Good morning. I call this meeting of the Pinellas County School Board on June 23rd, 2026 to order. Please stand for a moment of silence and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice Chair Dawn Peters
and for the national anthem. >> Oh say can [singing] you [music] see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed >> [singing] >> at the twilight's
last gleaming? Whose broad [singing] stripes and bright [music] stars through the perilous >> [singing] >> fight, o'er the ramparts we >> [singing]
>> watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs >> [singing] >> bursting in air, gave proof through the
>> [singing and music] >> night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled >> [singing and music] >> banner yet >> [music] >> wave o'er the >> [singing]
>> land of the free and the home of the brave? >> [singing] >> Thank you. You may be seated. >> Our next agenda item 1.5, video regarding the summer camp experience. >> We are doing a summer camp for
cosmetology. They get to kind of get a taste of what cosmetology is all about. We had Aveda come in and talk about their program, did a few demos. We're doing like bubble braids, hair tinsel, continuing to learn how to section the
hair, blow dries. And even just for them to be here, having a good time, interacting with other students that are different age levels is just a a good human experience.
>> I'm absolutely loving it so much. I wanted to try some stuff with like makeup and nails and hair because it's not just about how you look, it's about how you feel also and making people feel good about themselves. >> There's so many different pathways that you could go go into in cosmetology.
>> I really do like doing hair. I eventually want to be a hair stylist and I'm ready to explore hair coloring and more hair styling. >> The summer camp is definitely something if you want a little taste of
cosmetology. It is a lot of work, but it is a lot of fun and extremely rewarding. The goal here would be for everybody to love the hair, love cosmetology, and then come to Pinellas County schools to get educated on that.
>> This is a sewing camp [music] and we do hand sewing and machine sewing projects. Our machine sewing projects, we are making pajama shorts and tote bags. The reason why we chose to have the summer camp is to give [music] a
hands-on skill, learn a life skill they can carry with them wherever they go or find a new hobby and or career path in years. >> When I grow older, I want to be a fashion designer and I need to learn the skills essential for sewing.
When I usually go to a lot of stores, I see [music] a lot of clothes and, you know, when I go to pet stores, I see some outfits and I want to be one of those people to create those things and expand my creativity for them. >> I love seeing where they start and then
where they finish. In just a short period of time, just the four [music] days, they get to take something in their hands that they created and can use. >> Well, that was definitely wonderful highlighting the cosmetology aspect of our summer camps as well as the sewing,
budding and supporting the interest of learners and they all look like they were having a phenomenal time. So, thank you for that addition. Next on our agenda, agenda item 1.6, introduction of professional and community organization representatives. Is that about
>> Dear members of the board, Mr. Hendrick and staff, it is my pleasure to introduce the following representatives of community and professional organizations. Representing the Pinellas Educational Support Professionals Association or PESPA,
Scott Barnum, president. From the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, Tracy McConnell, president. From the Pinellas Arts for a Complete Education Coalition, David Teglerini.
Members of the media in attendance from the Tampa Bay Times, Mykayla Carter and Henry Fernandez. Thank you. >> Thank you. Now on to agenda item two, amendments to the agenda. Mr. Hendrick, are there any changes to the agenda?
>> Yes, Madam Chair. On the consent agenda item 7.2, request approval of the recommendation to dismiss Amy Clark, data management technician employed at Bardmoor Elementary School. Yesterday, Ms. Clark requested a hearing on June 22nd, 2026. Therefore, the
recommendation is now alternative number two, suspend Ms. Clark without pay effective June 24th, 2026 until the conclusion of the hearing process and direct the staff attorney to submit the request for a hearing to the Division of Administrative Hearings.
>> Thank you. Board members, do you have any changes? Okay. Now on to the adoption of the agenda. May I have a motion to adopt the agenda as presented? I have a motion from Mrs. Hein and a
second by Mrs. Peters to adopt the agenda. All in favor, please say I. Any opposed? The motion is adopt the motion to adopt the agenda passes 7 to 0. Thank you. We will now move on to agenda
item four, special order agenda. Mr. Hendrick, would you please introduce? >> It would be my pleasure, Madam Chair. And in doing so, I want to ask you to go down front and ask our visitors from the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards to come forward. We are recognizing our school board chair and
the outgoing president of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards, Caprice Edmond. She was recently recognized at the meeting of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards for her service as president for actually not just one year, but I guess the longest serving president ever for the Greater
Florida Consortium about a year and a half. I know Tabitha and Tom will probably hit some of the highlights, but I can tell you from what we saw on our side was a lot of new initiatives, the establishment of a federal platform, a lot of work in Tallahassee, and really trying to get
people on the same page as well as expanding the footprint of the consortium. So, I'm stealing all of Tabitha's points, but I'm going to pass it to you, Tabitha. You'll pass it back to me, and then Ms. Peters, our vice chair, will make some remarks before we take a picture. Tabitha. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Superintendent.
Good morning, Madam Chair. Good morning, members of the board. I'm Tabitha Feazell with the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards, and we are in fact here today to recognize not only your chair, but I mean a a president and outgoing president with
more energy, I'm I'm sure you all know you can possibly imagine. Under Chair Edmonds' leadership, we not only expanded the consortium adding Hillsborough and Orange County to our ranks bringing our total to 12 members,
but again also established our first ever federal advocacy program as well as establishing an emergency management task force and a technology and AI subcommittee. And we hosted under her
leadership our first ever AI summit right here in Pinellas. And so, Chair Edmond has done just a remarkable job as our longest serving president. She'll be a hard act to follow. She's been very outspoken, and we were
lucky to have her, and we would like to extend our gratitude to all of you and to the the children and and faculty of Pinellas schools for loaning her out to us for this time. And I believe Tom would just like to say a few words if that's all right, Mr. Superintendent.
>> Uh good morning, Madam Chair, members of the board, Mr. Superintendent, school board attorney. Uh it's an honor to be here. Uh your agenda item uh has some misinformation because I
sent you misinformation. It says that the consortium only represents 40% of the student body and that statewide. And that was true BCE
before Caprice Edmond. After Caprice Edmond, the consortium now represents 53% of all the students in the state of Florida. And for the listening public, they might
wonder, why does Pinellas County participate in the consortium with 11 other school boards? And the reason is simple. It takes 61 votes in the house to pass a bill. It takes 21 votes in the Senate.
While you have several house members that represent this community and several senators that represent this community, when you put the 12 consortium members together, we have more than 21 votes in the Senate. We
have more than 61 votes in the house. And we have made that work more recently with a special session of the legislature, a three-day session on taxes.
The governor actually came out with a proposal that included school boards being part of the tax exemption. That would have cost school boards across the state $6 billion
in lost revenue. It would have devastated public education. Your president, Caprice Edmonds, sent a letter out to all the members of our consortium.
We joined with 40 small districts. Your superintendent, under his leadership, and your CFO, under his leadership, got data out showing the impact uh to Pinellas County of such uh
legislation referendum passing. And other districts replicated that data. And in the three-day session, the actually the second day of the three-day session, we
got public schools amended out of that uh referendum and have preserved the right of public schools getting uh its fair share from property taxes. We literally saved public education.
I want to thank the leadership of this board uh and your superintendent. You are no strangers to Tallahassee, and you have been many times uh on behalf of Pinellas County and
working with consortium and working through Caprice. I also want to end by Mr. Superintendent thanking your CFO. For the last 18 months, uh he worked diligently keeping our books straight.
And uh we know he did that just like Caprice, in addition to her day job and her school board job, uh dedicated uh a lot of time to uh public education. Your CFO did the same. He took on additional
responsibility. I want to thank him. >> Thank you so much, Ms. Peters. >> Thank you. Um well, on behalf of the Pinellas County School Board and many other boards across the state of Florida, uh we would like to acknowledge Ms. Edmonds tenure as president of the greater consortium,
I'm sorry, greater Florida consortium of school boards. She led the consortium with clarity, collaboration, and a strong vision that strengthened the organization's influence and long-term stability. Her presidency delivered long-lasting advancement advancements and growth,
and her impact will continue to shape the organization long after her presidency. I don't know, Ms. Edmond, how you had the time to do all of this work. We saw the results of it, and we could see that you were putting the work in, but obviously more was even done behind the scenes, and thank you, Mr. Jefferson, as
well. Um so, uh Mr. Sara and Ms. Vazeni, thank you. Uh on behalf of the consortium, please present Ms. Edmond with an award of recognition. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> Thank you, Ms. Peters. Thank you, Tom
and Tabitha, for the work that you do, and uh for driving up here today, and we'll look forward to seeing you soon, and give us Ms. Edmond back, and we'll continue our meeting. Uh any board comments before Ashley comes back up? >> I will, yes. I'm very happy to echo Mrs. Peters um gratitude and thanks and
honoring Ms. Edmond for representing not only Pinellas County, but also many districts across the state of Florida and students and teachers across the state of Florida. Um Um, you made us proud. You made me proud. I'm proud to be in this work with you. So, thank you for all of the leadership you have
shown. >> And it truly was a collaborative effort from having the support of the board, Superintendent Hendrick and staff. Uh, Gary already got his shout out last last board meeting, but I'll just do it
again. Him, Shelby, um, Mrs. Hawk, Mrs. Christie, the whole team really made um, this work very Oh. Sorry. Very impactful
as well as less complicated. And your support and assistance has been greatly appreciated. To our member districts of the consortium, the work continues. Thank you, Tom and Tabitha, for your leadership. It has been great to work
with you and members of the consortium. See you in a couple of months. Thank you. Now on to item five, public comments on agenda items. Mrs. Hawk, are there any speakers for agenda items?
>> Madam Chair, there are no speakers for agenda items this morning. >> Okay. Thank you. Now on to agenda item six. May I have a motion to approve item 6.1, public hearing to consider the amendment to policies 1211,
whistleblower administrators, 3211, whistleblower instructional staff, and 4211, whistleblower support staff. This is the second reading. There are no changes. I have a motion from Mrs. Peters and a
second from Mrs. Blacksburg. Mr. Hendrick, will you please introduce this item? >> Yes, Madam Chair. As was mentioned, this is the second reading, no changes. We had a workshop for this and of course a first reading and here to explain that process and the details of this policy is our director of strategic planning and policy Mrs. Ison.
>> Good morning, Madam Chair, board members, Superintendent Hendricks, staff and community. We're recommending amendment to the series of whistleblower policies 1211, 3211, 4211 whistleblower to align with current statutes and relevant case law.
The amendments The amendment details were reviewed during the April School Board workshop and during first reading on May 19th. Specifically, the amendments to these policies remove references to contractors focusing on the board's actions and designates the
office of professional standards as the appropriate office for filing retaliation complaints. And the policy language is aligned with statutory confidentiality provisions and the timelines and procedures for filing complaints are updated to reflect current law. We
recommend approving amendment to these policies. >> Thank you. Mrs. Houck, are there any speakers for this item? >> Madam Chair, there are no speakers for this item. >> Board members, any discussion? I have a motion and a second to approve item 6.1. All in favor, please say I.
Any opposed? The motion passes 7 to 0. May I have a motion to approve item 6.2, public hearing to consider the repeal of policy 3120.09 mentoring program volunteers and the
amendment to 9180 volunteers. This is the second reading. There are no changes. I have a motion from Mrs. Blackburn and a second from Mrs. Long. Mr. Hendricks, would you please introduce this item?
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Similarly to 6.1, this item was work shopped and had a first reading. However, uh prior to that, we had a separate workshop to discuss the changes in the volunteer policy and the implementation of that. And so, while Mrs. Ison gives you an overview of the policy in just a moment, I wanted to give the board just a brief
update on the conversion to level two, which has been happening across our district and fingerprinting and all that goes with that. And while there's been have been questions, our strategic partnerships team continues to work with schools and volunteers to make that process as effective as possible. And I want to encourage you in your roles as board
members over the course of the next several months as school begins again. If there's questions, if there's concerns, if there's things that need to speed up, to certainly reach out to our strategic partnerships team, Ms. Tindall and the others to help with that. Having said that, we've received great response from schools and a lot of folks getting
their fingerprinting done and volunteering paperwork updated in preparation for the new school year. And so, to tell you more about the policy, I'll pass it back to Mrs. Ison. >> As part of our ongoing efforts to clarify and align district policies, we recommend consolidating policies 9180
volunteers and 3120.09 mentoring program volunteers into a single cohesive volunteer policy. These amendments were reviewed in detail during the April school board workshop and during first reading on May 19th. To streamline volunteer and mentor
requirements and reduce redundancy, we recommend repealing policy 3120.09 and incorporating its provisions into the policy 9180 volunteers. The additional amendments to policy 9180, specifically in section four, reflect the change in
practice that all volunteers are required to obtain level two clearance through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse in the upcoming school year. We recommend approving these amendments to policy 9180 and the repeal of policy 3120.09.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Ison. Mrs. Hawk, are there any speakers for this item? >> Madam Chair, there are no speakers for this item. >> Board members, any discussion? Mrs. Hine? >> Thank you, Mr. Hendrick, for um touching on the um impacts of this and and how we can
ameliorate them. I am concerned about a potential reduction in volunteers on our campuses because there are very clear time and cost barriers to obtaining the level two certification. It is It is not
easy. And so, the way that we can any way that we can make it easier for people to access that um it isn't a concern about the background check that they'll pass it. We have plenty of plenty of that, but it's just the access, the time and cost access to it. And so,
I I I I I think you mentioned both communicating with school-based employees, making sure that they know the right information to get out to their database of already volunteers to make it as easy as possible. I know the PTAs I'm involved with are bringing fingerprinting at least twice within the first month of
school on site to get people to get that level two, but it's not easy. So, also communicating with the County Council PTA, um it is something I'm concerned about. So, I just wanted to raise that up and maybe I can follow up with uh Ms. Daw a little closer on what that communication I mean, I'd like to see
how we're how we're making that as simple as possible to get people to still be volunteering on our campus. It's so important. >> This right here. >> Yes, I I appreciate you bringing it up, Mrs. Hine, and I'm grateful that you're saying, "Hey, the PTA's bringing in fingerprinting to do that." I've seen that at a lot of schools this summer,
and we want to make sure people are aware of that, that you can have them come to campus, whether it be at a back-to-school night or parent event, whatever those things are. I also want to remind everyone um that parents are always welcome on campus. They're always allowed to come to eat lunch with their child, come to their events, be there
for their meetings, all of those things. You don't require any sort of volunteer paperwork or screening. You can always be a parent of your child. I also want to let everyone know as we discussed at the workshop that there are exceptions to the fingerprinting piece, right? One-time guest speakers, things that are
being directly supervised by a principal, for example. So, it's it's not a no one can come in and businesses can't be involved in those types of things. However, when adults are alone with children, we need to make sure they have the proper background screening and that's that's the cause for that. So, we
will continue to promote that. Again, I'm so thrilled to hear that your school's doing it as well. I've seen it at several schools. So, let's continue to get it that word out there to as many people and make it as easy as possible. And a reminder that if funding is an issue, there are multiple funding sources to help schools and those
individuals pay for that if needed. >> Thank you, Mr. Hendrick. Mrs. Blacksburg. >> Um excuse me, I think Mr. Hendrick just actually made my point that you know, we don't want there to be any barriers for people to volunteer here or mentor with our kids.
It is, you know, an advantage to teachers and to our students to have volunteers in our schools. And like Mr. Hendrick said, this doesn't preclude, you know, parents from being able to have lunch with their kids. It actually >> [clears throat] >> Excuse me, allows teachers a little bit more
freedom when we have level two volunteers because they can be one-on-one with kids. Um and it also bears repeating that, you know, with our partnership with um the um Education Foundation, that we're able to
help people that, you know, where there is a barrier as far as the cost because there is an added cost for level two. But, we, you know, we've worked with our partners and able to sort of offset that as well. >> All right. Seeing no further comment, I have a motion and a second to approve
item 6.1. All in favor, please say I. Nine. Any opposed? The motion passes 7 to 0. Now on to our consent agenda. May I have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda?
>> I move to approve. >> I have a motion from Mrs. Blacksberg, nope, Mrs. Peters and a second from Mrs. Cain to approve the consent agenda. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed?
The motion passes 7 to 0. Now on to our non-consent agenda. May I have a motion to approve item 8.1, approval to purchase the 2026-2027 instructional materials. I have a motion from Mrs. Hein and a
second from Mrs. Long. Mr. Hendrick, will you please introduce this item? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. It is time of year to buy next year's books, and so that's the point of this purchase, and our Chief Academic Officer, Danica Jones, is going to come up and provide more information, as well as our instructional materials
specialist, Bronwyn Slack, is here to answer any questions. In the agenda item, it's important to note the four different times that the board approved the instructional materials that we're buying and the whole process that goes with public hearings and the ability for parents to serve on committees and give feedback. This is just simply the
purchase of those materials that the board has already approved. Mrs. Jones. >> So, good morning, Mr. Hendrick, Madam Chair, board members and staff. This item before you today is the annual request for funds to purchase of our adopted state-approved instructional
materials for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Pursuant to state statute section 1006.28.2a, the board must approve the purchase of core instructional materials as a separate non-consent item, and this is
the request before you presented today. While I have the floor, I'd like to take just a moment to thank each of you as we close out a very successful year and begin a new year um for your unwavering support in advancing academic
opportunities for all scholars. Additionally, I want to recognize Ms. Bronwyn Slack, our new program specialist for library media and instructional materials for her efforts in organizing our process and timeline ensuring alignment with state
requirements. Her work is greatly appreciated. And your work is as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Board members, any discussion? I have a motion and a second to approve item 8.1. All in favor, please say I.
>> I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes 7 to 0. Thank you. Next on our agenda, 9.1, items introduced by Mr. Hendrix, superintendent. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. A short report
because we do have our workshop after this and we'll have more to say there, but first just an update on summer learning. We are in week four. Elementary and middle school summer bridge programs successfully completed their third week last year with nearly 5,000 participants
including 22 of our youngest learners at the Betty Ray Ivy pre-K extension in the kindergarten. In addition, more than 2,000 high school students are enrolled in credit recovery and preparation courses for state math and ELA exams. Teachers have sent home progress updates
at the midpoint about 10 days ago now highlighting the growth of students and showing them the things to work on in the second half of the program. All families can continue to access summer learning resources whether you're in summer bridge or not on the district's website. As you saw in our video earlier, of course summer
camps are well underway with over 80 camp options including those great ones that you saw today. I also wanted to congratulate eight students from Pinellas County schools and their visual arts teachers who were recently honored at the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards national ceremony
at Carnegie Hall in New York City. These students were among nearly 600 gold medal recipients selected from across the United States, its territories, and Canada. Again, 600 nationally and internationally, eight were from Pinellas County schools. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are widely
regarded as the nation's most prestigious recognition program for creative teens with over 335,000 artworks submitted this year. And their exhibition work was not only highlighted at Carnegie Hall, but is also being displayed in the national
exhibit at the Scholastic headquarters in New York City. We congratulate the students and their teachers on a job well done. And lastly, I want to highlight an employee who continues to demonstrate our core values this summer. And this one is Mrs. Maggie Greenwood from
Pinellas Technical College, a teacher in the practical nursing program. She has been with Pinellas County schools for 4 years and was recently recognized as an invaluable asset to the PTC Clearwater family. She's not only an amazing department chair for the nursing department, but she's also actively
involved in the entire college. One example of how well respected she is within and outside of the college is evident from a recent meeting with one of our business partners at BayCare. During the meeting, they made a special effort to share how wonderful it is to work with Mrs. Greenwood and all of the
student nurses that come and work at BayCare. Thank you, Mrs. Greenwood and all of our summer instructors for the work that they do each and every day. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Next on our agenda, 9.2, introduce items introduced by the school
board attorney. >> I have no report today. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. Agenda item 9.3, items introduced by board members. Okay. Um I would just like to highlight some of the items that we voted on in the consent agenda.
Um around this time or July 2026, we had a federal meeting asking for the release of the funds. And I do want to just highlight the work of um employees within the school district to complete grants for federal funding. Um something
that I've mentioned previously is, you know, how are we how are we planning if funds are not to be given or if there are change in um how how things are funded. And the responses
have been great. You know, the district is planning ahead. Um these dollars aren't used to supplement, however, they are aware of the changing dynamics that we're living in and will pivot accordingly.
So, as we go out for grants, I think it's important to remain aware that although some of these grants are used to fund programs, fund positions, it's not a guarantee that that same amount of funding will be available next year or the year after. So, planning
ahead is is key. So, specifically for IDEA, agenda item 7.11 and 7.12, IDEA supports approximately 14,000 students pre-K through extended transition
and funds approximately 515 staff members. This is important to think about cuz those federal dollars are impacting our district. Also, the Title I Part A Improving the Academic Achievement of the
Disadvantaged Grant, the amount of schools that benefit from this There's 83 schools with 30 with over 35,000 students benefiting. 1,114 staff are funded directly. And all staff
at the 83 identified schools receive benefits from the Title I funded activities. This work that our district is doing doing to put forth these grant requests are extremely important. Also, for Title II supporting the fed
effective instruction, one of the things that we talked about when we were advocating for the release of the funds is the importance of professional development. All K-12 students and staff, including those in charter and private schools, receive benefits from the Title II funded activities.
Again, this impacts all of our students. For the Title III language act part A language acquisition and language enhancement and academic achievement grant, this is impacting our English learners. You may have seen headlines regarding
the Department of Education and changes that are occurring. And it's important that this remains top of mind. So, 6,500 active English learner students and about 11,000 impacted students overall.
All K-12 staff, including those in charter and private schools, receive benefits from the Title III funded activities. And then there's Title IV, student support and academic achievement. All K-12 students and staff, including those in charter and private schools, benefit
from these dollars. I did ask other questions regarding CTE. This is one of the priorities of the current administration on the federal level, workforce development, and asking for this grant to uh support our CTE
programs is definitely worthwhile. So, thank you again for this uh applying for this grant. This would impact 31,000 students at the secondary level, three content specialists, each supporting 100
teachers for a total of 300. I could go on and on and on about the impact of the federal funding for Pinellas County Schools. So, I say all that to say it is critical to ensure that we are planning ahead if those
federal dollars don't come through, like what happened last year, or if there is a change in the funding mechanisms or requirements that we as a district decide we're not able we're not going to bend to. So, planning ahead is key.
Thank you to the staff who work collaboratively to ensure that we are compliant with the law as well as applying for grants. And then, last but not least, I just
want to say that it's been great to be out in the community, hearing from people as they discuss what they're doing over the summer, um talk about other plans and things that are happening. There was the Pride Flag Raising held by the City of St. Pete
this weekend. There were Juneteenth events. There were Flag Day events. So, the community is live and well and asking, "What can we do to support our schools? How can we remain engaged?" There are plenty of opportunities to
remain and get involved in our schools. One highlighted earlier was the opportunity to volunteer and become a mentor within Pinellas County Schools. And coming up in July, we have the Planning for Progress meetings. That
information is available on the website for participants or for any community member interested in learning more about district strategies as we navigate budgets and declining enrollment within
Pinellas County. So again, you can find that information on pcsb.org and type in the search menu planning for progress. There's lots of documents that you can also preview. So that's why I'm not going on and on and on about all the information
there cuz I can get started. So anyway, thank you all for being here today. That concludes my comments. Now on to agenda item 9.4. Any review of board requests? >> I did not note any requests. I did note
the conversation about the volunteers and we'll continue to work with Ms. Daw on the process. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mrs. Peters? >> Thank you. Sorry, I was using our new little system. I don't think we're we're used to it yet, so.
Um actually, thank you for all of that information, Ms. Edman. Um it's really important for us to understand and be planning a plan having a plan B or a plan C, which we never know when that can happen, right? So um Mine is a little bit lighter, but as we
go into budget season, this was an interesting request. Um recently um Mr. Hendrick um well, I was invited by a municipality uh city of Belleair Bluffs to come speak to uh their um commission about how property taxes work with um
and how they impact Pinellas County schools. And so I said it'd be even better if we could bring Mr. Hendrick because he's he's uh knows he's the expert in all things Pinellas County schools, but uh and he generously um accepted and gave a great presentation.
And it was really interesting to see their they were all, you know, very surprised by what they learned at the most basic level. We know as board members it takes quite a bit of time to understand how it works. And um so, even people who are involved in it at the
municipal level, who have been in it for years, and most of these these commissioners and mayor have been, um but they asked really great questions, and I was really happy to see um the level of questions and engagement by that municipality, and their goal is to be able to speak um with better
knowledge to their constituents and the residents of their communities. And so, as we go forward into the summer, um as the um you know, the new uh referendum gets presented, if that happens, they just wanted to see, you know, not just how we directly are
impacted, but then also Mr. Hendrick was um gave great detail about how we are indirectly um affected by the services that can be impacted by any kind of cuts throughout um any kind of tax cuts uh where property taxes are concerned. So, it was
really great presentation, and um I know as we get into budget season, this will become more of a conversation for many of us throughout the community. So, um it is it was just good to see the engagement. And then the second thing is much later, but um uh we went to I got
to go to one of the book buses um at New Heights Elementary, and um it was so much fun to see all these little kids go in, and they get their two free books, but they spend time, you know, looking through the books, and you get to be there with them, and look through them, and talk to them about what, you know, what are your interests? Cuz
they're a little shy when they first get on there, but um to the point of the services that that support, you know, things that we do within our district. I know JWB partners with the book bus, and um but then also the staff members that give their time. There was a um a um
summer bridge going on at New Heights as well, cuz then I went to the school and pestered them even more inside. Not really, it was great. I got to see some some awesome people, but just the staff that works all summer in supporting our students with camps and summer bridge and you just you can't ever have a bad day
when you're at school, right? So, it was a lot of fun and I just want to thank all the staff that supports our students throughout the district over the summer, too, cuz a lot of people think we get the summer off and not everybody has that. So, it but it is a lot of fun, right? So, anyway, just thank you to everybody, but I hope people do get a
break and get to take vacations and enjoy their summer. Any other comments? All right. I adjourn the meeting and we will move to public participation. Mrs. Hawk, are there any speakers this morning?
>> Yes, Madam Chair, we have four speakers this morning. >> Thank you. We will now move to public comments on the general business of the district. Please note that the views and comments of the public speakers are their own and are not endorsed nor sponsored by the school board or
district. We cannot ensure the accuracy of statements made, but will review concerns that are raised and take appropriate action, which may include clarifications or the referral of speakers to the proper staff member for assistance. The board is committed to a
standard of civility and decorum in conducting our meetings. This includes refraining from clapping or making audible noises during or after a speaker's comments. We appreciate you assisting us in maintaining a civil and constructive environment. Additionally,
please note that all the board members or Superintendent Hendrick may leave the dais briefly, there are speakers in the back room and we will continue to be able to hear your comments. Thank you. Mrs. Hawk. >> Thank you. I'll call speakers two at a time, one to each podium, and will each
have 3 minutes. The first two speakers are Scott Barnum and Joey Krasnesky >> A good morning Madam Chair, Vice Chair, Superintendent and members of the school board. My name is Scott Barnum. I'm the president of PESPA.
The members of PESPA and I respect fully request that you that the board consider adopting a policy requiring scholars entering Pinellas County's general education VPK program to be toilet trained. While continuing to provide all
required accommodations and support for scholars with documented medical conditions disabilities or individual education plans. This proposal neither novel or unprecedented. Several Florida school
districts including Manatee, St. Lucie and Osceola counties have adopted similar policies for participation in their VPK programs. School readiness extends beyond academic preparedness. It also includes development of essential life skills
that support scholars ability to participate in successful successful in the classroom environment. Independent toilet training is one of those fundamental skills. Toilet training is not is not a matter
of exclusion, discrimination rather a developmental milestone that fosters independence, personal responsibility self-confidence and readiness to learn. Let me be clear. PESPA strongly supports all students
and any policies adopted by this board must include must ensure that scholars with documented medical conditions, disabilities or other qualifying needs receive all accommodations and services and services to which they are entitled
to under federal and state laws. Nothing in this proposal would alter or those obligations. For scholars with such needs without such needs, however, toilet training should remain the prerequisite for enrollment in
general education VPK classrooms. Teachers and paraprofessionals should be focused on delivering instruction, supporting students learning, and helping scholars develop academic and social skills necessary for future success. This proposal is
about establishing a clear, consistent policy that promotes school readiness while ensuring education resources remain focused on their intended purposes. I respectfully ask that to direct the to review this matter and consider bringing forward a VPK
toilet training program policy for the board to consider. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and continued commitment to the scholars of Pinellas County Schools. >> Thank you. Go ahead, sir. >> Thank you.
Make sure it's Hopefully it works. My name Good morning. Uh my name is Joey Chris Seskey. I'm today following up on my um I like to focus something different. I believe schools
school district and Department of Education should consider in creating um autism awareness for for students training for teachers and school staff. As someone who is autistic, I have seen
that many people still do not fully understand, and I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree in criminal justice, homeland security. It'll be good to on in my nursing in the fall. I want people to understand that individual with autism can be successful
when they are given the opportunity and support they need. I believe students should learn the basic of autism from kindergarten through 12th and if autism learn Sorry, I just will they are young
they have better understanding. I'm sorry. Where was I? I'm sorry. I just I understand that individual with autism can be successful when they are given the opportunity to support me. I believe
student I I messed up. I'm sorry. Can I redo it? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> You you've lost your place in your speech. >> Yeah, I lost my place. I I I I just like walk away from it.
>> board chairs and so on and we can start over if you would like to do that. That's allowed by the policy. Okay. Well, why don't we start over Joey? Okay, wonderful. And then and please also know that you can always provide a copy to Mrs. Halcomb she can provide a written copy to all the board members in the school district.
>> fine. I'm sorry. I just like Okay. I'm going to do it off my phone. All right. I spoke previously in meeting autism awareness education for students and I would like to talk about another
important issue, autism training for teachers, school staff, and officers. As someone who is autistic, I'm finished I'm I know firsthand that no two autistic people are the same. Autism is a spectrum and everyone
person has different strengths, challenges, communication styles, and support needs. Because of that, understanding autism is not always simple. But, it is important. I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree in criminal justice, homeland security, and
this fall I'll continue my education pursuing my bachelor's in nursing. Through my education I and my personal experience living with autism, I have learned important communication, understanding, and respect are
I believe teachers, staff, and resource officers receive additional training because they interact with students every day. Sometimes behaviors that are related to autism can be misunderstood as disrespect,
defiance, or lack of cooperation when they may not be the case at all. Understanding communication difference except difference, anxiety, sensory sense sensory
sensitivity I'm sorry, excuse my speech. And how autistic students perceive, process information differently can make big difference in how autistic students are supported. This is not about criticizing anyone.
I know our teachers, staff, and school resource officers work hard and care about students. My goal is to help provide them with additional tools and training so they can be better understand and support students with autism.
I also believe one of the best ways to learn about autism is hearing directly from people who live with it every day. As someone who is autistic, I will be happy to help share my experience and be part of the future
conversation and training opportunities. My hope is to by that by increasing autism awareness training will we can create a school environment where every student feels understand, respect, support and given
the opportunity to succeed. I'm sorry about the first one. I got woken up this morning. >> The next two speakers are Kenneth Fox and Tracy McConnell. >> Good morning and thank you for your service by the way. I'm a little nervous but
>> [clears throat and cough] >> my daughter is an 8th grade educator at the Dunedin High School our middle school uh uh center for the gifted and last week she
was in Washington D.C. for the National History Day competition with the Florida representatives that were from the county here. And in conversation with her a couple of days ago and trying to get some feedback on on
her trip and the some of the successes that they had. Um one of the things that she mentioned to me was that uh because I had asked I know there's a free day uh when they go and asked what the kids
wanted to do for the free day and they wanted to take a metro ride to see the Arlington Cemetery. >> [snorts] >> She made comment to me that it was hard for her to scrape up the $20 for the metro ride. And I said
I asked her you know, are you going to be be able to be reimbursed for that? And she said, "No, Dad, they don't pay me to be a teacher while I'm here." And I said, "They're not paying you teacher pay
for your time that you're there representing this county and taking on all that responsibility for those kids?" And she said, "No." So, I decided I was going to try to figure out how to remedy
that. I don't know what the policy is, but she told me there are other teachers, too, that are doing this. Um and I got to thinking back, she's been doing this for 14 years out of her own pocket and not getting paid for working. And I think that needs to be somehow
changed. >> [snorts] >> Um I'd like to see her made whole for it, of course, but in the if not so today, then sometime in the future. I think situations like this, when it's out of the school year, that
teachers are working, they should be paid for it. And I thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to to talk this this morning. Thank you. >> My name is Tracy McConnell, and I'm the incoming president for PCTA. This week
finishes out the last week of summer bridge for students all over the county. I know there are teachers and students all over the county starting to think about the upcoming school year. There are three things that I want to talk about going into next year. The first thing is bargaining. This
year, like all years, has its challenges. I know we, of course, have the first challenge that the state never gives enough money for teachers to be paid a fair working wage. Teachers shouldn't need two or three jobs to live, and I certainly shouldn't have
teachers coming to me for advice on the best plasma donation location so they can afford their rent. This is absolutely unacceptable. The new rules have some great stuff in them to make sure that veteran teachers
get some extra needed help, but the challenge is going to be to make sure that everyone gets something. I want to make sure that all teachers get something. The gas pump doesn't care how many years of service you have when it hurts your wallet.
The second thing is discipline. Teachers need to feel supported. There has to be a better way of doing minor infractions and referrals. It's okay for kids to have consequences. I'm not suggesting we ruin kids' lives by
but consequences need to feel uncomfortable. Otherwise Um otherwise it isn't an actual consequence. As I've said before and I will say again, kids are smart and we teach them how to act. If they realize
there are no consequences for behavior, they will continue to make bad choices. Sometimes there should be negative consequences or else we're not really preparing kids for real world. I don't know about you, but I've never been pulled over by a police officer to be
told great job not speeding or what an amazing job you did stopping for that red light. The third thing that I know many teachers are really worried about is school closings. People are afraid of what will happen if their school closes.
Where will they go or if they have a job the following year? Last year the process was transparent about schools closing. I ask that you continue to be transparent this year. Please make sure that teachers are treated fairly in the process. Just remember it's hard to
focus on what needs to be done in the classroom if teachers are living in fear of what will happen to them and how they will pay their bills. I look forward to having a great school year working together to help teachers and students. Thank you. >> Madam Chair, there are no other speakers
today. >> Thank you. That concludes our meeting. Thank you for attending.