2024-03-19 - School Board Meeting

0:00 (upbeat music)

4:44 (gavel bangs)

4:45 - Good evening.

4:46 The March 19th, 2024 board meeting is now in order.

4:49 I’d like to welcome my fellow board members and the public.

4:51 It is so encouraging to see so many faces

4:54 in the audience this evening.

4:55 I’ll politely ask the public to help our board meeting

4:57 flow a little more smoothly

4:58 by following a few housekeeping rules.

5:00 The public’s opportunity to address the board

5:02 is during the public comment portion of the meeting.

5:04 I ask that the public refrain from speaking,

5:06 loud disruptions, distractions,

5:08 and other forms of communication

5:10 that will hinder the business of the board.

5:11 Paul, roll call please.

5:12 - Ms. Wright.

5:13 - Present.

5:14 - Mr. Trent.

5:15 - Here.

5:16 - Ms. Campbell.

5:16 - Here.

5:17 - Mr. Susan.

5:18 - Here.

5:19 - Ms. Jenkins.

5:20 - Here.

5:21 - At this time, the board would like to hold

5:21 a moment of silence and I invite the audience to join.

5:28 (mumbling)

5:44 - Thank you.

5:45 We are going to rise.

5:46 We have a student here from Vera High, Max Mattel,

5:48 who will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance today.

5:54 - I pledge allegiance to the flag

5:56 of the United States of America

5:59 and to the republic for which it stands,

6:01 one nation under God, indivisible,

6:05 with liberty and justice for all.

6:11 - Well, you guys are in store for a treat

6:13 because we have so many wonderful things

6:14 that are happening in Brevard County.

6:16 Tonight, we’re gonna honor

6:17 several different individuals and students.

6:20 I think our first demonstration that we have, though,

6:22 is from the Vera High’s Exercise Science

6:24 and Dental Aid Center, or sorry,

6:26 Career and Technical Education Program.

6:29 You guys are gonna come forward, correct?

6:31 And you have a, you’re gonna show us something, right?

6:35 Go ahead and come on forward.

6:45 - Good evening, Chairman Wright,

6:46 members of the board, Dr. Rendell.

6:48 I’d like to introduce you to Carrie Garrison.

6:50 She is our dental aid instructor at Vera High School

6:52 and Jackie Linswitz, our exercise science,

6:54 did I get it right? - I did.

6:56 - Our exercise science instructor at Vera.

6:57 We are so pleased to have these students here

7:00 under their leadership,

7:01 and they’re gonna be describing what you’re seeing

7:02 as we’re having the demonstration this evening.

7:04 - Okay.

7:06 All right, so good evening, board and everyone.

7:09 So thank you so much for the opportunity for us

7:11 to demonstrate both of our programs.

7:13 We have a combination of our exercise science

7:16 level three students and dental aid students here,

7:18 and we’re going to demonstrate CPR and a rescue situation.

7:22 So just as a caveat, normally when the situation’s happening,

7:25 the victim would not be on a table,

7:27 but for demonstration purposes,

7:30 it does make it significantly easier,

7:32 but we would have the victim on a hard, flat surface

7:35 like the floor, so just putting that out there.

7:38 But we’re going to have our two students

7:41 act out the scene and whatnot,

7:43 and I will narrate as they go to give some context,

7:46 and then we will have our other two students

7:49 ready to field or answer any other questions

7:51 that you may have, so if you’re all ready.

7:53 - All right.

7:54 - All right, go ahead.

8:02 - Are you okay, are you okay?

8:10 - So when there are two people there available

8:12 for at a rescue situation, it is most evident

8:17 that you would send someone away in order to call 911

8:19 and go retrieve the AED.

8:21 If this individual were alone,

8:24 he would then have taken the time to call 911 himself

8:26 so that he was not reliant on just himself

8:28 in order to maintain the compressions.

8:31 As you will notice, he will only be doing compressions

8:34 for the CPR.

8:36 From as of 2012, the American Heart Association

8:39 has actually recommended compression-only CPR

8:42 in situations that are not for infants, children,

8:46 or in respiratory distress situations,

8:49 and if the rescuer is either uncomfortable

8:52 with providing breaths or maybe is unsure

8:54 of their ability to provide said breaths,

8:56 so since we do not have a pocket mask device here,

8:59 he is only going to engage in compression-only CPR,

9:02 but as you can see, the second rescuer has now returned

9:05 with the AED, so she will be able to help analyze

9:09 for rhythm if a shock is needed and necessary.

9:12 So with that, now as the compressor has continued

9:16 with the AED pads on, it can begin to analyze for rhythm

9:20 once the compressor ceases his compressions.

9:24 So the AED will now analyze for rhythm,

9:28 and so it is recommending a shock,

9:29 and so the second rescuer will indicate

9:32 that all people should clear out of the way

9:34 because one, we don’t want the AED

9:35 to accidentally analyze an incorrect rhythm

9:38 with both the compressor and the victim.

9:40 We also don’t want it to accidentally defibrillate

9:43 when it needs to or when it doesn’t need to.

9:46 So the AED indicates that a shock should be delivered,

9:49 so the second rescuer will indicate

9:52 that it should clear again, and then the shock is delivered,

9:56 and now that the patient is stable and ready for transport,

10:01 second rescuer can begin putting the EKG electrodes on,

10:04 so it can be monitored during transport there.

10:08 So this demonstration here highlights several of the skills

10:12 that these students learn in our programs.

10:14 CPR first aid is something that they learn

10:16 in their second year and they get certified in,

10:18 and the EKG is what they are currently learning now,

10:21 and so they are learning how to take recordings

10:24 of heart activity.

10:26 EKGs do not defibrillate, they only record,

10:29 but these students are able to analyze these heart rhythms

10:32 and interpret them as such and be able to identify

10:36 whether someone is in cardiac distress or not.

10:39 And so what you’re watching is really only

10:42 just a couple weeks’ worth of practice,

10:44 and they are already more than proficient at the skill here.

10:48 So now that the victim is prepped for transport,

10:51 you can transport them.

10:59 - Yeah. (laughs)

11:01 It’s a perfect size burning, yeah.

11:02 (audience applauds)

11:09 Very nice, guys.

11:13 - All right, thank you so much.

11:14 This is funny that this is being presented

11:16 because I think our board, did we not have a discussion

11:18 about this on getting trained?

11:20 And so I wanted to ask you a quick question

11:21 since I have the opportunity.

11:22 The last time I used an AED machine,

11:24 it prompted us verbally and says,

11:26 so that AED machine does the same?

11:28 - It would as well, so because it would be on a dummy

11:31 as well as because we wanted to transport them,

11:33 that’s why we elected not to turn it on,

11:35 but that is the wonderful thing about an AED

11:37 is that it essentially is ironically dummy-proof

11:40 because anyone can operate it and because it tells you

11:43 exactly what to do.

11:44 As long as you remember to turn it on,

11:46 you have something there to assist you

11:48 during whatever crisis you have.

11:50 - Yeah, wonderful, thank you.

11:51 Well, I’ll give my fellow board members a time

11:53 if you would like to ask any additional questions

11:55 or make any statements in regards to the display

11:58 that you just saw.

12:00 - So thank you so much, guys, for this presentation.

12:04 It’s great to see what our students are learning.

12:06 I know now it is state law, correct,

12:10 that all of our high school students will learn CPR,

12:14 so not just in the CTE courses,

12:16 but how are our students learning that

12:18 outside of these specific courses?

12:22 And maybe that’s out of the scope of.

12:24 - She’s like, that might be, go for it.

12:27 - I can answer that.

12:28 So we actually certify them in BLS in our classes.

12:33 Last year, at the Viera High School campus,

12:37 we actually took students from every grade level.

12:43 They came down during lunchtime.

12:46 We taught them compression only,

12:50 and that’s as much as they learned.

12:52 So they’re not actually certified,

12:54 but if they need to do it, then they can do it.

12:57 - Right, it’s amazing, all these programs.

12:58 So your dental students are learning this,

13:02 and your sports science students are learning this.

13:06 And I know at our other programs,

13:08 our CNA students are learning this.

13:09 We have so many CTE programs that are learning this.

13:11 And I just have to testify,

13:13 I’ve been in classrooms where we had students

13:15 who saved people’s lives because of the training

13:17 they receive in these classes,

13:18 even as a high school student who are already saving lives.

13:20 So thank you for what you do,

13:22 and providing such practical skills for our students.

13:25 - Thank you.

13:27 - Thank you, Ms. Jenkins?

13:29 - Yeah, I don’t have any questions.

13:31 Actually, I’m glad Ms. Wright brought that up,

13:33 ‘cause that’s exactly what I was thinking

13:34 when they said that you guys were coming

13:35 and presenting this tonight.

13:37 I thought, oh my God, are we doing a live training?

13:40 (laughing)

13:42 But when we were having that conversation,

13:44 I admitted it then, and I’m gonna admit it still now,

13:47 it hasn’t changed.

13:48 I’ve said ever since my daughter was born,

13:50 I kept saying that I was gonna get CPR certified

13:53 and learn the Heimlich and all of that,

13:55 and she’s seven and a half, and I still haven’t done that.

13:57 So this just– - Well, come on over.

13:59 - Yeah, this just reminds me.

14:01 I need to get it over with, and I need to do it.

14:04 It’s an impressive skill set, and like Ms. Campbell said,

14:06 we’ve had students here that we’ve honored

14:07 for using these skills in the real world

14:10 and saving people’s lives, so thank you.

14:12 Thank you for all you do and for training all of our kids.

14:14 - Thank you.

14:15 - Thank you, Mr. Susan.

14:17 - I wanted to say thank you.

14:18 I think it’s ironic that Vieira High School

14:20 was able to give this presentation.

14:23 I’m not sure if you guys are aware,

14:24 but Colin Seeley was one of the students years ago.

14:27 Many people don’t know this,

14:28 but there was a hero, Tim Thomas, who’s the ROTC instructor,

14:33 who when Colin went down at Vieira High School,

14:37 they were calling for the AED, but they were hearing AD,

14:41 so they thought they were talking

14:42 about the athletic director.

14:43 So Tim Thomas pushed on that kid’s chest

14:46 for like eight, nine minutes,

14:48 until they could bring that there to save him

14:50 because of the confusion, and then on top of that,

14:52 our ambulance that was supposed to come there to save him

14:55 also took forever because they didn’t know

14:57 how to get to the back.

14:58 So literally, all of that was the reason

15:01 that we then went with Sean Seema

15:03 and who we play for and everybody else

15:05 to the state capitol to fight to have CPR required

15:08 for the whole state.

15:09 So the three of us went up there.

15:11 We ran around, hosted rooms and everything else,

15:13 and it’s just ironic that you guys came here

15:15 to do this today, and I’m so proud that you’re doing it

15:17 because just like my fellow board members said,

15:20 there is a definite need for this across the county,

15:22 and lives are saved just because somebody

15:25 keeps those chest compressions going,

15:27 and that is just something, it’s something

15:29 that everybody needs, and I really appreciate

15:31 you guys coming, I really appreciate you guys

15:33 taking the time to show us because right now,

15:35 everybody in this room that is not certified

15:38 is saying I better go get certified.

15:40 So there’s a big deal right now that you guys are here.

15:42 So from the bottom of my heart, thank you,

15:44 and if you haven’t been certified, please go do it.

15:47 You’re gonna have that moment where you wish you did,

15:50 and you may not want that, so thank you, that’s it.

15:53 - Thank you, Mr. Trent.

15:56 - Well, not a lot to add after all of you guys,

15:58 but exactly the same.

16:00 Thank you so much for shining a light on what’s needed.

16:05 Young people, thank you for taking the initiative

16:06 to get this talent.

16:11 Like you said, there’s still some of us

16:13 that are no longer the youth of you

16:16 that are saying we should probably get CPR certified,

16:18 as some of us were because we were coaches before,

16:20 but there’s a lot of people out there

16:22 that need the talent that you already have,

16:25 so thank you, and thank you for being that example.

16:29 - Yeah, I’m gonna echo the sentiments

16:30 of my fellow board members.

16:31 It is such an important skill,

16:33 and really an easy one to master.

16:35 Honestly, once you learn it, you’re going,

16:36 oh my gosh, this is like riding a bike,

16:37 and honestly, you will know it for the rest of your life,

16:39 and it will save a life.

16:40 It could potentially save many lives.

16:42 So thank you to the instructors for all the hard work

16:44 that you’re doing there on teaching these students.

16:45 I still wanna challenge our board.

16:47 We made this comment before

16:48 that we all need to be CPR certified.

16:51 Mine is expired, I will admit,

16:53 but I think it would be a good lesson

16:54 for us to all walk through,

16:55 so we might reach out to you

16:56 and see if we can come over there and schedule something.

16:57 - We would love it, we would love it.

16:58 - Okay, wonderful, well, thank you guys so much.

17:00 Dr. Rendell, do you have anything else to add?

17:03 - I don’t have anything else to add.

17:04 I didn’t know if you wanted to do a picture

17:06 before we do the next thing, so.

17:07 - Okay, we’ll take a–

17:08 - I think I have something special for Mr. Sousa.

17:09 - Yeah, we will take a short recess real fast,

17:12 and take a picture if that’s okay.

17:13 - Sure. - All right.

17:24 (gentle music)

17:54 (upbeat music)

19:54 (audience chattering)

20:05 - I don’t think he officially recesses, okay.

20:08 Mike, are you good back there?

20:10 Okay, I’m good.

20:16 I’m back on, all right.

20:18 All right, thank you.

20:19 I am going to offer my fellow board members

20:21 and Dr. Rendell an opportunity to recognize students,

20:23 staff, and members of the community.

20:25 Board, I will remind you,

20:26 we have several different recognitions we’re doing tonight,

20:28 so hopefully they don’t overlap,

20:29 but if anybody would like to jump out first and go.

20:33 - Go, go, we gotta go out of order.

20:36 So, our Brevard Achievement Center

20:38 hosted the annual art festival at the zoo

20:41 for our ESE students across the district, all age groups.

20:44 It was a fantastic event, as always,

20:47 and very much appreciate the work that they do,

20:49 and all the sponsors, the students from EFSC,

20:51 and a lot of other people.

20:52 They even had an instrument petting zoo

20:55 where kids could come and get their hands

20:57 on violins and banjos and guitars.

21:00 It was so much fun.

21:01 So, thank you, Brevard Achievement Center,

21:03 for your support of our students

21:05 and for all the people at the district,

21:07 especially in student services who volunteered

21:10 and helped put on and organize that event.

21:14 It was a huge event from the beginning to end,

21:16 and if you were in the zoo that week,

21:18 our students’ artwork was hanging all over the place.

21:21 And then, I wanted to thank, we thanked them on social media

21:24 but I just wanna publicly thank in our board meeting

21:27 the Boeing Corporation for their $250,000 check

21:32 that they presented to the Brevard Schools Foundation

21:34 in support of Destination Mars,

21:36 the event that’s been going on all month long

21:39 and will finish up this week.

21:42 It’s a huge gift and it really is supporting STEM

21:45 in our schools and our elementary schools

21:48 as they’re looking at what it’s like to live on Mars,

21:51 what it would be like, what are we gonna need

21:54 once we get there.

21:55 And so, very much appreciate the Boeing Corporation

21:58 and the Brevard Schools Foundation

21:59 for help facilitating that.

22:03 - Thank you, Ms. Campbell.

22:04 Ms. Jenkins?

22:06 - Yeah, so, I’m gonna jump off of that Destination Mars.

22:11 I just wanna give a huge shout out to Amanda Howell

22:14 for orchestrating all of that and taking that on.

22:17 It is no easy feat.

22:19 It was– (audience applauding)

22:22 It was so fun joining them again this year.

22:25 I didn’t get to do every day like I wanted to

22:28 but I always have a blast.

22:30 The day that I got to go there was particularly special

22:34 just because of the particular schools

22:36 that we had that were winning.

22:38 So, hats off to the kiddos at Challenger 7

22:41 who did a fantastic job that day.

22:44 And I hear there’s a rumor that next year

22:47 they’re not going to Mars, they’re going somewhere else.

22:49 So, it’s pretty exciting.

22:52 I also had an opportunity to participate as a judge

22:54 with the Junior Achievement Social Innovation Challenge

22:57 which is also super fun.

22:59 Thank you to J.A. not only for coming into our classrooms

23:03 but the volunteers who sponsor those students

23:05 and those teachers to offer this unique

23:08 and amazing opportunity to our kids.

23:11 This is the coolest thing in the world.

23:13 It’s kind of like a shark tank challenge

23:15 for our kids to come up with products,

23:18 have to stand in front of a group of professionals

23:20 and present those products to us.

23:22 It was pretty incredible.

23:24 And one of the winners from the room that I was in

23:27 created a home device to guard your security networks

23:32 with their own VPN.

23:34 So, I mean, these things are like light years

23:36 ahead of what you’re happening right now

23:38 and pretty impressive kiddos.

23:41 Thank you to the Space Coast Association of Realtors,

23:44 again, for hosting Project PROM.

23:46 It was my first time ever being there.

23:48 I know Ms. Wright was there for, I think, the entire day.

23:51 It was so fun.

23:52 It was so wonderful to see families come in

23:54 and get their attire for free for PROM.

23:57 But there was one family that came in

23:59 that the dad had shared a tragic story.

24:03 Someone had sent him the information.

24:04 They showed up that day and he had no idea

24:06 that it was even going to be free

24:07 and he kind of broke down to the staff there.

24:09 So, incredible opportunity for our students

24:11 and our families.

24:12 So, thank you for everyone who’s involved in that.

24:15 Just want to say a reminder

24:18 that your annual re-enrollment has started yesterday

24:22 and it’s online.

24:24 Yay, no more paper packets.

24:27 So, make sure you get on there and do that.

24:28 That helps our administrators plan for the next year.

24:30 So, try to do it as soon as you can.

24:32 We appreciate that.

24:34 Destination Kindergarten Events.

24:35 They are starting April 6th from 9 a.m. to 1.

24:39 Will be held at Max Rhodes Park

24:41 and there will be one, I believe,

24:43 two weeks after that in Titusville.

24:45 I don’t think the destination

24:47 is officially announced yet though.

24:50 So, keep your eye out for that.

24:52 And then last but not least,

24:54 I did get to go on a couple of school tours

24:56 with Dr. Rendell and I just want to give a special shout out

24:59 to one teacher at Port Malabar Elementary

25:02 in her VEB classroom, Ms. Ramby.

25:06 I had the opportunity of meeting her last year.

25:08 Actually, not meeting her, being in her classroom

25:10 and subbing, but going back there

25:12 and meeting her was incredible.

25:14 That is a teacher who lives, breathes, dies for her kiddos.

25:17 It’s the most beautiful classroom.

25:19 It is so fun and she pours every single ounce of her heart

25:22 into those kids.

25:23 So, thank you, Ms. Ramby, for letting us come join you.

25:27 - Thank you, Ms. Jenkins.

25:28 Mr. Susan.

25:29 - I want to say thank you to everybody here.

25:30 I see a lot of familiar faces all the way from the wrestling

25:32 and the satellite, you know what I mean,

25:35 automotive and some of the other stuff here.

25:37 I want to say thank you also to those of you guys

25:39 that have done some great audits.

25:40 I see some great principals and great people

25:42 in the audience.

25:43 I want to say thank you to Roy Allen, Ralph Williams

25:46 and Harbor City Elementary Schools

25:47 for having me visit over the past couple of weeks.

25:51 It’s been a very good meeting,

25:53 discussing all the things all the way from healthcare

25:55 to permission slips to MTSS and all the other issues

25:58 that we have going on inside the district

25:59 to make sure that we’re in line

26:01 and fixing the problems we have.

26:03 I also wanted to say thank you to Boeing Space Florida,

26:06 Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, Miami-Dade schools,

26:09 Citrus County schools and others that were a part

26:11 of the career and technical workforce program

26:14 out at Kennedy Space Center last week.

26:16 Many of you may not have known,

26:17 but we called a large workforce.

26:19 We are falling behind Texas, Alabama and California

26:23 in competition for jobs for the Space Force.

26:26 And the problem we have is that our,

26:28 we don’t have enough workers to fill the positions

26:31 for the companies that are coming.

26:32 So we created a workforce summit.

26:34 We’re calling it Space Force Workforce.

26:36 And what it is is to draw all of the kids

26:38 from across the state of Florida

26:40 to challenge those other states to say that we can lead

26:43 because whoever starts really launching

26:45 as they start ramping up will be the teams

26:47 that when we talk about doing Mars rovers

26:49 and everything else, we will be the center

26:51 of the entire universe for space exploration.

26:54 We wanna continue to do that.

26:56 And we can only do that if we have enough workers.

26:58 I wanted to also say thank you to Ms. Rutledge

27:00 for her hard work with our 4-H.

27:03 Many of you don’t know, but we’re bringing agriculture

27:05 back into the classrooms.

27:07 And right now, Romalia Farms and Ms. Torlak

27:10 have stepped up to create systems

27:12 where students who wanna be involved

27:14 in 4-H style agricultural programs

27:17 would be able to go to those farms.

27:18 I’ve talked to them today on the phone.

27:20 They’re excited to facilitate for next year.

27:22 So bringing all that ag back in, Ms. Rutledge,

27:25 and spending the time on the phone with me today

27:27 and some of those other partners is a great opportunity.

27:29 I wanted to say thank you and that’s all I have.

27:31 Thank you.

27:33 - Thank you, Mr. Susan.

27:33 Mr. Trent.

27:34 - All right, I’ll make this quick.

27:36 Just like Mr. Susan, I can’t wait

27:38 to get through these recognitions.

27:40 For everyone sitting out there,

27:41 it’s gonna be a wonderful evening.

27:43 You guys are well-deserved of all the recognition

27:46 you’re gonna get.

27:47 I too had a pleasure of visiting a few schools

27:49 with Dr. Rendell and even with Mr. Susan here,

27:53 but Williams Elementary and McNair Magnet.

27:57 Dr. Richardson over there at McNair’s is,

28:00 he’s on top of things.

28:01 We went and witnessed classroom after classroom.

28:05 It was ran well, well-managed.

28:08 We saw music and math and making pizzas

28:13 and reading all within an hour and a half.

28:15 And the kids were engaged.

28:17 That’s what we’re looking for is engaged students.

28:19 And even in the passing of the hallways,

28:21 the respect that the students gave the staff

28:24 and Dr. Richardson, so he’s doing a great job over there.

28:27 - Mr. Trent, just to clarify,

28:28 we didn’t see pizza making in the math classroom.

28:30 - Yes, you were upset about that, I could tell.

28:31 - We saw pizza making in the culinary classroom.

28:34 - Correct.

28:34 - Not in the math classroom.

28:35 - No, we saw math, we saw music, we saw reading.

28:37 - Then we saw pizza making.

28:39 I just wanted to make sure everybody knew

28:40 we didn’t see pizza making in the math classroom.

28:43 - However.

28:45 - However, we did drink tea in the social studies class.

28:47 - We did drink tea in the social studies room.

28:49 - We did drink tea.

28:50 - But there was a lot of math in that dough is resting.

28:54 Dr. Rendell wanted that pizza right away.

28:56 We had to teach him that it had to rest for a day

28:58 before you can use the dough.

29:00 So we got that straightened out.

29:02 But again, we’ve encouraged each board member

29:05 to go outside your district and visit a school.

29:07 So I joined and we went down

29:10 and looked at Williams Elementary.

29:12 And Ms. Schroeder, it’s a pleasure to see an administrator

29:17 that has such a grasp of her school

29:20 and this is her first year there, isn’t it not?

29:23 I think it is.

29:24 So she’s a wonderful fit and a lot of good things happening

29:29 there.

29:30 Ms. Hahn, if you’re here, if you’re not here,

29:32 you’re back working.

29:34 Your work is well accepted at that elementary school,

29:38 the new flooring that’s going in there

29:40 and the new carpet and laminate.

29:42 The place is looking great and the kids are loving it.

29:45 So excited to get going tonight.

29:48 - Thank you, Mr. Trent.

29:49 All right, I’m gonna try to wrap mine up really quickly.

29:51 One of the disadvantages to going to last

29:53 is that you have attended a lot of these same events

29:56 that my fellow board members have.

29:57 So Destination Mars was obviously a big highlight for me.

30:01 It was so much fun watching these students

30:03 just on the spot, problem solve and code and change.

30:07 I’m going, oh my gosh, I cannot believe

30:09 that these elementary age students are doing this.

30:11 So thank you so much to Ms. Howell for putting that on

30:14 and inviting us to come be a part of it.

30:16 I also had the opportunity to attend MPA

30:20 and that was an absolute, just a blessing, it really was.

30:24 So watching these students get up there

30:26 and make joyful noise and sing

30:27 and then also hearing from other people

30:30 in other counties that come to judge our students

30:32 and really recognizing the fact that our district

30:34 has put so much emphasis and focus

30:36 and attention towards the arts.

30:37 And so that was a really, really neat thing for me to see

30:40 and hear from other counties on what they’re doing

30:42 or what they may not be doing

30:43 and what they love that we’re doing.

30:44 So thank you so much to all those teachers.

30:47 Mr. Avey at Space Coast, you were running around.

30:49 I think you probably worked 16 hours that day

30:51 if I were guessing.

30:53 I also got the opportunity to attend

30:54 the parent leadership meeting,

30:55 which was another really fun thing

30:57 that happens on a monthly basis.

30:58 So there’s parent liaisons at each one of our schools

31:00 that have the opportunity to come here at the district

31:03 and really hear what’s going on.

31:04 And then they get to talk to us

31:05 and tell us some of the things

31:06 that maybe they could provide some insight

31:09 into ways we could help their school site.

31:11 So this particular parent leadership meeting

31:13 had the sheriff present in Junie.

31:15 And so thank you to the sheriff coming here

31:17 and talking about school safety

31:18 and how we’re keeping our schools safe.

31:20 There’s no greater job, I think,

31:22 than making sure our kiddos are safe every single day.

31:24 I too attended Project Prom.

31:25 Ms. Jenkins, I didn’t get to meet the parent that you met,

31:27 but you and I were, I think you were standing there

31:29 with the young lady that tried on a dress

31:32 and she came out and this dress was made for her

31:34 and it was just absolutely magical

31:35 and it’s that moment of, ah, the dress.

31:37 But then she finds the pockets in the dress

31:39 and she’s like jumping up and down

31:41 and we’re like, oh my gosh, we’re laughing.

31:43 But what a huge success that event is.

31:45 And so we wanna find out a way

31:46 that we can partner with them next year

31:47 because that event is just tremendous.

31:50 And what the Space Coast Association of Realtors does is,

31:52 it’s nothing short of really a miracle, so.

31:55 And then also today’s election day.

31:56 And so one of those fun things that happens

31:58 is that we have polling sites at some of our schools.

32:01 And I want to commend those schools

32:03 because that’s a lot of shuffling that happens

32:05 whenever you have to take an entire area of your school

32:07 and shut it off now and open it up

32:09 for the supervisor of elections

32:10 to come in and set up a polling location.

32:12 So thank you to our supervisor of elections,

32:13 to our school sites that are hosting some of those,

32:16 and to all the poll workers and watchers,

32:18 we appreciate you, we see you, we recognize your importance.

32:20 So we will wrap up my recognition.

32:23 So at this time, we have several staff members and students

32:27 who we’re gonna recognize tonight

32:28 for their dedication and their accomplishments.

32:30 First, we have two instructional assistants

32:33 who’ve been praised by their colleagues.

32:35 Ms. Maggie Potter, are you here?

32:38 Okay, all right.

32:39 So Ms. Maggie is a IA from Central Middle School.

32:42 She’s gonna come forward

32:44 with one of our transportation specialists,

32:46 a driver, David Eli, who wrote a magnificent letter.

32:50 Okay, all right, come on.

32:51 Did you bring the letter?

32:52 Do you have the letter that you’re gonna read?

32:54 You do, okay.

32:55 All right, go ahead.

32:55 So you wanted to open him up, so I’ll turn it over to you.

32:57 - Yeah, I just want to introduce David.

32:58 Dr. Endell, thank you guys for letting me speak.

33:02 I know Dr. Miller was a little concerned,

33:04 but anyway, first of all, thank you guys

33:07 for what you have done for transportation.

33:10 I speak for at least 100 drivers that are so thankful

33:14 for the commitment you’ve made to us.

33:17 And I know Chris Reed’s somewhere here in the building,

33:20 and the disciplinary program is fantastic.

33:24 Thank you, thank you.

33:25 - Thank you.

33:26 - No, thank you.

33:27 - We appreciate you guys.

33:29 - Thank you.

33:30 - I want to introduce David, David Eli.

33:33 I’ve known David since I’ve came to work here,

33:36 and I’ve always wanted this moment to be able to speak

33:41 about what this gentleman is.

33:44 He’s the epitome of a bus driver.

33:47 He’s a pleasure to get up and work with every morning.

33:51 He’s just a ray of sunshine, and this letter,

33:54 he’s about to read to all you guys, is David.

33:59 He brought it to me to talk about Ms. Potter

34:02 and how awesome and how much of an influence she is.

34:05 Well, this gentleman’s also an influence,

34:07 and I’m not trying to take from Ms. Potter.

34:09 She’s fantastic.

34:11 But anything you ever want done, David is yes sir, yes sir.

34:17 And when you thank him, he says it’s my pleasure.

34:22 And all I want to say,

34:23 it’s my pleasure to introduce David Eli.

34:26 - Thank you.

34:27 (audience applauding)

34:38 - Madam Chair.

34:41 As team members of the board, superintendent,

34:47 ladies and gentlemen, please allow me in the first place

34:52 to extend my sincerest gratitude for the opportunity

34:57 to address this esteemed guideline.

35:02 My name is David Eli, and I proudly serve as a bus driver

35:09 for the South Area District.

35:13 I recognize that my speech may bear the distinctive essence

35:19 of both Ghanaian and British English,

35:24 but I assure you that I will endeavor

35:29 to communicate clearly and effectively.

35:34 I’m truly humbled to find myself in front of these,

35:39 I guess, assembly today.

35:41 I owe a debt of gratitude to my supervisor, Mr. John Davis,

35:47 whose support and encouragement

35:50 have made this moment possible.

35:53 I extend my heartfelt appreciation to him

35:58 and to all of you for affording me this opportunity.

36:03 Today, however, it’s not about me.

36:07 It is about Henry “Miss” Porter.

36:11 Her contributions are enormous.

36:15 With your kind permission, Madam Chairperson,

36:20 I will proceed to read the letter.

36:27 I’m writing to express my appreciation and recognition

36:30 for the astounding contributions of Mrs. Maggie Porter

36:37 who is an assistant on my bus.

36:41 Mrs. Porter has consistently gone above and beyond

36:46 in ensuring the well-being and positive development

36:50 of the students on our bus.

36:55 Mrs. Porter does not only fulfill her responsibilities

37:00 with diligence, but has also taken it upon herself

37:04 to instill important moral values in the students.

37:10 Instead of being bossy and pervasive,

37:13 she has taken the initiative to teach the morals

37:18 and lead by example as I drive the school bus.

37:23 This approach is undoubtedly having positive impact

37:29 on the students’ behavior and character development

37:32 on the bus and beyond.

37:35 Moreover, Mrs. Porter has consistently treated

37:41 the students with the utmost respect and kindness.

37:46 She has created a safe and supportive environment

37:50 on the school bus where students feel valued and respected.

37:58 It’s evident that this approach has fostered

38:01 a sense of community and contributed to a healthy atmosphere

38:07 during their commute to and from school.

38:11 I believe that recognizing and appreciating

38:14 Mrs. Porter’s exceptional efforts is important

38:20 to encourage and motivate sad, positive behavior.

38:27 Margie exemplifies the values and qualities

38:32 that we aim to instill in our students,

38:37 and her dedication is truly commendable.

38:45 I kindly request that Mrs. Porter be formally acknowledged

38:51 for her exemplary service and contributions

38:55 to our school community, whether through

38:59 a public announcement happening already,

39:02 so I do not have to go over that.

39:06 Thank you so much for considering my request.

39:12 Thank you.

39:13 - Thank you.

39:14 (audience applauds)

39:22 Thank you so much for those kind words.

39:24 Mrs. Potter, would you like to come up for just a moment?

39:27 And I know you’re like, uh-oh, I’m gonna have to say something.

39:31 So no, I think it’s exceptional.

39:33 Whenever we receive a letter of recommendation

39:35 from someone else within the district

39:37 who’s seen the special things that you’re doing

39:39 that really make a difference,

39:40 it’s very important for us to honor you and say thank you

39:43 and that you’re seen and we appreciate you.

39:45 I wanna ask you, though,

39:46 how long have you been with the district for?

39:48 - Six months.

39:50 - Six months, all right.

39:51 Many more years of working with us, hopefully.

39:53 So thank you so, so much.

39:55 Fellow board members,

39:56 do you have anything that you want to add?

39:59 - Yeah, just super quick.

40:00 I just wanna say there’s no greater honor

40:02 than being recognized and acknowledged

40:03 by the people who work with you,

40:05 and to hear that you’ve only been here six months

40:07 and you’ve already made such an impact

40:08 on the person you’re sharing a space with

40:11 is really incredible.

40:12 Thank you to both of you for everything that you do,

40:14 and thank you for supporting one another.

40:17 - Can I say thank you to my principal for hiring me.

40:19 (audience applauds)

40:22 - Thank you so much, all right.

40:24 We actually have more, though, so.

40:26 Don’t go too far ‘cause we’re gonna take a picture

40:27 with you guys, but we have one more recognition,

40:29 I think, that we’re gonna make today.

40:30 Is Amy Cedar, are you here?

40:32 All right, wonderful.

40:33 And you are an instructional assistant at Meadow Primary,

40:36 and bus driver Jenny Jenwright, are you?

40:39 You’re with her, perfect.

40:40 All right, well, I think we got

40:41 another wonderful recognition

40:43 that hopefully you’ll be willing to share.

40:47 - Good evening to the board and Dr. Rendell.

40:48 I’m Deanna Smith.

40:49 I’m the proud principal at Meadow Lane Primary,

40:52 and we are here this evening to recognize Ms. Amy Cedar,

40:56 one of our pre-K instructional assistants

40:59 who serves in a blended classroom.

41:01 So she serves students in the gen ed setting

41:04 and also students with exceptionalities,

41:06 but not only does she use all of her energy in the classroom

41:10 she also is a bus IA.

41:12 So she rides a bus in the morning and the afternoon,

41:14 and the reason why we’re here

41:16 is because one of our incredible bus drivers

41:20 is wanting to honor Ms. Amy as her bus IA.

41:22 So I’m gonna let Ms. Jenny Jenwright

41:24 read the letter that she sent in.

41:26 - Thank you.

41:29 - I first just wanted to say,

41:31 when John introduced David, wherever he went,

41:35 I just wanted to agree with him.

41:37 Mr. David is just the sweetest thing.

41:39 He’s so good to all of us, and he really,

41:43 anytime you tell him thank you,

41:45 or you ask him to do something,

41:46 you’re just wonderful, David.

41:47 Thank you.

41:49 Thank you for just being wonderful and always helpful.

41:54 I’ll read you my letter.

41:56 Thank you so much for honoring Amy tonight,

41:59 for recognizing her for working so hard.

42:02 My name is Jenny Jenwright,

42:03 and I’ve been a school bus driver

42:04 for Brevard Public Schools for 10 years.

42:07 I was recognized in the fall,

42:10 which is why I knew it was okay to do this.

42:12 So I hope a lot of other people

42:14 will know that it’s okay to let people know that,

42:18 let people know that it’s okay

42:20 to recognize people for doing a great job.

42:23 I thought that that was really neat that you guys do that.

42:27 So I was recognized at a school board meeting in the fall

42:29 because of a letter sent to you by a parent

42:31 of one of the students that I drive.

42:33 I wanted to write to you about

42:34 my Meadow Lane Primary Instructional Assistant.

42:38 Her name is Amy Cedar.

42:40 I pick her up every morning at 6.20.

42:43 I just thought you guys should know

42:44 that it’s really that early when I pick her up.

42:47 Amy’s amazing.

42:48 She goes above and beyond every single day.

42:51 She and I are responsible for 62 students on our bus,

42:54 among whom are quite a few pre-K,

42:56 kindergarten, and ESE students.

42:59 We would both tell you that we work as a team.

43:01 That makes our bus a good place to be.

43:05 And I am so grateful to have her.

43:07 There are truly not enough words to say thank you

43:09 for all the things she does,

43:11 but I thought everyone should know

43:12 what an incredible person she is.

43:15 And I really do think you are.

43:17 I’ll start by just saying Amy is dependable,

43:20 always there waiting and ready to go

43:21 when I arrive to pick her up, though it’s still dark,

43:24 and she has two school-aged students of her own

43:27 to take care of before she can begin her adventure with me.

43:30 I’ll attempt to list as many of the things

43:33 that Amy does during our routes in the morning

43:36 and afternoon as I can.

43:38 She buckles and unbuckles pre-K students.

43:41 She buckles and unbuckles ESE students,

43:43 which there are quite a few.

43:45 She gets out communication tablets for ESE students

43:49 and listens to their needs.

43:51 If you don’t know what that is,

43:53 they have tablets, they can’t speak.

43:56 Many are autistic, nonverbal,

43:58 and so they have tablets that they push a button on

44:01 to say what they need to communicate.

44:04 So she goes to see what it is

44:06 that they’re trying to communicate with us.

44:09 She wipes the noses of a lot of students.

44:12 So that seems like not a big deal

44:14 unless you’re doing it a lot.

44:18 She goes to or answers the needs of students

44:20 with their hands up for any number of reasons,

44:23 and there are a lot of students on this bus, y’all.

44:26 She mediates disagreements.

44:30 If you drive even two or three kids,

44:32 you know that that’s a thing.

44:34 She helps get pre-K and kindergarten tags

44:36 ready to be checked when we get to a bus stop

44:38 as we’re making sure each student gets safely

44:40 to their listed authorized pickup person in the afternoons.

44:44 She reminds the students to get their things

44:47 so that they don’t leave all their things on the bus.

44:49 That’s also a big deal.

44:50 That’s in the morning and the afternoon.

44:53 After the students are off the bus,

44:54 she picks up anything they’ve left behind

44:56 and buckles any unbuckled seat belts.

44:58 That’s just a blessing to me.

45:00 That’s something she doesn’t have to do.

45:02 That’s something she does

45:02 just because she’s a blessing to me.

45:05 Being a bus driver’s not an easy job.

45:07 Amy would be the first one to tell you that.

45:09 Being an IA is definitely not an easy job either.

45:12 We have mutual respect because what we do is tough,

45:15 but doing it together as a team

45:16 makes both of our jobs much easier.

45:19 I hope you recognize her and join me in telling her

45:21 how much you appreciate her hard work and dedication.

45:24 She definitely deserves it.

45:25 Thank you so much.

45:26 - Thank you so much. (audience applauding)

45:33 Thank you so much.

45:35 Amy, let me ask you,

45:36 how long have you been with the district?

45:37 - Six years.

45:38 - Six years, awesome, awesome.

45:40 Thank you so much for all the hard work you do.

45:42 There’s no greater honor, like my board member said,

45:44 than being recognized and acknowledged by your teammates

45:47 that you’re working alongside.

45:48 We’re gonna take a quick photo, if that’s okay,

45:50 if we can have the other group come back up.

45:52 I don’t think we need to go into formal recess.

45:53 We’ll just go ahead and snap a photo real quick.

45:55 All right, thank you guys.

46:06 (upbeat music)

46:36 (upbeat music continues)

47:36 (audience chattering)

47:41 - Okay, so we have, again,

47:43 back to all the fun, exciting things.

47:44 We have so many fun, exciting things happening tonight.

47:46 So several of our high school students

47:47 took part in the Top Tech Challenge,

47:49 which is a statewide automotive competition.

47:52 And yes, our teams here in Brevard County

47:54 did very, very well.

47:55 I think Ms. Rutledge, are you gonna come up

47:58 and show us just how well these teams did?

48:03 - Absolutely, and I’d actually like to bring up

48:05 our amazing instructors this evening.

48:07 We have Ed Sebekka from Rockledge.

48:11 I have Chris Wilson and Randy Pitts from Satellite,

48:14 if you don’t mind joining me up here.

48:16 It’ll be great.

48:18 (audience applauding)

48:24 So yes, we have some amazing automotive students.

48:27 I would put our students up against any auto kids

48:31 throughout the state and the nation.

48:33 They are super competitive and skilled

48:36 at the work that they do.

48:37 So we had three different, four different teams

48:41 that placed at the state level

48:43 in the Universal Technical Institute statewide competition.

48:47 And I had their instructors here

48:49 to talk just a little bit about that.

48:51 Have some questions for them.

48:53 Also want you to hear from a student, a parent, about this.

48:56 But it’s not just the UTI competition

48:59 that they excelled in.

49:00 They also excelled in our SkillsUSA competition,

49:03 which is another CareerTech student organization

49:06 that students can compete in a variety of activities.

49:10 So instructors, please come up here real quick.

49:14 I’d like to ask you first,

49:16 since we have so many of your students here

49:17 to highlight their families,

49:19 what characteristics do you see in your students

49:21 that performed well in these competitions?

49:30 - When a kid starts coming in,

49:33 actually, when they come in as a freshman,

49:36 I start looking at their potential.

49:39 My number one star student for the past three years,

49:43 I pulled him out and put him in a competition as a freshman.

49:46 I saw a spark in him.

49:48 And this was during COVID.

49:50 And I only had him for six weeks

49:52 at the time that I put him in his first competition.

49:55 And he actually pulled out fifth place.

49:59 We work really hard with all our students,

50:01 and something I’m very proud of,

50:03 and we’re up for any kind of challenge.

50:05 One thing that a lot of people don’t really recognize

50:08 is that when we go play other schools,

50:12 that whole school represents a county.

50:14 It’s county-wide, and we got six automotive programs.

50:18 So imagine if we all just had one school

50:21 and we had the best students of all,

50:22 nobody would ever touch us.

50:24 But we do an amazing job with what we have,

50:28 and something that I’m very proud of.

50:30 I always have been with the 18 years I’ve been here.

50:34 - Thank you.

50:38 - To add to what Randy said is,

50:41 as the automotive program of Brevard County,

50:44 each year that we go to this competition,

50:47 it’s always Brevard schools that are finishing up top.

50:51 I remember taking a group of students,

50:54 and there’s 20-some schools there,

50:56 and they start at, I think, like 10th place,

50:59 and they start going down the list,

51:01 and they’re like, “Oh my God, we’re at fifth,

51:02 “and we’re still not called.

51:04 “We must have done terrible.”

51:06 And the next thing they know, their names are called,

51:09 and they’re obviously proud of their accomplishments.

51:12 It’s always exciting to go to competitions

51:15 and see the kids.

51:17 I’ve had parents write me letters

51:19 saying that was their highlight of their high school career,

51:22 so it’s always pretty rewarding for the students

51:26 as well as the instructors.

51:27 - Can I ask a question?

51:29 Just because I don’t know what these competitions look like.

51:31 I’ve never been to one. - Yeah, very good question.

51:32 Very good. - And so can you tell me

51:33 what are they doing when they compete?

51:36 - This year, UTI threatened and says,

51:39 “We’re changing the whole competition.

51:40 “You better be ready.”

51:42 I said, “I am ready, bring it on.

51:44 “We’re not scared of nobody.” (laughing)

51:47 We actually pulled out first this year.

51:50 We’re actually the first school

51:52 with a back-to-back first place win ever

51:55 in the 12-year history. - Awesome, yeah.

51:57 Commendable. (audience applauding)

52:02 - And UTI, to me, is the most fairs competition out there.

52:09 You know, nobody really has,

52:10 they don’t have anybody to root for.

52:13 They don’t put, you know,

52:14 it’s totally different from the other competitions we do.

52:18 They don’t have a dog in the fight, so to speak,

52:20 ‘cause when we go to the other, at SkillsUSA,

52:23 we play against the other school.

52:24 The hosting school has their competitors

52:27 in that competition, so they already have a leg up on us.

52:30 And when we can still win against the other schools

52:33 that are hosting the competition,

52:34 that’s a big accomplishment, I feel.

52:37 But UTI, again, they’re fair to everybody.

52:40 And they had rumors that schools had some insight to it,

52:45 so they threatened, and they changed everything this year.

52:47 And I’m glad they do it. - It’s a serious competition.

52:49 - They change it every year.

52:51 - Can you tell them specifically

52:52 what types of competitions the kids compete in?

52:55 - Okay, we did, they had to do electrical stations.

52:59 They had to do a brake station.

53:01 They had to do an AC station.

53:06 - Written test. - A written test.

53:08 And there was five different stations.

53:11 - Identification. - And then parts

53:12 identification with the five different tests that they did.

53:15 And two of my,

53:20 they also had individual trophies this year

53:22 for the highest scores.

53:24 My number one guy got a 96,

53:26 my number two guy got a 95. - Wow.

53:29 - Total of scores. - That’s amazing.

53:31 - Which we were very proud of, too.

53:33 - Yeah, thank you.

53:36 - Anything else to add on this one?

53:38 Okay, so what I’m hearing is that our automotive students,

53:42 we can stack ‘em up against anybody,

53:43 and they’re gonna take the win, right?

53:45 That’s what we want, yeah.

53:46 And I told these gentlemen before I came up here,

53:48 I have a shirt from all of these schools.

53:50 And Heritage, I also have a shirt from Heritage.

53:52 Mr. Browd wasn’t able to be here this evening,

53:53 but I told him I couldn’t pick which one,

53:56 so I didn’t wear any.

53:57 I didn’t want to represent the wrong way here.

53:59 Gotta keep it fair.

54:00 Okay, so what are you most proud of with your students?

54:06 - I think what I’m most proud of with our students

54:09 is the passion for the trade,

54:14 how they excel in school, not just in our program,

54:17 which obviously they make as much time as possible

54:21 in their day.

54:23 But just, it carries over

54:27 into the rest of their school day as well.

54:30 We get a lot of teachers that we share students with

54:33 that will contact us and ask us about our students,

54:38 and they’re just blown away that they’re as involved

54:42 and that they are, not just in our program,

54:46 but in the school in general.

54:50 And kind of brag on our school a little bit.

54:53 We have a pretty good sense of community in our school,

54:58 and we’re very proud of that.

55:05 - What was the question?

55:06 (audience laughing)

55:08 - What are you most proud of with your students?

55:10 - Yeah, they’re passionate about their studies.

55:14 They’re obviously in the automotive class

55:17 because that’s what they’re passionate about.

55:20 And most of the guys that go to these competitions,

55:24 they’re working in the local dealerships here in town.

55:28 I have students working at the Lincoln dealer

55:30 right up the street, Toyota, you name it.

55:34 All the dealerships in this county

55:36 are employing our students.

55:38 So that’s, at the end of the day,

55:39 that’s our job, to get them employed.

55:41 And that’s what we’re trying to achieve.

55:43 So the students are passionate about what they’re doing,

55:47 and it shows in their future.

55:55 - All right, well, thank you so much.

55:57 And just to kind of feed into that,

55:59 I know we were talking about pizza in the math classroom.

56:03 Well, there’s kind of some correlation

56:05 with our mesh classes and our career tech ed.

56:08 They’re learning about measurement and math

56:10 in their automotive.

56:11 We’re not making any pizzas there, but you know.

56:14 They’re reinforcing those skills.

56:16 Okay, so I’d like to call up really quickly

56:20 Ms. Stephanie White.

56:21 She is a parent of one of our automotive students.

56:23 She just wanted to say what this program

56:25 has done for her job.

56:30 (audience applauding)

56:33 - Hi, good evening.

56:34 I’ve been a educator and currently an assistant principal

56:37 with Brevard for over 20 years.

56:40 And I’ve been fortunate to see the impact

56:43 that teachers have on students a lot.

56:46 But tonight I’m wearing my parent hat

56:47 and because I wanted to take the opportunity

56:50 to recognize Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pitts

56:53 for the program that they run at Satellite

56:54 and the influence it has had on my son.

56:58 Their dedication and their commitment

57:00 to their students is unwavering.

57:02 They open their shop up early every morning of the week,

57:06 and they have a room full of kids

57:08 that are there to practice.

57:09 They give up their evenings and their weekends

57:11 to go to competitions that are long

57:15 and very boring sometimes, sorry guys.

57:20 They bring guest speakers in to talk to the kids

57:23 about different careers.

57:25 They have helped them write applications

57:27 to scholarship programs.

57:31 The list goes on and on and on,

57:32 and I just can’t say enough about what they do

57:36 for the students at Satellite.

57:37 And I also just wanted to take a moment

57:39 to thank Mr. Pruitt and Ms. Lundy

57:41 for supporting the Automotive Program at Satellite.

57:44 And I know there’s a time commitment that comes with that.

57:47 So as you sit here in your position,

57:50 I wanted to just take a moment to say to you,

57:53 as you think about CTE education,

57:56 continue to support it because it is impacting kids

57:59 on a level you can only begin to understand.

58:02 Thank you.

58:03 - Absolutely, thank you.

58:04 (audience applauding)

58:07 Jason, do you wanna come up here

58:09 and say something really quickly?

58:13 Jason is one of our rock stars

58:15 that we’re recognizing tonight.

58:17 He’s a winner on many, many competitions

58:19 with our, from Satellite.

58:25 - Thank you for this opportunity tonight to let me speak.

58:28 Is this on?

58:29 - It is.

58:30 - The Satellite Autotech plays an important role

58:32 for kids like me who are looking for opportunities

58:35 outside of the traditional path.

58:37 Being in this program the last four years

58:38 has allowed me to become better through competition.

58:41 For example, I am the back-to-back winner

58:43 of the Universal Top Tech Challenge.

58:46 This program ran by Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pitts

58:48 has produced a lot of other winners,

58:50 as shown as everybody sitting next to me.

58:55 This speaks volumes about our program at Satellite.

58:58 I chose this program because I am fascinated by cars.

59:01 Through my competition winnings,

59:03 I have secured a full ride to Universal Technical Institute,

59:06 to their NASCAR school to study CNC machining.

59:08 - That’s awesome.

59:10 (audience applauding)

59:16 - The Satellite program has helped many kids like me

59:19 find a career path that we enjoy.

59:22 Thank you for letting me speak tonight

59:23 and thank you Dr. Rendell and everybody on the board.

59:27 - Thank you.

59:27 - Thank you Jason.

59:28 (audience applauding)

59:32 - And to wrap it up this evening,

59:33 Rainy Pitts would like to say something.

59:36 - I have been teaching at Satellite High School

59:41 for 18 years and unfortunately I’m gonna retire this year.

59:46 I’ve had a wonderful career at Satellite High School.

59:49 It’s, I’ve done things that I didn’t know was out there.

59:53 I have taken students and one thing’s

59:56 that our backs were against the wall

59:59 and we came out on top.

1:00:01 I’ve had several principals say,

1:00:02 or a couple principals say, you sure you can do this?

1:00:05 Sure, we can do this and still come out on top.

1:00:08 Everything that we have done,

1:00:10 we have been in the top percentage of every competition

1:00:13 that we have ever entered.

1:00:16 We’ve done Skills USA, Ford AAA,

1:00:19 the Quaker State Best in Class Challenge, UTI,

1:00:24 and Dealers Association, Dealers,

1:00:26 Central Florida Dealers Competition,

1:00:29 which we also went to New York City in.

1:00:32 So like again, I thank y’all for supporting the CTE program.

1:00:37 We have students that come up and say,

1:00:38 and I had a couple of them come today and say,

1:00:40 you know, if it wasn’t this program,

1:00:42 I wouldn’t be here at Satellite today.

1:00:44 It’s these type programs keep these kids in school.

1:00:48 Thank you very much.

1:00:50 - Thank you, Mr. Pitts.

1:00:51 (audience applauding)

1:00:53 - And Randy, you’ve made such an impact

1:00:56 for our kids over the years

1:00:57 and we are really gonna miss you,

1:00:59 but are glad you’re gonna get to take that RV

1:01:02 and hit the road,

1:01:03 but I’m very grateful for your service to our kids.

1:01:06 So thank you.

1:01:07 - I think we wanted to take a great photo with you guys.

1:01:09 - Yeah, I wanna ask something real quick.

1:01:12 So Mr. Pitts, if you guys can come up to the podium

1:01:14 and I wanna hear from the kids just a yay or nay.

1:01:16 One of the things is we have the best

1:01:18 career and technical automotive programs in the state.

1:01:21 There’s no doubt you guys win every competition.

1:01:23 But the thing is, is that when I go to other states,

1:01:25 North Carolina, Texas, other places like that,

1:01:28 schools actually have race car teams.

1:01:30 You guys go to Gator Nationals, right?

1:01:32 Didn’t we just do a big field trip?

1:01:33 Why isn’t we don’t just have a team,

1:01:35 a high school team that goes and competes?

1:01:37 Would you guys be interested in doing something like that?

1:01:39 If I was able to pull it together with them?

1:01:41 - We’d take on any kind of talent.

1:01:43 - That sounds like Mr. Pitts,

1:01:43 sounds like I might be able to talk you into coming back.

1:01:47 That’s what I’m saying.

1:01:49 Hey, from the back, the kids,

1:01:50 would you guys be interested in something like that?

1:01:52 That’s what I’m talking about.

1:01:53 - You put off his retirement if you do that.

1:01:55 - That’s it.

1:01:56 I’m serious, Mr. Pitts.

1:01:57 - I’m actually a former drag car racer.

1:02:00 - I know that, and that’s one of the reasons

1:02:02 I was talking about it, is because,

1:02:04 to be honest with you, I’ve seen it,

1:02:05 and I’ve seen the inspiration that it gives to the children

1:02:07 when you have a team like that,

1:02:09 and they go and they beat a lot of teams

1:02:10 that are sponsored by other programs.

1:02:12 And I had a conversation with a couple of people

1:02:14 that are very high influential people

1:02:15 in the race car industry, and they would be very interested

1:02:18 in trying to do something like that.

1:02:19 And now Dr. Rendell’s gonna fall out of his seat,

1:02:21 because I’m talking about putting together race teams.

1:02:24 Thank you.

1:02:25 - I wanna jump in there really quick.

1:02:27 First of all, Mr. Pitts, you can’t leave

1:02:28 until you find your own replacement.

1:02:31 So work on that, and then we’ll let you retire, right?

1:02:35 You said something really important

1:02:37 when you talked about the way other districts do it,

1:02:40 because they have a technical center,

1:02:41 and everybody who’s going to be a part

1:02:43 of the automotive program has to go to that technical center.

1:02:46 I am a huge advocate to continue to do it

1:02:48 the way we do it in Brevard,

1:02:50 because that allows such greater access

1:02:53 for students who go into a technical center

1:02:56 that’s 20, 30 miles away or farther.

1:02:58 It is just not gonna work for everybody.

1:03:00 So we have excellent programs from north to south.

1:03:02 We have excellent programs all the way down from Heritage

1:03:05 up to Titusville, teaching students these skills.

1:03:07 We don’t have it at every high school,

1:03:09 but we have it somewhere close.

1:03:10 So students are passionate about cars, about mechanics,

1:03:14 about auto body, whatever it is.

1:03:16 We’ve got somewhere close by that has a program

1:03:19 where they can get this training

1:03:21 and be ready to go out into the workforce.

1:03:22 So I appreciate the leadership that was in place

1:03:26 before I ever got here to make sure

1:03:28 that we have programs from north to south,

1:03:29 but it has to be staffed with people who are passionate.

1:03:32 And clearly our automotive teachers in Brevard

1:03:36 are passionate and passing that on to their students.

1:03:38 So thank you for what you do.

1:03:40 And I’m really proud of the work that you guys do

1:03:42 from all across the district.

1:03:47 - One thing, let me,

1:03:48 some of the teams that we go up against

1:03:50 are actually vote tech centers and sponsored by Ford Chrysler

1:03:54 or General Motors are all three of them.

1:03:56 So they are multimillion dollar schools

1:04:01 and we’re still right in the fighting ring with them.

1:04:03 We still can hold our own against them.

1:04:05 - Testimony to your good leadership.

1:04:07 Ms. Jenkins, did you wanna say something?

1:04:09 - Yeah, I have an exciting announcement

1:04:11 for a new automotive competition.

1:04:13 It’s a rusted old 2009 Hyundai Elantra

1:04:16 that’s in my driveway, about 180,000 miles.

1:04:19 We can see what you guys can do with it.

1:04:22 No, I just, I didn’t wanna see you walk away

1:04:24 without acknowledging you publicly.

1:04:26 Mr. Pitts, you are a landmark

1:04:27 in the satellite beach community

1:04:29 and I’m happy for you that you are retiring,

1:04:32 but I know that you are gonna break a lot of hearts

1:04:34 because there’s some generational families there

1:04:36 that are gonna be a little sad that you’re gone,

1:04:38 but thank you for all that you do.

1:04:39 I hear nothing but wonderful things about you,

1:04:42 even from my husband on the soccer field.

1:04:44 (laughing)

1:04:47 - Thank you, thank you.

1:04:48 Mr. Trent, do you have anything?

1:04:49 - I just wanna say, job well done, guys,

1:04:52 and congratulations on your 18 years here.

1:04:55 I’m sure you’re gonna continue

1:04:57 with that enthusiasm in your next chapter.

1:04:58 - Race car. - Race car.

1:05:00 - Race car. - Thank you again.

1:05:02 - No, we truly appreciate you.

1:05:03 This is one of those life skills that you teach

1:05:05 that these kids will grow on to be men

1:05:07 and they’ll teach these lessons to their sons

1:05:09 and it really, really changes the world for the better,

1:05:12 so thank you so, so much.

1:05:13 And I would vouch to say,

1:05:15 what do you think your job placement rate is?

1:05:17 I mean, if you were gonna say,

1:05:18 out of the students we have,

1:05:19 what do you think that is?

1:05:22 - It’s getting better and better every year.

1:05:24 We have dealers that are calling us right now.

1:05:27 Do you got any seniors that we can put to work?

1:05:30 The bigger problem was the age factor

1:05:33 ‘cause everybody wants to be 18,

1:05:35 but some of the dealers are starting to hire people at 17.

1:05:38 We got independent shops

1:05:40 that are calling us now for students.

1:05:43 It took us a long time to get there,

1:05:45 but everybody in Brevard County knows all about the,

1:05:48 all of our programs here in Brevard

1:05:51 and we got, percentage-wise, it’s hard to really say,

1:05:56 but we got several students,

1:05:58 each program’s got several students out there

1:06:00 in the field right now working

1:06:02 and I try to encourage my students

1:06:05 to go on the UTI post-secondary

1:06:07 ‘cause they should be going to post-secondary

1:06:09 before they hit the work world

1:06:12 and out of there, they’re just about all

1:06:15 getting a job in this industry.

1:06:16 - I would vouch to say, I would vouch

1:06:18 that that number is probably significantly high,

1:06:20 if not close to 100%.

1:06:22 - And our young men and young ladies

1:06:23 are finding opportunities in automotive,

1:06:26 which is really exciting,

1:06:27 even through the internship program their senior year.

1:06:29 - Absolutely.

1:06:30 Dr. Rendell, do you have something you would like to add?

1:06:32 - I just wanna make sure we have the students here

1:06:35 and all the students here,

1:06:36 they placed right at the competition,

1:06:38 so I wanna have a big picture with them up here,

1:06:41 but I want each of them to come to the microphone

1:06:43 and say their name, what school they’re at,

1:06:45 and where they placed in the competition.

1:06:47 - All right, Steve.

1:06:48 - So they need some time in the spotlight,

1:06:49 so let’s get ‘em all up here.

1:06:50 I know we got the first place team,

1:06:52 but we’ve got others too,

1:06:53 and they’ve all placed, they’ve all done really well,

1:06:56 so we need to get them up here.

1:06:57 (audience applauding)

1:07:06 - It’s a hell of a story.

1:07:09 - So name, school, and what you guys placed.

1:07:13 - I’m Koa Kelly, and I’m at satellite,

1:07:16 and we got first place at UTI Talk Tech Challenge.

1:07:21 - Awesome.

1:07:22 (audience applauding)

1:07:24 - Jason White, I was Koa’s partner, and we got first place.

1:07:27 - All right, good job.

1:07:28 - So you guys line up over here.

1:07:29 (audience applauding)

1:07:33 - My name’s Owen Erickson.

1:07:35 My partner is right there.

1:07:39 His name’s Shafer Cook.

1:07:40 We placed second place in the automotive competition

1:07:44 and got $7,500 scholarships.

1:07:46 - All right.

1:07:47 - What school?

1:07:48 (audience applauding)

1:07:51 What school were you guys at?

1:07:52 - What school?

1:07:54 - There we go, see, all right.

1:07:56 - My name is Bryce Jean Antonio at satellite high school.

1:07:59 My partner here is Gage Underwood,

1:08:00 and we won 10th place with a $1,000 scholarship.

1:08:05 - Outstanding.

1:08:05 - Congratulations.

1:08:06 (audience applauding)

1:08:09 - My name’s Jonathan Smith,

1:08:10 and my friend here is Keegan Blount.

1:08:12 We both placed fifth place

1:08:14 and got a $1,000 scholarship to UTI.

1:08:16 - All right.

1:08:17 (audience applauding)

1:08:19 - Did you say a school?

1:08:20 - Is it from Heritage?

1:08:21 - From Heritage, right?

1:08:22 - From Heritage, okay.

1:08:23 - Yeah, that’s Heritage.

1:08:24 - Awesome, all right, we’re gonna–

1:08:25 - All right, big picture.

1:08:25 - Snap a photo with you guys.

1:08:29 - What, the scholarship money was,

1:08:31 first place was $10,000 per student,

1:08:34 second place was $7,500 per student,

1:08:36 third place was $5,000 per student,

1:08:39 and then fourth through 10th,

1:08:42 all got $1,000 per student, so they did really well.

1:08:46 (audience applauding)

1:09:00 (gentle music)

1:09:39 (people chattering)

1:09:47 (gentle music)

1:10:14 - Things we’re celebrating tonight.

1:10:16 I know you guys are like,

1:10:16 okay, when is it gonna be our turn?

1:10:18 All right, we have student champions to honor tonight.

1:10:22 So during the recent Florida Wrestling State Championship,

1:10:27 we had a total of 26 wrestlers

1:10:29 from nine schools that medaled.

1:10:32 The director for the district athletics,

1:10:34 Kevin Robinson, are you here?

1:10:36 Where is he?

1:10:37 Okay, I’m like, are you back there?

1:10:38 Okay, so you’re gonna come to the podium

1:10:39 and showcase some of these young men and women

1:10:42 and the achievements that they have accomplished.

1:10:48 - Good evening, Ms. Wright, school board at Dr. Rendell.

1:10:51 It gives me great pleasure to recognize the 26 wrestlers

1:10:54 who medaled at the state championships earlier this month,

1:10:56 including the two wrestlers

1:10:59 who won individual state championships.

1:11:02 So Brevard qualified 52 wrestlers from 12 schools altogether

1:11:06 for the state tournament, and exactly half of those wrestlers

1:11:10 earned medals for placing in the top eight

1:11:12 in their respective weight classes.

1:11:16 Ms. Wright and Dr. Rendell, I invite you guys down

1:11:19 to come to the front and center.

1:11:21 - And I’m like, what’s happening?

1:11:24 (laughing)

1:11:28 No live demonstrations.

1:11:30 Okay, how about the rest of the board come down?

1:11:33 (laughing)

1:11:37 Don’t be nervous, this is not a demonstration, so.

1:11:40 (laughing)

1:11:46 Okay, students, when I call your name, come to the front,

1:11:49 shake hands with Ms. Wright and Dr. Rendell,

1:11:51 and then move to the far side of the days.

1:11:54 We will go alphabetically by school.

1:11:57 First up, from Aspenow High School,

1:11:59 Preston Pinero was seventh place in the state.

1:12:02 I don’t think Preston could make it tonight,

1:12:05 but still wanted to recognize him.

1:12:08 From Cocoa High School, we have Cole Webb,

1:12:12 seventh place in the state also.

1:12:14 (applauding)

1:12:26 And from Cocoa Beach High School,

1:12:29 Adrian Day, fifth in the state.

1:12:31 (applauding)

1:12:37 Billy Day, seventh place in the state.

1:12:40 (applauding)

1:12:46 And Madden Fredenberg, third place in the state

1:12:49 as a freshman.

1:12:50 (applauding)

1:13:05 (laughing)

1:13:09 And next up, from Heritage High School,

1:13:11 the first state champion in school history

1:13:14 at Heritage High School, Solomon Peterson.

1:13:17 (applauding)

1:13:28 And seventh place in the state is Gustavo Ferreira.

1:13:31 (applauding)

1:13:37 Keith Cole was fifth in the state.

1:13:40 (applauding)

1:13:44 And Caleb Gabrielson came in at third place in the state.

1:13:48 (applauding)

1:13:55 And finally, Harper Noel was fifth place in his weight class.

1:13:59 (applauding)

1:14:06 Next up is Merritt Island High School,

1:14:09 and first up, we have state champion, Caleb Ivey.

1:14:13 (applauding)

1:14:22 Trey Driggett placed eighth in the state.

1:14:24 (applauding)

1:14:31 And Landon Quiroga finished up sixth place in the state.

1:14:34 Sixth place in his weight class.

1:14:36 (applauding)

1:14:40 Since we’re on Merritt Island High School,

1:14:42 I also wanna kinda take a minute to give a shout out

1:14:45 to former Merritt Island High School state champ,

1:14:47 Elijah Lusk, who is now wrestling for Lander University.

1:14:52 The reason I’m saying this is ‘cause Elijah last weekend

1:14:54 placed sixth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament,

1:14:59 helping his team to a second place finish overall.

1:15:01 So with that finish, Elijah is now a two-time

1:15:04 All-American as a junior, so it’s just good to see

1:15:08 Brevard wrestlers having success at the college level also.

1:15:12 Just wanted to point that out.

1:15:13 (applauding)

1:15:16 And from Palm Bay High School,

1:15:17 we have Chris Brunson, fourth place in the state.

1:15:20 (applauding)

1:15:26 Leonard Christian, also fourth place in the state.

1:15:29 (applauding)

1:15:31 (cheering)

1:15:36 And Octavian Osby, third in the state.

1:15:38 (applauding)

1:15:44 Also placing for Palm Bay High School,

1:15:46 at eighth place in the state, Raymond Jackson.

1:15:49 Raymond couldn’t be here tonight.

1:15:50 (applauding)

1:15:54 Next up from Satellite High School,

1:15:56 Ryan Byrne, third in the state.

1:15:58 (applauding)

1:16:02 Ryan will be wrestling at Duke University next year.

1:16:09 Anthony Dix, fourth place in the state.

1:16:11 (applauding)

1:16:19 And Jake Gioveno, second place in the state.

1:16:22 (applauding)

1:16:30 Next up from Titusville High School,

1:16:32 Parker Bryant, seventh in the state.

1:16:34 (applauding)

1:16:46 And from Vieira High School,

1:16:49 Alex Gillette, fifth place in the state.

1:16:51 (applauding)

1:16:58 And Emma Hoppe, second place in the state.

1:17:01 (applauding)

1:17:09 Catalina Kenny, fifth place in the state.

1:17:12 (applauding)

1:17:20 Brian Mitchell, sixth in state.

1:17:22 (applauding)

1:17:29 And Edwin Torres, eighth in state.

1:17:32 (applauding)

1:17:43 Congrats to all of our wrestlers

1:17:44 who earned state medals this season.

1:17:46 I am super proud of all these wrestlers and coaches

1:17:48 for their accomplishments and for all the hard work

1:17:51 that they put in to get there.

1:17:52 In fact, we have some of the coaches here today.

1:17:54 I wanna ask you guys to go ahead and stand

1:17:56 and be recognized for all your hard work.

1:17:59 (applauding)

1:18:08 Board members and Dr. Endell,

1:18:10 would you guys like to say anything?

1:18:19 Absolutely.

1:18:20 Coaches, come on down.

1:18:27 (indistinct chatter)

1:18:35 (upbeat music)

1:20:01 Being patiently, and so I know they’re like,

1:20:02 hey, we’re leaving.

1:20:04 Real quick, I just wanna say, hey, thank you guys

1:20:07 for all the hard work you’re doing,

1:20:08 the dedication that you make as a wrestler,

1:20:10 making weight, the physical training, the matches.

1:20:13 I mean, it is impressive.

1:20:15 It’s something you’ll carry with you

1:20:16 for the rest of your life,

1:20:17 but we just wanna say, hey, we’re proud of you guys.

1:20:18 We recognize you guys,

1:20:19 and way to go represent our county very well.

1:20:22 (applauding)

1:20:27 (laughing)

1:20:29 - Can I, I wanna just say before the coaches leave,

1:20:33 when you all were asked to stand up,

1:20:35 you all were very humble,

1:20:36 and of course didn’t wanna take recognition,

1:20:38 but I just wanna give another hats off to you guys

1:20:41 because anyone who’s working in our athletics department

1:20:44 is not getting paid enough for the job

1:20:46 that they do in the first place.

1:20:48 You do this because you love it,

1:20:49 and you love those kids, and you support them.

1:20:50 So thank you and congratulations for all your hard work.

1:20:52 - Yeah, thank you, coaches.

1:20:53 - Madam Chair.

1:20:57 - So many people don’t know this,

1:20:59 but our female wrestling is the highest

1:21:02 and fastest growing portion of our female athletes,

1:21:05 and what we have is the situation

1:21:09 where a couple of years ago,

1:21:10 one of the coaches advocated for us

1:21:12 to put in stipends for female coaches,

1:21:14 and that’s truly what really blew up

1:21:16 the female coaching for wrestling,

1:21:18 and as a former coach that coached wrestling,

1:21:21 it was the most demanding sport I’ve ever coached in my life.

1:21:26 I’ve coached almost every one of them

1:21:27 at the high school level, but that was incredible,

1:21:30 and what those kids did at a state championship

1:21:31 is unheard of, so just wanted to say.

1:21:34 - Very impressive. - That’s a growing sport.

1:21:35 - Yes, all right, so all right, we have one more group

1:21:38 I think that we are recognizing tonight.

1:21:40 So I know you guys are patiently waiting,

1:21:42 and we appreciate the patience there.

1:21:44 So we are going to invite,

1:21:45 is Miss Cindy Lasinski available, or is she?

1:21:48 She’s coming up to the podium.

1:21:50 All right, good.

1:21:51 We are gonna honor our school bookkeepers.

1:21:53 This will be the second round that we’re honoring.

1:21:54 We did honor a group in February 6th,

1:21:57 but we wanna honor the remaining school bookkeepers

1:22:00 that we did not get in that batch.

1:22:02 So Miss Lasinski, can you come up and,

1:22:07 I think you have prepared the list.

1:22:09 - Making sure my team’s here.

1:22:10 - All right. (laughs)

1:22:12 - Okay, tonight we are pleased to honor

1:22:14 and celebrate the outstanding achievements

1:22:16 of our district schools

1:22:18 in the area of financial management and accountability.

1:22:21 As you may know, every year our schools are required

1:22:24 by state law to undergo an internal accounts audit.

1:22:27 This audit examines how our schools handle the funds

1:22:30 that are raised, collected, and spent

1:22:32 for student activities such as field trips,

1:22:35 clubs, teams, and events.

1:22:38 These funds are vital for enriching

1:22:40 the educational experience for our students,

1:22:43 but they also pose a high risk of fraud, misuse, or error.

1:22:47 That is why we need to ensure our schools

1:22:49 follow the best practices of internal controls

1:22:53 and comply with state statutes and board policy.

1:22:57 Our accounting firm, RSM, audited the financial records

1:23:01 and procedures at each of our schools.

1:23:04 They checked for accuracy, timeliness, completeness,

1:23:07 authorization, documentation, and compliance

1:23:10 in various areas such as receipts, deposit, expenditures,

1:23:14 fundraising, sales tax, and petty cash.

1:23:18 They also issued a final report for each school

1:23:21 which indicated whether there were

1:23:23 any audit findings or not.

1:23:25 A report of no audit findings means

1:23:28 that the auditors did not find any issues

1:23:31 or errors in the areas noted above.

1:23:36 It’s actually a very remarkable achievement

1:23:38 and it reflects the high level of professionalism,

1:23:42 integrity, and excellence that our school leaders

1:23:45 and staff demonstrate every day.

1:23:47 The research is clear.

1:23:49 Leaders of schools who demonstrate the highest level

1:23:52 of financial stewardship and spend money wisely

1:23:55 have a significant impact on positive student outcomes.

1:24:01 It is also extremely important that we provide confidence

1:24:04 to the board and our community that our schools

1:24:07 maintain rigorous internal controls

1:24:10 and make every dollar count.

1:24:12 So I would like to invite each bookkeeper

1:24:16 and their principal.

1:24:18 So Apollo Elementary, bookkeepers Deborah Bryant,

1:24:23 principal Amy DeLego.

1:24:26 (audience applauds)

1:24:36 Atlantis Elementary, Rebecca Emick,

1:24:40 and Erica Back is the principal.

1:24:43 (audience applauds)

1:24:48 (audience member speaks off mic)

1:24:50 Creel Elementary, Shanoa Long, Shanoa, sorry, Long,

1:24:58 and the principals Nicole Gaiman.

1:25:01 (audience applauds)

1:25:08 Gemini Elementary, bookkeeper Dee Dee Rich,

1:25:11 and principal Christina Carver.

1:25:14 (audience applauds)

1:25:18 (audience member speaks off mic)

1:25:22 Harbor City Elementary, bookkeepers Lisa Marie Kelly,

1:25:28 and the principals Christine Boyd.

1:25:31 (audience applauds)

1:25:43 India Atlantic Elementary, Lynette Torres is not attending,

1:25:49 but the principal’s accepting for her, Colleen Lord.

1:25:53 (audience applauds)

1:25:58 Longleaf Elementary, the bookkeeper is Carlene Cesar,

1:26:03 and principal Jason Sherburn.

1:26:06 (audience applauds)

1:26:12 Good.

1:26:13 Metal Lake Intermediate, the bookkeeper is Sarah Blake.

1:26:20 (audience member speaks off mic)

1:26:21 (audience laughs)

1:26:24 Yay.

1:26:25 And the principals, Sarah Barnett.

1:26:27 (audience applauds)

1:26:33 Ralph Williams Elementary, the bookkeeper is Lisa Moore,

1:26:37 and principal Susan Schroeder.

1:26:40 (audience applauds)

1:26:48 Southlake Elementary, bookkeeper is Jackie Sellers,

1:26:52 and principal Jennifer Brockwell.

1:26:55 (audience applauds)

1:27:06 Stone Middle, bookkeeper is Denise Olson,

1:27:10 and the principal is Courtney Lundy.

1:27:13 (audience applauds)

1:27:18 Sun Tree Elementary, the bookkeeper is Kelly Mogford.

1:27:22 (audience applauds)

1:27:24 And principal Sherry Tressler.

1:27:27 (audience applauds)

1:27:37 (audience member speaks off mic)

1:27:40 University Park Elementary, the bookkeeper is Tanya Hales,

1:27:45 and principal Anna Diaz.

1:27:47 (audience applauds)

1:27:52 And our last school is Vieira High,

1:27:55 bookkeeper Renee Ambrose, with principal Heather LeGate.

1:27:59 (audience applauds)

1:28:06 (audience member speaks off mic)

1:28:07 Thank you all.

1:28:09 (audience member speaks off mic)

1:28:19 (upbeat music)

1:29:30 - Let’s go ahead and give them just a minute.

1:29:41 - Yeah, I just meant it sometime.

1:29:42 - We will, yes.

1:29:44 We have the proclamation.

1:29:45 - Yeah.

1:29:46 - That’s after the agenda.

1:29:47 - Adoption of the agenda, and then I’d say let’s do the

1:29:51 proclamation so that those guys

1:29:52 can go, and then we’ll break before we go into public comment.

1:29:55 Is that fair?

1:29:56 - Do we have administrators?

1:29:57 - Do we have what?

1:29:58 - Oh, the administrators are after.

1:30:00 - Yep.

1:30:01 - Yeah, yeah.

1:30:02 - All right, we’re back.

1:30:03 - Yep.

1:30:04 - Okay, wonderful.

1:30:05 So I thought we were not going to get here, guys, but–

1:30:11 - We’re here.

1:30:13 All right, this brings us to the adoption of the agenda.

1:30:15 Dr. Rendell.

1:30:16 - Thank you, Madam Chair.

1:30:18 On this evening’s agenda, we have a resolution, administrative

1:30:22 staff recommendations, 26 consent

1:30:24 items, two action items, and one information item.

1:30:29 The additional items are I-44, Code of Conduct, and the revised

1:30:33 items are B-10, Bookkeeper

1:30:35 Audit Recognition, and C-12, Kindness All Around Symbol

1:30:39 Resolution.

1:30:40 - Do we have a motion?

1:30:44 - Move to approve.

1:30:45 - Second.

1:30:46 - Any discussion?

1:30:47 - No.

1:30:48 - Roll call, please.

1:30:49 - Ms. Jenkins.

1:30:50 - Aye.

1:30:51 - Ms. Campbell.

1:30:52 - Aye.

1:30:53 - Mr. Student.

1:30:54 - Aye.

1:30:55 - All right, on tonight’s agenda, we have something very, very

1:30:57 special.

1:30:57 We have the resolution for the Kindness All Around Symbol.

1:31:00 This is a national symbol that was created by our students and

1:31:03 our staff right here in

1:31:03 Tropical Elementary.

1:31:05 We invite these students tonight, and I think we have a couple

1:31:08 that are kind of come up,

1:31:09 I believe, and read the proclamation.

1:31:11 Is that–

1:31:12 - Come on back.

1:31:13 - Ms. Barbour, are you coming up as well, okay.

1:31:19 - There’s a little spool, you can put the spool in place.

1:31:26 - Is the step stool still there for the–

1:31:27 - Yeah.

1:31:28 - Okay, perfect.

1:31:29 - It’s all over there.

1:31:30 - I love it.

1:31:31 - We all in order?

1:31:32 Awesome.

1:31:33 - Hi.

1:31:34 Thank you.

1:31:35 For having us today, Dr. Endo, ladies and gentlemen of the

1:31:50 school board.

1:31:54 I wish all the wrestlers were still here.

1:31:56 They really filled up the auditorium.

1:32:01 We’re celebrating the fifth anniversary of the kindness symbol,

1:32:05 and we appreciate the

1:32:06 adoption of it five years ago.

1:32:08 The kindness symbol started with my TK class in 2018.

1:32:12 We were studying Patriot’s Day and the 10 Days of Peace, and the

1:32:17 children told me that

1:32:18 people should be kind, and that they believe that if people saw

1:32:22 a symbol of kindness, it

1:32:24 would remind them to be kind.

1:32:26 So we developed a kindness symbol, and we gave it to the world.

1:32:31 The students proceeded to follow their own advice.

1:32:34 They were kind to each other in our classroom and out.

1:32:36 They were role models to each other.

1:32:38 They stood up for each other.

1:32:40 They helped each other.

1:32:41 They didn’t just act kind.

1:32:43 They also paid it forward, literally.

1:32:46 They read thousands of books to earn more than $1,000 to donate

1:32:52 to their chosen charities,

1:32:54 such as the Children’s Hunger Project, Aging Matters, and

1:32:57 Lessons With Love, feed the kids,

1:33:00 help the grandparents, and help people across the world.

1:33:04 And through it all, they had a high level of learning.

1:33:06 When you read thousands of books, you become a great reader.

1:33:16 I’d like to share a few quotes, some of my favorite quotes that

1:33:20 my students wrote throughout

1:33:22 the years.

1:33:23 I want you to know that when they wrote these quotes, they were

1:33:27 six years old.

1:33:28 Six.

1:33:29 You’re going to be impressed.

1:33:34 Kindness is important because it is like peace, Rosalie.

1:33:44 Kindness is important because it shows a caring personality,

1:33:49 Julia said that.

1:33:51 All these students are not here right now.

1:33:53 These are just some of my other ones, but Rosie’s here, and so

1:33:56 is Tommy, we’re going

1:33:57 to get to his.

1:33:58 Kind people will ask if you are feeling left out.

1:34:01 Kind people will stick up for other people, Catalaya.

1:34:05 Kindness is important because it will make people happy, and

1:34:09 then people will spread

1:34:10 it, Noah.

1:34:13 Kindness is important because it will help people feel loved,

1:34:19 Tommy.

1:34:20 Kindness is important because it will make the world a better

1:34:26 place.

1:34:27 Lyra, six years old.

1:34:31 That is a good one.

1:34:34 From the mouths and hearts of our early childhood learners, they

1:34:37 have been telling us what kind

1:34:38 of world they want to live in.

1:34:40 If we only choose to listen and act, let’s help them reach their

1:34:43 dream of a kinder world.

1:34:45 Be kind, act kind, and spread the kindness symbol.

1:34:50 I’d like to introduce our readers for tonight.

1:34:55 I’m going to include the year they were in my TK classroom also,

1:34:58 so you can see that

1:34:59 it did span throughout the years.

1:35:02 Rosalie will be our first reader, she’s 2019-20 class.

1:35:06 Denver, I did not have the honor of being Denver’s teacher, but

1:35:12 Denver wanted to join

1:35:14 our kindness project and so he’s here with his siblings.

1:35:18 Shole, our 2020-2022 class, Tommy, 2019-2020 class, August, 2018-2019

1:35:29 class, and Malachi,

1:35:32 2018-2019 class.

1:35:33 August and Malachi were here five years ago reading the kindness

1:35:38 proclamation before the

1:35:40 board at that time.

1:35:42 I have to tell you, I’m so proud of these students, not for what

1:35:45 they’ve done, but also

1:35:46 for their patience in sitting in the audience for a hour and a

1:35:55 half.

1:35:56 And I’m also proud of our other students who just couldn’t make

1:36:00 it today for conflicting

1:36:02 experiences they had.

1:36:03 Thank you again for having us, and now I’m going to leave it to

1:36:08 the kids.

1:36:09 There we go.

1:36:18 You’re gonna do great, Rosalie.

1:36:20 Be quiet, Tommy.

1:36:23 It’s okay, you’ve done this before.

1:36:28 I know, it’s just weird.

1:36:33 A resolution of the school board, of the school board, of Brevard

1:36:48 County.

1:36:50 Recognizing the five-year anniversary of the kindness all-around

1:37:15 symbol, whereas this kind

1:37:17 of symbol is in the TK1 transitional kindergarten classroom at

1:37:33 Tropical Elementary and Merritt

1:37:34 Island.

1:37:35 Whereas the tropical class determined having a symbol for

1:37:49 kindness would help make people

1:37:52 more aware of kindness in their everyday lives, and since then

1:38:02 the kindness symbol has received

1:38:04 many recognitions including a resolution from the Brevard School

1:38:12 Board on February 26, 2019.

1:38:18 On February 19, 2020, the Florida House of Representatives and

1:38:23 the Florida Senate both

1:38:25 signed resolutions recognizing the creation of and proclamation

1:38:33 of the kindness symbol

1:38:36 and.

1:39:00 Whereas on March 5, 2020, U.S. House Resolution 887 was referred

1:39:08 to the Committee on Education

1:39:11 and Labor.

1:39:12 On March 6, 2020, Representative Posey submitted remarks to the

1:39:18 congressional record recognizing

1:39:20 the kindness symbol and on June 29, 2021, U.S. House Resolution

1:39:28 509 submitted by Representative

1:39:31 Posey and co-sponsored by Representative Darren Soto,

1:39:36 Representative Brian Mast, and Representative

1:39:40 Maria Elvira Salivar, making it a bipartisan resolution was also

1:39:50 referred to the Committee

1:39:54 on Education and Labor.

1:40:03 Now therefore be it resolved by the School Board of Brevard

1:40:08 County, Florida, that the

1:40:10 fifth anniversary of the kindness all around the symbol is

1:40:14 hereby recognized with all parents,

1:40:17 students, community members, residents, and visitors of Brevard

1:40:21 County, Florida, encouraged

1:40:23 to use and promote this official symbol of kindness.

1:40:29 We have been in regular session of the School Board of Brevard

1:40:33 County on this 19th day of

1:40:35 March 2024.

1:40:36 Okay, let’s, we’re going to go ahead, do I have a motion and

1:40:43 then we’ll open this up

1:40:46 for discussion.

1:40:47 Move to approve.

1:40:48 Second.

1:40:49 All right.

1:40:50 Any discussion?

1:40:51 I, yeah, I, I am going to say this as fast as I possibly can,

1:40:55 but because this is going

1:40:56 to be my last year where this is happening, I have to take a

1:40:59 moment to say this to you,

1:41:01 Ms. Wilcox.

1:41:02 And I think I’ve said this previously in the past super fast,

1:41:04 but I, I don’t care.

1:41:05 I’m going to get into it.

1:41:07 You are the most incredible teacher and you are the reason I am

1:41:11 an educator today.

1:41:13 And I’ve been able to share this story, this past year I’ve been

1:41:16 going out and speaking

1:41:17 at events and I, I always feel the need to share my why and I’ve

1:41:19 never really had the

1:41:20 opportunity to do it and I just need to acknowledge that.

1:41:23 My mom, when she was really ill, my parents made a last minute

1:41:26 decision to move to Florida

1:41:27 and so I made a last minute decision to join them.

1:41:31 And I wasn’t happy and I failed out of college and they told me

1:41:34 come to Brevard County, get

1:41:36 your AA, we’ll send you back to New York and so I did.

1:41:39 And I took like 24 credits in one semester because I wanted to

1:41:42 get out of here.

1:41:44 And I took random classes that I could care less about.

1:41:46 I wanted to be a business major and go work on Wall Street, but

1:41:49 I took an elementary education

1:41:51 course that forced me to come to you at Endeavor Elementary.

1:41:55 And I spent that day with you and I have never met a person who

1:41:59 had loved their passion,

1:42:00 their profession and their children so much.

1:42:04 You forever changed my life and you changed my trajectory from

1:42:07 that day forward.

1:42:08 And I need you to know that and I thank you for that.

1:42:11 And my husband thanks you for that because I met him in that

1:42:15 class too.

1:42:16 So thank you.

1:42:17 And I just want to say you guys are so brave to stand up here in

1:42:21 front of all of us funny

1:42:23 looking adults standing behind a wooden platform.

1:42:27 You were amazing.

1:42:29 Great job.

1:42:30 Ms. Campbell.

1:42:31 Well, it was, it is my honor to have been on the board, you know,

1:42:38 twice for you guys

1:42:40 to come around.

1:42:41 And I’m so glad, Ms. Wilcox, that you brought some of the

1:42:44 original TK-1ers.

1:42:45 Are you guys in 5th grade or 6th grade?

1:42:49 4th.

1:42:50 No, the oldest ones.

1:42:51 5th.

1:42:52 You’re in 5th.

1:42:53 Okay.

1:42:54 Wow.

1:42:55 You know what?

1:42:56 When this initiative, when those kids hit middle school it’s

1:42:57 just going to change middle

1:42:58 school, right?

1:42:59 I just want to share, do a little advertising, a little promo

1:43:03 for you.

1:43:03 You can go to togetherkind.com and get all the history and all

1:43:08 the places, it should

1:43:09 have listed all the places that have adopted this symbol, right,

1:43:13 which is not just the

1:43:14 school board and the state, but also the county commissioners

1:43:16 did it, some of the cities did

1:43:17 it.

1:43:18 You can get a history of what this symbol has done and it also

1:43:21 will link you, if you

1:43:22 want to get your very own shirt, to the Etsy shop, stand up so

1:43:27 you can see my shirt.

1:43:28 But it’s, you know what, you guys?

1:43:33 This isn’t just for kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd

1:43:37 grade.

1:43:38 Every single one of us in this room needs to remember the

1:43:41 importance of kindness and

1:43:42 how we treat one another.

1:43:44 Because in this room there’s people who don’t agree with each

1:43:47 other, but we have a choice.

1:43:49 We can say what we need to say with kindness or we can say it unkindly.

1:43:53 And which one do you think everybody else wants to hear?

1:43:56 With kindness, right, exactly.

1:44:00 And you know what?

1:44:01 I’m a big believer that regardless of what you have to say, you

1:44:03 can always say it and

1:44:04 do it kindly.

1:44:05 So thank you for reminding us of that tonight.

1:44:07 You guys are amazing.

1:44:08 And I’ll be very proud to vote in favor of this in just a few

1:44:13 seconds.

1:44:14 » Thank you, Ms. Campbell.

1:44:15 Mr. Susan?

1:44:16 » I just want to say thank you for you guys coming out.

1:44:17 Thank you so much for what you guys are persevering to do.

1:44:20 I appreciate you and all your dedication as an educator.

1:44:24 Thank you.

1:44:25 » Mr. Trent?

1:44:26 » Same.

1:44:27 Guys, reading in public is not the easiest, right?

1:44:30 And you guys, it’ll be, hey, you broke the ice.

1:44:34 You finished it.

1:44:35 So you know, you faced that fear and overcame it.

1:44:38 So from now on, it’s going to be, nobody’s going to be able to

1:44:41 shut you up now.

1:44:43 You’re going to be able to read in front of anyone, as many

1:44:45 people as possible.

1:44:46 So that’s great.

1:44:48 Thank you so much for putting this forward.

1:44:51 » Yes.

1:44:52 Thank you guys so much.

1:44:53 I want to share, little Rosalie, I see you back there.

1:44:56 You came up and you were so kind to give us a sticker to remind

1:44:59 us, which I have put on

1:45:01 my laptop.

1:45:02 I think some of my fellow board members have stuck theirs in

1:45:03 different places.

1:45:04 But you gave me a post-it note too, and it says, you have the

1:45:07 power to change the world

1:45:08 simply by being an example of kindness.

1:45:11 And so I’m going to keep this.

1:45:12 I’m going to keep it up here at all times.

1:45:13 So I’ll never forget that that is why we should always, always,

1:45:16 always display our behaviors.

1:45:18 So thank you guys so much.

1:45:19 I’m so happy to proudly vote yes for this.

1:45:22 The world needs more kindness.

1:45:23 And I appreciate you guys taking the initiative to spread it.

1:45:26 So all right.

1:45:28 Any other further discussions?

1:45:29 No.

1:45:30 Paul, roll call, please.

1:45:31 » Ms. Jenkins?

1:45:32 » Aye.

1:45:33 » Ms. Campbell?

1:45:34 » Aye.

1:45:36 » Mr. Trent?

1:45:37 » Aye.

1:45:38 » Mr. Season?

1:45:39 » Aye.

1:45:40 » It passes 5-0.

1:45:41 The kindness resolution stays.

1:45:42 Thank you guys so much.

1:45:43 [ Applause ]

1:45:44 Yep.

1:45:45 We’re going to – can we take a picture with you guys?

1:45:46 Is that OK down front?

1:45:47 [ Silence ]

1:46:17 [ Music ]

1:46:40 [ Silence ]

1:47:04 All right.

1:47:22 I think – are you guys OK if we take a short recess?

1:47:23 I need to go to the restroom.

1:47:24 » Yes.

1:47:25 » So can we take a 10-minute recess and resume back at 7 22?

1:47:30 » Yes.

1:47:31 » All right.

1:47:32 Thank you.

1:47:33 [ Silence ]

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1:53:37 » All right.

1:53:38 Thank you.

1:53:39 My microphone’s off for the short break.

1:53:40 All right.

1:53:41 We are now at the administrative staff recommendations.

1:53:44 Do I hear a motion?

1:53:45 » Move to approve.

1:53:46 » Second.

1:53:47 » Any discussion?

1:53:48 No.

1:53:49 Paul, roll call please.

1:53:50 » Ms. Jenkins.

1:53:51 » Aye.

1:53:52 » Ms. Campbell.

1:53:53 » Aye.

1:53:54 » Mr. Trent.

1:53:55 » Aye.

1:53:56 » Mr. Susan.

1:53:57 » Aye.

1:53:58 » All right.

1:53:59 We don’t have any of these individuals, I believe, that are

1:54:00 present.

1:54:00 Is that correct?

1:54:01 » No, ma’am.

1:54:02 » Okay.

1:54:03 So we are now moving on to the public comments portion of the

1:54:04 meeting.

1:54:04 How many public comments do we have tonight?

1:54:06 » Eighteen.

1:54:07 » All right.

1:54:08 We have 18 speakers this evening.

1:54:09 You will each receive three minutes.

1:54:10 In an effort to remain unbiased with the speakers at the podium,

1:54:13 I will ask the parliamentarian,

1:54:15 who is our board attorney, to announce the speakers and manage

1:54:17 the time clock.

1:54:18 I’d like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the

1:54:22 rules written out in board

1:54:24 policy 0169.1.

1:54:25 All comments should be directed at the board or individual board

1:54:27 members.

1:54:28 Staff, members, or other individuals shall not be addressed by

1:54:30 name.

1:54:31 Abusive, obscene, or irrelevant comments will not be permitted.

1:54:34 Orderly conduct is expected from all public comment participants.

1:54:38 And the presiding officer may interrupt, warn, or terminate a

1:54:40 participant’s public comment

1:54:42 opportunity.

1:54:43 Mr. Gibbs, can you please call the first three speakers?

1:54:46 Brooke Bothune, Albert Underwood, and Kathleen Rueda.

1:55:04 » According to the CDC, the second leading cause of death for

1:55:07 children ages 5 to 14 is

1:55:09 drowning.

1:55:10 These unfortunate deaths, however, can be prevented through

1:55:12 structured water safety

1:55:13 programming.

1:55:14 My company, Aquatics in Education, would like to spearhead such

1:55:17 a program in Brevard County,

1:55:19 starting with a $10,000 grant I’ve already secured to implement

1:55:22 such needed programming.

1:55:23 The key to prevention is education, given ongoing concern of

1:55:27 drowning, especially among

1:55:28 children and those in lower income areas.

1:55:31 Emphasizing water safety on par with academic education can save

1:55:36 a life.

1:55:36 Without ensuring the safety of our students, the chance to

1:55:39 impact academic success is compromised.

1:55:41 In pursuit of my goal to lead drowning prevention efforts, I

1:55:44 forge partnership with institutions

1:55:46 like Palm Bay Fire Department and actively serve national, state,

1:55:50 and local drowning

1:55:51 prevention councils.

1:55:52 Additionally, I bring professional expertise as a certified swim

1:55:56 instructor and community

1:55:57 coach.

1:55:58 In addition to classroom water safety, formal swim lessons are

1:56:01 also needed as they decrease

1:56:02 the risk of drowning by 88%.

1:56:04 Unfortunately, Brevard County struggles with restricted pool

1:56:08 access.

1:56:08 Additionally, inclement weather and limited access to heated

1:56:11 pools during colder months

1:56:12 lead to numerous cancellations of swim lessons, which impacts

1:56:16 our ability to effectively save

1:56:18 lives through experiential learning.

1:56:20 For these reasons, I urge the school board to protect the last

1:56:24 remaining indoor pool,

1:56:25 elementary school pool, at Dr. W.J. Creel Elementary.

1:56:29 I’m aware of all countermeasures given to destroy this pool.

1:56:33 However, I believe we can work together through a collective

1:56:36 commitment from the district.

1:56:37 We can bring this life-saving instruction to our community.

1:56:40 Along with the $10,000 grant I’ve already secured, the 2024

1:56:44 legislation introduced a

1:56:45 program allocating $500,000 for swim lessons to low-income

1:56:49 families.

1:56:50 It is necessary for us, as the leaders in Brevard County, to

1:56:53 embrace this new legislation.

1:56:55 This initiative could not only revive Creel Elementary’s

1:56:58 adaptive swim program, but also

1:57:00 cater to the entire campus, where 100% of the students are

1:57:04 eligible for free reduced

1:57:05 lunch as reported from the Child Care Food Program.

1:57:09 Once Creel students are served, I would love to extend this

1:57:12 program to other Title I elementary

1:57:13 schools, providing after-school access and those in need.

1:57:16 This program, I’d adhere to the same guidelines as high school

1:57:20 pools, where this asset can

1:57:21 be granted similar privileges.

1:57:24 Creel Pool could offer summer enrichment programs to the

1:57:27 students, as well as certification

1:57:28 coordinates for older students.

1:57:30 Myla Elementary previously supported similar initiatives,

1:57:33 however, regrettably, that pool

1:57:34 was closed down along with others.

1:57:36 Again, Creel has the last remaining elementary school pool.

1:57:39 Drowning has a ripple effect on the community – parents,

1:57:43 siblings, grandparents left with

1:57:44 the unimaginable loss.

1:57:46 The first responders could not erase the memory of going to

1:57:49 those scenes.

1:57:50 Friends, families shaken from the tragedy, the teachers can’t

1:57:54 comprehend the sudden

1:57:55 loss of a promising life we have.

1:57:58 I urge the Board to prioritize water safety education.

1:58:02 My name is Brooke Bothin, it would be an honor to join forces

1:58:05 and work together as

1:58:06 a collective commitment.

1:58:07 Thank you, Brooke.

1:58:11 Albert Underwood, followed by Kathleen Ruaga and Gina Darrange.

1:58:17 Madam Chair, Distinguished Board, my name is Albert Underwood,

1:58:21 Satellite High School,

1:58:22 Class of ‘72.

1:58:25 I am the CEO of Aqua Blue Pools in Melbourne, Florida, started

1:58:30 by my mom and dad in 1969.

1:58:31 We are the builders of the Creel Elementary School back in the

1:58:36 day when we put the pool

1:58:37 in.

1:58:38 I have served in a lot of capacities in the swimming pool

1:58:41 industry.

1:58:42 I currently serve as the local president of the Florida Swimming

1:58:46 Pool Association’s

1:58:47 chapter here in Brevard County.

1:58:50 I want you to know that the FSPA has always been the

1:58:53 spokesperson for the swimming pool

1:58:55 industry.

1:58:56 They are the leading voice.

1:58:58 We have over 750 members and an economic impact last year of

1:59:03 over $12 billion.

1:59:05 The swimming pool industry is a valuable asset to the state of

1:59:09 Florida.

1:59:10 There has always been a concern about child safety.

1:59:13 The FSPA has always, in its 60 years, had water safety and child

1:59:20 drowning issues on

1:59:22 the forefront.

1:59:23 Very concerned about it.

1:59:24 I want you to know that the industry supports this endeavor.

1:59:29 We established a foundation a number of years ago, the Florida

1:59:35 Swimming Foundation, and

1:59:36 it has an ongoing fund source to help financially support the

1:59:44 effort.

1:59:45 We also have a giant body of expertise that’s willing and able

1:59:51 to help support any kind

1:59:53 of endeavor to help save children’s life, because ultimately

1:59:57 that’s what we want.

1:59:58 We want every child as a swimmer, and whatever we can do to help

2:00:02 achieve that goal is what

2:00:04 we want to do.

2:00:05 The industry a number of years ago embraced doing pool alarms,

2:00:10 safety fence, automatic

2:00:12 door closures.

2:00:13 None of that stuff does near as good as water safety education,

2:00:18 adult supervision, and training.

2:00:22 We can save lives that way.

2:00:24 We had one device that was supposed to automatically close a

2:00:28 sliding glass door around a pool.

2:00:30 As everyone knows, in Florida we have sliding glass doors

2:00:33 everywhere.

2:00:34 We actually were designing a guillotine, is what that thing was.

2:00:38 That wasn’t going to save anyone’s life.

2:00:40 We currently put an alarm on a pool that’s made overseas

2:00:44 somewhere at an expense of $185

2:00:47 per alarm.

2:00:48 That’s not going to save a child’s life.

2:00:51 It’s all smoke and mirrors.

2:00:53 What’s going to save a child’s life is education, training, and

2:00:57 Brooke, when she joined our

2:00:59 group a few years ago, it has been a whirlwind.

2:01:03 We think we can bring this to reality.

2:01:05 We asked the school board to consider supporting this endeavor.

2:01:09 I think we can do it.

2:01:10 We’re willing and able to help them do it.

2:01:12 We want to save children.

2:01:13 We want every child to be a swimmer.

2:01:15 Thank you very much.

2:01:16 Kathleen Ruwega, Gina Darrange, and Bernard Bryan.

2:01:23 Hi, my name is Kathleen Ruwesca.

2:01:26 I’m actually here on behalf of Carrie McGovern.

2:01:31 She’s the Every Child a Swimmer program manager for the state of

2:01:34 Florida.

2:01:34 I don’t know if you’re all familiar with the Every Child a Swimmer

2:01:38 law.

2:01:39 It went into effect in 2022-2023 school year.

2:01:43 Each public school shall provide a parent who initially enrolls

2:01:46 his or her child in

2:01:47 the school information on the important role water safety

2:01:51 education and courses in swimming

2:01:53 lessons play in saving lives.

2:01:55 The number one cause of death for kids from one to four years

2:01:59 old is drowning.

2:02:00 The second cause of death for kids from four years to 15 is

2:02:04 drowning.

2:02:05 This is a letter from Carrie, she couldn’t be here, from Casey,

2:02:09 I’m sorry.

2:02:10 To the esteemed members of the school board, my name is Casey McGovern.

2:02:14 I am the mother of a drowning victim.

2:02:16 My daughter passed away from a drowning in our backyard pool in

2:02:20 2009.

2:02:21 Upon saying goodbye to her, I made a promise to commit my life

2:02:25 to educating others on the

2:02:27 risk factors associated to drowning.

2:02:30 I have dedicated my life to the topic of water safety and

2:02:33 drowning prevention.

2:02:35 Holding the position of the drowning prevention program manager

2:02:38 for the Department of Health

2:02:39 of Broward County as well as sitting on many statewide

2:02:42 committees, I am now leading the

2:02:44 efforts for Every Child a Swimmer program.

2:02:47 A program that passed legislation in our state mandating all

2:02:52 schools to share water safety

2:02:54 information and where to go for local swim lessons.

2:02:58 The program also provides learn to swim scholarships for quality

2:03:02 lessons up to three months for

2:03:04 children from low income families.

2:03:06 I come before you today with a heartfelt plea to endorse Brooke

2:03:10 Bothin as the implementer

2:03:12 of a water safety program at Dr. W. J. Cleel Elementary.

2:03:17 As we deliberate on the crucial issues of water safety, it is

2:03:21 imperative that we entrust

2:03:22 this responsibility to a dedicated and qualified individual who

2:03:26 possesses both the passion

2:03:28 and expertise necessary to make a meaningful impact on the lives

2:03:32 of youth.

2:03:33 Brooke’s passion and expertise, I’m sorry, Brooke’s unwavering

2:03:37 commitment to the safety

2:03:38 and well-being of children is evident in her extensive

2:03:42 experience and proven track record

2:03:44 in the field of aquatic education.

2:03:47 With a background in swimming instruction and life guarding,

2:03:49 Brooke brings a wealth

2:03:50 of knowledge and practical skills to the table, making her eminently

2:03:54 qualified to lead a water

2:03:56 safety program at our school.

2:03:59 The proposed closure of the school only jeopardizes recreational

2:04:02 opportunities but also undermines

2:04:04 our commitment to fostering a culture of water safety among the

2:04:08 residents of Brevard County.

2:04:10 In a region committed, in a region surrounded by waterways,

2:04:14 beaches, the ability to swim

2:04:16 is not merely a leisure activity but a crucial life skill that

2:04:19 can prevent tragedies and

2:04:21 save lives.

2:04:22 However, I come bearing a beacon of hope in the form of Every

2:04:26 Child a Swimmer program.

2:04:27 This initiative not only provides – » Thank you, Kathleen.

2:04:30 Can you do me a favor?

2:04:31 Is it possible for you to e-mail the board the remainder of that

2:04:34 speech so that we have

2:04:35 that?

2:04:36 » No problem.

2:04:37 » Sorry, the three-minute time frame is up, though.

2:04:38 » Okay.

2:04:39 No worries.

2:04:40 » But yes, thank you.

2:04:41 [ Applause ]

2:04:42 » Gina Darrings, Bernard Bryan, Diana Haynes.

2:04:46 » Good evening, board.

2:04:47 I just want to share a delightful Thursday we spent last week.

2:04:52 Illegal Women Voters attended the science fair at Central Middle

2:04:56 School last Thursday

2:04:57 where we awarded our Indian River Lagoon dolphin that Fran Bear,

2:05:03 those of you who know Fran,

2:05:05 herself put the sand in the dolphin.

2:05:09 It focuses on the health and survival of the Indian River Lagoon.

2:05:13 I want to thank the staff at Central Middle School, Heather who

2:05:20 I worked with at Viera

2:05:22 for getting the gym ready, providing lunch, but also for the

2:05:27 staff at the district who

2:05:28 worked so hard, all the teachers and principals that were behind

2:05:32 the scenes, making sure that

2:05:34 we knew where to go for the different exhibits and where if we

2:05:38 had any questions at all to

2:05:39 go to them.

2:05:40 They worked so well.

2:05:43 The young man that we awarded the award to, I can’t say his name,

2:05:47 was from Holland, and

2:05:49 his project was on the effects of nitrogen poop on the Indian

2:05:55 River red mangroves, and

2:05:58 he was just adorable.

2:06:00 He owned that project.

2:06:02 He told us all about it.

2:06:04 The added addition to that is that a friend of mine was at the

2:06:07 last school board meeting

2:06:09 when I mentioned the other competition we looked at in the north,

2:06:16 who is a dean at Bayside.

2:06:18 She texted me that night and said, “Hey, you need judges for

2:06:22 this?”

2:06:22 I said, “Yeah.”

2:06:23 She said, “Can you hook me up with the judges?

2:06:25 Because our National Honor Society students need to do something

2:06:30 like this for volunteer

2:06:32 hours, and our AP physics class would like to do it.”

2:06:37 They showed on the scene, 10 of them, kind of alleviated the

2:06:40 pressure of the judges in

2:06:41 certain areas, and they came in and they were outstanding.

2:06:45 How they interacted with the kids and asked questions and looked

2:06:49 at their log books.

2:06:50 It was just amazing.

2:06:54 Great job by the district, great job by the kids and the

2:06:57 teachers.

2:06:58 I also want to acknowledge the passing of John Fields, who was a

2:07:03 teacher at Sherwood

2:07:05 Elementary for 27 years.

2:07:07 We lost John March the 10th.

2:07:11 He was just an outstanding guy, loved the kids, loved the

2:07:15 community.

2:07:17 I worked with him as a member of the PTO at Sherwood, where my

2:07:21 daughter attended, and

2:07:23 also as a substitute teacher.

2:07:25 It was a pleasure to work with him, and please keep his wife,

2:07:28 Janine, in your thoughts.

2:07:29 Thank you.

2:07:30 -Thank you.

2:07:31 Bernard Bryan, Diana Haines, Crystal Casey.

2:07:36 -Good evening.

2:07:39 Thank you, board.

2:07:43 My name is Bernard Bryan, and I represent the South Brevard

2:07:47 branch NWCP, as well as

2:07:48 the concerned citizens of South Brevard.

2:07:52 I spent over the last five years trying to understand the public

2:07:57 school system, and I’m

2:07:58 still lost today, as I was five years ago.

2:08:01 But there’s just a couple of things I want to share and bring to

2:08:04 light, and I would like

2:08:05 to thank this board for listening to us and being supportive of

2:08:10 us, and really trying

2:08:12 to help our children.

2:08:14 Just a couple of things that I would like to share with you

2:08:16 today.

2:08:17 I spent a lot of time looking at data, trying to understand why

2:08:21 this child is not doing

2:08:22 well, and what can we do to help that child.

2:08:26 As you’re aware, I’m at five different schools as SAC members, I

2:08:31 mentor 16 kids, so that

2:08:33 I can do everything I can to help that child.

2:08:36 But just a couple of things.

2:08:37 I’ve looked at your PM2 data, I still see some opportunities

2:08:41 there with reading and

2:08:43 math.

2:08:44 So, as I heard from the diocese today, there’s a lot of

2:08:47 opportunities, jobs that are in this

2:08:49 communities, and if our children do not have the reading and

2:08:53 math skills, they aren’t going

2:08:54 to be able to afford those jobs.

2:08:56 And just, I would like to bring to light, when I look at Brevard

2:09:00 Public Schools, there

2:09:02 are 35 C schools, based on your last FAST analysis, and then

2:09:08 there are 40 schools.

2:09:11 So out of the population of around 87, so we have a lot of

2:09:15 opportunity there.

2:09:17 And I would like to challenge this board, what can we do in your

2:09:22 district to help every

2:09:24 school within the next two years to become a B school?

2:09:30 So what can everybody on this diocese do so that that can happen?

2:09:36 And I truly believe, if we look at those data, look at that

2:09:42 opportunity, there’s nothing

2:09:45 this district cannot do.

2:09:47 And to be honest with you, I’ve visited with many principals, I

2:09:51 see the hard working of

2:09:52 your staff, I see the hard working of your teachers, but in

2:09:56 order for them to get to

2:09:57 that B level, it’s going to take this board support, it’s going

2:10:02 to take this team support,

2:10:04 look at what those principal needs, because they’re going to get

2:10:07 burned out.

2:10:08 You know, when you look at being a D school and a C school, and

2:10:12 they look at the other

2:10:13 competitive schools, they’re going to want to compete to that

2:10:17 level.

2:10:18 And so I’m just asking if you will consider, you know, provide

2:10:22 the resources that the principal

2:10:24 needs.

2:10:25 Some schools may need more than others in order to get to that B

2:10:28 level.

2:10:29 So I just challenge you, at least over the next two years in

2:10:33 your district, what can

2:10:35 you do to make that school a B school?

2:10:37 And last thing I want to say, please cadence that with the

2:10:42 community.

2:10:43 What are you doing to make your school a B school?

2:10:46 Thank you, Bernard.

2:10:49 Diana Haynes, Crystal Casey, Gregory Ross.

2:10:52 Well, I’m back six months later, and I still have no answers to

2:11:00 the questions that I have

2:11:03 asked over and over this board.

2:11:06 And I’d like to start from the beginning.

2:11:07 I’d like to start about a form that we all fill out to speak

2:11:12 during these meetings, which

2:11:14 I had a parent fill out for me one day when I was late in

2:11:18 traffic.

2:11:18 And somehow from the table outside to the dais, the form

2:11:22 disappeared.

2:11:23 There was never any video shown to me, even though I asked

2:11:26 repeatedly, of her filling

2:11:28 out the form and handing it in.

2:11:30 And that’s rather shoddy public records, if you ask me.

2:11:34 And then I came before this board multiple times regarding an

2:11:38 incident that we’re all

2:11:39 aware of, the alleged sexual assault at Johnson Junior High

2:11:44 School.

2:11:44 That’s almost two and a half years now, and there still have

2:11:48 been no answers definitively.

2:11:51 I have a police report where a parent and an in-law and a

2:11:56 teacher have a conversation.

2:11:59 They say this event occurred at Johnson Junior.

2:12:02 I’ve got text messages from the party that had the direct

2:12:06 conversation with the alleged

2:12:07 teacher about the incident, confirming that it’s being worked

2:12:12 upon and it’s being looked

2:12:14 at.

2:12:15 But yet no one ever came forward with the names.

2:12:19 I’ve got information that Mr. Diaz was involved and he gave

2:12:24 exoneration to this individual,

2:12:27 this employee of yours, so that they wouldn’t be fired because I

2:12:30 guess they were getting

2:12:31 close to retirement and didn’t want to divulge who the victim

2:12:35 was.

2:12:36 So if this is all true, I would like an explanation from this

2:12:39 board and from this community as

2:12:41 to how we can allow not only a victim student to still be out

2:12:46 there, but if this is all

2:12:48 true and not some hoax or some made up political scheme, how we

2:12:53 can allow a perpetrator, a

2:12:55 sexual assaulter, to roam free amongst our students because we

2:13:01 have gotten no answers

2:13:03 to this incident.

2:13:06 I’ve asked questions about an incident that occurred at McNair

2:13:10 back when we were discussing

2:13:12 and dealing with kids who like to think they were alternative

2:13:16 animals.

2:13:17 When I put in my public records requests asking if there were OSHA

2:13:20 reports, incidents, reports

2:13:22 of this feces that a student saw not once but twice in the hallways

2:13:27 at McNair, I was

2:13:29 told nothing existed.

2:13:32 So are you calling me a liar?

2:13:34 Because in my 66 years of being an educated adult, I don’t

2:13:39 usually, you know, go down

2:13:41 those roads with such tall tales.

2:13:44 What I want to know is if this student who I have complete

2:13:48 confidence in, in telling

2:13:49 the truth, told the truth, why isn’t there any documentation?

2:13:55 Thank you, Ms. Haynes.

2:13:58 Crystal Casey, Gregory Ross, Rebecca McAllenan.

2:14:08 Good evening board, Dr. Rendell.

2:14:13 I’m here to request respectfully that Brevard Public Schools

2:14:18 adhere to Florida Statute 119

2:14:22 and adhere to Florida Statute 1002.22.

2:14:27 There are a couple of people sitting up here on this board that

2:14:32 I’m not going to specifically

2:14:34 name right now that are involved in noncompliance with Florida

2:14:49 statutes.

2:14:52 Just waiting for the nonverbal so that we can catch that on the

2:14:59 camera.

2:15:00 So as everybody knows, there is an ongoing lawsuit with public

2:15:06 records and we don’t need

2:15:09 to name the names because I think everybody here knows who we’re

2:15:13 talking about.

2:15:15 I’m hoping that we’ll get an update tonight on the status of

2:15:19 that lawsuit because it deals

2:15:22 directly with violations pursuant to Florida Sunshine or Statute

2:15:30 119.

2:15:31 So I would like to implore this board to follow the law.

2:15:40 I’m just an average citizen asking for Brevard Public Schools

2:15:46 and their employees to follow

2:15:49 Florida Statute 119 and follow Florida Statute 1002.22.

2:15:58 From here into the near future, as long as you hold your

2:16:03 position, you still have to

2:16:06 follow the law.

2:16:08 No one is above the law.

2:16:12 Thank you.

2:16:15 Thank you, Ms. Casse.

2:16:17 Gregory Ross, Rebecca McAllenan and Julie Mantione.

2:16:21 Good evening, board.

2:16:22 Thank you for this opportunity for public comment.

2:16:25 Don’t worry, Ms. Casse, I’ll name names.

2:16:29 Mr. Trent, let’s start with your lack of ethics.

2:16:32 Can you tell us all what was in the handwritten note you passed

2:16:34 to Ms. Wright at approximately

2:16:35 10.10 a.m. at the March 12th school board meeting?

2:16:40 Before you claim ignorance on the note, I filed a public records

2:16:43 request for a copy

2:16:44 of that note and copied you and Ms. Wright on it.

2:16:46 On that very day, so I know you’re aware of the request, it has

2:16:49 now been more than a week

2:16:51 and I have not received a copy of that note as required by law.

2:16:55 Can you clarify what the delay is in providing that note?

2:17:00 Does it contain a Sunshine Law violation?

2:17:02 Does it contain more of your name calling of the public and

2:17:05 taxpayers?

2:17:06 Perhaps Mr. Gibbs can give you some training that all written

2:17:10 communications during a school

2:17:12 board meeting between school board members or public records.

2:17:17 Speaking of violations of law, Mr. Susan, what is your delay in

2:17:19 producing the public

2:17:20 records requested by Ms. Jenkins, the phone call records she has

2:17:24 had to sue you to produce

2:17:25 at a cost of $100,000 to provide taxpayers, $100,000 that could

2:17:30 have been avoided if you

2:17:31 would just produce those records as required by law?

2:17:35 You admitted in court documents that you used your personal cell

2:17:38 phone to discuss board-related

2:17:39 business with County Commissioner Tobiah, the Sheriff’s Office,

2:17:42 the Florida Department

2:17:44 of Education, and Randy Fine.

2:17:46 Unsurprisingly, Randy Fine illegally spent $10,000 of PAC money

2:17:50 to avoid the so much

2:17:51 for a lawsuit.

2:17:52 Mr. Ross, can you please refrain from using people’s names?

2:17:53 Thank you.

2:17:54 Maybe he was looking under his desk for loose change to pay as a

2:17:57 lawyer.

2:17:58 Anyway, I’m not sure why you do not want to disclose those phone

2:18:01 records, Mr. Susan.

2:18:02 Perhaps you were discussing ways to remove Ms. Jenkins from her

2:18:05 District 3 seat and for

2:18:06 Mr. John Thomas to be relocated into District 3.

2:18:09 Just a little good old boy political corruption, right?

2:18:13 Can you please refrain from using names, Mr. Ross?

2:18:16 Yes.

2:18:17 Thank you.

2:18:18 Ms. Campbell, this is the type of corruption that we have been

2:18:19 pointing out to you for

2:18:20 more than a year.

2:18:21 We had hoped you would show courage and speak out publicly on

2:18:23 the corruption of your fellow

2:18:24 board members.

2:18:25 At the very least, please stop enabling their corruption and

2:18:29 unethical behavior.

2:18:30 For example, you don’t need to present a motion to ban age-appropriate

2:18:34 books.

2:18:35 You can rest assured that Mr. Trent will pass a motion to ban

2:18:37 every book that doesn’t meet

2:18:38 his small-world view, a small-world view held by the majority of

2:18:42 this board, a view that

2:18:44 is costing the Brevard taxpayers $1.2 million a year to

2:18:47 implement your book-banning policies.

2:18:53 Or we could just use a free and low-maintenance opt-out form, as

2:18:56 we did for decades.

2:18:57 But you just have to win them their culture wars, don’t you, Mr.

2:19:01 Trent?

2:19:01 Speaking of culture wars, Mr. Susan and Ms. Wright, I listened

2:19:05 with interest at the March

2:19:06 12th school board meeting as you desperately tried to paint the

2:19:08 public commenters at the

2:19:09 school board meeting as being the victims of misinformation.

2:19:13 The only misinformation is that you guys are somehow qualified

2:19:16 to be school board members.

2:19:18 That’s the misinformation that’s out there.

2:19:20 Brevard Public Schools deserves better.

2:19:23 Thank you, Mr. Ross.

2:19:25 Who’s our next speaker?

2:19:26 Rebecca McAllanen, Julie Mantione, and Sarah Murcy.

2:19:34 » Hello.

2:19:36 As was said earlier, thank you for the opportunity to share

2:19:43 public comments tonight.

2:19:47 As usual, I want to talk about books.

2:19:50 I realize there are no decisions that are being made tonight,

2:19:53 but as a reminder, I’ve

2:19:54 attended almost all the book review committee’s meetings and/or

2:19:57 watched them, as well as these

2:19:58 board meetings and work sessions.

2:20:02 All the decisions that are made about books from the dais, the

2:20:05 common excuse for removal

2:20:06 is always the statutes, the statutes.

2:20:08 My question to you is, how much flexibility do you have as a

2:20:12 local board?

2:20:13 Your policy states that families can opt out, yet you never

2:20:17 offer that or personally support

2:20:19 that.

2:20:20 Tonight I’ve actually brought some copies of the opt-out form

2:20:23 for you guys when I’ll

2:20:24 show them to you because I have questions about them.

2:20:28 It was really, really hard to watch the discussion about the

2:20:31 nowhere girls.

2:20:32 The statute was worn like some kind of cloak, religious cloak,

2:20:37 where other books were deemed

2:20:39 age appropriate that also had sexual content.

2:20:42 I think the most disturbing part for me was all the inclusion in

2:20:45 your comments of me and

2:20:46 my and as if your parental needs are more valuable because you’re

2:20:51 sitting up there,

2:20:53 and that’s incorrect.

2:20:56 As a board member, your job is to follow the statute, not your

2:20:59 personal needs.

2:21:00 It’s not a PTA.

2:21:02 The rules and policies exist based on your votes and your

2:21:04 responsibility to the statutes

2:21:06 and how you interpret them, and those votes should be based on

2:21:09 those policies and the

2:21:10 best outcome for all the students.

2:21:13 To that end, I would further suggest that this form be revisited

2:21:16 because it is performative

2:21:18 at best and useless at worst.

2:21:21 It’s an all or nothing.

2:21:22 It doesn’t allow a parent to decide by book, genre, subject

2:21:26 matter.

2:21:27 It doesn’t have dates on it.

2:21:29 It’s really just performative.

2:21:32 I don’t understand it, and maybe someone can explain that to me.

2:21:37 Last thing I would like to say about that is when you say, “I

2:21:39 would never want my child

2:21:41 to read this with such magnanimous emotion,” that’s really

2:21:45 insulting to the people who

2:21:48 are okay with their kids reading it, and that’s your parental

2:21:52 right as a parent to opt out,

2:21:54 but it’s not fair for you to put your personal beliefs about

2:21:57 what you feel is important and

2:22:00 what they should be reading.

2:22:01 A book like The Nowhere Girls is such an important book, and it’s

2:22:05 too late.

2:22:06 The last thing, it might be too late.

2:22:09 At the last meeting, there were 100 and some policies.

2:22:11 Would it be possible to name what those policies are as you’re

2:22:13 spouting them off instead of

2:22:14 a race to move to approve and yell, “I,” when it’s something

2:22:18 that’s really great that you

2:22:20 want that’s offensive to other people, when the discussion is

2:22:23 going on in the numbers

2:22:24 of the policies?

2:22:26 It’s impossible.

2:22:27 The transparency is impossible to follow 100 policies in one

2:22:30 meeting when it’s only by

2:22:31 numbers.

2:22:32 Would it be possible to say, “The Tylenol Amendment,” or

2:22:37 whatever, and tone down the

2:22:39 rushing and the … It’s really … It’s not-

2:22:41 Thank you.

2:22:43 Julie Montione, Sarah Merski, Amy Raub.

2:22:51 Hi, good evening.

2:22:56 Thank you for public comments.

2:23:01 Much of what I have to say today is after having viewed the

2:23:05 discussion on Nowhere Girls,

2:23:08 and I want to address some of those.

2:23:10 I guess I want to start by acknowledging that we are indeed in a

2:23:13 very tumultuous time of

2:23:15 these culture wars, and I am sympathetic in how you see your

2:23:21 role as hopefully balancing

2:23:24 your personal values with the mission of Brevard Public Schools.

2:23:30 I actually spent a little time on the internet today trying to

2:23:32 find the mission, and I couldn’t,

2:23:33 so I’m very happy to see it right there.

2:23:36 To serve every student with excellence as the standard.

2:23:42 As I mentioned in these meetings before, libraries have kind of

2:23:46 been the way of education for

2:23:48 thousands of years, and I would like to think we all want an

2:23:54 excellent library.

2:23:56 I guess I just want to emphasize the point that an excellent

2:24:01 library has a diversity

2:24:03 of viewpoints.

2:24:04 I agree with my friends, a library is not to say, “This is the

2:24:10 one book that’s going

2:24:13 to say what we feel about these issues.”

2:24:15 A library is about providing as many voices as possible so that

2:24:22 we can have our students

2:24:25 be educated.

2:24:27 I also realized, I want to thank you, Matt, Susan, when you

2:24:31 brought up space.

2:24:32 I am a very proud Brevard County resident with NASA, and I’m

2:24:37 also a person who deeply

2:24:40 loves mythology and classicism, and when I think about Apollo

2:24:45 and Artemis, I think you

2:24:47 guys, many of us, are too protective of children and don’t

2:24:55 realize the stories, Apollo tried

2:25:00 to rape Daphne, Artemis killed someone who saw her naked.

2:25:05 These are stories that little children have, and I’m not saying

2:25:08 we should, but this idea

2:25:10 that children have never had stories with adult content, the

2:25:16 very names of the rockets

2:25:18 that we proudly, with tax dollars, send into space are named

2:25:23 after these stories.

2:25:25 I just want to end, too, by thinking of legacy, and I’m

2:25:28 sympathetic of what y’all’s legacy

2:25:30 is going to be.

2:25:31 And there will one day be a museum that will talk about book

2:25:37 banning in 2024, and I just,

2:25:42 I want you guys to think the next time you vote to remove a

2:25:45 voice, to remove a book from

2:25:47 a library, how you’re going to be represented in that museum,

2:25:52 because I know there’s people

2:25:54 during segregation that don’t feel good about how they’re in

2:25:57 museums.

2:25:58 Thank you, Jolene.

2:26:00 I’m going to go next figure.

2:26:07 Sarah Merski, Amy Raub, Aidan Mcbadden.

2:26:18 Good evening, Madam Chair and board.

2:26:20 My name is Sarah Merski, I’m a wife, mother of two children in BPS,

2:26:25 UCF BSW Student of

2:26:27 the Year nominee.

2:26:28 Taxpayer voter, I live in District 2 for school board, and I

2:26:31 have a holistic interest in this

2:26:34 school district being successful.

2:26:36 Tonight, I would like to address the board about the discipline

2:26:39 committee meeting in

2:26:40 light of National Social Workers Day, and the policymaking

2:26:44 skills, and the peer-reviewed

2:26:46 research and evidence-based practice that I and other social

2:26:50 workers bring to the table.

2:26:51 I was disappointed when the committee chose not to use the

2:26:55 information for better behavioral

2:26:57 health outcomes.

2:26:59 In celebrating National Read Aloud Day, here are things that

2:27:02 parents asked me to read aloud

2:27:04 to the school board tonight.

2:27:06 The definition of the phrase “to get the boot” in Collins

2:27:09 Dictionary means to lose your job.

2:27:12 This idiom could also mean someone is dismissed or fired.

2:27:17 To get the boot could also mean to be voted out, evicted, or

2:27:21 made to leave.

2:27:22 I propose the latter definition is appropriate for Matt Susan.

2:27:30 Parents’ opinion is that Matt Susan should be voted out by Brevard

2:27:34 citizens in District

2:27:35 4.

2:27:37 You may be wondering why Matt Susan should not be reelected.

2:27:42 As parents, we have more questions than answers.

2:27:45 Does District 4 deserve a school board member that attempts to

2:27:49 resolve school issues by

2:27:50 actually communicating with parents by email?

2:27:53 Does District 4 deserve to receive accurate public records

2:27:57 requests even if those PRRs

2:27:58 include an official school board member’s email address?

2:28:02 Does District 4 deserve to be informed by other school board

2:28:05 members or by their school

2:28:06 board member when lockdowns occur and families are concerned

2:28:10 about their children’s safety?

2:28:13 Does District 4 deserve to receive factual information about

2:28:16 school board members’ business

2:28:18 affiliations if those affiliations may pose a significant

2:28:21 conflict of interest?

2:28:23 The answer to all these questions is a resounding yes.

2:28:27 District 4 deserves better and stood as Brevard County.

2:28:29 Thank you for your time and consideration.

2:28:32 Thank you.

2:28:34 Amy Raub, Aiden McFadden, and Debbie Parker.

2:28:40 Hello.

2:28:42 Let me see.

2:28:49 First of all, Katie, your little speech there about kindness, it’s

2:28:57 not kind to speak in

2:29:00 a little voice.

2:29:01 That doesn’t make you kind, okay?

2:29:04 But I can do that for you.

2:29:06 It’s not kind to waste the book review committee’s time.

2:29:11 It’s not kind to push your superstitions and religions onto our

2:29:15 students.

2:29:16 That’s not kind.

2:29:18 It’s not kind to sex shame or to make kids, especially girls,

2:29:23 feel dirty about their own

2:29:25 bodies.

2:29:26 And it’s really not kind to empower sexual predators, which is

2:29:30 what you guys are doing

2:29:32 when you ban books like that.

2:29:35 Okay, so I wanted to talk about when you banned, at the end of

2:29:43 February, you banned, I missed

2:29:47 this meeting, you banned The Nowhere Girls.

2:29:50 And that was a glimpse into some really poor parenting styles of

2:29:56 Matt, Jean, Megan, Katie,

2:29:59 when you banned that book.

2:30:00 I saw how you guys parent and the way you think and not good,

2:30:06 okay?

2:30:07 Jean, when you said, “I don’t want to plant those ideas in your

2:30:13 17-year-old boy’s head,”

2:30:16 what I hear is you have no dialogue with him.

2:30:20 And I’m glad you’d be a terrible person to come to for advice,

2:30:25 especially about sex.

2:30:27 He sounds wise, and I’m glad he’s wiser than you, 17-years-old.

2:30:32 Do you think that you’d be planting any of those ideas?

2:30:36 You’re so out of touch.

2:30:43 The committee, the committee that you guys totally made up on

2:30:49 your own, you removed all

2:30:52 of the experts, all of the teachers, the media specialists.

2:30:57 You had a hand-picked committee there for yourself.

2:31:03 And you stripped them of their power, just you lied about it,

2:31:07 but it was to take away

2:31:09 public comment.

2:31:10 You had your beautiful little committee, and you still didn’t

2:31:13 listen to them.

2:31:13 You have zero respect for parents.

2:31:15 You have zero respect for any of the citizens.

2:31:18 They do not agree with you.

2:31:20 They do not want the books banned.

2:31:23 Stop your little crusade.

2:31:25 We’re not on, stop banning books.

2:31:29 That’s not what the public wants.

2:31:30 Jean, do you have any animal noises you wanted to make?

2:31:36 You got eight seconds, buddy.

2:31:41 No?

2:31:42 All right, thank you.

2:31:45 Who’s the next speaker?

2:31:47 Debbie Parker and Paul Raub.

2:31:57 Hi, I didn’t want to lean over the whole time.

2:32:09 I’m Ada McFadden, and I went to Brevard Public Schools my whole

2:32:14 public school life, which

2:32:17 was my whole school life.

2:32:21 And I would just like to say how when someone, well, when you

2:32:28 guys ban a book, go against

2:32:30 the decision of a committee, do something stupid that makes me

2:32:35 question something, just

2:32:37 question what you guys are thinking up there, it just makes me

2:32:42 feel really disrespected

2:32:45 that we have these kind of people representing our students and

2:32:52 making these decisions for

2:32:55 our students in this county.

2:33:00 And when you say things like how my mom said, like planting

2:33:05 ideas in a 17-year-old’s head,

2:33:08 a 17-year-old is one year away from 18 years old, which is an

2:33:13 adult.

2:33:14 So I just don’t, it’s disrespectful, you know, it’s a human that

2:33:20 when you’re a 17-year person,

2:33:23 you have your own thoughts, you’ve taken in a lot of stuff your

2:33:27 whole life, I mean, you’re

2:33:29 not old, but you know, you’re not five years old.

2:33:32 I just really wanted to get across that it just really feels

2:33:41 disrespectful to, it just

2:33:45 feels wrong.

2:33:46 Thank you.

2:33:47 [ Applause ]

2:33:48 » Thank you.

2:33:49 Who’s our next speaker?

2:33:50 Debbie Parker, Paul Raub, Liz McIntarian.

2:34:07 » Good evening and thank you for this opportunity to speak and

2:34:11 I speak for myself.

2:34:13 Every student, school staff person and family in Brevard County

2:34:17 of every color, every sector

2:34:18 of the economy, every religion and ethnicity, every gender

2:34:22 identity, every ability and disability,

2:34:25 every mentally healthy and unhealthy person and any and every

2:34:28 other difference you can

2:34:30 describe is affected by the decisions and actions of others.

2:34:34 The actions of Brevard schools and this school board will truly

2:34:38 make a difference for years

2:34:40 and years to come for everyone.

2:34:42 A couple of weeks ago, March 11th, there was a settlement

2:34:46 reached and it provides critical

2:34:48 protections and clarifications to previously vague laws and

2:34:52 rules that developed following

2:34:54 the Don’t Say Gay law.

2:34:56 Now free expression has been restored.

2:34:59 Students and teachers can again speak and write freely about

2:35:02 sexual orientation and

2:35:03 gender identity in classroom participation and assignments.

2:35:07 Also, targeting LGBTQ+ individuals or topics under the guise of

2:35:14 this law is explicitly

2:35:16 forbidden.

2:35:18 Now this is big.

2:35:20 As long as the books aren’t being used for classroom instruction,

2:35:25 the law does not apply

2:35:26 to library books.

2:35:31 Other topics should be available for reading in school libraries

2:35:35 too.

2:35:35 A few local facts.

2:35:37 Did you know that on Christmas Day 1951, the Moores, who were

2:35:41 leaders in the civil rights

2:35:43 movement, and he was the founder of the first NWACP branch in

2:35:47 Brevard County, they were

2:35:49 asleep in their bed, in their home, and were bombed.

2:35:54 Both died, one on the way to the hospital and one in the nearest

2:35:58 black hospital in Sanford.

2:36:01 At that time, the hospital at Titusville would not accept or

2:36:06 treat black people.

2:36:08 Also did you know that in January, just a couple months ago, the

2:36:11 Harry T. and Harriet

2:36:12 V. Moore Voting Rights Act was introduced.

2:36:16 It aims to protect voters from the discriminatory voting

2:36:19 practices and policies that have been

2:36:21 put into place in the past couple of years in Florida.

2:36:27 Students must have books available to them in their school

2:36:30 libraries that will teach

2:36:32 them about their history, all of it.

2:36:36 And they can learn from the past, the actual past.

2:36:40 And students need to be able to read about reality, not your

2:36:44 reality, but theirs.

2:36:46 Life in the U.S. has changed and will continue to move on.

2:36:49 It’s time to embrace our actual future.

2:36:54 Every one of us are experiencing changes that are for real.

2:36:58 It’s time to make a conscious decision and no longer resist and

2:37:03 learn to accept.

2:37:05 Most importantly, all students, all parents and families must be

2:37:09 respected and treated

2:37:11 with kindness.

2:37:13 I was going to say thank you for allowing us to speak.

2:37:34 Heard so much while we were out of town, but watched the video

2:37:38 later.

2:37:38 Last week was about statutes.

2:37:40 We’re bound by statutes.

2:37:41 We can only – it’s not us.

2:37:42 That’s the statutes.

2:37:43 We love – you know, books are good, but statutes.

2:37:46 And I believe it’s statutory that this public comment period has

2:37:50 to exist, and I wonder

2:37:51 if that ceased to be true, how quickly it would go away.

2:37:56 So thanks, statutes.

2:38:00 And I say that not completely randomly because that’s part of

2:38:06 the fascinating arc of the

2:38:08 – what are we called now – the book – what are the book

2:38:12 review committee, whatever we’re

2:38:15 called these days, where, you know, this sort of zone of demoralization

2:38:21 that I’ve been caught

2:38:23 up in as part of that, like if you wanted people to lose

2:38:26 interest in being part of this

2:38:28 process and quit, I’m not sure how much you would do differently

2:38:34 than what’s happened.

2:38:36 Maybe some of it quicker.

2:38:38 You might, you know, pull the bait and switch.

2:38:41 If there’s going to be experts on the committee and they’re

2:38:42 going to be listened to and they’re

2:38:43 going to have a vote, and then oops, well, we didn’t like those

2:38:45 results, let’s remove

2:38:46 the experts.

2:38:47 Wait, oh, wait, let’s remove their vote, but no, let’s just

2:38:49 remove them entirely.

2:38:49 Oh, let’s replace some of the members, but let’s take five

2:38:52 months to do it while you

2:38:54 all sit around.

2:38:55 And then – oh, I know.

2:38:58 Let’s bring in the person who challenged most of the books that

2:39:02 we’re reviewing.

2:39:04 That will be hilarious.

2:39:08 And then if they get criticized, let’s take another couple

2:39:11 months off and, oh, remove

2:39:13 public comment.

2:39:14 I’m sorry, restructure the committee so that it is merely making

2:39:18 recommendations and therefore,

2:39:20 oh, no longer required by statute to receive public comment.

2:39:26 It would still be an option.

2:39:27 It could still be allowed, but it’s not required, so, oh, there

2:39:32 it went.

2:39:33 And then the last full meeting that we had, this committee

2:39:39 agreed unanimously to recommend

2:39:42 that the nowhere girls be kept, and this is not a committee

2:39:45 historically that is unanimous

2:39:47 on anything, really.

2:39:50 There’s some huge disagreements in there that we’ve been very

2:39:55 vocal about and unanimously,

2:39:57 but this book that is about, you know, authority trying to sweep

2:40:02 things under the rug and keep

2:40:04 everything sweet and keep the uncomfortable things out of the

2:40:07 public eye, that got voted

2:40:09 down four to one over the, again, I think unprecedented

2:40:14 unanimous recommendation of

2:40:16 the committee.

2:40:17 So, I’m going to keep going.

2:40:21 I’ve been to every meeting so far.

2:40:23 I’ll continue to come to every meeting, but it’s getting harder.

2:40:28 Thank you.

2:40:30 Liz McEterian, Kelly Curvin, and Ava Wolfenkoehler.

2:40:38 Good evening.

2:40:41 Liz McEterian, Titusville.

2:40:43 I’m the founder of the national organization Stop Moms for

2:40:46 Liberty.

2:40:47 I am here to make a suggestion to you board members.

2:40:50 I was very pleased to see you approve a proclamation on kindness.

2:40:54 Kudos.

2:40:55 Weren’t those children great and so well behaved?

2:40:58 Oh, my goodness.

2:41:00 Just a little tip, you can move an agenda item when you see

2:41:04 children sitting out here.

2:41:07 You could have made a motion, do better.

2:41:12 So, how about if you start modeling kindness as a body?

2:41:19 Board behavior has declined dramatically over the last couple of

2:41:24 years, and I mind you that

2:41:26 I’ve been involved in Brevard schools longer than all of you.

2:41:32 Of course, I have seen some attacking type comments at this

2:41:35 podium, but you know what?

2:41:37 People are angry.

2:41:39 You’re being paid with taxpayer dollars to sit there and pay

2:41:43 attention.

2:41:44 It’s what you need to do.

2:41:45 So, let’s talk about that behavior.

2:41:48 Some examples.

2:41:50 Stating that you are only here to serve conservatives, unkind,

2:41:56 refusing to look at community members

2:42:00 like Mr. Trent is doing right now when community members come to

2:42:05 this microphone, unkind, leaving

2:42:08 the dais when your community members are speaking, unkind,

2:42:14 making facial expressions that are

2:42:18 dismissive, even to BPS students, unkind folks, grabbing and

2:42:25 eating snacks and having your

2:42:28 whatever beverages and whatever cups you choose to use in front

2:42:32 of a group that sits here

2:42:34 just as long with no chance for them having snacks.

2:42:38 I used to tell my kids, “If you don’t have enough for everyone,

2:42:41 don’t eat in front of

2:42:42 other people.”

2:42:43 So, making rude comments.

2:42:45 Let’s talk about that.

2:42:47 Oh, boy, here we go.

2:42:51 Get ready, Megan, or meowing at your constituents, all unkind.

2:43:02 I would never have allowed my five-year-olds at BPS to talk

2:43:05 under their breath negatively

2:43:07 about others the way that a couple of you have done.

2:43:10 If five-year-olds can act that respectfully, so can you.

2:43:15 So, for all of our sakes, please turn off those hot mics because

2:43:19 you’re really embarrassing

2:43:21 yourselves and this community.

2:43:26 The chair needs to start controlling the meetings, please.

2:43:29 Displayed behavior by these board members is not acceptable and

2:43:33 the community is watching.

2:43:35 So, hot mics off.

2:43:38 Start looking at the people that are speaking.

2:43:40 Mr. Trent, I’m here.

2:43:42 All right, next speaker.

2:43:48 Kelly Curban, followed by Ava Wolfenkolor.

2:44:03 When speaking with a crisis PR consultant, you all use words

2:44:06 like a joke, chaotic, and

2:44:08 self-serving to describe how you thought the public felt about

2:44:11 the Brevard School Board.

2:44:13 After the last meeting, I think those words are too kind.

2:44:16 I witnessed Matt utter the words, quote, “Get ready, Megan,”

2:44:19 under his breath when a friend

2:44:20 of mine came to speak, and then Gene Trent responded by cat-calling

2:44:24 her.

2:44:25 Just so we are clear, what Gene Trent did is called sexual

2:44:28 harassment.

2:44:30 Last year, Gene Trent made a bold statement when discussing the

2:44:32 funding for Loving Guidance.

2:44:34 He said, quote, “We didn’t have safe spaces growing up and we

2:44:37 turned out fine,” unquote.

2:44:39 But did you?

2:44:40 Good men, men with emotional maturity and empathy, don’t

2:44:43 sexually harass women.

2:44:45 They aren’t intimidated by strong women.

2:44:47 They don’t belittle female students and they certainly don’t get

2:44:50 barred from teaching in

2:44:51 their own school district for lying about being arrested because

2:44:54 they got into a drunken

2:44:56 bar fight.

2:44:57 Of course not to be outdone, Matt Susan replied under his breath

2:45:00 with, quote, “Actually, it

2:45:01 hasn’t when a public speaker said that religion has been handled

2:45:04 well in our school system.”

2:45:06 Would you care to expand on that, Matt, or explain why you are

2:45:09 pandering to an extremist

2:45:10 minority that would like to bring America back to the days of

2:45:13 the Mayflower, whose co-founder

2:45:15 of the local chapter openly admitted that she doesn’t believe

2:45:18 teenage girls should bother

2:45:20 attending high school because their only future is becoming a

2:45:23 traditional housewife?

2:45:25 I can only speak for me and my daughters, but I’m raising them

2:45:27 in a house where they

2:45:28 understand they have a voice and a choice in their future.

2:45:31 Pandering to religious extremists who are actively working to

2:45:34 indoctrinate our students

2:45:35 into harmful ideologies and false Christian teachings are

2:45:38 dangerous.

2:45:38 Next, I am calling for the end of the Book Reconsideration

2:45:42 Committee.

2:45:43 The public is tired of being lied to about the good governance

2:45:45 Meghan claims this board

2:45:46 is doing.

2:45:47 It’s time for this board to own up to your own bias, read the

2:45:49 books yourselves, discuss

2:45:50 them, and cast your vote.

2:45:52 This recommendation will save BPS time, resources, and money.

2:45:55 We have wasted millions of dollars in the pursuit of book

2:45:57 banning that frankly could

2:45:58 be used in a multitude of other places like teacher and staff

2:46:01 pay, trainings, and intervention

2:46:03 tools to close achievement gaps.

2:46:05 And I know both Meghan and Katie will hit back with statements

2:46:08 like, and I quote, “The

2:46:09 statute says the school board can blah, blah, blah.”

2:46:11 And I’m not arguing that you can’t control the policy.

2:46:14 I’m saying that you are neither qualified nor intelligent enough

2:46:17 to do it.

2:46:18 The policy has been rewritten time and time again, and it

2:46:20 continues to get worse with

2:46:22 each rewrite, so just end it.

2:46:24 And Meghan, I’ve got to ask, is your committee member still even

2:46:27 talking to you about the

2:46:28 hateful things you’ve said about the nowhere girls?

2:46:30 She bravely shared her story about her experience with sexual

2:46:33 harassment and grooming at the

2:46:35 hands of a teacher as a BPS student.

2:46:37 You respond by calling the book trash and stating you wouldn’t

2:46:40 give it to anybody to

2:46:41 read.

2:46:42 Using hateful and unprofessional rhetoric to me is one thing,

2:46:45 but that was your friend.

2:46:46 Did you even think about that before you openly disrespected her

2:46:49 voice and her choice?

2:46:50 And then you went on to claim that you were going to find a

2:46:53 replacement book?

2:46:54 Once again, please stop.

2:46:55 You can’t even effectively run a meeting.

2:46:57 The last thing you need to be in charge of is picking my

2:46:59 children’s library books.

2:47:01 Thank you, Ms. Kerman.

2:47:05 Ava Wolfenkoehler.

2:47:07 Hi.

2:47:08 I’m Ava.

2:47:10 I just wanted to come up here and say that, well, I started a

2:47:15 new book last night, but

2:47:17 I wanted to say that if I read you parts of it, you would ban it.

2:47:23 And maybe it’s not something you would be interested in, but

2:47:25 shouldn’t you be proud

2:47:26 of me for reading?

2:47:28 Isn’t that the important part, my education?

2:47:33 And I’m so grateful that I’m lucky enough to have access to this

2:47:36 kind of literature,

2:47:38 unlike so many of your students.

2:47:40 So it would be kind of you to keep them in mind.

2:47:43 Thanks.

2:47:44 All right.

2:47:45 Thank you.

2:47:46 Board, you good to keep going?

2:47:47 I’m good.

2:47:48 Everyone’s okay?

2:47:49 No one needs a restroom break?

2:47:51 That’s right.

2:47:53 All right.

2:47:56 We are now at the consent agenda.

2:47:57 Dr. Rendell.

2:47:58 Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:48:01 There are 26 agenda items under this category.

2:48:07 Thank you, Dr. Rendell.

2:48:08 Does any board member wish to pull any of the items?

2:48:12 I wish to pull F-22 for discussion.

2:48:20 Any others?

2:48:22 All right.

2:48:24 Do I hear a motion?

2:48:27 Move to approve.

2:48:28 Second.

2:48:30 All right.

2:48:31 Any discussion?

2:48:32 Just mine that I’m pulled?

2:48:33 I’m not discussing this one now.

2:48:34 We’re voting on these and then going back to that one.

2:48:35 Okay.

2:48:36 Paul, roll call, please.

2:48:37 Ms. Jenkins?

2:48:38 Aye.

2:48:39 Ms. Campbell?

2:48:40 Aye.

2:48:41 Ms. Wright?

2:48:42 Aye.

2:48:43 Ms. Trent?

2:48:44 Aye.

2:48:45 Ms. Susan?

2:48:46 Aye.

2:48:47 All right.

2:48:48 The item that I pulled for discussion, F-22, has to do with

2:48:51 supplements to the separate

2:48:53 day school.

2:48:54 I’m pulling this one just to ask a quick question because there’s

2:48:57 a dollar amount tied to this

2:48:58 and I don’t know that that was what we agreed upon and so I

2:49:01 would just like the board to

2:49:03 weigh in on this discussion and decision.

2:49:05 Motion and a second.

2:49:06 Sorry.

2:49:07 Move to approve.

2:49:08 Second.

2:49:09 Okay.

2:49:10 All right.

2:49:11 I apologize.

2:49:29 So if you pull this item up and you look at it, it’s based on a

2:49:30 supplement to Gardendale,

2:49:30 which is our most difficult school by all means.

2:49:31 I want to hear from the board on what their consensus is in

2:49:32 regards to the dollar amount

2:49:32 for the supplement.

2:49:33 I know this is what we had done last year but I thought that the

2:49:34 board had a discussion

2:49:34 about increasing it and I could be totally off here so I just

2:49:35 want to have a conversation.

2:49:36 Yeah.

2:49:37 In summary, this is the dollar amount that was agreed upon

2:49:41 because I had said I wish

2:49:42 this would be higher.

2:49:43 I don’t think it’s high enough but this is what the majority of

2:49:46 the board supported in

2:49:48 that meeting.

2:49:49 Okay.

2:49:50 I do remember this being the dollar amount.

2:49:51 I think the priority that we set to staff was we need to go

2:49:54 ahead and get it handled

2:49:56 before the transfer window opens, which is about to happen.

2:49:59 So this is perfect timing so that the people who are there would

2:50:03 know they’re going to

2:50:04 continue to have that stipend or supplement rather and then the

2:50:08 people who are interested

2:50:09 in transferring in will know what they’re coming into.

2:50:11 So I – to me this is exactly – we want to make sure we

2:50:15 continue on with what we’re having

2:50:18 and making sure that it’s done in a way so that – the way it

2:50:21 was written out in this

2:50:23 agenda item so that it’s prorated so even if they teach a part

2:50:26 of the year that everybody’s

2:50:28 going to get a part based on how long they serve at that school.

2:50:33 Okay.

2:50:34 Thank you.

2:50:35 Ms. Kimball.

2:50:36 Mr. Susan, do you have anything to weigh in on this or Mr. Trent?

2:50:39 No.

2:50:40 I’ll wait for you to lay out what it is that you were –

2:50:42 Okay.

2:50:43 All right.

2:50:44 I know this one’s – this could be a starting point.

2:50:45 I know we’re trying to get this and get this in place before we

2:50:47 open the window up.

2:50:48 I just – again, I feel like this supplement needs to be

2:50:51 increased based on the work that

2:50:53 they are doing at this school and anybody that goes to that

2:50:55 school cannot argue with

2:50:56 that I don’t think.

2:50:58 So if this is the will of the board to start here, that’s fine

2:51:00 but I think when it comes

2:51:02 time that we have the discussion again about maybe additional

2:51:04 supplements, we need to look

2:51:06 at increasing this one.

2:51:08 Oh, just go ahead, Mr. Trent, you – oh, sorry.

2:51:13 I can’t argue with the point that the amount of work that they’re

2:51:16 doing at Gardendale.

2:51:18 I know that was the numbers we talked about.

2:51:19 I remember Ms. Jenkins said I wish it was more – my thought at

2:51:22 the time was if we’re

2:51:23 going to give Gardendale teachers more, we need to talk maybe

2:51:27 about the ALC teachers

2:51:28 and try to get them into the picture.

2:51:32 But I do remember the five here and that’s – I’m fine with that.

2:51:38 All right.

2:51:39 So then we’ll go ahead and vote on it.

2:51:40 Can I – I just want to follow up with that too.

2:51:43 Thank you for sparking my memory about Mr. Trent because then

2:51:47 the conversation went down

2:51:49 to, you know, we have got VE classrooms, VEP classrooms, pre-K ESE

2:51:53 classrooms and I’m not

2:51:54 saying they don’t deserve it.

2:51:55 I mean, you know me, I advocated for it, but that’s a way bigger

2:51:59 conversation.

2:52:01 And so the reason that this was kept at the five was like Ms.

2:52:04 Campbell said, get it through

2:52:05 so that these people know that they’re going to get it again.

2:52:07 Anyone going there gets it again.

2:52:10 But if we’re going to talk about increasing supplements for all

2:52:12 of our ESE classrooms,

2:52:13 that’s a way larger conversation and ticket number that we need

2:52:17 to talk about.

2:52:19 Okay.

2:52:20 Fair enough.

2:52:21 Do you have anything else?

2:52:22 Oh, you turn yours off.

2:52:23 Okay.

2:52:24 Got it.

2:52:25 Okay.

2:52:26 Can I just say something real quick?

2:52:27 Oh, sorry.

2:52:28 I think in general we ran into a situation across the board

2:52:31 where we are now in a position

2:52:33 – I think we have three board members that were pretty solid on

2:52:37 this being the number,

2:52:39 right?

2:52:40 Agree with – and everybody up here.

2:52:41 I don’t think it’s just one or two agrees that we need to have

2:52:43 these higher.

2:52:44 There’s no doubt about that.

2:52:45 Yeah, absolutely.

2:52:46 I think the issue that we have is, you know, identifying where

2:52:49 in the budget we get it

2:52:50 and stuff like that, but prioritizing because we’re in a

2:52:53 situation where we’re competing

2:52:55 – even CTE.

2:52:56 You know what I mean?

2:52:57 Even all of it.

2:52:58 It’s just we’re in a bad spot when it comes to – and we even

2:53:00 just got all the millage

2:53:01 money, right?

2:53:02 So I feel like I agree with you 100 percent that it needs to be

2:53:05 more.

2:53:06 I think also Dr. Rendell has looked at possibly doing some

2:53:09 innovative things at Gardendale

2:53:11 so that there may not be the need like it is right now.

2:53:15 So there’s – probably during budget time we can make those

2:53:17 decisions, but I agree with

2:53:18 you guys.

2:53:19 Thank you.

2:53:20 All right.

2:53:21 Fair enough.

2:53:22 Any other discussion in regards to this?

2:53:23 No?

2:53:24 Okay.

2:53:25 All right.

2:53:27 Roll call, please.

2:53:28 Ms. Jenkins?

2:53:29 Aye.

2:53:30 Ms. Campbell?

2:53:31 Aye.

2:53:32 Ms. Wright?

2:53:33 Aye.

2:53:34 Mr. Trent?

2:53:35 Aye.

2:53:36 Mr. Susan?

2:53:37 Aye.

2:53:38 All right.

2:53:39 Dr. Rendell, will you please let us know about the items under

2:53:40 the action portion of

2:53:40 the agenda this evening?

2:53:41 Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:53:42 The first item is H-42 procurement solicitations.

2:53:43 Do I hear a motion?

2:53:44 Move to approve.

2:53:45 Second.

2:53:46 Any discussion?

2:53:47 Roll call, please.

2:53:48 Ms. Jenkins?

2:53:49 Aye.

2:53:50 Ms. Campbell?

2:53:51 Aye.

2:53:52 Ms. Wright?

2:53:53 Aye.

2:53:54 Ms. Jenkins?

2:53:55 Aye.

2:53:56 Ms. Campbell?

2:53:57 Aye.

2:53:58 Ms. Wright?

2:53:59 Aye.

2:54:00 Ms. Jenkins?

2:54:01 Aye.

2:54:02 Ms. Jenkins?

2:54:03 Aye.

2:54:04 Ms. Jenkins?

2:54:05 Aye.

2:54:06 Dr. Rendell?

2:54:07 The last item is H-43 Orion Charter School recommendation.

2:54:08 Do I hear a motion?

2:54:09 Move to approve.

2:54:10 Can we clarify?

2:54:11 Move to approve the denial of this application.

2:54:12 Yeah.

2:54:13 The recommendation is to deny the application for Orion Charter

2:54:14 School to open next year.

2:54:14 Okay.

2:54:15 Second.

2:54:16 Any discussion?

2:54:17 Hearing none.

2:54:18 Roll call, please.

2:54:19 Ms. Jenkins?

2:54:20 Aye.

2:54:21 Ms. Campbell?

2:54:22 Aye.

2:54:23 All right.

2:54:24 We will move on to the information agenda, which includes one

2:54:26 item for the board to review

2:54:27 may be brought back for action at a subsequent meeting.

2:54:30 No action will be taken on this item today.

2:54:33 Does any board member wish to discuss this item?

2:54:35 I do.

2:54:37 We mentioned it last week when we were going through all of the

2:54:40 line items of code of conduct,

2:54:42 but I wanted to thank again Ms. Dampier, Mr. Reed, all of the

2:54:46 staff, all the community

2:54:48 members who came out, and stakeholders, other stakeholders, our

2:54:52 representatives, BFT representatives.

2:54:55 We just had a really good group, and Ms. Dampier, that was her

2:54:58 leadership to do it this way

2:54:59 this year, and so this revised code of conduct really is a good

2:55:03 reflection of a diverse group

2:55:06 of people who came together to have those conversations, and

2:55:09 really they got in everything

2:55:10 they could cram in of the decisions that were fit within the

2:55:14 state definitions and board

2:55:16 policy.

2:55:17 And even, you know, challenged us to change some policies, so

2:55:20 thank you for getting that

2:55:21 done in such a timely fashion, and I think once we have gone

2:55:25 through this process, then

2:55:26 from this point on every year, it should get easier and easier,

2:55:29 right?

2:55:30 That’s the goal.

2:55:32 So thank you, guys.

2:55:33 All right.

2:55:34 Any other further discussion on this topic?

2:55:38 No?

2:55:39 All right.

2:55:40 We are now at – Ms. Jenkins, are you – no, you’re not touching

2:55:42 – okay, sorry, I saw

2:55:42 you grab.

2:55:43 Okay.

2:55:44 We’re now at the board member reports.

2:55:45 Does any board member have any further things to report or

2:55:48 discuss?

2:55:49 Mr. Susan, you do?

2:55:50 Okay, go ahead.

2:55:51 Yeah.

2:55:52 So in the three schools that I went to, we’re seeing a lot of

2:55:56 Roy Allen in regards to permission

2:55:58 slips, right?

2:56:01 So at Roy Allen, they have a BOB book, it’s about this tall, and

2:56:06 it says, “Bring a big

2:56:07 old binder,” and inside of it, it has all of the permission

2:56:10 slips that they’ve requested.

2:56:12 Part of the permission slips that they’ve requested are they’ve

2:56:17 got – like if they

2:56:18 want to have a field day, they have to send home permission

2:56:20 slips, stuff that’s been going

2:56:21 on for 20, 30 years, and one of the issues we have is that we

2:56:25 have some schools that

2:56:26 are very affluent that have a career – a base of volunteers

2:56:30 that chase after the kids

2:56:31 on days like that.

2:56:32 They call them and say, “Hey, I want to let you know Johnny didn’t

2:56:35 turn in his permission

2:56:36 slip,” and stuff like that, and then you have another – but in

2:56:39 the Title I schools, it’s

2:56:41 very difficult because they don’t have the support to chase down

2:56:43 some of that stuff.

2:56:44 I’m going to – just as an FYI, I’m going to work with Paul to

2:56:48 see if there’s an opportunity

2:56:49 to allow certain ones of those to be allowed by the principal or

2:56:54 the superintendent to

2:56:55 allow that, hey, if you’re going to have a field day or you’re

2:56:58 going to do something

2:56:59 that’s during the school hours that has – that is based on, you

2:57:03 know what I mean, part of

2:57:04 the school that it’s been doing forever, that having kids sit in

2:57:07 a room because their parents

2:57:08 weren’t able to fill out the form, I just – it’s difficult.

2:57:11 So I’m going to look at that permission slip framework and see

2:57:13 if there’s some of those

2:57:15 that we’re able to allow, you know, classroom teachers who are

2:57:19 having, you know what I mean,

2:57:21 something inside their classroom, have to have permission forms

2:57:24 for it, right?

2:57:25 And there is a reason for that, and I do know what that is, but

2:57:28 I don’t think the intent

2:57:29 of what they were trying to do is applying to that.

2:57:31 So I’m just going to look at it, just an FYI, and then I might

2:57:34 bring it back.

2:57:35 So if you guys want to – when you guys are inside your schools,

2:57:37 kind of mention to them,

2:57:38 hey, how’s the permission form thing going, what’s going on

2:57:40 there, and then maybe bring

2:57:42 that back when we come back in two weeks.

2:57:43 That’s all.

2:57:44 All right.

2:57:45 » Okay.

2:57:46 Thank you.

2:57:47 Mr. Schusen, any other further discussion or reports?

2:57:48 » No.

2:57:49 » Hearing none, this meeting is adjourned.

2:58:08 [ Music ]

2:58:38 [ Silence ]