by me. We are the Marion County School District Leadership Team. When we come together to work, we are efficient, effective, and productive. Our three most important characteristics are dedicated, transparent, and individually responsible. To work well together, we
must demonstrate respect, confront reality, and be accountable. We will always put students first, and we will leave a legacy of success. For the courtesy of those listening to the meeting, I'm requesting everyone in the audience to please turn off their electronic devices or put them on
vibrate. Public comment will now be accepted during two portions of each meeting for up to 30 minutes for each portion. The first will take place prior to the board vote and will be specific to the night's agenda. The second will be for items on which the school board customarily takes action and will occur
after the board completes the business portion of the meeting. Anyone wanting to speak regarding an agenda item must complete a blue form. Anyone wanting to speak regarding a non-agenda item must complete a yellow form. Both forms are available before each meeting and on the district
website. Forms are due to the board clerk by 5:40 p.m. and can be submitted via email or in person. Public speakers will have 3 minutes to complete their comments, and no more than 10 speakers will be scheduled in either public comment portion unless the board votes otherwise.
Good morning. Good evening. Not morning. Ms. Martinez-Young, will you please call the roll? >> Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1. >> Here. >> Mrs. Lori Conrad, District 2. >> Here. >> Dr. Eric Cummings, District 3. >> Here. >> Mrs. Nancy Thrower, District 4. >> Here. >> Dr. Sarah James, District 5.
>> Here. >> Attorney Jeremy Powers, School Board Attorney. >> Here. >> Dr. Daniel Brewer, Superintendent. >> Here. >> Thank you, Ms. Martinez-Young. Dr. Brewer, who is going to share our and lead the Pledge of Allegiance for us this evening. >> Thank you. Good evening. I am so excited
to introduce to you Lori Manresa. She's the proud principal of Hillcrest School. Also, as she's making her way to the podium, I want to just remind the community how blessed we have been with Ms. Manresa as the principal of Hillcrest for the last close to 30
years. And last week, 2 weeks ago, she was recognized by the Florida Department of Education as the Principal of the Year for Marion County. So, it was a beautiful luncheon, and we're just so proud to call you ours. So, go ahead. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer, Board Chair Dr.
James, and Board Members. Thank you so much for inviting us to be here today. Today is not about me. Today is about Special Olympics, and I have the perfect person to speak about that. So, Christie Shank was a teacher that joined Hillcrest in 2014. She taught students
with autism, and she was phenomenal at that. But then, Marion County had referendum funds, and we were able to open up a media center, and she came to me and said, "Let me be your media specialist." And I said, "Well, Christie, you know how that works. To be a media specialist, you need to be certified. We hire highly qualified
teachers." She goes, "No problem. I'll get certified." And she did. She opened up our media center. At Hillcrest, we wear many, many hats. She wears multiple hats simultaneously. One of the many hats is Special Olympics. So, I would like to invite Ms. Christie Shank and
her daughter, Abigail Shank, up to the podium. Ms. Shank. >> [applause] >> Good evening. Hello. So, first of all, thank you for allowing me to be here to speak briefly about what it means to be a volunteer with Special Olympics.
Um people often ask me why um or what it's like to volunteer for Special Olympics. And after more than 20 years, I still struggle to answer that question in just a few words. Most people think volunteering means giving your time, and yes, that is part of it. We give up
evenings, weekends, and long days in the Florida heat. We coach, we cheer, we organize events, we hand out medals, and sometimes we run around trying to keep everything from falling apart. But, if you've been involved in Special Olympics for any length of time, you quickly realize something surprising.
You get far more than you give. I've watched athletes accomplish things that others told them that they couldn't do. I've seen courage in its purest form. I've seen athletes step onto a field, a court, or a track with nerves, determination, and a smile that could
light up an entire stadium. The Special Olympics oath for the athletes says, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." I think that is one of the greatest lessons that Special Olympics teaches all of us, not just the athletes, but
the volunteers, too. Because bravery isn't about winning races or earning medals, it's about showing up, trying something hard, getting back up after a setback, and believing in yourself when others never have. Over the years, I've learned that
Special Olympics is about much more than sports. Trying some It's about friendship, it's about belonging, it's a inclusion, it's about making sure every person is seen, valued, and given the opportunity to shine. The athletes I've worked with have
taught me patience, perseverance, joy, and how to celebrate every victory, no matter how big or small. At Hillcrest, I get to see those victories every day. Sometimes they're measured in medals, sometimes they're measured in confidence, independence, and the pride
that comes from accomplishing something that you once thought was impossible. When people ask me why I've stayed involved for more than 20 years, the answer is simple. Special Olympics changes lives. I've watched athletes discover confidence that they didn't know they
had. I've watched friendships form, barriers disappear, and families find a community where everyone belongs regardless of their varied intellectual and physical disabilities. But the greatest gift Special Olympics has given me isn't a memory from a
competition or a medal ceremony. It's been watching my own daughter become an athlete. I've had the privilege of seeing her experience the excitement of competition, the pride that comes from hard work, the disappointment that comes when the outcome isn't what she hoped for, and
the determination to go back and try again. I've watched her celebrate victories, learn from defeats, the joy of being part of a team that celebrates her for exactly who she is, and discover the confidence that comes from knowing she can do hard things.
As a volunteer, I've spent years coaching, cheering, and organizing events for other people's athletes. As a parent, I've learned that there's something even more powerful about watching your own child find their place, find their confidence, and discover what they're capable of achieving. Yes, happy
tears. She's worried Mommy's crying. >> [laughter] >> And so I was have to tell her they're happy tears. That's what Special Olympics means to me. Not just sports, not just volunteering, not just medals. It's opportunity, it's
belonging, it's courage, it's community. Because one of the greatest lessons Special Olympics teaches is that success is isn't measured only by medals. It's measured by the willingness to keep trying, keep growing, and keep believing in yourself.
And now it is my honor to introduce the athlete who's inspired me the most, my daughter, Abby. Through Special Olympics, she's earned multiple state gold medals along with silver and bronze in multiple sports. But what makes me proud isn't what hangs around her neck. It's courage,
determination, and joy she brings from every competition. Please help me welcome her as she leads us in our 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. >> Please be seated. >> Well, I just want to give you another round of applause.
>> [applause] >> And I probably can't say much because that was so beautiful, and I'll cry [clears throat] if I say too much. I saw Amber was crying in the audience. So, that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing your testimony um for what it's like to just work with
kids. Cuz all kids really are the same. They all want the same thing. Some have unique abilities. Really, they all have unique abilities if we're being honest. And so, what you do every single day makes you an incredible human being, and we're grateful for you being a part of Marion County Public Schools. So, thank you.
I made it through. I wasn't sure I was going to. Dr. Burr, I think we have some recognitions. >> Yes, ma'am. At this time, I'd like to introduce Ms. Jamie Brassington. She's a coordinator for elementary education, and she has an incredible group with her
this evening. So, we are so thankful, and I believe Ms. Truman would like to speak after Ms. Brassington does. Thank you. >> star-studded so we are grateful you are all here. Come on down. >> Come on down. >> Don't [clears throat] be shy.
>> All right. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening, board chair and school board members. I am proud to recognize an extraordinary part partnership that brought literacy to life for our fourth-grade students. The Black Stallion project led by the Ocala Horse
Alliance under the leadership of Ellie Truman is a powerful example of how community collaboration can spark a love of reading while creating unforgettable learning experiences for our students. The impact of this project is best told
through the numbers. There were 3,800 copies of The Black Stallion delivered to every fourth-grade student in our district to read and then keep for their home libraries. 3,800 copies of Show Strides were
generously donated by author Piper Clemm, also for students to keep. Over 2,000 fourth-graders had up-close, hands-on experiences with a real horse and the opportunity to sit in a saddle.
260 Black Stallion medals were awarded to students who went above and beyond in reading and engagement with the novel. 10 different horse breeds were introduced to students all across the district. 250 horse-themed books were
donated to elementary school libraries, extending the learning beyond the classroom. This project blended literacy, real-world learning, and student motivation in a way that was both meaningful and memorable. It transformed reading from an
assignment into an experience. On behalf of our our students, teachers, and schools, we extend our appreciation to the Ocala Horse Alliance, and of course, Ellie Truman for their generosity, vision, and commitment to literacy. Your work has left a lasting
impact on thousands of children and helped foster a genuine love of reading. I am honored to recognize your contribution to our students and share with you their words of appreciation through these thank you cards. Now, I'd like to introduce Ellie Truman.
>> Jamie school board, Dr. Brewer, thank you so much for this recognition. It means a great deal to us. We are now just finished our sixth year of the program and we are so gearing up for year seven.
The numbers, I think, are impressive. But just wait until we really get our gallop going. The Ocala Horse Alliance is a board with number of volunteers that help out to make these programs possible. A
number of our board members are here behind me and our volunteers. We are an all-volunteer organization. No one gets paid. And as I made the commitment when we first year when we talked about this program seven years ago and I think some
of you were involved at that point when the first question asked was, "Who's going to pay for this?" And I said with my fingers crossed behind my back, "We will." And for seven for six years we have and we will continue to do that through the
generosity and the commitment and the belief that this equestrian community wants to contribute to our greater community in Marion County. We will continue that. Um and we are I'm very we are very proud to do so. In talking about year seven as
we move along, I'd like to just announce one pilot program that we are launching this year. It's called the Race to Read and it'll be piloted at Oakcrest Elementary School. And here's briefly how it works. Each fourth and fifth grade classroom
will have a different color cardboard horse. Around the cafeteria and the hallways will have a cardboard racetrack at the top. When children read more in their fourth and fifth grade classes, teachers will be allowed to advance those horses
towards the finish line. If all those classrooms reach the finish line in the 60 days of the program, we will have an outside exhibition with celebrity riders and what I'm proud to announce as Ocala's new equestrian
team. That equestrian team will be comprised of Sarah Dobbs, principal of Oakcrest, Dr. Brewer, our superintendent, yay, and Ben um Marciano, our mayor
[clears throat] of Ocala. That's Ocala's new equestrian team that we will be putting to the test at Oakcrest hopefully this fall. I assure you they will all have riding lessons, they will have safety gear, and they will have appropriate horses.
Every one of our schools has a farm partner and it's across the broad spectrum of thoroughbred farms, breeding farms, um quarter horses, and so forth and a number of other breeds and disciplines. The farm partner to Oakcrest is the
mounted police unit in Ocala. Eddie Leedy, who heads that unit, is going to be very helpful in getting our riders trained on appropriate horses and ready for this great event in the coming future for this year. We've got a few other initiatives that we're going to announce this year in the not too
distant future, but we sure are excited about our new equestrian team. Right, Dr. Brewer? Are you ready? >> We are. I am so excited. >> [laughter] >> I think Ms. Thrower can help and I know we have some other volunteers that can help before then. >> Um yes, we we will ensure everyone is
mounted properly and appropriately and we're sure we I assure you you will be dressed appropriately as well. So, we all look forward to that. I have great faith in the fourth graders and the fifth graders that they will meet that challenge and they will you will be riding at Oakcrest in the not too
distant future. Um we are honored to have this recognition today. We've we have a great team that works our board and I will introduce them in a minute, some of whom are here tonight. Um but I want you to know that there's a common denominator I think that we all
feel. We understand the magic of the horse and what horses how horses can motivate children, how they can motivate children to read, to set some goals, and to advance that goal those goals with a plan. The magic we see when we bring horses to school to schools this year I think
Jamie mentioned we were at 18 schools with horses so that each child child in fourth grade can have an up close and personal with a real horse. I have to tell you there are some small children that are very intimidated looking at these big horses especially
as we bring um Clydesdales to some of the horse schools which is an enormous horse and we have these small children. It's very intimidating and yet the power that they feel when they are make the move that they will come up and touch and pet that enormous horse is
just amazing and as some advertisers would say it's just priceless. So, we're honored to be here tonight. We're so thankful for your recognition and you have our assurances we're going to continue full gallop with the Black Stallion Reading Project and we're here for the benefit of our community and
literacy. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Ally. I want to introduce Bonnie Heath Bonnie Heath, our vice president. Kathy Hat getting away from Kathy Hatfield, um one of our great volunteers who
coordinates a lot of our schools. Um, Carol Fletcher who brings her horse, Slider, to many of the schools and he's a trick horse and the kids just really appreciate Slider. Um, Leticia Glenn who owns Contour Saddle,
who's one of our very active volunteers. Katie Glenn, who's also an active volunteer and on our board, and um, and uh, Lynn Donahue who's also a great volunteer and supporter. So, these are just some of our people that we have hundreds of volunteers, as you can imagine, to get horses to 18 schools, to
get the 4,000, actually this year, 8,000 books labeled and out to the schools is a monumental task. And I'm um, and we're up to it. We love it and we so appreciate the res- we appreciate the recognition tonight. Thank you. >> Don't find your seat too quick cuz we're going to take a picture. So, if you guys
just want to hang out, we're going to come down and take a picture with you. But, I just want to say, um, as a parent who has a rising fourth grader, I am very much looking forward to her getting to participate in the Black Stallion Reading Project next year. Um, the work that you guys are doing and your commitment to Marion County Public
Schools is just an example of the community partnerships we have. You guys are a exemplary of what it means to have private sector mirror and model exactly what should happen and we come together to do what's best for our community and our students. We couldn't do what you do
without you. And for these students to get exposure to horses in our own community where they live and they should be able to see them all the time. Many of them would never have the opportunity if it weren't for you. And that's what makes this partnership so special. So, I cannot wait to see Dr. Brewer ride a horse. I was actually
going to ask if we were ever riding horses again because my first year on the board we got to ride horses. Not that I'm dreaming of the day, but I just assume it's coming eventually. So, >> I promise you it is in the not distant future. >> Okay. Well, then I guess we're all
riding horses soon, Dr. Brewer. So, um we're going to come down and take a picture, but truly know that this board is so internally grateful for the work you all are doing in your partnership with Marine County Public Schools. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> It is Yes. Have a great night.
>> Oh. >> I stopped at the I stopped at the two. That was powerful. >> Very powerful. >> I I wish I had my camera out, but I could have taken a That's a I know. >> I know it's like the coolest thing ever.
It's on recording. >> That's true. >> I'll save it for We can We can watch it again and cry later. Just just >> [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Bonnie picked it up. >> He's going to drop on the floor. >> I know.
>> Oh, that was good. So we >> I know. After that was like I'm glad that I didn't have to But all great stuff. >> She has to say she had extra time she needed to leave. >> So I want to make sure we drive over there. >> Well, what a wonderful way to start the
meeting. So it is always I'm so grateful we started that um that just the way to start a meeting where we're recognizing students and recognizing people who are supporting our public education. And so grateful for all of the partnerships. In the spirit of recognition, I also want to
recognize the $2,000 to Denali Elementary School from the Women's Club of Denali Inc. to be utilized at the discretion of the school principal to support school staff needs. So that is a total of $2,000 donations that we're recognizing for this agenda. Dr. Brewer?
>> I recommend approval of the agenda for the June 23rd, 2026 school board meeting. >> May I have a motion on the superintendent's recognition? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> And I said recognition not recommendation, so sorry. That's a motion by board member Thrower and a
second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. We're going to move into the business portion of the meeting. Ms. Martinez Young, can you please provide the proof of publication for tonight's school board meeting? >> The notice for the June 23rd, 2026 school board meeting was placed on the
district website on June 16th, 2026. Proof of notification has been placed into proof of publication in BoardDocs. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the May 21st, 2026 administrative briefing and work session? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a
second by board member Thrower. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the May 21st, 2026 special school board meeting early re-entry?
>> Motion to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Campbell and a second by board member Thrower. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion >> Would the Reverend Cummings respond?
Okay. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the May 26th, 2026 school board meeting? >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. Are there any discussion discussions, additions, or corrections to the minutes?
Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving into information items. The school district uses a construction management delivery method including a guaranteed maximum price GMP to perform construction work on projects. The
superintendent or designee has signed and approved the following change orders. Per board policy 6345, the superintendent or designee is authorized to approve and execute any construction change order that will increase the construction contract by 25,000 or less
or that will decrease the construction contract amount provided the approval shall be in his or her judgment in the best interest of the board. Such change orders shall be built binding upon execution by the superintendent. The superintendent shall report each change order that he or she approved to the board at the board
meeting that follows his or her approval. The superintendent's approval of the change orders will be entered into the official minutes of the board meeting. Beginning with unused funds, there were unused funds on the following projects. Since the projects were delivered using a construction management delivery with
a GMP format, unused dollars regardless of the item are returned to the owner. The unspent monies will be returned to the owner via change orders, which will close the financial books on these projects. 8.1 Guaranteed Maximum Price GMP for the installation of the bathroom portable
lift station at Denali High School change order number two work authorization number two project 25-101. This deductive change order is $672.39 of unused funds. Item 8.2
Guaranteed Maximum Price GMP for offsite improvements at New Elementary School W, now known as Ross Prairie Elementary, change order number three work authorization number 15 project 24-101. Deductive change order is $570,604.86
of unused funds. 8.3 is a Guaranteed Maximum Price GMP for the Denali Elementary School heating, ventilation, air conditioning HVAC upgrades. Change order number three work authorization number one project 24-116.
Deductive change order is $116,085.03 of unused funds. Item 8.4 Guaranteed Maximum Price GMP of the Denali High School roof replacement cafeteria and culinary arts. Change order number one work authorization number two project 25-102.
Deductive change order is $146,745.79 of unused funds. Moving into deductive change orders, the deductive change order reallocates funds between the Thelma Parker Center and Howard Academy projects to align the project scopes. 8.5 is a compensation
amendment number one to the construction manager contract guaranteed maximum price GMP related to construction of cooler freezer addition at the Thelma Parker Center change order number two amendment number one project 25-111. This is a deductive amount of $17,150.
And then an additive change order which reallocates the funds between Thelma Parker Center and Howard Academy projects to align the project scope. 8.6 is a compensation amendment number one to the construction manager contract guaranteed maximum price GMP related to construction of cooler freezer addition
at Howard Academy change order number two amendment number one project 24-113. This is an additive additive amount of $17,150. That concludes our information items. Ms. Martinez Young, do we have any speakers this evening? >> Yes, Madam Chair, we have two for the
latter part of the board meeting. >> For the latter part of the meeting. Okay, so no speakers right now. So we'll hold off on our attorney reading the rules for our meeting until later in the meeting. May I have a motion? We're going to move into our public hearing then. May I have a motion to adopt the school board
policy updates? >> Motion to approve the new policies. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad sorry by board member Campbell a second by board member Conrad. >> The adoption of revised board policies will ensure that the school board's policies reflect the board's guidance
and are in statutory compliance. >> I declare a public hearing. Is there anyone present who wishes to address the school board policy updates? All right, hearing no more comment. Board, do you have anything you'd like to add to this discussion on policies? Board member Thrower. >> I'll just say that I'm glad that we're
really continuing to keep up with them and keep them updated and it's a rolling effort. Um anytime new statute changes come down and then there has to be policy and rule making. It's a process. But it's definitely the foundation of
what we do. >> Absolutely. Uh we're going to keep trying to do it at least two or three times a year so we can stay on top of it and um and stay on top of timely discussions on policies. Anything else, Borden? All right, hearing none. All those in
favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving into the consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. All
those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to alternative placements. Before addressing expulsion matters, I'd like to acknowledge the board members have received the alternative placement list for students through May 28th, 2026. Ms. Martinez Younger, are there any parents who have submitted a timely
request to speak on their child's disciplinary matter? >> No, Madam Chair. >> All right, thank you. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion of student JD26-236E, JD26-237, JD26-238E, JD26-239E,
JD26-241, JD26-242, JD26-244E, JD26-245, JD26-246E, JD26-247E,
JD26-248, JD26-249, JD26-250, JD26-251, JD26-253E for the remainder of the 2025-2026
school year and the entire 2026-2027 school year with services. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to our
discussion of regular agenda items, starting with D27.1. May I have a motion to approve the request for approval RFP 4173RC and resulting agreement for voluntary group vision insurance. >> Motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, do you have uh further information you'd like to provide? >> Yes, board. I I just wanted to put this in I this item in discussion just to highlight that this is not a direct impact on our general fund. This is an
employee funded um program and it is more robust this year. So, the employees will have it there is an increase in the employee price, but it is employee funded and not a district funded. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Board, any further discussion?
All right. Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. D27.2. May I have a motion to approve the general insurance package for July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. >> Motion to approve the general insurance package.
>> Board, a motion by board member Thrower. >> Second. >> Second by board member Conrad. Dr. Brewer, uh do you have further information to share? >> Yes, ma'am. I just want to remind the board that Mr. Whitehouse shared after the work session that there's after the published agenda for the work session last week, there was negotiations that
took place. So, there is a savings and the board docs has been updated to reflect that. But, the savings is $335,000. >> Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Um any discussion from the board? Okay, I'll be the only thing I'll say and it was discussed in the work
session. As we continue to add properties to our portfolio, the cost of insuring our properties is going to continue to go up. And so, as we build new schools, um the reality is they become a part of our portfolio and so, uh our insurance cost for property is higher than it was last
year. Uh we have more property this year. And so, uh it will go up again I presumably as we add a new high school to our portfolio um next year. And so, um we'll just have to have continued conversations about what that looks like. Uh Dr. Campbell.
>> Thank you. I I do have comments about this item, but I'm going to wait and cuz it's not related to the vote. I'll I'll have additional comments about this in my board comment time. >> Okay, sounds good. Is there any further discussion, board? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. D 27.3, may have a motion to renew bid 402488 fresh produce for food service term contract. >> Motion to renew the fresh produce bid. >> Second.
>> Board member Brewer with a motion and board member Conrad with a second. Dr. Brewer, would you like to share some additional items? >> Yes, I just want to highlight that this is a large ticket item, $2.3 million, and we don't um we usually don't put those in consent, so we just would always recognize and um highlight the
benefit of feeding our wonderful children. >> Thank you very much. Board, any further discussion? I will just say this is allowing us to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at a competitive price. Uh and for many of our students, some of them their first
and only exposure to some of the fresh fruits and vegetables that we share is through our food program where we serve breakfast and lunch to um to all of our students every day we're in session and then including summer. And so, um we love um the partnerships we're able to create and with our um
farm to table initiative, we actually are able to even put even more unique uh fruits and vegetables in front of them that they would have never seen otherwise. So, it's an incredible opportunity for our students to get diverse plates that are bright and colorful um and are supporting a healthy diet. Uh hearing no further comment, is um all
those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. D 27.4, may have a motion to approve the renewal of the payback agreement with School District Services Inc. Polk County bid number ITB 049 MJ0624
for school bus transportation. Motion to approve. Motion by board member Campbell. >> Second. >> Second by board member Conrad. Dr. Brewer, any additional information? >> Yes, and you stated this already, but this is a piggyback agreement, so we had
to approve it in the entire amount, but we intend to only use the service for substitute drivers. >> Yes. But part of the agreement includes substitute drivers, which is why we have to approve the whole thing. >> We have to We have to approve the entire
amount because it's a piggyback agreement, so it has to be the whole 650,000. >> Right. Um but the intention is to take over transportation for alternative learning within our own transportation services. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. Board, is there any further discussion
on the item? Board member Thrower. >> I'll just say I'm glad to see it happening. I think having um having it in-house is just uh we have people that are very dedicated to transporting some kids that can be pretty challenging, and I think that it
goes a long way to getting them here in the right frame of mind and getting them home hopefully in the same mindset. That's all I have. Thanks. >> Thank you, board member Thrower. Anything else? All right, hearing none, all those in favor say aye. >> Aye.
>> Aye. Motion passes 5-0. Moving on to pulled agenda items C14.1, may I have a motion to approve the delegation of signing authority for Gary Smarridge, director of Marion Technical College? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Conrad. Miss uh
board member Campbell, Miss Conrad, you pulled this item and would like to have further discussion. >> Uh chair, I just need to recuse myself from this item. Thank you. >> Okay, understood. Board, any further discussion? All right, hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 4
0 with one recusal. Thank you, Board. We're going to move into our meeting reminders. There's a special school board meeting for July 9th at 8:00 a.m. followed by administrative briefing and work session at 9:00. The 8:00 a.m. work The 8:00 a.m. board meeting will address our disciplinary matters.
District offices will be closed on July 2nd in observance of the 4th of July, and a school board meeting is scheduled for July 14th at 5:30. Ms. Martinez Young, I do believe you said we have two speakers this evening. >> Yes, Madam Chair. >> All right, Attorney Powers, I'll hand the floor over to you to read the rules governing our
public meeting. >> Thank you. In compliance with section 286.0114 Florida Statutes, known as the Florida Sunshine Law, the school board [clears throat] has adopted uniform procedures for public speakers who wish to speak at tonight's meeting
either regarding one of today's agenda items or a matter related to the operations of the school district. These procedures will ensure the public has a reasonable opportunity to be heard on school board and school district matters. A written summary of these procedures is
located from on the table in the lobby. Public speaker forms are also located on the same table. The completed forms were due to the school board's clerk no later than 5:40 p.m. This evening's agenda item speakers will be called prior to the business portion of the meeting in order of receipt by
the school board clerk. For items not listed on the agenda, speakers will be called at the end of the business meeting. Before you begin speaking, please state your full name for the record and spell your last name. Each speaker will have 3 minutes. When the speaker has 1 minute remaining,
the speaker will receive a visual notice to complete his or her comments. Speakers may not yield their time to other people. Speakers and meeting attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Therefore, verbal attacks and profanity
are strictly prohibited. The board is here to listen to your comments only. You may be directed to an administrative staff member following the conclusion of your comments for further assistance to address your concerns. If there are matters dealing with student discipline, including
expulsions, they will be scheduled at conclusion of televised portion of the meeting. Parents may address the board regarding a disciplinary matter at that time. Uh for student privacy, a parent or guardian, only a parent or guardian may use a
student's first or last name. Identifying references to other students is also prohibited. Thank you for your attention to the board's requirements. Madam Chair, that concludes my explanatory remarks. >> Thank you very much, Ms. Martina John. Can you please call our first speaker?
>> Amber Pennuto. >> Good evening. Thank you for being here. Hopefully no more tears. >> Good evening. >> [laughter] >> I'll hold it till later. Thank you. Um Amber Pennuto, p e n n u t o. Thank you, board members, Dr. Brewer and
Dr. James. I am speaking this evening to address some of the concerns that arose about the fetal development video proposal. The first concern I would like to address is the ability for parents to opt out. It is standard practice for
parents to opt their kids out of any reproductive health curriculum, and this video would fall into the same category. Second, there were questions about the reason for the statewide bill dying in the Senate. So, I wanted to explain why that happened. Senate Bill
1090 was an omnibus bill that contained a large amount of legislation. It was not a stand-alone bill about fetal development videos for curriculum. The legislation did not fail in a vote, but it died in the committee process
when the legislative session concluded. The House bill 1071 was overwhelmingly supported. Third, I would like to address the commentary on Live Action, the organization that produced the videos. There were mentions of the group being banned on social
media as proof that they were unqualified to offer educational video materials. I want to affirm that yes, Live Action has been suspended from social media in the past. So have I. When people and organizations hold fast
to the belief that babies' lives matter, we are often canceled and punished. When images of aborted fetuses are displayed to reveal the gruesome slaughter of the unborn, those who wish to hide this truth object vehemently.
Sometimes, speaking and revealing the truth is controversial. Those of us that stand firm in the truth will continue to speak it in spite of the consequences. I have a passion for showing children the truth about pregnancy, so they can make good judgments about how they
conduct their lives. A video that encourages an appreciation for the sanctity of life is no way harmful to anyone. It could save many innocent lives. Many toxic ideologies are vying for the
hearts and minds of our children. We have watched this battle unfold since the revolution in the 1960s. Since then, our family structure has been disrupted. Our [clears throat] spiritual health has depleted. Our children have become
suicidal, depressed, and over-medicated. The reality is that ideas have consequences, and what we teach our children matters. I've had an abortion, and I regret it every day of my life and if someone had showed me that video, I never would have
done it. Matthew 18:6 says, "Whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Jesus warns us that we have a serious responsibility to teach truth to our
children. Facts matter, lives matter, babies matter, truth matters. Thank you. >> Thank you. Ms. Martina Jang, our next speaker. >> Melanie Slaughter. Good evening. >> Melanie Slaughter, S L A U G H T E R.
I'm >> Will you pull it down just a little bit? >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> All right, there we go. Um I'm here to talk to the board about the use of digital technology in classrooms as a detriment to our children. Um
it it prevents them from understanding and comprehending things. I have a book called the digital delusion that was written by a neurobiologist who was also a school teacher. And the statistics involved in this are shocking to me.
Um I never let my kids bring a laptop to school. I never let them bring an iPad to school. I had them take notes with paper. I had them use note cards and things like that because I saw during COVID the damage that computers do to kids because they didn't remember anything.
They flushed it in and they flushed it out. And the this digital delusion book and I brought my copy here if anybody wants to borrow it. Um it shows that students who take handwritten notes score 34% higher on concept-based exams than kids that use
laptops. Kids that use laptops spend about 6% of the time actually using them for school and then they're off doing other things because they multitask just like they do with an iPhone. And just like Jonathan Haidt's the anxious generation
showed us the damage as Ms. Thrower told us all that phones do when they go to school, and kids don't pay attention to anything because they're flipping through their phones every 5 minutes, digital technology is the exact same thing. If you if you look at the brain when you're writing,
everything's going off. And this book shows you that. Signals are going everywhere. You're remembering everything. When they're on a laptop, their brain is flatlined because they don't remember anything. They're just taking notes like a scribe, and they're not learning anything, and they're not thinking about anything, and
they're not I can't tell you how many of my kids' friends have never even read a book all the way through it because they don't have to because they can get on digital technology and get a summary and go in and pass the test and move on. And they've never read a book. And when you read a book and you held it in your
hand like I did when I read this book, you remember things. You know in the book because it's a three-dimensional object where things are. You remember better. And I would ask the board because I hear it all the time when I listen to meetings about approving technology like iReady and things like that, it's not
the same as a book. And the people that we had here today from the Horse Foundation shows you that. You want to get kids excited about reading? Give them something that's a book because they're going to remember that, and they're going to be excited about it, and they're going to want to read. And this their Gen Alpha that's in
school right now is going to be less prepared for life, less intelligent than their parents. And the reason why that is, according to this book, is because they spent their life on screens. So, my kids have graduated. So, I'm here
for everybody that's got kids in school to say stand up and say, "I want my kids to write. I want my kids to read a book. I want my kids to think." Because if the teachers in this county will let them do that, don't put them on
a screen. Thank you. >> Ms. Slaughter, can you share with us the author? >> Uh yes, I have actually I'm going to give it to Mr. Christian and um it's Jared Horvath, but I'll I'll give that >> Jared Horvath, okay. Thank you. >> he's coming up with an updated book in
August with updated statistics and things like that, but please if your kids are in school, read it. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right, well we're going to move into um committee reports, comments, and concerns. Ms. Martinez Young, anything from the clerk's office? >> No, Madam Chair.
>> All right, Attorney Powers. >> Nothing from legal, thank you. >> thank you. Dr. Brewer. >> Yes, I have a few things um and they're in different categories, so I'm going to it's going to jump a little bit, but I first want to just recognize and celebrate our um new administrators
that have that you are approving tonight in the consent agenda. Um we had many retirements, departures, and we also cut seven assistant principal positions from our district. And and so with that comes lots of movement and lots of domino um
effects. So, I want just to let you know that we made every move with intentionality and we're very excited about the people we have put in the um different places and we are excited to see this district continue to rise with the new administrative changes.
I want to recognize what Dr. James shared a few months ago about our summer about feeding um our students. Today we were able to see we were at a school to see students come in to receive the summer feeding program foods. And these are and I just want to recognize and
make sure the community understands that we are have we have this program taking place at 31 schools this summer and there's 14 offsite community locations that students can go to and receive um breakfast and lunch. And this is a huge
opportunity. We We saw a student We saw students today that actually pushed their little sister in a stroller to the cafeteria to get to take advantage of this um great breakfast and lunch um because it is delicious and we are offering the fruits and the vegetables
and and healthy options. So, we're very excited to see that. Um and so, parents, please go to our district website to make sure you're looking at the schools and offsite locations um because there some end at the end of summer school and
some end at the end of July. So, just really pay close attention to the dates on our district website so you know which area is closest to you so you can take advantage of our summer feeding program. Um but I also have two questions for you
um concerning FSBA. It is time for that renewal and for the July billing cycle. And I need to know um or I need you to discuss if we are moving forward with adding any board members or if we are move Are we going to keep the three
board members as is for that invoice? It's due in July. And then the next part to that, let me tell you that part and then you can discuss it. We have We also need to submit names to re- um reappoint, resign
the FSBA advocacy committee member. And so, that will matter also depending on if we have new members join or if we keep our membership the same. So, I just wanted to bring that topic up so you could lead a discussion, Dr. James, um
to give me direction to move forward. >> Absolutely. Um well, I will start. I'm comfortable with um my decision I made last year in maintaining that. So, I'll I'll continue to not be a member of FSBA for the next year. >> I just I had a question. What happens
with um and maybe Ms. Thrower was going to ask this with um what happens with her position if we renew that for the for the year? Does the incoming board member take that seat and um take that spot in the organization? >> Um >> No, Dr. um Dr. Campbell can help as the
president of FSBA. She probably has more information, but I understand that that would not be an automatic seat as the alternate. >> It would not be an automatic seat. So, currently over this past year for 2025-2026, um Reverend Cummings has been our advocacy representative and Ms. Thrower
has been our alternate. And so, whomever we choose this next time will be in that seat. But it's the person we're choosing, not the position. So, it won't just automatically go to the representative in District 4. It is Ms. Thrower that
we're choosing if if we choose that and that seat position is from July 1 to June 30th 2027. >> Reverend Cummings, did you have something you wanted to share? I hear you unmuted. >> I'm sorry. I couldn't I couldn't hear you.
>> We're we're discussing FSBA membership and the advocacy Are you interested in still maintaining in the advocacy seat? >> I can. Um I'll prefer that if we go ahead and make Ms. Thrower the representative, she leaves the seat and
then we we get a new board member, so we can come back and revisit if we need to change those people out. >> Yeah, we would have to change it. It wouldn't be like that, would it? Would we? We would must. So. >> But till that time, I don't mind
if um Ms. Thrower would accept the position. I'll be her alternate till that time. And then once we get the new board seated, provided I win or whatever, uh we can make a decision when the new board members come because they're going to need FSBA as new board members.
>> Well, and then what would happen at that time if if Miss when Miss Thrower vacates her seat, then you as the alternate would automatically move into that and we would just appoint a new alternate is what would happen. >> Correct. Correct. >> Was that the question you were asking
board member Conrad or were you Okay. >> I also was I was curious about her membership. Yeah. So, we we pay a a pretty good amount of money for each member. >> for for her annual membership and so
what happened that's what you know, will that go >> That if we pay Yes, so if we did choose to pay a $5,000 membership for Miss Thrower, then that would continue because that is an annual membership and so whoever is in that district four seat
will have that membership which will be a significant benefit to a new school board member because then they'll have access to all the new school board member trainings that come with that and trust me, they will want that. We all >> And I concur. I I concur with um, Dr.
Campbell. The uh, information for a new school board member is too valuable for an incoming um, school board member to not have in a >> I I agree with that, too. I think it's very valuable as an incoming uh, board member uh, to have that training and
that um, exposure um, to a lot of new information. Um, chair, at this time I I feel comfortable not being a part of FSBA with Dr. Campbell as our president and Reverend Cummings and Miss Thrower
in position. They do an excellent job of coming back and um, sharing information uh, with the board in a timely fashion. I don't I don't ever feel like, you know, I'm out of the loop um, because I'm not there and so I appreciate their commitment
to being part of the FSBA team and thank you for continuing to keep us informed and and updated. >> So the only uh >> Madam Chair. >> Go ahead Reverend Cummings. >> Yes, Reverend Cummings. >> I'm sorry guys. Um I I would I would like to say this to
the to the board. Um I think FSBA has been very valuable to us as a board. Um it helps us as far as uh addressing some issues as boards, but I think the master board training would
be available to all of us if all of us are board members. I think with the new having a new board coming in in in November it would be valuable valuable for us as a whole board to be members of FSBA. >> I I can appreciate your thought
perspective on this Reverend Cummings. It's how much? >> $3,000. >> Three I believe master board is $3,000 and so I'm reflecting back on a meeting not in the in the in the very distant past where board members declined a personnel packet because it would had
$90,000 in um in upgrades for employees and we're talking about right now two board member seats and master board being $13,000. So if we're in the position where we're cutting every penny and being diligent
about how we spend every dollar I feel confident that I'm doing personal development and professional development and that you all are bringing back appropriate information to us and that it's the best decision. So if we want to address master board at a later date, we address master board at a later date. But right now I don't think it's a a
responsible financial decision for us to have $25,000 in expenditures for the boards to be a part of a professional organization at this time. Reverend Cummings, I just want to I want to comment, too. I I think there is a
lot of value um in our membership, as well. I just think financially it's not the time for the entire board um for that expenditure to go out. Um and I just want to say thank you again to our my fellow board members for the information that they gather and
bring back to share with the the rest of the board, saving us that expense. >> And um Chair, if if I may. So, just a a couple of of thoughts. Again, as the president of the statewide association that we're talking so much about. Um
first of all, the I've I've said this before, but the reason that the cost is what it is is because there are only 67 districts in the state of Florida to pay for the level of service that we receive from a statewide association.
On Thursday this week, I will be joining 26 other presidents from around the the nation in Madison, Wisconsin through the Consortium of State School Boards Association. And their all their memberships are all
much larger than the 300-some-odd members that FSBA has in total. They have 300-plus, if not 1,300-plus school districts from which those funds come, and they have enormous staffs and
just all of that. And so, the level of service that we're able to receive through FSBA uh for the amount of money that we pay, that is the justification and the reason. And FADS is the same way. There are only 67 total superintendents. And so, Dr.
Brewer's membership into FADS is is a similar cost. But for that very reason, uh so I can respect the thought process of of ensuring that uh we are keeping up with professional development apart from the Florida
School Boards Association, but when we are not members, when other people are not members, it also takes away from the opportunity to receive collective professional development that we just received at the summer conference. That
was invaluable, and I was very grateful that I was in the room for many of those conversations. The other thing that I wanted to mention just for the school board's sake and for future board members who will be sitting in the District 4 seat, if for some
reason this conversation comes around next year, and we choose to only have two school board members a part of the Florida School Boards Association, then we will no longer be able to even have an advocacy rep. So, that will take us away from the
legislative platform development, and as you know, Marion County has really driven that over the last couple of years, and our platform has basically become much of the Florida School Boards Association platform, and that's why we've been so successful.
So, I just want to have that conversation now, because forecasting for a year from now, uh if we are not at least three of us members, then we lose a lot of opportunities. The other thing that I will say um that I'm I'm really grateful for the opportunity
that I've been given to serve as the president of this association, and because of that, the Florida School Boards Association picks up all the costs for all the conferences I attend, including going to Madison, Wisconsin, including going to Washington, D.C.,
doing all the advocacy, not just for this district, but also for the state of Florida. So, those are costs that Marion County is not having to incur because of the leadership that I've taken on with the state school or state school boards association Um and finally
unfortunately Reverend Cummings has been on the board of directors for the Florida School Boards Association. Unfortunately this year when we caucus with the other districts because of our lack of representation he is now the
alternate to the board. So he will not be serving on the board of directors because we did not have enough members there to caucus to put him in that seat. So >> And one vote one vote would have put me in. One vote.
>> Dr. Campbell I have one other question for you. Are there any other levels of membership? So something that would be an online participant so you'd have access to information and resources? Are there levels of membership or
there's only the one membership? >> Unfortunately the levels are based on the number of students you have and so so all so if we had 12,000 students the payment per board member is less than because we have 46,000 students the payment is what it is at the medium
range. But if we had 150,000 students then they pay more as well. So it it's a tiered schedule based on the number of students. >> Thank you for that clarification. I appreciate it. >> And ma'am ma'am chair
and and respectfully I understand what you guys are talking about as far as budgeting but the FSBA has been such a great organization for us for Marion County and when we are not members of when all
of us are not members of the majority of us not members we lose power as Marion County within this organization. We've been so so successful because of us being members of the organization. I know it's a pref personal preference for
two of our board members but we're not doing it about our personal preference. We're representing the whole district. We're representing all of our kids. And as as Dr. Campbell said, many of the uh the issues that FSBA has taken on came
from Marion County. So, that gives us seat at the table, and that gives us power in our conversations. >> I I don't think it's appropriate for me to ad nauseam
highlight the reasons why being a part of FSBA is not aligned with me at this time. The fundamental top reason is due to our budget, but there are absolutely other reasons within FSBA and the organization that
are not I don't think aligned with my personal beliefs, which is why I'm going to maintain the position I have. So, my answer on this is not going to change. >> Then, Chair James, I respectfully request that you and I have an offline conversation about that directly since
the conversation is now being had that we're not going to do that because I can't imagine what would not align with your beliefs, and I am serving as the president of this association, and so I request that you and I have an offline conversation about
that directly because it is my intention, as you all heard in my speech, that we all work more collaboratively to be well, lead well, and serve well. And that's what I want for every school board member in the entire state of
Florida, whether you're a member or not. And so, I want to ensure that if there's something that the association needs to do better, that we understand what those needs are. Got you. Okay. >> Mr. Orr has not timed in. Mr. Orr. >> Thank you. And as an outgoing board
member, these conversations uh will likely continue to pop up where it feels a little awkward, you know, to be sitting here in a straddle uh, position knowing that, you know, it's only going to be part of the year um, that that I'll be involved. Uh, what
I'll share with the the whole board is that um, it's okay for being unified to be difficult. But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't do all we can to make that a priority.
And that's all I'll say. I'll be happy to do the advocacy seat until I'm no longer in the position to be able to do that. So, if that helps finish the conversation, then I'm happy to um, acknowledge
my pleasure in doing that. >> Thank you, Board Member Thrower. I think if the um, we can be unified from right here at the dais. But $5,000 a board member is a hefty amount of money to spend for a membership for a professional organization
um, when we have a majority of our board participating right now. So. >> So, Chair, I want just to clarify. So, we have Miss We're going to recommend or we're going to send in the names for Miss Thrower to serve as the FSBA advocacy committee member and then
Reverend Dr. Cummings will serve as the alternate. >> Correct. >> Thank you. And we'll continue with the three board member membership um, and we'll make sure we pay that in July. >> All right, thank you, Dr. Burke. Did you have other things you wanted to discuss? >> No, ma'am. Thank you.
>> Okay, thank you. Uh, Board Mem- uh, Attorney Burke, should I already ask you? Yes, I did. Right, um, Board Member Thrower. >> Thank you. Um, gosh, covering a lot of ground tonight as usual. I will start with um, Miss uh,
Slaughter's comments about uh, overuse of technology, overuse of anything um is typically can get you into some weird ground. Um the apps are so powerful these days. They're designed to keep
all of us engaged. Um adults have a hard problem separating from their their phones, computers. It's they've become ubiquitous, you know, in in our lives. Uh the other conundrum is that testing is all online now.
>> [laughter] >> So, it's in my view, um the pendulum has swung pretty darn far in the wrong direction, especially when there's all kinds of research that shows that some kids test better with different modalities. And they don't even have that opportunity um
anymore. So, that is something I think to continue to be very mindful of. Um I was really happy when it came down from the state that uh cell phones use was going to be restricted. It They're
too powerful. They're too appealing. It makes it too difficult for kids to be engaged on one topic at a time. And there's a lot of research out there now that are showing that people are working hard to try to rewire their brains to be
present in the moment on one topic and not checking for something else and having their conversation being fractured. Um even in our faster facts, I I think I'm getting this right. The time of engagement is, I believe,
average of 3 seconds. And that's for a one 1 and 1/2 minute blurb. So, there you go. You know, it's great that we're trying to get information out to the community, but on average people in if they click on it at all, they're
there for about 3 seconds. So, that to me just I don't know. That just doesn't really sound that sustainable. I think the focus is important. Um and I'm again I'm grateful for the state for taking a stand. I
I haven't heard from any teacher that that hasn't been helpful, especially once the adjustment was made cuz some teachers were using it to, you know, do classroom polls real quick and, you know, have more engaging instruction and and those teachers are the gems and they did it right. So so that took some
adjusting, but I think overall it's better for everybody. I kind of am looking forward to the same with the fetal development video. I have heard from a very reliable source that this will likely very likely be brought back um this coming legislative term. And so
I'll be looking forward to seeing that hopefully as a stand-alone bill and not as a um part of an omnibus, which I don't like those omnibus bills anyway. They bury all kinds of stuff in there. So if that's what the public, you know, largely wants, then let's have a bill
let's make it happen. Um moving on to let's see if I'm on my next notes here. Well, I will go ahead and highlight our public libraries because when I open this up, I was overwhelmed at the amount
of free and available literacy fun projects for all ages in the air conditioning with snacks, you know, all summer. Everything from the history of of how we gained our independence down to magic shows, you name it. So if
you're a parent out there or a grandparent or just someone that loves a library, you're on to a good thing cuz our our public libraries are are full of great stuff. Um I will move on to and I just don't think that this got highlighted enough
after it happened. Uh we are very big on career and technical education. We have found over time that uh having Marion Technical College has been such an asset and they have a couple of satellite programs including here at the old MTI, the
culinary and the and the auto projects are still here. Auto has a lot of big heavy lifts and things make it hard to move. Um I'm hopefully culinary will be here for a while longer as well. It's a great program. But we are very focused and it's one of my
proudest I feel like it's an accomplishment as a school board member to really highlight the value of career and technical education. If you are passionate about something, say horses for example, there are all kinds of opportunities where you can blend higher education and getting out of school with
with a great path forward to be a successful contributing citizen. And just recently um former board member Beth McCall was involved in a classroom to careers pilot program and it was exploring today's industries in our community to
help shape tomorrow's futures focusing on middle school. It was manufacturing with Cardinal Glass, Pella Windows and E1. Also health care was the second day with partnering with Advent Ocala. And then the third day was equine and agriculture
with Merit Training and Sales Horse Farm and also the Vintage Farm which is part of College of Central Florida and they have a degree track program now. I believe it's equine reproduction. So anyway uh kids
there's there's always a disconnect they they like to dress up and think about and act like out what they want to be when they grow up and that happens in young elementary school and then something gets lost in the translation between later elementary school and and through middle school. And I would share
that middle school is probably when kids really need it. You know, they they they can get distracted by all kinds of things and the more that we can help make our schools relevant and and give them a positive exposure to all kinds of
of pathways, I think that we are staying on the right track by doing that. So, I just wanted to give a little shout-out. I think it was quite successful. It was the first time being done, and hopefully we'll be seeing a lot more of that in the in the
future. Also, I was interested to see that there is, speaking of FSBA, a new partnership called Connect Florida, and this has to do with using properties that we already own to help bolster our
using cell phones for a good reason to be able to have conne- connectivity in our rural areas where we have some schools that are in very rural areas, and it's hard to get signals. To be able to bol- bolster that, I think is a a great idea and and and should be
a welcomed partnership. And while we have spoken about FSBA tonight, the Florida School Boards Association, it is a tremendous honor and a first in Marion County to have a sitting board member be president of the Florida School Boards Association. We talked
earlier about and congratulations to you, Board Member Campbell, again. And and we did talk about the the value that that carries, and especially when it comes to legislation, because when people from the community come to us
with their passion projects, and we have a voice at the table, and we're taken seriously, that gives us what I would call very important positive leverage. So, please know that it is
truly, in my view, a a partnership that creates a circle of influence, and we're all part of those spheres of influence and the school board needs to continue to be
thought of as as a go-to sphere. So, I'm proud of of Dr. Campbell for this accomplishment. It's it's countless hours on top of everything else that it takes to be a productive board member these days and it's it's an honor to have the very first one be from here in
Marion County. And finally, I'll close by saying that I wanted to highlight as we continue to navigate these eras of of always being mindful of every penny, but we sure got a lot of infusion from COVID
relief funds that had to be spent down within a certain amount of time and now, you know, we're back at a time of of a lot of austerity, but even though we're building we've already have two new schools open, we're opening a third, we've started we've done the brown break ground
breaking for a fourth school, our fiscal position remains very strong in terms of Fitch ratings and I thought that that was important to highlight. We actually are an A+ when it comes to our ability to repay debt, which is important because
we definitely took on some debt to be able to get these schools built. So, for those of you just quickly Fitch ratings it's one of the big three credit rating agencies globally. They evaluate the creditworthiness of corporate and government issuers and
assessing their ability to repay debt. So, as an outgoing school board member, it's reassuring to me to feel like, okay, you know, we took on a lot, but we're well positioned to be able to handle it and handle it is what we do.
It's what we have to do. It's what our students and our community are counting on us to do. And while we may not always agree on the the or the timeline or the urgency. I hope that everyone that truly pays attention and comes before us feels like they've been heard, feels
like they've been acknowledged, and feels like they are a sphere. That's all I have for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Thrower. Reverend Cummings. >> Uh I want to go ahead and defer tonight since I'm I'm not there in person, so I'll defer. Uh no comments.
>> Okay, thank you for being here telephonically, and we look forward to seeing you uh in the near future. Dr. Campbell. >> Thank you. Uh thank you for bringing up Connect Florida. Uh Dr. Brewer and I were talking about that just this afternoon, so I I think there might be some potential for us to
explore additional opportunities. I'll leave that to you to tell exactly how much, but uh potentially there will be an opportunity. And the unique thing about that cell phone tower partnership isn't just that we might have locations that provide better connectivity, which
is a safety issue, honestly, because our employees are unable to use their cell phones whenever they're at work, depending on their cell phone carrier. And in some locations they can't at all, so it it becomes a safety issue at at one point. But beyond that, it is also a potential revenue generator, depending
on the number of carriers per tower. So I'm I'm hopeful that we'll be able to continue to have those conversations. And again, that's a new Florida School Board Association partner. Um and that was in a press release we received today. Uh those FSBA members received. Uh I also wanted to highlight the new
administrators in lots of locations that we approved tonight in the consent agenda. Uh so some of those were uh well, they were all voluntary, but I I mean some of them were uh for various and sundry reasons, retirements and
people moving out of the state, and there were lots of honestly, it was funny. Somebody asked me uh just from another school district, another school board member, asked if I knew a Mr. Carter uh and I said and I said, "Yes, he I think he went to South Carolina."
And they said, "Yes, because one of our former folks just went there and they show up for their new employee thing and they're together." So, [laughter] if someone from Osceola School District has now gone and they're going to be in South Carolina where Mr. Carter is. So, anyway, just it's just a small world in education, isn't it?
>> In Charleston, South Carolina. >> I know. Well, there you go. But, um anyway, so just congratulations to all of those new administrators and all of their placements, new assistant principals, uh principals having new locations or or just um receiving that promotion. And
so, uh that's an exciting time. Also notice on the consent agenda we approved electrical apprenticeships. And if I'm not mistaken, that may be our very first time we've done that exactly the way that's done. It didn't show that we had board uh approval the way we've done it before,
but maybe regardless if it's not the first time, it's a wonderful continuation if that's the case. But, whenever we're able to offer those apprenticeships through Marion Technical College and our students are able to have real hands-on experience with the electricians
and all of that just goes hand-in-hand to make sure that the students receive the best possible opportunities. Uh I just I love it whenever we can get real-world experience happening with our students. I wanted to also comment on
the digital delusion book. I'm interested in reading that book, so I've written that down. Thank you to Ms. Slaughter for coming. I know it was her daughter who was sitting up here as a student board representative who mentioned that very thing a couple of months ago. And so, I couldn't agree more. You'll note that board members for
the most part are up here with pen and paper as well because we're taking notes because that's how you retain information the best, especially when you have a blue pen, even though mine is writing in black ink. So, I'm going to make sure. Blue pen even There's something even about that neurologically. Uh
I had two other remaining things that I wanted to mention uh beyond the uh conversation we've already had at the about the Florida School Boards Association. Uh also wanted to note that in December will again be the Chairmanship Academy. Uh and I know that
I found that quite valuable before I became chair of the school board. And it is open to anyone uh to to learn. So, potentially whoever our new board member uh will be able to learn about that as well. Uh the last two things I wanted to comment on, I had a a community member
talk to me with this week a bit about uh the potential opportunity where we've kind of thought and brainstormed in public about a new administrative complex or a new administration building or something that that might be
with there also being at least two new county commissioners coming on this upcoming cycle and then potentially additional new faces there in the next 2 years. Uh the the community member said, "They're also
talking about needing to have a new administrative complex of some sort. Why don't you guys just partner and team up and do something together with shared space? And And that's a conversation we have had before." I'm just putting it
out there because I did reach out to the CEO of FSBA who would know better than just about anybody. "Are there any other districts that do it that way?" And so, I'm going to mention Flagler has a great government complex from what I understand and so does Brevard. So, I
think it might benefit um us and new school new candidates for all offices right now to consider what that looks like for over the next 4 to 6 years uh because I think that there before the taxpayers essentially are
paying for two big new somethings, let's really talk about what would be best for our community. Uh and the final thing I'll mention also has to do a bit with funding and and thinking a little bit differently. We this evening approved our new
property and casualty renewal, and so essentially the clock starts ticking from this point to next year. And so if there is an appetite board, I would like to entertain at least the idea and conversation to have an exploratory conversation with FISBIT. And FISBIT is
the Florida School Board Insurance Trust. I had conversation with them today. Again, it would be exploratory conversations on both sides because they need to explore if we would be a good fit as well as them as well as us exploring it side by side what the
things would look like. I had an extensive conversation with Dr. Brewer about what the impacts would be, what that looks like. We also this evening approved contention on human resources approval a new coordinator for risk management. We have a CFO who's about to
have his 1-year anniversary with us. It if the board has an appetite to explore it, we essentially have 365 days to have an exploratory conversation. Um there is another neighbor district of ours that is in a very same spot that is
having this exploratory conversation. Ironically, that neighbor district only has two Florida School Board Association board members. And so that's going to be a hurdle they're going to have to overcome because they're not a majority FSBA district and FISBIT is an FSBA
product. So, I say all of that to say right now we certainly would have the opportunity to have those conversations and have an exploratory um dialogue. I believe there are potential cost savings over the long haul, absolutely. For not just property
and casualty well, it's the all other perils coverage. So, whenever we consider the um technical buildings that we had a fire several years ago, we had to first pay the $100,000 deductible before anything
kicked in. It's the all other perils insurance that really FISBIT could help us with. Um if that had happened and we were a FISBIT member, the deductible would have been $5,000. Um same thing with auto insurance and or
excuse me, with auto um claims, workers comp claims, lots of things like that that we sometimes see uh there's there is power in economy of scale. And so, when you're partnering with multiple other districts um St.
Johns being one of them uh is one of their larger partners and they are pretty close to our size as well. Um but the the other neighboring district that is entertaining this right now simultaneously is exactly our same size.
And so, uh if the board is interested in at least an exploratory conversation I think it would benefit us to at least consider what that might be cost savings in the future. So. That concludes my comments, but I would like to know if we should
continue in that conversation. >> Um and so, yes, we can definitely talk about it. Um I believe we've gotten information previously from the RCFO about this. And so, I just would like Dr. Brewer to provide some context on the information we've previously gotten and is it different than what Dr.
Campbell's asking for or uh what what does that look like, I guess? So, that's what I'm just trying to understand. Yes, and we have this um in an upcoming work session. I can't know off the top of my head that we are going to provide information on both fleet, which is the health trust, and
this particular trust. So, I think um the information that he provided was preliminary information, but we're definitely um willing to participate in any explorations that you all desire. >> Okay. So, if we have an upcoming work session, what when is when do we know?
>> Um sorry. >> Like in the next 2 months we're having? >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. So, I mean is that what you're looking for, Dr. Campbell, to have a work session to kick off a conversation? >> Yes, but I would like to request that there actually be conversations with the Fitbit team. So, what we received is analysis from our team
looking outside as to why and the things they know or think they know about Fitbit, and Fitbit has not been a part of those conversations at all. So, that's what I would like to request for the exploratory conversation to be a dialogue rather than a one-sided
conversation. >> Understood. Dr. Brewer, is that something you guys >> Yes, and our um work session topic will be in September. >> Okay. Are you planning to have conversation with Fitbit prior to that to that work session? >> We can do so.
>> Okay. So, then let's go ahead if that's what you're looking for. Let's go ahead and make sure that we're having two two-way conversation so that we come to the work session in September prepared to provide a holistic vantage point of the programs and how they can support the work of Marion County Public Schools.
Okay. Board member Thrower, would you like to share? >> Just to quickly piggybacking on the um governmental complex idea is something that we've brought up and talked about different times over the years. Um Pasco County also has a governmental complex, which interestingly I was there for some
commission work, not school board, and I thought, this is a great use of taxpayer dollars. I drove in, there was good signage. I could have gone gotten my license uh driver's license renewed at the same time as attending a school board meeting if they were happening on that day. It It just seemed like it made
a whole lot of sense and that and exploring governmental partnerships regarding health care for our employees as well, which as we all know is getting more and more expensive and it is a wonderful benefit to be able to offer our employees and to be able to continue
to offer our employees. There's a lot of districts now that have not been able to afford a no cost unless you use it option for just single employees. We're still doing that and it's getting you know, everything has to be under review.
But if we can come together in more partnerships and make it better and increase our level of service, those are conversations I'd be willing to have. All day and all night. >> Thank you. >> I I would say that remember for our I told I totally agree. We're not spending
our money, we're spending your money. So the only money we have is taxpayer money. I I guess technically the money we bond is our money but we're paying it back with taxpayer money. So ultimately the taxpayers are responsible and so when they're when you get your tax bill and
you're paying in to the county and you're paying in to the school board. Uh I have no problem having a conversation about a shared compound where you can renew your license and talk about your students discipline all in one place.
I do think that we we have a very complicated system for our community. Even for building departments is in one place and then you got to go to a different building for something else and um we've kind of we've kind of have piecemealed our growth for years county and school board.
We have three or four different buildings depending on what you need. County same thing and so what a concept for our community to have one very large place where you can go to solve all of your problems. So I like the idea and I'm totally um let's try to
remember to maybe in our local group. The the world is on your shoulders, board member Conrad. >> Keep in mind you'll have new people. >> technical working group >> be new people in November. >> Um okay, is there anything else, Dr. Campbell?
>> That concludes my comment. >> board member Conrad. >> Well, thank you, chair. I just have a few um comments and things I want to share uh but I should be brief. Um I just wanted to start with I um really enjoyed our recognitions uh tonight. Um
Mrs. Where'd my note go here? Sitting here all this time. Um Mrs. Shank and Abby from Hillcrest with their um her her speech that she shared really remind us all why we're why we're up here.
Uh and why we do the job that we do along with Ellie Truman and the Ocala Horse Alliance. Just a great um community partnership there also. Um as a fourth-grade teacher, I got to see that program
firsthand. Um and the excitement in fourth-graders uh for reading uh a a pretty lengthy chapter book, which most of the time they're not that excited to do. Um just really a great program and I am just thankful for that team of people
that fundraises and volunteers and organizing, just getting um the farms and horses to the schools in and of itself is quite a challenge working with everybody's testing schedule at the end of the year. So, uh just really appreciative um for those
those partnerships. I also wanted to say um thank you to Dr. Brewer. Um she is sending letters out to our students, which I would never have known unless uh a parent emailed the board sharing with
us um the excitement of a fourth-grader. Is that right? Is he a fourth grader? >> Yes, he's going going to be a fifth grader. >> Okay, going to be a fifth grader. Thank you for the details. Um and really I I just love it so much. I I
love that our students are receiving um encouragement and recognition from their superintendent. Uh it just really makes a full circle. And so, Dr. Brewer, I would not have ever known that you were doing that, but I would just since I do
know want to say, "Thank you for the 5,698 letters uh that were sent to our students." What um what a great testament to your commitment to Marion County and its students. So, just want to say thank you for that.
Um also this morning, Board, we got I got wet this morning at the Marion County Veterans Park. They had a ceremony for the unveiling of a new monument, uh the Francis Marion or Swamp Fox. Um and so, that was a great uh
opportunity to see all the great things going on at the Veterans Park. And I actually I called Attorney Powers when I left the Veterans Park this morning because I've been there, I don't know, hundreds of times, but Marion County School Board is on the sign going into the Veterans Park. So, the City Council,
the County Commission, and Marion County School Board. And so, I know that we continue to work on building that partnership for our students to have access. And I know that many of them perform there, especially our musical groups. Um but as we continue to grow
that partnership, it really is a great resource um for our our students, not just our community. So, I was just reminded of that on on my way out. Um I too wanted to say um I'm not sure if this would you Ms. Thrower mentioned
MTC and programs there, but we also had graduation there. Um I guess it's been 2 weeks now. It's been 2 weeks, yeah. Uh and so just was a really great experience. Um everything was just just about perfect. So, just wanted to thank Mr. Smallridge
and his team um for that graduation ceremony. It's It certainly is growing. Um you can definitely see uh from the graduation ceremonies that the progress that we're seeing with our students um and their technical careers. So, um board, I also wanted to remind
you um for America 250 on Saturday the 4th, we've got parade and fire works. Um we'll be staging here at MTI. So, please be sure to let let Ms. Martinez Young know if you're able to join us. We're sure to have a good time, although I'm
we'll be hot, I know. Um and that's all I have. Thank you, chair. >> All right, thank you. In the spirit of community, I'll start my comments by um letting the board know the back-to-school community giveback back pack stuffing is going to be Saturday, July 11th, 9:00 to 11:00. I'll have Ms.
Martinez Young um or via Dr. Brewer share the calendar invite. We just shared the date uh yesterday with Dr. Brewer. Um Gill Logistics will host that again, and so we'll be stuffing thousands of backpacks for the back-to-school community giveback. Um I wanted to let the community know
the work session where we will discuss more in depth the um video uh that was mentioned during public comment will be August 20th. Um the expectation is the video is going to be um at least my expectation is that it's going to be a part of the attached items. Um we're not
going to show it publicly, but it'll be attached so that everyone is aware of what we're talking about. Um I think it would be incredibly weird to have a conversation about a video that's not attached as a public document. Um so again, I we're not going to show it
publicly, but the item needs to be available for the community to view it. So, if they wanted to provide comments, they would have had the actual video that we're discussing so that they can give testament to the discussion most appropriately. Um regarding technology in classrooms,
I totally agree. So, um for context, in my house, things are like they were in the '90s. So, I totally get it. We have one family TV. My kids only use tablets for travel. Um I mean, I guess they have to use it
occasionally now for I-Ready or um IXL for homework, but we don't do technology in my house. And so, um the pendulum swings really far left and then really far right. Uh and so, COVID really gave us a big swing in
technology. And I feel really confident that we're going to like make our way back to the normal zone of use of technology um because teachers see the difference in students. They really do. Uh students don't learn the same. And so, we definitely have programs. And the
programs are data-based. They're research-based. They work. They really do work. I can tell you Reflex as an example. It's a game-based multiplication um and division practice program. My third-grader mastered multiplication because of Reflex. Now, could she have
done it with flashcards? Sure. But, like would it have been much more uh exhausting for all parties involved including myself? Absolu- absolutely. So, there is a place for technology to support the learning of children, but you are absolutely correct. I mean, we're all up here holding a pen.
Um we all have printed paperwork. We all take notes because back in back in the day, this is how we did it, right? Uh and so, I feel confident that we're going to find a happy medium and get back to homeostasis with technology. Um like most things, it
it corrects itself. And the hope is just that we don't overcorrect, right? Cuz that's what happens is we overcorrect too far and then we remove things that are really adding benefits. So, um those are the only comments I have. Uh we will not be together um publicly uh in a meeting format until after the 4th of
July. So, I hope everyone enjoys Independence Day, celebrates America's birthday, 250 years, um and have safe celebrations, and then we'll be back to have a um public meeting after the 4th of July. Uh Ms. Martinez Young, do we have any persons requesting to um have
off >> No, Madam Chair. >> All right. Well, hearing none and there being no further business, may I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> A motion by Board Member Conrad and a second by Board Member Campbell. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. The meeting will
adjourn at 7:09. >> Nice. >> Mhm.