[music] [music] [music] >> Good evening, and welcome to the July 14th, 2026 meeting of the Marion County School Board. This meeting is now called to order. Mirroring and modeling the way our students begin each day, I ask that we observe a moment of silence at this
time. Please join me. I will now read the board commitment statement. We are the Marion 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, and we will leave a legacy of success. For the courtesy of those listening to the meeting, I'm requesting everyone in the audience to please turn off their electronic devices or put them on
vibrate. Public comment will now be accepted during two portions of each meeting for up to 30 minutes for each portion. The first will take place prior to the board vote and will be specific to the night's agenda. The second will be for items on which the school board customarily takes action and will occur after the board
completes the business portion of the meeting. Anyone wanting to speak regarding an agenda item must complete a blue form. Anyone wanting to speak regarding a non-agenda item must complete a yellow form. Both forms are available before each meeting and on the district
website. Forms are due to the board clerk by 5:40 p.m. and can be submitted via email or in person. Public speakers will have 3 minutes to complete their comments and no more than 10 speakers will be scheduled in either public comment portion unless the board votes otherwise. Good evening, Ms. Martinez Young. Will you please call the
roll? >> Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1. >> Here. >> Mrs. Lori Conrad, District 2. >> Here. >> Reverend Dr. Eric Cummings, District 3. >> Here. >> Mrs. Nancy Thrower, District 4. >> Here. >> Dr. Sarah James, District 5. >> Here. >> Attorney Jeremy Powers, School Board Attorney.
Dr. Daniel Brewer, Superintendent. >> Here. >> Dr. Brewer, who will share inspiration and lead the Pledge of Allegiance for us this evening? >> Thank you. Good evening. Ms. Melissa Conrad will come to the podium to introduce our special guest this evening. >> Thank you. Good evening, Board.
I shared with you in January how Marion County would join the nation in celebrating America 250 with our very own Marion 250 initiative. Ms. Conrad and I served on the executive steering committee and we were more than pleased with the culmination on July 4th. As a
reminder, we had Vanguard High School drum line. They delivered an outstanding performance at the CEP breakfast where the county unveiled its plans. We had 99 students from Shady Hill perform on the steps of the capital for Marion at the Capital Day in February.
We launched a series of Liberty lessons each Wednesday throughout February and March. We had a student art contest where three of our students won a thousand dollars each. We had Marion County Day on March 28th where we had JROTC drill demonstrations and the
Westport drum line. We also had Westport and Vanguard march in the Patriot parade and it all culminated with fireworks throughout the county and thousands gathered at our own Dunnellon High School to celebrate. Tonight, I'd like to welcome one of the
individuals who made that happen. Julie Mancini is a former employee and long-time advocate for the Dunnellon community. I invite her up now to deliver the inspiration and lead the pledge. >> Good evening. Good evening. Thank you, Melissa.
I'm Julie Mancini, class of 1986 Dunnellon Tiger, and I also taught English and journalism at Dunnellon High School for 22 years, and now I'm a full-time photographer who loves serving the Dunnellon community in other ways. Some of the most important conversations
that made me who I am today were had with DHS Principal Bobby James who hired me to teach simply because he saw on my resume that I was a graduate of graduate of Dunnellon High School. He knew absolutely nothing else about me, but he
gave me a chance based on that. And later, as I prepared to leave the classroom, a conversation I had with Principal Ken Macateer was something that remained with me. I was not completely sure at the time what was next for me, but I told him
that I loved Dunnellon, the Tigers, and the Rainbow River and would continue to serve the community in some form or fashion. And when the opportunity presented itself, the best way I felt I could be useful in our community was to become the executive director of the Dunnellon
Chamber and Business Association. And then my photography business grew to the point I couldn't do both, so I stepped down and joined the Chamber's Board of Directors until last summer the Chamber found itself without an executive director, and since nobody
gets married in summer in Florida, I was able to step in for the summer. And it was during my second board meeting as interim director that I brought up the fireworks and we started looking into it. In January, we learned that the county had a plan to celebrate big for
America's 250th and that the county was looking at hosting a fireworks show in Dunnellon, one of four that would take place around the county. By that time, the Chamber was deep into planning Boomtown Days and could not commit to helping host the event. So, along with
Vice Mayor Valerie Hanchar and another volunteer, Danny Hart, I joined the Marion Celebrates America 250 Committee and we got to work. There is something special being a part of the Dunnellon community. You will hear every principal that ever
gets transferred out of Dunnellon say, "Once a tiger, always a tiger." It's true. The community is truly held together with tiger pride. In the 10 years since we last hosted a fireworks show at Dunnellon High School,
the community has grown so much and so many community members have never experienced the unity in our community. People aren't going out to football games on Friday night like they used to. People who are new just see our annual festivals as traffic problems, and
people who have been around for decades say they yearn for the old Dunnellon. Something was missing, but nobody was really sure what to do to fix it or if those days were gone forever. I came to the reality that it's our responsibility to show the new folks
what old Dunnellon is really about. On July 4th, we brought back the old Dunnellon. Kids playing in foam and bounce houses, making new friends, blankets spread all over the football field, that small town feel again.
Smiles, clapping, cheering, relaxing together, catching up with old friends, the reason we love where we live. Thousands of people came out to Dunnellon High School for the fireworks to celebrate Americans to America's 250th. Beyond the patriotism of celebrating our
nation's 250th, we experienced for a moment the reason we chose Dunnellon. Thank you, Marion County School Board, for making that happen. For helping us our tiger pride.
Dunnellon High School is the heart of Dunnellon, and I am as proud as I can be a tiger. And so, I would love to have our tiger principal, Erica Wiggins,
stand up and wave. And I see we have another tiger here, Susie Williams. As we continue to partner with our youth to continue to show people what it means to be a part of the Dunnellon community, what it means to be a tiger, I thank you
for being a tiger and standing up for me. So, go tigers. God bless America. Now, let's stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [clears throat] >> I want to say thank you. We're going to come down and take a picture with you in a minute just to just to recognize you
being here, but you put that beautifully and you really are a testimony to the Danone community and what being a part of that community looks like. So, we're incredibly grateful for your leadership helping us get this across the finish line too because you were able to open doors and
allow things to happen for the Danone community because of your advocacy. >> Thank you. >> Yes, absolutely. Thank you for being here. >> [applause] >> And Dr. Brewer, I think we have some recognitions this evening as well. >> Yes, we have one large recognition tonight. Mr. Whitehouse will come to the
podium and we have this large group on the left side here that will be recognized, but he will call each one by name. >> Wonderful. Good evening. >> Good evening, board chair, board members. Tonight we are proud to recognize our school whose dedication to student
achievement resulted in either maintaining an A or B grade this past school year or improving by at least one full letter grade. These accomplishments reflect the hard work of our principals, assistant principals, teachers, staff, students and families.
Their commitment to excellence is moving Marion County schools forward together and we are honored to celebrate their success this evening. So, we'll start by recognizing our schools that maintained an A school grade this year. We have seven in total and if they will come forward as they are recognized.
Belleview Middle School maintaining an A for second year. Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary. >> [applause] >> Eighth Street Elementary School. Ina A. Colen Academy Madison Street Academy >> [applause]
>> Osceola Middle School >> [applause] >> and Ward Highlands Elementary. Next we'll recognize our schools that maintained a B school grade and for a number of these schools they had higher scales that they had to accomplish to maintain that B so it truly was a a good
feat for them to be able to do so starting with Forest High School Liberty Middle School Ocala Springs Elementary School Shady Hill Elementary School Vanguard High School >> [applause]
>> and Westport High School. And now we have 15 schools who improved at least one letter grade this year on top of all these outstanding schools up in front of you. So first we have Dunnellon Elementary School earning a B grade Reddick Elementary School
Hammett Bowen Elementary School also earning a B grade Legacy Elementary School Maplewood Elementary earning an A school grade this year Marion Charter School also earned an A school grade Marion Oaks Elementary moving to a B
grade this year North Marion Middle School moving to a B grade this year. Oakcrest Elementary jumping two school grades to a B grade this year. Reddick Collier Elementary earning a B grade. Romeo Elementary earning a B grade.
Saddlewood Elementary earning an A school grade this year. Stanton Weirsdale Elementary. Sunrise Elementary earning a B grade. And last but not least Wyomina Park Elementary School. Congratulations all these schools and
staff for the wonderful hard work. Thank you all and please stand up for our board members. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Mr. Righthouse. We're going to come down and take a picture so nobody move and we'll give you congratulations one-on-one, but this is just the the highlight of the what is happening on our campuses to ensure that
every student can succeed and you guys are doing amazing work. So we're going to come down and take a picture. >> Well, I'm just fix our chair. >> Erica Hi. Good to see you, too. >> We're right coming. We're going to do
one with Miss Mancini. For Denali, you guys go that way. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it is. It's in the summertime. Easy breezy. It was nice. Very nice. I had to get extra hug.
That's okay. Awesome recognitions and we always enjoy supporting schools and and recognizing the leadership that is leading custodians and bus drivers and teachers and paraprofessionals all to help make
sure that students are finding success on our campuses. So, thank you for allowing us to do that, Dr. Bowers. >> Absolutely. >> Um moving on to some more recognitions for donations. We'll start with $4,775 to South Marion High School from the Dunnellon High School Basketball Athletics Booster Club Inc. to be
utilized to support the boys basketball program. And $1,225 to South Marion High School from the Dunnellon High School Basketball Athletics Booster Club Inc. to be utilized to support the boys basketball program. Also, $1,541.32
to Westport High School from the DonorsChoose to be utilized to create a learning environment that supports communication, teamwork, and critical thinking while giving students a space they need to actively engage in lessons. These desks will make it easier for students to work together comfortably, participate in group discussions, and
stay involved throughout instruction. Total donations for this board meeting are $7,541.32. Uh Dr. Brewer? >> Yes. I recommend approval of the agenda for the July 14th, 2026 school board meeting. >> May I have a motion on the
superintendent's recommendation? >> Motion to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Campbell and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. We're going to move into the business portion of the meeting. Ms. Martinez Young, can you please provide the proof of publication
for tonight's school board meeting? >> The notice for the July 14th, 2026 school board meeting was placed on the district website on July 7th, 2026. Proof of notification has been placed under proof of publication in BoardDocs. >> Thank you, Ms. Martinez Young. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for
the June 4th, 2026 administrative briefing and work session? >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Conrad. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a
motion to approve the minutes for the June 9th, 2026 school board meeting? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I.
>> Motion passes 5-0. Moving into our information items, the school district uses a construction management delivery method including a guaranteed maximum price GMP to perform construction work on projects. The superintendent or designee has signed and approved the following change
orders. Per board policy 6345, the superintendent or designee is authorized to approve and execute any construction change order that will increase the construction contract by 25,000 or less or that will decrease the construction contract amount provided that approval shall be in his or her judgment in the
best interest of the board. Such change order shall be binding upon execution by the superintendent. The superintendent shall report each change order that he or she approved to the board at the board meeting that follows his or her approval. The superintendent's approval for the change orders will be entered into the
official minutes of the school board meeting. Deductive change order, there are reconciliations made to the following projects resulting in a reduction of overall project costs. 8.1 guaranteed maximum price GMP for the district-wide auditorium lighting
upgrade change order number two work authorization number three project 24-118. Deductive change order is $26,565.46. And item 8.3 guaranteed maximum price GMP for roof replacement on buildings 1, 8, 14, 16, 17, and 19 at Vanguard High
School. Change order number one work authorization number four project 24-127. The deductive change order is $19,416.62. Moving into unused funds, there were unused funds on the following projects. Since the projects were 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 orders which will close the financial books on these projects. 8.2 guaranteed maximum price GMP for district-wide auditorium lighting upgrades change order number
three work authorization number three project 24-118. Deductive change order is $420,773.07 of unused funds. And 8.4 guaranteed maximum price GMP for roof replacement on buildings 1, 8, 14,
16, 17, and 19 at Vanguard High School. Change order number two work authorization number four project 24-127. This is a deductive change order in the amount of $415,480.38 of unused funds. That will conclude our information
items. Ms. Martinez Young, do we have any speakers this evening? >> No, Madam Chair. >> All right. Well, we want to welcome Attorney Powers to the meeting. And there being none, we will move into our next portion. So, moving on to the consent agenda, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> That's a motion by Board Member Cummings and a second by Board Member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to our alternative placements. Before addressing expulsion matters, I'd like to acknowledge the Board Members have received the alternative placement list for students through May 27th,
2026. Ms. 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 very much. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-255 for the with services for the entire
26-27 school year and the first quarter of the 2027-2028 school year. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by Board Member Conrad and a second by Board Member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. We'll now move into
our regular agenda items for discussion. Item D.21.1, may I have a motion to approve the mental health allocation plan? >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion by Board Member Cummings and a second by Dr. Campbell. Dr. Brewer, I believe you have information you'd like to share.
>> Yes, ma'am. I'd like to introduce Evette Donohue Dale. She's the director of mental health and she's going to provide remarks on this mental health allocation plan. >> Good evening. >> Good evening, Board Chair James, Dr. Brewer, and Board Members. On the agenda this evening is a request for the approval of the Marion County
Public Schools Comprehensive Mental Health Plan. Each Florida school district is required to develop a plan outlining the management and the utilization of the mental health assistance allocation funds that are provided by the state specifically to address mental health
needs of our students. The mental health plan outlines our mental health framework and details how we provide services and address each state required assurance. Funding is approximately 2.9 million and 100% of these funds must be used to
establish and expand school-based mental health care, provide training, and facilitate connecting students to services. The funds are used to support staff that provides direct services to students such as our school counselors, our school social workers, and our school psychologists,
our state required mental health coordinator, and our support staff who oversee the program and state reporting requirements. It also supports our contracted mental health providers via partnerships with Ocala Consulting and Prevention and SMA Healthcare.
Additionally, we support contracted community mental health referral case management for students and families via partnerships with Brave and the implementation of the Best Screener, which is used to identify students in need of support. Funds are also used for the purchase and
maintenance of tier two and tier three interventions, intervention training for school-based providers, youth mental health first aid costs that exceed grant funding that's required for this training, and various supplies, materials, and equipment.
Rollover funds are used to support the sustainability of our contracted provider service plan. >> All right, thank you for that >> comprehensive overview. Board, I open it up um for us for discussion. Anyone have any comments? Uh Board member Thor.
>> Thank you. I'll start and always good to see you uh Dr. Del Nodal and and thank you for clarifying uh what the rollover funds are are are used for because at first glance it's like gosh, that's a lot of money and the total allocation is, you know, 5,600. That's you know,
close to half um but now it uh, makes it clear what that money's really used for and that we need to be able to keep this going. It is a requirement from the state and interestingly, I know every board member has heard from our student board members that you wouldn't think of
them necessarily as being all that concerned about mental health issues. I mean, they're doing great in school, um, very high performing, probably going to get into the best colleges, universities, or military appointments. You know, these are high performers.
But, but they're very concerned about their peers and they also, uh, have shared that, uh, high performing kids put themselves under a ton of pressure, you know, to graduate with, uh, very high GPA and be a valedictorian and part of that class. Uh, you're
starting that in middle school, taking all those accelerated classes. So, it's just interesting to me that in today's society that it's it's sad, really, that so many kids feel so much pressure and and so much anxiety. I think of what I
was thinking about in high school, um, the world's definitely gotten more complicated. So, I'm glad to have the support. I appreciate the state for sending it our way and I appreciate how you and your team steward it. >> Thank you, Board Member Thrower. Does anyone else have anything to share?
>> I'll just >> Board Member >> a question. I just want to say thank you, uh, for your work and thank you for explaining, um, about the use of those funds and how we received those funds because that is a question I had earlier this week. And so, thank you for being here this evening and explaining that.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Hearing no further discussion, um, all those in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Motion passes 5-0. D.21.2, may I have a motion to approve the K-12 District Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan?
>> Motion to approve the reading plan. >> Second. >> Uh, a motion by Board Member Campbell and a second by Board Member Thrower. Uh, Dr. Brewer, I believe someone's here to share some information. >> Yes, Melissa Conner, the executive director of K-12, will actually provide comments on the next two items with the understanding that you have to vote
separately. >> All right, thank you, Dr. Brewer. >> All right, hello again. So, our state reading plan is required that outlines how we support literacy for all of our students pre-K through 12 using that evidence-based practices aligned to the
best ELA standards. Our work is producing results. In 2026, we have achieved the highest ELA performance and learning gains since 2015. While our overall grade is a C, we are seeing strong and meaningful growth in student literacy across our schools.
The plan is reviewed and approved annually by the state and is aligned to the Florida's formula for reading success and the science of reading. We strategically use state funding to support key areas like instructional materials, literacy coaches, and our
third-grade reading camp. The comprehensive evidence-based reading plan also requires us to set measurable goals, monitor student data, provide targeted interventions, and ensure ongoing professional learning for our teachers and coaches. We also continue to strengthen family
engagement through the New Worlds Reading Initiative. Overall, this plan reflects a focused aligned approach to improving our literacy outcomes, and we're moving in the right direction. I do have detailed data that I can share with you, but I would like to highlight
that in grades four and five, our intervention of Read 180, 51% of our students had a learning gain that counted towards those school grades that you heard earlier tonight. And in secondary, our Reading Plus program had the highest gain with an average of
students getting 12 points. That's all I have for that. >> Okay, do we want to vote on that? Would you like her to continue to share board? And cover the next item. What's your preference? >> Me. >> You need to vote. >> Oh, I know we need to vote. I just didn't know if we wanted her to continue
to share on the next item. Sometimes we do that. >> Either way is fine. >> Okay. Well, then I'll open it up for board to just um have discussion on the reading plan. >> I don't have anything. >> Okay. Well, then I will take a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0.
May I have a motion to approve the grant application Perkins V secondary? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell and Ms. Conner, floor is back to you. >> Wait, there's more. The Carl D. Perkins Grant is our vital
investment in career and technical education in our schools. For the 2026-2027 school year, the district will receive over 767,000 to support programs that prepare students for college, careers, and the workforce. They help us keep classrooms
up-to-date by purchasing industry-standard equipment and materials. The grant also supports teacher professional learning, industry externships, and ongoing training to ensure our instruction remains aligned with the workforce needs.
Perkins funding also supports a career education facilitator facilitator position that focuses on career pathway articulation and the retention of those new CTE teachers. We provide students with opportunities to earn industry certifications,
participate in dual enrollment, and pursue clear pathways. In fact, 100% of our programs are aligned as programs of study allowing students to continue their training beyond high school. This year, we're extremely proud of our students for earning 2,181
industry certifications, which is an increase of nearly 300 and the highest total in district history. The Perkins Grant strengthens our program, supports our teachers, and ensures that our students are ready. All right, thank you very much. Board, I open it up for discussion.
Uh board member Thrower. >> I'll just say I I love the Perkins grant because it helps keep kids out of college debt. So, that is a huge piece of it. And also that 15,000, and I love this, starting in middle school. Middle and high school students throughout the
district benefit from all the additional materials, supplies, equipment, and the financial assistance to be able to get those industry certifications. That makes me feel like we're really doing something that's helping the kids, you know, springboard into a much better opportunities in life. So,
I think I'm going to vote yes. >> [laughter] >> Thank you, board member Thrower. Board, any other discussion? All right. We're hearing none. All those in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to D21.4, may have a motion to reject RFP 4123AM
water softeners for food service. >> Motion to reject. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, you have some additional information? >> Yes, we placed this order um this agenda item under discussion just as we have done in um the past. So, I wanted just
to provide the board the opportunity to provide comments if necessary, but we are asking to reject this bid as the um proposals did not meet the requirements. And so, we will with your rejection, we'll put this back out for bid. >> Okay. Uh board member Conrad.
>> Yes. Are you at liberty, Dr. Brewer, to share what part of the um request did not meet >> Um >> the requirements, yeah. Sorry. >> This is um both proposals received were deemed non-responsive for failure to submit the required completed RFP
documents. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Any further comment? All right, hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to D21.5, may I have a motion to approve the expenditure increase
request for usage of TIPS contract formerly contract 230301 now 260301 and State of Florida alternate contract 561-2000-24-NY-ACS to purchase miscellaneous for South Marion High School, East Marion
Elementary and Osceola Middle School. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Thrower, you have additional context? >> Yes, ma'am. This is an additional a million dollar request. Um, you'll recall back in March we, um, we already
approved this one time for the East Marion, Osceola Middle and South Marion furniture. This request would now allow us to add furniture for the third floor of South Marion High School. >> Yes, ma'am, cuz we are expanding and adding the third floor. Board, is there any context or further
discussion you'd like to add? >> I need it. >> All right. Students do have to have desks to sit at, right? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to D21.6, may I have a motion to renew bid
4009GM-Carpet and Vinyl Flooring Supply and Installation. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Campbell and a second by board member Conrad. Dr. Thrower, you have additional information?
>> No, this is just a, um, regular re- renewal, but I wanted to allow conversation if needed, um, for this item. >> Cuz it's at the million dollar mark. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yep. And this is just standard to replace, um, flooring as needed throughout >> the district.
>> Yep. Any further context or discussion, board? Dr. Campbell? >> My only comment is just to say, thank you, Dr. Brewer, for continuing to put those items that are high dollar items into discussion. I think it's important for our community to understand the amount of what we consider average or
daily work that always happens year after year. A million dollars is not average. So, um thank you for continuing to put that in discussion. >> Anything else? Dr. uh sorry, Board Member Thrower. >> It's It's just also nice to see familiar
local names, you know, getting contracts of this size. So, that I noticed that. Congratulations to them once we vote. >> Yes. All right, anything else? Hearing none, all those in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Aye.
>> Motion passes 5-0. D 21.7, may I have a motion to approve professional services selection recommendation for Bellevue Elementary School Replacement Project 26-100. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Board Member Conrad. >> Second.
>> Second by Board Member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, you have additional information to share? >> Yes, ma'am. Um and to be consistent with other projects, we moved this to discussion for the opportunity to have dialogue. This um request is to approve the professional services selection recommendation for the construction
manager of the Bellevue Elementary School Replacement. And this approval of this recommendation will allow the district to move forward with negotiating a contract with Absher Construction. >> All right, thank you, Dr. Brewer. Board, I open it up for discussion. Dr. Gamble?
>> Sure. My only comment is that I will be voting against this recommendation this evening. >> Okay. Does anyone else have anything to add? Uh Board Member Thrower. >> Uh thank you, and >> [clears throat] >> I had a couple of concerns um as I
reviewed the paperwork that I did discuss with um Superintendent Brewer, and I and and I look forward to those being fixed for transparency um for the the community. As I was going through the results, it was hard for at at first glance, first of
all, the writing is very small and there were all these letters. And the letters actually were the initials of the folks that participated in the selection committee, who deserve to be commended, you know. Um and I hadn't seen it like that before. Um because the
last one we did, March 3rd, you know, clearly it had the first and last names at the bottom of the selection committee and uh another one that I grabbed from 2019, same thing. Uh another one that I grabbed from 2016, you know, same thing. So, it's the difference between
something that looks like this, where you would need a microscope to read it, and something that looked like this. So, again, with using the public money, including my own, as a taxpayer, it's
important to maintain the public trust. And I think one way to do that is to just make sure that our paperwork and our documentation is is very transparent, so anyone can look and know who has participated and uh so forth.
The other comment that I did want to make is that I really appreciate anyone from the community that is willing to serve on any of our um oversight committees, you know, I Croc and the sales tax committee. And
that it may not be in board policy, but [clears throat] I just think it's a common sense best practice to be to try to maintain some separation. You know, if if you're serving on an oversight committee of that high value
and a lot of money being overseen, it may or may not be the best practice to then participate on a selection committee. Uh these are my musings. I think we need to be about continuous improvement. And that's why I'm I'm raising this. I have absolutely no doubt that we're going to
get a quality build and that the school's going to open on time. I think that that's been proven over and over by the the person the company that was selected. And so I just wanted to share some of my background thoughts on the process.
>> Thank you, Board Member Thrower. Is there any further comments? >> I'll just >> Sure. >> um reiterate what uh Board Member Thrower shared um for the last for the flooring is that I'm happy to see that that this project is going to a local
firm and that all of the work um the money is going right back into our community. So I'm just I'm really happy to see that. It's something that's been important to me um as I came on the board that we use local um as often as possible. And so just really excited to
see this move forward. Thank you. >> All right. Any further comment? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Uh those opposing? >> No. >> All right. Motion passes 4-1. Moving into pulled agenda item C 18.1.
May I have a motion to approve the annual prequalification for contractors general and building contractors for 26-27. >> Motion to approve. >> A motion by Board Member Cummings and a second by Board Member Conrad. Dr. Campbell, you pulled this item. >> Yes, I'll be recusing myself from this vote. Thank you.
>> Okay. Any further discussion, Board? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Uh uh so passes with four and one recusal. Uh moving on to C 17.3. May I have a motion to amend uh to the to the amendment of the central office staffing
plan for the 2026-2027 school year. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Thrower. >> Second. >> Second by board member Conrad. And Ms. Conrad, you pulled the I Ms. Conrad, you can't um second it if you >> Oh, I'll second it then. >> Okay.
>> I didn't know who pulled it. Sorry. >> Sorry, Dr. Can't >> I didn't pull it. I I just pulled it for awareness. So, not that I'm questioning anything. So, I That's why I didn't hesitate to say >> Oh, cuz you're not recusing yourself. I'm sorry. So, Ms. Conrad, I apologize. I was thinking for some reason you were recusing yourself. Um okay, so a motion by board member Thrower and a second by
board member Conrad. And Ms. Conrad, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Um Chair, I just wanted to um highlight this item. Um we've had so much talk about budget cuts and staffing plans. So, I just wanted to highlight um these two additions to the central
office staffing plan. Um one is a resource teacher um and that is being funded through title four funds. Um and the second is a um district-based nurse that is going to be funded with health department funds. And so, we just
spent a lot of time talking about crunching numbers uh for the finances and um this is our first addition to the central offi- office staffing plan. And so, I just wanted everybody to be aware where those funds were coming from. So, thank you. That's all I have. >> All right, thank you for highlighting
that. Is there anyone else who wants to add additional discussion? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Ms. Martinez-Jyang, do we have any speakers this evening for non-related agenda items? >> No, Madam Chair.
>> Okay, thank you. Well, then we're going to move into our meeting reminders. There's an I Croc meeting on July 16th at 4:00 p.m. at the Brown Green Co-Auditorium. There is a special school board meeting on July 21st, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to receive the tentative budget. And then our next administrative
briefing and work session is scheduled for July 23rd at 9:00 a.m. We'll move into board member and committee comments and concerns. So, Ms. Martinez-Jyang, anything from the clerk's office? >> No, Madam Chair. >> All right, Powers. >> Now, I'd like to ask the clerk though the advertisement that went out today. I
was recently in court for part of the afternoon. Uh the advertisement that you were going to send out that was for >> I'm sorry. >> The advertisement you were sending out that you just mentioned to me. What was that for? Because I was in court the last couple hours, so
>> The attorney client session for Suzanne Green for the week. >> Okay, and do you have the date for that? >> Um >> August 20th. >> 20th. >> Okay. I I August 20th. So, we still have a I have to announce it formally at the session prior. So, I don't don't need to announce it today and that was my question.
>> you have time. I talked with um I talked with Ms. Brown about it. Yes. >> Well, once you're in a court environment, you're everything else it's like your your airplane signal is off, you know. >> Yes. Well, and for context, why don't you share what you were doing today for the community as we've highlighted attendance. >> Unfortunately, we had truancy hearings
today for a parents who had not uh had their children attend and had been uh in the had been multiply warned by the court and students had continued to be out and had not gone to summer school uh
despite having been ordered to do so and uh so we were there on hearings and held parents in contempt and parents were sent to the Marion County Jail for one in one case 180 days. So.
>> Yes. >> It's uh significant, but there's ultimately when there's not a uh when there's not other options and we're not getting any assistance or participation that's that's where we're left.
>> Yes, and we thank you for your work and leadership in working with the judge to um really follow through. We we didn't have follow through on this for many years and we really do have very strong follow through now. So, is there anything else from your office, Attorney Powers? >> No, thank you. >> All right, Dr. Burr.
>> Um yes, thank you, Attorney Powers, for that. So, um in addition to the news that Ms. Conner shared about our industry certifications, I think 300 is our magic number because we also received our AP scores this week, and I know I sent those to you, but I want to share those publicly. Um our Marion
County students took 3,849 AP exams. That's advanced placement exams, almost 300 more exams than last year, which was 300 more than the prior year. And 1,863
students took at least one exam, 50 more students than last year. And that's something we're incredibly proud about because we want to encourage every student, no matter their um path, to at least leave the high school environment with at least one college credit. And
so, we're very excited about that number. Um Marion County students scored three or higher on 72% of all exams taken, and that's three points higher than last year. And this is the fifth row fifth year in a row that Marion County has increased the pass rate and
the number of exams taken. And that is something to celebrate. Um and in addition, I want to share that this week is a big leadership training week for our administrators um across our district, and we are very thankful
for some key sponsors that have made uh that are making this week happen. So, I just want to recognize um Angie Lewis of State Farm, AD HDG Legacy, um Sharice and the Zinnia Wealth Management Group, and of course, our own Public Education
Foundation for managing um the funds. So, we're incredibly excited about seeing all of our administrators this week as we um gear up and celebrate last year's performance, but also um plan on moving forward with our new strategic plan for the 2031 plan.
And last but not least, I want to let the community know that our volunteer link app will open on July 20th. We have had quite a few quite a bit of interest in terms of our dads on duty, reading pals, and some other ways to get
involved. And so, I know I've responded to quite a few and said, "Hang tight. We'll let you know when the volunteer link is available for the 26-27 school year." So, now we have a date. So, make sure you go on the district website. It's under the safe schools um department, and make sure you
complete your registration so we can get you into a school to volunteer. So, those are all my comments, Chair. >> Okay, thank you, Dr. Brewer. Board member Thurber. >> Thank you, and we don't have another school board meeting before this occurs. It is the same day as our next work session, and
but we have our summer graduation coming up, and this has become really a cherished event, especially for me. I just think it's great if kids don't quite make it to walk in May, and they double down and finish doing what they need to do to be able to get that
diploma and walk, then they deserve a real graduation. And so, it's it's really important. It has grown. We're going to have multiple uh students participating this year. Partially is because Acceleration
Academy is joining us. They typically do their own graduation, but now they have quite a few more students graduating and kind of outgrew their space. So, that's a pretty good problem to have. So, it'll be nice to have them join us, and and we'll be able to celebrate them and
their accomplishments as well. And the kids come with stories that I would hope and pray that most of our that any of our kids would never have to deal with. And the fact that they are are finishing high school and getting a regular school diploma will hopefully help springboard them into a newer and
better life compared to what a lot of them have had so far. So, that's that's what forward to. And it also happens to occur on the very same night as our teacher of the year state gala. And if anyone has kept up on things with the school system, you'll
recall that Hillcrest School won the triple crown. They had their principal of the year, they had their teacher of the year, and the rookie teacher of the year all from the same school. So, teachers Anita Henry will be down there in Orlando
continuing to compete and hopefully hopefully just finish the streak that Marion County Public Schools, specifically Hillcrest School, has has been on this year with just fantastic educators. So, both of those events should not be occurring on the same
night. That's my only complaint, but all great stuff. And then just skipping over I I want to congratulate Vanguard High School for putting a post out early about dress code. And that this is the time of year when
parents are shopping and kids are bugging their parents for clothing that may or may not be appropriate for school. And I thought that it was smart that the Vanguard just put it out there where people go to for their information and making it clear what what is acceptable and and what isn't
acceptable. You know, dressing for success is so important whether you're a student or an employee. And so, I just wanted to commend Vanguard, you know, for being fast out of the gate on that one. And then just skipping down to
where people go for information, there was a lot of buzz on a post about chronic absenteeism that I put out there. And I really want to thank the community for weighing in. Because when the community starts paying attention, change happens. And I would like to
think that with the number of volunteer applications that are being asked for and requested, that I know I I hit a nerve and but I also received a lot of positive feedback on the post. And and when you put things
out there on social media, you're never you're dumb if you if you expect 100% approval of what you're putting on there. You know, there's always going to be that 5 to 20% that don't agree with you and a lot of them are perfecting their lawyer skills
providing an opposite argument. But but the whole fact of the matter is is that if people are talking about chronic absenteeism, that raises the umbrella to look underneath. Okay, so if the kids not here, why? And then we can really start problem-solving.
But if the students just chronically don't show up, there's no opportunity to help improve things. So, there's a multitude of things that we can all do to help improve our chronic absenteeism. And I'll be the first to say from a
school board perspective, you know, it's we have things to improve, too. I'm very glad we're opening South Marion High School cuz one of our most chronic bus routes of being late originated out of Dunellon. Now, any of us that have driven down 484 and I-75 and all of that
know how difficult it is to get anywhere on time. So, hopefully with the opening of South Marion High, that'll relieve some pressure on our bus routes and we can continue to do everything that we're trying to do to improve that on-time pick up and delivery. You know, that that is definitely our task. Um
when it comes to my heart of special needs students, you know, the the individual with dis- individual students with disabilities education act the federal level has been around a long time. It's never been funded more than 40%. Uh we have a lot of kids with a lot
of unique needs that need a lot of support to be able to be comfortable and successful in school. So, some of this really [clears throat] is a funding issue. But, I guess I'll begin to close by saying a lot of it is just doing the simple things well
over and over and over again. And to me, the simple things are coming to school, working well with the with the teacher and with the school staff and working at that level to solve problems
and increase success. But, if that hits a stone wall, keep advocating. Keep asking questions till you get to the right person that can continue to take it forward until we get success. You know, and and
if the relationships are established before a lot of things go wrong, it makes it a lot easier to problem solve when when the train gets off the track a little bit. So, that would just be some encouragement I'd like to share. I think Oak Crest Elementary School is a huge
example of that. They're just a regular neighborhood school that has uh kids from all walks of life and they improved by two letter grades by doing the simple things well and reducing their chronic absenteeism. You
can have average daily attendance of 92 to 94%. But, that doesn't mean that the 6 to 8% aren't having a problem. You know, so the the the average daily attendance doesn't tell the whole story
and little changes can really lead to big improvements. So, I I really hope since we've captured the community's attention a little bit that everybody's thinking a little bit more deeply that maybe they'll give bus drivers the right respect on the roads.
That helps reduce chronic absenteeism cuz if that bus driver gets all stressed out because someone's laying on their horn and running their reds, and then they get into a fender bender, guess what? That's however many kids that aren't going to be at school on time today that are missing instructions. So,
we can all do little things from wherever our seats are to help improve this. And like I said in my post, it's going to go a long way towards becoming an A district, which is I truly believe what we all want. And we want it to be an authentic A, not one where people
pulled some tricks and got kids to leave that, you know, weren't going to make it. That That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about doing it right and doing it with integrity across the board. That's how we'll get there. And that concludes my comments for tonight. Thank you. >> You are member Thur, Reverend Cummings.
>> No comments tonight. >> All right, Dr. Campbell. >> Sure. Uh just a couple of things. I thank you, Dr. Brewer, for mentioning the AP test. That's how I was going to start uh talking about as well. A few years ago whenever the legislature was kind of
making some changes and there was a huge advocacy push for those acceleration points and the students in AP and ACE and CTE and and all of that, we in Marion County were able to go and not only advocate from a position of wanting to ensure that all of our students were
receiving the services that they deserve, but also from the position of we are successful and we are wildly successful with 72% of our students taking advanced placement tests, passing them. That's wildly successful. And so, uh
grateful to all the hard work of those educators that ensure that that education continues in their classrooms. Uh just a couple of things. I participated in the last couple of days with the governor's West this morning and uh Ocala city planning and zoning
last evening. Also, today participated in a future call conversation with Florida Florida early learning um educators talking through the children's movement and a program called the triangle program that I'll be getting more information for you Dr. Brewer. It's
It's It's just interesting to see how others around the state are doing early learning and um Yeah, I'll just leave that there. Uh tonight we received our first to my knowledge voicemail and email from our Apptegy platform. So I see Mr. Christian
shaking his head. So families we a couple of weeks ago approved that new program that hopefully is going to increase our communication efforts even more so than the previous Skylert messaging that we had going and so make sure you check your voicemail and your email cuz you've got a message
out there from the Apptegy platform thanks to Mr. Christian and his office. Uh also wanted to highlight that any student athlete that is a ninth grader or new to the state of Florida if you have a new to state of Florida high schooler
who intends to be a student athlete or are entering the ninth grade and intend to be a student athlete the new law requires for those students not just to have their physicals but also their EKGs. I know there were community provider yes or today in Belleview that was actually providing those for free
for Belleview athletes. But I there probably are other community partners working with schools but if that under the sound of my voice if you have student athletes that that might be helpful for you to know, please be aware that there is a a new law about that. Uh
already planning with the Florida School Boards Association. I've already started pre-planning for our annual joint conference coming up in December as well as in August we will be welcoming roughly 50 leaders from around the state school board members for our leadership development training here in Ocala.
And finally board I will not be physically in attendance for next week's special board meeting uh for the purpose of receiving the budget. I just wanted to ensure that there would be at least three of you that were physically present for next Tuesday evening because
I will not be able to be there. I can be on the call if I need to be, but I am unable to be present for that. So, that concludes my comments. >> Okay. Board member Conrad. >> Thank you, Chair. Um, I wanted to kind of um
add on to what board member Thrower said um this morning and I want to thank you, board member Thrower, for really digging in to attendance. And so, um after school grades come out came out, there was so much discussion and Dr. Brewer kept sending us more and
more information and and part of that information was chronic absenteeism. And the numbers don't lie. And it's very logical, but when you look at the breakdown for chronic absenteeism in our schools,
if it's around 10% or lower, those schools are scoring A's and B's. You get in the 30% of absent chronic absenteeism, you've got a C or a D. High High end of the 30s, you're going to be
you know a a lower grade. And so, it's it's not rocket science. We we can't teach you if you're not at school. Um, so we just need everybody to do the basic the most basic things that it's just crazy to me sometimes because when I went to school that thought never crossed my mind. Was
I going to school or not? You were going to school. It was harder to miss school than to to go to school. Um, so anyway, just want to thank you uh Miss Thrower for continuing to advocate and dig in um because we're just finding new things
and and we've got lots of data and we know what we we need our kids to do and now we just need them to do it. So, I wanted to thank you for that and also for sharing I missed the Vanguard post about dress code. I'm really excited um that's something that that I feel pretty
strongly about and so I'm really excited and appreciative that that Vanguard's ahead of that game because you're right, parents are beginning to school shop and and do their shopping for uh this next school year. So, I'm excited to see um that they're ahead of the game and um
no excuses cuz you've got you've been sent the dress code. So, I love love that. Um I just want to say thank you also to all of our leaders that were able to show up um this evening. Uh we're glad to have them here after hours or we're going to see them tomorrow
morning also um for the leadership summit. Just really thankful. Um you know, we had excuse me 5 or 10 minutes here um or we shared accolades about about the work and the accomplishments that they uh have achieved.
But, it's hard work. You know, we we celebrate for 5 minutes, but it's every single minute of every single day um for the people that were here um this evening. So, I just want to say thank you again for the work that you do for the students of Marion County every
single day. It's hard work. Just getting them to school so we can teach them. So, just really thankful they were all here today. Um board I also wanted to share um there is a a summer gala for Cut Different and
I saw this post on social media. So, I just wanted to make sure that that you knew that you were invited. It's It's um July 24th. And so, there was a a a post that invited the whole board. And so, I'm not sure everybody saw it. Wanted to make sure. I think last year um Dr.
Campbell, you asked me about that because you were you were not able to come and I said, "Well, I saw it on social media." So, I want to be sure to share. Um it is next Friday then. >> Yes. >> Last but not least, um, 3G Sunday is coming up. I did hear from Ms. Thrower,
so I've got, um, that note. If anybody else would like to join me. Oh, you're going? All right, Dr. James and um, Dr. Brewer, if anybody from your team would like to join or they have a specific school they would like to, um, participate in, just let me know and I'll be happy to forward that.
>> Will do. Thank you. >> Yes, thank you so much and that's all I have, Chair. Thank you. >> All right, thank you. Um, well, we've covered a lot tonight. I'm I will share this morning, um, I had the pleasure of meeting some of the team out at East Marion. I know we got a video last week, but I had already been talking with Dr. Brewer about wanting to
just put eyes on it. Um, all I could keep saying was, "This is so amazing." And I was joking because as as teachers, we get really excited by the little stuff, like fresh paint or a wall or a new door and you're like, "Man, this is life-changing." And so,
it just feels so fresh in there and there's still going to be some work to do, but the entrance, the vestibule, the safety, the enhancements, it is all so good. That building 74, I think is what, um, Dr. Pope shared. It was built in 74 and
so there had been seemingly no improvements since 1974. So, we're talking 50 years. Um, and so now we have, and this is the sales tax dollars at work. This is what, you know, the voters wanted was a sales tax that was going to be used to secure schools,
modernize them. And so that is exactly what's happening at East Marion. Walls and doors, um, for the whole school, for the whole the whole front office is is reshaped. The cafeteria line no longer goes through the front office. What a concept. So, um, just real improvements that are
going to change the functionality of the campus and so I I wanted to just share. It really looks like those teachers, um, Dr. Pope's penciled in date is they'll be able to come back a week before they're supposed to come back so that they can kind of get into their rooms and reshape things. So, really great
stuff and I will actually be on Thursday I will be with their um I'm the name is going to escape me now, but I'll be with Ms. Tish and the staff there to talk about the um community partnership grant and the plan for next year for East Marion. So, I'll be able to work with them a little bit in the
morning on Thursday as well. So, all really great things um I I was just going to ask if we can make sure that we are communicating um the volunteer thing on Facebook so we can make sure we get that pushed out on Facebook and the and the link to um
apply. And then if we can make sure that through social media it somehow we're communicating the open house dates and times. I know we have it in a internal spreadsheet, but if we can somehow get that pushed out as well um so that people that is where people go to look for information. So, just making sure that we can get the information out to
where people will find it. Um so, all great stuff and that will conclude my comments for the evening. Um Ms. Martinez Young, no other speakers this evening, right? >> No, Madam Chair. >> All right. Well, then there being no further business, can I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a
second by Dr. Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0 and this meeting will adjourn at 6:36 p.m. Thank you.