Good morning. I now call the August 14th, 2025 administrative briefing and work session of the Marian County School Board to order at 900 a.m. Please silence your electronic devices to avoid disturbing others. Mirroring and modeling how our students begin each day, I ask that you please pause with us
for a moment of silence. Please join me. Thank you. I'll now read our board commitment statement. We are the Marian County School District leadership team. When we c when we come together to work, we are efficient, effective, and productive. Our three
most important characteristics are dedicated, transparent, and individually responsible. To work well together, we must demonstrate respect, confront reality, and be accountable. We will always put students first. We will leave a legacy of success. Um, good morning,
Attorney Powers. Would you go over the rules for our public workshop? >> I would be glad to. Thank you very much. Good morning, uh, Madam Chair, and good morning, board. I will now um this work session is a public meeting as defined in Florida's sunshine law. The board is dedicated to full transparency in its
meetings and its work. In compliance with the sunshine law, the board's adopted uniform meeting procedures, including the rights of citizens to participate. The board will allow public comment regarding any work session item listed on today's agenda at the appropriate time. Speakers must fill out
a request form located in the lobby and hand it to the board clerk. After the board and superintendent have completed their discussion on a particular agenda item, the board clerk will call the speaker's name in the order received. Each speaker will have three minutes as required by the Sunshine Law. The board
must maintain orderly conduct and proper decorum throughout this meeting. Finally, speakers must be very careful not to violate the privacy rights of others, especially students or their family members by mentioning their names or identifying information. Thank you for your attention to these important
rules. Thank you, Attorney Powers. Good morning, Miss Martinez Young. Can you please provide the proof of publication? >> Good morning, Madam Chair. The notice for the August 14th, 2025 work session was published in the Ocala Gazette on August 1st, 2025. Proof of publication has been attached to board docs under
proof of publication. >> Thank you very much. Good morning, Dr. Brewer. We guess we're ready to get started. If you will kick us off with workforce housing. >> Yes, ma'am. Good morning. We have um Jason Roberts here today to provide a presentation on upward communities. Um
he will provide the presentation and then be available for any questions that the board has um for him. Thank you for joining us this morning. >> Thank you. Uh good to see you again. Um I wanted to come and give a brief update
of our current status and some of the work that we've been doing. And so I'll try to go through the presentation. Um and our hopes are is to continuously through these workshops give weekly or every two- weekly updates and our progress and what we're the problems
we're running into and then the solutions that we're creating and and go through that. So, so status update is on uh June 10th, you know, we sent leases to the Ocala legal
team. Um 26 Ocala returned a very extensive redline uh document which we read through and which was lots of good questions. And what that also let us know is that we needed to work on the communication on our side and try to help translate real estate leases and
stuff like that to a better overall platform for you, for the staff, and for the community. So, we did prepare a video. We had our team put together a marketing program that was basically uh animated that allowed us to explain it simpler. that is also a video that you can share with anybody and and about
what we're offering and maybe helps bring to light some good questions that we can provide good answers for. Um, you know, we are excited the school year is kicked off. It just started and we're also very thankful that the staff was able to meet with us yesterday knowing
that they're incredibly busy and uh to make us a priority and and give us time to go through the legal documents and give us time to go through the concerns. So, we had a great meeting yesterday. Staff was very involved. Um, we're going to after seeing the response from the
school board, after seeing the response from the city who we've met with, and even some county officials about the support, we're going to double our resources and double our efforts to applying this to making this happen as soon as possible. Um, so we've had nothing but good feedback, good
comments, and we're also just thankful that kind of get in a routine and staff is going to give us weekly uh time to go through the questions and concerns and with their already overworked schedule, we're very thankful for that time. Um,
some things have actually really that are difficult in other areas in different school districts and different states. Uh, a lot of the blessings have fallen in our lap like we've shared looked at locations I'll kind of share with that here. Oh, let me go back for
that. But just letting you know there's when we've shared with some of the property owners about the locations of what we're looking to do and we've shared with them the school board minutes and the meetings, uh, some of these property owners have really come out of their their shoes to accommodate
us to say we would rather our property be sold for this purpose. So, you've got a wonderful community. You've got wonderful people here that want amazing things for your school district and uh it really shows. Other places were not blessed with that same type of
opportunity. So, um I think we're at this point we're really narrowed down to continuing to go through with staff and legal making sure that they understand the the lease structure and then we'll be getting into very much into the
program of the location, but then meeting with staff and meeting with the people that actually would need to use this and making sure that we d-risk this for the school district and for us to make sure that we know how many staff members we're going to be helping and who would be staying at these locations.
So, there's an entire process that we'll be doing will be most important after we go through the lease structure. And uh to give you some examples of other school districts, every one that we've done that process with, we've doubled the number of interested parties
compared to number of units available. So, Hayes, we started off with 300 units. We have 640 interested on the list. uh Lockheart, we started with 115 units. We have 168 on the list. So, we're already outstripped the number of
units that we have available. So, here it's kind of the same thing. We need to do that with you guys. And uh talking to staff yesterday about that. Uh we're we're going to be coming around to that corner pretty quick, but we'll get organized for that. And so, part of that is this video. And so, I'll go to that. So, let's show you some of the work that
we did to help you guys send this and communicate to anybody else that needs to look at that. >> Just a second. >> Okay. Okay, sure. Please. >> Thank you, Kevin. It was just how the triple net lease works with
Upward communities. The district leases the entire residential community from upward through a long-term triple net lease, a structure designed to feel like ownership without requiring the district to build, borrow, or carry construction risk.
The district becomes the master tenant of the whole community, not individual homes, and is responsible for maintenance and repairs, insurance, and property taxes. But the district doesn't manage these directly.
The district will hire Upward as the property manager, handling all day-to-day operations, maintenance, leasing, and residential services. The district doesn't manage tenants. Upward consults with the district on key
program decisions like who qualifies to live there, how rent is structured, and how the housing supports staff. The district sets the intent. Upward executes. The lease payment is fixed in year 1 with stable, predictable increases over
time, so it is easy to budget. And it's designed to be revenue neutral, meaning rents collected from teachers and staff are expected to fully cover the lease payment, operating expenses and reserves, and insurance and taxes. The program is built to pay for itself
predictably year after year. Think of it like leasing a car. Instead of purchasing it, you make monthly lease payments. And while you don't technically own it, you treat it like you do. You insure it, maintain it, and
drive it every day. And if you decide you want to buy it later, you have that option. That's how this lease works with real control without the upfront cost. The district stays in control. Upward handles the rest. And as your needs
evolve, the program can evolve with you. Together, we deliver housing that works. So, uh, we encourage you guys to, it's a very general video just keeping things simple. Obviously that can a you know we
can answer all questions but I want you to feel free that you have that to share that I guess formalizes our concept of what helping explain what a triple net lease mostly looks like. Um I'll continue to move forward. So we're early
in this in the process. Um, we're in the diligence of the legal lease structure and also the land selection process, which the land stuff is kind of flown by really fast. Um, and
um, these steps can somewhat move around uh, largely because it's it's development. So, some things move faster and some things slow down and that's we juggle those things back and forth. Um, you know, we've, to give you an idea on locations, we found an amazing location
just south central of town, uh, in a highly, highly desirable area. We found two or three locations. Uh, which one would go first would obviously involve the school district's input and feedback on what would be most important and strategic for the school district along with staff and the feedback that we get
from staff. Um, but I would tell you that the uh normal process of selecting a location and getting through the entitlements of waiting nine months or longer to do those things, these properties are already fully entitled and have utilities and everything
accepts to them immediately. So, the only thing we pretty much gain 9 to 12 months with some with selecting one or two of these properties and it's very exciting. And we also have met with the city. We've also met with the county about the utilities and our structure of what we're doing. And we've had nothing
but good interest and support which is uh also very rewarding as well. Um so again, kind of in the timeline of expectations, we're going to double our resources, double our efforts. I'm going to come here every two weeks with our team personally and uh we're also going
to be talking every week and making sure that those things are productive. I think we're really close. Um, so I think you're gonna somewhere between this 9 and 11, you might see that expedited really, really, really fast. Just it could be up as as soon as 9:15, 920 that
we would be to the next stage of doing surveys with staff and finding the interested parties and and uh and having that dialogue with them. But that's that's the idea. We'll just say make sure that we get through there. Um, as
far as us, again, just to reiterate, um, we are still exploring some things. You are first in Florida, and so there are some things that come along with being first in Florida. We're looking at how do we put this into a nonprofit organization and how do we do that to
where there's possibility of donating this at the end of the non at the lease to the school district without obligating the school district to take it. So, there's a lot of things that we're exploring uh with Florida and the Florida law, but it's still all positive
and everything that we've already presented today is it's our position has only gotten clearer and more beneficial for the school district. So, and with that, I'll open it up for questions and ready to answer anything you got. >> All right. Thank you so much, Mr.
Roberts. Board, I open it up to you. Anybody like to start? I I'll start by adding that um uh >> that upward communities and uh staff and myself have discussed having a sort of a ber bifurcated meeting schedule where
once a week we're going to meet for a little while on specifically the legal concepts in the lease. Um and then also have a staff meeting and uh we did have a meeting with um Dr. Mr. Brewer, Miss Usher, Miss Boston Ellis, Mr. Blackman,
Miss Morant. Um, and we would like to replicate those meetings once a week as well. So that way in the meetings that they're having with the attorneys, it's a little less directed around the staff staff questions and the meetings they're having with staff, it less gets bogged
down in specific details of Florida law. Um, and I think that's probably a winning strategy so that we can, you know, sort of separate the time that we need for for each of those items uh in order to try to develop what solutions
need to be developed. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Attorney Powers. >> Dr. James. >> Um, well, and pardon my little grit in my voice today. I was actually hopeful that maybe Dr. Brewer or you could elaborate. The last time this came up,
you had some pretty strong feelings about things and Dr. Brewer did as well. So, I would actually like if we could get kind of a staff take or opinion on where we are with everything because I mean, I'm looking at Dr. Campbell beyond you, but I know at least two of us are
pretty passionate about moving this forward and you had some pretty strong feelings and staff seemed hesitant, which was something I had not heard of previously. And so is there a chance that we could just get staff to give some opinion or conversation? I mean, I if I'm the only one who wants that,
that's fine. We don't have to do it, but that's kind of what I'm looking to understand because there was a piece of the puzzle I was missing the last time we had this conversation. >> Dr. Brewer, one one of the things I wanted to ask if it's possible if the board could be sent the notes from the
questions that that were sent and the the correspondence between um both teams. so the board can see what challenges we're facing and how those are being met. Um, and I see Dr. Campbell leaning forward. Do you want to add to that, Dr. Campbell? Uh I I what I
would add to that is where the board came into the process and receiving the redlinined lease I believe is so much there there going to be so many steps beyond that that I don't believe while we certainly can receive the notes on
that there's a lot of legal ease that needs to get worked out. Texas law is different than Florida law they understand all of that. So, the unfortunate thing that I see, and I think I said this previously, is that we got in on the front line before some of those things had already been hashed
out. And I believe Attorney Powers probably would agree, some of those things have already been hashed out quite a bit since that redline document. Certainly, we can get every update that the board wants to have, but uh some of that, I mean, it's just going to be
minutia. I I'm ready to see what you know like the finished product more so or like have a handful of questions on on the close to finished product as opposed to the 105 red lines or whatever the number was that Dirty Powers had originally. But that that's just how I feel about that.
>> I would say that as to the uh as to the legal red lines and us trying to work things out, a lot of that is going to be stuff that sort of attorney work product and I think it's going to it's going to fly back and forth pretty quickly. Um, some of that will also be captured in
meetings with with staff. But I want staff, and I think Jason would agree and Dr. Brewer would probably agree. I want staff to feel comfortable asking and presenting the largecale questions they might have and then working some of
those out. Some of those can be dealt with very quickly. Some of them are larger structures which then take more um more tinkering to get to. So, um I certainly wouldn't put the kibash on staff through Dr. Brewer communicating
directly with board members in an email saying here's concerns we still have and here's questions we still have. Um but keeping in mind that those things it's difficult to emphasize that there may be a set of questions which seem to
be very large which tomorrow may be not really a problem at all and then others that are kind of on the horizon that the need to address or solve them is more immediate. And so the difficult part is going to be trying to get a
trying to give the board a sense of what things we need to address on what timeline. And I think that probably it's a better idea to let uh or it's it is at least a good idea, not necessarily a better idea than anything else, but it's
a good idea to um let that process be a bit organic where we're dealing directly. as long as the the meeting process is is achieving some functionality then if there are are issues which arise that are large scale
then I mean I'll tell you this I I will be the first one when I send a redline um I I will also include the board and let you know what I'm redlining what I'm working on um just I fully expect and this board's familiar with my red lines
they tend to be insanely detailed And so, um, when we get a response to that red line, then you'll you'll sort of see the process and and you'll know that 105 red lines may mean 60 of them aren't anything you need to pay more than 5 seconds attention to, you know. So, um,
but I'll I'll certainly allow input from Dr. Brewer and and, uh, Jason to give us further indications. >> Thank you, Attorney Powers. Dr. Brewer, >> yes. Um, we met yesterday. We had a very productive meeting. We went through quite a few questions and um Jason was
able to answer um and clarify really it's clarification um and so what we've asked is for this meeting that um attorney powers just shared that we're going to do page by page turn and so just for them for their team his attorneys to clarify just expand on some
of the language just because we want to make sure that everything is not just verbally stated um because he did assure us yesterday verbally on quite a few things that were not written in the language. Um and so he assured us that his team will clarify and expand in
detail. So I we felt really good. I did share um with Jason yesterday that the board um gave us consensus to move forward and so we want we want to make this work. We don't want to present um as we're being resistant. We just want
to make sure that all of the red lines are answered and clarified. So, we were excited about the movement yesterday. He's connecting Miss Morant to an HR director in Texas. So, we we feel confident about our meeting yesterday and look forward to further discussions.
>> I I would say that is yeah, a large part of this is it's been the summer. We're back in school. Things are getting in the system. The meeting yesterday was definitely just about organization. All the questions I've read through every single red line. They're fine. There's just there just needs to be additional
clarity on our part and make sure that staff fully understands what a triple net lease is and how this operates because their questions are of concern, but they're also great questions and we're going to do whatever it takes to make it ultra ultra clear and elaborate
to that there are no concerns. So therefore, everybody can move forward in confidence. And I think it was perfect to have the dialogue, got direct staff now with communication with the superintendent and the HR director. It couldn't have been better timing. And so I I think you're going to see substantial
progress in summaries probably in the next two weeks. And I think at that point in time, if there's still major outstanding issues, that's going to be great for us to discuss. But I don't I don't expect much after just already reviewing everything. But I think again
the dialogue, the timing, this all worked out very very well for us and for for I believe for the staff. >> Thank you very much. Um Dr. Ver, I I would like to request I don't I don't know and we haven't heard from everybody on the board yet. I would like a copy of
the initial questions um that our staff had um for upward and if there's notations on, you know, what we've found resolution on so far and what we're working on. And then I I like the idea. I think you all are meeting very fre frequently in attorney powers. I'll take
guidance from you on this. But I would like um an update, a summary um maybe every two weeks if you guys are meeting every week, maybe every two weeks. So you can say, you know, maybe you list an item, but you're it's in progress. So
it's a working document. um so that the board stays in the loop on what issues are being addressed, what issues are solved, and what issues are we having challenges with. >> What what may be helpful is that uh every two weeks when I give you your um agenda review summary, that might be a
good time for me to have developed a specific sort of snapshot of where we are now and then forward that to all board members. So that um and the only thing I would ask is that you please consider that whatever I'm dealing with right now it's it's still just a
snapshot. It's not it's it's it's a snapshot of a work in progress. So we don't know exactly and and you know I if I if I am able to make the time for it I I can even do that weekly because we are going to be having weekly um legal meetings in addition to the weekly staff
meetings. So from my perspective, I'll be able to give you routine updates. I would just ask that with those routine updates, you understand that they're >> absolutely >> they're they're >> Is that is the board agreeable? >> Sure. That's I mean it's fine as long as it's not any, you know, time consuming
extra work that's going to be just over. >> No, I think I can I can narrow it down. I mean, that's what what I mean is it's going to be a summary. If you have questions, call me, you know. >> Perfect. >> I was just the only recommendation I was going to make is to put it in the weekly updates we get from Dr. Brewer because ultimately this is much bigger than the
board and um I mean the board is going to be a decision maker obviously in this process but this this work is going to impact not just our employees but a lot of our staff and so if there was a way that that the cliff notes could be just sent
for the weekly updates because the weekly updates goes to um what's who's the audience for the weekly updates Dr. Burr? >> The school board members and the executive cabinet. I just think that that would be most appropriate in my opinion because there are a lot of executive cabinet that are going to be participating in the work of this and so
if that would be plausible even at an every other week status because we already know to look in the weekly updates for weekly updates. So that would just be my recommendation personally. >> Thank you for that Dr. James. >> Okay. Yes, Dr. Campbell. >> Sure. And I I agree with what Dr. James
said in the beginning stages that there's going to be a lot of staff touch points that we need to get some answers clarified. But once this and I'm saying that when this happens, not if this happens, but when this happens and it's a done deal and we're moving forward,
then staff involvement completely changes. And Jason Roberts, you're you're welcome to speak to that if you'd like. But uh e even to the point I the video was great. Thank you. I love I love Vion is the Anyway, I I love creating videos like that because they
really are uh expl explanatory in a way that makes it fun and engaging and all. Uh but even the video talks about that we'll pay the insurance and the property tax and all that, but actually not really because you're giving us the money to do that. So, it's not going to
impact us fiscally the way anybody might expect. Our facilities team has nothing to do with the construction or the maintenance. And the only thing that's going to be happening when this occurs is HR will be having a conversation about how these homes are going to help
us recruit more people. I mean at least that if you want to speak a little bit more to that. Um but that's and but on the front end certainly our team has a lot of questions understandably first one in Florida. We have no examples of what this looks like. There aren't actually homes built even really yet in
Texas because we actually might have them ready in Florida before Texas gets their act. Sorry I I'm speaking out of turn there. Um but yeah, so if you want to speak to that just a bit, what staff involvement will actually be later on in the process. >> Exactly. I think that was a lot of the
concerns and good rightfully so. It's a massive project. It's uh several hundreds of millions of dollars, you know, and for that. So, uh we are servant-based and every school district and every zip code is completely different and has its own flavor and its own culture and its own town. And so in
order to design the homes to be extremely desirable for that community, it involves community involvement and us understanding you and what our your staff is going to desire and want. Uh but for the most part, like you said, facilities would normally be involved substantially because they would be
managing the property and responsible for the maintenance and overseeing that. facilities will never even have to enter to the property because they're not going to be responsible for anything, you know, and we're not going to add the only time that we're going to require from staff is going to be mostly with the HR director and the superintendent.
And the real reason for that is is tell us which staff that you're losing and so we can save you money and re retain that staff because they've been leaving because of income or because of quality of life. And then that's in Texas that's about costing each person that leaves
cost the school district $25,000. And so when you're talking about a hundred people, it's a substantial amount of money. So we're really focused on saving the school district money by helping with the retention process. Recruitment process, as far as that goes, is you got to tell us who you want us to retain.
What are the needs of the school district? Hey, what do you need us to recruit? That involves the HR director. But we're really a for free almost fully staffed hire gun to go get those folks for you and to go put those people in
these houses for you. And so um we will meet regularly like once every six months after this process or sooner. We're we don't want to burden the staff with any additional hours. You're completely consumed with running your day job not to add another job on top of
that. And on top of that, you know, we're real estate experts and professionals. And so we need experts and professionals in this field to be operating this, running this, managing this, filling this, but this is for you. And in order for us to serve you very well, we just have to know you and we
have to be able to communicate with what your needs are. And once we know those needs, we're good soldiers. We're going to go forth and march and go get that done. But as far as time, there's a little bit of time in the in the initial phase because we need to learn what you need. Once we learn what you need, we've
got it conquered and then it's it's at your convenience that when you're available, we will be accommodating. >> Thank you. Thank you for that, Mr. Roberts. And and thank you for your commitment to this work. Um because this
isn't just a one-time meeting coming in from Texas every two weeks. It's going to be a commitment that you're willing to invest in Marian County. And I I for one am grateful that it wasn't just a consideration to come here, but you're all in on making Marian County be the
first opportunity in the state of Florida for you and for your your company and your brand to come here. >> Well, there are some serious things that have given us inspiration to be here. Um, I'm telling you guys, we've been all over the country. We've been invited to Nevada. The California Department of
Education asked us to come to California. Uh, you know, we've been asked to go to Tennessee or Steamboat Springs, Colorado, everywhere. You have a very good community of strong leadership. And when we see the city,
the county, and we see the the school board, and I remember I watched the minutes of the last meeting that you're like, "This is how, not when." That gives me the comfort that this costs hundreds of thousands of dollars of money that we risk just to get this off the ground that it just gives me such comfort that there's going to be a
problem and I've got a team and I've got people that are going to work with me on coming up with a solution for it. And that's what we are looking for is the people behind this and I can't I got to be honest I wish you guys were everywhere. If you were everywhere my our life would be a lot easier. Um, and
so I'm very thankful. Just be who you are because who you are is great comparatively across the country. And if you just stay that way, I'm going to give you everything I got and it's going to it's going to be it's going to be fun. >> Yes, Dr. B. >> Nothing else. I will share our notes.
>> I thought there was a sign that you wanted to say something else. >> No, I I just appreciate his um the time yesterday. It it was a very productive meeting and um Yeah. >> Okay, great. Anything else from the board? Yes,
>> thank you and good morning. Um, I think what you're probably seeing is that we have had a tremendous need for workforce housing uh for quite a few years now that um had yet to be met. So
when you brought your concept to us uh for me I'll just speak for myself it was a tremendous relief because we we know that we need it but so far um there's been underserving you know and so what
you are proposing is very quite possibly a way to move us forward as a community in a way where people won't just want to come and live and work and play here. They'll be
able to do that um without being priced out. And that uh for me as a school board member that you know as of November will only have a year left um is really meaningful because when you have the right people in the right
positions for the right reasons and they stay I mean that's you know that's the triple crown. So, I appreciate uh the innovation and I think it's something as a board we want to continue to to foster and encourage
from from ourselves and from staff. Um even though it's a little bit scary, you know, it's like who's going to be the business owner? I guess that's a specific question I have. Have we gotten to that point yet of who's going to be owning this uh >> baby as it grows?
I'll hazard an answer to say that um we've developed uh sort of a a staff group and the staff group includes a number of parties that all have to come together for that. As I said, Miss Morant, Miss Boston Ellis, um Dr.
Brewer, um Mr. Blackman, um who am I forgetting? Um Miss Sasher, of course. Um so and and among there the voices are ones which are from you know a finance perspective. There's good questions
about how um you know how uh the revenue um side looks from Miss Boston Ellis. There's good questions about the HR side which um Jason's given some information um to Miss Morant about how about
someone else that she can contact that can give her more direct detail on on that um questions about law. I mean of course we're going to have those meetings with myself, Mr. Blackman, Mr. Blackman, myself and Miss Brown have all been working on, you know, specifically
the some of the tax questions and making sure those are properly answered as to Florida law, you know. Um, so, and Miss Usher, of course, with facilities experience, um, she's she's asking some of the very hard questions, you know, the ones that are perhaps
unpopular, the ones that are that are difficult because she's got to say, "Hold on, I need to really and I'm very used to that feeling with a lot of contracts. I'm used to being the one who has to say, "How is this going to pass an audit? What what does this mean for Florida statute?" You know, being kind
of the the oppositional one. So, all of us have to do that. And um so I don't think we have a solitary business owner. I think we have something much better. >> Great. And that matches, you know, the innovation that this project appears to
require. Um it it sounds to me like it's going to be business owners, you know, plural, at least for a while. And then at some point when some when when an item comes before the school board to vote on, it'll be interesting to see, you know, who who's going to bring it
and and it may dep depending on what's where we are in the process at the time. It'll that will be the quoteunquote business owner. So, you know, when when you're in a structure that's sort of always been the way it's been, it's found it's a foundational shift.
>> And at any snapshot in time, um there are likely to be um difficulties that Jason is working on and Upward Communities is working on. um difficulties that I'm working on with their attorneys, difficulties that Miss
Usher is working on with facilities or finance just and when I say difficulties I mean challenges and answering questions because you know every challenge presents an opportunity. So those are all things that at any given time we're going to have individual aspects that I have more of a concern
about this than someone else and someone else may have more of a concern about that aspect than I do. And I think it it's a very important and and I've not seen any not seen any reason that anyone um on the team including um our partners
in Upward have in any way sort of negated anyone else's feelings and said like no you're just being difficult or whatever. It's it's a matter of you know trying to get the right answers >> right and if this is going to work and move forward quickly then it's going to continue to take that type of
>> collaboration. My my final question is on um slide five and it is um specific to uh the the land that is being identified >> and it says on side f slide five to be properly be properly zoned for
residential housing is the properties that you're looking at are they already zoned for residential? Yeah, it's um it's one of the blessings that we have as a larger scale solution when we're able to bring in 300 to 500 homes when a most of
these master plan communities are subject to delaying infrastructure because they need to sell 25 houses per quarter where when we come in and we're going to build 300 or 500 houses immediately, it allows we have to have the red light installed. we have to have
the turning lane installed. So these properties are teed up from a residential standpoint of already entitled with water and sewer connections already established to them. So that makes them, like I said, 9 to 12 months lightning speed faster. And then when we're able to present our product
for this purpose, which our product's amazing and better than I think some of the designs that are the properties are already entitled for um the county, the city, the folks are are in love with it because we're able to provide an
expedited infrastructure solution. We just have a different capital model of moving quicker. So yeah, there that's one of the things I just can't not understate. as a real estate investor, developer, uh you have some amazing locations with amazing people that are uh willing to
facilitate this process extremely fast. I mean, like I said, she mentioned possibly before some of my Texas assets, you just have some blessings that are right here on your front doorstep. So, I'm like, I'm coming every two weeks. we're going to get through this lease right away because I may the door as
soon as I pay attention to that property now there's gonna be 20 other people are going to pay attention to it and it may not be on the market longer. So we've been able to work something out on one location. There's another location that's amazing as well but that landowner is not as willing to explore us. We have to put up some serious
capital to obtain that property off the market and we won't do that yet until we get all of our eyes dotted and our tees crossed. But yes, >> got it. Got it. So the properties don't have to be reszoned. They won't have to go through a res. >> No, I think I got to learn some things on the the replatting, but because we're
not individually platting all the individual houses, this is one larger plat. I think it's it's actually a lessening of density. Some of these properties have multif family proposed on them for a number of units. And so when we go to the lesser demographic, all of a sudden, I think a lot of things are not required and we're
able to move faster. But uh I would caution I'm asterric still learning some things about Florida. I'll find out. >> And as much as I may be a glutton for punishment here, I've realized that we've in in most of our dealings with uh county and city, it is difficult to get
to, but it is useful to have an a local agreement which governs those factors. So, um, given interest by the city, given some interest by the county, um, this may be something that I do not want
to get bogged down in weeds of detail. However, it may be something that communicates a spirit of trying to work together in such a way that benefits the county, the city, and the school uh the school board to um propose a um to
propose an interlocal agreement specific to these purposes. Um and there's no requirement for that. However, it would be a good sort of structure within which to ensure that everybody's on board and that we don't
run into questions six months or a year from now that somebody, you know, believes that something should be done differently. So, >> James, >> well, it was board member Farah >> and our next uh joint meeting for
elected officials, is that in October? >> I think I think that's been moved to February. >> Oh, okay. We're wait I'm waiting on a date. Um but they reached out to me to move it to February and I have not received a date back. >> Okay. Um because it sounds to me like
quite a viable topic as an agenda item that uh would not could not just be an email, you know. Um I'm looking forward to having deeper participation by all of the entities and give us really meaty weighty things to talk about that affect
all three or for considering the municip municipalities can't talk today. >> All right. >> Yes. So understanding that the work of the interlocal
agreement can be a heavy lift at times. I believe that Mr. I believe that Jason is accurate and based on my understanding of development and I also think that if if it's working let's not
add a cog to the wheel. So if we are going into already approved developments and we are just going to put our neighborhood there instead of the neighborhood that was designed and it's simply about updating the way the plan
looks and we are actually putting less density in. To me, we do not need any more opportunity to create meeting after meeting after meeting to figure out how to agree about how to hold hands because
it is going to be heavy lift and heavy work. And my my expectation is that once we figure this out, let's go. Especially if we're going it would be one thing if we were just finding 40 acres and we had all this work to do because then we would definitely need to figure out how
to all agree. But if we are identifying and I say we by us being a collective group are already identifying pre-land use change done zoning done density done and all of that has already been done. There
is no reason to go above and beyond to get approvals that we don't need because we're already going to have the approvals because the work has already been done. And to me, that speaks to the work that you all are going to do because let's identify let's identify parcels that are already ready to rock and roll because then we don't have to
do a land exchange and then the community doesn't have to have an uproar because we're adding another neighborhood, right? This neighborhood is already approved. It was it's actually lowering the density and we don't have to go because the community will see, oh, the countyy's approving another neighborhood and that will
become a problem even though it won't matter that all the people already live here anyways. none of that will matter, right? And so I I really think if we can stay the course and get approvals very easily, then we don't need to get into the nitty-gritty of another interlocal
if it's going to at all cog the wheel. That's just my take on it. >> One thing I would add is >> that's perfectly valid. I I I think my my my concern came from there are potential individual issues that it' be easier to
put a short and simple interlocal agreement in there. Now, I understand that that is often extremely difficult. >> Yeah. >> But just wanted to let you know that's an idea that I'm kicking around. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes, Mr. and and and
hence my rather deep questions about the the zoning >> because what I am visualizing at the next joint meeting of elected officials that this can be uh an innovative project that touches all of us that we can finally
celebrate something together >> which >> and keep it moving. >> Yes, >> that's where I am with this. >> Okay. Did I think you had something to say? Yeah, I I you know, I'm in the solutions business, right? So, if you'll let us, we have resources. We're going
to come up with some solutions for some of these problems. And I think what we are finding right now is you're right. Uh this problem has been existing for a while. And it's not just for you. It's pretty much for all essential staff and uh way that works. And so I think you're
going to find a lot of reasons and commonality to work with each other through this process that are going to bring some people together that might have had some differences before. And we brought up a point about impact fees. You know, typically we ask to lower all costs as much as we can. We realized and
were brought to our attention that impact fees were going to be an issue uh politically because of other people asking for those to be waved. So we we agreed we're going to pay the impact fees. So that some people think that that's a showstopper. I'm again I'm in
the solutions business. If that we got to pay impact fees, then I'll just that means we lose one tree per house or something. We'll figure it out, you know, or so just we are going to uh to get through this. I definitely am very aware of there's a lot of social
ideas of everybody working to well together in the sandbox, but my priority first because you've been the first to step up is to take care of your needs and then if I can help other people along the way, we're absolutely going to do that. >> Well, trees can be donated. >> We can buy smaller ones.
>> That that's not my deal breaker. We have some great nurseries around um for me and and sadly, you know, uh for you guys, it it We waited a long time to reattach to reinstate impact fees because our economy here was in a shambles you know
for a very long time. So when we got to the point where we're like okay you know we really need to do this I don't think anyone sitting up here ever expected that it was going to take two years to get that done I guess you know personally I was more expecting well we can we know you guys waited as long as
you could so we're going to help you expedite this. Well that is exactly what didn't happen. So, we are where we are with that, but um I wish that we were in a position to be able to and maybe that's a board decision, but to be able to wave impact fees, but you know, we
just we put them off for so long for a lot of good reasons. You know, we kind of are where we are with that. >> Not a problem. >> We'll do. >> Okay. All right. Dr. Campbell. >> Sure. Just kind of to wrap this up because I I know you probably weren't planning to be with us for a full hour this morning, but uh and and it's not
just our impact fees. I mean, the county is putting in their fire and emergency services and transportation, and so there's there's other impact fees out there that I'm grateful that you're saying, "Okay, what's the hurdle? We're we're gonna we're going to jump over that hurdle with you. Let's just figure it out and move on." Uh, so and I'm also
grateful that this board hasn't had to call a technical working group meeting with the PL, you know, for the interlocal agreement or any of that to try and get because you're already boots on the ground having the conversations with the city, having the conversations with the county. And so all of those potential hurdles that we might have
seen, you're going to head them off before they even come before the hurdles even installed. And so, uh, just again, this is being done the right way and and I'm I'm grateful for how the process is starting to work and just can't wait to get over the finish line. So,
>> it only gets more fun. Um, there's going to be some challenges. There's going to be some difficulties, but you know, it's this is the hardest part is just believing. And once you believe, then the rest of it falls into place. And once you believe that somebody is here truly dedicating their money and their
resources to provide a solution, the rest falls into place. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you guys so much. >> Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Roberts. Is there any public comment? >> Okay.
>> Yeah. All right. Thank you very much. We appreciate you spending the morning with us and yesterday too with our >> to seeing you again. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Jason. >> Okay, Dr. Brewer, we're ready to talk about the tenative budget. >> Yes, we are. And we have Mrs. Boston
Ellis. She is here. She's going to share um a little information in response to last meeting. She's going to clarify some of the safe schools conversations, discussion points, and then she's going to introduce Kayla Johnson. Um and she will do the remainder of the
presentation. Thank you, Miss Boston Ellis. >> Thank you. Good morning, Chair Conrad, board members, and interim superintendent Dr. Brewer. Thank you for the leadin and as Dr.
Brewer stated, I wanted to go over the the uh questions you had about safe schools first. So, you did receive a revised um slide. It's slide number 89 behind tab three. And um just to to let you
know the total SRO cost uh budgeted for 2526 is $5 million 356,252. The amount that is in or budgeted in the referendum fund is $3,315,561.
the remaining 2,40,691 is in the general fund. So, we needed to clarify that and correct that. It's just the way the the um SRO's are grouped. So, that was an error on our part.
Um this is our last presentation. Um but if we need to bring back any answers to questions, we will be able to do that. on the 21st. It's already set up. Uh but uh this is the last
presentation and um it will include the remaining funds, debt service, capital projects, our special revenue fund, food service, special revenue fund other, which are
all of our grants, and then the uh health and property casualty self-fund. Um, so as Dr. Brewer stated, I'll bring up uh Miss Kayla Johnson. Uh,
she is the director of budgeting and I know all of you know her and she has been doing a fabulous job and I'm just proud to see how she has grown in in this area. Thank you.
Good morning, Chair Conrad, board members, interim superintendent Dr. um Brewer. Today I'm here to talk about the tenative budget for the capital projects fund, debt service, special revenue food service,
special revenue other which is the grants and the internal service fund which is where we pay all our self-insurance out of. On slide three, we'll look at the millillage levies once again. Capital Projects is by statute able to levy 1.5
mills specifically for capital projects. As we seen last week, the taxable value is at 42.9 billion. That's an increase of about 11% over last year. Capital is allowed to levy 1.5 mil. That
is set by the legislature. That has not changed over last year. We are estimating $61.8 million in revenue generated from the 1.5 mil. That is an increase of $6 million over last
year and that is due to the increase in property values. We did not increase the millage rates. The next slide will show you a history of the capital millage late rates. I've said before these are set by the legislature. So they have decreased
historically. In 2007 2008 we were able to levy a full 2 mills. In 2008 2009 that funding was reduced to 1.75 mills. And in then 2009 2010 it was
reduced again to 1.5 mills and that's where it stayed for the last 16 years. Slide five shows you how much money we've lost by this um change in the statute. The reduction of the two mills down to 1.5.
And as you know, we've had an increase in capital costs over the years and then decrease in funding up until we've done things like sales tax and the impact fees in recent the last couple years. Next, we're going to look at the capital
projects fund in detail. So, capital projects fund were estimated to receive $371 million. Um, 69% of that is the beginning fund balance. And what that is is a majority
of it is the leftover money from the certificates of participation that we received in 2024. So, that's sitting in fund balance and then we respend it in the next years. After that, 16% the 61.8 million comes
from the 1.5 mil capital levy. We are also so grateful for our community approving the sales tax, which is estimated to generate about $39.6 million for the capital projects fund. We also are estimating about $9 million
in impact fees. There's also other small funding sources such as capital outlay and debt service. PICO funds for charter schools that's strictly a pass through. You guys do have a handout that I gave you that will show you exactly what
funds in the capital projects are passed through to um the charter schools. We also received some small grants in the capital projects fund. At tenative budget time, we had budgeted
$25 million in expenditures. I know this looks like a huge gap between the revenue and expenditures, but that is because we have about $169 million in POS that had to remain open for
construction that was in prog progress when we close the tenative budget. So once we receive all the bills on those POS, we will then roll all of that over into the 2526 year. So that budgeted expenditure number will go up
about 68% is new construction and this is because we are building the new schools. Prior to the when we got the bonds in 2024 um a majority of our expenditures were based on remodeling and renovation to
try to update some of our schools. You'll see that capital projects also pays for a lot of other things besides just new construction and remodeling. They pay for maintenance on the schools, the property insurance, the debt
service, buses. We have a transfer to charter school and they also pay for equipment. This slide will show you all the different funding sources that comes into the capital projects fund and even within the capital projects fund there
is restrictions around each of those pots of money. So if we look at CO and DS those projects must be survey recommended and approved by the state. The local property taxes is has to be survey recommended and has to follow the
statutes. If we look at impact fees that is has to follow the ordinance that was passed and is for growth related um construction. Other capital projects are grants
specifically which each have their own specific requirements around them on what we can use them for. And then the certificates of participation are based on the um bonds that we issued. This is always a slide we like to keep
in here because we have not received PICO dollars in quite some time. So, PICO maintenance funds we have not received funding since 201819. And then new construction, we actually haven't received since 2008 2009. So,
this was a funding stream prior for capital projects that we no longer have and haven't had for a while. We're going to move on to impact fees. Um, we know we have reinstated impact fees, but first we'll look at the historical structure and then we'll look
at the current impact fees that were um, approved in 2024. So, if you look at the schedule here, this was our prior collection schedule for impact fees. Um, a pretty simple streamlined schedule here. Um in 2011
the board decided to suspend the impact fees at that time due to the economic conditions and you guys are all aware because you sat on the board when we reinstated the impact fees in 2024. Impact fees are restricted to growth related capital improvements and it is based on whatever
is written in the ordinance. I do think there was some changes when we wrote the ordinance for 2024. Um the historical impact fees we collected about $12 million. We are still receiving a small amount of interest on some leftover funds that
have been sitting there for a while. If you look there is listed every all the projects that we used the impact fees on sorry um including many um land purchases and several wing additions.
So I'll move on to the new impact fees and these were instated back in March of 2024 with effective date of July 1, 2024. As of tenative budget, we had collected about $6.6 million in impact fees. Um
there was a fourth quarter acral that would bring up total collections to 11.6 million. Our 2526 estimate for impact fees is about $9 million. This money right now is used to pay back
the debt service for the con new construction the cops 2024. I know this is looks like a conservative number. I believe in 2425 our estimate from the growth department was about $15 million. However, when we started seeing
collections from 2425, we did realize we weren't quite going to hit that number and had to readjust. Then, um we have a consultant looking at um the permits that have been issued to try to help give us a better idea of
what the actual number for impact fees will be. And once they have done their full analysis, we will be updating the budget. Chair, >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry to interrupt you, Kayla. I I just want to I don't want to say I want to correct something that you
said, but I want to redirect something that you said because we understand that the impact fee calculation here, roughly $9 million, we are using that to offset our debt service. However, what that
means is we understand how the impact fees are being collected and the regions they're being collected in. And so specific projects in those areas are being funded with essentially the same $9 million all around. It's just this is
replacing that uh money. I I don't I don't want the misconception that we are automatically using the impact fees just to pay the debt because that's not how the agreement is written. And so I don't want that to be confusing out there to folks. If we're collecting a significant
amount of impact fees in Northwest Marian County, it all has to be spent in Northwest Marian County. And currently, we don't have part of the $330 million loan funding projects in Northwest Marian County. So, we just have redirected money to those specific
areas. I I just you you said we're using it. I I know I know how it how we're doing it. I just don't want that misconception to be out there. certainly don't want somebody picking it up on social media in a print publication to say that we're doing that because we're
completely following how the agreement was written. >> So, I will add to that we do >> for we do track what educational benefit district the revenue is coming in for. I did not bring that detail today. Um, but
if that is something that interests you guys, we can bring that back. Um, and like you said, it can only be used for areas where there is growth. So, everything collected in a specific educational benefit district has to be spent in that educational benefit
district. >> Thank you. I I believe the statement had just been made that we're using all this money to pay off the debt service, which I understand that just means that the 1.5 mil capital that we're also coming in, those dollars are being spent and and we're not using those, you know, to
pay off the debt. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure that clarification occurred. Thank you. I think Dr. James has another question. >> Sorry. I think last year I made the same statement um because the clarification is important. My other point of clarification though
is impact fees have to be used on growth related building. And so, for instance, the work we're doing at East Marian Elementary, which is primarily being funded by sales tax, but if there was um new construction in the northwest quadrant of Marian County, which we all
know there's it's not like they're popping up a bunch of neighborhoods, but there people are building houses. Um, would it be fit for the definition of our impact fees to be able to use that those funds to support the walls, doors,
and security efforts at East Marian Elementary as an example? >> I I would say we'd have to go back to the ordinance, but >> and that's when that's my question. So because otherwise we shouldn't be expending every dollar
of the impact fees because there are quadrants of Marian County where we are not addressing growth unless the work we're doing for instance at East Marian can be defined as addressing growth. And if
there is a way to define that then I'm completely on board. However, if it cannot, when we went through all of the work that's being done um specifically addressing sales tax, we I I brought up the fact that like literally none of it
is being spent in District 5 essentially um as the plan was presented. And so my my concern is that we will collect impact fees but then other than a maybe a new playground which can we define a new playground as
um addressing growth I'm wondering how we are going to define spending money on growth in the capital department in areas. Do you see where I'm going? portables in
Ocala Springs. That would be an example. In district 5, >> we haven't added new portables. They've been sitting there for 20 years. So, I mean, >> if we were to change those out and we were moving those and have an Elise portable go that that's how that Yeah, Miss Usher is raising her hand to us.
>> Yeah. I mean, Miss Usher, >> sorry, Miss Usher, >> but I'm just to the point of what to the point of what Dr. Campbell shared and to extend my greatest concern. We should have money left over if we are not
doing impact fee defined construction in a quadrant. >> Yes. >> But I don't think we have money left over. I mean the way it was just described and last year is the same way that there wasn't money left over. And so I guess my question to Miss Usher or
someone if it can't be answered today it can be answered at another time. Is the work we're doing for security walls doors etc. fit within the ordinance of the impact fee. >> Miss Usher, thank you for coming forward. >> Thank you. The impact fee can only be
used for growth. For example, we have a K8 in the plan. We have different wings. Those we can use impact fee for safety and security or for doors or modernization. We cannot use impact fee. It is just for student growth related
projects. However, that doesn't mean we won't do those projects in the northwest because we have the local capital improvement fund which is 1.5 millillage and we do have sales tax. So, we can focus the impact fee money beside paying
debt where we need it for growth and use the other funding sources for those projects such as doors and renovations. My point is there should be money left over at the end of every fiscal year in the impact fee bucket if we are not
doing a project in the quadrant in which it was collected. That is my point. So if we are not doing to date since we have started impact fees I'm not aware of any growth related anything north of like I don't know four
uh 40 and so in probably two of the quadrants at least I don't have the map in my head but I'm >> so what we can do Dr. James, if you would like, is we could get you the revenue breakdown that is based on the educational benefit districts and then
what projects are in each of those areas that are growthrelated so that you we can give you guys more of a visual of what is going on with the impact fees >> and then whatever money is left over because and so I just really and I said this last year, Dr. Campbell at the
discussion today. We have to stop saying what we said because the money there should be money left over. And I don't want anyone to think there is not money left over. Internally, we know we're taking this money, we're doing this, and then there's other money and it's all great, but there has to be money left
over because I just find it hard to believe that we've spent it all. I mean, maybe we have, but so that that's that is sorry to believe the point, but that is really for me what we need to make sure that we are all on the same page about. um because there are areas of our district where we are not collecting a
lot but we're also not doing a lot related to growth. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Anything further? >> Just just one final point on that. I I I would agree and I believe the board would all appreciate especially since you just said fourth quarter numbers. When you get those fourth quarter
numbers, then just give us our five districts and say how much was collected in each of our districts. We'll then know what those monies were spent on in our districts or to Dr. James point District 5 doesn't have growth related things that are occurring and so
whatever was collected in impact fees over this past year kind of sits in a reserve bucket but just we we don't see that here. I know that that's how it's being done. It's just it it's not clear yet.
>> Yes. And like I said, we'll bring something back to you guys to clarify or send it out in an email following the presentation so that you guys and if you have additional questions, you of course can reach out to us. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> So, is there any other questions on impact fees?
>> Okay. >> Okay. I >> think we're good to go. >> So, we'll move on to the sales sir tax and um we'll start with the historical >> trying to get a statute number and I'm g me west law is giving me different information. So,
>> keep going. Okay. >> Oh, wait. Nope. >> Yeah. >> Siri has a mind of her own today. >> Yeah. >> Think we're good. >> All right. Miss Johnson, I think we're good. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> So, the sales sir tax, we did leave this separate because you guys know we had a um a sir tax that expired in 2009. So, we did leave this as the 2009 tax and then we have a separate slide for the new tax. Um, total collections from the
2004, I'm sorry, the 2005 2009 sales tax was $111.7 million. And the cost at that time for the sales tax, we did the Horizon Academy at Marian Oaks, Liberty Middle School, um,
Marian Oaks Elementary School, Legacy Elementary School. I believe they looked at um the middle school DD and elementary W and I don't believe they were completed at that time. The new sales sir tax was voted November 5th, 2024 with an effective date of
January 2025. This sales sir tax expires in 2034. For 2526, we're estimating about $40 million in revenue and based this was based on July 1st. So the the the priority at that time was to do the
replacement elementary school for the Belleview Elementary and Belleview Santos Elementary School and that is what is currently in the 2526 budget. We also are required to distribute a portion of this to the charter schools at $860,000.
The next two sli I'm sorry. The next two slides are a list of that all the capital pro Oh, hold on one second. Yes. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I just have a question. >> So, we have five charter schools in Marian County. >> Yes. >> Is it distributed based on their enrollment?
>> Yes. So, it's um based on FTE. >> Okay. So, I mean, how many FTE do we have between all five charter schools? There's not that I mean there's not that many >> thousand 1,200 >> I don't know the number off the top of
my head but um >> Ben says a thousand so I'll go with Ben says >> so $8,600 extra per student they're getting in sales tax. >> Yes. >> And that's that is the formula that we
are required to distribute. Well, of course. I mean, I know I know I know we're not just giving it away, but I mean, $860,000, $8,600 a kid is a lot of money, especially for some of those more small
schools, which it's wonderful. And they're our students, their Marian County students. And so, um, what is the accountability measure for us ensuring that they, and maybe this is a Mr. Mr.'s question, but how are we ensuring that they are spending the money they're receiving the way that we have to spend
the money? >> I would also defer to Mr. Ays. I know for the referendum, which is allocated similar as the actually the exact same formula as the sales tax, they are required to submit a report to us, but
it's an agreed between us for them to submit the report. And from what I've heard from other school districts is we can't really require them to provide us anything >> fair. We we are required to they are
required to provide us um documentation of their FTEES. What we don't get to do is audit how they're spending it. But it has to be spent for capital. Sales tax.
Sales tax has to be spent on capital. What what they buy in the capital bucket. Okay, fine. But it has to be spent on capital. So I'm just asking where is the accountability measure to ensure that they're spending it on capital. >> They have to get their own audit. So the charter schools are required to have an
auditor come in every year um just like the school district is. And we do receive their audit reports. And that would be the accountability measure they're taking. >> Okay. Sorry. I was trying to um I I just
about crashed out when you just told me all this. I was trying to figure out how many students were at um ina is the largest. >> 1231. I just did my >> Okay. I was trying to see which charter was the largest, which I think is ina, right? >> That's correct. >> And how many students do they have? It's
going to be on the elementary list. That's why I can't find it. 198 plus >> 400ish 400. >> Uh >> yeah, >> I mean that's a lot of money. >> It's 580 584 is what or 580 something is their number that they're looking at this.
>> Yeah, that's $5 million for a brand new facility to get. I'm just wondering how they're spending it. So this board member wants to know and if there's no legal way, then I'll figure out another way to tackle this. But I'm wanting to know how a brand new school is spending
$5 million on capital because >> but capital can be transportation can be safe. >> They don't transport. They all have fences and buzz doors. >> They have SRO's. They're going to have >> I'm I I understand >> not $5 million in SRO's. So I'm just
wondering because an SRO costs at the top end $150,000 if they're paying all in. So, $5 million is just a significant amount of money. And I want to ensure for our taxpayers that if we are passing the money through to another entity that
it is being used the same way because we certainly would figure out how to use it. And so that is that is just the the the um pressure point I have. >> Sure. Maintenance. I mean, the building will eventually get old. They'll need a new roof. They'll need I mean so all of that but I understand $5 million on a
brand new building is >> but you don't get to roll over the money right >> sales tax does >> so 10 years >> no it could be held in fun >> yeah I mean we we have been spending you can see here on our sales tax >> for the the first one we had in the 2004
we were still spending money of it in 2024 >> but do they have to spend it any of it or can they save all of it? Yeah, they can save it. There's nothing that says they have to spend it at a certain point in time. Um, I just want to clarify you you're saying $5 million for Aina and I
the total for all the charter schools for the sales sers tax is 6 860,000. So I I I 860 >> for the whole year. >> For the whole year. Okay. >> Which roughly half would be on a >> Yeah. I Okay. I don't know. Maybe I did
a 10-year number or something. I don't know how I got there. >> Maybe over the 10 years. I I would like to know and understand how they are how they're spending it because certainly we will maximize how we spend it if it's here and so I want to make sure that they're spending it on capital for their
needs. Some of the schools are much older. Macintosh as an example doesn't have a lot of kids but Macintosh could probably spend theirs very easily but a brand new school certainly has maintenance costs but you know it'd be interesting to know. >> We can speak in more detail to Mr. Ays
but I will tell you that Mr. S and I uh did a specific deep dive on some of this because we were recently trying to uh negotiate past um shortfalls in referendum allocations
uh with them and sales tax allocations. So, uh, one of the things that was surprising to learn at that time was that, um, the accountability side of it is the legislature has specifically denied us that that, um, we don't get to
require reports and things that that's between them and department of education, federal leg, the the state legislature. What we are required to get is the reports of how many students they have backed up. Then Miss Boston analysis department carefully looks at
the FT uh numbers and weighs what their estimations are along with ours in order to come up with a total um and and what the estimate is they're that they that they get how they're using the funds once we turn the funds over that's
beyond our view. >> Yes. And I >> it may not be beyond public view largely. >> Yeah. And that's I'm more I'm more speaking from the public view. the public, the taxpayers who voted for this having a clear understanding. And also I the reason I crashed out so hard was because I had an extra zero in there. So
it's 860 per kid, not 8,600 per kid. So I apologize for taking it to the extreme there because I was like that is so much money. What >> didn't seem right at all. >> Um yeah, it's I had an extra zero in there. But I think from an accountability perspective for the for
our taxpayers who voted for this for all of us and for all of our students, making sure that everyone is as accountable as we are to ensure that that money is being spent to for the things that we said it was going to be spent for. That's all I'll say on that. >> Is nodding her head.
>> Yeah, >> I'll just say the larger question would be what are their accountability uh parameters and and who are they reporting to? And then that way if you're a member of the public that's interested that should be a public record and it should be able to be available those those auditing
reports just like ours are on the website you know um it's a great question because once once that money passes through us it's kind of like a toilet you know it's gone and it's out of our jurisdiction
and it's interesting and because since it's out of our jurisdiction anyway why does it have to come through us in the first place you know to me it would be a lot easier track if it went directly to the entities that are getting it. I guess another legislative priority may be on
>> I just I just said that to Miss Thrower. I'm like, "Oh, we have something to add to our discussions because it is such a challenge." >> I will tell you I had the same thoughts on the funds and how we were going to make sure they were spent according to the referendum and the sales tax. So,
but like I said, it is kind of out of our purview to request the information. We do depend on the um independent auditor's report to make sure that they're spending the money according to both the sales tax language and the
referendum ballot language and really their fees and all all the money they receive. Okay, I know these were going to be the two fun slides was going to be impact fees and sales tax. Um, the next two slides are a list of all the capital
projects that are budgeted as of tenative budget. And I just want to remind you guys that when we did this five-year plan at tenative budget, it was July 1st. So, the projects that are listed here as funded and in the tenative budget, I know probably have
already been adjusted by the facilities department. Um, this is just what had to be in there for tenative budget. when you guys get the actual five-year work program that comes, I believe in October. Now, um it will have the full
funded projects. And I'll just give you guys a few minutes to look through this list because it's quite extensive. And if you have any questions on it, >> chair. >> Yes, ma'am. I I don't necessarily have a question on this and I know that the
five-year work program is coming to us in October. So, I'm not going to belabor a point. I'm just going to make a statement because we sort of have had these conversations somewhat over the summer before we got 2025 2026 projected
enrollment numbers. We're right now looking at a combined Belleview Elementary and Belleview Santos at if we were to build it today 1,400 students. And that's not with the projected growth
upcoming in the Belleview community. Just making a statement, not belaboring it today. I appreciate that we're wanting to combine those schools. Uh but I have significant concerns about just how large we want an elementary school to be. So just I'm not belaboring that.
We'll talk about that later. That's just a philosophical statement I wanted to make since we started seeing attendance numbers yesterday. Um and chair, one thing I'll say unrelated to that because I think we'll get into that for sure and resoning and other things are going to have to come
into play again which is unfortunate for that part of our community. But um so one of the things that and I only And I'm not going to go into the nitty-gritty on this. Miss Usher and I have been working on something on the
north end, but when we see this, and this is nothing to do with you, Kayla, either when we see this, this is a very highlevel perspective of the work we're doing in the district. And then as a board member, we hear a narrative about it typically in the five-year work plan
presentation, and then that narrative is still rather high level. And then there is an and I'll take ownership of an assumption for then what comes next and what is going to happen. Um for instance um there's an district-wide athletic improvements $2 million. Well Mr.
Tucker's come before us. He's talked about his plan. This says that and so that has happened many years past and I've been on the board for three years now and that happens every year. And then what comes to fruition oftentimes um historically has not looked exactly
and exactly is a loose term some of them have looked very not the same than what we thought we were receiving. Auditorium lighting and sound is an example of a project which Michelle user and I are problem solving how to address the north end and what happened up there. But I
wish there was a way that as the 5-year work plan is brought to the board, there could be just a little bit more detail on some of these district-wide projects because um the heartburn of District 5 is that we are left out always and the
auditorium project is a prime example of that. I'm grateful that we're gonna problem solve it, but I really would love for there to be, you know, how you kind of do the line item and then there's some drop downs. just a way to really put on paper what our plan is and
what we're doing so that as a board member I can ensure that I truly know we're representing what districtwide means um and not um and the money allocated for each project because allocating 850,000 for one project and
100 for another is not an equitable allocation in my opinion. Um, and so I want to make sure that I as a board member and able to know what I'm voting on. So that's more for a five-year work plan conversation, but I would appreciate that in the future so that I
can be best informed. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Anything else from the board? >> Okay. >> Okay. I think we're ready, Miss Johnson. >> So if you guys don't have any questions on that exhaustive list, um, we can move on to debt service and the next few
should be less interesting. So, debt service comes straight off our debt schedule. So, it's a pretty simple fund. Um, 99% of it comes from transfers in from capital projects fund. We get a
small amount of interest revenue. $6,000 is the estimate for 2526. And then we get about 223,000 from the racing commission fund for paramutual funds. The expenditures are 25.9 million, 59%
is interest, 10.5 million is principal, and then we do pay a small amount to the bank for um an annual fee of $8,000. We'll go into detail on the revenue. Um it's pretty pretty simple. The racing
commission fund $223,000 is a state funds. Um the $6,000 in investment funds and then the rest is a TR transfer from capital impro capital improvement fund and that's the 1.5 mills and the impact fees that we were
talking about. This next slide will list the expenditures by object code, but then also the um type of loan they're repaying. So um we have $23.9 million in certificates of participation. Um
$198,000 for the revenue bond. And then the lease purchase agreement for the buses is 1.8 million for the 2526 year. This will list our total outstanding debt. Um,
the revenue bond will be paid off in December of 2031. The certificates of participation series 2015b will be paid off in June of 2027. The 2024 certificates of participation
won't be paid off until June of 2044. And then the lease purchased for the 150 school buses will be paid off in March of 2029. So Florida statute allows us to use up to 75% of our capital outlay mills for
debt payments. We're currently using 41.65%. So we're under what is allowed by law. Our credit ratings were affirmed. They have not changed since last year. Um I
believe we stated last year that this does help us get better interest rates when we go out for those certificates of participation or other bonds. That's the end of debt. If nobody has any questions there,
I just have a quick statement. Um, going back a few slides indicating, you know, we're looking at $15 million in interest for this year. Um, I think highlights and Miss Sasher and I've talked about this too, but highlights why this board decided we did not want to take out any
more loans for building >> with the sales tax funds. I just think we're already spending so much money on interest and it is not the most financially responsible thing to do to take out more loans to pay more interest and basically waste away those sales tax
dollars and we're just going to build as we go and be patient about it. Um and obviously maybe the board will have further discussion about you know what our next steps are and how we'll fund them in the future. But I think right now we all said no more borrowing because the taxpayers deserve for all of
that sales tax money to be spent on things that are going to be right here in the community and not interest. So I just wanted to highlight that. >> Okay. So we'll move on to food service and this is the fund where all of the items for Miss Belchure's um food
service department are housed. Um most of their revenue comes from the federal government USDA grant um or reimbursement about 95% of it for $50.3 million. They're estimating total expenditures
about $60.2 million. food service does have um fund balance funds that are they are utilizing to do some extra projects in the food service fund um their largest expense is food. So you'll see
materials and supplies is at 47%. This is different than a lot of the other funds you'll see where salaries and benefits is the largest cost. Um, salary and benefits for food service is still a a good chunk at 33.5%. There is a handout for you guys that
Miss Belchure wrote that gives you a food service update as well as the reimbursement rates from for the 2526 year and the 2425 year. Slide 26 will show you the um income
statement for the food service fund. They do fluctuate between operating at a deficit and profit. And um this year we're estimating they'll have about $300,000 in additional revenue.
We'll look at the revenue in some more detail. Like I said before, their largest funding source is USDA. Um $50.3 million in federal revenue. They're estimating a small increase in reimbursement for both the school lunch
reimbursement and school breakfast reimbursement. And as you can see on the reimbursement rates, they have a small increase per meal served. And that does amount to quite a bit more revenue for them. There was not any significant changes on
the state revenue and then the local um stayed pretty similar to last year as well. >> Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. Do we have a way to quantify the amount of money we're saving by
using our farmtoschool uh patterns? Um I was at North Mary Middle on the first day of school and Mr. Edwards showed me the graph with um all of the schools and how much food they donated and he just trumped them all. He did such a wonderful job at
North Mary Middle. But is there a way for us to um highlight how much money we're saving by using that program? um because he said they had so much from his program, they actually had to send it to other schools, which is amazing. Um but I think it would be a good way
for potentially people who want to donate to our program and and continue to support the work of our farm-toschool program to understand how much money we're saving as a district by using that food in our schools. >> Uh I don't have that detail, but we can reach out to Miss Belchure and see if
there's a way that she tracks or has that information. Yeah, I mean we have to know what a head of lettuce costs and so when they're able to donate heads of lettuce um and you know big picture and not like in the weeds but just understanding so we can talk to donors and say you know this program is saving the district x amount of money a year
and we have a wonderful agriculture community and so going out and having those conversations would give us opportunity to say continuing to support these kinds of programs saves the district money in the long run. Just a thought Go back one. Sorry. Um, this $20,000 is
the same. This is for the camp kowana's food reimbursement, the portion of that. And that only happens once a year. So, if you guys are curious of why there's nothing there, it's because it's done at the very end of the fiscal year. So, that variance, don't be alarmed.
Um there is a handout for slide 32. It'll list every position that's funded in the food service account. They do have a small increase there. Um I think it's mostly in food service workers. About 10 new food service workers
which new food workers because we have two new schools. >> Yes. for the purchase service category. Um the food service has stayed pretty consistent. There's not a lot of changes there. um their energy costs have actually stayed
stable from 24 to 2526. You will see some variances in material and supplies in the food category. Um I know Miss Belchure has come many a times talking about their expanded food choices and offering different meals and that cost will be reflected in the food
category um object 5700 there. So I had mentioned at the beginning that um food service did have some funds in reserve that they had been using there. Um, so you'll see a increase here in like furnitureures and remodeling
projects. So they're working on doing some generator and freezer projects with some of their excess funds. And this is the amount that they have sitting in fund balance that's over the threemonth reserve that's required to sit there. There is also not a large difference
here um in the other expenses but just to highlight the miscellaneous expense there. That is where the indirect cost is recorded. We are allowed to charge this grant just like the other federal grants and indirect costs. So I know it
says miscellaneous expense and that is dictated by the department of education red book but that is the account where the indirect cost is recorded. So if there's no questions on food service we can move on to the special revenue other and this is where all the
grants are. Oh sorry food service fund balance I almost skipped it. So, we're estimating at the end of 2526 that food service will have a fund balance of $15.1 million. That will put
them in having excess funds for that year. Excess funds are anything over three months of operating expenses. So, they are required to provide a plan to the state to spend down all those excess funds. And that's where projects such as
the freezers and the generator projects, how they're getting the funds to spend that. And now we'll move on to the grants. So special revenue fund, this has been a topic of this year. Um we are currently estimating 56.8 million in the special
revenue fund. That is significantly less than last year. about $51.9 million is federal revenue. Um that's 91% of this budget. We do have some small local grants um $4.7 million and then a small
amount from state um salaries and benefits is 68% of this budget. So we do have a large amount of federal re revenue we receive and then staff that are supported on those grants. Um, after salaries and benefits, the next
item is material and supplies. And this is where we're really getting all those extra supportive materials for the classrooms and students. I've been looking forward to this slide for three years um because this will really show you guys the er funding cliff that I feel like we've been
talking about. Um, you can see in 2021 or prior to 2021, our grant funds remain pretty consistent around 30 to $35 million. And then starting with the ESSER funds in 2021, that steep climb up
to a peak of $123 million in 2324, we do see a huge decrease down to 70 million for 2425. And we're estimating that for 2526 that number will taper back off down at the
30 $35 million number. Slide 43 has another list of all the grants that are included in the tenative budget. I will let you guys read through that, but I will highlight the large grants. $22 million dollar is title one
basic and that is for lowincome schools. Uh idea B idea part B is $15.9 million and this is for um students with disabilities and provides supports for them.
We also have title two that provides supports to the um providing teachers, principles and other school leaders with supports they need to improve student learning. Good. Okay. Now, we'll look at the revenue in more
detail. All through um capital or SRF, you guys are going to see a decrease. Um this is because of the SSR funds. And I will probably repeat myself on every slide that all the decreases are due to the ESSER funds ending. So you see about
a $20 million decrease in federal through state um there and an overall decrease of 23 million in this in the SRF fund. And again here the federal through state
23.6 6 million in um object code 3271 and that is where the esser funds were recorded prior. Other than that the grants were pretty um consistent. There weren't any significant changes in
state and local revenue. So unless you guys have questions, I'll move over to expenditures. Okay. So you guys also have a handout for slide 47 and it'll show you the positions that are supported in this um fund.
There was a decrease over prior year of about $5.4 million. Um, we're we planned well and had moved many of the people out of the ESER grants prior to the partial year that ended in
September of 2024. So, you aren't going to see a huge cliff in salaries and benefits, but you will see it in some materials and supplies and also some um technology rentals. Um, so 3600 I would like to highlight
that is where we pay for subscription costs for some learning programs and we were purchasing quite a few off of the ESSER grants. So that big decrease there, you will notice that is from the ending of ESSER funding.
Not any huge changes in energy service, materials and supplies has increased. I know we've been trying to focus the grants on spending that supplemental money really on items instead of positions. There was a decrease in the capital
outlay object codes of about $5 million again due to ESSER. We did um off of the ESRE 3 grant do several capital projects related to cover play, covered dining, and some HVAC upgrades.
And the biggest decrease in the other expenses is going to be in the object 7900 miscellaneous expense and that is the indirect cost related to the esser grants. So a big decrease there. So that's all for the special revenue
the grants unless you guys have questions on those. Any questions? >> Okay, >> we'll move on to internal service fund and this is where both the property workers comp and casualty insurance as well as the health insurance are recorded.
So both of those combined our estimated revenue is $98.6 million. Um the local portion of that is the collections from employees and the board portion to pay for that cost as well as the amount that
we um charge for the property casualty insurance. The other expense category $ 58.8 million. This is the actual cost of the the insurance premiums or claims expense.
Um there is a handout for this slide that'll show you what positions are funded in the um in the internal service fund. I think it's there's four total
um a risk few benefit specialists. There is a small amount for purchase service to pay for um actuary costs and the people that manage the health insurance.
This slide will look just at the property casualty and workers compens insurance. This portion of the fund is a lot smaller about $10.5 million. Again, the the largest piece of this is expenses that are already recorded in
general fund of about $6 million. And then the biggest cost here is the purchase service of 3.7, which is the actual cost of the insurance premium. Slide 56 will show you the estimated ending fund balance including the um
estimated claims liability that we have outstanding. So at the end of the year, we still have claims out there that we know that aren't settled. So we do take that into account when we do the estimated ending fund balance here of
$4.7 million. We'll move on to the health insurance fund. Um the total projected revenue is $88 million. 62.8 million of this is um both the board and employee portion for the health insurance cost and that will
include vision dental full comprehensive benefit. Again the largest portion here is going to be the actual claims expense of $56.9 million. Again, this slide will show you the estimated
ending fund balance, including um health insurance claims that we have not paid out at the end of the year. So, a $20.9 million estimated ending fund balance for 2526. >> So, that is all I have. I will turn it
back over to Dr. Brewer, I don't think Teresa is coming back up. >> All right. Thank you so much, Miss Johnson. Dr. Brewer, any closing comments on that? >> I have three I want to make sure I we
know exactly what we're bringing back. Um, based on some of your questions, um, you want the impact fees broken down by district. Um, and you want in future for the next when we bring the five-year plan back, Dr. James requested a detailed um plan for the five-year plan
in October. Is that a consensus of the board? Okay. And um you would like a farm to school savings to see we know exactly how much we are giving to the schools from the garden. So you just want to see what that amount looks like in terms of savings.
>> And I'll speak to me. I don't need that to be another work session. All of those things to me are an email. But certainly if it's the pleasure of the board to meet, that's fine. But I don't need a work session just to address those three items. >> Yeah, I think that's great. I I would just like to know. So an email is sufficient for me.
>> Okay. Thank you. We'll provide Oh, Mr. >> The only thing that came to my mind about the farm uh to school is that excess, you know, you just it's waste not want. And it also I think a full circle with the public ed foundation and community service that if we have extra
fresh food you know that we don't need you know could it go to interfaith or you know something like that. Um because that's an important lesson for kids to know too you know and when you have plenty share it. >> We'll provide that information to you by
email. >> Great. Anything else? >> Dr. Brewer if if I could just add a couple of things to that. Uh the farm-to-school program is expanding exponentially. Um but what when we get I call it
inventory in it is given a value so we can provide that to you. Um but it's recorded as inventory because >> Yeah. No absolutely. I just think from a fundraising perspective it could be really cool to say we're saving the district this much money by this program. Your donation directly to this program could help expand our efforts to
continue to save the >> It would be really neat for you to get more information because u Miss Belchure they're meeting farmers and these are things that you aren't don't know about. I mean she gets an opportunity when we do the strategic plan to give a little
bit of information but they have expanded involvement uh not only with fans but the farmers in our area and other school districts are coming to her to find out you know how you're doing this. So uh I mean that's something we
could also ask her to provide to to you an update on on how all that's going as well. So, if we can provide all this information via email, if you're okay with that, we will do that um versus
another PowerPoint. >> Miss Boston, I do have a question. I don't know um I don't know how challenging this ask would be, but on slide 43 where where the grant list the list of the grants. Yes.
>> Would it be possible um >> to kind of I don't know what to call it. I don't know what the best way to present it would be, but to see so that the board could see what grants touch which schools or which facilities. Would there be a way to do that? >> Um, we used to provide that to the
board, not only the schools, but also um a summary of what they're doing. So, we'll go back to our federal grants department. >> I would appreciate that. I would just like, you know, how to how to see how this looks. you know, across the
district um and where these special revenues are are going. So, >> y >> All right. Thank you very much for that. >> Is that something that we can email you as well? >> Yes, that's fine. Okay. By me, board, would anybody anybody else interested? >> Reverend Cummings is nodding. Okay. Yes.
>> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> Are you muted >> for the presentation? >> Thank you guys for the presentation this morning. Um, I would like for us to we since we're talking about the farm share, I think we do need like a
presentation to present in a in a work session to the community. >> We're we're very proud of that. I mean, I could go on and on and um but as you know, I worked closely with the hospital district last year and um with Miss Belchure. She's just been incredible. And so, yeah, absolutely. We can add
that to a work session topic. >> Well, I would love them to have have them here because they are one of the most excited groups you run into when you're out and about in Marian County. So, it would be a lot of fun um to have them here and share.
>> Okay, we'll get with Miss Belter. >> Okay, that sounds great. That's I'm looking forward to that. >> Thank you. >> Especially if they're a model, you know, if they're working on being a model for the state, then to me that's definitely worthy of recognition on a school board night. I think sometimes you need to bring Kevin to tell your own story, blow
your own horn, write your own narrative. And I think if we're we're doing well with it, we need to do we need to tell the story >> and and our community needs to know it as well. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings. Absolutely. >> And I'd like to add and and it would be a great time to showcase the partnership we have with Marian County Hospital
District. um because of because of their resources, we're able to keep the green houses um up to date and they do a lot of work with our green houses which help of course grow the vegetables and fruits. So, we're excited. >> Thank you.
>> Hurts to meet some local farmers either. >> Yeah. And they have they have been working. They're traveling all over this county meeting um individuals and like Dr. James said, these these farmers are willing to donate. So, it'll be a great time to showcase and maybe get more.
>> Fantastic. >> All right. Anything? >> And I'd personally like to thank you for your questions and your attentiveness and taking the numbers and making it relevant to our community. Uh we do. We don't have all the answers, but we know
where to get them. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Miss Boston Ellis. Is there any public comment? Okay, seeing none, Miss Thrower, did you have something you wanted? >> Well, you're looking tentatively at me.
>> Yes. Just because um this was to be our last presentation unless the board feels like we needed a an additional one. And if the consensus is we don't need an additional one and you know our our questions are going to be answered via
email. I believe this will be Miss Boston Ellis's final >> presentation >> budget presentation after what 33 years. So worthy of acknowledging and thanking you for
>> yes your work your diligent work. Yes. Y'all just embarrassed her, y'all. >> Yes, she did. I know. She had a really good smile out of Miss Boston Ellis during that. Yes. >> She's blessing to her toes now. >> Yes. >> Yes. We are very appreciative uh Miss
Bostonellis for um not only the time and the work that you put in for our presentations, but you also take time with board members um like me who sometimes need help understanding all of the intricacies of the budget. And so, thank you for your personal commitment
um to helping us all be on the same page. We appreciate you. Okay, with that I will move into uh meeting reminders. The next administrative briefing and work session is scheduled public comment. >> You did >> I already did I did public comment.
>> I did. It was before we clapped. >> Yeah. Thank you for the reminder. Um, the next administrative briefing and work session is scheduled for August 21st, 21st at 9:00 a.m. There's a school board meeting scheduled for August 26th at 5:30 p.m. And with that, we'll move
into board comments, Miss Martinez Young. >> Nothing, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> Thank you, Attorney Powers. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. >> Thank you. And I do want to remind the board that Miss Boston is um will
attend. She still has one more board meeting on August 26. So, she um she's not quite free yet, but we um but we are so appreciative of the work that the entire finance um and budgeting sides of the house just they have worked for
months and I know we've commented on that every time they have presented, but they have done an amazing job. And yes, um, Miss Conrad, making the information relevant and really breaking down each of the details has been incredibly helpful to me, um, and I know to the
board members and to our community. So, thank you for all of your work. Your entire team has been incredible. I speaking of that team, I want to publicly recognize and introduce Mr. Rob Rios Welsh. He is our new chief financial officer. He was board approved
Tuesday night in the agenda. Um and we're looking forward to his work. He will work with closely with Miss Boston Ellis in the next two weeks and then of course um take over when she officially retires at the end of August. So we welcome him and we're looking forward to
great things. I wanted to share a couple um comments about athletics. We have fall sports began on July 28th with football, girls volleyball, swimming, bowling, golf, and cross country. all starting their respective seasons. The fall season lasts through the month of
October with our FHSA state championships beginning the first of November. Um, please remember to the community um and to our employees that all MCPS employees receive free admission to our athletic contest as
long as they wear their badge that I'm not wearing right now, but as long as they wear their badge. So, they have to have that. and then they arrive at the pass gates at the athletic events and they can re um attend the event for at no charge. And my final statement was
our enrollment continues to climb. So, we're excited about all of our students and families that have chosen to attend Marian County Public Schools and we are continuing to just be excited about the school year. So, thank you. That concludes my comments.
>> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Um Dr. James. >> Uh, thank you. I wanted to mention too, I believe retirees, if they get their correct pass, >> Miss Boston Ellis. >> So, um, uh, it is something that it's something Mr. Tucker started a year or
two ago. Um, but retirees can use their special pass to also come to any game for free. Lifetime, >> right? They have lifetime. >> I didn't I wanted to make sure I highlighted that. Um, I don't have a ton of comments. My I have a question. The chair mentioned that we were not having
a meeting in October and I'm perplexed um because I thought um referencing I'm sorry but I'm referencing our intergovernmental meeting. >> Oh >> yes. >> Um because uh I have had hesitation regarding the
firm we're using to collect data and I was assured that we were going to have a deliverable and a lot of information given to us in October. um JB Pro was going to be leading the work and then that was going to essentially be the conclusion of their um efforts with
Marian County Public Schools because their work for that contract would be done. And so my concern is that if we are not having a meeting in October, um why who is delaying the meeting? That's my first question, I guess. So, chair, do
you have that information? >> Um Dr. James, you know, I'm not the best at multitasking up here because I have to work so hard to listen. I'm trying to look because I I don't remember off the top of my head the details of that, but
I um I can send that attorney powers, can I communicate with you when you send that out to the board? Um what I'm working uh what I've been asking. >> Does anyone from staff know why we're not meeting in October? Or is JB Pro just going to keep working until February or March? Dr. Campbell,
>> but the only reason that I I remember in our spring meeting, we discussed having another meeting. I don't know that it was ever in concrete. Obviously, the interlocal agreement says that we meet every year in the first quarter. So, I I
was whenever I you and I had the same look whenever we heard that and then I went and interlocal agreement only requires that we meet once a year and so >> yeah, because we had nothing to provide essentially when we met last time. So, we were going to come back and take another shot at the bat, but
>> yes. So, we I don't think we have the date nailed down yet. I know Mr. Ays sent out some information um to the the different groups about trying to nail down some dates in October for our technical working group to meet. So, I'll follow back up with him and find out if we've gotten any dates solidified yet. >> Y uh thank you, Mr. White House.
>> The technical working group is not the intergovern. >> It is not right. >> Yeah, the technical working group, my understanding, is still working. Um >> Okay. So, so this board member is confused then because we were paying JB Pro until some date in October we can
find the contract. So, are we now just going to keep paying them to keep working until February? >> I'll pause. that those are questions that I would like to leave with staff to clarify because that is I that causes me pause um because I was expecting us to
redeem ourselves by the fall and if we are not going to do that because they didn't have it together then they just needed a little more time. Well, we gave them six more months which was going to be October so they could button it all up and now we're essentially going to go a whole year. And so that's where my
heartburn lies. So, those are my only comments, but that's what I'm looking for. >> That's all I got. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Uh, thank you, Mr. White House, for filling um the gap in there as best you could. Okay. Anything else, Dr. James? >> No, that's it. Thank you.
>> Okay, Reverend Cummings. >> Comments. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Campbell. >> Uh, just following up on what Dr. James was just saying I yes they needed a little bit more time but as I distinctly recall it was because the way both of our governmental entities track data in
planning and zoning didn't talk to each other and so that the data was not possible to calculate as presented by the governmental body. So I I believe JB Pro the money that the school district spent is actually going to benefit the
entire community to make us all better so that that information will be trackable and easily uh shared now so that everything will will be tightened up in a with a nice bow there. So looking forward to more information on
if we are able to meet in the fall so that we can make sure everything's on track. Perfect. Uh, the only thing I wanted to mention was we mentioned on Tuesday night, grateful to Representative Judson SAP for meeting with us on the first day of school. Grateful yesterday for meeting with
Senator Stan Mlan. Um, as a followup for those of you in the meeting that yesterday, I have a meeting scheduled today with the Children's Movement of Florida to talk to them about our ideas about the compulsory age change. and I have a meeting scheduled on Monday with
Jessica Janice Sewitz to talk through with her a little bit. Uh we'll be happy to submit our recommendations moving forward. Just doing research and the statute and I oh excuse me and then I also have a call next week with um Representative Eric Erica Booth who got
the House bill over the finish line but she's been having conversations all around the state about what the holdup on the other side was. So hope and obviously Senator Mlan is willing and able to submit language on our behalf. Just looking at what that bill language
was last year that at least passed the House still kept all of the age six language in it. So, we may actually be talking about two separate bills because I don't want to confuse what might get passed with chronic absenteeism and
attendance and then simult at least have two different conversations. So, we have it listed as one item, but uh September 1st is still what's all in the language and some of it even says February 1st u in
in here. But I don't believe we landed on anything that we wanted to change as far as what our legislative priorities are right now. I think as we move forward and the FSBA meets and we have
our legislative priorities, we may want to adjust ours before we go to Tallahassee. And with that, I also did want to ask because I did not ask on Tuesday night if board if you had checked your calendars to see on dates
that might work for us to go up during committee weeks if that first week in November would be would work for everyone because we want to make sure that we're able to check the committee schedules with um Jessica Janice Sewitz as well as have Miss Martinez Young work
with us on lodging if we need it. So th those are my only questions. Uh we kind of alluded to yesterday that we would be going up to Tallahassee, but we didn't actually land on a date. Um so
again, I let me find the date specifically that I had proposed. >> It must have been >> earlier in the week is better for me personally. So, November 3rd through >> Yeah, the 3rd and 4th would be better for me. We have a work session on Thursday, >> right?
>> And I have another obligation on Wednesday currently. >> Okay. So, maybe Thursday or excuse me, Monday probably I don't know that they would start morning meetings. I would say our full day of meetings would be Tuesday
the 4th. We might be able to go up on the evening of Monday and maybe even have an afternoon meeting or two if schedules permitting and then our full day would be on the fourth committee schedule um permitting. Does that sound Yes, ma'am.
>> When will the committee schedule be released? >> Great question. So, as you remember with our representative SAP meeting, they're adjusting committee chairs. >> Yes, that's why I asked the question. we can, you know, make some placeholders, but until we get, >> so what we know for sure is it is a
designated committee week, >> but committee calendars won't go out until they have people assigned to the chair of the committee and then people assigned to the committee since that's all of that is going to be fluctuating. So, it it will take uh I would say we
won't have that until September, late September, something like that. And honestly, and then the agenda for committee meetings, they really don't have that information till the week before. So like it it's difficult for us to >> to plan other than knowing how we've
done it historically in saying that if we plan for a Monday evening and then Tuesday all day meetings. Um that would give us the most opportunity to see the most people. >> Certainly. If you can only make the the fourth, then that's fine as well.
>> Dr. Kim, are you sure the 4th is a good day? That is election day. >> It's election day. >> Um, it's election day. >> I mean, I know most people probably early voted and everything as such, but is that going to be a good day? >> Is it It's not an election day for us. The city of Ocala is the only election
happening in 2025 and it's in September, >> right? So, I I don't I don't believe we're I I know it's classified as election day annually, but I I don't believe there will be any elections because all of our representatives and senators are all on even years just like
we are. So, I'll verify with Jessica uh when I speak with her if if you'd like for me to do that. Just wanting us to get that nailed down sooner rather than later. So, we we can talk about it next week again. Um, but that can be our tenative timeline right now and then we
can let Miss Martinez Young. I will let her know if Jessica thinks that that's a good timeline for us and then she can communicate with all the board to determine who would want to have the overnight stay. Okay, I think that concludes my comments for now. Thank
you. >> All right. Thank you so much, Dr. Campbell. Miss Thrower, >> thank you. Um, yeah, I just have a couple of things. Um, while we are on the topic of the technical working group, is that something that you're
still um our representative chair comrade? >> I am, but if we're waiting till February when there will be a new chair, you know, at that time, which, you know, I did share, you know, what Stephen reminded him, >> right? I wasn't sure since I was on it for so long as the representative for
the technical working group. I wasn't sure if we were going to continue or if it was going to then go into a rotation um or what. uh it's hard to maintain the momentum and I don't think any of us were uh quite satisfied uh with the outcome of the tech of the joint meeting
and you know being understandable that after not communicating or collaborating for so long um and then trying to change that dynamic and also having the technology working and the
data is communicating with each other and all of that. Uh those are hurdles that you know can be jumped and what I don't want to lose is is the momentum and the relevance of these because
it's not the just the school board that is should be making presentations and should be providing updates on on what's going on. And it's actually the county administrator. I have the interlocal agreement pulled up right now just to make sure that I
was still correct and remembering um that it's the county administrator that sets the agenda, you know, with the assistance of the technical working group. And so in my mind, every entity should be sharing information and providing updates on where development
is occurring and and what's being anticipated for increases in student population and what type of housing is being, you know, what are the trends, you know, all of those things. And so the the joint meeting of the elected officials, while it's required,
if it's just happening because it's required and there isn't a completely mutual commitment to making him relevant, then they're going to continue to feel like they could have just been an email. Um, so my request would be
that whoever is the board representative on the technical working group, if it's the consensus of the board, what I just shared and and the desire of the board to have these meetings be mutually productive and informative, uh, that we continue to just make that position
known to ensure that it doesn't feel like a waste of time to anybody because it's a lot of planning for staff. >> It is, you know. >> May I comment on your comment? Uh, and this is just my personal opinion. So, Um I feel that those that are participating
in the technical working group are working very hard and they are working together very well. Um so I will I will just say that the the work is continuing to be done. Um I I it keeps being shared
that there are challenges in um getting the data to uh it's all speaking the same language and that has been the hiccup. I haven't had a conversation with Stephen recently, but um the work is good. It's just taking a
long time. That is my personal opinion. The work that's being done um is going to benefit all of us. It's just taking a long time. So, um I just wanted to add that. >> Sure. And and that had been my experience that the technical working group, it took a long time to get the
amended and restated interlocal agreement um done. and and now that we have it, the technical working group continues to work, I believe, very well together. But when we're face to face with the public and all the entities are
there, you know, that that to me is needs some more refinement because I I felt like at the last one that it was considered the school board's meeting. Well, it's not. We're just one of the entities. So, I'm just putting it out there. Uh it's I think it's important to
have high expectations and it's to honor everyone's time and especially the public's ability to really know what's going on behind the curtain. >> So that's that. Uh the second thing I wanted to talk about which you know that I'm loving the idea of the innovation
for workforce housing and and the opportunities there. Uh we know that transportation is one of our continues to be one of our legislative priorities. I feel like a little bit that transportation got thrown under the bus
the other night um at our school board meeting and I don't believe that that was intentional but I just walked away with kind of a funny feeling um because it sort of depends on what schools you talked to. You know many of my schools
had the best on time pickup and delivery that they've had in years. And yet I drove past a broken down bus that was sitting on the side of the road. And I'm sure that that impacted, you know, um the on-time pickup and delivery of of some other students at at other schools.
So I just want to say from my seat that understanding how difficult it is to get our kids all around the district, no one is satisfied, especially transportation with two hours of late buses. We have had some years where
the same buses were late, you know, throughout the school year. And so it just got me to thinking about the the innovation piece of things. And I asked um Attorney Powers, I emailed this to him. I listened to a webinar uh this week on driving attendance and district
funding, the power of alternative transportation, and and to have it then sent to you guys because it's now available uh on demand and it's and it was free and I guess I was thinking about a recent visit to Atlanta where um
I think everybody probably has used Uber at this point and it's pretty cool. Well, uh, there's an opportunity now in some areas with Uber to then choose Whimo, which is a driverless car. So, a driverless car rolled up. Happened to be
a Jaguar. And they're all Jaguars. I guess I don't even know why, but this driverless car shows up. I hop in it, go to the nearest restaurant, brewery, uh, hang out. Um, and then it took me home. And then the next day when I went to play pickle ball at Grant Park, here
comes the Whimo. I mean, so there are just so many opportunities to innovate and I think we've been using the big yellow buses for a hundred years and now we have the vans, you know, which is great. So I hope we can keep thinking like that and
and I hope that you know you guys do take a it wasn't long. It was like an hour the webinar and just see what you get out of it. Um I did already forward it to Mr. stonic and uh who knows because with this with the meetings I've been doing with vets helping veterans
helping veterans they call vets helping vets now and how they classify through their pick count every year it's a onetime count of who's homeless compared to our Mckin Bento kids and families which are like over 1500 I think uh that creates a lot of strain on
transportation because by law if say the kid was at East Marian but now they're homeless over in Dun Ellen. Well, we provide the the ride, you know, back to East Marin to try try to provide some continuity for these kids. So, you know, I'm not saying exactly let's jump them
in a whimo, but there it's that thought process that we have some real old ways of doing things and we've just struggled to try to make it better and better. You know, turn by turn, you know, adjusted routes, tearing routes. It's not like we
haven't been problem solving it and it has improved. But my my takeaway on this is that the the innovation should never be squaltched and it may seem pie in the sky, but I'm sure the Jetsons did too 40 years ago and a lot of that has come to pass, which is, you know, kind of
interesting. So anyway, great ideas come from everywhere. All right, that's all I have. Thanks. >> All right. Okay. Um, just want to say a quick thank you um to our district staff and the board for a productive um work session. I also wanted to say
congratulations to Attorney Powers on his new little grandson. So, congratulations. That's very exciting. We're so happy for you. You want to give us a few details? >> Uh, his name is Luca. He's a beautiful little bouncing baby boy and he's doing very, very well.
>> Good. Thank you for sharing with us and congratulations. Um board, I also did want to share that um the Kingdom of Kingdom of the Sun is having a concert here at MTI Saturday, September 13th at 2 PM and Sunday, Sunday, September 14th
at 3 p.m. here at the MTI auditorium. Um it is free and donations accepted. Um and that is all I have for us today. So, if there is Oh, yes. >> I didn't didn't know if Reverend
Cummings had comments. I'm sorry. Yeah. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. >> Um the only other comment I want to make is um I did receive notification that um JB Pro is waiting for the FTE in October. >> That's one. >> You have the most up-to-date information. >> Most up-to-date information.
>> I I got a problem with that. I got a problem with that because we just had that meeting and we we actually got got ridiculed in the meeting for not having information and we gave them that extra time and they're not going to have the information until October.
>> Well, that was a if I remember correctly, it was a sticking point and maybe this was at the technical working group meeting um but it was a sticking point for the county um that they wanted the most and please somebody correct me if I'm wrong. They wanted the most upto-date information
and so that was their ask >> which FTE week is the second week in October and then my understanding was we were going to have a meeting >> an inter intergovernmental meeting in October following FTE week. So they
would have all of their stuff done. They'd get the FTE number so that they would know exactly how many students we have. we would have our intergovernmental meeting to hopefully paint a better picture than what we painted six months ago and we were going to button this up. And so I'm wondering
why we're not buttoning. That's that's where I'm at. But I don't we don't >> and I'm I'm sorry. That's all I I remember and that's all the information I have. But I will again I'll follow up. I will get with attorney Powers and Stephen Ays and get some more
information out to you all. I I just don't want us to have another meeting like we had um a few months ago because I felt um it wasn't a good meeting >> and it wasn't a good look um on how we were made to be portrayed in this meeting. So
we need to go in there to correct. >> Okay, Dr. Ber, I'll get with you too. Okay. Okay. All right. Anything else for the good of the group? Okay. There being no further business, we'll adjourn this work session at 11:21.
Thank you. >> Thank you.