order. If you would please rise in prayer. Our father named thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those
who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from the kingdom, the power, and glory forever. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Before you're seated tonight, I would ask you to join me in in a moment. Two individuals that worked with our Henry County School Board for a very long period of time and had very
significant impacts to our students. The first one is Mr. Delmar Hackle. He worked with us in 1993 until 2011 until he retired and he was with the maintenance department. He moved to Alabama and recently passed away. The second one is from Miss Marjgery Rhett.
Worked with us in 2005 to 2011 in Label Transportation. We often say that it's not just teachers, but it's everyone involved. It's our maintenance workers, our bus drivers, and those who also touch the lives of our students in other ways that really make a true impact. Please join me in a moment of silence for both of these great individuals.
Thank you very much. You can be seated. move right on into presentations this evening. Mr. Superintendent, looks like we have a presentation this evening. >> Yes, sir. Um, team, are you all ready to go? Okay. So, if y'all go ahead and come into place and I'll kind of lay the groundwork for you. Um I once heard a I
once heard a great philosopher say that when you are uh making high level changes and addressing situations um you should be trying to solve an issue or or fix a said problem. And tonight what we're going to do is to kind of begin the conversation with you guys and kind
of lay out there some thoughts that we're having. We're going to identify the problem and and the situation. Um, and I'm going to kind of give you the 35,000 foot view, and then I'm going to let Miss White, Miss Duncan give you the more granular view. And, and hopefully what we're going to do is end up at the
end with kind of a direction that we see ourselves moving. And then in January, I'm not asking for any kind of decision tonight. I would just like to hear your thoughts on it as a board. And then in January, we'll come back to you with um a vote so that we can move forward with
the with the said um decision. You all know that we've been taking uh our number of uh students with disabilities has been increasing exponentially uh more so than any years previous in our history. Um it is very
crucially important that that that the young uh early learning happens uh to set the stage so that students can learn to be productive adults. We have some very good systems in place but because of uh the situation of taking on more
high need students uh it has put a uh a strain on the system that we currently have with regards to who's in the class and with regard to the expense of the class since its inception. Um the prek paradigm that we currently have uh has
cost the school district quite a bit of money. Um what we're going to do is we're going to show you where uh the money um we get does come from and we're going to explain to you students that we have that we get zero income or reimbursement for and we have some of those in there. It's always been that
way. That's not new. But we just want to make sure that you everybody's on the same understanding level about that. At the end of the day, what we're going to do is we're going to show you as a board the direction we're leaning and wanting to go to and and kind of get your feedback on that before we make any final decisions. again, which will come
back to you in January with that. It's imper it's imperative that we do it no later than January because in January we start registering those students for that fall term. And so we want to make sure that we have clear direction and that we're all on the same page before that happens. Okay. So with that in
mind, um you have the presentation in your packet. It's also on the screen in front of you. So um Miss White, Miss Duncan, I'll let you guys get started. one board I would ask this um because there's a lot of lot of information here if you would please let us go through
the presentation please make notes if you want us we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have but if we can get through it we may answer some of them as we go um but if not if you have further questions of course we know that we're going to have some good discussion around this but we just want to go through the presentation and then come
back and answer questions if that's okay with you guys all right thank you >> attack >> no no no we'll let you go first I'm just playing Okay. All right. >> All right. Thank you, President. Tonight, we're going to go over a variety of programs with you that will
include this review of inclusion preschool, voluntary preschool, um ESC services for contract placement, which is some private school things that we're looking at, and then um some potential other things leading to uh FES scholarships that are currently being
reviewed as well. So Spice's going to talk about um IPK inclusion preschool program. So currently um our IPK inclusion prek we have eight gened students to 12 ESSE students in those classrooms. We have
six of those classrooms on this side of the district and we have five on the other side of our district. We had to change our model a little bit last year because we continually are getting more and more students. And so last the year before it was 10 to 10. that ratio had to change because we needed more space
for our ESC students. As we continue to get those numbers, we have to look at how are we serving them? How many classrooms do we have and and and um how many people to serve those students? And so go back. Currently, currently our gened peers, we get no funding for those
students. We are not charging any fees for parents to place their students with us. We do accept four year olds and we will take threeyear-olds right now. um when we don't have spaces when when we need to fill those spaces. Okay. Um what
we are spending things on for those students is transportation, the supplies for those students in the classroom, classroom materials, um furniture, um a portion of the teacher and a portion of the parent salary to address those student needs and building
resources including nurse um like we have a nurse here at the Kelk that address addresses those students as well and at each site as well. So, one of the things we are considering is looking at charging a fee for those gened peers to come. Um, so we look at
daycare costs around our area to see what does it cost for a three and a four-year-old to attend daycare. Um, and these fluctuate a little bit. um may have changed a little bit from the time that we have this up here, but it's anywhere from $160, $175, $100 um for
those students weekly. And so that is where we we are looking at if we do look at charging a fee. Um what would that look like? And we have a slide that will address that in just a moment. So currently when you look at the the about 50% ratio that we have for gened
peers and again as this white stated those students do not generate any funding from the state. The district is 100% paying for those students to attend including any transportation costs the teacher costs everything that um those children require. And certainly we have 11 teachers in inclusion preschool and
22 pair professionals. And if you look at 50% of those salaries, that is the money that is expended to support about 50% of those kids not being special needs students in those programs. Um, so again, it just kind of gives you a baseline. That's not accounting for the supplies, the transportation, additional
costs, but that's just kind of an overall sneak peek of the money that we are expending on those students, not generating funds back to the district. So, if we were to charge a fee, we were looking at proposing a fee of $100 a
week. Um, currently the enrollment is 86 students and that would look at a potential income of uh $39,600 to the district and that nowhere covers any of the, you know, costs that you
just saw, not even salary. Um, there are other options being considered to restructure the program. We because of the intense needs of our students right now that we are receiving um it is really they are not always benefiting um
and getting the attention that they need because we do have 20 21 kids in a classroom sometimes and that's a lot and pulls away from them. Also those gened peers are not getting what they need because of the intense needs of the kids who are EC students. So we are also
discussing not having an inclusion prek just focusing on varying exceptionalities prek of 15 students in a class keeping the teacher in two pairs so that those students get what they need and those fouryear-olds would then of course be eligible for BPK if they
meet the criteria or three-year-olds could access daycarees in the community. We do um I just lost my train of thought so I think that's it. Um um and then I'll turn it over to Laura
and and we'll address any questions that you'll be not feeling good so I'm going to assist her with that. Um so right now VPK is funded through a variety of programs. It does not cost the district any financial resources out of the general fund other
than just the access of the facilities. um it is paid for out of migrant funds, BPK funds, and title one funds. However, um you know, with the transportation not being something that is paid for and things like that, we are considering $25 per student as a simple registration fee
and then having exceptions for students who are possibly homeless or low income and that cannot provide that $25 fee. Um Dr. Money's also looking into that just to make sure that's allowable. Many many districts across the state do charge a minor registration fee anywhere from $25
to $100. So we do feel like that's a viable option as long as we still support the students that could not financially and that would not be a factor for in inhibiting them from attending if they had the financial inability to pay that $25. Um the other thing that we're talking
about, you know, Montour Early Learning Center previously had two full-time classrooms with about 40 students out there. Um the enrollment out there has dwindled over the last few years just simply because, you know, more and more students, their parents work in town and so they want their students to come into
town and those kinds of things. So currently we've already reduced to just one classroom out there at 20 students and we've had difficulty keeping that classroom filled all year long. There's been a lot of turnover. We go down to 18 and then we pick up one or two and things like that. And that is a facility
that is strictly paid for out of PPK funds. >> No mage funds. >> The same as all the other ones except for like any extras for the building, electricity, things like that comes directly out of BPK. >> So there's a lot of additional costs up there.
>> Salaries basically salary supplies things like that still come out of title one and BPK >> because the district doesn't own that building or that facility. So, we're picking up the electricity and things like that. >> We own the building, but not >> the building, not the land. Yes. >> And it's there's other pieces that make it a money pit since it's not municipal
water. Dr. Mundy has to have the water tested at a very high fee. It's an off-site place and and so there's a lot of reasons why it's becoming not a good business model for us to have that there. >> And we don't have a full-time principal or things like that out there. So, just for supervision wise. Um anyway, so that is something that we're considering. No
decision has been made, but we're looking at possibly moving that classroom to the kelk here on this site and transporting those students in for the day. Um, and of course that teacher would have the option of moving to this site as as well. Um,
>> and I'm going to let Mr. Swindle speak here about cards. >> Oh, no. It's ESC private place first. Oh. Oh, okay. So, okay. Yes. My turn. So the the second part about this is statewide because of the school choice and which is becoming increasingly
popular and parents and families taking advantage of that. There are still things that the public school sector uh does offer that is still appealing. And so um Mr. Sanchez is going to talk about some of that in just a moment, Miss Duncan. But one of the things is the ESC services that this district does
provide. Um and so what we've come up with is allocart menu. Most teachers around the state are developing and coming up with basically an allocart fee where if you're a student and you need or want a certain class or a structure that we offer and then you can do that but then there's going to be a fee attached to that for those that we don't
get any FFP money for. Um again it's a pretty standard thing that's happening. Um we knew that it was getting close for us need to do it but currently we've had a couple in inquisitions about it but we don't have any students that have are doing it or even that we've told no to at this point in time. But we've got a feeling that because of the growing
popularity of that homeschool piece that uh we probably will start getting some students that want to either, you know, do do the specialty things like the ACT programs or the nursing programs or physics at Lel High School or chemistry, you know, the the really higher level stuffs. Miss White's going to specifically talk about what it looks
like if a student needs services and they and they're receiving the FS scholarship. So for for me with ESD students, we do receive a proportionate share through my idea grant that is specifically for those students who are receiving services in a parentally
placed private school and that means a certain criteria K to2 non forprofit and those are listed here post and Christian um and I currently on my this year it's
24,000 is my aotment for that. It changes based on the number of students we have and we have 16 students right now. Um that's pretty typically I'm in that range between 20 to 24,000 and we will probably not meet that. So I don't
anticipate that parents are going to have to do that right now but as things change I wanted to go ahead and have that put in as we start doing the auto park. So our services are outlined and they're there and if we do exceed that then they would have the option then to pay for the services and so these mine
would be based on it's a fee for service hourly rate because it's a therapy service and so it would be 75 for the speech language occupational therapy was 65 physical therapy. So essentially, she gets 24,000 out to perform the services. They are doing it. But if it got to be
more than the $24,000, then we have the ability then to charge fees for those services to cover our cost >> and I'm at about 9,000 right now. So I don't anticipate that happening, but >> right just as we just want to put in place in case we ever got there while while we're in the process of doing these other.
>> All right. So the next part is again um homeschool or privately placed students who are receiving that scholarship. If they wanted to come into an elementary school and take a said class then they would be able to pay a certain fee in order to be able to come on site and take our classes throughout the day.
Currently we've had zero requests in elementary to participate in those kinds of things but then saying that you know so there would be those options in the future. We would do we would do a structured contract, you know, and take the payment payment to be made up front and stuff like that. So, we still have
to flesh through those things. We have time for that, but we just wanted to make sure you're aware of that as well. And the uh this slide covers the uh the secondary alocart course fees. And of course, as Mr. said these fees are intended to help the district recover
some of the operational staffing instructional materials costs associated with providing these courses to students that are receiving fees scholarship or privately educated and then you also have a slight uh higher fee for CT. I don't know if you
want to speak on that. Uh so just typically sorry the cost of CTE classes are larger than a typical core class and so we really just took what that average we split the price you would have gotten an FFP up and divided it by the class periods. Uh at this time we're just going to do a flat fee regardless of
what the CTE course is. I think just for simplicity and based on interest we can always adjust from there if we find that it becomes cumbersome to listen. And >> with that that's the presentation. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Oh my god, I've been waiting
as >> Maybe. Um, >> we're out of time. >> Not even, Mr. It's Christmas. You have to be nice to me. Um, so I want to go back to the slide for the non-funded
expenditures for IPK. >> Okay. So when you were speaking of us, you said each class has to have 12 ES and eight gened for the IPK to three-year-olds, right? >> Right now, yes. >> Okay. >> It was 10,
>> which is what the state recommends for an inclusion classroom. We just were running out of space and slots and we needed more. >> Okay. So, I'm trying to make sense of what I heard here, >> but they don't give you any funding for the eight gened kids that they require
for the inclusion model. Correct. That's correct. >> Cuz they're not required. >> They're not required to attend those students. >> But >> but if I run inclusion class, yes, I have to have your model. >> You're right. >> So for the inclusion model, they require gened kids, but they're not going to pay you for it.
>> Correct. >> That is correct. >> And would like to report them to the governor. >> So if we did change, we wouldn't be able to call it an inclusion preschool. It would be a very >> childhood special education. >> Okay. Cuz that's wild to me. All right. Um, >> and we have been doing that for years
and years. So, >> just keep the cost on it to give it an occlusion model. But business is business. >> Yep. >> Um, on the next one, the cost of childare in Henry County. >> Mhm. >> I'm looking at that that we were talking
about a $25 registration fee and that we've got two facilities. One's 100, another's 50. Are are those for VPK classes or >> I believe >> is VPK. Okay. And Harvest Academy does VPK, too.
>> I'm pretty sure that was I can confirm that for you. >> Okay. So, there's little >> Do they have Do they have three-year-old classes out there? >> I do not think that they >> Well, they do have it for daycare. Yes. >> Okay. For daycare. What I would like to
see some numbers on what three-year-old classes. So this are >> okay. These are the three-year-old classes and the BKS are free. >> Um cuz VPK they pay a registration fee and but this is based on three-year-old wraparound service in a lot of them. So
like the VPK would be the morning hours and then they pay for the wraparound and that and I have all of that on a overload. I do have that. >> I love being overloaded with information. I have it's just like helping me put the pieces of the puzzle together like on my decision making
process and the comments that I'm making. So I would like to see what the wraparound on the BPK's look like. And so these are what we're looking at on three-year-olds. Just want to say yes. >> So when we look at
what it's not covering with the three-year-old inclusions like basically $814,000 a year >> plus supplies plus transportation plus fee and there's >> like one and a half million. Is that what we're looking at?
>> There's two parts to it. So, so what we're trying to do is we're trying to juggle do a great juggling act of finances and then what's best for students. >> So, as a three-year-old here, >> it's not even like typically four-year-olds is what's recommended for your they need appropriate language
modes. They need appropriate turn taking conversational models. Three-year-olds, that's not their developmental level for those things. >> The three-year-olds what do they require? They're they require so it's really >> olds are option or but the gened three-year-olds are optional.
>> Correct. Okay. Yes, that's right. And they're on a waiting list. Typically, we try to fill it with four year olds first, but we have 20 plus three-year-olds. Like it's a lot. >> Who makes up the unfunded IPK gened constituency? >> We have >> Where are we getting these kids? Is it
like a lotto or >> some are our staff kids? Um we have eight on each side of the district right now that are staff children. So out of the 86 gened peers we have 16 are staff kids. >> Yes. And the the rest community they they have to get on a waiting list. They call our department and we we put them
in order as we receive them. >> Um so for like say the beginning of the year do you like do a lottery like the you have the three-year-old parents sign up you do the lottery and then you have a wait list after that? >> Three-year-olds automatically go to a wait list. Okay. four-year-olds go before them and then we once we've staff
all the four-year-olds then we we start the list on the three. >> Okay. When we go to the IPK general education peers as they compare to children slide just based on the salaries or over a
half million into the general fund on these salaries and that's for something for children that are not generating revenue for us. That's a that's it's a lot of money. It's a hard sell to me because then the kids that we
are it's taking away res resources from kids that are generating those funds. Um when we talk about the other options that are being considered
have we like what what are we talking about other options like going to half days? >> Well, we've looked at all of those things as well. We still get no funding for that. So still it's costing us a full-time teacher, full-time pair, but however we do that. What we're looking at doing is taking out the inclusion
prek and making it that PE exceptionality, you know, ESC students, 15 students so that those students get the services they need. Those kids who are the the model for inclusion, the type of student has changed, right? And
so we have had those classrooms where we have speech only in there, language only in there. We're getting very intense severe severe behavior concerns, but nonverbal medical need like we're getting more severe kids. So >> those kids are actually benefiting from
BPK. A lot of those higher functioning kiddos have been going into the BPK program and we're working with Mr. Chelada and Dr. Mundy to make sure that they're getting in there and we're supporting that with an ESC specialist that goes in and works with those an itinerary prek teacher and that has been going well and we've been able to do
more and more of that and that's truly an inclusion model, right? That's what we would do in a K12. Like they're going into a gened classroom, right? And so that's what we've been doing more and more of because we have to like the needs for those kids are so intense in that. So the model we're looking at is
going to four classrooms, 15 students in a class on this on the little bell side, five classrooms here, 15 students in each class. And that leaves us 60 something slots on each side, you know, to address the kids, the ESC students
names. I I mean this is going to sound this is unpopular in modern education philosophy but I've always struggled with an inclusion model because you know inevitably somebody's getting left behind in all that and um yeah I've seen
it and I just I wouldn't be opposed to a a VE they just need very they have very specific needs and um and when you have those ones who you know gened kids in that like >> it's it's just hard it's hard to spread
yourself then to meet the needs of >> the different >> inclusion is important it's necessary there are kids that benefit from that we are supposed to be offering a continuum of services I get it and we have not offered a self-contained kind of environment for those kids so we really
need to look at the continuum >> and we've had lots of comments >> I'm not I'm not against like I'm not against it because I I mean I understand the whole spectrum of needs needs of the from the severe to the to the to the general gener ed kids and you know like
what my feelings that won't be popular with a lot of people is that >> you got to sometimes mix them all together is you're not meeting any needs and you just got to like really focus on >> and those those three-year-olds who are Jenna can catch up in the BPK because the BPK's been outstanding
>> right >> exactly we had lots of conversations around those three four and 5year-old students with intensive needs and how important it is to really address those intense concerns early so we can prepare them for kindergarten so it's >> that piece is >> more successful.
>> I just don't want anyone to think I'm against inclusion because I am not against inclusion. I'm very much for it. I just agree with you >> appropriate inclusion. >> Appropriate. >> We need that continuum. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then let's move on to mantra. >> Okay. So, I get a lot of, you know,
that's part of my um district. Uh, one of the issues that we had out there originally, and I understand like we're down to one classroom. There may be people who want to move their kids in. Do we have bus space for the kids?
Oh, I just saw I see eyes and foreheads over there going from the transportation department. >> Mr. place but make it work >> if if we reduce our genet population and IP that could help with that. I'm just it might counterbalance some of that. All right. >> So I'm worried about bus space and I'm
worried about if it's prudent to put those little ones on a bus with full grown students. Well, they're already addressing that from the other schools. >> I mean the from kelp they would still
some of them still come here if they have special needs certain needs they would still come to this early learning center from a long >> they're doing it now for kindergarten too for sure. >> Are we required to transport those children?
>> Uh the ESC students online yes but now >> BPK do. >> Okay. So maybe that's something you look out. >> Yeah. Well, not required to transport the BPK. So, >> but a lot of those parents without transportation, those students wouldn't
choose to participate in preschool. So, we do feel like we would need that as an option for those of some of our neediest families. >> Here in lies the the conundrum of the juggling act, right? Because well I I sincerely and we as a team sincerely believe that some of the great academic
rise we have is because of the great success of our BPK program and our IPK program and and the the special needs you know that we're servicing. So as you start winning some others back you know you're doing less to set those students up for success in elementary school and then
beyond. >> And so that's why we struggle sometimes with you know you know cutting it out. You can cut it out. That's the easy business thing to do because that's what best for that child's education, right? >> You know, so that's that's where we struggle. >> And then we pay for it a year later when
they come into school. They they can't stand in line. They don't know any letters and stuff like that. So how many students do we not BPK? We get a limited number every year. How many students don't get to come at that request?
>> I don't think we have anybody currently on the waiting list. We've been able to fill all of the seats. >> We've had years where we've >> correct that we have currently we have all the students that have applied for BPK and BPK. >> Didn't we collapse a couple of classrooms this year?
>> Yeah, we lost one at Montour last year because of >> And one here as well. >> One here as well. That's why we have room. >> Yeah. >> So, for whatever reason, like you know, we kept adding DBK classrooms over the last several years. I think we finally found that sweet spot where we're filling all the seats and not having
excess but not having open seats. >> So the IP will just be become an ESC >> early childhood special. Yes. >> And that can look different too. We've
talked about that. It can be we can have three of those with one inclusion if we wanted to go that route. But again, there's still there's that cost factor that we're you know discussing. Um but there's there's no set anything at this time. These are just you know ideas that
we have. >> But there's no FFP money for three year olds who aren't >> foury olds who are gened peers. any genetic peer in that class we receive zero funding for. >> Well, once they're four years old, why don't they get VPK?
>> They can if they choose to, >> but they can't be IPK, >> but they can't be. >> They have to go to the other person. >> So, do we have I'm curious about Monto. Do we have an SRO out there? >> Sometimes.
>> Well, and they're not required for my next question. Not required. >> They're not required. We don't have to help either. >> They do a good job of making sure there's a road deputy there during school hours, I believe, was what our conversation. So, they're always, you know, quick quick shot of getting there. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean that because that's a
little bit of a concern to me as well that we don't have >> like a little >> I mean that's especially in this day and age group >> one teacher two >> one teacher two
uh one teacher two paras and a part time and originally I had an extra pair out there as well but when she resigned last year I had to replace And that's because nobody wants to sub for me out there. So if I have more than two people call in, guess who's headed
out there? One of my staff members. Right. >> So in Montour right now, if you have PJ class, right, >> one BPK classroom, >> voluntary preschool, >> it gets to be up.
>> So So that one is funded through the >> That is funded. It's definitely >> Well, it's about >> but there's additional cost just because it's out there. >> Yeah. >> Not in a school setting. >> And I think we need to like what's
funded. I think you need to speak a little bit about what's funded like we're not doing a we are doing a full day program for those students and the funding we're currently receiving is for >> Yes. So VPK revenues come in for a threehour a day program. So that's why I supplement with title one and micro
funds so that we can have a full full day program. >> Well, and that brings up another interesting conversation because we believe that title one is safe moving into the next school year, but we do not feel the same way about the migrant piece. And so we may be, you know, coming back with, you know, some some
alternative thinking once we have that picture as well. >> And even though Title One's safe, that doesn't mean that we don't get a reduction, right? Like that's always a possibility. >> Always.
>> This is >> We're just waiting patiently. >> Just repeating 30% hard cut. Not a 30% reduction cut, but a 30% hard cut. >> What the congressman told me. >> I hope he is misinformed.
>> So, are you looking at coming in for the rate I mean this year? Are we looking at next year? What year are you projecting? >> So, yes. So, we'll finish the school year. We're not going to do any changes now, but it will begin in August of 25 for that school year, but that registration for that starts in January,
I'm sorry, 26. I apologize. Yes. Yeah, we're not going back. So, but we need to know now because the registration piece starts in January. And so, in the January board meeting is where we would come back you with an official paradigm laid out with all the fees, you know, everything where it was very understandable and that we could use
that to to share with our, you know, our our parents and then move forward. and we have people calling right now to be on the waiting list. They're trying to get on the waiting list now for next year. Um Janed Pierce. So for VK, I am not opposed to
registration fees. And so when I'm looking at the attendance for the schools and I see you see the most challenging attendance out of the the like the closing early learners learning center. Um, it reminds me of
when Carson Turner and I used to do the special needs horse riding program and we would advertise, people would sign up to come and they didn't come when it was free. But then I would charge them $10 and they had skin in the game and they would come and then we turn around and
refund them at the end. But that $10 like it's just some bless you something with that nominal >> buy in it just increased participation tremendously. So I'm not opposed to a registration fee. >> While you're speaking about attendance and I'll just briefly speak on this for
prek IPK inclusion prek those genetic pierce attendance is not great. So it is not being like we're there to educate kids. It is not daycare. It is not a babysitting service. And the attendance is drop them off because we want to go somewhere today but tomorrow I'm going to keep them home. Like it's not great
the attendance of those students and that interrupts the learning of the students who need structure who are my PSSE students who need that. >> I get that like the level of structure and what's needed and honestly like I said this to Mrs. Swindle. I'm just speaking unpopular opinions over here. Let's just get this party. Let's wrap up
this year year strong. is if you don't have a three-year-old like three-year-olds still like I'm like it's hard to put them in a institutional educational setting and play >> in my opinion. I mean I think they need play. I think they need to be
a nap. >> Yeah. Yes. I mean teachers need a nap. People who have three-year-olds need naps. It should be mandatory. Um, you know, I know the ones who has the higher needs, they do need those intensive therapies. That's so crucial
at that time. But if you have those gened kids, to me, that is not as um pressing. I think their needs are a lot different as a three-year-old as opposed to what the four-year-olds need to prepare for kindergarten entry at five. >> I mean, that's how I live my life. I'm
I'm only just saying this is the choices I've made for myself. I feel like, you know, there's research to back that up, but I'm not opposed to VE only classes either. So that's a lot of money that could be I mean going to
revenue producing students and classes >> continue to increase. So the need for extra class, it's going to continue to go that route. More teachers, more parents. >> That's really why we're having the conversation because that that is that's the increasing part of >> and those kids in prek are moving to K, right? And so that need increases. So it
it's a continuum that's going to keep snowball effect. Correct. Yes. >> So the so speech OTP has always got an FEP percentage way back when fund that's the way funding was done.
>> We receive funding through IBA for uh that covers services. So part of our OT part of our SLPs are paid out of the IBDA funding for their salaries. Yes. >> Okay. um I get a contracted uh amount in that I can contract out and then also in
that grant I have a proportion of share amount which is specific to be used for students who are both parentally placed in a private school setting. I can only use it for that. >> Okay. >> And maybe it's not that way anymore, but the FEFP for speech,
uh, a regular student would get one and then >> the matrix of services. >> The matrix of services and then somebody else would get 1.2 or 1.3. Is that still part of the funding? We have a matrix of services that that money comes in through our general EFC funding and um
based on students matrix scores and that that goes from $6,000 we might give for a student up to $32,000 we could get for a student. But that same set student could also need behavior support, could also need a parah, could also all these other services that are way above that
$32,000. My question was like if the child just needs language therapy or speech therapy, >> they they would still qualify under that matrix of services. >> And they would probably come in at at a $6,000 range. >> They sure would. But you and I know
y'all know this or not, but the matrix of service barely covers a penance of what the true cost is. And so there's still an exponential cost that we bear and you bear on well beyond that what that now. And I will say that um we we cried and flop last year. view sent a
team down here to walk with Miss White. She put together an incredible um book of the students where where she laid out the disability, what the what the matrix service paid and then what we paid, what what what it cost us. and she had some I
think one student we took in 20 $26,000 and she showed where we you as a school board paid eight over 80 grand for that child last year and expenses and that is just one year and so it's an amazing cost and we nowhere near get covered what it cost us
>> and we've been doing that since that child was three and he's now 12 >> and it will continue that's right that's exactly right 100% and and that that category of cost is growing on us exponentially.
>> Well, my question was if somebody's from out of district and they're getting the speech services, can we still get the FEFP from them plus the idea money for them? >> If they are private school, >> they take that money with them,
>> right? We get no funding. Okay. >> So, the only funding I get are for ESC students who are parentally placed in a private school setting. That meets the criteria for that K12 nonprofit. Um, and that funding that I outlined is to be used specifically for them for ESC
services. And then after that is exceeded, then we no longer have to provide services or they have to pay for the service. Thank you. >> Is that money per facility or all? >> It's all Yeah. Also,
>> okay. >> Um, >> it's concerning. >> Let me let me say board that we brought this specifically tonight so that you could have a a glancing blow of it. You could see it. If you have further questions, please we want we want that.
So, if you have other thoughts, you know, please let us know. Um, we intend to be back in front of you in January with a a proposal for you to vote and to adopt into into uh for the coming school year. So, thank you for your >> I just have a couple more. I'm going to
just just a few more just a few a couple comments. Um, on the ESC privately place these hourly rates, would this be oneonone or the group setting? >> It depends on the house rate. Most of those are onetoone because they're being
seen at that site. Um a lot of that's being delivered teleaotherapy right now and so they are aside somebody who's prompting them to part participate from that site >> and would that um like Medicaid and stuff factor into that?
>> Um not >> Medicaid payments or insurance. Would you all accept insurance for for any of that? Okay. I would not be able to do that. They would be using their FTE money to pay back for those services. And so I just want to speak about
Allocart and um and I want to say that that Allocart model super proud of like if I ever look back on my like my contributions and my family's contributions to education I I want to I want to take a victory lap on
this one because my son was the first student in Florida to we pioneered this model with working with public school um to do allocart learning and um arguably in all the places that are taking voucher have voucher programs in in any
state. Um I want to say thank you for stepping up to this model. Um, I think, you know, a long time there was a narrative about it with school choice versus public education. And I think
that this is breaking down a lot of barriers where we can all just, you know, this this shows a a tremendous effort to work together for the betterment of students. And I love this. I'm super excited that Henry County is going to
offer this. Um it it just personally just it just means a lot. I think that you might be wildly surprised at the um the folks who will take you up on on this and what a wonderful resource it would be and also a way to bring back scholarship money
that was um not captured and went with scholarship students back into the school district. So I just want to say thank you for that. And just my final question is are we the Henry County School District going to be a direct payment provider?
>> Mr. >> You will. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All the hearts like love that. Thank you. I think that that is going to be a tremendous um advantage. You don't have a lot of that direct payment providers. Otherwise, parents would have to stroke the check and then go through
the reimbursement process. And you want to talk about that's brutal and it can stretch on for months and months. So, parents are stroking a check for $5,000. It could take months for them to get that back. And so, I appreciate I know it's going to be cumbersome and a lot of work and invoices and everything, but
thank you. Um, I'm very pleased. >> Thank you, >> See, it was worth it. I can say something nice. >> Good stuff. Good stuff. Thank you team. Great job. >> They have been working on hard for a while. I'd like >> All right, we will move on to citizen
comment. Mr. Superintendent, do we have any citizen comment this evening? >> I have none at this time. >> All right, having no citizen comment, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Does any board member have anything on the consent agenda they would like to pull and move to an action item?
>> I'm going to I'm going to pull H for uh just pull it. We will not move it back down and just pulling it from the agenda. >> Move item H. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I would like to pull um item K for an
action item. >> You'd like to pull it move it to an action item? >> Yes, sir. minutes. >> Minutes. >> Minutes. >> Okay. Oh, she said May. >> Okay. I was like, what? Why you want to pull minutes? >> Okay.
>> I wasn't even I couldn't even hear you talking down there. I was like, "Yeah, I'll take the minutes." >> All right. So, we'll pull Okay. And that will become that item C. Anybody else? All right, Mr. Superintendent. Do we
have your recommendation for the consent agenda, sir? >> Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I recommend you approve the balance of the consent agenda as presented. >> I move second. >> Motion by Miss Py, second by Miss Nelson. Any further discussion? Hearing no discussion. All in favor say I. I.
>> All opposed. Motion carries. All right, we will move on. Action item 5A. It's a hearing. >> Yep. This a hearing. This is just for us to offer any public comment on action item 5A. So, it's just a quick open for
comments and close. That's all we >> will open this hearing. Do we have any public comment? >> It's just a hearing and then the vote is for >> hearing. Uh no public comment. We will close this hearing.
>> These are separate, but that's that one you do call for. >> Got it. >> Okay. So, we uh your recommendation on item A, Mr. Superintendent. >> No, there's no vote on a just hearing on
>> open hearing as we we need to approve the um approve the to adopt these. There's three policies that were updated. Yes. >> So, we do need a motion. >> Yes, we need a motion and a vote. >> Okay. >> On the hearing or on B?
>> On both. >> Okay. So, >> the hearing overhead >> policies on the hearing >> that were updated. >> So, we open it. >> Okay. So, we did the So, we did public comment. No public comment. Now, I recommend your approval of the three updated policies. >> The three policies.
>> Motion by by Miss Second by Miss Nelson. Do we have any discussion? Hearing no discussion, all in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Now we'll move on to action. Item 5B.
Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, um, as you well know, uh, artificial intelligence is creeping it, I shouldn't say creeping, it's catapulting its way into our school system and in a good way. Um we have some incredible tools that that we are starting to use and uh they are they are
making uh learning better and are making preparing to teach better. Uh they're making our lives as um administrators better. Um however, as we move into using those, we want to make sure we do so responsibly and in accordance, you know, to certain statutes and guidelines. So we are beginning to lay
the groundwork for policies of the expectations to and not to with regard to AI. And this policy is the beginning phases of that. We may see more in the future because the world of AI constantly changes how it's used and where it's used. And we want to embrace that. We want to use it and we want um
our students and teachers to use it uh to enhance their education process. So with that um well I'm I move you approve action 5B to advertise the AI policies. >> Mayor second. >> All right. Motion by Miss Pearson,
seconded by Reverend Brown. Do we have any discussion? >> Hearing no discussion. >> Wait, wait a second. Oh, >> where did we get that information? >> Who wrote this? >> Our team wrote it. >> I I just just wrote I'm trying to read through it. It's very good. I just >> I didn't know whether our attorney team
did that. >> She So So we we fleshed it out. The attorney, we always give it to the attorney to make sure that we're legal and doing the things that we do. So yes, everyone sort of weighed. >> It looks really solid. It looks like you have to spend some time. >> They probably aed honestly.
We may have definitely got some help. >> We bet. >> Well, whoever gets recognition, they did a good job. >> They out in great job. Yeah, >> we're expecting some more legislation on AI use coming out of the state, but then of course we have the feds an executive
order from the president who was saying that basically states don't have a right. So, I'm sure there's going to be a fight there, but this is good policy for meantime to uh guide how we'll be using it. >> Very good.
>> Okay. I'll tell everybody. >> Call the question. >> All right. All in favor of uh the approval say I. >> I. >> All opposed. Motion carries. We'll move on to action item 5C, which was the uh
for the mental health program. >> Superintendent. >> Yes, sir. Just a quick background on that. Um, Clayville is a program um that is for um students with disabilities to do uh industrious disabilities. It's for >> mental health >> mental health uh for students that are
uh in situations where they need um help mental health for stress or or for varying needs that they may have. Uh Miss White and myself and Dr. Staley I think went and and presented um to uh to uh our our district to uh the future
makers a year ago. So now roughly and out of that uh basically we were awarded this trial uh with this company and so this is the product of that Miss White's been working with them almost a year to kind of mold into what would best suit the needs of the mental health of our students and this online platform as a
result of that. So that kind of gives you an overall arching where it came from and what we did and why we are where we are. >> Cost that cost. >> So it's it is paid for through the grant. There is some cost but the grant that was the purpose of the presentation and the grant basically is offsetting the cost.
>> Thank you. >> So having said that I move you approve action item 5C which is the pilot for mental health program click. >> So move second. >> Motion by Mr. Samike seconded by Miss Nelson. Do we have any discussion?
>> Um yes sir. Um, so Miss White and I had a previous discussion, a public discussion about the funding of this with Future Makers and Second Muse. I was able to get online and look at the
um, you know, I'm familiar with Future Makers work. Second Muse, I was um a little concerned about deeply concerned actually about what that company what their um
goals were. Um what they were saying about their team, what the focuses were. I felt like, you know, what Second Muse was in alignment with was not what um our legislature laid out as appropriate for K12 students. Um when I look at this
and and Miss and I came to the town hall meeting, was it last week? >> Yes. >> And Miss White got up and spoke about it and um I asked her some questions then. Um and so I want tell me, correct me. I'm open to correction here. So this is
a platform the way um it was described where a student will either have an app or they can address it via or or access it through >> their device >> Chromebook platform and so they can
reach out directly and have >> conversations >> conversations with a mental health therapist. >> It's a coach who's supervised by a licensed mental health. >> Okay. So, a coach supervised by a mental health therapist. Now, and I said,
"Well, how do they get access?" Cuz if now you look at this front page, these are their kids are going to have access to it. >> All students, >> all students, but she said it was an opt out like all students will have access to it with the option to opt out >> for secondary.
>> Secondary, >> middle. >> Okay. An opt out model. I'm going to I'm I don't know any nice way to say this, but if it was my student and they opted in and they're because you don't know what these students are saying because when I read
the contract, I don't see anything about relaying any of this information that is being told to these coaches um to the parents and parental rights. Like if you're taking your kid for mental health therapy, you're taking your kid to the dentist, you choose the provider. If that's a minor child, you know what's
going on there. that information is relayed back to you. And in an opt out model, um, if my kid got on line at the school district and had a conversation with a coach about some things and I wasn't
made aware of that, there would be there would be some hellfire coming down like I would be furious and I want to the contract says it's opt in. >> We can do both. So,
I if I reviewed this contract as well and if you look at 3.3 the customer represents that customer students are at least 13 years of age but have obtained legal consent to argue prior to any use of the platform. >> So it's explain that to me like
>> so we have the option and that's how we have requested it because often like we're not getting things back. we're not getting the stuff we need to to be able to move forward. And we felt that when we we did this with Medicaid and different things, it was we got a better
response that way. But we can do it any either way. It that is not a problem to to do that. They are very flexible in how they do it. They offer different options. We had discussed that as from our district. We felt like that would have been the way to approach it, but they're not opposed to doing it the other way. and they have forms and all
the same things to do that because the contract says opt in only um which I think is the appropriate way because if a parent says it's okay that's honoring parental rights. There's legislation about honoring parental rights but if it's I mean I'm telling you it would be a major situation if my kid reached out
was having some kind of conversation. I'm not privy to this. I didn't get the paperwork or whatever that came home to opt out of it. like it would be a major litigation situation and they've had tons of um of this happening in Florida and they do litigate that. So I would
want to see um that as an optin only platform >> that's very easy. >> Well we had discussed both options and so that's I have no problem
>> and I'm also not comfortable under section 10 like with publicity. I can't I I hate using like having pilot programs or something where we're using either grant money or or taxpayer dollars and we're participating in these programs and then
they go and like publicize that relationship with the district like they should be able to stand alone. Um I don't think our kids and our our district should have to participate in that. My view on that is using it to help
other districts because I'm in a situation where I knew nothing about this company and if I had not had the tech navigator and those people came together to help me find this I didn't have the time to research. They presented me with 30 40 products that met our criteria and what we were trying to do and so I want to help other
districts and that's a way I feel like we can share our data out. There's no identifiers. There's no anything you know it would just be how did that work for our district for those students? how many students utilize the uh program and things like that. That's my >> to me that's like that's
we we care about Henry County and um Henry County first, Henry County only. And um I just, you know, it it calls into question to me like they said that anonymous data, but they're still data
mining our kids. That's weird. We have to collect data to know if things work or not work and that's how we make decisions. So I don't know a way around that with anything we do like everything we do we collect data on our students. That's part of >> every day when we test we're collecting data every day. We have data. we're yeah
you know it's us and they're not you know like how are we collecting data from this and using this and how you know and then it I'm the and what what do we do when we get something that is um you know not not the student like I'm
suicidal I'm going to harm myself anything like that because you're a mandatory reporter on that but for instance um I have a relationship with a a woman named January little John up in Leon on county. Her kid went to school, talked to mental
health counselors and stuff. The kid wanted to transition. They were helping this kid put a plan in place, all of this, and it never got back to the parent. And then when it finally did get back to the parent, it all broke loose. And it has become the model for national lawsuits and
legislation changes and and so you know it's that including the parent in that conversation because if there is even a a a thing where the kid has anxiety about this anxiety about that well you can't go and get that kid medical help
or any kind of intervention. So how are we including the parents in that to help their child at home too? And I just think there's got to be brutally transparent with with parents because these are minors. >> Yeah. To address that specific example, we did ask that protocol. It was part of
our criteria that they do not address that in any specific way or provide guidance on that that they redirect back to the adults to the student. They tell the student that is a conversation who's a trusted adult and they try to identify that and that they have a protocol for that. I can get that from them. Um but
that is one of our specific questions. Um they also have different levels of um behavior that is reported to them. So a level one behavior is something that we may not get notified on, but as it moves up the chain and that it the counselors
can be notified, administrators are notified, they get an email alert that there's a concern at that level. If it gets to a self harm situation, they actually contact the authorities and they're available to to for those students till 1:00 a.m. where we're not.
And so we're hoping that those kids would reach out in a situation like that where they couldn't access adult that they may trust, but they have someone to go to. Um they also will contact the caregiver first and make the call for a wellness check. >> So how do they have
>> the information on the caregiver >> RSIS system? So they would have access to the parent information and um and contact phone number. >> Then they have to opt in. So they have to provide certain information. >> Exactly. They're consenting to that whenever they're
>> cancel. >> I'd like to see it is a pilot also. It doesn't take forever. So just putting that out there. It's a pilot for us to try it the day to see it works. Doesn't work. If it's a nightmare and people hate it, then we don't do it. You know, we're looking at does this help
kids? And in our area, there are kids that we can't serve overnight. like we we our staff cannot do it. They're right now. We get emails on go guardian and fortify and different things and our staff at night are receiving those and having to to work in the middle of the night call try the authorities. So it's
another outlet for helping kids. mental health is another area like the special needs that is growing exponentially and we no one no one can service all the needs that we have very legitimate concerns with regard to making sure that parents are born and have the right understand
don't doubt that at all >> and we did talk about like they get flyers on it they're going to we're going to do a roll out where they'll receive information on it ahead of time I'm going to talk about what it does and send that out so it's not just like they're going to receive a piece of paper we're going to post things blast things send things out via email um call
outs so that they're understanding what it is before they start. >> How long is the pilot program >> for the remainder? It'll be from J middle of January, end of January to the end of the school year. >> What happens with that information that's collected after the end of the
pilot? >> That data is for our district to review and determine if we wish to move forward with them um or not in the future. And if so, I have to be able to establish funding elsewhere to provide that, which I do have some options for that.
There are some grants that are specifically for this need, and it does meet that criteria. >> You're already working on it. >> Yes, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. Just like to add, you guys have had two cases in Ery County. whether data shows that a program like this being
available to those students might have prevented those actions because like she's trying to say, we don't have anything here in Henry County for after hour services. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And these kids are struggling and they're looking for somebody to reach out and talk to you >> and sometimes their parents are not as
good as other parents and are not available, right? So those parents may understand that and allow their kids to participate in programs like this. So the kid does have somebody professionally trained to talk to and there's two of our kids that the data shows that maybe if we had something
like this we could have prevented those deaths. Just putting that out there and and and you know I just don't know if the concerns outweigh the the benefits of saving two children. Just just be honest with me. >> Thank you.
>> I appreciate um that comment. What I would like to see if I were to support this is an amendment to the language that says that they are going to be in compliance with Florida
statutes and um regarding like parental rights cuz I didn't see that in here. It talks about like >> okay you want to specifically reference the chapter. >> Yeah. I want it to be I want it to like be in line with this is what we're not going to be talking about. Like I just want it to align with Florida statutes
on mental health. >> It's aligned. The Florida statute just doesn't specifically point to it, which I'm fine with putting that. >> I'd like to see that amendment. So there's we're absolutely clear on that. And I um I'm unhappy
as I understand it now with anybody. I just if my kid had like a level one issue and they were talking with that like let me know so I can help and it's that communication with a parent rights I mean there's a there's
legislation on parental rights like and they can request it don't give us an entire transcript if they're they are that interested in that most of the time it's things like I'm stressing because so and so was gossiping about me those are level one behaviors like they're
things that you you know, happen every day in a school or I'm stressed out about this test and I just need somebody to talk through that. Like those are really the level one type. But those are things they may not have shared with anyone otherwise, you know.
>> So I have a question. When is the pilot program supposed to start? >> The end of January. >> So we'll have another board meeting before then. Yeah, I can set like we are not rolling it out to I I we we have
talked and trained our administrators and school counselors. We intend to train school staff so they're aware and familiar with the program the first week we come back and then we have not set a timeline because we're going to get consent from parents and that's going to take two to three weeks. So we are
looking at the end of January to actually roll it out for students. I asked because I think it's important that we have an agreement before it starts getting rolled out and I haven't heard any discussion from other board members if your opinions are in line with Miss Muslims. I don't know if you
were wanting to approve this as a board. You could approve as is. We could approve contingent upon the inclusion of the language regarding criminal rights. We wouldn't see it again, but your vote would be contingent on me adding that in there. Um, but it's the board's decision
whether or not you want to approve it as is or approve it conditionally. So, I guess the easiest thing would be to call it to a vote as is if it Well, I don't die if you vote no. So, just just think to yourself,
>> so amend the motion. >> Yeah. >> Well, there's there's not a motion at this point. No, >> there's no motion. >> There was a motion and a second and then this is the discussion. I'm sorry. Correct. There was a motion. See, you could amend the motion to add
>> the the language about parental rights state that's specifically stated the parent right statute in there and then that can pass. That would >> I'll need to amend the motion before the original motion is voted down. >> Okay. So, I'd like to um move to amend
the language to include statutory language about Florida's parental rights laws. So we uh have a second on that seconded by >> by Re Brown. >> All right. So on Mus's
amendment. So um do we have any further discussion on this topic as it is stands at this point with the amendment? Does it have to be done tonight or is it time on it? >> It is better tonight so they can move forward and get paperwork done and
notify parents and get the forms for the optin and things like that ready. It would be better on administrative sides if we could get it done tonight. >> Okay. So I the only question I have is and it might be in the state statute. I don't know. Um, in the event that a
child is reaching out to somebody because it has to deal with their parent and they don't want their parents to know, is that in the state statute? They still have to tell the parents cuz they're seeking help and advice or how does that work? They're seeking help. If
they came to to public safety in reference to a concern about their parent, public safety and mental health is not required to notify the parent of that conversation. But if they came to a mental health professional in reference to something their parent may be doing that may become abusive or so forth, the
mental health professional is required to notify law enforcement but not the parent because the parent then becomes the issue. >> Okay. >> And that's not what I'm trying to like situations like that is not what I'm trying to serve. I'm just, you know, >> it's a fair question. I just want to make sure that we weren't doing that and
then it gets right back to to the parent anyway and they're trying to, you know, we're trying to uh help the child and >> that's fair >> that we're not setting them up. >> They are mandated reporters as all us would be in that situation. So, if they're in a harm situation, they are mandated to report but not to the
parent, right? Report to the DCF agency or >> Okay. Well, that's what I wanted to make sure is that we're not setting them up that way. And then you know we just put them in a bad situation right now. >> And there'll be parents who do not want their child to have these services
because of those reasons. And that's unfortunate and but that is the way. >> Yeah. Those parents have a special place. >> We also supply all of our students with a hotline that they can call at any given time without parent consent with with. So it's out there anyways. We
already have a suicide hotline that all our secondary students are required to be supplied with by the state. So that's on the back of our land. >> Very good. All right. >> So wait, before we move to a vote, just so we're clear for the record, I'm going
to amend the agreement to include reference to the Florida statute, which is chapter 1014 on criminal rights. Um the publicity provision that we're member had an issue with was not
addressed in the amendment. So that will remain just so we're clear unless there's further discussion needed on that. That sound all right. So on the amendment first. So all in favor of the amendment
say I. >> I. All oppose of the amendment say I. All right. Now, now >> this one was a group effort here, boy. This one across the line. >> Now we will vote on the amended
>> motion. All >> Hold on. What? What do we No. Now, now you're voting on approval of the contract as amended. >> Okay. >> Lord have mercy. >> Get my get my last second on what she said.
>> Yes. >> So there's a second. >> So motion by Mrs. Nelson. Seconded by Mr. Samike. All in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. Motion carries. Well, >> that was that was easy.
>> Okay, >> we will move on to old business. Now, Mr. Mr. B is going to give us a quick update on the current status of the LHS project. >> We are at the very end stage of the permitting stage. We're still waiting on approval from a few different entities.
Um again we are at the very end of that. Uh we should know anytime in the very near future. Um our earth movers are staged and ready to move and mobilize. Um OAK and their groups and their construction are ready to mobilize and
get on campus and start moving and getting where we need to be. So we are very close to getting started 50 miles. What permits? >> Pardon? >> A date for the official groundbreaking.
>> The south there was a Which one will be? >> We got We got two questions going on. Apolog >> go ahead. >> We are working on a minor uh permit with uh the Hendrick County engineer
for traffic patterns and uh we are also waiting on some South Florida water management permits. The major one is our uh just the on-site. We can wait to have the offsite and also the water. But the most important one is the on-site permit. And
that is at the very day. >> We hope that we can reach out to you as a board by Friday with good news and say great news, the on-site permit has been approved. We can officially start mobilizing and turning soil. So hopefully by Friday we can send that message out to you guys. >> Fantastic. Second question was
>> official groundbreaking >> today. Um today Miss Bass and Mr. Busen led a phenomenal meeting along with our great IT folks and um uh the O AK team and we are we have put a pin in March
10th Tuesday at 10:00 we will be doing the groundbreaking. That is that is the date as of now. We would love for all of you to go ahead and reserve that date and time and bring the >> what time? >> March 10 at 10. >> Okay.
>> So, um we want to give them plenty of time to be moving some dirt, make it like a construction site and stuff like that. So, >> Oh, okay. So, it's not the official >> start. No, they they'll be started. You'll see machinery out there. We didn't want to go to an open field again. We wanted to go to a construction site when we did the ground breaking.
So, >> so that way they can have wall back lines. >> That's what I told So, we want machinery lined up. >> 10 a.m., right? >> 10 a.m. >> Francisco, Emily, you guys ready? >> The um the next pres any further
questions about LHS. >> So, yes, I do have one. I know the architect was a bit of a hold up. Have we straightened the architect out? >> Sped them up. Um if you'll notice, Mr. usually has no non gray hairs left. So
that answers your question. Um we're we're still working through architect and engineering um platforms to to secure all the final information. So it's it's and it'll keep going. We we'll need them all way to the end. So for the next two years, >> architectural updates, engineering
updates, working contractors. >> We can email. >> All right. We'll move on to old business rack update. >> Yes. Good evening everyone. >> Um so long story short, we are pretty much completed with our WAN rack uh
project, but we're going to go through so railroad and underground permits. All 34 have been completed as of October 2nd. Um construction is completed. So, our underground construction phase, both
fiber and pipe have been installed. 265,000 213 ft completed for each. So, a lot building entries. These are our sites. So, there's 14 different sites. Um, construction at the individual school
and district sites are complete. So, you you can look at um for I know it's kind of small. I apologize for that. I just try to fit most things on one page. So if you look at the different sites um for existing proof, I know there's some
language on there that may not be as common. So that basically means that the ducts and conduits have already existed at some of those sites, so they didn't have to work as hard to install the fiber. Um and then the riser built sites, they had to construct new
pathways for the fiber. Um, and then the completed ones have been complete. So, they're all pretty much complete. Um, I don't know if Francis Hill, you want to talk a little bit more about it. >> Yeah. So, so really now Lance was here last week with all our fiber enclosures
with all everything in place. They were testing. I was trying to coordinate with Willie to have he has a little u little adapter. Mr. Samurai, I think you would love this. when he's able to pretty much tone from where he's at at the data center all the way to Cleon High School
to even you know label um to some of our label high school. So I was trying to coordinate that didn't fall into place but long story short yeah everything's already there in place it's ready to be lit. We're just walking through a final details as far as some finalization on paperwork finalization on we're going to
try to get Wamra to monitor our network too. So, we're going to get just pretty much now just the final details of the project. So, whenever everything is said and done, they can wrap it up in a vote and turn it over to ACSD. >> Yep. We have to do final system testing
and um you know, cut over to a private network. So, that's last steps. I know that it won't be lit till July 2026. And you're probably wondering why can't we just light it now, right? Um it's because we are still in contract with Lumen's entry link for our WAN. So
that's why we're waiting to um figure out our >> Yeah. In this case, we don't want to double dip because the moment in in the literal instance we put a light and we get service through, they're like, you know, where's my money, Francisco? I'm like, oh, well, Jason, and I don't want to do that.
>> I don't want to do that. So that's um so we did finish a few things before schedule. But as we're trying to get it to where we can get turn it on service a month before just to make you know see how everything behaves, how everything's looking like. So it's really a lot of the geeky stuff. Uh but I promise I'll
try to make it fun for you guys. One way we got >> just make it work. >> Yes. >> You all have any questions? >> Well, remember last weekend I was in your office? >> Yeah, we gave you the grand tour. I got the grand tour in front of it and we
discussed happened to be there and it was down. >> Yes. >> So that was pretty interesting. I mean >> yes we do have a lot of fiber cuts. So we >> So that should be eliminated with this pretty much right.
>> It won't be eliminated fully. No. >> So our win is different from the internet. >> So I think Francisco explained it a little bit last time. We talked about manrak but >> why don't you explain it again with the analogy because it makes
so the the best analogy I can use is our our traffic it's just just like whenever we driving into big cities um we think of our you know our package when we go out to the internet let's let's see it as cars so with what ram what is doing they're essentially building all the
highways internally from our data center here including them to all of our schools because our schools the way it's all connected it goes goes from the school side location to our data center here at the let's say the sub office and then from here it goes out to the internet. So what WAMRA did is they
build pretty much gave us that scalability from our data center to our schools where we can increase going back to the lanes from two five to 100 lanes that's 100 gigs. So where the cuts happen it's it's pretty much our with
our internet service provider it's lumen essentially those cuts I my best analogy I can say it's that it's >> I95 correct to go out to the internet it what happens is when Blumen ends experiencing a cut their connection that
provides us internet service we get severed off and that's that's where we experience our outage. So what we've been trying to do is um myself, Emily, with a few other vendors, we've been trying to get um talks about how to we can't mitigate cuts, but how do we
reduce the impact of these outages? We have to come up with something. So there's we've been talking to a couple of ISPs. Hey, here's what's happening. Here's what internet service. >> Yeah. Here's what the district is suffering. Ultimately, the fact that um it sucks. We have to go. We show face to
the schools. Okay, I apologize, but we're definitely, you know, trying to get something in motion to help reduce that. So, um, right now is the very very genesis. >> Um, yes, I'll just having conversations on what ISP can provide us the SLA, the
service level agreement that they're promised as a almost 99.9% uptime as well as, you know, something that's resilient where it's not like, all right, well, Francisco, you got it cut out in Georgia and now you're down. >> What happened that day? Well, that's
what I was asking. We've had Miami and near Atlanta. We have a country in Atlanta. How does that impact us? >> Um, so right now the pretty much all major network, their backbone is fiber. So, a lot of these a lot of these ISPs,
these um internet service companies, what happens? They have terminals that stretch out. Fiber can run for miles and miles. Well, most network engineers, they call it kilometers. for kilometers and kilometers long. So essentially a fat uh cut that happens out in Miami
will in fact affect us. Vice versa also >> well and the one in Georgia it was a leased f it was a lease fiber from Comcast actually but Centry Link or Lumen was leasing and that got cut and that's what affected them. >> Correct. So a lot of them what will
happen is they'll piggy back off of other service providers and then they'll end up they end up having an issue. That's where the resilience comes in. They try to f they try to have failovers like one service goes down then what you'll be routed to the other. So essentially um that's what we're trying
we're trying to find a way to have pretty uh pretty much have these lumen outages lumen nightmares and gravitate to something that's more resilient and more >> yeah so we are exploring our options as you know with we get 90% off on our
internet. So, um, we are looking into a secondary incoming connection. So, that's if we have that secondary incoming connection, we can still have Sentry Lake, but when they go down, they get a cut, we will reroute the other secondary connection to cover all the
schools. So, it is something that we are looking into. >> We'll switch the people. >> Yep. >> Back up. >> We can't use that language with ease. So um yeah it's it's going to be basically the secondary incoming connection will cover the lamel schools
>> and then the clin schools will be covered by centri but then when one side goes down we can route them to cover all schools. Yeah. And the amazing thing about that, so with Wanrack, the fact that we're able to have the scalab scalability, it's already there in
place. So when our internet service provider says, "Hey, Francisco, you can have 15, 20, 30 gigs of download." Um, I'll be going crazy off the wall, but that our backbone would already be there. We would already be able to pretty much have that traffic flow through all of our schools. With Lumen,
>> um, we're we we're stuck at a certain gig. And if we want to increase that then again they'll pay Francisco and I'm like no you haven't you haven't provided us our our uptime like I think we need to have a different conversation. >> Yeah. >> So we are looking into the fiber because
we know that it is affecting the district and we we know how important it is to have reliable internet. So we are looking into it and hopefully we can find a solution by the end of the school year. >> Thank you. That was a great presentation. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. I'm
>> really And by July. >> Yes. July. >> That's the goal. That's the goal. >> Oh, it's for sure. July. >> All right. All right. I like the confidence. I love it. >> For sure. 100%. So, they finish earlier than we anticipated. >> That's right. >> So, then you'll be testing testing
everything in June, making sure 100%. When July comes, we're >> we're live. We're live. >> I love it. >> Thank you guys. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. So,
moving on. Madam of attorney, you have some updates for us. >> I do. So, I'm here to present on two important agenda items related to the procurement of food services. The first is the notice of rejection of all bids.
And the second is a final order of dismissal of the protest that was submitted by 70. So we'll take each separately. I'll start with the notice of rejection of all bids. As you're aware, the district had issued an RFP for food services and after the
evaluation of all the bids, the contract was awarded to Sudexo, which was a required food service provider. However, a bid protest was filed by SP um which was the unsuccessful bidder.
And under the law, the protest had to be stopped or I'm sorry, the award process had to be halted in light of the protest in conformance with um all the well while the protest was under review. So in order to avoid any disruption of
food services for our students, we've worked closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is FDAX, who approved a series of contract extensions with Sedexo under the existing contract. So,
it was a six-month extension that was initially granted and then subsequently a second six-month extension which would ensure that the services will continue through June 30th of 2026. We will need
the new contract in place by July 1st, 2026 to ensure smooth transition of food services. Um so now in response to the bid protest protest FDAX has provided us with guidance on how to move forward and
specifically they've approved a course of action where we reject all of the bids under the existing award or would have been the award um and issue a new RFP in accordance with the current FDAX
guidelines. And this new RFP is hopefully going to be posted in January and we anticipate bringing a recommendation back to the board by the May board meeting. We have a cushion built in to where if we needed to, we
were in a pinch. We could do it at the June board meeting, but the goal is the May um meeting. So, at this point, the rejection of all bids is before the board for approval, which is an essential step in moving forward with the new RFP process. And I recommend
that the board approve this notice so we can proceed with reissuing the new RFP and ensure in compliance with FDA's updated guidelines. So, that's the end of my presentation for that piece of it. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Otherwise, if the chair
wants to call for it. >> Okay. >> All right. So, we have a motion on madam attorneys. >> Second. >> All right. We have a mot by Miss Houston, seconded by Reverend Brown. Do we have any discussion?
>> All in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. Motion carries. >> Okay. Thank you. So now moving to the next item that I have is the proposed final order of dismissal. Um
this relates to what I just said. It's the final order of dismissal of SF's protest. It's important that I note that SF's protest was not only untimely, but also now it is moved since the board
just rejected all the bids. Essentially, we're scrapping it and started voting to put it in the most simple terms that I can. So, by rejecting all the bids and reissuing a new RFP, we're effectively addressing the concerns raised in SN protests as the pro as the process is
going to be restarted. and um we have pro proper oversight and adherence to FDA's guidelines and therefore I recommend that the board approve the final order of dismissal for the bid protest which allows us to move forward without any further legal challenges and
in a nutshell this is what resolves the protest from the date of the final order. So, say we stamp it for tomorrow likely since it's 7:00 at night, there would be a potential for an appeal process within
30 days of that date of the final order. So, that concludes my presentation on that piece and I um would answer any questions, but otherwise the chair call. Madame attorney, has this piece that you are um just outlined, has that gone
before DOA, an administrative law judge? The So, this will be submitted and um DOA would take it up if an appeal was filed. Okay.
>> Um it do you anticipate SF filing an appeal on this? >> I can't say what they will do. It's my opinion. This is exactly what they've asked for. I mean, we're not happy with the award process before. This rejects all of the minutes from
your last vote. This dismisses the protest. Like I said, it's on two basises. The first being is our position that their bid protest was untimely. So, that they wouldn't have been successful either way. But now there's a second component which is really strong that
their bid protest is we just rejected all the bids. I don't see any sufficient legal basis for there for them to challenge our decision, but anyone can challenge anything. >> Sure. >> All right. That being said,
>> we have a motion. >> So move. >> Second. Motion by Miss N, seconded by Re Brown. We have any discussion? So, if they're going to do a new RFP and that's going to come in in a timely
manner, I would assume uh but we still have the summer feeding program. What are we going to do with the summer feeding? Was a problem we had this year was does the contract stay over for the summer feeding program?
>> So, we have a second six-month extension that was approved by FDAX and it's currently in play. So right now the ex the old existing contract with Sedexo runs through June 30th. Any new contract
with whoever gets the job would start July 1st. So there would be a smooth transition of services. There would be no interruption in food services including the summer program. >> Okay, that's what I was wondering. So would the process be about the same?
I mean we going to set a criteria and then certain not myself but I was able to observe last time and the presentation will be the same >> same sort of process. There will be um maybe different requirements. It's all
approved by FDAX and they they haven't given us final approval. Mr. Alex can help me here. I wouldn't miss you at all. But we're waiting on FDX to approve the RFP and we're hoping to hear from them by I think January 8th or the first
week of January after the holiday. I'm not sure. Um for them to get final approval so that we can post it and then start reading the responses and then we'll have >> Who is FDAX? >> FDAX is the Florida Department
>> Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. >> So they'll help set up their criteria then. Yes, they approve the criteria and they make sure that it conforms with the current guidelines which the old RFP is important for me to note to you conform to their requirements. But you know it's
always evolving and changing. So the current guidelines our new RFP is going to conform to that. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Good. >> So now any further discussion? All in favor say I. I
>> I both motion carries. >> All right. Thank you, ma'am. Appreciate that. So, we will move on to board member business. Um, Mad attorney, do you have anything that you need to bring to the board?
>> No, I don't. >> I have a couple of couple of things and I'll be quick quick as possible. Uh, number one, um, I'm going to record a couple of videos uh, tomorrow and one of those is going to be a holiday video to send out of all of our employees saying, you know, thank you, we love you, hope
you have a good break, come, you know, be safe, see you in January, you know, raw type thing. And, uh, we love doing those. The other one is is um, we're going to start an attendance challenge. We know that it's important for a student to be in school um, in order for a student to learn. And so attendance is
important. Our attendance actually is tracking pretty well, but uh we want to push it higher. We want to do the best that we can possibly do. And basically what's going to happen is monthly there's going to be a u for all students who have perfect attendance there's going to be a drawing. We can put the
names in two hat at each school and draw a name and whoever the winner is is going to win a $100 bill basically. And so we're going to do that. So, um, I'm going to sponsor a month and so if any of my colleagues on the board wish to also sponsor any of that. I'm certainly
open to it and welcome to it. So, I'm trying to do it. We're going to do it without, you know, donations like ours and others not or school dollars. So, just letting that you know that and if you are interested in that, let me know. Um, and I would be happy to make sure you you come along with us and and draw
the names and reward those students and for their great attendance. So, just throwing that out. So, you'll see those videos hopefully by the end of the week. Um, I want to take just a moment too and do a quick uh year review. Um, we're at the last board meeting of the year. We're in the last three and a half days
of school, two and a half days of school now in front of us. And just kind of review where we are. Um, uh, you know, just a couple of quick things that just kind of speaks to where I think we are as a school district. As you well know, this year we witnessed the record growth
uh, academically in Hendry County Schools. Um, record performance by our students. I'm so proud of our students. I'm so proud of our teachers and our staff for for making that happen. I couldn't be prouder as as a as a parent, as a as a leader in the school, as a former teacher, uh, and as a citizen of
the growth that's happened. So, thank you as a board. Thank the great team that's here. Thank our partners, you know, they helped make that happen. And thank everyone who had had a part of that. Our digital academy of Florida, you know, has had some some some uh trying times. They now also are trending in an incredibly positive way
academically. And so overall, Henry County Schools, our brick and mortar as well as our online school, um is just doing absolutely phenomenal. That's what we're here for. We're we're educators, right? And so I'm proud of the work that we have collectively done and thank you
for your role in that. School safety, um we are second to no one in the state when it comes to school safety. Um the team that we have put together and the way that we approach it and handle it, education and safety are side by side. They're partners in what we do every single day. Um, we have when other
districts and state are calling you uh to get help and to get advice and coming and and witnessing what you're doing and how you're doing it, you know you're doing some things right. Uh, when you're when your director of safety is training other district safety and they're doing training on the state level, we know that we got the right people at the
table. But again, thank you for supporting that. We've been very aggressive on school safety. We will continue to be aggressive on school safety. We want children to feel safe. We want parents to know their children are safe when they come to our schools. And so I'm proud of where we have gone in school safety. Our career and
technical education programs um in in secondary as well as in adult programs continue to set records with regard to what they're doing, what they're earning, what they're learning, and where they're applying that in their life. My son went through um that and now is is is chasing his career of being
a diesel technician as a result of that. So I'm proud of what's happening. Miss Miss Goff continues to win grants and grow and grow and grow and I couldn't be prouder of what our students opportunities are in Henry County. I think you know this um today um we sit
at a perfectly balanced budget in Henry County. Today what what the projected expenses matches projected income for the district. Not a lot of districts around the state can say that today. So we are very proud of that. We have worked very hard. We've been very frugal. We have been very good stewards
of taxpayer dollars. We make everyone scrutinize where we're spending and how is it driving academic achievement in our school district. Our principles are bought in. Our teachers are bought in. The district leaders in front of you are bought in. And that's why where we are where we are today. On top of that, you
know, we get rated on our financial condition. They look at where our reserves are. They look at what we bring in. They look at what we spend. Today, Henry County School is number one in the state at the financial condition. And I'm proud of that. You know, that's because that we have had some unbelievable uh leadership uh in our
finance department. We have people that know that we are a business. It is about income and it is about expense. We're an education business. We're educating children, but it's still a business. And so, we have approached it from a business model and today we are sound because of it. And so, I'm very very
proud of that of the work that we have done and continuing to do here. >> I think we need a BIG APPLAUSE. >> YES. IT'S BEEN 26 years since a shovel's been put in the ground in this district to build a school. We're building a new school. We're doing that on our watch. We're doing that in our time here in
Henry County Schools. And I'm so proud of that. Um the work that's happening to make that um there's going to be another 70 or 80 years worth of learning happening in this building that you guys are helping foster and that the team in front of you, you know, are doing. So, so that is incredible. Um,
our graduation rate is steadily climbing. Um, as of today, the new numbers have come out and we're at 82% overall as a district with everything figured into it. And that that's the highest it's been in several years. Um, and that's including our online school, our students that we have in and Henry
Learning Success Academy and everything. And so it's up almost two points from where it was previously and multiple points the years before that. So what we're doing is happening and it's working. One of the most brilliant things that I think we've done as a board and it's also helped foster our our financial
condition. Health insurance should lift the culture of our employees. It hasn't always done that. Today we still have some room to grow in that area, but we are getting better. But today we are at a sound financial business when it comes to our health insurance. And so the moving to
the self-insured model has been an absolute brilliant move that we have done. We again we set the pace in the state. We were the first one in that. And in January, in the first quarter, we're going to be one of the first in the state to enter pool and risk sharing. And so our co health costs are
going to continue to go down. Therefore, further driving our financial condition and the health and culture of our employees. There's another big announcement coming about that, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag. We'll talk about in the first quarter of 26 that I think you and all of our employees are going to be
absolutely phenomenally happy and tickled with. Something that you're going to be able to provide to our employees. and we'll talk more about that in January and February. So, just to kind of give you a little teaser there. Um the and and the biggest thing, you know, if I had to put a pin in it, um I believe today that the culture in
Hendry County Schools is at an all-time high. I believe that our teachers for the most part are happy and they love what they do and where they do. They feel safe. When you walk across our campuses, you you see happy students. You see great programs. You see learning taking place. These great leaders that are sitting in front of you can go
anywhere. How much movement have we had at the district level in four years now? And it's been almost none. That's because we have created and fostered a sense of culture that people want to come to and live in and work in. And so I couldn't be prouder of the group around us, the relationships that we have and the way that we work together.
We're a typical team or we don't always agree. We're a typical team or sometime we go down rabbit holes, but at the end of the day, it's always with what's best for students at the center of the focus. And I think that that that has been evident and obvious. What we do with our funding, what we do with our time, what
we do with our programs, the student focus has to stay there and it has. And I'm super proud of that. Overall today, as you look around, public education has still a black cloud over its head because of a lot of litany of reasons why. But I'm telling you, the anomaly at
Henry County is doing great jobs. We are not perfect. We got a lot of room to improve and grow, but I'm telling you with regards to public education, I'm proud to be here. I'm proud of the work that we've done and I don't believe there's anybody doing much any better than what's happening right here. So, great war. We appreciate your support,
the direction we're going. Great work team for all the work that they do. Um, they make me look a lot better than I am, but at the end of the day, that's that's what we want to see happen. So, thank you all very much. Thank you for listening to my eight points of a year review. Um, I don't know if we'll see
any of you again between now and holiday break, but I hope everyone has a merry Christmas, a safe holidays, get some good rest, relaxation with your family and loved ones, and uh, in January, we'll hit the ground running and uh, we'll continue the the uphill battle and run that we do every single day. And I
wanted to do this year specifically for that reason. The crux of most of our jobs is to deal with the issues and problems in Henry County. Unfortunately, Miss Tanner, you know, she gets the pile on her, but so does everyone else in here. We're dealing every day with the problematic things and so it's easy to
get clouded of what's happening there. From time to time, we have to pick our head up out of the trenches and look at what's going on around us. And there are some great things going around us every single days in these schools. It's not just the bad things or the problematic things. They're actually a really small percentage of what's happening, but it
consumes a huge percentage of our time. So, I just wanted to make sure that we that we all took to took a moment to realize that in this this wonderful spirit of holiday season, the great things that are happening in the inner county schools. Thank you. >> Tanner, will you please put the clock
on? Anyway, uh I really don't have anything other than just to say uh how proud I am of our school district and and I wish them all a very merry Christmas and and a blessed new year. Thank you for all that you do. >> I know it's Clyde Johnson
representatives are here tonight. Is there anything you guys would like to say? You've sat here through this long evening. Is there anything you'd like to share with us? >> Well, we always love coming in. This is what you do on Tuesday nights for fun. You
>> know, it's great. It's great. Um we just enjoy working with all of you so much and we're so excited. We had to um you know the contract just so we had a contract uh for the emergency service agreement. Um but I know we've been able to to help all of you um most recently yesterday.
Um so we just we're so happy to be able to support all >> east side east side loaded. Yeah. The emergency response team showed up at Eastside. They were so excited. >> When we when we passed the master service was was focused on hurricane mitigation
and disaster recovery and that was earlier that was not even been a full year ago. We've now used them four times >> since then and with not with not even a hard win. Right. So it's been all things that have happened internally. they have shown up quick and taken care of it and kept the worst things from happening so
that mold doesn't start and things like that. So, we are very very proud to partner not only with that, but they've been a huge partner in supporter of Winter County Schools. >> Tonight, I don't I'm sure you know, but tonight specifically, um the amendment gave them the ability to use our contract to piggyback other
districts. Now, they can go to other districts and say, "We already have this in place. You can piggy back and use this." And so, the amendment we did on there tonight basically was to allow them to do that. So, we're proud to work with them so that they can gather more business and use us as a model for for what they can do. >> And thank you for your efforts with
these sites. >> I'm sure they were glad you guys were there. >> Yeah. The idea is to get it get in, get out as quick as we can. We I I was there. I saw the uh I call it the business interruption and it was the idea was just to, you know, get it done,
get out, you know, get kids back in the classroom and I'm hopeful. >> Good work. Thank you very much. Thank you, >> Mr. B. Did you have something? You looked like you were want to say something. >> I mean, and that team helps us so much because it was our principal, our
assistant principal, their guidance counselor had squeegees in their hand pushing water out the door and that helps. I mean, and then my crew got there a couple minutes later and then they were there about 15 minutes later. So that got our principal after wet shoes and you know wet wet wet uh pants
and along with Chris and man our assistant principal and the guidance counselors they go went and changed their schools and they got right back in the right back in the mix of the you know the education process. We you know they were there we got dried out last night and I believe they tested this morning. >> So they were in their rooms testing this morning. They had we had random
dehumidifiers at night. So it's like steps and before we were doing that it was just the principles and maintenance department and it was in the staff but east side had kind of >> we got education back online very quickly
>> very quickly. So thank you guys. >> Just one more thing I'd like to share is in the park and on Saturday night in Label we had jazz in the park. We had the fire four bands uh high school band, Cle Middle School band, Liddell High
School band, Lel Middle School band all played Christmas music in the park and it was at sunset. The lights came on. The park was absolutely beautiful. It was a beautiful night. The lights came on on the gazebo. You could see the band playing. It was a terrific night. I'd
like to especially thank Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Swindo who caught the hot dogs on their grill and all the band participants got as many hot dogs as they wanted and drinks and Mr. Adams took care of the findings and so I
wanted to recognize him but it was a terrific night and maybe we should think about doing that again. I loved it. Miss B was there for moral support. >> Oh, Miss Men was there. She was she was real real oversight. >> Yeah. and and I takes it is it is worth
>> but I didn't trust it to that point but I was over making sure food safety security officer >> it was it's also worth noting that Mr. Simike sponsored that out of his pocket he paid for everything and took care of it so that was very kind of me to do so was terrific that's it everybody have a
happy new year and merry Christmas it >> well I I'll just to your heart I really am impressed with Mr. understand what I could. You went above and beyond for our community. People are always griping. There's nothing to do and that was good for you. >> Well, thank you.
>> I'm proud of you. I really don't I can't >> I can't compete with everything they said down there. But merry Christmas. Happy New Year. >> This has been Oh man, this has been a year. Bist A schools building a school and and
safety and a balanced budget. Oh man. And you guys have done an awesome awesome job and appreciate everything. All you know, I always see one thing out of every one of you. You put forth your best effort to do what you were assigned
to do and I appreciate that. So you are beautiful. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Well, now I'm prepared for my 20 minutes. Like Mr. SL 20 minutes. President was set Mr. Vasque. Um so I
want to say it has been an extraordinary year. I know that we have set up here many years and Nash teeth um particularly on the budget we've uh and so it's heartening to see that um our budget is balanced and um you know
congratulations to the superintendent and the board on the you know the points of the year in review. Um, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the families um who choose um to send their students to Hendry County School
District and who have trust and faith in the quality of ed education and the safe environment um that they are being educated in. And you know, at the end of the day, we our business model would not exist without parents and families
choosing um Hendry County School District, particularly in the strong uh school choice environment that the state of Florida is in. So, I just um I think that's very important and I want to say thank you to the staff who steps up every day. Um one thing I've learned about education is it's always a moving
target. there's always a new challenge and um you know you got to be nimble, quick on your feet and problem solvers and I see a lot of that going on in the district and um so you know I'm thankful it's a it's a profession that a lot a lot of people don't want to step up to
or some people even get into it get scared of it run away but you know the courage it takes to show up every day um for the students keep kids um and students at the at the center at the focus of everything that we do and the decisions we make And I just appreciate that like we're here. We're
leg we're the legislation uh version of the or the portion of the district, but the boots on the grounds and the people who are implementing it and doing uh the work are the ones who like really deserve to be commended. And so um just want to tell you that you're appreciated. Even if I'm up here
questioning everybody and giving a hard time, that's the way I show love. And um just don't y'all feel love now? just so droop hug here. And so um and so thank you for that. And
so back to uh I mean I don't want to like leave everybody with a warm and fuzzies here. So I'm going to ask for in the January meeting if we can get PM2 data >> just to to see it. >> Okay, perfect. And I'd just like a comparison about like where we were last
year, like a year-to-year comparison on that. and um want to say happy holidays to everyone and I'm looking forward to um a exciting and um
2026 full of lots of progress. And that concludes my comment.