Heat. Heat. pick up baby. D. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. W there. Yeah. Wo.
Welcome to today's regular schoolboard meeting. This regular schoolboard meeting of the school board of Brower County, Florida is now called to order. Our primary focus is to create a safe and productive environment for all participants. Please be reminded of the exit doors that are clearly marked for emergency exiting. While in the boardroom, refrain from obstructing the
exit doors. All attendees must occupy a seat with the exception of media. Once the board room has reached a seating capacity, attendees will be directed to a designated overflow area. Upon activation of the fire alarm system, please exit the room in an orderly fashion and continue to exit the
building and remain outside until the authority that has jurisdiction has deemed the building safe to return. Thank you for your cooperation. And just a a separate note, we have a lot of participants today um which is very exciting.
I want to be clear that um if you do not fit in this room, you'll be directed to an overflow room. There's a few um but for safety reasons, we have to keep the hallways clear. Um I don't know if Chief Gregory, you can can speak to that a little bit, but it's not that we're
trying to pe keep people from a room or from from the building. We are just trying to keep the the area safe. >> Good morning. That's correct. We do have a lot of people here this morning. We do know there's a number of folks outside in the lobby area, but we do need to ask everyone's cooperation to keep the main
hallway area open as well as the air in front of the elevators. In the event that we need uh fire rescue personnel for some other medical emergency or some other incident happens anywhere in this building, we have to make sure that the first responders are able to navigate our hallways and up and down the elevators. So, everyone's cooperation
with that would be greatly appreciated. >> Got it. And again, we will be doing lots of public speaking today. So, if you do hear your name, you're not in the room, please come to the room. Um, and we're just trying to keep the building safe um, for for everyone. Board member Bulman will now introduce her school to
lead us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. Um, our colors will be presented by the Hollandale High School Army ROC color guard under the um,
leadership of Sergeant Finley. And the pledge of allegiance will be presented by Collins Elementary School in Dana Beach. Um, I want to thank Principal Emmes and our Collins Elementary Tigers. Thank you. >> Ready
carry colors. Mark time. March. Right turn. March. Forward. March. Arch time. Arch.
Left turn. Arch. Freeze and arms. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance 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 for all. >> Order. Please be seated. >> Choose the best. >> Choose BCPS. >> Collins Tigers.
>> R O A R. Thank you. Board member Rupert has requested a moment of silence. Miss Rupert. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm requesting a moment of silence for three students from Blanchley High School who were killed in a car accident during the winter break. Here is what their
principal, Mr. Tvoris Williams, had to say about them. As we reflect on the lives of Rubman Baltazar, Miguel Montes, and Richard Alcasar, our hearts are heavy yet filled with gratitude for the light of each of them brought to our Blanchily family. Rubin's remarkable
gift for mathematics and his quiet determination inspired both his teachers and classmates. Miguel's vibrant personality and uplifting spirit had a way of brightening every room he entered. And Richard, a proud recent graduate, was a natural leader whose
strength, loyalty, and guidance shaped the friendships around him. Though their time with us was far too short, their impact remains deep and lasting. We honor their memories. We hold their families close in our thoughts and we remain committed to supporting one another as a community. Their legacy
will continue to live on in the halls of Blanchily and the hearts of all who knew them. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. The superintendent released a revised agenda with certain changes for this meeting and published it on the school district's website.
The chair finds pursuant to section 10 uh 120.525 Florida statutes that good cause exists for such a changes and accepts the revised agenda. May the chair have a motion and a second to close the agenda. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Alhadef. All in favor of closing the
agenda say I. >> I. >> Those opposed say no. The agenda is now closed. May the chair have a motion and a second to approve the minutes for the following meetings. December 12th, 2025 special meeting. December 16th, 2025 special meeting expulsions. >> Moved.
>> Moved by Mrs. Aladd. Second by Mrs. Hixon. Is there any discussion? All in favor of approving the minutes as listed say I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> The minutes are approved. As we prepare to begin our regular schoolboard
meeting, we are reminded that our vision is 100% proficiency for all students. As an A-rated school district, our vital task is to sustain this achievement. We will continue educating all students to reach their highest potential. Our theme this year is believe, empower, achieve, one Broward. The chief of staff and
communications officer pulled the board of any agenda items they wish to address in advance of the meeting. The following consent items have been identified for discussion. H1, H2, B1, B2, which has a 11:30 special order, F2, 03, which has a
3:30 special order, and companion item to O6. At this time, may the chair have a motion and a second to pass the consent items that have not been pulled for discussion, which are H3, H4, F1, M1, M1, M2, 01, and O2.
>> So moved by Mrs. Hixon, seconded by Miss Thompson. Are there any registered speakers on the items that have not been pulled for discussion? >> No speakers. >> All in favor of approving the consent items that have not been pulled for discussion say I. >> Those opposed say no.
>> Do any of my colleagues have any remarks um on any of the approved consent items? At this time, may the chair have a motion and a second on item H1? >> Moved by Miss Rupert, seconded by Miss Hixon. Are there any registered
speakers? >> Dr. Natalin Wash. >> Good morning. Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. So, um, if we're going to be saving money on the backs of students, let's
first save money on the backs of the adults. You already heard the the cabinet level people already got close to 400 450,000 this year for referendum supplements nobody voted for. And that's
on top of last year when they got a full year. So, there's been a hiring freeze, but no task assignment freeze. It would be very interesting to see how many task assignments there are out there, and what they're costing and whether you're
getting any kind of return on your investment. Now, having been on the facilities task force since 2011, much of it as the chair, I'm going to h I have my own recommendation about how you can save the 9,000 that you're trying to give to Mr. Dorset. Now understand I
come from a business background. I have an accounting degree, an MBA and a doctorate in business. These things are not personal. Everybody likes Mark. But that does not mean that we put our friends into positions that they are not going to be effective at. And this is is
not even necessary at this point because on the org chart you don't have a facilities chief. You have two executive directors in the facilities area. You have one over capital programs and you have Mark who's
over PO. So this would be duplicative. You could give the chief fire official position to SSP or somewhere else and the building department could go right to the superintendent and now you have segregation of duties which is what you
need anyway because all of these things being together is how you end up with ice rinks at Boyd Anderson. Um so I am against the $9,000 task assignment. $9,000 is less than half of a graduation at
Broward Performing Arts Center. It's about the cost of some graduations at the Lauder Hill Performing Arts Center. So, if the tightening of the belt should begin with the adults and I did notice BB1 and two, which is like $2,600
that the board chair wants to ask the taxpayers to pay for so she can go to Tallahassee. So, I am against this. It's not necessary. It's not personal. He's already the executive director. You
can have two executive directors go find a facilities chief because if you think about all of the facilities related cockups this year and how much they've cost the handy building, which could be 2.6, Six, the PM the failed PO CAMO solicitation. You don't have a long
range facility master plan. Save money. It's 9,000. Say no. >> Any other public comment on the item? >> Uh, yes. President Fusco, >> of course they are. And Fusco, Bower, Teachers Union President, uh, Fort Lauderdale resident, um, Brower County
Public Schools educator. So, I'm I'm speaking a couple different ways on this item about how in all the separations that happen, I've seen um the school board take a direction to
um a rationale of saving money of releasing people uh sooner than later. um not giving people the the appropriate time to be able to um take a leave or uh get some type of training or corrective
action. We're also watching probationary teachers be released. You say you don't want substitutes in classrooms. We're we're we're going to be moving task assigned teachers around the district, which I don't oppose. I'm going to be frank. We know that we've
got a um student population that has been cut, but still our classrooms are overclass- sized and our um classrooms are without uh trained uh credentialed certified teachers. Not that I'm taking
away from the substitutes that come in as our visiting teachers do amazing with what they're dealt with. Okay? Um so I'm asking you guys to stop rushing through an agenda item like this to just be okay
because your staff that you guys always so diligently want to trust, which uh that article that came out is a telltale. So, I'd ask you to read it and really look into it and uh read between some of the lines. Wasn't written by me.
Definitely somebody in this building is feeding something to somebody that wrote that article, but we want to rush through with the basic rank and file to just dismiss them. Now, I know you guys have a rationale why people need to be task assigned to get a job done. And
it's quite interesting that you quickly want to approve their extra payment, but when our teachers are covering, which is the most important piece in this school district of teaching our students, and I hear about our specials teacher in
elementary that have 40, 50, 60 students because they're doubling up on their specials in art and physical education and music and media. you don't want to even offer them what's in our contract, the $55 day of the extra pay. So, I'm going to continue to
ask you guys to do more diligent reading and understanding of what you're voting on and who is really being harmed. You have 13,200 teachers. You have 3,000 ESPs and every other employee in this Brower County public schools that are in schools that work hands-on with students
and they don't get the respect and the decency when they do the extra work and to get the extra pay. Pay attention to that. >> No, no other speakers. >> All right. Uh, Miss Hixon, >> thank you. I just wanted to um give a shout out to a couple of the retirees.
So Mary Lee Baxter is part of the BEF. She has been really instrumental in getting a lot of the work done especially backpacks for for title one schools at the beginning of the school year and she is retiring. So congratulations to her. We have two
principles, um, Principal Hodigan from Piper and Principal Kiston from, uh, Broadview Elementary that are retiring and also director professional learning and development Angela Brown is retiring. So, I just wanted to say
congratulations to them as well as to the um, 32 instructional retirees and there's a total of 44 non-instructional retirees. So, just congratulations to everyone. Good luck on your journey and
um hope that you take the time to enjoy the ride. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rupert. Um thank you, Madam Chair. I had a a question about the $55 a day. um it was actually not part of this particular item, but it was
brought up by the by the speaker and I'm going to be um speaking on it when we do the substitute teacher contract. But I'd like to know um are we paying that $55 a day when our teachers are asked to um have more than um the amount of students
that they that they're supposed to be required. So, and if it's not, then um make sure that um moving forward that we do that, especially since it's in the contract. So,
>> thank you for the question, Mr. Rupert. Yes, that's correct. We do pay teachers. Um and I think at the secondary level, it is actually $55 period. If if I'm if I'm uh incorrect, Dr. Lozano, you can correct me. >> What about elementary school? >> Um what's the elementary, Dr. Lozano?
>> $55 a day. So, when they cover for a teacher that's out and the position still exists, the teachers do receive per the guidelines in the contract the $55. >> Okay. Um I spoke to quite a few
elementary school teachers over um the last week or two and um they were not receiving that money. Um, so maybe staff can take a look at it via the the superintendent and when the item comes up later, we would actually have an
answer for that. So I give you the opportunity to do so. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion? Dr. Holus. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so I'd like to uh to um thank uh Mr. Dorset for um
taking on the responsibilities as we um as we look forward to to uh fill the position, but thank you for stepping up. Um and you've always done great work. I appreciate you as an employee as well. I want to recognize Mr. Lewis from Piper.
Uh thank you, sir. Um my thank you very much. You know what I can tell you about Mr. Lewis? He he he is an exceptionally caring, competent guy. My son graduated from Piper last year >> and he was very instrumental in making
sure not only my son but everyone of the kids at Piper um that they do well. I'd also like to recognize Miss Hardigan who is such a phenomenal person um that has Mr. Lewis has worked with her and I believe the two of them were such a
great team. So thank you Mr. Lewis. Appreciate you and I look forward to great things at Piper. Thank you. >> Any other board discussion? All in favor of approving item H1, say I. >> I. >> All oppose, say no. >> I.
>> Item passes unanimously. The chair would like to take a moment to recognize new staff appointments. We would like to congratulate each of you for your career advancement with Brower County Public Schools. We value you and your families. If we could give the appointees a round of applause.
Do any of my colleagues have any additional remarks? Dr. Heeper, can you please share a few remarks and introduce the new leaders? >> Yes, thank you. Um definitely want to congratulate um these awesome team members, uh BCPS team members for stepping up to the plate, continuing um
the work and the continuity that our students deserve and our employees deserve that you're that you're going to be supervising. Uh so definitely want to call your names out and then uh we'll take a quick board photo. Uh Terry Glford, acting principal at Broad View Elementary School.
Matthew Lewis, acting principal, Piper High School. Mark Dorset, task assignment chief operating officer. Marlaine uh Salter, task assignment director for professional learning and development. And with that, we uh can move to a quick
floor photo. >> Yes. So, at this time, we will recess this regular school board meeting for a brief photo with the new staff appointments. Hey, hey, hey. Yeah. Oh, I see.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. This regular schoolboard meeting is now reconvened. Just uh a housekeeping note to everyone who is here for public speaking or to speak on an item, please
make sure to register um online or at the desk at the entrance. Uh because at 10:00 a.m. we will close signups per our policy for public speaking. So if you are here to speak, please make sure you sign up ahead of time. Um,
all right. We're going to recognize National School Counseling Week. So, we want to wish everyone a happy National School Counseling Week 2026. National School Counseling Week is celebrated each year during the first full week of February and highlights the essential role school counselors play in
supporting student success. School counselors counselors are trained mental health professionals who support students, their families, and school communities across the key domains academic achievement, personal and social and life skills development, college, career, and life readiness. In
Broward County Public Schools, nearly 500 school counselors serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade. They partner with families and school communities to help students throughout their educational journey, address barriers to learning, build life skills, strengthen resilience, promote responsible citizenship, and prepare for
success beyond graduation. We are proud to support datadriven comprehensive school counseling programs that benefit students across our district. Please take time this week to thank our school counselors for their dedication and their meaningful impact they have on our students, our schools,
and our district. Dr. Heepern. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. It's with great joy that we celebrate our school counselors, embrace adviserss during National School Counseling Week. We recognize these professionals whose dedication supports student success and strengthens our school community each
day. They serve as trusted adults who support students academic achievement, post-secary readiness, personal development, and overall well-being. Our school counselors and brace adviserss play a key role in removing barriers to learning, expanding opportunities, and supporting student success through
comprehensive data informed programs. These programs contribute to improved student outcomes, including promotion and graduation rates, academic engagement, attendance, postsec postsecary readiness, life skills, and the development of responsible citizenship. As a as a district, we
remain committed to increasing access to school counseling services. So each and every student has the support needed to reach their full potential. The school counselor of the year and brace adviser of the year awards honor individuals who foster environments of compassion, resilience, and opportunity. These
honores exemplify the meaningful impact of comprehensive school counseling programs. Today we honor our school counselors and brace advisers of the year whose work has shaped the success and future readiness of countless students. Congratulations to our school counselor of the year, Daryl Wilson for
elementary, Christina Nista for middle school, and Anthony Jackson for high school. And congratulations to Denise Cruz, our brace advisor of the year. We thank you for the great work that you do for our students every day. Thank
you. >> Thank you. All right. Could I get a motion and a second on item H2? >> Moved by Miss Thompson, second by uh Miss Miss Hixon. Public speakers on H2. >> Yes, Madam Chair. We have three public
speakers. First is Jordana Hos, followed by Laura Capello, followed by Benjamin Buchanan. >> Public speakers, >> Benjamin Buchanan.
If your name was called, please approach the mic and begin. >> Should I start? >> Yeah. Welcome. >> Good morning. I am Lori Capello, proudly carrying the title of highly effective educator for 12 years, serving
Broward County Public Schools and Dana Beach community. Uh, I have been an educator for 27 years. I also have a son who is a dentist and a lieutenant in the US Navy and has been to an Ivy League school.
Uh, too many volunteer hours to count serving Dana Beach, collaborating with the mayor. I'm here hoping today for a fair and just decision that's based on evidence that's investigated with fidelity and totality. I'm concerned
about my record. I'm interested in a leadership position and I want to be recognized for the integrity that I've earned. Any and all evaluations should be consistent with past and current Marzano evaluation. So if there was an issue, it should have said I need
improvement or unsatisfactory. I have never ever earned those types of marks. I've always had professional marks with any documentation, communication, collaboration with colleagues and administration. And the facts are evident in the packages I have provided
to each of the school board members. There are no patterns there. The each scenario had a background and differs. Highly effective educators that are grandfathered in receive no monetary compensation. I've been highly effective
over 12 times, never received a dollar. Only the pay for performance teachers get recognized. A fiveday suspension is a mortgage payment for me. I've never even received a one-day suspension. Consequently, jumping to 5 days is not
appropriate. My principal was asking it for it to be reduced because she deemed it harsh. It would be best for students to be taught by their accomplished teacher rather than a sub for five days and it's a complete interruption of the curriculum. I have 180 students in my
school, which is the lowest performing school in the county. We have no internal suspension. We have delayed consequences. We're underenrolled, under staffed, high class numbers. No ES, student disability support or LE
support. I go over and above every day. I'm being a highly effective educator does require motivating, pushing students with rigor to perform. Parents are often notified and in the dark regarding the student grades, platforms,
Canvas, etc. You have some parents who are grateful for the courtesy call and you have many that are annoyed and push back. I believe in dignity, privacy. I do not humiliate students. I take them aside. I've had an administrator tell me her
favorite thing about me is that I don't let my students off the hook. Accountability is taught. I am accountable for being passionate and overly concerned that my students make progress in a safe environment. I take responsibility that my escalated
voice upset this student and both my administrators were new. I believe that this should have been handled at the school level. It's been going on for 5 months. >> Thank you. >> Geanna Hos Benjamin Buchanan. >> Please approach the mic if your name has
been called. you called Jordana. Um, like she mentioned, I sent to the board packages as well. Um, good morning. Thank you for allowing me to speak and for reviewing the documents I submitted. I'm here to address the allegation of unprofessionalism. I've been teaching
for 14 years science, math, technology, and aviation, and I have been constantly rated as highly effective by multiple administrators. I share this only to provide context for my professional record and commitment to this district. On July 23rd, roughly two months before
the incident, my child's father choked me and I obtained a restraining order. I mentioned this only because it significantly affected my sense of sorry, my sense of personal safety. On September 18th, an unidentified student entered my classroom. He was not on my
roster. Refused multiple requests to leave. And I could Can you hear me? I can hear you going back. Sorry. Sorry. It sounds like it's going to um refused multiple requests to leave and I could not determine who he was or whether he was authorized to be there. This
occurred during an ongoing documented safety issue of teachers repeatedly sending students to classrooms where they're not assigned. These concerns have been raised in writing by myself, other faculty members, and security prior and post this incident, making the
risk foreseeable. When the student refused to leave, I attempted to access security. My landline phone and wall button were inaccessible, and my emergency button around my neck was not functioning. In that moment, I experienced fear. My heart
My heart was racing. Sorry, my heart was racing. I was sweating and I was focused on protecting the students from an unauthorized intruder. After repeated requests failed and no functioning way to reach security,
I told the student to get the bleep out of here. I acknowledged this language was not ideal. However, it was a fear-based response during a documented safety failure, not said out of anger or disrespect. Sorry.
In that same period, I emailed faculty requesting that no unauthorized students be sent to my classroom, and I had sent emails prior about this. No action was taken regarding the unidentified student, and similar safety concerns have continued despite repeated written
quests from myself and others. At my pre-disciplinary meeting, I raised these concerns and asked administration what I should have done in that m moment when all the safety measures failed and I was given no answer. I also raised concerns about inconsistent enforcement of professional standards. I informed
administration that an administrator had cursed at me minutes before the incident and weeks later another administrator cursed me in front of a whole entire class. No action was taken for either. This inconsistency is documented and relevant to the allegation I bring
before you. All of this documentation, including emails from teacher, security, myself, and all the records regarding non-functioning emergency button, have been provided for your review. I care deeply about my students and my school. I've reflected on the incident and
sought professional support to ensure I respond even more effectively if placed in the situation again. However, I believe a three-day suspension for a fear-based response during a documented foreseeable safety failure, particularly when similar conduct by other faculty,
including administration, goes undressed, and the unauthorized student was never disciplined, is not equitable, and does not improve school safety. For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to vote against my suspension, and sent you this stuff. Thank you for your time,
>> Benjamin Buchanan. I was unjustly disciplined without going through the procedures of progressive discipline. I would like to have the 3-day suspension reduced to a lower level of discipline. On 10:1325
on a teacher's planning day, I was sitting in the break room waiting for my supervisor to assign tasks for the day. While waiting, I used an ecigarette that I had. In my ignorance, being new to Broward's County Public Schools, I was
unaware that this was a violation of schoolboard policy and was informed this by my supervisor, who then took it to my immediate supervisor. On 10:2425, me and my immediate supervisor met for a
due process meeting, which resulted in me being issued a three-day suspension despite my ignorance and this being my first offense, while having no previous verbals or writeups. Since this incident has happened, I have
made multiple attempts to request a meeting with my immediate supervisor to reprimmend the situation. I have received no response from them on
three different attempts and made of contact. Sorry. And that's all I have. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any other public speakers? >> Yes. Two more. Patricia Hill followed by President Fusco. >> So, Patricia Hill and President Fusco,
please approach the mic. Good morning. My name is Patricia Hill. Um, I was notified that I will be getting terminated um from driving school buses as of today. Um, they told me that I can come in and try, I guess,
to stop me from getting terminated. Um, I was removed from driving the school buses because someone used my identity in another county. So, I was arrested for that. And um they removed me from driving the buses
and they told me that once it's the case is over with that I can come back and drive buses. They didn't give me a time frame like okay well you have three or four months to resolve it or anything. They didn't tell me that. I've been out of work since the second week of school
to today. So um I'm just here basically trying to fight for my job back. I have two kids, a special need child. like I can't afford to lose my job, behind something I did not do. I understand, you know, you have consequences behind stuff you do, but I didn't do it. But
yes, um I'm just here to basically fight for my job back because I'm not going to be able to afford my lawyer once I lose my job from driving school buses. So yeah, basically think that's what I'm here for. All right. Thank you,
President Busco. Anna Fusco Brower teachers union and presidents. Um so you know how I feel about this agenda item even though I do have to say that um we we're working forward and collaborating with the HR team with all of the units Broward
Teachers Union Phobi BPA and COPA. So we we appreciate that initiative. We know it's there's always a work in progress when there's some changes that are being made. So, um, I want to puddle back on the on the Jordana Ha situation. Um, I don't know if anybody's ever been in an
emergency. If you've ever been threatened or attacked or mugged, I'm sure you've heard my story several times. I've been mugged four times. I always act like I think I'm some type of badass until you're in a position and you think they're going to kill you. You
your your senses turn off. Things happen. you react a different way than what you said that you can or can't do. Unless maybe possibly if you're armed or not. I don't know. But the point is is that every time that I was mugged, I
look back at it and I acted differently and uh the first time it was in in fight that didn't weather well with me. I got my butt kicked by three men and it didn't weather well. And then the last time it was it was begging to don't hurt
me, don't kill me because you want pocket change. So I need you to understand when situations happen, it's not like I woke up in the morning as an educator and let me come in and be egregious to a student. These are the
pieces that we ask you guys to take into account. We know that something happens, there's context on it, and that obviously there'll be some type of um, you know, corrective action. Corrective action doesn't mean it has to be punitive. So you heard from Miss Hos
saying that I asked what should I have done? How could I handle it? Which is the number one thing we say in all of our meetings when a the committee or the HR team or professional practices or the
principal or you guys decide you're guilty. You have yet to ever come back and give a rationale on what to do or how to handle it. Not even a suggested training, but you want to go bam right to the punitive.
Certain things deserve punitive measures. I stand before a lot of my members and I believe in due process, but if they've been egregious and they've done it purposeful, I make them take the corrective action and move on and let's learn from it. And then Broward Teachers Union, AFT, NEA, other
groups help them understand on the trainings and what to do to get better. You know who doesn't come up with it? You guys. You do. So, I'm asking you guys to think really hard on her ask of the three-day suspension is quite harsh. And I'm going
to keep telling our employees to push the panic button. By the way, you've got admin out there saying don't do it. So, look into that. Thank you. Any other public speakers? >> No other speakers. >> All right. Board discussion, Mr. Seivera. >> Thank you, chair. Um,
two issues. Uh, one actually for two of the three speakers. Um, I'd like to hear from staff. We'll start with Miss Hill. I think I heard her say that her identity was stolen and the individual
who stole the identity did something wrong in a different part of the state and then she got arrested. Um, I'd like to know if that's uh what our investigation has uh uncovered. Um, from taking the speaker's comments at
face value, that seems a little unfair to me. But I have an inkling suspicion there's more to the story. Heather Parente, director of professional practices. So, our records reflect that she was arrested um during the time when she was working um in a
department store and there were many individuals that came through her line that were permitted to get their items without paying. So, when we bring a case forward before you, we have the arrest and then we have the documents the the um charging document. So, we have to
comply with the state and the requirements of the state that if someone is arrested for a disqualifying offense that they cannot work for our district. >> Did we get uh a copy of the arrest report or whatever charging affidavit was filed by I don't know if it was BSO
or a city or municipality department? And if so, was there anything in those charging documents indicating um that Miss Hill um had told the officers or told the detectives or told any investigator that her identity had been
stolen? >> Mr. Sea, we have the documents you are mentioning, but we can follow up to see if there's any details about any identity. As far as we aware that we would have flagged that file if we were aware of that. Um, so having the arrest record in hand and the charging document
in hand, that's what we're required to do for employees in our district. Okay. But we can follow up on that. >> I I thank you. Um, next, if I may, chair, uh, on Miss Hos, uh, we heard uh, the educator, we heard her her side of
the story. Um, I'd like to hear a bit more from staff. From what was described, um, in her explanation of the incident in question was that an unidentified individual who I think she believed said was a student, entered the classroom,
uh, refused to identify himself, presumably didn't have any ID badges or anything like that uh, on his person. and she in a panic and in an effort to protect students uh used some profanity and instructed uh the individual to get
out of her class. Uh I'd like to hear staff's position on the incident in in question. >> So looking at this case file, we do have priors for this individual starting in 2018 with a verbal reprimand where she was screaming and shouting inappropriate
behavior towards staff and students. Then a second verbal reprimand for violating HIPPA for a student in front of others. Then again in 2022, a written reprimand for allowing students to be in her classroom that are not on her roster. And then finally um the prior in
2023 a written reprimand where someone parked in a in a parking spot and she stated who is the MF that parked in my parking space causing alarm for the campus monitor as well as students around her. So, in this particular event, reading the corrective action
report on September 18th, 2025, she did tell a student, "Get the f out of my classroom." Um, and indicates that multu multiple students again were in her classroom which were not to be there. They were not on her roster. And according to student statements, she
allowed other students to be in the room on multiple occasions, specifically seniors. She told others not to return without a pass. And when a student arrives with a pass, she said, "You can stay here the next time." The report also stated that when students tried to enter her room with a pass, she said to
the students, she yelled, "F no" and stated that she would have to write another angry email. So during the due process meeting, um she did accept responsibility for denying students for saying, "Get the f out of our classroom." Um, and the disciplinary
record reflects the reason for the recommendation before you for this suspension is not only based on this and the profanity, but also behavior, unprofessional behavior that is ongoing with staff and a violation of the code of ethics. >> Thank you. I'm satisfied. If you can
give me an answer on the Hill issue with the stolen identity, if that appears anywhere in any of the charging documents, I'd appreciate it. Chair, I'll save my time. >> Dr. Honest. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so Dr. Hburn, regarding individuals that are
given certain consequences um for their actions uh such as what has been described for um for example, Jordana H. Um does the district also provide in addition to the these kind of
a consequence where an employee uses profanity or in front of students and so on and so forth. Is there um anything else that we do to help that employee seeing that there could possibly be
other underlying concerns that would um cause such a reaction? Um do we have any sort of uh staff development any kind of a you know um I don't know um anger management whatever it is do we do we go
beyond just the the consequence of >> punishing someone as opposed to ensuring that they are a better person going forward in terms of how they react to students and staff. >> Mr. Brent. >> Yes sir. So, of course, as you know, employees are aware that EAP is always
available and many times administrators either recommend EAP or refer it. I would not go into any specific cases because I don't want to have a HIPPA violation. In addition, there are plenty of courses that are offered through lab um which include deescalation if students are um you know better ways and
strategies to use um and in addition um annually and beginning this year there was mandatory a mandatory presentation that all staff had to watch um which included the opportunity to seek additional training for deescalation and other things. That's where we brought
forward the the policy in standard of ethical conduct and the mandatory training about the standards of e ethical conduct. So that had to be completed by all staff as of October 2025. >> I understand. So um when an employee is given a consequence um do does your
department um make those recommendations or reiterate those recommendations to better help the employee to function going forward? >> I'm sorry, Dr. Dr. Can you please repeat that? >> Okay. So when an employee commit an offense and their their consequence with
whatever the it may be a 3-day suspension whatever it is >> in that process >> uh because I'm interested in how we make that employee better going forward. I understand the punishment but I also uh want to understand how we as a
district ensure that it's a better employee going forward because there could be underlying issues why people react the way they do. So do you even though they should be aware of these sort of um programs that we have when consequences are given are they reminded
is it reiterated the the options to to help them? Do we have that in do do we normally include that as a part of the process? >> Yes sir, we absolutely do. So in every corrective action report that an employee receives and they sign or they have a witness sign in the back are directives and expectations. So in this
particular case we have eight different expectations that were shared with the employee to include to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times to refrain from inappropriate and unprofessional behavior to refrain from embarrassing and disparaging students to adhere to the code of ethics um
communicating in a mindful way and ensure that everyone is treated with respect at all times and of course if you do not understand any directives or guidance being given to seek further clarification. Okay. So, um um thank you, Miss P. I'll just meet
with you after as well because I have some additional questions. But, um regarding Hill, um in the event that what was stated is true for Hill, for Miss Hill, I don't remember her first
name. Um and there is in fact some sort of a case where a false identity was um uh someone committed uh a crime using her identity and that is found to be
true and the case is over and it's it's wasn't her. Where do we go from here as a district with that employee >> through the chair? I'm uh Esmeald Dean Negron the uh administrative council to the superintendent and I wanted to
address both Mr. Sea and uh Mr. Holes's concerns um regarding the Hill matter. So under Florida statutes 435.04 the continuous the screening standards for employment
these are screening standards that are not only for hiring but also for continued employment. um the we wait to see what happens with respect to the charge. Once the charging document, which Florida calls for whatever reason
the information, that's the official filing document of the state of Florida. Um once the filing document is charged, the mere arrest and the filing of the charge is caused to remove the employee and to disqualify them from employment.
in terms of facts and circumstances in uh in a probable cause affidavit. The charging document doesn't list any anything about the investigation. That would be the probable cause affidavit and then whatever discovery happens in the criminal trial. However, um in terms
of moving forward, if and when the employee would be exonerated or plead to a lesser charge that is not a disqualifying offense, then that employee can be reinstated. So that is the position of the uh professional standards division and of the state of
Florida and its statutes. So it wasn't willy-nilly. Uh 435.04 the official charging document is a charge that unfortunately disqualifies the employee. As I stated moving forward, if the employee is exonerated, we can address that at that time. But
the employee cannot remain employed um while the charge is coming. >> Okay. I understand. I understand that the employee cannot remain until the employee is exonerated. I I guess my question is if that does happen and the employee is exonerated.
Is it our practice that that employee is rehired? >> I can't speak to practice, but I can speak to law. Uh the employee would be qualified to be rehired assuming they were exonerated. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. So, Madame Chair, um I'd like to um make a motion
to remove Shauna Forest Andrews from the list that we have. >> Sure. If I may, um before you call on your on your colleagues, um this this is a um item that I wanted to pull, but I can't because the agenda has already
been rendered. So, a board member would have to make that motion. So, um Dr. Holdness gracious graciously uh made the motion because we are um going to exercise a different option for this employee. So just for a clarification for the rest of the board. >> Second motion made by Dr. Hullness,
seconded by Miss Leonardi. Public comment on the motion. >> Dr. Holes, could you repeat the name that you're asking to pull? >> Yes. The name is Shauna Forester Andrews. >> Thank you. Any public comment on the motion?
Oh, sorry. >> Dr. Natalie Lynch, Plantation, Florida. I guess I'm a little confused by the motion itself. Um, but because I I I'm not understanding why you wouldn't have also said, "Well, you know what? You guys have a due
process problem. That is clear. Um, so whoever you separate on any given day, I'm going to have to learn to sign up for this item because I keep thinking that every time you see things going wrong, you learn from that and don't do the same thing to people. People should
not be coming here and crying on you, airing all of their personal business. When you guys are in denial that you're still hide, deny, spin, and threaten, and things have never been worse, you're not quite done destroying the place. It's not being rebuilt. So, while I
support saving at least one person, if that's what this does, you need to question all of these due process issues because the process is still broken. Thank you. >> Beautiful. >> Any other public comment on the motion?
>> Hello, Zyra climbs lunches, um, Deerfield Beach, Florida. I I I saw the name, but I don't understand the motion either. And I just wanted to say watching schoolboard meetings for so long, I have never been so embarrassed
for these people like begging to work here. It's already hard to work for you guys. Ask them. They know it's hard to work here. I used to. But to have to
stand here and beg and cry and like they have nobody to talk to, I don't understand what's wrong. But I never used to see board meetings so bad with everybody airing out their business. And what about the people that can't come here? They don't get a chance to speak. They
have to email you maybe like this is all wrong. The whole thing looks really bad. Thank you. >> Any other public comment on the motion? >> Hey Anna, please teaching and president. Um, I mean, I said it before, we there's
there's some things that are happening and it's a work in progress. The superintendent did direct that all groups meet and we're trying to figure it out and we know that every little intrinsic piece is a detail that you may not all know and I don't know the part that you guys do in reading every little
detail, which I believe you should because you guys are the ones that approve it. Correct? So, if you're if you're signing your name to it, you should know everything. So, um the the the HR team and the professional practices team and the PSC team, um the
the investigators that work with the school police and so forth and whatever's in the in the other in the practice department, you know, we we've got some concerns that happens at the admin level because every admin runs her school differently in the individualities. But I am asking you with this motion to um also take out
Jordana Hos because if we're going to sit here and reprimand someone for reacting when they felt intimidated or threatened, I got to go a different direction how I direct my teachers on what they do in the classrooms. I'm going to point that out and I have a press conference later and I will point that out there.
>> Any other public comment on the motion? Board member comment on the motion. Mrs. I believe you need to clarify your motion, Dr. Holes, to ask the superintendent to look at the
disciplinary action. >> Okay. So, my motion is to separate Shauna, Forester, Andrews uh from the list. >> It's for this particular employee, it's not discipline. And it's a probationary probationary release. >> So it's it's not associated with
discipline. It's associated with um how the contract operates um for the dur the short amount of time they've been in the row. >> Sure. So Dr. Holmes, you're asking the superintendent to >> to separate Shauna Forester Andrews uh from the list as it pertains to
probationary release. >> Any other board member comment on the motion? Mr. Rivera, >> just for the sake of the public and um myself, in removing this individual off of the list, is the superintendent taking her is she currently on probation
and we're now taking her off of probation? Is that what's being requested by Dr. Holes? >> No. So, she she is currently on probation and as a result of probation, she can be released um during probation. We're removing her off the list, off the
agenda of probationary release. Um, therefore maintaining employment. >> So, she's going to stay on probation by removing this. >> Correct. Okay. Thank you for the clarification, >> Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. That was my question. What does it mean if she comes up, which I
think is what Mrs. Alth was trying to get at. So, thank you for the clarification. >> Any other board member comment on the motion? All in favor of the motion say I. >> All oppose say no. MO motion passes with one dissenting
vote. Dr. Zeman on the phone. Um Dr. Hoes, do you have any more comments on the item? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm done. >> Miss Hixon. Thank you. Um I I had a couple questions and I think Mr. Sea kind of asked them, but I just want to be clear. When Miss
Hill came up, um, she indicated that she was told she was going to be terminated, but if everything got situated, she could get her job back. So, that was kind of confusing because either you're terminated or you're not terminated. So, can you again clarify? I mean, if she's
terminated, there's a process then that she would have to go through to reapply for the job. Correct. >> Correct. She would follow application process to reapply. that was the way it was explained to her. So, I just we'll follow up with her. >> Yeah. Make sure that um it it
understands. And back to that question. >> So, did we did did she ever indicate that her identity was stolen? And I asked this because having an issue right now with that. Um so, if she did, would like would we have called to ask? It
just seems like this is a lot of steps for her to have to go through if in fact someone was using her identity and and she didn't do these things. So through the chair esalon administrative council to the superintendent again um I refer
back to uh Florida statute 435.04 uh the formal charge against her is a disqualifying offense. It is not um the purview of of the human resources department to do an investigation when the state attorney has opened um a case
a criminal case against an individual. Um that criminal case will be investigated. Uh the person will either take a plea to a lesser charge, go to trial, be exonerated, be found guilty. Lots of things can happen. But in terms of the facts and circumstances, um
that's not something that is our is is our responsibility nor our purview. So I would say that we wait it out and see what happens with the disposition of the criminal case. And at such time if she pleads to a lesser charge or something that is not a disqualifying offense,
then the person is um uh able to uh be rehired by the district. >> Right. And I get that and thank you for all the Florida statute parts, but we're, you know, this is a human being with a job. So my question really was, did she tell anybody in our district
that someone stole her identity and this wasn't her? And I get that it's not our purview, but if somebody would have said that to us, I would have hoped that we would have asked some questions to be able to do this a little different. So that's what my question is.
So, not to our we do not have that information. We do have a letter from the commissioner of education telling us that these individuals must be removed from their position within 24 hours and cannot be in our facility. >> No, I get that. My my question just was did Miss Hill tell anyone in the
district that her identity was stolen? This was not her that did it. Just in in the process of in of whatever. >> Not that we're aware of. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I appreciate that. Um my other question is to Miss Hos and although I am very sympathetic of the
fact that it was you know you're having a reaction to being nerv I I have high anxiety and experience similar to what she has almost on a daily basis. So I am sympathetic to that. But when you look at the priors this wasn't a first time
offense. And we have been very clear as a board that when somebody is doing something that disparages students that we feel strongly that they need to be disciplined. So although I am very sympathetic to the situation that caused
this, it was not the first situation that caused it. And you know, I don't know if maybe a two-day suspension rather than a three-day suspension. I think three days. But if you look starting in 2018, there were inappropriate and
unprofessional behavior towards staff. 2022, inappropriate behavior toward a parent and a student. 22. Student in class not on the roster. 23. Insubordinate inappropriate behavior towards students and staff. It isn't just towards her peers. It is
inappropriate behavior with students. There's a pattern here. And at some point there has to be a punitive consequence because as we can see just giving verbal or written reprimands isn't changing the behavior. So although
again I sympathize with the situation that brought her here um I do believe that there needs to be some kind of some kind of discipline but I would ask on this to the superintendent. Um as as Miss Hos mentioned here in the letters that we got she did ask for direction.
there were some some internal issues with having students removed her her panic things not working. So, can you please look into that with the administration at Fort Lauderdale and make sure that that's all corrected and
moving forward, Miss Hos should know if that situation were to happen again, what would be the right directive for her to do so that we are giving her that followup um in terms of what should have been done in instead of what happened.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Zaladv. >> Thank you. My questions is to Dr. Heperin. I just want to make sure that we are training our teachers on how to use their wearable panic button, that
they're wearing their panic button to be used in a behavioral problem or medical emergency or worst case scenario, an active shooter, and that administration is not telling teachers not to be using
their panic button. Yes, that's um correct, Miss Alade. We've done extensive training um and also when is it appropriate to use either the admin response, local response on campus versus the atlarge
response for for specific things. And I know um uh Chief Gregory and his team works with the schools when he sees a lot of inadvertent presses um at certain schools just to remind us the the staff of how to press it, for what specific reasons. Yep. So, we'll continue to follow up to ensure that continues to
happen. >> Thank you. And just that we are continuing to train on on how to use it and our monthly data does show that it is being used for mostly medical emergencies and behavioral issues. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other board member discussion? I just have two quick comments. Um, I again invite uh labor leadership to meet with board members beforehand to discuss these matters individually. Um I've extended that
invitation before and then just to staff uh I think a lot of us have been talking about training in response to corrective action and I appreciate the resources that are available but to the extent possible that training being in person um is very important uh because I think
it's much more meaningful than you know doing an online course or or watching a video. So, I know that we do some of that, but um I think meaningful, authentic, in-person training is important. Any other board member discussion on the item? All in favor of
the item H2 say I. As amended, say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> Uh item passes with one dissenting vote. Miss Roupert. And Dr. Zean on the phone. Um I would like to turn it back over to the superintendent uh for National
School Counseling Week again. conversation. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Our uh I don't think all of our awardees were here earlier. Uh so I definitely want to u recognize them while they are here in person and I think afterwards we're
going to do a a um short recess to do a presentation also quick picture. Uh once again our school counselors and brace advisors of the year. Congratulations to our school counselor for elementary, Mr. Daryl Wilson.
And for middle school, Christina Nista. For high school, Anthony Jackson. And our brace advisor of the year, Denise Cruz. Congratulations again. >> Congratulations. >> We will briefly recess the meeting for a
photo. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Hey, hey, hey. Happy birthday. Heat. Heat. 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 Happy. Welcome back to our regular school board meeting. This is the time of the agenda where we have split the general public speakers to incorporate a morning session. Each registered speaker is reminded to present their agenda
comments in accordance with policy 1020. Um because we do have a lot of public speakers this morning, I just want to go over some housekeeping measures. Um it is to the chair's discretion to um
allow extra public speakers. So per policy um we have a lot more public speakers this morning than we uh do have allowed for in policy, but again it is to the chair's discretion to allow more public speakers. So that is what I have
chosen to do this morning. Um it is also the chair's discretion to uh use a different amount of time for public speaking. It was my desire uh to give one minute for each public speaker
this morning. Public speakers were uh notified of that um when they registered. Um and the goal of that is so that everyone here is able to speak. So everyone who here who would like to speak will be able to speak and that was my my goal um with allowing for one
minute. Um we will have to suspend public speaking from time to time and I will go over the times that we will suspend public speaking to go to some time certain items. That means we have items that were scheduled in advance uh that we
need to address. Um, so we will suspend public speaking if we need to at 11:00 a.m., 11:30, 12:30, 1:15, and 1:30 if if we need to to do that by that time. Um, when those items are done, we will go
back to public speaking. Um, so we're just trying to run an orderly, organized meeting where everyone will have an opportunity to speak. Um, so I will call three names at a time. If you heard hear your name called, please line up. We have two mics on either end of the room.
So, please line up so that we can move through the public speaking efficiently. So, the first three names I have are Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Rachel Daly, and Liliana Ruido. So, please approach the mic.
Good morning again, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. Now, I signed up to speak when it was three minutes, and this was not even a topic that I was thinking about. Um, but apparently every week or every time there's a board meeting, and I think I'm here to talk about the fact that I'm
living proof that you still do hide, deny, spin, and threaten and misconduct to try to spin the narrative. Um, you blow up some, you blow up yourselves. again. This I sent you an email on the 9th
trying to avoid this. I sent you another email last night because for want of uh now I'm down to 450,000. You have everybody up in arms.
And let's be clear, the issue is not that you're putting baby in the corner. It's that you're telling Rosa Parks to get to the back of the bus and it doesn't matter how you spin it. >> Thank you, Miss Daly. Rachel Dailyaly.
>> Good morning. I'm here on behalf of Deerfield Beach High School Alumni Association. Um we are a collective graduating classes from Deerfield Beach High School who come together once a year to have one event that funds our scholarships. For the past six months,
we have received harassing, bullying from the principal at Deerfield Beach High School, Miss Norah Roupert. We actually reached out to you in November, I mean October, and we're still waiting for a response from you. So, I'm expecting this week to hear from you. I'm not sure if the board thinks that
certain organizations or groups don't have influence within the community, but I'm here to tell you that's not correct. So, I'm expecting to hear back from not only you, Miss Rupert, but Dr. Fleman as well from the north area office. They're well aware of what's been transpiring and it's been crickets. We're still
waiting on our public records request that we submitted on December 8th as well. So I expect those items this week. Thank you. >> Thank you, Lilianao. >> Yes, Liliana Reo. And I am here um asking you where is the plan? You you
should have a plan for everything that's going on right now in the Broward County Public School. It's very sad for us teachers to see that you don't appreciate the teachers because when we come here and we are making it very loud
saying the cost of living is super high find the money for a salary raise. Where is the referendum money that some people in the district got some part of it which the taxes um the taxpayers out there voted for the teachers to get that
money. That's one thing. The other thing I'm going to ask is um I want to ask you to really reflect on today's day. It's a like an open eye and a way of thinking. Okay, let me see what mom I'm doing wrong and let's
brainstorm like we the teachers do in the classrooms and then let's find the pieces that are causing us not to do our job and move them out of our way. >> Ashley's Zuazua, I'm sorry if I'm not pronouncing that right. and Mayor James
Curran. So, Jabril Khan, Ashley, and Mayor James Curran. >> Mayor James Curran, Cooper City Mayor, proud 40-year employee of Broward County School Board as well. I'm here today to
ask the board to change its threshold number to allow for high schools to hold their graduation ceremonies at NSU from 555 to 500. This would impact a total of eight schools and alleviate some meaningful pressure from your side and mine. This would also allow for
substantial savings by Broward County Schools. It would provide for more reasonable parking accommodation for graduates and their families who arrive hours apart from one another. It will cut the back it will cut back on the inevitable black market price gouging that occurs when the ticket demands
outweigh the ticket supply. It will give the students, their families, Brier County schools, and your cities a great experience of graduation. Thank you in advance for allowing me to speak. >> Thank you, Gabriel Khan, Ashley, and
then Commissioner Lisa Malletzi. >> Good morning, everyone. My name is Gabriel Khan, and I'm the I'm from Northeast High School. I'm also the valid Victorian and the class president for my school and I would like to speak on behalf of majority of our northeast students and any other school. What you
guys are doing with the graduation is completely unfair and you guys are doing in a horrendous way and I don't want to be rude or anything but at the end of the day how is it fair? How can you justify that they're students graduating from Hard Rock which is one of the best
places in all of South Florida and now have to graduate from Pompa Gymnasium. How is that justifiable? And also, I'd have a question for the board members. Two weeks ago approximately, I spoke to one of the board members, Sarah Neardi, and I heard this rumor before it was
officially published and she justifi assured me that no, this will be public and we the parents will have our opinions and you guys will hear this and be voted on. Few days later, it was publicly announced. The parents weren't notified. So, was that a bladen lie?
I would like an answer, please. Thank you, Ashley Zuizua. >> Ashley Isuazua and then Commissioner Lisa >> Malasi answer from my heart. >> All right, we will go ahead and recess the meeting. Thank you. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
N Heat. Hey, Heat. Welcome back to our regular schoolboard meeting. Um just so that everyone can be clear so we can have decorum and everyone has a an ability to speak this morning. Um per schoolboard policy, we
do not go back and forth with public speakers. Um, just so everyone knows, the superintendent will be addressing the graduation piece in his superintendent's report. There will be board discussion and direction on that. Um, and we do need to maintain decorum
in the audience. The next speaker is Ashley Zua. And then we have Commissioner Lisa Mali. Go ahead. >> Hello, my name is Ashley Swaswa. I am here to represent on behalf of
Northeast. Just like Jabbro, I am student government president and I am proudly and happily here to represent the student body. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to go to college and not everybody wants to go to college. Therefore, high school
graduation tends to be something amazing for everyone. I feel like everyone deserves a nice graduation and it's simply unjust. You denying to answer Gabrile is you
denying one of us. You denying one of us is denying all of us. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Lisa Mali. And then we have Lori Capello and Commissioner Jacqueline Guzman. >> Hello, Lisa Mallozi. Commissioner Cooper
City. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in reference to the changes of graduation venues. I'm against this for all students, but the statistics I will be giving are from Cooper City High, class of 25. They have spent 13 years working towards their graduation, and they have achieved over 91,000 community
service hours, 15 silver night nominees, 90 ace Cambridge scholars, 200 Bright Future scholars, 61 of the graduates had a 3.75 weighted GPA, and they have over $9 million in scholarships, including 30 athletic scholarships. These children
have worked very hard and deserve to feel as special as they are. Some schools are now having their graduation at a rival school. If you have a child that has felt that rivalry, your graduation is now not so special. To have a graduation at NSU is approximately $20,000. To have the same
graduation at Dillard is approximately $10,000 with approximately three tickets per child. Give the students, student government, parents, PTAs, or municipalities the opportunity to pay the difference so the students get to shine. Thank you for your time.
>> Lori Capello and then Commissioner Jacqueline Guzman. Hi, I'm Deputy Mayor Jaclyn Guzman from the city of Sunrise. I'm a product of this district district and I have three children currently in this district, too. Not only am I here representing my constituents, but I am standing here as
a mom to a senior at Piper High School. On January 16th, the school board chair Sarah Leonardi wrote in the Suns Sentinel, "Public confidence is earned through openness, collaboration, and results." After today's public comments, I'm hoping to believe her statement. Graduation is a once in a-lifetime
milestone. These students have worked tirelessly and helped make this district an A-rated district. Yet, some are being re relegated to gyms while others professional venues. District leaders have tried to convince the public that students will have the same experience. But for the record, a
gymnasium and a professional venue are not the same. Gyms limit families, restrict accessibility, create parking issues, and diminish the ceremonial experience. Cost cutting should never come at the expense of student equity. I urge this board to review the decision
and ensure every graduate is honored with dignity, fairness, and respect. Thank you. Next up, we have Rebecca Sherman, Sebastian Goodoy, and Brandon Harrington. And just as a reminder, so we can keep things moving smoothly and keep decorum, um,
you could we usually do a wave of the hands like this instead of clapping. Go ahead, Rebecca. >> Good morning. My name is Rebecca Sherman and I am a senior at Fort Lauderdale High School. When I noticed how graduation venues varied across the district, I knew I needed to take a deeper look specifically at the
demographics behind those decisions. I have compiled data from the US Census Bureau and US News and World Report. What I have found me disappointed and enraged. Schools graduating at Hardlock Live are in cities with higher median incomes and lower minority enrollment in their schools. This pattern is not
accidental. The district says graduation venues are based on class size and cost cutting, but the logic is inconsistent. Schools serving primarily lowincome and minority students such as Hollywood Hills, Hollandale, Blanche Elite, more have been denied outside venues, while schools like Cypress Bay and Marjorie
Stoman Douglas have not. If cutting cost was the priority, wouldn't Hard Rock Live, a venue reportedly costing upwards of $80,000, be the first one to change? Why aren't larger schools being redirected to football fields or split into multiple ceremonies? The ease at which we are being sent to gyms shows
that our decisions are lying in convenience rather than equity. I urge the school me the school board of Broward County to reconsider graduation venues across the district. Do not tell us to keep graduation quiet. Do not escort us out of meetings. The community is here. The community is upset and we
should be dedicated to upholding educational equity for every student across the district. Thank you. >> Thank you Rebecca. Uh thank you. So Sebastian Gdoy and Brandon Harrington. Good morning. My name is Sebastian Gdoy. I'm a senior at Fort Lauderdale High School. And today I'm speaking on behalf
of the students and families of Broward County who were overlooked in this decision of graduation venues. These plans were made with almost no community input. And many families found out late, some even being told to keep it quiet. That is not transparency. Additionally,
there's a clear equity issue. based off of public information. Schools with higher average salaries of families graduate in professional venues with full production accessibility like Hard Rock Life or Nova, while others are placed in high school gymnasiums with bleachers, limited parking, and restricted mobility. These aren't equal
experiences that you were talking about, and they send the wrong message about student value. This concern is real, and it's widespread. Over a week ago, I started a petition on this issue and over 1,300 students, parents, and community members have already signed in
support of fair graduation venues. And I also know that a parent started another petition that has reached about 2,000. After 13 years of school, my graduation shouldn't be diminished to a rival school's gymnasium. Graduation should be equal, dignified, and fair for all
students regardless of race, class, and enrollment size. Thank you. Thank you. Brandon Harrington, Melanie Berkin, and Kyla Starks. >> Good morning. >> My name is Brandon Harrington. I'm here on behalf of my daughter, Olivia
Harrington, who is graduating from Plantation High School this year. I'm concerned about the graduation venue change for Plantation High School and how it is unfair uh to the graduating class of 2026. In previous years, Plantation High School graduations were held at Broward
Center for Performing Arts, allowing families up to four guests per graduate. This year, the venue is much smaller, which is uh down to a high school gymnasium. Um, and families are now limited to only two tickets. Uh,
graduation is a lifetime uh milestone. Limiting attendance forces families to choose between parents, siblings, and grandparents, which is both emotionally difficult and unnecessary. This issue is uh compounded by the fact that other schools in the district are graduating
at larger venues with more guest access, creating an uneven experience uh for students based solely on the school they attend. I respectfully ask the board to reconsider the venue decision to ensure constant and equal graduation accommodations across all
schools. Thank you for your consideration. >> Melanie Berkin, Kyla Starks, and then Sabrina Sel again. If you've heard your name, please approach the mic. did. >> Hello, my name is Melanie Berkin. I'm
from Davy, Florida. I am a school social worker and I've worked for this district since 1999. Um, I'm here really to speak about um the dedicated professionals who keep our schools running. Every day we see the
gap widening between our rise rising cost of living and our current conversation. In 2026, doing more with less is no longer a sustainable strategy. It is a recipe for burnout and turnover. Um, I'm excited that Broward Schools has
been back-to-back A's. Um, that we have achieved our highest graduation level. Um, but I also want to remind you that those of us that are working in the schools to ensure our students are successful and our families are
successful um need a livable wage. The fact that we've been um not had much of a raise and the fact that the TSI >> Thank you.% is not enough. >> Thank you, Kyla Starks, Sabrina, and
then Melissa Sherman. >> Good morning. My name is Kyla Starks and I'm the proud parent of two seniors at Fort Lauderdale High School. Go else. The graduation change is being framed as a budget decision, but what families are seeing is inequity, lack of transparency, and senior serious access
concerns. I have a few questions for the board that I will follow up with later in an email that can be answered formally and in the proper venue. First, what is our school's graduation budget allocation compared to other schools? Not some schools get a venue because of their size and some don't. I'm asking
for a per student per school allocation and the full district breakdown. What is the accessibility plan? Graduation will be over two hours. Many parents, including mine, and grandparents cannot climb steep bleachers or sit in hard plastic
unpadded seats. If grandparents and disabled family members can't safely access seating, this isn't a graduation plan. It's an access barrier and it's not acceptable for any public school district. Lastly, if you expect 2500 people in the Diller Gym, what is the
parking plan? >> Thank you. Sabrina Melissa Sherman and then Dedra. >> Hi, my name is Sabrina Sveller. I'm a senior at Fort Lauderdale High School. I'm also part of my school's JROTC unit and I'm an employee for the city of Fort Lauderdale. I work as a lifeguard at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center. A lot of
people are bringing up class size. I would just like to bring up the fact that after a child um took his life on my school's campus, Fort Lauderdale High, Dillard High School students and teachers were making fun of my school. And I would just like to say that it is just ridiculous that I have to graduate
in the gym of a school whose faculty members and students were making fun of a child who took his life. I would also like to bring up a safety issue. My school's graduating class size is just under 500 now and we should be under capacity if everybody uses the four tickets we're supposed to be allocated.
But what about schools like Cooper City who are a little bit bigger and just under that capacity you guys set? That goes over the capacity of Diller's gym and would be unsafe. So you guys should probably consider giving us bigger venues because you say you care about students and families, but you're allowing us to graduate in venues that
aren't big enough to fit those students and families safely, which is a fire. Thank you. Melissa Sherman, Dedra Fareric, and Nikki Watkins. >> Melissa Sherman, Hollywood, Florida. Our students and our families are not naive.
They understand that where you spend your money reveals who and what you value. You have money for some students and families to have the graduation they envisioned. You have money for stadiums and professional venues, a handy lease, referendum fund mismanagement, bonuses
for employees who shouldn't have received them. But yet, for some BCPS students, you've decided a gymnasium is enough. That's just not an unfortunate side effect of logistics. You're not just implying that some students are worth spending less. You are explicitly
saying so with your budging choices. If you gamble away all the rent money, you don't leave your children hungry. Please do not selectively honor some students while asking others to accept less. Do not hide behind the language of logistics. Restore equity to graduation
venues and dignity to the end of our students journeys, especially those who will not go on to ever attend another graduation. For some of our students, this is it. >> Thank you, Dedra Nikki and then Diane Bishop. >> Good morning, Sissan. Good morning. My
name is Dedra Ference and I have two children at Fort Lauderdale High School. In 13 years as a Broward County Public School parent, I never felt the need to speak at schoolboard meetings until this year. Yet, here I am for the second time in a matter of months because once
again, decisions are being made that diminish our children's high school experience in the name of cost cutting cutting. Moving senior graduations from large venues into school gymnasiums is unacceptable, especially when some Broward students will still graduate in
worldclass venues with six tickets for family, while others like my daughter will graduate in a high school gym with only four, excluding her grandparents from a once-ina-lifetime moment. That is not equity. Had families been made aware sooner, we could have
explored other options together. But this decision was intentionally kept from us until now. And that lack of transa transparency is unacceptable. You say you want our trust, but actions speak louder than words. >> Thank you. Nikki Watkins, Diane Bishop,
and then Lily Gonzalez. >> Good morning, chair and school board members. My name is Nikki Watkins and I am a parent and the school advisory forum chair for Western High School as well as the legislative representative for the central area advisory council and district advisory council as well. My concerns are twofold. Number one, the
district's graduation guidance says class sizes based on the October 10th enrollment and classes over 800 should be at the Hard Rock Live. Western meets that threshold when you include the at least 50 virtual students who will be walking uh but were not included in the publicly shared count. Please correct
the count and restore Western's hard rock venue. Secondly, using a single cutoff to place 34 schools and gymnasiums while others receive upscale venues creates unequal experiences for the same milestone. Graduation is a once in a-lifetime experience. As many have
said, Broward County Public Schools just celebrated a historic 91.4% graduation rate. That success deserves dignity for every student. Fairness does not steal from you. Justice strengthens us all. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Diane Bishop, Lily Gonzalez, and then Isaac Yokov. >> Thank you so much um for letting me speak today. U my name is Diane Bishop. I'm a parent of a Fort Lauderdale High School graduate. Um and we adopted my
daughter years ago to bring her to the United States to give her a good life and a good education. And her graduation is one of the things that she has really looked forward to. She's top of her class. She's the manager of the soccer team, but she is just one of many, many kids at this school that has worked so
hard and worked in the Cambridge program and done really well and looking forward to their graduation. And to be put into um a gymnasium is, you know, she doesn't ask for a lot of things and a lot of these kids don't. They really are very respectful. The least we could do is
give them a decent graduation on their way off to college or wherever their career is. and I would really appreciate if you guys would consider that. The war memorial is a great place to have it. Um, if we have another option, we would really, really appreciate it. And thank you so much for your time. Have a great day. Thank you. Lily Gonzalez, Isaac
Yokov, and uh, I think Kathleen Yokov. >> Hello, my name is Lily Gonzalez. I'm a senior at Fort Lauderdale High School. Last October when graduation was initially discussed, there was little to no community input. If the schools and community had known this back in October, we could have better prepared ourselves by reaching out to the
community and searching for venues, generating donations, whatever we needed to do. It was difficult seeing Valerie W's email from December saying to keep this quiet. We as students are wondering how this how this is an equitable decision if some venues are costing upwards to $80,000 to rent and the gymnasium's nothing. How could one not
feel disparaged? Despite promises that equal ceremony experiences will be will be delivered, I'm sure you all understand why trust in the board is difficult right now. Please note that the students that you are shutting out of special venues will be voters in the next schoolboard elections. Of course, ideally every student should have been at NSU, Hard Rock or Bra Performing Arts
Center, which gives the ceremony dignity. But since this has not occurred, we as students are in favor of fundraising for our own venue. Before CO, Fort Lauderdale High School had our graduation at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial. We are asking for the same dignity as schools in larger venues will have and please allow us to move forward with the school with the city donating this space. Thank you for your time and
thank you for listening. >> Thank you, Isaac. and then Kathleen and then Helen Chisum. >> Hello, I am Isaac Sakov. You have clearly shown your biases for specific high schools with 11 of them going to
proper venues while my school and 33 others are forced to go to gymnasiums. That is a fault of very much biased towards specific schools and how you dictate uh the venue sizes are based on
faulty numbers or numbers that are completely arbitrary. Why is 556 the cututo off for places like Nova and Hard Rock where my school with 491 currently or n or 498 I forget the number uh is forced to go to Dillard High School who
for personal matters has been bullying my school Fort Lauderdale High School since my 9th grade year from the tragic suicide of a senior 3 years ago. This is a clear lack of transparency and I ask for further reference that you have high
school representatives in your discussion on graduation. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Uh Katherine Sakalov and then Helen. >> Thank you. I don't need the mic. I have a very loud voice as I was also a theater kid growing up. I have two
things for you. Your hat says listen to the parents and Mr. Holland. You said your child graduated from Viper last year. Where was the graduation at last year? >> Okay. >> No, it's fine. It's fine. I graduated in
2003 from Northeast High School. Not only did we have balorates back then, we graduated from War Memorial. If you cannot afford a venue for every high school senior graduating who put 13
years, 14 years into Broward County, stayed with the county for your numbers. Put it on the football fields. Open it up to parents to buy tickets so that they can have a venue that they can look back on and
say, "Wow, I graduated from there. This is not right. Take the money that you get in stupid stuff and put it back to the kids. >> Thank you. Helen Chisum and then Terry Price. >> Helen Chisum and then Terry Price. And
please again, >> hi. >> Do the hand waves. >> Terry Lopez Price. You know, it's interesting because I'm always here talking about the malfeasance of what goes on when teachers and our bargaining unit members cannot get raises. And here
I am listening to the students and how they feel. They said the same things that teachers say, demoralizing. How can this possibly happen? It's a it's robbing of dignity. This is what happens when you spend money on junk we don't need. I
constantly tell you, people over products. You guys buy and approve millions and millions of dollars of stuff we don't want. They used to ask me, "What did I want for my classroom?" Now you guys decide what we need. We don't need it. We don't need it. We
don't want it. You know what we need? We need decent graduations with dignity. We need decent um pay for our employees with dignity. We need to appreciate people. I talked to an officer who used to work in Dayton. says we're checked out here because we are not being
respected and now it's the students being disrespected too. Not okay. >> Helen Chisum, Mary Carr, and then Patricia Hill. >> So while they make their way to the mic again, Mary Carr, Patricia Hill, Carolyn
Harvey, and Kimberly Jefferson. Yep, it's Mary Carr. All right, here I go. How are you doing? Have we got a minute on the clock? Time's ticking. I'm a proud teacher of 26 years and I'm proud to make I am Broward and a
district. So, you're welcome. I'm not proud of how we're treated as a district, you know, and how you're treating us. This raise, I mean, it's an insult. It's an absolute insult. grandfathered teachers, teachers that
dedicate their entire life. It's it's it's wrong. Our experience as educators is being devalued. You're killing the morale and the retention. Florida is like at the bottom when it
comes to any kind of salaries or decent salaries. Accountability needs to happen. And you know, when it comes to this eye observation, when it comes to us wanting to get, you know, uh, amazing scores, I got to say when it
comes to you guys, the lowest is needs improvement. >> Thank you. So again, Helen Chisum, Patricia Hill, Carolyn Harvey, Kimberly Jefferson. >> Good morning. Helen Chisum from Penrook
Pines. 0.55% Remember that number, please. This is an average of $380 a year on average for teachers. Teachers who serve and teach your children, all the children of
Broward County every year. So, what does this mean? Not much. We as teachers need a living wage. We cannot afford to teach our children and live on these wages. Not to mention, we take our own money
from $380 on average and we purchase things for our students. Please, what is the school board willing to do for us teachers? Thank you. >> Thank you, Patricia Hill. Carolyn Harvey, Kimberly Jefferson.
>> Hi, I'm Carolyn Harvey. I'm proud member of Broward Teacher Union. I'm a citizen of Lauder Hill and I am here to speak on behalf of the pay and the rising cost of living. Our
educators and staff are not asking for luxury. We are asking to keep up. Rent, groceries, gas, health care have all gone up, but wages have been kept at a pace. When pay falls behind, talented
teachers leave, positions go unfilled, and students ultimately pay the price. We're tired of it. We can't handle this. We are often to hear that there is no money, but the budgets are about priorities. Money is
found when something is valued. Therefore, I'm asking you to find the money. >> Find the money. We often hear We don't have it, but I'm telling you, find the money.
>> Thank you, Kimberly Jefferson. And then we have Kimberly Mohorn, Myra Terran, and Renee Rogers. So again, Patricia Hill, Kimberly Jefferson, Kimberly Mohorn, Myra Teran, and Renee Rogers. If your name is
called, please approach the mic. >> Good morning, Kimberly Mohorn, Margate, Florida. Um, I'm with her. Find the money. Find the money for the teachers. Find the money for the students. Um, my son graduated last year and I had to
come because I would have been very upset if you guys had tried to pull this last year. So, I'm here to represent the parents that could not make it. You need to re-evaluate this situation
and make sure that all of the children, all of our children graduate from a venue that they graduated from at least from last year. 95 percentile graduation rate from
Blanch Elely. And this is what they get for a 95 percentile graduation rate. Please reconsider. And this year the plan is 100% graduation rate. >> Thank you. Myra Ten, Renee Rogers, and
then Vicente Thrower. >> Hi, my name is Renee Rogers. I'm here on behalf of my stepson who's a graduating senior. For the past 11 years, he's worked incredibly hard. He voluntarily took additional online and summer
classes, excelled academically, and earned the honor of being validictorian. Along the way, he watched his friends and classmates graduate from the Proward Center. Looking forward to today to the day he would do the same. Now he's being told his graduation will be held in
Pompo at a venue that's not even his own school and the same location where he had his middle school graduation. Graduation is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. This last minute change feels unfair and sends a discouraging message to our students that some high school graduates are not
worth the investment of a meaningful dedicated ceremony. Our deser our students deserve to be celebrated equally and this moment should reflect the hard work that they have put in to get here. Thank you.
>> Thank you. My return Vente Thrower >> Vincente Thrower. Um, it's just funny to me how everybody up there bragged about being called an A district. We had press conference after a press conference. If you're going to be called a A district,
we need to act like a A district. Not choose when we put the A on our chest and when we brag about it. We need to go ahead and and get and make these children whole. And I just find it funny. I wish that some of the dads would come down here instead of us
sending our women because I don't think none of you all would be sitting up there talking that to all us dads and because it'll be a totally different situation. >> Understand? So for everybody that's up there, I want y'all to think about if the fathers come down here
because if the dads have to come down here, it's going to be a totally different environment around this county. So please, Mr. Superintendent, I see you turn around. Hey, hey, I'm talking about you're a school, a a school district. Let's show everybody that we truly are a school district.
Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. So again, everyone has a right to speak and be heard. Let's have the quorum in the audience. The next three speakers are Manacha Douline, Lani Muika, and Richard Jud.
So again, Manache Douline, Lenny Muika, and Richard Jud. We also also have Felicia Alvarez. >> Okay. >> Hello. My name is Lenny Muika. I'm a school social worker and I'm from Pemrook Pines, Florida. First, I'd like
to encourage the board to please revisit and hear what's been said by parents, by staff, by uh by the students regarding the apparently somewhat haphazard and potentially inequitable way that these decisions have been made about their graduation. I would also like to
encourage the board to continue addressing investigating the misappropriation of referendum funds without open discussion by the board and beyond the scope of what the taxpaying citizens of Broward County voted for in order to ensure those responsible are held accountable to ensure it doesn't happen again and to regain the trust of Broward voters. I'd also like to
encourage the board to remember that resources exist within our county to ensure these kinds of investigations are seen through prior to exhausting those resources. There's absolutely no reason to abdicate our autonomy as a community and hand it to politicized groups with a clear pro private school agenda being pursued to the detriment of public
schools. Thank you. >> Thank you. So again, Manachica Deline, Richard Jud, Felicia Alvarez. >> Guys, come to the mic. Go out of order. Got to get We got to get through. >> Hi, Richard Jud. Uh 26 year teacher in Brower County Schools. Um seems like I
spent most of my career dealing with crisises. uh big crisises like um uh economic meltdowns and housing crisises and COVID and and and all these years there's always been some reason where the district is in a position where they
can't afford to pay teachers and that's pretty distressing over the years, right? Um teachers unions get blamed for a lot of issues, but teachers unions do not steer contracts. Teachers unions don't make purchasing decisions. teachers unions don't make real estate decisions. Those
those decisions are made by other people. And yet it always falls on us, the employees, when it comes time to balance a budget. Now, I applaud the chair, Leonardi, for uh uncovering uh the recent uh issues with the referendum money. And I applaud other board
members, thank you very much, for following up on those issues. And I urge you to look into those people who do make those decisions and and constantly come up broke when it comes time to pay the teachers, pay the staff. Thank you. >> Thank you. Felicia Alvarez, Anna Fusco,
Delvin King. >> Hello. Felicia Alvarez, Lauder Hill, uh, teacher for 13 years. Uh, instructional reviews feel invasive and don't reflect what actually happens in the classrooms. They offer judgment and not support. We joke about them being a dog and pony show, but it's true. Students behave
differently. teachers adjust lessons and physical layouts in ways they normally wouldn't because they're being watched. Classrooms have actually been rearranged overnight unbeknownst to the teacher. In some cases, even experienced teachers can become flustered and not teach the way they normally do. When five to 10 unfamiliar people enter a classroom and hover or stand in the back, the
environment shifts. It feels staged not authentic. Classrooms are nuanced, and a short visit with a checklist doesn't capture effective teaching or teacher impact. Curriculum and testing are not one-sizefits-all. Between EOCC's, CFAs, PMS 1, two, and three, industry certifications, Cambridge exams, SATs, ACTs, and all the quizzes in between to ensure they're on track. It's just way
too much. Students are exhausted. Testing fatigue leads to data that isn't meaningful. Student success is driven by more behavior, attendance, and effort than test scores alone as student instruction. Teachers know their students and diversity and what actually works for them. You've hired a diverse group of teachers who are fit for the position and know what their students
need more than a checklist on a clipboard. Thank you. >> Thank you. And just as a reminder, in three minutes we will suspend public speaking to go to a scheduled item and then we will go back to public speaking. So we have Anna Fusco, Delvin King, and we will suspend public speaking right
after Delvin. Thank you. >> Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Manishka Douline and I'm the nursery director for Chario Family Resource Center. I'm also the n 2021 national teacher teacher Toyota teacher of the year. That was an awesome award.
However, the things that all going in our school, it is sad. I know your slogan says see something, say something. That's not the case for most of us cuz when we speak up, we get blacklisted. We get passive aggressive bullying in the school from people. So,
I'm just saying like it is. We need to look into that cuz if the slogan is see something, say something, teachers has a right to speak without being penalized and bullying and passive aggressive in a school setting. Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna Fusco. and Delvin King.
>> Okay. Anna Fusco Brower, teacher union president. And I have this young man here standing with me. I don't have the I don't have the camera on me. Don't start my time. Go back to a minute, please. Thank you. Well, I'm going to keep talking. Then Anna Fusco, teachers union president. Um, that's part of the problem right there that you guys don't
respect the public coming in and speaking. You are public servants. Remember your place. This gentleman is a validictorian. This is who they spoke about. and somebody up there queued music on him, didn't answer his question, had him escorted out. Disrespectful, not okay with that. You know, I'm a child advocate as long as I
am the teachers union president and I advocate for my my teachers. A lot of things to say. TSIA funding that we got for the 0.55 that I asked you to move the agenda so my teachers could speak on it before 115 was wrongfully ignored um by several people. Also, um not coming
in with gracious and fair negotiations. come in with zero on the backs of our teachers and all employees. That is just wrong, too. And let's go back to the graduation again. We know that there's money. Having the proper people find it is what I'm asking you to do. >> Have the people that work for your
district authentically find it. Listen to everybody. Get these >> graduations back on track. I asked you to start my time again. You wrongfully didn't. So, hey, there we go. Delvin King. Okay. >> All right. We will sus Oh, go ahead, Delvin.
Good morning. Um, I just want to speak to the speaker that spoke before, Rachel Dailyaly. Um, she spoke about Deerfield Beach High School and she represents the alumni association. Um, but when you had your event at the school or tried to have one, you had age restriction u uh
conflicts. You had security and staffing risks, administrative oversight, facility use procedures, you didn't follow them, and you had prior leasing concerns. So, uh, I beg you not to meet with her, uh, because she's costing the district a lot of money. And again,
Rachel Daily is going to take Brower Schools up and through there. Take me through there. Take me through there. Rachel Daily is just giving it out. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, we will pause speaking to go to item DD2, which was a
scheduled item. Could I get a motion in a second to bring DD2 to the floor? Moved by Miss Thompson, seconded by Miss Bulman. Is there public comment on item DD2? >> No speakers. >> All right. Um, do we have board member comment on item
DD2? We have Miss Bulman. Thank you, chair. Um, so I I just had a a couple questions about this item. Um the the audit was completed in 2024. So I'm
wondering why we're just getting this to us now. >> Dr. Heepern. >> I think that's um question for Mr. Rose. Go ahead, Mr. Rose. >> Sure. Um to the chair. Um I have the uh auditors in the building. I don't know
if they've been able to make their way in with the uh with the folks out in the Okay. Um but what happened was there was an audit that was completed. Um at the time that it was scheduled to go to the
audit committee uh at the 11th hour, there were some documentation that was brought forward to us from some of the staff. That was their intent for us to look at that information to ensure that we got the information correct in the
audit. Um at at the same time the staff member in our office who had begun the analysis uh she took leave, family medical leave, she was gone for several months. And so when she got back, we got back into and completed the analysis,
had our conversations with the folks from the firm CRI who actually performed the audit. And we came to the conclusion that um the information that was in the audit was correct. It was accurate. um it wasn't necessarily flattering, but it
was uh correct and it was accurate. And one of the most important things was the difference between how uh the uh contract was uh interpreted by the auditors during the fieldwork and their
sharing of that information with staff during the course of the fieldwork. That was not questioned at the time. was not questioned at the time the very last page of the audit was uh uh responded to by management and so I've have them here so they can answer any specific
questions that you have but that helps you to understand a little bit about why the timeline was so expanded >> thank you and so I guess my follow-up question is since this was a 2024 audit have um changes been made since
the audit was completed to improve the controls for, you know, to address the findings in this audit because now we've got, you know, we're in 2026. So, hoping that's the case. >> The the the work was done to take a look at and
ensure that the work that was completed and that was reduced to writing was correct and accurate. There have been no changes made to the audit audit. um the findings that the firm CRI um provided the district with uh this um department
and this chief auditor agreed with. >> Okay. So I guess that's the question is to Dr. Huburn then if we've been um implementing controls to address the findings in the audit. >> Yes. Um so I'm I'm going to uh first of
all I just want to praise the audit for the uh first off um this as far as the team and I these are the things that are continuously discovering um from ineffective bad practices that have been plaguing the district for quite some
time. So um thank you CRI for for the audit and the information. I went through it uh very thoroughly. Um hence our uh request and collaboration from the state also to come down and help us find additional inefficiencies and in and effective practices. Um because we
are a large system. Our team is uh have been doing a deep dive in every facet of our organization. Um but we can't get through it as quickly as we want to. So external assistance is definitely um helpful um and warranted at certain junk junctures. um you know with the re some
of the recent changes and moving forward also procurement is now under under um Miss Johnson right where you know one of the things that we've talked about and discovery throughout the year she's been here and some of the other team members is about lack of controls of certain aspects of things I know we have an item
later on um that we'll talk about too around substitute lack of controls in ineffective practices from the onset of certain contracts and those are the things we're trying to isolate um uh have better standard operating procedures measures and better accountability measures. So I I'll let
Miss Ro u go ahead and talk about some of the controls they've put in place uh so we can remedy some of the issues that were found in the audit through the chair Ramenire Johnson chief financial officer. I did um study what some of the things that we found in the
audit findings and we are putting corrective actions in place. We're working with procurement and the AP department to ensure that these things are if the system can't track them, we're putting things that we will manual in pla in place and those responses are
from me. We are looking at every audit findings that we have and we are putting things in place to make sure internal controls in the system and that people are following the process because most of these audits are due for invoices coming in and not going through the proper process and procedures and we're
trying to put those in place. So hopefully this fiscal year then we get audit for 2025 there will be minimum audit findings in these areas. >> Thank you. And that's that's great news and I um appreciate the audit and Miss
Johnson's followup with that because I think it's very important that we are addressing these um issues as soon as we find out about them and I'm very confident that Miss Johnson is working on putting those controls in place. I know that's been a point of concern and
concentration. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Any other board member comment on the item? Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Thank you. and thank you, Miss Bulman. But I think we need to go another step in regards to Dr. Heeper reporting back
to us the accountability measures and controls that this audit found that had a high level rating. And you know, whether it's on a monthly basis or every
3 months, but I get it, we're working on it, but or we've put things in place, but there needs to be a strong we need to have a stronger understanding that it's it's fixed and and that we're not
going to fall into these issues in the next audit. >> Thanks for the comment, Miss Alive. Absolutely. Um we were planning on doing board briefings for a lot of major issues that we found that the auditors haven't dove into yet. Um and also how we're going to reconcile some of those
things. Um we have several issues. Number one, manual processes that's never been automated with with uh um in enhanced um um technology systems. So we're trying to enhance techn use our enhanced technology such as co-pilot and and and
gain greater insight of some of our issues. um some of the the technological resources that we do have in software is is is outdated or don't match our needs. And so I know we've talked to the board individually about new ERP systems and all of that. Those are results of some
of our findings to make sure we're efficient, we're effective, and and people understand their roles so we can make sure they're doing what they need to do and being held accountable. But yes, absolutely. We can um provide some board briefings on this particular issue, too. >> Thank you. Any other board member
comment on the item, Miss Bulman? Um, thanks Miss Alduff. I appreciate that. Taking it a step further. I can we have a maybe a followup at a time certain when we would get updates on the controls that are being put in place.
>> Yes. So, we probably can do something probably every other month or um we're trying to create a good cadence of briefings. um probably every other month or and I don't want to do every quarter because it seems so the time span um depends on the issue but we can u create a good frequency to get you guys some
information. >> Okay, I think that sounds great. Thank you. >> Any other board member discussion on the item? >> All in favor of DD2 say I. >> All oppose say no. >> Item passes unanimously with Dr. Zean on
the line. It looks like um many of our public speakers have uh left the room. I believe they will probably be returning. So, um, when we have Oh, we have a few. Okay. Um, I don't see Cindy Berdick,
Candace Blake, Esther Rodriguez. >> Hi, Cindy Berdick. Pompo Beach. First of all, I'd like to thank the Broward County taxpayers for the referendum money which has allowed me to stay in >> Just a second. I'm sorry. Can you start a time over your mic?
>> Oh, mic's not on. I'm sorry. >> No, it's not your >> It's not you. It They turn it on automatically in the back. >> Hold. Hold on. Hold on. There's an issue with the mic. >> Are we working now? >> Yes. >> Go ahead and start over. >> Okay. Hi, Cindy Berdick PMPO Beach.
First of all, I'd like to thank the Broward County taxpayers for the referendum which has allowed me to stay in Broward County schools to help make this an A district. Thank goodness for these taxpayers and because of them, I was able to stay in spite of the fact
that I pulled my children from Broward schools because you failed them and you failed that they were in an unsafe situation and you all sat there and did absolutely nothing. You failed my children. But I am not going to fail the
children that I work with and the students that I work with because I care about them in spite of the garbage pay that you give me. Whenever we ask you about money, you sit there, mouth a gape, eyes wide open, and say, "Oh, I didn't know." You don't know where the
money's going. It is your job to mind the hen house. And if you cannot mine the hen house, then Broward County voters, get out there and vote all of these people off the school board because we deserve better and your students deserve better and the children
deserve better. >> Thank you. Candace Blake, Esther Rodriguez, and then Dr. Trudy Dmanovich are our last three. >> Hello. Can you guys hear me? All right. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Hi, my name is Candace Blake. I am a parent of proud uh
graduates of Broward County Schools. I had three of them to graduate. I am also a um proud teacher that works within Broward County Schools and I'm a proud student from Broward County Schools as
well. So, you have one of your finest standing here. Okay. So, I'm also a proud um BTU steward in Broward schools. And as the gentleman said, he stole my thunder, but we are an Arated district.
We are not operating as an Arated district. Years ago, uh, Dantes put in his various people he wanted to have on board, okay, for our members. He ended up, um, let me, oh, I didn't notice the
time. Let me do this quickly. on behalf of all the teachers and staff and future staff and students. Insulting raise of 5.5 for teachers is atrocious. I cannot live here on my own um with the raise
and everything else. And I have multiple degrees. >> Thank you. >> Some of them I went to school with right here that are in front of me. >> Thank you. >> Um I'm I'm almost finished. Um this issue of loss of funds is not something
new. Just as we have to put together our own personal budgets, the schools put put together their personal budgets do too as well. >> Thank you. >> The next public speaker we have on the list, Esther Rodriguez, and then Dr.
Trudy Dmanovich. Do we have Esther Rodriguez or Dr. Trudy Germanovich? >> Okay. All right. Um, we will now go to the superintendent's report and I do have a list of board members who would like to comment on the report. Um, so if you
would like to comment, please uh flag me down. Thank you. >> Thank you, madam. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board uh B County community. I want to begin by sharing some outstanding news that uh as many of our speakers shared today regarding our district's graduation rates. B County
Public Schools has achieved a historic milestone. Our federal graduation rate has reached 91.4% the highest in the last 25 years. This achievement belongs to every single member of our BC BCPS family. From our teachers, counselors, and administrators to our bus drivers, security staff,
custodians, and food and nutrition teams. From the moment a child enters our system until they walk across the stage, everyone of you plays a critical role in their success. And this milestone reflects your collective dedication and commitment to our students. Most importantly, when you remove charter schools from the
calculation and look solely at our traditional district high schools, our graduation rates rises to 97.5%. Demonstrating exceptional performance and commitment of our schools, educators, and students across Broward County. I also had opportunity to share this accomplishment beyond our district.
I highlighted our historic graduation rate with our business leaders during the Broward Alliance board of directors meeting and with our municipality leaders at the Broward League of Cities membership meeting. In both settings, the response was overwhelming overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the confidence our community and business
leaders have in our schools and in the future of our students. I also want to provide an update on our graduation ceremony venues. This item was discussed as a potential cost savings measure at the October 21st, 2025 schoolboard workshop. Consistent with the direction provided, we have strategically
leveraged our district-owned facilities for the majority of our ceremonies this year. As reflected in the information shared with the board and with our families, all students will receive a minimum of four tickets. 33 of 44 graduation ceremonies will be held in
district-owned facilities. The remaining 11 of the of the largest ceremonies will take place in Nova Southeastern University and Hard Rock Live. Class sizes and venues are aligned based on enrollment as of the October 10th um student count, including graduation
classes up to 425 students at Blanch Elely High School or Pompeo Beach High School, gradu graduating classes up to 555 students at Dillard High School, classes above 555 students at Nova Southeastern, and classes over 800
students at Hard Rock Live. From 20 from 2016 to to 2025, the cost of renting sites for graduation ceremonies has increased from $37,000 to $885,000. This does not include approximately
$15,000 for live streaming and commencement decorations. Last year, the district spent 478,000 on venue rental cost at Nova Southeastern University alone for just 17 graduation ceremonies with a with a cost of about 28,000 per
ceremony. This year they have slightly reduced the cost um per graduation to 25,000 approximately 25,000 um dollars per ceremony which totals to 222,000 for nine ceremonies that we're holding there this year. By utilizing our own
facilities more effectively this year we are saving approximately $500,000 annually which allows us to to reinvest those dollars directly back into classrooms, programs, and student supports. Each graduation ceremony at Blanchely, Dillard High School, and PMPO
Beach High School cost about $3,000 per ceremony with 29 ceremonies in total. The overall expense amount amounts to $87,000. These costs are mainly attributed to overtime costs for custodial, security staff, and police detail fees. I
recognize that this change has raised concerns for some families. I want to be clear. Regardless of where a graduation ceremony is held this year, we are fully committed to ensuring that every celebration is meaningful, dignified, and special for all of our students and their families. Our team is working
closely with schools to create a me a too much m create a memorable uh experience that honors all of our graduates and their achievements. And I'm going to ask Beacon to roll the tape for um addition to the report. And I think we actually have some um Dillard High School
graduation ceremonies from the past included in there to give the public a bird's eye view of some of the past experiences from our students graduating in that facility. Beacon, if you can roll the tape. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Thank you, Madam Chair, and my team is here and happy to answer any questions that the board or even the public may have. >> All right, go ahead, Miss Thompson. >> Wasn't expecting to go first. Um, our students mostly left, but just in case
they are listening in the back. Um, so I wanted to first thank them for coming in and then before I go into my comments, I wanted to clarify what happened to with staff, what happened to the student speaker because um, I think there's some
misinformation potentially happening, >> Dr. Heburn. >> Yes, absolutely. Um, that student was not being escorted out or removed. Uh we have a policy that everybody has to remain seated in here for security purposes and um that student was being
asked to have a seat outside because there was no seats in here and um graciously Miss Anna Fusco actually gave her seat and the student was able to to um remain in the in in the um room that we're in right now. >> Thank you. I just think a narrative is starting to be spread and I wanted to
have for people watching at home or listening what actually took place. Um, I also wanted to again thank the students that came out for speaking and I'm glad that many of you are thinking about your civic duty of voting. Once you are 18, you have the responsibility to vote though for those who will
advocate for you on every level of government. We all serve here at the will of the people. But that being said, while we are in this role, it is our responsibility to make sure the district continues to thrive academically, to work hard to find cuts to pay our
teachers and staff more and make decisions based on what's best for the entire district. It is our job as a board to do what's right for the district and not just what we think will get us reelected.
I want to state how unacceptable I have found some of the comments being made about one of our campuses online. I'm not going to repeat them here today, but I do want to remind the community that these are our students, too. They are proud of their schools, of their community, and to hear many multiple
disparaging comments about this community is disappointing and extremely disheartening. The superintendent already addressed many of the misinformation that I think was being purposely spread by some adults and I thank you for that. And I
also want to remind parents that our children are watching us. They are watching how we respond to change, how we process new information and how we speak about others in our community. The way we model adaptability, respect, and
leadership matters. Finally, I want to emphasize that all of our school facilities hosting graduations are outstanding. The principles of these schools take immense pride in their campuses and in the honor of hosting these ceremonies.
And I know that along with district staff, they will ensure that every graduation held at our schools is conducted with prestige, excitement, and the sense of accomplishment our graduates have worked so hard to earn. Thank you, chair. Thank you. Dr. Zean,
are you on the line? >> I am, Chair. Thank you very much. >> Go ahead. >> Um, I appreciate uh where we're at. And you know, the truth of the matter is sometimes, no matter how many times you
say, you know, Florida is the 50th of 50 states in funding public education, these things don't become obvious to people until something that is valuable and maybe even precious to them uh can't be afforded anymore. And I I um
acknowledge that it's a it's a major disappointment that we cannot uh put the types of funds that we'd want for ceremonies that would be even better. And I think Miss Thompson is correct uh in her p approach that says that you
know there are very good facilities that are available that are a lot more affordable. I have a question though for the superintendent because there may be you know kind of truth on both sides that yes uh the funds that we get you know when we prioritize them go to
things in the classroom they go to things that matter uh for delivering the the the things that we owe to the public and that the parents would like to have uh uh you know different venues than the ones that we can afford to do. And so to
the superintendent, if we have a $500,000 gap between the funding that we have and the prioritization we have to fund our traditional venues in Broward County, uh is it possible to have Broward Education Foundation and uh
parents uh work together to raise the $500,000 that they might need to raise in order to have the traditional venues? Yes, those type of things are are possible with BF working with um parent groups.
>> So, I just be curious chair about uh what the my colleagues think about there. It would be I think an interesting thing to do. If my math is correct, it's $25 uh per graduate. There's roughly 20,000 graduates a year in Bard County Schools. $500,000 would
be $25 per graduate. That seems like a reasonable uh way to do it. I know there's been a number of online parent groups that have been talking about raising the money. I think that we'd have to come up with a deadline. I think we should do it for Broward Countywide uh rather than just doing it for one
school to avoid any kind of equity issues. Uh but I'd be curious from my colleagues whether or not uh they'd be willing to try that for 45 days or so and see if we can get to the $500,000. Hopefully that would give us enough time to go to the NSUs and to the Hard Rock
Lives or any other venues, War Memorials uh that I hear are becoming available for some of our schools and try and work it out. Uh that it's a little bit of splitting the baby here. You know, we don't have the money. I get that. Uh we've been saying that for a long time and I think that the parents uh would
like to have a better uh venue than than what we're able to provide. And so in some sense I'd like to just you know see if that's uh something that the board would like to try. Um and then I will uh help uh the superintendent. I'll work with BEF. I'll do whatever I can and I
hope other board members would as well to encourage people to uh contribute to the graduation fund for the class of 2026. >> Thank you, Miss Jack Adams. So with regards to any suggestions on how to uh get a path forward, I think
that this is a decision that was left to the superintendent. And so I I believe that he showed pine upon whether ideas that are mentioned are viable or not. um it's not a direction, it's a
whether or not there's a a feasibility or and a process for that to be done. And the superintendent has already initial initially opined on that and I think that it is within his purview to decide on that.
>> Thank you, Miss Jockey Adams. Um my only reservation is the amount of time. we we don't have a lot of time. And then when you do um have agreements made with these facilities, there's contracts involved. I don't know if there's specific deposits and things like that
that we have to um secure. So time is of the essence when we talk about raising money um versus just going ahead and having it and being able to go ahead and um pay for pay for the venue. So raising money I know takes time.
>> Thank you. for you. Uh, is that it for you, Dr. Zean? >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Go ahead, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Um, and thank you to everyone who came and they're not doesn't look like they're here today, but really
appreciate the students and community coming. Um, there's a couple things that I just want to point out first, and I don't want anyone to think it is an indication of how I feel. I just want to point some things out. First of all, we had a workshop in October um to discuss
this, but prior to that, we had a budget hearing where it was discussed in that budget hearing that maybe we should look at ways to reduce the cost of graduation. And I bring that up because it was a public meeting held at 5:30 in the evening so everyone could come. And
you know how many people were here to talk? Zero. Zero people came then. So I hope this is really an eyeopener for the community that when we have those budget meetings, when we're doing workshops on things, we do want your input, but when
no one shows up, we go by the things that we think. And honestly, I was at a Dillard graduation during COVID and it was lovely. So when it was brought up that these would be ways to possibly reduce the cost as we gave direction to
the superintendent so that we could find money to pay our teachers more. Here's where we landed. So with that being said, we could have done a better job of advertising and giving out the graphic that came out later could have come out
beforehand so people had a clearer message of what changing graduation looked like. So, I will take ownership to the fact that we also could have done a better job of asking for that input, but I just want to encourage and ask
people to come to those budget meetings when we have them because that's how you give your input. Well, no, we don't think we need this. Yes, we need that. And with that being said, I just want to point out something. Our total budget minus charter school money is two bill
367,000 million sorry 59,415 so 2.3 billion to average it off we pay in salaries and benefits supplements and
referendum money 1 bill921,641,277 which is 81% of our budget. So when people say you you value what your budget goes to, I want people to be really clear. 81% of our budget goes to
paying our staff and benefits. So I don't have a breakdown of teachers specifically, but I think those things are really important. So, we have asked the superintendent to look for money to be able to give raises to the to the teachers and to be able to do all these
things we want to do, but we are very underfunded. As Dr. Zean said, 50th in the nation in how we get funded for our students. We get $9,000 a student. If you lived in the northeast part of the
country, they get $30,000 a student. There's a big disparity there. But with that being said, I think it really does feel to the public that a lot of the cuts we're asking for are falling on the backs of students and teachers. But I
will also say there are certain things that if you just keep saying no to the things that we're trying to find ways to cut money without helping us look at different solutions, it's a finite bucket. And if you just keep saying no to everything, we land where we land.
So, um, just a couple of things. So, I I did, first of all, Dr. Zim, I appreciate the the suggestion, but I don't think that it would be equitable to ask students to pay for graduation when we've never asked them to do that
before. I I personally have a problem with that, even if it was every single graduate, because then you'd say, "Well, I paid $25, but they're still getting it at Hard Rock or NOVA, and we're getting it here and there." So I I don't know that it would necessarily solve the
problem. We did look one of the teachers reached out and gave a suggestion about War Memorial because the city of Fort Lauderdale is able to have that facility a couple of times a year for free. So I did reach out to Mayor Trantales and I
know the um Miss Williams contacted the superintendent. But some of the concerns there is War Memorial is still not big enough for Fort Lauderdale if I'm not mistaken. Dr. Mr. Heepburn, can you? >> Um, yep. Correct. Um, and so people have asked us, hey, have you looked at some of the performing arts venues in other
cities? We have, we know their capacity. And, um, there they don't fit most of our graduating classes. And people um, don't realize with a performing arts center versus an auditorium, I mean, a arena or slash gym where the kids are
seated on the floor in a performing arts center, they're actually seated in the audience. And so it it um inherently just depletes the amount of seats available for guests that are attending graduations because we have quite a few performing arts centers around the area in different cities, but um it doesn't
really accommodate the amount of guests that people think it will accommodate. >> Okay. And I know that the city of Sunrise there was a mention um about the Faith Center which is actually where my son graduated when he graduated from South Broward because Lion King was
playing at the Broward Performing Arts Center and we had to scramble to find a place. So can you give us um what happened with the Faith Center or is that something that we have looked into? >> So we just recently got that email from um one of the commissioners in Sunrise
um late last week. Uh so we haven't had a chance to to really peruse through that and check it out to see if it's viable and even if it's cost um you know u accommodates u what we're trying to do as far as as as cost. So we haven't um really had opportunity to check it out yet.
>> Okay. Um, and my other question is would if if we were to to give direction I I don't I guess give direction isn't the right answer but give suggestion to go back to the venues that we had before. Can you speak to whether we would even
be able to do that at this point? >> Yeah, I have Dr. Wans answer that question. Go ahead Dr. W. >> Um, good morning. Still morning. Yes, Valerie Wanza, chief strategy and innovation officer. If I may, Dr. Heburn, I do want to go back to the um Faith Center um question, Miss Hixon, if that's okay. So, um like your son, many
moons ago, I graduated there when it was Sunrise Musical Theater. Um but we what one of the um some feedback that we received over the years because we did have to use um Faith Center what it is now. Um and we thank them for graciously um the times that we have in the past.
We did receive feedback from different families who while they were thankful for the venue, they did raise concerns about being in a place of worship and they had different religious backgrounds, beliefs face. I just want to put that out there so you know that's there. Um we certainly will look into um
the availability um and then but but there was another question you asked me and it slipped my mind. >> How likely is it that we could get the Broward Performing Arts Center for more days? So, the Broward um Center for the Performing Arts did start to book um
events. So, they may have um may not be able to accommodate all of the days. That's one. Um NOVA would work with us and um you know, it it's we would have to there would be a lot of logistical things that we would have to do because now we would have to not that we
wouldn't do it, but revamp scheduling, all of that kind of stuff. But the the Broward Center um would be a challenge for one or two of the days because they have already booked um uh events in on those days that we have for our graduation window and then um I'm
certain that NOVA would work with us to see how they could accommodate um what would be the balance of days that we would ask for. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And also the um Lauder Hill Performing Arts Center. Don't want to leave them out. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. So, um, first
I'd also like to say if you've sat at NOVA, I don't believe that those seats are padded. Um, in the gym, they may or may not be, but people were giving, you know, saying being in a gym because the seats aren't comfortable at at a particular school. I just want to be
clear, if you've never graduated before, when you get to NOVA, you'll find that that's a stadium. It's basically their gym. So, you would also um have those similar concerns. So my thought on this is we don't have enough time to get more
of the input that I think that we should do moving forward because we do know that graduation is a challenge in terms of cost factor. So my suggestion would be to figure out how to get all of them to venues we were at before. Um,
and then moving forward, start now to have discussions with the students on what they'd like to see moving forward. Would they want to see it in a football field? Mind you, it's May and June in Florida, so that's why we don't host them there. Um, but there were a couple
people that gave those suggestions. So, I want people to know we're we're hearing. I um I I didn't vote for this the first time or give consensus for this the first time with the thought that it was going to be disparaging to anybody. So I want
to be clear on that. It was a suggestion because we are looking for cost savings. We have encumbered a lot of extra costs and lost a lot of money because of the loss of students. So, we find ourselves in a place that is uncomfortable. And so, we're trying to make good decisions
that will help us to be able to give our our teachers and our staff more money and to do the right things for our students. So, we made a big oops on this, for lack of a better way to explain it. I really didn't expect the backlash to be what it was. I agree with
Miss Thompson. Some of the emails were very disappointing. you can't blame a school for for this and and pull out all of the good or bad things about a school graduating there. Um, so that was very disheartening to hear people complaining
about the individual school and their performances and why they wouldn't want to have graduation there. So that was very hard to hear. Um, but I do understand now that, you know, this is a
a bigger deal than I expected it to be. So, I'm willing to to change my thought process on it. But I do think it's too late now to get that input that we would really need to do something different and innovative. But I would like to ask
the superintendent moving forward that we start now for graduation next year to talk to the communities and to the the the students to find out what how can we make it look different that would be acceptable to everybody. But it's too
late to do that now. So my suggestion is to go back as much as we can to what we have done in the past and then if we have to move things around um do that. Thank you. And I do want to say thank you to staff
for all the hard work that you did getting this organized. Traditionally, you send us an email that says here's what we tenatively have. Please don't make it public because it is not finalized and we don't want to give out bad information. So, just want to be
clear that that's what that email was. It was we get it every single year. This was not a new year that we got that information. And so I don't want this to come off as staff was trying to do something behind anyone's back. We did this in the open and I just would hope
that moving forward people would give us the information as it's coming through and we as a district need to do a better job of of getting that information from the public. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rupert. >> Thanks so much. Um, I want to thank all
the students, the families, the staff, and the elected officials who showed up today. Um, you're right about needing more community input and the ability to really communicate effectively in a way where both parties, families and BCSB,
but first, we need to find out a way to understand each other better and tell us what you want to see at your graduations. That's a conversation that should have been discussed in the October workshop. Those type of upfront
situations for that. And um I think counting on our our great um our great students and their voices is important. And I so appreciate Landon. um they he was extremely well both of them were uh
were extremely um forthright and and telling us what they were hearing. Um we need to make sure that it's amplified their voices. Um so we definitely need to want we want to see what your graduations can look like. If we can
turn this around, if we can fund raise, absolutely 100% I'm in on that. But it's a lot of time that has gone between October and now. Um and I'm afraid if we
if we don't continue this way or at least side by side I um Mr. superintendent, do you think that it's absolutely um there's nil of an opportunity for us to change anything or
at least we can research on best practices of what we can do better next time? >> So, if we're talking about funding and fundraising, um like I said, time is is the issue. Also, I know um many families
um that we serve are not going to be able to afford even that small amount that we're talking about. Um so that's that's a reality. Um and so we we'll work at the behest of the board um after this discussion is is over. Uh we've already did some due diligence and research um to see what's available and
and what's not. Um just uh waiting on what the final directions would be and then we're just we're just going to uh move forward. um you know based on final decision. >> I appreciate that. Um can you tell us if other municipalities or organizations
besides some uh that you mentioned and my board member um colleagues have also mentioned have have many of them stood up and said how can we help? >> Yeah, a few um I talked to a few at the B League of Cities um that say how can we help? um you know some have venues
but some are too small um for our for our graduations even if it's 500 or or 600 kids too too small because they have to sit in the audience but some have asked how can they help um I think people will learn more today about how much all of this cost right >> and then um let's see if we can continue
the monetary support is what we need um because we have a so you know working in other school large school systems in the state Palm Beach County all their graduations are at the fairgrounds. It's in the expo center in the fairgrounds. Large venue can accommodate every class
size known to man. Um and then you have Orlando um c in Orange County Public Schools. All the all the graduations are either in the uh used to be called Amway Arena where the Magic plays, right? Um and also UCF Arena where the uh basketball team plays, but UCF has an
additional arena because they built a new one. But u those two venues work tremendously with the school district. you pay little or nothing, >> right? And so that's the thing. Our venues here um that we have access to, the cost is tremendous and it goes up
significantly every year. And I get it. We're competing against all the tourists that are coming down, some of the conventions that may be coming in facilities, the the the the cheerleading competitions. I'm a cheer dad, so I know that how much that stuff costs. U so
we're just in competition u with a lot of other entities. So, we would love for the large venues to work with us in the future. We've talked directly to Nova Southeastern. I talked to the president and the COO myself and um hence why they probably brought it down a couple of
thousand, but it's still tremendously expensive for us moving forward. >> Okay. Well, I'm I'm hoping that and I'm sure you have um already, you know, made a list of things to do for next year. You know, how how can we make this process better? Um what can we do moving
forward? this is the opportunity uh right now. If you are a municipality or a business, you're here, you want to actually help public education in the state of Florida, please reach out because uh public education is starting to be um
mighty lonely in the wilderness. Let's just put it that way. And um it's important that we make it special um for our students, make it equitable. And um I'm, you know, one board member who still is, you know, will share
everything that I that you reach out to me or any of us or our staff um about how we can make this better, but also how we can um move forward and meet the needs of our students, families, but also financially so we are um being good
stewards of our of our dollars. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. Um, so I know that this is uh very disappointing for a lot of people and
it's uh very disappointing that we're in the financial situation that we're in um due to being 50th in the nation and uh funding and you know, various other potential missteps. that um that may
have been made internally. But you know, I think that this board has been very dedicated to addressing those issues, rightsizing this district, making sure that we are financially healthy going
forward. And we've had to make a lot of really hard decisions to do that. I think that we've been um united as a board doing that. And it's not easy to be sitting up here disappointing students and families. Uh but you know,
another a broader conversation I think we need to have is equity. We keep using the word equity when we're talking about graduations. And I think that um when you're when you're looking at equity, the graduation is a day and it's very special and very
important, but we also have a lot of inequity across the district. that's happening every day. So, for my district, um, you know, we're looking at people not having certain classes, not having certain experiences that other
kids are having around the district that have had that for 12 years. So, it's hard for me to kind of reconcile one day versus what we're trying to achieve right now by being financially responsible, trying to pay our teachers
and our staff more um by making these hard decisions right now. If we react to every um disappointment that we create, then we're never going to be able to get on the right track. And so, you know,
later today we're going to be talking about closing schools and that's awful for every community that that's impacting. So, you know, I I I hope everyone can look at the big picture. We are here
in a very difficult time in the history of this district, but we're here dedicated to make it right and to move forward. And I so, you know, I it disturbs me that there's inequity in the graduation venues, but you know, to Miss
Thompson's point, I and I have confidence that the staff is going to make these graduations wonderful for everyone. I was incredibly impressed last year when it was my first time to see how everything was organized and ran on time. It was beautiful. I can't
imagine that that's not going to be the case this year. Um, but I I just I I just hope that everyone can think about the big picture. We want every kid in this district to have the same opportunities. I want the same
opportunities for my kids in district 1 that are getting as the opportunities for the kids in the other districts. And the only way that we're going to be able to do that is if we come together and make these hard decisions right now so that we can move forward as a district.
Um, so I uh I hope and will expect that every kid's graduation is going to be awesome. Um, but I I have to stand um with making
hard financial decisions right now so that we can have a future. Thank you. >> Thank you. And just as a reminder, please let's keep decorum in the audience. We got to hear from many public speakers today. Now, we'd like to hear from the board members. Mr. Civera,
>> first off, I want to thank um all the parents and the students uh who came out in support uh of their respective positions on this very important topic. I also want to thank um uh Mayor Jamie and Commissioner Lisa Melozi from the great city of Cooper City for coming out
and speaking on behalf of their constituents. Your presence was uh was noted and very much appreciated. We clearly got this wrong. What should be the pinnacle of our students 13-year education journey has
now plagued our children and our students with unnecessary stress, anxiety, and despair. Our students have watched over the years older siblings, friends, family members graduate prestigious venues where world-class
athletes play and countless celebrities perform. Venues that our high school have used for decades for these graduations. And now when it comes time to the class of 2026,
our seniors turn to graduate and walk those stages. They're being told, "No, you can't come here. You're going to be treated differently than those in years past. You have to use a high school gym
at another school that you have no affiliation with." Now, I want to make this very clear. I think the facilities at Diller High School, Pompo Beach, all of these gyms, these are quality gyms. I've attended basketball gym uh
basketball games uh and events and these are highquality gyms. However, graduation has to be special. Now, to make matters worse, due to quote unquote capacity issues,
we're trying to limit friends and family that can watch our seniors walk down the stage. for this once-ina-lifetime experience, the culmination of your academic journey. You have to tell grandma, "Stay home." You have to tell
grandpa he has to watch this on a live feed or go somewhere else. Last year, our seniors were getting seven, eight tickets, maybe even more. This year, in some of our high schools, they're lucky to get four.
This is not right. This is not just and this is a slap in the face to our seniors and their families. Don't even get me started on these number computations. Whether it's 500 kids, 550 kids. I have high schools in
my district that are missing these thresholds by two, three, four, five kids. There's a lot of funky math that's going on. And I'm not okay with it. I'm not okay with it in district six, and I'm not okay with it in any portion of Broward County. This decision
should not have been made at a quote unquote board workshop. Okay? We know what happened at that workshop. We talked in generalities. We didn't talk about specific schools.
We didn't talk about um ticket aotments. And let's be honest, with everything that's been happening in this district, for those of you who've been paying attention, October was a lifetime ago. A lot of things have come to light.
This should have been brought to this board at a regular school board meeting and a decision voted on by everyone sitting up on this dis. Now, for those of you who've been paying attention, I tried to get this item today to the amended agenda. And because of the
timing, I had to seek permission, which unfortunately was denied to me. I asked. Now, I'm fortunate that we allowed all of you folks to come in, our students to come in, our teachers to come in, our
parents to come in. So, at least you got to participate somewhat in this process. I'm happy for that. However, as you can see, there's no real change unfortunately that's happening today.
But if you came and you spoke and you've called me over these last couple days and you've emailed me and you've text me and you've stopped me in the supermarket, let's be clear, I hear you loud and clear and I will always listen to you. especially my parents and my students.
But why did it have to come to this? From the very beginning, we should have been working with our cities, our elected officials, our PTAs, our parents to make sure that our kids got the best graduation possible.
We can work together to find this money. I know we're in financial trouble and I will fight every day that I'm up here to cut voiceful spending that this district partakes in. But this
ain't it. We cannot cut expenses on the backs of our students. We have to find the money for this one way or another. We cannot cut tickets and we cannot shut grandma out of going to see her grandchild graduating.
Our kids deserve the best and we need to deliver. Now, this isn't going away. We're not voting on this today, unfortunately, because it couldn't be brought back as an amended item. However, I'm going to place this on the February 10th agenda. I want to keep
this conversation going. And Mr. Superintendent. Um, in speaking with the general counsel, unfortunately, I cannot give you a directive today. Okay. However, here's what I would like to see happen, and I urge all of my colleagues to pay attention. We need to immediately
engage the venues to discuss booking options and collaboration and partnerships. Hard Rock Live, Nova Southeastern University, Broward College, the Broward Center Performing Arts, the War Memorial Auditorium. We need to be picking up the phone now and
working with these folks to see if any deals can be cut, to see if any arrangements can be made, to seeing if any partnerships can take action. We >> we need a plan of action in place to have our 2026 graduations in the same or
similarly situated venues that our 2025 graduations take place. We cannot treat our kids differently. I'm all about looking to the future and I obviously want to do what's best in 26 and 27 and 28. But right now, I'm focused on our seniors
internally. We have to find this money somewhere somehow. We've got to find this. We owe it to our students. We owe it to our parents. And we owe it to our communities. We made a mistake and now is the time to fix it. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Jack Adams. I would just like to follow up on what Mr. Zer had indicated with regards to process and procedure within the policy. Um, policy 1020 requires that for directing the school board's direct
reports of which the superintendent is a direct report, there are certain procedures that need to be followed internally with uh the school board. So I wanted to ensure that the school board was in compliance with their own policies. Um so in keeping with that um
that that is um a followup with regards to what Mr. Cer had indicated. >> So for the benefit of the public I'm correct when I say that based on our conversations I cannot direct the superintendent to do anything right now. Correct. based upon 1020 the procedure for
directing the school board direct report and that's 1020 sub paragraph 4 sub sub paragraph C sub sub paragraph 6 the process and procedure is to bring a B
item if that is correct >> which in this case Miss Jack Adams as we discussed when I tried to do that pursuant to the statute The only one because of the timing of all this, the only one that could have approved that B item would have been the chair for quote unquote good cause.
Correct. >> That is correct. >> For purposes of today, >> pursuant to the Florida statutes. >> Correct. And um am I correct in saying is it your understanding that my request to have an amended B item today was denied? >> That's a factual issue that I cannot
respond to. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Alhad. Thank you and thank you to all of my colleagues. You know, as as leaders of this district, we have to own it when we made
a mistake and to now rectify that not next year, not tomorrow, but today. >> Madam Chair Corum, >> thank you. Please, let's have Dorm in the audience so Miss Alad F can finish her comments.
>> Thank you. So, I think that we are missing a a huge opportunity to bring funds back to the school district. the school district. We every day our agenda items we have
millions of dollars of companies that we pay for services and every graduation has some type of graduation book that they have and the missed opportunity that we have Dr. He but
opportunity that we do have is to create sponsorships on the front cover, inside the graduation book, and on the back cover. And I think this is a really strong opportunity for each of our high
schools to to bring, you know, possibly $20,000 a high school to bring funding to support the graduations. So that that is one one opportunity and
you know at we are in hard times we we all know that and and hard times also causes for drastic measures and and so trying to bring solutions forward and options to Dr. Hburn is one of those
options would be to furlow district staff. I know that that is not something that is going to take like two. However, it is an opportunity to help with our our
fund balance as we move forward not only with this item with graduations, but with the millions of dollars that we do need to figure out how we're going to make up.
So, I do have a motion and that is I move that the board get consensus to direct the superintendent to develop and present a revised more equitable
graduation plan that provides compar comparable non- gymnasium graduation options for any high school that does not wish to hold its ceremony in a gymnasium. I'm asking for consensus, Miss Jack Adams.
>> So, in November of 2025, the policy 1020 was revised to remove the language with regards to consensus. Currently, now the process is if there is a request to direct any uh direct reports of the
board, uh the school board members are to bring a B or BB item. So seeking consensus is outside of the process that was established by the revised policy 1020. >> Okay. So that to me just doesn't make
any sense because we get consensus in workshops and we are now in a school board meeting. So I believe the chair can ask for consensus to ask the superintendent to bring back a revised graduation plan to the next school board
workshop or meeting or he can put it bring it as a memo. So I would like to just reiterate that the provision with regards to consensus was in policy 1020 and it was revised in
November of 2025 to change the process. So um each of the board members are allowed to state what their thoughts on the matter is and then timely bring an item. Um, each of the board members have already uh indicated what their thoughts
on the matter is and and and you stated yours. So, if you wanted to move forward with that, you could add a B or a BB item in the future and your statements with regards to your thoughts um have
been heard by the superintendent. >> Okay. Well, I will hope that all of my colleagues opine on this as time is of the essence. Our community wants to know how we're going to move forward with graduations and the superintendent can
hear collectively from all of my colleagues how they want to move forward and then a board member could bring an item back to the next school board meeting. Um, however, knowing the consensus of the board and their opinions on how we'd like to move
forward can be done today and so it could be executed in a more timely fashion. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I'd like to uh
to mention that um and this is to sort of echo board member Hixon's comment. Um I I don't believe this is necessarily set in stone. I I think this is in response to our budgetary concerns. Um
and among many areas that the district is trying to to see how we can become uh more stable financially. uh this is one of them among many other areas that we've explored or the
superintendent has explored and his team. Uh but before I give my comments um I just want to have Miss Jack Adams um restate um because I spoke with Miss Jack Adams before I came and I want to make sure as
a board member I am not violating any kind of state statutes uh district policy as it is written unless we intend to amend the policies. Um so Miss Jack Adams uh through the chair and the superintendent actually
through the chair directing the superintendent as a board as to choosing specific venues and locations. Would that be considered getting involved with operations and violating possibly any
state statutes and and board policies? >> Directly the answer is yes. And I'd like to point to two particular statutes. Um the superintendent has uh general powers and duties and responsibilities pursuant to 101.49
and 1.51. The school board also has um general powers and duties pursuant to 101.41 and 101.42. I just wanted to point that out that there are statutes that um relate to both the powers of the school
board and the powers of the superintendent. So in with the powers of this stup superintendent his responsibilities over the school district itself. So, um, giving him a generic,
um, I I'll go ahead and recede from what I was about to say because I it was not going towards the answer to your question, but in in terms of the powers of this superintendent, it's it's to um direct the day-to-day operations of the
district. >> Okay. So, Miss Jack Adams, a couple more questions. If this board or any board member um chooses to get involved with operations,
what are the consequences for violating such state statutes if they do exist? So I would advise against um infringing upon the statutory rights of the superintendent as it is stated.
>> Okay. So, Miss Jack Adams, this board a few months ago directed the superintendent to bring back cost-saving measures in different areas. Um, does the board have the right to to do
that without specifically um getting involved with, for example, in this case specific venues, locations, and so on. Does the board have the right to direct the stu the superintendent to bring back cost-saving measures?
>> So I believe in the past factually speaking the board has already directed the superintendent to reduce costs. >> And it's up to the superintendent. >> I understand. But the question is does the board have the right to do that >> to indicate to the superintendent to
reduce um uh costs correct in the um school district? Yes. >> Dr. Dr. Heburn, I know that you've brought back several measures to us um in the past, including as recently you had brought back block schedules and so on and so forth. Is
this one of the cost-saving measures that you're bringing to the board in terms of the specific locations that you've chosen for graduations? >> Yes. Um so this was one of several cost-saving measures uh that we brought forward in October. Um it included
several things. Um uh reduction um of vacancies that didn't have that were not filled. Um getting rid of some resources that we didn't need anymore such as um technology resources or or the like. Um this is also one of them as far as
transitioning graduation venues to our own district ran facilities among some other things that >> Okay. So would you would it be fair to say this is one of many measures that you're taking to save the district? >> Correct. >> Okay. So Dr. Heburn, I have a few questions for you. And Madam Chair,
please bear with me. Uh please provide the reasons for changing graduation venues this year as opposed to recent prior years. And I believe you're saying it's because of budgetary cuts. Correct. Yes, there's a budget shortfall, extreme budget shortfall this year due to um
from day one of last school year to day one of this school year, we've lost about 10,000 students and we still continue to lose students during the school year um for various reasons. >> Understand? Were decisions based on preferential treatment for schools uh that's based on demographics or economic
status of communities? >> Um no, this is solely based on graduation class numbers. >> Okay. And can you for the sake of the public um uh reiterate what the requirements were that determined which venues schools were assigned to for
graduation? >> Yes, I'll let Dr. Wansa do that part. Go ahead, Dr. Wansa. >> So, um thank you for the question. So, um it wasn't necessarily requirements what what we did and we explained um or I did in October um and I explained
specifically that um we had received referrals in the past from board members asking how can we reduce some of the rising costs of um contracts for graduation venues. And so, um I had explained to the board and anyone um who's was listening at the time and is
certainly recorded that specifically we would um look at three venues. um Dillard High School being the largest venue, also PMPO Beach High School, which currently already hosts its graduation on its campus every year. And
then the fact that Blanchi High School has a very similarly structured um uh uh gymnasium facility as Pompa Beach High School except it's it can its seating capacity is a little bit larger. So, we talked about for our largest classes,
and at that time I used the number larger than 500, and that was prior to us actually going out and um determining how many um students could actually fit on the floor because that is the um the the major difference obviously in using,
as the superintendent said, using the arena style gymnasium as opposed to the auditorium or performing arts center is the students are actually situated on the floor and then um all of the guests who are attending are in the um guest
seating sections and all and all three schools they are individual um seats for guests. They are not um the traditional bench rows that we see in most of our high schools. >> Understand Dr. I don't mean to interrupt you,
>> but you made mention that these three schools, unless I hear you incorrectly, were discussed or mentioned in the past. Is that correct or no? >> That is correct. >> And what when was that mentioned? >> At the October 21st board workshop. >> And there's record that that was
mentioned publicly. Elie Pompino, I just can't recall him. Okay. And Dillard. >> Okay. And the question that I have is if you could um because I do have a few questions. What are the criteria or the requirements that determine which schools go where? >> The size of the class.
>> Okay. Can you explain those in detail? >> So, um, so one of the things we know is that historically we always provide every graduate with a minimum of four tickets. That that's been a historic practice, right? So, when you start to look at the size of the class coupled
with the amount of um seats available for guests, that kind of gets you to the number. So, so when you look at Dillard High School, um, in in essence, when you have the a seating capacity of just at 2500 and you divide that, you know, by four,
I'm not a math teacher, so Mr. Strauss is going to tell me it's it's 600. >> Okay. >> So, so we looked at the size of the graduating class coupled with the amount of seats available for guest capacity. >> Okay. So, so Dr. Wes, I'm so sorry to interrupt only because I have a lot of
questions. So, if you could tell us based on numbers, if my graduating class is 400, where do I go? If it's 500, where do I go? That kind of a thing. >> So, if you are in the 400 range, you you may or you you would more than likely either be at um Pompa Beach or Blanch
Elely. However, there are some classes because we took the number up to 555. There are some classes for example I believe Stranahan was assigned to um Dillard because there when when we did the schedule and the number of slots so
there were 13 available um ceremonies that could be held I believe at Dillard, nine at another and I think 11 I don't get me cuz I have to look at the paper. I'm not looking at the paper, but we we took the number up to the maximum um graduate
enrollment to ensure that we would have enough um ticket capacity. So, so enough tickets to distribute. So I know you have more questions but I but I will say the um the final amount of tickets that a student will get we know that the
minimum is four but the final is then based on the size of the class the venue assignment and the availability of tickets at the discretion of the school's administration. >> Understand? So I guess what I'm getting from you Dr. Anza is based upon the
number of students graduating from your school that determines which of the venues you are assigned to and the number of tickets that you're given and at least four tickets will be given per that's what I heard from the superintendent. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. So I have a few more questions madam chair please bear with me. Um are
the conditions Dr. Heburn of the facilities chosen are those conditions comparable to to those used in the past whether it's NSU or the Hard Rock or wherever we had in the past? Would you say the facilities condition the gymnasium because I I I graduated from
Nova Southeastern University myself and where we have it at Nova appears to be the gymnasium, right? It is correct. It is a gymnasium basketball court. >> So is it comparable to those that we are now seeking to use? >> Yes, it is. And um just remember that
you know we're written a space. Um we are the ones as far as the staff that actually creates the commencement environment with the um decorations and all of that cuz we're just renting a shell. >> Understand? So what is the cost for each graduation at NOVA and each graduation
at Hard Rock? >> Um so last year the graduations at NOVA were approximately 28,000. I I spoke with the uh president of NOVA and also the COO. They were able to and Dr. the ones were able to speak to the COO to negotiate some some better terms and so
they they knocked it down for a couple of a few thousand um this upcoming school year. >> Okay. So, what is the cost for the Hard Rock? >> The Hard Rock um with all the uh tangibles um is $50,000 per ceremony. >> Okay. So, when
>> when we have the graduation at our >> facilities, how much are we saving as compared to last year? Um, so if uh the Hard Rock venues, that's for the large, we can't we can't accommodate a Cypress Bay. Um, but for the savings for
utilizing schools that would normally be at NOVA, um, it would be a $21,000 savings cuz our we we estimate $3,000 maximum to actually conduct a ceremony. >> Understand? So would it be reasonable, Dr. He burn a fair statement to say that
parents will be provided with uh similar number of tickets uh that as they were in the last couple of years similar condition facilities at a fraction of a cost. >> Correct. >> Okay. Would you say that making these adjustments in your opinion is a responsible use of of our taxpayers
money while maintaining a similar quality of service to children and families? >> Yes, I concur with that statement. >> Okay. So, Madame Chair, who's not here, I guess I am. Uh, I want to thank the parents for your feedback and input and I also want to thank our teachers and
staff for all your hard work. It is your day-to-day effort and as a past teacher and a current certified teacher, it is your day-to-day commitment that lead that led our district uh to being an A for uh two consecutive years and we appreciate you. I will tell you that
decisions made by our superintendent and staff are not meant or intended to hurt students and families. It's actually quite the opposite. We have serious financial concerns and are working diligently to remedy the issues we have over time. I am one that's confident
that we will get there. We met with serious opposition in almost uh everywhere the district tried to make cuts. We did try to look at the superintendent rather and his staff to look at block schedule and that was uh
con uh a concern for our residents. Um it will be irresponsible I believe if we continue to operate the way we are without adjustments and it can put our district in financial risk. As a small business owner, there were times
when I had to cut my staff during COVID and other times where I had to hold my award ceremonies at my center as opposed to somewhere where I would have to pay uh where I had to cut on materials and so on. A larger organization such as the school board of B County is no different
when there are financial concerns. There may be disagreements, but the goal are the same. The goals are the same to ensure that our students are successful and can make a living and live a successful life. I am honored as a board member to work on this board with most
of my colleagues that have a depth and long history of community service. Many were also in the classroom as teachers. I believe at least five of us who are here and some of us are still certified including myself. Many serve on SAC committees, PTA created programs and go
way beyond the call of duty. Most of us were elected because parents appreciate our commitment to not only listen to them but to make decisions even when we disagree and they're not and they are in our review the best in in the best interest of the community. I think that
is courage. I made decisions including decisions I've made on the broad estate's closing that that was met with great push back. I proceeded because I believe it was in the best interest of the district and and the community. Most of our board will make those tough
decisions and will agree many times and disagree sometimes. Leadership is not about trying to be popular, making up grounds, winning elections and so on. But it is doing what you believe to be right. I believe most of the board members here that's what they're doing.
Board members have done that today in their comments. We are not always going to agree, but we have a common interest. We have a common goal. Although our path to get there may be different. We acknowledge our budgetary concerns, our challenges, and we all acknowledge that we are one Broward. I am a proud
graduate of Bor County Public Schools. I'm also a proud graduate of Dillard High School. I actually don't quite remember my location of graduation. I believe it was the Sunrise Musical Dr. Ones. It was in the 80s. But what I can remember though is my Dillard
experience. What I remember are my teachers who supported my success, my family, my friends, my staff who came and supported me. They were all there. Dr. Ones, I know Dillard High School. I asked about the gymnasium and just for the sake of the public and madam chair,
I'm going to be finished. If you could put a picture up of Dillard's gymnasium because some of the members of the public are not aware of how that looks as well as Pompino, I don't believe you have Elely. I believe these appear to be in state-of-the-art condition and I believe our students will have a great
graduation experience. In the future when our budget concerns become better, I am sure that we'll make different decisions. But uh Dr. Wza is do we have that image? Beacon, do you have that image that you
can pop up? >> Okay, that's fine. >> Or the last part of that video. I think that was kind of u panning. Um >> if they don't, it's okay. >> If it's that's fine. >> It's okay. >> Okay. Appreciate it. >> Well, Madam Chair, thank you so much. And um Dr. Wie, you were a teacher at
Dillard at one point, weren't you? >> Good. and and um so I appreciate all of our comments and thank you to the public for giving your input. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Um I too want to thank the
students that came today. Um and I want to thank Miss Thompson for correcting the record about um how public speaking went. Um you know student feedback is vital and
so I want to start with that. Um yesterday I had the privilege of doing a roundt with some students at Fort Lauderdale High School and it was supposed to be about you know the role of technology and education and something that I'm doing at each high
school but um I knew that graduation was going to be a topic that the students wanted to discuss. So, we spent the majority of our time discussing those those concerns from our students. And I kind of want to highlight some of the
feedback that I got um because I think, you know, we the way we've communicated about this um hasn't been great and I think there are some lessons to learn moving forward. So, some of the first questions I got
and these these concerns were raised today were on um ADA accessibility and grandparents being able to attend the graduation ceremonies at uh Dillard, Elely, and PMPO Beach High School. So, I just want to hear for the record, um
will, uh our facilities be ADA accessible for these graduations, >> Dr. Wza? >> Yes. Could you elaborate on that? Some of the accommodations that are being made for >> So I can um so you if you go to um PMPO
Beach High School right now, right? They have the lift, right? Where the um regardless of where you come into the gym area at PMPO, it is elevated, but they do have the lift and then there will be floor seating available um at PMPO Beach High School. Same thing at
Dillard High School. There will be floor seating. Same thing at um Blanch High School. So there will definitely be floor seating um for individuals who cannot um obviously uh you know walk upstairs or go upstairs.
>> Thank you for clarifying that. So our our facilities will be accessible to people in wheelchairs or or who have other physical uh disabilities. >> Yes. And um Mr. Dorset keeps nodding. Absolutely. Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Dorset. Thank you, Dr.
Wza. Another concerned concern that was raised I was again had the privilege of being in the room with the saludiatoran and valadictorian. Um and historically there was reserved seating for our saludiatoran and
valadictorian families. Um I I recall at pretty much every facility that I've been to. Will that be the case for Diller, Pompo, and Elely? >> Yes, we we of course the school well each school gets as they do for wherever we go. they get an opportunity to go for
the day, look at the layout, how they're gonna um you know uh situate the logistics for their specific ceremony, but there is definitely um opportunity and we can put that into that. That's actually a part of the um graduation
manual that we provide to all of our um our high school and non-traditional school principles around um not only um reserve seating for the parents of the valadictorian and the saludiatoran but also to recognize them as they introduce those uh the students who've graduated
at the top of the class. >> Thank you. Another concern raised by the students was um you know would they be walking across a gym floor or will there be a stage at each of these facilities? So um we we do have the portable stages
if necessary. We we know that Blanch Elely and PMPO Beach High School's gymnasiums have stages in them, but the district owns portable stages that um we use and we and PMPO Beach even though they have their own stage for their
graduation, they actually use their portable stage and if you saw the video from um Dillard's graduation, you saw the actual elevated um stage. So, yes, we do have the portable stages that the district owns and we will use as appropriate. >> Thank you. I I I did know the answer to
that. Um you know I but I did want you to to to hear it from um some from our district staff and like Miss Hixon I think we were at that graduation during co together at Dillard. Um there was a a stage it was beautiful. Um but I just
want us to be clear about that. Another uh concern that was raised by the students at Fort Lauderdale was that they like to have every year they do a slideshow on a big screen. Um, will there be a a big screen at Dillard? >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. So, there they'll be able to do their sli their photo slideshow. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, and I I do want to be on the record saying that the tone and tenor of that round table yesterday was really
incredible. Um the students while they were you know concerned and upset communicated incredibly respectfully and productively and were thinking through ideas to to provide solutions to make this transition uh really positive. So I
was really proud of how our students um you know how they how they advocate for themselves and and uh communicate their concerns and also solutions so effectively. Um, and I'm really grateful for that. Um,
I want to kind of go into some specifics about different venues. Uh, one of my colleagues said that we've mentioned the Hard Right, Hard Rock Live and that we've had a contract there for decades. Is that the case? How long have we been doing graduations at Hard Rock
Live? >> Um, we started at Hard Rock Live. I'll tell you exactly. Miss Jack Adams, I believe you have >> I have the answer because I legally signed off on the Hard Rock Live. Um and
it uh started in 2023. >> Yes. >> Okay. So almost three three years now. Okay. >> So not decades. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um can we I I want to go over the cost. It's uh NOVA since 2020. Do we
have that information? >> We do. how much per graduation it's been or you know some numbers about NOVA since 2020. What was it in 2020? >> In 20 So not 2020 cuz that was the um co year we did. Yeah, that's right. 2020.
>> So I'll start with 2022. Um because 2021 was where we had the majority either out, you know, out in the high school football fields or Right. So I'll start with 2022. um Nova Southeastern in 2022, the cost
was $13,143 per ceremony. And I and I want to go back to um and wherever we land is where we land, right? But I what I want to make clear is these aren't numbers per day. These these are numbers per
individual ceremony. So, it was um in 2022 the cost was $13,143 per ceremony at Nova Southeastern. And then in 2023,
that number went up to um $17,426. In 2024, that number went up to $20,87. And then last year the number went up to $28,119 per ceremony. >> Okay. So
three years ago it was $13,000 per ceremony. Last year it was $28,000 per ceremony about. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, in the span of 3 years, it went from $13,000
per ceremony to 28,000 per ceremony. >> Yes. >> Were there any instances where like a graduation at NOVA went overtime? >> So, um yes, we did have um one school cuz it cuz it's like a um they they do
um and Miss Miss Brown is in the back so she can correct me if I'm wrong. I think we have it slated for like two hours, I think it is, um per ceremony. And there was one that went over and they do have language in the contract that speaks to um if we go over what additional costs
we may incur if we go over the allotted time. Miss Brown, you Patty Brown, director of athletics and student activities. saying yes in the contract and discussed with NSU. If a graduating class goes over the allotted time of 2 hours, they are assessed a fee
of $4,000. Uh we did have one school who did go over last year. We were able to negotiate with them after the fact and we were not charged that fee, but we were told going forward that fee would have to be assessed. >> Okay. Thank you. Um so I just I just
want to go back to the cost difference in just three years. So again, NSU per graduation ceremony, $13,000 per ceremony in 2022, more than
doubles to $28,000 per ceremony in 2025. Okay. I just wanted to I want us to be clear about that. Can we go over the cost for Broward Performing Arts since over the last the same time period?
>> Yes. So, um, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, starting in 2022, um, the cost was $9,950 per ceremony. In 2023, that cost went up to $12,160.
2024, it went up to $13,700. And in 2025, they went up to 15,300. >> Okay. So, the cost went up 5,000 approximately $5,000 in the span of three years per ceremony. Not as extreme
as that of NSU. >> Correct. >> And what's the cost for us to do a graduation at Dillard? Again, >> it's about um on on the high end, we calculated at about $3,000 per ceremony. And that's more to deal with um staff overtime costs because we do recognize
um the Saturday and Sunday obviously that staff is off and also um the costs that we may incur um for uh police details the well that that we will for police details. >> Okay. I think it's important for us to
acknowledge I mean this was a topic of multiple press conferences last week the the financial scrutiny that we are under and we've invited the state to come in the CFO and the governor to come in and help us find efficiency in our budget
and um I find it difficult uh to justify by um spending $28,000 when the cost has more than doubled over the the past three years um when we can
do something with the same pomp and pageantry uh for $3,000. So, that's just something that I think we we haven't really been talking a lot out loud about um today. Um,
can staff elaborate on like the efforts that we've engaged in to lower costs with those venues? Great question. Um, so especially uh, Nova, I met with um, the president and the CEO. I actually went to one of their cabinet meetings and that was the primary discussion I wanted to have with
them. um for the most part they say the venue cost just just the shell is is is not that much. It's the operation of the venue where of why it keeps going up.
Their their costs are going up and so they pass the cost along to the um to actually um renter. Um, also for Hard Rock, I've tried to leverage some of my relationships that I that I have with some people that actually are um
executives up in um um in that area of Hard Rock. And you know, we're we're competing against events that they're charging significant significantly more and making more money. Um and so that's right now that's the best um they can do
for us um to and we we negotiate with um the performing arts center and and um the CEO is is is a great partner um and tries to help us as much as possible. Um uh some of the smaller venues they they would give us at a at a very discounted
price but I know the Bri Performing Arts Center especially during the spring is is is a high demand center with a lot of um things going on. So they that's the best price they can do for us too. But they are they are great partners in other areas with um Bard County Public Schools.
>> Thank you. And before last week, did we reach out to cities to uh try to source venues? >> Go ahead, Dr. W. >> No. So um and I I'll have Miss Brown come up, but I don't No, we um we didn't before last week um reach out to cities
per se as a concerted effort. No. >> Okay. Um, so I think in the future that would obvious like now that we know our cities care this much about um, graduations. Uh, hopefully, you know, like the city of Fort Lauderdale I know is working on some some offerings. Um,
but now that we know that our cities do feel strongly about this, um, moving forward, I think it would be really great if we could work with our cities, reach out to them to see if they are able to assist. Um, and I I do want to speak to uh the city of Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Hoes and I were there yesterday. Um, I've gotten some kind of well, we were we were told that they were offering war memorial uh for for several high schools, but that it would not be big enough um for Fort Lauderdale High
School. Um, can staff speak to doing graduation at War Memorial if if the capacity allowed? what that would look like compared to Dillard. >> So, um I'm I'm going to have Miss Brown
come up as well. Um what what I will say is is I'm not certain what all we would have to bring to the facility, right? And and they didn't necessarily say that it was 100% free. So the conversation would be I I know that they were willing to um look at some of the costs and work
with us on the cost and we can certainly have that conversation but we know um from that meeting um Mrs. Mrs. Leonard, you are correct. They were speaking specifically about Stranahan and Fort Lauderdale um having the their ceremonies there, but then we would have to look to see what we would have to do
to supplement um having the ceremony at War Memorial and whether the seating could even accommodate, you know, the class first off of Fort Lauderdale High and then coupled with that ensuring that there are the minimum of four tickets. I know um obviously before it was
renovated that was never that was not an option for Fort Lauderdale High School. >> Okay, Miss Brown, >> there's really not too much more to expand on that other than just really stressing when the cities do offer these various venues. It is phenomenal, but we
need to make sure that we're taking in all the cost for their security, for their custodial, for their staff to work the event. We did uh talk about looking at different venues in our various cities. However, once the board had
stated they want us to cut cost and we so decided to look at our schools, then we did not proceed further with that. >> Okay. Um and can we speak to like if we were to do a graduation at War Memorial instead of Dillard, what would the seating look like for guests?
>> So, we would have to um I I don't want to misspeak, Miss Leonardo. would have to physically walk in and you know look cuz I can tell you one of the options we thought about and I'll use Cypress Bay for example our largest class 1100 graduates um the potential of having it at the convention center and um there's
some concerns about you know not having raised seating so that you can be able to see you know everybody's at level seating then there were um conversations around parking not being waved so that parents would then have to incur you know a fee for parking so um we we have
been looking. Um we we acknowledge that we can certainly always um work with our cities closer, but we would have to really walk the facility and see what um they are offering as you know this is what we're offering now. Do what you need to to supplement.
>> Okay. And I think that that's important too for us to be able to talk out loud about like the nuances of finding these venues and choosing these venues. And it's my understanding that if we were to do a graduation at War Memorial, it would be entire um like flat seating,
not stadium se seating. So there wouldn't be the same visibility um as there would be at Dillard. And so I think it's also important for me to say and I I think I heard some of my colleagues say this that you know we
are elected to represent the desires of our community. So, if the community prefers that and the city of Fort Lauderdale is willing to fund that, even if it is an inferior experience,
um, as opposed to going to Dillard, my role is to represent and support that desire. So, I think, you know, as we move forward, it is important to work with our cities. If cities are willing to finance these and so we're incurring
costs similar to that of of Dillard um which would be around $3,000 a ceremony, I'm not opposed to that. I'm not going to stand in the way of that. Um but I do have concerns about an inferior experience. Um I do
want to explain uh the reasoning for uh discussing this issue the way we have. Um, I've heard uh some complaints about um me using my my
discretion as chair to not accept an item due to the timeliness of it. Um, the board gave direction to the superintendent on this in a workshop. Um, so we we never took a formal vote on
this this initiative. We have two ex unlimited opportunities for public speaking today and I think we've demonstrated that and we've heard from the public. Um and the superintendent addressed the issue in
his superintendent's report and he can hear everyone on this day giving him the the direction that they would like us to go in. Um Dr. Dr. Holess raised some important concerns around operational versus policy um that I think are
important to consider. Uh and I'll just end with you know some of my colleagues have said this as well. I am disturbed at some of the rhetoric around this issue and a specifically how people have talked about some of our our
schools. And like Miss Thompson said, I think it's important for us to remember that students attend those schools. They are proud of those schools. And when we speak in a disparaging way about those schools, it is really hurtful.
Um, with that said, I know that the student adviser would w like to speak on this issue and then some additional board members and then we'll take a brief recess. Uh, Mr. Spelberg. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, and I was deciding whether or not I wanted to
speak today um because I'm not prepared to speak on behalf of all students. I have not had the opportunity to receive feedback from all students which has been and continues to be my practice. I respect the conversation that we've
had today and my comments are not to diminish anyone who came here today. The students who have sent me emotional pleas and those who weren't able to be here today. I am frankly in the same shoes as you. My graduation this year will be reduced
to four tickets per family. It will not be a fun conversation to tell my grandparents I love that they won't be able to be in person. I'm living the same reality. But all I can turn back to this entire conversation is this thought.
There are students who I also represent who are not eating in our district because they can't afford to. I respect that everyone deserves dignity, but so do those students. There are students who I represent who will lose their elementary schools today.
Kindergarteners who tonight will be told by their parents that they will not return to their school next year. Unfortunately, we are missing the point here. This discussion on what is dignified has not been had when there was virtually no public comment, when
the district reversed to a new meal transition last year and this afternoon when we discussed closing schools, and certainly when the board made the difficult decision to reduce school-based funding where students are now sitting in overpacked classes.
I'm disappointed that this is where we are. In large part, I don't think it is by the fault of our board or by our staff. But at the end of the day, today there are students behind these decisions. There are students from Hollywood Hills,
South Plantation, Monarch, Coconut Creek who have reached out to me today with the same exact concerns, but not the same opportunity. We can talk about War Memorial. We can talk about other venues, but not every city is equally in a position to support those students. To
me, that achieves the removal of inequity for some, but not for all. And I know that this has been addressed time and time again, but it would be wrong if I didn't say it. I also represent the students of Dillard 6 through 12. the students of Dillard 6
through2 who have reached out to me who are pained pained by what has been said about their school community both in the boardroom and online. The way we speak about their school and all schools matters.
Everyone of our graduating seniors have worked hard, take pride in their community, and deserve to be spoken about with respect. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Hixon. Thank you. Um, and thank you, Landon. I
think that you you always speak so eloquently um about everything. So, thank you so much for that. I and and I want to be clear based on the questions that I have. I do believe that graduation I've been to Pompo every year. It's a beautiful graduation. I've
been to Dillard during COVID. During COVID time, people were just happy to have a graduation. They didn't it didn't matter where it was. They were so happy to be in a room. So, you know, let's put all of this into context, right? We
where you have it isn't as important as who you share it with and what you bring to that day. But with that being said, I do understand the concerns that are being brought here. So, I will again say to the superintendent, I would hope that
you would look to the faith center, to war memorial, to other places to see how they could help reduce the cost. I love the idea of fundraising. Maybe BEF could could help to do that. The cities could
help with fundraising in that respect. I do not agree with charging the students, but I say move forward with putting it back in venues. Maybe it won't be the exact venues from last year. Let's try to find some that are going to give us a
cost reduction and then put that money back in. So, I loved Mrs. Alhadv's idea about ads, but I have a couple of questions. So, do schools cover their own cost of graduation? >> No. Um, >> we covered that. Where's Miss Brown? So,
no, the we we don't um >> the district does it. >> The the district covers the cost. >> So, the concern with the way the ads were presented would be if each school was doing ads on their own in their book, how would that money get transferred to the district? So, my
thought would be if the district reached out about doing ads and if let's say company X did it, they would be in everybody's program. So I we have a partnership department that you know works on all of this. I think that
that's a a wonderful idea to do and whatever we can do to reduce the costs of schools but at this point I agree with Landon. We can't do it for some and not for all. So if we are going to look to that we need to put them all in a
venue. But as I mentioned for next year, let's start this conversation early and see how we do it. But I am very very adamant that we need to look at doing this differently for this year um
for everyone. but with all of those pieces intact. So, I know it will take a little while and people will just have to be okay with knowing it may be another month or so before they know exactly where their graduation is going to be held because the district is going to do that. But in terms of the faith
center, I think in light of everything that's happened, you won't have a comment about it being a place of worship if they're able to get in there for that. Um, also Mrs. Alhadaf mentioned furloss for the staff and so I just asked the
superintendent um does our staff not all of our staff because we know not teachers but but the higher level staff do they have are they expected to work during spring break or some of the holidays that others have off. So based on the calendar that's ES we actually um
explored furloss ourselves um as a cost-saving measure early on when we were talking about um um cost savings in between October and December. At the time Miss Batista um told us at that time that we were unable to do that. I I
I can't remember all the details. Um but we'll work with Miss Jock Adams to figure out if if that has changed. But that was one of our strategies that we were actually exploring uh with certain uh groups of employees that are are 12 month.
>> Okay, great. Thank you. Because I we have heard that everything that we've offered seems to be affecting schools and students. I think it's important that we're looking into ways that there are cuts um in this building. So, um can you also some of the questions that came
up were approval from the fire marshall to host the graduations in Dillard that um have we cleared with the fire marshall that if we had 555 graduates and four tickets per person that that doesn't over do go over the capacity?
>> Our marshall actually walked those facilities. >> Great. Thank you. Again, tell us that everyone is guaranteed four tickets. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. because we've heard from a number of people that Piper was told only two. So, can you tell us why? >> That is correct. Everybody is guaranteed
four tickets at minimum. Uh we've posted it on social media. It's on our website. So, I don't I don't know why. Um we keep hearing something different here and there, but it is posted on we posted it uh what two days ago on social media. It's on our website. We've sent parent
links um to all parents that are in our system u with a link to the graduation website that details all of that information. so we can um you know uh uh throw out the misinformation that's out there. >> Okay. And if the the schools that are hosting it at the Hard Rock, do they get six?
>> Everybody gets a minimum of four. We can guarantee that as far as the size of the venue and the school. That's all left up to administration about how they divvy up if they have extra extra seats for additional tickets. And that's always the forum and the audience. >> Yes. And that's always the case every year. The district standard is four
minimum. Um and depending on the size of the venue or the size of the uh or um u discretion by administration >> classroom whatever um or gets bigger. Um so one more question Dr. I guess to Dr.
Wanza you mentioned that it's $3,000 at Dillard. Can you can you be specific at what that is? Like does that include um security setting up like beacon all of that stuff that includes all of that? That's what that is. It It's mainly the
staff overtime cost that it's going to take to operate the ceremony. >> Okay? Because >> because So I I'll I'll just say this and um one of the things and it regardless of where they are, what we know is
graduations are held pretty much during final exam week. The schools dismiss at 11:40 in the morning. The first graduation is at 2 o'clock, right? So, um, >> well, 8 o' Don't we have a morning one?
>> No, that's one of the things that we did cuz we heard feedback people did not like the 8 a.m. ceremonies. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> So, >> yes. >> So, we um we we do not have any 8 a.m. ceremonies. So, really uh um obviously there's police detail fees that have to
be paid regardless, you know, in our ceremony. >> That's not included in the 30,000. >> That is included in the 30,000. >> Okay. So my question then because um based on what Mrs. Brown said, would we have to use like let's say at War Memorial, do we have to use the city of
Fort Lauderdale's police in that or if we would use our own? >> We we would probably have to use the city of Fort Lauderdale police department. No different than you know if the cere the ceremonies that we would have up in Blanch and Pompo we would work with BSO. Um it's whatever is the
local um policing agency, law enforcement agency that covers. Chief Gregory can speak because I don't you know I don't do police. He does um I don't want to give the wrong answer but yes we would probably have to utilize whatever is the detail rate and and and
what they would require >> as security >> correct >> for their facility. And I and and and I think the other part I'm sorry Dr. I didn't even mean to cut you off is we are going to do whatever the direction is, but we have to also realize that when we spread out to multiple sites
beyond our bandwidth now, we're going to compromise our ability to live stream all of the ceremonies. We're going to compromise certain things that would be guaranteed, but but and and we'll bring that back depending on what the final um you know direction is. So,
>> thank you. Yes, I would love for this to come back to us so that we've exhausted all of the things and then let them have an opportunity as um Mrs. Leonardi mentioned to to to pick, right? Maybe
give them some choices and I know that that will cut things short, but um you know, we have heard from a lot of them perception is reality. We may not agree with it. I know that Dillard is going to
and Pompo and Blanchily will have fantastic graduations for our students, but that's not how they're going to feel walking into it. So we have to take that into account. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. So I think it's important
that we we hear that and we look at this a different way. I know it puts us in a real precarious position. Um and you know, equity equity, as Mrs. Bowman said, is a is a big concern and I think it's important. This is really important
to you and it hits home as was the the eighth period. But think about the eighth period. Elementary and middle school don't have that opportunity. The teachers in that in that level don't have the opportunity to make that extra money. We wanted to change it to be equitable for teachers across the board.
And we were told no. We want to do something else. We were told no. At some point, we have to come together and we have to make these hard decisions to say yes so that we can rightsize our district and we can give our staff the raises we all know they deserve. And I
think you really just need to keep that in context as we continue moving forward. So although I don't agree that changing the venues is the best for our budget and that I think your perception of what's happening is is all is not correct. I do understand it and I would
like the superintendent to bring us back some other options. Thank you >> Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much. Uh Sarah trying to get to the little mic button there. Um, I appreciate this conversation. This is important. Um, and to to Miss Hixon's
point, you know, spot on, you know, uh, companies don't always understand the preferences of their customers either, but it doesn't matter that you understand them. Uh, what matters is that we hear them and and we, uh, take them into account. Uh I'm particularly heartened by uh Lori Eldess's point
about raising money through selling signage, selling, you know, uh printed copies of things uh at graduation. Uh half a million dollars sounds like a lot of money, but raising a half a million dollars is very doable for something that the community cares so deeply about and I'm looking forward to working on
that uh next year. Uh this year is too late. I hear you, Mr. Superintendent. I appreciate that. The most important thing though that happened in the last couple hours though was Miss Aladev uh asking about making a motion and the discussion that followed with our general counsel about uh authorities uh
resting in the superintendent and resting in the board. And I'm just going to remind everybody on this board and and anyone else that's listening that the statutory authority in Florida for uh school board is to set budgets. So while superintendents get to make
operational decisions, they make operational decisions within a budget that's set by the elected officials. And if we set the budget of graduation so that it's supported better venues, that would get done. If we choose to have a policy that we're going to ask uh for
fundraising uh through signage and and selling of of uh printed material for graduation, um we can do that as well. So, uh I appreciate the general counsel's uh uh scholarly advice and her legal uh uh um uh directions to us, but
at the same time, uh school boards have lots and lots of authorities to get things done. Uh and and the principal one that I find that has the greatest impact is just setting the budget um so that we do that in the right way. And um I look forward to uh thinking through that for next year so that we can you
know figure out whether this is something we can get into our budget for 2627 or not. Uh but I'm really appreciate the creative solution from Miss Alade. I think raising money uh is another way to do it. You know Beth raises over $6 million a year. You know maybe this is something we ask Beth to
take a half a million or a quarter of a million and we try and raise a quarter million through uh signage with parents and vendors and others. Uh the last point is I I kind of made a misstep here talking about $25 uh dollars per student. I wasn't insinuating that students would pay. I was just trying to
kind of give a scope of how much money uh we would have to raise and it's roughly $25 per student. We would have to raise through vendors, through parents, through community partners uh and through other group. Um but thanks so very much. Appreciate your time chair.
>> Thank you Mr. Civera. to our general counsel chair. Um, is it appropriate or do I have the authority to make a motion to reopen the agenda so this board can vote or actually give direction to the superintendent rather than just listening to the ideas that were floating around?
Yes, you can make a motion. >> Uh, chair, I would make that motion. At this point, um, I make a motion to reopen the agenda to, um, allow this board to actually vote and give the superintendent directive on how to handle this debacle. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Seiver to open the
agenda. Seconded by Miss Alhadef. Uh, Miss Jack Adams, do we take a public comment on the motion to the open to open the agenda? >> Yes. >> All right. Public comment on the motion. Put, please put one minute on the clock. >> I think they're trying to not give.
Please go ahead. >> Melissa Sherman, Hollywood, I don't think any of us objects to the idea of hamburgers and hot dogs. We like hamburgers and hot dogs, but if you tell us that some people get steak and lobster, it's not okay that the rest of us have hot dogs and hamburgers, but
we'd be happy to have hot dogs if everybody was having the same thing. The issue is that it's not equitable. And you cannot tell our kids that they should be happy with hot dogs and hamburgers while they know that kids on the other side of the town are getting
steak and lobster because our kids know that you gave them hamburgers and hot dogs because you couldn't afford quote unquote to do anything else for them. But you could afford to give the kids on the other side of town steak and lobster. And that's why we're asking you
to intervene to give our kids the experience they've been looking forward to. Thank you. Dr. Natalie, not on the microphone. Yeah, it's not on yet. Uh Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Plantation, Florida. So, just to be
clear, the motion is to reopen the agenda so that presumably Mr. Sea's item could be added to the agenda for good cause um and give direction to the superintendent or something along those lines like what Mrs. Alhadaf was trying
to do. Um and for those of you who are already here, they'll be discussing policy 10:20, which is school board meetings. I think it had a time certain of 11:30 and we're way past that. Um obviously I'm in favor of the motion. Uh this shouldn't have to come to this. we
could avoided a lot of drama. Um there's been a lot of confusion. Uh you guys need to look into the details of these venue budgets, venue costs, but I support the motion because yes, you are losing weeks and weeks and you can still
do the right thing. There is time to do the right thing. And I think by my count, I might actually be up to five of you who know what the right thing is. Thank you. >> I like I like the way you think. Yes, I'm in agreement with um reopening um
the agenda. Thank you for u Mr. Sea for the um motion and thank you um Alidaf for supporting the motion. >> Hi. So, I had an opportunity to reach out to the faith center and uh Bishop
Fernandez immediately agreed to help the school board and open up the date for Piper High School's graduation. Additionally, he offered to help the other graduations as well, and he was charging zero for a venue fee. The only cost he was asking for was just as you
all mentioned, was the basic operation, which is audio and visual, uh, police detail, if you will. So, I'm really hoping that you guys do consider opening up this decision and reaching out to the thief center because I believe in October when this was addressed, uh, many of you should have been doing the
negotiations and not me having to do it for you. There you go. >> We'll keep Dorm in the audience. Next speaker. >> Hi, I'm Amy Shield. I support reopening the agenda to add this. People need to go home today understanding what's going to happen and not push this off for
another another month of uncertainty and rumors going and incorrect information. We need to know today what you guys are going to do about graduation. Please do the right thing and put it back the way it was. Lisa Malloi, Cooper City. I also support
reopening the agenda item and I also would like you to consider that while I appreciate all the venues that you're looking at, if we can stick to the original ones and give schools, PTSAs, sponsors, etc. the opportunity to
take some of the cost and it's not an entire cost because there are still several schools that are having the venues in a larger item. So the amount of students is much smaller and also the difference between the two and I have no problem and if there's a school that
needs lobster on a chicken budget, I have no problem going to that school and helping them raise money because I think all students should be celebrated and should have the opportunity to have the graduation that they have been working
for for over 13 years. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Rebecca Sherman. I'm a senior from Fort Lauderdale High School and I support this motion. The school board has the opportunity currently to show the students of Broward County that you can say you're listening, but now you have the opportunity to prove it.
Um, I appreciate those of you who have supported this motion and I think that we need to go home today with a clear understanding that you stand in support of all students across Broward County. Thank you. >> James Curr, mayor of Cooper City. I came to this podium in full support. I also
come to let you know that I want to be a part of the solution. I'm also a grandfather of a child that's graduating. My ninth child from Cooper City High School over the last nine years. But I want to make sure that everybody understands something. >> We talk about halves and we talk about halves not. We put ourselves in this
position >> pretty much years and years ago. I'm not here today to tell you anything that you guys already don't know except for one thing. We're not talking about ticket sales over four being $10 a piece or parking at $10 a venue and having all
that money pulled back in to the total graduation fund. But I am here as the mayor of Cooper City to let you know that we are open, receptive, and ready to go to work with you guys to make this year's graduation a reality. Not next year's, but as going forward, we will
work as a team as we do with our SRO's and everyone else that are heavily involved and our security guards and anything else that you guys see. We are a partner with the school board of Brower County. Thank you. Hi, I'm Terry Lopez Price and I just want to say thank you to those of you
who are actually listening to the public um and making that effort and that intention. It is well noted and um I I'm grateful because I sat next to that student, the one who spoke before me, and it seemed to me like everything the student said had gone in one ear and out
the other. Like, please, please give us a real graduation. And then it was like, well, how are we going to do it at the high schools? Is this kind of an important thing? And it's really sad that the community and the students and the parents and everyone is now seeing laid bare the kinds of decisions that
are made and how sometimes you can't hear us or you don't listen or you don't want to or what your priorities actually are that there would have been mistakes made as the mistakes that have been made with people getting money from the referendum they shouldn't have gotten and that that in in itself could have
solved the problem. And I've been coming here for 10 years and sometimes I have seen money being taken from one place to another because it's needed. Like let's just take take from Peter to to pay Paul. Take from Peter to pay Paul today.
>> And sorry before the next public speaker I have a point of order for Miss Jack Adams. >> So there are currently three time certain on the agenda. One for 11:30, one for 12:30, and one for 3:30. So I just wanted to point out that there are
>> court reporters, attorneys, etc. >> Okay, we will finish public comment on the motion and then we will go to the 1230 and then we'll come back to the the motion. >> Yeah, but we're we're like paying court reporters and attorneys right now. So I
would like to finish the public comment on the motion and then we'll go to the things that are like financially All right. Go ahead. our next public speaker. >> Good afternoon. Now, my name is Nikki Watkins. Uh I am, as you all know, a parent, but I also live in Davyy and I'm
I serve as the staff chair as well as the legislative representative for the CAAC and DAC. Um just to be very quick, I will say um thank you for the opportunity to offer a final comment. I understand the motion is to reopen the agenda to give the superintendent direction on graduation venues. I
support giving that direction, but I want to be clear about what the community is really feeling right now. Graduation is not just a ceremony. It is an identity. It is community. Families want venues that represent their students in their neighborhoods, not a solution that sends them to another high school and makes them feel displaced on
the most important day of their K through2 journey. My request is simple. Let the schools decide what works best for their students and their community within clear district guidelines and safety requirements. Protect school identity, reduce confusion, and center the students. Western doesn't want to
change what seniors are already looking forward to, but we also want everyone to win. Please give direction that prioritizes community representation and school level choice. Thank you, SA. >> Hi, Zyra climbs lunches Deerfield Beach. I support the motion. Thank you so much
for um for it and the opportunity to speak. I think it would have been a great idea in October or whenever um to loop it through your advisories. I know there's a little bit of contention as to which advisory should be and not be, but if you would have gone through
that process, everybody would have known what was going on and what the ideas were and we wouldn't have to all be here wasting time. Thanks, Shafisa Munav. Um teacher on task assignment to the Roy teachers union.
Um, I just want to stress how important it is to have um a equitable celebration. I do not understand why a graduating class of,00 equals to 50 or up to $80,000, but the
graduating class of 500 equals to only $10,000. The math is really not math at all. And in regards to our students, they all truly deserve to be celebrated by all of their family members. Let's be
real. In order for our students to be successful, it is not only the responsibility of the parents. It's also the responsibility of other important people in their lives. And everyone who celebrated and encouraged them to get to this point of graduation should have an
opportunity. At the very least, four to five. Thank you. Beautiful. >> Hi, Sarah Shrubnik, Coral Springs. I am a product of Brower County Schools, as are both of my children. One of the proudest moments for me was watching my
son as the 2022 valadictorian at Northeast High School, a magnet school we chose to send him to from Coral Springs instead of him going to Douglas. It breaks my heart the thought of my parents not being able to have attended that which in this year they would not
only because the limitation on the tickets but because of the venue would not be accessible for them. I appreciate that you are opening the um the agenda and revisiting this because all of our students deserve to be celebrated
equally. They all deserve to have their family there to celebrate those successes with them. And for some of them, it might be a memory that is very precious. It was one of the last things that my father was able to attend with our son. Thank you, >> Liliana Reid. And I am here saying thank
you for reopening the agenda. First of all, I want to say um it's good for you to hear the input of the students, the parents, the community, our input too. And I think uh graduation is uh something so memorable is something that
you look back and remember how it was. And I think you should make it very extra special for the students and and make them feel that they are value and appreciated by allocating them in in places that they can feel um value,
respected and of course you know loved. So, I will say again, I think they deserve a good graduation. Uh, an unforgettable one, I will say. Um, and find the area or I find a place to make it unforgettable again. Thank you,
Melanie Berkin, Dave, Florida, school social worker. Um, I support reopening this item. I think I said it right. Um, and I think most importantly, I really implore the the district, the school board, the superintendent to please stop trying to save money off the backs of
our students and our staff. So really, all educational professionals and all employees in the district, we deserve our raises. Our students deserve the graduations that they um have worked really hard to achieve. And I would like you to thank you for considering that.
Thank you. Hello, I'm Carolyn Harvey and I am a proud Broward teacher, also a Broward parent who had two wonderful children of my personal kids who graduated from
great places here in Broward County where I sat there and I was so excited about my kids graduating. one graduated at NOVA and Nova High and another one at Deerfield High and they graduated both
at the Nova University arena. And I'm also asking could you please let them let our children this year graduate from such arenas so the parent can sit proud like I did and watch my kids. Thank you
for opening up this item. Hello, my name is Candace Blake. I'm coming to you once again and I want to share that I am thankful that you guys are going to open up the agenda. I uh
that you guys spoke about it and that you are going to do what is right for our students as well as for every student. And I'm going to um say as a teacher, we work with human capital.
Human capital, you cannot put a price on because we love them and we want the best for them and we treat them as our own. Okay? And we just celebrated MLK's birthday this past week. So I want to
remind you in his words, now is the time to make justice a reality for all God's children. So make justice and equity equity available for every child because
it is not right to give two tickets, four tickets or six tickets and not have everyone celebrate. Thank you. Hi, my name is Angelina Marie Penzon. I'm a high school student who's graduating in 2026. Thank you again for
the opportunity to open the motion um from Piper High School. We as our school are graduating at Dillard High School and we would have thought that if we were doing this financially that we could
have at least separated the graduation into like alphabetically like A through G and then G to Z and then that would lower the budget costs and then if we didn't have to do it at Hard Rock or NSU
and and then probably done it all at the faith center because I know that we didn't make the student amount limit for the graduates and that's why our venue is a little smaller than others and then for the higher venues we could have at
least done it at the faith center and it would have all been very capacity. Thank you for your time. >> Great job. Good afternoon, Kenny Menchu, Broward Teachers Union. I support this motion and thank you for bringing it back. Our
kids worked hard for it. We're an aid district um because of our students and our teachers and I encourage you to give these um young um men and um ladies in their lives um a great graduation um
that they can remember forever because they truly deserve it. And thank you, >> Nicole Morris, Coral Springs. Um, I support the motion. It sounds like many of you felt like your hands were tied and this will essentially untie your hands. Um, I will say that perception is
reality. And while you all um I think made the decision in good conscious, I feel like the optics of the same week finding out that the highest paid staff was overpaid in referendum bonuses and
then cutting graduations. The optics of that was was really was really bad. And I think also the conversation around the facilities Dillard has it's really tough because Dillard has a beautiful gym. We were just there um a couple of weeks ago. I we've seen pictures. I think it
would be a beautiful graduation. But I feel like the perception in the community and for the students listening to them on social media, listening to them here today is that they don't matter as much and that the cuts
are coming on the backs of children first. So I hope we can revisit this. Thank you. Hi, I'm Amy Edelman. I've been a 20-year teacher. I do teach in Weston.
This comment is for the young man who made comments before about how he was so offended that we were talking about another school. Well, I work in Weston. I would never be offended for a young
lady to be talking about an area where I work because I feel she had the gumption to come here today and speak up about her feelings and I think she did the right thing and she represented a whole
wonderful school. I am not offended that she actually mentioned Weston's name. It's all about money in this district. Not only have you disappointed the teachers, not you guys. Well, some of you, but
we've been disappointed about money. I've been disappointed about money. And now you are des uh you are disappointing the students of Brow County and a Fusco Bower teacher and president. Um I support that you open this agenda
item, please. It should have come forward anyway. You guys spent hours talking about it and really quite disappointing that some of you took a political platform to talk politics instead of talking about what's going on. You've got a group of students that
want to graduate this year and then you're talking about skipping this group that next year. We'll revisit next year. Your budget is a living breathing budget. Get somebody in there to look at the line items. Move budget items around that money's not being spent on that won't be spent on which we know is
happening. has always happened. Your former CFO, Judy Marti, made that very clear. While we know you're in a financial crisis, we get it. But the money is still there. You're going to approve money for substituting and other things that are happening, the money is there. And again, A-rated school
district because of the students, because of the educators. Let's show them that they need to be celebrated in an A-rated venue. And I'm sorry, our gyms are are capable of other things, but right now, that's not the place for their graduations. So, move this agenda item to be open, please. Are there public comment on the motion?
Okay, we will move to attorney client because again we do have some s time certain and then we will when we are done with that we will come back and uh vote on the motion. Could I please have decorum in the audience?
Board members, I am advised that the general counsel would like to request an attorney client session. At this time, I am requesting all persons not scheduled to attend the attorney client session please exit the room at this time. General counsel >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to request the school board convene an
attorney client session in order to discuss litigation pending before the 17th judicial circuit in and for Broward County, Florida in the following matter. Number one, OHL Building, Inc. NKA. OLA Building Inc. versus the School
Board of Broward County, Florida. The school board of Broward County, Florida versus Ziskovich and Ziskovich, LLC versus Nutting Engineering of Florida, Inc. collectively under case number CACE22-00008804.
The following persons will attend this attorney client session. School board members Sarah Leonardi, chair, Dr. Jeff Holes, vice chair. Lori Alhadef Amara McCarthy Bulman Adam Sea Esquire Deborah
Hixon Nora Roupert Rebecca Thompson Dr. Alan Zean if present Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent of Schools, Oscar E. Sodto, Esquire. Thomas Couni, Esquire, and Kathleen Jacques Adams,
Esquire. In in anticipation of this request, Oh, I apologize. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Yeah. In anticipation of this request, the attorney client session was properly advertised for today, January 21st, 2026 at 12:30 in accordance with
section 286.011 011 subsection 8 of the Florida statutes. The purpose of the attorney client session is to discuss settlement negotiations and or strategy relative to the pending litigation. A certified court reporter will record this session. Only those persons noted
in the advertisements will be permitted to attend. >> Thank you. >> At this time, the school board of Brower County, Florida, will recess the regular schoolboard meeting for an attorney client session. The attorney client session will be held at the boardroom on the first floor of the Kathleen C.
Wright Administration Center, 600 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301. The attorney client session will take approximately 30 minutes. At the conclusion of the business of the attorney client session, the regular school war meeting will reconvene. All persons not scheduled to attend the attorney client session,
please exit the room at this time. Okay. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Hey, Heat. down. Down. Down. Hey, hey, hey.
Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Data people. Everybody down. Grand Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Yeah.
Yeah. W Yeah. Yeah. Hey, hey, hey. Mhm. Heat. Heat. you. You Heat. Heat.
Hey, hey, hey. King Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. 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 down down down What are you doing? Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. N. Thank you. The school board meeting is now reconvened. Thank you to the public for being flexible with all of our time
certain items today. So we are on the motion of reopening the agenda. Is there a board member comment on opening the the agenda? All in favor of opening the agenda say I. >> I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> No.
>> No. Roll call. >> Miss Jack Adams. Am I able to do roll call if staff is unavailable? >> Uh, yes, you may. >> Miss Rupert >> on the motion. >> On the motion to open the agenda. >> Oh, yes. I said yes. Sorry.
>> Miss Thompson? >> No. >> Miss Bulman? >> No. >> Miss Hixon? >> Yes. >> Miss Leonardi is no. Miss >> Dr. Holess, >> no.
Mr. Sea. >> Yes. >> Uh, Mrs. Alhidef. >> Yes. >> And Dr. Zean. >> Dr. Zean on the line. >> So, so, um, was he
is Dr. Dr. Zean on the line. >> Was Dr. >> Yes, I am. >> Okay. >> So, on the motion to open the agenda? >> No. >> Motion fails. All right. We still had more board
member comment on the superintendent's report. Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. Um, I just wanted to kind of explain my no and my stance very quickly because I recognize that also redefining is a little late as well. Um,
but just to emphasize, we are closing schools. We are telling elementary schools that unfortunately due to the financial situation we're in, they will no longer have their home. And I recognize that
graduation is an amazing celebration. However, the only way for us to move forward is to make hard decisions like this. And I stand by my comments that I think any venue we have our graduations in will be
done respectfully, with great celebration, with a pomp and circumstance, which is now my favorite term. Um, and to also remind my colleagues, we're not giving our teachers and staff raises because of the financial situation. We had a press
conference last week talking about our financial situation. We talk about fundraising $500,000 like it is the easiest thing in the world where we have students that cannot eat at our schools because BEF and our
strategic partnership department was not able to fund raise enough to pay for their lunches. So I'm sorry for raising my voice but this situation is incredibly frustrating. Please let's have decorum in the audience.
>> And we have been going to the community especially about redefining and letting them know that we're doing this to make their experience better. And so if every time we make a hard decision as a board that we direct our
staff as a board, we then walk it back because of blowback. What kind of leadership are we showing our staff right now? What kind of leadership are we showing the community? If we continue on this path of trying to make hard decisions and then have people
blow back at us, we will not have a financially strong future. We will not have a school district. So, I would just encourage my colleagues to show leadership in this hard time. Thank you, Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So once again I
I will say that um the three locations that are chosen um Dillard Elely and Pompino um they're three wonderful uh gymnasiums. I've been in a couple of them myself and um they're in impeccable
condition. Um I personally know that our students will have a wonderful graduation, a wonderful experience with their families. You know, um Dr. onza gave me a short history uh this morning
which I wasn't aware and um you know from these three venues uh they have produced really great people and there's a long history of significant individuals coming out of Pompino Beach High Elie and Dillard in fact uh three of our board members actually came out
of these locations uh Tori Alston came out of Elely um myself out of Dillard and Kathleen see right out of Dillard. And if Tory Alson is listening, I still believe Dillard has the better football team, but that's up for debate. Um, and Dr. Orur was the first African-American
interim superintendent of Brock County Schools graduated from Dillard. Uh, I am looking forward to a great graduation experience. And what I'll say is this. uh some people uh some of our residents sent me uh you know unfortunately some
derogatory comments that were made regarding locations and so on to describe communities and to describe schools and what I'll say to our public that while we may differ in opinions we must be cognizant of the collective feelings of all communities um it is
important for us to be kind to each other as one Broward County Public Schools while embracing our differences of opinion in uh it was made clear that this board has to adhere to state policy and board policy regarding what is our role and what is the role of the
superintendent. The superintendent brought this to us as his recommendation. The board based upon legal advice, it has to be careful in how it interferes with the operations of the
superintendent because the board will put itself in a position of violating state statutes as well as board policy. These are the recommendations of the superintendent which is an operations issue. Now, it is important as a board that we are financially responsible and
that we make tough decisions. This is one of them. Now, will this continue? I believe this district will eventually upon making tough decisions be in a much better place in the future where we will be able to make uh decisions and not
worry as much about how we finance certain things. the state of Florida, the average uh the average per pupil funding for Brow County for the state of Florida rather is $5,000 less than the US
average. We also when you look at Brow County, the average per pupil funding is somewhere between 9 to $10,000 per pupil. The state of New York is over 30,000. You know, we talk about Martin Luther King and the dream and board member
Hixon and Chair Leonardi Chair Leonardi and I, we were at the parade for MLK and I believe uh board member Bulman shared some pictures about being at the parade in Hollandale, you know, and when you look at when you look at uh at MLK and the
celebration, um you know, it is it is important that we embrace our differences. It's important that we proceed in a manner that we're living in in a way that we're
kind to each other. And so um I will say that this is a tough decision that we made that we have to make and there are many more tough decisions but we have to be financially responsible and there are things that
we're going to do that will be met with opposition but I believe if we don't act then that too will have consequences. So I want our parents to know that this is not against you. this is actually working for you. And I do pray and hope
that in the future our our schools will be properly funded by the state so we don't have to be placed in these positions. And Dr. Heeper, I appreciate you bringing recommendations to cut costs because that's what we've directed
you to do because the district is in a position uh of uh financial uh crisis. I think that we will be in a much better place in the future and I look forward to that time when this district will
will be able to move forward in a manner that we can um support our teachers, our students, our staff fully. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Yeah. So, I am just extremely
disappointed right now. This was about just adding something onto the agenda and allowing this board to vote. You either vote it up or vote it down. If it happened today or if it happens in a couple weeks from now, it's going to happen. But the fact that we cannot move
forward today because this board is not allowing us to put it on the agenda, shame on us. We always say students first, students first. Well, this is about the students and them graduating and have an equitable opportunity to graduate. But you're not allowing this
board to even have that decision. Thank you. >> I'll have the quorum in the audience. Please, you can wave your hands. Thank you. Um before we go to a third round, I'd like to to just reiterate something that we
heard from our student advisor and from Miss Thompson. Um and then I'll go to the superintendent and then we'll go to a third round, but it has been brought up several times. You know, I believe it was a month or two ago, we had a workshop on student
lunches. And you know, this year we lost federal funding to provide free lunch to all students. Um the board has dealt with and grappled with that issue uh a few times now. And at first our direction
was we will continue to to offer um hot meals to our students. And we directed BEF and we directed the superintendent to try to fund raise for that. And so if we are then trying to fund raise to pay
for graduations, I that's just not something I can support fundraising from BEF to do graduations and take money from school lunches. So when we ask ourselves, you know, where our priorities are. I understand
and I'm I am no in no way trying to diminish the disappointment that people are feeling. And I would I mean I think we'll probably have some some more discussions on this in the future, but if the issue is that some schools have you know outside venues and some schools
have internal venues, I'd like to explore having all of our graduations at internal venues if that's if that's the issue. But that's not I'm not making that motion today. But we we are
again faced with a lot of financial realities that we're having to deal with. And I first and foremost think about the needs of safety and well-being for our students. And again, we heard from our
student advisor, we heard from Miss Thompson, food being one of them. Um, so I I I do want to go to the superintendent because I think we've we've had a pretty extensive conversation today. If I'm counting
right, which I think I am, there is a majority of the board that either wants to that that wants to put the graduations back to how they were, whether that's fundraising to make that happen, um, or or finding different venues. Um, but what I'm hear I heard a
majority of the board say and I'm not in that majority and that's fine, but I'm hearing a majority of the board say that they want to find other avenues than what we've committed to publicly. Um, so Dr. Heper, do you have a response to that?
>> Yes. Um, my team and I um after this meeting or tomorrow cuz after this meeting is probably going to be bedtime because we got a lot of a lot of additional work to do. Um, that we're going to do a lot of discovery. We've heard the feedback from the board. We heard the feedback um from the public also and look at all the options
available. Um and we will provide that to the board ASAP. Um, some we already know and and some we need to do some discovery from um um entities that have contacted us or people that has contacted us about certain venues that may be available so we can see if it
fits our needs um fits within our budget and um we'll provide a comprehensive um detailed memo to the board and to the public. >> When can we expect that? >> Um hopefully what's today? Um >> today's Wednesday. >> Wednesday. Hopefully by the end of this week. >> Okay. So by Friday we can expect some
new answers from you. >> And I think one one um sentiment that has been expressed multiple times today is the need for parent student community input to be
taken into account um as well as better communication around this. So, I think, and I meant to say this earlier, part of the problem, I believe, was that we just put a memo out and then we didn't provide enough information. Um, and there was kind of a vacuum of
information. So, is there a communication plan? I know that this is all kind of transpired in real time, but how do you plan to communicate anything differently this time around? as soon as we confirm and um obviously we'll probably have to meet with the all the board members oneonone
just to um see if there's any um um consistency in agreeing to some of the things that we find during our discovery that may accommodate some of these graduations and then we'll inform the board first and then we'll have a run of show how we get that out to the community. >> Chair, point of order. I don't think
there was consensus for that to go through. So, let me just tell you what I have a note on. Um, I have Miss Hixon, Mr. Cera, and Mrs. Alhadaf
um saying that they want to go back to how it was before. I have Miss Thompson, Miss Bulman, Dr. Holess, and Miss Leonardi saying, "Let's stay the course." And then I have Dr. Azan, Miss
Rupert, and Mrs. Alhadf. I marked her down twice um for saying let's figure out some other more creative options. So what I heard was a majority of the board saying let's not stay the course. Um but if I am incorrect in that uh and again
you know this is a conversation with the superintendent so um I don't know do do you understand that differently? >> I understood Dr. Zeman's points differently >> but if he's >> Dr. Zan, could you uh to reiterate and
then I have Miss Hixon. >> Yeah, my point is that it's worth not spending general fund money on this, but to u do something that I think is like eminently sensible, which is let's just
see if the community can help us uh fund these amazing events. There's a tremendous outpouring from dozens and dozens of people here, hundreds if you count all the emails and texts. uh is that sufficient to raise the money that we need to do it? Uh so that would be my
preference. >> Okay, Miss Hicken, thank >> um we were I was still we'll finish from the superintendent >> just have a general >> okay part of round three,
>> Mr. Severa and then Miss Hixon. >> Again, to to all the folks that that came out and spoke and participated in this process today, I thank you. Um I'm sorry we couldn't get this done for you. I really am. Rebecca, I I see you
and I'm sorry. This is not how I envisioned it. This is not how I want it. Um my constituents have reached out to me. This is not how they want it. my elected officials have reached out to me. This is not how they want it. But um the will of the board controls this
afternoon, so it will be what it is. Um that being said, and while I would have much preferred for this to come back so I can give the superintendent a directive and an instruction to actually do some of these things as opposed to just what is being proposed now, um I
hope Mr. superintendent and to my colleagues that we've been listening today because the messaging coming over there is a lot different from over here is a lot different from what's coming over here. And the last time I checked, we're in this seat to represent those folks.
So, I'm really hopeful, Mr. superintendent that you come back with a list of some some real world suggestions and some viable options to give the public and to give our kids what they want, what they've been asking for, what
they've been begging for, and what they've watched happen for years upon years upon years. I don't want my seniors being treated differently this year. They've worked too darn hard to get different treatment than last year
and the year before. So again, I want to thank everybody in the audience who came out and spoke. I apologize that we couldn't get this done, but I'm going to hope and pray that Mr. Superintendent, you do what needs to be done here so we can present some other options and look at some other avenues to give the public
what they are asking for. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. Thank you. And I just want to to reiterate what we've been saying over and over. No, no student is going to have a a less than experience inside the venue. It may be
the venue may look different, but as staff has already said and we have seen it at the different schools, it is a a regal wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate graduation. And once you get in there, it's about celebrating
yourself and your friends. So, and I mean I I just want to say that however this ends, it doesn't matter where you're at, you're graduating high school and that's such an exciting time of your life. So, I'm sorry that it got muddled in here. But I do want to say to the
superintendent that um I hope that you will look at those different venues, but I also hope that you'll go to the schools and maybe ask the principles to in their real time to have some kind of meeting or something with their students
to get feedback on what it would like for them. Some of them might want to go. For example, when we mentioned War Memorial, someone said only Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan, but Dillard is in Fort Lauderdale. And I my original conversation with the mayor was all three of those schools. So, does Dillard
want to go somewhere else? Maybe they want to stay and graduate in their their high school. I think what people are asking is please let us be part of the conversation. So, I would hope that however that works out
that we're allowing them besides what we've heard here, but we're actually going into the school and having a conversation with the the seniors on what what they think that experience should be. Um, I'm open to any of the suggestions. I said go back to the other
venue because I think it would be easier for staff to do that. But what however it works out, um I think it's important that we've heard what they've said and we're trying. We may not get there, but I think we have to at least try. But I
also would like to reiterate what Miss Leonardi said and I think the biggest complaint we've heard here. I think the perfect example was hamburgers and hot dogs and steak and lobster. And although that's not how we view it, it is how you view it. And so if that's the case, how
do we it either has to be all or nothing? I think it's important to figure out if if some of them can't have it in venues, then maybe nobody should have it in venues. And what does that look like? And how do how does the
school view that? You know, people have said had to graduation. So I don't think logistically that makes sense because you have people speaking and they'd have to speak more than than one time. But anyway, I hope that when you bring it back to us that that's part of the conversation. So, thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Spelberg. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to provide a little bit of um the implications of this. Um we are it's January 21st. Uh there are families who are planning actively for this. There
are families who are planning travel for outofstate family members, international family members. So, I just want to, you know, caution the board. I I respect any decision that you're, you know, you're making, uh, but caution the board that there is a time crunch here. There has
been dates announced, um, to tens of thousands of students and families that these are confirmed dates. Uh, many do not follow what's happening here today. I would argue most don't follow what is happening here today. So it's important that everybody understands what the
status is uh because I think we'll get some equal blowback uh if dates are changed later on. Uh so I just you know want to caution that and uh to Mrs. Hixon's point you know we stand ready to support in terms of the student engagement efforts on this uh which I
also equally caution um I think opens another door uh to some other logistical challenges but please keep that in mind in in making this decision. Thank you, Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. Um, thank you, Mr. Selber. Uh, that was the question that I
had too, just what our timeline looks like. Um, asking do Dr. Heburn, but seeing if it's even feasible for us to explore other options at this time based on all of the logistics like what that's going to look like and if
it's something that we can actually pull off. >> Difficult. It's feas. It's it's within our timeline because we have to do outreach um to tomorrow. Today we won't have the time today because we're here, but have to do outreach tomorrow. See what the cost is, see what the feasibility is,
and report back by the end by end of day Friday of the engagements we were successful with. >> So, it's going to >> is that going to involve us voting on anything? Does it have to be on an agenda or would it be >> I don't think it needs to be on an
agenda unless somebody brings a a B item to direct us to to do otherwise. We're just going to do some factf finding and present the options um to the board um via memo and then start having conversations with you guys oneonone u probably Friday afternoon, Friday evening. Okay. >> And like uh um Landon who I finally
called Mr. President, he's absolutely right. there's lots of families that not paying attention to this and they already booked their tickets and they're ready to come down and see their loved ones for graduation. So, it's also in the back of our minds, too. So, and I I agree with Miss Hixon's comment, too. I
I you know, I when I spoke earlier, we were talking about equity, and I agree that if we're going to make it equitable, we should make it equitable for everybody. So if we have to make a tough decision and this is a financial crisis that we're in. We have to make
tough um decisions for our budget then I would like to look at every you know having everyone have the same experience um because clearly everyone's upset that some people are getting what is perceived as a better experience than others. So I I would not object to
looking into that either. Okay. >> And that just to clarify that's um having everybody in district own facilities. I just want to >> Yes. >> Dr. He. >> Yes. Go ahead, Dr. Watson. >> So, as I said on October 21st, I'm going
to say it again. We have to be very clear. We do not have a district-owned facility that can accommodate Cypress Bay High School. We don't have a district-owned facility that can accommodate Marjgery Stoman Douglas Western. Yeah. And um you know
that's why we had to go externally. Could we potentially fit more of a few more of the high schools that are at NOVA into Dillard? Yeah, we can go that way if we're going to but but we just have to be very clear that we do not
have a district-owned facility that can accommodate,00 graduates. >> Yeah. >> And I I understand that. I mean I I listen I appreciate the work that you done that you've done and I support
that. I but I I also understand the objection that people have to the fact that some people are going to the Hard Rock and other people are going somewhere else. So um you know if there's a way to reconcile that or to reconcile more of it that
would be great but if not then we continue with the plan >> and I I mean I think really that's a conversation for next year. Um so we can deal with that not today. Dr. Holes. >> Thank you Madam Chair. Um, I did hear a
student mention to board member Bulman's point, uh, I believe I heard a comment where a student mentioned, and I don't know if this has ever been done in any school district, but for large schools like Cypress Bay or MSD,
um, there was a comment about uh, letters A through a certain letter M or whatever it is graduate at one time and then from N through Has that ever been done? I mean, I heard a student mentioned it. Uh, and I'm wondering if
if that is I know that's not a practice of Broward County Schools, but is is that a solution? And has that ever been done if we're looking to have graduations at our facilities? >> So, um, I don't recall that being done here, Miss Hixon. I'm not putting you on the spot, but you're a little bit older
than me, just by one year. But um I don't recall that from you know being a student, being a being a parent, being an employee. Listen you all, I got to break the air some kind of way. Um but uh I don't recall us doing it here in
the district. And what I will say, um for families, that may be, you know, something that may not be the best option for families. um particularly when you have you know um family members
that have different letters in the alphabet of last names and now you're asking the family to come back once or twice or so >> I'm I'm sorry >> I've never seen that done in any >> I understand >> our system either the only thing I can think of if you do it like the colleges
you know colleges graduate specific majors um >> okay the reason I mention because I know I heard a student said it, one of the students earlier, I believe. So, I I thought that was um something I needed to ask. So, Madam Chair, what I will say
is that and I just want to clarify my position. I I believe we should uh stay the course until we're in a better financial position to do otherwise or until another entity chooses to to fit the differences in costs. You know, I
hope we will be in a better position in the future to do differently. I am optimistic that we can and that we will. I just believe that if we don't act on saving now in every way that we won't be
able to be saved in the future. You know, um the month of January uh and I wanted to mention this earlier, we we um we look at uh uh MLK and what I would say in terms of my dream cuz he talked
about a dream. For me, I dream that one day our school districts in the state of Florida will have comparable funding that at least matches the average funding of the schools in the country. And I dream that our districts in the state of Florida will one day rise from
the bottom of funding to a better place. So, Madame Chair, the that's my position and I and I do hope we're in a better place in the future. >> Thank you. All right. We will now move on to our time certain for 115. Could I have a motion and a second on HH1?
>> So moved. >> Moved by Miss Rupert, second by Miss Hixon. We have several public speakers on HH1, memorandum of understanding between school board of Brower County and Broward Teachers Union EP. Uh the fir the three public speakers we have are Marian McCulla, Melanie Berkin, and
Helen Chisum. So if your name was called for public speaking, please approach the mic. Marian McCulla, Melanie Burk. >> Madam Speaker, I had to go to the restroom earlier when you called my name and I wondered if I could I am speaking
on this item anyway. So uh and I was for public speaker. So >> on HH1. >> Yes. Okay. >> Go ahead. >> All right. Uh my name is Well, wait a minute. I don't remember my name. My name is Dr. Trudy Jamanovich. Once
again, I'm wearing my red stop blaming teachers t-shirt. The district has directed funds to the highest wage earners in this district. Even at this very meeting, when the voters approved referendum monies, teachers were to be the main beneficiaries of this money so
that they could have some hope of making ends meet. This money was not to be used for upper level administrators. The board should make sure that all non-school-based personnel return the referendum money they received. There
are many teachers who have had to return money immediately when the district made a mistake in their paycheck. Upper level administrators should not be able to keep this money. Unfortunately, the teachers and the public lose trust in the actions of this board when persons
making well over $100,000 are still keeping these funds. Other places to save money stop the purchase of onetoone computers right now, especially for preschool and primary
students. These students should not spend the endless hours on a computer just so the district can feed the data machine for testing companies. I'm sorry. You've got a lot of places
you could be saving and you're not saving anything really with the things that you're doing right now. Start finding real places to cut at the upper level. Thank you.
Next public speakers again we have Miriam McCulla, Melanie Berkin and Helen Chisum on HH1. All right, board member discussion on HH1. We have Mr. Civera.
>> Chair, may I have you pass together my notes? There's no one else who signed up to speak on this item. If anyone else on the board would like to speak >> actually, if I may and review my notes, I'm satisfied. >> All right. All in favor of HH1 say I.
>> I. All oppose say no. >> Wait a second. You got I'm in all fairness, Sarah, >> please have some decorum in the audience. Please. >> I have to ask you for approval. You did it all wrong. >> I'm asking again for decorum in the audience. This is the quorum. >> We will recess the meeting. We will
recess the meeting. Thank you. Down. Do you feel This school board meeting is now reconvened. I would like to just take a a moment to again reiterate there needs to be decorum. I was given a list of
registered public speakers. I was not informed that there would be any HR staff speaking to this item. Miss Fusco, you are not on the list of registered speakers. However, since we have not completed the vote, I will give you the courtesy of speaking, but we have had
plenty of public speakers who have come to the mic, who have been respectful, who have kept decorum. I would like to maintain that today. Um, you have my number, you can reach out, but I did call for public speakers. Um so again I will give the courtesy to people who
want to speak on this item. No one came to the mic aside from a few people. So please go ahead. Let's keep the quorum and be respectful. >> So on this item what we've always done when we ratify Broward Teachers Union
stands with HR not timed. I don't have to sign up as a speaker because we're explaining how we got there to ratify and then asking for you to join in the ratification and approve it from the executive from the school board. So
again, I can't keep reminding you how you keep getting misled by staff on how things are being done. And if you're going to change the procedure, let me know because I've been doing this for a decade as the union president.
And before that, as a teacher, when I sat on the executive board of the Broward Teachers Union and on the negotiations team, so I I know the process. You changed it, but you didn't tell anybody. And I got people telling me you have to sign up to speak and you're just racing through it. As much
as I appreciate that you want to approve it to give the 0.55 amount percentage into all of our teachers that voted, the 13,200 had an opportunity to vote. We had a 97% success on saying yes, we would like to
have that. We understand how we're going to get it. It's going to be retroed and then distributed the rest of the school year in their paychecks. It's not all going to come in one lump sum. And through the HR team bringing it and presenting it, it was clearly explained. That's why the ratification happened
with such a great success. And that's how this is done. And then if other people in the audience want to speak on it, they can. But this is not an item that I have to sign up for. I'm the Brower Teachers Union president. And by the way, I do have decorum and I do have
professionalism. It's called being a strong advocate when I see a bunch of BS political stuff going on up there. And we got to sit here and hear that we're going to take food out of kids mouths because we want that the other group to have a great graduation rate. That's some BS. I'm sorry. That's ridiculous.
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. Again, you want to throw it on the backs of students now because one group wants to do one thing and another group wants to get get another thing. The Broward Teachers Union is an advocate for the Broward County Public School students. We donated hundreds and
hundreds of thousands of dollars to make sure kids get places and if they need to be fed, we'll join in helping with that. Just let people know. Broward Education Foundation should let people know. So, I ask you to approve this item, but I also ask you while we're getting this amount
to take in the conscience effort. Stop whining and crying that you're in a financial bind and actually do something about it and stop putting on the backs of students. Stop putting the backs of teachers and your employees. That's what you need to do. Elected officials, stop
it. Stand up and do something. Come up with some solutions. it. I am very upset to see that I had to hear from Jeff, Sarah, Rebecca, Mara sitting here on the backs of students. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I am insulted and so are the students and so are the teachers and
so is the community. By the way, made a $500,000 blunder. You're not still worried about fixing that. So approve this measy little amount of money that we got from the government in the state legislation and then move to bring in some money towards teacher salaries so they don't have to work two and three
jobs to make this school rated district a >> are there any public speakers on this item? >> I agree with Madame President. Okay, now that we've had um all of the
public speakers that have wanted to speak, I do have a question before we vote um to staff. Was there any indication because that was not shared with me that anyone from that that HR was going to come speak today and stand with our labor representatives
>> through the chair, David Azrito, executive director of professional practices. Uh normally we're sitting down and the union is speaking about the topic. So, it wasn't on our agenda to stand next to them, but we stand with them and hoping you guys approve the 0.55.
>> Okay. Um, in the future, if you could keep me a breast of how that would go next time. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Any other board member comment on the item, Miss Rupert? >> Thank you. Um, I just want to actually put a little bit of history into the
conversation. um the union after ratification comes to the the board meeting, stands up at the podium, they have all their union members beside them and some years I think we've all been together, some we haven't. But the point is usually it's a
a large uh congregation of people celebrating that the ratification happened. So I just wanted that to be on the record. um you know a lot of things have happened over the years and any disrespect um that we've done because we've forgotten it's it's a hectic time
but um you know it has been done before and like madam chair said if it want if you want to go forward with that again then let let staff know and they'll bring it back so thank you for the next time >> any other board member comment on the item
all in favor of HH1 say I all oppose say no item passes unanimously. Um I will now move to the redefining items. So could I get a motion and I will take them individually because of um any motions that board members might want to
make individually on the individual's individual items. So could I please get a motion and a second on the superintendent's recommendations for Sunshine Elementary School MM1? >> Wait one second. No m >> um where in the line is the 11:30
special order. >> I wanted to get through the MM items because it is redefining and people are here for that. Um and that has a significant impact. Um but if it is the will of the board to go to B2, I will do that. >> Do you want to go around and and get
consensus on which item we want to take next? B2. Mr. Civera. Dr. Hoes. >> I'm fine with B2, Madam Chair. >> Okay, Mr. Hixon. >> B2, but I have a question. We also skipped the BEF um PTA and the union
groups. >> I'm aware of that. >> We're going to get to that. Okay. I'm good with B2. >> Miss Bulman. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Miss Thompson. All right, we'll go to B2. Could I get a motion in a second on B2? >> So moved. >> Moved by Miss Rupert, second by Miss
Hixon. Public comment on B2. >> We have four register speakers, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, Nikki uh Watkins, Jackie Lubcum, and Dr. Judy Chernandovich. Good afternoon, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh. Um, good thing I knew to pay attention
when I went to wash my hands. Okay. Um, but we're not on F2, we're on B2, which is Mrs. Rupert's item, which is on policy 1020, which is school board meetings and rules of order.
So there's a lot of things where as this policy kept coming back to the board, it started reading like staff was trying to control the board and the board is supposed to be in charge of the district. There are tons of statutes
that say this. You're also supposed to make sure that your superintends are following policies and state laws. So, like if you have a diversity committee policy, they're supposed to
follow that. If you have um a lawsuit settlement, they shouldn't be engaging in activities that are the opposite of that. For example, equity. If you have a strategic plan, they should be following that. So anyway, on 1020,
I think the item reads to help the board with governance because you definitely need to take control of what your functions are. Um, you just changed the policy recently to include a follow-up log from the
superintendent and it's one of the things I'm paying attention to. But within 48 hours, it's not that the things are due in 48 hours, it's that you're supposed to get the log. And coming from a business background, I know my definition of log
might be a little bit different. But what I want to explain to you is that based on the public records requests I had to do, your superintendent appeared to have flung the task to his secretary to do instead of getting with cabinet level people like in IT and coming up
with the mac daddy of follow-up logs that's interactive and could help you better govern this district. That's what you got out of that change to policy. And then the other thing on this policy, and I totally support cracking it open and looping it, is the definition of
good cause. When is it good cause and when is it not good cause? Because there doesn't seem to be a laundry list of reasons of a definition of good cause. But every AI totally disagreed with the board chair in turning down Mr. Sea
because Mr. Seiver's request would have been the like a textbook definition of good cause because of the timeliness, public interest, and all of these other things. It should have been on today's agenda and then it should have gotten on there again. And yes, shame on the four
of you that caused it to be voted down. It's going to come back to bite you. I guarantee it. But now would be the time. You need some guidelines. You're supposed to state what good cause is and define it. not just say you found good cause. >> Next public speaker.
>> Good afternoon again, Madame Chair, board members, Superintendent Heburn and staff Nikki Watkins here again, parent Davyy resident, staff chair and legislative representative. Thank you to Miss Roupert for bringing this item
forward. Um, policy 1020, for those who may not know, um, speaks to a larger issue because it governs how this board conducts its work because it shapes meetings, motions, public participation, and committee reporting. It's not a
policy that we can treat as routine. It should be updated deliberately with one goal, stronger governance that earns public trust. I appreciate that the executive summary says the purpose of this rulemaking is to strengthen board
governance. That is the right decision, especially given the recent lessons our community has experienced. Lessons that will ultimately land in students and tax land with students and taxpayers. As you refine policy 1020, I urge you to align
it with policy 1070, which governs advisory committees. Policy 1020 includes committee reports and policy 1070 defines how committees operate. If these policies are not clearly connected, we risk gaps, confusion, and
inefficiency. If they are aligned, advisory committees can better support the board with consistent expectations, clear communication, and smoother coordination with staff. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to continuous improvement, accountability,
and customer service. My name is Dr. Trudy Germanovich and I was looking back over my notes and it was in January of last year when we started on this process. January of last year. And the reason why we're here
again to do this is because you didn't take it through the looping process that had always been done. Now you have a chance to do something similar. You're doing that with the DAC looking at 1070. 1070
and 1020 go together. They should be brought together. So please just start doing things that are sensible. If I ran a classroom like this, I wouldn't get anything done. So please, a year, a year
you've been trying to change a policy. Can you believe that? Um, I just believe that you need to start listening. As the hat said, Mr. Sea, to your teachers,
your parents, your students, you really need to listen. And I I think that unfortunately this is going to be a new process. You think you're listening, but you're not because obviously we wouldn't have to come back to these meetings over and
over again. Also, take off those attachments. I must have said it six times in the last year. Take off the attachments. You don't put attachments on a policy. That's called a procedure. You don't put attachments on a policy.
Thank you. Uh, good afternoon. Jackie Luskam. I'm the ESC advisory chair. I sit on the DAC policy subcommittee and I'm a parent. I just want to say one thing. I didn't not come down here for anything controversial today. I came down to support Miss Rbert's um motion and a
special order was set for 11:30 a.m. To get to 3:45 p.m. Sorry, 2:45 p.m. and be having to fight and find out by default that the intention was to skip over it for another few hours is somewhat disappointing. I didn't come down here cross, but I am now. I've been sitting
here for this long just to for three minutes and that was rude. There were four speakers signed up. Um, I support this because the board has not been looping policies through advisories as policy 1000 allows when there is relevant relevance and potential benefit
to doing so. It has made it harder for community to provide comprehensive feedback other than getting it in our 3minut public speaking time increments. This coupled with the fact that staff kept bringing errors and making unilateral tweaks that nobody asked for in the policy draft is a problem that I
fear is making the board look bad. I'm making using the same script that I've used before. You have two pathways here I think to uh fix some of the um deficiencies in this policy we which we have flagged a number of times. Um one would be to just do what you did with
policy 1070 which is throw it back to the DAC policy subcommittee. I know Mrs. Rbert has proposed putting it back through um um rule making altogether. Um but I would like to flag that some of the deficiencies if you're wondering um
pertain certainly in the view of ES of uh of various advisories to the segments around uh committee reporting about how you deal with um and hear and consider um recommendations from um advisories.
Um, we had flagged that appendices B and C are entirely unworkable um and reflect a lack of understanding of best practices that advisories strive for and go against the goals of purposeful recordkeeping and good time management. Making us use those forms
would go against the policy's purported goal of ensuring greater structure, consistency and efficiency. Um again as well policy 1020 intertwines with policy 1070 which is now under uh review as
well um that you sent it back to us on on um DAC policy subcommittee. So um the idea of just breaking open policy 1020 again so that that can be reviewed is a sensible one. I'd also like to make an observation that you might want to also
reconsider in policy 1020. Um, setting some rules around your attorney client sessions. These are lawyers who are paid three if not four figure sums to be in your boardroom. And those of us who are here as volunteers or as parents could use that time more uh purposefully.
Thank you. >> Any other public comment on this item? president. >> Um, I mean, I'm not going to stand up here for three minutes and repeat what everybody else said. I think you know as a board what's the right thing to do
about policy 1020. You see what those types of changes have created. And I got to give it to Miss Liscom. She's right. So people who pour in the money and pay, they get they get to have their time and so forth. But your parents and the
constituents and volunteers and and other groups, you know, they're just going to get pushed off to the side. Or you guys use them as, oh, they're here all the time anyway. We have to listen to them anyway. I watch your guys' faces. You don't you see me up here taking pictures and videos. You talk
about decorum. You know what the good decorum is? When people have the time to stand up here that you actually sit and watch and pay attention. That's the quorum. instead of worrying about how we're presenting it or the messaging is not what you guys want.
There's a lot of things happening, a lot. And when you've got a certain policy that has become crippling and you've got a board member that's presenting it that needs to be changed, I'm asking you guys to diligently look at it and and do it what's for the good
of the community or do you want to keep what's for the good of you? because you all made it a point to clearly sit there and talk about what's good for you about this graduation BS. Oh, when I graduated, where'd you graduate, Mr. Hoess?
I mean, you certainly gave your little stand up there. You want to rub it in that kids aren't going to get to eat breakfast or lunch? That is not going to happen. That is not going to happen if you allow students to graduate. And why I'm coming back to
it is that if you guys would have allowed to be on the agenda, you would have taken three hours to sit here and hear yourselves talk and blow hot air. And some of you don't even know what you're talking about. You don't get it or you don't want to get it or you don't care.
Not okay. Again, you have a group of people that work for this district that put you in this financial bind and yet they're still here. You haven't changed that. You haven't changed that, but you want to change everything else that stifles
the actual group that pours the money into the Broward County Public Schools called your taxpayers, your constituents, the actual ones that want to continue to keep coming and attend Broward County Public Schools, your students. Got a young man here sitting in a hot bear
suit so you guys can listen to him. I'm going to sit around and watch and see how you treat him. We already know how you treated a senior validictorian. So again, I encourage you work on changing this policy. Work on doing better and stop blowing hot air. It's
about the student and start showing it. Yes, I did take my three minutes. Thank you. Any other public comment on B2? Go to board member comment. Miss Rupert.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I strictly brought this so we could uh formalize that it goes to the um into the looping process and it it actually initiates rule making for revisions to our policy today. That's it simply.
>> Mr. Sera, >> thank you and thank you to Miss Rupert for bringing this. Um chair, I I've got some questions for our general counsel. We heard from the speaker uh the little dilemma here about what can and what
cannot constitute quote unquote good cause. We all experienced it firsthand um this morning um with my proposed agenda item. And I'd like to know uh pursuant to paragraph 3 subsection B uh under the
the policy that's at issue now what madame general counsel does actually constitute good cause? Is it matters of great public concern or great public importance like I don't know high school graduations? Is it newly discovered
evidence like what I deal with under the rules of civil procedure in a legal context like when PTAs and uh elected officials from your cities call you and say, "Hey, listen. If we would have knew this was coming, we would have helped fray the costs for this." What exactly
constitutes good cause that we can put into this rule so we don't have to sit here next time and scratch our head as to whether or not our uh amended agenda items can be added. Thank you, >> Miss Jack Adams.
>> So through the chair, we have a a policy process. So for me to craft language on the spot with regards to a particular definition is not appropriate at this time. I do want to say um through the
chair that good cause in the context of chapter um let me see 120 point just one moment yes 125252
which is a good cause I believe that you're speaking to does not have a definition within 120 And the way that the law handles that is when a phrase is not defined, it takes on its ordinary
meaning under Florida law and then also um the ordinary meaning has been construed as like a a def definition meaning. Now depending upon the underlying facts and circumstances um like for example you can't use just
one scenario that is considered good cause. It's different um depending upon the underlying facts and circumstances. Um like for example when a board member wants to deviate from the
superintendent's recommendation with regards to discipline that's good cause as well but that good cause has a different underlying fact than good cause is under 12525.
So it um just to finalize it takes on its ordinary dictionary definition with regards to good cause. >> So I guess two questions. Number one, is it your professional legal opinion that we should maybe look at the case law and
see if there's any guidance on that in in regards to chapter 120, specifically 12525 subsection 2? Um that's my first question. My follow-up question on that is, what do you think we can do to beef
this up within this policy so we're not in a similar situation later on down the road where nobody can figure out what the heck constitutes good cause? >> So my definition of good cause came straight from case law. In particular, it's school board of Palm Beach County
versus Survivor Charter Schools. Um um and I can provide you with a citation. It indicated what I just referenced which is if good cause is not defined in the statute it takes on its ordinary meaning and its ordinary meaning can be the dictionary meaning of the word good
cause. So the what I told you was based upon Florida statutes in terms of trying to take a look at the policy to figure out what language should be in what language should be
included. That's not a that's not a that's not something that should take place on the dis. Whenever a policy is reviewed, it's reviewed by staff and then it's legally reviewed by um our office.
>> Are you satisfied with uh paragraph Roman numeral 3 subsection B? >> So with regards to any paragraph in a policy, it's not whether I am satisfied with it. It's what the board approved. So if the board does not wants to change
it for any reason then the board is following the proper procedure to go ahead and revisit it and then it goes through that same rule making process and our role is to legally review what
what is what has been sent before us. Do you believe this is legally sound or perhaps it can be beefed up for a lack of better terms can be beefed up a little bit. >> So to opine upon whether a paragraph is legally sound or not is
not my role right now. It's to legally review the policy to ensure that it's in compliance with the enabling statute. So I I don't have any opinions as I sit here with regards to this particular paragraph. Like I said, that that's not
the process that we follow. Um, it is reviewed by staff and legally reviewed by the Office of General Counsel. >> Thank you for explaining what your role has been in this process.
>> Miss Hixon, thank you. Um, first I I just wanted to clear up something that a couple of the the public speakers mentioned about. So, attorney client session, it isn't the attorneys here in the schoolboard
building. It is our outside attorneys and we have to pay them hourly. And so, when we when we're trying to stay close to that timeline, it isn't to disregard someone else. It's just that they're on the CL we're paying for them. So, we're
trying to keep that to a minimum. Um, we just and to another public speaker, we passed this policy in November of 2025. So, we went through, as another public speaker mentioned, almost a year, 11 months of having workshops, more than
one, and going through this process, and then we voted on it the way it stands today in November. So, I am not for opening this up again right now. I think we have a lot of other really important
things that are on our agenda, mostly um repurposing our schools and looking at how we make our budget better. I just think there's a better use of our time at the moment. So maybe possibly when 1070 runs through it, then we would know
what changes, but we did a lot of changes over the last 11 months and voted. So, it was updated in November of 2025. We're in January of 2026. So, it was updated and a lot of effort went into that. So, I'm not going to be able
to support this item today. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> I echo Miss Hickon, Mrs. Hixon's sentiment. >> Mrs. Alhidef, thank you. So, to my colleagueu's point, Mr. Vera with the good cause. I mean, we
ended up talking not on the item for about 4 hours. So, I think that was a lot of good cause to have an item and to been able to open up the agenda to actually have a vote. But I think we got to a good conclusion regardless. But
what I would like our general counsel to do is to reach out to the Florida School Board Association and ask them to opine on the good cause and what is written in our policy just to get another perspective. And then to the maker of the motion,
Miss Rupert, in the recommended action, it speaks to initiate rulemaking, but you talked about looping. So, can you clarify the requested action? I had it as rule making.
So we would give the superintendent um the order or the recommendation to rule make for for the policy. But I know the other one is going through um looping. So I I do not believe that the conversation that we had for 4 hours
came to a conclusion. and um because there were still many community members that felt they hadn't heard enough and their voices weren't wasn't counted enough. That's what I remember. I don't remember us coming to consensus. Uh I
remember um not just me, other board members said, uh let's, you know, let's bring it back. So, I was trying to do that. I know it really sucks in timing with everything that we're doing, but it was going to be a few weeks ago and the timing was terrible then as well. I
figured let's just put it on here. Let's just do it. It's a simple thing. We don't have to discuss it to death. It's an easy yes. And um I I don't understand the push back. >> Okay. So, um I guess Dr. Harper in within the rule making there will not be
looping. I just want clarification. >> Mr. Sullivan. >> Yes, thank you. Uh, so again, just to remind the board 1020s about how the uh board governs themselves. Um, but just speaking of normal policy, it would go to a workshop. There would be proposed
changes uh to the policy. For this one, I would suggest those changes come from the board because again, it is how the board governs themselves and then at that point the board can decide if they want to loop it. But you wouldn't you wouldn't loop it before it came to the board for that
rule making for rule I'm sorry rule development. >> Dr. Zean. >> Uh thanks so much chair. Um I'm not uh in favor of doing this largely just because uh as Miss Hixon said we have some other things to do. Um and this
board uh is unpredictable I think about how long something might take in terms of discussion and uh workshop and then how how many different groups uh would loop it and things like that. Um we just have to be thoughtful. We have as it turns out 253 different policies
covering 1700 pages and this one we just finished up I think if I'm right chair was it been roughly two months ago? >> That's correct. >> Yeah. So I just think we have to be a little bit judicious about this. I respect the the interest in changing uh some things or maybe even some
individual uh uh pieces of this. Uh but we just have to kind of spend our time on things that uh make sense. And I think that there ought to be, you know, some amount of time to let this policy as we just passed it November kind of settle in a little bit and then maybe next November we can bring it back up. Uh something along that pace. But um the
last thing I'd like to do, chair, is call the question, please. >> Uh so a motion has been made to call the question. All in favor of calling the question say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> Calling the question passes unanimously. All in favor of item B2 say I.
>> I. >> All oppose say no. No. Roll call please. >> Roll call on the item uh school board members Ahadv. >> Yes. >> Bowman. >> No. >> Sea. >> Is that a no.
>> Hixon. >> No. >> Ponis. >> No. Leonardi >> no >> rupert >> of course it's a yes I vote for people >> Thompson >> Zean >> no >> fails 27
>> All right before we move to the next item I would like to ask what the will of the board is in terms of the rest of the schedule. So we have presentations from Broward County uh council PTAs PTSAs and then the employee union
groups. We also have the MM items for consolidating and repurposing our schools. Um, we also have a 330 time certain where there will be a court reporter. Um, and like Miss Hixon said, we are paying people to be here. So, in
the interest of being financially responsible, um, I do think it's important that we take those times the 3:30 time certain at 3:30. Um, but I was I want to know what the will of the board is in terms of the presentations
um and the MM items. Miss Rupert, >> I would rather do the MM items because those are school related and community related. >> Miss Thompson, >> is the court reporter here now? We
started early. Miss Jack Adams, >> I I do want to remind the board the underlying facts with regards to the time certain at 3:30 has to do with property casual insurance of the school board's property. So I
>> can we do it now? >> Believe that you it's time certain for 3:30. So I'm not sure whether the court reporter is here right now. If the court reporter is here, let me check. Um, Miss I mean one one thing we could do is uh well I guess I was wondering
does anyone do want to go to the presentations right now? >> Miss and Miss Hill >> fairly short so I and they've been here since 10:00. >> Okay let's go ahead and do our presentations. BEF is not here. Correct Mr. Hill. >> That is correct.
>> Brower County Council PTAs PTSAs. >> They sent a report to us. Um, employee union groups, BTU, BPAA, ASM, MAB, Phobi, Copa, and PBA. Anyone from our employee union groups? Uh, >> oh.
Oh, you thought I left. No, we didn't. No. Anna Fusco Brower Teachers Union. I was just informed that I used up all my minutes, so they're not going to let me speak for bear. So, I'll do it now. So, first of all,
I'm going to get it over with with how you guys have come in egregious and wrongful negotiations. You don't come into negotiations and demand negotiations that come in with no money. Just saying. Go find some labor attorneys and ask them. That's wrong.
Oh, and then ask for people to pay on the backs of employees, everybody, for their insurance. That's called a pay cut. So I would like to know where the land of labor and law negotiations that that is uh called um you know good
intentions of negotiating. So that's that piece. Um with the redefining of schools there's a lot of components of it and I'm glad that you guys took the opportunity to separate each group. I was a little nervous that you're going
to put them all together and vote one because you guys have been bamboozled, snowed, whatever other terminology I could come up with that that's the only way you're going to save money in this district. Oh, that's right. And the graduation and taking teachers can't
teach extra classes, personalization courses. I can name a whole bunch that you want to put on the backs of the people that come to the schools and then the ones that work for the schools. Does that make any sense? I don't know what business world you guys are in, but not in my business
world. Broward Teachers Union has a pristine budget and auditing and whole group of people that do their work or they get out. That's it. I'm not calling in people to come check my books and make sure I'm more accountable and give
me more efficiency like you guys did. I spoke out at a press conference. I don't agree with that either. I believe you should make your staff that has been hired to get their job done. That's it. Now, let's talk about a
particular school bear. I personally spoke with city commissioners and the city manager who they're sitting in the audience by the way. So again, you want to continue to keep getting the stories from the staff that by the way has shown over pattern
pattern over pattern over pattern. Year after year, history keeps repeating itself. They tell you one thing, show another, and another thing happens. But you got to keep that going, right, Jeff? This is for you cuz this is in your district. You're one of the ones that
insisted that the city was the problem. By the way, where did I see that it says cities needed to come in and save Brower County Public Schools? Is there a policy that I missed? Is there something written somewhere? I think that that is noble that any
community entity, any constituent, any city or the county wants to step up and help. You know, you should be giving a big fat thank you. You got kids in this audience right now
that have been waiting that are saying don't close my school because particular staff did not go with a great plan. I'm not talking about a plan should be a great plan. So, I'm
asking board up there, please do not move forward on closing bear until you have every single staff member that was involved that meets with every one of you to show this particular plan that they went to the city and asked for
help. And then it was, well, why did the city show up to the redefining meetings? One, they did, but they don't have to. So, you're saying because the city doesn't show up, they're the problem. Do
you hear this? Does that even sound professional? Does that sound businesslike? I wish the Broward Teachers Union could come in and save it all. I really do. We're in a great place, but we can't. But we're going to still
continue to donate where it's needed to help schools that don't get the proper materials so those kids can continue to get greatness and keep this district at a rated because of the students and the teachers. So I'm asking you to hear me now. Do not move forward with bear.
It is not done. It's not set in stone. You have the city manager and commissioners and family and kids sitting here that are going to tell you if you give them the one minute or the three, who knows? I hope you give them three minutes. Have some courtesy that they're willing to help make it
work for Bear and West Pine. That is a fact. And I believe them. They have not ever led me wrong, but you've got a group that have always led you wrong. Keep that in your hats and don't forget. >> Thank you, BPA. Oh, sorry, Dr. Holess. Go ahead, >> Madam Chair. I
>> please can we have decorum in the audience? >> So, Madam Chair, I'd like to clarify uh comment because my name was mentioned as a resident of of the city of Sunrise, which I am and love the city of Sunrise. Uh I was the board member leading the
efforts as well in our prior workshop discussion to keep Beer open and I continue to stand that ground. But what I will tell you is that there is no casting of who blame of who is the problem. What I did do is I went to the
city of Sunrise Commission a couple of times to indicate to them that due to uh enrollment concerns at Beer as well as West Pine Middle and other schools in Broad County that if the city would be willing to occupy a a reasonable
percentage of the empty seats, then there's a possibility that that could um result in the district uh not considering closing beer along with other options. So there was no casting of blame to say the city is the problem
or anyone is a problem. What is an issue for broad county schools is that we have significantly underenrolled schools and if we don't have corporations by municipalities or different entities that wishes to occupy space in these schools then the district is forced to make certain decisions. No one is the
problem. We are part of the solution all of us as a district. So I want to clarify madam chair that as a city of sunrise resident there is in no way that I would say the city of sunrise is the problem with our closing of schools in
sunrise. The city of sunrise can be a part of the solution along with any entity that wishes to occupy empty spaces in broad county schools. So thank you for the opportunity to clarify. >> Of course, BPAA, ESMAP,
Phau, COPA, PBA. All right. Is it the will of the board to go to our MM items? >> All right. Could I get a motion and a second on MM1? So move >> moved by Miss Hixon, seconded by Miss
Roupert. Public comment on MM1. >> No registered speakers. Madam >> four member discussion on MM1. So that's for Sunshine Elementary. I was not given an item and by item pulled list. Uh so I just want to make sure. Go
ahead, Miss Thompson. >> Uh thank you, chair. And some of my questions are applicable to the all the changes. Um for transportation, how are we going to determine whether a walking route is considered hazardous?
And if a parent feels that their home address that their home in particular is hazardous, how should they notify staff? And then does a actual person physically walk the route to assess safety concerns?
>> Yes. So as the transition after this vote, we actually will start communicating with the school and the parents um explain those detailed information just like we did with the Broward Estates um closing and and um consolidation into MLK and I'll have Dr.
WA talk about any specifics as far as detail of what the staff does as far as walking routes and all that. >> So um good afternoon again. So, uh, the transportation department works in, um, collaboration with environmental health and safety. Um, so specifically, we know
that those directors, executive director, um, Dr. Claus, as well as, um, director Woodinsky, they they actually um go out and um, travel, if you will, the routes that the students would take to determine if there if there is a
hazardous walk condition. We know that there are opportunities where the city of Myiramar may provide crossing guards to mitigate that crossing guards to address that concern. And if they do not, then that is where the district um entertains the actual, you know, transportation routes and things of that
nature. And um as we've had in previous discussions, I know that the area of major concern as it relates to these two schools is um right there at at Island Drive where one school is on the north side of um Myar Parkway and the other
school is on the south side. So Myar Parkway and primarily I believe it's Myar Parkway at that Island Drive intersection is where the greatest concern is. But obviously it's the crossing of Myar Parkway. And what does that timeline look like for parents to know?
>> Um so um as soon as the board takes whatever action it takes today then um between transportation, environmental health and safety within the next few weeks they would actually um firm up what that looks like and then we start to communicate with parents. I would say
within the next month maybe and and that's the long shot but yes. >> Thank you. And then um what is the timeline for after these decisions are made that in-person parent meetings will
be scheduled at the schools impacted and what is the notification and communication plan so that all parents know that they're happening? >> So Dr. He can I start? Okay. So um so the the first thing depending on whatever action the board takes today we have we have a meeting set with the
principles tomorrow right so that that the school leaders actually know and understand what action was taken by the board. We have developed um FAQ communication type toolkits for the school leader so they can have something right there on campus. We as a district
will send out um mass notification but that is message specific you know based on the individual decision that will go out from the district to the families um of the individual schools that action is taken and what we're we are working with
our colleagues in teaching and learning to identify some specific dates that we can meet at the schools to have the conversations with parents and we're we're trying to get all of that nailed down so that parents will know um either by the end of this week or early next
week when those actual meetings would take place so that they can come to the school, ask questions, get assistance as needed. Um I I will say cuz I don't know what other questions are going to be asked, but I what I will say is that last year it was one school. So there
was obviously more hands-on approach where all staff can go to that one school. Depending on what happens today, it could be anywhere from 0 to 7 depending on what happens. And so um but but we are still committed to ensuring that we provide our families with that
personal touch. It may look a little bit differently meaning you know the choice office is only so many people. So instead of four four of them going to one school it may just be one person and I may be one of the one people. So >> uh thank you for that. And then I think there's a lot of questions about
leadership at all the proposed schools and I would just like the district to kind of explain the principal selection process. Um and I know preferably families would like to know who's the principal at their new proposed school. So what
does that look like and it is there a way for an accelerated timeline? >> Yes. Um leadership definitely matters. So, we know some families are concerned about the specific um leader of the school. I'll have um um Dr. Fulton go
over the process that we usually use um and then kind of weighing in on um more accelerated process to kind of solidify because it is a domino effect across the whole entire district um for vacancies that we have uh currently now that we've task assigned because we know we're
going to have to u move some people around and um so I turn it over to you Dr. Fulton. >> Thank you to the chair Angela Fulton deputy superintendent. So Dr. Dr. Hepper, you actually said it correctly. So after uh whatever decision that is
made today by the board, then we go um and start that process and it will be a process where like Dr. Heeper mentioned, leadership does matter. We want to make sure that we match the correct leader with the right school and with the right community. So it will be a very
transparent process but once we just once we know what schools that are a part of the mix we'll be able to have a clear process um delineated and shared with the community and also with the board. >> Do we have a timeline on that? >> Everything is contingent upon what
happens today >> assuming everything passes. Do we have a timeline on that? >> So we do have a timeline. So tomorrow as was tomorrow as was stated earlier we are meeting with the principles tomorrow to start moving everything forward and actually once we determine what schools are in the process we will have a
timeline probably by the end of the week for you. >> So typically I think principal assignments are announced in May or June will it be before that? >> Oh absolutely. Yes. And then um one of the issues that we encountered last year
when we changed some boundaries is that when you go on the school website to find out where your assigned school is, none of that was updated until June and especially if assuming everything passes, especially because this year you're going to have schools that close.
So someone could be boundered in May to Sunshine and then next year Sunshine's not there. So, what steps are we taking to make sure that our new families either to the area or kindergarten know what school they're actually going to? So, we're um we're actually going to
look to see how we can work the website so that you know it'll um they'll it'll have like popups, right, to educate our our families in the community that um if you are um en if you're right now today
based on your residential address, it says Sunshine Elementary School. However, effective um July 1, this area will be um boundered to Fairway Elementary School. So, um really the family probably would want to
start at Fairway to start getting acclimated. So, um we're going to work on um the process to see if we, you know, can work with the website that way, but we will definitely make sure schools obviously have toolkits um to help with that conversation and help
with that messaging um and work to make sure that we can make things um as um transparent for families so that there isn't confusion when it comes to what school they're selecting. And will principles uh potentially closing school
be notifying parents if they come to like tour sunshine? >> That that is a part of >> being notified. >> That is a part of the communication process. So when we meet with the principles tomorrow. Yes. >> Uh that's all my questions for Sunshine. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Do we have uh other board member discussion on this item? Mm1. All right. All in favor of MM1 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion and a second on
MM2? >> Moved by Miss Hixon, seconded by Miss Thompson. Public comment on MM2. >> No, ma'am. >> Board member discussion on MM2. This is on Panther Run. >> No. All right. All in favor of MM2 say I.
>> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion and a second on MM3? >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Hixon. Second by Miss Rupert. Public comment on MM3. >> No comment.
>> Board member discussion on MM3. >> All in favor of MM Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Miss Thompson. Um, when will we be announcing to the community what's going to happen with the closed schools spaces? >> Go ahead, Dr. Ones. I know we've been in discussions about next steps of all of
our spaces. Um, the only one that's um probably um hasn't been finalized is Northfort, which will have um the the prop the proposers um be able to talk to the board um in the upcoming workshop. But uh go ahead, Dr. Wo. >> Thank you, Dr. Heat. So yes, so in in
March is when we're going to have the board workshop to discuss um uh the proposals for North Fork as well as we would need to um have some conversation with the board around um the the Seagull site as well. Um so then at that time is when we can give um definitively what is
transitioning or happening with the schools that are being officially repurposed. So, at the March workshop, we we do know that we have some um uh district staff may be moving into some places. We know that we have some
community agencies that have that are interested um in leasing space. We know that we have some governmental um agencies that are interested in leasing space as well. So that's why I said around the March workshop is when we can bring some um definitive
conversation around what would be going into each space. >> And then um the city of Penrook Pines at one point had expressed interest in sharing some of Pines's legs for their senior center with this new
um move. Is there capacity for that? >> There may still be an opportunity. We just have to um look um finally because what we with the um schools splitting going to two different schools there still may be an opportunity for that. >> Thank you chair. Any other board member
discussion on MM3? >> Yes ma'am. >> Go ahead Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much chair. Um a question for the superintendent. Um the process that we have used up to this point uh heavy on workshops, light on
schoolboard uh meetings, um is what it is, but I just want to make sure that we have a commitment from you that before any, you know, disposal decision is made that you're going to bring an item back to the school board on that. >> Yes, that is confirmed, Dr. Zean.
>> Thank you very much, Chair. >> Any other board member discussion on MM3? All in favor of MM3 say I. >> I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion to second on MM4? >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, seconded by Miss
Hixon. Public comment on MM4. >> No comment. >> For member discussion on MM4. Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um Dr. Heburn regarding um North Fork and the the
closure and the kids going to these um surrounding schools. Um just for public information, um what's the the next step regarding North Fork? I know we were taking proposals.
uh can you brief us on how many proposals you've received so far and what the public needs to do if they wish to submit a proposal and when will these proposals be discussed? >> Yes. So um we'll have a workshop in March u for people who submitted those
proposals to have a discussion with the board and um officially present them so we can get some direction from the board. I'll have Dr. Wanza um give any detail about the number we've received thus far. >> Thank you Dr. Heburn. So just so everyone's um for everyone's edification, the March workshop date is
March 24th. Um to date we have received four proposals and they have been transmitted to the board. So the board has all four proposals. Um I did have a conversation last week um with one more entity that may um be interested in its
um an entity um as it relates to u marine science and marine oceanography or something of that nature. However, I have not received the formal proposal yet. Um, but if uh in individuals who are interested in submitting a proposal may submit it as Dr. Heburn said last
month, they can submit it to him or they can sit submit it to me directly um at our district email addresses and whatever we receive we transmit to the board, you know, in a timely fashion so that the board can see them as well. But officially received as of today is still those four proposals.
>> Okay. And Dr. I know that uh recently uh we met including my office and you with members of the leaders of that community and the surrounding community I believe it it's the president of Dorsy Riverben HOA Mr.
Nesbbit as well as the NAACP president and some others uh to answer questions for the community. I believe we wanted to actually go into the community in that specific community to also um get additional questions, but they elect to
have the leaders come out and speak to us. Um and from that conversation, Dr. Wanza, would you um are you comfortable that those um leaders that we spoke to um they they understand the next steps
and and what is involved? >> I am. >> Okay, great. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Any other discussion on MM4? >> All in favor of MM4 say I. I. >> All oppose, say no. >> Item passes unanimously. Um, I just want
to check in with the will of the board. Do we want to continue with the MM items or go to the 3:30 time certain? >> Mm. >> Miss Jack Adams, you would like to say something? So, I'd like to reiterate that um the
3:30 time certain has a court reporter. It has um counsel for another party that's here, council for the school district, and it has to do with property and casualty insurance on
behalf of all of the property of the school board. >> So, is it still in the board's uh interest to go to MM items? >> Mm. Do we want to So, do we want to go ahead and do the time certain then?
>> Okay. All right. So, we will take a break from the MM items. And could I get a motion and a second on O uh I believe it's O3 and O6. >> Moved by Miss Thompson, seconded by Miss Bulman. We will come back to the MM
items. So um I through the chair I would like to ensure that the court reporter starts um typing as you begin to discuss 03 and 06. >> Okay. And is it okay that we take them together?
>> Um it it should be it should be taken separately. 03 should be taken first. >> Okay. So could I get a motion a second on O3? >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Thompson. Second by Miss Hixon. Is there public comment on O3? Uh, Madam Chair, I do believe it's 03.
>> Oh, sorry. 03. >> Yes, there is. There are >> six public speakers for 03 >> and and through the chair, the um uh the district attorney um is online.
So, I just wanted to ensure that he was on the line right now. >> Yes, that is correct. Excellent. >> Thank you. >> First public speaker is Joe I'm sorry, Joseph Goldstein Esquire, followed by Paul Murphy. Uh uh is this on? Good. Good morning. Uh good afternoon. My client Paul Murphy is
going to yield his time to me. So may I have six minutes? >> We uh that's no longer in our policy. >> All right, I'll give you the threeminute version then. Joe Goldstein from Shuts and Bowen Fort Lauderdale. Uh on behalf of Gallagher, we oppose agenda item 03
and 06 uh 006. Uh this is another example of receiving an incomplete picture of the facts. Um we filed a bid protest and once you file a bid protest, the district should override the mandatory stay of a contract award only
in the most compelling circumstances and those compelling circumstances do not exist here. The legislature created the stay process to preserve the due price process rights of protesters. Any perceived emergency here that may exist
was created uh by by your staff. Gallagher is the incumbent contractor. In 2025, you extended their contract to May 15, 2026. Gallagher provides the supermaajority of
its services prior to that time and then it receives payment on May 15th when the insurance is placed that would go through 2027. Um thus uh under our original contract there would not be any actual emergency
uh if you kept our original termination date. However, what happened uh after the uh district submitted an RFP on September 2nd, originally the award date was going to be May 16th or later, but
an addendum was issued that shortened that to being February 2026. In that addendum, it specifically says if there's a bid protest that the district reserves the right to change that. Gallagher three times brought it
up to your staff the hardship that changing from May 16 2026 to this February date would cause uh to your staff first for two months they ignored them. Then on November 13th they
got back to them and said we have the right to terminate you early. We're going to terminate you as of January 31st. Thank you very much. Um uh one day earlier you all had passed an agenda item terminating their contract for
convenience on that January 31st date. When the award came out, we timely filed a a formal bid protest. Under the law, a formal bid protest stays the contract award process. Um because you reserve the right in the solicitation to
exchange the start date. Gallagher is ready, willing, and able to have its contract extended either to the original lend date, which would be March 15, 2026, or until the protest is completely resolved. It's the way to preserve their due process rights and to ensure that
they're paid for the services that they performed throughout the year. Thank you very much. We we sent you an email this morning with backup. >> Thank you. Next speaker, Paul Murphy, followed by Benjamin Buchanan. >> Yes. Hi. Paul Murphy, area president with Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance. I'll
just reiterate what Joe said from the outset. There is no emergency and any perceived emergency that may exist was created solely by staff changing the award date in the procurement and recommending early termination of our
contract. You were not informed of the hardship as Joe mentioned that would cause to g that would Gallagher would realize as well as any of the MWBEs that serve on this contract. You were not informed that Gallagher had rejected to such and was not given notice of the
meeting or the vote that you all took in November and you were not properly advised of your options to avoid this override. Entering into a new contract with this new vendor at this time would require SBBC to pay them a fee of
$500,000 on February the 1st in advance of rendering any services. >> Fortunately, Fortunately, you can rectify this situation. Preserving Gallagher's due process rights until the bid protest is
completed. You have two options. first withdraw the notice of the early termination and restore the original termination date to May 15, 2026 or extend the contract that we currently have until the completion of this bid
protest. We believe case law is clear if the urgency is created by the agency's actions and override of the stay is not proper. Not only is such inconsistent with the law, but such is unfair here based on
the repeated lack of fairness given to Gallagher since it's has brought this issue to the attention of your staff since September. Please vote no as to this agenda item 0-3 and O-6. Thank you.
Um, and before we move on, what is the the procedure around indicating uh lobbyists, Miss Jack Adams or Mr. Hill? Okay. >> The the chair can go ahead and begin and um and staff can um go ahead and
continue. Um if there is a lobbyist, a lobbyist has to properly be registered um with the school district. And I'll go ahead and turn it over to staff. >> That is correct. The lobbyists must put on the agenda cards that they are lobbyists which they have as well as they need to state it when they um give
their name as well as that they're a lobbyist when they come to the mic. >> Got it. And do board members need to file forms but or or not because this is a public meeting for everyone to see. >> I will refer to legal's um opinion on that. >> When you say forms, can you be more
specific? Forms in terms of >> conversations with lobbyists, registered lobbyists. We are supposed to file lobbyist contact forms. It is my understanding, but I I just want to be clear that uh that we do not for this this instance because this is a public meeting.
>> Robert Vignola, Deputy General Counsel, you are correct. You do not need to file a form for a lobbyist appearing during a board meeting. >> Thank you. Next public speaker. Next public speaker, Benjamin Buchanan, followed by
Tony Alaba Albella, sorry, followed by Ela Abella, followed by Mike Sharovic. >> So, if you've heard your name, please approach the mic. >> Good afternoon. I am Tony Abella, area senior vice president with Dr. J. Gallagher and Company out of South
Florida. As the current broker for the district's insurance program, I can categorically refute the assertion that there's an immediate danger to the public safety or welfare. Additionally, I can assure you
that a no vote does not jeopardize the district's ability to obtain and maintain property and casualty insurance coverage. All of the insurance coverages the school board purchases are currently in force and shall remain so through May 15th when they all renew.
My team and I were recently awarded the state of Florida's property insurance program through a competitive bid process. The award was finalized on November 14th. We were successful in obtaining the renewal terms for the entire program between the award date
and January 14th. In less than 44 weekdays, including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year holiday, we were able to negotiate a renewal program for a program three times the size of
Broward School Board's program at a significant premium reduction. Clearly, the immediiacy is not being driven by the May 15th renewal date. My team stands ready, willing, and able to renew these coverages on May 15th
without any lapse under the terms of our current agreement. The assertion that there's an immediate and/or serious danger to the public safety. Welfare appears to be more aligned with a preference rather than any factual
circumstances. Our team has continued to live up to all of the obligations under our current contract and will gladly do so through any extension period that may be required to accommodate the final adjudication of the protest.
There is no need to bypass the standard procurement procedures, including the bid protest. We feel very strongly that the responsible thing to do and in the district's best interest is for you to vote no on the matters of overriding the
statutory stay and entering into a new contract before the entire competitive process can be completed. Thank you very kindly for your consideration this afternoon. Last call for Benjamin Buchanan, Elaine
Abella, Mike Sharkovic. >> That concludes our public speakers. >> All right. Um I believe Miss Jack Adams would like to speak on this item. >> So through the chair, I'd like to um refer to Mr. Vnola who's online right now. Mr. Vnola is the school district's
deputy general counsel. >> Good afternoon. First of all, let me say that there is a statute that governs bid protest proceedings. And what it end what it says is in the
event of a bid protest, the agency is to halt the contract award process until the subject of the protest is resolved by final agency action. What does that mean? It means the protest has
been referred to DOA. DOA has issued a recommended order and the recommended order has been considered by the board resulting in a final order. However, the statute provides
an exception to this. If the agency head, which is the board, sets forth in writing particular facts and circumstances which require the continuence of the solicitation or contract award
process without delay in order to avoid an immediate and serious danger to the public health, safety or welfare. Let me tell you that I'm only aware of
one other incident where the school district invoked this exception for public health safety or welfare. It was in 2001 and it was concerning another insurance matter. Uh the school
district's decision to override the stay was challenged and taken to the fourth district court of appeal in Palm Beach. That's our court. And the fourth district court of appeal upheld the override of the stay in that
instance. whether the and the staff has prepared for you in the agenda item a list of I of reasons why to grant the override to avoid an
immediate and serious danger to the public health safety or welfare. Those items in the agenda item are facts and the best persons to speak
to those facts uh would be uh personnel I think from your risk management department. I will let them set forth what they feel are the facts and circumstances
that would enable the board to do the override in this instance. And I I will say in advance whether the facts and circumstances set forth in writing
are sufficient to constitute an immediate and serious danger to public health, safety or welfare is in the first instance a determination to be made by this board.
If someone were to attempt to challenge the override as someone attempted to do in 2001, then the next persons to judge whether the facts and
circumstances in your agenda item are sufficient to meet that standard would be the fourth district court of appeal. I will say without addressing the individual items in your agenda item
that I believe they provide a basis to support uh an override decision if it were made by the board today. With that, I would suggest that that you
hear from risk management and that they go through the circumstances that they feel has provided this predicament for the board so you can better understand uh the
reasons this override is being presented to you today. Thank you. So through the chair, the person that is here to represent the school district is the director of risk of the district's
risk management department, Mr. Aston Henry. >> Uh good afternoon, Aston Henry, director of risk management. Um, I did list six items um that I thought were of concern for the district to move forward. In
addition to that, I have other items that I've also noted here and I haven't listed them. If the board would like, I'll go through the six items. If not, I can add to the uh six items. It's up to the board.
>> So, actually through the chair, um Mr. Henry, I would like you to indicate um any and all circum facts and circumstances that you have. >> Okay. So, the the the first item is number one, failure to timely secure
brokerage services which would jeopardize the district's ability to obtain and maintain property and casualty insurance. And the reason I say that is because right now Gallagher's contract will
expire at the end of this month. A new contract would go into effect February 1st. That new contract is going to require a broker to gather data
to take to insurance carriers and syndicates in order to put together a program. And that program is a your insurance program is your property and casualty insurance program. Number two, we want
to make sure that we have the insurance in place. We're getting ready to go into hurricane season. come June, right? June 1st. So, the second item it lists here severely impacts the district's ability
to have insurance in place to be able to do the necessary repairs or rebuild should our facilities get damaged. Number three, how does that impact employees, students,
and Broward County residents? We want to make sure that we have the insurance in place if damage occurs as a result of a storm. We want to make sure that the insurance companies are going to respond quickly. Right. Uh number four, I talk about
operational and claims management risk. And that's resolving claim disputes potentially impairing uh impairing the school district's ability for recovery efforts. So we want to make sure that
that is also in place. We talk about the need for adequate preparation time for renewal. I mentioned that earlier. We have to put together a package to take to the insurance carriers in order for
um pricing to be put together. Um and number six, we talk about public health safety and wellness and that's primarily tied to um any delays in the award process jeopardizes timely insurance
placement and continuity of the delivery of essential public services. One thing I want to note also, we currently have insurance in place both property and casualty. Okay, it
expires. The property expires on May 15, 2026. Your casualty policies expire July 1, 2026. So if we were to stay with the same broker
and the policies expire on May 15, 2026, the current broker of uh no the new broker rather will not be able to provide the services tied to the RFP. What do I mean by that?
We have to take into consideration some of the things that are tied to this new RFP that we put out. one, we want to make sure that we have someone that's available to do FEMA recovery. I say that because that these are items
that are noted in the RFP. If we don't have these services, yes, somebody can place the insurance, but if they're not contracted with the school district, they're not going to be able to provide the services. I talk about FEMA recovery. I talk about
reconstruction cost appraisals that are done. We do eight to 10 every year to make sure that we are aware of what it's going to cost to rebuild should our buildings get damaged. We do loss prevention services.
That's also part of the RFP, not just for property, but also for casualty. We do certificate tracking, which we have to have in place because we want to make sure that our vendors and our contractors that are doing business for
the school board are up to date on their insurance policies because if not, then it's going to be our dime that's going to have to pay for any damages or liabilities that occur, right? We want to make sure that this new broker is tracking the insurance
carrier's financial status and the AM best rating to make sure that should a claim occur, they're able to pay for damages. And then I'm just going to say the last thing I'm going to note is we want to
make sure that there's claims assistance being provided to the district. All of these items are tied to this RFP, the new RFP. Now, if Gallagher goes ahead and renews this contract or not this contract, our
insurance on May 15, 2026, and they are no longer the broker, these services that are tied to this RFP, they're not going to be able to provide those services because they're not they may be the broker of record with the
insurance carrier, but they're not they don't have a contract with the district. >> And that's my main concern. I want to make sure that these services are available to the district and these services that I mentioned have a financial impact on our organization.
>> Thank you, Miss Jack Adams. Is that it? >> I would like to turn it back over to Mr. Vnola. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Uh I just want to note one thing that was mentioned by Mr. Henry. uh he mentioned hurricane season is
forthcoming, but the problems that the district faces, hurricane season starts June 1, but we may have other problems that would occur prior to that. We have had flooding issues in Broward at times that I think
were not within hurricane season. U we could have fires, we could have other types of calamities that uh would require us to make a claim on our insurance. So, and I would also ask that uh if the board were to approve this
item that it would approve it along with any uh any additional grounds that Mr. Henry has cited today. And if so, then Mr. Henry, I would ask him to provide a
revised agenda item that the board chair can execute that will add those additional elements to the list of reasons to uh exercise the override. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Bowman. >> Yeah, I know. Um, go ahead, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I just have a couple of questions. So, um, some one of the public speakers
mentioned something about a $500,000 payment that we would have to pay on the first day of the new contract, if I heard that right. So, can staff talk about what what that was?
>> Yes. Um, That's primarily what we're talking about here is the um brokerage fee, a flat fee that we pay to our brokers and it's not going to be 550,000 first of um February. Actually, it's going to be 200
uh I forget the exact figure. It's going to be about $238,000 uh because we broke it up over fiscal years. So for this fiscal year it would be two something and then the following fiscal year the balance of the 550 would be
paid. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um and I know we're in a protest. When is there a projected date of when the protest will be over? >> Um legal would have to advise on that >> through the chair. I would like for Mr.
Vnola, who is um the attorney that's handling the bid protest to answer that question. Thank you. Uh Bob Vnola here. Um what the status of the protest if the board were to approve
og agenda item 03 that overrides the protest and the protest will be no more unless there's appellet proceedings and what have you. If if the board were to
uh deny 03, then what would happen is the parties would go through the bid protest procedures. Uh we would have a meeting of the bid
protest committee and if the protester requests a referral to DOA, we would go to DOA. Usually a bid protest takes >> upwards of 6 months to go from filing of
the protest to this board making issuing a final order on the uh administrative law judges recommended order. >> Okay. And we haven't done any of those steps yet. When did they file the bid protest?
Um I can't say what the date was but it was before the winter break and uh but at any rate uh we would we would go through those steps and uh but that
would be if the override is not granted by the board. >> Thank you. My last question. So, we have, as been stated, we have actual insurance coverage through May of 2026 re regardless of what happens here today.
>> May 15, 2026. The property insurance comes up for renewal on that date. >> This is just about if we had a claim to have someone who would process that claim for us. Is that correct? Um well that's primarily my main concern is
primarily hurricane season but yes right now you have insurance in place. If a claim were to occur on record the insurance company has to provide us with service. >> Okay. And my last question um they also
mentioned that if we pass this item that there would be work that their company did that they wouldn't be getting paid for. Can you speak to that because I'm not okay with that? >> Um, I'm not sure exactly what work. I mean, they've done work up until the
date of expiration. Um, I'm not sure because they're no longer doing loss prevention services. What they may be speaking about is that they may have been preparing for the renewal, but yet they were
notified via a letter and general counsel sent them a letter about termination of the contract. But yes, they that's that's a possibility. They may have been preparing for the upcoming renewal. >> Okay. >> Madame Chair,
>> Madam Chair, if I could Mr. Henry >> Mr. Henry I believe was talking about how with the c with the RFP that's pending there are certain amount of steps that need to be taken by the new
awardee in order to be able to deliver services. It's not simply looking at we have a con we have services through date X there there's a fair amount of work I believe that needs to be done by the awardee
prior to the conclusion of our current insurance is that correct sir >> yes it is >> and through the chair >> could you elaborate please elaborate >> well it's it's a matter of um the carriers not carriers the broker
collecting data from the district in regards to our total insured values. Those are all of the assets that we have in this district and they're gathering that data. They're gathering information on our buildings, um on our vehicles,
things of that nature to give to the insurance carrier so that they can underwrite the risk. They're evaluating our risk, um building structures, roofing replacement, things of that nature. and and through the chair, I would just
like to state that the um expiration date of Arthur Gallagher's agreement expires January 31st and the new contracts commencement day would be February 1st. So, the items that Mr. Henry just
described would be services that the new um broker would provide beginning February 1st. and those states are are critical. >> Okay, thank you. Those are all my questions, >> Miss Bowman.
Thank you, Chair. Um I think I see Mr. White there. Uh were you handling this procurement, Mr. White? >> Uh this was actually prior to my arrival. >> Okay. But you've reviewed it, Miss Johnson. Or has have you are have you
been working on it? Uh I've I've been reviewing the uh solicitation and everything that's gone on and I did the preliminary preparations to respond to the protest. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I I spoke with general counsel already. Some of the rest of my questions have been answered.
Thank you. >> Okay. And then I just want to Does anyone else want to speak on this item before I do? Madam Chair, I apologize for interrupting, but may I have a an additional minute to respond to some of the uh uh uh statements so far, please?
>> Um so I would like to make a statement and then um I I do have some questions for you, Mr. Goldstein. >> Thank you, ma'am. Um so if you look at if my colleagues look at the companion item uh under broker compensation for O6
um it says uh committee members negotiated savings on broker comp compensation annually of $282,000. Broker compensation has been reduced from $832,000 annually to $550,000
over a three-year period. These savings amount to $846,000. Additional savings were garnered with a percentage reduction in compensation to intermediaries. Compensation has been reduced both for London and U. US wholesalers. US-based
wholesale compensation has been reduced from a 3.75% to 350%. And London drops from 5.15% to 4.25%. So, that's a all a lot to say that it says the total savings in brokers and
wholesale compensation amount to $1.2 million. So, I just, you know, money's been thrown out there a lot today. Um, this is something that if it passes could save the the district over a million
dollars. Um, so I I I guess you know, Mr. Goldstein, I saw you shaking your head when you said uh when council said that you received a letter um before the winter break. So, could you elaborate on that?
>> Yes, if I could uh but I'll answer that question and then like I said, if I could have an additional minute. Um the the pro the the client first learned that our contract was going to be
shortened from May 16th down to January 31st by the first addendum to the current solicitation that came out I believe in early September. They immediately filed a letter describing why that would be a hardship to
Gallagher. That was never responded to. We followed up on November uh 10th. Um 3 days later, we got a response of what was happening and we were told that it happened the day before. So that's what
I meant. We never got the the first time we got a response to our concerns about shortening our contract. Um it was a day after this board already terminated our contract early as of January 31st coming
up. And the reason why it's important members is unlike your intended awardee who wants to be paid on day one for services they're going to do throughout the year by a direct payment from this board to them. We're on we're paid on
day 365 from the insurance company from the premium. And so since May 16th of 2024, we've been diligently working for you uh
during that time. Um but we do not got paid for the property uh uh policy until May 15th when the new policy would have been placed if our contract had never been uh terminated earlier. Mr. Vnola talked about the one case in 2001. Both
he and I were involved in that case. And the key difference of why that case is different in that case you had two health insurance carriers insuring your employees and the teachers and one had gone bankrupt and the other one said
they were not going to pick up the other insureds from the bankrupt insurance company. And so you had no one to provide insurance here under our contract. A, it should have never been shortened, but put that besides the fact
under our contract, you can extend us for up to 180 days. And in the addendum, in this specific procurement, changing the date to February 1st, it says, it's in paragraph 3.4 of addendum number one
that changes the solicitation. It gives the school board the ability to grant due process and once a formal protest is filed to allow the process to go through. There were 100 points scored. They beat us by less than one point out
of a 100. We have serious issues that we're raising. We filed our protest on December 1st. By statute, we're supposed to get a settlement meeting in seven days. That settlement meeting is scheduled for next week because of the convenience of the school district. So
we could have had that settlement meeting. If we couldn't settle, it could have been sent to DOA and we could have had a trial in January instead of coming here. We learned about this yesterday. Not in September, not in October, not in
November, not in December when we filed our protest. Not in early January. But luckily, Mr. Mcnola, who I've known for 30 years, had the courtesy to send me an email. Oh, by the way, Joe, this is on the agenda tomorrow. That's why you haven't heard from us sooner about this.
So, we have a right to have our protest heard. The statute presumes that there should be a stay. We're willing to extend all our services that we will do for you are the exact same services under the new potential contract. More
importantly, our price, the price savings, Madam Chair, that you talked about, that's the price savings from their original proposal that they were able to negotiate during negotiations, which in it sense is a violation of the stay because the statute says you stop
the contract award process. So, the fact that they've been negotiating with them since December 10th is a violation of the statute. This is unfair. It's a violation of due process. extend our contract, let us have our day in court, and then if we lose, they'll get their
full contract. You'll be absolutely protected uh by allowing us to continue. Thank you for the additional time. Uh say no to both of these agenda items. Thank you. >> Thank you. Dr. Zean's on the line. Miss Jack Adams would like to say something.
So, so in this I don't respond to um the comments of um people who are speaking. I'm just speaking to the item itself. So um some terminology was utilized uh ending early or shortened
and I just wanted to refer to the contract section 3.05 of the Arthur J. Gallagher contract which indicates that the school board has a right to terminate with or without cause. So, um I understand there may be statements
that have been made by um by um Arthur J. Gallagher. I'm not speaking to that. I'm just speaking to the fact that the contract allows for termination of the agreement within 30 calendar days. And
the school board um at its school board meeting did exercise their right to terminate without cause. and the processes that were followed. The letter that was mentioned by um Mr. Henry was that letter that is given after the
board decides to terminate then a letter signed by the superintendent goes out to Arthur Gallagher. So I just wanted to clarify that procedure that is based upon uh section 3.5 of the then existing
uh agreement between the school board and Arthur J. Gallagher. Thank you, Dr. Zean. Ma, >> Madame Chair, can I just drop in one more thing there? Bob Miller, >> could you please let my colleague speak before before you add anything else?
>> Thanks so much, chair, although I'm tremendously uncomfortable interrupting the world's greatest Bob Vnola. So, I apologize, Bob, professionally uh for interrupting you, but I I do want to make sure that we uh follow Bob's advice. Um and when it's appropriate if
you could ask me to come back um I want to make sure that we have an amendment to include uh the additional conditions that we got from our staff uh the director of risk management. Thanks chair. >> Mr. Vignola, >> I I just wanted to also add in uh you
heard some statements regarding uh information that was presented in the procurement within agenda uh you know Gallagher speaking to that there was and whenever you file an
addenda in a RFP there's the opportunity to protest the revised specifications and there was No uh protest the specifications in this procurement >> miss Hixon.
>> Thank you. >> So if you could actually clarify that. So the protest was not is on the new RFP. It doesn't have I I'm getting confused with all of the talk. So the
termination is January 31st. There was an RFP that went out. Both people, both companies bid on it. One company won and now there's a bid protest. Am I saying that information correct?
>> Yes. And I wanted to um Mr. Vagnola to clarify the distinction between a protest of the specification versus the protest and then to state that timeline so that you're clear. Mr. Vnola.
Yes. Whenever you issue an RFP or an I or an ITB, uh when it first hits the street, uh the bidding world has the opportunity within 72 hours to file a protest of the
specifications, the terms and conditions that you're asking people to bid upon. And if no one files a protest of the specifications, then they aren't able to challenge those specifications later. Whenever you issue
an addendum to those original specifications, that opens another 72-hour period that people can file a notice of protest of specifications. There were one or more addend this
matter. You heard some mention of some aspects of one of the agenda, but no one filed a bid specification protest. So when you get to the point where and what for a pyramid it pretty seated to where
we received proposals based on the specifications that no one challenged and then we had those uh proposals evaluated and scored and we posted a recommendation for award of this RFP.
Now you get into where there's again another 72-hour period where people can file a notice protesting the recommended award. And that's what we're looking to override in this case because
uh we we've heard from Mr. Henry about the urgent matters that need to be attended to and the pertinent timelines and what have you. So at this juncture, we're asking for an override of that
stay of the proceedings, which will keep us from putting a new provider in place for I'd say roughly upwards to six months. Yeah, certainly four to six. And
so that's what we're asking the board to do uh based upon the strength of the u uh grounds for override that are in your agenda item 03 as supplemented by Mr.
Henry during this meeting. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. So, we've terminated one company. If we don't do something come j the end of January, we won't have any
insurance broker until the protest is over. Is that correct, >> Kathine? >> That is correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And Dr. Holes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So with regards
to board member Hixon's question, um so if we should vote no and the we don't have any uh the bid protest should take a certain amount of time is
there is an option for some sort of emergency um agreement contract throughout the period of the the bid protest. Is that correct? through the chair. The existing contract expires January 31st.
The new contract under the new RFP is set to commence on February 1st. However, there was a bid protest, >> right? So if you vote no then the existing contract will expire on January
31st and the bid protest will take uh approximately 6 months. So there would be no new agreement in place to begin to gather up the information as Mr.
uh Aston Henry described so that a new property insurance can commence miday and a new casualty insurance can commence. >> Okay. So, M. Jack Adams, in that time period of the 6 months or however long
it takes, the district would not have an option to have a brokerage uh firm uh in in an emergency situation. Um would that then mean if that's the case that we do still have insurance but we
don't have a brokerage firm? >> That that is correct. and and the emergency situation that you referenced. It's not like the procedure that you are familiar with um an emergency that was uh set by the superintendent earlier
this year for another um it matter. It would not be in that way. So there is no this is the situation to continue even though there is a bid protest. Normally you would commence and
complete the bid protest, but pursuant to Florida statute, there is an exception. And this particular agenda item 03 is the agenda item that um allows for us to continue with the
new contract even though there's an existing bid protest. And and Mr. Vnola, if you want to add anything to that since you're handling both the bid protest and this item. Um, I would welcome that. >> Again, as I indicated earlier, the
override uh if if the board approves it matter brings an end to the protest. Uh, we don't we wouldn't be going any further. And if the protester wished to challenge that the, you know, you would
do it the same way the protester challenged it in 2001, which is by going to the appellet court. And the appellet court is going to either uphold the board action today if
the board approves the override or the appellet court may give some alternative rule. But that's that's where it would go. The the protest uh would be over if it were if there were no appeal. And if there were an
appeal and it it was found in favor of the district, then again, the bid protest would be over. >> Okay. So, Mr. Jack Adams, just for my understanding and the public. So, if the majority of the board should vote no, uh
can you expound on the the the consequence to the district in not having a brokerage firm even though we do have coverage of insurance if something does happen? >> I would have to defer to Mr. Henry, in terms of the actual factual consequences, but I can tell you the
legal consequences in terms of the contract. The existing contract that is in place right now would expire January 31st and there would be no new contract for brokerage services that
commences on February 1st. and the bid protest would continue to completion and the completion of the bid protest may be after the expiration date of the existing coverage and then I leave Mr. um Henry to talk about the factual
circumstances >> right and Mr. Jack Adams and I I believe Mr. Henry will answer this so if there is say an issue as Mr. ignore the mention of say flooding or whatever may happen and we don't have a brokerage firm. How how is that handled?
>> So let me leave it to Mr. Henry to talk about it because it depends upon whether that happens before or a or after the expiration date of the existing um property insurance and uh casualty
insurance. So I would leave it up to Mr. for Henry to describe the facts before and after to answer your question. >> Okay. Um, first of all, if a flood were to occur, you currently have insurance in place. So, it's a matter of
contacting the adjusting firm and the uh insurance company. So, you have coverage up until May 15th. Now, if you don't have a broker after May 15th, we run into a problem. The problem is we're going into hurricane season. We have to
be able to procure the insurance prior to expiration and the expiration is May 15th. So what we need to do is make sure we have an insurance broker gathering the data that is necessary for the underwriters to underwrite the risk so
that we can have a policy effective May 15th. Same with the casualty policies. We want to make sure we have a broker in place to be able to procure the insurance on July 1. As far as the casualty policies are concerned, if
there's no insurance broker, um, you're not going to have insurance. Okay. So, Mr. Henry, I guess what I'm hearing you saying after up to May 15th, right? Even if the the bid protest should should be completed
before then up to May 15th, we would not have a brokerage firm that would be able to gather all of this data that would be necessary for ontime payment should a casualty occur. >> Correct. If we don't have an insurance broker, that's correct.
>> So, it will delay the district's ability to respond to casualties even though the money would later be forthcoming. If there's no brokerage in place, >> if there's correct brokerage, >> it would it would delay I'm trying to
understand. It would delay because of the inability for a company to gather data to be able to um provide so the companies can respond to claims, right? So if there is no broker then and the
bid protest occurs and finishes within the period up to May 15th, we could run into a situation where um even though we're covered, we may not have the response time to get um the coverage
amount in time to respond to casualties without a broker matter. >> I'm just trying to understand. >> No. Uh that's that's fine. And let me clarify it. >> Okay. >> Um, >> let me let me say it this way. >> We currently have coverage up until May 15th. Right.
>> Right. >> Gallagher's contract expires on January 31st. >> After January 31st, we do not have a broker unless we enter into the new Got it. >> brokerage agreement on February 1st. >> So if you do not enter into the new
agreement, technically you don't have a broker. Right. >> Right. Your property insurance expires on May 15th, right? This new firm is going to need time to gather the data to give to an insurance
company, right? >> So that they can evaluate the risk to underwrite it so that we can have coverage after May 15. >> Okay. >> I'm not sure if I >> understand. I got you. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Dr. Zean, would you like to make a motion?
>> Yes, ma'am. I would very much like to um I'd like to make a motion that um the additional supplemental grounds uh that were written in that were spoken into the record by Mr. Henry
be included in this item. >> Motion made by Dr. Zeman, seconded by Miss Rubert. public comment on the motion to add the supplemental um items that were spoken into the record by Mr. Henry to this item. Thank you, Mad Oh,
may I be recognized? Joseph Goldstein from Shutzen Bowen in Fort Lauderdale on behalf of Gallagher. I think we're we're missing the point of our position on the override. You only can do an override if
an emergency existed that cannot be avoided. Here, we're not asking you to go without a broker. in our contract and in the RFP, everyone was on notice that if there's a
bid protest, because it takes some time to resolve, sometimes 60 days, sometimes 180 days, the existing contract that doesn't expire until January 31st, can be extended for
180 days. In the AMEID case where the stay was put in place, there was no existing vendor to extend. Gallagher is here ready, willing, and able to extend so as not to mood out its bid protest rights. There is no emergency. Thank
you. >> Any other public comment on the motion? >> Any board comment on the motion? Dr. Madame Chair, so the comment that was made and I just want to verify whether or not those are factual because I was
asking about an emergency type contract and it the the speaker mentioned that contract can be extended to 180 days. Is there um is there any uh is that factual? Is there any relevance to that statement or that is not possible
>> through the chair? I I'd first like u Mr. Anola to clarify the standards within the statute with regards to um the override. Um and then um I would like to answer your question directly with
regards to options as it exists right now. Mr. Vnola. Well, once again, the uh the override language in the statute is it calls for the agency head, which is the board, to
set forth in writing particular facts and circumstances which require the continuence of the solicitation or contract award process without delay. in order to avoid an immediate and
serious danger to the public health, safety or welfare. Now, that's the standard. And I I would want to point out that as you've heard, the school board took action to
terminate the Gallagher contract and that terminates I think I 31st of January. >> Correct. But the fact of the matter is what you're hearing is, "Oh, you aren't in the lurch. Give us another contract.
extend us another contract that you that doesn't exist right now. >> In order to allow you to have continuity of service as opposed to we're in order to have continuity of service under our
RFP, we need to make an award to allow the successor vendor to come in and get information necessary. So our our risk can be properly underwrited in a timely
manner. You it although it's a different matter, think of something that we're all somewhat familiar with and that is your your health care insurance. You end up doing enrollment for your health care in October to allow sufficient time for
all of the things to be done in order to have that go online. January 1, we have certain amount of the same thing here. We exercise the right we had under the Gallagher current contract, former well,
it's still current now, to terminate it effective on January 31st. And what you are seeing is some procedural maneuvers being done to
leverage against the school board to not utilize its contractual right to terminate but rather to to resend that and give another contract for uh to uh
Gallagher. Uh so now that that's as far as I want to go addressing that >> and through the chair to continue Mr. Vdulla began with um the factual part um I wanted to reimpart to you that as it
stands right now the board has already exercised its right pursuing to 3.05 5 of the Arthur Gallagher contract to terminate for cause effective January 31st, 2026. What is being asked right now is for
that termination to be rescended and under the original agreement to allow it to reach its natural conclusion in the middle of May and then extend which means that Gallagher would be the
one to procure the new insurance and then if the bid protests were allowed to go ahead and continue and Gallagher lost for example I'm continuing the the scenario then we would have someone who
procured the insurance and then a new person to and if you can describe that circumstance where where you're in a position where a new insurance
begins with one broker and Then because of the start of a new contract, you have to start with a new broker under insurance that was brokered from a
prior one. If you can describe that, um, Mr. Mr. Henry. Um, so just just to reiterate because I went on a little further, the existing agreement ends January 31st, 2026.
The new agreement pursuant to the current RFP is supposed to commence on February. And so what is being asked is for the termination to be lifted and for Arthur Gallagher to procure the
new insurance. So if you can describe unless you had additional questions. U Mr. Henry if you can describe. >> This is Romaner the chief financial officers. I just wanted the board to know we're setting up precedents because in our contracts we have a 30-day out
and we follow the process to do the 308 out with or without cause. If we extend a contract whether we have something serious in jeopardy or a risk for the district, we still extended this contract. We went out for bid. They
protest after the bidding process. So there was a denim in the contract. They saw that they had timeline to protest those addendums that was written in the language. Right now, we need a start. If when you go out and you have liability
coverage, we're managing risk of the district. That's what we do. We're not supposed to allow the risk to be there and not manage the risk. So, I'm just saying we want to start every contract has a 30-day out. That's why we entered these contracts. We write them up that
way. So the board would with or without cause could exit these contracts. But I'll have Mr. Henry to respond to the question. >> You know, it's not important. >> Okay. >> I think the the problem that we could run into if we have a U protest extend
out, right? And we don't have a broker in place. Let's say it extends out and it leads into hurricane season, we're really going to be in trouble because we try to procure the property insurance prior to hurricane season. Once we get
into hurricane season, if underwriters see a storm approaching, we're going to have a we're going to have a tough time getting insurance. So, I don't want to get us into that type of scenario where
we run into a problem like that. Okay, Miss Jack Adams, I just have one more question. Um, in the even though it was mention of an extended an extension to a contract, the item before us is to terminate the
existing contract. Should any board member um proceed with with anything pertaining to extension of contract that would be going against the recommendation of the superintendent? Is that correct? Technically, there is no contract to extend. Okay. So,
>> so here's another question. Should should any board member proceed with having um an extension of any sort? Would that would it would the board member be um getting involved in in operations and
violating any state statutes? Well, yes, because what's before you is um to go ahead and override the existing bid protest. That's what's before you. What is not before you is
>> an extension that's impossible because >> the contract currently has been terminated effective January 26, January 31st of >> 20. So, it would be fair to say that proceeding in any direction of that sort
um would would be um edging close to um violating state statutes. >> Correct. In that you're you're trying to consider a matter that is not before the board. >> Understand? Thank you, >> Miss Thompson.
>> I'd like to call a question. >> Second. Uh >> call um all in favor of calling the question say I. >> I. >> All oppose say. >> Chair. >> Um I'm sorry. I hate to interrupt, but I'm not sure that we closed out uh my
motion on the >> calling the question on the motion. Correct. >> Yeah, Miss Thompson's calling the question on the motion. >> Thank you, chair. Sorry. >> Uh all opposed to calling the question on the motion say nay. Uh all in favor of the motion say I. Madam, Madam Chair,
can you repeat the motion? >> The motion was to add the uh additional elements that uh Mr. Henry spoke into the record to the item. >> Okay. >> All in favor of the motion say I. >> All oppose say no.
>> Motion passes unanimously. Back to the item. Any other board discussion on >> I'd like to call the question on the item. >> Um all in favor of calling the question on the item say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. All in favor? It's We're voting in favor of O 03. All in
favor of 03 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> Item 03 passes unanimously. Do we now have to go to O6? >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Uh >> oh, yes. As amended. Thank you, Mrs. Alhad. >> Um, could I get a motion in a second on
O6? >> Second. >> Uh, moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Rupert. Public comment on O6. >> Yes, Madam Chair. We have five public speakers. Joseph Goldstein, Esquire, lobbyist.
>> I won't take up uh the full three minutes on this, but Joe Goldstein from Shutzen Bowen on behalf of Gallagher. Uh we you should reject O6 move to reconsider O3.
There were two factual misstatements that you just passed your vote on. The first is that our contract doesn't exist. Our contract exists through January 31st. There's a provision in that contract to extend us for 180 days.
There's no emergency because we can be extended. We're performing all those services. And we weren't terminated for cause. We were terminated for convenience. But the termination is not effective for another 10 days. So there is a provision to exercise our option. I
just want to make sure you understand that. If you understand that and you vote against it, I understand. But today, uh, uh, Councilman uh, board member Holness asked a direct question. Can I extend this existing contract? And he was told no, and that's wrong. Thank
you. >> Next speaker, Tony Abella, Paul Murphy, Elaine Abella, Mike Sharkovic. That concludes our public speakers. >> For member comment on 06. >> All in favor of O6 say I.
>> I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Um I would like to uh ask the will of the board on the items that you would like to go to next. I did hear from Dr.
Zean that he would like to do O5. Um, does anyone object to that or would we like to go back to the MM items? >> Chair. >> Yeah, I would like to go but specifically to the one that we have community for which I believe would be Bear and Westpine. I don't know the the number.
>> Yeah, let me look at um a motion and a second on MM7. >> Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on MM7 which is Fair Middle School. Yes, Madame Chair.
We have Mark Lubelski, city manager of city of city of Sunrise as well as Jaclyn Guzman, um, city, sorry, deputy mayor of city of of Sunrise. >> Good afternoon. Uh, Mark Leilski, city
of city manager, city of Sunrise. On behalf of the city of Sunrise, I'm here today to respectfully request that the school board vote to keep Bear Middle School open and work with the city of Sunrise and our community partners to construct a beneficial plan. We have unique opportunity to construct an
innovative partnership before you decide it is the only option. Mayor Ryan provided an email to each of you yesterday outlining the city's request to keep Bear Middle School open. We recognize that declining student enrollment countywide represents the school board with the difficult
decisions to ensure long-term sustainability of public education in Broward County. However, the city of Sunrise remains steadfast partner to help with these decisions. The city of Sunrise has decades long history of strong and productive partnerships with the school board. Beyond recognizing
teachers of the month at our city commission meetings, we have developed meaningful collaborations with nearly every school in Sunrise to ensure adequate resources for our Sunrise children. When the city became aware of the potential closures of West Pine and Bare Middle, we promptly scheduled tours
of both campuses to explore opportunities for expanded partnerships. Following those tours, I sent two letters to the superintendent expressing the city's interest in potentially enhancing our collaboration with respect to both schools. We recognize that
partnerships involve classrooms or interior space are complex and involve consideration such as security, restroom access, and other operational challenges. These matters require significant coordination and time to evaluate thoroughly.
While I cannot formally commit today to assuming the use of any space at West Palmer Bear, I can commit to continued and meaningful dialogue with the school board staff regarding expanded partnership opportunities at both locations. Given the city of Sunray's long-standing
history of partnering with the school board, we respectfully request that the school board keep Bear Middle School open while we continue these discussions with the school board administration with the goal of expanding our mutually beneficial partnership and support of our children and families. potential
opportunities such as colllocating city programs to uptake some of the space while while complicated plan to develop and initiate can offer opportunities for innovation and preserve the middle school in sunrise. Finally, Bear Middle School is one of the only four public
schools in Broward County that offer the monastery magnet program, which cultivates individualism, freedom of choice, problem solving, ability, and social development in children while promoting academic achievement, and peer acceptance in a non-competitive environment. Bear Middle School also
currently offers students with many advanced STEM activities and projects to include on rocketry, aerodynamics, and Lego robotics. CAD through Minecraft and bridge design to help develop our next generation of leaders. The addition of the Cambridge program has offered an
additional innovative program of excellence at Bear and our feeder schools. We need more of these programs, not less. We also have a unique opportunity on the Bear Middle School/Horizon Elementary campus to offer a monastery magnet program on a K through8 basis.
>> Thank you. >> Just finish. Can you give me >> please finish your sentence? >> Absolutely. On behalf of the city commission, we request that you keep Bear Middle School open as we work on a mutually beneficial plan for our community, students, and families, and work together on this new part partnership. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Before we move to the next public comment, the board does need to vote to extend the meeting. So, I could I get a motion and a second to extend the meeting by two hours. >> So, moved. >> Moved by uh Miss Thompson, second by Miss Bulman. All in favor of extending
the meeting two hours say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Motion passes unanimously. Go ahead. Deputy mayor. >> Hi, I'm Jaclyn Guzman, city of Sunrise Deputy Mayor and I'm here to oppose the proposed closure of Beer Middle School based on the enrollment and cost
savings. The data shows that this that this decision creates greater long-term costs and inequities than short-term savings suggest. Closing bare middle and shifting students to Westpine will result in larger class sizes and overcrowded classrooms, which research
consistently links to lower academic performance and reduced teacher effectiveness. At this time, Plantation Middle is also closing, increasing displacement and making it more likely families will exit the district altogether, further accelerating
enrollment decline and funding loss. The city of Sunrise serves over 95 97,000 residents with multiple residential developments currently underway. These projects will increase the number of school age children. Yet, the district is proposing to reduce capacity instead
of planning for growth. Schools directly impact property values and family retention. Eliminating a neighborhood, excuse me, eliminating a neighborhood middle school weakens community stability and discourages families from staying in or moving to
Sunrise. Bare Middle serves a diverse student population, and its closure would disproportionately affect students who already face transportation and access challenges, making this an equity issue, not just a budget issue. Finally, the city of Sunrise has proposed
partnerships and programs that could increase enrollment and offset costs without closing the school. Those options merit serus evaluation. I urge this board to pause this closure, review the full data, and pursue solutions that protect students, families, and this
district's long-term health. Thank you. Erica Bartfield, Myle Suku, Kimara Townsend. Hi, good afternoon everyone. My name is Elizabeth Bartfield and I'm a sixth grader at Bear Middle School. Imagine
starting a brand new school, being nervous to leave your elementary school and routine for the last 6 years and it being middle school. Such a big change. Imagine after all the fear of the unknown goes away and you quickly begin to love your new school, new teachers
and new routine. Imagine you are told that will all be taken away and and will have to face all those challenges again next year. How would you feel if that happened to you? Well, that's what the students of Bear Middle are feeling right now. Why us?
Why Bear Middle? I am here today to ask one last time. Please don't close our school. Plea, please don't displace us to another school. We have amazing programs at Bare Middle like Montasuri and Cambridge that are not found at many other schools. We
also have Amazon engineers, a coding program where after investing 3 years, we have the opportunity to get our Python certification, which is something people pay for in college. Along with having one of the best coding teachers anyone could ask for, the creator
himself. Most of us will have one to two years put in with no end result. We have many clubs and sport opportunities for growth outside of the classroom, too. Next, let's talk about our amazing teachers, staff, and principal. Our
teachers are excellent and kind of, of course, they put in time and effort to make learning fun for us. I love all my teachers and would hate to say goodbye to them, as I am sure they do not want to say goodbye to their students either. They face the same challenges as us.
Starting over, new job, new school, new routine. It just doesn't seem fair. We have a new principal this year, Mr. Williams, who has been doing a great job to make our school better and safer while also trying to bring back fun and learning. There there have been so many
opportunities to take a break from learning and enjoy being with our teachers and fellow students. Each quarter a field trip is planned for the students who maintain good good grades and no referral. It gives our students a reward for doing their best and making
good decisions. Our PTA has also assisted with fun activities during our lunch periods, early release dances, and many more things to come. To wrap it up now, after hearing all these positive things, who here actually thinks it's a good idea to close Bear Middle School?
Most of us will probably say no. So, please, again, I ask, please don't close our school. I've gotten straight A's every quarter, including my brother who has never gotten straight A's before, and we would be really sad to see Bear clothes. I know I'm not the only one.
>> Dad, >> my name is Dylan Allen. I am a student of Bear Middle School. I do not want Bear Middle School to close. The reason why you need to keep the school open is one magnet program which is which I am
currently enrolled and I'm a student the Cambridge pro program the Amazon further engineers coding program future engineers program sorry which I am also a part of
in this program it requires three full school years to successfully complete. Upon complete to su successfully complete upon completion, we have the opportunity to
earn a professional coding certificate. These are just one a few of many examples of reasons why we should keep Bear Middle Schools opened.
Oh, not that tall. Never mind. >> Good evening board members. Uh my name is ML Suku. Uh and I'm here to speak in support of keeping Bear Middle School open. Uh I now attend Fort Lauderdale High School, but Bear is where I found my voice, uh my confidence, and my purpose. It is where I learned that my
past does not define my future and that someone believed in me when I did not believe in myself. You wouldn't know it, but just three years ago as a sixth grader, I was one of the most challenging students on that campus. I had countless countless BTA and was often seen as a kid who wouldn't make it
far. But Bear did not give up on me. The teachers, the staff, and administration pushed me to see more in myself. And when I thought and then I thought it was possible. Because of them, my life has changed. At Bayer, my debate partner and I made
history as the first students ever in the school. The school's been there for 50 years, by the way. To qualify for a national academic competition with no district funding. We raised $6,000 on our own with the support of the city of Sunrise. Thank you. um to get there. We
went there and we went on to complete the national level and place 28 in the entire nation out of hundreds of thousands of students there. That that su that success did not start at a high school or a college. It started at Bear Middle School inside of a classroom with a teacher named Miss Cohen.
That is not what's at is at risk though. Well, that is what is at risk. Bear is not just a building. It is a place that changes lives. It proves it provides stability, structure, and opportunity for students who may not have it anywhere else. Closing it would
not just move students to another campus. It would break a community, disrupt families, and take away a space where students feel safe, seen, and supported. However, I do have to um vis visualize the fact that no matter what
decision is made, we must be honest with ourselves. When the district h hel held red definition meetings for bear very few people showed up. The warning signs were there but we did not respond when the urgency was when we did not respond
with the urgency this moment deserved. Other schools like Walter C. Young and Glades Middle organized, showed out and fought for their schools and now they are no longer on the proposal list. I do not want bear to close but I also believe this moment should remind us all how important it is to be involved when it before it is too late. We must show
up, speak out, and protect the schools that shape our children's futures, including mines. Bear shaped mine, please give it the chance to continue changing lives. Thank you. >> Um, good evening. My name is Erica Bartfield. I'm a Sunrise resident, a
proud Bear parent, and also a Bear PTSA board member. I'm here to ask why Bear. Why are we choosing to close a school that has so many exceptional programs and learning opportunities for our children that many other Broward County schools don't? Um, by doing this, you are giving parents no
option but to possibly go to charter or private, which a lot of parents, you know, may pick that as an option. Um, losing even more public school attendees, which we're trying not to do now. Uh, you leave new families and elementary school families with only one middle school for our city and not one that is conveniently located for our
bare middle school kids. Um, you have t you have not taken in consideration the families who continue to support your public education, my family, a lot of families that came here to speak today. Um, their schedules, their abilities to get their children to and from school, and the mental health of our children and our students who are have hard time
adjusting to change. Let's come up with better ways to save money with under enrollment changes rather than closing these beneficial schools, leaving teachers and administration with no jobs and putting this burden on our students and families. It's just not fair. Why are we giving up on a magnet status school? One that is such a vigorous
process to attain all the money that went into the continued education certification for the teachers. Bare Middle has come a long way and it continues to get better and better every day. Don't give up us now. These kids don't deserve to be given up on. Do better county. >> Thank you.
>> Hi, I'm Kima Townsen, a proud mom of a student at the Bear Middle. When I moved to Sunrise in 2018, I was glad my kid could walk near to nearby schools or it could be easy for me to take the city
bus to pick them up because back then I didn't have a car. I must say I'm still in shock as what as to what I will do if bare middle door closes because Westpine isn't the best option for me. Can you
imagine being told that your kid will move from a 2.5 miles away from home to 4.2? My concern goes beyond distance. My child who is an IEP and struggle with
changes. He's very reserved and just begin to adjust to the transition from elementary to middle school. I am afraid that this change will take my child a step back more than moving forward. You
might say, well, we haven't given it a try. What I must say, I have been there before. He was just five when we moved and it impacted him greatly. In fact, he was left behind in every
grade level in elementary. But I had some great teachers and a strong school community that helped him to push through that phase. He struggled at Blair at first, but his counselors and teacher help him to become more open.
Now he's more engaged and ready to grow. Not only my child, but I know all parents have the same concern. The gap created by moving students from bear is expectedly large. Not only is that an
issue, but closing Blair, we we only now left with one middle school to serve for such a wide capacity in Sunrise. Our comp our community will be negatively impacted rather than positively. Let's
talk about the hardworking teacher, our working parents, our crossuards, our security, our great programs that school that the school has to offer. And of course, let's think about our children
who is the future, the one who will represent the true work of how well this district does. I respectfully ask the school board to consider not closing bear. Rome was not built in one day. And I believe that Beer has the potential to
bring local children back under the guidance of our new principal, especially with enhanced marketing and effort to help parents to feel secure about sending children back to public school just to address this under
enenrollment. The darkest part of the night often comes before you reach your breakthrough. Perhaps our breakthrough is just ahead. Please don't close the door before it arrives. Please help us to protect our children future.
#savelare. >> Thank you, >> Janette Marcel. Leila Morris. >> Hello, my name is Janette Marcel. I am actually an alumni from Knobill Bear Middle School and Piper High School. Uh
the decision to close Bear Middle School is going to damage Broward County Public School System more than you guys can imagine. We have, like you've heard, only one other middle school besides Bear Middle School. Besides the fact that I have a student who loves going to
this school and one who is expecting to go to Bear Middle School, um she was a what would be considered an average student. She went from being an average student all of her career in elementary school to being on honor roll every single quarter without fail without the
effect of me having to be on top of her figuring out what's going on. She comes home every day excited to figure out what's going on with her friends to have these discussions. She's turning into a young lady that we will all be proud of to be leaders of tomorrow. There's many things that we could take away from this. Number one, our community needs
Bear Middle School and Bear Middle School needs our community. Number two, I would like to urge our elected officials to remember that they are in these seats because they have been elected by us, by the people, for the people, and we will continue to exercise our rights and our civic duties to make
sure that the right people stay in these seats. We need Bear Middle School to continue. Um, I'd like to remind you as well, Horus Man, commonly referred to as the father of public school system, did once say, "Schoolhouses are the republic line for fortification. We need to maintain our schools open to all of our
students so we can continue to have a beneficial republic and good citizenship coming out of Broward County Public Schools. And you asked us last year and the year before to choose BCPS. You are taking away our right to choose by closing this school. And you're making
it an uncertainty for all of our students, our staff, our family members, and our community. This is not a decision to be made lightly. However, I do urge you to think of our students because you are in these seats for our students, for nothing more than our
students. I yield. Members of the board, my name is Cleo Patric Marie Millage Allen. I am a parent, a PTSA leader, and a voting constituent of this community. I am here
to state clearly that we do not support the closure of Bear Middle School. This decision we cannot accept and it's not one that we will accept quietly.
Bear Middle School is a fourtime school of excellence, a national recognition reserved for the highest performing magnet schools in the country. It is also one of 10 schools that has
been chosen for the Amazon Future Engineers AI pilot program, placing our students at the forefront of STEM innovation. Every day our children's engage in hands-on experiments, collaborative
projects, and realworld problem solving that will prepare them for the future this district claims to value. Our students come from families who are the backbone of this community. Parents
who work tirelessly and rely heavily on the resources Bear provides. You may not see every parent present in this room today, but make no mistake, their absence is not their silence.
They stand with us. They depend on this school. And removing this vital resource would be a devastating blow to those families who trust this district to protect their children's opportunity.
Now, many of you have visited Bear. You've seen the excellence, the energy, and the potential inside those classrooms. Yet often, far too often, Bear has been treated
as out of sight and out of mind. Today, I'm telling you plainly, Bear is a gem in this district, and it deserves to be supported and not sacrificed. It is disappointing that we must stand
here today defending a school that has provided and proven time and time again their worth. At Bear Middle School, failure is not an option.
not an option for our students, not an option for our teachers, not an option for our staff, and certainly not an option for this community. I am asking you today to uphold that same standard.
Do not fail our children. Do not fail this community. Do not fail the future leaders who walk the halls every day at Bear Middle School. Vote to keep bear open. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next speaker is Leila Morris, followed by Lena Marie Hernandez. >> Leila Morris, Lena Marie Hernandez. >> Is there anyone else on the list? >> Yes. >> Liliana Ruido. Latoya Clark. Yep.
All right. Um, Liliana Rio and I am a Sunrise resident and I got to tell you, Sunrise City is one of the most beautiful city and in every corner it's you know just
goodness. So goodness comes with life. Life are the kids. So, I don't know if some of you have been over or you know the story of Bare Middle. Bare Middle is an award-winning school
and the tons of programs they offer is just amazing. So, I'm going to start by saying that they have elective courses for like for example they have arts, they have music exploration and performance for one, two, and three.
They have a speech and debate programs. They have global perspectives. They have a Spanish one, a Spanish two. They have foreign foreign language. They have the STEM programs. And also, if you go
through the STEM program, they have of course there nothing more or nothing less than the engineer program that they have. They also have the technology program. By the way, I went and visited Bear Middle a few days ago and I'm going
to tell you this. I was so impressed. I'm going to tell you how impressed I was. I was so impressed with the way the teachers are so uh passionate. They're so involved. They they just want to bring the goodness in our students and
you know in their students. So for us to come here and ask you to pay attention to what we are asking you and not only asking you, we are Sunrise residents and we know what our Sunrise need and what
we need is to keep our public schools open and I'm going to continue going over and over and over and over some of the beautiful programs they have. They have um business application. They have the Amazon future engineer as well and
they have the digital um diversity. They have other things like physical education as many other things. But why am I'm saying or why am I'm bringing all these programs is for you to understand the amount of years. the amount of work
to bring all these programs to middle school and not only that this is to make our students what an excellent students this and and again I'm going to say it again is an awardw winning school so I'm going to ask you to take every one of
the factors every one of the information we just presented to you today and think through it about you know what's going on or what you are trying to to execute which no one of us agreed to close any public school in this case bare middle
again we do not want bare middle to be closed thank you >> thank you our next speaker Latoya Clark >> good afternoon my name is Latoya Clark I'm the assistant deputy vice mayor for the city of Sunrise and I am here because I see the importance of beer
middle school I have toured that school I've seen the kids that walk into school in the morning, the kids, the joy that comes to their heart and their minds and how parents will be directly impacted by closing this school. It is not just a school that shows up for individuals
that have lowincome situations. It's also a clue a school of resources for all of the elementary and the middle school combined together. It's a conjoining school. And I've seen how they both principles have worked together. I've seen how parents have
worked together. They've taken pride in dropping their kids off in the morning. And basically, we have zero complaints in terms of behavioral at those schools. So to close those type of schools that has such a great impact in the community is sending a message to those individuals that we don't really care
about them. And all day long we have sat here quietly, patiently going through all these administrative issues that you have had with financial causes. And it has not as come to my attention that the primary purpose is the kids. That's what we're here for. And if we are sending a
message to them today, let's send the right message. We have already decided that we are not going to spend funding on graduation, let us spend money investing that by the time these kids get to graduation of high school, we can have a better solution. Thank you.
>> That concludes our public comments. >> Thank you. Board member comment. Dr. Hoes. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I want to thank all of our students who came out to speak. I want to thank all of our
um parents, our leaders. Um I appreciate the city of Sunrise for coming out as well, the city manager, our uh commissioners who I consider them to be friends of mine as well, established relationships for a long time. So, thank
you so much. And um I would say that as a resident of Sunrise, uh I am very familiar with Beer. In fact, I was familiar with Beer long before I became a resident of Sunrise, a resident of Burough County almost 40 years. But I
remember when I first started out in teaching and I was studying, I used to sub at Bearer and Beer has been around for quite some time and quite a remarkable school. Now I do support that
the that beer remains open and I know that Dr. Hepern we are looking at our underenrolled schools and we're looking at closing uh many of those schools.
But even though Beer is under enroll, uh there are options that Beer has to increase occupancy of open seats. When we close schools in Broward County, we close schools that are not only
underenrolled, but we close them because we don't see viable options to occupy the open seats. That's not the case with Bear Middle School. there are viable options to occupy spe uh seat space at
beer. Now, we have seen uh our city officials who offer to occupy space at Beer Middle and intend to explore a lot of options to colllocate
city programs at Beer as as much as we may need them to occupy as a school district. We also know that there's a new principal at Beer and he's a wonderful guy. He has proven in his years in the district that he can enact
changes to schools that result in positive student enrollment. I believe Mr. Williams will continue to do that at Bearer. Now, Mr. Williams, who is the wonderful son of Ben Williams,
is an awesome guy. So, I've done some things on my own. I met with Mr. Williams. I spoke with Mr. Williams. I spoke with Mr. Smith from Horizon Elementary. I visited the city of Sunrise Commission twice. I visited the education advisor board
and some of the community organizations in Sunrise. And what I can tell you is that they love Beer Middle School. Now the closing of beer
which is Dr. Heeper. What is the percentage enrollment of beer currently? >> Dr. You have that number? >> Hold on one second. >> What is the percentage? >> Bear is currently Mr. Beck. Can you go to one
of the mics so you can Okay. Uh Joe Beck, director demographics enrollment planning. As of this year, uh Bear is enrolled at 54.1% of its permanent capacity. >> Okay. And what is the enrollment of Westpine Middle School? >> So,
>> uh Westpine is 48.4. >> Okay. So should we close bearer and I absolutely hope we do not but should we close bearer those students will go to Westpine which means that Westpine will be now pretty
much full to capacity. There will be absolutely no further room for growth in the surrounding communities. As far as middle school the closest one is going to be Plantation 6 through 12. I believe that Bear Middle School will
experience not only increase in enrollment but that we will have a wonderful relationship with the city of Sunrise as they mentioned to occupy open seat space at Bearer. So our concern is on the enrollment but
in the case of beer it's different from other schools. I as a board member I have supported the closing of other schools. So, I am not shying away from our budget concerns. I supported the closing of North Fork. I supported the closing of
Plantation Middle. I supported the closing of Broward Estates Elementary. Bear is a different issue. I supported the closing of those schools because we did not see viable options to increase enrollment. In Bear case, we see a lot of viable option to increase enrollment.
and four of the board members here and I really appreciate your support when we had this discussion the workshop supported keeping it open. I hope with the added information with the city expressing their intent to colllocate city programs and increase the open use
of open space that we'll have at least one more board member with the other four or maybe all of us because I think in the case of beer it's different. Now with Horizon Elementary I went over to the school I spoke to Mr. Smith and Bear has a great Montasauri program.
Horizon Middle School can be a wonderful feeder into beer for Montyori. I believe if we have and and Mr. Smith and Mr. Williams had that conversation and Mr. Smith feels that that could be a great possibility and that will increase
enrollment. we may end up having students coming from charter and private schools to to have that option and we have a great feeder pattern from Horizon to be. So I'm going to ask the board based upon the situation with beer
in terms of the wonderful opportunity of a feeder program from Horizon to increase enrollment in terms of the new principle that's doing wonderful things over there in terms of the city of Sunrise commitment to colllocate city programs in terms of the concerns that we will face later on if we if we
combine beer with Westpine and not have any further capacity for students in that area. I'm asking our board members to look at this particular case differently and at the very least let's put beer on hold for two or three years.
Let's see if these things will unfold and I believe that we will see a difference in Bear Middle. So I'm asking for your support again as board members and I did the last time. I honestly believe that it's a wise decision to
keep bearer open and if if in fact we are wrong which I don't believe we will be that we can look at this a couple years from now we can look at this two or three years from now but it is the right and wise thing to do at this moment to keep their open and I'll tell
my board members as well I understand superintendent that we need to close schools and I have voted to close a few schools in my area. Miss Thompson has to make some real serious decisions in her area, but in this particular case, we should not. And
I'm asking you to not support the closing of Bear. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. Before I talk about Bear, I'd like to give a shout out to Myle Suku. He was one of three students in the
district awarded a trailblazer award at the MLK ceremony on Monday and he received $1,000 for all the great things that he's doing. So, thank you for um showing up and showing us why you why you won that award. So, and I have a
great picture of you right here on my computer that I took um while you were there. Um so, first I want to say, you know, we don't nobody wants to close schools. So, I I want to be really clear because there's a lot of them on this
list. No one is on the list because their school doesn't do great things or that their staff isn't amazing or that their administration isn't great and the student is difficult for all students to have to move. So, I just on a global
thing want to say that because you know everybody came and said how great Bear is and it is. I've been there a number of times. It was great when they had the old principal and it's great with the new principal, but we've already voted to close some schools. So, I just want to be really clear to the public that
this is not about how great the school is. They're all great. It is about numbers, right? How many students are there? That being said, I voted last time not to close Bay or that was my discussion because I agree with Dr.
Hoiss. When you move Bear Middle into West Pine, you are right at the capacity and it doesn't give any room for growth. And although we want to free up buildings, we also want to grow capacity in our schools. So to me, it doesn't
make sense to be already at that that um total capacity number just like that. So, I I continue to not um agree with Bear being closed, but I want everybody just to remember we're going to have to
continue to do this. We have to reduce our footprint because we have less students. It's just it's just a fact of where we are. It has nothing to do with how amazing our students are. We are an A-rated district because we have great
teachers. We have great principles, APS, staff, students, community members. That doesn't change when a school has to be consolidated somewhere else. And I don't want any school walking away today thinking if they had come here and shared how how great and amazing their
programs are at their school, there would have been a different outcome. This is really on numbers and the fact that to me it doesn't make sense to put another school already at its capacity and not give them any room to grow. So, thank you. Thank you, Miss Rupert.
>> Um, thank you. And, um, I agree with what was Miss Hixon just said, but I do have some questions. Um, Dr. Holes had had mentioned was very quickly um, the name of the school. So, I'm I you said Horizon Middle, but I
think it's an elementary school. >> Horizon Elementary. Sorry about that. >> I thought so when I was reviewing the data. I just wanted to be sure. >> No problem. Thank you. Yes. Um, so you you is Horizon pro um currently a Monasuri school?
>> Go ahead. >> Uh, no. Horizon is not currently um a school that offers monatory programming. >> Okay. Because they were saying it would be a good feeder for the monatory program. I was, you know, hoping that they had one there, but Okay. I and I
know how uh tremendously difficult it is to actually get this out of >> Well, I I think the con um the concern or the thought um behind that is Horizon is actually located directly next door to um Bear Middle School and last school
year when we transitioned uh Dr. Martin Luther King from Dr. Martin the King Monasuri back to the traditional K5 elementary. There is no elementary Monasuri program on the west side of the county. So um a thought in and it came
up when we were doing the community meetings um in September and October that a thought could be to potentially look at adding the monastery programming to Horizon to actually have that K8 continuum um continue on the east side
of the county. I'm sorry. On the west side of the county. >> Um, now I like that idea. Now, why did we not pursue that? Uh, I don't know who would answer. I don't know who I'm supposed to ask. Madam Chair, Dr. Hepper,
>> why didn't we pursue Monasuri K8? So, you can go ahead Dr. You can talk about why we pursue. I'll I'll uh got some answers to some more. >> No, I mean, you can go ahead. it came here and the conversation um through board discussion really was to keep bear
on the list and it was so that that was a part of um one of the potential strategies and if we get um direction today to pursue that as opposed to what the current recommended action is then that's the direction we'll move in but Dr. have burn you can
>> no you you answer it >> okay um so so there's that option and I did want to um ask a question about the the tremendous programs the coding credentiing um how will they continue
um and how will children who are under the under the ESC umbrella with their IEPs how will they be dispersed about um I'm just looking as at an equity question So the the recommended um uh action
today is to transition all of the students to West Pine Middle School. So they would um you know as one school moved um the two schools would combine and they would continue to receive services at West Pine according to what um is identified on their IEP. And Miss
Hollingsworth can chime in if I'm misspeaking in any way, but those services will continue to be provided at West Pine Middle School. >> Uh Dr. Dr. Wer, you're 100% correct. No different than if they transition to another middle school if they moved. So, the same services would be in place and
I know the ESC team will be working with the schools to make sure those transitions are um as uh seamless as possible. >> Okay. Thank you. Um and to to the one um parent and I'm so sorry I forgot your name. um where you you have the
possibility of you utilizing the bus service so you could stay within your school area and it wouldn't be a hardship for transportation if it stayed the same. Um that was a that was a good point made me think. Um and for the
reasons that I just asked and as for the possibility of the Monasuria for Horizon program, I would support not closing the school. Thank you, Miss Bulman. And please, audience, please make sure you wave your hands instead of clapping. Thank you. Go
ahead, Miss Bulman. >> Thank you for that demonstration, Dr. Heer. >> You can look at him. Um, thank you, Chair. Um, I first of all, thank you to everyone for coming today to speak. Um, I I wanted to really just commend my
colleagues, um, Miss Thompson and Dr. wholeness. Their uh districts have been disproportionately uh affected by the school the redefining and the school closures that we're discussing today. And I think both of
them have done an amazing job being in their community really understanding what the challenges are and coming and back with solutions and really being able to advise those of us who aren't in those communities. um the best path
forward while being very realistic about the challenges that we're facing. And um and so I appreciate that very much. I appreciate the leadership from both of you on that. And so I um will maintain my vote that I had the last time, which
is to go with Dr. Holes's uh recommendation to um not support this item the way it's written right now and to maintain bear um as a middle school. So, thank you. >> Any other board discussion on this item,
Mr. Civera? >> I've got some questions. Um, I I think Miss Rupert alluded to this, although I'm not sure she got a a complete answer. Um, we heard about some of the programs that bear with the um the coding and the future Amazon engineer
program, which sounds incidentally very cool. Um, my my question for staff is if in fact that Barry is is consolidated with Westpine, will those programs that we heard about Oh, >> let me ask a question.
>> Let's have them in the audience. >> I want I want to put it on record. Will those programs uh follow the students to Westpine? >> Yes, that that's correct. We we don't diminish programs actually enhance them.
Um and so if there if they have existing programs um that have a core group of students in those programs, we follow the students to to the um the receiving school. >> Okay. I I heard some some snickering and and some suggesting to the contrary, Mr.
Superintendent, from the crowd. Um, I guess let me ask let me ask the question a different way. Um, I apologize. I think it was a it was a parent who was speaking before came up with a a pamphlet and was reading the the programs out of the pamphlet and she
identified a handful of programs. >> Mr. Sea, just so you remember, you can ask the audience questions if you like. Okay. So, let me ask the audience a question. Um, are the programs that uh we talked about and we heard about uh going to
follow the students in the uh event that um Bear is combined with West Pine or are we going to lose those programs? I don't know if you want to be the designated rep. Go ahead, ma'am, please. >> Yes. Um, hi, I'm Miss Allen, PTSA
president at Bear Middle School. Um to answer the question the answer is no. Those programs will not be followed with the school. It is a teacherbased program. That program is licensed for one teacher and one teacher only. He
holds the licensing for the Python program. So if that teacher were to not move with the suggested uh West Pine, that program and our students will lose their progress. That means that the
three years that they were to invest in that program will be pointless. They will not have a professional python certificate at the end of their eighth grade year. which is the reason why the majority of the parents who are in the
Montasauri programs attend that school. So again, the answer is no. That program will be lost if the teacher does not move to West Pine. And I can assure you I don't think that's going to be the case.
So >> yes, >> thank you. >> Thank you, chair. If I may, one uh one last question here. um the data that was provided to us and I'm reading from one of the attachments entitled projected
enrollment and capacity usage. Um this indicates that for the 2526 school year Bear Middle School is operating at a 54% capacity. Um I heard from I think uh at least was was mentioned by two of the speakers
that these numbers were were incorrect. Uh I apologize there was quite a bit of you but um I guess posing the question to the uh to the speakers again is anybody in possession of alternate data than what this board has been presented
with in regards to enrollment capacity. Somebody made the comment unless I'm going nuts. I know it's late but >> actually I think it was Fusco. Did you did you say you're not you we are not provided with the um excuse me I
believe it was uh the president of the BTU this is Anna Fusco uh you made a comment that we were not provided with the um with the proper data for bear the data ma'am that um I'm looking at that was provided to me by staff indicates
again that bear middle school it's projected excuse me the enrollment number for 2526 is operating at a 54% capacity city. Um, are you of the opinion that's incorrect? And do we is there some other numbers that we should be looking at that we don't have access to? >> So, it's about 50%.
>> Yeah. >> Well, I spoke about the plan on asking the city to help with the 25% occupancy that there wasn't an effective proper business plan to have that ask to
help out. Now the capacity piece PTA president here just shared of how many students it's projected which again I challenge you to ask how they come up with these projections for student capacity every year. I never get a straight answer. If you can that would
be wonderful. I would challenge you to ask that to see if somebody can give that. And two um I think you've heard over and over again that the capacity to be able to grow there's plan to help it grow. And I think if the staff sitting
here actually got behind to make it grow that we wouldn't have to be worrying about it closing because I don't see how any city's going to operate with just one middle school and also coming behind it that if it does close
that a charter's going to take over and make it successful. What would that say about Brower County Public Schools? That is what I've been bringing forward. The actual plan for the city to help. We have the city manager sitting here. You guys certainly asked a lot of questions on those Gallagher guys. We're trying to
save a public school and I don't see you guys asking him any more questions. So, I challenge that also. Thank you, chair, if if I may. And I and I appreciate um hearing from the speaker,
but um what I'm what I'm trying to wrap my head around as far as as as everybody sits here today for this for this school year um is Bear Middle School operating at a 54% capacity or is it operating at a higher capacity than that? Because if it's clearly if it's operating at a higher capacity than that, I think this
board needs to know. So I I heard um we've heard about data. Miss Fusco has now explained what what what she meant by her earlier comments. Does anyone have any input that they'd like to share with this board as to the current capacity of Bear Middle School as we sit here today?
>> So, we have a capacity um a current capacity at Bayer of 640 students. Um and the overall full capacity of the school is 1,245 students.
So yes, it is more than >> 736. >> Yeah, right. >> That's not correct. >> The enrollment right now is 736. >> No, no, that's not that's not correct. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. The the enrollment is 640.
>> No, that's >> I found that correct yesterday. Yes. 640. >> The 640. >> So m Mr. SA on the the document that you have is the enrollment on the benchmark enrollment day which is the district
district districtwide um uh enrollment day across the entire district right it's it's been published it's all over the the websites so on that day benchmark enrollment the enrollment was 646 so what the uh yes 646 so what the um
public or the um our speakers may be saying and I certainly You know, I'm not discrediting anything they say. They're saying what they're probably referencing today is the current enrollment of the school, which may be what is the current enrollment in the district's uh in focus and the district's student information
system. Right. So, um that suggests that if if the number is 640, then from the benchmark enrollment date in September to today, the enrollment has pretty much held steady at about 640.
They say 640 on benchmark enrollment it was 646. So it's pretty much holding steady at 600 and I'm going to say 4243 for the average number of students but it still puts the capacity usage at the 54%.
>> Understood. Thank you for the clarification. >> Uh nothing further from me chair. >> Any other board uh comment on this item? >> Yes ma'am. >> Go ahead Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much. Just want to get the numbers uh straight real quick. What is
the total capacity of Bear? Is it 1245? >> So the the gross capacity of the school is 1,234. The permanent capacity is 1,194. >> Terrific. Thanks so much. Mr. Superintendent, why do you recommend closing the school?
>> The school is um underenrolled. um for quite some time. It's based on a 5-year projection. It's um still slated to continue to have a decline in enrollment and be underenrolled. Uh West P combining West Pine, which has more space to accommodate
um Bear Middle School is the plan that's before you today, but we recommended this um throughout our conversations with the community and workshops with the board due to underenrollment. >> Terrific. And Mr. Superintendent, if I could ask your CFO, what's the expected
savings from uh repurposing Bear? >> Uh, go ahead, Dr. I. I know you have that in the in the deck. >> So, the um the estimated um savings would be 1 1,919,
and um 39 per year to the general fund. >> Terrific. Thank you very much. I appreciate those uh those numbers. Um, I support the superintendent's uh recommendation and um to be honest with you, you know, uh and let me just ask one
more question. Uh uh Mr. Superintendent, is the sixth grade enrollment uh numbers uh uh less than the eighth grade enrollment numbers? >> Mr. Beck, do you have the sixth grade enrollment numbers? >> I'm pulling it up. >> Just a second. Um Dr. Zaman,
>> no worries. And and Dr. And the reason I'm asking is, you know, projections are often based in middle schools of, you know, if the eighth grade has one number and the seventh has a smaller number and sixth has a smaller, you know, those projections are pretty stable. >> So currently, um, Dr. Zaman, um, in the
sixth grade there are 209 students and in the eighth grade there are 230 students. >> Terrific. And you know, um, I always bristle, you know, when we, uh,
think through these problems, uh, you know, one at a time. They're hard. You know, it's, uh, difficult to change, um, people's lives. Um, but I also know that the central thesis is still very important. You know, we are at a
financial crisis. $2 million, $1.9 million of savings is a lot of money. Um and uh the overwhelming evidence about education in the United States is that schools that are closer to capacity uh are able to deliver better education, better leadership, better culture,
better programs, greater flexibility and agility. And uh when you put those two things together, I understand why the superintendent uh is recommending this. Uh our state legislature was also very clear that you know all of us on the
school board represent Broward County. While we get elected uh by a district, we um have to make decisions that are based on the best interest uh of the district. I think kicking the can on this uh and not, you know, doing what uh allows us. I mean, we were tortured
ourselves this morning to try and find a half a million dollars for something the community is desperate for. This is four times bigger than that. It's one of a set of packages of seven schools for this year. Uh an econometrician that looked at a school district like this would be in the numbers of 30 plus
schools in order to spend the money on the things that we are charged to do, which is to educate uh keep our kids safe, make sure we have the funds to provide for their mental health. And I'm always going to vote for the things that do the best things for our kids. And uh
unfortunately that includes consolidating fair with West Pine. Uh it is uh the smart move for financial reasons. It's also the smart move for education reasons. Um and I hope that we can continue to support the superintendent as he's gone through this
very challenging repurposing uh project with tons of community involvement and the like. Um you know, the time for dialogue uh was a year ago. The time for dialogue is not at the last moment of walking in when we have this item on the board that we've talked about at
multiple workshops with multiple town hall meetings uh to get things done. Uh I believe 3 or four years from now with these schools consolidated uh the community is going to be stronger, the schools are going to be stronger, the educational performance is going to be higher. Um and that's why uh I support
the superintendent on this recommendation. >> Thank you. Any other board member comment on this item? Madam Chair, >> um could I just could I just had two questions and then Okay, before we go to round two, but does anyone want to speak before me before we go to round two?
>> Okay. Um I have a question because a particular program was brought up, the Python program. Um and we heard from the audience that uh that was that program is tied to the teacher who is certified
and has the licensing for that. Um, so I guess my my question to staff is what happens if because this comes up in other schools with regards to like culinary programs and things like that? Um, this happened at Fort Lauderdale High School
with the fashion program. If that teacher leaves the school, uh, does that program continue? >> We recruit and train. So, um it if that teacher was to leave Bear Middle School
right now, um we we would have to react by recruiting and training. Um we know across the district. >> Can I please have Dorm in the audience? >> We know across the district we have many programs that are teacher dependent. Um that's just the the the nature of many of our programs. Um they come with great
skill sets and um you have turnover at schools. Folks retire, folks resign and find new opportunities. But we we recruit heavy and we recruit and retrain um for specific programs i.e. culinary fashion club. I remember when that happened. Um um engineering um um
programs at certain schools that have specific skill set. So we recruit and and retrain. >> Okay. So let me ask this then. Um, if we were to close Bayar and that teacher decided not to move to Westpine,
um, would we still do the due diligence of recruiting and and, uh, training a teacher to continue that program at Westpine? >> Yes, that's correct. >> Okay. If the board votes this item down today, would we be move forward with any of the
suggestions from certain board members that we heard or would we need to amend the item to do that? >> Go ahead. >> So, I don't think you need to amend the item. think that um and Miss Jock Adams can correct me and um but I um believe
in what has happened. If if if the board votes this down then um what would need to happen um is uh we would look to um possibly amend item MM12 so that we would include bear in that item so that
their boundary would stay the same for next school year. And then we would then um we can look at the programmatic options and things of that nature as we um progress with all the other things that we're going to do the second half of the school year. Um but but if the board votes this item down, then we just
need to make sure that we amend MM12 to include Bear Middle School in MM12 because item MM12 is all the rest of the schools in the district whose boundaries are remaining unchanged for next school year. So Miss Jack Adams or did I
I defer to you because a lot of what you said had factual um issues in it that that I'm not >> aware of like you know amending it to include so I I defer to you. Um I guess my my question though is like for instance there was a conversation about
the city of Sunrise colllocating like would we need to amend the item to include that or would you guys take that this conversation today about you know a K8 Monosuri or colllocating with Sunrise I mean uh yeah co colllocating with the city um would you take that direction
and kind of go where you need to take that direction and um um and create those plans with with whatever partner wants to use the facility and because we would have to bring the lease agreement back to the board. Anyway, um but I do um um you know, as your superintendent, I I do want to be responsible in letting
you know um that for both schools there has to 25% of the student stations have to come off of the books. Um and so we'll work with the city of Sunrise to to to um see if we can make that happen. Just uh just giving you outlook,
whatever the intention of the votes are, 25% of student station have to come off the books. So it can be uh comparable as far as how much uh how many seats are left. If that does not happen, um collocation is is a huge option because
this is one of the schools that's been um we've received a letter for and we can no longer push back against that when we have the space. I I can't um firmly go tell um these folks that we
don't have the space. Um, so just want to make sure that the city of Sunrise understands, the community understands if um if we move forward with with taking it off the list for closure, 25% of both schools, not just one, both because both are underenrolled have to
come of those student stations have to come off for for us to have a comfortable um um amount of capacity capacity usage that we can say, hey, we're using, you know, 75 80% of the capacity usage uh for these schools. schools. Also, I've said this several
times and uh Mr. Beck, I may have you do like a I'm sorry for for adding on to the conversation, but this is important. Um the outlook uh of Broward County itself, and not just Broward County, but large um counties with large urban areas
are having severe declines in enrollment. This is not a Broward County public schools issue. It's a Miami date issue. It's a Palm Beach County issue. It's a Hillsboro issue. It's a Penllis County issue. It's a Duval County issue. It's an Orange County issue. Those are all the systems in the state right now
that are that are closing schools are on the verge of starting a discussion to close schools because we're losing kids. We have a finite number of kids in the county. We share some with charter schools. We share some with private schools. Um and all of us charter schools are having their decline too.
All of us are sharing kids now with the voucher system. and also impacts of other variables such as affordability where people are leaving these areas to find places that they can afford to live. But Mr. Beck, I'm um somebody asked a question about the methodology
around uh your as a demographer. How do you come up with these numbers and what is the outlook um for Broward County as far as the number of students today versus the number of students a few years from now in in in that trend? And I just want to
make sure the board uh understands some of this information. >> So I'm going to answer that question in reverse order if that's okay with you, Mr. Dr. Superintendent. Uh the outlook is continuing decline in enrollment. And what the district initially projected for next year was a decrease of about
5,000 students. Um the the state initially agreed with that, but since that estimate was or projection was created based on the benchmark enrollment, the district has continued to lose more enrollment at a faster rate than we lost last year during the same period. So from the benchmark day to the
80th day, including at charter schools, we've lost about 1,400 students. And that's not normal. Prior to last school year, um we didn't typically lose enrollment during the school year. So last year was the first year where we saw a a mid-year enrollment loss that
that added up to about 3,000 students before the end of the school year. So um that being said, you know, our initial projection was based on a trend. That's the best that we can do now is a is a a two to threeyear trend. The 5,000 represented, you know, sort of an
average of recent years in in in um including what we were hoping was an anomalous enrollment decrease of nearly 10,000 students from last year to this year as it is starting to to pan out. That is probably not an anomaly. It's
probably uh an ongoing phenomenon. So, at the school level, it's pretty much the same thing. We use uh kind of a hybrid model. We use a the kind of the gold standard uh population forecasting model which is a is a cohort survival
method and we have kind of learned to adapt that because that with uh especially with the proliferation of school choice that has become uh increasingly unreliable. So we're using a trendbased model and with middle schools we have the benefit of looking uh being able to see what the incoming
fifth grade cohort would be coming into sixth grade and the same with high school. We don't have that luxury with elementary schools. So, we're a little bit more blind, but we know that enrollment is decreasing. >> Thank you for that, Mr. Beck. So, I I I wanted to get all that information. We will work with the city, whatever the
vote is. Um, but it is going to be important that student stations are taken off the books with this um partnership and collaboration in order in order to make this work and not have to worry about some collocations in in the area. >> Okay. And so to that point, and I'm
sorry, I wasn't intending to ask this many questions and now I'm having more questions come up. Um, to that well, this is a a two-part question. So, how if this item is voted down and you're you have the direction that you need to implement these changes and do the
collocation with the city, um, is there how soon would you be able to get that done? By the 26 27th school year? >> Yes, it would have. Yes, it would have to get done. Okay. And then I guess what what is the plan for West
Pine to take 25% of the student stations off the books if this item is voted down? >> We will have to work with the city um with a firm commitment that they're going to assist us in taking up spaces that equates to 25% of student stations. >> Could someone from the city speak to
that? >> Thank you. Mark Leilski, city manager for Sunrise. Like I said earlier, we have toured both West Pine and Bear and it's difficult for the city to go in one direction till we realize where the school board is going. But both locations are opportunities for us. Uh
West Pine is directly adjacent to a city facility. We recently entered into an agreement with the school board for the city to invest millions of dollars in the exterior, the the the fields, the track, the the tennis the tennis courts. And um so that is an agreement we already have in place. We could expand
upon that agreement. Um, I can't commit. I can't commit for just like uh staff can't commit that uh I have to get something in front of the city commission. But this has been discussed in front of our commission. I have sent several letters of interest and intent uh to the school board. But I I do there's a lot of complicated issues. Uh
exterior is one thing. Interior makes it even harder. Uh there's security issues. We can't mixing students with with uh with other programming. We have restroom issues. Um operational concerns. But I can guarantee you is that we will continue to have meaningful dialogue if
the board uh directs staff to do that. We are ready, willing, and able to have those conversations on both schools. >> Okay. Um and does the city feel confident that if you have, you know, if if we vote this
item down today that you feel like you could get those those decisions done by the 26 27 school year. with with the with the if you provide direction to your staff, we'll certainly put a priority for our staff.
>> Okay. Thank you for that. And then to our staff, um there has been a concern about how there's not room for growth if we close Bay and re and relocate all the students to West Pine. But I I guess my question
for Mr. Beck is um in terms of birth rate and and your projections, does it look like there is supposed to be growth in that population in like a ch child population um in that area or
decline? >> So um unfortunately birth rates are are down everywhere. And we're an interesting kind of county because we're not just we don't our growth isn't sustained by just the babies who are born here. by the people who move into the county. And that's that's where I
think the biggest hit to our enrollment is coming from is people are are not coming here for different reasons. But that is that is the this the the state of affairs. That being said, some of Bears feeding elementary schools have as many students as Bear does. So that's an
unusual uh circumstance also. So there there should be um a population to grow the enrollment at Bear at least to a certain degree. Um but overall the outlook for birth rates for people moving for you know a variety of things
doesn't paint a very optimistic picture for enrollment increase. >> Okay. Thank you Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Thank you. My question is in regards to the Bear Middle School and West Pine
Middle School. What is the age of each of the schools? >> Let me see. Hold on one second. Miss >> have it in the >> Yeah, Bear is from the 70s and Westpine is from the 80s, but if you want the exact years, we I got you that. >> Okay. And then my next question after
that, has the facilities assessment been done in each of these schools? >> Yes. For the facilities condition assessments are done. As far as the detailed reports, um they should be finishing up. Um but the the the assessment has been done. >> Has that been taken into consideration,
Dr. He in your decision today? >> Yes. >> Okay. And >> for each of the schools, is there any outstanding smart projects
or I guess specifically at Bear? >> Um I'm not sure, Mr. Dorset, if if you're aware, we may have to follow up with you on that one. >> Um good afternoon, Mark Dorset, task assigned chief operating officer. Not sure exactly, but I can get you a a
board followup with that answer >> on both schools. >> Yeah, >> I really need to know that to make this >> We'll look at the actual um schedule that was attached to the contract last week that if it's if it's on there.
>> Okay, I need that answer to make my decision. And then also so you have smart projects, but then you have other projects. So at each of the schools or specifically Bayer, do they have any outstanding projects beyond smart?
>> Uh not not outstanding projects. We have our DEFP where there are some um uh projects identified in the in the DEFP for both schools, but there are regular, you know, uh deferred maintenance type projects that we work on at every
school. But um if you give me a few minutes, I'll make a call to see where we are with uh both West Pine and Bear with regard to the smart projects. >> Okay. And for um bear for the outstanding not smart
projects, what is the financial impact of that? >> Normally um it it's just it it might be some some uh superficial stuff. uh the track at bear for for instance uh some some
upkeep uh like tree trimming those kind of projects. I'm not sure if we have any major projects like floor finishing uh interior painting. I know it's on the books for exterior painting. I would have to check for interior. I'm not
sure. And for the facilities assessment report, were there any red flags for bear? >> You're rattling them off, Miss looking at the schedule right now. U for um just to see if it's on um ACOM's
project schedule. Um, and it is not as far as Bear Middle. Um, hold on just a sec. Bear >> would you >> Okay. Yes, I do see a um project for Bear Middle program
renovation uh currently budgeted for 1.3 mill. It is actually the remaining spend is um 127,000. So it must be close to completion. It is slated to be completed
um this year in August for whatever uh ren it doesn't list this. I'm looking at the schedule. Doesn't list the actual renovation, but there's $127,000 left for this particular renovation, and it's slated to for substantial completion on August 31st, 2026.
Uh, >> and that's at Bear. >> That's at Bear Middle School. Um, if you give me a minute, I can pull up the >> So, if this if this if we went forward with your record requested action, would
then that for those projects would stop and that 127,000 would go back into the budget? >> Not necessarily. Um, because people will be in the building. So, if it's life and safety issues and also to maintain the facility, even if we were leasing it,
right, we want to maintain our property to um you know, make sure the um value of that property um continues to stay the same or increase. So, >> just depends on the on the price. For $127,000 left on the budget, it could uh and substantial completion um in about 6
to 7 months. It's it's I'm not sure what the project is, but it sounds like it's almost closed out. Um but there's no other um project for the schedule listed for Bear at all. So that would be the last major project that that they're completing. >> So no other no smart project.
>> No no no other projects um on the master schedule for for Bear and >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, um I just wanted to uh respond um to board member
Rert's um uh comment uh regarding the um Horizon Elementary um uh feeder for Montasauri. So, I had actually met um I had spoken to Mr. Smith from Horizon Elementary, the principal as well as Mr. Williams and
they both also had a conversation and what I gather from that uh board member Rupert is that they're they're both excited that that would be a viable option for for both schools. They're right next door to each other. Um you
know but beyond that that would be uh staff and operations. But I did have that conversation and they seem to be fully on board with with believing that that would work and that would enable um possibilities of students um attracting students even from charter and private
schools. So I believe it could result in increased enrollment for for beer and oh madam chairs I'll just go ahead and finish my other comments um since I am now the chair until madam chair is here. Um so I just want to reiterate as
well that um you know with the city of Sunrise uh really providing options to colllocate their city programs and willing to have a discussion with our superintendent and staff as well as um
with the uh excitement of our Horizon Elementary principal and Beer Middle School principal in having a feeder Montasuri program. uh as well as the concerns that may come up should we combine beer and Westpine with Westpine
would now be maximum enrolled um with very little room to grow. Um I I believe it it could be a concern um in terms of uh that community and increase student enrollment in the future. Um, the only
other option for those students, like I said before, would be Plantation 6 through 12. Um, and Westpine would be pretty much at its maximum enrollment. Um, so I do hope the board members will uh will support and and just to um
comment on on closing schools, I do understand and this is not uh um my comments are not based on not understanding that we do need to close schools because we do need to close schools. Um, and Dr. Zeman mentioned that several board members and I support that we need to close schools and I've
I've cheerlead closing some of the schools in my area. I took a lot of heat for closing broad estates elementary um North Fork. I took the lead on that as well as Plantation Middle. Um, I just believe that Beer has some opportunities
to grow and to colllocate uh some of the city programs in Sunrise and they seem that they're willing with with good intentions to try to work with our school district. So, I I don't I think it's premature to look at beer to close beer and I hope we can get uh a majority
vote today to keep it open. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Mr. Cera. Chair, question for for staff. How many elementary schools are in the city of Sunrise? I I know in in my
portion I have Sand Piper, Knobill, and and Sawrass. Uh in my um my my slice of heaven in in Sunrise, how many total elementary schools um do we have in the city? >> Missed the bet.
>> All right. Uh uh there's Banyan, Discovery, Horizon, Knobill, Sandpiper, Sawrass, and Wabby. >> I think Village also. Yeah, Village. >> Yeah. And Village. >> Don't forget village. >> I'm sorry. I wasn't sure if it was in
Lauder Hill or not, but I'm I'm sorry, I lost. Is that seven or eight? >> Eight. >> Okay. >> So, we have eight elementary schools. And if we were to take the superintendent's recommendation here and
combine bear with West Pine, we would expect uh essentially have one middle school, right? >> Yes. >> In the city. Okay. Um I I'm I'm not a math scholar, but just looking at the numbers on that and uh maybe I'm overlooking something or I'm
not thinking clearly on it. It is 6 o'clock at night. Um but just looking at that um we are going to have eight elementary schools feeding into one middle school that is going to be at or
near capacity. How is that um do we have projection models or anything like that from the elementary schools as to what we think would happen if in fact it's only one middle school? Are we going to have enrollment problems or or I guess this
case overenrollment problems if it was only one middle school? Has there any data any projections on that that has been examined? >> So the the current projection captures the elementary metriculation for both of those two schools. So whatever would be
shifting from from bear to Westpine which you'll note on the data sheet only includes the students who are attending from within the boundary um that that that captures whatever is metriculating up for the elementary schools. There are a couple elementary schools that have significantly higher enrollment. I think
uh uh Sawrass has over 700 students. So it's bigger than either Bear or Horizon. I mean uh Bear or Westpine. But uh there's a there's a drop off. there's there's a disconnect between the fifth grade at elementary schools and the sixth grade showing up in the middle schools. So the projections are the
projections and they have always factored in that that metriculation >> also. So for example, if you take Discovery Elementary, their middle school could be a split. Some of the students go to Bear, some of the
students go to Millennium. Oh, I'm sorry, West Pine. Some students go to West Pine, some students go to Millennium. So, um there are some elementary um boundary feeders that may not be 100% pure to West Pine or 100%
pure to bear, but um there are eight elementary schools in play. I heard from um I believe the city manager, is he still here? Yes, sir. >> The uh I believe what I heard there was
a comment that millions and investments from the city were headed to the uh Bear Middle School. Did I hear that properly? >> It's for West Pine. We are investing millions of dollars in uh outdoor space for shared use between the city of Sunrise and and Westpine Middle School.
So, there's no commitment of any dollars to Bayer Middle School from the city of Sunrise. >> Not at this time, but we're we're willing to explore Bear Middle and expanding our potential relationship with West Pine. >> Okay. I I appreciate the fact that you're willing to explore it, but has
any affirmative action happen? Has it come to the commission? We have two commissioners here, by the way. Thank you, Commissioner Clark and Commissioner Guzman for appearing and speaking. Appreciate your time. >> It's a great question. However, it's it's a complicated issue that would
require some in-depth discussion with your your staff, which the only conversations we've had at this point, we've we've met with each of the schools and the principles. I've had very limited discussion with your staff in terms of negotiating and looking at how that would look, uh the security aspect,
the parking, the restroom access. Those are all critical components that need to be evaluated from both sides, the school board and the city. That would require some time. the the last agreement we had with the with the school board on West Pine for the exterior improvements, that was exterior only and that took us a
year to get through those. So, we have not started that. We are anxiously waiting. We've been we've sent two two letters to the school asking to start those process. >> Let let me ask it a different way. >> Yes. >> Um does the city of Sunrise have dollars
earmarked to commit to Bear Elementary uh Bear Middle School? Not at this time because there's no agreement in place. >> Okay. Um I assume your city budget has already been passed, right? >> Current budget. Yes.
>> Okay. So, um, if the if the if this item were to fail for today and and bare middle would remain open, uh, I understand that you're ready, willing, and able to engage with us as a district at BCPS to talk about um things that the
city can bring from a financial standpoint to the facility. Okay. Uh, I guess what I'm trying to to get at is realistically from a timing perspective. Is that something that can happen in six months or is that something you think is going to take like two years?
>> A lot of it depends upon uh the availability of your team, but I I'm committing to put the resources from the city side to start that process and have that meaningful dialogue. Uh, any type of agreement would require the board's approval just as it would require my city commission approval. And if there
was uh financial dollars at that time needed, we would allocate those at time of the the agreement. >> Okay. And do we have a financial commitment from the city of Sunrise that you will work with us in good faith to assuming this uh assuming this agenda
item fails and be remains open that you'll work with us in good faith to offer whatever resources as a city that you can. I listen as as city manager I I am not I don't have the authority to issue a financial commitment. I have the
the backing of I've got two members of my commission here and the mayor sent an email to each of you yesterday. So it's there's a number of our commissioners and mayor that have expressed an interest in having that dialogue with you and your team.
>> Wow. Incidentally, >> have you attempted to do this and gotten shut out by anybody here? >> I'm sorry. I don't understand. >> Have you attempted to have these conversations? >> So, I I have had a couple conversations with your staff. However, in their
defense, they until there's direction of which way to go. They're unable to really get into the details with with the city at this point. >> Were these conversations did these conversations come about during the redefining process or before that? >> Yes. Uh actually I attended the
redefining process. I I spoke on behalf of the city saying very similar things as I said today. I've sent uh like I said correspondence on super on separate occasions requesting uh coordination. >> And you'll continue on behalf of the city of Sunrise. You'll continue to do
that. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you, jer. >> Any other board member discussion on this item? >> All right. All in favor of MM7 say I. I. All oppose say no. >> No.
>> Roll call, please. >> Roll call on MM7. School board members Bowman. >> No. >> Saixon. >> Yes. I'm sorry. I meant no. >> Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. No, I
meant no. >> Okay. Pointing you down as a no. Honest. Board member Hixon almost get me nervously. >> Uh, no. >> Leonardi, >> yes. >> Rouper, >> no. >> Thompson,
>> yes. >> Yes. Dr. Zean, >> yes. >> Ahv, >> yes. >> Fails four, five. >> Remember, >> so that means that the the item itself,
the the recommendation to close bear failed. So that means that bear will be staying open. >> You have the decorum, please. You can wave your hand. >> Could I get a motion and a second on
MM9, please? Moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Rert. Public comment on MM9. >> No comment. >> No public comment. Okay. Uh, any board member discussion on MM9? I'm sorry. I thought there was another item that had
any board member discussion on MM9. Miss Bulman, could we please have decorum in the audience? If you want to celebrate, you could move to the other room, >> Miss Pullman. Okay. Thanks, chair. >> Um, >> thank you. A
>> thank you so much. >> Yeah, go bears. >> Did we do you want to recess? We'll briefly recess the meeting. Heat. Heat. N. Downtown. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
The school board meeting is now reconvened. Um, Mr. Hill, what item did we move to the floor again? Uh MM9. >> Okay. Uh public um we already did public comment. Miss Bulman. >> Thank you, chair. Um
this is uh an item to change the boundary for Hollandale High School and to reconfigure um with the intention that we're going to reconfigure Hollandale High School. Um which I think is a fantastic plan. I'm very grateful for this and so is my community. Last
week, um, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first girls, uh, basketball state championship, Hollandale High School. Me and Miss Hixon were there and Patty Brown. So, to have this happening right now is really
um, amazing. They also have a new band director. I saw him at the West Park um, MLK parade. I saw the band at the Hollandale MLK parade. So, I think there's just a lot of energy moving forward in a into the future into this new direction. So, I really really
appreciate this. Um, I just had a couple questions um with regards to the boundary change because we're going to be changing part of the boundary to of the students currently boundered to Hollandale High School to go to Myiramar High School. Um
will the student we will the students have or how are we going to ensure that the students that are from that area um have priority for the new programming at Hollandale High School if they want to attend it.
>> So okay I'm making sure um so through the chair doc um thank you Miss Bowman. So um one of the things that we talked about in in um this proposal is and we know that we have in policy and I and granted it's in the school choice piece around reassignments and we don't typically re reassign to if the school's
an all magnet school but however one of the things that we made particular um in the conversation with the community was that there would be um that the it the policy speaks to students who reside in an area where their a boundary change occurred in in um 5 years. But one of
the things we talked about here was ensuring that there would be some kind of um priority seating if you will for the students um in that West Park area that would now be bounded to Myiramar High School that if they met criteria and they you know applied for admission
or a seed or to remain or to attend Hall High School that they would there would be some kind of reserve or priority seating for the students in that area. So that is something that we will um um um continue to ensure that the direction of that conversation that occurred in
all those community meetings would occur. >> And so how do we kind of codify that or make sure that that like put it into writing and make sure that that's something that we can >> so I believe in and Mr. bet. Correct me if
I'm wrong, but in either the um VSSY or one of those one of those kind of um boundaries where it talks about um priority seating reserved. Joe, you going to the mic? Um that that we
actually codify it um in the boundary description. >> So, uh Joe back again. Yeah, what you said is that exactly correct. What we did with uh Virginia Schuman Young and Beachside Monasuri is we set a a priority boundary with a certain allotted number of seats that would go
first to that identified community. It was 150 seats for both of those two schools. It could be whatever number the board chooses to set for Howlandale. >> Okay, great. Thank you. As long as we have it in writing. Um and then the other question I had uh
is that um you know we talked with the community and I think that the community has first of all the community has a very deep interest in making sure that this is funded properly because there's been a history of um not making a lot of improvements at that high school. So again they're very happy and they're
actually very happy that there's already been improvements being made. So they've been they were talking about that the other day when we saw them. Um so uh just wanted to know how we'll ensure that the community is properly engaged when we're determining kind of like a
southside bent to the programming that we're giving to kind of you know we're going to do the pompo model but it's going to be a south >> ready >> county yeah >> so um after the board takes action today then u Mr. Strauss and Miss uh Freed,
Miss Formosa, the team will um begin to immediately engage with the school community um and uh make sure we garner their input into what the final programming design looks like. And if I misspoke, Mr. Strauss, you can um speak, but I know that there have been ongoing
conversations and obviously um staff and the community have been waiting to see what the final action of the board is today so that they can start to determine um what final programming would look like. I know that they have some areas of immediate interest because of what's around um the school as it
relates to communication broadcast with channel 10 being right in their backyard um and some opportunities potentially with um Coca-Cola which is right to the west of them as well as some other opportunities that would make it um more
um programmatic um specific to what is available in that region of the county. >> Okay. No, that sounds great. Yeah. local community partners. So, that sounds great. Um, and I just wanted to mention, too, that uh Mayor Joy Cooper, who um
organized the the uh ceremony for the 50th reunion that we were at the other week, has sent a letter of support stating that the um entire city of uh Hollandale strongly supports this and they're looking forward to this uh happening in their city. So, just want
to thank her for her support as well. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other board discussion on this item? Miss Hixon, >> just a quick question. Um because in the the estimated financials actually has
this costing us quite a bit of money. So one of it is the transportation cost and that is to add 11 to 15 buses for student transportation. Does that take into account that some of those students may just stay at Hallandale? Can you
just since we were going to set aside some seats? >> So I think that's why there's a a a range right of a of a lower end and then a higher end. So depending on um the number of students you know that stay that would um impact
um where we would fall in that range. So I think that that is why the range was 11 to 15. Um and again it's estimated it could be less than that depending on what the final program design is and what the um what students elect to stay. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Okay. And um and if I may I just um Dr. Hurn if it's okay for um this um proposal as well as the one that the board is going to hear. I think it's MM8 maybe. Yes. Um around Flanigan High
School. So we know that um so obviously uh Bear Middle School has been um action has been taken on that item, but when we get to like MM5 we um middle schools we normally just start right then um unless
the student is going to apply to complete the highest grade in the school. High schools we typically phase in. Um and so we would want to make certain or you know to hear from the board is there interest for us to phase phase it in. um or to move all the
students at once. But like I said, typically high schools we phase in. So we do want to hear um from the board on that. >> Miss Hixon, are you done with your comments? >> Yeah, we'll we'll wait till MM8 comes to us, right, to because we're not on that
item right now. >> Miss Rupert, >> I was just going to weigh in then, but if you want me to weigh in later, that's fine. >> All right. Any other board discussion on MM9? All in favor of MM9 say I. >> I. I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes
unanimously. Could I get a motion in a second on MM5? >> So moved. >> Moved by Miss Hixon. Second by Miss Rupert. Public comment on MM5. >> Yes, Madam Chair. We have one registered speakers, Nicole Morst. >> Anyone else? >> See in the audience. That concludes
public speaking. >> Okay. um for a member discussion on MM5. Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, chair. Um I had a question because when we had um the previous discussion, we discussed kind of phasing out Walter C. Young and then creating
Flanigan to be a 6 through 12. So I'd like staff's um timeline on that and what that will look like. >> Go ahead, Dr. Watson. >> Um thank you, Dr. Hem. So um thank you for the question, Miss Thompson. um in
May um well probably March but definitely May when we start to have the conversation around um gearing up for redefining for next school year the if if um what one of the options we can look at is as a part of next year's
redefining process. So next year is what the 26 27. So for the 2728 school year, I think my numbers are right. Um so not next year but the following year could be um the option where Flanigan could then be transition to a 612. Um that's
similar to the board item to transition Plantation High School and Plantation Middle. Um an item um similar to that where we would um what an option could be to extend the grades at Flanigan High School so that Flanigan becomes a 612 um
which would consolidate Walter C. Young or however the boundary is drawn into um Flanigan and then um at the same time contemplate transitioning that campus that campus into um some type of um technical education footprint that we
would potentially through the remainder of the lease and then once the lease um ends or sunsets actually enter into some type of um negotiations or some type of a modified or new lease with the city of Peendrick Pine. s as it relates to
modern-day um costs and occupancy of the facility, but it would it would be a conversation that would be very much a part of um redefining for next school year to take effect the following year. >> Thank you. That's it. Any other board
member discussion on MM5? All in favor of MM5 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion and a second on MM12? And the reason I'm calling these ones up is because I was told there was public speakers on these
items. Was it Could I get a motion? >> Moved by Miss Rupert, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on MM12. >> Thanks, Madam >> Madam Chair. May May I just And I and I certainly respect public speakers, but MM12 is the item for everything else. So
it um respectfully we probably need to get through the rest of them in case we because we do need to make sure we put uh ensure that Baron West Pine is a part of MM12. So I just want to make sure nothing else changes before we do MM12. >> All right. So we will remove that from the floor. Could I get a motion and a
second on MM6 then? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on MM6. >> No comment. >> We're member discussion. >> All in favor of MM6 say I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a
motion in a second on MM8? >> So moved. Second. >> Moved by Miss Rupert, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on MM8. >> No comment. >> Uh board member comment on MM8. All in favor of MM8. Say I. >> I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes
unanimously. Uh could I get a motion a second on MM10? >> So moved. Second. >> Moved by Miss Hixen, second by Miss Roupert. Public comment on MM10. No comment >> for a member discussion. Miss Hixon, >> thank you. I just have a quick question because this one didn't have um the
financial piece. So, I know that we're going to have to add like cribs and and all kinds of things to this. So, I would just ask the staff when you come back in March with the workshop on all the other things to kind of fill that in. and how
are we going to market it to be sure we're going to, you know, have have the babies and the preschool and all of that. So, I we don't need to answer that today, but if you could please add that into the workshop with what you know,
all the different proposals and stuff so we know what that looks like. Thank you. >> Any other board member discussion? >> All in favor of MM10 say I. >> I. All post say no. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion to second on MM11?
>> Moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Alhadaf. Public comment on MM11. >> No comment. >> Um, board member comment. I just have a quick comment. Um, I, you know, this is obviously a very difficult choice for my community. I
support the item. Um, but I do want to make clear that there are some very serious facilities concerns at Whitten Rogers. And I know um staff was out there I believe last week or the week before. Um so you know part of the
conversation that we had with the community was like if we are going to move Seagull because Seagull has so many specialized programs um for the babies for adults um for the the mothers and fathers there. Um
the one of the asurances that we gave that evening was that the facility at Whitten would be you know very capable and ready for the the students from Seagull to move there. Um so could staff speak to the issues that are going on
with the facilities at Whitten and what's being done to fix those those issues? >> Mr. Dorset. >> Uh good evening again. Mark Dorset, Chief Operating Officer, Task Assassign. We do have um Sonia Coley on the line.
Uh Sonia, if you're here, uh please respond uh regarding Whitten Rogers and the projects that needs to happen. >> Uh good evening. This is Sonia Kohley, um Office of Capital Programs Executive Director. We do have uh an on some
ongoing projects out there. There are some uh roofing issues out there that we do have that are being addressed. Um specifically uh termites, they have some issues with termites there. Um but we do have the
facility condition assessment that uh report that would be able to we could share that would identify all of the issues out there at the school. So, I'm looking for a guarantee in order to support this
item. I need a guarantee from staff that the facility at Winn will be ready and safe and um able to help all of the students at Seagull uh flourish. So, will the will those issues be remediated? Will the facility be ready
for the adults with disabilities, for the babies um and for those mothers and fathers uh to be there start day 1 26 27 school year. Uh knowing that there are uh some issues, Mr. Leonard, I I do not want to
give that assurance to you because we do have to look at that facility condition assessment. There are some issues out there. So they have some flooding issues as well. there are issues that um that other issues that need to be addressed as well.
So the facility there is a possibility that the facility will not be ready for those additional students for the 26 27th school year given this very specialized population >> with with the current go the the the the project should be completed but again
there are some other items that need to be addressed that are outside of the go that the facility condition assessment had uh has reported >> acronyms if you can clarify the facility condition ass the goal obligation
>> general obligation bond I'm sorry >> okay um I would like a followup on all of the facilities issues at Whitten um the plan to remediate those issues um by
day one 2627 school year um but without having that insurance I can't support this item this evening Mrs. Alhadaf. >> Yes. So, question again here. What is the age of Seagull Alternative High School and
Whitten Rogers Education Center? >> I'm going to look it up. Whit Whitten Rogers um is the original Rogers Middle School campus. There have been multiple um uh renovations and um
uh facility improvements done. Um I got to look up and see when the so the actual facility condition index for when Rogers is 16.6 six and then this is this was um as of the workshop in the
workshop presentation on October 7th and I'm sorry the facility condition index number for seagull as reported in the workshop was 20.8.
Um >> so if you're higher you're better or worse? >> No, you're uh if you're higher you're worse. >> Worse. Mhm. And so Seagull has a higher um facility condition index rating than um Whitten Rogers, but I'm going to get
the actual date um that the facilities were built. Like like I said, Whiten Rogers has gone through some um additions to the facility, some enhancements to the facility over the years. Um and and Seagull has had some like for example, the media center got
replaced and a couple of other things, but I have to get the actual date. Why wasn't these documents included in the backup? >> So, what I will say is those documents have been a part of previous workshops where we presented all of these all of this information and it was discussed.
Um, they they're typically never a part of the actual while while this school doesn't necessarily have a residential boundary like the rest of the schools, this school is here because it is because the board is voting on facility usage.
But um all of that information was a part of the October 7th workshop and it was also discussed at the December 8th workshop. And Miss um Coley, is there anything um that's going to prevent students from
occupying Widen Rogers at the beginning of the fall? We have students there now. Is there anything that's going to prevent them from occupying the entire campus? >> Uh not at this time. I don't foresee anything that would prevent them from occupying the campus
>> because I know um Miss Leonard is asking some specific questions, but I know we have roof uh roof leaks all over the place and certain things. So, I I know what she's um alluding to just to make sure that space is u welcoming and beautiful and and and you know, the
facilities uh look up to par for the populations that we need to serve. But um you're listing uh um probably some capital programs that we have going on in other places too. I just want to make sure um is it is anything preventing us
from occupying the space? Is anything um preventing us from having several different populations of kids from from um our babies all the way up to our special needs programs for for our adults. And that's for the entire campus because
we'll be leveraging the entire campus because I'm looking at FCI and it's pretty low. >> Uh not at this time, not that I'm aware of. Again, there are still some uh items that need to be addressed that were not included. Again, it it with regards to
the facility condition assessment. Um but with regards to the work that's ongoing with the uh from the capital uh project, there should not be a reason why the kids could not come there. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. So just back to the facilities condition assessment. I think it's it would have been really important in all these items to include that data and in the future I would like to see that included. how we're coming to this
decision because if you know I get people are in the workshop but not everybody remembers and then to have that backup it's really important when you're you're making the decision and I'd recommend if we approve this that the superintendent give us a quarterly
update with the school so we know that it's ready to go for the 2026 2027 school year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Before we go to Miss Thompson, um we do need to take a vote to extend the meeting. I would make a motion to extend the meeting by two
hours. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Uh moved by Miss Thompson, second by Miss Bulman. All in favor of extending the meeting by two hours say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> No. >> Vote passes with one dissenting vote. Mrs. Alhida, Miss Thompson. So, I just
want to go back to the conversation that our chair had with staff because we're putting specialty populations in this building. We're putting babies in this building. And when she explicitly asked if it was safe to do so, staff could not guarantee that it was safe to do so. So,
am I misunderstanding something? No, I think uh it Miss Coley is talking about um larger capital project things, not the usual. We have these type of issues at many of
our schools and I want to say the babies are already on the witten side. So, the babies are already on the witten side. >> Um and so I know they've been getting some roof roof work done. um you know when we have a heavy rain uh probably about 25 to 30% of our schools um flood
>> understood but when she specifically asked if it was safe to move students there Miss Kohley said she could not guarantee that >> so I'm with our chair I can't support this item if we can't guarantee that these children are safe there no let me uh Miss Thompson clarification
I did not say that it was not safe because we have students there. So, the school is safe. There are still items that need to be addressed. So, that was my comment that there are still items that need to be addressed, but those items should be completed
prior to the students uh going over to Wood and Rogers, but there are some items that need to be addressed. >> So, then I would like that question reanswered. Can you guarantee that those projects will be completed and these populations will be safe at the start of
the school year if we vote on this item? >> The projects that we have ongoing will be completed. >> Miss Bowman, >> thanks. I think so. I think that clarifies, but um just to make sure when
we went to the community meeting um and I know that the chair talked about this the last time, the the um people there, the stakeholders were very gracious about accepting this solution, but with the um promise from the district that
people would be safe, not only facility-wise, but also making sure that different programming and everything was going to have different areas so that you know people were able to go out and do what
they needed to do and not be necessarily intermingling with other um other groups. So is that part of this work that we're talking about that remains outstanding and is that going to be done by the time because I think that's very very important that we have all of those
um guard rails in place. So I don't think that the necess I don't think what um Miss Kohley and um Mr. Dorset or through Mr. Dor is that we um what the community was concerned about was ensuring that adults with disabilities um remained a part of what would be the
merge campus and they wanted input on where right which we and and um Mrs. Leonardi received and she forwarded to uh me Dr. Heburner and I I sent it to Dr. Tummer and Dr. Smith um input from one of the valued staff members who's there um and she gave many great
suggestions on things that we needed to make certain that we take into consideration, you know, should this go forward. So that has certainly been um shared with Dr. Tumer and Dr. Nmith. But um and but what I want to emphasize um I
don't think what Miss Kohley is talking about is the same things that were shared necessarily that day. I think that she's talking about the uh the facility as a whole and so Mr. Dorset you all can comment on that but um to Miss Leonard's point as well as the
superintendent's point um students occupied the Whitten campus right now today the um babies um that are part of the team parent program are physically located on Whitten's campus. So um we would have an obligation to ensure that
we um that that facility operates in a manner that is safe for students as well as you know the the entire clientele >> right the entire population cuz I know one of the um parents that had an adult with child had said that her um son you
know he's going to the restroom independently that's a big deal and that she didn't want to see that kind of independence be stymied. by um you know having everybody collectively in one campus. So just making sure that that
that's happening for her and for all of the adults with disabilities that are going there. Um I guess that would be my concern to make sure that that's there's been arrangements for that >> and Dr. Tumor can speak to that, but I know that that is a part of um once the
board takes whatever action if if the board votes in the affirmative for this, then that is a part of all of the logistical planning that will um commence immediately. So, >> uh I really don't have anything to add.
I think Dr. um Awanza um completely answered it that that there is a a plan to make sure that all parties um um that will go over to the Wooden campus that they are accommodated and um that's a seamless process. >> Thank you, Miss Hixon.
>> Thank you. I just want to ask I was at Wooden sometime earlier last year, I think this year. Um, and if I'm not mistaken, the the area that houses the babies is is r newly renovated cuz there
was a flood that happened and they got all new flooring and all new walls and furniture and all of that stuff. So, I just want to make everyone if you haven't been there before aware that the
area for the babies has been recently I I think in the last year or so, right? Um, Dr. Heburn. >> Yes. It was during the great flood. >> When we got 40 days worth of rain in two days. Yes. >> Yes. Thank you. Any other board
discussion before I move? >> Yes, chair. >> Go ahead, Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much. I'd like to make a motion, chair, that um we require the superintendent in his superintendent reports in March, in May, and in July at
our schoolboard meetings to start with an update on how the accommodations are being done at Whitten Rogers. >> Second move by Dr. Zeman, seconded by Miss Leonardi. Public comment on the motion.
Board discussion on the motion. All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> Motion passes unanimously. Bless you. Um >> thank you chair. Uh with that uh change I can support this uh item.
>> Thank you. Um, and I just want be before we vote, I just want to make clear this community was incredibly gracious as Miss Bulman said in their acceptance of this change and they came to that
meeting with clear solutions. One of them being that there needs to be separation between the the widen students, the the mothers and fathers at Seagull, the babies and the adults with disabilities. Another piece was that uh
that the facility needs to be, you know, updated for the adults with disabilities program. And I made that guarantee to them as one of their schoolboard members,
but also that as as someone who sent her son to Seagull, he took his first steps there. that staff is really really special and I don't want to look like a liar to them. So, thank you Dr. Zean for
making that motion. Um, and I I really I cannot accept anything other than absolute safety and accommodation for all of those students at Seagull. So, I hope that Mrs. Dorset,
Dr. Heer and Miss Kohley, everyone who is in charge of facilities understands that they cannot make us on this board look like liars to that staff. >> Dr. Edin, good afternoon. Again, Mark Dors said, I will I will definitely uh
pay close attention to this. I will be meeting with staff tomorrow to see exactly what's un what's left to be done and we'll devise a plan. To Dr. to Seaman's point, we will provide, you know, even if we have to do monthly
updates to to let you know where we are uh with the uh conditions out there, we'll do that. Uh I think um we owe it to the students. So, I I will definitely be meeting with staff tomorrow to talk about that. >> Thank you. All any other board
discussion? All right. All in favor of MM11 as amended say I. >> I. All oppose say no. Item passes unanimously as amended. Could I get a motion and a second on MM12? >> Second. Moved by Miss Hixon, second by
uh Miss Rupert. Public comment on MM12. >> We have two registered speakers, Gabriella Marte and Mariah Robin. >> If you've heard your name, please approach the mic. Hello, chair and board members. Thank you, Superintendent Dr. Wanza and
district staff for your work on MM12. And a special thank you to Dr. Wanza for her recent presentation to the district-wide gifted families. I am Mariah Rabidu, a Broward resident and a middle schooler with a middle schooler in Western public schools. I respect the
recommendation to make no boundary changes for schools not otherwise impacted this year and I appreciate the stability that this provides families. I'd like to zoom out for just a moment slightly and talk about what MM12 signals more broadly, particularly in
light of continued enrollment challenges. Low enrollment is not simply a birth rate or a boundary challenge. Many families, including mine, only discover the district's strongest programs, gifted pathways, marine science classes,
and specialized supports through our own independent research rather than coming from district outreach. We decided to invest our time, energy, and resources into supporting our public school district, not opting out of it. After three frustrating years at a local private school, many in our community
are business owners and professionals who understand that even a strong product cannot rely on reputation alone. You cannot be complacent about storytelling and engagement. The district's current financial situation is deeply disappointing, but it also
highlights an opportunity. Strategic communication and proactive family engagement are no longer optional. They are critical to financial stability here. Tonight's agenda items like thought exchange, engagement 360, or positive signal. Tools like that are important, but they're most effective
when paired with a broader creative strategy for how we tell our story and how we reach families and how we engage with the cities and municipalities where students and teachers actually live. I spoke yesterday evening to Weston City Commission raising two related ideas for
future exploration. The first on teacher stability and cost of living incentives and the second around Weston covering the student lunch debt. Both ideas are deeply connected to outcomes that we all care about, retention, learning, and family trust and neither belongs to the
district alone. Teachers and students live in cities and neighborhoods, which creates an opportunity for shared ownership between school districts and municipalities. As we move forward with stable boundaries for 2026 2027, I'd encourage the board and superintendent
to consider how enrollment challenges intersect with communication and trust. How engagement strategies can support both stability and growth and how collaboration with local cities could amplify outreach rather than the district carrying that alone. MM12 keeps
the map steady. Now is the opportunity to re-energize the conversation around how families find, understand, and choose our schools rather than neglecting those that have opted into this system. Thank you for the work behind this item and for your time this evening.
>> Thank you, Gabriella Marte. >> That concludes public comments >> for discussion on MM12. Miss Thompson. >> Thank you, Chair. I had a couple comments that when I thought we were taking all the items together. So, I'll I'll place them here. Um the first one
is because we consolidated Sunshine into fair. One of the things I've been exploring with that community is creating an IB pathway with New Renaissance and Myiramar High School because both of those schools have really strong programs and I think that is one of the things we can give back to
that community is making uh Fairway Fareway Elementary um a PYP program within the IB program. Could I get staff commitment that that will be implemented? Yes.
>> Cool. Um, and the other thing we discussed is Glades um, becoming a K through eight and what that would mean for the Myiar West Myar community. Can I get a staff timeline on what that looks like and also commitment that that is
what we are going to be planning for? >> Yes, that's what we'll be planning for as far as timeline. Um the construction of the bathroom is is the the biggest barrier which I think um for Mr. Dorset probably about um 10 to 12 months I'm
assuming so we can transition during the next year's 26 27 to 27 28 um school year and correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Dorset. >> No Dr. Superintendent you were spot on. The design for uh those bathrooms are
going to be probably about 6 to 8 months. Uh and then we'll roll right into construction. And the plan is to have it all done prior to the new school year, the 2728 school year. >> And is that an item that has to go back
to come back to the board to vote on for construction? >> Yes. Um also, I know Dr. Wes says she's going to try and start this process early. We also have to identify the schools um that would need to close to transition over there also. So it would
have to probably be some form of a package um just to make sure it's um done correctly. >> Understood. I'm getting to that. Um and then I also want to explore um I want to thank the speaker for bringing up the marketing program. Well, she walked
away, but if she's still listening, great great comments. Um, we really need a better marketing program. Right now, we focus a lot on the district-wide choosing the best, choose BCPS. When people are choosing schools, they're not choosing it based on the district.
They're choosing it based on the individual school. Um, so how are we supporting our schools to really market themselves in this century? So that's social media, that's going to community events, that's um you know word of
mouth, making sure their parents are strong advocates of those schools. What is our plan for that? >> Great question. Uh we do have an initiative um that's been that's has started called the BCPS advantage um which I call more of a closedfist
approach. We have over 230 campuses and um the media, the social media, the individual marketing at the at the different schools. They're going out to communities is very sparse. It's it's it's not at uh at scale across every school. So, um the marketing team has
created toolkits for all the schools to create to ensure that they have a social media handle. If they don't, they create one. Um the regional offices are monitoring to ensure that everybody's implementing that toolkit. Um the um legislative office is is working with
cities to identify any community um um events. Um we're trying to have a minimum of two events that schools go to during the spring semester. Um pushing out social media all at once at the same time. Um and so we're taking a a overall
larger district approach but nonetheless a very intimate approach per school so we can impact the entire district but do it per school so that all the families and so that's a large initiative we're I think time certain for like everybody doing it all at the same time is is um
uh midfebruary so we're all working to monitor and progress monitor them implementing all their toolkits and building all their all their uh social media handles all the marketing things in um identifying events that they're going to go to and have a presence at. So, we have a large scale initiative and
we can uh provide a board briefing on the whole initiative and and and um give you step by step of what of what we're all doing. >> I I think that'd be really helpful. I also just want to point out those social media handles are great, but if you don't understand trends, you don't understand what's really pulling your
community and there might be principles that don't know what Twitter is or don't know what Instagram really is. So, it's like it's great that you're telling them to do handles, but is there someone that's going to be feeding them trends and going to be feeding them like New
Renaissance has an amazing social media because they follow the trends probably because they're on it. >> Well, you came back, you had great comments. >> Yes. >> That's all that's all part of the toolkit and the marketing team u with Miss Farah Wilson um working with the principles to ident because you're absolutely right. That is the reality
for some of our our school leadership is that they don't understand social media. They don't use it. Um and so that's part of the the work with the marketing team to work with the schools to understand trends, how to push it out, what does this mean, giving them actu actual social media stems, right? So they can
just plug in certain information based off the STEM to make it as easy as possible for them to utilize it. And are we recruiting like student teams at that school to be a part of that social media because they probably know trends better than any of us. >> No, but that's an actual a great strategy um as well. And then I forgot
to mention also u with the transition grades especially uh fifth to sixth um the schools um during uh going out to the elementary school or the elementary school coming out to the middle school whatever whatever is the best practice for that specific school in their communities they're exercising that too.
>> Perfect. It's nice to hear a nice thing today. One more thing. Um, so next steps. So I understand this is coming back for a workshop in in May is when we're going to talk about the next phase or is it March? >> So we'll do a little precursor in March,
but it'll really kick off pro in May. >> Okay. So I really want the staff and and my my colleagues to consider doing an actual countywide approach to this. I think we've done clusters and peacemailing,
but the negative impact from continually every year closing schools is is just going to continue to harm us. So I think the best approach is to take a hard line of what we are going to
close and then we are done with this process because what I'm hearing from my community is okay for this year my school is safe but am I going to be on the list next year? Am I going to be on the list the year after? And I understand that you know enrollment
changes and and things could change. However, we've lost 50,000 students. We're closing six schools now. So, I think if we are actually brave as a board and we actually stick to what we
say we're going to do, we will make the district stronger. We will restore people's faith in us and we will make people trust that we're going to keep their schools open. And I'm not saying we don't evaluate every year for programmatic changes or or move around
boundaries like that, but we need to be done with closing schools and that's going to mean that we commit. So that would be what I recommend staff to bring in May. Thank you, Miss Hixon.
Thank you. Um two just two general things to piggyback off of. Um, Miss Miss Thompson one, we we had a program and and I guess Mr. Sullivan could maybe talk to this. We
had asked about it. I bugged them a lot about it to have something on social media all the time that's a student or a teacher or a parent saying, "Here's my experience." because I know when I went out to um recruit for South Broward's
magnet program when I started we we were underenrolled and when I finished we had a wait list and that was because I took students with me. I didn't do the talking because no one wanted to hear from me anyway. They want to know that they have questions. Do you like the
teacher? Do you you know what is it? How's the bus ride? All of these things. our students and our staff can sell our schools and our programs better than anyone else because they live it. I saw one video like that and then I never saw
them again. And that was supposed to be a continual thing that we were going to go out and we look at all the kids that come here and speak to us. They're amazing. And they they would obviously get that um excitement from other students. So I would ask the
superintendent to please reignite that particular campaign that we were doing and and it would include parent PTA parents PE you know the people that love their schools the bear group right there would they sold us
right so they would definitely be able to sell other people and I think it's important to engage the students not just in making videos but where what do they see what would it what would change their mind and help their parents to
change their mind. So, I think we really need to tap in more to that. And also to Miss Thompson's point, I think part of the problem is people didn't address the fact that we needed to reduce our footprint for a very, very, very long
time and we're here. But I don't think it would be fair to say, let's close all the schools now and then it won't happen again. Because, as you mentioned, enrollment may change, things will change. I think that yearly we just have to be very honest with our community and
say every year we're going to have to look at this. We can't let it build up 10 years down the road and then have to do all of these things at one time. Once we get a good footprint every year we have to evaluate it. We may close schools, we may not. We may change
boundaries. We have from this is the first year that we've actually changed any boundaries since I've been on the board in five years being here and when I was in high when I was going to school here every couple of years there would be shifts in boundaries because you have
shifts in enrollment. So if it's the norm then people will accept it. But we have to also be honest and say every year we're going to take a really solid look. You know, I I have a huge issue with some of the sizes of the boundaries
out west. They're really, really small and they have very high reassignments. We should be looking at boundaries and that should be a yearly process and we haven't done that. So, I'm glad we're finally doing things, but I think to to give the impression that we would close
all the schools next year and not have to do it again, I think would be um misleading for our community. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board discussion on MM12? Chair, do we need to make a motion to take MM7 off the list of um uh um items
uh identified in MM12? >> So, thank thank you, Dr. Zean. Um a motion needs to be made to include Bear Middle School and West Pine Middle School current boundaries into MM12.
Dr. >> I thought MM12 uh was to change boundaries and if we weren't changing boundaries we didn't have to identify them. Dr. Watson. >> So MM12 and Mr. Beck correct me if I'm wrong. MM12 is pretty much to adopt all of the current um schools boundaries
that were not in one of these individual board items. Adopt those current boundaries as the boundary for ne as their boundaries for next school year. So, since we did not um change the boundary of Bear uh Middle School and
West Pine wasn't named in MM12 cuz they were named in MM7 because West Pine's boundary was going to change as a result of what may have happened to Bear out of an abundance of caution. Um, I would ask the board to please amend MM12 to
include Bayer and West Pine so that way we know that we have um taken action on all of the schools um boundary areas for next school year. >> Terrific. Chair, I move that we include Bear Middle School and West Pine Middle School and MM12.
>> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Dr. Holes. Public comment on the motion. Board member comment on the motion. All in favor of the motion say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. Motion passes unanimously.
Any other board discussion on the item. All in favor of the item as amended say I. >> I. I. >> All oppose say no. Item passes as amended unanimously. Um is it the will of the board to now complete the consent
items or to go uh to our kind of pertinent double letter items? Chair, is there any way we could do 05? >> Is there any objection to doing 05? Could I get a motion in a second on O5? >> So move second.
>> Moved by Dr. Zean, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on O5. >> No, ma'am. >> Uh board member discussion on O5. I have Miss Bowman. >> Thank you, chair. I'm just trying to get myself situated here and find my notes on that. Um,
so I first of all I'd like to I'd like to thank the HR and staff for um and Dr. Heburn, you know, we this kind of came up, but for having a very comprehensive response and for reaching out to
everybody. I think that was really important. Um, so, uh, I just wonder if you could give us a little, uh, insight into the process so that moving forward we're not kind of
experiencing the same surprise >> because I know you're putting guardrails into place. >> Yes. Excellent question. That's why uh, actually praised the auditor's um, audit earlier today because, you know, those are discovery some of those um, past practices that um, once we discover them, we correct them. and and I'll turn
it over to to Dr. Lozano to kind of talk about the specific um uh SOPs or standard operating procedures to prevent something like this from happening um in the future. >> So you have five different departments that are involved in this contract and implementing the Kelly services, the
budget office, accounts payable, purchasing, grant management, and human resources. And the the biggest piece that's going to ensure all five departments are working in sync is after the board
approval of this, a requisition, a purchase order will be created and all further invoices will be processed through the purchase order process and then as you saw in Dr. Heepburn's memo,
we will be doing weekly reviews. The I think the key piece and our word in HR this year is ownership. So of these five departments HR is now owning this item and we will ensure all pieces and
components of this item through monitoring and implementation are done with fidelity. >> Okay, great. So this is so this is the HR's budget item but and you're making sure that we're >> correct. >> Okay, >> correct. And then um the other piece is
the sub usage. So are how are we addressing that? Because my understanding is that we have we're using a lot of subs. We are using um more subs and you can see on the table in the executive summary um the use of substitutes and
the requests by teachers and ESPs has increased each year from 2022 2023 through our current year. Um, one of the pieces that has increased our substitute use is the addition of our special
program classes into our schools because those programs also come with ESPs who now require substitutes as well. So, this data is not just teachers, but it's also our teacher assistants who support
our students in our special programs. So as we increase special programs that also increases the cost of our substitutes to provide substitutes for those classrooms. Um you can see um you
know our teachers are part of a larger society too. So as um sickness increases, illness increases, you see teachers have needed more time for family illness, bereavement. So those are things that teachers have been using
time for um more more so in the last few years than in years past. So So again, there are contractual pieces of substitutes that we must provide teachers through the contract
and our ESPs for sick days and personal days through the contract. Where Dr. Heburn has really put tight controls in place is for our off-campus onampus TDAs. So those additional
um assignments that schools may have been using substitutes for we've really tightened up our sub use and then put internal controls to make sure we're you the priority of what we're using substitutes for is teacher vacancies in
the classrooms. >> And Oh, thank you. and the using the Kelly services is more cost effective than an alternative. >> So >> they're paying like an in house person. I believe I read that somewhere. Yes.
Material. So >> I certainly don't begrudge anybody taking a sick day or taking a bereavement. So that wasn't the purpose of the question. But we are I mean we're using the most cost effective >> correct the in-house >> options. So now that we have these guard rails and HR is owning it, then we're
moving forward in a better direction with this. So thank you and again, thank you for making a very comprehensive item for this. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Dr. Zean. >> Chair, thanks very much. And I'm going to follow Miss Bulman uh with maybe um
slightly different conclusion. In the last two years, Miss Bulman, our substitute use is up 37 12%. So, no, I don't, you know, begrudge somebody from being sick or needing to take briefments and things like that, but facts are facts, you know, and
that's what's nice about data is they're very stubborn things. And, uh, there's a couple, I think, points that are important there. One, uh, you know, there hasn't been any action about this. you know, our subuse is up 37 and a
half% and this table comes before us as part of a spend item, you know, to pay for the contractor that helps us find people. Um, I think that kind of increase is huge. It's now up to,300 substitutes on an average day. Um, and I
think, you know, it's nice to try and put some guard rails on things, but to me, there's kind of a systematic problem. If in two years your substitute rate is up 37% and there's no alarms that go off in the system, there's nobody trying to understand the root
causes of it and trying to figure out uh what's going on. So, I look forward to learning more about that from Dr. Heepburn and the staff uh here in the near future. Um, I also think that this is an item uh that is really uh reminds me of where we are, which is right now
we're competing this contract to uh award a new contract this summer. And I would propose uh to to the my colleagues here and even to Dr. Heepburn that we've got to figure out a way to get better
substitutes. If we're going to have 10% of our instructional positions filled with a substitute on an average day, we got to make sure that the substitutes are fully qualified. Not just, you know, meet minimum qualifications, but actually can carry an instructional load. And so, Dr. Heburn, I wonder in
the solicitation if you would be willing to think a little bit about, you know, incentives, both negative incentives when a substitute shows up and they're assessed as not being, you know, fully qualified, and positive incentives, which is when a substitute shows up and they may be, you know, a retired
teacher, someone with a lot of teaching experience picking up, you know, uh either work on the side or just wanting to contribute to a school and they really do a tremendous job. Um would you uh consider in the next solicitation Dr. Heppern including incentives so that we
can try to find some ways uh to increase the quality of substitutes that show up in our schools every day. >> Yes. And um I have um director of procurement Mr. John White here too. Um and Mr. White, I don't know if you can um provide any information. Is is is is
this something we could put in update the solicitation with or is this something that we do at the table when we start negotiating the contracts for incentives for for quality subs or maybe they have a positive outcome at a school um and and great praise from that school
and it's um you know an incentive because of that just to make sure they keep coming as a high quality person. >> Uh certainly uh we are just now starting the solicitation. I just assigned it to somebody this week. uh and told them that I wanted to sit down and go through
it line by line. So, we'll certainly uh work with Dr. Lonzo to uh uh address that in uh the best way possible. >> Okay, there you go, Dr. Zean. So, we can actually add that um as far as some incentive language um into that. >> Thank you, Dr. Heer. I just feel like,
you know, this is the beginning of, you know, some kind of strategic research, you know, on why is it up so much? Um, and then a parallel piece of, you know, given that it's now 10% of our instructional staff on a given day, how can we in other ways besides just
incentives, how can we make sure that, you know, we work hard with the new contractor, whether Kelly wins the new work or ESS or Better Bees or whoever the next vendor is that comes in to to do the work, that there's really more than meeting the minimum technical
qualifications. And and I hate to say this, but you know, 60 hours of college and no criminal uh recorded criminal events are pretty minimum standards. And um if that's what we have to do because there's not a lot of people around, I
hope we can continue to find things like incentives and other things that will uh give us a little bit more hope about having higher quality substitutes in our schools. Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you, Dr. Holes. Madame Chair, um my questions were
answered by staff and board members. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Sea, >> Miss Rupert, >> um any other board discussion on O5? All right. Uh all in favor of O5 say I.
>> All oppose say no. >> Item passes unanimously. Is it okay with my colleagues if we go back to the consent items that we have not yet passed? Could I get a motion and a second on B1? >> Moved by uh Miss Hixon, second by Miss
Bulman. Public comment on B1. >> Sorry, no comment. >> Uh board member comment. I have Mrs. Alhide who's uh away right now. Miss Rupert. >> Um thank you. Sorry, I wasn't ready for this. Uh, is there anybody else or no?
>> Um, no. Just Mrs. Alhad. >> Oh, just give me a second in a second. >> Okay, you know what? I'll just wing it. That'll work. Um, the Greater Florida Consortium is um is a wonderful
organization that that does our federal um advocacy program. Um the cool part about the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards is that it represents 12 uh school districts and um from multiple views and uh we those 12 districts have
to um approve the advocacy and legislative package um for in order for it to become part of it. It's if one district wants out then then that issue goes out. So it's a it's a great um group. It's a great thing to
go to. Um I look forward to seeing um them this year as well. And um I I know that it's going to be uh terrific because we really need to have a very beefy federal advocacy program. Um and I
will be going uh on my own dime for people who are interested. So thank you. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Hill, is Mrs. Aladv online? Uh, we're getting her >> if you can bear one second.
>> And thank you, Miss Rupert, for the history. She is on the line. Okay. Go ahead, Mrs. Alhadaf. >> No, >> uh, yes. So, I just want to I know I can't make a change to this. However, I think it's vitally important uh that
they do support Alyssa's act for school safety, which creates standards around school safety and emergency response. That's HR6809. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion on B1?
>> All in favor of B1 say I. >> All oppose say no. >> I. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I have a motion and a second on F2? Second moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Rupert. Public comment on F2. >> We have a registered speaker, Dr. Ninwash, but I don't see her in the
audience. >> Board member comment. I have Dr. Zean. >> Thanks so much, chair. U Mr. Superintendent. Um the financial records show that our total uh unallocated and allocated is $25.7
billion. Um, I was going to go through a series of questions about how we got to that number and the like, but I really just have two questions for the board's, you know, um, greatest attention, which is if we're at, uh, that, which is 4.28%,
uh, fund balance if this were the end of the year, what are we projecting the end of the year fund balance to be today? >> Um, I would, but >> as of today, the 4.28%. Uh, I asked what is the projected
endofear fund balance today? >> Um, the projected is 148 million, but I really want to play close attention to the signed and unassigned portion, which we're projecting to be around six 61 million.
>> And at 61 million, what percentage of overall operating budget is that? >> 2.59%. >> Two 2.59. Isn't that below the state minimum? 3%. >> Correct. >> And how much do we have to cut out of our budget uh in order to get to 3%.
>> Right now, based on those numbers, 10 million. >> And does that include the $2 million that we are not going to cut as a result of the decision we made as a board today on Bay Middle School? >> Um, no. That's for next fiscal year.
Does the $10 million include the reductions in costs next year for the six schools we did vote to close? >> No, that's for next f this year, >> right? But the schools that are closing will save us money next year, right? >> That's correct.
>> And so the 10 million is just out of this year. How much do we have to save to get to the 5% which is the board's policy for end of year fund bounce? >> We have to cut additional 60 million. $60 million. And last question, uh, Mr.
Superintendent or the CFO, next year we already have state projections, uh, which have been fairly accurate for enrollment decline. What amount of lost revenue is equivalent to next year's projected enrollment decline? >> Around 63 million.
>> Terrific. So, I just want to make sure that we think through this. You know, when we're making decisions like Bear, when we're making decisions about contracts and the like, uh, we've got to get to $60 million of reduced spending in the next 6 months, if I'm correct, uh, uh, Miss Johnson, in order to get to
the the policy level fund balance that we have, which is 5%. And I know that we kind of rip through this fund balance all the time, and maybe late in a meeting, this isn't the best time to talk about this, but that fund balance is our rainy day fund. And if in fact we get a recession, if in fact we have
greater than uh uh the state projects for enrollment, uh this is our cushion and it is a wise policy for the state to have uh minimum levels for school districts to avoid uh getting into trouble uh financially. On top of that,
12 months after that, we have to reduce our costs by another $60 million. I think Miss Johnson is what you're reporting. uh given the enrollment decline. Uh and we're going to have to do that by the end of June of 2027. Is that correct?
>> That is correct. >> Terrific. I just wanted to kind of get those numbers out there. Uh we run right past these items that we pass. Sometimes we uh kick the can in my view uh on some items. Um, but every time we kick the
can on $10, we got to go find $10, uh, somewhere else in order to meet our fund balance numbers by the end of the year. Um, uh, chair, has anybody proposed any items to the school board on changing our policy related to the fund balance that we've set?
>> Not that I'm aware. >> No, I haven't heard of that either. Um but um I'm just glad that when we have these uh reports that are relatively anodine reports about how we're spending exactly what we thought we were spending and and things like that. It's always good to get them, but it's always a
reminder too just to kind of think a little bit about the whole basis of our school system which runs on money and we got to make sure that uh you know we think about these things uh at least you know every month when these things come up. So thank you Dr. Mrs. Johnson, Dr. Johnson giving you a little academic promotion there. Thank you, Miss Johnson
and superintendent for putting together these documents for us. >> You're welcome. Miss Thompson, >> I just had a quick question. How does our or the potential decision to change graduations impact our fund balance? >> It depends on the dollar amount, but the
budget is fluid and I could tell you every day I'm finding ways to make cuts or make um find revenue sources. So um I might say this today that we need this amount and tomorrow it' be a different
number. So, and I'm monitoring the budget that is if we spend within our budget, right? And we spend the budget as adopted, we will that will be our cost. But if we have surplus, that surplus benefit the district at the end
of the fiscal year. So, I'm still monitoring a lot of things within the budget, the health care cost and all those things that possibly we have done things that may reduction to those, but they haven't came into fruition yet. So those things, those costs might impact
us in a positive way. So I am monitoring the budget weekly. Okay. So um I'm just letting you know that um we haven't got third cap yet and that's I'm projecting those numbers. So that could be changed too. Also it could be positive or
negative. We have to see when we get that third calculation from the state. >> Any other board discussion on F2? All in favor of F2 say I. I. >> All All oppose say no. >> I.
>> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion and well hold on. I want to pass the open items that we've not yet passed. Um, so the following items have been identified for discussion. HH1, which we already
passed. AA2, AA3, BB1, DD2, which we already passed. FF1, MM1 through MM12, which we passed. O1, O4, 05, 06, which we passed. Um, at this time, may the chair have a motion in a second to pass the open items that have not been pulled
for discussion. A1, BB2, DD1, JJ1, JJ3, JJ4, JJ5, JJ6, JJ7, JJ8, JJ9, O2, and O3. >> Moved by Miss Roupert and uh moved by by
Miss Hixon, second by Miss Roupert. Um, any public comment on the those items? >> Yes. BB2, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, but I do not see her in the audience. >> Okay. All in favor of approving the open agenda items that have not been pulled for discussion, say I.
>> Those opposed say no. >> I. >> Um, items pass unanimously. Um, okay. Could I have a motion and a second on AA2? >> Second. Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Miss Rupert. Public comment on AA2.
>> No comment. >> Uh board member comment. I pulled this item because it was a late addition. Um in case any of my colleagues wanted to speak to it. >> All right. All in favor of A2. Say I. >> I. >> I. >> All oppose say >> I. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a
motion to second on A3? >> Second. >> U moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Rupert. Uh same same thing. Any board discussion? All in favor of AA3 say I. >> I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a
motion and a second on BB1? >> Second. Moved by Miss Thompson, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on BB1. >> One of registered speakers, Dr. Natalie Lynch Walsh, but I do not see her in the audience. >> All right. Uh board member comment, Mr. Sea. >> Chair, may I inquire? Um
how many of us besides myself and apparently you are going to Tallahassee next week? So it looks like Miss Rupert, Miss Pullman, and Miss Hixon. >> Miss Rupert as well. >> Yes, I told you. Yes. >> Are any of my colleagues other than the chair seeking reimbursement from the
district for their travel? >> No. >> Is that a yes? Oh, >> but I will just remind you that as a board, we agreed that we would pay the cost of the chair to go to Tallahassee
because we wanted to ensure that one person was going to be representing us. So, we agreed to that as a board. >> You had your hand up. I wasn't sure if you were indicating that you were seeking reimbursement as well. >> Okay. Thank you,
>> M. Rupert. um it wasn't for that issue. I wanted to talk about the FSBA uh the uh um the legislative package, but I don't need to. That's the only reason I pulled it
so was to give uh you know give kudos to our chair for going up my colleague um Adam and as well as the Mora. Um so we will hope Oh, and Debbie, sorry I wasn't sure with that comment back and forth.
Sorry. Um, yeah. So, it's I think it's going to be very good and we'll be able to um uh help move move this district forward. So, thanks. >> Mixon, did you still want to speak? >> Thank you. So, I just want to uh you know, this was a discussion that we had
and we as a we were not going to have anybody go and then board members were concerned that we couldn't guarantee someone was going and we agreed as a board that we would cover the cost of the chair going up and anyone else who
wanted to go would go on their own. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion? All in favor of BB1 say I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> No. >> I. >> Item passes with one dissenting vote. Mr. Seiraa.
>> Could I get a motion in a second on FF1? >> So moved. >> Second. Moved by Miss Hixon, seconded by Miss Roupert. Public comment on FF1. >> No, ma'am. >> Uh board member comment. Miss Hixon. Thank you. I'll be quick as I like to do every month. Say thank you to all of the
people that work on grants. This item alone brings about $4.3 million to the district. Uh $1.5 million comes from the federal government to specifically help our students with disabilities. Um
$900,000 comes from FAU's Promise Neighborhood, which is an awesome grant as well. And 311765 are a K9 grant that directly impacts the safety of our schools. And then the other ones are community that help like
gardens and things. So, thank you to everyone who puts the time in to bring this extra money to our district. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion on FF1? All in favor of FF1 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> I. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a
motion to second on O1? >> So moved. >> Moved by uh Miss Thompson, second by Miss Hixon. Public comment on O1. >> We have no public comment for the remainder of the items, Madam Chair. Okay. Uh, board member comment, Miss Thompson. >> My questions were answered. Thank you.
>> Any other board discussion? All in favor of O1, say I. I. >> All oppose, say no. >> I. >> Item passes unanimously. Could I get a motion, a second on O4? >> Moved by Miss Hixon, second by Miss Pulman. We There is no public comment on
O4. Uh, board member comment. Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um just want to uh quickly mention that um I did notice there from the five companies, one of the five companies uh is an uh MWBE
firm, a Hispanic American firm. Uh but I also did notice that that firm was at the the bottom in terms of the amount of um money um they receive. So, I just like to continue to encourage um the district that we do everything we can to
attract minority firms, including Hispanics, blacks, women. Um the uh numbers here indicated that they were at the bottom and 300% less in award than the second to the bottom and 900% less
than the entity receiving the highest amount. So I think uh as a district we should continue to try to provide opportunities for our MWBE firms or Hispanic women, blacks and so on. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Any other board member
comment? >> All right. All in favor of O4 say I. >> I. >> All oppose say no. >> I. >> Uh item passes unanimously. Um this is the time of the agenda when school board members will hear from our evening
speakers. We have two evening speakers on my list. Uh Mr. Hill, I don't know if you guys have the same. I have Christy Trip and Victoria Creed. Any other evening speakers? Okay. At this time, do any of my colleagues have any update or student
successes to bring forth to the superintendent for consideration? Miss Hixon. >> Thank you. I have three very exciting things. So, the first one I was um honored to be able to go to the college playoff foundation education summit
where they honored someone with the H hand Hancock Excellence in Teaching Award, which celebrates extraordinary educators who have devoted their lives to education, sports, and strengthening their communities. It was in its third year. 100 people were up for the award.
It recognizes veteran public school teachers with 20 years of service who continue to change lives every day. So, congratulations to the 2026 recipient who is Mr. Christopher Townley who is a special education teacher at the Quest
Center. Also, Corey's former middle school teacher. Um, thank you for the lasting difference you've made for your students and beyond. He he we coached Special Olympics together. So I was very very honored to participate in that with Mr. Townley. Also, congratulations to
the Fort Lauderdale High School dive team. They are state champions. Since I was a swim coach, I was very excited about that. And congratulations to students at Flanigan. And I took a picture, but my pictures are not working. Um, there are two students that
also won a state recognition and my picture is not working so I can't I don't know if somebody else can help us with it. Um, but they they won a state recognition as well for a competition that they participated in and I'm so sorry I didn't write their names down.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Hoes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I just want to um and Madam Chair, this is your school actually, Bennett Elementary School. When I was at the uh the BCPS showcase um in the Amarant Bank um
uh stadium, uh they provided me with nine balls and they mentioned that we I should give each board member one of these as a a stress reliever. So, I'm going to give you a one of these. Maybe we can use it in subsequent
meetings, right? So, thank you, Bennett Elementary, and I'll I'll be sure to pass these out. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other board member discussion before I raise some issues? Um, so I did want to get an update from the board on um the chief auditor
search. Uh, there were a few pieces that we needed to address um before staff could move forward. So, I have a few questions for the board um that we do need. I would like some consensus on. So, um, do we want to update the job
description for chief auditor? We updated it recently, um, but I didn't know if anyone else was interested in updating the job description before it posted. So, there is no objection to moving forward with the current job description.
Okay. Um, do we want to form a committee to review the resumeumés as the legal services committee did for the office of general counsel or are we comfortable with the board just getting all of the resumes um and and dealing with them in a board meeting?
>> The second option. Okay. Um, and then do we want to uh mirror the pattern of the interviews where we did a one-on-one interview and a public interview process or did we want to do something more streamlined for the chief auditor position? >> Same process.
>> Same process. >> Okay. And um, Dr. Lozano, has anyone agreed uh from the office of chief auditor to serve as interim? >> As of right now, we have one individual who's willing to serve. Would you be able to share that name?
>> Mark Maggley. >> Okay. Does anyone object to uh us negotiating an interim contract? We would have to negotiate an interim contract. Correct. >> Correct. >> Uh does anyone object to us doing that uh for Mr. Mley?
>> Okay. Um would you do we need to bring an item to designate designate someone to negotiate that contract? >> That is correct. >> Okay. Um, so I guess uh would a a board member need to bring that or
>> correct? >> Can we move to do that now, Miss Jack Adams? There's not an item on the agenda. So >> that is my concern. There is no item on the agenda. >> Okay. Um, so I guess my question is kind
of um interesting. So would would a board member like to bring an item to direct someone to negotiate, Miss Bulman? >> I'll do it. Okay. All right. Um so we can expect that next month. So does staff have the direction they need to
move forward with the job posting? >> Yes. >> Okay. Excellent. Um the next piece that I I was going to request was an up an update from staff on the timeline for the referendum since it is 2026. Mr. Sullivan,
>> superintendent, would you like me to answer that? >> Go ahead, Mr. Sublin. >> Uh, so last time around uh the board decided to go in the primary, which is uh in the August month. This time, um, state law dictates it would have to be
in, uh, November for the general election of 2026. Um, if we follow the timeline as last time, I would have to work with general counsel to I don't know if the timeline's a little different since now uh we have November instead of August. But if we were to follow last uh
timeline, we would bring a resolution to the board uh next month in February. And then after that resolution last time uh I believe it was two months after the board voted on the allocation. So the ballot language is uh very limited in
the uh number of words you can have. Uh so um we will have to work on the if we wanted to keep the same language but again uh it was uh two different votes. There was a vote on the ballot language and then after that resolution a separate meeting there was a vote a vote
on the allocation so the voters knew how the funds were going to be allocated in the three buckets of safety, mental health and uh employee compensation. >> Okay. Okay. So, does anyone Is that the timeline you're recommending or you're just sharing that with us is what we did last time with the caveat that now it
will be on the November ballot? >> Yes, I would recommend following the the same timeline. >> Does anyone object to following that same timeline? >> Okay. Do you have your direction on that? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um the last piece that I wanted to bring up each, you know, there was one item
today that we saved that was going to result in $1.2 million of cost savings. So, um, my suggestion to staff is I would really love to know for each agenda how much money we're saving on on
contracts and things like that that are being renegotiated. That that's not a story that's being told right now. Um, so I would be really interested in having that information moving forward. Um, so thank you Dr. Story. >> Yep. Any other board discussion? Go
ahead, Mrs. Alhadaf. Yes. And to that point, I also think it is important for uh M. Romero to bring forward the the onepage snapshot of of where we are with our finances so that
we can cross reference that when, you know, we're making the multi-million dollar decision either way, up or down. Miss Alade, I I could barely barely hear you, but um I can call you um offline to
get get those specific directions. >> Okay. Thank you. >> No problem. >> All right. Any other board member discussion? Um okay. Seeing we've exhausted all of our items, uh the scheduled order of
business for this regular school board meeting of the school board of Broward County, Florida has been completed. Seeing no obligation, I now ad Hey, hey, hey.