Heat. Heat. Good evening and welcome to the April 14th, 2026 meeting of the Marian County School Board. This meeting is now called to order. Mirroring and modeling the way our students begin each day, I ask that we observe a moment of silence at this time. Please join me.
I will now have our board representatives uh share our board commitment statement. We are the Marian County School District Leadership Team. When we come together to work, we are efficient, effective, and productive. Our three most important characteristics are dedicated,
transparent, 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. >> For the courtesy of those listening to the meeting, I'm requesting everyone in the audience to please turn off their
electronic devices or put them on vibrate. Public comment will now be accepted during two portions of each meeting for up to 30 minutes for each portion. The first will take place prior to the board vote and will be specific to tonight's agenda. The second will be for items on which the school board
customarily takes action and will occur after the board completes the business portion of the meeting. Anyone wanting to speak regarding an agenda item must complete a blue form. Anyone wanting to speak regarding a non-aggenda item must complete a yellow form. Both forms are
available before each meeting and on the district website. Forms are due to the board clerk by 5:40 p.m. and can be submitted via email or in person. Public speakers will have three minutes to complete their comments and no more than 10 speakers will be scheduled in either public comment portion unless the board
votes otherwise. Good evening, Miss Martinez Young. Could you please call the role? >> Evening, Madam Chair. Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1, >> here. >> Mrs. Lorie Conrad, District 2, >> here. >> Mr. Eric Cummings, District Three, >> here. >> Mrs. Nancy Thrower, District 4, >> here. >> Dr. Sarah James, District 5,
>> here. Julia Slaughter, Vanguard High School, >> here. >> Ariana Reyes, Belleview High School, >> here. >> Attorney Suzanne Green >> here. >> Dr. Danielle Brewer, superintendent >> here. >> Thank you. And I want to welcome Miss Green who's sitting in for attorney powers tonight. So, she'll be our school board attorney for this evening. Dr.
Brewer, who will share inspiration and lead the pledge of allegiance for us this evening. >> Thank you. Good evening. We have Mrs. Melissa Kinder. She's the area superintendent for for region three, and she will introduce our special guest. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening, board chair, Dr. James, and school board
members. It is my pleasure tonight to introduce the outstanding Westport High School JOTC program under the direction of United States Army Major Tlesco, Staff Sergeant Lewis, and First Sergeant Rumbold. As an honor unit with
distinction for over 20 years, the program meets the highest standards set by the United States Army and consistently outperforms national averages in attendance, graduation rates, discipline, and academic performance. Their unit was recently
reertified and achieved a 97% rating. Additionally, Cadet Command Sergeant Major Ayala Collazo was selected to attend West Point's summer leader experience. This is a week-long course where he will work with West Point
senior cadetses to learn about what it will be like to become a cadet. Recently, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Frius signed an active duty contract with the United States Air Force as a technical support specialist and will be attending
basic training this August. The color guard for tonight's presentation includes Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Frius, Cadet Captain Diego Alaria, Cadet Sergeant First Class Ian Santana
Ortiz, and Cadet Sergeant Emanuel Dominguez. Leading us tonight in the inspiration and pledge of allegiance is Cadet Command Sergeant Major Daniel Ayala Collazo. Good evening.
>> Good evening. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Daniel Ayala and I am currently a junior at Westport High School. This year, I serve as the Wolfpack Battalion Command Sergeant Major. It is truly an honor to speak with you tonight. Jared
TC has been a defining part of my life since my freshman year and I can confidently say I would not be the person I am today without it. To give a little context, my dad served 40 years in the army and because of that I've moved a total of six times. I've never
lived in a place for more than four years. While I'm grateful for those experiences, constantly moving was never easy. As I got older, it became harder to leave friends and places behind when they started to feel like home. When I first walked into freshman orientation,
something sparked in me that I hadn't have felt since I left Texas. I decided to join JRTC because of the introduction that I had during the orientation. At the time, I didn't fully understand it initially until I went outside and ran with the Raider team for the first
time. The constant struggle of running multiple miles, the bleacher stairs, tire flipping along with other strenuous activities, and the hot sun built a sense of security with the people around me. I still remember running early in the morning at Raider practice during my
freshman year. I didn't begin as a strong Raider during these sessions, and I was insecure about making the team. However, this didn't discourage me, and it ended up strengthening me. As I continue to work diligently each and every day, I am reminded of one of my
instructors telling me, "You get as much as you put in." I have from here been one of the strongest members of the Raider team and later on the drill and color guard teams for the past two years. My desire for success led me to blitz through positions as I immediately
became a platoon sergeant my sophomore year and then later that same year a company first sergeant which are some positions they give to juniors and seniors. This hunger for betterment led our program into a successful accreditation for our JROTC program accreditation
lending us a score of 97% earning the honor unit of distinction for another year. I would like to say thank you to my fellow cadetses who have put tireless amounts of work to make this happen and the instructors who guided us when we most needed it. The success didn't mean
that I'm going to stop on the brakes though. Now, as a condition for volleyball and cross country, I have another desire that I'm pursuing, which is the mil the United States Military Academy at West Point. In my pursuit of this goal, I have already been considered for the summer leadership
experience at West Point, where I have a high chance of being able to experience the competitive environment. Jerotc didn't just give me a temporary four-year click, but rather purpose, a standard to live by, and a way to reach way past that standard. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> And now, as I confidently say, please stand for the presentation of the colors and the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may now be seated. Well, those were some amazing remarks and I um speaking on behalf of the board, I'm sure there'll be comments
later, but I want to make sure that you understand how amazing it is that you will represent us this summer at West Point and we feel confident that you're going to do an amazing job. So, thank you for sharing such great remarks and if you don't mind, tell your um cadets to stay until we finish recognition so
we can grab a picture. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh Dr. Brew, I believe we have some other recognitions this evening. Yes. Um, we have three recognitions. I'll first like to introduce to you Aaron Benvitas. She will introduce our state level STEM fair
winners. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Thank you, Dr. Brewer, board chair Dr. James, board members. I am so honored to be back here again to recognize our Maring County Public
School students achievements in science research. On April 2nd, Big Springs STEM made history after competing with over 900 projects at the state competition.
25 of our 32 projects placed. That's 78%. Unheard of in such a rigorous competition. And we also received 10 special awards. In total, our students
brought home more than $100,000 in cash, prize, scholarships, and all expense paid trips. It was a huge competition for us. So, a small sampling of those amazing students were able to
make it here tonight. And I would like to make sure to recognize all of the ones that are here. Um, so let me start with Dustin Lou from Westport High School who received one of those 10 special awards.
>> Come on up. >> Yeah, stand here and then we'll go up in a minute. Nicholas Depasquali from Vanguard High School received an honorable mention. He's already one of our ISA finalists who will be going to the international science and engineering fair. And he
also received a special recognition from the office of naval research. So from middle school, from Howard Middle School, we have Valerie Bushkatee and she received third place and a special award from the US Metric
Association. also from Vanguard High School, Gabrielle Javalona, and she received second place. And then the biggest news, the history making news in the 68-year history of Marian County Public Schools
participation in the state science and engineering fair. We have never had this happen until now. Receiving first place in her category, Brianna Stevens from Belleview High School. That's happened before.
Of the 21st place award winners, eight are chosen as Ying Scholar Grand Award winners, receiving $1,000, an all expense paid trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair, and a traveling trophy that stays at Belleview
High School for the next year. Um, and the Silver River Museum through generous donation of our private um, funders that help support us also matched that thousand award to Belleview High School to help continue and grow their STEM
legacy. >> Wonderful. >> Thank you. And we look forward to coming back after the international fair in May and telling you all about how we do there. Thank you so much. Big round of applause. And students, if you just want to turn
around real quick, what we will say is you guys are all so incredibly bright and so capable and you are a prime representation of just what's happening on our campuses every single day. We're going to come down a little later and take a picture with you, so make sure you don't leave. Okay. Okay. Wonderful. Congratulations,
Dr. Brewer. Another recognition. >> Yes, we have two more and they will both be introduced by the coordinator of K12 academics, Mr. Mark Ingram. The first recognition will be for our VFW state essay contest winners. And then the second will be our math counts coach of
the year. So, welcome, Mr. Ingram. >> Hello, Mr. Ingram. >> Thank you. Uh, thank you, Superintendent Brewer, uh, board chair. Good evening. Uh we're going to switch things up and do in a different order because our VFW winner is still retrieving his award. And I'm going to bring up uh Carolyn Hegel, our secondary curriculum math
program specialist, and Amber Gartner, who is our math counts uh regional coordinator and who also works with Kinley Horn. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Hello. Good evening, board members. Um I was here last month to give you an update on our local competition. We had
our state competition at Embry Riddle on March 20th. Um we had several students here from Maring County. But what's really exciting is we had a local coach, Miss Pam Ernest, receive coach of the year. And that is really cool. We had
about 200 students representing approximately 50 schools. So 50 teachers, we affectionately call them coaches at that competition. One is selected each year to read that reach that covetous coach of the year award.
And um what's really cool about this is I was also attending that event helping and I did not know until about lunchtime and they they ushered me over and said, "Hey, I just want to let you know that one of your coaches is going to get coach of the year award." And I shrieked. I was so excited. Um, anyone
who knows Pam knows that she is the cheerleader of all things for her students. Um, she has guided me through math counts since I started this about 15 years ago. She has been leading these competitions and students going to the state for the past 20 years. Um, and
there's no one more deserving to receive this than Miss Pam Ernest. So, I'm very thankful to have been able to be there to give that award on March 20th and very um proud of her to be here to receive that from you all today as well. >> Wonderful. Well, don't go anywhere because we are
going to take a picture. So, you don't have to say anything, but we're going to take a picture because we want to recognize the honor and recognition that is how amazing you are. >> I'm blessed with really great kids and really great leaders. So, >> well, thank you. >> Keep keep up the great work.
>> And this one recognition is a drop in the bucket for what Miss Ernest does and what she does for that Howard uh middle school community. >> Um, and now I'd like to bring up Lindsay Barber to recognize our VFW uh student winner, uh, Jaylen McDonald. >> Good evening, Miss Barber.
>> Hi. Thank you. Good evening, board chair, schoolboard members, Dr. Brewer. Each year, more than 60,600 students in grades 6 through eight participate in the Veterans of Foreign
Wars Patriots Pin Essay Contest, competing for nearly $1 million in state and national awards. The contest challenges students to reflect on America's history and their own experiences by writing a 3 to 400word
essay responding to a yearly prompt. This year's prompt was, "How are you showing patriotism and supporting our country?" This year, Jaylen McDonald, a student at Howard Middle School and student of Miss
Ernest, earned top honors at the state level for the state of Florida. Jaylen's essay was selected to represent the VFW, Department of Florida in the National Competition, where it received a special award of $1,000 sponsored by the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Colorado award. We really commend J Jaylen for this outstanding achievement and congratulate him and his family and his teacher, Miss Ernest at Howard Middle School for representing our
district with excellence at both the state and the national level. And in total, um Jaylen's essay received over $3,000 in cash prizes.
>> Wow. Wonderful. Is Jaylen here this evening? >> Come on down. Let's give you a big round of applause. >> Yes. Stand. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you, Miss Barbara and Jaylen. Stay right there because I believe that was our last recognition. So, we're going to
come down and you'll be our first photo. Okay. Careful. >> That's okay. That's okay. I just don't want to trip over anything. >> Yes. I don't know. That's it.
two. >> You're gonna get me on this. Will you take your Here we go. >> I got him. Thank you. >> Do it. I got you. I'll take your camera, too. And I'm gonna do two for mom. One, two,
and I snuck the third one. Thank you. Everybody's shy today. >> Guess I'm hopping in another one. We are. Here we go. One, two, three. Couple more. >> I'll take two. One, two. Thank you.
That was nice. Thank you. Go too far. Get all these. >> Of course. Congrats. >> We probably have some administrators. >> Come on down. Sound like Kevin just wanted the big trophy.
So you might have to let him spend a day. >> Yeah, that's a sizable You're You want to help? We absolutely will. >> I'll take you, >> Dr. Gary, if you'll take your name tag
off, please. >> Can we scoot in just a little more? I think that will that should do it. Perfect. Here we go. And one, two, three. Couple more. Stay right there. >> Anybody else?
>> Anybody else? >> I already got mine. >> I'd like to get one. Can we get one of the whole group? >> Yeah, the whole Good girl. Go. Mom needs one. It's pretty neat.
big trophies. >> They're not that expensive. >> Congrats. >> You got to get back in there. I'll take your phone if you want to. >> Yep. I like right here. >> Probably this one, right?
>> It's got Hello Kitty stickers, too. you. Is that you? Okay. Yeah. >> Agenda items and then three. >> All right. And whoever's phone I have. Is that you? All right. Thank you guys for being Well, that was a fun-filled 30 minutes full of recognitions. I love I think we
all do starting meetings that way. It's a great way as a to remind us of all of the good things that are happening in our classrooms every single day. So, I will move on to something else positive recognizing donations. Uh we want to start with a recognition of $1,680
to North Marian High School from Oneb Blood, Inc. to be used for school needs at North Mar High School and $2,50 to Hammet Bowen Elementary from the PTO to Hammet Bowen Elementary to purchase teacher reference resources for
classroom use totaling $3,730 of donations. We will move into the business portion of the meeting. >> I recommend approval of the agenda for the April 14th, 2026 school board meeting. >> May I have a motion on the
superintendent's recommendation? Second. >> A motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. >> Miss Martinez Young, please provide the proof of publication for tonight's school board meeting.
>> The notice for the April 14th, 2026 school board meeting was placed on the district website on April 7th, 2026. >> Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the March 5th, 2026 administrative briefing and work session? >> Motion to approve. Second
>> a motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the March 10th, 2026 schoolboard meeting? >> Motion to approve the minutes.
>> Second. >> A motion by board member Thor and a second by board member Campbell. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the March 24th, 2026 school board meeting?
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the March 31st, 2026 special administrative
briefing and work session. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving into ourformational items. The school
district uses a construction management delivery method including a guaranteed maximum price or GMP to perform construction work on projects. The superintendent or designate has signed and approved the following change orders. For per board policy 6345, the superintendent or designate is
authorized to approve and execute any construction change order that will increase the construction contract by 25,000 or less or that will decrease the construction contract amount provided that the approval shall be in his or her judgment in the best interest of the board. Such change orders shall be binding upon execution by the
superintendent. The superintendent shall report each change order that he or she approved to the board at the board meeting that follows his or her approval. The superintendent's approval of the change orders will be entered into the official minutes of the board meeting. Item 8.1 addresses owner direct purchase. To allow the direct purchase
materials through the owner direct purchase process to save sales tax, the construction manager needs to return the sales tax savings to the owner via these deductive change orders. 8.1 Guaranteed maximum price GMP for Greenway School HVAC modifications. Change order number one, work authorization number one,
project 25-105. The cost of this change order is a deductive amount of $131,672.68 for owner direct purchase. This action could save the district approximately $7,594.68 in sales tax. Item 8.1 addresses an
additive uh 8.2 addresses an additive change order. The additive change order will reconcile this project and will close the final books for this project. Guaranteed MAC 8.2 is guaranteed maximum price GMP for off-site improvements at new elementary school W. now known as Ross Prairie Elementary. Change order
number two, work authorization number 15, project 24-101. The additive amount is $11,79246. This concludes theformational items. Miss Martinez Young, do we have any speakers this evening? >> Yes, Madam Chair, we have two speakers
for this portion of the meeting. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. Uh, good evening, Attorney Suzanne Green. Please explain the rules governing persons who wish to address the school board this evening. Thank you. In compliance with section 286.0114 Florida statutes, the school board has
adopted uniform procedures for public speakers who wish to speak at this evening's meeting either regarding one of today's agenda items or a matter relating to the operations of the school district. These procedures will ensure the public has a reasonable opportunity
to be heard on school board and school district matters. A written summary of these procedures is ava is available from the table in the lobby. Public speaker forms are also located on the same table. The completed forms were due
to the school board clerk no later than 5:40 p.m. This evening's agenda item speakers will be called prior to the business portion of the school board meeting in the order of receipt by the school board clerk. For items not listed
on the agenda, speakers will be called at the end of the business meeting. Before you begin speaking, please state your full name for the record and spell your last name. Each speaker will have three m minutes. When the speaker has one minute remaining, the speaker will
receive a visual notice to complete his or her comments. Speakers may not yield their time to others. Speakers and meeting attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Therefore, verbal attacks and
profanity are strictly prohibited. The board is here to listen to your comments only. You may be directed to an administrative staff member following the conclusion of your comments for further assistance to address your concerns. If there are matters dealing
with student discipline, including expulsions, they will be scheduled at the conclusion of the televised portion of the meeting. Parents may address the board regarding a discipline matter at that time. To ensure student privacy, only a parent or guardian may use a
student's first or last name. Identifying reference to other students is also prohibited. A speaker's speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the school district. Thank you for attention to the board's requirement.
Chair, that concludes my my remarks. >> Thank you, Attorney Green. Uh, can you please call the first speaker, Miss Martinez Young, >> Miss Denise Alexander. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Good evening, Dr. Grewer and members of the school board. Thank
you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. My name is Denise Alexander, executive officer, and I'm here to ask you for your continued support of the Construction Academy, a program that is proudly supported by the Marian County Building Industry Association,
and that's who I represent. This year, we have made meaningful investments into the program. Later this month, we are hosting an interview session with our members and students of Lakewir High School. We purchased materials and graduation gifts to recognize the students hard work at their awards
night. These efforts reflect our commitment to providing students with hands-on realworld learning experiences. One of our major projects at Lakewear High School has been the construction of a studentbuilt deck. Unfortunately,
progress was delayed as we awaited necessary approvals. Despite this, the students are ready to move forward and all plans for the project are completed. We are also fortunate to have strong community support. The Marian County Building Industry Association along with
local suppliers are prepared to donate materials and to help with this project. This partnership highlights the value of this program and the opportunities it creates for our students. The construction academy provides a pathway to careers, certifications, and lifelong
skills. It connects students to industry professionals and prepares them for high demand careers in the skilled trades. At this time, we respectfully ask for your support to continue and strengthen this program. With your approval, we can move
forward with our projects, fully utilize the donated resources, and provide students with the hands-on experience they deserve. Thank you for your time and your continued dedication. Thank you ladies. >> Thank you. And thank you for your dedication as well.
>> Miss Martina Jang, our second speaker, >> Edward Joseph Fentino Jr. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Uh, thank you for your time. Marian County School Board members, Dr. Brewer. Um, my name is Edward Cheich Fantino and I'm here to
urge you to expand construction trade learning opportunities and require softskilled training for every student. Marian County has a booming construction demand. Yet, most graduates will leave school without a single trade skill or
the ability to show up on time, communicate clearly, or solve problems. We need hands-on programs in carpentry, masonry, concrete, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and welding starting in middle
school. So students can earn the certifications and step into highpaying jobs straight after graduation rather than locking them into a collegeonly path. Pair that with mandatory soft skills
classes focusing on teamwork, work ethic, conflict resolution, and professional communication. These are the traits that our employers are saying kids are lacking the most.
This is not optional. It is very urgent for our industry. Every student deserves a real path to success and not just a diploma. I ask you to expand trade labs, apprenticeships with local contractors,
and required a soft skills curriculum. Now, thank you for your time. >> Thank you very much for sharing your remarks. Miss Martinez Young, does that conclude our speakers for the beginning of the meeting? >> Yes, Madam Chair. >> All right. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda
items? >> So, move. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to student disciplinary matters. Before addressing expulsion matters, I would like to acknowledge the board members have received the alternative placement
list for students through March 4th, 2026. Miss Martinez Jang, are there any parents who have submitted a timely request to speak on their child's disciplinary matter? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Thank you very much. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-154 for the remainder of the third quarter
of the 20252026 school year with services. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. I just want to make sure that we have a note here. This is an administrative action and the student will remain on virtual school until August of 2026 when they
will return to their base school. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-145E JD26-146 JD26-152E
JD26-156E JD26-161E JD26-164 JD26-165E JD26-166 JD26-169E JD26-170
JD26-171 JD26-172 2E, JD26-173E, JD26-174, JD26-181, JD26-182 for the remainder of the third quarter of the 2025 2026 school year and the
first, second, and third quarters of the 2026 2027 school year with services. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Campbell and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a
motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-163 for the remainder of the 202526 school year and the first, second, and third quarters of the 202627 school year without services. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Conrad.
>> Second. >> Second by board member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Those were there any opposing? Okay. Sorry, I didn't hear everyone. Motion passes. 5-0. We will move on to our discussion. Regular agenda items. May I
have a motion to approve the independent contract agreements with speech language pathologists. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Conrad. Dr. Brewer, I believe you have some information you'd like to share regarding this item. >> Yes, thank you, Chair. Um, we have Miss
Anna William Shonne. She's the director of exceptional student education. She's here to provide a few remarks concerning this agenda item. >> Good evening. Good evening, Chair James, board members, and superintendent Dr. Brewer.
Tonight, we have for your consideration the approval of independent speech and language contracted services for the 2627 school year. The agenda item this evening contains 16 independent
contracts totaling 1,567,6425. Speech and language services are the primary entrylevel supports that we provide for students with disabilities. Those supports are provided for students in preK through GA grades 12 and they
are a major part of how our school district supports students with disabilities. >> Thank you so much. Board, is there any further discussion on this item? Board member Campbell. >> Thank you. I just had a question. Miss Williams Jones, is this all of the speech language therapists that we will approve or we're just approving this batch right now?
>> This is the current batch. I will be back before you with more approvals um as we move throughout the next couple of months. >> Okay. Thank you. I I just wanted clarification because it is a high dollar item, but this is as high as it actually is.
>> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Board, any further discussion. All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. Thank you, Miss Williams Jones. I may I have a motion to approve the third amendment with Ocala
Consulting and Prevention LLC. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. Uh I believe >> um Evette, Miss Evette Del Nadal is here. She's the director of mental health and wellness.
>> Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening, Chair Dr. James, Superintendent Brewer, and board members. As a district, we partner with Ocala Consulting and Prevention or better known as OCP. OCP is a community-based mental health services provider that offers the provision of
additional counseling services on our school campuses. OCP's mental health counselors work in tandem with our school-based mental health professionals, which include our school counselors, our school social workers, and our school psychologists to provide additional support to schools identified
as having high needs. OCP counselors are able to provide on-site services to students, thus helping to mitigate some of the barriers that families encounter with regard to accessing community-based services. Students are typically referred via multiddisciplinary teams on
school campuses and we currently have 13 mental health counselors that provide services on 26 campuses throughout the district. The third amendment presented to you tonight is to support our continuation of our partnership with OCP for the 2627 school year to provide
crucial services on our campuses. >> Thank you very much for providing those remarks. Board, is there any further discussion on this item or member Thrower? >> I might not have heard it. The dollar amount >> 1.5 million. >> $1.5 million.
>> Thank you. It sounds like a lot, but there is so much need and it continues to be shared almost every board meeting by our student board representatives that they're concerned for their peers and with all the stressors in society today
which we as adult feels um it's magnified onto the kids. So I continue to be concerned about the allocation and the amount that we receive and does it really match the need that we can provide uh the services that our kids are really you know very straightforward
about needing which is courageous in it in itself. So I hope we can continue to provide as as much as we can and continue to advocate. >> Absolutely. And um to that point, board member Thrower, the question I had was um the number has gone up 50% since
2024. Is that because we're serving more students than we were or is the cost of the good gone up or a combination of both? >> A combination of both. We've have um we have had some uh increase in students and a slight increase in the cost as well. >> Understood. All right. Board, any
further discussion on this item? >> All right. Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to request permission to increase the estimated expenditure of discount
catalog bids 4087 ah 4088 ah 4089 ah 409 ah 4091 ah 4092 ah and 4093 ah >> motion to approve.
>> Motion by board member Campbell and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, I believe Mr. Rio Walsh is providing remarks or you are. >> He's available for questions if you have any questions. >> Okay, board. Do do we have any questions regarding this item? >> Dr. Campbell.
>> Thank you. No, no questions. It's just the I believe the explanation is is here if Mr. careers want to to offer it, but certainly it costs a lot to open a new high school. And so all of the materials and supplies that are being purchased have already exceeded the budget amount
and so we're having to u raise this amount based on the contract of dis of the cataloges. But >> yes, ma'am, good evening. Yes, that is that is correct. Uh we are increasing uh this amount so that we can continue to make sure that we have all of the supplies and equipment that we need at South Maran High School, which is
driving the increase. Yes. >> All right. >> Opening a new high school costs a lot of money, but also we can't forsake all the other schools that we had already budgeted for, all the needs that they had. So, uh, certainly the need is present for us to raise this. Um, >> yes, ma'am. And those other schools will
continue to be able to tap into this contract. It's not just for South Marin, it's for the entire district. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful board. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to um May I have a
motion to approve the guaranteed maximum price GMP for the North Marian High School Auditorium Lighting Upgrades Project 24-118. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Conrad. >> Second. >> Second by board member Campbell. Uh Dr. Brewer, did we um have anyone that
wanted to speak to I know I want to speak to it. >> Yes. Really this was just for you to comment on this item. >> Okay. Uh well board all I wanted to just say is a recognition for the investment at North Marian High School and to address their lighting in their auditorium. Um it was something that came to my attention over almost a year
ago now. Uh and Miss Usher and her team have been able to really do some um investigation and look under the hood and kind of figure out how this discrepancy could have come about and address it and write the ship. So I'm incredibly appreciative of that and board I'm appreciative of hopefully your
agreement in making this happen. Any further discussion? Dr. Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for bringing it up. As I was reading through this agenda item, my first question was, "Why didn't we do this whenever Forest and Westport got their auditorium lighting and the lighting in here as well?" >> Well, we did do it. We just only did it like for $100,000. And so,
>> um, the band teacher and leader of the drama program, um, uncomfortably brought it to my attention almost a year ago and said, "Hey, I know that you guys did this upgrade, but it like wasn't really
an upgrade for us." Um, and so we did a little bit digging and a little bit of conversation. And again, a lot of this predates Miss Usher. And um, we realized that there was a bit of inequity there, especially when we looked at the drama numbers and how many students are actually being served in the program at North Marian High School. And so um,
through some creative moving of money and and projects and prioritization would probably be the best way to put it, we figured out how to make it happen. Is there any other comment from the board? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Thank you, board. And we'll now move into meeting reminders. There are no off-air discipline disputes for April 16th. We do have a special schoolboard meeting on April 16th that will begin at 8:55. We will immediately recess that and then
come back on at the end of our work session to address an item that will need to be voted on. Um, there is also an IICOR meeting uh for referendum oversight scheduled for April 16th at 4 PM. Uh, we'll now move into persons requesting to address the board for non-related agenda items. Miss Martina
Jang, how many speakers do we have? >> We have three speakers. >> All right. Seeing as we've already shared the um remarks. Attorney Green, you don't need to read them again. Thank you so much. Um, will you please welcome our first speaker? >> Anthony Hartwell Brown. Come on down.
Good evening. >> Good evening everyone. Dr. Brewer, board chair, board members. I am simply here as a mouthpiece in support of the dynamic
um community and caring person that Narlla Haynes is. What she has done for our community in the three years that I've known her has been nothing less than spectacular. She ex She she shows an unconditional love for all of our students and I wanted for the record to
say that it will be truly missed from my perspective as well from the many families that she has served in our time together. I understand that family liaison all over the county are experiencing something similar and our
hearts go out to them as well. But I come to you just to reinforce that um though you have no direct control and I understand the method by which was presented to the
family liaison was less than transparent and that's difficult when these are the people who are the faces of our community. They hug our children. They make sure that they have shoes. They make sure that they're taken care of on so many levels that me as a public school teacher, I cannot. And so I
simply have a desire to say that in a school district that prides itself on caring, I would love to see in the future that we treat these kind of individuals who go above and beyond each and every day with a
little bit more caring in these difficult situations. Difficult decisions come across our lives every day and that's that's to be understood, but how we communicate as human beings in those difficult in those difficult situations is what sets us apart as a
family here in Marian County. And I just wanted to say thank you to Narella and thank you to you for listening to me and all the people who have come to me that were a little nervous to step before you. So, thank you so very much and have a wonderful evening. Thank you as well,
Miss Martinez Young. Who's next? Nella Haynes. >> Good evening, Miss Haynes. >> Expecting that. And if I can't finish in three minutes, I'll be back again. Good evening. Protocol has been
established, so I'm not going to address each of you individually. To Dr. Brewan staff, I stand before you this evening to address layoffs and dis replacements of fees and others as others. What is disturbing about this situation is how
it was handled. We were told that we would be going to sitebased budgeting, but it was up to the principles to keep us. But this is where the controversy and emotions come in. Not at one time were we told that just because your principal put you in the
budget, you would not be the person to keep the job. Had that been relayed up front, I don't think some of the principles would have put it in their budget because they knew the persons that were working for them and the impact they were making with the
students and their families. Not only that, but within their organization and the community. Let's be real for a moment because some of the principles said some of us weren't doing our jobs and the district didn't see the impact.
Some of you all felt like we are also useless. Well, when you're not there every day to see what actually goes on, it's easy to come to that conclusion. You're not there when a child walks in the office with one shoe on and the other one in
their hand because the soul is gone because it's dry rotted. I can give you numerous uh numerous occasions I have had to deal with. Have you ever had a child to ask for a plastic cutlery set when he could have
asked for chips, candy or drink? That puzzled me and I asked why that baby wanted the color set and his response to me was I will have something to clean to eat with tonight. Our families and
children need us more now than ever before. You talk about attendance. Well, one day when contacting a family member about a student attendance and the parent said to me, she is out today also because she's helping me locate food
banks. I truly feel like I was misled because when it was first mentioned about us going to school base, I prayed about it and I and the vision came to me to make an offer to work both schools which would help save on budgets while
building stronger relationships with our students and families. Not only that, the relationships and partnerships have been established within the community and staff. For this, for this was no secret because I shared this with most of you and you thought it would be a
great idea. But not once did one of you say it would be by seniority. That way it has h the way it was handled is being oh the way it was handled one being told today another being told
tomorrow only cause confusion and drama had it been done more professionally with with consideration for us there would have been more respect and we would feel like we you were being transparent with us >> Haynes if you wouldn't mind finishing your paragraph and then um your time is
expired. I finish my paragraph transparent with us. That way we would feel now that it's more about the budget than the people that hold positions to have to help our children and families. And as I say, I'll finish the rest later. >> Thank you, Miss Haynes.
Miss Martinez Young. >> April Rose McCoy. >> Good evening, Miss Rose McCoy. Hi, my name is April Rose McCoy. A P R I L. Last name is R O S E-NC. Madame Chair, school board member,
superintendent, I'm speaking tonight not only as an employee, but as a union voice, one that represents workers who have given their time, their skills, and their hearts to the school district. I am here in response to the 35 layoffs of
non-instructional staffs, including positions that were intentionally created to support one of the district's stated priorities, family engagement. Several years ago, this district made a commitment to establish the family liaison position, recognizing that
strong family engagement is critical to student success, parent involvement, and overall school effectiveness. That commitment acknowledged that educators have what educators have long known that when families are supported and connected, schools are stronger. If
we look at the family liaison job description, the very first paragraph outlines responsibilities such as building relationships with families, supporting communication between home and schools, connecting families to resources, and helping remove barriers
to student success. These are not optional services. They are essentials. Yet the district received all of this work at a wage that was second from the bottom of the wage scale. Quite frankly, that was a bargain for the level of
responsibility and impact provided. The elimination of these position raises serious concerns. I would assume the district still expect this important work to continue at every work site. However, with these positions now gone, schools will have to find a way to
continue providing these services to family. Most likely, that responsibility will fall on other non-instructional staff members of my unit on top of their existing duties. More broadly, let's be clear, the 35 individuals who were laid
off, there were not numbers on spreadsheets. They were people. People who opened school doors each morning, supported struggling students, assisted teachers, calm anxious children, kept campuses running, and showed up every single day because they believed in
public education. Non-instructional staff are essent essential to our school. Without them, schools do not function. Period. While we understand that difficult decisions must sometimes be made, we must ser we must ask serious
and transparent questions. What factors were considered when eliminating these positions? Were employee performance, dedication, and contribution evaluated? There were 35 positions eliminated in the district at of this size and we do
not accept determination was the only option. We speak often about recruitment and retention, but action speaks louder than words. When capable, >> just finish your last paragraph, please. >> When capable, committed workers are
removed from the system. We lose experience. We lose trust. And we lose people who choose education intentionally, often knowing they were accepting lower pay because they believed in service and purpose. >> Thank you, Miss Rose McCoy.
Does that conclude our speakers this evening? >> Yes, Madam Chair. >> All right. Thank you. Well, with that, we will move into uh board committee reports and concerns and comments. I'll start with Miss Martinez Young. >> Nothing, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> Anything from the attorney's office? Thank you. I want to thank you for being
here this evening and supporting our work. Dr. Brewer, >> Miss Slaughter, would you like to go first? >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> Um, I just wanted to start by saying once again, thank you guys for the opportunity to speak today. Uh, I want to start also with taking a second to
acknowledge the job and career fair or job and college fair that was at Vanguard today. I think it's really important to kind of like share all the opportunities and all like the choices that students have to prepare for their future and like all like the the different paths that they can go after high school. And I think it's really
great that my school did that. And I think it's something that we should implement in all schools across Marian County if we don't already have that at least for high school. Um, and I I feel like a lot of the students got to see like all the options they have available to them like college or trade school, military service, going into the workforce. And I think that we should um
build upon this program that we already have like not just at Vanguard but at all high schools. Um, by like familiar familiarizing students with these options much earlier, like starting from like freshman year, even in eighth grade. That way they can adequately prepare for like going into these options, going to these different like
paths like before they go into senior year or even in the beginning of senior year kind of having a job fair like this instead of at this point because most kids already know where they're going, what college they're going to, what they're going to do um after high school at this point in the year. And I feel like it'd be really helpful to kind of start this process earlier because a lot of my friends like one of their biggest
regrets in high school was not joining as many extracurriculars in the beginning and like when they were underassmen because they didn't really know how important it was for college. And I feel like it'd be helpful to kind of tell students how important all these different things are so they can start like their college application process and like start building their application earlier and kind of start
that process in freshman year so that they have stronger applications overall. And also with paying for college, I know like a lot of different like I think like the the police department and the fire department will pay for students um education if they work for them while they're going to school. And I feel like a lot of kids don't know that and they think taking out a loan or getting
scholarships are their only option to pay for college. And I mean that's it's it's would be a lot help more helpful for them to like know that they can do this and not be in debt when they're older and they can work for the fire department or the police department and kind of go through the education that way. >> Absolutely. >> Well, thank you for sharing. We always
appreciate your perspective and insight, Dr. Brewer. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Julia. Um yes, thank you and thank you to the speakers that were here tonight. I I just want to share a few statements in response to your comments. Um we have met for the
last few months and kept Mr. um both MEA and MESP presidents in um we've been in close communication with them to let them know the process and we followed the language that's in the collective bargaining agreement which states in
7.02 exactly how we have to handle layoffs and that is based on seniority. Um, and so our executive director over HR went to every single school personally and spoke with the employees. And so we were very proud of the
sensitivity that um, Miss Morance's team took to talk to the employees. And it did take two days because of the length of time that she spent with each employee. So, I I appreciate you being here, but I I do want to note let you know that I was very proud of the way
our executive director of HR handled the um layoffs in this in this tough time. And so, I wanted to comment on that. I also want to switch gears a little bit and celebrate um our school librarians this month, our media specialist. Thanks
to our referendum, we're able to have a media specialist in every one of our elementary schools. And um and so we always want to recognize school library month. We also are celebrating our volunteers this month. We will have a special presentation for our volunteers
at the end of April. Um and today was our K2 testing. So our little ones all sat for or most of them sat for an assessment today. Um in my closing remarks, I I want um to take a moment of to reflect on a few things. Um, over the
last few weeks, our district experienced the passing of several members of our Marian County Public Schools family. These losses are deeply felt across our schools and departments. Tonight, we pause to acknowledge their service to our schools, commitment to our students,
and their impact on colleagues and community. On behalf of the Maring County School Board and the entire district, I extend our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and co-workers. Our losses include Nisio Cologne, fifth grade teacher at Winding
Oaks Elementary, Nicole Henderson, a bus aid in our transportation department, Ma Burton Scott, a first grade teacher at Oakrest Elementary, Christian Palanco, a painter with our maintenance department, Nancy Dupri, a bus driver with our
transportation department. Miss Pamela Lorraine Perry, a best aid with our transportation department, and Patrice Bailey, an instructional pair professional at Emerald Shores Elementary. We also want to recognize the strength and compassion shown by our
staff as they support one another during these difficult times. Grief touches every school campus differently, and we remain committed to ensuring those who need support receive it. I want to thank our employees across the district for supporting our students with
professionalism, care, and dedication even in moments of loss. This commitment speaks to the heart of who we are as a team. So, Chair, Chair James, sorry, those are all my comments this evening. >> Thank you, Dr. Burr. Uh, board member
Thor. >> Thank you. Um, I will start by thanking the builders association and Mr. Fantino for uh coming forward tonight. Um career and technical education has been
strengthened over the past seven years and it's a momentum that as a school board member I'm deeply committed to seeing continue. Um I am mindful every day that the funding that we get comes
from the community and we're all taxpayers. and the secondary funding that we get through our funding referendum which has we've we've all as a great majority have supported for many years now. Um it's a
major reason why we've been able to expand our career in technical education. It is such a win across the board for the whole community and especially for kids, you know, to be able as uh uh student board member
Slaughter just uh commented on that the the sooner kids begin to connect why they're even in school anyway, uh the better it is. And when we think back of, you know, to our youngest learners at a forom and our other prek
uh small kids, they play dress up, you know, what do you want to be when you grow up? And they're firemen and all this stuff and having a great time. And then all of a sudden something gets lost in the translation and it's, you know, pound pound academics academics. And I
think a lot of kids become disillusioned and and lose sight of why they're in school anyway. So, it's critically important to maintain and and also expand the momentum that we've already created. So, thank you again um for for
being here tonight to advocate on the behalf of the construction program and I believe it's Mr. Abshire that uh is is the teacher for that program and does a wonderful job. So, uh thank you again for being here. Um, as a board member
that started as a pair professional a few years ago, um, it distressed me greatly to see anyone be laid off. And and when support professionals are are laid off, it's a it's a huge hit. And
I will say that, you know, with starting the sitebased budgeting, the way I took it in was all right. Well, the principles are now going to be responsible, but the principles are going to get to call the shots. So, isn't that a good thing? You know, and
then the reality of the budget sets in and because of the union contracts, the the language supersedes, I guess, even the the principal's discretion. And that also came as a very rude
reminder to me about how harsh it is when any layoffs have to occur and especially when treasured employees that prove themselves over and over day after day just going above and beyond. Those
are the losses that are just so hard to take in hard budget times. So I I just wanted to share uh that I also had some confusion about it until again I was not rudely reminded.
It it feels rude because it's the way it it is and I don't like it. Um and I look forward to being able to do whatever we can, you know, within the parameters that we have to live with to reduce the
impact as much as we possibly can. And I do appreciate um Miss Morant and and the care that was taken um when the news had to be broken to make the effort over two days time. Uh in fact, I got a phone
call that said we're not done today because of the time that it's taking. Now, that doesn't pay your bills and and I get that. But I think the it's important to have the full context of of what we're dealing with here. So, um I'll I'll move on to my my next thing
and that is uh we we know that we beat the attendance drum all the time, but this is feels like just such a victory that Oakrest Elementary School finally won their the attendance banner and the attendance response committees and the
focus on attendance really got strong when Oakrest and Evergreen were both failing schools and both under state oversight. Right. And well, okay. So, why are they in this position? Well, a bunch of the kids never came to school or hardly ever came to school. So, when
I think of the growth that that can occur and the sec the success that can happen when everyone pulls on the same side of the rope and emphasizes the basics, it is incredibly gratifying. And I also can't wait to see especially what
Orest school grade is because maybe it's causation and not correlation or correlation but not causation. But I don't I might not be the smartest person on the planet but I'm pretty sure that if you come to school you'll probably do better. So I'm I'm looking forward to to
those that news. And I also want to congratulate him at Bowen because him at Bowen tied with Oakrest for the banner. So, there's healthy competition going on there and that's great. And Liberty Middle School, um, they've got, you know, a lot going on and they won their
banner and the the village of Westport High School won the attendance banner, too. So, there's incredible challenges in our district, but there's also incredible success. So, as we work through the pain, I think it's also super important to continue to acknowledge all the great work that's
going on. Um, of course, one of my personal favorites, uh, too, is that 3,800 Black Stallion books were labeled and sent out to schools in preparation for the reading initiative from the Ocala Horse Alliance. This has been a
tremendous partnership for many years now. And it just goes to show you, you know, when we say everyone that works for us has a hand in student success. Getting all those books out to the schools is a big project. And those ladies, mostly ladies, used to do that
on their own in their own cars. And you know, we get older every year. And Amelia Bray at the warehouse and her team have taken that on um for them for the past few years now. So even if you're, you know, moving books around, you're contributing to student success
and that's incredibly appreciated. Um, speaking of uh, vocational and career and technical education, I also wanted to give a shout out to a very special partner, which is our C. They have been strong supporters of our funding
referendum for many years. They are all about the the pipeline of success for getting students um, from their classrooms to careers. and they are rolling out a new partnership this year in manufacturing,
healthc care and equin and agriculture. It's going to be June 1st through the 3 and um there have the focus is on middle school. So that is music to a lot of our ears and um being selected for this
experience 30 educators will be immersed in these industries spending one full day gaining hands-on experience. Um there will also be a pitch contest in which teams of educators from each middle school at the end will present their plans for implementing um this
learning into classroom instruction and threading it in. You know, what are you here for kids? There's some great opportunities that you can be working towards. Um industry experts will serve as judges and there'll be some cash prizes awarded to the winning team to support implementation of their plan at
their middle school. So, there's some pretty exciting things going on. it takes a community to lift us all up. And I know there's so much more I could say, but I'm going to leave it right there for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Thor. Uh, Reverend Cummings,
>> good evening. Um, to let me let me start here. Um, there a few weeks ago, I I meant to address something to say something about something that we had just went to and I didn't. Um, but we were at Forom Forom
Academy a few weeks ago >> for their time to speak up. >> Forom Forest, I think that was the name of it. This is the Forom Forest. Um, a few weeks ago where the staff over there put together this um I guess it's a a
walking path, a walking trail or something. >> Yeah. and um very very um creative on what they put in place where these kids actually have a a pathway to be outside and learn different
activities and still um learn to read and the other STEM STEM oriented events. So, I want to commend um Miss Beck and the Forom uh staff for that that creativity and the partnerships because there are several um community uh
businesses that partner with forom and putting this in place. I think it gives kids opportunity. U now nowadays we kind of live with with kids like to be in the house and they're playing video games and they don't they don't they don't know what grass is and all that kind of stuff. and uh these kids were able to
have this trail um right outside the right on their campus where they have different stations. So I want to commend um forom staff and uh everyone for that for putting implementing that. I also wanted to touch base with uh what we saw
tonight from the construction trades um late high school. Um, we know we've said we've we've pushed the issue about there being different pathways for success. I think uh just the other week when we were talking about policy, we talked about that there are more than one
pathway to success. College may be the pathway for some um but it's not the pathway for all. And I think by us as a school district creating different pathways for these students to have success makes a difference. Even our
student board member just said tonight about different pathways. Um, everyone's not going to go to college out of straight out of high school. Some may go into the service industry. Some may go into law enforcement or or uh public service. But, uh, we want to make sure
that we're doing whatever we can to kind of navigate or or at least put in front of these kids the options that they have available to them. And I think that's a great thing. I I I look back to when I was in when I was in high school, there weren't a lot of pathways. You either going to college or you're going to to
the military or you're going to work. Um and and these kids have so many so many different options. There weren't that many trades skills being offered through high school. So, um I love the fact that the construction trade came through tonight and said that, hey, we may even
need to go to middle school. And I agree with that. I completely agree with that. My final my final thought is um is on the comments that we heard last from our our fails and uh concerning um
the work that many of our fails have put in. um one in particular that's here that spoke they spoke on tonight and the relationships that they've built um and the rapport that they've built with the community and with the the schools and
the the principles and everyone. You cannot underestimate the power of of helping someone that's in need. And I believe that's that's the position that our fails were given. That
was the job. That was the task. That was the assignment that they were given that they had they were given um coming out of out of COVID out of the pandemic at a time when um it was much needed and it still is much needed. Um the then
superintendent uh felt that it was necessary that these positions be in place in every school because they they met a need that had not been being met. It is completely unfortunate. It is
completely unfortunate on how um our budgeting process is. When we went to sitebased budgeting, we did think that it gave the principles more oversight on how uh who or what person would be in
those positions. However, um through collective bargaining contracts, we have no control over that part. that piece um is definitely in the hands of the collecting bargaining units um where it states that you must go through um by
seniority. That's unfortunate. That's unfortunate because we do know that sometimes we equate the position with the personality. We understand that sometimes the personality in the position makes the position. We understand that. We truly understand
that. And it's unfortunate that we're at a that we're at a crossroads here where where people are losing their jobs or people are being laid off and through no fault of their own. Let me say it that way. Through no fault of
their own is completely unfortunate. Um saying we thank you for the support that you've given and giving to the district that you've given to families giving to kids. That doesn't pay the light bill. That doesn't pay the bills. that doesn't pay a car note. Um, my only hope is that
that those that are affected would still be looking within our district, looking on our website, looking for vacancies, that they can keep that they can stay into the system somewhere and that they don't lose their uh that their seniority doesn't start all over again and all
that kind of stuff. So, I'm hoping that those who have been affected, those 35 would would look for somewhere else to land at. Um, is it is this is this is a this is a tough time, guys. I'm just going to say it that way. Very tough time. And it's
not it's not getting any easier. And this was a I'm sure this was a tough decision um from coming from the um our team to make this to do these these layoffs. But I'm again I'm praying that we would uh encourage those fails, those
people that have been adversely affected that you would still not give up on the district and not give up on your your passion for helping people because if it's in you to help people, that's your calling. That's what you need to do no matter what. Um that I don't want to I'm
gonna lean on my faith that God opens other doors. If he closes one, he's going to open another one. And so, uh, whether you're whether you're in the school as a receptionist or attendance clerk or whatever, I'm not steing our positions. If that's your calling, if that's your if that's what he's put you
here for, you're going to be able to do that in whatever position you're in. So, I just want to encourage you to please don't just give up on it. Um, keep looking, keep keep checking the board because there's there has to be somewhere someplace for you to land. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Reverend Cummings, Dr. Campbell. Thank you. Um, Reverend Cummings, that'll preach. I I mean, it just if God's called you to do something and you've been endowed with spirit le
profession, um, God will open a door. I I I firmly believe that. Um, I I guess I could begin with I have a lot of comments here, but I I can begin with the the end in mind. I am looking forward to our budget update this week. I I know that Thursday we have a lot of
conversation about our third calculation. Interestingly enough, we as a district are in a struggling position right now in part because our state legislature hasn't passed a budget yet. So, we don't know. I mean, we we we're speculating and forecasting what we
believe the budget to be. Um we we are under enrollment projections from this past year and we can say that for sure. Uh but we don't know really what the budget is going to look like and that's in part because our state legislature
hasn't told us yet. So I'll just leave that there. Um but let's talk about some positive things first. So um consent agenda this evening. We approved the reading pals program with United Way. Yet again that was in the consent agenda. Thank you, Jan, for being here
in the audience when we did that. We also did approve the construction of the fieldhouse deck at Lakewear High that Miss Alexander spoke about this evening. So, just if anybody's watching from the beginning to the end of this meeting, please be aware we did make that vote in the consent agenda. So, thank you for
being here and for Mr. Fantino also for mentioning trades. Interestingly enough, we had the opportunity several weeks ago to welcome Congressman Randy Fine to Lakew Weir High School and he was able to tour the construction academy. At that time, we made a pitch to explain to
him also that what we would like to do with the potential repurposing of the Lakewear Middle campus when we build a new Lakewear Middle School is to put an early learning academy there and would it be possible for us to receive an
earmark federally. And so thanks to the whole team for putting that work together because during our and I'm calling a virtual groundbreaking we had uh during the the rainstorm that we had last week, we did have Congressman Fine come in and be a part of that.
Representative Ryan Chamberlain was also there. Um, but when we made that groundbreaking for the new Lakewware Middle School campus, Congressman Fine did announce that we are in the top of his list for earmarks for federal um, dollars for 2027. So, no guarantee that
we will receive that money, but the fact that we even have an opportunity to receive it, $2.7 million from a federal earmark, is certainly a step in the right direction. So, please know we are asking for money anywhere and everywhere it can come from and that includes our
first ever request for a federal earmark in Marian County Public Schools history. So, um we are hopeful that our appropriation at the state level will also be considered for Marian Technical College improvements this year. Again, they haven't approved a budget, so we don't know anything about that yet. Um,
but then potentially next year we will also be putting in an appropriation request for that early learning academy repurposing of Lakeer Middle School campus that currently sits off of Sunset Harbor Road and won't in August 2027 because it will be off of Oak Road in
Silver Spring Shores. Uh, also a couple of meeting notes of things that have happened. So today during the Governor's West meeting, I wanted to offer a shout out. I don't know if you all are aware, but our very own Howard Academy program manager, Dvita Randolph, is now chairing Governor's West. And so, she put
together a wonderful group today. Dr. Barbara Brooks and Cynthia Graham spoke about the Black History Museum that is at Howard Academy as well as the Friends of the Black History Museum that the group that they have started to fund raise specifically for that group and how they want to expand the Black
History Museum and they'll it's housed in Howard Academy, but she was purposeful to say they don't receive any funding from Marian County Public Schools and so they're going to start trying to do some of their own fundraising to expand that program. Additionally, today many of us had the
opportunity to attend the rock programs ribbon cutting at Ocyola Middle School, another wonderful program that operates in Marian County Public Schools that receives no funding from Marian County Public Schools. So the donors of the rock program and through empowered of
central Florida continue to amaze and continue to resource those rooms and so that our students all we do is provide the space. They provide the volunteers. They provide the program management management. They provide the resources and everything in it. We just provide
the space. They even provided the repurposing of the location and really spruced up the space at Oyola Middle School that was the former girls locker room. So, anybody who used to go there in the main building, ground floor, the old girls locker room, is now the the uh
rock room, and it is it is wonderful, and it's going to be really servicing a lot of students. I had the opportunity also to volunteer in one of our schools in the last couple of weeks in their prom boutique that the rock program provides where students come and really
can receive dresses and suits and all the all of the attire that they would need for their prom and really some beautiful things were taken by students. And it was a great time for students who might not have the resources to get all
of the doalled up kind of stuff, but um might be able to find a way to to get that ticket or to get the ticket sponsored, but just wouldn't have a way to to get dressed up. And so, The Rock provides that. And it was a wonderful opportunity to be a part of that. I have to give a shout out again to Pamela
Ernest. I cannot believe she sat beside me for two full basketball games. We were at the semi-finals of the middle school basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball basketball games and then she came and sat with me during the finals also and did not say one word to me about her being the the math counts teacher of the year in or coach
of the year for the state. She continues to amaze me and she's so cute. She said um you know she's been doing it for 20 years and she told her principal I might do it just one more year. She started doing it when one of her children was in math counts. And so she just never she
just gets all of the sponsors to help her and all of the parents. She just gets all the parents of those Howard Middle, all the doctors and the engineers and they they're they help her. She's just a great um wrangler of all the people to make that happen. And so since I mentioned athletics, I I have
to say we don't often congratulate our teams, but we've had a lot of Marian County tournaments that have been going on in the last couple of weeks. And so I want to give a shout out to the North Mary Middle girls basketball team and the Oyola Middle boys basketball team on winning the county championship. Oyola
Middle has a special place in my heart. It's obviously their very first year to have actually their own gym in their own space that they could be doing that. And when you look at the traveling trophy, it was Fort King Fort King Howard Howard and and Oyola has not won that in at
least the last 10 years. And so that was a big accomplishment for them. and North Marian Middle. I think their girls team hadn't won in several years also, so that was great. Also, shout out to Forest High School for hosting the middle school basketball championship. So, that's a big deal to even host. Also, Forest boys volleyball won the
county tournament and Lake High School hosted those. Uh, those are schools I represent right now, the way District 1 is set up. Um, that was the volleyball county championship. North Marian High won the county baseball tournament and the county beach volleyball and softball uh fast pitch softball championships are
happening this week. So a shout out to all those teams. I know that we're heading into districts also, but a lot of the we have an an inner county tournament that happens and that is what our middle schools have is an inner county tournament. Uh but all of these others uh have the county tournaments
that they participate in. So shout out to all those teams and coaches and all the work that's been done. I I already kind of alluded a bit to the budget conversation of happening this Thursday. It is unfortunate that collective
bargaining agreements supersede what we believe should happen and and I'm just going to leave that as a statement. I I know that there are representatives here from the unions and speaking from union representation, I completely understand that. But in this particular case, the collective bargaining agreement
superseded what we all believed needed to happen. So, um, I'll leave that there. And the last thing that I will mention, uh, is something that we're talking about also on Thursday. I know we have a a presentation from the city of Ocala on the vision 2050. I wanted to
highlight that last evening during the city of Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission, which I am a non- voting member of. I had the opportunity to see that uh the real big plan the way it was um spelled out by city staff because the
planning and zoning commission has to make the recommendation to city council to approve it. And so as we talk about it on Thursday, I just wanted to make you all aware. Again, I'm a non- voting member of that group, but I noticed that item 2.5 of the plan did have safe
routes to schools mentioned and it's in the plan, but it wasn't mentioned with a high priority or something that really had you'll see these icons that have and it wasn't um put at a high priority. And I was able to convince those in the commission last evening to make the
recommendation to city council that they approve it with that becoming a high priority in the 2050 vision. So yes, so safe routes to schools will be a high priority based on the recommendation from planning and zoning commission. Certainly city council has to approve it as such. Um but that was something that
happened during last evening. So I think that concludes my remarks. Thank you chair. >> Madam chair, I got a question for Dr. Campbell. Sure. because we um we kind of invested or participated in the safe safe routes to school. Is there
any update on that process or because it's it was supposed to be priority uh when we we met at Howard Howard Middle School, we had the conversation. So, I'm kind of wondering how it dropped down. So that specific route that was discussed, it became something I the way
I it was explained to me last evening was it's something that came up kind of after they had been developing the 2050 plan. And so when it was presented last night, I can show you on Thursday. I'll bring the big printouts if they don't bring them to us, but you can see all the different icons associated. And I
just I noted it was listed, but it didn't have a high priority icon. So planning and zoning unanimously um made that recommendation to city council that it will be. So I I think I think they got the message loud and clear. >> Was there an update on the process of the approval?
>> I can provide a a brief a brief update. Um this is a priority at least of a few of our city council men and women and so it was discussed at our technical working group and so it I would believe that it is a high priority for our city
council um as well. And so, um, that application, I can't I I'm sorry, Reverend Cummings. I can't remember the deadline, but it was submitted. Then there's quite a time period where it gets reviewed until we found out if if we back February. >> Yeah, Miss Usher does have all that
information. She could maybe Dr. Brewer send that out. >> Yes, we will. >> Thank you. >> All right, Dr. Campbell, if that concludes your comments, uh, board member Conrad. >> Okay. Um, I want to start uh we had some difficult
um public comment today and so I want to first start with thanking Miss Morant and her team because we each board member did get a phone call. The original um timeline was to meet with each uh employee individual and have
conversation. Um, and we received a phone call that because of the sensitivity of the conversations, um, it did take longer than anticipated. Um, and they were running into another day. And so, it's kind of a double-edged
sword. You know, you're doing doing a good job by communicating and taking time with people, but then that takes longer. You know, it takes longer than you anticipated. So, I just want to thank uh Miss Maran and her team uh for that commitment to visiting with every
single person. Um I also want to say for our FAL's um I work with one every Friday in the rock room. I am uh grateful and appreciative uh for
the work that you do each and every day. Uh this is just a really challenging time. Um I believe this position started over COVID when we when there was I was not on the board at this time but um a need
was identified as we had so many students that were not in school. Uh and as as students started coming back um principles and staff members found great value um in that position and building relationships not just with
students but with families and also with the community. um bringing in resources and things that are needed um at the schoolbased level. Uh it's very a very personal um relationship getting to know your students and your families and what
their needs are. So, um, another board member said this, "I know it doesn't pay the bills, uh, but I do want to thank you for your service and your commitment and your time and your creativity and and all that you put into um the work of working with with our
students each and every day. And so, I'm just grateful for you and the work that you do." And I think Reverend Cummings and Dr. Campbell both expressed, we we hope you find a spot with us. Uh, we we want want to see you on school campuses. um most of you I know and so uh we we
know the great work that you're doing and so I just wanted to be sure to to share that with you. You're not a number on a spreadsheet to us. You are a a a person a valuable person uh that serves each and every day supporting uh the growth and success of our students. So
just wanted to say thank you. uh along those lines uh talking about um all that's going on in our schools. So many times I say this many many times from the my board seat but the newspaper only covers a lot of the negative things
that are going on in public schools. But tonight you got to hear a variety uh of wonderful things that are happening uh in public schools in Marian County from the construction academy to our OTC all
of our STEM winners. we had an essay uh winner uh math counts and a math counts coach of the year. And so just I just want to give that as a reminder. There are amazing things happening in public school each and every day. And I
encourage you to step into that space uh and be a part of all the great things that are happening. H and lastly um actually no, I have two more things. Um the rock room opening at uh Oyola was fabulous. If you have visited or been a
part of the rock room, I just want to share this one thing. I wish that I had shared it at our um gathering today, but when you think of uh the needs of students, sometimes we think large and grand, you know, like you have to support um sponsoring a room or you have
to, you know, redecorate or whatever that is. And really it's very you can volunteer or support in a very small way. Things like granola bars or socks or lotion. Those are things that I see students coming in to get. So I just
wanted to share the message that if you're you're interested or you're part of the rock room on any school campus, um it you can give and be a part of that in a very small way. So we're just very fortunate um to have that in our middle and high schools.
very grateful for the the work that goes into that each and every week. Well, for them each and every day. I get to see it each and every week, but um each and every day for them. Um lastly, I have a request. Um Dr. Brewer, chair, I'd like
for us to have an item and I don't I don't know how to title it or what what's appropriate, but I'd like more information on travel for our staff and what that looks like, how it's decided, where the funds come from, because I'm
concerned as um things move forward in one space, we have uh in our personnel area, things are moving backwards. And so, um, as a community member, I think that's very confusing. I think as
a staff member, it's very confusing. And so, I would like to for us to have some sort of overview of what that process looks like as we make decisions on which staff members are going where, what
funding is used to pay for that, um, and what needs are met, uh, with those trainings. And so in sometime in the near future, um I would like more information on that. >> I think that's possible. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. And that concludes my comments.
>> Thank you, Vice Chair Conrad. So there's been so much that's been covered already. So I will by no means continue to um go in depth on any particular topic. I want to say Miss Ernest is a rock star.
Uh and she represents a lot of rock stars. Um but we I'm so grateful that we were able to recognize her tonight. Um she's really a staple in that community and what she provides to the school and so um it's always nice to be able to recognize teachers who are doing just
that. I also want to um say Mr. Janosa um I believe I said that right. Yes. >> Janosa. >> Okay. Mr. Janosa at North Marian um it it takes a lot for a teacher to feel compelled to email the board. uh it's kind of like a a thing that not a lot of
people do. And so for him to reach out a year ago and just share not complaints but bring something to my attention as a board member that I had missed about the lighting at North Marian um I really appreciated that and he actually went to his principal to kind of ask permission first because he felt so uncomfortable.
Um, and I just want to use that as a way to say if you um, and I'll speak for myself, but I imagine I represent the whole board when I say if you see something happening that you feel like we may have missed because we're just one one of five people and um, our
agendas are very large and sometimes we approve something like Dr. Campbell had said and then say, well, well, how was it missed? U, there's a lot on our plate and a lot on the plates of of executive staff that are working on these items. And so I want to encourage staff if you feel like I've missed something, I want
you to reach out to me and share with me your perspective that's unique from your seat so that I can try to understand it, maybe look into it and have a better perspective myself because ultimately we represent not just our employees but all the taxpayers. Um and so that's just kind of my invitation to say call, text,
email. Um and I'm sure I represent the board when I say that. So, um I want to touch a little bit on construction academy first. The partnership with MCBIA is uh I was just talking in the community about this recently in the last week uh about
truly the financial not just financial but also um presence of partnership with MCBIA and what that has looked like for Lakewware High School and the construction academy is something that is um almost unprecedented in Marian County public schools specifically for
the construction industry. And so, um, I'm grateful that you came tonight to speak to the item that we did approve, but I also want to just speak to what we are continuing to do in career and technical education in Marian County Public Schools is something to be proud of. Um, one of the barriers that we
still see, uh, and Dr. Dr. Campbell is certainly more of an expert on this language than I am. Is that while we have a career and technical education pathway for graduation, that pathway still requires all of the graduation requirements of a traditional high
school diploma, algebra 1, EOCC, and the 10th grade English ELA test. And so, um, we have discussed with legislators, if you can pass the welding exam, I don't think you should have to pass the algebra EOC because you're going into
the field to be a welder. And I think if you can read the welding test and you can do the math, which I assume is on the welding test, then that should be a a proper demonstration of your readiness to enter the workforce and show completion of high school requirements. And the Florida legislator is not there
yet. And so while we continue to bolster what we're doing in career and technical education, we're still going to have a damper on the opportunities for students in career and technical education because some of them will still be required to have a reading elective. And so one of their electives which could be
used for um construction academy as an example will have to be taken up with that stubborn reading class because they still have to pass the ELA test. And so until we can work collaboratively with the legislature, which this board has demonstrated really a great opportunity and and working relationship, we will
continue to beat that drum. Um, and certainly if MCBIA would like to join us in the beating of the drum, we would welcome it because truly I believe we are limiting our students abilities to be involved in career and technical education to the extent they would like
because of the limitations of the existing high school diploma. And certainly I'm by no means advocating for diminishing the standards to graduate. Like I said, I think if you pass a career in technical education certification and you can go into the workforce, that should be that should be enough to demonstrate your preparedness
for post-secary um work in the field uh and reading and ma and math. So um thank you for your partnership. Thank you for being here. Um I want to just briefly discuss public comment tonight. It's been we've all we all share similar
sentiments. Um I am I what I will say is this. When we went to sitebased budgeting um and we were having these conversations over a year ago, the board um chose to figure out how to appropriate funds to make sure that we could fund family engagement leison for
one more year because the timing didn't feel good and we wanted to make sure that we were fully funding that position for one more year. the position that was created postcoid to engage our families as students were learning remotely and um in that conversation with family engagement leaison via zoom we said hey
we're protecting this for one more year and then we're going to sitebased budgeting and it will be a principal's decision the gap in communication which I was confused I think probably most of us were was that union contract and so um I wrote down people versus positions
which is something I know Reverend Cummings mentioned principles wanted to keep people um and they had to keep the position and then the side effect of keeping the position was for some that they lost the person and that is an unfortunate side effect of the
realities of the union contract that are beyond the scope of what this board can control at this point. Um I certainly know that we'd probably love to talk about it in the future, but that's just the reality of where we are right now. Um, and as it's been mentioned, I hope that everyone um who is separating with
employment from us will land still within our wings when the dust settles. Um, and we're able to really finish everything out. So, um, finally, board, I just want to touch on Mr. P's absence. Um, I have not seen you all since Mr. Powers um, has been uh, fallen ill and
has been trying to recover. And so, um, Mr. Powers has been able to work a little bit every day. And so, first I wanted to acknowledge the work that he's done from last Monday till through today. Um, and look for the board to acknowledge a willingness for him to
submit partial time off for for the days in which he's worked partially uh from last Monday through today. Um, each day he's been able to check in with Miss Brown and um in legal, give guidance um and then work some to ensure that the
work continues to move forward. So, the first question I have to the board is uh how do you feel about him submitting essentially the billable hours? The things that he's worked he will um he will log and the things that he did not work he will put in his time off. That's
my first request board. Everything through today. >> I'll start. >> Sure. Um, so my question would be is are we going to offer this to other employees and if we do what is that
process slashprocedure going to be? >> Dr. Ber, >> um, currently we have eight out of 10 employees that have been approved to do so in our technology department participating in remote work. What that means for us is they're able to work two
days remotely. And so I wanted to provide you that number. >> Can you also provide what does that approval look like? What's the approval process for that? >> Yes, ma'am. The employee provides the scope of work and the supervisor reviews that um has a discussion about
expectations and how that's going to be monitored um while they're participating in remote. >> Dr. Brewer, I'm sorry. Go ahead, Miss Camp. Oh, I I was just going to say that the you I while I appreciate us considering all of our employees, the
uniqueness of this specific conversation is because we only have two employees report directly to us. So, we while we certainly need to take how we treat all of our other employees into consideration, it actually isn't an applesto apples comparison, we would treat this just like we would if Dr.
Brewer was in this situation. And attorney Powers, those are our only two employees that actually report directly to us. Yes, >> this is true, but I feel like um it's a public facing conversation, so we should be prepared on how we're going to handle the next step. And so that is my
question. >> Um you know, we have other staff members that are having surgeries and different things. And so, you know, I foresee questions coming forward. And Madam Chair, um I I I I clearly remember a few
years ago we had this conversation about hybrid type work >> and we as a board did say that we were pulling those hybrid type work. Did we did we not say that because um
it wasn't fair. It wasn't it wasn't disseminated fairly or being handled fairly across the district in every department. if I'm if I'm not correct. And so, um, while I understand this is not an applesto apples situation, it
does set precedent when you do something outside of what you've already stated that you would not do. Um I think that if um this situation I I think we don't need to go back and make a create a
problem that's not there. If we follow our own rules, the problem kicks in when you start breaking your own rules because if you break this rule for for for an individual, then you got to start breaking them for everybody. And so I think we need to follow suit with what
we're doing. I think there are things in place that that will work for the attorney in his absence or whatever. We need to follow that and and stick to that. >> And so just to provide a little bit of context board um if the so for the last
seven days uh because we obviously have not been able to meet publicly to have this discussion. The attorney has worked every day to some degree um to be able to continue the work of the board. If the attorney cannot work in any capacity remotely, we will be then um he will
have to log his time and we will be having to outsource all of that to Miss Green or someone at their hourly rate. And so for the sake of finances, I would urge the board to consider for at least this period of time
uh allowing him to be able to work as needed to continue the work of the district because we will have a significant cost ahead of us if he has to completely disengage from the work of the board. And we have to communicate all of that with Attorney Green um or
someone else beyond Attorney Green. Again, Madam Chair, no disrespect to Attorney Powers, no disrespect to your request. Um, and and the work that that that that
Attorney Powers does. And I I I'm a big advocate for him. However, this is not about again, we just told a group of people that it's not about the personality, that it's about the position. And if we
already have things in place to handle the position, whether it be Miss Green or whomever that has to handle that responsibility, then we need to stick to that. >> Okay. Board member Thorough, do you have a thought or perspective to share? >> Uh, yes, I do. Um, I think I just heard
that Well, let's let's peel the onion back a little bit. Uh, I remember landing on that at some point we really needed to revisit uh remote work. Uh, it's a very competitive job market out there. My own
husband has worked 100% remote for 20 years and because of the products, the work products that he's able to produce that are able to be tracked, that's how you know that he's working. And I would argue that uh someone can be really good at holding up a water cooler just the
same as at work, so to speak, as they could be, you know, at at home. So I think I also just heard that we do have positions in our technology department that lend themselves very well to uh
partial remote work and that is actually happening. Am I correct in that statement? >> Yes, that is correct. >> Okay. And one of the issues that came up during uh the the remote work trial that we did a few years ago is that plain and
simple there are some jobs that you simply cannot do remotely. Um yet driving a bus comes to mind. We we do have the remote Ubers now and I've ridden in one and I'm here to tell the story but we're not there yet with bus drivers. So can't do it. Um, in attorney
p situation with the work that he does, I would say that it makes sense and that it is very appropriate and we probably needed to get a little more ahead of the game after we stopped doing it um to
redetermine which positions lend themselves to this model of work. It is still work. If you are a worker, you are going to overwork at school or the district office or
you're going to overwork at home. So, I support the not only um giving attorney Powers with the the work that he is expected to perform for us, the opportunity to do
that as he can right now. And I also would like to accelerate the conversation of let's get back to talking about the reality of becoming an even more competitive um chair
>> employer. >> Yeah. A more competitive employer. And I I don't see the marriage between the conversation that we just had about the situation that we're in with union contract and so on and people
being laid off. I I don't see the marriage from that to this. I just don't. So that's where I am with this. >> Dr. Brewer, >> um I can just provide a little data. So we did the pilot program for remote work for one school year. We ended that pilot
in June of 2024. Um we had a lot of push back from our school administration. We are not at the point with technology that a lot of our work can be done at the district level remotely. And so the determination, we revisited it as an
executive leadership team and we looked at different departments and different jobs, job descriptions that could remote do the remote work. And we landed on very few but those 10 eligible positions within our technology department that
never see that never have face-to-face contact. And that's how we determine those employees. And out of those 10 that are eligible, eight took advantage of it. Two of them decided to come to the work to the work site every day. But
those eight have been successful in the remote, but again, it's because of their job description and where we are with technology. I know attorney P isn't here now to respond, but something that is one big barrier for the district level is digital signatures. We a lot of the
work you see the contracts that we bring before you and all of those that are under the 50,000 threshold. We cannot do any of those without hard copy handwritten signatures and and that prevents a lot of our digital work. I mean remote work.
>> Thank you, Dr. Burr. Um so at this point board Oh, board member Conrad. >> Um I I just wanted to say I am in support of remote work. Um, I'm just hesitant about providing opportunities
um for our staff. It's not a singular um issue for me personally. Um I think I personally would say um and I don't know everybody's job, but I I think there's probably more than 10 people that could work remotely. And so that that's my
hangup. Um it's not the board member thrower. You you said it very well. and very much in support of remote remote work. Um I I just think it it needs to be available to more people. If we're if we're going to make that exception for one staff member, then um there needs to
be more discussion about it. That's how I feel. >> Madam Chair, that's where I'm at. That's where I've been the whole time. When we had the conversation originally, I said if if you can't come back and if you're going to come back, you have to have that conversation for the whole. What's precipitating this conversation is
because of one person that we're seeing and that that makes a big difference. I I'm not against I'm not against remote working. I think it I think it is an incentive for our district to have that on board. But we if we're going to if we're going to open this can, let's open
it completely. Don't just pull the top back halfway. Let's do it the right way so that there is fairness across the board for the district. The the eight that's been doing it. I I don't that there there's been other instances.
There will be other instances where different situations are going to come up and then we need to have a in place a process or procedure or how a person does qualify for hybrid working or whatever the such. But if we're going to open it up, that open it up, right?
Don't open it up for one individual. Do it across the board. >> And I think that that is a recommendation for the superintendent. Um, and the superintendent can can follow that recommendation because that's that's reflective of her staff. And >> you're bringing it forth tonight >> about our staff.
>> Yep. So, so I think and and I think that that is the difference for me. The superintendent can bring forth a remote work plan if the board so desires to have a work session on remote work for the staff of Marian County Public Schools. Then we can ask the superintendent to bring forth an update on what remote works like uh work looks
like and how there's a a possibility of expanding ex the existing program that we're doing. But tonight, what I'm asking about is our only two employees. Uh because I need to be able I I need to be able to approve time and I did not feel comfortable unilaterally making that decision without having a
conversation with the rest of the board. Dr. Campbell, >> thank you. So I believe what you're asking for us this evening is to say that our that our two employees essentially in this unique circumstance they are the only two employees that do
their unique job functions. >> Correct. >> And because of that uniqueness that we have the ability to approve what is being asked of us this evening. The other thing I heard in light of what we're about to talk about on Thursday is it's going to cost us a whole lot of
money to not approve this. >> Correct. >> And so, while I certainly appreciate the elaborate conversation that we've been having, everything else we've talked about tonight has to do with money and the lack of money. And so we love having attorney Green here with us, but she's on billable hours right now because
she's sitting there and we have an employee who is unable to be there right now, but is doing the work of the legal department remotely. And so in order for us to approve that this evening without exorbitant cost to this district, I recommend board we move forward with
agreeing. >> Let me say this. This will be my final comment. I'll be through with it. If I'm out for whatever reason, whatever reason, um, and I'm not going to say what the reasons are that the person's out, but if I'm out
and we know the reasons, why have why stress that person with adding work to them when they need to be concentrating on them? >> They're not getting it's not being added to them. They're they're taking it upon themselves.
is that >> I can I can stress to you the the level of communication that I have stressed as the chair who's probably been the primary communicator that none of this is necessary that we will take on the cost burden as the district to ensure
that the time needed is given. However, our employee is able and willing and feels very passionate about making sure that he shows up a couple hours a day to ensure the work of the district continues moving forward to the best of
his ability. And so what I'm looking for tonight is an acknowledgement that first I can approve the time from Monday of last week to today for remote work and him submitting the hours he has not worked but not to the full extent of 40
hours a week and then going forward uh and Miss Morant can speak to the HR procedures uh and what that will look like uh and the timeline >> or member Conrad >> I don't know if you're able to share this but what's what's the level of commitment Are we is he going to be able
to fill in um through Zoom or phone calls for our upcoming meetings or what what are we looking at? >> Sure, I can speak to that. So, for the rest of this week, we have a board um theoretically a board meeting, but really a board meeting um entangled in a
work session. Um the options were for Miss Green to come uh or for attorney Blackman, he felt comfortable being able to sit in for that and be um able there's not a lot that he felt that he would have a conflict on. And so um for Thursday's work session, the superintendent and attorney Blackman and
staff have decided that attorney Blackman will fill that void to avoid having to um no offense pay Miss Green um to sit in but to be able to pay a council to sit in on his behalf. uh we don't have any meetings the following week and then the
last week we have a policy update uh we have truency court and then we also have um a board meeting and um for uh policy update attorney blackman is um up to date if needed to be able to represent and also for truency court uh and then
the board meeting we would bring in council again for the board meeting um that is a plan through April I'm not saying we need a plan through April but we have a plan um we have we have had a collective convers conversation about a plan through April.
>> So, we're still going to be um utilizing um outside council for board meetings >> for a couple hours for one board meeting. >> So, there's still cost involved. >> Are you looking for a motion? >> It's not a motion. I just need consensus. I need I need to hear that
three board two board members agree with me that we're going to move forward in the remote um the approval of remote work. >> I agree with hesitation. I agree. >> Okay. Or member Thor. I will say that
sometimes difficult situations catalyze processes and we have two employees and this can be confusing, you know, for the public and and and many of our employees, but our school
board attorney and um our superintendent are the only two that we evaluate. So maybe that's the most simple way to explain it. And that I will also say that I this conversation should catalyze
as as soon as practicable having a work session to to revisit this remote work topic. >> All right. Thank you board member Thurer. Reverend Cummings, did you have anything to add? >> You needed two. >> I got my two. I was just didn't want to miss you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Well, that will conclude my comments for tonight. um board Miss Marant uh will update you all with some procedures as such um as they come forward. Um we're moving to persons uh requesting to address the board off air. Miss Martinez Jang, do we have any speakers this evening for off air? >> No, madam chair.
>> All right. Thank you. Well, there being no further business. May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. >> Motion by board member Campbell and a second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. This meeting is adjourned at 7:36.