--------- The school board meeting will begin in one minute. Please take your seats. Again, the schoolboard meeting will begin in one minute. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] >> Good evening. The July 28th, 2026
special school board meeting of the Marian County School Board is called to order. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a public hearing on the tenative millages and budget for the 2026 2027 school year fiscal year. Board clerk, please call the role. >> Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1,
>> here. >> Mrs. Lorie Conrad, District 2, >> here. >> Reverend Dr. Eric Cummings, District 3, >> here. >> Mrs. Nancy Thrower, District 4, >> here. >> Dr. Sarah James, District 5, >> here. >> Dr. Danielle Brewer, superintendent, >> here. >> Mr. Jeremy P, school board attorney. >> At this time, let's please stand for the
pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. Will you please provide the proof of publication for tonight's special school board meeting? The notice for the July 28th, 2026 special schoolboard meeting was placed on the district website on July 21st, 2026. Proof of publication has been placed under proof of publication in
board docs. >> Thank you. Superintendent Dr. Brewer, would you like to provide opening remarks regarding the 2026 2027 fiscal year tentative mill rates and tentative budget received at the July 21st, 2026 special board meeting?
>> Yes, thank you. Good evening. The tenative budget has not been amended since the board received it on July 21st, 2020 2026. The proposed total millage rate is greater than the rolled back rate by 3.74%.
The board has set work sessions to review the budget at 9:00 a.m. for Thursday, August the 6, 2026, which will be the tenative budget for the general fund. Thursday, August the 13, 2026 for all remaining funds and Thursday, August
20th, 2026, if needed. The final budget hearing is scheduled for September the 8th, 2026. At this time, I would like to recognize our chief financial officer, Mr. Rios Welsh. He will present a brief PowerPoint presentation on the tenative
budget. >> Good evening, Mr. Ry Welsh. Good evening, Chair James, members of the board, and members of the public. Can everyone hear me just fine? >> We can. >> Okay, great.
All right. Okay. So, I'm going to start off with some opening remarks and I'm going to try to keep this presentation as brief as possible. Um, as you guys know, we are here um to talk about and hopefully get
the adoption of our millage rates uh our tenative budget and I'm going to do um a walk through uh of that budget and we're going to start now. Okay, great. So, let's talk about our budget goals and objectives. Um so, as
you can see here, um we have a couple of major goals. Uh the first is to align the budget and its initiatives with the strategic plan which we just passed uh a few short months ago. Uh which one of the key priorities is to make sure that
we have um fiscal uh we're being fiscally responsible and I do want to mention that as part of this presentation that it is one of the uh key priorities for our strategic plan. And then secondly, a goal is to leverage the available resources to maximize
student learn student learning. And next up here, let's talk about our dates. We keep our timeline in front of us. As mentioned, we're had several meetings leading up to this. And our team uh the budget and finance team has
done a tremendous amount of work. I think in the past my predecessor um has let the board know and as many of you are aware during this time of the year um our timeline is extremely uh compressed with information uh coming
fast and furious from Tallahassee and we are usually scrambling in order to get uh the budget books complete all lining up uh with today's presentation and the presentations that are going to be um in August as indicated by the timeline here. So, we're here at the 28th. Uh,
we're going to have a work session scheduled for the general fund. On August 6th, August 13th, we will have the capital and other funds. And then we do have a um a placeholder for August 20th if that is needed with final adoption of the budget on September the
8th, no later transmitted to um Tallahassee uh on September the 11th. >> Just as a point of correction, it's September 9th. You said eighth, but I just want to make sure the record's clear. It's the ninth, >> right? >> Correct. >> Okay, no worries. I just wanted to make
sure it was clear. >> I actually said >> Okay. And while we're on the topic of corrections, I do want to bring up um just a typographical uh error as well. Uh so in our advertisement for um the
published notice for increased property taxes, we did have um a slight um snafu and indicating that the um percentage increase for our required local effort should read 3.29% and it reads 3.39%.
uh we've already communicated that to the department of revenue and corrected it's not going to impact anything here today or cause any other uh necessary changes to this process but I do want to be transparent in case that comes up and get that out of the way. >> Thank you. And you are correct. It's actually the eth but the PowerPoint is
incorrect. So just for a matter of correction. >> So it is the ninth. >> It's the eth. Thank you. >> We'll just make sure we get an updated PowerPoint attached to >> Yes. Yep. Okay. So, >> I'm sorry. >> Please continue.
>> Thank you. All right. So, we have a slide here with u our students, which is the reason why we're here today. So, we wanted to make sure we include uh some some of our students so we can see um you know what the real purposes of of why we go through this process um and keeping our north star uh in front of
us. Okay. So, we're going to talk about our proposed U millage levies for property taxes for FY2627. And I'm going to walk through each one of these uh as briefly as possible. So uh for our required local effort which is the basically the
skin in the game as I like to say um you can call it match or maintenance of effort uh for us to participate in the um fee program which is the primary financing program for the state of Florida's um ed education system. We
have to provide a local amount of money in order to draw down the funds from the state and that required local effort is levied at 3.028 mills. The revenue generated is 135 629 and $107.
The next portion here is the prior year required local effort adjustment. This adjustment effectively um allows us uh in the state really to go back and take a look at last year and then determine if the required local effort
that we were supposed to generate based at that point in time actually occurred. Uh if it did not the state will basically supplement uh and in this case that is to the good at 0.018 018 mills or $86 $250,000.
The next section there is the discretionary millage which must be levied in order for us to fully maximize the funding from the FFE program and that is for our discretionary operating and that is 0.7480
mills at 33,54,152. The next we have the uh additional voted millage or referendum uh which many of you are aware we have our iicrock presentations quarterly and we present information not only to the public but to that committee and that results in 44,791,647
or 1 mill and then rounding us out with local capital improvement or sales tax which we also have a committee that we meet with uh regularly to provide information and updates to the public that stands at 1.5 mills and generates 67,187
and471. All towed at 6.2940 mills for a total of 281.9 million. Next uh slide here um I want to talk about is our impact fees which have come
up uh in conversation uh in the past and will continue to come up. We have a a work session coming up. We're going to be looking um to hopefully um go through and do another impact fee study. And so this gets a lot of traction and helps to provide a lot of support um in the
district. These fees are generated um from developers who are uh building properties in in Marian County and they have to uh pay fees in order to basically get the certificates uh of occupancy and to construct single family
and multifamily uh units in the county. And we expect to generate $8.3 million in rounding up. And then lastly, the sales tax there at 38 million.7. Uh, and then we have some information
here as to when they were effective. And as many of you know, um, we've had sales tax for some time. That will be coming back up in the near future. And with the impact fees, we're closely monitoring that uh to ensure that we can continue
uh to utilize those dollars to help us. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, the numbers you just said are not the numbers on the screen. So just if you could point of clarification >> impact fees >> it's 8.9 million and 39.5. >> Oh yes I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yes. Looks
like we have >> Okay. So I do stand corrected. Thank you. I appreciate that. So that is the the $ 8.9 million that we have in impact fees and 39.6 million for sales tax. >> Thank you.
Okay. And here we have another slide with some of our students, right? And then we're going to go through some highlights here. Okay. So, we do have several um I would call them um there there's some headwinds and there's some highlights. Uh of course, at the federal level, we have some
uncertainty regarding uh federal funds and the stability of federal funds. Um, as many of you are aware, we've uh continued to receive uh federal dollars and federal investment. Uh, but increasingly that has become uh not the norm and there's been some policy shifts
there. So, we continue to monitor that, but are obviously thankful uh to continue to continue to receive the support that we do have. And then we have our state funding uh there. So, we're going to talk a little bit about that. we have an increase in our unweighted full-time equivalents or our
projection there. And one of the things I do want to mention is that as part of those students that we have approximately 54,000 um that that we show for our full-time equivalent students, we have to deduct almost 8,300 students that are receiving
family empowerment scholarships and other scholarships, which effectively means that we are taking about $77 million off of the top of our budget uh in order to provide a pass through for those families that participate. in that program. That is a state policy. That is
not uh something that we control. Uh but we have to recognize the revenue on our books and we have to show the expense as well. So I do want to make sure that uh we are clear on that. Uh we also had an increase this year um $85 increase in
the per student base student allocation which is certainly um something that we welcome. Uh it's not always enough, but we certainly welcome um an increase every year that we can get it. Uh we also had some increases in some of our
FFP categoricals and class size reduction funds. And a lot of this information I will walk through during the presentation on August 6th and go into in greater detail. And then rounding this out, the TISA funds uh which is the teacher salary increased
allocation which many of the board members have been briefed on that uh and I think have received an update on where we stand uh with that. And then lastly, the public education capital outlay or PICO dollars that are provided or passed through to charter schools. Uh we do not
receive those funds uh here in Marian County. And then uh lastly, I just want to highlight that that local assessed property value is up uh by 8.75%. And the required local uh millage
decreased from 3.72 to 3.46. Um I do want to just quickly address something which is is somewhat of a difficult concept to understand u which is that the property values in Marian County uh have gone up. Uh but in the
example of a $325,000 home that's uh not homesteaded uh would likely see a decrease of about $9 um and some odd change uh given this year. And the reason why that's why that is the
case is that although the the property tax role and the values in Marian County uh has grown. So that means that the pie has gotten much larger and because the pie is much larger because the values are higher some taxpayers uh will
receive a property tax cut. other taxpayers who are purchasing new property or is not homesteaded would conceivably receive an increase because those homes are being purchased for the first time. And I think this has come up in previous presentations, but I wanted
to make sure that uh I mention it here today as well. Nice picture there. Okay. So for the tenative budget total we are looking at 1 bill234,000
>> 34 million >> I'm sorry one it's a large number one bill 1 bill23482,612. Now I do want to clarify something which sometimes the public um seems to uh
maybe get a little bit confused about how our budget works and the size of the budget. So we have our general operating uh combined which is at the top there you see at 54.06% or 667.1 million. Um that is our operating
budget. That is really the budget that I'm not going to say it's it's the only budget that matters. All of the pieces or all of the funds matter, but this is the one that gets the most uh interest and this is the one that we basically use as our general operating account if I can use that example. Uh or maybe a
checking account if you want to put it into layman's terms. Um and then you have other funds that are effectively uh restricted. So debt service at 26.9 capital uh special revenue and food service. Um we have uh special revenue
other and then we have our internal service fund which we've talked about before. So all of the other funds outside of the general fund including debt service and capital and food service special revenue or federal funds
and our internal service fund which includes um our self uh self- insurance program um our general liability. All of those funds are effectively uh restricted. They have strings attached to them and can only be used for very
specific purposes. Uh and and one thing to mention, $310 million uh for capital projects. Well, that's a huge amount in terms of the overall budget. So, I just want to make sure that the public understands that although we oftent times will hear,
well, the the Marian County School Board is so large and has a a $1.2 billion budget. Well, most of almost half of that budget is is restricted. Uh we can only do certain things with it. And that $310.5 million eventually once we spend
that down and get all of our schools built and all of the plans associated with that particular fund, unless we decide to continue to build or there's a necessity for that, uh those dollars will eventually go away and they have to be spent down in a certain amount of
time. And so you can see an eb and flow because if someone were to look at the budget from 10 or 20 years ago, uh obviously it was not this large, but we were not in the business of uh building schools or doing the large amount of facility improvements uh that we are
now. So I hope that uh helps to clear that up. Okay, so let's break it down a little bit. This is a pie chart. Um it's it's pretty self-explanatory. So we have our other category which includes categoricals. Um we have our capital
outlay at 25%, materials and supplies at 6%. You can see our energy um budget across all funds at 2% which is increasingly high and then our purchase services and our salary and benefits coming in at 44% across all funds by
object. So clearly you know most of the money there uh in terms of the entire budget um is going towards uh those areas that are directly impacting our employees. So when we talk about uh previously
you know what we're buying and then we talk about you know who we're buying things for um we talk about that in terms of function and as you can see here from this uh pie chart um if you add up all of those areas um that are
inclusive or impacting instruction in the classroom almost 86% of All of the money that we have by function is going to support classroom instruction either directly or indirectly and that's for
instruction instructional support. Uh we obviously you know facilities uh acquisition and construction we have to have buildings um you know we have to feed our students so food service is included there at 5%. We are required to provide transportation and that's coming
in at 3%. Uh and then of course we have other areas like operations of our plant uh plant facility uh maintenance uh our IT services uh community services and uh debt service which rounds us out. So I
think it's uh important to talk about perspective and this is something that I think uh that sometimes uh confuses folks in terms of where uh all the money is going and who we're spending the money on. And this is a great picture um to
highlight that. And this is where most of the money is going to support these uh beautiful students here that we serve each and every day. So for the general fund um combined in this next slide, [clears throat] we want to walk through those those separate
funds. And as I indicated for the general fund, it's made up of those major three parts. The operating, adult education, and referendum. And uh the general fund operating is the the one that gets a lot of attention. So when we talk about fund balance, uh when we talk
about uh you know the financial condition of the district, uh yes, we look at it in its totality. Uh but we also like to focus on the general fund. And then here when we look at that combined, this is basically another
breakout um of the budget showing there on the left uh side of the screen uh the adult education and referendum. You can see adult ed at 13 uh.8 million making up a smaller sliver uh and then $61
million for referendum and then the $592 million rounding out uh the general fund. And then on the right side you see what that money is being spent on in terms of salaries um other expenditures and capital outlay materials and
supplies energy purchase services and employee benefits. All told um at $614.7 million u you're talking about 68% is being spent on salary and benefits
which is just rounding up to 70% is a huge amount of money. um given uh the amount of dollars that we're we're starting with. The next slide I'm going to talk about are some of our fiscal challenges. Uh and when we talk about the headwinds um
we have to face those headwinds um you know straight on and um you know some of those challenges that we've had have been in the works for a long time. Um the state of Florida um has in in
increasingly um in terms of its investment in public education has not kept up with inflation is is difficult to do that for any business for any company. Uh and the state of Florida is is no exception to that and I think it's done an excellent job of providing the funds that it it
can uh and that it can afford to. Uh but certainly that has taken a compounded impact on not only our district but districts across the state. Uh and so some of these fiscal challenges also include things like I
mentioned earlier around our uncert uncertainties uh regarding our choice programs. And this is something that uh we've talked about a little bit but we've seen almost doubledigit increases in FS scholarships. And I would describe
it as the the the siphoning of dollars from the district um for these programs for parents to participate in which they're um legally uh allowed to do so. We encourage it. Uh this is a choice state and so we certainly want to be supportive of that. But we also have to
recognize that it does create um an unanticipated pressure on the district because uh those are dollars whether those students were here um uh at one point and then left the district or were never in the district. The bottom line
is $77 million, depending on how that student is funded, are dollars that could be used um to help uh butress the budget and schools, individual schools that may not earn enough money
in order to support their particular school. And so when I talk about the business model, uh we have a subsidized business model where not one school is looked at in a vacuum. It's part of a system and we're required to provide a
high quality education to all students in the district regardless of their background, regardless of their color, um their personal beliefs, uh medical necessity. Uh we have to deal with all of them. And so, uh that is something
that we do not take lightly, but we have to recognize uh the challenges. I talked about federal and state funding. Uh we also need to mention increased employee cost. Uh we know that this is an issue and we increasingly want to be able to
do more for our employees and uh it is very difficult. We have a lot of school districts throughout the state that are laying people off uh and have had to make very uh tough choices uh for various reasons. Uh Marian County
is fortunate uh and that the board had the wisdom years ago to set aside uh money um that we could rely on during tough times. And uh tough times come and go and we're seeing that business cycle
now where uh we may be um in an environment where things get a little harder and we have to make some some tough choices. Uh and so that work in this budget uh and what we're asking the board to approve uh helps to put us on a
pathway to remain stable uh with the knowledge that those decisions um are yet to be made and we'll be uh working with our partners and working with our leadership and Dr. Brewer, uh Mr. White House and our senior uh managers and
executives uh to to rise to the occasion, look at the data and do what's in the best interest of our students. Uh next is our healthcare cost. We have an agenda item coming up next in the regular board meeting which we will talk about and that's an effort for us to
really start to control cost. Um and that is something that has been growing quite a bit over the years even after transitioning um from uh a fully insured health insurance program um uh to a self-insured insurance program which has
netted us savings um but we have increasing health care cost which um are causing some strain and so we're going to be addressing that. we have a recommendation um before the board tonight to hopefully um have some
discussion about that. Um and I do want to mention that um I'm very aware that these types of changes particularly to healthcare um uh design uh plan designs are not something that we want to be
doing. Um, I will say that this recommendation that is coming before the board tonight did provide and preserve a free plan for our employees. uh but did strike I believe a fair balance um in trying to make sure that there's some
equitability in terms of what the board um and the taxpayers are having to pay and what employees are having to pay but also provides I believe a a higher quality product uh where we can make sure that our employees are getting the best care um whether it's here in Maring
County um or surrounding county or even as far as out of the state or nationally to make sure that they can get the as care possible. The last items here, property insurance and risk management costs are also items that we're seeing um increase and we've had some
discussion about that. Of course, inflation um I wouldn't describe it as uh stagflation, but it is certainly uh prolonged and uh folks um you know in DC and and at the Federal Reserve Bank are working to try to to get that under
control. uh and this has been a long-standing issue since uh we've got out of COVID and the federal government has been trying to manage that. Uh but we are still seeing escalations uh in our cost uh every year. And then the last two items there associated with our
aging buildings, vehicles uh and buses which we are also addressing uh later on this year. And then of course um last but not least is maintaining adequate fund balance uh reserves. And we have a beautiful picture of a a
horse. Yeah, it looks great. >> All right. All right. So in summary, um I just want to wrap up. Um we have a uh balanced budget that is required by law. Uh the tenative budget for 2627 is $1.2 billion and reflects a almost $79
million um uh reduction. Um when we look at last year's adopted budget, most of that is driven driven by capital expenditures and I'll be going into much greater detail and I hope that folks tune in uh on August 6th in order to I
think get a better understanding of the budget. And then uh lastly, we have our property values increased by 8.75%. So the county is wealthier and the state of Florida has said that um Marian
County has to contribute more towards its required local effort. Uh which did result coincidentally um in us receiving less FEFP funds after adjustments uh which we weren't necessarily happy with.
Um but every year this can change and so as the year goes on and more students come into the district and maybe we get a bump in enrollment um we expect revenue to catch up and maybe we see an increase and in some years we pay more and in other years the state of Florida
pays more. This is one of the years that uh Marian County taxpayers uh will be uh paying more. But as I said, because the tax role has increased and the tax base has gone up, some folks would see a
property tax reduction. And then lastly, um we want to make sure that we're doing the best with the limited financial resources that we have. And I am very much looking forward to um our presentations uh in August. And I
want to give a big shout out and thank you to the budget and finance team who has worked tirelessly on weekends for the last few weekends uh and late nights uh trying to pull all this information together with the most updated uh data
available from the state via the second calculation. and we really uh appreciate their hard work. Um, with that, I will um stop talking and take any questions. And I don't know if I broke the record for
last year, but I was hoping to uh get through this a little fast tonight. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Rios Wash. Board, is there any questions or comments for Mr. Riovash? Uh, Reverend Cummings. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Rios, um, for the presentation. I just got one question.
Um because I was looking at it, we know we have a 1.2 1.3 billion budget. Um on one of these slides where you gave the revenue highlights and you talked about the state, there's a federal, state, and local. The last bullet in that middle section talks about the public education
capital outlay, PICO funding that goes to our charter school. Yes, sir. Can you give us an amount on that? that actually because I think again just for clarity sake a lot of people don't understand that that money does not stay with us that money is pass through money to
charter schools so I I think that needs to be said in this presentation >> uh yeah we can see if we can pull that number now if not we will certainly provide that um during next week's presentation uh but to distinguish there's there's two pieces you know we provide the not only dollars for PICO uh
for their capital improvements but also if they have students um that are attending their schools, that money flows uh just the same as it would for family empowerment scholarships. So, we'll certainly pull that information. >> Yes. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Board, any other questions or comments?
>> Okay, Dr. Brer. >> Hey, thank you. Um Mr. Rios Welsh for your leadership through this process and to the entire business services team. Um, at this time I recommend the adoption of the tenative millages and tenative budget for the 2026 2027 fiscal
year. >> So move. >> Oh, I have to read something before I ask for a motion. Thank you. The question occurs on the superintendent's recommendation to adopt the following tenative millages. Required local effort millage at 3.0280
mills. Required prior period funding adjustment millage at 00180 mills. Discretionary millage at.748 mills, capital improvement millage at 1.5 mills, additional voted millage at 1
mills for a total of 6.294 mills, and to [clears throat] adopt a tenative budget in the amount of 1 bill234,82,612. may have a motion to adopt the 2026 20227 tentative millages of 6.2940
as set forth in the superintendent recommendation. >> So move >> second. >> A motion by Reverend Cummings and a second by Dr. Campbell. I declare a public hearing. Is there anyone present who wishes to address the board concerning the proposed millages or rolled back rate?
All right, hearing none. Board, is there any further discussion? All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to adopt the 2026 20227 tentative budget in the amount of 1
bill234,82,612. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Cummings. I declare a public hearing. Is there anyone present who wishes to address the board concerning the tenative budget? All right. Hearing none board any
further discussion? Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. There being no further business in this meeting, may I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn the special school board meeting. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Campbell and a
second by board member Thrower. This meeting will adjourn at 605. Please give us about five minutes to reset for the next meeting. Part: 2
[music] [music] Good evening and welcome to the July 28th, 2026 meeting of the Marian County School Board. This meeting is now called to order. Mirroring and modeling the way our students begin each day, I ask that we observe a moment of silence at this
time. Please join me. Thank you. 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 and we will leave a legacy of success. For the courtesy of those listening to the meeting, I am requesting everyone in the audience to please turn off the
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-aggenda item must complete a yellow form. Both forms are
available before each meeting and on the district website. Forms due to the board clerk by 5:40 p.m. and can be submitted via email or in person. Public speakers will have three minutes to complete their comments and no more than 10 speakers will be scheduled in either public comment portion unless the
board votes otherwise. Good evening, Miss Martinez Jang. Will you please call our role? >> Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1, >> here. >> Mrs. Lorie 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 Power, school board attorney, >> here. >> Dr. Danielle Burrus, superintendent, >> here. >> Dr. Dr. Brewer, would you mind sharing who's going to provide our inspiration and lead the pledge of allegiance for us this evening? >> Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. White House. Our deputy superintendent will come to
the podium and introduce our special principal. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening, board chair, board members. [clears throat] South Marian High School represents a new beginning and a bright future for students in Marian County. Tonight, we are pleased to welcome the school's
leadership team whose vision and dedication will help shape the school's culture, traditions, and legacy for years to come. Please join me in welcoming the South Baron High School leadership team as they lead us in the inspiration and pledge of allegiance. We
have principal Ken McAteer, assistant principles Tony Maldonado, Dr. Sam Mlan, Samantha Ingram, and Terresa McNair. [snorts] Good evening. We're very excited to be here this evening representing the first new high school in our district in 26
years. One of my favorite quotes for opening school each year is, "Let today be the start of something new." For the almost 2,000 students attending South Marian for the first time this school year, their first day will be the beginning of an exciting journey in a beautiful new
facility with awesome teachers and strong parental and community support. This is also true for the nearly 47,000 students that will return to all of our schools on August 10th. For them, the same excitement will be felt. The
anticipation of new teachers, new friends, and new learning by our students is what makes this time of year so special. At this time, I'd like to introduce South Marian's first student school board representative, rising senior, Katherine Kate Bivarito, who
will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Thank you. And go Bears. stick around because we're going to take a picture with you all. We are so excited for South Mary to open in um a few short weeks. So, uh we'll be taking a picture with you in just a minute. I think Mr. White House, you have some
recognitions as well. >> Yes, Madam Chair, I do. Tonight, we are pleased to recognize a special group of educational leaders, our principles, who are beginning their first year leading a school here in Maring County. While each of these individuals bring valuable
experience and a strong commitment to students, stepping into the principal ship is a significant milestone. It requires vision, courage, resilience, and a deep belief in the potential of every student and every staff member. As they begin this leadership journey, they
do so at a time when our district is focused on moving forward together and building a culture of excellence in every school. We are grateful for their willingness to lead, serve, and make a difference in the lives of students, families, and employees. Please join us
in congratulating and welcoming our newest principles as I read their names, and they will come forward and receive their pin. We have Connie Carpenter at Belleview Santos Elementary. Stephanie Collins at North Mariam Middle School.
Terrell Davis at Liberty Middle School. [applause] Cindy Lowe at Hillrest School. [applause] Tracy Moody at Forom Early Learning, Katie Owen at Fort King Middle, Susan Williams, Sunrise Elementary,
[applause] and Rebecca Winkler at Belleview Elementary. A big round of applause. >> Did you have anything further, Mr. White House? Man, we're very excited for a new school year. >> Wonderful. So are we. So, we're going to come down, shake your hands, and give you some love. And then we'll take a
picture bottle of vitamins. Hey, you guys. Come on. Come on. >> I'll get them afterwards while you guys are walking back. No, I'm not. Elena >> Elena
copies >> of what? >> She sent an email like 10 minutes. >> Oh, Campbell about the recusal. I got him. Okay. >> I thought the meeting was at five, so I got up early like you did and then I I didn't see the
>> Oh, that's fine. >> I got it. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. right here. One, two, three. Couple more. Any [laughter] information? You ready for me? >> Yes. Okay.
>> Well, that was exciting. Um, at this time, I recommend approval of the agenda for the July 28, 2026 school board meeting. >> So, >> may I have a motion on the superintendent's recommendation? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Comrade and a second by Reverend Cummings. All those
in favor say I. >> I. I motion passes 5-0. We will move into the business portion of the meeting. Miss Martinez, please provide the proof of publication for tonight's schoolboard meeting. >> The notice for the July 28th, 2026 schoolboard meeting was placed on the district website on July 21st, 2026.
Proof of notification has been placed under proof of publication in board docks. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the June 18th, 2026 administrative briefing and work session? >> Motion to approve the June 18th minutes. >> Second. A motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings.
Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes hearing? None. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the June 23rd, 2026 school board meeting? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad, a
second by board member Thrower. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? All those in favor. Any discussion? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the July 9th, 2026 special school board meeting expulsions?
>> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Campbell. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Miss Martinez Young, do we have any speakers this evening? >> Yes, Madam Chair. We have five speakers.
>> Okay. And those are all for um items related to the agenda? >> Yes, they are. >> Okay. Well, thank you for that. I want to welcome attorney Powers to the meeting. Um, good evening, Attorney Powers. Will you please provide an explanation on the rules governing persons who wish to address the school board this evening?
Thank you. Yes. In compliance with section 286.0114 0114 of the 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 district. These procedures will ensure the public has a reasonable opportunity to be heard on school board and school district matters. A written summary of these procedures is available from the table
in the lobby. Public speaker forms are located on the same table. Completed forms were due to the school board's clerk no later than 5:40 p.m. This evening's agenda item speakers will be called prior to business portion of the school board's meeting in the order of
receipt by the schoolboard clerk. For items not listed on the agenda, speakers will be called at the end of the business meeting. Before you begin speaking, please state your full name for the record and spell your last name. Each speaker will have three minutes
which is strictly enforced. When the speaker has one minute remaining, the speaker will receive a visual notice to complete his or her comments. Uh 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. The board is here to listen to your comments only. You may be directed to an administrative fa staff member uh 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 may use a student's first or last name. Identifying references to other students is also prohibited. A speaker speech does not reflect endorsement, sponsorship, or um position or
expression of the school district. Thank you for your attention to this board's requirements. Madame Chair, that includes that concludes my explanatory remarks. >> Thank you, Attorney Powers. So, Miss Martinez Young, will you please call our first speaker, >> Emily Parker?
Good evening, Miss Parker. >> Hello. My name is Emily Parker. P A R K E R. I am an ESC specialist for Marian County Public Schools, entering my 29th year as an educator. I'm also the mother of three, the youngest of whom is about to
begin his senior year at UCF. I raised my children almost entirely as a single parent. When my son entered his senior year at Belleview High School in 2021, the district's family insurance plan was already out of reach. The premium would have consumed more than
25% of my take-home pay. My son needed vision insurance because he was legally blind without his glasses. But everything else, his yearly strep throat, bronchitis, routine medical care, was paid for out of pocket and spread across credit cards. Then the
unexpected happened. During his senior year, my 6'3", 160b son suffered two spontaneous collapsed lungs. Two hospitalizations, surgery, and follow-up visits wiped out my savings, maxed out
my credit cards, exhausted my leave, and cost me my second job. Five years ago, your family plan was already unaffordable for many single parent teachers. Today, you're considering increasing that cost
significantly, not because Blue Cross Blue Shield raised its rates, but because the district wants to build reserves far beyond what the state requires. Many of your employees are already working second and third jobs. If you make this insurance even less
affordable, you'll force even more of them to do the same. They won't be sponsoring clubs, volunteering for family nights, or serving on committees. They'll be working another shift so they can afford to keep health insurance. Others will simply do as I did and go
without coverage, hoping nothing catastrophic happens to their family. At 55 years old, going without insurance isn't an option for me. But I have to ask, have you considered what happens to the quality of education when experienced educators have to spend
their evenings working somewhere else just to pay for the insurance provided by their employer? I understand that costs are rising everywhere, but this proposal isn't driven by Blue Cross Blue Shields premiums. It's a choice. Tonight, you have the opportunity to
choose the people who make this district work. Please reject proposed changes to the self-funded health plan. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Tr. >> Good evening, Miss Truly.
>> Good evening. My name is Vicky Truly. Um, T reu L I E B. Good evening board. There's a difference between a need and a want. I need to drink water in order to survive. I want to drink Diet Coke. I
need to have a shelter to protect myself from weather. I want that to be a house. You need 60 days worth of reserve for healthcare. You want to move extra money to the general fund.
My friend's coworker was in tears over an increase that she can't financially support. I want no employee to be in tears over issues that can be prevented. Yes, preparing for a worst case scenario can certainly be a wise decision.
However, now is not the time for that. You have spent the past two years callously balancing the budget off the backs of teachers, and that practice needs to stop now. Last year, you eliminated positions so that classrooms would absorb a couple extra students per class. Then at the end of the year, to
prepare for this year's budget, you had elementary schools cut one unit and secondary schools cut two, which again increases class sizes and teacher demands. Now, you want to increase health insurance, not out of necessity, but because it seems like a good move for the future. I believe in planning
for the future, but only if the present allows me that opportunity. Our present does not allow that opportunity for you. In fact, in an economy with everinccreasing costs, now is certainly not the most prudent time to squirrel away extra money that's far beyond what
the state expects. Cut your employees a break. They are already going above and beyond to meet the crazy demands that keeps being stacked on them. Having them pay extra for the same health insurance when it's not necessary is completely absurd. Furthermore, this greatly
impacts families which harms what we claim to hold so dear, our students. Please reconsider this proposal and realize that now is not the time. Our employees deserve better so that they can do better for our students. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Truly. >> Helen Hamill. >> Can you repeat the name? >> Helen Hamill. Good evening, Miss Hamill. >> Good evening, Helen Hamill. Last name, uh, Hel.
I am so pleased to talk with you guys today. Unfortunately, it is to advise you to not do something. Typically, I'm in pretty good agreement with what we plan to do. I have been on this insurance pathway for quite a while. I
joined the insurance committee back when we were first making this decision to go to a self-funded option. We went to the self-funded option to protect our employees from the rampant changes that were happening in the and the insurance
agencies. We also went to this plan to be able to embed those savings and those profits back here in Marian County to better serve our employees, not some insurance company's bottom line. And we were able to do that over the last two
or three years. We have increased coverage options for our members. We have decreased deductibles and premiums, especially for family coverage. And this has made such a difference to our employees. It's not just teachers like
myself, but you have to understand our insurance plan funds and and supports employees from all echelons of Marian County Public Schools. I hate to say it, but I'm one of those freeloaders. I'm a
single person on the free plan. So, I am blessed that my plan isn't changing. Thank you. But what I can see is that my peers and my co-workers and my bus drivers coming to school every day and my custodial
staff coming to work every day who don't make quite as much as I do are going to be facing the same increases that teachers are going to be struggling to make and we are lucky enough to make just a little bit more. So please reconsider these proposed
changes to the insurance plan. Let's stick with the goals of that self-funded option. We made that decision and it was a good decision. It took some work for the first couple years to get things started and rolling and build that
balance. We've got a strong enough balance in the insurance fund. Let's keep that. Don't settle the budget on the back of the employees, many of whom are going to be struggling to make it enough as it is. We're all facing inflation and unfortunately looking into
the future and after that budget presentation, I'm just not going to guess that there's a lot out there for salary increases to match that inflation. So, please don't settle your budget on the backs of the employees. Keep us in mind. Reject these changes to the
self-funded option. Let's stick with what works. Let's stick with what serves our employees. Changes are not needed at this time. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Nancy Stagner. >> Good evening, Miss Stagner.
>> Good evening. I'm Nancy Stagner. Sti G Ner. And thank you for allowing me this opportunity. Um, this is my first time, so I apologize. Right. I'm [clears throat] here to urge you to keep the employee health insurance benefit as
is with no changes. My understanding is that currently MS MCPS is self-insured and our insurance fund is maintained separately from the Florida FTE funding and from [clears throat] what Miss Hamill indicated, it seems that it's in
pretty good shape and we can afford to wait to make this decision. When I returned to Ocala in 2019 to support my elderly parents, I came home to Maring County Public Schools. I remember feeling so grateful because of the care
that the school board members took while guiding us back from COVID. My former colleagues from a different school district had ridiculed me, saying, "Oh, you're working there in Hickville." And I confidently told them, "My health care
makes up for what I changed in salary. And more importantly, I work for a school system that cared about my community and me." Last spring, the precarious federal and state level funding caused you to make some very difficult decisions and it was the
reduction in staff. In addition to dealing with personnel cuts, our sitebased administrators were also learning sightbased budgeting, which is very different from what they were used to. The tension last spring was very tenable. One of the consequences of
staff reduction for me was to accept teaching four different courses this year and I do so willingly because it provides opportunity for the students at my school. I can keep that schedule as long as I stay healthy and the current
health plan ensures that I will stay healthy. Let us maintain our core values by demonstrating to your employees your support of your community by providing the employees the opportunity for the better health care so that we can
maintain our resilience towards the excellence we are all hoping for. >> Thank you. Mark Avery. >> Good evening, Mr. Avery. >> Good evening, Mark Avery. A vryer y. I'm
the president of the Maran Education Association. I also want to say though that this affects all the employees of this district, not just the instructional employees, but every single person that has insurance that is not plan number
one, which was mentioned as the free plan, because there's a proposed increase to every other plan unless your spouse works for the district. Um, and those are going to be traumatic to all the employees in the district. I know
the the CFO earlier mentioned that there's inflation. Well, that inflation is also on the backs of the employees and so there's two things that we're talking about here. We're talking about some tweaks to the plan that help the plans reserve be a little bit more
healthy. Um the plan's reserve currently are at $30 million. We need roughly 13 million plus to 2 million for costs that we haven't received the bill for yet. So, but that 13 million roughly says that for it's
about 6.5 million for a month and we need to have 60 days. So, two months we have well over four months in that reserve based on all the predictions of increased costs and increased pharmacy costs. If we don't do anything to the
plan, we would be about 21 million at the end of 2027. Not 2026, at the end of 2027. Okay. So, there's a few tweaks to make that get up to around 25 million if
the proposed um increases happen. That's not the biggest complaint. The biggest complaint is to raise rates for those employees and that is for one reason only to take 2.95 million and move it into the general
fund. That is on the backs of the employees. Not just employees I represent, but all the employees. I'm disappointed there's not more employees here. I mean, these are summertime for some of them. And you know that I'm very proud of the people that came here to tell you that they're not okay with this
change. And so we hope that you will listen to us. I know that you have a lot on your plate and I know that there's financial decisions coming and there's a lot of ones that are not in our control. But this is something that we don't need to do. We tend to tout the follow the law and try to maintain the law uh what
the statutes say. Well, the statute says we only need 3% in our reserve fund. and we've traditionally run way above that. And so there's this is not a time to have the employees put more money in that fund. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Is there any other public comment? >> No, Madam Chair, that's it. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you to our public speakers for coming forward. We'll be addressing that item shortly. Moving on to our consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda items? >> Motion to approve consent the consent
agenda. 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. Moving on to student disciplinary matters. Before addressing expulsion matters, I would like to acknowledge the board members have received the alternative placement
list for students through June 4th, 2026. Miss Martinez Jang, are there any parents who have submitted a timely request to speak on their child's disciplinary matter? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-207E,
JD26-208, and JD26-209 with services for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year and the entire 2026 2027 school year. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to our discussion. Regular agenda items D20.1. May I have a motion to utilize State of Florida contract 432100-23-
Omnia-acs for technology product solutions and related services. >> So move. >> Second. >> A motion by uh Reverend Cummings and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer. >> Yes, board. Um, as you know, we pull any
item that's usually over a $500,000 threshold from the consent agenda and we move it to the discussion um area to allow for comment um by the board. And so this item was moved for discussion. It is $1.3 million and it's a lease of
technology products such as hardware, software, and technology services. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Board, is there any comment or questions about this item? Board member Thur. >> Thank you. And and just a quick question. I think everyone's concerned about the increasing use of technology
and um the effects it has on on all of us, but it sounds like this is more for hardware, infrastructure, things to keep what we do have moving. Is that accurate? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Is there any other board discussion? Right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to D20. May I have a motion? Uh, may I have a motion to the state of Florida alternate alternate contract source 4321 0-26-mia-acs-ex for technology solutions products and
services. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer. >> Um, in a similar context, this item is in the amount of $1.9 million. This is to purchase technology equipment as
needed at competitive pricing. >> Thank you, Dr. Burr. Board, any further discussion on this item? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0 D20.3. May I have a motion to approve the piggyback agreement with Gatekeeper Systems USA,
Inc.? Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Cummings. Dr. Burr. >> Yes. This item is in the amount of 1 million, but I do want to share just a little bit about this particular um agreement. This is a piggyback agreement with Gatekeeper. Um Gatekeeper camera
system offers the video coverage that our school buses use to ensure the safety of our students and staff during transportation. The gatekeeper system provides reliable digital video recording of the entire interior and some exterior views of the bus. The
system then allows authorized personnel to access the video footage to investigate traffic accidents, liability claims, and student behaviors and other violations. Thank you, Dr. Breer. Board, is there any discussion?
I will just say um this is one of those things that we're going to have to have every year because as we refresh our fleet, we will then have to purchase the subsequent gatekeeper or whatever other vendor we're using to be able to make sure that we have the proper safety protocols on the buses. So, while we've
allocated about $4 million a year for buses, this is an additional expense to make sure those buses are ready for the road. Is there any other discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0 D20.4. May I have a
motion to approve the changes to the self-funded health plan? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. Dr. Brewer. >> Yes, ma'am. This item is in the amount of 61 million. Um, this is to minimize the financial impact on the general
fund. It is recommended the board budget. The 61 million effective January 1, 2027. The reduced funding request will be supported by increased employee payroll contributions to further protect the available reserves in the self-funded health plan fund. It is
recommended the board also approve the proposed plan changes to include the implementation of assured excellence which is the comprehensive claims mitigation program and updating deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums on the four health insurance options.
>> Thank you Dr. Bordon. I open it up for discussion. [cough] [clears throat] I'll go. Remember, >> thank you and and thank you to the the speakers and everyone else in the audience that's here tonight to support the speakers who spoke. Uh we did have a
comprehensive discussion on this during our last work session. Um this hits home for me as a longtime employee, remembering when everything was so much cheaper. Um, and the times that we're
in, we've had some good times and we've had some real struggles uh over many years. And I think it's our task as a school board to try to soften the tough times
as best we can and also acknowledge that when the times are really tough. Um, we need to keep a lot more than 3% in our reserves. And
a big reason for that is because when we go to make large purchases like buses and building schools and things, that's how you get the best interest rate to even be able to afford to do those kinds of things. So, it's all intertwined.
That being said, um after thinking about it a lot myself and and hearing what was said by the speakers this evening, um I would like to propose two things for the board to think about. Uh
the first one is is that because of the current state of the medical arena um the committee needs I believe to meet uh sooner uh more often
um and get that ball rolling because for next year because I don't think that this is going to get better anytime soon and we have to continue to try to be as visionary as we have been already to look for all of the options to try to
maintain service or enhance service while still holding the line on cost or trying to decrease cost when we can. I was part of the board when we went to the self-funded option. It was a little scary, but it ended up working out well. I was thrilled that we were able to
decrease deductibles. You know, that was a good time [laughter] for for us. Um, I wish I could say we're still there, but the second thing that I would like the board to possibly entertain, and I put this in tandem with meeting, starting at the meetings again,
the committee meetings of of the insurance committee as soon as possible, um, to entertain the idea of maybe meeting in the middle here. Um I I don't know that it I can really say with
confidence that maintaining things exactly right the way they are with the way things are is the wisest choice. But I I I hear everyone nothing is very easy right now. And if
we can do anything to try to soften the blow a little bit, then maybe that can be maybe we can find coalition um propose change one rather than propose change two and look to start meeting again as soon as possible and and keep
working this. So that's what I'd like to throw out there. >> Thank you, board member Thor. Reverend Cummings. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And um I I think I shared my concerns with this move at our work session that um I I I'm just
not in agreement with this. Um I I just heard Miss Thor's recommendations and those are uh very very thoughtful recommendations, but I look at the the state of where we are right now. And I I appreciate the recommendation that came
from Mr. Rios and the team and all those that put the work in. I'm not the expert in that, but what I am uh is I recognize the time that we're in and uh we're in a state where gas is almost $4 a g gallon.
Everything's rising, inflation is rising. um at this time I don't know that this is the time that you do something like this to staff um to create another financial
burden um as as you heard the example tonight of someone being one catastrophic in uh situation from basically being um bankrupt. And so I I I don't want our staff to come to to
work um stressed about those types of things. Uh yes, we did some great things with um uh reducing the deductibles um in the time and putting in a self-funded insurance plan, but is this the is this the most this is the right time? This is
the prudent thing to do. Is there is could there be some type of um u midground meeting in there somewhere? I don't know. But I I could tell you that tonight I won't be voting in favor for it. >> Thank you, Robert Cummings. Dr. Campbell,
>> thank you. So, as the board's liaison on the insurance committee, I want to first thank the folks who were here who sit on that committee with me because we see each other on the little box and not always face to face. So, and I know Mr. Avery was grateful that I said some
things to um so it kept him from having to say all the things that that they uh that we all talked about in the work session just recently about this. I I want to first explain a bit about the middle ground that has already been
reached. And so if you look at the proposed plans and we have it's it's all uploaded in board docs and there were I believe 12 different options if I'm not mistaken. uh and each of those would have cost a certain amount and employees would have
been paying and and paying more than what they currently are. Uh of those 12, four of them maintained a free plan for single individuals. Um and they also uh the one that we've chosen also is if a spouse is also employed would actually
have a a reduced rate. The one that's being proposed, let me say that. Um, I understand the challenges and I understand that we have additional opportunities. We had
an email from an employee uh who expressed many of the same things that were expressed this evening for a single parent with a child on the plan, how expensive that is uh and and how much more that will be. that employee was unaware of the Cenus option that has the
no co-pay and that might be an option for her and her family. We also have the assured excellence that's coming on board. We we have lots of additional things that can save employees money that may not be taken advantage of. So,
let me let me say all those things. What what I also want to say is just before this meeting, we had our special school board meeting where we approved the tenative budget. And if we vote against this current proposed plan of option
three, and instead take up the option of what board member Thrower has said, which would be option one, that is a $1.1 million difference. And when you approve a 1.23 two three billion dollar budget. $1.1 million doesn't sound like
a huge amount of money, but we also have talked about the differences in the operating fund of this $668 some odd million dollars. So, it it $1.1 million is certainly nothing to sneeze at. And so, we just approved a tenative budget balanced with that change. So, uh, if
the board chooses this evening to vote against the proposal, I know that our finance team has a lot of pencil sharpening they're going to have to be doing because that is not a small amount to sneeze at. U, those are the kinds of things, and I I'm not
trying to be negative against anyone sitting up here, but those are the kinds of things that probably would have been helpful before they presented a tenative budget to us this evening if if we thought that we were going to vote against it. uh that it's there's just a lot of work that has to go into find $1.1 million in the matter of a week. Um
so for those reasons, I'm going to go ahead and vote for this though I understand the the challenges that are have been expressed. What I also will say is I believe it will be imperative that our
partners uh who work with us have an extensive communication campaign way more than we've ever done before on all of the options that our employees have with assured excellence coming on board with Cenus being a nocost option all of those
things our employees not only need to know them they need to know where they're located and how they can access them because that was the issue that the employee who reached out to me said, "Oh, I heard about that last year, but I don't even know where it was." So, how can they use it if we're not actually
telling them? Um, so for all of those reasons, uh, I will be voting in favor of this this evening with the understanding that our communication campaign on all of the options for, uh, health benefits for our employees has to be communicated even more extensively
than we ever have before. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. Board member. Oh, sorry. Board member fur. >> Thank you. I just wanted to respond as sure was something I brought forward and and thank you very much board member Campbell for talking about communication
because we are just in an era where things are hard and if there are opportunities and options to reduce costs uh we need to make sure that and sometimes it's frustrating because you think how much more information can we push out? Well, I think that's half the
problem. We push out so much information that sometimes things get lost. But but this is clearly a a major issue. And I wasn't sure that I was going to vote against this tonight. I'm still not sure that I'm going to vote against it tonight. But um this is very real stuff
for our employees. And in the end, it's our employees that, you know, make this company work. Um, but at the same time, we've been well briefed on where we are with the budget and the fiscal cliff that that we have looming and the fact
that $150 million infusions from the federal government don't come along all the time. And once that money is spent down, employees that were hired and maintained with that money, it's no longer available. You know, we're we're definitely in some some headwinds here. It reminds me a little bit of when we
went through the great recession and that was painful and I would love to try to do whatever we can um to try to soften the blow and that's why I proposed a potential compromise. all the
points you raised um as the board member that serves on the committee are completely valid. And so it it it just makes it a really tough decision when
even as a single person, we're looking at increasing the deductible from an already pretty insurmountable for most people $2,000 to 2500. you know, uh, it almost it just makes it out of reach and
we want I want things to be in reach for our people so they can stay healthy and come to work and do all the things that we're trying to do for kids. So, this is a tough one, >> Madam Chair. Madam Chair, >> yes. >> So, I hear I heard Dr. Campbell and
again, I still hear um, Miss Thor, the question for me is, is this the right time? We're not just talking about teachers. We're not just talking about administrators. We're talking about every employee in this school district. Some make awesome salaries. Some just
make barely over minimum wage. And so you're saying we're going to put this on them at this time. And again, I I understand the the the numbers um that came from the through the recommendation.
We are we are faced with looking at there. We have people that are working in our district and you got you can't you can't just look at one class of people that are working poor and to put an additional burden on them at this
season is just not fair. It's just not right. um we got to do what we got to do in other ways, but you can't you cannot um continue and then ask more and ask more of them and ask more of them when they're telling you I may have to go
work a second job or a third job or go without something and then we expect them to come to work and be topnotch. That's not how you treat your people. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings. Board member Conrad, did you have thoughts? >> Don't do that. We're we're not
applauding and we're just listen. Everybody's had a chance to speak. We're not doing applause or sign waving or anything like that. Okay. >> Board member Conrad. >> Uh thank you, Chair. Um I am in favor of this plan. Um not happy about it. I feel
like as a board member this last year, every conversation has started with change is hard. um even when I feel it's the right thing to do, it doesn't feel good. Um when I was in my board
briefing, um it was shared that, you know, this is something that we we have to do. We have to align our numbers. And so I ask, what's the option? You know, what are our choices if if um this is going to be a burden,
you know, for our staff? And one of those options is what you see on the news, if you're watching the news every evening, losing a large number, letting go of a large number of our staff. And so I'm very appreciative of those that
emailed, those that called, those of you that are here this evening. But I feel like I I'm choosing the lesser of two evils. I am for people, and so I'm choosing to keep people. Um,
again, it's a hard decision to make and and I'm one of these people. I'm on the family plan. Um, it it affects almost all of us in in some way, shape, or form. And so, uh, as I look out into the audience, um, it it's really nice to have you all here this evening. And I
just I want you to know that you you are heard. Um, my time over here sharing my thoughts ends. That doesn't mean my thoughts um end here. And and I think it's very important that I I love Miss Thrower's idea that we get ahead of this
and start um talking. I'm open for ideas um talking about doing something different, but I'm not comfortable with keeping um a minimum in our reserve. So, um Marian County has always been fiscally responsible and and I will vote
that we continue to stay that way. So, thank you, Chair. >> Thank you, board member Conrad. Um, I'll take liberty to share. I haven't yet. And so I'm I'm going to start by saying this, and I shared this in an email that I got. My family goes uninsured. So my
husband is self-employed, and so am I. And so I'm insured through Maring County with the free plan. Um, and we have a supplemental plan. And similar to one of the public speakers tonight, we kind of live our life on a prayer. um and pray that God has our back because if
something catastrophic happened, it would be an incredible financial burden for my family. So, I hope that that comes off as something that you all can take. I understand the burden when I was a teacher with Marian County. I remember what felt like half of my paycheck going
to pay for my family to be insured at the time because I was childbearing and was in a season where I had kids and I needed to have health insurance. When I sit in this seat, similar to what board member Conrad has shared, the conversations that I've had with with um
our CFO and our superintendent is what are my options? And where I am is we have to preserve our people as best as possible. I do not want to be an Orange County that's laying off 300 people. I
do not want to be like many of these districts that are laying off hundreds of people. Um, Miss Maria and I have had this conversation a lot. What do we have to do to save our people? And so, this is a step to ensure that we can
save our people this year. Almost all of our people that we were displaced with um the family engagement liaison have been placed back within our organization. And so my goal every year when we talk about the budget and balancing it is going to
be how do we save our people? And so it can feel like it's on the back of the employee because this is it's a cost burden that's going to the employee and I absolutely understand that. But I would rather have you here with a paying a little bit more for insurance than not
have you at all. And that is the reality that this district is facing. And so I am in complete agreement. I would love for the conversation to start and be a regular meeting because really I would love for us to have the conversation with our bargaining units and get your
feedback. What is this is where we are. Would you guys prefer um reducing force by this many people or we this option or this option? And we talk about these are the options we have to take. Please give your opinion to help inform the board. I think that that is a wonderful idea
because the reality is we have to balance the budget and we have to figure it out. And so um what we have in front of us is um the reality of that conversation. I do believe now is the time. I think that um it is not wise to put ourselves in a position where we may
not have enough money. We can disagree on that and that's okay, but the reality is I don't ever want to be a board member that doesn't have the money we need in reserves to make sure we can pay our bills and pay the benefits for our employees. So that is my personal take on it. Um and what I hear is um three
board members in agreement with what's been presented forward. Was there any further comment about this matter? Board member Thrower. >> Thank you. Um and it I hear as well that there's three board members that are in favor of it. So there's really no point
in offering up an amended motion um to consider u the middle ground of of one because it's going to fail. >> [laughter] >> So, um, we are where we are. >> All right. Is everyone prepared to vote?
>> We'll vote. >> All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed? >> Nay. >> No. Motion passes 32. Moving on to item D 20.5. May I have a motion to approve the compensation amendment number five to the
construction manager contract guaranteed maximum price GMP for unforeseen subsurface void investigation remediation and site restoration related to construction of new high school CCC now known as South Maran High School
project 24-105. >> So move >> second motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Conrad. Dr. Brewer. >> Thank you chair. Um this item is in the amount of $671,917. U Mr. White House is here and is prepared to um just provide the
community information about this item. You all have been briefed on this already, but he's ready to go. >> Thank you, Mr. White House. >> Thank you, Chair. Um again, just as a recap, this amendment is providing $671,917 in capital funds um to address
unforeseen subsurface void conditions that were discovered at South Marin High School. Um this funding is going towards the investigation, remediation, site restoration of the athletic field um and then the subsequent repairs of that athletic field that will be necessary for us to protect the long-term safety
and integrity of the campus uh for our students. Uh the substantial completion is expected on or before October 29th of 2026. Uh Mr. Maxier has been working diligently and has arranged for playing his home football games at other sites while the field is being restored.
>> All right. Thank you, Mr. White House. Board, any questions? Chair, I'll be recusing myself from this vote. Okay. Board member Thor. >> Thank you. And um just for folks that are following um from home, the more layman's term of an unforeseen
subsurface void investigation, is that aka sinkhole? >> Uh the possible formation of those. Yes, ma'am. And >> okay, >> the goal is to get ahead of that and to be able to stabilize the underground to make sure that we don't end up with a larger mess on our hands. >> Thank you. Appreciate that explanation.
>> Thank you um Mr. store for for clearing that up because I think sometimes we we're we're doing we're doing it the right way but sometimes I think we talk over people head and we need to make sure that the community is clear exactly what it is. So thank you Mr. Williams for clearing it up.
>> Board any other discussion all those in favor say I. >> I motion passes four with uh 40 with one recusal D20.6 Six. May I have a motion to approve the adult general education AG
grant application 2026-2027? >> Motion to approve the grant application. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. Dr. Brewer. >> Yes. Thank you. Again, we pulled this item because of the dollar amount. It's in the the grant application is um in the amount of $650,511.
This is to support our GED program that is housed at U Maran Technical College. >> Wonderful. Thank you board. Any comments on this? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. C3.1. May I have a
motion to approve expenditure exceeded for North Florida buying group NFBG for main food and supply items and USDA commodity processing via the Elatcha County Public Schools RFP23-24. >> Motion to approve.
>> Second. A motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Conrad. Dr. Brewer, did you have additional items? >> Yes, ma'am. This this is a positive increase. We had um we served 99,492 meals this summer, which was much more
than we anticipated, but a very positive um need was met in the community. Um and so with this high level of participation, we do need to increase this amount um in the amount of $150,000 for the remaining of this um contract.
>> Okay. Thank you board. Any discussion? >> Thank you. And and this is uh to to support the success of the summer feeding program. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. And and I appreciate the explanation. it does kind of line up with what we just, you know, voted on.
There's a lot of need in this community right now and and I just continue to look forward to finding as many creative ways as we can to re to support um our employees and to support the the community so we can get our kids
educated and keep good people around. >> Madam Chair, >> yes, >> Madam Chair, this is u again I'm I'm complete favor of this. I think um as I look throughout this summer uh there are some kids that uh
would not have been in a good situation had it not been for our summer feeding program. So this is a necessity and um I'm I'm just grateful that we're able to provide this service um through the summer feeding program for these kids that they they really need some there
are some that really really this the only meal that they can count on. Uh, so it's necessary. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings. Any other comment from the board? >> I'm just grateful we continue to expand the offerings and make it available to more families so that our students can
be wellfed in their time off in the summer. Hearing no further discussion, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. >> C7.3. May I have a motion to request an expenditure increase additional site work for Westport High School's
synthetic turf field project? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Campbell. >> Second by board member Conrad and Dr. Brewer. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I pulled this item even though it does not meet the dollar threshold because I wanted um Mr. Donnie Tucker to come to the podium and
to provide some additional information about this project at Westport High School. The dollar amount is um in the amount of 223,826, but he was able to contract to speak with AstroTurf today and they have
agreed to send us an updated proposal in the amount of $15,000 less than this 223 request. Our contract will not change because as all contracts um are it's up to the amount and so we will just ensure that our requisition to them does not
exceed the 15,000 less than the 223. Mr. Tucker. >> Good evening, Mr. Tucker. >> Good evening. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. [clears throat] This is actually the second um decrease. So, the original proposal was for an additional 223,000 and I spoke to the company the first
time. They sent us an updated proposal for 199,000. Well, I spoke to them earlier today and they've agreed to knock it down another 15,000. So, it would take it to whatever that is less 199 less 15,000. So,
>> 185 184 >> 184 something to that effect. >> Don't quote me on that. >> That's correct. So that's where we are at this point. >> And would you mind expanding on the reason for the increase? >> Yes. So the there was the original
proposal for all the work that was going to be done was basically 1.7 was what was approved sometime in May, right? >> May 26. >> Correct. So this additional money was
for an option that was that we had to choose. Right. So, but this is work that has to be done. So, it wasn't part of the original construction project. It was something that they to they came back and they made it an option. Well, the option was overlooked. It wasn't
checked. That box wasn't checked when we looked at the original proposal that you guys approved in May. So, when I caught that, it was like, okay, well, now we have to go back for this additional money and to meet the needs of of something that had to be done. So the
milling of the track, this is for the milling of the surface and additional asphalt put on top so the rubberized surface can be put on the track. So that's pretty much does that answer your question? >> Yes, chair. If I can add um and the timeline is incredibly important because
of the games um and the season taking place. So that's why this um your approval is um greatly appreciated this evening. >> And they they have if if nobody has seen it, they have started doing stuff over there. They've been working since last Thursday. So, they're they're making
some good progress, but this is something that has to be done quickly. >> Understood. Board, is there any discussion or comments on this item? Board member Thor. >> Thank you and and thank her. Thank you, Mr. Tucker um for your good work in reducing the cost because I continue to
be of the mind that when we are getting quotes from companies that are supposed to be experts, they should have just realized that it was going to take this milling and and put it in with the regular contract. And it's the second time in my recent memory that, you know,
we've been asked to approve additional money for additional site work uh for things that in in my opinion probably should have been part of it the first time. So, uh, I really appreciate you going back with them and and getting what you could and now we can still stick to the timeline and start playing
our games and I know the community will be happy about that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any other comment from the board? Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you. I'm I'm just going to say I'm grateful that we are moving forward with this project. It's been a long time in discussion and been a long time coming
that this board has committed to doing this work for these outdoor athletic facilities that so desperately need um this work. And so this will be our first rubberized track. Well, I guess South Marian technically is, but uh first one on an existing traditional school that
was a traditional school in 2526. Uh so this is needed for these students and it will benefit all students basically. I mean, not just our track athletes, but Westport certainly has plenty of them. Uh, but it'll benefit all of our students who take PE and physical education and and all the
things that that happen. So, um, just grateful for the work that's being done. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. >> Thank you, board. Any additional remarks? I just want to thank Mr. Tucker for our discussion um, and our focus on ensuring that we are making our athletic
facilities stronger and better for all of our students across Marian County. It's going to take about five years to get everybody to an even playing field. That was not a plan I intended, but um I think that we're doing great work and we are going to see the fruits of our labor
and our money by our students being able to perform better and perform safer on our campuses. >> Thank you. >> Hearing no further discussion, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. >> Miss Martinez Young, we do we have any further speakers this evening?
>> No, Madam Chair. >> All right. Thank you. I will move into meeting reminders. The next administrative briefing and work session is scheduled for August 6th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. And there's a schoolboard meeting scheduled for August 11th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. I'll move into committee
reports and concerns. Miss Martinez Young, anything from the clerk's office? >> No, madam chair. >> And attorney powers? >> Nothing from legal. Thank you. >> Dr. Brewer. >> Yes. Thank you. In the consent agenda this evening, um you approved a grant, a reimburseable grant. Um it was titled
Thrive Tutoring powered by the United Way of Marian County. So I'm um exceptionally excited about this particular grant. This the funds will be given to seven of our seven of our schools and the principles will be able to hire their own tutors to work directly with the students during the
school day. So we're excited and we appreciate our partnership with the United Way. Um also have a couple celebrations. Um last Thursday we had our summer graduation which has been um this is our third year doing that celebration and it's exciting. These
students have overcome um more sometimes than many adults have in their entire lives. So we're incredibly proud of these students. We had 28 of our students from traditional high schools and then we had 50 from the Marian County Acceleration Academy. So it was a great night. So thank you all for being
there. We also um have Belleview Middle School's FFA won the state championship in conduct of chapters and so now they are competing in the nationals in nationals in October. So that would be
exciting to watch their journey. Also, you might have seen in the news this weekend, but we had a group of young stu student athletes that won the flag football 14 and under championship, national championship. So, those are
some of our students and so we're incredibly proud that they represented us so well on the national level. And last but not least, tomorrow and Thursday. So, Wednesday and Thursday, we have our great beginnings taking place and that is where we will welcome at
this point, as of this morning, 118 new teachers to Marian County Public Schools. So, um we're excited to welcome them and it will be a great two days. Our professional leadership and learning department has worked really hard to make sure their day is filled with lots
of onboarding and learning. So, they're off to a good start. And la really last but not least, this is the last August the 6 is our next work session and we have a full agenda. So I just want to give you a preview of what will be included in that agenda. As Mr. Welsh
said we he will provide the budget um the first part of the budget which will also include an overview of COPS, our certificate of participation. We also will provide you the graduation dates for 2027 so families can begin to prepare. We
also have added um per your request, Mr. Collins will provide an RFP process overview for the realtor services as the um as an agenda item. Those are all my comments. Chair, >> thank you board member Thorer. >> Thank you. And um also too, while we
were busy with summer graduation, our uh Hillrest um and and actually Marian County Public Schools teacher of the year, Zenita Henry, and and a bunch of supporters were were down in Orlando, eagerly hoping that that she was going to be the Florida teacher of the year.
She she was not, but she did receive another very special honor. And would you mind just quickly sharing what that was since you were there? >> Um I think we're holding that for a secret for now. I hope I didn't just tell you. No, that's okay. Okay. [laughter] Because when it's really exciting news,
it's harditing. Yeah. Keep it quiet. Okay. So, um, hold on to that everybody. But >> hold on. Hold on. Yeah. >> Okay. But Miss Miss Henry is apparently not done yet. So, we need to continue to be very proud of of her and and and um all of our teachers and all of our
staff. August 9th is the day before school starts and that is Sunday. And as has been the tradition for quite a few years now, New St. John Missionary Baptist Church along with I'm sure quite a few other churches will be acknowledging back to school Sunday and
it is a very special service. starts at 10:45 and uh I'm I think the board all the board did get uh invitations and it really is a a wonderful uh worship opportunity and I think we have a vice chair that will probably speak to some
other things that are going on on that Sunday. So I'll hold on to that. I'm going to close my comments by just trying to keep it simple. When does school start? >> August 10th. >> August 10th. School starts August 10th.
It's really important for families to know that they can register their students before the first day of school. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Online, >> please do. >> What is the process briefly? They can go to the our district website
and go to the registration section and the instructions are there or they can contact their school and the school can help them out as well. >> Great. And I would love to see some type of lots of PSAs [laughter] just with those simple two simple
things. When does school start? August 10th. Can you register your child ahead of time so they are ready for the first day of school to hopefully the bus will be on time if they're a bus rider? And if they're not, we're going to be part of that mantra of working on what went
well. Right, Mr. Christian? >> What went right. That's right. I should know that by now. What went right because when the first day of school begins, the more prepared we all are and the more kids that are registered and and ready to start definitely helps
reduce the chaos of the first day of school. Most of it is really fun chaos. There's a lot of excitement, but we really want to keep in mind and be part of that philosophy of not just what right, but doing what we need to do to make it go right. so we can list all of
those accomplishments. That is all I have for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Thor, Reverend Cummings. >> Thank you, ma'am. Um, congratulations. I want to start by saying uh again to let me start by backing up to our finance people, to our
um CFO and all those. I I thank you guys for the work that you put in um trying with this budget and all the recommendations concerning even the insurance. Um you know how I feel. Um thank you for
that work. I want to go ahead and say congratulations to all of our our new principles. That was that's a that's a great group of people that are want to be leading our schools. Um, I'm excited about what they're going to do and how they're going to do it and definitely
excited about South Marian High School, one of the schools in my district. Um, looking forward to a a bare football game. So, uh, that's going to come forth. Then, Miss Thrower hit on what I was going to my big thing that I was going to hit on. >> Sorry.
>> August this No, no, that's a great thing. We all need to say it. We all need to say it. Um, August 10th. It's is right. is it's right around the corner. It seems like it's a long way away, but it's actually very closer than we think. I've been getting phone calls from
people who are trying to register their kids and and asking those questions and and pointing them to the direction of our our website and um and to district people that they need to talk to. Um there's there's no burden there's no
there's no obstacle that the district can't overcome if they start right now and and making sure that these kids are ready for school on the first day. I encourage the parents, I encourage grandparents, whomever the guardians to have those conversations. Don't wait
till till um August 10th, the morning of of August 10th, 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock in the morning when you're trying to get to work and trying to get your kids to school on the first day and and it's it's going to be frustration. So, let's relieve some of that frustration now by
going ahead and getting it done. Um it we have great staff that will help you uh whatever you need to get these kids in school. And then once school starts, um, our campaign is that the kids got to be in class. They got to be in the
seats, their butts have to be on the desk, in the desk, and that's the only way we're going to continue to move in a in a in a forward momentum. Um, the progress for this district. So, um, I'm counting down. I'm looking forward to the first day of school. Um, and, uh, I
got a grandson that's going to be starting at an early learning academy this this this year. I'm praying for that school. [laughter] I'm praying for that school because I know what he does at my house. So [laughter] So he's he's going to be good
cuz cuz grandpa don't play the radio. So uh call me call me. So but um we're looking forward to him going to school. So um that's those were my comments. >> Thank you, Reverend Cummings, Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you. Not trying to rehash some of
the wonderful things that have already been mentioned. It was great to see our new principles this evening. Not only is school starting on August 10th, but we also have orientations for new students and those kinds of things happening all next week. So, make sure you check your school calendar on that too. So, you can
go and actually learn more about the school before the first day, first week of school. So, so please check the calendars on those items, too. Um, I also noted I believe August 6th, uh, Dr. Dr. Brewer, you're also bringing to us the school assignment recommendations.
>> Yes, ma'am, I am. >> Okay, perfect. Just wanted to make sure of that. Um, August 9th, you've already touched on the new St. John. You'll touch on the other piece, so I'll leave that there. Uh, I also wanted to just mention there has been some community
conversation about my continual recusal during votes that relate to Wharton Smith. And though I have expressed this before publicly multiple times, I will express it again publicly. Uh long before the school district ever started
doing any construction or knew we would have money to construct schools, I started working a contract, my public relations business with Wharton Smith. And uh I've been doing that for some other work that they have here in the county that they're doing specifically for Marian County. And that started back
in 2022 before we ever even knew we were going to be able to build schools. And I didn't know they built schools. However, uh in full transparency and with ethical fortitude, I have recused myself from every single discussion or vote that related to Wharton Smith because I
believe that is the most appropriate thing to do. So, I just wanted to because I had another recusal this evening. I wanted to make sure that the community was fully aware of why that occurs. Uh, and two final things. U earlier this
evening, we had our special schoolboard meeting to receive the tenative budget and to approve that. In years past, we've had that meeting at 5:00 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m. And I recommend as we plan for next year that we go ahead
and plan it back for 5:00 p.m. I I think that we had a lot of folks here that arrived at 5:30 thinking that we were starting our regular schoolboard meeting. And while it was good that they were all here to hear all the things, uh having that meeting start at 5:00 I think would be better for all um
involved if we as a board agree to do that and we can approve that in our calendar when we do that in November. Um and finally, I wanted to say just from this seat, congratulations to our new commissioner of education. U I intend to send him a congratulatory card, but Dr.
Henry Mack. I had the opportunity of meeting him uh when he was serving as chancellor of career and technical education and I first spoke with him in November of 2022 and talked to him several times about the con possibility of an appropriation
request from Marian County for an aviation and diesel mechanics building. And so in that conversation, November 2022, our appropriation request went through in 2023. I'm not saying he had anything to do with it, but the timing is pretty great. And so the fact that our current now approved commissioner of
education knew a little bit about what Marian County was about to do when he served as chancellor of career and technical education I think is a is a pretty cool nod. So just congratulations to Henry Mack and looking forward to working with him in his new role. That concludes my comments. Thank you.
>> Thank you Dr. Campbell. Board member Conrad. >> Oh thank you chair and I just have a few items. Um, I I wanted to start with uh a comment about our community partnerships, um, which I touched on at our work session, our faith-based partnerships, but I continue to see such
wonderful things, particularly online as schools post about, um, just recently Metobrook, you know, there was a post and they were dropping off to five or seven schools, I don't remember, and three or four other organizations. And um I just mentioned
that one because I wish I would have made a list. I don't know if that's something we we can do in the future, find out our our supports for our schools. Just for me personally, when I'm out in the community, I want to be sure to be able to say thank you. Um when I I come into contact with people
who are continuing the work or adding to uh the work that we're doing in Marian County Public Schools. And so I just um continue to be grateful for all of the resources and services that um our
community supplements public school with. And so just just want to say thank you. Um I wish I could say it better, but I I'm just my heart is filled with gratitude. [snorts] And along those lines, there was a a quote um this last weekend that was shared at a a
mentorship celebration uh and it stuck with me. Um, and it went like this. I need you as a board member. I need you. You all, those of you that are in the audience, your expertise in in certain areas, you're leading the district,
you're running the finances, you're doing curriculum, you're teaching students, you're writing IEPs, all of those things. I need you. You need me as a board member. We keep policy and the budget going strong. So,
you need me for that. You need the board. Um, not me specifically, but um, you know, to keep this this district running. Um, and I'm proud. I am proud when I watch the news at night. I am proud to be part of Marian County Public
Schools. And so, you need me or you need need the board. And then last, they need us. Continuing um to remember that everything we do is for our students. Our students need you.
They need us um so that they can be successful and and grow and learn to be the best human being that they can be each and every day. And so, um I just wanted to share um that thought that resonated with me this last weekend. Um,
several other board members were there in celebration. I don't I I I don't know if it struck you the same way, but um, it sure did uh, hit my heart. Um, I was really excited uh, to welcome and congratulate our new principles. Um, it
was special, extra special for me uh, this evening because one of the princ principles taught side by side for me one of our first years teaching school together. So, it was really excited to see [clears throat] um as she has worked her way up through different positions um and now she'll be uh leading a school
and her family was here this evening. And so, I'm just really excited as as we're we're talking about and sharing that community partnership and our responsibilities and to see the people within our district um grow and excel um
right here working for Marian County Public Schools. Uh I'm excited to meet 118 new teachers. that was on my list, so I won't go on too long about that because it's already been shared. Excited about um that. And we also have um Pop and Drop for school supplies for
our teachers coming up to just um the public ed foundation supporting um our teachers, another uh uh group um nonprofit uh supporting the work of what happens in Marian County Public Schools. Um I will just also share that our our
teachers come back Monday. It's a heavy lift. Uh, everybody's excited to be back. Usually, mostly excited, but it's a lot of work. It's a lot of work getting ready for uh, kids to come on the first day of school. So, just wanted you all to know that I'm thinking about you. Um, and I know I know it will be
great. And last but not least, um, the board's let me, they've allowed me um, to share about 3G Sunday um, coming up on August 9th. Um, that you can sign up online. You're welcome to email me or text me if you'd like to participate. It
is one of my favorite um events or days out of our year during um during the school year. And so we um divide up and go to different school campuses and we pray over classrooms and offices and
guidance guidance offices and cafeterias and football fields and and all of the places and spaces um that our students interact and engage with with each other. And so I really love um having that opportunity to be on school campus campuses, particularly public school
campuses before school is even started. So I just invite you to reach out if you'd like to be part um of that that wonderful um event. Please feel free to reach out chair. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, at this point they've about covered it. So I'm really excited
to be a part of the multiple church services on the 9th. Pop and drop is coming up this week. Um, lots of back to school activities in the next week. So, what I'm going to say is this, the bus routing is still happening. And
so, your child's arrival time and your child's pickup time are not going to be in the app just yet. And maybe we could provide some information to the community about when that time is going to be available because I know that's very important to families. And the other component to this is your child is
going your bus is going to be late on the first day of school because five-year-olds who are coming to us for the first time have to get a little special band on their wrist so we don't make sure we don't lose them and they don't get off at the wrong place and it's just very important. And so we it
takes a little bit more time to do that. And so transportation the first few days of school is going to be delayed so we can make sure that we keep track of all those sweet little kindergarteners 3,500 or so that are going to be coming onto our campuses. So I just wanted to prime up the community because I know buses is
going to become a hot topic in the next 5 to seven days. And so maybe we can get out some messaging on Facebook and social media to let our parents know when they'll be able to receive that information. Um because I know that they're going to be asking. And then we just ask for patience the first few days
as we navigate little people and making sure they get to the right places at the right time. So that will conclude my comments. The board did a wonderful job of summarizing a lot of the accomplishments this evening. So there being no offair public comment and there being no further business, may I have a
motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. >> A motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. We will adjourn at 7:37. Thank you.