2023-10-10 - School Board Meeting

5:40 Good evening. The October 10, 2023 board meeting is now in order. I’m happy to welcome my former. My.

5:45 My fellow. Not former, board meeting board members to the public. I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that the appropriate place for public participation in this meeting is during your individual public comment opportunity as identified in the agenda.

6:01 Outside of your individual public comment opportunity, your role is in the meeting is as an observer. Paul, roll call, please. Here, here, here, here.

6:15 At this time, I would like to hold a moment of silence. I would like to invite the audience to join. Leading us in the pledge of allegiance is Edgewood High School student and dance team member, Cecilia Pope.

6:48 Welcome, Miss Cecilia Pope. Please stand. She’s like, I’m getting that.

7:03 Go ahead. I pledge you allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Cecilia.

7:19 And now, the dance team from Edgewood High School will perform. Take it away. All right.

7:27 All right. This is exciting. Raise your hand if you’re here for the dance team.

7:31 All of you guys should raise your hand, too. You’re here for the dance team. There we go.

7:35 All right, let’s be real. We’re here for all kids. We got it.

7:39 All right, listen, Miss Jenkins, if you need my jacket, I can get it to you. All right. Yeah.

7:58 If you guys need any help, our general counsel has offered to lead the way. He’s in good shape. That’s why you guys got it? You need me to.

8:14 Am I supposed to play music or anything? I am. Okay. You got it? Okay.

8:22 I just make sure I’m not supposed to. You want to bring it up here? I can put it on the mic. Oh, okay.

8:29 Here we go. There we go. Um.

8:49 I like Dallas. I like dumb, I like shine. I like millions with my kids.

8:56 I like open. I like going to what you say. Here we have another one.

10:15 Or is that. All right? Thank you for that wonderful performance. I believe we usually have a couple of questions.

10:26 So if you guys can all make your way over there to the podium. I’m not sure. Normally groups will identify somebody they want to speak for the group, but look at that.

10:37 Look how that happens. Look how that happens. All right, I’ll go last.

10:41 As usual, mister Trent, do you have any questions? So, how often do you guys get together and practice routines? And how do you make time for all of it? Okay, so we usually have practice Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school. Well, Mondays and Fridays usually. And we have been focusing on the pep rally pretty recently, but now, since we finish homecoming, we’re moving and transitioning into practicing for our competition routines.

11:15 Awesome. You guys were great. Thank you, Miss Wright.

11:19 All right, I’m gonna ask you, young lady, because you. I have seen you in a different role other than this one. Tell us a little bit about what you do aside from just part of the dance team.

11:30 So, aside from the dance team, I volunteer at the Viera hospital, and I know Megan and Janice and Mark because I serve on the. It’s true. Go ahead.

11:41 Come on. Yeah, because I serve on the Brevard schools foundation. So I’m one of the two student members, and so I’m a senior this year.

11:50 So, sadly, this is my last year on the board, but. And then I’m involved in a lot of different, like, clubs at my school, and then, obviously, I’m on dance team. That’s awesome.

12:00 Well, you’re doing amazing. So it’s fun to see you in a different light today, Miss Campbell. All right, so there it goes.

12:08 All right, so how many freshmen on the dance team? Raise your hand if you’re a freshman? Yes. All right, good for you. All right, how many.

12:24 How many sophomores? Remember, it’s a junior. Senior. Oh, do we have any 7th or 8th graders? Yeah.

12:35 All right. All right. We don’t want to leave the juniors and seniors.

12:38 How many juniors and seniors? All right. The captain. Well, that’s a demonstration of your leadership, so congratulations, and you guys have some big shoes to fill as she goes.

12:49 Leaves you next year. So looking forward to seeing you guys continue to perform. Thank you, miss Jenkins.

12:56 How many of you thought that Cardi B would be playing in our school board meeting? No hands. No hands. I have more of a personal question.

12:56 How many of you feel like you forged some of your deepest friendships by being a part of this team? Yeah. Love it. It’s awesome.

13:19 And those are memories you guys are going to take with you for a lifetime. So hold on to each other, take care of each other, protect each other along the way as you guys continue, since you seem to be a pretty young team as you continue to go through the rest of middle school and junior high. Well said, miss Jenkins.

13:36 So let me ask you this. Is your dance team. Do you compete against other schools or anything like that? Like, how does this work? And when is this competition? And when are you going to win? Yeah, we do compete against different schools, and then we also compete against studio dance teams as well.

13:53 And you do that in Disney? Where do you do that? We have different events. So we usually start off with SBN. We’ve done that previous years.

14:01 We didn’t do it last year. So it depends on, like, kind of our school schedule and what works best. And we kind of work around, like, our competitions with different.

14:11 You compete against other schools locally? Yes. Okay. And there’s a competition for that, so just invite us to it so we can come out and support you.

14:18 Okay. We really, we really thank you guys for everything that you guys are doing. We appreciate you and well said, miss Jenkins.

14:24 I think one of the things that you do as far as sports teams and sort of clubs and everybody is create lifelong bonds that you’ll be able to rely on into the future, into college. And then when you guys 30 years from now are coming back, you’ll be like, I remember you on the dance team and you have these long things. So thank you so much for your time.

14:42 Thank you for coming in. We enjoy you guys coming in such a large group because you each bring a family member and we have all of them coming to our board member, too. So thank you so much.

14:50 Doctor Rendell, you have anything you want to say to these great, great individuals? No, I think they were very impressive. It’s always good to have students perform at the beginning of a board meeting because it reminds us of why we’re here, why we do this work. So I want to thank the parents for supporting them in this endeavor.

15:02 I want to thank their coach and the staff for supporting them. And thank you for bringing them here tonight to provide performed for us. It was awesome.

15:10 Thank you, guys. Thank you. Thank you, everybody.

15:13 You want to get a picture with them, Lindell, you want to get a pic? Let’s get a picture with you guys. Come on up. Stand right here.

15:19 We’re going to come up there, coaches. It’s never worked for me, so since day one at this time, I’d like to offer my fellow board members and doctor Rendell an opportunity to recognize students, staff, or members of the community, I think. Mister Trent, did you want to go first? I’m good.

16:44 Okay, I’ll hop in and go real quick. Okay. So I’m gonna try to be fast.

16:47 I know we have a lot of. A lot of stuff on the agenda, a lot going on. So just want to give a shout out to company.

16:51 Canaveral construction. Canaveral construction. So we had a bit of an issue with some bleachers at astronaut high.

16:58 It became a huge issue. There was no seating for any of these volleyball matches. And so this company stepped in and they went above and beyond and so anytime we see a company that really just knocks it out of the park, I just want to say thank you, because you really gave our kids the ability and their families to be able to come and watch their kids play volleyball.

17:15 Also, I want to give a shout out to miss back and Miss Copeland at Atlantis had some time to spend with them. It is so nice when you go to a school and everything is flawless. And I mean, hey, children.

17:26 The element of children doesn’t really provide for flawless very often. Right? And so when I walked in there, I’m like, what is going on? This is amazing. So they’re doing a great job there at Atlantis, and I’m just really proud of what’s happening.

17:37 The facility looks great. They’re just doing phenomenal things. Lots of good kids, too.

17:41 So that’s it for me. Miss Jenkins. Sorry.

17:48 I was making sure something wasn’t in front of me that I wasn’t aware of. Sorry. Hold on.

17:53 Okay. I want to thank members of our staff, Miss Dampier, Miss Bland, and Mister Raynor, for organizing a trip for the board members to go to Orlando and take a tour of magnolia, separate day school. It was a wonderful experience.

18:08 Number one, those facilities were incredible. The opportunities that they. They had for their ESE students were just insane.

18:16 Like, absolutely remarkable. The staff there were so kind and accommodating, and it provided us an opportunity as a district to take a look at how they service some of their students with the most significant needs and how we can improve what we’re doing here for our students. It’s already starting conversations for potential change in the near future within the next year or so.

18:35 So thank you. Thank you for organizing that. Thank you for.

18:37 For stepping up and doing what’s right for our students. I had an opportunity to participate in the career speaker series with junior achievement at Mel High. So thank you for having me there that day.

18:48 There were some challenging questions, to say the least, from some of those students may or may not have inspired them to not run for office, I’m not sure. But we also talked about being a speech language pathologist as well, and just talked about openly, honestly about my path for college, failing out of college, moving on, getting past that challenge, going to graduate school, and becoming the person I am today. So I really appreciated that opportunity.

19:15 I’d love to share that story with some of our teenagers. To recognize just because you have a hiccup in your life or something that’s challenging, it won’t define who you are. So thank you for that opportunity.

19:25 And I also just want to remind our staff that open enrollment has started for your health care. So make sure you don’t forget. I believe it closes on October 31.

19:36 Thanks. Awesome. Thank you so much, Miss Jenkins.

19:40 I do want to say we have some amazing vendors for construction. We have many of the schools, all have met many of our construction teams and our leadership in that realm. And we have salt of the earth here.

19:53 I’ve done a lot of work over in Orange County, Tampa, Hillsboro, those areas, and they don’t have the connection because many of the people that work inside of our schools also have children that go to our schools, and that’s a very rare thing in many of the other areas. So that I wanted to also echo what you said about canaveral construction, along with many of our other teams that we have working with Miss Suhan and everybody else, we’re a family here, and we’re pumping out more inside of our little district in construction and renovations and everything else than our surrounding districts are that are attached to us with the same budget. So I wanted to say thank you to that.

20:27 I also want to say thank you for inviting me to the day school. One of the things that I feel our aerospace partners could do better is that they have a federal set aside for students or employees with disabilities, and it’s never audited out there. But the issue that you run into is that four years ago, we created the largest jobs program for students with disabilities in the country.

20:51 Not many people knew it. We had over 600 kids working inside of various places across the county. And what ended up happening is we were brought in front of the entire nation, and I got up there and I spoke and I said, hey, you.

21:04 This is how we did it in Brevard, and we had such a unicorn situation. And then COVID hit. So I want to start getting together and launching what will be some of the students with disabilities to the workforce, not only when they transition off of our schools, but while they’re inside of our school district, because I feel like we can use our partners who have that set aside to hire our kids, and there shouldn’t be an opportunity for them that they’re not doing that.

21:33 And I just wanted to say, you know, thank you for having us go to the day school. They do it very well over in Orange county. They’ve created that transition.

21:40 What an amazing opportunity to help us, and we’re already putting some of that stuff together. I did want to say Thursday we’re meeting with all of the joint generals and commanders from the county, and we’re talking about ROTC and veterans and other things. So let me explain.

21:59 We’re going to sit down with all of the coordinating agencies, the american legions, the veterans of foreign wars, and all of the groups that are involved in the veterans, you know, honeycomb and connections. And what we’re doing is having them advertise to incoming veterans who may be retiring or maybe coming in to do service at Patrick for their spouses to come to work with us, create that pipeline to come here, and that if they know across the nation that we have such a great county, they will take and bring their families here to retire. And when they do, we all know retire in the military at an age where you and your spouse may be able to come work.

22:36 We have a lot of veterans that work for us, so we’re sitting with all of them to coordinate that. We’re also going to talk about the ROTC programs where they sit down and the ROTCs. Do you want to expand? Where can we go? How do we implement a better ROTC program? Because 70% of the kids that go into the military today can’t pass the pt test, and they’re so out of shape.

22:57 So why not work on helping assist those transitioning students into the military? Because on top of it being the military, it is one of the best jobs opportunities. So tomorrow, we’re going to be moving through all that. I want to say thank you to Doctor Rendell.

23:10 Miss Lena will be there with staff, and we’re looking forward to doing that. So there will be some takeouts after that. The other thing I wanted to say is thank you to Doctor Rendell and staff.

23:19 We met at the Kempfers farm. Many of you may not know who the Kempfers are, but they have a huge farm down off 192. It goes through two counties.

23:26 I met them years ago, part of a J. Kyle braid program that I brought to space Coast High school. They were involved in that.

23:32 It was a youth development program. But now what they’re going to do is this. They’re pulling together all the agricultural agencies inside the county to bring opportunities for our children.

23:44 And when you think about, like, old ag, they’re like, you think about the old classrooms where you have corn growing inside the school and all of that, it’s completely different. They actually take drones over the top of their. Over the top of their crops, identify where they can drop all of the fertilizer so that they utilize a 20th of the average amount of fertilizer that they normally would use.

24:04 Those drones, that technology, that distribution, needs kids to go to work. The other thing that they do is genetics with all of their reproduction. Incredible.

24:14 Like, when I was sitting there at the Kempfers farm, you think you went BaCK 60 years, but they’re actually 20 years AHeaD of us in all of the Advancements. So they’re coming to the Table to do that. They also mentioned a couple other things they wanted to do.

24:26 A farm to Table where they’re able to produce and bring some of the BeEF and other things that they have to our schools, if it’s possible, so that our schools could then package it and bring it to some of the local restaurants and stuff like that. We’ll work through that to see if that’s possible. But the other thing is the expansion of four h and future farmers and the ability to move towards getting kids opportunities to become possible veterinarians, large and small mammals, and what those things are.

24:55 I had a parent group here the other night, and we were sitting there talking, and we were brought up this idea that we’re going to be going and possibly getting back to opening up club opportunities for our four h and future farmers. And I never thought about the amount of positivity from the parents about talking about bringing their ducks and everything else into four h. It was insane.

25:14 Like, I thought I was just going to mentioned this, and we had a good 30 minutes conversation about it. So I just want to say your district is amazing, not only because of the community aspect that we have here, but then also all of the coordinating agencies that we can just pick the phone up, meet and start putting things in perspective and in action pretty quickly. So I wanted.

25:31 I got off on a tangent. I think I’ve been talking way too much. All right, everybody.

25:34 All right. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

25:38 Oh, look, you’re not the only one. Go ahead. Go ahead.

25:42 I forgot to mention this. So this weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at the Titusville playhouse is going to be fearless, which is a play about Harry and Harriet Moore. And it is also being hosted by the Moore Cultural Complex and museum.

25:57 And this is really important to our community because at least the majority of this board was sitting on the board when they were able to reinstate the teaching certificates of both Harry and Harriet. They are civil rights leaders right here in Brevard county. So if you have an opportunity and you want something fun to do this weekend, go ahead and check it out.

26:14 I’m going to be going there. I hear it’s going to be really amazing. So again, it’s Friday, Saturday, Sunday at the Titusville playhouse.

26:19 Thank you for that. If you’ve never read the book about Harry T. Moore.

26:25 Please do. I focused my college experience, my history degree on civil rights, and I wrote it on Ben Green’s book on Harry T. Moore.

26:35 Not even knowing I would move here and the story that that man had and the impact he had on this community is something that is. Lasts generations. All right, I’m done.

26:44 Did you have anything to say? I did. I saw you over there. I felt you.

26:47 I felt. I was like, she’s got something she’s writing over here. Go ahead, then.

26:50 We got to get on. We got to get. Miss Kershaw.

26:52 Really want me get up here? Go ahead. Just got a few things. First of all, remind the board and everyone else in the public that kind.

26:58 Coming of up, two Saturdays away, October 21 at Space Coast Junior senior High, will be our marching band. MPA. If you love marching band, and that’s your favorite part of the football game, you don’t want to miss us, because it’s like the whole entire thing is the marching band.

27:13 So it starts at 04:00 with the first performances, and then they’ll give the words at the end, so I know I’ll be there. Bored. I hope you get a chance to be out there, too.

27:24 Just wanted to give an update on our wellness challenge. Congratulations to the hundreds and hundreds of people. I think we’re in the thousands of people who are on staff who have joined the Cigna Global Wellness Challenge board and legal office.

27:38 We are. Last I checked, I was trying to log in. My phone wasn’t working.

27:41 We’re number nine. We are the 9th place team, so we’re number eight. Okay.

27:46 I haven’t implemented all mine yet. I’ve been logging. You didn’t sign up fast enough.

27:49 I’ve been logged. I’ve been logging in. The people who did sign up have got us in 8th place.

27:55 So it’s not too late. We’ve got seven more days, everybody. So start moving.

27:58 Start logging it. And the point is, we want to have a healthy workforce. It’s good for all of us.

28:05 I want to thank the associated builders and contractors for coming out to a tour with Doctor Rendell and I, and for Rachel Rutledge and our teams at Cocoa High School and our teams at adult ed at Clear Lake for giving them a tour of our CTE programs, in particular, our construction program and our auto body repair program at Coco, and then introducing them to our manufacturing center there at the Clear Lake campus. And I want to thank Representative Tyler Roy for being there as well, and all of his support. But it was a great day.

28:35 It’s always a great day to open up the eyes of our community to the great career and technical programs that we have at our schools. All right, so we have a special guest tonight that I want to recognize. We had one of our amazing bus drivers with us tonight.

28:50 Her name is Renee Hill. Miss Hill, if you are here, would you come up. There she is.

28:55 Would you come up to the podium? We want to make sure you’re recognized. They didn’t tell you about. Let me tell you.

29:04 We know that you are fantastic at your job. And now the entire state knows it as well. In September of 2022.

29:13 So the beginning of last school year, Miss Hill was driving her morning route when she noticed a small child alone near the road, wearing only a diaper. Not somebody she was supposed to pick up on the bus, just happened to come along. Miss Hill stopped her bus, got the child home.

29:27 Help, some help. And got her to safety. And for action, Miss Hill was selected as the 2022 2023 school Bus operator of the year award and was honored in Tallahassee last month.

29:42 So, Miss Hill, we want to thank you for your dedication to our students and to all the children that you serve, not just those who ride your bus. Thank you. Thank you.

29:48 Thank you. Thank you for doing what you did. I know that it’s been.

30:07 I think you were honored over at the county. You were honored by Sheriff Ivey, I think. No.

30:12 But you, what you did went above and beyond. And that’s something for Doctor Miller and everybody else. Thank you so much.

30:21 Did you want to say something up here? Cause you ran real quick when I was gonna hook you over there. You act like you’re hiding. You’re wearing hot pink.

30:30 I know. That’s awesome. Did you want to take a picture with her, doctor? Mister Broom? All right.

30:35 He wants to take a picture. Mister Miller. Everybody else, come on up.

30:38 Miss Emmer, come on up. Let’s go. All right, Miss Janice Kershaw and Miss Danielle Lovell, with the TLC fellowship, they have something to say if you’ll take the podium real quick.

31:48 We have some very honorable individuals here with them. Miss Lavelle. So Janice stepped out the back for a minute.

31:57 So I think you’re just going to have to go right now. Miss Lavelle can run. Good evening.

32:08 So, Doctor Rendell and members of the board, I would just like to extend my sincere appreciation for the support and recognition we are provided this evening. As part of our mission of the fellowship program, we strive to further develop teacher leaders and increase student achievement through meaningful action research. Before you this evening are a cohort of teacher leaders who will be engaging in the process of selecting their own inquiry.

32:37 They are dedicated to bringing their passion for education into their practice. Each year, our fellows are competitively selected through an application process that includes recommendations from both their administration and peers. This included responding to a selection of questions that focused on their knowledge of inquiry and how it could impact school improvement.

33:00 Management of our teacher leadership roles, strengths in their personal practice, as well as opportunities for growth. They are educators from across brevard public schools connected with the same mindset that anything is possible when striving for excellence for our students. This program would not be made possible if not for the dedication of the leadership team.

33:27 I would like to introduce to you the TLC coordinator, Mickey Carvo. Good evening. The fellowship leadership team is focused on ensuring that we are building teacher retention through building the capacity of teacher leaders across bps.

33:47 Each year our program grows as we accept a new cohort of fellows. Our efforts would not be successful if it were not for our incredible group leaders. We would like to recognize our group leaders leaders Ruby Rivera from Discovery Elementary, Alex Stewart from West Shore Junior and Senior high School, Jenny Liam from Bayside High School.

34:10 Now I would like to ask doctor Rendell and Mister Susan to please join us at the podium. It’s you. So before we introduce our fellows, I just wanted to say how proud we are at Brevard schools foundation of this cohort of teachers.

34:49 Because as a foundation that’s here to support brevard public schools, its teachers and its students, we looked for innovative ways to support the development of teacher leaders that align with the district strategic objectives under exceptional workforce, which brought us to the idea of creating a research fellowship program. And the teacher Leadership Council embraced this adoption of the program and it’s grown organically, even creating its own teacher leadership ecosystem with Danielle Lovell as the director and Mickey Corvo here as the coordinator. So it’s just as one of the many teacher quality initiatives that we’ve brought forward.

35:30 The fellowship program has caught the attention of state leaders and it’s seen not only as a way to advance teacher leadership, but also to support teacher retention. So now Mickey is going to introduce our fellows. Thank you.

35:44 Without further delay, here are our fellows who received their pin from their administrator. From Cocoa High School, Matthew Daley with his administrator Denise Stewart. From Discovery elementary we have Melissa McKee and Amanda Green with their administrator Scott Corso from James Madison Middle School we have Justin McCall with his administrator Travis diesel from Riviera elementary we have Anna Colby and Daniela Bravo Stevens.

36:30 And their administrator, Beth Myers. From Sherwood elementary, we have Sarah Delina and her administrator, Danielle Lovell. From Suntree elementary, we have Kendall Hester.

36:53 With her administrator, Kathy Hamilton Brown. From Surfside Elementary School, we have Colleen Anderson. And her administrator, Cassie Aaronsoft.

37:12 From University Park Elementary School, we have Marnisha Walker. And her administrator, Seagal Shah. From Viera High School, we have Elizabeth Chalet.

37:29 With her administrator, Heather Legate, unable to attend tonight, we have, from South Lake Elementary, Thomas Englecart. At this time, principals, please pin your fellow in recognition of their commitment and leadership toward their future action research. Thank you guys so much.

38:09 We just like to extend our gratitude also to family and peers standing before you with this cohort, our leadership team. I know that they would not be up here, if not possible, for support that you provide. We’d also just like, thank you for being here for them.

38:25 Congratulations. Listen, if that doesn’t work for you, Miss Jenkins, I’ll give you my jacket. I’m fine.

39:46 All right, here we go. All right. Miss Campbell, have you read your proclamation yet? Tonight’s proclamation honors.

39:58 Do we have to do the agenda now? Put that in here. This way we usually do it. This way we can do the proclamation ahead of the agenda.

40:05 Well, do you want to let Doctor Rendell do his resume? Yeah, we’re really getting kind of loopy here tonight. Here we go. Here we go.

40:20 We’re now on to our proclamation. Maybe not. Mister chair.

40:23 We have a special guest. We have a super scientist in the audience. I would like for her to come up to the podium and she could introduce herself and talk about all the super science great things that she’s done.

40:36 So come on up. Don’t be bashful. Absolutely.

40:47 Yeah. Moral support and everything, but. Coolest thing in the world, super scientist.

40:51 You’ll see. Like this is an official title. Yeah.

40:55 Doctor Rendell on the board. I’m the principal at Jackson Middle School. The proud principal.

40:59 Because we have one of our students. The Society for Science has announced the top 300 competitors for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, a national science competition to middle school students. So, out of the 300 finalists, we have our very own Miss Ava Ramsey from Jackson.

41:17 And we are so proud of. Congratulations. Yeah, we want to hear.

41:28 Listen, you don’t get. You don’t get the title of super scientists unless we know what it is that you did to be super scientist. Tell us all about it.

41:39 So, my project was on corrosion. And seeing which lubricant can help stop the crash. Corrosion faster.

41:51 So which was it? What was it? It ended up being Corrosion X. It stopped the corrosion way faster. And, like, you could see less corrosion than all with the other lubricants.

42:00 What was the worst? The worst ended up being bioblast. It’s like a environmentally safe lubricant. And it ended up having.

42:12 That’s usually how it works. Good job. Hey, wait, wait, wait.

42:16 So, yeah, yeah. So this was a competition when. I don’t really.

42:23 I think it was, like, kind of around the summer. Yeah. So not, like in the last month or two.

42:29 It was a while back. Yeah. Are you working on any current science projects? I’m still trying to think of a new one to do for this year.

42:36 Yeah. Because you got to do science fair project again, right? Yeah. Great job.

42:40 Good job. Can I ask a silly question? Yeah, absolutely. So what was the corrosion for? On what? It was on carbon steel bolts, things that’s usually used in NASA and aerospace and boats and buildings.

42:54 So, yeah. Can I use it on my rotting Hyundai outside? You can check it out. Do you enjoy when people say, it’s not rocket science, and you get to say, yes, it is.

43:10 Thank you for coming here tonight and congratulations. I’m super proud of you. And first of all, proud of you to stand up there.

43:16 I know how uncomfortable you must feel, but you’re going to look back on this moment. Be proud of yourself. Way to go.

43:22 Congratulations. Of course, you’ll probably be back here as a national winner when she’s a senior, so. All right, we’ve had a couple.

43:39 Yep. That’s it, mister chair. I’m done.

43:42 Thank you. We got to get to the proclamation. They’re here first.

43:50 We don’t need to vote on the proclamation. What? Okay, wait, wait. We have another one.

44:00 We do another super scientist in the room. I saw the person getting up. I saw.

44:04 I know. I was like, why? Getting missing Brad is not going to let her get away. Get away.

44:08 So let’s. Let’s go. Who’s our other super scientist? All right, here we go.

44:16 Yeah. Good evening. Thank you so much for recognizing Griffin Kirby.

44:26 He’s absolutely an amazing scientist. I am so lucky. I’m so lucky that I have his entire family at Edgewood, and his sister has graduated.

44:38 And I would like for him to talk about his science project because he’s pretty incredible. All right, what do they got going on? I did a science project on the leaching of septic wastewater into the Indian river lagoon. Wow.

44:57 How do you set leaching up? Like, how did you do that? So I used optical brighteners that are in laundry detergent. And when you do your laundry, like the laundry machine, when it drains out, it goes into a septic tank, and then that all mixes with every other, like, household waste water that you put into it. And then a leading problem with the septic tanks in, especially, like, waterfront homes, it leaches into the Indian river lagoon and has been known to initiate algae blooms.

45:41 Wow. Wow. Are you an 8th grader? I’m in 9th grade now.

45:47 You’re 9th grade? 8th grade. These are 8th and 9th graders, you guys. They’re amazing.

45:53 Guess we’re gonna solve the problem. Yes, you are solving problems. You’re solving today’s problems, tomorrow’s problems.

46:00 So thank you, guys, for. For focusing your scientific efforts towards that. And when you could have been out, you know, surfing and tick tocking, tick tocking, you’re solving tomorrow’s problems.

46:09 Thank you. Good job. Hang on, hang on.

46:15 Griffin, you’re not done. Anybody else? No. Let me ask you something.

46:22 Why did you choose that? I choose that problem because I personally live on a waterfront home. And even if you go out to the lagoon. Lagoon and look at it, you can see how low the water quality is.

46:34 And I just wanted to look for a way to fix that. So let me. Let me ask you.

46:38 You did the work, right? You identified that there was a problem. You identified and solved that problem. Sorry, I’m just hearing about this, so I’m picking it up.

46:46 One of the things that I feel like we could do a better job, and me in particular, is honoring what you feel is your passion and trying to get that known, because right now, you did an amazing thing. But how do the people along the Indian river lagoon know? How do the people that have their septic tanks know? Because unless you tell them, they’re never going to know, and they’re going to continue to do the same thing. So what I’d like to do is try to figure out a way to allow you to impact those individuals in a positive way.

47:14 If it’s okay, Miss Ingrada and our friends, if I can reach out to Miss Engrada, work with you to identify the homes that may have. Because we can call the county, they’ll give us a list of all the ones that are along the Indian river that have septic tanks. And maybe we just send them a letter and maybe you can even.

47:28 You know what I mean? We can figure out a way to let them know their impact on the Indian river and how we can change that. And that might give you a little bit more than just coming up and solving it, we can actually get it to action. Would you work with me on that? Yeah.

47:41 Okay. All right. Missing grata.

47:43 I’ll give you a call. All right. Thank you.

47:45 Thank you. All right. Sorry, doctor Rendell, did you want to ask him any questions? I mean, he’s running away from the stage.

47:51 No, he’s good. Mister Brune, any more super scientists lurking in the. Are we good? Are we sure? Okay.

47:56 Any. Any more children to make us feel really dumb? There’s no. There’s no.

48:01 There’s no. I think we just do it. We don’t have to vote on this.

48:06 Okay. Um. That brings us to the adoption of the agenda.

48:10 Doctor Rendell. Thank you, mister chair. On this evening’s agenda, we have one administrative staff recommendation, 27 consent items, eight public hearing items, three action items, and four information items.

48:24 And one proclamation. And one proclamation. And one proclamation.

48:29 Do I hear a motion? Move to approve. Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

48:36 Aye. Any opposed? All passed. Proclamation, Miss Campbell.

48:55 All right. Board. So you all are aware that over the last year in particular, we have had members of the community reach out to us on the topic of dyslexia and the sometimes in the past, inadequate support that our students with dyslexia have received.

49:13 It’s an issue that is not well understood often. But I sat down. I want to thank Doctor Kim bias for sitting down with me over the summer and just really helping me dive into what we are doing, what we can do better, because I just sit down and say, what are we doing? What can we do? Really excited, walking away from that conversation.

49:32 There’s a lot of things that wrap up with the science of reading that’s coming out and things that tools that we already have in place, and trainings we already have in place that are growing and our teachers are being sent to over the summer times. And so, as part of that, we discovered that October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month. And so I think it would be good for us to promote that and to pass this proclamation to show our support, to continue to work, to support our students, and to help find solutions for them.

50:02 So, here is our proclamation. Whereas brevard Public schools is committed to serving each student with excellence as the standard, and whereas October is designated as National Dyslexia Awareness Month, created by the International Dyslexia association, and whereas dyslexia is not a disorder of any kind, instead, it is a learning impairment. The intelligence of dyslexic people is unaffected.

50:26 This misunderstanding of the condition leads to stigmas which dyslexia awareness month aims to eradicate and whereas, dyslexia makes it difficult for students to read, write, and spell, and that may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience, which may impede vocabulary growth and whereas, literacy is a critical skill needed for education success, and students who do not read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to not graduate from high school with a diploma. And whereas, parents, teachers, administrators, coaches, mentors, public officials, and peer students recognize the importance of educational and emotional support for students with dyslexia. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Brevard Public School Board proclaims October Dyslexia Awareness Month and supports all staff, staff and family who work to ensure all students receive the best education for which they are entitled.

51:19 Adopted by the members of the Brevard Public School board, Brevard County, Florida, at the regular open meeting, public meeting thereof, held the 10th day of October, 2023. Thank you. Yeah, I agree.

51:36 Thank you, Miss Campbell. We already passed it. We’re kind of putting it in.

51:44 All right, all right. Do I hear a motion? Move to approve? Second. Any discussion? Hearing? None.

51:52 All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed, passes. 50.

51:58 Doctor Endell, would you please let us know about the administrative staff recommendations? Yes, mister chair. And members of the board, there is one item for your consent consideration. Do I hear a motion? Second.

52:10 Is there any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed? Passes. We are now on to public comments portion of the meeting.

52:21 We have four, nine speakers. Each will receive three minutes. I’ll call up three speakers at a time.

52:29 The first three are Ray Lyman, Bernard Bryan, and Allison Kervin. Good evening. My name is Ray Lyman and I live in district.

52:58 Before I begin my remarks, I want to thank the Brevard public School staff for their very kind and helpful guidance for participating in the public comment portion of this meeting as reported in Florida today. Last month, the board took action to move forward with seeking a settlement in the case of Sophia, the young girl with down syndrome who returned home from a Brevard public school one day in 2021 wearing a COVID mask secured to her face with a cord. I’m here to ask you to reconsider that decision.

53:38 Although I know a lawsuit can be settled because of cost considerations without an admission of wrongdoing, I think that would be a mistake in this case. Since after appallingly unfair accusations of child abuse, and after the widespread circulation of a staged photo which stirred a national controversy, any settlement amount whatever would certainly be trumpeted by the plaintiffs as a vindication of their cause, even after their defeat in federal courts, only further sullying the reputations of Sophia’s teachers. Who.

54:21 Mister evidence. Mister Lion. I appreciate it.

54:23 If you cannot say students names or individuals names, that’s all we ask. I apologize. I should have said that ahead of time.

54:30 Very good. Thank you. The teachers involved, who, from all the evidence I’ve seen, clearly treated her with nothing but compassion and concern for her health and the health of her classmates and their families.

54:49 Regarding cost considerations, please bear in mind any success of the plaintiffs in this case will only encourage others to come forward with equally unjustified claims. Also, please think about how much harder it will be to recruit qualified teachers who might harbor justified fears that those who accuse them falsely will not be called out on it. Please discontinue seeking a settlement in this case.

55:25 Thank you. Thank you, Mister Lyon. Thank you, Mister Lyman.

55:31 Mister Bernard Bryan, Allison Kervin and. And Julie Bywater. Thank you.

55:37 And also thank you. Doctor Rendell. I just want to say again, my name is Bernard Bryan, and I represent the South Brevard community NAACP as well as the concerned citizen.

55:40 I just want to say thank you to Doctor Rendell. I had an opportunity to attend the public school community discipline team meeting, and I just want to say, that was a fantastic meeting, and I just would like to say thank you to doctor damper and her team. I think they did a phenomenal job, and I thought the process was very, very professional.

56:19 So I just want to say thank you for that. And I would also like to ask this board to use a similar technique that was used in addressing issues that’s going to improve our children’s reading and math proficiency levels. I’ve had a chance to review some of those data, and the gain is minimal.

56:40 So I was so impressed with what I saw last week. So kudos to that team, and I really appreciate what they actually did. And I also would like to share a couple of things.

56:54 I had an opportunity to review our Bavad public school value statement, and one of the things I learned from your statement is that Brevard Public school value statement is different from your mission statement. Your value statement said to treat one another with respect, as well as to uphold honesty and integrity with the guidance of principles. So I just want to talk about those two things briefly.

57:26 Treat with respect. I think it doesn’t matter what your sexual orientations are, it doesn’t matter what race you are. We believe that every child in Brevard public schools ought to be treated with respect and I just want to reiterate that value.

57:46 And I also want to talk a little bit about book banning. And I’ve looked at how many teachers that are leaving Brevard public schools. And I think there’s an integrity issue.

57:59 Because when you ban book that does not teach correct history, that drives to an integrity problem. So I just want to encourage you, every board member, to evaluate your values and stand up for what is right for every student in everything that needs to be done that will benefit every child. And then lastly, I’m also concerned about the teachers that are moving from one school to another school during the school year, and I think there’s an issue with that and obviously that’s going to to impact our students as well.

58:38 Thank you, Mister Bernard, Miss Alison Kervin and Julie Bywater, please. Good evening board. My name is Allison Kervin and I’m an 8th grade student at BVS.

58:52 Tonight, I’d like to address the comment Megan Wright made to a speaker at the school board meeting September 19. The last time I spoke, I told this board that people GPS students were watching. Did you think about the students when you chose to act like a cashmere outside girl, saying, I like to see that lady outside.

59:10 This meeting isn’t okay. As a businesswoman, mother, and elected official, you failed at your job modeling appropriate behavior. The last time I spoke, I jumbled up a sentence when talking to you, so I’m gonna take this moment to correct it.

59:24 What I should have asked was, at what point will you stop? Stop making a woman look dumb. If I, as a 13 year old teenager, can see you being played by the gentleman on either side of you to be the fall guy of everything bad this board does. Your ignorant threat to that speaker didn’t help your case.

59:40 Grow up and make better choices. Mister Susan, don’t think I forgot about you or your comment you made on that podcast when you referred to me as mentally ill. Spoiler alert.

59:52 Autism is annoying neurodivergence, not a psychiatric disorder. Autism is an entire spectrum of differences, and I happen to be on the less extreme side. That doesn’t make public speaking any easier, but it does help me see patterns from the bottom of my heart.

1:00:08 I really hope you stop saying what I’m getting at, especially when your next phrase is misogynistic or gaslighting. You see, Mister Susan, anytime you say I’m looking for a bored major, you immediately look to your right at Jean and Megan. Never miss Campbell or Miss Jenkins.

1:00:25 You also interrupt them more. Your tale shows that you have absolutely no respect for the woman on your left. And you have misplaced respect in the people on your right.

1:00:34 I understand that you think they and their extremist supporters are gonna help you whatever election you actually plan to run in for 2024. And I kind of. I find that kind of ironic.

1:00:47 You used to be a history teacher, right? You couldn’t have been a good one. Cause you’re always on the wrong. You’re always choosing the wrong side of history.

1:00:55 Also. Mister Susan, before my time runs out, this is the part where you thank me for speaking. You forgot to do that last time.

1:01:05 Thank you. Miss Julie Bywater, please. Miss Julie Bywater.

1:01:11 Then Abigail Aguirre and Rob appsee, please. Good evening. I’m Julie Bywater.

1:01:21 I’m a member of the Moms for Liberty Brevard chapter. And I wanted to, first of all, thank doctor Rundell for coming to our last chapter meeting. He was willing to speak to us on topics that were relevant to the school board in the school year, and we really appreciated him coming.

1:01:40 He answered lots of questions, and I’d like to extend that invitation to the rest of the school board here. You are welcome. Just contact me, contact Debbie, contact any of our members if you want to come speak.

1:01:54 We’d be more than happy to have you and listen to you and discuss what’s going on. I have a couple other things that I wanted to bring up that were on the agenda. First of all, thank you for the dyslexia proclamation.

1:02:07 I’m a mom of a student who has dyslexia and dysgraphia. And by second grade, he was so far behind. By third grade, I chose to homeschool him because I was in Texas and in a failing school environment.

1:02:23 And they, even though they tested for dyslexia, did not help him one bit. So he is now a. He’s at Rockledge High.

1:02:33 He’s an ab student. And with the help and accommodations that happen with dyslexia, he is doing really great. He is a year behind his twin sister because I held him back a year for his educational needs.

1:02:47 And let me tell you, he’ll look you straight in the eye and say to you, sometimes it just takes a student longer to learn. We never looked down upon that, and we encouraged him to be brave and proud of the fact that he just learned differently. And that was okay.

1:03:03 So I really appreciate you honoring that. A couple other things that I saw on the agenda, the calendar that you’re going to approve. I know you sent the survey out and I answered it, but I would have loved to have seen those results.

1:03:18 I think it’s encouraging that you do the surveys, but we rarely get to actually see what those results look like. And I think it would be great if you shared them with the public. And finally, I saw that the Rockledge is proposing a football field naming change.

1:03:33 That’s great. You posted the SAC report. It’s like a month late.

1:03:38 I would have loved to have attended that meeting on the 25 September that discussed it, except it was nowhere to be found. I didn’t see it on the school website, didn’t see it on school social media. It didn’t come out in the smore newsletter.

1:03:56 We should know. And additionally, it would be nice if we always saw these notes posted from the SAC meetings. You know, that is our advisory council, so we should be sharing that information with the general public.

1:04:11 I’d love to have a place somewhere on the website where we could find that. I think it would be beneficial to everybody to see their Sac minutes and what’s going on. So thank you for your time.

1:04:22 Thank you. Miss Abigail Aguirre. Miss Rob, Apsi.

1:04:28 Gregory Ross, please. First. Yeah, if she can speak first, that’s okay.

1:04:44 Yeah. No, no, no, it’s okay. It’s all right.

1:04:46 Just give her the opportunity. Thank you. But I appreciate you getting there, Rob.

1:04:50 I do appreciate that move. Thank you. Hello, my name is Abigail, and I. And I am a concerned citizen here in Brevard county.

1:05:08 Unfortunately, I was unavailable for last month’s meeting, so I’d like to address a comment that Megan Wright had said last month today. But before I address that comment, I wanted to address the entire board and remind y’all that regardless of what our current governor may say, say our position. Your position, sorry, are supposed to be nonpartisan.

1:05:38 That means that you’re not allowed to pick sides when it comes to politics. In fact, if you were doing your job well, then we would never know your political standing. Unfortunately, that is not the case for most of you.

1:05:52 With that being said, I’d like to address the comment that Megan Wright had said last month. Calling a politically motivated group, who’s been coined, by the way, as a hate group, a, quote, brave group of moms. I want to make it clear that it’s not the material that I’m upset about.

1:06:10 Of course, it’s the fact that if any other political organization, like the Brevard Dems or the LGBT caucus, for example, wanted to pass out the same exact pocket constitutions, they would have almost definitely not been allowed to do so. At the very least, they would have been questioned and possibly ridiculed and would have had to go through some kind of lengthy or ridiculous process beforehand. And I also know for a fact that you would have not called them brave.

1:06:43 And quite honestly, I’m disheartened by what you or Matt Susan and would have probably called them instead. That is the problem that I take the most issues with and that’s why I thought that your comment was unprofessional and I will conclude with this. Please do better, do your job correctly, and please keep your biased opinions to yourself.

1:07:10 Mister Rob apse Gregory Ross Dorma herring please. Hello and thanks for listening to me here. Just a real quick moment.

1:07:23 I’ve been a coach, high school coach, for about 24 years with almost about 400 wins. But the real reason I’m here is to make the community aware, and this board aware that a community coach can be fired for any reason they want. The principal is given what’s called.

1:07:45 It’s a reason called at will so the principal, for whatever reason he wants, can just let you go. And I was just let go at Mel High because another teacher who was on staff wanted the job. And I’m gonna read the letter that the principal gave me because he asked me to resign to make everything look better.

1:08:06 On September 15, I said I would not resign, so he had to write this letter. Dear Mister Absey, this letter is to inform you that your employment with the school board of Brevard county as a community coach is terminated, effective September 1523. You’ll be paid for your days of service per the athletic calendar through this date.

1:08:28 The reason for this termination is as follows. Community coaches positions are at will and do not require cause for termination. The contract between the Brevard Federation of Teachers and School Board of Brevard county requires that instructional staff, when available, are selected for coaching positions instead of community coaches.

1:08:51 This action is taken in accordance with school board policy 3140. Sincerely, James Kirk and I think that if all the community coaches out there knew all this and all the volunteers knew this, I don’t think you’re going to have a great response out there. People serving.

1:09:09 And the fact that I had no representation for me was unbelievable. In fact, I contacted a school board member here who said the same thing. We can’t handle any more bad publicity.

1:09:20 Could you please resign? So I just don’t understand how it is that somebody like myself, I coach at a christian school for three years. Then I started the Brevard heat organization, ran that for seven or eight, was the head coach at Melheim for seven years. I went over to satellite for three years and then coached.

1:09:39 And then Mel High hired somebody. Didn’t work out, so they brought me back to get the program back on point. I was doing a great job.

1:09:46 Chad Raymond. The ad loved me and a teacher wanted his job back and I was let go. This was after I had spent the entire summer with the team, the fall with the team, training four days a week with the team, and all of a sudden the teacher didn’t want to put in all the hard work, wants the job back, and they get it.

1:10:05 The rights of community coaches need to be protected by you guys. In my estimation, I could be wrong, but I feel like in my case, I was very much wronged. I was brought into an office at 830 in the morning and told by Mister Raymond, I’ll be really quick.

1:10:21 By mister. Mister absent. That’s it.

1:10:24 But yes. Thank you, sir. Mister Gregory.

1:10:28 Ross. Dorma Herring. Kelly Kervin.

1:10:36 Good evening, board. Thanks for the opportunity to provide public comment. This board has been seated for eleven months now.

1:10:43 323 days, to be specific. Over that time period, I have spoken from this podium numerous times about my concerns with this board. I have spoken about certain members who are unqualified to be on the school board.

1:10:55 I’ve spoken about members who frequently lie and provide misinformation. I’ve spoken about certain members who fail to grasp simple scientific concepts or refuse to even look at data that is contrary to their worldview. I have spoken about how certain members allow their religious and political bias to influence their thought process and analytical capabilities.

1:11:16 Over the last 323 days, I have always retained hope that certain members would improve, grow, and seek knowledge, understanding, and empathy. My hope has, for the most part, been unfulfilled. Over the last 323 days, I have also observed a character turn certain board members lack.

1:11:36 That trait is courage, the ability to make good choices in the face of fear or obstacles. Let me explain what I have observed, Doctor Rendell. I watched the video of the parent leadership team meeting held on November 6.

1:11:50 I watched as you had to explain numerous times to upset parents about the excessive permission slip policy. You were even left speechless when a parent called you out for passing the buck to the Department of Education and the school board attorney. Now, I understand that you and the district are in a tough spot, as is the Florida governor, legislatures, and the DoE that has put you in this position.

1:12:11 But one of those parents called you and the board out on what appears to be a lack of courage to push back against the state and these asinine parental rights groups, stand up and show some courage. Megan and Jean, I observed you both lack courage to push back against any. Anything that doesn’t align with the rapidly deteriorating parental rights movement.

1:12:31 You lack any courage to do the right thing when it comes to bullying in brevard schools, rampant book banning. And you even lack the courage to carry through on your hollow threats on kicking somebody off of the oversight millage oversight committee. Matt, Susan, I could go on about your lack of courage to tell the truth, but instead I will to the fact that you like to courage to even be honest in your campaign endeavors.

1:12:56 Maybe you will get enough courage to explain to the citizens of Brevard county why you have filed to run for school board again and have even collected funds. But in reality, you have no intention of running for school board. Is that because you have already hinted that you don’t want to be school board for next year? Is that because you never intended to run for school board but state house district 32 instead? Politics over students, right? Miss Campbell, you have been the savior of my hope.

1:13:23 You have shown sparks of courage in calling Matt, Jean and Megan out on their duplicity, arrogance, and on occasion, idiocy. We may not agree on everything, but you at least act in an honorable, courageous fashion. Thank you, Miss Jenkins.

1:13:36 All I can do is say thank you. Thank you, Mister Ross. Miss Dorma Herring.

1:13:40 Kelly Kervin. I had. Good evening, board.

1:13:52 Doctor Rendell, thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Donna Herring. I live in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

1:14:00 I wanted to speak about two things, but after listening to the comment about Doctor Rendell going to the moms for Liberty meeting, I think I want to speak about three things. I think it’s inappropriate for our school schools to be speaking at groups with, I’ll just say, questionable motives and I’ll leave it at that. The other two things I wanted to talk about are the book bands.

1:14:31 We’ve got. Excuse me, we have books that are withheld from our child’s educational opportunities that are required for advanced placement english classes. We’ve got books that have been pulled off the shelves from Pulitzer Prize winning authors.

1:14:53 These are not pornography. They may be books that people don’t agree with. And I will gladly say that some of the content of these books is disturbing.

1:15:03 There are scenes that are disturbing, but the books have valid educational benefit and are quite acceptable in most environments. The last thing I wanted to speak to was the policy discussion that’s been ongoing. I think you’re going to vote on it tonight about the wants and needs and desires of the public and as I was looking over what seems to be an innocuous change, a desire can be a subset of a need.

1:15:44 But when we don’t even have the same basic framework on a lot of things, I think throwing a desire which is not as measurable as a need into the mix just doesn’t add any value. If we can identify what needs are and make sure that needs are met, that would be wonderful. I desire books on the shelves that other people don’t desire on the shelves, so I’d like you to take that into consideration and thank you very much.

1:16:18 Miss Kelly Kerbin. You need a break after this. Good evening, board members.

1:16:30 I’d like to start by thanking you for recognizing dyslexia Awareness Month. As a reminder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia have nothing to do with intelligence or a student’s ability to learn. These students process information differently, and the easiest way to explain this is by saying they’re processing 2d information and in a 3d way.

1:16:48 These students are often the most creative people in the room. They are often twice exceptional, and they often experience trauma in their classrooms because they understand they’re different without knowing why. The brutal reality is if you have a student with dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalcula in brevard public schools, the only way to truly help your student is by seeking a private evaluation, utilizing private tutoring and intervention that will cost thousands of dollars.

1:17:12 I speak from experience. Just last week, I had a conversation with two different families, each with a fifth grade student who have had long standing academic deficiencies in reading and math. One, I am certain, has dyslexia, the other dyscalculia.

1:17:25 The most heartbreaking part, knowing that BPS will not be able to help their students in a timely manner. As a 2004 graduate of a BPS high school, we have generations of former students who, when undiagnosed and suffer in their adult lives before because of these failures, let our current students not experience the same fate. I challenge you in this district to do better faster.

1:17:46 Moving on to the work session. First and foremost, Miss Wright and Mister Trent, you seem obsessed with using the cupcake Bible as an example of an informal challenge that would not meet the criteria. And moving to a formal challenge, I’d like to remind you that Palm Bay High School and Turner elementary voluntarily removed this book.

1:18:03 And after reading the book cover to cover, I did find verbiage that would meet the criteria for a formal review process. Next, if I am understanding the process correctly, the book review committee will meet about the book with no public comment and take a vote. That vote will then go to the board members, who will have public comment, but who will not have read the books and then have a formal vote.

1:18:23 Make that make sense, please. If you are going to ban books, please read them first. Lastly, this board seems bound and determined and opening pandora’s box.

1:18:32 Not a wise decision. But this board rarely makes wise decisions. I noticed you didn’t speak about the state law, which outlines the process for challenging book decisions with a special magistrate.

1:18:44 As a friendly reminder, if book decisions are challenged at the state level, it is the district who will fund this. Good luck with that. Have a good night.

1:18:57 We good to roll? You guys good to roll? Yeah. Okay, if you guys need to take a break, you can. We are now under the consent agenda.

1:19:03 Doctor Rendell, there are 27 agenda items under this category. Thank you. Doctor Randell.

1:19:12 Does any board member wish to pull any of the items hearing? None. I will entertain a motion to accept the consent items on tonight’s agenda. Move to approve second, any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

1:19:28 Aye. All opposed? 50. Oh, sorry.

1:19:34 Late discussion. It’s not going to change my vote, but we had a public commenter mentioned about the calendar. The calendar amendment that we vote on tonight didn’t have anything to do with next year’s calendar, which is what the parent survey was.

1:19:44 So we’re not done collecting that data. Tonight was clear just because the hurricane shifting the semester by one day. So, yeah, that information will come out when we go in the calendar for next year, which will be in December, I think November, because we want to get it ahead.

1:20:00 That’s right. And we do plan to share the results of the survey. All right, we will now hold a public hearing to address item six, or g 41, drug free work.

1:20:13 G 41 3124, drug free workforce. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item hearing? None. Are there any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

1:20:33 All opposed passes. 50. The next item to hold is public hearing on g 42, board policy 3232, political activity.

1:20:41 Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All right, move to approve any discussion? It’s just so cold.

1:21:01 We can’t. It’s so cold. Any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

1:21:07 All opposed? All right, the next item is to hold a public hearing on G 43, board policy. 3126 direct contract with communicable diseases. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Do I hear a motion? Second, are there any discussions? Hearing none.

1:21:27 All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed passes.

1:21:31 50. Next item to hold is public hearing. G 44, board policy 3575, candidates for office.

1:21:36 Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Do I hear a motion? Move to approve. Second any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed passes.

1:21:52 50. The next item is to hold is a public hearing on G 45, board policy 3580 supporting political candidates. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:22:07 Say any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed passes 50.

1:22:15 The next item to hold is public hearing is G 46, school policies 1001 through 1470. You guys ready? Oh boy. Here we go.

1:22:23 There we go. Game on. Game on.

1:22:26 Give me just a second to get all set up here on my command ship. Why is it so cold up here? They turn the vents on us for fun. It’s so cold.

1:22:35 All right. Okay. If anybody needs to use just as long as we can keep three up here, that’d be good.

1:22:45 Board Policy 1001, district organization is there anyone present here who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present here who wishes to address this item? Move to approve. Second any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, signify by saying, aye.

1:22:58 Aye. All opposed, passes. 50.

1:23:02 Next policy is 1010, board superintendent relationship. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve. Second any discussion? Hearing none.

1:23:16 All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, passes 50.

1:23:20 Except 1020, employment of the OR 40, employment of the superintendent. Is there anyone here who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone here who wishes to address this item? Move to approve. 2nd.

1:23:33 2nd. Who is that? Miss. Wright.

1:23:35 Go ahead. Yep, Miss Wright did it. And is there any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

1:23:42 All opposed, passes 40. Next up, superintendent of Schools policy 1030. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:23:56 Second any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, passes 40.

1:24:06 Next up, policy 1031. Development of administrative procedure. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:24:18 Second any discussion can I just say I’m excited about this policy? I really am. Because this ties our administrative procedures to our actual policies. So that way there can’t be any kind of funky business that’s going on.

1:24:31 So I like this one a lot. I think it’s going to be good for our district. Absolutely.

1:24:35 All right. All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed passes 40.

1:24:40 Next up, 1040, evaluation of the superintendent. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve. Sorry, any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

1:24:57 All opposed passes 40. Next next item is 1040.01.

1:25:05 Non right employment of the superintendent. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve second any discussion? All in favor? Signify by saying aye. All opposed passes 40.

1:25:22 Next policy is 100, 60 or 1060. Incapacity of the superintendent. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:25:35 Second any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed passes 40.

1:25:44 Next policy 1112 board staff communications. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve second any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying aye.

1:26:00 All opposed passes 50. Next agenda, item 1113 conflicting employment or contractual relationship. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:26:16 Second any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Signify by saying aye. Aye.

1:26:21 All opposed passes 50. Next up, 1120, employment of administrators. Anyone present who wishes to address this item? Anyone present who wishes to address this item, move to approve.

1:26:34 Second any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed passes 50. Next item 1120.

1:27:02 01, employment of interim principals and supervisors. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Hearing none, move to approve second any discussion? All in favor? Signify by saying aye. Aye.

1:27:16 All opposed, passes 50. Next up, 1121, conditions for employment and re employment. Anyone here who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone here who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:27:28 Second any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying aye. All opposed passes 50.

1:27:32 Hang on just a second. Oh, I think I lost my I think I lost my place here. 1121.

1:27:37 Hang on. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, I apologize.

1:27:40 Everybody. All right. There it is.

1:27:54 Next up, 1170. Records and reports. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve second any discussion? All in favor? Signify by saying aye.

1:28:08 Any opposed passes 50. Next up, 1281, use of employees personal property at school. Anyone here who wishes to address this item? Anyone here who wishes to address this item? Move to approve.

1:28:14 Second that was gene. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying aye.

1:28:29 All opposed passes 50. Next up, 1470 grievance procedure. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve second any discussion hearing none.

1:28:35 All in favor? Signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed passes 50.

1:28:54 The next item is to hold a public hearing on g 47, board policy 0100 definitions. Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Is there anyone present who wishes to address this item? Move to approve second any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Signify by saying aye.

1:29:04 All opposed passes 50. Last item is to hold a public hearing on g 48, board policy 110118 philosophy of the board. Is there anyone present here who wishes to address this item? Yes.

1:29:25 Oh, okay. Again, thank you, board, for the opportunity to provide public comment in this policy. I object to the inclusion of the word desires as one of the responsibilities of the board.

1:29:47 This board sees one of the responsibilities as meeting the educational needs and desires of the citizens. The inclusion of the word desires and the word needs in this after the word needs in this statement is, frankly speaking, ridiculous. The dictionary defines the word needs as necessary, duty, obligation, a lack of something requisite, a condition requiring supply or relief.

1:30:13 A lack of the means of substance to fill citizens needs as it pertains to education is a lofty and worthwhile goal. The dictionary defines the word desires as a conscious impulse towards something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment. A longing or a craving to fill citizens desires as it pertains to education is a dangerous and foolish endeavor.

1:30:38 It does not surprise me that this board has included desires into their philosophy. This board approach to any issue or policy has been nothing but a slog through the immature emotional and cultural desires of three board members, Mister Susan, Miss Wright, and Mister Trent. Let’s look at some examples of where this board has ignored the educational needs of the community and instead focus on the educational desires of a small minority of brevard citizens.

1:31:11 Let’s start here in this boardroom as a sign behind you states, there is a need to serve all students with excellence, whereas this board has used policies to serve only a few students with excellence. Looking back over the last eleven months, an astute observer could argue this board has served no student with excellence. Is this the desire of the board or just a side effect? Next, there is a need for citizens of this county to have a millage oversight committee, but the same three members of this board instead focus on their own self serving desire to only have puppets who would agree with them on the said committee.

1:31:27 One has to wonder what this board is trying to hide. Finally, there is a need in our communities to educate our children for the challenges of the 21st century. Do we see a focus from this board on increasing emphasis on science, math and literacy? No.

1:32:00 Instead, brevard citizens get the self serving and irrelevant desires of this board to put politics over students by pushing culture war issues such as isolating LGBTQ students, banning books, exaggerating discipline issues, lying about non existent discipline policy changes, and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs. It is obvious from this board’s self centered behavior that is doubtful that you will place the students, parents, faculty, staffs and communities needs above your own desires. And worst of all, the continuation of that behavior.

1:32:12 Even after being called out by the very public you are elected to serve. Not represent, but serve. Failing to distinguish between needs and desires should not be surprising, considering this board is on a path to ban the dictionary.

1:32:22 Perhaps you have already banned common sense. Anyone else present who wishes to address this item? Hearing none. Move to approve.

1:32:33 Second, any discussion? Yes. Okay, we’ve had this conversation several times. Well, a few times, at least.

1:32:52 And I just want to point out to the board and to the community, original policy that we had in place for many years, said needs. The Neola template only says desires. It was the desire of this board to include both to show everyone that it is not just one thing or the other that we have to look at.

1:33:07 If you look at the actual word, I know people get frustrated because. But I have a feeling this wouldn’t be a constant comeback conversation if the people on the board were making the decisions that matched up with with the desires of the people who are speaking. We don’t always get what we want.

1:33:35 I think that’s a song, but I messed it up. The statement actually reads, the board has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and for meeting the new language, educational needs and desires of the citizens. The truth is, many things that we do have to do with statutory requirements and things that we’re required to do and have to do with the needs of the students.

1:33:50 But there are decisions that we make that really aren’t anyone’s needs or desires. For example, this evening we had a group of people from the community, from a certain high school who want to rename, who want to name their field. That’s not a need.

1:34:15 It’s a desire. And part of our job as elected officials is to try to listen to the community and figure out in those cases where there’s not a clear, this is right, this is wrong, or this is required, this is lawful, this is not what does our community want us to do? We have many, many decisions where we have that kind of discretion, and that’s where the desire language is. So it can be used, it can be twisted.

1:34:32 And I understand people are unhappy about decisions that this board has made this year or previous boards or, you know, every year, every time the board has changed. But this is part of what we do, and whether we put it in there or not, and we’re putting it in there, needs and desires, that is part of what we do. It’s just that simple.

1:34:39 It’s not a conspiracy. It’s just the fact that there are many things that we do that just. It’s up to us to listen to our community.

1:34:53 The calendar is one thing. Do we want to have the week, we ask, do you want to have the week of Thanksgiving offer? Do you want to take it other places? Do you want to try to get out of school before Memorial Day or not? That’s not a need, that’s a desire. And we use those tools.

1:35:09 And I very much appreciate the staff who use tools. So we’re not just out there guessing, because if we sometimes the board is just trying to guess by who came and complained to us the most. When we have that data, when we have surveys, it gives us a more quantified level of desire.

1:35:21 So I don’t have a problem with the way we’ve left it in. I appreciate that we can encompass both of those things because that is part of it, along with the statutory requirements that we are going to continue to do. And I don’t think this changes what we do.

1:35:29 I think it more defines what we actually do, what our role is. I think that was very well said, miss Campbell. Thank you so much.

1:35:52 I appreciate you taking the time to put that together. Is there any other discussion on this item? Just to make everyone kind of laugh after a slightly somber, tense moment? Miss Campbell, I think you’re going to laugh later when you listen to the song that you quoted that ends in, you just might find you get what you need. Some comedic relief.

1:35:56 That was good. Okay. Totally did not do it.

1:36:02 On purpose. Here we go. Another great point, Miss Jenkins.

1:36:06 Anybody else? All right. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye.

1:36:16 All opposed, passes 50. Doctor Endell, would you please let us know about the items under the action portion of today’s agenda? Thank you, mister chair. The first item is age 49, which is school initiated agreements.

1:36:21 Move to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Yeah.

1:36:36 No, I’m very excited for our 9th grade class. They’re going to have a phenomenal speaker who’s going to come and encourage them. And I think this is going to be a great endeavor that hopefully will change the way our children see things.

1:36:44 Anybody else? All right. All in favor, signify by saying aye. All opposed passes 50.

1:36:53 We will now move on to the information agenda, which includes items for board policy and may be brought back for action at a subsequent meeting. No action will be taken on these items today. There are four items under this category.

1:37:06 Does any member wish to discuss any of these items? All right, we are now on board member reports. Does any board member have anything further to ask? Yeah. Ok.

1:37:12 All right. Well, I had a question and when we have meetings, things were supposed to report back things. Absolutely no.

1:37:14 And I appreciate that. So I just. I got excited.

1:37:20 Yeah. No, no. So Friday was the FSBA board of directors meeting as well as the sub legislative subcommittee meeting.

1:37:40 And I got to because I got a little birdie told me you weren’t gonna be able to make it. So I got up early and drove up there to take your spot. So the FSBA board of directors meeting, we had a lot of conversation about things that were coming up and what the effect that the, you know, some of the effect that the scholarships were having.

1:37:49 There’s a lot of confusion. And I know you guys have probably read in the newspaper about the private schools who aren’t getting their money. And I think I’ve asked Miss licensee to kind of fill me in on how we’re doing that with.

1:38:03 Because schools that take the scholarships can come and take a class here, class there with us. And just like homeschool students do, except for homeschool students come and then we get a part of an FTE. If the scholarship student comes, they actually have to pay us like tuition for a credit hour.

1:38:06 So we’ll see how that goes. But all the districts are kind of in the same. But we are.

1:38:29 One of the things that Andrea and Messina presented to us was an AI, an artificial intelligence bill of rights. And I’m gonna send that to Mister Cheatham because it looked interesting. You know, one of the things that we talked about at our conference last year was that artificial intelligence is something that is here to stay, and we gotta figure out a way to embrace it and help our students, because they’re gonna have to, to be educated in that world.

1:38:44 And so it was interesting, and I’ll send it to the rest of the board as well. In the afternoon, we had the legislative subcommittee meeting, and I represent you guys on that. And one of the things that we talked about was some bills from last year.

1:38:53 And I think, mister Susan, that, you know some things about that. Remember the bill that they’re putting the cameras on the bus stop arms. Right.

1:39:05 And so they’re doing two things, actually. Senate Bill 766 from last year and House bill 657. One had to do with the tickets that people can get now for.

1:39:10 It wasn’t just a pilot program for going past a stop bus. Right. School zones, right.

1:39:19 And then the school zone one, if they’re more than 9 miles an hour, and that funding is actually going to come to us. And so there are limits. I know it’s kind of exciting.

1:39:38 There are limits in what it can be used for. And they were, had the conversation around could we potentially, depending on how much it is, and I have no idea what it’ll look like for us, could we use it for towards pay? And I don’t think that’s an approved use. Part of it will be used probably to maintain the cameras on the buses and things like that.

1:39:41 But I’ll keep you posted as. Can I speak to that? Yeah, absolutely. Please.

1:40:00 The issue that you have is that one of the problems I ran into, we created a huge safety task force a couple years ago, is getting the Department of Transportation to make changes to some of our school zones. Stop signs and stuff like that takes an act of God. And like two years of studies and everything else.

1:40:25 I would like to talk about creating those zones to be complete, safe places where we ticket people for going too fast, everything else, and then take that revenue in some sort of a way to facilitate making those areas safer. Because there’s an issue there. No, it’s just interesting, somehow in the legislation I missed that, that funding was coming to us, and certainly we need to use it for something that will benefit our schools and our bus drivers.

1:40:55 And then finally, I represent, not just, you represent Florida school board members across the state on the Florida School Music association board of directors. And I was there this weekend, lots of traveling this week to Tampa. And one of the things that we talked about was, again, the effect of HB one, and just wanted to make people aware, you guys aware, and then the public aware that we already have always had the opportunity for those for homeschool students, for traditional homeschool students to come and take classes and certainly the music classes.

1:41:11 We want people, we encourage people, especially in Brevard, we don’t really have a fine arts co op or music co op for homeschool students. We have, on the other hand, excellent band, chorus, orchestra programs and theater and the arts. And so we want to encourage homeschool students who would like to.

1:41:22 You can sign up for that with the choice. You can sign up to take those classes at any school that you can get your child to, but with the scholarship programs, they also can do that. And again, we got to figure out how we do that.

1:41:43 But the Florida School Music association wants to make sure that those students, we have conversation around. How do we make sure that the language of our rules and regulations says that students are eligible to compete in band, orchestra and choir programs and take part? Because that’s the world that we live in now, and we want to open those opportunities for students. So thank you, Miss Campbell.

1:41:46 Thank you for attending that. We really appreciate it. And thank you for that update.

1:41:52 I really do. Anybody else got anything? Oh, gee, yeah. You got something you want to update? Just a point of clarification.

1:41:59 A couple of things. Okay, let’s go. We’re all getting warm here, so maybe, Doctor Mendel, you can help me with this.

1:42:14 As far as the mentioning of removing books, this was kind of the topic today. To date. How many have we removed from the shelves of brevard schools? Well, we’ve removed quite a few, but we’ve only banned three.

1:42:24 Three? Okay. Have any of those been history books, to your knowledge? They’re not history books to my knowledge. All right, so we haven’t banned 220 books in Brevard.

1:42:30 We haven’t banned 220 books. Three. So just want to make that clear.

1:42:43 We have had a lot of questions and concerns, and we just need to stick to the facts and we’ll work with anyone, but facts matter, and so that’s our count so far. Just, if you’re wondering out there. That’s it.

1:42:46 Appreciate you making that update. Anybody else? Yeah. Yep.

1:43:08 Okay, Miss Jenkins. So I’m not going to get into it again tonight because I brought up the workshop, but I had brought up the fact that we have an intermediary, legal counsel we’re paying a significant amount of money to for public records requests, and I asked you all to consider us getting rid of that process. Because of the cost.

1:43:21 And so I inquired about the cost and Mister Gibbs has that printed out. So I’m asking you to review it so that when I do bring it up, it’s not completely out of thin air. And you understand the context in which.

1:43:33 Why I think it’s concerning because it’s a significant amount of money. That again, makes no sense. Because if those requests are made anonymously, or if they’re made through other people, they wouldn’t cost us any money.

1:43:43 So please review it. And I intend on bringing it up at the next workshop. And I would say that also, just as you guys remember that Doctor Mullins is the one that implemented that.

1:43:57 So that staff does not get put between two people. And there is a considerable amount of inwards of 20 plus public records that have come through from one board member to another. That has created a situation where staff doesn’t need to be in between.

1:44:08 And that has been recommended by our former superintendent. And the reason we’re there and the cost that you are about to get is because of those continued publications, public records that keep coming. It’s because someone was evading them. We’re done.