spring, uh, I'm sorry, this fall whenever I helped her, they recommended her for termination. As soon as we had the meeting, I started the process to work with her doctors personally. And I can tell you that it was a doctor's office, a surgeon's office that had two locations. The doctors split time
between those two locations. On days where they weren't doing procedures, they did paperwork, which seemed to be once, maybe twice a week. I did help Fabiana get that paperwork together. It should all be in order. Hopefully, there's no final tweaks that leaves need. So, I'm asking you to reconsider
uh for Fabiana to help her get back to work. She does want to continue to be an ESP at Tedar. Um the paperwork should be in order. She would have intermittent leave that she would be unpaid on days she couldn't come to work. So, she she wants to work for you guys. Please give her the chance.
>> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Um good morning. My name is Michelle Benner Smith. I have been teaching for over 27 years in private and then public school districts. The last 10 I have worked in
Broward um county school district. I have no history of discipline. I have been rated highly all the years in the district uh never below proficient or highly proficient and have worked in a title one school with exceptionally high
ELELLL English language learners population. I have generations of student parents request me as a teacher. Two examples is I have a student in my class this year that I had her sister who's now in high school, one that's in middle school um and now I have the
kindergartener. Parents and students know and trust me and have been given I've been given um difficult students on many occasions that have been very I've been very successful in my class due to the dedication and effort that I put in my job. My ability with students that
have IEPs and behavioral problems led to the administration placing eight students in my class two years ago with a 90% ELLL student population as well. Two unidentified severely on a spectrum
um and an two assistants that were excellent. my um scores were comparable or even higher than the other classes without um IEPs and one or two or with one or two special needs. This is this I
guess is why it led them last year to put 22 students in my class with 16 IEPs and 90% A1's and A2 ELELLL students and three very high need students um that were not yet identified that were
severely on the spectrum. In the beginning I was given a new assistant who refused to do her job and spent the majority of the day on the cell phone or the computer. I reported incidents of her walking out of the classroom, leaving to walk and talk socially with
um one student or all all over the campus and even walking out during testing. I knew the position was not ideal. This student even um choked her, pulled her hair and injured both of us, poking us in the eyes. In December, I
attended a meeting with the ESE coordinator in the district and his mother. It was made clear that this child should be placed in a 1:3 or 1:5 ratio student teacher classroom. I was told he would be moved by January.
Obviously, this did not occur. My original assistant started to refuse to do tasks. I requested even more. I um have w I have witnesses. She um okay she left >> just to summarize she in a 30-year
career she had a student outside of her door for 60 seconds where the student thought he was going home and waited another teacher got him and now you're suspending her for 30 days without uh progressive discipline. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Next speaker
>> Madam Chair not 30 days. >> Hello. My name is Fabiana Smith. Um, all I have to say is I I have an I have a degree for early childhood education. I really enjoy teaching. I really enjoy seeing the children um their work
progress, you know, become higher and higher. Um, I work for Miss Bennett for a year and a half. I enjoy working with her. She's nothing but an excellent teacher and a excellent person. Always saying thank you and you know, you're welcome. I mean saying thank you and
asking you to do something, not telling you, asking you and we comply with it and um we work we work fairly well. Um like all I got to say is I really enjoy the kids and I really love working with them and that's all I have to say about that.
>> Next speaker. >> Good morning. My name is Celerene Samospink and my name was placed before you for a 3-day suspension on a day that pretty much looked like this. It's September 20 uh September 18th and we had just gotten a delivery of new
science textbooks. In addition to a lot of other roles, I am the textbook coordinator on campus. I gathered 10 to 12 students from the PE class to assist me with unloading, transporting, packing, and labeling the books from one end of the campus to another. When the
bell rang, I was called by one of my colleagues who I usually have lunch with to plan with her uh for civics since she's not able to plan with the rest of the team. I spent my lunchtime going over resources and pacing and lesson delivery strategies with her. as we left her class to go and retrieve the
students from lunch as we both normally would. It dawned on me that it was not in fact a blue day, but instead a gold day. On gold days, I have a different lunchtime. Realizing the error, I hurried to my class and I was told that the security personnel uh allowed my
students to enter my classroom and then 15 minutes later um an AP showed up. It was evident that I was fully prepared to teach my students. Their assigned work was already on their desk and many of them had already completed it
and began working on their agenda items that was in their binder while the AP and the security was present in the room. I did not would not willfully neglect or intentionally not monitor my students due to the hustle and bustle. I
had made an honest mistake that was compounded with um a lot of frequent changes in my teaching schedule since the beginning of the year where I was moved from class to class and with the latest change as recent as September 11th couple days prior to the incident
and as well as having two different lunch times depending on whether it was a gold day or a blue day. I immediately apologized to my students, to the AP, and to the security to personnel present um for mistakenly going to lunch. Um but it was clear it wasn't enough because it
was not until almost a month later that I was presented with papers which escalated quickly to the demand for a 3-day suspension. I'm a teacher leader on campus and off campus. I've always had exemplary evaluations. My students test scores are
consistently 90% or higher in a civics um course where the school's reading proficiency is way below. I'm very protective of my students and their learning. I was already embarrassed by the incident, but I'm now fully traumatized standing here today with a
derogatory public permanent record and a lot of confusion as to how I even got here. The Roosevelt said, "The only man who never makes a mistake is a man who never does anything." Board members, please vote no on this 3-day suspension and help to correct
this awful mistake. Thank you. >> Thank you. Will the next speakers please proceed to the podiums? Joshua J, Lillian Ruido, Richard Rossi, followed by Anna Fusco. >> Welcome.
>> Good morning, Attorney Richard Rossi on behalf of Mr. Thomas Harper. So, um, he is before you today facing a 10-day suspension, which we are absolutely going to plead that you vote no on, and you also return him, uh, to his original
location at the main campus. So, just to give a little bit of background, my client has been working in this type of position and profession for around 30 years, I believe over 30 years without any previous incidents whatsoever. As far as his current location, it's my understanding he's been there for
approximately 8 years now. again with no previous disciplinary action any no previous allegations uh related to this or any uh for that matter um and the allegations at hand um are completely false. We completely deny them. Um
there's no statements to cooperate them or support them. Um there's no evidence to support any of the allegations against my client. He's got no previous disciplinary history whatsoever. Uh this is a process that's been dragged out for roughly 7 to 8 months now. Um we came
before the board uh back in November uh with the same plea before the board to vote no on taking any sort of disciplinary action uh specifically the recommended suspension against my client. Um and we're here before you again today as this process continues to
uh basically drag on and cause my client substantial harm. Um, so again, um, our plea is that no action be taken, disciplinary, uh, action against my client whatsoever, suspension or otherwise, that he be returned to his original location of employment, which
is the main campus, um, of Sher Sheridan Technical. Um, and again, that that's based upon the fact that these allegations um are completely false. Again, we deny them and um, there's nothing to substantiate them. No witness statements, nothing whatsoever. Um, and
he has no prior disciplinary history or similar allegations whatsoever on his record as well. Thank you. >> Thank you, Joshua J. That concludes public speaking >> for discussion. I have Dr. Holes.
>> Madam Chair, um I didn't get the name of the of two two of the speakers. Um >> I can So is Thomas Harper was the last one. >> I have that one. >> Um and Salerine. >> I have I have Salerine >> and then Fabiana.
>> I have Fabiana. But there were two other What is it? Briner. >> Okay. And who was the other one? >> Mr. Hill. >> Michelle Briner. Shash Jameson.
>> Who's the field rep speaking on behalf of them? >> Okay. On beh and and who was the other person he spoke on behalf of? >> Uh Fabian Smith. Fabiana Smith. >> Fabiana Smith. >> I have Fabiana. Okay. All right. So um Madame Chair, I I want to get
clarification from staff. um for um Celerene Samuel Pink is do I have that correct? Um she's receiving a 3-day suspension. I believe
she mentioned that um security let the kids in the room. Could staff clarify that 3-day suspension and what exactly happened? >> Dr. Huburn, >> is that the correct name? I think that was a different name. >> Salary
Miss Pink. Okay. Go go go ahead. Uh, Miss Peree. >> Perfect. Heather Peree, director of professional practices. So, this employee attended a due process meeting on October 10th. The allegation was that she failed to report to her sixth period class for more than 30 minutes. During
the due process meeting, she stated that I'm sorry, she was provided with all copies of all the statements. She acknowledged that she made a mistake and she explained that she was confused by the schedule. The date of the incident was 9:18. However, that schedule had been in place since August 11th.
>> Okay. So, question, has she conformed to that schedule before? Right. And with with not being late or for class. So, she's she's followed that schedule before. >> So, the schedule was in place as of August 11th and the incident occurred on
September 18th. >> Okay. So, so she she had followed that schedule prior to this incident. >> That is my understanding. Otherwise, we would have had additional incidents listed. >> Okay. All right. Madam Chair, I have a I have another question for FA for
Fabiana. Um I believe it's uh Smith um for Tedar Elementary. Uh the issue is attendance um being absent. Um could you
was this person could you explain what exactly happened with this individual? Um, let me just pull it up. Fabiana Smith, Dr. Heburn, >> what's the specific question about homelessness?
>> Um, I believe it's an absent issue. Um, and uh, let me just see. Has this Okay, so it looks like there was a prior 10day suspension and then there was an attendance issue June of 2024
and then the attendance issue continued. I believe they mentioned that she was ill um for many of the days and she was confused about the process. I is that could that be a possibility? >> Miss Pentes, if you can um kind of go
over the details of or facts of the case. >> Absolutely. So with this employee, there is a prior history. It started in 2024 where the employee received a meeting summary based on attendance concerns. Then we move into February of 2025 where an allegation came forward for this
employee slapping a student. The employee attended the due process meetings and signed a stipulation agreement stating that they would not challenge the 10-day suspension. The employee was worked with with administration all along regarding attendance. So that's what's here again before you. between May 19th and August
20 uh August 27th, the employee continued to be out and we have a record from that point that they were absent for four days and also in PLV status. When you're in PLV status, that means you're in violation of your contract and you're out without having pay to cover
your absences. So, that occurred on six different days. During the due process meetings and the feedback that the employee was receiving, they were being requested um directed to bring in doctor's notes or any other information to verify the absences and they failed
to do that. Um they were also advised to contact the leaves department um the LA you know including on June 7th and as of September 5th they had failed to do that as well. >> Okay. So it it's typical I am assuming
that um when a uh staff is absent um the process is to um bring in a a note from a doctor or whatever the the reason is for being excessively absent. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. So in 2024
when there was an attendance issue, I'm assuming that um there was no doctor's note or anything for that particular situation as well. Is that correct? In 2024, there was a meeting summary. So again, that's when the employees started to be counseledled about their attendance concerns.
>> Okay. Um so, so this this dates back to 2024 with the attendance issue, >> correct? >> Along with other issues, >> correct? >> Okay. All right. I have one one last um individual Tom Harper receiving 10 days.
Um it's shown here that Tom has no prior incidents in before. Is that correct? >> Um according to the file that is correct. >> Okay. So um uh this partic is this typical a 10day
suspension given to an individual with no prior um offense and is the 10day typical for this sort of a concern? So, if I may, this individual um had a personnel
investigation for the allegation of inappropriate conduct creating a hostile I'm sorry, for let me read it. Um displayed sexually harassing behaviors in a hostile work environment. So, the case was investigated by our EEO department and went through the professional services committee. Um and
the decision from the committee was to issue a 10-day suspension based on inappropriate conduct and creating a hostile work environment. According to the detective, um, this employee was exhibiting unwelcome and inappropriate behavior. Um, I'm
sorry, the investigator, Miss Barbara Dorset. Um, the text messages that were exchanged in this case, which is a very um, lengthy case. they were the person who was making the allegations, her information that was shared as she
shared with the investigator. Um, her statements were credible and her allegations were sustained in taking a look at all the text message exchanges. Um, hold on one moment. I wrote very tiny. In addition to that, during the investigation process, anyone who is
being investigated receives a notice that they are not to be contacting staff. they were removed from their work location so that an investigation can take place. And in this investigation, this employee continued to contact staff and had to be directed to stop. Um, following the recommendation of a 10-day
suspension once PSC was closed, it is our understanding from the employee that the gentleman was still had access to the videotapes at Sheridan Technical College and was still keeping an eye and monitoring the videos of this employee that brought this case forward to us. So
coming out of this PSC was the recommendation of a 10-day suspension as well as moving his work location and he was directed by his supervisor to not access videos that no longer pertain to him while he was reassigned pending the approval of this recommendation.
>> Okay. So Dr. Heburn, I remember we had discussed um some sort of a um consistent u consequence for similar type of offenses. Um, is this 10day consistent with what we've done in the
past to individuals with that that has similar cases of >> Yes. Yes. Um, for these type of cases, yes, Dr. Holmes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rupert.
>> Thank you. My uh my question was actually uh for clarification for um Miss Smith and um we just recently heard that so that I'm good for that. And then I did want to comment as a preview on
another item that we'll be discussing today. Uh one of the names on this list is Richard Smith U for falsification of time records. um that is the new reality with AI and many
other ways to do this. Um so I will um discussing that further as in a neutral way for uh the a department later on. So thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion on H2?
Miss Hixon, >> thank you. Um, I'd like to ask about Miss Samuel's pink. Uh, is was there any discipline other than just automatically going to a three-day suspension?
>> Dr. Apurn. >> Miss Pente. >> Thank you. Heather Pren, director of professional practices. Consistently throughout the district, when a staff member fails to supervise students, we have issued three-day suspensions. So my question to that I I guess just
because I was a teacher for a long time, I was a textbook coordinator. I could see where you get involved in the moment, think it's a different you could be doing that for five years in that lunchtime and and not realize what day it is. I mean,
menopause is real. So anyway, um I just I'm I'm struggling with this particular one and I know that it's consistent, but we also have to I mean there are times maybe when someone obviously just chooses not to
supervise students. That's different. And I don't know how to identify the different ones. This one just doesn't feel like we should go straight to three days. It feels like it should be a warning to me. Would you like to make a motion?
>> Um, yes. I'd like to make a motion to um remove Miss Samuel Pinks from item H2. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Hixon, seconded by uh Dr. Hoes. Um, Miss Hixon, would you like to move her to a different date?
>> So, I I guess I don't really want to remove her. I just want to make a suggestion to change the I guess I'll change my motion. Okay. I'd like to make a motion to change um the the discipline for Miss Samuels Pink Pink to um a
written written reprimand. >> Second motion made by Miss Sixon to change the discipline for Miss Samuels Pink to a written reprimand. Seconded by Dr. Holes. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion. um
listening to this. These are people with real lives and real jobs that are coming down here and having their behavior on display for the public when there's a lot of repetitive behaviors that I can think of that never get the discussion that they deserve, but some of them are
coming. And so all of these little people are being rad over the coals. And I believe her when she said she forgot. There are people here that can't do the do the same thing that's in their job description twice in one day. Anybody
could make a mistake and forget where they're supposed to be. I think we've all done it. And that does not rise to the level of suspending someone, especially when they own it, which some people do not own their mistakes. Um, apologized
apologized to the students even. So, I support it. It's a reprimand. If it becomes habitual, that's a different story. But it doesn't sound like that's what this woman would ever do. Thank you. >> Additional public comment.
>> Thank you. Thank you so much for um >> I've been a classroom teacher for like almost 20 like 15 years. I do an amazing job and I want to thank you for considering >> and recognizing that I don't deserve
this. Um, yeah. >> Thank you. >> Any other public comment? >> Boy, this is um I'm standing here before you, Mr. Thomas Hopper. I've been in this at this here school for eight years and what they're saying is not true. I'm
giving security clearance. >> Sir, we you need to speak on the motion which was to reduce uh the discipline for Miss Samuels pink to um a written reprimand. So on that motion we're doing public comment. >> Anna Fusco Bower teacher Jing and President this is the prime example what
we've been trying to say that you have a system that they're still trying to uh build it as they're flying the plane. There's there's no consistency. Let's make this clear. You don't have consistency. You have, let me throw spaghetti at the wall and we'll figure it out. And we had a meeting a couple
weeks ago. We're working through some kinks and we were have we're having other meetings scheduled to work through the kinks. But to continue to go on from just zero to a thousand when we tried to have conversation
explain of why this doesn't fit the the the corrective actions don't fit the allegations or the punishments. It's continuous and you pick and choose. They pick and choose on who we're going to investigate of what hearsay may be or whispers or comments. And we've got real
situations that are affecting people's livelihoods. I appreciate you stepping in, uh, school board member Hixon, of seeing where that this doesn't all fit in a in a square box when there's a circle. >> Thank you. Any other public comment on the motion
to reduce the the discipline on that particular individual? >> Board discussion. >> Dr. Zean, >> thanks much. Um, chair, I'm curious if we could get um a summary again of the investigation on Miss Pink, please.
>> Dr. Heard. >> Miss Barto. >> Yes. One moment, please. >> So again, she attended a due process meeting. The concern there was that students were left unsupervised for 30 minutes. >> They were not supervised.
>> She left them outside of her classroom for 12 minutes until they were allowed in by campus monitor and she was not present. she had a schedule that was put in place as of August 11th. So on this particular date which was 9:18, she explained that
she was confused by the schedule because at the school they they have rotation days between blue and gold. However, the schedule she was following on 918 had been in place since August 11th. So other cases have come before you where
it's a kindergarten student, a first grade student, an ESC student, and if they were left unsupervised, we suspended them for three days. >> And then consistently, um just one more question, chair. Um uh
>> does this employee have any previous dis >> Excuse me, Dr. Zan one second. Could I just have Dickorm in the audience, please? Thank you. Continue. >> Thanks, Chair. I just wondered if about past uh behavior. The the form says one thing, but I just want to confirm. Has there been any discipline in this employee in her last career and how many
years is her career gone? >> Um there is no nothing on file because otherwise it would appear on the H2. So nothing is there listed and I believe the employee stated that she was working with us for 15 years. Let me verify. >> I don't know that we have it.
>> We can look that up. >> No worries. Thank you very much, chair. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion on the motion? >> All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> One dissenting vote for Miss Thompson.
Motion passes. Any other board discussion on H2. Miss Thompson? >> Yes. I think we need to I would or at least I would like to have a board discussion on again our role in these matters because my recollection is that
we directed staff to have consistency um in in the way we are handling these issues and then we tried to have consistency and now we push back against staff. >> So I would like to hear from our general counsel again what a board member's role
in HR matters are. Miss Batista. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. The role of the board uh depending on what the um different unions and the collective bargaining agreement is for that particular individual. Um in this particular case, if you if there is uh
something before you where the employee is um given a particular amount of discipline and you believe that based on the uh facts that are presented um the the discipline should be changed. Um do
you have a right to um opine about that and and and vote about that? Um again keeping in mind that um you know you may not have the complete history of what is happened to other employees uh before
that while the staff uh and the superintendent does >> and what is the next steps if when we approve these disciplinary measures what is the next steps that the employees have if they don't agree with the action we
took? Um correct. So if the uh employees do not agree with the action taken um they have a they have a right to due process. They can either go through the arbitration process based on their um collective bargaining agreement or in this particular case they can challenge
the action be before the division of administrative hearings uh at DOA and have a judge look at the facts and uh opine. Um you have several actually cases uh on another item uh before you
today where um the ALJ opined that the 3-day suspension was appropriate and in that particular case even the judge said that termination would have been appropriate for that particular individual even though that's not what this the board sought in that case. So
just to summarize, HR does an incident happens, HR investigates, they bring these recommendations to the board. The board's role in my opinion and what I believe you're saying is to approve these matters.
Obviously, we have all the rights to ask questions that we want. If the employee disagrees with the process or the the consequence, they have a judicial option. and then that could come back before us again.
>> That is correct. >> Okay. So, my I just want I would like my colleagues to really reflect on what they want to see in this process. Um, oh, actually before that, can I we get a board update
on the meeting that Miss Fuo referenced on the process and the things that are getting outkinked, underk, fixed. Dr. Heern, >> yes, I'll have uh Dr. Lozano um give us a um synopsis of the meeting and some
next steps u with working with the union leaders. So, we had a productive meeting um with all the union groups. They had their legal representatives there as well. And we had our legal representative um Dr.
Heeper attended, Dr. Fulton, Dr. uh Mr. Sullivan and myself and professional practices team. Um we discussed the current issues. We discussed looking at incidents and appropriate consequences.
We discussed bringing consistency to processes in the areas that we disagree. And then at the end of the meeting, it was determined to put a workg group together involving all individuals to
address the situations that came up in that meeting. So I can have Heather Paree give you the specifics on the development of that workg group. Thank you, Dr. Lozano. So, our first meeting with this workg group is going to be
this week on the 18th. Um, and we look forward to being able to share with all of our supervisors in the district, continue to share the guidelines, support their work. We want to make sure and the concerns coming from the meet and confer and the union leaders is consistency throughout the district. So
guidelines are available when it comes to conducting such things as a due process meeting, but we certainly want to hear any other feedback they have, adjust any details that we need to, and make sure that we're very clear or consistent across the board. >> Thank you. So I just wanted to very
quickly explain my no vote. I believe in this process. I believe we have HR professionals that review and do deep investigations and there is a role and a a option for employees to take the next steps if they don't agree with what we say.
Um I also think it's important to note that there are people who are on this list who are unable to come to these meetings. And so the fact that we pull people off or we change things based on the fact that they are financially or physically able to come here in my view
is problematic. Um that's all. Thank you chair. >> Thank you. Before I move to round two, um is anyone new want to speak on H2 before I move to board member second comments? >> All right. Dr. Holes.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, um, uh, Madam Chair, I just like to to comment on a few things. And, um, board member Thompson, I do recognize, um, the concern that you have, uh, but
what I'll say is I know that when HR does an investigation, um, as a board member, I meet with HR before we have these meetings. In fact, I was talking to HR probably an hour yesterday about all of them. So whether you show up or you don't show up, I am very familiar
with with everything that's here. Um so I'm not sure if showing up gives any further um advantage. Um uh for me, I try to look at every single case and I spend a lot of time meeting with HR before we actually have the meeting. Um
but um my understanding is that when HR does their investigation and they bring before us um what they recommend as consequences for particular offenses. Um
the board has two options. Uh the board has the latitude to decide if the punishment matches the offense or if it does not. If it does, then the board says yes, move ahead. And then the
employee has the option from that point to to um to take the next steps, right? To appeal or um and and to um try to, you know, to um uh defend their case. Um
if the board does not agree that the the um consequence matches the offense, then the board can do one of two things. The board can vote no on the item or the board can recommend a different punishment for that particular offense.
Uh so Miss Batista, what I've just stated, is there anything inaccurate in in in how I understand the process? No, there isn't anything inaccurate uh in how you've described the process. The the board does have um you know certain
um I'm going to say latitude or or discretion if you um understand the facts um you know that the facts do not fit the punishment or the punishment doesn't fit the facts. >> Right. Um having said that you know the
um the law is clear that you know for the role of the board um that the the superintendent's recommendations should be taken you know seriously uh and that the the main role
of the board is to move the process forward so that the employee has an opportunity to appeal uh the issue or move through the due process if That's what they wish to do after the vote of the board on the penalty. >> Okay. But is it fair to say another
obligation of the board uh is to based on the facts presented, not trying to change the facts, is to determine if the particular punishment that we're voting on um uh is reasonable for that particular
offense. And it could be that the board because we've done it in the in the reverse as well. We've had cases that came before us that we felt the punishment wasn't enough and we went in the opposite direction and changed it to an even higher punishment. So, isn't it
the responsibility of the board to determine if the punishment is is not adequate or if the punishment um is too much and make a different recommendation. Right. >> So if if the board feels that the punishment is not sufficient and you
have had um times when you have asked the superintendent to go back and look at the facts again to try and um um give a different higher punishment, right? >> So when you do that um you know the the employee needs to receive new notice of
that higher punishment. So it's it's different when you go down in punishment versus going up in punishment. uh from a due process standpoint, you need to give new notice to the employee if it's a higher punishment. Um again, you know, the
the superintendent and the superintendent staff is in the best position to make that determination because they have the whole history. They are doing this on a daily basis um across the district. So, they would be um given difference in what they're
bringing before the board. >> Understand? So, so the bottom line then is the board does have the option to determine if they believe the the the punishment matches the offense. And if they don't, they can vote no on the item
or they can then have the superintendent proceed with further action if it's a higher punishment or make a recommendation. >> Correct. >> Okay, >> Miss Hixon. Thank you. And generally I agree with
what um board member Thompson has said, but I think we also as a board gave direction to the staff about consistency and that's what they're doing. So I do appreciate that, but there are instances that come up that we as board members
have to look at the whole situation and realize that there's a human element that sometimes get mi gets missed in that consistency part. And you know, I wouldn't want to to make changes to everything. And there's still discipline
here. I just think that in this particular instance, I could see myself doing exactly what this teacher did. I I forget things on a daily basis. I walk in the grocery store and what with a list in my hand and wonder why I'm standing there. So, um I just think that
you know she was sorry it wasn't something she did on purpose and that there is some discipline which would be the written um reprimand but I think jumping to a three-day in this particular instance and maybe that's a discussion we have with staff that they
could look at the whole circumstances before they jump right to that initial 3day depending on what those circumstances were. But you can't just say everything has to be consistent and not allow the human element in there
because we all could see ourselves in that exact same position. If someone just went to their car to get something and left the kids, that's to me a whole different situation than someone who honestly just got wrapped up in something else and lost track of what
was happening. Again, if it happens a second time, this isn't a discussion a second time. It's just that it was her first time and I think that we all should put some human element into it. So I'm not suggesting this change because I don't think staff did what we
asked them to. You 100% did what we asked you to, but it comes back to us so that we can look at it and decide if that's the route we want to go. So I just I don't necessarily disagree, but I think every instance has some
circumstances around it. So thank you. Thank you, Dr. Zean. >> Jar, did we have Michelle Benner from Tedar Elementary School speak today? >> Yes, >> I'm that's the case that stuck with me a little bit. Um,
and um to my read of this case, there was a teacher who is on our list that asked an assistant teacher to watch a child. The assistant teacher didn't hear that and the child was left alone for one
minute or so in the hallway. Um, uh, Mr. Superintendent, do you think the 3-day suspension is consistent with previous, uh, cases? And again, these cases are very, very difficult to put in a bucket. There isn't, you know, like these
perfectly little trim buckets where you put these cases in and you know exactly uh, how to do consistency. Um, and so I I I find that really really difficult. But I'm curious, chair, if the superintendent thinks that this three-day suspension for a one minute uh
deviation due to not hearing a a a teacher ask them to do something is consistent with what we've done in the past. >> Dr. He. >> Yes. >> Um, and I'm curious if if I have the summary correct. Could I uh uh get staff summary for this particular case?
>> Miss Penta. Thank you. Um, yes, this teacher attended a due process meeting August 12th and the allegation was that on May 28th in the first floor, middle of the hallway, a kindergarten class, it was reported that when transitioning from one room to another, 1601, to room
1615, a student stepped out of line as the class entered the classroom. They remained unsupervised in the hallway. When the employee came to the disciplinary conference, they stated that they acknowledged that they were unaware that the student was not in line. Um, and it stated that they did
not know the situation. They did not know how the situation occurred. Um, they did ask that the teacher assistant supervise the student, however, apparently didn't hear her and there was video footage showing that the student was left outside in the hall.
>> Terrific. And chair, am I right that it was one minute of time that the student was alone in the hallway? >> Dr. Herna, >> let me go back and look. The student was left unsupervised in the hallway and after about a one minute a
staff member observed the student and escorted them to the classroom is what the document reads and and and chair if I heard correctly in the case record it says the teacher asked the teacher assistant to supervise
a child. Is that correct? >> Yes. Thank you for that. Let me continue to read. So during the due process meeting, the teacher acknowledged that they were unaware that the student was not in the line and stated that they did not know the incident occurred. The teacher stated that they had informed their teacher assistant to supervise the
student. However, the video footage showed that the teacher assistant did not exit the class and instead was in the room601 that during that time. So the teacher in the document, the teacher again was transitioning the students. One student was left behind. She was not
aware that they were left behind. Um and another member of the staff noticed the student in the hallway and then escorted them to the classroom, but it was a brief period of time. Yes, sir. >> I appreciate that. And I I just want to be real clear about this before I suggest something. Mhm.
>> There's nothing in the case record that would suggest that the teacher did not ask the teacher assistant to supervise this child. Is that correct? >> The only thing that we have would be that she informed the teacher assistant to supervise the student. However, the
teacher assistant was in the classroom. So, she wasn't in the hallway during that transition. So, the teacher the teacher assistant wasn't in the hallway. So, if she was asked to do it, she stayed in that room the entire time. she wasn't in the hallway to know the student was still there. >> This is a counterfactual problem because
if she didn't hear, I need you to watch this child, she could have felt free to stay in the previous classroom and do whatever a teacher assistant is doing to clean up. >> I I don't find this to be equivalent to a three-day suspension. Um, a minute is a minute. Um, how how many years of
experience does this teacher have? >> We would have to look that up for you. that is not part of the file that we bring. >> Um, does this teacher have any discipline history before this? >> I apologize. The teacher was hired in 2016.
And give me just a moment to refer to H2. Thank you. No, no prior discipline, Dr. Zean. >> Terrific. Um, >> thank you. >> I I just want to be sensible about this and try and
add to the consistency of what's been done before. Um, I I view leaving a child unattended as a serious problem. >> But if a teacher said that she asked an assistant and there's no evidence to suggest that didn't happen and the consequence was a child was left alone
for one minute, found and and brought back to their classroom. Um, 3 days seems like a lot to me. Um, so I don't think it's a nothing though. I don't think this is like a previous motion. So I'm going to make a motion to move this 3-day suspension to a one-day
suspension. Moved by Dr. Zean, seconded by Miss Hixon. Public comment on the motion. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion. Um, and I think the reason you're having this
problem is that the issue is not consistency. The issue is a lack of context in the consistency. People are robotically saying A happened that means B must be the punishment without entering any other variables into the
decision which requires some thought and that doesn't seem to be part of the consistent process which we all know processes around here are not consistent. You guys have a due process problem. You got Anna and Lisa, Anna Fusco and Lisa Maxwell to practically
hold hands at the podium to tell you you have a due process problem. And I can certainly tell you and have that you have a due process problem because there is no consistency and even when things are consistent, they make no sense. So there was no intent here other than
heard she did it sounds like she did tell them to do it. So I support it. Intent context matters. Um, my name is Dr. Trudy Germanovich. As a former first grade teacher, I'm appalled by what's happening here. That
is it's an unbelievable thing that you would punish the teacher for this in any way. You could give her a reprimand and that would be appropriate. I don't agree with this motion. I think you should just give her a reprimand. Thank you.
Any other public comment? >> Yes, there is a comment from the president of the union. I appreciate your understanding, Dr. Zean, of um that the actual punishment
doesn't fit exactly the situation. And that's the part and I and I heard you clear say there's no evidence. That's one of my biggest problems that this group does, that there's no evidence, but yet they move forward because of
what it may look like or how it sounds. That's part of due process is having actual factual evidence that can lead to the situation. You have teachers that make 2,000 or plus more decisions a day and taking care of situations and they're doing it.
They think they might have said it loud enough that and things happen. So we do ask for situation we have to come before the board which is your responsibility to hear and understand and then make a decision because you are the decision maker. So I agree with Trudy. It shouldn't be any discipline like this
some type of reprimand and some corrective action and training which you guys neglect to do which is a liability on the board. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to come back. >> Any other public comment on the motion? Board comment on the motion. Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you madam chair. So um Dr. Heburn
as we are talking about the consequences for discipline um I guess what I'm getting from the audience as well and what I'm thinking about if A happens then B must happen
but is there a part of the process where if A happens there are rational for why B should happen or how B can be adjusted um based upon a happening. For example,
um you know, just in in just in real life, right? If you're at a red light and it says you should stop at the red light, um which means when you see a red light, you must stop. However, if you're at a red red light and someone is about to rob you, then you have to make a
decision and run that red light. Right? So, a happens. But is there a rational why B occur and is that taken into consideration in determining the consequence given to that person? So is there a part of the
process that is involved in terms of if if this particular defined um situation occur that investigation takes into consideration why it occur and what the punishment should be as opposed to no
matter the reason it occurs this is what the punishment is. Is that a part of the process? >> Yes that's a part of the process Dr. Holdness. Um there's a lot of dialogue that goes into this um amongst staff just to make sure the the punishment um
fits the um the allegation or or the outcome um from PSC and all of that. So and also in addition to that to um have one-on- ones with board members offering that opportunity when necessary also to go through these cases. So there's additional thought partnership to ensure
by the time it gets here um it's presented as best as possible for the actual um incidents that happen with staff. >> Okay. But what what seems to be happening or at least what is believed to be happening is that um if for
example a teacher left students unattended and this is the first offense, it's a 3-day suspension without considering any other situation surrounding what the teacher did. So would you would you say that human
resource move directly to the punishment of the defined punishment if a particular situation occur or do they have flexibility in in determining why it occur and then adjust the punishment that's defined?
>> Absolutely. They have flexibility. They they exercise that flexibility all the time. >> Okay. So in this particular case and and Dr. and thank you for bringing this back. Um, now getting better understanding of it. This particular
teacher had no prior history. uh there is no evidence to suggest that the teacher did not tell the assistant uh to watch the kid and um and then uh
you know so I I I just this is another case where the 3-day suspension yes if you leave your kids unattended you should get it but this is another case where um it appears that the 3-day suspension
may not be um the right punishment for this particular situation because there is some rational as to why it occur. Now, should the teacher be punished? Yes. And Dr. Zean, I'm not sure either the one day because we're talking about a prior case where we're reprimanding.
So, um before I make a substitute motion, um are you uh are you comfortable with uh uh a friendly amendment to your motion or in terms of a reprimand as
opposed to one day? >> Um I I um would rather we just go through it and you make a substitute motion and we'll vote and one way or the other might win. >> Got it. So, I'm going to make a to be consistent with um the board's um
decision before where the board evaluated the the punishment to determine whether it matches the offense, which is what we're doing in this particular case. And consequently, I would like to make a substitute motion, madam chair, that we consistency
is the word. And I think this is consistent with what we were doing before with the prior case that um the the teacher uh received a reprimand uh um for for for this particular
incident. >> So is there a second? >> Seconded by Miss Hixon. So motion made to a substitute motion has been made to reduce the discipline uh to a written reprimand public comment and seconded by Miss Hixon. public comment on the motion.
>> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um, I'd like to thank Dr. Holes for his substitute motion. That's even better. Um, I think there are probably larger forces at play when we talk about context. Again, it's important to understand context. And since Florida
statute 101.425A says that the board provides for things like suspension and dismissal, it you have a discipline matrix. I don't know if you've ever seen the discipline matrix for employees because that's where you can fine-tune this one time
instead of every time we have these meetings where corrective action comes up and adds an hour to the meeting as you try to do the right thing because staff has taken context and intent out of the decision-making process. If we saw such a matrix or saw the thought
process then maybe we could trust it. But I fully support the motion for a reprimand and I did ask last time that these things be audited and that didn't happen and that's one of the reasons we're back again. >> Thank you Miss Batista.
>> My name is Dr. One second. Uh oh sorry. >> Yeah just a couple of points. Um so the any any type of matrix disciplinary matrix needs to be negotiated with the union. Um so I just wanted to make that that point. Um and then I just wanted to
um add to um what Dr. Holes had mentioned before about sort of like looking at the totality of the circumstances um that the the staff does that that's what part of the due process uh meetings are when the staff meets with the
employee so that they can share their side of the story and that's part of what comes before you as well. >> Thank you. public comment. >> My name is Dr. Trudy Jermanovich. Uh thank you Dr. Holes. I believe that this
is the right choice and I hope that your colleagues will also believe that it is. Thank you. >> Um my name is Selene Samos Pink and um I broke down the last time I had a conversation. I'm not a political advocate. um and I'm thankful for the
decision that you made on my um situation. But regarding this particular teacher, I just want to make a comment about the process. Um I'm not sure if HR is truly exercising any flexibility regarding the process. Um I can speak to
my process where I believe that um during the due process procedure, HR didn't contact me. Um I was not presented with any weakness statements during my process. Um, no inquiries were made other than what was provided by the AP on site. Um, so it wasn't it wasn't a
balanced inquiry. Again, I don't know what this situation was about, but I do question the the due process procedure having gone through it traumatically for the first time. And um, I would really love for the board to um, investigate that, but I do appreciate um, you know,
Miss Hixon and um, Mr. the wholeness and everybody's consideration regarding the matter in making the adjustment as needed. Thank you. And a Fusco teaching president. Well, you heard it, but yet you've got board members up there to say we want to keep
in the faith of the staff that keep coming back and putting it on you. We have asked to hold off on going forward with putting discipline on the board so we can get the process pristine.
But you didn't re you didn't direct that because you want to have faith in the staff. I'm not standing up here saying things that aren't happening if they aren't happening. I've never done that. You guys know me up there. I come with facts
myself. and have never been misleading. There is a process with new people that are trying to figure it out and it is not consistent because they don't run the due processes. You do understand
that. They do not. So, I support that we change this discipline and I'm asking for further to not have any more disciplines come to the board till we get it under control. >> Thank you. Any other public comment? Good morning, Rachel Dailyaly, Pompo
Beach. Um, I'm going to piggyback off the previous speakers. I can tell you the process is very flawed. They reassign you. They don't tell you why you're there. You don't know what you're there for until you go and speak and they and then they give you the
information. There's no preparation. So, you're sitting there trying to figure out why you're there. the the lack of communication with HR is very minimum. They treat you like a criminal and you've sometimes 90% of the
people have done nothing wrong. So, it's very very flawed and I I support the investigation of looking into the process and ensuring that there's equity across the board because it's definitely not equity and I'm I'm speaking from personal experience. Some things they sweep under the rug and they close out
in 3 weeks. others. It takes months. >> Thank you. Any additional public comment on the motion to reduce the discipline to a written reprimand? Board member discussion on the substitute motion. Mrs. Alhadaf, >> thank you. I just want to the maker of
the motion confirm that he is speaking to Michelle Benner and it is a written reprimand and also training would also be a good idea to add.
>> Um okay um board member Alhidev uh before I answer your question uh Dr. Heburn, what kind of training uh is available, if any, as a part of a consequence to an employee that has um
left uh students unattended. >> That would be definitely school-based training with their administrator. Just going over the protocols of supervision, active supervision, being at front of your door, knowing who to contact if you do need to leave your area or your
classroom. That's um that's a school-based leader training with their employees. >> Okay. And how do the board or you receive documentation that this training occurred? >> Yeah, we could just um uh create a form and a doc for the employee and also the
school leader to acknowledge that that happened. >> Okay. So, board member Al-Hadv, I will accept that friendly amendment to it that this employee has some training uh to understand the importance of ensuring kids are safe regardless of who you tell
to watch them. >> I'm good. Um, so there an amendment has been made. We need a second for the amendment. Second, >> Miss Batista. >> So the second would be you you're making an amendment to the substitute motion.
So there needs to be a second to your amendment. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Seconded by Dr. Zean. >> She can't second amendment. >> Um okay. Uh Miss Alf, you're done. Okay. Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. I have a question for
the general counsel. Is there any um laws related to supervision of our children >> through the chair? Yes. Um there are there are several statutes and state board of education rules that do talk speak about um student supervision and
reasonable supervision um being um appropriate um as a teacher. Yes. >> Thank you. Um, and then I'm assuming we have video cameras in our schools obviously. So, did the staff review how
long this child was left by themselves? >> Yes. >> And I think again, I don't think this sets a very good precedent. And I think that if something happened to this child, even though it was 30 seconds, 60
seconds, this would be a very different discussion. And so I will be voting no on this item. >> Any other comment on board me member comment on the substitute motion? >> All right. All in favor of the substitute motion to reduce the
discipline to a written reprimand with training as amended say I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> One dissenting vote from Miss Thompson. >> All right, we are back to the item as amended. Um, Dr. Zean,
>> that expired my uh comments, chair. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Madam Chair, >> Mrs. Alhadath. >> Okay, thank you. >> You're good, Dr. Holes. >> Okay. Yeah, Madam Chair. um as we move
on to approve this as a whole um I don't I would prefer um to have these things come back to us where and this is not to discredit in any formal way HR I think
HR is uh is attempting to do the best job they can and but I would love to see that these come to us where um we don't have as any uh concerns as to whether
the consequence matches the offense. So, I am not sure, Madame Chair, if this requires a motion or a direction to the superintendent. Um, but I I think that we would like to see this process possibly improve so we don't have so
many questions. So, um, for me, I'd like to direct the superintendent to review the HR process as it is. Um as we look at uh consequences versus offense to determine if it can be improved and also
to ensure flexibility is provided in specific cases um so as to not have the consequence be fully be be executed fully to the extent of the consequence as opposed to the
offense. >> Dr. He >> um um thank you for the the comment. Um Dr. Hoess, we're already doing that. We're actually working collaboratively with the union leaders to accomplish this with with our work groups and figuring out specific next steps um for
due process and any other gaps um that we that both parties have identified. So we're already in motion with that. >> Okay. So do you believe the process can be improved? >> Yes, absolutely. It's always a continuous improvement process. >> Okay. So what we've what I've noticed uh and I believe it's the same with other
board members is that there is a particular consequence when something happens um and I've seen that more often than than um the contrary, right? So if there's a 3-day suspension for leaving
kids outside of a classroom, it appears that the 3 days would would come to us quite frequently as opposed to an adjustment to the 3 days depending on how it occur. So, is that an area that you think can improve to determine if
some flexibility is needed um based upon something happening and what the consequences should be? >> Yes, I think um working with our partners in the union, we'll come up with a tight process. Um I I do want to I would be remiss if I didn't remind the
board the sheer number of employees that we do have. And when you look case in today, we probably have about 30 people on this item and we only discussed two. Um we didn't discuss 10, we didn't discuss 15, we didn't discuss 20. So, you know, the process um is is pretty
tight. It has room for improvement, working with our union partners to to fill any gaps. Um but as uh uh far as moving forward, yeah, we're working together to make sure we >> do a better job. >> And and Dr. He just so I clarify if an employee is clearly violating something
where they left the kids unattended, they went off campus or whatever they did when it's a clear violation, then yes, they should be punished to the full extent of how we can do it. But if there's clearly an unintentional reason
or um human error um then I think those particular cases should be viewed a little differently. And I'm not getting involved with it. I'm just saying that's the reason we have these lengthy discussion because we now start to question whether or not this employee deserves the level of punishment that is
prescribed. So I'm just asking that for the cases that are where it was unintentional or um there was a human error that causes something to happen if uh HR um if you can work with HR to have a little bit more flexibility so we
don't have to spend so much time up here trying to figure out if we should give this punishment or not or if we should agree to the punishment. >> Note it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um I haven't been able to give comments yet, but I just wanted to say uh two things to a point that that's
been made today. Um we are within our rights as a board to make motions to reduce or increase discipline. Um so at no point has council said we are not allowed to do that. So I just want to be clear about
what we are within our rights as a board to do. Um I I think it would be inappropriate if we were working with HR staff to do the investigation. You know, that's inappropriate, but we we do have the right to make motions to amend the
discipline. Um and then I I just wanted to encourage my colleagues, you know, HR used to reach out um they didn't for me at least this for this meeting, but it's been a kind of a crazy month um to request a standing meeting to review the
discipline. I think that's a very helpful thing. I'm going to be requesting a standing meeting before each schoolboard meeting to review H2 with staff um because that, you know, I think being able to have those conversations with staff and that way you were also not putting employees business out in the public um unless
absolutely necessary. So I would encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. And I just want to I guess end the discussion saying I just want to remind us and every and the public really staff did exactly what we asked
them to do. We said be consistent and zero tolerance when it comes to students. So I don't think this is really about staff not following the directive of the school board. It's just that when certain things come up, it makes you as as a schoolboard member
pause to say, "Does this really make sense?" So, I just want to be clear that as one board member, I don't think staff is doing anything out of the ordinary of what we asked them to do. We asked them to be consistent and to have zero tolerance when it affected students. So,
I appreciate very much what you do. It's just when it comes to us and we look at it and and even when people come up and tell their story, it just gives you a different perspective. And then we have these discussions. So, I I take advantage every month of the discussions
with um with HR and and a lot of the things we discuss get changed before it comes here. So, but again, sometimes I miss those little pieces of it and someone comes to share their story and it makes you pause to say, "Oh, yeah, that doesn't make sense." So, thank you
for doing what we've asked you to do. I just want to be really clear. They're not going rogue um in any way, shape, or form. They're doing exactly what we asked them to do. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion on H2? All in favor of H2 as amended say I. >> I.
>> All oppose say no. >> One dissenting vote from Miss Thompson, Miss Batista. >> Around on voting no on H2. >> So this is this is about um discipline. This is not about um >> hiring. >> Hiring.
>> Got it. Thank you. All right. Now is the time of the agenda where we take public com um public speakers. Um we have split the general public speakers to incorporate a morning session. Each registered speaker is reminded to present their agenda
comments in accordance with policy 1020. Natalie Lynch Walsh and then Delvin King. Good morning again. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh. I actually changed my first name in Granicus because we seem to be I my doctor it seems to have disappeared when
my name gets called. So the doctor is there and that's how I should be addressed. Um unless I'm going outside to put the doctor in front of everything. Uh just a reminder.
So last night as I was getting my my thoughts together, I saw a post on concerned citizens that is the reason I felt like dressing in black today because we seem to be trapped in some version of a Christmas carol.
Um or maybe the marquee is running the joint. Did you guys direct the superintendent to send families communications that their kids because of the meal charges they can't participate in
extracurricular events or activities if they don't pay up? And pay up by when? Was this appropriate to send out right before the holidays? Just a thought. Because now you're getting beat up on concerned citizens for appearing to be the Grinch or Ebene or Scrooge
unnecessarily. who does this and that is directly about children and you still haven't solved the problem. So just a thought. So in other news, if you guys are not going to cover 1070 later today at your 4:45 p.m. time certain, please let me
know because I can only sign up for four items, which I did. And if that's not going to be one today, as it should not be because it should get looped, please let me know sooner rather than later because I don't know when you're going to discuss the DD items and I might want to speak to that. My name literally
means Christmas. So yesterday I sent you guys a Christmas present and I hope you don't return it because I am desperately trying to get the board on the right path when it comes to 1070. I sent you my analysis updated on 1070
and it being currently an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority. Just because your superintendent has poor judgment does not mean you need to follow him into the abyss. Nobody put a gun to his head and said, "Please remove this woman from
committees." Nobody did that. He did that on his own. And he did that because of a flaw in your policy. a flaw that if you vote yes on to the language that the kids have added because they think they're so clever now that they're going to now add a line that bar that says,
"Oh, we're just going to create a process to inform you when he's unilaterally done a removal." It's not a process that your deputy general counsel in 2021 provided you language with. This can all end. Just put the language from
2021 in there and we can all go home and celebrate the holidays peacefully. Thank you. >> Next speaker, Delvin King. Delvin King is the next speaker. >> Dr. Wza. >> Go ahead.
>> Okay. Um, good morning. Um, you know, it's nice. I see everybody taking their restroom breaks and all day um free time when it's time for public speaking, but I'll say what I got to say anyway. Um good morning, school board of Brow County and community. As you can see,
the concerns I bought about the illegal use of p uh the legal use and personal rentals of facilities here in Brow County did have some truth to it. But the bigger issue is the office of facility planning and real estate under the direction of I see now it's just
Chris cuz Rachel was removed. Everything going on from the handy building leasing foolishness to the illegal facility use comes out of that office. In my honest opinion, Rachel Daly is the leader of all of this. She is the brother of
someone who was uh you know she's a sister of someone who was just arrested. She dropped her son off to participate in some of these basketball tournaments. Not to only say that her son attended Blanchila High School and was on the basketball team under her brother. Let alone Rachel Delhi owns and operates
multiple businesses that rented facilities here in Brow County, which she took her name off of and put it in her sister name. Again, she attempted one time to rent out PMPO Beach Elementary School to charge $50 a car
for parking at the Pmpo Beach Amphitheater events. For her to be over facility rentals, she know every rental that goes on throughout the district and she can't dare stand there and say she did nothing wrong. After seeing all of this, it reminds me of the words of
Metro Booming. Take me through there. Take me through there. Take me through there. Take me through there. She don't know what she doing. Rachel Dailyy just giving it out. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you. Next speaker, Liliana Rudo. >> Good morning, Liliana Reo. Um, I'm here just to bring you a message today. During this holiday season, I would like you to reflect in many many points and one of the points is
um please be kind to your members, be be kind to your employees in this case. And not only that, respect the process. It's very embarrassing to bring people here with no history. I'm very happy about the motion that you guys put on the
floor and it went through because how can you put people through this process when you don't have enough evidences. So that's one point that I want to I want to ask you to reflect on the employees.
You want to keep your employees in the in the classroom. You want to keep your employees happy. They already have enough pressure as it is. So another part that I would like you um to reflect is um remember for you to be
so demanding and so strict in so many areas then you know what you need to act accordingly because it's very obvious that you're bringing people here who has no record.
The only thing they have done is love, care, teach, give and give and give and give. And by you bringing them here is an embarrassment. Everybody out there watches what your guys are doing to
them. I'm sitting here. I am a teacher myself of 24 years and I taught every single grade level. And when you work with young kids, you remember you were multitasking in the classroom. you're doing 200 things at the same time and
but at the same time they're human. They are not robots. So having conversations with employees before you expose them or before you suspend them is a big deal if you want to keep them in the classroom and you want them, you know, to continue
this job or doing this job that it's very hard, you know, to be done lately. So, I'm going to ask you during this holiday season to reflect and think before you act and before you take
action against good humans, good people. Um, they have family, they have um people who are watching after them. And ask yourself one thing. Ask yourself, how will I feel if this would have been
done to someone in your family or to your own self? So, you don't know how rough it is until you are in it. So, again, I'm going to ask you to reflect on your employees and treat them with
decency, love, and respect. Thank you, >> Anna Fusco. Anna Fusco. I am a Brower County resident, Brower County School employee, the Brower teaching president. I am speaking as all of them. Um I'm happy to hear that my uh colleague over here
asked you guys to reflect. We ask that all the time. I ask you guys to care. You need to care. That's the number one reason why things go south is people don't care. As I watch people slouch, don't understand what really happens. We
don't get to see all of the evidence. Your name's on it. You guys sign off on things. Why would you not want to know every single thing that you guys put a check mark on and said, "I'm approving it to go forward." You're elected by
your constituents in every group that you represent in Brower County. So to sit here and hear any of you make some of your comments makes me cringe, especially when you you
are former Brower County School employee. It's amazing. Yes, we have cameras in all the schools. Yes, it can watch everything. We should have a plentiful amount of security that walks the halls. that there should never be a
moment where if a teacher thought that state they they made the comment to have somebody watch and they didn't hear it that there's people walking around checking around the schools at all time. There are multiple facets that can always be preventative that these type
of situations don't happen. The number one reason why things aren't happening effectively because there is zero training on getting things done. Protocol, constant conversation, because everybody's spent worrying about the next time they're going to get an evaluation that they got to be perfect
or that their plans need to be perfect without time to be able to plan. That's that's it right there. Data chats, that's more important than talking about safety and security. Lori and Debbie, you sit up there.
Safety and security is not the first priority that's happening. I can make that clear. Data chats are walking in people's classrooms with groups of 10 people, grade chairs, coaches, support staff, admin, people visiting from other schools. You take people out of their
schools to sit in other schools. That's why we're getting these problems happening because they're not in their schools taking care of their schools. They're being forced to get to other schools. Then they've got to do the breakfast thing. They got to do the lunch thing. Did you not know that you
got 10 people sitting in a classroom instead of 10 people walking to school? There are multiple facets of why things are happening because you got a leadership sitting here instead of making sure that their people are accountable. I say it every single time.
Be preventative and we won't be sitting here every single board meeting giving the scrutiny of why it's happening. Thank you, Trudy Dmanovich. Uh, my name is Dr. Trudy Germanovich. After the incredibly insightful material
presented by the North Area Advisory, I began looking for related items on social media. I'm reading a written comment for a teacher who has multiple jobs in order to just make ends meet. I am in opposition to the amount of testing, which this is what she wrote. I
am in opposition to the amount of testing which is being required by the district. My name is Jordana Eig and I am in the 19th year as an educator in Broward County. I also serve as a cooperating teacher for student interns.
Our current testing demands are not sustainable, not develop developmentally appropriate, and not aligned with what we know about how children learn. This is not progress monitoring. This is
instructional theft. Kindergarteners, five-year-olds are required to take 59 tests. Research is clear. Young children learn through play, exploration, movement, and conversation. Not by sitting at
computers clicking bubbles. Leading child development organizations warn that sorry warn that excessive academic pressure elevates cortisol, increases anxiety and reduces intrinsic
motivation. We are not building confident learners. We are creating children who associate school with stress. Teachers want meaningful data. But the data we're getting, especially through performance matters, is unreliable.
Glitches, inconsistent scoring, and errors requiring retesting or manual corrections steal instructional time across a year. These interruptions add up to months of lost teaching. The results of this overtesting culture are
visible. Children overw overwhelmed, teachers exhausted and leaving. Families frustrated, enrollment declining and going to other charter or private schools. As someone who trains future
teachers, it's heartbreaking that the message they receive is that teaching is now about collecting data points. That is not why they entered the profession. Our students deserve classrooms where curiosity is encouraged, not interrupted
for yet another assessment. They deserve teachers who have time to plan and teach. They deserve an educational experience grounded in sound developmental practice, mental well-being, and authentic learning opportunities. I am asking you to reduce
the testing load immediately and meaningfully return instructional time to the teachers in their classrooms. Prioritize children's mental health over excessive metrics. Allow teachers to teach. Our students are human beings,
not data points, and they deserve an actual education, not an endless series of tests. >> Thank you. I now turn it over to the superintendent for his report. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, vice chair, board members, and our BCPS family. Um,
hopefully having an awesome morning. As we approach winter break, I want to take a moment to speak directly to our students, staff, and families. This is a well-deserved time to rest, reflect, and to definitely recharge. I encourage everyone to enjoy the break safely,
spend time with loved ones, and return refreshed and ready for the work ahead. On behalf of all of us, I wish you a peaceful, joyful, and restorative winter break and happy holiday season. I'd like to take a few moments to highlight some of the district's activities and accomplishments from this past month. At
this time, I'm going to ask Beacon to roll the tape. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Great things are happening at BCPS. Also like to thank our our partners, our many supporters for helping us uh create an
environment where our students can engage in relevant and real world experiences, especially exposure they have to support the conceptual things that they're learning in our classrooms. And madam chair, happy holidays to all of our BCPS family. And that's my report.
Thank you. We will now go to uh updates from our district partners. First, Broward Education Foundation. >> Good morning everybody. U James Nap, president, CEO, Broward Education Foundation. Good to see everybody. I just wanted to start by saying thank you to everybody who came and supported our
uh Broward Education Foundation Hall of Fame event. Um it was uh it was one of our uh best events yet. um it generated uh a great amount of revenue that's actually going to get to go back to the students, but it also brought in some new partners. Um and grateful to everybody who came and those who
couldn't still um sending uh sending their wellw wishes. Just wanted to say thank you for that. And then the second piece that you'll be getting information on and not just getting it just yet will be the uh idea expo is going to be January 31st. I know that um that's been something that uh has been a little bit
better attended here in the last couple years because the idea expo is the greatest minds that I think that we have in the country are sitting right here in our Broward County public schools and allowing them to kind of expand those minds and and share with each other and and do best practices and things like that within what it is we do. So that'll
be January 31st. You don't have to remember or write it down. You guys are going to be getting that invite. Um but I just wanted to say thank you and uh give you guys a heads up on the January 31st. Please uh let your districts know. Um, we're going to hopefully be able to get you a list of of how many schools from your district are sending people.
Um, and we're uh we're really excited about it. So, that's January 31st. It's going to be taking place again this year at Fort Lauderdale High School at 7:30 in the morning. I know it's a Saturday, but that's the only way that we can actually get it all in to make sure that they get uh the chance to uh to convene and get with each other on on sharing
ideas and thoughts. Thank you guys so much. >> Thank you, Broward County Council PTAs, PTSAs. We did receive a written report. Employee groups, BTU, >> Broward Teachers Union President. First
of all, I would like to share that um Broward Teachers Union does wonderful in negotiating because we rocked a $2,150 race for the Pemmer Pines Charter. No touch their insurance, affordable family
plan, affordable child plan, but our Brower County Public Schools wants to come after our insurance and put it on the backs of their employees. You've already gone to Impass. The Brower County Public Schools called Impass.
You called impass unheard of on two union groups already because you want to chokeold the insurance because your budget is in the red of what I keep
hearing all these different numbers 40 million 60 million 80 million which is it so you guys have a poor budgeting practice and you want to put it on your employees and you hear how our employees have to work two or three jobs just to
make ends meet and then you come in with a zero raise. I'm suggesting you take some guidance from the Pemrick Pines's charter on how they were able to budget.
Oh, and I forgot an 8% increase on the referendum, which we're going to be asking to to bring out the funding of where the referendum dollars are because taxes are up there and we haven't seen an extra dime. So again, the budget. So we'll start there.
Let's talk about due process. We heard it again and again and again, but I didn't hear a direct push halt so we can get it pristine instead of we're working on it. We're figuring it out.
You want to keep saying that? It's on you. The statute's clear. The statute is clear. Let's go to the next piece. Testing. Are you aware of how much testing the
students do in the Brower County Public School System compared to actual instruction? I'm asking you to get an audit on that. Dive into it. It's extreme.
Every day I've been consumed more than ever in my career of 10 years as union president about the testing. I'm asking you to pull some of it off of the plates of our students.
Our teachers are overwhelmed. I cannot fathom how our students are. We know that they need to show what they've learned, but if we're just barely getting through to be able to teach to take the test, which is what's
happening because again, excessive excessive data chats, excessive excessive putting board configurations, this group of people that need to walk through the classrooms to see what we're teaching. You know how you can see what a teacher's teaching? Teacher up there.
Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher. you teach. You walk in my classroom, it doesn't matter what I have written on the board. It matters what you're watching me do to the minds that I'm in there teaching. I've asked it over and
over again to pull off. You want to come for our insurance. You don't want to offer a pay increase. I've got teachers that are trying to make ends meet. Let's not even talk about our employees that make $15 an hour. But you keep imploding on them more and
more and more and more. Take something off of their plates so they can keep their head above water. And I am saying it publicly because it has to be coming from the nine school board members. Zero raise.
And let's make them pay into their insurance when you still have sick schools. SICK. Sick schools. They need the insurance to get some preventative. I promote the acupuncture and the massage therapy and and
different types of wellness to help keep them healthy. But when you walk into a a school because again, you've cut back on school. You said you weren't coming. We know there's less custodians. We know there's less security. I don't care what you tell the public.
We walk the schools. Go ask a teacher what it's like in their schools. If you have less employees, but the demand is still there, what are people going to get done? Run down. I'm asking you to rethink of what you're
bringing towards your employees and give your high executives some better direction on making it work. Thank you. BPA, ESMAP, Phobi,
COPA, PBA. All right. Thank you everyone for your presentations. Could I have a motion and a second on JJ10, please? >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon.
Do we have any public comment on JJ10? Yes, we have uh Greg Rossman is the only speaker registered. >> Thank you. >> Good morning and thank you for the motion uh to bring this up. I'm I'm here in support of the rocks officers. They are my clients. Also, um your attorney,
Mr. Cooney, who I've been working with, wanted me to be here. I'm not exactly sure why, but he thought that there might be questions that I could answer honestly for you. So, what I'm here to tell you is that in the August meeting, um, members voted or gave direction to staff to come back with a lease that was
5 years instead of 3 years. And, uh, member Alhadef, thank you very much, made that motion. And then there was a separate motion for the renewal to be at the exercise of the officers um, as opposed to the school board. And those are the two issues that we worked on um,
essentially. And took a couple months. Actually, the first versions I was sent were three years and had no changes. So took a while to get there, but we got there. The only other comment, so the rocks officer is very satisfied with what's there. The only other comment I have is the summary that you are given. I want to make sure you understand that
that talks about the subsidy is, and I'm not blaming staff. They're applying a formula that's in the contract, but it is a mythical number. That is not the amount of utilities the officers use. They have trailers. That amount is more than than a 2200 foot home in Hollywood
with a pool uses in a year. So I want you to understand it is they just take it says right in it's it's 2-23 I believe is the item talks about just taking the entire electric utility bills of the district and dividing it proportionally by the
number of students and I guess they count the officers maybe it's a student I'm not even sure because it's not even clear I did delve into that with the staff they didn't really know what to do there but that was raised that was originally a $100 that was put in about six years ago so the officers contribute something towards utilities
It's now at $300 with a three or 5% I don't have it in front of me um annual cola. Um so every year that will go up and there's no objection. The officers are are essentially through me are here telling you that what's before you is acceptable to the officers and they appreciate the support that they've
received from the board. Thank you. >> Thank you. Board discussion, Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. um very thrilled to see this come back um with much better terms for our officers. Uh
you know when we when this came before us before I had um spoken that many of the principles in district 1 had uh contacted me because of how much they appreciate having the rock officers on campus and what a benefit it is. So to
have much more favorable terms for their lease so they have stability. they know that they have a place to stay for at least five to 10 years. Um, just makes me very happy. And I also am very happy uh counting this up that district 1 has
more than a third of the rock officers just in district one. So, we are benefiting plentifully from this uh service and just can't thank the officers enough for their service and for um the support that they give our kids. Thank you. Thank you, Miss
Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. I just want to echo Miss Bulman's comments that I'm really um pleased that this is going forward and I didn't count them up, but District 2 does have a large number of them as well. Um I did want to dive into kind of
where we're getting those numbers um of what we're subsidizing. Dr. Heepern, >> go ahead. Miss Paul, >> Mr. Aabuso, if you're in the room. >> No, Chris isn't in, but I I can tell you
um as uh the speaker mentioned, proportionally um looking at the square footage um of the uh um trailer that the rock officers use and and doing some calculations to find a proportional uh number because uh there isn't if correct me if I'm from wrong, Miss Paul, there
isn't a separate meter for the trailer. >> No, there is not. That is correct. They have to come up with an estimate based on proportion of uh of the size of the school facility versus prop the size of the actual trailer and come up with a estimate as best as they can.
>> Okay. And then um that was my question. Thank you, Miss Rupert. >> Thank you. um through the superintendent. Uh how is there an update on uh officer
I don't know how to do this J O um that's not on the list today but has been waiting to hear back from us about his land lease. >> Yes, Miss Paul. >> So we are uh we've set a meeting with
Mr. O'Brien um uh to to discuss some of the details and requirements that we would need in order to enter into a lease with him. Um uh we have not received the documentation uh that we requested and that the other
rocks officers provided. So we have a meeting set up uh with him. I believe it's uh this week. >> Okay. Um, I I'd be appreciative of an update on that because this has been going on for a while and um I know that
the board is being copied on all this. So, um, sooner that we can get this this done, it is a matter up in the air for this person and his family. So, um, as soon as possible is would be optimal.
So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion? Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I just want to quickly mention that I was one of the board members who strongly supported this as well. And having this wonderful sort of um partnership relationship with
our police officers being on our school property, I think is certainly mutually beneficial. So I want to thank um the police officers and uh who are providing this service um that we appreciate you and um we uh acknowledge that this is
mutually beneficial when it comes to the safety of our our students and just having a police officer there um on the school property significantly beneficial. I know for one having a police officer in in my community where I live just being present is is a
wonderful um option that that residents have. So having this at our school grounds or our or um school properties, I think it's it's great. And uh you know, my my brother is a retired police officer, so I understand um uh you know,
the importance of of of all of you and and having you uh partner with the school board of B County is is certainly appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Aladaf. >> Thank you. I also would like to thank all the rocks officers. This is an additional layer of safety protection in
our schools and I am I'm happy that we were able to give you an agreement for five years so there's some consistency and continuity. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I will just echo that it's
been a work in progress. Um I appreciate Mr. Rothman for coming out and representing the rock officers and working with the district to move this forward. I know it's been um a little back and forth. Did we want to keep them? Did we not want to keep them? But
I'm glad we landed where we did. And um I just wish all of those officers a happy holiday. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion? Miss Rupert for round two. >> Thank you. It it'll be quick. Um I'm a
little behind on my on my email. So um I'm in receipt of a letter from um JO and um he's satisfied the communication um that he was sent on 11:24. He sent it
to to the office. Um I guess that would be uh from Elizabeth Samson Bryant was was uh lovely and very kind to this gentleman. So um I once again will um
be extremely appreciative if uh this is put back on the front burner. So thank you. Thank you. Any other board discussion on JJ10? All in favor of JJ10 say I. >> I. All oppose say no. Item passes
unanimously. Um, could I have a motion and a second on H3, please? >> So, move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Roupert. Public comment on H3. >> No comment. >> Board member discussion. Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much, Chair. Um, I have a couple questions to get started and then
three uh specific issues I want to talk about on this uh particular issue. Um, the first question is about the financial impact. The item says both this is a $1 million item and a $29.9 million item. If we pass this, what amount of money are we voting on today?
>> Dr. Heepern, >> this specific uh group of um supplements that are being paid out is the 1 million. >> Maybe um could you put that in the context of the 29.94 million that we already have approved in our budget for this year?
>> Yes. So, uh supplements aren't paid out one time in a year. you you have clusters of supplements depending on when the activity for the supplement um for the for the supplement to be received started such as I've uh used athletics as an example. Um the next upcoming sport in the spring I know
basket basketball's already started later this spring you'll have a supplements for track coaches right and so um it's it's paid out in um in batches when the activity starts. Is it possible then that we're going to have 30 agenda items this year to burn through this supplemental funding?
>> Um, some of these supplements have already been um approved earlier this this fall and so you will have definitely have some more in the spring uh that correlates with certain activities such as athletics. >> Terrific. And do you know how much of the 29.94 we've already expended this
year? >> Uh I am not sure. Uh go ahead Dr. Lozano. That is the expense total up to date of this agenda item. We've expended the 29.9 million from July 1 through
this item being put on the agenda. >> Is this in addition to the 29.94 million? The 29.9 is the amount schools have paid out and put in to pay out from July 1 through this item being posted.
>> Um I'm sorry. Um I I need to step back then just a little bit. How much are we going to spend on supplements for this year? >> Go ahead if you have the exact number. >> Again, schools have allocated money in >> in their budgets. So schools
um may use all of that allocation, some may not. It depends on the services provided and the activities schools choose to use these supplements for. Terrific. And in other budget categories, this being part of the
school's budget, once we pass the budget, those funds are available to to spend. Why do we bring items back to authorize pieces of this if it's already part of the approved budget? So basically it's a pass through of school board approval but through
contract in appendix F of the contract for example there's allocated activities that schools can implement any time throughout the year with a range of money that the school principal can
allocate to the staff member who leads that activity. And then we also have other supplements on here. For example, for students who need, for example, feed um tube feeding, right? So, we may get a
new student in the district that requires that and we would have to pay the supplement to the ESP that provides that service to that student. We have throughout the year a certain staff member may leave the district and then that supplement will stop for that
individual and you'll see it come on throughout the year for a new staff member who's now taking on that assignment. >> Terrific. And and and as we've been told before, uh school budgets are really up to the discretion of the principles. And so they get a bargained agreement on
which supplementals can be paid in an amount, but it's really up to the principal based on the needs of the school and the ability of staff to do these things uh to really um execute these funds. Uh thank you very much, chair. >> Thank you, Mrs. Alada. Thank you. I have
a question in regards to are supplements at each school and with each position are they the same exact supplement or do they vary per school? >> Go ahead, Dr. Lozano. >> They vary per school. >> So you can potentially be doing the same
exact job but getting paid a different supplement. >> No. >> No. So for example um there are some supplements that you can split apart if multiple people are supporting that activity. So um trying to find a good
example um >> department chair >> department chair if if there's one department chair the department chair gets the full supplement. If for some reason the department is large and they want to and the principal and the team decides to have two department chairs it will split that supplement because they're just splitting the amount of
time they're doing that task. But the the supplement is equal per department chair no matter what school year. >> Correct. They get the same this the same amount per school. >> Okay. So for the I know this item is for 2526 but for the 2627 school year I'd
like the board to think about increasing the supplement pay the amount of money for each supplement for each position. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion on H3? All right. All in favor of H3 say I.
>> I. All oppose say no. >> Item passes unanimously. We will now go to our time certain. Can I have a motion in a second on DD1? >> So moved. >> Moved by uh Dr. Zean, seconded by Miss Rupert. Public comment on DD1. >> Yes, madam chair. We have two registered speakers. First speaker is Dr. Natalie
Lynch Walsh. Second speaker is Rachel Bailey. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. So, the um let's just say audit committee input on things facility is not the same without the person that's been on the facilities task force since
2011. However, keep in mind one of the findings initially from RSM is that there was no long-term planning process when it came to roofs or the buildings underneath. So, what was happening as part of the SMART program is that
30-year roofs were being put on buildings whose useful lives were over, and that is not changing. Um, so I'm happy to see that that finding will continue going on until it's resolved. That's at least one checks and balance
on um what is currently going on. Thank you, >> Rachel Bailey. >> That concludes public comment. >> All right. Board member discussion on the item. I have Miss Rupert. >> Um, thank you. My question was answered. >> Dr. Zean.
>> Thanks so much, Chair. Um, I was kind of hoping just to take full advantage of the work that was done here and try and get a summary that we could share with this board and with the public of what of the most significant conclusions from this audit was that would be of broad interest.
>> Okay. Uh, executive director of audits Mark Maggley. I'm here with Matt Blondell who represents RSM who conducted the audit. So, we'll allow him to give his input. >> Sure. So, uh, this audit was originally completed, uh, several years ago where we looked at the roofing program, had, I
believe, nine original observations. Many of those have been closed. Uh, but the two that remain open are the, uh, the the the finality of what uh, Dr. Lynch Walsh had mentioned uh, with the strategic long-term plan to combine uh,
efforts to make sure that, uh, roofing and other assets are consolidated. There is a tracking of that, an inventory of that and to make sure that um decisions are being made with the full uh amount of information relative to the facilities condition assessment of all parts of the of the building and all the
assets uh contained therein. So, as shown in the the follow-up report, there's been some some progress made um significant progress made. There's uh office of capital programs is utilizing consultants to do much of this work and um has a plan for uh consolidating all
that information into what would eventually be or will eventually be the long-term uh plan uh that will inform uh future decisions related to capital investment at the various locations. Um the other piece that remains open uh is related to the subpermitting process
within the building department. So one of our original findings there was related to the fact that it was a very manual process required a significant amount of back and forth uh and uh paper uh rather than electronic records. Um it is still a manual process. However, the and and they are still going through the
roofing binders for the subpermitting uh piece of this. Um but they are in the process, the building department is in the process of utilizing a a software vendor uh to holistically update basically their entire permitting and plan review process not only for roofing
but for everything. And so they are making progress along with that as I understand uh as as was conveyed to us and uh expect that to be live within the I believe the first quarter of uh next year. >> Terrific. and chair. Um I'm fascinated with with this being 2025 and we're
still doing things with paper. Um uh one of my colleagues is frequently talking about how much paper we use all over this district, but to me the bigger issue is really about accuracy and speed with which you can review things. One is our cut over date from uh paper
submissions of all things to our building department to going digital. Miss Paul. >> So, we've I've been here I think about 17 months and so we started this process um uh several months ago. I think we're
about three months away. Uh but I'll confirm that with a board followup. But we have been moving towards this. Uh we just have mountains and mountains of paper and it's very difficult to do the reviews. So, uh, this is a a sub a
substantial change in how we conduct business on that side of the house. So, we're very excited about it. >> Terrific. Um, and I was doing work with the city of Fort Lauderdale when they made the same uh, cut over. What was fascinating is once they did that, the speed with which they could do work and the accuracy which they could do work
uh, dramatically improved. Two things that I know Broward County Schools would like to uh, score some additional points on. Thanks, Chair. >> Thank you, Mrs. Alda. Thank you. And I think I went to the building department about four years ago and there was just rolls and rolls of
paper like literally everywhere. It was quite shocking. But my question is in regards to you mentioned a software that we're pivoting to. Is this Maximo or is this something else? >> No, it's a it's a separate type of software. So it's not Maximo. It's not
part of Maximo. >> Can is Maximo capable of doing this? >> Uh no. I don't believe so. Not in the level of detail that we need. >> Okay. So, um is this a software we've already approved?
>> Yes, we've been uh as I said before in and uh doing the crossover portion of it from paper to electronic. >> And what's the name of the software? >> Um I don't know right off hand, but I can get it to you. >> Okay. And then my other question in regards to
um if with the facilities assessment if the roof comes up as I don't know I'm going just use the word poor or you know needs to be fixed when do they um do a structural engineering
assessment for the rest of the the building? So there um was an assessment that was initiated I think several years ago and so that is part of the um
uh compilation of all the inputs into um our FCA and Bureau uh Veraritoss uh is doing that crossover into uh uh the FCA and so that's why we entered into a
three-year contract with them to include all aspects of our buildings to include structural uh roofing assessment I believe that's being done by blue fin and our uh historical information on our building. So it's a quite elaborate process.
>> Okay. I just want to make sure because after the records roof collapse I do remember we did do the structural engineering but that was years ago and and you know here going into 2026. I just want to make sure that with this
new assessment if there is issues with the roofs that we are doing new structural engineering assessments. >> So that's that's as I said before um that assessment has been ongoing of of the roofs that is part of the FCA or
inputs into the FCA. Uh and our ultimate goal is to get just a total picture of where we stand in every single facility we have uh in the county. >> Right. I guess I just want to make myself clear. I know we we've done some structural uh assessments, >> but I just want to make sure that moving
forward in 2026, if there is some red flags that come up with the roofs that we that they're doing new structural engineering assessments on the building and not relying on the old ones from when the Rickard's roof collapsed. >> No, absolutely. And and part of that
process is that we are identifying issues that we have and I don't know if Miss Kohley is here. She's our executive director of uh construction services if she's in the room, but we are actually taking action on on those findings uh as we go forward.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Any other board discussion on DD1? >> Seeing none, all in favor of DD1 say I. >> I. All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I have a motion and a second on A4? >> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, seconded by Miss
Hixon. Public comment on A4. >> No comment. >> Board discussion. Miss Rupert. >> I am looking for it. So give me a second. Sorry. It's on Head Start program reports. >> No, I know what it was. I had pages here. So yep. Um, I am ready to ask the
first question. It's on page 156. Um, first of all, I want to congratulate the the Head Start Department. I mean, they are they're nailing it in so many uh different ways. Extremely um I'm always very impressed with their work.
However, um there are some little bits that I I needed some help with to um to really focus on. So, um 156 where it talks about 80% of children will demonstrate age appropriate levels
on gold and early math concepts. um a few of them um uh especially 20B and 21A um did not sustain uh the increase that they had wintertime and into the
springtime. So I wanted uh a little information on why it decreased from winter to spring. >> Dr. Heburn. >> Miss Bailey. >> Thank you. I'm Shironda Bailey, director for early childhood education. I'm gonna defer to our specialist, Liz Glade, to
address your question, Mr. >> Thank you. And for the record, I did speak to Dr. Cohen beforehand, but uh to make sure that you're ready to answer these questions just because um it to me, we we always have wonderful, fabulous ones. So, this explanation will
be great. >> Hi, good morning everyone. My name is Elizabeth Glade and I'm the specialist for Early Head Start. Um, so the program that we use is treat teaching strategies gold and it's based on a a developmental
continuum from birth up to grade three. So what you're looking at in the report is the early head start program and that program is it our program is a fluid program. So babies enter and exit our program throughout the year based on
their age and their developmental level. So, my children that are in the program when they turn three and if there's a seat available um in a three-year-old classroom, they will move into that classroom. Therefore, opening up another seat where another three-year-old or
another child that's under three will take its the child's place. So, from there, that child may not have any experience in school. So, their developmental levels might be a little bit lower. So, it is a fluid um process. So you may see throughout the year as
you see the reports you'll see hills and valleys in in the data because of that reason and the children move from the infant class into the toddler class. So again their skills the what's expected of a toddler if they're newly moved in will be
a less a lower score because they haven't mastered those skills yet. >> Okay, that's interesting to know. Uh page 157, same question really. Um in the es especially in the 12A
recognizes and recalls um it dip down a little from winter to to spring. Same thing both categories for age 2 to three and one to two. So I'm assuming that's the same. Yes, that's the same answer. >> Yes. And then we have on the um the back
of the report it does have a statement. Uh, >> gotcha. Okay. >> Stating that, which we will be sure to add to all the pages. >> Good. That'll be great. Thank you so much for that. Absolutely. >> Um, and on 161, my only comment there is
the expected outcomes for 80%. Um, we were maintaining them, I guess, between uh as the younger ones were kind of blowing it away. And then when it came
to um the spring, they they did um come down and uh obviously we need more growth there um most especially in um age 2 to three progression joining into songs and games. So which we know is
really how you reach those students. So I expect when the next come in this will be um a a beacon like it always is. So thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of A4 say I.
>> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Um do I need to state who's on with Miss Roupert, Miss Hixon, Miss Leonardi, Dr. Zean, and Mrs. Alvap on the deis? Um
could I have a motion and second on C1? >> So moved. >> Second by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rer. Any public comment on C1? >> No comment >> for a member of discussion. Dr. Zaman. >> Thanks, Chair. I appreciate it. Um, on this particular item, it was a process question more than anything else. This
was a case that we adjudicated, voted on, uh, then was appealed to the administrative law judge. I was just hoping to try and get a little insight into, uh, the administrative law judge's decision on this case. What is it that they were interested in learning and what is it that we did that allowed them
to, uh, fulfill this, um, this suspension? >> Miss Batista. Um, thank you, uh, Madame Chair. This is, uh, one of the, um, superintendent items. Um, so I'm not sure if someone from, um, the superintendent staff would
have additional information. >> Dr. Heburn. >> So, staff. >> Yes, Dr. Hutburn. Uh, my name is Esmerald Negron. I'm the administrative counsel for the superintendent. And um yes, this was an administrative
complaint was filed. The employee took advantage of of the uh DOA hearing and their due process rights and the administrative judge came back with upholding the decision uh pointing out that um the superintendent could have
recommended termination um because of the excessive absences. So the administrative judge simply upheld the decision and we ask that the final order be approved and we move on. So, chair, am I right that in this
particular case uh what the staff did, what the school board uh confirmed in their decision uh was then taken to administrative law judge at DOHA and the judge in fact confirmed that our process uh could haveed out a a more serious offense and instead did something less
than that, but something that was well within our rights as a Broward County School Board. Is that correct? >> Absolutely correct, sir. >> Chair, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion on C1? All in favor of C1 say I. >> I.
>> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Uh with Miss Rupert, Miss Hixon, myself, Dr. Hoes, Dr. Zean, and Mrs. Alf on the deis. Uh could I have a motion and a second on C3, please? >> So moved.
>> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Mrs. Alvadef. Uh public comment on C3. >> Yes, madam chair. We have one public speaker, President Anna Fusco. >> So I want to speak about um I'm Anna Fusco, our teaching president, the
situation with Harry Marshall. Harry Marshall has been was sitting out of his class for over 13 months. Last October school, I sat in the meeting of due process that they felt that he needed a fit for duty.
hours of our life. We're I need you guys to pay attention to this because this is a one of the biggest examples of your due process that somebody interfered in the process and changed it and now he's being terminated because you guys sat there and said it
due process consistency. Don't interfere. Follow the process, Fusco. Let the process take its course. We sat in a meeting with his principal risk management for hours going back and forth why they felt that he needed to be
served a fit for duty. The process is you get served it then you've got three days to respond on picking the order of the therapist. He did that. Then we waited and we waited for the therapist to call and then
somebody calls and says, "Well, we decided we're not going to do a fit for duty. We're going to go discipline." From October to May, we sat there and nothing happened. Need to hear this clear. Then May, his principal was
ordered to do a due process on discipline for some things that he did they felt were a little bit extreme with his colleagues after the fit for duty was issued after with the evidence
that was presented that they felt that it was unstable to go get checked by a therapist which didn't happen. They interfered in the process that you guys said we do with consistency. Your words, board members.
Now, the principal went and asked people after the due process, I after the meeting for the fit for duty and solicited because after it was all said and done, I got to go talk to those witnesses. We didn't know it was going to be held
against them to get fired. So there we sit in May. Then he gets noticed in August that he was going to be recommended for termination. Then the day before Thanksgiving, he just had to be served
an administrative complaint because he was a threat. You didn't even know he existed for 13 months. That's the pieces that I'm telling you that is unacceptable, unprofessional, and not okay. And if you're okay with signing off on stuff like that, then shame on you.
He did not get a fair due process. The process was interfered and then they picked and chose little bits and pieces what made him look a certain way which is not okay. That is where I stand today on this.
>> I'm asking you to take it off and have it severely reviewed. >> Thank you. Any other public comment on C3? >> No comment. >> Board member discussion I have Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, Dr. Hepern,
has there been um any or can you describe the amount of times and the scope to which this particular employee was referred to for fit for duty? >> Mr. Henry or uh Miss Pente or both of
you? for duty. >> Okay. >> Can you repeat the question, please? Good morning. Aston Henry, director of risk management. >> Okay. Mr. Henry. >> Yes. Um can you
describe and provide as much details as you can whereby this particular employee the history rather of this particular employee being referred to for fit for duty and
whether or not um the employee had the opportunity um to engage in that interventive process. Okay. Yes. Um the first fit for duty was conducted uh in 2018.
A second fit for duty was also conducted 2020. Um the employee also had a fit for duty conducted by his own psychologists in 2019
and also 2020. >> Okay. So um this would be twice correct? >> Four times. >> Four times. Okay. There was a mention by um um speaker Anna Fusco regarding October
to May that there have there seem to have been a lag time to which nothing happens. Can you ascertain if that is accurate and and and what happened between October and May? >> Want to speak? >> Sure. >> Nice.
Heather Parente, director of professional practices. So during the time that I have in front of me, sorry. Um, the employee was called to appear for a due process meeting with the administrator and in part of that due process meeting, there were statements
that were shared with the employee to consider discipline. So on Friday, October 11th, the employee had sent text messages to staff members not related to operation of the school and/or curriculum. And they included such things as Barack Obama, Barack Obama and
the Renzy brothers have conspired to funnel money for falsifying documents. Jail Barack, the butchers of Broward Obama is having the kids bully teachers. We're not going to have another Holocaust because of one of the Muslim presidents get paid, I'm sorry, got paid
off Daniel Most with a promotion. Daniel Mo being the principal. On Tuesday, October 15th, he stopped at another staff member in the parking lot on his way into the school and was sharing showing signs of stress over entering grades. He was visibly distressed and
caught concerns about there were concerns about his well-being. On Thursday, December on Thursday, October for 17th, he was very frantic, calling shortly after dismissal with the math department head. And during that hallway dismissal, he was shouting about the MSD
tragedy. He expressed himself in erratic state. This is the witness state of mind and made accusations of gag orders that were signed after the MSD tragedy and about the Runzi brothers stating that all the department chair and others were conspiring against him. On Friday,
October 18th, when asked to write a statement about the call, I'm sorry, the interaction of that day, he got very defensive about a partic particular question. He became combative and was arguing his point. He was referencing um
other information from the numer trials in front of students and making everyone feel very awkward. On February 11th, he emailed to the South Regional Superintendent, Alan Strauss, requesting that he confirmed to his family members that the statements made in the email
were accurate. He included concerning comments such as, "I don't know if I'm going to make it through the day. They could kill us at any time, and that Daniel Mos placed a gag order on me." >> Okay. So um I understand the content of
what was said um because we discussed it and I read it. But my question is between October and May was there a reference was there a recommendation again for fit for duty interventive measures that did that was recommended
to occur between October and May? want me to answer? >> Uh, there was no fit for duty conducted um the last fit for duty request was conducted or was requested rather in October of 2024.
>> Okay. So, was there a fit for duty uh request being made between October and May? That didn't happen. >> Yes or no? >> No. >> Okay. All right. So the
>> the only request can I can I intervene for a minute? The only request came from the principal in October of 2024. That's the only request that I received. >> The quorum of the audience, please.
>> Okay. So So Mr. Henry, for the record, you are stating there was no request for fit for duty between October and May. Yeah, I think he said um yes, there was a request on October 2024 from the
principal. So, that was a request. >> Okay. Was did that happen? >> Did the >> No, it did not happen. >> Okay. Why did it not happen? >> Uh we had done two already and his psychologist had already done two. So, there was a total of four fit for duties
completed and so >> Okay. So, >> I understand I understand Dr. Heburn, if there was no intention to uh carry out the fit for duty request, why was it even requested in the first
place? >> That's the principal. Um that's normal protocol for if they see a concern and I'm not sure if the principal was aware about the four the prior four um fit for duty um um
>> assessments. >> Assessments. >> Okay. So was this individual at that particular school when the prior for this particular was the principal at that school when the prior for fit for duty assessment were >> I'm seeing uh Mr. Strauss if you can um
elaborate. >> No in 2018 in 2020 Mr. Mos was not the principal there. >> Okay. Was was the the principal that's there when this fit for duty assessment was requested? Um was he there when any
of the four fit for duty assessment um was requested? Was he there for any of the prior four? >> The current principal, Mr. Most was not there for any of the prior four. >> Okay. >> And I almost want to say and I'm not positive if it was done at that school
or was it from another school. >> Okay. Understand. So, Dr. Herurn, if a principal requests a fit for duty for a staff, what is the process? Is it is it who decides that we're going to carry it out or not carry it out?
>> I know um and and Mr. Henry can chime in in a minute, but I know we look at we review past if there was a fit for duty and due to the numerous fit for duty assessments for this particular employee, um pretty much see what the outcome is going to be and in moving in a different direction to address this
matter. Uh go ahead, Mr. Henry, if there's anything you want to add. >> No, what I will say is that the uh first fit for duty was conducted in 2018. Uh it was given to uh general counsel's office and he was found unfit. General counsel overturned it and said, "Okay,
let's get him evaluated again." He was evaluated by his own psychologist and cleared to return to uh to work. in 2020. Uh he had another fit for duty conducted
um and he was cleared. Um he also had two others by his own psychologist. As far as documentation, we request documentation from the school. The documentation is given to us and it includes statements from the
administration, statements from the principal and statements from employees that work with the employee that uh that they make the request for the fifth for duty for. Okay. Okay. So, um I'm just trying to
understand Dr. Heburn the process. So, um when you say cleared, what does that mean? That mean that he completed the the interventive process and they said he's ready to get back. >> Correct. That's conducted by a psychologist, right? They give the okay
as to whether or not he's cleared to return to work. >> Understand? So, Dr. He when when this particular principal requested an additional fit for duty, was there any communication to this particular principal to say, "Well, we're not going to continue any further fit for duty um
because of the prior um ones that were done and the behavior continued or or what is the process? I'm I'm I'm confused as to because if I am a principal and I say I I recommend this particular staff or fit for duty um I
would assume that the principal should know the prior situations behind any particular person or if they did not would there be some um would the principal be aware that this will not be carried out because of prior incidents
and then I have a few more questions. >> I'll uh have Mr. Strauss, Miss Parente, and Mr. Henry um kind of provide specifics. I don't have those specifics myself. >> Okay. Heather Pente, director of professional practices. So due to the
alarming continual behaviors that have gone forward um in working with in consulting with legal consulting with risk management um prior supervisors, current supervisors and leading to right
up until December 4th of 2025. Um there have just been multiple multiple examples where staff does not feel safe around him. um including this comment from December 4th where he is texting staff. How much of the three billion goes to paying DA most um Craig
Hankerson and for falsifying security documents? Um is that counted on the 3 million or it's on its own? Um paying to cover up fraud is much of the bill. Correct. And I get lied to falsifying security and and whatnot. >> Okay, I understand all of that. Um Dr.
Dr. I'll move on because um uh so it mentioned that um a therapist he chose a therapist and that the therapist did not call or there was no communication. Whose responsibility was it to follow up with the therapist after he chose one
out of the three that were given to him? >> Um it's risk management's responsibility to make the appointment. >> Did risk management make the appointment >> on this particular case? No, we did not. Um, Dr. Heburn, can you speak to
if if there's a recommendation for this person to receive therapy and he chose a therapist, which was one of the three provided, but risk management did not follow through. Um, can you provide your feedback on that because that would seem
to me as an important part of the process before we terminate this particular individual. Well, um and um the team can add any additional information information from what my review is is that the process has gone
through several times over the years and the outcome or the the employees activity or actions have not changed and hence why we're bringing it um in this manner instead of continuing with the same process over and over without any um improvement.
>> Right. But was there a therapist provided before? is fit for duty different from being provided with a therapist. >> Well, I I think what I think what the um resolution here is that we've gone through several iterations of a fit for duty and and um support and there has
been no change and now I understand for duty it's coming to the board for discipline. >> I understand but the question is is fit for duty different from the option of a therapist that was then exercised? Is it the same thing or is it different? Um, I have to ask u Mr. Henry or Miss Perente
to >> It's It's the same thing. I mean, it's a fit for duty whether he goes to his own psychologist or a psychologist assigned by the district. >> Okay. So, fit for duty means he goes to his own psychologist and and um and then
the other option is the district assign a therapist. No, we always if we are called out to a school with a concern for a fit for duty, it is our responsibility to provide a list of psychologists to the employee and his
representative so that they can make a choice in regards to which psychologist they want to see. So we have a list an approved list that we utilize. >> Okay. So we we have an approved list of psychologists that we use to determine
when there is a problem with an employee that may be his mental health or whatever it may be and that employee then have the option to choose what's recommended. Correct. >> To choose from the list. Correct. >> Understand? And in this case he made a choice but we didn't follow up
>> on the third one. Yes, we made a choice but can I clarify as to why we didn't follow through? As Dr. Heepern said he had four psychological evaluations and the concern that was brought to me
by the principal and it's stated here. It says that he continues to state his students have been poisoned and killed and he has been forced to sign a gag order. It also says he claims money has
been stolen from him and embezzled by the district as well as state officials. He says administration is trying to kill school staff. So because of those concerns, I said listen, we've done four, he's gone through four
psychological evaluations. I think I need to refer this to general counsel and that's what I did. I also referred it to employee relations. >> I understand >> because it's a continuing it's a continuous process. So I just wanted to address the process.
>> I understand. My question is simply why we didn't exercise the option of the therapist. Um that did not happen when we I mean there's there's no reason for us to recommend a therapist if we thought uh that you know there's no hope and we
should end it. So we did recommend an additional step which is therapist that we didn't follow through on. And I mean I understand everything that happens. I'm just stating the facts right Dr. Heburn for this particular individual since the individual individual chose
the therapist moving ahead. Is it possible that this individual if this doesn't pass today can be given the option of seeing that therapist that he chose and at the same time be taken out of the classroom where
he's not with students? >> All of that depends on the action of the board today. >> Okay. be because um how long has this employee been working with the school district? >> Do we have >> how many how many years? >> Miss PTO, you have that info. >> Ezra, do you know when it started?
>> One moment, please. >> And while she's looking that up, if I may, so this employee has already elected the opportunity to go to a DOA hearing. So this information will be shared during DOA. There are things that we are not sharing with you today because we do not want to have a HIPPA violation.
>> I understand. How long has the employee been working with us? >> 2005. >> 2005. >> And when did these um uh emerging psychological issues start happening? >> As early as 2006.
>> Okay. So, um, Madame Chair, I I am concerned about us missing a step that we recommended, which would be a therapist that did not happen. Um, at the same time, I'm also concerned that this individual may not be based upon
what's here, uh, should probably not be around children, but I want to make sure the process is fair, that this person has an opportunity, um, to, uh, to get help while at the same time, the individual is not around children. So, I'm trying to figure out
how to accomplish that because anybody, any of us can become ill at any time. It could be mental illness. It could be psychological illness. It's it's not um you know we're not immune to it. Different stressors come in people's lives that can result in these things
happening. Um so I'm just trying to see what is the best way to go to treat this person fairly. Obviously this person shouldn't be around children at this time because of the condition. But at the same time this person should get help and we should exhaust options that we have to provide the help. I'm not
sure if we did. So the only way I can see that we can accomplish this is to have this individual removed from the classroom, put in another role that is um fairly isolated from uh staff and or as many staff and definitely students and give them the opportunity for
additional uh therapeutical help. So madam chair um I'm going to have the others speak and then I'll probably make a motion. >> Is there anybody else who wants who >> Mrs. Alhadaf?
>> Yes. Thank you. Um, and I'm really concerned about the conversation that is being had right now. I'm concerned with I I'm okay with asking questions, but
we're not the ones that are litigating this up here. and and general counsel could speak to it and I I wish you would because I think what's happening here is creating more issues for this board.
Miss Batista um so we we have explained this process before. Um this is an administrative complaint that is before you. the only um move the only option forward for the board is to approve this complaint so
that the the employee can have due process. Um this is not you know a suspension um or or um so you know this is a termination. If there were problems with the process, the
employee is able to bring those up at as part of his evidence in front of the division of administrative hearings and then that item will come back to you. Let's say that the uh whether the the ALJ approves it or disapproves it. Then
ultimately then you the there would be a recommended order. the recommended order. There can be um exceptions filed by either side if they don't agree with that particular recommendation of the AOJ and then it
comes back to the board. The board will get to decide based upon the EV evidence that is aduced at that division of administrative hearings hearing. Uh you will have the opportunity to make a determination and you will sit in a in a
quasi judicial u process. um here. So by you know you don't want to insert yourself at this stage of the process um because you are going to have an
opportunity to see it again um you know later on in the in the due process. >> All right. Uh Miss Rupert, >> thank you. Uh, I I struggle with the the fact that we
do have um procedures and policies in place for this kind of stuff. And it seems a little strange for me to have them follow them for a certain
amount and then deviate. Um, so a clarifying question for me, um, Mr. superintendent is um at the end of that marathon negotiations that was going on with the the union and and staff, what
was the um what was the answer that they were going to do or what was the conclusion that they wanted? Was it to be to do another fit for duty or did they decide to just terminate?
>> Go ahead, Miss Perto. Uh, Mr. Azero, where >> are you talking about the meeting that we had with the union leaders or are you talking about the meeting that the union about this for this specific case that the staff had with their representative? >> Yes.
>> Okay. The latter. Okay. >> Thank you. So, this employee went through a due process meeting at his school site with his principal regarding the evidence that I shared with you that happened in October. It carried on to
page two of the corrective action report which had additional examples of his behaviors, his statements, his text messages and so forth. So at that point they did the due process meeting. He attended the due process meeting and then administration issued him a
recommendation of discipline um as a termination. >> Okay. So that the marathon meeting at the at the end of that aspect um it I don't understand why it went from
being doing all the steps this way like they done before and then just deciding it was going to be a different um discipline than what is usually done in the process. Is that fair to say? So I
don't think it was Dr. Ernie Lozano, chief human resources officer through the chair. So I don't think it was a different process. I think when looking at to do so the employee was determined to be fit four times, >> right?
>> So now in doing another one and you're fit as a collective group, the district decided to look at the behavior. So it wasn't in that meeting where a decision of termination took place, but the
district then began the process of looking at the behavior to determine a corrective action for the in incidents we kept receiving regarding this individual. >> I'm having a big problem with this.
If I if I may, Madam Chair. Um, so you know, in in this particular um process that was followed here, if you if you follow the the and you know, well, let me let me back
up. Um if you have an employee that um has undergone a fit for duty examination and the result is that the person is fit and they return to either the classroom or whatever job they have and they continue
to exhibit some problems, then you cannot necessarily say that this is as a result of a mental problem or something that would necessitate an IDA accommodation because the person has been shown to be fit for duty. So then
you would have to be looking at misconduct, right? Something something else. And I think that's what the process that was followed here. Um if there had if there were pro problems with the process, that's one of the things that this employee will be able
to put on as evidence before an ALJ. And then all of that evidence that will be with people under oath taking, you know, giving testimony in front of a judge, that evidence will come back to you and that at that point you will be able to
make a better determination as opposed to trying to ascertain um you know small facts from whatever is being said here again by by people who are not under oath. This is not a trial here.
Um so so your belief um Miss Batista is that he was afforded his due process. He was afforded the due process um as given to any other employee in the district. Yes. And if there was a
violation of due process, that would be assertained by that would be part of what the evidence would be in front of the ALJ and then you can make determination at the end of that um trial hearing and all of that and then
it will come back to the board uh with exceptions from either side to make then further determinations. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Call a question. All in favor of calling question say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. No.
>> Roll call please. >> Roll call on calling question. Aladev. >> Yes. >> Bulman. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sea. >> No. >> Hixon. >> Holdnesses. >> No. >> Leonardi. >> Yes.
>> Rupert. >> Thompson. >> Yes. >> Zean. >> Yes. Motion pass 63. >> All right. All in favor of item C3 say I. >> I.
>> I. All oppose say no. >> No. >> Uh roll call, please. >> Roll call on item as presented. >> Bulman. >> Yes. >> Sea. >> Yes. >> Hixon. >> Hoes. >> No. >> Leonardi.
>> Yes. >> Rupert. >> No. >> Thompson. >> Yes. Zean, >> yes. >> Aladev, >> yes. >> Motion pass 72. >> All right. Uh, could I get a motion and a second on item C2?
>> Moved by Dr. Zean, seconded by Miss Rouper. Public comment on C2. >> No comment. >> Um, board member comment. I have Miss Bulman. Um, I had the pleasure of speaking with both Dr. Heburn and Dr. Lozano and my questions have been answered. Thank you. Dr. Holiness.
>> I no longer need C2, Madam Chair. >> All in favor of Oh, any further board discussion on C2. All in favor of item C2, say I. >> I. >> All oppose, say no. Item passes unanimously. Uh, could I have a motion, a second on item F2? >> Second.
>> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Thompson. Uh, public comment on F2. >> One registered speaker is Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh. they decide to change. >> That was an example. >> I don't doubt it. >> Uh,
good almost afternoon again, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um you may recall when I was the chair of the audit committee last year that the audit committee tore through um the financials, tore through the concept of
the fund balance and reporting and when um and then in response you now get these things called budget reports instead of interim financial statements. But that being said, there's a lot of red on these things and it doesn't seem to make sense that your expenses can be
greater than your revenues, which means you're operating at a loss. And then in come the tans, you're running on tans in this district because were it not for the ability to get tans, um, you'd be insolvent. Uh but what also doesn't make sense and there are a lot of asterisks
on that one page with the projected fund balance. It doesn't make sense that we're using it's like you never have budget amendments anymore. Those things have disappeared. I saw a phantom one a couple months ago with that spoke to the Broward Estates roof repairs versus
replacements, but it doesn't look like you actually approved it. And there's a lack of clarity on whether that actually got approved. But that's a to be continued. Um in terms of budgeting, remember the 35 million the 35 million
and then people came for the superintendent and then that stopped in terms of scheduling. There has to be some common sense here. The instinct cannot be to take money away from teachers and kids. That can't
be the first instinct because my first instinct would be to take the budget and gut the central office for all things that are non-essential. Whether that be people that are skating along that have jobs we don't even understand or comprehend and aren't adding value or
duplicate other staff or software that you don't need. Streamline the whole thing. But my background is in accounting, not education, so it's a different mindset. On the other hand, it would never occur to me to nickel and dime and go for graduations. I honestly
don't think you guys thought that one through the graduations happening in gyms. And I hope that also includes the three largest schools because then we would have inequity. But these are the types of recommendations. And I know you guys all were on board with gyms because I listened to it, but I don't think you
thought that one through. You're trying to save 500,000 and that is less than what has been wasted with that handy lease already less. And then don't get me started on the 10,000 that they wasted
um to justify Hepern's move to remove me. So with budgeting and by the way, I did a public records request for any communications between BCPS and the state regarding the general fund. So, let's hope I receive nothing because
that'll be another problem. Thank you. >> No more comments. >> Thank you. Board member comment. I have Miss Rupert. I'm good. Thank you, Dr. Zean. >> Thank you so much, Chair. Um, couple things that I think are uh worth talking about this one to our chief financial
officer. Thank you uh for this format. Uh this is clear. It's it's easy to understand. Um and every month we see this and we approve uh financial statements uh when it comes before the board. I just want to confirm chair that
um our negative yeartodate balance in our general fund is negative $80 million. Is that correct? >> Dr. He Johnsonire Johnson CFO through the chair. Yes, that's correct.
>> Terrific. and chair. Also, isn't it the stated and approved policy of the Broward County School Board to end the year with a 5% fund balance on the general fund side? >> Yes, that's correct. >> Terrific. And uh the last point about these particular ones, our capital projects fund has a negative budget
position as well, but it has a fund balance of $510 million. Is that fair? >> That's correct. >> Thank you. So in some sense on the operating side we're skating very close to a state minimum and some issues that would come with that. We're also
significantly right now projecting sorry not significantly but we're projecting 4.8% at the end of June right now for our fund balance. Right. >> That's correct. >> And when the community calls me and says you're 944 million short. I try to remind them actually we're just $94
million decrease in revenue this year. Is that fair? >> That is correct. >> Terrific. And last uh week at the workshop, we asked the superintendent to come in and give us estimates of three things that we've already done by his memo. One was uh a hiring freeze for the
balance of this school year. The second was I'm sorry, I'm going to get these right here and I wrote them down. Um limited on on overtime and an elimination in essence of of any kind of discretionary travel, right? Do we have estimates of how much money we're going to save for those three things? Yes, you
should be getting that uh shortly in the memo during the board meeting, but we have estimates. >> Could you share those numbers now, please? >> Um, right now that number is $23 million and and going. >> Terrific. And and do we know how much we have to save this year in order to end
at the policy that the school board has has has committed to 5%. How much more do we have to take out of the budget beyond the 23? I think you said, >> Mich how much more do we have to save this year in order to get to our 5%? about 30 to 40 more million. >> Okay. So, when the community thinks
about we're getting smaller in some sense, like we're going to go on a budget diet of some type for the next 6 months or so, it's a 30 to40 million problem on a two billion dollar operating base. >> That's correct. >> What percent is 30 million over two
billion? >> Less than one. It's less than 1%. >> One and a half% I think. >> Right. So, so, so that's big. like because we're only we're six months in the year. We've already hired everybody we're going to hire. Like all positions are full. So there's a freeze. We're not
filling empty positions and we saw some retirements today. Uh but one and a half with a half a year left. We're going to be able to do that. Is that fair? >> Yes. The budget is always a is a moving is viable. >> Terrific. Let me shift gears a little bit. Last week we talked a lot about
food nutrition services >> and um I'm curious if there isn't an update that you want to provide or the superintendent might want to provide uh to us about our eligibility for free lunches uh as part of C.
>> Um nothing that that I have to provide right now. That's still a research in progress. >> Terrific. Is it true though that Palm Beach County has a higher percentage of title one uh low-income eligible students in Broward County?
>> Um based on the information that was provided by the food service department that was stated at the last meeting. >> I'm I haven't followed up with Palm Beach myself. So that's based on what was stated by food nutrition department. >> Um I hope that the work that is done on
that particular issue is done with incredible speed. the impact on this community is huge. If in fact we're eligible for this, I I would just be interested uh in learning more. Um
to wrap up the financial thing, the biggest takeaway I think uh chair is that there's a 30 to40 million cost savings that needs to be realized above and beyond those things that have been put in place so far for us to end the year at a at a 5% fund balance. If we do
nothing, what fund balance might we end up at? >> Go ahead. If we do nothing and continue to burn Go ahead. Well, if we get the 20 million saving as projected, then we should be ending a little bit over 3% or at 3% required by
the state. >> Terrific. And last question, chair, uh, in what way is the school board going to participate in helping to find that 30 to $40 million? >> That's a discussion to have with all of our our colleagues. I believe we have that discussion almost every workshop
and every board meeting now. >> Terrific. And I think the next um workshop in January, we have the budget back on again to talk about it if we choose to. Right. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much, Chair. >> Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Well, thank you, Dr. Zean, for bringing
this up and but I I want to push a little bit farther because I just want to make sure I'm crystal clear in understanding for 2025. Um are we going to land with the additional cost savings Dr. He's you're
bringing forward to us above 3%. >> Yes. So what we the the cost savings that we've identified as of today that you receive that will have us at three or above. >> Okay. I like the above part better. >> Yes. Yes.
Now, I understand the policy is five and we want to be at five, but >> um >> and then in addition to that too, we'll be providing a monthly update to the board via memo. So, this will be one of the first and then we'll continue because the team is continue to identify cost savings um throughout this fiscal
year. Um some contracts will be coming back to the board to exercise our out clauses um if if uh you know, if it's not viable for students or staff. So, we got a lot of options that we're looking at. >> Okay. So, we'll receive that memo today during the board meeting cuz
>> this is our last opportunity to speak in 2025 as a board. Um so, I'll wait to see what happens later today in the board meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. And I just um would like to ask the superintendent, we we did give a
directive about bringing back the supplements so we could look at them to see what could be sunsetted in some instances the as we've heard the supplements duplicate what's already somebody's job description and I think
it was supposed to come back in December but we're at the end of December. So can you share with us where we are on that? >> No, we've completed um the actual workshop item. It was on the last week's workshop, but we pushed it um to January due to the time constraints that we had. So, it'll be on the first workshop in
January and in addition maybe some other things around the budget for that same workshop. >> Okay. And and in that item, is there also job descriptions coming up that would be able to shore up the the differences
there and explain where that supplemental position falls into what job? So there won't be any job descriptions. The team has gone through job descriptions and updating and um some of them are some of these issues are contractual too which you'll learn more in the supplement. Um there's some
recommendations from myself about supplements that we could possibly sunset, but that's going to require conversations with our unions cuz some of them are contractual and um some of them are not contractual, but it'll definitely involve conversations with our principles to really understand how
they're being used, why they're being used, if the job description already includes some of these things. So, we're we're going to have some discussions, but we're also I'm also going to um give recommendations about what I think should be sunset um and the process of
how cuz some of them are contractual. The largest chunk is actually contractual. >> And so, I'd ask with when that items come when that item comes, could you at least tell us what position that supplement
would fall into? I know the job descriptions would have to come back, but let's say it's a an ESP or is it instructional or is it a speech therapist so that we have a better idea of who who's >> who's receiving it. >> Well, who's receiving I think you have
that on the item, but the part where if we took away the supplement, who would be doing that job, I guess, is really what I'd like to see. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board members for round one? Round two, Dr. Zean.
>> Thanks so much, Chair. I wanted to um understand a little bit more about the word contractual. My understanding about supplements is that we bargain with the unions for the amount of money that's set aside. A baseball coach gets $2,250, for example. Made up number, but it's
roughly right. Um, if the school has a baseball team and the principal has the money in their school budget and they decide to to to to compensate a baseball coach, they pay them the amount that we bargain. Is that fair?
>> Correct. >> So, but this that the principal has the authority to use or not use all of the supplements. >> Correct. >> What what part of this is contractual? the fact that the baseball coach gets, you know, this amount of money or that the principal must pay a baseball coach
if they have one. >> Well, u let's take the athletic analogy out. Uh the ones that are that we identified that are contractual are more about um paying teachers for professional development. um paying and I'll have uh the team kind of give some
details because there were some things I don't want to uh misspe but there were a few things that are not associated with athletics that was a larger chunk than athletics actually that were um contractual >> actually Dr. Lozano I don't think uh I think you've answered the question the the contractual means it's it's
mandatory in our collective bargaining agreement that if we do PD we we must compensate that's all I wanted to know I save you some time Dr. Lzan thank you very much superintendent Thank you. Any other board member discussion? All in favor of F2 say I.
>> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I now have a motion on uh RR1? >> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zeman. Second by Miss Thompson. Any public comment on RR1? >> Uh yes ma'am. We have uh several uh
speakers on it. Uh Mr. Pettis is uh the first one and I believe uh Jack Adams and Thomas Cooney. >> Welcome. >> Good afternoon, Madame Chair, board, Dr. Heburn.
>> Uh indeed, it's an honor uh to come here and uh to give a little reflection upon Miss Marilyn Batista. I've known Marilyn all of her career uh in the days that she was uh with Ed Marco when they were
outside council and all of the years she's been I guess it's 29 years here in house. Uh we've been through a lot of cases, a lot of battles, a lot of challenges over that 30-year period. Uh, one of the things that I think is a consistent thread in the service that
Maryland has given to this uh, uh, district as well as our community is full commitment towards excellence. uh you know there have been some uh challenging times uh within within uh
her 30 years but she never wavered from doing what was best for the community for the district uh and had the utmost respect for every single board she worked on and that was sometime pretty challenging uh the board was challenging uh during those early years not you all
but earlier years no >> u the the uh but Maryland continued to be that profession professional that she is and it was an honor to serve in so many different ways with her. Uh we even tried a case or two together. Uh which
was an honor. Uh but Marilyn, I wish you as you well know all the best. Uh I think that you know this is not the end. You're too young for this to be the end. Uh but whatever you do, you're going to approach it with the same type of attitude and you're going to be
successful. You're going to be missed by this district. you have an incredible wealth of knowledge and corporate uh knowledge that uh somebody's going to step into those shoes and have to give you a call uh during that transitional period. And I know the person you are, you're going to facilitate that as best
as you can. But I wish you God's blessings in uh the next chapter of your life. And hopefully our friendship will go way beyond uh the professional relationship. All the best. So, Marilyn, what can I say? I've known um Marilyn Bastista since before I
worked um with the school board of Broward County. I knew of her. I knew that every single time that we went to FSBA, and there were very hard questions that were asked by multiple people in um multiple other districts, the answers
came from Broward. Broward is literally the leader in terms of education law and the different circumstances that happen and what to do about it. Um, I did not realize that I was going to be working with her at the school board of Broward County, but when I did, she did not
change. She was the same. And that's a mark of true character is to be able to remain the same, rem be able to have the same values irrespective of what circumstance you find yourself in. and I know she's found herself in a lot of circumstances that could be categorized
as challenging. So, as our leader, I'm I'm very happy that um you have such a tact, finesse, grace, knowledge. Um I I've already kitted with Marilyn that I could say the same words and she'll come
in and say those same exact words and for some reason the doors open. you know, that's the type of power that she has, and I'm so grateful that you um are our leader. So, we have a couple of presentations um for you. One is a
plaque, very nice crystal plaque, and it says, "Broward County Public Schools, presented to Marilyn C. Batista Esquire, board certified specialist, with heartfelt appreciation for your dedicated and distinguished service as
an assistant school board attorney, deputy general counsel, interim general counsel, and general counsel in the office of general counsel from October 1, 1996 through January 9th, 2026.
Thank you so much for your years of service. I also have been privileged to work with Miss Batista for many years. So since 2008, I've been working for and with her uh here and she's been a uh an amazing person to work with and learn from. Um
so I can't echo everything that was already stated uh without real simply repeating myself. But um one of the things that the group as a whole gathered and put together in a binder, leather binder, says Marilyn C. Batista Esquire, board certified specialist, is
a very small collection of all of the appellet cases that Miss Batista uh has been published over. So uh again to you, Miss Batista, thank you very much for everything you've done. Appreciate it. And so as not to be redundant, my name
is Maya Moore and it has been my ultimate pleasure um getting to know you and working with you and for you. Um she has a level of grace as stated before that is just
it's remarkable. I mean, I we've seen her stand tall in all different types of uh challenging times and and give the best advice that she has. And um you're really going to be missed and I want to thank you for your service. We
have some beautiful flowers for her. Um and you know, we'll shed our tears in in the quiet, but I just want to thank you for for everything that you've done for us individually and collectively. Do we have any other public speakers
for discussion? Miss Rupert. >> Thank you. >> Sorry, we have one more person. Sorry, Miss Rupert. >> Sorry. Hold on. >> Hi, my name's Anastasia Protoapodakis. I have spent my entire legal career with Miss Batista. I've represented the school board of Broward County since the day I got out of law school and became a
B attorney um with Miss Batista always um in the office of general counsel. I can say nothing but good things about her. She is the most professional person I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Um just an amazing amount of grace
and and class and I'm really really going to miss working with you, Miss Batista. And I'm so glad that we've been able to to develop a personal friendship as well that I hope that's going to carry us through these years. And I wish you the best of luck in everything that you do because I know whatever it is, it's going to be great. Thank you.
>> All right, Miss Rupert. >> Thank you. Um it is it is a pleasure and um a sorrow to see you leave. um you certainly have uh represented us to the best of your ability and have been kind
when kindness wasn't cool around here. So I I so appreciated that. It it uh kind of held me together for for some time where I needed an advisor and it really um was something very special to
me. um love the resolution and in order for us to be able to pass this resolution and um follow our policy on naming uh schoolboard owned facilities, I I will move to
um add at the end of the last paragraph that starts with no therefore um where it ended and said students of Broward County uh comma Florida, we're going to add a comma afterwards. effective January 10th, 2026 because
that would be when you're not employed with us anymore. So, um I certainly don't want to uh violate any of our policy and I know you don't either. So, second motion made by Miss Rupert, seconded by Miss Leonardi. Public comment on the
motion. Board discussion on the motion. All in favor of the motion say I. I. >> All oppose say no. >> Motion passes unanimously. Um, Mr. Bert, did you have anything else to say on the item or >> continue?
Sorry. Um, I I always get emotional when I do these things, so let's just I'm going to stay unemotional here. And um I look forward to you enjoying yourself, having that freedom, spending some more time with
your family, and uh those moments you can't get back. And as graceful and uh much of a rock that we've needed over these years, I know that your family has missed you. And um I know um that whatever your your second, third, fourth
uh iteration of your life is going to be just as gratifying and um enjoyable for you. So uh we will miss you. I will miss you personally. Um but thank you. Thank you for all that you've done for us.
Thanks, >> Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, Miss Batista, uh, you will be greatly missed by this board. Um, I can see by your staff as well and, um, I'm sure by
everyone. Uh, what I can say is I came on the board in 2022 and you've always from day one, even when I had no experience, didn't know much about what I was doing until I had to learn, you were very kind and you were respectful.
Um, and you always take my calls. When I send a text, Miss Batista will respond in an hour or two. I don't know how she does it with all the other things she has, but um, when I'm not in the Casey Wright building and I send a text, please give me a call. Within an hour or
two, Miss Batista would call and she would not rush you off the phone. She takes her time. So, you know, my uh take on it is that you're a decent human being. Um, and outside of uh outside of all of the stuff that we go through,
just the core of your character speaks volume and and I and I thank you and you have you have left an indelible mark on all of us and I it was a joy working with you. Thank you. >> Um, Miss Hixon,
>> thank you. And, um, I love this resolution. I think it's amazing. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to our district. Um, you've spent most of your time, I guess, in this particular area, and I know that, you
know, as someone who also spent a long time in Broward County Public Schools, it's um it's part of who you are. It's part of of what you think about every day, why you get up in the morning, and it just becomes, you know, your family. So, I think this is a great way to honor
and celebrate you. So, I'm very happy to see it. Um, I also want to thank you for um accepting the challenges that I may have thrown in your direction with grace and um with with compassion,
understanding that what I was asking I really felt deeply about and wanted to do the right thing and helping guide me around making sure I was within the confines of the law. So, I believe I'm part of those challenges that were mentioned earlier. Um, you know, I've
also very much appreciated getting to know you personally. I really enjoyed our conversations that we've had and I do wish you the best time with your family. That is more important than anything else in the world. And as Mrs. Rupert said, you can't get that time
back. So, enjoy. I hope you'll let us know how you're doing and come back to visit. And we will um we will miss you very much. But thank you so much for your dedication to our district. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> I'm gonna try not to cry. Sorry. Um I
just think we the words cannot express I think how lucky this district was to have you for so long. And I know we asked you to stay and you very quickly said no, but I think if there was a way we could make you stay, we would. Um, I
just think you can tell how amazing you were by all the people in this room, by the presence that you bring to the boardroom. You've really taught me how when people are maybe being not the kindest, how to respond to
them with poise and grace and love of what you're doing. And I hope you have all the blessings in the world. and you get to travel and spend time with your son and you move with him because that's what he really wants and
I just think you're great. >> Thank you, Mrs. Ala, >> Miss Batista. So, we've been through a lot through all the years, a lot of ups and downs, but thank you
for your professionalism and all that you have done for Broward County Public Schools. Thank you, >> Miss Bulman. >> I just call her Batista. I don't know why you guys are all so formal over here, but um so I watched you from afar
before we were over here and really admired your lawyering. So it's been a pleasure to work with you. Your lawyers love you. It's very impressive. Lawyers have a bad reputation,
but you're a excellent example. So, thank you. And I barely ever cry about anything. You're welcome. >> Try to follow that, Dr. Zean. >> Well, I I was It's It's hard enough coming after Jean Pettis and Anastasia
and the staff, uh, Tom and Katherine and Maya. Um, like Dr. wholeness. I frequented uh Miss Batista's phone and her email and um uh often it was Sunday night when we both
had time where we could uh talk about things. Um and what I've always appreciated about you is is for non- lawyers, you know, your uh patience uh even though we were persistently trying to find a way to bend or break or
violate some kind of law, you were always u crystal clear. um uh about the the lack of wisdom in even in my questions. Jean, she would say, "That was cute, Ellen. You do you have a better one?" And I would try and reformulate uh reformulate the question. So, I hope I I learned I know now I know
a lot more about Ed Law than I ever know knew before because often these calls were Sunday night. I appreciate your tips on cooking uh on on taking care of the kids and uh the art discussions that we've had uh about things and on international travel. Our conversations
have been broad and wide. I I hope everybody appreciates uh kind of the depth and the breadth uh of your knowledge. You're an amazing lawyer and you're a world-class person. And um uh I haven't worked with very many people that that kind of are both of those, but
you clearly are. Thank you, >> Dr. Heburn. >> Yes. Thank you. So, uh Miss Batista, who you know, just call you Marilyn. Um, thanks for, you know, the the support. Um, I know we banter back and forth, uh, trying to figure out what's best for the
district and best for kids, cuz that's what great leaders do. Um, it's been a pleasure. I've heard the word grace. You know what my word is for you? That's regal. She's one of the most regal individuals I've ever met in my life. Um, kept keeps it professional at all times and always not afraid to be honest
with myself or my staff when it comes to comes to issues and how we should tackle those. Um, one thing I I I will not forget, uh, we we trade mango stories all the time. If you guys ever heard about that wonderful mango tree that Miss Batista has at her house, they're
amazing. But I talk about my mom's mango. So, I owe her a Julie mango. I would I remember to bring that and get that to Yes, I know I owe you one. I get that mango to you. But thanks for your years of service is definitely commendable. Um, a lot of people don't understand the work that we do, you know, on behalf of the district and
behalf for kids and and I surely know that the pressures that you that you've been under throughout your whole career. Um, and it's commendable. And I know all of Broward County Public School students and staff, even the people who don't know that you've influenced certain decision- making or or or made their
opportunities better. Um, don't know it, but we know. We know. So, thanks for all your years of service, Maryland. Yes. Absolutely. Go off and enjoy family. Um, so I would like us to vote on this item and then I have some words to say and we have clearly a presentation of a
lot of wonderful things from Miss Batista. Um, so is there any board any further board discussion on the item? All in favor of RR1 say as as amended. Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Mr. Civera. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Appreciate the opportunity to speak. Obviously, I'm in
support uh of this resolution. you know, I I obviously I'm the newest um member to the board and one of the people who's uh individuals at the district who's made my transition to a board member um
easier is is Miss Batista uh helping me guide through some some legal hurdles and explaining various aspects of the law to me that I was not familiar with in order to be a better board member. Miss Batista was always there for me. You know, being a lawyer is hard. Being
a lawyer that works in the government and has to answer to elected officials is extremely hard. And uh Miss Batista has always handled herself with grace and professionalism and uh enthusiasm. And I I've always greatly greatly
appreciated that. Marilyn, you've been a zealous advocate uh for this district. You've been very passionate about what you've done. and uh you've made our jobs as board members uh easier. So, as you uh ride off here, um I wish you nothing
but the best. Um enjoy your mom, enjoy your son, enjoy being with your family and all that great stuff. And again, I'm very very appreciative for everything that you've done for this district. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All in favor of RR1 as amended, say I. I.
>> All oppose say no. Item few passes unanimously. Um, and I I just wanted to before we we present uh Miss Batista with her many honors, um, I just wanted to pause and recognize and honor a woman whose
professional legacy is deeply woven in Broward County Public Schools. For more than three decades, Miss Marilyn Batista has served this district with distinction, integrity, and unwavering commitment. Her service to Broward Schools began, as we know, in 1996,
first as outside counsel and later as our general counsel, where she became a trusted adviser to many superintendent, school boards, and senior leadership teams. And throughout her tenure, Miss Batista provided steady legal guidance during periods of growth, challenge, and
change. Her work touched nearly every aspect of district operations from governance and policy to labor relations, facilities, student matters, and compliance with state and federal law. Something that many lawyers cannot say for themselves. In every instance,
she approached her responsibilities with professionalism, sound judgment, deep respect for public education, and as a word we've heard over and over again today, grace. At this time, it is my honor to present these flowers and this plaque to Miss
Batista as a symbol of our appreciation and gratitude on our on behalf of Broward School, the Broward School Board and entire Broward County Public Schools family. Thank you, Miss Batista, for your decades of service and dedication to our district.
>> Oh, wow. >> Do we all get in? >> You want to recess for a photo? >> Yes. >> We'll now recess the meeting, John. Data. Green. D. D.
Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Wo. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Heat.
Oh, you're back. >> Thank you. So, um, this special this regular school meeting is now reconvened. I'd like to turn it over to Miss Batista. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I just want to say that this was a total surprise. I
I I know I prepared for this agenda and and I know there was no RR item. So, uh, when you when you called that, there was a little panic in my heart like, did I miss something? Um but um I just want to say thank you to everyone who came and
and everyone who spoke. I um am very humbled by everything that every everyone said. I just want to say that um I would like to
not only thank all of you, but um thank number one God for blessing me with wonderful parents that gave me uh the values that I hold dear to me today. Um
and those are the values of faith um integrity, honesty, hard work, and um all of those things I learned from my mom and dad. So um I also want
to thank my son for all the sacrifices that he's made so that I can be here serving this the children of school of the school district of Broward County. um on this board. Um it has been a true privilege for me to represent the board
and the board members and the staff and the superintendent for the past 30 years. Um I would not change it for anything, not even the challenging times. Um every single time gives you a learning experience and something to be
grateful for. So, I I thank everyone and um I appreciate the the recognition and the flowers and the resolution. Thank you so much. Welld deserved. All right. Um could I get a motion and a second on M1?
>> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on M1. No comment >> for discussion. Dr. Zean. >> Thanks, Chair. I'm fascinated um with these and I'm curious about a whole bunch of things.
Uh chair, uh when's the last time we had an application for a new charter school in Broward County? >> Dr. Heburn. >> Dr. Waza. >> Thank you, Dr. Heburn. Um, I have Miss Collins, the director of charter school management support here. Um, and she'll walk us through those uh responses. Dr.
Zaman, >> thank you. >> Hi, good afternoon through the chair. Dante Collins, director of charter schools management support department. Um, I think if memory serves me correct, it's been approximately 5 years. >> Terrific. And and thank you uh and Dr.
Wanza for the conversations this week about uh this particular uh set of applications. I note that both of them are K8s. Yes. >> Which is a model that charters have really fallen in love with, not just in Broward County, but around the state.
How many K8s does Broward County district how many district Broward County District K8 schools do we have right now? >> So, um I'll I'll take that question. So, district schools, um I believe we have seven. >> Yes. >> Seven.
>> Terrific. And once the repurposing goes through its process, if it if it follows through as it has so far, how many will we open? >> The board did not vote to well, let me say this. There aren't any recommendations that are coming forward from the superintendent to open any
additional ones for next school year. However, there was there was a proposal um profer that um the board did um give staff and the superintendent and staff feedback to look for um the 2728 school year of potentially doing um at
least one and maybe two more, but for next school year, we don't have any new ones coming online. >> Terrific. Uh uh chair, I'm wondering if the superintendent uh has some uh um inclination to do K8s in Broward County District Schools given that the charters
have really fallen in love with this model. >> It is a desirable model um for especially for families that have kids in multiple grade levels of multiple grade level bands, elementary and middle um and traditionally middle schools and elementary schools start at different
times which is a often a burden for working families. >> Terrific. I also noticed in these applications, Dr. Wanza, that uh they have um an expected class size of 18 to1 or 22:1 depending on which grade you're looking at uh in the K8 model. Is that
consistent with our student teacher ratio in district run schools now? >> So, Dr. Fton, I'm one of the region so I have to answer that, but I do know that we um typically do averages of the 18, 22, and 25. 18 at the um PK to three, 22
for the um intermediate grades of 4 through 8, and then 25 at the high school level. >> Yeah. Statutoily required. >> Okay. Um the reason I like talking about this is, you know, choice is not new. 20 years
ago, we started charter schools in a big way in Florida. Um in that time, 50,000 or so students in Broward County have chosen charter schools. uh in an environment of choice. If you're running choice A and there's a choice B, there's
a lot to learn from whatever B's doing. Um it's interesting that they advertise their tuition free. Maybe we should too, but maybe everyone knows that public schools are free. I don't know. There are some significant advantage though of district-run schools. Dr. uh uh Heepern,
do we charge anybody in Ber County schools to get on a bus? >> That isn't a negative. >> Dr. Heburn. Um, what percentage of our, uh, permanent faculty members are certified teachers in the state of Florida? >> 100%.
>> Terrific. Who has better real estate in Broward County? Traditional schools or charter schools? >> We do. >> Who has better sports programs, traditional schools or charter schools? >> We do. >> What is it we can learn from this application? I know we have significant
advantages and I know that we are just choice A, but the more we know about choice B and what they do and how they advertise and where they locate and and what they do. I mean this humane I'm sorry I'm going to drop the term here. Is it humane sciences the specialy? Is
that right? >> It's okay. >> I'm fascinated with that and I'm not exactly sure what it means but I'm going to read about it. but what they advertise for their programs, where they locate, uh how they do um administrative uh positions, uh whether they move forward with sports programs in the
futures in a whole way, we have distinct advantages, but it's really important to know what they are. Every time they apply for a charter school, every time they do something at charter school, I hope we sit down and think a little bit about it and then think about it in a competitive environment because we are clearly competing against charter schools and private schools and home
schools. And to the extent that we can kind of hone the message about what traditional public schools have in terms of advantages and ways in which we can look at what they do and say if they're doing something better than us, uh we we'll adopt that. Uh I'm fascinated also with Jeb Bush uh who started this
charter school movement a long time ago in Florida. And the whole model of charter schools was for them to do innovations and for traditional district-run schools to learn from those charter schools so that we can continue together to make sure that we're serving all the students uh in Florida. Uh I
hope when these applications come, maybe we won't get another one or two for 5 years, which would be great in my mind. Uh but I hope when we get the next one, we stop and think a little bit about what their latest and greatest innovations are. Um as we move forward, Dr. He do we continue to study charter schools and the programs and the class
sizes and the programs that they offer throughout Ber County. >> Yes, we study charter schools and other educational opportunities uh just to really understand how the landscape of public education um is evolving over time so that we can pivot appropriately, adapt appropriately and innovate as well
to meet uh current student and family needs. >> Terrific. Thanks so much. Appreciate it. Chair, >> any other board discussion on M1? All in favor of M1 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes
unanimously. Um could I have a motion and second on 01? >> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean. Second by Miss Roupert. Public comment on 01. >> No comment. >> Board member comment. Dr. Zean. >> My question has been answered. Chair. Thank you.
>> All in favor of 01 say I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes. unanimously. Um, board members, I am advised that the general counsel would like to request an attorney client session. At this time, I'm requesting that all persons not
scheduled to attend the attorney client session please exit the room at this time. Miss Batista. Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to request the school board convene two attorney client sessions in order to discuss litigation pending before the
17th judicial circuit in and our for Broward County, Florida in the following matters. EH and JG individually and as parents and natural guardians of EH and EH minors versus Sunshine After School Care, Inc. and Brower County School
Board case number CACE25-00009230 pending before the 17th judicial circuit in and for Brower County, Florida. The following persons will attend this attorney client session. Schoolboard members Sarah Leonardi chair Dr. Jeff Hoes vice chair Lorie Alhadev Morak
McCarthy Bulman Adam Cera Esquire Deborah Hixon Nora Rupert Rebecca Thompson Dr. Alan Zean, Dr. Howard Hepburn, superintendent of schools, Anastasia Protoapadakis, Esquire, Kathleen Jacqu Adams, Esquire, and
Marilyn Catista, Esquire, BCS. The second session, the school board of Brower County versus certain underwriters of Lloyds of London subscribing to policy number PK1617 case number CACE25-017957
pending before the 17th Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Florida. The following persons will attend this attorney client session. Schoolboard members Sarah Leonardi, chair Dr. Jeff Holes, vice chair, Lorie Alhadev, Mora
McCarthy Bulman, Adam Cera, Esquire, Deborah Hixon, Nora Rupert, Rebecca Thompson, Dr. Alan Zean, Dr. Howard Hburn, Superintendent of Schools, Megan Moore, Esquire, Nicole Josephi, Esquire, John Ko, Esquire, Kathleen Jack Adams,
Esquire, and Marilyn Catista, Esquire, BCS. In anticipation of this request, the attorney client sessions were properly advertised for today, December 16, 2025 at 12:45 p.m. in accordance with section 286.011
parent 8 of the Florida statutes. The purpose of the attorney client sessions are to discuss settlement negotiations and or strategy relative to the pending litigation. A certified court reporter will record the sessions and only those persons noted in the advertisement will
be permitted to attend. At this time, the school board of Broward County, Florida, will recess the regular schoolware meeting for two attorney client sessions. The attorney client sessions will be held in the boardroom at the on the first floor of the Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center, 600 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301. The attorney
client sessions will take approximately 60 minutes. At the conclusion of the of the business of the attorney client sessions, the regular schoolboard meeting will reconvene. All persons not scheduled to attend the attorney client sessions, please exit the room at this time. Hey
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Hey. Hey. This regular schoolboard meeting is now reconvened. Could I get a motion in a second on item S1? >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on S1. >> Yes, Madam Chair. There are four public speakers.
>> Carly Regala, Jodie Perry, Dr. Trudy Germanovich. Close us out is Frank Carapana Jr. >> Named speakers, please approach the mic. >> Campana. Sorry about that. >> Welcome.
>> Thank you. Good afternoon, Madame Chair, school board members, Superintendent Heburn, and Miss Baptista. Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to speak on behalf of item S1, the renaming of the magnet program at Driftwood Middle School to the Frank C. Campana Academy
of Health and Wellness. But to understand the significance of the name, it's important to understand the significance of the man. In the 1960s, Mr. Hampana was on the founding administration team at Hollywood Hills High School where he was part of the effort to integrate the new high school.
He served as the principal at Hollywood Hills for four years and then chose due to family obligations to move to Driftwood Middle School. This would transform the Drifwood Acres community into the educational hub of Western Hollywood. Mr. Campana was the principal
for 25 years. In 1986, I was fortunate to meet Mrs. Campana when we both served on the district's atrisisk dropout prevention committee. I was at Perry Middle School as the only atrisisk teacher there. I didn't realize
I was sitting next to an expert. He was not only someone who spoke in Tallahassee, he also spoke in Washington DC about the importance of educational funding and working with children. He had a vision of student achievement that includes all students, not just their
academics, not looking at their personal struggles, but understanding the entire child. Because of the programs, he started one called the model school adjustment program that followed kids
from fifth grade through high school in the Hollywood Hills zone. They had a social worker assigned to them, one person. They had a main teacher, and they had an individual to monitor attendance. The longitudinal study on
that program over a 10-year period found a much higher level of student graduation that had been in the program. When I went to Driftwood, he asked me to head an atrisisk program that we came to call the school within
the school. It was designed for students that were not ready for a departmentalized program. They would stay with one teacher all day long like an elementary model, just going out once for an for the elective. What we found with those students over time is we had
15 classes going with 330 students per year. Over the years, that program became a model not just for Broward County, but it was recognized by the
president as an academic program of promise for atrisisk students under his guidance. We had people from all over the country and internationally coming and watching the school. Grace period, >> finish your sentence, please. Thank you.
>> Okay. Okay. I'm going to cut to the chase. This is very important to everybody in this room. This man must be remembered. By just adding one section to the name of the magnet program, what we will do with the help of Miss Winston
Davis and her team, we will ensure that his name lives on forever. That way, all written communications, newsletters, websites, and banners will include his name, ensuring this man is not forgotten.
We are therefore requesting that the name be altered to read Driftwood Middle School, the Frank C. Campana Academy of Health and Wellness. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next speaker, Jodie Perry, followed by
>> Well, I was Jod Perry. That's Carly. >> Sorry. >> Hello everyone. Good afternoon. My name is Karly Rogala and I am a proud graduate of Country Hills Elementary, Coral Springs Middle, and Marjorie Stoman Douglas, class of 2024. But most
importantly, I am one of Frank Campana's four granddaughters. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your time and consideration of this matter and to thank those who have put so much effort into finding a way to remember my grandfather, especially Miss Jodie Perry. Growing up, I quickly realized
the impact that my grandfather had on the lives of many. We would be going up the elevator to a Florida Panthers hockey game and someone would stop and recognize him as their principal from many years ago. But the most amazing part was he could still remember them by name, details about their families, and
details about their lives. Therefore, I ask for your help in remembering my grandfather's legacy, one that extended far beyond the classroom into the lives of countless students and families. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, Jodie, I'm sorry, Dr.
Trudy Germanovich, followed by Frank Campana Jr. Uh my name is Dr. Trudy Germanovich. Frank Campana was an excellent example of a principal who truly believed in letting his teachers take the lead on what was best for the school students.
He also encouraged his teachers to be lifelong learners and to attend conferences such as the Florida Educational Technology Conference. I was good friends with Wilma Pacetti who served Driftwood as the school librarian, PE teacher, and what was called the technology specialist. and we
attended that conference together for several years. Technology was seen differently during that most of the time he was principal. He allowed teachers to collaborate and discuss how the technology was to be used with students. He was the guide on the side and never
resorted to top- down decisions. Even though Driftwood had a sports emphasis in recent times, they've also been known for their excellent environmental programs. These programs were guided by Linda Gonatano and have brought national attention recognition to the school and
the district. Because Linda Gansatitano was also part of the first US women's soccer team, she was having a great or great at having the dual emphasis within the magnet program. For that reason, I would like to suggest that it would be nice to continue to have the
environmental emphasis as well. I saw it was discussed at the school sack meeting and rejected because someone said they couldn't offer an environmental elective. There are answers to this dilemma. First, a successful middle school should be using project-based learning which could include any topic
throughout the various curriculum areas. Second, I believe a middle school should develop electronic portfolios for students which they can look back on throughout their lives. I'm sure Mr. Compound would have agreed. If the school is no longer a magnet, which I
guess it still a magnet, I'm hoping um having a broad broader title may encourage parents to have students clamoring to attend this great school. I would hope that that name could reflect all of the present pro programs. My suggestion would be the Frank Campana
Academy of Sports Wellness and Environmental Studies. But whatever the name, it is a fitting tribute to a great man. Thank you. Hello. Uh, I'm Frank Campan Jr. Um, I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of my family for um this potential honor
for my father. Um, he'd be so happy for this and so proud. He was um exceptional educator. uh he wanted to make Driftwood a special place where uh students wanted to go, their parents wanted to send them and um educators wanted to be there with
him and teach. Um he was a mentor to many of them and an extraordinary educa educator the entire time that uh he was in the school board for over 30 years. Um just wanted to say thank you again. Um if he was here, he would be so happy
for this honor. So thank you so much. >> Thank you. That concludes our registered speakers. >> Thank you, Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. Um, and thank you to all of the friends and family in the audience. Uh, as a representative of
District 1 where Driftwood sits, I'm very proud to um have this honor being bestowed upon someone who is clearly a visionary leader and just an amazing educator. I had the pleasure of speaking with um Miss Perry yesterday and she
gave me a history of Mr. Campana and um for all of you know kind of the negative stories that we hear from time you know uh in the press recently I think this is an example of something that's extremely positive and a role model and an
inspiration for so many educators. So um obviously I support this everybody. Hopefully you guys will too. But I also just want to say that I have had the privilege of going to the Driftwood campus um not when Mr. Kano was there but more recently and the legacy lives
on. The programs are still there. They do amazing work. Um as Dr. Jamanovich just said uh um Lindsa Gansitano continues to um impress me every time I go on that campus and see what they're
doing to really educate the whole student. So it it really is a model that we should be reproducing. Um and I'm just very happy to have Driftwood in my district. So thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. Thank you. And I want to thank Miss
Perry for reaching out to me. Um, August 9th, she sent me an email saying she had been trying to get this done for the past five years. A lot of changes in principles and in all different places and changes in the sack and and all of
that. So, you know, I really appreciate you being persistent and and reaching out. I want to also thank Dr. Wanza and Mr. Strauss and principal Winston Davis because um it was five years in the making but when you reached out in August here we are in December. So I
wished it had been a little quicker than that even but really glad that we were able to do this. And you know it's really important to for us to recognize the great work of Mr. Campana. He was he died in December of 2020 which was
during COVID and so they weren't able to do really a proper way publicly to honor him. So 40 years of service in the district, 25 years principal at Driftwood Middle School and he not only supported this
wellness health and wellness program but he also created it and he also is the one who helped make it flourish. So, I don't think there's any better way for us as a district to honor someone who gave so much of his his time and his
service and dedication and love to our students. So, I definitely will be supporting this. And again, I just want to thank all of you for coming today, but especially Miss Perry for being um persistent about getting this done. So, thank you. Any other board discussion?
All right. All in favor of item S1 say I. I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. We will recess the meeting for a brief photo. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
This meeting is now reconvened. Could I get a motion? A second on item O2. >> So moved. >> Second. Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Thompson. Public comment on item O2. >> No comment. >> Board member discussion. Dr. Zeman. >> Chair. Can I go next or am I the only one?
>> Miss Hixon. So, thank you. Um, I I asked a question on this and I got an answer, but I'd just like to ask it in public. So, the item is to reject all bids for the professional the design professional
services for MacArthur because there weren't enough people to actually bid on it. And my question was, what are we as a district doing to make sure that we have enough bids um on on projects like this? Because we'll have other ones
coming up and we know we have a little bit of a black stain on us in terms of construction. So, um, Dr. Dr. Heepern, if you could just kind of tell us out loud what the what the district's plan is
moving forward to get more >> Yes. >> to to bid on this particular >> M. >> Good afternoon. Sonia Kohley, executive director, office of capital programs in conjunction with uh procurement. We're
uh doing outreach to try and solicit uh more vendors. Can and can you explain because it went out once and actually the the answer I got was a little bit different that that you were going to change it to con to design and construction. It was the way that the bid for the South Power went
out. So if you could explain all of that. >> Okay. So with the revised procurement method, we're going to try and go in and do design bill whereas we go out and uh solicit a design criteria professional
uh to assist us with preparation of the documents. We already have a criteria for the pool that we utilized on South Broward. So, we will utilize that same method here and then put it out to bid for a specialized vendor which uh would
more so specialize in pool construction. >> And when would that um go out? >> In January. >> Okay. Thank you. I just It's important. This is a pool that the community had.
It's gone down. I did speak with um Principal Howard about it. is very excited about it. They really want to build the swim program, but they also want to do a community swimming program, which will actually bring money to the the district because South Broward runs
I ran it for many years. Um the swim program at South Broward and we know that, you know, in in South Florida, specifically Broward County, drowning is a huge issue. So I look at this more as it's more than just a pool that is at a
school. It's really a service we're going to provide to a whole community and so the the quicker we can get that done I think the the better. So thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much chair. Um I had similar concerns of Miss Hixon. Um but I want to
go further with this. Does is this design uh lack of of proposal something that is experienced in Miami date and Palm Beach County? >> Dr. Hepper. I can't I don't have uh information on Miami Dade unless um the procurement
team or the construction team does and that's um from shook the heads. No, we don't have information on Miami date. >> Okay. How about this? What's the delay uh in getting this completed as a result of not getting sufficient biders for the design?
>> Um it puts you have to acquire the uh the service providers to get it. So there there there is going to be a delay because we have to put it back out to get what we exactly need to get this pool back up and running. >> I'm just um hearkening back to another big pool project, Miss Hixon, member of
the Stranahan one. Four years, no swim team, no swimming. Uh it it was I'm not blaming you. I'm just reminiscing about, you know, uh, while we were both on the board, you know, we watched the the Stranahan
projects just take forever to get done and they kept getting hiccup after hiccup and the delays sometimes were three or four months every time you have to have to go route for another bid and the like. So, if if the answer is design build so that we can get if that's kind of what works better in pool construction, >> uh, that'd be great and I look forward
to it. The unfortunate part of this is we went out for design and there's going to be some three, four, six, you know, month delay. Um, and that's really unfortunate because that's three, four, six months of not swimming uh in the community and in the school. So, I'm glad that we have a solution going forward. Thank you.
>> Any other board discussion, Miss Bulman? >> Uh, I just wanted to echo um what Miss Hixon said. Thank you for making all of those points and the faster that we can get uh this construction project going, the better for the big picture. as um
Miss Hixon ping, it's not just the opportunity for swim teams, but the entire community benefits from having that pool. So, let's get it moving. Thanks. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor of O2 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no.
>> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion and a second on item S2? >> Some moved. >> Uh moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rouper. Public comment on item S2. >> No comment. Um, board member discussion, Miss Thompson. >> Um, I just wanted to give a shout out to
West Broward. Um, this is a really exciting opportunity for them. Um, and that was my comment. >> Any other board discussion? >> All in favor of item S2 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes
unanimously. Um, could I get a motion and a second on item DD3? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rouper. Public comment on item DD3. >> Uh, no, ma'am. No register speakers.
>> Board member comment, Miss Bulman. I um I just had a question and I don't know who this is for, if it's for finance. the uh the way when the the audit was conducted there's um funds that come through the
processing um that had accumulated to pretty significant amount and I was just wondering what we're going to do with those because they're being held in an account um with the business services center and I is this something that should be getting transferred to the
general fund or how we're just looking for some guidance because the audit was kind of looking for some guidance. >> Let's see, Miss Andreo. Um, if you're >> here, unless you just walked out. >> Um, >> oh, go ahead, Miss Johnson. That's
>> through the chair. Um, yes, we are looking at it. I think it's 1.5 million and we're going to be doing that transfer to the general fund. >> Okay, great. Perfect. Thank you, >> Miss Rupert. >> I'm okay. Thank you. >> All in favor of item DD3, say I. I.
>> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Um motion and a second on item DD2. >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on DD2. >> Uh we have Dr. N Lynch Walsh and Rachel
Bailey. >> Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Just so I don't run out of time, this is just a reminder that um last year we discovered that locations are not reconciling inventory and I believe the superintendent is supposed
to be bringing a process to address the statutory requirements um that the CFO and the superintendent create procedures. So that's just a reminder for followup. Thank you. >> Any other Miss Bailey? in the audience. All right. Board member discussion. I
have Miss Rupert. >> Is this DD3? >> DD2. >> DD2. Oh, no. I'm okay. They answer. >> All right. Uh, all in favor of DD2 say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Say no. Item passes unanimously. Can I get a motion and a second on FF1?
>> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on FF1. >> No, ma'am. >> Board member comment. Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Just every month I like to say thank you to the grants department. This month we have 2,974,784 coming in through different grants. And
I um just want to say thank you. We really appreciate all the effort and all the great things that come to our students from these grants. >> Mrs. Alhadaf. Uh thank you, Miss Sixon. Um but I do believe we have opportunity to
find more grants and to apply for more grants and um Dr. Hepper is are we doing that? >> Absolutely. Um the the team uh works overtime in identifying grants and we also have external people that I that we work with to to partner with certain
grants also. But yeah, that is uh definitely a strategy we leverage every opportunity we get. >> Thank you. Thank you. All in favor of item FF1 say I. I. All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. I will now take the bulk
items of the open agenda items that we have not passed but have not been pulled for discussion. So, may I have a motion in in a second to pass the open items that have not been pulled for discussion, which are FF2, GG2, JJ1, JJ2, JJ3, JJ4, JJ5, JJ 6, JJ8, JJ9,
JJ11, JJ 12, JJ 13, JJ4, JJ 15, JJ 16, JJ 17, JJ 18, JJ 19, JJ 20, JJ 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34 all those are JJ O1 O4 O7 O10 and O13 >> so moved >> second and moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rupert. Any public comment on those items? >> No, ma'am. >> Board member discussion. All in favor of
passing those o approving the open agenda items that have not been pulled for discussion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> Those items pass unanimously. Um, could I get a motion and a second on item FF3? >> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss
Thompson. Uh, public speakers on FF3. >> No, ma'am. Uh board member discussion. Miss Bulman. >> Thanks, chair. I I just I pulled this because I think this is an amazing program and opportunity for our students. And so, um I'm looking forward
to people being trained to prepare taxes to do that on a volunteer basis for the community when people don't necessarily have those resources at hand. It makes it a great way for our students to get experience and a great service to their
neighbors. So, um, I keep up the good work and thank you for bringing that program forward. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion? >> All in favor of item FF3 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion and a
second on item GG1? >> Move. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean. Second by Miss Thompson. Any public speakers? >> No comments. >> Board member comment. Miss Hixon. Thank you. So, I I asked this question and I know I got an answer, but I I want to ask it of my board members. So, this
item is for outside counsel, which I understand we need, but the item doesn't come with a maximum amount of money to be spent. So, when I asked the question, could we put a maximum on it? The answer that I got was
basically it's not a good idea to do that because you never know how much that's going to cost. But I feel like in a budget crisis that um I think we should put a limit on it, a maximum and then if there's a need to increase that
maximum, they could always bring it back to the board. But I just um I I have trouble voting on something that doesn't have a maximum amount spending on it. So, I'd kind of like to know what my So, I'm going to make a motion, I guess, and
I Miss Batista, if you could help guide me on what maximum I know you don't agree with me, but what if we were going to put a maximum, what would be >> um a good number, >> Miss Batista? >> Yeah. Let me just address the the issue
as well as as your second question. So you know uh I think that having a maximum on on any u agreement is is a good idea as as a general rule. Um because you know
litigation first of all this this uh particular item um we are not we are not assigning any cases under this agreement at this point to this firm. Right? they're just there as a backup in the event that we do need to to use another
firm at this point. So that's that's number one. Um so there, you know, it's not like there's going to be something uh assigned to them tomorrow or anything. We don't have like a case right now, but uh I'm doing it in an abundance of of caution to be prepared.
Um so um you know litigation is inherently unpredictable and I imposing a fixed spending limit could require us to return for additional authority in the middle of an active proceeding and that's the reason why I don't think it's a good idea in this particular case. Uh
we do review invoices as they come in. We make sure that we're not you know being double build that the uh that there is integrity to the invoice. um that we're paying only for that work that was uh performed by the firm and we
have those internal controls already in in my office. Um so I would ask that there would be no cap. Uh but if one were to be um desired and if you wanted to because that was the second part of your question was to um to give a
maximum um uh cap would be you know somewhere in the $300,000 range I would say. Okay. Just to you know be safe. >> Thank you. So I'd like to make a motion to amend the the item to give it a let's
say $400,000 cap. Um, and then if they needed more, they'd have to come back to the board. >> Motion made by Miss Hixon, seconded by Miss Alhadaf. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynchwal, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion. Doesn't
matter how nicely you ask for something, it's still fiscally responsible to cap it. Thank you. >> Any other public comment? Board member discussion. Dr. Zean. Thanks so much, chair. Um, I I'm very serious about
budgets, right? I spent a lot of time uh building, managing, watching, and and u trying to come up with summaries of them. In this particular case, I feel like the office of the general counsel while Miss Batista was there and before have always had the freedom to manage
their external lawyers. Um, and they've just done a great job. Uh, I'm not sure if the board is aware of this, but we have a mandatory hourly limit. I think it's 250 or some insanely low number. >> Yes. Well, we have not not for this
firm. Yes. And and the and unfortunately the rates are going up as as everything else in life is going up. But yes, the rates we have been able to maintain them at 200. Uh right now they're at 250 which is unheard of in this area. >> I just feel like um I don't want to
snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and right now we are experiencing a victory. we can get $695 an hour lawyers to work for 250 and they are um already um doing that on the hourly basis and our general counsel and again I'm not
trying to make this personal but the system of the general counsel has always done a really good job. Uh the third point is is that for any kind of serious litigation case, they often come to us and we approve ahead of time uh the selection of of the the general counsel
and the process that they're going to go through with an attendant tag that comes with it. And so while I love internal controls and I love budgets and we are at a a point of fiscal urgency, I think um I would I would say that um Broward County Schools has done a good job of
managing the external council. I'm sorry, Chair. Do you know how many different lawsuits that we're involved with right now, >> Miss Batista? >> Um, the entire district. >> Yes, ma'am. Including liabilities. >> Um, around 300. >> Yeah. So, we're in the middle of like
active with lots of times. And I would hate to like stop a case and have to wait a month and come back and say, "Oh, we just got to 398,000. We got to got to got to trip over." I don't want to I want to keep moving and get things done. and I trust the office of general counsel under this one, previous and
future ones, uh to be able to manage the external law firm. Thank you. >> And if I may, um a lot of the uh expenses when you come to construction issues is really not the attorneys, is actually expert witnesses that are very very expensive. >> Miss Bowman,
>> yeah, I you know, I think um first of all, you don't want to be in the middle of litigation sometime you have a lot of deadlines. there's not necessarily time to come back to ask for more money or you could be um having a trouble having trouble in court. And to Dr. Zema's point, I don't there hasn't
been any demonstrated irresponsibility with the way that the finances and um management of outside counsel have gone to date. So, um, I have confidence that the way that it's been working for a very long time will continue to work
that way unless we see otherwise in the future. So, I don't support a cap. >> All right. Any other board discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. >> All post say no. >> No. >> No. Roll call. >> No.
Roll call on the motion to place a cap on the item. >> Sea, >> no. >> Hixon, >> yes. >> Holiness, >> yes. >> Leonardi, >> no. >> Rupert, >> yes. >> Thompson,
>> no. >> Zean, >> no. >> Aladev, >> no. >> Bulman, >> no. >> Motion fails. 63. All >> right. Uh, back to the item. Miss Hixon, do you have any other for Okay, Dr. Zean.
>> Uh, is this GG1? >> Yes. >> Um, this a great law firm. Thanks. >> Any other board discussion on GG1? All in favor of the item say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> Item passes unanimously. Can I get a
motion and a second on our time certain item 04? >> So move. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Thompson. Public comment on item 04. >> Yes, Madam Chair, you have three registered speakers. First, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, followed by John Doherty on behalf of Jacobs, and then Richard
Forbes on behalf of Express Services. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um, so this is where much like the handy lease, if I know about something ahead of time,
excuse me, I can stop it. In 2020, the RFQ for the PMO came to the board like it was supposed to, got reviewed by RSM for an extra set of eyes
and went out. What happened after that is where things went sideways. So the first thing was that the RFQ was not brought to the board so that you could decide and weigh in on what you were doing next.
Then you got told about a piggyback in April. The person telling you had been here since the prior April. If nothing else was a priority, this should have been one of them and not wait until April of 25 so that we are here in
December of 25 backed into a corner. Um the RFQ has elements of both the PMO and the CMA which the CMA is a construct. Nobody knows what that is because it only exists in Duval and now here. Um 287.05727A 905727A
does permit financial stability to be something you ask about. Um, but you wouldn't wave that a as a technicality after the fact. And that was in the 2020 version. Um, and I mentioned this when I spoke prior. It's just that nobody was
paying attention to it to assess it for 2025 to see if you needed to lower the ratios. Um, and I'm probably going to well, let me go down the list. Uh, so 287.055 which is a statute I've known about for at least 10 years because this is not
the first time that we've had u we found oursel here requires qualifications to be evaluated. There's no getting around that. That is the strongest case for rejecting all bids. I do not know how these three
motions came to be an idea. But if you're waving scoring and ranking of proposers, you have completely forgotten the cue for qualifications. And then the other thing when they they did well there's a lot wrong because nothing was right about this. You cannot
then convene the negotiation team to try to back in having discussions that are part of the competitive selection process. You can't do it after the fact to try to cure it first. If you walk into QAC and do these three motions, that was the first problem. Maybe
reconvene QAC and and evaluate qualifications. None of that happened. So, there was a lot wrong with this. There's a lot of money that's now been wasted. And I don't see how you walk your way out of this other than to reject all bids. But just like this
morning, people were getting um being held accountable for not doing their jobs. This people need to be held accountable. This was avoidable. Completely avoidable. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon, uh, board chair, board
members. My name is John Doy. I'm with Jacobs, and I'm here today to offer a simple framework that resolves the procedural issues in this solicitation and allows you to move forward. Let's level set for a second. The RFQ did not restrain competition. and it was
very well known that you were going to be issuing an RFQ. Three firms chose to participate. They submitted in good faith. They invested considerable time, considerable resources uh into preparing proposals. If any firm had believed that there was
a flaw in the solicitation or that uh competition would be restrained, they had the option of submitting a bidsp spec as a remedy, a bidspec protest as a remedy, but none were filed. The financial um metrics were waved as an
informality. It's not uncommon for solicitations to wave informalities. Billing rates were standardized through discussions with the firms. Again, that's not uncommon when multiple firms will receive a contract for the same
scope of services. So, none of these actions gave any proposer a commercial advantage over any of the other proposers. So, what are we recommending? You should finish the process that
started. you should uh reconvene the the uh evaluation committee. You should um complete the scoring and return with a recommendation that the board can act on consistent with the RFQ's intent. To
maintain continuity, you should extend the AE contract for a short period of time to allow the uh onboarding of uh additional staff. um while your selection is being finalized. Um what we don't recommend
that you do, we don't recommend that you cancel and restart a procurement where the issues are uh procedural and correctable. Restarting adds delay, it adds cost, it adds uncertainty in the market and it has no guarantee of a
better outcome. So in closing, the pro prudent and uh defensible path forward is just to go back, rescore uh or score and uh bring a recommendation to the board. Thank you.
>> Good afternoon. Good afternoon everyone. Uh Richard Forbes with Exper. I'm director of PMCM. to the chair and the superintendent and all other board members. We're prepared to be scored and even present if
necessary. I believe all the teams are qualified and are more than able to do the work and so we're happy to answer any other questions you have. Thanks. >> Thank you. Any other public speakers? >> No, ma'am. >> Thank you. Um board member discussion,
>> I have Miss Bowman. I'm gonna go after Ze. >> Right. I have Mr. Ca. >> Thank you, Chair. Appreciate the opportunity to speak on this. Um, once again, I think we find ourselves at
as a district in a bad spot. Um, we have an RFQ process that was done uh apparently um not uh properly. Um there has been uh consistent media coverage of this
pointing out uh some of the issues that we have uh run into with this and once again uh I believe this puts the district um in a very very poor light. Um, I'm extremely disappointed how this all unfolded, especially as I've now
come to find that apparently some of the mistakes that were made this round uh were made initially when we went through this several years ago. uh in particularly the financial abilities and this 1.5 uh threshold um that was
initially put in the RFQ which made it considerably difficult for the majority of vendors and contractors in this space to qualify. I believe that um this may have been um
a mistake or uh perhaps somebody wasn't double-checking. Um, but the fact of the matter is what the public perception on this is is that we were putting out RFQS that gave a perception that we were specifically trying to disqualify a
large percentage of the professional population that would be able to service us. Uh, I think that's highly problematic especially in this district when we have huge trust issues with the public. Um, in addition, this issue of waving the scoring and ranking that took
place at the QAC uh committee I also believe was was problematic and not how we should be doing businesses in situations like this. Now, despite all this uh I am very very um desirous of figuring out the best course of action
um to move forward. So, um, Madame Chair, I think first and foremost, we need to have clarification from, uh, staff andor general counsel as to whether or not we have the ability, the legal ability to renew ACOM on a
short-term basis while we decide what our next step is going to be. >> Dr. Heepern, >> the answer is uh, yes. Um, and Mr. Cooney if you want to provide any details but the simple answer is yes.
>> I do want to hear from Mr. Cooney if possible. >> Miss Batista. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Um uh Mr. SA um the there is a declaration of emergency purchase option under uh section 6A1.012 012 of the Florida
Administrative Code that um would allow uh us to continue the contract with AECOM under the the all the services that would be provided by ACOM until such time as this situation would be uh remedied and corrected. So that would be
until such time as the new procurement could be concluded. So just just to clarify, if it is the decision of this board to accept the superintendent's recommendation and reject these bids and our next step was to rebid this out, which my understanding could take anywhere
between 6 to 9 months, maybe even longer, is it your opinion, your legal opinion, Mr. Cooney that we can extend ACOM on an emergency basis and have requisite statuto statutory authority to do so while this um while this project
is potentially rebid. >> That's correct. And you know the the option you just mentioned would be a complete new rebid of the RFQ. Uh and that would approximately be six months. Um there I know one of the public speakers offered another potential
option for the board's consideration which would be to um go back reconvene QAC uh and score at that point and carry forward as um as it was supposed to have been done the first time. Madam chair, if I may, one one uh last
question here for the benefit of the public. As I indicated before, it's my understanding that at the QC uh committee meeting, a decision was made to wave the scoring and the rankings of these prospective um vendors. Um I'd
like to know why that was done and who made that decision. Thank you, >> Mr. Honey. >> Yes. Uh madam chair uh the directive from senior administration was that of the only three vendors that submitted qualification statements that we wish to
proceed with all three. Uh and with that in mind, um the scoring and ranking portion of QX tasks um was not uh no longer needed because we didn't need to narrow the field down from anything less
than the chosen three vendors. Uh typically in the QC process, we have uh multiple respondents and we need to shortlist those to get them down to a manageable number. In this case, we started with three and uh ended with
three. So the the ranking and scoring really would not have served a purpose in moving forward uh to the negotiation or the attempted negotiation of agreements with all three vendors. >> And is it is it your professional legal opinion, Mr. Cooney, that waving that
requirement was within the bounds of Florida law and the statutory u the section of the statute that you referenced before? My professional opinion is that the the qualifications component necessary to provide CQ with the ability
to even consider any motions or to consider any scoring was made by the initial review and um filtration by staff under purchasing. So the only remaining issue presented to QAC for their consideration before the
procurement could proceed was the issue of waiver of the financial ratio as a technicality. So um yes I think that we've complied. >> Thank you Madam Chair. Um I may have a followup but I'm going to I'd like to hear from some of my colleagues before that. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um and before I go to Miss Bulman, Dr. He is there anything that you wanted to say about this item? >> Yeah. Um, absolutely. Um, probably should start with this, but first off, I want to thank Mr. Rose and Mr. Maggley um for doing a detailed and diligent review of this process in in a short
time frame. And I know Mr. Magley was uh definitely a part of that and and u meeting with myself to go over step by step um some some of the the things that they found during the duration of of um of their review. Um also I'm in receipt of the auditor's report as everybody else. Um, and that's the report that I
look at. You know, I've hear about media and all of that and media is going to write what what the media going to is going to write, but um depend on the the staff and the factual people that we have um here in Bard County Public Schools. Um, I also want to emphasize that, you know, the recommend
recommendation by me to reject all bids is based on the auditor's report. Um, and I'm still in review of of that report just to identify any process gaps, any updates for for procurement strategies, procurement processes, and also looking at accountability
accountability measures for for any staff that I need to hold accountable um, as a result. Um, but certainly um, I think the largest concern for us is continuous um, improvement process um, and procurement um, and not just procurement just overall in our school district. We got a lot of work to do.
There's a there's a lot of uh uh gaps that we need to close that we've identified um in a short amount of time. Um and uh we're working diligently um to close those gaps and to do what we have to do to make sure our district moves forward in the right way. So um that's
all I have for you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. U Miss Bulman, thank you chair. Um and I absolutely agree that we need to make sure that our district is moving forward in the right way. Um that we are the stewards of
quite a bit of public money and we um really needed to be making sure that every single step that we take is transparent in good faith and with the intent of gaining the public trust. And so the procurement process I believe and
it's set out in a statute just for that fair and open competition. That's why we have procurement. That's why we go through these processes. It's all very set forth. And so, you know, we as a board rejected an uh an option to piggy
back off an existing contract in Duval County in March because, you know, my colleagues may have uh may have rejected that for a different reason, but I rejected it because I think for um contracts that are of this significance, especially with the history that we have with construction in Broward County
Public Schools, that we owe it to the public to make sure that we're getting the best people and that everyone that wants to has a chance to participate in this process. Um so you know when we came to a workshop or a special board meeting in April if you'll all recall we
um as a board discussed having the RFQ because we rejected the piggyback. So we discussed having the RFQ come back to the board before it went out to the propos you know to the biders. Um and
the people that are handling the procurement process in the district were all there and no one told us that that it was not going to come back to us. So we waited expectantly. I waited expectantly for months. I followed up internally. So it was very surprising to
me to find out in August that this had already been released and to now have this situation where we have mistakes um or you know uh
provisions in the RFQ from 2025 that didn't work in 2020 um that have created problems for us again and that we have um kind of gone off track after that
with the procedure when we're dealing with the qualifications committee. There's you know there's just uh items with the with the audit and I thank you to Dr. Zeman for requesting the audit. I think it's very important. Thank you for to Mr. Maggley and for Mr. Rhodess um
for preparing this on a very short schedule. I think you guys did a really good job with it. Um, I just have a I have a lot of concerns about what happened here and how we can fix it. But more importantly, I have a a concern
about the big picture. I think there's, you know, we've been in the process of hiring new general counsel and one of the questions that comes up is who's the client? because repeatedly and not just in this particular instance but in other
situations that we've dealt with recently, we have our um legal department providing services for staff without our knowledge that's getting um poor results
that we are now having to deal with. Um, and I also think that based on the fact that we wrote wanted to have that RFQ come out in June because we did not want to be in a situation where we didn't
have a contract in January of 2026 when we all knew that the AECOM contract was uh expiring and look where we are right now sitting here in December with no contract. I I really think it's important that we as a board take some
control over this process because we're the ones that have been elected to represent the people that live here and go to school here and the taxpayers to figure out what we want this program to look like and what we um and what we want to do with our capital program.
there's an inconsist in I haven't read the RFQ, but there's an inconsistency in there between whether or not it's a um construction management uh owner rep or a program represent uh program management. And I think we have to look
at what our infrastructure is, what our capital needs are, how much internal staff we should have, how much we're looking to the outside and set the tone because we're not getting back what I expected to get back starting in
when we started this process in March. So, I'd like to hear from my co from my colleagues, but I you know, I I just can't stress enough how important this is for us and our responsibility to the taxpayers and to our students.
>> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. I had a couple of questions and I would kind of echo Miss Bulman's um thoughts and also just how important this is and I think it's been a little convoluted the process um and I
know eventually um Dr. Dr. Hepern, you did tell us that it wasn't coming back, but that took what I feel like is several times asking if it was coming coming back or not. Um, for the waving of the financial qu ratio
qualifications, is that something we waved the last time this process happened? >> Go ahead, Miss Cooney. >> Thank you to through the chair. Uh, yes, Miss Thompson. the um the same exact
financial ratio was part of the 2020 RFQ and at that time was was waved at the CQC meeting. >> So what is the rationale to have something in there that was previously waved? >> I don't know that that it was recognized
at the time that this RFQ was was put together that it had been um waved in the past. Um, so it it it it went unrecognized as being a concern. Um, and I'm quite frankly, I'm not sure who put that original ratio together. Um, but
um, it it obviously had to be waved the last time as well. So, had it been known, uh, we would have adjusted the ratio or we would have eliminated that consideration altogether. >> Can you give me some clarification on how it wouldn't have been known that it
was waved last time we did this? Well, it would have had to been researched. The original RFQ would have had to been researched to determine what then the entire process, the QC process, what transpired during that meeting and what mo what would have been ma uh waved
as a technicality or otherwise. Um, and I don't believe that that was undertaken. >> Can someone walk me through the process of how this RFQ was established then and what typically we look at when we are writing an RFQ?
Yeah, Miss Miss Paul or and I know uh Miss Kohley um was part of that process too. You go ahead, Miss Paul. >> So the RFQ was a collaboration between legal um construction services as well as the
procurement department. And so we looked across the state and looked at where um the language and how could we construct a program um uh that would provide um a
more economical approach to running um a construction uh our construction projects. Keep in mind that uh this is more of construction services minor projects and not a
complete program as which in which we had uh previously uh over a billion dollars to manage. And so we were looking at how we could streamline the program and also look at how we can
finish the program uh at a much faster pace uh than has been demonstrated in the past uh and also not pay the overhead that we had to pay previously. And I think I said this before of managing a billion dollar program. And
so that was the intent to be more efficient, save money, and get the um get the program or get the uh projects completed quickly. And I think that was the task when I was hired uh to uh increase the speed of closing the
projects. Therefore, you need more capacity. And so that was the vision, the mission, and the goal. Uh not to continue to pay the overhead uh that we've paid over the last 11 years. Uh to finish the projects uh in a uh more uh
uh speedy uh manner than has been demonstrated in the past. Uh and those were the goals. So, can you say yes or no if the previous RFP was referenced or reviewed when creating this?
>> Yes, it was. But, um, a lot of the information, you know, um, understanding the context and what happened back in 2020. Uh, it's almost like a forensic uh, uh, reconstruction process. Uh and
so the RFQ that was sent out represents uh some of the um successful programs or elements of it across the district or across the state, I'm sorry. >> Okay. And then can you walk because at
least this board members understanding is the RFP we were going out for was a Pmore and not a Seymour. So can you very concisely and in plain language explain the difference between the two? So again, the program is managing a a entire program that we chose to try to
separate ourselves from the previous bad uh uh negativity uh of the past with managing the program over 11 years. And so we said really what we're what we're doing is we're running a construction program of minor projects which includes
the DEFP and finishing up the uh last elements of um the smart program. And so really we wanted to and me in particular because I own it uh
to try to work more efficiently uh to add speed to it because time is money as we've seen in in the previous uh smart program uh and to again uh close out as many projects as as we can
in a timely manner. So can you give me more detail about what exactly is the difference between a POER and a Seymour? Like what does that setup look like? >> So we don't we so a Seymour is more uh geared towards staff augmentation. So uh
in the current contract that we have uh with ACOM, they manage the staffing elements of it and some and what I the feedback I received for some from some of our board members was we need to have more um control of the program, more um
say in the program, government people I think is the term that was used in the past. And so this way we can manage specific projects based on the depth of the project and the and the complexity of the project. So if I need a project manager for this and I need one uh u uh
estimator for this then we can manage that mix. Currently we cannot we rely solely on the program management firm to do that for us. And so that was the rationale behind it. And why wasn't that discussed during one
of our any of the workshops when we referenced this that you'd be going out for a Seymour and not a peour? >> Well, quite honestly, I never thought that uh it it mattered that much. I thought that we were continuing on with the business of trying to close out
projects. So, I was more focused on accomplishing that piece of it than the nomenclature. But basically we're managing construction projects. Um again uh you know I was looking at it from a fiscal responsibility perspective
that we did not need to pay the overhead uh that we've paid in the past uh from for a program director and so forth. So uh you know I've I've learned a lot from going through this experience. uh uh but the the the mission and vision and the
goal was to goals were to finish the programs as swiftly as we can with fidelity and I I appreciate the rationale. I just think moving forward even though it might just be a name having that understanding for the board because then
we can defend this process and I know it might seem like a little thing but to me that was a big thing. Um, so moving forward to what where we are now, my understanding during the workshops is that an emergency contract was not
something we could do. And in fact, I remember specifically asking multiple times what happens when we are now in the place that we are now. And basically an emergency contract wasn't an option. So what has changed from those workshops
to now? my I'll have um Mr. Cooney kind of add to this but and this was a while ago so my recollection may be a little bit different um than yours miss um Thompson I remember we were uh trying to see if
we can extend ACOM beyond 6 months that was the issue that we could not do that at that time it was just 6 months um that ends in January um I don't know if we spoke about emergency but if uh Mr. Cooney has a better recollection um than
I do um about that conversation. I know we spoke about the extending it for a year and we didn't have that opportunity at that time u due to the contract um sun setting I think it was June or something like that but Mr. if you if you call
through madam chair. Um the my recollection of the conversation was at that time there was no emergency immediate emergency circumstances that this particular provision under 6A1.012 provides. So uh without that emergency
circumstance you can't avail yourselves of that option. So that was the distinction at that time. Right now we are in that uh window where you can avail yourselves of that option >> but several of us propose or not propose but thought that we would be in this
instance. So why wasn't that discussed with the board that you know there are factors where you could potentially enable this emergency provision or whatever like I feel like you guys we were told that everything
would be fine and we wouldn't need it and also that it wasn't even an option and now I'm hearing oh it was an option but we weren't going to tell you because you weren't in the emergency situation. So could you please clarify that for me? >> Sure. Thank you, Mr. Thompson. If I could clarify the situation at the time
of the discussion when we were going through the proc procurement process, the committ There was no emergency situation at that point, an imminent uh threat to uh health, safety, welfare, or other substantial loss to the school district. It did not exist. So, you
can't avail yourselves of that option at that time. And it was not anticipated that we'd be in this position. Uh but it's always been available and it's always a uh a last um a last choice frankly to go down that route. You
cannot use it if you don't have that immediate um emergency >> and and I understand it's a measure of last resort, but I would say that several of my colleagues theorize that we would be at this this juncture. So that's also a little frustrating to me.
Um, I would like one of the speakers, um, I believe it maybe staff as well said something about sending this back to QAC. I would like to get staff's opinion on that. >> I have uh, uh, Miss Paul or her
procurement team or even Mr. Cooney. I'm not the procurement expert. Uh, so they can kind of walk us through if that's possible and what that looks like. >> I would uh, defer to Miss Andreu. Good afternoon, Jennifer Andreu, executive director, procurement,
logistic operations. If that is the will of the board, we can absolutely hold a QC meeting and they can evaluate and score the three proposals that have been submitted. >> Can you walk me through what that process would look like and what are the
pros and cons of that process? The process falls in line with our current um policy 7,000.1. We would reconvene the committee members and they would go through the proposals and they would score them accordingly
and bring back a recommendation to the board um as to who should be awarded and who would not be awarded, which firms would be and which firms would not be. Um, and I'm sorry, what was part two, Miss Thompson? >> The pros and cons.
>> Oh. Um, that's very hard to say because none of this has been following uh what normally would be a procurement process. So, uh,
right now we are we had a bid protest that was filed um on Friday. So I it would be very difficult to answer the pros and cons. >> So can you elaborate that since we now
have a bid protest? Is this an option >> if I may? >> Mhm. >> Okay. So um I I'll take a um a gander at it. So basically all three firms qualified. All three firms signed
agreements. Um, I believe the firm that uh initiated a bid protest was the one that spoke uh today that said basically uh send it back to Q or their recommendation, send it back to QC and let them score it. Uh
and you know that was their recommendation. Um u so by doing that uh you don't have to go through the whole procurement process. you have the scoring you know QC can decide one two and three based on
um the criteria of the scoring uh and then we can move forward. Um so again the the intent of the the procurement was to uh based on the response to select all three but if we take it back to QAC they
can number them from one two and three >> but then what I'm sorry what is the benefit of sending it back to QAC? I guess I'm trying to figure out. >> So the main contention was that we I I assume that we selected all three. Uh so by sending it back to QC, you're a rank
order of a rank. >> Uh and so the first one uh uh you know they'll you know they'll be able to see who they want or evaluate as one and two and three based on their qualifications. >> And why was is that a proc are they
usually ranked? uh typically yes but again you know the mission vision and and goals that I uh mentioned before was to select all three and finish the program uh in a a swift manner uh if it's at the will of the
board if they want to send it back to QC and let them rank it and you know they the board can decide if they want number one if they want two uh and two or if they want just one so that would be the advantage I don't have any more questions for
right now. >> Thank you, Dr. Holes. Madam Chair, uh thank you so much. Um well, first I want to and Madam Chair, I will be using all my time because I have a lot to say. Um,
I am very concerned and troubled by what I read in the audit report. Um, and so I'm going to have a few questions, but if what is in the audit report is credible and true,
it indicates to me that the process impact vendor participation. It appears to be dismissive of the board's authority. It it is potentially consequential to the board and to the district
and it cannot be ignored. Uh I also believe there should be some degree of accountability, discipline, whatever it is, but there is there is enough in the audit report to be concerning. And as a board member who
is elected by the people to serve the people, I have an obligation to the residents of this county and the rest of us up here that we're doing things in a manner uh that is
um a manner that is reflective of good process. a manner that is reflective of adhering to policies, district policies, as well as reflective of adhering to state statutes.
And so, um, I'm not sure if that's what we have here. So, I'm going to ask a few questions, um, as we move forward. I have the audit report with me here and I'm going to I'm going to ask a few questions. So, Dr. Heburn, you mentioned that the audit
report is the reason you brought this item to reject all bids. Is that correct? >> That's correct, Dr. >> Okay. So, on page one of the audit report, >> if you give me a sec, do pull up to right where you are. Just a sec. >> And madam chair, I may need a second
round if you don't mind. >> All right, I'm there. Okay. Okay. So on page one of the audit report, last paragraph, it says, "The office of chief auditor became concerned that staff did not execute the review
and evaluation process in a manner that was consistent with selecting qualified CMA construction services professionals and may not have followed the state of Florida statutory requirements pursuant to section
287. 7.055 that governs solicitations of this nature and so on and so forth. Dr. Heburn, would you would you say that what the auditor the auditor's statement here, would you say that it's a reasonable statement
and that it's accurate? >> Um, I take the auditor's report at its value. uh the auditor is that's his task to review and and and give facts. So I'm assuming everything that he's reported is factual.
>> Okay. The second paragraph on page two of the audit report says as a result of the solicitation process only three prospective vendors submitted qualification statements for Broad County Public Schools. For the record, could you restate who
these three are? >> Where where are you Dr. Hol? I'm on the second paragraph of page two. >> Okay. So, in other words, who are the three prospective vendors? I believe Miss Paul repeated that before.
>> Okay. I I see vendors on p on paragraph three. I was looking at two, but um uh EXP US services, AECOM, and Jacob's engineering. >> Okay. And then in the latter part of that paragraph, it says the assistant general counsel told officer chief
auditor he did not see how Bor County public schools could proceed after learning none of the three submitting firms met the established minimum financial ratio qualification. So for the purpose of this publicly, who is the assistant general counsel? Who are we
referring to here? >> Miss Cooney. >> Okay. Now it also mentions that in the third paragraph after discussion with the chief operating officer, the assistant general counsel engaged an external law
firm. So I the question I have here uh why to the assistant general counsel which is Mr. Cooney. Why wasn't your opinion good enough? Why was the COO input relevant on legal matters?
>> Um Dr. Holmes, I wouldn't say that our opinion wasn't good enough, but we were asked asked for an extra outside opinion. >> Okay. But you mentioned that you um spoke to the COO and then you asked for an external opinion. What was Can you
tell us what the conversation was that led you upon having a conversation with the COO to go to an outside council instead of what you recommended? >> Correct. Um, so my recollection was when the issue was brought to light that none
of the three vendors uh met the required financial ratio u and that our office had a problem with that and that it it could result in the termination of the procurement and we'd have to revertise. Um, I was requested to provide an
outside opinion. I brought that request back to my boss, general counsel, who agreed to pursue an outside opinion, and that was the result. >> Dr. Heburn, I have a few questions for you as well, if you don't mind. Um, did
you authorize the release of the RF of RFQ 26059 or was it done without your knowledge? Um, ultimately all staff members work for me, so it I I'm the final approver. >> Okay. So, did you authorize the release
of the RFQ? >> Yes. >> Did you receive any briefing on the RFQ before it was released? >> Um, no. Uh, very concise. >> Okay. Did you give any consideration to the public statement you made to the
board promising to present a draft of the RFQ for our review? Because I recall that was a specific >> Yes. And I and I uh I acknowledge that in a in a later board meeting that we did not bring that back. Um and if the board wanted me to bring it back at that
time, I know it had hit the street, but probably could put a pause on it and uh the board opined and um decided not to uh direct me to bring it back. So yeah, I take uh full responsibility for that. >> Okay. So who had final approval of the draft before it was released?
>> Um the miss Paul the procurement team reviewed reviewed the draft before it was released. >> Okay. So it was also brought to my attention that there's possibility that um that language in the RFQ was copied
from a from the Duval School's RFQ. Is that true or is that not true? Um I'm I I'm not aware if that's true or not. I know um the team said they looked at several um RFQS or language across the country and across the state. So know
they pulled some some language from our current one and also from other areas too. >> Okay. So I'll ask the question another way. Was there any language word for word or otherwise taken from the Duval contract that included >> I'm not aware. >> Okay. Is it customary for and madam
chair I'll finish with these two questions and I like a a second round. Is it customary for submission packages to be shared with QC ahead of their meetings? >> Yes. >> So the purchasing agent did not share submitted qualifications with QC members. Did you direct this action or was it a surprise to you?
>> Um no I did not direct those actions. >> Was it a surprise to you? >> Um after reading the report? Yes. >> Okay. And why would you say it was surprised? um just uh factual information that was in the report that caused concern for the auditors. >> Okay. So, did the purchasing agent act
as on their own or were they directed not to give the materials to QC? >> Um from my understanding um I I I I don't know to be honest. Um from just the conversations I've had, I don't think everybody was aware that they did
not receive the information before the QC meeting. >> Okay. So, Madam Chair, I'm going to make one comment and then I'd like a second round. Um, it has been expressed on page five of the audit report where the office of chief auditor recommends that the policy be reviewed to determine
whether certain provision of the policy require clarification to ensure that all stakeholders clearly understand its intent and purpose. So, there's obviously a concern with policy 70003 in terms of how the language is interpreted. Um, as a result of that,
the policy here states the school board authorizes superintendent to develop standard RFQ and RFP forms, including selection criteria and selection procedures in accordance with applicable statutes and the state requirements for educational facilities. As amended, the
board shall approve standard RFQ and RFP forms. Uh, with this language, even the office of chief auditor recommend that this policy be looked at and review. So, Madame Chair, I believe this policy needs to be clear for any future
concerns of this sort that may um uh put the board in in in a position uh of um possibility of not adhering to state statutes or to a policy. So, am I able
to make a motion for um this policy to include language that is clear? And I have a motion here, Madam Chair. Go ahead and state your motion. >> Okay. The motion for policy 737003 is to add the following language. Any
solicitation that relates to purchase for which the board has approval authority that the solicitation must be approved by the board. >> Miss Batista. >> So the policy is not before you uh
today. Um so that motion can be made. Uh I think the motion um could be to bring the policy back. Okay. And then make that motion when it's before you. >> Okay. Thank you for the clarification, Miss Batista. So, Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we bring policy
7003 to the board for discussion and revision. >> Second. >> Motion made by Dr. Ho, second by Dr. Zean. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch, Plantation, Florida. Um I support the motion. I would argue,
and perhaps it's just because I'm more familiar with the policy, that when the sentence reads, "The board shall approve standard RFQ and RFP forms," and you have never done a CM AO before, that that is the clue that you need to bring
it back so that you now have a standard CMA-R just like you have a PM U solicitation that's already been approved by the board. So, I support the motion, but I want to reiterate it was clear. People just chose not to do it.
And there is no forensic um review needed for 2020. I was here, lots of people were here. It's all documented. Verbatim. I support everything in the audit report. Verbatim stuff was copied and just put in and smashed together and thrown out on the street. Um, so it was
clear, but it would probably the policy should be brought back because it's been probably 10 years since it was looked at. Thank you. >> Any other public comment on the motion? Board member comment, Miss Bulman.
>> Um, thank you for your motion, Dr. Holes. Um, I think that this would be a good exercise for the board to revisit this policy. And you know, I think we're going to have to really think about how much we want to weigh in and what our role is, but that um is something that
we can discuss then, but I think it'll be good for us as a board to have a better clear understanding. >> Any other board discussion on the motion? Miss Rupert, >> I totally agree with it. when uh something is keeps bubbling to the
surface and it's not just copathetic, uh it's time to um bring it back to the board and and let us discuss it so we can move forward um together and with full um confidence that the information that we're receiving is accurate. Thank you. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor
of the motion say I. >> I. All oppose say no. No. I mean, sorry, I didn't mean to say no. Um motion passes unanimously uh with Miss Rupert, Miss Leonardi, Dr. Holes, Dr. Zean, Miss Pullman, and Mrs. Alf on the Deis.
Madame Chair, I just have one short comment and then I'm done for the second round. Okay. So um Mr. Cooney, it indicated that um you did not see how Broad County Public Schools could proceed after learning none of the three
submitting firms met the established minimum financial ratio qualifications. uh did you not see it fit to bring that information to the board before proceeding any further to have discussions with staff? >> Um the question was whether it was a
waveable technicality and I was not comfortable um with making that determination that it was a waveable technicality but it wasn't a clear-cut decision. So, um, bringing it to the board at that point, um, I I did not give a consideration because I knew ultimately it would come back to the
board in the form of of an agreement. >> Okay. So, Mr. Cooney, according to the audit report, it indicated that you did not even see how B County Public School could proceed after learning
none of the three submitting firms met the established minimum financial ratio qualifications. I would think that's an important information to get to the board. I mean that it's you know I I concur sir with board member Bulman. You
work for the board. General counsel works for the board. This is a key piece of information that should have been brought to the board as opposed to bringing that to staff. I mean, with all due respect, sir, you don't work for the COO, you
work for the school board of Broad County, and that is concerning to me. And so, I just want to caution and and while I respect staff, I stand here on ethics and values. I report to the public. And so, what I'll
say is this, and I and this is not to reprimand Mr. Cooney. I just get concerned when we don't follow a process that has to do with possibility of of not following state statutes or district policy. It puts the board at risk. It
puts me at risk. It is serious. So I just want to make it clear that the school board of Broad County including staff, we don't have a de facto mini school board among staff. We are the board. We make policies. We make
decisions. and the direct reports that we have need to directly report to us. And I I am upset that I didn't get this information. I am upset that this went to be discussed with staff when legal reports directly to us. Staff is not a
de facto school board. We are the school board. And I'm concerned, you know, and normally I don't get this routed up, but this is serious. And when I read I spent even last night I went back to the audit report and I read it before
and I'm concerned about it. So I just want to caution that everybody should stay in their lane. The school board makes policy and staff do not make policy. Staff is not the board and the board is
not staff and stuff that needs to come to the board should come to the board. We requested the RFQ to come to the board for approval. It did not. Important consideration that's in here to which you indicated that you don't see how the school district could
proceed and we never get that information. We didn't get it. So, Madame Chair, I'm through with round one. >> Thank you, Dr. Zman. >> Thanks so much, Chair. Um, I appreciate all the comments. Uh, Dr. Holes, this is
a five alarm fire. This is as serious as it gets. There's not an issue bigger uh before this board in the past three years. And I'll tell you why. This is the same contract for which four members of this school board got removed. And if we're not paying attention to this
contract, why are we here? It's a $125 million contract and four school board members were removed because they weren't paying attention ostensibly to construction management. Chair, you were right. except you were wrong by a month. It wasn't January.
We're looking at this and saying, "Oh my, we're here in January and we're we don't have a plan A. We don't have a plan B. What what are we going to do?" And I really reject this conversation about to Miss Thompson about her questions previously about what to do in emergency. Um, we need to get better
advice. And to Dr. Holes's point, I'm a thousand% with you. We need to look very hard at the office of general counsel and find out whether or not they work for the school board or not. Because in my view of serving on boards before and on this board, the general counsel has
to work for the school board. Which means they have to by by legal standards, if they learn of something that the school board needs to know, we need to be informed of it. And that means we need to change the practices in Broward County School because there are members of the general counsel that go out and help senior staff people to
achieve their goals. And that's useful to a point. But where that point is crossed is when the client to the office of general counsel, which is us, uh that where that relationship uh is drawn. With all due respect, this whole thing started with a big mistake and the and
the and the buck has to stop somewhere. We said three times we wanted to see this solicitation before it went out. We were not vague. We were not ambiguous. We didn't say, "Gee, it would be very nice." We said three times, "Bring it to us before it went out." It did not come to us. Let's get into the details.
There's reason Miss Thompson's uh um recommendation may not be the best is the scope of work for this contract included things that were not, excuse me, the spec specification of this contract included things that were not required by the statement of work. We didn't need the financial ratios. We
didn't need the audited returns. We're trying to do construction management. Actually, we're actually trying to do staff augmentation, not even construction management. I reject the idea that this is CSMP. I don't think Rickard's middle school chair is a minor project. I don't think Coral Glades
auditorium is a minor project. We have to get all projects done, not just small projects. The CQ was dismissed. You can't do that. Protests were eliminated because every bidder got an award. Did you think about that for a minute?
Nobody could protest this award because everybody won. The perception was created that there was a favored vendor. We asked in the solicitation for contract management and owner rep, but what we really needed was staff augmentation. And if you want staff
augmentation, Dr. Holmes, you go out with a contract that says, "I need bodies." And you get firms that bid and say, "I can bring engineers and I can bring estimators. I can bring program managers and project managers." Instead, we said we wanted construction management. Um, but that's not what we really wanted. All of this when we have
huge needs in Broward County to show the county, to your point, that we can actually build things. This is a moment for accountability for staff. There are some changes we need. Broward County Schools needs contract officers. They need to report to the
superintendent of schools. They need to be able to look people in the eye and say, "No, you can't have that because that's not either compliant with the policy, compliant with Florida law, or just stupid." And that's what we need in Broward County. Somebody that works for the superintendent that understands how to
do contract work. In the federal government, we call them contract officers, and they say no to senior four-star generals all the time. We need to implement a procurement policy, and I thank you, Dr. Holmes, for bringing that back. And and as others have pointed
out, our general counsel needs to get right with the school board. And again, I don't think that anyone was doing anything that was out of normal processes for here. I just reject normal processes. I don't think an attorney that works for the office of general counsel can work for both a senior staff
member or a superintendent and work for the school board. So I think we need to clear that up either in the policy that we are bringing back or in another one to make sure we move forward. So yes, we need to reject all bid. No, we cannot, you know, get the QC together because we asked for the wrong thing. We didn't ask
for staff augmentation. We asked for contract management and owner rep work and the wrong people bid. The reasons the specs bother me so much is medium-size and local firms were excluded for bidding. And if you're a government agency, you want as many people as possible to be qualified to
bid. You want them to come and show you what they can do. uh particularly local firms and medium-sized firms and medium to smalls and all kinds of stuff. Um this was a self-inflicted wound and it's a very very serious one and it is time for people to be held accountable. Thank
you chair. >> Thank you Mrs. Aldaf. >> Yes. So the recommend action is to approve the rejection of all qualification statements received for requests for qualifications.
And it says the impact if we vote yes, the office of capital programs and procurement and logistic operations will research alternative strategies that will be in the best interest of the school board of Broward County. So I'm assuming Dr. Heburn, you are already
aware of what these alternative strategies are. >> Yes. and they are >> um the the first viable um for us is to use the emergency declaration to extend a comm's contract >> and then Yep. So that's
>> so so that would come when >> Yep. That would come in January before contract um terminates. >> Okay. And would there be any um stoppage of construction work? >> No, there won't be any stoppage if they're already on the job right now. they already um um you know have the
relationships with all the local contractors. So u the continuity will be there to just a seamless continuation. >> And then is there a step two to the plan? >> The step two is to go back out um with the RFQ process. Um also hire a
consultant to help facilitate this process with procurement. Um that that offers several opportunities um just to make sure um that there's somebody as Dr. Seaman um talked about this contract administrator, somebody that can directly report to me um throughout that
process, but also help to the continuous improvement process um with within procurement for especially for large dollar items um such as this. So we can continue to close any identifiable gaps throughout throughout that process. It'll help us with the whole entire um
procurement process for other for other um items that we're going to procure in the future. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion before we move to round two? Okay. Um, I have a few questions and a few comments. Um,
I'm interested in the opinion of our general counsel as well as our chief auditor's office about the proposal to reconvene the evaluation committee to complete the scoring. Um what is I'm
curious about your opinion on that. So the basis for the rejection of all bids is uh not just the sub not just the procedural issues with the process uh that were identified in
the report from the auditor. But there were also some substantive issues identified in that report that cannot be corrected by a a re um evaluation.
>> Okay. And can I hear from our chief auditor's office? >> Yes, ma'am. I wouldn't look too opine on the legal, you know, aspect of that, but we do know that this thing has been out um and now it's in the it's in the light of all what's gone on. So certainly in
the based on perception and things that's an influence too. What we didn't touch on were in fact the the specifics of the qualifications in there. We we reviewed the process and how it was formed and how it went through more than we did the substance of the qualifications and the standards that
were listed by the collaboration of staff to include in the solicitation. So I wouldn't know where those standards are and how they would be uh viewed in that in that capacity. >> Okay. And Mrs. Mr. Just to be clear, uh, what I meant by that was that some of
the points that were identified, for example, were that there was a restraining competition because the language in the RFQ was flawed, that there is some ambiguity in the policy and some ambiguity also in the terms of the RFQ. So those those items would not
be corrected by reconvening QC. >> Got it. Thank you. Um, and say the board, which I, you know, I don't believe that we'll be doing this, but say the board did reconvene or we directed you to reconvene the evaluation committee, complete the scoring, then we
did the scoring. Would it be possible to select all three vendors anyway? >> Um, yes, because the you you would get the scoring and the ranking, but um be up to the board to choose one, two, or all three.
>> Okay. So, but the rationale for not doing the scoring was that we wanted to select all three. >> That's correct. >> But if we scored all three, we could still select all three. >> That's correct.
>> Okay, >> Madame Chair, >> if I may. >> Yes. I just wanted to based on what Miss Batista said, I wanted to make clear that we did not say that all that language re in fact we said it potentially could have affected some of the people that may have felt restricted
by some of the terms that were involved. >> Just wanted to make that point. >> Thank you. Um I believe this question was asked before, but I want us to be clear about the timeline. How long is it going to to take uh to restart this process from start to finish?
Um about 6 months. >> How long did it take uh for us to to do it this last time? >> Uh about five to six months. >> Okay. Um a comment was made by procurement
that none of this has been following what a normal procurement process looks like. Can someone elaborate on that? >> Um who' you hear that from? I can have that staff. Miss >> Andrea. through the chair. Um I think with the
onset of uh the language being what has been perceived as ambiguous and but also not having any of the vendors to state that. So the auditors stated that in the report but that was not the sentiments
of the vendor community. So um again I think it was mentioned earlier they had an opportunity to ask for clarifying questions if they felt any of the language in the RFQ was ambiguous or
um if they if they questioned anything at all. they had an opportunity, several opportunities to ask questions and uh we also met with them in person to clarify any of the points in the RFQ. So the
vendors never filed a bid protest and were in agreement with moving forward. So that's why I made that comment. >> Okay. Um G since you mentioned a bid protest, how
does that impact things moving forward? >> Go ahead, Miss Andrea. >> That's really a question for general counsel. >> Miss Batista, >> Mr. Cooney, would you like to answer this question? >> Sure, if I may, right now through the chair. Uh what has been filed thus far
is a notice of intent to protest. So it's not the formal written protest. Um if the uh entity chooses to file a formal written protest then the procurement itself would stop until that is resolved.
Uh and they have to file that formal written protest within 10 days of receipt of the notice of intent which would be um the 22nd of December. >> Okay. So, uh, can you be a little bit more detailed in talking about what that, so say it is filed officially? Um,
what does that look like in practical terms for this board? >> That would um, it would not stop moving forward with the emergency declaration and the engagement of AECOM to continue their services. So, we would not lose uh any services while this bid protest
procedure would be undertaken. um we would go through the typical uh protest process where we would have seven days to try and resolve it after they file the formal written protest. Uh absent that we would go through the DOUP um hearing process as well. So that would
it would have to just play out. Um I will say that the the um the decision to reject all bids um the the board has given great difference to that and it's a very very high hurdle to overcome to challenge a reject all bids. Um so um
take that what for what it's worth. It's a very solid position to take. >> Is there any way of knowing or estimating based on history how long this will take to play out? Um,
I'm not the one in in in our office that would be the best to answer that, but my recollection is approximately 90 days for the entire process to play out if it goes to uh DOA and the full hearing process. >> Um, Miss Batista.
>> Um, yes. So, the uh chapter 120 does provide for a time frame that is that is usually abbreviated, which is, you know, the 90 days that Mr. Cooney is is alluding to. Uh the reality is that um when you are dealing with litigation and
attorneys u schedules, usually they do ask for extensions of time and those those are granted as a matter of of course and courtesy and um usually the process does not take 90 days. It takes uh you know six months or a lot longer
than 90 days. >> Okay, thank you for that. And I I want to go back to talking about timeline for a second, but if the if the bid protest is officially filed, um we wouldn't be able to do anything around a new RFQ until that whole process is played out.
Am I am I correct? >> U not if the superintendent finds that there is a state of emergency, then those two processes can run parallel to each other. >> So the the state of emergency and the bid protest and the RFQ can go can go forward.
>> Yes. Okay. And I I just want to go back to the statement about how long it'll take to put a new RF to to start this process over again because I believe we had a workshop on this in April. Um and now it's coming to us in December. I believe
that's nine months if I'm counting correctly. So the idea that this would take six months again is not um it doesn't passm. Um I have a lot of concerns that that I I
share with my colleagues. Uh you know the the piece about how we waved the financial requirements in 2020 um and then we're doing it again in 2025. And I want to go back to the the workshop in April. We were assured that
this would be written so tightly that there would be no issues. Um, and we we were told that we wouldn't be here, you know, months later with no options, which I, you know, I suppose now we're we're aware that we have this
emergency option, but things were not written so tightly that there would be no issues. You know, here here we are. And so I echo my colleagues feelings that people need to be held accountable because this is honestly
uh embarrassing for this school district and this board. And also I think about like the message it sends to firms looking to do business with us. And we are not in a position
to not be getting competition for work in Broward County Public Schools. In the past five years that I have been on this board, that that's been a constant theme is, you know, good firms don't want to do business with Broward County Public Schools. Um, you know, it
costs way more to do do things in Broward County Public Schools because there isn't a lot of competition. Um, so the way that this has become a whole spectacle is not good for this district. It's not good for the business community. Um, and I just cannot
emphasize enough the need for accountability in this in these departments. I'll go to round two, Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
Um, so I'm going to I'll just say that as a board member, I'm not interested in this going back to QC. Um, I'm also not necessarily convinced that the emergency option is the only
option we have, but I'm going to make some comments. Um, and then I'm going to seek clarification from Miss Batista. Um, so this RFQ, as I said before, is is troubling. It's a troubling example of the board's authority over procurements
not being fully understood or respected. We have the authority to avoid situations exactly like what is happening now with RFQ26059. I believe we would not be here if the board had been allowed to exercise its authority to review and approve. On
several occasions, board members demanded that the RFQ be drafted for our review and approval. Um my understanding or what I thought I understood um Dr. Heburn, Miss Paul, Miss Andrea and others said that our request would be honored. The
administration published RFQ26059 without board review or approval and then proceeded to what appears to limit the board's ability to discuss the RFQ. I believe this is unacceptable and should not happen again. The auditor's
report suggests that it may be unclear whether policy requires staff to present draft solicitations and I am glad we're bringing that policy back for review. Um I can't recall for the entire smart
program that uh uh board approval um as far as I can recall has been required for for solicitations of architects and construction managers. Um,
we have policy 3800 which clearly establishes that authority for any purchase not specifically delegated to the superintendent or his or her designate the director of procurement and warehouse warehousing services department heads or directors or school
principles must be approved in advance by the board. If a purchase must be approved in advance by the board and the RFQ is used to define that purchase, then it seems logical to me that the board must approve the RFQ in advance. Um,
the general council is one of the very few direct reports that we have as a board. Recently we had a concern with the handy lease and now with this RFQ demonstrates what I believe is a troubling pattern of council having reservation about
significant procedural matters and resolving them in support of staff without the board. I want to caution to our direct reports that as a school board um direct reports report to us and not to staff.
While I respect our direct reports and I dis and I respect our staff, it is important that everybody understands their role and who they report to. I know who I report to. I report to the voters. I report to the residents of this county. Um so the the auditors
report that assistant general counsel indicated concern about whether the RFQ could proceed if none of the respondents met the established financial qualification. Then council was moved to seek a second opinion after talking to the COO. It does not seem logical to me
that an RFP could be allowed to proceed if no respondent met a key qualification criterion that was publicly advertised. My bigger concern is that a discussion with the COO was more influential on the general counsel, it appears uh assistant, than the sense that the board
should be made aware of council's concerns regarding significant solicitations. I believe we deserve better as a school board from uh the uh legal counselor's office in in this particular case. The
result of all of this is that this RFQ very likely violated state procurement law possibly and that this board will take some blame while having been held completely in the dark and not allowed to exercise its authority. So, I am uh I
am concerned that actions and and by staff could actually be consequential for the school board of B County, for the school board members, and for others. And so, I'm glad policy 7003 is coming back where we can tighten up on that because I don't believe this board
should have to run the risk of violating state statutes or schoolboard policy because of actions by staff. and I and I I respect our staff, but I believe it's important that we all understand what our roles are. And and I am not going to
uh try to be um uh sort of um uh not detailed on this because it puts the board at risk. It puts me at risk. It put all these board members at risk. And I think that's what's concerning to me. It is almost sort of an existential
threat or existential concern for the board when things like this happen. It happened before. Dr. Zean mentioned four board members being removed, you know. So, we want staff to to we appreciate staff and we want staff to adhere to
policy and to state statutes because none of us up here as a as board members want to take the consequences for something that could be avoided. And when it becomes an existential concern for the board, we have to take it seriously. Just as if anybody else's
position is an existential concern, you take it seriously. So, we have to as well, you know. So, um I want to uh Madame Chair, I just want to ask uh Miss Batista, um the Florida Administrative Code
6A1.012 012 states that the district school board has when the district school board has made a finding that no valid or acceptable firm proposal has been received within the prescribed time. When such a finding has been officially made, the district school
board may enter into negotiations with suppliers of such commodities and contractual services and shall have the authority to execute contracts with such vendors under whatever terms and conditions as the district school board determines to be in the best interest of
the board. and policy, schoolboard policy 3800 aligns with the state Florida administrative code which says that the school district administration has made a finding that when the school district administration has made a finding that
no valid or acceptable firm proposal has been received within the prescribed time. When such a finding has been posted, school district staff may enter into negotiations with suppliers of such commodities and services for contracts with such vendors under whatever terms
and conditions are in the school board's best interests. So, Miss Batista, I just want you to clarify the administrative code that's here as well as policy 3800. Are we at this time based upon the
Florida administrative code, based upon policy 3800, are we able without having without going back to QC or continuing this process? Because quite frankly, I'm very concerned about this process with what I've seen from the audit report,
are we as a board able to um if a motion is made and pass able to proceed with a with negotiating a contract? um with particular entities such as ACOM based upon the administrative code that I have
here. >> Mr. Coney, would would you um please answer this question? >> Um I think that that finding would have had been made uh upon the receipt of the original uh qualification statements. Um, and at this time I I I would not be
able to extend that beyond a finding that there was no responsive uh vendors. Um, so I I don't know that that would be a viable option at this time um without doing more research on >> Okay. Miss um Miss Batista,
the language states that the school district administration, if it has made a finding that no valid or acceptable firm proposals has been received within the prescribed time, then the board may direct school staff to enter a
negotiation with suppliers of such commodities and services for contracts. So based on the interpretation of this, are we able since we did not have any firm proposals presented, they're all being rejected, we have a time constraint where this will expire. Dr.
Heburn, when is it? January 17th. >> January 17th. So, now that staff did not present us with a with any viable proposals because we're being asked to reject them, are we able now to enter based upon policy 3800, Florida
administrative code 6A1.012 as a board, do we now have the right to enter into a contract without going through any further process? So the only process that I'm aware you can follow at this point is that once
you reject all bids, the superintendent is able to declare an emergency. And under that process, then you can engage into some negotiations with um your current vendor and continue that um you
know, not necessarily extend the agreement. you can you can enter into a new contract for a specified period of time until you complete the um subsequent process. I think the language that you have read is talking about the fact that there are no responsive
biders. Uh the the biders were found to be responsive. the the reasons for the rejection of all bids is for technical uh and and other uh irregularities with the process not necessarily with the
responses of the the vendors. >> Okay. So, Miss Batista, do we based on the language here, do we have any valid or acceptable firm proposals being presented to us today?
That's not what's before you. It's the rejection of all bids is the item that is being recommended by the superintendent. >> Okay. So, we're the board is also discussing an emergency contract which is not before us today either. Correct. >> Correct. Because that has not been negotiated. >> Okay. So, will the board be in a
position upon voting on this item to speak of an emergency contract as well as to speak of this option? So the next step would be once the board rejects all bids then you would be in a situation where you are in a state of
emergency because the contract will be expiring on the 17th of next month. Uh and therefore that would initiate a process. >> Okay. So if after we reject all bids and we're in a we we will immediately be in
a state of emergency. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And in that state of emergency, >> if the if the superintendent finds that it is his determination, factual determination, so it's not for legal counsel to say >> if the superintendent determines that we're in a state of emergency, and uh
quite frankly, I can't see where he would not think that, but if but we'll see. Um but if he determines we're in a state of emergency, because this contract expires January 17th, we don't have another board meeting. We're going on holiday break. We come back. So, I
can't see where we would not be in a state of emergency. But, um, if he does find we're in a state of emergency, um, we can then im since that we're going to be in a state of emergency immediately after we vote on this, are we then able to talk
about an emergency contract right away because we're out of time? If I may, Marilyn, Miss Miss Batista, it's our intent to go and ne and um sit down with ACOM and negotiate and we have two board meetings before their contract sunsets to bring that contract back.
>> Okay. But Dr. Heburn, I I hear you. But don't the board have to give you direction to negotiate? I think we um in the past with the other extension we brought it back to a board meeting and the board me and the board um provided um any details of by motion
if they needed to change anything. >> Okay. So, and Madam Chair, forgive me if I'm taking too much time, but I really need to understand this because January 17th, we have no contract and we're going on break. So if we have no contract after we reject all bids,
Miss Batista, don't this board have to provide direction to the superintendent as opposed to the superintendent having the latitude and flexibility to determine where this goes from here. you will be able to pro the board will be able to provide that direction when
the superintendent brings the item for the board to look at the provisions. The superintendent is is limited on the options that he has. This is not like just doing a um um a new contract uh as
if you know he had gone out for an RFP or whatnot. Uh the contract would be basically based on the same terms that you have now and it would only be for a limited period of time until the uh the
other process whatever other process the superintendent chooses to do as far as you know um a new a new RFQ or whatnot uh goes out into the into the public. >> Okay. So >> and it's you know and and and goes through the whole course of that.
>> Okay. So I'm going to ask uh another question. Madam Chair, I'll be done soon. Dr. Zean spoke about an emergency contract. When this is rejected, is he able to make a motion for an emergency contract or are we going to be waiting on the superintendent to come back to
us, which we don't have time? >> You don't need another motion for an emergency contract. That would be um that that would be a declaration by the superintendent of a state of emergency. and he would and he has the right under the statute and the procedures to move
forward with a contract. >> Okay. So, if he doesn't make and I'm not speaking of Dr. Heburn specifically, but if a superintendent does not exercise that option and it puts this district at risk where we have no option, this board does not have the authority to direct
that process >> you >> before the 17th. You cannot direct a process that is not uh based on any that you as we had explained before there is no way of extending the contract with
ACOM um other than for this process of emergency. So it were it not for for the a declaration of emergency to take place you would not have the right to continue the the contract with ACOM. um >> understand
>> depending on on on certain issues. I mean there there is potentially some language in this in the policy that could allow you to do that under specific circumstances. For example, a formal bid protest, right? But again, you you're not there yet either. So >> understand. So um Miss Batista, and this
is my last question. Um based upon the and I I just I'm just asking this for the record. based upon the Florida Administrative Code based upon policy 3800. I'm not going to make a motion, but I have one here. If I were to make this
motion, would I be able to or yes or no? Right. So, I'm going to read the motion and let me know if I can make that motion or if I cannot. Uh, and this is a question contingent on the vote of rejecting all bids. Um, finding that no valid or acceptable proposals were
received for RFQ26059 and pursuant to policy 3800, the superintendent is directed to proceed with entering negotiations with ACOM/corina team for a contract to provide program management services under terms substantially similar to those
advertised for RFQ26059 and to present the negotiated contract to the board for approval by or before January 14th. Am I not able to make that motion? >> No, sir. Okay. Thank you very much, Madame Chair. I'm done.
>> Thank you, Miss Pullman. >> Thank you, chair. Um, I appreciate all of my colleagues trying to ask pointed questions to see if we can save this what has um clearly been a flawed
process from the beginning. And I, you know, the point about wanting to do business in Brower County, I would like to extend an apology to the vendors that are sitting here because I know that everyone spent a considerable amount of time and money
making putting together their proposals being ready to present to the CUC board and now we're at this position. Um but please know that the board is aware of these things and working to
make this process better. And to the point of I believe it's Dr. Ho wheness I think to that point because this is our community and we're all part of it our business community our students everybody um accountability is absolutely in order for this because
this is now touching a lot of a lot of different aspects of Broward County. You know, I go to my schools in district one and I am less than pleased with the physical state of affairs there. And so
to have this go on for so long and not have a resolution and not have a path forward and to have muddied the waters even more so that we're not on our path to potentially passing a bond or having
money to um really improve our facilities is extremely frustrating. we all either have children, have future children, or had children that are going to the schools that are standing up here. So, um, so and I and I also think it's very
important for us, and again, I said this in the first name, I, you know, this this piece with legal, it's easy to throw legal under the bus. I don't think that this is what's driving this problem. Um, I I think an un a better understanding of how we're interfacing
between our legal department and how they serve the staff versus the board is important that we can all get on the same page about that. Um, but I don't think while a scapegoat I do not think legal is um to be blamed fully for this by any
stretch of the imagination. And then my my final so I would like you know I would like to have clarity on that relationship going forward so that we don't have these same problems and then like I said originally I'd like to workshop our capital program and what we want to
see because are we doing staff augmentation are we hiring a giant international firm to do how much work do we really have can we one of the main things here too is that by creating this financial requirement We really chilled
competition and could have had bids from smaller firms potentially potent especially if we were looking for owners reps. And so we need to know as a board what we're looking at for that so that
we can all be on the same page as we're going forward so we don't have these same mistakes happening again. So I don't know how can we direct you know ask the superintendent to bring that back in a workshop. Does anyone else agree with that or the >> capital improvement program? >> Is there any objection? >> No.
>> Okay. >> I I will say we've done that before uh last year, but we can do it again. >> Well, we'll do it again and we'll make it very clear that we're very serious about nailing this down now that we've gone through this process. Um so it, you know, as soon as we possibly can. I think it would be important so that we
can be moving forward again. Thank you, >> Miss Rupert. Thank you. Um, wow. Uh, I think the overall effect of subverting the authority of the school board,
perverting its integrity and the operation of this school district is outrageous and a willful failure to follow board directives that is possibly sending us into a state of emergency. And yet we were just here 6 months ago
and before that it doesn't seem to ever find its way off the um I'm just going to say it and don't yell the carousel of crazy. It just keeps going around. So this needs to be done. It's
Yeah. As a superintendent, I'm going to ask you. I know that you you take responsibility for your staff and your chiefs and I respect that as a leader, but you also have to show the rest of the district that there is discipline
across all areas of this school board from the top to the bottom. And I think people, employees, the business world, and actually the citizens of Broward County would be helpful if they knew and they saw this and they understood that this was not happening again because we
can have a new superintendent. We have new chiefs and things still keep happening. So, there has to be a larger bit of something that's going on beneath the surface that we really need to get a hold of. And we I mean superintendent to to his staff and a recommendation to the
board. Um there's no way that we can wait another six months and then another six months after that. So, I'm extremely disappointed and sick to my stomach that here we still have teachers,
students, staff, families, all our employees with buildings that are crumbling around them and we still can't get them finished for stuff. So, um that's all I'm going to say on this. I we need to be able to take swift and
concise action when this comes back in January. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Zean. >> I want to clean up a few uh things that are very important. We have asked members of the general
counsel to serve uh senior members of the superintendent staff for a long time and there's nothing that happened in this exercise that wasn't consistent with the expectations we have set. What I'm talking about is expectations in my view need to change. We think and other
people have talked about it. The office of general counsel works for the school board and maybe Mr. Superintendent, we're grabbing on a little tight here, but I think this board is done asking for things and not getting them. Like, that's over. We need it. If we ask for it, it comes
here. And if it doesn't, there'll be accountability for everybody. Why is accountability important? Because of the first two hours we spent in today's schoolboard meeting telling teachers that if a student was outside their classroom for one minute, they would be held accountable. that if they didn't
show up for work, they were going to be terminated. If they harmed a child, we were going to terminate them as fast as possible. Those standards for our staff have to be withheld and be consistent with people who work at much higher levels. This is really uh a rough day. I hope
that it's the bottom. I hope we're riding this all the way down. And from this point forward, we execute. I I guess um your motion was not uh uh one that was appropriate. I understand the general counsel's rule on that. Uh chair, I would just ask the
superintendent uh I'm sorry, let me just ask the general counsel. May I make a motion to ask the superintendent to move at best speed uh going forward to ensure that we have the capability we need after January 17th? >> Um I don't think you need a motion for
that. I think he'll >> I want to make one though. just asking if I can. >> Sure. >> Great. I move uh that the we direct the superintendent to move at best speed uh to bring us the capability we need to continue with the construction
management program we have in Broward County. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Ala, um to the maker of the motion, can you be more specific what that means? Um there is um uh in indefinite
indeterminate kind of what best speed is, but the superintendent working on it every day until he gets it done. I would let me let me be clear if you don't mind me restating it, chair. Um, I would like the superintendent to uh bring the
the the the corrective phase of this to either the special school board meeting on January are we meeting on six >> or to the regular schoolboard meeting on January 16th? >> So, we have uh >> Is that the next one? I'm sorry, my dates.
>> According to my calendar, we have a special on the 6th and a workshop that we can add a special to on the 13th. I'm just going to ask for it on the 6th. My motion would be to ask to direct the superintendent to bring a solution, the going forward solution uh by the special
school board meeting on January 6th. >> Second motion made by Dr. Zeman, second by Miss Alhadaf. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I totally support the motion and having the solution sooner rather
than later. Um the air over here out here is not good on this. Um, so it's appreciated getting some accountability and a plan because apparently there was none. Thank you. >> Any other public public comment on the
motion? Board member discussion. Miss Thompson, >> I just want to ask about the feasibility uh in the superintendent's opinion to get it to the 6th instead of the 13th considering the district offices are closed for about a week. >> We work on days off too.
>> Cabinet does. >> Okay. Any other board discussion? All in favor of the motion say I. I. >> All oppose say no. Motion passes unanimously. >> Chair, I just have one more thing to do while I've got the uh the floor. I don't
want any um organization that's here who is involved in this to feel like this is a reflection on the organization. You know, Broward County Schools went through a process. I think it's a self-inflicted wound. just we made too many mistakes on this. That doesn't mean
that people on the winning, losing, or other side of this are vendors that can't deliver. Uh that's not the case. In the same way that our construction attorney was doing exactly what uh processes and procedures have been set up in the past and current for Ber County Schools, the vendors that were
involved in this, uh it is not a reflection on your capabilities and your talents. Whether you're on the the one of the three vendors or you're one of the vendors that was excluded uh from even bidding on this. Um, I just don't want any vendors to think uh that that
being in a position in this process uh is a reflection on the capabilities that you have and I hope you come back and bid in the future in Bargain. Thank you, >> Miss Batista. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I just wanted to take this opportunity to um just make
a statement regarding um some of the comments related to um the assistant general counsel general counsel's office in general. First of all, I appreciate um all the comments made by the board members uh as to what the um
expectations are. I think we definitely would need to have uh further communication and conversations moving forward what those expectations entail. Um as a general rule when you know one attorney represents both the school board and the superintendent the
attorney's client as you all know is the school board and not the individual office holders uh or the attorney um or you know or anyone else. um that the the dual representation is permissible
and that's what our office has been doing for the last you know 30 years. >> Um so so long as the board and the superintendent's interests are aligned on the matter. If there is a conflict if there is an actual conflict then the
attorney will have to come to and and let both sides know that there is a conflict and and share that information. in this particular case uh you know with waving of an informality uh or whether it was an informality or it wasn't an
informality uh is a legal question that was open to debate um there was a request for another opinion if uh if the answer would have been that there is no leeway and there was only one response
possible um and the superintendent would have wanted to go in a particular direction that would have created a conflict but that was not the case. We sought another um another another opinion that opinion came back in a different way and therefore supported
what the superintendent and staff wanted to do and so that's the way we moved forward. If you know if there is a different understanding of what the board would like moving forward, then I think that's a conversation that um I think we we welcome to have and and I'm
sure my um whoever follows me uh will have um we'll be happy to to do that. Um, but I just wanted to make clear that, you know, under the rules of uh the Florida Bar and uh the normal rules of of process in the district that there
was no conflict where we as attorneys would have felt that we needed to move forward and advise the board of um some information that that needed to be shared. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. At this point, we need to vote to extend this meeting. Um I would
propose to 6:45. Um all in favor of extending the meeting to 6:45 say I. >> I. All oppose say no. Uh the meeting is now uh extended to 6:45.
Any more board discussion on item 04? Dr. Hoes. >> Madam Chair. So, I just want to mention that um you know, for me and I believe what I've heard from members of the board is that the more information we
have, especially on relevant issues, it puts us in a better position to understand where we are as a district. So, um I believe that that's an area whether it's general counsel or
staff that we need to work on, you know, in information that is we're talking about millions of dollars for this contract and information that's comes up that I believe is relevant for the board
to receive. And this is not to negate anyone's process, but I think communication is key. And so as a board, I I believe that gaining meaningful communications, especially on things that could be
consequential or extremely relevant, would be a good practice. And so that's what I'm asking that we receive as much communication as we can to matters that are relevant and matters that are significantly impactful
especially financially and otherwise. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion on item 04? >> All in favor of 04 as amended say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I have a motion and a second on JJ35?
Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Mrs. Aladaf. Public comment on JJ35. >> No comments. >> Board member discussion. Mrs. Alhadaf, >> do we have a time certain? >> This was a time certain for 4:30. >> Okay.
Okay. So, um I just want to walk us kind of through this a little bit. So, in December 17th of 2024, I brought a motion forward to the board to direct Superintendent Hepern to engage in direct negotiations with Broward Health
regarding the sale of the trails and site. in carrying out this negotiation starting at 13,937,500 for the sale. And additionally, a part of this agreement, the superintendent shall negotiate provisions of the
following, the creation of office space free of charge for Eagles Haven and two opportunities for internships or other student engagement initiatives which align with the district's education educational mission. So the item before us today is in
regards to the purchase of the the trails and site land and based on JJ35, Broward Health came back with a a price of 11,628,000.
Dr. Heburn, was there any additional negotiations on that price? has it changed at all? >> So, there was the initi the negotiation started um early um January um and so there's been some back and forth rounds
between our staff and and also Broward Hill staff. So, this is the last um proposal as far as a a price that they're offering um for the property. >> Okay. So, in accordance with our our
policy, it doesn't allow us for us to to sell below the the um asking price on page 304 of
policy 8030. Other things though to take into consideration is Broward Health has since 2022 they have provided training for Broward
County Public School students. So in 2022 to Atlantic Tech, McFatterder, Sharon Tech, there was different rotations like EMT, medical assistance, medical administrative specialist, medical
health tech, monitor tech, EKG tech, and the cost of the training is $2,266,854. And then basically the same almost the same thing in 2023 providing this training to our BCPS
students. In 2024 and in 2025 it was $2,737,672. Um so this is like a inkind donation to to the school district. So I think it's important to take that in consideration
in in our conversation today uh with what Broward Health is also providing services for our BCPS students. The other thing I think to take into consideration in conversation is when
Broward Health, so they already own the adjacent land in that in that area. And and when they purchased that land in 2019, it was about they paid about $2 million an acre, a little bit above.
and and so um we are now this is 10.14 acres and this is significantly less than that what was in 2019 and we're in 2025.
Recently, Parkland has been in the news for being Parkland's richest small town in all Florida and a very high livability ranking in
Florida. So, it's a very Parkland is a place where people want to go and and and live um for the whole entire state. So I want to hear from my colleagues. Um the other thing that also transpired
recently is we received uh another unsolicited offer from Baptist Health for $14 million. Yeah. Purchase price. Um I'm sure I'm
assuming the board received the email. And also um in there is office space for for Eagle's Haven. Um it's it's very important for me that uh whoever purchased this land that Eagles
Haven is is given a office space uh for our community for Parkland and and Coral Springs. um after the the tragedy, you know, our community needs this resiliency center and and I don't know
if you know, 5 years from now, 10 years, they will continue to be funded by the state to to be able to to have this um space. And so I I it's vitally important that there is space available for
Eagle's Haven. And um at that, I'd like to hear from my colleagues. Thank you, Miss Bowman. Thanks for the rundown there, Miss Ald. I don't have to do any of it. Um I guess so I guess uh to Miss Alv's point, um
I'm not we have this piece of land. Have we we've already um what's it called? >> Uh >> negotiated. >> Not negotiated, but said that it's um Excess. What is that? >> Surplus.
>> Surplus. Sorry guys, that's been a long day. >> So, we've already surplused this land, correct? Okay. So I were you insinuating there might be need for more schools in that area or is that with additional people moving in or is there
>> Well, there's if you there's two pieces of property in Parkland and the one on Hillsboro we're we're not touching uh with in the future the possible sale of um
the the farm Hendrick's farm um and the potential then to be people to build a school. Uh that that property on trails and it's kind of situated um with needing a lot
of of soil and needing to be built up and um was not it's not going to be a great place for for school. >> So we might have an issue with that then. Do you think we do you think we need this land?
>> No, I I don't think we we need the land. The question is, you know, right now um we're in this predicament and we have to based on our policy, >> right, >> direct the superintendent how to move forward from from here.
>> Okay. So, I mean, I I I see the the back and forth and I know that we had an existing motion which was to direct us to negotiate specifically with Broward Health and we do have the policy which is setting the asking price
at nearly $14 million. Um, we've also heard from our colleagues in the legisl um legislation I can't think right now legislature God sorry. um that every
thing that we do with property has to be a good business decision for the district and that we better be capitalizing on that for the benefit of the district. So, um you know, I just briefly kind of looking at this new uh
proposal that came in. One thing that kind of caught my eye with the Broward Health in addition to being um almost $3 million under what we our minimum price is as set by our policy and but you know this the appraisals
also were done a couple years ago. So this property could potentially be worth even more than it is right now. Um they want a 365 day inspection period. So that would put us back another year and then they could end up cancing the
contract at that time. The Baptist Health um proposal provides a 90-day inspection period. There's a there's another um they want another Well, I guess they're probably giving about the same thing because they
want an approval period, but we could always negotiate something different. I think that we have to look for the best um best interest of the district and make the best business decision um that we can and capitalize and get as much money out of this piece of land as we
can in the most expeditious way that we can. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Sea. >> Thank you, Chair. Um to my understanding
uh after reviewing this uh a few days back and and taking in the executive summary, there was a directive that was given to the superintendent um late last year in which he was instructed to engage in direct
negotiations with Broward Health for the sale of this uh particular property. Uh I know we've gotten to a point now where they are appear to be standing firm on the 11.6 6 million number. Um my question chair is this. In light of that
directive to the superintendent to negotiate directly with Broward Health, are we able to legally even consider the Broward Health Systems offer that came in? I believe it was either late last night or early this morning for the 14
million or without um giving the superintendent a directive to um cease negotiations or cancel negotiations with Broward Health, which I believe that instruction remains pending. So, um, to sort of codify here, are we even allowed
to legally consider the Broward or excuse me, the Baptist offer for the 14 million that we all just received today in light of the directives that were previously given to the superintendent in regards to Broward Health? >> Yes, Jack Adams. >> Yes, Jack. I want to make sure that I
understand the question because um the um what's what's before us is a is a an attempt to sail to Broward Health and are you saying that there was yet a a different um entity that's making an offer for an amount that's
>> higher than what Broward Broward Health is >> Baptist okay so if the question is whether or not you can switch from Broward Health, negotiating with Broward
Health to somebody else. I I think the instructions to the superintendent needs to be different than what's before you here. I mean, we're operating on I mean, the question that's before us is whether or not to to ask for a price that's lower than
what our policies, procedures are are um the um I'm forgetting the name of uh uh the the uh >> so we're on Broward Health right now. Baptist Health is what sent the email to the board previously.
>> Yes. Yes. So, if there is an evaluation of the um the property um indicating that it's a certain amount, I mean all of these things are things that we need to um adhere and comply to. So um if the question is can you switch from
negotiating with one entity to another um I think I need to look into some things to be able to answer that question directly
but I I don't see why you cannot but I don't want to make that a knee-jerk decision um at this point in time based upon what is before the board um in terms of making a decision today. What's before the board, what's on the agenda,
what's been noticed is is what's in this agenda item. So, moving on to a different decision is not what's before the board and what's been noticed today. Um whether or not you can do it now,
that's a different question to sit down and look at. um thinking the answer is yes, but I I I hate to give you an answer and then find out after research that it's incorrect. So, chair, if I may, what what what I'm
really looking for here is the ability for the superintendent to even open up discussions or conversations with this board about the Baptist offer. In order
for that to happen, does he have to have a directive to cease all negotiations and all talks and all backs and forths and all proposals with Broward Health? Can we do both simultaneously? I'm just
trying to understand um the process. if we're essentially going to have to go back to kind of square one before if we were to reject this offer and decide to move on, which I'm s I'm not suggesting is going to happen, but if that is a possibility, what then has to happen for
us to consider this this Baptist offer? >> If I may through the chair, that those are the types of questions that I wanted to be able to understand whether we can do that or not procedurally. So I I didn't want to um sit here and say that
yes, you can go ahead and do it and then we find some sort of technical basis in which we can't. Like I said, I don't I I think we can, but I I want to be able to check procedurally if that is okay and if so, what steps we need to follow. I want to make sure that we follow our own
processes. >> Thank you, chair. If I may, um I did um I did find the same information that uh board um board member Aldef had raised before in the partnership that we
have with with Broward Health and the approximately two or$2.5 million that they contribute annually um to the district for various programs and the like. So, uh, I I would have to assume that, um, if this deal with them that's
currently before this board doesn't go the direction that they want, that we would run the risk of of of losing those funds. So, when you add that that that 2 point whatever it is number to the 11.6 that they're at, um, we are sort of in
the same wheelhouse, if you will, as the Baptist offer. So, for me, from a monetary standpoint, we're obviously, yes, I I do want to do what's best financially for the district, and I want to try to get the district as much money as possible so we can write some of these deficit issues that we have. Um,
you know, apples to apples, when we're talking dollar-wise here, we may actually be dealing with sort of the same um ultimate uh or finite amount of money here, if you will. So that being said, um my um recommendation or what I
what I would like to see and I'm interested to hear from my colleagues as well is who do we have the better business relationship with um who have we been good partners with um over the years um on this and how does um taking
the um Broward Health offer um for this property sale as opposed to So, the Baptist um offer, which potentially could be on the line, depending on, I guess, what Miss Jack Adams comes back and and and tells us eventually, what is going to be good for
the the the future of uh Broward County? Is this just a one-off? We're just going to make a bunch of money and that's going to be it. and you know, we're never going to hear from from from Baptist or or Broward Health again or perhaps um we have to appreciate the partnerships that we have and this
continuation of um certain opportunities that are being presented by Broward Health. So, I am interested to hear what um some of my colleagues have to have to say about that. But I think from a a monetary standpoint, when you compare dollars to dollars, uh taking into that
2 uh whatever it is, $2.2 2 million that we get from Broward Health, uh, which could potentially be taken away. I I think we're really talking about the same amount here, uh, when we're talking about, um, the sale of this property. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. Uh, I think I'm in agreement with Miss Bowman. We've been, I would say, probably warned by our legislature that we need to be making smart business decisions. And if there's
an opportunity to make um more money on this property, I think um that is the route we need to go. I would like some understanding because I wasn't on the board of why it was motioned to only negotiate with Broward
Health. Someone could provide some background. Should I should I call on the maker of the motion, Mrs. Aladaf? >> Well, as I previously said, Broward Health has been good partners with Broward County Public Schools for a
plethora of years and and and Broward Health already purchased the land back in 2019 in that space already. And and so
the thought was then with them being partners with Broward County Public Schools and offering different opportunities and trainings for our Broward County Public School students that that would continue on and
and be able to provide Eagles Haven a space in that area and then and then also continue the internships. and opportunities for our students. >> I think I I maintain my thought process
that I think we need to go for the highest price and and partnerships are obviously important. However, we are we need to make the best decisions for our district and students as a whole. Um, and then I also want
I following the current legislation closely. So SB824, I was wondering if staff could inform my colleagues of what that's stating related to vacant land. >> Mr. Sullivan. >> Uh, yes. Good afternoon. John Sullivan,
chief communication, chief of staff and communications. Um, up in Tallahassee 826, I believe it is if my memory serves me. 24. >> Thank you for that. Um, there's no house sponsor, so it's pretty uh new or I should say the bill's new, but it's
pretty early in the process, so it's not um currently moving, but session doesn't start until next uh year. Um, but if this were to pass, it says vacant land must be first be offered by the district school board to all charter school operators within the school district. A
school district that owns land must have an agreement to construct a school on such land with a developer or contractor by by July 1, 2027. If no such agreement is not in place by that date, the school district has 60 days to offer the vacant land to all charter school operators
within the school district. So basically, if we have vacant land, um if this bill were to pass before we were able to sell it to any other entity, they would uh we would have to offer it to all existing charter schools within the county.
>> So I I just not only for this parcel of land, but I think we need to be moving expeditiously before these decisions are no longer in our hands. And while there isn't a House bill at this moment, I I
have a very good um information that there will be one forthcoming. And so we need to be acting with the best business sense in mind um and also expeditiously. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Dr. Zean. chair. Um I'm I'm anxious to hear where the board wants to land and I' I'd say there's kind of a um an interesting uh uh opportunity here. One, we went to B to Broward
Health adjacent owner who should be very excited to get 10 acres of land right next door. Um but the price is roughly 1.3 million an acre. They already paid two six years ago and they put up zero dollars for Eagle Haven if I'm correct. Is that right, Chair? The offer has nothing for Eagles Eagle Haven.
>> Dr. Heburn. >> No, sir. >> Yeah, they took that off the they took that off in the very first meeting uh of of it. The other is an unsolicited from a uh competing but also nonprofit hospital of 14 million. That's a little bit higher, I'm sorry, plus Eagles
Haven. Um and and we have, if I'm right, chair, we cannot accept 116 right now. uh move it forward with it because it's our policy says you can't go go below NPC's estimate. Correct. >> That is correct. I also defer to Miss
Jack Adams. >> So if it does say that, you can't go below. >> Yeah. So So today is not that. I think this is a wise item. Mr. Superintendent, I'm glad you brought it to to hear out the board. I'd say the other piece to Miss Thompson's point is we've been very clear not just from the legislative
pressure but as a board u about last uh week I think chair in a workshop we said uh that with with uh great consensus if I remember correctly that if we were going to rent property it wasn't going to be at a dollar a year it was going to
be at market rate and if we were going to sell it it was going to go to the highest bidder is that fair chair >> yes >> yeah so to me there's just kind of these these two sides to it. I think Broward Health has been a good good partner. Um, one of the things that's also true about
these internship is Broward Health needs people to go through this internship because they need the people to become nurses and radiology techs and things like that. So, it it's a great partnership. Um, but it's a real partnership in the sense that they want our students to enroll in these uh internships so they can be fully
certified and get to work. Uh, but I do appreciate the partnership for Bard Health. uh Baptist uh coming in at 14 plus eagles uh haven um you know it's it's hard in as a member of this board to ignore that. Um but today I don't think we have necessarily
uh a vote that is going to close this deal. If I understand it correctly a yes bo v vote uh is just going to tell the superintendent how to address the offer. uh but uh it's not we're not able to say yes uh to the offer because our policy
won't allow us to do that. I would like to uh move regardless of whether people say let's just go back to Broward Health only or we open it up for best price. Um I'd like to do it quickly. So chair, do you know if Broward County Schools has
the ability to conduct a uh sale of a property and uh achieve the best uh price? >> Dr. He >> excuse me. The highest priced. >> Yes, >> you do. >> Mhm. >> Terrific. Um, so that's good to know because the process we've used up to
this point with the speed which the process does not have built into it, uh, doesn't look to me like it's the kind of process that we can do quickly or the one that will achieve the best price. Um, we could put it out one time and and open up the envelopes. I think uh but in
terms of like having a commercial real estate rep who markets the property who goes out and says hey this could be a hospital or it could be a commercial office building or it could be that do we have that capability um that I don't know internally I see Mr. Aabuso back there he can talk about
the capabilities of the internal staff Mr. Sakabusa if you can provide any details and if not um has the district in the past worked with any commercial real estate rep to assist us in that endeavor. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon board members. Chris Akabusu director of facility plan real
estate. Um staff has been diligently selling property for the board. I understand we have a process and that process is compliant with state law right. Uh we have to do appraisals. So some of those process we don't have opportunity to skip the steps the
opportunity we have to do stuff simultaneously we do we to my knowledge since I've been here we do not work with any outside real estate company we do what we do internally we've done it successfully we have an outside council
for real estate um so that's where we are but it's up to the board if you want to engage somebody on the outside but we have been successful in diligently selling property and getting the top price for that property.
>> Terrific. And so, chair um uh today um if if we I'm just a little bit confused about the choices here because the two choices I see is we could go back and renegotiate with Broward Health and see if they'll meet the minimum price that
we established and do Eagles Haven. Um or we could go to what we said a week ago and put it out for uh uh for sale and and get the highest price. Are those the two options that we ought to be voting for today or are we just going to
do a yes no on Broward Health? >> Dr. Aburn. >> No, we're looking for direction of uh from the board about next steps. Is it to continue negotiation with Broward Health? to continue to not to to cease negotiations and and do uh another
option of putting it out uh or directly negotiating with another entity. So, we're looking for direction. That's why we wanted to to bring it um in a board meeting. So, there can be a vote so we have something firm to work on to move for our next steps. >> Terrific. My own view is that I think the two feasible options are really to
go back and negotiate and see if Proward Health will come up and meet the minimum price plus Eagles Haven or uh to open it up and and and sell it to the to the highest bidder. Thanks, Chair. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Um and I have a question. And I had a meeting with Broward Health
yesterday and did ask about Eagles Haven because I think that was really what drove most of us to to agree to go directly to Broward Health um to negotiate this. So the answer that I got
about Eagle's Haven wasn't necessarily that they don't want to do it, but the issue is a government agency cannot negotiate a free space for a private, which is what Eagles Haven is entity,
but they could negotiate with another governmental agency, which would be the school board. So they could make an agreement with the school board and the school board could subleasase >> the space >> the space. So my question is and there's
a lot of pieces to that. Is that something um that the the people dealing with this particular item? Did they have a discussion about that? Have we looked at what that would look like so that we would know what to do moving forward and
and and at no cost because I also don't want the school board to incur the cost of that space, but I know Broward Health said they were willing to to work on that. So, I just wonder where is the district on that
piece? Um, Miss Aabusa, if you can talk about uh if was there any uh negotiations um relevant to what Miss um Hixon said about um I I know we talked about Eagle's Haven, but as far
as the the strategy of how we actually get Eagles Haven into a facility, >> there was no discussion on what Mrs. Hixon just said. when we started the negotiations, we had our strategic
partners in the room. We had the CTS um staff in the room. Um but we got into a point where for me, like the executive summary said, it wasn't financially feasible. That's what was conveyed to us
because if they have to rent it out for a commercial, the cost was going to be based on the dollars for commercial. But there was no conversation about negotiating with the district as a public entity to
then rent the space and then sub lease. I'm going to kind of state my opinion. I'm not sure if this is something we want to do, but again, it's up to the board because again, again, this is new in that the school board will be the tenant. Then the school board, from what
I'm hearing, will then do a sub lease of that space. And potentially, you may want to say it's going to be zero cost, but I'm just saying it's up to the board. >> Thank you. And I appreciate the answer. So, I would say to the superintendent when you're you're asking for direction,
my my thought is that we continue to negotiate with Broward Health with this idea of how can we make it work with Eagles Haven, but we have another offer who is a private entity that wouldn't have that issue with Eagles Haven. So, I
also would like you to find out what that looks like and bring back the best option. But Broward Health does partner with us. So if you look at the inind, it would balance out. They also explained that there's about $2 million in
mitigation of the soil and stuff that they would have to do. And I know when we did the South Florida um wildlife property, we accounted for the fact that there was some some mitigation of the soil and stuff that they would have to
do. So we've done that before. So, I'm not saying no to Broward Health, but I will say my hard line is the Eagle's Haven part. So, I'd like you to negotiate with anybody who comes forward with that as a negotiation and find the
best deal that works for the district. But I also would like to say I don't think that Broward Health will make doing what they've done for the last few years contingent on us doing this deal, or I hope they wouldn't. um and our students would continue to be able to
receive those um internships and stuff regardless of where we land with this land property because we've been a good partner with them up to now and I don't think that that would be affected by what we decide to do. But I want to do what's best for the district but also
for the community and continuing Eagles Haven is definitely best not just for the car the Parkland Coral Springs. There are a lot of people that I've even referred to there from across the district. So, it's I don't want people to think it's just for, you know, the
Parkland area. It it really is for the whole district. It's a model for the nation, actually. And I think that it's it's a gem that we need to make sure that we have for a long time to come. Thank you, >> Mr. Sorry. Go ahead. No, I was going to say, Madam Chair, after um board members
um um give input and feedback, if anybody can make a motion that we can have an official vote of of >> Yes, >> this is a a legal question. If we do we have to have give direction to the
superintendent to only negotiate with one entity at a time or is he could we do more than one? I don't believe that there's a restriction with regards to the number of people um that you negotiate with. I don't know the underlying facts of this
particular one. I'm just looking at what the ask is within the noticed you know item that's before you. But um but I think that you can make an ancillary direction that stems from this like you
know if the negotiations don't go according to plan then >> well right because the well the original motion was directing the superintendent to uh negotiate with Broward Health. Now we have a second um offer >> off offer
>> um and there's you know potential at both places. So can I would like to release ourselves from the or add to, you know, like release ourselves from the direction that we're only um negotiating with Broward Health and allow the superintendent to also
negotiate with Baptist Health because they've also provided this. Um and then my other question is we're traveling under um appraisals pursuant to the motion that Miss Ald made a year or two
ago. Um can we maintain those appraisals if we modify the direction today so that we can do this quickly because the you know like the the goal would be to do it quickly. So through the chair with regards to
that second aspect of what you said, I would have to defer to staff, you know, but in terms of in terms of negotiations, I do not know of an restriction in terms of you're only allowed to negotiate one,
you know, entity at a time. Like I said, I don't know the underlying facts that brought you to negotiate with this entity. I do know when you're talking about like inind those are those are terms that are within a contract you
know um a contract that has been approved by two parties. Now there may be um certain um dis during discussions there are offers of what is willing to be done. And I want to be sensitive to um what you know
>> what has been passed but we have this policy that kind of restrict us more than general real estate negotiation. So just to make sure that we're not violating our own policy. Um I you know I do we just do a motion or how >> well there's still some people who haven't gotten a chance to speak
>> but I think that that's the direction we need to go in and then the appraisal part is also kind of the hanging >> Yeah. So, if I may, Madam Chair, before the next board member goes, the appraisal process is is what actually probably is the lengthiest,
>> right? Because there's a specific process um by statute and all of that. And I know um you if you would like uh Miss Mr. Kabusa could probably lay that out just to give you or the timeline it usually takes it probably need to go through each step, but what's the timeline for the appraisal process?
>> I know we just recently did a followup. Um it may take close to four months, but we can >> Yeah. Um- because we have the per state law, we have to do at least one appraisal. If the dollar amount value is
exceeding five half a million, we have to do two. Then per policy, there's a percentage difference, we have to do three, right? So that's not the issue. We have to send the, you know, we have to pick the appraisals. We give them guidelines. >> Well, but we have an appraisal. >> Yeah, we have a process. Right.
>> Is our the question is, is this appraisal good? Can we give direction today after everyone puts in their um gives their comments? >> The appraisal is good. The appraisal was done on December 23rd. We normally keep our appraised value for one year, but once you start to negotiate, you can
maintain your appraisal. So that's not the issue, right? Cuz the only time you go out for appraisals maybe the property value may have gone up, but that's the judgment call. So it's okay to go with appraisal. And quickly to the policy on page 4, rule 12 talks about designated
buyer on policy 8030. Okay. So again, the direction was given to the superintendent for a designated buyer. It's in the policy. Um, you know. >> Okay. So we can go with we can go with the current appraisal. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. David Clark.
I believe you had some additional information to share regarding Miss Hixon's Yes. Just talking to the mic. Just talking to the mic. It'll it'll come on. >> Oh, thank you. Um, school board members, uh, superintendent, city staff. Yes. I'm David Clark, uh, with Broward Health.
Um, I my role is a senior vice president of operations, and part of that oversight, uh, includes, uh, design, construction, and real estate. Um uh to board member Aladev's um comment, we broad help did acquire um 7 acres on the hard corner of University and North
Trails back in 2019. Um and when we acquired that property, we immediately started talking to the school board back in 2020. So this has been a 5-year journey for us um to try try to foster the partnership that we already had, but also start to include uh this land
opportunity for um medical services and development. Um when the board uh unanimously agreed to negotiate with Broward Health back in December, we did meet with staff um Mr. Chris Oabuka and other staff members back in January to uh to start this
discussion. Um part of that discussion was about the citase and the education programs that we currently provided. Um there was some communications back and forth with your education program in addition to the hospital's HR education program to define what that looks like
and how could this uh particular land opportunity be supported in that that's we already exist in. Um after that conversation in January we also asked could we Broward Health take a look at you all's policy 8030 in
addition to the appraisals that was done back in 2023. Um, in doing so, uh, we noted that there was an appraisal in October 17th, October 19th, and November 5th, all in 2023 done by the school board. Um, those
appraisals came back at 8.5, 11.6, and 16.2 million. Um, we wanted to, being a tax entity in the public system as well, we wanted to get and follow your policy. So, we got three appraisals as well. So, ours came in at 10.36 million and then
two came in right on top of each other at 11.43 million. Um, ours did include um some of the deficiencies that we h that that property has in the soil. We are going to have to bring approximately uh $2 million in to make it uh make the
site available for development. So, our 11.6 six offer. It wasn't intent um to come in at what the board set as a 13.9 million asking price. The intent was considering the appraisals that we got in 2025, considering some of the
elements of the soil, considering um considering uh the difference in zoning designation. So, part of what we paid for when we bought our property was frontage access on the hard corner. We paid for easement um control um or
access both off of University and North Trails End. And we also paid a premium on the um high end of fair market value. Uh is because our property is zoned PCD which does allow medical office building by right. Um the school board's property
is zoned uh CF community facilities and that would have to go through a special exception process locally at the city of Parkland which um kind of goes to board member board member Bolan's um comment about the difference in the inspection period.
Uh our inspection period of 365 is negotiable. The only reason why we put it in there is because if we were to acquire the property, we wanted to ensure that we can develop it at its highest and best use and go through that special exception process. That does take some time. It takes about eight or nine months and we're doing it right now
with other municipalities. Um part of that 11.6 um well, I like to go back a little bit about the Eagles Haven. So, we heard Eagles Haven loud and clear. Um, in the beginning of this, we did communicate um with with schoolboard staff about about the Eagles
Haven space. We tried to understand the the need. There was a comment made they need three times the space that they're currently in. So, we tried to get to an exact um square footage number. And then when we initiated conversations about some of the education components, it was
suggested um by legal guidance that we could could not consider inind donations in the negotiation. So that's where we came back to the opportunity of having to lease it to the school board and the school board could subleasase it to whoever they want to,
but for us it has to be based off of a transactional fair market value. Um it's not in the LOI, not that we didn't want to do it, it's because those conversations stop um and between us and city st and schoolboard staff.
So, in a nutshell, um we're open to negotiations. Uh because we thought the partnership was extremely important to both of us. Um we wanted to continue the partnership and the communication. Um I can go on record if the board sees fit
to get this deal done. Um we're willing to match your asking price. um and consider Eagle's Haven with the consideration of going through the school board and the school, excuse me, releasing it to the school board and the school board can
lease it to Eagles Haven or whoever they wanted to because we have to have that uh arms length transaction. >> Any questions for Mr. Clark? >> Dr. Hoes. >> Yeah, I do have a question for Mr. Clark. Um, so I know that Broward Health
um has internship uh programs across the county in with this specific location and I am I am glad to hear you mention you you'll match the price for asking and but um will this internship program
be expanded to this location as well or any program that we have that you have you know throughout the district? >> Um that's correct. So, we would have to again re-engage and work with your education team to figure out what type of interm services. It all depends on
what's developed there, whether it's an u medical office, whether it's an advanced outpatient center, whether it's a full-blown, you know, community hospital, that will dictate what kind of rotation goes through there. Right now, the 766 students that went in 2022, the
N the 806, the 990, and the 997, they're all going through our main hospital. So th that's an inpatient environment whereby they're they're being with EMTs and medical assistants and uh monitor texts etc. So it it can be extended and we would like to extend it to this location but I think the program and the
internships will will be based on what's developed there. >> Okay. But you're open if it can be to have that extension of the program at this location? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Hi Zan has a question. >> Mr. Clark, how are you,
>> sir? Good. How are you doing? >> Are you authorized on behalf of Broward Health to make such an offer to increase the offer by $2.3 million verbally? >> Yes, I've been uh advised and given the autonomy by my president CEO same Shane Strum. >> Terrific. And um how many square feet are you interested in negotiating with
us if we can figure out the financial transaction? How many square feet are you included? Originally, you were looking at 9,000. Is that also included in the offer? >> Um I don't I don't I don't think 9,000. I think currently from what I understand Eagles Haven is in about 2,000 or 2200 square feet. So if that's three times
it's about 6,500 or 6,000. >> Um we just need to understand the offer. Um so how many square feet are you willing to designate if we can figure out the financial transaction for Eagles Haven? >> Is it still Eagles Haven's need to need three times their space? >> I'm sorry. So So that's roughly 6,500
ft. >> Yes, if that's the case. I'm just trying to be clear about it. And how fast uh do you how long would this offer be open for? >> Do you still want 365 days to close or or or is it at our discretion to close faster?
>> Um I think if you guys can counter offer on the on the closing, I think we can we can figure out um what that would look like. We we would definitely want some time to work with the municipality and entitlements to make sure we can build at its highest and best use because right now it's like I said, it's currently zone community facilities
which will take a special exception. Uh, terrific. Um, chair, just I think we should check with our general counsel. Is that a legitimate offer for this uh land the way it's been delivered right now? >> So, I can't um tell you what what is a
good business decision or not. That's your decision. >> I'm just asking if that is a legitimate offer that was just presented by Mr. Clark. So offers are based upon, you know, what our requirements are in our policies in terms of whether or not you can
co-mingle a sale with inind you know elements within it, whether it needs to be in one instrument, two instruments. Um, it it trying to evaluate trying to evaluate what's being stated and not dig into specifics is not
something that I would like to do. >> Terrific. Let me just ask one more question. I appreciate that because I think what you're saying is yes, he's authorized to make such an offer. Mr. Clark, I >> I don't I apologize. I don't know what his authority is, so I don't want to say yes. >> He just said Mr. Stum said he can make
the offer. So, we'll we'll go with that. Uh um the just the last question in order to close this because if this is a deal, I think the board made you guys an offer and now you're coming in and saying you accept our terms. But if in fact that the square footage needs to be
um uh let to a nonprofit organization like Broward Education Foundation, is that part of your offer? Would you be willing to do that? >> Um >> that you said you couldn't do it because we're a government entity. Broward Education Foundation is a nonprofit. >> No, I'm sorry. I said I couldn't do it
directly to Eagles Haven because they're they're a private entity. I could we could do it to public entities part and it would go through a fair market value and they can sublet it to private entities for zero dollars or in perpetuity as as it it sound like the original offer was >> terrific. But are you asking Broward
Broward County Public Schools or maybe Broward Education Foundation to actually pay you rent or you're giving it at no cost? Um, I think I think we would we would give it, but that space needs to be evaluated and it'll be part of the the the offer price. So, if we're
offering 14 million and that space is going to be x amount for x amount of years, then we're going to we Broward would have to figure that out um to make it part of the deal. >> Okay. I'm trying to help you, Mr. Clark. The Broward County School Board offered Broward Health a deal. It was 136 I
think price space for Eagle Haven. space >> as part of the deal. Is that what you're offering today? >> That that's that's what I'm communicating. We're offering you your asking price plus now we we got to a number 6,6500 ft² I can Memorial Lab. >> Excuse me.
>> 139 plus uh space available. 6,500 square feet at no cost to Broward County Public Schools. >> That that I would h I'm committed to offering you the space. I would have to run that. >> Do you need to make a phone call? because that's what we that's what we asked Broward Health to do. And if they
do it, which part of our policy says we can say yes. If if it's less than that, our policy doesn't let us say yes. >> Yeah. Um again, u in the spirit of the the negotiations, I think the answer is yes. I can't legally see how we can do this until I speak to my legal counsel.
>> Mr. out of >> Eagles Haven is a nonprofit 501c3 organization, not private. >> Does that make a difference? >> It's a private nonprofit. It's a private organization. It's not owned by the
government. >> Yeah, it's still >> okay. Dr. you. >> Madame Chair, uh based upon the emerging um information, I I have no further comments.
>> Okay. I have not gone yet. So, I would like to make a motion to direct the superintendent uh to go ahead and negotiate the terms of the agreement with the asking price with uh Broward Health. >> Second. >> Motion be by me, seconded by Dr. Holes.
Public comment on the motion. Board member comment on the motion. Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I um I'd actually like to make a an alternate motion >> substitute motion. >> Substitute motion. And that is to direct
the superintendent to continue the negotiations with Broward Health as well as any other entity who has shown interest and bring us back the best deal for the district. That includes Eagle's Haven.
>> Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Public comment on the substitute motion. >> Board member discussion on the substitute motion. >> Dr. Holes.
Madame Chair, should this motion be um um supported by the board, um will the superintendent be bringing to us one entity or will we be able to look at
the multiple entities who um indicate interest in the property? >> That's in the motion. Well, well, the motion said for the superintendent to bring back the best offer, but will all of the offers come to us
where the board can determine from what was received if we believe it's the best offer. >> Um, Dr. Holus will function as directed by the board. So, >> yep. >> I'm just I'm just trying to understand the motion. Um,
>> I can change it to ask him to bring back all of the offers. Okay, that's you. So that's okay. Thank you. >> Okay, so the motion on the table is to direct the superintendent to continue to negotiate with Broward Health and any other organization that offers any proposals and for the superintendent
bring us back those proposals. >> As long as it includes >> Eagles Haven. >> As long as it includes Eagles Haven. >> Any other board? Oh, I have Miss Thompson, then Miss Aladov. Um, I guess I just have a question about procedure because it seems like we're
negotiating a vis which I appreciate um to an extent. It seems like we're negotiating a contract deal like from the day. Is this typically what we should be doing? I would like some guidance. Miss Jack Adams.
>> So I'm at a disadvantage because I don't understand the facts of this negotiation with Broward Health. I want to be very sensitive to whatever it is that you all expressed as what you wanted to do in terms of negotiating with Broward Health. Um, but I don't see a
restriction in negotiating with anyone that offers you above what the value of the property is. I don't I don't see that there is a restriction. I don't know any other underlying facts that exists with regards to the property in
terms of I don't know what I don't know but it does not appear as though there is a restriction with regards to who you need to negotiate with um so long as the amount that you will ultimately accept is above what it's been um what it's
been um valued at. So bringing back um multiple offers so that you can see what those offers are to make a business decision as to which one to select. I I don't see any
anything that prohibits that. Um but once again, if there are any other underlying facts involved in this that I don't know about, I I would like to have the opportunity to find that out. But but I don't see any restriction. >> Okay. Okay. And then I just had a
question. When you say including Eagle's Haven, do you mean like that it will be leased to us for free? Like what do you mean including it? >> Whatever offer is there that there will be a space that is free of charge for Eagles Haven and the district. I guess
it should be clear. >> Thank you, >> Mrs. Ala. >> Yeah. So, I just want to make sure and I I think we should really just table this item to later in the meeting because I want to make sure that our general
counsel is following policy 8030. We don't have room for for error. So, if if we need to pause, I think that is best to pause to make sure that we are being told the right information to be
able to make the best decision. Would you like to make a another substitute motion? Are you able to do that? >> So, um, so we've got like a a motion, a substitute motion and a motion to table. Yes, you you can you can move to table at this point.
>> Okay. I move to table this to later in the meeting today. >> Second. >> Second. public comment on the motion >> at Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I mean, you can table it till later in the meeting, but you got like an hour and a bunch of items left. We're
not sitting here because we like you that much. We We're here for a couple other items. Thank you. >> Any other public comment on the item, >> Ryan Ryder? uh city of Fort Lauderdale. Um one of the things I I do want to
mention on this is that wasn't publicly noticed for an open solicitation. So I was the question is since it wasn't notice for an public uh solicitation since you're accepting open and all bids, I think the item that's on the agenda tonight is a negotiation to accept or direct the superintendent to
move with Broward Health. But if you're opening a solicitation for open and all bids, I'm not sure if that is legally noticed. I guess that would be a question for council. >> Miss Jack Adams. >> So through the chair, those are facts
that I'm trying to find out. My understanding right now is there is no formal solicitation to seek offers. I don't know what the facts are. I don't I don't think that that is probably the right um language to utilize for what is going on
here. But um like I said, I don't know what I don't know. So I would like to go ahead and take a look at you know the policy um ask um some questions about the facts but I do not think that there is a formal solicitation
situation that is happening here to seek entities to try to negotiate. I don't think that that is the circumstance that we're talking about. We're not procuring anything. Um we are trying to sell.
So, um, if I can take a moment to go ahead and ask some questions with regards to process and procedure, then I could see, you know, where we can go from from here. >> Any other public comment on the motion to table the item to later in the
meeting? Board member discussion. All in favor of tableabling the item to later in the meeting say I. I. >> All oppose say no. >> Um, motion to table passes unanimously. I will now go to item double P1. We had
a time certain for that. Um, can I have a motion and a second on double double P1? >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rert. Public comment on double P1. >> Yes, madam chair, you have four public speakers. First is Dr. Nelly Lynch Walsh, followed by Dr. Trudy Germanovich.
Good evening, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. So, yesterday I sent you all an email with an updated analysis on policy 1070 and uh my primary concern and there are
others in this analysis. One, another one that's not a small thing which has to do with policy 2409 and the fact that you do not screen all volunteers um because they're pro they're excluded from 2409 but that's a different
conversation. So, I'm going to read the language that I'm asking be put in here. And I am not opposed to this thing being tabled and and I would also recommend it being looped back to advisories because
there are a lot of issues in what staff is bringing forward. However, the language in TWW from 2021 which was presented to the board at the May 13th schoolboard workshop, there are board members on this board who did not
object to a process and that would be uh Madame Chair Leonardi, Mrs. Hixon and uh Mrs. Alhade because I went back and checked the tape. So, removal of committee members other than schoolboard appointees in the
event the actions, conduct or circumstances of a committee member other than a schoolboard member appointee are found to conflict with applicable law, rules, schoolboard policies and/or committee bylaws. The superintendent may recommend the removal
of that committee member from office for the current year andor one additional year. The superintendent shall provide the committee member any entity represented by the committee member and the chair of that committee with written notice of such proposed committee member
removal. The notice shall specify all grounds for which removal of membership is proposed. The proposed member removal shall be placed upon an agenda of the committee and all sides shall be heard upon the proposed removal by an affirmative vote of twothirds of all committee members. The committee may
choose to suspend or remove a member. This is language that Deputy General Counsel Robert Vnola wrote in 2021 in cleaning up the language that had been proposed by the policy 1.7 group.
It never came to the board because a lot of things started happening in 21 and 22. And by the time the policy came to the board, the the superintendent at the time, which was Cartwright, had sent a staff member and the policy 1.7 group
removed the language from what they were recommending. That should have never happened. So, I'm trying to avoid you guys having an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority by putting the language in and moving on.
Um, however, I believe this also needs to be looped. >> Thank you. Next public speaker. >> Uh, my name is Dr. Trudy Germanovich. Um, I have a question. Um, is this rule making?
>> This is not rulemaking. >> Okay. Well, it it doesn't appear to have been noticed um as the um other um most recent uh policy and the way that it was brought up. I I think that we should have had a
notice of about 28 days when it comes to the board. So, I just I believe that right there might invalidate what's going on here. and and the other thing that really needs to be done is the
looping process. However, I believe that needs to be done through the committees that are affected by this and you did not do that and I believe that that is an error that you shouldn't start doing
when you're doing a policy that's directly related to um committees. So, I I don't know for sure, but the way I read it, uh it it appears that it should
have been included as a rulemaking. Um, I um found that um I on your legal notices for policy 1020, you did it the correct way and you said
exactly what should be done and it was the notice of proposed rulemaking and that was on 1020 when it was brought to the board. So I don't know why it's different this time than it was back that time. I could not find a notice in
your legal notices for this meeting. >> Any other public speakers? >> Yes, the next public speaker is Jackie Luskum. And to close us out, uh, is Brooke Brody. Good evening, Jackie Luskum. This policy has gone through a lot of procedural turbulence. I'd like to suggest for
everybody's sakes you please consider today just sending it once and for all uh for looping and I'd suggest through district advisory which has a policy subcommittee that can pull everybody together in one place and get it done expeditiously. It's time to end the back
and forth on policym that we have had about this and that you use the looping process that is at your disposal. The superintendent's task force recommendations on this have not all been considered and responded to and advisories have had to keep providing just snatched comment through public speaking time at workshops or drawing up
documents going through policy line by line only for a new draft to then come back with fresh issues. Looping is for exactly this purpose. Giving voice to community through a fair collaborative process with your advisories. And there could be no policy more deserving of looping than the very policy that
governs us. DAX policy subcommittee would be a good forum for bringing together all of us, streamlining discussions, saving time, and bringing you one clean master list that flags concerns and problems, explains why their problems, suggest fixes, and can help you and us reach a better place.
The executive summary states that if you voted yes, this revised policy will strengthen governance, consistency, and transparency, and so on. It states, "If you vote no, committees will operate under outdated and unclear provisions, inconsistency, and procedural incl uh
confusion. I'm not being facitious in pointing out that you need to swap those two around. I am genuinely alerting you to the fact that as written, there are still elements that are not consistent, transparent, and that procedural confusion will remain. I'll give you some examples. One is a necessity for
the removal language relating to the removal advisory members that Dr. Lynch Walsh just mentioned. I support that there is also some contradictory language still around the three grassroots advisories ESE gifted and ESOL. Um also language was added at the last workshop after public speaking so
we couldn't correct it regarding who should run a committee if there is no chair or vice chair and it was decided that the longest tenur member would be assigned that role. I'd suggest this should read longest tenur officer. Also, this talk about a new um schoolboard
advisory committee responsibilities form. We've not seen it. It's not included. It also talks about categorizing committee recommendations when what you asked staff for was cataloging recommendations. It also defines a various curious concept of the
transparency that Sunshine Law requires and that I would suggest is questionable. And on page 10, it talks about minutes shall not be made unavailable until the next meeting. If my kid wrote an essay like that, it would be sent back. The language is drafted now removes all responsibility
for anybody to respond to advisory recommendations. We get that you might not like not like to adopt them, but please uh respect your community by responding and just for the sake of good policym let's just loop this back to DAC and get this cycle of back and forth
closed out. Thank you. Good. Uh, good evening, Brookie Plantation. Um, I'm here today to ask the board to take a step back and re-evaluate where we are. The review of policy 1070 began a year ago, last December. The process has been laden
with contention and rulemaking irregularities. Instead of looping, a process that this board stated it wanted to return to just last week, this board agreed to the creation of a superintendent task force. I and other volunteers on that task force worked
ourselves to the bone and gave up our family time to the district only for the superintendent and staff to disown the task force, disregard its advice, and sunset the task force in the middle of rulemaking. We never saw the red line
that's in front of you guys. There was never input. It's been constantly changing after the task force was sunsetted and then not looped. This item was posted to the agenda only one week ago. This deprived the public of notice and the opportunity to
meaningfully review this red line. Specifically, DAC requested this red line through its liaison on December 3rd. It was not provided. I personally requested a copy from staff on December 9th. It was provided on the 10th and
then posted to the agenda that night. and that includes not just the red line but the entire agenda item was not posted until last week. This raises serious concerns about whether this process has complied with rule with rulemaking and notice requirements. I
think that if there's anything that's been learned over this last couple of months is that the board needs to make some hard inquiries and not not rely on others to shield it from liability. Substantively, this red line again falls short. The recommendation process is a
step backwards. The task force, your community, and indeed you all as board members have asked for better two-way communications with the committees. A public-f facing catalog with follow-up is still missing from the red line. Without change, the board can expect continued frustration and
inefficiencies. Regarding removal of committee members and other other than school board appointees, there are a couple points to consider. First is that the general counsel's office already agreed to a removal process. I think that says a lot. I'm not sure where the resistance
is coming from now, but there are several board members here today that don't agree with the removal of DAC's chair at the end of last school year. Incorporating a process now would pres prevent that from happening again in the future. And lastly, there's actually no legal option to not do this. By not
providing guidelines about how committee me members can be removed, um it can be considered an um um oh my gosh, an incorrect delegation of authority because it provides for unbridled discretion by the
superintendent and some that ask that you do not approve this policy today and in the absence of meaningful public input and participation, I ask that this policy be property looped. Thank you. That concludes public speaking.
>> Thank you. Board member discussion. Uh Dr. Hoes is not here at the moment. Miss Rupert, >> I would like to make a motion. Um I move to um take this policy 1070 and put it through
the looping process. Second. >> Motion made by Miss Rupert, seconded by Miss Hixon. Public comment on the motion. Should I run over to that one? >> Thank you. Predictably, yes, I support it. And coming from the board member who used the word uh the phrase carousel of
crazy earlier, this has been part of it. Um, we have to be able to trust that when policies are being brought before you as drafts, there has been a collaborative process and that they that they are brought to you correctly. We have been back and forth on this. And I can warn you as well that policy 1070 is
going to get sorry 1020 is going to get to the same point. you threw it back for um for another 30-day wait to bring to come back before you um and and a draft will be coming back that there are still going to be issues with we have to be
able to rely on staff to bring process and to bring correct drafts and and this has been back and forth like a ping-pong ball. Thank you, Mrs. Rert. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um thank you, Mrs. Rupert for
the motion and for hearing us. Um, and while uh, and hopefully everyone supports this. Of course, there is nothing stopping staff from putting the removal language in and including that in what's to be looped. But thank you very much for the motion.
>> Any other public comment on the motion? Board member comment on the motion. Dr. Zean. >> Uh, thanks so much, Chair. And I'm just going to ask the maker the motion. Um, in the past when we've asked things to be looped, we've said, you know, this advisory committee or or that advisory. Where which committees do you think or committee should loop this? I
>> I would start have it the DAC because they already have the subcommittees that could do it. >> Dynamite. So that change. >> Do you mind making that change? Yeah. Thank you much. I support this. Thank you very much, Miss Rupert. >> Miss Bowman, um, if if we go in that direction, does that satisfy
our requirements for looping or Yeah. or >> we we said it. >> I got it. But I just want to make sure we're covering all of our basises that we're going to do it so that we're not coming back to here that we didn't loop it through some other organ group that should have been looped. So, can we
>> Okay. Thank you. Any other board member discussion on the motion? So, just to clarify, the motion is to loop it through DAC. No other committees. >> They'll pull them all together.
Okay. >> All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. No. >> Motion passes with one dissenting vote and without Miss Hicken. >> Um Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> If uh staff can get clarity who is to
loop this because this is a board uh policy for board established committees. >> Maker of the motion. >> Clarify the question for me. Well, so this has already come to the board uh three times this policy which gave and
also it was part of the superintendent task force which a variety of committee members sat on. So we just need clarification of who would be because this this this is >> was it ever looped through DAC? >> It wasn't required unless the board gave
us directed or um or >> I'm clarifying it now. It's to go through DAC and then that's that'll be fine. But I believe staff's question is who is to do the looping? >> Like which staff member?
>> Yeah, >> we can do it. But this this policy is unique because again it's the board's established uh committees. >> Well, I I don't understand. Obviously, you guys have had some opinions on this coming back before. Now it's suddenly
ours. I I will be accommodating, Madam Chair, however you want me to handle this. I will be accommodating so we can get this done for once and for all. >> Yeah. I think maybe if you could just clarify who you would if it's staff board members who you would like to loop
the policy. >> Well, I for one don't know how to loop it myself. So, uh I wouldn't say that. However, I would think staff would, but they have to actually follow the direction. >> Sure. We we'll loop it, but the only thing we're going to do with DC, we're just going to take their feedback. staff is not making any changes to what's
presented to the board and we'll bring that feedback to the board. >> Okay. I have one one caveat. There's somebody sitting here that knows exactly what looping looks like and that would be Dr. Wanza. I'd like you to weigh in Dr. Wanza through the superintendent.
>> Go ahead, Dr. Wanza. >> I should have gone home with you. >> Good. Good. Good evening. Happy holidays. So, um, the communication loop policy, Valerie W's, the chief strategy and innovation officer. So, basically the policy does
say that whenever there's a major initiative or something new that either the board or the superintendent directs the communication loop that is to occur. So, if the um if the will of the board is for it only to be looped at DAC, then DAC will, you know, it will be looped
there. And if they feel that it does not need to go then down to the areas and what have you, then it'll stop right there. They will give all the feedback. And then I think I I think the question that um Mr. Sullivan um is asking is
which staff member? So obviously I I think your direction is um through the chief of staff and communication who that really is the liaison if you will when it comes to board policies. then that would be the individual or the office that would be responsible for the
looping process that the board directs today. >> Right. >> Does staff have their direction? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Motion passes unanimously with >> Madam Chair. Can I just make a comment? >> Go ahead. >> Um I think it was two meetings ago I
asked for the board member followup for the looping process. You could have sent it to the board, but >> we did. >> You did? Okay. I missed it. We sent it that day within the hour. >> We'll send it again. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right, moving on.
>> Okay, do I need to say it again? Motion passed unanimously with one dissenting vote or didn't pass unanimously. Passed with one dissenting vote and Miss Hixon not on the deis and Mr. Sea on the line. All right, back to the item as amend. Well, I guess we're not
>> we're done. >> We're not we're done, right? We don't have to >> Yep. The motion passed, so it's going back to looping. Okay. All right. Um, could I have a motion and a second on BB1?
>> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, seconded by Mrs. Alhadaf. Public comment on BB1. >> Good evening again. BB boy. Yes. One of the reasons I stayed here till after 5. Um, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh,
Plantation, Florida. Um, I support Mrs. Rupert's uh, BB item to have the ITB audited. Multiple board members expressed concern. The thing came to you, I think, three times. And um this
way you can determine seeing as you're in a budget crunch whether you are paying consultants to duplicate work that should be done or could be done by staff among other reasons. But I think that was one of the ones listed there. So um I hope you'll
support this. And by the way, policy 1070s custodian is the chief of staff and communications. So you would think they would loop that. >> Stay on the item. Uh, yes. Um, I support the item like I said. Um,
and hopefully you will too and I'll wait for the next person to wander off an item because you guys are very quick. I I get one breath out and you're telling me to stay on the item. So, I'm going to be watching now everybody else like the guy over there
>> that went over. >> One minute. >> Don't test me, Sarah. Uh >> oh. >> Any other public comment on the item? >> Uh Rachel Daly is uh I don't believe in the audience.
>> Board member discussion on the item. Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I just have one. >> Sorry. Sorry, Dr. Holes. I should have gone to Miss Roupert. Yeah. No worries. Thank you for understanding. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um the reason that we had this here is and and I'm going to read just a little bit.
um is if you look at the last meeting where we discussed this um it included conversations and concerns about misaligned job titles, descriptions between perch orders and and ITB, inquiries about why vendor submitted titles didn't match the approved
categories, clarification that project managers and analysts were used across divisions despite inconsistent labeling. the significant increase in spending authority compared to prior years, concerns about oversight, burn rate, duplicate listing of
individuals due to multiple purchase orders with multiple vendors. um continued on to uh lengthy discussion, but was not limited to approving consultant spending during a budget crisis, requests for clearer justification, transparency, and
accurate job titles. Inquiries about staff cap capacity, sorry, in the technology division, debate over whether reducing or delaying funding would would cause a critical technology project. Additional comments were made.
suggestions for a public facing report showing firms cost and work performed by the superintendent in 30 days. All right, we're here uh for those reasons and and many more. Um I I'm very happy to recommend that it goes to audit. It
needs to be audited. That's what I'm going to keep that process on. And um even the fact that it was soon discovered that there were not enough funds to cover projected costs as the intended funds were being used by another department which was previously
unaccounted for and the other department was also utilizing the same funds to cover costs that they incurred with the use of the same ITB. As a result, spending authority is required to ensure all costs and payments will be made be more. All right. So, measurable
outcomes, potential cost savings from identifying duplicatus or unnecessary functions for which the district is paying consulting fees. Pay close attention to account control management, sign in and sign out approvals. Today,
we had excuse me, an employee uh that was being disciplined for stealing of time. It's very serious especially in this uh funding crisis that we find now. But also we're trying to make sure that
the employees that are within our employee are doing their jobs every single day. And for the ones that are there every single day we say thank you very very much. For those that are not and it will show up in an audit um there there will be discipline if it is
founded. So, um truly this is something that's bubbled forth from this particular um group and I look forward to having um neutral information coming in so we can actually get to the bottom of things and make a
decision. So, that's why I'm asking my colleagues to support this. Um I I appreciate and trust the chief auditor and staff to to get this done. Oh, one more thing. When we're looking back, I wanted to ask a question to to the
auditor. How far back are we going to go on this audit or you guys can't make a um a decision on that right away? >> So, based on the information that I know and I've gleaned from what's been put forth, um we would have to set a scope. I mean, there would be certain things
that we would have to consider looking at and create an audit plan to see where we would go with that. So, I really couldn't tell you that at this point. And generally we set a scope and we expand as it may be needed but you know there's testing and then it gets expanded if there's cause for doing so. >> Right. Well thank you for that and
honestly for um the ACM aspect of the question for the uh them clocking in etc I would think would be completely um salient in this um situation. So thank you so much. >> You're welcome.
>> Thank you Dr. Holus. >> Thank you Madam Chair. So I just have a quick question um for staff uh through u Dr. Fulton. Do we have do you have any knowledge of staff that could be performing functions
for which we are paying consultants? >> Do I have any knowledge >> or or is there any knowledge from any of your staff that we have staff who could be performing functions for which we're paying consultants? >> I don't know. I would rather wait till
Dr. Heeper comes back on that. >> Okay. Um that's my my question. >> Thank you, Dr. Zean. >> Thank you so much, Chair. Um I love this item. Um what I'm worried about though
is that um we need somebody to kind of work with the auditor. In my view, um, if you want to check compliance, if you want to look at accounting, if you want to see about whether you're doing things according to an established, uh, process or procedure, uh, auditors can be
extremely, uh, adept at at helping you understand that. The biggest issue that I have with this idea of hiring consultants though is that we need to define to know what the definition of work is, to look at job descriptions, and also to be fast and agile when
things change. So you take something like AI, does that change what uh CIO people need to do? It clearly changes what CIO staff needs to do. And we've made some pretty big changes. But Mr. Davis, and he's not here today, has made pretty significant organizational changes because AI has a huge influence
on CIO. Those kinds of changes wouldn't be picked up by the good Mr. Maggley and David Rhodess because what they're going to do as auditors is go in and look and see what the rules are and say, did you follow the rules? This is really are you adjusting uh staff compositions every year to make sure that you're creating
the staff that you need and therefore don't need so many consultants. And so my recommendation um is to think more about just the auditor, but an auditor and a superintendent design might be as chief of HR, might be somebody that does
uh you know workforce analysis or something like that. uh to make sure that the work that we're creating, the job descriptions, and the teams that we're creating are consistent with the work we need to do every year. And that's not something that an auditor necessarily would be great at. So, only thing I'd like to do on this item is to
make a motion to um change uh the action from chief auditor uh to include after chief auditor and uh superintendent design. I'm sorry, is that the right place to do this? I'm sorry. at the requested
action, direct the chief auditor and then I would add uh the words and superintendent or designate uh so that they can work together to kind of handle both sides of this. Again, one of compliance, but another side is really are all of the cabinet level people and
team leaders adjusting their workforce definitions so that they don't need to hire consultants going forward. >> Second motion made by Dr. Zean, seconded by Mrs. Alf and the motion is to add and superintendent or designate in the requested action. Public comment on the
motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Okay, let's go back to the resolution you passed a couple of weeks ago that looked at what the role of a chief auditor or internal auditor is. It is not an audit if it's not being done
by the office of the chief auditor. and they will be working with staff because staff will have to answer questions once the scope of the audit is determined and this is about auditing that specific ITB in the ITB there are job descriptions
there are functions there are explanations for why people are doing things what you don't know and remember you guys cut the spend in half and they had an exhibit E that had additional things that needed to happen that they
said they needed 2 million for and there was a claim by your superintendent that um they didn't have existing people on there. This is to verify that what the ITB is is what actually happened. What Dr. Zean is suggesting needs to be done
too, but that's a separate exercise. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public comment on the motion or member discussion on the motion? Dr. Hoes. >> Uh Dr. Mr. Zean, could you repeat the motion sir for word? >> After the word auditor, include four words and superintendent or designate.
>> So the chief auditor, superintendent >> and the superintendent or or or who he >> superintendent or designate will conduct an internal audit. >> Yes. >> Okay. So I just need clarification because that would then read that the superintendent
can conduct an audit. Um, so I'm I'm confused. I I I I thought an audit is conducted by the chief auditor. Um, but if we if it reads like that, then it is implying that the superintendent or designate can conduct
an internal audit. Um, is that what you meant to say or >> I did and and to be fully re revealing of this, we just talked this morning about an audit of afterchool programs. um um
that that that word uh yeah, I think it's actually uh fine to leave it the way it is because my my intent is for this to kind of follow auditing procedures, but I think that it
requires more than somebody who's looking at very specific process and procedures, but understands a little bit broader about how work is defined here And that's not an auditor's primary function. That would be more of a superintendent. I'm happy though if you prefer to change internal audit to
internal review. Uh that would be a broader word to uh to describe what the chief auditor and a superintendent might do together. >> Okay. So I'd like to get legal advice on this. Um so basically you're you're changing this then Dr. Zean to read. The
chief auditor, superintendent or designate will conduct an internal review. Is that what you're saying? Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, um, Miss Jack Adams, can a superintendent or designate
conduct an internal audit, an internal review as opposed to an internal audit? Will is that motion something we can legally vote on? >> Also, Mr. Magley would like to speak to this as well,
>> Mr. Magley. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. I wasn't sure if she was going to respond. >> I'm sorry. >> Um just just for the first of all, as I said initially is we would have to define what the scope is of what we were looking at and that's any auditor would have to do that if there's a component in it that something of that nature as
Dr. Zean had explained. Um I I don't necessarily fully agree that we couldn't do it. But the idea and I don't think that's what he said. What I'm saying is is we could we will always, you know, speak to staff to get more qualified, more direct information and
report it as such. If we know exactly what we want to look at, and that's that's a lot more of a consideration. Maybe that's a part of it. If we know for sure which components we want to look at, it would be easier for us to define. But working with staff though we do it in concert with staff and their
collaboration and cooperation and they have been like that uh re most recently very cooperative but we want to be able to maintain our independence so that when we report back it's what we're finding. So if it's something that maybe doesn't fall within our our expertise
then we could either outsource to some of that. Um we have some contingency items um relative to our plan that was set forth which we could maybe do that if that was something that we needed to do. >> Okay. Madam Chair, I I just have a couple of followup because I want to make sure I get clarification. So Mr.
Maggley, right? Um um if you normally um work with staff anyway and if this motion remains as is without the changes, well, I guess I'll phrase another way. with the changes. If you normally work
with staff anyway, wouldn't the changes be redundant? >> There there's a difference between us going through the audit exercises and and evaluation process and getting information from the stakeholders and that would be the distinction as to them actually taking part in doing audit
steps and review. That would be a little different. >> Okay. So, um, Miss Jack Adams, if this item should read, the chief auditor, superintendent or designate will conduct an internal review instead of audit.
Is that are we able to do that? Are we able to vote on that? Is there a confusion here or or is there a um in terms of the language stating superintendent or designate conducting
an an internal review as well as the chief auditor? Is that that that's Dr. Zean's motion? I just want to make sure we're voting on something that we legally can do with the new language. So just to clarify, so instead of the
original recommended action of directing the chief auditor to conduct an audit, you would like it to be opened up to not only the auditor but the superintendent conducting an internal review. Well, he
uh Dr. Zean's motion is removing the word audit and is including additional words which would be superintendent or designate will conduct an internal review. Um is that change sufficient enough for
this item to read as such that the board can legally vote on? Because my understanding is that auditors do audit. Now he changed that to from audit to review. um does that does that then change the
manner in which we can vote on this item? >> So what was noticed was whether or not to conduct an audit by the auditor. Now you're introducing different parameters. It's no longer an audit. Now it's a review. Um and in terms of what the
definition of internal review, um like an audit has a specific definition. An audit by an auditor has a specific definition. You're literally changing that and saying we're going to do an internal review. I'm I'm not sure what the definition of that is like what that
entails. >> Understand? So, is there a legal definition for review or is review interpreted in this sense as a general term that could mean anything? >> So, it depends upon what like
in terms of a business decision as to what you want to do. you give that definition of what internal review entails because internal review in the most generic sense can mean um a lot of different things. Um it definitely is not an audit from an auditor.
>> Okay. So would you say then if we change this from audit to internal review the word review is left up to interpretation. It's somewhat vague. >> It is because review on what level to what end by whom of what? Um I can think
of a lot of questions of how you can review something. >> Understand? And I my last question can an auditor or the chief auditor the audit department conduct an internal review when their role is to audit? So
that is something that the auditor needs to answer because he or she knows what is within their purview of what they should do under an audit and whether or not a review first of all that would need to be interpreted by the people by
the person who wants the review. What does that entail? You then you can compare that to whether or not it falls within the purview of their >> understand. So, so you are not able to answer if an if an auditor can conduct an internal review. Should we get that
answer from the audit department? >> The audit department clearly knows what is within their purview and what they're allowed to do and not allowed to do and what an audit entails. So, I think the first thing that needs to happen is when you say internal review, what
specifically do you mean? Like define it yours. >> Understand? And that's why I'm asking these questions because I want to know what I'm voting on, right? So Madame Chair, can the auditor or the uh Mr. Maggley answer the question if an auditor can conduct an internal review
in the sense here that Dr. Zeman is making reference to >> once again I mean it depends on what what what we're looking at as a scope. There are certain steps that we would go through in the planning phase of this to to accomplish that. I didn't mean to say that there was any component at which we
could get additional help or a separate type of a look at things to evaluate such as you said the productivity things that match up that's that could be a separate part of it even a spin-off of it but you can certainly look at lots of different things and relative to compliance review it's a little
different compliance is specific to what the contract terms establish and what's required by rule okay >> so with all within all the parameters and the steps of that the difference is it's just a matter of the sequence sequencing and defining what it is we're looking at. At this point, we're kind of broad. >> Okay.
>> We would have to evaluate that to make a determination in the steps in this in the procedures that we would have to incorporate to execute that. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Maggley, are you comfortable with the word review or the word audit in this item? >> I mean it people's interpretation. So
when we review something, the depths of which it is, you know, it's depends on how deep into it you're going to get. So, some people may interpret something as an audit where we go through specific steps and we define those steps and still say it was more of a review. Um, you know, I'm not hung up on the word as
much as the intent. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Appreciate. >> Um, Dr. Fulton, then then Miss Jack Adams would like to >> Thank you, Miss Leonard. I um question directed to Dr. Zean. Um, just are you open to a slight revision considering the complexity and the large scope of
what the superintendent does? So instead of having the superintendent, could it just be superintendent's designate? >> That would be fine and that would be within the intent. And again, the the critical part of this is job task analysis. It's organization. It it's not
an auditor's normal span of of uh of issue because there's no compliance with org charts or job task reviews. something that managers need to do to make sure that the composition of their government team is composed in a way that allows them to do the work as it changes every year can be done and that
would stop us from needing so many consultants which is like the whole intent I think of this of this uh of this review. So yes, if it was uh and superintendent designate is that what you're suggesting? I was suggesting instead of the superintendent conducting
the review, let it be someone he designates, which is the superintendent's design. >> Yes, ma'am. Okay. And so I'm just taking out one word and so I agree. Direct the chief auditor and superintendent's designate to conduct it in correct review. Thank you, >> Miss Jack Adams.
>> So one thing that I wanted to mention from the auditor is when the auditor performs his or her function, they have autonomy to perform that audit. So you're changing the language of what they need to do. It's not clear what the
intent is, what the scope is. So that's what makes me uncomfortable with uh changing audit the function of the auditor autonomous they they decide how they audited what they're looking for in any given audit that they performed to
um a word that is something less than an audit. So, I'm concerned with the autonomy of the um the um auditor to perform an audit um according to what they believe they need to do versus
calling it something else and utilizing terms that are generic and it's not clear what that scope is. And even if there was a scope dictating to the auditor who has some autonomy what they
are supposed to do. >> Miss Rert, I would love to have the uh superintendent weigh in on this. Um I still believe that there's a reason we have separation with our uh direct people and I don't I am not comfortable
not calling it an audit because that is their function and this was many grievous many things going on that a review and we've certainly had reviews before. A review doesn't really passm
an audit is neutral. They just go with what they see. So, if the superintendent could share his feeling hearing. >> Absolutely. I've been I've been I've been listening. Um I totally agree. Um that thing there needs to be some separation in auditing this um so we can
get the real picture, right? The audit team usually works with staff and all that to get the information that they need. Uh but if there's something going on that we need to correct, um I would definitely like uh some independent uh independence uh when it comes to
going through this matter and auditing appropriately. >> Yep. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah, absolutely. I'm I'm I'm confident in uh Mr. Rhodess and um um Mr. Maggley's um um abilities to do what they need to do and find the information that that'll help us continue to get better and identify any things that we
need to need need to address. Miss Pullman, >> thanks. Um, you guys kind of covered it. I think it's a linear function. You do the audit and then you take the findings from the audit and then you analyze the staffing or whatever if there's um if
you find that there's duplication, I guess to Dr. Zema's point in the auditing function if there's also um duplication with uh systems and tasks that are being moved to AI if that's the case can is that something that we should add to it or you want to just
keep >> okay linear I >> right >> we keep it as it was all in favor of the motion say I >> all oppose all oppose say no >> no >> I heard uh the motion is voted down with
one Okay, with one vote for yes, Dr. Zean voting yes on his motion, the rest of us voting no with Mr. Seivera online and Miss Hixon not on the day. All right, back to the item. Um, we have Dr. Zean. Oh, are you done, Dr. Zean? >> Oh, yeah.
>> Okay, Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Yes, I just have one question on the financial impact. It says that the chief order will tell the board whether this falls within an existing audit in the current audit plan or if this would come out of the existing budget or require additional funding.
>> So in preparation for it, that's what I had mentioned to the audit plan. We have a couple line items in there as contingency. Um speaking with chief uh roads, we had discussed that we would try to assemble this in house to make sure that that can happen. Uh that's what our uh
what our direction will be. Um unless there's something like that is an outlier that we had to engage somebody, but it's our intent to do it ourselves. So >> So it will fall within the existing audit. >> Should. >> Thank you, >> Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. I'm going to be voting no on this item. I feel like our staff
appropriately addressed all the concerns, the difference in job descriptions going from year to year. I feel like they were flexible in discussing where the payments are going for. And also I just want to point out that IT professionals are getting paid
200,000 plus in salary. We don't have the capacity to pay IT staff inhouse which is one of the reasons that we go out for technical contracts like this. Um and in my opinion this conversation has gone too long and I'd like to call
the question. >> All in favor of calling the question say I. I. >> All oppose say no. >> Calling the question passes unanimously. So all in uh all in favor of item BB1 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> Item passes with one dissenting vote
from Miss Thompson. Miss Hixon not on the deis. >> Could I get a motion in a second on JJ7? >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rupert. Public comment on JJ7. >> We have uh no public comment on any of the remaining items. Madam Chair,
>> thank you. Dr. Zean, >> thank you. Just want to note uh that this is a finished project. Nice to see three of them on our agenda. Uh final acceptance, release of retainage here at Dillard and school that I graduated from just a couple months ago. Um and uh it's nice that three of these I hope that we
see see three, four, five, 10 every time we have a school board meeting in the future. Thank you. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor of JJ7 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon on the days. >> Can I get a motion in a second on O2?
>> So move >> moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Rupert. Public comment. Uh we don't have any public comment on O2. Mr. Sea. >> Sera satisfied. >> Dr. Hoes. >> Just a quick question. Madam Chair, um
is the reason to bring this forward because we needed to add an additional vendor? >> Yes, that is correct. >> Okay. and Dr. Hburn the the two vendors we previously had they were not able to uh complete the work in a timely manner
based on your um you know assessment >> is to increase the capacity to do work in a timely manner. >> Okay. So time is really the real reason >> correct. >> Okay. Thank you madam chair. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor
of O2 say I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon. Can I get a motion to second on O3? >> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Thompson. No public comment. Dr. Hoes.
>> Um Dr. Hburn, are any of these firms that are here MWBE firms? Um, Miss Injury, if you can confirm >> through the chair, no, they are not. >> Okay. And h has there been any effort to
attract MWBE firms for a contract like this or what is what what was the process to attract MWBE firms? >> We did if there was anything We had affirmative procurement initiatives and assigned points if we
had anyone, but um we did not have any of these firms that applied. And I believe there I would have to go back to the original solicitation, but um there were certain criteria involved with this
RFP that some of our small firms would not be eligible for. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. Any other board discussion? All in favor of Oh. Oh, go ahead. Mrs. Alhad, >> how is it determined? I mean, I'm seeing on page 305 the different schools and
and which schools uh are going to get tree trimming and by district. And then it's also done differently in say district 7 than all the other districts. How is this all determined?
Uh, Mr. Dorset. >> Good evening. Mark Dorset, physical educ physical plant operations executive director. Uh, based on uh the the current conditions out there, uh, I remember, if you remember correctly, a
couple years ago, uh, the board approved, uh, $600,000 to trim trees, uh, to trim the the trees districtwide. We've provided a list. Um, we don't have a contract right now and that's why some of them, you know, you see a little bit
of overgrowing there. The $600,000 would only give us like a cut every three years because we're only cutting only the trees being cut from this contract. So, uh, we looked at the overall condition and we provided the list based
on the the current conditions. So is there like a rubric to determine at what school the you know one school has more trees than the other that one can see or are you just viewing it and
making an opinion based on it? >> Well last trimmed and um safety requirements. So if the trees are uh covering the cameras or whatever the case is, we make sure and put them up front so there's v uh visual of of the
entire campus. So all of that was taken under consideration >> and there's no way I see it's done by by year and there's no way to frontload this to do more schools. >> It's based on it's based on the funding
that we have. We broke it down based on the funding that we have. Uh, and that's why we can only do a a school once every three years. >> No, I get it. But if we're giving 600,000 and then this year you're only spending 50,000.
No, >> I think um Well, basically I think that's what we had left from the last contract because we don't have a contract in place now. So, it's going to be 600,000 that we spend over the life of this contract. >> Okay. I guess Dr. He if you can just look at to see if maybe there's the
ability if we're funding 600,000 to do more schools sooner based on need and then instead of extending it out for 6 years. >> No, we'll take a look. I know I see some of the schools u that I'm aware of up
front that actually in dire need of some um trees being trimmed on their campus, but we'll take a look at um see if we can actually accelerate the work. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion on this item? All in favor of O3 say I. I.
>> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon. Could I get a motion and a second on O5? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Bulman. No public speakers. Mr. Sea.
>> Thank you, chair. Um, in looking at this item, I I noticed that when we initially entered uh into an agreement uh back in 2021, I believe it was with the original spend request, we had approved 237,000 or the board at the time had approved
237,000 over a 5-year period, which on my math uh comes out to roughly $47,000 a year. We're now being asked to uh approve $1.7 million uh for a year. Uh, I'd like to hear from staff why this is
necessary and and and I understand uh Senate Bill uh 676 did not exist uh back in um 2021. Uh but is that the sole reason for the u increased nature uh of
this contract which is a which is a pretty big sum? >> Uh Mr. Sever, yes, that is correct. with the new legislation is requiring that we reffing print every employee um in the district which we've started that first phase um this just this current year and
summer um and we've been working at a fast pace. I think some of the board members just had to go through this recently too um if you're not a new board member but some of the ones that's been on the board for quite some time. Um but yes, that's the result of why the cost is significantly higher than in the past.
Thank you, >> Mrs. Ala. >> Yes. My question is if someone has already had their level two screening, you know, say they were a sports coach for a city and that's documented in the
state's clearing house, would that be accepted for Broward County Public Schools clearance? >> Um, I will defer that question to the team. Go ahead. Um, um, Chief or Dr. Lozano. Our best recollection is for they are going
into the same clearing house but they do limit that to uh the district. So we wouldn't rely on the clearing the fingerprinting in another district. We do the fingerprinting for that employee in this district. >> Okay. I was just thinking it could be a way to save money.
>> Save money. Yeah. >> And parameters might be a little bit different too for municipalities. >> Fingerprint. >> True. And uh just to clarify, the clearing house is really driving, as the superintendent mentioned earlier, Michael Gregory, chief safety and security officer. This clearing house has changed is what's driving this cost
and the transition we're going through. The state was not able to basically copy all of the old prints that are already on file in the old system and move them to the current clearing house. They're requiring us to create new records for every employee in the clearing house separately from what they had in the past. So we do have to do everyone and
put them in this new clearing house system which will maintain all the records and uh we'll then have to just m uh do new people new hires as well as volunteers and once you're in there your prints stay in there and we just do a resubmission every 5 years to rescan what and recheck what you've already submitted to it.
>> So is it a statewide clearing house or is it a statewide BCPS clearing house? >> Statewide clearing house. >> So then if they're in the statewide clearing house, why wouldn't we accept it? That's been the practice. I'll research it for more further and get you a
tighter answer. >> Thank you, Miss Jack Adams. >> I do want to point out and um piggy back off of what um chief had said, there's a lot of different agencies that have a requirement for screening. Each one has
a different level. Each one may require a different requirement. So just because a city or a hospital has screening, it may not rise to the level of the level two screening pursuant to our statutes. So um that's why they are you know
utilizing the statutes that are required for the school district and making that requirement of anyone who and you know does you know interacts with children etc. anyone who is required um to be level two screened. So there might be
different criteria. >> Chief >> Kevin Nazos, chief police. So as far as the clearing house goes, yes. If here's an example. If you have a teacher in Duval County that's already entered in the clearing house, they decide to move down here and come work for us, we will
pull their prints up in the clearing house database, check them, and then ultimately we will take ownership of them, and it's on us then. But they they will be cleared once they're cleared in the in the system. If they meet all the criteria, we can do that and it's not an
additional charge for us. >> So that's school district to school district. What about municipality or like the example that um Miss Jock Adams gave hospital? >> No, that would be something different. We have to do something different school district to school district um that will meet the requirement for that. >> Dr. Zean,
>> thanks so much. Chair, is this um clearing house a state mandate? >> Yes. So there was a mandate by the state to move to this clearing house. Was there any funding provided to do all the fingerprinting? >> No. And there was a prohibition on using fingerprints we already had in our database. >> Correct.
>> Thank you. >> Any other board discussion on the item? All in favor of O5 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon. Could I We need to um take a vote, another vote
to extend the meeting. So, I would ask that we extend the meeting to 7:45. >> All in favor of voting to extend the meeting to 7:45 say I. >> All oppose say no. >> I hear one dissenting vote, Miss Alheda.
It's >> like half half of a vote. >> Go ahead, Miss Rupert. >> Um what is your estimate? I know you just said seven. >> We have I have we have the JJ35 coming back which should be an extensive conversation. 1 2 3 4 5 six more items.
We spent I believe 15 to 20 minutes talking about one motion. So um I think we should just be cognizant of of that. I'm being optimistic I think with one hour. >> Okay. I'm in. All right. Uh again we voted to extend
with one dissenting vote for Mrs. Valha. All right. Could I get a motion and a second on O6? >> So move. >> Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Dr. Zean. No public comment. Dr. Zean. >> Um I just wanted to comment that this um helps a lot with uh emergency
preparedness and I'm tickled that we're going to continue it for the rest of the year. Thank you, chair. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor of O6 say I. I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously with Miss without Miss Hixon. Could I get a motion and a second on O8? >> So moved.
>> Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Dr. Zean. No public comment. Dr. Holes. I'm good. >> All in favor? Any other board discussion? All in favor of O8. Say I. >> I. >> All post say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon.
>> Motion in a second on O9. So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean. Seconded by Miss Thompson. No public comment. Dr. Zean. Chair, I'm just curious about the connection between this and our uh new one for one uh laptop distribution. Will
this contract help us as these laptops come back for repair? >> Dr. Eron, >> that is a yes. And remember, we do have existing laptops that are still um within their lifespan. And um it gives us the capability to to repair some
things that um that are not repaired under warranty. And we can uh uh have real time repair and get those back into the hands of kids and and staff immediately. >> And what at what date do we expect to have the one for one distribution completed? >> Um Mr. Castanada,
>> Manny Caseda, executive director analytics and intelligence representing Trey Davis. We have uh director Max Rosario here who's uh supervising the one to1 initiative. >> Good evening through the superintendent. The onetoone begins the third week of uh January. That's our goal to start
beginning uh distributing those to schools. >> Thank you. But I asked when we're going to finish, not when we start. >> Well, we already start distributing them to schools. When are we >> right? But when do we finish? When do we get the last student to get their one for one that they're asking for?
>> So, so the for clarification, are are we speaking of the onetoone laptop issuance to students themselves to take home, right? So, that begins in January at the third week of January. Our goal is to get them out as soon as possible in the within two to three weeks with after the
the commencement of the distribution of devices and that's going to go school to school. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor of O9 say I. I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Pixen, Miss
Rupert, and Miss Thompson. Mr. Seiver is on the line. Could I have a motion and a second on JJ35? >> Moved by Dr. Zeman, seconded by Miss Bulman. We were on the substitute motion. Um I believe Miss Thompson was
up next, but she's not here. So Mrs. Alhad act. >> I'd like to hear from general counsel. >> So I had suspected that there was a procedure within our policy with regards to how we would conduct this sale and there is 8030 has um specific procedures
specifically sub paragraph 12. Um there is some um decisions that the superintendent choices rather that the superintendent can make. Um I'd like for um you know through the chair I'd like for um Dr.
Heburn to direct his staff to specifically describe that procedure because there are choices. Um and um I think it'll be revealed like what choices are available to you after he explains. >> Yeah. So um in a nutshell and if um Mr.
Abuso need to add any additional detail uh we can only negotiate with one entity at a time. Um so we heard the board about negotiating uh or bringing back the best bid um from um multiple parties. I guess Bard Health and Baptist
Health. Um, so since the policy um reads that we can only negotiate with one entity at a time, my suggestion is to probably put a timeline on the first entity. If that doesn't go through, then we uh start with the second entity. Um so however the board wants to direct us
to move forward, but um that's the that's the uh constraints that we have right now on on the policy. And um and to add through the chair to add to support to what the stu superintendent just just said stated within the policy
it uh it contemplates a designated buyer singular as opposed to designated buyers. So I wanted to make sure that you know um I understood what those procedures were and um the reason why in
terms of background because I was um concerned about that too because I didn't know any facts. The reason why the superintendent is bringing forth this agenda item is because they have been negotiating for a year with this one entity. And so in negotiating for
that period of time, they wanted direction from the board as to what they what the board directs them to do. So um but the policy does contemplate, you know, some other choices, but in terms of negotiating with a designated buyer
as designated by the superintendent, it's one at a time. Okay. So, I guess my question to Dr. Heperin in regards to negotiating continue to negotiate with Broward Health, what is the timeline you suggest
to give them? >> Probably 3 to 6 months. >> I don't know um if if uh Mr. Clark is uh can give us an optim optimistic outlook if we can do this faster rather than um later.
Um I think Broward Health's committed to providing immediate resources to this deal. I think the the initial intent would to be maybe wrap up a letter of interest in the next I know we're meeting the holidays here, but maybe by the end of January and then immediately proceed into a purchase and sale
agreement and that will probably get to your your 90-day time period that there's something to be executed. >> So, it sounds like about 3 months. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Miss Thompson. And so just to remind everyone, we're on the substitute motion which was made to direct the
superintendent to negotiate with Broward Health and to bring forward the best offers. So that is the substitute motion we are still on right now. >> Miss Thompson, >> thank you for the reminder, chair. Um I think according to council, we can't be
doing that. So I would like to make a sub. >> I would like to call the question. >> All in favor of calling the question say I. I. All oppose say no. All right. All in favor of the substitute motion say I. >> All oppose say no. No. Um the substitute
m motion fails unanimously without Miss Hixon. Now we're back to the original motion which was to direct the superintendent to continue to negotiate uh with Broward Health and meeting our our asking price. >> Do I still have the floor? >> Go ahead, Miss Thompson. Um, I would
like to make a substant motion to do all that within a three-month period. >> Can I get a second? >> Can I just amend my motion? >> Yeah. >> Second. >> Oh, yeah. That's fine. I would like to just amend my motion to include the three-month period. >> Perfect. Okay.
>> Madam chair. >> We'll go to public comment. I'm sorry. >> Public comment on the motion as amended. Hi, Kate Goldman, Oakland Park, Florida, corporate uh director of government community relations for Baptist Health
South Florida. Um, I just want to recognize everyone here tonight and let you know that we did submit our offer in good faith based on the public uh records and the documents that were posted with the agenda that said that Broward Health's offer was their final offer. Um, we still would like to be
considered and we would not like to be excluded from this process. We are serious about our letter of intent and our desire to continue working with the community. We have worked with uh Eagle's Haven since its inception. We
have financially supported them. We have provided mental and behavioral um health practitioners on a regular annual basis to uh support their mission. We would continue to do so um moving forward. And while I don't have the ability at this
very moment to commit to specific square footage in regards to Eagles Haven, um I can assure you that we absolutely are willing to negotiate and we do so with good intention. >> Thank you, Miss Bulman.
>> Can you can you clarify the motion because I'm confused about what the three-month period what what we're doing in three months. Are we getting a totally s signed contract? Are we closing on the property? Are we getting a letter of intent? >> I believe that included the letter of
intent and then moving forward. I forget the actual terminology that was used to describe when we would be done. Um >> cuz I I think if we really want to hasten the process that we should have a letter of intent signed by the next
board meeting if um and then >> you know 30 45 days whatever to enter into a contract. >> We heard from Mr. Clark that that would be feasible by the end end of January. So if you want to change it to
>> to enter into a contract or to enter >> for the letter of intent >> LOI. >> That was what I heard. I >> if you want to clarify, Mr. Clark. >> Yes. Um I was being considered of the holidays, but we can turn around a letter of intent um cons uh to match what the comments that we went on record
are saying by the end of this week. >> Um I'm just not sure when the superintendent and staff will be able to bring it back to the board. So if the if I heard you early in the meeting earlier, there's a January 6th and the 13th meeting, >> correct? >> Yeah, we we can have a letter of intent
um well in advance of that meeting. >> And then Mr. Clark, what did you say was coming after that? >> Um once the letter of intent is accepted and I think we then go into uh a purchase and sale agreement so we can talk about terms and conditions. Um that was when we'll flush out our inspection
period, etc., and and have that to be an executed document by >> and you felt that would be feasible within the 90 days >> um based on some of our past um purchase and sale agreements. I can't commit to the school board. I'm not sure the resources that it'll take on your side, but I'm just in the spirit of trying to
get this done. I'm I'm giving us a window. Um would you be willing to do the due diligence under an LOI or you >> um we would be we we're willing to take going risk.
>> Okay. So that's something that us along and save a little time because then you don't have to negotiate the contract and then have them end up backing out. Saves a little legal work. Um, the only other thing I would say is that I think we need some kind of um because we we
still need to get some legal guidance on how we're going to do the rent uh the rental space, the what the Eagles Haven part of it. So there should be something in our LOI that allows us to also terminate if
there's not a feasible way for us to legally use an entity as a pass through to do Eagle's haven. >> Miss Jack Adams. >> So depending upon what is being offered,
who owns the property, the building, I I don't know the specific facts. It does not appear as though you can wrap this all up into one contract, the the sale. So, whoever is involved with ownership of the interest that you're interested
in um the seagull um they would need to be a part of this um negotiation and the correct person needs to sign the correct contract. So in other words, it seems as though at a
minimum there's more than one contract, one for the sale. >> Yeah. It could be contingent on the other parties, you know, at the same time entering into an agreement. Yes. We want to get out of it. >> Yes. It would be two separate contracts
>> that indicate what you want. >> Yeah, we can we can approach that. I can get with my general counsel and see if we can have two documents. that >> our intent was to to roll it in one document, but if if the if the school board uh sees fit, we can look at two documents try with the same spirit and intent.
>> Just to clarify, it would it would depend upon, like I said, like if if they're not the owner of this interest that you're seeking, then they you need the the entity that's the owner to be able to properly sign off on an
agreement. They would have to have a side agreement with Eagles Haven and Broward Education Foundation or whoever we're using. But we first of all, we need to know if we can even legally do it. >> Well, it depends upon what the parameters are. It's hard to say that
you can and cannot do something when I don't even know what the parameters are once we do find. >> So, we just need to have an out if we can't do what the will of the board is to have Eagle's Haven there um with the purchaser. um we just need some kind of
language that is the out for us for that can negotiate on the side. I think that that's >> and that is doable. I mean if you're trying to structure two different agreements to um be put forth simultaneously that that can be that can be structured. You don't have to refer
to one in the other uh contract and comingle things. You just structure it such that it's being brought to the board simultaneously. >> Okay, that sounds good. Mrs. Alf. >> Okay. So in regards to the timeline,
what are we saying by this? All needs to be executed by March 1st. >> Three months. >> March 16th would be three months. >> No, it would be uh the end of March, right? That's that's um 90 days. >> March 16th would be three months from
today. Oh, from today. Okay. I was thinking January. >> Could you add that to your >> Our board meeting that month is uh March 10th. Our board meeting on in April is April 7th.
>> So, can we say by March 9th? >> Okay. >> Yes. >> March 9th. >> Broward. Yes. >> Dr. Zean. >> Thank you so much, Chair. I just want to summarize with Mr. Clark for a minute. We offered the uh 139. You said yes. We
said we need free rent on Eagles Haven. You said yes. And you're going to continue uh to offer all the intern opportunities that you've offered up to this point. Is that fair? >> Yep, that's correct. We we will memorialize that in our letter of interest. >> Thank you for meeting all of our requests.
>> Dr. Holes. >> Madam Chair, I'm good. Dr. Zan askked this similar question. >> Miss Bowman. And how long after we execute the contract can we close? >> Um,
I will modify our 365 days. I just need to go back and get with my legal counsel and land use attorneys to figure out how long um can we have a little confidence in closing in a traditional manner. 90 days. >> 90 days. >> Well, I'm sorry. That's the inspection period. Typically 30 days after your
inspection period is done. >> That sounds good. >> Thanks. Any other board discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion as amended, say I. >> I. >> All oppose, say no. Motion passes unanimously without Miss Hixon. Um, do
we need a vote on the item as a whole now, Miss Jack Adams? >> Yes, as amended. >> Any other board discussion on the item as a whole? As amended. >> All right. All in favor of JJ35 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no.
uh item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon. >> Could I get a motion and a second on O1? >> Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Dr. Zean, Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. I just had a quick question about this one. Uh propane,
fueling, buses, but the money that's being requested is coming out of the general fund. Is that typical or can is there a way that we can get it out of another fund because I see like uh the funding source kind of
varies but this ask is out of general >> Dr. Hern go ahead Miss Johnson >> through the chair. This is uh general funers so it can't come from any other fund. >> I'm just trying to help you out. >> All right.
>> Thank you. Any other board discussion on O11? All in favor of O1 say I. I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Miss Hixon. Oh, motion and second on O2. >> Second.
>> Moved by Miss Thompson, seconded by Dr. Zean. Mr. Sea. >> Thank you, chair. In reviewing this item, uh, I see that the assets were $2 million for the spending of of services, which includes testing, inspection,
inspection, and certification of current fire alarm systems. Um, my question to staff is, does this include any equipment at all or any installations or fixing of equipment or servicing of equipment or just the testing,
inspection, and certification? because if it's just those three items, $2 million seems like an awful lot to just spend on some testing. Thank you, >> Miss Paul. >> It's uh as written uh inspection, testing, certification
in accordance with uh state statute. >> So, this includes no equipment at all? >> No, sir. Mr. Sera, are you done with your comments? >> No more uh no more comments or questions. I think it's an awful lot of money to spend. Thank you.
>> Any other board discussion on O12? Seeing none, all in favor of O2 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> I have item passes with one dissenting vote. Mr. Sea and Missix and not on the deis. Could I get a motion and a second
on O4? >> Moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Thompson, seconded by Dr. Zean. Miss Bulman. >> Um, I have my question answered. Thank >> Mr. Sea. >> Sera. Satisfied. >> Miss Thompson.
>> Uh, thank you, Chair. I just want to talk about the process and kind of get a better understanding of why this wasn't this money wasn't accounted for when we budgeted. Yeah, I think you have some complexities
in this area where Esther Suns said which we used the money for all nurses and then we didn't have it and then you had the complexities that we have to staff schools um based on need and then the need just kept compounding cuz some students uh based
on their health conditions needed needed a nurse at the school. Uh so we were able to identify that and identify the amount of money that we would need for the for the duration of the year. Okay. So, I just want to clarify because I feel like recently we've been getting
items that I think staff would know that we would approve because they're necessary items and then kind of forced the board to approve money that we could have saved or cut other costs. Um, and I just wanted to clarify that this was not that type of
item. >> No. Oh, no. This is an essential service for kids actually need require it. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Any other board discussion on 014? >> Dr. Zean, >> I just want to um get a teaser going
with Miss Thompson's question here. Um there are opportunities for this board to set some standards about how much time in advance we need to see uh financial obligations. Um if if the board decided to and asked the superintendent to not bring anything outside of an emergency within 60 days,
we'd have time to look at everything. if there is something that we needed to make trade-offs and they had to do more research, they could go do that and bring it back, you know, another month later. So, to me, there's some uh opportunities. A couple years ago, while I was on the board, we said we wouldn't spend any money if we didn't have an
offsetting savings, and we stuck with that. I'm not sure, Miss Jack Adams, what happened to that, but um you know, once we make a motion, I think it stays until it's undone. Uh but I believe that there's some opportunities at the next workshop to talk about some things like
that. 30 to $40 million isn't$94 million, but it's not zero either. >> Um and if if it's true, as we heard from a speaker today, that there's no money for pay raises and benefits are going away and positions are going away and a thousand jobs might be reduced and things like that. Um, I think it would
be incumbent upon us to start thinking about those financial arrangements that we'd like to have with the superintendent so we can be very deliberate and intentional with the way we spend other people's money. Miss Bowman. >> Um just to the point of you know u trans
financial transparency and planning uh I actually talked to superintendent yesterday because um on the executive summaries it says what the yeartodate spend is or something and then whether or not it's currently budgeted. But um
what I requested is so that is to see the actual numbers so we know how much is budgeted for this year. How much have we spent so far? And then, you know, do we have enough left to actually approve this item? That gives us a lot more information than we currently have to
make that. So, if we can have that moving forward, I think that'll help the whole board. >> Yep. We um Mr. Sullivan and I already um added that to update the the executive summary moving forward. So, won't be uh probably be the second meeting in January because we've updated it. We
keep updating it based on feedback based on making sure the board has the right information to make informed decisions. We we we listen and it helps us out too and it creates an arm of accountability and research for the teams that are actually putting these items together too. Um so that'll be um in the next iteration of the um uh executive
summary. So probably the second meeting in January because they've already done the um for the first meeting. >> All right. Thank you. >> Y absolutely. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor of OO4 say I. All post say no. Item passes unanimously without Miss Hixon
and Mr. Sever on the line. At this time, do any of my colleagues have any issues or student successes they'd like to bring forward to the superintendent? >> Miss Thompson, I just had uh two questions that came from earlier today. Um the unions asked
that we take a pause in our um employee process. Can you just can the superintendent speak to what that would look like and if that's a recommendation? >> Um, so I think there are some minor things, but for egregious things I I
would uh disagree with the union on that. There are some things that need to be addressed in a timely manner. Um, there are some things that need to be addressed that are uh instant disqualifiers also um that we need to bring to the board immediately. Um, you know, as we we're trying to clean up and be more fiscally responsible, I don't
believe in certain employees sitting in so-called timeout. Um, that could be before the board because it is something that's very egregious or automatic disqualifier. Uh, for some things that may cause some question. We, you know, we're working with the unions to come up
with better processes, but I also think, um, I saw Mr. as a email come out to the board while we've been meeting about, hey, this is what we anticipate H2 to come out and setting up the meetings. So, I think um um board members taking advantage of those meetings so we can get those ask those hard questions of
our staff so we can really dive in and some of the the one or or two items that are a little bit different than some of the others so we can uh get ahead of that. But I don't think pausing um is going to do well uh for the district. uh
things compile up very quickly because of our sheer size and the number of employees that we have and then now at the other end of the hopper you have a lot of cases that the board has to see at one time versus you know do it in a methodical manner like we have been
doing it. So that's my two cents. >> Thank you. And I I would agree with that. I just wanted to make sure that um it was addressed. And then my other comment is we've been getting a lot of uh emails lately and I think you've addressed it a bit about the excessive amount of testing. Is that something
that could go back come back for a workshop so we can really dive into that? >> Yes. Um based on the last um board meeting, we've already put that in our workshop agenda. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Anyone else? The scheduled order of business for this regular school board meeting of the
school board of Brower County, Florida has been completed. Seeing no obligation, I now adjourn the meeting.