be much more difficult. At the same time, we commit fully to responsibility. Martin Arts will not serve alcohol during school hours or school related functions. Service would be strictly limited to evening or weekend cultural program with pop proper licensing,
training staff and strong safety protocols. This culture, this structure is proven to work in cultural centers nationwide. It protects students, supports donors, and ensures the center is financially sustainable. This cultural center would be more than a
building. It would be a destination, a place where residents can visit, shop, learn, and be entertained. It would strengthen our creativity, our creative economy, enhance community pride, and provide a home for artistic expression that currently does not exist in our county. I've seen firsthand the impact
in the art in I have seen firsthand impact of the arts in our schools. Both of my daughters grew up here and both continue to use the skills they developed in the classroom. One designs uh spaces for homes and businesses works um which her work blends creativity and practicality. The other applies creative
thinking to her environmental science studies where imagination is essential for problem solving in real world problems. These are just two examples of how arts education fostes vers versatile, capable and inspired adults. Imagine a space that extends the impact
to thousand more students. A space where creativity sparked in our classrooms has grown to has room to grow. A space that strengthens the bond between our schools and our community. We believe this cultural center can and should be that space. By structuring it carefully and
responsibly, we can honor the district's priorities while ensuring the center thrives financially, programmatically, and safely. Thank you for your time and your commitment to our students and our community. Martin Arts looks forward to partnering with you to make this vision a reality.
Thank you [applause] uh Jane Baldridge followed by Peter Mel. Thank you all for hearing us today on this very important subject of the high school art center. I am Jane Lton Baldridge, a professional practicing
artist of five decades. I'm sometimes asked if I use magic to create my artwork. I do not use magic. I use practice, hard work, and experimentation over and over again. Dancers, musicians,
and visual artists all need a place to practice their art. I have been keen on the artist studio spaces in the plan since I first heard about the project. So much so that I probably was a bit of a nuisance to Nancy for a while, asking
when's it going to be ready. The magic that can manifest when you have an incubator space for creatives is larger than the sum of those creating. A central creative space for making and practicing art as a gift to a community,
especially one the size of Steuart. Having art in the community makes the residents happier and the children brighter, as many have spoken to already tonight. It takes more than magic, hope, and prayers to survive as an artist. And
it takes more than magic to keep an art center open. Lots of hard work is great, but without a plan for support, the dream will be short-lived. The idea that such a gift to the community could be self- sustaining through events is a
great plan, but it requires modifying the vision for the property so that it can be used as an event venue for sustainability. So please do not think we creatives make everything with our magic and hard work. It requires a solid plan and follow
through. I hope that Martin Art's vision for the high school arts center and all the work that has come already to make this vision a reality will be able to mature to fruition and give the tools to make it successful. Thank you.
[applause] >> Pete Mel followed by Ted Estali. Hey guys, how are you? It's great to see you. In the [clears throat] month of December, I used to own two UPS stores. So, in the month of December, I always wear crazy Christmas stuff. I've sold the UPS stores, but I still have the
outfits, so I'm wearing them. So, you're welcome. Um, one of the reasons why I'm here is because of this space and the arts. Um, [snorts] I thought it was insanely important for my children at very young ages to get involved with the arts. Dominic was visionary. Gia went to
Starruck because a lot of people forget that that's really cathartic work and you get to do that in your off time if mathematics isn't it. So I wanted to foster that in youth just automatically because I found that it worked for me. What I want to do is just do a little
bit of reading uh from my phone, which I normally don't do, but studies show that participation in extracurricular community-based art pro um art, music, theater, and visual art is associated to academic performance and graduation rates, especially for students in lower
income backgrounds. Recent literature review concluded that students engaged in extracurricular arts show stronger social and emotional skills, self-regulation, collaboration, and emotional regulation.
Community-based and afterchool art programs are linked to better long-term youth well-being, better social and emotional health, increased sense of purpose and belonging, and a lower r and there's a lower risk of behavioral problems
for atrisisk youth and lower income students in particular. Arts is exposure to an out of school environment that is positive and it makes them feel like there might be some things to learn outside of school, not just inside those four walls.
The evidence suggests that participation outside of regular school hours promotes social and emotional skills, helps students build engagement and self-esteem, and generally is a better academic performance retention and it lowers that dropout rate. US Department of
Education, Wallace Foundation, National Education of Statistics. There's also a book I read every once in a while that says wine gladdens the human heart. It also says something about enjoying food and drink. And there is somewhere in there there was a a
wedding that didn't have any wine and he helped out. Being able and responsible with the tools that are giving as an adult helps us tell children how to do it, too. Don't punish the leaders that want to
inspire by not letting us show how it can be done right. That's not the right choice. And I hope to see you at the bar in Rock of Ages in January, which I'll be in. [applause] >> Thank you, Pete. Ted Salty followed by
Lucy Crush of Bars. I apologize. >> You got mine perfectly right. Thank you, Mark. >> Yes, you're good. You're good to go. Sorry, Ted. >> No, no problem. >> Uh, this is why I didn't write a threeminut speech because of all these people that went before me, in particular Pete Mela. Thanks for putting me after him. Um, I have no hat. Uh so
my name is Ted Stalie and I'm here representing the Economic Council of Martin County and I just wanted to tell you let people know kind of the history. The first major accomplishment that the economic council had after they were created in 1985 was the creation of the
arts council now Martin Arts. Our organization saw a need for arts and culture in this community that was completely missing at the time and has evolved tremendously and you can see all the people here today to demonstrate that in later years after the arts council
got going there was a vision created for an arts and culture campus. It was led by Peter Cummings and this so this is not a new idea. This has been a very long-standing idea since the the late 80s. And when the school board moved into this wonderful new facility, it
gave the opportunity to to use the Steuart High School as the foundation for that vision. And so Martin Arts has been working diligently to raise the money for the steps they've
taken thus far. They've been working in good faith under the intent to lease. And I'm really here today to urge you to move forward to negotiate the actual lease to move to allow them to move forward. I know the alcohol issue has
become an issue. I'm also aware that there are paths forward uh to resolve that issue. There are other organizations that have done it throughout the state. There are ways you can craft very narrow policies for performing arts facilities. Uh Martin Arts has the ability to get a performing
arts liquor license very similar to what the lyric has which is only for that purpose. So there isn't a conflict with other organizations that you may or may not want to allow to serve alcohol on premise. So I think there is a path forward. I just I will just close by
saying that I am a very active participant in helping your uh CTE program and I constantly talk about steam rather than stem and I truly believe it. I've been working with manufacturers for 30 years and those
that use the left side of their brain that artistic side are better performance uh performers in manufacturing. It's very difficult to work on a CNC machine in the room next door with spam if you can't have that vision of what's going to come out of
that piece of material and if you don't understand X Y and Z axis and you only do that by accessing that creative side of your mind and that's why this arts uh programs are so important and I really believe that this facility this new arts
and culture campus will truly push this whole effort forward in our community. So, thank you for your consideration. Lucy [applause] followed by Allison Kaiser. >> Good afternoon. My name is Lucy Keshavars. I appreciate the opportunity
to speak to all of you today. I am an artist that lives in northern Palm Beach County. I count myself extremely fortunate to have worked with the residents of Old Palm City, Martin Arts, and Martin County staff from 2015
through 2024 to fundra, engage the community, design, and construct the ecoart storm water project by the name of Ripple as a drop of water becomes a river, which is
located in Old Palm City. I say that I am fortunate for many reasons and especially because due to the Ripple project, I had the opportunity to spend time here. The city of Stewart and Martin County have the charm that feels like home to
me. As a native Floridaian with a bloodline that goes back to the original Spanish families of St. Augustine, I have a heightened sensitivity to the past, present, and future. In addition, I grew up in Titusville, Florida. During
the start of the space program, I reveled in the modern technology and the science surrounding me while being able to see the last little bit of multigenerational small town charm that remained.
My factual and logical side wants to take a deep dive into the amazing and collaborative process that has taken place since 2017 between Martin Arts and the school district. How the lease will
be a revenue generator for the school district. How the arts campus will expand the economic benefits of downtown businesses. How the arts campus will save a historic building. how the research indicates the great and many
benefits the arts provide. Dot dot dot. While I am sure you know all of the above mentioned benefits are true, what I ask you to lean into are the huge benefits the project will provide will provide to our children.
To be surrounded by history important enough to save and use. To experience many arts disciplines in one place is extraordinary. And to experience all the above in a
multigenerational charming and safe place supports healthy minds and good citizenship. While I realize that serving of alcohol has become a roadblock for some on the
board, I ask you to reconsider by looking at the examples where it is working and the contract language Nancy has provided over the years. This is an important step so that history can be saved and the arts can
benefit our children and community. Thank you. >> Thank you, Alison Kaiser. followed by Nick Caposzie. >> Good evening and thank you for giving us this opportunity to come talk to you about all the potential that the arts
campus at the Martin High School presents to us. I'm Allison Kaiser. I am the executive director for the Atlantic Classical Orchestra and we perform uh in both Vero Beach and Stewart. We're a substantial arts organization. Uh we
employ over 60 musicians each year. Um and we've been a substantial contributor to the economic uh development and prosperity of both areas where we perform. Why not? When I arrived here, I'm this
is my I'm I'm just about into my first year um with the acco, but when I arrived here, one of my first meetings was with Nancy Terrell. And one of the first things that she told me about was this project whereby the high school was
going to become a new arts campus. That is incredibly exciting to me and to our organization. We hope to be one of the new tenants in that facility and hope to be able to bring a brand new flourishing
arts education program with us in addition to our regular largecale concerts. Over 90% of our musicians are resident to the area between uh Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County. Um and we
have a very substantial um employment uh payroll with with this large musician corps that we engage and so many of them are looking for other opportunities outside of their performances with uh
orchestras up and down the area to to be able to give back to the community and to ensure that music education is something that's very strong. I was so heartened to hear the comments about um steam um and about uh how the arts are
going to impact education in this area. Prior to coming here to the Treasure Coast, I've been involved in arts building projects uh including the New World Symphony's new campus in Miami Beach, the Broward Performing Arts Center Authority, building the Broward
Performing Arts Center, and the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Kentucky, which is uh my which is where I grew up. In all of these areas, I have seen how the region, the the immediate downtown area,
and the communities flourish because of creating a hub where all of this energy can come together from all of the art forms where great collaboration can happen and new ideas can for new projects and and new learning
opportunities can flourish. So, I hope that you all will consider not just the immediate benefits of arts education and more activity, but how it will become a placemaking project that will create a
much stronger and and more um creative and electrifying uh opportunity for Stuart. Thank you. >> Thank you, Neil Caposi, followed by J. Paul Moore. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My
name is Neil Kaposi and I have served on the board of Martin Arts Foundation for a number of years and I currently serve on the committee to develop the high school project. I was part of the committee that created the business plan as well as the function plan of the
facility. And from our experience of traveling around the state to various other states talking to arts organizations, it's very important that there be a component where we can serve alcohol. I know it's a sticking point
for the board, but I hope you'll reconsider. I would also like to take a minute before I close. Anyone in the audience who is in favor of this project, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed, raise your hand.
Thank you. >> So Jay Paul J Paul Moore and our last speaker is Linda Raymore. >> I'm J. Paul Moore. I am a local real estate broker with England Vulkers. Our building is right across High School
Avenue. Is that it? From the school. So my window looks out at the decrepit old high school. I want to ask a question. What's happening down on Ocean Boulevard at the old high school? Once an ancient
star. We need this to happen in our community. We have musicians. We have artists. Okay, maybe I'm not one of them, but [laughter] but this needs to happen to develop our
community. I work with individuals and families that are moving into Martin County. I know a lot of people don't like that as well, but one of the key elements that we have in Stewart and in
Martin County is a a prevalence of arts and people are attracted to that. It makes our community better and it bring it attracts the right kind of people to our community as well. So, I just
encourage you to find the guard rails, define what needs to occur for uh this exception to take place uh for Martin Arts and really for our county. Thank you so much. [applause]
>> Linda Raymore is our final speaker. >> Well, obviously from that last polling, you know that I'm in favor of this 100%. My name is Linda Remore. Um, I actually was involved with uh the economic
council and establishing the art council. We called it the art council then. It's now Martin Arts back in the 80s. Um, I took a brief time off, had my child and got involved with the Treasure Coast Youth Symphony. And for 17 years,
I was the executive director of the Treasure Coast Youth Symphony. and I hope you had the opportunity to hear them. It was very professional. Um I am trying not to make this long and I didn't intend to speak but the one thing
that I did we had performances at the Lyric Theater. We had performances at the EC campus theater in West Palm. We had performances up in Vero anytime. And we we made an effort to only go to um at
least three professional venues at the time because we wanted our students, many and most of who came from Martin County, um to have the experience of what it was like to play in a real orchestra and and to go through
everything that um a real professional musician would go through. So it was a great opportunity for these students. A lot of them now have wonderful careers, families, children, and it's wonderful to see them. And it's also wonderful to
see that they're still playing their instruments, many of them. My own daughter teaches music theory now at at a university. So it's it's really important um that the the children of the community have this opportunity.
Now, go back to the venues. One of the first things that I was asked at these venues if if this was available in the first place, the venue would say, "Can we serve alcoholic beverages at your concerts?" And my reaction was
absolutely because we were trying to provide a professional experience for these kids. And it was important that they learned how to behave, understand how other people behaved at concerts and and
performances in general. So from that, I think there is no problem whatsoever as far as any impression that children may have because alcoholic beverages are served. I will say this quite often
people did not have anything other than a Coke or or glass of water but often people had a glass of wine and it's a social event and the social thing is there and extremely important now when everybody's
on social media and not meeting each other in person and this is a way to bring them into a personal situation. The arts I'm back now doing um my art which I forewent while I was doing the
youth symphony because I was also working full-time but I'm a visual artist now and I have been working consistently for the last six years since we retired my husband and I and um
currently have an exhibit at the um Martin Arts right now in the gallery. So, it is very important that this facility be built. I don't have a studio space. I use my patio for my studio
space and I think many other people do. And it would also be nice to have some extra gallery space, a place where a few students who are fantastic musicians can go to have small concerts. So, yes,
please go about this. do it because it's been a long time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, [applause] I have one more speaker, Kathy Spurgeon. I'm not going to sing. [laughter] My name is Kathy Spurgeon. Good
afternoon to Mr. Maine and the members of the board. I've spent an inordinate amount of time and years rehabilitating for reuse one of your former school houses, the original Hobound Elementary School in the Zeus Park neighborhood of
Hob Sound, now known as the Apollo School. I'm here, however, not as president of the Apollo School Foundation, but as an alumna of the historic school, Steuart High School. Um, I did a little bit of research and I
think I gra when I graduated, I don't think most of you were born yet. So, you got to trust me. I'm interested in and supportive of the rehab and reuse of the beautiful iconic building on East Ocean Boulevard. Kudos to Martin Arts for
taking on this for formidable task and thank you to the school district for realizing the value and merits of preserving the site's buildings. I'm here with two asks. Having access to the full terms of the proposed lease between
the school board and Martin Arts is critical to moving forward and generating funding. And the second ask is that the board consider an arrangement that allows alcohol to be sold at fundraisers and events during
non-school hours. Perhaps unfortunately, alcohol service is inherent to events such as weddings and receptions as well as fundraisers and other events. How well I know it's fundamental to the long-term financial viability of this
project. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. Okay, [applause] that con that concludes public comment. We will now go on to the discussion items which on first on the agenda is the arts uh council and um I think we have some key
things that we will be talking about. One is um serving alcohol. The other is holding the property um indefinitely and then you know potentially other options that might exist. So I know um Mr.
Harmon is on the phone. Our attorney, >> good afternoon. >> Hello. >> Yes, I'm here. Do you hear me? Okay, >> we can't hear. We can't hear him.
I can barely hear him. >> How about now? Is this any better? >> Oh, that's better. Carrie, could you please introduce yourself? >> Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Good afternoon everybody and I've I've listened to all the comments. Uh my name is Terry Harmon. I am an attorney in Tallahassee,
Florida with Sniffen and Spellelman and I have represented the school board uh and Superintendent Maine in various matters for for a number of years now. So good afternoon to to everybody in attendance, the board as well as superintendent. >> Thank you, Terry. And can you um I know
that you have an opinion on the use of alcohol. I know we've had this conversation about other entities as well and um if you could share that please. >> Yeah. Yes, I'm happy to do that. I know this is something that um has come up in
the past. I believe it was the beginning of the year and and a little bit into the summer. Uh, and so I think it'd be good if I kind of share just some some reminders of some of the things that were I would say concerns that were
addressed previously. Uh, so that the board can kind of refresh its its recollection of those items. I'll say I've and I've read the intent to lease agreement as well as the two amendments to it. Just a couple of things to point out and first it's not the actual lease
as we all know. That's the the purpose of that is part of what we're discussing today. But a couple of notes that I put on the that I I saw from the intent to lease was one of the purposes of the intent to lease is to offer educational opportunities and to enhance educational
opportunities for Martin County students. Uh so it's not strictly a separate private entity operating a private purpose. The intent to lease does indicate that part of the plan of operation will include educational
events for Martin County students at the property. Um the arts foundation also in the intent to lease is required to abide by all local laws, policies and rules. And so with that, that includes the board's
policies. And that's the first area where I mentioned in the past uh and trying to be consistent with previous issues where we run into just a little bit of a hiccup and that's because of our board policies 9160 uh which is public participation at
school events and or public attendance at school events and our policy 5330. Now, policy 5330 falls within, as you all know, members of the board, this the student uh drugrevention policy, but there's
language in that policy that establishes a drug-free zone. and and the term drug, just so the board is aware, in the policy itself includes alcoholic beverages. But in that policy 5530, the board's the
board's language is that there is a drug-free zone within 1,000 ft of any facility used by the district for educational purposes. I'm not a surveyor. I am I deferred to the real property experts out there. I
simply used Google Maps to just get a rough idea of taking the corner of the current building um where the arts foundation will go and running a straight line to some sections of Steuart Middle School and it's within
3400 ft. So that's one initial concern. Again, that is a student policy, but you do have a policy that does establish that zone. The other one which I think is a little bit more uh applicable is policy 9160
which is your public attendance at school events. And while this board policy um appears to relate to when school events are being done by the district, there is still language in there that says, and
I'll paraphrase, no alcoholic beverage may be possessed, consumed, or distributed at any function occurring on district premises. And as I understand the lease agreement or proposed lease agreement, this is
property that will be leased away potentially by the school board for a number of years. It will not be a schoolboard building. It will not be run by the school board, but it is still school property. Um, if it is leased, the board is still the real property
owner of it. It is on the same parcel as Steuart Middle School. So, you've got some policy issues in there. I I will not tell you I will not tell you that there is an absolute prohibition on it. There is nothing in Florida law that
absolutely prohibits a school board from engaging in this type of activity, but there are a number of, as I mentioned before, I use the term hiccups. I would rather change that to the concerns. It's close proximity to the middle
school. you've got a couple of policies that depending on how those are interpreted may may need to be addressed. And then one of the biggest issues um is kind of the unknown for me is I if the intent to leave speaks to
there being opportunities and ed educational opportunities for Martin County students if this building is going to have student learning occurring or classrooms or performances that may bring up some of our other
drug-free workplace type policies that do prohibit alcoholic substances being in the workplace. place. That was one of the issues that we had previously when we were talking about another organization wanting to have a similar arrangement.
If you recall in that circumstance, there were, I believe, three classrooms in that building that were dedicated for student learning. That was a concern. I I can't really opine on what the city of Stewart will say. Their municipal code
has some 500 foot regulations. One of the public speakers earlier uh was correct. The the city can give waivers. They can give permits. That is up to the city, not up to the school board. Uh as well as the county if the county has any
um any regulations in place. Those would be between the applicant and the city or the county. One note that I would say is if we are still the we being the board is still the owner of the property on which the arts foundation is located and
there is going to be alcohol served and an application needs to be submitted, the board would likely have to be a co-licant on that. And so all that being said, again, not saying there's an absolute bar, but there are a number of
things that raise some red flags along the way. And if any board member, of course, any questions about anything I just said or if I need to expand, I'm happy to do so to help help illustrate the point a little bit more. >> Thank you, Terry. I will um ask the
board if you have any questions for uh Mr. Harmon this point. >> Okay. Um, so Terry, just hang on just in case um anything comes up because I think we need to talk about um
other issues with just so the public knows we are not voting on anything tonight. This is just a discussion with the board. Um we are getting all the facts and the information and um if there is something to vote on it will come to us at a regular meeting. Um so
the intent to lease or a in the future a lease um would come before the board at a regular schoolboard meeting um and our next meeting is next week but is this point is not on the agenda. Correct. So
um it will be advertised and you'll know about it before it comes before us uh to vote on anything. Um are there any other questions or comments from the board that you might have that Mr. Harmon can answer or the superintendent about the
intent to lease. >> Hi Terry, it's Amy Pritchette. >> Hi, Miss Pritchette. >> Hi. Can you distinguish between intent to lease and lease agreement? >> Yeah. Yeah. As I read it, um the intent
to lease is it's it's memorializing some of the terms about what the parties want to do. This was executed back in 2022. And the idea there was look, this is and I'm going to use this very informally, although I know you all are sitting in a very formal session. It it's an
agreement to agree to something in the future. So, the intent to lease still contemplates that there's an actual lease agreement and per the second amendment to it. There needs to be an absolute written lease agreement presented to the board by the end of the
year. And that lease agreement needs to be mutually agreed to by both parties. And so, I don't view the the intent to lease itself is not a lease. It's essentially an agreement to agree on something in the future. So, a lease agreement must come by the
end of this year. >> Yeah. As I again as I read through everything, my understanding is that yeah, that second it's titled and it's on the agenda, the second amendment to intent to lease was an extension of the
deadline for the arts foundation to deliver its intent to proceed to the board by the end of December. So, I'm not sure again I don't know if that's been done or no if if that intent
to proceed has been submitted by by December 31st, but there is a full-blown lease agreement that will need to be drafted and agreed to by the parties before anything is um enforceable.
>> Thank you. Any other questions from board members in general? Um, I just, and I don't know who to address this to, either the superintendent or maybe Nancy might be able to muster an answer through her
illness, but I would just like to know where are we at financially on the project because I mean, I love what I'm hearing and you came and presented and I mean, it's a phenomenal project. I mean, I I I you know, I I can't be a bigger
fan of this thing, but maybe you could share where we're at on the process of of raising money and where uh how far along we are. That would be helpful. Thanks. >> Be h be happy to. Um and first of all,
Tyson and Mr. Waters and I and our attorneys have been working. We've had a draft lease agreement. It was required that we have a draft prepared by to start negotiating and we have one on paper which we thought today was sort of part of the um we asked for this meeting
back in November was to start to work on those terms so that we could execute a lease per the time frame of December 31st. Um the financial uh side of things is we have raised over a half million dollars both in cash and in kind that
has paid for all the planning work that has been done to get us to this stage. Our intent is to go forward with some lead gifts this um season that would allow us to start construction on phase one, which are the two 1950s classroom
buildings out in front um hopefully by the end of next year, if not the beginning of the following year. But without these terms in place, the donors are also extremely hesitant to offer their commitment. It's kind of like being an investor in any other kind of commercial project. You
know, until they know what the terms are, they don't know if they can say yes or no. >> Okay. >> But we have significant amount of interest. >> Okay. And the second question is for you. Um it's about the alcohol. And as someone who goes to a lot of local
events, I totally see the the validity of it and and why it's important. Um and I've advocated for that for other groups that have come before here. But if after hearing Mr. Harmon's uh description, it seems like it's going to be a tall
order. I mean, you'd have to change policy, you have students there there. I mean, that seems like a insurmountable climb at this point. So, could you continue this project without alcohol and still be successful, do you think,
or is that the deal breaker there? >> I I really believe it is a deal breaker. I mean when we started talking about this in 22 23 and had the conversations there was not a single conversation ever that said we know this is going to be a challenge you know we need to figure out
a way to make the alcohol component of this work so it has been part of the conversation from the beginning I know that there have been transitions in leadership staffing all of that um but somewhere that critical piece of our
business plan for the project got lost by the wayside. It is a deal breaker, in fact. >> Gotcha. >> But we're also open to compromise and trying to figure out a way where we could both win and still have the project move forward. >> Gotcha. And thank you for being here. Obviously, you're under the weather. Um
I I just want to say this is uh you know, it's a tremendous project. As someone who has a daughter at Starruck and I understand the need for the arts and um you know, I I just I see the challenges here. So, it it's it definitely tears me both ways because I
think this would be an incredible thing for our community. Um, but there's obviously some challenges both with the alcohol and financially uh to get this done. So, um that's just my two cents on it. Thanks, >> Madam Chair. You had said that there
were options that we could discuss. >> Well, I just I want to make a couple of points. So we actually started this conversation not in 2022 but probably in I was trying to go back and look at notes that maybe it was 2018 or 19 that
we began this conversation. I know majority of the people here were not here at that time but um you know I I'll tell you some of my concerns. The alcohol is a concern. I not I'm not sure that we can get over that hurdle um from
a school perspective and the proximity to Steuart Middle School, but it's also the length of time that we're holding a school district asset. Um we are still taking care of that building. We are still um supporting it, paying the
electric bill. Um I know that there was a pipe that burst that we had to fix. Um it's not something and holding the property for that amount of time is concerning. Um and
in the six years, six, seven years that we have been that this project has been talked about and the fact that only $500,000 has been raised is concerning that it's going to be that much longer. Um and as everyone knows, as a school
district, our enrollment has decreased significantly. um we are down significantly. We have properties that I feel and we'll have these discussions in the future that we need to look at probably selling
because we're not utilizing them but we're we're tasked with taking care of them which is a financial burden and it impacts what we can offer students as well. So, I think we have a lot of issues to talk about as a board before
we commit to um a 50-year lease. Um, which is with really no um we also I I get it. The donors need some clarity on the lease, but so do we as
the property owner. We need some asurances that you're going to be able to raise 20 to30 million for this project because that's the cost of the project. So we while I understand
both sides, I was born and raised here in Martin County. In fact, my mom attended Steuart High School and I want that building to be there for our community. But we also have a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers and to
the students and teachers and our staff in the school district. So, um I think we have a lot to talk about. Um, one of the things I did meet with Nancy and one of the things I recommended was selling the property and I know we had
the same issue with um on the property with um the Boys and Girls Club as well and that offer has been made to them as well to consider purchasing the property. We I have Dr. Miller and her team are in the process of pulling up I
think it was back in 2018 when we started this discussion We had we had some um appraisals, surveys. I know all of that would have to be updated, but I would like for the board to consider that that we um direct
our staff to really look at what the property is worth because we we do again have a fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers. But I think that we make that offer. It could it takes us as
a school district out of the equation and they then it would just be really the city of Stewart and and the county if there are any barriers um that could exist for serving alcohol and it kind of takes us out of that. So that's just
some ideas that I personally had. >> I agree with that. I feel like that's the best scenario. I don't think that any of us want to put a damper on this project. I think we all love this project and to see that come to fruition and what it
could do and offer for our kids and our community. I think it's wonderful. But I it does come down to some legality issues and also making sure that we're being wise with taxpayer dollar. If you take us out of the equation just like Mrs. P said and offer this where this is
completely on them now, it would be theirs. They could do whatever they needed to do. I think that that would be the wisest decision for all of us, Miss Bridgetette. So, I'm I'm in a tough spot here. I'm on
I'm an exeicio um advisor for the arts council and I love what you're doing and I love that this is happening but I have to worry about number one changing policy number
two setting precedent so that the next person who comes in and wants to do this we then have to allow it. That is where I find myself in all of this. That
we want what's best for our students and we want to give them a positive message. We want the arts to continue. We want the arts to thrive. But I really like the idea of the of Martin Arts just taking over the property by by buying
it. And then the school can still partner and still be in involved, but we don't have to change our policies and we don't have to go against the recommendation of our attorney and we
don't have to worry that we are are doing anything that could harm the students. So, I agree with with my board that this is a wonderful project, but there's a lot of uh mountains to climb in order for us
to allow it. And it does set up what I call a precedent for the next. Then the Boys and Girls Club may come back and they're going to say, "Well," and we've already been through that. So the student the student safety and health
and well-being is the first and foremost concern of mine and changing our policy would, I believe, put that in jeopardy. Thank you. Any other comments from the board? >> Um, I just would like to get consensus
from the board if you would like for Dr. Miller and her team to pursue having the appraisals updated on the value of the property, what that looks like. um surveys, that type of thing, because I know I can't recall if
the survey of the because it's all of that the the um the high school, our Steuart Middle School campus, and then also the Boys and Girls Club were all part of one main piece of property and it was all contiguous. And now that
we have leased to the Boys and Girls Club, I can't recall if there was a survey done or if the survey for the whole campus has been updated, excuse me, with the construction work that we've done at Steuart Middle. So, whatever we need to do, if the board
agrees with that, that we kind of look at that. I've asked for the information already. I know they're in the process of compiling it. um what we did way back in like 2018. Obviously things have changed quite significantly. Um but
we can update that information and then have that conversation with the arts council and the uh boys and girls club. >> Yeah, I'd be good with that. I mean, but the intent is to sell the property to the arts council. Is that
>> Well, I think that that >> at least first >> that's an for sure. >> Okay. >> And um I think the same same um proposal was made you know we have kind of had those discussions with the Boys and
Girls Club too like did they if they would like to purchase a property again it kind of takes us out of it. So, just so the public's clear, the idea is to rather than having all this red tape with us owning the property, if someone else was able to own it like you guys,
then you could serve alcohol and have your own rules. Is that is that the understanding? >> That's how we kind of get around a lot of the alcohol type things. they would still have to um abide by the ordinances
of the city which is I I can't remember if it's 500 ft within 500 ft of a school is I don't know we don't know how how that would be granted or not but
that's something I think that needs to be investigated if that's the path that by the c arts council if they decided said, "Hey, we want we're we're going to purchase the property." Would the city of Stewart grant that variance? I don't know.
So, what do you guys think? Should we move forward or updating? >> I would like you to direct Dr. Miller to start the process of getting um the value of the property. That's a great idea. I mean, I think
we're going to need to have it regardless of the outcome. Whatever happens, we are I know we've talked with the superintendent about multiple properties that the school district owns that are not being utilized um that we
look at look at all those properties in general. And that all is going to come back to the school board in 2026, not just this property specifically, but there's a couple of others. There's I know there's one out in Indiantown that
the village of Indiantown is interested in. So that we're not utilizing. So we just need to have those conversations as a group and I think this will be part of that package. >> Madam Chair, I was just going to thank you for the clarification. If we uh direct Dr. Miller to move forward with
that. Can we go ahead and ask that the appraisals be done of all of the available properties so that when that comes forward, we're not we're not seeking separate approval for that. We can get started on all of it. >> Yeah. And I I really think that we should focus on the ones that people are
interested in first. um the one being the village of Indiantown and then obviously the arts council and possibly we should reach out to the Boys and Girls Club as well to see if that's something that they're interested in and then take an inventory of what else we
have out there um that we could possibly liquidate. All right. Thank you, Mr. Harmon for um being here today. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And if if I could on my my part um parting piece,
just to clarify, I didn't want to misspeak on something. The the December 31st deadline that I've referenced, this goes to a question that Miss Pritchette asked, too. That's the deadline for the notice of intent. the intent to lease does specify that
subsequent to that there's a 30-day window if there was a lease to be proposed to be negotiated. So, just to wanted to make that clear, but other than that, thank you very much for for allowing me to be on. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Uh seeing no additional comments from the board, we're going to move on to item 5.02. um topics for the February 17th joint meeting with the city, county, and the village of Indian Town
>> is now exiting. >> Um do you all have any specific topics that you would like to be covered during that meeting presentations or otherwise? Superintendent Maine, do you have
anything specific that you would like to >> That would be a good meeting to give a a year-end wrapup. Um, I think kind of some of the things closing out 2025 and uh items that we're working on for 2026 going into the end of the year. And then
typically we would give if the board did not have any other topics that they want to discuss, we would give an update on facilities at that time. the timing may align well with some of the topics that we're discussing this evening anyways on on what properties are underutilized and
what potentially you all are thinking of doing with those properties. >> Yeah. And I also um I was I think I shared with you I just saw that there was a new development application that went in for the that the big larger development that's out by
South Fork High School. the the four-way stop at South Fork High School, Bridge Road in Pratt Whitney. Um, and that could potentially impact um our enrollment at the No, Crystal Lake. So, I just want to be I would like an update
from the county where that is, how that's maybe we can get some sort of um information on where they are in the process. I know that I heard that it was I know the signs are up again and um you know how are we planning what would it
look like what's the student generation our own staff I know could probably get that information based on our student generation rate but what we're finding though is that when we talk about student generation and the rate that we've used it is not we are not
generating the number of students that have been in the past. It feels like you know there are many factors for decreased enrollment including birth rate um age of the families that are buying the homes or that can afford the
homes in Martin County to be honest. Um so they're not as much impact as have been in past years. So maybe we need to look at that as well because I think that's going to be but I think citrus or I keep saying citrus grove crystal lake
we need to make that consideration as we talk about other issues with uh K8 conversions and all the things that we've been talking about and enrollment at our schools so we can kind of collectively have all that information.
>> I have something too mad. >> Sure. Of course. Um, and I would like to bring up at that meeting, um, possibly putting in a school zone at Citrus Grove Elementary. Um, I've brought this up to the county and have not seen any action
yet, but the parents and staff at Citrus Grove in my district are very concerned about the cars just whizzing by uh, out in front of there and thinks that it would be an obvious place for a school zone. So, with having the county there, uh, I would like to bouch that subject
to see where they're at in that process. >> Yeah. And I think that you bring up a good point. Um, we also need to find out what are the rules for creating a school zone. Are there um, you know, are there kids crossing the road? Do we have a
controlled area? Is there a crosswalk? There's many things that go into creating a school zone. So, let's find out what that is and then we can be armed with all that information. Yeah. >> To present to the county. >> Yeah. Because they are there are people crossing the road there and the the the
SRO at the school literally has to park his car with the flashers on in front of the school to hopefully slow down traffic because people see the flashers and then say, "Oh, we should slow down." But it's that bad of a problem because people are just whizzing by there because there's no school zone. So, it's
definitely a safety issue there. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Yes. Is there any benefit to talking about schools of hope at the joint meeting?
I didn't know because it it's becoming a a little bit of a shatter. What is it? What's it about? What are we doing about it? Um, it's just a suggestion. It I just didn't know if it was it's too uh
too iffy at this point and we're not really affected. >> I we to to date we have not received any applications for schools of hope. Um and I think there's there's movement there
and until we kind of see how things settle out. I I am open to uh whatever direction the board would like to give us uh certainly open to that. But I just personally uh do not feel Now would be the time to bring that topic up until we
have strong concrete. >> Yeah. And I think there's some um there's some um an appetite for making some corrections and some changes to correct what I don't think was the full intent of what schools of hope were
going to be. So I think there is some appetite in the legislature and maybe we will need some support if we have u other elected officials um supporting the new but I don't know um I I obviously if
anybody asks I think we can explain what it is and what the position of our board is moving forward. All right, we're moving on to schoolboard policies. Um, does anybody
have questions? I know we can go through each one. If you have any questions about 6.01, which encompasses policy 1121.01, 3121.01,
and 4121.01 background screening and employment history checks. No questions or comments on that. Okay, perfect. Um, item 6.02, which is policies
1213, 3213, 4213, student supervision and welfare. Um, Miss Roberts um submitted a comment on this and it says item F in 1213 speaks to an administrator shall notify
the parent of the of the student if there is a change in the students services or monitoring related to the students mental, emotional or physical health or well-being. in accordance with the bill of parents bill of rights notify might not be appropriate language
by bypassing the need for parental consent. I do think that we need to if we I believe she is correct that it needs to be will shall um notify the parent and we will obtain parental
consent. Okay. All right. 6.03 is policy 3139, educator misconduct. Any questions or comments? Okay. 6.04
policy 5136 wireless communication devices. Any comments? Uh 6.05 um policy 5223 absences for religious instruction.
Miss Roberts submitted item A new which is new language states the signed written request shall include the following. A a statement attesting that the religious instruction is not provided at a time that conflicts with
the students attendance at school. She believes the correct language should be religious instruction is provided at a time that con that conflicts with the students attendance at school. If the instruction
isn't con isn't conflicting with attendance, then this policy isn't needed. So, so if a and I I agree. Um, so if a student is absent for a
religious reason that conflicts with their attendance in school, then they would get they would be excused. Correct. We just need to work on that language on how we need to I'm not sure that it should say
>> in in the original Neiola language it was that way. In the new update, Niola has changed it. So, we may be able to shift back to the original language to clean that up. If the board uh would
like, we can um work through that in the appropriate language that it should be. >> Well, I just think it's as simple as taking out >> Yeah. >> in the new language, it says attesting that the religious instruction
is provided at a time that conflicts with the students attendance at school. So, you're just simply taking out the word not. Okay. Uh 6.06 um policy 5410.01 promotion acceleration placement and retention. Any questions?
Okay. 6.07 5600 student discipline. Any questions or comments? Okay. Miss Roberts says, "And the middle of page two deals with when a meeting with a parent does not
resolve the issue in item B." Wait, not resolve the issue in item B requiring that the child stud that that the child study team must implement the following. A student evaluation
a student evaluation for alternative education programs in accordance with the parents bill of rights. Should evaluations of students require parental consent and the answer is yes. So we should add the parental consent for the student evaluation
6.08661 purchase of instructional materials. Any questions? 6.09 uh uh policy 74 7540.02 web content apps and services. Any questions, comments?
6.108452 automated automated external defibrillators. Questions, comments? Just stop me if you do. I'm just going to read through these until I get to comments. Uh 6.118462
student abuse, abandonment and neglect. Seeing no questions. 6.12 policy 8470 registered sexual predators and sex offenders. Okay, seeing no comments. 6.13 9200
volunteers and 6.14 94 9800 charter schools. U Miss Roberts says the bottom of page two in in application procedure. The first sentence states, "Potential applicants
should send letters notifying the board of their intent to submit an application to open a public charter school no later than July 1st." I believe that sentence needs further language that links July 1st to the
proposed opening date of the charter school. Obviously, an application in June of a certain year would not be appropriate for an opening in August of the same year. Perhaps adding language not later than July 1st
years prior to the proposed opening date. So I just think we need to check on the statute on that and what the requirements are before we uh require them to submit it years in advance. >> Yeah. >> But let's let's figure that one out and
if there is a change if staff can bring that forward in the next review. That would be great. Okay. Um, next up is open to the board comments. Nothing. Okay. Um, this meeting is
adjourned. Thank you all very much.