Good afternoon. We are going to call this regular meeting of the Martin County School Board to order. Um, first we have our opening prayer by Dr. Daryl Orman from First Baptist Church of Stewart.
Dr. Orman. Okay. Well, if he arrives, we will call him up. Um, all right. Next, we have the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands nationy. Okay, Miss Helvy, would you please call the role? >> Mrs. Russell, >> here. >> Mrs. Roberts, >> present. >> Mrs. Pritchette >> here. >> Dr. Morardi >> here. >> And Mrs. Powers >> here. Thank you. Okay. Do I have a
motion to approve the agenda with the following items added? 7.03. The following items updated 3.05 4.03. 03 7.01 11.01 11.02 18.07
18.08 and 18.09. Item 3.05 has been moved to action and we are removing item 19.05 policy 2410 regarding school health
services. We received some very last minute uh comments from someone in the public. So we will have give staff time to respond to that. Do I have a motion? >> I move to approve the updated agenda. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Dr. Morardia, a
second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Um, next. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda with uh item 3.05 move to action?
>> Motion. >> Second. I have a motion by Miss Roberts and a second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. All right. Next up, we have board member
discussion. I don't have anything on the agenda, but does anybody any board members have anything you want to discuss? >> Okay, moving right along. >> Okay, Miss Roberts. Um, so I I heard
from somebody today that there is a charter school application that somebody has submitted to the district and I don't know whether anybody else has heard that but have we received that and are we going to give share that with the board or
>> so the charter school application that was received did not meet the requirements or the deadline for submission so it was kicked back. That'll have to come back before the board and submitted uh next school year. Uh, so at this time there's no further information to share.
>> Okay. So, but if if you have a copy of the information, can you Yes, >> I would like to see a copy of it. I don't know if any of the other board members would, but >> I can get that to you. >> Yeah, I think um Jen nodded her head, so and Marcia did too. Thank you. Perfect.
Thank you. Okay. Uh, next up we have our make sure I'm staying in order. Uh, next up we have our district presentation on the school improvement and leadership updates for our priority schools. Welcome back.
We go. Good afternoon, Madame Chair, members of the board, Superintendent Maine, Lauren Gford, Executive Director of School Improvement and Leadership, along with my colleagues, Executive Director Moore, and Coordinator McMahon. It is our pleasure to return here this
evening to present our final three priority school updates with you all. Our presentation will follow a similar format to the previous presentation where we will look at the school grade history for each school. We will then
delve into the semester 1 priority school improvement updates that were provided. Then following PM2 data, we'll take a look at the reccalibration of priority school improvement initiatives. And finally, we'll present each school's
school grade expectations. I'd like to thank our school leaders who are in the audience behind me today for their leadership for their schools. We're happy to have them here. And following our presentation, we will open up the floor for questions. If there's anything that our team can answer for
you or if there's anything um that our school sites can drill down a little bit further, we're happy to do that for you. So, we are going to start with JD Parker Elementary School and I'm going to turn it over to Dr. McMahon. Thank you again. My name is Paige McMahon. I'm the
coordinator of curriculum and instruction and it is my pleasure to present the update on JD Parker Elementary School. Um, as you can see in this graphic, JD Parker did experience a slight drop from the 2324 school year to the 2425, landing at a 401 point out of
the total 800 possible. And if we advance to the next slide, you can see the areas in which there were changes. So, they did actually have some increases uh particularly at the third grade ELA achievement and the bottom quartile learning gains for math. uh but
they did in experience some dips at the math achievement math learning gains, ELA learning gains and the ELA learning gains for the bottom cortile students as well as a slight dip in the science category. So based on those numbers, we've identified math achievement, math
learning gains, and ELA learning gains as our priority areas for improvement in this school year to help them achieve the 27 points and then maybe some more beyond that to land in the B range for the current school year. So in semester 1, some of the initial
action steps taken, some of the highlights include targeted interventions uh right from the beginning of the year, we were very prompt in getting those implemented to target our students who were coming in below proficiency, especially the students who had historically underperformed um subgroups of concern.
Uh we do have weekly walkthroughs that began right off the bat uh from the beginning of the school year and coaching cycles um from those instructional coaches on their campus as well as district coaches who come in to support uh to strengthen instruction across the grade levels in ELA. For math
professional learning was provided particularly on the use of manipulatives. We like to strengthen students understanding of math and that CRA model as they uh learn and deepen their instruction and understanding. Uh implement implemented intervention supports for the struggling learners and
particular subgroups in math as well. And then to target those math learning gains, uh they conducted some very targeted PLC discussions around data and coaching cycles strategically to target the students and the teachers who weren't necessarily experiencing the growth that they were hoping to see in
that beginning semester. Moving into semester 2, those semester 1 supports continued, but we layered on additional support. Uh JD Parker has done an excellent job of really leaning into using EXL to closely monitor their students progress in both ELA and math.
Um in semester 2, they've done an outstanding job prioritizing 100% completion of our monthly snapshots, which help us figure out exactly where students are and where we hope to see them land at the end of the year. Um they've done a wonderful job motivating their students as well as those teachers
to get their whole class completed each month when we complete those snapshots. Um, in addition to that, they implemented the language express intervention program to target students in ELA below grade level to help with those learning gains. For math, you're also going to see EXL is pivotal in
their um improvement. Not only using those snapshots to monitor monthly progress, but to also identify areas of specific need and specific benchmarks of concern, which they would use in turn for math learning gains to target their small group instruction and make sure
those students who have those def deficits are receiving instruction and remediation in those particular areas. For the current school year, based on all of the available data from the state, from our common assessments from EXL, we do expect JD Parker to land at
approximately a 430 point range, which would land them in the B range. We're very proud of the hard work JD Parker Elementary has already done so far and will continue to do as we move into PM3, and we're excited to see how things turn out. And that's it for JD Parker. I'm
going to turn it back over to Mrs. Gford to I'm sorry, Mr. Moore to talk about the progress at Pinewood Elementary. >> Thank you, Dr. McMahon. I'm Daniel Moore, executive director of curriculum and instruction. It is my pleasure to present an update on Pinewood Elementary.
>> Can I just interrupt really quickly? Can we do questions about um JD Parker and then let's move to Pinewood? >> Questions. Miss Roberts. >> Um yeah. So, I'm looking at your your math learning gains and we don't
have we think the low 25 is going to be up 4%. And they're double counted, right? The low 25 is counted as low 25 and they're also counted on the regular. >> Yes, they count for regular learning gains as well as bottom cile learning
gains. So we think that one's going to improve 4% but the overall learning gains is only a 3%. >> Is that >> because learning gains includes all students that are in fourth and fifth grade. Um that bottom cile would just be
the bottom fourth of those students. So we would we do expect to see slightly greater percentage of gains in that particular group. Um, but that was a number we landed on after triangulating, like I said, the data from the state, from PM2, from our local common assessment data, as well as the progress
we're seeing on those monthly snapshots. >> And so, I'm just wondering if um you drilled down because if you're low 25 the prior year from the prior year to this year went up 5%. Have we drilled is is somebody drilling
down to see why that group that subgroup is doing so well? Is that >> Yes. So looking at the data year overyear some new systems were implemented last year um specifically related to bottom cortile um continuing
to build on those systems this year. We're starting to see that growth um in that bottom quartile. A large part of the focus at JD Parker this year has been bottom cortile. Um that has kind of been the primary focus knowing that we'll also produce gains in the overall learning
gains. Um that has been the primary focus of intervention and support is that bottom cortile group specifically related to their ESSA subgroup categories to make sure they stay out of the the designated ESSA statuses. >> Thank you very much.
>> Any other questions about JD Parker? back to me. Okay, >> here we come. >> So, Pinewood Elementary School. So, Pinewood last year saw a pretty um pretty sharp uptick in their school grade performance. So, they went from a 392 uh to a 410. So, well on their way
into B range. And so, next slide, please. with that increase, continuing that trajectory, they need 18 points to achieve the B, um, which is very attainable. The three areas of focus we selected for Pinewood were the ELA
achievement overall, which does include third grade in that calculation of overall ELA achievement, learning gains at the bottom cortile, and science achievement being the areas that saw a significant decline, small decline, but significant. And so 18 points are needed
to get to that B for Pinewood. In semester one, building an instructional plan to accomplish that goal of achieving those 18 points and beyond. We coordinated with our state regional literacy director uh to provide staff training and on-site support. Also
engaged teachers in PM data review to understand exactly where the deficiencies were for the students coming in to provide targeted small groupoup instruction based on the standards that needed additional support. We also collaborated with JD or Pinewood to um implement AVID training for all
staff as an AVID school focusing on those wicker strategies of collaboration, organization, and inquiry as a learning model. Continued development specifically focused on fast and dibbles data with our state regional literacy director to provide targeted intervention student by student and also
contracting with outside groups to provide small group intervention supports for second and third grade. While three, four, and five are the tested grades. We also want to include the lower grades K12 in our our intervention plan so that those kids that are moving up metriculating into
the accountability grades uh have a better foundation moving into the next school year with bottom quartile learning gains. Specifically, students were identified um grades three through five in need of foundational skills, providing additional uh intervention
block using our UFI intervention tool for 30 minutes a day, including um data analysis and debriefs with teachers, focusing on the Dibbles uh fluency probes that we've implemented this year as part of our UFI implementation, giving us frequent and valuable data to
provide targeted instruction. Also at Pinewood, we have a focused after-school tutoring program that we implemented in semester 1. Um providing additional time on task for students after school. In science, we have a district coach that's providing additional support with planning lessons um specifically around
that inquiry model, investigations, and experiments. Teacher is supporting third through fifth grade standards with the fifth grade students to make sure that all the things that are captured on that assessment are covered with each student that will be assessed. And that science teacher does collaborate weekly through
PLC with their their core teachers so that we can embed those standards across the fifth grade so that we can move that metric up. Moving in SE into semester 2, we built on a lot of the things that we had implemented in semester 1. And so looking at our mid-year data, we are on track for where we'd like to be at
Pinewood. Um some areas I know that we could, you know, continue to grow. And so we have added a few extra layers of support based on our midyear check through PM2. And so using some of the reports in performance matters and power buddy to create specific frequent um
assessments for students to track data and how they're moving through small groups and acquiring those annually assess standards in ELA doubling down on our work with our state regional literacy director um specifically around UFI and fluency probes to improve student fluency and literacy and then
increasing our afterchool tutoring by getting more students to come in and expanding to additional grade levels so that we can make sure we're targeting all kids that count towards school grade. In bottom quartile, they have shifted from um doing small group instruction specifically with
interventionists and teachers by expanding that out to coaches, pips, administrators, pair of professionals. Um in the bottom quartile in every subgroup, students are getting small groupoup instruction all hands- on deck in semester 2 at Pinewood. They're receiving lots of small group time on task intervention practice. There's also
been an effort to leverage the tools that we have, specifically Lexia with additional professional learning to use the data and resources that we collect from that tool to drive instruction and then continuing our after school tutoring for those bottom cile students and making sure that we get as many of them as possible to stay after school so
that we can get them where we'd like them to be. With science, we've adjusted the schedule to provide additional small group time for those students that are not meeting mastery on those third and fourth grade standards that do appear on the fifth grade test. and the science lab teachers focus has changed to
support students that are um engaging those standards in other content areas so that we're really making sure that we're capturing every element that will be assessed on the on the test at the end of the year through our daily instruction. And then we have increased the hands-on experimental lab type
science exploration through on-site and off-site field trip real world experiences in science using um our science district science coach and science staff at the schools. And then um what is common across all of our schools is our fourth quarter spiral
reviews that we've implemented specifically for science to reinccorporate those third, fourth, and fifth grade standards so that we can get where we want to be with that accountability metric. And so what we are expecting, again, not a projection, an expectation, using all available data to give us a reasonable
understanding of where we think the school may land. Pinewood is currently um expected to be in the 429 range, well into the the B range. This is a conservative estimate based on the available data, but we do see some strong data trends moving forward,
especially at the midpoint of the year. We are in a much better place than we were at midpoint last year. So we can confidently say that Pinewood should land in the B range. Any questions? >> Any questions from the board?
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I have the pleasure of presenting our last priority school, which is Warfield Elementary. As you look at the school grade history graphic, you can see that the school has made some measurable
improvement. Um, in 2324, they earned 310 points, which did place them in the D school range and under state support. From the 2425 school year data, they did make some measurable progress and they
earned 335 points. However, you can see they are still at the low end range of the C. Um the improvement that you see here for Warfield definitely reflects the impact of targeted supports particularly in literacy and early intervention. And
while progress is evident, the school does remain well below the low end of the B school threshold. Therefore, continued school improvement efforts certainly warranted. Moving on and looking at the 24 25
school grade snapshot, you can see across the eight school grade reporting categories. Um there were some celebrations in the area of mathematics and science, although overall math and science achievement um did show some minimal improvement. Learning gains for
math and bottom quartile learning gains really helped stabilize the school grade last school year. Moving over to the left hand colum under You can see ELA achievement overall is a critical area. However, the three
priority areas really land within ELA um achievement. Um significantly below at 18% um bottom I'm sorry, learning gains and bottom quartile learning gains for ELA also priority areas as those did take a
dip as well. Um, learning gains, although they are fairly strong for Warfield, um, they have not quite translated into stabilization or sustained proficiency for the school yet. Um, different than
the other schools that you've heard, Warfield does need the most amount of points to reach that low end of the B status. Um, so they will need 93 points to enter into the B school range. Next, highlighting the school improvement supports for semester 1. Uh,
Warfield definitely took advantage of the state regional literacy director. Um she has been on their campus every single month multiple times helping lead professional learning for their campus specifically for third grade um ELA to strengthen instruction and really
capitalize on um high impact strategies that she can provide. Additionally um they have implemented a third grade student tracking tool to monitor those unit assessments which is critical in between the state progress monitoring
data points. along in between those. So they have now instituted a tracking um method where they are then utilizing that data from the unit assessments to then pull them into um targeted small groups for instruction.
Something unique um about Warfield that I'm super excited about is they have a third grade warrior leaders initiative um that was started to really help for the third grade retain students to continue to build their confidence as well as develop their leadership skills
while also focusing on instruction. So really looking at the whole child. In the category of ELA learning gains, they continue to focus on professional learning aligned to lesson study practice and this is a high impact strategies where a strategy where
teachers work grade level plan together. Um they look at some critical standards or problematic standards um plan the lesson then one teacher volunteers to teach the lesson while others observe they come back they debrief and then redesign the lesson based on the
coaching and feedback. The remainder of the team goes out and um implements the lesson as well. So very strong practice and that's happening across grade levels on their campus. Warfield has also led the charge with the afterchool tutoring initiative.
They've been utilizing LL action plans and they serviced over 90 students um in semester 1 for afterchool tutoring for ELA. Um ELLL coaching has also taken place utilizing imagine learning data um to
accelerate language development. um they have utilized district coaches as well as their own ELLL coach on campus. And then for ELA bottom quartile learning gains, MTSS has been a a main focus making sure that that's very tight and intervention schedules are aligned to
ensure that targeted support is taking place based on the data available. Um ELLL paraprofessionals have been strategically scheduled to be present during literacy rotations for that small group time. Um again, engaging in effective strategies as well as
scaffolds for English language learners. And then finally for semester one rounding out um increasing the consistency for their um support facilitators. They have been assigned to a specific grade level versus servicing multiple grades across the campus and
this has really afforded them an opportunity to plan with the grade level team really get an in-depth understanding with the standards and be there for the small group instruction as well. Moving into semester two, um again, a lot of the things are still in place,
but there have been some recent additions just to really like hone in on um critical moves. And I can say that it is all hands on deck at Warfield Elementary School right now, semester 2. Um, particularly around ELA third grade
achievement, they have what's called their crunch time where their coaches on campus are dedicating daily time for small groupoup instruction um for their specific third grade students using rigorous texts and of course aligned to standards. They have also found some
success in delivering UFly foundational literacy lessons for some of the students in third grade that are more than two years behind. They're also implementing fluency lessons daily with a read with us strategy and then also making sure that
teachers have adequate time for planning. So they have afforded their teachers quarterly half-day planning sessions where they're really supporting long range plans um with backwards mapping from the units for ELA learning gains. Individual
teacher data chats have been conducted using a learning gains tracker. Um, this tool has also been very helpful in assisting teachers with determining and setting realistic goals for students so that they're also accountable in keep keeping track of their progress.
Professional learning on scaffolding very important for um subgroups ELLL and ESSE. They've also done an excellent job with their walkthroughs checking for fidelity of instruction and implementation as evidenced by our I observation data um
weekly. Um they have also launched an IL growth competition to increase student engagement and progress monitoring and there's a lot of hype on campus and I know they look forward to Dr. McMahon's uh weekly updates and emails. So a lot of good energy on campus around that.
And then finally, ELA learning gains for the bottom quartile. Um, again, MTSS being a critical component for um, intervention, utilizing the most recent data to make appropriate shifts to ensure that students are receiving the right instruction to help close the
gaps. Um, related arts team is also participating in crunch time. It's all hands- on deck and they are providing daily small groupoup instruction for targeted students for foundational skills support. ELLL pair of professionals at Warfield
have had um professional learning around small groupoup instruction to really maximize their time in their classroom based on the schedule. And then finally, um the school has partnered with ESC department and have implemented with Fidelity their ESSE boot camp lessons
which really support um access to rigorous grade level content and allowing them to um really experience what it's going to feel like when they take PM3. And then moving into the expectations for Warfield, um you can see that on the
right hand side, it's going to be critical for the school to really show improvement across all of the eight categories, particularly in the domains of ELA. Um that's been a critical focus for them. Um at this time the focus for total
points expected is a little bit conservative as the effort would really be on sustainability and providing consistent supports versus making an immediate jump to a grade. We want to stabilize and continue to grow. So 370 points would put them at the middle of
the road C range for end of year. At this time, I'll open up the floor for any questions for Warfield or regarding Warfield Elementary School. >> Miss Roberts. >> Um, thank you. So, um, my first question
is not specifically for Warfield, but for all the schools. Um, have we looked at how many out of field teachers? >> I'm sure we can pull the out of field list. Yes. >> I mean, is that something that is on your radar or is it Yes, our curriculum
team um does provide coaching to out of field teachers, specifically curriculum training related to the materials and our professional learning team does provide support um to all new teachers and teachers that are out of field to ensure that they have the resources they need. It is certainly an area that we
can improve in moving forward. It has recently come to our attention just how many teachers we have across the district that are either new to teaching or out of field. And so as we begin to ramp up 42627 that will be a priority focus >> and I guess so my question um diving a
little further down that rabbit hole. So it's I think it's is it 300 hours or 600 hours for >> for category one out of field teachers is is that the am is that the amount and
then it's like 60 for category two three and four. >> Good evening. >> Um know if I'm on but um for for the ESOL requirement elementary teachers are considered category one 300 hours but
they have six years to complete the requirement and so for that reason sometimes you see the names recurring on the list that appear before the board >> and so do they also fall into another category for math or for science or they
just have that >> to be out of field at an elementary school for content area, the teacher would be certified in something other than elementary. >> Okay. >> I can give you the exact numbers, but that's more of the exception to the rule. You see far more out of field at
the secondary level. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. >> Um, and then I had a question. when you're talking in semester two about providing quarterly half-day planning lessons to support long range lesson design. Can you explain >> a little bit of what that looks like?
>> So, we utilize a process called backwards mapping. So you take the unit, the whole unit, whether it's for ELA or math or science, and look at the kind of end goal, like where do you need to take students, and then start working your way backwards through the unit to figure out what standards are essential in
order to get to this end goal. What's really challenging sometimes is the planning that you have on the day-to-day is very rushed. And so trying to delve into something very deep and have dedicated time, it does take a little
bit more than 45 to 50 minutes. So, um, giving teachers and grade level teams that space and making sure that there's support provided, whether it's district coaching support, the state regional literacy director is very helpful to move that work along. And they leave
with a larger set of plans that they can then implement without having the quick day-to-day like check-in with planning. Very effective and the time is very appreciated by teachers. >> Okay. And just and my last question, it's just so that I understand this
correctly for ELA. So if I'm a third grader in the low 25, my score is my personal performance impacts four components, four of the eight. Is that correct? You hit me for
gains, you hit me for achievement, you hit me for third grade, and then you hit me for the low 25. Correct. Not exactly. So a third grader does not count in the learning gains components. And so for ELA, a third grader would get you in overall achievement and third
grade achievement. Now there is an exception, but third grade retaines um so school by school that number varies. They will count in learning gains um because they do have two years of data to measure those gains. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> No problem. >> Dr. Morardi.
>> And then when would the 25 26 grades be released? >> Not soon enough. Yeah, >> typically they come out in the middle of summer. Usually between like the last week of June is the earliest we've ever received it. Usually it's that first second week of July that we get school
grades. However, we do have the ability this year to run our own calculations projections of our school grades. And so before the school year is out by the end of May, we will have a very good estimate of where each school will land. You know, with a relatively small margin
of error. And I'd love to see you come back with the total points expected that you have on each of these and see how accurate they were. >> Yeah, we can take an overunder. >> Yeah. >> Start our own bracket. >> Yeah.
>> Um I just have a couple of questions. >> Oh, Amy, go ahead. >> Um congratulations to all the schools. I had the pleasure of doing the rigger walk at um Warfield last week and I can
tell you unequivocably the work is being done. I mean it is it blew me away the energy, the passion, just the entire way that everyone went about giving their data, going into the
classrooms, watching the children, seeing their faces, how excited they were, first of all to see guests, but they were really actively participating in their learning. And I don't doubt that that's happening at all of the schools with this implementation. So
kudos to all of you. I really appreciate the hard work and I know it's going to pay off. Thank you. >> Thank you. I have a couple of questions. So I'm curious about the afterchool tutoring. Do we have data on that? Are
those students um selected strategically or is it who's at extended day or parents who volunteer to take their children there and how are they performing in comparison to >> yes >> if they're in the low 25 or you know I
don't I don't know. >> Yes. So there is um a strategy for the students that were selected. So earlier in the fall, semester one, they really were targeting bottom quartile students. Also looking at accessibility, are there kids that can come out of extended day
because they're already there. Um we do have some schools utilizing transportation funded through title one to keep kids there, make sure they're provided food, send them on their way. Um we did have some challenges with, you know, obviously getting permission for all of the students that were on each of
the schools list that are participating. However, um there have been some expansions to the grant and the focus. So, we are looking into some of the primary grades, particularly grade two, uh just because of the impact of those
students moving up. So, first and second grade, we do have some schools with students who are scoring in the level one and their star data is indicating that there is some early warning systems and to try to close those gaps. Um, I do have more finite data that I'm happy to
share with you all. I just, um, compiled it last week, so I can send that on if you'd like to review. Thank you. And I'm also interested to know if the students that attended our public school VPK programs, how how are they performing in comparison to
students that did not attend um, a VPK program? um and if they perform how they performed at the end of VPK. Obviously with progress monitoring we would have that data just for last year not for any
other year. But if we have that data did it work and where did they what happened between the end of BPK to the beginning of kindergarten and then from the beginning of kindergarten. So, we're tracking them to see if there's we can pinpoint
where kids are starting to either get behind or never catch up. >> Um because that's really important. And I I just honestly believe that we need to treat the whole school like the lowest 25. Um because 21% even with a 3%
increase is, you know, we just hard to look at. And um I just I know we as a board we probably need to talk about additional interventions that we may
have to talk about for not just Warfield but the other um low schools because I know that there is so much great work happening. It's just a big lift and I don't know if this board can approve or
we could start to talk about what those additional resources would look like. Um maybe it's restructuring. Maybe it's there's a lot of things I you know Warfield has been in this specifically. I know Warfield's been in this position before um where they have been our
lowest performing school in the district and I don't know if that's I guess I look to the superintendent and the rest of the board to bring this back as and really look and dive deep into the data to see what is working and if there are additional resources needed at these
schools that as we're budgeting that we talk about that. >> M. >> Yes ma'am. So, one of the things that um I think would be very beneficial would be for us to be able to close out the school year with the actual data uh that
comes back and building into the plan through the budget cycle recommendations that that we need to bring forward to the board for your approval for these six schools. Uh clearly, we would want their six schools to to get to three or two. Uh we know that it is a heavy lift,
but um that that would be a natural next step in the process. uh we have to to think outside the box and do something differently uh at these schools. We're on the right track, but there are certainly I appreciate the the level of commitment and support from the board
and um this this would be natural next step. So, we've got the VPK data to kindergarten to first grade. I think thank you for asking for that. We have the ability to bring that back again at another workshop and present that to you. Um, and I think the team will
commit ourselves to presenting to the board a plan that we could you could approve over the summer uh to be able to have ready to go for immediate implementation for August. >> Um, and just as an an addition to that, I'd really like to continue the
conversation about a modified school calendar, especially for our most struggling schools. I know that it is a hot topic, but we're seeing so much happen during the school year and then that's lost in
the summer. So, how can we adjust calendars and schedules so that and I don't want to scare people that doesn't take away summer break? It does shorten the amount of time that it's the same 180 days that kids are going to
school, but it is shortening those breaks a little bit so that they're not seeing such tremendous tremendous loss which then puts a burden on teachers to catch them back up before they can really get start learning again. So the
new content. So, um I look forward to having that conversation with the board. >> Um and the team that is a a priority of of mine as I know it is of yours uh board chair and the board and so the team is currently working on plans for
some type of extended day uh for those six raised schools and that will be brought forward to so we can include that as the full package in the plan being brought forward. >> Thank you. And thank you all very much. I know that this is hard work and I know there's lots of principles here. Um if
you all if your principles would like to come up and introduce yourself um and you can say a quick brag on your school if you would like or just to introduce yourself and you know I think it's really important to give kudos to your
staff too because hearing it from you Hello. Oh, there we go. Good evening. I'm Susie Deutsch. I'm the proud principal of the Pinewood Elementary School. And I just want to warn you all that you would be you will be wearing some new bling at the end of this school
year because I am buying a championship ring for my entire staff when we make that be. It's already out there in the world. We're just an extremely dedicated committed staff. I'm going to speak for mine. I know we're as a district all committed and dedicated, but my staff
goes above and beyond every single day. And there is not a single child that is not seen, touched, loved, um, and taken care of at the Pinewood. Thank you so much for all of your support, too. We really appreciate it. >> Thank you.
Good evening. Proud principal Greg Betar uh JD Parker. We're very excited. Uh our mantra this year is impossible is just an opinion. It's all over the school. The kids, our teachers, and we had to get some people who are the wrong people
off the bus. And we have infiltrated our school with some great positive people. We're excited about this. every day our instructional coaches which did not exist in the previous year. Uh we're excited about what is to be uh in the
operative word being there to be to be or not to be and we want to be a be. Uh so we're excited about that opportunity but we are working harder um and even smarter and and I have to we're very thankful to have Dr. Mudo who has joined
our staff and is really solidified. She deserves a round of applause cuz second to none. But we are excited about this impossible is just an opinion because we are thriving off of this and and the movement is very evident. Uh we just put
outside Parker Pride has been back now. So, we're excited about the opportunity and just like so uh Susie just shared there, we are waiting for the bee championship rings have not been ordered yet though, but we will go there soon. But thank you so much. >> Thank you.
>> Good afternoon. My name is Adele Sumner and I am the proud principal at Warfield Elementary and I just want to say thank you so much to everybody. It truly does take a village and we have been embracing that village at Warfield. Everyone is there to help our students
learn and grow and we can see that from the district staff and from all of our staff members. Everybody has been working 110% for our students. Like I shared with um our during our rigor walk with superintendent Maine and director
executive director Gford that um our students voice has changed. It has changed from just very casual conversations to more academically driven conversations every single day in the hallway. Um they have been
advocating for themselves. They know what they want. Um especially right now to get football back and soccer back. Um and they have been advocating but they don't just advocate, they problem solve and they tell us how what we should do or um give their input. So change has
happened. Their voice has changed. they're they're more um confident and totally driven. So, we appreciate everybody's help because we can't do it alone. It takes everybody. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all very much.
All right, moving on. All right, we have our student representative, Delaney Miller. Thank you. Good afternoon everyone. To start off today, I have the report from Jensen Beach High School. All three Jensen Beach High School choirs earned
superior ratings from every judge at the District 13 music performance assessment. Additionally, 26 Jubilate students were selected to perform at Lincoln Center in New York City as part of the prestigious Octavo Series Choir.
SPAM robotics team won the Orlando regional first robotics competition, competing against teams from across the region. Eight of those students on the SPAM team are from Jensen Beach High School. For the first year, Jensen Beach High School participated in the Odyssey
of the Mind competition and have advanced to the state competition representing the Palms region in Orlando this April. Ro Kappa students Sienna Hinsley and Mia Aquino placed first and second in the district's history day
historical paper category and will advance to state competition in May. JBHS drama students earned multiple recognitions at the Florida State Thespian Festival over spring break, which included Savannah Beach, who was selected to represent their entire
district with her costume construction project and earned a superior rating. And four other superior and excellent ratings were earned by students in solo and duet musical performances, highlighting both performance and technical excellence. You can see the winning talents of Jensen Beach High
School drama students at their annual Thesby Showcase on Wednesday, March 25th at 700 p.m. in the JBHS Performing Arts Center. Next for South Fork High School, starting with athletics, the South Fork track and field boys 4x400 relay team
broke a school record that had stood since 2009. And our girls 4x100 relay team broke a record dating back to 2010. On top of that, Kaani Wake rebroke her own school record in the 400 meter hurdles. Shifting to the arts, all three
choirs earned superior ratings at District Coral MPA, qualifying the entire department for state festival for their second year in a row. Carolyn also qualified for state for the fifth consecutive year. Senior Gavin Adams and freshman Isabella
Hajes were selected to represent the state of Florida in the Southern Region ACDA Honor Choir. Thousands of students auditioned across 10 states in only 150 were selected, making this a huge honor for both students and for South Fork
High School. This also marks the second cycle in a row that our school has had two students chosen. The SFHS band program also earned straight superior ratings at MPA. South Fork was the only high school in the district this year to have both its top band and choir receive
straight superiors. In theater, South Fork drama students earned superior ratings at the Florida State Thespian Festival. Students were recognized for outstanding work in solo musical performance, costume construction, and dua acting, showcasing both performance and technical talent. Finally, in
academics, South Fork students placed first and second at the District History Fair and will advance to the Florida History Day State Competition in Tallahassee, representing the Bulldogs and the district. Last for Martin County High School, starting with academics,
Martin County High School's Odyssey of the Mind team earned first place at the regional competition, advancing to state competition in Orlando. This marks a first for Martin County High School and we're proud to share that Miss Jai Matthews was also recognized with the
OMR award which highlights her excellence in coaching, leadership, and dedication. Continuing with the arts, the MCHS drama department delivered four outstanding performances of Greece the musical. Our talented cast and crew showcased their hard work, creativity,
and commitment, bringing energy and joy to every performance. Additionally, the MCHS choir program also represented the district very well at MPA. Opus earned straight superiors and tenor and base earned overall superiors. Lastly, the
AFJOC cadets J Dylan Klens, sorry if I pronounced that wrong, Luke Dawson and Oliver Treadwell were selected to attend American Legion Boy State this summer. This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional student leaders who demonstrate strong character, integrity,
and a commitment to service. Thank you. >> Thank you, Delaney. All right. Next up, we have our district update. >> Good afternoon, Madame Chair, vice chair, esteemed board members, and superintendent Maine. I'm Kirsty Germaine, coordinator of public
information and community relations, and it is my pleasure to bring you this month's district update. So, first up, we're highlighting the district's second annual Black History Month event, which brought students, families, and community members together
for a meaningful celebration at Steuart Middle School on February 21st. Schools from across the district participated with students taking the stage through performances that included singing, readings, and poetry. In addition to the performances, campuses also contributed
student artwork, creating thoughtful displays through the event. Just about every school site was involved in this incredible event. Uh the day showcased pride, creativity, and student expression while honoring the history and culture at the heart of Black History Month. It was great to see such
strong participation from across our schools along with families and community members who came out to support our students. So, let's take a look at a recap of the event. The music, the stories, the celebration. Students, families, educators, and
community members from across the Martin County School District come together for the second annual Black History Month celebration. A morning that showcases performances, presentations, art, and culture. >> It is my honor to stand before you today as we gather and celebrate the rich
history, enduring legacy, and extraordinary contributions of black Americans. >> From poetry, Martin Luther King Jr., What a nice guy. He did so much for us that I would want to cry. >> To student presentations throughout the
event, everyone in attendance learns, reflects, and celebrates the stories that help shape our country. >> So many invention we rely on the traffic light, the iron board, the gas mask, the elevator safety device would never had
been created. Students take the stage and share what black history means to them. We celebrate black history to honor strength, creativity, and resilience of people whose contributions have shaped every part of American life. >> The message carries through every
performance and every voice. >> So, food developed during the time of slavery in the American South. Enslaved Africans were often only given the least desirable cuts of meat and limited ingredients. They use their knowledge of African cooking traditions, seasoning, slow cooking, frying. >> Speaking of soul food, community
partners joined the celebration, including the NAACP along with Georgia Boy and Ethel's famous Wings food truck. >> I want to say thank you for what you all have came and supported this day of Black History. It means so much to all
of us. Black history is actually American history. >> Together, we all honor the history and celebrate community. know we live in a very special place, Martin County. Wonderful community with wonderful people. Let's everybody do our part. Make today better than it was yesterday.
Make tomorrow better than today. I wish you a blessed Saturday. Have a great day. Thank you for coming out. So, I also wanted to mention before I even started this that I know that last month Mark Cowles, our coordinator of executive initiatives, gave this update
and he is the much funnier and funnyl looking of us, but you know, and I prepared that joke. So, it's just it shows you that I'm not the funny one. So, I just had to point that out there that I'm just not going to be the funny one bringing these presentations. But
it's okay. I'm the prettier one, so I will accept that. All right. So, 19 of our elementary students were recently named winners of this year's kids tag art contest. Now in its eighth year, this program is a strong partnership between the Martin County Tax
Collector's Office and the school district. It gives students the opportunity to design their own vanity license plates, combining creativity with realworld application. What makes this program especially meaningful is that proceeds from the sales go right back into supporting art education in
our elementary schools. Their designs as well as submissions from students across the district this year and the previous seven years are available for purchase as license plates, bike plates, and keychains allowing families to showcase student artwork in in a unique way. You
can find that link to purchase by either heading to the tax collector's website or ours at martinschools.org or and we are excited to formally recognize the winners in front of their families at an upcoming awards ceremony that will take place right here in the boardroom on
April 14th. A longstanding tradition and love tradition at Bessie Creek Elementary kindergarten transport transportation day is a hands-on learning experience that's been part of the school since 1996. From student performances to
displays and the parade of transportation, it's a great example of how learning comes to life in our schools. With the district being more than a hundred years old, traditions like this across Martin County make our schools so special. So, let's take a moment to watch a short clip
highlighting this tradition. along sing happy oh me we're happy as can be anybody likes to travel it's meire on ground had a puncture in his tire
away. You know, in Florida, we love our car washes. Um, so with that being a great tradition and one of the many across our schools, of course, that's a reason why that you should apply to enroll and be part of
the tradition. Uh, you can apply to be part of our schools on our website at martinschools.org. Had to throw that in there. All right. So, uh, we're also getting ready, while we're talking about kindergarten, we're also getting ready to celebrate the finish line for our seniors. Graduation for the class of
2026 is right around the corner with ceremonies taking place May 20th through the May May 22nd across our three traditional high schools. Ahead of the ceremonies, we're inviting families and community members to help us recognize these students by sharing their stories as we spotlight members of the class of
2026 across our social media platforms. It's a special time across the district and we look forward to celebrating this outstanding group of graduates. You can follow us on social to get the link to share your senior story or head to our website for the link. Tell us how far
they've come, where they're going, so we can celebrate just how amazing our students are. And that is all I have for this month's district update. Until next time, you can find us wherever you scroll. Thank you.
Um, next up, we have the superintendent update. I know we only have two minutes till five. I don't know how if you want me to do public comment first or go ahead and do your um I only have one public comment. >> I think public comment and then we'll >> All right.
Citizen input is vital to the improvement of our district. Most times your remarks may be listened to without comment from the board members or superintendent. This does not mean they are heard with any less intensity or concern. Where appropriate, the superintendent and staff will
investigate your comments and report back to you and the board with an answer. We thank you for taking the time and having the concern to make our district better. Your presentation to the board should not exceed three minutes. Letters or statements from mothers not present can be given to our
clerk who will be sure that each schoolboard member and the superintendent receive a copy. To keep our record straight and authentic, our policy does not permit you to read statements of others into the record. Um, I have one public speaker and that
is Jim Dragth. It's a quiet group here. Thank you for the opportunity. Um, a question on the addendum. The, uh, consent, the $50,000 for more legal.
Is there a What is that for? The agenda description didn't say anything about what the use was going to be other than paying more hours. So we will um so we don't typically answer questions from the dis but um I I
have your information and um the superintendent will get back with you. >> Appreciate that. Thank you very much. >> Uh the other question was on and was mentioned earlier about the possible addition of another charter school. What is the board is there board
oversight of charter schools? I saw in the uh the uh district uh web page that each board member kind of has oversight on some different school sites throughout the county, but I did not see
any of the charter schools mentioned similar say maybe Indiantown High School. What what board oversight might there be? >> Again, we'll get back to you. We will get we can give you okay >> um information on the charter.
>> That'd be great. And as a proud graduate of uh Parker Elementary, I would really like to applaud uh Ms. P's comment about a calendar adjustment. I've I've been in different positions
throughout the school as a parent, grandparent, sack, all this sort of stuff. And I would uh think that that would be one of the most important uh transitions uh education in general could make. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. Okay. Um moving on, we have the superintendent's update. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board. Um Odyssey of the Mind state qualifiers. I'm proud to share that this year we have six teams that are
advancing to the Florida Odyssey of the Mind state competition tournament after strong showing at the Treasure Coast Regional Competition held in late February. And I can just remember that a few short years ago we had roughly six teams total throughout the district that even participated. So now to have six
teams moving forward representing the district at the state level is a remarkable and exciting milestone. High school teams competed for the first time this year. So, thank you to the board for creating a beautiful and supporting a succession plan from kindergarten to middle school and now on into high
school that made a huge and immediate impact. In total, 15 teams across our elementary, middle, and high schools represented the district, showcasing creativity, collaboration, and problem solving at every level. We're proud to recognize the following schools advancing to this year's state
competition in April. Jensen Beach Elementary, Felix A. Williams Elementary, Crystal Lake Elementary, Hidden Oaks Middle School, Martin County High School, and Jensen Beach High School. In addition, Martin County High School's coach, Gia Matthews, received
the prestigious Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional creativity, leadership, and dedication. It's a meaningful recognition of the impact she's had on her students and the program here in the district. This is the second time our district has been
honored with that award and I'm truly excited uh for more schools to be able to continue participating students and teachers um as they take the opportunity and challenge uh in competing Odyssey of the Mind, excuse me. Odyssey of the Mind
challenges students to think critically, work as a team and bring innovative ideas to life, skills that reflect the kind of learning happening across our district. If you have not had a chance to go and watch one of the Odyssey of the Mind competitions, I uh thoroughly
encourage you to do that. It is very enjoyable uh and fun to watch. The students really are doing a great job. So, congratulations to all of our students and coaches throughout the district and we wish you the best of luck in Orlando uh this coming April.
And I do plan to FaceTime the teams when they are in Orlando to wish them the very best because last year we were just a point or two away from making world competition with one of our teams. And so with six teams representing the
district. I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful. All right. Moving on to boosting early literacy. I'm excited to share that in partnership with the Education Foundation of Martin County, the district has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin counties to
support early literacy. This funding will be used to launch our second grade summer reading camp focused on helping rising third grade students who are currently reading below grade level, especially in our six designated Rays schools, uh, three of which you heard
from earlier this evening. The four-week program will provide targeted EV evidence-based reading instruction with a focus on building foundational skills like decoding vocabulary comprehension and also preparing students for the third grade content they will see. The
goal is simple to strengthen literacy skills before the school year begins so students are better prepared, more confident, and positioned for long-term success. Moving on to the impact 100 grant. Uh we do have two finalists.
We're excited to share that two of our projects connected to the Martin County School District have been named finalists for the important impact 100 grant. Through the Education Foundation, South Fork High School's CTE veterinarian technician program is in
the running for $100,000. If awarded, those funds would support equipment upgrades, helping create a more modern, high-tech lab experience for our students. In addition, the Environmental Studies Center has been selected as a finalist as well for its River Scout 2, a Voyage project. This grant would
support the purchase of a new boat along with the construction of a dock on site, expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students. Both of these projects represent meaningful real world experiences and we're proud to see them named as finalists.
Allin for middle school. If you're wondering what our middle school students and schools are truly like, tune in to the latest All-In Martin episode in this new episode of the district's monthly podcast, Allin Martin. It is out this month and we are
allin for our middle schools. Students from Indiantown, Anderson, and Hidden Oaks talk about their experiences, classes, and what they love most about their schools. The episode also covers some of the unique programs available at Murray and Steuart Middle Schools. You
can tune in wherever you watch or listen to our podcasts. And speaking of learning more about our middle schools, our middle school preview nights are coming up in April. Uh this is a great opportunity for families to explore our middle schools firsthand, meet school leadership, and
see the excellent academics and unique programs that each campus offers. Steuart Middle School will be Thursday, April 2nd, followed by Hidden Oaks Middle School, Tuesday, April 14th. Murray Middle School, Thursday, April 16th. David Anderson Middle School, uh
Tuesday, April 21st. And Indiantown Middle School, uh last but certainly not least, on Wednesday, April 22nd. And of course, here's another reminder that enrollment in school choice are still open. School choice applications
submitted by March 31st will receive priority consideration with acceptance notifications expected uh from the district in early April. Once accepted, students can remain at their school through the highest grade level offered on that campus. To apply or learn more,
head to our website at www.mmartinsschools.org. and I'd like you to watch a quick uh short video. Thank you. Hey, hey, hey. One, two,
>> thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. All right. Are there any questions from the board on any of the other information only reports that are listed on the agenda? >> I have a question. >> Dr. Morardi. >> Thank you. Um I've been getting some
inquiries about the uh four available properties we have that we've gotten appraised and about the availability of them. And I didn't know if um either Dr. Miller or Superintendent maybe Mr. could provide that to the public so they could get some direction on uh the
possibility of purchasing any of those properties. >> Yes. So I can um start out. So any entity outside entity that is interested in purchasing any of those properties and would like the appraised value um that we receive back on those properties can do a public records request through
our district website. Uh the public records request will be processed uh expeditiously. they'll receive a copy of the appraisal and be able to make an informed decision. Uh at that point, uh Tyson Waters will be coming back forward to the board uh at a workshop and board
meeting to explain the process by that the board would uh use should you choose to actually list any of these properties. In the meantime, we'll proceed forward in getting second appraisals on each of those properties so that the board has two appraisals uh
at your disposal for making a decision. Um, and that's currently where we're at in the process. Tyson does need to work through uh some items with the board in separating out some things. Um, and some additional uh paperwork that the board will have to handle, but that's
currently where we're at in the initial phases. Um, but we are more than happy to share those appraisals with anybody that's interested. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> And this will be coming back to the board as a whole another discussion um so everybody can see everything involved.
um surveys, um appraisals, all the information, and then we'll make an informed decision based on that. And I don't think we've ever listed, at least as long as I've been on the board, we've never listed a property. So understanding what that
process looks like as well as um you know I don't think that there is a set way that we have to go about it but we just need to make sure that we follow um the correct process and procedure because this is new to all of us. So thank you. >> Thanks.
>> All right. Um All right. Moving on. Is there any other board information chair that anybody would like to mention at this point in time? Uh, next up we have our action only. We 18.01 we have no schoolboard travel.
18.02 is approval of funding for Jensen Beach Elementary School. The storm water detention pond uh additional work required. Any questions? >> Second. I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a second by Miss Russell. All those in
favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Uh 18.03 3 is approval of the FDO FDOE spot survey and update a project priority list. Is there are there any questions?
>> Move to approve 18.03. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Dr. Mor Morardia, second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. 18.04 4 is approval of the FDE spot
survey and update project priority list. Um also this is related to Warfield Elementary. This was bringing back and uh authorizing the superintendent to move forward with a preliminary plan of what K8 might look like.
>> Second. >> I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. 18.05, approval of the budget amendment allocating $2 million in local capital
improvement funds for conversion of the Steuart Learning Center into a flex tech campus. Um, and so this is directed to Mr. Morrison. We have money set aside for the Steuart Learning Center already. Correct.
>> That is correct. >> Two separate years. Yes, that is correct. >> So, is that using this that money too or is that in addition to this money? >> So, that is using what is available left in that budget plus another 2 million that um Mr. Secretress indicated that we
should be able to fund it up to that level. So, we had allocated I believe 3 million over the course of time. We used about 173,000 for some architectural fees. Leaves roughly about another 1.8 if I remember correctly. And then this 2
million will then get us to about um 1.8 plus 3.8 million. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Do I have a motion to >> second? >> I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 18.06 06 is approval of a budget amendment allocating um 16 million in impact fees for the proposed additional classrooms at Jensen Beach High School.
Any questions? >> Second. >> I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries unanimously. Um if you Let's go ahead and take these last few. So, I don't think that there's
um a lot of questions and then we'll wrap up with our insurance committee recommendation. Item 18.08, requisitions to be approved for purchase orders over 100,000. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a
second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 18.09 is the final resolution of impass for MCEA. Um, collective bargaining, uh, ratification of the collective
bargaining agreement. >> Motion to approve. >> I have a motion by Miss Pritchette, a second by Miss Roberts. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Um, moving on to item 3.05, which was
pulled from the consent agenda. Miss Roberts, you had question. Um, I just wanted to be sure that the updated contract had all the pages in it and because the copy that I received was missing pages I think six and seven. So,
just to be sure that I'll move approval of that, but just be sure it has all the pages. Thank you. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Miss Roberts and a second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. All right. Next we have our insurance
presentation. Okay. Good afternoon, uh, Madame Chair, members of the board, Superintendent Maine, Don Calderon, director of risk management and employee benefits, and alongside me is Dustin Keane, um, senior benefits consultant with the Garing Group, and Gabrielle Swain, benefits
consultant with the Garing Group. Um, so you should have hard copies um in front of you. If you want to follow along with the hard copies, it might be a little bit easier. Um, we're going to go ahead and start with a recap of where we were uh the last time we came to you all. So
um we were here uh at the March 3rd board workshop and at that time we had presented the claims through January and we also presented a additional renewal option um that the board had requested
at the February board workshop um that showed uh that was a request of a 0% highdeductible health plan um increase. Um as a result of that um we had all of the presentation all the renewal options
presented to you at that March 3rd workshop. Um the main takeaway from that workshop was um for the Garing group um to go back to Sigma who um was present in in the audience at that workshop to
go back to Sigma and ask them to provide a a 0% increase to the high deductible health plan with no more than a 10% increase on the OAP and the OAP IN plans which were um at that not to exceed
amount. um with no plan changes. Okay. Um unfortunately um Sigma was not able to to do that. So the seven unique renewal options that were presented at the March
3rd uh board workshop are the same seven options that the insurance committee was presented um yesterday afternoon and that are before you uh today at the board meeting. Um, what I can share with you is that um, our local account
representatives from Sigma are here in the audience and they actually even flew in a member of their underwriting team. Um, so um, if you have any questions about their decisions or their underwriting um, take on things, they
are here um, to answer those questions. If you um, flip to the next page here. So, decisions that we need from the board tonight. Um there's there's two decisions. One um is probably the most important thing. Um which renewal option
um is the board going to select? Um the renewal options are in your paper pamphlet. Um and they are provided on page pages 12 to 18. And what I can tell you is that the insurance committee met um for the third consecutive month
yesterday and they unanimously selected option A um which was the third straight month in which they have elected that option as their insurance committee recommendation um even though they've seen all of the uh renewal options um
that you have seen as well. Okay. The second decision um is for the board to decide um how much if any of the employer contribution towards um the health savings account would be made for
the 2627 year. So as a friendly reminder the health savings account is available to those employees that are enrolled in the high deductible health plan. Um and the board over the last uh five years has made a a decision at this
meeting to um fund the health savings account. Um and it's ranged anywhere from $750 to a,000 over the past um about five years or so. Um, so having laid out what the um
the plan is for tonight um and knowing that none of the renewal options have changed um I'm open to the board for any feedback, comments, questions. >> Are there any questions from the board?
>> Um Mr. Calone, these are not really great options. I'll be honest with you. Uh the 10% across the board is not great. Our employees are struggling with costs and now they're going to get that across the board. The
people in the high deductible plan um is a much less loss ratio ratio. We had asked Sigma for help there. They clearly did not find that in their portfolio. Thank you for being here. very
disappointed in in that effort though. Um I don't like this other option where it goes to 13%. You're kind of giving us some bad options here to pick from. I can tell you this next year I'm looking forward
to an RFP to quote this out. As for this year, is it at all an option to have the board help with the uh increase the 10% increase on the high deductible plan and what would that
cost? So, um I Dr. I believe that you're referring to um option A um where there's a 10% increase which is the not to exceed based on the RFP from last year for the OAPIN OAP and the high deductible health plan. So I
think what you're asking is um what would be the cost if the board kind of bought down that high deductible health plan to a 0%. Is that correct? Okay. >> That would be $363,000. across the board >> based on the enrollment in that plan
>> to have a zero cost plan based on the current enrollment. >> Yeah, because I I'll tell you I'm very frustrated because I don't like any of these options. They're all increasing it. I feel like we need to do something and this is where the board could step in
and help on that. That's the best plan and that's where we need to get people to if we want our rates to go down. Otherwise, they're just going to continue to go up and up. Um, Signal, Sigma is a very profitable
company. $6 billion in profits last year and uh we're I was excited to switch to Sigma last year to hope that we could build some loyalty. I know that you guys are working a lot throughout the Treasure Coast and building
other bis other places. Kaiser University would be one of them. But it's disappointing because there's really no great options this year. So I feel like the board should step in here and help with that 10% and make that zero on the high deductible
plan. I don't know if there's an appetite for that, but that would be my recommendation would be option A with the board helping uh make that 10% 0% with a contribution from the board. >> M Roberts, and you're looking for that from the
general fund. Is that what you're >> either from the general fund or from the uh insurance fund the we've uh that we've about $4 million in that?
>> You mean the money that is set aside for self-insured? >> Correct. >> Go ahead, Roberts. So, um, thank you for giving us the last rolling 12 and separating it out and siloing those plans. And if I look at it
correctly, it appears that um, if I compare the total premium paid against the paid claims that in the HMO there was a negative about 1.2 million.
Gabrielle, if I'm correct, if I take the 13 and the 14 the 14.5 minus the almost 13. >> I'm in the hole by 1.2. Um, if I do the same thing for the PO, which are the two that have the the more than 100% um
usage, both of those were 110 for the the rolling piece. If I do that one, it looks like we're in the hole on that one about 128. >> Correct. >> Correct. Um, but knowing that, then when I look at the high deductible plan and I
see the high deductible plan, which collected $4 million in premiums and paid out 2.1 in claims, I'm ahead by 1.8, almost 1.9 there, right?
>> That's correct. So when I do that, when I average those all out, I'm really ahead of the game by $55,000. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Yes. And that's with Florida Blue and Sigma's claims >> with both of them together. Right. And I
can understand and appreciate that part of the problem is that since we don't have a full claim history that as we try to keep adding a month and adding a month and adding a month, um what we end up doing is we're then the months that we don't have, somebody is projecting
what those would look like based on what the months were that we've had in the past. Right? So my hope and my my request to the Sigma people is I I really think that what we should be doing is I think that because the high
deductible plan um came in so low as far as what the claim piece was against the premiums paid. I don't think there should be any increase. I mean and thank you for for siloing the plans for us. We've been working towards that for years so we
would be able to see exactly where we are. So, we do appreciate that. But I think that one plan, if you look at the three plans, that one plan should have no increase because you actually made money on that plan which you're then using on the other two. And I think that
the other two you should say that those two are a 10%. will apply the 10% cap to those two other plans and not try to say, "But I want to give the 10% also to the the high deductible
plan that didn't cost you that." And I guess what I'm looking for is I'm looking for an answer as to why that isn't viable and why you're underwriting people don't think that that's something that can be done. So, if somebody from Sigma could give me
an answer for that, I'd appreciate it. Come on down. >> Come on down. >> You can come. If you want to come up here, you can. Yes. >> And I And before we before you speak, you know, one of the things when we
changed from Florida to blue and and welcomed you on board was we were looking for some a partnership and we were looking for something that could be more longterm. We weren't looking for something that okay well we'll we'll do this for a couple years and you know you
got to make sure that you're whole after a couple of years because you're on down the highway and we you know it was nice knowing you for a couple years. I mean and we're really trying to look at what alter seriously look what alternatives are um and I know that as far as the implementation the change over the
implementation has been very smooth I mean much smoother than I would have expected it to be. Um, the employees seem to like it. The employees don't have a problem with it, which is there's always that resistance when you've known Florida Blue for so long of thinking,
well, now I've got the new thing. I've got a different colored card and I've got a new procedure and I've got everything else. But your app is easy to use. I mean, I I've heard nothing but praise for you all. And I would hate for this to be because of a a shortsighted um decision. I would hate for this to be
a two-year, you know, nice to know you and we'll see you somewhere. But anyway, go on. Thank you. >> Yeah. And I, for the record, I wouldn't either. Um, so I rated this case uh, you know, for the current year. I al you and doing the renewal. Um,
we had looked at claims uh, for Blue Cross from the prior carrier uh, for the prior 12 rolling 12 compared them to the most recent, which you know is a mix. So it's a prior carrier plus our our claims. Um and so that roughly that was
18.06 million prior 12 18.6 recent 12 um membership went down during those two periods or you know from prior to recent uh 33,810
for the prior period and 31,884. So it's a 9.2% 2% PMPM increase 534 PMPM before to 583. >> So >> recent 12. >> Gabrielle, can you explain to me what he
just said, please? >> Yeah, he's so his first number, his 12 point his $12 million number is the claims that have just um just from Sigma. So for the first eight months then he mentioned the um 18 plus million dollar number that is the
rolling 12 number of all three plans together the past 12 months and he's saying the pepm which is claims per employee per month or pmpm >> per member per month so per belly button on the plan that includes dependent um I
didn't hear what your number was we just have pm here >> that you they increased by 19% so the trend on that is 19% % increase, >> right? With effective trend >> and and with and you're you're comparing
um the 12 months to the 18 months divided by the enrollment to get a per member per month basis, >> right? Well, I was just looking at the two 12-month periods. So, prior 12 to a recent rolling 12.
So you're looking at Florida Blues 12, an entire Florida Blue 12, and then you're looking at a mixed 12, >> correct? >> Which is you and Florida Blue. >> Correct. Yeah. Not just in the claim space. So it's um
my point was the claim space is increasing 9.2%. For the top, you know, claims claims amount. And that's before applying you know effective trend and everything else which I mean at that point it magnifies.
Um and that is kind of what's I mean that is what's leading us to be pressed on the bottom bottom line. So the 10% that we're holding to overall um we are a little stretched on investment compared to what we had
planned for. So, you know, when I first wrote it versus, you know, the renewal, um, we were, you know, investing, but we were at a basically a break even level. Uh, so we we went with the 10% rate cap
or rate guarantee. Um, just basically based on annual trend thinking that the number should um, you know, line, you know, line up, we wouldn't be in a too much of a loss position. Um but you know my point was in in the
earlier claims number it's that the topline claims increased you know 9.2%. So it really kind of pushed the projection out a little beyond what we were anticipating. >> Okay. And and if we know that our cost
if we bought out the um the high deductible so that we ended up with a zero cost no increase there that would be 363. So I mean in interest of being nice and friendly and wanting to continue a relationship. Are you willing
to split part of that with us? Would you give us half of that and we'll take the other half ourselves if we decide to do that? I mean that seems kind of fair that It's half of 363. >> Do you need to talk to the people back
there or is that something >> back? Yes. >> Excuse me. >> I can take that back. >> Okay. >> You can take that back >> up to you. >> Okay, >> we'll wait. >> So, thank you. That's good to know and I appreciate that. >> So, um I just want to say that um you
know, I'm disappointed that Sigma didn't come back with a better offer. Um I know it's not your fault. It's really hard. This is a systemic problem in health insurance and all insurance coverage honestly. And when I have to see when
your CEO is has a 23 almost $23 million compensation package and the executive team are getting multi-million dollar bonuses at the end of the year and we're squabbbling and we're our employees are
the ones that are suffering. Um, it's really hard pill for me to swallow and I know it's not your fault. I know that's not part of your metric and how you do things and it's this is not just a Sigma problem. It's a Blue Cross Blue Shield problem. It's a United Health problem.
But it's got to stop. Our employees are suffering and our next What do we go without insurance? Do do working people that are working really hard just not have insurance anymore? like that'll teach you guys a lesson, right? But it doesn't really hurt you. It hurts the
families and the members of our community. So, um I really think Sigma can do better and I hope that when you take that back that they'll be more realistic and look at the greed that is happening at the top of the organization
and make that consideration. So, thank you all very much. Thank you. I appreciate that. So, we'll be back to us with your final Miss Roberts what she she asked and if we need to What's our deadline
>> today? >> Oh, no. It's >> April 1st. >> The deadline is today. Um because we we need time to program uh Bentech with the new rates and the open enrollment module. And then also we have to get that information out of Bantech over to
our payroll and finance department so they can prepare multi-checks which are negotiated and um there is already a published deadline on when those multi-checks are to be cut. Those multi-checks have rates in it for the 26 27 plan year. So, I'm willing to
make a motion that we take the renewal A with um them chipping in 50% of the buyback number that >> I'll second that motion. >> Second. >> Miss Pritchette, did you have a
question? I just I I just wanted to mirror what everyone is saying. This is we we're in a corner. It's it's as if you take this or you know goodbye. I don't
understand how we came to this and I'm very disappointed. And while I'm happy if they give us 50%, I feel like we should get the 100% because the high deductible plan
had such low numbers and as you pointed out made money, $55,000 and now we're negotiating over getting 180,000 back of money that we got with that high deductible plan. I'm just
really disappointed and I hope that we can find a way to to mitigate this. I like Dr. Morard's um suggestion as well. I think we need to um fund
the employees more. I'm not sure how we do that. We'll have to talk about it. But I think we need I think we need to help them absorb this um increase in their in their premium. Thank you.
>> I'm not the um the attorney here. Um but I'm going to defer to Mr. George because I believe I heard the motion was kind of contingent on um Sigma coming up with 50%. >> That is correct. >> So >> So if they don't come up with the answer, >> then we have to come back. Then we have
to come back and make another decision. >> Madam chair, >> yes, >> board has the authority to vote on and carry out the motion. Uh, in one sense,
it's playing a game of chicken, but you have the ability to put it forward and force Sigma to respond. They can respond right now. >> Perhaps I'm confused. I thought he did respond and say that he would take the 50%. Right. >> He said we take it back to his people.
>> Oh, >> Madam Chair, could could we take a could we take a recess? >> Yes. Let's just let's take a quick let's take a quick break and um we'll take a 10-minut break and we'll come back and Okay, we are back. We are going to
reconvene this meeting. We are going to for the moment uh put aside 18.07 7 um while there's some conversations happening um with with our insurance carrier and we the board are going to move on to our policies. Um we have
number of policies that are up for first review um and to approve the advertising. >> Madam Chair, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Just in terms of Robert's rules, we had a motion and a second. Do we then need to table that motion till the end of the
meeting so that we can resume business or could we >> It's in the same It's in the same meeting. So we should be okay. >> We'll come back to the item. >> You can either withdraw it and come back to it. You can table it. Um you'll end
up back there either way. >> Okay. So do we need to table it is what I'm saying. Because typically when you table something it is comes back up and you have to vote on whether to so we we're going to have to vote twice. Correct.
>> My recommendation would be that you withdraw the motion in the second. >> Okay. >> Understand that you're going to come back to that item. >> Okay. >> So does the motioner agree to withdraw the motion
until we hear the Mrs. Roberts, >> Dr. >> But you can also postpone. You just need to hold the vote then to postpone. Okay. Do I have a motion to postpone um
item 18.07 which will be heard um after at the before the end of this meeting? >> Second. >> Yes. >> I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a second by Dr. Morardi. All those in favor?
>> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to our first review and approval of the advertising. Are there any members of the public who would like to speak on any of the policies before us?
Okay. Um, are there any questions on any of these policies from the board? Okay. So, I will for the record read into the record these items and we'll vote for them as a whole to and just for
the public, you will see these um all of these back on a future school board um at a future schoolboard meeting with item 19.05 05 which was removed and it will come back again for a first review um at
a workshop and then you'll see it again in first review at a schoolboard me meeting and then a final approval. All right. So item 19.01 is policies 1124 3124 and 4124 drug-free workplace. 1902
is 1129 31294129 conflict of interest. 19.03 is policy 2215 program of instruction. 19.04 is 2266 non-discrimination on the
basis of sex and education programs and activities. Item 19.06 is policy 2431.06. 06 name, image and likeness in athletics. This is a new policy.
19.07 is 2455 dropout prevention and academic intervention programs. 19.08 is policy 5200 attendance. 19.02 so sorry 19.09
is policy 5530 drug prevention. 19.10 10 is 5600 student discipline. 19.11 is policy 7544 use of school media. This
is a new policy. 19.12 is policy 8407 safe school officers. 19.13 is policy 8800 religious ceremonies and
observances. Do I have a motion to approve these policies with the exception of 1905 which has been removed? >> Motion. >> I have a motion by Miss Roberts, a second by Miss Pritchette. All those in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Um, >> okay. Miss Roberts. Um, could we check could the superintendent check with 1913 policy 8800 the religious ceremonies and observances based on what the
commissioner of education just came out with from DOE whether Neola is planning any new changes to that? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Not that it doesn't I mean this still gets the Holocaust piece in here but we'll at least know if it's planning on coming back. Thank you. >> Great. We'll move on to open to the
board. Um, we can go ahead and do that while we're waiting. Any board member comments. Russell, just wanted to say congratulations to Sam. It's a big accomplishment and we knew they could do it. Um, and I'm
looking forward to see what they come up with for the next several competitions. It's exciting to watch them and see all that they're doing and all that they offer for our students. Roberts. >> So, I just wanted to give a shout out to Opus and Mark County High School. They
had a really nice event um a couple weeks ago, I guess, maybe three weeks ago, they did um a dessert event where in the cafeteria you could go in and they had like a whole lot of desserts like from all over the place and so you could get like really high on sugar and
then they performed um several different numbers and it was a really really wellreceived well attended and very nice event. So >> thank you Dr. Morardi. I just want to remind everyone that in two days, March 26 at 7 PM at uh Martin County High
School, we have music in our schools and come on out and hear some great music. >> Miss Pritchette. >> Well, I wanted to um congratulate South Fork for all their varsity squads finishing in the top 10 of their
respective classes. We just got this uh email before the meeting today. Well, actually, it came earlier this morning. I apologize, but boys basketball was fourth in the state. Girls basketball sixth in the state, boys soccer fifth in
state, girls soccer third in state, girls weightlifting second in state, competition cheer ninth in state, boys wrestling fifth in state, and girls wrestling seventh in state. So, uh, and South Fork High School second in state,
class 5A. So, congratulations to all the athletes. Uh, it's obvious we have great programs here and uh I wanted to just mention them. Thank you. >> Thank you for me mentioning that and that's just a reflection of our A rating
and Martin County School District. So, and a testament to all the hard work of our staff and our teachers. Um, I just one thing I wanted to mention to the board in preparation of having conversations about our raise schools in the future and how we can better support
them. Um, you know, I brought up the modified school calendar and I would um ask you all to go to Charlotte County um website and take a look at the calendars that
they offer and what that what it could possibly look like in the Martin County School District. Um, so that you can kind of get an idea, start thinking about it, start talking about it. I know that it's change is always really really hard. um but
they've seen significant um success using a modified schedule, a modified calendar. So maybe we could also um set up some time to have someone from Charlotte County
talk to us as a board about what they're doing. I know there's other um districts in the in the state of Florida too that have seen success um especially in low performing schools. So, I'd really like
to start to gather up some of those um points of contact and maybe have them present to the board to talk about the challenges, the successes, um what a roll out of something like that might look like if if it wasn't something that
we did districtwide. And um at this time, we're just going to take a a brief break and wait to come back and talk um more about Item 18.07 7. Okay, we are going to reconvene this
meeting. Our esteemed panel is back. Talk to us about uh our insurance. >> Okay, so I am going to pass the mic over to Dustin who is going to share with the board um the results of the conversation Sigma had with their higherups um and
along with the Gar group. >> All right. So, I'll say they were uh making every call possible back there and happy to report that um they are honoring um your request to reduce um to give you a credit of 180,000. Um so,
it'll be a combination of a premium credit and lowering the rates. So, they're kind of doing a 6040 split between those two, but overall it will be $180,000 reduction in premium to the district. >> Um
That's >> sorry about that. They did that to be created. We don't have to go into it unless you want to know, but they increased the pulling point and did some some things there. So, happy to report that. If you have any questions for the underwriter, um feel free. >> Yes. Thank you very much. We really
appreciate you taking the time and listening to the concerns that we have and um um and taking the time to meet right here so we can make the decision today. So thank you all very much. So I have um we are going to bring back the motion
that we postponed earlier and that motion was to select option A and to split the difference with um Sigma on the increase of roughly 363,000.
So the district would bear half of that and Sigma would bear the other half. Are there any questions from the board? So the motion was made by Miss Roberts and the second vote was by Dr. Mori Arti. Seeing no discussion, all those in favor?
>> I just want to be clear since the presentation by Garing as to what Sigma was offering was 180 which is not exactly half.
>> It's like 180. It's 363,000 >> $181,500 is the specific number. >> Okay. So, that's going to be worked out and it'll all come out. So, 181. Okay. >> Yes.
>> Perfect. So, I have a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Wonderful. Thank you all very much. This meeting >> HSA the HSA. Oh, I almost adjourned it.
And I had a note on here, too. >> All right. The next item that we need to um decide on is if the board this year will contribute to the HSA, which we have in the past. I believe last year it was $750.
>> Correct. Yes. >> Um and that total amount is what is that total amount? >> $48,000. >> 400 $48,750. What's the pleasure of the board to continue to fund that? To fund it at
a higher level, a lower level? Um, not at all. I'm interested in option two, funding it at the 500, the cost of that is 2725. And when then when we add the 2725 to the 180 that we're having to throw in
for that, that puts it at 450 for our total cost piece. we end up coming back to. So my preference is option two. >> Dr. Morardi, >> my uh option would be option three with
the 750. That would be the exact same coverage they would have from this year. Basically, we'd have the 0% and um and then we'd have the 750. This way we wouldn't be going down on coverage. So I would favor option three.
>> And I agree with that. 750. >> Okay. Um and that tell me that total Miss Roberts again that for option three. >> So option three would be 408750
and then the other piece is the 1815. So your total cost is going to be 59250. So my question is um I think we need to look to Mr. Morrison and see if that's within the realm of
thing of possibilities for the board as we prepare for next year. And um should Carter Morrison um assistant superintendent for finance um should for example board member Roberts's option
pass then we will be pretty much even Steven if you can call it that. However, if the other option three, which is to fund at the current levels um and incur that cost, then we would be looking for some authority from the board to maybe
make up that difference maybe from the self- insurance fund. But that would be part of the motion if that were to be the situation or we would have to make those cuts in the general fund to make up that difference. >> Madam Chair, I would like to propose uh
that you Whichever route we go, I believe that I I would prefer that we find it in the general through other cuts so that you're not touching the self-insured should you want to do something with that later. Either way, I believe we have a path forward.
>> Okay. So, I don't have a motion yet. So, does someone like to make a motion? >> Madam Chair, uh I'd like to move to select option three, $750 for the HSA options for this year. >> Second. I have a motion by Dr. Morardi
and a second by Miss Pritchette for the to remain at $750 for the HSA contribution. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> That would be me. >> That motion passes 4 to one.
Um and that's it. Thank you all very very much. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you. >> Thank you.