>> HI.
I'M LYNN GRAY, CHAIR OF THE
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL
BOARD.
I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
WE SERVE MORE THAN 200,000
STUDENTS.
THAT INCLUDES CHILDREN IN
PRESCHOOL THROUGH OUR ADULTS IN
OUR WORKFORCE PROGRAM.
>> HI.
I'M DR. STACY HAHN, THE BOARD
VICE CHAIR.
OUR DISTRICT IS THE 7th
LARGEST IN AMERICA, AND OUR TEAM
IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN 24,000
PEOPLE WORKING AT NEARLY 250
SITES ACROSS THE COUNTY.
>> WE ARE DIVERSE AND DEDICATED.
OUR BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD IN
OUR BOARD AUDITORIUM ON SELECT
TUESDAYS AT 4 P.M.
THE BEST WAY TO SERVE OUR
STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES IS
TO INVOLVE YOU, THE PUBLIC, IN
WHAT WE DO.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME TO E-MAIL OR
MEET WITH ANY OF OUR BOARD
MEMBERS AND FOLLOW OUR DISTRICT
ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
BOARD MEETINGS ARE COVERED LIVE
BY HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS TV ON
SPECTRUM CABLE CHANNEL 635 AND
FRONTIER CABLE CHANNEL 32.
>> MEETINGS ARE STREAMED ON OUR
WEBSITA AT
HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG.
CLOSED CAPTIONING IS PROVIDED ON
ALL BROADCASTS AND PAST MEETINGS
ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE
ARCHIVES.
>> WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE
PUBLIC HAS TO SAY.
WE'LL INCLUDE TIME FOR AUDIENCE
COMMENTS BEFORE WE ADDRESS OUR
BUSINESS ITEMS.
OUR AGENDA AND ANY SUPPORTING
MATERIALS CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE
IN ADVANCE.
THEY ARE POSTED SEVEN DAYS
BEFORE EACH MEETING ON OUR
WEBSITE AT
HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG.
>> OUR VISION IS PREPARING
STUDENTS FOR LIFE.
AND THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS.
EVERY DAY.
TODOS LOS ESTUDIANTES TODOS LOS
DIAS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN
EDUCATION.
WITH YOUR HELP, WE ARE MAKING
DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR
COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.
(SOUNDING GAVEL).
>>Lynn Gray: THE BOARD MEETING
OF OCTOBER 5th, 2021, IS NOW
CALLED TO ORDER.
WITH CO-CHAIR STACY HAHN.
MEMBER SNIVELY, WILL YOU NOW
LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE
FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
I WILL BE FILLING IN FOR MEMBER
HAHN THIS EVENING.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN A BRIEF
MOMENT OF SILENCE.
ALMIGHTY GOD, AS WE CONTINUE TO
TAKE STEPS IN THE DIRECTION OF
OUR PURPOSE WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE
US WISDOM.
WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HELP US IN
VERY SMALL AND LARGE DECISIONS.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED
GUIDANCE TOWARD OUR PURPOSE.
PLEASE ALIGN OUR HEARTS, OUR
IDEAS FOR YOUR WAYS ARE HIGHER
THAN OURS AND YOUR PLANS ARE
GREATER THAN OURS AND NOTHING IS
IMPOSSIBLE WITH YOU.
AMEN.
>>Lynn Gray: PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
>> THANK YOU.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE.
[ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ]
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY, WE HAVE ONE
WITHDRAWN ITEM TODAY.
6.19, THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CARA
SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGIES AND
REGION 4 EDUCATION SERVICE
CENTER.
RIGHT NOW WE NEED A MOTION AND
SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
SNIVELY AND I HAVE A SECOND BY
MEMBER COMBS.
WILL THERE BE ANY DISCUSSION?
SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
AND MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: YES, I APPROVE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ALL
BOARD ARE PRESENT EITHER IN THE
BOARD ROOM OR ON REMOTE.
WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES
TODAY TO BE APPROVED.
AUGUST 24th, 2021 SCHOOL
BOARD WORKSHOP.
SEPTEMBER 21st, 2021 SCHOOL
BOARD MEETING.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER PEREZ,
A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON.
WILL THERE BE ANY DISCUSSION?
SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS APPEAR.
OKAY.
AND MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: YES, I APPROVE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
BOARD MEMBERS, I WOULD LIKE TO
GO OVER THE FORMAT OF TODAY'S
MEETING.
FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WE
ARE LIMITING ATTENDANCE TO 50 AT
THIS TIME AND WE ARE PRACTICING
SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE, SO WE ASK OUR GUESTS
IN THE BOARD ROOM KEEP ONE CHAIR
OPEN BETWEEN FAMILIES.
AS A REMINDER WE ARE A
NONPARTISAN BOARD WHO BELIEVE
ALL CHILDREN CAN BE EMPOWERED TO
LEARN TO SUCCEED, AND OUR
DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITH THAT
UNDERSTANDING.
TO PAVE THE WAY FOR EFFICIENT
AND EFFECTIVE AGENDA STATEMENTS
AND/OR QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS
WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK
WITH 30 SECONDS FOR FINAL
THOUGHTS.
AFTERWARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT
CAN RESPOND.
IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS,
YOU ARE ASKED TO GET BACK INTO
THE QUEUE.
MEMBER SNIVELY, WILL YOU NOW
READ THE BOARD GUIDELINES?
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR.
AS WE BEGIN THIS AFTERNOON'S
MEETING, LET ME QUICKLY REVIEW
THE FORMAT OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD
MEETINGS.
FIRST PLEASE SILENCE ELECTRONIC
DEVICES.
THERE ARE SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM
BEHIND US THAT ALLOW BOARD
MEMBERS TO HEAR THE MEETING UPON
STEPPING AWAY FROM THE DAIS.
THIS MEETING CAN BE VIEWED WITH
CLOSED CAPTIONING ON THE LIVE
WEBCAST ON CABLE TV AND ON VIDEO
MONITORS HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM,
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A VIDEO
MONITOR OUTSIDE AS WELL FOR OUR
PUBLIC COMMENT SPEAKERS THIS
EVENING.
IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED WITH
CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THE ONLINE
VIDEO ARCHIVES.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
SNIVELY.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM TO BE SCHEDULED
FOR TIME CERTAIN, 6:00 P.M.
EMPLOYEE INPUT.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE BOARD WELCOMES COMMENTS FROM
CITIZENS AND VALUES YOUR INPUT
TO THE BOARD.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE MOST
COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO YOUR
COMMENTS, OUR STAFF WILL FOLLOW
UP WITH YOU AND WILL KEEP OUR
BOARD INFORMED ABOUT THE
RESPONSES.
OUR SCHOOL BOARD RESPECTS THE
PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE
BOARD, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU
TAKING YOUR TIME TO BE HERE.
HOWEVER, IT IS REQUESTED WHEN
YOU ADDRESS THE BOARD, COMMENTS
ARE NOT DIRECTED PERSONALLY
AGAINST A BOARD MEMBER OR A
STAFF MEMBER BUT RATHER DIRECTED
AT THE ISSUES.
ANY BEHAVIOR INTENDED TO
INTERRUPT THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF
THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE
ALLOWED.
OUR CIVILITY POLICY IS IN PLACE.
WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD,
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND SPEAK
CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.
AS A REMINDER OF OUR WAY OF WORK
WE HAVE ALLOTTED 45 MINUTES OF
PUBLIC COMMENT.
AT TIMES LIKE TODAY, WHEN THERE
IS AN ISSUE OF GREAT INTEREST,
WE COULD CHOOSE TO EXTEND IT TO
AN HOUR.
THIS AFTERNOON, EACH SPEAKER
WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE.
WHEN THERE ARE 30 SECONDS LEFT,
YOU WILL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT AT
THE -- ON THE LECTERN.
A RED LIGHT AND A CHIME WILL
INDICATE WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.
I WILL NOW CALL THE FIRST FIVE
SPEAKERS.
I DO BELIEVE YOU ARE ALL READY.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
MAULA GAS TAN OH, BRIDGES,
COHEN, STILLWAGON, AND HOLLY
GILLMAN.
>> GOOD EVENING.
PAULA CASTANO.
HAVE YOU EVER DREAMED OF WINNING
THE LOTTERY?
DO YOU KNOW WHAT WINNING THE
LOTTERY FOR THIS DISTRICT WOULD
LOOK LIKE?
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT NEED OUR
HELP.
CL COVID HAS EXACERBATED FOOD
AND SECURITY, TRANSIENT
FAMILIES, ABSENTEEISM,
ET CETERA.
WHEN YOU HAVE SEEN ONE COMMUNITY
SCHOOL YOU HAVE ONLY SEEN ONE
COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BUT GIBSONTON
IS A CLEAR WINNER.
MRS. GILMORE IS A DYNAMIC SCHOOL
COORDINATOR.
DID YOU KNOW GIBSONTON HAS NOT
LOST ONE STUNT DURING COVID?
THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.
HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
ADVOCATES WAS ACCEPTED TO A
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
COALITION A FEW DAYS AGO.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WILL BRING
THOUSANDS OF DECLARATION TO
THESE SCHOOLS.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CAN SUPPORT THESE SCHOOLS.
PLEASE CREATE TWO TO THREE MORE
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS -- EXCUSE
ME -- DEMAND OUR ESSER MONEY,
JUST LIKE THE BOCC AND SET IT AS
POLICY.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM DESMARAIS
BRIDGES.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> ONE OF THE GREATEST
STRATEGIES I SEE OF THE COVID
PANDEMIC IS THAT WE HAVE BECOME
INCREASINGLY MORE DIVIDED
BECAUSE INSTEAD OF COMING
TOGETHER TO ADDRESS A PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCY WE HAVE
POLITICIZED IT.
I DO NOT ENVY AT ALL THE
POSITION THAT YOU ARE IN TODAY
AS YOU RECONSIDER THE MASK
MANDATE, AND YOU CONSIDER
EXTENDING IT FOR ANOTHER 30
DAYS.
BUT I DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
MASKS DO WORK.
YOU YOURSELF HAVE SEEN DATA AND
IT'S BEEN PROPOSED, AND BEFORE
THE LAST BOARD MEETING, WE KNOW
THAT IT IS EFFECTIVE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT WE KNOW THAT
OUR YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF OUR
SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO
VACCINES YET SO THAT STILL PUTS
THEM AT RISK, AND IT OPTS THOSE
PARENTS OUT OF THE CHOICE TO
PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN OF AN
ADDITIONAL LEVEL.
AND IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT WE
ARE THREATENED WITH FUNDING, I
WOULD SAY THAT YOU NEED TO SHOUT
BACK FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS
BECAUSE OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION,
OUR GOVERNMENT, IS FAILING TO
APPLY FOR THE FUNDING THAT HAS
BEEN PUT BEFORE US IN ESSER
DOLLARS.
SO I WOULD FOCUS ON THAT AS
OPPOSED TO -- I'M OUT OF TIME.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM JESSICA
COHEN FOLLOWED BY DR. KEVIN
STILLWAGON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS JESSICA COHEN AND I'M
HERE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD FIRST
OF ALL, YOU SHOULD BE VERY SAD
FOR THE SIGN THAT YOU PUT OUT
FRONT SAYING THAT MASKS ARE
REQUIRED IN THE LOBBY AND THE
BOARD ROOM BASED ON WAY SEE
RIGHT NOW, THAT IS NOT BEING
ENFORCED.
I HAVE THREE CHILDREN IN THE
VALRICO DISTRICT WITH VACCINES
NOT AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER
12 AND YOU ARE VIOLATING THE
RIGHTS OF STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES.
ACCEPTING 504 PREVENTS SCHOOLS
FROM DISCRIMINATING CHILDREN
LIKE MINE THAT ARE SEVERELY
IMMUNE COMPROMISED.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE
REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN LINE
WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING.
ONCE AGAIN I URGE YOU TODAY TO
PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES.
I ASK YOU TO QUESTION IF YOU HAD
AN IMMUNE COMPROMISED CHILD
WOULD YOU VOTE ANY DIFFERENTLY
TODAY?
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM HOLLY
I'M SORRY, DR. KEVIN STILL
WAGON.
>> I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYBODY WOULD
STILL BE WEARING A MASK AT THIS
POINT.
CLEARLY, MASKS DO NOT STOP THE
SPREAD OF AN INFECTION.
JUST READ THE BOX.
YOU HAVE 3 0 TRILLION VIRUSES
INSIDE OF YOUR BODY RIGHT NOW
AND YOU WILL BREATHE 100 MILLION
VIRUSES EVERY DAY WHETHER YOU
WEAR A MASK OR NOT.
THIS VIRUS INFECT YOU BY
ATTACHING TO WHAT ARE CALLED ACE
2 RECEPTORS IN YOUR UPPER
RESPIRATORY TRACT.
OKAY?
IT DOES THIS BY USING WHAT'S
CALLED A FURON CLEAVAGE PROCESS
WHICH WORKS MUCH FASTER AND
EASIER IN THE LOW OXYGEN
INTERNET CREATED BY WEARING A
MASK.
AND PROLONGED MASK WEARING
ACTUALLY INCREASES THE NUMBER OF
ACE 2 RECEPTORS.
I WOULD TAKE THESE MASKS OFF OF
KIDS IMMEDIATELY IF I WERE YOU.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM JESSICA
DEBOIS, VIRGINIA MORAL, MICHAEL
DIVINE, AND THEN JAMES S. RAY,
SR.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M HOLLY GILLMAN, THE WIFE
OF A COMBAT WOUNDED, AND I WOULD
LIKE TO THANK HAHN AND FOR
OVERSEEING THE HEALTH AND
WELLNESS OF MY CHILD.
GROSS VIOLATION OF FLORIDA STATE
LAW, PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS AND
FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAWS.
YOU HAVE ABANDONED AND YOU HAVE
CHOSEN TO PUT YOUR POLITICAL
DECISIONS ABOVE THE LAW AND TO
LET THE PARENTS CHOOSE WHAT THEY
FEEL RIGHT.
THIS IS MY 5-YEAR-OLD SON.
THE SCHOOL HAD WITHOUT CONSENT
PLACED A COVERING OVER OUR SON'S
AIRWAY.
THIS IS ASSAULT UNDER THE
CONDITIONS WHICH YOU ARE
DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
FACILITATING.
SCHOOL EMPLOYEES CANNOT SO MUCH
AS EVEN GIVE MY SON A COUGH DROP
WITHOUT MY PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.
YOU ARE INSTRUCTING OUR
EDUCATORS TO ENFORCE AN UNLAWFUL
MASK MANDATE WHICH ESSENTIALLY
COVERS THE MOUTHS AND NOSES OF
OUR CHILDREN WITHOUT CONSENT.
MY HUSBAND AND I DO NOT CONSENT
AND WE IMPLORE COMMISSIONER COKE
RAN THAT THE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS
IN VIOLATION OF MY PARENTAL
RIGHTS RESTRICT THEIR ABILITY IN
THIS CAPACITY.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM JESSICA
DUBOIS.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> MY NAME IS JESSICA.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING
HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
ADVOCATES.
LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING I
SPOKE ABOUT HOW COVID HAS
EXACERBATED THE INEQUITIES
ALREADY PRESENT HERE IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
TODAY I'M HERE TO SHARE SOME
IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS FOR HOW WE
CAN CLOSE THAT DIVIDE.
AFTER SPEAKING TO AND HEARING
FROM THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
COALITION THERE'S A VAST NETWORK
OF PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE
UNDERGONE THE SAME STRUGGLES WE
ARE SEEING HERE.
MANY PEOPLE THINK WRAP AROUND
SERVICES ARE THE ONLY NEED BUT
THAT'S JUST ONE OF SIX MYLARS.
LESLIE HUGH, ONE OF THE
ORGANIZERS IN SAN FRANCISCO,
SHARED THE MOST IMPORTANT
INGREDIENT CO-CREATION, PARENTS
AND STUDENTS HAVE A SEAT AT
EVERY TABLE INCLUDING
CONVERSATIONS AROUND CURRICULUM
AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES.
WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES AT
OUR DISPOSAL, SO LET'S STOP
POSTULATING AND ASSUMING AND
LET'S START LISTENING TO THE
PARENTS AND STUDENTS.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, VIRGINIA MORALE, AND THEN
MICHAEL DIVINE.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATOR BY
DEGREE, AND ECONOMICSLY SEE AN
INCREASE IN CHILDREN VISITING
THAT YOU ARE PEDIATRICIAN AS
WELL AS ER VISITS, OVER
ILLNESSES RELATED TO WEARING THE
MASKS.
WE WEREN'T MADE TO BREATHE IN
CARBON DIOXIDE.
THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR
LITTLE CHILDREN.
THEIR BODIES ARE STILL
DEVELOPING.
IF WE GET SICK, IMAGINE THEM,
AND IT AFFECTS THEM IN THEIR
SIGHT, THEY ARE REDUCED HEARING,
THEIR EXPERIENCING SHORTNESS OF
BREATH, IN THEIR MUSCLES, THEY
EXPERIENCE TREMORS.
THEY EXPERIENCE DROWSINESS, MILD
NARCOSIS, DIZZINESS, CONFUSION,
HEADACHES, AND IN SOME CASES
UNCONSCIOUSNESS, BUT ALSO
EXPERIENCE AN INABILITY TO
FOCUS.
AND THESE ARE CHILDREN THAT ARE
BRIGHT, AND IMAGINE THE CHILDREN
ALREADY HAVE ILLNESSES THAT THEY
ARE COME PAT BATTING.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: NEXT, MICHAEL
DIVINE.
AND THEN WE'LL HAVE JAMES.
>> MICHAEL DIVINE.
I HAVE A SON MICHAEL DIVINE,
ALSO.
HE'S FIVE.
HE'S AUTISTIC, HAS A GIFTED IQ
AND REGISTERED IN THE REGULAR
CLASSROOMS.
TODAY MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE
INCREASED THEIR FUNDING FOR
AUTISM.
UNFORTUNATELY HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY HAS REDUCED THEIR
FUNDING.
FACT, SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THIS IMPACTS THE LIVES OF
CHILDREN INCLUDING MY OWN SON.
I HAVE SOME REAL BAD NEWS.
MY SON WAS RECENTLY ASSAULTED BY
TWO ADULTS WORKING FOR
HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL SYSTEM.
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES,
SHERIFF'S OFFICE CURRENTLY HAS
THIS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
MY SON HAS BEEN SEGREGATED AWAY
FROM HIS REGULAR CLASSROOM AND
IS FORCED TO SOMETIMES BE BY
HIMSELF EVEN THOUGH IT VIOLATES
HIS IEP AND CIVIL RIGHTS.
I'M ASKING OUR SCHOOL SUPERVISOR
TO STEP IN AND HELP.
THERE'S A HUGE PROBLEM AT THE
SCHOOL.
HE CAN'T EVEN GO TO SCHOOL.
IT'S UNSAFE.
I AM BEGGING YOU, HE WANTS TO BE
EDUCATED.
CAN YOU HELP?
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
MS. DAVIS WILL RESPOND.
NEXT JAY ISRANHY.
AND THEN JAMES.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO
THIS.
I HAVE DEVELOPED A SANITIZING
PROGRAM THAT WILL DECREASE THE
INSTANCE OF PEOPLE CATCHING
CORONAVIRUS AND THE FLU, AND
PROBABLY BETWEEN 30 AND 60%, AND
IT WILL SAVE EACH SCHOOL PUT IN
APPROXIMATELY $4,000 PER SCHOOL
PER MONTH.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THAT IN
ONE SCHOOL TO SHOW WHAT IT WILL
DO, AND YOU BE THE JUDGE.
BUT THIS IS BASED ON HARD DATA
OF AN ENGINEER, AN EX TEACHER,
TAUGHT, IN HIGH SCHOOL, PHYSICS
AND COLLEGE WHILE GETTING MY
GEORGIA TECH DEGREE, SO I AM A
COMBAT VETERAN, AND I WOULD JUST
LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO
SOMEONE TO DO THIS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
NEXT WE'LL HEAR FROM ANNA
RIVERA, AMBLE ONWEEDS,.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY.
I'M APP RETIRED TEACHER AFTER 38
YEARS IN EDUCATION, PUERTO RICO,
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.
I'M JUST HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I
AM COMPLETELY 100% OPPOSED TO
THOSE MASKS.
THE ONLY THING THOSE MASKS ARE
KEEPING IS THE JOY AND THE
LEARNING PROCESS FOR TEACHERS,
AND LET ME TELL YOU THE DAY OF
JUDGMENT IS COMING.
I KNOW PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, LUANNE CULVERT.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> MY TOPIC TODAY IS NOT
MASKING.
EXCESSIVE TESTING.
AS I MENTIONED WEEKS AGO, OUR
DISTRICT IS REQUIRING THAT THEY
SIGN A MIDYEAR MONITORING VIA
COMPUTER.
COMPUTER-BASED TESTS TAKE WEEKS
TO ADMINISTER VERSUS THE DAYS
REQUIRED BY PAPER-PENCIL TESTS.
NINTH GRADERS, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE
ALREADY SPENT FIVE HOURS TAKING
BASELINE TESTS IN COMPUTER LABS
THIS FALL.
THEY WILL SPEND ANOTHER FIVE
HOURS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
TAKING MIDYEAR PROGRESS
MONITORING RIGHT BEFORE SEMESTER
EXAMS.
IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT WILL
PLAY OUT IN TALLAHASSEE ABOUT
OUR STATE MANDATED TESTING
GUIDELINES, BUT AS PUBLIC SCHOOL
ADVOCATES, WE WILL FIGHT AGAINST
THE BOGUS TESTING PLAN BECAUSE
THIS PLAN BENEFITS PRIVATE
TESTING COMPANIES, LOBBYISTS,
AND WILL DISMANTLE PUBLIC
EDUCATION.
HIGH STAKES TESTING ESPECIALLY
NON-STOP COMPUTER BASED TESTING
IS JUST ANOTHER NAIL IN THE
COFFIN FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, AMBLE ROADS, METCALFE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU
AGAIN.
MY NAME IS AMBLEN ROADS ANDS I'M
HERE TO TALK ABOUT STUDENTS AND
PARENTS MORALE BEING LOW, AND
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS THAT WE SHOULD
THINK ABOUT TO HELP WITH THAT.
FIRST, WE START WITH PARENTS.
WE SEND OUT A QUARTERLY MONTHLY
SURVEY TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS
OF PARENTS AT HOME.
WHAT ARE THEY STRUGGLING WITH?
WHAT'S WORKING BEINGS NOT
WORKING?
COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS AT HOME.
WE HOPE THE HOUSEHOLD AND THAT
HELPS THE STUDENTS.
SECONDLY OUR STUDENT MORALE IS
LOW.
WE KNOW MENTAL HEALTH HAS TAKEN
A HIT DUE TO COVID.
TO KIND OF GET THAT STARTED IS
DOING INFOMERCIALS, 30-SECOND TO
MINUTE INFOMERCIALS TALKING
ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE
MORNING TALK SHOWS.
AGAIN EASY SOLUTION THAT WE CAN
IMPLEMENT TO HELP.
LASTLY, MIDDLE SCHOOLS ARE
STRUGGLING.
YOU KNOW ABOUT GRECO.
I KNOW WE HAVE ALREADY DIRECTED
RESOURCES, BUT WHAT ABOUT
STAGGERING THE TIMES AND ALSO
DOING BLOCK SCHEDULING?
THIS CAN HELP REDUCE CONFLICT
AMONG STUDENTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NICE TO SEE ALL OF YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, PAT METCALF.
>> MY NAME IS PAT METCALF.
MY BACKGROUND IS IN NURSING,
PHARMACEUTICAL SALES, AND WE ALL
HAVE A KNOWN GOAL TO ERADICATE
COVID.
I KNOW WE ALL AGREE ON THAT.
SO LET ME ASK YOU ALL A VERY
IMPORTANT QUESTION. IF THERE'S
A PROVEN SAFE EFFECTIVE CUBE FOR
COVID WOULD YOU STOP THE MASK
MANDATE AND PROMOTE IT?
THE LOGICAL ANSWER IS YES, THERE
WOULD BE NO NEED FOR A MASK
MANDATE.
THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
FOR COVID-19.
DIDDID YOU DECLARED IN STATES
OFFICIALLY COVID FREE.
THEY HE RAT INDICATED COVID WITH
A 40 YEAR SAFETY PROFILE, NO
KIDNEY OR LIVER ISSUES, THE DRUG
IS CALLED I EVER MECHANIC TIN.
I CHOOSE YOU NOT TO GO ON THIS
MANDATE MERRY-GO-ROUND, BUT TO
ERADICATE THE GIANT OF COVID WE
NEED TO CUT OFF HIS HEAD AND
THAT STONE IS IVERMECTIN.
BE THE FORERUNNER.
JUST AS INDIA DID.
THE NEED FOR MASKS WILL BE
ELIMINATED, AND EXPERIMENTAL
VACCINES HAVE NOT SHOWN TO
ERADICATE COVID.
STOP THE MASKING.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM ANEKA,
AND THEN ANDY SMITH, LAURA HALL,
COULTER, AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M HERE TO ASK FOR AN
EXTENSION OF THE MANDATORY MASK
MANDATE.
MASKS REALLY WORK.
TWO WEEKS AGO, I RECEIVED A
PHONE CALL FROM THE SCHOOL
ASKING TO PICK UP MY SON BECAUSE
EDEN BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID.
I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO SCHOOL,
PICKED HIM UP, ANDSTONS OF
QUESTIONS WERE RACING IN OUR
MINDS.
WHAT IF, WHAT IF?
AND WITH MY SON IN THE BACK OF
THE CAR, WHAT IF HE HAS TO GO TO
THE HOSPITAL?
SO YES, MASKS WORK, BECAUSE HE
WAS -- DAYS LATER WE TESTED
AGAIN.
HE WAS NEGATIVE.
BUTCH ALSO THE OTHER CHILDREN
WERE NEGATIVE.
SO WE LUCKED OUT.
AND ALSO THE CDC TELLS US TO
CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS
WHETHER WE ARE VACCINATED OR
UNVACCINATED WITH CONCERNS THE
SPREAD BEING OF THE HIGHLY
CONTINGENCIES DELTA VARIANT.
AAC IS REQUIRING UNIVERSAL MASKS
IN SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS.
SO WE HAVE TO REMAIN DILIGENT.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM ANDY
SMITH.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> HI.
I WENT TO A FOOTBALL GAME LAST
FRIDAY AT MY DAUGHTER'S HIGH
SCHOOL.
IT WAS AMAZING TO EXPERIENCE
SUCH A CLASSIC ONS HONEST TO
GOODNESS AMERICAN TRADITION THAT
DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN ANYWHERE
ELSE.
IT'S INTERESTING IN FLORIDA,
GOING ALSO.
THIS MORNING YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE
BUDGET AND HOW MANY STUDENTS WE
HAVE LOST TO CHARTERS AND
VOUCHERS.
THE FACT IS THE STATE
LEGISLATURE HAS CREATED A
PARASITIC SYSTEM WHERE WE SUCK
DRY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS.
THE SCHOOLS WITH THE MARCHING
BANDS AND CHEER LEADERS THAT
ROOT FOR THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD,
NOT JUST THE SCHOOL ITSELF IF
THEY HAVE A TEAM.
CHARTER SCHOOLS DOESN'T
CONTRIBUTE BACK TO NEIGHBORHOODS
BUT NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS HAVE TO
COVER THEIR COSTS.
HOW IS THIS REASONABLE?
PRIVATIZATION IS HANDING OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS OVER TO FOLKS WHO
REFER TO K-12 AS AN INDUSTRY.
MAKES US --
AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WANT TO
LOVE OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS AS MUCH AS WE LOVE
THE BUCS, WE LOVE OUR SCHOOL
TEAM EVEN MORE.
SO GIVE OUR KIDS THE STABILITY,
QUALITY, AN NOT JUST THE CHOICE
TO LEAD WITH THE MONEY FROM
THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.
OUR ECONOMY --
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU.
PAT HALL.
>> I AM HERE TO SYMPATHIZE WITH
THE COALITION THAT YOU ARE GOING
TO HEAR TODAY OF NOs BUT WHAT
IS MUCH MORE CRITICAL IS THE
BONFIRE OF EDUCATIONAL CRISES
AFFECTING CHILDREN, PARENTS AND
TEACHERS.
NO MONEY FROM THE STATE, NOT
ENOUGH TEACHERS, BUS DRIVES, NOT
ENOUGH SPACE IN CROWDED
CLASSROOMS, STUDENT DISCIPLINE
ISSUES IN SOME SCHOOLS, EXTREME
POST AND FOOD SHORTAGES IN THE
DISTRICT AND ON AND ON.
DIVERSE VOICES MUST BE HEARD AND
EXPECTED.
IT IS A DIFFICULT TIME TO BE A
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER NATIONWIDE.
THERE'S WAY TOO MANY BULLIES.
PRIORITIZE THE VARYING NEEDS OF
CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE
DISTRICT.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS, THE CITIES OF
TAMPA, TEMPLE TERRACE AND PLANTS
CITY, SHOULD HAVE DIALOGUE WITH
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WE PLAN
FOR THE FUTURE WITH
REDISTRICTING AND CHANGES
AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN
AND PEOPLE.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, LAURA COULTER.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M NOT -- YOU KNOW WHAT YOU
ARE DOING IS WRONG.
THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON YOU IN
MANDATING SUCH ABSURD
UNSCIENTIFIC AND OBVIOUSLY
MENTAL STRESS AND VIRUS WHICH IS
MORE THAN A IT% RECOVERY RATE.
YOU ARE PUTTING A HELMET ON
EVERY KID HE HAVE DAY TO PROTECT
OTHERS FROM SOMETHING RANDOMLY
THROWN FROM THE SIDE.
I'M MUCH BETTER AT MANAGING MY
CHILD THAN YOU.
MASKS MAKE PEOPLE SICK, DESTROY
THEIR MENTAL HEALTH WHICH MAKES
THEM MORE SICK AND COMPLY WITH
THE NEXT STRATEGIES.
LIES AND PROPAGANDA, JUST THAT.
THE NUMBERS ARE MANIPULATED AND
WE ALL KNOW IT.
THOSE WHO WANT TO USE MASKS CAN
DO SO AND FEEL PROTECTED BUT YOU
ARE LIABLE FOR CAUSING UNTOLD
PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE TO OUR
CHILDREN.
YOU ARE GUILTY OF VIOLATING THE
LAWS IN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS.
YOU ARE NOT DOING IT FOR A
REASON OTHER THAN CONTROLLING
FUNDING AND YOU SHOULD BE
ASHAMED OF YOUR ACTIONS.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
NEXT, KELLY KATO, AND DAN
THOMAS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> MY NAME IS KELLY CALLING AND
I'M A GRADUATE OF HARVARD AS
WELL AS A FULL-TIME STAY AT HOME
MOTHER OF FOUR CHILDREN
ATTENDING HILLSBOROUGH PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
AND I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY
THAT THE MASK MANDATES ARE
REALLY TOXIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WE NOW KNOW FROM DATA IN
PINELLAS AND PASCO COUNTY THAT
DIDN'T HAVE A MASK MANDATE
VERSUS HILLSBOROUGH THAT DID
HAVE A MASK MANDATE, SURGES ARE
CYCLICAL AND THEY RECEDE ON
THEIR OWN.
WHAT ISN'T REVERSIBLE IS THE
EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM
THAT'S BEING INFLICTED UPON THE
CHILDREN LONG-TERM MASK WEARING.
AND MY DAUGHTER IS MEDICALLY
EXEMPT.
HOWEVER, THAT TURNS THEM INTO A
TARGET FOR BULLYING AND
HARASSMENT BY STUDENTS, TEACHERS
AND STAFF.
MY DAUGHTER WAS ASKED TO MOVE
HER SEAT TO THE BACK REAR OF THE
CLASSROOM, NO EXPLANATION
PROVIDED,.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
OH, HERE WE GO.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS KATO CALLING.
I AM IN THIRD GRADE.
AT MABRY ELEMENTARY.
PLEASE END THE MASK MANDATE
TODAY.
ALTHOUGH I HAVE A MEDICAL
EXEMPTION, IT IS DIFFICULT TO
HEAR MY CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS
ARE SAYING WHEN THEY ARE WEARING
A MASK.
KIDS AND TEACHERS PULL THEIR
MASKS DOWN WHICH COMPLETELY
DEFEATS THE PURPOSE.
MASKS COVER UP PEOPLE WITH MASKS
AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS.
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LEARN AND
BE AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR
WHEN EVERYONE'S FACES ARE
COVERED UP.
LASTLY, COVERING KIDS FACES
WITHOUT STUDYING THE LONG-TERM
SIDE EFFECTS IS RECKLESS.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE OUR OWN
PEDIATRICIAN.
MY MOM AND DAD -- THE MASK
MANDATE TODAY, NEVER BRING IT
BACK.
FOLLOW THE LAW.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING.
NEXT, KELLY AND THEN KATO.
OH, THAT WAS KELLY AND KATO.
THEN DRYER.
>> I'M TRISHA.
I'M NOT HERE AS A PARENT TODAY.
I AM HERE AS A REGISTERED NURSE,
I MOVED INTO HOLISTIC HEALING
AND WORK WITH KIDS EVERY DAY AND
WHAT I HAVE SEEN THE LAST YEAR
IS BEYOND DISTURBING WITH THE
ANXIETY AND THE SELF-ESTEEM
ISSUES.
THIS MASKING IS NOT ONLY A
VIOLATION OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER
OF THE GOVERNOR BUT IT'S CHILD
ABUSE.
IT'S CHILD ABUSE.
THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
AND I AM JUST ASKING YOU ALL TO
REALLY LOOK WITHIN AND DO WHAT'S
RIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR
COUNTRY AND OUR WORLD.
WE ALL KNOW THIS IS NOT ABOUT
LOGIC AND SCIENCE BECAUSE MASKS
DO NOT WORK AND FIVE I SAID
HIMSELF AND WE ALL KNOW IT.
SO THIS IS NOTHING BUT A MANDATE
FOR I DON'T KNOW WHAT, AND WE
ARE WATCHING POLITICIANS
GATHERING AND NO MASKS, AND
GALA'S HAPPENING WITH NO MASKS,
FORCING THEM ON OUR KIDS AND
TEACHERS ARE LITERALLY FORCING
THEM ON KIDS.
SO THIS HAS TO CHANGE.
IT HAS TO STOP.
I CAN'T WATCH THIS ANYMORE.
IT'S HORRIBLE.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, TRISHA DRYER?
OKAY, I'M ONE BEHIND.
JESSICA?
OH, YES.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS JESSICA.
MY DAUGHTER IS A STUDENT AT
COLEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND I CAN
SAY AND SPEAK FOR HER.
SHE IS STRUGGLING MORE THIS YEAR
BECAUSE IT'S DISTRACTING HAVING
THE MASK ON IS CAUSING ANXIETY
BETWEEN ALL THE STUDENTS AND ALL
OF HER FRIENDS.
IT IS MY JOB TO PROTECT MY
DAUGHTER.
IT IS MY DOCTOR'S JOB TO KEEP
HER HEALTHY.
YOUR JOB TO BE PROVIDE HER WITH
AN EDUCATION.
I BELIEVE YOU ARE OVERSTEPPING
AND NOT STAYING IN YOUR LANE.
AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ALL HAVE
THE CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT WE
SHOULD BE WEARING THE MASKS.
I'M REALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS.
MY DOCTOR EVEN CONFIRMED THAT
CHILDREN ARE -- OF THE VIRUS AND
LACK OF OXYGEN IS DESTROYING
THEIR BRAINS AND NOT HELPING
THEM LEARN.
I AM JUST ASKING YOU TO DO YOUR
JOB.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
NEXT, ELIZABETH THOMAS.
AND FOLLOWED BY PRISCILLA VEGA
AND THERE ARE TWO CHILDREN WITH
HER.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M ELIZABETH THOMAS, A PARENT,
ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS
REPRESENTING MOTHERS, FATHERS,
GUARDIANS, CHILDREN AND VOTERS
WHO VALUE PARENTAL CHOICE
REGARDING MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS
FOR OUR CHILDREN.
YOU TOOK AN OATH, I HEREBY
SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL
SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES AND OF THE STATE
OF FLORIDA.
SEVERAL OF YOU COMPROMISED THAT
OATH WITH R WHEN YOU CHOSE TO
INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS GRANTED
BY THE U.S. CONSTITUTION,
FLORIDA'S PARENTAL BILL OF
RIGHTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH'S REQUIREMENTS.
WE THE PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO
UPHOLD THE HIGHEST OF STANDARDS
WHEN IT COMES TO PARENTAL
RIGHTS.
EVERY PARENT AND GUARDIAN SHOULD
HAVE THE RIGHT TO NAVIGATE HARM
AND EVALUATE RISKS BASED ON
THEIR HEALTH SITUATION.
YOUR REMOVAL OF PARENTAL CHOICE
FROM THE MASK POLICY IS AN
OFFENSE TO THE RIGHTS GRANTED TO
US AND OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS.
I URGE YOU TO RECONNECT WITH
THAT SOLEMN OATH AND THAN THE
LAWN YOU AS ELECTED OFFICIALS
AGREED TO UPHOLD IN ORDER TO
MAINTAIN PUBLIC TRUST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HAVE PRISCILLA VEGA
WITH TWO CHILDREN.
COME ON UP.
ALMOST.
YOU GO RIGHT AHEAD.
WE MIGHT HAVE TO PULL THE
MICROPHONE A LITTLE CLOSER.
OKAY, SWEETHEART, GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS SITRO, A THIRD
GRADER.
I WANT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH I
HATE WEARING THESE MASKS EVERY
DAY.
THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AND I
CAN'T BREATHE IN THEM.
MY TEACHER YELLS AT ME IN I PULL
THEM DOWN.
FOR THE TYPE OF MASK I HAVE ON
MY FACE BY MANY TEACHERS AT MY
SCHOOL AND BULLIED FOR NOT
WEARING IT OUTSIDE.
I EVEN GOT AN INFECTION ON MY
FACE FROM HAVING TO WEAR THIS
ALL DAY.
IT MAKES ME ANGRY AND MAKES ME
SAD THAT THIS IS NOW SUPPOSED
FOR US TO BE WEARING THIS THING.
I CAN BARELY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS
BEING TAUGHT IN MY CLASS, NOT
BEING ABLE TO SEE MY TEACHERS
FACE AND EXPRESSIONS.
I AM TIRED OF GETTING IN TROUBLE
FOR NOT WEARING THE MASK LIKE A
CRIMINAL OR SOMETHING.
YESTERDAY, I TOLD MY PRINCIPAL
NO MORE MASKS.
I HAD TO PUT THE MASK BACK ON
AGAIN.
AND THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: EXCELLENT JOB, CJ.
NEXT, WE WILL HAVE MIA.
>> HI.
>>Lynn Gray: GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS NINA AND I WANT TO
TELL YOU TO GET RID OF THIS MASK
MANDATE NOW.
I HAVE BEEN BULLIED SINCE THE
START OF SCHOOL FOR NOT HAVING
THE MASK ON, AND BECAUSE IN THE
FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL, I GOT
MY -- I'M SORRY, I GOT MY DESK
MOVED AWAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE
MY MASK ON BECAUSE I WAS TOO
CLOSE AND I WASN'T BEING SAFE.
AFTER WE HAD TO GET THE MASK
MANDATE, AND SO I HAD MASKS WITH
HOLES, AND MY TEACHER, I GOT IN
TROUBLE FOR NOT HAVING THE MASK
ON, AND I GOT TOLD ON BY ONE OF
MY CLASSMATES, AND SO THEY TOLD
ME TO PUT ON A DIFFERENT MASK
BUT I REFUSED, AND I GOT SENT TO
THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE.
AND I THINK THIS MASK MANDATE IS
RIDICULOUS.
SO I AM ASKING YOU TO GET RID OF
THIS MASK MANDATE NOW.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WILL BE MOM WHO WILL SPEAK.
THERE'S SOME GREAT SPEAKERS
TONIGHT, AND THEIR CHILDREN.
GO AHEAD.
I'M SORRY.
>> MY NAME IS PRISCILLA, A
PARENT HERE ADVOCATING FOR
PARENTS CHOICE.
I BROUGHT WITH ME TODAY SEVERAL
PARENTS THAT ARE FED UP WITH
EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN
WORKING AGAINST THE BEST
INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN.
I AM DEMANDING ALL OF YOU TO GET
INTO COMPLIANCE WITHIN THE
CURRENT EMERGENCY ORDER AND
ELIMINATE THE MASK MANDATE
IMMEDIATELY.
SCIENCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE DECISION TO MAKE OUR
CHILDREN COMPLY WITH THIS.
I COME TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE
NOW GATHERING TOGETHER, WE ARE
FILING SUIT AND DOING ALL WE CAN
LEGALLY TO GET YOU TO EITHER
COMPLY WITH THIS OR WE ARE GOING
TO DEMAND RESIGNATION
IMMEDIATELY.
MASKING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL FOR 7
HOURS WITH NO BREAK WHILE THE
REST OF THE STATE IS FREE IS
PREPOSTEROUS.
FOOTBALL GAMES HAVE THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE AND NOT ONE PERSON IS
DISTANCING AND WEARING A MASK.
IN FACT NONE OF YOU LEAVING THIS
PLACE ARE WEARING YOUR MASK IN
AN OPEN SPACE. MY KIDS IN THE
NAME OF SCIENCE MUST COMPLY WITH
THIS.
PINELLAS HASN'T HATS A MANDATE
THIS YEAR AND YET CHILDREN ARE
NOT DROPPING DEAD IN THE STREETS
AND THEIR NUMBERS ARE RELATIVELY
THE SAME AS OURS.
I AM MORE CONCERNED WITH THE
SUICIDE AMONG OUR CHILDREN, THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS,
INTERFERENCE WITH THEIR ABILITY
TO LEARN.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
THANK YOU.
NEXT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A
LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT ORDER
HERE.
JOEL MURRAY.
WE HAVE CINDY.
FOLLOWED BY CHRISTINA SULLIVAN.
THEN SAND RAN MYER.
THERE WE GO.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> MY NAME IS JOEL MURRAY AND
I'M ADVOCATING FOR PARENTS
CHOICE WITH MASKS AS WELL.
I'M JUST ASKING THE SCHOOL BOARD
TO USE COMMON SENSE WHEN IT
COMES TO CONSIDERING GETTING RID
OF THIS, OKAY.
RAND AS MY WIFE SAID, YOU CAN GO
TO A BUCS GAME, YOU DON'T HAVE
TO WEAR A MASK.
KIDS CAN GO TO THEIR FOOTBALL
GAMES, THEY CAN GO TO THEIR
DANCE.
THEY ARE NOT WEARING A MASK.
BUT WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL IT'S
QUITE A DIFFERENT STORY.
NOW THEY HAVE TO PUT A MASK ON,
WHICH DOES NOT MAKE THEM FEEL
COMFORTABLE ABOUT GOING TO
SCHOOL, HAVING SOMETHING
COVERING THEIR FACE ALL DAY.
IT'S NOT NATURAL FOR US TO WEAR
A MASK.
GOD DID NOT CREATE US WITH A
MASK ON OUR FACE.
APPARENTLY, IT SEEMS THAT SOME
PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE
SUPERIOR TO THE GOVERNOR, THE
SURGEON GENERAL OF THE STATE, OR
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
DISOBEYING THEIR ORDERS.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY ARE
MUCH SMARTER THAN PARENTS
BECAUSE PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED
TO MAKE THE CHOICE WHETHER THEIR
KID WEARS A MASK OR NOT.
IT'S VIOLATING OUR RIGHTS.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM CINDY,
CHRISTINA SULLIVAN AND SANDRA
MYER.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M HERE TODAY AS A PARENT
WHO IS CONCERNED WITH THE
BOARD'S FREEDOM TO OVERRIDE
STATE LAWS AND PARENTAL RIGHTS.
MASK MANDATES WERE IMPLEMENTED
BY THIS BOARD UNDER THE RUSE OF
HEALTH KNOWING THAT KIDS ARE
HAVING LUNCH UNMASKED AFTER
PARTAKING IN THEIR
EXTRACURRICULAR AND SPORTS
UNMASKED.
YOU MADE QURAN TEAM A PARENTAL
CHOICE BECAUSE IT LOOKED BAD ON
YOUR RECORDS THAT CHILDREN
WEREN'T, EDUCATED BASED ON YOUR
RULES.
BY VOTING TO MANDATE A MASK YOU
ARE TELLING YOUR CONSTITUENTS, I
FEEL ENTITLED TO OVERRULE YOUR
PARENTAL RIGHTS.
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY
TO IMPOSE THEIR WILL ON SOMEONE
ELSE'S CHILD.
AND THAT INCLUDES THIS BOARD.
TO BE CLEAR, I AM NOT ANTI-MASK.
I AM ANTI-MANDATE.
OF ANY KIND WHETHER IT'S MASK
TODAY OR VACCINATIONS TOMORROW.
I AM PRO PARENTAL RIGHTS.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, CHRISTINA SULLIVAN AND
FOLLOWED BY SANDRA MYERS,
SCHAEFER, AUDREY.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M HERE TO RESPECTFULLY ASK
THAT YOU VOTE TO EXTEND THE MASK
REQUIREMENT AND DIRECT VIOLATION
OF 41 AND 21-50.
I WAS HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN
YOU VOTED TO MASK OUR CHILDREN
AGAIN.
THE NEXT MORNING I GAVE MY BOYS
THE CHOICE.
WHALEY FIGHT FOR PARENTAL CHOICE
I WILL NOT IMPOSE MY CHOICE UPON
WHAT GOES ON THEIR BODY.
ONE CHOSE THE MASK.
THE OTHER DID NOT.
BOTH WENT TO SCHOOL KNOWING HOW
MEDICAL FREEDOM WORKS.
I'M HERE FOR ANOTHER REASON
TODAY, TOO.
THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE I SAID,
QUOTE, TODAY WE ARE DISCUSSING A
MASK MANDATE, TOMORROW MAY THE
MAN DAYLIGHT OF A POLICY VACCINE
WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF ADVERSE
REACTION.
WELL, GUESS WHAT HAPPENED IN
CALIFORNIA LAST WEEK.
THEY HAVE MANDATE ADD COVID-19
FOR CHILDREN TO ATTEND SCHOOL,
PHASING IN WITH FDA APPROVAL.
ZERO PARENTAL CHOICE.
A GOVERNMENT WILL ALWAYS CREATES
AN EMERGENCY TO IMPOSE THEIR
AGENDA ON YOU.
WE NEED A BACKBONE OH TO KEEP
OUR CHILDREN SAFE, NOT MANDATED
FACE CONVERSATION AND
INJECTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
SAND RAMP MYER.
THEN LISA SCHAEFER.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> MY DAUGHTER GOT COVID TWO
WEEKS AFTER YOU PUT THE MASK
MANDATE IN PLACE.
THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OPTING OUT
BUT IT WAS TOO SOON TO HAVE
THOSE MEDICAL OPT OUTS IN PLACE.
SHE GOT COVID BECAUSE SHE WAS
FORCE TOAD HANDLE A MASK ALL ■DA
LONG, ON AND OFF TO EAT OR
DRINK, AND NO TIME FOR STUDENTS
TO WASH THEIR HANDS PROPERLY IN
THE CLASSROOM.
THERE'S RARELY ANY SOAP IN THE
DISPENSERS.
I WAS A FORMER TEACHER.
I AGREED THIS SUMMER BECAUSE I
DON'T AGREE WITH THE WAY THINGS
ARE HANDLED.
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OF
THESE STUDENTS ARE FORCED TO
WEAR MASKS FOR MONTHS.
I ALREADY SEE IN THE PRETEEN
GIRLS AND TEENS.
THEY WEAR THE MASK AS A SECURITY
BLANKET NOW TO HIDE HOW THEY
LOOK.
YOU ARE GOING TO SEE BIG
BEHAVIOR ISSUES IN THE FUTURE
COMPARED TO WHAT WE ALREADY
HAVE.
ALSO CASES HAVE GONE DOWN ACROSS
THE ENTIRE STATE WHETHER THERE'S
BEEN A MANDATE IN PLACE OR NOT
SO DON'T USE THAT AS A REASON TO
EXTEND THIS BECAUSE THEY HAVE
GONE DOWN EQUALLY THE SAME
ACROSS THE STATE.
IT'S DONE IT'S TIME.
THE VIRUS HAS PASSED THROUGH.
IT'S TIME TO GIVE US OUR CHOICES
BACK.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, LISA SCHAEFER.
AUBREY DONELAP.
THEN SHARON GRAHAM.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I AM ALSO HERE TO SPEAK UP
FOR PARENTS RIGHTS.
MY RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR
MY CHILDREN, MEDICAL AND
OTHERWISE.
THE MASK MANDATE NEEDS TO BE
BROUGHT TO AN END AND NEVER
REINSTATED EVER.
THE KIDS STILL GET COVID EVEN
WITH THE MASK.
THERE WILL NEVER BE ZERO RISK IN
MICE.
ONLY ABOUT TEN COUNTIES IMPOSED
THIS ON THEIR CHILDREN IN
FLORIDA.
THE DATA IS OUT THERE.
YOU CHOOSE NOT TO LOOK AT IT
BURYING YOUR HEAD IN POLITICS
INSTEAD OF LOOKING AROUND AT THE
REAL LIFE EVIDENCE IS SHAMEFUL
AT LEAST AND DOWNRIGHT
CATASTROPHIC.
IF WE LOOK AT THE COGNITIVE AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE.
MY CHILDREN HAVE BRACE EMBRACED
FIGHTING THIS MASK MANDATE EVERY
DAY IN THEIR SCHOOLS BUT THEY
SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.
THEY ARE DOING THEIR PART TO
FIGHT YOUR ILLEGAL ABUSE OF
POWER SO I COME TODAY TO SPEAK
UP AND DO MY MART IN THIS FIGHT.
REMOVE THE MASK.
STOP THE DAMAGE YOU ARE CAUSING.
IF NOT WE WILL CONTINUES TO
FIGHT YOU THROUGH EVERY LEGAL
AVENUE AVAILABLE.
WE ARE WATCHING YOU.
YOU HAVE SHOWN US THAT YOU ARE
NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH THE
WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN AND
WE SAY NO MORE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, AUBREY DUNLAP AND ALLISON
FERNANDEZ.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF PARENTS
RIGHTS.
MY SON HAS AN IEP AND WAS IN
SPEECH.
THE ABILITY FOR HIS TEACHERS AND
PEERS TO SEE EACH OTHER FACES
AND SOCIAL CUES IS PIVOTAL FOR
HIS AND ALL CHILDREN'S
DEVELOPMENT.
DURING EACH IEP MEETING I AM
ASKED FOR MY INPUT AND CONSENT
FOR EVERY IMPLEMENTATION AND
EDUCATION PLAN.
THEY DID NOT GET TO OVERRIDE ME
OR SUGGEST MEDICATING HIM OR
MAKE ANY OTHER MEDICAL DECISION.
MASKING SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, ALLISON FERNANDEZ,
FOLLOWED BY SHARON GRAHAM, AND
THEN DEBRA.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> ALLISON FERNANDEZ FOR
PARENTAL RIGHTS.
I WANT TO KNOW, YOU HAVE BEEN
TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN, OH,
JUST WEAR THE MASK, IT'S NOT A
BIG DEAL, IF IT SAVES EVEN ONE
CHILD, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
BUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING DOESN'T
SAVE ANYBODY.
IT DOESN'T STOP ANY
TRANSMISSION.
AND IT ACTUALLY DOES CAUSE VERY
REAL HARM.
AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
IF WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT
THE WHOLE STUDENT, AND PREPARING
STUDENTS FOR LIFE, WE NEED TO BE
LOOKING AT THE PROS AND CONS AND
DOING WHAT'S IN THE BEST
INTEREST OF THE STUDENT.
WE HAVE GOT AN ENORMOUS BUDGET
SHORTFALL OF $61 MILLION WE ARE
TRYING TO BRIDGE WITH ESSER
SUNDAYS THAT WON'T BE HERE IN A
FEW YEARS.
WE HAVE GOT ISSUES AT VARIOUS
SCHOOLS, DWECK MIDDLE SCHOOL
COMES TO MIND, THAT WE REALLY
NEED TO BE ADDRESSING.
AND PLEASE CAN WE LET THIS GO
NOW?
LET PARENTS HAVE THE CHOICE.
WE ARE NOT SAYING DON'T DO IT,
LET THEM CHOOSE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, SHARON GRAHAM.
THEN DEBRA SELTZER.
THEN TINA WILLIAMS.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
I AM SHARON GRAHAM, A THERAPIST
AND I BEGAN MY PRIVATE PRACTICE
HERE IN 2012.
YOU HAVE A SACRED OBLIGATION TO
UPHOLD EVIDENCE-BASED PROTECTION
FOR THE CHILDREN AND STAFF IN
YOUR CARE.
MASKS ARE WORKING.
DON'T REMOVE THIS EFFECTIVE
POLICY.
PLEASE.
BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE
BEGINNING TO DECREASE.
THAT'S THE REASON WE SHOULD KEEP
IT IN PLACE.
UNTIL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS
DETERMINE WE CAN SAFELY LIFT IT.
YOU HAVE A SACRED OBLIGATION TO
MAKE DIFFICULT AND UNPOPULAR
DECISIONS.
TO BE COURAGEOUS IN THE FACE OF
OPPOSITION TO SCIENCE AND
CORRUPT LEADERS WHO ARE --
WITHHOLDING UNDER THE FROM OUR
CHILDREN.
PLEASE STAND FIRM.
YOU HAVE A SACRED OBLIGATION TO
UPHOLD PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE CASE
OF THOSE WHO VALUE THEIR OWN
CONVENIENCE MORE THAN THE LIVES
OF OTHERS.
AN OBLIGATION TO VALID RESEARCH
THAT SHOWS THIS VARIANT TO BE
MORE HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE AND
MORE PREVALENT AMONG CHILDREN
THAN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
DEBRA SETZER AND THEN TINA
WILLIAMS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU.
I'M A PARENT AND PAVED IN
PSYCHOLOGY.
THANK YOU FOR MANDATING MASKS
AND LISTENING TO MEDICAL EXPERTS
LIKE THE CDC.
RENEW THE MASK MANDATE EXTENSION
ESPECIALLY WITH THE QUARANTINE
POLICY.
MASKS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE
FLORIDA TEACHERS UNION AND 60%
OF FLORIDA PARENTS ACCORDING TO
THE ONE I PACK UNIVERSITY POLL.
NO LEGITIMATE STUDY HAS FOUND
ANY HARMFUL MENTAL HEALTH
EFFECTS OF MASKING CHILDREN.
THE CDC HAS SHOWN THAT MASKS ARE
EFFECTIVE IN SCHOOL.
COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION RATES ARE
STILL CONSIDERED HIGH BY THE CDC
WHILE HOSPITALIZATIONS FALLING,
STILL HIGHER THAN OUR LAST PEAK
IN JANUARY.
WE NEED TO KEEP THE MASK MANDATE
IN PLACE UNTIL WE ARE AT 5%
POSITIVITY FOR AT LEAST TWO
WEEKS ACCORDING TO THE WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
THE CDC STATES THAT THE MOST
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES ARE
VACCINATIONS, MASKS, PHYSICAL
DISTANCING AND SCREENING
TESTING.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
TINA WILLIAMS.
FOLLOWED BY ALAN BREWSTER.
AND THEN MATTHEW.
AND THEN MEGAN COLLINS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> ONCE AGAIN I COME BEFORE YOU
TODAY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IEPS
AND THE LACK OF IMPLEMENTATION.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO EVERYONE FROM
THE REGIONAL AREA
SUPERINTENDENT, THE ESE
COORDINATOR AT THE DISTRICT
LEVEL, THE PRINCIPAL, THE
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, THE CASE
MANAGERS, I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING
THIS FIGHT FOR SIX YEARS NOW.
I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO ADDRESS,
FILE STATE COMPLAINTS, DISTRICT
COMPLAINTS, WHY A PLAN THAT WAS
NUT IN PLACE FOR MY CHILD IS
BLATANTLY BEING IGNORED.
MY DAUGHTER IS ON THE AUTISTIC
SPECTRUM.
SHE'S VERY SMART, THERE ARE
THINGS PUT IN PLACE AND NO ONE
IS FOLLOWING.
YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, MR. DAVIS,
I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
MY CONCERNS RUNNER REQUIRE MORE
THAN A MINUTE, MORE THAN TWO
MINUTES.
YOU STILL HAVE REFUSED TO SPEAK
WITH US.
I'M APRIL PARENT, ALSO HAVE A
MASTERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL
WORK.
I HAVE DONE THE WORK.
I GAVE IT ALL UP TO BE A STAY AT
HOME MOM AND MY DAUGHTER'S IEP
EVEN TO THIS DAY, STILL IS NOT
BEING FOLLOWED.
>>Lynn Gray: CAN WE GO AHEAD AND
HAVE A DISCUSSION?
THANK YOU.
NEXT WILL BE ALAN BREWSTER.
FOLLOWED BY MATTHEW HAGAN.
MEGAN COLLINS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> ALAN BREWSTER, BOARD MEMBER,
SUPERINTENDENT, I WANT TO ONCE
AGAIN TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP,
INEFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP.
STUDENTS SHOULD NOT FEEL
APPREHENSIVE, SCARED, STRESSED
OUT ABOUT GOING TO SCHOOL.
BULLYING.
RADICAL BEHAVIOR FROM OTHER
STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR
FROM LEARNING.
ONCE AGAIN WHERE IS THE DISTRICT
LEADERSHIP?
I CALLED THEM.
I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THEM.
WHERE IS IT?
THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME
ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE
PRINCIPALS AT THE SCHOOLS,
MAKING INEFFECTIVE DECISIONS.
COME ON.
WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP HERE?
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, MATTHEW KENNA.
>> MY NAME IS MATTHEW KENNA.
UNDER NO FALSE PRETENSE THE
COMMENTS HERE ACTUALLY DO
ANYTHING IS REGARDING AFFECTING
THE BOARD'S DECISION.
I KNOW YOUR DECISIONS ARE MADE
UP OF MANDATE.
I FIRMLY OPPOSE THAT MANDATE.
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT BECOMES
TYRANNICAL, IT BECOMES
UNGOVERNABLE, IT'S KIND OF A
LESSON THAT WE HAVE REALLY
LEARNED THIS YEAR.
HOW DO HAVE WE DO THAT?
THROUGH NONVIOLENT CIVIL
DISOBEDIENCE, SIMPLY DON'T
COMPLY.
THIS UNLAWFUL MANDATE, IT STARTS
WITH PARENTS, STARTS WITH US.
WE CAN PUT AN END TO THIS.
AND HAVING COURAGE FOR OUR
CHILDREN IS CONTAGIOUS.
MY CHILDREN WHEN THEY DON'T WEAR
THEIR MASKS TO SCHOOL, MY HOPE
IS THAT THEY PROVIDE COURAGE TO
OTHER STUDENTS TO TAKE OFF THEIR
MASKS AS WELL.
AND FOR PARENTS I URGE YOU,
PLEASE, THEY ARE TAKING AWAY
PARENTAL RIGHTS.
THEY HAVE NO ABILITY TO DO THIS.
PLEASE STAND UP AND SHOW
COURAGE.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, MATTHEW KENNA?
I'M SORRY.
OUT OF ORDER.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS TEEGAN KENNA AND HERE
TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD
DIRECTLY IMPACTING ME.
THIS SCHOOL BOARD HAS BEEN
FORCING TEACHERS 'N AND
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF TO ENFORCE
A R AFTERNOON UNCONSTITUTIONAL
MANDATE TO WEAR A SUFFOCATING
FABRIC FOR 8 HOURS A DAY.
HEAVEN FORBID THEY SEE OUR
FACES, RIGHT?
WHEN SOMEONE LIKE I GOES INTO
THE CLASSROOMS WITH AN UNCOVERED
FACE THEY BELIEVE I AM UNHEALTHY
AND BELIEVE I AM HARM TO OTHERS.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT TEACHERS TRY
TO GANG UP ON ME AND USE PUBLIC
HUMILIATION IN AN ATTEMPT TO
MAKE ME GIVE INTO THEIR BELIEFS.
AS IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH THEY
SEND ME TO THE OFFICE JUST LIKE
MANY OTHER STUDENTS TO MAKE ME
WAIT 30 MORE MINUTES JUST TO BE
TOLD BY AN OFFICER, SHAME ON
YOU.
DOES THIS SEEM LIKE A GOOD
ENVIRONMENTS FOR KIDS?
THIS IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE
YOU ARE PROTECTING US AND MAKING
SURE OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND OUR
PHYSICAL HEALTH IS A PRIORITY.
THIS IS MY BODY.
NOT YOURS.
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ME.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
MEGAN COLLINS.
CHRISTY.
AND THEN BIANCA.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MEGAN.
>> MY NAME IS MEGAN COLLINS AND
I AM HERE ADVOCATING FOR
PARENTAL CHOICE.
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MS.
SNIVELY AND MRS. HAHN FOR NOT
BREAKING THE LAW AND PROTECTING
OUR PARENTAL RIGHTS.
I HAVE BEEN AT ALMOST EVERY
SINGLE BOARD MEETING SINCE MAY.
I FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME I COME,
MYSELF AND SEVERAL OTHERS ARE
ASKING FOR THE SAME THING, FOR
YOU ALL -- NOT ALL, MOST OF YOU
TO STOP BREAKING THE LAW.
BY YOU MANDATING MASKS YOU ARE
IN VIOLATION OF FLORIDA STATE
LAWS, THE PARENTAL BILL OF
RIGHTS AND FLORIDA SUNSHINE
LAWS.
SO YOU GUYS ALREADY KNOW THAT.
WE ARE NO LONGER ASKING FOR OUR
RIGHTS BACK.
WE ARE DEMANDING THEM BACK.
WE WILL NOT COMPLY, AND I HAVE
NOT COMPLIED SINCE THE START.
PLEASE LET ME LEAVE THIS
BUILDING TODAY.
GO HOME TO MY 7-YEAR-OLD AND LET
HIM KNOW HIS RIGHTS ARE
PROTECTED.
I SAY THIS TO EVERY PARENT OUT
THERE SENDING THEIR KID IN A
MASK THAT DOES NOT WANT THEIR
CHILD MASKED.
STOP COMPLYING.
WE ARE DONE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, CHRISTY DOMBROSKI.
MYERS.
JACQUELINE.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M HERE AS A PARENT AND A
TEACHER TO REMIND THIS BOARD YOU
WORK FOR WE THE PEOPLE OF
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
AND WE THE PARENTS EXPECT YOU TO
HONOR OUR RIGHTS.
WE WILL NO LONGER COOL RATE YOUR
UNLAWFUL IRRESPONSIBLE DECISION
MAKING.
WE DEMAND THAT YOU STOP
PRETENDING YOU HAVE THE
AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE THIS CHILD
ABUSE UNDER THE PRETENSE OF
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
THE TRUTH IS YOU NOVEMBER THIS
IS WRONG, YOU KNOW THERE'S NO
DATA TO SUPPORT IT, YOU KNOW
THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THE
AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE THIS, AND
YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF
THE PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS.
FURTHERMORE YOU ARE IN DIRECT
DEFINES OF GOVERNOR DESANTIS
COMMISSION, CORCORAN AND OTHER
STATE OFFICIALS THAT TOLD YOU
OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT IT'S
PARENTS' DECISION.
YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT
HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.
PARENTS MAKE THE DECISION FOR
THEIR KIDS' SAFETY SO WHY DO YOU
THINK THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE THESE
DECISIONS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY?
ALSO, I IMPLORE NONCOMPLIANCE.
MY CHILDREN ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL
AND THEY ARE NOT COMPLYING BUT
THIS IS REALLY HARMFUL TO THE
YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE AFRAID TO
NOT COMPLY AND WANT TO IMPROVE
THEIR SUCCESS.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
BIANCA MYERS.
JACQUELINE.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION IN SEPTEMBER UPDATED
THEIR COAST PROTOCOLS SAYING
THAT MASK WEARING IS TO BE AT
THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE
PARENTS.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
STATED RECENTLY THERE IS NO
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MASKED AND
UNMASKED COUNTIES.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS THE ONLY
COUNTYTHIS AREA STILL MANDATING
MASKS FOR CHILDREN.
PRACTICALLY EVERY PLACE YOU GO
IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THERE ARE
NO MASK REQUIREMENTS, STORES,
RESTAURANTS, MALLS, AND SPORTING
EVENTS HAVE THINS OF THOUSANDS
MASKED INDIVIDUALS, LEAVE THEIR
CLASSROOM AND GO STRAIGHT INTO
THE SPORT BEING EVENT AND THEY
ARE STANDING SHOULDER TO
SHOULDER BREATHING ON EACH
OTHER, SWEATING ON EACH OTHER
MANY TIMES.
CONSTITUTIONALLY AND ETHICALLY
PARENTS HAVE ARISE TO -- RIGHT
TO CHOOSE WHAT IS BEST FOR THE
CHILDREN.
OUR KIDS HAVE TO SIT UP TO 6
HOURS A DAY NOT BREATHING
OXYGEN, IS THE T ABILITY TO
BREATHE FREELY AND IT IS BEING
DENIED BY YOU GUYS.
MASKS HAVE GRAVE NEGATIVE
IMPACTS ON CHILDREN INCLUDING
PHYSICALLY, PSYCHE LODGE
KIICALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
JACQUELINE.
MICHELLE.
SHANNON.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M BJARKE WELL LIEN MURRA.
I SPOKE LAST TIME.
I WENT TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
SCHOOLS AND NOT GOING TO TALK
ABOUT MASKS BECAUSE YOU GOT
ENOUGH OF THAT BUT IF YOU WANT
AN EXAMPLE OF MY CHIRP, WE HAD
MANY KIDS GO INTO QUARANTINE AND
GUESS WHAT, NONE OF THEM EVER
TEST POSITIVE.
AND I AM A NOT A MASK POLICE.
IF THEY WEAR IT, THEY WEAR IT.
SOMETIMES IT GOES IN THE TOILET.
BUT GUESS WHATTER WE ARE
SURVIVING.
THAT WAS NOT MY POINT.
MY DAT POINT TODAY IS 437.
NOW THAT NUMBER? THAT'S HOW
MANY TEACHERS YOU NEED IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THAT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN THE
MASKS.
437 TEACHERS.
WE ARE ON WEEK 6 AT WALKER
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MY DAUGHTER
HAD NO TEACHERS.
SHE'S NOW ON FLORIDA FLEX
LEARNING SPANISH VIRTUALLY.
STARTING TODAY 437 TEACHERS.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET
SOLUTIONS? WE NEED SOLUTIONS.
THIS APPLE TRACK TRYING TO APPLY
THROUGH THAT, PEOPLE ARE
ANNOYED.
THEY JUST 2017 GONE AND MEET THE
PRINCIPAL, SHAKE HANDS AND SAY,
HEY, I AM GOOD PEOPLE, HIRE ME.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, MICHELLE FAVA.
SHANNON AIKENS.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I'M BACK.
I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE HERE.
I ACTUALLY LEFT MY MOTHER AT THE
HOSPITAL, NOT COVID RELATED, TO
BE HERE.
I TRANSFERRED MY KIDS OUT OF
SCHOOL, TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL SO
THEY WEREN'T HAVE TO WEAR A
MASK.
AND THAT'S WHY I KEEP COMING
BACK.
I FEEL VERY PASSIONATELY ABOUT
THIS, OKAY?
AND IT STILL SHOCKS ME THAT THE
BOARD ARBITRARILY STRIPS PARENTS
OF THEIR RIGHTS.
IT'S SHOCKING, OKAY?
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO HERE IS
HOPEFULLY WAKE UP SOME OF THOSE
PARENTS WHO DON'T HAVE THE
WHEREWITHAL TO BE HERE NOW AND
SAY TO THOSE PARENTS WHO SAY
IT'S OKAY BECAUSE MY CHILD IS
GETTING USED TO WEARING A MASK.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST PROBLEM.
IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH YOUR CHILD
GETTING USED TO L TO WEARING A
MASK THAT'S A PROBLEM IN OUR
SOCIETY AND WE DON'T WANT OUR
KIDS TO BE USED TO WEARING
MASKS.
THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS.
THESE ARE OUR RIGHTS TO MAKE
THESE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF OUR
KIDS.
YOU GUYS CANNOT DO THIS.
WE HAVE THE PARENTS BILL OF
RIGHTS FOR THIS PROGRAM.
SO YOU NEED TO STAY IN YOUR LANE
AND WORRY ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS OF OUR KIDS AND LET US
PARENT OUR CHILDREN.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, SHANNON AIKENS, JENNIFER
HART, LIKE LIROT, AND SARAH
EDWARDS AND THAT WILL CONCLUDE
PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> MY LAST NAME IS ACTN.
YOU GUYS HEARD IT FROM EVERYBODY
BUT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT
THE TOXIC ENVIRONMENT THAT OUR
KIDS ARE IN.
YOU KNOW, MY SON IS IN HIGH
SCHOOL AND THERE IS A TEACHER
THAT HE SPECIFICALLY HAS THAT
HAS SHOWER CURTAINS AROUND HER
DESK AND SHE STILL WEARS A MASK.
SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CLASS,
NOBODY IS LEARNING ANYTHING
BECAUSE THERE'S NO CLASSROOM
MANAGEMENT.
BECAUSE OF THIS MASK MANDATE
THAT YOU ARE FEEL YOU ARE
KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE WHICH
ISN'T THE CASE BECAUSE COVID
ATTACKS INFLAMMATION, KIDS ARE
GETTING TUBERCULOSIS BECAUSE
THEY ARE WEARING A MASK BUT IT
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NO.
SO STOP THE TOXIC ENVIRONMENT.
ALLOW OUR KIDS TO BE KIDS.
LET THE TEACHERS SMILE AT THEM.
LET THE KIDS SMILE AT THE
TEACHER.
LET THEM BUILD THAT BOND.
RIGHT NOW THERE ISN'T ANY OF
THAT HAPPENING.
ZERO.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEXT, JENNIFER HART.
LIKE REQUIRE ROT.
AND THEN SHAR R IS A --LY ROT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOO R THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M HERE TODAY, ALTHOUGH -- AS
WELL AS A PARENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE MASK
MANDATE.
I HAVE BEEN TEACHING THIRD
GRADERS WEARING MASKS SINCE
JANUARY.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT REALLY THE
KIDS ARE OKAY.
THEY ARE FINE.
THEY ARE ALL RIGHT.
THEY ARE GETTING ALONG.
WEARING A MASK ALL DAY CAN BE
ANNOYING AND UNCOMFORTABLE BUT
IT IS NOT TRAUMATIZING.
WE NEED TO STOP SAYING THAT
ASKING YOUR CHILD TO WEAR A MASK
IS ABUSING THEM.
SO PLEASE CONTINUE WITH THE MASK
MANDATE.
IT'S KEEPING STUDENTS HEALTHY
AND IN SCHOOL SO THEY CAN LEARN.
NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT
THE REAL NUMBER ONE OF LEARNING
COS AND THAT'S THE SYSTEMATIC
UNDERFUNDING OF SCHOOLS IN
FLORIDA.
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION IS STILL SITTING ON
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDS.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY OF YOU
THAT HAVE NOT ALREADY TO TAKE A
STRONG PUBLIC SPAN TO THE
DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION ARE DOING WITH THESE
ESSER FUNDS, AND ENGAGING ALL
THESE FORCES WE HAVE TO PUT
PRESSURE ON TALLAHASSEE.
I THINK IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO
TEACHERS --
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANKS INFORM YOUR SERVICE, TOO.
LIKE LIROT.
>> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD, DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES.
MY NAME IS LIKE LIROT AND I HAVE
THE PRIVILEGE OF REPRESENTING
SCORES OF PARENTS CHALLENGING
THE MASK MANDATE THAT YOU ARE
CONSIDERING HERE TODAY.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I
HAVE EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF
WORKING WITH SO MANY PEOPLE THAT
EXHIBITED THE LEVEL OF PASSION
THAT I HAVE SEEN IN THESE
PARENTS THAT ARE VEHEMENTLY
OPPOSED TO WHAT YOU ADOPTED.
AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I SEE ALL
THE DIFFERENT ARGUMENTS, ALL OF
THE DIFFERENT CONCERNS, BUT FROM
MY PERSPECTIVE, ALL I WANT YOU
TO DO IS FOLLOW THE LAW.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN
TEACH OUR CHILDREN IS THAT OUR
COUNTRY, NO MATTER HOW
UNCOMFORTABLE OR UNPOPULAR OR
SCIENTIFICALLY CHALLENGING IT
MAY BE, WE STILL FOLLOW THE RULE
OF LAW.
AND I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING ALL OF
THE DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO
THESE PARTICULAR ISSUES, AND I
KNOW THAT COMING UP ON THE
7th -- AND I JUST PRINTED
THIS OUT TODAY -- THERE IS A
MEETING IN TALLAHASSEE, AND
ESSENTIALLY IT SAYS THAT YOU --
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
SARAH EDWARDS.
>> I'M A PUBLIC HEALTH
SPECIALIST AND MOM WITH TWO KIDS
IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS SO
FAR TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE.
WE WANT TO GIVE THEM THE SAME
CHANCE OF REDUCING INFECTIONS
THAT WE HAVE VACCINATED THE PAST
FEW MONTHS.
MY HOPE IS THAT YOU HOLD STEADY
OVER THE PERSONAL PREFERENCES OF
A FEW.
KEEP MANDATORY MASKS IN PLACE
UNTIL THESE KIDS CAN BE
VACCINATED.
WHILE THE DOWNWARD TREND OF
CASES IS A RELIEF WE ARE BY NO
MEANS OUT OF WOODS.
THE ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THE
COUNTY REMAINS AT A HIGH RATE OF
TRANSMISSION.
MASKS WORK AND NOT ONLY DO WE
HAVE A LARGE CONTROL TRIAL
THAT'S NOW PROVEN IT BUT WE HAVE
SEEN MASKS WORK HERE IN OUR
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS AND
ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN
COMMUNICATION OF SEPTEMBER 9TH
WE SAW A DECREASE WHEN MASKS
WERE MANDATORY.
AS YOU KNOW, AAP AND OTHER
EXPERTS HAVE NOT FOUND ANY
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL
ILL EFFECTS.
PLEASE KEEP MASKS IN PLACE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND NOW WE WILL GO TO RECOLLECT
IN ADDITIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS.
AND WE WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC
ALSO FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND
THEIR VALUES IN SHARING WITH ALL
BOARD MEMBERS THIS EVENING.
A 01, ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION
GLOBAL DIVERSE TI TIA WEARNESS
MONTH, OCTOBER 1st, 2021.
>>Melissa Snively: MAY I MAKE A
REQUEST?
MAY WE MOVE 5.01 UP TO THE FRONT
IN RECOGNITIONS AND
PROCLAMATIONS?
>>Lynn Gray: I THINK I KNOW WHY.
GO AHEAD.
ABSOLUTELY.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU MEMBER SNIVELY.
APPROVE THE NAMING OF THE KING
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL COMPLEX
AFTER COACH JIM MACALUSO, AND I
BELIEVE SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS AND
SHAKE WASHINGTON WILL PRESENT
THIS PROCLAMATION.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
NAME THE KING HIGH SCHOOL
BASEBALL COMPLEX AFTER COACH
MACALUSO.
HE IS A NATIVE OF TAMPA.
HE HAS BEEN -- ALSO AN EDUCATOR,
EDUCATED IN TAMPA AND
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, HE GRADUATED FROM KING
HIGH SCHOOL, I THINK 1966, AT
THE SAME TOKEN HE WENT ON TO
OBTAIN HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND HIS
MOOSE TERSE DEGREE IN EDUCATION
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA.
COACH WAS NAMED HEAD COACH OF
KING IN 1976 AND WORKED AS
ASSISTANT COACH AT HILLSBOROUGH
HIGH, ALSO AT BRANDON HIGH
SCHOOL, AND FLORIDA COLLEGE.
COACH MACALUSO HAS ALSO BEEN AT
KING HIGH SCHOOL, AND WHILE HE
WAS THERE HE DID SO MUCH, AND
BOARD MEMBER WASHINGTON IS GOING
TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE ACCOLADES,
AND WHILE HE WAS THERE 163
ATHLETES WENT ON TO PLAY
COLLEGIATE BASEBALL, I BELIEVE.
SO AT THIS TIME, MEMBER
WASHINGTON, IF YOU WILL TELL US
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS
RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS AWESOME
MAN AND A GREAT COACH.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAN
K YOU, SUPERINTENDENT.
I TELL YOU, HE IS A VERY AWESOME
PERSON.
DURING THE PAST 46 YEARS AT KING
HIGH SCHOOL, COACH MACALUSO'S
TEAMS COMPILED A RECORD OF 640
WINS AND 440 LOSSES.
HIS TEAMS HAVE WON 12 DISTRICT
CHAMPIONSHIPS, THREE REGIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIPS, ALONG WITH ONE
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP,
ONE SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP,
THREE SALAVITO CHAMPIONSHIPS,
ADVANCED TO THE STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL FOUR THREE
TIMES.
SOMETHING ELSE.
167 FORMER PLAYERS PLAYED
COLLEGE BASEBALL.
53 FORMER PLAYERS PLAYED
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL.
AND FOUR HAVE PLAYED IN THE
MAJOR LEAGUE.
AND I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO WORK WITH COACH MAC OVER ALL
THESE YEARS AND I CAN TELL YOU
HE IS DEFINITELY FOR STUDENTS.
BECAUSE I TELL YOU WHAT, IF YOU
WERE IN COACH MACALUSO'S CLASS,
RAISE YOUR HAND.
IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
ALL THOSE IN THE CLASS.
SO COACH MACALUSO, I AM PROUD
AND HONORED TO HAVE THIS
BESTOWED UPON YOU BECAUSE YOU
HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB FOR 46
YEARS, AND I HAVE KNOWN YOU AS A
PERSON OF CHARACTER, INTEGRITY.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS, AND
I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU, COACH
MAC.
>>Lynn Gray: SO LET'S --
OBVIOUSLY A BIG ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AND I BELIEVE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO
COME FORWARD, MR. MACALUSO?
BOARD MEMBERS, I NEED A MOTION
AND A SECOND.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER PEREZ.
A SECOND BY COMBS.
ANY DISCUSSION?
AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
DO YOU WANT TO THE GO UP THERE
WITH HIM?
OKAY.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THAT BIG FAN
CLUB YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU THIS
EVENING.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS AND
HONORABLE BOARD MEMBERS FOR THIS
RECOGNITION.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY
FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES,
PLAYERS, ALL MY FORMER
ADMINISTRATORS FOR SUPPORTING ME
IN THE LAST 47 YEARS OF COACHING
AT KING HIGH SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE
EFFORTS OF MY PRESENT PRINCIPAL
ARLENE COSTELLI FOR SPEARHEADING
THIS ENDEAVOR.
THANK YOU.
ALSO SPECIAL THANKS TO MY
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR, MR. MICHAEL WARREN,
AND BOTH OF THEM HAVE DONE A
TREMENDOUS JOB AT KING HIGH
SCHOOL.
A SPECIAL -- A SPECIAL THANKS TO
BOARD MEMBER SHAKE WASHINGTON.
WE TALKED TOGETHER FOR 16 YEARS,
AND WE ARE PERSONAL FRIENDS AND
FAMILY.
I'M ALSO GRATEFUL TO ALL THE
COMMUNITY OF TEMPLE TERRACE AND
THE KING HEIGHTS DISTRICT, AND I
WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A
TREMENDOUS HONOR, AND I THANK
YOU.
I SPENT 47 YEARS TEACHING AND
COACHING AT KING HIGH SCHOOL AND
THREE YEARS AS A STUDENT, SO A
BIG PORTION OF MY LIFE AT KING
HIGH SCHOOL.
SO THANK YOU ALL VERY, VERY
MUCH.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
COMMITMENT.
WE DO HAVE A BOARD COMMENT.
MEMBER PEREZ?
OH, THAT'S A SECOND?
ALL RIGHT.
SO WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
VOTE AT THIS TIME.
BOARD MEMBERS, PLEATH PLEASE
VOTE --
>> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
I THINK THAT SHAKE WASHINGTON'S
TEAM SHOULD BE THE -- SHOULD
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE
MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND
MEMBER PEREZ WHO ATTENDED KING
HIGH SCHOOL I BELIEVE WANTED TO
SUPPORT HIM BY SECONDING THAT
MOTION.
SO COULD WE PLEASE CHANGE THE
RECORD OR UPDATE THE RECORD TO
REFLECT THAT?
>>Jim Porter: WHO MADE THE
MOTION?
>>Melissa Snively: I'M NOT SURE
WHO MADE THE MOTION ORIGINALLY.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MEMBER PEREZ.
ARE YOU OKAY WITH MEMBER
WASHINGTON MAKING IT?
>>Jim Porter: SO MS. PEREZ
WITHDRAWS THE MOTION.
>>Lynn Gray: MAKE A MOTION.
IT'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS
AGENDA ITEM.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: I
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA ITEM FOR
COACH MACALUSO.
>>Karen Perez: AND I SECOND IT.
>>Lynn Gray: NOW WE ARE GOOD TO
GO.
BOARD MEMBERS, LET'S VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS COME ON.
WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS.
OKAY.
AND MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: YES, I APPROVE.
>>Lynn Gray: IT'S UNANIMOUS.
SO --
[ APPLAUSE ]
>>Lynn Gray: NOTE THAT WE WANT
TO GET RID OF YOU, BUT IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO BE ADJOURNED, YOU
CAN.
YOU WANT SOME PHOTOS?
OKAY.
SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO A PHOTO
OP.
MEMBER WASHINGTON, WOULD YOU
LIKE TO GO UP THERE AND TAKE A
PHOTO, OR ANY COMMENTS, BOARD
MEMBERS?
MEMBER PEREZ?
>>Karen Perez: YES.
I REMEMBER YOU FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
I WAS A STUDENT OF BOTH YOURS
AND SHAKE WASHINGTON.
SO IF YOU GUYS BRING UP ANY
MORE, I AM GOING TO HAVE MY
WHOLE, YOU KNOW, ALL MY TEACHERS
HERE.
BUT THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
FOR OUR STUDENTS HERE.
THANK YOU FOR, YOU KNOW, THE
PROFESSIONALISM THAT YOU BROUGHT
TO US WITH THE FUTURE BECAUSE I
KNOW MY FELLOW STUDENTS, BELIEVE
IT OR NOT WE ARE COMING UP ON
OUR 40th OF HIGH SCHOOL
REUNION.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOKED
BACK AT THE TEACHERS EFFECTED
CHANGE I KNOW YOUR NAME COMES
UP.
WE TALK ABOUT YOU IN A GOOD WAY.
AND SO TO SEE YOU HERE TODAY,
I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS TO
HAPPEN, FOR YOUR NAME TO GO UP
AS PART OF KING HIGH SCHOOL, 'N
BUT THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
PEREZ.
HEARTFELT THANKS FROM THOSE
BOARD MEMBERS TO EACH YEAR THAT
YOU SERVED, AND YOUR COMMITMENT
TO CHILDREN.
YOU CHANGED SO MANY LIVES.
COACHES ARE SUCH GREAT TEACHERS.
AND TEACHERS ARE SUCH GREAT
COACHES.
AND YOU HAVE BEEN BOTH.
SO WE ARE JUST ENAMORED.
A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
WOULD YOU MIND THAT WE TAKE A
PHOTO AT THIS TIME?
THE BEST WAY, I THINK, BECAUSE
YOU TELL ME, WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR
FAMILY IN THE PHOTO, TO THE BEST
OF YOUR ABILITY?
BECAUSE WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK.
SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET THEM
UP.
EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO GET IN,
LET'S GET THIS.
(PHOTO OP).
>>Lynn Gray: ALL RIGHT.
WE ARE GOING TO RECESS FOR TWO
MINUTES AND THEN WE HAVE GOT TO
GET ON WITH THE SHOW.
RECESS FOR TWO MINUTES.
>>Lynn Gray: BOARD MEMBERS?
MEMBER COMBS?
WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
INITIATE.
OKAY.
OUR NEXT PART OF THE PROGRAM IS
THE RECOGNITIONS AND
PROCLAMATIONS.
AND FIRST OFF, WE HAVE THE
ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION, THE
GLOBAL DIVERSITY AWARENESS
MONTH, PRESENTED BY MEMBER
COMBS.
AND MEMBER COMBS, GO AHEAD.
>>Nadia Combs: THANK YOU.
BE THANK YOU, CHAIR GRAY.
GLOBAL DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH
HONORS THE HERITAGES, CUSTOMS,
AND LIFE EXPERIENCES OF ON YOUR
STUDENT AND STAFF IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
RECOGNIZING GLOBAL DIVERSITY
AWARENESS MONTH HELPS OUR SCHOOL
COMMUNITY GROW AND APPRECIATE
THE DIVERSITY AROUND THEM, IT
ALSO HELPS CONTRIBUTE TO A
GLOBAL AND MULTICULTURAL WORLD.
TO FULLY EMBRACE OUR MISSION OF
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE, IT
IS IMPERATIVE TO ENGAGE THE
CULTURAL CAPITAL AND RICH
DIVERSITY THAT EACH LEARNER AND
EMPLOYEE BRING.
SOME OF THE WAYS OUR DISTRICT
CELEBRATES GLOBAL DIVERSITY
AWARENESS MONTH IS BY CONNECTING
WITH PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT
PLACES LEARNING ABOUT ANOTHER
CULTURE AND MAKING A
CONCENTRATEDEST TO STAY INFORMED
ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE
WORLD.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
COMBS.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO
APPROVE THE GLOBAL DIVERSITY
AWARENESS MONTE, OCTOBER 1,
2021.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER PEREZ,
SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON.
WILL THERE BE ANY DISCUSSION?
SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
UNANIMOUS.
AND MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: I APPROVE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION,
NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION
MONTH.
MEMBER SNIVELY WILL YOU PRESENT
THIS PROCLAMATION?
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR.
BULLYING IS UNWANTED AGGRESSIVE
BEHAVIOR THAT INVOLVES A REAL OR
PERCEIVED POWER IMBALANCE.
BULLYING CAN INCLUDE MAKING
THREATS, SPREADING RUMORS,
ATTACKING SOMEONE'S PHYSICALLY
OR VERBALLY, IT CAN ALSO TAKE
PLACE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY WHICH
IS KNOWN AS CYBERBULLYING.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS TAKES THE BULLYING VERY
SERIOUSLY.
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS COMMITTED TO
PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL, SECURE
AND FREE FROM HARASSMENT AND
BULLYING FOR ALL STUDENTS AND
STAFF.
A REPORTING SYSTEM HAS BEEN
CREATED TO IDENTIFY REPORTS,
INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND TO
SITUATIONS OF BULLYING AND
HARASSMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS.
YOU CAN FIND THE ANONYMOUS
ONLINE FORM TO REPORT BULLYING
AT HILLSBOROUGHSCHOOLS.ORG/BULLY
PREVENTION.
OUR DISTRICT TRIES TO PREVENT
BULLYING THROUGH SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORS LIKE SOCIAL
AND COMMUNITY CIRCLES, MIND SETS
AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES.
OUR AMAZING STUDENT SERVICES
TEAMS AT EACH SCHOOL PROVIDE
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND
SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND START IN
SEPTEMBER HELPS TO ADDRESS
BULLYING AND TEACH COMPASSION TO
OUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
SNIVELY.
I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO
APPROVE THIS PROCLAMATION.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
SNIVELY, A SECOND BY MEMBER
COMBS.
WILL THERE BE ANY DISCUSSION?
SEEING NONE, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
AND MEMBER HAHN?
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU.
OKAY, BOARD MEMBERS.
A 10th 23, THE WORLD MENTAL
HEALTH DAY OBSERVED ON THE
10th OF OCTOBER 2021.
MEMBER PEREZ WILL BE PRESENTING
THIS PROCLAMATION.
MEMBER PEREZ.
>>Karen Perez: WORLD MENTAL
HEALTH DAY IS OBJECT SERVED
OCTOBER 10th EVERY YEAR.
WITH AN OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF
RAISING AWARENESS OF MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD,
AND MOBILIZING EFFORTS IN
SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH.
THIS YEAR'S THEME IS MENTAL
HEALTH IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD.
THIS ALLOWS US TO FOCUS ON
ISSUES THAT PERPETRATE MENTAL
HEALTH INEQUALITY LOCALLY AND
GLOBALLY.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS RECOGNIZE THIS DAY
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH BY
PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH
AWARENESS BY ENCOURAGING
STUDENT-LED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS
CREATING POSTERS, WALL ART,
SIDEWALK CHALK DISPLAYS
PROMOTING KINDNESS, ■MINDFULNESS
AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS,
STATISTICS AND INFORMATION.
SCHOOLS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAN
FOR WELLNESS, MINDFULNESS
ACTIVITIES.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
PEREZ.
I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND TO
APPROVE THIS PROCLAMATION.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER PEREZ,
A SECOND BY MEMBER COMBS.
WILL THERE BE ANY DISCUSSION?
ANY COMMENTS?
MEMBER PEREZ.
>>Karen Perez: ESPECIALLY TODAY,
RIGHT NOW, WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING
ON OUR CHILDREN, ACTING UP, YOU
KNOW, A LITTLE BIT HERE IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS,
THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT WAY
TO ENGAGE OUR CHILDREN WITH
THEIR MENTAL WELLNESS.
YOU KNOW, WITH THE SCHOOLS
PLANNING ACTIVITIES, BRINGING
OUR STUDENTS CLOSER TO TOWING
TOGETHER AND CREATING THAT BOND
WITH OUR STUDENTS, MAKING THEM
AWARE OF NOT ONLY THEIR OWN
MENTAL WELLNESS, BUT THE MENTAL
WELLNESS OF THEIR FELLOW
STUDENTS.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT
EACH SCHOOL IS PUTTING FORWARD
AND PROMOTING, AND WHAT THE
OUTCOME IS THIS MONTH WITH
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS.
>>Lynn Gray: MEMBER PEREZ,
PERHAPS WE CAN GET A VIDEO AS WE
VISIT SCHOOLS TO SHARE THESE
OBSERVATIONS.
BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
AND MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: I APPROVE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU BOARD
MEMBERS.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
THE PROCLAMATIONS AND
RECOGNITIONS ARE COMPLETED.
AND AT THIS TIME, I NEED A
MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE
THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
WASHINGTON AND I HAVE A SECOND
BY MEMBER PEREZ.
PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS ARE
ON.
MEMBER HAHN?
I'M SORRY, MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: I'M SORRY.
I APPROVE.
>>Lynn Gray: OH, YOUR LIGHT WENT
ON, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
THANK YOU, BOARD.
NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO INTO
THE -- THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS
BEEN APPROVED.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, YOU ARE
NEXT FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>>Addison Davis: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
THIS EVENING THERE'S A NUMBER OF
TOPICS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO
DISCUSS.
FIRST ONE WAS TO PROVIDE WHAT
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IS PRESENTED
THIS EVENING TO THE BOARD AND
WHAT THE PLAN IS TO ENGAGE THE
COMMUNITY, TALK ABOUT COVID,
RESPONSE UPDATE, WHERE WE ARE
WITH COVID NUMBERS, TRANSITION
TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT WE ARE
WITH HUMAN RESOURCES, TALK ABOUT
QUARANTINE, INSTRUCTIONAL
SUPPORT, FOR STUDENTS, FROM
PRE-K ALL THE WAY TO 12th
GRADE AND ADDRESS SOME SUSPENDED
AGENDA ITEMS AND THEN PROVIDE
DISTRICT UPDATES OF SOME
INITIATIVES WE HAVE GOING ON.
FIRST AND FOREMOST TONIGHT WE
HAVE OUR DISCUSSION IS TO LAUNCH
AND APPROVE THE 2021-2026,
FIVE-YEAR PLAN ACCELERATE
HILLSBOROUGH, DESIGNED TO BE
ABLE TO NOT ONLY IDENTIFY AND
SUPPORT OUR VISION AND MISSION,
BUT TO IDENTIFY KEY CORE VALUES
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE
FORWARD IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER
AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO UNPACK
AUTHORITIES AND NARRATIVES AND
OBJECTIVES THAT WILL GO AHEAD
AND MOVE THIS DISTRICT TO
CONTINUE TO DRIVE AND ADDRESS
AND BE INNOVATIVE WITH OUR
EFFICIENCY OVERALL.
IN THIS, WE ARE FOCUSED ON FOUR
BIG PILLARS, ONE, TO ENSURE WE
HAVE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ALSO
THE SECOND ONE IS FOR US TO
CREATE A SUPPORTIVE
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE WHICH NOW
MORE THAN EVER WE DEFINITELY
NEED, THE THIRD ONE IS TO
TRANSITION TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
WE HAVE EXCEPTIONAL TALENT TO BE
ABLE TO RETRAIN AND RECUTE THE
BEST TALENT WE CAN WITHIN OUR
SCHOOL DISTRICT IN EVERY
POSITION WE CURRENTLY OFFER, AND
THE LAST ONE TO BE ABLE TO
ADDRESS THE FISCAL AND
OPERATIONAL ABILITY.
UNDER THOSE FOUR PILLARS WE HAVE
OBJECTIVES EMBEDDED WITHIN.
SO THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE
STRATEGIC PLAN IS REALLY TO
FOCUS ON A BLUEPRINT THAT REALLY
DEFINES OUR FOCUS AND GOALS IN
THE AS AN ORGANIZATION.
WHAT THIS BLUEPRINT WILL ALLOW
US TO DO IS TO INFORM EVERY
DECISION THAT WE MAKE RELATED TO
ALLOCATIONS, RELATED TO
RESOURCES, FUNDING, TIME, MONEY
AND HUMAN CAPITAL.
AND SO THE ACTION STEPS WE HAVE
BEFORE US IF APPROVED THIS
EVENING IS TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE
THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION TO
DISCUSS THE PRIORITIES OF OUR
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WHAT THE
STRATEGIC PLAN WILL FOCUS ON IN
THE YEARS TO COME AND TO HOST
SMALL GROUP INTERACTIVE SESSION
WAS STAKEHOLDERS TO BE ABLE TO
TALK ABOUT KEY PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS BECAUSE THERE ARE
ANALYTICS INVOLVED IN THE
STRATEGIC PLAN AND ALSO CONTINUE
TO ENGAGE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,
THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE,
CTA, PTSA AND ALSO STAFF TO BE
ABLE TO REVIEW EVERY ELEMENT TO
TALK ABOUT A COORDINATED EFFORT
TO IMPLEMENT AND FOR ME AND
STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS
POTENTIALLY TO TRANSITION
THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE
LISTEN AND LEARN TOURS, TO BE
ABLE TO INTERACT AND DISCUSS OUR
STRATEGIC PLAN ON HOW WE WOULD
IMPLEMENT OUR PRIORITIES AND KEY
INDICATORS, TO BE ABLE TO HELP
OUR STUDENTS AND ALSO THE SAME
TOKEN CREATE THE BEST
ENVIRONMENT AND WORKING
CONDITION ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERY
ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, ALONGSIDE
BEING ABLE TO CONTINUOUSLY
ENGAGE OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS,
OUR ADVOCACY GROUPS, OUR
CHAMBERS, ROTARYS AND OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS, TO BE ABLE TO
TALK ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT AND THE
WAY WHICH IT EXISTS.
SO I THINK ALL OF OUR STAFF, YOU
KNOW, FOR INITIATING THIS
PROCESS, I KNOW IT'S BEEN KIND
OF LENGTHY DUE DO SOME OF THE
OTHER BARRIERS OR INTERACTIONS
WE HAVE.
I KNOW DR. MONICA VERRA TIRADO
BEGAN THIS TO BE INCLUSIVE AND
ALL THE SENIOR STAFF BOARD
MEMBERS, WE HAVE HAD RETREATS,
AND THEN VAN AYRES BRINGING THIS
HOME TO BE ABLE TO BRING IT TO
THE BOARD TONIGHT AND THANK HIM
FOR HIS EFFORTS AND ALL THE
BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR
CONTINUED FEEDBACK TO BE ABLE TO
REFINE TO GET TO A COMFORTABLE
PLACE TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT.
WE KNOW THAT A STRATEGIC PLAN IS
LIKE A SCHOOL'S LIVING
DOCUMENTS, ANYTHING WE WANT TO
BE ABLE TO CHANGE AND ADJUST WE
CAN DO SO AND COME BACK AND ANY
ADJUSTMENTS WE HAVE FOR THE
BOARD FOR POTENTIAL APPROVAL
AGAIN.
ALSO COVID.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS
KEEPING COVID IN FRONT OF US.
THIS IS A 7-DAY AVERAGE CASE
RATE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY,
PASCO COUNTY, PINELLAS, AND
COMPARED TO THE STATE.
WHAT THIS GRAPH IDENTIFIES IS
OUR LOW, MODERATE AND HIGH
TRANSMISSION RATES.
THIS HAS BEEN PER 1,000
RESIDENTS, THIS GOES ALL THE WAY
BACK TO AUGUST 2020 AND LOOKS AT
WHERE WE ARE FROM A SNAPSHOT OF
SEPTEMBER 27 OF 2021.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN DECEMBER OF
2020 THERE WAS A SPIKE IN
JANUARY AS WELL, RIGHT AFTER THE
HOLIDAYS, AND THEN WE HAD A
DOWNWARD SLOPE AND THEN WE SEE
BACK ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE DELTA
VARIANT HIT US, WE START TOAD
SEE AN UPTICK JUST AT THE TIME
WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO OPEN UP SCHOOLS IN A
NORMAL FASHION, WE WERE HIT WITH
A VARIANT, AND ONCE AGAIN WE SEE
THROUGH A NUMBER OF MITIGATION
STRATEGIES IN OUR COMMUNITY A
DOWNWARD SLIDE WHERE WE ARE
TODAY RELATED TO SEPTEMBER.
THIS IS ANOTHER 7-DAY ANALYSIS
FROM WHERE WE STARTED SCHOOL IN
AUGUST 1st, 2021 TO WHERE WE
ARE WITH SEPTEMBER 27th.
ONCE AGAIN, WE SEE THE NUMBER OF
CASES PER 1,000 RESIDENTS GOING
DOWN, IN A DOWNWARD TREND, AND
JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT
INFORMATION TO THE BOARD.
AND THEN ALSO WE TALKED ABOUT
THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT
ARE IMPACTED.
ONE THING WE HAVE WITH OUR COVID
DATA DASHBOARD IS WE LOOK AT AND
IDENTIFY ALL THE NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES, AND ALONGSIDE OUR
STUDENTS THAT ARE TOTALLY
IMPACTED, WE KNOW THAT WE
STARTED THIS ON AUGUST 18th,
WE LOOKED AT OUR HIGH POINT
WHICH WAS AUGUST 20th WHEN
WE HAD OVER 13,000 WHICH IS
5.61% OF OUR STUDENTS AND
EMPLOYEES IMPACTED TO WHERE WE
ARE TODAY ON OCTOBER 4th.
WE HAD A 93% DECREASE IN THAT
NUMBER ON THE 18th AND 72%
DECREASE FROM SEPTEMBER --
SEPTEMBER 20th.
AND NOW WE ARE AT A .3% OVERALL
IMPACT WITH 718 INDIVIDUALS
WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION, AND WE
LOOKED AT AUGUST 20th, OVER
13,000 OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR
STUDENTS WERE IMPACTED AT THAT
PARTICULAR TIME.
HENCE THE REASON THE BOARD MADE
A DECISION FOR US TO MOVE TO
MASKS.
ALSO LOOKING AT STUDENT CASES,
ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A
COMPARATIVE 86% DECREASE IN
STUDENT CASES FROM AUGUST
18th, 62% DECREASE FROM
STUDENT CASES FROM SEPTEMBER
20th.
SO WE HAD AN ALL-TIME HIGH
AUGUST 23rd WITH 621
STUDENTS POSITIVE CASES, NOW
LOOKING AT 55 STUDENT CASES
POSITIVE WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
WITH THAT SAID, WE ARE AT A
POINT NOW MR. WE ARE THANKFUL TO
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, PROVIDING HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH 47
HOME TESTING KITS, 47,000 HOME
TESTING KITS, WILL BE ABLE TO
TAKE THESE 47,000 HOME COVID
ASSESSMENTS, BEING ABLE TO PUT
THROUGH HE HAVE ONE OF OUR
SCHOOLS, INCLUSIVE OF CHARTER
SCHOOLS.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT
WITH A PLAN WHERE STUDENTS,
EMPLOYEES IN NEED WHO NEED TO BE
ABLE TO TAKE AN IMMEDIATE
ASSESSMENT, THESE HOME TESTING
ASSESSMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED
TO THEM SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO
LEVERAGE.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS, THERE
WILL BE AN E-MED PLATFORM WITH A
CERTAIN GUIDE TO HELP PARENTS,
FOR STUDENTS WITH THESE HOME
ASSESSMENTS, TO INTERACT WITH
THOSE SO THEY KNOW HOW TO READ
THEM AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIND
AN EXPEDITED WAY TO DETERMINE
WHETHER OR NOT A STUDENT IS
POSITIVE SO WE CAN BE ABLE TO
TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS AND
KEEP THAT LEARNER HOME AND GIVE
THEM IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
WE REALLY WANT TO THANK THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
LOCAL DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR
ASSISTANCE IN GIVING US 47,000
KITS, HOME TESTING KITS TO BE
ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE WITHIN THE
ORGANIZATION.
ALSO WANTED TO ASK, DO SOME
COMPARISON FROM A POSITIVE RATE,
AND ALSO A CASE RATE.
IF YOU LOOK AT HILLSBOROUGH,
PINELLAS AND PASCO YOU CAN SEE
THAT THERE'S BEEN AN OVERALL
DOWNWARD SLIDE SINCE AUGUST
10th TO SEPTEMBER 27th
AND WHEN THE BOARD MADE THIS
DECISION RELATED TO MASKS, THERE
WERE OVER 23% POSITIVE RATES
WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND NOW LOWER TODAY 7.89% AS OF
SEPTEMBER 27th.
TODAY I THINK WE ARE AT A 7.84
AS RELATED TO COVID
IMPLEMENTATION.
AND LOOKING AT THE CASE RATES
CONTINUE TO HAVE A DOWNWARD
SLIDE, AND 75% DECREASE OF WHERE
WE ARE RELATED TO THE COVID
ANALYTICS.
THIS IS HATS OFF TO OUR
TEACHERS, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
OUR STUDENTS, AND OUR EMPLOYEES,
ALL BEING ABLE TO TAKE THIS
SERIOUS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY,
AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE
MORE ACCESSIBILITY TO
VACCINATIONS AND BEING ABLE TO
FOLLOW PROTOCOLS, OR RELATED TO
IMPLEMENTATIONS OF OUR
QUARANTINES WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
THEN ALSO HUMAN RESOURCES.
WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT WHERE
WE ARE RELATED TO A NUMBER OF
OPEN POSITIONS.
TODAY WE HAVE 396 INSTRUCTIONAL
POSITIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY
OPEN WITHIN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
ALMOST DOUBLE TO WHERE WE ARE
HISTORICALLY AS AN ORGANIZATION.
WE SEE THE MAJORITY OF THE
POSITIONS THAT OPEN WITH 35% OF
POSITIONS ARE IN THE K-5 CORE.
THIS IS K-5 BEING ABLE TO
CONTINUE TO RECRUIT, AND OF
THOSE, THE MAJORITY,
KINDERGARTEN POSITIONS WHICH OUR
STUDENTS NEED US THE MOST IN
THAT PARTICULAR AREA.
HATS OFF TO OUR HUMAN RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF OUR
DEPARTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN
UP A JOB FAIR THAT WE HAD ON
SEPTEMBER 29th.
WE HAD 641 INDIVIDUALS THAT
PREREGISTERED.
OF THOSE, 202 ATTENDED AND THEN
WE HAD 108 WALK UPS FOR A TOTAL
OF 310 INDIVIDUALS THAT WE WERE
ABLE TO INTERACT WITH.
I KNOW OVER 100 OF THOSE
POSITIONS WERE GIVEN ON THE
SPOT, QUALIFICATIONS AND THE
INTERVIEWING, AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO LOON THROUGH
CREDENTIALS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE
THE NEEDLE AND BE ABLE TO
ADDRESS THE CURRENT VACANCIES
THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
AND AT THE SAME TOKEN WE WANT
OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW OUR NEXT
JOB FAIR WILL BE ON OCTOBER
27th, FROM 4 P.M. TO 6:30,
AND WE WILL GO AS LONG AS WE
NEED TO, TO INTERVIEW, HELD AT
SILO BEND LOCATED AT 93036
BRITTANY WAY IN TAMPA, FLORIDA.
SO MORE INFORMATION WILL BE
FORTHCOMING.
WE WILL LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA TO
PUT THAT INFORMATION OUT, TO
TALK ABOUT ALL THE JOBS THAT WE
ARE OPEN WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
AND I WANT THE SCHOOL BOARD TO
KNOW AS WELL, I HAD A
CONVERSATION WITH THE
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, ALSO
CONVERSATION WITH CHANCELLOR
LEVIA, AND TALKED TO ALEX KELLY
TODAY, THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE
GOVERNOR, ABOUT POTENTIALLY
REMOVING OR CREATING A STATE OF
EMERGENCY OR CREATING
LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE TO REMOVE
THE ONE-YEAR PAUSE FOR HIRING,
THE INABILITY TO HIRE FOR
INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE ALREADY
RETIRED LAST FALL.
THERE IS A PROTOCOL THAT YOU
HAVE TO SIT OUT SO IT DOES NOT
AFFECT YOUR SRS, SO THIS ALLOWS
US TO POTENTIALLY MOVE THE
NEEDLE TO RELIEVE THAT FOR ONE
YEAR AND START HIRING PEOPLE TO
COME BACK TO FILL THESE
POSITIONS.
I THINK THAT'S A STRATEGY TO
HELP US AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THEN QUARANTINE INSTRUCTIONAL
SUPPORTS.
ONE THING, WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER
OF QUARANTINES THAT STUDENTS
WERE MISSING, AND WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
INSTRUCTIONAL MOMENTUM.
NOW AVAILABLE, WE LAUNCHED
YESTERDAY FOR ELEMENTARY FROM
PRE-- K TO FIFTH GRADE, VIRTUAL
QUARANTINE SUPPORTS, A FIRST OF
ITS KIND THROUGHOUT THE STATE
THAT WE KNOW OF, IN-HOUSE
RESOURCES WHERE WE HAVE HIRED
ACADEMIC RESOURCES, HIRED
QUALIFIED, CERTIFIED TEACHERS.
WE HAVE 7 TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE
HIRED FOR CORE INSTRUCTION OR
ASSISTANCE TO OUR STUDENTS IN
PRE-K THROUGH FIFTH GRADE.
THESE ARE STATE CERTIFIED
INDIVIDUALS, AND THEY ARE
AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF OUR
STUDENTS FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M.,
WITHIN THE SCHOOL DAY, AND THEY
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ONGOING
ASSURANCE FOR STUDENTS IN NEED,
SO WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE.
THESE IS HELD THROUGH MICROSOFT
TEAMS WHICH IS LINKED TO CANVAS
AND ANYONE WHO NEEDS ASSISTANCE
WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT A
REALITY.
WE HAD 14 STUDENTS SO FAR IN THE
LAST DAY AND A HALF, THE LAST
TWO DAYS, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THIS.
AS WE CONTINUE TO MARKET IN OUR
ELEMENTARY SECTOR WHICH WE KNOW
THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW,
AND THANK YOU FOR OUR PARENTS
FOR TRUSTING IN TEACHERS WHO
HAVE COMMITTED TO SERVE IN THIS
CAPACITY.
IN THE SECOND QUARANTINE, TO
DATE WE HAVE HAD OVER 4600
LEARNING MOMENTS THAT OUR
STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF.
WE HAVE OVER 2,000 STUDENTS
ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN PAPER AND
ONE OF THE THINGS, 4400 SESSIONS
AND 130 ESSAYS HAVE BEEN
REVIEWED TO DATE.
SO THANK YOU FOR OUR TEACHERS
FOR ALLOWING THIS, FOR PUSHING
THIS.
THANK YOU TO OUR STUDENTS FOR
ENGAGING THIS PROCESS.
THIS NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO
IMPROVE.
AND SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE
WEBINARS FOR SCHOOL BASED
ADMINISTRATORS, SITE
ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR TEACHERS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO NOBODY FOCUS
ON LOW USAGE SITES TO BE ABLE TO
PUSH OUT INFORMATION, LET THEM
KNOW THAT IT IS READILY
AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO INTERACT
WITH, AND AT THE SAME TOKEN HAVE
PATIENT INFORMATION SESSIONS AND
CONTINUE TO HAVE SUBJECT AREA
LEADERS AND DEPARTMENT HEAD
MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT HOW PAPER
CAN BE AN ACTIVE SOLUTION TO
HELP THEM WITHIN THEIR
CLASSROOMS TO HELP STUDENTS WHO
MAY NEED ADDITIONAL IS A
ASSISTANCE, AND WEBINARS FOR
EVERY SECOND TUESDAY, WE HAVE
WEBINARS IN ENGLISH AND EVERY
SECOND THURSDAY IN SPANISH TO BE
ABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED FOR
THIS 24/7 TUTORIAL IN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
AND WE THANK ACADEMIC SERVICE
FORCE MAKING THIS A PRIORITY
WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.
AND ALSO SUSPENDED AGENDA.
ONE THING WE CONTINUE TO TALK
ABOUT GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND
PLANNING.
WWE HAD A SUCCESSFUL JOINT
MEETING WITH THE BOCC ON
SEPTEMBER 29th.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THAT TIME TO
BE ABLE TO INTERACT.
IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS,
WE REALLY MOVED THE NEEDLE TO BE
ABLE TO ADDRESS A REALLY
PRESSING NEED FOR OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
THE BIGGEST NEXT STEP IS TO BE
ABLE TO BE REVISE THE LOCAL --
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO BE ABLE
TO REMOVE ANY BARRIERS THAT
EXIST AND HAVING PROPER
ADDITIONS, AND THEN WE'LL
CONTINUE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
OUR OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES TO
THE BOARD, ALL THOSE CONTINUED
INTERACTIONS.
AS WE TALKED ABOUT PROPOSED
CONSTRUCTION PROMISE, THIS YEAR
WE LAUNCHED AN OPEN ADDITION,
SPOTO, WIMAUMA, IN RELATED
SCHOOL ADDITIONS.
IN THE YEARS TO COME WE'LL
CONTINUE NEXT YEAR WITH THE
22-23 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE A NEW
PRE-K THROUGH 8th IN THE
AREA OF WATERSET TO BE ABLE TO
COMPETE AND OFFER SOLUTIONS FOR
THE STUDENTS IN SOUTH COUNTY,
AND THEN ALSO BEING ABLE TO
ADDRESS ADDITIONAL SEATING FOR
ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN
ALSO LOOK AT DOROTHY THOMAS ESE
CENTER AND GIVE THEM A MORE
CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT TO
LEARNING, MOVING FROM PORTABLES
AND BRINGING THEM TO STUDENT
STATIONS FOR INTERACTIONS,
PROPER INTERACTIONS.
AND WE KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF OUR
MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTY, WE
NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
THEN COLLINS MIDDLE SCHOOL TO BE
ABLE TO ADDITIONS TO THAT
PARTICULAR SITE, WILL ALLOW US
TO ADD ADDITIONAL SEATING WHICH
IS AROUND 594 SEATS AT THAT
PARTICULAR LOCATION, TO
ALLEVIATE ANY CROWDING IN THAT
PARTICULAR AREA, TO BE ABLE TO
SERVE STUDENTS DEFINITELY IN
NEED.
AND THEN A FOUR YEAR PLAN IS
ALSO TO OPEN UP A NEW PRE-K 8
AND MANHATTAN SITE AND THEN
OTHER IN PLANT CITY AND YEAR
FIVE TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP A
HIGH SCHOOL UUU WHICH WILL BE
LOCATED IN THE SOUTH COUNTY AS
WELL.
TOGETHER, ALL THESE WILL ADD
OVER 8,000 STUDENT STATIONS
WITHIN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT,
WHICH IS DEFINITELY IN NEED OF
CONTINUING TO GROW IN SOUTH
COUNTY.
THEN WE WILL HAVE A TOTAL NUMBER
OF PROJECTED CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE REVENUE, 2.2 BILLION
WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM A
NUMBER OF LISTED REVENUES WITHIN
OUR COUNTY THAT WE HAVE ATTAINED
LOCALLY AND THROUGHOUT THE
STATE.
AND THEN ALSO WITHOUT TRANSITION
TO ADDRESS OVER $1 MILLION OF
MAINTENANCE AND $700 MILLION,
AND TO PURCHASE PROPERTY IN
CONVERSION OF BUSES AND ADDRESS
DEBT SERVICES WILL BE IN THAT
FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
THEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
LAST MONTH WE HAD SOME OF OUR
EDUCATORS SPEAK ABOUT WHERE WE
ARE FROM TECHNOLOGY.
AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US
AS WE SEE FROM WIRELESS DEVICES
IN SCHOOLS, WE HAVE REPLACED
WIRELESS DEVICES IN 56 OF OUR
SCHOOL SITES, 4700 DEVICES THAT
WE HAVE REREPLACED TO DATE OUT
OF THE 27,000, AND PLEASE KNOW
THIS IS GOING TO BE AT NO COST.
THIS WAS AN INITIATIVE
IMPLEMENTED IN 2017 AND 2018 AND
BEING ABLE TO REPLACE ALL OF
THEM TO HAVE BETTER
CONNECTIVITY, IS A PRIORITY FOR
US AND THAT WILL TAKE PLACE.
ON THE SAME TOKEN WE HAVE DONE
THE SAME THING AT OUR DISTRICT
SITES.
WE HAVE 12 DISTRICT SITES, TOTAL
THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
6 HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED
AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT
A PRIORITY WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.
AND THEN ALSO STUDENT COMPUTERS.
AND WE HAVE ORDERED 62,000
DEVICES, MULTIPLE FEDERAL FUNDS,
APPROXIMATELY 15,000 CURRENTLY,
ANOTHER 62,000 BEING TODAY HE
PLOYED AND OVER THE LAST 18
MONTHS ORDERED OVER 108,000
DEVICES TO PUT IN OUR SCHOOLS TO
HELP ADDRESS CONTINUED WORK, AND
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, AND LOOKING
AT 28,000 CURRENTLY BEING
DEPLOYED TO ELIMINATE THE OLDEST
DEVICES WHICH ARE FIVE YEARS OR
OLDER AND 10,000 IMMEDIATELY
GOING TO TITLE 1 SCHOOLS.
AND YOU WILL SEE 18,000 DEVICES
EXPECTED TO HIT OUR SCHOOLS IN
THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS.
THEN STAFF COMPUTERS.
WE HAVE SO MANY STAFFING.
WHEN WE HIRE STAFF, WE DON'T
USUALLY GET A SET OF KEYS, WE
DON'T GIVE THEM A COMPUTER.
WE HAVE TO GET TO A POINT WHERE
IT'S A STANDARD OPERATING
EXPECTATION, AND WHEN WE HIRE
STAFF, WE GIVE THEM A DEVICE SO
THEY CAN INTERACT SO THEY DON'T
HAVE TO USE THEIR PERSONAL
DEVICES, SO WE HAVE ORDERED
8,000 DEVICES, APPROXIMATELY
2,000 HAVE BEEN SENT AND
DEPLOYED CURRENTLY AND WE'LL
CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS
THIS INTERNAL AND FEDERAL
DOLLARS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
AND THEN LASTLY TO BE ABLE TO
CELEBRATE, AS WE KNOW, AT
GAITHER HIGH SCHOOL, RECOGNIZED
AT USF TEACHER RECIPIENT, LAUREN
MEEHAN, RECEIVED $10,000 --
RECEIVED $1,000 FOR HER EFFORTS
AND WILL BE GIVEN A CUSTOMIZED
JERSEY TO RECOGNIZE HER HARD
EFFORTS AS AN EDUCATOR WITHIN
OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND AS WE
MOVE FORWARD, WE'LL HAVE THIS
WEEK THE ACCELERATE HILLSBOROUGH
PROGRAM, THANK YOU TO ANN MARIE
COURTNEY WHO CONTINUES TO HELP
SPEARHEAD THESE EFFORTS, AND
THIS RECOGNIZES OUR TEACHERS,
SUPPORT STAFF, LEADERS, BIGS
LEADERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS
FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE
DONE, AND WE ARE JUST TRYING TO
FIND WAYS TO REALLY HELP MORALE,
TO REALLY RECOGNIZE OUR
EMPLOYEES.
THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZED NOT ONLY
AT SCHOOLS BUT ALSO AT BOARD
MEETINGS AS WELL, AND ANYONE CAN
BE NOMINATED THROUGH A SHARE
LINK WITH THEIR ORGANIZATION.
TO DATE WE LAUNCHED I THINK
CLOSE TO 200 ALREADY WITHIN THE
FIRST TWO DAYS OF NOMINATIONS
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GOING
THROUGH THOSE AND RECOGNIZING
INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU,
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION.
BOARD MEMBERS, IT LOOKS LIKE WE
HAVE A FEW COMMENTS WITH REGARDS
TO THIS.
MEMBER VAUGHN FOLLOWED BY MEMBER
PEREZ FOLLOWED BY MEMBER COMBS.
THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU TALKED
ABOUT THE 47,000 HOME TESTING
KILTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE
DISTRIBUTED.
HOW DO PEOPLE QUALIFY FOR THOSE?
HOW DO THEY ACCESS THEM?
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING
THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
ONCE WE GET WITH OUR TEAM,
IDENTIFYING HOW WE DISSEMINATE
THEM TO THE SCHOOLS AND HOW THEY
ARE GOING TO BE DISSEMINATED TO
STUDENTS, WE ARE WORKING ON
FINALIZING THAT INFORMATION.
ONCE THAT INFORMATION IS WORKED
THROUGH, THROUGH OUR COVID TEAM,
SHARE WITH THE WORD BOARD, AT
THE SAME TOKEN SHARE WITH OUR
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
>>Jessica Vaughn: I APPRECIATE
IT.
NEXT CAN YOU GIVE AN UPDATE ON
THE ACHIEVE 3000? THAT WASN'T
COMING BEFORE THE BOARD BECAUSE
IT WAS A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT BUT
WHERE WE DO LAND ON THAT?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM YOU
HAVE BEEN BREECHED INDIVIDUALLY
AS BOARD MEMBERS, THROUGH TERRY
CONNOR.
AND I KNOW THAT MR. PORTER IS
ENGAGED IN THAT PROCESS AS WELL.
SO IT'S APP THREE YEAR PROCESS,
A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT THAT WE
AGREE WITH T-3000.
WE DID NOT EXPECT THAT TO BE A
TIER 2 SOLUTION WITHIN OUR
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE DID SEEP THERE WAS MOVEMENT
LAST YEAR WITHIN THE
ORGANIZATION, RELATED TO
LITERACY.
THIS YEAR WE TOLD SCHOOLS IF
THEY WANTED TO IMPLEMENT A
T ---ACHIEVE 37,000 BECAUSE IT
WASN'T GOING TO BE MANDATED BY
THE DISTRICT AS A SEPARATE
MATERIAL THAT SCHOOL BASED
LEADERS NEEDED TO GO LEVERAGE
THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
TEAMS AND HAVE A VOTE WITH THEIR
STAFF WHO ARE GOING TO USE THAT
AND BRING THAT VOTE BACK TO A
POSITIVE OVER 15% WITHIN THEIR
SCHOOLS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE THOSE
AND LEVERAGE IT AND THEN
TRANSITION AND BRING IT BACK TO
ACADEMIC SERVICES.
TO DATE, WE HAD I BELIEVE 62
SCHOOLS THAT HAVE ELECTED
THROUGH THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL
LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO USE THIS
PRODUCT, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I
WILL SAY, WE SPENT MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN TRAINING OUR
TEACHERS, AND OUR TEACHERS IF
THEY WANT TO USE IT, THIS IS THE
BEST WAY FOR THEM TO USE AS A
SOUNDING BOARD TO BE ABLE TO
BRING THAT BACK THIS YEAR, 62
SCHOOLS WILL BE IMPLEMENTING
ACHIEVE 3000 AND IT IS THE WILL
AND DECISION, A SCHOOL BASED
DECISION AND WE WILL LEVERAGE
SAI AND POTENTIALLY ESSER FUNDS
TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT AND
PAPER FOR THAT COST, FOR THE
CONTRACT.
THE CONTRACT WAS OVER $4 MILLION
FOR A 3 YEAR CONTRACT.
WE NOW ANNUALLY REDUCED THAT TO
1.2 MILLION THAT WE USE AND
LEVERAGE THROUGH SAI WHICH IS A
IT COULD GORECKAL USE, TO
ADDRESS THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.
SO BIGGEST THING, ONE THING WE
DIDN'T WANT TO DO IS SELECTIVELY
ABANDON IT BUT WE WANTED IT TO
BE A SCHOOL CHOICE WHERE YOU HAD
BUY-IN AND THAT'S WHERE WE
CURRENTLY SIT RIGHT NOW.
>>Jessica Vaughn: WHEN ARE WE
GOING TO GET THAT BIDDING? YOU
KNOW THE SENT VAY OUT FOR
PARENTAL ON THE ESSER FUNDS.
ARE WE GOING TO GET SOME
FEEDBACK ON THE SURVEY RESULTS?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
I'LL LET MS. BROWN ADDRESS THAT.
>>Tracye Brown: THANK YOU.
THE SURVEY CLOSES OCTOBER
10th SO WE WILL GET THAT
GATHERED AND GET THAT TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT SO HE CAN GET TO
THE EACH BOARD MEMBER.
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.
AND I AM GLAD YOU ADDRESSED THE
TECHNOLOGY UP THERE BECAUSE I AM
GETTING CONSTANT COMPLAINTS
ABOUT COMPUTER PROGRAMS WE HAVE,
OUR TECHNOLOGY NOT BEING CAUGHT
UP AND CAUSING HUGE LAG TIME AND
DELAYS WITH TEACHERS TRYING TO
ACCESS TECHNOLOGY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE
INFORMATION, BUT TIMEWISE,
TIMELINE, I KNOW WE HAVE NEW
COMPUTERS GOING OUT, I KNOW WE
HAVE SOME TECHNOLOGY THINGS
SHOWING UP, BUT TIMELINE, JUST
WAR WE EXPECTING?
HOW LONG BEFORE WE HAVE TEACHERS
WHO ARE ABLE TO USE TECHNOLOGY
AND NOT HAVE A 10 TO 15 MINUTE
LAG TIME ON COMPUTER PROGRAMS?
>>Addison Davis: I WILL LET MR.
WEEKS ADDRESS THAT.
ONE THING I WILL SAY IS THAT THE
MAJORITY OF DELAY IS RELATED TO
TWO FOLD, RELATED TO COVID TO BE
ABLE TO GET THE DEVICES IN OUR
SCHOOLS AND BEING ABLE TO
LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDING, AND
THE SECOND ONE IS THE OLD
DEVICES.
WHAT IS CREATING THE BOG DOWN
NOW IS WE HAVE REALLY OLD
DEVICES THAT ARE FIVE, EIGHT,
TEN YEARS OF AGE IN OUR SCHOOLS,
AND THE NEW SOPHISTICATED
UPDATES AND SYSTEMS THAT WE ARE
TRYING TO IMPLEMENT IS SLOWING
IT DOWN.
I WILL LET MR. WEEKS ADDRESS
THAT.
WEEKS WEEKS TO ADDRESS THAT
BASICALLY AS MR. DAVIS POINTED
OUT EARLIER, PART OF OUR EFFORT
IS TO REPLACE ALL THE OLDEST
DEVICES WE HAVE WITHIN THE
DISTRICT.
WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH DEVICES
WITHIN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS TO
ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH THAT, ALL
TAMPA DEVICES THAT ARE FIVE
YEARS OR OLDER, THE STUDENT
DEVICES AND THEN WE WILL HAVE
ENOUGH FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE
TO REPLACE ALL OF THOSE.
WE EXPECT THOSE TO BE DEPLOYED
OVER THE NEXT PROBABLY TWO TO
THREE MONTHS.
WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE THE
MAJORITY OF THAT IN PLACE PRIOR
TO THE START OF THE NEW CALENDAR
YEAR.
SOME OF THIS IS CONTINGENT UPON
THE FACT THAT WE MAY STILL SEE
SOME CHALLENGES WITH SUPPLY
CHAIN CONSTRAINTS.
HOWEVER, MOST OF THE DEVICES WE
ARE SPEAKING OF ARE ALREADY
PURCHASED AND WITH OUR VENDORS
AND ARE AWAITING SHIPMENT TO US.
WE HAVE RECEIVED A LARGE NUMBER
OF THEM, AND SOME BASICALLY JUST
IN TRANSPORT BUT THOSE DEVICES
SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO AT LEAST GET
US TO A POINT WHERE THE AGED
DEVICES ARE OUT OF THE DISTRICT,
OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR TEACHERS
AND STUDENTS' HANDS.
SO THAT'S REALLY THE BIGGEST
THING THAT WE ARE FOCUS ON AT
THIS POINT.
AGE HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE
PROBLEM THAT WE ARE SEEING AT
MOST OF THE SITES.
>>Jessica Vaughn: TWO TO THREE
WEEKS BUT DEFINITELY BUILT END
OF THE YEAR?
>> BY THE END OF THE YEAR IS
WHAT WE ARE PLANNING ON FOR THE
ACTUAL REPLACEMENT, FOR THE
MAJORITY OF THOSE DEVICES, YES.
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
MEMBER PEREZ.
>>Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR.
SO WE ALL HAVE A STICKLER HERE
ON THE SIDE OF OUR MONITOR THAT
SAYS WE BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN
BE EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND TO
SUCCEED.
I AM GOING TO GO TO YOUR GROWTH
MANAGEMENT IN PLANNING.
SO I REQUESTED, I DID PROVIDE
WRITTEN INFORMATION ON THE
STUDENTS BEING BUSSED ACROSS THE
COUNTY.
AND THE SCHOOLS IN OUR
TRANSFORMATION NETWORK AREA THAT
CONTINUE TO REMAIN VIRTUALLY
UPDATED BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS ARE
BEING BUSSED ACROSS THE COUNTY
TO FILL SEATS IN OTHER SCHOOLS.
AND I GET -- I TOTALLY GET THAT
WOMB AND SOUTH TAMPA ARE BUSTING
AT THE SEAMS.
BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT A LOT OF
THEM ARE BUSTING AT THE SEAMS
BECAUSE CHILDREN, THE
TRANSFORMATION NETWORK AREA, ARE
BEING BUSSED TO FILL SEATS IN
OTHER SCHOOLS.
NOW, I SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES
FROM THIS DAIS, AND I AM GOING
TO CONTINUE SAYING IT BECAUSE
IT'S A CONCERN TO ME.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF
MONEY GOING INTO NEW
CONSTRUCTION, AND WE STILL HAVE
NOT ADDRESSED LOOKING AT THE
NEAR EMPTY SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS IN
DISREPAIR, AND THE STUDENTS WHO
CONTINUE TO BE BUSSED, OUR
STUDENTS ARE BEING DENIED, WHEN
THEY ARE BUSSED ACROSS COUNTY,
THEY ARE BEING DENIED
PARTICIPATION IN AFTER SCHOOL
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.
AND LET LET ME EMPHASIZE WHY
THAT'S A PROBLEM.
BECAUSE THIS AFFECTS POTENTIAL
FUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THESE
STUDENTS, AND CAREERS.
FOR THESE STUDENTS.
ALSO, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO
ATTEND SUPPORT STUDY GROUPS,
JOIN CLUBS OR SUPPORT POSSIBLE
SIBLING GROUPS THAT THEY MAY BE
PART OF IN HELPING THEIR
PARENTS.
AND I KNOW THAT THIS MAY NOT
BE -- THIS IS JUST NOT AN ISSUE
BUT IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY AND WE
ABSOLUTELY DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO
WASTE IN THIS COUNTY.
SO I AM GOING TO CONTINUE ASKING
HOW MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE
BEING BUSSED AWAY FROM THE
SCHOOLS THAT ARE VIRTUALLY EMPTY
AND LIVE AROUND THOSE AREAS.
AND WHY CONDITION WE NOT FIX
THOSE SCHOOLS, BRING THEM UP TO
WORKING CONDITIONS, LOOKING
GREAT, WHERE OUR CHILDREN DON'T
NEED TO BE BUSSED ACROSS THIS
COUNTY IN ORDER TO HAVE THE SAME
SAME TECHNOLOGY, THE SAME
EVERYTHING THAT OTHER STUDENTS
HAVE?
I JUST NEED THAT QUESTION
ANSWERED.
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR.
MR. FARKAS.
>>Christopher Farkas: SO WE HAVE
THAT INFORMATION.
WE JUST GOT IT TOGETHER AND
ACTUALLY GOT E-MAILED, BECAUSE
TODAY IS WHEN HE GOT THAT
INFORMATION.
BUT IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT LONGER
TO DO THAT, BECAUSE WHERE WE BUS
IS DIFFERENT.
AND I WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE
EXAMPLES REAL QUICK IN THE AREA
OF WHERE YOU LIVE.
SO WHART MAN, WE BUS ABOUT 400,
500 KIDS UP TO WHARTON.
IT'S CALLED SATELLITE, NOT
CONNECTED.
HOWEVER, FREEDOM ACTUALLY BUSES
FROM THAT SAME AREA BUT IT'S
CONNECTED, IT'S CONTIGUOUS.
SO WE WORKED WITH
TRANSPORTATION, WITH GROWTH
MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING TO GET
THOSE NUMBERS.
IT TOOK A LITTLE LONGER THAN WE
THOUGHT BUT I ASSUME THAT
INFORMATION WILL BE OUT TO THE
BOARD BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE MR. DAVIS
LOOKS AT IT FIRST BUT YOU SHOULD
GET IT IN THE NEXT 24, 48 HOURS.
>>Karen Perez: SO NOT ONLY WOULD
THAT INFORMATION IMPACT OUR
STUDENT, IT WOULD IMPACT THE
TRANSPORTATION THAT WE HAVE THAT
IS SO CRITICAL IN THIS COUNTY,
THAT'S REALLY AFFECTING -- WE
DON'T HAVE DRIVERS.
SO LOOKING AT ALL THAT
INFORMATION, WE ARE DIGGING INTO
HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS MORE
EFFECTIVE.
IT'S GOING TO HELP THIS
DISTRICT, NOT HURT IT.
AND IT'S GOING TO HELP THESE
STUDENTS THAT ARE BEING AFFECTED
BY THIS WHOLE THING.
>>Christopher Farkas: I AGREE
WITH YOU.
THAT'S A BIG PART OF -- THE
BOUNDARY CHANGE IS HOLISTIC AND
THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE
CONVERSATION AS WELL.
>>Addison Davis: ABSOLUTELY.
>>Lynn Gray: MEMBER PEREZ, ARE
YOU OKAY?
YES, QUESTIONS NEED TO BE
ANSWERED, CERTAINLY.
MEMBER WASHINGTON, AFTER YOU,
THEN WE ARE GOING TO RIGHT TO
EMPLOYEE COMMENTS.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAN
K YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
QUESTION.
WE ARE HAVING THE -- AND I KNOW
THEY ARE DOING TECHNOLOGY IN THE
DISTRICT.
CAN YOU GIVE ME AN UPDATE HOW WE
ARE LOOKING IN TECHNOLOGY IN
DISTRICT 5?
BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE MY DISTRICT
IS MAINLY, OKAY.
>>Addison Davis: BEFORE MR.
WEEKS COMES UP AND ADDRESSES
THAT, WHEN WE HAVE THE 18,000
DEVICES THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY
GOING TO IMPLEMENT, 10,000 WILL
BE TO TITLE 1 SCHOOLS, THE
NEXT -- IT IS A PRIORITY.
ONE OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS WAS,
WITH THE 4700 WI-FI REPLACEMENTS
AND WE HAD 20,000 TO GO THAT
PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE
END OF THE YEAR AS WELL, MAKING
CERTAIN THAT TITLE 1 SCHOOLS ARE
A PRIORITY AS WELL.
>> MR. WEEKS: AS SUPERINTENDENT
DAVIS STATED OUR PRIORITY AT
THIS POINT IS REALLY REPLACING
ALL THE OLDEST DEVICES.
TITLE 1 HAS 10,000 DEVICES,
QUARANTINE TO GO OUT TO TITLE 1
SCHOOLS AT THIS POINT.
ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL DEVICES
THAT WE ARE PURCHASING BEYOND
THE INITIAL 18,625 THAT WE HAVE
JUST RECENTLY SUBMITTED AN ORDER
FOR, ALL THESE ADDITIONAL
DEVICES ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO
MOVE US GOING TOWARDS PUSHING US
TOWARDS A ONE TO ONE INITIATIVE
AT ALL OF OUR SCHOOL SITES, FOR
NOT ONLY JUST DISTRICT 5,
HOWEVER WE ARE LOOKING AT REALLY
ACCOMPLISHING THIS THROUGH ALL
OF OUR SCHOOLS, THROUGHOUT ALL
OF THE DISTRICT.
WE ARE TRYING TO HIT THE HIGHEST
NEEDED AREAS POSSIBLE, AREAS
WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
COMPUTERS FOR STUDENTS.
WE ARE TRYING TO FOCUS ON THOSE,
REPLACE THE OLDEST EQUIPMENT,
SUPPLEMENT THOSE, SUPPLEMENT
THAT EQUIPMENT IN THOSE SCHOOLS
WITH NEWER DEVICES, AND THEN
WORK ULTIMATELY TOWARDS THAT ONE
TO ONE INITIATIVE.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: SOUN
DS GOOD, BUT WE ARE NOT IN
THE -- NOT REFRESHING COMPUTERS
LIKE BEE WEE USED TO.
>> AT THIS POINT WE ARE TRYING
TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE OUR
AVERAGE AGE IS APPROXIMATELY TWO
AND A HALF TO THREE YEARS OLD
WHICH PUTS US ON A FOUR YEAR
REFRESH CYCLE MEANING THAT OUR
OLDEST DEVICES WILL BE
APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS OLD.
SO WE WILL START LOOKING TOWARDS
A REFRESH AFTER WE GO THROUGH
THIS INITIAL ROUND OF REPLACING
EVERYTHING.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAN
K YOU.
APPRECIATE IT.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
WASHINGTON.
ONE THING I WANTED TO ASK THE
GORED BORD FOR A REMARK AND
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, I WAS
LOOKING AT THE PAPER, P-A-P-E-R,
AND THE ACRONYM, I KNOW THE
REMOTE LEARNING IS HERE,
HOPEFULLY TO A LESS DEGREE THAN
NOW, COULD WE NOT PUT THIS ON
THE SUSPENDED AGENDA, THE USAGE?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
>>Lynn Gray: IT'S VERY SERIOUS
BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING
INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO
KNOW.
IT WAS A BIG INVESTMENT.
WOULD THAT BE OKAY, BOARD
MEMBERS? ARE YOU AGREEABLE TO
THAT?
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE EMPLOYEE COMMENT.
AND WE HAVE FOUR EMPLOYEES.
IN YOU WILL GO, I AM GOING TO
READ THE GUIDELINES.
WE WILL NOW TAKE EMPLOYEE INPUT.
EVEN THOUGH WE HEAR PUBLIC
COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
MEETING, IT IS SOMETIMES
DIFFICULT FOR EMPLOYEES OF OUR
DISTRICT TO ATTEND MEETINGS AT 4
P.M.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS FOR
EMPLOYEES TO MAKE THEIR VOICES
HEARD INCLUDING THROUGH UNION
REPRESENTATIVES, E-MAILS, PHONE
CALLS, ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS,
AND PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
THE BOARD WANTS TO HEAR FROM
YOU.
WITH THIS SECTION OF OUR AGENDA,
WE ARE CREATING ANOTHER AVENUE
FOR EMPLOYEES TO SPEAK TO THE
BOARD.
WE ARE SETTING ASIDE 30 MINUTES
FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT TO
SPEAK TO THE BOARD ABOUT ANY
ISSUES THAT ARE ON YOUR MIND.
THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A
DISCUSSION ABOUT SPECIFIC AGENDA
ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA, BUT
RATHER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO
SPEAK TO THE BOARD ABOUT ANY
ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR JOB OR
THIS DISTRICT.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE
MINUTES.
MR. KRIETE, THEN MS. GLICK, MS.
LEWIS, THEN -- AT THIS TIME IT'S
GOOD EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS,
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, STAFF.
AS IF THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS NOT
HAD ITS OWN SHARE OF TRIALS AND
TRIBULATIONS, NOW WE SEE THAT
THERE ARE SOCIAL MEDIA
CHALLENGES WHEREIN STUDENTS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO DAMAGE THEIR
SCHOOL, WORSE, BRING VIOLENCE TO
THEIR SITES AND TEACHERS.
USING THE APPROVED CURRICULUM IS
SUPER CHALLENGING FOR OUR
TEACHERS.
FINDING TIME TO TEACH ABOUT
RESPONSIBLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
IS ANOTHER THING FALLING TO THE
SHOULDERS OF OUR TEACHERS.
PARENTS, WE NEED YOUR HELP IN
HELPING OUR STUDENTS KNOW HOW TO
USE SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBLY,
AND SCHOOL BOARD, WE NEED YOUR
SUPPORT IN ATTACHING DOWN THESE
STUDENT BEHAVIORS THAT ARE
INCITED BY ANONYMOUS SOCIAL
MEDIA SITES.
VIOLENCE BROUGHT TO OUR SCHOOLS
AND TEARSERS CANNOT BE
TOLERATED.
I WON'T DIGNIFY THE PLATFORM OR
THE CHALLENGE HERE TODAY, BUT WE
ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AGAINST ALL
OF THIS NONSENSE.
I WILL, HOWEVER, OFFER A FEW
OTHER CHALLENGES FOR STUDENTS.
HOW ABOUT NO TARDY OCTOBER?
EVERYBODY GET TO CLASS ON TIME.
I LIKE THAT ONE.
I HAVE TAKE A SUPPLY, LEAVE A
SUPPLY IN NOVEMBER.
>>Lynn Gray: THIS IS GREAT.
>> I AM THINKING REALLY OUT OF
THE BOX HERE.
READ A BOOK IN DECEMBER.
OKAY.
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ ONE BEFORE,
NOW IS THE TIME.
I CAN GO ON.
I REALLY COULD.
BUT REALLY, WE DO NEED HELP WITH
THESE SOCIAL MOO YEAH
CHALLENGES.
WE HOPE THAT WE HAVE YOUR FULL
SUPPORT IN ATTACHING THESE DOWN.
AND I HAVE GOT ONE OTHER
CHALLENGE I GUESS FOR BOARD
MEMBERS.
SETTLE THE CONTRACT IN NOVEMBER.
OR BY NOVEMBER EVEN.
HOW IS THAT?
BE SAFE AND THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MR.
KRIETE FOR YOUR EDUCATIONAL FUN
FACT OR FUN-TO-DO LIST.
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
WE REALLY DO.
HIEDI GLICK?
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THE COMPUTERS.
WE GOT NEW ONES AT ALONZO.
MINE WAS 15 YEARS OLD.
INSTEAD OF TAKING 30 MINUTES AND
WANTING TO THROW IT OUT THE
WINDOW, IT TAKES ABOUT 30 SECOND
AND I AM VERY EXCITED.
AND PEOPLE FROM I.T. WERE GREAT
AT MY SCHOOL.
THEY LAUGHED AT ALL MY JOKES SO
RIGHT AWAY THEY WERE MY
FAVORITE.
BUT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT
THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DO BUT
TEACHERS DID, SO I GOT HELP FROM
THEM.
AND LAST NIGHT I MENTIONED HOW
EXCITED I WAS ABOUT PUTTING OUT
PEOPLE TO BE NOMINATED.
I THINK IT IS EVERY SINGLE
PERSON THAT WORKS IN THIS SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
WE SHOW UP.
WE DO OUR JOB.
YOU GUYS KNOW, I WORK LATE,
EVERYBODY WORKS LATE, I WAS
SITTING IN THE BACK GRADING
PAPERS AND LISTENING AT THE SAME
TIME, AND PERFECT TIMING,
FINISHED THE LAST ONE WHEN YOU
CALLED US.
SO WHAT I AM DOING HERE TONIGHT
AS AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD, IT
IS MY JOB AND MY DUTY TO
REPRESENT MY HEBES MEMBERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF OUR
MEMBERS COULD NOT BE HERE THIS
EVENING SO SHE WROTE A SPEECH.
YOU GUYS HAVE HANDOUTS.
AND I AM JUST GOING TO READ IT.
DEAR BOARD MEMBERS AND
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
I UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT ATTEND
MEETINGS AS I HAVE TO WORK ONE
OF MY SECOND JOBS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTIVENESS
TO MY REPRESENTATIVE.
I AM HORRIFIED AT THE DIRECTION
THIS DISTRICT IS GOING REGARDING
PRINTED MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS.
NEVER BEFORE HAS IT BEEN SO
CLEARLIEST THAT A DECISION WAS
MADE FROM A BUSINESS MIND-SET
RATHER AN AN EDUCATIONAL ONE.
YES, WE HAVE BILLS AND CUTS NEED
TO BE MADE BUT TO THROW OUT ALL
RESEARCH AND HINDER MONEY IS THE
OPPOSITE OF STRENGTH.
IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT WE AS A
DISTRICT ARE MOVING AWAY FROM
PAPER COPIES TO ALL ONLINE
MATERIALS.
I CANNOT FIND A SINGLE SOURCE
THAT SUPPORTS THIS MOVE BASED ON
RESEARCH OR PEDAGOGY.
I LOVE TECHNOLOGY.
THAT'S NOT ME.
AND I INCORPORATE IT REGULARLY.
HOWEVER, STUDY AFTER PEER
REVIEWED STUDY PROVES THAT
STUDENTS DO NOT LEARN BEST BY
TYPING.
IF YOU ARE SURPRISED TO HEAR
THIS, THEN HAVE NO FEAR, I HAVE
PROVIDED COPIES OF ANALYSIS FROM
NPR, THE NEW YORK TIMES, INSIDE
HIGHER ED AND ABSTRACT FROM A
WORLD FAMOUS PUBLISHED STUDY.
I EVERYBODY GOT THE PACKET,
RIGHT?
OKAY.
I IMPLORE YOU TO READ THE
MATERIALS SO YOU MAY BETTER
UNDERSTAND HOW IMPERATIVE IT IS
FOR STUDENTS TO PUT TANGIBLE
WORK IN THEIR HAND.
THEY NEED TO TEXT MARK,
MANIPULATE AND AUTHOR, THEY NEED
TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY.
YOU ARE GUTTING OUR ABILITY TO
TEACH EFFECTIVELY.
WHEN MY LAST SCHOOL WAS DOWN THE
ONLY COPIER I SPENT $300 TO MAKE
COPIES.
WHEN THE DISTRICT SAID THAT
STUDENTS DO NOT NEED COLOR
COPIES FOR MAPS AND DIAGRAMS I
PURCHASED MY OWN COLORED PRINTER
TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR LEARNING.
MAKE YOUR BUDGET CUTS AS NEEDED
BUT DO SO INTELLIGENTLY.
THIS IS BLANK.
AND SHOWS A TOTAL LACK OF
UNDERSTANDING TO THE CLASSROOM.
YOU REMEMBER BACK IN 2019 ALL
THE CHATTER THAT TEACHING WAS
CHANGING TO ONLINE AND 100
STUDENTS IN THE ROOM?
THE PANDEMIC PROVED THAT WAS A
LAUGHABLE BELIEF.
PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR LOWER
TEST SCORES TO PROVE THE KNEW I
SHALL INITIATIVE LIKE SO MANY
OTHERS.
PLEASE READ THE RESEARCH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MRS.
GLICK.
NEXT WILL BE LEWIS FOLLOWED BY
CARUTHA.
AND I SEE WE HAVE SOME GUESTS.
OKAY.
>> I'M VERY NERVOUS.
>>Lynn Gray: JUST TAKE IT EASY.
YOU ARE IN A GOOD PLACE.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
>> I'M LEWIS FROM HILLSBOROUGH
HIGH SCHOOL AND FIRST I WANT TO
THANK NADIA AND MS. PEREZ FOR
DONATING TO OUR ADOPT A TEACHER
GROUP.
MS. PEREZ CAME ON THE LAST DAY
OF SCHOOL SO THESE STUDENTS HAVE
DEVICES TO TAKE HOME, TO
CONTINUE THE WORK IN QUARANTINE
AND SUCH, AND MY KIDS ARE -- I
ALSO WANT TO THANK ADDISON DAVIS
FOR BRINGING PAPER, BECAUSE IT
HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER.
SO NADIA CAME TO MY SCHOOL AND
WALKED MY WALK FOR AN ENTIRE
DAY, AND TAUGHT MY STUDENTS
ABOUT THE DECISION-MAKING
PROCESS THAT YOU GUYS DO ON A
REGULAR BASIS BECAUSE WE ARE
LEARNING HOW BUSINESSES MAKE
INFORMED DECISIONS.
I WANT TO ADDRESS TWO CONCERNS
WITHIN MY SCHOOL.
THEY WANTED TO SPEAK BUT
OBVIOUSLY I WAS ALREADY SIGNED
UP SO I AM BRINGING -- WANT TO
SPEAK IN REGARDS TO NUTRITIONAL
SERVICES AND THE LACK OF WATER
AT HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.
YES.
SO BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION, MY
CHILDREN, STUDENTS AT
HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL ARE NOT
ABLE TO GET BREAKFAST AND
BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TIME A
SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME FOR LUNCH,
THEY DO NOT GET LUNCH.
THEY CANNOT GET LUNCH.
WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO DO INSTEAD
OF SKIP LUNCH BECAUSE THEY DO
WANT TO HAVE TIME WITH THEIR
FRIENDS.
AND THAT'S THE ONLY TIME THEY
GET TO EAT. IN MY FACEBOOK
GROUP THEY GET LUNCH EVERY
WEEK --
AND MY SECOND CONCERN IS FOR
AREA 5.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE BOARD IS
AWARE OF THIS OR NOT, BUT OUR
MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION,
SUMMER READING BY KELLY
SERVICES.
I WAS ANGERED IN JULY.
WHY IS KELLY SERVICES TEACHING
AREA 5 STUDENTS?
WHERE IN THE NATION DOES ANY
UNCERTIFIED READING TEACHER
TEACH OUR MOST VULNERABLE
POPULATION?
THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
AND NO NO WAY THAT SHOULD --
>>Lynn Gray: YOU HAVE 30 SECOND.
>> OH, I'M SORRY.
IN NO WAY SHOULD WE HAVE KELLY
SERVICES INSTRUCTING OUR MOST
VULNERABLE POSITIONS.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE KIDS
DON'T HAVE TEACHERS RIGHT NOW.
AND WE ARE GOING TO REPEAT THAT
FOR THE SUMMER.
THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.
>>Lynn Gray: YOUR POINTS ARE
VERY WELL HEARD AND VERY
IMPORTANT.
AND SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, I KNOW
THAT HE'S HEARD EACH OF YOU.
I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T SPOKEN, BUT
WE HEAR YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE AND
YOUR COMMITMENT THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM
CARISSA BENICCA.
GOOD MS. BENICCA.
>> I'M EXHAUSTED.
I WOULD RATHER BE HOME RIGHT NOW
WITH MY OWN KIDS.
BUT I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THOSE
WHO CAN'T.
AND I THINK YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO
ME BECAUSE IF THINGS CONTINUE
ON, ME AND OTHERS LIKE ME AREN'T
GOING TO CONTINUE TO SPEAK TO
YOU.
WE ARE JUST GOING TO QUIT.
I LOVE TEACHING.
EVEN THROUGH ALL OF COVID, I
LOVE TEACHING.
BUT WE CONTINUE TO BE ASKED FOR
MORE AND MORE WITHOUT ANYTHING
GIVEN TO US.
THERE ARE LESS ADULTS ON CAMPUS
AND WE ARE TOLD WE SHOULD GIVE
UP OUR TEAM TO WATCH THE
HALLWAYS.
THERE ARE LESS STUDENTS AND WE
ARE TOLD WE HAVE TO COVER
MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK.
THERE ARE MORE GAPS OF KNOWLEDGE
IN OUR STUDENTS AND WE ARE TOLD
WE SHOULD ACCELERATE THEIR
LEARNING BUT WE ARE ALSO TOLD
THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL YEAR AND
ALL THE PRESENTATIONS AND THE
PEP RALLIES AND THE CLUB DAYS
THAT INTERRUPT LEARNING ARE
GOING FULL FORCE.
I DON'T HATE THOSE BUT THERE'S
TOO MANY.
THEY ARE MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK
SOMETIMES.
SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
WE NEED MORE TIME WITH OUR
STUDENTS.
ONE WAY IS A POLICY HOLDING
SCHOOLS TO ONLY ONE DAY A WEEK
THAT INTERFERES WITH CLASSES AND
TESTING.
WE NEED SUBSTITUTES, OR WE NEED
A DIFFERENT CONTRACT WITH KELLY
SERVICES IF THEY CAN'T PROVIDE
THEM.
WE NEED ADULTS TO MONITOR
STUDENTS DURING CLASSES AND
DURING LUNCHES.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES
I HAVE TO UNIT MY CLASSROOM
BECAUSE THERE ARE KIDS IN THE
HALLWAY ACTING UP.
WE HAD ANOTHER AT MY SCHOOL, WE
HAD ANOTHER SOAP DISPEN PENSER
MISSING IN A BOY'S BATHROOM.
THERE'S SO MUCH THAT CAN BE
HANDLED WITH JUST ADULTS BEING
ABLE TO BE IN THE HALLWAY.
WE NEED A DATE TO SET UP FOR
MARKETING FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL
UNITS, AND WE VERY BADLY NEED TO
SET UP SOMETHING TO GO BACK TO
THE TABLE FOR OUR ESPs BECAUSE
THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
I AM GETTING TIRED OF BEING
TIRED.
SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE AND YOU
DON'T WANT IT TO BE YOUR
EMPLOYEES.
VALUE US WITH YOUR ACTIONS, NOT
WITH YOUR WORDS.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: VERY WELL SAID.
THANK YOU.
AT THIS TIME, BOARD MEMBERS, WE
HAVE CONCLUDED OUR EMPLOYEE
COMMENTS, AND WE WANT TO THANK
OUR EMPLOYEES AND ENCOURAGE THEM
TO COME AND SPEAK WITH THIS TIME
ALLOTMENT.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO
HEAR FROM OUR TEACHERS AND OUR
STAFF AND OUR ESP AND DOWN THE
LINE IT GOES.
THANK YOU, MR. KRIETE.
AT THIS TIME, WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS
TO BE HEARD.
C-6035, C 611, C 612, C 613, C
614, C 615, C 616, Y 621, C 702,
C 1102 AND C 1103.
11.03, DISCUSSION REGARDING THE
COMMISSION OF EDUCATION'S
SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2021 LETTER
REGARDING PROTOCOLS FOR
CONTROLLING COVID-19 IN SCHOOL
SETTINGS INCLUDING MANDATORY
FACIAL COVERINGS.
FIRST WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR
ATTORNEY, JIM PORTER, AND HE
WILL HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM.
>>Jim Porter: THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS.
BOARD MEMBERS, YOU WILL RECALL
THAT ON AUGUST 18th THIS
BOARD HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING
TO -- THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND
STAFF IN QUARANTINE AND
ISOLATION AND THE NUMBER OF
STUDENTS AND STAFF THAT WERE
AFFECTED WITH COAST.
AT THAT MEETING YOU HEARD FROM A
PANEL OF MEDICAL EXPERTS FROM
TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL AS WELL
AS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
HILLSBOROUGH.
AT THAT TIME THE BOARD ACTED
UNDER AN EMERGENCY RULE MAKING
POWER TO SUPPLEMENT THE MASK
MANDATE POLICY IN EFFECT IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BY REQUIRING
A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ALONG WITH
THE PARENTAL OPT OUT.
YOU WILL RECALL THAT PRIOR TO
THAT, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD
INITIATED A MASK MANDATE THAT
ALLOWED FOR PARENTAL OPT
ROUTEOUT.
YOU WILL ALSO RECALL THE
GOVERNOR AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH ISSUES ISSUED AND
EMERGENCY RULE THAT REQUIRES
DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE FOR
PARENTAL OPT OUT FOR MASK
MANDATES.
THE INITIAL EMERGENCY RULE THAT
WAS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH WAS SILENT ON WHETHER A
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS ALLOWED.
THEREFORE, HILLSBOROUGH ALONG
WITH 11 OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS
HAVE TAKEN A POSITION THAT THAT
EMERGENCY RULE ADOPTED BY THIS
BOARD WAS LEGAL AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW BECAUSE
THE EMERGENCY RULE IS SILENT
ABOUT A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, ON SEPTEMBER
22ND, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
ISSUED A NEW EMERGENCY RULE THAT
SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THE OPT
OUT FOR MASK MANDATE MUST BE AT
THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE
PARENT.
THE BOARD ALSO WILL RECALL THAT
YOU EXTENDED YOUR 30-DAY MASK
MANDATE WITH A MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE UNTIL OCTOBER
15th.
SO WHERE WE ARE POISED NOW IS
YOUR MASK MANDATE WITH A MEDICAL
OPT OUT PROVISION IS SET TO
EXPIRE ON OCTOBER 15 N.
WE HAVE RECEIVED COMMUNICATION
FROM THE STATE ALONG WITH THE
OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE
TAKEN SIMILAR POSITIONS THAT THE
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
WILL BE HOLDING A MEETING THIS
THURSDAY ON OCTOBER 7th.
THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
HAS INDICATED THAT HE INTENDS TO
RECOMMEND THAT HILLSBOROUGH AND
OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE
PROVIDING FOR AN OPT OUT WITH A
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ARE NOT IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE EMERGENCY
RULE.
IN THE PAST WHEN THIS HAS
HAPPENED, BROWARD AND ALACHUA
COUNTIES WHO ARE SIMILARLY
SITUATED RECEIVED NOTICE THAT
THEY WOULD BE PENALIZED OR
RECEIVE SANCTIONS IN AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
SALARIES.
WE RECEIVED COMMUNICATION TODAY
THAT -- AND I WANT TO READ TO
THE YOU BECAUSE I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT THAT IT BE ON THE
RECORD -- THAT IN ADDITION TO
WITHHOLDING SALARIES, THIS IS
WHAT THE COMMISSIONER OF
EDUCATION IS RECOMMENDING TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR
THOSE DISTRICTS WHO STILL HAVE
THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AS A
REQUIREMENT.
IN ADDITION TO WITHHOLDING HALF
OF ALL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
SALARY, WITHHOLDING FUNDS EQUAL
IN AN AMOUNT TO ANY FEDERAL
GRANT FUNDS -- EXCUSE ME -- IN
AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ANY FEDERAL
GRANT FUNDS AWARDED TO SCHOOL
BOARD FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE
EMERGENCY RULE.
SO THE BOARD HAS SEVERAL OPTIONS
TODAY.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO ALLOW THE
CURRENT MANDATE WITH THE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE TO SUNSET ON OCTOBER
15th.
IF YOU DO THAT, THERE IS A
CONSIDERABLE RISK TO THE
DISTRICT THAT THIS BOARD AND
THIS DISTRICT WILL BE FOUND TO
BE NONNOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
LAW AND THERE WILL BE FINANCIAL
SANCTIONS LEVIED AGAINST THIS
BOARD EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF
HALF YOUR SALARIES PLUS ANY
FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT RESULT FROM
YOU DEFYING THE STATE ORDER.
YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO HAVE
THE -- EXCUSE ME -- THE
REQUIREMENT TO HAVE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE ENDED TODAY OR
TOMORROW, AND THAT WAY WOULD BE
BEFORE THE STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION MET.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE UNDER IS WE ARE
ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE
ELIMINATION OF THE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE.
BEFORE THIS BOARD EVEN ACTED,
THE SUPERINTENDENT IMPOSED A
MASK MANDATE THAT ALLOWED FOR
PARENTAL OPT OUT.
THAT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER AND
THE STATE RULE.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE
BOARD DOES TODAY, WHETHER YOU
CHOOSE TO END THE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT TODAY,
LET IT RIDE UNTIL OCTOBER
15th, THERE WILL STILL BE A
MASK MANDATE IN HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY BUT THERE WON'T BE A
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE NEEDED.
IT WILL BE A PARENTAL OPT OUT
ONLY.
THAT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EMERGENCY
RULE, AND WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
EXECUTIVE ORDER.
I JUST GAVE YOU A LOT OF
INFORMATION, BUT THOSE ARE THE
OPTIONS IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.
YOU WILL ALSO RECALL THAT YOU
ORIGINALLY ADOPTED YOUR RULE
UNDER THE EMERGENCY RULE MAKING
POWERS, THAT YOU CAN ONLY HAVE
IN EFFECT FOR 90 DAYS AND YOU
ARE AT THE 60 DAY MARK AT THIS
POINT.
IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING AT THIS
POINT TO EXTEND THAT, BECAUSE OF
THE NEW EMERGENCY RULE.
WE HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION, AND
WE CONSISTENTLY HAVE TAKEN A
POSITION THAT YOUR ACTION ON
AUGUST 18th AND SUBSEQUENTLY
WHEN YOU RENEWED WAS THE
DEPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW, THE
PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE
ORDER BECAUSE IT'S SIGNIFICANT
TO NOTE THAT THAT INITIAL RULE
WAS SILENT ABOUT A MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE FOR
THE RECORD THAT OTHER DISTRICTS
FELT THE SAME AS YOU DID AND
ACTED SIMILARLY, AND THE STATE
FELT COMPELLED TO ISSUE ANOTHER
RULE BECAUSE THEY USED A TERM
CLARIFY, BECAUSE THE INITIAL
RULE WASN'T CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WAS
ALLOWED AND WHAT WASN'T ALLOWED.
SO I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT
OUR POSITION HAS BEEN YOU HAVE
BEEN IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE
LAW.
THE STATE MIGHT DISAGREE WITH
THAT, BUT THAT'S BEEN OUR
POSITION AND YOU ACTED IN GOOD
FAITH BASED ON THE EVIDENCE THAT
YOU WERE PRESENTED BOTH FROM THE
HEALTH CARE EXPERTS AND FROM THE
HARD DATA BY YOUR STAFF.
>>Lynn Gray: MR. PORTER, AND I
KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF
INFORMATION THAT WE JUST HEARD
FROM YOU, AND WE DON'T WANT TO
MAKE ANY MISTAKE IN OUR VOTE AND
IN OUR COMMENTS.
SO WHEN WE HAVE MOTIONS BEING
MADE, IT MAY BE VERY HELPFUL FOR
YOU, SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, TO
ENUNCIATE AGAIN IF THERE ARE ANY
PENALTIES, JUST SO WE ARE VERY
CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WE ARE VOTING
FOR.
AND SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, DID
YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE
SOME COMMENTS ON THIS?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
ONE THING, PROVIDED COVID IMPACT
DATA, WE SEE THERE'S A 93%
DECREASE SINCE THE MASK
IMPLEMENTATION TO CURRENTLY ON
OCTOBER 4th.
AT THE SAME TIME WE HAD 86%
POSITIVE CASES DECREASED AS
WELL.
IN THE COMMUNITY WE SEE THAT THE
POSITIVE RATE WHEN WE MADE THIS
DECISION WAS OVER 22% AND NOW
IT'S DOWN TO AROUND 7.84%.
SO WITH THIS SAID, AND REALLY
LEARNING WHAT'S HAPPENED WITHIN
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
WITH FINANCIAL PENALTIES, I GO
BACK TO MY ORIGINAL
RECOMMENDATION TO BE ABLE TO
MANDATE MASKS WITH AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO OPT
OUT, BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THEY
GOING TO TAKE THE FINANCIAL SIDE
OF THE SALARIES FROM THE SCHOOL
BOARD MEMBERS, BUT BROWARD
COUNTY JUST GOT PENALIZED
$420,000, AND A LATCH BOP WHAT
GOT PENALIZED $147,000.
I CAN TELL YOU WHERE WE ARE IN A
FINANCIAL SITUATION, WE NEED
EVERY DOLLAR AND EVERY CENT THAT
WE CAN.
NOT ONLY ARE WE ADVOCATING FOR
ESSER 3, APR FUNDS, BUT WE
CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY
ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THIS SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I HAVE NO
PROBLEMS GOING IN FRONT OF THE
BOARD ON OCTOBER 7th AND
BACKING THE BOARD'S DECISION,
BUT FROM A FINANCIAL DECISION,
MY ASK WOULD BE TO ALLOW IT TO
STOP IMMEDIATELY, AND LET US
TRANSITION AS WE MOVE THROUGH
WITH THE PARENT OPTING OUT.
>> AND THE OTHER PIECE I NEED TO
ADVISE THE BOARD, ONE OF THE
SPEAKERS TONIGHT WAS LIKE LIROT,
AN ATTORNEY IN TOWN.
HE IS REPRESENTING A GROUP MUCH
PARENTS THAT ARE SUING US,
CHALLENGING OUR MASK MANDATE AND
ASKING THE COURTS TO MAKE --
PREVENT US FROM ENFORCING THAT
AS WELL.
THAT IS ANOTHER ELEMENT IN YOUR
DECISION MAKING THAT YOU NEED TO
UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LAWSUIT
PENDING AGAINST US FOR THE MASK
MANDATE.
>>Lynn Gray: AND WE ARE ALSO
REMINDED THAT THESE LAWSUITS
COST US A LOT OF MONEY.
AND MONEY, NOT MUCH TO SPARE.
WITH ALL THE FACTS GIVEN, AND I
AM KNOW, BOARD MEMBERS, IF YOU
ARE LIKE ME, WE WILL STILL HAVE
TO HAVE SOME CLARIFICATION ON
YOUR MANEUVERS, BUT WE DO HAVE
BEEN MEMBER COMBS, AND THEN
MEMBER SNIVELY.
EXCUSE ME, JUST FOR A SECOND.
SORRY, MEMBER COMBS.
WE MAY WANT TO ALSO CONFIGURE
INTO THIS DECISION-MAKING
PROCESS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT,
IF I AM CLEAR ON THIS, YOU HAVE
MADE A RECOMMENDATION.
IS THAT CLEAR, TO THE BOARD?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM, I
HAVE MADE A RECOMMENDATION, THE
SAME AS WHEN WE ORIGINALLY
STARTED THIS PROCESSION ISSUES
WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION, BOARD,
WE CAN HAVE ALSO A MOTION TO
SUPPORT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
RECOMMENDATION.
SO THAT CAN BE DONE AT THIS
TIME.
BOARD MEMBERS?
MEMBER COMBS, IS THAT A MOTION
TO SUPPORT?
>>Nadia Combs: WELL, I HAVE A
MOTION THAT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT
FROM THAT BUT VERY SIMILAR.
>>Lynn Gray: SO --
>> SHOULD WE GO IN ORDER?
>>Lynn Gray: I NEED A MOTION.
>>Nadia Combs: ALLOW ME TO SPEAK
AND THEN I CAN MAKE MY MOTION,
PLEASE.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY.
SO THE RECOMMENDATION IS, ONE
CHOICE, OKAY?
AND MEMBER COMBS.
>> ET CETERA LET'S GO IN ORDER,
MEMBER SNIVELY.
SHE ASKED FOR A MOTION TO
SUPPORT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
RECOMMENDATION.
SO WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION AFTER
A MOTION AND SECOND.
IS THAT CORRECT, MR. PORTER?
>>Jim Porter: OKAY, SO THE CHAIR
ASKED FOR A MOTION.
MRS. COMBS -- I DON'T KNOW --
>>Melissa Snively: WE CAN GO IN
ORDER.
BUT TO DISCUSS -- TRYING TO MAKE
A MOTION AND I PRESSED MY BUZZER
FIRST.
I WOULD APPRECIATE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
>>Lynn Gray: LET ME JUST SAY
WHAT I FEEL IS THE RIGHT THING
TO DO.
FIRST OFF, WE HEAR YOUR
RECOMMENDATION.
SECOND, I WANT TO HEAR FROM
MEMBER COMBS NEXT, BECAUSE SHE
HAS A MOTION, NO DOUBT.
AND THEN MEMBER SNIVELY.
MEMBER COMBS?
>>Nadia Combs: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
FIRST OF ALL, I DID MAKE THE
INITIAL MOTION TO HAVE THE
30-DAY MASK MANDATE AND I
SUPPORTED THE EXTENSION.
MY GOAL AND THE ONLY REASON I AM
ON THIS BOARD IS I AM ALWAYS
GOING TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR
CHILDREN AND WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR
DISTRICT.
I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS WHEN WE
HAD A 25% POSITIVITY RATE.
AS WE LOOK AT NOW, YOU KNOW, THE
INTENTION WAS NEVER, I CAN SAY
PERSONALLY, WAS NEVER THE
INTENTION FOR CHILDREN TO WEAR
MASKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THAT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION.
WE ARE WELL BELOW THE 10 PERCENT
THRESHOLD.
WE ARE BELOW 8%.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE DECREASE IN
POSITIVITY ACROSS IN THESE
COUNTIES OF 75% AND POSITIVITY
HAS DECREASED, OUR
HOSPITALIZATIONS, ICUs ARE 74%
DECREASED, ELECTIVE SURGERIES
ARE BACK, THERE ISN'T A WAIT IN
THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
I HAVE TO LOOK, WHEN I COME HOME
AND I SEE FOOTBALL GAMES, I SEE
HOCKEY GAMES, I SEE A LOT OF
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN LOCATIONS
INSIDE WITHOUT MASKS, A LOT OF
THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHEN
EVERY WEEK WE HAVE 65,000 PEOPLE
RATE HERE AT THE BUCS STADIUM.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE
MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND
WHAT THAT'S LIKE LONG-TERM.
WE KNOW THAT TEEN SUICIDE WITH
GIRLS ALONE HAS DOUBLED IN THE
LAST TWO YEARS.
SO LONG-TERM, WHEN WE LOOK AT WE
ARE BELOW 10%, WHAT DO PEOPLE
WANT? WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
WAITING FOR VACCINATIONS FOR
ELEMENTARY CHILDREN, WHEN YOU
LOOK AT THE RIGHT OF STUDENTS
WHO ARE -- WHO HAVE COVID IN
HIGH SCHOOL COMPARED TO
ELEMENTARY, EVEN THOUGH
VACCINATIONS HAVE BEEN READILY
AVAILABLE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF,
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A
RIGHT OF COVID BETWEEN
ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL.
SO I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO
SUPPORT THE SUPERINTENDENT.
I DO NOT WANT IT TO SUNSET
TODAY.
WE NEED 24 HOURS.
THIS IS UNFAIR FOR THE SCHOOLS
OVER AND OVER TO HAVE SOMETHING
THAT OCCURS IMMEDIATELY.
SCHOOLS, PRINCIPALS,
ADMINISTRATORS, NEED SOME TIME
TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE IS A
FINAL OPT OUT THAT THEY ARE
GETTING IN A THAT INFORMATION.
SO I MOVE THAT WE ALLOW THE
BOARD'S REQUIREMENT FOR A
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE TO OPT OUT
AS A DISTRICT MASK REREQUIREMENT
TO SUNSET ON OCTOBER 6th BUT
TO KEEP THE PARENTAL OPT OUT.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION.
BASICALLY SUNSET IT BUT
TOMORROW, SO WE WOULD STILL BE
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE
BOARD OF EDUCATION, BUT THAT
WOULD ALLOW THE SCHOOLS TO HAVE
AN ADDITIONAL 24 HOURS.
.MEMBER SNIVELY, WHAT I AM
TALKING ABOUT IS NOT IMMEDIATELY
TODAY.
AN ADDITIONAL 24 HOURS.
WOULD BE PRAYER TO THE STATE
BOARD MEETING BUT WE WOULD HAVE
AN ADDITIONAL 24 HOURS.
SO THAT IS DIFFERENT.
>>Lynn Gray: THERE IS A MOTION
ON THE FLOOR FROM MEMBER COMBS.
WE NEED A SECOND BEFORE WE
DISCUSS.
WE HAVE GOT TO CLEAR THE BOARD
SO I CAN SEE.
OKAY.
MEMBER WASHINGTON HAS SECONDED
YOUR MOTION.
SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE INTO
DISCUSSION.
AND CLARIFICATION.
PERHAPS WILL BE NEEDED.
DISCUSSION STARTING WITH MEMBER
VAUGHN.
I'M SORRY.
MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU.
SO I AM VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT
YOU ARE MAKING THIS MOTION.
AND I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE
POINTS THAT YOU HAVE MADE AS FAR
AS THE VALIDITY AND THE
REASONING AND THE RATIONALE FOR
REMOVING THE MASK MANDATE WITH A
MEDICAL REQUIREMENT.
WHAT I HAVE A LITTLE HEARTBURN
OVER IS WHEN WE AS A BOARD VOTED
TO IMPLEMENT THE MASK MANDATE,
IT WAS THE NEXT DAY.
IT WAS THE NEXT MORNING, WE
REQUIRED STUDENTS TO WEAR MASKS.
THE NEXT MORNING.
SO THAT'S WHY I WAS HOPING THAT
WHEN YOU SAID IMMEDIATELY, THAT
TOMORROW MORNING, LIKE WHEN WE
MANDATED THE MASK, TOMORROW
MORNING, WE COULD SAY STUDENTS
COULD GO TO SCHOOL OPTING OUT OF
MASKS, TO BE FAIR.
SO THAT WAS MY INTENT, AND TO
GET THE CLARIFICATION FROM
MEMBER COMBS WAS I WOULD LIKE
STUDENTS TO SHOW UP TOMORROW
MORNING AND PARENTS HAVE THAT
OPPORTUNITY TO NOT HAVE TO PUT A
MASK ON THEIR CHILD.
AND JUST AS A SIDE, I DO WANT TO
THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS WHO CAME,
WHO HAVE COME TO THE MEETING
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS TO
EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THIS
PARTICULAR SITUATION.
THERE WERE SEVERAL GREAT POINTS
MADE TODAY BY VERY MANY
INDIVIDUALS.
I THINK THAT PARENTS ARE ALREADY
OVERWHELMED.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE GOT THE
LAWSUIT PENDING.
I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE
TO SEND OUR SUPERINTENDENT TO
THE SCHOOL, STATE SCHOOL BOARD
MEETING, WITHOUT THE BINDING OF
HAVING A MANDATE IN PLACE.
I AGREE WITH THAT.
I AGREE WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE
DON'T ADD ANY BURDEN TO OUR
PARENTS AS FAR AS GETTING
MEDICAL CERTIFICATIONS OR
CERTIFICATES, AND REALLY
FOLLOWING THE PARENTS BILL OF
RIGHTS.
SO I WOULD ASK FOR A FRIENDLY
AMENDMENT, TO CONSIDER A
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, WE COULD
HAVE MORE DISCUSSION BEFORE YOU
CONSIDER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT
BECAUSE I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO
HEAR FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS AS
WELL.
HOWEVER, I WOULD REALLY
APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE
COULD SEND OUR CHILDREN TO
SCHOOL TOMORROW WITHOUT MASKS ON
IF PARENTS CHOOSE TO OPT OUT,
JUST LIKE WE FORCED THEM TO WHEN
WE MANDATED MASKS THE LAST TIME.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY, THERE'S A
CLARIFICATION.
QUICKLY, MR. PORTER, WILL THERE
BE A FINANCIAL DIFFERENTIAL IF
WE WAIT 24 HOURS?
>>Jim Porter: I DON'T KNOW IF
THERE'S ANY WAY TO PREDICT THAT.
>>Lynn Gray: ALL RIGHT.
SO THAT'S STILL -- WE CAN'T
PREDICT.
OKAY, THANK YOU.
MEMBER VAUGHN?
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.
I HAVE TO SAY I'M A LITTLE
FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED TO
HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.
I'M SURE PARENTS ARE GOING TO
HAVE TO THE 15th OF THIS
MONTH, A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE
MADE DECISIONS, AGAIN WE
CONTINUALLY TELL PARENTS ONE
THING AND THEN WE CHANGE OUR
MIND.
FROM THE BEGINNING, I HAVE
ADVOCATED FOR OUR YOUNGEST AND
SMALLEST CHILDREN WHO AREN'T
ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE TO HAVE
A LAYER OF PROTECTION WHEN THEY
GO INTO OUR SCHOOLS.
IT'S ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT
STUDENTS WHO CAN GET THE VACCINE
IF THEY NEED TO, BUT FOR OUR
YOUNGEST CHILDREN WHO ABSOLUTELY
HAVE NO LAYER PROVE TEXAS OTHER
THAN THOSE MASKS, I FIND THIS
CONVERSATION ABOUT, BECAUSE THE
STATE ONCE AGAIN IS DOING THINGS
THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE DECIDED
BY THE COURTS BE ALLOWED TO BE
REACTIVE BASED ON THEM
THREATENING TO WITHHOLD MONEY IS
PROBLEMATIC WHEN WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT LAG OUT FOR THE WELFARE
AND THE SAFETY OF OUR DISTRICT.
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE HOME
RULE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON
WHAT WE THINK HOLISTICALLY, THE
SEVEN OF US AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT, IS BEST FOR OUR
DISTRICT AND NOT TO CONSTANTLY
BE KNEE JERK REACTIVE TO THE
STATE WHO HAVE IS ONCE AGAIN
BULLYING US AND NOT LOOKING OUT
FOR THE WELFARE OF OUR STUDENTS.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE
A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, ESSENTIALLY
ASK FOR THE MASK MANDATE WITH
THE MEDICAL OPT OUT ONLY OPTION
TO CONTINUE FOR 12 AND UNDER FOR
AN ADDITIONAL 30 DAYS PAST THE
OCTOBER 15th, WOULD THAT BE
NOVEMBER 15th, OR 13th,
WHATEVER THE 30 DAYS OR ARE.
HOPEFULLY BY THAT TIME THE FDA
WILL APPROVE THE EMERGENCY USE
OF THE VACCINATION FOR 12 AND
UNDER AND PARENTS WHO CHOOSE TO
WILL HAVE THAT LAYER OF
PROTECTION TO OFFER THEIR
STUDENTS, AND THEN IF WE WANT TO
GO FORWARD AND MOVE THE MASK
MANDATE WITH A MEDICAL OPT OUT
COMPLETELY, WE CAN DO SO.
BUT I WANT TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE
MOTION.
>>Jim Porter: IT WILL REQUIRE A
SECOND AND I WILL ADVISE THE
BOARD THAT WOULD CREATE A
GREATER RISK BECAUSE OF THE RULE
THAT WAS ISSUED, THAT YOU ARE
TAKING A GREAT RISK IF YOU DO
THAT.
>>Lynn Gray: WE ARE TALKING A
FINANCIAL RISK.
>>Jim Porter: YES.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
SECOND IS NEEDED.
BOARD MEMBERS, DO WE HAVE A
SECOND?
SEEING NONE, THAT MOTION WILL
FAIL.
WE WILL CONTINUE ON THE
CONVERSATION.
EXCUSE ME, MEMBER VAUGHN, DID
YOU WANT TO CONTINUE?
>>Jessica Vaughn: IF WE ARE BACK
TO THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT OR THE
ORIGINAL AMENDMENT, OBVIOUSLY I
THINK THE MORE TIME THAT WE HAVE
FOR US TO MAKE CHANGES ARE
BETTER.
I UNDERSTAND MEMBER SNIVELY, YOU
KNOW, SHE'S PASSIONATE ABOUT
THIS AND SHE WANTS TO KEEP IT
THE SAME WAY THAT WE HAD IT.
BUT I HONESTLY THINK IF WE ARE
GOING TO GO AHEAD AND WE ARE
GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY ALL
TOLLING, ANOTHER 24 HOURS REALLY
DOESN'T MAKE MUCH OF A
DIFFERENCE ESPECIALLY IF I THINK
IT GIVES OUR SCHOOL STAFF MORE
TIME TO PREPARE.
>>Lynn Gray: SO YOU ARE EXCITE
COMMITTING TO THE 24 HOUR.
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
MEMBER PEREZ.
>>Karen Perez: OKAY.
I JUST WANT A CLARIFICATION.
WE ARE KEEPING THE MASK IN
PLACE, BUT REMOVING THE MEDICAL
OPT OUT.
OKAY.
SO THE PARENTS STILL HAVE THE
CHOICE OF SENDING THEIR CHILDREN
TO SCHOOL IN A MASK.
BUT WE ARE HONORING PARENT
CHOICE.
OKAY.
JUST NEEDED THAT CLARIFICATION.
>>Lynn Gray: MEMBER PEREZ, IS
THAT IT?
OKAY, THANK YOU.
MEMBER WASHINGTON.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: I
WILL BE SHORT AND SWEET.
>>Lynn Gray: I WAS LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING ELSE HERE.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: I'M
PUTTING ON MY PRINCIPAL'S HAT
NOW, OKAY?
SO AS A PRINCIPAL, I WOULD WANT
TO HAVE 24 HOURS AT LEAST TO LET
MY FACULTY AND STAFF AND PARENTS
KNOW ABOUT THE CHANGE, BECAUSE
IF WE SAY, OKAY, IN THE MORNING,
IF WE SAY IN THE MORNING, YOU
COME TO SCHOOL, IT WILL BE
CONFUSING.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THE PRINCIPALS
TO BE ABLE TO GET ON HIS OR HER
INTERCOM AND SAY THIS IS WHAT WE
HAVE DECIDED, THE SCHOOL BOARD
HAS DECIDED, SO AS OF TOMORROW,
AS OF THE NEXT DAY, WHICH IS
TOMORROW, WHATEVER, THE NEXT
DAY, YOU WILL HAVE AN OPT OUT
OPTION.
BECAUSE I THINK IF WE JUST SAY
JUST COMING TO SCHOOL WITH NO
MASK TOMORROW, SOME PEOPLE ARE
DON'T LOOP AT THE SCHOOL BOARD
MEETING.
WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS
INFORMATION OUT PROPERLY.
AND MY CONCERN IS COMMUNICATION.
SO EVERYBODY CAN UNDERSTAND THE
DECISION THAT WE MADE.
OKAY?
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
WASHINGTON.
MEMBER HAHN.
MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: YES, THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY --
>>Lynn Gray: YOU WILL HAVE TO
GET A LITTLE LOUDER ON THE
VOLUME.
JUST STAND BY OR SIT BY.
GO AHEAD.
>>Stacy Hahn: HEARING A LITTLE
FEEDBACK.
ECHOEY.
SO I DO APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES
COMMENTS.
I AM A LITTLE SURPRISED ABOUT
THE REQUEST FOR A 24-HOUR DELAY
IF IT IN FACT HAPPENS TONIGHT.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>>Lynn Gray: YES.
>>Stacy Hahn: BECAUSE MEMBER
SNIVELY SAID, THAT CONSIDERATION
CERTAINLY WASN'T PROVIDED WHEN
WE PUT THIS IN PLACE.
AND I WOULD THINK IF WE ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT STAFF AND
PRINCIPALS, I DON'T KNOW WHY
THAT CONCERN WASN'T THOUGHT
ABOUT WHEN WE PUT THIS IN PLACE,
AND PRINCIPALS AND STAFF WERE
SCRAMBLING TO GET PROCEDURES AND
PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.
SO IT JUST SEEMS SURPRISING TO
ME.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM THE
SUPERINTENDENT WHAT THE CRITERIA
WOULD BE TO REMOVE THE MANDATE
ALTOGETHER.
IS THERE A TRANSMISSION NUMBER,
A COMMUNITY NUMBER THAT YOU
WOULD BE LOOKING AT?
BECAUSE WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION A
FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU PUT THE
MANDATE IN PLACE WITH THE
PARENTAL OPT-OUT.
IT'S REALLY A HOLLOMAN DATE,
THAT YOU ARE MAKING PARENTS GO
THROUGH AN EXTRA STEP TO OPT
OUT.
SO I GUESS THAT MAKES PEOPLE
FEEL BETTER, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
KNOW WHAT CRITERIA YOU ARE USING
TO EVENTUALLY REMOVE THE
MANDATE.
TO RECOMMEND REMOVING THE
MANDATE.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
IT'S A FAIR QUESTION.
LAST YEAR WE TRIED TO LOOK AT
UNDER 5% POSITIVE RATE WITHIN
OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK WE WERE TRYING TO
GET THERE, AND AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE, TO REMOVE IT.
SO THAT WOULD BE THE THRESHOLD
THAT I HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW.
WE CAN CIRCLE BACK WITH SOME OF
OUR MEDICAL EXPERTS TO GET
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT
RIGHT NOW, LESS THAN 5% IN A
POSITIVE RATE WITHIN OUR
COMMUNITY.
>>Stacy Hahn: I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT
PIECE OF INFORMATION NO MATTER
WHERE YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF
THIS DISCUSSION.
BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE KNOW
WHERE THEY STAND.
I THINK A LOT OF PARENTS ON BOTH
SIDES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE ON
SHIFTING SANDS AND NEVER KNOW
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
SO 5%, WHETHER FOLKS AGREE WITH
THAT OR NOT, AT LEAST THEY HAVE
THAT UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ARE
TIED TO A CRITERIA IN YOUR
DECISION MAKING AND I THINK
THAT'S IMPORTANT.
I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT A
SUPPLEMENTAL AMENDMENT TO THE
MOTION TO MS. SNIVELY'S POINT TO
IMPLEMENT THIS IMMEDIATELY,
STARTING TOMORROW.
AGAIN, THE CONSIDERATION WAS NOT
GIVEN LAST TIME.
I THINK THAT WE COULD MESSAGE
THIS IMMEDIATELY.
WE COULD SEND OUT A PARENT LINK.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, PERHAPS
THAT MIGHT ALREADY BE IN MOTION,
GIVEN THAT THE STAFF KNEW THAT
WE WERE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING
THIS, THIS EVENING.
MAYBE THAT'S ALREADY -- I DON'T
KNOW IF THE SUPERINTENDENT WANTS
TO SHARE IF THAT'S ALREADY KIND
OF ON STANDBY, BASED ON THE
OUTCOME TONIGHT.
BUT I WOULD ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT
AN AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT
MOTION.
THANK YOU.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
I WILL SAY THAT WE ARE PREPARED
FOR EITHER WAY, BUT WE ARE
PREPARED TO BE ABLE TO SEND OUT
COMMUNICATIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>>Stacy Hahn: I APPRECIATE THAT.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
HAHN.
MEMBER COMBS, IF YOU DON'T MIND,
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SAY A FEW
THINGS BEFORE WE START THE
SECOND?
THE REASON -- AND I AM GOING TO
GET TO THE POINT -- BUT WE HAVE
A 93 DECREASE OF THE SPREAD OF
THE VIRUS TO THE EXTENT THAT NOW
WE HAVE 7.8% SPREAD.
AND THE REASON ARE VERY CLEAR AS
TO WHY THIS OCCURRED.
WE DID PUT IN A MASK MANDATE.
WE ALSO ADVOCATED SOCIAL
DISTANCING TO THE BEST OF THE
ABILITY YOU CAN DO IN A SCHOOL.
WE DID PROMOTE VACCINATIONS AND
WILL CONTINUE.
WE DO A LOT OF THE CLEANING, TO
SANITIZE THE CLASSROOMS AND
HALLWAYS AND THE LUNCHROOM.
SO THERE'S A REASON WHY WE GOT
TO THIS POINT.
NOW, I WOULD HAVE LIKED -- TO ME
IT MAKES SENSE TO LET IT SUNSET
BECAUSE THIS IS A BOARD THAT HAS
MADE UP OF SEVEN INDIVIDUALS,
7th LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE
NATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT WE
HAVE A SENSE OF OUR OWN
COMMUNITY, OUR KIDS, AND THE
PUBLIC, ENOUGH TO AFFORD THE
VERY FIRST PREMISE OF A SCHOOL
BOARD MEMBER'S JOB IS SAFETY AND
WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS.
THAT'S OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
IT MAKES SENSE TO ME THAT WE
WOULD SUNSET IT AT THE 15th,
AND IT WOULD MAKE ALSO GOOD
SENSE THAT WE DON'T -- THAT WE
EVEN EXTEND IT TO THE END OF
OCTOBER WITH THE HOPES OF OUR
CHILDREN HAVING ACCESS TO THE
VACCINATIONS.
THAT MAKES SENSE.
WHAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IS THAT
WE ARE NOW BEING, LET'S JUST
SAY, WITH GREAT MITIGATION, AND
A FINANCIAL THREAT THAT BE
BEHOLD REALLY THE DRASTIC
CONSEQUENCE FOR OUR DISTRICT,
FINANCIALLY.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME AS
AN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER.
IT MAKES -- IT'S VERY HURTFUL
AND HARMFUL, AND I HAVE GREAT
MIGs GIVINGS IN HAVING TO VOTE
BECAUSE OF THE MONEY PART.
BUT CHILDREN NEED OUR -- OUR
DISTRICT CHILDREN NEED OUR
SERVICES WITHIN OUR DISTRICT,
THE CHILDREN NEED OUR TEACHERS,
THE CHILDREN NEED OUR SOCIAL
SERVICES, THE CHILDREN NEED
STRONG BOARD MEMBERS TO BE IN
PLACE, NOT TO BE PUNISHED, BUT
CHILDREN NEED OUR SUPERINTENDENT
DAVIS.
SO WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, I
AM -- IF WE HAVE ARM WRESTLING
CONTEST, YOU KNOW, I'M ACTUALLY
HAVING TO SAY, LIKE A LITTLE
SURRENDER, I CAN'T DO THAT.
SO I AM VERY OBLIGATED TO SAY
THAT I AM SORRY TO CONSTITUENTS,
TO THE PUBLIC, BUT FOR THE
FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF OUR
DISTRICT, I CANNOT -- CANNOT PUT
US IN THAT SITUATION WHERE WE
MIGHT BE PUNISHED, AND WE
PROBABLY WILL BE DEFINITIVELY
BECAUSE I ALSO SPOKE OR HEARD
THE CHANCELLOR ALREADY THE OTHER
DAY.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, AND IN
TERMS OF 24 HOURS VERSUS RIGHT
AWAY, I MEAN, I THINK WE ARE
SPLITTING HAIRS, TO BE HONEST
WITH YOU.
I UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPALS HAVE
TO KNOW AND ALL THE OTHER
THINGS, OF COURSE.
BUT WE ARE JUST REALLY KEEPING
THE POLICY OPTIONAL AND TOMORROW
WILL JUST BE WHETHER THEY WANT
TO PUT MASKS ON OR NOT.
SO I'M NOT READY TO COMMIT TO
EITHER ONE, BUT I WILL LISTEN TO
THE BOARD MEMBERS ON THEIR
SECOND ROUND OF QUEUE.
THANK YOU, MEMBER SNIVELY?
OH, MEMBER COMBS, I'M SORRY.
>>Nadia Combs: I WANT TO SAY
THAT WHEN I INITIALLY CAME HERE
THIS AFTERNOON, I HAD ALL
INTENTIONS TO LET IT SUNSET ON
THE END OF OCTOBER.
I HAD A LOT OF DATA WITH ME ON
COMPARING PINELLAS AND PASCO AND
OTHER DISTRICT AND OTHER
DISTRICTS AROUND THE COUNTRY,
AND THAT WAS MY INTENTION.
BUT THEN WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT
THERE WOULD BE A FINANCIAL, YOU
KNOW, BASICALLY A FINANCIAL LOSS
FOR OUR DISTRICT, THEN I REALIZE
THAT WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER
15th.
HOWEVER, I, LIKE MANY BOARD
MEMBERS, I'M AT SCHOOLS EVERY
DAY, AND THE REASON WHY I WANTED
THE MANDATE INITIALLY
IMMEDIATELY WAS BECAUSE WE WERE
AT A 25% POSITIVITY RATE, WE HAD
SCHOOLS THAT WERE 14, 15
TEACHERS WERE OUT.
IT WAS NECESSARY TO DO THAT
IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE WE WERE IN A
POSITION WHERE SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS, THEY WERE COVERING
LUNCHES, CLASSES, IT WAS CHAOTIC
SO WE HAD TO DO THAT MASK
MANDATE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE
EVERY DAY PUT THOUSANDS OF KIDS
INTO QUARANTINE.
THIS IS NOT NEEDED FOR 24 HOURS.
WE NEED TO CREATE LESS CHAOS IN
OUR DISTRICT.
IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU DID
BEFORE, AND LET'S NOT DO IT
AGAIN.
THESE NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
IT'S ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO BE
BEST FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR
PRINCIPALS.
AND I KNOW AS A PRINCIPAL AND
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, AND WE CAN
ASK OUR CHIEF OF SCHOOLS HERE,
THEY WOULD PREFER IT TO HAVE 24
HOURS TO CAUSE LESS CHAOS.
IT'S NOT ABOUT WHO IS RIGHT AND
WHO IS WRONG.
THIS IS NOT POLITICAL.
THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING OUR
SCHOOLS OPEN, KEEPING OUR
STUDENTS SAFE, THINKING ABOUT
WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR DISTRICT
FINANCIALLY, LOOKING AT THE
POSITIVITY RATE, AND LOOKING AT
COMMON SENSE.
NOT, HEY, YOU DID IT LAST TIME,
IMMEDIATELY, LET'S DO IT THIS
TIME IMMEDIATELY.
THAT MAKES NO SENSE.
WE ARE HERE IN OUR HOME.
WE ARE NOT IN THE SCHOOLS.
WHEN WE GET A TEXT AT 9:00 AT
NIGHT, AND NOW YOU HAVE TEACHERS
AND PARENTS CHAOTIC, YOU NEED A
DAY TO AT LEAST LOOK AT THAT.
I MEAN, THIS IS THE PART THAT
REALLY FRUSTRATES ME, THAT WE
TALK ABOUT, WELL, WE DID IT LAST
TIME, LET'S NOT DO IT THIS TIME.
LET'S LOOK AT EACH SITUATION
INDIVIDUALLY AND SEE WHAT'S BEST
FOR OUR SCHOOLS.
SO I ABSOLUTELY THINK WE NEED TO
WAIT 24 HOURS AND I AM GOING TO
ASK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS,
TWO QUESTIONS.
DOES THAT 24 HOURS FISCALLY PUT
US MORE IN DANGER, AS THE
SUPERINTENDENT, DO YOU THINK
IT'S BEST FOR SCHOOLS TO WAIT
FOR 24 HOURS?
THOSE ARE TWO QUESTIONS I AM
GOING TO ASK YOU.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THROUGH THE CHAIR. I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT IT WILL
HAVE IF WE WAIT 24 HOURS.
SITE UNSCENE.
I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT KNOW YOU
WILL THE WAY THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION HAS BEEN MOVING
FORWARD, THEY MOVE FORWARD IN AN
AGGRESSIVE MANNER AND THROUGH
OUR COLLECTIVE CONVERSATIONS
THAT WILL CONTINUE.
AND CHAIR GRAY WAS WITH ME THE
OTHER DAY WHEN I HAD ONE OF
THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
AS RELATES TO WHAT WE DID LAST
TIME, WE DID IMPLEMENT IT
IMMEDIATELY AND IT WAS ON A
WEDNESDAY AND I GAVE THURSDAY
AND FRIDAY FOR A GRACE PERIOD,
TO BE ABLE -- SO SCHOOLS
WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE, OR WHAT
CHANGED DURING THAT PROCESS WAS
TRYING TO CAPTURE OPT OUT AS
MUCH AS WE COULD AND KNOWING IT
WAS GOING TO TAKE TIME TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT WAND HAVE GRACE
PERIODS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION.
IF I WAS TO POLL PRINCIPALS
TODAY THEY WOULD SAY ANY
ADDITIONAL TIME WOULD HELP US.
HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT ONCE WE
MAKE THIS DECISION TONIGHT, YOU
ARE GOING TO HAVE MANY STUDENTS
THAT WILL COME TO SCHOOL
TOMORROW WITHOUT A MASK.
HOWEVER, AND I KNOW THAT WE
CAN'T CONTROL, WE CAN ADDRESS
THE R IT AS OFTEN AS WE CAN BUT
ANYTIME YOU LOOK AT LEADERS,
THEY WOULD APPRECIATE THE GRACE
AND PERSPECTIVE BUT KNOWING THAT
TOMORROW WILL BE A PART WHERE
INDIVIDUALS WILL TRANSITION AND
ELECT NOT TO WEAR THEM.
I SEE BOTH SIDES OF IT
COMPLETELY.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I BELIEVE
MAKING THIS DECISION RIGHT NOW
WILL PROTECT US FINANCIALLY AND
ALSO ALLOW US TO BE IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.
>>Lynn Gray: MEMBER COMBS?
OKAY, THANK YOU.
>>Addison Davis: AND WE HAVE TO
UNDERSTAND THAT FTE WEEK IS THE
DEAD CERTAIN, IS OCTOBER
15th.
SO BEING ABLE TO MAKE A DECISION
NOW, AND THE SOONER, IT WILL BE
ABLE TO ALLOW US TO, STUDENTS
YOU HEARD TONIGHT, PARENTS LEFT
BECAUSE MASKING WAS
IMPLEMENTING.
WE MAY BE ABLE TO REGAIN
STUDENTS BACK TO OUR
ORGANIZATION WHICH IS EQUIVALENT
TO HOW WE GET FUNDED, FOR THAT
CALCULATION.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU FOR THAT
VERY VALID IMPORTANT POINT.
THANK YOU, MEMBER COMBS.
MEMBER PEREZ.
EXCUSE ME, MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR.
I ALSO HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS
FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ALL VERY GOOD POINTS MADE BY
COLLEAGUES.
SO AS FAR AS THE OPT OUT
SITUATION, ORIGINALLY, YOU HAD
THIS ELECTRONIC FORM AND YOU
WERE COLLECTING DATA, AND
DISTRIBUTING IT TO TEACHERS, AND
IT WAS SOMEWHAT TROUBLESOME TO
MANY PARENTS.
IS THAT THE SAME TYPE OF
STRATEGY YOU ARE GOING TO USE
AGAIN?
OR COULD IT BE UNDER THAT IF
YOUR CHILD SHOWS UP WITHOUT A
MASK ON, YOU ARE OPTING OUT?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
WHEN WE IMPLEMENTED THIS, I
THINK 15% OF OUR STUDENTS
ELECTED TO USE AND IDENTIFY THE
OPT OUT FORM.
WE STILL COULD HAVE THAT
AVAILABLE BUT OPENLY WHEN A
CHILD ELECTS TO COME AND HE OR
SHE DOESN'T HAVE A MASK, WE
SHOULD TAKE TAKE THAT BECAUSE IT
JUST BECAME TOO CUMBERSOME FOR
US TO STOP INSTRUCTION, CHECK
OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH THAT
MASK IMPLEMENTATION.
SO WE HAD A NUMBER OF PARENTS.
WE KNEW THAT MORE THAN 15% WHO
COMPLETED COMPLETED IT, MORE
THAN 15% WERE OPTING OUT,
PARENTS WEREN'T COMPLETING THE
FORM BECAUSE THROUGH THE FEDERAL
EMERGENCY ORDER AND THE RULING,
IT DIDN'T MANDATE IN ANY WAY
SHAPE OR FORM THAT WE WOULD DO
THAT BUT WE WERE JUST DOING IT
TO SAFEGUARD, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
A PLACE, AN INDICATOR SO THAT
TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS COULD KNOW,
BUT WE FOUND OURSELVES NOT TO BE
REALLY A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE
STUDENTS WHO WERE OPTING OUT.
>>Melissa Snively: I APPRECIATE
YOU CLARIFYING THAT.
I UNDERSTAND HOW PRINCIPALS --
I'M SURE WOULD APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AS MUCH TIME
AS POSSIBLE TO PREPARE, AFTER
YOUR RECOMMENDATION, CLARIFYING
THAT, I'M SURE THE CHIEF OF
SCHOOLS ALSO AGREE MORE TIME
THAT PRINCIPALS HAVE.
SO I CAN LIVE WITH THAT, IN THE
MOTION, AS LONG AS THERE IS THE
GRACE PERIOD FOR PEOPLE, BECAUSE
JUST LIKE YOU SAID, THERE WILL
BE STUDENTS THAT SHOW UP WITHOUT
MASKS TOMORROW, AND I DON'T WANT
TO HEAR ANY TYPE OF DISCIPLINARY
ACTIONS OR SHAMING OR BULLYING
OR TREATING ANY DISCRIMINATORILY
WITH THAT, FOR THAT 24 HOURS OR
THROUGH FRIDAY, AND I WOULD
REALLY LIKE, IF THERE WERE -- IF
THERE WERE ZERO NECESSARY
REQUIRED OPT-OUT FORM THAT
PEOPLE HAVE TO FIND ON A WEBSITE
AND GO FILL OUT, EVEN IF THEY
DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A WEBSITE
OR WI-FI.
SO BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF --
THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT
PEOPLE HAVE, IN HAVING ACCESS TO
THAT FORM, EVEN KNOWING THAT THE
FORM EXITS.
THERE WERE A LOT OF ISSUES
AROUND THE OPT-OUT FORM, SUCCESS
SUBMISSION OF COLLECTING DATA
AND UTILIZING IT IN A NOT
POSITIVE WAY FOR STUDENTS.
AND AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU
HEARD SOME THINGS THAT PARENTS
WERE SAYING WHAT WAS HAPPENING
IN CLASSROOMS.
IT'S DISHEARTENING TO HAVE A
CHILD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF
THEIR CLASS OR MOVED TO THE BACK
OF A CLASSROOM, OR POINTED OUT.
THAT'S DISHEARTENING.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE
CONCERNS FOR SAFETY, BUT THERE
ARE ALSO MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
WHAT THAT DOES TO A CHILD FROM
AN ADULT WHEN AN ADULT SAYS
SOMETHING TO A CHILD, THAT IS
TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY MANY
STUDENTS AND SOMETIMES HAS AN
IMPACT OF LASTING A MUCH, MUCH
LONGER TIME THAN JUST THAT
MOMENT THAT IT HAPPENED.
I MEAN, I REMEMBER THINGS THAT
HAPPENED IN MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WHEN CERTAIN THINGS WERE SAID TO
ME BY A TEACHER.
I TOOK IT TO HEART FOR A VERY
LONG TIME.
SO I JUST DON'T WANT THAT
HAPPENING TO OUR STUDENTS.
I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE
OSTRACIZED.
I DON'T WANT THEM TREATED
DIFFERENTLY.
I JUST WANT MASKS TO GO AWAY OR
BE OPTIONAL WITHOUT ANY OF THAT
ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAUCRACY.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY.
MEMBER PEREZ, MEMBER WASHINGTON,
MEMBER VAUGHN, AND THEN BEFORE
THAT, MR. PORTER, REMIND US
AGAIN, DO WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS ON
THE FLOOR?
WE HAVE ONE MOTION.
>>Jim Porter: THERE WAS
DISCUSSION BUT THERE WAS NEVER
AN AMENDED.
>>Lynn Gray: RIGHT NOW WE ARE
LOOKING AT THE 24 HOUR.
THANK YOU.
JUST IN CASE WE LOSE TRACK.
MEMBER PEREZ.
>>Karen Perez: AND MEMBER
SNIVELY, I APPRECIATE YOUR
COMMENTS ABOUT SHAMING AND
BULLYING.
BUT THE SHAMING AND BULLYING
ALSO WENT BOTH WAYS.
THERE'S SHAMING AND BULLYING FOR
NOT JUST STUDENTS HONOR WEAR,
OPT TO WEAR MASKS, BUT ALSO, YOU
KNOW, WE WITNESSED THAT HERE
WHEN ADULTS CAME TO SPEAK AT OUR
BOARD MEETINGS, AND THE SHAMING
THAT THEY PUT SOME OF THE
INDIVIDUALS THROUGH WHEN THEY
WERE WEARING MASKS.
HERE.
SO, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE AN
INCREDIBLE LESSON FOR ADULTS
ALSO TO REMEMBER THAT OUR
CHILDREN ARE WATCHING, AND THEY
ARE MIMICKING BEHAVIORS FROM
ADULTS.
AND THEY TAKE THOSE BEHAVIORS TO
SCHOOL.
AND THEY USE THOSE BEHAVIORS IN
SCHOOLS AND NOT SO NICE WAYS,
YOU KNOW, WITH THEIR PEERS.
SO WE ALL NEED TO GET THIS
LESSON, NOT ONLY THE STUDENTS
HONOR DECIDE TO WEAR THE MASK,
BUT ALSO THOSE WHO OPT OUT.
SO I HAD A QUESTION FOR THE
SUPERINTENDENT.
AS EVERYONE KNOWS, I WORK FOR
THE TAMPA V.A., AND I AM A
PROVIDER THERE, AND EVERY FRIDAY
WE GET INFORMATION, AND OF
COURSE THIS PAST FRIDAY, WE WERE
TOLD THE INFECTION RATE IN THE
HOSPITALS NOW IS DECREASED FIVE
TIMES, HOSPITAL ADMISSION RATES
ARE DOWN BY 10 TIMES, AND DEATH
RATES ALSO HAVE DECREASED.
SO WHICH IS GREAT.
AND THIS HAS BEEN BECAUSE
VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS HAVE
INCREASED, AND MASKED
INDIVIDUALS ALSO HAVE ALSO, YOU
KNOW, PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE BIT
MORE AWARE.
AND SO EVERYONE'S COOPERATION
HAS HELPED TO SERVE TO BE BRING
THESE NUMBERS DOWN.
SO HOW DOES PUTTING THE MASK
MANDATE INTO EFFECT OVERNIGHT
PREVIOUSLY AFFECT OUR
PRINCIPALS?
THAT WAS 30 DAYS AGO.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
ANYMORE THAT WE MAKE A SHORT
DECISION, IT OPENLY CREATES
FRUSTRATIONS.
WHEN I GIVE -- WITH THE GRACE
PERIOD, OUR PRINCIPALS, THEY DO
A GOOD JOB MAKING THE
ADJUSTMENTS.
SO WE GAVE THEM 48 HOURS TO
BEING ABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HOLD
STUDENTS ACCOUNTABLE WITH THAT
48-HOUR PERIOD.
WE WANTED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
PARENTS TRULY UNDERSTOOD WHAT
THE OPT OUT DOCUMENTATION WAS,
SO THEY CAN INTERACT WITH IT AND
BEING ABLE TO SUBMIT IT.
SO ONE THING OUR PRINCIPALS AND
OUR SCHOOL-BASED LEADERS, THEY
ARE REMARKABLE.
THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE
ADJUSTMENTS TONIGHT BECAUSE
THAT'S WHAT THEY ALWAYS DO.
AND THEY DO IT EFFICIENTLY AND
EFFECTIVELY.
AND IF WE GAVE 24 HOURS THEY'LL
MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT AS WELL.
BUT WE WILL COMMUNICATE, WE ARE
PREPARED FOR COMMUNICATION
PROTOCOLS.
WE'LL SEND IT OUT TONIGHT
THROUGH PARENT LINK, SOCIAL
MEDIA, AND HAVE IT READY TO GO
IN AN E-MAIL.
>>Karen Perez: EVEN TOMORROW,
THE STUDENTS CAN TAP SOMETHING
HOME, OR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO BE
MADE OR THE PARENTS --
>>Addison Davis: ABSOLUTELY.
YES, MA'AM.
WE'LL CONTINUE THIS PROCESS
PROBABLY FROM NOW UNTIL THE END
OF THE WEEK TO BE ABLE TO MAKE
CERTAIN THAT ALL OF OUR PARENTS
ARE INFORMED.
>>Karen Perez: AND MEMBER
VAUGHN, IN THE PAST, HAS
REQUESTED AND NOW MYSELF AM
GOING TO REQUEST, THAT A BOARD
WORKSHOP REGARDING OUR ROLE
HERE, AND THE OVERREACH OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THAT WE
NEED A WORKSHOP HERE REGARDING
IT, BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION REALLY DEFINITELY IS
STEPPING ON OUR TOES WHEN IT
COMES TO WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO
DO HERE IN THIS DISTRICT.
AND SO IT NEEDS TO BE -- NOW, WE
REALLY NEED TO HAVE THIS AS A
BOARD WORKSHOP, A DISCUSSION,
SOMETHING, IN THE PUBLIC,
BECAUSE THIS IS GETTING TO BE
WAY BEYOND RIDICULOUS AT THIS
POINT.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
PEREZ.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS
GETTING ON OUR WAY TO CONSENSUS
WITH THE ORIGINAL MOTION FROM
MEMBER COMBS, WITH A GRACE
PERIOD, IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND
COMMIT TO CONSENSUS, I'M
HAPPY -- WE ARE GOING TO
CONTINUE ANYWAY.
MEMBER WASHINGTON.
SHAKE SHACK YOU ANSWERED MY
QUESTION.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT KIDS COMING
TO SCHOOL TOMORROW AND SOMEBODY
PENALIZING THEM BECAUSE THEY
DON'T HAVE ON A MASK.
SO IT WOULD BE A VERY BENEFICIAL
FOR YOU TONIGHT, IF YOU WOULD,
JUST DISSEMINATE THAT
INFORMATION OUT FOR THE KIDS TO
NOT BE PENALIZE IT AT ALL.
>>Addison Davis: YES, SIR.
WE WILL HAVE A PRESS RELEASE
PREPARED, COMMUNICATION TO ALL
OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND
INFORMATION, SEND IT OUT TO
EVERY ONE OF OUR PARENTS, AND
THEN WE WILL ALSO POST IT ON
SOCIAL MEDIA.
SO THOSE FOUR PRONGS WILL BE
READY TO GO THIS EVENING AND
WE'LL CONTINUE THIS OVER THE
NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: JUST
FOR A NOTE HERE.
I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT
PENALIZING ME AS A BOARD MEMBER
TAKING THAT MONEY BECAUSE THEY
CAN USE THAT MONEY TO HELP
SOMEBODY ELSE.
MY CONCERN IS, I WANT THE
DISTRICT -- WE DON'T WANT TO BE
IN HARD TIMES WITH THE DISTRICT
BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL
AND DO THE THINGS IT TAKES.
SO I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE
MONEY.
IF YOU PENALIZE ME WITH THE
MONEY, SO BE IT.
I AM NOT HERE FOR THE MONEY.
I'M HERE FOR STUDENTS AND WHAT
WE THINK IS BEST FOR
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL
SYSTEM.
YES, SIR.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAN
K YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
WASHINGTON.
AND ARE YOU ALSO IN FAVOR OF THE
24 HOUR WITH A GRACE PERIOD?
THANK YOU.
MEMBER VAUGHN?
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.
TO CLARIFY WHAT THE ORIGINAL
MOTION WAS, WAS TO GO BACK TO
WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY HAD, WHICH
WAS PARENTS HAVING TO GO ON AND
FILL OUT A FORM TO OPT OUT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT MEMBER SNIVELY
IS CONCERNED THAT MAYBE THERE'S
A DIGITAL DIVIDE, THAT PEOPLE
CAN'T ACCESS THAT FORM.
HOWEVER, IF PARENTS ARE THAT
DEVOTED TO SENDING THEIR CHILD
TO SCHOOL WITHOUT A MASK, SIMPLY
COMPLETING A FORM ONLINE SHOULD
NOT BE COMPLETELY OUT OF THE
REALM OF KEEPING OUR SCHOOLS
SAFE AND TALKING ABOUT HAVING --
A MANDATE.
I MEAN, THE WAY THAT MR. PORTER
EXPLAINED IT, THE WAY THAT WE
INTRODUCED THIS MOTION WAS, WE
ARE GOING BACK TO WHAT YOU HAD
ORIGINALLY FORMATTED, WHICH WAS
PARENTS WENT ONLINE AND FILLED
OUT THE FORM, WHICH IS A VERY
SIMPLE PROCESS.
IT COMPLETELY SUPPORTS PARENTAL
CHOICE.
IT DOESN'T STOP THAT.
WE MAKE THE FORMS AVAILABLE,
PAPER COPY IF THEY CAN'T, BUT IT
ALLOWS TEACHERS TO KNOW WHO IS
OPTING OUT, TO SAY JUST BECAUSE
A KID SHOWS UP WITHOUT A MASK
THAT THEY HAVE DECIDED TO OPT
OUT IS NOT ACCURATE, IT'S NOT
RESPONSIBLE, IT'S NOT UP HOLDING
A MASK POLICY.
THERE ARE LOTS OF KIDS WHO DON'T
HAVE A MASK WHO DROP IT ON THE
WAY TO SCHOOL, WHO DON'T KNOW
THAT IT'S IN THEIR BACKPACK.
SOMETIMES MY SON, I PUT AN EXTRA
ONE IN HIS BACKPACK, HE DIDN'T
KNOW HE HAD IT ON THERE, UNLESS
HE HAD ASKED FOR ANOTHER ONE HE
WOULD HAVE GONE AROUND MASKLESS
AND IT'S NOT MY WILL FOR MY
CHILD NOT TO HAVE A MASK ON AT
SCHOOL.
SO TO GO FROM WHAT WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT TO HAVING A FULL
MEDICAL-OUT POLICY TO
ACCOMMODATING THE SURGEON
GENERAL'S REQUEST TO COMPLETELY
GOING INTO NOW WE ARE NOT EVEN
GOING TO HAVE A FORM, AND WE ARE
JUST GOING TO ASSUME, BECAUSE A
CHILD DOESN'T HAVE A MASK IS NOT
WHAT I AM AGREEING TO.
SO I WANT CLARITY ON THIS
MOTION.
>>Lynn Gray: CLARITY, THAT'S NOT
PART OF THE MOTION, BUT YOU ARE
ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, CAN YOU
GIVE THE CLARIFICATION?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
WE OPENLY TRIED TO IMPLEMENT THE
FORM, FOR PARENTS TO FILL OUT.
WHEN 15% OF THE PARENTS FILL IT
OUT AND THERE'S A LARGER
PERCENTAGE THAT DIDN'T FILL IT
OUT, WE JUST WERE CHASING IT AND
THIS IS ANOTHER ADMINISTRATIVE
ASK ON OUR STAFF AND TASKING ON
OUR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO CAPTURE.
SO OVERALL WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE
EMERGENCY RULES, WE OPENLY JUST
ASKED THEM TO DO THAT IN GOOD
FAITH.
WE CAN'T MANDATE THAT DO THAT
THAT OR COMPLETE THAT FORM.
THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS KNEW
THAT.
SO OPENLY AS WE LESSONS LEARNED
BEING ABLE TO TRANSITION, WE ARE
GOING TO IMPLEMENT MANDATE MASKS
WITH AN OPT OUT AND AN OPT OUT
IS A PARENT'S SELECTION NOT TO
BE ABLE TO WEAR MASKS.
AND IT GOES BACK TO BEING ABLE
TO IF APPARENT FEELS IN ANY WAY
SHAPE OR FORM THAT THEY ARE
HARASSED OR INTIMIDATED THAT
GOES INTO SOME OF THE
CONVERSATIONS THAT WE ALL GOT
E-MAILS THAT THAT WAS A REALITY
THAT WAS HAPPENING.
I BELIEVE, MS. PER REDS, THAT IT
HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES BUT IT'S
JUST REFLECTIVE WE ARE NOT GOING
TO GET AB TRUE REFLECTION OF
PARENTS WHO ARE ELECTING TO OPT
OUT IN THAT PROCESS.
>>Jessica Vaughn: SO WHAT YOU
ARE SAYING IS YOU ARE NOT GOING
TO REQUIRE THAT FORM ANY LONGER?
>>Addison Davis: MOVING FORWARD,
NO, MA'AM.
>>Jessica Vaughn: I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO SAY THAT I COMPLETELY EM
THIGHS WITH THE PARENTS WHO CAME
HERE AND SPOKE, AND MEMBER
SNIVELY BROUGHT UP SELF THINGS
THEY SAID.
BUT WE ALSO GOT A PLETHORA OF
E-MAILS WHERE THERE WERE PEOPLE
WHO DID NOT COME BECAUSE, ONE,
THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE
COMING TO THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE
SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE NOT WEARING
MASKS, AND ALSO AS MEMBER PEREZ
HAS SPOKEN TO, THEY HAVE BEEN
HAR RAZZED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T
BEEN WEARING MASKS OUTSIDE
WAITING TO SPEAK.
IN FACT I HAD SOMEONE TODAY
ASKING IF WE COULD COME IN AND
WE WERE FILLED TO CAPACITY
BECAUSE THEY WERE SO
UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ALL THE
CHEERING AND YELLING EVERY TIME
SOMEONE SPOKE WITHOUT A MASK.
SO IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A
CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT PARENTS
WANT, I DON'T WANT IT JUST TO BE
REFLECTIVE OF THE PEOPLE WHO
CAME AND SPOKE TODAY.
WE HAVE SEVERAL, SEVERAL
E-MAILS, I GOT WAY MORE E-MAILS
ASKING TO EXTEND THE MASK
MANDATE AND FROM PARENTS
ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS WHO CAN'T
GET VACCINATED BEGGING US TO
KEEP THIS MANDATE, AND PARENTS
SHOW UP TO SPEAK TODAY, AND WE
DON'T KNOW IF MANY OF THOSE ARE
PARENTS, IF THEY HAVE CHILDREN
IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT OR IF
THEY EVEN LIVE IN THIS COUNTY.
I WANT TO HE WILL REALISTIC
SINCE WE ARE HAVING THIS
CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO WE ARE
REPRESENTING AS TO WHAT THAT
LOOKS LIKE.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY.
AND WE ARE ABOUT READY TO VOTE,
AND I WILL HAVE MR. PORTER
REPHRASE.
I KNOW.
HE WILL REPHRASE THE MOTION.
MEMBER COMBS.
>>Nadia Combs: I JUST WANT TO
SAY THAT I AGREE WITH MEMBER
VAUGHN.
WHEN YOU GO TO HIGH SCHOOLS, YOU
SEE A LOT OF CHILDREN WEARING IT
UNDERNEATH THEIR NOSE.
A LOT OF HIGH SCHOOL KIDS HAVE
THE ABILITY TO HAVE A
VACCINATION.
WHEN I SEND MY CHILD TO HIGH
SCHOOL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S
DOING, BUT IF MY CHILD IS A
7-YEAR-OLD AND I HAVE
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED GRANDPARENT OR
WHATEVER THE CASE IS, AND I AM
SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL, THINKING
THAT THEY ARE WEARING A MASK,
AND THEY CAN JUST TAKE IT OFF,
THEN THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
I PERSONALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE
COMPUTER OPT OUT, OR THE FORM
OPT OUT AVAILABLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO, TO
MAKE SURE, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT
TOMORROW TO ALL OF A SUDDEN WE
ARE BACK TO NORMAL.
THERE ARE A LOT OF COMMUNITY
SCHOOLS WHERE HAVING THIS IS NOT
GOING TO CHANGE IT.
TOMORROW, WHEN YOU WALK IN, ALL
THOSE STUDENTS ARE STILL GOING
TO BE WEARING THEM.
BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS
IDEA OF LIKE, OKAY, WEAR IT OR
NOT, IF YOU ARE 8 YEARS OLD YOU
CAN MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION,
THAT'S NOT WHAT A PARENT WANTS.
SO MY MOTION WAS TO BE CONTINUE
TO GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS
INITIALLY, WITH A PARENT OPT-OUT
FORM, BY COMPUTER OR PAPER, AND
THEN TO ALSO HAVE THE MEDICAL
OPT OUT.
SO THAT WAS MY INTENTION FOR THE
MOTION I.WANT TO MAKE IT VERY
CLEAR THAT I WANT TO CONTINUE TO
REQUIRE THE PARENTAL OPT OUT, BY
COMPUTER, WHATEVER, AND THAT
WILL STILL KEEP US IN LINE, MR.
PORTER, THAT WILL KEEP STILL
KEEP US THAT WE ARE STILL
FOLLOWING THE LAW, WE WILL NOT
RECEIVE ANY FINANCIAL, YOU KNOW,
ANY FINANCIAL REPERCUSSIONS FROM
IT, BUT THE IDEA IS TO ALSO KEEP
COMMUNITIES WILL CONTINUE
KEEPING THE MASK.
I KNOW WHEN I WAS AT
HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, MOST
OF THOSE CHILDREN SAID, YOU
KNOW, LET US CHOOSE, BUT LET'S
MAKE SURE THAT MY YOUNGER
BROTHER OR SISTER, IF THE
PARENTS CAN MAKE THAT DECISION.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S
VERY CLEAR.
>>Lynn Gray: SO WE ARE GOING TO
MAKE THIS MOTION CRYSTAL CLEAR.
WE HEARD FROM MEMBER COMBS.
AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD
AND HAVE THAT, MR. PORTER, AND
THEN WE ARE GOING TO VOTE.
>>Jim Porter: SO THE MOTION AS I
UNDERSTAND IT IS TO REMOVE THE
REQUIREMENT FOR MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE AND ALLOW A MASK
MANDATE WITH A PARENTAL OPT OUT.
THE ONLY ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WITH
WHAT THE PARENTAL OPT OUT LOOKS
LIKE.
SO THAT GOES TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION
AND ALSO GOES TO BE WHAT THE
BOARD'S INITIAL ACTION WAS.
THE MASK MANDATE IN HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR WAS
NOT AUTHORED BY THE BOARD, IT
WAS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.
AND WAS NOT SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT
THE PARENTAL OPT OUT LOOKED
LIKE.
YOU LEFT THAT TO HIM IN HIS
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES AS THE
SUPERINTENDENT.
HE EXPLAINED TO YOU HOW HE DID
IT PREVIOUSLY, AND HOW HE
INTENDS TO DO IT GOING FORWARD.
SO THAT WASN'T SOMETHING THE
BOARD HAD VOTED ON BEFORE.
THE ONLY VOTE THE BOARD TOOK WAS
TO REQUIRE THE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE.
SO WHAT THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR
DOES IS REMOVE THE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE, STILL MAINTAIN THE
SUPERINTENDENT'S MASK MANDATE
WITH A PARENTAL OPEN OPT OUT,
AND HOW THAT'S IMPLEMENTED,
UNLESS THE BOARD DIRECTS
OTHERWISE, IT'S UP TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT TO DECIDE.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY.
MEMBER SNIVELY AND THEN WE'LL
VOTE BEFORE WE FORGET EXACTLY
WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON.
OKAY.
HERE WE GO.
MEMBER SNIVELY, GO AHEAD.
>>Melissa Snively: SORRY ABOUT
THAT.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM
CLEAR ON WHAT YOU ARE SAYING,
BECAUSE I KNOW THE INTENTION OF
YOUR MOTION, BUT IT DIDN'T
SPECIFICALLY ORIGINALLY SAY AN
OPT OUT FORM, AND YOU ARE SAYING
THAT THERE WILL BE AN OPT OUT.
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE MOTION
WAS, TO HAVE A PARENTAL OPT OUT.
BUT THEN IT IS UP TO THE SUMMIT
ON HOW TO ADMINISTRATE THE OPT
OUT PORTION OF THIS PARTICULAR
SITUATION.
>>Jim Porter: UNLESS THE BOARD
DIRECTS OTHERWISE.
SO THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT
WOULD REQUIRE A SEPARATE MOTION,
BECAUSE THE ONLY THING ON THE
FLOOR NOW IS REMOVING THE
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
>>Melissa Snively: OKAY.
>>Lynn Gray: WELL, I THOUGHT
THERE WAS MORE THAN THAT.
>>Nadia Combs: ARE YOU ABLE TO
AMEND MY MOTION AND ADD THE
PARENTAL OPT OUT?
>>Jim Porter: LET'S THAN CLEAR.
WE HAVE TO UNZIP THE LAYER.
BEFORE THE BOARD ACTED AT ALL,
THE SUPERINTENDENT IMPOSED A
MASK MANDATE FOR THIS DISTRICT
THAT ALLOWED THE PARENTAL OPT
OUT.
THE BOARD DID NOT VOTE ON THAT.
NOR DID THE BOARD DICTATE WHAT
THE PARENTAL OPT OUT LOOKED
LIKE.
YOU HEARD HIM DESCRIBE HOW HE
DID THAT.
AND THEN YOU ADDED THE LAYER,
THE BOARD AFTERWARDS ADDING THE
LAYER OF THE MEDICAL
CERTIFICATE.
THAT'S BEING REMOVED TODAY.
SO IF YOU TOOK IT WITH A
STRAIGHT-UP VOTE ALL THAT WOULD
HAPPEN IS YOU WOULD GO BACK TO
WHAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE YOU
VOTED, WHICH WAS A MASK MANDATE
WITH A PARENTAL OPT OUT.
THE BOARD HAD NEVER GIVEN ANY
DIRECTION, TO MY UNDERSTANDING,
TOOK NO OFFICIAL VOTE ON WHAT
THE PARENTAL OPT OUT LOOKED
LIKE.
SO IF YOU WANTED TO DO THAT,
THEN YOU COULD DO THAT WITH A
SUBSEQUENT MOTION.
BUT YOU JUST NEED TO LISTEN TO
THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
RECOMMENDATION OF WHAT THAT
MEANS, ADMINISTRATIVELY.
THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES.
YOU ARE VOTING TO REMOVE THE
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
IF YOU 2021 GET INTO THE
DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF WHAT
THAT LOOKS LIKE, THAT'S A
SEPARATE DISCUSSION.
IT REALLY IS A SEPARATE
DISCUSSION BECAUSE THAT WASN'T
SOMETHING YOU VOTED ON
PREVIOUSLY.
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR.
I'M ONLY SPEAKING TO OUR
EXPERIENCES.
WITH 15% OF OUR PARENTS ONLY
COMPLETING IT, I'M JUST BEING
HONEST ABOUT WHERE WE ARE, AND
THE DOCUMENTS REQUIREMENTS FROM
TALLAHASSEE DIDN'T PINPOINT OR
IDENTIFY THAT WE COULD EVEN DO
THAT.
WE JUST NEEDED TO HAVE
CLARIFICATIONS FOR ISSUES THAT
MS. COMBS AND MRS. VAUGHN SPOKE
ABOUT, ABOUT WHETHER A LEARNER
WALKED INTO A CLASSROOM, HE OR
SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MASK
AND THEY DIDN'T SO WE MADE SURE
WE ACCOMMODATED IT.
WE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN OUR
EXPERIENCE WAS MANDATE THAT
DOCUMENT.
I WOULD DO THE WILL OF THE
BOARD.
I WILL BE FOR PARENTAL CHOICE
FOR PARENTS TO DECIDE.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT I SHARE THE EXPERIENCES
THAT WE HAD WITH THAT
IMPLEMENTATION.
>>Lynn Gray: AND I HEAR FROM
MEMBER COMBS' MOTION THAT THAT
IS INHERENTLY KLUG INCLUDED IN
THAT, THE ELECTRONIC, HOWEVER
YOU WISH, BUT IT'S NOT.
OKAY.
>>Jim Porter: YOU NEED TO BE
CLEAR.
>>Lynn Gray: WELL, MEMBER
VAUGHN, AND THEN WE WILL GO
AHEAD.
I WOULD SAY THIS.
LET MEMBER COMBS RESTATE HER
MOTION BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT.
MEMBER VAUGHN?
>>Jessica Vaughn: I AM GOING TO
SEE IF WE CAN AMEND THE MOTION
TO INCLUDE THE SUPERINTENDENT --
TO DIRECT THE SUPERINTENDENT TO
REQUIRE THE PARENTS TO FILL OUT
THE MEDICAL OPT OUT FORM ONLINE,
TO AMEND MEMBER COMBS MOTION.
>>Jim Porter: THAT WOULD REQUIRE
A SECOND.
YOU HAVE A SECOND FROM MEMBER
COMBS.
WHAT THE BOARD --
>> NOT MEDICAL OPT OUT.
PARENTAL OPT OUT.
>>Jim Porter: I'M SORRY.
NOW IT'S CLEAR, THE RECORD
SHOULD REFLECT THAT MEMBER
VAUGHN MADE A MOTION TO AMEND
THE MOTION TO FURTHER DEFINE
PARENTAL OPT OUT AS REQUIRING A
FORM ONLINE.
SO THAT'S AN AMENDMENT THAT THE
BOARD NEEDS TO VOTE ON.
SO HERE IS WHAT YOU ARE VOTING
ON AN AMENDMENT.
SO IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF
REQUIRING A FORM, WHETHER IT'S
ONLINE OR ANOTHER WAY TO BE
REQUIRED FOR THE PARENTAL OPT
OUT, YOU SHOULD VOTE YES.
IF YOU ARE NOT, IF YOU ARE JUST
IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING THE PARENTS
TO OPT OUT WITHOUT ANY FORM, YOU
SHOULD VOTE NO.
AND THIS IS NOT ON THE MAIN
MOTION.
THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS AN
AMENDMENT.
SO IF YOU WANT TO GO WITH MS.
VAUGHN AND MRS. COMBS SUGGESTED
WHICH IS REQUIRING A FORM
ONLINE, VOTE YES.
IF YOU WANT TO GO WITH WHAT MRS.
SNIVELY IS RECOMMENDING, WHICH
IS TO JUST ALLOW THE PARENTS TO
OPT OUT, AND THAT'S THE
SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION
AS WELL, YOU NEED TO VOTE NO.
SO YOU SHOULD VOTE ON THE
AMENDMENT.
DID YOU HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION
ON THE AMENDMENT?
OKAY.
>>Lynn Gray: MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Melissa Snively: I THINK IT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE LISTEN
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND THE
FACT THAT, NO OFFENSE, BUT THE
WAY THAT WE DID IT WAS NOT
WORKING.
IT WAS KIND OF A FAIL, YOU KNOW,
UNFORTUNATELY.
BUT I KNOW WE TRIED TO COLLECT
THAT INFORMATION, AND I'M
CONCERNED ABOUT THE TEACHERS'
RESPONSIBILITY EVERY SINGLE DAY
TO PATROL MASKS.
NOW, IF THEY ARE GOING -- IF
PARENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO
FILL OUT A FORM, AND THAT
INFORMATION GOES TO THE TEACHERS
AND THEN TEACHERS GET A LIST,D
CAN CHANGE ON A REGULAR BASIS,
THEN THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO,
YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY BE MASK
POLICE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS ALL
OVER AGAIN AND THAT TAKES AWAY
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME EVERY DAME
FROM STUDENTS.
SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE
SAYING ABOUT THE YOUNGER KIDS
AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY --
THAT IS A PARENT'S
RESPONSIBILITY, PART OF THE
PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY IS TO
INSTILL THOSE RULES OR THAT
DISCIPLINE INTO THAT CHILD, THAT
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WEAR THE
MASK ALL DAY, AND IT SHOULDN'T
HAVE TO BE ON THE SHOULDERS OF
OUR TEACHERS AND OUR
ADMINISTRATORS EVERY SINGLE DAY
TO POLICE MASKS FOR OUR STUDENTS
AND ALWAYS KEEP UP WITH GO TO MY
LIST EVERY DAY, I HAVE TO
MEMORIZE, THEN THEN START DOING
STICK I NOTE HERE AND THERE AND
DISCRUMB NIGHTING AND
SEPARATING.
SO I AM VERY CONCERNED BEGUN
THAT.
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, ONE,
THE FACT THAT WE ARE TELLING YOU
HOW TO DO YOUR JOB, BECAUSE
THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE, THAT
WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO
STATUTORILY, AND TWO, THAT IT
DIDN'T WORK, AND YOU ARE TELLING
US IT DIDN'T WORK.
YET WE ARE STILL TRYING TO VOTE
FOR IT AGAIN.
SO MAYBE WE COULD COME UP WITH,
I DON'T KNOW, A DIFFERENT WAY, A
DIFFERENT METHOD, MAYBE WE GIVE
UP SOME TIME TO FIGURE OUT A
DIFFERENT WAY OF MANAGING IT,
BECAUSE YOU TOLD US THAT DIDN'T
WORK.
SO I AM JUST CONCERNED THAT,
ONE, WE ARE TELLING YOU HOW TO
DO YOUR JOB, AND TWO, YOU ARE
TELLING US THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT,
AND MAYBE WE SHOULD GIVE YOU AN
OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING
DIFFERENT, BUT WE SHOULD TRUST
YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT,
TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS.
THAT'S YOUR JOB 14 THROUGH THE
CHAIR.
I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WAS IN
ELEMENTARY, WITH BEING ABLE TO
KNOW WHO HAS OPTED OUT AND WHO
HAS NOT.
I THINK THAT'S MORE BECAUSE OUR
YOUNGER STUDENTS DON'T HAVE
AVAILABILITY FOR VACCINATION,
AND THE OLDER AGE, YOU KNOW, WE
KNOW THAT STUDENTS HAVE A MORE
ACCESSIBILITY TO HAVE ADDITIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES OF VACCINATION,
BEING ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT.
OVERARCHINGLY, IT WILL CREATE
ADDITIONAL STRESSORS, YOU KNOW,
POTENTIALLY FOR LEADERS AND FOR
TEACHERS AS WELL, BUT I
UNDERSTAND THE INDICATION TO BE
ABLE TO KNOW IN THE ELEMENTARY
SIDE OF IT.
SO MAYBE IT'S ELEMENTARY BEING
ABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY FEEL
IT OUT, ESPECIALLY FOR GRADES
PRE-K-THROUGH 5th GRADE AND
FOR SECONDARY FOR THOSE JUST
HAVING THAT OPT-OUT OPTION.
>>Lynn Gray: SO THIS IS A WHOLE
PROCESS AND PROCEDURE.
RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A MOTION ON
THE FLOOR FOR THE RECOGNITION OF
A FORM, ELECTRONIC OR NOT, SO
IT'S A YES OR NO.
MEMBER WASHINGTON?
ARE YOU WANTING TO SAY
SOMETHING?
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: YES.
OKAY.
SO IF WE DON'T HAVE -- HOW DO WE
KNOW KIDS OPT OUT?
YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE SOME
ACCOUNTABILITY, I WOULD THINK.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>>Addison Davis: YES, SIR,
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
THE REQUIREMENTS, THE STATUTORY
EMERGENCY RULE DOESN'T IDENTIFY
OR REQUIRE ANY DOCUMENTATION.
WE ONLY ASK FOR THEM TO BE ABLE
TO LEVERAGE AND IDENTIFY TO BE
ABLE TO GET INFORMATION TO STAFF
JUST IN CASE SOMEONE DID LOSE
THEIR MASK OR SOMEONE WAS IN THE
CLASSROOM WHO DID NOT -- WHO
ELECTED, A STUDENT ELECTED NOT
TO WEAR BUT THE PARENTS WANTED
THEM TO DO THAT.
THE ISSUE IS, WE PUSHED THIS
FORM, FILL THIS FORM OUT, THIS
IS WHAT WE NEED, AND IT JUST
BECAME A STRESSOR AND FOCUS ON
TRYING TO CHASE THAT INFORMATION
TO GET A FULL REFLECTION OF WHAT
WAS TRANSPIRING IN SCHOOLS.
SO YOU HAD SOME POCKETS OF THE
COMMUNITY WHO DID IT, SOME
POCKETS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT
THE DID NOT DO IT.
SO YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT
EITHER WAY NOW.
IF WE MANDATE IT NOW YOU ARE
STILL GOING TO HAVE POCKETS OF
STUDENTS OR PARENTS THAT ARE NOT
GOING TO COMPLETE IT.
AND FROM OUR SIDE OF IT, PER
LOOKING AT THE DOCUMENTATION AND
ALL THE EMERGENCY RULING OF
THAT, WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT
DISCIPLINE STUDENTS BASED ON
WHETHER OR NOT THEY FILL THAT
DOCUMENT OUT.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAT
'S A GREAT ANSWER.
YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.
AND NEXT, USE A FORM FOR OPT
OUT?
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR.
SOME ARE USING AN OPT-OUT FORM.
SOME ARE NOT.
AND JUST USING IT AS A LEARNER
SHOWS UP WITHOUT A MASK.
AND THEY ARE IDENTIFYING THAT AS
AN OPT-OUT OPTION.
BUT WHAT WE COULD DO IS GO BACK
AND LOOK AT SURROUNDING COUNTIES
TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND
DETERMINE A MORE EFFICIENT WAY.
BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, IT'S GOING
TO BE INCONSISTENT EITHER WAY
YOU DO IT.
IT'S JUST GOING TO BE
INCONSISTENT.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: I
UNDERSTAND.
I UNDERSTAND.
I JUST WANTED TO GET SOME
CLARIFICATION, BECAUSE IF YOU
DON'T OPT OUT, BECAUSE KIDS
COULD COME TO SCHOOL AND TAKE
THEIR MASK OFF AND THE PARENTS
WOULD NEVER KNOW IT.
THAT'S A VALID POINT.
>>Addison Davis: I SEE YOUR
POINT.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: BUT
WE DON'T WANT TO RUN YOUR DAILY
OPERATION BECAUSE YOU ARE THE
SUPERINTENDENT.
THAT'S YOUR JOB.
IF WE DON'T COME TO A CONCLUSION
TONIGHT YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK
AND YOU ALL COME UP WITH SOME
TYPE OF SOLUTION HOW WE ARE
DOING IT.
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR, WE HAVE LEARNED TO MAKE
ADJUSTMENTS THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
IF WE NEED TO MAKE IT IN THE
NEXT WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AFTER WE
IMPLEMENT, WE WILL.
WE CAN DO DO THAT.
BUT TO COME FROM OUR SIDE, WE
JUST SAW THE IMPLEMENTATION LAST
TIME WHEN WE PUSHED IT, DIDN'T
REALLY CAPTURE WHERE WE WERE.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAN
K YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: I THINK WE ARE
STARTING TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE,
BUT PROBABLY WE NEED TO REVISIT
THIS PARTICULAR PART, BECAUSE
RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT HEARING,
YOU DON'T HAVE PREPARATIONS TO
MAKE A PROCESS, AND WE ARE JUST
ARGUING BACK AND FORTH AND BACK
AND FORTH.
I'LL HEAR TWO MORE COMMENTS, IF
WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN VOTE AT THAT
PARTICULAR MOTION, OR WE WILL
SHELF IT, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT
GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THIS.
WE ARE JUST GOING BACK AND
FORTH.
MEMBER VAUGHN, CONCLUDE.
AND MEMBER COMBS, CONCLUDE.
AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE
VOTE AND THE DECISION.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
GO AHEAD.
>>Jessica Vaughn: IS IT ON?
HEAR WE GO.
SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BY
SAYING IT DIDN'T WORK, IF YOU
ARE SAYING THERE WERE SOME
PARENTS WHO DIDN'T FILL OUT THE
FORM AND SENT THEIR KIDS WITHOUT
A MASK REGARDLESS, WE HAVE HEARD
SEVERAL PARENTS TONIGHT SAY, IT
DIDN'T MATTER IF WE HAD A
MEDICAL OPT OUT, THEY SENT THEIR
KIDS IN PASSIVE RESISTANCE AND
TOLD THEM NOT TO.
WE HAVEN'T REALLY IMPLEMENTED
THE POLICY OR FOUND A WAY TO
IMPLEMENT IT EVEN WHEN WE HAD A
MEDICAL OPT OUT THE ENTIRE TIME.
SO TO SAY THAT THAT ONE PIECE
WAS A FAILURE, AND IF THERE WERE
PARENTS WHO FILLED IT OUT, OR
DIDN'T FILL IT OUT AND STILL HAD
KIDS SHOWING UP, ISN'T ANY
DIFFERENT THAN ANY OF OUR
POLICIES.
WE HAVE LOTS OF PARENTS WHO SAID
THEY WERE GOING TO DO WHATEVER
THEY WANTED AND NOT GO BY OUR
GUIDELINES AND THAT LET US KNOW
THAT THEY WERE OPTING OUT.
SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE IT'S
KEEPING THIS FOREMAN IS GOING TO
ADD ONE MORE LAYER AND IT GIVES
PARENTS WHO ARE ON THE FENCE A
DECISION THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO
GO THROUGH THAT EXTRA STEP AND
THEY WOULD RATHER PUT A MASK ON
AND CREATE ONE MORE LAYER PROVE
TEXAS IN OUR SCHOOLS, WHY IT
MATTERED.
MOST OF THE TEACHERS SAID THEY
WEREN'T GETTING A CLASSROOM LIST
ANYWAY.
MOST OF THE TEACHERS I KNOW
WEREN'T OVERIMPLEMENTING IT.
SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS
ONE EXTRA LAYER THAT MAY OR MAY
NOT PUT A FEW MORE MASKS IN
CLASS ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE
TALKING ABOUT OUR MOST
VULNERABLE LAYER OF STUDENTS,
KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO
THE VACCINE, WHERE IT'S R WHY
IT'S SUCH A BIG DEAL.
DUVAL, ORANGE COUNTY HAS THIS
FORM.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SURROUNDING
OTHER COUNTIES, ABSOLUTELY THEY
HAVE THIS FORM WHERE PARENTS
HAVE TO GO FILL OUT.
WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SEX
EDUCATION, IS THAT A
SUPERINTENDENT, IS THAT A BOARD
POLICY?
IT'S A POLICY THAT WE HAVE WHEN
WE TALK ABOUT MAYBE HOW WE ARE
GOING TO DIRECT YOU TO HANDLE
OPERATIONS.
SO TO ACT LIKE ALL OF A SUDDEN
THIS ONE TIME IS SOMETHING THAT
WE ARE OVERSTEPPING AND GOING
INTO YOUR PURVIEW OF OPERATIONS
BEWE ARE COMPLETELY REMOVING AN
OPT OUT MEDICAL MASK MANDATE TO
CREATE ONE MORE LAYER, I STAND
BY MY MOTION TO AMEND AND KEEP
THAT ONE PIECE, THANK YOU,
MEMBER VAUGHN.
MEMBER COMBS AND THEN WE'LL
VOTE.
>>Nadia Combs: I ALSO AGREE,
ESPECIALLY KEEPING THAT LAYER
FOR THE ELEMENTARY.
I THINK IF A SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY
GETS THE INFORMATION AND THEY
DON'T WANT TO USE IT, THAT'S
OKAY.
BUT AT LEAST PROVIDE IT BECAUSE
EVERY COMMUNITY DIFFERS.
WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE DISTRICT.
SOME SCHOOLS, SOME PRINCIPALS,
SOME ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WANTS
THAT DATA.
SOME TEACHERS WANT THAT DATA.
SOME OF THEM ARE NOT GOING TO BE
USING IT.
WE DID IT BEFORE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S SO
DIFFICULT TO DO IT NOW.
AND FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I
WALK AROUND HIGH SCHOOL, KIDS
ARE NOT WEARING PROPERLY.
I MEAN, NOBODY IS GOING TO BE
THE MASK POLICE.
THAT HASN'T CHANGED.
BUT IF IT GIVES THAT PARENT AND
GIVES THAT COMMUNITY A LITTLE --
MAKES THEM FEEL SAFER, OR I'M
SENDING MY CHILD TOMORROW AND
I'M CONCERNED AND MY CHILD IS 8
YEARS OLD OR 7 YEARS OLD AND
SOMETIMES IT'S NOT A RULE
FOLLOWER, AND I WANT THEM TO
WEAR THE MASK, I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT EXTRA
LAYER.
I THINK WE ARE GOING FROM ZERO
TO 100.
LET'S AT LEAST MOVE A LITTLE BIT
TO 50 AND HAVE SOME KIND OF
COMPROMISE.
DO I FEEL SAD THAT IT'S A LOT OF
WORK?
WE DID IT BEFORE VERY QUICKLY.
I KNOW WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
COMBS.
>>Jim Porter: THIS IS THE
AMENDMENT.
AND I WILL BREAK IT DOWN FOR
YOU.
SO IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF
REQUIRING THE PARENTS TO FILL
OUT A FORM ONLINE, VOTE YES.
IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR -- IF YOU
ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT, JUST
ALLOWING THE PARENTS TO OPT OUT
WITHOUT ANY SORT OF FORM, VOTE
NO.
NOT THE MAIN MOTION.
HOWEVER YOU VOTE, THERE'S STILL
ANOTHER VOTE TO FOLLOW.
MR. WASHINGTON HAD A QUESTION.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: LIKE
A PAPER FORM OR --
>>Addison Davis: IT COULD BE
EITHER WAY.
ACCESSIBILITY ONLINE OR A PAPER.
>> IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF A
FORMAL FORM VOTE YES.
IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF NO FORM,
VOTE NO.
THERE WILL BE ANOTHER VOTE
AFTERWARDS.
>>Lynn Gray: VOTE WHEN YOUR
LIGHTS ARE ON.
AT LEAST WE ARE VOTING.
MEMBER HAHN?
OKAY.
TWO NOs.
MEMBER SNIFFLE, MEMBER HAHN, AND
THE REMAINDER ARE YES.
THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS.
>>Jim Porter: NOW THE MAIN
MOTION HAS BEEN AMENDED SO THE
MAIN MOTION IS TO REMOVE THE
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, ALLOW THE
PARENTAL OPT OUT, BUT THERE'S A
FORM REQUIRED FOR THE PARENTAL
OPT OUT.
>>Lynn Gray: PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL MOTION MADE
BY MEMBER COMBS.
OKAY.
MEMBER HAHN?
>>Stacy Hahn: I'M SORRY.
I DID VOTE.
JUST A LITTLE DELAYED.
>>Lynn Gray: THAT'S OKAY.
WE HAVE MEMBER VAUGHN NO AND THE
REMAINDER OF THE BOARD MEMBERS
SAYING YES.
>>Jim Porter: SO THE BOARD HAS
VOTED TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT
FOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
THERE'S A MASK MANDATE IN PLACE
IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WITH A
PARENTAL OPT OUT, AND PARENTS
MUST PROVIDE A FORM THAT WILL BE
PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT TO OPT
OUT.
THIS WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 24
HOURS, SO THAT WILL GIVE TIME
FOR THE PRINCIPALS TO NOTICE.
THERE WILL BE A GRACE PERIOD TO
ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME INTO
COMPLIANCE.
MADAM CHAIR, IF WE COULD REQUEST
A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS SO A LOT OF
THIS STUFF CAN BE SETTLED AND
COMMUNICATED OUT SO THAT WE CAN
BE ON TOP OF THIS.
>>Lynn Gray: EXCELLENT
SUGGESTION.
FIVE MINUTES AND THEN GET INTO
THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.
(RECESS).
>>Lynn Gray: WE ARE NOW GOING
INTO THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.
AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL FLOW.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD
MEMBERS FOR THEIR VERY CAREFUL
REMARKS, AND THEIR INTENTIONAL
THINKING TOWARDS THE LAST ITEM.
CERTAINLY, I THINK WE ALL CAME
OUT WITH AN AGREEABLE NEXT
STEPS.
TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.
IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION.
AGENDA ITEM 7.302.
APPROVE THE FINAL.
>>Addison Davis: A FIVE-YEAR
OUTLAY WORK PLAN.
OUR JOB IS TO SUBMIT IT TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
THIS WORK PLAN WILL IDENTIFY HOW
WE ARE GOING TO LEVERAGE,
ADDRESS MAJOR REPAIRS,
RENOVATIONS, ADD NEW PLAN
CONSTRUCTION, ADDRESS CLASS SIZE
INFORMATION, AND ALSO LOOK AT
HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT PORTABLE
CLASSROOMS IN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
THIS IS A 2.2 BILLION
EXPENDITURE RELATED TO CAPITAL
FUNDING, WHICH AROUND 1 BILLION
WILL BE USED TO ADDRESS
MAINTENANCE, MAJOR ISSUES, MAJOR
REPAIRS WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU,
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO
APPROVE ITEM 7.02.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER COMBS,
A SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON,
AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MEMBER
SNIVELY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE
DISCUSSION?
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR.
ONE OF THE REASONS I PULLED THIS
DOWN TO THE DISCUSSION AGENDA
WAS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A BIG
ITEM, AND I BELIEVE THAT WE
CERTAINLY WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT
ABOUT WHERE WE ARE SPENDING OUR
CAPITAL DOLLARS, OUR TAXPAYER
DOLLARS, OUR REFERENDUM DOLLARS.
SINCE YOU MADE THE PRESENTATION
DURING YOUR SUPERINTENDENT
COMMENT, I DON'T NECESSARILY
NEED TO REHASH EVERYTHING THAT'S
ON THE FIVE-YEAR WORK PLAN, BUT
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
PROVIDING THE SLIDE THAT THE
PUBLIC COULD SEE, WHAT WE WERE
VOTING ON TONIGHT, AND I KNOW
THAT I UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO DROP
OFF OF OUR MEETING TOWARDS THE
END WITH THE JOINT BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SCHOOL
BOARD MEETING THE OTHER DAY.
SO I JUST WANTED TO GET A QUICK
UPDATE ON WHERE DID WE LEAVE OFF
AT THE END OF THAT MEETING, WHAT
I UNDER WAS THAT WE HAVE TO
REVISE THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
IS GOING TO BE REVISED.
WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON SOMETHING
LIKE THAT AND WHERE DID WE LEAVE
OFF WITH THAT SO THE PUBLIC
KNOWS WHERE WE ARE AS WELL, AND
THE BOARD?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
WAS REALLY A PRODUCTIVE MEETING.
I THINK A LOT OF PREWORK THAT
OPERATIONS TEAM AND THE BONNIE
WISE AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED, WITH CHRIS AND HIS
TEAM AND AMBER, THEY HAVE DONE A
REALLY GOOD JOB WITH BOCC STAFF
WITH A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS.
WE HAVE ASKED THE BO CC TO
REALLY HELP US REVISE THE
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BY
DECEMBER, END OF DECEMBER.
SO WHEN WE TRANSITION TO THE NEW
YEAR, WE HAVE A BETTER GAME PLAN
IN REMOVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
FOR TRANSPORTATION METHODOLOGIES
AND OTHER ELEMENTS SO WE CAN BE
ABLE TO SHALL IN CONCERT WITH
RIGHT SIZE WHAT WE OWN, WHAT WE
HAVE TO DO RELATED TO ALL THE
ELEMENTS.
MR. FARKAS?
>>Christopher Farkas: JUST WANT
TO ADD, IT SOUND VERY EASY TO
SAY REVISE AN INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT, AND IT'S GOING TO
SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS. I WANT
TO POINT OUT IT'S A HUGE
CHALLENGE TO DO.
AMBER AND HER TEAM AND CRAIG AND
HIS TEAM WILL BE WORKING IN
CONCERT AS MR. DAVIS SAID BUT IT
IS GOING TO BE A HUGE CHALLENGE.
THERE ARE SOME BIG TASKS ON THAT
LIST OF THINGS WE ARE GOING TO
NOT AGREE ON, THAT WE ARE NOT
GOING TO SEE EYE TO EYE ON.
SO IT IS AGGRESSIVE TO THE END
OF DECEMBER.
WE WILL OBVIOUSLY COME BACK TO
THE BOARD WITH UPDATES.
WE ARE GOING TO SEND SOME
INFORMATION OUT TO YOU.
I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE VERY
STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THAT AND
HAVE A PASSION FOR THAT SO I
WANT TO ASK IF YOU ARE GOING TO
WANT TO HAVE ONE-ON-ONE
MEETINGS, I WILL LEAVE THAT UP
TO THE BOARD TO DO THAT AND THEN
START HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS
AND UPDATE YOU AS THOSE BIG
ITEMS COME IN.
BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE
TASK.
THAT IS OUR COMMITMENT.
OUR SHORT TERM GOAL WAS TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE WEST LAKE
PROPERTY, THEY COULDN'T TALK TOO
MUCH ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THEY ARE
GOING TO VOTE ON IT BUT SHORT
TERM TO TRY TO GET THAT APPROVED
AND LONG-TERM, MAYBE THAT WILL
SOLVE THE LONG-TERM BEFORE
DECEMBER SO THAT IS OUR GOAL.
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT INFORMATION.
I THINK IT'S GOOD TO KEEP THIS
OUT IN FRONT OF US.
THANK YOU FOR OFFERING TO DO THE
ONE TO ONES.
I THINK THIS IS ON GROWTH
MANAGEMENT IS ON OUR SUSPENDED
AGENDA AS WELL, SO THAT IT
CONTINUES TO COSM TO US AS
CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE
FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
SO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT
OUT IN FRONT OF US AND MAKING
SURE THAT WE ARE MANAGING THE
GROWTH AS BEST AS WE CAN.
I THINK WE ARE ALSO GOING TO
HAVE TO MAYBE EVEN LOOK AT SOME
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE
BUILDING SCHOOLS IN PLACES THAT
WE CAN'T GET THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO
REALLY START GETTING CREATIVE
AND INNOVATIVE ABOUT COMING UP
WITH SOLUTIONS BECAUSE WE CAN'T
WAIT FOR HOWEVER LONG IT COULD
POSSIBLY TAKE FOR THE INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT TO BE FINALIZED BEFORE
KIDS ARE BUSTING OUT OF SCHOOLS
IN SOUTH IT THE, AND WHEN WE
TALK ABOUT EARLIER TODAY IN OUR
WORKSHOP WHY PEOPLE LEAVE, AND
DECIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO GO
TO A CHARTER SCHOOL OR HOME
SCHOOL OR PRIVATE SCHOOL, OR
VIRTUAL SCHOOL, SOMETIMES IT'S
THE OVERCROWDING, AND THEY ARE
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MANY
KIDS ARE IN THE CLASS AND IN THE
SCHOOL, IN THE CAFETERIA, AND
THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, THE
QUALITY OF SCHOOL LIFE IS
DIMINISHED IN AN OVERCROWDED
SCHOOL.
SO JUST THANK YOU, AND WE HAVE
TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD PRETTY
HARD TO GET THESE SCHOOLS BUILT
FOR -- ANY STATIONS BUILT FOR
OUR STUDENTS TO AVOID CONTINUOUS
OVERCROWDING.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: TO MEMBER SNIVELY'S
POINT, A ONE-ON-ONE WITH EVERY
BOARD MEMBER I THINK IS VERY
MUCH NEEDED.
AND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF INPUT
ABOUT THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT,
BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL HAVE TO A
LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING TO SAY.
AND IT IF THAT'S OKAY, MEMBER
SNIVELY, WE WILL PUT A
ONE-ON-ONE TOGETHER.
MR. FARKAS, SUPERINTENDENT
DAVIS?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
>>Lynn Gray: WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE.
>>Addison Davis: YES.
>>Lynn Gray: SO THANK YOU,
MEMBER SNIVELY, FOR PULLING
THIS.
PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS ARE
ON.
MEMBER HAHN?
AH.
UNANIMOUS.
6.05.
INVITATION TO BID CUSTODIAL
EQUIPMENT.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WILL YOU
HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM?
>>Addison Davis: THIS INVITATION
TO BID FOR CUSTODIAL EQUIPMENT,
FOR US TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE
PRICING ON GOODS, SERVICES,
FLOOR SCRUBBERS, CARPET
CLEANERS, WET-DRY VACUUMS AND
HAND TRUCKS. WE WENT OUT AND
THE REASON WE PULLED THIS IS
BECAUSE THIS IS $750,000 IN
GENERAL FUNDS, AND BOARD MEMBERS
ASKED ME TO BRING ANYTHING, FOR
ANYTHING RELATED TO GENERAL FUND
FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE APPRISED
FOR TRANSPARENCY.
>>Lynn Gray: AND I NEED A MOTION
AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
WASHINGTON, A SECOND BY MEMBER
SNIVELY.
MEMBER SNIVELY, WOULD YOU LIKE
TO MAKE A COMMENT?
>>Melissa Snively: JUST A
FOLLOW-UP ON THE
SUPERINTENDENT'S COMMENTS.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS THREE
QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS OF
EXPENDITURE FROM OUR GENERAL
FUND IT WOULD BE A GOOD ITEM TO
PULL UP FOR ANY BOARD DISCUSSION
IF WEED IT OR JUST TO BE
TRANSPARENT ABOUT UTILIZATION.
WE ARE MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT
THESE EXPENDITURES CAN'T COME
FROM ANY OTHER PLACE LIKE
CAPITAL FUND OR ANY OTHER
CATEGORY.
IT HAS TO COME OUT OF GENERAL
FUND.
IS THAT CORRECT?
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
SNIVELY.
BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
OKAY.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
WITH MEMBER HAHN ALERT AS EVER.
ALL RIGHT.
6.11, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
WATERPROOFING SERVICES.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WILL YOU
HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM?
>>Addison Davis: 6.11 IS A
PROPOSAL FOR WATERPROOFING
SERVICES.
SO ANYTIME THAT WE ARE GOING TO
A FACILITY, ONE THING WE WANT TO
DO IS BE ABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN
THAT THERE IS NO ACCESSIBILITY
FOR WATER TO ENTER OUR
BUILDINGS, WHETHER THAT'S
THROUGH WINDOWS, WHETHER THAT'S
THROUGH FLOODING, WINDOW LEAKS.
SO JUST BEING ABLE TO HAVE A
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OF $6
MILLION TO BE ABLE TO UTAH
CAPITAL AND REFERENDUM FUNDS TO
BE ABLE TO ADDRESS OUR
FACILITIES.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU,
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER COMBS,
A SECOND BY MEMBER SNIVELY.
AND DISCUSSION, MEMBER VAUGHN?
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU,
YES.
THERE WERE A FEW ITEMS ON THE
CONSENT AGENDA BUT IT WAS TOO
LATE.
ORIGINALLY I PULLED THIS ONE
BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT
GENERAL FUND, ANYTIME WE DO HAVE
A $6 MILLION PURCHASE, SIMILAR
TO MEMBER SNIVELY, I LIKE IT TO
BE HIGHLIGHTED AND FOR PEOPLE TO
SEE WHAT WE ARE SPENDING OUR
MONEY ON WHEN A PURCHASE IS THAT
LARGE.
BUT LIKE I SAID, IT COULD GO
BACK TO CONSENT.
I DON'T HAVE IT ANY QUESTIONS ON
IT.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: BOARD MEMBERS,
PLEASE VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS ARE
ON.
OKAY.
THERE'S A REASON.
THANK YOU.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
NEXT IS 6.12, BOND COUNSEL.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WILL YOU
HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
THIS IS A BOND COUNSEL UTILIZED
SERVICES TO PROVIDE BOND COUNSEL
SERVICE FORCE INSURANCE OF DEBT
ALONG WITH CERTIFICATES AND COPS
WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION, SO
CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION.
THIS PROVIDES CONTINUOUS LEGAL
ADVICE FOR US FOR RELEVANT DEBT
ISSUES, AND DEBT ISSUES AND LOOK
AT OUR MASTER LEASE POLICEMAN AS
WELL.
THE BIGGEST REASON THAT THIS IS
BEING PULLED AS WELL BECAUSE WE
ARE USING GENERAL FUNDS TO BE
ABLE TO CREATE A MIXED PURCHASE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU.
NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
WASHINGTON, A SECOND BY MEMBER
COMBS.
AND MEMBER SNIVELY IS FINE WITH
THIS SO WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD
AND VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS ARE
ON.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS.
6 .13.
MEMBER VAUGHN, DID YOU WANT TO
PUT THIS BACK TO THE CONSENT?
>>Jessica Vaughn: IS THIS THE
ONE THAT TALKS ABOUT TESTING
WATER?
>>Lynn Gray: WASTEWATER?
>>Jessica Vaughn: I WANT TO
DISCUSS THAT ONE.
>>Lynn Gray: 6 .13?
OKAY.
THIS IS THE INVITATION TO BID
FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER
LABORATORY.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WILL YOU
HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM?
>>Addison Davis: THIS IS AN
INVITATION TO BID WITHIN OUR
SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO
ADDRESS WATER AND WASTEWATER
LABORATORY.
SO WE ALWAYS DO ASSESSMENTS
WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION TO
DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT WE NEED
TO ADDRESS OUR WATER ISSUES TO
ENSURE IT'S SAFE FOR OUR
STUDENTS.
WE KNOW THAT ANYTHING THAT'S
PRIOR TO 1978, WE TEST ANNUALLY,
ANYTHING AFTER 1978 WE TEST ON A
THREE YEAR BASIS.
WE THINK WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN
THERE'S NO LEAD OR CONTAMINATION
WITHIN THE WATER.
THIS IS A $70,000 EXPENDITURE
THROUGH CAPITAL FUND.
MR. FARKAS, ANYTHING ELSE YOU
WANT TO ADD?
THAT'S IT.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU,
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
WASHINGTON AND A SECOND BY
MEMBER SNIVELY.
DISCUSSION, MEMBER VAUGHN?
YOU PULLED THIS ITEM.
>>Jessica Vaughn: I JUST WANTED
TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I HAVE
SEVERAL PARENTS CONTACT ME AND
ASK ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR
WATER.
I GUESS THERE WAS AN ARTICLE
WRITTEN A WHILE AGO AND I JUST
WANT TO CONFIRM THIS BECAUSE WE
ARE TESTING WATER AND WE HAVE
CLARIFIED THAT OUR DRINKING
WATER IS SAFE AND THAT THERE'S
NOT LEAD AND HE'S BEEN
RESPONSIVE TO IT AND TO BE ABLE
TO ADDRESS PARENTS WHO STILL
HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.
SO THAT'S WHAT THIS IS IN
REGARDS TO AS WELL.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM
THROUGH THE CHAIR.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO
BE ABLE TO ASSESS OUR WATER
OFTEN SO WE DO THAT, YES, MA'AM.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY.
MEMBER VAUGHN, ARE YOU SAFFORD
SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWER?
OKAY.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON, BOARD
MEMBERS.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS.
6.14.
AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF
HCL PORTAL SERVER AND CONNECTS
SOFTWARE FROM ASPONTE
TECHNOLOGY.
>>Addison Davis: THIS IS A
PORTAL SERVER AND CONNECT
SOFTWARE THAT SERVES ALL OF OUR
APPLICATIONS WITH S-CONNECT FOR
OUR TEACHERS AND OUR EMPLOYEES
HAVE ACCESS TO IT.
THIS IS ALSO FOR OUR PARENTS FOR
STUDENT CHOICE TO BE ABLE TO USE
SERVER SOFTWARE AND OTHER
SYSTEMS.
THIS REALLY IS REQUIRED TO BE
ABLE TO ACCESS OUR STUDENT
INFORMATION SYSTEM.
WE DO BELIEVE THIS WILL BE A
ONE-YEAR ADDITIONAL PURCHASE,
AND THEN THIS CAN POTENTIALLY BE
SUNSET.
WE'LL KEEP THE BOARD APPRAISED
IF WE TRANSITION TO NEW SYSTEMS.
THE REASON THIS IS ALSO BROUGHT
FORWARD, THIS IS GENERAL FUNDS
TO BE ABLE TO USE $119,000 FOR
THIS EXPENDITURE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU,
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER COMBS,
AND A SECOND BY MEMBER
WASHINGTON.
MEMBER SNIVELY, YOU PULLED THIS
ITEM.
>>Melissa Snively: THANKS FOR
POINTING OUT THAT OBVIOUSLY WE
NEED TO CONTINUE THE SOFTWARE IN
ORDER TO CONTINUE SOME OF THE
EXISTING PROGRAMS.
I DID HAVE A QUESTION.
REGARDING THIS ITEM BUT IT'S
ALMOST A GENERAL QUESTION WHEN
IT COMES TO THIS.
WHEN YOU AND YOUR TEAM,
SUPERINTENDENT, GIVE US A COVER
SHEET WITH AN EXPLANATION OF THE
DETAILS OF THE PURCHASE, WHAT
WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL FOR US, I
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT DID WE
PAY LAST YEAR?
AND WHAT DID WE PAY THE YEAR
BEFORE THAT AND THE YEAR BEFORE
THAT?
IF YOU COULD TELL ME FOR THE
LAST FIVE YEARS WHAT WE HAVE
BEEN PAYING ON THIS CONTRACT FOR
ANY CONTRACT THAT RENEWED.
WE GET THE CONTRACT.
I CAN GO THROUGH THE WHOLE
CONTRACT, THAT WE ARE GOING TO
APPROVE.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LAST
CONTRACT OR THE DIFFERENCES EVEN
IN THE LAST CONTRACT.
BECAUSE LET'S SAY THIS CONTRACT
IS MUCH MORE OR LESS.
I WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION AS
TO WHY IS THIS 15% MORE THAN IT
WAS LAST YEAR?
ARE WE GETTING MORE FROM IT?
ARE WE GETTING AN EXPANSION OF
SERVICES?
SO THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL
FOR BOARD MEMBERS, I THINK, TO
KNOW IF WE CAN SEE A TREND IN
WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR THESE
CONTRACTS, AND MAYBE AN
EXPLANATION OF ANY VARIANTS
THAT'S MORE THAN, SAY, I DON'T
KNOW, WHAT WOULD MAKE SENSE,
10%, 15%, WHATEVER THE THRESHOLD
THAT MAKES SENSE WOULD BE.
I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY
HELPFUL.
THANK YOU.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
>>Lynn Gray: I THINK THAT'S A
GREAT IDEA AND WE CAN ALWAYS USE
THAT FINANCIAL HISTORY LESSON.
SO I THINK SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS,
IT'S A GREAT RECOMMENDATION FOR
US TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.
I WOULD LIKE TO AT THIS TIME
SUGGEST THAT WE VOTE WHEN YOUR
LIGHTS ARE ON.
AND IT'S UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS.
6.15.
APPROVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT THE BIGBIE METHOD
WITH OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM,
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR
TRANSFORMATION SCHOOLS.
WE KNOW THAT THERE'S DEFINITELY
A NEED FOR US TO CONTINUE TO
ADDRESS NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION
PROTOCOLS IN OUR SCHOOLS, SO
EVERY ONE OF OUR TRANSFORMATION
SCHOOLS WILL BE ABLE TO TRAIN UP
TO 15 EDUCATOR PER SCHOOL, AND
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE
TRAUMA RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENT.
SO HERE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO
LOOK AT FRAMEWORKS FOR
INTERACTION BETWEEN ADULTS AND
STUDENTS RELATED TO
OBSERVATIONS, FEELINGS, NEEDS,
REQUIREMENT OF JUDGMENT AND
COMMUNICATION AND BE A
MULTI-STAGE PROCESS THAT
TEACHERS GO THROUGH AND
POTENTIALLY A MULTIYEAR PROCESS.
15 DAYCARE IN THE FIRST YEAR AND
THEN TRANSITION TO THE SECOND
YEAR FOR 20 EDUCATOR TO BE ABLE
TO CLOSE OUT THE CONTINUUM
LOOKING AT ALL OF THEIR
INDIVIDUALS AT THEIR SCHOOL TO
BE TRAINED.
THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS
LOOKING LOCALLY CONSULTED, LOCAL
EFFECTIVENESS, DID A LOT OF WORK
IN TALLAHASSEE RELATED TO LEON
COUNTY SCHOOLS AND BEING ABLE TO
MOVE THE NEEDLE RELATED TO
DECREASING STUDENT DISCIPLINE
DATA, AND THIS IS A FORMAT TO BE
ABLE TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR
TEACHERS, TO BE ABLE TO CREATE
THAT, AND SUPPORT INCLUSIVE
ENVIRONMENT, AND AT THE SAME
TOKEN BEING ABLE TO GIVE THEM TO
IMPROVE OUR CONFIDENCE AND
PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS OF OUR
STUDENTS SO THEY CAN BE
SUCCESSFUL.
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT?
>> YES, THERE IS SOMETHING I
WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT.
THIS IS GOING TO ADD OUR
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TOOL BOX,
WHILE RESTORATIVE PRACTICE IS A
CONVERSATION WE HAD FOR A VERY
LONG TIME.
THE ADDITIONAL LAYERS THAT WE
ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT WE HAVE
NOT HAD IS THAT ON THE GROUND
SUPPORT FOR COACHING AND
FEEDBACK IN THE MALT MOMENT WHEN
WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE
EXPERIENCING TRAUMA.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO PRACTICE
NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION WITH
OUR SUPPORT SERVICES STAFF OR
HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR DISTRICT
TEAM THAT WILL BE WITH OUR
SCHOOLS, LEARNING THIS PROCESS.
THE BIGBY METHOD IS ONE OF FOLKS
THAT TRAIN THE TRAINER.
THIS IS NOT A FOREVER.
THIS IS LET'S TRAIN PEOPLE IN
OUR DISTRICT SO WE CAN THEN
SPREAD THIS KNOWLEDGE TO OTHER
SCHOOLS.
SO THIS NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION
WORKS BOTH FOR THE ADULTS AS
WELL AS THE STUDENT, AND WE WILL
BE GETTING WEEKLY COACHING ON
HOW TO DEAL WITH STUDENTS THAT
ARE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA, AND BE
ABLE TO GO THROUGH NONCOMBATIVE
STRATEGIES TO NUMBER ONE REDUCE
THE -- THEIR ATTENTION THAT
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE AND/OR
ADULTS BUT ALSO LEARN SOME
STRATEGIES TO KIND OF CHANGE THE
FOCUS IN A MORE POSITIVE FASHION
SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THE
BEHAVIORS IN A MORE POSITIVE
WAY.
THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE THAT
COACHING ASPECT IS SOMETHING
THAT'S MISSING.
AND WE GET TRAINING ALL THE TIME
BUT THAT ON THE GROUND COACHING
AND FEEDBACK AROUND OUR RESPONSE
TO STUDENTS, THAT IS GOING TO BE
KEY WITH THIS PARTICULAR
TRAINING.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I LOOK
FORWARD TO HAVING THIS SCHOOL
YEAR.
IT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL LAYER
TO THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING IN
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MOTION BY MEMBER WASHINGTON.
SECOND BY MEMBER VAUGHN.
MEMBER VAUGHN, DO YOU HAVE
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>>Jessica Vaughn: I DO.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT
THIS IS CONSIDERED RESTORATIVE
BEST PRACTICES BECAUSE THAT WAS
ONE OF MY QUESTIONS THAT I WAS
GOING TO ASK.
THIS IS TO CLARIFY THAT, BECAUSE
I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
RESTORATIVE PRACTICE, TRAINING
OUR STAFF.
DOES THIS FALL UNDER SOCIAL
EMOTIONAL LEARNING?
>>Shay McRae: OH, YES.
IT IS RESTORATIVE PRACTICES,
TRAINING, SO OUR STUDENT
ENGAGEMENT TEAM WILL BE INVOLVED
WITH THIS, OUR STUDENT SUPPORT
SERVICES TEAM WILL BE INVOLVED
WITH THIS AS WELL, AND SO YES,
THIS DOES GO INTO THAT BUCKET.
>>Jessica Vaughn: AND YOU ARE
RECOMMENDATION IT,
SUPERINTENDENT?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
>> I JUST WANT TO THE CLARIFY
THAT.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: AND THIS IS IN
ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL DROPOUT
MODEL THAT WE HAVE AT PALM RIVER
ELEMENTARY, SO TRAINING TEACHERS
TO HANDLE TRAUMA.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A FEW
COMMENTS.
MEMBER PEREZ.
PEREZ.
>>Shay McRae: WHAT WE ARE GOING
TO START WITH THE FIRST ROUND OF
TRAINING IS AROUND THE ADULTS
DEALING WITH THE STUDENTS THE
MOST AND THAT IS OUR SUPPORT
SERVICES STAFF, OUR
ADMINISTRATORS, AND THOSE PEOPLE
THAT ARE NOT ASSIGNED LIKE
GUIDANCE COUNSELORS SO THAT
FIRST ROUND IS GETTING PEOPLE
THAT ARE TOUCHING THE KIDS THE
MOST THAT ARE IN THAT TRAUMA
STATE.
>>Karen Perez: WHEN WILL THEY
HAVE TO TAKE THIS COURSE OR WHEN
WILL THIS BE AVAILABLE FOR THEM
TO, GIVEN THAT THERE'S LIKE IN A
TIME TO TAKE ANYTHING, NOT EVEN
A BREAK, TO TAKE LUNCH.
SO WHEN WILL HE BE TAKING THIS?
>> THIS WILL BE ROLLED OUT OVER
THE COURSE OF THE YEAR SO WE ARE
GOING DO FOCUSED ON THE SUPPORT
SERVICES STAFF THAT ARE NOT TIED
TO STUDENTS EVERY DAY SO THAT WE
CAN ROLL THIS OUT WITH OUR
FACULTY, SO WE HAVE BUILT IN
SOME BUDGET MONEY FOR STIPEND SO
AGAIN THIS WILL BE SOMETHING
THAT COULD BE AT THE SCHOOL
SATURDAY, THAT KIND OF THING AND
THEY WILL GET STIPEND FOR
PARTICIPATING.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
PEREZ.
MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Melissa Snively: MS. McRAE,
I SEE THAT YOU HAVE ON THE
DETAIL SHEET TO THE BOARD, GIVEN
US SOME INFORMATION ABOUT FAIR
VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IN
TALLAHASSEE AND THE PERCENTAGES,
DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL.
HAS LEON COUNTY IMPLEMENTED IT
IN ANY OTHER SCHOOLS BESIDES THE
FRANKLIN -- I'M SORRY, FAIR VIEW
MIDDLE SCHOOL IN TALLAHASSEE?
>>Shay McRae: I DON'T KNOW ABOUT
LEON COUNTY'S IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS.
I JUST KNOW ABOUT THE RESEARCH
THAT WAS DONE AT FAIR VIEW.
SO I AM NOT ABLE TO ANSWER THAT
QUESTION.
>>Melissa Snively: OKAY.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RESEARCH
OR DATA ON OTHER SCHOOLS THIS
WAS IMPLEMENTED WHERE IT WAS
SUCCESSFUL?
>>Shay McRae: SHE'S DONE A LOT
OF WORK IN OUR JUVENILE
DISTRICT, SHE DID MOVE OVER TO
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE
RECOGNIZED THE DISCONNECT
BETWEEN THE STUDENTS SHE WAS
GETTING IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE
SYSTEM AND WE NEED TO START
EARLY WITH THAT NONVIOLENT
COMMUNICATION SO THIS WORK HAS
BEEN DONE IN FLORIDA STARTING
WITH JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM BUT
THEN REALIZING THAT WE HAVE GOT
TO GET BEFORE THAT.
WE HAVE GOT TO GET TO THEM
BEFORE THEY GET INTO THAT PAPER
LANE.
SO FAIR VIEW WAS JUST ONE OF THE
SCHOOLS WHERE THEY ACTUALLY
TRACKED THAT DATA.
SO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT THE
IMPACT OF LEARNING THE
STRATEGIES OF NONVIOLENT
COMMUNICATION, AND WHAT DID THAT
LOOK LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO DATA.
THAT'S JUST SOAP DATA THAT IS
ACTUALLY RESEARCHED BASE BUT WE
CAN FIND OUT IF THERE ARE OTHER
SCHOOLS IN LEON COUNTY THAT
IMPLEMENTED THIS.
>> ARE THERE OTHER SCHOOLS IN
FLORIDA THAT IMPLEMENTED THIS?
>>Shay McRae: NOT THAT I AM
FAMILIAR WITH, NO.
>> BUT IS THIS A PILOT PROGRAM?
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR, THROUGH THE
TRANSFORMATION, YES.
>> AND HOW MANY SCHOOLS?
>>Shay McRae: MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
WE ARE FOCUSED ON MIDDLE.
THIS IS A MIDDLE SCHOOL FOCUSED
INITIATIVE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE
OUR DATA IS STILL REALLY
STRUGGLING WITH OUR STUDENTS
THAT ARE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA.
SO IT'S THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
INITIATIVE, NINE MIDDLE SCHOOLS,
WHICH INCLUDE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND
K-8.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO BE SEE IMPACT
QUARTERLY.
ONCE WE GET THIS STARTED WE CAN
LOOK AT GET SOMETHING QUARTERLY
DATA.
>> I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE,
YES.
AND I THINK WE HAVE
TRANSFORMATION SCHOOLS ON OUR
SUSPENDED AGENDA ALREADY, BUT IF
WE COULD ASK FOR THIS PARTICULAR
INITIATIVE, TO SEE WHAT KIND OF
IMPACT IT'S HAVING, AND MEASURE
THAT FOR THE TIME THAT WE ARE
IMPLEMENTING IT, I'M CURIOUS IF
IT'S GOING TO WORK.
>>Shay McRae: ABSOLUTELY.
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
SNIVELY.
AND I'M CURIOUS, SUPERINTENDENT
DAVIS, TRACYE BROWN, WHEN WE HAD
THE PILOT, WE STILL HAVE
NATIONAL DROPOUT PREVENTION
CENTER AND THEN I AM HEARING
ANOTHER PILOT, AND THANK YOU,
MEMBER SNIVELY, FOR BRINGING
THAT OUT.
I'M JUST CURIOUS US A TO WHY WE
HAVE TWO PILOTS WHEN WE ALREADY
HAVE ADOPTED OR ALMOST THE
NATIONAL DROPOUT PREVENTION,
WHICH, BY THE WAY, IS A DRAT
PROVEN SYSTEM.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT THERE IS
A LITTLE BIT OF INCONSISTENCY IN
MY MIND, WHY ARE WE REINVENTING
ANOTHER PILOT WHEN WHAT WE
ALREADY HAVE A PILOT?
AND THAT WAS MAYBE, TRACYE
BROWN, YOU NEED TO COMMENT ON
THAT BECAUSE I AM PERPLEXED.
LET'S START OUT WITH
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
>>Addison Davis: TALKING ABOUT
PALM RIVER IMPLEMENTING IT?
>>Lynn Gray: YES.
AND THAT'S BEEN PROVEN TO BE
EFFECTIVE WITH COVID, I
UNDERSTAND, BUT WE ARE DOING
PILOT THIS AND PILOT THAT.
I AM JUST CURIOUS.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
THAT WAS MORE OF A FOCUS ON
ELEMENTARY.
SO THIS IS A TRANSITION TO
MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEST
PRACTICES OR BEST PRACTICES, BUT
WHEN WE SEE A MIDDLE SCHOOL
IMPLEMENTING THIS IMPLEMENTATION
AT FAIRVIEW BEING ABLE TO TAKE
THAT MODEL AND IMPLEMENT IT, NOT
SAYING THAT WE CAN'T GROW THE
MENTALITY FROM PALM RIVER THAT
IMPLEMENTATION, BUT JUST
DIFFERENT GRADE BANDS FOR
CONCEPTUALLY.
AND WE CAN GO BACK AND SEE AND
GET WITH MR. DAGGETT AND HIS
LEADERSHIP TEAM TO SEE IF THEY
TRANSITION UP TO MIDDLE SCHOOL
AND K-8s FOR THAT
IMPLEMENTATION.
>>Lynn Gray: THEY DO.
AND ACTUALLY ANSWERED THE
QUESTION ELEMENTARY OR MIDDLE
SCHOOL, BUT NATIONAL DROPOUT,
THEY DO A GOOD JOB IN K-12.
ARE YOU COMMITTED TO THE
NATIONAL DROPOUT PREVENTION AND
SPREADING THE RESULTS, SO SHAY
McRAE WILL KNOW WHETHER THE
DATA IS SUCCESSFUL?
>>Tracye Brown: YES, MA'AM.
THAT IS NO LONGER MY DIVISION.
THAT IS NOW IN THE DIVISION OF
INNOVATION SO MRS. BAYS HAS
BECOME THE CONTACT FOR THAT WORK
AND SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN IN
CONTACT WITH MR. DAGGETT AND
THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN
COMMUNICATION WORKING OUT HOW WE
CAN CONTINUE TO GROW THAT WORK
WITH PROMISE SCHOOLS.
>>Lynn Gray: ACTUALLY, MRS.
BAYS, I THINK I REMEMBER THAT,
AND YOU WERE AT YOUR SECOND DAY
OF THE SITUATION AND WENT
THROUGH A LITANY.
SO I WILL CARRY ON WITH MRS.
BAYS.
OKAY.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE WHEN OUR
LIGHTS ARE ON.
OKAY, IT'S UNANIMOUS.
IT IS NOW UNANIMOUS.
WE ARE CROSSING THE 8:00 START
LANE HEAR OR FINISH LINE.
WE ARE NOT THERE YET.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND 6.16,
PURCHASE OF THE PENDA LEARNING
STUDENT SUBSCRIPTION FOR ALL 45
TRANSFORMATION NETWORK SCHOOLS.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WILL YOU
HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
THIS IS AN APPROVAL TO IMPLEMENT
PENDA LEARNING STUDENT
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 45 SCHOOLS IN
THE TRANSFORMATIONATION NETWORK.
WE KNOW THEY NEED CONTINUAL
ASSISTANCE FOR SIGNS.
WE KNOW IN GRADES 5 AND 8 BOTH
OF THOSE AREAS ARE TESTED AREAS
RELATED TO THE STATE OF THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WHICH IS ACCOUNTABILITY AREAS,
BUT IN THE 5th GRADE
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE ABLE
TO UNDERSTAND SPIRAL CURRICULUM
ALL THE WAY BACK TO THIRD GRADE
AND FOURTH GRADE SO THIS HAS A
GREATER EXPOSURE BEFORE, DURING
OR AFTER SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
TONE GAUGE IN SINE CONTEXT AND
THE SAME THING WHEN A STUDENT
TAKES THE 8th GRADE
ASSESSMENT AS WELL THE ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO
UNDERSTAND AND REVISIT 6th
AND 7th GRADE STANDARDS SO
BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT
CONTINUUM OFFERING TO OUR
SCHOOLS.
SO R WE SAW THAT STUDENTS WHO
IMPLEMENTED IT IN THE LAST YEAR
IN TRANSFORMATION 27% WERE
PROFICIENT, WHEN NONPENDA
SCHOOLS ONLY 23% WERE PROFICIENT
IN THE AREA OF SCIENCE.
AND THIS IS 30 MINUTES A WEEK
AND ALL THAT'S NEEDED FOR
EXPOSURE AND THAT'S JUST TO GIVE
REALLY ASSESSED STANDARDS IN
FRONT OF OUR STUDENTS THAT HAVE
BETTER COMFORTABILITY BECAUSE WE
ARE IN 8th GRADE.
>> , GETTING TAUGHT 8th
GRADE STANDARDS.
THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ACTIVATE
6th AND 7th GRADE
STANDARDS, EMBEDDED IN THAT
ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE SAME
THING WITH 5th GRADE AND
3rd AND 4th GRADE.
MS. McRAE?
>>Shay McRae: THIS DOES NOT TAKE
AWAY THE PLACE OF TEACHING.
IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN
STUDENTS DO NOT MEET THE
STANDARD, IT GIVES THEM MORE
OPPORTUNITY TO GET EXPOSED TO
STANDARD OVER TIME.
SO AGAIN THEY ARE TESTED FOR
THREE YEARS WORTH OF KNOWLEDGE
WHEN IT COMES TO SCIENCE, SINGLE
CELL, AND WE ONLY SEE
TRANSMISSION SCHOOLS IN THE 20
AND 30% PRETTY LOW, BECAUSE KIDS
HAVE A HARD TIME REMEMBERING
THREE GRADE LEVELS WORTH OF
MATERIALS SO PENDA GIVES THEM
THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THAT
FOCUS AND IT'S ABOUT 30 MINUTES
A WEEK, THEY ARE ABLE TO BE GO
BACK AND LOOK AT STANDARD FOR
THE PRIOR YEAR AND WORK TOWARDS
SO THAT TEACH KERR STAY FOCUSED
ON THE STANDARD LEVELS.
SO NOT SUBSTITUTING TEACHING AT
ALL.
JUST ACTUALLY PROVIDING SOME
EXTENSION OPPORTUNITY THAT CAN
BE USE BEFORE SCHOOL, AFTER
SCHOOL, AT HOME, HOST PROGRAM,
COUNTY BE USED IN ELP.
IT JUST ALLOWS US THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS TO GET
EXPOSED TO THAT SCIENCE.
>>Lynn Gray: YOU ARE LOOKING AT
EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OUR
HIGH NEEDS KIDS TO BECOME
SUCCESSFUL.
THANK YOU.
BOARD MEMBERS, I NEED A MOTION
AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER COMBS.
SECOND BY MEMBER WASHINGTON.
MEMBER VAUGHN PULLED THIS EM
ITEM.
DO YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.
I AM GLAD THAT YOU CLARIFIED
THIS ISN'T GOING TO COME FROM
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME BECAUSE
HONESTLY I HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE
FROM TRANSFORMATION SCHOOLS
REACH OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS ITEM,
AND WHAT I AM HEARING IS THEY
ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE THE
SUPPORT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON OUR
TRANSFORMATION SCHOOLS, BUT THEY
ARE FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH THE
AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THAT THEY
ARE GETTING, LEARNING NEW
TECHNOLOGY, THAT THEY FELT
OVERBURDENED, COMING TO SCHOOL.
I DO KNOW THAT WE ARE TESTING
HORRIBLE BLIP IN SCIENCE AND WE
ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO SUPPORT OUR
STUDENTS IN SCIENCE SPECIFICALLY
AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT
SCIENCE.
THIS IS A CHALLENGE FOR ME
BETWEEN UNDERSTANDING THE NEED
TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS IN
SCIENCE, SPECIFICALLY, BUT ALSO
LISTENING TO THE CONSEQUENCE
FORMATION SCHOOLS AND FEELING
OVERWHELMED WITH ALL OF THE NEW
RESOURCES THAT WE ARE THROWING
OUT TO THEM.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO HOW WE ARE
GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE USE
IT AS A RESOURCE IT'S NOT
SOMETHING THAT THE KIDS FEEL
OVERWHELMED BY?
>>Shay McRae: ABSOLUTELY.
ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT
PENDA SCIENCE, THEY DO A GREAT
JOB MUCH INDIVIDUALLY COMING TO
SCHOOL TO PROVIDE ON THE GROUND
SUPPORT SO THIS WON'T BE LIKE,
HEY, ON YOUR COMPUTER, OFF NEW
PROGRAM, GO FIGURE IT OUT.
THEY DO TRY TO MEET SCHOOLS
WHERE THEY ARE WITH THEIR NEEDS
TO TRY TO MAKE IT AS USER
FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE AND EASY TO
IMPLEMENT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HOPE
CAN JUST BE AN EXTENSION OF
LEARNING AND NOT TAP THE PLACE
MUCH LEARNING, BUT PENDA WILL BE
ON THE GROUND WITH EVERY SINGLE
SCHOOL PROVIDING THAT SUPPORT
WITH OUR TEACHERS LEARNING TO
YOU TO USE THE PROGRAM SO THEY
WON'T BE ALONE AND TRYING TO
IMPLEMENT THIS.
AGAIN THIS IS ONLY FOR STUDENTS
THAT NEED IT AND THIS IS ONLY
SOMETHING THAT'S LIKE 30 MINUTES
A WEEK SO IT'S NOT TAKING UP A
LOT OF TIME FOR THEM TO SHOW
SUCCESS.
>> AND THIS IS A ONE-YEAR
CONTRACT?
>>Shay McRae: YES, MA'AM.
>> A SO BEFORE WE APPROVE IT
NEXT YEAR IT WILL COME BEFORE
THE BOARD?
>> YES, MA'AM.
>>Jessica Vaughn: SO LIKE MEMBER
SNIVELY WANTING TO KNOW HOW
EFFECTIVE IT IS.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOARD ARE
WE GOING TO SEE IF IT'S TEST
SCORES AND HEAR FROM THE
TEACHERS IN THE TRANSFORMATION
SCHOOLS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY
ENJOY USING AND IT'S BEEN
IMPACTFUL?
>>Shay McRae: AND THEY HAVE
GREAT DATA SUPPORTING SO WE CAN
ADD IT TO OUR AGENDA ITEM AND BE
ABLE TO SHOW DATA.
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR, ANYTHING THAT'S RELATED
TO INSTRUCTIONAL MOVEMENT, THE
VENDOR HAS TO ACTUALLY COME IN
FRONT OF THE CABINET AND PROVE
AND DEMONSTRATE THEY HAVE
ACTUALLY MOVED THE NEEDLE AND
HELPED US IN SO MANY DIFFERENT
WAYS.
AND IF THEY HAVEN'T RIGHT THEN
AND THERE WE WILL ELECT TO
EITHER RENEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT,
OR IMPLEMENT IT AGAIN AND BRING
IT TO THE BOARD.
SO LIKE ACHIEVE 3000 AND IT WAS
iReady, THEY HAD TO COME IN
FRONT OF THE CABINET AND MR.
CONNOR AND HIS TEAM TO TALK
ABOUT BENEFITS, EXPOSURE,
IMPLEMENTATION, ALL THOSE
THINGS, AND THEY ARE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
IF THEY DON'T HELP US THROUGH
THAT PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO HELP
CHILDREN AND IT DOESN'T PROVE TO
BE BENEFICIAL, THEN WE WILL NOT
BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR
IMPLEMENTATION.
>> TO YOUR POINT, WE ALSO HAVE A
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
DEPARTMENT THAT WILL AT THE END
OF THE YEAR WILL DO EVALUATION
ON THIS PRODUCT AS WELL.
>>Jessica Vaughn: I GUESS MY
QUESTION IS, I WOULD LIKE HOW
MUCH MOVING THE NEEDLE AND ALSO
TEACHER FEEDBACK AND PEOPLE WHO
ARE IMPLEMENTING IT TO
UNDERSTAND WHETHER THE COST OF
THE TIME AND BAND WIDTH OF OUR
TEACHERS AND STAFF.
>>Terry Connor: SURE.
>>Lynn Gray: POINT WELL SAID.
WE HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT FROM
MEMBER PEREZ?
>>Karen Perez: SO, OKAY, SO IT'S
IN THE TRANSFORMATION NETWORK.
F AND OUR TRANSFORMATION SCHOOLS
ARE LACKING A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY,
AND THE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY.
SO WHEN YOU -- WHEN WE SPEAK
ABOUT THIS, ARE THEY GOING TO BE
PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY, OR ARE WE
GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE
CLASSES ARE WELL EQUIPPED FOR
TECHNOLOGY?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM, WE
HAVE BEEN UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT
BEING ABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
THE TRANSFORMATION SCHOOLS HAVE
THE NECESSARY DEVICES TO BE
SUCCESSFUL AND UPDATED, AND
THAT'S THE REASON I SPOKE
TONIGHT, WITH THE ADDITIONAL
DEVICES THAT WE HAVE ORDERED,
10,000 WILL GO TO TITLE 1
SCHOOLS, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE
ARE IN DISTRICT 5, SO WITHOUT A
DOUBT WE MADE CERTAIN THAT LAST
YEAR THAT THE CORE CLASSES HAD
THE NECESSARY UNITS THEY NEED TO
BE ABLE TO CREATE SMALL GROUP
INSTRUCTION AND SO IF THERE'S A
NEED, AND PLEASE I WOULD SAY
REACH OUT TO MS. McRAE, ANY
PRINCIPAL TO A CERTAIN US SO
THAT WE CAN MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS
NECESSARY, BECAUSE YOU ARE RATE,
WITHOUT THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT,
THE SOFTWARE DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD
FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CREATE FOR
STUDENTS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE
THAT SPIRAL LEARNING.
>>Karen Perez: ESPECIALLY IF YOU
HAVE A STUDENT THAT IS VERY
CHALLENGED AND NEEDS -- YOU WERE
SAYING 30 MINUTES A WEEK?
SO AT THE 30 MINUTES A WEEK, THE
POSSIBILITY THAT THAT NEEDS THAT
TECHNOLOGY A LITTLE MORE THAN
ANOTHER STUDENT THAT THAT
TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE FOR THAT
CHILD.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
PEREZ.
MEMBER COMBS.
>>Nadia Combs: I AM GOING TO
SUPPORT THIS, BECAUSE I KNOW,
YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE ALL THAT
YOU DO, MS. McRAE AND
EVERYBODY ELSE.
THE ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO
REQUEST AT THE END OF DECEMBER,
AND ALSO AT THE END OF THE
SCHOOL YEAR, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
EVERY COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT WE
HAVE IN OUR DISTRICT THAT WE
HAVE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE
COST, AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO
SEE THE USAGE OF IT AND WHERE
IT'S BEING USED, BECAUSE I THINK
SOME PROGRAMS ARE REALLY BEING
UTILIZED AND SOME ARE BEING
UNDERUTILIZED SO THAT WAY AS WE
GO TO THE NEW YEAR WE CAN SEE
WHAT TO APPROVE, WHAT NOT TO
APPROVE, AND THERE ARE SOME
PROGRAMS THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT
EVEN AWARE OF.
I KNOW WHEN I GO ON MY
DAUGHTER'S CAMPUS I SEE SO MANY
PROGRAMS THERE, I SEE SO MUCH,
AND THERE'S A LOT OF FREE
RESOURCES AVAILABLE AS WELL.
THAT WE CAN USE.
SO I JUST REALLY WOULD LIKE TO
MAKE SURE AT THE END OF
DECEMBER, LET'S LOOK AT THE
USAGE, LET'S LOOK AT THE COST,
LET'S LOOK AT WHAT POCKETS ARE
USING THAT, AND THEN AT THE END
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AS WELL.
I MENTIONED THAT TO
SUPERINTENDENT BUT I WANT TO
MAKE IT FORMAL AT THE MEETING.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
COMBS.
I DO REMEMBER THAT, LIKE A
COMPUTER USAGE AUDIT AND
RESOURCES.
BOARD MEMBERS, SEEING NO MORE
DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE WHEN
YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON.
AND MEMBER SNIVELY IS QUICKLY
APPROACHING.
IT'S UNANIMOUS.
OKAY.
THANKS, BOARD MEMBERS.
AND HIGH RATE OF SPEED SNIVELY.
LET'S GO INTO 6.21, THE GLOBAL
TRACKING SYSTEM WITH STUDENT
I.D. CARD.
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WILL YOU
HIGHLIGHT?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
UPDATE OUR GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM OR GPS TRACKING SYSTEMS,
AND NOT ONLY WITHIN OUR WHITE
FLEET AND OUR YELLOW FLEET BUT
ALSO BEING ABLE TO HELP IDENTIFY
THE RIDERSHIP OF OUR STUDENTS.
I DON'T SAME THIS IS A FUNNY
MANNER.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TWO G, GPS,
AND WHEN THAT SUN SETS, THEY
WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT
TECHNOLOGY AND THAT SOFTWARE,
SUN SETS IN DECEMBER, SO WHAT
THIS ALLOWS US TO DO IS TO
UPGRADE TO 4-G AND GIFTS US
BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO ROUTE AND
BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE OUR
WHITE AND YELLOW FLEET IS.
AND WHAT THIS ALLOWS US TO DO IS
ALLOW US TO HAVE RIDERSHIP WHERE
STUDENTS HAVE INDIVIDUAL CARDS
AND THEY CAN HAVE INDICATOR OF
RIDERSHIP AND THAT BRINGS MONEY
TO OUR DISTRICT.
NOT EVERY ONE OF OUR STUDENTS
WILL HAVE A CARD SO THEY WILL
HAVE A KEYPAD, THAT WAY WE CAN
HAVE A CONCENTRATION OR
VALIDATION OF THAT STUDENT WAS
IN, AND ON THAT BUS THAT
PARTICULAR DAY.
AND THE BIG THING IS, THIS IS
ALL ABOUT HERE COMES THE BUS APP
AS WELL AS FOR PARENT.
ESPECIALLY KNOW NOW THAT IT'S A
STATE WIDE AND NATIONAL TREND
NOT HAVING BUS DRIVERS AND OUR
BUS DRIVERS, THANK YOU SO VERY
MUCH FOR DOING DOUBLE ROUTE, AND
OUR PARENT, IT CREATES
FRUSTRATION WHEN BUSES ARE LATE
AND NOT ON TIME, SO WHAT THIS
DOES, IT ALLOWS US TO LUNCH,
HERE COMES THE BUS APP, WHICH
GIVES IMMEDIATE INDICATORS TO
OUR PARENTS TO LET THEM KNOW
THAT A BUS MAY BE LATE AND ALSO
GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET
THEM KNOW THAT A BUS MAY BE
WITHIN 1.5 MILES OF THAT BUS
ROUTE SO THEY CAN MAKE THAT
ADJUSTMENT AND GET TO THAT BUS
ROUTE AND BE ON TIME.
ONE THING WE HEAR IS FROM OUR
PARENTS, IS THAT OUR BUSES ARE
LATE, NO ONE CALLED US.
WELL, HERE COMES THE BUS APP,
GIVES THEM REALTIME INFORMATION
TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE THAT BUS
IS AND JUST ALLOWS US TO HAVE
BETTER TRANSPARENCY AND
COMMUNICATION WITH OUR
COMMUNITY.
AND THIS WILL BE USED, THIS IS
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES OF A
TOTAL OF $815,000.
>>Lynn Gray: KEEPING UP WITH
TECHNOLOGY.
THIS IS EXCITING.
VERY WELL NEEDED.
I I NEED A MOTION AND SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER PEREZ.
SECOND BY MEMBER VAUGHN.
AND WE HAVE A DISCUSSION.
MEMBER VAUGHN AND MEMBER
WASHINGTON.
MEMBER WASHINGTON?
SHAKE SHACK I JUST WANTED THE
SUPERINTENDENT TO EXPLAIN THE
SPECIFICS ABOUT THIS NEW
PROGRAM.
IT SOUND LIKE A GOOD PROGRAM.
AND I WANTED THE AUDIENCE TO
KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING
REALLY GOOD AT TRACKING BUSES.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
WASHINGTON.
MEMBER VAUGHN.
>>Jessica Vaughn: I AGREE.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT,
WE HAVE SO MUCH FRUSTRATION
AROUND EXACTLY WHAT YOU
MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WHEN BUSES
ARE GOING TO BE LATE OR EVEN
WONDERING WHERE YOUR CHILD IS,
IT GIVES ANOTHER PIECE OF MIND.
I KNOW SOME PEOPLE SEE AGENDA
ITEMS AND THEY ARE CONFUSING,
AND THIS DOES LOOK LIKE FAIR
AMOUNT OF MONEY, SO I JUST
WANTED PEOPLE TO NO, MA'AM WHAT
WE ARE INVESTING IN BECAUSE I
THINK THIS IS A GREAT THING AS
WELL, SO THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
VAUGHN.
MEMBER COMBS.
>>Nadia Combs: I AM GOING TO BE
BRIEF BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S
GETTING TO BE A LONG NIGHT.
BUT THIS DOES REALLY KEEP
CHILDREN SAFE AS WELL AND THEY
KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT AS
LONG FOR A BUS.
AND EVEN TODAY, YOU KNOW, WE
ENDED UP, YOU KNOW, GETTING
GREAT INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THE
SAFETY AND ALL THE THINGS THAT
WE DO IN OUR SCHOOLS TO MAKE
SURE ALL THE PROTOCOLS TO KEEP
OUR CHILDREN SAFE, AND THIS IS
NOT JUST THINKING OF CHILDREN IN
THE SCHOOLS, BUT BEFORE THEY GET
TO THE SCHOOLS.
SO I THINK IT'S REALLY
REMARKABLE AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE THIS
ITEM HERE.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
COMBS.
MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Melissa Snively: I JUST HAD A
QUICK QUESTION FOR CLARIFICATION
ON THE TIMELINE FOR
IMPLEMENTATION.
SO IF WE GO OFF 2-G IN DECEMBER
BUT WE DON'T HAVE FULL
IMPLEMENTATION UNTIL AUGUST
2022, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN
JANUARY AND AUGUST?
>>Christopher Farkas: LITERALLY
PROBABLY TOMORROW MORNING, WE
HAVE GPS ON OUR BUSES AND LIKELY
WE WILL START ONLY WITH THE
BUSES AND NEW GPS ON EACH ONE OF
THE BUSES SO BEFORE WE GET TO
DECEMBER, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE
DEVICES ON BUSES.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN JANUARY
AND AUGUST IS CAR DISTRIBUTION,
GETTING THE WEBSITE AND THE APP
OUT FOR PARENTS.
SO IF WE DON'T WE WON'T BE ABLE
TO FIND OUT WHERE OUR BUSES ARE
RIGHT NOW.
SO WE CURRENTLY USE THAT FOR
GPS.
MR. DAVIS LOVES TO MAKE THE 2-G
JOKE, WHENEVER YOUR -- WHEN I
TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS ITEM IS
LITERALLY A 2-G ITEM THAT WE
HAVE.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT'S
THE BASICS, THE STEEL FRAMEWORK
IS T BASICS WILL DO BEFORE
DECEMBER AND THEN JANUARY TO MAY
WILL BE THE ICING.
>>Lynn Gray: A GOOD T MOBILE AD.
RUN:
OVER:
BUSES.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: MEMBER SNIVELY, ARE
WE SATISFIED WITH THAT ANSWER?
OKAY.
BOARD MEMBERS, VOTE WHEN YOUR
LIGHTS ARE ON.
OH, MEMBER COMBS.
IS IT GOING TO SLEEP?
ALL RIGHT.
THE GOOD OLD-FASHIONED WAY.
SO THE LAST ITEM, AND I THINK
THERE'S A DRUM ROLL AFTER THIS
ONE, 11.02, APPROVAL THE
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL
STRATEGIC PLAN AND
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS, WE WENT
OVER THIS BUT I GUESS WE ARE
DOING IT AGAIN.
SO GO AHEAD.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
I WILL BE VERY BRIEF BECAUSE I
WENT OVER IT IN MY
SUPERINTENDENT UPDATES.
I AM GLAD WE ARE BRINGING THIS
TO A LANDING.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR STAFF,
DID A GOOD JOB, REALLY BROUGHT
IT HOME, AND NOW IT'S TIME ONCE
THIS IS APPROVED TO REALLY TRULY
GET ON THE ROAD AND GET ENGAGED
IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I LOOK
FORWARD TO DOING IT.
WE HAVE ALREADY PUT KIND OF A
SKELETON SCHEDULE THAT WE ARE
GOING TO GO AROUND TO EVERY
SCHOOL, EVERY DISTRICT, EVERY
SCHOOL IN EVERY DISTRICT AND
OPEN IT UP TO OUR PARENTS TONE
GAUGE AND DO SOME LISTEN AND
LEARNS AT LOCAL CIVICS CENTERS,
IN ORDER TO INTERACT WITH OUR
COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS, BUT ALSO
TO LISTEN HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR
PRACTICE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
SO THIS IS REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR US TO IDENTIFY AUTHORITIES,
AND BE VERY DIRECT ABOUT WHAT WE
ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
THERE ARE SOME VERY AGGRESSIVE
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS IN
THIS DOCUMENT.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO IMPLEMENTING
AND MOVING ALONG THE WAY.
>>Lynn Gray: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS.
I NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY MEMBER
SNIVELY AND A SECOND BY MEMBER
COMBS.
AND DISCUSSION, MEMBER SNIVELY?
>>Melissa Snively: FINALLY,
FINALLY.
WE HAVE LEN WORKING THIS FOR
LIKE 18 MONTHS TRYING TO GET
SOMETHING TOGETHER AND ENOUGH
TIME TO SPEND TOGETHER TO TALK
ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M
GLAD THAT WE HAVE ONE.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT HAVING
OUR BOARD MEMBER TOOL BOX SO
THAT WE CAN SHOW STRATEGIC PLAN
TO BE AMBASSADORS IN THE
COMMUNITY, WHEN WE ARE OUT AND
ABOUT.
I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK,
DAN.
YOU ARE VERY TALENTED IN THIS
AREA OF STRATEGIC PLANNING.
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BY THE WAY.
39.
AGAIN.
RIGHT?
I DID WANT TO ASK, I KNOW WE ARE
APPROVING THE CONTENT TONIGHT,
AND SO IF I BY CHANCE HAVE A FEW
EXTRA RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT
CONTENTWISE BUT LAYOUTWISE, I
CAN STILL MEAT WITH YOU ON THAT.
OKAY.
BUT WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO SAY
IS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS,
MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD HAVE BEEN
WORKING DILIGENTLY TOGETHER IN
CONJUNCTION WITH IF FLORIDA
SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION TO EARN
A DESIGNATION.
DURING OUR SESSION, WE DISCUSSED
VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF
EFFECTIVE BOARD GOVERNANCE WE
REVIEWED OUR VISION AND OUR
MISSION, OUR VALUES, AND ONE OF
OUR RECENT SESSIONS WE TALKED
ABOUT OUR MORAL IMPERATIVE, AND
AGREED ON SPECIFIC VALUES WHICH
ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR
STRATEGIC PLAN, AND YOU WILL
FIND THIS ON PAGE 4.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANT WORDS OF
WHICH THE BOARD HAS COMMITTED TO
WORK TOWARDS OUR ULTIMATE
PURPOSE.
OUR MISSION AND VISION WILL
SOUND FAMILIAR.
BUT OUR VALUES AND MORAL CODE
CHANGED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE
CHANGED A LITTLE BIT TOO.
OUR MISSION IS STILL TO PROVIDE
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT THAT
ENABLE EACH STUDENT TO EXCEL AS
SUCCESSFUL AND RESPONSIBLE
CITIZENS.
AND OUR VISION IS STILL
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE.
WE WORKED TOGETHER TO DEVELOP
VALUED AND MORAL IMPERATIVE AND
THE VALUES WE CREATED AN
ACRONYM, TEACH, TEAMWORK,
EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY,
COMPASSION, AND HONESTY.
I THINK WE ALL FEEL VERY
STRONGLY ABOUT THOSE VALUES AS
WE MOVE TOWARDS OUR PURPOSE.
OUR MORAL IMPERATIVE, WHICH IS
SOMETHING NEW FOR US, IS WE
BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN BE
EMPOWERED TO LEARN AND SUCCEED,
AND THAT'S THE LENS THAT WE
INTEND TO USE TO LOOK THROUGH
WHEN WE ARE MAKING OUR DECISIONS
FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN OUR
SCHOOL BOARD ROLE.
IN ADDITION TO THE PLAN, BOARD
MEMBER WASHINGTON HAS A SPECIAL
PRESENTATION FOR EACH BOARD
MEMBER TO HONEST AND DISTINGUISH
THE VALUES ON WHICH WE WANT TO
EXEMPLIFY.
MR. WASHINGTON?
>>Lynn Gray: MR. WASHINGTON, YOU
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: OKAY
, THANK YOU.
SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE UNIQUE,
BECAUSE MEMBER SNIVELY CAME UP
WITH THE WORD "TEACH" AND I SAY
HOW CAN WE PUT THIS OUT WHERE
PEOPLE CAN SEE IT, AND THEY KNOW
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN OUR VALUES?
SO I GOT WITH A YOUNG MAN AND WE
DECIDED TO MAKE UP A T-SHIRT.
AND I HAVE A T-SHIRT FOR EACH
MEMBER ALONG WITH THE
SUPERINTENDENT, ATTORNEY, AND
VAN.
NOW VAN KNEW ABOUT IT.
HE KEPT A GOOD SECRET.
HE KNEW.
BECAUSE WE GOT TOGETHER EARLIER
AND PLANNED ON IT SO I AM GOING
TO PASS OUT SHIRT.
DO YOU WANT TO HELP ME, MADAM
CHAIR?
>>Lynn Gray: VAN GETS AN EXTRA
SMALL BECAUSE HE RAN A LOT OF
MILES.
>> I WILL ADD ONE CLARIFICATION,
THAT THE TEACH ACRONYM, I DIDN'T
JUST THINK OF IT MYSELF, I
PROMISE.
I LISTENED TO EVERYBODY'S
CONVERSATION WHEN WE SAT AROUND
THE TABLE AND TALKED ABOUT THE
THINGS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO
US, SO I DIDN'T JUST MAKE IT UP
ON MY OWN, I PROMISE.
I LISTENED TO THE OTHER BOARD
MEMBERS AND HEARD THE WORDS THAT
THEY WERE USING WHEN THEY WERE
TALKING ABOUT WHAT WAS IMPORTANT
TO THEM, AND THEN I JUST KIND OF
CREATED THE ACRONYM BASED ON
SOME OF THOSE WORDS THAT WERE
IMPORTANT TO THEM.
>>Lynn Gray: EVERYBODY, BOARD
MEMBERS, AND EVEN VAN.
VAN AND SUPERINTENDENT, LET'S
TAKE A PHOTO.
SO GET IT THE SHIRT OUT, AT
LEAST, AND MEMBER HAHN, WE HAVE
ONE HEAR FOR YOU.
SO LET'S PUT THE SHIRT KIND OF
SORT OF ON.
THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL, BY THE WAY.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: I
HAVE ONE FOR YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: YES, I HAVE IT
RIGHT HERE.
LET ME PUT ON MY MASK.
>>Lynn Gray: IT'S A SUPER SMALL.
ALL RIGHT.
SMILE.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHEN WE
SHOULD WEAR IT TOGETHER.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: YES,
WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND FIND
OUT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO WEAR
IT ALL AT ONE TIME.
VAN, THAT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY
PRESENT, OKAY?
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
>>Lynn Gray: BOARD MEMBERS.
MEMBER WASHINGTON, YOU ARE
AMAZING.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE ANY
THOUGHTS TO SHARE BEYOND THE
OTHER THOUGHTS THAT REQUEST
SHARED?
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: NO.
I REALLY ENJOYED THE BOARD WHEN
WE MET IN GROUPS.
WE JUST MET AND EXPLAINED AND
TALKED ABOUT STUFF.
WE REALLY NEEDED TO BE TOGETHER
AS A TEAM.
AND I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE
THE VERY FIRST PART OF TEACHING
WHICH IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IF
WE DON'T HAVE A TEAM, ALL THE
REST DOESN'T EVEN COME INTO
EXISTENCE.
SO WE HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION,
AND THANK YOU, MEMBER SNIVELY,
FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
AND YOU PUT MY MIND WITH YOURS
AND WE CAME OUT WITH A PRETTY
GOOD LAG SHIRT.
ALONG WITH VAN, BECAUSE VAN --
OKAY.
BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: BUT WE HAD
HEARTFELT CONVERSATIONS -- WE
HAD HEARTFELT CONVERSATIONS THAT
DREW US TO THESE CONCLUSIONS,
AND REALLY SNIVELY DOESN'T GIVE
HERSELF CREDIT.
SHE'S AN ENGLISH MAJOR SO SHE
CAME UP WITH "TEACH" WHICH I WAS
IMPRESSED.
SO THIS IS WHAT COLLABORATION
DOES.
THIS IS WHAT COLLABORATION DOES.
AND THEN THE FRAUGHTS OF THE
LABOR COME FROM GREAT BOARD
MEMBERS SUCH AS SHAKE WASHINGTON
FOR GIVING US THIS ALABAMA
EMBLEMATIC SIGN UP OF
COLLABORATIVE WORKMANSHIP AND
IT'S ALL GOING TO BENEFIT THE
CHILDREN AS MORAL IMPERATIVE.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE A COMMENT FROM
MEMBER VAUGHN AND THEN WE WILL
DO A VOTE AND COMMENTS.
GO.
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU.
I HAD A QUESTION.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PAGE 14.
AND I THINK I SPOKE WITH YOU
ABOUT THIS, VAN, WHEN WE WERE
GOING OVER IT.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISCONNECT.
YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD OUR POLICY
MEETING WHERE I HAD ASKED TO
CREATE A POLICY ABOUT IMPLICIT
BIAS, AND THERE WERE SOME
CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING IT A
MANDATORY POLICY, AND HERE IN
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN ON PAGE 14,
IT SAYS TRAIN ALL EMPLOYEES IN
IMPLICIT BIAS AND CULTURAL
RESPONSIVENESS IN ORDER TO
PROVIDE STUDENT ACCESS TO
LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE
ONBOARDING NEW EMPLOYEES.
HOWEVER, IF WE ARE NOT MAKING IT
MANDATORY AND GOING BACK TO
TRAIN ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WE
DID NOT DECIDE ON THAT AN A
POLICY, I'M NOT SURE WHY IT SAYS
THAT ON PAGE 14 AFTER WE HAD
TALKED ABOUT THAT.
>> WITH THAT INITIATIVE THAT IS
A GOAL IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO
HAVE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES
TRAINED SO AS WE LOOK AT
INITIATIVES THAT IS THE ULTIMATE
GOAL OF THE DISTRICT TO HAVE ALL
OF OUR EMPLOYEES TRAINED.
>>Jessica Vaughn: CAN I GET A
CLARIFICATION BETWEEN HAVING ALL
EMPLOYEES TRAINED AND MANDATORY
TRAINING?
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR, THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR
STRATEGIC PLAN.
SO OVER THE FIVE YEARS, WE WILL
WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE
CERTAIN WE TRAIN AS MANY
EDUCATORS AS WE CAN WHETHER THAT
BE IN THE SCHOOL YEAR, WHETHER
THAT BE DURING THE SUMMER TIME,
SO WE WILL WORK DURING THIS FIVE
YEAR PERIOD TO BE ABLE TO MAKE
CERTAIN THIS TRAINING CONTINUES.
WE'LL UPDATE THAT ALONG THE WAY.
>>Jessica Vaughn: ARE THERE
EMPLOYEES THAT DON'T WANT TO
TAKE THE TRAINING?
HOW DOES THAT WORK INTO OUR
STRATEGIC PLAN?
>> WITHIN OUR PLAN, IT IS OUR
GOAL TO HAVE --
>>Addison Davis: WE ARE GOING TO
WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE EXPOSURE TO THAT,
OUR TEACHERS HAVE EXPOSURE TO
THIS TYPE OF TRAINING AND WE'LL
PUT THAT, WE EMBED THAT
THROUGHOUT AS WE TALKED ABOUT
BEING ABLE TO CONNECT, ACCESS TO
OUR STUDENTS ASSOCIATION A
THRONG WAY WE'LL MAKE CERTAIN
THAT WE PROVIDE THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
>>Jessica Vaughn: VAUGHN IS THE
GOAL TO TRAIN?
BECAUSE IF I AM A PARENT OR I AM
ANYONE AND I AM LOOKING AT OUR
STRATEGIC PLAN AND I SEE KEY
INITIATIVES, TRAIN ALL EMPLOYEES
IN IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING, I
MADE THE ASSUMPTION THAT IS A
DIRECTIVE OF THE DISTRICT, NOT A
GOAL.
SO CAN WE CLARIFY IF THAT'S A
GOAL IN SOME WAY PER OUR POLICY
WORKSHOP, WE ARE READY TO
COMMITTEE TO MANDATORY TRAINING?
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: DONE.
MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Addison Davis: THANK YOU, MRS.
VAUGHN, FOR BRINGING THAT UP
BECAUSE ACTUALLY I RECOMMENDED
THAT WE CHANGE THE WORD FROM
IMPLICIT BIAS TO SOMETHING ELSE,
TO DIVERSITY OR SOMETHING NOT SO
SPECIFIC, BECAUSE I FELT LIKE
SINCE WE DIDN'T GET -- SINCE
THAT POLICY HAS NOT BEEN
APPROVED BY THE BOARD YET, AND
WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO
REPRINT HOWEVER MANY THOUSANDS
OF COPIES OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN
THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE
TO MAKE COPIES OF, THAT MAYBE WE
CHANGE THE LANGUAGE TO READY
VERSETY AND CULTURAL
RESPONSIVENESS AS OPPOSED TO
BEING SO SPECIFIC ABOUT IMPLICIT
BIAS.
SO I DON'T NOT IF THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT THAT THE BOARD
WOULD CONSIDER.
IN THAT WAY IF IT DOES PASS,
THEN OBVIOUSLY IF THAT'S
MANDATORY THEN THAT'S -- IF THE
BOARD SO CHOOSES TO MAKE IT
MANDATORY THAT'S FINE.
BUT IF IT DOESN'T, THEN WE DON'T
HAVE TO REPRINT HOW MANY
THOUSANDS OF COPIES OF THIS.
SO PERHAPS WE AMEND THAT TO
DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL
RESPONSIVENESS, JUST TO BE SAFE
AROUND THE VERBIAGE.
>>Addison Davis: THROUGH THE
CHAIR, WE CAN LOOK AT THAT.
MONICA, ANY FEEDBACK FROM THAT
RELATED TO OUR -- MR. CONNOR TO
DO OUR TRAINING?
NO?
OKAY.
>>Lynn Gray: SORRY, MEMBER
SNIVELY.
I THINK OF IT AS A LIVING
DOCUMENT, WHICH WILL GROW AND
NEED EDITING BECAUSE WE ARE NOT
DONE WITH OUR POLICY WORKSHOP,
AND THE CONTINUANCES, A FEW
OTHER WHO WERE SENT HERE THAT WE
STILL HAVE TO FINISH SUCH AS
IMPLICIT BIAS.
SO I THINK -- AND I AM VERY
HAPPY TO SEE THAT YOU ARE ALL
SAYING OKAY, AND VAN, LET CHANGE
A WORD OR TWO BECAUSE IT'S GOING
TO BE NECESSARY.
IT'S INEVITABLE.
AND THE FLEXIBILITIES ARE VERY
MUCH APPRECIATED BY THIS BOARD.
HARD WORK WENT INTO THIS.
A LOT OF ENERGY, AND WE THANK
YOU.
BOARD MEMBERS, LET'S GO AHEAD
AND VOTE WHEN YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON
SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND DO YOUR
COMMENTS.
OH, WE ARE VOTING?
SORRY.
WE ARE VOTING AS IS WITH THE
EXCEPTIONS OF THOSE TWO
CORRECTIONS.
OKAY?
SO WE ARE ALL IN FAVOR.
AND BOARD MEMBERS, FEEL FREE TO
CALL UP, TO RUN DOWN LITERALLY
VAN AYRES OR CALL ADDISON DAVIS
FOR CHANGES.
SO, OKAY, COMMENT TIME.
MEMBER PEREZ IN THE QUEUE FIRST.
>>Karen Perez: THANK YOU, MADAM
CHAIR.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR
STAFF, TEACHERS, EMPLOYEES THAT
ARE VERY STRESSED OUT RIGHT NOW.
AND I JUST WANTED TO BRING OUT
THAT THERE WAS AN E-MAIL THAT
WAS SENT OUT THROUGH THE
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SENT OUT AN
E-MAIL REGARDING THE WELL-BEING,
WELL-BEING OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
IT'S ATTACHED LIKE THE 21 DAYS
OF MINDFULNESS PROGRAM, STARTING
OCTOBER 4th THROUGH THE
25th OF OCTOBER.
AND ALSO, EAP MENTAL HEALTH
AWARENESS, PROVIDING INFORMATION
ON HOW TO ACCESS YOUR EAP
SERVICES, AND BENEFITS.
AND THE 21 BECAUSE OF
MINDFULNESS, THE BENEFITS ARE
IT'S GOING TO REDUCE STRESS,
CREATE A HARMONIOUS SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCING
RELAXATION, IMPROVING SLEEP
QUALITY, STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY,
INCREASING ANTI-AGING HORMONES.
I MIGHT JUMP IN ON THAT ONE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THE EMPLOYEES,
EAP BENEFIT ARE THERE FOR
EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY DURING
THIS TIME.
AND I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE
DISCUSSING MASCOTS?
WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE
ADDRESSED AGAIN?
>>Addison Davis: SO RIGHT NOW,
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY FROM A
PART OF ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WE
ENGAGED A COMMUNITY THAT WANTED
US TO KEEP THE MASCOTS AS THEY
ARE, SO BEING ABLE TO REALLY
RECOGNIZE THE RICH HISTORY FOR
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
CURRENT MASCOTS, THE WAY THEY
SIT, AND THERE'S A CERTIFICATION
PROCESS.
SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE
REALLY WANT THE COMMUNITY, WE
WANT THE STUDENTS AND WE WANT
OUR CURRENT COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE
TO BRING THIS TO THE
ADMINISTRATION, TO BE ABLE TO
TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS
IS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.
SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING WITH
DIFFERENT POCKETS OF OUR
COMMUNITY TO DETERMINE IF
THERE'S A NEED, AND OVER
ARCHINGLY WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM
STUDENTS, WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM
THE COMMUNITY AT SCALE IN THAT
PARTICULAR COMMUNITY WANTING TO
CHANGE THESE MASCOTS.
SO WE WANT THAT TO BE A
COMMUNITY-LED PROJECT RATHER
THAN ADDED A MIGHT HAVE LED
PROJECT TO BE OPEN AND
TRANSPARENT.
>>Karen Perez: BUT JUST REMEMBER
AS A SOCIAL WORKER, I HAD TO
HONOR DIVERSITY, AND HONOR AND
RESPECT THE REPRESENTATION OF
DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THIS
COMMUNITY AS WELL.
SO I JUST FEEL THAT THIS IS A
CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO
HAVE, YOU KNOW, AND NOT JUST
LEAVE IT UP TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS
BUT ALSO RESPECT THE VIEWPOINTS
OF THE COMMUNITY THAT THESE MOSS
COTS REPRESENT.
AND ALSO, WE HAD A CONVERSATION
ABOUT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND
I AM GOING TO LEAVE MY COMMENTS
HERE WITH REGARD TO THE FINANCE
COMMITTEE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, SUPERINTENDENT,
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS THERE
TO HELP YOU ALIGN YOURSELF WITH
THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU ARE
GETTING TO KNOW.
YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 16
MONTHS, AND YOU ARE GETTING TO
KNOW AND FORMING AN ALLIANCE
WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS A LONG
LARGE COMMUNITY, THE SIXTH
LARGEST IN THE NATION, AND TO
RECEIVE ADVICE ON WHAT HAS
WORKED FOR OTHER
SUPERINTENDENTS, WHAT HAPPENS
FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF THIS
COMMUNITY IS SO IMPERATIVE,
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAME INTO A
DISTRICT WHEN WE WERE ALREADY IN
A FINANCIALLY IN THE RED, AND
RIGHT NOW, WE ARE DOING REALLY
WELL, BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF ESSER
FUNDING, TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT
OF THAT -- OR STAY IN THE BLACK
WHERE WE ARE.
YOU KNOW, IT TAKES THE WHOLE
VILLAGE.
IT TAKES ALL OF US TO WORK
TOGETHER.
SO, YOU KNOW, WORKING SIDE BY
SIDE WITH THIS COMMUNITY, YOU
KNOW, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
STUDENTS, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
TEACHERS, IT'S GOING TO BE
IMPERATIVE.
SO I FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, TAKING
THE ADVICE AND LOUISIANA
LISTENING TO THAT COMMITTEE IS
GOING TO BE A BENEFIT FOR YOU.
>>Addison Davis: THANK YOU.
YOU AGREE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
PEREZ.
MEMBER HAHN.
>>Stacy Hahn: HELLO.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY.
YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE ALIVE AND
AWAKE.
SO GO AHEAD.
>>Stacy Hahn: I AM.
SO THIS MONTH IS BOOK OBER, AND
AFTER SEPTOBER, SO TWO THINGS I
AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.
I WANTED PABLO TO SHARE -- THERE
WE GO.
I WANTED TO SHARE SOME OF THE
NUMBERS FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE
READING WITH MYON.
AND LET ME GO BACK TO MY FIRST
PAGE.
IF YOU SEE THE FIRST SLIDE, WE
HAD OVER A HALF MILLION BOOKS
ACCESSED IN THE MONTH OF
SEPTEMBER.
AND OVER 57,000 HOURS OF READING
BOOKS.
I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THOSE
NUMBERS.
AND MYON HAS BEEN A GREAT
PARTNER IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO
BOOKS ELECTRONICALLY WHICH HAS
BEEN GREAT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THEY ALSO HAD GOING ON RIGHT NOW
SOME GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
NOT ONLY DID THEY HAVE BOOKS
THAT ARE ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT
YOU CAN READ OR YOU CAN HAVE
THEM READ TO, THE BOOKS IN BOTH
ENGLISH AND SPANISH, SO THAT'S
BEEN EXCITING.
THEY HAVE LOTS OF ACTIVITY FOR
TEACHERS TO DO WITH THE BOOKS ON
THEIR WEBSITE AS WELL.
AND DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER,
LIKE I SAID, IT'S STEM TOBER.
WE ARE GOING TO RAMP UP OUR
READING BETWEEN STEMTOBER AND
CAN READ BOOK OF THE DAY FOR
STEMTOBER, THAT FAMILIES CAN DO
AT HOME, IF YOU WANT TO, AND
THEY ALSO HAVE SOME READING
CHALLENGES BETWEEN OCTOBER
25th AND NOVEMBER 28th.
SO THEY WILL BE GIVING OUT
PRIZES TO THE TOP READERS, AND
HOST IS OFFERING SIX
SIMILARSHIPS TO TOP READERS VIA
A RAFFLE.
SO A LOT OF THINGS ARE HAPPENING
BETWEEN STEMTOBER.
IT WILL BE A DRIVE THROUGH
FORMAT.
I WILL BE GIVING AWAY MY HOME
LIBRARY TO ALL THE CHILDREN WHO
ATTEND THE FAIR AND I HAVE ALL
OF THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITY
PARTNERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN
OUR PREVIOUS FAIRS JOINING US
NOVEMBER 6th.
IT WILL BE AT THE PARKING LOT
BETWEEN LANIER ELEMENTARY AND
MONROE MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND WE
HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT AT THE FAIR.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, STACY
HAHN, DR. HAHN, CO-CHAIR HAHN.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR WONDERFUL
WORK.
MEMBER WASHINGTON.
>>Henry "Shake" Washington: THAN
K YOU.
BUT BEFORE I START ON MY
PRESENTATION, I JUST WANTED TO
LET PEOPLE NONI HAVE TO GIVE A
SHOUTOUT TO JERALD DICKERS
BECAUSE HE'S THE YOUNG MAN WHO
MADE OUR SHIRTS FOR US.
IT SHOULD HAVE A TAG INSIDE OF
YOUR PACKET THERE.
SO THANK YOU, JERALD, FOR ALL
YOU DO FOR US HERE IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
LET'S START OUT WITH, I HAD AN
OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO CHAMBERLAIN
HIGH SCHOOL DURING THE LAST TWO
WEEKS, AND I MET WITH THE YEAR
BACK STAFF.
IT WAS QUITE INTERESTING.
THEY WANTED TO KNOW, I GAVE THEM
QUESTIONS.
I GAVE THEM ANSWERS.
THEY HAD ALL THESE QUESTIONS
FROM BEING A FORMER PRINCIPAL,
HOW DID THE SCHOOL GO?
WE HAD SOME GREAT QUESTIONS.
THEY WANTED TO KNOW HOW WE WERE
DISCIPLINED, HOW LONG I HAD BEEN
THERE.
SO I HAD A CONVERSATION TELLING
THEM ABOUT THE YEAR THAT I WAS
AT CHAMBERLAIN HIGH SCHOOL AND
WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
THEY ENJOYED IT.
IN FACT ONE GUY SAID WHY DON'T
YOU COME BACK AND BE THE
PRINCIPAL?
I SAID, NOT IN THIS LIFETIME.
MAYBE ANOTHER BUT NOT THIS N
THIS ONE.
BUT I REALLY HAD A GREAT TIME.
THEN I MOVED ON.
AND THAT'S PICTURES OF THE
STUDENTS FROM CHAMBERLAIN HIGH
SCHOOL.
AS I LIKE TO SAY, GO CHAMBO.
WE HAD SOME GREAT STUDENTS
THERE.
THEN I VOLUNTEERED AT THE --
TEACHERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
GO, AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES.
THEY SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THAT.
THAT'S HARD WORK NOW.
I VOLUNTEERED, BUT WE LOADED
BASKETS UP, AND I ESCORTED THE
TEACHERS OUT AND PUT THE
SUPPLIES IN THEIR CARS.
I MEAN, THEY HAVE ALL KIND OF
SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS.
AND TEACHERS, YOU NEED TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
YOU REALLY NEED TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
AND I WANT TO THANK ANGELIC OH
BECAUSE TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING IN
THE LITTLE TIME I WAS THERE
ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND
FOUNDATION, TEACHING RESOURCE.
AND THEN I CHANGED AND I WENT TO
SEMINOLE.
I WENT TO SEMINOLE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL WHERE I HAD OPPORTUNITY
AGAIN TO WORK IN THE FOOD
SERVICE.
I TELL YOU, THEY WORK HARD AT
PREPARING FAD FOR STUDENTS
THERE.
AND THEY GET THEIR FOOD OUT FOR
THE NEXT CLASS.
YOU ARE CONSTANTLY ON YOUR FEET.
I MEAN, THREE AND A HALF HOURS.
AND WE HAVE GOT TO START GIVING
THE LUNCHROOM SERVICE PEOPLE
ALSO RECOGNITION FOR WHAT THEY
DO, BECAUSE THEY REALLY DO A
GREAT JOB.
AND I ENJOYED, AND I WANT TO
TELL SEMINOLE, YOU HAVE A GREAT
STAFF.
YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.
THEN, THAT'S THE STAFF THERE.
AND ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS WAS
THERE.
AND THEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY,
I WENT TO THE EYE INSTITUTE
WHERE THE GLAZER FOUNDATION
WHERE THEY GAVE OUT FREE
EYEGLASSES TO PHILLIPS SHORES
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THEY GAVE EXAMS AND THEY ALSO
GAVE OUT FREE GLASSES TO THE
STUDENT.
IT WAS REALLY GOOD.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN
THE COMMUNITY.
THEY REALLY DID A GREAT JOB
THERE.
THE LITTLE KIDS WERE SO EXCITED.
SOME HAD BLEW, GREEN, THEY HAD
ALL COLOR GLASSES BUT WE
ENJOYED.
WE HAD A GOOD TIME.
WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND I ENJOYED
THOSE KIDS FEELING LIKE SOMEBODY
REALLY CARED ABOUT THEM.
SHE LOOKED SO CUTE.
I SAY, WHAT COLOR GLASSES?
SHE SAID, I DON'T KNOW, YOU
MIGHT GET RED.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S RED OR
NOT.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE GUYS THAT
DOES THE EYE COMPASSION AND SO
FORTH AND A FIT THEM FOR THE
GLASSES.
SO WE REALLY HAD A GOOD TIME.
AND THERE WERE QUITE A FEW
STUDENTS THERE.
AND THEY ALL HAVE GLASSES.
OF COURSE, THE LITTLE GIRL SAID,
YOU DIDN'T GET IN A GLASSES.
I SAID WHY?
SHE SAID, WELL, I CAN SEE REAL
GOOD.
I SAID, WELL YOU ARE DOING
GREAT, SWEETHEART.
AND THEN WE WENT TO -- MEMBER
COMBS AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO GO TO THE GENTLEMAN'S QUEST
WITH THE CDC, AND WE HAD MR.
TRAVIS MYERS WAS THE
COORDINATOR.
HE'S IN CHARGE, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR.
AND I TELL YOU WHAT, THOSE KIDS,
WE HAD A GREAT TIME LIKE MRS.
COMBS, AND THIS IS THE BOOK THAT
THEY PUBLISH.
IT SAID I'M A YOUNG BLACK MAN.
AND IT HIGH PRESSURE IN THERE AT
LEAST POEMS THAT THEY MADE UP.
THOSE KIDS ARE SMART.
AND THAT'S WHAT BOTHERED ME
SOMETIMES, PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU
KNOW THESE KIDS, THEY DON'T
DO -- WE HAVE SUCCESSFUL
STUDENTS.
THESE GUYS PUBLISH A BACK WITH
GREAT POEMS IN IT.
AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB, TOO.
AND THEY READ IT AND THEY SIGNED
THE BOOK.
I THINK YOU HAVE ONE, TOO, DON'T
YOU?
YES.
SO WE SPOKE TO THE KIDS, GAVE
THEM ACCOLADES, BECAUSE WE WANT
EVERY KID TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN
BE A SUCCESS IF THEY WORK HARD.
AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY ALSO TO
GO TO ELLISON.
AND WE HAD THE TRANSFORMATION
TEAM THERE.
HER TEAM WAS THERE.
AND WE HAD CASPERS THERE.
AND CASPERS GAVE, WHAT, $50,000?
$50,000 TO THE NETWORK.
AT EDISON.
I JUST 2021 SAY, WE WERE OUT
THERE, AND I JUST WANTED TO STAY
ON THAT PART OF IT.
IT WAS REALLY NICE.
THEY GAVE AWAY A LOT OF GIFTS,
BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ATTENDANCE
INCENTIVE THAT THEY ARE WORKING
ON THAT THEY DO THERE.
AND LIKE SOME CUDS WANT AN
IPad.
SO I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE TRANSFORMATION TEAM.
YOU ALL DO A GREAT JOB BECAUSE
YOU ARE BRINGING STUFF IN THE
COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD
BEFORE.
YOUR TEAM IS A HARDWORKING TEAM.
AND IT PAYS OFF.
AND ALSO DR. TIRADO, THE TEAM
THERE, WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND I WANT TO
GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO DUSTIN
PASILLO BECAUSE HE'S THE PERSON
FOR CASPERS.
BOB WASN'T THERE.
WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
♪
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THANK CASPERS FOR ALL THEY DO IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
WASHINGTON, FOR A VERY POSITIVE
UPDATE, AND A BUSY MAN, AND WE
ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU
IN THAT DISTRICT FOR SURE.
NEXT WILL BE MEMBER SNIVELY.
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR.
BEFORE I GET TO SOME OF THE FUN
STUFF I WANTED TO ADDRESS TO
SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE
MADE TODAY ABOUT THE PUBLIC THAT
CAME IN, AND A COUPLE OF THINGS,
SOME OF THEM KEEP RECURRING, SO
I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU COULD
ADDRESS SOME OF THEM AND IF YOU
DON'T HAVE ANSWERS THIS EVENING,
MR. SUPERINTENDENT, YOU COULD
BRING THEM BACK TO THE NEXT
BOARD MEETING.
BULLET WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT OUR
LOBBYIST REGISTRATION PROCESS,
AND SO WHERE ARE WE?
I KNOW WE HAVE GOT A POLICY ON
THE DOCKET FOR REGISTRATION.
>>Addison Davis: THERE IS A
CURRENT LOBBYING REGISTRY?
PLACE.
THE BOARD ASKED THAT IT BE
UPDATED TO MORE CLOSELY REFLECT
THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AND THAT'S IN YOUR
POLICY CYCLE RIGHT NOW.
BUT THERE IS AN EXISTING
LOBBYING REGISTRY IN PLACE FOR
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THEY ARE JUST BEEFING IT UP WITH
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT MORE
CLOSELY MIRRORS HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY AND THAT WILL COME TO YOU
WHEN YOU FINALLY ADOPT YOUR
POLICY.
>>Melissa Snively: I WAS PRETTY
SURE WE HAD ONE IN PLACE
I.DIDN'T KNOW A LOT OF DETAILS
AROUND IT.
I'M SORRY?
>>Jim Porter: MR. DAVIS
ADVICESES ME ON OCTOBER
19th.
>>Melissa Snively: THE NEW
POLICY.
OKAY.
BUT WE DO HAVE A CURRENT
REGISTRATION PROCESS IN PLACE.
THIS IS CHANGING A LITTLE BIT ON
THE 19th.
FANTASTIC.
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT COMMUNITY
SCHOOLS, AND ARE WE MOVING IN
THAT --
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM, WE
CURRENTLY HAVE SIX COMMUNITY
SCHOOLS IN PLACE AND THERE IS AN
APP TATE TO EXPAND.
BUT THIS IS A -- IT'S A
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION.
SO BEING ABLE TO HAVE START-UP
MONEY AND BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY
THE RIGHT PARTNER, AND ALSO IT'S
ABOUT PUTTING IT IN THE RIGHT
DIRECT EXAMINATION LOCATIONS.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, WE HAVE GOT
TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE'S
ACCESSIBILITY FOR PARTNERS,
MAKING CERTAIN WE ARE HIRING THE
RIGHT DIRECTOR TO MOVE THAT
PROCESS, AND THERE'S BEEN
SUCCESSES WITH THAT INITIATIVE.
WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND WHERE
THAT WOULD GO WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
SO THE ANSWER TON THAT IS YES.
>>Melissa Snively: I THINK YOU
ARE GOING TO HEAR MORE AND MORE
FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS, OUR
TAXPAYERS, OUR STAKEHOLDERS,
ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, HOW THEY HAVE
BEEN WORKING FOR OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT AND WHAT POTENTIAL IT
HAS TO CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL
IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
COMPUTER-BASED EXCESSIVE
TESTING.
REMEMBER THAT ONE?
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
SO THAT WAS BROUGHT UP THIS
EVENING FROM A CONSTITUENT.
THE ISSUE IS THAT WE WANT TO
MIRROR WHAT THE STATE ASSESSMENT
FORMAT IS.
I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO PENCIL AND
PAPER AND I DO BELIEVE IT'S THE
BEST WAY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO
REALLY BE ABLE TO PROCESS, TO AN
OH INDICATE, TO ENGAGE.
THE ISSUE BECOMES WHEN THE
MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE
ENGAGED ON COMPUTERS, COMPUTER
BASED ASSESSMENT AT THE STATE
LEVEL.
WE WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN WE
MIRROR THE SAME INTERACTIONS SO
STUDENTS ARE PREPARED AND READY.
I DON'T KNOW THE FORECASTABILITY
OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE NEW
PROGRESS ASSESSMENT.
I DO BELIEVE IT WILL BE COMPUTER
BASED AS WELL.
BUT I'M AN ADVOCATE OF PAPER AND
PENCIL.
HOWEVER IT'S JUST NOT THE
REALITY WHEREOF WE SIT WITH THE
STATE.
>>Melissa Snively: THANK YOU FOR
ADDRESSING THAT.
APPLE TRACK FOR THE APPLICATION
PROCESS AND FOR AN ORGANIZATION
WHO IS TRYING DESPERATELY TO
RECRUIT NEW EMPLOYEES.
I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON OUR
HOME PAGE THAT PULLS ME IN AS A
POTENTIAL EMPLOYEE TO APPLY FOR
A JOB HERE, AND WHAT'S THE
SITUATION WITH APPLE FACTS?
>> IT'S REALLY NOT.
IT'S USER ACCESSIBILITY AND WE
RECOMMEND IT BE DONE ON A
DESKTOP, NOT ON A PHONE.
IT'S NOT AS EASY TO APPLY ON A
PHONE.
AT THE JOB FAIR WE HAD A WHOLE
TABLE FOR PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO
WORK ON THEIR APPLICATIONS BUT
WE HAVE TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT
MERGES, WE CAN'T DO PAPER AND
PENCIL APPLICATIONS SO WE HAVE
TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT INTEGRATES
ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES INFORMATION
AND POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES, AND
COMMUNICATION DID HAVE ALL OF
THOSE LINKS ON OUR WEBSITE WHEN
WE WERE DOING LAST WEEK AND
HIGHLIGHTING THOSE.
SO I CAN SHOW YOU THE STEPS ON
THE WEBSITE, ITS EMPLOYMENT AND
THEN THE VACANCIES ARE THERE AND
THEY APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE
VACANCIES.
>>Melissa Snively: I JUST THINK
WE COULD MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE
OBVIOUS.
>>Addison Davis: IS THERE A WAY
TO TRANSITION, DR. WHELAN, FOR
ACCESS TO SMART PHONES?
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A QUICKER
WAY TO GET A SMALLER GROUP OF
APPLICATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF
THAT PLATFORM CAN DO THAT.
>>Marie Whelan: WE WILL KNOW
MORE WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO FIND
OUT ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A SEPARATE
STAND ALONE.
>>Melissa Snively: WELL, THAT'S
A CONCERN FOR SURE BECAUSE THERE
ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T
EVEN USE OUR LAPTOP OR DESKTOP
AS MUCH ANYMORE.
THEY ARE SOLELY ON THEIR PHONE,
THEIR iPad, SO IT REALLY
DOES NEED TO BE ACCESSIBLE THAT
WAY AS WELL.
WE NEED TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS
POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE, NOT TO HAVE
TO JUMP THROUGH SO MANY HOOPS TO
GET THEIR APPLICATION IN FOR
CONSIDERATION.
SO, OKAY.
AND THEN I KNOW THE CAC HAD A
REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION
YESTERDAY FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND
ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT
ARE GOING ON IN THE SCHOOLS, AND
IT SOUND LIKE THEY HAD A REALLY
GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT COMING
UP WITH A WAY TO GET MORE
VOLUNTEERS INTO THE SCHOOLS TO
HELP OUT.
AS YOU COULD HEAR FROM SOME OF
THE STRESS FROM OUR TEACHERS WHO
RESPONSIBLE TODAY, THEY ARE
TAPPED OUT, AND I AM CONCERNED
ABOUT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT,
OH, IT'S ALL-TIME LOW MORALE.
WELL, IT IS LOW, YES.
I DON'T KNOW IF ALL TIME BUT
IT'S LOW.
I THINK I HAVE SEEN, A SIDE FROM
THE PANDEMIC, OF COURSE -- THE
PANDEMIC CHANGED EVERYTHING,
RIGHT?
SO I WANT THE EMPLOYEES, OR I
THINK WE WOULD WANT THE
EMPLOYEES TO FEEL APPRECIATED
AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT IN
THIS ALONE.
ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE
CERTAINLY HAVING CHALLENGES WITH
MORALE RIGHT NOW.
IT'S NOT JUST HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY.
IT'S EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ACROSS THE NATION.
BUT I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR
THAT, BUT I DO FEEL LIKE WE
SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING TO
MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT MORE
CONDUCIVE TO THEM FEELING
APPRECIATED, AND WHATEVER WE CAN
DO TO CREATE THE SUPPORT FOR
THEM, SO THAT THEY ARE NOT
HAVING TO SKIP LUNCH, BECAUSE
NOW THEY HAVE TO WORK THIS PART
OF THE SCHOOL OR THAT PART OF
THE SCHOOL.
THEY ARE GETTING PULLED IN SO
MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, AND
THEY ARE JUST PROBABLY REALLY
GETTING BURNED OUT FAST.
SO I THINK THAT PROBABLY IS A
CONCERN FOR MOST OF THE BOARD
MEMBERS.
SO THEY ARE ALL HEARING FROM
TEACHERS ABOUT HOW TIRED THEY
ARE, AND HOW THEY DON'T FEEL
VERY LOVED RIGHT NOW.
AND LIKE I SAID, I ADOPT HAVE
THE ANSWER TO THAT BUT I FIGURED
ENOUGH PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO
MAKE IT BETTER.
>>Addison Davis: YES, MA'AM.
AND I THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY
THE PRIORITY.
AND I SPOKE TO MRS. VAUGHN THE
OTHER DAY RELATED TO THAT, AND
OPEN FORUMS WITH DIFFERENT
COMMITTEES, SUBSETS OF EMPLOYEES
WHETHER IT BE SUPPORT STAFF,
MAINTENANCE, TEACHERS, LEADERS,
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO
BE ABLE TO ADDRESS MORALE.
>>Melissa Snively: AND IT'S HARD
TO ASK FOR ONE MORE THING, BUT
REALLY THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SOLVE
THAT IF THEY TELL US WHAT THEY
WANT AND TELL US WHAT WOULD HELP
THEIR SITUATION BECOME BETTER.
>>Addison Davis: THE SAMPLE SIZE
ALLOWS US TO DO THAT, AND WE MET
EVERY MONDAY, HE'S PUT OUT A
SURVEY AS WELL, AND WHAT CAN WE
DO TO HELP MORALE VERSUS CURRENT
LOCATION?
WE KNOW WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE
RIGHT NOW.
WE KNOW I HAVE TALKED TO
SUPERINTENDENTS AROUND THE STATE
AND BEING ABLE TO FIGURE OUT
WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HEARD
TONIGHT ABOUT -- WHAT WE HAD TO
DO WAS GO OUT I AM DIRECTLY TO
ANOTHER VENDOR TO BE ABLE TO
BRING TO -- TO FILL POSITIONS
THAT KELLY IS NOT ABLE TO FILL.
I THINK BEING ABLE TO TAKE
PROACTIVE STEPS LIKE THAT WILL
REALLY RELEASE TIME FOR TEACHERS
SO THEY CAN HAVE THEIR PLANNING,
HAVE THEIR LUNCH AND NOT HAVE TO
TAKE ADDITIONAL STUDENTS IN
ELEMENTARY OR COVER ADDITIONAL
CLASSES IN THE SECONDARY WHICH
REALLY GETS EXHAUSTING.
>>Melissa Snively: AND IT'S
OKAY, AND I KNOW OBVIOUSLY
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE, BUT IT'S
OKAY FOR VOLUNTEERS, ESPECIALLY
CRITICAL VOLUNTEERS, LIKE PTA,
PARENTS WHO WANT TO COME IN AND
VOLUNTEER, WHETHER IT'S HELPING
A CLASSROOM OR HELPING LUNCH
DUTY OR HELPING WITH RECEIVING
CHILDREN IN THE MORNING AND
SEEING THEM OFF IN THE
AFTERNOON, THAT'S OKAY FOR US TO
HAVE PEOPLE ON CAMPUS DOING
THOSE THINGS, HELPING OUR STAFF.
AM I UNDERSTANDING THAT
CORRECTLY?
>>Addison Davis: THEY DEFINITELY
CAN COME AND HELP WITH THAT
PROCESS.
WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE EMPLOYEES
THERE FOR SUPERVISION.
BUT ABSOLUTELY, ALL HANDS ON
DECK, WE WILL BE ABLE TO
ALLEVIATE THOSE STRESSORS AND
PUT THEM IN COMMON AREAS TO BE
ABLE TO ACCEPT AND INTERACTED.
>>Melissa Snively: AND IF THEY
HAVEN'T FILLED OUT A VOLUNTEER
SERVICES FORM THEY HAVE TO GO TO
OUR WEBSITE AND FILL OUT THAT
FORM AND GET THE SYSTEM INTO THE
PROCESS TO BE PROCESSED AND BE
APPROVED FOR THAT.
OKAY?
OKAY.
SO THINGS TO OBVIOUSLY CONT
CONSIDER.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR.
DEEMS FOR ALLOWING ME TO
PARTICIPATE IN HISPANIC HERITAGE
MONTH BY READING TO HER
STUDENTS.
THAT WAS VERY FUN.
IT WAS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND
WE GOT TO SING TOGETHER, AND
HAVE A GREAT TIME.
I WANTED TO THANK JOSEPHINE
AMATOS AND DANIEL MYERS FOR
THEIR SIX YEARS OF TIRELESS WORK
AROUND STUDENT SAFE PATHWAYS TO
STUDENTS BUS AND TRANSPORTATION
SOLUTIONS.
AND FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE CONCERNS
BEGUN SAFETY IN TRANSPORTATION.
THEY ARE REALLY GREAT PUBLIC
ADVOCATES FOR THAT WORKING AND
TRYING TO PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER
TO COME UP WITH SOME SOLUTIONS
FOR SOME OF OUR TRANSPORTATION
CHALLENGES.
I WANTED TO -- I THINK PABLO HAS
A SCREEN TO PUT UP FOR A
PARTICULAR EVENT THAT JUST
RECENTLY TOOK PLACE LAST FRIDAY.
ANYWAY, IT'S THE SIXTH ANNUAL
EVENT THAT I HAVE BEEN HONORED
TO BE A PART OF, YOU DESERVE TO
BE LOVED.
IT WAS VIRTUAL THIS YEAR WHICH
WAS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS
VIRTUAL.
SOME BOARD MEMBERS I THINK HAVE
ATTENDED IN THE PAST.
BUT -- DOES HE HAVE THEM?
HE'S WORKING.
SO A SHOUTOUT.
WE HAVE 21 SCHOOLS THAT ENGAGE
WITH APPROXIMATELY 600 STUDENTS
PARTICIPATING, HIGH SCHOOLS WERE
ARMWOOD, BRANDON, HILLSBOROUGH,
ROBINSON, SICKLES, SIMMONS
CAREER, TAMPA BAY TECH, AND
WATERS CONTRARY, AND THEN MIDDLE
SCHOOLS WERE ADAMS, BRUNETTE,
FERRELL, GUINTA, LIBERTY,
MADISON, TURKEY CREEK AND YOUNG.
AND THANK YOU TO DR. JEFFREY
JOHNSON WHO IS THE ORGANIZER FOR
ALL SIX YEARS.
THANK YOU TO EMORY CLINTON FOR
THE HELP IN COORDINATING IT.
WE PARTNERED WITH PINELLAS THE
PAST COUPLE YEARS, BEEN
PARTNERING WITH PINELLAS COUNTY
AND I WANT TO THANK DR. FELITO
LEWIS FOR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO
THE SLIDE BUT YOU CAN CONTINUE
TO LOOK FOR THEM.
OH, THERE WE GO.
OKAY.
SO THAT WAS AWESOME SPEAKERS.
REALLY GOOD SPEAKERS.
VERY INSPIRATIONAL.
THE WHOLE CONCEPT IS THESE
STUDENTS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE
AS ADULTS THAT WE CONTINUE TO
TRY TO INSPIRE THEM, TO MAKE
THEM FEEL LOVED, TO MAKE SURE
THEY UNDERSTAND THEY DESERVE IT,
THEY DESERVE TO BE LOVED NO
MATTER WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY
COME FROM, WHAT COLOR THEY ARE,
WHAT ETHNICITY THEY ARE, WHAT
THEIR FAMILY SITUATION IS, THAT
THEY CAN ALL SUCCEED WHATEVER
THEIR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IS,
AND WE SHOULD LOVE ON ALL OF
THEM, MAKE SURE THAT WE INSPIRE
THEM.
AND THEN ONE DAY OF CHANGE, I'M
SO SORRY.
CEOs IN SCHOOLS, NOVEMBER
6th.
CEOs IN SCHOOLS IS
COLLABORATION BETWEEN STRESS AND
DISTRESS, IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR
AND IT'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY AS
LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO GO
SPEND A DAY WITH AN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN THE SCHOOL.
IF YOU GO TO THE NUMBER ONE, DAY
OF CHANGE.COM, YOU CAN GO
REGISTER.
NOW BOARD MEMBERS, I GOT A
LITTLE CHALLENGE FOR YOU.
BECAUSE THERE ARE STILL SCHOOLS
IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICT THAT DO
NOT HAVE VOLUNTEERS ASSIGNED TO
THEM FOR LEADERSHIP IN THE
COMMUNITY.
SO WHETHER IT'S A BUSINESS
LEADER, POLITICAL LEADER, A
MANAGER, COMPANY MANAGEMENT, WE
NEED PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING IN THE
SCHOOLS, AND YOU CAN SEE THE
LIST AT THAT WEBSITE.
YOU WILL SEE THE LIST OF
SCHOOLS.
AND I AM TALKING ABOUT ANYWHERE
FROM ALAFIA ELEMENTARY TO
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY TO
ANDERSON, APOLLO BEACH, BT
WASHINGTON, BAY LEE, BALLAST
POINT, BAY CREST.
A LOT OF SCHOOLS STILL NEED
LEADERS.
SO GET ON IT AND GET YOUR
COMMUNITY INVOLVED.
OCTOBER 13th, YOUR KICKOFF
RECEPTION AT PEPIN CENTER AND
NOVEMBER 35 IS THE ACTUAL DAY IN
THE SCHOOL AND THE GREAT
AMERICAN TEACH-IN, YOU CAN GO TO
THE GREAT AMERICAN TEACH-IN
WHICH IS NOVEMBER 18th?
A. AND THAT'S ANOTHER PLACE TO
HIGHLIGHT AND INSPIRE KIDS ABOUT
CAREERS FOR THEIR FUTURE.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
GO OVER TIME A LITTLE BIT.
I APOLOGIZE BUT I HAD A LOT OF
COMMENTS THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
SNIVELY.
JUST SO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, WE ARE HAVING
A WORKSHOP, AND DR. AMY ELLIS
WILL BE THERE, SO WE WILL GET A
LOT OF INFORMATION ON THE
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
MEMBER COMBS.
>>Nadia Combs: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
I APPRECIATE SO MANY PEOPLE
TALKING ABOUT MORALE AND HOW WE
CAN IMPROVE MOWER RAL AND WHAT
WE NEED TO DO.
I KNOW EVEN ON A PERSONAL NOTE,
MY DAUGHTER CAME HOME AND JUST
WAS SO UPSET BECAUSE ONE OF HER
FAVORITE TEACHERS DECIDED TO
LEAVE TEACHING, YOU KNOW, AND
THAT IS HAPPENING.
AND IT DOES IMPACT SO MANY
CHILDREN.
SO HOW DO WE RECRUIT TEACHERS
AND HOW DO WE RETAIN TEACHERS
AND HOW DO WE MAKE TEACHERS
REALIZE HOW IMPACTFUL AND HOW
THEY ARE APPRECIATED SO MUCH.
AND THE OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO
TALK ABOUT IS REALLY AS WE TALK
ABOUT TESTING, THE KIND OF
IMPACT THAT IT'S HAVING ON OUR
LIBRARIES, I KNOW THAT MANY OF
OUR LIBRARIES HAVE REALLY NOT
BEEN OPEN ALL YEAR WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT A PUSH AND WE ARE DOING SO
MANY THINGS, IF WE COULD REALLY
FOCUS ON LITERACY AND READING
AND KEEPING OUR LIBRARIES OPEN,
THAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT.
I ALSO HAD A GREAT ZOOM THIS
WEEK WITH A COUNSELOR WHO IS
REALLY TRYING TO GET SOME TYPE
OF WRITING, BECAUSE WE ARE
REALLY, REALLY -- OUR COUNSELORS
ARE NOW REALLY TESTING
COORDINATORS.
AND THEY DON'T MIND ASSISTING
BUT THEY ARE SHARPENING PENCILS,
THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF THINGS
THAT WE COULD HAVE, YOU KNOW,
OUR SECRETARIES OR
PARAPROFESSION AS OR PEOPLE
HELPING BECAUSE, AND THE
COUNSELORS, AND WE KNOW THAT
MENTAL HEALTH IS A HUGE ISSUE.
IT WAS A HUGE ISSUE PRIOR TO
COVID AND WE ARE SEEING MORE AND
MORE OF THAT.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE
BIT MORE OFF THE PLATE WITH
COUNSELORS SO THAT WAY THEY CAN
WORK WITH CHILDREN AND HOW DO WE
HAVE THINGS, LIKE COUNTING BACK
LET'S AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE NEED TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF
THAT TO ALLOW OUR COUNSELORS TO
HAVE MORE TIME FOR THAT.
I WANT TO THANK -- I HAD A GREAT
HISPANIC HERITAGE GOING TO DEER
PARK ELEMENTARY AND READING TO
THE KINDERGARTENERS AND FIRST
GRADERS.
THE BOOK, THE TIME THAT MR.
WASHINGTON AND I WENT, AND TO
THE GENTLEMAN'S -- WHAT A
POWERFUL ORGANIZATION THAT IS.
THAT BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE TO
PURCHASE ON AMAZON.
AND I WILL SEND A LINK.
THAT ORGANIZATION IS TRYING TO
HAVE ALL THOSE YOUNG MEN GO TO
WASHINGTON, D.C. AND EACH OF
THEM IS TRYING TO RAISE $545 TO
DO THAT.
SO THAT IS SO GREAT TO SEE SO
MANY PEOPLE, SO MANY CHILDREN,
AND NOT JUST THE CHILDREN, BUT
ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY ARE
HAVING FROM THE COMMUNITY TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT AND IMPACT THAT.
FINALLY, THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY
LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THE
HIGHLIGHT OF BEING ON THE BOARD
IS BEING IN THE SCHOOLS.
I AM REALLY TRYING TO EITHER SUB
OR CO-TEACH, AT LEAST ONCE A
MONTH, TO GIVE THE TEACHERS A
LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK, AND ALSO
TO REALLY EXPERIENCE WHAT SCHOOL
IS LIKE.
I WAS ABLE TO EXPERIENCE A
MONTHLY LOCK DOWN DRILL AT
HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO
HILLSBOROUGH, THAT BEAUTIFUL
SCHOOL, AND TO EXPERIENCE AND
CO-TEACH WITH AUDREY LEWIS.
YOU SAW HER HERE THIS EVENING
WITH HER STUDENTS.
THE ONE THING THAT YOU DIDN'T
SEE IS THE CULTURE THAT IS IN
THAT CLASSROOM.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT TEACHING
KIDS, BUT IT'S ALSO THE ENTIRE
TIME, CHILDREN WERE COMING BY TO
SEE HER BETWEEN CLASSES, AND TO
CHECK ON HER, THE LOVE AND THE
COMMITMENT THAT SHE HAS, JUST
LIKE SO MANY OTHER TEACHERS, IS
SOMETHING THAT WHEN YOU SEE IT
AND YOU EXPERIENCE IT, YOU KNOW
THAT TEACHERS AREN'T THERE FOR
THE MONEY, THEY ARE DEALING WITH
SO MUCH, BUT THEY ARE IMPACTING
THESE CHILDREN.
SO I DID HAVE A FEW PICTURES.
OUR QUESTION WAS, HOW DO
BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE HELP MAKE
DECISIONS? SO WHAT WE DID IS A
LESSON, HOW DO SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS MAKE DECISIONS?
SO THEY MADE THE DECISION ABOUT
THE MASK MANDATE, AND BELIEVE IT
OR NOT, 85% OF THEM WANTED TO
REMOVE THE MASK MANDATE.
WE TALKED ABOUT POLICY WITH
TIKTOK, AND LOTS OF DECISIONS WE
MAKE AS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND
THEY CAME UP WITH DECISIONS.
PABLO, I KNOW YOU HAVE A FEW
PICTURES OF THE CLASS AND THE
WAY THEY WORKED TOGETHER AND
ALSO MS. LEWIS AND HER WONDERFUL
CLASS AND I WANT TO THANK MRS.
KING FOR ALLOWING ME OUT THERE
AS WELL.
>> AND JUST HOW AMAZING THIS
READING PROGRAM IS.
IT IS GREAT TO EXPERIENCE THAT.
AND ALSO THE AVID PROGRAM TO SEE
TO SEE THAT KIDS ARE EXCITED
ABOUT LEARNING, THAT IT'S HANDS
ON, ABOUT DECISION MAKING.
THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO EXCITE
CHILDREN ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG
CHILDREN WHO MAYBE SOMETIMES
AREN'T MOTIVATED DURING THESE
TIMES.
WE NEED TO HAVE MORE HANDS-ON
ACTIVITY, THINGS THAT THEY CAN
REFLECT, AND I JUST WANT TO
THANK MRS. LEWIS AND HER CLASS
FOR A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
>>Lynn Gray: THANK YOU, MEMBER
COMBS.
YOU HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY.
THAT I KNOW AS WELL, IN THE
CLASSROOMS.
MEMBER VAUGHN?
>>Jessica Vaughn: THANK YOU,
MEMBER GRAY.
AS MEMBER SNIVELY MENTIONED,
MANY OF US WERE INVITED TO GO
SPEAK FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE
MONTH, READ A BOOK IN DIFFERENT
SCHOOLS. I WANT TO THANK MRS.
MARGATO FOR PUTTING IT ALL
TOGETHER.
I WAS ABLE TO GO TO RIVERHILLS,
AND PARTICIPATE IN THE DUAL
LANGUAGE, ONE OF THE DUAL
LANGUAGE CLASSES, AND READ A
GREAT BACK.
IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
ALSO, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE
DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH
THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO
CELEBRATE PEOPLE WITH DOWN
SYNDROME AND MAKE OTHERS AWARE
OF THEIR ABILITIES AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT -- I
KNOW WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT
THE MORALE IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND
SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS MENTIONED
THAT THERE IS A SURVEY OUT FROM
PTA, SO IF YOU ARE A TEACHER AND
YOU ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT,
PLEASE GO AND ACCESS THAT SURVEY
THAT'S OPEN NOW.
ALSO TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL
TEACHERS DAY.
SO I KNOW THAT IT'S HARD RIGHT
NOW, AND OUR TEACHERS ARE
DEALING WITH A LOT, AND SHOUTOUT
AND COFFEE ISN'T ALWAYS THE
ANSWER TO MEET THE CHALLENGES
THAT THEY HAVE, BUT THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO,
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL
TEACHERS DAY.
ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT EDUCATION
IS MY HEART AND TEACHERS AND OUR
SCHOOL STAFF ARE THE HEARTS OF
OUR SCHOOLS.
AND FINALLY, I JUST KIND OF
WANTED TO REFLECT ON SOME OF THE
CONVERSATION WE HAD, OUR
WORKSHOP THIS MORNING.
I KIND OF -- I KNOW THAT WE
CLOSED OUR WORKSHOP IN TALKING
ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY
NEED TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO OUR
SCHOOLS AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO
BE COMPETITIVE AND TALKING ABOUT
ASKING OUR COMMUNITY FOR MONEY
WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T MADE
OURSELVES COMPETITIVE.
BUT I JUST WANT TO KIND OF
RESENTER THAT CONVERSATION BACK
TO THE FACT THAT IF WE ARE BEING
INTENTIONALLY STARVED OUT BY
TALLAHASSEE, IF WE DON'T HAVE
COME PETITIONING FUNDS, THAT
SCHOOLS GET PICO DOLLARS THAT WE
DON'T, IF THERE'S ADVANTAGES IN
LEGISLATION TO CHARTER SCHOOLS,
IT'S NOT REALLY AN HONEST
CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE CAN BE
COMPETITIVE WHEN THERE IS AN
UNFAIR ADVANTAGE AIMED AT
PRIVATIZING EDUCATION, GIVING IT
AN ADVANTAGE TO CHARTER SCHOOLS,
AND STARTING OUT AND DESTROYING
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
SO I WOULD JUST APPRECIATE AS WE
GO FORWARD IN HAVING
CONVERSATION ABOUT BEING
COMPETITIVE, TO BE REALISTIC
ABOUT KIND OF THE RULES OF THE
GAME THAT WE ARE PLAYING IN THAT
CONVERSATION, BECAUSE IT'S KIND
OF DIFFICULT. IF WE DON'T GET
FUNDING WE CAN'T BE AS
COMPETITIVE, WE CAN'T HAVE THAT
TECHNOLOGY.
PEOPLE LEAVE.
IT'S JUST RECIPROCAL.
I THINK WE NEED TO START
ADDRESSING AND HAVING A
REALISTIC CONVERSATION ABOUT ONE
OF THE REASONS WHY WE CAN'T BE
COMPETITIVE.
BUT THAT'S ALL.
AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF IT.
AND I HAVE TWO MINUTES LEFT OF
MY TIME.
SO I WILL GIVE IT BACK.
>>Lynn Gray: OKAY, I AM GOING TO
TALK FAST.
BOY, OH BOY.
WELL, WE HAD THE BLACK MALE
LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION LED BY
JUST PRINCIPAL KEVIN MCDONALD.
THE IDEA IS TO PROMOTE BLACKS
INTO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.
THIS WAS OUR FIRST MEETING.
WE HAVE BEEN WANTING THIS FOR A
WHILE.
AND SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS DID
TAKE PART, AND WE ARE VERY
THRILLED.
SHAKE WASHINGTON, BOARD MEMBER
WASHINGTON, ALSO HAS COMMITTED
TO THIS INCLUDING MORE BLACK
LEADERS BEING INVOLVED IN A
LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, FEMALES AND
MALES, AND WE HAD COMMUNITY
FOLKS THERE AS WELL.
AND BIG THANKS TO MEMBER
WASHINGTON AND SUPERINTENDENT
DAVIS.
ALSO, WE HAD MELISSA MAGATO, ALL
OF THOSE WONDERFUL SCHOOL VISITS
THAT WE HAD DURING HISPANIC
HERITAGE.
WELL, WE KNOW THAT SHE WAS
SELECTED BY LATINO TIMES AS ONE
OF FLORIDA'S TO LATINO -- LATINA
LEADERS AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED
AT AN EVENT, I DON'T KNOW YET,
ON OCTOBER 17th, AND SHE'S
SAYING I AM EXTREMELY PROUD TO
REPRESENT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT THE STATE
LEVEL.
SO WE KNOW WE ARE MOVING THE
NEEDLE.
WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE.
AND I SAY WE WITH MONICA
VERRA-TIRADO AND OUR
SUPERINTENDENT.
ALSO, MY FIRST WALK TO RUN
CLINIC IN PREPARATION FOR THE
5-K GASPARILLA AND WOMENTIOUS
HAVE TO BE REPLACED BY RUNNING
SHOES.
BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A
CLINIC AND IT STARTS AT SLEIGH
MIDDLE THIS SATURDAY MORNING AT
9:00.
THANK YOU DINA MARSHALL FROM
HUMANA.
THANK YOU ED CAPUCCI, OUR
ATHLETIC KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT
ATHLETICS AND HELPS IN EVERY
WAY.
THAT'S HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY.
AT SLIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND I HOPE THE BOARD MEMBERS, I
KNOW YOU ARE ALL SO BUSY.
BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP.
YOU WILL GET MORE STUFF, I'M
SURE.
AND THEN, WHAT ELSE?
WE HAVE ONE MORE.
LETO HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M EMBARRASSED I CAN'T REMEMBER
HER NAME, SAID TO ME TO READ
THIS.
OUR FOOTBALL TEAM WON THEIR
FIRST HOME GAME LAST FRIDAY
NIGHT IN TEN YEARS.
AND IT JUST HAPPENED TO ALSO BE
HOMECOMING NIGHT.
AND BECAUSE OF THIS, OUR HEAD
FOOTBALL COACH ROBERT SPANN IS
UP FOR THE BUCCANEERS COACH OF
THE WEEK.
AND THIS WEEK IS UNIQUE BECAUSE
HE IS THE ONLY COACH FROM
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO BE IN THE
RUNNING.
AND IT WOULD BE AMAZING IF THE
DISTRICT COULD HELP SHOW HIM
SOME LOVE.
SO THERE WE HAVE IT.
BOARD MEMBERS, I CAN'T THINK OF
ANYTHING MORE TO SAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND
ALL OF YOUR ACTIONS.
ADJOURNED.