WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=F7ccaLwny-4

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: F7ccaLwny-4):
- 00:00:44: Sounds of Heat: Repetitive Audio Introduces Broward Workshop
- 00:13:26: School Board Workshop Called to Order, Safety Instructions
- 00:18:54: Pledge of Allegiance Led by West Glade Middle School
- 00:20:40: Agenda Overview, Public Comment Rules, Policy Review
- 00:23:39: Rule Development: Student Conduct and Suspension Policies
- 00:30:27: Board Member Comments: SaferWatch & Self-Defense Policy
- 00:31:49: Clarifying Self-Defense Policy; One-Pager Distribution Status
- 00:34:24: Canvas Course Feedback; Next Item: Information System Policies
- 00:35:14: Information System Policies: Overview and Key Changes
- 00:42:18: Public Comment Opening; Board Discussion: Data Protection
- 00:46:00: Legal Restrictions on Data Collection and Usage Permissions
- 00:47:23: Action Needed: Stricter Policies for Data Usage by Companies
- 00:50:39: Board Member Disagreement; Data and AI Safety Discussions
- 00:53:38: Coming Niola Policies; Bus Driver and Technology Usage
- 00:55:34: Discussion: Data Privacy Policy, Frameworks, Safety Testing
- 01:13:40: Conclude Information System; Capital Program Assessment Intro
- 01:14:36: Running Early; SRO Schedule Considerations
- 01:16:16: Public Comment for Capital; Michael McIntyre's concerns
- 01:22:16: Chief Facilities Officer Combined Position; Opposition from Alhadaf
- 01:23:57: Zean's Input: Costs, Scope, Schedule Importance
- 01:27:11: Questions on Seymour Contracts; Local Firms Support
- 01:31:33: Alhadaf - Marketing/Communication Position and Impact
- 01:36:56: Public Comment for Cap Program; Muriel's school focus
- 01:38:15: Severa: Opposition; Conflict of Interest; Question
- 01:41:42: Bulman, Bulman: What is Industry Practice!?
- 01:46:50: What are your expectations? Are we resetting?
- 01:49:07: How do we decide to take action?
- 01:50:49: More questions about if and then statements?
- 01:51:31: Bulman separates everything and wants the board to be honest
- 01:55:32: Atlas: Good Morning; Theophenatilus: All I see is a blur.
- 01:57:51: Can speak at the end.: You know your staffs and all you should do.
- 02:00:54: Good morning everyone: Baron Shanner's public comment
- 02:04:22: Alan Patterson from Cordonio speaks in public today
- 02:05:45: Is That Everyone?, Then Back to Discussion!
- 02:06:57: We're starting to get more information
- 02:14:18: Hixon: The people that get work as subcontractors
- 02:21:19: We have moved those projects - Hixon.
- 02:21:56: Hixon ends. Are against the Chief positions.
- 02:37:06: No, thank you- Sivera is ready
- 02:41:42: Bulman and Sivera speak
- 02:44:08: You have some information
- 02:45:49: Muriel: We are in order
- 02:50:16: Are all coming - I just need a yes
- 02:54:14: I cant see what with that - Sivera
- 03:05:49: Dr. Hepborn is working on it - Hixon
- 03:11:16: We will resses until 11:30
- 03:25:06: Sounds of Heat; Repetitive Audio: Time Passes
- 03:46:20: Superintendent's Update; We Appreciate
- 05:45:20: Municipalities Preference, School Reimagining, and Financial Challenges
- 05:46:58: Gratitude to Law Enforcement and Focus on Student Safety
- 05:48:35: Negotiation Meeting Count, Fringe Benefits, and Workshop Close
- 05:49:58: Upcoming Workshop Agenda and Budget Discussion Needed
- 05:53:36: School Board Meeting Time Compromise Discussion
- 05:55:15: Agenda Item Overload and Student Success Recognition
- 05:57:29: Principal Placements and Student Meal Debt Resolution
- 05:59:06: Special Board Meeting Timing and Sunshine Law Adherence
- 06:01:46: Space Florida Curriculum Success and Policy Review
- 06:05:19: Sharing Research and Setting Meeting Time Expectations
- 06:07:12: Future Meeting Efficiency and Board Direction Disagreement
- 06:10:56: Workshop Adjournment
- 07:16:12: Special School Board Meeting Opening and Procedures
- 07:18:11: Public Comment Rules and Expectations Explained
- 07:21:44: HVAC Filter Installation Contracts; Public and Board Comments
- 07:28:55: Job Description Review and Public Comments
- 07:44:04: Job Description Legality Review and Chart Order
- 07:47:15: Enterprise Project Manager: Reporting Structure Motion
- 07:55:15: Teacher Development Support: Director Title Amendment
- 07:56:55: Transportation Assistant Director Qualifications: AA Degree Debate
- 08:00:10: Change to Minimum Requirements from AA to BA Degree
- 08:16:38: Board Member Concerned about Bargaining Units and Process
- 08:19:27: Remove Minimums for Assistant Director - No Success
- 08:20:02: Assistant Director Transportation Operation Motion to Pull Item
- 08:29:27: Executive Director of Communication; Bachelor's to Master's
- 08:30:02: Executive Director Enterprise: Bacherlor's to Master's Degree
- 08:33:02: Director Wellness/Mental Health Review and Discussed Ommissions
- 08:57:38: Recess and Resume and Discuss Budget Crisis and Student Concerns
- 09:16:12: Resumes Discussions on Special Needs Transport and Budget Challenges
- 09:21:41: Discussions of Requirements for Roles and Education Goals
- 09:27:12: ESPs discuss Lack of Expectations and Support System
- 09:33:02: Budget Difficulties are discussed with little support
- 09:35:21: Questions on Staffing Allocation for The Social workers
- 10:18:14: More Discussions on Budget Deficit and Staffing Allocations
- 10:18:58: Proposed Restructure in Department of Coordinated student health
- 10:27:12: Motion put forth regarding School Board
- 10:37:03: Resuming Discussions and Moving Onto Item six


Part: 1

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Heat. Heat. D. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Yeah. W Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

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Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Down. Down. Time again. Hey. Hey. Hey. Happy kill.

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Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. down. Down. Down. Hey. Hey. Welcome to today's schoolboard workshop.

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This workshop at the school board of Broward County, Florida is now called to order and I am informed that Miss Rupert is on the line. To ensure a safe and productive environment, please note the clearly marked emergency exits. Do not block exit doors and all attendees must be seated except for media. Once the

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room reaches capacity, attendees will be directed to the overflow area. If the fire alarm sounds, exit the room calmly, continue outside the building, and remain there until authorities give clearance to return. Thank you for your cooperation. Board member Zean will now introduce his

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school to lead us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Dr. Zean, >> I'm really uh proud this morning to uh to have this school. One of the things we love uh is schools that are consistently A-rated schools, schools that continue to pick up enrollment, and schools that continue to deliver at high

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efficiency. So, thanks very much, Jar. Can we all stand for the pledge of allegiance? >> Good morning, school board members, superintendent, and staff. My name is Matthew Bianke, the principal of West Glaze Middle School, and before you stands a group of very special students and a very special teacher. The students

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are state champions in speech and debate. We have five state champions out of a possible 12 categories. >> Hi, my name is Brooke Papis and I am the proud teacher and coach of the West Glade speech and debate team. >> Hi, I'm a Kumar and I'm state champion

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in congressional debate. >> Hello, my name is Ellen Sal and I'm state champion in declamation. >> Hi, my name is Angelie Kramer and I'm state champion in dramatic interpretation. Hi, my name is Melinda Guan and I'm state champion in Lincoln Douglas debate. >> Hi, my name is Melissa Ericson and I'm state champion in poetry.

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>> Please stand for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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>> You may be seated. All right. As we begin, we reaffirm our vision. 100% 100% proficiency for all students. As an A-rated school district, we remain committed to sustaining this achievement and supporting every student to reach their highest potential. Our theme this

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year is believe, empower, achieve, one Broward. We will now proceed with the agenda. Today's workshop will operate in accordance with schoolboard policy 1020 and the board will review the items as advertised and presented by the superintendent. You may notice that the room is set up differently today to

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accommodate maximum public participation and to facilitate an efficient and safe meeting. As a reminder to everyone who is here to do public comment, please make sure to sign in so we can accurately capture your name. I ask that the audience maintains decorum during

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staff presentation, public speaking, and board deliberation so that we can conduct a respectful, safe, and efficient government meeting. The school board of Broward County welcomes and encourages public participation at our meetings. Our p public input is an important part of

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informed decision-making and supports our commitment to transparency. We ask that decorum be maintained and civility and respect be shown during public comment which is expected when a government agency conducts official business. Our general counsel will assist the chair in maintaining decorum during this period. We also want to

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remind our public commenters of the rules and expectations regarding public comment portion of the meeting as well as board policy. Attorney Dupri Bruno, please explain the rules of public comment. >> Thank you madam chair and good morning. Public comment is governed by school board policy 1020 and is intended to

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provide input on the board's duties, decisions, and the overall operation of the school district. The school board is viewpoint neutral during public comment per school board policy 1020. Speakers must state their name, city of residents, and whether they are lobbyists before beginning their

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remarks. All remarks must be directed to the board as a whole. The board will not respond to or engage with speakers during public comment and no action will be taken unless the item is on the agenda. During the agenda speaking time, speakers will have up to three minutes

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per item and up to one minute on motions or amendments, but there are no motions in a workshop. A speaker's total speaking time may not exceed 12 minutes per meeting with an additional one minute if a motion is introduced. A visible timer will be used and the microphone may be turned off when time expires. Speakers must limit their

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comments to matters related to schoolboard business. For agenda items must remain relevant to the specific item. Comments may not address matters that are pending in litigation, quasi judicial proceedings, active investigations, or administrative hearings. Solicitation and lobbying

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activities must comply with applicable schoolboard policies. Abuse language defined as profanity, threatening, or name calling is prohibited. In addition, clapping, hissing, booing, shouting, yelling, or other disruptions from the audience are not allowed. Speakers who fail to follow proper decor in the

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chambers will be ruled out of order by the board chair. Failure to comply may result in the microphone being turned off or a recess being called. After a warning, the chair may also direct removal from the meeting by law enforcement or the sergeant-at-arms. Madam Chair, >> thank you, Attorney Dupri Bruno. The

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board wants to hear from you. We appreciate your cooperation and maintaining a respectful, orderly, and productive meeting environment. Our first item is rule development for school board policies 5090, code of student conduct in 5100, suspension and

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expulsion. I now turn it over to staff for a brief presentation. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, good morning, Madam Chair. Good morning, board and public. I'll turn it over to Miss Hollinssworth to initiate the presentation. >> Good morning. Simone Hollingsworth, chief student services officer, and I

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have Dr. Jodie Washington here from student culture and uh and student support as well as Kathy Keith, our assistant director of cessor management to take us through the the deck. Good morning everyone. We also have our assistant director of expulsions um

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Deborah Karns here uh right here in the audience. So Beacon, if you can put the presentation up, it will be very brief. All right. So um this year we are working on um some very small changes and working

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with the discipline committee on a longer term 3 to 5year code of student conduct so that we don't have to continue to um bring it to the board year after year um and really have a solid plan in place that that would work

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for three years um minimum unless there are changes in statutory language that we would have to embed within the code of student conduct. So that is really our goal this year. Um you can see that section 3B um there in previous years was language

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in there regarding uh referrals for mental health services. Last year it was removed from policy as there was a me a mental health policy that was in the works of coming forward. However um that hasn't come through rule development and

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rulemaking yet. So, the language was put back in the code of student conduct in order to comply with Florida statute. There were also some updates to the policy um language for the attendance policy to accurately reflect current statutory language. So, you'll see just

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a few updates there. um the student privacy section as well as HIPPA. There were changes to federal and state statutes um that required some changes in the code of student conduct for the student privacy section. And uh working with the legal department, the

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district's privacy officer, Todd Susman, um and the legal team determined that the HIPPA notice is not required to be in the code of student conduct. There is nothing uh that the board can change about the HIPPA notice. um and having it in the code of conduct prevents the

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district from being able to make changes um to comply with HIPPA law in a timely manner because it would have to come back through rule development and rulemaking. So the recommendation is to just remove that notice from the code of student conduct. We are bound by it either way. Um and then in the

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discipline matrix, we did make some updates to appendix B. It is now appendex A um because or I'm sorry it was appendix C. It is now going to be appendex B because we are removing the hipponotus. Um there were some scriveners errors and there were some

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alignment issues when we changed it from being codes and letters and and matching um the table. There were some um alignment issues whereas the first consequence may have been more severe than the second consequence. So we

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changed those things. We also with the uh discipline committee were looking at discussing alternatives to internal suspension programs. Um and then one of the changes that you will see in policy language that we are proposing is for our students who have been assigned or

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would be assigned to a behavior intervention program for recidivism of drug um or substance use issues when that is their only issue. um if they have had recidivism of let's say vaping of THC and they would be assigned to a

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behavior intervention program but they have no other discipline issues, we are recommending that if their parents agree to um have them complete a uh district referred substance use program from a

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community provider which includes regular random drug testing um and compliance with the counseling component that they would be able to continue to engage in their education at their home school. Um, but if they were to become

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non-compliant with the intervention program, then they would be immediately uh administratively assigned over to one of our behavior intervention program sites. Uh what we're finding with those students is that many times when substance use is their issue um it is

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rooted in some anxiety issues and then when we change their school it actually uh creates more anxiety for them and more dependence on the substance. So we're trying to really um meet their needs in the environment that would um

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best support them and that's their homeschool environment. Again, it would only be for students who don't have any other behavioral issues beyond substance use. When we looked at the data in late March, early April, there would have um been 16 students this year that would

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have qualified to remain at their home school as opposed to going to a behavior intervention program site. And the other thing that this does is it it gives the parent a little bump to actually engage their parent or their child in um

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substance use counseling. uh right now when they are assigned to a behavior intervention program, it is optional for parents to engage their child in substance use programming. Um in this case, in order for them to remain at their home school, not only would they have to engage in that counseling, but they would have to remain compliant with

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the program in order to stay. So, we know that to address issues of substance use in our young people that they will need some intensive intervention. And so this is one way that we can help parents get the their children the help that they need.

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Um, as far as the policy 5100, the suspension and expulsion um policy, we just updated language within that policy to make sure that it aligns with any changes to the code of student conduct. Um, and again, you can see there in the general information section where it

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talks about the substance use uh infractions. And that is the overview of the changes that we're proposing for this year. Thank you. Um we will now go to public comment. On this list I have Dennis

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Waters. Okay. Um, if Dennis is in the restroom or something, he can come find staff and we can come back to him. Uh, board member comment, Mrs. Aladdaf. Thank you. Uh so on page three A2

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that section needs to be updated because it doesn't it speaks to safer watch and we have the CIC's crisis alert badge.

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You know, I maybe we put some generic type of language in there and not a specific company name. >> Page three, she said. >> Page three of 138. >> Yes, we can make that update. We uh

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prefer probably to use something more generic. That way um over time if um crisis alert systems change, we can we don't have to worry about a a vendor name. Okay. And then I do have a I don't know exactly where this would fit in,

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but just the conversation when a student is gets into a fight or someone attacks another student and that student wasn't a part of the fight initially, but they protect themselves or they they

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fight back because they were being hit. the student that was protecting themselves gets suspended. But if they're protecting themselves, I think they should have the right to protect themselves instead of just

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sitting there and and getting hit and attacked. But I don't think there should be consequences on that student because they were protecting themselves from from being hurt within this fight. So is there a spot where this fits in there? because I I I heard it was policy and I

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think it should be changed in some way. >> Thank you for the question, Mr. Aliff. I turn it over to Dr. Washington. I think we have something in there um to that point. Um go ahead, Dr. Washington. >> Yes, we do. If you look on page 30 of policy 5090,

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um you will find where we define self-defense. Um, and we specifically train administrators on when the definition of self-defense applies. We also consult with administrators anytime there is a fight uh to ensure that it is

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properly coded. And a student who uh defends themselves in alignment with the definition of self-defense um is does not receive the the same consequence as a fight. um they may get a lesser consequence depending on what their involvement is or they may get no

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consequence at all depending on again the totality of circumstances but it is on page 30 um under D1A. Okay. Well, then I think that this needs to be clarified better with within the schools

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because in the past the student that was protecting themselves through self-defense was getting a consequence and that obviously is not fair and doesn't align with our policy. >> Miss noted.

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>> Is that it, Mrs. Mrs.? Okay, Miss Thompson. >> Uh, thank you, chair. Thank you, Dr. Washington, and all your staff. I know we had a pretty robust conversation about this last year. I just wanted to follow up because we talked about having a one-pager for students so that it's an

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easily digestible um document and I just wanted to know what the status of that was. >> We actually had a Canvas course for students this year um where all that information was contained within the Canvas course. And what was the feedback?

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>> Uh so when we w worked it through with the student advisor to the school board, he obviously with his group went through it um loved we got great feedback from them. Uh it actually walked them through some scenarios so that they could better understand the consequences as well as

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going through the most severe consequences that could result in their removal from school. >> Great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Anyone else on this item? >> Okay.

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The next item is rule development information system division policies. I now turn it over to staff for a brief presentation. >> Yes, I turn it over to Mr. Davis and team. >> Good morning. Trey Davis, chief information officer. pleasure to present

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uh four policy updates and one new policy from the information systems division. Before I pass it over to Dr. Diamond, project management office. You haven't had an opportunity to to meet Mr. Fabio Nommens in the rear. If you could stand for us, Fabio. Fabio is a

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director of information security and assurance. So, he wasn't here at at the start uh at the board meeting. So, I wanted you to to see his face. >> And Dr. Diamond, if you could please take it away. Good morning everyone. We have five different policies to review with you

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today. Four of them are uh revisions and one is brand new. Uh 8500 is our school and district techn >> Can we have the PowerPoint up? Thank you. 8500 is the school and district

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technology usage policy. 8510 refers to the technology advisory committee. 8540 is our student records transfer retention and disposal. Uh 8550 talks about wireless communication devices and their use uh and operational

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restrictions on district uh owned and leased property. And the new policy is our student internet safety. If we take a look at 8500, you'll notice that we have um a deleted sections on

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pages 7 through nine which consisted of an overview, expectations of privacy and use as a privilege and uh applicability. Uh they were put into uh different sections sections 1A through E uh which

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is the policy statement uh the purpose and the scope. We also revised our definitions to include more modern technology language and vocabulary. Uh AI is now included in the policy as well. And we have some definitions of

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primary objectives of the district's technology and information resources. Um we added some verbiage regarding the smartphone and cellular phone usage as well as um minor grammatical changes.

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and section five uh I'm sorry 8B that mentions information information security and assurance department which is the new department in our information uh systems division

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for 8510 which is our TAC policy. We have um had some additions and some strikethroughs with revisions. Uh we uh dealt with our technology advisory committee to get some input from them in

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terms of changing some of the language that you'll see here in the policy. Uh we have revised um the membership to reflect um exactly what we would have liked what we like to see on uh the

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committee. uh representatives um and the resources that we have between the leaison which comes from the information systems division and the the roles and responsibilities between the leazison and the chairperson.

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It also refers to some removal of TAC members uh the the policies and practices regarding removal of TAC members and election of officers. We also redefined quorum to make sure that uh we understood what it meant and how

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we could do that when people are coming to the meetings both virtually and in person. And we also added some language regarding approved committee motions so that when motions are made by the

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committee how we bring them to to staff. 8540 deals with our educational records and uh transfer retention and disposal. And here we just really have some um minor changes regarding uh how we uh transfer within

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and outside of our school district. Um, and we really just collated some of the prior information into uh more legible and more understandable uh language. And it also speaks to recordkeeping

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requirements related to request and disclosures as it pertains to furer disclosure logs and the like. Policy 8550 deals with what we now call wireless communication devices or WCDs and how

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they need to be utilized when driving districtowned vehicles or being within districtowned property. Uh they here you see we just had some revisions and some additions. We added verbiage um with in

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accordance with Florida statute. We prohibited um district bus operators to use WC CDs with or without students on board while actively driving. And we identify district and school

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responsibilities regarding blocking of websites and the oop wrong one sorry stop there. 8570 is the new policy. And here what we did was take the state mandate that was

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given to all school districts to go ahead and create a student internet safety policy. We defined um district and school responsibilities regarding blocking of websites and the establishment of guidelines for removal

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of devices and connectivity when there are safety and security concerns. Um Tik Tok is prohibited and any successor platforms would be prohibited. Uh there are some repercussions for violating the policy. Uh how parents are

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to be notified about the policy and where they can find it on our websites. So that's a very quick overview of the five different policies that we presented to you and now we can open it up for discussion and guidance. Thank you. Public comment, we have Dennis

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Waters and Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh. >> Okay. Board member discussion. >> Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much, Chair. Um, one, this is a really great comprehensive set of policies. It's um, both protects our students, protects our staffs, um, and

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makes very sane policies. I really appreciate the work on the technology advisory committee though. That is a committee. Uh, by the way, how many members total? I couldn't add them all up. I I read through them and even even I couldn't add them all up. It's like 97, I think. >> Close. I don't offh hand I don't know,

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but I can do the addition for you. >> Yeah. and and uh some to think about in the future. There's a rule at Amazon which I love which is you can only have a meeting with seven people or less and uh we don't always follow that rule at Ber County Schools but um having committees they're you know 30 or 40

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members uh can be unwieldy for members and it's hard for people to get excited about participating when they're one of one of so many but the changes that are made are are really impressive. I want to note one for future use which is um starting to grow in interest I think amongst our community which is the

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protection of our student and parent data from any software that comes in and and is part of our uh information ecosystem. Uh it is something that we have kind of blindly followed for the last 40 years which is we give up our

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data uh to other companies who uh use it as we should expect uh you know in in the commercial interest of the company and uh that system I'm hoping will change hope it'll change society but um I hope that Broward County Schools can

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think a little bit about that Mr. superintendent on on what we expressly put in our policies next year about the protection of our data. Um, and we have a lot of software here. We have a lot of protections and I don't have any risks that I can see in the entire information

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systems that we have. But Broward County might also think a little bit about being the first school district in the country that says that's our data and if you want to come here and and have our students and our parents and our staff use the data, that's great. But unless they expressly give you proactively uh

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permission to use their data, they own the data. Um, and to me, that's a level of protection that the world's going to be going into. And it's one that I hope Brower County Schools thinks about next year. So, I know we've talked about this. Um uh and hopefully we'll do some staffing on it and think a little bit about it and see what that would do to

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make sure that the data and experiences and the metadata that's provided by our students, staff and faculty and parents uh is protected uh to the extent that we can and it's not being protected to the extent that it could be right now. So did you want to uh comment or react on

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that uh Mr. Davis? >> No, you're 100% Dr. Zean. I don't think we can understate the importance of of ownership of data. Um you know and I know we have inclusions uh relative to disclosure of data uh in each of our legal agreements. Uh but there could be

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a broader net uh you know there and we've championed that even at my prior school district. I put forth uh legislative priorities around student data privacy and the protection of of that information. So we we constantly champion that. So I think it's there's some irony here with with Mr. Nommen's

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in the back there. he understands the level of discussion uh here. So we appreciate your feedback, sir, and agree wholeheartedly. >> Terrific. And to the general counsel, uh are there any restrictions in law for us to say that if you're a student, a parent, a staff member, or volunteer in

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Ber County Public Schools and you use any one of our software tools that you must give permission for that software corporation to use the data for anything other than uses during that software uh interaction. So there are some very

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broad sweeping laws. Of course, you have your student privacy law and there's some very specific um provisions in there with regards to sharing data and there's also COPA. So there are some different laws that will impact that. >> Terrific. I look forward to learning more about it. But this this is uh um I

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would argue separate from those laws. Those are great, but I view those as very very minimum uh protections. Uh what I'm talking about is a real significant change in the way that software companies come here and provide services generally for educational other benefits and then they take that data

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and they go and use it for other commercial purposes. Uh and I just feel like uh we've got to start thinking harder about owning our student, parent, volunteer, and staff data. Um because we didn't ever sign up for them to have that data. Uh people think it's their

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data. And I think maybe education is going to lead the way on this so that we can uh fulfill the commitments that we make to the community. Thank you, chair. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion? Mr. Sea, >> just to piggyback on that point, which I

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thought um excuse me, was a good one. We just kind of saw this, right? We went through this with that agreement with the University of Florida a couple weeks back and uh I think this is fresh and ripe on everybody's mind. Um I'd like to do more than talk about it. I'd like to

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start actually doing something whether that means coming up with with proposals or paneling a whatever it takes. We need to get out in front of this. I don't want to kick the can down the road. Lord knows that's what that's done for this board on other things. I think we need to be trailblazers like

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this just like we took on with the cameras in the cluster classrooms. We need to be out on the forefront on this. And if we start implementing some severe severely strict policies about how this data can be used, right? It's going to

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set the tone for how these companies are going to want to deal with us. And maybe we'll lose a couple in the beginning, but I promise we're the sixth largest schoolboard district in the country. They'll come back. They always do. So, you know, a great example, Mr. Superintendent, that I can think of, the

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judicial court circuit, um, probably about a decade ago at this point, made some really substantial changes to privacy in filings within the court systems. You have to redact certain things. You can't disclose certain

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confidential information. And there's this whole process about how you keep that um secretive data or that personal data, if you will, personal when you're involved in the course of a lawsuit. And I think if the judicial court circuits throughout the state of Florida can

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figure it out, certainly we can figure it out um in Broward public uh Broward County Public Schools. Now, this isn't something that I imagine we're going to get a lot of push back from the community. Nobody wants big tech to have all their sensitive personal

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information. I I can't imagine that that's a scenario with many people. Big tech wants the information, but the community doesn't want to give that information or is not comfortable with others having that information. So, uh, Mr. Davis, I am going to task you with doing more than talking on this, right?

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Uh, I I'd like to start seeing some some plans of action start to be formulated in your brain and ultimately pen to paper on how Broward County Public Schools can lead the way in putting the proper safeguards in place to make sure that our student and our parents data is

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protected and and I'm thankful for FURPA and all of the laws on the books now, but we need to be more aggressive because we saw one almost slip through a couple weeks ago with an agreement we had Unfortunately, it was caught and it was discussed by this board and we took what I believe to be the appropriate

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action to correct it. But I don't want that um that situation to happen again. So, uh respectfully, let's do then more than a little bit of talking. Let's start putting together a plan about how we're going to do this and how we can protect this and how we can keep all

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this data safe. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. I would encourage my colleagues that are passionate about this to submit an item directing staff exactly on what they would like to see so that they are doing more than just talking and taking action. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Anyone else before I speak? >> Yeah, >> Dr. Zean, >> you know, this is a workshop. This is exactly what we're supposed to be doing at a workshop and and items are wonderful for very specific things but this is wholly appropriate and it's you

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know two of us believe in this strongly. Uh it's open for discussion for anyone that disagrees so we can learn about each other's thoughts and ideas and then uh for us to ask the superintendent to work on this uh and I would ask you know maybe Mr. Sea has different pacing on

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this than I would but Mr. Superintendent, is this possible that there's something that we could do with this year's policy or is this something where we really have to study it to make sure we get right and come back next year with a different policy? >> Um, so, um, just listening to Mr. Davis

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and some of the things that he's done in a previous school district, it may be possible. I think, uh, the team and I, we need to go back to to the drawing board and see if it's possible based on policies that are already already exist in other school districts to see if we can add it to current policy or we may have to create a separate policy. And it

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may make some sense to talk to some of our big software providers and and see maybe there isn't push back on this. Maybe there are other districts that are starting to talk about it. From my research, and again, this is, you know, I've spent maybe two or three days working on this. Not enough time to, you

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know, have my own thoughts about uh pacing and about where it fits. There are no other large urban districts in the United States that have anything like this. Uh but to make the point very clear, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta, those five big tech

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companies make more money than 198 out of 200 C countries in the world. The only countries that make more money than those five companies is the United States and China. And they got there by using the data that people never gave them permission to have.

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And I just feel like, you know, for education systems, we ought to break that model and we ought to say if our kids and our staff and our parents and our volunteers are using these data, it is their data unless they give that permission. So, if it's possible to look into that and and bring it back, uh I

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think I think it's the right thing to do. I'd be I'd ask the board too. I mean this two of us have talked about this but uh it might be useful for the staff to know whether you generally agree with this direction um so that they don't waste a lot of time building something that Mr. Sea and I think uh is the right

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thing to do. Thank you chair >> Miss Thompson. Thank you chair and I do agree this is the right format for a workshop but that would have staff have a significant amount of time and we have talked before about what is relevant for this kind of discussion and then what

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you can direct during a meeting and what should come as an item. So, in my opinion, and I would like the superintendent's opinion as well, that item or that direction towards staff would take a significant amount of time and should come as a board item.

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>> Mr. Prio, >> one thing I would want to mention to the board is as we move forward with Niola, we're going to have more policies and there are specific policies that will address your concern with regards to data and protecting student data. So,

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policies will be coming forth. Just wanted the board to know that. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Um, I have a question and I'm trying to figure out where it goes in here. It might be already in there, but

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are bus drivers use here comes the bus. So, you know, this is this is saying that they can't use devices while they're driving and things of that nature. So, is there somewhere in here or if not, I think there should be where it's a an exception or a clause that

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they're using. Here comes the bus because that's part of their job. >> So, the inside the policy, it does speak to pulling over to the side of the road to be able to use any devices that they need to use if there's an emergency. Uh, they are allowed to use the um I'm going

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to say walkie-talkie, but that's not the right word. They are allowed to use what what connects them to here comes the bus. Uh that's impolicy. Um but they are told to move over to the side of the road if they have to use any kind of handheld devices.

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>> Okay. Um is there a way specifically to mention here comes the bus in there or or some kind of it could be more generic. I mean that's specific. I can look and and to see whether or not we can put in the applications that they would be using in

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order to to conduct their business. Yes. >> Yes. Right. Thank you. >> Um and I'd also just like to weigh in on the the discussion about the policy for data. Every time we have a contract that comes to us, we have this discussion

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about data. So, I think it makes sense to have a policy so that as we're moving forward with contracts. Um, everyone is clear what the board direction is on on how we use data, how we share data, all

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of that. Um, so if you want us to weigh in on that, I agree that we should have a separate policy specific to that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I I do want to weigh in on that as well and respectfully to Dr. Jersey, it's I

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think all of us uh agreed to add a privacy piece to our legislative platform. So, I think you know it's not um just a few of us who feel strongly about this. I think all of us weighed in a few months ago to to try to legislatively

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um make sure that we can protect student privacy. Uh but to Miss Thompson's point, um I was planning on bringing an item around something called the emerging technology framework um in the coming months. This is something that

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was developed by Educator Circle's emerging technology advisory board which was supported by the National Science Foundation. Um, and it it really provides a framework, and I shared this with the superintendent a few weeks ago, but it provides a framework around

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student data and privacy, but also procurement. Um, and you know, it looks at protecting accessibility, how this works for students with IEPs, how this technology works for um, uh, safety and things like that. So I, you know, I'm

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not very eloquently summarizing what it does, but I think it would by implementing some sort of framework, and I don't know if that's in a policy or um some other kind of uh process that we can do that. Um I'm happy to share that

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with the board in in whatever way is allowable. Um but I think adopting a framework that looks at the broader use of technology and how we adopt it, how we procure it and how we use it in our schools um would be helpful. And again this was

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done uh by professionals who who look at this um as as this technology especially I'm concerned around AI is emerging. Um I think it would make sense to implement that. Oh, Andre is actually passing that

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out. Thank you, Mr. Hill, uh, for passing out the emerging technology framework. Um, I think it makes sense to kind of try to embed it in policy 8500 or, um, looking at at that separately.

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Um, with regards to 85, policy 8570, I would really like to see clear language around a safety piece with AI. Um, I think we need to implement regular

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testing, uh, put it in our policy that we will implement regular testing, um, safety testing specifically around any AI tool that we give students access to. Um, I know that the AI bill of rights was floated during this legislative

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session. Um, I think a lot of it has to do with trying to protect minors, uh, or ensure the protection of minors in their use of AI chatbots. And in my conversations with students, um, they even recognize the dangers of that. So,

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I I would want to include elements of that AI bill of rights. Um, and I would want to include something around safety alerts in uh, a student's um, use of an AI chatbot. So, if they're talking about

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anything regarding that, that could raise questions about safety. And I know that this technology exists. Um, but I would also be interested in hearing um from the superintendent or Mr. Davis around what kind of safety elements we

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ha we have in place within the confines of what's allowable. I understand that we have to be careful about what what we share in terms of safety. >> Go ahead, Mr. Davis. So, so we value that feedback. Um, the reality is is that each piece of

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software that we have, uh, this is inclusive of, by the way, le legal u, you know, uh, mentions and and as well. But with regards to our security assurance, uh, department, Mr. Nommens, you know, we do uh, serious uh, security at astation both from a vendor level as

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well as um, you know, software level. So, we we take that very seriously. It's also integrated in part of our technology request process uh as well. So um you know that that is an important uh component there not to release something in the while without knowing if there are uh risk involved both both

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for the the user communities that we're speaking of some students to our own staff. >> Thank you. Um, just so I can hear from my colleagues, is there any objection to um adding those safety pieces to the uh

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around AI to policy 8570? >> I don't particularly have a objection, but I just have a question because I thought in the discussions that we had, we had a discussion about bringing a policy specific to AI to the board. So I

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think it's important to know are we doing our own and has that already started because I do believe that was the original conversation. >> Yes. The the policy specific to AI student use uh district use ethical use is is coming I think June right Dr. K.

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>> Yep. June 16th. >> Mrs. Alhad I have a question something that you said and with the answer. So, what we have in place currently now, if a student is looking up something about a

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school shooting, would our technology be able to detect that that student is >> looking up that information? >> I have uh our experts answer answer that one. Um if you heard the question from

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Miss Aladaf about search for inappropriate and specifically school shootings. >> We do have an application called linewise which is being used by our schools. Uh there is a portion of that application called monitor that can pick

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up um things that students put down and and and say in in electronically uh that could pertain to what you're referring to here in terms of school safety. >> Okay. So, if a student uh was typing

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something about harming themselves, would it also detect that? And would we be alerted to then go to help that student? >> Go ahead, Miss uh Dr. Diamond. >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear the the point. >> If a student said they want to kill themselves, hurt themselves, harm

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themselves, would we be alerted? >> Yes. These are the kinds of things that are picked up and being monitored for. >> I would like to see Dr. Heperin a list of of you know in the past year

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what threats were detected how often what by what school >> go ahead Mr. Davis >> so so I also want to comment uh on that as well we we do have examples uh of where we detected a situation relative to self harm and we're were able to um

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um to interact that with that student and family on that. Oh yes. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. And that's good to hear. But who is that continually monitored? Who monitors that?

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>> It is monitored by the Linewise company. It is part of our contract with them and they alert us and then we act on that alert. >> Okay. Um All right. Thank you, Dr. Zean. >> Thanks, Chair. Um th this is a

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fascinating topic and um the types of safeguards that we have in place are fine and they are not sufficient. Uh AI software is a living growing organic thing and it does different things at different times. If it was static, the

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current kind of safeguards we have would work. But it's not static. And because of that, we have to we have to be better. And we've all read stories about AI tools and and other emerging technology that uh do things that are not in the best interest of the users and probably not in the best interest of

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a school system. So this topic is wonderful. I hope we develop um policy around it. Uh the legislature doesn't stop us from doing better than the minimum standard requirement. Uh the problem is that our our IT safeguards were built for things that do not

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change. And this software changes daily. It changes every time someone uses it. It's trying to get better at at returning things. Um and we have to figure out how to make sure that we're on the on the bleeding edge about this. Um this emergency technology framework is a great way to start. Just if I

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could, I don't object to moving forward with this. I think you and the superintendent if you get organized and tell us how we can you know participate uh in this that would make sense. General counsel I have read things before that I wanted to share with my colleagues

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and I have shared some things and I've tended to share things that have no uh release of whether I'm in favor of it or against it. It's just a a National Science Foundation study, right? Uh what are what what I hope that we do that more. I mean this is nine people and we

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are uh a team trying to do some team things. What are the general restrictions about sharing public domain research with our colleagues? Are there any restrictions on that? >> I know of no restrictions. >> Okay. Terrific. And I just wanted my colleagues to understand that if you

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read something fascinating, it's NSF this week, it's uh council great city schools next week, it's you know Arizona State University after that. There's so much amazing work out there. We are free and clear to share that with each other. Uh we can copy the superintendent and staff to the extent that that that that's useful. Right.

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>> Right. The only caveat is do not respond if you're sending it in an email. Do not respond so you're not violating sunshine. But sharing it is not a problem. >> Yeah. One way there. Yeah. Yeah. Terrific. That's great. But to to the chair, thank you uh for all of your work on this. These things are these things don't happen by accident and uh I

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appreciate uh all of your energy on this. I don't believe the legislative effort is going to be enough though. I think that's a good step. I think our budget is a good place to look. I think policies that we have for Broward County Schools because that applies to our kids and our parents and our volunteers and

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our staff. Uh, I think we can lead the way on this because this is the right thing to do. And this board has worked very, very hard to kind of get ahead technologically, but I think we need to get ahead with the appropriate safeguards and the appropriate standards in place, including, you know, breaking

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this idiotic policy that we started 40 years ago with the internet that you can use the internet and anyone's allowed to take your data and use it for any purposes they want. There's no way those five companies are are worth more than 198 out of 200 countries in the world if

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we didn't have what I believe to be a ridiculous internet policy, which is they get to steal our data and use it for commercial purposes and they don't pay us back. And that's not even getting me started about AI, Mr. Davis, and them stealing all kinds of stuff and using it uh for for profit. So, I feel like, you

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know, there's an opportunity for us to kind of set a standard, and I look forward to hearing back from you. And to the extent that you and the superintendent think you can do this sooner than later, I agree with Mr. Sea. What if what if we get just some stuff in now? Uh when does this come back, chair, this policy? >> Dr. Heep,

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>> uh Mr. Hill or or Mr. Sullivan, when does this policy come back? No, it's just an initiation of rulemaking. So there's some specific time frames. June 9th. >> June 9th.

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>> June 9th. So we're Oh, good. So there's there's some time and I know that, >> you know, we can bring policies back and make improvements throughout the year. It's not this policy isn't necessarily tied to an academic year. Uh but I really look forward to to doing more work on this. I'm really glad that both legislatively and and without any

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objection from this board, there's been some clear guidance about moving forward. Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you. Thank you. And I just want to kind of synthesize the the consensus around some of this. Um, I think there is, if there is any, if

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correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there is consensus that we would like staff to bring back either in this policy or in a separate policy or both um something much stronger around

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protecting student and family data. Is there any objection to that? Okay, that seems pretty simple. Um, what I'm struggling with a little bit is, you know, I I understand Miss Hixon's point

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about how we are going to be doing our own separate policy around ethical use of AI. Um, but this is also the student internet safety policy, policy 8570, and AI is very much a part of that. Um,

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I tend to feel that like Dr. Zean said, like we we do something now and these policies are coming back in a kind of a a similar timeline both in June. Um, but I don't see how we don't have something

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around safety and AI in our policy on student internet safety um in addition to a separate AI policy. So, I'm wondering if my colleagues can help me work through that. Um, but before I go

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to that discussion, I would like to request um a followup or I just I think when I'm out speaking to students and to families about, you know, the safety aspect of using AI and the alerts that may or may not happen and I've gotten

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conflicting responses um over the last year from staff about this and that could be because, you know, the technology is changing and and we've adopted new technology. So I want to give some some grace there. But I think for us as we're com communicating with

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parents and students, it would be really helpful if we understood like if a student talks about self harm to you know co-pilot 13 plus um what is the next step? So does linewise gets a notification they notify the district.

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Who at the district are they notifying? Are they notifying the teacher? Are they not notifying DEOC? Are they you know what is the like the branch of things that happens? Um yeah the notification train that happens so that we understand

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like you can feel somewhat comfortable. I mean, I I have my own feelings about this, but you can feel somewhat comfortable about your child using this technology and knowing that if they are

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talking about certain topics, you will be notified as a parent. Um, so I I don't know that we're prepared to share that information today, but if we could get that information, I think that would be helpful for us. >> I'm noting that followup. >> Thank you. Um, but yeah, I guess I'm

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wondering from my colleagues like around, you know, including the safety piece around AI for policy 8570 in addition to the AI policy. Where are we at with that? Miss Hixon, >> I'm okay with that. I I don't think there's a problem with having it, you

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know, the safety piece and then having the AI separate. I just really wanted to point out I knew that we were having an AI policy. So, if they're already doing something, I I don't want to repeat it necessarily, but it makes sense to go

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under safety if we're talking about safety. So, I'm I'm fine with that. Any other comments, objections? >> Okay. Um and I would just say like I hope that as we go forward with these

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policies around um responsible technology use um I actually heard Dr. Rebecca Winthrop uh someone that Dr. Zean and I guess got to meet and talk with talk about how we need to kind of reframe the way we're talking about um

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or who who we're putting the onus on. So the onus cannot only be on the user the student to ethically use this this technology. The onus should be on the people developing this technology and who are making lots of money on this

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technology and selling it selling it to us for our students to use. So we really need to and I think you know many of us have spoken today about uh making these businesses much more responsible for how

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um what what they're developing for our students and we own that responsibility too. Um it's it's on us to try to protect our students in every way possible and that that data in every way possible. Any other board member discussion on

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this, Miss Bulman? >> Um, I 100% agree with that and I think that uh we do that with our purchasing power. So, we need to make um very

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precise decisions about who we're purchasing these services from. Um, and I think that that would help that. But, you know, I've pointed this out before, but um the people that produce all of this software don't have their kids

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using it. And so, um I think that's something that we need to um be thinking about every time we decide to purchase this kind of technology. Anyone else? All right. Um that concludes that presentation. Our

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next item is the capital program organizational assessment and procurement recommendation. I now turn it over to staff for a brief presentation. >> Thank you chair. Um if it's the will of the board, we can go actually straight to discussion on this item. Um the only

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uh one change that's reflected in this presentation was the request from the board to combine um the program manager um and strategic advisor and and the long and the long range u master planner.

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>> Okay. Um I will go to public comment. >> I don't have the list yet. Chair, what time was this originally scheduled for? >> This was originally scheduled for 9:30. So, we're running >> 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes ahead. >> And I I love that. That's great. I worry

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that members of the public wanted to come and talk. And that is not here. >> My concern, too. Um, you know, I'm happy to go come back to public comment in case there aren't people here after, you know, in the middle of or after board

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discussion um to accommodate the public. Um, I'm also a little concerned about item four on our agenda, the SRO plan, because that was originally scheduled for 11:30. Um, so I just want to make the public aware that we are running

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ahead of schedule, Miss Debruno. >> Oh, Mr. Sullivan. >> Uh, yes, since you guys are ahead of time, I already reached out to the League of Cities to let them know to, uh, plan to be here um by 11:00. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other board

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discussion on the agenda schedule, >> Mr. Sivera? >> There's absolutely no way nor reason why we should start the SRO plan uh discussion before the scheduled time. Uh I know there's numerous members of the law enforcement community that have

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shifted their schedules around to be here, numerous elected officials that want to come and speak. We put at 11:30. I'm very much excited that we seem to be ahead of schedule today, but uh I would absolutely 100% object to that starting

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a minute before 11:30 as not to have um those members of the public that I've just rattled off having the opportunity to come and speak and be present for the entire conversation. >> Okay, I will uh rephrase. You are

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proposing that we start at 11:30. Thank you so much for your input, Miss Hixon. I have a question for the general counsel. If we're I think this item's going to take a while, but um if we are early, is it possible to start the

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special school board meeting >> and do some of those items and then come back like we did last week? You know how we opened the board meeting and I'm just >> I hate to waste time. Special school board meeting has been noticed for 3 PM.

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So, we can't really start until 3 p.m. >> The special school board meeting, >> if I may. >> Um, so we advertised it, um, 3 p.m. or immediately after the workshop. And so, um, I don't, you know, I'll lean on general counsel, but since it says

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after, I think one would lend itself to believe at the if the workshop would conclude, not recess. If it if it's at if we I understand that we say that immediately after the workshop. However, members of the public

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are anticipating that it's going to start at 300 p.m. So, if we start at 1, if we start at 2, I'm concerned about a potential violation. So, the special schoolboard meeting has been noticed for 3 PM and my recommendation to the board is that we start at 3 PM for the special school board meeting.

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>> Miss Thompson. >> Um, I think Mr. Sullivan was agreeing with your recommendation, Miss Bruno. Um, I would just say, could we recess the workshop if it is before 11:30 so we stay on time? >> I I believe that was Mr. Sea's intended

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proposal. >> I misunderstood. Thank you. >> All right. Is there consensus around that around starting at 11:30 for the SRO? So sticking to the advertised schedule. Okay.

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All right. Um so it we are now Oh, let me call public comment. If they are not here, I'll come back to them. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Dennis Waters, and Michael McIntyre. Good morning. Michael McIntyre. I am the program manager for the CIP program um

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with AECOM. I went through this presentation and I was a little surprised to see the incorporation of uh the master plan activities uh with the PMO. Um over the last 5 to seven years

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um it's been the opposite across school districts. They have been removing um those two services not combining them but having them stand alone separate um as they are a collaborative working relationship not embedded in each other

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there is an inherent conflict of interest when they are together um one creates work for the other um so across school districts in the nation they are now separate it's it's being separated at airports it's being

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separated at higher ed. So I would just suggest that you re look at that and reconsider whether there is a conflict of interest there or a potential conflict of interest. I do understand the general counsel has highlighted that in the white paper and and there might

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be a need to uh create a legal firewall separating those two activities if they were combined into one contract. The other item I saw that um I thought was interesting was the CM services. Um I I

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hear them called hybrid. They're they're pretty typical actually to have CM services. Um but standalone CM services are generally found on very large programs uh because of the overhead uh cost relationship to the service.

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um not on smaller programs, which is what this is for the next three years or so, is a smaller program versus a multi-billion dollar u program that you see in the large cities. Um so, so that one is a little interesting in my mind. Um with my background,

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um I did hear that it might be staff aug staff augmentation. If that is the case, um I would suggest you might need to look at your internal staffing capacity for staff augmentation. Um I understand that there's three

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people left on on the the org chart to manage a potential two to three C cm firms and staff. Uh if it's not managed properly, you will not get the cost savings with the lower rates. So, it's just it's just items to put on the table to consider as you move forward on these

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decisions. Um, delivery delivery processes are important and they should be selected for the benefit to the district. Um, I'm I'm not saying any of these are wrong. Um, but I think they need to be looked at um as a whole

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and how they how they work together. Uh, thank you. All right. Uh Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh and Dennis Waters, if they are not here, I'll come back to them um after board discussion. All right. Uh which one of my colleagues

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would like to speak first on this? Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Yes. Uh, so for the record, I'm against combining the chief facilities officer position with the chief of operations.

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We had a grand jury to that made the recommendation to basically keep to have a identified person for facilities specifically

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you know based on uh the debacle of the smart bond program. I think it's very unrealistic to for the scope and size of our district to have one person do both jobs. There'll be burnout for that

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person and and instead of doing the two positions correctly, there'll most likely be failures in in both the lanes. It's a very difficult position to have an expertise in both the areas in one

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person and then there'll be reduced attention to each of the functions in each specific area and and we know that our facilities needs major focus and

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attention. So I for those reasons I don't recommend combining the positions. >> Thank you. I agree Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much chair. Um

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great to get this back. Uh appreciate uh the difference you gave to the board in terms of decisions that we made when this or concurrences that we provided uh in the previous version. I particularly uh love the incentives approach. I think

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if we can um you know follow best practices across the board, you know, incentives matter and if you can line up everybody to what their contribution is to getting things done, uh I think that was great. The one thing that did not come through in this brief that we did

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talk about last time, um on slide six and seven, you have a bunch of goals uh for it. um help stabilize the program, preserve project momentum, enable productive proactive long-term planning, safeguard the district. Uh all that

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stuff is um interesting. Um what's most relevant in my mind though is cost scope and schedule. Our job our job to Maladev's point is to deliver full scope within budget on time. This is my fourth year in the school board. I've never

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seen a project deliver full scope on time on budget. Never. I watched a playground in an elementary school take seven years. I watched it because it was my elementary school. My whole kids went through elementary school and never could use a playground. It's it's not we

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are we're not uh dealing with the reality. I think if what we do is just put lipstick on a pig. Our system has not delivered and other school districts know how to do this. Mr. Superintendent, how did Palm Beach County do in their construction performance? Could they build a school,

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for example, in 12 months? >> Full scope, on time, on budget, or under budget? >> Uh, think about that. I mean, I I guess I'm a little competitive, Miss Alde. I don't like it when a neighboring district is delivering an entire school in 12 12 months. And and uh and we're

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not. And it's and we're not in whole wholesale way. So, I think the changes here are appropriate. They are significant changes. I'm very glad Dr. Lozano and others have been working hard on filling uh these positions. Um I just think that the goal needs to be crystal crystal clear. Deliver full scope on

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time under budget. And the rest of these words I just I I uh they seem to be uh obfiscating things. We had a speaker here that came to talk about conflict of interest, but as a board we continue to live with a conflict of interest that we should be uh aware of, which is this

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contract includes support inside the contractors for procurement support. Just think about that for a little bit. A contractor is providing support to the procurement system. Is anyone okay with that on the board?

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Is anyone okay baking communication staff into a construction management contract? I' I've been yelling about this for years. I don't understand why these positions are baked into this except it was a convenient large contract that we can hide staff. Uh I don't want to hide

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anything from the public. And so I would ask chair that you ask for concurrence about whether or not we strike procurement support communications uh from this contract. Um uh if I could chair, I'd like to ask the superintendent whether or not the Seymour contract is really going to be

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done as staff augmentation or is it going to be done uh as a uh time and materials contract for specific deliverables? >> Um the latter, sir. Um >> it's going to be a it's not staff hog.

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It's actually going to be time and materials just like the current uh ecom pe contractor. >> Correct. >> Terrific. Thank you very much. It's a big distinction. Um I'd ask you, Mr. Superintendent, to think hard about your titles on the contractor side as well. Uh just for the record, when I hear director of construction, like that

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sounds to me like a government job. Uh I would ask our general counsel to think hard about that. Like do we really want to confuse people by baking government sounding I mean are we going to have a superintendent inside a contract someday? maybe a deputy superintendent or principal. Like we wouldn't have a

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principal in a contract. So why would we have a director of contracts uh director of construction and director of administration? Uh we need to clean up a lot related to government and and contractor uh responsibilities across the district. But I think this is a a

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good place uh to start. Um I really uh am curious too, Mr. Superintendent about local firms. Uh we've talked around this issue for a long time, but are the Seymour contracts, have you decided what kind of restrictions uh vendors um have

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to to live within in order to bid on the Seymour contracts? Are these going to be local firms that come in and do the, you know, carrying tools, doing schedules, you know, open fence lines, getting work done? Is that local firms, not local firms? >> That's correct. Uh local firms. This has

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been focused to um really support our local firms here in Broward County. Well, I I love that. I mean, we have two million people here. We have hundreds of successful construction management firms. To the general counsel, when we say local firms, what do we mean geographically? >> Well, I would imagine we're talking

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about Broward County firms. What do you then I don't know, Dr. >> I'm sorry. I thought maybe I apologize for that. I do this all too often. I embarrass student adviser by asking hard math questions and I ask you something that's very very esoteric early in your tour. We have an agreement to my knowledge with Palm Beach and Miami Day

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that when the three of us define local, we mean that. Is that still the case? Uh Mr. Superintendent? >> Um I am not sure, but I know um uh many of our firms are tri county firms. They do work across the tri county area. >> I think it's hard to distinguish. They may have an office in Myiar, but they're working

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>> absolutely in Palm Beach or working in Dade. Yes. >> Okay. If if it if there's a different answer, Madame General Counsel, if you could bring it to the back to the board, I'd appreciate it. But I think to my knowledge uh that's maybe been a working agreement. Maybe we need to make a little bit more than that. But um uh I

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remember seeing it before. Um I actually am excited uh about these changes. You know, we have a system that we need to work right now, Mr. Dorset. Uh we are going to go out um and and ask the community again at some point, I don't know when, to to open up their

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pocketbook and give us more money. Uh we have roughly $6 billion in backlog in our facility. So, like all large urban school districts, we're going out and saying, "Look, these are your buildings. Uh, we would like them to be even better." To Miss Aladd's point, though, we cannot get them to open their

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pocketbook if we can't show them we can actually do our work. And so to me, uh, the more information we can put out, the first time we actually deliver full scope on budget on time, I hope we shut the school board down and take a day off and celebrate or something because one

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day we're going to turn the tide and we're going to start delivering like other neighboring counties do. But we have to make sure that information, one that we do it, and two, that that information gets out. And that doesn't happen in an ORC chart. That's because of the people that are in the ORC chart. Uh, but I feel like there's a real pressing need to make sure we improve

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performance and that we advertise that once we get there and then later go on and ask the community for for them to open their pocketbooks. If we do it the other way, it could be the first bond in Broward County for public building that fails. And I don't want to be uh a part

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of that team. I really want to build their confidence, which is both delivering what they say and and communicating it well. I just overall though there's a lot of of reflection of what the school board asked uh to do in this. Again, the incentives are going to be a big deal. I know there's still a little bit to be determined about what

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you ask construction managers to do and price and cost controls people do and uh pay more uh folks to do. Uh but this is exciting. Last question, Mr. Superintendent. Have you done a market analysis of building department staff and made any adjustments to their pay bands? >> We've done a market analysis, but we

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haven't made any adjustments in the pay bands. We're we're advertised right now. We'll see what the advertisements um as far as um the candidates that apply and the quality of candidates and if we need to increase the pay ban, we'll come back to the board and and ask for that increase. >> Um I would ask the board to think about

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that with me then because I think we're putting the cart before the horse like to to do a market study and not change the pay to offer market salaries and then go out and advertise jobs and just see what shows up. I think we know what's going to show up. I don't understand why we don't do the market

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study and change the pay and then go advertise. So what am I getting wrong, Mr. Superintendent? I >> I'm just basing it off of history with the board as far as when we come. >> Yes. >> When we come and ask for more money, we get a little push back. So I'm taking a different strategy. Let the uh evidence

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show that we need to pay these people more money to recruit them. >> Okay. But the classic way to do that is to go look at the 31 municipalities, all whom have a building department, say, "What are y'all paying?" And then come back to the board. I think this board, you know, for marginal u market salary based adjustments would be uh compliant

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with that. We've got to have great people in our building department. Miss Aladdaf has railed about this since I've met her before I was even on the board. You know, the building department has to work or else construction doesn't get done. And um uh so I hope that uh I hope we can bring something to the board. And

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if you've got a market analysis, at least give us a chance to say yes or no. I know it'll cost a little bit of money, but I want you to be able to go get great people. I want you to steal the best folks from other building departments uh because we really need this performance to get better. So, thank you very much, Mr. Superintendent.

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>> Dr. Zean, could you just do me a favor? I know you asked for for uh consensus on some something about striking procurement. Uh I didn't capture that fully >> on >> eight.

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Yes. Uh >> there's two things at the bottom. We've been jamming this in the teamwork contract for a long time. It's wholly wholly inappropriate uh to to be buying you know construction and this contract it's pay more which

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includes the master planner and all that and then we sneak these procurement support people in for Mr. White to get people from a contractor to help Mr. White do procurement. I don't want any contractors near you, Mr. White. I don't want any of them there. I they they're biased. They're they're they're just the

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perception of them being in procurement is is just hurts my head and on communications unless it's about communications related to this program. Uh I don't see why those should be pegged in. Thanks. >> Okay. So, uh that and then did you want something around the market study or Okay.

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>> I'd like people don't object to ask that information. >> Okay. M >> could I have the chief auditor opine on

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Dr. Zean's suggestion >> ma'am is that relative to the procurement and communications component? >> Yes. >> Um when we were looking at that uh previously I I myself thought that there was um a higher degree of that kind of thing

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and I wasn't really sure what particular deliverables they were providing under that agreement. So I think that there's a consideration there certainly to look at whether that's something that needs to be a part of that agreement. But I wouldn't opine on as to whether it can

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or cannot be but you know generally >> I can opine on the communications part and maybe Mr. White um can opine about the procurement part. The communication part has been uh very specific to construction. Um when we do the ribbon cutings um the uh videos for those

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ribbon cutings uh updating information on on specific websites um it's been very specific to the construction projects. Um nothing more um outside of that realm. Um and Mr. Dwight, if you can opine on the procurement um support you've received with the current PEOR

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contract. Um just so the board understands. >> Yes. Thank you. Specifically, Dr. Zean, you're looking at the current slide. If you look on that page, >> it says current. If you pop over to page 10, yes,

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>> that's where we're looking to future. And in the future, we would have an internal hire >> to replace that. >> Thank you. I my preparations were insufficient. I'm sorry I brought it up. I I withdraw my request, chair. Um, but you would still like the the

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superintendent to come back and share in an action format the piece about the market study. Correct. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, >> Mrs. Alada. >> So, as far as the the marketing and communication position, I'd be okay with cutting that. We all have the ability

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and and cell phones and just because we're putting stuff on social media and videos and ribbon cutting and pictures that's taking away money from actually doing the work or I rather see the money actually go into doing the work and and

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making it happen instead of just putting fancy pictures up in a website that probably no one really looks at. All they care about is does their child get to play on the playground. Thank you. >> Agreed. Any other board member discussion? Mr. Sivera,

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>> thank you. Just wanted to share some of my initial comments here after reviewing this. Um first and foremost this proposed um combination structure in which we're including program manager strategic

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adviser the long range master planning and multiple construction managers and representatives into one. um apparently is not industry standard and in addition it has created um what we admit as a

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potential conflict of interest because the same entities could help recommend future work and then they're managing the work and surely on its face it's creating this potential conflict of interest which we recognize and I think there's a a section in which uh there's

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some analysis and saying well you know maybe it's not an automatic conflict of interest and maybe it's not automatically prohibited. And so to me, we're already starting behind the eight-ball. I don't know why that would be our first position in creating a

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structure that has already given the implication of a conflict of interest and now us having to work backwards to try to potentially clear that conflict of interest. Uh I'm not sure that's sound business practice and that's my interpretation

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uh of that combination uh of all these positions into one again with us kind of starting um behind the eightball with this combination suggestion. Uh in addition this performance-based fee concept

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um we haven't defined performance metrics a scoring system district approved uh systems that would would justify withholding fees. I mean, this is a lack of data issue that this board seems to struggle with uh on a litany of

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issues uh on things that we handle uh on a regular basis. Um in addition, the Pee concept I believe unless I'm reading things wrong is the predominant model again that's used in K through2

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districts and major uh public sector type capital programs. uh this proposal for whatever reason shies away from that and and and does not recognize uh the POR concept as the industry standard. Um there's no accountability in this

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proposal when we're talking about smart uh smart bond program failures. Uh the proposal really fails to acknowledge or identify any district responsibilities for delays um overruns, cost issues, management failures uh of the smart

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program, which as uh we all know the history of that and and what's at stake in the future with that and I don't believe that we're getting out ahead of it with this uh proposal uh as uh as currently captured. Um, in addition,

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this proposal really fails to address the internal deficiencies that contributed to the smart program delays and cost overruns of the past. Um, many of which, as unfortunately, we all know are well documented in grand jury reports. So, um I I I think there's some issues

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with these white papers and this proposals um as as as currently petitioned to this board and currently outlined in what we're looking at. But again, I I I I'd hate to see us setting

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up ourselves up for failure like we've seen in the past. And I really think we have to be spot-on in making sure that what we are coming up with collectively as a plan really has to be perfect. You know, I'm hearing these things from what's going on in Palm Beach and how

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apparently efficient they are and uh you know, I'm a competitive guy and and like Dr. Zean, I I don't like to hear that our sister cities and our sister counties are doing things better than us. I want to be the best. I don't want to be looking behind or up or down at at

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what other districts are doing. I want to be the gold star. So, uh, these are some of my concerns that I just, uh, want to put on on record and and quite frankly, I I am interested in in my colleagues, uh, positions and thoughts on this potential conflict of interest

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with this combination of these procurement areas because again, this to me feels like we're already starting behind the eight-ball and we're trying to dig our way out of a hole as opposed to doing things correct off the bat. Thank you, >> Miss Bulman.

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>> Thank you, Chair. Um, I have to agree with Mr. Sera on this. This is something that's uh bothered me since this came before us at the original workshop. Um, and I believe at the la at the last uh the last time we

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discussed this, we I asked general counsel about the conflict and we've been provided with a memo u which basically outlines the potential conflict and really says the onus would be on us to

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enforce a lot of protections um to mitigate or avoid the contract avoid the conflict and I don't know how confident I am about our ability to do that. Um, and so I

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would shy away from having this conflict. I I don't think that we need to get into something that al already creates a problem for us or a potential problem for us. We've had enough problems with our capital program. I don't think we need that um to start to

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start off with. I don't agree with um having the long range master planner uh lumped in with the other I um so I I have a question. How

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how are the other major school districts doing this their programming right now? Is this is this project the new proposal that we have? Is this how our major districts are doing it?

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>> Yes. So, you have uh various strategies. Um some use the single P more strategy. Some use uh what we're what we're um recommending here with multiple uh construction management owners rep firms um uh with staff with internal staff uh

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also supporting um projects. So, it's it's various. When I was in Palm Beach County, it wasn't u during that era that Dr. um Seaman talked about. It wasn't a single single peour concept at that time. >> Do you know what it is right now? >> Um I'm not sure what it is right now, but um >> I I think it would be important for us

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to to know um because it's my understanding that Palm Beach, Miami, and uh Orange County all do pe. >> So um Miss Coley and is she in in the um room? Miss Coley know if you got any familiarity with the current structure

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of uh some of our school districts in the state. >> Good morning. Sonia Kohley, Office of Capital Programs. Um they are I believe Miami Dade is using a uh PE more but they have multiple

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um multiple um firms that are doing the construction managers. So, they have a set fee for those uh uh those uh uh uh vendors. And I believe Palm Beach is doing um a hybrid. I um we put in the previous

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presentation, I believe. >> Okay. I think I think we need to know that um before I I'd like to know what our sister counties are doing. Um, and I know that, you know, there's also the the airports and other capital programs,

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roads, and how the how they're doing it. I um because like I said, my understanding is that Palm Beach, Miami, and Orange are all using Peor >> that again, uh, Miami Dade, I know for a fact, is using the Peemore with multiple

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vendors uh, for their management. Are they putting this the master planner with the peour? >> No, I believe that as it as far as the master planner uh those services are separate. >> Okay.

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Um so what like an overarching theme I think of our entire capital program that I that I am curious about how do we moving forward if we have a new contract we do an RFQ we get new we have you know

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decide on what our program is going to look like and we get a new contract how do we reset the program moving forward because I Something that I hear all the time is this happened, this happened, this happened. There's a constant ability to

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kind of blame whatever happened before um as we move forward. And it seems to me that we need to reset the program so that there's a definite start and

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whoever is doing the program going forward is responsible starting at this date. and you know like uh delays that are caused by inspections or adding to the scope of work things of that nature. I mean I some of that's not avoidable

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but if you're going back 14 years and blaming original delays and then that continues to carry forward depend no matter who the peour is is kind of muddying our ability to hold people accountable. >> So there is >> like how are we going to do that? Yeah,

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there is a specific transition period um for a comparable handoff so there's no disruption um and clear understanding for whoever the uh awardees are um moving forward. I mean, we can always go

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back to history. There's a lot of culpability across the board, not just um with the Pores of that time, but also um with us as well. Um but there's a specific transition period just to have a clear handoff with the understanding of of what projects are left over, what

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projects have been started, what where the all the things you just mentioned, what's caused the the delays and um being able to to plan accordingly to address those during that handoff. And Miss Cole, if you got anything else to share, feel free. >> So, we have captured uh lessons learned

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and uh we've also again with the new facility condition assessment. I think we would we are we will be in a better position um to move forward and not have the challenges that we had with the 2014

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um uh program. So, I think with those um again with the the the new facility condition assessment, the lessons learned um and being able to uh um have more internal staff uh as oversight to ensure that we're meeting that scope,

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schedule, and budget that Dr. Zean spoke about uh puts us in a better position moving forward. >> Yeah. And I definitely um support and I've talked to Ernie about it and I've talked to Mr. Dorset about it. um the idea of actually paying a market rate so that we can attract people cuz it we are

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going to save money having people in house. It is going to be worth a few you know tens of thousands of dollars or a couple hundred thousand dollars to actually have attract the right people to do this work. So I 100% support that.

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Um, and I'm and when I'm talking about moving forward, I I understand lessons learned, but I'm I'm really talking about if we hand over the reigns to the new service provider, the new contractor, is there a way for us to hold them

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accountable moving forward without and to reduce as much as possible the ability to blame what's happened in the past on their inability to deliver projects going forward so that we're resetting the expectations and the

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timelines and that. >> Yes, that would be baked into the contract. >> But if they're picking up a project in the middle of I mean, if we're handing it over, projects aren't done. So presumably you're getting a project that's half >> done. So then there's always that

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ability to go back. I mean, I would just like to see guard rails so that we can't always be blaming what happened before and creating lagging timelines and things of that nature. >> Chair, if you don't mind, I'll just

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answer her question. Um, on slide uh >> go ahead, Dr. Z. 13 of the of 12 of the um workshop before this. Uh Palm Beach is an internal external a hybrid model like is being proposed for us. You know, GVY's managing contractors uh sharing

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responsibility back and forth as is Miami Dade, Duvall, uh Central Florida, and LA. They're all in that model that the staff is uh is proposing to us. >> Board member Bulman, are you finished with your comments? No. >> Uh we Okay. I mean, I'd like to see it

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in writing because I'm getting >> different. Well, >> yeah, it's page 18 on the slide. >> Internal external. Are we talking about having in-house building department and then staff

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augmentation or are you talking about having um construction managers and a peour wrapped up with a master planner? >> So the P the uh program manager wrapped

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up with the long range planner. um we originally brought that separate and so we brought it together based on board direction. So if we're going to if we're um coming to consensus to to break it apart again we'll we'll work at the pledge of the board of that. So um so uh

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we'll listen to the discussion and listen to the consensus on that so we can actually uh move forward with how that solicitation because remember we brought four separate solicitations and then the board u uh made the recommendation to us to combine those two to have the three solicitations. Um and so that's how we brought it back um

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this time. >> Right. I Okay. So, but I just to clarify internal external. >> Yes. So, >> we have a building department and then we have a >> more correct. We have a bu our own building department. >> Right. So, I agree with that. I what I'm

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saying is do we do they have a peour and a controls and a master planner and a construction a Seymour construction owners rep the way that we have it

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proposed right now >> from my un go ahead miss um co >> so previously when looking at when looking at the other districts They have a um their CP their cost and program

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controls is separate. Uh they have internal and external staff managing uh construction. Uh when looking also the strategic advisor uh I'm sorry the uh master planner was also separate within those districts. They were it was not

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coupled with the program manager. >> Okay. So they don't have that I'm just concerned that we have too much going on in the in the line of command. I 100% support enhancing our building, our internal building department. What

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I'm concerned about is that well, I'm concerned with the conflict between the program manager and the long range master planner. I don't agree with that. And then um the idea of having a program manager plus a construction manager.

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I I think we probably need one or we need one or the other. And then my question to that I think we asked this last time but what is our um what is our expectation for our local firm participation?

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U the primary focus of the solicitation is to ensure participation by our local firms. Um yes that that was that's the primary goal to ensure that they can participate um in the solicitation um for the uh construction managers.

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>> Okay. >> Board member Hixon >> she wanted >> board member Bulman were you finished with your comments? Yeah, I I so my I I I've want to see separate master

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plan or the program manager, however that's however we're going to define that and then cost and controls. >> Okay. So board member Bulman, I have here where you would prefer to see um

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number one separate to separate long range um from uh program management and uh separate master planner and I believe um separating the program manager and seymours.

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>> Yes. and then enhanced internal staff and ability to reset moving forward so that there's an ability to hold the new program manager accountable despite what's happened in the past. >> Okay. So, Dr. Hburn, did you capture all

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of that? >> Okay. Um, board member Hixon, uh, give me a second. Um, did you want to be on the list to speak? Okay, got it. Okay. All right. So I am going to go ahead and take a pause with board member comments so the public can comment. Um so we have

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the first public speaker Muriel uh Atlas. >> Okay. Jeff, can you also put me on the list? I've been waiting a while with my hand up. >> Yes, you will be. >> Thank you. Um, good morning everyone. My name is

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Muriel Theophenatilis. Um, I just want to start off by saying um, my daughter is currently a junior in high school and I have been a parent advocate since she started ZPK at Lord States Elementary. However, today is my first time coming physically to a board

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meeting um, because the changes being proposed are very significant in the consequences. Um, so as far as capital programs go, um, I wanted to speak on the presentation. Um, I appreciate the information on projects and the funding

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and appreciate trying to build strong facilities, but there is a concern at the school level. Um, what is being reported does not always match what students and staff are dealing with every day. There are maintenance issues that have been reported and are still not fixed. In some cases, staff say

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issues were reported but never even entered into the system. The um this makes it hard to know if the data being used is fully accurate. Students are dealing with things like locked or dirty restrooms and other building issues. These are not small problems. They

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affect students every single day. I ask that the district be more transparent about work orders, what is open, how long it has been open, and how it is being handled. There needs to be a better match between what is reported and what is actually happening at schools. Um for a school to be

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considered an aid school, the facilities must also meet an A standard. Let's please not forget that is for our students and I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Next speaker would be Dodie Keat. >> Can

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I can speak at the end. Good morning board members, Dodie, Keith. Um I'm here with Keith. Uh just to this topic, um I know your staffs work really hard to move this forward. When you talk about these conflicts, I think it's actually more important where you define the roles of each contract.

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More contracts is not necessarily better because you get duplication. So, you need to save, you got to look at the cost of these contracts because these management contracts get real expensive and we should be able to save a lot of money, especially without a new program and a new bond coming through yet. The dollar should be way less than the

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existing program. And so, really, it's more important is what's the role? The the program management with the long-term planning isn't a problem if the roles are clearly defined within that contract. Then what you need to pay attention to is you create a you create

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the system that if you're on that team you cannot be on the next team. You can't be in the program you can't be in the cost controls and then you can't be in the construction. So you actually create where even the subconultants if if my team ended up on the program team

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I can't go be a sub consultant to the con the cost controls or the construction management. So it clearly defines and it's done every day in procurement in our industry. So all you have to do is put that simple conflict out there. If you're in one team, then you can't be a sub even in the next

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team. So that way you clearly make more opportunity for firms, but define the role of that team that you're going to combine that planning group with the program team. It's okay as long as they're not actually managing and executing the work at the end of the day. So, it's really how the contracts

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are written and they've done every day in other governmental agencies and you can clearly set it where if the role of that team, that long-term planning that and that project management team doesn't get into executing, if your construction management teams are executing the

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design and the actual construction of the projects, you get away from the conflict. So, there's a way to do it without adding contracts because I'm going to tell you, every big management contract you add costs big money and it's a lot of money. You're looking at these numbers, there's duplication.

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There's no way to get around the duplication from multiple contracts. And we need to be spending the money on the schools and on the kids, not on folks like me. So, um, really, let's, you know, pay attention and and scale it back. Pull it in. You're you're you're getting there.

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>> Thank you, Miss Alad. If I know you want to comment on the what the speaker said, so you can go ahead. >> Dr. Harper, when students are in school, are we locking bathrooms? >> Um, not that I'm aware of, but um if uh

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what school, ma'am, uh because I can have staff talk to you oneonone just to clarify any concerns. >> Coconut Creek. >> Coconut Creek. That is >> Yes. I have Mr. Tumor uh follow with you right now. Thank you.

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>> Okay. Thank you so much. We are going to move on to the next speaker, Baron Channer. >> Good morning, board members. Baron Shanner, CEO of Bach. We have the great pleasure of being a subconsultant for your current emergency program management and appreciate the opportunity to speak here. A couple of

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points. Uh uh the the prior speaker made a perfect statement. More contract means more money. if you're doing the same amount of work because you always have overhead. So turn one contract which you currently have into potentially four or five contracts essentially means you're

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agreeing to pay more money. An essence of that is as the you've had single pour for 10 years. During that 10-year time frame none of the subconultants which at sometimes was five firms were charging you overhead. We were all charging you direct labor. So you are getting the

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benefit of five six firms working for you without additional overhead. Uh I appreciate the point made by the superintendent that there is always a focus on local and certified firms. It's not obvious from the presentation that's been provided to you that more

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opportunities would be created for those certified firms, many of whom generally get opportunities by way of sub consulting or subcontracting because by nature of their size and the stage of the company, they are not competitive in the fullest sense with all of the top

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firms. Forbidden doesn't mean they can't do the work but forbidden. without any statement as it relates to the goals or things of that nature, it's not obvious that the structure that's currently being set up or being proposed will actually translate to more opportunities. So, I'd encourage that

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that be addressed. I believe I heard Miss board member Bullman mention that her perspective was that there would be a single pour, there would be a master planner, and there'd be a cost controls. It sounded as if in the confirmation

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that was sort of changed a little bit. So I' I'd encourage you to ask that. But the one thing that it did draw to my attention is every single school district that has been referenced in the presentation. Miami Dade, Palm Beach,

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Duval County all have one thing in common that's also consistent with industry best practice. That's also consistent with the majority of the top 20 school districts. as board member Zean had said in a prior meeting and that is that they use a single program

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management team that enables the program manager to direct and have the authority contractually to direct the work that occurs at a project level. That's a important element because if your program manager who's doing the planning and strategizing around how the program

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should be implemented has a contract that is separate from the actual people who are doing the work, it leaves room for the program manager to say failure is not on me, it's on them. So now you have people pointing fingers at each other and the district is placed in the position with less resources, less staff

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of having to play referee. It is not a great idea to do that at this point in time. So I'd encourage you to get back to considering single pour team. Thank you. >> Thank you Brian China. Next speaker will be Alan Patterson.

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>> Good morning Alan Patterson from Cordino. Uh just like to say that you know our firm has been in business for 55 years and for 40 of those years we've been right here in Broward County working with Broward County School Board. for much of that time. Uh we

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implement big construction projects and infrastructure projects across the state and we're familiar with both uh roles as con construction managers and project managers and we're also familiar with what it takes to deliver your projects on time

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on budget and importantly with transparency. So I think we can meet all those goals for you. We're also uh we are um we're not alone. We're here with a lot of other local firms that we'veworked with and worked

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with in the past and we believe there's enough talent in this community to be able to deliver your program and to meet your goals. Uh the one thing we would request is that the RFQ process be open and competitive. I think that's in the best

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interest of the district and for the residents of the county and we just encourage you to do that as you consider this RFQ. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Um is there any further public comment? >> No other comments. >> Thank you. All right. So, we're going to continue with board member comments.

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It's my turn next and um we will certainly have a second round. >> Dr. Honus. >> Yes. >> Through the chair. I just want to make sure that something's very clear. Um, the board is going to start enforcing board policy 1940, which is the lobbyist

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activities for economic gain policy. There were multiple individuals that have a specific financial interest in this particular topic. And we're going to require that you register, pay the appropriate fee, provide the appropriate statement to indicate that you are a lobbyist so that the board is and knows

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and the public knows who is speaking and we have it on the record. And just to make sure that we are clear, um, a lobbyist is defined as any individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity who engages in lobbying for the economic gain of a principal regardless

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of whether or not that person is being compensated as a lobbyist or not. So there are very specific requirements. I encourage you to look at board policy 1940, review it, and be rest assured that the board will be enforcing that

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policy henceforth. Thank you. >> Thank you, general counsel. So, I do have a few comments and I must say that um I do agree um with many of the uh feedback from board member Bulman as

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well as um board member CVA who mentioned that you know combining long range planning with program management uh introduces a clear uh conflict of interest and and you know

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I am wondering Why would we move ahead when something poses a conflict of interest if it can be avoided, you know? So, um I I I do um support the feedback uh and the concern mentioned by board member Bulman, board

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member CA in that regards. I also want to make my point very clear and and I know we've had this discussion many times over. I know we've spoken about it. I am very concerned with moving ahead with the current proposed structure. I've said it before that I

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believe it's experimentative. Uh and that is concerning for me. I don't believe we we should not split peour and seem more. Uh single pour approach um has been used by this district for uh quite some time. um most

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districts uh does a single pe more and you know we've been receiving conflicting information where we're getting the understanding sometimes and and I and I'm trying to sift through all of it to see who's right because I've done my own research as well um where

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this approach seems to be implying that other major districts are doing this and then when I do my own research that's not the implication so uh some things can be misleading for example when you look at the term hybrid. Uh nearly all public sector capital programs use

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internal staff as well as external support. Um which would then render the term hybrid to be inaccurate and and misleading, you know. So I I think we have to be careful how we are um defining different terms as we move

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ahead. Now, if we've been using single pour and many major districts are using single pour and my understanding is date county is um as well as uh Dval um and Palm Beach and we're trying to move in a

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different direction here in Broward. If we've been using single peor all along, why change now? So, I don't want to experiment at this time. Uh I think we should embrace the single peor model. um as we've always done uh leading

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industries encourage singlep more uh why at a time when we are reducing staff should we implement an approach that is against best industry standards um I believe I heard one of the speakers mention that uh we will be playing

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referees uh with trying to manage so many different contracts currently we have a single PO that report to us if we go with this approach we're now going to be faced with having to oversee many independent contracts, which lends

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itself to many more problems, many more people not holding accountability instead of a single entity. We will now have to referee quite a few different folks and I think that is going to lend itself to greater problems. Um, this is

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not what the best districts are using, the top districts. So I don't think we should proceed ahead and and quite frankly I don't know if we have the capacity within broad county schools at this time to even proceed with the

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proposed model. So why move ahead when we can have significant potential problems? Um over the next couple of years um the capital program will expend hundreds of millions over the next contract cycle.

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There is a major financial decision that would be wrapped into how we procure services. Now, Florida statutes 10001.41 and 101.42 create a duty for the board to serve as

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a district's contracting agent and approve plans for maintaining or construction school property. Regarding these duties, Florida courts have recently defined neglect of duty as a failure to act regardless of whether there is willful or malicious intent or

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mere ignorance. In light of all of this, I must express significant concerns about staff's proposal to split the program manager and construction manager roles into multiple separate contracts. This approach, in my opinion, will increase cost. It will increase delays.

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It will increase the contract administration without any compelling benefits. Peeour and Seymour should be uh should be combined as we've done over the last 10 years and as is done by most of our

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peers. Now my concern about the proposal to split program manager and Seymour are based on research and various conversations that I've had with knowledgeable professionals. The district has over 10 years of experience with a single peour

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single program management team structure. Now is not the time to try new approaches without being clear benefits. We are constraining staff and we may reduce even more in future years.

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All the school districts including included in staff's benchmark slide use single pore management teams with subconultants. Miami day does that. Duval and Palm Beach. The same is true for most of the top 10 districts. Broward schools will not benefit from

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trying an experimental approach. And I've said this in our last discussion of this and I am concerned about moving ahead. I I don't want us to move ahead and then look back in retrospect and said what did we do? So broad schools will not benefit from trying an

415
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experimental approach to management while we are reducing or constraining staff and deadline with fiscal challenges. Let's make it easy easier to succeed. The leading industry association program management institute recommends that the program manager be positioned to direct the efforts of

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construction managers and exercise oversight. A single PO single program management team with sub consultants is how this can be done. The economically prudent approach to our capital program seems obvious to me. Keep it simple if

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we are already using industry best practices. Do not undermine our prospect for success by diluting the authority of our chosen program manager. Do not create more administrative and compliance burden when we expect to have thin staffing. So, those are my comments

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and uh I'm sure we're going to have a second round. Uh but I support the model of a single pay more with the subconsultants as we've always done. I believe we're going to have a whole lot more problems if we proceed with trying to manage so many individuals who will

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now be in the driving seat. So, I'll go ahead and move to our next board member uh which is board member Hixon. >> Don't Dr. >> Yes. board member Rupert, you're next after board member Hixon. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um I have actually same some

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of the concerns that Dr. Holes had, but one of my So I have two specific questions. Um one of the public speakers talked about the fact that some of our smaller companies, local companies can't bid because they don't meet some of

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those big requirements. Um, but they do work as subcontractors now because Oh, he's leaving. >> Okay. >> All right. I'll wait till you're settled and I'll start again. Um, okay. So, one of the public speakers

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mentioned about some of the subcontractors now um can't bid to be the Peemore because they don't meet the requirements, but they are working as subcontractors on there. And in the presentation,

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um, it doesn't spell out specifically how we're going to ensure that local certified companies. I mean, we have we have vendors who go through that certification process. And nowhere in here did it say how we were going to

424
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make sure that we were providing opportunities for those certified vendors. So, if someone from staff could talk about will that be in the RFP, RFQ, I get all the letters mixed up, but um where how are we going to to make sure

425
02:15:51.360 --> 02:16:08.880
that they continue to have those opportunities, especially if they've gone through the certification process? >> Thank you. I'm going to turn it over to Mr. White. >> John Wesley White, director of procurement. uh we anticipated setting a fairly

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robust uh certified goal on the construction manager contracts. And again, we're not anticipating a small firm bidding on the peour contract. It's for the construction manager contracts. And then if you're a certified firm, say we set a goal, and I'll pull one out of

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the air, say 30% on the construction manager contract. If you're a certified firm, you could then self-perform that work yourself. And so that's going to try and help drive people to be able to bid that and completely satisfy a

428
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relatively high goal. >> Okay, great. So it'll be in the contract. >> Yes, ma'am. In the solicitation and then in resulting contract. >> Okay, great. Thank you for that answer. Um, also had concerns that was brought up from a number of public speakers and I think Dr. wholeness. The cost savings

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when you look at this presentation indicates that by doing different um contracts that we would save about $500,000. But my question on that is does that take into account the fact that we're actually doing less construction?

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So I know because if we we were on the smart bond, we are moving past that. So, our construction will not be as won't have the same volume that it does now. And I'm based on that, it should I think the savings should be more than

431
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$500,000. So, if someone could speak to when they gave us that that cost savings, was it included that the volume of construction would be less? And so, if that's true, why is there only a $500,000 savings?

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Uh Sony Kohley again uh that was only a uh an approximate um we wouldn't know the actual savings until the um until the solicitations came in. So the uh consultant just put together a rough

433
02:18:06.639 --> 02:18:22.399
order magnitude estimate and again it was based upon the reduction of uh projects as well. >> So it did take into account the volume would be diminished. Okay. All right. Thank you for that. So I I

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also a agree that it doesn't make sense for us to put oursel in a situation where we're already thinking maybe there's a conflict of interest. So, uh, I have a different suggestion on here that it still would be three different contracts, but to continue with the

435
02:18:40.319 --> 02:18:56.479
peour hiring the construction managers or the sub to subcontract out. And again, I I think the public speaker made a great comment on there. If you have somebody who's developing,

436
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excuse me, the programs, and then you hire a completely different firm to do the construction part of it, how do you hold them accountable for meeting the program's expectation? So although I would say in

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the the things that we've had what we've had in the last 10 years, I wouldn't call that um great management just based on where we're at right now. So I'm not saying because we've done it for the last 10 years, we should continue to do

438
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that. But I do think it makes a point to say if someone if we're hiring someone and they're developing the plan in terms of projects and what those projects should look like, you have a completely different person. You've opened yourself

439
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up to miscommunication, which um I think we're already experiencing in some instances. So my suggestion isn't because we've done it for the last 10 years and maybe it looks different, but I would put those

440
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together. I would take out long range master planning and keep the cost and program control manager. So you still have three contracts. They just would move the long range out and put the construction manager in there. Um I also

441
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wanted to ask Dr. Fulton. I have had the conversation with Dr. Heepburn. Mrs. Alhadef mentioned it and we had a speaker come to talk about this. It has to be abundantly clear to our principles in every single school because the

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speaker's right. I've heard it and I've contacted safety and security and Dr. Hepern every time. We cannot lock our bathrooms. If there is not enough security, then there needs to be something else. But we have already

443
02:20:48.479 --> 02:21:03.600
learned why that's important and we we just can't allow it to continue happening. And to say to think it's only at one school is naive. It's at more than one school. Um so I think that we

444
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need to make sure we do that. Um and I think that that's it for for now. But like I said, oh, and I just wanted to go back to something that board member Sea said. You know, in terms of the smart project, we have closed that out. We have moved those projects onto

445
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capital. The smart project, smart bond piece doesn't really exist anymore. So to fold that into whatever we're doing now, I I think it's really important that we don't co-mingle those things because they're completely separate. So,

446
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I I think it's important for the public to know the smart bond in October of last year, we ended that, moved all of those things into the capital project, and we I don't think it makes sense for us to co-mingle those terms with a new

447
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um contract moving forward. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rupert. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh I would like to say thank you to the people that came to speak on this. Um I appreciate your time and I appreciate my

448
02:22:12.960 --> 02:22:31.200
colleagues um opining before me. So what I actually um the very first thing is my recommendation would be to not have the chief fire official um end or end the uh

449
02:22:31.200 --> 02:22:46.800
fire official. um they cannot report um together um that they need to be separate um separate completely separate um departments as the grand jury has said in the in the past. Um, one of our

450
02:22:46.800 --> 02:23:03.040
speakers also said, um, kind it kind of doesn't matter which part we choose cuz we can make we could make it, um, work either way, but we need a a a foolproof definition of what the roles are and

451
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what the roles will be. So, that's uh, incredibly important because I think that was a large part of our problem um, from the past moving forward. it was a little little bit loosey goosey and um

452
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this this uh def defining those roles I think will um accomplish not h us having to go through that again and our our business people as well as our community. So um that is the thought for

453
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that. Um hold on. I personally think that just the the one pee uh I would recommend we uh would otherwise have um have

454
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issues. It's just the matter of us actually seeing work done and getting work done on time that um I believe will make a difference because um let's just say there was a lack of transparency and end accountability

455
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before and this board won't put up with that um nor will the public. So, it's and I appreciate so much that the public has held on this long, but you know, this needs to happen and it needs to happen now.

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>> Thank you, Mr. >> Yeah, I was going to say I think that we will be discussing um the organizational charts. So, some of mine have to do with uh that consideration. So, I will hold those that part of the conversation till

457
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we get to the um the org chart conversation. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rupert. Um anyone else? Dr. Holes >> and Dr. Z.

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>> Thanks so much, Chair. Uh >> go ahead, Dr. Zeman. >> Oh, thanks so much. Um appreciate the conversation. Um there's a always a challenge with the language here to uh get things right and there's a tremendous amount of uh very

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appreciated comments from our vendor community that came here today. Um I will share from my colleagues maybe some of what I heard from them and and see uh how you land on this. First and foremost, it's very easy to confuse programs with projects. So we have to my

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knowledge uh Mr. Superintendent a capital improvement program that has taken the place of SMART. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> And a capital improvement program is, you know, you've got $40 billion worth of capital and you're going to make it better through rebuilding, maintenance, uh, facilities, upgrades, and the like.

461
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The way you think about a program is different than the way you think about a project. And our vendor community knows that because they have to live in that world every day. And so there's a long range master plan, there's strategies, there's capital improvement program thinking, and that is program

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management. And that ought to never be confused with project or construction management, which is guys with belts, supervisors, schedules, fence lines, safety and security, firewatches, you know, those kinds of things. Um there are firms um

463
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that do construction management or project management and there are firms that are do program management. But um what has been proposed here about going back to the Peor uh uh management project isn't

464
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uh isn't being discussed in a way that I think is very accurate. Um the choice is clear. You're either going to have a POR like we have now with a whole bunch of subs that do project or construction management or you're going to have two different contractors do it. But the

465
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number of firms uh and who does the work is not going to change. They're either going to combine and work for one big firm, you know, that that comes in and does this, which we've seen that show for the last 10 years. I don't like it. Uh I think you lose accountability, you lose performance, and you multiply the

466
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overhead by by a ton. Uh the concept that we discussed and decided on last time by the way was to put the P more the program management and the long-term strategy pieces all together because firms do that for a living. It reduces overhead and allows us to have very very

467
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clear lines strategy by the PMO cost and programs control which you always need independent totally independent firm that can actually look over the shoulder of the project or construction managers and then separately construction managers. And for people who get elected to these offices, I want to be crystal

468
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clear about this. The construction management being proposed by our staff is exactly what we asked for because those can be local firms. Those are firms who live in your district. They are firms who grew up and worked and know Broward County. So when you put all that stuff together, guess who has the

469
02:28:01.040 --> 02:28:17.280
authority to hire those firms? A Jacobs, a Turner, a CH2M Hill, an AEO. If you want to give up control about whether or not the firms that are being hired are the firms that we would we think would benefit our community, then you can go to a single POR. The project management

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02:28:17.280 --> 02:28:34.160
institute that Dr. Hull has talked about is a project management institute that is for all project management whether it's construction management contracts auditing and all that. And what they recommend is exactly what is proposed by our staff today. a program management contract

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with strategic pieces put in a cost and programs control that's separate and separate from that construction management who get their general direction from the strategy. So that's kind of a very classic way to get these things organized in a management way. Um

472
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and I uh I feel like we're going backwards a little bit. We're rebuilding up you know issues we resolved when we brought this back up in in March. Um, and I'm I'm I don't want the staff to feel like you get whipped left and whipped right and then whipped up and

473
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whipped down. These have all been discussed. We had lots of experts come and talk to us. Uh, we've had uh some great work done by our director of construction who's actually worked in these construction models before and came and gave us recommendations for which there was a a modest amount of

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adjustments including incentives and things like that that make sense. I don't want to pay a ton of overhead. I want to focus on cost, scope, and schedule. I want to get this district back in the same business that other adjacent districts are in terms of getting things done. I like what the staff has approved. The vendor community

475
02:29:38.000 --> 02:29:54.800
understands it. It's easy for Mr. White to put together solicitations about what's been proposed. And there was also a great point that was brought up by one of our vendors. If you don't want conflicts, then just don't let the strategy guys bid on the construction work. And by the way, they don't do the construction management work. AECOM

476
02:29:54.800 --> 02:30:11.920
doesn't carry a belt, right, Mike? Where are you, buddy? AECOM doesn't do that. Turner doesn't do it. Siege to him Hill doesn't do it. Jacobs doesn't do it. They want to do the strategy. They want to put it all together. And uh they'll hire uh uh the right people at that level. And I'm really excited about

477
02:30:11.920 --> 02:30:27.120
local firms being able to do the bulk of the work, which is going to be done through uh construction management under the current proposal. So, um a lot of this is a rehashing of of old things. I thought a lot of this stuff had already been decided and we were kind of necking down to kind of a final proposal here

478
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today. Um, but I I really like the work that the staff's done, very modest changes to what you brought the first time, Mr. Dorset. U, but those changes made it u a little bit better in my mind. Uh, and it reflect the need of this board, you know, to try and have local firms doing work in the local

479
02:30:43.760 --> 02:30:59.600
community, which I um I support 100%. Thank you so much, Chair. >> Madam Chair. >> Thank Thank you. And just yeah, real briefly since I haven't uh spoken yet, I agree with Dr. Zean um and his his points that he brought up. I won't

480
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belabor the point. Miss Bulman, >> um just to clarify about the local firm participation, if we don't have the ownerous uh financial uh provisions that we've had in the last

481
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two RFQS, then would we have a higher chance of having local participation? >> That that is correct. >> At a at a top level. >> Yes, that that's that is correct. That's one example of ensuring that um our local firms can participate in in the

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solicitation is removing um that component from um that was in the past too. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Dr. Henness. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So um board member Bulman brought up an important

483
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point and um Dr. Heburn, not only am I concerned about um local and certified firms participating, but in the in in the same proportion or similar proportion to what

484
02:32:07.840 --> 02:32:25.760
it was in the past. is that looking at the new proposal I am not sure that um I am convinced that the participation of uh local and certified firms is going to be in the same proportion as it was. Um

485
02:32:25.760 --> 02:32:42.960
it seemed the proposal seems to significantly reduce or eliminate certified firm participation um requirements. So if you could comment on that. >> Yes. Yes. Um thanks for the question, Dr. Holes. I don't see anything that's going to um limit or reduce the

486
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opportunity for local certified firms to participate. In fact, um that that is our primary focus uh for the construction managers um to to be from a pool of local and certified firms. So that's our primary goal um and not

487
02:32:58.240 --> 02:33:15.280
replicating um language of the past that's prevented um those firms from being able to participate. >> Okay. So Dr. Heburn you and I understand your statement it you don't believe it will limit their participation but how will it impact the scope of their participation in terms of proportion

488
02:33:15.280 --> 02:33:31.120
I expect the uh the same proportion or if not higher than um u as far as the number of local firms that are able to participate in the upcoming solicitation. >> Okay. So what about as far as a a similar portion of the pie so to speak

489
02:33:31.120 --> 02:33:46.479
as it was in the past? >> Um as far as the the PMO contract and the and the amount of and the proportion of uh >> certified firm participation in in total contract amount.

490
02:33:46.479 --> 02:34:01.680
>> So I'll let um John White um speak to that as far as the solicitation language. John White, director of procurement. Uh again, I believe that we will have uh the same or higher level participation

491
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by the certified business community. As I uh spoke to earlier, if we set a very aggressive goal on the Seymour contracts and then a certified firm wins one of them, they can self-perform. And so you could end up having a 100% participation

492
02:34:18.399 --> 02:34:35.520
instead of just, you know, a 40% or 47% participation, which is what we have on the current contract. So, uh, I think that you're going to have that opportunity to end up getting a higher level of, uh, dollars into the local community. >> Okay. So, Dr. Hebrin, if you don't mind,

493
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Mr. White. Um I is it is it your intent to ensure that there is a fair participation of certified firms in a fair percentage similar to what was done in the past. >> Absolutely.

494
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>> Okay. So um I do have some more comments. Um, chair, if you don't mind, because this is important for me in order to um give my final um feedback on the direction that we should go. I do

495
02:35:07.760 --> 02:35:25.600
notice that um I believe I've seen um um ACOM uh Representative Mike in the audience. I don't know if he's still here, but I believe I see somebody from Duval. And I I just want to understand this. I I want to know for certain because I've done my research and I've

496
02:35:25.600 --> 02:35:42.560
heard conflicting uh information. I want to know uh if I think there's a representative here from Dval I I believe and and and from ACOM can they provide us with a feedback as to whether or not in those district it's a single

497
02:35:42.560 --> 02:36:04.000
pour with subs or multiple um um contracts. >> Miss Dupri Bruno The recommendation has been made to the board that we do not engage in uh questioning of uh those who are coming

498
02:36:04.000 --> 02:36:19.439
to make public comment. Um there's it's just best practice especially since there's going to be negotiations. There's going to be a solicitation. It's my recommendation that the board get this information through the superintendent and have staff communicate with the vendors and come

499
02:36:19.439 --> 02:36:36.560
back with the answer. Um but again, it's to the board's discretion as to how you want to move forward. >> Okay. Um, Madam Chair, if you don't mind, um, General Counsel Bruno, um, I if it's not diving too deeply into anything that would be, um, um,

500
02:36:36.560 --> 02:36:52.399
infringing on contract languages and so on, but gaining just factual information that currently exists, which is um, simply if those counties are using single P more with subconultants or multiple contracts th those are just

501
02:36:52.399 --> 02:37:15.040
factual statements that has no bearing. in my opinion on the content of any upcoming contracts. >> I don't know if staff is able to answer the question for you, >> Miss Kohler. >> Um again, after review, we did th those

502
02:37:15.040 --> 02:37:31.520
districts do again use a single peour with uh um consultants, various consultants. >> Okay. So those districts that I just mentioned, it's a single peour with consultants. Is that what you just

503
02:37:31.520 --> 02:37:46.319
stated? >> Correct. >> Which is what we are currently using and we are proposing something different. >> Correct. >> Okay. So based on your statement, I referenced Dade County and Duval County and your statement is that those two

504
02:37:46.319 --> 02:38:02.000
counties are using single PO with subconultants. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um so again um I am I am hearing many different answers every time I ask the same question and

505
02:38:02.000 --> 02:38:18.640
and I'm glad you you provided that response. So I am still where I am in being concerned about moving ahead. Um, I believe the district will need to play referee with many,

506
02:38:18.640 --> 02:38:35.200
many different uh contracts, independent contracts. There'll be higher chance of mistakes, higher chance of failures, and I'm not sure what the benefit if the benefit is significant enough. You know, Dr. Zeman, you always say you're not sure if the

507
02:38:35.200 --> 02:38:50.399
juice is worth the squeeze. And in this particular case, I I'm not sure if it is. Um, and so I don't want to experiment. I don't want to take chances. We're reducing staff. We have many problems ahead. We're redefining

508
02:38:50.399 --> 02:39:06.160
schools. You know, the last thing I want is a a year or two down the road, we end up with significant um construction and uh uh contract issues. We've dealt enough with those,

509
02:39:06.160 --> 02:39:23.040
at least enough since I've been here in 2022. So, um, we just heard from staff that Dade County, Duval County is using a single peour with multiple subconultants. That's what we've always been doing. So, going ahead, we would

510
02:39:23.040 --> 02:39:38.720
not be proceeding in like manner as Dade or or Duval. Um, I just don't know if it's the time to change this. I I I I I think we are going too quickly into a space that I perceive as

511
02:39:38.720 --> 02:39:54.960
experimentative. Uh I also wanted to reiterate madam chair that um we should not have anything in here that pose any sort of conflict of interest if it can be avoided. So the long range planning should be separate. Um and I I hope we can gain consensus on all the different

512
02:39:54.960 --> 02:40:11.040
areas that we've spoken about. uh you know where I stand in terms of proceeding with the single peor and subconsultants as we've always done uh because I think it's going to lend itself to a lot of uh um unseen issues as we move ahead with a proposal that

513
02:40:11.040 --> 02:40:28.240
would now introduce multiple independent contracts. Um I'm just not sure that's the best way to go. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Mrs. Alhada. >> Yes, I have a question on page 19. The civic initiatives

514
02:40:28.240 --> 02:40:46.479
organization, Dr. Heeper, is this the company that helped you create this doc? >> Yes. Um they help create um solicitation especially for for uh large um dollar amounts. This this is the core of their

515
02:40:46.479 --> 02:41:02.319
business um is supporting government entities, not just uh school district, but other government entities to ensure that um we get this right. And so they're the ones that came up with this proposal. Not >> okay. So what I what I have an issue

516
02:41:02.319 --> 02:41:21.840
with is there are these this is the ex experts let's just say that came up with this proposal. I have an issue with board members bringing a different suggestion which you're totally entitled to but I just feel that we have to do something

517
02:41:21.840 --> 02:41:37.920
different. And Dr. Dr. Heper, you went out, you got this company and brought forward a new proposal and and so what we've done previously, what we it it hasn't worked, meaning that delays, cost overruns,

518
02:41:37.920 --> 02:41:55.359
projects not getting completed. So, Dr. Heperin, you're trying to do something different and and so I don't understand why board members are going back to what we previously previous previously have done that really hasn't worked. So for

519
02:41:55.359 --> 02:42:12.080
me, I'm going to take your recommendation, Dr. Heburn, that you're bringing forward on this. I do have a question on page 17 with the vacant positions and specifically with the chief operations officer and chief facilities

520
02:42:12.080 --> 02:42:29.840
officer position. Another column here for me which would have been helpful is what are the current positions being paid now uh because I see there's a pay scale and then the market analysis and because based on some of my

521
02:42:29.840 --> 02:42:46.080
colleagues who want to combine the the chief operations officer and chief facilities officer position what would what would we be what would the pace what would we be paying them for the if we combined it made >> yes um So that was a um request to

522
02:42:46.080 --> 02:43:32.280
increase that to pay pay t. Um Dr. Lazan, I don't know if you have the the range for that pay band T PB&T has a r minimum range of 164,800 and a maximum of 252,83.

523
02:43:34.880 --> 02:43:49.200
>> Okay. And when you look at the market analysis, it's obviously a lot higher on the higher end uh individually for those two positions. Anyway, I I think we should still keep

524
02:43:49.200 --> 02:44:08.160
them separate. I I don't imagine the board u approving a $452,000 pay for for somebody doing both those positions. My other uh

525
02:44:08.160 --> 02:44:24.359
question, Dr. Heburn, is a lot of all these positions are being advertised. Obviously, they're very important positions. You know, how are we aggressively getting these positions filled? >> Go ahead, Dr. Lozano.

526
02:44:24.960 --> 02:44:44.720
>> Miss Titer is going to come and talk about the specific work her team is doing currently with all these positions. Good morning. Ian Gene Titer, director of talent acquisition. We are working directly with the PO office to target

527
02:44:44.720 --> 02:45:01.439
industry um groups to advertise there. We also have a social media campaign to ensure that we get out um the word to as many individuals as possible. and our recruitment team is working specifically with the department to engage with other

528
02:45:01.439 --> 02:45:19.279
um possibilities to source not only qualified but talented and individuals that have industry experience. >> Okay. So, Dr. Eping, can you come back with what these positions are currently be being paid now in this in this chart

529
02:45:19.279 --> 02:45:35.040
and then also how long each position has been unfilled. >> Correct. So, what I can do, um, because they're vacant, so there's no pay for the current position. So, um, I can have staff, uh, work on what the position when it was occupied. What was the last,

530
02:45:35.040 --> 02:45:49.680
um, um, salary for the when it was occupied, >> right? And, and the date uh, when it was last occupied. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Before we go to the next board member, I do understand that we have another public speaker, Dr. Natalie

531
02:45:49.680 --> 02:46:13.040
Lynch Walsh. Good morning. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I had almost decided to forego this item because I spoke to it the first time. Um the issue, you're paying 16 million now to wrap up

532
02:46:13.040 --> 02:46:30.000
a bond program. The idea that staff would bring your recommendation to still be paying 16 million when you don't have a bond program and are not going to have one in the near future. Yes, you have projects that always happen. That's the sticking point. They should be trying to

533
02:46:30.000 --> 02:46:45.439
reduce that. But this presentation all looked like we were doubling down. Now we want to call it a white paper. It doesn't matter what kind of paper you call it. It's still bad. The priority should be the long range master planner, which if you were on the

534
02:46:45.439 --> 02:47:00.960
board in 2021, that's when it was approved. November of 21, the board approved getting a master planner and the needs assessment. These are companies, not employees. Cost and program controls is of course a priority because that's not a function the

535
02:47:00.960 --> 02:47:17.680
district does and your contract is about to run out. Then you get to do we do consultants or staff. They're adding staff to facilities, meaning now you're going to have a proposed executive director of budget. It's like they're

536
02:47:17.680 --> 02:47:33.439
doing the opposite whenever it's not general fund funded. How can we keep wasting taxpayer funds if it's capital or food and nutrition? So if you're going consultants versus staff, if you want to pay a consultant to run the

537
02:47:33.439 --> 02:47:50.399
district and based on the applicants you had for facilities chief, that might be the way to go. Then you don't have and it's a bad idea. I agree to combine operations with facilities, especially when you have the building department, which each grand jury report cites the

538
02:47:50.399 --> 02:48:06.960
lack of independence the building department would have when you have them report to the same to facilities. Yes, they had them reporting to a an operating official back in 2004, but that was before the last two grand jury reports. So, who knows what they would recommend now. So, those two things

539
02:48:06.960 --> 02:48:24.080
should be separate. But the recruiting efforts, this sounds again very sophomoric. You're looking for people you can afford. Who are you going to find that can run operations and facilities? Meaning food and nutrition,

540
02:48:24.080 --> 02:48:39.920
transportation, procurement and facilities. These are humongous bears that no one person that you can find and are willing to pay is going to be able to do. They have to stay separate. But if you

541
02:48:39.920 --> 02:48:56.560
want to use consultants, I'm not vehemently opposed, but then get rid of facilities chief, executive directors, director of this, director of that, and consolidate the department and bring in a firm to manage facilities. You can't do both. That's how this started with

542
02:48:56.560 --> 02:49:14.319
this bloated back in 2014. We had two co internal and external, and it's going to cost too much. >> Thank you, Miss Bulman. Thanks, chair. Um, just I wanted to follow up

543
02:49:14.319 --> 02:49:31.920
to um some points that Miss Alad was making and just look at it in a little different way because I agree with the general premise that it hasn't been working great for us over the past time. But I don't agree necessarily that we

544
02:49:31.920 --> 02:49:48.800
have to restructure the entire structure because I think when we're looking at it, we have um things that are different from what they were originally. So, for example, we're going to have the uh different financial requirements for the firms

545
02:49:48.800 --> 02:50:05.600
which will allow local firms to potentially do the bulk of the work. We don't necessarily need a giant international firm to do that. Um we will which gets into having different players and having again like more local

546
02:50:05.600 --> 02:50:23.120
firms. Um we're increasing in-house positions which should provide more accountability on our end. Um we're using the civic initiatives which is going to give us a better procurement process I think and um we also have the facilities

547
02:50:23.120 --> 02:50:38.960
assessment that is much more robust than what we had in 2014. So I think there the what we're looking at right now is quite distinguishable from what we were working with the last two contracts. So just want my colleagues to keep that in

548
02:50:38.960 --> 02:50:57.279
mind. Thanks. Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Um, I I have a couple of things. I also, and I said it the other day, have a issue with the chief operations officer and

549
02:50:57.279 --> 02:51:15.359
chief facilities officer being the same person. That's not new information. I said it when we were discussing it last time. Um, for all the reasons that have already been said. I also just in terms of the vacant positions and where we are

550
02:51:15.359 --> 02:51:32.880
with pay, I think the public speaker was right. We are not in a position to pay what people would like to be paid here. We can't get rid of a thousand positions and then say we're going to increase the pay for for all of these other positions

551
02:51:32.880 --> 02:51:48.160
that we have here. So, I I just want to say that out loud because I think it's really important to remember that we're going to vote on that in a few hours about people losing their jobs. And then in that same conversation, we're going

552
02:51:48.160 --> 02:52:04.160
to say why it's so important that we pay other jobs more money. So, um I just we're we're just in a in a position that that's very difficult to do right now. Um I do I I mean I mentioned earlier

553
02:52:04.160 --> 02:52:19.840
I do think for the last 10 years we have not been on the right path. So I do think there needs to be some kind of changes here. I don't know exactly what that change is but to ask that question Dr. Heburn um one of the board members

554
02:52:19.840 --> 02:52:35.120
mentioned that this plan was developed with a consultant. Is that correct statement? So um we did get some expert um input and feedback and helping to analyze our current structure, give us feedback based on other structures around the country that have been um

555
02:52:35.120 --> 02:52:51.840
successful. Um and then doing our own research too, talking to uh other school districts and other entities about how they've been tackling this work and and having a high level of success. So it's been various uh input and feedback to um support what we're recommending. >> But the staff came up with this plan.

556
02:52:51.840 --> 02:53:08.560
There was no consultant because there's a consultant for the RFP, >> correct? There's a consultant for the solicitation, but as far as the recommendation, it is staff um uh that Yep. using that backup to come up um with the with the um option presented

557
02:53:08.560 --> 02:53:23.359
today. >> Okay. Thank you. I I did like the suggestion that one of the speakers had about you can leave the structure as is and just make sure you define very specifically in the contract who can bid

558
02:53:23.359 --> 02:53:38.880
on what to to get rid of those those issues. But, you know, as been pointed out a number of times, there is the the idea that there's a conflict of interest. And we have a huge issue with public trust. And if we're going to go

559
02:53:38.880 --> 02:53:55.920
into a a contract where we're already identifying the fact that there could be some conflict of interest, I just it gives me pause. Um, so we, you know, see what my colleagues think. I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad plan, but I do

560
02:53:55.920 --> 02:54:12.439
understand the concerns around it and when we're trying very hard to earn back public trust, I think it's important to keep that in mind as we're having the discussion. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Mr. Sea.

561
02:54:14.080 --> 02:54:33.520
because Miss Hixon asked and just to make sure that my point was clear because I know I was one of the first uh speakers on this. I cannot see how we are supporting a consolidation structure which by our own

562
02:54:33.520 --> 02:54:51.040
internal determin determinations creates an inherent conflict of interest that we have to work backwards on to find an exception or way out of. As I said before, this in my opinion puts us way behind the eightball.

563
02:54:51.040 --> 02:55:07.279
Raises significant questions as to why we're doing it this way. You want to talk about public trust. We're pushing forward an item that says, "Well, it's likely going to create a conflict of interest, but don't worry,

564
02:55:07.279 --> 02:55:24.960
there may be some ways that we can wiggle out of that." I think that's a terrible look, and I think we need to go back to the drawing board on this one. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Miss Thompson. >> Uh I thank you to my colleagues for all your comments during this. I think I

565
02:55:24.960 --> 02:55:40.800
said during the workshop that I didn't want these positions consolidated, but then the board directed staff, which is why staff brought this back. So I think it's unfair to say to really put that onus on staff when it was the board's direction that that

566
02:55:40.800 --> 02:55:56.240
changed the plan. So I am glad my colleagues are in agreeing with this conflict of interest and if that's the direction I think we just need to claim ownership of the changes and the whiplash that we give staff. Thank you >> Madam Chair. >> Dr. Hus.

567
02:55:56.240 --> 02:56:13.120
>> Thank you Madam Chair. So I I just wanted to find out Madam Chair and I know you're going to try to gain consensus on some of these points that we've made. Um but is this the place where we're going to seek consensus on uh combining the chief facilities with the chief operator or will that come

568
02:56:13.120 --> 02:56:29.279
later when we discuss the org chart? >> I believe that would come later during the org chart. >> Okay. So we're we're not going to gain consensus on that here. Correct. Those were just statements as it's relevant to the presentation. >> I the item where we can take action as the org chart on that. >> All right. Great. So uh just a couple of

569
02:56:29.279 --> 02:56:45.040
things Madam Chair. Um, and I meant to comment on this, Dr. Zean, but I I sort of slipped my mind. Um, I just want to say to the staff, the intent here, um, and I believe this these were the words of Dr. Zean, is not to whip, uh, staff

570
02:56:45.040 --> 02:57:03.439
left and right, up and down, and we appreciate what you do, but as a board, it's important as well. um because we are con continuously digesting information, interpreting information and it's okay for us to um you know to

571
02:57:03.439 --> 02:57:19.840
take second look at information and to change our minds for me I didn't change my mind this is where I stood from the beginning uh in terms of having a single peor and subconsultants I've always been consistent on that but nevertheless even if we change our minds it's okay to do that it's not to negate the work that

572
02:57:19.840 --> 02:57:36.319
staff has done we appreciate what you do, but as a board, we make very uh big decisions that are consequential. Um, and we want to make sure that as we move ahead, we don't run into problems that we didn't foresee. So, that's pretty much um, you know, uh, my statement. I

573
02:57:36.319 --> 02:57:52.880
just want to let you know that I do appreciate you. Um, and I don't mean to whip you left and right as mentioned by Dr. Zean. Um, it's really to we we have a responsibility to always continue uh ongoingly to interpret information and to make the best choices we can as a

574
02:57:52.880 --> 02:58:09.439
board. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Anyone else before we start going through Mrs. Alhadaf? >> Yes. I just like some clarification on page 26, the procurement strategy performance base fees. Can you explain what you mean by this,

575
02:58:09.439 --> 02:58:29.920
>> Mr. White? John White, director of procurement. What we were proposing here was to try and uh incentivize the contractors to do a good job. And this is something that we've heard repeatedly back from the

576
02:58:29.920 --> 02:58:45.680
board. And so what we're looking to do here is to take a portion of their fee and essentially set up a retainage pool where they would not get a 100% of the fee unless they excelled and they completed contracts or projects on time,

577
02:58:45.680 --> 02:59:01.600
on budget, on schedule because that's really what we need to get done here. And so this was just a a strategy and we looked at a number of different ways. uh we looked at liquidated damages, we looked at penalties and we collectively determined that we thought this would be

578
02:59:01.600 --> 02:59:17.040
the best way to uh incentivize the contractors to get the work done. >> Okay. So there wouldn't be any increase in money. It's just >> the way they have the existing pool of >> they have to meet certain metrics to get that money

579
02:59:17.040 --> 02:59:32.640
>> to get the 100% of the fee. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? All right. I will try uh to capture the consensus on the different proposals. If I miss anything, please let me know at the end.

580
02:59:32.640 --> 02:59:47.279
Um Dr. Zean suggested uh having the superintendent come back with us uh with the market study to share in an action format. Um are there any objections to that?

581
02:59:47.279 --> 03:00:04.040
Nope. Okay. Dr. Heep, you have your direction on that? Um, I heard a majority of the board request that we once again separate the long range master planner and program manager. Did anyone come away with a different understanding?

582
03:00:04.160 --> 03:00:18.720
>> I I also don't agree and but we are in the looks like we're in the minority. Dr. Zean, >> so let me be clear. This is to separate. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Which is the opposite direction we gave you um the last workshop.

583
03:00:18.720 --> 03:00:35.439
>> Um Dr. for wholeness suggested uh maintaining the current structure uh with a single peour and our subconsultants. Um I heard Mrs. Alhadaf explicitly argue against that. Um I

584
03:00:35.439 --> 03:00:52.479
disagree with that. Dr. Azan disagrees with that. Um anyone else want to pursue maintaining the single PMO subconultant situation? Dr. Holness. Madam chair, are you is your question seeking those who

585
03:00:52.479 --> 03:01:08.640
want to pursue or those who object? >> Um both. So I you know I I >> Okay. So >> captured some objections um for objections to that but and one you proposed it. Is anyone else uh in favor of Dr. Holes's proposal

586
03:01:08.640 --> 03:01:28.880
>> to continue with how we've been doing it? Miss Bulman. Okay. There is no majority on that. Um, what else did I miss? >> I have, um, in addition to what you said, I have guard rails in the

587
03:01:28.880 --> 03:01:45.120
contracts to, um, to have a firm reset for accountability moving forward from when the contract is taken over by the um, by the new awardees. >> Does anyone object to that?

588
03:01:45.120 --> 03:02:00.640
Okay. Do you have your guidance on that? Dr. Zean, >> there's one other point that >> uh the superintendent clarified which is that the construction management owner rep contracts were going to be local firms or there was going to be some priority for local firms to do it. I don't think we needed consensus on this

589
03:02:00.640 --> 03:02:15.279
because he just said that's the way he's going to do the solicitation. I just wanted to make sure that's in our summary of the meeting. >> Okay, Miss Hixon. And to that I think it should have the word certification because we certify those vendors. If they go through our certification

590
03:02:15.279 --> 03:02:32.000
process, they should be somehow ensured that they're going to have work with us. >> You mean certified as local or certified as minority womenowned? >> Well, we don't I don't think we do that anymore, but there's a certification process that they still have to go

591
03:02:32.000 --> 03:02:51.960
through. Yes, doctor. Or they can go through. >> Um I have Mr. White confirm for >> John White again. Yes, the certification is for minority or woman or veteranowned. Uh and so we can certainly put that in as a requirement.

592
03:02:52.479 --> 03:03:07.840
>> I just want to point out that that's separate from local. Local is where is your where's your place of work. Certified is MWBE. And I think Mr. White has said roughly 30% or some number. You're going to come back after the superintendent and you talk to propose to the board what that certified total

593
03:03:07.840 --> 03:03:22.800
should look like for Seymours. >> Yes. I need to get with EDOC and we need to look over the final scope because we've again changed uh how these solicitations will be laid out. So, we'll have to look at what's the body of work that's going to be accomplished.

594
03:03:22.800 --> 03:03:39.279
What's the available uh firms in the marketplace to be able to do it that are certified? And then we can come up with a rational number that we can defend and then we can certainly put in some sort of preference for local businesses local being defined as a tri county area.

595
03:03:39.279 --> 03:03:55.279
>> And so, I have a question because there there's also the pre-qualification process you know you give. So, is that what is that pre-qualification process that they go? I I guess my point is if you're going through a certification qualification process with the district,

596
03:03:55.279 --> 03:04:12.080
that should give you some priority to being able to get the work in the district. So, are those two separate things? Am I talking about the same thing? Is certification and pre-qualified are they different? The same? >> Are you referring to CQ, the CQAC process, or are you talking about the

597
03:04:12.080 --> 03:04:28.479
certification? two different >> I guess there's two different things. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, do we always require them to be pre-qualified to be able to work in the district? >> Like because we get those charts every month on our

598
03:04:28.479 --> 03:04:43.520
>> I I believe so. Yes. >> Okay. I'm just trying I'm not a construction person, so I'm trying to gather it together, but um Okay. Thank you, >> M Prio. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. just to um make sure we put something on the record and

599
03:04:43.520 --> 03:05:00.319
for the board's uh knowledge, we are going to be looking at the WMBBE policies and programs. Um you may be aware of Senate Bill 1134 that was passed signed by the governor. It does apply to municipalities and counties, but uh legal is in the process of

600
03:05:00.319 --> 03:05:15.920
researching to see if there's any implication to school districts as well as some um other laws and some executive orders. We just want to make sure that we are in compliance and we'll be providing the board with some more information on that. >> Thank you, Dr. Honus.

601
03:05:15.920 --> 03:05:30.720
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, just a point of clarification so I can fully understand um because I know in the past how we've gained consensus. Uh we've had a long discussion on this item. Um I did not uh I'm just I just

602
03:05:30.720 --> 03:05:47.359
want to clarify if board members uh choose to abstain from gaining consensus uh because on uh one of the items which is single pour we did not hear board member Caesar's um uh input or board member um Thompson or board member Hixon

603
03:05:47.359 --> 03:06:03.359
or board member Rupert. So are they choosing to abstain from saying yeah or nay or did we miss them? Um, I believe I captured Miss Hixon as saying she would not want to continue with what we are doing, but please correct me if I'm wrong, Miss Hixon.

604
03:06:03.359 --> 03:06:18.319
>> No, that's what I said. >> Okay. U, Miss Thompson, Mr. Sea, Miss Rupert, would you like to weigh in on the maintaining the single peour structure that we currently have? >> A moment, please. I >> I'm sorry I didn't capture you, Dr.

605
03:06:18.319 --> 03:06:42.160
Okay, Miss Thompson. I think that there are pros and cons in both approaches and I am willing to go with what the majority of the board thinks and what staff recommends for this proposal. Miss Rupert,

606
03:06:42.160 --> 03:06:57.840
>> thank you. Um I'm with uh you on that vote >> with with Miss Thompson. You're waiting. >> No. >> Okay. with no with uh with you on on that though you as chair. >> Okay. So you are not in favor of

607
03:06:57.840 --> 03:07:13.040
continuing the single peour. >> Yes. >> Okay. So that then captures a majority of the board. Dr. Holes but Mr. SA. >> Thank you chair. Wanted to find my my notes and making sure I was speaking with accurate data on the single peor

608
03:07:13.040 --> 03:07:28.960
approach. Um it's my understanding that all of the major counties in and around us in South Florida as well as Duval County also um utilize this approach with the single peor. Is that accurate, Mr. Superintendent? >> No, that's not accurate, sir.

609
03:07:28.960 --> 03:07:47.200
>> Okay. >> What do our sister counties utilize as far as a single peor is concerned? >> The county to the north of us is doing the same thing that I'm proposing. Um, and the county to the to the south of us, I think Miss Coley said they use a some form of a single peor. I don't know

610
03:07:47.200 --> 03:08:03.200
if it's one pour or or or multiple peores. >> I'm sorry, I missed >> I said uh Miss Coley mentioned um the county to the south of us using a peour. I don't know if it's one single pour or multiple peores. >> Can I Miss Coley, if you're still in the

611
03:08:03.200 --> 03:09:02.000
room, is she still still here? All right. I think she um she was outside. Oh, not her. >> Just a sec, Mr. Sea, if you need to get on. Oh, there. There she is. Um,

612
03:09:02.000 --> 03:09:16.399
>> I'm sorry. >> No problem, Miss Coley. Um can you clarify uh Miami Dade's um um structure framework uh for their capital program? Uh know you mentioned Peemore. Is it a single pour? Is it a multiple peor? >> It's my understanding that it's a single

613
03:09:16.399 --> 03:09:35.920
pour with uh multiple uh sub consultants. >> So Dade yes, Palm Beach, no. >> Correct. >> And um Duvall County. I thought one of I heard one of the speakers reference from Duval County. Can we confirm that?

614
03:09:35.920 --> 03:09:52.960
>> Is um >> is Duval County a single Peemore? >> My understanding is that they're also a single Pmore. >> I'm sorry. Is it your understanding? >> That's a yes. Yes. >> Yes, they have a single pour. >> Okay. >> I'd be in support.

615
03:09:52.960 --> 03:10:13.200
>> Okay. So, I still have a majority of the board not supporting pursuing a single pour like we have right now. Um, was there anything else that I missed in gathering consensus? >> I believe Yeah, I believe because it was

616
03:10:13.200 --> 03:10:28.800
in the superintendent's recommendation to take those out anyway. Um, we >> So, if I can clarify that there was a uh for the procurement, we were on a staff up internally, the communications part was still in there, but I did hear Miss Aladev saying to um take it out. So that

617
03:10:28.800 --> 03:10:44.960
that will be one area to find cons. >> Okay. >> Is does anyone object to taking the communications piece out? >> You object, Dr. Zan, >> apologize. No, I uh apologize. >> You are in favor of taking it out. >> Yes, I'll try to improve my behavior.

618
03:10:44.960 --> 03:11:01.120
>> Anyone else? >> All right. Do you have your direction on that, Dr. >> Yes. And I'll just add that we'll do this anyway. Um Dr. Demon mentioned about uh nomenclature or names for same roles within um the contracts versus what we have internal. So we'll make

619
03:11:01.120 --> 03:11:16.479
sure those names are are different. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Anything else before we end this portion of the workshop? >> Just a thank you to the staff. It's a lot of work. A lot of work pull this together. >> Okay. Um we will recess the workshop

620
03:11:16.479 --> 03:17:09.000
until 11:30. Thank you. Hey Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Grand Lou. down. Down. Hey, hey, hey.

621
03:17:31.439 --> 03:24:47.319
Yeah. W Yeah. Yeah. Hey, hey, hey. Down. Down. I feel the time. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

622
03:25:06.399 --> 03:29:51.640
Hey, I'm Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey.

623
03:29:58.080 --> 03:39:14.040
Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. down. Down. Heat. Heat. D. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Yeah.

624
03:39:20.640 --> 03:45:34.040
I see there. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. That's down.

625
03:45:35.760 --> 03:46:20.399
Come on. Down. Yeah, that's what nine people >> the last item is the superintendent's SRO plan. I now turn it over to staff for a brief presentation. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, uh board members, and also the public. Uh first

626
03:46:20.399 --> 03:46:36.239
of all, I see a lot of our um municipal partners in the room. just want to express my sincere appreciation for the work they do to support their cities and also Broward County Public Schools and also our local law enforcement agencies around the county that support our um

627
03:46:36.239 --> 03:46:52.800
schools um and the mission that we hold near and dear to our hearts um as we support our students every day. Um first off also um I know I talked to the city managers and some of the some of the mayors um at the League of Cities meeting uh about the letter that went out. Um uh just want to double down on

628
03:46:52.800 --> 03:47:09.680
that just to let everybody understand that doesn't meet our standards when it comes to communications. Um you know when it comes to shifting large scale decisions like that we need a more detailed conversation and discussion and and planning with our partners. Um so uh also uh there's no no plans for a full

629
03:47:09.680 --> 03:47:24.640
transition to district school policing services. all our schools. We really do appreciate the services that many of our municipality partners provide and also BSO provide to helping to uh maintain security and and also safety at our schools. Also, I want to remind the

630
03:47:24.640 --> 03:47:40.239
board this is not this workshop is not a negotiation. Um we have negotiation teams for that which negotiations are are continuing with uh both teams um to ensure we can come to some common agreement of of how we're um uh structuring contracts to provide uh

631
03:47:40.239 --> 03:47:57.520
services in the future. Also, uh the workshop is more about just providing an update on current state um of how we actually provide services to our school so that the board and the public understands. um a brief history of BCPS um um police and with that brief history

632
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um current state BCPS police to really understand um their current capabilities and if and if needed in the future if any city um uh pursues doing something different or have coalition of the willing that BCPS police is ready um to um provide a level of support that many

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of our municipality u partners and also BSO has been provided for for numerous years and with that I'll turn it over to uh uh Chief Gregory and and also uh Chief Noswitz. >> Good afternoon. Are we there yet? No, almost there. Good morning, chair, vice

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chair, board members, and superintendent. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this update on school resource officer services. This presentation is focused on the current status of the SRO contract negotiations and the district's responsibility to evaluate all options. Negotiations have

635
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continued since last September with multiple proposals being exchanged. Future meetings are being scheduled. Our goal is straightforward. Maintain safe schools, meet all state requirements, manage public funds responsibly, and ensure that our students, staff, and

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campuses receive consistent, accountable law enforcement services. I want to pause and I want to acknowledge our mun municipal police partners and the Bard Sheriff's Office. Their work in support of school safety is valued and this discussion is not intended to diminish

637
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their services or our partnership. If we could put up the presentation, please. The purpose of today's presentation is to update the board on the status of SRO contract negotiations and receive feedback. As shown on this slide, the strategy under review involves

638
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transitioning approximately 13% of contracted SRO services to the BR schools police. The rationale is based on three core responsibilities. Consistency, accountability, and long-term fiscal sustainability. The dis discussion is about how we provide ESR

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coverage in a way that is safe, compliant, consistent, and financially responsible for the district. This slide summarizes the current state of the program. The district currently works through 14 contracts involving municipalities and the Bard Sheriff's

640
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Office with a maximum contract allocation of approximately $24 million. That structure also means the district is responsible for operating with multiple law enforcement agency policies, multiple training standards,

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and different operational practices across schools in this county. Negotiations are ongoing and if some agencies decide not to renew, Bard school police would be assigned to provide SRO services at those schools. So the safety so the safety coverage

642
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continues. The larger objective is not to end partnerships. It is to strengthen accountability, manage the cost structure, and ensure the district provides consistent services across Broward County. Good morning. I want to go into the

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evolution of the Broward Schools Police. So, back in 1988, the state authorized special officers in the school district with full arrest authority. Um back then the the unit was known as the internal affairs unit. Uh in late 1988 it

644
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transformed to the SIU unit where it was investigating criminal and administrative complaints. From there SIU expanded working closely with administr administrators and external police partners. Since since 2018 the school police

645
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department has transitioned to a school-based policing model. This includes uniform police officers with marked police units servicing school campuses within the district. As an example, our officers stand in to cover schools where SRO's may be out and the city is unable to provide that coverage.

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Our offers our officers also provide behavioral threat assessment assistance to various charter schools within the district. This slide identifies the operational challenge in the current contract model. When 14 different law enforcement

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agencies service schools across one district, there are natural differences in policy, training, supervision, equipment, and accountability. That does not mean the agencies are not professional. They certainly are. But from a district-wide safety

648
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management perspective, different standards can create inconsistent student experiences and make oversight more complicated. The district has a responsibility to look at where whether a more centralized or more standardized approach would better

649
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support students, staff, schools, and taxpayers. That is the practical issue we are addressing. So why district employed officers? Each one of these topics works hand in hand. Let me start with operational consistency. One, it's a unified command

650
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structure. As said, we have 14 different agencies, 14 different sets of policies, which will bring us to equity and accountability. This will be one standard across our district that we are setting those standards. For example, how we respond

651
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to Baker X situations, how we deal with deescalating situations, and even unfortunately use of force situations. Financial management, direct employment reduces the per officer costs. Since 2022, the contract costs have exceeded

652
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what the district pays our officers. Risk management. So going back to operational consistency, equity and accountability and fiscal management, they are our officers, our policies and our district standards,

653
03:54:07.120 --> 03:54:25.840
fiscal impact of the SRO contracts. This slide is important because it shows the financial pressure behind this discussion. The chart reflects a 290% increase in SRO contract costs between 2017 and

654
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2026. For 202526 school year, the contracted SRO cost shows uh shown here is approximately $24 million for 201 municipal SRO and municipal and deputy SRO.

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As a district, we have a duty to ask whether the current structure is sustainable, whether the cost growth is manageable, and whether there are responsible ways to preserve safety while improving financial control. This is not assigning blame to anyone. It's just about

656
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stewardship. We owe the board, our communities, and the public a clear eyed view of costs, service, accountability, and long-term sustainability. As you can see on the chart also it reflects that in the last five years the

657
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contract costes doubled and since roughly 2022 the cost of the contract service over exceeds the cost of doing the same SRO service internally with school police.

658
03:55:38.000 --> 03:55:52.880
This slide compares the approximate cost of the district school police SRO to the current contracted SRO billing rate. The district employed SRO cost is shown at approximately $98,500 annually compared to the contracted SRO positions currently billing the district

659
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at approximately $119,000. That difference matters when applied across 201 SRO's. District employment provides greater transparency into staffing costs, training investments, supervision, and

660
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performance outcomes. Any savings should not be viewed simply as reduction. They represent an opportunity to reinvest in advanced SRO training, campus safety improvements, and stronger operational support.

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This slide frames the work ahead. If any of our contract partners decides to move forward with any changes, it must be planned carefully. It means maintaining strong communication and coordination with those partners. We would continue to work closely with them regardless of

662
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uh regarding coordinated emergency response, reunification planning, drills, mutual aid. Internally, we must communicate clearly with our principles, staff, parents, and community stakeholders. The message must remain consistent. School safety coverage will continue, and any changes must be

663
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managed in a way that protects students, staff, and school operations, benefits, and capabilities, operational control, and efficiency. We as a district, we're we're setting that standard for our officers. Unified

664
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policies and equity. It's even policing across the board for all of our schools. Integrated safety and prevention officers currently and have always worked with all of our divisions within the district as they have that vested interest.

665
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Accountability and risk reduction. Once again, we set the standard as the district. So, I'd be remiss if I don't speak on the characteristics of our officers. All of my all of our officers here in the district are fully sworn police

666
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officers with full law enforcement authority. Our officers average 20 plus years in prior with prior law enforcement experience and come from agencies in and out of the state. And as you can see there, the majority of those agencies are within Broward County, our

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school district. Thank you. >> And in conclusion, uh this presentation is not a criticism of our law enforcement partners in any way, shape, or form. It is about responsible governance. The district must maintain safe schools, comply with state

668
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requirements, support our principles and staff, and manage taxpayer dollars with discipline. The current contract negotiation gives us an opportunity to view the structure, costs, consistency, and accountability of SRO services across Broward County Public Schools. We

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will continue to engage with our partners to reach agreeable contract terms. We will continue to keep students and staff safe at the which is at the center of our work. And we are here today to update the board, receive feedback, and continue this process.

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Thank you. Thank you very much. We will now go to public comment. So, just as a reminder to the public, you did need to sign in. So, if there if you have not signed in um to do public comment, please make sure to see someone from staff so we can

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add you to the list. I will call five people at a time. Please line up at the mic on the right side of the your right side of the room. Um and please follow the directions of staff. Dr. Natalie

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Lynch Walsh, Dennis Waters, Council Member Denise Horland, Cynthia Dominique, and Commissioner Sandy Welch. Good still morning, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I'm hearing the words internal controls, frameworks,

673
04:00:01.279 --> 04:00:16.319
and governance a lot lately, but those are the words that I live by. If the district understood what those three words meant, you wouldn't be meeting about this item. So, I actually went out and apologized to some of the school police members

674
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because my comments are not a dig. There are people that are professional that do their jobs and um including Chief Nasawitz who uh I'll start there. The superintendent made a comment that this is not how we communicate when he

675
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sent the memo was sent out and then they had to resend it. These are not people that go rogue. If anybody understands chain of command, I would think it would be police officers. So this is how you communicate and you guys need to stop gaslighting people

676
04:00:52.160 --> 04:01:09.120
because it doesn't look good. So, a little history. until you do right by Debbie Espinosa by correcting your policy which and the PBA contract by by mentioning discipline which it

677
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does not and it doesn't mention it in policy either you are setting everybody up for a repeat of that performance which for those of you who are not here led to a woman spending her 25th wedding anniversary being cavity searched and

678
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sleeping in a cell she spent 27 7 hours in jail for what? For nothing. Because you paid $1,500 for a review that said she did nothing. And until this board does right by her and by extension by me, because as the DAC chair elect, I

679
04:01:42.560 --> 04:01:59.520
followed up on what was happening as far as that went and got accused of bullying one of the school police officers as if. and then your superintendent violated Florida statute 83706 along with your chief of staff by writing a bunch of

680
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nonsense in a report and removing me from committee. So until you fix that, I personally will not be comfortable with any internal school police force and you fix your policies, which you have not. And starting with the PBA contract, I

681
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wrote emails. You had discussions and then um I think the former chair even caught your former general counsel spewing uh mis untruths about what was and wasn't in the policy. She even made her read it before um Lady Batista would

682
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concede that it was not in there. You haven't fixed that. If you don't start with your framework, start with your policies, you're setting yourself up for a problem. So, start there. And yes, cost is always a factor, but did you guys even have conversations with the

683
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cities before you told them to hit the road? Doesn't sound like it, cuz here they all are. Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Good morning, chair, vice chair, school board members, and superintendent Heburn. Um, I stand before you today as council president for the city of

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Plantation, president of the Broward League of Cities, and an active Broward County Public Schools volunteer. I sent each of you a letter yesterday. Same thing as when we were here three years ago with SRO, uh, contract negotiations. I'm not going to enumerate everything in my letter, but I have some questions

685
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that I would like for you to um, pose to staff because as someone who deals with municipal budgets, especially law enforcement budgets, the numbers just don't make sense. Um, I'd like to start by saying, well, the introduction to the slideshow mentions transitioning 13% of contracted SRO services and I keep

686
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hearing that this is not to move away from contracted SRO uh, negot uh, contracts. What I'm seeing in that slideshow clearly says to me that there is a move to move to more centralized um, police department within the Broward County schools. And I have a couple of

687
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concerns of that about that. I want to ask how the SRO's are being allocated to the schools. It is it based on student population because I think we can all agree that there needs to be an equity in how these SRO's are deployed. To touch a couple of on a couple of the items that I mentioned in my letter,

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does the $98,500 approximate cost of a district police SRO include fringe benefits or is that just salary? Does the number include the cost of vehicle acquisition and equipment, emergency lights, radio, window tent, graphic wrap, prisoner cage? Those are all things that we have

689
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to take into consideration when we approve our municipal budgets. Um, what is the cost associated with training? For example, armed officers will need firearm training at a gun range. What is that plan? Will you be asking to use municipal resources for that training?

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What are the plans and costs for property and evidence uh storage? If someone is caught with drugs on campus, how will that be handled? Where will that evidence be stored? And who will be uh responsible for that? If there is a major incident to occur, would a school

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be waiting on response from district law enforcement personnel? Would the expectation be that municipal resources would be required? Please consider the real communication issues that that could potentially pose. The city of Plantation SRO's know our community. Our

692
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SRO's coach sports teams. They counsel. They mentor. They support. They lead community initiatives. They often take money from their own pockets to ensure a child's needs are being met. One of our highly respected SRO is a former teacher who has built a foundation of strong relationships within her school

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community. Another organized a shop with a cop at Target for 15 underserved elementary school students during the holiday season. After many years of turmoil, the district seems to be moving in a positive direction with an improvement in academic achievement, the strengthening of partnerships, and the

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redefining of underused facilities and properties. And that is something that the city of Plantation, for one, has supported. Just these initiatives alone are enormous undertaking. So, I do not wish to see public or municipal trust eroded by a plan that does seems rushed and lacking in community input. Thank

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you for your deliberations. Welcome. >> Good. Good afternoon. Uh, Commissioner Sandra Welch from the city of Coconut Creek. And first, I want to thank you for the presentation. Uh, up to now, we have received uh only two letters. One

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removing our SRO's from our elementary schools and then the second letter rescending that letter. Uh, not really conversation. So, I'm hoping today will um change some of that. From our stand from the city standpoint,

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we haven't seen any details in the transition plan that is being proposed and proposed implementation as of August 2026. I don't need to remind you, we're at almost the end of April and that's four months. It's a very aggressive uh

698
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time schedule. And the key issue is here is for us is not the why. That's not for us to decide. That is honestly for you to decide, but is the how. Um we as policy makers and dealing with our

699
04:07:19.840 --> 04:07:36.319
fiscal funds that we're responsible for to our residents. We need to know the hows. And in these regards, what does the implementation actually look like? the timeline, the phasing, and the transition at the school level. And how

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will this model function day-to-day within each one of those schools in our city? And how will realtime coordination with municipal police departments be maintained during any of the incidents that occur on campus? And how will the

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roles, the responsibilities, and accountability be clearly defined between the district and us as a municipal partner? Because today, municipalities like Coconut Creek are 100% fully integrated into each one of

702
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those schools in our city. And why most of all to ensure that safety at the highest level is delivered every single day. So at this point, you know, it's uh it's

703
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just not fully vetted to evaluate the impacts of this pro proposal and it's such a huge shift and in operations on our campuses and deserves I'm a policy maker as are you very

704
04:08:43.359 --> 04:09:00.160
careful, deliberate and thoughtful u information to make this very uh important decision that might affect how safety and others are evolved over all of our campuses in all of our cities. So

705
04:09:00.160 --> 04:09:16.239
at the end of the day, I think we all share the same goal and that was to to me is to ensure that safety is pound paramount to all of our students every single day. So we look

706
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forward to having conversations to continue that not a letter. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Good morning board members, superintendent and staff and members of the public. My name is Cynthia Dominique. I am a parent of four kids in

707
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Broward County Public Schools located in the city of Margate. I am asking that this board give direction to negotiate with the city of Margate. I'd like for you to negotiate with all the cities, but I'm here specifically speaking up for my city and my schools. We adore our SRO and they

708
04:09:53.920 --> 04:10:08.800
are an integral part of our school and broader community. They implement so many programs like their DARE that help us as a society to combat the substance abuse ep epidemic that is ravaging our communities. They also help children to feel seen,

709
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loved, and have their needs met. Margate PD exemplifies what it means to be school resource officers and community policing. They also ensure that lines of communication and collaboration within their department and other municipalities exist. The Florida

710
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Sheriff's Association states that school resource officers play an important role in schools by providing security, deterring criminal activity, and offering mentorship, conflict resolution, and education on legal issues. They help create a safer, more supportive environment that encourages

711
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learning while addressing security and behavioral challenges through positive relationships with law enforcement, educators, and students. SRO's promote trust and understanding within the school community. Our Margate SRO's do all of this and more. And I know not all

712
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SRO are created equal. I've heard plenty from the community that are not satisfied with the officers that are placed in their schools. And I feel that this is where Broward schools has an opportunity. We have an opportunity to create policies and procedures for

713
04:11:11.680 --> 04:11:29.439
contracted SRO's. State statute 106.12 gives the school board this authority. It says, "School resource officers shall abide by the school district board policies and shall consult with and coordinate activities through the school principal, but shall be responsible to the law enforcement agency in all

714
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matters regarding employment. Subject to agreements between a school district board and law enforcement agency. The agreements shall identify the entity responsible for maintaining records related to training. Activities conducted by the school resource officer which are part of the regular instructional program shall be under the

715
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direction of the school principal. as I know that this was a concern that was mentioned at the previous workshop. Um, and the fact that letters went out on the wrong letter head with board members that are not even here shows that what we lack are processes and procedures.

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And the fact that the district has chosen not to implement these and using that as an excuse to get rid of SRO or do this transition is it's it's not okay. I understand the need to save money, but this will be a heavy lift and

717
04:12:19.040 --> 04:12:35.359
it will be more costly to set up, hire, background check, screen, and train all of these officers to be ready to go by August 11th. Um, as board member Holus mentioned earlier with the Peemore discussion, I'll just finish up. Our children's safety should not be an

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experiment without clear benefits. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next five speakers, Monell Theophen Atilus, Zyra Clims, Lunches, Don Decker, Jim Poland, and Adam Reichback. Good morning, board members,

719
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Superintendent Zyra climbs lunches. Deerfield Beach. I'm speaking in regards to the SRO services plan and I want to start by saying that I personally know and have worked alongside with the SRO's in the city of Coconut Creek. They go

720
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over and beyond. It's not like watching police officers on videos. So, just wanted to make sure I said that their work is vital and our students deserve that caliber of protection. The facts, however, are that this district is currently in a state of fiscal and

721
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operational disarray. We're lacking a proposed dis we're looking at a proposed district run police department while we still haven't cleared the fog. I call fog fear, obligation, and guilt surrounding the mismanagement of

722
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referendum dollars and the smart bond program. History shows this district is not currently equipped to manage a police force when it's struggling to manage its own organizational chart and looming budget shortfall. In my opinion, using fear, obligation, and guilt fog to

723
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pressure the public into supporting a district-led police department is irresponsible, especially when the district is not ready to take on the liability and complexity of law enforcement agency. We are being told that this is about safety, but we all

724
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know it's about money and the community, I don't believe, supports this because the captain of this ship can can we we don't believe that the captain of this ship can handle a new fleet while the current one is taking on water. I would like to see the board maintain

725
04:14:40.960 --> 04:14:56.800
our partnerships and negotiate with municipalities better than you've been doing. Halt any move towards a district-run police department until a few a full independent audit proves you have your act together and stop the fog tactics.

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Stop using student safety as a shield for poor fiscal planning. Let's focus on being a worldclass district before we try to be a police department. Thank you. >> Thank you. Muriel theophanatilus

727
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um parent advocate. Um so I am speaking on um of course SRO. So school safety is very important and I respect and support the role our SRO's officers play. Salute to our officer Almanzar with Coconut Creek. But there needs to be a clear

728
04:15:32.239 --> 04:15:49.439
line between school discipline and law enforcement. It is not clear when a situation should be handled by school staff versus when the enforcement should step in. There also needs to be transparency, real transparency, not what you guys call transparency. We should know how

729
04:15:49.439 --> 04:16:05.920
often students are being referred to referred to law enforcement and what the outcomes are. As the district moves toward more mental health support, so-called mental health support and interventions, it is important to balance that with our law enforcement.

730
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Clear expectations and accountability will help make sure SRO involvement is fair and consistent across all schools. And that's another thing. Everything needs to be fair and consistent across all our schools. Please. Thank you.

731
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>> Thank you. Good afternoon. Don Decker, city manager, city of Weston. Apologize for my voice getting over a cold. Chair, uh, staff, schoolboard members, superintendent, thank you for having us today. Um, just want to be very clear. We understand that campus security is

732
04:16:40.720 --> 04:16:56.479
your responsibility. Nobody's questioning that. Community security is our responsibility and your campuses are in our communities. So, we're simply asking please that you include us in this process. We stepped uh forward very quickly after uh the tragic incident in

733
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Parkland and we came forward and we started bringing SRO's on a more significant basis into our schools in Weston and we've been a partner ever since. Partnerships are two-way streets. Uh so we need to be part of this process and whatever uh way you're going forward, it needs to be proactive and

734
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not reactive. Just include us. We're happy to be a part of any process, any committees so that this is structured and so that the community is safe along with your schools. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, and then I'll just read the next few speakers before you speak.

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Ryan Gallagher, Commissioner Arlene Schwarz, and Vice Mayor John Brody. So, if you heard your name, please line up uh behind the podium. >> Welcome. >> Good afternoon, or good morning, I should say. Adam Richbach. I'm the assistant city manager for the city of Hollywood as well as the president of the Broward County City Managers

736
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Association and also one of the negotiators on the negotiating team with regards to our SRO contracts. So about three years ago, we were in this room working on a contract with regards to our SRO's for the next three years. And we're actually about that point. We're in year three of that contract. And

737
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we've negotiated negotiations began back in August of this year or sorry of last year on looking towards another long-term agreement with our SRO. Now, I have to say that the presentation you saw today, I'm I frankly I'm a little confused by because I certainly think

738
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that we have been acting and negotiating in good faith. The presentation I found to be more about a transition plan and there's a lot of disingenuous information that was shared in that and specifically in regards to the fact that you saw a 290% increase in SRO I will in

739
04:18:31.600 --> 04:18:47.040
terms of the cost I will tell you that frankly we were very underpaid in terms of under reimbursed for what that amount should have been all those years and so we are now getting closer to a more equitable and more fair reimbursement approach to this and so I think you

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should look at that from the entire picture. Now, we are here paramount to a rated education is the ability to keep our our employees, our students, and our teachers safe. And I want to thank Dr. Heepburn for his continued willingness

741
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to have negotiation sessions with us. And I also want to thank him for rescending the letters that did go out because I think it's important that we negotiate with all of our cities collectively. Now, BCCMA, the Broward City Matter Association, the Broward League, we are cognizant of the financial conditions

742
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that you all find yourselves in. Frankly, we are also facing those financial conditions as well. The $119,000 that we are proposed that has been propos that is in year three of the existing contract, we've proposed to keep that flat for for the next year. Then after that, we do like to see some

743
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modest increases. Our costs have gone up, technology, equipment, vehicles, all those costs continue to go up. And we believe that it's only fair that we do get that reimbursement increase year-over-year. Now, I have to say that um you know where I'm a little confused is where the

744
04:19:50.880 --> 04:20:07.680
math to me doesn't math. The presentation indicates that $98,000 is what you believe should be the reimburse or sorry should be the cost of an SRO. And I assure you that when we look at our numbers in terms of the our hourly rates of pay across all of our cities

745
04:20:07.680 --> 04:20:24.640
and you multiply it just strictly by the number of hours they're in school and the training that's associated with it, it is well in excess of $119,000. So I am unsure of where this $98,000 number comes from because that is not the number that we're coming from. But putting all that aside, we remain

746
04:20:24.640 --> 04:20:41.159
committed to working on and negotiating an agreement with every single city that's currently providing SRO's because we think it's an important part that we continue to have those conversations and reach a successful agreement. So, we thank you very much. >> Thank you.

747
04:20:41.439 --> 04:20:56.080
>> Good morning. Ryan Gallagher, Deputy Chief of Police, Coral Springs Police Department. Uh, first off, I uh listen, I am uh I go way back with Chief Nshawitz and I appreciate his vision and the leadership of SIU. Um, I'm not up here to sit here and punch holes in in

748
04:20:56.080 --> 04:21:12.399
this presentation. Um, a lot of what's already been said. I feel like I'm going to repeat. I just think u listen for some cities and I'm only speaking on behalf of the city of Coral Springs. Listen, potentially this solves an issue for them. I'm not sure. I know that in the city of Coral Springs, we are embedded in the community and the

749
04:21:12.399 --> 04:21:29.680
schools. This is a relationship that we value. Um, we get to choose who goes in the schools. We're in charge of of the training. When I hear about standardized training, I don't necessarily know what that is. Um, I know who we are putting in our schools. And ultimately, um, school safety is the main thing. I

750
04:21:29.680 --> 04:21:45.040
understand there's a financial aspect to this, but when it comes down to priorities, I do believe that takes a a backseat to the safety of the school. So, um, in essence, I'm I'm, you know, I'm glad to hear that we're going to continue negotiations. Uh, I think it's important. We do want to remain in our

751
04:21:45.040 --> 04:22:01.279
schools. Um, it's an important relationship that we have and, um, I just, uh, thank you for your time. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. And I'm just going to reread the names that I've called that have not approached the the podium um, in case they missed it. Dennis Waters, Jim

752
04:22:01.279 --> 04:22:16.720
Poland. I might be saying that wrong, but it's uh you identified yourself as DBPD, and vice mayor John Brody. Welcome, Commissioner. >> Oh, hi there. Um, my name is Arlene Schwarz. I'm the city commissioner of

753
04:22:16.720 --> 04:22:32.880
Margate, and this is the first time I've been in this room since I retired quite a while ago as a 35-y year employee. First, let me thank you for rescending, at least for the upcoming school year, because I'm not foolish enough to think it's beyond that, the rather unprofessional letter Margate received

754
04:22:32.880 --> 04:22:47.520
terminating our contract to provide safety and security to our children and staff at our four schools. I certainly hope the next time this in this organization needs to contact any one of their 31 cities that a phone call might be considered better than a letter at

755
04:22:47.520 --> 04:23:02.720
2:15 on a Friday afternoon. I have watched your presentation and wondered why you have an issue working with 14 municipalities. You led the public to believe the city SRO's ability to ensure safety in our school is erratic and

756
04:23:02.720 --> 04:23:19.920
inconsistent. You list, and I quote, that BCP BCSPD supports threat assessment and proactive safety measures that reinforce student security and well-being. Are you suggesting that the city of Margate SRO's don't? You mentioned, quote,

757
04:23:19.920 --> 04:23:36.239
consistent law enforcement across every campus several times. If you have a concern, then meet with all your city's law enforcement officials and city managers and set up minimum standards just as you have when you hire your teachers and promote them. Margate has

758
04:23:36.239 --> 04:23:51.600
been a partner with the Broward County Public School System for over 30 years without incident. Perhaps when money is the real issue, you have other places to find it rather than starting with school security. We were the first police department in

759
04:23:51.600 --> 04:24:05.920
the to be state certified and the second to be nationally certified. We are more than willing to sit down and talk as is evidenced by the fact that my mayor, my city manager, my assistant city manager and I am here today.

760
04:24:05.920 --> 04:24:23.120
I suggest that you that with all that is of us who are sitting here, you have a meeting. Our SRO's protect our children as their sacred job and their experience is Margate, not other cities than coming to Margate. With Margate students and

761
04:24:23.120 --> 04:24:39.840
staff, there has been rapport built. They have built trust, love of school attendance. I invite each of you to visit any one of our schools and jug judge for yourself. And finally, as a retired teacher and former school administrator, if this is about money,

762
04:24:39.840 --> 04:24:55.120
then I suggest you start looking at calendars. I worked on a 242 non vacation earning calendar for 17 years. You have people who work on 244 two days more and earn vacation. Why? In fact,

763
04:24:55.120 --> 04:25:11.680
put them on a 216 and stick them in the school so they actually see what goes on because that doesn't often happen. and I am in our school so I know that. Thank you for listening. I appreciate it and I look forward to some conversations with our city managers.

764
04:25:11.680 --> 04:25:29.040
>> Thank you. Um I'll once again read the names of the individuals who have not spoken yet. Dennis Waters, Jim Poland, and Vice Mayor John Brody. >> Okay. >> With Oh, sorry. Go. Go ahead. Vice Mayor.

765
04:25:29.040 --> 04:25:43.439
>> Well, good morning, Das. My name is John Brody. I'm the vice mayor of Coconut Creek and it just just seems weird that I'm standing here again after two years of having this discussion. I I don't know what we're doing. We're all elected officials. What are we doing

766
04:25:43.439 --> 04:25:59.760
here? You are in debt and you're laying people off and the conversation now is you're going to hire a police department. How does that make any sense? I don't think anybody's ran a business to understand when you're in debt you don't hire. When you're on debt, you don't expand.

767
04:25:59.760 --> 04:26:17.040
Okay, if this was a business, it would have been boarded up 20 years ago. >> Okay, so understand what you guys are asking the public. The messaging is, hey, we're trying to fix problem A, but let's create another problem in B. >> Okay, kick the can down the road a

768
04:26:17.040 --> 04:26:32.080
couple years till you get your butts out of debt. How about that? Can we do that? You're elected officials and you're rubber stamping budgets. How do you get this far down the road? Every year our city creates a budget. It's got to be balanced. It's got to

769
04:26:32.080 --> 04:26:48.080
make sense and we pass it. Your names are on these budgets. You owe money. Just because you have checks in a checkbook doesn't mean you have money to cash them. And here we are talking about a police department. Our police are the professionals. You're supposed to be the

770
04:26:48.080 --> 04:27:05.359
professionals in education. Why do we stay focused on education? just stay focused on what the school board is doing. You have good people in our schools right now, these SRO's, and we don't mind paying for some of it. We're helping. We're negotiating in good

771
04:27:05.359 --> 04:27:20.000
faith. Then we get these crappy letters sent to us saying, "We're going to now take over something that you can't possibly handle. You can't. I'm not a police officer. These guys standing in uniform, they're proud of what they're doing and they're good at what they do

772
04:27:20.000 --> 04:27:35.840
and they keep our kids safe." What we're going to create when you create your own police department is the fox watching the chickens. Okay. Now, we're going to create a Stoman Douglas because there's going to be a gap because these guys can put them in jail. You guys might not be able to

773
04:27:35.840 --> 04:27:52.720
do that so much or be able to be re reactionary so fast. So, if I'm standing here and my tax money is going to you guys make good decisions, I'm very weary of that. We need to make sure as elected officials, and I see a lot of doctors up there, so I know you guys are smart enough to understand what I'm saying. Balance the budget first. before we

774
04:27:52.720 --> 04:28:08.960
start taking on another adventure because this doesn't seem right. This doesn't seem right and fair to our students. It doesn't seem fair and right to our teachers. You're going to create jobs. How about instead of creating jobs, we find ways to pay our teachers. >> Is that so hard to say? We're creating a

775
04:28:08.960 --> 04:28:25.600
fund to say now we need police. Now we need to raise taxes. We need more money to what? To offset the money you already owe. Just hold off on this. Let's fix what's already broken and circle back once we're there. Once that bud budget budget is balanced. That's your job to

776
04:28:25.600 --> 04:28:40.239
make sure that happens. Your names are on. >> So, let's make sure that we're looking at the right things here, guys. >> Thank you. Anna Fusco, >> you say Anna Fusco? >> I did. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Anna Fusco, Broward Teachers Union

777
04:28:40.239 --> 04:28:56.479
President. So, I'm in a position here where I love our cities and we love our SRO's and we have the Broward County Public Schools. So, we're going to put the onus on where the onus should be, the superintendent and the chief. And that would be Chief Gregory,

778
04:28:56.479 --> 04:29:12.720
not Chief Nazuititz. Let's call it what it is. I need your board members to hear me loud and clear on that one. Loud and clear. You hired the best new chief around and he's here. He's tasked with a job that he wants to bring in great law

779
04:29:12.720 --> 04:29:28.800
enforcement and save the district money because that's all that you've got your staff telling you. Find ways to save money and scaring the hell out of you. I say got this. Stop being scared and we can work some other magic. But let me let me chime in to our schoolboard

780
04:29:28.800 --> 04:29:45.199
police. Let's make it clear. Our school board police are police officers that are sworn officers. Integrity, experience, show up and get the job done. When sometimes SRO's need to call out, they're there protecting our

781
04:29:45.199 --> 04:30:01.760
schools. When jobs need to get done, they're protecting our community. We're not going to sit here and act like they're some damn Barney Fe type of cop because that's not what they're not. They are amazing officers. And let me tell you something, they've evolved a lot with me because when I started 10

782
04:30:01.760 --> 04:30:18.640
years as a union president, I was not liked. I wasn't known. And I certainly wasn't respected. It took me a long time to work it out and make it clear to like me, to know me, and to respect me. And I've grown to know them, understand

783
04:30:18.640 --> 04:30:33.840
them, and respect them. And when we get people under investigation, they know what they're doing. The job gets done. When it's put in the hands of other people that have no clue how to investigate, throw spaghetti at the wall and try to figure it out. That's when all goes to everything. Let me make

784
04:30:33.840 --> 04:30:50.720
that clear. Excuse my French. The point is is that the way it was handled, I believe, is a you the most largest problem out there. Is there a strong plan on getting it done yet? I think that's the large problem out there. I don't believe that our schools, our

785
04:30:50.720 --> 04:31:07.279
principles, I don't believe the board wants SRO's gone. You need to understand there's a staff here that's incestual from the dawn of time that gets the way and does whatever the hell they want. And that's where the problem lies. And when I feel that it's a board's problem, I have no problem saying it. And I'm

786
04:31:07.279 --> 04:31:23.120
looking at a lot of city managers and a lot of mayors and a lot of commissioners, and you all know me, I don't mince words. So, let's call it where it is. Let's get it done right. And if you have a plan, come out with a solid plan. Show it moving forward. But let's make it clear. Our school police

787
04:31:23.120 --> 04:31:38.640
can do the job. There just needs to be a strong plan. Our SROs are doing the job. That's not the problem. You have a staff telling you we need the money and that's the problem. Let's call it what it is. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'll read the names one more time before we go to board discussion.

788
04:31:38.640 --> 04:32:01.920
Dennis Waters and Jim Holland. All right. I have Miss Bulman. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you to everyone for coming out today and for all of our speakers. Um I have a couple questions that I'd like to ask about the

789
04:32:01.920 --> 04:32:17.199
this plan. Um, you know, one of the one of the things that was pointed out in the slides is that there has been um a great cost increase. And I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of why the cost

790
04:32:17.199 --> 04:32:35.680
has increased because I imagine it's not because the police departments are trying to price gouge us. I would imagine there's some nuance to that. >> No. Um, thanks for the question, Miss Bowman. Um as um um one of the city managers pointed out is they their costs

791
04:32:35.680 --> 04:32:51.279
increase just like our employee costs increase over time. Um be it benefits, equipment, training and things like that. And we're paying them for a service. So naturally, just like any other contracted service, um be it personnel or actual items um that

792
04:32:51.279 --> 04:33:08.959
increase in cost usually gets passed on to the customer and we're and we're a customer for the services that they that they provide. And I know um early on just like most school districts across the um state um back in the day it was like a a 50/50 um in some districts uh

793
04:33:08.959 --> 04:33:26.080
say high school they the district pays for one the municipality or or sheriff's office supplies the other um and then so that's evolved over time to really get to actually covering the majority of the cost because the m the m the municipalities actually are covering the

794
04:33:26.080 --> 04:33:41.680
other portion of the cost and as increases, right? There has to be some middle ground about how they're going to make their ends meet, just like us as well, >> right? Okay. Um, so I have concerns about

795
04:33:41.680 --> 04:33:56.879
the cost of the infrastructure um if we're going to move in this direction. And you know, we had the same conversation a couple years ago as everyone said, I was here in a different capacity, but um the

796
04:33:56.879 --> 04:34:13.520
we're not we're not just hiring bodies. If we're going to be going in a direction where we're transitioning to having our own police force, presumably that would include vehicles, weapons, all of the

797
04:34:13.520 --> 04:34:29.439
equipment that you need to run a police force, which >> must be extremely expensive. So I for a $98,000 number I I'm just wondering where we're getting to that when you take into consideration benefits

798
04:34:29.439 --> 04:34:45.680
and training and all of the actual physical equipment that we need. >> Yep. Correct. So before I ask answer that question, just want to clarify for the board and the public, there isn't a plan to transition and and have a full-fledged force to go in and take

799
04:34:45.680 --> 04:35:01.119
over th those services at all of our schools. Um and I want to clarify the purpose of the workshop. I know we talked about this before uh but the purpose of this workshop is more about uh talking about current state get the board to really understand you know what do we pay for contracts how do those

800
04:35:01.119 --> 04:35:17.359
contracts works and how many numbers of contracts. Um it's not about uh taking over um uh the services. This is more about uh updating the board and understanding the current structure and the current state. And then for any of the cities, um their chiefs, their city

801
04:35:17.359 --> 04:35:34.000
managers, um their commission, I if they are in predicaments where they want to talk to us about pursuing um um not renewing or or or not pursuing their contract in the long term, we stand ready to to um address the needs of those schools. So this is this is what

802
04:35:34.000 --> 04:35:49.279
this is more about. This isn't about taking over um uh contracts uh for cities. Uh so I want to clarify that. And um as I've told the mayors and the city managers uh and going into their meetings in person um that you know the

803
04:35:49.279 --> 04:36:07.439
communication that went out is not up to up to my standard. Um like as everybody at the mic has said this this involves a lot of discussion, a lot of partnership, a lot of uh understanding the details of a plan if if we ever pursue that. And uh

804
04:36:07.439 --> 04:36:23.359
obviously uh what happened does not uh support that type of transition. Um but to uh answer your question, the if that was an option moving forward um down the line, that would be more um on the capital side of the house. Um uh

805
04:36:23.359 --> 04:36:39.680
vehicles, you know, we purchase white white fleet vehicles all the time. Our school police um uh personnel have school police vehicles. they they they have the armory that they need to execute um their responsibilities and their duties. So that would be on the capital side of the house. Um what we

806
04:36:39.680 --> 04:36:55.600
pay as far as personnel comes out of the general side of the house. But if we were to pursue expanding um the force for those specific purposes, we would use capital dollars to purchase the additional vehicles um the equipment that that we actually need um and all the outfitting um that the police

807
04:36:55.600 --> 04:37:12.240
officers actually need to actually execute those responsibilities. >> Okay. So, I appreciate the clarification about the direction that we're going because it's been as a member of the board, I was very unclear of what was happening. Um, though I have heard from

808
04:37:12.240 --> 04:37:28.799
my community that they were very appreciative of you um coming to speak to them. So, I too appreciate the outreach and hopefully we're um messaging better now. So, in in the in the same vein, are there because

809
04:37:28.799 --> 04:37:44.879
obviously there's a lot of different um departments that are represented here today. Are there any municipalities that have indicated to you that they would prefer not to continue? And is that a direction that we could take if we're looking to >> Um there's a couple I won't call them

810
04:37:44.879 --> 04:37:59.520
out because they need to go have conversations with their city managers and their commission. Um but yes, there's been some um some some um um municipalities that expressed, hey, um uh we can uh work with you on this and um do something different with the staff

811
04:37:59.520 --> 04:38:16.000
that we have in the schools. And and so there's a work in progress, but um as I told um um Chief Nasawitz and also Chief Gregory that I need a letter from city managers just to make sure we're moving in the right direction together so we can start planning that out and seeing when that when the transition actually

812
04:38:16.000 --> 04:38:33.920
happens. Um so yes there >> but it's not the it's not the departments that have come today to speak in favor. Okay. Thank you for that. And then you know I appreciate um the the leadership of the negotiations team and so the these

813
04:38:33.920 --> 04:38:49.520
negotiations will continue then as if they'd never received this letter. Correct. And then we'll it'll be business as usual. >> Correct. That's that's correct. >> Okay. All right. Um thank you. >> Thank you board member. Boardman, board member Thompson.

814
04:38:49.520 --> 04:39:06.639
>> Thank you, Chair. Um, and thank you to all of our municipal leaders for coming out and obviously to our law enforcement who protect us every day both in schools and in our communities. Um, I h I think there's some narratives that we need to clarify. So, one of the speaker

815
04:39:06.639 --> 04:39:23.840
mentioned that there was no notice, there was just this letter. My understanding has been there have been negotiations. Um, and I want to tread carefully because we're still in negotiations. So, could you walk both the board and the elected officials of who's part of these negotiations? When

816
04:39:23.840 --> 04:39:40.560
did they start and when do elected officials typically get involved in this process? >> Yep. Um, so this um and and um Adam, if you grab go to the mic and call out your team if you if if if you can. Uh for our team, it's uh Chief Gregory, Chief

817
04:39:40.560 --> 04:39:56.160
Nasuitz, um uh Dr. Lozano and also uh Miss Jock Adams representing the legal side. Um if I forget anybody, Chief, just um throw that name in there. Um we started negotiations in August with the hopes of

818
04:39:56.160 --> 04:40:12.240
ending this uh prior to the the new year. U obvious obviously we we're still going uh and I'll give um Adam opportunity to discuss who's on the other side of the team. >> Hi there. So representing the cities

819
04:40:12.240 --> 04:40:28.000
again it's a collaboration between the Broward city managers association and the Broward League of Cities uh myself Adam Ricebach is the assistant city manager for the city of Hollywood we have our director of public safety from also from Hollywood Chris O'Brien former police chief in Hollywood we have Brad McKeon who's a former police chief of

820
04:40:28.000 --> 04:40:43.760
Coral Springs now the deputy city manager uh Mary Lutai the executive director of the Broward League of Cities Todd Drosski the mayor of Deerfield Beach and Jackie Wayer um intergovernmental affairs uh strategy for the city of Parkland. I'm sure I messed up her title. I apologize. Um

821
04:40:43.760 --> 04:40:58.240
those are the individuals who represent um working with the team. I will say for what it's worth, the negotiating team was not aware of any of the of the letters going out prior to um the letters do letters going out. >> Yeah, and that's correct. The the

822
04:40:58.240 --> 04:41:14.480
letters, as I said before, um not part of our standard of communication. um once once I learned about the letters um you know we tackled that situation um you know in immediately in sequence but as far as um and I don't know u I'll

823
04:41:14.480 --> 04:41:29.280
leave it there because I don't want to um violate anything with our negotiations >> so was there conversations that this could be a possible outcome during the conversations with the negotiation teams

824
04:41:29.280 --> 04:41:44.958
>> GC and Bruno stop me >> yes and stop My recommendation is that we don't go into the specifics in terms of the negotiations because that's delicate. Um so I I would not go too much further. I >> I'll leave it at I'll keep it general.

825
04:41:44.958 --> 04:42:03.120
Everything was on the table um for how we move forward um to try and close a deal uh to make sure we provide the best services possible um to our schools. So everything was on the table as um we discussed from the onset. >> Okay. So potentially it wasn't

826
04:42:03.120 --> 04:42:19.360
surprise to the negotiation team, but it was to the city man is just what I want to point out. >> Um, okay. Do we There was a comment about managing a police force. Do we currently manage a police force?

827
04:42:19.360 --> 04:42:35.920
>> Yes, we do. >> I wanted to make that clarified that that wouldn't be a brand new thing. We currently manage a police force and as our union leader pointed out they are not well I don't understand her reference but they are trained police officers that want to protect our kids

828
04:42:35.920 --> 04:42:51.040
and are not I think a mall cop is I'm guessing her reference. Um and how many police Broward school board police officers are currently at our schools? >> Um chief if you can get some um detail.

829
04:42:51.040 --> 04:43:06.480
There's approximately 35 uh that support schools on a regular basis. Uh small contingent of that, a small squad also are part of the internal u investigations we have on on staff members for policy violations. But the majority uh support schools on a regular

830
04:43:06.480 --> 04:43:24.638
basis with u when es contracted esos can't be there that day. There's a shortfall. There's things that need to be recovered from a school. U vapes other things that need to be placed in evidence. a question come from the uh uh speakers about uh building an evidence

831
04:43:24.638 --> 04:43:40.240
section. Well, those things are part of the core department. They already have because they've been providing these services uh consistently for several years now. >> And is it generally set up as Dr. Heburn um mentioned like one Broward schoolboard police person and one city

832
04:43:40.240 --> 04:43:57.760
person or is it like are is there some schools that only have Broward police and some schools that only have municipalities? Like what is that? share. I know it's a small team. So, >> currently the majority of our um SRO are through contracts. We have 201

833
04:43:57.760 --> 04:44:14.080
contracted SRO to the municipalities and the sheriff's office. Um and like Chief Gregory was saying, most of my most of my officers right now are supportive um in the field. Typically, um evidence pickup that the municipalities may or may not be able to

834
04:44:14.080 --> 04:44:29.760
take in, we take it in as property evidence. Um, we also support at our um charter schools behavioral threat assessments um where some of those charter schools may have guardians. Our officers have to do that because they're certified where guardians cannot be

835
04:44:29.760 --> 04:44:45.680
certified in that. But as far as a one for one, typically in the high schools there's two SRO's and at those municipalities they would have those two SRO's um and not one of ours. >> Okay. And do our officers receive um the

836
04:44:45.680 --> 04:45:01.600
gun training that another speaker mentioned are what is the comparable training for our officers versus a city municipality officer? >> So under state requirements to maintain our our law enforcement certification. Um we have to qualify at least annually.

837
04:45:01.600 --> 04:45:17.440
Um we in we in our agency we like to try to shoot twice a year. Um and obviously we do have time when school's out of session um which gives us the opportunity to go shoot. Um, typically we will also use um the Broward Police Academy um police range. Um there's

838
04:45:17.440 --> 04:45:35.600
another municipality that is um works in partnerships with us where we utilize their range. It just depends on availability. >> Okay. And then and again this is waiting a little bit into negotiations but so stop me. Um my

839
04:45:35.600 --> 04:45:52.160
understanding is that different cities pay their police officers different amounts. So when we are reimbursing are reimbursing like an average amount or do we reimburse cities differently

840
04:45:52.160 --> 04:46:07.760
>> because that's really talking about the term in terms of what we're going to be paying. I would hold off on that one. >> Okay. So that that is a concern of mine. >> It's a matter of public record. But but and I understand that. However,

841
04:46:07.760 --> 04:46:24.560
they're in the midst of negotiations. I don't I want to be very very Yes, I want to be very careful in terms of it's not a question of how much is being paid. It's a question of what the offer is and what that final number is going to be for the district. >> So then taking money off are we do we

842
04:46:24.560 --> 04:46:40.638
reimburse the same to every single city or is these different >> without saying numbers? there's a single contracted a contract negotiated uh amount and each city gets that same amount regardless of their cost. >> So it is possible that we are overpaying

843
04:46:40.638 --> 04:46:56.000
some cities >> potentially. >> Okay. Um and then I want to talk about the 14 different policies because I and I I want to say this with the utmost

844
04:46:56.000 --> 04:47:10.560
respect. Um, I believe when we are dealing with students that are in the midst of crisis or having other issues at home, we need a very um trained

845
04:47:10.560 --> 04:47:28.638
approach and we also need a very um centralized way of handling disciplinary issues. Is that what we're seeing? If we have 14 different policies across the board, for example, does every single police

846
04:47:28.638 --> 04:47:46.160
policy have the same requirements for winning when to use pepper spray or tasers or when to physically get involved with a student? Is that the same across all 14 different contracts we have? >> Mike Gregory, chief safety security officer for the record. Uh, no. The we

847
04:47:46.160 --> 04:48:02.320
have a decentralized type model, not a centralized model. And each independent police chief sets the standards for their organization. So each police chief signs off on the policies they want to enact and hold their officers andor deputies accountable for um in their

848
04:48:02.320 --> 04:48:19.040
city. So we do have and there will be a a different standard for the policies and like likewise for the training standard. Each chief of police sets the training standards uh in in uh above what the state requirement is. So, of course, every certified law enforcement

849
04:48:19.040 --> 04:48:34.718
officer has to meet the minimum standards set by the state of Florida to maintain their certification. Beyond that is in within the control of each chief to say what extra am I going to al um assign my my staff to participate in and be trained in and get excellence in whichever area.

850
04:48:34.718 --> 04:48:51.600
>> And if we were to and I I want to recognize that this would be a very long process if this was even something we were going to consider, which I think is what this presentation is on. Um but if we were to eventually move to having police our police force in schools,

851
04:48:51.600 --> 04:49:08.560
would we be able to regulate the policy of deescalation, use of force, use of pepper, spray, tasers, etc. >> Yes. Uh just as mentioned earlier, Chief Nasawitz sets the policies for the school police officers. So he authors those and gets them um uh based on best

852
04:49:08.560 --> 04:49:23.840
practices across the International Association Chiefs of Police and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. and they put those policies in place. Every school police officer working for the district would have to abide by those policies instituted by Chief Nasawitz as well as what training standards he

853
04:49:23.840 --> 04:49:39.760
implements for those officers that are under the direct control of the school police. >> I appreciate that answer. So, I think this is a it's a challenging situation all across the board. I think I know at least people in my community really appreciate the partnership with

854
04:49:39.760 --> 04:49:55.360
the cities and having their SRO's in their schools. I think there's also a lot of positives to expanding our police force. Mainly just focused around this policy um or the 14 different policies because I want to make sure that

855
04:49:55.360 --> 04:50:12.160
students that go to Pimrook Pines are treated with the same care and respect that students that are in Lauder Hill, that are in Coconut Creek, across the board, every student should have that that right in that respect. Um so I appreciate the the conversation. I'm

856
04:50:12.160 --> 04:50:28.480
looking forward to continued partnerships with our cities. Um, but recognizing that it's not just a cost-saving um, proposal, it's also a proposal to make sure that all of our students are treated fairly across Broward County. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Zean.

857
04:50:28.480 --> 04:50:45.440
>> Thanks, Chair. Um, you know, I know the topic for today is SRO's, but this is only relevant in the context of the safety and security of our students. Um, this is a topic that we take incredibly seriously. Uh, we talk about

858
04:50:45.440 --> 04:51:02.160
it in the right tone, in the right semnity that it deserves. And today, I'm going to talk to each of you that's here in the same way I would talk to you if we were driving down a road together in a car oneonone.

859
04:51:02.160 --> 04:51:16.560
There's not going to be two speeches, not something I say in public and then something I say in private. Our kids are your kids and our schools are your schools. And when we do law enforcement, we do it

860
04:51:16.560 --> 04:51:33.360
together and the lines are very blurry. We also balance our budgets here and we were given an unfunded mandate and we had to figure out a way to pull it together.

861
04:51:33.360 --> 04:51:51.600
But our actions will always be done with the seriousness of keeping our kids and our schools safe. And to say anything other than that is just not true. We have made significant investments in safety and security. When you look at

862
04:51:51.600 --> 04:52:09.040
our unannounced inspections, uh we do extraordinarily well. Uh if you compared Broward County Public Schools to other districts, uh hard data suggests that we are either the safest or one of the safest districts in the United States. And so when you come in

863
04:52:09.040 --> 04:52:24.560
here and you want to talk to us about safety and security, whether it's about SRO's or anything else, let's center this conversation on the success that we have built together. We are the safest district or one of the safest in the United States. We have 10,000 cameras.

864
04:52:24.560 --> 04:52:41.280
We have our own drones. We got new drones coming in. We've got tactics and procedures and policies uh that have that have been effective and we did that together. And so I hope that we can take this conversation and take it a little bit back in terms of

865
04:52:41.280 --> 04:52:57.680
tone and off the brink a little bit. uh our superintendent has apologized for a uh poorly worded letter and for a poorly delivered letter and I and and that should be that you know we are partners and when someone apologizes uh you know it's time to look to the future because

866
04:52:57.680 --> 04:53:14.320
this issue only deserves that level of focus. It doesn't deserve looking backwards and it doesn't deserve us creating distance between partners when we're only going to solve real problems by coming together. We didn't get enough money when the

867
04:53:14.320 --> 04:53:30.480
mandate came out to have a law enforcement officer in every school. And so we've been scrambling. Uh I am very proud. Uh you people might not like the chart that says we've gone up 290% but that is a fact. Uh and I'm proud of what we've done to get to the $119,000. I was on the board when we voted to go from

868
04:53:30.480 --> 04:53:44.638
62,000 to 103,000. We did it in 5 minutes. I was very very proud of L'Oreal and other people on this board that looked at us and said this is the right thing to do. and we voted nine nothing to do it and we put our money

869
04:53:44.638 --> 04:54:02.560
where our beliefs were. Okay. But there's a point to where we have to as a group and as partners figure out the best way to do this. Uh looking forward our police force to our assistant manager in Hollywood costs 95,000. It isn't an offer for you to cut

870
04:54:02.560 --> 04:54:17.840
the price that we're paying SRO. That's our internal fully burden cost fringe training all that. Um it it it's just it's we have to figure out the right balance of our police force and SRO's and guardians and oh by the way

871
04:54:17.840 --> 04:54:34.320
teachers, principles, guidance counselors uh and and our SIU uh and our chief of police and our chief of safety and security of whom we are very very blessed to have. So Chief Gregory, thank you for joining this team and you make us all feel safer uh because you're

872
04:54:34.320 --> 04:54:50.638
here. So thank you very much. But I'd like us going forward to treat this conversation with civility and with grace. Uh if you type Allen Zean cell phone number, you will get my number. Any one of you can call me. We will have this same conversation that I'm having with you right now. Uh because this is too

873
04:54:50.638 --> 04:55:06.160
important for this to be about letterhead or about an inappropriate letter, poorly timed, poorly word, whatever you want to call it. This is about our kids. They're your kids. They're our kids. And we have to find the best solution going forward. I think the way we do that is get back to

874
04:55:06.160 --> 04:55:21.360
negotiating. Do it city by city. Uh follow the superintendent's lead on reaching out. If you would like him to communicate more, uh I don't think it's hard to get in touch with you, Dr. Epin. Is it? >> Yeah. You know, that that street runs both ways. And uh we will continue to

875
04:55:21.360 --> 04:55:38.400
try and overcommunicate. We uh will keep, you know, trying to make sure that you understand how important this is to us. We are under very very ugly financial times. My general counsel is going to yell at me for even saying that, but that's a fact. Like we have lost 25,000 students over three years.

876
04:55:38.400 --> 04:55:55.200
That's $225 million and we are, you know, digging into the couch cushions looking for change. Um, so that's that's the that's the fact and that's going to color kind of what we do going forward. But nobody in Broward County has cheated on safety and security. We have invested in it over and over again. We have built

877
04:55:55.200 --> 04:56:12.320
an incredibly safe district and we did it with you. And I want to make sure going forward we stay working with you uh so that we can get great solutions. Our kids deserve that and uh I'd like that to be the tone that we uh carry um in all of our meetings going forward. Thank you, chair.

878
04:56:12.320 --> 04:56:29.520
>> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Um and first I'd like to say thank you to everyone that came out, the city managers, city commission mayors, and also our school police force. um and the city police force for coming out.

879
04:56:29.520 --> 04:56:46.160
This is an important topic and um I'm glad that we're doing it as Dr. Zean just mentioned together um because I think that's really important and to to answer just briefly Mrs. Bulman's question about the increase in price. It

880
04:56:46.160 --> 04:57:03.520
was alluded to earlier in 2023. Actually, I actually brought an item forward to have this discussion because the um police had come I'd had a conversation with some of them when they were doing negotiations and they were concerned or beforehand to say that they

881
04:57:03.520 --> 04:57:20.000
were concerned that the the percentage was off. They the cities were paying much more of the percentage than the the county was. And so in 2023, as Dr. Zean mentioned we did as a board balance that out and maybe we balanced it too high

882
04:57:20.000 --> 04:57:36.160
but so you know we're working on now maybe there's a way to balance it um evenly so that it doesn't seem like it's such a burden for either one of us. Um, but I have a couple of questions, but before I ask those, I do want to say I

883
04:57:36.160 --> 04:57:54.638
think it's important to say out loud as many times as possible. The people who work as the Brower County Police Department now or the police force, the Brower County Public Schools Police, they are police officers. They are very much similar in

884
04:57:54.638 --> 04:58:11.280
the same requiring similar and the same training as other police officers. And for anyone to come and and make the innuendo or suggestion that having them in the school is any less safe than having a city police officer, I just don't think that's fair or accurate

885
04:58:11.280 --> 04:58:28.400
statement. So I think it's really important that moving forward that's, you know, we change the tone of what that sounds like. We love our SRO's. Um students love our SRO's. Parents do. You go, we go to schools all the time. The SRO's remember us. we see them working

886
04:58:28.400 --> 04:58:44.638
with the students. I don't think this is about job performance in any way, shape or form. So, I also want to say that I think that um you know, a letter came out, it was it was not good timing. It wasn't worded great and people weren't expecting it

887
04:58:44.638 --> 04:58:59.840
and so everybody's kind of defensive, but I do think that we as a board appreciate everybody who participates in safety in our in our district. So, I just wanted to start with that. So, Dr. Heepern, I have a couple of questions.

888
04:58:59.840 --> 04:59:15.600
The $98,000 that we in the presentation, um, does that include So, that's what we're saying the cost of an officer would be to us. Does that include benefits? >> Yes, that's correct. >> So, that would be the total fringe and

889
04:59:15.600 --> 04:59:32.958
all of that. Does it also include so if we're putting SRO's well our own our own SRO's because SRO's just mean school resource officers um if we were to use our own police department would they what about uniforms

890
04:59:32.958 --> 04:59:49.440
um you know their firearms would they require cars what what's the other infrastructure that we would need to be able to increase what um we have now >> so it would depend on the number. Um right now as uh Chief Gregory said we

891
04:59:49.440 --> 05:00:07.120
have about 35 U sworn officers um that would be ready to go and deploy if if needed to provide services to schools. Now if you expand beyond that there there is a cost for cars um equipment and things like that. That specific number I don't I don't have at the moment. I can provide a followup to the

892
05:00:07.120 --> 05:00:21.600
board for that. >> Okay. Because I do remember when we had the conversation about our own police force. The reason that we unanimously voted no even though we asked the superintendent to bring that item to us is that it was just cost prohibitive.

893
05:00:21.600 --> 05:00:39.120
>> Yes. Full full-fledged across the board. Absolutely cost prohibitive because there's a lot of investment that has to happen at one time. Um but if you're trying to do something gradual, you can pace it out and and do it in a more fiscally responsible uh manner. Um so

894
05:00:39.120 --> 05:00:55.120
but as far as uh the specific cost I can provide that in a follow-up unless um um Chief Gregory or Chief Nasawis has any information they can provide. >> So this goes kind of ties into that question. So um

895
05:00:55.120 --> 05:01:10.878
if right now we have let's say it's a day in in one of the Broward County police off Broward County Public Schools police officers in a school and an incident ha an incident happens. What's what what's the procedure?

896
05:01:10.878 --> 05:01:28.000
>> Go ahead, Chief Gregory. >> Mike Gregory, chief safety security officer. Um, depending on which which uh method of SRO deployment we have at that particular school. Uh, it generally plays out very similarly. There's an SRO on campus, but required by state

897
05:01:28.000 --> 05:01:44.400
statute, we have one officer or armed um personnel on every campus. if it's a incident that requires additional assistance that that person on that campus would communicate to their local jurisdiction, whatever municipal pality they're in for a request for assistance

898
05:01:44.400 --> 05:02:00.718
and additional officers respond to address a matter with the uh officer who's there. That would be the case if it was a um uh officer X as the SRO operating in municipality X that is their home municipality or if it'd be the same if it was a school-based police

899
05:02:00.718 --> 05:02:17.600
SRO asking for municipal municipality X to come and assist. Uh I've never seen a situation where um and I don't believe any of the organiza any of the agencies or chiefs in Ber County would not come and assist another uh request for assistance by an agency. It just doesn't

900
05:02:17.600 --> 05:02:34.080
happen. So the protocol is the same. Uh we use the same radio system uh in Bard County. All the agencies are on the Motorola uh Bard County provided uh Motorola radio system. All the channels are available. Our SRO who are operating in any particular city can go to that channel and speak to directly to that uh

901
05:02:34.080 --> 05:02:50.000
dispatcher uh to get assistance andor to uh provide them information as to something playing out on the campus. >> Thank you because all of those pieces were the rest of my question. So I appreciate that answer. So, we already have a communication system in place and

902
05:02:50.000 --> 05:03:06.080
it doesn't matter if it's a guardian, if it's a a municipal SRO or a Broward County Public Schools SRO, the process is still the same today. >> That is correct. And if I could just take the liberty out of respect to the folks that made time to come through

903
05:03:06.080 --> 05:03:32.240
here, if all the Bard School Police officers in the room could just stand up for a moment, please. >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you. So, as you can see, they're all armed. They all have weapons. They've all been trained. They're all statec certified. And I I I think

904
05:03:32.240 --> 05:03:48.638
they're due this the same respect as any other officer uh any other officer from any other agency in spite of some of the uh uh commentary that's occurred already. Um they would be the same people that provide security at our school board meetings, our workshops, some of our

905
05:03:48.638 --> 05:04:05.360
advisory board meetings. They're the ones who are attending those and assisting with that. They're the ones who respond to the schools and pick up evidence uh uh assist with behavioral threat assessments. We've had a a big challenge um since the state's gone to a state portal. They require you to have a

906
05:04:05.360 --> 05:04:20.560
P number as we're familiar with in in school district lingo, an employee ID number to access that state portal. When we have people who are not employees and don't have P numbers, it creates a big challenge getting them into the portal for the state of Florida. So when while

907
05:04:20.560 --> 05:04:37.120
the IT department works diligently to to make that happen, uh it's taken months and up until just um a month or two ago, we got the last uh law enforcement officer added to the state portal uh because of those technical issues with bringing people who aren't a part of the

908
05:04:37.120 --> 05:04:53.920
school district into that process so that the schools that uh the officers the SRO that we contracted couldn't access the portal. Well, then our school police officers were handling those behavioral threat assessments at those campuses. Same thing occurs at our charter schools. We assist them and those officers are the one that respond.

909
05:04:53.920 --> 05:05:10.878
Just a few weeks ago, uh we had an incident uh a threat that played out at um a local charter school and those officers responded to that incident to support the local police SRO at that charter school. So, they're they're very engaged. They're very in uh active and

910
05:05:10.878 --> 05:05:25.440
they have an infrastructure in place today. >> Thank you. And the next question I have is if someone were need needed to be arrested, can you explain what that process would be? Re whether it's our

911
05:05:25.440 --> 05:05:41.280
SRO or if it's a municipal SRO. >> Depending on the circumstances, uh we can utilize the local agency for that investigation. depending on how complex it is. If it's something that's minor, a disturbance or a fight or something of that nature, the school police officers

912
05:05:41.280 --> 05:05:58.798
uh school police uh officers that are uh employed by the district uh have full authority to make an arrest and process that arrest through the traditional probable cause affidavit that need to be filed with the state attorney as well as with the uh sheriff's office for detention purposes. >> And where do they take them when they

913
05:05:58.798 --> 05:06:13.680
arrest them? >> To the main Bard County jail. >> And it doesn't matter which SRO does the arresting. It does not. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, so again, I I think the biggest issue here is that most people don't understand

914
05:06:13.680 --> 05:06:29.600
about the Broward County Public Schools Police Department and and you know, what their training is and and what they are already doing. So I think we definitely need to have those discussions so that people understand it's not a less than

915
05:06:29.600 --> 05:06:46.000
it is equal. It's just different. Um in terms of of who they work for and and I'm not advocating one way or the other to be quite honest. I'm just saying I think, you know, some of the comments we heard today really proves that the community just because they've just been

916
05:06:46.000 --> 05:07:03.200
doing it and nobody's really paid attention to it and now it's come to light and I want to thank all law enforcement for everything that they do and I think it's important that the community knows that they are um just as qualified as anybody else. Uh my other

917
05:07:03.200 --> 05:07:18.080
question is can you tell us now superintendent what is the cost share right now? What percentage do we pay and what percentage do the municipalities >> that would be different per city um

918
05:07:18.080 --> 05:07:33.840
we pay 119,000 but the as far as cost share of what the cities are incurring it that would be different per city. Um we the negotiation team negotiate on behalf of all the participating uh municipalities in BSO and we pay one u

919
05:07:33.840 --> 05:07:49.520
specific um amount to to all. >> Okay. Thank you. So I um I don't know if it would make sense instead of the flat fee moving forward in in your talks if there was percentage if that would make sense. But one thing and and someone

920
05:07:49.520 --> 05:08:04.638
mentioned the calendar concern which I heard from a couple other people as well. So, do we take into account in the contracts that we have now that the SRO's don't work for a couple of months?

921
05:08:04.638 --> 05:08:21.600
>> Yes, that's correct. Uh, we actually pay more to cover summer school. So, we have a SE you'll see separate um summer school contracts come through um probably in the next board meeting or two for to cover summer. So, we only pay them for the um usual spring uh fall and

922
05:08:21.600 --> 05:08:37.120
spring term and not summer. >> Okay. Thank you. And I just I heard you say this, but I just want to I'll end with this to reconfirm. Is the plan that you're showing us today or any do you have any plans of trying to develop a

923
05:08:37.120 --> 05:08:53.200
Broward County Public School police force? >> No, that's not what this uh is for. Um, and as you stated, Miss Hixon, this is more about an education uh for the board and and for the public to really understand our current state and the capabilities of our of our current um

924
05:08:53.200 --> 05:09:09.520
district police force. >> Okay. And as was mentioned, right now in some schools, there are Broward County Police doing the SRO job. >> Yes. When um needed, if a contracted officer um is out, um we plug in our

925
05:09:09.520 --> 05:09:27.680
staff to support. Is there any school that has a public Broward County public school police officer assigned to it? >> No, I don't I don't I don't think is that the case? Um, can you correct correct me if I'm wrong? >> I don't think we have Go ahead, Chief.

926
05:09:27.680 --> 05:09:43.760
>> As you stated by Mike Gregory, um, it depends on the the agency. We during this current contract year, we've had a couple of agencies that we've needed to provide officers for extended periods of time over a month. Uh and the prior school police officer covered those

927
05:09:43.760 --> 05:09:58.958
schools uh during that period of time and uh then the officers may come back from their home jurisdiction later on. So we are there to fill in the gap currently during that process. >> Okay. Thank you. because I think it's important to know that and I as someone

928
05:09:58.958 --> 05:10:15.040
else mentioned the cities are experiencing financial issues just like the school board is and there may be come a point where they don't have the police officers to fill in. I know that's true in some of the cities already. So I appreciate the fact that

929
05:10:15.040 --> 05:10:31.040
we're preparing in that instance. Um, but I, you know, I I think there's a good way to to have the hybrid system and I look forward to hearing how the negotiations continue forward. So, I'm not taking a stand one way or the other.

930
05:10:31.040 --> 05:10:49.920
I just think some of that information was really important to say out loud, especially because it's very clear that I don't think most people understand what our police department does. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Holes. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I want to

931
05:10:49.920 --> 05:11:05.760
thank um everyone who spoke today, uh all of our police officers as well. I can tell you um I appreciate the work that our police officers do, regardless of whether or not you are a B County Public School police officer, you're a

932
05:11:05.760 --> 05:11:20.958
municipality officer. My my brother is a retired police officer as well, so I fully understand the scope of your work and and what you face. So this is not really about um supporting police officers because this

933
05:11:20.958 --> 05:11:38.718
board does. Uh it's really looking at uh which um structure would be best for students and best for our schools. Um so Dr. Heburn, I do have a a few questions and I did hear one of the comments um

934
05:11:38.718 --> 05:11:55.680
mention that uh this is just about money. So, I guess I'll ask that question because I did um hear benefits uh from Chief Gregory of having an in-house um or supporting an in-house approach to our police officers. And

935
05:11:55.680 --> 05:12:13.360
then I also heard from um Mr. Ryback. I I hope I said that correctly. Um as far as the benefits of having municipality police officers. So, Dr. Heburn, is this just about money? >> No, it's not just about money, sir. >> Okay. So wi with that being said um

936
05:12:13.360 --> 05:12:30.638
madame chair uh just for the sake of the public and for others who um wish to um listen to the direction in which the board may end up going. Um I would like to ask a few questions to uh Chief

937
05:12:30.638 --> 05:12:49.200
Gregory and uh Chief Nasawitz as well as to Mr. Adam Ryback since he is representing I believe the municipality um police officers and um um Miss Bruno you can stop me if I need to be stopped.

938
05:12:49.200 --> 05:13:05.680
Okay. So um Chief Gregory uh what would you say and if you could reiterate in a very concise way are the benefits of having um B County Public School police officers? Mike Gregory, chief safety and security

939
05:13:05.680 --> 05:13:22.560
officer. Uh as as uh illustrated in the presentation today, we we certainly see uh the fact that there a centralized structure with fewer sets of policies would be more efficient. having a centralized structure where they with

940
05:13:22.560 --> 05:13:38.638
less uh training standards across the district, less um equipment differences, whether one agency authorizes tasers and pepper spray and another agency doesn't. they have another set of tools or

941
05:13:38.638 --> 05:13:54.320
whether an agency uh has a high level of training on uh um mental health for students and youth or whether they focus merely on tactical. Uh those things are the decisions of the current chief chief of

942
05:13:54.320 --> 05:14:11.280
police with our and and the sheriff with our 14 agency contracts. Uh so having less than 14 having 13 would be uh less exposure to all these differences for our students our students and our staff on campuses having a smaller amount I

943
05:14:11.280 --> 05:14:26.798
think is the is the objective not necessarily changing the structure that's not the conversation we're having that's not negotiation that we're discussing it's having a smaller number of contracts than 14 >> and then if I can clarify um Dr. the holiness um u for you and the and the

944
05:14:26.798 --> 05:14:42.080
board as you give comment. This isn't about choosing either or uh we're not making the uh decision to transition um our services um to schools. This is uh as I said before this is more about understanding the capabilities of of our

945
05:14:42.080 --> 05:14:59.440
of our uh um school um resource officers um the understanding the current structures of contracts and the number of municipalities. This isn't about uh transitioning. A transition would happen if one of the cities um so uh sees it fit that they don't want to provide

946
05:14:59.440 --> 05:15:15.360
those services to the school and would like the school district to do that. We stand ready to to um to take that um that initiative over if they see fit. But this isn't a choice uh for the board to hey, we want to move in this direction or that direction. Just I just

947
05:15:15.360 --> 05:15:30.240
want to clarify that as you um ask questions and give comment. >> Understand and I appreciate that. Dr. He burn. The the presentation did however highlight um benefits of utilizing a B County police officers um uh B County

948
05:15:30.240 --> 05:15:47.920
public schools police officers. So I um let me just ask this question then. Is there an intent to um based upon the the cost that's mentioned for in-house police officers, an intent to expand the use of in-house police officers as we

949
05:15:47.920 --> 05:16:03.200
move forward on a yearly basis? >> No, the intent is more of working with our municipality partners. Um as uh Miss Hixon mentioned, I I know there's going to be financial concerns um across the board, school districts, uh any government entity as they move forward

950
05:16:03.200 --> 05:16:19.920
and they may make some decisions in the near future. um or in the distant future that where they don't want to provide those services anymore. Um and for people, the board and the public to really understand the current capabilities so they have a clear understanding of what we're capable of doing if we take over those services. So

951
05:16:19.920 --> 05:16:36.400
communities understand what we have um how how uh well trained our officers are held to the same standards as any other officer in the municipality or sheriff's office. So it's more of a clarification of that. >> Okay. So, I'll just ask a few more questions based on the presentation.

952
05:16:36.400 --> 05:16:52.480
And, uh, Chief Gregory, were you finished with your comments? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, um, Mr. Adam Ryback, did I say that correctly? >> That's okay. So, um, as it pertains to because our presentation indicates some

953
05:16:52.480 --> 05:17:10.320
of the benefits of having, uh, our B County public schools, uh, officers, can you reiterate for the public what would what are the benefits of the municipality officers throughout our schools? >> Well, I think you heard a lot of that today. I mean, in terms of the fact that our the municipalities officers have

954
05:17:10.320 --> 05:17:25.440
grown up in these in in these communities, they work with these schools and these students for years. um there's a sense of community when you when it comes to a municipal's a municipality's ability to provide those police services, right? We we intend to

955
05:17:25.440 --> 05:17:41.840
ensure that our students in particular feel comfortable around police. They feel comfortable around the police that are in their community. And there's frankly no better way to provide police services than at the local level. And our localities, the 14 that are committed to providing that level of

956
05:17:41.840 --> 05:17:57.680
service and ensuring that our students and our and our schools are safe. And that starts at the local level. >> Okay. So, so um Mr. Ryback, could you could you let us know in terms of what is your current role in terms of um you

957
05:17:57.680 --> 05:18:13.360
know the negotiating all of that? What is your current role as far as representing municipality officers? So, three years ago, we took on the role from the Broward City Manager Association and the Broward League of Cities, working collectively to

958
05:18:13.360 --> 05:18:29.200
negotiate on behalf of all 14 contracted municipalities to reach an agreement that was uniform across the board. And we intend to do that. Frankly, it's a it's an ease to your you and your staff to have one agreement. We provide the numbers based

959
05:18:29.200 --> 05:18:44.638
on what we believe is the accurate reimbursement amount. we poll all the cities to ensure that we are capturing all the costs. I I will tell you and again I'm I'm I I really would love to see where the 98,500 number comes from.

960
05:18:44.638 --> 05:19:00.560
I can assure you that when you look at all of our mun municipalities and the police officers and the cost for providing that service, when you add in salary, benefits, vehicles, equipment, training, technology, you're close to $200,000 per officer.

961
05:19:00.560 --> 05:19:16.000
And that number is going to continue to grow as our costs continue to go up as well. >> Understand? So there there's been conversation regarding um sort of the different um school resource officers from the municipalities sort of working in isolation as opposed to a suggestion

962
05:19:16.000 --> 05:19:31.920
of a centralized approach. Right. So for my knowledge and the knowledge of the public, do the municipalities officers is there any sort of collaborative effort among all of them uh with regards to being effective as school resource officers?

963
05:19:31.920 --> 05:19:46.638
>> Well, I can assure you that all of our police departments are accredited. Um I can certainly I would you know the police folks that are in the room um who are obviously much more well trained to answer this question than I am. But I assure you from a central from a standpoint of centralization or

964
05:19:46.638 --> 05:20:02.480
decentralization as we look at it all of our police are trained to be professional have professional standards I don't see there being a difference in level of between one city and another when it comes to our police officers they are all to the held to the highest

965
05:20:02.480 --> 05:20:17.520
standard and they provide the highest level of service whether they're in the schools or whether they're patrolling our streets. >> Okay. So Dr. Hebrron let me ask that question another way. So we have municipality officers in each and every school. Um and I know that there are um

966
05:20:17.520 --> 05:20:34.798
school related specific concerns that may be outside of a municipality officer training uh in terms of their cities and so on. Do we currently have any um sort of structure in place where the all of the municipality officers meet for say a

967
05:20:34.798 --> 05:20:50.798
general meeting monthly or bimonthly or whatever it is to sort of collaborate on um issues that are similar to schools so they could do their jobs more effectively and if not can that be a part of the approach in terms of

968
05:20:50.798 --> 05:21:05.440
negotiation and you can stop me Bruno if I'm going too far. Oh, you're the GC. You meant M you miss Bruno. I know what you meant. Um I just want to uh understand the question you're asking Dr. Holdness. Are you saying that all

969
05:21:05.440 --> 05:21:21.760
the all the SRO's um from our partners and all of our schools, do they come together at a at a you know frequency during the year for for common training? Is that what you >> Well, do we have any sort of

970
05:21:21.760 --> 05:21:37.920
collaboration with the school district as it is specific to schools because municipality officers are trained uh separate from uh say for example our school resource officers that we have in house. So is is it possible and I don't

971
05:21:37.920 --> 05:21:55.040
know that in order to understand school specific issues that our municipality officers have some sort of a coalition or something in place or structure that they can come together quarterly to understand policing schools uh um better

972
05:21:55.040 --> 05:22:10.240
so they can serve the needs of students in B County schools better. um we can bring that to the negotiation team. But I can what I can tell you every last one of the officers, be it if it's a municipal um uh officer, if it's BSO or even um um BCPS officers, all of them

973
05:22:10.240 --> 05:22:27.680
are well trained to keep our kids in our schools safe. Um as far as some of the nuances about um schools, we can talk talk about that during negotiation teams and see what that looks like. But as far as uh being trained to do the job, yes, absolutely. every last one of them are.

974
05:22:27.680 --> 05:22:42.798
Um so we'll have to sit down to talk about some of the nuances and kind of tease that out to see what um specific nuances we need to um add or or discuss further. But um you know I'm confident that everybody knows what what they're doing and how to respond when there's a

975
05:22:42.798 --> 05:22:58.480
crisis or an emergency regardless of who they're who who uh they're hired by or whose books they're on. >> Okay. >> Mr. Bruno, did you were you trying to say something? I I'm just listening to the conversation, but again, just being um cautious in terms of the road that

976
05:22:58.480 --> 05:23:13.760
we're on. >> Understand? Understand. And I I I I just feel like Ball County public schools, we have specific school issues that relates to student. And as someone who um have had experience with, for example, the discip discipline matrix in our schools

977
05:23:13.760 --> 05:23:30.958
and and working in the schools, you know, I I believe that some sort of a if it's not in place, um it doesn't have to be frequently collaboration with the different municipalities to understand specific school related issues. uh would

978
05:23:30.958 --> 05:23:46.958
probably be beneficial to our students because my goal is what is best for students. Uh and so that's why I made those comments. Um but Dr. Hepper, currently we have a hybrid model as board member Hixon mentioned. Correct. >> Um

979
05:23:46.958 --> 05:24:03.040
I want to call it I want to call it specifically a hybrid model. It's a it's a outsourced contracted model with support um from our officers as well. Okay. All right. So, um that's it for my

980
05:24:03.040 --> 05:24:21.920
question and thank you so much, Adam. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Mr. Sea. >> Um first and foremost, I want to thank all of our great law enforcement officers um around the county and certainly in the crowd for everything they do for our

981
05:24:21.920 --> 05:24:37.360
students and their staff. Uh we appreciate you and the board member from district 6 will always have your back. I also want to thank our city officials from around the county who came uh in today and spoke, letting their voices

982
05:24:37.360 --> 05:24:55.120
and opinions being heard on behalf of their respective cities. Uh nice to see city councilwoman uh Denise Horland from the great city of Plantation. Thank you, ma'am. Um Mr. Decker from the great city of Weston. Thank you, sir, for coming in. uh Vice Mayor Brody from the great

983
05:24:55.120 --> 05:25:10.958
city of uh Coconut Creek. Thank you, sir. I appreciate everybody who came in uh and spoke. Folks, we must understand that our core mission, what our core mission is when it comes to the school board and our law enforcement partners, keeping our kids

984
05:25:10.958 --> 05:25:25.520
and our staff members in our schools safe. Period. Full stop. And I want to be clear, this exercise is not about ending partnerships with our local city police departments. It's

985
05:25:25.520 --> 05:25:40.560
never the objective. I also will be the first to say and the first to admit that the letters that some of our city partners received on a Friday close to happy hour was not

986
05:25:40.560 --> 05:25:57.680
the best best practice of this district. and I certainly want to apologize for any angst and confusion that may have uh caused some of you. However, I believe that we took the appropriate corrective action in rescending those letters um in

987
05:25:57.680 --> 05:26:15.200
somewhat of a timely manner. And now that we are all back to square one, I want to urge all of our cities and all of our police departments to continue to negotiate with us. Let's get this right because we all know

988
05:26:15.200 --> 05:26:32.320
the stakes are too high to screw this up. And I want to be very clear. Every officer in here is a damn good cop and will make an excellent school resource officer should they choose to take on that position in any of our schools

989
05:26:32.320 --> 05:26:48.000
within this entire county. That being said, we do have to listen to our citizens, our city officials, and our officers. Let's get back to the negotiation table and find a reasonable resolution to

990
05:26:48.000 --> 05:27:04.718
resolve these SRO contract talks. We can get this done. Failure here quite frankly is not an option. In closing, I want to briefly address some internet rumors that I've been

991
05:27:04.718 --> 05:27:20.958
hearing over the last couple weeks. There is absolutely no scenario in which a single school resource officer will be replaced by a guardian in any of our schools. This will not happen. Every one

992
05:27:20.958 --> 05:27:36.718
of our schools in this county will have at least one sworn law enforcement officer serving as their SRO. And in some schools, it may be more than one. We love and respect our school resource

993
05:27:36.718 --> 05:27:53.280
officers no matter what department they come from. I still remember my resource officer from JP Terala High School, Mark Officer Callaway from the Coral Springs Police Department, what seems like at this point like 40 years ago when I was in high school. I remember the

994
05:27:53.280 --> 05:28:09.680
relationship that I had with my SRO and I remember looking up to him and the amount of respect that I felt for him on a daily basis. I feel a lot of our kids share it with their SRO's in their schools no matter

995
05:28:09.680 --> 05:28:25.120
what department um they come from. So I am urging my department and every city police department to get back to business. Listen to your community. Listen to your constituents and let's get a deal done

996
05:28:25.120 --> 05:28:44.558
one way or another. Our kids deserve nothing less. And Madame General Counsel, I'm going to say this and tell me if I'm stepping out of bounds. Any way that I can be a resource, any way that I could help, call me, email me.

997
05:28:44.558 --> 05:29:02.160
In fact, for those of you who know where I live, come to my house. I'll help out. I want to get this done. any way I can assist, I will always be there for our law enforcement officers and our SO and our SRO and I thank all of you again from the bottom of my

998
05:29:02.160 --> 05:29:19.280
heart. Thank you, chairman. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I just want to make mention of something. The Chris Hixon, Aaron Feice, Scott Beagle Guardianship Program is a valuable program that provides

999
05:29:19.280 --> 05:29:35.840
armed guardians to schools. We do have them in our schools, mostly in our elementary schools. We do not have SRO's at every single school. We do have guardians. They are valuable, and I would have never allowed my husband's name to be on

1000
05:29:35.840 --> 05:29:52.160
that program if I thought it was less than. So, thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Sheriff, if I may, I certainly did not intend my comments to disparage guardians. I would never do that. What I was concerned about were

1001
05:29:52.160 --> 05:30:09.120
rumors that were floating around the internet in which people were suggesting that it was the school board's intention to remove our SRO's from our schools, the schools that qualify. Obviously, by the way, I understand how the elementary school parameter is set up, but to remove our SRO's from our schools and

1002
05:30:09.120 --> 05:30:24.878
replace all of them with guardians. So, I want to be very clear to the public that that was a rumor and that was not true. And in no way, shape or form am I disparaging our guardians. I just want to make sure that every member of the public fully understands that our SRO

1003
05:30:24.878 --> 05:30:41.440
are here to stay and that will continue as long as I have a say on that. Thank you. Mrs. Ala, >> thank you. So, we came today um because of these

1004
05:30:41.440 --> 05:30:58.638
letters that went out and the lack of collaboration and communication with our our cities and that's really unfortunate. I pushed really hard today to have this workshop because this is a very healthy conversation for us to have

1005
05:30:58.638 --> 05:31:13.600
these discussions for the board members to be on the same page and our cities. So the one main thing I want to get out of this meeting today is that these conversations and this collaboration needs to happen more often and that's

1006
05:31:13.600 --> 05:31:30.558
how we make our schools safer is this. We cannot be in silos. We cannot have the the schoolboard police and the city police and the school board. We have to have more robust conversations and and so in regards to the the

1007
05:31:30.558 --> 05:31:46.480
training and and I would like to see all the policies pulled from all 14 city municipalities and see what we're actually talking about. Maybe there is some common uh training models and policies that are occurring. Dr. Hepper,

1008
05:31:46.480 --> 05:32:00.958
I don't you know I don't know. we we are we don't have view of of what that is and what that looks like. Also, um there needs to be a more collaboration

1009
05:32:00.958 --> 05:32:17.440
with in our schools with our SRO, whether it's the city SRO or the school board SRO, but also with our security staff on campus. There cannot be silos. We all have to be working as a team. And

1010
05:32:17.440 --> 05:32:35.120
and when one of us is not doing what we're supposed to do within policy, then that's when we have a tragedy, when doors are unlocked and nobody's there watching. And and so we need to continue

1011
05:32:35.120 --> 05:32:52.080
to to push for more policy, more training, and then more accountability. Florida has been a leader in the last eight years since the tragedy at Marjorie Stoman Douglas High School. This state has is a blueprint for the the country as far as laws that we have

1012
05:32:52.080 --> 05:33:07.440
passed. Um but those laws they have to be followed with fidelity and accountability and Dr. Hepern holding our security team accountable and then the city is holding their SRO accountable. You know, a lot of times I

1013
05:33:07.440 --> 05:33:23.760
I go into schools and and I tell I tell the principal, I said, "Hey, um, take me to the SRO office." Why do I say that? Because I know the SRO is sitting most of the time in his office. And that's a problem.

1014
05:33:23.760 --> 05:33:38.878
>> We need to have our I'm not saying everyone. I'm saying sometimes this happens. And we need to have whether it's our schoolboard police, whether it's the city police, we need to be a team. We need to be actively walking the

1015
05:33:38.878 --> 05:33:55.920
campuses and making sure that a threat doesn't come into our schools. Unfortunately, the guns will are continuing to possibly get into our campuses and we need we have the things like our weapons detection system, our law enforcement

1016
05:33:55.920 --> 05:34:12.798
there, our guardians all there to protect our students and and so I go back to policy, training and accountability. And if we become complacent as a school district, as as

1017
05:34:12.798 --> 05:34:30.558
cities, we're going to have the next MSD. And I don't want to see that ever ever happened again because our families, the Sixon's family was impacted and 17 families were impacted because people became complacent, swept

1018
05:34:30.558 --> 05:34:45.760
things under the rug. That cannot happen. So, Dr. He we need to get these negotiations done. We need our city SRO in our schools and

1019
05:34:45.760 --> 05:35:04.400
we need to collaborate and work together so that we have training and accountability. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rupert. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um the benefit of going almost last is

1020
05:35:04.400 --> 05:35:20.718
uh that that my colleagues have asked several of my questions already. Um so I will not you know take extra time to do that. Um I think our Broward County School Board police and our municipal

1021
05:35:20.718 --> 05:35:38.558
police and BSO have and will always have our communities and schools at heart. Um I have a mix of municipalities and uh I also have those who have uh SRO's from BSO and some of our municipalities

1022
05:35:38.558 --> 05:35:54.240
their police officers and all the schools that would are within that uh municipality and for me it's not a conversation of to be either or or both but the feeling of family from our

1023
05:35:54.240 --> 05:36:09.680
municipality to our city officer ers who have grown up in the very city that they're serving, who know the families multiple generations. I know SRO's who when they heard about the letter um

1024
05:36:09.680 --> 05:36:25.520
burst into tears in my neighborhood because they were completely uh bar thinking they were going to um not be able to work at the school that they love. and the children and and the staff

1025
05:36:25.520 --> 05:36:43.920
that they really feel well they are they're a part of our community. Um there's also signs that have gone up in my neighborhood and in some other municipalities nearby um that have signs on their their yard

1026
05:36:43.920 --> 05:36:59.840
their yard and it says the one closest to me says keep Wall-E as our SRO please and has like tears and stuff on it. So, understanding that, I have um I

1027
05:36:59.840 --> 05:37:15.520
have a few questions and it was uh I'm I'm not going to belabor the part about the letter, but the SROS who I know crying for loss of their family is what they

1028
05:37:15.520 --> 05:37:32.558
were thinking. Um that was a huge mistake. Um, okay. Let me ask the questions that I have first to make it go a little quicker. I can. Um, if we already have it, just let me know or just put it to the top of my my

1029
05:37:32.558 --> 05:37:50.160
email. Um, may we be given the breakdown of costs by municipalities for so for um the 118 119 and understanding that the sole

1030
05:37:50.160 --> 05:38:07.680
officers there, some of our municipalities would be getting a little bit more than the other municipalities. So, a good price while some are only getting really a fraction of their cost. So I I think it would be interesting to see exactly um what that breakdown would

1031
05:38:07.680 --> 05:38:26.080
be. Um how are our SRO's allocated to each school? Um when the issue came up about two weeks ago, there was a presentation

1032
05:38:26.080 --> 05:38:43.840
from Chief Gregory stating that they would transition at about 12% each year over an 8-year period. Is that still a plan?

1033
05:38:43.840 --> 05:38:59.760
>> No, that's not a plan. Um, Miss Rer, also for the first question as far as cost breakdown for for um the cities. >> Yes. Yeah, we're in negotiations and um as as uh the party um negotiating for a

1034
05:38:59.760 --> 05:39:15.840
specific amount on the contract, the only thing I think we can give you is just a 119 or whatever the price that we would pay moving forward as far as what the city's um pay their officers or the cost breakdown. That that's not our perview.

1035
05:39:15.840 --> 05:39:32.878
>> No. Uh and that that would be fine. I basically want to know uh with that 118 or 119 uh whichever that amount of money that that we um that that I guess it's our cost. Is that what the breakdown is? Yes. >> Or that's how um that's our cost.

1036
05:39:32.878 --> 05:39:47.840
>> Yes. We pay >> to where that to where that actually leads to including um >> the fringe benefits, retirement, etc., etc. So I I think it would be interesting because um that would be

1037
05:39:47.840 --> 05:40:03.200
variable for the the municipalities and I understand that you don't have that. >> I can answer that question for you right now, Miss Rupert. Um we just like any other contracted service um that the board is used to if we contract IT people um to install certain things in

1038
05:40:03.200 --> 05:40:19.360
our schools. We we pay a flat rate. We pay one $119,000 currently this year of a flat rate for all the cities. Um and also uh BSO. Um Gotcha. >> Yeah. It's just a flat rate to um contract the services that they're

1039
05:40:19.360 --> 05:40:36.558
providing at our schools. >> Does it cost uh is there any differential between a guardian and a uh a police officer? Any cost benefit change? That's all I'm asking. >> So the guardians are hired by us uh BR

1040
05:40:36.558 --> 05:40:52.240
County Public Schools. So we pay them a a salary just like any other employee that's hired by us. Um so yes, the guardians um um the cost to the district is is less. Um yes, >> the service is not

1041
05:40:52.240 --> 05:41:07.920
>> um I'm sorry. Repeat that. >> I said of course the service is not >> not less is what I'm saying. >> No, the service is not the service is not less. they just um don't have um arresting powers and some of the things that sworn police officers can do.

1042
05:41:07.920 --> 05:41:26.400
>> Right. Okay. Um so with I didn't really hear the explanation as to um it it was stated as a plan and now it's it's not a plan. >> Correct. >> So I think I need to understand how that

1043
05:41:26.400 --> 05:41:44.400
happened. >> It it is not a plan. The plan is if a city She's asking question for current state right now. Right now that is not a plan. Um the the current plan is if there's um a transition of of city or BSO services

1044
05:41:44.400 --> 05:42:00.320
to a school um that's going to be um if they pursue that change. Um and we'll and we're we we are willing to work with um BSO or any um uh city um um official to make that transition um as they see

1045
05:42:00.320 --> 05:42:16.718
fit moving forward. >> Okay. Um >> one one Mr. Dup Bruno wants to add something. >> And if I could just add to what the superintendent said in terms of guardians being employees of the district, I think it's also really important to understand what the statute

1046
05:42:16.718 --> 05:42:33.600
requires for guardians. Um, it's not just somebody that we hire and then we just put them in schools. The statute also requires that the sheriff's office create a program and that those individuals are trained with like 144 hours um fire safety deescalation. So, I

1047
05:42:33.600 --> 05:42:50.080
just want to make sure that was clear. >> Oh, yeah. It I'm sure it's clear to everybody, but I I appreciate uh the the little reminder for me. And um so lost my train of thought now. Sorry.

1048
05:42:50.080 --> 05:43:05.120
Um that was that was an important part of it. But I think moving forward it would behoove us um and the municipalities to actually continue at the negotiation table, but

1049
05:43:05.120 --> 05:43:22.080
also to uh work together on some ideas for um crossraining. And I and cross training by I mean is um really a nod to my colleague Miss Thompson. Um that

1050
05:43:22.080 --> 05:43:37.920
our Broward County School Board Police are very cognizant if there is an issue between with a child on the spectrum with their deescalation but also with some behavior techniques. And um I know that BSO

1051
05:43:37.920 --> 05:43:56.080
has has had people there to actually um do that as part of it. So as we talk through negotiations, not me talking cuz that's that's you guys. Um to to make to make sure that we do that option, I think that would help every every child

1052
05:43:56.080 --> 05:44:12.000
in Broward County um especially with a a rise of um mental health issues in our community. So, um, for me, um, I I think 14 municipalities, we don't really need to be fighting

1053
05:44:12.000 --> 05:44:27.120
across the board on this particular issue with, um, our our municipalities that are running out. I believe we have, and correct me if I'm wrong, um, Dr. Heeper, I believe we have at least two

1054
05:44:27.120 --> 05:44:45.680
or three um, expiring June 30th. I think all of them expired um June 30th. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> What happens? >> Um >> we con the we continue the services and we pay for the services until we come to

1055
05:44:45.680 --> 05:45:03.360
an agreement about what the future of the next contract looks like. >> Okay. Um my suggestion would be that for these municipalities that truly want to keep their own local

1056
05:45:03.360 --> 05:45:20.160
uh officers in their schools in their city and they are not wanting to to pull them out that the the preference would go to the municipalities as to do you want to um be a part of this this uh um

1057
05:45:20.160 --> 05:45:36.558
plan that's not a plan um that moving forward. So that's that's an important aspect and it might be an easy ask because we certainly have many things to to discuss right now and I don't really think we need to be doing this at this

1058
05:45:36.558 --> 05:45:53.680
moment in time. So I would I would hope and I can't give direction as one board member that those 14 municipalities of whom several or perhaps all of them want to keep their their their police in their municipalities for our schools.

1059
05:45:53.680 --> 05:46:08.958
then um that's that should be a you know a one-year extension if you have to do that to actually um be able to to move forward with actual um negotiation time.

1060
05:46:08.958 --> 05:46:25.280
And as we are uh concentrating on um reimagining our schools, uh we're we're we are financially having difficulty with many parts of that. And

1061
05:46:25.280 --> 05:46:42.000
if we could actually come together on this one thing, um I think it's a win-win. So try to honestly work from that perspective. That's that that's my position on that. and I support um you know any of my cities

1062
05:46:42.000 --> 05:46:58.718
that want to keep their their officers in their schools. So, and and I I respect that and that's something that I won't uh change my mind on. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Um I'd like to just give some

1063
05:46:58.718 --> 05:47:14.400
brief comments. First, like many of my colleagues, I want to thank all of the law enforcement in the room. Um, you all serve our students and our community incredibly. And I had the privilege of working with Officer Almanzar at Coconut Creek High

1064
05:47:14.400 --> 05:47:30.000
School 10 years ago. And I think he's probably the most famous person in Coconut Creek. Sorry, Commissioner Welsh and Vice Mayor Brody. Um, I've also had the pleasure of getting to know our Broward Schools police. A little over a year ago, I did a ride along with

1065
05:47:30.000 --> 05:47:46.638
Officer Rosario. um and was able to see the love and joy and safety he brings to our schools. And I know that the same can be said for all of our Broward schools police. Um so I just want to echo Dr. Zean's sentiments. There was an error in communication. The

1066
05:47:46.638 --> 05:48:03.200
superintendent has repeatedly apologized for that. And in order for us to all move forward to do the most important work we've been tasked with, which is keeping our students safe, we have to do just that. We have to move forward. We need to support the superintendent's

1067
05:48:03.200 --> 05:48:19.440
ability to negotiate, direct him to engage in open, consistent, frequent communication with all stakeholders and work collaboratively with our cities to ensure that we have the safest schools in the country. I really appreciate um

1068
05:48:19.440 --> 05:48:35.680
the information that was brought forward today. Um, but I I really do think that moving forward, again, we need clear, consistent, frequent, transparent communication with the the necessary stakeholders. Um, do any of my

1069
05:48:35.680 --> 05:48:51.040
colleagues have a any comments for the second round? >> I have a question. >> M, >> I have a question. Thank you. Um, how many negotiation meetings have we had this current school year to date?

1070
05:48:51.040 --> 05:49:05.760
um at least once or probably what about four, five, six, something. We have quite a few and we're keeping it going.

1071
05:49:05.760 --> 05:49:23.360
>> So, roughly around five, >> give or take a few. Yeah, let's say five. >> Okay. Um thank you for that. Thanks. That was my that was my last question. >> Okay, Madam Chair, >> Dr. for wellness. >> Yeah. I just want um uh to verify Dr.

1072
05:49:23.360 --> 05:49:42.400
Heburn, when they spoke of the 98,500, does that include fringe benefits? Did you say that? >> That is salary and fringe. >> Salary and fringe. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? All right. Thank you to everyone who came out to to share. Oh, Dr. Zman, were

1073
05:49:42.400 --> 05:49:58.718
you okay? Um thank you to everyone who came out to share their feedback and participate. and we look forward to being good partners moving forward. Um that brings that workshop to a close at the direction of the superintendent. The following agenda topics are tenatively

1074
05:49:58.718 --> 05:50:17.520
scheduled to be addressed during the upcoming workshops. May 12th, advisory committee reports, 2026 regular legislative session recap. Redefining our schools update OSS quarterly report 2025 2026 quarter 3

1075
05:50:17.520 --> 05:50:32.558
rule development use of service animals diversity committee annual update rule development SSP policies rule development use of Brower County school facilities for non-school purposes. June 16th, advisory committee reports,

1076
05:50:32.558 --> 05:50:47.840
preschool and VPK programs updates, deployment of AI, and attendance update. Please note that the order of topics in the scheduling remain tentative and are subject to adjustment at the superintendent's discretion. At this time, do any of my colleagues have anything to bring to the future

1077
05:50:47.840 --> 05:51:06.080
workshops? Dr. Zean. >> Thanks, Chair. Um, I note that in our >> we uh we appreciate everyone who came out to speak. We ask if you need to have a conversation, please exit the boardroom so we can continue conducting

1078
05:51:06.080 --> 05:51:25.760
our meeting. >> Thanks, chair. Uh, I just note in our May and June workshops, we're not uh getting uh information about budgets. Am I is it handle? Is there a workshop between these two workshops or are we flooding our schoolboard meetings with

1079
05:51:25.760 --> 05:51:42.558
budget items, but we we've got a lot of work to do May and June on the budget because it's due June 30th. Uh u I'm just curious should we >> Dr. Zan, could you speak into your mic a little bit more please? Thank you. >> Sorry, a little thrown off here. I'm wondering if we want to add uh budget to

1080
05:51:42.558 --> 05:51:58.240
the uh May 12th and June 16th meeting. It's uh coming to the end of the year and we have to make some decisions about what we're going to do. >> Go ahead, Miss Sullivan. Before I speak, >> I was just going to say we also are waiting on this the state to finalize their budgets and we don't expect them

1081
05:51:58.240 --> 05:52:14.000
to do that until June, mid June. >> I appreciate that. We have a really good idea of where the state's landing. Uh the the House and Senate version are awfully close to each other and the governor has cut a deal. So, I'm not worried about that so much. I'm worried

1082
05:52:14.000 --> 05:52:29.680
about the $225 million we got to take out of the budget um you know due to student enrollment and those are those are just big changes. We we did part of it with this um you know staff reduction but I I just can't in good conscious like settle on a workshop thing that

1083
05:52:29.680 --> 05:52:46.160
doesn't have a budget every month as we're wrapping up the year and I just uh I'm one of nine but uh that's the way I would like to deal with things so that we're prepared uh when it comes down to the the last day where we've got to make hard decisions. >> No. Um good point Dr. Zean, let uh Miss Johnson and myself um get together and

1084
05:52:46.160 --> 05:53:02.718
um plan out what the cadence would look like for uh May and June. I know there's a lot of important decisions that need to be made and a lot of important updates as well um that the board needs to be a breast about and give some feedback on some next steps. >> Yeah, I continue to be worried that we're talking about the allocation of

1085
05:53:02.718 --> 05:53:18.718
the referendum that is until 27 to 31. We haven't done uh the spade work the normal spade work on the 26 27 budget nor have we completed u you know all of the negotiate the actual negotiations not I wouldn't call what we do with the

1086
05:53:18.718 --> 05:53:36.480
with uh a contract with SRO's the same thing as a collective bargaining agreement negotiation but we haven't finalized those yet either and there's some big items outstanding I just feel like um that sequence puts us at risk and so we need to do more work not less wick I have another topic if that's all right chair can I keep going Um, the

1087
05:53:36.480 --> 05:53:53.920
general counsel suggested that we not start our school board meeting till 3:00 and I appreciate uh that advice. I'm curious, general counsel, are we allowed to start uh before 3:00 or is it just your general advice? >> So, because of the fact that you did notice that the meeting could begin

1088
05:53:53.920 --> 05:54:10.400
immediately following the workshop. I won't say that you're not allowed to do it. >> Thanks, chair. All all I'm all I'm suggesting is a compromise which is if there are any items that a member of the public has signed up to talk about that we hold those in obeyance until 3:00

1089
05:54:10.400 --> 05:54:25.200
because that's really where that issue comes up. Right. We we said three or earlier. Uh there are some people that weren't that three that may want to come and talk on a specific item. I would just offer a compromise that in the interest of time there's a lot of items this afternoon to cover. A couple big

1090
05:54:25.200 --> 05:54:42.000
items. Um, I would like to do the ones that don't have any public speakers signed up before 3 and see if we can then pick up at 3:00 with the balance. >> Miss Deep Bruno. >> Now, if I could just um add to what I was saying, Dr. Zean, um, my analysis is always what's going to happen if

1091
05:54:42.000 --> 05:54:57.360
somebody does file and we go in front of a judge. I think the judge would say you advertise for 3 p.m. even though we have that disclaimer. That's why my recommendation was that we move forward with um starting at 3 p.m. But again, this is the board's discretion in terms

1092
05:54:57.360 --> 05:55:15.200
of what risk you want to take because it does say immediately following the workshop as well in the advertisement. >> I will follow my chair's uh advice. Thank you, chair. >> Thank you. Um I have Miss Hixon.

1093
05:55:15.200 --> 05:55:32.638
>> Thank you. I have a question because we don't we don't have the script that you're reading to see, but it seems to me you read a lot of things along with the um the redefining update and I have some

1094
05:55:32.638 --> 05:55:50.000
concerns as I do all the time about putting too many things on one agenda. So, I don't know if the superintendent could maybe look at are are there things that we could move from the agenda that includes the redefining update because

1095
05:55:50.000 --> 05:56:06.878
that's I just think there's a lot of >> So, to Miss Hixon's point, there's eight items on the May 12th workshop and I believe um four items on the June 16th workshop. just because the redefining I'm going to

1096
05:56:06.878 --> 05:56:24.000
guess is going to take a long a lot of time. >> Yeah. Um if you can allow the um team and I to look at it um and we can move some things around. >> Okay, perfect. And are we doing student successes now as well or just Okay,

1097
05:56:24.000 --> 05:56:40.638
perfect. The best time of the day. Um, I happened to be watching Channel 10 this morning and um, they were shouting out Village Elementary for winning and being recognized as the Panther Reading Challenge winner. And they got a party

1098
05:56:40.638 --> 05:56:56.798
from the Florida Panthers. And it was a challenge for reading 15 minutes um, every day with their family outside of it. and they had the most number of students that were or they had the highest number of 15minute readers. So,

1099
05:56:56.798 --> 05:57:13.280
congratulations to Village Elementary on that. So, and also I'd like to say um I'm very sorry that I missed the ROC cadet of the year and pass and review event last week. I was at the PTA PTSA

1100
05:57:13.280 --> 05:57:29.680
pat you on the um back award. So, I'm sorry I missed it, but I do want to say congratulations to Steve Joseph from Everglades High School for being recognized as the JOTC cadet of the year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson.

1101
05:57:29.680 --> 05:57:45.760
>> Thank you, chair. Um, Mrs. Hixon stole one of my student successes. That's fine. We can all celebrate him. Um, I did have two questions. One, when is the meeting where we will be discussing principal placements happening?

1102
05:57:45.760 --> 05:58:02.000
Dr. um may >> do we have like the meeting date because my community would like to speak to that. >> So I can't give you a date now because it's contingent upon the org chart being passed. So it's it looks as if that has to be done first before I can give you a clear date. >> Okay. So after the org chart hopefully

1103
05:58:02.000 --> 05:58:17.120
passes. >> Okay. And then um last week we passed an item about resolving student meal debt. How is that being communicated to students? because I met with them this week at SGA and nobody knew that was

1104
05:58:17.120 --> 05:58:34.080
happening. So what is the process to make sure that students can attend events and they they know that they can attend events and that parents know? >> Dr. Fton. >> So um I'm going to turn over to Dr. W in terms of have we reached the clarity

1105
05:58:34.080 --> 05:58:49.600
because I know we haven't started communicating with them yet. We did speak of May 1st because the senior's last day is like the end of May. So, we did have some time to make sure the communication was clear and then it'll be communicated with them. But, if you allow us, I would say about May 1st,

1106
05:58:49.600 --> 05:59:06.558
which is Friday, we'll be able to ensure that that is communicated clearly. >> And I'm fine with a follow-up. I just want to make sure that there's a process in in place to let them know. >> Thank you. >> And then is sexy student success? So, thank you. >> Anyone else? Dr. Holess.

1107
05:59:06.558 --> 05:59:22.718
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I just have a question regarding uh the time uh for the special school board meeting at 3 p.m. Uh, and I guess this question is for Miss Bruno. Um, you know, if the meeting had ended even

1108
05:59:22.718 --> 05:59:40.400
earlier, then we would have been waiting a long time as board members to have the 3:00 special schoolboard meeting. Um I know this is the way we've always done it in terms of um um you know the the time as it regards to you know um uh

1109
05:59:40.400 --> 05:59:56.958
contingent on the workshop. So I guess my question is this. If it had been phrased a different way where we started the workshop earlier, let's just say the workshop was scheduled for 2:00 and in the notice it says 2:00 p.m. or later contingent on completion of workshop.

1110
05:59:56.958 --> 06:00:13.280
Would that have made a difference? >> So, it's not necessarily a question of making the difference. The law requires that these meetings be properly noticed, which means that you give the proper time and you give the proper location. In my experience, if there is if the

1111
06:00:13.280 --> 06:00:29.120
workshop is finished earlier, um, we would wait until it's time for the next workshop to begin. I know staff does its best to try to make sure that we maximize the time and not allow these lull times, but they do happen from time to time. my analysis because of the fact

1112
06:00:29.120 --> 06:00:44.480
that you do have the extra language in there that says that immediately following the workshop um if the board wants to move forward. However, my opinion is if this were going to be challenged and there was a suit brought forward, I think the judge would say

1113
06:00:44.480 --> 06:01:00.320
that you actually noticed this for 3 p.m. >> I understand. But I'm I'm speaking if the if if another scenario occur where the workshop actually was scheduled and the workshop is running over time. Let's and we had say the special schoolboard

1114
06:01:00.320 --> 06:01:15.280
meeting scheduled at 2:00 but the workshop is running over that time period 2:15 and the workshop is still going on. If we had noticed that the special schoolboard meeting starts at 2 p.m. contingent on completion of workshop and the workshop ran over the 2

1115
06:01:15.280 --> 06:01:30.958
p.m. time, would we still would we be okay or we would have to stop the workshop and start the meeting at 2:00? >> I I would recommend that we stop the workshop um open up the the special schoolboard meeting just so that we can have it opened up and then we close it.

1116
06:01:30.958 --> 06:01:46.958
um because you want to be very precise and um specific when you are adhering to the sunshine law. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Would anyone else uh like to either opine on Dr. Zean's suggestion or share

1117
06:01:46.958 --> 06:02:02.400
any student successes or policy uh policies to bring forward? Um >> I do. >> Go ahead, Miss Rupert. >> Thank you. I I keep putting my little hand thing up, but maybe maybe it's not working for you guys. We can't see you, Miss Rupert. Or I can't at least. So,

1118
06:02:02.400 --> 06:02:19.520
>> okay. Sorry. Um, all right. Uh, I actually wanted to share some some good news and and asked for like a 15minute kind of u addition to a workshop about the success of finally getting Space

1119
06:02:19.520 --> 06:02:35.040
Florida into our schools. Um I do not know the other two schools, but I wanted to proudly announce that um Valanche High School will be starting it in the fall. So, I'm super super super excited

1120
06:02:35.040 --> 06:02:50.240
um that they're going to have the Space Florida curriculum there and I think it's going to be a wonderful addition to uh especially for for um our our neighbors in in in Creek and in um

1121
06:02:50.240 --> 06:03:06.878
Pompet Deerfield, everybody. It'll be open for everybody, but I'm just calling a few high schools out. So, I'm super excited and I, you know, I worked pretty hard for this, but I want to appreciate my um uh the superintendent and staff to

1122
06:03:06.878 --> 06:03:23.120
kind of, you know, work with everything to give us the opportunity and to make sure that we can get money from work workforce Florida. So, um that was that was pretty exciting. So, if there could be an update, um Dr. Heburn or is Dr.

1123
06:03:23.120 --> 06:03:39.280
Fulton and I can't really see you. um that we can just sneak something in at at 15 minutes at at another another time so the the board can kind of get quickly updated and move on. Um but uh I I know Rivet should be as excited as I am

1124
06:03:39.280 --> 06:03:55.520
because you know what space is back, baby. And uh here we are. It's going to be without within our district. So I'm very happy. Thank you, >> Miss Rupert. This is uh Dr. Fulton. We actually will be able to provide an update. You are correct. Blanch Elie was added to the list. So, I'll be more than

1125
06:03:55.520 --> 06:04:11.440
happy to share the good news and the path forward. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. Anyone else before I go? Um I one would still like to gather consensus about when we would like to start the special school board

1126
06:04:11.440 --> 06:04:28.798
meeting, but I also wanted to um see if there was any objection to bringing back I believe it's policy 1401, the naming and renaming of school facilities. Um, I know many of us are interested in perhaps honoring our beloved Nancy Mate.

1127
06:04:28.798 --> 06:04:46.958
Um, and so I just wanted to see uh if we were okay bringing that back for rule making. >> Yes, >> Miss Hixon. Oh, sorry. I didn't know if you wanted to say anything. >> All right, >> I'm a yes. >> Okay, great. So, Dr. Fulton, you have the direction on that. >> Thank you. >> Um, and then does anyone uh object to

1128
06:04:46.958 --> 06:05:02.718
Dr. Zean's proposal to start uh to dispose of some of the other items before, you know, now and then go to the special uh at 3:00 or uh would we like to follow council's advice and start the

1129
06:05:02.718 --> 06:05:19.120
meeting at 3? Miss Miss Bulman, >> I would like to follow council's advice and start the meeting at three. >> Three. Okay. I also would like to start at 3:00. Um okay is good with bay >> great one more

1130
06:05:19.120 --> 06:05:34.400
>> Dr. Zean. >> Um, I want to thank you, chair. Uh, you've done a lot of great things, but this idea of sharing documents with each other, research papers, critical chapters of books. Um, these are the kinds of things that great executive

1131
06:05:34.400 --> 06:05:50.240
teams do so that we can read when we have time, you know, to learn about new and different things. It turns out there's 14,000 school districts in the United States. Um, 81 of them have more than 50,000 students. So they're, you know, big enough that they deal with the same kind of things that we do, uh, in

1132
06:05:50.240 --> 06:06:07.040
the Council of Great City Schools, Florida Schoolboard Associations. There's a bunch of different groups that that, um, you know, do interesting research and write about things that that we have to learn. the more we know about these things uh whether it's emerging technology or artificial intelligence in general or um you know

1133
06:06:07.040 --> 06:06:23.040
exceptional students or you know diagnosis for spectrum disorders and things like that I think the better we're able to come to this board and and have really good meaningful discussions um and make better decisions you know about it. So, thank you for for so many things that you've done, uh, Chair

1134
06:06:23.040 --> 06:06:39.440
Leonardi, but but also just first maybe you've you've primed the pump a little bit and we'll share more information with each other, um, in a way that that really allows us to have even deeper conversations. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss. >> Thank you. Um, I I understand why we're

1135
06:06:39.440 --> 06:06:55.120
waiting till three, but I just want to make a point that we know we have at least one, if not two bigger items that may take time. So, I appreciate that board members want to wait till 3, but I would ask that when we have to extend the meeting that you don't vote no.

1136
06:06:55.120 --> 06:07:12.160
Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. Dr. Horner. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, um Madam Chair, I'm just thinking of um uh and I appreciate uh general counsel's advice, but I'm just thinking of subsequent meetings and future meetings in order to work efficiently with time. Um I would

1137
06:07:12.160 --> 06:07:27.600
strongly suggest that staff in the future and and I understand um that we are um sort of moving in a different direction, but in the future if we could um schedule if we have a workshop and a special schoolboard meeting that we should schedule the special school board

1138
06:07:27.600 --> 06:07:45.120
meeting earlier and if we have to stop the workshop, we do. Um that way we don't waste time um because we can discuss in the workshop um um uh as priority the the items that are major like um what we've had this morning and

1139
06:07:45.120 --> 06:08:01.440
then the items that are not major they don't attract a lot of public input we can have those discussed last and if we have to come back to the workshop madam chair then we come back to the workshop but I would much rather we move this special schoolboard meeting up and get through the priority items on the

1140
06:08:01.440 --> 06:08:18.400
workshop shop and then stop the workshop if we have to and go into the special school board meeting and come back. So, I'm hoping that that would be a much better direction. So, uh it could potentially be that we're waiting here 2 hours for the special school board meeting if we're done early. So, I don't want to have to waste that much time.

1141
06:08:18.400 --> 06:08:33.600
>> Thank you. And I I want to take ownership on the timing of it. Um I did request that they be spaced out because I thought that the workshop agenda items would take much longer uh given our history. Um, so I don't want staff to own that. I I want to be clear that that

1142
06:08:33.600 --> 06:08:47.680
I asked them to start the special earlier and um start the the I mean start start the workshop earlier and start the special later um to accommodate because you know we did have some substantive topics. So we will

1143
06:08:47.680 --> 06:09:04.718
continue to try to um do our best in uh anticipating the the timing of each agenda item and I I definitely take your feedback seriously. Thank you. >> And Madam Chair, I I appreciate that and it actually um wasn't necessarily um uh

1144
06:09:04.718 --> 06:09:20.958
any sort of criticism and I know you didn't take it that way. I I just know that we normally based upon our prior process, we normally have the it stated that we would start the special school board meeting right after the workshop. But so I think none of us really knew we

1145
06:09:20.958 --> 06:09:35.600
were going to proceed in that direction. But um uh you know I think I think it's if we move it up closer and we have to stop the workshop then we would make use of the time but uh certainly the way you proceeded was what we've always done but we are going to um we have different

1146
06:09:35.600 --> 06:09:52.638
input that we are adherent to which we appreciate >> taken into account. Thank you Dr. Zean. >> Um uh do you plan to bring uh job descriptions and then the ORC chart first and second? I'm interested in Miss Hixon's point about, you know, there are going to be some of us that have to leave at some point for other engagements tonight. Um,

1147
06:09:52.638 --> 06:10:08.480
it seems like if we could do job descriptions first and then the ORC chart second, that would at least allow us as many people as could be here as possible. >> Mr. Preo, >> I don't see any problem with that. >> Oh, you like that idea, but you don't like starting on time.

1148
06:10:08.480 --> 06:10:23.680
>> I was going to read some law, but I won't. Miss Thompson, you have a >> I'm just confused because when we have to discuss the org chart and then job descriptions >> other way. >> Job descriptions. >> We have to do job descriptions first. >> You got one hour to get ready, Miss Thompson.

1149
06:10:23.680 --> 06:10:40.480
>> Oh, no. I've I also just appreciate the chair and I do think that our timing is always very um hectic and the fact that this went so quickly was not on my um Ouija board. So, thank you for your your

1150
06:10:40.480 --> 06:10:56.878
planning and just your leadership during this tumultuous time. >> And can we please recess? >> Well, we're going to adjourn the workshop. So, does anyone else have anything else to Okay. The scheduled order of business for the schoolboard workshop of the school board of Broward County, Florida has been completed.

1151
06:10:56.878 --> 06:15:18.440
Seeing no objections, I will now adjourn the school board workshop. W yeah. That's Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N.

1152
06:15:44.798 --> 06:18:03.080
Down. down. Oh. Heat. Heat. N. Oh, I love you. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N.

1153
06:18:10.638 --> 06:28:11.080
Yeah, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey,

1154
06:28:14.320 --> 06:32:31.080
hey, hey. Hey, Da. Dark. Heat. Heat. Green. Grand. Hey, hey, hey. Yeah.

1155
06:32:33.280 --> 06:35:59.080
Oh, I see. Yeah. Wo. Yeah. Wo. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey.

1156
06:36:44.638 --> 06:40:12.840
Heat. Heat. N. M. Oh. Heat. Heat. Yeah. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. N. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Heat.

1157
06:41:54.478 --> 06:44:39.160
King King Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down down

1158
06:45:14.798 --> 06:54:30.920
Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, hey, hey. I see there. I see there. Oh yeah.

1159
06:54:33.040 --> 07:00:33.680
Oh yeah. Yeah. Natal Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey.

1160
07:00:33.680 --> 07:04:23.920
Heat. Heat. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, hey, hey. I wanted to Hey. Hey.

1161
07:04:42.000 --> 07:09:20.200
Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. down. Down. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey.

1162
07:10:02.718 --> 07:16:10.520
Hey, hey, hey. Good morning. Baby. baby. D Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. There wo. Oh yeah.

1163
07:16:12.718 --> 07:16:44.718
Oh yeah. Yeah. Welcome to today's special school board meeting. The special schoolboard meeting of the school board of Brower County, Florida is now called to order. To ensure a safe and productive environment, please note the clearly

1164
07:16:44.718 --> 07:17:00.718
marked emergency exits. Do not block exit doors and all attendees must be seated except for media. Once the room reaches capacity, attendees will be directed to the overflow area. If the fire alarm sounds, exit the room calmly, continue outside the building, and remain there until authorities give

1165
07:17:00.718 --> 07:17:17.440
clearance to return. Thank you for your cooperation. All please rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

1166
07:17:17.440 --> 07:17:38.798
stands, one nation, indivisibley andice for all. As we begin, we reaffirm our vision. 100% proficiency for all students. As an A-rated school district, we remain committed to sustaining this achievement and supporting every student to reach

1167
07:17:38.798 --> 07:17:54.638
their highest potential. Our theme this year is believe, empower, achieve, one Broward. Today's special school board meeting will operate in accordance with schoolboard policy 1020 and the board will review the items as advertised and presented by the superintendent. The superintendent released a revised agenda

1168
07:17:54.638 --> 07:18:11.040
with certain changes for this meeting and published it on the school district's website. The chair finds pursuant to section 120.525 Florida statutes that good cause exists for such changes and accepts this revised agenda. >> May I have a motion and a second to close the agenda?

1169
07:18:11.040 --> 07:18:25.920
>> So move. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Mick Sixon. All in favor of closing the agenda, let it be known by saying I. >> All opposers say no. The agenda is now closed. We will soon hear from our registered public speakers. We ask that

1170
07:18:25.920 --> 07:18:41.120
decorum be maintained and civility and respect be shown during public comment. Our general council will assist the chair in maintaining decorum during this period. We also want to remind our public speakers of the rules and expectations regarding the agenda public comment portion of the special school

1171
07:18:41.120 --> 07:18:58.320
board meeting as well as board policy. Attorney Dupri Bruno, please explain the rules of public comment. >> Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam Chair. Public comment is governed by school board policy 1020 and is intended to provide input on the board's duties, decisions, and the overall operation of

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07:18:58.320 --> 07:19:13.440
the school district. The school board is viewpoint neutral during public comment. Per school board policy 1020, speakers must state their name, city of residents, and whether they are lobbyists before beginning their remarks. All remarks must be redirected

1173
07:19:13.440 --> 07:19:29.920
and directed to the board as a whole. The board will not respond to or engage with speakers during public comment >> and no action will be taken unless the item is on the agenda. >> During the agenda speaking time, speakers will have up to three minutes

1174
07:19:29.920 --> 07:19:48.080
per item and up to one minute on motions unless it is part of the same item. A speaker's total speaking time may not exceed 12 minutes per meeting with an additional one minute if a motion is introduced unless it is part of the item. A visible timer will be used and

1175
07:19:48.080 --> 07:20:03.440
the microphone may be turned off when time expires. Speakers must limit their comments to matters related to the schoolboard business. The agenda items must remain relevant to the specific item. Comments may not address matters that are pending litigation, quasi

1176
07:20:03.440 --> 07:20:19.200
judicial proceedings, active investigations, or administrative hearings. Solicitation and lobbying activities must comply with applicable schoolboard policy. Abusive language defined as profanity, threatening, or name calling is prohibited. In addition,

1177
07:20:19.200 --> 07:20:36.400
clapping, hissing, booing, shouting, yelling, or other disruptions from the audience is not allowed. Speakers who fail to follow proper decorum in the chambers will be ruled out of order by the board chair. Failure to comply may result in the microphone being turned off or recess being called after a

1178
07:20:36.400 --> 07:20:52.558
warning. The chair may also direct removal from the meeting and the building by law enforcement or the sergeant-at-arms. Madam Chair, thank you. Attorney Dupri Bruno, the board wants to hear from you and we appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a respectful, orderly, and productive

1179
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meeting environment. Um, when it is time for public speakers, I will call five speakers at a time. When you hear your name, please line up behind the podium on the right hand side of the room. Um, please follow sta with

1180
07:21:11.680 --> 07:21:27.840
one person at the podium at a time. Please follow the staff's directions when lining up and approaching the podium. Um, when your time is up, please yield the mic and exit the podium and follow staff's direction. Please be advised that any individual who disrupts the

1181
07:21:27.840 --> 07:21:44.638
meeting, refuses to to follow the chair's directions, or interferes with the orderly conduct of this meeting will be given a first warning, and then may be asked to leave the boardroom or removed from the building to ensure safety and integrity of the proceedings. May I have a motion and a second on item one and item two as they are companion

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items. >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Thompson. Public comment on items one and two. >> For both items, one register speaker, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um, I signed up to speak to

1183
07:22:05.520 --> 07:22:22.558
this item because I keep seeing um HVAC filter installation services. This one's a piggyback. when the new these are you're hiring a company to install filters when supposedly that's what PO is doing. But

1184
07:22:22.558 --> 07:22:37.280
a couple of years ago the diversity chair took pictures of filters that some new some old piled high in a number of high schools and we still never really got an answer on to as to why and how

1185
07:22:37.280 --> 07:22:53.600
they got there. So, it would be a great idea to audit what you have going on as far as HVAC filters, who you're paying, uh whether it's PO or piggyback contract, because this seems to be uh getting out of control with HVAC

1186
07:22:53.600 --> 07:23:09.440
filters. And um it would be interesting to see if those mountains of HVAC filters are still in existence. I forget which high schools, but I do have the pictures. Thank you. That concludes register speakers. >> Board member comment on items one or

1187
07:23:09.440 --> 07:23:26.718
two. Mrs. Alhadef. >> Yes. Are we documenting the filters in our system with the iPads yet? >> Mr. Dorset. >> Uh, good afternoon board. Mark Dorset,

1188
07:23:26.718 --> 07:23:42.478
chief operating officer. Task assigned. We're not documenting them with iPads yet. we are documenting them by identifying the dates that they were changed and and and it is placed in the system. So we do have a database that

1189
07:23:42.478 --> 07:23:58.798
capture all that information. As you know, we're still in the process of getting the iPads up and running and so we can uh uh do the filter checks with the iPad to install them in the system. >> And what was the name of the system again?

1190
07:23:58.798 --> 07:24:17.760
>> That's Maximo. >> Maximo Thank you, Mr. Seivera. >> I just want to make sure I have a clear understanding as to what exactly we're paying this $225,000 for. Um, Mr. Superintendent, is this company supplying us with these HVAC

1191
07:24:17.760 --> 07:24:34.000
filters and going around hopefully at least once a month and replacing them in our various schools and buildings? >> Mr. Dorse, >> yeah, absolutely. That's the service that we've we've purchased. Uh this

1192
07:24:34.000 --> 07:24:50.000
particular item, the item number one uh was a piggyback. Uh um uh and it expired. Uh instead of going back with that piggyback, we went and uh researched other companies and got a better rate. So we're coming we're coming with a new piggyback which is

1193
07:24:50.000 --> 07:25:05.680
item number two. >> If I can, Mr. Superintendent, do we know the differential in this proposed contract as to what exactly the cost of the installation service um breaks down to as compared to the actual net cost of

1194
07:25:05.680 --> 07:25:22.718
the HVAC filters? >> Go ahead, Miss Dorset info. >> No, that that is a a complete uh um uh project. It it it encompasses the purchase of the filters and the installation all at once and the price

1195
07:25:22.718 --> 07:25:39.040
depends on the size of the filters as installed. >> Well, I I I'm wondering has any analysis or or questions been been asked about how much could we save if we just bought the filters and had members of our custodial staff just install them on a monthly basis? Would that save us, you

1196
07:25:39.040 --> 07:25:56.400
know, hundreds of thousands of dollars or are we getting just some awesome rate on the HVAC filters because we're also paying this company for the install? >> Yes. Um, we are getting a great rate to do this. We used to install these. We had the custodial staff installing these

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filters before uh during u COVID. We we had to do a filter bliss where we had to go through the entire district to determine which school to change out the filters of the schools. You actually had some schools with no filters in them. So, we wanted to make sure that uh when

1198
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we change these filters, they're identified with the dates on them and they change at a frequent basis. So the district used to ent trust its custodial staff with changing the HVAC filters and after COVID we started paying a company to install them for us

1199
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because we could no longer apparently trust our custodial staff to do this. >> That that was not the the the the the comment. What I said was because we it's not that we didn't trust them. There were some schools that did not have filters or some schools that filters

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weren't changed for uh in in excess of a year. So what we wanted to do is we wanted to make sure that the filters were changed in in in accordance with the time frame time frame that they it was required. So we moved to that option. Mr. Superintendent, I can't

1201
07:27:03.520 --> 07:27:18.638
support this without knowing how much we're paying for the installation service and how much we're paying for the actual filters because we have great custodians in our schools and they're very capable and they're very um uh very hardworking and if we're paying basically like hundreds of thousands of

1202
07:27:18.638 --> 07:27:33.920
dollars just for an installation service, I um probably wouldn't be okay with them. So, my two cents. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I have a question or I guess just clarification. So item one is a

1203
07:27:33.920 --> 07:27:49.840
contract that actually expired and the request is because once all the invoices came in we were short this money. Is that correct? >> Correct. Correct. >> Okay. >> Then item number two is for the new um

1204
07:27:49.840 --> 07:28:06.080
the new contract. >> Correct. >> That is correct. >> Perfect. Thank you. I just wanted to clarify that and I miss Dr. Heburn that we've had this discussion before um and I I know that you said we would start seeing the changes but this continues to

1205
07:28:06.080 --> 07:28:21.360
stay to say spend authority and we've had the discussion on where spend authority is really confusion confusing and we were going to say budget authority moving forward. So when can we start to expect the items to move from spend authority to budgeted authority?

1206
07:28:21.360 --> 07:28:38.040
>> Uh we we've already uh made that transition for the for to start in May. So you won't see it for well this is the last board meeting in April so the next board meeting you'll see that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any anyone else?

1207
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All right. All in favor of items one and two say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> Items pass unanimously with one dissenting with one dissenting vote. Oh, sorry. I shouldn't have said unanimously. Items pass 8 to one with one dissenting vote. Mr. Sea. Could I

1208
07:28:55.040 --> 07:29:12.478
get a motion and a second on item three? >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon. Uh public comment on item three. >> Yes, madam. >> Madam chair. We have four reg five registered speakers. Will the following individuals please proceed to the podium? Dr.

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Natalie Lynch Walsh, Melanie Berkin, Vanessa Matut, Naen Martinez, Jackie Luskam, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, still Plantation, Florida. Um, I'm a little confused because in looking at the job

1210
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descriptions, which are supposed to dictate where people report to, what are the minimum qualifications, there's an executive director of budget and it says that it reports to a chief financial officer. Maybe there's two others because you can also find an executive

1211
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director of budget under the chief operations officer um for where food and nutrition is. And then I there's another one. This may be capital. Oh no, that says executive director budget. These are on pages

1212
07:30:04.718 --> 07:30:19.840
actually this might be the old version but maybe page 11 and 13. So, do you have multiple job descriptions or just one and then you don't? Because someone actually asked me this last week.

1213
07:30:19.840 --> 07:30:36.240
How do you know how many of a particular position you actually have in the district? This would be an example if and it would have really helped with a 100 pages to put page numbers like a table of contents so that you're not trying to hunt for these job

1214
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descriptions. They made a list of them, but no no no page numbers. The thing that would have made everyone's life easier. Point being, if you have executive director budget and you're going to which you're going to have two new ones, one for food nutrition, which

1215
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I disagree with, and one for facilities, which I also disagree with. Um, you should either have you need to have three and show that they report so that the board knows that they're it's being recommended that they have three executive directors of budget.

1216
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A and then whether you actually need these when you're shrinking the district. These are new positions. You did not have these before. So, the job descriptions, which you're being asked to approve today, and you didn't have last week or whatever that was when you

1217
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first started this discussion, the job descriptions today, how do you even you you're going to approve them, but what are you approving? Because you haven't seen them before and you don't know if you're approving one, three, six. Um, so

1218
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please get some clarity on that. Um, to ensure that the job descriptions match the org chart and they're not hiding. You don't have one job description and it pops up multiple times in the org chart and you lose track. It just says

1219
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chief financial officer, but that's not where these actually report to. There very well could be one under chief financial officer probably, but the other two are food nutrition and facilities. Thank you. Hello, good afternoon. My name is

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Melanie Berkin. I am from Davy, Florida, and I am here today to speak to you about the um I want to address the proposed director of wellness and mental health job description. Um the issue before you here is the title is not just

1221
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the title, it's the substance of the role. Um, it seemed to me that the this job description is supposed to encompass both the responsibilities of the current student prevention and wellness

1222
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supervisor as well. But it completely omits the responsibilities of the former director of mental health services, including the district-wide mental health systems, leadership, clinical oversight, suicide prevention frameworks, and compliance with state

1223
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and federal mental health requirements. If this position is intended to be a combination of both ro roles, then the job description should clearly include the responsibilities of both as written. It does not. At the same time, the

1224
07:33:15.760 --> 07:33:31.360
minimum qualifications are being expanded to include areas that are not mental health related, including ed leadership or a related field. While Florida certification as a school social worker and/or certification in an area

1225
07:33:31.360 --> 07:33:46.718
of mental health has been moved from a minimum requirement to merely a preferred qualification. Mental health is not a related field. It is a licensed regulated profession. Lowering and broadening the minimum

1226
07:33:46.718 --> 07:34:03.360
qualifications while removing mental health specific responsibilities creates a clear pathway for non-mental health leadership to oversee suicide prevention, crisis response, and statutory mental health services. Um, it also should include all of the current

1227
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job duties, which I think some of it's included. um including, you know, supervising this the social work program, the homeless education program, uh the combined foster care and child abuse, um and now the removed uh attendance coordinator position as well.

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So, there's a lot that should be included in this description, but I understand it was a maybe short term turnaround, but there's a lot of omissions in here as well as broadening the requirements, which should it's a mental health position. How can Broward

1229
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support having a district mental health coordinator without any mental health background? It's in it's just doesn't make sense. I would assume we don't make education cert certification optional for the director of academics. So, I would assume we

1230
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would not do so here. as well. I respectfully urge the board not to approve this job description as it's written and to require qualifications and responsibilities that clearly reflect both roles and protect the integrity of mental health leadership.

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Also, it would be great if you could fix the typo because that thing makes me crazy. It says pan. It says pan and monitor the effectiveness. >> Thank you. And we'll have decorum in the audience, please. Thank you. Next speaker.

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Good afternoon board. My name is Vanessa Matute. I am a licensed bilingual mental health counselor in the state of Florida. I specialize in trauma as well as suicide. I work in the SSIS role serving approximately 90 students on my case load. Many of them which are high needs, high- risk, identified through

1233
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referrals, behavioral concerns, failing grades, as well as SRAAS. These students are students who are struggling the most. Every day I work directly with these students in crisis. I deescalate situations before they become emergencies. I support students experiencing suicidal thoughts. I

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provide a safe space so that they can stay in school, stay regulated, stay on track academically. Without this support, these are the students who fall through the cracks. This is not occasional contact. This is daily consistent interventions with students who need it the most. Right now, they are watching these decisions unfold.

1235
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They are coming into my office in tears asking if they're going to lose their support system. That fear alone is already impacting my school as well as my students and my parents. Eliminating SSI positions does not remove a title. It removes direct daily support for the highest need students on campus. It

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removes a layer of protection, prevention, and support. If we are truly prioritizing the students, then we must protect the positions that work with them every single day. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Hi, my name is Nadine Martinez. I'm a

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licensed clinical social worker in the state of Florida and I specialize in child welfare and trauma. I currently work in the SSIS position serving a case load of about 90 students. I serve as a frontline resource to students providing crisis intervention and immediate emotional support. I work in a fluid and

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collaborative environment with school counselors, social workers, support services, uh teachers, APs, security personnel to create a seamless interdisciplinary ecosystem for our students. Removing this position, this department and its leaders dismantles a

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07:37:18.240 --> 07:37:33.280
critical pillar of support that students rely on daily. It disrupts trust, stability, and access to care at a time when student mental health needs continue to grow, as evidenced by them requesting more mental health services. Our students deserve consistency,

1240
07:37:33.280 --> 07:37:53.040
continuity, safety, and access to the support and resources that help them succeed acade academically, emotionally, and mentally. Thank you. Hi Jackie Luskam. Um I had an observation to make first of all about

1241
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the role of assistant director for transport operations and special needs transportation. This is going to be an important role for oversight of um transportation of students with disabilities. That's not just about being able to read on a piece

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of paper what they need um and carry it out. It goes far deeper than that. There needs to be a knowledge of of ESE and of the world of disabilities. And I don't see any of that in the job description. I think that's a major omission because for example um written into the new job

1243
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description we have that this person will oversee the compliant delivery of transportation services with a focused responsibility for ESSE and then later as well again monitor and ensure compliance with all federal, state and district regulations, policies and

1244
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procedures particularly those related to ESSE transportation and student safety. And yet nowhere in the minimum qualifications and experience is ESSE mentioned. And it can't just be a job about, you know, can you identify the wheels on a bus and run a run a fleet. It's it has to have some ESC grounding.

1245
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I'd like to respectfully suggest there be um conversation about adding that in. Um, I also echo all the points made by Miss Burkin about if you're merging two roles, um, if the director of mental health services and then the new director of wellness and mental health,

1246
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um, seeing a job description for that that um, kind of merged or new position being weaker than either of the two were before is dismaying. I do think that you have a public relations exercise here to um consider as well if you're going to be having the um the begging bowl out

1247
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again rightly for new referendum money. We can't be cutting mental health and at the same time with the other handout stretch saying give us more money for mental health and at least if we're going to weaken the job description and the job requirements I think as well that needs red address here. Um and then

1248
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just generally I wanted to make an observation if I may that where we talked about um or where there was talk last week about the elimination of jobs and redefining job descriptions and swallowing one job into another and rewriting the role. We keep hearing about well this will make us more

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efficient and no this person can take over that role. Why don't we just be honest and say this is actually going to be darn difficult. This is a stretch. It's actually not going to be easy. Yes, there are going to be holes and gaps in services and we are going to need to

1250
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see, I feel, um, job descriptions that match that pledge. So, we can't be saying, well, this person can now do that person's job and we'll get rid of person B over here, unless we're seeing that in the other person's job description, otherwise it's a kind of um unofficial just posting somebody else's

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job on the rest of the office with nobody really sure who's going to be doing it. Thank you. >> The last public speaker, Dr. I'm sorry. President Anna Fusco, >> Anna Fusco, Broward Teachers Union President. So, I'm asking you guys to vote this

1252
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down. There's jobs on here that they did not come to the Broward Teachers Union and negotiate to change names, paygrades, and if you pass it through, we will be suing. End of story. That's a fact. Two,

1253
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you had an opportunity to save some money on the last item and you chose not to. I'm confused, Natalie. What is that word? Malfeasants. What are those words we used all the

1254
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time? Just saying. So, number three, the next referendum that comes out, let's just leave out mental health. We don't need it. We don't need to pay for it. It's all right. We'll just have another Nicholas Cruz. We'll have more suicides. Wasn't there one this this

1255
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weekend? One of our students. So, I mean, we obviously don't value that we have educators that want to help our students be productive in the mindset so then

1256
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they can come in to continue to be an A-rated district, but you have this group here that leads you and guide you with the superintendent. So, I'm asking you guys since the power is with you to vote this down and do not

1257
07:42:27.840 --> 07:42:44.160
cut any, however you want to word it. Potato, potato, tomato, tomato. Stop with the semantics that they're feeding you and understand that there's different varieties of an educator that

1258
07:42:44.160 --> 07:42:59.520
mold the student. our SSIS, our family therapists, our counselors, our school counselors, our psychologist. There's all different names that fits

1259
07:42:59.520 --> 07:43:15.360
the bill to what meets the need of a particular student. A kid might having a crisis of a trauma that he wants to kill himself. Then there could be a different trauma that they're getting beat up at home or they've been raped or I'm addicted to drugs.

1260
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I have a behavior problem. I don't know how to not throw a rock at a teacher's face that I just got a call this morning. Do you know that? Yes. Students throwing rocks at teachers faces. But you want to cut back any and anyone that can meet the needs of a student because you keep crying about money. So I'm

1261
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going to ask you again, pay attention to these jobs that are added in here. Vote it down for now. Bring it back. And this should have been spoken about after the org chart because now you're going to be compelled. If I don't vote it through, what are you going to do with the org chart? I already know the games and semantics. I brought the popcorn again

1262
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today to sit here and watch that you guys are just going to all let it pass through and you're going to wreak the consequences next school year when everybody's overworked, overloaded, students are going to be in so much trauma that it's not going to be an a district anymore and I don't care about district. >> Thank you.

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>> That concludes our public speaking. >> Member discussion. Thank you. Um, I have some questions and some motions, but I'd like to ask the general counsel if she could speak to a couple of the items that were just mentioned. So, first of all, um,

1264
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is there a legal requirement or should we have done something with the union before this item came to us? >> So, I'm going to just double check the language in the CBA, but I can say that HR did forward the job descriptions to

1265
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to the union to the various groups. Um, but I'll go back to that specific question that you asked me. >> Okay. Then my second question is the general counsel or I guess the superintendent. I'm not sure who, but we have been told over and over again we must pass the job descriptions before we

1266
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pass the org chart. So, can you um speak to that? >> Uh, normally you want to have the job descriptions established so that you can formulate the org chart. Okay, that was said normally, but we've always been told we had to. So,

1267
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is that is there some kind of statute or something that requires that or best practices? >> I don't I'm not familiar with a specific statute. Um, that's the run of show that Prior County has implemented and in any school district I've been in, it's

1268
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usually job description or chart. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for that. Um, so I appreciate all the speakers coming. I have a couple of of questions and then I'm going to go through my motions here. So, Dr. Heepern, um, in in our org

1269
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chart, we have supervisors, managers, executive directors, directors, assistant directors, chiefs, all of these things. So, everybody who I'm going to just start with assistant directors. Everyone who's an assistant director, are they on

1270
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the same pay band? >> Yes. >> Doesn't matter what department you're in, you're on the same pay band. >> Unless uh HR tells me differently, they they are on the same pay band. Correct. I think they're um confirming, but it may be some um specific situations such

1271
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as um a chief that was pushed up to a pay band T. Right. So there may be some some um anomalies there for a couple, but for the most part. >> Okay. So in general, yes. >> Yeah. In general, yes. >> So my motions kind of speak to that

1272
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because as as we went through all of these new job descriptions, my concern really was you had some assistant directors that needed a master's, some that needed a bachelor's, one only needed an AA degree. and I I have

1273
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concerns about the um being you know the continuity of that. So based on that and I'm going to add something in here based on some information we got but so my chair I'd like to make a couple motions if that's

1274
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okay. So the first one is assistant director enterprise project manager which is actually page 30 in the item. I move to include the specific Oh, so in this one, let me be specific. I I move to include the specific job direction

1275
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for the reports to right now that item just says it reports to executive director. It doesn't say executive director of what? I did ask um HR about this and thank you for getting all the answers to me so quickly and I understand that it will be on the org

1276
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chart, but personally I would like the org chart and the job description to match. So I don't know, you didn't really mention who that's supposed to. So that's why I don't have which executive director, but I think if you just say executive director could be

1277
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>> of budget, it could be of anything. I think the job description has to be specific. So could you tell me tell me who that executive director like where would they what executive director would that person report to today?

1278
07:48:21.040 --> 07:48:37.600
Um that person would report to the executive director of of enterprise analyt analytics and intelligence. >> Okay. So that's my motion. Then I move to include >> Peter. >> Oh, this is the other executive director. >> They're both >> if I may, sir. >> Go ahead, Mr. Sullivan.

1279
07:48:37.600 --> 07:48:53.680
>> I think the challenge is those there's two of them. So one's under will be under my division and the other one will be under Dr. Wanz's uh division. So that's why it was probably left the way it was um because they're two different they're the same job description for two different individuals

1280
07:48:53.680 --> 07:49:10.878
housed in two different divisions. So maybe there's either to to the point actually of of one of the speakers then each job description should be different because they're they're reporting to somebody different and that's part of your job description is who you report

1281
07:49:10.878 --> 07:49:30.320
to. So you would have to create a new job description. Everything stays the same besides the reporting too. >> I would guess so. I mean I don't work in that position. So I can't tell you that. But if they're working in one position

1282
07:49:30.320 --> 07:49:45.600
and doing something different in another, then probably there's other pieces that may also be different. I don't know that answer. >> So they're they're project managers. um that are report but these two project

1283
07:49:45.600 --> 07:50:03.040
managers report to two different people in two different divisions. So it's the same uh job, same responsibilities and task but reporting um in two different divisions and two different departments. So if it pleased the board, we would have to just replicate this this u job

1284
07:50:03.040 --> 07:50:21.360
description and have one um reporting to the executive director in the one department and the other in the another department. The only the only thing that would change would be to report to >> if if that's the like I said I don't know what their jobs are but I just

1285
07:50:21.360 --> 07:50:39.040
don't feel comfortable having a a job description that doesn't specify who you're you're reporting to. >> Could you >> or I was just about to say that or or you can just add both executive directors inut

1286
07:50:39.040 --> 07:50:55.440
probably the best way. hands cleaner the other way, but I I'm okay with that. So, I guess my motion is to include >> What are the two? I'm sorry. What are >> we will be reporting to the executive director over enterprise and anal uh

1287
07:50:55.440 --> 07:51:10.958
analytics and the other one would be reporting to the director of um performance >> strategic initiatives and performance management. >> Could you say that louder? >> Dr. W. the director of strategic initiatives and performance management.

1288
07:51:10.958 --> 07:51:31.520
>> Okay. So that's my motion. >> Second >> public comment on Missixon's motion. >> Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Can you repeat the motion? It got a little garbled. >> Okay. So, my motion is to to change

1289
07:51:31.520 --> 07:51:49.120
where it says reports to executive director and add in reports to executive director of >> enterprise analytics and intelligence or >> director of strategic initiatives and performance management.

1290
07:51:49.120 --> 07:52:07.200
>> Okay. Um I I agree obviously um Mrs. Hixon that it should be specific. Um, but this also raises the larger question of if they're in two different departments, how could they possibly be doing the same exact thing, reporting to

1291
07:52:07.200 --> 07:52:23.920
two different people? So, while I support your idea that it should be specific, if they're doing the same exact thing and and just to be clear, it seems that we've pulled a function out of strategy and innovation. If you think about the

1292
07:52:23.920 --> 07:52:38.798
words because I actually searched searched them the first time. Enterprise analytics and intelligence is something you would expect to find in strategy and innovation where there is one position but not something that

1293
07:52:38.798 --> 07:52:59.840
makes any sense under the chief of staff or you would because you want to have that centralized. Now you're creating silos again. So I support the motion but I think it needs to go deeper. speaker. Thank you. >> Anna Fusco, Broward Teaching President,

1294
07:52:59.840 --> 07:53:16.478
I don't support any motion unless you take out anything that has Broward Teachers Union in it. I don't care what that general counsel told you. It is not the way we do business. You don't just send us the job description, which they did not. Let me make that clear. So, I'm asking you to take out anything that has

1295
07:53:16.478 --> 07:53:32.718
Broward Teachers Union that were changed without my knowledge or I guess you'll see what happens because I get I hear it. General Coun's like, "Do whatever we want. We'll take our chances with the law. We'll take our chances with court." And that's not how I thought any of you were. So, don't let

1296
07:53:32.718 --> 07:53:50.558
her do that. And I have a problem with any jobs that are being put together and you're going to make people do the same work or more work. Take away the title, take away their pay, but expect them to do the same work. You do realize that's

1297
07:53:50.558 --> 07:54:06.718
what's happening. I cannot imagine that any of you are okay with that. I cannot imagine one of you are. Please look this more in depth and do not do anything on this as a vote. Take it back. >> Thank you, Mr. Dupri Bruno. So just to be clear because I know the question was

1298
07:54:06.718 --> 07:54:21.520
asked with regard to the um collective bargaining agreement and it does address it in two sections. Um, article six specifically says that job description shall be established by the board for all bargaining unit positions. And it is

1299
07:54:21.520 --> 07:54:43.040
also noted in article 31 that lists the board as a management right to um draft the job descriptions. Right. Board member discussion on the motion. All in favor of Miss Dixon's motion say

1300
07:54:43.040 --> 07:54:59.680
I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> Uh item passes or motion passes. >> Motion passes six to two with two dissenting votes. Miss Rouper and Mr. Cera. >> Seven to two. >> Oh, sorry. 7 to2. Okay. 7 to two. Okay.

1301
07:54:59.680 --> 07:55:15.680
Thank you for correcting me. >> Next. This is along the same lines. So I move to have the reports to on page 36 for assistant director teacher development support say executive director leadership development and teacher support because that one also

1302
07:55:15.680 --> 07:55:32.000
just says executive director although in the org chart it does say um leadership development and teacher support in the job description it does not and I think they should match. Second public comment on Oh, so

1303
07:55:32.000 --> 07:55:47.680
>> you mean d um director? That's the reporting structure, correct? Yes, director. >> Sorry. Oh, yes, director. I'm sorry. Not executive dire. I was trying to do this quick. I'm sorry. So, say direct, not

1304
07:55:47.680 --> 07:56:06.798
executive director. Director, leadership, development, and teacher support. Sorry about that. Okay. Second public comment on Miss Six's motion. Four member discussion on Miss Hixson's motion. >> Madam Chair, >> Dr. Hus,

1305
07:56:06.798 --> 07:56:22.958
>> I just like the superintendent feedback on that motion. >> Dr. Hippurn. >> No, we we're fine with the motion. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. All in favor of Miss Hixon's motion say I. I. All oppose say no.

1306
07:56:22.958 --> 07:56:38.798
>> No. Miss Rupert, >> I'm sorry. I got stuck. No, please. >> All right. Uh, item passes seven to two with two dissenting votes, Mr. Severa and Miss Rupert. Okay. Number the third

1307
07:56:38.798 --> 07:56:55.200
one on page 40, the assistant director operation transportation operations. Um, again, in the conversation that I was having, this is a assistant director and the requirement right now is only an AA degree. So, I would like to move to

1308
07:56:55.200 --> 07:57:09.520
change the minimum requirement from an AA degree to a bachelor's degree. And I'd like to add to also include ES expertise in the minimum requirements. So, I move to change the minimum requirements from an AA degree to a

1309
07:57:09.520 --> 07:57:27.440
bachelor's degree and add ESE expertise in the minimum requirements. >> Second. Oh, Dr. Lozano. >> Go ahead, Doc. So, I just want to pause for a second on when HR looks at what

1310
07:57:27.440 --> 07:57:44.000
degrees we add to job descriptions. Um, different job descriptions. While a title might be the same of director, each position is not uniform in scope. There's a different technical complexity or required expertise. So, when you're

1311
07:57:44.000 --> 07:58:00.478
looking at the academic instructional side, you may look for a specialized content degree or area. When you're looking at operational job descriptions like facilities and food and nutrition, um experiential

1312
07:58:00.478 --> 07:58:17.440
um experiences play a larger role than a degree. And I can historically with transportation um with getting applicants to apply who are qualified

1313
07:58:17.440 --> 07:58:33.280
um it's been very difficult with when certain degrees are elevated to certain levels where a lot of those roles the person develops experientially with years in the role. So when you look at a minimum requirement in isolation, you

1314
07:58:33.280 --> 07:58:48.558
have to look at all three requirements or four all the requirements and the minimum requirements because you're going to see the degree balanced with years of experience. and you can have somebody who's done that job and that

1315
07:58:48.558 --> 07:59:06.558
role for a number of years and step into that advanced role and do a phenomenal job with the AA degree versus someone with the bachelor's degree. So, we look at multiple characteristics when we develop the minimum requirements for

1316
07:59:06.558 --> 07:59:24.718
each job description besides just the degree and isolation. >> Thank you for that. And I don't want to minimize the the experience that they have. I do think it's important, but I this is an assistant director position and I just feel on that pay band. You

1317
07:59:24.718 --> 07:59:40.000
know, we have teachers who have 37 years of experience and they don't just automatically get to a higher pay band because they had that experience. They don't have that. And I know operations is different than academics and maybe

1318
07:59:40.000 --> 07:59:55.680
it's because I'm a teacher, but I have a problem with someone that high up if you're sitting on the org chart in those levels. I just personally have a problem with it only being an AA degree. So that's why I'm making the motion.

1319
07:59:55.680 --> 08:00:10.478
>> All right. Second uh public comment on Missixson's motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um, not that I think you should be voting yes on these job descriptions overall. They still need further baking,

1320
08:00:10.478 --> 08:00:28.160
but um, I support your motion. I'm looking at the minimum qualifications and in the 14 years I've been dealing with this district. I totally disagree that it's all about experience. You have to have a starting point, a foundation from which to build the experience. And

1321
08:00:28.160 --> 08:00:44.160
you're going to get that if you get someone that has I I have a friend that I think is a transportation engineer. Um there are fields of study that you never that are totally gerine to a lot of positions in this district but we keep

1322
08:00:44.160 --> 08:00:58.958
shoving our friends into them which could very well be what this box is about. Um so if you're expecting uh the minimum qualifications is a earned associates degree from an accredited institution but look at what you're

1323
08:00:58.958 --> 08:01:16.160
asking them to do. So I agree should be at least a bachelor. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Um I have no preference about whether anybody has a degree or not. I just want them that if they're going to be over ES compliance that they even know what ESE is and have some kind of a grounding in

1324
08:01:16.160 --> 08:01:33.520
it. If there was appetite to not make ESE experience part of a job whose title is partly special needs transportation, um then we are admitting that we're not really going to put anybody in charge of anything and it's just going to continue being a hot mess. So um if we're going

1325
08:01:33.520 --> 08:01:49.520
to say somebody's got to be in charge of special needs transportation, they need some special needs experience. If they haven't got experience, you an alternative would be to require them to do some training. But I'd like to point out that eight or nine months ago, ESE Advisory actually passed a

1326
08:01:49.520 --> 08:02:06.638
recommendation that we have special needs training for special needs attendance on special needs buses. And we're still waiting for any news on that. And when we've asked, can we see the curriculum, we're told no. So my concern, I think, is legitimate and guided by um by our historic experience.

1327
08:02:06.638 --> 08:02:21.520
Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Terry Lopez. Terry Lopez Price, um, vice president of the Brow Teachers Union. I just want you to know that I understand that money needs to be saved, but this

1328
08:02:21.520 --> 08:02:37.120
is not the way to do it. Wanting to be lowering the expectations. Um, it's just not the way to do it. We do get complaints from our people that people who are supervising them are often not having the expertise needed to direct

1329
08:02:37.120 --> 08:02:53.920
the department that they are directing. So, um, I definitely think that that's important. And also your attorney uh mentioned that you are allowed to draft job descriptions. That is true. The word draft means you get to write it. It

1330
08:02:53.920 --> 08:03:09.680
doesn't mean you get to just move along with it. Historically, you have gone to the different bargaining units and spoken with us and we have gone back and forth on things. So, I'm asking you to please not rush because this needs to be

1331
08:03:09.680 --> 08:03:26.478
worked on. This is not how you do it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Anna Fusco teacher Junior President. Again, um we want to mince words, but I'm telling you right now, I've been here forever and we know what we do and we

1332
08:03:26.478 --> 08:03:42.638
know what gets done right. So, I'm asking you to pull out anything that's Broward Teachers Union. And these are these are actually job descriptions that have been in place, have been talked about, agreed upon, negotiated, voted through the board, and they're just arbitrarily changing them. Nothing's

1333
08:03:42.638 --> 08:03:59.120
gone through perk. There's a lot of pieces here that is not being followed. So, I'm asking you to not just rush through it because of the we have to get the org chart done. I've seen it year after year after year. Oh my gosh, we can't start it without an org chart. But

1334
08:03:59.120 --> 08:04:15.520
then they figure at the last minute, give you all the paperwork. At the end of the day, try to get you to figure it out, ram it down your throat, you feel compelled because you get somebody who gives you some type of information that's usually not forthcoming and then it's just thrown in people's laughs. So,

1335
08:04:15.520 --> 08:04:33.360
I'm asking you to vote this down. >> Thank you. Any other public speakers on the motion? Board member discussion? Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I do have a couple of questions. Um and um Dr. Heburn, I do appreciate um Dr. Lzanna's

1336
08:04:33.360 --> 08:04:49.120
comments. So um I I guess my question would be because we're changing this from an associate degree to a bachelor's degree requirement, um what what challenges would this create in terms of

1337
08:04:49.120 --> 08:05:05.360
recruiting, attracting um uh staff to fill this position? Should it be vacant? And I know Dr. Lozano um spoke a little bit but if he could reiterate so I can better understand. >> Um but first if I can um Dr. Lozano um

1338
08:05:05.360 --> 08:05:21.600
Mr. Rockman there is there is no proposed change in degree requirement. Correct. This this isn't >> it says >> it's my motion. >> That's her motion. Yeah. There's no requirement in degree um change. So um

1339
08:05:21.600 --> 08:05:37.280
>> yeah my motion >> on your motion. Okay. Gotcha. Gotcha. two to change it from AA to bachelor's and to also add either ESSE or special needs whatever you want to word it expertise. >> No, I was referring to how we brought it to the board. We didn't bring it as a change of degree requirement.

1340
08:05:37.280 --> 08:05:52.320
>> I understand. So, >> but uh to answer your question, Dr. Hoes, I I'm um in agreement with uh Dr. Lozano for when it comes to operational um type roles that experience matters, especially when we talk about transportation, facilities, and things

1341
08:05:52.320 --> 08:06:09.040
like that. Um but we do have preferred qualifications if we are if we are um interviewing or or advertising for this specific position. If the preferred qualifications are met with the experience um of of of course we're

1342
08:06:09.040 --> 08:06:23.840
going to go with the most highly qualified um individual. But when it comes to uh a person in this role who spent a large amount of time in a large transportation system like ours, gaining a level of experience over numerous years understanding the operations of a

1343
08:06:23.840 --> 08:06:41.040
school district and how we transport um kids um experience does does matter versus somebody who's coming with a degree uh without that level of experience um and not being able to to support the operational functions that we need in that department.

1344
08:06:41.040 --> 08:06:58.398
>> Okay. So I I fully understand that and I'm sure that anyone being hired for this position would come with at least some sort of uh relevant experience. But but the question that I have though is and I hear your comment feedback Dr. Heburn but if we move this from an

1345
08:06:58.398 --> 08:07:14.080
associate degree to a bachelor's degree requirement which would also be inclusive of experience then how will that change in terms of having an additional requirement because I'm sure they must have experience. Right. Correct. So to have an additional requirement of a higher degree other

1346
08:07:14.080 --> 08:07:28.160
than associate will this create challenges to recruiting hiring individuals for this position uh should it become vague? >> My initial answer to that is yes due to the the specific um job functions for transportation.

1347
08:07:28.160 --> 08:07:44.798
>> Okay. And um if this is um if this requirement is increased to a bachelor's degree, would that necessitate an increase in pay? >> No, the pay band would stay the same. Okay. So, um can would you confidently

1348
08:07:44.798 --> 08:08:00.398
say that someone can perform this particular job function with um required experience and an associate degree? >> Yes, absolutely. >> Okay. So, um board member Hixon, if you don't mind, Madam Chair, did you mention

1349
08:08:00.398 --> 08:08:17.440
ESSE experience or ESC certified? What was your what was your motion for the ESC portion? So the second part was to add ESE expertise in the minimum require. However the district feels is the best way to word that. >> I understand. So so that's um somewhat

1350
08:08:17.440 --> 08:08:35.440
generalized. So when we say ES ESC experience um is there any way for that to be more specific? Um well Dr. Do do we have um requirements for example those who work with ESC students to be ESSE certified or what are the

1351
08:08:35.440 --> 08:08:51.200
different um options for ESSE experience that we have? >> Yes. U when it comes to for the academic realm yes you need to go through some form of uh receive some form of professional development um or certification around ESC. I I do agree with the last speaker on if for this

1352
08:08:51.200 --> 08:09:05.920
operational position you they don't readily like the academic people do have to go through regular um certification renewal have to take specific courses for specific areas such as ESC. So I do agree with the last speaker about um if

1353
08:09:05.920 --> 08:09:22.718
they don't have ESC experience that we can provide training so they have a clear understanding um of the students that they're going to be serving um for um setting up transportation and things like that for for that population of student. >> Okay. So is there any existing ESC

1354
08:09:22.718 --> 08:09:39.680
training that would be relevant to an assistant director of transportation operations that can be documented in some form or way that it was completed? I I don't think there's any state um educ PD, but I'm I'm certain that with our staff, we can we can um enhance what

1355
08:09:39.680 --> 08:09:56.160
we have or or create a curriculum to support the needs for this for this type of position. >> Okay. So, even though there's not a state per se um uh guideline, you could develop a district um sort of um requirement for this position as far as

1356
08:09:56.160 --> 08:10:11.120
ESSE experience. >> Yes. >> Okay. So um madame chair for this particular motion I am supportive of the ESC experience part of it I I am not supportive of the associate degree moving to a bachelor's degree. I believe this will create challenges in

1357
08:10:11.120 --> 08:10:28.080
attracting um a pool of applicants should this position be vacant. Um I'm not sure how relevant having a bachelor's degree is if they have substantive experience. Um this is not one of those sort of theoretical type uh positions where you have to have immense

1358
08:10:28.080 --> 08:10:45.200
um knowledge. Uh I think experience seems to matter more. Uh so I would not be supportive of moving to a bachelor's degree. Um because I'm not convinced of the relevance of that to performing the job duties here. I do however understand the relevance of significant experience,

1359
08:10:45.200 --> 08:11:00.958
practical experience to do this kind of work and also would be essential to have some sort of ESSE experience that's documented to ensure that our ESSE students are being properly supported. So that would be my my take on it. Um Madame Chair,

1360
08:11:00.958 --> 08:11:15.920
>> Dr. Zeman, >> thanks so much chair. This is really difficult to assess right now. I I like the idea in general of leveling up uh you know education and at the same time I'm fascinated with a Wall Street Journal article this week that said you

1361
08:11:15.920 --> 08:11:32.958
can finish your bachelor's degree in six weeks >> and and not just from Florida State. Thank you very much. Appreciate that little snide comment, my friend. But um uh literally Western Governor's University offers you a degree in six weeks. It costs $4,000. So you get your

1362
08:11:32.958 --> 08:11:48.638
bachelor's degree and you can apply for all the jobs you want. It's it's uh it's I hope this isn't the long-term answer, but to Dr. Hullness's point, you know, the the requirements here don't stop somebody with a bachelor's degree from applying and competing and winning. It's a preferred requirement, but it does

1363
08:11:48.638 --> 08:12:04.080
require a whole bunch of work. And in the operations space, I don't believe that the degree to requirement is nearly as important uh as the years of experience and years of leadership. And then you got then that just means you can apply the minimum, you know, after that you still have to win the job,

1364
08:12:04.080 --> 08:12:19.680
right? And so my suspicion is that there are some great leaders out there. The last part that really makes it difficult is I just worked on a project on the Department of Defense where they've changed enlisted pay scales to equal junior officer pay scales because what they found is the degree is irrelevant

1365
08:12:19.680 --> 08:12:37.360
to getting a job done. And so um I'm just going to lean toward the staff having done this work. If I could chair uh Dr. Heburn, to what degree does your HR staff assess these jobs to make sure that we get, you know, minimum and preferred requirements on education done

1366
08:12:37.360 --> 08:12:54.398
the right way? >> Miss Rockman, >> good afternoon. Susan Rocklman, executive director, talent management. Um, we review each of the job description request with the um manager, the hiring manager of the position to ensure we understand the responsibilities. Then we do a study to

1367
08:12:54.398 --> 08:13:09.600
comparable jobs as well, degree requirements and move forward with that information that we um locate. >> Thank you. And my suspicion is operations jobs like in transportation are very different than jobs in education u leadership and things like

1368
08:13:09.600 --> 08:13:25.200
that where there's much more of a component of the job of your academic you know foundation to one of our speakers talking about in something like transportation. I I just feel like you guys have done your job well and I would like to open this pool up. Not that the person with an AA is going to win the

1369
08:13:25.200 --> 08:13:41.920
job, but I I just like them to think that they've got an opportunity. If they're the world's greatest manager and they've got decades of years of doing it and everyone appreciates their contributions, they wouldn't be denied an opportunity to apply. And I don't want them to run off to Western Governor's University for six weeks and

1370
08:13:41.920 --> 08:13:56.878
4,000 bucks just to get a check in the box. Um so I I like it the way it is. I am with Dr. wholeness though on the ESSE I don't like the word expertise because that's like very very qualitative but I think if it said ESSE either experience

1371
08:13:56.878 --> 08:14:12.718
or ESSE something you could measure yeah like completed if you haven't completed it you have to complete it within six months of getting the job something like that uh then I would I would prefer to have some ESSE uh measurable qualification uh not when they apply but

1372
08:14:12.718 --> 08:14:28.478
at least within the first six months or something you you know uh easy to measure. Thanks. >> Thank you, Miss Bulman. >> Thanks, chair. I agree with my colleagues. I think um and Dr. Zema kind of alluded to it, but one of the

1373
08:14:28.478 --> 08:14:44.638
greatest legit or the greatest logistics um machine on the face of the earth is the US Army. So, you don't have to have a degree to serve and you could be doing that for 20 30 years. Um, so I would not want to disqualify someone that has that

1374
08:14:44.638 --> 08:15:01.200
kind of experience just based on a um on a degree. And it it does say in the job description already that they um that the applicant would participate in the training program offered to enhance the individual skills and proficiency related to the job responsibility. So I

1375
08:15:01.200 --> 08:15:17.200
would assume that that would be or we could add something maybe to that that specifies that there's ESE specific training. Maybe we can make a Would that be already contemplated in that Dr. Heburn

1376
08:15:17.200 --> 08:15:33.920
or is that something that we need to add? >> Um we can add it to be more specific. Um if if we want to just codify that in this in this specific job description >> so there so the the applicant understands the expectation too. >> Yeah, I would be good with that. Okay.

1377
08:15:33.920 --> 08:15:49.280
Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. I would agree with my colleagues about not needing to increase the make it a a bachelor's level and then also to put in the ESSE um

1378
08:15:49.280 --> 08:16:04.878
requirement. I like experience because I think as one of our speakers mentioned the training hasn't come to fruition yet or at least we haven't seen it yet. Um, so to be more specific about setting ESC's um, experience and then I just

1379
08:16:04.878 --> 08:16:20.558
wanted to take a a pause because I think the the concerns that our union leader is bringing about the job descriptions, I just want to make sure again that we are following the process that we are supposed to with the job descriptions

1380
08:16:20.558 --> 08:16:38.000
that we are compliant. Um, and if someone could walk me through those concerns and and the process that we are supposed to be taking, I would appreciate it. >> If I if I could through the chair. So, there's two things and I do want to clarify something that I said earlier. uh the articles that I was referencing

1381
08:16:38.000 --> 08:16:53.760
was um BTU collective bargaining, but there's also the BTU TSP which has um similar language with regards to new job descriptions, but slightly different language with regards to a change in job description. So, I don't know if Dr.

1382
08:16:53.760 --> 08:17:20.558
Lozano can add a little bit to that. I just added the negotiation paper >> right there. >> Yes. So, in article 182, it talks about changes in job descriptions and it said the board the board shall discuss with

1383
08:17:20.558 --> 08:17:37.120
the BTUTSP the proposed change of job descriptions. So, we're having that conversation right now. And then it says, >> please let's have decorum in the audience. And then it says when changes result when changes result in a request

1384
08:17:37.120 --> 08:17:53.920
for a reclassification the parties agree to negotiate the impact of the changes that they may have with respect to wages. So um my recommendation if the board is willing the three TSP positions are

1385
08:17:53.920 --> 08:18:09.120
below the line they don't impact the org chart. I'm fine with if Dr. Hear wants to pull those and have us go back and discuss those T three TSP positions. They won't impact the org chart. I don't

1386
08:18:09.120 --> 08:18:26.878
mind pulling those back and having further conversation on those three positions. I would be more comfortable with that if that is the process because I I mean we're getting conflicting information and I want to follow the process that we

1387
08:18:26.878 --> 08:18:42.718
historically >> Miss Fusco this this is your first warning please don't call out from the audience >> so if if it's not going to impact further discussion later then I think just to

1388
08:18:42.718 --> 08:18:58.958
>> make this the best process possible um pull out that and then if there's any other BTU positions that would fall under that to pull out them as well. >> Okay, we're still on Miss Hixon's motion. Um so I just want to keep us on track for that. Uh Mr. Sea,

1389
08:18:58.958 --> 08:19:15.040
>> not on Hixon's motion. I'll I'll reserve my comments for >> Okay. >> when she sees the floor. >> Um anyone else on Miss Hixon's motion? Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So um board member Hixon. Um, I I I believe I can count to five and I'm not sure if you

1390
08:19:15.040 --> 08:19:30.000
will have support with having the degree change, but I would love to support the ESC um experience. Um, so I don't know if you're willing to modify the motion because I am I would much rather win

1391
08:19:30.000 --> 08:19:46.558
some than lose all. >> I can also count. So I was thinking if this doesn't pass, I would make a second motion. Okay. Any other board member comment on the motion? All in favor of the motion say I. I.

1392
08:19:46.558 --> 08:20:02.160
>> All oppose say no. >> No. >> No. >> Item uh a motion fails. Uh with one vote in favor, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Okay. So, I'd like to make another motion then. I move to change the minimum requirements for assistant

1393
08:20:02.160 --> 08:20:18.680
director transportation operations to include ESC experience and/or training in the minimum requirements. >> Second. >> Motion made by Miss Hixon, second by Dr. Hoes. Public comment on the motion.

1394
08:20:19.040 --> 08:20:35.360
>> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion and please consider that experience and education are not mutually exclusive. When you have one doesn't mean you don't have the other but with ex of experience alone

1395
08:20:35.360 --> 08:20:52.878
without education can become problematic. But I support the motion. Thank you. Yeah, I was going to support it. And then it's a good point. How many hours training or what does that training need to look like? Um unfortunately again if I hop back and thank you Mrs. Hixon this

1396
08:20:52.878 --> 08:21:10.320
is a great um motion I just want to pin it down because as we know from our experience of trying to get training for ESE bus attendants there's just been obfiscation about it and we're told there is training and when we ask to see it we're told oh well you can't um so we

1397
08:21:10.320 --> 08:21:26.558
need to see a specific curriculum or or maybe pin down a certain number of hours or something more specific and maybe Mr. Lozano or somebody in ES can advise what that wording should be. But if we just say ES training, they'll get a

1398
08:21:26.558 --> 08:21:41.840
PowerPoint that takes an hour and that's not going to cut it. Um, but thank you. If we can just pin that down, I think it would be great. Thank you. I'm sorry to be distrustful, but we've learned to be.

1399
08:21:41.840 --> 08:21:59.200
>> Thank you. Any other public speakers? >> Anna Fusco, first I'm in the audience and I'm correct. Just pay attention. I'm correct. And look in TSP's article 49. There's multiple articles in the contract that clearly says what's happening is not okay. And I'm really

1400
08:21:59.200 --> 08:22:16.798
asking you to please don't take them out. You you you you got board member Thompson said conflicting information. That ought to be a red flag right there. Pay trying to figure out the answer. That's another one. I'm I'm I'm correct

1401
08:22:16.798 --> 08:22:33.120
and I'm texting my attorneys right now. They're watching and they're drawing up paperwork as we speak and I'm not bluffing. I love you all. But if you want to continue to allow the staff to continue to put you in this position,

1402
08:22:33.120 --> 08:22:49.200
then that's your fault. I am genuinely trying to ask you to not just have things pushed through and right experience and education are not the same but experience is monumental obviously but lots of careers make people get extra education.

1403
08:22:49.200 --> 08:23:05.200
>> Thank you >> Mr. Dupri Bruno. >> I just want to make sure for the record that we're clear. Um and if I could through the chair ask Dr. Lozano just for clarification. The positions that we've been talking about that Miss Hixon has been bringing forth, are those

1404
08:23:05.200 --> 08:23:21.680
positions that fall within BTU TSP collective bargaining agreement? >> No, those are ASMA positions. >> Okay. And then are there what other positions fall within that collective bargaining agreement for BTU TSP? So there are three positions

1405
08:23:21.680 --> 08:23:39.280
um in this item that fall under TSP is the coordinator emergency management, the fire safety inspector 1, and the specialist graphics printing services. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh board member comment on

1406
08:23:39.280 --> 08:23:55.680
Miss Dixon's motion. Dr. Zean, >> I'm just a little confused because I what Miss Thompson asked about and I think Miss Bulman had addressed was there was a line in the job description about training that would happen after you're hired and I think that the motion is a minimum qual which means if you haven't done it, you can't apply. Is

1407
08:23:55.680 --> 08:24:11.840
that correct, Cher? >> Miss Hixon. So I think we've had in other um minimum qualifications and experience where we've added they had to have training by I in fact I think general

1408
08:24:11.840 --> 08:24:28.080
counsel was one of those job descriptions where we said if you get hired and you don't have the training you have to have it by a certain time. My preference is just to say ex ESSE experience but someone else had mentioned the training part to it. So

1409
08:24:28.080 --> 08:24:44.638
again, I leave this to what I what the district and and it was asked to have a specific training. So I don't know if staff has any suggestion into that. Maybe we had they have to have this specific training to do it.

1410
08:24:44.638 --> 08:25:01.360
>> Yeah, I I can add to that conversation. We've we've done that before where we've had in the minimum qualifications a certain time frame to complete that training. I think uh for the chief of safety and security, we actually >> um updated the amount of time to get the

1411
08:25:01.360 --> 08:25:18.718
I think it was the FDLE certification. I think we um said 6 months or up to a year. Um so we've had that in the minimum qualifications just to add to the conversation. >> I appreciate that. And what I'm curious is if um in your motion that you want to

1412
08:25:18.718 --> 08:25:35.360
have a certain amount of time so that there's something definite. Otherwise, a minimum qualification to an applicant might look like, oh, I don't have it. I can't get it. >> Yeah, that that's fine. And I mean, again, based on the conversation, if staff could give us a suggestion, I I

1413
08:25:35.360 --> 08:25:52.398
think it makes sense to put a specific training in there that ties to this and say within six months, I'm happy to to amend my motion to include that. >> Thanks so much, Miss Hixon. And and if if if we want to go one step further, we might just kick this one to the side,

1414
08:25:52.398 --> 08:26:09.360
too, like the TSP ones, and ask the staff to bring it back with the three TSP positions. they have to come back and and give them the time to make sure they can like be specific about the training and the timing and things like that. I'm just a little worried from the day kind of making these. >> So changes >> the superintendent is this on the org

1415
08:26:09.360 --> 08:26:26.160
chart because the other ones aren't. So that's why we could kick that. >> Go ahead, Dr. Lo. >> So this is a revision, not a new job description. So when you approve the org chart, the current job description will remain until we bring it back with revisions, >> which means if you had a couple weeks,

1416
08:26:26.160 --> 08:26:40.318
you could bring it back and it doesn't cause any consequences. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. I I mean, I would just rather get it right. Two weeks isn't isn't much time, and I'd kind of like to identify some form of like ESSE certification and how many hours it takes and things like that.

1417
08:26:40.318 --> 08:26:58.240
>> That's fine. So, would you like to withdraw your motion? Um, yes. I guess I'm going to make us a different motion. Okay. So, I'll withdraw my motion. So, that does somebody who seconded have to withdraw? >> You're good. >> Oh, I'll also Okay. I think it was Dr.

1418
08:26:58.240 --> 08:27:12.638
Holes, actually. Go ahead. >> Yes, that's mine. >> Okay. To So, to solve some of the other problems here, I'd like to make a motion to pull the job description for assistant director transportation operations, the coordinator of what was

1419
08:27:12.638 --> 08:27:30.478
that you said? Emergency >> coordinator emergency management fire safety inspec inspector one >> specialist >> and specialist graphics printing services move to to remove those four from this

1420
08:27:30.478 --> 08:27:48.000
item today. >> Second >> second motion made by Miss Hixon, second by Dr. Zean. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support your motion, but really you should be pulling all of them and have this discussion at a workshop

1421
08:27:48.000 --> 08:28:06.240
so that you get out of here today. Um, I handed you last time we were here Paul Carllins, a former general counsel like three general counsels ago. Um, the org chart should come simultaneous or after the job descriptions are changed or created. So, you're trying to fix the

1422
08:28:06.240 --> 08:28:22.478
plane, you know, fly and fix the plane at the same time. You should have had time to breathe and discuss these. >> Um, I support, but you you need to pull them all >> and just take a breath and discuss these job descriptions at a workshop, then do

1423
08:28:22.478 --> 08:28:38.558
the org chart because that's not ready either. >> Thank you, Jackie Luskam. I support the motion. Thank you. >> Any board member discussion on the motion? Oh, go ahead, Miss Fusco. You didn't think I was not going to comment

1424
08:28:38.558 --> 08:28:54.160
on this motion. Come on out. I just would like to clarify. I believe that you pulled the B2SP jobs. >> Well, thank you very much for listening. >> Any other public comment? >> Members,

1425
08:28:54.160 --> 08:29:10.080
>> board member discussion, Miss Rupert. >> Thank you. I just had one question, Madam Chair, which was um the coordinator emergency management that was pulled correctly, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Because I I had a comment on that.

1426
08:29:10.080 --> 08:29:27.120
So, I will wait. So, we bring it back. >> Any other board member discussion on the motion? >> All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> Motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you. I'll move along. I So, my next motion is on page 75. Executive

1427
08:29:27.120 --> 08:29:43.120
Director of Communications. Again, same discussion. And I'm not minimizing experience, but an executive director is one below a chief. So, I move to change the minimum requirements from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree. >> Second.

1428
08:29:43.120 --> 08:30:02.080
>> Motion made by Miss Hixon, seconded by Dr. Zean. Public comment on the motion. >> Board member discussion on the motion. >> All in favor of the motion say I. I. >> All oppose say no. Motion passes unanimously. >> Okay. Next one. Again, under the same

1429
08:30:02.080 --> 08:30:21.638
idea, executive director enterprise analytic and intelligence, page 78. I move to change the minimum requirements from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree. >> Second. >> Motion made by Miss Hixon, second by Dr. Hoes. Public comment on the motion.

1430
08:30:22.398 --> 08:30:38.638
>> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion. Almost always support uh creating a stronger foundation from which to build your experience. >> Any other public comment on the motion? >> Yes.

1431
08:30:38.638 --> 08:30:54.318
>> What I was trying to say before the mic got cut off, I got through the minute. Lots of careers out there in professions do on the job training. Well, I mean, you guys, your staff hires people with a pulse and can pass a

1432
08:30:54.318 --> 08:31:09.920
background check, but no teaching experience to come into our classrooms and teach. Did you know that? That's a fact. That That's a fact. So, that's one. Two, lot I'm going to go back. Lots of careers have experience,

1433
08:31:09.920 --> 08:31:25.360
but they also require to move up and to be supervising and to run a department. you must increase your education whether it's through whatever credentiing of some type of licensing or

1434
08:31:25.360 --> 08:31:41.440
a degree. They might expect you to move from a associates to a bachelor's or a bachelor's to a master's or a masters to a specialist or a specialist. It doesn't matter. So it's not unusual and having more knowledge and education while you work in a public school system is not a

1435
08:31:41.440 --> 08:31:57.120
bad idea. >> Thank you. Any other public speakers or member discussion on the motion? Dr. Zean. Thanks so much, chair. Uh, Mr. Superintendent, I wonder if this job uh executive director enterprise analytics and intelligence

1436
08:31:57.120 --> 08:32:14.160
is the kind of job is a very high level job to mix Hixon's point, but is this a field in which the education as a minimum requirement uh is appropriate or or is this one where somebody with lots of great experience

1437
08:32:14.160 --> 08:32:29.920
doing enterprise analytics and and intelligence with a bachelor's degree in say computer science or data science wouldn't be a really good candidate for this relatively highpaying job, but one that is also very technical in nature. >> No, we we don't disagree with the um

1438
08:32:29.920 --> 08:32:46.958
with the with the motion. >> You don't disagree with >> then uh great. Let's go. >> Yeah. >> Uh Dr. Hoes, >> Madame Chair, I am good if the superintendent doesn't disagree. >> Yes. >> Anyone else on the motion? All in favor

1439
08:32:46.958 --> 08:33:02.160
of the motion say I. >> I. I all oppose. >> No. >> Motion passes with one dissenting vote. Mr. Severa. >> One more thing. Sorry. Um so page 71 that is the wellness the director of

1440
08:33:02.160 --> 08:33:18.000
wellness and mental health. So um we didn't really have and I guess if we had more time we could have compared what it looked like before to now. So, can someone address the the statement that the new responsibilities don't include

1441
08:33:18.000 --> 08:33:33.040
because we merged those two jobs together. So, can you speak to that particular um statement that was made? >> Um, if you can refresh our memory with the statement. >> Oh, so the concern was that the responsibilities don't include both of

1442
08:33:33.040 --> 08:33:48.878
those original job descript responsibilities. There are things missing in the job responsibility. mental health >> for mental health because we merged wellness with mental health. >> Uh go ahead Miss Rockman. >> Hi good afternoon um Miss Hixon. You are

1443
08:33:48.878 --> 08:34:05.360
correct and the cra the audience is correct in that. Unfortunately due to the lateness of that coming in last week after the meeting the other um job description was not merged onto this one. So that one will need to be redone and we can bring that back um the following at the following meeting. So

1444
08:34:05.360 --> 08:34:20.798
my question to that and and I have something to add to that also that's on the org chart. So how is that going to affect the vote on the org chart today? >> Well, I would defer to our general counsel. I'm not I would need some clarification that if the job description has to be approved in order

1445
08:34:20.798 --> 08:34:38.398
for a position to be listed on the org chart and if so >> and this is just um merging the two positions. >> Correct. merging two director positions >> into one >> into a new job description

1446
08:34:38.398 --> 08:34:53.760
>> into a new job description. >> Can we reflect that on the ORC chart so that when the board votes it's reflected on the ORC chart with the understanding that the job description is amended? You know, we'll bring that back as well. >> Yes,

1447
08:34:53.760 --> 08:35:10.080
>> I think that's that's how I would handle it. So my my second concern on that and I appreciate that because if we're merging them unless unless someone else is picking up responsibilities and then we would get a new job description for

1448
08:35:10.080 --> 08:35:27.040
whoever was getting new pieces. But um also to the speaker's point, I think it's really important to be very specific about mental health. It's wellness and mental health. And I feel like we diminished the mental health part of this job. And again, it was I

1449
08:35:27.040 --> 08:35:41.600
know you I'm not trying to say you did it on purpose or whatever, but not having some kind of licensing or certification. I understand in the response that you gave me because I did ask this question before the the speaker

1450
08:35:41.600 --> 08:35:59.520
did um that it's more of a leadership position, but they're leading people who have to do have to be licensed for something. So, it's again that same theme that I've had all along. it it's very hard to have somebody be responsible for other people below them

1451
08:35:59.520 --> 08:36:16.240
if they don't have at at least the expertise if not more um for that job. So, I don't know what my colleagues think, but since it's going to come back anyway, I guess my motion will be to remove this job description as well. Do we need a motion to pull this job

1452
08:36:16.240 --> 08:36:31.840
description if we're not going to vote on it today? Okay. So, I I moved to >> Excuse me. I move to remove this job description for the director wellness mental health but when it comes back I think it should

1453
08:36:31.840 --> 08:36:53.520
also have some additional minimum requirements. >> Is there a second? >> Seconded by Miss Thompson. Motion made by Miss Hixon. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation,

1454
08:36:53.520 --> 08:37:10.478
Florida. Um, I support the motion, but just as a reminder that the org chart should come simultaneous with or after the job descriptions are changed or created. So again, this becomes problematic if you start pulling job

1455
08:37:10.478 --> 08:37:28.000
descriptions and revising job descriptions. You can't then go and unanimously just approve the ORC chart as is today. That would seem to be a problem. you need to nail down your job descriptions and this is coming uh guidance related to 101.42.

1456
08:37:28.000 --> 08:37:43.120
So I support pulling it out but then uh Mrs. Hixon identified the problem is how do you go about then approving the orc chart there there's no rush. I mean there is kind of but if it's not fully baked you don't yank the bread out of the oven. I mean you do yeah because

1457
08:37:43.120 --> 08:38:04.398
then you'll have that it's halfbaked or chart and job description. Uh Jackie Luskam, thank you. I support the motion. Um but I just want to add, what if we hadn't been here? Like it makes me worry now what else I we

1458
08:38:04.398 --> 08:38:21.440
haven't looked at in all these papers, some of which tumbled out at very short notice. So for everybody out here, we've been up day and night looking at what's been now put on the board agenda that we thought, you know, it's going to be last Friday and then more gets added on on Monday or whenever it was. Um I do think

1459
08:38:21.440 --> 08:38:40.000
this makes the case for there being a more orderly presentation of board documents um and more thorough oversight of what is put on a board do on a board agenda before it gets to this point of having to pull it. Thank you. Good afternoon, Melanie Burke, Dave,

1460
08:38:40.000 --> 08:38:56.878
Florida. Um, thank you very much, Miss Hexon, for bringing up this motion and for supporting it. Um, as Jackie and um, Natalie both stated, I'm I am OCD. I went through this, but only because this is going to be the boss of where I work.

1461
08:38:56.878 --> 08:39:11.680
So, how do we know that there aren't ever errors in other areas? Um, and it's very concerning. Um, I know it was quick. I'm not blaming anybody, but you know, you're taking two positions and just copy like words smmithing them

1462
08:39:11.680 --> 08:39:28.958
together. Clearly, it's a copy and paste job because they missed the typo, which is like one of my OCD things. Like, it just makes me crazy. So, I mean, I would be really concerned about all the other job descriptions unless somebody has gone through it with a fine tooth comb to ensure there aren't any of the other

1463
08:39:28.958 --> 08:39:46.478
errors. Accidental. Abs. Absolutely accidental. Um, and especially I'm I'm not gonna the the the job the minimum qualifications. I mean, I'm a school social worker, master's level. Should I I'm certified. Should I be a principal?

1464
08:39:46.478 --> 08:40:06.240
>> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Victoria Trio Cortisi, Hollywood, Florida. Um, I'm almost speechless. Thank you for bringing that up. Thank you for speaking on it. I'm quickly just reading through it. Um, I have

1465
08:40:06.240 --> 08:40:21.920
questioned job descriptions before. To me, some of the job descriptions when I was looking for a job in Broward County schools in different levels seemed antiquated. So, I'm glad that we're having this discussion. Um, but if we're going to choose someone and hire someone to lead others, especially in mental

1466
08:40:21.920 --> 08:40:44.600
health, which it's just a worldwide worldwide situation now and concern, we really need somebody that leads by example. That's it. Thank you. Next speaker,

1467
08:40:44.798 --> 08:40:59.520
>> Terry Lopez Price, vice president of BTU. I'd like to say thank you to Debbie Hixon for going through this item with fidelity and understanding the pitfalls and trying to rectify it. It's a little bit difficult watching you guys go back

1468
08:40:59.520 --> 08:41:17.120
and forth and asking the attorney and, you know, us knowing different things about the contract and things being brought to you before they're ready to be brought to you. It's um it's not okay. So, thank you for taking the entire motion away because it's not

1469
08:41:17.120 --> 08:41:34.040
ready and how can you later vote on an arc chart? These are kinds of things that someone said might be a mistake, but are they? I'm not always sure. Thank you.

1470
08:41:35.360 --> 08:41:50.718
>> Anna Fusco, teaching your president. Thank you, school board member Hixon. I know you worked hard. I can tell looking through every single job. I mean, maybe I mean, there's a lot, but again, I'm asking you guys to not approve any of it

1471
08:41:50.718 --> 08:42:07.680
unless you really really understand what's coming forward. And I know that it's it's a it's a big ask because we should depend on superintendent direct and the proper staff that be to make sure things are done with fidelity and

1472
08:42:07.680 --> 08:42:25.520
um in the right in the right format which I clearly pointed out what happened with some of our jobs with our TSP unit as Mrs. Py said is it a mistake or isn't it? That is the question of 2026, but

1473
08:42:25.520 --> 08:42:42.080
that's a question we've asked multiple years. So, I know and hear you hear my position. Um, voted down. >> Thank you. Any other public comment? Board member discussion. Miss Rupert.

1474
08:42:42.080 --> 08:42:58.798
>> Thank you. Um and I actually pulled this item specifically uh for this particular um job description for the director of wellness and mental health. Uh the job description needs to keep the minimum qualifications and experience to

1475
08:42:58.798 --> 08:43:14.240
emphasize this professional who can directly provide licensed clinical mental health education to our social workers. But it must be clinical expertise right now presenting mental ha

1476
08:43:14.240 --> 08:43:30.478
mental health challenges. Um it's a very very intense time for many of our students and not an exactly someone that could have just a leadership educational degree. Um it you need someone that

1477
08:43:30.478 --> 08:43:46.558
works in the field that has uh actually lived through this. This is not okay. And not when we still have deaths by suicide in Broward County and our most precious children and students are still affected. You know, I talk about this

1478
08:43:46.558 --> 08:44:02.478
all the time about certain area codes and how it does happen and I hope it never becomes okay that we just gloss through when we lose another child this past week. Um, we want to get our student enrollments back up. then truly

1479
08:44:02.478 --> 08:44:19.840
we need to make sure that when we hire people in the mental health field that they have clinical social worker experience and that they are the front line and the and the facing our children. Um so I was going to make a move and I

1480
08:44:19.840 --> 08:44:34.878
don't have to because it's already pulled. So I will continue that conversation and I appreciate that um Debbie Hixon uh did what I was planning on doing. So, I appreciate um everyone up there, but um this one was definitely

1481
08:44:34.878 --> 08:44:52.160
a miss. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair, and thank you, Mrs. Hixon. I think a few of us are definitely going to talk on this position. I just want to also recognize that the board made several changes to the org chart during the workshop. Um,

1482
08:44:52.160 --> 08:45:08.240
this was one I I talked to several of the staff over this department, but I don't think HR knew that this was going to be something that I was going to propose. Um, so I just would like to give them a little grace. I don't think it was intentional. Um, I do want to

1483
08:45:08.240 --> 08:45:24.878
highlight the importance, like my colleague said, about having someone with mental health experience. um doesn't necessarily have to be a social worker, but school counselor or school psychologist, someone who's who's been in that field. Um but I look forward to

1484
08:45:24.878 --> 08:45:40.478
staff having the time to to fill this position out and uh thank you again for pulling it. >> Thank you, Miss Bowman. >> Thank you. Um I support the motion and appreciate you also bringing that. it's been brought to I think most of our

1485
08:45:40.478 --> 08:45:56.478
attention. So, I'm glad that you handled that. And I I had a question um in just in general, if in the event that there is a typo or some kind of an error in one of these job descriptions, what's a procedure for

1486
08:45:56.478 --> 08:46:12.478
us to correct that or is this a fatal error? >> Mr. Bruno, technicalities can always be corrected. um substantive things would have to come back to the board. >> Okay. So, typos can be corrected on

1487
08:46:12.478 --> 08:46:28.318
their own. And if and if we in the course of looking at this after we approve the job descriptions and for the orchart, that would be the procedure. We just bring it back to the board and we can correct whatever. >> Yes. >> Error there is.

1488
08:46:28.318 --> 08:46:44.878
>> If there's like a simple typo, I'm sure HR will be able to correct those. But if it's something that's substantive in the nature of the work and the requirements, those things that have to come back to the board. >> Yeah. I mean, this is a very voluminous um and kind of a herculean effort every

1489
08:46:44.878 --> 08:47:03.440
year. And I personally make lots of mistakes when I'm writing things and, you know, discover them later. So to have the ability to correct it, I think is important and I think that we will be doing that as if if and when that's brought to our attention. And I really appreciate the um people that have come

1490
08:47:03.440 --> 08:47:19.920
to speak today and have helped us in this effort because it's you know takes a village and it's nice to have everyone's eyes on it so we can get the job done faster. So thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion on the motion? >> All in favor of the motion say I. >> All I.

1491
08:47:19.920 --> 08:47:40.318
>> All oppose say no. >> Motion passes unanimously. >> I'm done now. Thank you. >> Great. Um next up we have Mr. Sea. Thank you, chair. Appreciate the opportunity to speak on this. Um,

1492
08:47:40.318 --> 08:47:57.440
where I sit right now, um, is reflective of what we heard from some of these speakers. Um, I think the York chart, uh, and this is kind of getting bundled in as a a a package deal. And I'm not comfortable approving this job description. I'm not comfortable with

1493
08:47:57.440 --> 08:48:12.878
the orc chart as it is. So, um I I guess we can say I'm just uh a little troubled um for a litany of reasons. I I do want better clarification

1494
08:48:12.878 --> 08:48:30.080
on this uh legal aspect and I I don't know if this is uh I don't think it should be a follow-up thing, Madame General Counsel, but I I'm confused uh on this as to whether or not we've

1495
08:48:30.080 --> 08:48:43.920
run a foul with any collective bargaining agreement. And not to toot my own horn, but I think when someone is a member of the bar and they're confused, maybe some others are confused, too, and they just don't feel comfortable saying it.

1496
08:48:43.920 --> 08:49:01.760
>> So, um, that being said, I I really want and I really need a definitive answer as to whether or not what what's been proposed and what's been put in front of us today runs a foul with any potential violations under collective bargaining agreement, the state statute, anything

1497
08:49:01.760 --> 08:49:17.200
of that nature. because I do not want any more lawsuits to happen or grievances or anything of that nature to uh have this district get roped into. So, I I I'm hearing things from you. I'm hearing things from Dr.

1498
08:49:17.200 --> 08:49:35.040
Lozano. Um I'm hearing terms that, you know, I'm just not comfortable with as opposed to what we can draft, as opposed to what we can approve as a board. And I really need and I'm going to insist on a definitive answer and ask for your professional legal opinion as to whether

1499
08:49:35.040 --> 08:49:49.440
or not the any of these items that are in here run a foul with anybody's collective bargaining agreement rights or are we potentially subject to litigation or grievance or anything of that nature. >> Miss Bruno,

1500
08:49:49.440 --> 08:50:04.958
>> thank you Mr. for the uh question. Um, grievances can be filed. Doesn't necessarily mean that they have substance in them, but they can be filed at any time. >> Oh, come on, guys. >> I would say that with regards to BTU,

1501
08:50:04.958 --> 08:50:19.760
the TSP collective bargaining agreement does have different language than the other collective bargaining agreement. Um, the EP collective bargaining agreement, it's pretty clear. It's a management right to create the job

1502
08:50:19.760 --> 08:50:37.120
descriptions. Um what the TSP states is that um for new job descriptions there's it's pretty much similar to a management right um but of course TSP needs to be notified but with regards to job changes job description changes that's a

1503
08:50:37.120 --> 08:50:54.240
different process. Now my understanding is that we've removed those three job descriptions and that will go through the normal process for that. I >> I understand we moved those three. Um, I'm concerned about anything else on here whether we can be subject and and

1504
08:50:54.240 --> 08:51:10.160
listen, I get anybody can file a lawsuit for whatever they want in this in this quite frankly in this country, not not just this state. But I want to know or I need to know whether or not in your professional legal opinion if we are

1505
08:51:10.160 --> 08:51:27.120
facing the the potential of of a legitimate good faith grievance or a good faith lawsuit or a good faith complaint in any way, shape, or form based on what's on here. Because I will tell you, I'm not supporting this and I'm probably not supporting the York chart at this point unless something else changed my mind. But I want to be

1506
08:51:27.120 --> 08:51:42.958
on record knowing that at least one board member called this out, sought the advice of you and was given some form of clearance. Miss Bruno, >> I I I will repeat what I said with

1507
08:51:42.958 --> 08:52:00.558
regards to um BTU to the TSP collective bargaining agreement. It's pretty clear that there's a process that we need to follow and those three positions have been pulled. I can rely on HR in terms of what those positions are um that they've been pulling. They'll go through that process. Regarding the other

1508
08:52:00.558 --> 08:52:16.558
agreements, the other BTU bargaining agreements, it's a management right. >> Okay. Uh go ahead, Dr. Lozano. >> None of the other job descriptions listed are under a collective bargaining group. They're all under ASMAB, our me and Kur group.

1509
08:52:16.558 --> 08:52:33.600
>> Here we go. >> All right. >> Mr. Silver, are you finished? Okay, Miss Rupert. Miss Rupert. >> Um, yes, I we I I'm I'm okay >> because we're we just did the job

1510
08:52:33.600 --> 08:52:49.840
descriptions. We haven't gotten to number four yet, right? >> Correct. So, >> okay, then I'm good. >> You don't have any additional comments for this particular >> Okay. Um, >> not this particular one. >> No problem. Board member Bulman. >> Thanks, Chair. Um, I have a general

1511
08:52:49.840 --> 08:53:04.878
question. So what happens in a situation where a job an existing job uh description is expanded to include additional responsibilities, tasks, duties um but

1512
08:53:04.878 --> 08:53:21.840
they remain in the same pay band. So basically you're staying in the same pay but getting more work. How how do we address that? >> Dr. ahead burn >> your duties and responsibilities expand

1513
08:53:21.840 --> 08:53:39.280
to what's in the job description now um you may get additional support um below the line uh such as if we consolid so if we cons such as we consolidated some leadership roles the below the line um

1514
08:53:39.280 --> 08:53:56.240
teams consolidate under that too so you still have the people who are actually doing a lot of the the leg work um to execute the tasks and responsibilities for that department for the combined department. >> I mean is that a guarantee that that's going to happen? That's the intent of

1515
08:53:56.240 --> 08:54:13.840
>> Yes. For instance, the um the job description that we just pulled is a merger of two departments. So all the people under that department just merged into uh into two different departments merged into one. So the people actually doing the work are actually still there.

1516
08:54:13.840 --> 08:54:31.280
Oh, >> so we didn't we didn't we didn't reduce the people within those departments. It was uh direction to merge the two director positions in into one but not to get rid of the people or the boxes

1517
08:54:31.280 --> 08:54:46.080
under that department. >> Is there any opportunity to revisit the paid scale or um there's always opportunity getting more work? >> Yes, there's always opportunity to do that. Yes. >> So, how does that work? Um, normally we would bring that back um and suggest a

1518
08:54:46.080 --> 08:55:02.478
5% increase. >> Is that generally the policy? >> Um, just practice um not policy. >> So that would happen at the beginning of the year when the new >> if that's the will of the board. Yes. >> Okay.

1519
08:55:02.478 --> 08:55:19.920
>> That would come to us as an item. >> Yes. And usually when we do a a pay increase, it will come to the board as an as a uh as an item in an in an H item. Okay, >> thank you. Dr. Zean, >> thanks. Is this the last one, chair?

1520
08:55:19.920 --> 08:55:35.600
>> You are the last person on. >> Well, when your name Zean, you get used to that, Dr. Holdness. So, there you go. Um, I'm glad uh it's a relatively small uh item that I have. It's something that um I've thought a lot about, did a little research on with other districts,

1521
08:55:35.600 --> 08:55:52.638
and I feel um that the cost doesn't really justify the change. Um the position I want to talk about today is executive director of exceptional student education. Um we uh last week um saw this change you know of having a

1522
08:55:52.638 --> 08:56:08.160
chief for student services and a executive director of ESC and it came back that the um the chief would have three directors and and not have an executive director. And I just want to tell you why I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze here. This is a

1523
08:56:08.160 --> 08:56:24.478
$10,000 savings. Um I I apologize I didn't write down the page. Um but this is the page. Um >> Oh, that's on the ORC chart. >> Yep. It's an ORC chart. Uh but um the reason it's here is uh you know what and

1524
08:56:24.478 --> 08:56:40.638
that's a good point. Cherry, should I talk about this in the next item instead of now? >> I believe so. Yes. >> Wonderful. May I go first whenever you take names or add me to the list? >> We already have one person on the list. I will add >> We're not even on the item. >> I will add you to the list. Well, that's wonderful. Number two, I don't need to be first, but um I look forward to talking to it at that point. Thanks,

1525
08:56:40.638 --> 08:56:57.360
>> Sure. >> You won't be last. Any other uh any other uh board member discussion on this item? >> All right. All in favor of item three as amended say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> No.

1526
08:56:57.360 --> 08:57:22.798
>> Roll call, please. School board members Aadv, >> no. >> Bowman, >> yes. >> Sea, >> no. Sir. >> Dixon, >> yes. >> Honest. >> Leonardi, >> yes. >> Roupert, >> no.

1527
08:57:22.798 --> 08:57:38.718
>> Thompson, >> yes. >> Zean, >> yes. >> 53 passes. >> All right. Thank you. Um, could I have a motion and a second on item four? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon.

1528
08:57:38.718 --> 08:57:54.160
Um, just again to reiterate uh the procedure for public comment, we do have um over 30 public speakers. So, I will reduce the time to one minute per speaker. I will call

1529
08:57:54.160 --> 08:58:10.160
>> I will call uh five speakers at a time. If you hear your name, please line up. Um the speaker will be at the podium at the microphone, one person at the microphone at a time. The rest will line up um as directed by staff on the right side of the room. Um so I'll call my

1530
08:58:10.160 --> 08:58:26.920
first five names. Cassandra Jackson Brown, Patus Vil, Sheena Newton, Cindy Berdick, and Laqua Dico Adams. And my apologies if I'm mispronouncing any names.

1531
08:58:27.280 --> 08:58:42.798
>> You get to the the microphone. You may begin. >> Jar, I'd like my objection uh on the record regarding the time reduction just like uh last week. Uh I feel these people have taken time out of their day. They should be given their full 3 minutes regardless of how many people are lined up to speak on this very

1532
08:58:42.798 --> 08:58:58.080
important issue. So I'd like my objection noted on the record. >> Thank you. It's noted. And again, I reduced the time to a minute so that everyone here has an opportunity to speak, but I note your objection. Thank you. Go ahead.

1533
08:58:58.080 --> 08:59:14.958
Good afternoon. My name is Sheena Newton. I'm the assistant director of the business support center and I have been dedicated I have dedicated 29 years of loyal, reliable, consistent service to the

1534
08:59:14.958 --> 08:59:29.200
organization. I started at a young age. I earned my degree um to work my way up in different um job capacities such as payroll, title one,

1535
08:59:29.200 --> 08:59:46.478
transportation, auditing and etc. And I was task assigned in September 2025 to assist with the superintendent special project direct negotiations. Throughout my tenure, I have remained

1536
08:59:46.478 --> 09:00:01.760
committed to supporting the district mission, contributing to its growth, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism when I was asked to assist with the superintendent.

1537
09:00:01.760 --> 09:02:43.878
>> Thank you. Next speaker. >> So, this is your first warning, please. All right. We are going to go ahead and recess the meeting for five minutes. Thank you. of loyal. Hey, hey, hey. What's

1538
09:03:05.920 --> 09:07:09.520
up? down. Down. This one. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Yeah. Thank you. So, we're going to do a reset.

1539
09:07:09.520 --> 09:07:25.122
I again respectfully ask the audience to maintain decorum as board members are maintaining decorum while each speaker is speaking. I will amend the reduced time to two minutes per speaker. Um once your two

1540
09:07:25.122 --> 09:07:40.160
minutes is up, please yield the mic. If you do not yield the mic, we will have to recess the meeting. Um, so would Sheena Newton approach the mic and you can give her two minutes, please. Thank you.

1541
09:07:40.160 --> 09:07:57.040
Welcome. Thank you. Um, I was asked to assist with the superintendent project and I was excited and willing to do everything to make the project a success. I was recently non-renewed due to changes in the

1542
09:07:57.040 --> 09:08:14.480
organization chart. While I understand the re restructuring can be part of an organization evolution, this decision is difficult giving my longstanding record to dedication and performance. I have

1543
09:08:14.480 --> 09:08:29.438
always taken pride in my work and in the relationship I built within the organization and the community we serve which everybody on this table I have dealt with you know numerous of time assisting you all. I respectfully ask

1544
09:08:29.438 --> 09:08:45.598
that my years of service contribution and commitment to be fully considered as this decision is reviewed. My goal has always been to support the success and stability of the district and I remain

1545
09:08:45.598 --> 09:09:06.078
deeply invested in its mission and future. And I really thank you all for letting me finish what I had to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Hi, my name is Cassandra Jackson Brown. I'm a I do have a masters in social work

1546
09:09:06.078 --> 09:09:23.758
as well as a professional certification in social work and I've been with the district for 19 years. 13 in clerical, four as a counselor and two as a SSIS. On behalf of SSIS, we have a direct impact on students from the time we hit

1547
09:09:23.758 --> 09:09:40.320
the um the campus. We're supporting our students whether it's in the bathroom, it's in the hallway, the patios, the uh lunchroom, we're giving that support. We do have a direct impact on students and this should be taken into

1548
09:09:40.320 --> 09:09:59.918
consideration. We work collaboratively with every staff member at the schools. So, please reconsider your decision. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon. My name is Patusville

1549
09:09:59.918 --> 09:10:15.840
and I hold two master's degree in mental health and school counseling. I currently serve as a SSIS supporting two schools. Prior to this role, I worked as a school counselor, but I was intentionally drawn to SSIS position after witnessing its impact firsthand while working in West Palm Beach as a

1550
09:10:15.840 --> 09:10:31.840
mobile response supervisor. I saw SSIS professionals and actions, boots on the ground, supporting high-risisk students, families, schools, and the community. That experience exilified my passion for this work. I was truly excited when Dr. um Lacata and Dr. Herpin introduced this

1551
09:10:31.840 --> 09:10:47.520
initiative to Broward County Public School knowing the difference it could make for our students. I'm per personally witness the critical role SSIS plays during mobile response calls. One statement from Dr. Lacata has always stayed with me. Raising the floor without lowering the ceiling, meeting

1552
09:10:47.520 --> 09:11:03.200
students where they're at. This philosophic reflects exactly what this position is essential. We ensure students receive the support they need while maintaining high expectation for their success. We are often the consistent trusted adults students rely on. There have been concerns raised that

1553
09:11:03.200 --> 09:11:20.398
SSIS staff are too new, lack experience or do not conduct SRAS and BTAS. However, many of us fully are qualified experienced in completing these assessments. Like I said, I used to be a school counselor and I was drawn to this SSIS position because we are preventative firsthand working with the

1554
09:11:20.398 --> 09:11:36.640
kids. We're out and about. We are viable, visible, and reliable to the kids cuz we are wearing these shirts that they see us each and every day. They know who we are. We're not scheduling appointments for them to come contact us. We're in the cafeteria. We're in every place that the kids need

1555
09:11:36.640 --> 09:11:52.398
us. We're visible, viable, and accessible. And we are qualified. We can do what you ask us to do. If you change the job description, we are qualified. We are here for the children. and we should not be removed because we are impacting not only the children, we are

1556
09:11:52.398 --> 09:12:12.000
supporting the staff, the family and we are giving them a wraparound service. So please reconsider removing the department. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Good afternoon. Laquesta Derico Adams, PMPO Beach, Florida.

1557
09:12:12.000 --> 09:12:26.800
During the workshop last week, there was a proposal eliminating the SSIS supervisors as well as the entire SSIS position. In less than 20 seconds and without discussion or warning, 39 of us watched as our jobs were being

1558
09:12:26.800 --> 09:12:42.000
recommended for elimination. A remark was made that our position is a catchall and a loophole because many people do not know what we do. As it is a fairly new position in the district, I would appreciate an opportunity to share

1559
09:12:42.000 --> 09:12:59.200
what it is exactly that we do. Every school day, we work directly with students. We all have a case load of anywhere from 65 to 100 students, but all students have access to us when they need us. When we introduce ourselves to parents and students, we explain that the role can look different for each

1560
09:12:59.200 --> 09:13:14.878
student, which is what I like best about my role. We talk and I get to find out what they need to be happy, healthy, and successful. Then help them get where they need and help them stay there. We help them secure the bag, behavior, attendance, and grades. My middle

1561
09:13:14.878 --> 09:13:30.320
school, SSIS, sent me a list at the beginning of the school year to make sure that I connect with the students that she was working with in the previous year to provide them with TLC because they were under her care at our feeder middle school. We are the boots

1562
09:13:30.320 --> 09:13:47.040
on the ground that gets everyone where they need to go. We offer a calm space and none's judgmental ear. I refer them to social workers, family counselors, school counselors, administrators, race adviserss, whoever can assist them with whatever issue it is that is above me.

1563
09:13:47.040 --> 09:14:03.360
For the record, I am a former administrator, literacy coach, teacher, mental health professional, certified medical assistant, and mother. So, I understand a lot about helping our students feel safe and secure in the learning environment, channeling their emotions, and being in tune with their

1564
09:14:03.360 --> 09:14:20.078
mental health and well-being. To sum it up, SSIS is a strong team that consists of 37 mental health professionals. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Before the next speaker, I'll call the next five names. Jackie Luskam, Lynn Bovery, Jana Boyd, and Thomas

1565
09:14:20.078 --> 09:14:37.360
Handwork. >> Uh Dr. Cindy Berdick, Pompo Beach, Florida. Boots on the ground. That seems to be what everybody's saying today. Or is it going to be fat off the hog? Okay, let's start with the real problem. Families

1566
09:14:37.360 --> 09:14:53.040
are leaving Broward County. Instead of asking why or what it would take to bring them back, we hear complaints about about vouchers and see more upper management positions added. This won't bring students back. What will? Boots on the ground. Families want real programs

1567
09:14:53.040 --> 09:15:10.480
and services in school, not lip service. Cutting support services is harming students. I recently experienced a real lockdown. Students were terrified. You could see the early signs of trauma. What support do they have to process that? Flashing lights and alert systems

1568
09:15:10.480 --> 09:15:25.918
won't help them now. Licensed mental health counselors, school counselors, and social workers will. every one of those students should be checked on. But instead, resources were spent on reactive system, not proactive care. In fact, this centric system caused the

1569
09:15:25.918 --> 09:15:42.960
chaos with an accidental um activation. And so now there are at least 40 students and 20 parents who I stayed in a bathroom stall with for at least 15 minutes and watched them cry. Who's looking up on them? It would be these

1570
09:15:42.960 --> 09:16:00.320
individuals. And you're getting rid of them. I'm very concerned with the trauma that these kids experienced. It It was not you. If you saw their tears, you would not get rid of these people. We need them. We need them to survive. I believe in them so much that

1571
09:16:00.320 --> 09:16:17.680
I went and got um I'm working to get my license um clinical license. It's not going to do any good now because you're getting rid of all these positions. So, please, please understand that many of us stay here not because of the money. I'm not

1572
09:16:17.680 --> 09:16:37.360
getting an extra 5% for sitting in a bathroom stall with people. Other people are. We care about students and we care about their well-being. Please don't get rid of these people. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Good. Good evening or good afternoon. My

1573
09:16:37.360 --> 09:16:52.800
name is Jana Boyd, Lauder Hill, Florida. I am a ESP, community liaison with the heart program. The heart program, as you all know, stands for homeless education assistance resource team. For two years, we have been working uh with two less

1574
09:16:52.800 --> 09:17:09.278
employees. We used to have six community liaison and we were sectioned out by twos in the south, the central and the north. We have been working short staff for over two years now and that has impacted the our ability to do everything that we want to do. However,

1575
09:17:09.278 --> 09:17:24.558
we have made concessions and have gone out to the schools. We cover each other whenever we can in the south, north and central. We have just found out that one of our ESPs, community leaison is going to be let go at the end of this school

1576
09:17:24.558 --> 09:17:41.360
year. So now we're down from six, we'll be down to four. And one of those four is part-time because we split them between heart and title one. We affect we deal with the students that are very vulnerable because these students are

1577
09:17:41.360 --> 09:17:58.160
coming in, they're sleeping in cars, they're homeless, they don't have stable anything. And we still fight every day with the schools that we have to go into because we still have in 2026 Broward County Public Schools stills have schools that refuse to let our students

1578
09:17:58.160 --> 09:18:15.040
in. They refuse to let them register for crazy reasons because they're not following the McKenna Vento law which is a federal act that we all know that we have to comply with. Each and every day I have to go to a school or I'm called out to a school because a parent cannot

1579
09:18:15.040 --> 09:18:30.000
get their student registered. If we continue to lose our staff, how are we going to be effective? How are we going to keep these students in school? We need to keep all of our staff. We're losing a ESP, community liaison. We're losing a social worker and we're losing

1580
09:18:30.000 --> 09:18:45.840
our only clerical support. I ask that this be reconsidered because we need to be able to have full impact with our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Thomas Hamburg, Sunrise.

1581
09:18:45.840 --> 09:19:01.438
The reason for cutting essential staff is declining enrollment, but enrollment isn't really declining. The students are still in the system and we're still paying for them in charters. Instead of one large school with one principal, we have seven charter schools, each with their own principal. Instead of one

1582
09:19:01.438 --> 09:19:17.360
overpaid superintendent, we have 30. This is the duplication that we need to cut. This fragmentation is killing the school system, and it's for nothing. Charters have less services and stability than our public schools. Their mission is not to serve students. is to maximize enrollment. They are paid a

1583
09:19:17.360 --> 09:19:33.360
flat fee and every service they provide is an inefficiency. The ESSE population in public schools is rising and that's because they are often more expensive than that flat fee. So charters do not want them there. Charters won't stop

1584
09:19:33.360 --> 09:19:50.080
until they they have extracted every dollar into private pockets. This board has been given power precisely to deal with these big problems. You need to build coalitions and act, not give us a plan to die gracefully. We need warriors, not bureaucrats. Thank you.

1585
09:19:50.080 --> 09:20:08.880
>> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Hello, Jackie Luskin. I'd like you to to make a suggestion about the chief of student support services. That that position be named the chief of ESSE and student support services so that there is a clearly identified home in the

1586
09:20:08.880 --> 09:20:24.400
cabinet for ESE. Um, it was a position that was created last year that put higher oversight over ESSE. Personally, I see that as a good thing. Um, and I do just think that having that clearly

1587
09:20:24.400 --> 09:20:42.720
identified would um be a good thing. I can't support removing any boots on the ground, these frontline troops positions, and yet also try to save higherups. Um, we have people here with student case loads. So, we're hearing from the

1588
09:20:42.720 --> 09:20:58.000
student support instructional specialists. There's 36 of them with case loads of between 80 and 100 students. And we don't see a plan for where those 80 to 100 students and that case load would be transferred. Also, I'm troubled by the removal of two

1589
09:20:58.000 --> 09:21:14.560
suicide prevention specialists, 13 behavior support teachers, and the positive behavior intervention specialists. I feel we need to be strengthening behavior support. It's certainly an area that I'm seeing vast weakness in. I'm I'm often sitting here in the room and I am right now dealing

1590
09:21:14.560 --> 09:21:29.360
with parents who are on the receiving end of failure when it comes to behavior support and management in the schools. We need these people. Um and for all the headlines, there are this subtext of people who are really hurting and are going to be be losing their jobs. So I

1591
09:21:29.360 --> 09:21:44.960
just want to acknowledge those as well. afterare. I'm shocked that you would make any cuts when that's one revenue producing area of Broward schools. Please don't. Um, and then finally, I would like to see more battle instead of us keep saying we're losing 10,000 kids

1592
09:21:44.960 --> 09:22:01.596
this year and we predict another 10,000 next year. Where's the fight? Let's get out there and fight for every single one of them and don't accept that it's going to be 10,000. Let's get out there and ask them why they're leaving. >> Thank you. Before the next speaker, I'll read the next five names. Shafi Munab,

1593
09:22:01.596 --> 09:22:20.240
Terry Price, Anthony Matanga, Victoria Cordilli, and Tracy Chandler. Welcome. Good afternoon. Lynn Bovery. I'm a registered nurse. I'm here to speak about student safety.

1594
09:22:20.240 --> 09:22:36.240
The district has eliminated key nursing leadership positions, including the director, supervisors, and clinical nurses. These roles are not optional. They ensure safe oversight and legally compliant medical care in our schools

1595
09:22:36.240 --> 09:22:51.840
and our clinics. In the proposed staffing, there are only three supervisors who will oversee more than 300 nurses, most from agencies. This is not safe, and the risks are real

1596
09:22:51.840 --> 09:23:08.000
when RN supervision is stretched too thin. Every medication, every treatment, every doctor order must be verified by a nurse. Without strong nursing leadership, that safeguard weakens

1597
09:23:08.000 --> 09:23:23.360
and student safety is put at risk. Students with complex medical uh conditions and needs are increasing. Every year we have more and more. It is not declining like enrollment.

1598
09:23:23.360 --> 09:23:38.240
This is not about restructuring. This is about whether a child is safe during a medical emergency at school. One of the board members mentioned earlier we why how can we have someone

1599
09:23:38.240 --> 09:23:54.000
with certain skills and lensure report to someone who does not have those same skills if not more without a nursing director. That's what we're doing. We are decimating the leadership here. This is a question. This is not a

1600
09:23:54.000 --> 09:24:09.596
question of whether or not we can afford nursing leadership. The question is whether we can afford the consequences of not having it. I urge you to restore adequate nursing leadership before a

1601
09:24:09.596 --> 09:24:26.800
preventable incident makes this a crisis. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Terry Lopez P. U. Madame Chair, thank you for increasing the time. We appreciate it. Um, I just wanted to say

1602
09:24:26.800 --> 09:24:44.240
it's very difficult to see that this is even discussed today because I was here last week when the whole meal was happening of let's do this or let's do that or let's add this or let's take that and I don't understand how you would possibly think that this is ready

1603
09:24:44.240 --> 09:25:01.040
to be voted on. I don't know who puts it on the agenda exactly to say, "Yeah, we're going to we're going to vote this in today and this is what it's going to look like." because it doesn't it doesn't look like you're ready and it's hard to watch that. Um, in addition to that, one of the things that have been said over and over again is we're not

1604
09:25:01.040 --> 09:25:17.120
going to touch positions at people who affect children. We see here how many people are here who affect children. And what were they feeling like when they were sitting in their offices or at schools and heard, "Hey, yeah, your whole department's going to be gone."

1605
09:25:17.120 --> 09:25:33.680
This isn't how we used to do business. Listen, I know things are changing and I know because I've been warning since 2011 um that the billionaires are coming after public ed. I've I've said it so many times I got tired of saying it. Let me say it again. The billionaires are coming after public ed. And you

1606
09:25:33.680 --> 09:25:48.960
shouldn't be making it easy on them. Like the gentleman said, we need warriors. We don't need to die gracefully. We know what's happening. It's people with money. It's people with big pockets. They're making the laws. They're funding people to say the things that need to be said to give the money

1607
09:25:48.960 --> 09:26:04.240
to charter schools. We had a public education system in this country that was fine. You want to privatize everything because you can, you need to stop it and help us and talk

1608
09:26:04.240 --> 09:26:21.040
to departments before you cut them. Stop getting these consultants to make these decisions for you. We pay you a lot. All of these people here, we pay you a lot. Why do you need consultants? I may as well run the district then if I can hire a consultant every time I need. Please

1609
09:26:21.040 --> 09:26:39.520
step up. >> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Shafi Munab. Thank you, chair, for increasing the time. We greatly appreciate it. Um, I wanted to talk to you about the statements that the school board made to the community and to their

1610
09:26:39.520 --> 09:26:56.640
educators. They promised the community and the educators that they would start from the top and then go down. >> Not from down. And I don't know where you're going to the top because no one

1611
09:26:56.640 --> 09:27:13.916
here is in the audience from the top. Just a little FYI to you. The school district and the board as a whole is constantly talking about how they care about student success. how they value their educators.

1612
09:27:13.916 --> 09:27:30.240
And I'm using the words educators very broadly, teachers, ESPs, guidance counselors, everyone in a school. You're not showing that you care about your students nor your educators in your schools.

1613
09:27:30.240 --> 09:27:45.840
It is very disheartening as an educator myself to see this happening in our school district. A lot of us here have put in years and years into the school district. We have dedicated our lives to

1614
09:27:45.840 --> 09:28:03.680
ensure that our students are successful, that this school district stays afloat. And instead of you following your word and doing what you said you were going to do, you are doing the direct opposite. You are hurting our students

1615
09:28:03.680 --> 09:28:18.880
in the school district. You are hurting the educators in the school district. You are not keeping your word. And that is very disappointing that you are not doing what you said you would do. What you promised this community that you

1616
09:28:18.880 --> 09:28:40.880
will do. What you promised the educators in this community that you would do and what you promised our students that you would do. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker. Hello again, Victoria Trujillo Cortisi.

1617
09:28:40.880 --> 09:28:56.080
Um, health, safety, mental wellness, mental stability. It's a foundation of being able to learn. I was in the classroom for a very long time, both in Miami date and here. I've worked for free. I've

1618
09:28:56.080 --> 09:29:11.756
done other jobs. I've made pizza. I've dressed up as Barney. I'll do it again. If it takes a student to learn, because safety is the most important thing in the classroom before you can teach them math, before you can teach them anything, you need to provide

1619
09:29:11.756 --> 09:29:27.436
safety and mental wellness. Social workers are a staple. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to guidance counselors and social workers because I am that teacher can pick up on student behavior right away and know there's something going on. I'm usually right.

1620
09:29:27.436 --> 09:29:43.276
I'm at an STTO school. I can't tell you how many classrooms I've walked into and go, "Something's going on with this kid." And I'm right >> and they bring in RBTs and whatnot. They need to feel safe. You want students to come back to Broward County,

1621
09:29:43.276 --> 09:30:00.160
you need to show parents that you care about their children's mental stability and their wellness. You need to allow them to eat. It's the only place they get food sometimes. Our community needs you to be courageous right now and make

1622
09:30:00.160 --> 09:30:16.560
those hard decisions. It's not easy to be on the cutting board right now knowing that I just left a school where kids were crying cuz I told them tomorrow's my last day with them. But I went. You know why? Because

1623
09:30:16.560 --> 09:30:32.640
they're my why. They're my why. They brought me joy. They got me through the day. And just like all of these people that sit in front of you and you, so many of you have been teachers, you all have

1624
09:30:32.640 --> 09:30:50.720
seen me in schools on many levels in gardens teaching seal teaching math. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Before the next speaker, I'll read the next five names. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Michelle Bonsanti, Melanie

1625
09:30:50.720 --> 09:31:11.120
Berkin, and Muriel Theophen Attilus. Tracy Chandler, Plantation, Florida. They tell us not to bite the hand that feeds us, but what do we do when the scraps we are thrown leave us hungry? We're expected to make a dollar out of 50 cents. Please make it make sense. Fat

1626
09:31:11.120 --> 09:31:25.520
always rises to the top, and that is where the trimming needs to begin. Instead, the same county that has mismanaged taxpayer money is counting off the number of teachers they are ready to fire. This should fire everyone

1627
09:31:25.520 --> 09:31:42.080
up. We are in an abusive relationship. Each year, teachers are given less and less and expected to do more. Less money but double the students, less benefits, but more accountability. The success of this district rest on the backs of the teachers and the staff who are in the

1628
09:31:42.080 --> 09:31:57.756
trenches. Yet the ones in the crystal palace have more job security and even get cost of living rise rises. But at what cost? While the highest paid in the district steal referendum money meant for teachers, public distrust increases

1629
09:31:57.756 --> 09:32:14.880
and public school enrollment decreases. Higherups are lining their pockets and we in the trenches are turning ours inside out, searching for change. Have I mentioned that we are in an abusive relationship? The time is past due for change. There used to be a time when the

1630
09:32:14.880 --> 09:32:31.120
job opening meant school leaders had to interview the top 10 applicants for a position. Now schools are finding themselves in a position where a warm body beats having a TBA. To be honest, the ones who are suffering the most are

1631
09:32:31.120 --> 09:32:47.200
the ones whose futures are we are supposed to be molding. Students are walking the halls of schools that are lacking security, clerical, counselors, janitorial, and qualified teachers. Instead of trying to attract students, Broward County's response is to close

1632
09:32:47.200 --> 09:33:04.400
schools because that's where the answer that's the answer to maintaining those with six figure salaries. But those of you making the decisions are not asking the right questions. Understand that victims of abuse eventually grow tired. >> Thank you. Before we go to the next

1633
09:33:04.400 --> 09:33:21.120
speaker, excuse me. Before we go to the next speaker, we I do need to take a vote to extend the meeting. I would uh ask that we extend the meeting by two hours. All in favor of extending the meeting by two hours. Say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No.

1634
09:33:21.120 --> 09:33:37.200
>> Um motion passes with one dissenting vote. Mrs. Alhadaf. >> All right. Welcome to the next speaker. >> Hello. Um, good afternoon members of the board, colleagues, and community members. My name is Anthony Matrrena and I live in Davyy. I'm also a teacher for

1635
09:33:37.200 --> 09:33:53.680
Broward Schools. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. As a teacher in the district, I understand the difficult financial decisions you are facing. None of us are aware of I'm sorry, none of us are unaware of the budget pressures or the need to secure long-term stability for our schools.

1636
09:33:53.680 --> 09:34:10.080
respon responsible stewardship of resources is essential and I recognize that downsizing may feel like an unavoidable part of that process. One of the things I have noticed when I looked at the jobs that are being cut are social services

1637
09:34:10.080 --> 09:34:26.880
to the weakest members of our school district. People with emotional mental issues, people with problems at home. I have seen the difference in outcome between school systems that provide those services and school systems that

1638
09:34:26.880 --> 09:34:44.640
do not. And we are talking about the difference between children who grew up to become responsible taxpaying citizens with strong families, careers and jobs and students who are put on the schoolto prison pipeline.

1639
09:34:44.640 --> 09:35:01.200
And when you remove school psychologists, school counselors, social workers, that's kind of what you're doing. We really got to spend those resources to help out the neediest students, the one that have the ones that have problems at home and really

1640
09:35:01.200 --> 09:35:21.756
really rely on state and school services in order to become successful adults. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Um,

1641
09:35:21.756 --> 09:35:39.360
part of being a leader, and I say this as someone with a PhD in leadership, is having some self-awareness, taking feedback, and knowing when to switch course instead of escalating your commitment to a failing um, proposal.

1642
09:35:39.360 --> 09:35:55.040
I don't know how many more people have to stand here and provide concrete evidence that you are cutting from all the wrong places and adding to all the wrong places. Last time I was here, I suggested cutting the deputy superintendent, regional superintendent,

1643
09:35:55.040 --> 09:36:12.000
assistant or whatever that one is. Um getting rid of of excess executive directors. You're adding two, not one executive directors of enterprise analytics and intelligence. Don't need two streamline. Do one if you must, but

1644
09:36:12.000 --> 09:36:30.000
you're not. I also talked about internal controls where you do not create a potential conflict. You maintain separation of duties by not putting purchasing and payments under the same chief. Not to be outdone, you guys then did what every last grand jury report

1645
09:36:30.000 --> 09:36:46.000
said not to do. You then put compliance in with facilities and threw them in under a chief called operations and facilities as though you have not been told and should have learned to not

1646
09:36:46.000 --> 09:37:03.360
put the building department and fire with the same chief that does facilities. But that's what's now on the ORC chart. Wasn't there last week, so it wasn't a concern of mine. 1997 2002 as cited in 2011 2021. What's the next

1647
09:37:03.360 --> 09:37:20.040
grand jury report going to say? It's like you guys are trying to get removed while destroying the district. And the assistant director of the business support center. I see you. Thank you. Next speaker.

1648
09:37:22.000 --> 09:37:38.800
Leaders eat last. That is a great book that I think everyone in leadership should read. The main message of that book is that true leadership is about responsibility. It's not about rank. It requires sacrificing one's own comfort to protect

1649
09:37:38.800 --> 09:37:54.560
and empower team members. By creating a circle of safety, a culture of trust, empathy, and security, leaders allow employees to thrive and innovate without fear. There is no circle of safety for

1650
09:37:54.560 --> 09:38:09.916
teachers. As an ESC specialist for the TWA past 24 years, I have seen an increased need on hands-on assistance in the schools by cutting positions in the schools that help our students daytoday.

1651
09:38:09.916 --> 09:38:25.436
We sacrifice the future of the incoming students. Every position you put cuts puts more pressure on the teachers who are barely getting through the day. Morale is low and they are burnt out. Teachers are working two to three jobs

1652
09:38:25.436 --> 09:38:43.436
to support the passion of teaching. Cutting from the foundation of schools will only destroy what you're trying to build. In the past two years at my new school, I have increased the SWD students by 100% and have been 100% in

1653
09:38:43.436 --> 09:38:59.840
compliance. meaning that our budget was not cut in our school because every dollar was accounted for. And do you know that I didn't even get one thank you from the director? She was more concerned that I might have worked remotely while I was having chemotherapy

1654
09:38:59.840 --> 09:39:16.000
treatments than the future of the students and being a decent human being and making sure that her school got the funding that it needed to keep going. district personnel come to the school and they sit in the conference room and

1655
09:39:16.000 --> 09:39:34.000
they criticize teachers. The kids need to learn and they don't know how to learn anymore. They're being rushed through the next uh subject before learning what they >> Could you please state your name for the record? >> Me speak. >> Oh, I'm Michelle Bunsani. I'm the ESC

1656
09:39:34.000 --> 09:39:52.480
specialist from Hollywood Central Park. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker. Good afternoon, Melanie Berkin, Dave Florida. You know, I don't envy any of you for being in this situation. Um, this is

1657
09:39:52.480 --> 09:40:09.596
actually turned I feel like it's turning me into somebody I'm not where I feel like uh it's pitting us against each other really. I don't want to say, "Oh, cut I'm gonna say Michelle just because she was just before me and I'm friends with her, but cut Michelle, not me." I mean, it's just that's not how

1658
09:40:09.596 --> 09:40:26.640
We want to be as human beings, as as Broward County employees, we want to be proud. We want this to be a family. We want to stand united. And it really feels like we're being divide and conquer kind of thing. And it's just it

1659
09:40:26.640 --> 09:40:44.320
I know that the that there has to be budget cuts somewhere, but I really urge and encourage you all to maybe take a step back. If there were errors in that one job description, who knows what other errors there are. Um, and it's it's we all do so much for our kids, our

1660
09:40:44.320 --> 09:41:00.560
families. Um, and I was really feeling a little defeated on Sunday and one of my parents texted me because they had moved and they needed their heart, their homeless or her car broke. That's what it was. And she needed me to, she asked if I could set up the homeless transportation for her. And she texted

1661
09:41:00.560 --> 09:41:17.120
me on Sunday. She's like, "Oh, I'm so sorry to bother you." But in that moment, I remembered why my job is so important because the parents aren't calling everybody, whatever, whoever doesn't they don't have their number. I'm not going to say they're not calling somebody in particular. But the point is

1662
09:41:17.120 --> 09:41:32.800
is that I know I'm available. And many of us social workers, psychologists, SSIS, all of us that are building relationships with our students and families, that's what matters. And I really hope that that's what is taken into consideration when these final

1663
09:41:32.800 --> 09:41:50.240
decisions are made. And again, I really don't envy any of you in this position right now and or anyone in this room. It's it's difficult and and I thank you so much for your time and your consideration. Thank you. >> Thank you. Read the next five names. Zyra climbs lunches, Cynthia Dominique,

1664
09:41:50.240 --> 09:42:07.040
Chris Nelson, Susie Gluck, and Marjorie Ko Malcolm. Welcome. Muriel Theopenatillis, parent advocate. I reviewed this proposed organizational chart. This plan reorganizes leadership, but it does not

1665
09:42:07.040 --> 09:42:24.320
clearly show how it's improving student I'm sorry, improving support for our students. When we look at areas like counseling, mental health, and student services, we see titles and layers, directors, supervisors, coordinators.

1666
09:42:24.320 --> 09:42:39.840
But what we don't see is more people actually working directly with the students. And that's the problem, a big problem. Students don't interact with an organizational chart. They interact with counselors. They rely on social workers

1667
09:42:39.840 --> 09:42:55.360
and they need real access to support when they're struggling. Right now in our schools, staff are already stretched thin. Students are waiting and in some cases not even getting the help they need in time. So I ask you, where in

1668
09:42:55.360 --> 09:43:10.640
this plan are the additional counselors? Where are the increased mental health support for students? Reorganizing departments without increasing direct support does not solve the problem. It just shifts it around. Our students need

1669
09:43:10.640 --> 09:43:26.880
more than structure. They need access. They need support and they need it consistently. Can you please ask the super Oh, Dr. Heburn, can you share explicit changes in staffing allocations because can we consider aligning public

1670
09:43:26.880 --> 09:43:40.880
records to the office of the general counsel? This would ensure better compliance and remove layers of delay. If this plan cannot show how it puts more support in front of our students, then it is not progress. It is just

1671
09:43:40.880 --> 09:44:00.000
paperwork. And like u m Mr. Sea did last week, I will, you know, it's just paperwork. Shred it. Thank you. Next speaker, >> Cynthia Dominique, Margate, Florida. I am a parent. Um, I don't know what to

1672
09:44:00.000 --> 09:44:16.160
say. Um, for all of you who showed up today, kudos to you all for having the courage to come here because I know that there is a very real fear of retaliation. But I guess you're losing your jobs anyway. So, um, there is none. I

1673
09:44:16.160 --> 09:44:31.916
And I want to empathize. I know that this is extremely difficult decision for the staff making the cuts, making the changes for the board who has to make the decision. So I I absolutely don't take that lightly. However, we hear every single day that

1674
09:44:31.916 --> 09:44:47.916
we see the amount of people who have been cut that are directly interacting with our students. Um I between this morning, I can't tell you how many parents I've spoken to that said, "Oh, I'm losing a social worker. I'm losing this. I'm losing that. We're losing two teachers. we're down three um going into

1675
09:44:47.916 --> 09:45:03.840
next year. It we're losing staff at the schools. So, the staff can come here. I don't know. The superintendent can say whatever he'd like, but the fact is we are losing staff at our schools. Um and I know there was a a a

1676
09:45:03.840 --> 09:45:20.960
um trying to change the staffing allocations to where high schools are increased to 26 and elementaryaries are decreased from 21 to 20. but it doesn't realize an actual change. We're still going to have classrooms with 25 kids in a kindergarten classroom and 30 kids in

1677
09:45:20.960 --> 09:45:36.800
a fifth grade classroom. That's where my kids classes are right now. And with losing two teachers next year or more, they're going to go up. That doesn't make parents like me happy um or want to keep my kids in Broward schools. Um so, I mean, I have a ton tons of things.

1678
09:45:36.800 --> 09:45:52.480
There's not enough time. But you know, there's so many places we could look, trim the fat, consolidate even more. It's not going to be comfortable. We have to do uncomfortable things if we want to move forward. But we need to preserve the staff who are directly supporting our kids, who are supporting

1679
09:45:52.480 --> 09:46:12.720
their mental health, who are supporting their clinical health. The nurse just spoke. We had a situation before. Let's do the right thing. >> Thank you. Next speaker. Good evening everyone. Can you hear me?

1680
09:46:12.720 --> 09:46:29.596
Okay. Zyra Lanches, Deerfield Beach, Madame Chair, Superintendent, board, and staff. Um, here discussing the org chart is to discuss taxpayer business. So, I'm going to use a little bit of plain talk and I

1681
09:46:29.596 --> 09:46:45.520
hope I could do it in two minutes. Uh, please don't take it personally. It's a $5 billion school district and we're not on a playground. So, okay. The 2627 organizational chart looks look looks

1682
09:46:45.520 --> 09:47:00.800
less like a management plan and more like a script for a reality show we're all forced to watch. But your constituents aren't tuned in for entertainment. They're looking for their money and ensuring minimal impact on students and educators.

1683
09:47:00.800 --> 09:47:16.160
I heard the CFO recently compare the district to the Titanic. She said the comment was taken out of context. I have some context for you. You guys are busy rearranging Jack chairs while the water's at her ankles.

1684
09:47:16.160 --> 09:47:31.040
This memo proves it. I don't even know how many positions you're you're doing and how many millions 40 45 million 300 plus positions, but these are real people. most are studentf facing. Also

1685
09:47:31.040 --> 09:47:48.720
the thousand um positions every year I think that should please should come back to the board. Um you're asking the public to fund a luxury cruise where only the the only things being downsized are the lifeboats. And let's be clear that the parents

1686
09:47:48.720 --> 09:48:04.800
and the press aren't making the district look bad. Your your decisions are. And with this organizational chart and and zero oversight, the referendum will be DOA. Stop protecting this mismanagement culture and start over. Start protecting

1687
09:48:04.800 --> 09:48:24.080
the students and teachers. Otherwise, the only thing unsinkable here is the ego at the top. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Hello, Chris Nelson. I live in Fort Lauderdale. And you see the cameras back

1688
09:48:24.080 --> 09:48:39.436
here from all the news stations, the guy that was just over there taking the pictures. They're here to report on the fact that this org chart is not satisfactory to the public. That's what's going out to everybody sitting in their homes tonight. And that's because

1689
09:48:39.436 --> 09:48:55.916
you're doing something that should be completely off the table. We're in a cash crunch right now as a district because of declining enrollment. And you're talking about getting rid of mental health professionals, teachers. That should be absolutely out of the

1690
09:48:55.916 --> 09:49:12.080
question. Okay. Why are people leaving the district? It's because they see these massive brawls going on between students. No, no, no. We need more people, boots on the ground there to make sure our schools are safe. Now, the people that

1691
09:49:12.080 --> 09:49:27.916
you're letting go, you're not having to uh come into contact with them. So, it might be easier. the people in this building who make some $220,000 a year, massive pensions. The cut, the cuts

1692
09:49:27.916 --> 09:49:44.880
should begin right in this building and really should stay right in this building. The solution is you've got people working in this building that have one-year contracts. It's not like the superintendent where you have to sit down in a room and and hash it out with the attorney like we went through with

1693
09:49:44.880 --> 09:50:00.160
the last one. We can start with a clean slate on June 30th. You're going to have to fire some people that work in this building. And I'm sure they all tell you that you couldn't get by without their uh without their position. But it's just going to have to happen. It's not going

1694
09:50:00.160 --> 09:50:16.080
to be fun. It's going to be a little bit cold, but firing teachers is out of the question and firing the staff is out of the question. Okay? We could save taxpayers 34 uh million dollars by cutting the fat in this very

1695
09:50:16.080 --> 09:50:31.200
building. And that's what you need to start with. Thank you. >> Thank you. Before the next speaker, I'll read uh the next five names. Liliana Ruido, Denina Parish,

1696
09:50:31.200 --> 09:50:48.560
Anna Fusco, Naen Martinez, and Dan Reynolds. Welcome. >> Hi. Hello board members and superintendent. I'm a little short so I'm just going to lower this more. Um some of my colleagues have already provided a comprehensive overview of the

1697
09:50:48.560 --> 09:51:08.800
position the roles of the SSIS um responsibilities. So let me be direct. Students have shown up at my door because they did not know where else to go. Because I was there lives were saved. That is the hands-on SSIS role you are

1698
09:51:08.800 --> 09:51:25.200
considering eliminating. My name is Susie Gluck. I am the SSIS at Monarch High School. I have spent 25 years in this district and my entire career before this role was dedicated to atrisisk youth and ESC students. I

1699
09:51:25.200 --> 09:51:41.596
didn't stumble into this work. I chose it. I pursued it and I've committed decades to it. In addition to carrying a case load of 80 to 100 students, I'm also the person students find when they are in crisis. When a teenager is in

1700
09:51:41.596 --> 09:51:59.040
danger, they don't walk into an office with an appointment. They go to the adult that they trust. I have been that person. I have recognized the danger in real time, provided interventions or gotten students to safety. You don't

1701
09:51:59.040 --> 09:52:15.840
recover from losing that window. Eliminating this role does not streamline support. It removes the one adult whose job is to be present and accessible when students need help immediately. Before you take that presence away, I

1702
09:52:15.840 --> 09:52:35.400
ask you to pause because once it's gone, the cost will not appear on your spreadsheet. It will appear in the moments when no one is there and a student has nowhere left to go. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker.

1703
09:52:37.276 --> 09:52:53.916
>> Good afternoon everyone. My name is Marjgerie Coat Malcolm and I'm an educator and a parent of Bri County Public Schools. Elim eliminating educator's job will not only put strain on the teachers who are left to pick up the slack or to pick up

1704
09:52:53.916 --> 09:53:10.480
those position but it will also affect students. My son is 15 years old. He's in high school and so many of these services him and his other and his friends use. Without these services, I'm positive

1705
09:53:10.480 --> 09:53:27.360
that we have a lot we'll have a lot of teenagers, a lot of students, not just teenagers, we because we have these kids in elementary school, kindergarten who need the services. So, please be mindful when you cut. Think about the students. You want to keep our students who are

1706
09:53:27.360 --> 09:53:44.080
here now, but instead what you're doing with this, you're actually pushing who we have away. Be mindful of what you do because whatever you do will affect you later. So before I go, I want to say thank you, Mr. Cra. Thank you so much

1707
09:53:44.080 --> 09:54:01.120
for taking the time to think about teachers and the students of Brow County Public School. Have yourselves a good day. >> Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon, Denina Parish, Lauder Hill, Florida. I want to speak on the

1708
09:54:01.120 --> 09:54:16.320
importance of keeping SSIS positions within our schools. These roles are not extra support. They are essential support. SSIS staff help identify students who are struggling emotionally,

1709
09:54:16.320 --> 09:54:32.320
socially, and or behaviorally before those struggles turn into crisis. They provide early intervention, deescalation, and consistent check-ins that teachers alone simply don't have the time for or most times training for

1710
09:54:32.320 --> 09:54:49.520
to manage. When we reduce or eliminate these positions, we are not just cutting jobs. We are removing a layer of protection for students who are quietly struggling. That means more behavioral issues in classrooms, more dis disciplinary

1711
09:54:49.520 --> 09:55:05.756
action, fewer opportunities for students to get the help that they need early. Schools today are dealing with increased mental health needs, not fewer. Cutting SSIS positions moves us in the wrong direction at the exact time we need more

1712
09:55:05.756 --> 09:55:20.720
support, not less. We can't expect better outcomes for students while reducing the very resources that help them succeed. Thank you. Thank you. And I'll also call up Nicole Morst.

1713
09:55:20.720 --> 09:55:39.276
Next speaker. >> Hi, my name is Nadine Martinez, licensed clinical social worker, Plantation, Florida. Speaking on behalf of the SSIS department. Uh we have a wealth of resources that we provide to students. We host monthly well wellness clubs, provide monthly wellness themed bulletin

1714
09:55:39.276 --> 09:55:55.756
boards, host wellness fairs, drive the trusted adult initiative, attend RTI, MTSS and BTA and SR SR meetings to offer insight and support to students in need. We are an additional body on campus who can provide support in any way possible.

1715
09:55:55.756 --> 09:56:12.480
To sum it up, SSIS is a strong team that consists of 37 mental health professionals from diverse backgrounds with two supervisors including 21 M's level staff, 13 bachelor's level staff, and three licensed health individual professionals. And we all have a

1716
09:56:12.480 --> 09:56:27.360
background and experience in mental health, including our supervisors. We are in 44 schools, and as of last week, we've made 28,300 interactions to date. and we've made 1,892 mental health referrals. Please

1717
09:56:27.360 --> 09:56:43.040
reconsider the elimination of the SSIS position. Please take the time to read every single email you received on our behalf or meet with every student on our case loads and ask them about their experience to truly make an informed decision as members of the board. Thank you.

1718
09:56:43.040 --> 09:57:01.200
>> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Hello, Nicole Morris, Coral Springs. Um, as someone who has been in this district and parent advisories, sit on parent education group meetings, um, attend PTA meetings across the district, I will say

1719
09:57:01.200 --> 09:57:16.960
that one of the things that, um, we hear consistently is that students are not getting their needs met when it comes to their IEPs. Uh, they're not getting their evaluations done. They don't feel that they're getting that they're able to get access to their guidance

1720
09:57:16.960 --> 09:57:31.840
counselors, their mental health counselors. I've had two students who have gone through this district who when they were stuck, it was the guidance and the um family therapists that were able to assist us. And I would say that whatever cuts we are making, we can't do

1721
09:57:31.840 --> 09:57:47.360
it at the school level. We are not losing students to charter and private school because the academics are better. We are losing students because they're not able to get the services that are due to them. I was with a parent yesterday and a meeting at a school and

1722
09:57:47.360 --> 09:58:02.880
she wasn't able to get the services that were due to her on her IEP because they didn't have the staff and she withdrew her child. Her child hasn't been in school in 3 weeks and she's going to go to a private school. I

1723
09:58:02.880 --> 09:58:20.560
would say that whatever we do today, we need to make sure that we don't remove any student support services, safety, mental health, ESSE, anything that is in our schools. We have to make sure that

1724
09:58:20.560 --> 09:58:37.080
these services are there for our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, and I'll just reread the names that I uh that haven't come up yet. Liliana Ruido, Anna Fusco, and Dan Reynolds.

1725
09:58:37.596 --> 09:58:56.640
>> I guess I'm out of order. Madame Chair, vice chair, board members, and superintendent. I'm Dan Reynolds, uh, president of the Federation of Public Employees. We represent most of your non-instructional personnel and three different bargaining units, food

1726
09:58:56.640 --> 09:59:14.160
service, clerical, and one unit that contains transportation, facilities, maintenance, and security. You got a tough job in front of you. Uh, it's not your fault that we have declining enrollment. But what I'm going

1727
09:59:14.160 --> 09:59:28.880
to tell you about the people we represent is they're the frontline workers who keep the schools running. You can't have education without a clean, well-lit workplace, without kids being fed, and

1728
09:59:28.880 --> 09:59:45.520
without them being transported to the schools. We took our cuts. Most of you weren't here during the uh great recession. The bargaining units we represent were

1729
09:59:45.520 --> 10:00:03.840
cut anywhere from 50 to 30%. Uh you can check these numbers. We have about half the maintenance people today that we had in 2010. We had about 30% less facilities

1730
10:00:03.840 --> 10:00:21.200
people than we had in 2010. We had many less clerical. It didn't affect food service and transportation as much because you've got to have those positions filled. Uh during that same period of time, all

1731
10:00:21.200 --> 10:00:37.756
those levels on this org chart that you're looking at grew while we were taking those cuts. So, we don't have any more room. And when you need a plumber, you don't need any of the six people in the org chart above

1732
10:00:37.756 --> 10:00:59.120
them to show up. You need a plumber with a bag full of tools. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Liliana BTU. I want to start by saying if I were you sitting there, I would not vote on an org chart that is all over

1733
10:00:59.120 --> 10:01:17.436
the place. Just saying. Um, also I'm here to ask you to keep the SSIS team. They are the superhero. If you think about all the things they do for the students, I mean, it's it's obvious that, you

1734
10:01:17.436 --> 10:01:33.040
know, you should not let them go to begin with. This is a team of professional. Okay. For you to be in this type of team is because you went through so many process to educate yourself so

1735
10:01:33.040 --> 10:01:48.080
you can service the students. That will be one thing. The other part I will say you got to appreciate the professionals. You got to appreciate the experience. There are people in that department or in that team that's spent for 25 years,

1736
10:01:48.080 --> 10:02:04.960
20 years, 15 years. Do you know how much it takes for you to get to that level and have that type of experience? So you always say, "Oh my god, we love our students, but you don't show it." want

1737
10:02:04.960 --> 10:02:21.040
you to show it, you know, being you here sitting in this podium having people coming to you saying fighting for their job. I mean, seriously fighting for their job, saying, you know, I've been in the system this long, but yet you want to

1738
10:02:21.040 --> 10:02:36.400
let me go. So, this sends a message to everybody out there saying that you don't value them. And you know very well that teachers are unvalue, unpaid, I mean, unappreciated and everything. So I will ask you to

1739
10:02:36.400 --> 10:02:52.880
take that into consideration that I will say another one. So when we walk the schools and you keep saying we are losing the students I don't see how I'm going to be honest to you because the crow classroom are overcrowded. The teachers are like having 50 60 students

1740
10:02:52.880 --> 10:03:12.640
in the classrooms. How so how is that you are you are losing teachers as a matter of fact not students I will say. >> Thank you. Next public speaker Anna Fusco teacher union and president. So we've heard it all here today that people are saying I work with students.

1741
10:03:12.640 --> 10:03:28.960
I impact their lives. Whether it's I am the actual educator of instruction or mental health. I'm going to say it again like I said it a couple weeks ago and I said it to the news. Every single capacity is a different type of educator. When we're meeting with

1742
10:03:28.960 --> 10:03:44.480
students that have behavior problems and we're helping change their being, that's an education on how to act appropriately. I just told you earlier today, I got a call that students were throwing rocks at a teacher's head while she was going to her car and then throwing rocks at her in the classroom.

1743
10:03:44.480 --> 10:04:00.240
That's behaviors that we need different type of people to help the teacher in the classroom. That's things that we need. You've got people saying, "I work in schools." They might be under the district budget. Everybody's under the district budget. Every single employee of Brower County Public Schools is under

1744
10:04:00.240 --> 10:04:15.840
a district budget. It's just budgeted differently in a building or in a school. We allocate the money in the schools for our students that are there. It doesn't matter if they're underenrolled. Those students matter. And when we start seeing changes in our

1745
10:04:15.840 --> 10:04:31.596
schools of better behaviors, better mental health, you're going to see better academics. We have a we have epidemics of things going on with behaviors, with vaping, with acting out, with not showing up to school or I am showing up to school and I'm hanging

1746
10:04:31.596 --> 10:04:47.276
out. Those are all different components that not just a classroom teacher needs help with. So, I'm asking you guys again to follow the strict direction you said do not impact our students, do not impact our schools. I don't care if they want to tell you that they work at

1747
10:04:47.276 --> 10:05:03.520
Lauderdale Manners, Arthur Ash, or KCW. Those are educators in some form that gets sent out to schools and they work with our students to improve whatever they're going through so they can sit down and be educated and be productive

1748
10:05:03.520 --> 10:05:19.200
citizens of our county, our state, our country. Thank you. >> Thank you. That concludes public speaking. Um we'll go to board member discussion. Miss Thompson.

1749
10:05:19.200 --> 10:05:41.916
Thank you, chair. Um, so first I just want to reiterate and ask of our general counsel to make sure that we followed all necessary bargaining units when we brought this or chart >> mainly article 14A of the BTU TSP

1750
10:05:41.916 --> 10:05:58.080
contract which talks about prior to implementing a reduction in personnel the superintendent or his or her representative will meet with representatives So, with regard to the actual org chart that's all above the line, I don't believe any of those um individuals will

1751
10:05:58.080 --> 10:06:17.916
be members of BTU TSP, but I'll um ask Dr. Lozano to confirm. >> Go ahead, Dr. Lozano. Yes, some of the individuals um on the org chart are TSP and we did meet with

1752
10:06:17.916 --> 10:06:32.880
all the collective bargaining groups to discuss the number of positions after last week. The day after um the workshop, we met with Phobi right here in the boardroom and then after

1753
10:06:32.880 --> 10:06:50.720
that we met with the BTU to go over names, positions, and next steps. Okay. Um, I have a couple of questions and then I have some some comments and some motions. Uh, we had a speaker talk about

1754
10:06:50.720 --> 10:07:05.916
the Department of Coordinated Student Health Services being cut. Can we have staff explain the impact of that and how that um services may be impacted? >> Go ahead, Miss Hollingsworth. >> Good afternoon. Simone Hollingsworth, chief student services officer. That was

1755
10:07:05.916 --> 10:07:21.360
eliminated. the director has been vacant since January. We realigned it to specialized instruction in ESSE. Um to assist with that uh collaboration, we did reduce from five to four clinical nursing supervisors. One had been vacant

1756
10:07:21.360 --> 10:07:38.080
since January and then reduced to a line and then all the other nursing um services would um fall into that same um department. >> Okay. And then um we've had some some emails about the dual language

1757
10:07:38.080 --> 10:07:53.840
facilitator positions being cut. Um if those are cut, how will the 36 dual language schools be supported? >> Go ahead, Dr. K. >> So we have a plan. Uh those that were cut were specific to schools, but uh

1758
10:07:53.840 --> 10:08:10.400
based on that, it's also uh title three funding as to why those are cut because federal funding also got reduced. So those impacted employees will regionalize those employees. Those are part of the regional plan. So those schools will still get some import those schools will get supported by those uh

1759
10:08:10.400 --> 10:08:29.040
uh individuals. >> Okay. And then I want to talk about the changes to the mental health department. Um and I also want to claim ownership for that because that is a motion that I made. It wasn't from the superintendent and staff. Um, and I just believe in

1760
10:08:29.040 --> 10:08:47.916
taking ownership of of things we do. Um, so throughout this process, we've really had to evaluate what to do with a limited budget and it's really difficult because there

1761
10:08:47.916 --> 10:09:06.320
is value in everyone's position. I would I would argue that everyone here and in our schools are impacting students, some in a more direct way than others. And so when I saw that 16 our 24 school

1762
10:09:06.320 --> 10:09:23.120
social worker positions were being cut and 11 school counselors being cut and our ESSE which he quickly um took back. I was trying to think of ways to best

1763
10:09:23.120 --> 10:09:45.520
serve our students with limited funding. And it's difficult and I I feel the pain in the room and I feel that we are pitting mental health professionals against each other saying that one is more qualified than the other to do

1764
10:09:45.520 --> 10:10:02.720
these services. Um and and as a social worker, I have really been reflecting a lot on the re recommendation I made and its impact to our students. Um being someone who

1765
10:10:02.720 --> 10:10:20.040
has had students come to me saying that they wanted to kill themselves or that there were a victim of rape or that their parents were abusing them. I know the burden that you guys feel in your schools every single day

1766
10:10:20.160 --> 10:10:38.480
and I don't I never meant to minimize that. So, at the same time, we are continually told that we are in a budget and we are. I don't think that's that's a lie or a

1767
10:10:38.480 --> 10:10:57.840
misdirection that we are in this budget crisis where we have to figure out the best way to use our limited funds. So, I have two motions. um one being or a discussion on the suicide

1768
10:10:57.840 --> 10:11:13.120
coordinators because when I had previously asked about these positions at the boardroom it I was told that they weren't curriculum they weren't direct student um imp facing

1769
10:11:13.120 --> 10:11:30.960
and later I was told that they did compliancy and reporting and made sure that our SRRA our suicide risk assessments were done correctly, which I think is very important. So, I would like someone to very clearly state what

1770
10:11:30.960 --> 10:11:46.960
these suicide coordinator positions do. Currently, there are well, currently there's none on this or chart, but there were three. Um, so I think the whole board needs more clarity on these positions and the potential impact of losing these

1771
10:11:46.960 --> 10:12:04.840
positions. Miss Hazard, >> good afternoon. Again, I'm going to have uh Miss Fernica Winter come in and speak to that specifically as the director of mental health. >> She's out in the prefunction room. She'll be in in a second. >> Thank you.

1772
10:12:19.276 --> 10:12:35.040
Hi, good afternoon. So, the suicide prevention coordinators do a variety of responsibilities. Um, they oversee the suicide risk assessment process uh in terms of ensuring that all of the procedures are done correctly at the school site and assist with supporting

1773
10:12:35.040 --> 10:12:50.000
students. Um, they also provide consultation to schools daily. So on average they support about a thousand support calls per year uh for schools that call and just want guidance in terms of how to navigate at risk

1774
10:12:50.000 --> 10:13:06.080
situations. Um and then they are uh respons our coordinators are responsible for training the mental health professionals each year on suicide risk assessment procedures and suicide prevention. So on average they train about 700 uh staff members and mental health professionals each year. So uh

1775
10:13:06.080 --> 10:13:24.160
the coordinators play a vital role when it comes to uh suicide prevention initiatives and ensuring that we are not just reactive but that we are proactive in how we are supporting our students. >> Thank you. And currently how many suicide coordinator positions are filled?

1776
10:13:24.160 --> 10:13:39.756
>> There are two filled positions. Uh there's one that's vacant that they have been uh sharing that region. Uh but typically it was three positions, one per region, and right now there's two that are filled. >> So I would like to make a motion to restore the two suicide coordinators

1777
10:13:39.756 --> 10:13:57.040
positions. Um and then just splitting it how staff sees fit. >> Second. >> Motion made by Miss Thompson, seconded by Miss Hixon. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion. And when

1778
10:13:57.040 --> 10:14:12.640
someone says, "But how will we pay for this?" Remember the positions I suggested you eliminate that are from the top. Deputy superintendent, stray executive and extra executive directors, regional superintendent, start consolidating there. They are many

1779
10:14:12.640 --> 10:14:28.960
layers removed from kids. But if you're going to have increased mental health needs, then it seems like you need to support the kids for those purposes. Nobody wants they have to have somewhere to go. And you can use technology to better support staff so that they can

1780
10:14:28.960 --> 10:14:44.640
work smarter, not harder. All of that should be a conversation and should be part of a discussion about h how you want these recommendations framed so you can avoid having repeat performances where the entire community comes out and

1781
10:14:44.640 --> 10:15:00.880
tells you that your org chart is a dumpster fire. But yes, I support the motion. >> Thank you. Our next public speaker, >> Cynthia Dominique, Margate, Florida. As a nurse of over 20 years and a nurse practitioner over 13 years, who's worked

1782
10:15:00.880 --> 10:15:20.000
primarily in mental health and have seen the impacts and the longlasting effects of um not having prevention and support early on, I definitely support this motion. >> Hi, Jackie Lusco. And just stating the obvious, I'm in support of this, too. I

1783
10:15:20.000 --> 10:15:36.080
do think that this makes the case really for there to have been a second workshop. I think this is a thoughtful process and I'm grateful that folks are considering proposals being put forward and making those proposals. Thank you. But I I fear there are so many other layers as well here that we might be

1784
10:15:36.080 --> 10:15:56.480
missing. But for this one, I support it. Thank you. >> And please be your president. I appreciate the motion and the second and I hope that everybody supports um putting these positions back and quite frankly every single position that I

1785
10:15:56.480 --> 10:16:12.960
know that my people are emailing everybody to show you all the layoffs that they prepared that are educators that work directly with students. Whatever semantics names that they want to give you or call you and say their

1786
10:16:12.960 --> 10:16:30.000
district budget, cut it out. The whole district is budgeted with the district budget. It's just allocated differently and you can reallocate funding properly to the schools. So every student is taken care of with wraparound services

1787
10:16:30.000 --> 10:16:44.640
whenever it is needed. Whether it is on a schedule, it is in a case or it is a walk-in. Every single day our educators and staff walk in a school. We never know what is going to be thrown at us

1788
10:16:44.640 --> 10:17:04.640
from a student, a parent or multiple. It is really important that we keep everybody employed that are impacting students. Muriel the Natillis, parent advocate. Um, students today are dealing with a lot. Um, they have stress, anxiety,

1789
10:17:04.640 --> 10:17:22.080
depression, and in some cases thoughts of harming themselves. Some have actually even tried harming themselves on school property. Um, and so with when that happens, they need immediate help from someone who is trained to handle

1790
10:17:22.080 --> 10:17:38.320
those situations. Suicide prevention staff are not extra, they are essential. Um, they are often the first line of support when a student is in crisis. They help identify warning signs early, step in when something is wrong, and

1791
10:17:38.320 --> 10:17:54.960
connect students to the help they need. Um, teachers and administration already have a lot on their plate. They care, but they are not trained to handle mental health crisis the way these professionals are. Without proper support in place, situations that could

1792
10:17:54.960 --> 10:18:10.000
have been handled early may turn into something much more serious. And then if we are serious about student safety, we have to look at it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Please yield the mic.

1793
10:18:10.000 --> 10:18:30.480
>> Thank you. Next public speaker. >> Terry Lopez Price, vice president of Broward Teachers Union. I would just like to say thank you to Representative Thompson for rethinking and re-evaluating her thoughts on what went on last time. And I'd like all of you to take the opportunity to rethink all of

1794
10:18:30.480 --> 10:18:46.080
the things that were discussed last week and understand that this is not ready to move anywhere. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public speakers? Board member discussion. Mrs. Alhade.

1795
10:18:46.080 --> 10:19:05.436
>> Thank you. Can you tell me the financial impact of this motion? Um, so originally this wasn't part of our downsizing. Um, so the removal of this is an additional cost savings. Um,

1796
10:19:05.436 --> 10:19:21.120
so the three was it three positions? >> Two positions. >> Two. Um, so aboutund if we do an average of 75,000 um about 150,000. >> Okay.

1797
10:19:21.120 --> 10:19:37.680
So, I I support the motion. Uh, but when we continue this conversation and there's going to be other motions, I'm assuming coming forward, I'd like my colleagues to know what the financial impact is and then also where you're going to suggest

1798
10:19:37.680 --> 10:19:55.040
to be cutting from because obviously you can just add, but you also need to cut because it needs to be balanced. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion on the motion? All in fa Oh, Dr. Zing, >> I'm just curious. Um, Dr. He, you um

1799
10:19:55.040 --> 10:20:10.880
suggested this did not come from you originally to reduce these positions. Where did it come from? >> Um, um, Miss Thompson. Um, >> I'll have Dorm in the audience, please. >> Miss Thompson, just um, open up saying that she's the one that made the motion or the recommendation for last week.

1800
10:20:10.880 --> 10:20:26.240
Yes. >> Terrific. Dynamite. And I, um, I think this is a good redo and appreciate the humility of of of doing so. Thank you so much. Any other board members discussion on the motion? >> Mr. Sea. >> Good first start, Miss Thompson. I'm

1801
10:20:26.240 --> 10:20:41.520
hoping we can keep this momentum going as long as it takes. Thank you. Obviously, I'm supporting the motion. >> Thank you. Anyone else? All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. All oppose say. >> I. >> Motion passes unanimously.

1802
10:20:41.520 --> 10:20:59.520
Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. So, I think in mental health, at least when I worked in nonprofits, we talked a lot about prevention verse crisis intervention and that the state and the federal government always will fund crisis

1803
10:20:59.520 --> 10:21:18.240
intervention, but very seldomly funds prevention. So, I think it's interesting that I'm sitting here and advocated to fund crisis intervention and these SSIS positions really are a

1804
10:21:18.240 --> 10:21:37.200
more preventative position. So, can I get clarity? How many filled school social workers are there that we were proposing to cut? Go ahead, Miss Hollandworth. You may be

1805
10:21:37.200 --> 10:22:04.640
you may be uh faster than I am in pulling that information. >> Good afternoon. Um I believe I know it was 14 from my department, but in the social workers there could have been from other places. So, Miss Rocklman, I double check with you. Sorry for social workers.

1806
10:22:04.640 --> 10:22:23.916
>> I believe it's 16. >> I have 16. Um, eight uh were vacant. So there was originally 24 positions and then I heard 16. So I just want to

1807
10:22:23.916 --> 10:22:40.080
before I make this motion clarify how many filled social worker positions we have. >> 16. >> Yeah. So my chart >> I'm hearing a lot of people say 16. So I'm going to go with 16. >> And school filled. And then school

1808
10:22:40.080 --> 10:22:59.596
counselor positions are 11. Correct. >> The family counselors that were on there. >> That is correct. >> And then there are 36 SSIS positions.

1809
10:22:59.596 --> 10:23:23.436
>> Filled, right? >> Filled. >> It's 37 filled. >> 37. >> So I recognize the budget crisis. And I recognize that there are going to be other board members making motions to add physicians

1810
10:23:23.436 --> 10:23:42.080
back in. And I also recognize that I caused this again. I'm taking full accountability for the recommendation I made. Um, but I would like to motion to keep the 16 field filled school social worker positions, the 11 school counselor

1811
10:23:42.080 --> 10:23:59.320
positions, and the 37 SSIS positions, which would amount to around $4 million. >> Second motion made by Miss Thompson, second by me. Public comment on the motion.

1812
10:24:04.320 --> 10:24:20.160
Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I support the motion. And again, this is where you tell your superintendent to go and start cutting from the top. There's no avoiding it. Like people keep saying, look around at who's in KCW at the top and other

1813
10:24:20.160 --> 10:24:36.560
locations and and try to consolidate. And you do not need all these executive directors. I I don't should I start crunching numbers to see how many executive directors you need to to consolidate to pay for the four million because you need social workers. So I

1814
10:24:36.560 --> 10:24:59.120
support the motion. I guess I'll get out my calculator. >> Thank you. Next speaker >> Cynthia Dominique Margate Florida. I do support the motion. Um I thought the social workers were um recom there was a consensus to put them back in last week

1815
10:24:59.120 --> 10:25:16.240
um or when this came up. It's it's all blur. And also I would just say to consider the vacant positions as well because just because a position is vacant doesn't mean that it's there's not an impact of that vacancy. And additionally, in looking at the org

1816
10:25:16.240 --> 10:25:31.756
chart and some of the savings, I noticed that there were considerable amount of positions that were grant funded. And so when we cut those positions, I I don't know the length of the grant funding. What do we do with that funding? Um, if we eliminate certain positions, do we

1817
10:25:31.756 --> 10:25:49.520
put it in the general fund to pay pad the fund balance? I don't know. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Good afternoon again, Melanie Burke in Dave, Florida. I'm a little I mean I'm just confused about if we were losing social worker positions or not. Wait,

1818
10:25:49.520 --> 10:26:06.960
did I I didn't >> I just started. >> Restarter, please. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm a little confused. I support the motion in the sense that we need all the mental health we can get. We should all be working together as a team though. And I do have a

1819
10:26:06.960 --> 10:26:22.480
difficult time with people that are kind of trying to pit each other against each other. I don't understand exactly the emotion, but I also want to say that it wasn't just the SSIS, but it was also their supervisors. And so, and I don't want anyone being cut from mental

1820
10:26:22.480 --> 10:26:38.480
health. I just think it's important that we look at the funding sources, too, including the mental health referendum as well as the um mental health mental health assistance allocation funding. I don't even understand where these positions are funded from when they're

1821
10:26:38.480 --> 10:26:54.000
supposed to be funded from referendum and mental health allocation. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next public speaker, >> Muriel Theo Fenatilus, parent advocate. Um I am asking that you amend the motion

1822
10:26:54.000 --> 10:27:11.436
because you said 16 social workers, 11 school counselors, 37 SSIS, but those are the filled positions. We need to count the vacancies as well. when you make your motion of of what we're going to go ahead and uh put together.

1823
10:27:11.436 --> 10:27:27.916
So, please consider that. So, give us a total number of exactly what we need or what we what we should have support for support. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker,

1824
10:27:27.916 --> 10:27:43.916
>> Terry Lopez Price. I'd like to again thank Representative Thompson um and all of you for what I'm about to see I'm sure which is more reflection and um remember we don't want to touch the people who are touching students we want

1825
10:27:43.916 --> 10:28:00.240
those people there that was always the ask also I would ask you to think about other ways that you can save money it's not just about cutting people it's also about stopping with all these programs you're buying the licensing the stuff the teachers don't want the things that

1826
10:28:00.240 --> 10:28:16.000
you think are teaching students when the teachers are the ones who are teaching students. There's a lot of stuff that's being bought. A lot of programs and just things just people over products. People over products. The vendors are going

1827
10:28:16.000 --> 10:28:36.240
nuts with you guys and all the things that they're trying to sell. You're telling you that teachers need it because they can't do their job. No, we can do our job. We were doing it before the vendors and before the computers and before all of that. We can do it. >> Jackie Luskam, thank you. Mrs. um

1828
10:28:36.240 --> 10:28:52.000
Thompson put me in the confused column about the social workers because the consensus was reached among all of you. you reached consensus at last week's workshop and you agreed at the end when the superintendent was asked could he summarize his position on the social workers and he said well you've given me

1829
10:28:52.000 --> 10:29:12.480
consensus to reverse that proposal to ax the social workers so I think that axing social workers was already off the table >> and then the 30 >> I may be wrong but that was where you left it last week thank you speak to me.

1830
10:29:12.480 --> 10:29:28.640
>> Good afternoon. My name is Patrusville from Tamarak and I am a SSIS and I want to say thank you because I teach the children every day about accountability and when you're in trouble, own it cuz that's what my mother taught me. If you was able to do it, you should own it. So, thank you so much for owning that

1831
10:29:28.640 --> 10:29:44.320
and for putting that in the forefront. Also, I just want to kindly remind you we were never placed on the OG chart. The financial restraint was not from our department. It was placed there and I'm happy you guys are reconsidering and putting us back because we have to think about the children. We are in a major

1832
10:29:44.320 --> 10:30:00.800
crisis each and every day. I know in my school alone in the middle school and the high school each and every day we're doing at least two to three crisis mental health dealing with kids with their behavior and risk at risk of not graduating. We want to remain at a school. We have to focus on the

1833
10:30:00.800 --> 10:30:15.276
students. We have to be boots on the ground. If we want to bring students back to Broward, I'm originally from New York City. I moved here and I have my raising my child here. So, let's keep all the support staff nobody against each other but work together collaboratively putting hands on the

1834
10:30:15.276 --> 10:30:33.756
ground to work with the kids. >> Anna Fusco be president. I think multiple people are confused. If you can restate the motion in the second um you can do it after. I'm going to stand on my position where I where I stand. Everybody should be brought back that

1835
10:30:33.756 --> 10:30:49.916
has been labeled that they impact students. Again, don't listen to the semantics that they're in a district position that we've heard from Hollingsworth. She's just stating that the position that she's in and they work in her district position. This is these are

1836
10:30:49.916 --> 10:31:07.520
students that need these educators. I use the word educator all the time to describe everybody. Everybody. Everybody that impacts a student is so important. So, I'm asking you guys to make sure that everybody's included. Whenever you make a motion in

1837
10:31:07.520 --> 10:31:23.916
a second, if you have to double check each other, let's do that so we can make it clear because it's not just the group sitting in here. It's everybody else that's watching. No matter how we're feeding it out there, it's really important that we bring it back. Vendors need to go. High people up here need to go. There's lots of ways you can fund

1838
10:31:23.916 --> 10:31:41.276
it. Next public speaker or member discussion, Miss Thompson. >> So I wanted to clarify what I did last week since there seems to be some confusion. So last week when I discussed these changes to mental health, they

1839
10:31:41.276 --> 10:31:58.240
were discussed in order to save the school social workers and the school counselors. Like my colleague Michelle Hadf said that she wants to see the tradeoffs. If you're going to bring back a position, where are you cutting in a different position? So that

1840
10:31:58.240 --> 10:32:15.520
is why I had originally suggested that the SSIS be cut so that we can maintain the school social workers and school counselors. So the motion on the table or floor, whatever that language is right now, is to be abundantly clear

1841
10:32:15.520 --> 10:32:31.436
that I would like to maintain the 16 filled school social workers, the 11 filled school counselors, and the 37 SSIS positions. So I hope that clarifies for the audience and the people at home.

1842
10:32:31.436 --> 10:32:45.916
>> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I'm I'm still a little confused and I guess I was confused last week because I I I understood we were giving consensus about the supervisors,

1843
10:32:45.916 --> 10:33:02.800
but I missed the part about the SSI as did um the superintendent when I originally called him. He said he didn't understand that to have happen either. So, I was very confused last week also and was going to bring a motion about

1844
10:33:02.800 --> 10:33:18.320
SSIS today. So, thank you for that. But I I'm still confused because I do also remember yet last week that you said all of the school social workers, which would lead you to believe that they were

1845
10:33:18.320 --> 10:33:33.360
all there. They're on the chart that we received a 12-page chart, which was the last attachment on the item. The only school social workers that are on this chart of being eliminated are eight

1846
10:33:33.360 --> 10:33:49.916
vacant seats. So I this chart that we see and superintendent if you can chime in did you already in this chart a um account for the social workers that were those 16 social workers that are being

1847
10:33:49.916 --> 10:34:06.800
talked about right now >> Dr. Lozano and Miss Rockman >> you brought back >> so those positions were brought back and so what you see are the eight vacancies. Okay. So that's the only

1848
10:34:06.800 --> 10:34:23.520
>> account. >> It's already account, right? So this chart we have already did that. So I don't think you need a motion for that because you made a motion. >> I just need it to be abundantly clear what's happening since there is some confusion. So it happened last week by

1849
10:34:23.520 --> 10:34:41.120
consensus. So I would like to vote on it right now for these positions or not right now. Talk amongst yourself. >> Okay. >> Today. So I >> if I may um Miss Hixon, sorry to interrupt. Are the just um Dr. Lozano, Miss Rockcomman, are the SSIS positions

1850
10:34:41.120 --> 10:34:56.560
also on this um chart uh as being reduced? >> Yes. >> By 38 positions. >> Yes, they are pulled out as well on that list. >> Okay. Thank you. And according to this

1851
10:34:56.560 --> 10:35:13.040
list, because I remember last week it was also stated about school counselors, which is very confusing because there's a bunch of school counselors. It's not just one line on here. There's a bunch of them. And so I believe the number 11

1852
10:35:13.040 --> 10:35:29.360
matches with elementary school counselors, which aren't really elementary school counselors, as I learned through the many emails that we got. And I did want to say thank you to everybody who sent emails. So can you also clarify from last week what were

1853
10:35:29.360 --> 10:35:48.320
the positions that were um >> so Dr. Hepper do I have a permission? So at the beginning of the workshop Dr. Dr. Hepper brought back the 21 family counselor ESSE that was 21 positions.

1854
10:35:48.320 --> 10:36:06.640
Then he also brought back the six ESC program specialists. >> So it was those two positions that Dr. Heepburn brought back at the beginning. Through consensus, we brought back the 15 school social

1855
10:36:06.640 --> 10:36:23.916
workers that were on the list for elimination. >> Okay. So because there was a conversation about counselors, but that wasn't accounted for in here. >> No. So now today, >> okay, so today we're talking about the 11 elementary school or how that's

1856
10:36:23.916 --> 10:36:40.480
worded on this paper. >> Yes, the 11 elementary school counselors and the 37 SSIS positions. >> Okay, >> that's our current conversation. >> All right, great. Thank you. Because it it was confusing and I wouldn't have given consensus last week um if I had

1857
10:36:40.480 --> 10:36:57.840
understood that a whole department was going to be eliminated based on that discussion. So, I appreciate that it's coming back. Um, I I'm interested to see what my colleagues have to say. I had a different motion around this that was kind of a

1858
10:36:57.840 --> 10:37:12.800
compromise. So, um, I guess I'll wait to hear what my colleagues have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Zean. And then this report, I have you, >> Dr. Heer. There has been a number of speakers that have um talked um directly

1859
10:37:12.800 --> 10:37:29.520
about cuts that affect kids in schools. The 16 social workers are back in your recommendation today, so I don't want to talk about them. Are the 11 elementary school counselors in your recommendation to be cut or not cut today? >> No, they're in the recommendation to be

1860
10:37:29.520 --> 10:37:44.240
cut. >> Terrific. Do those elementary school counselors work in an elementary school full-time? >> I'll let uh Miss Holland kind of give the the specifics on those positions. >> I'm gonna let Danny Shapiro speak to that because he's here. Thank you, Dr. Shapiro.

1861
10:37:44.240 --> 10:38:00.240
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh good evening everybody. Uh Danny Shapiro, director of school counseling. These 11 school counselors provide direct services uh individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom lessons to uh to students at all grade levels. So four of them are

1862
10:38:00.240 --> 10:38:16.240
elementary school counselors, although all of them are coded as elementary school counselors. The other seven are secondary school counselors. So these counselors have multiple schools where there are vacancies to ensure that the students get services um when there's no school counselor. Um, and that is is

1863
10:38:16.240 --> 10:38:33.436
hired at that school. >> Thank you. And what I'm curious about is why are those why were those people put up on the original cut list? Those 11. >> Can I >> Oh, come on, guys. Don't do it. >> Please have decorum in the audience.

1864
10:38:33.436 --> 10:38:48.320
>> Go ahead. Go ahead. That Miss Hollingsworth. >> Good afternoon, Simone Hollingsworth. um because of the you know ask of 15% we strategically looked at that as a division knowing that we have statutory requirements, legal requirements, things of you know compliance and knowing that

1865
10:38:48.320 --> 10:39:04.800
we couldn't lose everything. We looked at strategically how could we provide support um to our schools and to our students as well as contribute to the district um solution. And so we looked at that in a very strategic manner so that we didn't lose something across the board, but we would found the the best

1866
10:39:04.800 --> 10:39:20.320
that we could find and do the best that we could. >> Terrific. And I'd ask you the same about SSIS. These are all school-based staff. Is that correct? >> Correct. They are typically in one school. Some of them share two schools, but they report to that school daily. >> Yeah, I understand. And I'm wondering if

1867
10:39:20.320 --> 10:39:37.916
the reason they are on the original cut list was for the same logic you had just described in terms of statutory requirements, compliance, and then you have to manage risk thereafter. >> So if I may, they were not actually on the original cut list. Uh they were added last week. So when we were looking at also numbers, we were trying to be um

1868
10:39:37.916 --> 10:39:54.400
you know, equitable so that we didn't take away any specific program. That's why they were not on the original cut list. >> I'm sorry. Were they added? >> That was added at the board's request last week. >> From last week to this week, these 37 correctness >> that that wasn't on our original um

1869
10:39:54.400 --> 10:40:11.040
list. >> And and Representative Thompson, I'm curious. You have 11 count the the net effect, I think, is that you would like the 37 SI SSIS added back in because we already have the 16 and the I'm sorry. Uh even

1870
10:40:11.040 --> 10:40:26.160
I'm getting a little lost here. I think are the counselors uh Dr. Heepern on the cut list or not? The 11 >> they are currently on the cut list. >> Thank you. So then your motion is for 48 people 11 counselors 37 SIS in a net effect because we already have the 16 back in

1871
10:40:26.160 --> 10:40:44.400
>> and yes could I ask Dr. Hepper that's around $4 million. Do you have a better estimate of the cost? >> Um just a sec. Um >> minus the 16 people because I just took >> Yep. Minus the 16 >> but it's 48 positions. That is if we do an average of 75 that's 3.6 mil.

1872
10:40:44.400 --> 10:41:00.800
>> So 3.6 mil. I appreciate that. I I'm anxious to hear more uh from my colleagues. I I liked the principle that we had which is people that are in schools that are helping our kids were fenced from this uh from this reduction. Um but anxious to hear more from my

1873
10:41:00.800 --> 10:41:20.400
colleagues. Thanks chair. >> Thank you Miss Rupert. >> Thank you. Um, I'm wanting to make a substitute motion, but I would like to vote on um, Miss Thompson's motion first. So,

1874
10:41:20.400 --> 10:41:37.680
>> so that would just be another motion, Miss Rupert. So, if we vote on Miss Thompson's motion, then you'll just make an regular motion when we come to you. >> Okay. >> Mr. Sea, >> thank you, Chair. Um, thank you for the

1875
10:41:37.680 --> 10:41:54.960
motion. And I I also want to acknowledge and thank um all of our student support instructional specialists who came in, took time out of their days to come and speak with us. Uh, I guess at this point this evening. Um, I feel like this is one of these things where uh may have

1876
10:41:54.960 --> 10:42:09.520
flown under the radar if the public wouldn't have come up and and brought this to our attention. So, thank you um for that and thank you for all you do. Um I was very um encouraged to hear the level of support that these

1877
10:42:09.520 --> 10:42:27.360
professionals bring uh to our kids uh all 37 of you apparently managing 90 to 100 kids each. So kudos to all of you folks and the work you did to the thousands of kids um in your dayto-day. I I just need a bit of clarification um

1878
10:42:27.360 --> 10:42:43.436
on the motion and perhaps this is right for Dr. Heburn as opposed to Representative Thompson. Um, Mr. Superintendent, if I may, I'm trying to follow, and this is on page 35 of 66

1879
10:42:43.436 --> 10:43:00.240
uh of the ORC chart package, and I'm following along here on the line items, and I see in the student support uh instructional specialist column 3712 for a total of 40. Uh I'm trying to

1880
10:43:00.240 --> 10:43:17.080
figure out are these supervisors of the 37. >> Um how how are we getting to this 40? Can someone give me shine some uh some clarity or shine some light on this? Um how we're getting to the 40 number

1881
10:43:18.400 --> 10:43:33.596
>> trying to get to the actual >> it's page uh 35 of 66 on the PDF presentation. >> So yeah. So, um, looks like the first column is, uh, filled positions. The second column is positions that are

1882
10:43:33.596 --> 10:43:49.680
vacant. >> So, there's three vacant positions. >> Correct. >> A total of three vacant positions is how we get to the 40. But the actual boots on the ground, um, student support, instructional specialists, the number is 37. I just want to make sure we're

1883
10:43:49.680 --> 10:44:06.080
capturing everybody within the motion. >> Yep. There's 37 field positions for people occupying those positions. >> Thank you for the clarification. I'll be supporting the motion. >> Thank you. Anyone? Uh, Mrs. Alhida. >> Thank you. I support the motion. Um,

1884
10:44:06.080 --> 10:44:23.360
however, I'd like the maker of the motion to also tell us where we're going to get the $3.6 million from. I don't have it. That's why I made the original suggestion. Um

1885
10:44:23.360 --> 10:44:39.596
I I don't I understand this department well that's why I made the other suggestions. Um so I don't have it. So if Dr. Hepern has some suggestions, I know the audience has brought some suggestions.

1886
10:44:39.596 --> 10:44:55.276
I'm guessing and I'm hoping my colleagues have found some. >> All right. So if I may, Miss Thompson and um board here's what I would prefer. uh instead of um going through finding positions and you know saying let's

1887
10:44:55.276 --> 10:45:12.480
trade this for this and this for that um make a motion if the board agrees with it allow me and the team to go back and um even this out but I would say here's what I would ask uh parameters right what what are the parameters um that you

1888
10:45:12.480 --> 10:45:29.120
want me to work in as far as making that decision of what positions um to cut to so-cal um offset the um the cost or the to impact the cost savings that that's instead of just sitting here and

1889
10:45:29.120 --> 10:45:44.960
saying hey let's get rid of the job coach to do to bring this I I don't think that's um prudent right in doing that here in the public I is let our staff sit >> we please have decorum in the audience >> let our staff uh uh go back sit down go

1890
10:45:44.960 --> 10:46:01.120
through positions I would ask the board to give us parame parameters or specific criteria of what you don't want us to um touch or or impact. >> You mean like at a workshop? >> You mean like at a workshop? >> No, we these are um below the line

1891
10:46:01.120 --> 10:46:16.320
positions. So, these are positions we would not renew. >> We're this ex what the board is going to vote on and um at the end of this is the org chart as far as these below the line positions. These are um essentially um

1892
10:46:16.320 --> 10:46:33.916
positions that we would not renew. >> And you would like that tonight so that you can bring it back as soon as possible. >> Correct. If if uh the exercise it sounds like or the discussion we're having is bringing back certain things um folks are trying to find a tradeoff um and to

1893
10:46:33.916 --> 10:46:50.880
lessen the impact of startling people who are listening, right? Uh where their positions may be impacted because of a discussion and we come back to the drawing board. I would rather prefer it uh doing it differently. Uh if you're going to make a motion to bring something back, um give us the

1894
10:46:50.880 --> 10:47:08.240
parameters of what you don't want us to impact and we will go back and find those positions to offset. >> Madam chair, >> substitute motion. >> One second, Miss Rupert. Mrs. Alf has

1895
10:47:08.240 --> 10:47:23.520
the floor. >> Okay. So, I agree with you, Dr. Heep, that that works. I think that we need to look at any technology that we have in regards

1896
10:47:23.520 --> 10:47:40.320
to in the that we're using in the classrooms that could be possibly stop using that and could be a cost savings. I also I think that if there is duplicative positions or people doing

1897
10:47:40.320 --> 10:47:58.240
the same type of job, we should look at that. Um that's all my suggestions for now. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. Mr. Ser, I'll add you back to the list. >> Thank you. Um, so

1898
10:47:58.240 --> 10:48:14.480
I'm frustrated a little bit because I I think that well, first of all, I did ask for an additional workshop because I was afraid of what's happening right now is going to happen. Um, and I appreciate what Mrs. Alhadev said. You know, if

1899
10:48:14.480 --> 10:48:30.320
you're going to cut, what would you if you're going to add, what are you going to cut? And actually, that was, like I said, I had a motion with that in mind. But we did, to your point, ask for job descriptions for us to go through and

1900
10:48:30.320 --> 10:48:47.520
the superintendent could tell us when are you I believe you said you were going to bring us back those job descriptions and look and see where there was duplic where there were duplicates and how we could reduce some of the job that would have been I think really important before we got here. But

1901
10:48:47.520 --> 10:49:04.560
I just want to sort of state the obvious at this point. I don't know how we vote on the org chart. If we're going to give you a list of things we want to save under the line, it's going to impact this org chart somewhere because there's no way you're making these cuts without

1902
10:49:04.560 --> 10:49:20.160
making additional cuts on the org chart. So, I appreciate, you know, if you want a list to see who what else people want to bring back, but I'm really concerned about voting on an org chart that isn't

1903
10:49:20.160 --> 10:49:36.800
going to have enough changes in order for us to be able to make the cuts. So, um, >> and if I can if I can, >> Madam Chair, may I go now? >> Dr. Heepern was responding to Miss Hixon. If if uh I can add, Miss Hixon,

1904
10:49:36.800 --> 10:49:52.240
I'm I'm not expecting you guys to like bring back hundreds of positions. Uh we're talking about, you know, a few a few positions. So, shouldn't be a um a tough task for us to go back and and see what the trade-offs are for those few

1905
10:49:52.240 --> 10:50:08.000
positions that you're bringing back. >> So, I appreciate the answer, but just in these numbers that we had, it was $3.6 $6 million and we we've continued to say we don't have

1906
10:50:08.000 --> 10:50:26.560
that money and I now it's like yes we can we can figure that out and bring it back. So I I just I think I agree with um some of our audience, our public speakers in terms of I don't know that we as a board are

1907
10:50:26.560 --> 10:50:42.720
ready to vote on on the org chart because I just think it's too big first of all and one workshop just wasn't really enough. We we had discussions. I think we needed another workshop to be able for you to come back, show us what

1908
10:50:42.720 --> 10:50:58.960
you had, shake it all out, and then get to a better point. But that's I know Miss >> Yeah, if I if I can add again, Miss Hick, for the positions you guys are talking about, technically you are bringing you're trying to bring back 11 positions.

1909
10:50:58.960 --> 10:51:16.240
The just a reminder, the SSIS positions were not part of our original cut. So technically the positions that were part of our original cut um that that wasn't brought back in the last workshop are the actual ele the the label of the elementary school counselor. So we're

1910
10:51:16.240 --> 10:51:34.240
talking about 11 positions not um 48. >> I would say 16 and 11 because the social workers were on the original >> and we've we've captured that already >> in this um particular update. >> I hear you. I just um

1911
10:51:34.240 --> 10:51:50.000
it's it's very confusing. I I'm Anyway, Mrs. Rupert wanted to say something. >> Miss Rupert, >> thank you. Um my substitute motion is to postpone the entire organizational chart

1912
10:51:50.000 --> 10:52:06.400
to the next possible workshop. It needs to be looked at from top to bottom. We gave direction about that. I don't believe it was followed. uh this is not the way really good government looks the way we're doing it right now and as one

1913
10:52:06.400 --> 10:52:23.596
board member I don't want to actually be part of any sort of carousel of crazy coming back and way we're doing this is more like the Kentucky Derby version of of carousel of crazy so um for the best part for our community our students our

1914
10:52:23.596 --> 10:52:40.800
employees and for us and we need to bring this back to another workshop. That is my substitute motion. >> Miss Rupert, do you have a date? When is the next workshop available? >> We have a workshop on May 12th. Um I

1915
10:52:40.800 --> 10:53:00.200
know that that we had a discussion earlier today that that uh workshop agenda was quite heavy. We have um the next workshop I believe is June 16th. Correct me if I'm wrong.

1916
10:53:02.240 --> 10:53:17.120
So >> Madam Chair, can we can we make a workshop on another day? >> Dr. Heburn. >> No, I I disagree with the workshop. I think we can make these decisions right now for the org chart.

1917
10:53:17.120 --> 10:53:34.080
>> Excu Okay. This is my first warning. >> We're this this particular meeting is about the org chart. Um, we have below the line positions that we've add as attachment for the courtesy of the board understanding what the cuts are and if there's motions to bring back certain

1918
10:53:34.080 --> 10:53:51.276
positions. Um, but as far as uh pushing the org chart back, I think we need to move forward and do what we need to do to address the org chart. Uh, right now as far as positions that the board I don't expect we're

1919
10:53:51.276 --> 10:54:08.720
bringing back hundreds of positions. are bringing back very very few positions and uh what the task that we're going to do if it's to offset any additional cost that we feel like we need to offset the first thing we're going to look at is vacancies. We still have vacancies in our below the line positions that are my

1920
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substitute stand >> that were funded. >> Is there a second for Miss Rupert's sub? >> There is a second to Miss Rupert's motion. A >> motion substitute motion made by Miss Rupert seconded by Mr. Ca. Public comment on the substitute motion. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation,

1921
10:54:27.916 --> 10:54:43.436
Florida. Um, I support the motion. I knew that's what Mrs. Ruber was trying to do every time she tried to speak. I hope you guys will support the motion as well. Uh, if for no other reason than you'd like to get out of here tonight because you have two other items on the

1922
10:54:43.436 --> 10:54:59.276
agenda. Um, and one of them is going to take a while supposedly. So, I totally support the motion. It's the responsible thing to do. There's a lot more work and your superintendent needs to learn to read the room.

1923
10:54:59.276 --> 10:55:15.116
Read the room. It's a bad idea. Everybody has issues with it. Read the room, please. Please. The rest of you support the motion. Help him help himself. >> Thank you. Thank you. And let me just remind everyone,

1924
10:55:15.116 --> 10:55:30.320
Miss Supri Bruno and I read the guidelines for public comment and decorum in the audience. There is no shouting out. There is no clapping. Okay? So, please be respectful of everyone who has the opportunity to speak. Welcome.

1925
10:55:30.320 --> 10:55:46.400
>> Thank you, Victoria Cordis. Truillo Cortisi. Forgot a part of my name there. Uh Hollywood, Florida. I'm reminded of a couple of things. One, uh, many of you have been classroom teachers and when we have assessments in our classroom, sometimes it's not the fault of the

1926
10:55:46.400 --> 10:56:03.360
student if they fail. Sometimes it's the teacher and we need to take ownership that's been brought up in this meeting. I support the motion. There is way too much confusion and if my board members are confused, you can only imagine how we feel. We need to

1927
10:56:03.360 --> 10:56:18.880
take a look at this again. Uh my concern is you're going to rush it and those of us that are on the cutting line, how much time will we have before June 30th to find another position or to get notified? What's the process for that? This is reminding me of when we would we

1928
10:56:18.880 --> 10:56:40.480
would get A+ money and all of a sudden people that were very important during the year and we gave presents to were not that important and we didn't want to give them money. Please take time to really think about what you're doing. This is important. Melanie Birkin, Davy, Florida. I support

1929
10:56:40.480 --> 10:56:56.800
the motion. It again, um, everyone saying the same thing. There's a lot of confusion. It sounds like there's a lot of information that needs to be clarified. It might also be helpful to look at whatever positions are open and where people qualify to be put rather than just cutting them like was done

1930
10:56:56.800 --> 10:57:15.116
last week. So, thank you for your time and consideration. I support the motion. Tracy Chandler, Plantation, Florida. I do appreciate the job that you all have and the things that you do for the district. I really do. Um, you're not

1931
10:57:15.116 --> 10:57:30.800
the enemy. We are not the enemy. We are supposed to be working together for the common good. It is dismaying that the board speaks amongst themselves. We're confused. The board has me has said several times different members that

1932
10:57:30.800 --> 10:57:46.480
they are confused between what was said this week, what was said last week, what was accepted, what was this, what was if there is confusion, doubt means don't. So if there is confusion, we need to pull back. You need to pull back and

1933
10:57:46.480 --> 10:58:05.360
make things crystal clear. We talk about being a district that is transparent. This is as transparent as mud. Terry Lopez Price, I hate to be up one more time, but I just wanted to say that I'm wondering if any of you want to make

1934
10:58:05.360 --> 10:58:21.200
a motion to adjourn and take this up at a workshop so that we don't have to continue watching this because it's very troubling to watch. And let's find out who are the people who are bringing these things forward before they're ready. because I've been coming here for

1935
10:58:21.200 --> 10:58:39.320
years when I was still a teacher before I was elected and I've never seen this kind of mayhem going on at a board meeting where it's it's not ready. Let's motion to adjourn. We can all go home. Thank you.

1936
10:58:39.916 --> 10:58:56.320
>> Um Nicole Morris, I support the motion. I would say that with the uh cuts that are happening at the schools, the alloc the new allocation models, the uncertainty that's happening right now at our schools, we need to be very strategic and make sure that the plan is

1937
10:58:56.320 --> 10:59:16.160
solid so that our schools are staffed appropriately sooner rather than later. Thank you, >> Muriel Theopatilus. Um this is very emotional, very emotional. Um I mean like I need a counselor at this point.

1938
10:59:16.160 --> 10:59:32.240
Um I mean it's been stated multiple times that this this chart is confusing. Um where are you know Dr. Heburn you keep saying job um below the line positions below the line positions yet we've been speaking about the the other

1939
10:59:32.240 --> 10:59:47.596
positions the top positions that need to be cut as well. But nonetheless, where are the job descriptions that we asked for from last week? So, at this point, again, I support it. Let's go ahead and just adjourn this meeting tonight because Dr. Heeper, it's a lot of stuff

1940
10:59:47.596 --> 11:00:05.200
that you did not come with that we asked for. So, come on. Let's get ourselves together and when we come back at the next workshop, have everything in front of us, please, that is asked for so that we can then seriously decide on what we're doing. Because at this point, like

1941
11:00:05.200 --> 11:00:23.680
seriously, y'all need to give me a counselor. >> We can't afford it. Sorry. >> I'm back. This is the fog I'm talking about. The fear, obligation, guilt. We have to have

1942
11:00:23.680 --> 11:00:43.040
an or chart. We have to do these things, but we can't do things out of fear, obligation, and guilt. Let's get out of the fog, please. Thank you, >> Cynthia Dominique Margate. I support the motion. There is just so much confusion

1943
11:00:43.040 --> 11:00:58.960
and I keep hearing um you know that we need to move this along. Move this along. These are all positions below the line. This sounds like an excuse to push this forward, rush it, and cut the positions at the bottom and save the positions at the top. And and that's not

1944
11:00:58.960 --> 11:01:13.840
what we signed up for. or we need to look at the staffing allocations. We need to consolidate the regional offices and SETO a little bit more. Get rid of some of the director positions. Everyone's on a one-year salary. Cut salaries across the board going into their new um with the new contract going

1945
11:01:13.840 --> 11:01:30.000
into the next year. Um we we need nurses. We need we need prevention. Um there are a lot of layers of administration at the top that need to be cut. We don't need to be um cutting um at the bottom. And if there are positions that are grant funded,

1946
11:01:30.000 --> 11:01:48.640
referendum funding funded, what do we do with those savings? Um, but there are plenty positions you can cut on the chart. I support the motion. I just want to add um, shall I say remind the SSIS positions were never

1947
11:01:48.640 --> 11:02:08.480
originally on the chopping block. I just want to throw that in. Anna. Oh, wait a second here. I'll wait. Thank you. Annaf Fusco teaching and president. Well, you know where my position is. I mean, it was clearly said on the Glenna show my position and then

1948
11:02:08.480 --> 11:02:24.800
the following week clearly said from Superintendent Howard Heppern. And I Hey, I respect when we take a position and you stand strong. I'll give you I'll give it to you. But let's call it what it is. I don't see anything that's happening in this org chart that was a direction from board members. So, that's

1949
11:02:24.800 --> 11:02:40.800
your decision. But I support the motion. However you want to call it, uh, table it to a workshop, but it cannot be voted anywhere that this could come into place because I'm telling you right now, you will be hurting schools. You will be

1950
11:02:40.800 --> 11:02:56.480
hurting students. That is a fact. And you won't realize it right now, but you're going to realize it next school year. I'm telling you, this is not a work that is ready to go out. It's not just confusion right here. It's confusion everywhere. And if anybody's

1951
11:02:56.480 --> 11:03:13.840
confused, let's just table it, whatever you need to do, and let's move it on. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Um, I have a question for the superintendent and and I appreciate what you said earlier. I understand that this

1952
11:03:13.840 --> 11:03:31.040
chart and the things that we're talking about aren't on the chart. My point though is that um I think you've heard a number of places there are going to be changes that are going to be suggested to to balance out the differences here

1953
11:03:31.040 --> 11:03:47.596
on the chart and and maybe to even do more. So I don't know if it makes sense to hear all those or if you ask board members what their thoughts are and like an individual meeting um and get back to it. But I um you know like I said

1954
11:03:47.596 --> 11:04:03.596
they're tied together. I understand what you're saying and my my question which I asked last week when I asked to do another workshop was you know what's the implication if we or what's the issue if we didn't vote on this today and I

1955
11:04:03.596 --> 11:04:20.800
believe the concern was about letting people know about their positions. Right. So, um I know that that still stands, but to and I know we started this earlier than we do typically so that we could give them more time. So,

1956
11:04:20.800 --> 11:04:35.840
what what like what's the final deadline in terms of having to pass an org chart? >> I would say um every week we push this back. Every week the employees who are

1957
11:04:35.840 --> 11:04:51.596
impacted um by reduc by uh del limiting their position on uh below the chart on the chart we're impacting transition services to make sure they land in a good spot or help them with their next

1958
11:04:51.596 --> 11:05:08.800
steps. I think uh delaying creates a level of uncertainty and hope for positions that we won't bring back. Right. So we're we're we're talking about 800 and something positions, but we're talking about 300 or so people in those positions. And so to create that level of uncertainty for those

1959
11:05:08.800 --> 11:05:24.560
individuals, which we know many of those positions will not be coming back. That's why I said today, I don't expect the board to say bring back 300 positions. Um we just talked about bringing back 11 positions when you talk about net because the 30 the 37 were

1960
11:05:24.560 --> 11:05:40.480
never part of our cuts, right? So the 11 is what we're talking about bringing back which is a which is a a fairly small number that we can balance out. Uh and that's why I say uh asking the board for parameters as we go back because the first thing I'm looking at is vacancies.

1961
11:05:40.480 --> 11:05:55.680
We still have a large number of vacancies on um below the line and a few above the line. So I'm starting there. I'm not I'm not uh looking to cut individuals that are filling a pos a

1962
11:05:55.680 --> 11:06:11.520
specific position. Right? So that's the strategy as going back and looking at it that way. And just um as far as in the chart, the board gave direction last week about certain positions on the chart, bringing back certain positions, getting rid of some certain positions,

1963
11:06:11.520 --> 11:06:26.640
consolidating certain positions. We've done that and we've brought the the org chart to reflect those positions. And so that's why I say I think as far as the org chart is concerned, we're ready to you know move forward with that. As far as the positions that we're discussing that are below the line, those are

1964
11:06:26.640 --> 11:06:43.200
things that we can take back based on um feedback from the board and look at how do we offset any cost for bringing back some positions. >> Okay. Well, and thank you for that. And my my other question because um a speaker mentioned that tomorrow was

1965
11:06:43.200 --> 11:07:00.320
going to be her last day which was confusing. all of the positions like the this org chart that we have and anybody who's has a job in is June 30th, correct? June 30th. So, I just wanted to be clear on that. I'm not sure. I mean, everybody has their own situation. But I

1966
11:07:00.320 --> 11:07:16.320
just want to be sure that, you know, these cuts aren't like immediate. They're not until next school. >> Correct. Correct. And that's why we started this process way earlier than normal. This process is usually done late May, early June. We intentionally started this process earlier to ensure

1967
11:07:16.320 --> 11:07:31.680
impacted employees get the right type of support to assist them with their next steps. I think um creating an era of an aura of uh uncertainty uh where people are wishing praying that I I'm going to be the person that gets my job back because the board is going to bring

1968
11:07:31.680 --> 11:07:47.756
something back. I I I think that's not great for the system. I think we need to um make some hard decisions, move forward, let the team um work with those impacted employees and and assist them with also with Career Source so we can move forward and um do what we need to do to move the system forward for uh

1969
11:07:47.756 --> 11:08:02.560
start planning for the upcoming school year. >> Okay. Thank you. And and I appreciate because you know we did give a directive to to eliminate a thousand positions. So I I do understand that the idea there is

1970
11:08:02.560 --> 11:08:19.916
>> that they have to come from somewhere. I I just don't know if if all of this is is where I want to land. So I'm still not sure. I I understand what you're saying. So I I will weigh that um as I listen to my

1971
11:08:19.916 --> 11:08:35.840
colleagues, but I I have a lot of concerns. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, Chair. I think I also played a part in making this so confusing because the SSIS workers were not on the org chart. So, I'm going to claim ownership or responsibility for that as

1972
11:08:35.840 --> 11:08:51.040
well. I do think it's important that we pass the org chart today with the understanding that these aren't the lower positions. These are people who have been waiting to find out if they have a job. They are real people in this building in

1973
11:08:51.040 --> 11:09:08.640
the director, executive director, assistant director. We have There's just people waiting for these decisions. I also want to remind people that we also closed several schools which means our principal placements are also waiting on these decisions. We are

1974
11:09:08.640 --> 11:09:22.640
waiting for once this is set to see where people filter out. So like Dr. Hepern said that people who position has been deliminated maybe they can find another role in the

1975
11:09:22.640 --> 11:09:39.360
school. I think we should just buckle up and pass the or chart. If my colleagues have read it, it incorporates most of the recommendations that we had from last time. Um, and there is a difference

1976
11:09:39.360 --> 11:09:56.240
between the upper level and the under the chart. So that would be my recommendation because there are several things that are dependent on the org chart passing including taking care of our closed school community which I promise to take care of as well. So thank you.

1977
11:09:56.240 --> 11:10:13.840
>> Thank you Mr. Sea. >> Um I support the motion. We quite frankly could not pass this dumpster fire tonight. >> Not at 7 o'clock at night. Not at 2:00 in the morning. It's not going to happen

1978
11:10:13.840 --> 11:10:29.840
tonight. We cannot be stuck with this for an entire year because we being told we have to make a rash and apparent immediate decision on something of a level of importance that's quite frankly

1979
11:10:29.840 --> 11:10:46.160
too high. Because who suffers? Our students, our parents, and our teachers. Those are the folks who are going to suffer if we pass this in its current form. How many times do we need to hear from our constituents that they don't

1980
11:10:46.160 --> 11:11:02.960
want this in this current form? How many times do we need to hear from our teachers and our parents that they don't want this? Send this back. Let's workshop it. Let's figure this out. Let's get it right.

1981
11:11:02.960 --> 11:11:18.400
And let's keep our promise to the public. Let's do the things that we said we were going to do. Start from the top, work your way down. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Zean.

1982
11:11:18.400 --> 11:11:34.640
>> That chair, um I think this motion makes sense and unfortunately uh it it you know, it's kind of splitting the baby. We're not going to make anyone happy by postponing this a couple weeks. And to be clear, chair, this motion that um school board member Rupert made would

1983
11:11:34.640 --> 11:11:51.116
delay uh this to a workshop on the 12th of May. Is that correct? >> Sorry, repeat that. I was distracted by the behavior in the audience. >> Yeah, I can understand that. It's really important that we have like a very professional and serious discussion tonight. So, I appreciate uh that very

1984
11:11:51.116 --> 11:12:05.680
much. But the motion that Miss Roupert made was to delay, excuse me, to postpone this item until May 12th for a workshop. >> That's correct. Thank I appreciate that and that's perfect. Um, just for the record, the there were two more org chart changes I wanted to propose

1985
11:12:05.680 --> 11:12:22.000
tonight. One of which would save $7.7 million and and cuts 41 administrative kinds of positions that we don't need. You know, in a pure efficiency mode on something that we've studied for two years, it's time to pull the trigger. And so there are things that we can do

1986
11:12:22.000 --> 11:12:38.640
to save the positions. I will remind my colleagues that we directed the superintendent to find 1,000 jobs equal to $75 million. We owe him parameters. We owe the staff parameters. Uh I agree that our first direction was a good direction. Cuts outside of schools that

1987
11:12:38.640 --> 11:12:56.240
don't affect educators in schools. And that is, you know, to me a very u appealing strategy because we, as we learned from our consultants, have more overhead and administrative than other districts. And guess what? Those districts, even the baselines that we were studying, they're going down in

1988
11:12:56.240 --> 11:13:13.360
administrators and overhead because they have to, uh, due to declining enrollment. So, uh, we're, I think, on a very wise strategy. I just want to give us credit for, you know, asking for that. I will tell the superintendent, I really do expect to land at a thousand positions. Um, I hope that we can get uh

1989
11:13:13.360 --> 11:13:28.320
to that point. there are some things that that we might uh suggest that you study and and bring it back to us uh within the parameters, but I'd like them to be in the parameters that the board set and that from the very beginning was outside of school education and it was

1990
11:13:28.320 --> 11:13:45.276
uh to make um a thousand reductions because we know uh that that uh the loss of funds due to the decline enrollment is severe. $225 million is not a joke. I'd ask everybody uh to to support this uh for for a whole bunch of reasons.

1991
11:13:45.276 --> 11:14:01.520
Also, chair, just as a matter of process, if we postpone this to the 12th of May, we can still finish up the last agenda item on our special school board meeting this evening. >> We have two more agenda items. >> I apologize for those two meetings. One seems quicker than the other, maybe. I don't know. >> And we'll have to vote to extend the meeting again at 7:15.

1992
11:14:01.520 --> 11:14:16.320
>> Yeah. Or else we'll just truncate our speeches. One or the other. Um but uh I I think that this this makes sense. It's really uh I don't agree with the characterization of many of the speakers tonight. This is a lot of hard work. I will also tell Miss Hixon u in

1993
11:14:16.320 --> 11:14:32.000
government world this almost always happens on the day before the end of the fiscal year. So if we get it done before the 29th of June, we're breaking records. So that just natural motions that happen with these things because it's so hard. You're looking at people who uh in this case these are people who

1994
11:14:32.000 --> 11:14:47.200
are most likely going to change jobs, not lose jobs. But it's still uh a strategy that we have elected. We're 200 positions short. We're $35 million short. Uh there's still some work to do. Um I would like us to to end the year uh

1995
11:14:47.200 --> 11:15:01.916
meeting the goals that we set for the superintendent. 10,000 positions and $75 million. I know we can do it. Um one other question, chair, there are also things going on with the budget that will save money. uh we have not uh

1996
11:15:01.916 --> 11:15:18.480
broken out of the position way of saving money, right? A thousand positions take 75 million. That's not going to balance the books for us for next year. Um when uh if we postpone this to to two weeks from now and we get to that $75 million, will that be the starting point for

1997
11:15:18.480 --> 11:15:35.276
setting the budget for next year? >> Dr. Heburn. >> Miss Johnson. And then um um while Miss Johnson's responding, Mrs. Sullivan, if you can uh let the board know what is the actual regular school board meeting date

1998
11:15:35.276 --> 11:15:52.400
following that workshop. >> That is correct, Dr. Seaman. >> I appreciate that. You know, we we this is really hard is a thousand positions, a lot of money, a lot of, you know, we we want to build a system that wins back students, not one where we just go in and rip off, you know, positions that

1999
11:15:52.400 --> 11:16:08.720
are that are the critical delivery elements for why why people choose very rationally choose our school. Remember, 80% of of parents in Ber County choose traditional public education. We're not the losers in this game. We're 80% winners, but we have to make sure we don't lose what makes it special. Um,

2000
11:16:08.720 --> 11:16:23.520
and that's why this is hard, but we're not done. We still have to uh set a budget that's going to include cuts that go way beyond the $75 million for us to get in balance for next year. Um, so there's still a lot of work to do. I appreciate Miss Roupert's motion largely

2001
11:16:23.520 --> 11:16:39.436
for, you know, pause, regroup. Maybe these uh recommendations come back with slightly different uh presentations too, Dr. Heepern. Uh there there are some things that were in the thousand cuts that we said. There might be some slides put together to show us, you know, very

2002
11:16:39.436 --> 11:16:56.320
clearly that these positions are not educators delivering to our students in schools and that for the thousand positions are totally outside them. Um I think I think we might be able to uh win over more people if we kind of present them in a way that's crystal clear. Um,

2003
11:16:56.320 --> 11:17:11.200
so I think this is a good idea, but I'm also uh looking forward to when we get back together at the workshop um or even between now and then to uh work on on ideas where we can reduce further positions and save more money. Thank you. >> So the regular next regular schoolboard

2004
11:17:11.200 --> 11:17:33.436
meeting after the May 12th date would be June 9th, which I'll remind the board that's also the timeline to um our reappoint process would be that day as well. Um, hold on because we've got a list of people who want to speak on the

2005
11:17:33.436 --> 11:17:51.040
substitute motion still. Um, you have the information about the regular schoolboard meeting. Dr. Hoes and I have you, Mrs. Alhada. >> Thank you. Um, Dr. Heburn, uh, regarding Miss Rupert's um, motion for the 12th,

2006
11:17:51.040 --> 11:18:07.520
we do have a workshop. If I see that it's scheduled from 9:00 to 5:00, um should we add this item? Um do you think we would have um enough time to discuss this uh on the 12 as well as the other

2007
11:18:07.520 --> 11:18:24.160
items that are on that workshop? >> Um Mr. Sullivan or Mr. H, can you go over the workshop agenda for the for the 12? >> Uh sure. So right now we have eight hours scheduled. We have our advisory committee reports, legislative session recap, redefining our schools update,

2008
11:18:24.160 --> 11:18:41.596
student mental health and awareness. I'm sorry, not um not the student mental health awareness. Uh the quarterly report from uh safety. We have a rule development for HR uh diversity committee annual update and another rule development for uh safety and security

2009
11:18:41.596 --> 11:18:58.960
and then another um rule development for what the board asked uh to bring back 8020 uh the use rental of our our facilities. >> Okay. So Dr. Hebrurn, do you anticipate those items taking 8 hours? >> Um in addition to this addit, it'll be more than eight hours if Yes.

2010
11:18:58.960 --> 11:19:15.276
>> Okay. So are there any items that are on the workshop that could be delayed for later? >> Um anything you feel miss committee reports have to happen per policy. Uh legislative recap I would suggest uh is somewhat timesensitive because all the

2011
11:19:15.276 --> 11:19:31.116
new laws would become effective July 1. Uh redefining our schools I think is also important. Uh the quarterly reports I believe are statutory in nature. Um the HR policy may have to

2012
11:19:31.116 --> 11:19:46.320
Oh, actually, no, that's also urgent because it's uh in response to recommendations from the Office of Civil Rights. Um the diversity uh committee annual update, I believe that's also in policy. And then rule development for uh safety and security. I believe that's

2013
11:19:46.320 --> 11:20:04.480
also important. And then the 8020 is at the will of the board because they're the ones who directed us to bring that back. >> Okay. So, Dr. Bernie, it doesn't seem like we were able to adjust much for that day. So, I have another um question or um possible suggestion. I know on the

2014
11:20:04.480 --> 11:20:22.320
13th we do have as a board a meeting at 400 p.m. on on the 13th, which is Wednesday. Um, so if we added a workshop, um, three-hour workshop on the 13th prior to that meeting, um,

2015
11:20:22.320 --> 11:20:37.596
would that Dr. Heburn, would that help with with the, um, time constraints for the 12th and adding this item? >> Mr. Sullivan, what's the what's the meeting on the 13th? >> Um, we're I'm looking now. I'm not sure

2016
11:20:37.596 --> 11:20:55.520
if that's a public hearing. Oh, that's the impass. Yes, that's the Well, I don't know if it's the INPass or the textbook adoption. >> Impass. >> Okay. So, >> impass. >> So, if we have say an addition a 3-hour workshop prior to that uh meeting at

2017
11:20:55.520 --> 11:21:11.436
12:00 noon, would that would that help to um remedy the problems we're having in terms of getting this item added to the 12? Because uh here's a concern. uh if we add this item to the 12 and we have so many items to discuss, we it may be 8

2018
11:21:11.436 --> 11:21:29.200
9:00 at night and we're we're we're still in the same situation, but if we if we have to as a board um meet on Wednesday, which is the 13th, then would a three-hour workshop prior to that meeting um help to remedy this concern?

2019
11:21:29.200 --> 11:21:44.240
>> Um that would be at the will at the board. Right now the impass is scheduled at 4 pm. It is at Dillard. Uh so we would have to either do it here prior to that and then move to Dillard or have it all at Dillard. But what's at the will of the board?

2020
11:21:44.240 --> 11:21:59.436
>> I would suggest uh more than three hours. >> Okay. So Dr. Hburn, we because Dillard is is um closer is in Fort Lauderdale area. So we could we could have the meeting here uh for how much time would

2021
11:21:59.436 --> 11:22:16.400
you think you would need? say a minimum of four hours if we're going to have um speakers minimum of four hours. >> So if we have an 11:00 workshop here um at the Casey right and then the Dillard meeting is at 400 p.m. would would that

2022
11:22:16.400 --> 11:22:31.360
provide sufficient time would you think? >> Um so if I may superintendent >> yes >> um I'm just concerned and maybe Dr. Lozano can jump in. Uh the ORC chart is HR heavy in nature and so with that four o'clock meeting um I think that meeting is important for them to be prepared. So

2023
11:22:31.360 --> 11:22:48.080
I'd be concerned about um their ability to do both at the same day but I'll refer to Dr. Lozano on that. >> I agree we would have to leave in prep and prepare for the impass to present to the board in that quasi judicial meeting. >> Could I go ahead and suggest that we do

2024
11:22:48.080 --> 11:23:03.276
it on a diff we have a separate workshop on a different day like on the 11th >> or >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, >> it would be an adjustment to the motion, I guess. >> Um, well, I asked Miss Rupert for a date. She didn't have one. So, the it

2025
11:23:03.276 --> 11:23:18.480
still stands to a a future workshop that we can schedule at some point. >> Okay. I had thought she had the 12th as a date, but she didn't have that in her motion. >> No, she didn't. I think Dr. Zean suggested that. >> Change my motion to the 12th >> to the 11th. >> To the 11th

2026
11:23:18.480 --> 11:23:37.756
>> to the 11th. Sorry. >> Okay. So, Miss Rupert made her established the May 11th as her date for the next the the future workshop. Mrs. Alhadaf, I was just going to I it's not going to happen, but I was thinking that maybe on

2027
11:23:37.756 --> 11:23:54.080
the 5th before our school board meeting if we could be fast, we could workshop it and then on the 5th vote on it. >> It's not just not going to happen. There's nothing fast about this one. Anyone else on the substitute motion?

2028
11:23:54.080 --> 11:24:10.240
>> I think the other part let you finish um chair is the regular school board meeting too. >> Yes. So the regular schoolboard meeting uh Mr. Silvin you said was the 9th and that's when the reappoints happen as well. >> Uh yes uh

2029
11:24:10.240 --> 11:24:26.800
>> June 9th. Sorry if I >> would not recommend doing that. If you guys uh if the motion passes for the 11th, then I would suggest the 19th uh special school board meeting, we add this. I wouldn't I wouldn't suggest passing the org chart and reappoints at

2030
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the same day. >> Okay. Well, the substitute motion is just speaking about doing another workshop on the org chart. Um so hopefully on the 11th we are able to workshop this again and then it'll be

2031
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brought to us on the 19th. Any other discussion? Miss Hixon, >> just a question for all of us, I guess, to help the superintendent and maybe our workshop be a little more streamlined. Um, do you do you want us to are you

2032
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going to meet with us individually to get some of the feedback? we're not going to have the opportunity on the org chart to give today. So that you're bringing back an org chart in that workshop that reflects some of what we wanted to see like is that allowable?

2033
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>> We can meet but u without consensus from the board >> um you know everybody may have different level of feedback. So without consensus for the board um >> that would wouldn't help the situation. >> Okay. So that's where the workshop has to be

2034
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about more about consensus um to bring back something to vote on. >> Okay. >> Mrs. Alhadaf, >> I just wanted to ask my colleagues, did you have many more changes? I know I had one motion, but everybody knows what

2035
11:25:48.480 --> 11:26:04.480
that is with the chief of operations and facilities, but does do you have a lot more changes? I I know Miss Thompson already spoke. That's I would like to understand. >> Dr. Dr. Zean says he has >> on on the org chart, not stuff below the

2036
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line. This is different on the org chart. >> Dr. Horn says he has. >> Yeah, Madam Chair, can I comment on board member Aladv's? Um >> yeah, I listen um with the audience if there are more if there's another outburst, I'm going to recess the meeting. So, please let us conduct the

2037
11:26:19.680 --> 11:26:36.480
business respectfully. Thank you, Dr. Holes. >> Thank you. So the the only other suggestion that I would have because we're we're we're putting positions back um is that Dr. Heburn, you take a a second look at um uh from top management down to middle management down to lower

2038
11:26:36.480 --> 11:26:53.436
management and see if there's any further opportunities for cuts in those areas. >> We will um but I know the board has made recommendations to bring back positions um on the org chart as well from last week. So um those are some of the things

2039
11:26:53.436 --> 11:27:10.480
we have to weigh right that we have some board members um that have brought things back and the consensus was to bring those things back director before and after one um I think it was a discussion about executive director uh today I don't think we got far enough to get consensus on on on anything. So

2040
11:27:10.480 --> 11:27:26.400
right we've made a a lot of cuts starting at the top uh 16% to be exact. Um and we've also uh made an additional cut through the consolidation as well. Um but one thing I want to be firm about is that at at a certain point this the

2041
11:27:26.400 --> 11:27:42.080
recommendation here this is the org chart that I recommend. Right. So at at a certain point when you start veering away from what I feel is going to move the the the district forward and the priorities that we have to to maintain

2042
11:27:42.080 --> 11:27:58.720
the quality of academics in our schools, support the operation and and functions and facilities, right? It's just now we have to have a discussion about what do we hold me accountable for if it's not my recommendation that we're moving forward with. So I want to be clear on that when we come back for discussion.

2043
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There's one thing of chopping things and whatnot, but there's another thing of getting so deep that it's not mine anymore. It's not what I'm saying is the is the organizational chart that's going to help move this this district forward and what are we going to hold me accountable for?

2044
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Right. So, those are discussions that we need to have to when we bring this back. >> Anyone else on the substitute motion? >> Anyone else? All in favor of the substitute motion to uh postpone the org chart uh well to

2045
11:28:33.520 --> 11:28:48.240
bring the org chart back in a workshop on May 11th and for us to then vote on it the special school board meeting um I think on May 19th say I >> I oppose say no. >> No. Roll call.

2046
11:28:48.240 --> 11:29:04.560
>> Roll call on the motion. Bowman >> yes. >> Sea >> yes sir. >> Dixon >> yes. >> Honus. >> Yes. >> Leonardi. No >> Rer. >> Yes. >> Thompson. >> Zean.

2047
11:29:04.560 --> 11:29:20.000
>> Ahv. >> Yes. >> 72. Motion passes. >> All right. Um, so this item is now postponed to the May we have to notice a May 11th workshop. >> I'm going to say, ma'am, m Madam Chair,

2048
11:29:20.000 --> 11:29:39.916
I would suggest uh 10 o'clock. >> Sure. >> 10 o'clock. Um, well, does do any of my colleagues have any objection to 10 o'clock on May 11th? >> Sounds great. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, we do need to take a vote

2049
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to extend this meeting. Um, we'll make a motion to extend the meeting by one hour. >> Second. >> Seconded by Miss Hixon. All in favor of extending the meeting by one hour, say I. >> I. >> All oppose, say no. No.

2050
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>> Uh I motion passes with two dissenting votes with Mr. Sea and Dr. Zean >> and Mrs. Ala. >> You're you're voting yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Could I get a motion and a second uh to move item five to the

2051
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floor? >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, seconded by Miss Hixon. Public comment on item five. >> No comments. Board member discussion on item five. All in favor of item five say I. >> I.

2052
11:30:29.040 --> 11:33:52.756
>> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Um we'll take a brief recess uh because I Yeah, five minutes. Thank you. I got

2053
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something. Heat. Heat. Good afternoon. We will now resume our special school board meeting. Um, may I have a motion and second on item six, strengthening board office operations.

2054
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>> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by board member Al-Hadvaf. It is moved and seconded to move item six onto the floor. Uh we're going to have public speaking first. Um and before we have public speaking, I just want to state that it will be 3 minutes per speaker

2055
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and you're speaking on item six. There are several motions in item six. You will be allowed to speak three minutes um on the motion uh on the item in general and then on each motion the board member will have discussion. So, uh, if you're speaking as a public

2056
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speaker, be sure to include all of your comments in the 3 minutes that you will have, uh, as, um, item six is on the floor. Um, and board members, uh, feel free to make, uh, general comments on item six and then I'm going to move into

2057
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the individual motions thereafter. So, um, any public speakers? >> There are four registered speakers may please proceed to the podium. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Zyra Lynch, Jackie Luscam, President Anna Fusco.

2058
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Good evening. It's been a long day. Um, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. I'm hoping some of you guys make substitute motions on these things because there's like what, six of them. So

2059
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last week, ironically, was administrative professionals day. When you're a leader, you got to take responsibility for your actions. And it's not a good

2060
11:38:40.880 --> 11:38:55.916
look to throw the lowest person on the totem pole under the bus, which is what's happening here. And to be clear, when I started asking around, this is not the first time there's ever been a

2061
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flyer like this. It's not the first time there's been a flyer with a BCPS logo and board member faces on it. It's just the first time that the Republicans found out and decided to make a case

2062
11:39:11.520 --> 11:39:27.360
because they're proven they can do petty better than anybody in here. Um, so it is not the first time. So this is being characterized as though somebody committed a crime. And the

2063
11:39:27.360 --> 11:39:43.596
reason that the biggest problem here is that you didn't have a pre-existing policy for schoolboard logo use. That's one of the motions in here to develop one. I think it's motion number two. But if

2064
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you'd had one, I believe that everybody would have followed that. But you don't have one now. Whose responsibility is that? Who's been over legislative affairs and communications? Whose responsibility would that policy have been?

2065
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Chief of staff. Just saying. So you don't have a policy that would have prevented this. And then in a panic, we're throwing the the secretary under the bus. And then anybody could have mistakenly used a PECARD and audit will

2066
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tell you if it was a one-time mistake or a habit and then all of a sudden there's a resignation because somebody's got to be held accountable. If you don't have a policy, there's no policy to violate. Um the first motion

2067
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to uh in the rebuttal in the statement to the commissioner, there was something about having the secretar's report to the chief of staff. No, because the problem was a lack of policy and and I I'm thinking this that one's not going to fly with you. Should there

2068
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be a should there be a policy? Absolutely. Um appropriate training. They're all trained on pecards every year just like everybody else because they're all all the board secretaries are subject to all the same rules all the other employees are. So

2069
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that's sort of redundant. Number five, uh auditor to audit. That'll happen. Um, retain a law firm. That's a waste of money. >> Thank you. >> There's no mystery. Lack of >> Thank you. Next speaker, please.

2070
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>> Jackie Luskam. Um, I'm not here to make capital out of this and particularly not political capital. It's a shame anybody is. If there was an honest mistake, it was a clumsy one. Um, but it was a mistake. And if we're going to um make

2071
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political argument out of a few hundred bucks that was mistakenly spent, um I I think it needs taking seriously, but I'm I just I'm just not all for the hoo-ha about it. The point that I wanted to make is that the standard that has been

2072
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set in dealing with this needs to be the standard that parents can expect when we are seeking transparency over matters affecting kids. The process that you have followed here, Madame Chair, is in my view the right one and it's a process

2073
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we're not getting out here though. Um, there's really wonderful people in Broward schools, but there are also people who are using their roles to throw in obfiscation, evasion, delay, secrecy, non-transparency, non-accountability, sidestepping of

2074
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public records, rel law, breach of students procedural safeguards and so on. when we seek transparency when things go bad in situations out at schools. Um we want this standard for us and our students too. Um accidental or

2075
11:42:41.916 --> 11:42:58.720
not, we need the mindset and the process that does this that says well sheesh what happened here? Let's review what happened. Let's provide some transparency, take responsibility, provide remedy and prove that there is a learning curve and not only take corre

2076
11:42:58.720 --> 11:43:14.160
corrective action but be seen to be taking correction corrective action. Um I do find a lot of what I do as some of the regional superintendents know is standing by parents when they can't have this standard of transparency and

2077
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accountability when things go wrong. I bring egregious situations forward and walk alongside parents and instead of us providing those parents the transparency there is then an operation that goes into play uh to um not provide that. So

2078
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I commend the process that's been put in place here. Um and I would just urge that all of you where this has done served you well to be seen to be putting this process in place. Please let it serve us well and extend this process and this system and this level of

2079
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accountability and seriousness and the hammer ringing and the transparent and the and the statements and the mayor culpas. We need that when things go wrong with our kids out at schools too. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. >> Zyra climbs lunches field beach. Um I

2080
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had to write this a couple of times. I didn't realize till late um that the staff member resigned. So, a resignation might provide a convenient political exit, but it does not provide accountability. We have to look at the fog again.

2081
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It's often um and and how employees feel and how they would handle these types of situations, especially um when they have to look at their u immediate superior and have to explain certain things. they may feel like this is what they have to

2082
11:44:39.200 --> 11:44:56.640
do. Um, and I don't think in this context a resignation it does somebody does it because they want to leave. I think they do it because they feel like they have no choice. Um, it happens when an employee realizes that leadership is not going to have their back. Um, and I

2083
11:44:56.640 --> 11:45:13.520
believe the executive secretaries don't just go rogue and they're not brand managers for their supervisors or superiors. And I believe the responsibility falls on all of you. Um, two manager assistants, exit secretaries, whatever the job title is.

2084
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Um, and to let a a staff member walk out the door while the person who should take responsibility, remain silent is a failure in leadership. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hill. Any other public speakers? >> President Anna Fusco.

2085
11:45:29.756 --> 11:45:45.520
>> How you doing? Anna Fusco, be to your president. So I appreciate that this item has come about and you know as a president who has dealt with so many types of situations that our members have gotten

2086
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into with um purposeful or accidentally. You know we we all have to first and foremost be um what I've always said is be human in care. And there's no doubt in my mind that our chair uh Sarah Leonardi and her assistant

2087
11:46:04.240 --> 11:46:20.560
um took a to took a position to hold themselves accountable for what I'm going to make it clear. It was a freaking mistake that I'm sure every one of us sitting in this room has done some type of mistake like that of misusing

2088
11:46:20.560 --> 11:46:37.116
something. It It wasn't egregious. It wasn't purposeful. and and when a a particular person decides to resign that that that's an adult that takes that that ownership on on their rationale and and Kelly knows why she resigned and

2089
11:46:37.116 --> 11:46:52.480
other people sitting up on that deis and other people sitting in this room know why she resigned. Nobody forced her. Nobody made her. It was her decision and for whatever other reason and I state that it was more than just this

2090
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one little mistake. Uh, this flyer has been going out for the dawn of time. People have been sitting in this school board um for decades when our board members have not. So, let's call it what it is. Okay. So,

2091
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you're right. We're not going to have a political piece come in and act like that they're going to, you know, play that they're self-righteous and they do everything so perfect because everybody's done something on either side. This is about we have a school board. We have a chair that is with

2092
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integrity and decency, was an amazing teacher, and I will not stand by and watch anybody sit here and make it more than what it is. And I'm asking every one of you sit up there to back her because as I say to everybody all the time, you never know. We're not sitting

2093
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in someone's shoes. What would it be like to be in that shoes? I've learned for over a decade, it's hard to do, but when it needs to be done, it needs to be done. first and foremost being a human and caring and then that leads the way to give an open-minded understanding of

2094
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what happened, how it happened, and what to do and move on. I believe that there hasn't been policies that it could have led this to not happen, and there could have been policies and it could have happened. It's a mistake. I know we're going to hear great conversation on what

2095
11:48:11.840 --> 11:48:26.880
this board wants to put forward to make some things happen that can be transformational, can change the path and can have pieces in place that it it may have happen again, but it may and people are human. Let's not forget that

2096
11:48:26.880 --> 11:48:44.400
part and I'm asking you guys to stand with your colleague and make sure that everything's done right to make things go forward in a positive way. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Fusco. Mr. Hill, any other speakers? No comments. >> We We have one additional speaker.

2097
11:48:44.400 --> 11:48:59.756
Okay. Go ahead, Nicole Morris. >> Nicole Morris, I just want to say I think this is much a do about nothing. I um have known Mrs. Leonardi for a long time. She has always led with integrity and held herself as a professional to

2098
11:48:59.756 --> 11:49:16.400
the highest standards and I respect her and I think we have made a big deal about nothing. Thank you. >> Thank you, Nicole Morris. So um before we continue with board discussion um each board member may feel free to give general uh comments on item six and then

2099
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I will be um going through each of the motions so you'll have an opportunity to speak on each of the motion um and also before we begin I'd like for the chair to provide uh her comments. >> Thank you Dr. Hoes and uh it was it was

2100
11:49:32.880 --> 11:49:47.200
not acknowledged but I did hand over the gavl to Dr. Holess uh for this item since it was an item that I brought. Uh so thank you Dr. Hoes for chairing this. Um I want to take a moment to address an issue that has understandably raised

2101
11:49:47.200 --> 11:50:03.436
questions in our community. Recently an advertisement connected to a political event included the Brower County Public Schools logo in a way that should not have occurred. This use was inappropriate and it's

2102
11:50:03.436 --> 11:50:21.360
important to say that plainly. As it relates to my participation, I want to be equally clear about the facts and will address what is already in the public domain. My intention, as it has consistently been, was to personally cover any costs

2103
11:50:21.360 --> 11:50:37.436
associated with my attendance in participation. After the fact, I learned that a portion of that expense had been processed incorrectly by my administrative office. The moment I became aware of the error, I took immediate action. I self-reported

2104
11:50:37.436 --> 11:50:54.640
the issue. I reimbursed the full amount of $150. I discontinued use of my district issu issued purchasing card and relinquished it to the superintendent. As elected officials, we often rely on the assistance and support provided by

2105
11:50:54.640 --> 11:51:11.520
our administrative office and staff. They are a vital part of the overall function of this board. We are responsible for implementing policies policies and processes to ensure necessary oversight and appropriate conduct.

2106
11:51:11.520 --> 11:51:27.436
Consequently, I am requesting that this board look carefully at all of our protocols and determine where they need to be clarified and strengthened. This is not just about correcting one mistake. It is about making sure our policies are stronger, our expectations

2107
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are clear, and our staff has the training and guidance needed going forward. I am bringing this item forward to request that this board ensure a full, fair, and transparent review of our standards and protocols. Just as importantly, this item is

2108
11:51:43.840 --> 11:52:00.080
intended to bring forward policy recommendations for the board to consider, including strengthened guidelines regarding district branding and logos, separation between district resources and political activity, staff and board training on financial compliance and ethics, approval

2109
11:52:00.080 --> 11:52:15.116
processes for expenditures, and reporting structures to ensure errors are avoided. We teach our students that mistakes can happen, but what defines us is how we respond. In this case, my focus has been on

2110
11:52:15.116 --> 11:52:31.840
transparency, accountability, and immediate corrective action. That remains my focus. I will continue to lead with integrity. I will continue to ensure that facts guide how I serve this community. Thank you.

2111
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>> Thank you, uh, board member Leonardi. U board member Hixon. >> Thank you. And just to ask, do you do you want us to go through our comments on the motions and then you're going to go back and vote on the motions? Is that the idea? >> No, if you want to have a general

2112
11:52:47.916 --> 11:53:05.520
statement or uh then we'll go back. We're going to go through each motion individually. >> Perfect. Thank you. Just wanted to clarify. Um just a a couple of things. I think um you know, it's really important. It was a mistake. It was it was not a good timed mistake

2113
11:53:05.520 --> 11:53:22.080
unfortunately in terms of the pecard and I think all of us up here believe that we have you we want to take ownership as well on on things that we may should have known didn't know you

2114
11:53:22.080 --> 11:53:39.116
know I don't know I'm not trying I don't think any of us are trying to lay blame someplace else um I will say that when my assistant came on board. The first thing she complained about really was not having training that there was no onboarding for the board. We've

2115
11:53:39.116 --> 11:53:54.160
complained about that as board members um but especially for the assistance and she started to create a a book like a handbook so that as new assistants came at least there was something that was there and they've really taken it upon

2116
11:53:54.160 --> 11:54:12.080
themselves to do through the FSBA trainings and they've looked for their own trainings. So I I think it's because a lot of people don't know what the board assistants do and I think each board assistant does something different because each board member has a

2117
11:54:12.080 --> 11:54:26.560
different expectation for them as is part of the job. So um you know I they do have training they they've done a lot of it on their own. So to to just make a statement that they need more training,

2118
11:54:26.560 --> 11:54:42.880
I don't know that I necessarily agree with that in this particular item. I know that they crave training. They like it. There's opportunities. They go to FSB FSBA training similar to us, although they can't go this year because

2119
11:54:42.880 --> 11:54:55.840
we have limited um the ability to do out to do travel for staff. So I I appreciate very much the chair bringing the item forward.