School Board Meeting

>> Good evening, everyone. Welcome to AUGUST. 25th 2026. Regular school board me. Meeting is now called or exactly five-thirty. I will now turn it over to MR. Cho for District Mission, invocation. >> Depending on night vote should plans. Maybe last time we read this vision since we're changing and going purpose statement. So. It here with me. Potential subdivision, Woodson over going, but just in a different school district made to county will be an exemplary student focus school system. The developed lifelong learners to be globally competitive. And for tonight, moment of silence and asked for a moment of silence here in a And unfortunately, these last several months we've had some losses in our schools. Families and with better be retirees like, you know, longtime 30 plus year 10 years, teachers, coaches, administrators, except Europe. And fortunately for specifically Palmetto High School in that community Brian Wilkes past several weeks ago I want to I want only give the moment signed for for Coach Wilks as most people referred him as long time wrestling Coach Hall of Fame wrestling coach. And then most recently athletic director it at Middle High School. But, you know, between him about a month or so ago, Bob Bowling, longtime coach administrators to meet at think director at Palm Meadows, a football coach. I think those 2 gentlemen had 60 plus years affecting kids lives right on a daily basis. And so we're very fortunate for. To have leaders in this district like that literally until he was found out and and had to go into hospice. He was there on campus trying to make Palmetto High School athletics vessel possibly can be so if you join me in a moment, I thought only for Brian Wilkes, anyone that you've experienced personally in your life who's passed recently already one in the in the district that I did name that has passed recently because Joe, me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. He did serve our community for a number of years. Well respected circle of Manatee County and now we will have the veteran finally just super intended. >> Thank you, MADAM Chair. It is my honor tonight to wealth and United States Army veteran Brian Web to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. First, Sergeant Webb is currently at Braden River High School instructing Geraghty cadets and helping to prepare our students for their future during his 26 years in the Army, he served at various military installations stateside as well as Korea and Italy. He completed 4 deployments to Iraq and one to Jordan for his selfless service and dedication. He has earned numerous accolades, including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak leaf clusters, the Defense Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and Army Commendation Medal with an oak leaf cluster. The Joint Service Achievement Medal with 3 Oak leaf clusters and the Army achievement medal with 2 oak leaf clusters. Please join me in thanking Brian for his service and welcoming him to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Everybody could. Everyone could write. Thank you. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> a student district tonight also a product of the school district. To me statement. >> We always appreciate bringing our very own to the podium and honoring them with their service with the flag. And that's special moment for Next item. Number 6 approval of the superintendent. >> The superintendent recommends approval of the minutes of JULY. 21 2026 school board meeting and public hearing in 7/28/2026. Full board meeting and public hearing. >> So moved second. A motion by MISTER Kennedy a second by MISTER Schoen. And don't know what's lit up for discussion. And that will pass. Way that we go. Thank you, Thank you for that. No, we are on to. The very favorite part of our meeting item. Number 7 students celebrations as Carson. MADAM We didn't do that Sorry. I want I don't have it on here. I want. All right now on number 5, ok, approval, the agenda. You're right, skipped right over that. Check >> I don't. I'm ready. I'm ready for these kids. Come into game. Yeah. The motion for the agenda by MISTER Cho, second by MISTER Kennedy. >> If everyone could please vote for that item since I don't have anyone let up until oversaw And that will pass 5 to 0. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. And now the favorite part of number 7. Most Carson. >> Good evening. Chair Vice chair school board members and superintendent first on the menu for this evening recognition is our summer nutrition program. This provided nutritious food for all of our area students far schools out. And here is a quick video video to highlight the success of the program. >> Today we're at Barbara Harvey Elementary at Copper soon. >> And we are doing curbside meals for the community. It's the program that the usda offered as part of the summer Feeding program. Families will come through and we provide 5 days of practice in 5 days of curbside. We are well aware that the meals students receive during the school year. There are many that the meal they receive in school, maybe their only meal. >> So we make great effort in the summer to find the children because we know without meals provided they MAY be very food, insecure. even a lot of different ways. We have school sites that might have summer school or sports going on and we feed and the school. We also different camps community organizations, the boys and Girls arts programs things like that. And we also do mobile which is where we go out and our big school buses or even a and we go to uni locations where kids gather might be natural for people to be there already. >> And we feed directly in the community. It's important because we want to ensure that children are all the time, not just during school year. We don't know that their families had the financial stability. >> And parents are at work and it's important because when we're in or out of we want to know that they're taken care because question is important ensure that when they come back to school, they're ready to begin. It's very We're very fortunate here in Manatee County to have a great community that supports this year. We have Manatee County government. We have programs that the library we have had a partnership for about 15 years with the food Bank. And of Tropicana has been an amazing partner providing us with 2 mobile units and we could not >> serve nearly as many students without those community partners. So I think that anybody that you the school district are passionate about, you know, growing and learning and definitely in food service are very passionate about making sure kids have nutrition have access to do. >> Next me feel great because often does want to give back as well as me. Some of the kids said I MAY not normally needs during the school year. So it's opportunity for me to see them everything weeks. Mala mala his >> And give them food. >> This year MAY be our biggest ever believe. A served over 210,000 meals. So that would be a record for It feels like you're part of something bigger than you're seeing. The amount of people come here and knowing that they're kids. >> care about another, not our children. We want hear that they're given the best to do the best in life. >> At this time I invite our school support services, executive Director Gina Tomei and her team to come up and talk more about the partners who help make this a success come on down partners. >> Transportation partners. All hard times. >> We'll make room. 21 for you guys. Sites. End, go. >> Spies in charge of the plaques. Good evening board members, chair spray Superintendent Breslin. Very happy to be here to celebrate our Summer Food Service program this year. Manatee County has been a sponsor of the program for over 20 years. Now. I think the video says it all. You know, I could tell you more facts and figures, but I did mention in the video 210,000 meals, but we beat that with 227,000 meals served. >> you're ever of covid. >> so I want to take a second and introduce our district Team First Sky Grande or supervisor student nutrition. I lost Tony. Back there. Our new food service director Tim Bell is our Food Service program supervisor that say that 3 times and then we also have some other great people that support us in the district from federal programs arenas. Augustine of our guests. This year. They helped us out by picking up meals and delivering them out to Faulkner. Farms. >> They delivered 6700 meals to Faulkner Farm So that was an awesome addition to our program. So thank you guys, because I know that's a lot of hard work packing it up getting it out there. Sky has a nice plaque for you. >> From our transportation department. So I think all 3 of you have almost been on the bus for forever with us. Correct to come on down. Don't I'm back there. >> And on. >> MISS De is up front. She has been with us since the very beginning of the buses. She has been driving helping us helping us serve the kids. You they don't just drive they they jump in and help us accomplish the mission. That's nick him. We a reason he didn't come >> I'm not Dorothy heard on one of those injuries. And, of course, our assistant director Melanie Johnson, I will mention Depp has been with the district 31 years a b 29 years. And Dorothy, 26 years south. That's something celebrate. And last but not least our community partners. From Manatee County Government Sport and leisure. Their director, Molly White. We partnered with Manatee County for I think about 15 years now serving up parks last year we added Parrish Park this year. We added on the Great Library picnic. So we marketed that we read to the kids. So it just adds another dimension. You know, because we want to make sure that they're also learning while they're getting their meals are longtime partner from Tropicana, Deb Ainsworth, the senior supply chain manager on several years ago. They reached out to us as part of their food for good campaign. It's of what can we do to help you we had software, we had some vehicles. We wanted more vehicles. So for the last, I don't know. How long do we saved up since 2016, 2017, they've been providing us 2 vehicles and 2 drivers at their expense to go out into the community. So that is a huge help and helps us yet to many more stop. So thank you, Tropicana. Thousands of dollars. They've that they've given us in kind. And last, but not least you go, frank, my old friend Frank Perry, I used to work with him many years ago from the food bank. So we started partnering with the food Bank in 2015, they decided, hey, let's just follow your vehicles and see if we can serve any meals in the community. And they probably close to 2 million Miao this year. 135,000 meals. So they did it during covid. So if they've been a tremendous partner, so we have to thank all of them. We love our district team, but it's great to have all the community support. I would be remiss if I didn't mention Jamie Carson and her team who give us Constance support. They always like to shine the light on our teams and the work that they're doing. So that's very appreciated as well as ms tv. Was always happy to show up and and capture a good story. Cell. Thank you We have a great day to >> we have a leave. Well, we have comment I do want to wait till after I was trying to get out the stand for those of will be. >> We do have a public ca. I'm board comment before everybody disperses Ms Skelton. I just wanted to take a moment as you guys are all wondering back to your seats to thank you all for your hard work. I did get to go to one of lunch distribution for distribution places this summer and helped hand out food for a little while It's great to see all these families coming with their kids the connections they make. The workers as they are bringing the food and they agreed that they see the same people MAY greet them in the slick side to see them every every week. When they come, they pick up their food the relationship building going on. There is is beautiful. I've visited the man to food Security Network 2 weeks ago and they had nothing but positive things to say about the district and how basically districts lot, one of largest providers and the county, if you count, you count all of our schools free and reduced lunch, the programs we get a more food than anybody else in the county. It's amazing cooperation. And I am so proud of all you. Thank Thank you all so much for coming. >> And >> All Next up, we wanted to give you a quick recap of the back-to-school jam and I promise I will not take all 9 endings for this First, let's go to the replay. >> Back to school down. Paid partnership that we have with the school district Manatee County. Just really great fun night for families to kick off the new school year. Home. >> I had this couple years ago of what this event and what we kind of thought it could be. You know, how do we take something that we're already doing and make it bigger, make it better. Our vision has come life in the last, you know, couple years has really brown. I think what it what it tonight. It's just right to say it all come to fruition. Great. I mean, it's really important partnership relationship with the school district you know, we really try to make it a year-round twelve-month the partnership whether Dennis Foyer outside of weather might be education that might mascot or player visit visiting the school and our season out of Hand, writes going in supporting different banks out and just that ongoing partnership relationship, communication that really makes it makes a big impact. Just continue make it bigger and better. It's just, you know, it comes at a tradition for people that they know that this happens. You know, right before school starts in a calm and and then it's the kind of multi purpose of them where they're getting prepared for the school year. But they're having a fun night out, getting a backpack filled with school supplies during a fireworks show having a hot dog and was really really enjoying a great fun night at the ballpark. >> So >> So now I would like to welcome some of the members of our home team who are out there on that Saturday with us >> Rima. Walmart is here. >> And >> party. We're fighting this is >> Martin. >> Our Braden River High school cheerleaders and Captain Crossbones was out there on Saturday with us. We also had our partners from the Bradenton, marauders, Marty, >> hello, Thanks so much for having us. And we really appreciate it. The partnership and the support. I'm not as cold Jamie with the ponds, I think it was a grand slam. Homer so but not really appreciate again, all the support. I think it was a great night. Lot of fun to kick off the school year and just want to thank everybody that helped us from obviously all of you. Doctor Breslin, Kevin Omar Jamie Lisa, Sandra Chrissy, everyone's such a great, great team. Great team effort. Partnership. Great collaboration. Looking forward to 2027 U.S. Senator and better, yes, we will. Right now >> We have time it. >> Interview with the my number. Good to know, I It's same. You say. Okay, All right. A >> and take me All right. One 3. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all for being thank you first ever party before. >> Thank you to crowd fans is It Yeah. Yeah. It is a it's a good chance that one of our students inside that counts. You would like remind you of the payment ice and hang out fine, ok? That person's hair was like, it's been a >> We do want point out that this year's back-to-school jam drew nearly. On part of every body, if the margin to down. But this year's event Drew nearly 4,000 attendees. And when we talk with Craig, that's looking at really high spring training numbers. >> On site we gave out over 1200, the backpacks that were full of supplies and we still had backpacks and we >> distributed to our our schools afterwards. So quite a successful event. We are so grateful to our many sponsors and our volunteers and community members came out that night. We would like to take this opportunity to state that were already rounding the bases to plan for next year celebration after any businesses who are interested in partnering with the school district on this particular event or other events such as the Excellence in Education Awards are school choice showcase they can reach out to the communications department. We are excited to take your call. Thank you. That concludes conditions. Thank you so much. >> was a great event today that there a lot of energy with those kids. They just. It just looks side for new school year and that and the cheerleaders were I think that's the first time we had cheerleaders on the field in my right. We did the first time. So that was big bonus for me anyway, when I saw that coming out, I thought what a great idea. Okay. That takes us to item number 8 public comment. And I do have 5 people who have signed up. I'm calling them in order of as they were given to me first, Kerry Nathan's? You will have 3 minutes. The clock is above your head. You can see it will turn yellowing have 30 seconds, I think. And then it will turn red. It's above you right here. And then when it dings ask you finish your sentence. All right. I good evening. Good evening. >> My name is Karen Athens. Thanks for the opportunity to speak tonight. I'd like to start by saying I fully respect the county's expectation for appropriate language at these meetings. But to adequately present the issue. I'm here to discuss all be courting some profane language at a certain point. It's relevant and Us can talk fast. >> I view as a board showered prefer you not use language, ok, if you've got just a bit. I feel I can leave that out, I will. Thank you. I'm here tonight because I'm deeply concerned about the level of verbal bullying. >> And the increasingly violent, which being used by students in our middle schools. And about the lack of a clear response to it. What we're seeing at the beginning of the school year is not a new problem. It's a continuation of what I heard last year. Only it seems to be becoming more normalized. Students are casually using language and making comments involving rape, suicide and physical violence. Some of it's framed. He's joking, but just because something is said is a job doesn't make a harmless. And some of it is clearly intended to hurt or intimidate. This is a part where I need to quote something that was directly reported to me. And I know to be true. Okay. Fat pitch is a refrain is commonplace as what's up. We need to stop treating this is kids being kids. The evidence on verbal bullying, lasting trauma and effects continuing far into adulthood is supported by studies from the Department of Education, the cdc, the nih and the American Academy of Pediatrics to be in a few. I won't go into that much tonight in the interest of time. I raised concerns with the sacked last year. And one of the things, Anderson, from faculty was that this kind of behavior can be difficult to catch in the moment. Students keep their exchanges private and I get that teachers can't hear or home in on every conversation. But I have a hard time believing that they are unaware of the extent to which this language is being used. And from a student's perspective, what matters is whether there are consequences right now. Many students don't seem to think that there are we have policies that address lots of different behaviors. And I recognize schools need rules and standards. But some comparatively minor rules are enforced consistently restrictions on dressing where students can eat. For example. There seems to be far less structure around language that can be psychologically damaging. A student being repeatedly called integrating name. Hearing threats of sexual violence are being subjected to comments about suicide or physical harm should not have to wonder whether the school considers that's serious enough to act on and reporting to a viewer is not easy. Very few middle school students are willing to tell on another student. Particularly when they believe there's little protection for their anonymity or when they fear retaliation. If you see something, say something isn't enough. We have to create an environment where students can actually do that and safely. I'm asking the district to consider clearer stronger and more easily enforceable policies addressing purple bullying and abusive or threatening language. There's more good stuff. But unfortunately, that's my time. >> Thank you. Yeah, thanks much parents. Going talking a person? She can give it to She can give it a MISS Cox. Yeah, mean, it us to you and she can scan for us. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> have along >> Megan Milan. Seeing no responsible move on. To Martha j Cups. And this is to items specific. Later in agenda. And again, 3 minutes o'clock. Some of Thank you for coming. Thank you. >> Good evening. Chair spray board members and Doctor Breslin. My name is Martha Jacobs. I am a Manatee County resident. I am here tonight on behalf of the education issues, action team of the League of Women, Voters of Manatee County and speaking in regard to item 12.1 approval of the new school district of Manatee County Strategic plan. 22 26 to 2029 as a result of our review, the document entitled Manatee Momentum. Strategic plan. 26 to 29. We have a concern that is only a skeleton of a planned liking the meat on the bones. You would typically find in a more traditional strategic plan. The document states goals and benchmarks for each of 4 significant priority areas. However, it lacks specific action steps that describe initiatives or strategies and lacks specific measurable results for all benchmarks, broken down by identified groups, subgroup site. We wander where's the beef? Following recent correspondence with Doctor Breslin. We understand why the document is being presented this way. However, we recommend 3 significant changes for your consideration. One renamed the document to be meant Manatee momentum. A strategic framework for 26 to 29. We ask you, please not call. This document must reach Strategic plan. Other readers MAY be as confused as we were by the lack of specifics, expected in a typical strategic plan to include a brief explanation in the superintendent's letter as to why the document as a framework rather than a traditional strategic plan we suggest, including a timeline that describes when initiatives will be brought to the board for approval. And one key performance indicators will be made public to demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategy is implemented. 3 include in the strategic framework document where and how the public well access the detailed information as strategic plan is fully developed and implemented. It. We ask that you either request these changes be made before voting tonight or delay approving the manatee momentum document until it is renamed and the rationale for this book, what being a framework rather than a strategic Plan b described within it. Doctor Breslin, we want to express our gratitude to you for your for the timeliness and thoroughness of your reply. Email to Dr Parker yesterday. It helped to significantly shorten my statement tonight. We thank you all for very much for your commitment to education. Manatee County and for always placing students before politics. Think you thank you Lawrence. Depauli. >> couple copies. >> You have to get into our agency clerk. Good evening. Both members of the school board. My name is large depaoli. I came here before previously asking about the opening of the school recreational areas to communities after school and on weekends at the time. I heard much of the discussions about opening school gyms. So let be clear. That is not what I'm here about. I'm not here asphalt class rooms of schools. A lot of Jim shellacking anything of that asked about doesn't need outdoor tents are recreational areas, including basketball courts tracks appropriate exercise areas when they're not being used by the school. Decisions personally because mice on a stool Preston's. 29 years old and has autism. He enjoys running and playing basketball on. We like to be able to take my son, the sub middle school, play basketball, run with them. We're not a basketball. Not organize holding an event and we don't need exclusive use of the facility, which is what most people do. They rent the facility. So we can't do that when I would just want to play basketball, run on the track at Bayshore High School was simply a father and son will like a safe place all communities exercised together. But this issue is bigger me. My song, a lot of families that cannot afford gym memberships. The ship at the gyms. Well, the the back gt primary or ymca is 75 to a month. Average family depends on the $1200 a year just to play basketball. Just wrong. Just do things that people like to do. The schools every year. They come from beautiful places like the basketball at. >> The track. Older people can use anybody can use it to get exercise. We have. >> From a kid's knocking out playing. We say why don't they won't play well. Where are they going play? Well, you can play basketball and Palmetto. They have a basketball court. Could use it, but in my area. There's no way for kids to go play unless you won't pay a membership. Asking is that taxpayer funded? Normally I was used to build the schools used for taxpayers. After-school, not our school, not unreasonable hours. But when school's out weekends, 90% of the time these places and not used. People have to walk and run on the streets. They can be running at a bay shore on a track become fertile being a basketball for this 6 to 8 bass will persist. Tennis courts. One of the Williams sisters were born in Britain with they have a place to play not. They need people need a place to go out there where they can afford with their budget. You know, if you can for basketball to play, but not the guy spent $90 a month on a membership. That's not fair. That's not inclusive. That's execution. As far as I'm concerned. So I'm asking is that to reconsider again? Heard a lot of talk about open gyms up about playing indoors. Nobody needs to planned or says outdoors plenty of places that kids can go with families budgets. We talked about giving away free food. What about places for the kids to plans to sitting around playing on their phones like recuse them. They need one playing places that this comfortable for them and what's more comfortable placed in the schoolyard. And plus, people older, some people do not have the funds to buy these memberships and it's not fair this county. People need access to >> So I ask you, please reconsider and talk more about opening the school thank you so Thank you. Thank you so much. >> And Bradley Thomas. >> Well, good evening, everyone. Thank you allowing me to come in here tonight and finished with you. I am totally confused. Through your help ability respond and know what's going on. Apparently I have arthritis and my lake and West. This trash from Lee Middle School because of that. Thank you. Share with you. What happened? It's That day I was discharged. I received a copy. And any telephone call from ss say at Ober 22nd. 2024, which is in your computers. And you all or notice that I was just church for the for the things that took place that day. On Monday. That was the Friday Monday. I went out to. I went out to Parish high school and everything went just fine. I've been a sub for 11 years. 2, 3, 3, 4, days a week, 5 days a week. When I'm not doing security as a con Longboat Key Sarasota, Braden area. My question is went into Lee Middle School and talk to Keiser and I said Missus, Kaiser. And it to talk to you for a moment. She said if we could restrain ascension in names, not appreciate that me. I ask you politely not mentioned names. Thank u k. >> the person who I spoke to she said MR. Thomas, not to use your I haven't seen you for a long time where if you can, I said, well, you realize that I've been discharged out of your school because of the arthritis that I have. And she says, no, I'm totally unaware of that. I don't know what there. What's going on with that? I said, well, can you check in your computer and check the letter dated OCTOBER 22nd 2024 and see why it is that I'm no longer to be allowed to be a setup. She said bread seen anything wrong with you at Everything is fine. There's no fun in the nothing in the a computer that shows anything wrong. Why don't don't talk to somebody in h r so I've been coming down here talk to Britney. Britney says. Scares me. All It She says. Don't you fill out this report on the computer? Find out what's going on with your health. That be over. Brayton physicians is made act. It can't have any statement. Finish your comment But anyway, I'm trying to figure out my discharge. My love to go back to school. Or what actually happening. In my life. Thank you very much. Appreciate all of and that. Thank you We typically don't comment. >> From public comment. But I do know when I just want to state when we have people come before us, we have staff members taking notes. I see them constantly taking notes on that topic since brought before us. So your words do not go unheard. We MAY not have answer for you, staff is taking note. So I want thank everybody for coming. Next on the agenda. We have item number 9. Reports presentations, MR. Chapman, I have pegged for that. Council. MR. Edwards, we have a team. >> thank you, chair spraying board. Dr Preston, Good evening. Thank you, Nick. Well, we've reached a it's good news that Jimmy Carson pun, but I don't know. We reached out say the finish line, but that doesn't sports related death. But we've we've come to the point in our in and our strategic planning process where hopefully tonight we you all can approve are new strategic plan. I think the public comment, I think will take that into consideration item. DR. Resume, speak here in a little bit about little bit about kp eyes and some of that. And I I think that point about framework as well. Well, well put. So we'll we'll put some thought behind that for sure. But this is a great moment here. This started. Back in earlier this year, really and FEBRUARY and MARCH. I when decided to bring on a best of air up our our consultant, Superintendents Association and together with a my partners and colleagues to the right me Crissy Cabinet and Omar Edwards formed a team to get started on this. And then we got here to this point. It took a lot of surveying of our community of our parents of our teachers, even our students. We all met individually with you several times. We formed a community steering committee group that met several times and really took as much input as we could and feedback to form the plan that's in front of you today. So we'll go through it here. I know you've seen it and many different steps along the way and we'll kind of go through it here and then we'll walk you through what happens which is kind of thing, you know, the outreach, the communications, the marketing of it. And then also how it affects our work, right, how it's actually going to be embedded into the work of the school district. So. Obviously we've manatee momentum there, which is kind of been a big theme of Dr presence this year for obvious reasons. And then when you turn inside to the inside cover cover, you have that wonderful porch of a graduate work that's really something that's again embedded into all of our work here in the school district. And as board member Cho mentioned, hopefully after tonight you'll be at the next board meeting reading a purpose statement which we worked on. You all worked on together to get there. And then we've got our our commitments and core values, which I think are important now to to maybe share. So essentially how it reads as we are committed to our core values of professionalism, respect, responsibility, accountability, integrity and service as our core values. We're also committed to academic excellence, quality schools, strengthening our community, transparent communication at all levels responsible stewardship of every public dollar and supporting every student and every employee every day and safe and secure environments. And I think it's important that their stated there because then to the right of them are the 4 priority areas that essentially kind of lay out those commitments. In the the strategy. So as we go through a priority area, number one student learning and support. Obviously, that's probably always going to be number one. Number 2, we're always going to be armed police employees, Rita employee, retention and wellness number 3 community and family engagement. You just saw a little bit of that with the back-to-school jam. In our food nutrition program. And then number 4, financial stewardship and long-term sustainability. So this plan covers the next school next 3 school years. So this school year is already off to a start and then we'll cover the next 2 school years. So it will conclude in JUNE of 2029. So obviously we'll have to get started on the next plan before before a little bit before that. Just like we did this year, Wells started again at top of 29 and will and we'll go from there. Chapman, if I could do for the public, I just >> MAY we always have our little vision district vision and we have our board member read that every meeting. So I just kind of wanted to read that to the public now. But the new vision potentially will be And that is a school district of Manatee County ground grounded in the portrait of a graduate developed every student for life learning and leadership and prepares them to succeed and contribute to their community. So that's what we're talking about. Our purpose and our vision overall. So I just wanted to read for public great chairs. Thank you. >> Associate were kind of just kind of flipping through the pages here. But here you all and the district numerical order and then you'll see throughout this document, starting tomorrow will be on our website. You'll see it as we start to you know, put it out into the news to emails and such. And we'll go over that here in a minute. But them as we go through it. But as see it, we really want to emphasize just the amazing students we have in families and staff and you saw some of them here at this board meeting. So to see some really great pictures that just we'll probably bring a smile to no matter what as you go through this document. So as you go through it, you get into the priority areas it's laid out with a vision from you the last plan that started in 2026, it was a four-year plan, quote, ready 2026 was, you know, as you all will say, a million pages long, it was a very detailed plan for years. And when you think back you know, it almost had to be when you think about the amount of work that had to be done over the last 4 years, the amount of schools that had to be bill, the mad at, you know, technology and security and staff and all those things that to be done to manage the growth of this county. We had to get ready for 2026. And here we are. And I think we landed it pretty pretty darn well, when you think about financially. And building the schools and the success of our rezoning really now the 3rd weekend, I think we should be applauding all of ourselves and our staff and our schools families to getting us this point. But that was a that was a heavy plan. And I think we are now took your direction and really created a. >> a very >> narrowly focused plan and purpose to really focus on those those 4 key priority areas in the next 4 years. Since focus is shifting a little bit away from building and growth and and things like that. So obviously student learning and support. This up priority area has 3 goals, some priority areas have less than that. You'll see those 3 goals There's benchmarks related to each goal and maybe I'll pause there maybe yield to Dr Briley's Breslin who can maybe way in about what her plan is on how she's using these goals and benchmarks, maybe to the public commenters point of being now being worked on so on. Thank you. Doctor Preston. >> Thank you, MR. Chapman and tear support. And we've discussed a little bit in previous workshops with talked about this are kp And so that's our key performance indicators. Remember member to define it last time. This is about and 70's. Let's let everyone know we're talking about so under each ball and benchmarks, this is our guide each year for the next 3 years of what is most important as a district to accomplish. Now, as we know the world around us changes sometimes the rules that we play by an education shifts slightly sometimes. We accelerate like this summer in such a way that if we had a kpi that said no d schools. Well, we would have finished in check that off in year one and we want to push ourselves continually every year. So in conversations with the board and community and the team talked about using this and as our guide for the next 3 years and then do annual kp Eyes. The team has already started drafting these and they drafted these within the process. So I have. A draft already. It's already excel sheet. It's already got some measures in it. It's waiting for for sport approval for this. And then the next step in the process. And we talked about this a little bit when we talked about superintendent evaluation this past time. When was that everything flows together, JUNE. I think we went through the superintendent evaluation and he said at that point the next evaluation will be based on the strategic plan and the keep the eyes. So the next step would be okay. One approved Kpi czar, share them with the board. I actually already have meeting set up with all of you to talk about the evaluation parameters starting next week and the week after. And then I would hope that all goes well in those meetings and then on SEPTEMBER 15, we would then share the board here. They keep eyes we have listed in this impact would be how my position is evaluated. So the public and everyone is aware as we work through this school year, all the goals are aiming for and how the superintendent is intended evaluation is based on Those outcomes and then it trickles down to the organization. Right? Teams receive an annual evaluation. It's based on the same outcomes. So you really have transparency consistency. So through it would be a poor start to teach. A plan a tool that we across our community. But on our website, they'll be a little bit more information. We can click on it. Going to the kpi cr measures and at the end of the year, you should be able to see publication of those measures achieved. So that's that the general timeline, SEPTEMBER 15th is the goal date to bring back kp Eyes? I do have a drop sitting right next to me. But I want the team to finish doing some work on that. And I want to make sure I get feedback that we haven't left any important performance measure off that I can give you and example. Increase the percentage of Pre-k through 3 students demonstrating proficiency and foundational literacy skills and measured by district and state assessment. So then we would put those district and state assessment measurements and there we add in the measurements throughout the years. So you see the end result at the end of the because although the end result at the end of the years went. Many things are based on what we're talking about. Pk for second. You know, we're looking at ongoing performance measures, not necessarily the school grade, so to speak, but it still really important information to collect and share publicly. And then we share that as we always have various presentations, that curriculum gives. And we continue at that time to tie in. This would be key performance indicator. You know, 1.1 type 2, the goal ready to learn and it can tie bow to engage learners, but also assessment capable students we can tighten to focus on student learning the part of those presentations within capture. What you see here for the goal and benchmarks and the kpi so that you can see that all of our efforts are, in fact. With the board and said this is we expect out of our school district. So I hope that explains it a little bit and gives you an indication of with it. Next steps are. I would say on annual basis you're looking at JULY for those conversations on Cape, the eyes to occur. SEPTEMBER would be this year because we're catching up a little bit getting this approved in and all the way I had check to she just my All right. >> Just check thank you. Unlike Dr resident said this will all be on our website. Most likely will probably come back to halfway through the school year. Strategic plan. Check you know, are we doing? Looking at maybe those pbm to results? >> You know, when you really think about globally, it's almost everything we do at board meetings related to this change plan. But it's it's, you know, when when deputy Superintendent Jensen and his team coming those pm to results and walk through a lot of that data. It's essentially a strategic plan update. But will we'll walk you through that a little bit as we as as we go through that button. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, if I MAY. So we happened here. The manatee schools dot net links and to learn more about the strategic plan it's something we can do want ones proved. We could add on any printed information, you know, qr that takes you to the site where they the public and community parents, students, staff. Lance at that and see those indicators that something that up. Can be added by raising communications team, MR. Kennedy. Thank you. MADAM Chair, >> Kevin, if you could. That for anybody who might be hearing this conversation for the first time tonight. Want to take a step back and talk about how we got here So if you could, for us. Could you just walk us through when this process started? How many times we have met and discussed in the press was involved from outside the district's. Because this has been a a community wide collaboration to come up with is not going to front of us and and just the 5 of us has have wrestled of over it multiple times. But if you could talk about big picture thank board member Tay. So yes, started earlier in the calendar year in. >> Essentially around FEBRUARY when we knew that the plan would current ready 2026 plan was going to end in JUNE of this year's. So knowing that it's probably most likely at 5 to 6 months process. We got started in FEBRUARY. Not only did we have several board workshops on this topic, but we formed a community steering committee that met. 3 times for half a day. Each and in that committee was collection of parent leaders, a lot of sacked chairs and and parent leaders. You had a leadership from the business community from our Chamber of Commerce from her, they could ranch business alliance from our Economic Development Corporation. We've had government our city representation from our other government entities. We had many nonprofit leaders in in that committee as well. And we also had several members of other organizations, of Women Voters. We had some staff in there as well. We had Organizations like like game on and some of our partners that are that are in our schools. So there's actually a picture of that of that group on Page was it 14, 14? Yes, 14 feet. 14 is a representation. Yes, there was a few on that day. That was elections. So you can see a great group folks there that was session. 2 and you'll see a lot of familiar faces there. But ice, even MISS Barbour, it was there, too. It was a very good group. So when you take their feedback, we've got the board feedback from several those board workshops. We did surveys out to parents. We did surveys out to our employees, even our both in surveying and and when we met them in person, they formed student group as well. So tried to get as much voice in this as possible and constantly asking for feedback. And and then obviously internal we in for we formed internal teams and then in the district that worked a lot on these benchmarks and goals and those. >> Teams were run by deputy superintendent. So to kind of manage each each area. So I would say credible amount of input, input and work on again, this is only three-year plan because the world is changing so but like Dr Bres and said, that's why kind of the modern team, the tracking the kp eyes is something that's more fluid. More live. >> And and that will be updated throughout the school year. Each school year and brought to you and and and and worked on and and discussed in in public. Obviously a board workshop. So that's kind of a where where it is now. And then on the last slide here going to walk through how people can interact with this, how this is going to get out. But I mentioned this too, as well with our r it system called thought Exchange which we're using and facets of the school district. This new plan will be loaded into thought exchange. It system and through modern technology. It now will link. >> All the schools, a school improvement plans, all their ships to this plan. >> And and then eventually we're working on even more advanced items where? Potentially even school walkthroughs. You know, when when Debbie to attend Jensen or Dr, present to a school walk through, lot of that data can then be loaded into the it system and and then a principal can and see it relates to their plan and and the strategic plan. So as technology keeps evolving, it's it's a great way to keep this a breathing document and embedded in our work. So that will be that's essentially done, but obviously will be unleashed this week. One sweet, hopefully get board approval set to tonight. Thank you very much. Mention sure. I just want to. >> Talk to the board for a moment on the recommendation of maybe adding. Framework to the document. It would say school district of Manatee County Strategic Plan Framework. It's up to the board. If they want to change that or not. I I think it's a good suggestion because it is a living breathing document. But this is the frame of where we're going to are parameters of what we're going focus on. And I believe that we're Dist. I don't know if you want to even put a statement. And are there a framework op what our goals are for the 26 29 school years. Something to that effect. 2 board members. What I'd like to get feedback on that. >> For the thousands of the I don't I don't believe I don't believe we need to change and ad framework be personally. I think the strategic plan is find language wise. I do understand the discussion about, hey, how are we? How are measuring this? What are the kp, Isaac Cetera? But I believe we get a pretty good job during the process of this, too, as a board and didn't giving the direction to the superintendent to say we didn't want. Stale numbers. Year 3 moving in printed on this or put somewhere when we've already surpassed it. Right? I don't want 92% by year 3 in the great 95%. Great or graduation. And we put it in park and in. But we show we discussed not having those kind keep the eyes that that's not gonna last. I mean, framework to playing whatever want to call it. I don't do. They need change? I think the bottom line is are we going to had those kpi someplace? The team is yes, they're going to be given out. You're going to be fight online. You could have no time on this at all. It's still be the same document. We're still going use it the same way. I don't. I don't think that needs to a change in the name. I love I I think it's great. I think it's to sink to the point we're gonna have more stuff to it because of of how we're going to get there, the way we're going to get there and things like that. But every year you MAY be getting going after one. 2.1, 1, a different way than you did the year before. I don't want year before a judge language on a document. I want it presented to us. Hey, last year we did it this way. We beat our goal weeks. We succeeded. This is the new way for new gold is the new way we're doing it. That doesn't need to be in here because going to be in the past so so I'm okay with leaving the way it is film. Thank you. I. Either way I have no preference either way. >> Although I do very much like Dr PRESIDENT's recommendation of putting a qr code here that will take you. Hey, I'm looking at this thing click on this and I'll take the right to weather this I'm looking at so that I'm able to get that the when we when we first started talking about the strategic plan. Said so myself the other one was so. Huge that I never finished reading. And I sat up here every day, you know, every meeting. So it was just it was just too much. I like the synchronous of this. I don't feel can carry a novel of time sit down and read through it or look at things. I very much understand recommendations that were presented today. Thank you very much for those. I very much understand those they are well thought out. I do like the idea of adding the explanation in there has to why every detail was not available in this because it is a living document which I fully support. And so we don't want to nail it down in the piece of paper that had 3 pregnant every 6 months I I like that recommendation. I thought that was a good one. So the people are able to be constantly updated on. This is where we are. This is what we're doing. This is what's coming next. Hey, we did this one. Ye moving on. You know, so that's sort of thing and you know. As as Mr, Chapman finishes this presentation. I'll probably have things to say. Put at this MR. Tatum. >> First, like to point out that I think that's an outstanding thing. You're doing this show to avoid any chaos. And think Chad has another outstanding suggestion. >> About not putting the keep you guys all in one place within framework. Good on them. They worried think that's where it really started? Ridge regional but That's what the truth that you're building a clean. The you know, though, that sun in film is the meeting of call sign having has another outstanding suggestion. Chaos, right? You look at the letters has another I worked complimenting at the same >> But I agree with is that the don't need to be in here. As far as a framework I to that thought that the word plan, I really not a plan that I don't how many of these have reprinted up so far like >> Not not. Not many at all in and really in today's world, everything is digital. So so it it's not an issue you know, really gonna live on our phones and up in the cloud that you know, printing is is not an Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about that would I mean, it's so if you made a motion, I would second and I would vote for it. But I'm kind of like not to get away. likeness Felton plan framework. >> I think for a work product that is the intent better because and that's what I do want to bring up is you know, in the in the in the world how lead people. There's this idea called and plant-based leadership. >> And what that is is that I do the But the guy came up with the idea. You know, it is a book called Turn the ship around. He was a submarine captain. But the Covey actually came onto his boat. I mean, that's that snow. Well, this leadership plan turned out and he said and so Stephen Covey, Donna summer in one day and he was looking around, he goes, you know, it's something we're going on here. This is a military Bowden to military organization, but no one gives any orders. >> And the commander he said, yeah. I got out of the order giving business and what meant was I we now have intent based leadership, which I give a vision. And then people that are responsible for those different areas come up with their plans and then they send it back up. Here's how house here's how we intend to do that. So to me what this document is essentially doing, it's our intent to the superintendent and then it's her job to give us so her how she intends to implement all of these goals and then, you know, if you want to shoot like if you go to private area number to employee retention and wellness, I would think Dr Britain would be a primary person in that area ensure. Look at Dr Britain's adr Britain. What do you intend to do too? Help us meet the benchmark, going to be supportive to you and having that and the plans would come from the different organizations in the people that are actually responsible for doing these benchmarks as opposed to, you know, Doctor Burton, Dr, residents, marches and all the superintendents coming up with great ideas and giving orders. It would be cool to see the people that are actually responsible for these benchmarks come up with plans and send them back up and then have them reviewed and approved by the senior leadership. So >> that's all I have to say about that. I'm like I said, liked it the way it is. I think that the framework it's kind of an intent we're giving to the superintendent. This is what we like to see you go do no. Please come back to us and tell us how do it. So framework plan and they cannot secure the way. But all the 41. >> guess one of amendment MISTER Tatum just say that the teams come up with a k p eyes and they're examining again. Yeah, this is driven by by their work process on achieving the goals. 7, the point. Thank you. And simple as adding a word framework is I'm not gonna make a motion for that. If you if somebody else wants to do that as a >> chair, I don't typically make motions. I just let them or do that and let the board second that. And then we do that. Robert's rule of voting. But chair, I don't ever do a motion. I always ask for motion from the rest of board. If we don't have that the fight to I just wanted to make sure that we talked about it because I highlighted that on my notes, I wrote framework and actually drew a picture frame around it. Just to remind me to mention it. So but it's all good. I'm I'm fine with the way it is or whatever. All right. I don't see any other speakers lit thing. Thank you, chair. Thank you. More about this team. >> Highlight priority area. One again, student learning and again, 3 goals You know, got you kind of flow through as as living document here, priority area to again and player retention and wellness. 2 goals there you know, this is something you know by our numbers You know, the school year has been very successful you know, the amount of less amount of openings that we have right now. >> Of course, we're always hiring >> but >> very successful there. The amount of retention and recruitment that's going on. But key now is to make sure we retain those that we have in our classrooms and and in wonderful bus drivers that we saw, hopefully every bus driver could be 29 30 years like some of those today. >> And then priority area, 3 family community engagement. >> This is a, you know, obviously always a major focus when you're talking about academic success. When you're talking about absenteeism, you know, the more more it's something that I know passion of Omar Edwards is the more families and parents we can get engaged into our schools and into their child's education, the more successful their their children, their students will be. So it's always going to be a main focus and well, I think we're doing a pretty good job. You look at Sam a set as an example, the amount of community that poured into that school and you can kind of see the success. Why there's good picture. Sam is set there. But Marty Marty made that that priority area 3 there and then for which. Obviously run by abc one, 10 sellers and her team is in and something pretty much spoken about almost every board meeting is is the financial stewardship. And again, something we should be very proud of of the stewardship that's going on in the financial health that here in Manatee County and and then. But that's why that key, that term was added that long-term sustainability to make sure that we're taking all the steps to sustain financial health and stability. So you'll see that they're late late and a big piece of that, which I know you all board members talk about a lot is is the transparency of our financials on our website. You can pretty much track every dollar that pretty much comes in and goes out of the school district on our on our all of our millages so forth. So very proud of that fact sometimes you need a magnifying glass to maybe look at some of because as some of these financial statements. But but there's a lot of part of our craps a lot of graphical illustrations of our budget on our on our website. So kudos to that team. But very important. Their priority area. Number 4, and then essentially the plan just, you know, again, that document kind of finish is out there. But will I think you owe you our code is is a great idea. And so let me get to that one of the key one, something probably everybody's talking about is that strategic plan, activation slide, which will bring up on screen. So again, with your approval tonight, this will be launched tomorrow publicly out you know, media and press releases. It will make it to our website obviously then I think we've got Chris, he's been hard at work I think we've got 6, 8, something like that. Massive emails paired emails to parents and staff and the community. 2 key individuals government business leaders around town. So lot of communication there around this. I think one of the important parts is we prepared some talking points. I think even though this document is much shorter than the other strategic plan, I think it's key to be able to, you you know, have that elevator pitch If you have somebody could say here's some, you know, couple of 3 or 4 points about this. You know what, what's important about the strategic So we're going to get that out to our to our leadership here into our schools. And then when you look at, you know, kind of the next phase here after we get by this next week or 2 many of fear will go out and talk to our our school sack committees and CEOs and start talking and bringing this alive to those parent leaders and those school leaders. We'll start to talk about this plan around town you know, you're Kiwanis is in chamber meetings and things like that and again, bring it to life. We're going to produce something that chair sprays wanted, which is a little tri fold and something that you can kind of keep in your pocket and bring out and then even. A longer term. And I mention something like this is to make sure that we're coming back to you, which essentially means we're coming back to the public in the sunshine, at least, you know, twice if not more throughout the school year to give you updates on where we are on the tracking, Kate, the eyes keep this alive. Both here are bullying visually but also like I mentioned in our thought and and it system so that the team also has some ideas, too. Even a poster eyes. Some of this isn't yours. I know that's a word. But create posters of some of our core values and our commitments are priority areas and make a visual schools, you know, maybe in the front office in the cafeteria, teacher lounges, things like that. Just the current remind people about what our commitment to our what our values Something Omar drives home all the time. I think that's important has said that helps create a positive culture around the school district. When you have 70 some might sites around Manatee County. It's hard sometimes to build that kind of district culture. We know schools have great cultures on their campuses because everybody's in essentially I want campus but district-wide. It's hard when everybody so spread out. But one way to do that is is to go out there and talk you know, faculty meetings and sac meetings and so o