[music] [music] [music] Evening. Good evening and welcome to the January 27th, 2026 meeting of the Marian County School Board. It is called to order. Mirroring and modeling the way our students begin each day, I ask that we observe a moment of silence at this
time. Please join me. At this time, I want to introduce Luke Lamardo, who's going to be reading our board commitment statement. >> We are the Marian County School District Leadership Team. When we come together to work, we are efficient, effective, and productive. Our three most important
characteristics are dedicated, transparent, and individually responsible. To work well together, we must demonstrate respect, confront reality, and be accountable. We will always put students first, and we will leave a legacy of success. >> Thank you very much. For the courtesy of
those listening to the meeting, I'm requesting everyone in the audience to please turn off their electronic devices and put them on vibrate. Later in the meeting, up to 30 minutes will be provided for individuals to address the board on matters concerning the operation of the Marian County School System or the school board only.
Presentations to the board are limited to 5 minutes and are televised. If you wish to address the board regarding a regular agenda item or matters on which the board customarily takes action, you must first complete a form located in the lobby. If you wish to address the board regarding a public hearing or
student disciplinary matter, please complete a lime green form. These forms must be fully completed and received to the board clerk no later than 5:40 p.m. The procedures applicable to each are on a separate sheet. Good evening, Miss Martinez Young. Can you please call the role? >> Evening.
>> Dr. Allison Campbell, District 1. >> Mrs. Lorie [clears throat] Conrad, District 2, >> here. >> Mr. Eric Cummings, District Three, >> here. >> Mrs. Nancy Thrower, District 4, >> here. >> Dr. Sarah James, District 5, >> here. >> Luke Lombardo, Westport High School, >> Dr. Danielle Brewer, interim superintendent, >> here.
>> Mr. Dr. Jeremy P, school board attorney >> here. >> And for the record, Dr. Campbell is on the phone. Um, Dr. Campbell, can you just confirm that you're present? >> Yes, I'm here. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Dr. Campbell. Uh, thank you. Uh, Miss Martinez Young.
Dr. Brewer, who will share our inspiration and lead the pledge of allegiance for us this evening? >> Thank you. Good evening. Mr. Rimbert, the area superintendent, will come introduce our JOTC unit this evening. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening, board chair Dr. James and school board
members. Under the outstanding direction of Colonel Keith Cunningham and Master Sergeant Jennifer Richardson, unit FL200021 based at North Marin High School has a long and proud tradition of excellence. Since his activation in 2002, the unit
has earned the distinction of distinguished unit an impressive 13 times, including five awards as distinguished unit with merit. This year marks a significant milestone for the program as the unit has reached its highest enrollment ever with 149 cadets
proudly serving and leading within the school community. Service is a cornerstone of the JRTC mission. Last year alone, North Mary and JRTC cadets completed over 2,000 hours of community service, and they are already approaching this year's ambitious goal of 3,000 service hours. It is important
to note that JRTC is not a recruiting program. Its mission is to develop citizens of character, instilling leadership, responsibility, discipline, and service to others. The success of North Marian's JOTC unit is a direct reflection of the tremendous support provided by the school's administration
and faculty whose commitment allows cadetses to thrive. The pace and accomplishments of this unit are limited only by the instructor's ability to keep up with the zeal, energy, and drive of an exceptional cadet leadership core.
Thank you to our outstanding RO instructors again, uh, Colonel Cunningham and Master Sergeant Richardson. Tonight, presenting the colors this evening will be Cadet Da Charlemagne, who is the deputy commander, Cadet Blake Bell, Cadet
Ashton Aean, and Cadet Dinar Robinson. And we are thrilled to have Cadet Colonel Savannah Ramdale providing the inspiration and leading the pledge. Thank you. Good evening everyone. I would like to say um I'm really grateful to stand here
today on behalf of Junior ROC, our program at North Marin High School. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to speak before you and represent a program that has had such a meaningful impact on my life and the lives of so many students. JOTC gives
countless opportunities for students to grow, not only academically, not but personally and as leaders. I speak for everyone in our core when I say that we value the opportunity to serve our community, support one another, and
challenge ourselves to reach goals we may not have thought possible before joining this program. I have been a member of JRTC for three years total now. I'm on my fourth year and during that time I have seen
firsthand how transformative this program can be. When I first joined, I lacked confidence and never imagined myself standing in front of an audience, speaking with pride and purpose. Through JTC, I have grown tremendously,
learning how to communicate effectively, lead with confidence, and believe in myself. Since last February, I have had the honor of serving serving as a deputy oh, I'm sorry, as a cadet core commander. This leadership role has been one of the
most challenging and rewarding experiences of my high school career. As commander, I have been responsible not only for leading the core, but for setting an example. As commander,
I follow I support fellow cadetses and ensure that our unit operates with professionalism, discipline, and respect. Serving as core commander has shown me the importance of accountability, teamwork, and leadership. I have learned
that leadership is not about rank or authority, but about responsibility, trust, and putting others before yourself. These are lessons I will carry with me far beyond my time in JROTC. This program con consistency
consistently pushes us outside of our comfort zones and encourages us us to strive to be better not just for ourselves but for our peers, our school, and our community. Through our JTC, we learn how our actions matter and how
leadership when done correctly can positively influence those around us. JOTC is grounded in strong core values. We are taught integrity, service for for self, and excellence in all we do. These values guide our decisions and shape our
character both in and out of uniform. They help prepare us to be responsible citizens, leaders, and role models in our communities. It is also important to understand that JTC is not designed to recruit students into the military. Instead, it exists to
teach essential life skills like discipline, respect, confidence, time management, and accountability. These skills apply to any future path, whether that be college, the workforce, public service, or military service.
On behalf of the North Maran High School JOTC Corps, I would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support. Your encouragement and commitment allow this program to continue shaping confident, capable, and motivated young leaders. Thank you for your time this
evening. It has been a privilege to represent this program and unit. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. [applause] Please rise for the presentation of the colors and the pledge of allegiance and remain standing until the colors have been retired.
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. Right.
Please be seated. >> Thank you very much. We really appreciate you coming forward and sharing your testimony about JOTC and then also just welcoming us with a wonderful presentation. >> Thank you. >> We'll be down to take a picture a little later.
>> Dr. Brewer, I believe we have a few recognitions as well. >> Yes. And as they walk away, I want to make sure everyone knows I'm confident that the JRTC unit North Marian under the direction of Colonel Cunningham will meet the 30,000 hours. So we we strongly believe that will happen. Um, but thank
you for being here. At this time, I'd like to introduce or bring uh Miss Brooke Huau to the podium. She is the coordinator of our K12 Fine Arts Department. She will introduce our all state participants from the Florida Music Education Association. Thank you,
Miss Ha. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, board members, and Superintendent Dr. Brewer. Tonight, we are proud to recognize an exceptional group of students who have earned selection into Florida's all-state music ensembles. This achievement represents the highest level
of musical excellence for student musicians in our state and places these students among the very best young performers in Florida. Selection to an all-state ensemble is not automatic nor guaranteed. Students must prepare and perform rigorous [clears throat] auditions that are evaluated at the
state level or for honor ensembles be nominated for their skills by their director. The process demands countless hours of practice, perseverance, and commitment, often outside of the regular school day. These students rose to that challenge, demonstrating not only outstanding musical skill, but also
discipline, focus, and resilience. Participation in all state ensembles provides students with transformational experiences. They rehearse and perform under nationally recognized conductors, collaborate with equally dedicated peers from across Florida, and engage in a professional level ensemble setting.
These experiences strengthen critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and confidence. Skills that extend far beyond the music classroom and support success in academics, careers, and life. Equally important to recognize tonight are the music educators who made the
success possible. Behind every All-State student is a director who provided expert instruction, encouragement, high expectations, and unwavering support. Their dedication to excellence, often extending beyond the school day and school year, plays a vital role in nurturing student talent and passion for
the arts. Their work ensures that our students continue to compete and succeed at the highest levels statewide. To our students, we commend you for representing your schools, your families, and district with pride. Your accomplishments remind us why the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded
education and why continued support for music education matters. These students performed this past week at the Florida Music Educators Association conference, their all-state and professional development conference in Tampa. Congratulations to our Florida All-State
musicians and their directors. We are incredibly proud of you. At this time, we will call up each student to be recognized. Students, please walk in the front of the stage in this bottom area down here. And once we have everyone in place, we're going to take some pictures.
Catalina Cologne from Dr. NH Jones. Ava Constable, Dr. NH Jones. Charlotte Dilling from NH Jones. [applause] Noah Rollins from Dr. Dr. NH Jones and Liam Sylvester from Dr. NH Jones.
All five of these students were part of the elementary ORF ensemble. Silus Jackson from Howard Middle School, part of the middle school all-state band. Samuel Drada Marta from Howard Middle School, part of the Middle School Allstate Band.
Isabella Valiente from the middle school treble chorus from Howard Middle School. Aaron Chen from Howard Middle School, also part of the middle school treble chorus. [applause] Tenley Davis from Howard Middle School,
part of the middle school treble chorus. Aayita Depala from Belleview High School, part of the high school concert chorus. [applause] Aaron Lowe from Forest High School, part of the high school concert chorus. >> [applause] >> Kirsten Klouse from Forest High School,
part of the high school reading chorus. [applause] Isaac Joel from Westport High School from the high school reading chorus. Luke Lombardo from Westport High School, part of the senior high school tenor
bass chorus. Shelby McDonald from Belleview High School, the senior high school soprano alto chorus. Kamaya Walker from Westport High School from the senior high school soprano alto chorus. [applause]
Camila Kobach Arbaninois from Belleview Middle School, part of the seventh and eighth grade honor band. Sienna Reszer from Belleview High School, part of the high school honor band. [applause] And Liam Jones from Forest High School,
part of the high school honor band. Again, congratulations to all these incredible All-State musicians for doing Marian County proud and representing us well at All State Ensembles. [applause] >> And everybody stay put and we're going to come down and take some pictures. >> Awesome. >> Thank you.
>> Um once they take some student photos, if any of our directors and uh principles want to join, please come on up as well. Yes. >> You okay? >> [snorts] >> Think I came to you before. No, I
didn't. I got it. I got the Yep. Everybody's looking right here. And one, two, three. Couple more. >> Other cameras. Go for it. I got [applause] >> All right. >> Wish me luck.
>> All right, you got it. You all right? You'll get it for Facebook. I'll send it in. [laughter] >> There we go. [laughter] >> Oh, this is great. >> Okay.
>> Oh, we may have to zoom out. I'm done. >> So, everybody turn this direction. >> Here we go. I can get everybody in. One, two, three. Couple more. And say music. >> All right.
>> Camera right here. >> One, two, three. Thank you. I know. I'm excited. They left, I guess. I don't know. >> I asked Miss Connor. She said, >> "Oh, no." >> Yeah.
>> It was just her and like, "Get me out of here. You ready? >> Well, those were some wonderful recognitions. It's always a pleasure to have students at our board meetings to open our work and remind us why we are here every single day. So, we're grateful for that. I will turn it over
to Dr. Brewer. >> Thank you, Chair. I recommend approval of the agenda for the January 27th, 2026 schoolboard meeting with the materials in the board packet, those materials distributed to board members at the meeting, and the audio recording included as part of the official record
of the meeting with the exception of items D19.1, D19.2, D19.3, D19.4, D19.5, and D19.6 six that have been placed under discussion regular agenda
items. >> May I have a motion on the superintendent's recommendation? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thorougher and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. Miss Martinez Young, please provide the proof of publication
for tonight's school board meeting. >> The notice for the January 27th, 2026 schoolboard meeting ran in the Ocala Gazette on January 16th, 2026. The proof of publication has been attached in board docks under proof of publication. >> Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. And we're going to take a quick pause
because ROTC is back and we're going to take a brief picture with ROC before we go into the approval of our minutes. Thank you. [snorts] I don't know. >> [snorts] [laughter] >> Can we do two rows? >> That works better. And I love the
gloves. Here we go. One, two, three. Couple more. Good. >> Yeah. All right. Thank you for allowing that brief interruption. May I have a motion to approve the minutes for the December
18th, 2025 administrative briefing and work session? >> So move. Mot motion by board member Cummings and a second by uh board member Conrad. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. I.
>> I. Motion passes. 5-0. The school district used a construction management delivery method including a guaranteed maximum price or GMP to perform construction work on the following projects. There were unused funds on the project. Since these 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 order, which will close the financial books on these projects. The superintendent or designate has signed and approved the change order. Per board
policy 6345, the superintendent or designate is authorized to approve and execute any construction contract change order that will increase the construction contract by $25,000 or less or that will decrease the construction contract amount provided that approval shall be in her judgment in the best
interest of the board. Such change orders shall be binding upon execution by the superintendent or designate. The superintendent or design shall report each change order that she approved to the board at the board meeting that follows her approval. The superintendent or design's approval of the change order shall be entered into the official
minutes of the board meeting. I will read off a few here uh and then total them up at the end. Item 7.1, guaranteed maximum price GMP for the kitchen HVAC upgrade at Belleview Middle School, change order number two, work authorization number five, project 24-112.
The deductive change order on this item is $4,44561. 7.2 guaranteed maximum price GMP for the shade structure replacement at Hillrest School. Change order number one, work authorization number two, project 25-116. The deductive change order on this item
is $65,760.14. Item 7.3, guaranteed maximum price GMP for Ocola Middle School improvement building 1, change order number three, work authorization number 10, project 25-115. The deductive change order on this item is $541,93012.
Item 7.4, guaranteed maximum price GMP for remodel remodel of the West Bay area into an HVAC and welding industrial lab and classroom space at Maran Technical College. Change order number two, work authorization number seven, project 24-129.
This deductive change order uh on this item is $2,88110. The total amount of unused funds is $615,000 uh $615,16.97. That concludes ourformational items. Miss Martinez Young, do we have any
speakers this evening? >> Yes, Madam Chair, we have one speaker. >> Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. Good evening, Attorney Powers. Please explain the rules governing persons who wish to address the school board this evening. >> In compliance with section 286.0114 of Florida statutes, the school board
has adopted uniform procedures for public speakers who wish to speak at this evening's meeting either regarding one of today's agenda items or a matter relating to the operations of the school district. These procedures will ensure 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 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, speakers will be called prior to the business portion of the school board's meeting in order of receipt by the schoolboard clerk. Before you begin speaking, please state your name for the record and spell your last name. Each speaker will have five
minutes. However, if there are more than five persons who wish to speak, the board may seek consensus to limit each speaker speaker's time to three minutes. When the speaker has one minute remaining, the speaker will receive a visual notice to complete his or her comments. Speakers may not yield their
time to other people. Speakers and meeting attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Therefore, verbal attacks and profanity are strictly prohibited. Pursuant to the procedures for public comments item six, speakers
are not to identify specific individuals other than themselves or their child unless that statement is provided 24 hours in advance. The board is here to listen to your comments only. You may be directed to an administrative staff member following the conclusion of your
comments for further assistance to address your concerns. If there are matters dealing with student discipline, including expulsions, they'll 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 and/or their families are also strictly prohibited. A speaker speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or
expression of the school district. Thank you for your attention to the board's requirements. Madam Chair, that concludes my explanatory remarks. Thank you. >> Thank you, Attorney Powers. Miss Martinez Young, how many speakers do we have this evening? One speaker, Mr. Colton Thomas Hughes.
Hello. >> Hello and welcome. >> Hello, school board members. My name is Colton Hughes. I'm a student from North Marian High School. I am here tonight to talk about mental
health and why we need to talk about it in high schools and middle schools. The reason I think it is important is because it involves students in Marian County just like that hard day that started driving for life
that we commemorate every year of the school year. Elena >> not showing on mine. It's okay. >> And you ask, Mr. Hughes, why do you bring this up? Well, I bring this up to you because just like that car crash
that killed those students, mental health. Thank you. Mental health kills students in Marian County. and are suffering with mental health
issues. The difference is those students that have been lost due to mental health issues are shunned or put away. You know, our our very own mayor Ben Marciano said one in four people have
been that people have mental health issues. What I am asking you today is to fund a program or a day of awareness to help students just like we do for drive for life. And
I will say the longer we wait more students continue to suffer and even die to mental health issues. So me so how many lives are you willing to lose till we talk? Thank you for your
time. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate you sharing your remarks. >> Is that the conclusion of our madam chair? >> Okay. Thank you. All right. We will move into our public hearings. Transparently. We have 13 public hearings tonight. So sit steady as we run through them. I
declare a public hearing. Is there anyone present who wishes to address the board regarding any of the 13 titles for the 13 courses recommended for adoption this evening and that we will be voting on separately? All right,
I'll hand it over to Dr. Burr. >> Instructional materials are adopted according to the process defined in state statute 106.28 28 and board policy 2521. 13 titles for 13 courses are recommended
for adoption this evening. >> Thank you, [snorts] Dr. Brewer. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for kindergarten English language arts. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Conrad. All those
in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 20226 adoption of instructional materials for first grade English language arts? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Conrad and a
second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 5. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for second grade English language arts. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 20226 adoption of instructional materials for the third grade English language arts? >> Motion to approve.
>> Motion by board member Conrad. >> Second. >> Second by board member Cummings. All those in favor? Yes. I >> think we're on fourth grade now, right? >> No. Third. >> No, we're on third grade. >> Soldier. Okay. Sorry. >> So, I have a motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. I.
I, Dr. Campbell, did I hear you? >> Yes. I >> Okay. Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for fourth grade English language arts? >> Motion to approve.
>> Motion by board member Thrower. Second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 20252026 adoption of instructional materials for fifth grade English language arts? >> So move.
>> Second. >> Motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for the sixth grade English language arts.
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. I >> I motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for the 7th grade English
language arts? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Cummings, second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for the eighth grade English
language arts? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. I have a motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Thrower. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional
materials for the 9th grade English language arts. So >> move second. >> Motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for the 10th grade English
language arts. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for the 11th grade English
language arts. >> A second. >> Uh motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. I >> I motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the public hearing for the 2025 2026 adoption of instructional materials for the 12th grade English
language arts? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Thorougher, a second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 5. Now on to our consent agenda items. May I have a motion to approve consent agenda items
C11.1 through C16.5 with the exception of items D19.1, D19.2, D19.3, D19.4 and D19.5, and D19.6 that have been placed under discussion regular agenda items. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion by board member Cummings, second by board member Conrad. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes. Dr. said it. >> She said it. Okay. 5. >> Hi. >> Sorry I couldn't hear. Thank you. Before addressing expulsion matters, I would
like to acknowledge that board members have received the alternative placement list for students through December 15th, 2025. Miss Martinez Young, are there any parents who have submitted a timely request to speak on their child's disciplinary matters? >> No, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Um then I would ask may I
have a motion to approve the expulsion with services of students JD26-088E with off-campus virtual learning for the remainder of 2025 2026 school year and the first and second quarters of the 2026 2027 school year. >> Motion to approve.
>> Motion by board member Conrad. >> Second. >> Second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 5. May I have a motion to approve the expulsion with services of student JD26-092,
JD26-94, JD26-095, JD26-96, and JD26-97 for the remainder of the 2025 2022 school year and the first and second quarters of the 2026 2027 school year.
>> Motion to approve. >> Motion by board member Conrad. >> Second. >> Second by board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. I >> motion passes 5-0. Now we will move on to our discussion regular agenda items. May I have a motion to approve the
collective bargaining agreement between the inter uh international union of painters and allied trades local 1010 and the school board of marrying county 2025 to 2028. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Cummings. Second by board member Thrower. Dr. Brewer, do
you have information you'd like to share regarding this item? >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. our executive director over human resources, Miss Morant, is here to provide information on the next two items. >> Good afternoon or good evening, Dr. Brewer, Chair James, and board members.
On behalf of the human resources department, Attorney Blackman, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Local 1010 or IUPAT, I'm requesting board approval of the 2025 2026 changes to the collective bargaining agreement between IUPPAT and
the school board of Marian County. The changes to the three-year agreement are notated in the document attached to board docs. The members of the bargaining unit ratified the tenative agreement by a vote conducted by IUPAD. The total cost associated with this item is approximately $1 million. Once again,
we want to extend our sincere appreciation to IUPAT members, the district bargaining team, and everyone involved in ensuring we were able to settle on the IUPAD collective bargaining agreement. And I'm very, very happy to report that with tonight's approval, we are officially done with
bargaining for 2526. So, with that, I'll turn it back to you, Dr. Brewer. Thank you, Miss Morant. >> All right. Awesome. Board, uh, I open it up for discussion. >> Madam Chair, I'm just glad this is
finally over. All of our staff can, uh, say that we've, uh, worked through all of the the little foxes and, um, glad we got a good contract bargaining. >> Absolutely. And staff's already getting prepared to start bargaining for next school year. So, I'm certainly proud of
the work that our staff as well as the unions have done to collaboratively work together to get these um these agreements ratified timely so that our staff is getting the raises they deserve. Um and a lot of them got it even before Christmas. So, what a
blessing. Any further discussion board? All right, hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion to approve the amendment to the central office staffing plan for the 2025 2026 school year?
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> I a motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Cummings. Miss Morant, I believe you have remarks for this. >> I do. With this item, we're recommending approval of amendment to the central office staffing plan exchanging a budget budget specialist position and grants
and federal programs to an accountant one position. The funding source for this is title one. The second amendment request is to exchange the purchasing specialist position to a coordinator too and the funding source is general funds. Additional attachments to this agenda
item are the board approved summitive central office plan amendments for the 202526 fiscal year and the summitive school unit allocation updates for the 202526 fiscal year. >> Thank you, Miss Mar. Dr. Barry, did you have anything you wanted to add?
>> No, ma'am. Thank you. >> All right, board. Should I open it up to discussion? Nope. Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. Thank you, Miss Mar. >> May I have a motion to approve the interlocal agreement between the school
board of Maring County, Florida, and the town of Reic, Florida for the use of basketball courts at Reic Collier Elementary School. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Thrower and a second by board member Cummings. Dr. Brewer, do you have information you'd like to share regarding this item? >> Yes, ma'am. Miss Usher is already at the podium, but we appreciate this item
being brought to us um by you, chair, and we're um fortunate that our our team was able to work with Reddic to make um this come to life. So, thank you, Miss Usher. >> Yes. Thank you, Dr. Brewer. Good evening, Chair James. Board members, this is an interlocal agreement between
the school board and the town of um Reic for the use of the basketball courts. It is existing courts um there and the town will maintain it. They will improve it and they will conduct the safety inspections while we will fence it to
separate that the campus from the basketball fields. The term of this agreement is for 10 years with two 10-year renewal. >> Wonderful. Thank you, Miss Usher. Board, I open it up for discussion. >> Glad to get it done for the kids.
Madam Chair, this is this is a prime example of what can happen when uh our local municipalities are willing to work with us um and have just open uh conversations. So this is a good thing.
>> Absolutely. And I have to share Principal Manning um Dr. Manning at Reddic reached out to me very um as he was reviewing the agenda ahead of the meeting um yesterday and just shared how excited he is for his students to be able to have a safe place and an accessible place for them to play. Um
currently some of them maybe make poor choices on the weekend and hop the fence so that they can play inside our safety perimeter on the school campus because those are better. So, um I as the representative for district 5, I look forward to working with the town to find some ways creatively we can fund um
revitalizing the basketball courts as well as the tennis courts in Reic so that our students have opportunity for safe play uh when school is not in session. Any further comments? All right, hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I.
>> Motion passes 5-0. And may I have a motion to approve the guaranteed maximum price GMP for East Maran Elementary School interior wall installation project 25-114. >> So move >> second. >> Motion by board member Cummings and a second by board member Thrower. Uh Miss Usher, you're also here maybe to speak
to that item. >> Yes. This is the Dr. Burough. >> Go ahead. Yes. Thank you. >> This is the guaranteed maximum price for East Marian Elementary School, the doors and wall project. Um, this will really enhance the learning environment by establishing those doors and walls. It
will also include a single point of access that will be great for safety and security. The school was built as an open concept. This is also the first project that we're using sales tax funds for. So, we thank the um Marian County
voters for approving the halfsent sales tax stacks for schools. The GMP is 3.7 million. The contractor is Osley Construction and the schedule is from February 26, 2026 to December 31st, 2026.
The project will be done in phases and we closely coordinated this with the principal to make sure it does not impact the um the teaching environment and the testing dates and he's quite supportive of it. Thank you, Miss Usher. Board, I open it
up for discussion. >> Here, I need to recuse myself from this item. >> Okay. >> Any further discussion? I want to say Dr. Pope came to agenda review and was able to actually present this to executive um cabinet and he really has a very thorough plan. And what I am most
excited about is um many of us, I'm sure all of us have visited East Marion at one point, but when you walk in right now, you are in the school. There are no walls and no doors in that entire front building. And um also the cafeteria line goes right through the lobby.
And so this plan is going to create a safe vestibial entrance. It's going to create a a more efficient way for students to access the cafeteria. And then obviously all of those teachers will now have doors and walls in their classrooms which is going to make the learning environment much more
appropriate. So, I know it's hard to believe, but back in the 70s, there was a really cool idea to just have open classroom concept, and that's how we got here today. So, I'm very excited for this project. Any further discussion, board? All right. All those in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> I. >> All right. Motion passes 4 with one recusal. >> Thank you. >> May I have a motion to approve the open gate weapons detection system? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Motion by board member Conrad and a second by board member Cummings.
Dr. Brewer, do you have information you'd like to share regarding this item? >> Yes, ma'am. We are excited to bring this item to you um for a vote this evening. We have our executive director of safe schools here to provide brief remarks concerning the open gate weapons detection system. Thank you, Mr.
McFaten. >> Yes, and good afternoon. Um open gate detection weapons detection system. We're asking for approval tonight of a $400,000 purchase of these 19 systems that will be utilized at our local high schools. Each high school will receive
two open gate weapon detection systems, including one being here at uh Bridgeway Academy, as well as two within the safe schools department. And these systems will be used to check individuals as they come onto the campus, whether it be football games
after our events, graduations. We're going to use these to to do a the terance of having bringing weapons and stuff on our school campuses. >> Thank you, Mr. McFaten. Board, I open it up. Are there any questions or comments? >> Um, I just have one.
>> Yes, chair. [clears throat] Excuse me. Um, excuse me again, Mr. Mr. McFaten, I think you just clarified this for me, but when I went through the agreement, um, on page 26, it states that we have three sets for Bridgeway, but what you
explained and what it says on page 36 is we'll have one set for Bridgeway Academy and two will be used for safe schools for backup for schools as needed or for events. Is that correct? >> Yes, ma'am. That's correct. We just had to have a location for the two that was
going to be uh used by safe schools. For instance, we had a situation where there was allegations of a kid going on the campus with a gun at a middle school. In that case, the ones that's assigned to safe schools would would have been taken over to that school, that middle school, and used to search the more than
thousand kids we had on the campus that we had to do a separate way. U this would have made the process much easier and faster and more efficient. >> Okay. Thank you so much. I also want to say thank you for giving us or providing the opportunity for us to really see um
this equipment in action. It was just very uh innovative and exciting and so I'm I'm looking forward to having them on our campuses. So, thank you for your work. >> And once with your approval and once we purchase them, we will actually have them come back and each individual school will have their own training and
an opportunity for the board to come back to those schools and watch it live and in action again. >> Yes, sir. I there's a really an intensive training program uh you know that's written up in the agreement. So I'm excited about that um because the presentation he shared really that's the
crux of um us getting us getting the most bang for our buck with this device is how it's if it's used correctly. >> I'm excited too. I'm ready to go back to school. [laughter] >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you board member Conrad. Uh further comments from the board. Board member Thor.
>> Thank you. I'll just say that it's a $400,000, you know, um, line item and it is an example of just how much more expensive it has gotten to provide safe education,
you know, for our students and and safe environments. Our I wish that our uh safe schools allocation that that we get, which we're grateful for obviously, you know, covered every every expense. uh that that we need. Um but that's not
the case. And so we're always going to do what's best and safest for everyone that works for us and attends our schools, but it definitely doesn't come for free. And I continue to be, you know, sad for where we are in society
that that that this is even necessary. But until it becomes unnecessary, we're going to do it. We're going to continue to advocate for the funding that we need to do it right. So, and and I really the demonstration was really really straightforward. The the
the tech is so good. So, in that respect, I was I was glad to be there, but in every other respect, I really wasn't to be honest. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, thanks. >> We appreciate you, the board, this administration. We work very closely with obviously Dr. Brewer, Mr. White
House and the rest of the team, all these departments coming together. So like what Reverend Cummings said about community and partnerships working together, you know, this one team, one mission, it's real here at Maring County Public School. So thank you Dr. Brewer, Mr. White House, Miss Morant, Mr. Rios
Welsh, just everybody for allowing us the opportunity to, you know, put it all together. >> Thank you. Our student board member, Mr. Lombardo has something to say as well. >> Thank you. I just wanted to say thank you to you for helping to provide a safe
environment for our students and if you have any information on it I just have two questions. >> Yes sir. >> Uh the first one is how will this look from a student perspective as we are entering our campus and then also for graduations I know that places like the world equestrian center can be very
complex and there are a lot of entrances. So just how will it look as people are walking into places such as that as well. >> So let's address the students on campus. a lot of and a lot of working with Mr. Kevin Christian and his team. It's going to be a lot of education, gonna be a lot
of um public relations uh information sent out prior to the implementation of this process. Students will get the opportunity to visually see either through video or some type of one-page uh flyers or something how all this still works. Uh we know that it's going
to be a little struggle and time consuming and we're going to have to make some slight changes here and there, but the goal is to make sure that we do it this roll out and have every student understand the whole process on the very first day that we try these here. Um again, working with Mr. Christian and
his team and and looking at some of the um ways it was implemented in different districts. We're going to put together a real strategic and plan to make sure that it limits the amount of time and impact on a student uh student day. Again, the initial phase and roll out
will be a little shaky as far as time consuming, but we're pretty confident as we move forward, it's going to be seamless and just a flow that that's not going to really disrupt the entire school day. >> Mr. Madam Chair, >> as far as graduations,
>> oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. You still answer. I'm sorry. >> Graduations, it's going to be a different story. We're talking four, 5,000, 6,000 folks coming to these graduations. We're going to have multiple systems set up so that any opportunity for the um community to come
into the graduation ceremonies. We'll have different stations set up with our um safe school staff, law enforcement school staff to be there to uh again make this a seamless process. Remember, we look at it as football games where some of these stadiums are holding 50
60,000 people. We know we're not going to have that much of a challenge, but if they can do it, we can do it. >> Yes, sir. Thank you, >> Reverend Cummings. Oh, sorry, >> Madam Chair. And I thank I thank Mr. Lombardo for asking that question because often times when there's a new
there's implementation of something um new or different. It it breaks routines um and people get angsty and and they get uh impatient and uh create a lot of ruckus for something that's going to
benefit them. I come from that background and I I know Mr. um Mr. McFaten does as well. Um this is going to be it's going to be a growing pain. It's going to be a growing pain. But one of the things I learned in law enforcement is that safety isn't convenient, but it's necessary. And and
we can see that even as we um you're much much younger than I am, but from the from when I used to fly before 911 and how I fly now that it's a difference. And so it it is it's different going through TSA and
all those types of things, but I understand it's necessary for our safety. So hopefully when these things get rolled out, the community and the people that's that's coming to graduation and the people and the students that's going in every day will see this as it's for their good. So that was a great question. >> Yes, sir. Thank you.
>> And thank you Mr. Lombardo for that question. I met your grandmother. We saw each other. It was like we know each other from somewhere but both of us are always out and about apparently and we're still trying to figure out where we know each other from prior to here whether it was a school or something. So, it's like she knows me, I know her,
but we're trying to figure out where. >> Well, thank you for everything you do. >> Uh, board member Conrad. >> Yes, Mr. McFaden. I was just wondering if you could elaborate. And the reason I asked is because when I stepped in for the presentation, I had a different visual than what was presented. So, could you speak just a little bit to the
AI component and that students are not going to have to take off their backpack every single time? And so, I think that it is going to be a transition. it is going to be a learning curve but may not may not be as challenging as um some of us have visualized it to be.
>> So basically with the system we're able to set the sensitivity level to e to pick up something as small as an ink pen or some type of small metal but we realize that that would require every student to be checked every single day. So once we get the sensitivity level to
a comfortable level to where we know that there's not weapons being passed onto the school campus, we'll set it at that. But within this training process and this implementation process will send out information to each student, their families on what they can and what
can't pass through the metal detector. For instance, a Stanley Cup. When I first saw this here, I was thinking there's no way a Stanley Cup is going to go through there without going off. But when you see the process, a Stanley cup will get through, but not a weapon. So again, it's setting the sensitivity
level to where it's not picking up every little piece of metal, but it's it's picking up enough to where there's a different mechanism that is picking up when it comes to weapons. Um, unfortunately, things like laptop and computers, they're going to be picked up. So what the process is is as a
student comes up with the backpack on they take their laptop hand it to a staff member and then they walk through the open gate weapons detection system and then they get their laptop as they get on the other side. So laptops, big huge three ring binders. There's just
certain things that that's going to trip it and u trigger the alert. But as we again fine-tune this here and get it down to a science, uh we'll know exactly what can and what can't come through, making it convenience for our students and staff
and visitors. >> Thank you, Mr. McFaden. I appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Any further comments from the board? >> All right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes 5-0. May I have a motion
to reject bid 4165GM/ readymix concrete delivery. >> Motion to reject. >> Second to reject. >> Motion by board member Conra and a second by board member Cummings. Um Dr. Brewer, I believe Mr. Rios Walsh has. >> He is. He's going to provide explanation
for the rejection of this bid. >> Good evening, Dr. Brewer, members of the board. Thank you. Uh yeah, this is a standard rejection of a bid. We don't uh typically see these, but we we do see them uh every now and then. So, we wanted to uh come before you to provide some additional information. Um so, this
is for readymix uh concrete delivery service and we had several um we had bids that were put out. We put it to our vendor link. Companies can go out submit a bid if they like. Unfortunately, in this case,
um we had um some bids that were deemed non-responsive. Uh one for failure to submit uh the required uh bid documents and another for failure to comply with the terms and conditions. So, uh by rejecting the bid, this will allow us to go back out and either rebid or
negotiate directly with the vendor um as we see fit. Uh and so that's where we are uh with this particular item. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Rio Welsh board. Um, transparently, I just want you guys to know we don't do rejections very much. We have had them two meetings in a row, but as chair, I wanted to make sure
transparently we were um bringing them to discussion so that the community community could see um seeing as the process after rejection can look like just going directly to a vendor. Um, is there any further comments or discussion on this item? >> All right, hearing none. All those in
favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. Thank you, board. We will now move on to meeting reminders. An administrative briefing and work session is scheduled for February 5th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. And a board meeting is scheduled for February 10th, 2026 at
5:30 p.m. We will start board committee reports and comments with Dr. Campbell on on the phone. Dr. Campbell, I open the floor up to you. >> Thank you so much. Uh hopefully you can hear me. I just wanted to offer a couple of comments. Uh, first of all, in the
consent agenda, we approve perfect audits for Oyola Middle School, Miss Lori Hunter does a great job there, as well as Spar Elementary and Miss Jana Graham. Um, both of them have had multiple years of perfect audits. So,
kudos to them. Also wanted to say thank you to Lakewear High School and Marian Technical College culinary students for rolling out the red carpet yesterday for Congressman Fine's visit. It was wonderful and everything went really
well. And finally, uh today's FCA breakfast was wonderful. Thank you for representing us, Dr. James, and for all the students and staff that were present. Just wonderful things happening with FCA. And that concludes my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Campbell. Attorney
Powers, do you have any comments? >> None for me. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Martinez Young. >> No, Madam Chair. Thank you, >> Dr. Brewer. >> Okay. Thank you. I have a few things and thank you to Dr. Campbell for mentioning the Congressman Fines visit yesterday at Lake High School and the FCA breakfast
this morning. We also had a wonderful celebration this weekend with Mr. Albbright and the tax collector. We we believe we're on year 14, but it might be longer than that. But 14 years of the partnership between the tax collector's office and Marian County Public Schools
where our fifth grade students get to doing artwork and then they compete for different awards. So that was this weekend and it was wonderful to see all of the families here celebrating their little artists. So it was great. Also, our schools are currently celebrating
Read, White, and Blue for literacy week. And the schools have been very creative in their efforts to make um just bring literacy alive and make it a lot of fun. So, we appreciate the efforts from all of our schools. Um I want to remind all
our families that tomorrow is an early release day for our instructors to receive professional development on their school sites. So, students will go home two hours early. And last but not least, next week we will recognize all of our school counselors during school
counselor week. And our school counselors um play an instrumental role in all of our school all of our students just like the student tonight Colton mentioned. They they work through mental health concerns with our students. They also are in charge of the academic
advising. So they just are um we could not do what we do in schools each day without our school counselors. So we want to rec recognize them today in prep preparation for next week. Thank you chair. >> Thank you Mr. Lambert. >> Uh I do not have much to say today but I
just wanted to thank you all for making sure that we really are fulfilling all of the strategic plan goals and really making sure that we're focusing on student success and especially today focusing on a safe working environment for our students. And then also making
sure that we're communicating well to our community on everything that's going on because I feel that's super important especially with something as complex as a weapons detection system. Making sure that not just the students know about it but also the parents and the staff and all the faculty. And I just think it's
really important and I think that every time I come here I just recognize more and more how good of a job our school district does with that and I'm just appreciative of it uh from a student perspective. So I just wanted to thank you all. >> Wonderful. And we should give a round of applause because we could have a future
Gator amongst us because he didn't get into UF last week. So congratulations on that [applause] >> from a Gator alumni. Um board member Thrower. >> Thank you. And um yes, the uh multitude
of events that occur on any given week um in support of our students and and our one team, one mission is just continues to be so gratifying and and continues to accelerate. There's just so many good things happening. And those of us that were on the board during COVID
when we couldn't even be together, it it just felt like everything was shriveling up and now everything's blooming again. And there's just so many great things going on. [snorts] Um I am excited to get back up to Tallahassee in the over the next couple of days. Um the advocacy
and the relationships that we've built with our local delegation uh are starting to uh bear fruit in so many ways. And I'm glad that this board dedicates themselves time in the summer, you know, when our legislators actually have a minute to breathe and and meet
with us in a more informal atmosphere. and then going back up in October as committee week uh begins and then for the big banana which is you know legislation is is in session right now and and really doing all we can to keep
our uh priorities on on the front burner for education and and we're starting to get some interesting movement especially in our number one priority which is ed uh which is attendance. you know, we all know if kids aren't in school, they're not able to benefit from um all of the
things that are available to them. [clears throat] And it's sad when families and and students for a million reasons, whatever they are, most of them preventable, uh don't avail themselves of school. And we have our monthly
truency court, which lasts all day. And when it gets to that point, um, it really is heartbreaking. However, there are so many ways to get the train back on the track. And that's what I continue to try to amplify throughout the
community. You know, just making one different choice tomorrow can begin to change the trajectory, you know, of your students life and therefore the success of your family. And I know our legislators hear us loud and clear. There's at least two bills um that are
currently in the hopper. And when we get this attendance and and tardy issue much more greatly reduced, we're going to see an even more rapid acceleration
of of our success. You know, the two just go hand in hand. And I'm going to speak about tardies for just a minute because we are really getting there with average daily attendance and schools like Oakrest that have struggled for so long. They are at their average daily
attendance goal every day. They usually surpass it. Um but the remaining issue con continues to be and and maybe our student board member can help us with this a little bit because a lot of the guilty parties are our older kids. You know, they're in high school now. They
drive themselves. Well, it's a few minutes late when you're going through the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts, you know, and it frustrates the principles because they feel like they only have so much control, you know, and and it's frustrating to have lines of students
coming in tardy, holding coffees, snacks. It's it's obvious that they stop somewhere else first and prioritize that over getting to school on time. So, I hope that we can
continue to make this a community partnership and ask, you know, in the old days a lot of our businesses were owned just by citizens. So, if you know a student was late to school
already, most family-owned businesses knew what time school started and they probably would tell you, "I'm not selling you any candy today because you're already late to school. Come back after school." So, I I would just like to get creative because even our quick
kings, even our wawas are probably managed by somebody that lives locally, somebody who has kids in our public schools, somebody that would like to hire somebody that makes it a priority to get to work on time. And that takes practice. So, I'm going to put the
challenge out there. I hope the challenge will be accepted. But it is high time for our whole community, especially our business community to completely connect how important it is if you want to make a lot of money tomorrow, you better have people that
are on time today. So that's my going to be my forward focus the whole time we're up in Chile, Tallahassee. And I'm really excited to have the opportunity again to share with our legislators. and I'm incredibly grateful to the legislators that have put forth bills and um that
are really working with us uh to help make this happen. It's pretty exciting. That's all I have for tonight. >> Thank you, Board Member Thor. Reverend Cummings, >> good evening. Um just a few things. I only had five, but then board member Thor kept talking and I got seven more
out of that one. She kept talking. I'm just kidding. Um this morning we had the FCA breakfast at the uh Church of the Spring. Thank you to the Church of the Springs and to all of our community partners um for that. It was truly a wonderful breakfast. Um I thought it
went um very well to see and hear our students um elaborating. You Dr. um James did well and our mayor as well and the other coach. So, it's it was truly a breakfast that you can see how FCA is
growing in our district and it's touching so many kids' lives. Um, the second thing I saw I want to talk about is the young man that came up, Colton Hughes, that was talking about mental health. I think sometimes people uh uh
under estimate or under don't look at how serious mental health issues really are in our in our school system. and we really need to be paying attention. I thank the young man for bringing that to our attention as well on tonight to say that students are dealing with different
things. I said it when we were in CO um board member Thor remember this. I said often times that these kids that were coming back to our schools were going to come back different. And here they are. They're now uh five years down the road. They they were in middle school or
elementary school. Now they're in high school. and they're telling you, the kids are telling you that things are different. So, um if we don't listen to them and try to do something different um and make sure that we're addressing these needs, um we could have some serious problems.
Third thing I want to talk about is um I [clears throat] want to give a shout out to our homeless department. The reason I want to bring this one up is because um throughout the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, we know that they're doing some great work throughout Christmas and
and the holidays, but it's days like this now where it's cold and people are um you know, Florida's normally has moderate weather all the time and everybody's good and but it's nights like this uh it's next stretch of nights
where the homeless department is still working all the time and they have to meet some needs of some people that, you know, we may take it um for granted. You know, we have a roof over our heads and warm shelter, but there's there's some folk out there that tonight are are looking for a place to just wrap up and
be warm, whether it be their car, shelter, or something. So, our homeless department does a tremendous job with trying to meet the needs of our um our people. And I I just wanted to give them a shout out. I was over there today and I could see the work that they do all
the time, not just Thanksgiving, Christmas, special days, but throughout the year um making sure that um needs are being met. Um we can't do it all, but they they go they go they go to bat trying to make sure that needs are being met. So, I do want to thank thank them
for that. And then today, um I had the opportunity to go over to Forom um Academy. We all know that um the school is named after one of my my mentors, one of the people that I thank Halo, one of my former principles. And um it was a day of giving back because we got to
we're talking about the read reading and I had the opportunity to read for um read and record a book for um for Black History Month. So um that was wonderful. I thank the staff over there, Miss Beck and all of her staff, Miss Carpenter,
all of them for uh allowing me to come over. I think we've had some other district leaders that have gone over this week and there'll be some other community leaders that will go over and read as well. Um, it's important it's important for these kids to understand
that reading is fundamental. I know we say that as a cliche, but it is fundamental and you you can't you just can't you got to be able to read. And then my final thought, my final thought and board member Thor, you did bring this up about the tardies, about these
kids being tardy. And um when I when I think about tardies for kindergarten through 8th grade, maybe six, most of that I think is is parent driven. Um sometimes I think sometimes the parent have more control. But when they get to high school, when they get those later
middle grades, they get to high school, it's mostly the student. It's mostly student. [clears throat] So, um, you're right because I see them I see them in line at at Dunkin Donuts. I see them in line at Starbucks. Um, and and I been
one of them students. They didn't have Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts around when I was in high school. They had Mr. Donut and that was way across town. And you had to y'all remember that. But you had to I'm dating myself. >> Temptation has always been there. >> Yeah. The temptation's always been there. But, uh, some of us just knew
that you need to be in class on time. So, uh, maybe maybe maybe I'm just thinking outside the box as you were talking, maybe the high schools need to put their own coffee shops and doughnut shops in their high schools and then and there you go, generate funds and then
the kid and the coffee and donuts be so good at the high school that the kids were like, I got to get to school early to get me some coffee and donuts from my high school. And I thought about that because when I was at when I was um in high school and we would have this is a
long time ago, we used to have summer school and it alternated between here and Vanguard. Every year it would alternate and the summertimes um uh Vanguard had a wonderful culinary department and they had these big cookies that was just so good that you
didn't you didn't want the lunch, you just wanted the cookies. And so we would make sure that we got there early to get cookies in the morning, get there early for lunch to get cookies. And uh that was in 80 something and they were a dollar then. So imagine what the price
would a cookie be now. So just thinking outside the box, maybe our high schools need to think of having their own coffee shops and that may get the kids to school on time. Those are my comments for tonight. >> Can you say one thing? >> Yes, board member. >> Thank you. Because I remember those days
and when and it was I guess it was even in the '9s. It was before the law changed about competing with the cafeterias and federal funds and so on because I just remember Coach Plumbley's brownies in a basket like that and she
would stand out there at a portable city with this basket and the kids would come by and you know buy them and and we sold pickled eggs and um Oh yeah and all kinds of stuff and but then that rule came down that you couldn't compete with
the cafeteria. I love the concept of let's just have our own coffee shop. So, I don't know, you know, have to check with food service if they can do smash burgers. Maybe they can do coffee shops. >> Powers. [laughter] >> There's always a way where there's a way. >> There's always a way.
>> If there's a will, there's a way. >> Very good. >> There's an appetite for it. >> There's >> Yes. [laughter] >> With the puns tonight, >> board member Conrad. Thank you, chair. Good evening, everyone. And um so that added a little something. Uh it was on
my list to talk about um our visit to Lake High School, but Chef Nine was actually talking about some workarounds um for popup stands um for different things for our students, but there are a lot of lot of regulation, a lot of red
tape. So, he's working on some ideas. So, I think I hope he's listening tonight um because we've got some really good things to share with him. So, um, with that, I'll lead into I just wanted to say, and several board members have said it already, but, um, our visit to
Lakeer High School, um, I just want to say a thank you to Mr. Jacobs, um, and Chef Nine and and I I can't possibly list everyone that was just, um, on it for that visit. It was there was a lot of look work, a lot of readiness, uh um
a lot of preparation and then there was also some waiting and you know a high school schedule is is tight and so I just want to thank everyone at Lakeer High School for that flexibility um their creativity all of the things. It really was a
special um visit. Um and we had enough time at the end to to do a little talking and presenting about our early learning center that that we were hoping uh to gain some traction on in the south end of town. So, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody uh for the work
and preparation uh that went into that visit. Um it was fabulous. I want to also talk about um ROC that was here from North Marian uh right at the beginning of the program. Uh Dr. Brewer, they did a really great job um
outlining what the expectation was for the presentation of the colors. So, um I just would like maybe to use that as a template. >> Um because many times you standing in you stand up here and you look There you go. Thank you, Miss Connor. um you look
at it, everybody's kind of looking for direction like what exactly are we supposed to do and she gave such specific directions tonight. It really was wonderful and um they did a phenomenal job and they looked really sharp also. So just thanks. The other question I had is what kind of projects do they do for those? You know, he's
working on 3,000 hours worth of volunteer work and so I wondered what some of those um projects are. Um, I'm just excited to hear because they are motivated and um I think it would be nice for the community to know too also all the work that that goes on through
um ROC. So, uh that's just a question I had. No hurry as they're [clears throat] working through. They may not even know what all they're going to do yet, but I'm excited to hear. Um I also wanted to say a thank you. You know, we have so many community partners and we talk
about it every board meeting, every work session. and we're talking about all the wonderful things that happen um within our community but also in relation to Marian County Public Schools. And so today we started the day um with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Um and
Dr. James, you did a wonderful job. It was great to see you in action. Um but that event was sponsored by or partnered with Advent Health and so that was a great great partnership um a great event and it it showcased many of our students and our staff members. But later in the
day, we celebrated um we thank a teacher and the public ed foundation and HCA hospital. And so today was just one of those days where both we got to see both hospitals and the work that they're doing to help Marian County public schools um and and getting the work done
and meeting the needs of many uh of our students. And so just really um thankful for that. And I actually meant to do this backwards, do it the other way around because I didn't want to end on a negative, but I got distracted with the the popup coffee shop. And so I'll just
mention this really quickly. Um Dr. Kimell mentioned we you know we had four internal audits today. Um and two of them were were phenomenal. Um we had two that were not quite phenomenal. And so board, I know that I keep bringing this up. Um we've talked about it many times
and I did speak briefly with Mr. White House and he shared that there's more training going on, but I really would like to see us um get to a point where we don't have a lot of mistakes in those internal audits. Um so anyway, I just wanted to bring some awareness to that. I continue to watch and hope that that
we're going to see movement um as those audits come forward. I know a lot has to do with the time for training and turnover and staff, all of those things. So um I don't mean to be insensitive about it. I just I want I want us to do better. I I want our schools to do better. And so, um, again, I meant to
start with that because I don't want to end on a negative note. Um, but thank you again to everyone, all the work that goes into all the activities, uh, that are going on each and every day. So, that's all I have. Chair, >> thank you. And I'll bring it back to Reverend Cummings real quick. >> Madam Chair, please forgive me. I had
one I was just so excited about the popup coffee shop and donuts. Um, there was one other thing I want to thank um, our board. I think this board um on last week um we had the MLK activities and um
our board participated in all of those activities. All of us were at at something um from the uh the e uh the prayer breakfast to the uh youth day at the park, the wreath lane ceremony, um
the ecumenical service, the march. Um in the evening of the day at the park, we were there. uh our superintendent had a wonderful picture at our uh our prayer breakfast with our keynote speaker Moore from West 2 News and uh I didn't realize
you were that short till I saw that picture. [laughter] Um but uh it was a wonderful wonderful message. Dr. James, I saw you with your kids out there at the youth day. So I it it's events like that that um the community gets the opportunity to
see um Marian County School in a different light. And um uh I don't know were you at the park, Dr. Bureer? Were you um out there with the Cupid slide and shuffle and all that stuff too? >> I I didn't get to participate that but I did I was at the park.
>> I I I saw you there. So um but I did want to thank this board for for being involved in the community. Thank you. Thank you, Reverend Cummings. So, um, everyone has done such a wonderful and thorough job. I have so many notes, so I'm going to rapid fire through. I'll
start at the north end. Um, I wanted to, uh, give props to, uh, Colonel Cunningham. He does a phenomenal job with his JRTC program. And I will share one of the ways they get service projects um and points uh and hours is supporting Jumbo Air and they do the
traffic pattern for the big Halloween event, but then they also spend time um working with Mr. Bull and his staff on the planes and spending time really getting their hands dirty, no pun intended. So, I wanted that was something I knew and I you had asked, but we can certainly get all of that information to you. We had a public
comment tonight about um how to help address mental health and and I think what was so profound about the public comment this evening is it highlights a studentdriven student created activity that came from a disaster on the north end. So um I was not a um and and
actually the anniversary of that event is yesterday. So, it happens to be my birthday, which is um kind of a a double-edged sword in my house because my husband was very good friends with everyone who died in that car accident a year after he graduated. Um and so, Drive for Life was a campaign that was
created by students out of that tragedy. And so, Dr. Dr. Brewer, I would extend opportunity for conversation maybe on the north end or throughout our school district with students who are interested in creating a studentdriven initiative um to address mental health because I believe the reason Drive for
Life is so profound and impactful to our students every year is because it came from students and is led by students. Uh and I think that's what makes it meaningful. So I would love to see us work on that. Uh, I wanted to make the community aware as I have received communication and I'm sure the rest of
the board has as well um from our agenda item last Thursday about the north end resoning. Um, Dr. Brewer and her staff are working on a timeline for February and March community meetings and town halls to meet with community. So, those dates will be forthcoming. Um, and those
will all be ahead of further discussion by the board. So, I wanted everyone to be able to hear that. Um I wanted to also um make uh it was wonderful to see many of you the today this morning for the FCA breakfast. It was my pleasure to
um serve that board as well and bring that and it also reminded me when Mr. um Congressman Fine was on our campus at Lake High School yesterday. Uh Dr. Campbell made mention to point out our in God we trust posters which are all throughout our campus. Um, and it just
ties into the work we're doing with our faith-based communities to continue to support students from all walks of life and faith journeys as they look for support and what that can look like for them on our campuses. Golden Apple is this weekend, the Gayla,
so uh we I'm sure most if not all of us will be there this Saturday. Uh it will be chilly so bundle up. But we will get to hear who is our final uh winner for in Golden Apple um finalist and winner
for the year. Uh I hear like always there's going to be some kind of surprise. So I don't know if Mr. Christian is putting on a top tier performance again or not. Um I get to serve on the public ed foundation board now. Uh but there was they were tight lipped about what this surprise may be.
Um but I did have my pleasure of going to my first foundation board meeting yesterday. Uh, and that was a pleasure and I was able to share um, board member Thrower. I was able to talk about attendance and some of our uh, legislative priorities and many of the people in that room are headed to Tallahassee in the next couple of weeks
and they really appreciated hearing what's important to us so that as they can integrate those things into their conversations and support the work of Maring County Public Schools. So, that was wonderful. Um, oh, I forgot one more thing on the north end. Um, OBS had
their sale today. um our northn students were there um with Miss Jones who does a tremendous job and I believe we sold a horse for $11,000. So that is always so wonderful and we're so grateful for the work that Miss Jones does to support that program um because
truly it is um wonderful and the students on the north end are able to really get some hands-on experience. Um, regarding tardies, I dare not talk about a coffee shop, but I will say that when I was an administrator at a high school in this district in a not too distant
past, um, you were not allowed to bring in outside food and be late. So, you had to leave it at the front desk and collect it at the end of the day. I don't know if that is not still a thing, but if it is not, I'm more than happy to adjust the code of conduct accordingly to make it a thing. Um, this board
member at least is. So, what we did was when you brought you came in late, if you came in after the bell and you had Dunkin' Donuts, you had to leave it with your name and a sticky note and it would be probably pretty warm and no longer iced by the end of the day and it would be there for you by the end of the day.
So, if that's not a thing, I'd love for it to be a thing. That would solve it really helped curb the issue because um students either figured out how to chug their drink before they came in or they didn't do it at all because they realized they weren't going to be able to eat that warm bagel. Um, and it is
very expensive and a waste of money. So, that is a strategy that Belleview High School used for sure when I was there. Uh, one thing that I've heard from the community is Camp Kuanas. The website has not been updated. So, I know that we're discussing Camp Kuanas stuff. Um,
but if we have a timeline, um, having elementary age students, it is a topic of conversation in my circles and I know that people are interested in knowing what Camp Kowanas will look like for this summer. And finally, I just want to say I had such a good time at the MLK events. It's always a good time to take
my kids. Um, and the church service was phenomenal. It was so good. Miss, our very own Miss Morant, as well as others were singing. I told them I would pay tickets to go to the Riley to see them perform because it was truly, it was really, and I'm not, I'm not
exaggerating, it was really very good. Um, and it was just so um, the Holy Spirit was alive in the church and it was very exciting and so I really did enjoy it. So many good things are happening on our campuses and it's a pleasure to work with you all every day to serve our community. We divide and
conquer very well to make sure that we represent um, our community and our board. That will conclude our comments for this evening. That there being no further business, may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to second. A motion by board
member Conrad and a second by uh board member Cummings. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Motion passes 40. Dr. Campbell has signed off already. This meeting is adjourned at 6:59.