[music] [music] Hey, hey, hey. Good evening and welcome to the February 10th, 2026 meeting of the Marian County School Board. It is called to order. Miring and modeling the way our students begin each day, I ask that we observe a
moment of silence at this time. Please join me. Morasha and Ariana, will you please read the 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, and individually responsible. To work well together, we must >> demonstrate respect, confront reality, and be accountable. We will always put students first. We will leave a legacy
of success. Thank you, ladies. For the courtesy of those listening to the meeting, I am requesting everyone in the audience to please turn off their electronic devices or put them on vibrate. Later in the meeting, up to 30 minutes will be provided for individuals to address the board on matters concerning the operation of the Marian
County School System or the school board only. Presentations to the board are limited to five minutes and are televised. If you wish to address the board regarding a regular agenda item or matters on which the board customarily takes action, you must first complete a form located in the lobby. If you wish
to wish to address the board regarding a public hearing or a student disciplinary matter, please complete the lime green form. These forms must be fully completed and received by the board clerk no later than 5:40 p.m. The procedures applicable to each are on a separate sheet. Good evening. Miss
Martinez Young, please call the role. >> Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1, >> here. >> Lorie Conrad, District 2, >> here. >> Mr. Eric Cummings, District 3, >> here. >> Mrs. Nancy Thrower, District 4, >> here. >> Dr. Sarah James, District 5, >> here.
>> Marasha Leaf Fontton, Lake High School, >> here. >> Ariana Reyes, Belleview High School, >> here. >> Dr. Danielle Brewer, interim superintendent, >> here. >> And Mr. Jeremy P, school board attorney >> here. >> Wonderful. And you may have noticed we have two board members tonight participating telephonically. They've already traveled to Tallahassee for our
Marian County Day tomorrow. Dr. Brewer, who will share our inspiration and lead the pledge of allegiance for us this evening? >> Yes, we have an exciting um group coming before us. We I'd like to introduce you to our coordinator of career and technical education, Mrs. Kathy Audi.
>> Good evening. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening board chair and school board members. As she said, my name is Kathy Audi and I'm the coordinator for career and technical education. Tonight, we are excited to be here in honor of CTE month, which runs all through the month of February. As
we, as you know, we have CTE programs at all of our middle and high schools. In fact, we have over 35 CTE pathways open to students with over 15,000 students enrolled in them. Next year, we'll be opening three new pathways to students at South Maran High School as well. Also
occurring during the month of February is one of my favorite CTE events, the Southeastern Youth Fair. So, tonight we have two speakers and some very special guests to see you. First, representing our future health professionals from Forest High School, I'd like to
introduce Mega Sandra Patty. >> Good evening. Good evening everyone. My name is Megan Sanderpatty and I'm a sophomore at Forest High School. I'm currently in my second year in Marian County's career and technical education health science program. When I was first selecting my
classes for freshman year, I remember scrolling through the list of electives. Many of those options were part of the district's CTE programs. At the time, I didn't have a clear plan yet. I knew I liked health and science, so health science was the option that interested
me most, so I chose it. But I did not realize how much that choice would shape me because of the way that the CTE program guides and develops interests. What began as a single CTE class quickly became a place where learning felt meaningful. Through the health science
program, learning became more than just memorizing information. It became understanding how what we learned in class applies to real situations in healthcare and in the community. That same CTE pathway introduced me to HOSA, the career and technical student
organization for health science students. Through HOSA, I was able to explore healthcare beyond the classroom by completing in medical events, stepping into leadership roles, network with students who have similar interests, and developing medical research projects. One of those projects
involved designing an improved extended release medication model with a smoother release to better support individuals with conditions such as ADHD. Experiences like this allowed me to see how classroom learning can translate into solutions that help real people and
learn more about different careers with the CTE program. And recently we had our regional conference held in January. And it was so great to see all of the students interested in healthcare, following their passion beyond just the classroom. Thanks to the doors CTE
opens, what stood out most to me was how CTE allowed my interest to go naturally. I did not need to have everything figured out. When I started, CTE gave me the space to explore. Over time, that exploration turned into a genuine passion for healthcare. Today, I serve
as the HOSA committee chair at my school and as the Springs Region HOSA parliamentarian. Through these leadership roles, I've learned how to guide others, work as a part of a team, and support students who are beginning their own journey with the CTE program. Seeing other students discover their
interest through these programs has shown me just how impactful CTE truly is. CTE month is important because career and technical education offers something for everyone. With the wide variety of pathways available, students are able to explore their interests,
find what they enjoy, and grow within the career field that fits them best. CTE fosters that growth by giving students hands-on experiences, guidance, and the confidence to pursue their goals. CTE programs do more than prepare students for a specific career. They
help students discover who they are and what they are capable of. that allows students to build real world skills while still in school and feel prepared for whatever path they choose in the future. It provides students with all the tools they need to grow in their field of interest. As we recognize CTE
month, I want to thank the school board educators and administrators for investing in career and technical education. These programs turn simple curiosity into opportunity and give students the chance to grow in their interests and facilitate their passion.
For me, career in technical education started as just an elective choice. Later, it became the foundation of my passion, my leadership, and my future goals. Thank you. Now, representing FFA from Belleview High School, we have Addison Torres.
Hello and good evening. My name is Addison Torres. Currently, I serve as a chapter president of the Belleview FFA chapter. I also serve as a district 5 FFA president and I foresee Marian, Citrus, Sumpter, Hernando, and Lake counties. I have competed in various FFA
contests, my absolute favorite being parliamentary procedure, where I had the utmost privilege of being on a team that made final four in the state. However, contrary to most, I didn't grow up in the agricultural industry. I was raised in what is known as a suburbs in a gated
community. Agriculture and FFA was a foreign concept. That was until my seventh grade year in middle school. I wanted to be just like all of my friends in middle school and be in an agriculture class and be in FFA. So in this pursuit, I was enrolled into
the agriculture foundation class my eighth grade year and joined FFA with only two meetings left in my seventh grade year. It was then did my love for FFA grow exponentially. I have competed in every contest I could. I have been an officer every year
since. I am so grateful for the many opportunities God has given me in the FFA. If it wasn't for the FFA, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Being in this organization has taught me skills such as responsibility and leadership. Having been the president of
my chapter, I've had to be responsible for various meetings. With being a district officer, I have to keep a record of all contests and ensure the information of the district gets out to all members. It has also taught me life lessons such as to be patient and trust
God's plan for me. When things didn't go my way, I learned to have patience and know God closed that door to open another one on my journey. Not only did it teach me these valuable lessons and skills, but also the importance of the agriculture industry. My jacket on my
back and the food on my plate every single morning and every single night would not be possible without the agriculture industry. Learning the ins and out of the agriculture industry, I decided to dive head first and start showing animals. I have shown cattle and swine through FFA for the past few
years. Since I was a freshman, I have been showing our chapter swine at the Florida State Fair. This led me to show my own pig this year at the Southeastern Youth Fair. The Southeastern Youth Fair has various activities for everyone from livestock shows to photography and
everything in between. I'm excited for this year as it will be my first year showing at the South Eastern Youth Fair. In regards to this, I would like to invite you to our Southeastern Youth Fair starting February 20th with Lambs and ending March 1st with Swine. I hope to see you all there. Whether stopping
by to see all of our students hard work be poured into their projects to finally be showcased or even just stopping by to see what our fair is all about. I thank you for your time today and this evening and hope to see you at our South Eastern Youth Fair.
[applause] If you could all stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Thank you, ladies. You both did such an eloquent job speaking. >> And I have um very quickly a couple special guests to introduce to you. Addison has her chicken Ba here tonight. And then from Westport High School,
Alexis Cook has her rabbit, Rocky. >> All right. We love that. >> Can we get a picture? So, >> yes. >> Go back in their carriers. >> Yes. We'll come down and take a quick picture so they can go back to their cages. What's that? You want to hold one,
Reverend Cummings? Is that what you said? >> It's like action. One, two, three. Look at my [laughter] Well, they just did such a wonderful job. So, thank you ladies for being here. Um, you can just see what career
and technical education is doing in our schools and really is producing such amazing leaders. So, we are grateful that you guys were able to be here tonight. We um Dr. Brewer, I believe we have a recognition. >> Yes. Um, I'd like to introduce Miss Casey Graham to the podium. She is our
coordinator in our federal grants and programs department and she has some special guests here with us that she will recognize. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Brewer and good evening board chair and school board members. I am happy to introduce the Okala Marian County Association of Realtors this
evening. Every year they offer our schools an opportunity to apply for many grants to support their innovative ideas in the classrooms or at the school level. This year they awarded our schools a total of $10,000 and they are here this evening to recognize the schools that have received um these
grants. If you could please welcome Gan Rit, Darlene Jce and Lisa Toller just waiting on her when here she is. So, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for the opportunity to be here. I've been doing real estate for 25
years, and this program has been going on for over 20 years, and it's such an honor every year to come up and present these grant monies to the teachers. They put a lot of effort in this. Um, I've sat on the review board in the past and
it's really hard to choose who gets what. So, um, kudos to them for doing that. Um, the grant supports teachers across grade levels and subject areas throughout Marian County Public Schools, benefiting thousands of students over
the years. While the a dollar amounts might be small, the impact is anything but. And we were lucky tonight to talk to some of the teachers who got it and they were telling us about the stories and the kids' progress and how much it meant to their classroom. Thank you for
sharing that. It means a lot to us. Teachers use these funds to enhance engagement, spark curiosity, and create learning experiences that students remember long after the school year's end. Just as important, this program
sends a powerful message to educators that their ideas matter, their creativity is valued, and their community stands behind them. Many teachers tell us these grants not only help their classroom but also boost morale and reaffirm why they choose this
prof their profession. The longevity of this program now more than 20 years reflects a sustained commitment to education, responsible stewardship and strong collaboration with school leadership. We view this initiative as a partnership
that complements district efforts and supports innovation at the classroom level. In closing, we're incredibly proud of this program and its impacts. Um Lisa Toller is our chair for that committee this year and we're excited
for her leadership this year. Um, and we remain committed to continuing this investment in our teachers because supporting teachers is one of the most direct ways we can support student success. So, thank you very much. And at this time, I'd like to call up um the
recipients by schools. Was that work for all of you up there? >> Beautiful. >> Okay. Excellent. >> Hang on. Got to pull up the small text. So, we had Darlene, how many? 250.
Do we have one, two, three, >> 29? So, we had 29 recipients um that received $250 towards their grants and then we had seven at the $500 mark. So, let's start out with Anthony Elementary
in our $250 category. So, if you could just hang out up here while I get your peers up here, too. Um, College Park Elementary, [applause] Dr. NH Jones Elementary.
We have two from NH Jones, Danellen High School. We also have two Two from Emerald Shores Elementary, two from Fort McCoy School, two from Hillrest.
Yeah, for the 250. Yes, ma'am. Oh, I'm sorry. Three and then that. Okay. [snorts] Alrighty. And then two from the Legacy Elementary. This is so cool to see all of y'all up here. >> Um,
Madison Elementary. We have one, two from North Marian High School. Wait, I'm sorry. one for the middle and one for the high school. And we can't miss him coming down. Thank you for joining us. Um we have two three
I'm sorry, three for Stanton Wears Dell Elementary. We have four for Westport High School and one for Wyomina Park Elementary. [applause] And this is one of the young ladies that shared the story of how it's helped her
class. So, thank you for that. Okay, now let's move on to our $500 recipients. First is Anthony Middle School or I'm sorry, Anthony Elementary. Denellan High School, [applause] Forest High School,
Harbor View Elementary, Ross Prairie Elementary. I'm okay. [clears throat] Try to be as informed as I can. That is a new school, right guys? Because I don't recognize Okay. I'm like I was just Darlene, where is that from?
Well, cool. No, that's great. One for Vanguard High School and one for Westport High School. >> And I guess next year we'll have a new high school to add to this list. >> So that's exciting. So guys, thank you
so much for I know it was a lot of hard work. We didn't make it easy and so we're very proud of all the effort you put into this and keep doing it. We want to help out the kids and you guys as far as learning and growing our young
people, as I call them, little people. So, but your high schools, they're people. Do we want to get >> Yeah. Or did I miss one? >> Yeah, it's okay. >> Okay, that was you. I'm so sorry. >> So sorry. It's very small print.
>> It's very small print. So, Oyola Middle School. >> So, sorry about that. Okay. Um pictures. >> Yeah, let's we'll we'll um let Mr. Christian take over for a picture, but we do want to extend our thanks for your
participation in public education and just your commitment to supporting all of our teachers on our campuses and giving them opportunity for creative ways to fund their classrooms. >> That's excellent. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. You want us to come down there?
Okay, we're coming. I hope they turn. So excited. Oh, join join. I was like, who is that? public comment. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. script. >> Well, again, we are so grateful for the
partnerships throughout our community that help support public education because we could not do it without a community that's committed to supporting our teachers. So, we are always so grateful. Um, all right. Superintendent, >> I recommend approval of the agenda for
the February 10th, 2026 school board meeting. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to um a motion on the superintendent's recommendation? So >> move >> second. >> Motion by Reverend Cummings and a second by board member Thrower. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I.
>> I. >> All right. Motion passes 5-0. Miss Martinez Young, please provide the proof of publication for tonight's school board meeting. >> The notice for the February 10th, 2026 schoolboard meeting ran in the Ocala Gazette on January 30th, 2026. The proof of publication has been attached in
board docks under proof of publication. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the January 8th, 2026 administrative briefing and work session? >> Motion to approve the January 8th minutes. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thorough and a second by board member Cummings. Are there any additions or corrections to
the minutes? Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I I >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the January 13th, 2026 school board meeting? >> So move. >> Second. Motion by board member Cummings 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. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. We have a motion to approve the minutes for the January 22nd, 2026 special school board meeting. Expulsions.
>> Motion to approve the minutes for January 22nd. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thorough and a second by board member Cummings. 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 January 22nd, 2026 administrative briefing and work session? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Cummings 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. I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. The school board has expressed its desire to pursue directly purchased materials to save the cost of sales taxes. The deductive change order at the beginning of the project exceeded the actual cost of the materials purchased. We have not exhausted all
materials to be bought through the owner direct purchase process and need to reconcile the deductive change order. The actual cost of materials purchased were less than anticipated. The change order is to reimburse the subcontractors through the general contractor for the difference between the deductive and actual materials purchased for various
materials associated with the construction of the project. The change order will complete the direct purchase process for the project. The superintendent or designate has signed and approved the change order. Per board policy 6345. the superintendent or designate is authorized to approve and execute any construction contract change
order that will increase the construction contract by 25,000 or less or that will decrease the construction contract amount provided the approval shall be in her judgment the best interest of the board. Such change order shall be binding upon execution of the superintendent or designate. The superintendent or design shall report
each change order that she approves to the board at the board meeting that follows her approval. The superintendent or designates approval for the change order shall be entered into the official minutes of the board meeting. Item 7.1 guaranteed maximum price GMP for remodel of the West Bay area into an
HVAC and welding industrial lab and classroom space at Marian Technical College. Change order number two, work authorization number 7, project 24-129. The additive change order on this item is $1,89210. And this will conclude theformational
items. Miss Martinez Jang, do we have any speakers this evening? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. I do want to welcome Attorney Powers to the meeting and we will hear from him later. >> Now, we will move on to our consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve
the consent agenda? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Thor. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. Moving on to student disciplinary matters. Before addressing expulsion matters, I would like to acknowledge that the board members have
received the alternative placement list for students through January 8th, 2026. Miss Martinez Young, are there any parents who have submitted a timely request to speak on their child's disciplinary matter? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of students JD26093E,
JD2698, JD2699, JD26100, JD26101, JD26102, JD26 109, and JD26113 for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year and the
first and second quarters of the 2026 2027 school year. >> So move second. Sorry, I just saw a repeat. Thank you, uh, board member Cummings for the motion and board member Thor for the second. All those in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-112 for the remainder of the 2025 2022 school year and the first, second, and third quarters of the 2026, 2022 school year.
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. Now we will move on to our discussion. Regular agenda items. May have a motion to approve the
requested expenditure increase for the state state Florida alternative contract source 432000000-23 Omnia ACSTX for technology solutions products and services. >> So move. Second >> motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, do you have information you'd
like to share regarding this item? >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. We have Mr. Benudi. He's our director of technology. He will provide brief remarks on this item as there is a a million dollar price tag to this um approval tonight. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. Good evening, Board Chair Dr.
James, Superintendent Dr. Brewer, and board members. The technology division requests approval to increase the authorized expenditure for the state of Florida Omnio contract for the purchasing technology solutions products and services which includes provides
district technology related hardware and software including computer accessories components network equipment technology service software solutions as needed throughout the district. The term of the contract is May 31st, 2023 through May
31st, 2026. The expenditure authority was originally estimated to be 980,000. And this request, of course, is for an additional million dollars, increasing the total authority to approximately 1.980
million. Okay. For the remainder of the term, currently we've spent 917,000. Uh, this approval will allow the district to continue meeting technology needs and will specifically support providing technology network equipment
for the new South Marian Senior High, internet equipment for the connection for the Denellan Fieldhouse, and an update of the network equipment at DJJ and other various projects throughout the district or schools may request. >> Thank you, Mr. Ben Venudi.
Uh, board, is there any further discussion on this item? Just a quick question. >> Sure. Sure. >> And I I can't remember. Is this coming out of general funds or some other funding source? >> So, it could come out of different funding sources. Um, so for example, the purchasing authority for the senior high
school, that's coming out of facilities dollars, of course, for that equipment. So, it just depends on the different projects. Uh, a majority of it right now looks like it's going to come out of the facilities area. >> Okay. Thank you. Any further questions or discussion
board? All right, hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> I. >> All right. Motion passes 50. Thank you, Mr. Benudi. Uh item uh D22.2. May I have a motion to approve and utilize the Florida Sheriff's Association contract
FSA25 VH23.0 for heavy trucks and buses to purchase one MAC cab and chassis truck with vacuum pumper body. So move >> second >> motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, do you have information you'd
like to share regarding this item? >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. We have Mr. Rios Welsh here. He's our chief financial officer. he will provide some remarks, but I do want just to make note that this is a dollar amount in of $330,000
and it's replacing a 2002 model vehicle um that had $369,000 miles on it. So >> that is correct, >> Mr. Welsh. >> Dr. Brewer, >> Dr. James, members of the board, good evening. Uh yes, just to add some additional information. Um this was
brought back to the board uh and pulled for discussion as a matter um full transparency. The previous bid was rejected because the vendors did not meet the specifications. Um this particular vehicle is going to allow us to um drain our grease traps, septic
tanks, and as Dr. Brewer indicated, uh has 27,000 hours of use on the previous vehicle. And at $330,000 for one Mac truck, it is a very large purchase. We do not make these types of purchases all the time. I don't have anything else to
add to that. >> Thank you for your remarks. >> Yes. >> Um, Mr. Rios, didn't just the last meeting >> we rejected the bid. >> Rejected the that was the p the honey truck, right? >> Yes. It was uh the bid was officially released uh November 13th of 25. It was
brought to the board uh for official rejection on the 13th of this year. >> So, this is the actual one that we are going to purchase. >> That is correct. Yes, sir. It's coming back full circle. >> $330,000. >> Correct. >> Any further questions or comments,
board? >> Shudder to think how much the 2002 was compared to I'm >> sure the price has gone up just a bit there. >> Yes. >> This is a brand new truck, correct? >> Yes. This is not a used vehicle. That is correct. >> Zero miles.
>> Zero. >> All right. Any further questions or comments? >> All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. Item D22.3. May I have a motion to approve the guaranteed
maximum price or GMP for Ocula Middle School building 2 doors and walls project 25-117. >> Motion to approve. Second >> motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. Dr. Brewer, I see um Miss Boomach has come forward to give us some comments.
>> Yep. And I just want to add that we do have a drawing for you on board docs so you can have an idea of what the um what this project will entail. Thank you, Miss Bach. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, board chair, board members, Dr. Brewer. Um, building two at
Ocola Middle School was like an open concept floor plan. And to enhance security as well as the learning environment, we will um place new walls and doors um in that building. Also, new flooring is included. The construction
will be during the summer and this project is funded by sales tax money. The cost for this work is1,765,998. We are working closely right now with the staff at Oyola Middle School on packing up the uh the classrooms and
having and also the media center and having the space ready for the contractor to start right when students leave. The summer is very short. And we wanted to thank you, thank Miss Johnson and her amazing staff to do it again. They went through it last year. They're
prepared and ready and we will give them a wonderful new inside of the building. >> Yes, thank you. Um really Oyola will be just about brand new by the time all this is done it seems. Um we've done a lot of work there. So um but it's as we
all know very old school. So board any further comments or questions regarding this item? >> I think we got a clarity. Mhm. >> Um you said replace some of those don't have doors. So this would be installing correct for the first time. Some of those rooms that don't have doors.
>> That is correct. They have some some kind of metal wall which is not very good for sound as well. So we're going to replace some of the walls. There is no doors in most of the rooms. And the media center doesn't have any walls or doors either. >> And the media center will still be in
that open concept. Correct. >> No, we will enclose the media center. Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Board member >> chair. >> Oh, yes. Um, go ahead, Dr. Campbell. >> Oh, this is board member Conrad. >> Sorry, it's really hard to tell. Go
ahead, board member Conrad. >> Yes. I'll be recusing myself from this item. Thank you. >> Uh, board member Thor. >> Yes. I I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank the community all over again for for passing our our sales tax and that we hadn't had in a very
very long time. And uh with the quick growth that we experienced, we had to get on it and start building schools and start uh finally having the money, you know, to get to projects that were uh that we'd been wanting to do for a very long time. So, thank you community for
um helping us help our students and our teachers and our staff have good safe places to be working in. >> Absolutely. >> Times. >> And honestly, I believe last meeting was the meeting we approved the East Marian project, right? Um and so two meetings in a row have been our first two projects the board committed to funding
with sales tax which are both completely safety related. Um and it is wild to think that walls and doors um don't exist in some of our schools right now but we are so grateful to the community for the sales tax which is enabling us to fund these kinds of projects and put our students in safer positions. For
sure. >> I do got a question. >> Yes, Reverend Cummings. >> How many more schools we have that have that open concept? >> None. >> That's those are the last two. I mean, we have some creative concepts that schools like like Belleview Santos has um
>> kind of a open walkway between two rooms that doesn't have a door, but Belleview Santos is planning to be replaced on the sales tax. I don't I think that would be it, right, Dr. Bur? >> I believe so. Miss Boomach, can you answer that question? >> Yeah, I think those are the last uh
>> open concept ones we talked about all >> Yeah. Well, and and that was at the top of our priority for safety reasons. So, yeah, absolutely. >> Thank you, Miss Paul. >> Board, any future um further comments? >> No. >> All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. >> I. >> All right. Motion passes 5. Oh. 40 with one recusal. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you, board. that is uh we are going to
move on to meeting reminders and board comments. There is a special school board meeting scheduled on February 19th, 2026 at 7 a.m. followed by an administrative briefing and work session and there will be a special school board meeting on February 24th at 5:00 pm followed by a regularly scheduled
schoolboard meeting at 5:30 p.m. We will move into uh board committee reports. We'll start with Miss Martinez Young. >> Nothing, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> All right. And attorney powers, >> nothing from legal. Thank you. >> All right. Uh Dr. Burr. >> Okay. Thank you. Um February is Love the
Bus Month. So, this is our chance to recognize our school bus drivers and all of those employees that help our students um get to and from school each day. And as we've shared many times, we have over 250 buses driving to our students each day. About 23,000 students
on a bus. So, this is our chance to just recognize our bus drivers and say thank you to all of those um special employees. During our last work session on February 5th, I shared with you some dates for an attendance boundary community
meetings. And I need to clarify a date. Um, we um I'm going to give you those dates again, but I also want you to know in the community to know that we have added a work session topic to the February 19th work session with a topic
of it being attendance boundaries. And so we will we wanted our committee our community meetings to take place after that work session. So here are the next um here are the three dates. The Reic community meeting will take place on
February 26 at 6 PM on their campus. Um the Reddic Collier community meeting will take place on March the 3rd, 2026 at 6 PM on their campus. And then the Spar Elementary community meeting will take place on March the 4th, 2026 at 6
PM in their um school. Those are all my remarks. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Um for >> Hold on. What was the first one? Did you say it? Anthony on February 26 at 6 PM. >> Thank you. >> And we do have calendar invites board for your um awareness. Um thank you Dr.
Brewer. I'm going to go to Dr. Campbell real quick and then we'll get to the student board members since she is virtual and wanted to provide comment. Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you so much. I chose not to comment on some of the things we were just voting on, so I would comment on them now. Um, first of all, in the
consent agenda tonight, we approved the internal audit or the audit for Marian afterchool programs. They had a perfect audit with more than $6 million in dispersements and receipts. It's really a wonderful testament to the team and
Marian after school's program and that's at least three years of perfect audits and probably many more beyond that. Also wanted to say uh it's about time. I'm so grateful we're getting some connectivity in the Danellan Fieldhouse. I know that's a long time coming and super
grateful that we're working on that and that's going to be happening thanks to Mr. Benoodi and his team. Also, yes, Oyola Middle School having three children that have gone through that building too, having just curtains up as doors. I'm ready for that to change. And
so, thank you to the community, thank you to the board, thank you to the team for working diligently to make sure that that's going to be a wonderful learning space, including the media center with walls. That's just going to totally be a gamecher for that school campus. And
then I wanted to just offer a couple of shoutouts and kudos. Uh that uh Forest High School cheer uh they finished 12th at Nationals this weekend. So, kudos to Forest cheerleaders. Also, uh the North Marian High and Vanguard boys basketball
teams both won their districts and I actually was down um at one of the games the day before. Uh so I know who the competitor was. Vanguard beat Lanto and they are were a tough team. So kudos to Vanguard boys. Kudos to Vanguard girls
soccer also that they um advanced in their first round game in the region this week. And then also Forest ROC had wonderful uh news with three cadetses receiving appointments in three different militarymies. And our very own
student board member who I'm sure he'll give us more information. Colen Briggs was one of those. So um just thank you for the opportunity to share a couple of comments this evening. Looking forward to you all joining us up here in Tallahassee tomorrow and where Shady Hill Harmony will be here uh delivering
the music performance for Marian County Day. And I know there'll be lots of other folks up here. Um just looking forward to a wonderful day showing everybody in Tallahassee what Marian County has to bring including Marian County Public Schools. So thank you guys. >> Thank you Dr. Campbell. We appreciate
that. And Vice Chair Conrad is not going to be giving comments tonight. So, we'll go to Morasha. >> Um, hello everyone. I think it's always very informative coming to the schoolboard meetings. I always leave here with something I didn't know before I came here. Um, I really appreciated
learning about like the grants for teachers and the renovations at Oyola. Um, I think that's great and I think that the school board does great things. So, I'm grateful to be here. >> Thank you very much. All right. And Ariana, >> I would like to take a minute to talk
about something I've noticed my school over the last four years, which are the start times. I've when I first started Belleview High School, my late bell was 9:15 and now it's 8:30, which I'm pretty sure is for all the schools now. And I can confidently say I've noticed an
impact in everybody. I had a teacher personally tell me about research that was done that showed teenagers brains work better later in the morning compared to younger students which work better in the earlier earlier morning hours
and I've personally seen fewer and fewer cars in my school parking lot in the morning which I've been to a meeting where we talked about tardiness before and I'm not saying it's a direct correlation to the start times but I've noticed that since the earlier start times there has been fewer and becoming
someone that's working now as a student and knowing most of my friends at work. It's hard to go from right after school to work and then have to do some homework or family situations to come and wake up early due to traffic in the
mornings or any situation like that. So, I just I think that maybe some reflection or something would benefit the tardiness that I know is happening and attendance issues that we're seeing in the schools. >> Well, your comments are very timely
because the bell time committee actually meets next Tuesday. Uh, and I'm representing the board on that committee. So, maybe Dr. Brewer, could we have some data um about student tardies um at the high school level specifically um for that those meetings?
>> Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. Anything else, ladies? Well, we want to thank you both for being here tonight again. Um, board member Thrower, >> thank you and good evening, everybody. Um, student board members, it continues to be a pleasure to have you with us
every single meeting and um, just speaking for myself, I always walk away and as was just demonstrated, you shared a concern and you were obviously heard and it's already going to be followed up on. Um there's a lot of research that
can be relatively mixed about, you know, earlier mornings versus a little later in the mornings and and things like that, but you know, we're always looking to tweak and perfect the best we can. Um so, thank you for for bringing that up and and thank you for being here. Um
it's [clears throat] always a pleasure for me to have CTE in the house. I think I've said more than once, if it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't have even graduated high school. [laughter] And of course having the animals here uh just makes it that much better. So always a a fun way to start a meeting.
And I know we're trying to keep our comments brief because got uh Marian County Day tomorrow and traveling to do and you know all the great things just continue. But we were just in Tallahassee what a couple of weeks ago and that was also during literacy week
which made me sad because I have a tradition of reading in Miss Garvin's class at Denalan Elementary School for I think maybe even eight years and Mr. Braden's kindergarten class at at Legacy. Well, the good news is I was able to pop into Miss Garvin's class
last week and just wanted to tip my hat to Denellan Elementary School under Principal Wiggins that they just have so many great things going on. You know, you hear a lot these days, old kids don't know how to behave. Well, I didn't see any evidence of that at Dunelan Elementary School. The kids were so
sweet. The book that was chosen was about honesty and attributes for honesty. And you could tell that the kids knew exactly what that book was talking about and had great input and feedback. So, that was so much fun. And Mr. Braden's getting back to me on the date I I proposed. So, I can't wait to
be with some kindergartens again soon. And then we'll run right into um ReadAcross America coming up, which is another big day in Marian County Public Schools. And it's not unusual for one of us to be going into a school and seeing the mayor coming out or, you know, someone else in the community that also
really cares so much about student success. So looking forward to those things. Um, on top of that, the the ninth the the 10th grader I think she was spoke about the medical. It was so cool to hear her say when I started in ninth grade, and I would agree it's
probably rare um for a ninth grader to know exactly, you know, what they want to do with their life. and she said, "I didn't have a clear plan yet." And I just love that statement because we obviously are meeting her needs as a school district and as teachers to help
help her get the exposure to where she's like, "You know what? I really like this." And not only do I like it, I'm going to embrace it and do take some leadership positions and and learn uh all of the things that you really need to be successful as you take your next steps out of high school. So, I just
thought that was pretty cool. Um, the last thing I just wanted to acknowledge Vanguard High School. It's been my honor and pleasure to uh go to the um signing days for football and letters of intent and coach Farmer and Mrs. Farmer and and the coaches and principal Wade and all
of the teachers have just really elevated the expectations for athletics. Um, no longer is a 20 and go. um your academics have to be much stronger than that and your talent also has to be much stronger than that with the NIL and
everything else. So the kids are under tremendous pressure. You wouldn't have known it from that day. They were just so happy and calm, cool and and collected and and grateful. And you can tell the leadership qualities that have been instilled in them um by the adult
examples that have been around them. And I just feel like that's so commendable. I also am very grateful to see them at Oakrest Elementary School um being leaders to our youngest students, you know, opening doors in Caroline, just the looks on the kids' faces. It they
they really are exemplifying ath athletic leadership and it's already taking them places. So, it's pretty cool last couple of weeks. That's all I have for tonight. >> Thank you, board member Thor. Reverend Cummings, >> thank you. >> Microphone.
>> Microphone. Oh, sorry about that. >> I'm done anyway, [laughter] >> but it might be yours. >> Good evening everybody. Um, let's real real briefly. Um, tonight in our agenda, consent agenda, we approved and a lot of construction renovations and um building
projects. Uh, talked about the GMPS for those and but there's one in particular that I definitely want to speak on briefly and that's the one for the Lake Middle School replacement school. We definitely want to talk about that because um it's a long time coming. Um
we know that it's it's in the process. I think it's a $62 million school that we've been budgeted to build a new Lakewood Middle School. However, we want the community to know that it's kind of been delayed a little bit um for some
natural reasons. Let me say that. Not because we don't have the money, not because um building permits or anything of such. It's because of two endangered species that are on the campus where we're building. Um we got a request to
delay till we move some uh natural animals that live there. One being the Florida skink. I think I said that right. Skink or skank. >> One of them. >> Sand skink. >> Sand skank. Sanskink. Um >> skank. It definitely stinks cuz it's pulling us out.
>> Skank the skank stinking. >> So, it's causing us we got to move them because they are endangered. And then the other is the gopher tortoise that's out there. So, we can't proceed as fast as we need to until we get with the um the right agencies to properly move them
and relocate those skanks and the uh Gulf of I do want the community to know that uh we are still going to build a school and we should have it ready u by the August 27th uh August 27th start date. So, we're looking forward to that.
that we want the way the community to know that um they have not taken a back seat. If they want to blame anybody, blame the tortoises and the skanks. So >> yes, >> the comments for the night. [laughter] >> Well, thank you Reverend Cummings and >> the federal agencies >> and we have put all the paperwork into
the federal government, but we are waiting um on government to do government things. It's completely outside of our hands. So um I will also be brief tonight and comments. I wanted to thank Miss Davis was here tonight with the animals. Um I worked with Miss
Davis when I was at Belleview High School. Um and she has continued, you know, th those students do so much outside of the classroom. They even come to my preschools um in October to bring their farm animals and um share about um
what farm animals do and what FFA is. And one of the things that I have noticed as an educator in our community specifically is students who are participating in any career in technical education regardless of the program, they have mastered or are on the journey
of mastering public speaking. They are given so many opportunities to speak publicly and those opportunities strengthen their social emotional skills and their ability to have discourse with a variety of individuals. And as an employer in this community, I can tell
you the kids that are coming out of career and technical education programs are much more prepared for the workforce. And not because they have a practical skill, but because they have learned how to be responsible. They have learned how to show up. Um, and FFA specifically, there's nothing like an
animal that needs you to survive to make you learn some responsibility. And so, we are really turning out some amazing human beings from our from our career and technical education programs. And I'm grateful for the community for um the continued support in the referendum because that referendum pays for many of
our career and technical education teachers. Um, and it would be hard to do it without the referendum. So, we are grateful for that. Um, one side note, I want to give our site principles as well as Mr. Christian and his department um,
a kudos because one thing they are very good at doing is communicating accurate information. And I would encourage the community to reach out to Mr. Christian's department or a school if you find information specifically on social media to be maybe confusing
because uh this may be a shock to some but just because it's written online does not mean it is accurate and the newspaper doesn't always have all the facts and so what I know for sure is attorney Blackman attorney Powers and our executive team have worked really
hard to make sure that our schools know exactly what we have and have not to tolerate and accept on our campuses for a variety of things, not limited to students uh using their first amendment rights. And so our staff knows exactly what the expectations are and how to
handle it. And just because the newspaper or a social media site may refer to some activities doesn't mean it's a reflection of what actually happened on our campuses. But I do know that if you contact the school or Mr. Christian's office, they will be able to make sure you have up-to-date and
accurate information. So any parents or community members who have concerns about that, I would encourage them to reach out so we can make sure that we get you all the right information. So that will conclude my comments for tonight. I'm excited to be in Tallahassee tomorrow with my peers for Marian County Day. Uh the weather looks
like it will not be super cold. So that is refreshing because it's always concerning when you're heading to Tallahassee in January and February. There being no further business, may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> To adjourn. Motion by board member Cummings. >> Second.
>> Second by board member Thrower. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I believe we lost our other two. So that motion will pass 300. This meeting is adjourned at 6:27. Thank you.