’m wrong, but I
26:00 doubt that you will,
26:03 that we are dealing with a more volatile community in many ways
26:08 and less patience,
26:11 less willingness to be flexible.
26:14 I think everyone simply is on edge and certainly we feel that
26:17 when they reach out to us as a district as well.
26:20 But these folks sitting around the room 24/7, seven and
26:23 literally seven days a week,
26:26 Dr. Mullins and I were meeting on Saturday and got a call from
26:28 Chris Moore who had been working all Saturday morning.
26:32 So it’s just been constant for them.
26:34 And I can’t thank you guys enough for still being Johnny on the
26:37 spot with responses
26:38 and addressing issues and reaching out to families who are
26:40 concerned or upset
26:42 and addressing Major Lanza walked one of my schools with me
26:45 because I had some security concerns
26:48 and Suhan’s department addressed some mowing issues that had
26:54 been a concern for a school
26:55 and some other facilities issues that we hadn’t been able to get
26:57 resolved for a while.
26:59 And Robin Novelli, I think I’ve been an enormous pain to him
27:02 as I’ve had concerns with bus depots and security and all sorts
27:07 of things.
27:09 And Jane and Stephanie who handle all of our leading and
27:11 learning
27:12 who have been addressing concerns from teachers and concerns
27:15 from parents at schools.
27:17 Russell who keeps us going in technology and has rescued me more
27:20 times than I can say.
27:22 Dr. Theddy who never ever stops and is just an absolute champion
27:26 for everything that she does.
27:29 Chris Moore and Dr. Theddy I think have gotten to know each
27:31 other even better this year
27:34 in the way that they’ve been working together with COVID
27:36 response.
27:37 And of course we can’t forget Cindy Lisinski who came in at
27:40 quite a trying time to handle finance for the district.
27:44 And I don’t know if everyone has met him but Russ Brun who is
27:46 our new government and community relations person.
27:49 And then up here at the front we have Paul Gibbs who has had no
27:52 shortage of legal issues
27:54 to walk us through as we develop new challenges.
27:57 So thank you to all of you for all the work that you do. We
27:58 appreciate you.
28:11 Okay that is going to bring us to the adoption of the agenda. Dr.
28:14 Mullins.
28:21 Ms. Belford and members of the board on tonight’s agenda.
28:24 We have administrative staff recommendations, one recognition,
28:26 one presentation, seven consent items,
28:30 two action items and three information items. Additionally we
28:33 will have one staff report.
28:35 The changes made to the agenda since being released to the
28:37 public on September 15 are as follows.
28:40 There were revisions to item A7 on administrative staff
28:43 recommendations.
28:45 Attachments was made to the presentation called Superintendent’s
28:47 Report.
28:48 And to item F14 on instructional staff recommendations.
28:52 Information item H20 on administrative staff recommendations is
28:56 in addition.
28:58 That’s it.
29:00 Thank you sir. What are the wishes of the board?
29:02 Move to approve. Second.
29:04 Moved by Ms. Campbell, seconded by Ms. McDougall. Is there any
29:06 discussion?
29:08 Please vote.
29:19 Does it come up for you? It just came up for me. All right I don’t
29:41 have anything up. I got nothing.
29:42 There’s like no voting here. You mind if I give? No, I don’t
29:49 mind. No.
29:50 [inaudible]
30:13 All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The motion passes 5-0.
30:19 Dr. Mullins, would you please let us know about the
30:20 administrative staff recommendations?
30:23 Yes. There are three persons under this category for the board
30:25 to consider.
30:27 What are the wishes of the board? Move to approve. Second.
30:30 Moved by Mr. Susan, seconded by Ms. Duskovich. Is there any
30:32 discussion?
30:35 I will call for a voice. Are you in? Yeah, I’m good. Okay.
30:39 Please vote.
30:46 Anybody else voting? Mine just advanced. It was stuck on the
30:52 previous one. I think it was waiting on Cheryl maybe.
30:55 Now are you still waiting for me? No. I’m almost there.
31:03 Cheryl, if there’s a hand crank on the side, turn it on.
31:10 Does it pop up for everybody? I got it. I’m on. Okay.
31:14 Hang on. And the motion passes 5-0. Dr. Mullins, will you please
31:25 let us know about the recognition item?
31:28 Ms. Belford and members of the board, tonight I am so pleased
31:31 and so proud to share with all of you that we will be
31:35 recognizing
31:37 five more Brevard schools which have achieved the Florida Arts
31:42 Model School designation.
31:45 Here to facilitate the recognition is Molly Vega, secondary
31:47 leading and learning director.
31:49 Ms. Vega. Thank you. Tonight we are honoring exemplary dance,
31:55 music, theater, and visual arts programs in our district
31:58 who have received the Florida Arts Model School designation for
32:01 2020 through 2023.
32:04 We are very proud to announce since the inception of this award
32:07 six years ago, 23 of the 55 schools designated statewide
32:12 are Brevard schools. And to date Brevard County has received
32:21 more FAMS recognitions than any other county in Florida.
32:26 Ms. Vega, could you repeat that again? Yes. 23 of the 55 schools
32:31 designated statewide are Brevard public schools.
32:36 It’s worth doing again just because we have the most in the
32:41 entire state. We got to celebrate.
32:45 I think she missed the part where it says greatest ever, intergalactic
32:48 award. Keep going down there.
32:50 That’s good too. Sorry, Ms. Vega. Thank you. No worries.
32:53 All right. Assisting with the presentation of awards is Minnie
32:56 Orr, our K-12 music content specialist,
33:00 and Leland Theriault, executive director of the Florida Alliance
33:04 of Arts Education.
33:15 Thank you, Ms. Vega. Dr. Mullins, Ms. Belfort, members of the
33:21 school board,
33:22 award recipients, and audience members, it is a great honor to
33:25 stand before you tonight to recognize our Florida arts model
33:29 schools.
33:30 The Florida Department of Education supports a complete and
33:33 comprehensive education,
33:36 which includes dance, music, theater, and visual arts for all
33:40 Florida students.
33:42 To help achieve this goal, the Florida Department of Education,
33:44 in partnership with the Florida Alliance for Arts Education,
33:49 and to identify strong arts education programs in schools
33:52 throughout Florida,
33:54 Ms. Terrio is already for it, to acknowledge the honorees who
33:59 are viewing this presentation.
34:04 Receiving the FAM’s designation for music, Southlake Elementary,
34:10 Principal Jennifer Brockwell and music teacher Mary Johnson.
34:20 Quest Elementary, Principal Christine Boyd, former music teacher
34:22 and current art teacher Kimberly Haggard,
34:28 and music teacher Lori Foote.
34:36 Central Middle School, Principal Todd Shearer, band director Dan
34:38 Lee, guitar and keyboard teacher Yvette Lapret,
34:45 orchestra director Robin Morris, and choral director Robert
34:48 Washington.
34:55 Kennedy Middle School, Principal Sherry Tomlinson, choral and
34:56 orchestra director Jacqueline Brooks, and band director Michael
35:02 Spurr.
35:08 Receiving the FAM’s designation for visual art, O’Gally High
35:12 School, Principal Jeremy Selmon,
35:15 visual art teacher Anna Marie Zink, and visual art teacher
35:19 Shannon Kraling.
35:25 Congratulations again to all our award recipients, and we look
35:29 forward to delivering these awards to your respective schools.
35:32 And now I would like to welcome Leland Terrio to the podium for
35:35 a few final remarks.
35:38 - Thank you, Minnie. And thank you, Dr. Holmes, and the members
35:45 of the school board here tonight.
35:47 I am Leland Terrio, the executive director for the Florida
35:50 Alliance for Arts Education.
35:53 We are tasked with making all the applications, reviewing all
35:56 the applications, and then making suggestions to the department
36:00 of ed.
36:01 They approved them, and then these awards. It is outstanding
36:06 that Brevard County Schools has had so many of these awards.
36:12 This year alone, we had 10 recipients, and five of them are in
36:16 Brevard County Schools.
36:24 I do want to recognize the tremendous amount of work that goes
36:28 into making these applications.
36:31 Each of the schools elects to start their application in October.
36:35 It takes them until January to complete these applications.
36:40 The work is so arduous that this year, with the present
36:43 situation, we’re not even accepting applications,
36:47 because no one school could possibly measure the high level of
36:50 standard that they would need in order to get the designation,
36:54 not under these circumstances.
36:56 So we have elected to hold off for one year and reinstate them
36:59 the year after.
37:01 So I’m really excited to be here, because usually we would give
37:05 these awards at our annual summit in the summer,
37:10 and we get to do it in front of our colleagues and peers. But
37:14 because of COVID, one of my roses is that I get to go around to
37:18 the school systems,
37:20 actually meet you people face to face, and deliver these awards
37:23 by hand. And I’m so excited to do that.
37:27 This year, however, I did have one. We’ve been calling them thorns.
37:31 One of my very small thorns is that one of the people that I
37:35 hold dear to my heart,
37:38 who is probably one of the major instigators and reasons why you
37:41 have so many of these schools being designated as Florida Arts
37:45 Model schools.
37:47 Cynthia Johnson has retired this year, and just breaks my heart,
37:53 because I know how much work she’s done.
37:56 I know what a vibrant advocate she is for the arts in everything
38:00 she does, every word she says.
38:03 She has been honored time and time again. Over the 40 years, she
38:06 has dedicated her life to educating people.
38:10 And I just, I have, I’m absolutely speechless at her work. And
38:14 you guys were so lucky and so fortunate to have had her here all
38:19 these many years.
38:21 So Cindy, if you don’t mind me embarrassing you just a little
38:24 tiny bit. If you would please come up.
38:30 On behalf of the Florida Alliance for Arts Education, me and all
38:33 those board member guys, I would like to present you with this
38:37 little teeny tiny token of our appreciation.
38:57 Congratulations, Brevard County. You are a model to the other 67
39:02 school districts in the state of Florida.
39:13 Did you say you were going to give the county? There it is. Yeah,
39:17 so this one is for Kennedy.
39:19 But my understanding is this award will also be at the other
39:22 four schools that were designated this year as well as see those
39:25 really ugly boxes on the floor.
39:28 Those hold the banners, they will have a big six by three foot
39:32 banner and gold medallions with their school name and their
39:37 designations in engraved on them. So congratulations.
39:47 Thank you so much for taking the time to come and share that
39:49 great news with us. We appreciate it immensely. Absolutely. Dr.
39:53 Mullins, you look like you wanted to speak.
39:56 I have to. We didn’t have the privilege to acknowledge Cindy
40:00 Johnson’s retirement earlier in the summer. Well, we did, but Ms.
40:06 Johnson wasn’t here to receive it in person.
40:09 And I can’t allow this moment, an opportunity to pass without
40:14 saying a few personal words. Cindy, I remember our first
40:19 introduction on the campus of Clear Lake Middle School as a
40:26 young, very green behind the ears principal.
40:30 And you came alongside me and said, what can we do together to
40:32 make your music program even better at Clear Lake? And those
40:36 weren’t just words. They were followed with action and support.
40:40 You made me a better principal, you made me a better leader, and
40:45 I carry that in today. On behalf of the father of three children,
40:51 who each are great benefactors of the quality music programs
40:56 that you helped establish, lead, and be a part of, their lives
41:00 are better today as a result of the leadership you brought to
41:03 our music programs.
41:05 And on behalf of the children across our great district, who are
41:09 all benefitting from the legacy you leave behind now in your
41:13 retirement, I thank you on behalf of our 70,000 children and my
41:17 own personal three kids for your commitment to them.
41:21 Congratulations on your retirement.
41:30 Thank you. All right. I believe, Dr. Mullins, that you have some
41:33 presentations for us this evening. Can you tell us about them?
41:44 Ms. Belford and members of the board, I will be sharing
41:44 information related to some more celebrations, I anticipate, I
41:49 hope you’ll agree with me, related to our advanced diploma
41:54 designations as well as a budget update for the board and the
41:57 community.
42:00 [Silence]
42:27 There we go. All right, so I’d like to start by sharing with the
42:30 board and the community, in a year when student achievement data
42:35 has not particularly been available for us to reflect on and
42:40 certainly celebrate, as we historically can in Brevard County,
42:45 we do have some impressive student graduation accomplishments
42:49 and outcomes to celebrate this evening.
42:53 I will be going through several different diploma designations
42:57 and in each slide you’ll see the designation on the top left of
43:01 the screen and the growth that we have seen from last year, from
43:06 2019 to 2020.
43:09 First is our scholars diploma students, graduates. Keep in mind
43:13 that Brevard County has a more rigorous graduation requirement
43:17 than the state of Florida requires, where we actually have a 26
43:22 credit requirement compared to the state’s 24.
43:27 But in addition to that, for students to earn the scholar high
43:31 school diploma, there are other requirements on top of our basic
43:35 graduation requirements that includes at least one credit in an
43:39 advanced course like AP, IB, ACE or dual enrollment.
43:44 And you can see that the number of scholar diplomas awarded
43:48 increased by 250, almost 250 students from 2019 to 2020. Our
43:56 merit scholars diplomas are the result of students who pass one
44:02 or more industry certifications from the DOE’s approved list in
44:08 order to earn the merit diploma designation.
44:13 I want to share with our board, I know you know, but I want to
44:17 share with our community because I still hear often that our CTE
44:22 programs, our career and technical education programs are
44:25 sometimes the best kept secret in Brevard.
44:29 But we offer more 82 different industry certifications across
44:33 our high schools. Essentially, every one of our high schools is
44:38 a career and technical education center for our students. And
44:42 you can see that we again increase the number of merit diploma
44:47 recipients from 2019 to 2020.
44:51 And I checked with Dr. Sullivan just earlier this evening, what
44:55 do we know yet what the percentage of our graduates is who
44:58 walked across the stage and got their diploma but also earned an
45:01 industry certification credential.
45:05 And once again, for at least the third year in a row, we have
45:10 more than 40% of our high school graduates earning at least one
45:16 industry certification and in many cases, they earned several.
45:22 You’ll see on this slide, the schools highlighted these pictures
45:23 are our kids in their CTE programs.
45:27 The top left is O’Galley High School and the aviation program.
45:32 The bottom left is Heritage High School with the water treatment
45:38 CTE program. Top right is satellite high school with the
45:42 automotive program. And bottom right is Titusville High’s
45:46 nursing program for students.
45:49 I want to highlight two of our high schools for their
45:51 accomplishment in this area of career and technical education.
45:55 Astronaut High School had the highest percentage increase this
45:59 year in the percent of high school students receiving over 20
46:03 percentage point increase from 19 to 20 in CTE certifications.
46:08 And then another North Brevard winner, Titusville High School
46:13 had the highest percent of graduates who earned an industry
46:17 credential with 68% of their graduating seniors earning an
46:22 industry credential.
46:25 We have dual winners in North Brevard. Astronaut and Titusville
46:37 High School. But I will say, Mr. Susan, every single high school
46:42 in Brevard County improved the percent of seniors who graduated
46:46 with an industry credential. So all of our high schools across
46:50 the county improved.
46:52 Some of the other programs and industry certifications that
46:56 sometimes go unnoticed are 911 public safety telecommunications
47:01 certification. I believe that one’s at Rock, Title. Another
47:06 Titusville.
47:09 And, you know, Dr. Sullivan. We often hear what are we doing to
47:17 prepare kids to go into the trades. We have full construction
47:24 programs with certifications and heat pump, air conditioning,
47:27 electrical, and so on.
47:30 So our air conditioner, we have an air conditioning
47:34 certification program at Space Coast Junior Senior High. All
47:39 right, you need to mention other districts. Come on now.
47:44 Get ‘em McDougall, get ‘em. We did just update the manufacturing
47:48 program at Cocoa High School, Ms. McDougall. Well, Andrew Galley
47:53 does have the state’s only aviation program. Nation. Nation only
47:59 hangar.
48:00 That is true. Airplane hangar in one of our high schools. We got
48:03 something. There’s a lot to brag about.
48:06 In the gold seal of biliteracy, we had over 37 students earn
48:10 increase in the number of students qualifying for that
48:15 designation where they attain a high level of competency in
48:19 listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world
48:24 languages including English.
48:27 They have to achieve a score of four or five on a world language
48:33 assessment at the least. Our Cambridge ACE programs. We have
48:39 over, we have 118 more students who earned their ACE diploma
48:46 from 2019 to 2020.
48:51 Where students have to earn seven ACE course credits in
48:55 specified areas that includes passing external ACE exams.
49:01 Dr. Mullins, if you could go back a slide. I think you didn’t
49:08 recognize the school that was inside that picture as you did in
49:14 all the other pictures that were inside this slide thing. You
49:21 are correct, Mr. Susan. I apologize. That is our O’Gally High
49:22 School ACE, some of our ACE diploma recipients along with Rockledge
49:22 High School is an ACE diploma program school.
49:24 They’re not in the picture, right? But Rockledge is my school
49:29 too, so that’s good. And then we have our International Baccalaureate
49:34 program which also over doubled the number of students earning
49:37 an IB diploma.
49:39 And in the IB program, students have to earn six IB course
49:42 credits in addition to all their other graduation requirements
49:46 that also includes an external essay, a major project that
49:50 involves community service.
49:53 All externally assessed. And what schools are those? What did I
49:59 start? We have Melbourne High School. We have Cocoa Beach Junior
50:05 Senior High School. And that’s it.
50:13 Very excited to share with you that our AP Capstone Diploma
50:17 recipients increased again. This is growing in interest and
50:21 popularity, so much so that the legislature just approved
50:26 acknowledgement of the AP Capstone Diploma designation for
50:31 additional bonus FTE benefit to our teachers and the district.
50:37 And again, an increase of 15 students where they have to earn a
50:42 passing score on six AP exams by the time they graduate.
50:49 So this is one of my favorite slides, although I love the
50:51 pictures of our kids representing their programs. Here is a
50:56 graphic showing the increase in every single one of our advanced
51:01 designation areas across the district.
51:06 But what’s most impressive is that in a year of some of the
51:10 greatest uncertainty that our schools faced, our amazing
51:15 teachers, our dedicated professionals, our school counselors,
51:23 our administrators worked together to make sure that even though
51:28 our kids were engaged in distance learning,
51:33 weeks, months before the IB exams and the AP exams and all of
51:38 the requirements that come for these designations, they persevered.
51:44 And they stayed focused to ensure that our kids, their kids,
51:49 would be able to take advantage of all of the opportunities
51:53 available to them.
51:56 These recognitions certainly we’re proud of as a district, but
52:01 these are our kids. Mentored, inspired, with great educators to
52:07 ensure during that very uncertain time, they stayed the course
52:12 and they saw through what they had committed to accomplish by
52:16 the time they graduated.
52:18 So if you would, let’s give our teachers and our schools a round
52:23 of applause for their accomplishments.
52:34 Next I would like to continue sharing with the board and the
52:39 community because ultimately the economic condition, outlook for
52:44 us as a public entity, as the public school system funded by the
52:50 state want to assure the board and our community we remain
52:54 focused on preparing for some of the uncertainty of the future.
53:00 I’d like to begin, I’d like to take a step back and where we’ve
53:03 come from, kind of our journey in budgeting over the last
53:06 several months. The board recalls that we, when we received the
53:10 proposed budget from the legislature at the end of March, we
53:14 were anticipating that what was ultimately approved by the
53:18 governor late June, a $1 million deficit due to declining
53:24 enrollment and a significant required FRS or Florida Retirement
53:28 System contribution.
53:30 On behalf of our public schools employees, but in addition to
53:34 that initial deficit, we were also facing significant additional
53:39 expenses through the result of opening a new elementary school
53:43 state mandated security program cost increases, as well as in
53:47 response to the expenses that we were facing with our self
53:51 insured health care plan.
53:55 Ultimately, those deficits led to the very difficult and
53:58 challenging work of identifying budget cuts and or savings to
54:03 address those needs which led to the elimination of media system
54:07 positions across the district, as well as 60 other positions
54:12 from is to support staff to district administration, as well as
54:16 service to our students through regional busing.
54:23 Then we faced COVID in the spring closure, but I’m very pleased
54:27 and proud of this organization and our commitment to assist to
54:31 sustaining our workforce that we concluded or closed out last
54:36 year with no furloughs or layoffs for employees.
54:41 While experiencing reduced revenues and our enterprise function
54:45 some some folks don’t understand that we have to specific what
54:49 are called enterprise entities in our public schools their self
54:54 funding services.
54:57 Food and nutrition services, food and nutrition services runs
55:01 completely on their own revenue. It is not subsidized or
55:04 supplemented with district operating budget. So when we closed
55:09 in March, they were faced with the great concern that they would
55:12 have a significant loss of revenue, as expected.
55:17 But the rallying force of our food and nutrition services to
55:20 provide a high quality response to the pickup breakfast and
55:24 lunch program was able to subsidize their program during that
55:28 closure last spring.
55:31 But also our Brevard aftercare program is an enterprise function
55:36 it is self funded and with the closure at the end of the year.
55:40 It did require operating budget to cover those expenses,
55:44 primarily the salaries of employees.
55:49 As we entered the 2020 21 school year. The board is aware of the
55:53 community is aware that our enrollment. We did experience under
55:56 projected enrollment to start the year of approximately 3000
56:00 students in addition to 1400 more students in our Brevard
56:04 virtual program.
56:06 I’m pleased to share that our leading and learning leaders and
56:09 staff have been working in our schools have been working
56:13 diligently to reach out to parents and our particularly are in
56:17 elementary enrollment, which was the greatest gap has had seen a
56:21 growth of about 300.
56:24 450 students over the last few weeks and six-day count
56:28 But through the six-day count process when we met with schools
56:32 several schools did not meet their enrollment requirements
56:36 ultimately necessary to retain staff and there are
56:40 Approximately 31 units that includes that variety of folks from ia’s
56:44 to media assistance clerks guidance
56:47 admin those are positions that were lost due to enrollment, but
56:51 we made the decision to continue to allow the schools to carry
56:54 those positions as
56:55 They’re critical to support the needs of the school and the
56:58 students that we serve ultimately leading to again at this point
57:02 No layoffs or no furloughs even with the reduced enrollment
57:08 Remind the board and our community that at this point at this
57:11 time. We have not received any assurance from the state
57:15 For second semester funding from the state I was asked actually
57:20 miss McDougal asked earlier this afternoon
57:23 What is the status of e-learning for second semester are we able
57:26 to continue e-learning or not?
57:28 And my response was it’s consistent with this and that the
57:31 emergency order from the Florida Department of Education
57:35 is
57:38 Only through first semester. So the designation of e-learning as
57:43 a full-time equivalent
57:46 fund a full-time equivalent earning
57:50 Student is only applicable for first semester for e-learning
57:53 unless there is action taken by the Commissioner of Education
57:57 To extend the emergency order not received any information of
58:00 that at this time
58:02 But we’re awaiting if that that may become a possibility for a
58:06 second semester
58:09 One of the other budget impacting factors that we are monitoring
58:12 very closely right now is our transportation ridership
58:17 The good news is is that our ridership is down significantly. So
58:21 social distancing is
58:23 It’s very favorable for social distancing. However, it’s very
58:28 disadvantageous for funding because our transportation program
58:32 is funded based on
58:34 ridership and our ridership currently is at about a 41 percent
58:38 participation
58:40 From this time last year. That’s very concerning when trans we
58:43 only receive about
58:46 59% of our transportation costs funded by the state to begin
58:50 with
58:58 I’ve shared with the board over the last couple board meetings
59:01 to the
59:02 financial forecasts that have been provided from the state
59:06 Over the last six weeks the economic demographic research report
59:10 and the long-range financial outlook report
59:13 I won’t go into detail of those reports again
59:16 Encourage our community to look at the presentations from the
59:18 last two board meetings
59:19 but essentially there’s consistent forecasts projecting
59:22 approximately a
59:24 Potential 20 million dollar budget reduction based on state
59:28 revenue reductions over the next two years
59:33 So
59:34 We are already looking toward our budget for
59:38 2021-22
59:40 What we know at this point is that we do have another projected
59:44 10 million dollar health insurance trust fund deficit
59:49 This is based on our consultants projections
59:52 And unfortunately, this is even after this year’s considerable
59:57 contributions on behalf of the board to the with a
1:00:00 5.7 million dollar contribution in recurring revenue a one-time
1:00:05 infusion of five million dollars as well as the
1:00:09 anticipated savings in premium revenue
1:00:12 On behalf of the employees of five point four million dollars
1:00:17 Also, the grant style funded positions and program allocations
1:00:20 will no longer be funded after this year
1:00:23 So we’ll be needing to address that shortfall for the 21-22
1:00:27 budget
1:00:28 Which is approximately a million dollars includes teacher
1:00:31 allocations and our athletic equalization
1:00:35 contribution to our schools
1:00:40 But there are several things that we don’t know going into next
1:00:42 year’s budget of course enrollment uncertainties
1:00:49 Particularly when we’re entering into the the projection process
1:00:53 our enrollment projection process next month
1:00:57 We begin that formally as a district. We look at growth rates.
1:01:02 We look at birth rates
1:01:03 We look at growth in our community and a team across the
1:01:06 district cross-functional team comes together and begins to
1:01:10 project
1:01:10 What our enrollment is the particular challenge is what will be
1:01:14 the status of kovat next year or even second semester?
1:01:17 will there be e-learning as an option will we see or
1:01:21 potentially not see a
1:01:24 migration of students who were on brevard virtual school or in
1:01:27 home school come back to our brick-and-mortar schools and then
1:01:31 Consistent is our charter school enrollment and growth that we
1:01:34 have to monitor in addition transportation ridership is is in
1:01:39 question
1:01:39 Will it return to the participation levels that we had pre kovat
1:01:43 Brevard aftercare our participation in?
1:01:46 Our aftercare program is significantly reduced right now
1:01:51 Will that participation resume?
1:01:54 next year I want to note at this time the board knows that the
1:01:58 Brevard aftercare program actually supplements the operating
1:02:01 budget of approximately 2.3 million dollars
1:02:04 And we are not on pace or on
1:02:08 on schedule to realize that revenue for the budget for 21 22
1:02:13 Of course the public education funding from the state is unknown
1:02:16 and uncertain and then another
1:02:18 Referendum that is on the ballot on November 3rd that will
1:02:22 impact for our public schools
1:02:24 Is the minimum wage referendum if it passes it will impact?
1:02:30 Hourly hourly rate employees and that we have to increase that
1:02:35 the minimum wage will be increased by a dollar
1:02:39 from
1:02:40 859 I believe to
1:02:43 959 if that if I have my memory search correct that won’t have a
1:02:48 significant impact likely on us in year one, but the referendum
1:02:53 Increases the minimum way of minimum wage a dollar every year
1:02:57 until it reaches $15
1:02:59 So that would be an ongoing expense that would continue to
1:03:03 impact us as an organization
1:03:07 So what do we what have we established as our priorities
1:03:11 I don’t think it’s a surprise that workforce sustainability is
1:03:15 our absolute number one priority
1:03:18 we are
1:03:20 dependent on the great
1:03:22 Individuals across our district to serve our students with the
1:03:25 excellence that we have as our standard
1:03:29 So far we have had no layoffs and no furloughs and we can be
1:03:32 proud of that in supporting our employees
1:03:34 over the last many very uncertain months
1:03:37 also number our second priority is
1:03:40 To ensure that our health insurance trust fund remains solvent
1:03:44 because the reality is we know that our over
1:03:47 6,000 employees and the other
1:03:50 Approximately 5,000 employees or their dependents
1:03:54 Rely on our health insurance our self-insured health plan
1:04:00 But throughout the start of kovat and reopening our schools and
1:04:03 our and
1:04:04 Forward our focus has been on opening reopening our school
1:04:08 safely and maintaining safety
1:04:10 Protecting our current teachers and staff and their ability to
1:04:13 focus on delivering excellent education for every student
1:04:17 while also continuing to monitor expenditures for ongoing
1:04:20 savings and
1:04:21 Protect fund balance as a buffer to potential mid-year revenue
1:04:25 loss or budget loss
1:04:27 budget deficits next year
1:04:29 I’ll conclude with this slide. The board has seen it before it’s
1:04:33 been in the prior presentations
1:04:35 we remain focused on prudent steps not just priorities, but
1:04:40 tangible steps that we are taking to be prepared for
1:04:44 Our financial responsibilities and obligations as we continue to
1:04:48 move through
1:04:49 These next several months into the next budget year with that I
1:04:53 offer
1:04:54 Any questions opportunity for any questions to the board?
1:04:58 Any board members have any questions or comments for dr. Mullen?
1:05:03 I’ll just say dr. Mullen’s that maybe we should have done the
1:05:06 budget discussion first and then the celebration after but
1:05:10 We we appreciate you providing the information in the update.
1:05:12 Thank you
1:05:14 Okay
1:05:20 We are now at public comments all public comments are in person
1:05:23 this evening
1:05:25 Each speaker is limited to three minutes
1:05:28 We have a clock in front of me to help you keep track of your
1:05:30 time when your time is over
1:05:31 You will be asked to stop and allow the next speaker his or her
1:05:34 turn
1:05:35 Always keep in mind that reasonable decorum is expected at all
1:05:37 times and your statement should be directed to the board
1:05:41 chairman
1:05:42 The chairman may interrupt warn or terminate a participant’s
1:05:45 statement when time is up personally directed
1:05:48 Abusive obscene or irrelevant should an individual not observe
1:05:51 proper etiquette. The chairman may request the individual leave
1:05:54 the meeting
1:05:55 Let’s all encourage an environment appropriate for our children
1:05:57 who may be present or are watching from home
1:06:00 Let’s begin with our first three speakers
1:06:06 Before speaking, please state your name the organization you
1:06:09 represent if any and identify the topic you will be discussing
1:06:13 We will go in this order Alan
1:06:16 Doug and Anthony
1:06:18 Alan if you’d like to approach the microphone
1:06:24 All right, thank you very much thanks for the opportunity I’m
1:06:26 here tonight for
1:06:29 Excuse me Brevard sports network
1:06:33 Clarification possibly answer some questions as it pertains to
1:06:36 the new media policy
1:06:37 Let me take you back to August the 16th in the conversation that
1:06:41 I had or a text conversation that I had with. Mr
1:06:44 Susan that simply said at that time that he’d be introducing a
1:06:48 new media policy. That would be all-inclusive that would take
1:06:51 care of
1:06:52 I guess the little guy like Brevard sports network and maybe
1:06:56 even perhaps three to one sports cast
1:06:58 Couple of weeks later a media policy is introduced from 2009
1:07:02 I believe that was rolled out from when spectrum sports came to
1:07:06 town
1:07:07 that media policy was pulled back two days before the start of
1:07:09 the high school football season another media policy comes out
1:07:13 that states we
1:07:14 Have to have background checks and then we have to have a
1:07:16 million dollars worth of limited liability insurance
1:07:19 Totally understand all that I get it. We need to protect our
1:07:22 children and we need to make sure that we’re insured
1:07:26 For my organization personally as of September the 29th. I could
1:07:30 check both of those boxes
1:07:32 Thanks to Cripple Lance over here. I could check both of those
1:07:36 boxes, but here I am and I sit before the board today
1:07:39 And I still do not have approval to stream. I was also told that
1:07:45 That streaming was going to be all-inclusive and that as many
1:07:48 people and I understand the COVID situation
1:07:51 That that there would not there wouldn’t be one entity allowed
1:07:56 In another conversation I had had then I’m told in a meeting
1:08:00 that the board is seeking exclusivity
1:08:03 that the board is actually looking for just one outlet to do
1:08:06 this in that Space Coast Daily has already submitted a bid for
1:08:11 $10,000 and
1:08:13 $20,000 worth of in-kind contributions, you know, we would like
1:08:17 to have a shot at that, you know
1:08:18 Whether it’s Pixellot or NFHS or Brevard Sports Network or three
1:08:23 to one sports cast
1:08:24 I’ve spent my last six years
1:08:28 Covering these kids more than anybody else in this community has
1:08:31 done it. I do it with passion. I do it with purpose
1:08:33 You know, I understand the you know, how much high school
1:08:37 football means to the community, but I ask you this
1:08:41 What other outlet in this community or what other person in this
1:08:44 community has streamed bowling cross-country track volleyball
1:08:47 tennis swimming?
1:08:49 I’ve done that my outlets done that so is three to one sportscast
1:08:53 all we’re asking for is a seat at the table
1:08:56 We want an opportunity to be heard
1:08:58 We want an opportunity to make a bid if that’s indeed where this
1:09:02 is going
1:09:02 And I will also tell you this is a guy that has experience
1:09:05 covering sports media
1:09:07 There is no one outlet that can cover all of these sports or
1:09:11 take care of all of these kids. Thank you very much
1:09:17 All right
1:09:30 Hi, my name is Doug Helms, I’m representing myself as a parent
1:09:30 of two juniors at West Shore Senior High School
1:09:37 The topic is COVID-19 response protocols. I applaud the steps
1:09:41 that BPS has taken response to COVID-19
1:09:43 However, the current COVID-19 response protocols need to be
1:09:47 improved to avoid
1:09:49 Unnecessarily disrupting the learning environment on Wednesday,
1:09:51 September 23rd. My daughter stayed home from school with a runny
1:09:54 nose
1:09:54 She had no other symptoms by Thursday. She was much better to be
1:09:58 on the safe side on Thursday evening at 5 30 p.m
1:10:01 She took a Quiddel Corporation Sophia Rapid FIA antigen test at
1:10:06 Atlantis urgent care. She tested positive on
1:10:09 Friday morning, I notified the administration at West Shore as a
1:10:12 result 22 students were put into quarantine
1:10:15 That same morning. My entire family was tested using the more
1:10:18 reliable PCR testing at Eastern Florida State College
1:10:21 The next day we received the results all four of us were
1:10:24 negative
1:10:25 We retested again on Saturday and again all tests were negative
1:10:29 It was clear that the rapid antigen test my daughter took on
1:10:32 Thursday evening was a false positive
1:10:34 I did some research on the rapid antigen test and learned the
1:10:37 following in July at a health clinic in Manchester, Vermont
1:10:41 It revealed 65 possible cases of COVID-19. The test utilized was
1:10:46 the same antigen test
1:10:48 Manufactured by Quiddel Corporation the Vermont Department of
1:10:51 Health retested using the more reliable PCR test
1:10:54 only four of the 65 actually tested positive in
1:10:59 August Ohio Governor Mike DeWine received a positive antigen
1:11:03 test result and then two negative PCR test results
1:11:07 Again, the rapid antigen test that provided the false positive
1:11:10 was manufactured by Quiddel
1:11:12 Governor DeWine says the rapid antigen method should be looked
1:11:15 at as a screening test not the final word
1:11:19 This also occurs locally
1:11:20 I’m aware of three cases where a rapid antigen test delivered a
1:11:24 false positive and students were sent home
1:11:26 the CDC states on the website the gold standard for detection of
1:11:30 COVID remains PCR and is
1:11:32 Necessary to confirm a rapid antigen test with a pump with a PCR
1:11:36 test
1:11:37 The recommended time interval between collection samples should
1:11:40 be no less than two days
1:11:41 My daughter retested less than 16 hours later with a negative
1:11:45 The associated public health laboratory states the false
1:11:48 positive results are possible with antigen test if a false
1:11:51 positive is
1:11:53 Suspected the individual should be retested with the PCR
1:11:56 Obviously the two negative results from the more accurate PCR
1:11:58 test should have outweighed the false positive with the antigen
1:12:02 test
1:12:03 Let’s look at the collateral damage 22 students were quarantined
1:12:06 unnecessarily and their education was disrupted
1:12:08 One of those students was a senior and was told she could not
1:12:12 take this SAT test this past Saturday
1:12:15 My son says dad if you don’t want to get diagnosed with COVID
1:12:18 then don’t get tested
1:12:19 If we’re not able to apply common sense to the BPS COVID-19
1:12:23 protocol
1:12:23 We run the risk that all parents are choosing not to have their
1:12:26 children tested at all when I wrap up now
1:12:28 I request the BPS to revise its COVID-19 protocols as follows
1:12:31 one follow the CDC recommendation encouraged the use of the gold
1:12:35 standard
1:12:36 PCR test
1:12:37 BPS should inform all parents that their students should take a
1:12:41 PCR test rather than a rapid antigen test
1:12:45 Unfortunately, your three minutes has passed but if you could
1:12:48 get with miss more in the back
1:12:50 She will be happy to take that and she can share it with with I’ve
1:12:54 suggested this miss more. Unfortunately, nothing happened
1:12:56 Okay. Okay. And the last thing I just want to say is please
1:12:59 allow an appeal process
1:13:02 Appeal process. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Have a great evening
1:13:07 Anthony coochie
1:13:20 Appreciate that
1:13:25 Nobody else has touched it either
1:13:28 My name is Anthony coochie, I’m the president of the Brevard
1:13:32 Federation of teachers without a doubt. I’m thrilled that many
1:13:36 teachers in Brevard will be seeing raises of
1:13:40 $7,324 I’m pleased that these new teachers will not have to
1:13:43 struggle like so many of us have for salary increases
1:13:47 I’m hopeful that this starting salary will draw many young and
1:13:51 talented individuals into education
1:13:53 I’m glad that we’ve made considerable progress at the bargaining
1:13:57 table such as agreeing to one pay scale for both classroom and
1:14:01 non-classroom
1:14:02 Teachers I’m excited that our district has taken a step in the
1:14:05 right direction
1:14:06 And will be the first in the state to offer some form of
1:14:09 parental leave. I
1:14:11 Understand that BPS is considerably increasing contributions
1:14:14 into our health insurance trust fund
1:14:18 However, what needs to be addressed is a salary offer for our
1:14:20 veteran teachers while I fully realize the parameters of the
1:14:24 governor’s
1:14:25 teacher salary
1:14:27 Allocation and the bleak financial picture are to blame for
1:14:30 inequity and raises this year your offer of seven hundred and
1:14:34 ten dollars
1:14:35 For veteran teachers must be improved
1:14:38 Veteran teachers have endured pay freezes lost steps and have wily
1:14:42 stuck with BPS
1:14:44 Although there is a widespread misconception that experience
1:14:47 doesn’t matter in education
1:14:50 Research says otherwise based on 30
1:14:53 studies published that mean that met rigorous criteria in
1:14:57 analyzing the effect of teaching experience on student outcomes
1:15:01 in the US the Learning Policy Institute found teaching
1:15:05 experience is positively
1:15:07 associated with student achievement gains throughout a teacher’s
1:15:10 career a teacher as teachers gain experience
1:15:13 Their students are more likely to do better on measures of
1:15:17 success beyond test scores such as school attendance
1:15:20 More experienced teachers confer benefits to their colleagues
1:15:23 their students and to the school as a whole
1:15:26 While I do applaud the district to agreeing to the longevity
1:15:29 supplement of $1,200 last year
1:15:32 That supplement did not entirely correct the issue for instance
1:15:37 including the seven hundred and ten dollar raise on the table
1:15:40 and the longevity
1:15:41 Supplement as a teacher my 21st year. I’m still making
1:15:47 $1,351 less than I would have made on the
1:15:50 2007 8 page scale including the
1:15:53 $710 raise on the table and longevity supplement as a 21st year
1:15:58 teacher. I’m still making
1:16:01 $3,444 less than I would have made on the 14 15 pay scale
1:16:06 We recognize there may be funding concerns looming
1:16:10 We recognize there’s been a great deal of progress at the table.
1:16:13 But what we’re stuck on is pay for our veteran teachers
1:16:16 We’re asking that you could you do as much as you can to help
1:16:19 our veteran teachers and increase your offer to them
1:16:22 Thank you. Thank you, mr. Pucci
1:16:25 the skipper
1:16:27 And then our last speaker will be David
1:16:37 Good evening Vanessa skipper vice president BFT. I asked a few
1:16:41 questions of our teachers today about their technology needs
1:16:45 I know that we’re in starting to be in evaluation
1:16:50 season so administrators will be giving
1:16:53 Evaluations and I’d like to ask all of our administrators
1:16:58 districtwide to really think about the technology limitations
1:17:02 that each teacher might have and
1:17:05 also the idea that
1:17:07 some of our teachers have improved their technology in their
1:17:10 classroom by spending money out of their own pocket and
1:17:14 By spending money that actually doesn’t qualify under state
1:17:16 statute for the CSAT funds. I
1:17:20 also
1:17:21 Want them to take a step back and realize that?
1:17:25 Their teachers are experiencing something that they never
1:17:28 experienced in the classroom
1:17:29 one of the things I draw from when I try to help a teacher in
1:17:33 the role I’m in now is my experience in the
1:17:35 Classroom and that’s kind of hard right now because I’ve never
1:17:39 been in our teachers shoes
1:17:41 Like they are they are right now
1:17:44 So I asked three questions. I’m not going to be able to get
1:17:46 through everything, but I’d be happy to share
1:17:49 The data that I received so one of the questions I asked was
1:17:53 what technology have you purchased with your own money that you
1:17:56 think?
1:17:56 would be helpful if the district was able to purchase it and
1:18:01 We have wireless headsets
1:18:04 It’ll make it easier to hear to take one-on-one assessments and
1:18:06 breakout rooms without my in-person students
1:18:11 Hearing the answers or getting distracted
1:18:14 Purchased a laptop stand that elevates my laptop higher
1:18:18 iPad stand
1:18:21 Monthly
1:18:22 subscriptions like flow caught
1:18:24 vocabulary extra monitors teachers have purchased to display
1:18:28 zoom windows screen being shared any other program you may need
1:18:32 class
1:18:32 dojo, etc
1:18:36 They
1:18:38 Also said I asked what do you think every classroom should have
1:18:41 to bring it up to date with the year?
1:18:43 2020 and a lot of teachers answered one on one to one technology
1:18:48 interactive whiteboard new laptops that actually work
1:18:53 Wi-Fi wireless headset smart boards are similar wireless remote
1:18:56 clicker style
1:18:59 They talked about technology infrastructure to be able to manage
1:19:03 The wireless platform that the technology the textbooks the
1:19:07 tools that they do have
1:19:09 But feel that they’re bogged down with with internet with
1:19:13 everybody obviously online
1:19:17 Somebody actually mentioned that the majority of their school
1:19:20 has chalkboard still
1:19:22 And I did not ask for schools. So I’m curious to find out which
1:19:26 one that one is
1:19:29 Computer equipment better laptops
1:19:34 Sorry, I’m trying to use technology right here and it’s not
1:19:37 working
1:19:39 But you know
1:19:41 These are all things that I think we need to ask the teachers
1:19:44 for so once we go to actually buy
1:19:46 Technology if we have money in the future to do that
1:19:49 We need to actually ask the teachers that are in the classroom
1:19:52 what they need to be able to function in this world
1:19:55 Thank you. Let’s give her
1:19:58 David
1:20:03 David Sturt our fruit in Park, Florida that’s gone to Tallahassee
1:20:06 and has had a governor talk to me
1:20:09 You know, my father was a principal at the same elementary
1:20:12 school. He was as a child. He died at 91
1:20:15 I’ve worked in funeral homes. My wife owned flower shops. She
1:20:19 taught flower
1:20:20 I had a college Lake County that my dad superintendent started
1:20:24 College Lake County used to be called the college last chance in
1:20:27 Lake County, Illinois. It’s a mega campus now
1:20:30 I came fourth in school
1:20:32 Fourth year of the school we came second country on the golf
1:20:35 team
1:20:36 Um a wise teacher makes learning a joy and my father would still
1:20:40 get letters from doctors and lawyers
1:20:43 That got their jobs. He didn’t even go to my ball games. I
1:20:45 played for the tallest team ever. Come on, Illinois
1:20:48 Dr. Mullins, it’s nice to meet you. My dad’s superintendent was
1:20:52 AJ Casimir. They had the AJ Casimir Cup golf tournament
1:20:55 I won it
1:20:57 We have you know nowadays we have to thank the officers that are
1:21:00 taking protection for our there’s a lot of things that we got
1:21:03 To do different with Colvin with officers. I sure if I be called
1:21:08 me directly today in mr. Smith’s office
1:21:10 I was just at the tuition reading next floor my father. That’s
1:21:14 him right there
1:21:15 My mother’s still alive. She’s 92 and that lion represents my
1:21:19 aunt and Paul the other one
1:21:20 I raised our chairman Safari hunter, you know, I’m worried about
1:21:23 our elections a house divided against itself cannot stand. I
1:21:28 Learned myself my teachers ended up being mayor’s of Waukegan,
1:21:33 Illinois Jack Benny hometown
1:21:34 Hey, Paraboni work was my one of my best teachers
1:21:38 Hey
1:21:39 well, I
1:21:41 the
1:21:42 Teacher that taught me how to drive a car. He had a mayor to it.
1:21:46 He had a mink rat
1:21:47 You know, I may be a boy at St. John’s River water mass district.
1:21:50 I’m trying to feed you a lot of information
1:21:52 I’m worried about our kids future. I got a bottle bill in front
1:21:55 of the governor right here in Brevard County
1:21:58 How do you vote for the president?
1:22:00 No
1:22:02 supervisor of elections
1:22:03 Electing the president, you know our country’s in trouble. I
1:22:08 am a truck supporter
1:22:10 Republicans and Democrats have ruined our country in Kenosha,
1:22:13 Wisconsin
1:22:13 My friends businesses are burning or dead and it’s ridiculous
1:22:18 I’ve been you know, I a bird man. My dad had football markets. I
1:22:23 love nature
1:22:24 I’m part of Alcoxx and Amish. There’s an alloteed program
1:22:27 There’s too much drinking and drugging some kids have to go to
1:22:29 the salvation army to get your utilities paid by their parents
1:22:33 Some parents are ridiculous. Maybe not in your community, but
1:22:37 around the seat. I have a map there
1:22:39 I’ve been all over the state. I used to work at Leesburg High
1:22:42 School. Mark Palmer had a security. I got his card
1:22:45 He’s still a federal marshal for the Supreme Court’s of Florida.
1:22:48 He’s got such a personality
1:22:50 I’ve gone to school board meetings Wake County soccer county and
1:22:54 I’m a concerned citizen worried about our kids future
1:22:56 I’ve been told by a NASA scientist our rocks already gone
1:23:00 friends of mine were airline pilots
1:23:02 They don’t their sons. Don’t make money. They used to know I my
1:23:06 sister was a teacher
1:23:08 Elementary, she’s retired
1:23:10 kindergarten teacher
1:23:13 Thank you so much
1:23:18 Thank you
1:23:23 Hey the board wishes to
1:23:26 Thank our speakers from this evening your willingness to speak
1:23:29 to the board as much appreciated and your time to join us
1:23:31 Did any board members need to address any?
1:23:35 Miss Campbell. Yes, really quick
1:23:37 Mr. Kaluchi and I can give you the name of the school before you
1:23:40 leave
1:23:41 But I I know that you know this and I know this and most people
1:23:45 in the tremendous
1:23:46 But I want to just clarify there are still a few teachers in the
1:23:49 district including one representative building representative
1:23:53 Who is thinking that the minimum is only going to be for the
1:23:57 brand new teachers?
1:23:59 So I just want to clarify and I know you have probably said it
1:24:03 many many times
1:24:04 but there are still a few people who are not realizing that when
1:24:07 we set that new minimum that that is the new minimum for
1:24:10 Everyone and the reason why I specifically bring it up and I was
1:24:12 pulling up my spreadsheet that I you know
1:24:14 I worked real hard on last year sent to you. We have teachers
1:24:16 who have
1:24:19 depending on if they got an effective or highly effective who
1:24:20 have been with the district for more than 10 years who could
1:24:24 still be
1:24:24 under that minimum
1:24:25 so I just want to make sure that everybody understands even
1:24:28 though we’ve said it before that once that new minimum is set
1:24:30 that is
1:24:31 Everybody raising up to the minimum and not just brand new to
1:24:35 our district
1:24:36 So I’ll I’ll tell you what which school was but just might know
1:24:39 that that’s still floating around out there. Thank you
1:24:44 I’m curious
1:24:46 About what Alan was I know that we brought this up for
1:24:49 discussion or you know, mr. Susan has brought this up
1:24:54 but I was not aware that we moved forward with sole sourcing to
1:25:01 Daily or is there some
1:25:05 Well, I was just I texted her while
1:25:09 Mr. Allen was speaking. We are not currently seeking a sole
1:25:12 source for broadcasting
1:25:13 So I believe this gentleman has incorrect information and would
1:25:16 it direct him to speak with miss more?
1:25:19 Okay, so I would I personally would like just a little bit of
1:25:23 correct information
1:25:24 Do you know it or should we ask miss more just to kind of miss
1:25:27 more would have the best, you know information
1:25:30 We are working through the policy now and we have made
1:25:36 Individuals who have met the minimum requirements of background
1:25:39 check and the insurance
1:25:41 Requirements they have been provided access to athletic events
1:25:44 miss more
1:25:49 Isn’t a policy it’s the procedures
1:25:52 So we’re not we’re not resetting policy and they are procedures
1:25:55 that have been in place for a long time
1:25:57 When we went back to review them, we realized two things number
1:26:00 one
1:26:00 We don’t believe they’ve been followed to the letter or even
1:26:03 closely
1:26:05 And number two, they really shouldn’t be applied in
1:26:09 times when we are setting a
1:26:12 Limit to the people who can watch our games. So we took a look
1:26:15 at it and said, okay
1:26:16 Here are the two minimum standards. We want background screening
1:26:19 we want insurance and we asked everybody who wanted to come in
1:26:22 and and do
1:26:23 Live-streaming to meet those two standards
1:26:26 I’m not sure why Ellen hasn’t been able to go in and start
1:26:29 streaming yet if he’s met those two standards
1:26:32 But we’ll meet afterward and we’ll talk I haven’t been aware of
1:26:35 anybody that’s been denied access who have met those two
1:26:38 standards
1:26:39 We haven’t denied anybody access who represent
1:26:44 our local news newspapers, so right now we
1:26:49 We’ve basically said here’s our minimum standards and we want
1:26:53 you to come in
1:26:54 we want to be able to televise and live stream and you know
1:26:57 provide our community with
1:27:00 Access to our games, especially since we’re limiting our gates.
1:27:03 Okay, that’s what I got out of our last conversation
1:27:06 Workshop or wherever we discussed it. So I was just surprised to
1:27:09 hear that. Mr. Allen was having trouble
1:27:11 So hopefully with the two of you connect that can get worked out
1:27:13 matter of fact, I texted
1:27:15 Our assistant director ramjet Andrew ramjet, dr. Andrew ramjet,
1:27:19 and I said I need you to watch the school board
1:27:20 I need you to listen to what Alan said and figure out what’s
1:27:23 going on there
1:27:23 So I know he’s already working on it, but I’ll meet you in the
1:27:26 back. Thank you so much. Yeah
1:27:28 Thank you. Mr. Moore and miss more. We are moving forward with a
1:27:31 policy eventually
1:27:32 it’s just the procedure is a quicker way to get our
1:27:35 Pieces in place right? I take direction from from you guys on
1:27:39 policies that you want reviewed. So
1:27:42 Right now we’re working on procedure. And if that’s what we said,
1:27:45 I’ll just have to go back and yeah
1:27:46 Yeah
1:27:46 We just we were looking forward to a policy and a procedure
1:27:49 procedure in the short run because we were up against the right
1:27:52 I think that the policies in the long run and we had said that a
1:27:55 background check and insurance which is standard
1:27:58 Along with open access for people and then I think there was
1:28:01 some talk about possibly charging per game and we were going
1:28:04 back and forth
1:28:04 But that’s for discussion when the policy comes forward. So you’ve
1:28:08 done everything that we asked you to do so far
1:28:10 I just did want to just kind of mention to you that I think the
1:28:12 board direction was to bring back a policy so we
1:28:14 Could workshop it to move forward in the future to come that’s
1:28:17 all. Thank you
1:28:20 Thank you miss more
1:28:30 Miss Belford and members of the board. I would like to just
1:28:33 clarify and offer to the parents of a West Shore student
1:28:36 We do not have a BPS COVID protocol. It is a Department of
1:28:41 Health guided
1:28:43 quarantine protocol we do take
1:28:45 We do confer with directly with the Department of Health and we
1:28:48 work very closely to determine what the quarantine requirements
1:28:51 are
1:28:52 They do have an appeal process
1:28:55 That that can be taken advantage of it’s my understanding the
1:28:58 parents have done that but that’s something that is
1:29:02 Overseen by the Department of Health. We we work closely to
1:29:05 follow their direction
1:29:07 I also wanted to give hopefully I’m not going to over promise
1:29:11 and under deliver
1:29:12 But I want to I want to acknowledge and validate miss skippers
1:29:16 concerns about our teachers and technology
1:29:18 I visited a handful of schools over the last two or three weeks
1:29:23 and ask a lot of the same questions
1:29:25 What are you experiencing if you had something? What would you
1:29:28 you know to help with technology?
1:29:29 What would you need some of the same things miss skipper?
1:29:33 identified
1:29:34 In that time period I was in conversation with Frank about a
1:29:38 county manager across the street
1:29:40 He said that they continue to have care. Excuse me cares act
1:29:45 Funds available that we could make another submission of ask. Mr.
1:29:49 Novelli has been working with schools across the district
1:29:52 We’ve identified some additional technology support that we are
1:29:55 pursuing hope and hopes that it’ll be funded by the county
1:29:59 So I just wanted to make you aware we are already looking into
1:30:01 that to try and get some additional supports for our teachers
1:30:04 Hopefully in the coming weeks, I would share that I
1:30:08 Believe mr. Cheatham. Do we still have?
1:30:11 I’ll say hundreds of computers on order waiting. We’re kind of
1:30:15 stuck in the supply chain as well
1:30:19 Thousands of laptop computers, you know, that’s a gridlock that
1:30:22 we’re experiencing across the still we got in early
1:30:25 We got in quickly, but we’re still waiting for them to receive
1:30:29 I think we got a few hundred of them out in the last couple
1:30:32 weeks, didn’t we?
1:30:34 So we’re continuing to work through it
1:30:36 Understand the the challenge and we’ll continue to do everything
1:30:39 we can for the teachers as they manage those dual platforms many
1:30:43 of them
1:30:47 Think that was it. Thank you. Thank you for that clarification.
1:30:50 Dr. Mullins. We appreciate it
1:30:53 All right. This is going to move us into the consent agenda. Dr.
1:30:57 Mullins
1:31:01 There are seven agenda items under this category does any board
1:31:04 member wish to pull any item from the consent agenda
1:31:08 Saying none I’ll entertain a motion to approve the consent
1:31:11 agenda as moved approved
1:31:14 Moved by miss duskovich seconded by miss McDougal’s or any
1:31:17 discussion
1:31:41 The motion passes 5-0
1:31:44 We
1:31:47 Are now moving on to the action agenda, dr. Mullins
1:31:51 Miss Belford and members of the board item g18 is on department
1:31:54 school initiated agreements
1:31:56 What are the wishes of the board move to approve second move by
1:32:00 mr. Susan who’s the second I did
1:32:03 second any discussion
1:32:06 Please vote
1:32:14 You
1:32:26 The motion passes 5-0
1:32:32 Item g19 is on procurement solicitations
1:32:36 Move to approve
1:32:39 Seconded by miss Campbell any discussion
1:32:44 You
1:32:58 It’s a square without a 5-0
1:33:01 The motion passes 5-0
1:33:04 We are now at the information items. These items may be brought
1:33:07 back later
1:33:07 However, there will be no action taken on these items this
1:33:10 evening
1:33:10 There are three items under this category this evening. Does any
1:33:13 board member wish to discuss any of the information items? Just
1:33:16 like to say
1:33:17 Thank you to the legislative back one minute
1:33:22 Mr. Brun is going to address that with us. He’s coming report at
1:33:26 the end party
1:33:30 Think it’s kind of exciting to recognize our two teachers who
1:33:33 were asked to serve on the doctor buddy
1:33:37 I’m not gonna get it right the
1:33:41 State regional literacy directors through
1:33:45 Funding and so they’re going to be helping statewide art in our
1:33:49 region, correct?
1:33:51 But they were chosen and that is Whitney Augustine and Tamara
1:33:55 Thatcher
1:33:56 So thank you ladies for being willing to serve not just our
1:33:59 county
1:33:59 But our state our region and our literacy efforts to catch
1:34:02 everybody up and move them forward
1:34:07 Any other discussion around information items
1:34:11 All right at this time our chief strategic communications
1:34:13 officer Russ Brun will review with us a copy of the legislative
1:34:17 legislative priorities draft
1:34:24 Good evening school board superintendent
1:34:27 This is a draft review of the 20 21 legislative agenda for the
1:34:31 Brevard School District to take the Tallahassee
1:34:34 There’s a total of five items
1:34:37 for a review the first one is pre-k teachers to be included as
1:34:41 classroom teachers creating consistency between
1:34:44 The pre-k and k-12 teachers the goal is to look at a study
1:34:50 To see the impact on pre-k teachers that would help guide the
1:34:53 state and a district in creating consistency
1:34:56 We were because they study during the 2021 legislative session
1:35:01 It could be requested by the Senate president or the House
1:35:03 Speaker and request of Florida school boards Association support
1:35:07 with this agenda item
1:35:09 The second item is redefine classroom teachers to include all
1:35:13 instructional personnel
1:35:15 The goal is as districts have found
1:35:18 The state’s definition of a classroom teacher does not include
1:35:21 vital educators like media specialists counselors other
1:35:24 instructional
1:35:25 instructional personnel
1:35:27 The action would be to discuss this request with our local
1:35:30 delegation for input and support and also request support from
1:35:33 the Florida school boards
1:35:35 Association
1:35:37 Item number three school security request funding for the school
1:35:41 guardian
1:35:42 Training program the mandate to have armed and trained personnel
1:35:45 in our school remains, but after this year
1:35:48 The funding for training and equipment will not be there. It’s
1:35:52 it’s vital to secure a funding source from the state
1:35:56 Action item for that again discussed with a local delegation and
1:35:59 that the state Florida school board Association
1:36:03 also
1:36:04 Get a letter of support from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
1:36:08 Number four
1:36:10 evacuation drills
1:36:11 Quality over quantity the goal is to reduce the number of
1:36:14 evacuation drills during a school year while increasing the
1:36:17 effectiveness of each drill
1:36:19 This would make the drills more effective for students and staff
1:36:21 and we and would reduce disruptions with the school day
1:36:26 the action for that would be again get with the local delegation
1:36:30 to get their input and support and
1:36:32 Also request help from the Florida school board Association
1:36:36 And number five the final one request resources for district
1:36:40 social workers and mental health experts
1:36:42 The goal fine funding to support social workers and mental
1:36:46 health experts inside schools
1:36:48 Funds could be new or redirected from our organization to assist
1:36:51 these districts leaders
1:36:53 Those are the five items any questions or comments. Thank you,
1:36:57 sir
1:36:59 I know we discussed these and these were kind of all settled
1:37:01 upon but number five concerns me the way it is
1:37:07 Presented for a couple reasons one
1:37:09 We’ve met with legislators enough to know that an open-ended
1:37:12 give me more money like makes them angry
1:37:15 We need to I think we need to fine-tune this to a very specific
1:37:18 ask
1:37:19 We have the need for sure, but just an open-ended give me give
1:37:23 me they get frustrated and there’s no
1:37:26 It’s not quantified. I don’t even know what to look for and they
1:37:28 just ignore it
1:37:29 So if we’re serious about number five, which I think we are
1:37:32 I like that we suggest well, I also am a little concerned
1:37:37 redirect from the organization
1:37:39 What is that? What does that mean? Does that mean we’re asking
1:37:42 them to take money out of one of our pots?
1:37:43 That’s already short. I’m sure and put it in this pot
1:37:47 we have to clarify this before this goes before our
1:37:52 legislators
1:37:54 Just I had a chance opportunity to look at the
1:37:58 preliminary budget based on legislative budget
1:38:02 Requests it appears as though the mental health allocation that
1:38:05 the state has committed to over the last several years
1:38:09 It’s very early in the process and cycle
1:38:11 But it is funded at the rate that it’s been funded in the past
1:38:15 without an increase for 20 21 22
1:38:18 we’ll take a closer look at that again, and perhaps we look at
1:38:20 what the increase has been over the last couple years and
1:38:24 Target a increase in the mental health allocation which gives us
1:38:27 the opportunity to direct those dollars to
1:38:30 In our mental health plan that we submit to the state to apply
1:38:34 it to that area
1:38:35 So we could get much more specific in that area. Do you mean
1:38:38 like a percent like a X percent? Okay
1:38:40 Yeah, anything like that anything with a little bit more
1:38:43 specificity, you know so that they can
1:38:45 Understand what we’re asking for and how we’re gonna use it just
1:38:48 to say give us more money for mental health
1:38:50 I don’t know fund us 10% more for 24
1:38:53 Whatever the numbers are we need 24 counselors because we only
1:38:56 have one
1:38:57 Most of my beach that all of my beachside schools do not have a
1:39:00 social worker
1:39:01 And so, you know one per four schools would be great something,
1:39:05 you know
1:39:05 Anything better than what we have just so that there’s some they
1:39:08 can see where the gap and where the problems are
1:39:10 Mr. Bruin just since we’re in discussion if you don’t mind
1:39:13 I think it could be helpful that we up we provide a look at what
1:39:17 the mental health
1:39:18 Allocation does provide for our schools. Now. There may be a
1:39:21 misconception that that
1:39:23 provides a
1:39:25 Social worker for every school to the legislators because they
1:39:27 see millions of dollars being allocated
1:39:29 So we’ll get much more granular and specific to Brevard public
1:39:32 schools and what the current allocation provides and then what a
1:39:36 recommendation?
1:39:37 Is to grow it
1:39:39 Knowing that we can’t fix it in one year. That wouldn’t be
1:39:42 perfect. Thank you
1:39:43 and I think to where the language came on directing it from
1:39:47 other areas was one of the things that we had talked about in
1:39:50 that meeting was
1:39:52 Looking and seeing if there are other
1:39:54 outside of the education budget
1:39:57 From the state right, but that’s not what this says
1:39:59 This sounds like take it from our whatever security officers and
1:40:02 moving over to mental health or you know
1:40:06 But I think there’s still an opportunity to perhaps have that
1:40:09 conversation with our legislators about dollars that may be
1:40:12 outside the education budget that could be
1:40:14 Directed to that additional support maybe even asking that some
1:40:18 of those
1:40:19 Organizations be directed to to jump in to what we’re doing and
1:40:24 then be some of those
1:40:26 Be resources for us in addition to the or in instead of or in
1:40:29 addition to the roles that they’re already playing
1:40:31 I say that knowing that the mental health professionals across
1:40:33 our state in every field are
1:40:35 Very stretched very thin right now. Yeah
1:40:39 I a few weeks ago we had and when native Francis presented to us
1:40:45 the data
1:40:49 For and we started talking about accountability and we had
1:40:52 mentioned I
1:40:55 Did I don’t know if this is legislative or Department of
1:40:58 Education?
1:41:00 But about asking that this year’s when I when we have our our
1:41:03 standardized testing and all that that this year’s
1:41:06 Become a new a bit new baseline and we kind of have a hold
1:41:09 harmless year
1:41:11 Dr. Mullins, you know if that would that be more of a DOE thing?
1:41:13 I believe it would be a State Board of Education
1:41:16 Where would it have to be done legislatively doctor? Okay, so we
1:41:20 did talk about that. Well, we’ll include it
1:41:23 It’s certainly I think we talked about it at cabinet as well
1:41:26 That’s just look for an allowance. It affects so many things
1:41:29 that affects, you know teacher recognition at school recognition
1:41:33 You know all kinds of funny things
1:41:35 I mean, I think our our students are going to do an amazing job,
1:41:38 but across the state
1:41:39 I mean we’ve all it’s been a struggle and I think it would be a
1:41:42 great year
1:41:42 Especially since we do not have accountability for last year to
1:41:45 say this year is going to be our new baseline and we have a hold
1:41:48 harmless so
1:41:49 So just to clarify if I understand correct make sure we’re all
1:41:52 on the same page we would
1:41:56 We would advocate for student achievement
1:42:00 But we would ask that any sanctions related to student
1:42:03 achievement be waived for 20
1:42:06 2021
1:42:07 Right so that we have this year to compare
1:42:11 right
1:42:12 right, because I mean if we have a school we have we have
1:42:14 schools all across the state that all of a sudden become
1:42:17 D or F schools and it’s because of
1:42:19 You know the current circumstances that is extremely unfair
1:42:25 As miss miss Francis presented we have concerns over what the
1:42:30 School grading realities are going to be because they’re using
1:42:34 the if you remember the prior prior
1:42:37 year for learning gains and so on where we’ve got some concerns
1:42:40 related to industry certification and and
1:42:44 You know students going two years and we’re losing a whole grade
1:42:47 level of learning gains because there’ll be no learning gains
1:42:49 for fourth grade
1:42:50 this year
1:42:52 so I
1:42:53 Think it’s a very appropriate
1:42:56 priority for us legislatively
1:42:58 Thank you
1:43:00 And I’m I’m guessing you’ll work through that with our leading
1:43:03 and learning folks who have their heads super wrapped around
1:43:06 All of the potential impacts of that ask
1:43:10 Absolutely. I don’t want them. I don’t want it to hurt us in the
1:43:13 long run because we’re
1:43:15 like it would be great if they would still give us the money
1:43:18 that they would normally give us for
1:43:21 Doing good things having good numbers, but not hold us
1:43:25 Accountable, you know if in the instances it goes the other way.
1:43:29 Sure. I just hate for them to say well
1:43:31 Okay, then we just won’t give any additional dollars for a PIB
1:43:35 race this year or you know
1:43:39 We have to be careful what we ask for we’ll definitely follow up
1:43:48 I’m so sorry with the social work. I know that I stepped out
1:43:55 But I I think if we can look at and I’m sure in this Morris
1:43:59 Department has already have some of this information about the
1:44:03 value and
1:44:05 The data that shows the value that a social worker brings for
1:44:08 education as we all know
1:44:13 That a student will not be able to learn if there is
1:44:19 Social emotional issues that he brings to school or she brings
1:44:22 to school. We all know that
1:44:24 So how do we I think we need to educate our legislators so that
1:44:28 they know that?
1:44:30 Because I’m not sure everybody’s familiar with that
1:44:34 Great point miss McDougal. Thank you. I
1:44:37 Will make a suggestion to that that item. I know that the first
1:44:42 lady has
1:44:43 This is mental health is one of her
1:44:46 Her passions and projects and she’s had several roundtables
1:44:50 recently and regarding this
1:44:52 So if there’s a way for us to kind of match the language that
1:44:55 she’s using that might be
1:44:57 helpful
1:44:59 This capital city lobby the first lady
1:45:03 They will soon yes, can we get a lobby her instead of the
1:45:06 legislators she probably has a little more pull
1:45:13 Yeah, I just wanted to say thank you so much to the staff and
1:45:15 everybody else involved in
1:45:18 Making the pre-k issue one of our goals. It’s been a long haul
1:45:21 and as we’ve looked at all the different issues
1:45:24 This is the right path
1:45:26 Some of the pre-k teachers that are out there right now. We’re
1:45:29 gonna say well, wait a minute. What is Opago?
1:45:31 What is it that we’re doing? What is the study that you’re
1:45:33 putting together?
1:45:34 There are so many issues with pre-k that if you try to take one
1:45:38 singularly or another one you end up on a quest
1:45:42 that will take 30 years and what this study does is it wraps the
1:45:45 entire system around and
1:45:47 Makes a study based on how to improve and how to bring forward
1:45:50 the pre-k teachers and it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically
1:45:53 happening
1:45:54 We are going to request this so they’re still gonna need to make
1:45:57 a lobbying effort to move forward
1:45:59 But the Opago study is the step in the right direction
1:46:01 And I think that I am so happy and and and proud that you guys
1:46:05 came forward
1:46:06 There is one addition that I’d like to put down there which is
1:46:09 letter D
1:46:10 Attendance Association
1:46:13 Recommendation see if we can’t go after them, too
1:46:16 Because I think everybody when you talk to them across the board
1:46:18 early learning development and is there and pre-k is our
1:46:22 identifier for that
1:46:23 And I wanted to say thank you
1:46:25 I think that this is amazing and I think that we’re gonna move
1:46:28 forward along with all the other pieces in here the classroom
1:46:31 teachers
1:46:31 That are not being identified the you know, have our funding for
1:46:35 our security specialists on and on we did a good job
1:46:37 This one I promise you is a whole lot better than some of the
1:46:39 other ones that people are putting out there because we put
1:46:42 Our time into it and we do a great job. So I want to say thank
1:46:44 you. That’s it
1:46:45 Oh wait, I called the I have the pre-k teachers online and they
1:46:49 were they wanted me to
1:46:52 Let you guys know that they appreciated it
1:47:01 Just wanted to let you know that there’s a bunch of me they’re
1:47:01 all and they’re all in support right now, so thank you
1:47:08 Need direction as we have to submit our platform request to FSBA
1:47:13 by next week
1:47:17 Do you all suggest that we put forward all it’s six now right we
1:47:20 added one are we limited I
1:47:25 Don’t think we’re limited I think we could probably submit all
1:47:28 six and then see what sticks and what doesn’t stick
1:47:31 I mean, it doesn’t impact our our local legislative platform
1:47:35 it just impacts, you know what they
1:47:38 Will be rallying around as a state organization. So I would
1:47:41 suggest that we go ahead and submit
1:47:45 All of them and see what gets through and what maybe looks you
1:47:48 know, the same as other districts that are bringing forward
1:47:51 recommendations
1:47:52 If you guys are good with that
1:47:54 Yep
1:47:56 Yeah, so I will follow up with mr. Bruin and we will we’ve got
1:47:59 some forms
1:48:00 we have to fill out for submission and make sure that we get the
1:48:04 language cleaned up and and all of that fun stuff and
1:48:06 Then we’ll get that submitted next week
1:48:10 Did you need any additional direction from the board good we’re
1:48:13 good. Thank you for your feedback
1:48:14 I would just add I want to you know, my my appreciation and mr.
1:48:19 Bruin as well
1:48:19 He the Opaga thing is a little different than what we’ve you
1:48:23 know
1:48:23 An approach we’ve taken in the past with our legislative
1:48:26 priorities that wasn’t we didn’t make that up
1:48:28 We reach it the board suggested contacting capital city our
1:48:32 lobbyists. Mr. Bruin met with Scott Ross Scott or net Scott
1:48:37 Ross last week and they we talked through what we’re trying to
1:48:40 accomplish in the best route to get there and mr
1:48:43 Ross recommended the alpaga route so really gave us some good
1:48:47 direction on that. So thank you. Mr. Bruin for doing that
1:48:50 I think just to you know, echo. Mr. Susan’s
1:48:54 Sentiments, I think we’re heading in a good direction for our
1:48:57 pre-k folks and if I can just say, you know, mr
1:49:00 Bruin, how long have you been with us now a
1:49:02 Month, maybe
1:49:04 It’s been fun
1:49:06 Talk about hit the ground running and and really stepping up to
1:49:10 the plate
1:49:10 We appreciate you rushing this through to meet that deadline and
1:49:13 doing all the legwork that you had to do to be prepared for
1:49:16 tonight
1:49:16 We appreciate it. Thank you so much
1:49:20 Usually and years prior we have voted on our legislative agenda.
1:49:24 Are we planning on voting on this?
1:49:26 Well, or what is there a reason it’s not on the agenda to be
1:49:29 voted on tonight
1:49:32 Just this is the first opportunity that the the board has had to
1:49:35 see what was put together
1:49:37 okay, so I think some some
1:49:42 Conversation and fine-tuning and then we can always bring it
1:49:44 back for a vote. Of course. It’s a late session
1:49:47 so we probably won’t even be meeting with them until
1:49:53 February January
1:49:57 Start early December this year. We need we needed it for our FSBA
1:50:01 because that’s due next week, right?
1:50:05 Committee weeks are December then we should have the luncheon if
1:50:09 we’re gonna have a luncheon soon like that’s gonna bring it back
1:50:12 So yeah, I don’t most of them probably are not going to be
1:50:15 available until after the election because for sure that you
1:50:19 know
1:50:20 They’re still focused there
1:50:22 Well, you want to make sure it’s the same
1:50:24 You don’t want to meet with them before the election. Yeah
1:50:30 So
1:50:31 that gives us a small window between you know, November 3rd and
1:50:36 December when they’re gonna start committee weeks, but we’ve we’ve
1:50:38 talked a little bit about you know
1:50:40 We might have to get creative with those letters with the
1:50:43 legislative luncheon this year just because of all the
1:50:45 restrictions
1:50:47 So but it’s already on his radar. So, okay
1:50:51 We I have a I was invited to meet with Senator Wright. I don’t
1:50:55 remember when it is
1:50:58 Next week, so we’ll have an opportunity to give him if you will
1:51:02 a sneak preview of what those items are
1:51:07 So we want to have I mean, I know it’s not an agenda item for
1:51:10 the night
1:51:11 Do we want to go ahead and just move forward? This is a tighter
1:51:13 line than me
1:51:15 Sounds like we all agree and it’s fine
1:51:17 I just I know in the past we’ve gotten in this one board member
1:51:20 doesn’t agree
1:51:20 We pull it off, but it seems like we’re all on the same page on
1:51:22 everything
1:51:23 So I like to wait at least till we get that the language refined
1:51:26 and get that last one on there
1:51:28 Okay, because that probably needs to go through leading and
1:51:31 learning to make sure we so we can do that by the next board
1:51:33 meeting
1:51:35 Are you gonna hand senator write something then when you know,
1:51:38 we’ll just make him aware verbally what some of our what’s
1:51:41 coming what’s coming? Okay
1:51:46 So we will then bring the legislative platform back at the
1:51:50 October
1:51:51 27th we’ll have that we’ll have it ready for the board at the
1:51:54 next board meeting. Super. Thank you
1:51:56 Anything else from the board members before?
1:52:00 Okay
1:52:02 Does any board member have anything else they would like to
1:52:04 report at this time?
1:52:06 Well, I can’t believe it
1:52:08 Seeing no further Oh, dr. Mullins. Did you have anything else
1:52:11 you wanted to report? No, ma’am. Thank you
1:52:14 There being no further business. This meeting is now adjourned.
1:52:16 Have a great night
1:52:35 You