Updates on the Fight for Quality Public Education in Brevard County, FL
0:00 I’ll see you next time.
56:28 350 students over the last few weeks since six day count but
56:29 through the six
56:29 day count process when we met with schools several schools did
56:34 not meet
56:34 their enrollment requirements ultimately necessary to retain
56:38 staff and there
56:39 are approximately 31 units that includes that variety of folks
56:44 from IA’s
56:44 to media assistants clerks guidance admin those are positions
56:49 that were lost
56:50 due to enrollment but we made the decision to continue to allow
56:54 the schools
56:54 to carry those positions as they’re critical to support the
56:57 needs of the
56:58 school and the students that we serve ultimately leading to
57:01 again at this point
57:02 no layoffs or no furloughs even with the reduced enrollment
57:07 remind the board and
57:09 our community that at this point at this time we have not
57:12 received any assurance
57:14 from the state for second semester funding from the state I was
57:19 asked actually
57:20 miss McDougal asked earlier this afternoon what is the status of
57:24 e-learning
57:24 for second semester are we able to continue e-learning or not
57:28 and my
57:29 response was is it’s consistent with this and that the emergency
57:33 order from the
57:34 Florida Department of Education is is is only through first
57:39 semester so the
57:41 designation of e-learning as a full-time equivalent fund full-time
57:48 equivalent
57:48 earning student is only applicable for first semester for e-learning
57:53 unless there
57:54 is action taken by the Commissioner of Education to extend the
57:58 emergency order not
57:59 received any information of that at this time but we’re awaiting
58:03 if that that that
58:04 may become a possibility for a second semester one of the other
58:10 budget impacting factors that we are
58:12 monitoring very closely right now is our transportation ridership
58:16 the good news is is that our
58:18 ridership is down significantly so social distancing is it’s
58:23 very favorable for social distancing however it’s very
58:27 disadvantageous for funding because our transportation program
58:32 is funded based on
58:33 ridership and our ridership currently is at about a 41%
58:39 participation from this time last year
58:41 that’s very concerning when trans we only receive about 59% of
58:47 our transportation costs funded by the state to begin with
58:52 we’re going to talk a little bit about this I’ve shared with the
58:59 board over the
59:00 last couple board meetings the financial forecasts that have
59:04 been provided from the
59:05 state over the last six weeks the economic demographic research
59:10 report and the
59:11 long-range financial outlook report I won’t go into detail of
59:14 those reports again
59:15 encourage our community to look at the presentations from the
59:18 last two board
59:19 meetings but essentially there’s consistent forecasts projecting
59:22 approximately a potential
59:25 20 million dollar budget reduction based on state revenue
59:29 reductions over the next two years
59:31 so we are already looking toward our budget for 2021-22 what we
59:41 know at this point is that we do have
59:44 another projected ten million dollar health insurance trust fund
59:47 deficit this is based on
59:50 our consultants projections and unfortunately this is even after
59:54 this year’s considerable contributions on
59:58 behalf of the board to the with a 4.7 million dollar
1:00:01 contribution in recurring revenue a
1:00:04 one-time infusion of five million dollars as well as the
1:00:08 anticipated savings in premium revenue
1:00:10 uh on behalf of the employees of five point four million dollars
1:00:16 also the grant style funded positions and program allocations
1:00:20 will no longer be funded after this year so we’ll be needing to
1:00:24 address that shortfall for the 21-22 budget which is
1:00:28 approximately a million dollars includes teacher allocations and
1:00:32 our athletic equalization contribution to our schools
1:00:36 we’ll be needing to address that shortfall for us but there’s
1:00:41 several things that we don’t know going
1:00:42 into next year’s budget uh of course enrollment uncertainties
1:00:47 particularly when we’re entering into the the projection process
1:00:53 our enrollment projection process next month we begin that
1:00:58 formally as a district we look at growth rates we look at birth
1:01:04 rates we look at growth in our community and a team across the
1:01:06 across the district cross-functional team comes together and
1:01:09 begins to project what our enrollment is the particular
1:01:13 challenge is what will be the status of covid next year or even
1:01:16 second semester will there be e-learning as an option will we
1:01:20 see or potentially not see a migration of students who were on
1:01:23 brevard virtual school or in homeschool come back to our brick
1:01:23 and mortar schools and then uh consistent is our charter school
1:01:24 enrollment and growth that we have to monitor
1:01:24 in addition transportation ridership is is in question will it
1:01:27 return to the participation levels that we had pre-covid brevard
1:01:30 aftercare our participation in our aftercare program is
1:01:32 significantly reduced right now will that participation resume
1:01:33 in the future of our program is significantly reduced right now
1:01:34 uh i want to note at this time the board knows that the brevard
1:01:43 aftercare program is significantly reduced right now um will
1:01:49 that participation resume uh next year i want to note at this
1:01:57 time the board knows that the brevard aftercare program is
1:01:58 significantly reduced right now um will that participation
1:01:59 resume uh next year i want to note at this time the board knows
1:01:59 that the brevard aftercare program actually supplements the
1:02:01 operating budget of approximately 2.3 million
1:02:04 dollars and we are not on pace or on uh on schedule to realize
1:02:26 that revenue for the budget for 21 22 of course the public
1:02:34 education funding from the state is unknown and uncertain and
1:02:34 then another referendum that is on the ballot on november 3rd
1:02:34 that uh will impact brevard public schools is the uh minimum
1:02:34 wage referendum if it passes it will impact uh hourly hourly
1:02:34 rate employees
1:02:34 and that we have to increase and that we have to increase that
1:02:57 the minimum wage will be increased by a dollar um from 859 i
1:03:04 believe to 959 if that if my memory serves correct that won’t
1:03:04 have a significant impact likely on us in year one but the
1:03:04 referendum increases the minimum way minimum wage a dollar every
1:03:04 year until it reaches fifteen dollars so that would be an
1:03:04 ongoing expense that would continue to impact us as an
1:03:04 organization
1:03:04 and that would continue to impact us as an organization so what
1:03:08 do we what have we established as our priorities i don’t think
1:03:12 it’s a surprise that workforce sustainability
1:03:13 that workforce sustainability is our absolute number one
1:03:18 priority we are dependent on the great individuals across our
1:03:23 district to serve our students with the excellence that we have
1:03:26 as our standard so far we have had no layoffs and no furloughs
1:03:31 and we can be proud of that in supporting our employees over the
1:03:35 last many very uncertain months also number our second priority
1:03:40 is to ensure that our health insurance trust
1:03:43 that our health insurance trust fund remains solvent because the
1:03:46 reality is to ensure that our health insurance trust fund
1:03:49 remains solvent because the reality is we know that our over 6
1:03:50 000 employees and the other approximately 5 000 employees or
1:03:52 their dependents rely on our health insurance
1:03:52 our self-insured health plan but throughout the start of covid
1:04:01 and reopening our schools and our uh and forward our focus has
1:04:06 been on reopening reopening our school safely and maintaining
1:04:09 safety protecting our current teachers and staff and their
1:04:13 ability to focus on delivering excellent education for every
1:04:17 student while also continuing to monitor expenditures for
1:04:20 ongoing savings and protect
1:04:22 fund balance as a buffer to potential mid-year revenue loss or
1:04:26 budget loss, budget deficits
1:04:28 next year.
1:04:29 I’ll conclude with this slide.
1:04:32 The board has seen it before.
1:04:34 It’s been in the prior presentations.
1:04:36 We remain focused on prudent steps, not just priorities, but
1:04:40 tangible steps that we are
1:04:42 taking to be prepared for our financial responsibilities and
1:04:46 obligations as we continue to move through
1:04:50 these next several months into the next budget year.
1:04:53 With that, I offer any questions, opportunity for any questions
1:04:57 to the board.
1:04:58 Any board members have any questions or comments for Dr. Mullins?
1:05:02 I’ll just say, Dr. Mullins, that maybe we should have done the
1:05:06 budget discussion first and then
1:05:07 the celebration after, but we appreciate you providing the
1:05:11 information and the update.
1:05:13 Thank you.
1:05:14 You’re welcome.
1:05:17 Okay.
1:05:20 We are now at public comments.
1:05:23 All public comments are in person this evening.
1:05:26 Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
1:05:28 We have a clock in front of me to help you keep track of your
1:05:30 time.
1:05:30 When your time is over, you will be asked to stop and allow the
1:05:33 next speaker his or her turn.
1:05:35 Please keep in mind that reasonable decorum is expected at all
1:05:38 times and your statement should
1:05:40 be directed to the board chairman.
1:05:42 The chairman may interrupt, warn, or terminate a participant’s
1:05:45 statement when time is up, personally
1:05:47 directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant.
1:05:51 Should an individual not observe proper etiquette, the chairman
1:05:53 may request the individual leave
1:05:54 the meeting.
1:05:55 But I’ll encourage an environment appropriate for our children
1:05:58 who may be present or watching
1:05:59 from home.
1:06:00 Let’s begin with our first three speakers.
1:06:04 Before speaking, please state your name, the organization you
1:06:08 represent, if any, and identify the topic
1:06:11 you will be discussing.
1:06:13 We will go in this order, Alan, Doug, and Anthony.
1:06:17 Alan, if you’d like to approach the microphone.
1:06:19 Can we take these off when we talk?
1:06:22 Yes.
1:06:23 Okay.
1:06:24 Awesome.
1:06:25 All right.
1:06:26 Thank you very much.
1:06:27 Thanks for the opportunity.
1:06:28 I’m here tonight for, excuse me, Brevard Sports Network, and I’m
1:06:31 here to try to gain some clarification
1:06:33 and possibly answer some questions as it pertains to the new
1:06:36 media policy.
1:06:37 Let me take you back to August the 16th and the conversation
1:06:41 that I had or a text conversation
1:06:43 that I had with Mr. Seusson that simply said at that time that
1:06:46 he’d be introducing a new media
1:06:48 policy that would be all inclusive, that would take care of, uh,
1:06:53 I guess, uh, the little guy
1:06:54 like Brevard Sports Network and maybe even perhaps 321 Sportscast.
1:06:58 A couple of weeks later, a media policy is introduced from 2009.
1:07:03 I believe that was rolled out from when Spectrum Sports came to
1:07:06 town.
1:07:07 Um, that media policy was pulled back two days before the start
1:07:10 of the high school football season.
1:07:12 Another media policy comes out that states we have to have
1:07:14 background checks and then we have to have a million dollars
1:07:17 worth
1:07:17 of limited liability insurance.
1:07:19 Totally understand all that.
1:07:21 I get it.
1:07:21 We need to protect our children and we need to make sure that we’re
1:07:24 insured.
1:07:25 Um, for my organization personally, as of September the 29th, I
1:07:30 could check both of those boxes.
1:07:32 Thanks to, uh, Corporal Lance over here.
1:07:34 Uh, I could check both of those boxes.
1:07:36 But here I am and I sit before the board today and I still do
1:07:40 not have approval to stream.
1:07:42 I was also told that, uh, uh, that, uh, streaming was going to
1:07:46 be all inclusive and that as many
1:07:49 people and I understand the COVID situation, uh, that, that
1:07:52 there would not, there wouldn’t be one
1:07:55 entity allowed, uh, in another conversation I had had.
1:07:58 Then I’m told in a meeting that the board is seeking exclusivity,
1:08:02 that the board is actually looking
1:08:05 for just one outlet to do this.
1:08:07 And that space coast daily has already submitted a bid for $10,000
1:08:12 and $20,000 worth of in-kind
1:08:14 contributions.
1:08:15 Um, you know, we would like to have a shot at that.
1:08:18 You know, whether it’s Pixalot or NFHS or Brevard Sports Network
1:08:23 or 321 Sportscast, I’ve spent my
1:08:26 last six years covering these kids more than anybody else in
1:08:29 this community has done it.
1:08:31 I do it with passion.
1:08:32 I do it with purpose.
1:08:34 You know, I understand the, you know, how much high school
1:08:37 football means to the community.
1:08:39 But I ask you this, what other outlet in this community or what
1:08:43 other person in this community
1:08:44 has streamed, bowling, cross country, track, volleyball, tennis,
1:08:48 swimming.
1:08:49 I’ve done that.
1:08:50 My outlet’s done that.
1:08:51 So is 321 Sportscast.
1:08:53 All we’re asking for is a seat at the table.
1:08:56 We want an opportunity to be heard.
1:08:58 We want an opportunity to make a bid if that’s indeed where this
1:09:02 is going.
1:09:02 And I will also tell you, this is a guy that has experience
1:09:05 covering sports media.
1:09:07 There is no one outlet that can cover all of these sports or
1:09:11 take care of all of these kids.
1:09:13 Thank you very much.
1:09:14 Thanks Alan.
1:09:15 All right, Doug, you’re up next.
1:09:27 Hi, my name is Doug Helms.
1:09:32 I’m representing myself as a parent of two juniors at West Shore
1:09:36 Senior High School.
1:09:36 The topic is COVID-19 response protocols.
1:09:40 I applaud the steps that BPS has taken in response to COVID-19.
1:09:43 However, the current COVID-19 response protocols need to be
1:09:46 improved to avoid unnecessarily
1:09:49 disrupting the learning environment.
1:09:50 On Wednesday, September 23rd, my daughter stayed home from
1:09:53 school with a runny nose.
1:09:55 She had no other symptoms.
1:09:56 By Thursday, she was much better.
1:09:58 To be on the safe side, on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m., she
1:10:02 took a Quidel Corporation
1:10:03 Sophia Rapid FIA antigen test at Atlantis Urgent Care.
1:10:07 She tested positive.
1:10:09 On Friday morning, I notified the administration at West Shore.
1:10:12 As a result, 22 students were put into quarantine.
1:10:15 That same morning, my entire family was tested using the more
1:10:18 reliable PCR testing at Eastern
1:10:20 Florida State College.
1:10:21 The next day, we received the results.
1:10:23 All four of us were negative.
1:10:25 We retested again on Saturday, and again, all tests were
1:10:28 negative.
1:10:29 It was clear that the rapid antigen test my daughter took on
1:10:32 Thursday evening was a false positive.
1:10:34 I did some research on the rapid antigen test and learned the
1:10:37 following.
1:10:38 In July, at a health clinic in Manchester, Vermont, it revealed
1:10:42 65 possible cases of COVID-19.
1:10:45 The test utilized was the same antigen test manufactured by Quidel
1:10:49 Corporation.
1:10:49 The Vermont Department of Health retested using the more
1:10:53 reliable PCR test.
1:10:54 Only four of the 65 actually tested positive.
1:10:59 In August, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine received a positive antigen
1:11:03 test result,
1:11:04 and then two negative PCR test results.
1:11:07 Again, the rapid antigen test that provided the false positive
1:11:10 was manufactured by Quidel.
1:11:12 Governor DeWine says the rapid antigen method should be looked
1:11:15 at as a screening test,
1:11:17 not the final word.
1:11:18 This also occurs locally.
1:11:21 I’m aware of three cases where a rapid antigen test delivered a
1:11:24 false positive
1:11:25 and students were sent home.
1:11:26 The CDC states on the website the gold standard for detection of
1:11:30 COVID remains PCR,
1:11:32 and it is necessary to confirm a rapid antigen test with a PCR
1:11:35 test.
1:11:37 The recommended time interval between collection samples should
1:11:40 be no less than two days.
1:11:41 My daughter retested less than 16 hours later with a negative.
1:11:45 The associate of public health laboratory states the false
1:11:48 positive results are possible with antigen test.
1:11:50 If a false positive is suspected, the individual should be retested
1:11:55 with the PCR.
1:11:55 Obviously, the two negative results from the more accurate PCR
1:11:59 test should have outweighed
1:12:00 the false positive with the antigen test.
1:12:02 My daughter retested more than two days later with the antigen
1:12:06 test.
1:12:06 Let’s look at the collateral damage.
1:12:08 Twenty-two students were quarantined unnecessarily and their
1:12:09 education was disrupted.
1:12:10 One of those students was a senior and was told she could not
1:12:12 take this SAT test this past Saturday.
1:12:15 My son says, “Dad, if you don’t want to get diagnosed with COVID,
1:12:18 then don’t get tested.”
1:12:19 If we’re not able to apply common sense to the BPS COVID-19
1:12:23 protocol,
1:12:23 we run the risk that all parents would choose not to have their
1:12:26 children tested at all.
1:12:27 When I wrap up now, I request the BPS to revise its COVID-19
1:12:30 protocols as follows.
1:12:32 One, follow the CDC recommendation and encourage the use of the
1:12:35 gold standard PCR test.
1:12:36 BPS should inform all parents that their students should take a
1:12:41 PCR test rather than a rapid antigen test.
1:12:44 Unfortunately, your three minutes has passed, but if you could
1:12:48 get with Ms. Moore in the back,
1:12:49 she will be happy to take that and she can share it with the
1:12:53 rest of us as well.
1:12:54 I’ve suggested this Ms. Moore. Unfortunately, nothing happened.
1:12:57 Okay.
1:12:58 And the last thing I just want to say is please allow an appeal
1:13:00 process.
1:13:01 Allow what?
1:13:02 Appeal process.
1:13:03 Okay.
1:13:04 Thank you.
1:13:05 Have a great evening.
1:13:06 Anthony Colucci.
1:13:16 It’s an accommodation here.
1:13:17 Can I take a little one?
1:13:19 I appreciate that.
1:13:21 Nobody else has touched it either.
1:13:26 My name is Anthony Colucci.
1:13:30 I’m the president of the Brevard Federation of Teachers.
1:13:33 Without a doubt, I’m thrilled that many teachers in Brevard will
1:13:37 be seeing raises of $7,324.
1:13:40 I’m pleased that these new teachers will not have to struggle
1:13:44 like so many of us have for salary
1:13:46 increases.
1:13:47 I’m hopeful that this starting salary will draw many young and
1:13:51 talented individuals into education.
1:13:53 I’m glad that we’ve made considerable progress at the bargaining
1:13:57 table, such as agreeing to one pay scale
1:14:00 for both classroom and non-classroom teachers.
1:14:02 I’m excited that our district has taken a step in the right
1:14:05 direction and will be the first in the state to offer some form
1:14:09 of parental leave.
1:14:10 I understand that BPS is considerably increasing contributions
1:14:15 into our health insurance trust fund.
1:14:18 However, what needs to be addressed is a salary offer for our
1:14:21 veteran teachers.
1:14:22 While I fully realize the parameters of the governor’s teacher
1:14:26 salary allocation and the bleak financial picture are to blame
1:14:30 for inequity
1:14:31 and raises this year, your offer of $710 for veteran teachers
1:14:36 must be improved.
1:14:37 Veteran teachers have endured pay freezes, lost steps, and have
1:14:42 widely stuck with BPS.
1:14:44 Although there is a widespread misconception that experience
1:14:48 doesn’t matter in education,
1:14:49 research says otherwise.
1:14:51 Based on 30 studies published that met rigorous criteria in
1:14:57 analyzing the effect of teaching experience
1:14:59 on student outcomes in the U.S., the Learning Policy Institute
1:15:04 found teaching experience is positively associated
1:15:08 with student achievement gains throughout a teacher’s career.
1:15:10 As teachers gain experience, their students are more likely to
1:15:15 do better on measures of success beyond test scores,
1:15:19 such as school attendance.
1:15:21 More experienced teachers confer benefits to their colleagues,
1:15:23 their students, and to the school as a whole.
1:15:27 While I do applaud the district agreeing to the longevity
1:15:30 supplement of $1,200 last year,
1:15:33 that supplement did not entirely correct the issue.
1:15:36 For instance, including the $710 raise on the table and the
1:15:41 longevity supplement,
1:15:42 as a teacher my 21st year, I’m still making $1,351 less than I
1:15:48 would have made on the 2007-8 pay scale,
1:15:52 including the $710 raise on the table and longevity supplement.
1:15:57 As a 21st year teacher, I’m still making $3,444 less than I
1:16:02 would have made on the 2014-15 pay scale.
1:16:05 We recognize there may be funding concerns looming, we recognize
1:16:10 there’s been a great deal of progress
1:16:12 at the table, but what we’re stuck on is pay for our veteran
1:16:16 teachers.
1:16:16 We’re asking that you do as much as you can to help our veteran
1:16:20 teachers and increase your offer to them.
1:16:22 Thank you.
1:16:23 Thank you, Mr. Kluci.
1:16:24 Ms. Skipper?
1:16:25 And then our last speaker will be David.
1:16:29 Is that you?
1:16:32 Is that him?
1:16:34 Good evening.
1:16:38 Vanessa Skipper, Vice President, BFT.
1:16:41 I asked a few questions of our teachers today about their
1:16:44 technology needs.
1:16:45 I know that we’re starting to be in evaluation season, so
1:16:51 administrators will be giving evaluations,
1:16:54 and I’d like to ask all of our administrators district-wide to
1:16:59 really think about the technology
1:17:02 limitations that each teacher might have, and also the idea that
1:17:07 some of our teachers have improved
1:17:09 their technology in their classroom by spending money out of
1:17:12 their own pocket, and by spending money
1:17:15 that actually doesn’t qualify under state statute for the CSAP
1:17:18 funds.
1:17:19 I also want them to take a step back and realize that
1:17:24 their teachers are experiencing something that they never
1:17:28 experienced in the classroom.
1:17:30 One of the things I draw from when I try to help a teacher in
1:17:32 the role I’m in now
1:17:34 is my experience in the classroom, and that’s kind of hard right
1:17:37 now because I’ve never been in our
1:17:40 teacher’s shoes like they are right now. So I asked three
1:17:44 questions. I’m not going to be able to get
1:17:47 through everything, but I’d be happy to share the data that I
1:17:50 received. So one of the questions I asked
1:17:53 was what technology have you purchased with your own money that
1:17:56 you think would be helpful if the district
1:17:57 was able to purchase it. And we have wireless headsets. It’ll
1:18:03 make it easier to hear to take one-on-one
1:18:07 assessments in breakout rooms without my in-person students
1:18:10 hearing the answers or getting distracted.
1:18:13 Purchased a laptop stand that elevates my laptop higher,
1:18:18 iPad stand, monthly subscriptions like vocabulary, extra
1:18:26 monitors teachers have purchased to display
1:18:28 Zoom windows, screen being shared, any other program you may
1:18:32 need, ClassDojo, etc.
1:18:33 They also said, I asked what do you think every classroom should
1:18:41 have to bring it up to date with
1:18:42 the year 2020. And a lot of teachers answered one-on-one
1:18:46 technology. Interactive whiteboard,
1:18:50 new laptops that actually work. Wi-Fi wireless headsets, smart
1:18:55 boards are similar wireless remote
1:18:57 clicker style. They talked about technology infrastructure to be
1:19:02 able to manage the wireless platform,
1:19:05 the technology, the textbooks, the tools that they do have, but
1:19:09 feel that they’re bogged down with
1:19:12 the internet with everybody obviously online. Somebody actually
1:19:17 mentioned that the majority of their
1:19:20 school has chalkboards still. And I did not ask for schools, so
1:19:24 I’m curious to find out which one that one is.
1:19:27 Computer equipment, better laptops, sorry, I’m trying to use
1:19:35 technology right here and it’s not working. But, you know, these
1:19:41 are all things
1:19:42 that I think we need to ask the teachers for. So, once we go to
1:19:45 actually buy technology, if we
1:19:47 have money in the future to do that, we need to actually ask the
1:19:50 teachers that are in the classroom
1:19:52 what they need to be able to function in this world. Thank you.
1:19:55 Thank you, Ms. Skipper.
1:19:56 David? David Sturdar, Frutton Park, Florida, that’s gone to Tallahassee
1:20:06 and has had aides and the governor talk to me.
1:20:08 You know, my father was a principal at the same elementary
1:20:12 school he was as a child. He died
1:20:14 at 91. I’ve worked in funeral homes. My wife owned flower shops.
1:20:19 She taught flowers at a College of Lake
1:20:21 County that my dad’s superintendent started. College of Lake
1:20:24 County used to be called the College of
1:20:26 Last Chance in Lake County, Illinois. It’s a mega campus now. I
1:20:30 came fourth in school,
1:20:33 fourth year of the school. We came second in the country on the
1:20:35 golf team. A wise teacher makes
1:20:38 learning a joy and my father would still get letters from
1:20:42 doctors and lawyers that got their jobs. He
1:20:44 didn’t even go to my ball games. I played for the tallest team
1:20:47 ever come out of Illinois. Dr. Mullins,
1:20:49 it’s nice to meet you. My dad’s superintendent was A.J. Katzenbeier.
1:20:53 They had the A.J. Katzenbeier
1:20:54 golf tournament. I won it. We have, you know, nowadays we have
1:20:59 to thank the officers that are
1:21:01 taking protection for our, there’s a lot of things that we got
1:21:03 to do different. With COVID,
1:21:06 with officers. Sheriff Ivey called me directly today in Mr.
1:21:09 Smith’s office. He was just at the
1:21:11 commissioner’s meeting next floor. My father, that’s him right
1:21:14 there. My mother’s still alive. She’s 92.
1:21:18 And that lion represents my uncle Paul, the Illinois race card
1:21:21 chairman, Safari Hunter. You know,
1:21:23 I’m worried about our elections. A house divided against itself
1:21:26 cannot stand. I learned myself,
1:21:29 my teachers, ended up being mayors of Waukegan, Illinois, Jack
1:21:33 Finney hometown.
1:21:34 Hague Parabote was my, one of my best teachers. Hague, well, the
1:21:41 teacher that taught me how to drive a
1:21:44 car. He ended up being a mayor too. And he had a Minkrat. You
1:21:47 know, I may be appointed to St.
1:21:49 John’s River Water Management District. I’m trying to teach you
1:21:51 a lot of information. I’m worried
1:21:53 about our kids’ future. I got a bottle bill in front of the
1:21:56 government. Right here in Bavard County,
1:21:58 how do you vote for the president? You know, supervisor of
1:22:02 elections, electing the president.
1:22:04 You know, our country’s in trouble. I am a Trump supporter.
1:22:09 Republicans and Democrats have ruined our
1:22:11 country. In Kenosha, Wisconsin, my friend’s businesses are
1:22:14 burning, are dead. And it’s ridiculous.
1:22:18 I’ve been, you know, I, a bird man. My dad had purple markings.
1:22:23 I love nature. I’m part of
1:22:25 Alcoxidomics. There’s an Alateen program. There’s too much
1:22:27 drinking and drugging. Some kids have to go to
1:22:30 Salvation Army to get their utilities paid by their parents.
1:22:33 Some parents are ridiculous. Maybe not in
1:22:36 your community, but around the state. I have a map here. I’ve
1:22:39 been all over the state. I used to work
1:22:41 at Leesburg High School. Mark Palmer, head of security. I got
1:22:44 his card. He’s still a federal marshal for
1:22:46 the Supreme Court of Florida. He’s got such a personality. I’ve
1:22:50 gone to school board meetings.
1:22:52 Wake County, Souther County. And I’m a concerned citizen,
1:22:55 worried about our kids’ future.
1:22:57 I’ve been told by a NASA scientist, our rocks already gone.
1:23:00 Friends of mine were airline pilots. They
1:23:03 don’t, their sons don’t make the money they used to. No, I, my
1:23:06 sister was a teacher. Elementary. She’s
1:23:09 retired. Kindergarten teacher. Had the best classroom that could
1:23:12 have. Thank you so much for joining us this
1:23:15 evening. We appreciate you being here. Thank you. Okay, the
1:23:24 board wishes to thank our speakers from
1:23:27 this evening. Your willingness to speak to the board is much
1:23:30 appreciated and your time to join us. Did any
1:23:32 board members need to address any? Ms. Campbell? Yes, really
1:23:37 quick. Mr. Colucci, and I can give you the name of
1:23:39 the school before you leave. But I, I know that you know this
1:23:44 and I know this and most people in the
1:23:46 room this, but I want to just clarify there are still a few
1:23:49 teachers in the district, including one
1:23:51 representative, a building representative, who is thinking that
1:23:55 the minimum is only going to be for
1:23:57 the brand new teachers. So, I just want to clarify, and I know
1:24:01 you have probably said it many, many times,
1:24:04 but there are still a few people who are not realizing that when
1:24:07 we set that new minimum,
1:24:09 that that is the new minimum for everyone. And the reason why I
1:24:11 specifically bring it up,
1:24:12 and I was pulling up my spreadsheet that I, you know, I worked
1:24:14 real hard on last year sent to you.
1:24:15 We have teachers who have, depending on if they got an effective
1:24:19 or highly effective, who have been
1:24:21 with the district for more than 10 years who could still be
1:24:24 under that minimum. So, I just want to make
1:24:26 sure that everybody understands, even though we’ve said it
1:24:28 before, that once that new minimum is set,
1:24:30 that is everybody raising up to the minimum and not just brand
1:24:34 new to our district. So, I’ll, I’ll tell you
1:24:38 what, which school it was, but just might know that that’s still
1:24:41 floating around out there. Thank you.
1:24:42 Ms. Dukovic?
1:24:44 I’m curious about what Alan was, um, I know that we brought this
1:24:50 up for discussion, or, you know,
1:24:52 Mr. Susan has brought this up, uh, but I was not aware that we
1:24:56 moved forward with soul sourcing to
1:24:58 space coast daily, or is there some. Ms. Moore is approaching
1:25:03 the, no, she’s not approaching.
1:25:06 Well, I was just, I, I texted her while, uh, Mr. Allen was
1:25:10 speaking. We are not currently seeking
1:25:12 a soul source for broadcasting. So, I believe, uh, this
1:25:15 gentleman has incorrect information and would
1:25:17 direct him to speak with Ms. Moore. Okay. So, I would, I, I
1:25:22 personally would like just a little bit of
1:25:24 the correct information. Do you know it or should we ask Ms.
1:25:26 Moore just to kind of. Ms. Moore would have
1:25:28 the best, you know, information. We are working through the
1:25:32 policy now and we have made, um,
1:25:36 individuals who have met the minimum requirements of background
1:25:39 check and the insurance requirements.
1:25:41 Uh, they have been provided access to athletic events. Ms. Moore?
1:25:45 Ms. Moore. Um, yeah. So, what we’re working on right now isn’t a
1:25:50 policy, it’s the procedures.
1:25:51 Um, so, we’re not, we’re not resetting policy and they are
1:25:54 procedures that have been in place for a
1:25:56 long time. When we went back to review them, we realized two
1:25:59 things. Number one, uh, we don’t believe
1:26:01 they’ve been followed to the letter, um, or even closely. Um,
1:26:04 and number two, they really shouldn’t be
1:26:07 applied in, uh, times when we are setting a, uh, a limit to the
1:26:11 people who can watch our games.
1:26:14 Ms. Moore. So, we took a look at it and said, okay, here are the
1:26:16 two minimum standards. We want background
1:26:18 screening, we want insurance. And we asked everybody who wanted
1:26:22 to come in and, and do live streaming
1:26:24 to meet those two standards. Uh, I’m not sure why Ellen hasn’t
1:26:27 been able to, uh, go in and start
1:26:29 streaming yet if he’s met those two standards. Um, but we’ll
1:26:32 meet afterward and we’ll talk. I, I haven’t,
1:26:35 uh, been aware of anybody that’s been denied access who have met
1:26:38 those two standards. Uh, we haven’t
1:26:40 denied anybody access who represent, um, our, our local news
1:26:45 newspapers. So, right now, we, we’ve basically
1:26:50 said, here’s our minimum standards and we want you to come in.
1:26:53 We want to be able to televise and
1:26:55 live stream and, you know, provide our, our community with
1:26:59 access to our games, especially since we’re
1:27:02 limiting our gates. Okay. That’s the, what I got out of our last
1:27:05 conversation, a workshop or wherever
1:27:07 we discussed it. So, I was just surprised to hear that Mr. Allen
1:27:10 was having trouble. So, hopefully,
1:27:11 with the two of you connect, that can get worked out. Sure.
1:27:13 Matter of fact, I texted, uh, uh,
1:27:15 our assistant director Ramjet, uh, Andrew Ramjet, Dr. Andrew Ramjet.
1:27:18 And I said, I need you to watch
1:27:20 the school board. I need you to listen to what Alan said and
1:27:22 figure out what’s going on there. So,
1:27:23 I know he’s already working on it, but I’ll, I’ll meet you in
1:27:26 the back. Thank you so much. Yeah,
1:27:27 you bet. Thank you, Ms. Moore. And Ms. Moore, we are moving
1:27:30 forward with a policy eventually. It’s
1:27:32 just that the procedure is a quicker way to get our pieces in
1:27:36 place, right? Um, I take direction from,
1:27:39 from you guys on policies that you want reviewed. So, um, right
1:27:42 now we’re working on procedure. And if
1:27:44 that’s what we said, I’ll just have to go back and take a look
1:27:46 at that. Yeah, yeah. We just, we were
1:27:47 looking forward to a policy and a procedure, procedure in the
1:27:50 short run, because we were up against
1:27:52 the back. Right. I think that the policies in the long run, and
1:27:54 we had said that a background check and
1:27:56 insurance, which is standard, along with open access for people.
1:28:00 And then I think there was some, um,
1:28:01 talk about possibly charging per game and we were going back and
1:28:04 forth, but that’s for discussion when the
1:28:06 policy comes forward. So you’ve done everything that we asked
1:28:09 you to do so far. Um, I just did want
1:28:11 to just kind of mention to you that I think the board direction
1:28:13 was to bring back a policy so we
1:28:14 could workshop it and move forward in the future to come. That’s
1:28:17 all. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Moore.
1:28:21 Um, any other comments on public comments, comments, questions,
1:28:29 requests for follow-ups? Ms. Belford and
1:28:31 members of the board, I would like to just clarify and offer to
1:28:34 the parents of a Westshore student,
1:28:37 we do not have a BPS COVID protocol. It is a Department of
1:28:41 Health guided quarantine protocol. We do take,
1:28:45 we do confer with directly with the Department of Health and we
1:28:48 work very closely to determine what
1:28:50 the quarantine requirements are. They do have an appeal process,
1:28:55 uh, that, that can be taken advantage of.
1:28:58 As my understanding, the parents have done that, but that’s
1:29:01 something that is overseen by the Department of
1:29:03 Health. We, we, uh, we work closely to follow their direction.
1:29:07 Um, I also wanted to give,
1:29:09 hopefully I’m not going to over promise and under deliver, but,
1:29:13 um, I want to, I want to acknowledge
1:29:15 and validate Ms. Skipper’s concerns about our teachers and
1:29:18 technology. I’ve visited, um, a handful of
1:29:21 schools over the last two or three weeks and ask a lot of the
1:29:24 same questions. What are you experiencing?
1:29:26 If you had something, what would you, you know, to help with
1:29:29 technology, what would you need? Some
1:29:31 of the same things Ms. Skipper, uh, identified. In that time
1:29:35 period, I was in conversation with Frank
1:29:38 Gabate County manager across the street. He said that they
1:29:41 continue to have care, uh, excuse me, cares act
1:29:44 funds available that we could make another submission of ask. Mr.
1:29:49 Novelli has been working with, uh, schools
1:29:51 across the district. We’ve identified some additional technology
1:29:54 support that we are pursuing hope and
1:29:57 hopes that it’ll be funded by the county. So I just wanted to
1:29:59 make you aware we are already looking into
1:30:01 that to try and get some additional supports for our teachers.
1:30:04 Hopefully in the coming weeks. I, I would
1:30:06 share that I believe Mr. Cheatham, do we still have, I’ll say
1:30:12 hundreds of computers on order waiting?
1:30:15 We’re kind of stuck in the supply chain as well. Thousands of
1:30:18 laptop computers. Um, you know, that’s a
1:30:22 gridlock that we’re experiencing across the street. We got in
1:30:25 early, we got in quickly, but we’re, we’re still
1:30:28 waiting for them to, to receive. I think we got a few hundred of
1:30:31 them out in the last couple weeks,
1:30:33 didn’t we? Uh, so we’re, we’re continuing to work through it,
1:30:36 understand the, the challenge and we’ll
1:30:38 continue to do everything we can for the teachers as they manage
1:30:41 those dual platforms, many of them.
1:30:43 I think that was it. Thank you. Thank you for that, uh,
1:30:50 clarification, Dr. Mullins. We appreciate it.
1:30:53 All right. This is going to move us into the consent agenda. Dr.
1:30:57 Mullins.
1:30:57 There are seven agenda items under this category. Does any board
1:31:04 member wish to pull any item from
1:31:05 the consent agenda? Saying not, I’ll entertain a motion to
1:31:10 approve the consent agenda as.
1:31:12 Move to approve. Second. Moved by Ms. Deskovich. Seconded by Ms.
1:31:16 McDougall. Is there any discussion?
1:31:19 Please vote.
1:31:20 The motion passes five, zero.
1:31:47 We are now moving on to the action agenda. Dr. Mullins.
1:31:49 Ms. Balfour and members of the board. Item G18 is on department
1:31:55 school initiated agreements.
1:31:56 What are the wishes of the board?
1:31:57 Move to approve.
1:31:58 Second.
1:31:59 Moved by Mr. Susan. Who’s the second?
1:32:01 I do.
1:32:02 Ms. McDougall. Second. Any discussion?
1:32:04 Please vote.
1:32:15 The motion passes five, zero.
1:32:28 Dr. Mullins.
1:32:30 Item G19 is on procurement solicitations.
1:32:35 What are the wishes of the board?
1:32:36 Move to approve.
1:32:37 Second.
1:32:38 Moved by Mr. Susan.
1:32:39 Seconded by Ms. Campbell.
1:32:41 The motion passes five, zero.
1:32:57 We are now at the information items.
1:32:57 These items may be brought back later.
1:32:57 However, there will be no action taken on these items this
1:32:58 evening.
1:32:58 There are three items under this category this evening.
1:33:13 Does any board member wish to discuss any of the information
1:33:15 items?
1:33:16 I’d just like to say thank you to the legislative one minute.
1:33:19 Mr. Brune is going to address that with us on staff report at
1:33:26 the end.
1:33:26 I think it’s kind of exciting to recognize our two teachers who
1:33:34 were asked to serve on the
1:33:38 State Regional Literacy Directors through CARES Act funding and
1:33:46 so they’re going to be helping
1:33:48 the state.
1:33:49 They were chosen statewide in our region, correct?
1:33:50 But they were chosen.
1:33:53 And that is Whitney Augustine and Tamara Thatcher.
1:33:56 So thank you ladies for being willing to serve not just our
1:33:59 county, but our state,
1:34:00 our region, and our literacy efforts to catch everybody up and
1:34:04 move them forward.
1:34:05 Thank you Ms. Campbell for that recognition.
1:34:08 Any other discussion around information items?
1:34:10 All right.
1:34:12 At this time, our Chief Strategic Communications Officer, Russ
1:34:15 Brune,
1:34:15 will review with us a copy of the legislative priorities draft.
1:34:19 Good evening school board, superintendent.
1:34:26 This is a draft review of the 2021 legislative agenda for the
1:34:32 Brevard School District to take
1:34:34 the Tallahassee.
1:34:35 There’s a total of five items for a review.
1:34:38 The first one is pre-K teachers to be included as classroom
1:34:42 teachers,
1:34:43 creating consistency between the pre-K and K-12 teachers.
1:34:46 The goal is to look at a study to see the impact on pre-K
1:34:52 teachers that would help guide
1:34:53 the state and the district in creating consistency.
1:34:55 We request a study during the 2021 legislative session.
1:34:59 It could be requested by the Senate President or the House
1:35:03 Speaker and request a Florida
1:35:05 School Board Association support with this agenda item.
1:35:08 The second item is redefining classroom teachers to include all
1:35:14 instructional personnel.
1:35:15 The goal is, as districts have found, the state’s definition of
1:35:19 a classroom teacher
1:35:20 does not include vital educators like media specialists,
1:35:23 counselors, and other instructional personnel.
1:35:27 The action would be to discuss this request with our local
1:35:30 delegation for input and support,
1:35:32 and also request support from the Florida School Boards
1:35:35 Association.
1:35:36 Item number three, school security requests funding for the
1:35:41 school guardian training program.
1:35:44 The mandate to have armed and trained personnel in our school
1:35:46 remains,
1:35:47 but after this year, the funding for training and equipment will
1:35:51 not be there.
1:35:51 It’s vital to secure a funding source from the state.
1:35:55 Action item for that, again, discuss with the local delegation,
1:36:00 and the state Florida School Board Association.
1:36:02 Also get a letter of support from the Brevard County Sheriff’s
1:36:06 Office.
1:36:07 Number four, evacuation drills, quality over quantity.
1:36:13 The goal is to reduce the number of evacuation drills during the
1:36:16 school year,
1:36:16 while increasing the effectiveness of each drill.
1:36:18 This would make the drills more effective for students and staff,
1:36:22 and would reduce disruptions for the school day.
1:36:27 Action for that would be, again, get with the local delegation
1:36:30 to get their input and support,
1:36:32 and also request help from the Florida School Board Association.
1:36:35 And number five, the final one,
1:36:38 request resources for district social workers and mental health
1:36:41 experts.
1:36:42 The goal, funding to support social workers and mental health
1:36:47 experts inside schools.
1:36:48 Funds could be new or redirected from our organization to assist
1:36:51 these district leaders.
1:36:53 Those are the five items.
1:36:55 Any questions or comments?
1:36:56 Thank you, sir.
1:36:57 Our board members have questions or comments?
1:36:59 I know we discussed these, and these were kind of all settled
1:37:01 upon,
1:37:02 but number five concerns me the way it is presented for a couple
1:37:07 reasons.
1:37:08 One, we’ve met with legislators enough to know that an open-ended
1:37:12 give me more money,
1:37:13 like, makes them angry.
1:37:15 We need to, I think we need to fine tune this to a very specific
1:37:18 ask.
1:37:19 We have the need for sure, but just an open-ended give me, give
1:37:23 me, they get frustrated and there’s no,
1:37:25 it’s not quantified.
1:37:27 I don’t even know what to look for and they just ignore it.
1:37:29 So if we’re serious about number five, which I think we are,
1:37:33 I like that we suggest, well, I also am a little concerned
1:37:37 redirect from the organization.
1:37:39 What does that, what does that mean?
1:37:41 Does that mean we’re asking them to take money out of one of our
1:37:43 pots?
1:37:43 That’s already short, I’m sure, and put it in this pot.
1:37:47 We have to clarify this before this goes before our legislators.
1:37:52 Just, I had a chance opportunity to look at the preliminary
1:37:59 budget based on legislative budget
1:38:01 requests.
1:38:02 It appears as though the mental health allocation that the state
1:38:06 has committed to over the last
1:38:07 several years, well, it’s very early in the process and cycle,
1:38:11 but it is funded at the rate
1:38:13 that it’s been funded in the past without an increase for 2021-22.
1:38:18 We’ll take a closer look at that again and perhaps we look at
1:38:20 what the increase has been
1:38:22 over the last couple of years and target a increase in the
1:38:25 mental health allocation,
1:38:27 which gives us the opportunity to direct those dollars to in our
1:38:30 mental health plan that we submit
1:38:32 to the state to apply it to that area.
1:38:35 So we could get much more specific in that area.
1:38:37 Do you mean like a percent, like an X percent?
1:38:40 Okay.
1:38:40 Correct.
1:38:41 Anything like that.
1:38:41 Anything with a little bit more specificity, you know, so that
1:38:44 they can
1:38:44 understand what we’re asking for and how we’re going to use it
1:38:48 just to say,
1:38:49 give us more money for mental health.
1:38:50 I don’t know, fund us 10% more for 24, whatever the numbers are.
1:38:54 We need 24 counselors because we only have one.
1:38:57 Most of my beach, all of my beach side schools do not have a
1:39:00 social worker.
1:39:01 And so, you know, one per four schools would be great.
1:39:05 Something, you know, anything better than what we have just so
1:39:07 that there’s some,
1:39:08 they can see where the gap and where the problems are.
1:39:10 I think that Mr. Bruin, just since we’re in discussion, if you
1:39:13 don’t mind, I think it could
1:39:14 be helpful that we, we provide a look at what the mental health
1:39:18 allocation does provide for our schools.
1:39:20 Now, there may be a misconception that that provides a social
1:39:25 worker for every school to the legislators,
1:39:27 because they see millions of dollars being allocated.
1:39:29 So we’ll get much more granular and specific to Brevard public
1:39:33 schools and what the current allocation provides.
1:39:35 And then what a recommendation is to grow it, knowing that we
1:39:40 can’t fix it in one year.
1:39:41 That wouldn’t be perfect.
1:39:42 Thank you.
1:39:43 And I think, too, where the language came on directing it from
1:39:48 other areas was one of the things that we had
1:39:50 talked about in that meeting was looking and seeing if there are
1:39:54 other outside of the education budget
1:39:56 from the state.
1:39:58 Right, but that’s not what this says.
1:39:59 Right.
1:39:59 That sounds like take it from our whatever security officers and
1:40:02 move it over to mental health or,
1:40:04 you know, wherever they want to pull it from.
1:40:05 We just have to be more clear.
1:40:06 But I think that there’s still an opportunity to perhaps have
1:40:09 that conversation with our legislators
1:40:10 about dollars that may be outside the education budget that
1:40:13 could be directed to that additional support.
1:40:16 Maybe even asking that some of those organizations be directed
1:40:20 to to jump in to what we’re doing
1:40:24 and then be some of those be resources for us in addition to or
1:40:28 instead of or in addition to the
1:40:30 roles that they’re already playing.
1:40:31 I say that knowing that the mental health professionals across
1:40:33 our state in every field are very stretched
1:40:36 very thin right now.
1:40:37 Yes, absolutely.
1:40:40 I, a few weeks ago we had, when Native Francis presented to us
1:40:45 the data for, and we started
1:40:50 talking about accountability, we had mentioned that, and I don’t
1:40:56 know if this is legislative or
1:40:58 Department of Education, but about asking that this year’s, when
1:41:03 we have our standardized testing and
1:41:05 all of that, that this year’s become a new baseline and we kind
1:41:09 of have a hold harmless.
1:41:10 Dr. Mullins, would that be more of a DOE thing?
1:41:13 I believe it would be a State Board of Education rule.
1:41:17 Would it have to be done legislatively, Dr. Mullins?
1:41:19 Okay.
1:41:20 So we did talk about that.
1:41:22 We’ll, we’ll include it.
1:41:23 It’s certainly, I think we talked about it at Cabinet as well,
1:41:26 that we would look for an allowance.
1:41:27 It just, it affects so many things.
1:41:28 It affects, you know, teacher recognition, school recognition,
1:41:32 you know, all kinds of funding things.
1:41:35 I mean, I think our, our students are going to do an amazing job,
1:41:38 but across the state,
1:41:39 I mean, we’ve all, it’s been a struggle.
1:41:41 And I think it would be a great year, especially since we do not
1:41:43 have accountability for last year,
1:41:45 to say this year is going to be our new baseline and we have a
1:41:47 hold harmless, so.
1:41:48 So just to clarify, if I understand correct, make sure we’re all
1:41:53 on the same page.
1:41:54 We would, we would advocate for student achievement, but we
1:42:00 would ask that any sanctions related to
1:42:03 student achievement be waived for 20, 2021.
1:42:06 Right.
1:42:07 So that we have this year to compare it to.
1:42:10 Correct.
1:42:11 Right.
1:42:13 Because, I mean, if we have a school, we have, we have schools
1:42:15 all across the state that all of a sudden
1:42:17 become DRF schools and it’s because of, you know, current
1:42:20 circumstances, that is extremely unfair.
1:42:23 As Ms. Francis presented, we have concerns over what the school
1:42:31 grading realities are going to be
1:42:33 because they’re using the, if you remember the prior, prior year
1:42:37 for learning gains and so on.
1:42:39 We’re, we’ve got some concerns related to industry certification
1:42:42 and, and, you know, students going
1:42:45 two years and we’re losing a whole grade level of learning gains
1:42:48 because there’ll be no learning
1:42:49 gains for fourth grade this year. So I think it’s a very
1:42:54 appropriate priority for us legislatively.
1:42:57 Thank you.
1:42:59 And I’m, I’m guessing you’ll work through that with our leading
1:43:03 and learning folks who
1:43:04 have their heads super wrapped around all of the potential
1:43:08 impacts of that ask.
1:43:09 Absolutely.
1:43:10 I don’t want them, I don’t want it to hurt us in the long run
1:43:14 because we’re like,
1:43:16 it would be great if they would still give us the money that
1:43:18 they would normally give us for
1:43:20 doing good things, having good numbers, but not hold us
1:43:25 accountable, you know,
1:43:26 in the instances it goes the other way.
1:43:28 Sure.
1:43:29 I just hate for them to say, well, okay, then we just won’t give
1:43:33 any additional dollars for AP,
1:43:35 IB or ACE this year, or, you know, craziness like that.
1:43:38 We have to be careful what we ask for.
1:43:41 You’re going to go, right?
1:43:42 We’ll definitely follow up.
1:43:43 Do you have anything to say?
1:43:44 Oh, I’m so sorry.
1:43:48 With the social work, I know that I stepped out for a few
1:43:54 minutes with the social work,
1:43:54 but I, I think if we can look at, and I’m sure Ms. Morris
1:44:00 department has already have some of this
1:44:02 information about the value and the data that shows the value
1:44:06 that a social worker brings for education.
1:44:10 As we all know, excuse me, that a student will not be able to
1:44:16 learn if there is social emotional issues
1:44:20 that he brings to school or she brings to school.
1:44:23 We all know that.
1:44:24 So how do we, I think we need to educate our legislatures so
1:44:28 that they know that.
1:44:29 Because I’m not sure everybody’s familiar with that.
1:44:33 So that’s kind of a great point.
1:44:34 Ms. McDougall, thank you.
1:44:35 Ms. McDougall, I, I will make a suggestion to that, that item.
1:44:40 I know that the first lady has, has, this is mental health is
1:44:44 one of her,
1:44:45 her passions and projects, and she’s had several round tables
1:44:51 recently regarding this.
1:44:52 So if there’s a way for us to kind of match the language that
1:44:55 she’s using, that might be helpful.
1:44:59 Does capital city lobby the first lady?
1:45:01 They will soon.
1:45:04 Yes.
1:45:04 Can we get them to lobby her instead of the legislative?
1:45:06 She probably has a little more pull.
1:45:09 All right.
1:45:10 Mr. Susan, anything from you?
1:45:13 Yeah, I just wanted to say thank you so much to the staff and
1:45:16 everybody else involved
1:45:17 in making the pre-k issue one of our goals.
1:45:20 It’s been a long haul and as we’ve looked at all the different
1:45:24 issues, this is the right path.
1:45:26 Some of the pre-k teachers that are out there right now are
1:45:29 going to say, well, wait a minute,
1:45:31 what is opago? What is it that we’re doing? What is the study
1:45:33 that you’re putting together?
1:45:34 There are so many issues with pre-k that if you try to take one
1:45:38 singularly or another one,
1:45:40 you end up on a quest that will take 30 years. And what this
1:45:44 study does is it wraps the entire system
1:45:46 around and makes a study based on how to improve and how to
1:45:50 bring forward the pre-k teachers.
1:45:52 And it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically happening. We are
1:45:54 going to request this.
1:45:55 So they’re still going to need to make a lobbying effort to move
1:45:58 forward.
1:45:59 But the opago study is the step in the right direction.
1:46:02 And I think that I am so happy and proud that you guys came
1:46:05 forward.
1:46:06 There is one addition that I’d like to put down there, which is
1:46:09 letter D,
1:46:09 superintendents association recommendation. See if we can’t go
1:46:14 after them too.
1:46:16 Because I think everybody, when you talk to them across the
1:46:18 board, early learning development is there.
1:46:21 And pre-k is our identifier for that. And I wanted to say thank
1:46:25 you. I think that this is amazing. And I
1:46:27 think that we’re going to move forward along with all the other
1:46:29 pieces in here, the classroom teachers
1:46:31 that are not being identified, have our funding for security
1:46:35 specialists on and on. We did a good job.
1:46:37 This one, I promise you, is a whole lot better than some of the
1:46:40 other ones that people are putting out
1:46:41 there because we put our time into it and we do a great job. So
1:46:43 I wanted to say thank you. That’s it.
1:46:45 Oh, wait. I called the, I have the pre-k teachers online and
1:46:49 they were, they wanted me to
1:46:52 let you guys know that they appreciated it. So they were
1:46:54 cheering here.
1:46:58 Just wanted to let you know that there’s a bunch of them. They’re
1:47:03 all in, they’re all in support
1:47:04 right now. So thank you. Thank you, Mr. Susan. Um, need
1:47:09 direction as we have to submit our platform
1:47:12 request to FSBA by next week. Um, do you all suggest that we put
1:47:18 forward all, it’s six now, right? We added one.
1:47:21 Are we limited? Um, I don’t think we’re limited. I think we
1:47:27 could probably submit all six and then
1:47:30 see what sticks and what doesn’t stick. I mean, it doesn’t
1:47:32 impact our, our local legislative platform.
1:47:35 It just impacts, you know, what they will, will be rallying
1:47:39 around as a state organization. So
1:47:42 I would suggest that we go ahead and submit all of them and see
1:47:46 what gets through and what maybe looks,
1:47:48 you know, the same as other districts that are bringing forward
1:47:51 recommendations.
1:47:51 If you guys are good with that. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. So I will
1:47:57 follow up with Mr. Brune and we will,
1:47:59 we’ve got some forms we have to fill out for submission and make
1:48:02 sure that we get the,
1:48:03 the language cleaned up and, and all of that fun stuff. And then
1:48:06 we’ll get that submitted next week.
1:48:08 Okay. Dr. Mullins, Mr. Brune, did you need any additional
1:48:11 direction from the board?
1:48:13 Good. We’re good. Thank you for your feedback. Thank you. I
1:48:15 would just add, I want to,
1:48:16 you know, my, my appreciation of Mr. Brune as well. He, the OPAGA
1:48:20 thing is a little different than
1:48:22 what we’ve, uh, you know, an approach we’ve taken in the past
1:48:25 with our legislative priorities.
1:48:27 That wasn’t, we didn’t make that up. Uh, we reached it. The
1:48:30 board suggested contacting
1:48:31 capital city or lobbyists. Mr. Brune met with Scott raw, Scott
1:48:35 or net Scott, uh, Ross last week. And they,
1:48:39 we talked through what we’re trying to accomplish and the best
1:48:42 route to get there. And Mr. Ross
1:48:44 recommended the OPAGA route. So, uh, really gave us some good
1:48:47 direction on that. So thank you,
1:48:49 Mr. Brune, for doing that. And I think, uh, just to, you know,
1:48:52 uh, echo Mr. Susan’s sentiments,
1:48:54 I think we’re heading in a good direction for our pre-K folks.
1:48:57 And if I can just say, you know,
1:49:00 Mr. Brune, how long have you been with us now? A month maybe.
1:49:03 How’s it been a month? It’s been fun.
1:49:05 Um, talk about hit the ground running and, and really stepping
1:49:09 up to the plate. We appreciate you
1:49:11 rushing this through to meet that deadline and, um, doing all
1:49:14 the legwork that you had to do to be
1:49:16 prepared for tonight. We appreciate it. Thank you so much. Ms.
1:49:19 Tuskovich. Um, usually in years prior,
1:49:22 we have voted on our legislative agenda. Are we planning on
1:49:24 voting on this? Or what,
1:49:28 is there a reason it’s not on the agenda to be voted on tonight?
1:49:30 Um, just, this is the first
1:49:33 opportunity that the, the board has had to see what was put
1:49:37 together. Okay. So I think some, some
1:49:40 conversation and fine tuning, and then we can always bring it
1:49:44 back for a vote. Of course,
1:49:46 it’s a late session. So we probably won’t even be meeting with
1:49:50 them until
1:49:52 February, January. We should start early December this year.
1:50:00 Okay. We need, we needed it for our FSBA
1:50:02 because that’s due next week. Right. Um, well, committee weeks
1:50:06 are December. Then we should have
1:50:08 the luncheon if we’re still going to have a luncheon soon. Like
1:50:11 that should be. Do you want to bring it
1:50:12 back? So yeah, I don’t, most of them probably are not going to
1:50:16 be available until after the election
1:50:18 because for sure that, you know, they’re still focused there. Um,
1:50:21 well, you want to make sure
1:50:23 it’s the same ones. You don’t want to meet with them before the
1:50:26 election. Yeah. Yeah.
1:50:28 And them not be the ones you need to lobby. So, um, that gives
1:50:31 us a small window between,
1:50:33 you know, November 3rd and December when they’re going to start
1:50:37 committee weeks. But we’ve, we’ve talked a little bit about,
1:50:40 you know, we might have to get creative with those, with the
1:50:43 legislative luncheon this year, just because
1:50:44 of all the restrictions. Um, so, but it’s already on his radar.
1:50:49 So. Okay. We, I have a, I was invited
1:50:52 to meet with, uh, Senator Wright. I don’t remember when it is.
1:50:56 Are you joining me on that one? It’s next week.
1:50:58 Next week. So we’ll have an opportunity to give him, if you will,
1:51:02 a sneak preview of what those items are and,
1:51:04 and, uh, just get some of these things on the radar as well. So.
1:51:07 Do we want to have a, I mean,
1:51:09 I know it’s not an agenda item for the night. Do we want to go
1:51:11 ahead and just move forward? I mean,
1:51:13 this is a tighter line than we thought. Can we wait? It sounds
1:51:15 like we all agree and it’s fine.
1:51:17 And just, I know in the past we’ve gotten in this one board
1:51:19 member doesn’t agree. We pull it off,
1:51:21 but it seems like we’re all on the same page on everything. So.
1:51:24 I’d like to wait at least
1:51:25 till we get that the language refined and get that last one on
1:51:28 there. Okay.
1:51:28 Okay. Cause that probably needs to go through leading and
1:51:31 learning to make sure we,
1:51:31 so we can do that by the next board meeting. Yeah. Are you going
1:51:36 to hand Senator Wright something
1:51:37 then when you know we’ll just make him aware verbally what some
1:51:40 of our, what’s coming, what’s coming. Okay.
1:51:43 So we will then bring the legislative platform back at the
1:51:50 October 27th. We’ll have it,
1:51:53 we’ll have it ready for the board at the next board meeting.
1:51:55 Super. Thank you. Anything else from the
1:51:57 board members before? Okay. Um, does any board member have
1:52:03 anything else they would like to report at
1:52:04 this time? Nope. Oh, I can’t believe it. No way. Seeing no
1:52:08 further. Oh, Dr. Mullins, did you have
1:52:10 anything else you wanted to report? No, ma’am. Thank you. Quick
1:52:13 hit the hammer. There being no further
1:52:15 business, this meeting is now adjourned. Have a great night.
1:52:23 We’ll see you next time.
1:52:45 Bye.