Updates on the Fight for Quality Public Education in Brevard County, FL
0:00 After that was said and done, I was in awe for three days.
0:03 I just sat there, and I just wanted to say a big shout-out to
0:06 all the individuals that were involved
0:08 because they made that one of the best celebrations I’ve ever
0:11 seen.
0:11 That’s it.
0:12 Thank you, Mr. Susan.
0:15 Ms. Campbell?
0:15 Well, I too want to thank our teachers and our food service
0:21 workers and our SROs,
0:24 and we had nurses last week also, one of the things that we
0:28 celebrated.
0:29 But really, in all of that, I just want to thank our government
0:32 and community relations department
0:34 for giving all of us the opportunity to have all those with our
0:39 Facebook presence
0:40 and our Twitterverse shout-outs in the pictures and just giving
0:44 the opportunity to shine the light
0:46 with the lightsabers, even though it wasn’t very dark at 8.15.
0:49 It was awesome to see everybody get out, so I’m thankful for
0:52 them for kind of steering us that way
0:54 and just so thankful to the public for jumping in.
0:59 And making it, it seems to me, like one of the most overwhelming
1:03 teacher appreciation weeks
1:05 and the food service that we’ve ever had before.
1:07 I think just the participation from the public was great.
1:10 I also wanted to just make a little announcement and a little
1:15 shout-out to Major Lanza back here.
1:17 And it’s not because you’re here.
1:18 I was already going to say it.
1:19 And also Major Walters for getting this started.
1:22 But I’m really excited to say that we now have a mobile
1:25 fingerprinting unit.
1:28 So one day when we can all get out of our homes again and have
1:31 everybody together,
1:33 we’ll be able to take our mobile fingerprinting unit to
1:36 different events where we can recruit our volunteers into our
1:39 schools.
1:40 And so I’m really excited about that because that’s something I
1:43 kept pestering them about.
1:44 So I’m really excited that’s here.
1:46 And then just one more, we have our superintendent’s insurance
1:50 advisory committee who helps advise the superintendent on
1:54 insurance changes.
1:55 And we’ve got some changes coming up.
1:57 But I just want to thank them because we’ve had a lot of long
1:59 meetings in the last few weeks.
2:01 We have another one this week.
2:02 It’ll be nine hours in three weeks.
2:05 And it’s one thing, some of us, that’s our jobs.
2:06 But a lot of them have other full-time really important jobs
2:09 throughout the county.
2:10 And they’re sacrificing that time to come help us for, you know,
2:13 completely, you know, on a volunteer basis to be on this
2:16 committee.
2:16 And just so thankful for all those SIAC members and the time
2:20 they’re putting in to represent and help our district to make
2:25 some wise decisions.
2:26 And really, they’re industry leaders.
2:28 So many of them are industry leaders.
2:30 And we’re thankful for them, especially for their time.
2:33 So I think that’s it.
2:35 Thank you, Ms. Campbell.
2:37 Ms. McDougall?
2:38 Okay, I have several things.
2:40 First, I also want to say teachers, well done.
2:43 And it was a great Teacher Appreciation Week from the
2:47 perspective that being virtual, I think our principals, I know
2:51 several of our principals in my district went out and did all
2:54 sorts of things for our teachers.
2:55 And also, I want to give a shout-out to Cocoa Beach, not Cocoa
3:00 Beach, sorry.
3:02 Cocoa Police Department for the food services.
3:05 They met us over at Eastern State.
3:07 And every teacher came with their car decorated.
3:10 And we drove through the loop, like, similar to what happened at
3:14 math schools.
3:15 And the food service people, you’re right.
3:19 They are doing a phenomenal job.
3:20 So thank you to Cocoa Police Department for helping us organize
3:25 that and stopping traffic so we could all just go with one
3:29 continual line.
3:30 And I also have a couple of pins to give out.
3:35 So first, I want to give a shout-out to Jason Cope, who is the
3:38 social worker at the North Alternative Learning Center.
3:42 And Jason has really – it’s been hard for a lot of people.
3:47 And our teachers are being creative and amazing at doing things
3:51 virtually.
3:52 And so what Jason has done, he reaches out to families and his
3:57 students every day.
3:59 And he has done some spreadsheets that keep the teachers
4:03 informed of what students may need a little extra help or what’s
4:08 going on in the families.
4:09 And he’s there for the families.
4:10 And he’s really gone above and beyond to connect with his
4:14 students during this COVID-19 outbreak.
4:17 So thank you, Jason.
4:19 And, Jason, eventually I will get you your pin.
4:22 I also have a couple of excellent achievers.
4:26 And my excellent achievers are from – bear with me.
4:31 I’m sorry.
4:31 I have about six of them, guys.
4:33 So I have Janine Knight, and Janine is on the crisis.
4:40 So I have three people on the crisis team.
4:42 I have Janine Knight, Jenny Gleason, and Malaya – Malaya, I’m
4:46 going to mess up your last name –
4:49 Burke Harrah.
4:50 And these are three people who are on the crisis team who have
4:55 been dealing with things virtually.
4:58 And at one time, there were three crises that happened
5:01 simultaneously, which they had to get creative in how to work
5:05 through it.
5:05 They’re helping people work through grief, some deaths that have
5:10 happened in our community, PTSD for students.
5:14 They are really working through a lot of things virtually, which
5:18 is very different.
5:20 And I want to give a shout-out for their excellent work on
5:23 making that all happen.
5:25 I also have a bridge builder who – or Casey Daniels.
5:31 She’s a resource teacher in students and transition.
5:34 So these are our students who – how she builds relationships
5:39 with some of our outside agencies
5:42 to have interdependence for our students working with food
5:46 service, transportation, leading and learning,
5:49 Brevard School Foundation, and some of our outside agencies to
5:54 make sure that our students in transition
5:56 have what they need during this COVID-19.
5:58 And I know there are so many people out there who are doing
6:01 amazing things that I don’t even know about.
6:04 And then the last two I have are Impact 10.
6:07 And I have Mallory White, who is a resource teacher for
6:13 intellectual disabilities.
6:17 And she has reached out and made sure that our students have
6:23 accessibility remotely for our students
6:27 who have intellectual disabilities and allow them to be – to
6:30 continue with their academic goals so they can succeed.
6:34 And my last one is Catherine Erdman.
6:37 And Catherine Erdman is a resource teacher for social-emotional
6:41 learning, something dear to my heart.
6:43 And she has created many social-emotional learning curriculum
6:49 for resilience, emotional lessons,
6:53 dealing with fears.
6:55 And, again, we’re doing things as we go with this COVID-19.
6:59 This is very different.
7:00 And she has done it for our students from K-2 to 12th grade to
7:05 make sure that they’re reaching their academic standards
7:09 and that she can help them through this emotional and difficult
7:13 time.
7:13 So shout-out to all of them, and I will get them all their pens.
7:16 So thank you.
7:18 Thank you very much, Ms. McDougall.
7:21 Dr. Mullins.
7:22 Thank you, Ms. Belford.
7:24 I want to tag on to our Teacher Appreciation Week a little bit
7:28 from a different angle,
7:30 and that is to express appreciation actually to some new
7:34 teachers in the realm of all of this,
7:37 and that is our parents and the families at home that have
7:40 provided an invaluable support to our kids.
7:43 We did a recent survey of our parents, and 69% of the survey
7:49 respondents indicated that they either have one
7:52 or potentially both parents working from home, and that shows
7:55 the significant impact on our community.
7:58 But also it would indicate that a considerable percentage of our
8:03 homes, those parents are working outside the home,
8:06 which means family members and friends and so on are helping
8:10 support our kids learning remotely from home and through
8:13 distance learning.
8:14 So I just want to extend Teacher Appreciation Week to our
8:18 families and their extended networks for supporting our kids
8:22 during this time as well.
8:24 And I want to echo Ms. Deskovich’s shout-out to Government
8:27 Community Relations for really orchestrating our Teacher Appreciation
8:31 Week events.
8:32 They did a wonderful job.
8:33 And a follow-up to Ms. McDougall’s comments about the work that
8:38 our mental health folks have been doing throughout this time.
8:43 And actually also, I don’t think anyone mentioned, it’s Mental
8:46 Health Awareness Month.
8:47 And I want to give a real special shout-out to our student
8:52 services teams who have so adaptively, if that’s a word.
8:58 We’ll make it one.
8:59 All right.
9:00 I was a math guy, remember?
9:02 Who have just been responsive to our schools, to our teachers,
9:08 to our kids, to our families,
9:11 and filling gaps and being there for our students to support
9:16 them through this very challenging time
9:20 and being aware of what additional needs they have.
9:24 So this week, we’re focused on providing families with
9:27 information and resources on prevention topics
9:30 such as substance abuse, tobacco use, and vaping, as well as
9:33 suicide prevention.
9:34 So encourage our families to take advantage of those resources
9:38 online.
9:38 And then next week, we’ll be providing tips for our kids and
9:42 teens to cope with anxiety, depression, and stress,
9:45 and particularly applicable to these times.
9:48 So I wanted to express those shout-outs as well.
9:51 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
9:54 And you stole my thunder on the whole Mental Health Month, and kudos
9:57 to our student services team.
10:00 And I want to backtrack a little bit, too, on the recognition of
10:04 our law enforcement partners.
10:06 Not only do we have the great relationship with the sheriff and
10:09 the police chiefs at all of our municipalities,
10:12 we have wonderful staff that supports us here in the district
10:15 office from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office,
10:18 but we also have an enormous amount of phenomenal SROs in our
10:22 schools.
10:23 And I got to tell you, I think a lot of times people think that
10:25 we put SROs in schools so they can be someone there with a gun
10:28 and a car and scare people.
10:29 But our SROs are so much more than that.
10:33 And I know that all of you have probably had interactions with
10:37 your SROs at the schools since we have been closed
10:40 because they’ve been supporting our food distribution locations.
10:44 And I ran into quite a few of them.
10:47 And I have to tell you, everyone I have spoken to has said, I
10:50 miss my kids.
10:52 Like, they just can’t wait to get back to reality and be with
10:55 those students again.
10:57 And so we are so incredibly fortunate that we have so many SROs
11:01 that truly love what they do
11:02 and love being with the students and build those relationships
11:06 and mentor them throughout the year.
11:07 And it’s just so much more than a law enforcement presence, and
11:11 we certainly appreciate them.
11:13 And then I am going to give kind of a general shout out to our
11:17 district staff.
11:19 I have heard a lot of people say, you know, teachers are working
11:23 really hard and food services working really hard
11:25 and custodians work hard.
11:28 But I think there is an underestimation of the amount of work
11:34 and stress and agility on the part of our team here at the
11:41 district.
11:41 Definitely our cabinet members who are leading their departments
11:44 through all of this.
11:46 Nothing really goes on in this district without that support
11:49 from the district level, from leading and learning
11:52 and our resource teachers helping to get together curriculum so
11:55 that we could switch to this transition of online learning.
11:57 Obviously, our IT with all that they have been doing to make
12:00 sure that students can access technology.
12:02 And that’s an entire team.
12:04 Our facilities folks that are dealing with, you know, what does
12:07 this look like going forward and what needs to be happening at
12:09 our facilities,
12:10 while also trying to schedule all of our projects for the summer.
12:13 Our operations folks that are looking at, you know, what do
12:17 buses look like going forward?
12:19 And how do we plan for all of this to be up and running again
12:22 when we get back?
12:24 Certainly to our student services team that is doing so much,
12:27 not only providing the mental health support that Dr. Mullins
12:29 mentioned,
12:30 but dealing with issues of making sure that we’re providing the
12:33 right support for our ESE students
12:35 and looking at, you know, what does compensatory services look
12:39 like and how can we support those students
12:41 that may not transition well to this online learning platform?
12:46 It just, there is no shortage of incredibly committed, difficult
12:52 work that has been going on here at the district.
12:55 And so, Dr. Mullins, thank you to you and your team.
12:58 I know it has not been easy.
13:00 I know it’s been, I think you’re on like eight or nine weeks now
13:03 of pretty good intensity.
13:04 And so, we thank you for all the work that you guys are doing.
13:07 All right.
13:09 At this time, I want to offer my fellow board members and, I’m
13:12 sorry, at this time,
13:13 we are going to go to the adoption of the agenda.
13:16 The script is so short, I went to the wrong spot.
13:18 Adoption of the agenda.
13:20 Dr. Mullins.
13:21 Ms. Belford and members of the board on tonight’s agenda,
13:24 we have administrative staff recommendations, 21 consent items
13:28 and three action items.
13:29 Changes made to the agenda since being released to the public
13:32 are as follows.
13:33 A7 on administrative staff recommendations received revisions.
13:38 All right.
13:39 What are the wishes of the board?
13:43 Move to approve.
13:44 Second.
13:45 Moved by Ms. Deskovich, seconded by Mr. Susan.
13:48 Is there any discussion?
13:49 All right.
13:50 Ms. Escobar, will you please call for the vote?
13:52 Mrs. Belford?
13:55 Aye.
14:02 Ms. McDougall?
14:03 Aye.
14:04 Ms. Deskovich?
14:07 Aye.
14:07 Mr. Susan?
14:09 Aye.
14:10 And Ms. Campbell?
14:11 Aye.
14:12 And the motion passes 5-0.
14:15 Dr. Mullins, will you please let us know about our
14:18 administrative staff recommendations?
14:20 There are three persons on this evening’s agenda for the board
14:23 to consider.
14:24 What are the wishes of the board?
14:25 Move to approve.
14:26 Second.
14:27 Moved by Ms. Deskovich, seconded by Ms. Campbell.
14:30 Is there any discussion?
14:31 Yes.
14:32 Can I welcome Ms. Hall to Sea Park?
14:36 Absolutely.
14:37 You can if you’d like to, Ms. Deskovich.
14:39 Yes.
14:40 We are saddened to see Ms. Lebelieve.
14:42 She’s been an amazing principal, but I think we’re all pretty
14:45 excited to welcome Ms. Hall
14:46 to Sea Park.
14:47 I was a little sad to know this evening that she would be
14:49 accepting this position, but not
14:51 be here and not give the speech and be able to bring her family.
14:54 I have yet to meet Ms. Hall, so I’m looking forward to it.
14:58 And if she’s out there listening, I just want to welcome her to
15:01 District 3 School.
15:02 And to Sea Park, and I look forward to meeting you.
15:04 Excellent.
15:05 Thank you, Ms. Deskovich.
15:06 Any additional discussion on the administrative recommendations?
15:08 All right.
15:10 Ms. Escobar, would you please call for the vote?
15:12 Ms. Campbell?
15:13 Aye.
15:14 Mr. Susan?
15:15 Aye.
15:16 Mrs. Deskovich?
15:17 Aye.
15:18 Mrs. Belford?
15:19 Aye.
15:20 And Ms. McDougall?
15:21 Aye.
15:22 The motion passes 5-0.
15:25 We are now at public comments.
15:28 As indicated in my opening statement, persons wishing to comment
15:31 were registered in advance
15:32 on the district website and were then called, and the comments
15:36 recorded.
15:37 We will listen to the recorded messages at this time.
15:52 Good evening.
15:54 My name is Russell Cheatham, Assistant Superintendent of Educational
15:58 Technology.
16:00 In consideration of the current health and safety concerns
16:02 during the COVID-19 emergency,
16:04 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as
16:07 well as the Executive Order
16:08 2091 issued by Governor DeSantis, it is necessary to modify our
16:12 procedures for public comments.
16:14 Tonight, your comments will be recorded and we will play them
16:16 back under the public comment
16:18 section of tomorrow’s board meeting.
16:21 Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
16:23 A moderator will keep track of your time and ask that you
16:25 conclude your comments when your
16:27 three minutes have been reached.
16:28 Always keep in mind that responsible decorum is expected at all
16:30 times.
16:31 Please keep your comments appropriate to children who may be
16:34 listening at home.
16:35 Before speaking, please state your name, the organization you
16:39 represent, and identify the topic you
16:41 will be discussing.
16:42 We won’t be answering any questions on tonight’s call, but our
16:44 staff will follow up with you
16:46 if you have a question that needs our response.
16:48 Thank you.
16:49 Go ahead and press zero now to leave your public comment, and we’ll
16:52 go ahead and have Taylor
16:53 bring you right through to leave your comment, so go ahead and
16:56 press zero now, please.
16:57 Okay.
16:58 Thank you.
16:59 My name is Anthony Colucci.
17:00 I’m the president of the Brevard Federation of Teachers, and
17:03 just as a reminder, the Brevard
17:05 Federation of Teachers represents about 5,000 employees in this
17:09 district, the majority of
17:10 whom voluntarily pay dues.
17:12 As I reviewed tonight’s agenda, I am once again concerned that
17:16 this board is advocating
17:17 its responsibilities.
17:19 The district needs direction, but frankly there does not seem to
17:23 be anyone setting the course.
17:25 Time and time again and again and again, this board is not
17:29 publicly discussing or acting
17:31 on pressing matters at these meetings.
17:34 At this point, I would say that the board’s business in these
17:37 meetings could be handled through
17:38 email rather than a meeting.
17:40 Where is the discussion about the massive premium increases and
17:44 network changes to our health
17:46 insurance plan that this board is considering?
17:49 Where is the discussion or action on our leapfrogging MOU, where
17:52 about 100 teachers are receiving
17:55 less than teachers coming into this district with the same
17:58 experience?
17:59 Where is the discussion about how you will come up with money
18:01 for raises this year when Tallahassee
18:03 did not provide enough to cover significant raises for all
18:07 employees?
18:08 No, I don’t believe saying those things are handled in workshops
18:12 is accurate.
18:13 We just had a significant workshop with the district over health
18:16 insurance, the subcrisis, employee
18:18 mental health, and teacher retention.
18:20 Other than Ms. Campbell, the board hardly said a word.
18:23 Go and review the minutes for yourself if you don’t believe me.
18:27 And now we’re at a point where there are literally life and
18:30 death decisions for this board to consider.
18:33 Those decisions involve which precautions will be made to ensure
18:37 the health of our students
18:39 and staff when we return to school in a couple of months.
18:41 Parents, teachers, staff, and community want and deserve answers.
18:45 Instead, all they heard from this board up to this point is
18:49 silence.
18:50 While I know that some thought is being put into this, as a
18:52 parent, as a representative of our teachers,
18:55 and as a community member, I want information about what you’re
18:58 planning.
18:59 I spoke last meeting and got none.
19:01 Now, in typical fashion, two weeks have passed by and nothing
19:05 has been said or done.
19:06 So what’s the board’s plan?
19:08 How will you keep your students’ employees safe from COVID-19
19:11 when they return in August?
19:12 If you don’t have one soon, not only are parents going to start
19:16 pulling their kids from BPS,
19:18 employees are going to leave as well, especially those who are
19:21 eligible to retire.
19:22 Now, as I’m recording these comments the night before the
19:26 meeting, I hope you prove me wrong,
19:28 and all of these items or some or even one issue I mentioned
19:32 will be discussed.
19:33 However, as a historian, I believe that will not be the case.
19:37 Thank you.
19:38 Thank you, Anthony.
19:39 Back to you, Russ.
19:40 I’d like to thank tonight’s callers for commenting for our May
19:43 12th school board meeting.
19:44 We appreciate your comments.
19:45 Thank you.
19:46 All right.
19:49 Thank you, Mr. Cheatham and Mr. Colucci for your, Mr. Cheatham
19:54 for coordinating.
19:55 Mr. Colucci for your comments.
19:56 Does any board member wish to respond to the public comments
20:00 this evening?
20:00 Ms. Campbell, you’re giving me the aye.
20:06 Well, if you are going to, I will.
20:10 I will just say that just because those things haven’t been
20:15 discussed in this board meeting
20:16 doesn’t mean they’re not being addressed by district staff.
20:18 Because as a reminder to everyone who may be listening that the
20:21 school board has
20:22 responsibilities spelled out in statute what we’re supposed to
20:25 do and that has to do with budgets,
20:27 with policies, with the hiring and firing of the superintendent.
20:31 Pretty limited.
20:33 And the rest of that is designated to staff who I know are doing
20:36 their jobs.
20:37 And that is coming up with budget cuts so that we can meet some
20:41 of these demands.
20:42 Coming up with our plans for next year.
20:45 No one is sitting on their thumbs trying to figure out.
20:48 Let’s just wait three months and figure it out.
20:50 So just for the public to be assured that all of these things
20:53 are being addressed.
20:54 As far as insurance, I just mentioned the SIAC a few minutes ago.
20:58 We have another meeting coming up on Thursday where we’re trying
21:01 to figure out.
21:02 They’re, you know, the voting members of this, of SIAC are
21:04 trying to figure out.
21:04 What are we going to do as far as insurance goes?
21:06 So there’s none of these things are just being ignored.
21:11 I just want to make sure that people understand that just
21:13 because we’re not discussing it in this meeting.
21:15 You know, we’re limited to what we can do on that.
21:18 But it doesn’t mean that the district’s not handling those
21:20 things.
21:20 Thank you, Ms. Campbell.
21:23 Mr. Susan.
21:25 I’d like to say something real quick.
21:26 As far as the leapfrogging MOU, I think it’s in reference to
21:31 teachers that make more money
21:32 than other teachers that are in the same district with the same
21:34 years of experience.
21:35 From a personal experience, it was one of the biggest issues
21:38 that I had as a teacher,
21:39 knowing that the person that was right next door to me was
21:42 making $3,500 more than me
21:44 in the same years of experience when I was teaching at O’Galley
21:47 High School.
21:48 And it’s very upsetting.
21:48 I think that those conversations are going to come in more
21:52 towards the budget issues when we come up.
21:54 But that is something that I feel near and dear to my heart when
21:58 asked about it.
21:59 It’s an issue that really bothered me, the fact that I had to be
22:02 away from my children
22:03 or teach seven straight periods and give up an extra planning to
22:06 make up the fact that
22:07 the district didn’t make up the compensation district.
22:10 So that is an issue.
22:11 I will also talk to the insurance, and I plan on speaking to it
22:14 later on today,
22:15 in the fact that we have made recommendations as a SIAC,
22:19 and I can go back almost seven years making recommendations that
22:22 haven’t been made or done.
22:24 And this is for a multitude of different reasons.
22:26 But those recommendations need to be answered now.
22:29 There’s no doubt that if we go through the same process that I’ve
22:33 been through for seven years,
22:34 sitting there where they make recommendations that don’t
22:37 actually make cuts inside of our budget,
22:40 and they actually go forward with processes that just keep going
22:44 through the recommendation process
22:45 with no results, I think heads need to roll on this one.
22:49 So I’ll be answering that stuff later on.
22:51 Thank you.
22:51 Anyone else wish to comment on the public comment from this
22:56 evening?
22:57 Dr. Mullins.
22:59 Ms. Belford, if I may, I was going to provide the board a report
23:03 at the end of the meeting,
23:03 but perhaps it’s, you know, since we’ve had some discussion
23:07 already.
23:07 And I think it’s appropriate to bring the board up to date as
23:11 well as our community.
23:13 In the midst of the circumstances we’re facing, we, the reality
23:17 is I think we’d all agree that
23:19 the list of questions have grown as time has gone on rather than
23:23 them,
23:24 rather than they be eliminated.
23:27 Dr. Mullins.
23:29 Two weeks ago, I met with my cabinet and established four Tiger
23:33 teams that are tackling
23:35 different issues related to what we’re facing right now.
23:37 One is a collective of a team around just communications to
23:42 ensure we’ve done a great
23:43 job of communicating with our, with our community as we went
23:47 into COVID.
23:48 And some would suggest we’re on the beginning of the moving out
23:52 of COVID and so on.
23:53 And we need to make sure that we continue to inform our
23:55 community of the processes and so on.
23:58 The dynamics are going to increase in complexity.
24:01 As we move out and move into some new unknown territories next
24:07 year.
24:07 So that team is meeting and working right now.
24:11 Part of that led to the parent survey that we went out with last
24:16 week to capture our constituents
24:19 experiences in our community.
24:21 And we will be providing the board a summary of that and, and
24:25 the community as well.
24:26 The second Tiger team was one around how do we capture some of
24:32 the work process
24:33 adjustments we made going into COVID?
24:35 We all may remember the going paperless legislation of probably
24:41 a decade ago.
24:42 I would suggest that we have not as an entity, as a public
24:46 service, embraced that concept well.
24:49 Because paper seems to continue to be a very driving force in
24:52 our reality.
24:52 However, we have experienced, we have to minimize that.
24:57 We have people working remotely.
24:58 We don’t have couriers going back and forth to, to homework
25:01 sites and so on.
25:02 So I have a team working on just how do we put, when we
25:05 transition back into a more on work site
25:08 environment, how do we not lose some of the workflow processes
25:11 we implemented that have helped us become
25:13 more efficient?
25:14 The third Tiger team is working on what does post executive
25:20 order 112 look like as we
25:22 bring our workforce back together in a more work, formal work
25:27 site setting?
25:30 Are there employees that we may want to continue to consider a
25:33 remote work option for?
25:36 What are the work site environment adjustments that we need to
25:40 make as well?
25:41 And then also, what is post COVID work environment look like?
25:45 You received the recent email to all of our staff about the
25:52 returning to workplace expectations of
25:54 continuing social distancing, supporting and encouraging staff
25:58 to use a mask,
25:59 and providing them as the employer to our work environments.
26:02 And then our fourth Tiger team is also tackling what does the
26:07 return to school look like in August?
26:09 And they are, there is a long list of questions.
26:13 And I know that there, all of the speculation is out there of
26:17 are we returning the way we left
26:21 before spring break?
26:23 Is this new school year going to look like it has traditionally?
26:26 Or is there going to be a modified or an adjusted look?
26:29 What is bus service going to look like?
26:31 The list of questions is very long.
26:34 And the, the known journey between here and next week and so on
26:39 is also unknown.
26:40 And the, a significant departure from our traditional school
26:46 year setting
26:48 is likely going to require some department of education and
26:52 state guidance.
26:54 Because just in this eight weeks of distance learning, it took
26:59 us several weeks to get direction
27:01 on waivers for instructional hours.
27:03 We just received that last week.
27:05 And we notified our constituents that we will not have to make
27:10 up instructional hours because five days were waived.
27:13 So, if there is a modified school year next year,
27:18 what I anticipate that will require some DOE guidance as well.
27:23 So, our team is accumulating and evaluating what those factors
27:28 may be.
27:28 We are, uh, matricing them in place and make sure that we are
27:34 prepared to start making decisions.
27:36 That is all while we are also trying to close a school year and
27:42 also address and adapt to 65,000 students,
27:48 many of whom may want to come back to their school and retrieve
27:51 personal belongings.
27:52 And also thousands of teachers who will likely want to return to
27:57 their classroom at some point
27:58 and re and retrieve some of their own personal belongings.
28:00 All while maintaining social distancing and cleaning protocols
28:05 and so on.
28:06 So, the tasks that are before us, both in the immediate and in
28:10 the forward landscape,
28:11 um, are not a small, small task.
28:16 But, uh, I assure the board and I assure our community, we are
28:19 actively working on those things.
28:21 And as they become, uh, known and, uh, we have more information
28:25 that we can share with our community,
28:28 we certainly will as we have been through this process.
28:31 So, I appreciate, um, you know, the, the, the mantra we have, uh,
28:38 adopted for this season in,
28:40 in our world, which is grace and flexibility.
28:43 Because every day and every week, new unknowns are presented to
28:48 us.
28:49 But, uh, we, we will continue to tackle them with, with valor
28:53 and commitment and dedication to our
28:55 our constituents, our employees, while upholding absolutely the
28:59 health, the wellness, and the safety
29:02 of all of those that we’re entrusted to, uh, look out for.
29:05 Both employees and our students across the community.
29:08 Thank you.
29:08 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
29:11 And, uh, um, I would echo the sentiments of the unknown,
29:15 which I think is really important to realize, um, as board
29:19 members for our community,
29:21 we are continuing to engage with our colleagues throughout the
29:24 state, through our state organization.
29:26 Um, I can’t even tell you how many webinars I’ve sat in on about
29:31 reentry and from the physical
29:33 plant standpoint, from the mental health standpoint, from, you
29:37 know, all of the different elements that
29:40 we need to be considering and suggestions in those areas, as
29:42 well as communicating with board members
29:44 from other districts around those issues.
29:47 Um, and so we, we certainly are looking and we are planning, but
29:50 things are literally changing
29:51 continuously.
29:53 And so, um, are we working on a plan?
29:57 Absolutely.
29:58 But we still are dealing with significant numbers of unknowns.
30:02 Um, you know, whether the state is going to allow us to start
30:05 school on time this year,
30:06 what that’s going to look like if they do, do we need to be
30:08 delayed?
30:09 Um, little things down to, if we can fit 80 students on a school
30:14 bus right now,
30:15 and we have to social distance them, we’re looking at
30:17 approximately 12.
30:18 On one bus run.
30:20 Do we have a bus driver who’s wearing a mask?
30:22 So when our kindergartners step on the bus in the morning, are
30:25 they going to be frightened by a bus?
30:26 I mean, there are lots of details to be considered and worked
30:29 out all while things are changing.
30:31 Because I would remind our community that we don’t have yet a
30:35 signed budget from the state for next year.
30:38 So we, we still do not know definitively what the budget is
30:41 going to look like for this coming school
30:43 year.
30:43 We know that we’re hearing up to 25% or maybe even beyond 25%
30:49 adjustment into next year for next
30:52 year’s budget, potentially.
30:53 We don’t know what the state’s going to give us as far as leeway
30:57 in determining what things look like
30:59 when we come back and how much of that’s going to be mandated.
31:02 So there, there’s a ton out there of unanswered questions.
31:07 And I think the entire district is committed to ensuring that we
31:10 communicate with our community,
31:12 with our constituents, to the best of our ability.
31:15 But understand that sometimes we have to wait for information as
31:19 well.
31:19 And so we’re doing our best to get that information out there.
31:23 And sometimes there are processes.
31:25 You know, the SIAC committee, the, the health insurance issue
31:28 was mentioned.
31:29 And quite frankly, the role of the SIAC committee is to bring
31:31 recommendations
31:33 to the superintendent for him to bring to the board.
31:36 It’s not for the board to go in and make decisions without the
31:42 input of the, the SIAC committee.
31:43 In fact, if I were a SIAC committee member and the board opted
31:47 to move forward without taking
31:49 the input of the SIAC committee after I had invested, what did
31:52 you say, Ms. Campbell,
31:53 nine hours in three weeks, I would be pretty frustrated.
31:58 And so sometimes there are process issues that slow us down.
32:01 And sometimes it’s just us waiting to get the information that
32:05 we need in order to make the decision.
32:06 But I assure you that there is no one that is not working our
32:10 best to ensure that when we are
32:12 able to come back to school, whatever that looks like, that we
32:15 can keep our students and our staff safe.
32:16 And that is our primary focus.
32:18 So thank you all for your input on all of those different
32:22 subjects.
32:23 That is going to move us into the consent agenda.
32:26 Dr. Mullins.
32:27 There are 21 agenda items under this category.
32:32 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
32:33 Does any board member wish to pull any item?
32:35 Mr. Susan?
32:36 The one that I pushed over.
32:39 Mr. Susan has requested to pull item F-17.
32:44 Is there any other request for items to be pulled from the
32:46 agenda for discussion?
32:47 All right.
32:49 Then I will entertain a motion to accept the consent items with
32:52 the exception of item F-17
32:55 pulled for discussion.
32:56 Motion to approve.
32:57 Second.
32:57 Who made the initial motion?
32:59 I did.
33:00 Moved by Ms. Campbell and seconded by Mr. Susan.
33:03 Is there any discussion?
33:04 All right.
33:07 Ms. Saskabar, would you please call the vote?
33:09 Mrs. Belford?
33:11 Aye.
33:11 Mrs. McDougall?
33:14 Aye.
33:15 Mrs. Descovich?
33:17 Aye.
33:17 Mr. Susan?
33:18 Aye.
33:19 Mrs. Campbell?
33:20 Aye.
33:21 All right.
33:22 And the motion passes 5-0.
33:27 All right.
33:28 Mr. Susan, I will entertain a motion on item F-17.
33:33 I defer to my colleague for her statements first.
33:36 Yeah.
33:36 We have to move to approve.
33:38 Yeah.
33:38 We need a motion and then we’ll open for discussion.
33:41 Second.
33:41 Who moved?
33:43 I’ll move.
33:43 Mr. Susan moved and Ms. Campbell seconded?
33:46 Sorry.
33:47 All right.
33:49 That will open for discussion.
33:50 Ms. Descovich, Mr. Susan has deferred to you.
33:53 So, I’ve spent quite a lot of time on researching this and –
34:03 I cannot hear you through the mic.
34:05 I’m sorry.
34:05 Thank you.
34:06 Closer?
34:06 Is that better?
34:07 Yes.
34:07 Okay.
34:09 This is an employee that’s –
34:11 Ms. Descovich, I would just remind you, and it’s probably there
34:19 in the back of your head,
34:20 but I would just remind you that the information that we had
34:22 access to is not public information,
34:23 so just use caution.
34:24 Ms. Descovich, Yes.
34:26 I was looking at the exact wording on the agenda so that I could
34:29 use the exact public words.
34:30 So, this is the suspension of an instructional employee.
34:36 I can say that.
34:37 I am interested in discussing with you all the possibility of –
34:45 I don’t want to just move to
34:47 table it, but I’m interested in doing that.
34:50 I want to see if anybody – you know, if this was just one issue
34:52 on the agenda that really
34:53 bothered me or if the other of you have concerns.
34:56 And it’s not so much what staff has done or what this employee
35:02 has done as much as it is our own policy
35:05 and our own administrative process because I found many issues
35:13 in both of those.
35:15 And so, in my opinion, I feel like we’re jumping by taking
35:19 action here when I see flaws in our process.
35:22 And I don’t know if we want to discuss that in a workshop or
35:25 maybe if we could give guidance to Dr. Mullins
35:27 Dr. Mullins to have his staff look into – we adopted the
35:31 administrative procedures, it looks like, in 2008.
35:34 And the policy was updated in 2014.
35:37 But the policy alone quotes another policy of ours that does not
35:43 exist.
35:45 And then it – the way the process has for taking action is out
35:54 of order from how it should be.
35:57 So I was speaking with Vanessa Skipper from BFT and she’s
36:01 interested in grieving this, but she doesn’t
36:04 want to do that until after we vote on it.
36:08 And I feel like that’s all backwards in the way the process
36:10 should be.
36:11 So I just – I wanted to open it up for discussion more than
36:13 anything.
36:14 That’s why I pulled it.
36:15 Mr. Susan, I’m curious to hear what your thoughts on why you
36:20 wanted to pull it also.
36:21 Can I pass to Ms. Campbell and get her overall opinion on the
36:26 topic?
36:26 Yes, I would – I will tell you that there is – I’ve actually
36:34 already had initial discussions
36:35 with a few people on a particular – on our facilities use
36:40 policy that kind of became –
36:42 was part of this discussion in the discipline.
36:47 And one that I already talked to Dr. Mullins and some other
36:50 people about, you know,
36:51 changing as far as allowing private lessons on our campus.
36:54 And that comes from – I was taught private lessons at a school
36:58 in Texas.
36:59 I actually was a private teacher who taught voice lessons during
37:03 the classroom.
37:04 But I will tell you this.
37:05 As much as I would like to see that policy, I think it would
37:07 benefit our music programs.
37:09 I will say this, that we have many wonderful music programs
37:14 across our district who are able
37:16 to do those things without violating this policy.
37:18 And they do it day in and day out.
37:21 And it’s not something new.
37:24 It’s not something unknown.
37:25 And for this employee to have actually been previously
37:30 disciplined
37:31 and for this reason and knowing that it was there, I just – you
37:34 know,
37:34 I have to support the superintendent’s recommendation on this.
37:37 Because the way you change policy is not by going around it.
37:40 You have to go through the process.
37:41 And I want us to go through the process so that we can have the
37:45 possibility
37:45 of allowing this activity to happen on our campuses.
37:48 But I – you know, you don’t go around that way.
37:54 So, I – that’s my thoughts on this particular –
37:58 So, Ms. Campbell.
37:58 Yes.
37:59 You’re saying that you feel that the policy that we are being –
38:02 that is being used in order to reprimand the employee is –
38:08 needs to be changed.
38:10 And you don’t believe that the policy is sound.
38:12 But you’re willing to reprimand the employee because other
38:16 places have followed the rules.
38:17 This is the rules needed to do this.
38:19 That kind of –
38:19 Well, not necessarily.
38:20 I wouldn’t say it that way.
38:21 Because there are several policies that were broken, you know,
38:24 as far as our ethical conduct and things like that and our
38:27 security issues, as far as keys go.
38:30 I just – I’m saying that there’s something that I would like to
38:32 see.
38:32 And I have actually been approached, you know, by, you know,
38:36 someone who would like to see this change as well to say,
38:39 hey, is there a way for us to – to – to open this up?
38:43 And I – I’d like us to take a look at that.
38:45 But the policy is what it is right now.
38:47 And all of our employees are expected to abide by it.
38:50 And if you know what that is, you know, you don’t –
38:54 the way you – you get – make changes by going to the change
38:57 makers and asking them to change,
38:58 you know, to – to work on it, not by working their way around
39:02 it
39:02 and setting a bad example for our students and for our community
39:05 in that.
39:06 So I just, you know, that – that’s my – that’s where I am on
39:10 that.
39:11 And if I – if I could clarify, and I’ll give the mic back to
39:15 you momentarily, Mr. Susan,
39:16 I just want to clarify that the policies that Ms. Duskovich are
39:21 speaking about is different
39:23 than the policy that Ms. Campbell is speaking about for those
39:25 who may be listening.
39:26 So Ms. Campbell had referenced our facility use agreement.
39:29 Ms. Duskovich is referencing our policies with regard to
39:33 employee discipline.
39:34 So, since we don’t have people in front of us.
39:37 Ms. Correct. But if I may, I also agree with Ms. Campbell.
39:39 I see concerns with the actual written policy for employee
39:44 discipline
39:44 and the – and more of the process, actually, than the policy.
39:47 There’s a problem there.
39:48 But when we look at this very specific incident, we need to look
39:52 at our process,
39:53 because what happened – I believe we want to support kids,
39:59 right?
39:59 Everybody here wants kids to have the best benefit and that to
40:02 happen.
40:03 And I think this employee also wanted that.
40:07 But I think Ms. Campbell is right.
40:08 He circumvented the policy or the process.
40:12 And so I think we just need to look at that or ask Dr. Mullins
40:16 to have staff look at that,
40:17 so that there is an above board, correct, clear way for these
40:21 employees to help kids in the manner that they want to.
40:24 So, Ms. Duskiewicz, if I could ask, just for clarity, it sounds
40:31 to me like you want policy review and potential revision.
40:36 Are you wanting to not take action on this particular incident
40:40 until we’ve been through the entire policy revision process?
40:43 Or are you just wanting discussion about let’s work toward
40:47 policy revision going forward?
40:49 I wanted to have the discussion to see if anyone else was
40:53 interested.
40:54 I don’t want to throw a table out there if everyone else is
40:57 ready to vote tonight.
40:59 I’m prepared to vote if I need to.
41:01 I’m interested in tabling it to have policy – let’s see.
41:07 This is policy 3140, suspension or dismissal of staff, that I
41:11 think needs – we need to look at the process of how we’re
41:14 implementing.
41:15 And there’s, I think, a couple of things that need to be updated
41:17 in an error.
41:18 I would just jump in there.
41:19 You can’t alter policy that’s going to be applied to this
41:24 employee in the future and then bring him back.
41:28 Whatever – this item is still going to be here when you take it
41:31 up based on the policies as they were when the violation was
41:35 committed.
41:36 So you can change the policies.
41:37 If you could do it tomorrow and you said we’re going to walk in
41:39 tomorrow with these new policies,
41:41 these old policies are still going to apply moving forward.
41:43 I just want you guys to know that as you sit here and consider
41:46 it.
41:47 I understand that, Mr. Gibbs.
41:48 It’s more the process I have a problem with.
41:52 Right, I understand what your issue is.
41:53 Because BFC wants to grieve it and they’re waiting until we vote
41:56 tonight.
41:57 And so it may be settled before we have to vote on it is what I
42:01 was –
42:01 Right, I understand what your issue is.
42:03 Letting the HR staff handle it before it came to –
42:06 and rose to the level of the board is what I was trying to –
42:08 Right.
42:08 Make great work.
42:09 Well, I agree with you.
42:11 I think that I truly believe in a couple of points that I was
42:15 going to get to,
42:16 and I just kind of wanted to field you guys out to make sure
42:18 that I wasn’t out in some way part of the pond.
42:20 But yeah, no problem.
42:22 So this process where we get involved prior to the grievance
42:27 process gets us in between two groups that are
42:29 trying to say this is what it is and this is what it is without
42:32 a – without a grievance where
42:34 they come formally, make the argument that then you may – we
42:38 may vote one way or another tonight
42:40 and then evidence is brought and the grievance process is done
42:43 and then it’s something completely
42:44 different.
42:45 And I think that that process needs to be looked at.
42:47 I think that when you look at where we are in this process as
42:52 far as how this comes before the board,
42:54 I think that we would be better off being after the grievance
42:57 process because I think more evidence
42:58 and more arguments and more pieces are together.
43:01 Right now we have an HR file and we have a great argument.
43:04 I think – and I applaud Dr. Mullins for coming forward with
43:07 making a recommendation to follow policy.
43:09 That is – you are doing exactly what you’re supposed to do and
43:12 thank you.
43:12 But I have – also I have issues with the way that we have that
43:17 and the way it comes forward.
43:18 For us to make a judgment based between two people that are
43:21 saying two different things and we can’t get them
43:22 together to argue it out.
43:24 I think that’s the first person place why I would want to push
43:26 it.
43:27 Also, there’s some things inside the facility use agreement,
43:30 inside the actual document,
43:31 inside of our policy, says things like school-oriented
43:35 organizations and groups.
43:37 There’s no charge.
43:38 There’s a lot of opportunities to do this thing the right way.
43:40 And I think that if we tweaked it a little bit, we could all be
43:45 where we need to be.
43:46 I don’t think that we’re that far away from this policy being in
43:49 line with what he did.
43:51 Okay. And then it comes to the third piece, which the intent for
43:55 this individual was not – the
43:57 intent – the reason that I have an issue with it is the intent
44:00 that the individual had
44:02 was not to circumnavigate policy or do anything for the betterment
44:06 of himself but for a child.
44:08 And I think that that’s where I have an issue is when you are
44:13 going through a policy
44:14 policy and you are trying to do what’s right for a kid and then
44:19 we go after it.
44:21 That’s another issue.
44:22 So, I would love – there’s a litany of other things that I just
44:25 think I need to be asking questions.
44:27 And instead of just creating this whole room full of questions,
44:31 answers, backs and forth,
44:32 where we don’t have it, I would love to pause, make a
44:34 recommendation to wait two weeks and come back
44:36 with it until we can get some of these other things worked out.
44:38 So, I would refer to Ms. McDougall or to yourself and then I’d
44:44 like to make a motion.
44:45 Ms. McDougall, did you want to join the discussion on this
44:49 particular issue?
44:50 Ms. McDougall, I did.
44:51 The bottom line is what I’m understanding we’re voting on right
44:55 now, not is our policy right or wrong,
44:59 or if our processes are kind of off, it is did this employee
45:06 follow our policy?
45:09 And this is not the first time that this policy was not followed
45:13 by the same person.
45:16 So, that’s what I’m basing my decision on.
45:19 And I am going to support the superintendent’s recommendation.
45:23 I agree there’s some things that need to be tweaked.
45:25 I’m not going to say that there aren’t.
45:27 But at this point in time, I’m hearing from Mr. Gibbs that even
45:30 if we tweaked it tomorrow,
45:32 it would still fall underneath this policy and this procedure.
45:35 So, I just want to put that out there.
45:38 This is not a first time offense.
45:40 Can I speak to that?
45:43 Ms. McDougall: Yes, Mr. Susan.
45:46 So, I think when we start looking at first time offense and
45:49 seeing that it is the first time he’s done this,
45:52 I think that we have to kind of look at that in that each one of
45:56 the other offenses is like comparing apples to oranges.
45:59 When you have a situation when he was first indicated in the
46:04 past,
46:05 it had to deal with giving a key and making direct payments to
46:09 an individual that was there.
46:11 Ms. McDougall: Then there was a process put in place where they
46:15 went through our internal accounts,
46:16 paid for the individual by the booster clubs, and that our
46:21 principal and our leading and learning had signed the checks to
46:25 pay the individual.
46:25 Ms. McDougall: And this was under the auspice that it was an
46:28 intent that this was what was right.
46:29 Ms. McDougall: And after being in the most recent one that was
46:34 in 2019 was also apples and oranges because it wasn’t even him
46:38 Ms. McDougall: that was involved in that.
46:40 Ms. McDougall: It was through another, through Kennedy Middle
46:42 School.
46:43 Ms. McDougall: And so, when you go to the final one, when you
46:46 are sitting there and saying,
46:47 Ms. McDougall: Okay, this is wrong.
46:48 Ms. McDougall: Well, there’s a lot of other people that are
46:50 involved in this in this process that we should have,
46:52 Ms. McDougall: We should have been questioning also as how this
46:55 all happened.
46:55 Ms. McDougall: How were we writing a check to an individual that
46:58 was working inside there with no controls?
47:00 Ms. McDougall: How were there, there’s just so many other things
47:02 to this and that’s why I made the motion
47:03 Ms. McDougall: that I’d like to make a motion to actually postpone
47:07 this for two weeks to get answers to
47:09 Ms. McDougall: everything else that was in there. And that was
47:10 it.
47:11 Ms. McDougall: So, I can’t take a motion until we vote on the
47:14 previous motion unless, yes, because I have to
47:17 Ms. McDougall: close out the initial motion, right?
47:19 Ms. McDougall: Unless there’s, unless it’s just a table.
47:22 Ms. McDougall: So, they can vote just?
47:24 Ms. McDougall: So, they can move to table and then it would end.
47:26 If the board doesn’t want to table it,
47:28 if you have a majority that wants to proceed with the discipline,
47:31 then that would prevail.
47:31 Ms. McDougall: I would like to make a motion to table this for
47:33 two weeks
47:34 Ms. McDougall: and come back into the next board meeting.
47:36 Ms. McDougall: I’ll second that.
47:37 Ms. McDougall: Can we have discussion on that?
47:40 Ms. McDougall: Absolutely.
47:40 Ms. McDougall: Yes.
47:41 Ms. McDougall: No, no, no.
47:42 Ms. McDougall: No, we can’t have discussion on the table.
47:43 Ms. McDougall: Not on a table, no. Not under Robert’s Rules. It’s
47:46 up or down. You table it or you don’t.
47:48 Ms. McDougall: Okay, Ms. Escobar, would you please call for the
47:52 vote on the motion to table this item for two weeks?
47:54 Ms. Belford?
47:57 Ms. Nay.
47:58 Ms. McDougall: Nay.
48:03 Ms. Descovich: Aye.
48:08 Ms. Susan?
48:09 Ms. Aye.
48:10 Ms. Mrs. Campbell?
48:11 Nay.
48:12 Ms. And the motion fails three to two.
48:17 So that takes us back to the original motion to approve, correct,
48:22 Mr. Gibbs?
48:22 Ms. Yes.
48:23 Ms. And we are still open for discussion on the original motion
48:25 to approve?
48:26 Ms. Yes.
48:26 Ms. In discussion of the original motion to approve, am I able
48:29 to discuss the motion to table or?
48:31 Ms. Yeah, you can discuss whatever you want to resolve it and
48:34 someone else can make another,
48:36 he can remake his motion. I mean, you just can’t, once it’s made
48:39 and seconded, you have to vote on
48:40 the motion in the table.
48:41 Ms. Okay, perfect. Thank you. So does anyone else want to, I
48:46 typically try to let you all go first,
48:48 does anyone else wish to have discussion on the motion to
48:51 approve the recommendation?
48:53 Ms. Just briefly, I wanted to clarify from what, something that
48:57 Mr. Susan said, the policy
48:59 actually says it’s pretty clear there shall be no private
49:03 teaching. I mean, it’s, it’s where, you know,
49:06 private, along with a list of other things. It’s clear, no
49:09 private teaching, no matter which way
49:12 you route the money, it says you can’t do private teaching on
49:15 our campuses. And if that’s something
49:17 we want to change, we have to do that through policy, but that
49:20 it’s not fuzzy. It’s not, if you do the
49:22 money this way, it’s okay. If you do the money that way, it’s
49:24 okay. There’s not supposed to be private
49:26 teaching on our campuses. Another thing would be, the reason why
49:30 I’m, if we, if we had decided to table
49:34 The whole grievance procedure gets delayed.
49:36 It’s not that we come back in two weeks
49:37 and we vote one way or the other, that there is a grievance.
49:41 It’s my understanding that some of they’re waiting for us
49:44 to make a decision tonight so they can start the grievance
49:46 process
49:47 if they need to tomorrow.
49:49 So I would hate to unnecessary delay that if that’s already in
49:54 the works.
49:56 Thank you, Ms. Campbell.
49:59 Ms. Deskovich.
50:00 There seems to be a difference of opinion because BFT believes
50:05 they have to wait for a vote tonight, but Dr. Thetty said
50:08 they didn’t have to wait for a vote tonight.
50:10 And so the point to table that was to kind of work that out
50:13 so that BFT could grieve it and maybe it would get resolved.
50:18 I feel like the last stop should be the board.
50:21 It shouldn’t go board back around, which is, you know,
50:25 I think that’s what Mr. Susan was saying too.
50:28 So that was my point in trying to postpone Ms. Campbell.
50:31 That’s and that’s exactly right.
50:33 I think that I would like to have all of the facts on the table.
50:36 You talked about no private lessons at the school.
50:40 If you fill out a facility use agreement
50:43 and you have a consultant come in and do it,
50:46 they can literally provide those private lessons.
50:49 No, they cannot not to an individual student.
50:52 We have consultants come in and they do percussion sectionals
50:55 in small group settings, but you may not do a private lesson.
50:59 On our campuses, that’s what our facilities,
51:03 our policy and our administrative procedure says.
51:06 Ms. McDougall, did you have any additional discussion
51:10 on this item?
51:12 No, I said what I wanted to say.
51:14 Okay.
51:16 So, so I will wrap up before we call for the vote.
51:19 Unless, of course, you all respond to something else.
51:22 I agree with you, Ms. Duskiewicz and Mr. Susan on process.
51:25 I think it’s something that we definitely need to look at
51:28 going forward, both policy and process.
51:31 I think there’s definitely an opportunity for us to ensure
51:34 that the process going forward is something
51:37 that the board is comfortable with, and of course falls in line
51:40 with our collective bargaining requirements as well.
51:43 My fear is a policy issue is not something
51:48 that’s going to be resolved quickly, and I feel like there is
51:52 still,
51:52 even with the board vote tonight, the opportunity
51:54 for the grievance process to start and for the decision
51:57 to be changed, right?
51:58 So, human resources and working with the EFT representative
52:02 could come back and say, well, we have found, you know,
52:05 factual differences and make a different recommendation.
52:07 But like you, I got the information that they are waiting
52:11 on us to make a decision.
52:13 And so, let’s make a decision.
52:15 Let’s let the process work and let’s start working
52:19 on our process and policy is my thought on the situation.
52:23 So, you know, I am certainly open to them making the decision
52:29 that is in the best interest of the employee going forward.
52:32 And I think, you know, it’s, we need to count on our staff
52:37 and BFT to work together and figure it out.
52:39 So, and Pam, if you would just make note of our need
52:45 to take a look at that policy and process as we go forward.
52:48 Any additional discussion on that before I ask Ms.
52:50 Escavar to take the vote?
52:52 I just want to say everybody up here agrees
52:55 that the process and the policy that we are about to enact,
53:00 we want to change.
53:02 This individual went forward to try to do what was right
53:05 for the child, not benefit himself.
53:08 And I think that it is up to us who are the people
53:11 to make the decisions in this room to make that decision
53:15 and move forward.
53:16 And that’s why I tabled it and that’s it.
53:18 Thank you.
53:19 - Thank you, Mr. Susan.
53:20 All right, Ms. Escavar.
53:22 - Can I just be clear what we’re voting on
53:26 at this moment in time?
53:28 - Yes, Ms. McDougall, you are voting on the motion
53:30 to approve the superintendent’s recommendation on this item.
53:33 - Thank you.
53:34 - You’re welcome.
53:37 - Mrs. Belford.
53:38 - Aye.
53:40 - Ms. McDougall.
53:41 - Aye.
53:43 - Mrs. Deskovich.
53:44 - Aye.
53:45 - Mr. Susan.
53:47 - Nay.
53:48 - Mrs. Campbell.
53:49 - Aye.
53:51 - And the motion passes four to one.
53:54 At this time, we are moving to the action agenda, Dr. Mullins.
53:58 - Ms. Belford, there are three items under this category.
54:04 First is item G30 on department school initiated agreements.
54:08 - What are the wishes of the board?
54:09 - Move to approve.
54:10 - Second.
54:12 - Seconded by Mr. Susan.
54:13 - Seconded by Mr. Susan, seconded by Ms. Campbell.
54:14 Is there any discussion?
54:15 All right, Ms. Escobar, if you would please call the vote.
54:21 - Mrs. Belford.
54:23 - Aye.
54:25 - Ms. McDougall.
54:26 - Aye.
54:28 - Mrs. Deskovich.
54:29 - Aye.
54:30 - Mr. Susan.
54:31 - Aye.
54:32 - And Mrs. Campbell.
54:32 - Aye.
54:34 - The motion passes five zero.
54:36 Dr. Mullins.
54:37 - Next, we have item G31 on procurement solicitations.
54:41 - What are the wishes of the board?
54:43 - Move to approve.
54:44 - Second.
54:46 - Moved by Mr. Susan.
54:47 And we’re gonna give that one to Ms. McDougall.
54:50 Any discussion?
54:52 All right.
54:56 Ms. Escobar, if you would call the vote.
54:58 - Mrs. Belford.
54:59 - Aye.
55:00 - Ms. McDougall.
55:02 - Aye.
55:03 - Mrs. Deskovich.
55:04 - Aye.
55:05 - Mr. Susan.
55:06 - Aye.
55:07 - And Mrs. Campbell.
55:08 - Aye.
55:09 - All right.
55:09 And the motion passes five zero.
55:11 Dr. Mullins.
55:12 - Item G32 is on naming of the new South Vieira Elementary
55:17 School.
55:17 - What are the wishes of the board?
55:19 - Move to approve.
55:20 - Second.
55:20 - Moved by Mr. Susan, seconded by Ms. Duskovich.
55:23 Is there any discussion?
55:25 - Just in case anyone didn’t pay attention to the agenda,
55:28 the name of the new elementary school
55:29 that we’re voting on tonight is Vieira Elementary.
55:34 - All right, any additional discussion?
55:36 Very creative of the committee.
55:38 - All right, Ms. Escobar, if you would please call the vote.
55:45 - Mrs. Belford.
55:46 - Aye.
55:47 - Ms. McDougall.
55:48 - Aye.
55:49 - Mrs. Deskovich.
55:50 - Aye.
55:51 - Mr. Susan.
55:52 - Aye.
55:53 - And Mrs. Campbell.
55:53 - Aye.
55:54 - And the motion passes five zero.
55:56 We are now at the point of board discussion points.
55:58 Mr. Susan has indicated that he has a couple.
56:00 Do any other board members wish to add anything
56:02 to the discussion points for tonight’s meeting?
56:06 No.
56:07 Hearing none, I will turn it over to Mr. Susan
56:09 for a discussion about pre-K and insurance.
56:13 - So the first thing that I wanted to bring up,
56:15 thank you, Madam Chair, for giving me the opportunity.
56:18 I would like to bring up the pre-K issue.
56:20 We found out that the total cost,
56:23 if every one of those teachers was highly effective or effective,
56:26 it would be the cost that you guys had on your chart.
56:30 I believe that this is within our scope,
56:33 as far as a school district,
56:34 that we have the duty to pay these teachers
56:38 who align perfectly with actual classroom teachers.
56:41 And I would like to see that these individuals
56:45 receive their best and brightest.
56:47 The main reason that I believe this
56:50 is because when you break down each one of the jobs
56:53 and duties that a pre-K teacher has,
56:56 they align more with an instructional classroom teacher
56:59 than any other profession that we have
57:00 inside of our school district.
57:03 And I just wanted to sit and tell you guys
57:05 that already Broward, Leon, Hillsborough, Lake,
57:09 Gulf, Lee, Wakulla, Okaloosa, St. John’s,
57:12 and many other counties have actually made up the compensation
57:15 for their best and brightest pre-K teachers.
57:19 Currently, as we speak, they are the only employee group
57:22 that was discussed on that sheet of paper
57:24 that actually has an AS400 roster.
57:28 They are completely evaluated directly,
57:33 exactly the same way as an instructional teacher.
57:36 They have this VAM scores, and their growth
57:38 is directly attributed to their growth
57:42 and their evaluation, unlike any of the other individuals
57:44 that are on there.
57:46 I sit back and I look at the direction of this board
57:51 and the direction of the superintendent to thrive by five,
57:54 and I can’t consciously look back
57:57 and leave our pre-K teachers out of the best and brightest.
58:00 So, I brought forward this recommendation
58:02 for the board to consider, and I would want to ask,
58:05 not only if you guys would be in favor of bringing this
58:08 as part of our budget issues that we have coming up,
58:12 if you’re in favor or not, and what your thoughts are.
58:17 That’s all.
58:19 Thank you, Mr. Susan.
58:20 Any board members wish to discuss Mr. Susan’s issue
58:22 he’s brought forward?
58:23 I have a couple of questions for Mr. Susan.
58:26 You said the number you have, but we have several numbers.
58:31 I have a printed out copy here that Dr. Thetty sent us.
58:34 So, we have the pre-K, we have, first of all, the prong one,
58:38 and then we have the prong three.
58:40 Prong three.
58:41 It’s prong three.
58:42 So, the 577 is what you’re interested in?
58:44 No, and I apologize.
58:46 I don’t have my email because of my laptop.
58:49 And so, can you read that number?
58:50 It’s like 176,000.
58:52 Prong three is the recognition award.
58:54 Each pre-K teacher would get $577.
58:58 Right.
58:59 That’s 125 pre-K teachers, but under this category,
59:06 all the pre-K teachers would get this bonus even in schools,
59:10 if I’m correct, even in schools
59:13 where the school did not qualify for the bonus.
59:17 So, the regular classroom teachers–
59:20 I’m not asking for that.
59:21 No, but the regular classroom teachers in those schools
59:24 didn’t receive a bonus.
59:26 But you want the pre-K teachers in those schools
59:28 to receive a bonus.
59:30 That is not the intent.
59:31 The intent is that aligning perfect–
59:33 I’m sorry, the intent is aligning perfectly
59:36 with the instructional teachers,
59:38 that if you are in a school and you are a pre-K teacher,
59:41 that also received the best and brightest
59:43 that you received it.
59:45 Not asking to cover pre-K teachers
59:47 that were not a part of their schools
59:50 not being best and brightest.
59:51 I’m only standing for the pre-K teachers
59:53 that were rightfully so, I feel,
59:56 should have been included due to the fact
59:58 that everybody else in their school
59:59 that was an instructional teacher received the best
1:00:02 and brightest and they did not.
1:00:04 I hope I’m getting this all correct.
1:00:05 So, I think that’s prong one.
1:00:07 Does anyone else have this printed out looking at it?
1:00:09 I do have it.
1:00:10 And I see that Dr. Thetty is in the back of the room.
1:00:12 Dr. Thetty, would you mind approaching just for clarification
1:00:15 on that?
1:00:16 Because I think that’s an important point,
1:00:19 the variation between the prongs.
1:00:23 Yeah, Dr. Thetty, if you could tell me if the prong one
1:00:25 or the prong three are the ones that include just the schools
1:00:29 that received, which, I think I might have that reversed.
1:00:31 Prong one was the prong that is just for the schools
1:00:35 that were identified by the state.
1:00:36 Prong three encompasses everybody in statute 1012.01, A through
1:00:42 E.
1:00:43 So, that covers the paraprofessionals and the other teachers.
1:00:46 It’s the recognition award.
1:00:49 So, what you’re talking about, what I understand, Mr. Seusson,
1:00:52 to be asking is the prong three for the 125 pre-K teachers
1:00:57 that teach at all the schools and the 167 pre-K paraprofessionals
1:01:04 that come under that statute, that section of the statute.
1:01:08 I was not including the paraprofessionals.
1:01:11 I just wanted the actual pre-K teachers along with –
1:01:14 and the ones that are inside the schools that actually receive
1:01:17 the best and brightest award.
1:01:19 That was the intent of what I asked.
1:01:21 Just as a point, you know, if I – Dr. Thetty, correct me
1:01:25 if I’m wrong though, if we have the paras, if we don’t include
1:01:30 them,
1:01:30 the other paras at that school did get this award,
1:01:33 but the pre-K teacher, the pre-K paras wouldn’t.
1:01:37 That’s correct.
1:01:38 If we did that.
1:01:41 And so, one of my concerns, I mean, I still see that we have the
1:01:47 options
1:01:47 of prong one and prong three.
1:01:49 Prong one, I know you’re advocating for pre-K teachers
1:01:53 and heaven knows they deserve the bonus as well.
1:01:57 But the list below of the other –
1:01:59 what I consider teachers is not included.
1:02:02 So, media specialists, you say they don’t have an AS400 list,
1:02:06 but I know the media specialist at my son’s elementary school,
1:02:10 she’s on the wheel.
1:02:11 She has and she has more students in her class
1:02:14 than the traditional classroom teacher.
1:02:16 And so, you know, what about her?
1:02:19 No, I –
1:02:20 But they do get prong three.
1:02:22 But they don’t get prong one.
1:02:23 Right.
1:02:24 But Mr. Seusson is just talking about prong three.
1:02:26 And those media specialists and guidance counselors did get prong
1:02:30 three, correct?
1:02:31 Yes.
1:02:32 That’s correct.
1:02:32 Yeah, that box says – it has a – they received – the media
1:02:38 specialist received prong one.
1:02:40 No, no, that’s the amount.
1:02:41 Okay.
1:02:42 The amount.
1:02:43 But if we wanted to give them prong one, it would be 470,000.
1:02:46 Got it.
1:02:46 That’s correct.
1:02:47 And let me say by – start by saying that there’s absolutely no
1:02:52 – I mean,
1:02:54 like, our media specialists are amazing.
1:02:56 They support – my argument was that they already received a
1:03:00 portion of the best and brightest.
1:03:01 This was a way for us to take care of our pre-K teachers because
1:03:03 they didn’t.
1:03:04 Okay.
1:03:04 I will tell you, you’re 100% right.
1:03:07 Like, our media specialists, like, they – every time I go in to
1:03:11 borrow a library,
1:03:12 like, just to do work, they are literally a classroom in there
1:03:15 every single time.
1:03:15 And my close friend is a media specialist.
1:03:17 So, I totally, wholeheartedly agree.
1:03:20 I just don’t want our people to be left out.
1:03:22 And there’s a – there’s a reason behind it, is retention and
1:03:25 recruitment.
1:03:26 A lot of them are moving up to try to fill in jobs that are in
1:03:29 our K through 3s because
1:03:31 they’re qualified for it.
1:03:32 And it’s just part of everything that we stand as a district, Thrive
1:03:35 by 5, retention and recruitment,
1:03:37 everything, to just say, this is right by our district to do it.
1:03:42 And that’s why I brought it forward.
1:03:44 So, I just want to make sure that we know exactly what you’re
1:03:47 proposing.
1:03:48 So, you’re proposing Prong 3 recognition award, the 66 – did
1:03:53 you do that, Dr. Thetty?
1:03:54 I think it was me.
1:03:55 Sorry.
1:03:56 The 66 Pre-K teachers.
1:03:58 Now, Dr. Thetty, those 66 teachers are the ones that are – is
1:04:03 that all Pre-K teachers
1:04:04 or is that the one just in the schools that are identified by
1:04:07 the state?
1:04:07 If you are clarifying what Mr. Seusson is asking, Prong 3 would
1:04:11 be 125 Pre-K teachers,
1:04:14 because it’s not – Prong 3 is not just the schools identified
1:04:18 by the state.
1:04:19 It’s every Pre-K teacher who would have gotten effective or a
1:04:21 highly effective –
1:04:22 That’s correct.
1:04:23 So, that’s where I have a problem.
1:04:25 I mean, I want to support Pre-K teachers, but to give a Pre-K
1:04:29 teacher in a school a bonus
1:04:31 where a teacher didn’t – where a non-Pre-K teacher didn’t get a
1:04:35 bonus because the state
1:04:36 didn’t identify that school seems unfair.
1:04:39 Absolutely right.
1:04:40 So, let’s back up and give them the award that the actual
1:04:43 instructional teachers did for
1:04:45 me.
1:04:46 Which is Prong 3 because all of the – every instructional
1:04:53 employee, including media specialist and guidance
1:04:56 counselors, who got in a highly effective or effective last year
1:05:00 got Prong 3.
1:05:01 Yes.
1:05:02 Correct.
1:05:03 Okay.
1:05:04 So, except for our Pre-K teachers and our paras also got Prong 3.
1:05:09 So, Mr. Seusson, you’re looking for $168,484.
1:05:13 Does that sound like the number that you have in your recollection?
1:05:17 Yes.
1:05:18 Okay.
1:05:19 And, might I add that everything that the Pre-K teachers do
1:05:23 aligns perfectly with our
1:05:25 teachers, instructional, and this is more so just for the notes
1:05:29 for going forward as far
1:05:30 as making an argument in Tallahassee.
1:05:33 These are individuals that have VAM scores.
1:05:35 They are – they are rated exactly the same on their evaluation
1:05:38 forms.
1:05:38 They go to school every day and have an AS-400 that they go and
1:05:41 they plug in.
1:05:42 They have attendance.
1:05:43 They have to do home visits.
1:05:44 They have – there’s a thousand things that they do that
1:05:47 perfectly aligns them with classroom
1:05:48 teachers and they keep getting left out.
1:05:50 And the fact that they got paid the last two years on the best
1:05:52 and brightest and we’re leaving
1:05:53 them out again.
1:05:54 So, we fought to get them the money the last two years and now
1:05:57 we’re telling them no.
1:05:59 And remember when we made that stand and –
1:06:02 Mr. Seusson, I don’t believe that we paid Pre-K the last two
1:06:06 years.
1:06:07 We did.
1:06:08 I think we made an adjustment for media specialists because we
1:06:12 were able to get the state to approve
1:06:14 them to be included in the best and brightest allocation.
1:06:20 Dr. Thetty, can you?
1:06:21 We have not paid Pre-K teachers.
1:06:22 They aren’t part of the statute and they weren’t last year.
1:06:25 We went back and double-checked that.
1:06:26 They all think they got paid.
1:06:29 Okay.
1:06:30 Yeah.
1:06:31 I think – I think that’s a – I think that’s an important
1:06:35 clarification because last year,
1:06:38 we did push to include media specialists in the best and
1:06:42 brightest allocation because we
1:06:44 could identify that they had a class assigned to them and they
1:06:47 were included in the statute.
1:06:50 And so, not saying yay, nay or anything, Mr. Seusson.
1:06:54 I just want to make sure that we’re dealing with correct
1:06:56 information.
1:06:57 I do want to make the point tonight and this is why it’s so
1:07:00 frustrating for this year is
1:07:02 that after this – I’ve heard from some Pre-K teachers that they’re
1:07:06 discouraged and frustrated.
1:07:08 But this is all over.
1:07:10 This is the last year.
1:07:12 You know, hopefully it doesn’t come back this way.
1:07:14 But moving forward, just in case people haven’t kept up with the
1:07:17 legislature, assuming that everything
1:07:18 gets, you know, signed by the governor, moving forward, Pre-K is
1:07:22 included specifically wording,
1:07:25 including Pre-K teachers in – because best and brightest is no
1:07:28 more in the teacher salary adjustment
1:07:30 that is – we’re anticipating to happen, moving everybody as
1:07:33 close to 47.5 as they can.
1:07:34 They are included in that.
1:07:36 And I think we’re moving in the right direction.
1:07:38 So, it’s frustrating that here’s this last year of best and
1:07:40 brightest and they were left out.
1:07:42 So, no matter what we do, I just want to encourage people that
1:07:44 moving forward,
1:07:45 that is – not our media specialists and our other instructional
1:07:48 employees, but our Pre-K teachers
1:07:50 are included in that language specifically.
1:07:54 Dr. Thudde, can I ask a quick question?
1:07:59 You indicated in the discussion about who got prong one and who
1:08:02 got prong three that all other
1:08:04 instructional personnel got prong three.
1:08:07 So, basically, either – every – every person – every
1:08:11 instructional person at the district
1:08:13 either received prong one or they received prong three with the
1:08:18 exception of pre-K and pre-K paras.
1:08:22 Prong one only went to the teachers who met the requirements at
1:08:25 the schools that were named by the state.
1:08:28 Mm-hmm.
1:08:29 Prong three – we had to pay it out in – in order.
1:08:32 We had to start with the prong one with the retention award.
1:08:35 Mm-hmm.
1:08:36 And we had to go on to the recruitment award.
1:08:37 And then the money that was left over was left for all
1:08:41 instructional personnel to include instructional –
1:08:44 paraprofessionals, our instructional assistants, with the money
1:08:48 that was left over.
1:08:49 That’s the 577 a person.
1:08:52 And so, that 577 per person that went to all instructional
1:08:56 personnel included – so, basically, everyone in the district
1:09:00 got prong three,
1:09:01 including PE coaches, Title I teachers, resource teachers, TOAs,
1:09:08 they were all included in that?
1:09:11 If they met the definition of statute Section 1012.01, Sections
1:09:17 A through E, they would have gotten it provided they were highly
1:09:22 effective or effective.
1:09:24 So, I have a couple questions.
1:09:26 Not necessarily for you, Dr. Thede, maybe more for Mr. Susan.
1:09:30 And kind of a statement.
1:09:32 So, the process was, last year, to make salaries – the package
1:09:39 to give to all of our employees number one.
1:09:42 We came out of the gate.
1:09:44 We settled with BFT quickly.
1:09:46 All teachers, including these pre-K teachers, if I’m correct,
1:09:49 either got the 4% or the 6% raise, depending on number of years
1:09:53 of service.
1:09:53 A, why wasn’t this brought up in bargaining?
1:10:00 And B, we asked Dr. Mullins to get every penny he could find and
1:10:06 put it into that to support a substantial raise.
1:10:11 Where – Mr. Susan, this question is for you, because – and
1:10:15 please don’t tell me it’s in there somewhere, because I can’t
1:10:17 stand that answer.
1:10:18 Just tell me where, in the budget, which we approved, you know,
1:10:23 a year prior, you want to pull $168,484 from.
1:10:27 So, going up to about 30 days ago, I’ve got emails from the
1:10:32 teachers’ union and from our staff saying that they were
1:10:35 included in the best and brightest.
1:10:37 We were going down the path thinking that we were going to get
1:10:43 them paid.
1:10:44 There was no need to turn around and have a budgetary item in
1:10:46 the event that they weren’t or anything like that.
1:10:48 I mean, the union even sent out an email saying that they were
1:10:51 including them.
1:10:52 So, this became –
1:10:53 But for next year.
1:10:54 For now.
1:10:55 Like, no, that this was – what was coming out for the best and
1:10:58 brightest this year was going to be including them.
1:11:01 Along with us, we thought that they were going to be included.
1:11:04 And for – to go back and say, well, we’re not going to do it
1:11:08 because, you know, or we’re questioning this because we didn’t
1:11:12 have a budgetary item for it.
1:11:13 Or, I mean, just – this is not – this is a philosophical
1:11:16 question.
1:11:17 Do we include the individuals that are working for us that are
1:11:20 left out?
1:11:21 Or do we find a way through statute, through budget, through
1:11:24 everything else to say no?
1:11:26 We, as a school district, have the number one plan is Thrive by
1:11:31 Five, which takes these people and puts them at the forefront of
1:11:37 our strategic plan.
1:11:38 And we are sitting here today saying that these individuals who
1:11:42 didn’t get the bonus, best and brightest bonus, that we can wait
1:11:48 until next year.
1:11:49 And I just – there’s other issues.
1:11:52 You brought up a great point.
1:11:53 Like, hey, what about next year?
1:11:54 We got this great raise coming and everything else.
1:11:56 They still get retired at an earlier age for drop.
1:11:59 There’s more work to be done.
1:12:00 They still got – like, it’s just – if I could just say, it’s
1:12:03 like pulling off an old Band-Aid.
1:12:05 I mean, every single time these people go to get to the podium,
1:12:10 they get told, you’re a little different and we’ll fix you later.
1:12:13 And I just – like, when that came out 30 days ago, I just said,
1:12:17 this is enough.
1:12:18 Like, I just can’t – like, these poor people are going to Tallahassee
1:12:21 on their own dime.
1:12:22 They’re trying to lobby their own individuals that we’re trying
1:12:25 to do.
1:12:25 And here we are sitting there saying, I’m sorry, you know, where
1:12:29 was it a year ago?
1:12:30 What was the plan?
1:12:31 It’ll be better next year.
1:12:32 They hear that every single year.
1:12:34 And we just got to come through for them.
1:12:36 And I’m sorry.
1:12:37 Like, I mean, that’s what – I mean, as soon as that came out –
1:12:40 and thank you for making sure that we follow policy and
1:12:42 everything else.
1:12:43 As soon as it came out, I immediately started sending out emails.
1:12:46 As soon as we found out they were not included in this year’s
1:12:49 Best in Brines.
1:12:50 That was the reason behind it.
1:12:52 Okay.
1:12:53 So I’m sorry to keep pushing you.
1:12:56 No, no, I think you need to.
1:12:57 But I absolutely want to support our pre-K teachers.
1:12:59 I am behind what you’re saying.
1:13:01 I understand it’s clear.
1:13:03 But I need to be responsible with our funds.
1:13:06 Absolutely.
1:13:07 So where are we getting the $168,484 before I can support your
1:13:12 plan here?
1:13:13 That’s all.
1:13:14 Unassigned reserves.
1:13:15 It is –
1:13:16 Unassigned reserves.
1:13:17 So we have 3 point something percent unassigned reserves, or are
1:13:20 you talking about in our actual –
1:13:22 If you would like me to comb the budget that I requested, the $500
1:13:25 and plus, and show that we have money in different places, I can
1:13:28 find it.
1:13:28 We had $200,000 in our school board account that was being
1:13:32 rolled over every year.
1:13:34 I’m sure that there are enough rollovers that fell into reserve
1:13:37 accounts that we could find the money for these individuals.
1:13:39 It is a one time –
1:13:40 Again, I mean, we’ve had – you and I have had this discussion
1:13:42 on many issues now.
1:13:43 I’m not comfortable with we’re going to find it somewhere.
1:13:45 I’m very comfortable with pointing to a line item, showing me
1:13:48 the dollars, and me supporting that.
1:13:50 So I will be behind you 100 percent if we can point to it and go,
1:13:53 here it is.
1:13:54 And if it’s in our school board account, great.
1:13:57 But I think that was – if you’re talking about conferences and
1:14:00 such, I think that was expended, I think.
1:14:03 So I think we need to go back and look.
1:14:05 You point to $168,000, and I’m right on board with you.
1:14:08 So what I’m hearing you say is, let’s pause.
1:14:10 Let’s come back to the next school board meeting.
1:14:12 Maybe we can find the money inside that.
1:14:14 It is a one time, non-recurring expense.
1:14:18 That’s one thing that I do appreciate, because we could even –
1:14:22 we could dip into reserves or contingency.
1:14:24 I don’t love it, but if it’s a one time expense, unlike the
1:14:28 magistrate’s recommendation, which was a recurring expense and I
1:14:32 was uncomfortable with, this is a one time.
1:14:33 It’s not going to keep hitting that bottom line, keep hitting
1:14:36 that reserve.
1:14:37 I can consider that.
1:14:38 I’d prefer if we find it somewhere else.
1:14:40 That would be great.
1:14:41 But I would consider that for sure.
1:14:44 Okay.
1:14:45 Is there any additional discussion on Mr. Susan’s pre-K issue?
1:14:51 Does Ms. McDougall want to say anything?
1:14:53 Ms. McDougall, did you want to weigh in?
1:14:55 I know.
1:14:56 Okay.
1:14:57 You go.
1:14:58 You know, I agree.
1:15:00 I think we all want to make sure that they’re compensated.
1:15:04 I have a concern of where are we getting the money.
1:15:08 And I like that it’s a one time expense.
1:15:10 And you’re right, Mr. Susan.
1:15:13 They do do.
1:15:15 Oh, boy.
1:15:16 I’m losing it.
1:15:17 They really have the similar, the same responsibilities and they
1:15:23 work the same way as our teachers.
1:15:24 I am dismayed that our legislature cannot see that.
1:15:29 And I think it’s been very unfair for them all these years.
1:15:34 And I am thrilled that they are going to be getting, they are
1:15:38 included in the teacher compensation with the 47-5.
1:15:43 But I get concerned when we’re looking at significant budget
1:15:48 cuts this year, where are we getting the money?
1:15:50 And if we can find the money, I’m in.
1:15:53 I’m definitely in.
1:15:54 Can I say something real fast?
1:15:57 Sure.
1:15:58 If we can’t find the money in reserves, then I truly believe
1:16:04 that we as a board should try to find the money in other places.
1:16:08 And I’ll explain the reason why behind this.
1:16:11 We consistently say we don’t have the money, we don’t have the
1:16:14 money to things that are being, that are needed, that are more
1:16:18 important than other things that we’re spending money on.
1:16:21 There are a lot of things that we can look at inside the budget
1:16:23 that I would argue paying our pre-K teachers this one-time best
1:16:26 and brightest and saying good job, guys, is worth it over the
1:16:29 fact of what we’re doing with some of that.
1:16:32 We froze travel.
1:16:33 We froze going out to conferences.
1:16:35 We froze – there’s a lot of things that we’ve done to freeze to
1:16:38 save money for next year from this current budget that we can
1:16:42 use in this regard.
1:16:43 I just think that it comes down to a philosophical question.
1:16:47 Do you spend money?
1:16:48 I understand that you want to be fiscally responsible.
1:16:50 And that is amazing.
1:16:51 And thank you.
1:16:52 But I also think the fact is, is that we are spending money in
1:16:55 other areas that we can find that this is more important for.
1:16:58 And I think that’s what it comes down to.
1:17:00 So, I can’t wait to try to find you the money.
1:17:03 And I look forward to it, Ms. Deskovich.
1:17:04 That’s wonderful.
1:17:05 This is going to be a hunt.
1:17:06 I’m looking forward to it.
1:17:07 Is there any additional discussion on the pre-K issue?
1:17:14 All right, Mr. Susan, I believe you have a secondary or a second
1:17:18 request for discussion item on insurance.
1:17:20 Yeah.
1:17:21 And it kind of goes back to the – it’s something that I think
1:17:25 you’re 100% right.
1:17:27 And you kind of talked to it that we as school board members
1:17:30 have to wait for the SCI Act to come forward with a
1:17:32 recommendation and the proper process before we get involved in
1:17:35 telling the SCI Act what it is that they need to do.
1:17:39 Right.
1:17:40 I think that – I think that our job is to wait until they come.
1:17:43 But the problem is, is that that process is flawed when the
1:17:47 individuals that are inside of that process are requesting
1:17:50 information for years at a time and are not getting answers.
1:17:54 I mean, we all agree that our high cost – our specialty
1:17:58 pharmacy has been something to look at.
1:18:02 And we never have been able to.
1:18:03 We now have an audit that should be giving direction to looking
1:18:07 at that.
1:18:08 But there’s also the fact that we have never reached out to the
1:18:12 county to find out if we can work with them on direct networks
1:18:16 or MRIs or outpatient surgeries.
1:18:18 We’ve never – we have – we knew that the urgent cares were a
1:18:22 problem and we are now auditing them.
1:18:24 But the bottom line is, is that the capacity is too low and the
1:18:28 cost is too high.
1:18:29 So why are we continuing to go down and make recommendations and
1:18:33 – and – and wait until May or June or July when decisions can
1:18:37 be made earlier?
1:18:37 I just want to put it on our radar.
1:18:39 And thank you, Ms. Campbell, for coming in.
1:18:41 I am extremely, extremely upset with the fact that the
1:18:45 recommendations that are coming from the individuals inside SCIAC
1:18:49 are not being acted upon in a prudent process manner.
1:18:53 And I’ll tell you that this was done when I was in – on SCIAC
1:18:57 years ago, is that we would make recommendations.
1:19:00 We would come back to those recommendations.
1:19:02 And nothing – and it was just – they would come back with
1:19:05 their recommendations.
1:19:06 My individual that’s on SCIAC has been asking for MRI, outpatient
1:19:11 surgeries, and direct networks.
1:19:13 We never reached out to go directly to Parrish.
1:19:16 We never directly reached out to – to – to Health First.
1:19:20 Without Cigna being in the middle.
1:19:22 Just to find out what’s out there.
1:19:24 We didn’t – there’s – there’s so many things that are being on
1:19:27 there.
1:19:28 And I wanted to take tonight and say that we need to focus on
1:19:32 making sure that our representatives that are on the SCIAC are
1:19:35 being heard.
1:19:36 And that they are actually – that their – their issues are
1:19:39 coming across.
1:19:40 Right now, we have an audit to go out to pharmacy.
1:19:43 And there’s a couple of ways that that can be looked at.
1:19:47 I am concerned that we are not going to be looking at the
1:19:52 specialty drugs and the rebates.
1:19:55 And I was looking to Dr. Mullins to make sure we are going to be
1:19:58 looking at those two areas with that audit.
1:19:59 Is that correct?
1:20:00 Yes, sir.
1:20:02 I met with – just to clarify.
1:20:05 So, from the moment I was made aware of that the challenge that
1:20:09 we’re facing with SCIAC.
1:20:10 And that’s – there’s not a secret that our health insurance
1:20:14 plan status is in a concerning place.
1:20:17 Particularly when looking at the projections.
1:20:19 And quite frankly, I’m in ongoing conversation with superintendents
1:20:22 across the state.
1:20:23 And we’re all facing – the ones I’m talking to, even in central
1:20:27 Florida – we’re all facing some steep challenges with
1:20:31 healthcare.
1:20:31 Because costs and expenses continue to go up.
1:20:34 I think it’s important to note that our health plan has not had
1:20:37 a premium increase nor a board contribution increase in what
1:20:41 will be six years when an opportunity comes to potentially do an
1:20:45 increase January 1, 2021.
1:20:48 That is unprecedented in the realm of health insurance.
1:20:52 When I talk with other districts, I can’t tell you another
1:20:55 district that hasn’t had some kind of premium increase, at least
1:20:59 within the last two years.
1:21:01 We’ve been five and a half years without an increase in revenue.
1:21:05 The SCIAC has made some plan design changes.
1:21:08 The board did infuse several million dollars about five years
1:21:12 ago that helped the fund balance.
1:21:14 And there has been – there was some improvement.
1:21:17 I’ll – Mr. Susan is aware.
1:21:19 Our trend of expenses is not at the national trend average.
1:21:25 We’ve had discussions about that at SCIAC.
1:21:28 Ms. Campbell is certainly aware of that as well.
1:21:31 I heard Mr. Susan and our SCIAC members concerned about the
1:21:36 pharmacy questions, particularly the specialty drugs.
1:21:40 I directed staff to go out with an audit and ensured it was a
1:21:43 third party to ensure we get the best audit and information
1:21:48 because there were questions and concerns about us doing an
1:21:51 audit within our own consultant groups.
1:21:53 Totally agree.
1:21:54 We want clear and evident information to make sound decisions.
1:22:00 When our consultant came and presented the result or their
1:22:04 suggestion of what data was indicating was the potential savings
1:22:09 of our well care clinics, I wasn’t satisfied.
1:22:12 I don’t think the board was either during our joint board SCIAC
1:22:16 meeting in February.
1:22:17 I called for an audit of our well care clinics.
1:22:20 I believe our insured individuals are entitled to know exactly
1:22:25 how their plan is performing.
1:22:27 And if our consultant can’t give us clear and evident data, then
1:22:31 we need to have a third party audit and we’re in the middle of
1:22:33 that right now.
1:22:34 I meet with RSM tomorrow to discuss the status of the audits.
1:22:39 Their last indication was they hope to give us the audit for the
1:22:43 well care clinics within the next two to three weeks.
1:22:46 I’m hopeful that that information will help the SCIAC committee
1:22:51 know where their recommendation should go.
1:22:55 The pharmacy audit is much more in detail, requires a lot more
1:22:59 depth and analysis.
1:23:01 I met with one of our SCIAC members who has been very passionate
1:23:06 about the specialty drugs.
1:23:08 I met with her and our consultant representative from Aon and
1:23:13 had an hour and 15-minute conversation and provided follow-up.
1:23:19 And they’re providing data that we’re going to make available to
1:23:22 that SCIAC member as well.
1:23:24 So, Mr. Susan, I don’t disagree with that there has been work
1:23:29 needed to be done, but I don’t want there to be any confusion
1:23:33 that I am not driving that work to be done.
1:23:36 No.
1:23:38 Because I have all the same concerns that are expressed here and
1:23:40 that is, number one, is our plan doing everything to provide the
1:23:44 best service it can for our employees?
1:23:46 Number two, are we maintaining a fiscally sound health insurance
1:23:52 plan?
1:23:53 We are self-insured.
1:23:55 Our employees need to understand that.
1:23:57 The proposition to go to a fully insured plan has been suggested
1:24:03 to be upwards of an additional $20 million.
1:24:05 In recurring costs.
1:24:08 Annually, at least $20 million more.
1:24:11 We benefit from a self-insured plan because we have consultants
1:24:16 that oversee the plan, but we are managing it ourselves and we’re
1:24:20 benefiting from that just from our lower than national trend
1:24:24 increase in expense.
1:24:25 So, but at the same time, there is a vested interest in every
1:24:31 one of us who is an insured on our plan to make sure that we are
1:24:35 managing, contributing to and understanding the utilization of
1:24:39 our plan, taking advantage of my Cigna, taking advantage of our
1:24:44 well care clinics and so on.
1:24:45 There is more education we need to do to make sure that they are
1:24:49 taking advantage of every benefit.
1:24:52 That may sound like it would be at an additional cost of the
1:24:56 plan, but the reality is that if they’re taking advantage of all
1:24:59 of the benefits, then we will drive down expenses, they’ll
1:25:03 understand their personal health better, and we will all benefit
1:25:06 as members of the insurance plan.
1:25:08 I want to give a shout out to the union during our board union
1:25:13 workshop a few weeks ago, they acknowledged that as well, that
1:25:18 we all have to own the communication and the education of our
1:25:22 healthcare plan to our employees and make sure that they are
1:25:23 taking, they’re taking good care of themselves and they are
1:25:23 utilizing the, the preventative healthcare benefits of our plan,
1:25:23 as well as the other benefits.
1:25:23 So, our CYAC committee has been charged with probably the most
1:25:27 difficult task of the last decade, because I don’t know that the
1:25:30 plan has faced some of the challenges it has, as we nationally
1:25:34 engage with the health care plan and the health care plan to our
1:25:37 employees, and make sure that they are taking, they’re taking
1:25:38 good care of themselves and they are utilizing the, the preventative
1:25:38 health care benefits of our plan, as well as the other benefits.
1:25:38 So, our CYAC committee has been charged with probably the most
1:25:44 difficult task of the last decade.
1:25:48 I don’t know that the plan has faced some of the challenges it
1:25:52 has, as we nationally have experienced increases in costs in
1:25:55 healthcare that are of no surprise to any of us.
1:25:58 So, the challenges they’re facing have been, have been
1:26:02 significant.
1:26:03 I, I, given that the vast majority of them are volunteering
1:26:08 their time, you know, I, I don’t want to just lose the
1:26:11 opportunity to express my own appreciation to the commitment
1:26:15 that they’ve made to this process.
1:26:17 Because it is tough.
1:26:21 And they are putting forth an additional amount of, of work in
1:26:25 consideration.
1:26:26 So, Mr. Susan, to your point, yes, there is work to do.
1:26:29 Yes, we need to hold our consultants accountable to the work
1:26:32 that they should be doing for us.
1:26:34 I believe that is happening more than it has in the past,
1:26:37 particularly through the audits that we’re doing and so on, and
1:26:40 what we’re requiring them to go back and do.
1:26:42 But, as dynamic as this realm is, and certainly you, you, you
1:26:46 know this world well, Mr. Susan, we’ve got more work to do and
1:26:50 don’t disagree.
1:26:51 Can I follow up?
1:26:53 Yes.
1:26:54 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
1:26:55 I did want to say that your answering to this crisis has been
1:26:59 the best that I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in Brevard
1:27:03 Public Schools.
1:27:04 I will tell you that your work with that has been exemplary.
1:27:08 You have shown that you are angry at some of the issues that we
1:27:12 needed to face, and you’re trying to look for every option
1:27:15 because you don’t want to increase your employees’ cost or the
1:27:19 school board’s cost in the event that there’s a place to save.
1:27:22 I wanted to also say that you do an amazing job of going and
1:27:25 trying to cut in areas to try to bring forward a solid budget.
1:27:29 I, I do.
1:27:30 I didn’t mean that rant to come off in any other way besides the
1:27:33 fact that we are in a crisis, and I didn’t want this time period
1:27:38 to go by and us be looking back at this and saying, well, we
1:27:42 still got no capacity in the urgent care centers.
1:27:44 Our education plan can get better, and I think you’re doing an
1:27:46 amazing job.
1:27:47 I did want to throw that out there.
1:27:49 I, I, I did just want to make sure that our audit that we are
1:27:53 doing is looking at the specialty drugs and the rebates.
1:27:57 Is that correct?
1:27:58 Yes.
1:27:59 In fact, I meet with RSM tomorrow by conference call to get an
1:28:04 update on the pharmacy audit, and we’ll reiterate that is
1:28:08 absolutely our expectation as well.
1:28:10 Awesome.
1:28:11 If I may, um, I talked to RSM last week also, and not only are
1:28:15 they auditing the, the specialty, uh, pharmaceuticals, they are
1:28:19 not auditing them back to the contract only.
1:28:22 They are, but they’re also going to audit them to actual cost.
1:28:26 And that’s what we’ve been.
1:28:28 I need to give her a shout out while we can.
1:28:31 Don Butterfield, who is my representative on the SIAC committee.
1:28:34 She’s been asking for that for a long time.
1:28:36 And so Dr. Mullins made that happen with RSM.
1:28:38 And, uh, I think we’ve actually connected, uh, the team leader
1:28:43 of RSM with Ms. Butterfield so she can explain, because she is
1:28:47 the industry expert on our, on our, on our committee, or at
1:28:49 least representing me.
1:28:50 Uh, so she could explain exactly what she needed to, to, to
1:28:53 understand the, the, the specialty drugs.
1:28:56 So just wanted to thank her and Dr. Mullins and RSM.
1:29:01 Um, and in the event that any of the individuals that are
1:29:05 involved that we are requesting information from do not, um, we
1:29:10 just need to make, be prepared for those kind of discussions
1:29:13 later on.
1:29:14 Um, there’s been other school districts where they’ve been told
1:29:16 that they can’t get certain information.
1:29:18 So we just need to be ready to answer that when time comes.
1:29:21 There’s one more thing and then I’ll be done, um, in relation to
1:29:24 insurance.
1:29:25 Every year at the end of the year, we have individuals who put
1:29:29 their money into our, um, task card.
1:29:32 And every year money that we don’t spend falls out of our task
1:29:37 cards to the bottom line.
1:29:39 Um, this is pre-tax dollars.
1:29:41 So in the, in the, in the, what has happened is it falls to the
1:29:45 bottom line of the budget every year.
1:29:48 It’s in about 50, $60,000.
1:29:50 Um, I would like to look at, uh, we would get more individuals
1:29:56 that would buy into the task card.
1:29:58 If we allowed them to have that money come back to them taxable
1:30:03 at the end, meaning that just so everybody understands.
1:30:06 And let me explain it.
1:30:07 If you put $100 on your task card, you just saved us $7 as a
1:30:14 district.
1:30:16 So when we educated our employees seven years ago, those
1:30:20 individuals, we, we saw the largest spike in task card, flexible
1:30:26 spending account in our history, which saved us close to a
1:30:29 quarter million dollars in payroll taxes because it’s pre-tax.
1:30:32 So what we’re, the amount of money that we would save by putting
1:30:36 that together would be astronomically larger than the small
1:30:39 amount it would take to say anybody that has over $200, we can
1:30:44 put it back in their check at 200 bucks.
1:30:46 I think it would be something to look at because it’s a sad
1:30:49 thing when at the end of the year, some of our teachers, because
1:30:52 of one thing or another, didn’t spend all the money that they
1:30:55 had.
1:30:55 And then they go back to their school and they say, don’t put
1:30:57 the money on the task card because if you don’t spend it, it’s
1:31:00 gone.
1:31:00 The district takes it.
1:31:01 And I would like to change that rhetoric into something else.
1:31:04 That’s all.
1:31:05 Just something to consider.
1:31:06 We probably need to check into the legal ramifications.
1:31:08 I’m not sure with an FSA that you can get that back.
1:31:13 There are rules as far as it has to be a uniform and consistent.
1:31:18 So let’s say you contributed and Mr. Susan contributed.
1:31:22 Mr. Susan used all his.
1:31:24 Mr. Susan’s still getting a piece of that pie, even though you
1:31:28 didn’t use all yours.
1:31:30 He’s getting more.
1:31:31 He paid a hundred bucks and let’s say it comes down to everybody
1:31:35 gets $20 out of the pie that’s left.
1:31:37 That includes Mr. Susan, who used all the money he contributed.
1:31:41 You can’t weed out people by saying, well, you use yours, so you’re
1:31:46 not included in the class.
1:31:48 Right.
1:31:49 So even if I had a hundred dollars still in there, I still only
1:31:51 get 20.
1:31:52 Yes.
1:31:53 Everybody that contributed has to get it and the IRS code says
1:31:56 it has to be uniform and consistent.
1:31:58 There’s definitely an education part of that that can go out as
1:32:01 far as the benefits of people.
1:32:03 I think, you know.
1:32:04 Even if it comes back taxed.
1:32:06 Yeah.
1:32:07 So the money comes back because we as a school district take it
1:32:09 and spend it.
1:32:10 Yeah.
1:32:11 And that’s why districts don’t do it.
1:32:14 That’s why districts that offer flexible spending don’t give
1:32:17 that money back.
1:32:19 One, it’s a nightmare to kind of track how much and everything.
1:32:23 But then they also feel the unfairness of, well, you know, Tom
1:32:27 spent their $5,000.
1:32:30 They maxed it out.
1:32:31 They spent all their money.
1:32:33 Susie only spent half of her $5,000.
1:32:35 But Tom’s going to benefit at the end of the year because you
1:32:40 have to include it.
1:32:41 The IRS code says it has to be uniform across the board.
1:32:44 So if you participated, you have to be in the class that gets
1:32:48 some of that money back.
1:32:50 You can’t pick and choose.
1:32:52 You can’t take the individuals that paid into it and had
1:32:56 leftover money.
1:32:57 You have to just take all the money and give it right back.
1:32:59 All the money has to be divided by everybody who participated in
1:33:02 the program.
1:33:03 So if you participated, like I said, if you used all your $5,000
1:33:06 but she only used $2,500 of her contribution,
1:33:09 she’s going to get the same piece that you’re getting even
1:33:12 though you used all yours.
1:33:14 And so if you end up paying less, you know, you really paid, if
1:33:19 it’s $1,000, $4,000 even though you’re paying taxes on it.
1:33:23 Whereas she paid $5,000 and she’s paying it.
1:33:25 When was the last time you looked at that?
1:33:26 This year.
1:33:27 Dang it, James.
1:33:30 Mr. Susan, but to your point, I want to, for our listening
1:33:33 audience and for our members,
1:33:36 and you may remember as a few years ago, code did, or law did
1:33:41 change that allowed individuals to roll forward leftover FSA
1:33:46 funds,
1:33:47 I think up to four months or three months.
1:33:49 So it can’t be cashed in, but it can be used for expenses in the
1:33:53 coming years.
1:33:54 So it’s not a, and that was expanded, is that?
1:33:57 I don’t know the specifics on that one.
1:33:59 I’ll tell you exactly what it was because it was my battle with
1:34:01 Susan Stanley.
1:34:02 She said we couldn’t do it.
1:34:03 And I was, I had the emails and, and this is funny you said it.
1:34:06 I literally was looking at my emails two days ago of that
1:34:09 conversation back and forth.
1:34:11 And it’s that you can roll up to $500 for the next year.
1:34:15 And the three months of difference is because you’re, you can
1:34:19 return receipts that you had paid in the fiscal year for three
1:34:23 months to offset.
1:34:23 And then it was, it was brilliant.
1:34:25 I mean, it was something that we needed to do and we did it.
1:34:27 Um, but yeah, no, that’s, you’re right, Dr. Mullins.
1:34:30 And that does need to be communicated correctly because the, the,
1:34:34 the, the piece out there.
1:34:35 But I, I still would like to look at that with the Gibbs.
1:34:37 Yeah.
1:34:38 I’d still like to look at it.
1:34:39 I’m not a tax expert, but that, that was my understanding when I
1:34:42 read the IRS code was it has to be uniform and consistent.
1:34:45 So you cannot weed out the, those who maxed their benefit out
1:34:49 versus those who didn’t.
1:34:51 Is it, is that something you just did on your own?
1:34:53 Like you just looked at the IRS code?
1:34:54 It came to me through finance.
1:34:59 Mr. Susan, are you an NCIS fan?
1:35:03 What?
1:35:04 Where is this going?
1:35:07 Somebody knows.
1:35:08 Okay.
1:35:09 So one of the lead characters on NCIS is Gibbs and they all call
1:35:12 him Gibbs.
1:35:13 Oh.
1:35:14 Almost exactly with the same like inflection that you refer to
1:35:19 Mr. Gibbs.
1:35:19 I like this.
1:35:20 I’ll have to watch it.
1:35:21 It must be like a subconscious thing with you or something.
1:35:22 No.
1:35:23 My daughter watches that a lot.
1:35:24 I think.
1:35:25 You probably hear it in the background.
1:35:26 Maybe.
1:35:27 Yeah.
1:35:29 All right.
1:35:30 Is there any additional discussion for this evening?
1:35:33 Ms. Belford, if I may, can I just clarify board direction
1:35:38 related to the pre-K?
1:35:39 I want to make sure that I meet the board’s expectations moving
1:35:42 forward.
1:35:42 Yes.
1:35:43 And I have, I’ve clarified with Pam.
1:35:46 So my understanding is that we are awaiting Mr. Susan to bring
1:35:51 us the pot of gold.
1:35:53 So there is no action at this point, and I think he is going to
1:35:57 do his research and bring
1:35:58 forward some opportunity for funding that going forward is my
1:36:02 understanding.
1:36:03 Is that, can I get a head nod from the board members?
1:36:05 Can we ask Mr. Susan to do that in collaboration with the
1:36:08 superintendent?
1:36:09 Yeah.
1:36:10 Absolutely.
1:36:11 I can’t get the numbers unless I get them from the
1:36:12 superintendent.
1:36:13 So.
1:36:14 Yeah.
1:36:15 I mean, I’m happy to help look also.
1:36:16 I just think we need to identify the line item where it is and
1:36:19 several line items.
1:36:21 Is that going to be the Space Coast Daily dollars?
1:36:23 I know one thing.
1:36:24 That’s just from the property.
1:36:26 What, how much are we renting that for?
1:36:27 Yeah.
1:36:28 I know, I know one thing.
1:36:29 I know one, I know one thing that we can.
1:36:30 Space Coast Daily Park.
1:36:31 I know one thing we can get rid of that, that would cover the
1:36:34 cost and it’s reoccurring.
1:36:35 So I’ll make my suggestions.
1:36:37 Thank you, Mr. Susan.
1:36:38 I will follow up with Mr. Susan this week.
1:36:41 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
1:36:42 I do have one question for you and I don’t, I forgot to mention
1:36:45 it to you earlier.
1:36:46 It’s not something that I need answers on tonight.
1:36:48 I just want to put it on the radar.
1:36:50 I don’t know if you saw the article yesterday that FIT is canceling
1:36:54 their football program.
1:36:55 Yes.
1:36:56 I’m curious as to the economic impact that is going to have on
1:36:59 the district.
1:37:00 If you could just follow up with us at some point.
1:37:02 It doesn’t have to be anytime soon.
1:37:03 Sure.
1:37:04 I was aware of that and we already made the connection that they
1:37:08 have an agreement with us for the football stadium, advertising
1:37:13 and so on.
1:37:14 So we are looking at that and evaluating what the impact is.
1:37:16 Bring it to the board as soon as possible.
1:37:18 As soon as possible.
1:37:19 Some of those dollars go directly to Palm Bay High to support.
1:37:21 Yeah.
1:37:22 So it’s going to hurt them.
1:37:23 I think that it was with FIT, not the FIT football program.
1:37:26 So it holds.
1:37:27 Well, they’re not going to need the stadium any longer, so it
1:37:30 may be a one year agreement.
1:37:32 I’m sure it’s, I’m sure that that Palm Bay High is going to see
1:37:36 some loss there.
1:37:37 Should have let them drink anything.
1:37:40 Matt.
1:37:41 They’re not losing all their sports.
1:37:43 All right.
1:37:44 Ms. McDougal, did you have anything you wanted to bring forward
1:37:48 before I call this meeting adjourned?
1:37:49 No, I’m okay.
1:37:51 Thank you.
1:37:52 Wait, wait.
1:37:53 So if I find this pot of gold, everybody’s in favor of giving it
1:37:56 to the pre-K teachers.
1:37:57 I can’t wait for you to find it.
1:38:00 I think we need to discuss where you find this pot of gold, Mr.
1:38:03 Susan.
1:38:04 I would prefer that you not rob a bank, for example, or, you
1:38:08 know, I think there needs
1:38:10 to be discussion about that source going forward.
1:38:13 But at this point, you know, we’re all happy to hear what you
1:38:16 can come up with.
1:38:17 So, all right, I’m going to try one last time.
1:38:21 Is there any additional discussion before I call this meeting
1:38:24 adjourned?
1:38:25 You’re a funny lady, Ms. Campbell.
1:38:28 All right, then I will officially adjourn this meeting.
1:38:31 Have a great evening.
1:38:32 We’ll see you soon.
1:38:33 Thank you.
1:38:47 Bye.