Updates on the Fight for Quality Public Education in Brevard County, FL
0:00 Thank you.
1:05 Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
1:07 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
1:14 and to the republic for
1:14 which it stands.
1:16 One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
1:22 all.
1:23 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
1:28 and to the republic for
1:30 which it stands.
1:31 One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
1:35 all.
1:36 At this time, I would like to offer my fellow board members and
1:41 Dr. Mullins an opportunity
1:43 to recognize students, staff, or members of the community who
1:45 would like to start us off
1:47 tonight.
1:48 Thank you.
1:49 I’ll go.
1:50 Ms. Jenkins.
1:51 Sorry.
1:52 Pull something up here.
1:53 No worries.
1:54 So today, I had the privilege and honor of participating with Revard
1:58 Achievement Center’s annual performance.
2:01 I actually got to perform with O’Galley High School’s two
2:04 classrooms, which was really, really
2:06 fun, and closed the show.
2:08 But I just wanted to give a shout-out to all of our schools that
2:11 participated.
2:12 So we had Johnson Middle, O’Galley High School, Kennedy Middle,
2:15 Rockledge High, Central Middle, Stone Magnet Middle, Southwest
2:19 Middle, and Space Coast Junior Senior.
2:21 I want to give a shout-out to all the people that were involved
2:23 to put that on today.
2:25 It was an amazing organization, as well as the King Center, who
2:29 opened their doors to them.
2:31 There was about 600 people in attendance, which is really,
2:34 really cool for those students and the adults that participated.
2:38 And I want to give a special shout-out to one performance that I
2:41 was trying to watch on the sidelines as much as I possibly could.
2:45 And she made me cry.
2:48 And Kelly Miller, she was a soloist.
2:51 She was a singer.
2:52 She sang Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”
2:55 And I literally was just kind of sobbing on the sideline.
2:58 I got to meet Mom and the director, Lee Swornson.
3:01 She used to be an ESC teacher for us here for Brevard Public
3:03 Schools at Ocean Breeze Elementary.
3:05 She is now working with Brevard Achievement Center.
3:07 She gave me a little bit of a history of Kelly.
3:11 And it’s really, really miraculous and impressive.
3:15 And that song is so fitting to who she was as a person.
3:18 Lee met her when she was four years old in VPK at Ocean Breeze
3:21 Elementary.
3:23 She was a nonverbal student.
3:25 And she moved on to Roy Allen to have a special program.
3:29 And then eventually over into Satellite High School where all of
3:32 her music teachers kind of gravitated towards her passion for
3:34 music.
3:35 And her ability to express herself through vocalizations and
3:38 through performance.
3:40 And hands down, I mean, she genuinely was a fantastic singer.
3:44 And so that was the most moving performance.
3:46 And I was so, so grateful to be there.
3:48 And again, thank you to Brevard Achievement Center for allowing
3:51 us to be there.
3:52 Ms. Belford was there.
3:54 And Dr. Mullins was there as well.
3:55 And, oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.
3:57 But Dr. Mullins and I were speaking afterwards.
4:00 So I’m going to throw this out there in the public.
4:02 You know, how I like to hold you accountable there.
4:04 And we were discussing how it would be really interesting if we
4:09 can try and fill the rest of that performance hall next year by
4:14 possibly figuring a way to incorporate some of our seniors at
4:17 those schools that are participating to come support their peers.
4:20 Maybe go out to some of those assisted living facilities and
4:22 kind of grab a bus and hop on with some of our seniors in the
4:25 community.
4:27 Have them come out for that free performance and really support
4:28 all of our kids in the community.
4:30 So, we’ll see what we can do next year.
4:32 Thanks.
4:35 Thank you, Ms. Jenkins.
4:36 I, since while we’re on that topic, I’ll just throw it out there.
4:40 The other thing that I suggested to Dr. Mullins today as we were
4:43 watching the performances, and Ms. Jenkins had the opportunity
4:46 to participate in the O’Galley performance, which was really
4:49 phenomenal.
4:50 If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, it’s going to be on
4:52 their website.
4:53 You should go and watch it because the message was just.
4:57 Absolutely amazing and what all of us needs to hear.
5:00 But I think it would be really fun if all of us joined in and
5:02 performed with a group of students next year.
5:05 So, as we, yeah, drums or dancing or, you know, there were all
5:09 sorts of different performances.
5:12 So, I think that would be a good thing.
5:14 You realize we’re going to ruin the performance.
5:16 Like, they’re good.
5:17 They are really good, but we can be in the back.
5:20 We don’t have to be front and center.
5:21 Okay, all right, I’m game.
5:22 Just like, they’re going to get angry at us for ruining their
5:23 stuff.
5:24 If we hide in the back, it’ll be fine.
5:25 All right.
5:26 Okay.
5:27 I’m game.
5:28 Thank you, Ms. Jenkins.
5:29 Who’s next this evening?
5:31 All right.
5:33 Mr. Susan.
5:34 Is Lindeman, is, I think Lindeman’s back there.
5:37 I saw him in there.
5:38 Lindeman, is he back there?
5:39 He’s in the hallway.
5:41 Listen, just so you guys know, we had a situation where some of
5:43 our tracks that we have going in,
5:46 and everybody knows that right now we are refurbishing all of
5:48 our tracks and putting them as rubberized over the next two
5:51 years.
5:52 Well, one of the problems we have is that in the infinite wisdom
5:54 of some of the people that previously were inside the school
5:57 district,
5:58 they decided to put in seven track lanes as opposed to eight,
6:01 which makes it very difficult to host FHSAA tournaments and
6:04 stuff like that, which would have inhibited us.
6:06 So at O’Galley High School, a group of parents called me, last
6:09 week it was, and said,
6:10 “Hey, Mr. Susan, did you know that they’re getting ready to
6:12 resurface the track and they’ve only got seven lanes?”
6:15 And I lost my mind because I was like, “How in the world are we
6:17 going to inhibit somebody for the next 30 years on their tracks
6:21 and not put eight lanes in there, right?”
6:24 So it caused all this commotion because of funding and where the
6:27 stands sit and everything else.
6:30 And lo and behold, what they found out was that FHSAA allows
6:34 from 32 inches to 42 inches to be a train width.
6:40 And we had 42 inches.
6:41 We were able to reduce the size down to 39 and be able to get
6:43 the eight lanes in.
6:45 So many of you guys, you know, that’s like, “Oh, gosh, that’s
6:48 common sense and stuff like that.”
6:50 But they literally had the parents at O’Galley not called.
6:53 Andrew Ramjet not jumped on it.
6:55 Dr. Mullins, I called him immediately.
6:57 He called Lindeman.
6:58 They all worked it out within two days.
6:59 Now we have a solution.
7:00 They’ll have eight lanes and they’ll be able to go.
7:02 And there’s been a solution for many of the other schools that
7:05 have the same issue, right?
7:07 So hats off to Mr. Lindeman.
7:09 Hats off to Ramjet.
7:10 Hats off to Dr. Mullins.
7:12 Thank you very much for doing that.
7:14 The other thing I wanted to do is there was a group of teachers
7:16 that met with me.
7:17 We have a – I always do this near the end of the year.
7:20 I meet with them and say, “Hey,” about 20 of them said, “Just
7:23 round table.
7:24 How’s it going in education?
7:25 How’s things going?
7:26 Tell me how we can help.
7:27 Tell me what we can do.”
7:28 And I just want to say they promised me not to say their names
7:30 because for one reason or another.
7:32 But I wanted to say thank you to them.
7:34 We all know that the current climate of education is not what it
7:36 was a couple years ago.
7:38 And we’re fighting.
7:39 And those teachers are on the front lines.
7:40 And I appreciate everything that those individuals brought to me
7:43 and told me that we need to do improve for next year.
7:45 So thank you very much.
7:46 And that’s all I got.
7:48 Thank you, Mr. Suze.
7:49 And Ms. Campbell.
7:50 All right.
7:51 Well, I have to start off.
7:53 I’m so excited for you guys tonight.
7:55 It’s just going to be – we’ve got all these wonderful people
7:57 out in the audience.
7:58 And I’m so excited.
7:59 But my first thing, I just have to take care of a piece of
8:01 business.
8:02 It’s not alive.
8:04 So we just finished at the end of April the district-wide 300-mile
8:10 walking challenge.
8:12 And I challenged the board to get involved.
8:16 And some of the people on the dais up here, you know, complied
8:20 and got with it.
8:21 But I have to say, we have to give props where props are due.
8:25 So Mr. Gibbs far and away stomped all of us with – the goal was
8:33 600,000 steps, which was about 300 miles, right, the way they
8:38 calculated it.
8:39 He had, last I checked, 1,255,649 steps, which is the equivalent
8:45 of 628 miles.
8:47 So for winning at least the board walking challenge, I present
8:52 you with this gold shoe trophy.
8:56 Thank you for playing along.
9:03 I won’t ask for it back.
9:04 Thank you.
9:05 There we go.
9:06 You have to keep it.
9:07 Maybe next year we’ll pass it around to the next winner.
9:10 All right.
9:11 So the next thing I want – some of you saw in the news a really
9:15 scary situation that happened
9:17 down in Palm Bay with a bus that caught fire.
9:20 And, you know, we do, according to state law, we do safety
9:23 drills at the beginning of every year.
9:26 And the students practice exiting safely.
9:28 And so one of our – I just wanted to give huge kudos to Miss
9:32 Janet, who is one of the bus drivers for Imagine Schools, and
9:36 one of our charter schools.
9:38 And the 40 students, elementary age students, who were safely –
9:42 got off the bus, followed instructions, lives were saved.
9:48 I just want to congratulate them because, you know, this makes
9:50 you want to go home and hug your kids a little tighter, what
9:53 could have happened.
9:54 So kudos to Miss Janet.
9:56 Kudos to those 40 students at Madison School.
9:58 I know that school community was really thankful for all that
10:01 happened there.
10:03 Saturday, we recognized – we had our retiree lunch.
10:08 I hope I’m not stealing your thunder.
10:10 Am I?
10:11 I’m going to steal it anyway.
10:12 It was so exciting.
10:13 And we recognized our retirees.
10:14 And, of course, we’re sad to see people go.
10:16 But it was exciting to see the years.
10:18 We had more – you know, at least 1,000 – wouldn’t you say –
10:21 years of experience collectively.
10:24 And we recognized three people in particular who were there who
10:27 had the longest tenure in our district.
10:30 And that was Mr. Robin Novelli, who is the administrator with
10:33 the most years of experience.
10:35 We talked about him last time.
10:36 He was retiring this summer with 36 years in Brevard.
10:40 We recognized Ms. Lisa Rogers, who is our teacher with the most
10:42 years of experience.
10:44 42 years working with ESE students in our district.
10:49 And then we recognized our support staff member with the most
10:51 years of experience.
10:53 And that was Gary Dean, also with 42 years.
10:56 He has been a carpenter in the district the whole entire time.
11:00 And so it’s kind of like you never see NBA players stay with the
11:02 same team through their whole careers.
11:04 I mean, not only was with this the whole career, but was in the
11:06 same position.
11:07 So huge congratulations to those three and all of the others who
11:09 were there that we were able to recognize.
11:13 And then finally, on Thursday of last week, we had our final
11:18 stop on the 2022 CTE Tour, where we have been highlighting the
11:24 career and technical programs all across our district.
11:27 And we went to Heritage and, you know, Go Big Blue, had a great
11:30 time with some community members showing off our wonderful
11:33 programs.
11:34 We saw the very unique, one of only two, and really the best one,
11:38 the first one in the state, water treatment programs.
11:41 We saw a manufacturing program.
11:45 And then we went to the medical, help me.
11:51 P&A.
11:53 Yeah.
11:54 Where they get, their certification is a certified medical
11:55 assistant, but they’re working to be like a medical tech.
11:58 And they were demonstrating the CPR skills that they have
12:00 learned.
12:01 They’ve already, all the students in that class had already
12:03 gotten their CPR certification.
12:05 And they were demonstrating it on a, like a, doll, dummy,
12:09 whatever you call it, model.
12:12 Not dummy.
12:13 That’s probably not the right term, but you know what I mean.
12:15 Not a real person.
12:17 And then they demonstrated it on a baby.
12:19 And then Dr. Mullins asked this question.
12:21 He said, have any of you in here had to use the skills you’ve
12:24 learned doing this?
12:26 And they all turned around to this one girl in the back.
12:30 And actually, Mr. Bruhn has a little video of what happened next.
12:35 I went to the bar road and I witnessed a crash that happened in
12:38 front of me.
12:39 And of course I, because you know what happened right in front
12:41 of me.
12:42 But once I realized that the man in the car, like he wasn’t
12:45 coming out the car, I went to go see.
12:47 And he was unresponsive.
12:48 So I took him out the car and checked for his pulse.
12:52 There was no pulse.
12:53 So I began CPR.
12:55 Wow.
13:02 So she just, you know, did CPR on some random guy in the
13:05 accident.
13:07 I just, so you know, she saved that man’s life.
13:11 And this is what our, this is what I have seen for me across our
13:14 CTE programs.
13:16 It’s not just the skills they’re getting, the confidence.
13:18 Because I’m telling you what, as a 16, 17, 18 year old, I would
13:21 have not had the confidence to,
13:24 I would have been driving by, saying a prayer, whatever.
13:27 But to think that not only do I have the skills, but I’m going
13:29 to put them into practice right
13:30 now to actually pull someone out of a car, do CPR until the EMTs
13:36 came.
13:37 It’s amazing.
13:38 So her name is Tachani Forrest.
13:42 And we invited her to come so we could recognize her tonight.
13:45 And she had a family situation where she couldn’t come.
13:47 But definitely want to recognize her, a student at Heritage High
13:50 School.
13:51 And her teacher, Miss Patricia Trotman, for the skills that she’s
13:54 imparted.
13:55 And just, I knew you guys would love that story.
13:58 I just have been thinking about it since last week.
14:00 So we’re super proud of Tachani, who’s not just, you know,
14:02 getting those skills,
14:04 but putting them into practice and having a huge impact on
14:06 someone else’s life.
14:08 And she said, and he’s good.
14:10 He went to the hospital and he’s fine.
14:11 So even had been able to follow up.
14:13 So congratulations to her and to the whole program for the good
14:16 work that they’re doing.
14:19 Thank you, Ms. Campbell.
14:21 Great stuff.
14:22 Ms. Kubel?
14:23 I really don’t have anything because Dr. Mullins is going to
14:26 talk about all the good things
14:27 in my district.
14:29 And I’m very excited for everybody in my district.
14:31 So I’m going to let you do that.
14:33 And with that, Dr. Mullins.
14:36 Well, first, I want to echo the sentiments of Saturday’s retiree
14:42 celebration.
14:43 And add some additional recognition.
14:46 If you can picture this room was converted into a hall of
14:49 celebration.
14:51 We had banners and we had balloons and we had party favors.
14:56 And we had probably close to 100 people in the room.
15:00 The honorees, those who are being recognized, they brought loved
15:03 ones with them.
15:05 And we celebrated together just the collective service to Brevard’s
15:08 kids and Brevard’s community.
15:11 But an event like that is not possible without an amazing team
15:16 of people who selflessly and
15:19 behind the scenes commit themselves to making that possible.
15:23 And that’s kind of above and beyond because we don’t have to do
15:25 that kind of an event.
15:27 It was on a Saturday.
15:29 Our food and nutrition services put together an absolutely
15:32 wonderful brunch.
15:34 Everything from biscuits and gravy to chicken and waffles and
15:40 all of the sides and fresh fruit and so on.
15:45 But also our human resources team under the leadership of Dr. Thetty.
15:49 I’d like to give a shout out to the folks who helped make
15:52 Saturday possible.
15:54 Heather.
15:55 I’m not going to get Heather’s last name right.
15:58 Peteta.
16:02 Of course.
16:03 Why didn’t I get that?
16:04 Patty Snor.
16:05 Barbara Diaz.
16:06 Kelly Harris.
16:07 Riaf Mata.
16:08 Fina Del Vecchio.
16:09 Patty Walter.
16:14 Charmaine Odom.
16:16 And Lisa Schmidt.
16:17 And probably second to the retiree honorees, the man of the
16:23 event was none other than our retirement specialist, Carlos
16:27 Lorenzo.
16:29 When his name was recognized, everybody cheered.
16:32 Imagine that.
16:33 He was the one who walked out very explicitly with all of our
16:37 retirees, all of their benefits in the future.
16:40 All of the process of Florida retirement system.
16:45 He’s just an amazing gentleman as well in supporting our staff.
16:50 And then I’d also like to echo Mrs. Jenkins’ shout outs to this
16:55 afternoon’s event with Brevard Achievement Center.
16:59 You know, our educators across this district who invest their
17:04 hearts, their lives, themselves into our students with
17:09 disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and so on, they are
17:13 heroes in every definition of the word.
17:17 And included in there, we can’t forget our paraprofessionals,
17:21 who come alongside and join our teachers in creating
17:26 environments of love and acceptance and hope, encouragement, not
17:34 the least of which was just even in the auditorium.
17:37 We had hundreds of students from across our schools who were chaperoned
17:40 by our paraprofessionals because in some cases the teachers were
17:43 up on stage with the students from that school.
17:47 And I just want to give equal recognition to not only our
17:49 students who serve our students with disabilities, but also our
17:55 instructional assistants, our paraprofessionals, who love on and
17:58 serve our kids as well.
18:01 And then coincidentally, kind of in the same lane, if you will,
18:06 I had a story shared with me last week about an unlikely hero
18:12 among our ranks in the organization.
18:16 A gentleman in our distribution services and procurement
18:19 department.
18:21 And you might be, okay, where’s he going with that?
18:24 So I’m going to read you a short synopsis of what happened when
18:29 this gentleman was in one of our schools picking up computers
18:35 that were being DCR’d or sent to the warehouse for processing
18:38 because they were so old.
18:40 And Mr. Cheaton would probably say, yeah, there are probably 14
18:43 year old computers.
18:45 But this is the account.
18:48 I’m a speech language pathologist.
18:50 I was walking one of my nonverbal kids back to class when a very
18:53 sweet gentleman who was helping DCR items saw the interest my
18:58 student had with his task.
19:01 My student kind of gets interested in lots of things going on
19:05 around school.
19:07 But anyway, your sweet employee started engaging in a
19:10 conversation with my nonverbal student, asking him how he was
19:15 and asking questions about the bunny project my student
19:19 basically shoved in his face.
19:24 He then noticed the interest my student had with dumping the
19:26 computers in the box.
19:28 So he asked me if it was okay if he could give my student a cord
19:32 to put in the box.
19:34 You would have thought he was giving my student a million
19:37 dollars.
19:38 His face beamed.
19:40 Your sweet employee then asked if my student was sensitive to
19:44 noises.
19:45 I said no.
19:47 So then he proceeded to give two quick beep beeps on the utility
19:52 dolly.
19:53 I had my student use his device to interact and describe the
19:58 event.
19:59 I honestly cannot express how grateful I am to your employee.
20:04 You see, we have been struggling to use my student’s device in
20:08 real life situations because he really was not motivated.
20:13 But your employee interacted with him and gave him that spark
20:18 and opportunity to use the device in a way that was meaningful.
20:23 Please thank your employee for me and let him know how much his
20:26 interaction with my student meant to me.
20:29 I wish there were more people like this magnificent man who took
20:32 just a few minutes of his time and most likely had no idea how
20:36 much of an impact he made in that little boy’s life.
20:39 And I’ll tell you that that individual is Mr. Jeff Williams from
20:44 Procurement Distribution Services.
20:46 So I want to give a huge shout out to Jeff for capitalizing on
20:49 an opportunity to make a lasting impact in an unlikely student’s
20:55 life.
20:56 In that moment, in that time, and capitalizing it and making a
21:00 difference in kids’ life.
21:02 Jeff, hopefully you’re out there hearing tonight acknowledgement
21:06 of your investment in kids’ lives.
21:09 Not just behind the scenes picking up DCR computers, but seeing
21:13 a young life that needs a little extra attention and needs your
21:17 love.
21:18 We appreciate you and are thrilled that you’re part of Team BPS
21:22 and you exemplify that mission.
21:25 Thank you.
21:35 I don’t know if I can show any of that up, but do have a couple
21:38 of recognitions.
21:41 Every year the city of Titusville reaches out to our schools on
21:44 the north end of the county and they ask the schools to identify
21:47 students that they would like to be recognized by the city.
21:50 This event is awesome because it’s not, some of the kids are the
21:54 typical honor roll kids and the ones who get, you know,
21:58 recognized on a pretty regular basis.
21:59 But the majority of them are students that don’t necessarily get
22:02 recognized in a lot of the events that we currently have.
22:05 And they had every single school, and I want to say they had
22:09 probably 15 to 20 students per school that they recognized for,
22:17 you know, strong academics, commitment, good choices, those
22:21 types of things.
22:23 So, huge thank you to the city of Titusville for taking the time.
22:26 The entire city council’s there, the mayor’s there, the city
22:29 manager, they all invest in being there to congratulate and
22:32 thank our kids for being awesome.
22:34 So, thanks to them for taking that time.
22:37 We had our CTE tour at Titusville High School, I think the day
22:40 before yours, second to last for the season.
22:43 And I was not able to be there for the entire thing, but we had
22:45 community members that came in and saw our cyber security
22:48 program, our 911 dispatch program, the culinary program, the
22:54 automotive program, and the CNA program.
22:59 And so, once again, feedback has just been phenomenal on those
23:03 programs.
23:04 And every time we walk through with someone, we see, you know,
23:06 there’s someone there that is already picking out employees to
23:09 hire.
23:10 So, it has been a great thing.
23:12 Thank you again, Mr. Susan, for getting that moving.
23:15 I also have to give a huge thank you to the Propeller Club of
23:17 Port Canaveral.
23:19 I had an opportunity to join them for their monthly luncheon
23:22 last week.
23:23 And they are big supporters of our HELM program at Rockledge
23:27 High School, the HELM Maritime Studies Program.
23:33 And the teacher for that program, Sarah Hardy, was there as well
23:36 and spoke about the program, just kind of giving an overview to
23:40 the Propeller Club members.
23:43 But they also gave out, I think, five scholarships to our
23:47 students.
23:48 Three of them are graduating seniors.
23:50 Varying amounts of scholarships.
23:52 One of them was recurring for four years.
23:54 One was a one-time, and so it ran the full gamut.
23:57 And then also, at that luncheon, gave $3,500 to Ms. Hardy for
24:00 support of the HELM program at Rockledge High School.
24:04 So, you know, I talk all the time about how much community
24:06 support we have coming into our schools and how much we
24:09 appreciate that.
24:10 And I think that was just a glaring example.
24:13 And then I also, along kind of the same vein as the community
24:18 support, you know, teacher appreciation has been this month and
24:22 mostly focused on this week.
24:24 And as I see all of our schools posting, there have been so many
24:28 organizations that have come together to appreciate our teachers.
24:32 And many of them, you know, we talk about life in the north end
24:36 is different sometimes because we don’t have a lot of the big
24:40 businesses and those types of things.
24:42 So many of the organizations that are supporting our schools to
24:45 show appreciation for our teachers, at least up on that end, are
24:50 small mom and pop type stores.
24:52 And we know, you know, the struggles that businesses have had
24:54 over the past couple years, but they still are digging deep and
24:56 doing great things for our schools.
24:58 So thank you to all of those who have supported both, you know,
25:01 volunteers and businesses that have contributed to recognition
25:05 of our teachers this week.
25:07 It’s greatly appreciated.
25:08 And then the last one, this is one that I’m really excited about.
25:12 And I don’t mean to steal your thunder, Ms. Campbell, since you
25:16 are a part of SIAC.
25:17 But a while back, you know, we constantly talk about how we have
25:19 so many struggles with our health insurance trust fund.
25:23 And that our employees just don’t understand how the health
25:27 choices that they make, everything from making healthy choices
25:31 to the doctors that they choose or where they go for imaging or
25:34 blood work or any of those things, impact the health insurance
25:36 trust fund.
25:37 So I mentioned to a couple of people that I thought it would be
25:45 great if we had a podcast that would just give snippets about
25:52 how our employees can make better choices to positively impact
25:55 that health trust fund and impact their wellbeing on top of it,
25:59 you know, financially and otherwise.
25:59 And the first podcast came out the end of April during our
26:07 wellness week.
26:09 It was introducing all of the wellness activities that we had
26:11 for that week.
26:12 And so I encourage all of our employees, especially if you’re on
26:15 the health plan, but even if you’re not, to take the time it’s
26:18 on Spotify, go and listen to that podcast and make sure that you’re
26:21 keeping up to date with them.
26:23 Because there really are a ton of ways that we as individuals
26:27 can impact the health of that trust fund and, you know, also
26:31 impact the amount of money that we have available to compensate
26:35 employees instead of funding the health insurance trust fund.
26:38 So thank you to Dr. Thetty and to Mr. Bruhn and to Dr. Mullins
26:44 who very expeditiously pulled that together.
26:48 I appreciate it very much.
26:51 Of course.
26:52 Ms. Pinkham.
26:53 I forgot one thing.
26:55 So I received in the mail a letter from Congressman Bill Posey
27:01 making me aware of the three students in my district that are
27:04 going to be honored with the Congressional Medal of Merit award
27:07 on May 24th.
27:09 So I just want to throw that in there because our meeting’s that
27:11 evening.
27:12 And I’ve got Courtney Antolochi from Palm Bay Magnet High School,
27:16 Neil Reddy from Satellite High School, and Lily Winston from
27:19 West Shore Junior Senior High School.
27:21 Thanks.
27:22 Thank you, Ms. Jenkins.
27:23 If I can get a second, I forgot to say one of the things that
27:25 came out of the jobs program recently, and I forgot about it, we
27:29 met yesterday.
27:30 I sit as the executive board on the Economic Development Council,
27:33 and one of the things we do is we’re the ones that set
27:35 conditions for companies to come in and work inside this
27:39 community.
27:40 So that’s all the aviation industry and everybody else.
27:42 I mean, we’re working on probably six of them right now.
27:45 And one of the things that they look at is no longer are they
27:47 looking for tax incentives.
27:49 They don’t care about that.
27:50 What they’re really looking for is workforce.
27:52 Many of them have relocated to places throughout the United
27:53 States, and they get there.
27:55 They don’t have the workforce.
27:56 They have to shut down.
27:57 Their production and everything else is poor.
27:59 So what they did was we put together a rapid task force.
28:03 It’s going to be myself, Jack Parker from Eastern Florida State
28:07 College.
28:08 Dr. Mullins hasn’t said he’s going to be a part of it yet, but I’m
28:10 going to kind of ask him right now.
28:12 We also have Mike Ennis from L3 Harris, former director of L3
28:16 Harris, and a couple other groups that what we’re going to do is
28:20 meet real quick and create that pipeline because we have kids
28:23 both from middle school to high school, then to college.
28:26 We can set up pipeline programs to exactly tie into whatever
28:29 company’s coming.
28:31 Many of them are going to be communications and aerospace, which
28:32 we already have infrastructure for, but we’re uniquely designed
28:36 to inside this county that we don’t have one big trade school in
28:39 the middle of the state in the county.
28:41 We can build and spin programs in different areas to fit where
28:44 those locations are happening.
28:47 And there’s all kinds of Brownsfield developments and all kinds
28:49 of opportunities throughout our county for these places to move.
28:53 And if we can put a rapid response program to pipe feed in there,
28:55 it’s going to be good.
28:57 So I just want to let you guys know that Dr. Mullins agreed to
28:59 be a part of the program and we got some things going on.
29:02 So thank you.
29:04 Thank you very much, Mr. Susan.
29:07 All right.
29:08 I believe that we are now at the adoption of the agenda.
29:11 Dr. Mullins.
29:12 Ms. Belford and members of the board, on this evening’s agenda
29:21 we have administrative staff recommendations, one presentation,
29:25 17 consent items, three public hearings, two action items, and
29:29 two information items, and two board member reports or
29:33 discussion points.
29:36 Changes made to the agenda since released to the public include
29:40 revisions to A7 administrative staff recommendations, D8
29:44 superintendent report, CTE tour wrap up, F14 reappointment
29:50 nominations of continuing professional service contract teachers
29:54 for 2022-2023, and H32 department school initiated agreements.
30:01 And the additions of the additions of K-35, the shack committee
30:06 update, and K-36 at-large versus single district.
30:11 I’ll entertain a motion.
30:13 Moved.
30:14 Second.
30:15 Moved by Ms. McDougall.
30:16 Seconded by Ms. Campbell.
30:17 Is there any discussion?
30:18 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
30:20 Aye.
30:21 All opposed, same sign.
30:22 Motion passes 5-0.
30:23 Dr. Mullins, will you please let us know about the
30:27 administrative staff recommendations for this evening.
30:32 Yes.
30:33 Ms. Belford and members of the board, this evening there are 15
30:35 items for your consideration.
30:37 What are the wishes of the board?
30:38 Do approve.
30:39 Second.
30:40 Moved by Ms. Susan.
30:41 Seconded by Ms. McDougall.
30:42 Is there any discussion?
30:43 All in favor.
30:44 Oh, Ms. McDougall.
30:45 Go ahead.
30:46 I just want to say that District 2 is making out like bandits.
30:52 And I’m so excited for the people that are coming and going and
30:55 having promotions.
30:57 And I’m going to miss a couple people, but I’ll still get to see
31:00 them.
31:01 So I’m very excited.
31:02 Any other discussion?
31:04 All right.
31:05 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
31:06 Aye.
31:07 Any opposed?
31:08 Same sign.
31:09 The motion passes 5-0.
31:10 Dr. Mullins.
31:11 Well, I would like to take this opportunity, and it’s going to
31:12 take a few minutes, because
31:14 we’ve got quite a lineup of new leaders.
31:19 Well, some of them not so new, but leaders rising into new ranks
31:27 of leadership across our
31:30 district.
31:31 So first, I’d like to very happily and pleased to announce the
31:37 reclassification from principal
31:40 at Cocoa High School to Chief Operating Officer, effective June
31:44 13th, Mr. Rashad Wilson.
31:47 Good evening, Board and Superintendent Mullins.
32:00 And Dr. Mullins, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to
32:02 sit on your cabinet.
32:04 I’m looking forward to the journey.
32:06 I know it’s going to be a challenge, but I think my journey has
32:08 afforded me some tough
32:10 skin to bear all.
32:12 To my cabinet, my new team, my new cabinet members.
32:16 I’m looking forward to working alongside with you, rolling up my
32:18 sleeves and getting in where
32:21 I fit in.
32:22 And wherever that may be, I guess I’ll find out here soon enough.
32:25 Ms. Bowman, thank you for being an awesome director.
32:30 I’ve been blessed to have you from the time that I’ve been a
32:34 principal, and you have afforded
32:36 me the opportunity to grow.
32:38 And I appreciate you, young lady.
32:40 To my Cocoa High team, Ms. Stewart and everybody else, Ms. Albright,
32:46 I appreciate you guys.
32:49 It’s been a good ride.
32:51 The school is in great hands under your leadership, but I’m not
32:55 going to steal your thunder.
32:58 And to my wife and my two daughters, thank you for being patient
33:06 with me.
33:08 As I, you know, this past weekend, I had a very big project that
33:13 I had.
33:14 That was my fault.
33:17 But I appreciate your patience.
33:20 I love you guys.
33:22 And my youngest daughter, I have to admit, she’s a little upset
33:24 because she said that she
33:27 can’t go to Cocoa High no more on Sundays when I go to work and
33:29 run the hills while I’m out
33:31 there working.
33:32 So maybe Ms. Stewart will allow us to come out there every now
33:35 and then and run up and
33:36 down some hills.
33:38 To my mom, to my brother, I appreciate it.
33:41 This journey started with this lady.
33:47 I love you.
33:48 Thank you.
33:48 Dr. Mullins, can I say something real quick?
33:50 I wanted to say, you know, I had, I’m not going to lie to you.
34:03 I had a problem with you getting the job, not because of
34:11 anything else, but because you’re
34:17 a former Gator.
34:18 Oh, you’re not?
34:21 Okay.
34:22 That’s what was told.
34:23 That’s what it was.
34:26 No, but I, Rashad, I did want to take a second and tell you, you’ve
34:29 come highly recommended
34:31 by all your colleagues.
34:33 And everything that I’ve seen what you did in Coco, we are
34:35 blessed to have you as an individual
34:37 up here in this district.
34:38 I think you’re going to do great things here and I look forward
34:40 to working with you.
34:41 I’ve never seen anything but class come out of your school.
34:44 I think you do a great job and I think that we’re going to see
34:46 great things happening here.
34:48 I’ve got a list of projects already I’d like you to approve,
34:52 right here.
34:53 June 13th.
34:54 Man, I’m looking forward to it.
34:56 I’m glad you’re here.
34:57 Yes, sir.
35:00 And Mr. Wilson, I will just say that one of the first
35:03 requirements of your job is the ability
35:05 to say no to Mr. Susan on all of those projects, okay?
35:09 Thank you, Madam Chair.
35:14 Next, I would like to extend congratulations to Miss Heather
35:20 Smith who was reclassed from assistant principal at Vieira High
35:25 School to principal at Central Middle School effective July 1.
35:30 But interestingly, her journey as principal starts now because
35:36 she’s also serving as acting principal at Vieira High School
35:41 from now through June 17th.
35:43 While Miss Sarah Robinson is out on maternity leave and
35:48 yesterday we just had a new BPS recruit join us.
35:54 Miss Robinson had a little girl named Madeline, otherwise known
35:58 as Maddie, but we won’t let her steal the show.
36:01 Heather, congratulations and appreciate your leadership.
36:05 Thank you.
36:06 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
36:07 Thank you to the board.
36:08 I am super excited to be an Eagle.
36:09 I’ve been an Eagle parent since 2014.
36:10 So I’m super excited to take this journey, and thank you for
36:18 entrusting me with Central Middle School.
36:23 I have so many people to thank on my leadership journey.
36:25 Dr. Sullivan, Chris Moore, Lena Weibelt, Sherry Bowman, Molly
36:30 Vega have all been instrumental.
36:33 Mike Alba.
36:34 Wow.
36:35 So many great people at BPS that are always supportive.
36:39 My colleagues, Denise, I’m super excited for you.
36:43 My husband who’s here, my kiddos, my family are all supportive
36:48 of my Saturday ventures or Sunday ventures work.
36:52 So hopefully, you know, they’ll keep supporting me through that.
36:57 I really want to thank my VHS team.
37:00 So I have my team here with me.
37:02 Some of them were able to come tonight.
37:04 I’m super thankful for them.
37:05 I’m sad Mrs. Robinson can’t be here, but I know she wants to be
37:07 here.
37:08 She’s watching live stream.
37:09 So more baby pictures, please.
37:11 And I’m just really thankful for all of the people I’ve gotten
37:14 to work with at VHS.
37:16 It’s a great team.
37:17 I know that they’re in great hands.
37:19 And my central family, I’m super excited to work with everyone
37:24 and to just be a part of the central team.
37:26 So go Eagles.
37:28 Dr. Mullins, I wanted to say, Heather, thank you for everything
37:37 that you did in our district.
37:39 Sorry that I’m, you know, doing this a second time, but Heather,
37:42 I don’t care.
37:43 Like Heather was in my district, man.
37:45 Heather, thank you.
37:46 I want everybody to know I would go over there to visit Vera
37:48 High School.
37:49 I would, you know, my character, I would walk around.
37:51 Hey, guys, how you doing?
37:52 She’s like, okay, this is what you need to do.
37:53 This is what you got to do.
37:54 I mean, she keeps it, runs a tight ship.
37:56 And I think she’s going to do an amazing job down there in
37:58 central.
37:59 And I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us here.
38:01 Good luck.
38:02 Thank you.
38:03 I promise.
38:04 That’s it.
38:05 Wait, let me see.
38:06 What else we got on here?
38:08 Now it is my privilege and honor to introduce and welcome.
38:14 Congratulate Dr. Steven Richardson, appointed as principal at
38:18 McNair Magnet Middle School, effective July 1st.
38:21 Welcome to Brevard, Dr. Richardson.
38:24 And we are thrilled that you’re able to join us this evening.
38:27 I didn’t anticipate making a speech, so I didn’t prepare
38:35 anything.
38:36 But I do live by the philosophy of to whom much is given, much
38:39 is required.
38:41 And I certainly don’t take it lightly, the opportunity to lead
38:44 children, to lead young people.
38:46 It has been a passion of mine.
38:48 I will tell you that the Brevard family has been extremely
38:51 welcoming.
38:53 They’ve been extremely supportive already.
38:58 Coming in, I talked to Dr. Sullivan and told her at the time I
39:02 had three offers to lead a school.
39:05 But this just felt like home.
39:07 And so I’m just ecstatic to be here.
39:09 I certainly appreciate the opportunity.
39:11 And I guarantee you McNair Magnet will be an A school moving
39:16 forward.
39:18 So I appreciate the welcome.
39:19 I’m just looking forward to working with everybody.
39:22 Thank you.
39:29 First of all, I just want to say, on our drive over here, my
39:34 daughter can attest, I of the Tiger
39:49 was playing.
39:50 So I think that’s a positive.
39:53 I don’t want to leave anybody out.
39:55 So I did write a couple words.
39:56 But thank you first, of course, to the school board, Dr. Mullins
39:59 and Dr. Sullivan for giving
40:00 me the opportunity to continue to serve Coco High School and Brevard
40:04 Public Schools as principal.
40:06 I value the trust and faith your selection represents.
40:09 I am truly humbled by it.
40:11 Thank you to the many Brevard leaders who have helped guide and
40:13 support me during my leadership
40:16 journey.
40:17 Literally, there are too many to acknowledge, but I absolutely
40:20 want to acknowledge the three
40:22 directors back here because their phone numbers are on speed
40:25 dial and I could not be more thankful
40:27 for that.
40:28 A special thank you, very special thank you, to Mr. Rashad
40:33 Wilson for his mentorship during my
40:37 tenure as assistant principal at Coco High School.
40:40 I’ve said it often and I’ll continue to say it forever.
40:42 He gave me the keys and said, “Go at it.
40:45 I believe in you and I have faith in you.”
40:47 And that has brought me here today and I appreciate that.
40:50 And finally, thank you to my family.
40:52 I have one of my daughters, another daughter is in Jacksonville
40:55 watching live streaming,
40:57 and my son here with me as well as my in-laws for their
41:00 continued love and my children’s
41:03 pride in the work that I do is absolutely a motivator to me.
41:07 I’m grateful to be able to continue to work in partnership with
41:09 the parents, community,
41:11 and staff at Coco High for the benefit of our students.
41:15 At Coco High, we rise together towards excellence.
41:18 And if you know you know, Tiger Pride.
41:21 Next, a huge congratulations to Ms. Pam Albright, reclassed from
41:32 teacher at Coco High to assistant principal dean
41:35 at Jefferson Middle School effective August 2nd.
41:38 Congratulations.
41:39 Good evening, Dr. Mullins, board, thank you so much for giving
41:47 me this opportunity.
41:47 From the bottom of my heart, it means the world to me.
41:52 Dr. Sullivan, you started off as my mentor and given me all the
41:56 different opportunities to become a leader.
42:00 And I appreciate every one of those opportunities.
42:03 Mr. Wilson, when she left, you took over and I thank you for the
42:06 opportunities you gave me to help me grow,
42:09 not only as a person, but also as a leader.
42:12 And Ms. Prime, thank you so much for putting me on your list and
42:16 seeing just what I can bring to Jefferson.
42:20 And I welcome it as my new home and I just appreciate every bit
42:26 of it.
42:27 My husband, I thank you for this crazy adventure and going
42:30 through all the sleepless nights and just being there as my
42:33 biggest cheerleader.
42:36 And I thank my children for putting up with everything that I
42:40 threw at them and the extra responsibility so I can make them
42:45 proud of me.
42:47 LeVar County is my home, born and raised, and I just am honored
42:50 to continue to serve it, the students, and the staff, and the
42:55 community.
42:56 Thank you.
43:02 Next, we want to welcome and acknowledge Ms. Joanne Patterson,
43:06 reclassed from teacher at McNair Middle to assistant principal
43:10 dean at Hoover Middle School effective August 2nd.
43:14 Congratulations, Joanne.
43:16 Thank you very much.
43:22 First and foremost, I would like to thank Jasmine Delauder for
43:26 her leadership at McNair and for her mentorship.
43:29 Without her, none of this would have been possible for me.
43:33 She came into McNair and she really showed what great leadership
43:37 is.
43:38 And I congratulate her on her move.
43:41 Secondly, without a cheerleader behind me, my best friend,
43:46 Carrie Fowler, she was there when I started my master’s degree
43:52 and I learned how to turn on a computer.
43:54 And she encouraged me through and through my Ed Specialist
43:59 degree.
44:00 And without her, I don’t know how I would have survived it.
44:04 Talking about not being able to survive it, my husband, he has
44:08 supported me.
44:10 When I need my time, he gives it to me.
44:13 And when I need his support, he gives it to me.
44:16 And he’s always there to rub my feet for me at the end of a very
44:19 long day.
44:20 Last but not least, I want to thank my son.
44:24 I’m so proud of him.
44:26 He is my joy.
44:28 He is my light.
44:29 And he is so proud of me.
44:33 He just graduated Vieira High School.
44:35 And the first thing he wanted to do was tell his friends that I
44:38 was going to be a dean in Brevard Public Schools.
44:42 So the fact that a recent graduate is proud of his mother for
44:45 her achievement within the district,
44:48 that says a lot about us as a whole.
44:51 So thank you for this opportunity.
44:53 And I look forward to working with you, too.
44:57 I can’t wait.
44:58 Catherine, thank you so much.
44:59 And Brian, thank you so much.
45:06 Ms. Patterson, what is your husband’s first name?
45:10 Gordon.
45:11 Nice.
45:12 You’ve got all the other husbands in the room in trouble right
45:15 now.
45:16 Next, I’d like to congratulate and welcome to Mr. Brian Irvine,
45:27 classified from teacher on assignment at Stone Middle School to
45:30 assistant principal dean at Southwest Middle School effective
45:34 August 2nd.
45:35 Congratulations, Brian.
45:38 Thank you.
45:39 I don’t know how I follow the foot rub, but I’m in trouble and I’m
45:42 nervous now.
45:44 Board superintendent, I want to thank you for this opportunity.
45:47 I feel very privileged to be part of Brevard Public Schools.
45:50 I think this is probably destiny for me to be here.
45:54 I have never in my life been a Bronco in my educational life.
45:59 And because I’m not a Gator, I’m an Oklahoma State cowboy, so
46:03 that’s why being a Bronco is probably a good thing.
46:07 But again, I want to thank everybody for this opportunity.
46:10 Ms. Vega and Ms. Lundy right now for helping me get to where I
46:14 am right now.
46:15 Thank you very much.
46:16 Mr. Irvine, just remember, those of us who have left part of our
46:24 heart and soul at Southwest through our own administrative
46:26 journey, it’s not just Southwest Middle School.
46:30 What is it?
46:31 The Great Southwest.
46:32 That’s right.
46:33 Yes, sir.
46:34 All right.
46:35 I think this is the last one for now.
46:38 I want to congratulate and welcome Ms. Melissa Rivera Arazo,
46:43 classified from teacher at South Area Alternative Learning
46:46 Center to assistant principal at the Great Southwest Middle
46:50 effective August 2nd.
46:52 Congratulations, Melissa.
46:53 First of all, yay.
46:54 I’m really excited to be here.
46:55 Super grateful to be here.
46:56 I’d like to start by thanking my leadership team, Misty Bland
47:07 and Mr. Segek for being here and for guiding me and supporting
47:15 me along the way.
47:15 For all of my cheerleaders, including my family, my mom and dad,
47:20 my boyfriend for putting up with me.
47:24 All those conversations about, oh my God, am I going to get the
47:27 job or, you know, all the interview questions I probably threw
47:30 at him.
47:31 All my colleagues, my friends, the hiring committee, thank you
47:35 so much for this opportunity.
47:38 I look forward to serving the students at Southwest and for
47:42 following some of them back from the ALC and making sure that
47:46 they get to high school and are very successful.
47:49 Thank you.
47:50 Madam Chair, if I may just make a couple more comments.
47:57 I can’t pass up the opportunity to really recognize you heard
48:01 all of our leaders moving into new areas of responsibility.
48:07 Acknowledge and recognize those men and women who have helped
48:12 them on their journey as mentors along the way.
48:15 And I want to commend Brevard Public Schools leadership team.
48:19 You are a most impressive group of leaders yourself.
48:27 To raise up and help and support our next leaders.
48:32 And I am enormously proud to serve as your superintendent.
48:36 Knowing that not just today’s leaders, but tomorrow’s leaders
48:40 are in great hands.
48:42 And second, if you’ve been in administration for a day or a
48:47 decade.
48:49 You can’t do it without the loving support and devotion and
48:55 patience and tolerance of the loved ones at home.
49:01 Because it takes far more than a 9 to 5 commitment to serve the
49:05 children in the community of Brevard like this mission charges
49:11 us to.
49:12 And to the wives and the husbands and the children and the moms
49:16 and the families of those who are serving our schools.
49:21 I thank you from every depth of my heart for the sacrifices you
49:24 make to raise up these incredible leaders to serve the children
49:29 of Brevard.
49:30 Thank you for being part of Brevard Public Schools family.
49:33 And giving us a part of your family to serve our kids.
49:37 We appreciate you.
49:38 Thank you.
49:39 All right.
49:49 I think we are now going to transition into the superintendent
49:53 report on CTE for a wrap up.
49:56 Dr. Mullen.
49:57 Mullen, do you want to give them a minute so they can all leave?
49:59 Sure.
50:00 All right.
50:01 Yes.
50:02 For those of you who joined us this evening for appointments,
50:04 you are welcome to go ahead and exit now if you would like.
50:06 We are not running you off.
50:07 You are welcome to stay too if you would like.
50:09 But I have a feeling there is some celebration to be had.
50:12 I have a feeling there is some celebration.
55:12 And members of the board, thank you for your patience.
55:14 I don’t know, that kind of felt like a family reunion.
55:19 I think we are just enjoying the opportunity to be back together
55:22 and to celebrate our upcoming and aspiring leaders.
55:25 I don’t know anything about it.
55:26 But thank you for the opportunity to send them off and with
55:29 congratulations.
55:31 I am thrilled to bring tonight’s superintendent’s report, kind
55:36 of the closure at least for this year.
55:39 But I think we may have started something that we are going to
55:42 need to continue.
55:43 And that is our career and technical education tour across our
55:46 district this year.
55:48 You hear the crowd?
55:50 The crowd goes wild.
55:51 That is right.
55:52 This is a big deal.
55:53 Big deal right here.
55:54 That is right.
55:57 But I got to tell you.
55:58 Yeah!
56:03 There we go.
56:07 I will let it start with the highlight video.
56:10 See if you recognize some of the students we hung out with over
56:16 the last few minutes.
56:19 Just for the viewing audience.
56:24 These are our kids and our programs.
56:25 These are not like.
56:27 Like, what do they call it?
57:27 All right, so those are the highlights from our tour from over
57:45 the last, I guess, almost three months.
57:48 You know, I was a little intimidated to come and do the CTE tour
57:52 because the last time we presented our career and technical
57:54 education program to the board,
57:57 Ms. Rutledge came up, right?
57:58 And she was so amazing.
58:02 The enthusiasm, you know, that Southern AXA didn’t hurt either.
58:06 And I got none of that.
58:08 But I’m going to try.
58:10 I’m going to try to live up to the standard she set a few months
58:13 ago.
58:15 But so I’m going to try and make you proud, Ms. Rutledge.
58:17 But you can see we had a very ambitious schedule across the
58:22 district.
58:23 But I got to tell you, it was the funnest things that were on my
58:27 calendar throughout these months.
58:29 And I want to commend the board.
58:31 Every board member participated in tours across our district and
58:35 recruited participants to be a part of it as well.
58:38 Thank you for your support of our career and technical education
58:41 programs, not just in making the important decisions and the
58:46 priorities of budget and so on,
58:48 but also boots on the ground out in our community to celebrate
58:51 these programs.
58:52 Here you see just a smattering of the programs that we
58:56 highlighted over the last several weeks.
58:59 We saw culinary arts, business and finance, air conditioning,
59:02 refrigeration and heating technology, IT programs like
59:05 cybersecurity, web application development, programming,
59:09 drafting, our teaching academies, robotics, gaming, simulation,
59:14 public service programs like criminal justice, 9-1-1, public
59:18 safety, telecommunications, early sneak peeks of our firefighting
59:22 program.
59:23 I’ll talk about a little bit more soon.
59:25 Our early childhood education program.
59:27 I got to do a pause right here.
59:29 That was probably one of the, what I’m very familiar with our
59:32 programs across the district, but honestly, I don’t know that I
59:36 had visited our early childhood programs in a very long time.
59:39 And we visited Satellite High School, the teacher there, and I’m
59:42 going to, I’m not going to remember her name off the top of my
59:44 head.
59:45 She is phenomenal.
59:46 I’ve met four seniors.
59:48 Who was it?
59:49 Mrs. Jenkins, I think you were with me.
59:50 We met four seniors that were working on lesson plans to deliver
59:54 those plans to our little three and four year olds.
59:57 the following week while a cohort of students were delivering
1:00:01 their lesson plans from the previous week with the kiddos.
1:00:05 I was so impressed with these seniors.
1:00:08 I said, you will be getting a letter from me guaranteeing you a
1:00:10 job when you finish college.
1:00:12 And I followed through and those seniors have received their
1:00:15 letter of commitment to join Team BPS and be teachers in our, in
1:00:19 our system.
1:00:20 And they didn’t believe me at first, like I, like I could do
1:00:23 that.
1:00:23 I said, you’re going to get, you’re going to get letterhead.
1:00:25 It’s official.
1:00:26 So they were pretty thrilled.
1:00:28 And the teacher is doing a phenomenal job, but we also visited
1:00:33 our medical administrative specialist program.
1:00:36 You’ve already heard about the health care programs, nursing,
1:00:41 dental aid, exercise, science, construction, aviation, assembly,
1:00:45 and fabrication.
1:00:46 And that’s probably only a third of the programs that we have
1:00:50 available for students.
1:00:52 We have on our website, each one of these pictures is connected
1:00:56 with a highlight video from the tour.
1:00:59 I think we’ve got Mr. Bruhn, 14 different highlight videos.
1:01:06 So if you miss the tour in person, you can live it virtually
1:01:09 through these different programs.
1:01:12 So you might ask, well, what was the benefit?
1:01:14 What was the return on investment in this time and going out?
1:01:19 Look at some of these numbers.
1:01:21 We set out to make our CTE no longer the best kept secret in Brevard.
1:01:27 And I think we’ve put a great dent in that commitment.
1:01:31 Over 120 businesses and community partners attended across Brevard.
1:01:35 We added eight more student internship sponsors.
1:01:39 We had over 200 follow-up post-tour contacts from folks who
1:01:45 attended, but also those who didn’t attend.
1:01:48 Because we sent the highlight video out to the entire invitee
1:01:51 list, even those who couldn’t be there.
1:01:54 And of course, we’ve got our marketing videos that we’re going
1:01:58 to continue to utilize.
1:01:59 This is likely a slide that you’re familiar with because we brag
1:02:04 on our community partners.
1:02:05 And these are a list of or a snapshot of the community partners,
1:02:09 business partners that we have coming alongside our CTE programs
1:02:14 and are in partnership with us.
1:02:17 But here’s what’s awesome about the tours.
1:02:20 We added these partners as well.
1:02:23 And they’ve now joined Team BPS in supporting our students in
1:02:27 these programs.
1:02:28 And I’ve got to give a particular shout out to Space Coast
1:02:32 Association of Realtors.
1:02:33 They attended every tour across Brevard.
1:02:40 They had a representative at all 14 tours.
1:02:44 So a huge shout out to our partners, Space Coast Realtors
1:02:48 Association.
1:02:49 We are thrilled that you are coming alongside our CTE programs.
1:02:54 So what’s next?
1:02:56 Are we done?
1:02:57 Have we arrived?
1:02:58 Are we are we settling in with what we have?
1:03:01 Absolutely not.
1:03:02 So thrilled to share that progress toward launching our
1:03:07 firefighting program at Palm Bay Magnet High this coming school
1:03:11 year.
1:03:11 The the plan is well underway and we’re excited to be launching
1:03:15 our firefighting one, two and two, three high school courses
1:03:21 next year, as well as dual enrollment courses to partner that at
1:03:25 Eastern Florida.
1:03:26 We’ve got a great partnership with not only the Palm Bay Fire
1:03:29 Department, Melbourne Fire Department, but also the county and
1:03:33 their firefighting program department as well.
1:03:37 And of course, that will come with certain industry certifications
1:03:42 that include CPR first aid as well as the firefighter one course
1:03:47 once a student turns 18.
1:03:49 So we got a little bit of a sneak peek.
1:03:52 Students are going to be interacting with firefighters across
1:03:56 the district.
1:03:58 I got to tell you, we got a winner winner chicken dinner of a
1:04:01 teacher instructor at the firefighter program.
1:04:05 He’s actually the husband of one of our current educators.
1:04:09 I think his wife is at Dr. Sullivan Stone.
1:04:12 Yeah, and she helped recruit him quickly out of fire fighting
1:04:17 retirement.
1:04:18 And he he’s just a real dynamic in engaging individual.
1:04:25 Our kids are going to be in great hands as they start the
1:04:27 program next year.
1:04:29 And then on the horizon next is we’re developing a carpentry
1:04:33 program at Vieira High School.
1:04:35 That’s going to be supported through the new building that we’re
1:04:39 adding to Vieira High School for school year 2324.
1:04:43 It will include a hands on curriculum focusing on those carpentry
1:04:48 skills such as building materials, site preparation, building
1:04:52 codes and essentially the installation of all the components of
1:04:56 a dwelling or structure.
1:04:59 You can imagine our contractors around us are salivating waiting
1:05:02 to get their hands on our kids who come out of this program
1:05:06 because we know that the workforce shortage in the areas of
1:05:09 construction is real.
1:05:11 So next, I’d like to share with you actually a video that was
1:05:15 produced by one of our CTE interns in the CTE department.
1:05:22 So here’s a little highlight video of our firefighter program on
1:05:26 the.
1:05:27 We’re going to have lots of hands.
1:05:30 Now, we are building lots of both classroom and lab environments
1:05:35 here for Palm Bay Magnet High School.
1:05:37 And so our students are going to have the opportunity to work
1:05:40 directly with firefighters from the community that that actually
1:05:44 serve Brevard County.
1:05:45 The main goal of our program is basically to support and recruit
1:05:50 individuals that potentially might want to pursue a career in
1:05:54 firefighting and those kind of related service industries.
1:05:58 It’s going to give the opportunity for for students to not have
1:06:01 to wait until college to actually start experiencing some of
1:06:05 these things and to and to get involved at an earlier age and
1:06:08 make a decision whether this is something that they might want
1:06:11 to be involved in.
1:06:12 We’re just excited to have the opportunity here at Palm Bay Magnet
1:06:14 High School.
1:06:15 We think that it’s going to be a unique program.
1:06:19 It’s the only one, as I mentioned, in Brevard Public Schools,
1:06:21 and it’s going to provide and fill a void that has that has
1:06:27 existed in BPS for the student opportunity.
1:06:30 And and I think a lot of the students are going to be excited
1:06:34 about about the options, and I think that it’s going to be a
1:06:37 very fulfilling experience for any students who choose to go
1:06:40 that route.
1:06:42 So next year’s tour will include a full-blown introduction to
1:06:48 our firefighting program at Palm Bay Magnet High.
1:06:52 We are also so excited about a a new program in development
1:06:57 right now that will launch in 2324 at Cocoa Beach Junior Senior
1:07:04 High School and it is an aquaculture ecology restoration program.
1:07:09 I don’t know that there could be a more appropriate school for
1:07:12 this program to be at when Cocoa Beach backs up to the Indian
1:07:16 River Lagoon and the canals up in in Cocoa Beach and so this
1:07:22 will be a very science rich curriculum.
1:07:24 We’re looking to put an outdoor classroom right there on the
1:07:28 school property out by the canal, the lagoon, where our students
1:07:33 literally get in the water, they interact with that natural
1:07:37 resource, the wetlands, they explore, study, and apply the
1:07:42 skills of aquaculture and water resources, biotechnology.
1:07:47 If you will, you could say that BPS and our students will be
1:07:51 joining Brevard’s force to restore amazing natural resources.
1:07:57 So these students will be cultivating oysters, clams, seagrass,
1:08:02 mangroves, ultimately the natural cleaners of the Indian River
1:08:06 Lagoon, and then, to take it even to the next level, the Brevard
1:08:12 Zoo is already committed to partner with us, bring their experts
1:08:15 in natural resources and study and ecology to our kids, and when
1:08:15 they open the aquatic center up at the port, our kids will
1:08:15 interact there.
1:08:15 And they’ll cultivate these different aspects of cleaners for
1:08:32 the for the for the lagoon, and Brevard’s, Cocoa Beach’s program
1:08:38 and the Brevard Zoo Aquatic Center will literally be a
1:08:39 destination reality.
1:08:39 Brevard Zoo Aquatic Center will literally be a destination
1:08:44 reality because the aquacenter at the port will be the only aquacenter
1:08:50 south of Charleston, South Carolina in the northeast, or excuse
1:08:54 me, the southeast.
1:08:55 So we’re very excited about the application, the relevance of
1:09:00 this program, and what it’s going to offer for our students in
1:09:03 the very, very near future.
1:09:05 Just so you know, our amazing secondary team and our CTE team
1:09:13 continue to pursue and look for grant opportunities to support CTE.
1:09:20 You can see a list here.
1:09:22 We’ve already recognized, acknowledged, but I don’t think we can
1:09:27 enough.
1:09:28 The grant that we received from District 5 Commissioner,
1:09:32 Chairman of the County Commission, Christine Zonka contributed $700,000
1:09:38 to Brevard Public Schools career and technical education
1:09:42 programs in partnership with Junior Achievement, as well as we
1:09:46 received additional entrepreneurship grant.
1:09:49 So ultimately, our priority is to continue to eliminate any
1:09:53 financial or transportation barrier for a student to have full
1:09:57 access to all of our programs across Brevard and to provide a
1:10:01 pathway to viable, meaningful, rewarding career opportunities
1:10:08 right here in our community.
1:10:09 We’d love to keep every one of our graduates close to home, and
1:10:12 I know our parents, I suspect, would like us to as well.
1:10:18 So you may ask, does CTE start and end in our high schools?
1:10:24 Well, maybe in some places across Florida and the United States,
1:10:27 but not in Brevard Public Schools, because career and technical
1:10:31 education is not only alive and well in high school, but in our
1:10:34 middle school where we offer coding, as well as we launched this
1:10:38 year 16 elementary schools offering digital tools.
1:10:43 And you can see a picture there of our first cohort of
1:10:46 elementary students who earned their digital tools endorsement.
1:10:52 And so impressive.
1:10:54 I think Cambridge Elementary School had our first group of
1:10:57 students who received that designation.
1:11:00 Cape View was right after that.
1:11:02 So I need to recognize our teachers.
1:11:04 Darlene Wegner at Cambridge.
1:11:07 Miss Lauren Castaldo at Cape View.
1:11:10 Carrie Roeder at Ocean Breeze.
1:11:13 And at Stevenson Elementary.
1:11:15 Jennifer Monroe.
1:11:17 All helped their students prepare for that digital tools endorsement,
1:11:23 and we’re proud of them for that accomplishment.
1:11:25 Got to give a shout out to a Delora student, Samuel Shuster, who
1:11:29 received a perfect score on his MS Excel and MS Word
1:11:34 certification.
1:11:36 Perfect score.
1:11:39 Congratulations to Samuel, but also a huge shout out to Miss
1:11:43 Judith Robert, his teacher, who helped him be ready.
1:11:46 So what are some of the other accomplishments and points of
1:11:50 pride of our CTE programs?
1:11:52 Well, in school year 2021, I think the board has seen these
1:11:58 numbers before, but over 4,100 industry certifications earned.
1:12:04 Over 4,900 digital tools earned.
1:12:09 And then this current year, we have made significant growth in
1:12:14 the number of internships available for our students and that
1:12:18 students are taking advantage of.
1:12:20 We have in this year alone exceeded the number of student
1:12:24 internship opportunities compared to the last seven years
1:12:31 combined.
1:12:33 That is awesome.
1:12:36 And we have already 80 student applicants for next year.
1:12:40 So one of the asks I made during the tour of our community
1:12:44 partners that came along, I said two things.
1:12:48 I’ll put dinner on the line that if you are not wowed by the
1:12:52 time you leave, I owe you dinner.
1:12:55 I have yet any community member to take me up on that.
1:12:58 So we’ll see if I don’t get my phone doesn’t start blowing up
1:13:01 now that I’ve proclaimed it again.
1:13:03 But the fact of the matter is our community partners were in
1:13:06 fact very wowed.
1:13:08 I asked them then to take that experience out into their sphere
1:13:12 of influence to be ambassadors for our career and technical
1:13:16 education programs and break down that reality that it’s the
1:13:19 best kept secret in Brevard.
1:13:21 We wanted to be the greatest point of pride for our students in
1:13:24 our community.
1:13:25 And then the second ask was be thinking about a student
1:13:28 internship opportunity in your places of work or perhaps your
1:13:33 family’s places of work or wherever your sphere of influence is
1:13:40 because we want our kids.
1:13:41 Every one of our CTE pathway pursuing students to have a
1:13:44 workplace experience by the time they graduate from high school.
1:13:49 So not only they have had a quality path toward college and
1:13:55 access to college, but also a quality path to a career after
1:14:01 high school through one of our CTE programs partnered with
1:14:05 continued education.
1:14:06 I’ll tell you another exciting development in our CTE office and
1:14:11 partnership with Eastern Florida State College.
1:14:16 Eastern Florida is helping compile or develop a companion sheet
1:14:24 for every one of their programs aligned with our preparation
1:14:30 programs so that our kids when they’re in our programs know what
1:14:33 the continuing education opportunity is.
1:14:35 For that career this one is focused on applied engineering
1:14:40 technology so it shows okay where do you start in Brevard public
1:14:46 schools well in our applied engineering one technology one two
1:14:49 three courses and then where do you go next and it takes them to
1:14:52 what they would participate in at Eastern Florida State College
1:14:55 so our kids know that that that continuous learning doesn’t end
1:15:00 when they leave high school to really attain and obtain all of
1:15:03 the potential that’s available to them.
1:15:04 So here’s a quick snapshot and shout out to our current student
1:15:10 internship business partners where our kids are right now across
1:15:13 Brevard County and I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the
1:15:19 icon that’s in the middle of this picture.
1:15:24 Why?
1:15:28 Because our Brevard Public Schools has the highest number of
1:15:29 student interns across our organization right now of all those
1:15:32 that are represented there and we’re very proud to lead by
1:15:36 example and have our students be a part of our government
1:15:39 communications department, our maintenance and HVAC department,
1:15:44 our transportation department, our CTE department, all across
1:15:50 Brevard Schools.
1:15:51 We’re very proud that our kids are being paid to be interns in
1:15:54 our own departments across the organization.
1:15:58 So with that hopefully I lived up to the Rachel Rutledge
1:16:02 enthusiasm for career and technical education.
1:16:05 I won’t be too offended if you say I’m close but not quite there
1:16:08 yet because it’s hard to live up to the bar she set.
1:16:12 So but I’m happy to answer any questions the board may have and
1:16:16 if you ask some hard ones I have Rachel close by.
1:16:19 Any board members have any questions or comments with Dr. Long?
1:16:23 Ms. Campbell.
1:16:24 I was just taking a look at some of the companies that are
1:16:26 offering internships because some of them I’m not familiar with
1:16:29 and some of them are clearly dental programs, medical programs,
1:16:33 but architecture and engineering firms, construction firms, you
1:16:39 know, I’m not sure what they’re doing at the racing program.
1:16:43 And some of our automotive programs are pretty awesome
1:16:44 opportunities.
1:16:45 So it’s exciting.
1:16:46 I see a few fields that are missing.
1:16:48 So I know we’re, we’re relentless.
1:16:50 And I think we’ve got Grace back there who is coordinating all
1:16:53 our internships and that has been such a, such a benefit to the
1:16:57 program.
1:16:58 So to all of our programs to get these kids into their
1:17:00 internship, you know, one of the things, you know, I’ve heard
1:17:03 you give this speech, so I’m going to ask you an easy question
1:17:06 Dr. Mullen.
1:17:08 You know, somebody might say, well, my child wants to be in,
1:17:11 really wants to do this post high school, but that program’s not
1:17:15 at their, offer at their local school.
1:17:18 I know that, you know, obviously they can, they can do the
1:17:20 choice options to go to a different school, but what if it’s too
1:17:23 far away?
1:17:24 What kind of things, are there going to be programs that are
1:17:27 similar?
1:17:28 In their zone school that could maybe accomplish the same thing,
1:17:31 even if they don’t have the exact program they’re looking for in
1:17:33 their current school.
1:17:35 Yeah, we have open enrollment to all of our schools and students
1:17:39 can apply to be part of a program at another high school.
1:17:43 So the programs are accessible across Brevard for students.
1:17:46 But I would suggest that geography becomes a potential challenge
1:17:51 that there are transferable programs or aligned programs that it
1:17:56 may not be exact, but it comes alongside.
1:18:00 We provide access to the industry certification exams for
1:18:03 students across schools.
1:18:05 The board will remember the young man at Palm Bay Magnet High
1:18:08 School who graduated with 21 industry certifications at the end
1:18:13 of high school.
1:18:15 Those were all made available and paid for through Brevard
1:18:19 public schools for that young man.
1:18:21 And that same opportunity is available to all of our kids across
1:18:25 Brevard.
1:18:26 So if a student is wrestling with or has questions about, again,
1:18:31 we have an amazing team that will work with them, connect with
1:18:35 the schools that they’re thinking about and help them make the
1:18:38 best decision for them.
1:18:40 And I, you know, what we see is, is that CTE is not just for
1:18:45 kids who are strictly career pursuing.
1:18:49 We have many, excuse me, many, many students who are college
1:18:55 pursuing who take CTE and they have the opportunity to see the
1:19:00 relevance of what they’re learning in the classroom and their
1:19:03 subject areas and apply it to the CTE industries.
1:19:07 So we have historically had over 40% of our high school seniors
1:19:13 graduate with at least one industry certification.
1:19:18 Don’t have quite the data yet for this year, but I suspect it’s
1:19:22 going to at least meet, if not exceed, our historical 40 plus
1:19:26 percent of graduates.
1:19:32 Thank you, Dr. Mullins and Ms. Campbell.
1:19:35 Anyone else?
1:19:36 My turn.
1:19:37 Okay.
1:19:38 So I, um, there’s an airport right up here in Titusville
1:19:41 actually.
1:19:42 And one of the people that run the FBO are from outside this
1:19:45 country and they’re from Europe.
1:19:47 And they sit there and talk about, every time I’m inside there,
1:19:50 they say, you right now Americans don’t understand that it’s our
1:19:55 duty to help the next generation.
1:19:58 We are selfish as an organization.
1:20:01 We are selfish as people.
1:20:02 I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to places and said,
1:20:04 you guys should hire an intern.
1:20:05 And they say, oh, well, you know, I got to train them.
1:20:07 I got to do, yeah, that’s what we should do as a community.
1:20:11 Um, the problem is, is that these people say, well, you know, I’m
1:20:13 too busy.
1:20:14 I’m too this.
1:20:15 Well, the hell with you.
1:20:16 Well, the hell with you because we can’t train our future
1:20:19 workforce.
1:20:20 We won’t have a future as a country.
1:20:22 And so some of these people need to step up to the plate.
1:20:25 Um, one of the things I’d like to do is we should list all of
1:20:29 the people that have interns and how many each one of them are.
1:20:32 And just, and, and send them thank you because I think that that
1:20:35 list would actually go out pretty well.
1:20:38 I know Brevard does things.
1:20:39 I know that we do things.
1:20:40 There’s some great opportunities.
1:20:42 And I’m not saying there are some people that are just slammed,
1:20:44 but there’s no reason that a company that has more than 15
1:20:47 workers can’t hire a kid.
1:20:48 I mean, we have a, we have programs for everybody.
1:20:50 Um, and I, and I appreciate that man for talking to me like the
1:20:54 way that he did.
1:20:55 Um, next thing is, is if we can get the form to the parents,
1:20:58 what I found is, is that these kids don’t bring their paperwork
1:21:02 home, right?
1:21:03 So if we can send that form some sort of way to their parents so
1:21:07 that they know, because you know, if we don’t, you know, they,
1:21:11 they just won’t bring it to them, but they will, um, the parents
1:21:14 will respond.
1:21:15 And then, um, the last thing is, is that I’m, I’m like, there’s
1:21:17 literally no other school district that does what we do, Ms. Rutledge.
1:21:21 Nobody, nobody, I promise you, nobody, nobody has aquaculture.
1:21:24 Nobody has a freaking aviation hangar.
1:21:26 Nobody has anything like, no, they just don’t.
1:21:28 They don’t. And I’m sorry.
1:21:29 They just don’t.
1:21:30 We should be saying that we have the best career and technical
1:21:33 programs in the state.
1:21:34 I know you got your friends.
1:21:35 You don’t really want to shame them and stuff like that, but let’s
1:21:37 do it, man.
1:21:38 Let’s just say, and until somebody comes and tells us we don’t,
1:21:41 then we do, right?
1:21:43 I’m serious.
1:21:45 I mean, think of the things that we do.
1:21:46 Well, Mr. Susan, I’d add to that.
1:21:47 I, I, I shamelessly let folks know that when the feds came and
1:21:52 asked the Florida Department of Education,
1:21:55 Hey, we’re very interested in career and technical education and
1:21:58 how you do it in Florida.
1:22:00 The deal, and they asked, where should we go to see the best
1:22:03 programs?
1:22:04 The department said, you got to go to Brevard.
1:22:07 That speaks for itself.
1:22:08 Yeah.
1:22:09 So to your point.
1:22:10 No, no, no, but we need to tell them.
1:22:11 Yeah, because we are the best.
1:22:13 Like, that’s what we need to do.
1:22:14 We need to plant the flag because the bottom line is, is that it’s
1:22:17 something to be proud
1:22:18 of in our district.
1:22:19 It’s something to brag about.
1:22:20 And we can draw more companies and we can create more jobs.
1:22:24 Just so everybody knows, Orange County is building a career and
1:22:26 technical center right across the five,
1:22:28 right across the county line.
1:22:30 They’re going to start competing with us for our aviation job.
1:22:32 And we’ve got to pick up our game to get our kids from working
1:22:35 inside McDonald’s and places like that.
1:22:38 We’ve got to get going.
1:22:39 I mean, it’s massive.
1:22:40 We’ve got to get going.
1:22:42 We’re the best.
1:22:43 Thank you, Ms. Rutledge.
1:22:44 A lot of it’s because of you.
1:22:45 Not so much Dr. Mullins’ presentations, but because of your hard
1:22:48 work.
1:22:49 So thank you.
1:22:51 I just want to say thank you very much.
1:22:53 And Ms. Rutledge, thank you so much.
1:22:55 Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School has been begging and
1:22:57 asking,
1:22:58 and this could not be a better fit for them in that school.
1:23:01 So thank you very much for pursuing that.
1:23:03 And I’m very excited about the partnership with the Brevard Zoo.
1:23:07 This should be perfect.
1:23:08 That’s the only one in the state, right?
1:23:09 Except for South Carolina.
1:23:11 The only one on the East Coast.
1:23:14 You can count them on one hand.
1:23:16 The only one north of.
1:23:17 Yeah, but they don’t matter.
1:23:26 I know they don’t have Brevard Zoo as their partner.
1:23:28 Yeah.
1:23:29 Well, there you go.
1:23:30 Best zoo in the country.
1:23:31 Is it zoo?
1:23:32 Ms. Rutledge.
1:23:33 All right.
1:23:34 Thank you.
1:23:35 Sorry to get us off on our rails.
1:23:36 So Dr. Mullins.
1:23:37 You’re probably going to get mad at me for this.
1:23:42 Am I correct if I said that there’s rumors about, like,
1:23:45 aerospace programs?
1:23:46 Possibly.
1:23:47 Maybe.
1:23:49 You are going to get me in trouble.
1:23:53 Oopsies.
1:23:54 I have spoken it into existence out there.
1:23:58 Yes, we’re in very, very early conversations.
1:24:02 But acknowledge that we want to expand our aerospace aviation
1:24:06 opportunities for our students.
1:24:09 We’ve got a lot on our plate right now for the coming year and
1:24:12 the year after that.
1:24:13 But there have been conversations about that.
1:24:17 So stay tuned.
1:24:18 That’ll be part of a CTE highlight in the near future.
1:24:22 But you are right.
1:24:23 And I might be selfishly advocating for District 3.
1:24:26 So sorry about that.
1:24:28 But I do, as much as I love you, Dr. Mullins, I just want to
1:24:32 appreciate the people sitting
1:24:34 behind you because you guys are an amazing team and amazing
1:24:38 partnership.
1:24:39 Teamwork makes the dream work over there.
1:24:41 You guys are incredible what you do.
1:24:44 And the reason that we are able to brag about these CTE programs
1:24:46 is because of all the work
1:24:48 and effort that you do and the people that work alongside of you.
1:24:51 And I have spoken to many people in the community that are quick
1:24:54 to say your name and praise you equally.
1:24:56 I don’t even know who you haven’t talked to, to be honest.
1:25:00 So well done.
1:25:01 And I appreciate you.
1:25:02 Thank you so much for everything you do for Brevard Public
1:25:03 Schools.
1:25:04 Mr. Jenkins, if I can echo that, I appreciate you acknowledging.
1:25:08 You know, Grace, I’ve struggled with her last name throughout
1:25:12 the entire tour.
1:25:14 I got it right at the very last tour and she wasn’t there to
1:25:18 witness it.
1:25:19 But Grace, all of those follow-up calls and interests and inquiries
1:25:23 about internships, we know you’ve been fielding.
1:25:27 And thank you very much.
1:25:29 But I also want to include our resource teachers for career and
1:25:32 technical education.
1:25:33 We have five teachers, five right?
1:25:36 Resource teachers.
1:25:37 We have over 40 different diverse programs.
1:25:41 And those five men and women manage and coordinate and keep
1:25:47 track of and support and respond to over 40 different programs.
1:25:52 82 plus different industry certifications.
1:25:55 They are impressive individuals in their own right.
1:25:59 And their willingness to take on such a diverse array of
1:26:02 different programs and serve every one of them with excellence
1:26:06 is just so impressive.
1:26:08 So thank you.
1:26:10 Dr. Mullins, I will just add to the conversation about our
1:26:13 resource teachers.
1:26:14 So my son completed the CNA program at Titusville High School
1:26:17 this year, which was phenomenal for him.
1:26:21 He decided he’s going into the medical field.
1:26:23 It’s all the things, like, all the things we hope the CTE does
1:26:25 for our kids did for him, right?
1:26:28 However, he lost his teacher mid-program.
1:26:35 Late program, not even mid-program.
1:26:38 Late program lost his teacher.
1:26:40 And our resource teacher stepped in and served that class to get
1:26:44 them through their state board successfully.
1:26:47 So it’s not even managing all of the different aspects of the
1:26:50 different programs and providing support.
1:26:53 But it’s also, like, when it comes down to it, they’re stepping
1:26:56 in the classroom and making sure our kids are successful.
1:26:58 So absolutely, kudos to them.
1:27:01 Kudos, you know, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to
1:27:03 Rachel, “Hey, can you reach out to this person?”
1:27:05 Because they asked me about this, that, or the other thing.
1:27:07 She is on it.
1:27:08 If she has not already talked to them, which 90% of the time she
1:27:11 already has.
1:27:12 But if she hasn’t, she’s on it right away and building those
1:27:15 relationships and making things happen for all of our kids
1:27:18 throughout Brevard.
1:27:19 So, yes.
1:27:20 And Grace, I can’t even imagine what you’re dealing with all the
1:27:23 internship programs and moving parts and making that all work.
1:27:27 Because I know that we have gotten very flexible with when we
1:27:30 can accommodate internship opportunities with our kids.
1:27:34 And so it’s just, it’s a huge machine with so many moving parts
1:27:37 and a very small team to make it work.
1:27:40 So thank you for all the work you did.
1:27:44 Anyone else?
1:27:46 All right.
1:27:47 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
1:27:52 All right.
1:27:53 Just going to do a check-in.
1:27:55 With the board.
1:27:56 We are right at 7:00.
1:27:57 We’re getting ready to go into public comment.
1:27:58 We have four speakers for agenda-related public comment.
1:27:59 You guys want to take a quick restroom break before we get into
1:28:12 it?
1:28:14 That’s fine.
1:28:15 So I have a request for a quick recess.
1:28:17 We’ll take about a 10-minute recess and then reconvene.
1:28:25 Thank you.
1:37:55 Alright, we are back in session and now at the public comments
1:38:07 portion of the meeting
1:38:12 on agenda items.
1:38:42 Thank you.
1:47:12 terrorized our schools for the last year.
1:47:12 There’s already a statute that guides our books
1:47:15 and policies, so it isn’t necessary to supersede it.
1:47:19 The current handling of the books being removed
1:47:20 and not a removal of Epic and Prodigy also tells me
1:47:23 that you’re listening to the bullies and not the majority.
1:47:26 This must stop for the sake of our public schools.
1:47:28 Please stop folding to this loud, angry, small group.
1:47:32 Moms for Liberty and their one-off Tea Party group
1:47:35 doesn’t dictate our school–
1:47:36 - Mr. Hosey, hold one second, please, for me.
1:47:39 So I’m gonna ask you to stop attacking another group, okay?
1:47:42 If you can just get your point across without that,
1:47:43 that would be awesome.
1:47:44 Thanks.
1:47:45 - Where are the limits?
1:47:48 How far are we willing to go to appease them?
1:47:51 Many of them are attacking our public schools
1:47:53 with little vested interest.
1:47:54 As they send their kids to private and charter schools,
1:47:58 I wonder if they’re sending them the same list.
1:48:00 Help protect our schools and allow our students
1:48:02 to use the best tools and books to grow
1:48:04 as well-rounded humans that live in this reality.
1:48:07 The world is diverse.
1:48:08 The workplace is diverse.
1:48:09 We need children that are not sheltered and filled with hate
1:48:12 so they don’t become the next said group.
1:48:14 Or one of their original blueprints,
1:48:20 the Daughters of the Confederacy or the Ku Klux Klan terrorizing
1:48:23 our schools
1:48:23 because they don’t want diversity, equity, or inclusion.
1:48:25 - Mr. Hosey, I repeat, please stop caving to the organization.
1:48:30 - Mr. Hosey, I’m gonna ask you to rein it in, okay?
1:48:33 Audience members, you guys, I’m addressing the issue,
1:48:38 but I need you all not to interrupt.
1:48:41 So the way that the rules work is, I address it,
1:48:43 I ask for it to be corrected.
1:48:44 If he’s willing to correct it, then we move on with the time.
1:48:46 Mr. Hosey, am I correct in understanding that you’re gonna stop
1:48:48 with the attacks or name-calling?
1:48:54 Thank you, sir.
1:48:55 - Okay, so what precedent are we setting with our books or tools
1:49:02 that have something with diversity like LGBTQ,
1:49:06 that there’s a complaint that these books get tossed out,
1:49:09 or black people in history and a parent can complain that it’s
1:49:12 CRT and labeled and tossed out?
1:49:13 If the state feels that there’s tools or materials or books that
1:49:17 violate these discriminatory bills,
1:49:18 then they should call it out and explain why.
1:49:21 It amazes me that we don’t indoctrinate our children with things
1:49:24 like critical race theory,
1:49:25 or lead our classes in discussions of sexual orientation and
1:49:30 gender identity
1:49:31 in elementary schools, that somehow our schools, our school
1:49:34 libraries are full of porn.
1:49:36 This narrative is what it is, it’s a lie.
1:49:40 Please communicate the truth that BPS holds educating all
1:49:44 students with excellence,
1:49:45 whether that’s a student with privilege, poor, black, brown,
1:49:48 white, gay, straight,
1:49:50 we celebrate them no matter who they are, we keep them safe, and
1:49:54 we understand how far we’ve
1:49:55 come.
1:49:56 Please make sure that these narratives stay what they are,
1:49:59 rhetoric and lies.
1:49:59 Thank you.
1:50:00 Thank you, Mr. Hosen.
1:50:01 Audience members, please hold your applause.
1:50:04 Okay, that concludes public comments on agenda items.
1:50:10 We thank you for your willingness to address us in this public
1:50:13 manner.
1:50:14 That will now move us into the consent agenda.
1:50:16 Dr. Mullins?
1:50:16 There are 17 agenda items under this category.
1:50:19 Does any board member wish to pull any item from the consent
1:50:22 agenda?
1:50:23 Hearing none, I’ll entertain a motion to approve the consent
1:50:26 agenda as presented.
1:50:27 I move.
1:50:28 Moved by Ms. McDougall, seconded by Ms. Campbell.
1:50:31 Is there any discussion?
1:50:32 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
1:50:35 Aye.
1:50:36 Any opposed?
1:50:37 Same sign.
1:50:37 Motion passes 5-0.
1:50:39 Yeah, I’m good.
1:50:44 I just didn’t hear me.
1:50:46 All right.
1:50:47 We are now at the public hearing portion of the agenda.
1:50:52 First is to hold a hearing and approve item G28.
1:50:55 Is there anyone present to address the board regarding board
1:50:58 policy 5630.01,
1:51:01 seclusion and restraint of students with disabilities?
1:51:03 Delaney?
1:51:06 I have more so a comment rather than a question about this
1:51:14 policy.
1:51:15 I just find the timing of it very interesting,
1:51:19 especially when this instance happened to a seven-year-old child
1:51:24 in Brevard Public Schools
1:51:25 earlier this year when a mask was forcibly tied on her face.
1:51:29 It’s just very interesting that this is now being brought to the
1:51:35 table.
1:51:36 Thank you.
1:51:36 Thank you, Ms. Delaney.
1:51:37 Is there anyone else that wishes to address policy 5630.01,
1:51:41 seclusion and restraint of students?
1:51:43 Merski?
1:51:49 Good evening, Madam Chair and Board.
1:51:50 And I just want to echo with what Ms. Delaney had mentioned.
1:51:55 And I know I’m supposed to address the board.
1:51:57 I find this policy also, the timing of this policy incredibly
1:52:03 interesting,
1:52:03 since the school board by majority of vote chose to force face
1:52:08 mask our children
1:52:08 without parental consent.
1:52:10 And many of them being special needs students.
1:52:13 Thank you.
1:52:14 Thank you, Ms. Merski.
1:52:15 Is there anyone else that wishes to address the board on policy
1:52:18 5630.01,
1:52:19 seclusion and restraint of students with disabilities?
1:52:22 Is there anyone present who wishes to address the board on
1:52:25 policy 5630.01,
1:52:28 seclusion and restraint of students?
1:52:29 Seeing none, I’ll entertain a motion.
1:52:31 Move.
1:52:32 Move by Ms. McDougall.
1:52:34 Seconded by Ms. Campbell.
1:52:36 Is there any discussion?
1:52:37 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
1:52:40 Aye.
1:52:41 Any opposed?
1:52:42 Same sign.
1:52:42 Motion passes 5-0.
1:52:44 Next is to hold a hearing and approve item G29.
1:52:49 Is there anyone present to address the board regarding board
1:52:51 policy 2521 instructional materials program?
1:52:54 Either Ms. Merski or Ms. Burst, whoever.
1:52:59 Good evening, Madam Chair and Board.
1:53:09 I’m Sarah Merski.
1:53:10 I’ve got two children in Brevard Public Schools.
1:53:13 I’m a voter constituent.
1:53:14 I just want to point out that the materials of concern
1:53:22 doesn’t have any educational value.
1:53:29 And I want to point out that just as school computers have
1:53:33 filters and firewalls,
1:53:34 we need to protect our children from certain things.
1:53:38 There’s a reason why our school computers and things have
1:53:41 filters and firewalls,
1:53:43 because we don’t want children accessing things that are illegal
1:53:46 to them, for them, or
1:53:48 harmful to them.
1:53:51 In one of the books, it tells children how to meet sexual
1:53:57 partners online.
1:53:59 That is certainly not something I want my children having
1:54:02 knowledge of.
1:54:02 And no, I do not give free reign to my children on their
1:54:05 electronic devices, contrary to popular belief.
1:54:09 The other point I want to bring up is that in one of the books,
1:54:15 it talks about the explicit account of
1:54:20 a pedophile raping a child over and over again, and the only
1:54:25 reason that that would serve for
1:54:27 me to have my children read that or to read that with my child
1:54:30 would be incredibly harmful.
1:54:32 And everybody that’s in a classroom setting is a court mandate.
1:54:37 And this is clearly against the law.
1:54:39 This is not about book banning.
1:54:41 This is not about not teaching history or supposed to be some
1:54:47 sort of
1:54:47 bias against anybody or any group.
1:54:52 This is simply about protecting children.
1:54:54 Thank you.
1:54:54 Thank you, Ms. Merski.
1:54:56 Audience, please hold your applause.
1:54:58 Ms. Beavers.
1:55:00 As I mentioned before, the 41 books would take between four and
1:55:04 a half to six years to review
1:55:06 at the current standards you have on here.
1:55:09 And that’s assuming that most of them are 300 to 350 pages.
1:55:12 I’m asking you to please take the books off the shelves now and
1:55:16 then review them.
1:55:17 That makes the most sense.
1:55:18 They should not be lumped in with the school curriculum books.
1:55:22 You have lumped them in together.
1:55:24 And I understand the reason for when to keep the curriculum
1:55:26 books
1:55:27 available while you’re reviewing.
1:55:29 But this isn’t curriculum.
1:55:30 This is sexually explicit material that’s designed to excite you.
1:55:35 And that should not be in our schools.
1:55:36 And it shouldn’t be checked out by a child who has no idea what
1:55:39 they’re checking out
1:55:39 until they come across these passages.
1:55:41 And I think you know what I’m talking about.
1:55:42 I don’t think there’s any question here about how bad these are.
1:55:45 If you take them off the shelves first, it’s not going to hurt
1:55:48 anybody.
1:55:49 You’re actually going to be buying tons of these books with your
1:55:52 current policy
1:55:53 and giving them out to everybody to read.
1:55:55 It’s going to be expensive.
1:55:56 It’s going to be just not very cost effective.
1:56:00 There was another point I had to make with you guys.
1:56:11 Oh, it never tells you in eight years what happens to these
1:56:14 books.
1:56:14 Do they get put back on?
1:56:16 Do they not get put back on?
1:56:18 And also, I would like to stop this from happening over.
1:56:21 I’d like the librarians to post a list of books they plan to buy.
1:56:26 I don’t think that’s too much.
1:56:27 I think that’s putting out there in the sunshine.
1:56:29 If you plan to buy this book, it should be out there for the
1:56:31 public to review
1:56:32 before it gets in our library so this doesn’t happen again.
1:56:35 We don’t have to keep chasing these books after they get in the
1:56:37 library.
1:56:37 It doesn’t take much effort to put that list out there and let
1:56:41 the public review it.
1:56:42 These books are available for you to review, like I said, on
1:56:48 that website
1:56:49 so everyone can see what’s going on.
1:56:50 This has nothing to do with CRT.
1:56:52 It has nothing to do with race or anything like that.
1:56:55 This has to do with sexually explicit material, period.
1:56:59 We also are trying to look at the drug aspect too.
1:57:01 The drugs aspect of enticing kids to take drugs,
1:57:05 telling them how cool it is in some of these books.
1:57:08 And then what happens after they take the drugs is, of course,
1:57:10 sexually explicit things.
1:57:11 That shouldn’t be a thing that you find in our library.
1:57:15 Our library is supposed to be a safe place for these kids.
1:57:17 When you see it in our library, the kids think that’s normal.
1:57:20 That’s what part of life is.
1:57:21 And that’s not the normal that I want for my children or anybody
1:57:24 else’s children.
1:57:25 Thank you.
1:57:26 Thank you, Ms. Beavers.
1:57:27 Is there anyone else that wishes to address Board Policy 252 on
1:57:31 instructional materials?
1:57:32 Good evening.
1:57:36 My name is Twan Owens.
1:57:39 I am a constituent of Brevard County.
1:57:42 I recently just had a son graduate last year from private school.
1:57:47 However, I am a successful story of the public schools
1:57:54 throughout Florida.
1:57:55 I was born and raised in Palm Beach and literally as a health
1:58:02 educator for years,
1:58:06 for over 20 years, I did HIV and as a social worker, it’s ironic
1:58:13 how parents want the schools to
1:58:16 take certain things to take certain things out when their kids
1:58:19 are actually doing it regardless.
1:58:22 In schools,
1:58:25 there is only a certain limit that you can go to, right?
1:58:35 We have dealt with individuals, kids that have sex, that parents
1:58:43 are saying that they’re not having
1:58:44 sex because parents don’t know.
1:58:46 Anal sex, oral sex is sex.
1:58:50 And so kids are doing this.
1:58:54 This is the reality.
1:58:55 As a social worker, this is the reality.
1:58:58 Hold on just one second, ma’am.
1:58:59 So I’m going to remind our audience that you all are here as
1:59:03 observers,
1:59:03 not interrupting other public commenters, okay?
1:59:06 You heard me address the two words that she used.
1:59:09 The other words are nothing different than anyone else used when
1:59:12 you all were up there.
1:59:13 I’m just, some people, I’m not looking at you, Sarah.
1:59:18 I’m looking in that general direction.
1:59:20 But I need for the interruption of the public commenter to stop,
1:59:24 okay?
1:59:24 It’s their time when they’re at the microphone.
1:59:26 Let’s be respectful.
1:59:28 Everyone will get their chance.
1:59:29 And I will address it as it comes up, okay?
1:59:31 Go ahead.
1:59:33 As a parent, I have three kids.
1:59:37 One who serves in the United States Army.
1:59:41 One who serves our congressional leaders for Washington.
1:59:47 And one, like I said, just graduated and is in college.
1:59:50 It’s very sad as a community leader, a business owner, to watch
2:00:02 individuals take what has been
2:00:06 the authority of the school.
2:00:08 Books are what they are.
2:00:12 There used to be a time where you could sign and have your kid
2:00:16 not participate during a certain assignment.
2:00:20 Why are we now at a point where it’s,
2:00:26 I won’t say the requirement, but it’s the law of a group of
2:00:33 individuals.
2:00:35 And we take that to govern the entire school community.
2:00:40 As a LGBT woman, it is not and it has never been my place to
2:00:49 teach children.
2:00:51 And I am involved with children daily about sexuality.
2:00:58 I do not.
2:00:59 Unfortunately, parents, children have their own questions.
2:01:05 They see it.
2:01:07 Commercials.
2:01:08 You can turn on your television and there are commercials that
2:01:12 show.
2:01:12 Thank you, ma’am.
2:01:14 We appreciate you joining us.
2:01:15 All right.
2:01:17 Is there anyone else present who wishes to address board policy
2:01:21 2521?
2:01:22 Sir?
2:01:28 My name’s Robert Taylor.
2:01:33 And my–
2:01:34 Hold on one second, Mr. Taylor.
2:01:36 I just want to make sure I have your mic actually on.
2:01:37 Okay.
2:01:40 Go ahead.
2:01:41 My name’s Robert Taylor.
2:01:42 I’m here not to express anything about myself.
2:01:48 It’s my grandkids, great grandkids, that I’m concerned with.
2:01:56 It seems like we have a problem.
2:01:57 I was here a few years ago.
2:02:01 And this LGBT whatever gay rights thing was an issue then.
2:02:07 And it hasn’t gone away yet.
2:02:09 Is there anybody here that took biology?
2:02:14 I’m going to interrupt you for just a second, okay?
2:02:18 For just a couple of things.
2:02:19 I just want to make sure we’re all staying on the same path,
2:02:21 okay?
2:02:23 And I’ve stopped the timer, so I’m not taking any of your time
2:02:27 away.
2:02:27 So the policy that we’re talking about has to do specifically
2:02:30 with instructional materials.
2:02:31 And because we’re on the public hearing for the instructional
2:02:34 materials policy,
2:02:35 I need you to keep your comments focused on that policy, if you
2:02:38 would.
2:02:39 And then the other thing that I would ask is if you could please
2:02:42 address the board as
2:02:43 opposed to addressing the audience, okay?
2:02:45 Thank you so much.
2:02:47 Go ahead when you’re ready.
2:02:48 Go ahead.
2:02:49 So the problem isn’t about teaching.
2:02:53 We have biology classes for biology.
2:02:58 And sociology classes, maybe they have them in college, I know.
2:03:04 And a lot of colleges in the high school now.
2:03:08 But the problem is biology versus psychology.
2:03:12 And my daughter studies psychology.
2:03:16 And she brought up the term delusional one time.
2:03:21 I didn’t even know what it meant at the time.
2:03:23 But it means can’t accept fact.
2:03:27 Their feelings are more real than fact.
2:03:32 They need to see a psychologist to deal with that.
2:03:38 Now, introducing all this stuff to stir the pot at a young age,
2:03:43 I don’t believe is appropriate for my great-grandchildren.
2:03:49 Thank you, sir.
2:03:54 Is there anyone else present that wishes to address the board
2:03:57 regarding policy 2521 instructional materials?
2:04:00 Good evening, madam.
2:04:08 Thank you, Chair and Board.
2:04:09 I wasn’t going to speak on this topic.
2:04:12 But I feel like at this point I must, as a parent, step up.
2:04:16 And also voice my concern about you removing the 41 books of
2:04:24 concern that Michelle has spoken about this evening.
2:04:28 I don’t want to speak on this issue.
2:04:29 But I don’t want to speak on this issue.
2:04:34 I don’t want to speak on this issue.
2:04:51 And then have them reviewed.
2:04:53 Because what I foresee for you as a board.
2:04:58 Is that this is not only inappropriate morally reprehensible.
2:05:04 And illegal to allow children inappropriate content.
2:05:09 But also it will present serious liabilities for the board in
2:05:14 the future.
2:05:15 Legal ramifications.
2:05:19 If this sexually explicit content is not immediately removed.
2:05:24 Thank you.
2:05:25 Is there anyone else?
2:05:28 I wish just to address the board on policy 2521 instructional
2:05:32 material.
2:05:32 My children don’t currently go to Brevard Public Library.
2:05:49 Schools because I cannot trust that the people sitting up on
2:05:53 that dais are going to protect them.
2:05:56 My child, my oldest child, is one year away from not having
2:06:02 another option.
2:06:03 That is why I’m here every two weeks.
2:06:13 In one of these books that’s currently in many of the junior and
2:06:17 senior high schools.
2:06:19 It speaks about a man sexually abusing in detail little children.
2:06:29 And talking about how he’s feeding them ice cream while he does
2:06:32 it and laughs at them giggling.
2:06:41 That’s what you want our 11 year old children having access to.
2:06:45 I’m sorry that I am getting very aggravated but I am done.
2:06:54 I am done with you people abusing our children.
2:06:58 We have dealt with it for years now and I am done.
2:07:03 It is against the law.
2:07:04 It’s against Florida State statute.
2:07:07 To distribute pornography and sexually explicit material to our
2:07:13 children.
2:07:14 Thank you.
2:07:18 Thank you, Ms. Delaney.
2:07:20 Is there anyone else that wishes to address the board on policy
2:07:24 2521 instructional materials?
2:07:26 Is there anyone else present who wishes to address the board
2:07:29 regarding policy 2521 instructional materials?
2:07:33 Hearing none, I’ll entertain a motion.
2:07:34 Moved by Ms. McDougall.
2:07:37 Seconded by Ms. Campbell.
2:07:40 Is there any discussion?
2:07:40 Ms. Campbell?
2:07:42 So, I can take just a minute.
2:07:52 There was some question as to why we’re revising the policy.
2:07:55 It had to do with restraint and people can go back to the
2:07:58 workshop or readdress that work session
2:08:00 and that doesn’t have anything to do with the subject that was
2:08:03 brought up.
2:08:03 It has to do with actually a change in state law.
2:08:05 And we have to adjust our policies just like we always do.
2:08:09 When state laws change, we adjust our policies.
2:08:11 But on to this one.
2:08:12 Dr. Sullivan and Ms. Klein, I may need to call on you.
2:08:16 I’ve got a couple of questions.
2:08:19 One, I know that we’ve already, following the informal process,
2:08:23 we have already removed,
2:08:24 schools have already removed some of the books that have been
2:08:29 brought to question in an informal
2:08:31 process ahead.
2:08:32 Correct?
2:08:36 Okay.
2:08:46 Dr. Sullivan and Ms. Klein, would you please come and provide
2:08:49 some additional clarification?
2:08:51 Thank you.
2:08:53 And Ms. Klein, while you’re coming, the other question was, you
2:08:55 know, we had a conversation
2:08:56 at our work session about what we would do with books that were
2:09:02 challenged, whether they,
2:09:03 if they felt a challenge, that we were going to have some kind
2:09:07 of mechanism of, you know,
2:09:10 putting that in the database so that media specialist would be
2:09:14 aware of the challenges at the school
2:09:17 or district level.
2:09:18 So just, you know, if you could kind of just bring some
2:09:20 clarification to that.
2:09:21 I just want to clarify the question I’m answering about the
2:09:29 books specifically in the libraries
2:09:31 currently.
2:09:32 Right.
2:09:32 Okay.
2:09:33 I just want to make, yeah, so I can, I’d be happy to address
2:09:36 what we’ve done in that case.
2:09:37 I’ve certainly shared it with the board and the requester.
2:09:41 At this point, that information is in what I would consider the
2:09:45 informal process,
2:09:47 aligned with both the previous process and the recommended
2:09:52 change in process.
2:09:54 The previous process before amendment, then a requester would
2:09:59 have to file a petition at each school.
2:10:02 But the first step in that process was an informal meeting with
2:10:08 the principal.
2:10:10 Given the requesters had a large list with a few different
2:10:14 schools, first thing we did was send
2:10:16 it out to the schools to one, verify the information and for
2:10:22 their media specialists to review.
2:10:24 As you guys are aware, there is new state law that does put that
2:10:29 responsibility on the media specialists.
2:10:32 So in some cases, the data set that we had had some inaccuracies.
2:10:38 So big surprise, sometimes books are lost, right?
2:10:42 So in some cases, media specialists went to pull it, a book was
2:10:45 lost.
2:10:46 In some cases, the media specialists reviewed the book and felt
2:10:51 that it was not appropriate for
2:10:53 their collection any longer.
2:10:55 And our current practice, media specialists weed their
2:10:59 collection every single year.
2:11:01 And we’ll pull materials based on checkout data, age appropriateness,
2:11:07 and other factors.
2:11:08 So there were several titles that upon review from the media
2:11:13 specialists,
2:11:14 they chose to remove those from their circulation based on all
2:11:18 those criteria.
2:11:19 Age appropriateness, circulation data.
2:11:23 In some cases, there was updated reviews available online for
2:11:27 them to review and make some decisions.
2:11:29 So that’s why it wasn’t really a head nod because there’s a few
2:11:34 different scenarios.
2:11:36 So our media specialists have been maintaining that data along
2:11:41 with our
2:11:41 district content specialist to make sure we had accurate
2:11:45 information.
2:11:47 And in good faith, presented it to them on behalf of the requester
2:11:54 so that they would not have to
2:11:55 go through everyone, every school site.
2:11:57 It’s much easier for me to communicate with schools.
2:12:00 They’ve maintained a current list and we’ve shared that a few
2:12:04 times in the making.
2:12:05 So as they continue to review them, I’m getting some updated
2:12:08 information.
2:12:09 You know, sometimes we have media specialists in our schools
2:12:13 right now that weren’t the ones
2:12:14 that purchased the book and so we certainly appreciate requests
2:12:18 to review those titles.
2:12:19 And the media specialists have, you know, appreciated the
2:12:23 opportunity to review any of those.
2:12:25 Our juniors and seniors all have some slightly different process,
2:12:31 but we’ve actually
2:12:32 an opportunity through these discussions to tighten that up a
2:12:35 little bit.
2:12:35 And primarily really clear designation on high school only or
2:12:39 middle school only books.
2:12:41 And in some cases for that media specialist, they didn’t feel
2:12:45 comfortable in monitoring that.
2:12:47 So in that case, they might have also pulled the book.
2:12:50 So the libraries are set up different physically staffed and
2:12:55 different levels of ability.
2:12:56 So the media specialists have made those decisions.
2:12:58 So I would say a significant number of books.
2:13:03 I don’t have like, you know, I like data.
2:13:06 And I absolutely would have given you an exact number.
2:13:08 But a significant percentage of books have been removed from
2:13:13 circulation
2:13:13 based on the media specialist review of information presented by
2:13:19 the requester.
2:13:20 Any other parent concern, I always, you all know, I work with a
2:13:25 lot of parent concerns,
2:13:26 request as much information as possible, present that
2:13:29 information to the schools,
2:13:31 work alongside the schools in process and policy to help them
2:13:35 consider that concern
2:13:36 being brought by the parent.
2:13:37 So we did just receive an additional list yesterday, if I’m
2:13:45 saying that correctly.
2:13:47 And that list is kind of in the hopper like the others.
2:13:51 Miss Slack, once again, is giving me the information on where
2:13:55 they are and what libraries,
2:13:57 where they exist.
2:13:59 And then the case of this most recent list, a couple of titles
2:14:03 may be in high school AP classes.
2:14:08 And so we’re gathering that information as well.
2:14:10 And so my first step is to have exact factual information on
2:14:15 where any of these titles may be.
2:14:17 And then that same list will go back out to the schools as well,
2:14:21 principals and media specialists,
2:14:23 for them to review it against what their criteria is, what is
2:14:27 appropriate.
2:14:28 And they’ve been extremely thoughtful.
2:14:31 I think all parties would agree that the media specialists have
2:14:35 been responsive
2:14:36 to the information received, have viewed them carefully, and
2:14:39 then made some decisions along the way
2:14:41 based on that.
2:14:43 So like any other presented concern, we appreciate concerns
2:14:47 being brought our way.
2:14:48 And I’ve been pretty careful to review them thoroughly at the
2:14:54 schools and make some of those decisions.
2:14:56 And so that’s where it stands.
2:14:58 It’s all at an informal stage at this point.
2:15:02 I know that I can’t speak for anyone else.
2:15:07 We imagine there’ll be a point of formal, whether it is school-based
2:15:13 or district-based.
2:15:15 Obviously, we didn’t have a district-based formal process until
2:15:18 this policymaking is complete.
2:15:20 But at that time, we’ll follow that policy as well.
2:15:23 So, you know, in short, up till now, we have followed the spirit
2:15:27 of the existing policy,
2:15:29 which is an opportunity of informal review.
2:15:31 And the schools have been, in my opinion, really responsive to
2:15:36 our requests for them
2:15:38 to take a look.
2:15:39 And we have, you know, that’s where it sits right now.
2:15:43 I hope that answered your question.
2:15:45 It did.
2:15:45 Thank you.
2:15:46 And thank you for that level of detail.
2:15:48 And thank you for the work you guys have done and for being
2:15:50 responsive to the people from the public.
2:15:52 I very much appreciate that.
2:15:53 Second question.
2:15:54 I think that was for Ms. Klein as far as we talked about a
2:15:57 mechanism.
2:15:58 It doesn’t necessarily belong to policy so much as procedure.
2:16:00 But can you kind of just clarify as to what happens then at each
2:16:05 level if a book fails to meet
2:16:07 a challenge, whether either at the school level or at the
2:16:10 district level, either in the A process
2:16:13 or the B process, you know, what are we going to do to inform
2:16:17 our media specialists that that happened in the past?
2:16:19 So as Dr. Sullivan just said, our media, library media K-12
2:16:24 person is very much involved with
2:16:26 every media specialist in our district with ongoing training
2:16:30 every year.
2:16:31 She is going to conduct, she does conduct annual training on how
2:16:35 to weed through a library book
2:16:36 and remove titles that are of question.
2:16:41 So once this policy is completed, we were going to start then on
2:16:46 the administrative procedures,
2:16:49 making certain that this process is complete.
2:16:52 But part of that administrative procedure is any book who is
2:16:56 removed, which is removed,
2:16:58 is completely communicated with everyone in the school system.
2:17:02 And then as you know, July 1, we have amendments to this policy
2:17:08 that will come forth again
2:17:09 with changes in instructional material and responsibilities as a
2:17:13 media specialist in vetting books.
2:17:16 And we’re waiting for a clarification right now from the DOE.
2:17:19 Okay.
2:17:20 Sure.
2:17:22 I think one of the things Ms. Klein, if I’m not mistaken, and I
2:17:26 added
2:17:26 was that those would be posted on our media website.
2:17:32 And yeah, that was our, so we currently maintain a, you know,
2:17:36 resource page for our media assistance,
2:17:40 as in we do every other page.
2:17:42 So any book that has been through a challenge process would be
2:17:46 posted on there with the outcome.
2:17:48 And that mimics the upcoming state process.
2:17:52 So in the new bill, the state outlines that they will be
2:17:56 maintaining a state website
2:17:59 where we would submit all that information to the state.
2:18:03 That’ll be a public site.
2:18:04 So again, in the spirit of the law, we felt it was appropriate
2:18:09 to mimic that at the district level.
2:18:11 And so to answer that question, the books will be on a public
2:18:16 website.
2:18:17 The media specialist, of course, will certainly see that as well.
2:18:21 But our public can as well for parents, you know, who want to,
2:18:25 you know, be involved in that level.
2:18:27 I imagine something like that at the state level will be helpful
2:18:29 to our media specialists too.
2:18:30 So that if something, it just would be a flag.
2:18:33 And I, it’s my understanding of the list.
2:18:35 It’s not, it doesn’t necessarily mean this is the banned book
2:18:37 list.
2:18:38 Don’t buy anything off of this, but it’s just for awareness.
2:18:40 Hey, if you, if you’re going to take a look at these, you better,
2:18:42 you better know what you’re talking about.
2:18:44 You better have reason to justify your adding it to the
2:18:47 collection.
2:18:47 One thing I wanted to add, Ms. Campbell, as well, is we know
2:18:51 that the law becomes effective in July 1.
2:18:55 However, the training for our media specialist, early awareness
2:19:00 from the DOE is that training will not start until the following
2:19:04 January.
2:19:05 So we know that there’s going to be some lag time with
2:19:09 clarification from the DOE on how that process will work.
2:19:13 Well, I just have to say, I appreciate that on this and as well
2:19:16 as other measures that you guys don’t wait.
2:19:18 We go ahead and start doing what needs to be done in
2:19:21 anticipation of the changes that are coming.
2:19:24 Thank you.
2:19:25 I just, thank you.
2:19:26 I don’t have any more questions.
2:19:28 I’ll just add board, you know, as you guys have heard the same,
2:19:31 you’re getting the same emails that I’m getting for the most
2:19:34 part.
2:19:34 They’re sent to us as a group and we’ve heard lots of public
2:19:36 comment about
2:19:37 one group of parents versus another group of parents.
2:19:41 I think I’ve shared with the board before, but I’ll just
2:19:43 reiterate it that when it comes down to it,
2:19:46 no, it’s not any group of parents’ responsibility to decide what
2:19:49 another group of parents’ children can read.
2:19:52 If you look at statute, the state gives us as a board, we are
2:19:56 personally responsible as a board,
2:19:57 collectively responsible as a board, to make sure that the
2:20:02 materials that are in our schools abide by the law.
2:20:05 And so that’s why we have this policy.
2:20:07 And that’s why, you know, the people who are doing this job,
2:20:10 ultimately it falls on us.
2:20:11 And so it’s our decision to make this policy.
2:20:14 And we’ve, you know, there were some things that some of us didn’t
2:20:17 want in there that got in there,
2:20:19 some things that some of us wanted in there that didn’t get in
2:20:21 there.
2:20:22 And so we work through it together as a board.
2:20:24 And so I think that for what it is, it’s going to be very
2:20:29 helpful.
2:20:30 And just would point out again that we’ve talked about it before,
2:20:33 but the policy as we had in place that we put in place in 2019,
2:20:36 the last time we revised it,
2:20:37 actually we never used the challenge process.
2:20:40 But we found through this process that it was not going to meet
2:20:44 the needs of the current challenges,
2:20:46 which I’m going to just pretty much think I can safely assume
2:20:50 that we will be using it in the future
2:20:52 and probably won’t slow down too much for a while.
2:20:55 But I think it’s overall a good policy and we’ve made some good
2:21:01 changes that’ll help us adapt to
2:21:03 the needs of the time.
2:21:04 Thank you, Ms. Campbell.
2:21:08 Does any other board member have any discussion?
2:21:11 I will.
2:21:12 Dr. Miltens, did you want to say something?
2:21:15 If I may, I want to just first acknowledge and commend both Mrs.
2:21:21 Klein and Dr. Sullivan
2:21:23 in their extraordinarily attentive care as well as response to
2:21:28 this issue when it first came forward.
2:21:32 I have been in an ongoing conversation with both about honoring
2:21:37 our existing board policy
2:21:39 prior to the anticipated adoption of the new policy.
2:21:45 And the acknowledgement that it does not respond well to the
2:21:48 current situation of multiple books from a group or
2:21:53 individual to be considered across the entire district.
2:21:57 But in very careful consideration of our existing policy and
2:22:01 honoring as Dr. Sullivan
2:22:03 I wanted to have very appropriately explained the spirit or the
2:22:08 merit of the policy supported and approved them
2:22:11 to move forward in making that list of books available to our
2:22:16 media specialists as ultimately they could be
2:22:19 asked, questioned, potentially confronted with the books and any
2:22:25 one of them that could be in their schools
2:22:25 because all of that information is available online so that is
2:22:30 what prompted us moving forward as
2:22:34 well.
2:22:34 Although it didn’t completely align with our board policy, I
2:22:38 made the final ultimate application I believe that that was the
2:22:42 right
2:22:42 thing to do and we moved forward and that’s the process that’s
2:22:45 been in place and I believe it aligns with what the new policy
2:22:49 will do more directly and so on.
2:22:51 So I did want to publicly acknowledge and express my
2:22:56 appreciation to my leadership team for their great work on this
2:23:00 effort and bringing forward a virtually a policy that the board
2:23:04 has made very little amendment to from the work that they
2:23:08 presented to the board.
2:23:09 And then finally, in acknowledgement of the unfortunate, I would
2:23:14 suggest, and difficult position this new legislation puts our
2:23:18 media specialists in, given the fact that training and direction
2:23:22 from the state is going to be delayed until January, I wanted to
2:23:27 let the board know I’ve already been in conversation with FADS,
2:23:31 the Association of District School Superintendents.
2:23:33 We have already as an organization presented this situation to
2:23:37 the Department of Education, haven’t received a response that
2:23:45 provides any additional confidence that we’re not still in a
2:23:49 difficult situation yet, I will say, but we are addressing it as
2:23:56 state district leaders to the department in hopes that they will
2:24:01 expedite that training.
2:24:03 We are addressing it because we are held accountable to the new
2:24:08 statute in July 1.
2:24:10 So just wanted the board to be aware that we are continuing to
2:24:11 pursue that even as a collective superintendents across the
2:24:15 state.
2:24:16 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
2:24:21 I have a quick comment and then I’ll go ahead and call the
2:24:23 question.
2:24:24 It was mentioned several times how long it’s going to take us to
2:24:26 get through all of the books that have been presented and that’s
2:24:29 part of the reason why we’re transitioning to the new policy.
2:24:33 So I think it’s an important recognition that it’s quite
2:24:36 possible that we may have to look at that option based on the
2:24:40 number of books that we’re providing.
2:24:40 So that flexibility is in there should it need to be taken
2:24:46 advantage of.
2:24:48 And then, you know, just a quick, I’ve heard from a lot of
2:24:52 people that they have concerns that we are taking away voice by
2:24:59 moving to a district committee.
2:25:07 And I think that, first of all, it’s, it is unreasonable to
2:25:13 expect that any school would convene multiple committees, and we
2:25:19 talked about this in the beginning of this process, to address
2:25:22 each of the books that they have in their collection at their
2:25:25 school.
2:25:26 And so it just is not feasible and takes way too much time away
2:25:31 from the work that those individuals that would be participating
2:25:37 in the committee work should be doing.
2:25:41 And so this is not, I have not heard any board members say that
2:25:45 they want to take away voice from the community or remove the
2:25:48 opportunity to consider some books may be appropriate at some
2:25:52 levels and not at others or in certain communities and not at
2:25:55 other communities.
2:25:56 That is not the goal.
2:25:58 But I think we have very clear statutory language as to the
2:26:01 expectations.
2:26:02 And we have to be able to fulfill that role.
2:26:07 And we need to do it in the most effective and efficient way
2:26:10 possible for our already overtaxed.
2:26:13 So just want to make sure that that clarification was there as
2:26:16 well.
2:26:17 And with that, if there’s no one else, then I will call the
2:26:20 question.
2:26:21 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
2:26:23 Aye.
2:26:24 Any opposed?
2:26:25 Same sign.
2:26:26 The motion passes 5-0.
2:26:29 All right.
2:26:30 Next is to hold hearing and approve item G30.
2:26:32 Is there anyone present to address the board regarding board
2:26:35 policy 0169.1, participation at board meetings?
2:26:39 Ms. Murski?
2:26:44 Good evening again, Madam Chair and Board.
2:26:51 My name is Sarah Murski.
2:26:53 As you know, I’m a voter, constituent, and taxpayer of Brevard
2:26:58 County.
2:26:59 I’ve got two children in Brevard Public Schools.
2:27:01 I just want to make it clear that when I come before the board
2:27:04 and talk, I’m talking on behalf of myself and the concerns that
2:27:07 I have as a parent.
2:27:08 I’m not speaking on behalf of any organization, but if other
2:27:11 organizations and parents agree with me, so be it.
2:27:15 But I’m going to talk about public input policy.
2:27:19 What I’m hearing from, what I’ve heard from a couple school
2:27:22 board members is that the state only gives you one minute, so we
2:27:27 should be happy if we get three minutes or one minute.
2:27:31 And my response to that, to the school board as a whole, is that
2:27:35 when you bring something to the state, that’s more of an
2:27:39 investigation or more of a, almost like a court case.
2:27:43 Here, this is about our community.
2:27:45 This is about our children.
2:27:46 This is about building relationships with each other and working
2:27:49 with each other.
2:27:50 And so I feel parents need to come and have a voice.
2:27:55 And I understand the policy of wanting to mirror, of giving non-gender
2:28:01 items more time.
2:28:03 But I believe parents deserve more respect and more dignity than
2:28:06 that, and also people such as our bus drivers and people who
2:28:11 come to address the board.
2:28:12 Thank you.
2:28:15 Does anyone else wish to address the board regarding board
2:28:23 policy 0169.1, Ms. Delaney?
2:28:30 The revision of this policy gave you guys a real opportunity to
2:28:38 do the right thing.
2:28:41 The public has lost all trust.
2:28:43 And part of that is because the communication has been cut off.
2:28:46 We have been through unprecedented times together.
2:28:51 And my time hasn’t started.
2:28:55 Thank you.
2:28:56 Sorry.
2:28:57 We’ve been through unprecedented times together.
2:28:59 And I think that we’ve moved through a lot of it with the COVID
2:29:02 mitigations and all that.
2:29:04 But now, because parents are really digging in and paying
2:29:08 attention to what’s going on in the schools, we are seeing what’s
2:29:12 going on in the schools.
2:29:14 And we are not happy.
2:29:16 We are not happy at all.
2:29:18 And we have the right and the obligation to show up here every
2:29:22 two weeks at every school board meeting, which I have done, to
2:29:27 let you know that we are not happy with what’s going on.
2:29:34 There are kids having sex in bathrooms daily.
2:29:42 There are multiple Instagram pages that are out for fights that
2:29:46 are going on in the schools.
2:29:49 Southwest Middle School alone has five that we’ve found where we
2:29:53 saw a teacher get laid out by two students.
2:29:56 We need the opportunity to come to you people and the public
2:30:02 because this is the only opportunity we have.
2:30:08 Three minutes is not enough.
2:30:09 We should be able to fully express our grievances and have a
2:30:16 conversation back and forth with our representatives.
2:30:23 We should be able to do that.
2:30:44 And not one thing that any member of the public has mentioned in
2:30:49 these workshops has made your policy changes vary.
2:30:54 Not one thing.
2:30:58 That is not working for the public, Ms. Belford.
2:31:03 And I’m directing it at you because I can’t direct it to the
2:31:07 rest of you.
2:31:09 And especially somebody that’s up for reelection should be
2:31:14 hearing me loudly when I say you are my representative.
2:31:19 And you are my representative.
2:31:22 We should be heard.
2:31:25 And we should not be silent.
2:31:27 Thank you.
2:31:28 Thank you, Ms. Delaney.
2:31:30 Is there anyone else that wishes to address policy 0169.1, board
2:31:35 participation at board meetings?
2:31:39 All right.
2:31:40 Hearing none, I’ll entertain a motion.
2:31:42 I’d like to…
2:31:43 Oh, I’m sorry.
2:31:44 I need a motion and a second to open for discussion.
2:31:47 Yeah, yeah, yeah.
2:31:48 Okay.
2:31:49 So I have a motion from Ms. McDougall and a second from Ms.
2:31:52 Campbell.
2:31:53 And that would open for discussion.
2:31:56 Since you all motion, do either one of you want to address
2:31:59 before I open it to Mr. Susan?
2:32:01 Susan, the floor is yours, sir.
2:32:04 Yeah, I just wanted to take a second and say that we’re back
2:32:09 here again.
2:32:11 We’ve had a couple of speakers since the last time we spoke.
2:32:14 Ms. Ramsey was one of them, a student who came in to talk to us
2:32:18 about, you know what I mean,
2:32:20 the program that she wanted to deliver and talking about Boys
2:32:23 State and all the programs.
2:32:24 And literally, her speech was cut within a minute.
2:32:27 And she couldn’t even finish.
2:32:28 And that’s one of our students.
2:32:30 I dislike the fact that we’re trying to cut down on the amount
2:32:34 of minutes.
2:32:36 I feel that there has not been a good reason given.
2:32:38 The two reasons that we kept getting back to was staff time and
2:32:41 abuse.
2:32:42 The abuse piece I argue against because from one to three
2:32:46 minutes, the person still has 60 seconds
2:32:49 to say something to go to three minutes is not abuse.
2:32:52 In staff’s time, I promise you, if you asked the back staff if
2:32:56 any of them minded waiting
2:32:59 because people wanted to speak for an extra two minutes, they
2:33:01 would not have a problem with that.
2:33:03 I personally think that an individual that drives here all the
2:33:07 way up here tries to get childcare,
2:33:10 tries to get everything, regardless of if it’s from the right,
2:33:13 from the left, against my views or for my views,
2:33:16 should be given the right to sit and speak for three minutes.
2:33:19 I think that when you carve out certain minutes for this group,
2:33:23 for these different times, the more I look at it, the more I’m
2:33:26 against it.
2:33:26 I feel that this is a bad policy.
2:33:29 I feel it just keeps getting us into situations where we’re
2:33:32 trying to stop people in the middle of their speeches.
2:33:35 We are curbing individuals.
2:33:37 I mean, honestly, somebody comes here, the public doesn’t even
2:33:39 know if we are or are not, if we have the three minutes.
2:33:42 They think they prepare their speech, they sit at home, they
2:33:45 look on this piece of paper, they prepare it for three minutes,
2:33:48 because that’s the normal time, and then they go drive inwards
2:33:52 of no less than 15 minutes, no more than 45 minutes to an hour
2:33:55 to get here.
2:33:56 They sit in the crowd, and then literally, under this current
2:33:59 policy, depending on how many speakers show up,
2:34:02 they then have to rescribble their speech based on one minute,
2:34:04 two minutes, three minutes, and it’s just, what are we doing
2:34:08 here?
2:34:09 We still have not been given a good reason to move to this
2:34:12 policy, I feel.
2:34:14 And I feel that we have examples like Ms. Ramsey, who we have
2:34:17 cut off.
2:34:18 And I feel that we need to, as a board, honor our individuals
2:34:21 who are out there that want to come to speak to us.
2:34:24 Regardless of if we like it or not, we need to hear them.
2:34:27 And that’s my…
2:34:30 Ms. Campbell?
2:34:32 Thank you.
2:34:34 So I, to Mr. Susan’s point, the policy that we’re voting on
2:34:42 tonight, which is the revision,
2:34:44 actually would have given all the people that you just mentioned
2:34:48 three minutes.
2:34:50 Because since we’ve put the policy in place, it went down to one
2:34:53 minute for non-agenda speakers.
2:34:55 We’ve actually only been over…
2:34:57 I don’t have my notes in front of me.
2:34:59 We’ve actually only had more than 10 people for non-agenda or
2:35:02 agenda, I think one time, maybe twice.
2:35:05 In fact, when the policy, if we vote in just a few minutes and
2:35:10 it passes, then everybody tonight,
2:35:13 because now the policy will be in place, correct, Mr. Gibbs?
2:35:16 Everybody who speaks at our non-agenda time at the end of the
2:35:19 meeting is going to get three minutes, I believe,
2:35:21 because I don’t think we asked all more than a handful.
2:35:24 So everybody tonight is going to get three minutes, not one.
2:35:27 And the only time that it would be less than three minutes is if
2:35:30 we have a long…
2:35:32 You know, think about the mask meeting that we had.
2:35:34 It was an emergency meeting, so we could have…
2:35:36 We shortened it up to one minute.
2:35:37 We had 120, 132 people sign up.
2:35:39 I think we had 120 actually speak that day.
2:35:42 So it went down to one minute.
2:35:44 And I know, Mr. Seusson, you were actually trying to get people
2:35:46 just to say, you know,
2:35:48 I agree or I disagree, you know, and just to save some time.
2:35:54 So we’re moving to longer.
2:35:56 It was my proposal.
2:35:57 We’re moving to longer.
2:35:58 Again, it’s a compromise for all of us, but we’re moving to more
2:36:01 time.
2:36:02 And I would just point out that actually because we’ve separated
2:36:05 agenda and non-agenda right
2:36:07 now, people are getting more time because we have people who are
2:36:10 signing up for agenda things
2:36:12 and getting three minutes, and they’ve been getting an extra
2:36:15 minute on other things.
2:36:16 And there are people tonight who have already gotten the
2:36:18 opportunity,
2:36:19 they may have not taken the whole thing, to speak for three, six,
2:36:23 nine, 12 minutes.
2:36:25 And if they sign up for the last time, they’re going to get 15
2:36:28 before the night’s over.
2:36:29 So actually, by having agenda and non-agenda, we’re actually
2:36:32 giving people more opportunity,
2:36:33 especially when we go to the three minutes.
2:36:35 So I hear you.
2:36:36 And that’s why, and we were getting a lot of feedback from all
2:36:40 different kinds of people
2:36:42 on all sides of the political spectrum, from employees, students.
2:36:48 I totally hear you, which is why I brought this forward.
2:36:51 And I think this is going to be a good change for us to go from
2:36:55 one minute to basically three minutes,
2:36:57 unless we have a whole lot of people.
2:37:00 So, you know, think, and again, because we’ve split agenda non-agenda,
2:37:05 we’re actually giving people more time than they’ve had before.
2:37:09 - Ms. Belford, since I was named, can I respond to it?
2:37:12 - Let me see if there’s any other board member that wants to
2:37:15 speak,
2:37:15 and then I’ll come back for follow-up, okay?
2:37:18 Yes, Ms. Jenkins.
2:37:19 - Ms. Jenkins, please.
2:37:20 I just want to make it clear to the members of the audience that
2:37:25 are snickering at me as this is happening,
2:37:28 that I am the person who voted against this change from the get-go.
2:37:31 And I think it’s interesting that we keep justifying all of
2:37:34 these decisions that are being made with things like,
2:37:38 oh, it’s both sides of the political spectrum.
2:37:40 It has nothing to do with anything about that.
2:37:42 Like, let’s just be honest.
2:37:43 There was members of this board that wanted to change it.
2:37:45 We had a workshop on it.
2:37:47 We presented a policy.
2:37:48 People voted for it.
2:37:49 Then they wanted to amend it.
2:37:51 Then we had a workshop.
2:37:52 And we put it on the agenda.
2:37:53 And people voted for it.
2:37:55 It’s just crazy to me that we’re, like, continuously defending
2:37:58 or fighting it.
2:38:00 And I’m going to say it again.
2:38:01 I said it last time this came up.
2:38:03 We literally have someone on the board who takes polls on when
2:38:06 the board meeting’s going to end.
2:38:08 So stop the games.
2:38:10 Stop the games.
2:38:11 This isn’t a show.
2:38:12 We’ve been through this policy, like, six times.
2:38:14 Either vote for it or no.
2:38:17 - Thank you, Ms. Jenkins.
2:38:18 Ms. McDougall, did you want to speak to it?
2:38:20 Mr. Susan, do you for a follow-up?
2:38:22 - Yeah, I still don’t have a reason of why we are reducing other
2:38:26 than staff’s time and abuse, which I disagree with.
2:38:30 I would come back to Ms. Campbell’s point, specifically saying
2:38:35 that you’re given more time.
2:38:38 The idea is that if you want to speak to the agenda, you’re
2:38:41 given three minutes.
2:38:42 But the individuals who want to speak to a non-agenda item that
2:38:45 are coming in are only given one.
2:38:47 So it’s not like they can stand up for an agenda item and talk
2:38:50 about a non-agenda item,
2:38:51 then come over here and talk about a non-agenda item and the
2:38:54 agenda item.
2:38:55 If a person comes because they’re passionate about an issue,
2:38:58 they are restricted in the time period that they have.
2:39:00 We still have not been given a time period or a reason why this
2:39:04 is the way it is.
2:39:06 Again, staff time and abuse.
2:39:08 The other thing is that the period that you’re saying from
2:39:13 cutting that, to me, that’s absurd.
2:39:17 The other piece is that someone, gamesman show, everything.
2:39:21 I have been against this ever since we sat down and those bus
2:39:24 drivers couldn’t speak.
2:39:25 That got me.
2:39:26 And so from that point on, I realized we were doing something.
2:39:29 And yes, there was a point where we said we should move to this
2:39:31 because of the way that we were feeling,
2:39:33 because we were going through these huge meetings.
2:39:36 But after I sat down and I started looking at it, the people, Ms.
2:39:39 Ramsey, bus drivers, everybody else,
2:39:42 it consistently gives me the thought that these people need to
2:39:44 speak.
2:39:45 And the idea that these people could have spoken tonight and the
2:39:48 time before,
2:39:50 they won’t be able to speak to the three minutes when it does
2:39:52 come a time where there’s a lot of people here.
2:39:55 So they’re going to come here when more than 20 or more than 30
2:39:58 people end up coming,
2:40:00 and they’re not going to be able to give their speech.
2:40:02 Their time that they came here to speak before us.
2:40:04 And if we have to sit here for a couple extra minutes, an hour,
2:40:08 two hours extra, it doesn’t hurt us.
2:40:10 It doesn’t hurt us to just allow people to sit at the podium and
2:40:13 speak for an extra two minutes.
2:40:16 It doesn’t hurt the abuse.
2:40:18 And we’re going to be here over our debate anyway.
2:40:20 So that I rest.
2:40:23 Thank you.
2:40:24 Anyone else requesting follow-up?
2:40:28 All right.
2:40:29 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
2:40:31 Aye.
2:40:32 All opposed?
2:40:33 Same sign?
2:40:34 Nay.
2:40:35 The motion passes 4-0.
2:40:36 4-1.
2:40:37 All right.
2:40:38 I’m sorry, 4-1.
2:40:39 Thank you.
2:40:40 Dr. Mullins, will you please let us know about items under the
2:40:43 act of enforcement.
2:40:45 Yes, Madam Chair.
2:40:46 The first item is H-31, procurement solicitations.
2:40:49 We have a motion.
2:40:50 Move to approve.
2:40:51 Second.
2:40:52 Moved by Mr. Susan.
2:40:53 Seconded by Ms. Dougal.
2:40:54 Is there any discussion?
2:40:55 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
2:40:57 Aye.
2:40:58 Any opposed?
2:40:59 Same sign?
2:41:00 It’s been passed by Mr. Mullins.
2:41:03 The next item is H-32, department school initiated agreements.
2:41:07 Should I hear a motion?
2:41:09 Move to approve.
2:41:10 Second.
2:41:11 Moved by Mr. Susan.
2:41:12 Seconded by Ms. Campbell.
2:41:13 All in favor, please signify by saying aye.
2:41:14 Aye.
2:41:15 Any opposed?
2:41:16 Same sign.
2:41:17 Pass this 5-0.
2:41:18 All right.
2:41:19 We will now move on to the information agenda which includes
2:41:19 items for board review and may
2:41:20 be brought back for action at a subsequent meeting.
2:41:21 No action will be taken on these items tonight.
2:41:22 Dr. Mullins?
2:41:23 There are two items under the information category.
2:41:24 Does any member wish to discuss either?
2:41:25 Either.
2:41:26 All right.
2:41:27 That’s going to bring us to board member reports and discussion
2:41:27 points.
2:41:27 We had two items added to this category.
2:41:27 The first is from Ms. McDougal on the SHAC committee update.
2:41:27 Ms. McDougal?
2:41:28 Sure.
2:41:29 Thank you.
2:41:30 Ms. McDougal?
2:41:31 Sure.
2:41:32 Thank you.
2:41:33 So I want to, I’m a member of the school health advisory
2:41:35 committee.
2:41:35 And a lot of good things came out of that one.
2:41:37 They were presenting the one that we were presenting.
2:41:38 So I’m a member of the school health advisory committee.
2:41:42 And a lot of good things came out of that one.
2:41:43 They were presenting the one that we were presenting today.
2:41:44 They were presenting today.
2:41:45 We’re presenting today.
2:41:50 All right.
2:41:51 We’re presenting today.
2:41:54 All right.
2:41:55 So I want to, I’m a member of the school health advisory
2:41:59 committee.
2:42:00 And a lot of good things came out of that one.
2:42:04 They were presenting the wellness report for the schools,
2:42:07 elementary and secondary.
2:42:08 And they look at these reports of health and nutrition and
2:42:11 physical activity.
2:42:13 And we really did very well.
2:42:15 So they have these every year.
2:42:18 There is some data that’s probably on the website of the health
2:42:21 advisory committee.
2:42:23 And also we also had a mystery come and speak to the healthcare.
2:42:32 I know we had a lot of issues with the form when the new bill
2:42:35 came out about healthcare.
2:42:38 Do you want your student to be seen in the clinic or not seeing
2:42:42 the clinic?
2:42:43 And so we’re revising that form as we speak.
2:42:46 And so his, what Mr.
2:42:51 What Mr.
2:42:52 Reed was saying is it’s kind of like a catch 22 because he has
2:42:55 questions.
2:42:56 And when they go, he goes up there and he asks the department of
2:43:00 health, they say, oh,
2:43:01 no, that bill doesn’t fall underneath us.
2:43:03 So then he goes to the department of education regarding the
2:43:06 health.
2:43:07 And they say, well, that’s not ours either.
2:43:10 So he feels like he’s going in circles on that.
2:43:13 But we are going ahead with a form that should be clear for all
2:43:15 of our parents.
2:43:16 And I’m wondering, is Chris, is that form?
2:43:21 There we go.
2:43:22 Ms.
2:43:23 Moore, is that form going to be posted someplace?
2:43:26 Or how is that form going to be delivered or looked at?
2:43:28 Yes.
2:43:29 Okay.
2:43:30 Yes.
2:43:31 As soon as we have it, we’re going to stay now, we’re going to
2:43:53 have everybody in the school.
2:43:57 Thank you.
2:43:58 So that was part of our meeting.
2:43:59 And then there, one of the last presentations was very
2:44:08 interesting to me.
2:44:12 It was called Vision Zero.
2:44:14 And it is championed with the Space Coast Transportation and the
2:44:18 Sheriff’s Department and some other departments
2:44:22 in our county.
2:44:24 And basically, it’s an initiative to bring down the deaths of
2:44:30 pedestrians.
2:44:32 So it’s a very big campaign.
2:44:35 They’re looking at pedestrian safety, traffic safety.
2:44:40 They’re looking at it as a whole problem.
2:44:43 They’re working with builders.
2:44:45 They’re looking at how do we eliminate traffic fatalities.
2:44:48 So that’s their goal here.
2:44:50 And they’re very partnered with us.
2:44:52 They help sponsor the school walk and ride, the crossing guards.
2:44:57 They celebrate crossing guards, National School Bus Safety Week.
2:45:00 So they do a lot for us in the schools.
2:45:03 So it was a very full meeting.
2:45:05 There will be a new web page soon for this School Health
2:45:09 Advisory Committee.
2:45:11 It’s going to look really nice.
2:45:12 It’s in the process.
2:45:13 It’s not there yet.
2:45:14 So that was the meeting of the School Health Advisory Committee.
2:45:18 May I speak to that?
2:45:20 So, Ms. McDougall, one of the things I did about four years ago
2:45:24 is I called together all of the entities that are in charge of
2:45:28 the crossing guard.
2:45:30 Because we had a student in my district that was off Coast Road
2:45:33 that was killed in a traffic accident.
2:45:36 And what they laid out was some of the scariest situations.
2:45:40 Because there are some school areas where four-way drives are –
2:45:45 our crossing guards are like dodging traffic, right?
2:45:47 And it has nothing to do with us.
2:45:49 It has nothing to do with the department or the city or
2:45:52 municipality they’re in.
2:45:53 It has everything to do with the Department of Transportation.
2:45:55 We have many areas inside of our school district where easy
2:45:58 things like putting lights around stop signs, no turn on reds,
2:46:03 all of those things are possible.
2:46:05 And the problem is, is that the DOT is on like a four-year
2:46:08 freaking lag.
2:46:09 So in particular, Croton and O’Galley Boulevard is one of the
2:46:12 worst and well-known.
2:46:13 Kids are – I mean, it is scary there all the time.
2:46:16 And so what I did was I got this group together.
2:46:19 They made recommendations.
2:46:20 And I went to the DOT meeting.
2:46:21 And they said, well, that’s great.
2:46:22 We’ll put a study together.
2:46:23 And I said, well, how long does that take?
2:46:24 They said, about two years.
2:46:25 So I said, no, I’m not going to do that.
2:46:27 I drove up to the DOT up in DeLand.
2:46:28 And I walked through past the secretary, walked right into the
2:46:30 director’s office.
2:46:31 And I said, you are going to fix this.
2:46:33 And they started moving quicker.
2:46:35 I called Debbie Mayfield, who at the time was the head of
2:46:36 transportation.
2:46:37 And we went that route.
2:46:38 That is a huge thing.
2:46:40 So whatever you need our help from, let me know.
2:46:42 It is irresponsible that a DOT would move as slow as they do
2:46:46 that would then possibly put our kids in danger.
2:46:49 So whatever process you’re putting together, Godspeed, and get
2:46:51 it done as fast as possible.
2:46:53 We should all be a part of that.
2:46:55 Because there are some things that are really scary in our
2:46:57 district.
2:46:58 There’s one thing that surprised me out of talking with people
2:47:02 from Vision Zero.
2:47:04 Because I don’t know if anyone else noticed it or had this
2:47:07 happen.
2:47:08 But we have pedestrians who don’t use crosswalks.
2:47:11 And all of a sudden, whether they have the right of way or not,
2:47:13 they kind of just walk in front of your car.
2:47:15 And I said, do we have a jaywalking law?
2:47:18 We do not have jaywalking laws here in the state of Florida.
2:47:21 So just so you know, if you’re driving, you need to yield for
2:47:24 these people.
2:47:25 But I think most of us would anyhow.
2:47:27 But I was very surprised we did not have a jaywalking law.
2:47:30 One of the things that I know our groups do is you have those
2:47:33 midpoint blocks who a lot of our students are not aware of.
2:47:38 We’ve had students that have been killed because of midpoint.
2:47:41 Mine was a post-student.
2:47:43 And having the education from the transportation and the space
2:47:46 transportation department across the street in these entities is
2:47:50 going to be key.
2:47:51 Because kids don’t understand.
2:47:52 They just walk right out in the traffic.
2:47:54 Those midpoint blocks, if anybody knows anything about them, the
2:47:57 lights turn on.
2:47:58 But half the drivers don’t even know what that means.
2:48:00 So they go through it.
2:48:01 And the kids, they don’t pay attention.
2:48:03 So what ends up happening is they just literally walk out.
2:48:05 And we’ve lost children because of this.
2:48:07 And it’s not our fault.
2:48:09 And what it is is just educating our children.
2:48:11 So that’s a great commitment.
2:48:12 And our public.
2:48:14 Yes.
2:48:15 So thank you.
2:48:16 Yep.
2:48:17 So I have a question.
2:48:18 Is that the document that the health prize review produced?
2:48:28 Is that something that gets posted?
2:48:31 It is.
2:48:32 I know someone asked me about it in an email way back.
2:48:34 And I searched one.
2:48:35 The only one I could find was like an older one.
2:48:37 But how can people access that?
2:48:40 Right.
2:49:10 All right.
2:49:11 So for the people who didn’t hear you because you weren’t on the
2:49:20 microphone.
2:49:23 She said go to the district website.
2:49:27 And then under food and nutrition services is where you would
2:49:32 access that.
2:49:34 And I believe it’s under wellness policy.
2:49:35 There it is.
2:49:36 Yep.
2:49:37 So if I would like to do that.
2:49:38 All right.
2:49:39 Thank you, Ms. McDougall.
2:49:40 Anyone else have anything on the health committee?
2:49:41 All right.
2:49:42 Then I think Ms. Campbell, you had the next request for
2:49:43 discussion at large.
2:49:44 I did.
2:49:45 So it’s been in the news.
2:49:45 I haven’t had anybody approach me necessarily, but it’s been in
2:49:48 the news that the county commissioners,
2:49:51 the charter review commissioners, the charter review commission
2:49:55 has been looking into all things relating to the county.
2:50:04 And one of the things that we’re looking at is how we do school
2:50:07 board elections in Brevard years ago.
2:50:21 This is my understanding just having heard one of the members of
2:50:28 the committee or Mr. Tredis said that, suggested that when the
2:50:35 charter review commission made school board single district.
2:50:39 Single district elections, right, that they didn’t do it in the
2:50:46 correct way because state law said the way to do that is you
2:50:52 either have to have the school board put forth a resolution to
2:50:55 the county to vote or you had to do it by the petition process.
2:51:00 Of course it’s been that way for 24 years, 22, 24 years,
2:51:05 something like that.
2:51:07 But I thought we’d have the opportunity.
2:51:10 It was suggested that we as a school board could do something
2:51:12 about that.
2:51:13 It would give us an opportunity to maybe have Paul do a little
2:51:16 more research.
2:51:17 I asked him to do that last week and I know he’s been working on
2:51:19 it.
2:51:20 It’s not complete because it involves several different things
2:51:22 as to what our options are, but we would have the option.
2:51:26 Actually, that’s probably the most likely way for it to happen.
2:51:30 For the community to leave it the way that it has been for all
2:51:35 these years, but to make sure that it’s done in the correct way
2:51:38 if that’s necessary.
2:51:40 And so I don’t know, Mr. Gibbs, if you had any updates that you
2:51:44 would share or thoughts initially.
2:51:47 No, not at this time, but if the board provides consensus to if
2:51:51 it wants to continue with single member districts for sure.
2:51:55 And the research bets out that I need to do something, I’m happy
2:51:58 to prepare a resolution to bring to you before the cutoff date.
2:52:02 Okay. And since that’s something that we’re likely to be talking
2:52:05 about over the next couple of months, I know the cutoff date is,
2:52:08 I think you said?
2:52:08 August 22nd.
2:52:10 Right.
2:52:11 For the supervisor of elections.
2:52:12 Right.
2:52:13 So we’d have to vote for them.
2:52:14 Just would suggest for the public who’s thinking about it, it’s
2:52:16 not anything that would affect this year’s election.
2:52:19 Because it would have to be voted on by the people.
2:52:22 It would have to be voted on by the public.
2:52:24 But it’s, you know, I think different counties across Florida do
2:52:27 it different ways.
2:52:29 Certainly there are some districts in Florida that have countywide
2:52:34 elections.
2:52:35 And just to explain, or just to make sure we all are on the same
2:52:39 page, state law requires, in order to be a school board member,
2:52:43 you have to be a registered voter.
2:52:45 And you have to live in the district.
2:52:47 So that doesn’t change.
2:52:49 Every county in Florida, every school board member is supposed,
2:52:52 is required to live in, within the boundaries of their district.
2:52:55 But some counties can have countywide elections.
2:52:59 Right.
2:53:00 So rather than only a school board member running in their
2:53:02 district, they’d actually have to be going for the voters of the
2:53:05 whole entire county.
2:53:07 Personal opinion, I think that really disenfranchises people
2:53:10 from smaller communities.
2:53:12 Because then, rather than their vote counting as a certain
2:53:16 percentage of, you know, just the 90,000-ish voters from their
2:53:22 district, now their vote is shrunk down to a much smaller
2:53:27 percentage of the hundreds of thousands that are in the county.
2:53:31 So, but we need to be hearing from our public.
2:53:33 Now is the time for people to be sending us emails and letting
2:53:36 us know.
2:53:37 It’s, it’s a huge cost.
2:53:40 And somebody has suggested that it brings in, you know, it would
2:53:43 maybe bring in the extra influence of, you know, special
2:53:47 interest groups or whatever to do the funding.
2:53:49 Because, you know, and I, I’m just, just throwing this out there
2:53:52 again, just personal opinion.
2:53:54 I would say what’s good for the goose is what’s, is good for the
2:53:56 gander.
2:53:57 And so, I would suggest that our friends across the street might
2:54:00 want to take a look at doing the same thing for themselves.
2:54:04 Of having countywide county commissioner elections if they want
2:54:07 to do school board.
2:54:09 Because we all make decisions for the whole county when it comes
2:54:11 to schools.
2:54:12 And they all make decisions for the whole county when it comes
2:54:14 to the county commissioners.
2:54:16 So, I just, now’s the time for people to let their voices be
2:54:21 heard on this issue.
2:54:23 And, but I do think that if it’s necessary, I think I, if the
2:54:27 board would, if there’s any kind of consensus, madam chair, that
2:54:31 we would ask Mr. Gibbs to go ahead and continue his research
2:54:34 into what we might need to do.
2:54:36 And what that might look like in the next, in the coming months,
2:54:38 because we do have a deadline if we’re going to give out to the
2:54:40 voters this November.
2:54:42 I have something to talk on it.
2:54:46 Um, Paul, are we currently in violation of our redistricting
2:54:49 that we should have done last year?
2:54:51 No.
2:54:52 We’re, we got a plan to do redistricting in the next odd year
2:54:56 long term, but we are not.
2:54:58 But currently we are out of compliance from our district.
2:55:01 No.
2:55:02 We’re, you have to be out of compliance, you have to be
2:55:03 significantly over 10%.
2:55:05 We are at like 10 point something percent from the smallest to
2:55:09 the largest.
2:55:10 So we are within the realm of doing it so that I did not feel
2:55:13 comfortable asking this board to rush redistricting the
2:55:18 districts at the end of the year.
2:55:19 Last year, given the short timeframe from when we received the
2:55:22 census data.
2:55:23 We could have, one of the proposals that was made was to mirror
2:55:26 the county commission that we could have done off of their
2:55:29 research, their voters, we would not have had to actually pay
2:55:32 for it.
2:55:33 We were within, we are above 10% out.
2:55:36 And that, the reason I bring that up is not to put you on the
2:55:38 spot, Paul.
2:55:39 We have talked about this before when I was making that
2:55:41 recommendation.
2:55:42 If you remember, I wanted to move towards the county commission
2:55:44 so that we were not out of compliance for this issue.
2:55:46 But it brings it right to the point.
2:55:48 There are good and bad things about single member districts.
2:55:51 There are good and bad things about at large districts.
2:55:54 And I think to have the conversation in depth about it, some of
2:55:57 the points to bring.
2:55:58 And one of the reasons that I bring this is that my major in
2:56:01 college was a dual major in history and political science.
2:56:05 My political science was in comparative government.
2:56:08 So across the world, the comparative governments of at large, of
2:56:12 single member, of how the legislatures are all put together was
2:56:16 what I majored in.
2:56:17 So when you’re looking at these issues, one of the single issues
2:56:21 that happens more than ever in the single members is that it is
2:56:24 the largest abuse of gerrymandering in the history of any of
2:56:28 them.
2:56:29 You gerrymander districts when you have single member districts.
2:56:32 And our districts are gerrymandered.
2:56:34 Our Rockledge is gerrymandered.
2:56:36 Like it goes, my pockets go up and around.
2:56:39 And what they were trying to do is grab population.
2:56:41 Okay.
2:56:42 So there is case law after case law after case law that shows
2:56:45 that when people bring forward to try to stop at large districts,
2:56:50 what they’re ended up doing is, is they said, well, because the
2:56:52 at large districts disenfranchises the minorities, stuff like
2:56:56 that.
2:56:57 Romeo versus the city of Pomoma, plaintiffs failed to establish
2:57:00 any violation of the Voting Raps Act because the geographical
2:57:03 compactness, minority group cohesion, they basically found that
2:57:07 because you go to at large, does not signify that.
2:57:10 And then what they actually brought forward, which is part of
2:57:13 the studies at Florida State University, is that when you have a
2:57:16 single member district, you are allowed to carve, the majority,
2:57:21 who ends up being the majority of an at large district, carves
2:57:24 up the district.
2:57:25 So that they can use gerrymandering to stay in control.
2:57:29 So it’s not like, so the good thing about single member
2:57:32 districts is that you do exactly what you said.
2:57:35 It’s great at having that direct representation.
2:57:38 But it is not the best system.
2:57:40 One of the things that they have right now is Pinellas and Lee
2:57:43 have a combination of both.
2:57:45 We have, they have, Pinellas and Lee have five single member
2:57:48 districts.
2:57:49 And then they have two at large districts.
2:57:52 Which makes, which gives the both of them.
2:57:54 And what they found, I mean case law after case law after case
2:57:57 law has found in favor of there is no discrimination in the at
2:57:59 large districts because of the variations of, they said that
2:58:03 African Americans would all vote one way or the other.
2:58:06 And then they go to do the study and they find out that in
2:58:08 certain elections African Americans vote one way or the other.
2:58:11 They don’t always vote for a Democrat.
2:58:12 And the same thing on the other side.
2:58:13 So the variations in the way that the elections are held throws
2:58:16 off the idea that you can discriminate.
2:58:19 And actual discrimination occurs more in single member districts.
2:58:22 But it’s good because you can relate directly to the schools.
2:58:27 So one of the things that I would love to bring forward is to
2:58:30 try to put in two extra districts that are at large.
2:58:35 I think it would cover both sides.
2:58:37 And there’s literally other school districts within the state of
2:58:40 Florida that actually do that, Pinellas and Lee.
2:58:42 So if we’re going to be asking Paul to look forward towards
2:58:44 putting something together, those would be two things that we
2:58:47 can do.
2:58:48 It stops off the gerrymandering.
2:58:51 It carves out discrimination.
2:58:53 The redistricting that we have to do every 10 years on single
2:58:56 member districts is a problem.
2:58:58 So like there’s good and bad to both sides.
2:59:00 But to sit back and say that, you know, one side is better than
2:59:03 the other, I think we should pause for a minute and take a look
2:59:08 at that.
2:59:09 So with that, that would be my recommendation is to bring
2:59:12 forward one that brings two general, two of those together.
2:59:16 Because otherwise, the majority will always carve out a majority.
2:59:20 And that’s how it will always be.
2:59:21 That’s it.
2:59:22 Mr. Gibbs, do you want to say something?
2:59:27 No, no.
2:59:28 I’m just ready if there’s another question.
2:59:30 I have a question.
2:59:32 It’s been a really long time, but I don’t need to.
2:59:39 But I do remember getting the numbers of our district.
2:59:43 Correct me if I’m wrong here, because I’m literally doing this
2:59:48 memory.
2:59:49 But weren’t ours more evenly distributed?
2:59:52 I don’t remember the numbers off the top of my head.
2:59:55 And I did not pay attention to the county commission numbers.
2:59:58 Okay.
2:59:59 So when we were presenting that information, we were more even
3:00:02 than the county commission.
3:00:04 Before they, before they, and when we were having that
3:00:08 discussion, the question that was posed wasn’t just mirror the
3:00:11 county commission, it was to mirror the county commission before
3:00:14 we even knew what they were going to do.
3:00:16 So I just wanted to clarify that.
3:00:21 Which also would have been seated as one of us.
3:00:25 Two of us.
3:00:26 Right.
3:00:27 You can’t live outside of your district.
3:00:28 In the county commission.
3:00:29 Correct.
3:00:30 And the other thing that I want to say, too, to that is mirroring
3:00:33 the county commission also then gives the power to the county
3:00:37 commission to then do exactly what you just discussed, gerrymandering
3:00:40 it.
3:00:40 Because they are district based.
3:00:42 They’re not county wide.
3:00:43 So personally, I don’t really care about this.
3:00:47 I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you asking him to
3:00:49 research it because you care about it and he works for you, too.
3:00:52 But I have no opinion either way, honestly.
3:00:56 I’m with you on the disenfranchising of voters.
3:00:58 I don’t see the benefit of it.
3:01:00 Again, I’m not knowledgeable enough of the process of what
3:01:03 happened here because I was probably like 10 years old when this
3:01:06 happened.
3:01:07 But I’m pretty sure the voters made the ultimate decision to
3:01:10 change it, right?
3:01:12 The voters of Rivard?
3:01:13 The voters would have had to approve the charter commission
3:01:17 provision that got added.
3:01:19 I think it was 1999.
3:01:20 Right.
3:01:21 So the voters of Rivard County decided to–
3:01:23 Ultimately, the voters did vote.
3:01:24 Correct.
3:01:25 So I just want people to remember that piece, too, because
3:01:28 people keep presenting it as if it was just the charter review
3:01:31 committee that made this decision, but ultimately went to the
3:01:33 voters.
3:01:34 It sounds like they didn’t go through the right process, but the
3:01:37 voters ultimately had a voice to make that decision.
3:01:39 So I just want to remind everybody of that.
3:01:41 Ms. McDougall, you have not yet spoken.
3:01:43 Would you like to speak?
3:01:44 I do.
3:01:45 I am curious about Mr. Susan’s thought about having two at-large.
3:01:51 Is that something we can look at, Mr. Gibbs?
3:01:56 I don’t know how that would work or what needs to be done.
3:01:58 It would be a change that you’d have to take, again, to the
3:01:59 voters.
3:02:00 So if that’s something the board is interested in, I’m certainly
3:02:03 happy to look at it.
3:02:04 I haven’t specifically looked at it.
3:02:05 I know districts do it.
3:02:07 In addition to the ones Mr. Susan mentioned, I know Broward does
3:02:10 it.
3:02:11 And some of the larger districts have at-large seats as well as
3:02:14 single-member seats.
3:02:16 I was just curious.
3:02:17 I thought.
3:02:18 I don’t think it’s–
3:02:19 I would just like more information because I think it might be
3:02:22 nice.
3:02:23 It’s more representative of, you know what I mean, your county
3:02:26 and things like that.
3:02:27 I’d like to respond real quick.
3:02:29 I was making the motion.
3:02:32 The comment was made that we didn’t know what they were going to
3:02:35 do before we decided to go with them.
3:02:38 The argument that was made when it was back then was that one of
3:02:41 the issues we have with multiple districts
3:02:44 is that we have a supervisor of elections where there are
3:02:48 certain people that might be in one district for county,
3:02:51 another district number for school board.
3:02:54 So the idea was is that if we were to come together and mirror
3:02:57 the county, it would be better for the voters.
3:03:00 It would save money for the supervisor of elections and time.
3:03:03 It would reduce the amount of precincts.
3:03:05 There was a huge amount of positives to do that.
3:03:07 And there are many other districts inside the state of Florida
3:03:09 that do that specifically for it.
3:03:11 People know D4 is this, D4 is this.
3:03:13 That was one of the reasons.
3:03:15 And saying that we didn’t know it before, they didn’t know it
3:03:17 before.
3:03:18 But the idea was that we would work together.
3:03:20 And we didn’t have to do it because it’s ultimately our choice
3:03:23 in the end.
3:03:24 The county commission, the other comment that was made that the
3:03:26 county commission would then have control over what we do,
3:03:30 no, we would have a voice in that process and then we would
3:03:32 agree to it or disagree to it.
3:03:34 But the idea was is that I was trying to come together because
3:03:36 we are still out of compliance
3:03:38 and here we are going into another election where we have an
3:03:41 imbalance of representation inside the county.
3:03:44 The other issue that was mentioned that was said that two of us
3:03:47 would be out seated, that’s just not true either.
3:03:49 The bottom line is that if you look at case law and how it’s put
3:03:52 together, I said that I was not rerunning.
3:03:54 That would put two people, Ms. Jenkins, you inside the actual
3:03:57 district and there’s no other competition.
3:04:00 And there are other laws that have been put into place when they
3:04:03 move to things like this to resolve that.
3:04:05 But that was the comment that it would unseat us was not true.
3:04:10 That the county commissioner would set our districts, that’s not
3:04:13 true because we still have the voice.
3:04:16 And then the comment that said that we knew before we would work
3:04:19 together on a solution together for the betterment of the voters
3:04:22 of the county.
3:04:23 To have precincts that are the same, to have districts that are
3:04:25 the same works out real well.
3:04:27 And that was the sentiment from the other side.
3:04:30 Steve Christofoli, the chair, other people I had reached out to
3:04:33 to find out if this was an idea that they would support.
3:04:35 And they said that’s great for governor.
3:04:37 It didn’t have anything to do with who, I mean, for me, to be
3:04:41 able to take voters and say we put you before us
3:04:45 to make an argument that we’re going to be put in the same
3:04:48 district and that’s not fair.
3:04:49 Well, what’s not fair is to the voters to not know which one of
3:04:51 the districts that they are.
3:04:53 And that’s it.
3:04:54 I have to respond to that.
3:04:55 Nobody said it’s not fair.
3:04:56 Mr. Susan, you’re completely misquoting exactly what Ms.
3:04:59 Campbell and I are saying.
3:05:01 It is literally stated that you cannot redistrict and have a
3:05:06 sitting member get moved to that district.
3:05:09 You can’t just magically have an election the next day after you
3:05:12 redistrict those districts.
3:05:14 So saying that the next time you can just run for the other seat,
3:05:16 that’s not how that works.
3:05:18 I had a four-year term.
3:05:20 Ms. Campbell has a four-year term.
3:05:23 When you redistrict, it doesn’t magically just turn into you can
3:05:26 just run for the other seat.
3:05:28 That’s just not how it works.
3:05:29 And to be quite honest, it’s frustrating to me when people have
3:05:31 been sitting on this board for multiple years
3:05:33 and they haven’t had any of these issues and seem to have these
3:05:36 issues over the past six years, but they have them now.
3:05:39 Mr. Gibbs, I have a question for you.
3:05:41 When it comes to the county commission working together with us,
3:05:44 if we decided to go that route and mirror what they’re doing,
3:05:46 do they have any legal obligation to allow us to participate in
3:05:49 that if we decided to mirror what they did?
3:05:52 If we were just adopting their boundaries, we’d be adopting it.
3:05:56 They could choose to work with us.
3:05:57 They have no legal obligation to give us a say.
3:05:59 Right.
3:06:00 And so I just want to make that very clear.
3:06:03 The majority of us did not feel comfortable giving that power
3:06:07 over to another governing body who doesn’t technically sit above
3:06:11 us.
3:06:12 We cannot just assume that they would work with us on something
3:06:15 like that.
3:06:16 And again, I’m just going to make it really, really clear.
3:06:20 I’m glad that you were admitting you weren’t going to run again.
3:06:23 I’m curious when you’re leaving.
3:06:25 But I’m not running again either.
3:06:27 So no, it has nothing to do with that.
3:06:28 Ms. Belford, that is completely inappropriate.
3:06:30 I don’t care.
3:06:31 I can say what I want to say.
3:06:32 You just said –
3:06:33 It’s completely inappropriate.
3:06:34 You just said that I made a statement.
3:06:35 It is unfair.
3:06:36 That is completely inappropriate.
3:06:38 That’s completely inappropriate.
3:06:40 So I’m going to make a request, Gordon.
3:06:44 This clearly is going down the wrong path.
3:06:48 If you all have questions for Paul on the process or the options,
3:06:52 please get them to him so he can know what it is.
3:06:55 And we can revisit this conversation focused on the issue at
3:06:59 hand when we gain during our board check-in or during our next
3:07:05 workshop whenever.
3:07:07 If Mr. Gibbs doesn’t have the research, you know, by the – that’s
3:07:11 a fast turnaround for the check-in.
3:07:13 But when he’s prepared for us to have that discussion with the
3:07:18 faculty.
3:07:19 Okay.
3:07:20 Are there any additional board discussion items for this evening
3:07:23 before we move into our non-agenda public comment?
3:07:27 I had two things.
3:07:28 Mr. Susan.
3:07:29 First off is that I wanted to let everybody know that every year
3:07:34 the veterans groups come forward with – they come forward with
3:07:40 like essays and they come forward with all these different
3:07:41 issues that they’re trying to get into.
3:07:42 Our schools and because they don’t understand the education
3:07:45 system, they bring an essay like in March for our students to
3:07:49 write and they get like five people to respond.
3:07:52 Because the issue is, is that it’s not appropriate at the time,
3:07:55 we’re testing, we’re trying to get stuff done, and it’s just not
3:07:58 there.
3:07:59 So I’m going to call a veteran all group.
3:08:01 I was the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Feature of the Year.
3:08:04 I’m going to try to use that as, hey, let’s get back together.
3:08:07 Let me talk to you guys about your scholarships that you guys
3:08:11 are trying to write, helping bring them towards at an
3:08:15 appropriate time and write it as an appropriate scholarship
3:08:19 essay.
3:08:20 Right?
3:08:21 If they’re writing the essay that is tied in with something that
3:08:24 is going on inside of our government during that time, then the
3:08:27 teachers would be able to voluntarily have the students write
3:08:30 the essay in class as they’re writing from.
3:08:33 That’s an easy thing to do.
3:08:34 But otherwise, they’re just trying to come in.
3:08:37 And I think being honored for some of the veterans things that
3:08:39 we do around here, being in Veterans County, we were just named
3:08:43 number two, top three in the nation for veteran living by the
3:08:47 Armed Services.
3:08:49 I don’t know if anybody knows that.
3:08:50 But I think it would do it.
3:08:52 So I’m going to call them together.
3:08:53 I’m going to work.
3:08:54 I talked to Dr. Mullins a little bit about it today.
3:08:56 See if there’s some way that we can take those and integrate
3:08:59 them so that they can get more responses, but they’re not
3:09:01 impacting a negative way on our school system.
3:09:03 Each one of them, like Veterans of Foreign Wars, MOAC and all of
3:09:06 them, they may be able to put them into ROTC or something like
3:09:08 that, but just collaborating with them was all I just wanted to
3:09:11 kind of give you guys the heads up.
3:09:13 And then the other thing is, is that I know you guys know this,
3:09:16 but when we built the Vieira Elementary School, we put in a lactation
3:09:20 room, right?
3:09:22 And we got a big award by the lactation consultants.
3:09:26 They are big supporters of ours, and we are leading in that.
3:09:31 And what I would like to do is part of the Thrive by Five that
3:09:34 Dr. Mullins did, I wanted to package it a little bit more.
3:09:38 And what I’m going to do is, is talk about making sure that
3:09:41 inside of our district, we do set aside an area for breastfeeding
3:09:44 moms.
3:09:45 We want to make sure that our policies and procedures with
3:09:48 teacher leave and all the other pieces are solidly put together
3:09:52 and notify them of how to get their short-term disability and
3:09:55 all that stuff.
3:09:57 So I’m going to kind of put that together.
3:09:59 I’m going to ask individuals to help me on the project to try to,
3:10:02 you know, put together because there are so many people in our
3:10:05 district that have children and go through some struggles and I’d
3:10:10 like to try to package that up.
3:10:12 I’ve had three children in the last five years and I’d like to
3:10:16 do that.
3:10:17 So just giving you guys a heads up.
3:10:19 Thank you, Mr. Susan.
3:10:20 Any other board members have discussion items?
3:10:22 Good evening.
3:10:23 Dr. Mullins, do you have anything for discussion?
3:10:25 All right.
3:10:26 That is going to move us into our non-agenda speakers.
3:10:31 We’ll now hear the remaining speakers who signed up to comment
3:10:34 on non-agenda items.
3:10:35 Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
3:10:37 We have a clock in front of me to help you keep track of your
3:10:39 time.
3:10:40 When your time is over, you’ll be asked to stop and allow the
3:10:42 next speaker his or her turn.
3:10:44 We’ll hear from the speakers in the order in which they signed
3:10:47 up, including those.
3:10:48 We have no one waiting outside, I don’t think.
3:10:50 Stated earlier, reasonable decorum is expected at all times and
3:10:53 your statement should be directed to the board chair.
3:10:56 Should audience participation interfere with the speakers being
3:10:58 heard or hearing me, I will be forced to clear the room.
3:11:01 When I call your name, please line up along the east wall of the
3:11:03 board room to facilitate the smooth transition of speakers.
3:11:07 I’m actually just going to go ahead and call all five because we
3:11:10 only have five.
3:11:12 Before speaking, please state your name, the organization you
3:11:15 represent, if any, and identify the topic you’ll be discussing.
3:11:19 So we have Katie Delaney, Sarah Mirski, Matthew Woodside,
3:11:23 Bernard Bryan, and Crystal Casey.
3:11:32 Good evening board.
3:11:33 I have more to say about public comment.
3:11:38 One of the board members mentioned how we get many minutes to
3:11:44 speak and that we should be pretty much be happy with that.
3:11:48 And I feel that that is completely wrong.
3:11:52 And if any of you believe that we should be limited to share our
3:12:00 grievances to you, our elected representatives, that is wrong.
3:12:06 You are at a very local level where lots of community issues
3:12:11 come up.
3:12:13 Like I was stating before, there are kids being assaulted in
3:12:21 schools.
3:12:23 There are kids walking into bathrooms with other children having,
3:12:31 you know what I’m about to say, all sorts of things are going on
3:12:34 in the bathrooms.
3:12:35 And this is happening in middle schools, not just high schools.
3:12:42 I even heard the other day about a sixth grader.
3:12:47 And now we have to fight with you guys about not wanting porn in
3:12:52 the libraries.
3:12:54 You all have the authority to pull these books out of the
3:12:59 schools.
3:13:00 You all have that authority right now.
3:13:03 We are not allowed as parents to come into our school and have
3:13:09 lunch with our kids.
3:13:12 Yet, two pedophiles were hired and working at a middle school in
3:13:18 Brevard County Public Schools this year.
3:13:22 But we are the security risk.
3:13:31 We should have as many minutes as we need to tell you our grievances
3:13:37 and communicate and talk it out until we figure out all of these
3:13:42 problems that we have in school.
3:13:44 Because honestly, you people, not just you guys, but previous
3:13:49 boards for decades have had control of our schools with little
3:13:53 parent input at these board meetings.
3:13:56 And look at where we are now.
3:14:01 Suicide rates are through the roof.
3:14:03 Bullying is out of control.
3:14:05 Children getting raped.
3:14:07 Pedophiles in our schools.
3:14:12 Yet, I am the security risk.
3:14:17 You should all resign.
3:14:18 Thank you.
3:14:19 Thank you, Ms. Delaney.
3:14:20 Great evening.
3:14:21 Marshal.
3:14:22 Good evening, Madam Chair and Board.
3:14:37 My name is Sarah Marshal.
3:14:39 I’m not representing any organization.
3:14:41 I’m representing myself.
3:14:43 I am a taxpayer constituent voter.
3:14:46 I have two children in Brevard Public Schools.
3:14:49 I am a student of psychology.
3:14:52 I wanted to address a couple of things that were said tonight.
3:14:56 The policies you voted on and an outside concern.
3:15:00 First of all, with a media specialist committee or a library
3:15:05 committee, I fully believe that that should stay a board
3:15:10 committee and not a superintendent committee.
3:15:13 And here’s why.
3:15:14 Board committees have to abide by Sunshine State laws.
3:15:18 Superintendent committees do not have to.
3:15:20 So we don’t know what’s happening.
3:15:21 The public doesn’t know what’s happening in the superintendent
3:15:25 committees.
3:15:26 And I like things to be in the sunshine.
3:15:28 I like abiding by the law.
3:15:30 The other thing that I have brought to this board before is
3:15:34 issues with the registration packet that talks about how if I
3:15:40 sign no on first aid, some sort of first aid care that my child,
3:15:46 my children will not receive life saving care if something were
3:15:50 to happen on school grounds.
3:15:53 But yet there’s a conflicting scenario with that from what we
3:15:58 hear from our EMT and our firefighters.
3:16:03 So I think that that needs to be addressed as registering our
3:16:07 children for next year in the fall.
3:16:11 The other thing I want to address the clear bias from the dais,
3:16:15 Madam Chair.
3:16:17 I watched you allow speakers to go on, address the audience, the
3:16:23 parents, without correcting that.
3:16:27 And yet I watched you reprimand other speakers.
3:16:31 That wasn’t equal.
3:16:32 It wasn’t equal treatment.
3:16:34 There was no equity in it.
3:16:36 I also watched you do it on the board level as well.
3:16:39 Thank you.
3:16:40 Thank you, Ms. Marcy.
3:16:42 Matthew Woodside.
3:16:43 Good evening.
3:16:44 My name is Matthew Woodside, and I’ve been an educator with Bravara
3:16:50 Public Schools for the last 15 years.
3:16:53 This is the third time I’ve spoken to the board this year
3:16:56 because I really do love my kids, all of my kids.
3:16:58 And as I’ve stated at this podium twice before, this district’s
3:17:01 policies allow for students to use restrooms and locker rooms of
3:17:04 the opposite sex.
3:17:05 And I think it’s important that we continue this conversation
3:17:08 and talk about the results of the policies in place.
3:17:11 So let me talk about a couple of those.
3:17:13 Recently, a teacher in our district reached out to me to let me
3:17:15 know of a troubling situation that took place in his school that
3:17:19 demonstrates just how dangerous the results of these policies
3:17:21 really are.
3:17:22 This teacher was forced by our policies to let a female student
3:17:25 who was identified as male into the male locker room where this
3:17:28 student proceeded to change her clothes in the main changing
3:17:31 area in front of her male classmates and PE teacher.
3:17:34 And when this student took her shirt off, this male PE teacher
3:17:37 and his male students witnessed that she was not wearing any
3:17:40 undergarments under her shirt.
3:17:42 That’s right.
3:17:43 This female student was completely exposed from the waist up in
3:17:46 the middle of the boys’ locker room.
3:17:49 These boys saw her, and the male PE teacher in charge of
3:17:53 supervision saw her.
3:17:55 This happened.
3:17:56 And if it happened in the boys’ locker room, it can happen in
3:17:59 the girls’ locker room.
3:18:00 This district’s policies are forcing teachers to be in the
3:18:03 presence of possible nude minors of the opposite sex and to
3:18:07 expose our students to the same.
3:18:10 What are we even talking about, guys?
3:18:12 Like, this is for real.
3:18:14 This is considered criminal in any other context.
3:18:16 And yet, if I refuse to let it happen, I’m threatened with
3:18:19 losing my job.
3:18:21 These policies are being written by people who either have a
3:18:23 twisted view of what’s good for kids or they lack the courage to
3:18:26 do what’s right.
3:18:27 Either one should be a disqualification for service.
3:18:29 This district says they’re just following federal law.
3:18:32 But St. John’s County recently released their new guidance on
3:18:35 these issues, which states what many of us have known for a long
3:18:38 time.
3:18:39 Quote, “There is no specific federal or Florida state law that
3:18:43 requires schools to allow a transgender student access to the
3:18:48 locker room corresponding to their consistently asserted
3:18:50 transgender identity.”
3:18:51 End quote.
3:18:52 So enough with the smokescreens.
3:18:55 Enough with the excuses.
3:18:56 It’s time for this district to get honest.
3:18:58 Let’s be explicitly clear.
3:19:00 The source of our locker room policies is not the federal
3:19:03 government.
3:19:04 The responsibility lies solely with you.
3:19:08 We accommodate whenever we can for kids to be safe and feel
3:19:11 comfortable.
3:19:12 When accommodation infringes upon the rights of other students,
3:19:15 accommodation has become a pressure.
3:19:17 This district is oppressing kids.
3:19:19 And it’s time that you are held accountable.
3:19:22 It’s time for this nonsense to stop.
3:19:24 And it’s time for these policies to end.
3:19:26 And it’s time for people of courage of this community to take a
3:19:29 stand and demand that our elected officials protect the good of
3:19:32 our kids or find another job.
3:19:34 Thank you.
3:19:35 Thank you, Mr. Woodside.
3:19:37 Audience, please hold your applause.
3:19:39 Mr. Bryan.
3:19:40 Thank you very much for allowing me to speak tonight.
3:19:46 It’s past my bedtime, so I’m not going to be allowed.
3:19:50 I just want to say a couple of days ago, a couple of nights ago,
3:19:56 I received a text message from a parent.
3:19:59 And the parent said, “Mr. Bryan, thank you for helping my child.
3:20:04 My child is having difficulty reading and I’m even having
3:20:08 difficulties as a parent.
3:20:10 Thank you for taking the time to help.”
3:20:13 And I just want to say, I’d like to thank many people that is on
3:20:19 this leadership team.
3:20:22 Dr. Mullins, thank you for your support.
3:20:25 Mrs. Klein.
3:20:28 Very nice lady.
3:20:29 Thank you for your support.
3:20:30 Mr. Bryan, hold on just one second.
3:20:32 I’m stopping your time for you, okay?
3:20:34 Okay.
3:20:35 I just want to reinforce that all comments need to come to the
3:20:37 board chair so that we’re…
3:20:38 Oh, I’m just turning my head.
3:20:39 I know you’re not saying anything negative.
3:20:40 Just if you could keep it within the…
3:20:42 Okay, all right.
3:20:43 Thank you, sir.
3:20:44 All right.
3:20:45 I just got to keep my head this way, right?
3:20:46 Okay.
3:20:47 Dr. Sullivan, thank you for your support.
3:20:52 Ms. Christine…
3:20:53 Mr. Bryan, I’m sorry.
3:20:54 I hate to keep interrupting you.
3:20:55 I’m not taking your time away.
3:20:56 And I know you’re ready to get home…
3:20:57 I’m just looking at my notes.
3:20:58 I know.
3:20:59 I know you’re ready to get home to bed.
3:21:00 But I need you to…
3:21:01 So we don’t allow people to be named individually, whether it’s
3:21:04 positive or negative.
3:21:05 Oh, wow.
3:21:06 Just as part of the policy.
3:21:08 So if you could just keep it…
3:21:10 Maybe keep it general.
3:21:11 And if you’d like to drop an email to those people individually,
3:21:14 that would be helpful.
3:21:16 Okay?
3:21:17 Thank you.
3:21:18 I wasn’t aware of that.
3:21:19 I apologize.
3:21:20 That’s okay.
3:21:21 I’ve called names before.
3:21:22 Okay.
3:21:23 But I do like to recognize some of those.
3:21:26 You know, the leadership team here, we’ve gotten tremendous
3:21:29 support.
3:21:30 You know, many times I’ve called and I did receive quick
3:21:34 response.
3:21:36 But I want those people to know that we as a community partner
3:21:41 really appreciate that.
3:21:43 But one of the things I want to keep focus on, and I know there’s
3:21:47 been a lot of issues that you’ve heard tonight.
3:21:49 One of the things I want this board to keep in mind, that there
3:21:53 are over 4,000 students at risk.
3:21:58 That are one, the two grade level behind in reading.
3:22:03 There are at least 4,000 to 5,000 students at risk.
3:22:09 That are behind in math.
3:22:12 What is…
3:22:13 That’s a tragedy.
3:22:15 So I…
3:22:16 You know, I know there’s a lot of discussions on a lot of things.
3:22:20 But I really want this board to be focused toward closing the
3:22:25 achievement gaps.
3:22:28 That is so significant for our children.
3:22:31 I really want you to focus on a little bit the disproportionate
3:22:36 of disciplinary referrals.
3:22:39 That is a tremendous issue.
3:22:42 So those people that are in leadership positions that have
3:22:44 worked with me, I’m not going to call any names.
3:22:48 They are in this room tonight.
3:22:50 I want you to know I really appreciate you getting back with me,
3:22:53 working with me.
3:22:55 You know who you are.
3:22:56 And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.
3:23:00 And I also want you to keep in mind the diversity gap that we
3:23:05 face in this district.
3:23:08 And we saw some good things tonight.
3:23:10 But we’re not there yet.
3:23:12 So please continue to…
3:23:14 I always tell my child to stay focused.
3:23:18 I know there’s a lot of noise.
3:23:20 So stay above the noise.
3:23:22 Because I’m watching your data.
3:23:25 I was at 4 o’clock this morning looking at it.
3:23:28 So please, ma’am and please, sir.
3:23:31 Keep in mind those three things.
3:23:33 Diversity gaps.
3:23:35 Diversity needs.
3:23:37 Discipline gaps.
3:23:39 Thank you, Mr. Bryan.
3:23:40 And I got confused with this stuff, so…
3:23:42 It’s all good.
3:23:43 You’re good.
3:23:44 Thank you so much.
3:23:45 Crystal?
3:23:46 Good evening, Madam Chair and Board.
3:23:56 Once again, good evening.
3:23:58 I plan for one minute.
3:24:00 So I’m surprised that I have three.
3:24:03 I would like to ask a question before I start.
3:24:06 The information that I have here contains the names of contacts
3:24:11 that have been emailed.
3:24:13 Am I permitted to use those names or not?
3:24:16 Ideally, no.
3:24:18 But, I mean, if you’re just saying I’ve reached out to staff
3:24:22 member, then absolutely.
3:24:24 So I am permitted to state the names of those that I’ve
3:24:27 contacted in regard to the issues?
3:24:29 It would be better if you addressed positions as opposed to
3:24:32 individuals.
3:24:36 Okay.
3:24:37 I’ll revise.
3:24:38 Okay.
3:24:39 I’ll revise.
3:24:40 On March 4th, 2022, I requested assistance from the principal at
3:24:44 Viera High School regarding
3:24:47 concerns I have about the Viera High School Hawks RBI Club
3:24:51 practices, finances, and ethics.
3:24:55 The principal of Viera High School included several members on
3:25:01 the emails and our superintendent in
3:25:05 her investigation.
3:25:07 The principal of Viera High School repeatedly denied emailing me
3:25:11 her investigation discovery.
3:25:14 She further stated her refusal to consent to have an in-person
3:25:18 meeting recorded.
3:25:20 The principal of Viera High School gave an ultimatum that a
3:25:24 verbal meeting or phone call occur
3:25:27 in order for me to receive her investigation findings.
3:25:33 There was another individual within the VPS department that was
3:25:38 copied on all of these emails, including
3:25:42 our superintendent, that stated that private meetings, video
3:25:46 recordings are not permitted.
3:25:49 This individual did not respond to my email April 6th, asking
3:25:54 the specific VPS policy disallowing
3:25:57 an audio recording of a meeting, so long as all parties consent.
3:26:03 There has been no resolution to this matter with the Viera High
3:26:07 School Hawks RBI Club investigation.
3:26:10 And therefore, this shall serve as notice of intent to escalate
3:26:14 this to the Florida Department
3:26:15 of Education for further review and through the complaint
3:26:19 process.
3:26:20 Thank you.
3:26:22 All right.
3:26:25 That concludes our non-agenda speakers this evening.
3:26:29 The board wishes to thank you for your time and your willingness
3:26:33 to speak.
3:26:34 Anything that we, Dr. Mullins?
3:26:36 Madam Chair and members of the board, I would like to provide
3:26:39 the board and the community
3:26:41 two clarifying statements reference to information that was
3:26:44 presented tonight by public speaker.
3:26:47 One, Brevard Public School staff are not prohibited and would
3:26:54 never withhold emergency life-saving care for a student who is
3:26:59 experiencing such a situation regardless of a registration form,
3:27:03 that type of thing.
3:27:04 We would certainly always respond to a student who would need
3:27:08 life-saving care and we would follow through with that.
3:27:12 Second, the book review committee is a committee required to
3:27:15 meet in the sunshine and that is explicitly stated in the policy.
3:27:19 Thank you.
3:27:21 Thank you, Dr. Mullins.
3:27:22 And for clarity, I’m the one who made the comment earlier about
3:27:27 the superintendent being able to convene additional committees
3:27:31 if necessary.
3:27:31 And that doesn’t mean that it’s the superintendent’s committee.
3:27:34 It means that the superintendent can say to his staff, we need
3:27:37 more committees to deal with this and they can convene the
3:27:40 committee via the policy.
3:27:42 So I think that’s an important delineation.
3:27:47 The other thing that I would say and so one of the frustrations
3:27:55 that we have with some of the things that are said during public
3:28:00 comment is oftentimes we get lots of generalities about which we
3:28:05 can do nothing.
3:28:07 On multiple occasions, I have reached out either at the end of
3:28:10 public comment, I have asked for follow up for the specifics on
3:28:14 concerns that have been shared.
3:28:17 I have had email communication with individuals to follow up on
3:28:20 things that are brought up in public comment.
3:28:23 The reality is that generalities don’t help any of us to do
3:28:26 anything about the issue.
3:28:28 And there were several statements made tonight that I think we
3:28:31 just absolutely have to address.
3:28:34 And that is that we have pedophiles working in our schools.
3:28:38 That we have children getting raped in our schools.
3:28:42 That it is incredibly frustrating to have those suggestions made
3:28:50 and not have a good venue for appropriately responding to them.
3:28:55 And so what I will say to our public in general, and Board if
3:28:59 you disagree with me saying this on your behalf, please feel
3:29:01 free to let me know.
3:29:02 But I think we can all agree there is no one sitting up here and
3:29:07 no one sitting in the back of the room that isn’t here because
3:29:12 they are committed to doing the best thing for children.
3:29:15 However, we can’t do anything about generalities.
3:29:22 We can’t do anything about saying kids are having fights in the
3:29:26 bathroom.
3:29:27 Kids have had fights in the bathroom since I was in kindergarten.
3:29:31 We now have social media, which makes it much more prevalent.
3:29:34 And I’m not saying that it’s not worse or it’s not better, but
3:29:38 to suggest that there are all of these sources that people have.
3:29:42 And then not provide sources is not helpful.
3:29:47 So if there are issues that need to be addressed, my request is
3:29:52 that we work collaboratively to address those issues.
3:29:56 But we need the specifics.
3:29:57 We can’t send staff on a hunt to find where these specific
3:30:01 things are occurring.
3:30:04 And as I’ve said before with regard to public comment, and it’s
3:30:08 been thrown back in our face multiple times when I say this is
3:30:12 not the place for a two-way conversation.
3:30:16 It’s not ideal for a two-way conversation.
3:30:18 And that’s why I’m not trying to silence anyone from speaking,
3:30:21 but many of the issues are much more complicated than can be
3:30:24 addressed right here in this boardroom in a public forum where
3:30:27 everything’s being recorded.
3:30:29 And we can’t have names mentioned because you might be accusing
3:30:32 someone who is completely innocent of something.
3:30:36 So I, and I would suggest all of my fellow board members,
3:30:40 welcome you to reach out to us with specifics on concerns so
3:30:43 that we can resolve them instead of having things being spread
3:30:47 publicly that sound accurate without any details to support them.
3:30:52 Thank you.
3:30:53 Ms. McDougall, go.
3:30:55 I’m sorry.
3:30:56 No.
3:30:57 You are fine.
3:30:58 Go right ahead.
3:30:59 Ms. Moore?
3:31:00 Oh, I turned it off.
3:31:01 Oh, thank you.
3:31:02 Thanks, Ms. McDougall.
3:31:03 Ms. Moore, could we, is it right if I talk about the new form
3:31:06 that we’re developing for the health checklist?
3:31:09 Because I think people are, they’re worried about our old form.
3:31:14 Like I said, it’s an old form.
3:31:15 It was like a yes or no.
3:31:16 We are developing now a new form that’s going to be a checklist,
3:31:20 correct?
3:31:21 Correct.
3:31:22 The new health consent form, the HB 1557 specifically says we
3:31:28 need to delineate every category of service that is offered in
3:31:35 our clinics and give parents the option to check yes or no for
3:31:39 each of those categories.
3:31:42 We went to the, exactly what you were talking about before, Ms.
3:31:49 Campbell.
3:31:51 That health plan.
3:31:53 And we went through and said, okay, what are all the categories
3:31:56 of services that we offer in the clinic to start drafting out
3:32:00 that form?
3:32:01 And in the meantime, we spoke to Mr. Gibbs to say, get us some
3:32:04 information from what other schools are doing, other districts
3:32:07 are doing.
3:32:08 And we are waiting for that to be, to go up, like all rulemaking
3:32:13 through the Department of Education to do rulemaking and come
3:32:17 back down to us.
3:32:18 That takes time.
3:32:19 Right.
3:32:20 That’s what I’m afraid.
3:32:21 And the law goes into effect on July 1st.
3:32:24 So we are going to do the best we can.
3:32:27 To reiterate Dr. Mullen’s point, emergency services are never in
3:32:32 question if a child needs emergency services.
3:32:36 And we’ll get a form out there.
3:32:38 And unfortunately for the public, when rulemaking happens, we
3:32:42 might have to change the form.
3:32:44 But I.
3:32:45 Ms. Mursky.
3:32:48 That’s Ms. Mursky.
3:32:49 Ms. Mursky.
3:32:50 Can you please follow up with her after the meeting or with one
3:32:53 of us?
3:32:54 Okay.
3:32:55 Ms. Moore.
3:32:56 Ms. Mursky.
3:32:57 So we might have to redo the form again.
3:33:00 So we will be bringing you something, a form to look at.
3:33:03 It’ll go to Dr. Mullen’s.
3:33:04 It’ll go to the cabinet.
3:33:06 You guys will see it.
3:33:07 It’ll go out.
3:33:08 And we might be coming back again to the table after rulemaking
3:33:10 is done with the Department
3:33:12 of Education.
3:33:13 But it should be a very much more specific form.
3:33:16 Thank you.
3:33:17 Ms. Mursky.
3:33:18 Thank you.
3:33:19 Ms. Mursky.
3:33:20 Thank you.
3:33:21 Anyone else?
3:33:22 All right.
3:33:23 I’m having no further business.
3:33:24 This meeting is now adjourned.
3:33:25 Have a great night.