The school board meeting will begin in one minute. Please take your seats. Again, the schoolboard meeting will begin in one minute. [Music]
Heat. Heat. [Music] Good evening and welcome. The October
14th, 2025 meeting of the Marian County School Board is 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. Thank you, Dr. Campbell. Would you
please read the board commitment statement? >> Thank you, Chair. Gladly. 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, Dr. Campbell. 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 by 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
peach form that is located in the lobby. If you wish to address the board regarding a public hearing or a student discipline matter, please complete a 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 for each are on a separate sheet. >> Good evening. Miss Martinez Young, would you please call roll? >> 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. >> Marasha Lefante, Lake High School, >> here. Isaac Smith, North Marian High School. >> Here. >> Dr. Danielle Brewer, interim superintendent. >> Here. >> Mr. Jeremy Power, school board attorney. >> Here. >> Thank you. Miss Martinez Young. Um, Dr.
Brewer, you're going to share with us who's leading the pledge this evening. >> Yes. Good evening. Um, Miss Melissa Connor will introduce a member of the Ocala Film Derby, and she will share some remarks about the incredible event that took place a couple weeks ago.
>> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening board chair and board members. In just a bit, you're going to hear a lot more about the Ocala film derby, but before we start, I want to introduce the special participant of the event to the podium. Kelvin Nomar Rivera Cruz is a senior at Forest High School and serves
as the executive producer for film for the school's award-winning television network program. Since joining the digital video production course as a sophomore, Kelvin has become a leader in visual storytelling, helping guide projects that have earned recognition at
the local, state, and national levels. Kelvin was recently honored as a $5,000 scholarship recipient of the Ocala Film Derby. This, however, was extra special because his peers voted on it. All students were asked to observe seniors during the derby and identify those they
felt were most deserving of the scholarships, measuring key skills such as leadership, communication, bridge building, and time management. In addition to the scholarship, Kelvin continues to use his passion for film to inspire others, creating meaningful stories that connect people and spark
emotion. And without further ado, Kelvin All right. Good evening um members of the Marian County School Board and honored guest. Uh my name is Kevin Namari Vera Cruz and I'm proud to be a senior at Forest High School, the executive producer of film for our students television network club
and a scholarship recipient from um the Okala Film Derbian. Um, when I joined digital video production class as a sophomore, I never imagined how far this journey would take me. From local to state to national recognition, video production has become more than just a class or a hobby. It's been my bridge
between creativity and the world around me. Through film, I've learned how to express ideas, connect with others, improve my communication, and manage responsibility and deadlines. Film making has uh film making has given me the voice to share not just my story, but stories that others can see themselves in. Each new project whether
big or small reignites my passion for storytelling. In video production you don't just grow as a film filmmaker you grow as a person. Uh a few weeks ago I had the privilege of uh competing in the Okala film derby where I met professionals in the industry and attended to workshop that uh deepened my
understanding of filmm. Uh we were honored um uh we were mentored by experts who shared advice u challenged our skills and encouraged um our creativity. The experience only improved my technical abilities, but it uh strengthened my uh drive to tell stories
that move and inspire others. Thanks to the scholarship I received through the Okala Film Derby, I feel more motivated than ever to keep pursuing my dreams. Opportunities like this remind students that our stories matter and all that our community uh believes in our potential. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank
you to everyone who makes programs like this possible. You've helped students like me to take one step closer to turning our dreams into reality. Um I would like to give a special thanks to uh Mr. Guest who um has guided me through my film making process learning and he's uh taken us to uh many competitions. Um I also would like to
thank uh Miss Cook, our avid teacher of Forest High School for guiding me um um throughout um high school. And now if you would please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic to which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. Christian, we have a do we have a video to play at this time? Okay, thank you. [Music]
[Applause] The film derby is how I would define it is it is a realworld film competition. >> It's such a unique experience because everybody's here for the same reason and
it's all about learning and growing your skill set. The film derby offers them the ability to network and meet people who are actually our mentors all have local businesses. Um they meet different teachers. They have uh meet all the
different workshop leaders. So, it's an enormous networking opportunity and connector and education for these kids to be able to um have the gumption to continue those relationships.
>> This year, I'm not competing, but I am on the content creation team, which has been such a great experience for me. Um, I have been able to meet new people, use new equipment, um, and really just explore lots of different avenues of
film making. I've also met some really incredible people who are industry professionals and been able to learn a lot from them and hopefully I'll be able to take that back into the classroom. >> I've been learning a lot. I've been learning and I've been socializing a
lot. I'm a person who is very weird with socializing but always loves learning. And so the workshops have been great just to ask questions and do it hands-on. And just the connections of like-minded people are amazing. I've been getting to know people. I've been showing around my portfolio and viewing
others. And it's just been great. A lot of things stuck out in the workshop, especially the audio design. when I did the workshop helped me realize you don't have to you can just add like five at the start and it was helped a lot especially when I'm constantly having audio go in and out changing and layering different music and sound
effects it works really well at just making it easier cleaner and faster especially >> and I think that the Ocala film derby gives you all of the tools that you need to go and be successful in the film world and I've learned so much about
like the equipment um how teams work in the film world, um terminology and things like that. So, I think that you can really get everything that you need for a successful career here at the Ocala Film Derby. Weather. [Music]
[Music] [Music]
[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] All right, I want to just take a second. Lori, would you mind coming to the podium for just a second? There's some
components of of this project that many people are not aware of. So, would you mind just giving us a a quick briefing of, you know, what the task of the students was and and how they accomplished them.
And I literally just put her on the spot. So, thank you so much, Lori. >> No worries. Um, thank you all for having us. Um, we're very pleased to be here and we're pleased and thank uh the school system for all their support
through the film derby since its inception and also a huge thanks to the public education foundation who is our fiscal agent as well. And um and of course we could not do this without uh our downtown businesses. Um and we
certainly can't do it. Our budget is getting bigger and bigger every year because of all the great scholarships and equipment and things that we're doing. Um we did give a total this year of $15,500 in SP in scholarships to divided between
seven students. So we were super excited about that. Um so um our sponsors which are too numerous to name here please go to our website. All the films are now on the website. All the scholarship winners are on our website ocalifilmderby.org
and um I encourage everybody to take a look at that and please um thank everybody that you see that has been a supporter like when you go into the stores downtown who help us and when you go in just tell them thank you. So it's really special for them. Um so you asked
me to tell you how the kids do this. Well don't ask me. I have no idea because um what we do is put together um I couldn't do this without I'd love for the Ocala film derby committee to stand
up please anybody everybody not everybody can be here today but those of you who are here I couldn't do that without this committee [Applause] and I do know that we have I don't know how many mentors we have here but could
you join I know Dave you're here or do we have any other mentors here today? No. So, we have to thank our mentors. You have seven mentors that own local businesses here in town. Uh Dave owns is part co-owner of Maven Photo and Film. So, the kids, what we do is we put
together and organize um mentors that are on teams with the kids. We also organize workshops that are people are brought in from all over to do workshops and we organize guests to come in and do particular workshops or
have particular experiences with the kids and um so that's what we do as a group. The teachers of course and the mentors are much better versed in the teaching of the kids and the helping of the kids through this um uh and uh I
can't thank everybody enough for that. So it's a it's a becoming a very large endeavor. We were so excited this year. All seven high schools participated in was it five middle six middle schools you guys? Six middle schools I think. Five five middle schools. So we pretty
much uh are having everyone participate at this point and uh we couldn't be happier about it. So thank you all very much and thank you thank these guys. [Applause]
Thank you, Lori. And we do actually have um Kathy Audi here, too. She's the coordinator for career and technical, and she's going to talk a little bit about the winning team, too, so that they can all get up there and take their picture. So, now that you guys have seen the winning v um video and heard from Kelvin
and uh Lori here, um we want to recognize some of the students that participated on the winning video team, some of the additional scholarship recipients, as well as recognize um the board that put this all together tonight. So, from the winning team tonight, we have from Forest High
School, Louise Sime Lozado. From Fort King Middle School, we have Carissa Guj from Vanguard High. We have Shaniah Ferguson [Applause]
from Lakewear High. Lacy Shank from Ocula Middle. Josie Welen from Westport High. Cheyenne O'Neal, their mentor Dave Miller, and their team instructor Joy Avery. Also here tonight we have some of the additional scholarship recipients. Um
once again we have Kelvin Namar Riviera Cruz, Luis Simeid Lozado from Forest also won a scholarship. From Vanguard High, we have Mario Durant. [Applause]
Also from Vanguard High, Rodrigo Esamia. [Applause] He's the umbrella. >> And lastly, I would like to recognize the committee once again tonight with us, we have um from Bel Middle School, Frank Gallagher.
From the C, we have Aaron Conrad. From Forest High, David Guest from the CTE department. We have Shawn Dingman. From Vanguard High, Marcia Dobin Meyer. We also have Mike Palma from Palma Productions. [Applause]
And last but not least, we have Lorie Zinc. Without her, this was her brainchild. This was her doing. So without her, none of this would be possible. And we truly appreciate her support. [Applause] >> Just very quickly, one of my favorite
things about um this event is the collaboration um that you show up and you don't know, you may not know the people that are going to be on your team. So that teamwork and collaboration that you're thrown into working with kids from other schools that you've never worked with
before. And so I love that aspect of it. I love the work um the final product. And so we want to come down. The board wants to come down and celebrate with you. So if you'll hold just a second, we're going to come down and take a picture with you. All right. >> Yes. That'd be great.
If your school principal is here too, can they come down and join us? thrower. We cannot see you. Know you're going to be up front here. I can't I can't I can't do the shot this way. Unless Everybody breathes in and then
some. >> No, I can't get it. I >> like that tie. Yeah, I want to go eat. >> Yeah, >> used to work at Bel, but now she works at CP and she kind of
>> she's a big part. Okay. After that wonderful and inspiring inspiration and pledge, uh Dr. Brewer, I believe you have a few special recognitions for us. >> I do. Thank you. And thank you to Miss Connor. She's going to come back to the podium and give another special recognition
um at this time. >> I sure am. Thank you again. Tonight, I also have the privilege of introducing our Marian County Public High School seniors who have been named semi finalists in the prestigious 71st annual national merit scholarship award. So
each October, high school juniors take the preliminary scholastic aptitude, which is our PSAT test. And based on these scores, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses a selection index to determine which students qualify as commended students and
semi-finalists. Less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide even qualify for this program, an AC an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that started in 1955. Each year, more than 1.3 million
students enter the competition with only 75,000 qualifying for recognition and just 16,000 reaching the semifinals. This year's Marian County National semifinalists include Noah Archer from Vanguard High School.
[Applause] Noah is the son of Brian and Christina Archer. He formerly attended Evergreen and South Ocala elementary schools and Howard Middle School. He plans to study aerospace engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University under the US
Navy JOTC program. Patrick Luceric from Belleview High School. Patrick is the son of Renee and Karen Brier Luceric. Patrick moved to Marian County to attend Belleview High School and plans to become an astrophysicist
and study at California Institute of Technology. Ethan Rubin from Forest High School. Ethan is the son of Randolph Rubin and Donna Malchnis. Formerly attended Dr. NH Jones Elementary and Ocyola Middle
Schools. He plans to pursue an advanced degree in electrical engineering. We also had Gabriella Capabiano from Westport High School who's now homeschooled. She's unable to join us tonight. As well as Leah Mcenley from Forest High School who is unable to join us tonight. So, our students now compete
to become finalists for almost 7,000 different scholarships worth nearly 26 million to be awarded in the spring. So, stay tuned to hear what's next for these three guys and the two that aren't here tonight. Thank you.
[Applause] >> Just want to say congratulations um on your accomplishment so far, but you have some more uh work ahead of you. So, I want to wish you the best of luck um as you go on to your final step and we'd like to come down and celebrate with
you, celebrate your accomplishments. And Ethan, I think you were in my class in fourth grade, so I'm looking forward to that. Thanks so much. Okay, we're going to move on to item 4.1 recognizing donations. We have a $60,000
um donation to Shady Hill Elementary School from Marian County Hospital District for a K5 playground. And I believe we have some members here to celebrate. if you'll come forward. >> Good evening.
>> Good evening. It's a pleasure to be here. The Marian County Hospital District is always thrilled to support your endeavors with Marian County Public Schools and any opportunity like this that it supports children and movement and playing, we are very happy to be involved. So, thank you for the
partnership. It's a pleasure. >> Yes. And we are so grateful for the partnership. Um, and I know Shady Hill is even more excited than maybe the rest of us. Would you mind if we came down um to celebrate and mark this moment because this is a very large donation and we are extremely grateful.
>> Absolutely. >> One more. Okay, Dr. Brewer, I'll turn it over to you. >> Yes. Thank you. I have a couple things. First, I'd like to um welcome. We've already met Marasha. She joined us in an earlier board meeting this year, but
tonight we have Isaac Smith with us. He's a senior at North Marion High School. He is known for his leadership and commitment to athletics and his academics. He is a president of the school's FCA chapter, a 2025 boy state
graduate, and a head coach for Maring County Youth Flag Football. He is also an active member of the varsity football and track teams and a student in the leadership class at North Maring. So, welcome. I also wanted to recognize Oh, yeah. We
can give him a round of applause and Marasha again. I also, Madam Chair, if you would mind, I'd like to recognize we we have se we have seven public comment speakers tonight speaking on the topic of forom. And I I want to just um make a comment
um a little out of order, but the board in early summer, you all asked me to bring back a recommendation of our plan to address the under capacity, enrollment, operating costs, and a few other areas for the north end schools.
And so what we did at that time was we convened a large group including our operations team, transportation facilities, our business services team members, our academic team members and we have done we have completed a deep analysis of what this plan could look
like. And this plan is um being presented to the board. It's already been published on board docs, but the plan is being um presented to you all during the work session this Thursday. Um, I just want the community to know that this um, we've never mentioned the
word closing an early learning academy. We've um, in fact, the board has publicly spoken to actually add more early learningmies. So, um, I I know that we have public speakers here tonight and I want to say thank you for being here. We appreciate your input and
the topic will be presented during the work session this Thursday at 9:00 a.m. So, I wanted to share that with you and thank those that are here with us um today. >> Thank you. Would you like to um move forward with consider of approval of the agenda? >> Yes, ma'am.
I recommend approval of the agenda for the October 14th, 2025 school board meeting with the materials in the board packet. Those materials distributed to board members at the meeting and the audio recording included as part of the official record of the meeting with the
exception of items D25.1, D25.2, D25.3, D25.4, 4 and D25.5 that have been placed under discussion regular agenda items and items C21.1
and C21.2 that have been pulled in place under discussion pulled agenda items. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Board, may I have a motion on the superintendent's recommendation? >> So move. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James.
Um, all those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes 5-0. >> Miss Martinez, would you please provide the proof of publication for tonight's school board meeting? >> The notice for the October 14th, 2025
school board meeting ran in the Ocala Gazette on October 3rd, 2025. The proof of publication has been attached in board docks under proof of publication. >> Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. Um, item 7.1. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the August 26, 2025 school
board meeting? Thank you, Reverend Cummings. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion
to approve the minutes for the September 4th, 2025 special school board meeting early re-entry? May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Dr. James. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the September 4th, 2025 administrative briefing and work session? May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Thrower. Are there any additions or corrections to these
minutes? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the September 9th, 2025 school board meeting? May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve the September 9th
schoolboard meeting minutes. >> Thank you, Miss Thrower. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Are there any additions or corrections to these minutes? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion
passes 50. Um, may I have a motion to approve the minutes of the September 9th, 2025 special school board meeting? >> So move. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Are there any
additions or corrections to the minutes? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 50. Good evening, Attorney Powers. Please explain the rules governing persons who wish to address this evening schoolboard
meeting. >> Good evening and thank you. In compliance with section 286.0114 of 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 that the public has a reasonable opportunity to be heard on school board and school district matters. A written summary of these procedures is available
from the table on the lobby. Public speaker forms are also located on the same table. The completed forms were due to the school board's clerk no later than 5:40 p.m. This evening's speakers will be called prior to the business portion of the school board's meeting in
the order of receipt by the school board clerk. Before you begin speaking, please state your full name for the record and spell your last name. Each speaker will have five minutes. However, if there are more than five persons who wish to speak to the board, uh the board may seek
consensus to limit each speaker's time to three 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 other people. Speakers and meeting attendees are
expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Therefore, verbal attacks and profanity are strictly prohibited pursuant to the procedures for public comments. Item six, speakers are not to identify specific individuals other than themselves or their child
unless that statement is provided 24 hours in advance. 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 this meeting. Parents may address the board regarding a disciplinary matter at that time. To ensure student privacy, only a parent or guardian can use a
student's first or last name or any identifying references of students or their families are prohibited. Finally, a speaker speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the school district. Thank you for your attention
to the board's requirements, Madam Chair. That concludes my explanatory remarks. >> Thank you, Attorney Powers. Miss Martinez Young, do we have any speakers this evening? >> Yes, Madam Chair. We have 10 speakers. >> Okay. Board, it's been um traditional for us to give to allow the full five
minutes. So, I will assume that we'll move forward under that protocol. U Miss Martinez Young, would you call our first speaker? >> Patrick Gilman, >> please state and spell your name and appears the timer. You'll have a notice when it gets down to one minute.
>> Thank you, sir. Patrick Gilman, Gil Lan. Good evening, Madam Chair, school board members, and superintendent. My name is Patrick Gilman. and I live at 2529 Southeast 19th circle, California 34471. I thank you for allowing me to speak
this evening and I do appreciate your time. To begin, I would like to give you credit for taking on your position with our local school system. I'm sure it's not an easy one. Got a little bit of a comparison to that. A little bit over 40
years ago, my dad sat in your chair. I was a high school student here at Forest High School. I can remember him bringing home many days, a lot of weight on his shoulders dealing with what you deal with. Not to discount me getting suspended as a high school student here. So, I hope you don't have to deal with
it, but I appreciate what you do. I'm here this evening to speak concerning Bridgeway Academy, most recently known as Marian Technical Institute or MTI. I'm not here to persuade, I'm here to share. I'm in my third year as a staff member of Bridgeway Academy and I must tell you I'm not sure why I'm in why I'm
here and why I'm not your traditional alternative school member staff. What I do know is I absolutely believe in the big plan. I started as a middle and high school intensive reading teacher my first year. I was a high school intensive reading teacher my second year and presently I'm the
behavior specialist here at Bridgeway Academy. I will absolutely confess that I could not handle being a classroom teacher. I'm sure it is hard everywhere, but it's real hard here. I understand you have and will continue to make decisions affecting our students and staff here at Bridgeway Academy. And I
felt it was important that I share some of my feelings and opinions after having firsthand experience. I will be the first to tell you and anyone else I speak with that this is an alternative school. It is not your traditional school. Our students can be challenging and when you
put them with their fellow fellow challenging students, it is anything but traditional. With that being said, I have experienced many incredible things here and I don't mean just bad. I wish I could share many of the conversations I've had with many of our students, what they have gone
through and the struggles that they are dealing with daily. You know, I believe we are all broken in some way, many much more than others. And I want to share that these are not traditional students. Although they are still our students. I have spent the majority of my career
valuing assets and clearly defining risk versus reward. That's extremely difficult here at Bridgeway Academy. We have some of the hardest situations here in both students and repairing and preparing them to return to their base schools and ultimately to society which
is the big picture. Therefore, I believe the value here is that our staff needs to be given support and all resources so that they can be the best in working with these students to determine that you have determined should be at Bridgeway as opposed to their
traditional school. The way I look at it is we at Bridgeway Academy need to identify, intervene, and as best as possible to correct the issues so these students are not being returned to our traditional schools where the risk really is.
Although I have gotten to tell you the reward is incredible when one of our students makes that change. It's incredible. Something I've learned here at Bridgeway Academy is not just a word. Here at Bridgeway, I'm sure just like all our
other schools, although to an interesting degree, when you show one of our students that you care, that you care for them, you care for their today. >> Hold on. Hold on one moment. Just one moment. >> We need to check our microphone there
because we're not hearing you. >> Back to it. >> Try again. >> I get >> back up one sentence. We We'll give you >> All right. >> That you care. You care for them. You care for their today. You care for their tomorrow, their future, which most of
them will tell you they truly believe they don't have. These students will do just about anything for you. They eat it up when you show that you care. and they will all of the sudden start accomplishing things everyone thought they couldn't do. I believe we as staff,
your staff at Bridgeway Academy will react the same way. I will close with this. We are all too busy. I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to come to spend part of a day, half a day or even a whole day with me or any of us here at Bridgeway Academy. Speak to the
students and staff and see for yourselves. I know then your understanding of what happens here will improve. So will Bridgeway Academy and our goal of helping every student succeed well accomplished. Thank you and good evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Gilman, and thank you for
caring about the students at Bridgeway Academy. We appreciate you, >> Vicky Trul. Good evening. My name is Vicky Truly. treu lib. Early education is pivotal to a
student's academic success. Forom began with a promise that we needed a place specifically focused on early education and it's delivered. Miss Beck has created a culture of academia, but more importantly, a culture of love. At FOROM, the children and staff become
families and they help each other to succeed. My daughter is a success story. Her teachers at Forom and the administration at Forom have never given up on her, though she certainly has her days. They know her. They know her special ticks. They know who she will
even get out of the car for in the morning. But they've worked with her to make her into the student she has become through their dedication. My daughter has made all A's this year and is excelling. If she was at another school, I don't believe it would have been possible. I believe she would be
drowning in the curriculum of first grade that she was not ready for. She would have been labeled a problem child and deemed a hopeless cause. But she's not that at Forom. And that's part of what makes the school so special. Your lack of foresight will potentially
destroy a culture that has cultivated our littlest learners and helped build their foundation so that they can be successful for the rest of their academic careers. When Forom started, there was a lot of work to be done in order to make it successful. The old evergreen lay dormant for years. Miss
Beck and her team came in and nurtured not only the students but the entire campus. She created a movement so that every child could learn. Form offers education for K3. It's the only school in the district that does it. Furthermore, it's the only elementary school in the district that offers afterare for VPK students, which is
something that is much needed for working parents. The school continues to set itself apart from other elementary schools and it has truly become a gem in our community that will only continue to flourish if left alone. To even consider moving this school elsewhere is an asinine idea, especially so that an
alternative school could replace it. Perhaps look at other schools that could be better designated for this venture. It's true that we have a population problem in the north end. It's also true that the north side feels neglected by this district as we are often the last thought of or perhaps the first thought of when it comes to school
consolidation. Our buildings are old, but our heritage is strong. There are many ways to utilize these campuses other than your proposals, and the idea of creating three or four K8 schools for a price tag of 60 plus million dollars is laughable, especially when we can
barely afford the needed repairs. Now, adapting these elementary schools would destroy the programs at the middle and high school that create an even greater burden and create an even greater burden on our teachers. But I don't like to come to you with just complaints. So, I brought you some other suggestions. One, we could move students from Fezan
or Anthony Elementary to Reic and turn one of those schools into an alternative learning center. We could reszone the entire district so that the population is more equitable at all sites and also so that it makes sense. Students living by forom should not be zoned for Shady Hill. A student zone for North Mary Middle shouldn't be zoned for Westport
High School. We need more common sense in creating these zoning maps. Three, if you want to turn North Mary Middle into an alternative learning center, then create a middle middle high school on the high school's campus. This allows programs to remain intact and also doesn't require elementary schools to be completely retrofitted to accommodate
older and larger students. Four, if you care about the north side and you want to bring students to these school treasures, consider investing in their magnet programs and providing transportation so that parents have more options available for their students where they can flourish in smaller environments with some of the best
teachers in the district. Lastly, work with the stakeholders at each of these locations rather than trying to blindside everyone with ideas that jeopardize the education of our youngest and most impressionable learners. You're sending a message that their education is not as important as the education of students who have already proven that they are not able to function in a
mainstream classroom. You're sending the message that the south side of our county is more important than the north side. Now is the time to think about our future. Our community deserves better, but most importantly, our students deserve better. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Truly.
[Applause] Kristen Angel. >> Good evening. My name is Kirsten Angel. I live at 2055 Southeast 50th Terrace in Ocala, Florida. Um, I know that everyone
here in this auditorium tonight is very concerned about all the students that are in all of our classrooms. And I know that the people even in the in outside the auditorium who are maybe watching on the on the schoolboard channel are also concerned with the same thing.
This should be our most important per most important thing that we do at the school system. Therefore, I think it's time that we have an update on the search for the school the permanent school superintendent. Um, I would urge the school board for us to do a national
search and therefore I would like to know what the school board's intentions are regarding the national search committee. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Angel. >> Tia Thompson. Good evening. >> Good evening.
>> Tia Thompson. T H O M P S O N. >> Good evening, board members. My name is Tia Thompson, and I'm the proud parent of a first grade forom student and a three-year-old who also attends Forom Early Learning Academy. I'm here tonight because I strongly oppose the proposed
merger of Forom with Reic Collier Elementary. Forom has truly changed my children's lives for the better. When we first started, school mornings were full of tears. It was a daily struggle. But now, my children wake up excited to go to school. The teachers, staff, and
environment at Forom have created a place where children want to learn, where they feel safe, loved, and supported. That transformation is something you can't put a number on. I drive 30 minutes each way every single day because I believe forom is worth it.
Families like mine choose forom because of the incredible foundation it gives our kids academically, socially, and emotionally. We go to forom because we want to go to forom. It's a school of choice, not a school of convenience. People go to Reic
because they're zoned to go to Reic. We go to Forom because we believe in what this school stands for and the difference it makes in our children's lives. Forom is designed specifically for young learners. The staff truly understands early childhood education
and they meet every single child right where they are. They know how to comfort, encourage, and challenge little ones in a way that help them grow. Every child's need is seen, met, and accommodated. And that's something that's a rare and incredibly value to us
parents. Merging Forom into Reic would take away that stability and that sense of belonging. Reic is currently a C-rated school and while I respect the hard work that's happening there, it's not the right environment for our youngest learners. Moving our children to a
struggling school doesn't help them. It risks undoing all the progress they've made. And for families like mine, this proposal creates an impossible situation. If my son has to move to another school, for example, Shady Hill, my three-year-old would have nowhere to go. We would lose that community and
that support system that Forom provides. Forom is working. It's a success story. Instead of taking it apart, we should be building on its success and investing in programs that are truly making a difference in our children's lives. Please keep Forom Early Learning Academy
open and intact. Let it continue changing lives the way that it has changed ours. Thank you for your time and listening to the families who trust you with our children's futures. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Christa Forom.
My name is Christa Forom. F O R D as in David. H as in Ham. A M Ham. My father was Edmund Form.
No, I don't have little people at Forom Early Learning Academy. But the passion that I have for the school, my family, and if my father was still alive runs deep, very deep. the unique qualities
that Miss Beck has implemented with the students, with the staff, with its ability to bring people together, to bring children together, to influence their lives in ways that other schools aren't doing.
I am the daughter of a teacher who taught in the Marian County public school systems. I am a product of the Marian County school system and for that form Early Learning Academy is so valuable to this community
to understand how to take something that's worked so well for four consecutive years and combine it with a failing school. It's unfathomable. and the investment. Why can't that
investment go to teachers? Teachers in schools where there are children who are having problems, whether they're emotional problems, psychological problems. I'm the mother of a physically impaired child. And one of the things that made him successful was not an
alternative school. He does have a degree in clinical social work. So his ability not to walk was the only thing that kept him from being normal, so to speak. Alternative schools
don't always help kids. As an entrepreneur, I'm right next door to one. The Marian Academy that's at the Cascades, the Acceleration Academy, I see teenagers go in and out every day.
And a lot of them I've interacted with and just asked them how was their day. Alternative school, do they really want to be there or were they put there for a reason? To take form Early Learning Academy and combine it with a school
that's 30 minutes away from Forom would be an atrocity. Right now there are seven babies, my babies, who are in the VPK program. No, I didn't give birth to them, but their mothers either went to school with my
daughter or their grandmothers or my classmates. And two of my babies, their mama drives them from Marian Oaks to Forom every day. How many schools do they pass? Several. But they wanted to go there
because the classrooms are smaller and because of the intimacy that the teachers have with the children and the passion they have for learning. Mrs. Beck and her team and that staff, if you haven't spent a day there, you
should go and you should find out why. Taking the school away and putting it with Reddit Collier is not the answer. It is truly not the answer. There are several other proposals that should be considered, but getting rid of form is
not one of them. And by the way, my dad was the first principal of Spar Elementary. If you didn't know it, there used to be a little school in Citra. He spent half his day there and half his day at Spar until Spar was built. I think I was in the third grade.
I went to Oakress in 1968, a monumental year for this county and for the United States. Forom is important not just to me. It's not my legacy. It's the legacy of Miss
Thompson, but like Mr. Gilman, I'm a legacy of the Marian County School System as well. Please consider not doing this to these beautiful children in this wonderful institution. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Boredom.
Linda Smith, Smi T. I am speaking on behalf of many forom early learning families who are deeply concerned about the proposal to move form elementary to reic. Forom Early Learning was founded with a clear purpose to focus on the earliest and
most critical years of a child's education by serving preK3 through 2 grade. Forom allows teachers to concentrate on early development without the pressure of testing and the distraction of a large school setting. This focus on nurturing foundational learning is exactly why so many families
choose forom over other options. As both a parent and a professional in social work, I understand firsthand how vital early education is. I chose to send my children to forom even though my husband works in education at another school because we value the school's
philosophy and the importance of starting early. In my work, I see the long-term effects of missed early interventions in how gaps in development, social skills, and emotional support can follow children for years. Early education is prevention, not just preparation.
Research consistently confirms this. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, children who attend highquality early education programs are more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and hold stable employment, and are less likely
to need special education or repeat a grade. From a social work perspective, I've seen how lack of early support contributes to challenges later in life, including academic struggles, behavioral issues, and involvement in the child welfare system. Early education is often
the first line of prevention. The first five years of life are when 90% of the brain development occurs. And those early learning experiences directly shape a child's cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Quality early education like what form provides can
change a child's life. I also want to point out a very logistical issue this proposal creates. I live on the northeast side of Marian County near Booster Stadium and Radic is still 20 to 25 minutes away. I like many other fam form parents will not be
making that drive. Families who choose form do so for its location, size, and philosophy, not because it's simply the next available school. Moving Forom will not fill Reic's classrooms. It will only cause families to return to their zone schools and dismantle what has been a successful, beloved early learning
community at Forom. And I must ask, are we really choosing to dismantle a thriving early education program because it's financially easier for the district? Are we really making decisions based on short-term numbers instead of long-term impact? Forom represents an
investment in children at the stage of life when that investment matters most. Cutting that short to fix a budget problem is not what's best for our students, our teachers, or our community. Forom Early Learning is a model of what early childhood education should look like. Small, nurturing,
family oriented, and focused on giving young children the strongest possible start. I urge the district to preserve Forom's mission and location, and to continue investing in our youngest learners. Thank you for your time, your service, and your dedication, and I hope
you continue to do what's best for our young children, and that's keeping where Forom is at. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Smith. Miss Autumn M. Hi Autumn Margetjack. M A R G E T J A K. Good evening members of the board,
community leaders, educators, and families. My name is Nikki Margajjack and I stand before you not only as a passionate ad advocate for early childhood education but as a voice for the countless families, children and educators whose lives are being shaped day by day inside the walls of Forom
Early Learning Academy. We are not just a asking you to keep a school open in its current location. We are asking you to preserve a vision, a community, and a commitment to providing our youngest learners with the strongest possible start in life. Forom Early Learning
Academy is not just another school. It is the first of its kind in Marian County, a groundbreaking innovation in early education that has already made a measurable impact. The centralized northern location of Forom was chosen
with purpose and the data shows why that matters. Since its opening, enrollment in Northend VPK programs has increased, bringing more families into early learning who may have otherwise gone without. And the outcomes speak for themselves. Students at Forom
consistently show high performance in literacy and math, scoring on par with and often exceeding results seen in high performing magnet schools. This is not a coincidence. It is the result of a dedicated staff, a nurturing
environment, and a focus on foundational skills that prepare children to walk into kindergarten ready to thrive. But let's talk about what ready actually means. Based on the fall 2024 STAR early literacy data, only 36% of kindergarten
students in Marian County entered school ready compared to the state average of 43%. That's a serious gap. But we also know that when students attend a Marian County Public Schools VPK program, their
readiness increases significantly. Forom is playing a crucial role in closing this gap and we're just getting started. This school isn't only about academic preparation. It's about family, community, and connection. Programs like
the Stepping Stone Initiative meet families where they are, supporting children from birth to school age with literacy focused, play-based, and emotionally nurturing care. And let me be clear, this kind of impact cannot be
uprooted and replicated somewhere else overnight. Now there's a proposal to move forom students possibly relocating services to Reddit Collier 13 miles farther north. That distance may not seem far on paper,
but to a working parent with limited transportation, it can be the difference between access and exclusion. Forom currently serves families from all over the district, not just the immediate area. In fact, only 57 of our
238 students are zoned for the north end schools. That tells you that families are choosing forom not because it's convenient but because it works. And let's not forget we are operating in a DCF licensed facility that comes with
unique requirements. Retrofitted restrooms, child accessible sinks, a safe and sensory friendly environment, all of which are already in place at FOROM. The idea of replicating this somewhere else isn't just impractical.
It's expensive, timeconsuming, and disruptive to the students who need consistency the most. Our campus is more than functional. It's inspiring. From the forom forest nature trail to sensoryrich playgrounds, a tricycle
track and campus beautifification efforts, every inch of this school is designed with young learners in mind. These are not luxuries. They are learning tools and they are part of what makes forom a beacon in early education
of Marian County. Lastly, we must honor the history and legacy of Forom Early Learning Academy. Named after Edmund Forom, a veteran educator in Ocala, this school is a living tribute to a man who dedicated his life and education and
community uplift. Organizations like the Omega SciFi have adopted this school campus to preserve and celebrate that legacy. If we close or move forward, we don't just disrupt students, we erase part of our shared
community history. Tonight, I ask you, I urge you, do not move our school to Reddit Collier Elementary. Keep Forom Early Learning Academy open in its current location where it's doing the most good. Thank you,
[Applause] >> Melissa Nora. Melissa No, noa N O V O A Carly or Jquelyn Johnson J O H N S O N Good evening. My name is Karly Johnson
and this is Melissa Navoa. We're not just teachers. We are former Marian County educators who have taught in both low performing and high performing schools. And more importantly, we are moms who made the intentional choice to place our kids at Forom Early Learning Academy. Tonight we are here to speak
not only as educators but as parents who know firsth hand the profound impact this school has on our young learners. Thank you Carly. I am Becca and Amelia's mom. Both have attended for learning since it opened. As Kari shared I have
seen students thrive in many different settings. My son is autistic and struggled in in the large traditional school environment. He barely spoke and was lost academically and behaviorally with meltdowns every day at his previous school. When we enrolled him at Forward Early Learning Academy, he didn't just
adjust. >> Sorry. >> Go ahead. It's back again. >> It's back. It's back. >> Thank you. Sorry. He didn't just suggest. He flourished. Today, he speaks confidently, participates actively, and went from a non-verbal four-year-old to
being asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance right here for a schoolboard meeting a few years ago. I can't even comprehend where he'd be if it wasn't for Forom. He will be graduating this year, and I'm not I'm But I am here because I want to make
sure other children get the same opportunity that he received at Forom. As a former teacher, I've noticed a troubling trend in many traditional schools. The primary grades are often overlooked because the focus is on the upper grade testing, but it's in VPK and
kindergarten where students develop the foundational skills that shape their academic and emotional success. My daughter has only been at FOROM for two and a half months, and already she has learned many letters and sounds, early math skills, compound words, reading
comprehension, and even emotional regulation. She's thriving in an environment that emphasizes love, attention, and individualized instruction, something far too rare in larger schools. And it's not just academics. Forom's approach builds confidence,
independence, and social emotional skills from the earliest years. For my son, the nurturing environment allowed him to grow socially and emotionally while still addressing his specific academic needs. For example, on the first STAR test he took, he was unable to even complete the assessment. this
past fall. He scored in the 99th percentile. Though there's also my daughter on who's I'm sorry, there's also my daughter who's thriving right along with him. We've we've witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes that come from a small
dedicated staff fully focused on early learners. These results are not just anecdotal. They are support they support the strong performance metrics and assessments that show Forom students enter kindergarten ready for success. The proposal you will hear at the boardwork session on Thursday to
relocate forom to Reddit Collier Elementary would disrupt all of this. The current site is more centrally located, accessible, and purposely built for early learners. Moving the school would not only place a burden on families in transportation and logistics, but it would also compromise
the specialized environment that makes form highly effective. We would lose the child accessible facilities, the trike track, the form forest, and the hands-on play-based learning opportunities that are at the heart of the school's success. Distance matters. Reic Collier is over
13 miles north of Forom, far for many families. Only 57 of Forom's 238 students are zoned for the northern schools. A move would place undue stress on parents and students and the staff, especially our youngest learners who require safe licensed facilities for
programs like PreK, PreK3 and VPK. These are not minor concerns. They directly impact students well-being, learning, and safety. Forom Early Learning Academy is more than just a school. It's a community and a family. It honors the legacy of Ed
Edmund Forom, supports families through programs like Stepping Stone, and fosters a culture where every child feels seen, valued, and respected. The positive outcomes academically, socially, and emotionally speak for themselves. Displacing this school would be a step backward for early education in our county.
We we firmly urge the school board to keep Border Learning Academy at its current site. Our children deserve contini continuity, stability, and specialized environment that all allow them to thrive. Forom's success is not just measured by test scores, although they are amazing, but by the by the
confidence, join readiness that instills in every student who walks through its doors. Closing or relocating the school is not just a logistical decision. It's a decision that affects the future of the children in their care. On behalf of our kids, our families, and the community, we respectfully but firmly ask that you preserve Form Early
Learning Academy at its current location with no merger. And if you need proof of just how deeply this school touches lives, look around the room tonight. You'll see Forom teachers and staff, current students, and even families who ch whose children have already graduated, yet they came back because Forom is more than just a school. It's a
family, and it never stopped being a part of their story. That kind of loyalty is not given, it's earned. Before coming here, I sat down with my four-year-old daughter who is here tonight and explained that I was speaking to protect her school >> has expired. >> Thank you so much. She cried her eyes
out. And thank you and thank you for hearing us. >> Thank you both for your message. >> Natalie Rector. >> Hi, I'm Natalie Rector, RC. Um I'm here to talk about the school utilization um proposal that you'll be
discussing on Thursday. Um my child goes to Ocula Middle, so it doesn't actually uh impact me directly, but I'm a strong believer in uh the strength of public education and quality education impacts all society and having a strong um
public school system is really essential to help everybody. Um, and I've taught in multi-level um, K to2 schools for 20 years. And I have some I read the public um, presentation that you have uh,
posted and it brought up some questions um, that I'd like you to consider when you are discussing it. Um, so I appreciate that the plan addresses the financial realities we face and the goal of providing more resources for students, but I'd like to share um some
questions about it that came up. First, uh, developmental and social concerns. Students in grades six to eight are at a very different developmental stage than children in kindergarten through fifth grade. These early teen years bring new emotional, physical, and social challenges, and students need an environment that supports that growth,
not one where they have to share space with very young children. Younger students also deserve a protected age appropriate environment. They should not be exposed intentionally or unintentionally to the conversations, behaviors, or maturity levels typical of middle school students. Placing 5-year-olds and 14-year-olds in the same
building area can lead to bullying, intimidation, or fear even when staff do their best to prevent it. So, the question that relates to that is how are you going to protect each group of students? Uh, next is academic and instructional impact. K to8 buildings
require a wide range of teaching models. Elementary grades are often used one teacher for most subjects while middle grades switch classes. That creates scheduling and staffing challenge that can pull focus away from teaching and learning. Middle school electives. Uh part of the proposal was that money
could be saved by sharing resources and staff um but that can create scheduling problems with the different scheduling models. uh this plan risk re diluting both elementary and middle school experiences rather than strengthening
either one. So how do you plan to manage the scheduling of the resources and staff? Um next is the facilities and logistics. Larger schools mean more congestion and hallways and cafeterias and buses and
drop off and pickup times. Um, it did not explain how it would the crowding would affect safety or daily schedules and student movement in classes and in hallways and the playgrounds. Younger students will have to share equipment, libraries, playgrounds, and gym spaces
with older grades. Even if those facilities are expanded, access will be limited. There's only so much space. Uh, how will you address emergency drills and evacuation procedures at school lockdown procedures uh with more students in one building?
Uh next is uh belonging and community. Neighborhood elementary schools are often the heart of a community. When we consolidate, we lose that close connection. Parents may feel less involved and younger children lose the comfort of a familiar small environment. Students thrive when they feel seen and
known. In larger mixed age schools, it's easy for kids to feel lost. If counselors and support staff are spread across many age levels, individual attention can suffer, especially for children who need extra help adjusting. So, if you're sharing staff across uh
grade levels, there's less time for everybody. So, how are you going to address that? Um how are you going to communicate with parents? Um, in closing, I understand the need to make responsible financial decisions and to modernize our facilities, but I ask
that the board take more time to include teachers, parents, and child development experts in the planning process. Let's make sure that we're not solving a budget problem by creating new developmental, safety, and educational problems down the road. Our children only get one experience to experience
elementary, middle school. Let's make sure that that experience is age appropriate, safe, and designed for their needs. Thank you for your time and considering these questions. >> Thank you, Miss Recctor. [Applause]
>> Leonard Alberts. Good evening. >> Hey, good evening. Good to see you. My name is Can you hear me? Okay. Leonard Alberts. Last name Alberts. A LB E RTS. Good evening, members of the board. It's good to see you. Thank you for having me and us from Fordham Early Learning
Learning Academy. Uh, my name is Leonard Alberts and I'm the parent of a little girl at Forom Early Learning Academy. And I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak here tonight on behalf of many families who deeply value what Forom represents, a stable, nurturing, and developmentally focused
environment for our youngest learners. I understand the district's efforts to find greater efficiency and balance across schools, and I respect that process. But I must ask you to consider the profound impact this move to Reic would have on the very children these programs are designed to serve.
Forom is already one of the most north northernmost schools in the county for this age group and many of our families live well south of it. Myself included. My family lives in Wildwood nearly 45 minutes away. Yet we make that drive pickup and drop off because of what form
offers. It is a safe, consistent and caring environment where children receive the strong early foundation they need for lifelong success. Moving these students away from forom would not only present major logistical challenges for families as other parents have noted and teachers
have noted. It would also disrupt the the stability and continuity that are essential for early learning and uh learning and health healthy development. My family is certainly not the only ones who feel this way as you've heard. For young children, consistency and being familiar with their environment are
everything. My own child has already been through several transitions. First when the MTI teacher daycare program closed in 2022 here on this very campus and again when we were moved to Fordamp. Each move required emotional adjustment for my daughter, rebuilding trust and
relearning routines. These changes take a drastic toll. Form has finally pro uh has finally provided my child with a sense of belonging and stability. The conditions that allow learning confidence and social skills are tr truly uh take root through programs like
these. Uprooting these children again risks setting back the very progress they've made both academically and emotionally. Early learning isn't just about instruction. It's about the environment and form staff, Mrs. Beck and and the structure are uniquely
designed for each uh childhood need. They understand how to nurture curiosity, guide emotional growth, and support developmental milestones. Merging or relocating this program risks losing that focus and could have long-term consequences for how these
children grow as learners and as people. I urge you to look beyond the data points and consider the developmental impact on the children themselves. They are thriving because of form structure, its teachers and its environment. And disrupting that stability could undo years of progress and something no
efficiency plan should outweigh. Please let our form students remain where they are. allow them to continue to grow, learn, develop, have fun in the environment that's already working for them, for their minds, their hearts, and their futures. Thank you for your time and for listening to the families who
love and believe in the Ford him Early Learning Academy. >> Thank you. That was our last speaker. >> Okay. Thank you um to all of you who showed up um this morning to or this evening, actually, it's not morning, this evening
uh to share your concerns. We sure do appreciate it. Hope that you'll show up on Thursday when we begin this conversation. So, thank you. Um board, we're going to move on toformational items and I ask that you bear with me. Um we've got a lot of information to
share this evening and so that will take just a few minutes. Okay, we're moving on to item 9.1, which is anformational item. The Marian County Public School District contracted with Ad Morgan Corporation to construct a new elementary school in the southwest
quarter of the county to address localized overcrowding. While the project was originally scheduled for substantial completion by June 30th, 2025, several unforeseen circumstances necessitated a time extension. Specifically, severe weather events
caused delays that were beyond the contractor's control as outlined in the standard contract, which identifies such events as excusable delays. Additionally, a mandatory reservey and retesting of the upgraded signal system
by the fire marshall and external authority having jur jurisdiction further impacted the timeline. The fire marshall operates independently and conducts inspections according to their own schedule and standards. As a result of these factor factors,
substantial completion was achieved on July 25th, 2025. The superintendent or designate has signed and approved the change order provided that approval shall be in her judgment and the best interest of the board. Such change order
shall be binding upon execution. The superintendent or designate shall report such change orders to the board at the board meeting that follows her approval. The approved change order shall be entered into the official minutes of the board meeting.
9.1 um continued amendment number one to the construction management contract guaranteed maximum price for the construction of new elementary school W Ross Prairie Elementary order number nine amendment number one project 24-101
the Florida legislature approved a special appropriation to fund an aviation and diesel mechan mechanic clinic program repair program at Maran Technical College. During construction, the building manufacturer's engineer required a redesign that necessitated
the installation of two additional structural columns for additional safety. After the building had already been erected, all construction activities were temporarily halted until the columns could be properly installed. The contractor and engineering team
worked diligently to expedite the installation and minimize disruption to the overall schedule. However, coordination with the fire marshall and independent author authority having jurisdiction was delayed due to limited availability
impacting the timeline for final inspection and approval. While the contractor was able to absorb most of the delay with the original schedule, an additional seven calendar days are required to account for the unforeseen circumstances. Substantial completion
was achieved on August 19th, 2025. The superintendent or designate has signed and approved the change order provided that approval shall be in her judgment in the best interest of the board. Such change order shall be binding upon execution. The
superintendent or designate shall report such change orders to the board at the meeting that follows her approval. The approval change order shall be entered in the official minutes of the board meeting. Item 9.2, construction of a new aviation and
diesel autochanic program building at Marian Technical College. Change order number three, work authorization number 13, project 24-110. The school district used a construction management delivery method, including a guaranteed maximum price, to perform
construction work on this project. There were unused funds on the project. Since the project was delivered using a construction management delivery with a GMP format, unused dollars, regardless of the item, are returned to the owner. The unspent monies will be returned to
the owner via change order. with those the financial books on this 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 that approval shall be in her judgment in the best interest of the
board. Such change orders shall be binding upon execution by the superintendent or designate. The superintendent or designate shall report each change order that she approved to the board at the board meeting that follows her approval. The superintendent or design's approval of
the change order shall be entered into the official minutes of the board meeting. Item 9.3, District Ride High School football stadium lighting replacement change order number two, work authorization number five, project
24-113, item 10.1. Board, may I have a motion to approve consent agenda items C11.1 through C22.5 with the exception of items D25.1, D25.2, D25.3,
D25.4, 4 and D25.5 that have been placed under discussion regular agenda items and items C21.1 and C21.2 that have been pulled and placed under discussion pulled agenda items. May I have a motion?
>> Motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. 40 board. We're moving on to student disciplinary matters. Before addressing
expulsion matters, I wish to acknowledge that board members have received the alternative placement list for students through September 11th, 2025. 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 student JD26-011 with off-campus virtual learning for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year and the first quarter of the 2026 2027 school year. May I have a motion?
>> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Dr. James. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 40. May I have a motion to approve the
expulsion of student JD26-00007 JD26-0 JD26-012E JD26-013 JD26-015 JD26-016E JD26-018 for the remainder of the 2025 2025 2020
26 school year and the first quarter of the 2026 2027 school year. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 4.
Moving on to discussion. Regular agenda items. Item D25.1. May I have a motion to approve the collective bing bargaining agreement between the Marian Education Association and the School Board of Marian County
2025 through 2029. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve the collective bargaining agreement. >> Thank you, Miss Thrower. >> Second. >> Uh, thank you, Dr. Campbell. Dr. Brewer, you have some information that you'd like to share with us regarding this item. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'd like to ask
Miss Morant, our executive director of our human resources to come provide remarks and she will be happy to share um about the process and we're happy to be here tonight. >> Definitely. Thank you and good evening Dr. Brewer, Chair Conrad and board members. On behalf of the human
resources department, Attorney Blackman, and the Marian Education Association, I am requesting board approval for the 202526 changes to the collective bargaining agreement between the Maran Education Association and the School Board of Marian County. The changes to
the three-year agreement are notated to the in the document attached to board docs. The members of the bargaining unit ratified the tenative agreement by a vote conducted by the Maring Education Association. The total cost associated with this item is $5.8 million, which
includes approximately $4.2 million for years of service increases and $1.6 million for pay for performance increases. Once again, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Mr. Mark Avery, the MEA members, the district bargaining team, and everyone involved
in ensuring that we were able to settle on the MEA collective bargaining agreement. Thank you. And with that, I'll turn it back over to you, Dr. for any additional questions or comments. >> Thank you, Mr. Yes. Thank you, Miss Morant. Board, any discussion or any
questions at this time? >> Oh, yes, Miss Thrower. >> I'll just say probably on behalf of the whole rest of the board that it's just really great to be in the position to vote on this tonight. >> I concur and I want to add a thank you,
Miss Morant, to you and attorney Blackman. um really thank you for spearheading this and get us getting us moving in in the right direction. So, thank you both and your team um for getting this ready in October. Here we are. All right. Thank you both so much.
Yes. Yes. Not next year. All right, board. If there's no other um discussion, we'll call the vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes 40. Thank you, Miss Moran. Item D25.2. May I have a motion to approve the
compensation amendment number four to the construction manager contract guaranteed maximum price for buildings 1 through 4 remaining interior finishes building 6 through 10 and courtyards and sport field related to construction of
new high school CCC now known as South Marian High School project 24-105. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. Thank you, Miss Thrower. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James. >> Chair, I'll be recusing myself from this vote.
>> Okay. Uh, thank you, Dr. Campbell. Dr. Brewer, you have some information on this item. >> Yes, and we will continue to pull the um any items with the new high school for discussion just to keep the community a breast of what is happening with this big project because it is such a big project. And we do have Miss Boomach
here this evening, our director of facilities to provide um brief remarks. Good evening, Miss Boomach. >> Good evening, board. Uh Dr. Brewer, um I have been here a couple times with several GMP
with several guaranteed maximum price um proposals, and this is the last one. This is the uh number four, and it's just over $13 million. It is uh in in the guaranteed maximum price number three. You already saw a few items were
excluded in there. Waiting for this uh number four coming out. Um so it it will finish out the project. It's mostly interior finishes. Um, and I've listed acoustical ceilings,
wall panels, the flooring, uh, specialty items, landscaping, irrigation, and of course the um artificial uh, playfield in the football stadium. the uh the schedule follows the overall
schedule and uh the substantial completion um is before October 29th, but uh we already know that the main building and uh the cafeteria building will be open um for school to start in August.
>> Thank you, Miss Boom. Dr. Brewer, anything you would like to add? >> Nothing new. >> Okay. emphasized that last statement. She said that the building will be open for classes in August and this this last October 29th will be the additional um property that won't impact the first day
of school for students. >> Thank you board. I open it up for discussion or questions. >> Just a a brief question for further conversation. It's not timely now, but um as we've had lots of discussion about about athletics as a board of late, uh if we could at some point understand the
implications for fall athletics, um if there's an intention of having fall athletics at South Marian next fall and then um would they then where would they play football or if there's not an intention for them to have a football team? That's just understanding all of
that um for fall sports seeing as I the way I believe this to be read is that we won't have a completed athletic um field and potentially those are going to be the pieces that are completed last. So at some point maybe if Mr. Tucker or
someone could update the board or at least me on those pieces that'd be wonderful. >> Can you share any information now Miss Binbuck or we can bring that back to the board? >> Yes. So all the fields should be ready for the first day of school and we are working with Mr. Tucker really closely
and the principal to have all the programs up and running um in time. >> So what then is the component of the substantial completion >> auditorium? >> It's just the funding um to put the turf field in and the interior finishes. Uh
we just had to wait uh until the funding was approved by the board for the remaining 13 million. Okay. It just reads the substantial completion is October 29th. So, is the turf field going to be done before school starts? >> Yes. So, October 29th was the uh we
brought a time extension to your approval a while ago, but that would that was only for the auditorium building. >> Okay. Thank you for that point of clarification. >> Thank you very much. Anything else further from the board? All right. Miss Boombach, thank you so much for your
presentation. board. Um, we'll call the vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes three >> zero with one recusal. All right. Thank you, board. All right. Moving on to item
D25.3. May have a motion to utilize the Florida Department of Education bid ITB2023-02 for the purchase of five new school buses with lifts. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. Thank Thank you, Dr.
Campbell, and thank you, Miss Thrower. Dr. Brewer, you have some information on this item for us. >> Yes, thank you. I'll allow um Mr. Oanic, our supervisor of transportation, to provide brief remarks on this purchase. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening. Uh
these five buses are are lift buses and they're to go back to what we talked about of trying to um catch our fleet up to where we buy 10% a year. greatly appreciate the board entertaining that. Um and then you'll see the next that moves on with these
five lift buses and then 13 regular 77 passenger buses will be coming I believe in the next item. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Any discussion on that item? Okay. Seeing none, all those in favor say I.
>> I. Any opposed? Motion passes 40. Item 25.4. May I have a motion to approve to utilize the Florida Department of Education bid ITB2023-02 for the purchase of 13 new school buses? May I have a motion?
>> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. >> Second. >> Uh, thank you, Dr. James. Is there any further discussion on this item? Oh, yes. >> Just the the costs. I know we try to
articulate those when we these are under discussion because it's a pretty big ticket item, right? >> Yes. >> 2.2 million. >> Mr. Oonic, do you have that dollar amount? >> 2.2.2 million.
the the total for that was approved for u bus purchase bus purchases was uh 3 million and I believe we went uh 60 thou or 80,000 3 million $80,000 the e extra 80,000 that was on there
went so we could purchase an additional bus because the way the numbers kind of configured there you know to add to add up when you do the lift buses which are little they're gas buses Um and then you
have the 13 um 77 passenger regular buses. Those are diesel buses. So that's where you see kind of the difference in pricing on those. >> Thank you. I just think it's important to make sure that that's articulated. And the lift buses of course will
accommodate lifting wheelchair and so we can transport our students with special needs. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. the five that we have on there, those the lift buses, those are for for being able to pick up the wheelchairs and um get and then they have the extra space in the back where
there's no seats because they have to be secured in the bus. >> Thank you. Just appreciate the extra information, especially the cost. >> Thank you, Mr. Thrower. Anything else? Yes, Dr. James. I just I just wanted to say thank you to the fellow board
members and um our staff who have advocated for prior some of the things we've prioritized as a board and we heard the message loud and clear and the board has made a commitment at least for this year to start a prioritization not just for transportation but also for
athletics. Um and that is something that is unique to I think the work this board has done and it's not something that we've seen historically. Um there's so many needs across the district and so finding a hierarchy and priority can be
challenging but I do believe that the picture is very clear that we have to continue to revitalize and refresh our transportation fleet because we do provide transportation for what is it more than 50 thou 50% of our um student body
>> 22,000 students. Well, we have 23,000 that are um considered riders, but we transport between 21 and 22,000 a day. >> Yes. And so it's a significant amount of students and we having reliable transportation to make that happen is super important. And I I I do stress to
the community, we the implications for an accident that is not our fault is significant. um we can have someone just do a fender bender and run into one of our buses and um if you want to speak to how long is that bus off the road, how long is that driver off the road
>> that particular well the bus itself that you in the incident you're talking about we had to quarantine that bus. Um luckily this time since we were not at fault. Um and the it seems that the accident happening was kind of pushed into her bus did cause damage to our
bus. Um, but I did just get word today that we were able to start repairing that bus at this point, which is unusual because we've we've had buses in the past that have been quarantined for multiple years. Um, as we wait for things to work out as far as within, you know, the law and those kind of things.
>> And the bus driver has to be out for at least three days, right, for the drug test? >> Yes, ma'am. part of the CDL process in an incident accident like that. Um they it's mandatory to be drug tested and and go through um those channels and when that happens we usually lose three days
on kind of the minimum. >> Correct. And so some of those buses that may be quarantined for a significant period of time some of them we're still paying for on a loan. So theoretically we're paying for a bus that can't even be used. And so I just stressed to the community the importance of being aware
and being cautious of um the driving patterns of our buses and just trying to be extra cautious around the buses because the implications are significant. And then you know incidents like last week which I was going to mention in comments but I'll just mention it now because you're here and I want to make sure you hear. I mean, the
lift that transportation had to lift to make Fzden students arrive at North Marian Middle on Friday and then be promptly transported to back to Fzden by 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. was significant. And
it is though it occurred without anyone doing anything out of the ordinary. It was like everyone just stepped up to make things happen for students to get to arrival. And now, was our attendance amazing on Friday? No. It it could have
been better at Fezdon because we obviously had an interruption in service. But what I know is that transportation immediately was a welloiled machine. I don't no pun intended there, but they were a welloiled machine to get buses where they needed to be to make sure students where they were. And then we had a plan
operationally of making sure adults were back at Fzdon's campus before the buses arrived. And I just want to give you um accolades since you're here right now and you may not be here later for comments on the work that you all did to make that happen. And I think today we got the transportation report. You guys
have some of the best on-time arrival I've seen since I've been a board member. Um and there's still hiccups. I I don't want to dismiss the fact that there are still areas in the community that are struggling with on-time arrivals, but you all have done a tremendous job of improving on-time
arrivals in the last two or three years. And there's I want to make sure that you have that recognition. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anything further? All right. With that, we'll call the vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. 4.
Item 25.5. May I have a motion to approve the increase funding for renewal of the piggyback agreement with school district services incorporated Pulk County School Bid number ITB049 MJ0624
for school bus transportation. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve the piggyback agreement. >> Thank you Dr. Campbell. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Thrower. Dr. Brewer, you have some information regarding this item. >> Yes. I'd like Mr. White House to come to the podium to explain the the rationale
for this renewal for the piggyback agreement and um to share with you um the reason and the students that this will impact. >> Thank you Dr. Brewer. Good board. Um so there's two things that we're trying to accomplish here with renewing the
piggyback agreement and extending the amount of money that we're are interested in expending with school district services. One is we are attempting to provide some creative transportation solutions for some of our more struggling schools um with that schools that have additional funding
sources through UNICEF dollars that we can then accommodate some of those transportation needs for those students. The second thing that we're working with them on is we know that we have struggles sometimes with um filling all of our bus routes with capable drivers. Um school district services does have
the option for us to be able to utilize just their drivers as needed. And so Mr. Oanic is working with them to vet their drivers and determine if we can pull some of those in when we have a number of drivers out on a given day that we can then tap into their drivers, not have to double up on routes, and thus
increase some of our on-time arrivals when we would typically not be able to do that. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. White House. Any discussion, questions? Yes, Mr. >> Thank you. Um, I love everything about this proposal because it's proactive and
I'm really excited to finally see Wyomina Park Elementary School's needs being addressed and that what came from a completely from an attendance response committee meeting at a completely different school. Um, but it it's that level of collaboration and the
granularity of how do we meet students needs now so that we're not having to pay for a lot of expensive intervention later that we all know, you know, the research is there. If you get it right the first time, they're going to do better. So, I'm really grateful for for
this opportunity. I continue to be really worried about the number of absences that we have on a daily basis of drivers um in Marian County Public Schools. I don't know that there's anyone even sitting here in this whole room that would raise their hand and volunteer to be a bus driver. Uh it is a
tough job, but our drivers, I'd put them up against anybody. You know, they build relationships with the kids and and they do a great job. So, whatever we can do to increase our pool of drivers, whatever we can do to find alternative
sources of transportation like the vans that we bought where you don't have to have a full CDL, uh whatever we can do to make sure that we are continuing to jump by 10% a year. We're over almost 93% on time arrival uh right now, which
is a 10% increase from last year. So, we're definitely heading in the right direction. But when it's the same routes that are affected every day and those kids are missing that critical core instruction first period, uh it we still have a major problem because that one kid could be the one that gets us into
an a district. You know, it's such a razor thin margin, you know, when it comes to school grade that, you know, every single child needs the level playing field and opportunity to get their instruction. So, uh keep going with proposals like this because I'm going to vote yes every time.
>> Thank you, Miss Thrower. Anything else? Okay, with that we'll call the vote. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes 40. Thank you, Mr. White House. Um, boards, we're going to move on to discussion pulled
agenda items. Item D 26.1. May I have a motion to approve the amendment to the central office staffing plan for the 2025 2026 school year. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve the amendment. >> Thank you, Miss Thrower. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. Um Dr. James,
you've pulled this item for discussion. >> Thank you. And I really wanted to pull it for awareness more than anything else. Um not even just maybe a month ago or more, we finalized our budget as a board and and part of getting to a a balanced budget was a pretty in-depth
multi-part conversation about not just our school-based ratios, but also our central office staffing plan. And a big part of that conversation was the additions throughout the year to the central office staffing plan that occur. And so this being I believe the first
addition to make it to a board meeting, I felt it was important that it get moved to discussion so that we had the appropriate um discourse and time to really air the funding for these positions and to truly understand how we got here. Um, I'll add as a side note, I
think it would be a very good addition for maybe in the information only portion of our meetings to share the positions we're adding to schoolbased um, school-based positions we're adding. Those never come before the board. It's an operational decision that occurs outside of a board meeting. But it would
highlight that we are also adding positions to schools on a regular basis, not just the central office because it does very much appear because that's what comes to the board that the only thing we're adding to is the central office staffing plan. So that's just a kind of aside and something that's come to my head as I was thinking through
this tonight. Um certainly I I will share this information, but I did get it from Miss Morant and Miss U Mr. White House. the we are adding positions to two different departments um with the central office staffing plan and the funding sources for these the first
comes from Florida blue um and it is essentially a annual position where the funding source would come from Florida blue and then the second position the IT position is um to hire something that power school is currently doing inhouse so that next year we would not need to
pay power school the essentially $250,000 to do the job and instead we would take that with fringe and pay the internal employees. So, there is no added cost to the district to add these two positions, but I felt it was important that we highlight that um to
the public because that didn't seem very aware to me as I was reviewing the board docs. And I wanted to make sure that it was clear to the public that we're at this point not adding any additional positions to um manage central office uh
work. Uh and um wanted to make that point of clarification. Thank you, Dr. James. Anything else from the board? >> Um, I did have have one suggestion. Um, I don't know if this would need to be put in executive contact, but I would I
would like these positions that we add or come before us to add for there to be like a running list. Um, because when we got to um budgeting and positions, there was a big surprise at the end of the year. Um and so I would just like as we
each board meeting I see a lot of our staff natting nodding. So thank you very much for that. But then there's no surprise um at the end of the year when we begin to budget for our next round. We'll know who's been hired, what we've added um and where it came from.
>> The funding source. Yeah. Indicating the funding source would be helpful. I definitely agree with that. >> Okay. Any further comment? Okay. With that board, we'll take the vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes 4 Z. Um
discussion. Regular agenda item item D 26.2. May I have a motion to approve the new job description for data analysis 2.43. >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Dr. James. Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. Dr. James, you also pulled this item to have further
discussion. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, seeing as this is attached to the previous item, I wanted to highlight um, this and I'm not I I barely know how to work most of the Microsoft platform. So, that's about all I can manage. So, understanding the complexity of a position like this is
um, not lost on me. Uh, I do I wanted to highlight in something that I thought could be an area of improvement in the future, the pay the salary schedule here is pretty significant. Um and I think it's reflective of the unique skills and abilities that come with a position like
this. However, um Miss Maria and I in conversation, one of the things that we discussed was that we have gotten to a standard that an AA degree or some or a certification similar is been an expectation, not just a um per preference. And in this specific
position, a bachelor's degree is the preferred, but this the essentially the requirement is a high school diploma. And so the pay that is attached to this, I do think it would have been more appropriate for it to have at least some level of technical certification or degree as a requirement attached to it.
Um, but I'm certainly not going to vote no tonight on the item unless there's consensus to make that adjustment obviously as a board right now and maybe we could make that. But, um, that is just something in the future I would like to see us work towards. I know that that is something we're trying to do as
we improve in um, JDs. And so that's something I wish we could have captured here. >> Right. Thank you, Dr. James. Yes, Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you. Thank you for highlighting that, Dr. James. I do appreciate the sentiment of we're an educational
institution. So, putting a high value on higher education is is important. However, the proficiency in the various computer skill languages here would speak to certifications that aren't necessarily written here. But in order to be proficient in many of those, there
most likely are certifications. Perhaps when we do have these unique specialized skills like that in the future, we can require some kind of certificate of sorts to be included in lie of additional higher education. So I
completely respect it. I do believe that anyone with the proficiencies there have those certificates. We're just not asking for them to produce them. Uh but certainly appreciate the conversation. I don't know that it's necessary for us to alter anything at this point to approve it, but just as we look at these in the
future, I'm looking at Mr. Benoodi specifically shaking his head. So, um yeah, no, I certainly appreciate the conversation. It is a unique skill set on on some of these fronts and definitely we need to be pay them paying them what market rates are paying them.
So, we have to do that in order to get what we need. So, okay. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. And I concur with my fellow board members. I think a lot of these are certifications and so maybe in the future uh we can add that to the job description. So yes, Mr.
>> And just also too um sometimes it's on the job experience. You know if there's a proven track record of working for you know five years with X big tech company successfully. That's something to keep in mind as
well. I guess it's important to me to make sure that we capture education andor experience. And if you've got proof, then I'll take it. >> Right. Thank you, Miss Thrower. Um board, with that, we'll call the vote. All those in favor say I.
>> I. Any opposed? Motion passes 40. Thank you. We'll now move on to meeting reminders. There will be a special schoolboard meeting scheduled for October 16th at 700 a.m. The next administrative briefing and work session is scheduled for October 16th, 2025 at
900 a.m. There's another special school board meeting scheduled for October 28th, 2025 at 7 a.m. A schoolboard meeting is scheduled for October 28th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. There is an additional administrative briefing and work session
on October 30th, 2025 at 900 a.m. And with that, we will move on to board comments. Miss Martinez Young. >> No, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> Attorney Powers. >> Nothing from legal. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer.
>> Yes. Thank you. I I don't often get to brag or say thank you to our own staff, but I I want to recognize them because Dr. James comment earlier, but the um earlier in this week um might have been Monday, >> Friday, >> Friday, Friday of last week, we um we
needed there was a the road was closed and as many know we had to um redirect all of our students and staff to North Mar School from Feziten Elementary and I contacted our um executive team at 5:30 in the morning and they were all on a
Zoom ready to go creating a plan of action so we could make this happen and that just it speaks volumes to the dedication and the commitment that the team has to ensure that the students were in a good place for learning that day. Um so I just want to say thank you
to them because they are just an incredible team and um in addition safe schools I want to comment on them. They were able on, as the community also was aware, we were we had a little bit of a scare that there was a convicted child murderer that moved into a neighborhood
behind Sunrise Elementary this week and our safe schools department within minutes of finding the information immediately connected with Marian County Sheriff's Office and started developing a plan. Unfortunately, we now know that individual has been extradited and back
in Kentucky and things are good, but just it takes extra um diligence to the work every day and sometimes the community doesn't get to see the work that goes on behind the scenes. And last but not least, the excitement of getting
two bus routes for Wyoming Park um to transport 84 students is really a gamecher and we are able to do that because of using funds such as the UNICE dollars and that piggyback contract that the board approved tonight. So we're
appreciative and we look forward to that attendance continuing to rise. Um, but I was there that morning and seeing the students so excited to get on the school bus and their parents were appreciative. Um, so we're looking forward to great things there. I have a couple just um
announcements for you. This week is National School Lunch Week. Um, so schools across the state are tasting the world and so they're trying different cuisines and exploring different cultures. So, if you're at a school this week, um, go ahead and stop by the
cafeteria and see what the students are eating. Next week, and this goes right along with your comments tonight about our school transportation. Next week, we will celebrate National School Bus Safety Week. So, we will have um different social media posts to remind
parents to talk to their children about safety tips, getting on the bus, getting off the bus, and of course um staying at the bus stop. I want to remind everyone that October 16th are is our work session, but the two topics that we will provide the board information on will be
the north side utilization and goal four, which is fiscal and operational efficiency. And then goal five, well on November 6, we'll have we're bringing back the topic that was requested by the board on the reic call your athletic use
and um we're providing a presentation on the facilities rental agreement procedures. And then on November 20th, we are bringing to you the gifted learning part two which was requested by the board and goal five which is the community engagement and communications
plan. And that's all of my comments for this evening. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. We're gonna lean into our board representatives. And so, um, we will start with Mr. Smith.
>> Um, good evening and thank you, chair and board. Um, I would just like to thank you all for allowing me to be on the board and to represent the north side. Um, I would like to share a few things that we have had going on at North Marin. Uh, we just had our homecoming game and homecoming dance
which was a huge success. I play on the football team, so it was fun to um have one last homecoming. Um we have recently added a new courtyard for our school, which has been um kind of fun because it's been a hot spot for some new
activities. Um we also have a cere or not a ceremony, but um a red ribbon event coming up in the next few weeks, which is um its main focus is to prevent drug use in kids. So, um I just want to thank you all again and I've really
enjoyed you know learning and hope to learn a lot more things you know in these next few uh meetings. Thank you. >> Thank you and we appreciate you giving of your time this evening because we know that you both are extremely vis busy and with that um we'll turn it over
and Lefontent Miss Lefont is that close. Okay. >> Thank you chair and thank you board for having me here today. I just wanted to mention that I really appreciated um the Ocala film derby being here today and there was something that someone said that kind of stuck with me. Um they it
was a student who said that they loved being around like-minded people and I relate to that because I'm a part of Key Club. I've been in Key Club since freshman year and I think there's just um an extracurricular for everyone and I think extracurriculars are really important because it helps students
connect and meet other people. I've met so many different people from all across the state of Florida. I've made friends. So, I think programs like that are really good and I just am so grateful to be here because it's so interesting to be on the other side of things and see how the school board handles things. So,
thank you. >> Yes. And thank you for being here with us this evening. We sure do greatly appreciate it. And with that, we'll move on. Miss Thrower. >> Thank you. Um yes, other than that, not much going on, right?
I'm looking forward to the conversation on Thursday morning, as I'm sure the rest of us are, regarding the North End utilization and uh the successes uh that we see up in that area and the challenges uh maintaining those
successes create uh with the reality of of our budget and and space utilization, which is getting to the point where it's not just the Marian County school board that has say over how our schools are
being used if there's um space available. So, it's it's new territory um for us to navigate, but I hope that the speakers that were here tonight uh all of them and that were so supportive
of of forom and and the model and the innovation and the success know that none of these decisions are going to come lightly. It's my comment time, so I'll just keep it personal. Definitely not going to come lightly
from from me. Um it doesn't even matter, you know, whose district form is in it. We know it's been a gift to this community and a and a gift to the parents and a gift to the children. So, how we navigate that moving forward uh
will be worthy of conversation on on Thursday. Um, I agree 100% with the film derby and this is kind of a cute story because, you know, my husband has learned that education and is a time commitment for me and you know to go down on a second
Saturday afternoon, was it Saturday or Sunday? >> Sunday afternoon. >> Yeah, Sunday afternoon. Uh, but he's like, "Yeah, you know, sure. I'll go with you." And he really enjoyed it. It it was just so creative and so neat to see kids
in their uh in their element, you know. Plus, we got to have lunch at Melo Mushroom, so we supported a local business. So, there's just so many tremendously exciting things going on in Marian County Public Schools. I also want to give a shout out. There were six rookie
of the year teachers that are all representing some form of career and technical education. And to me that just goes to show you how we have evolved and recaptured uh vocational, you know, what it used to be called and and what career
and technical education can really do for kids and and reduce financial burdens and help them have a a a good career opportunity right out of high school. And then what they choose to do with that uh moving forward will be
their call in their life to live. But there's so many opportunities within our school system. We heard a lot about scholarships tonight that were being earned through the film derby and just the the connections that are made. Um it it's so important for kids to feel like
when they come to school that there's a reason for them to be here. There's a reason for them to be here every day on time ready to learn because we've got something for you. And I just see that momentum continuing to take hold. And I'm sure Dr. Campbell is going to update
us on some legislative things and some priorities that uh I think Maring County is being heard and that's very very exciting. That's been the culmination of years of building bridges with our state legislature who makes a lot of decisions
on our behalf and if you don't have a seat at the table and they're not interested in your conversations then we're not going to be able to serve our students as well. So, I'm really proud for the way this board has evolved over the years. Instead of just going up there during legislative week and
shaking hands and on to the next group, uh we go up during committee week. So, we can and we meet also, we've already met with all of our legislators one- on-one to talk about the the opportunities and and issues and and
barriers and potential solutions that we have to better serve you. and and that's what it's all about. So, it's an exciting time to be a school board member and there's within all the challenges I know we're going to continue to make great progress. Those are my comments for tonight. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much, Miss Thrower. Dr. James, >> thank you. Uh I will be brief. I got to thank Mr. Ostanic already. I'm glad I did because I knew he was probably going to leave, but the work that the lift that they did on um the lift that they did last Friday was significant and and real proper acknowledgement going to
them is important. Um, I have to say it's it's uh it was eye opening to see how consistent our messaging is because in my home obviously we were navigating our morning so that I could I wanted to be able to go to North Marian to support them and my husband's remark was man
their attendance is really going to be hit today with um and he he understood the he's like man attendance is just going to be hit today with fezdian because they're they're not the kids aren't going to make it to school and I thought wow he must really listen because it is something we talk about
all of the time within Maring County Public Schools. And so I thought it was just kind of neat that, you know, without any prompting, that was his thought pattern on it. Um, I wanted to give a shout out to the North Marian High School courtyard. I love that you gave a uh gave recognition there. I'm glad that we were able to make that
happen for North Marian and follow through with those contractors and really make something beautiful come from what was a pretty uh big eyes sore for most of the school year last year. So, thank you for that recognition. and I think it was a good work and we did a good job holding accountability there. Um, we had public comment today about
the superintendent search. So, I wanted to make sure we mentioned that the October 2nd work session was where the firm came and presented to us and we are in the middle of the superintendent search. Uh, so the intention I believe is December 1st the board will receive
feedback from all of the surveys and the committee meetings. Um, I do want to mention um maybe Dr. Brewer or Mr. Christian, could we possibly create a landing page where the document from HYA um lives so that people who are in the community and have questions would be
able to find it um soon. You certainly don't have to answer right now, but I just thought potentially we would be able to get a landing page. Um and obviously the document that HYA presented, we adjusted a little bit with um timelines and we made some slight schedule changes. So maybe if we could
get an updated timeline and make it available online so community members who are looking to know where we are in the process would be able to find that information timely. Uh I am continuing school visits. I always love to visit schools. I'm looking forward to the community conversation about the north
end and the utilization. Uh, as a board member, I think that hearing perspectives is so important because we represent the community we serve and that is ultimately why we landed here because the voters chose to put us in these seats. And so having that community input is very important. One
of the things that I've learned as a board member is that there is so many nuances that go into the decisions that we make up here. And um when you're a school leader, your school is the most important thing in your vision because it is your school and it is the thing
that you are most focused on. And as you move into district leadership and then sit ultimately up here, we have to we have an obligation to look at the entire system which doesn't always make every single person feel amazing and that is unfortunate. I wish there was a way we
could make it all work perfectly. Um, but we we do have to have real conversations about finances and utilization and the realities of charters coming into our campuses that are being underutilized. And so those continued conversations, I'm looking forward to that. I'm thankful for Dr.
Brewer bringing that forward. And um I think that the board will have some constructive conversation and some real conversation later this week. and it may require a part two. Uh, and we'll get to hopefully a landing a landing spot so that we can um give community members an
understanding of what happens next. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Dr. James, Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you. Uh, just a couple of things this evening. First of all, um, chair, when you were listing off the meeting notices, just I believe the script indicated that we were having a work session on October 30th, and it's
actually on October 31st. So, just for the notation, I did see that the script said the 30th, but our policy day that we're going to be spending for a long long time. I' I've gotten the notebook, guys. So, just know that I'm going to be doing and so if you wanted a notebook,
they'll do it for you. So, I I have the big one in my car I have to start working on. But, um, so that'll be October 31st, even though policy is not scary. It is a Halloween um at 9:00 am. So, I also wanted to reference the perfect audits that we approved tonight in the consent agenda. Almost all of the
internal audits that we approved this evening were perfect. Um, alternative learning uh only had I think one or two checks and that account has since been closed and um that was under the direction of Mr. Dwan Thomas. He has exciting news happening in his life. uh
not exciting for us because we'll be leaving or he'll be leaving the school system and towards the end of the year, but um grateful for all the work he's done for us. Uh also perfect audits with Anthony Elementary, Bellev Elementary, Belleview Middle, Denellan Elementary, 8th Street Elementary, and then our
McKenna Vento uh program. So, all of those were perfect audits. And you know, I always like to give shoutouts to those folks who are doing that hard work and making sure that they are balancing and all of their internal accounts are accurate. Uh, Miss Thrower referenced
the FSBA last week. As you guys know, I was there. So, thank you for rescheduling our work session times whenever from what we originally had. Was there for four days working on a lot of things, but Friday we did work on legislative priorities. I had already texted you guys this because it's not
something we're going to vote on other than we've already voted on our legislative platform, but I'm grateful to say of the seven to eight items that FSBA will have on their platform this year, all of Marian County's priorities are basically there in in some shape,
form or fashion. And so we led that charge. I mean, that's really something that I am crediting us with understanding. Attendance will be a huge focus. transportation funding will be a huge focus. Exceptional student education funding will be a huge focus.
While we're focusing on um gifted education, and we do have a legislator who's very interested in potentially working on that language with us, just working on ESSE funding alone, if it stays in the statute, if gifted stays in the statute, it will still help gifted.
So, we'll we'll be working on what that looks like that to be continued. Um, safe schools funding is a big priority as is VPK and kindergarten readiness. Those are our top five and we're going to figure out how that's going to work specifically in FSBA's platform as they
massage the language and all. But I was just really grateful to know that when we were voting on the items we thought were top and and as we were voting it was like, okay, I I think well there's there's going to be a couple of other items that weren't on our platform. as I
said, seven to eight items. Uh, but we we definitely led the charge there. So, kudos team. We we're rocking it. Um, I do want to address just briefly the comments that were made this evening and I know that uh we'll have a much broader conversation on Thursday, but because
this is a public meeting that was publicly noticed and we had so much public comment tonight, I wanted to just share with you I had my briefing this morning. So, I think most all of you had already had yours because I was out of town. Um, but I had my briefing this morning and uh, Miss Thurer made a
reference to something that other districts are experiencing that we haven't yet experienced. But while I was with multiple districts, 20 or 30 districts last week, they were getting letters in their home districts
from multiple charter school operators that now have the ability to come in under the schools of hope legislation that allows them to try to colllocate in underutilized public schools with the public school is responsible for the
maintenance and the facilities, construct, all the things that go on and the charter school can come and colllocate in an existing public school. And at least 13 or 14 districts received letters last week. Letters were preemptive. Charter schools can't even
actually apply or even send those letters until November 11th. Regardless, I say all of that to say the conversation we're having on Thursday is incredibly timely because we have to get very serious about what that looks like. Now, did we get a letter from a charter
school company? No. We have very limited charter schools in Marian County right now. But if we don't get serious about getting our house in order and taking care of what we own and and how we manage the locations we do have, someone else might try to come in on our dime to
operate in in one of our facilities. So with all of that to be said, I completely respect all of the folks that came and talked so vehemently about form early learning. could not agree with them more about the vision that it
took us to get to that. And Miss Thrower was here, I believe, um, and Reverend Cummings was here. I remember Mr. Browning had a lot of hesitancy and concern about having three-year-olds and all and we we had we had lots of conversation about that, but it took a
lot of vision to get us to have a an early learning academy. So that four or five years ago conversation, grateful for that. Could not agree more. We need more of them. Uh and so I I also want to
say though, I also agree moving it to Reddic is not going to be ideal. I I agree with that wholeheartedly. what I asked them to look at today and and I'm actually all the people that are
emailing me I'm saying what about this what would you think of this and just to get feedback additionally because if they're giving me feedback I'm asking them questions I'm interested in the conversation of potentially locating form Early Learning Academy on the
Oakrest campus and having a school within a school that is also a campus that is underutilized and has space I don't know what this what that looks like. But my communication to everyone that's emailed me that I'm emailing back having a
location that is now where Forom Early Learning is that is built for 750 students and having uh an approval that form Early Learning has that can only serve up to about 250 260
we're never going to be able to meet that. And so without having another school come on to our a charter school come on to that campus. We have to get really serious about what that looks like. I mean there are some some other things about the collocation that that um that location may not qualify for.
But I'm interested in talking about that simultaneously. I'm interested in talking about Southside Early Learning. I I mean you guys have heard me say it and I'm serious about it and we talked about potentially an idea of what that would look like and how that could happen even in 2027. And um I I think
that having those two conversations simultaneously because all of this would be happening, you know, in the 26 27 or 27 28 school years. Those people who are already driving so far to where they're driving to if we had one on the south
side, they wouldn't have to drive as far. And we know that the need dictates it. So um that I just wanted to float that idea because I don't want to have it on Thursday and you're all like, "Huh?" gives you two days to think about it, what that looks like and figuring out if that would work. I think there's
a lot of moving pieces that could then happen. So, I've told folks that I believe that we have four proposals on the table and I think what we'll land on is a combination of something that may not actually be what has been presented yet and we'll get the whole presentation and all that. So last comment I wanted
to make uh was about Ocala Jesus Fest and kudos and grateful to Joy von Jimenez and his vision for what that looked like and I know they were at Lake High School last year but the rooms living group that came to Belleview High
School on their football field on Sunday all of the vendors and all of the things that happened. I know there were some things at the district that had to happen to make that. Um, and so just grateful to the team. More than 2,300 people were on the campus at Bel at
Belleview High School on Sunday evening, and it was just a wonderful, wonderful time of praise and worship. They rented the space, so it wasn't like we Anyway, so um I I just wanted to say shout out to Joyvon. He's a Belleview High alum, so I know that was really special to him
to be on the football field where he went to school. And um it it just was a really really great time. So, um I wanted to to say I was grateful that we have the opportunity and ability to participate uh in organizations like
that with Rooms Living and the Ocala Jesus Fest that I'm sure will come to another school potentially next year and that is the hope. So, it's all ahead. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. And I actually just have a few very short things. I'm going to take care of the f one I feel
is most important first. Um Dr. Curley is looking for a volunteer for the code of conduct committee. So we have anybody um that Oh, Miss Thrower is raising her hand. >> Might as well go out with a bang. >> Okay, >> there you go. >> All right, I will send that off to to
him. Um if not this evening, in the morning. Thank you very much. I know that um can be a labor intensive committee. So, thank you for volunteering. >> It can't be as much fun as instructional calendar. So, you guys have a lot to look forward to.
>> Good, good, good. Well, thank you very much, Miss Thrower. I I appreciate that. Um and then I just have a few a few thank yous um that I wanted to share. And so really thankful for the staff and families that
showed up to talk about learning this morning um at Forom Learning Academy. And I'm just grateful that they're involved in their child's education. It's valuable. And I I wish more families and staff members and people in the
community would come and talk to us about what's important to them, what's working, what what change they'd like to see because um you know many head many heads putting in new ideas. I think there's value in that. So just want to say thank you um to their team and for
joining us this evening. I appreciated their commentary um and the stories that they had to share. Um did want to say thank you to our district staff. A lot of them are here before us today. It has been um for lack
of a better word, we had a couple of humdinger days, uh the end of last week and then the beginning of this week. And so um you are never off. You're always always on call, always working. And so I just want to thank you all. They're behind me on the screen here, so it's
kind of hard to see your faces, but just want to thank you all um for showing up and doing what's best for our students and our staff and our schools each and every day. So, I appreciate you. Um I did want to say Thursday is a this
Thursday is a very busy day. Um so, I had it pulled up here, but it jumped around. So, give me just one second. All right. So with our early school board meeting and then an administrative briefing and work session, we also have IROC meeting here this afternoon and
then our town hall gathering at Oyola um around 5:45. So just wanted to make sure everybody remembered had those on your calendar if you're interested um in attending. And then my last thank you is really to our schools and our auditing
teams because uh last year I had a lot of questions. We were having a lot of mistakes uh a lot of challenges um in the auditing and reports from our schools. And so we're really already seeing a turnaround on that and just
really grateful um whatever your teams are doing. I I think it's making a difference a positive change in what's what's happening. um for our secretaries and their teams as we move forward to make sure the money is done correctly
especially as we move into sitebased budgeting and so board that is all I have and if we have no further business may I have a motion >> motion >> thank you Dr. James >> thank you Dr. Campbell. All those in favor? >> I >> I
>> Motion passes 40 and this meeting is adjourned at 7:57. Thank you everyone.