School Board of Manatee County

>> It's so bad judgment on the part of how and bad character on the part raw would contribute to the British loss in Trenton and even cost all his life. There was an interesting side story that shows that the Americans apparently exploited Rawls drinking problem. >> If Abraham hunts and unsung hero in the battle of Trenton was given the job of staying up half the night and having a >> Welcome to our FEBRUARY 10th 2026. Regular meeting and we will, again, as we usually do with the reading of the district vision time around MISTER Kennedy. >> Thank you, MADAM Chair, that district's vision is that the school district of Manatee County will be an exemplary student focus school system that develops lifelong learners to be globally competitive. And I also, as the chair mentioned, have the honor of doing the invocation tonight. So I try to put together something that's short, sweet, but will be a good way to start. Let's begin with a moment of reflection. We got and service to our community's children, mindful of something greater than ourselves. Those who finds strength in faith. We invoke divine to guide deliberations with wisdom, compassion and justice. Pause to remember those no longer with us. Educators, students, parents and community members, his contributions live on in our schools and in the lives they touched. We honor their memory by caring for their dedication to learning and service. Let us cultivate gratitude for the opportunity to serve. For our dedicated teachers and staff and for families who partner with us. And for the privilege of participating in education. The key to human flourishing. MAY we listen well decide wisely and act with integrity honoring both those who came before us and those who will inherit what we've built today. Let us begin. Thank you. MADAM Chair. Want thank you so much. >> Recognize Dr PRESIDENT For our veterans Thank you. MADAM Chair. Good morning. Morning morning. Leading the Pledge of Allegiance for 2 days meeting. Is Army veteran retired Master Sergeant Johnny Browning, who JR. Atc instructor at >> Braden River High School. He has been with our district since 2023. And prior to that served as JR. Atc instructor at the Sarasota Military Academy for 14 years. He has served with multiple units at assignments across the world to include Germany, South Carolina, Korea and Kentucky, home of the 100st airborne division known as the Screaming deployed for a total of 2 years and 3 months during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Sirt, 2 six-month tours in Egypt. His accolades include a combat patch earned with the historic 100 and first 3rd for great brigade combat team Combat Infantry Man badge, expert temperature. You Badge, Pathfinder, bad air Assault badge, repel master, the Bronze Star with 2 awards meritorious service medal and multiple other honors to include Army Commendation, Army Achievement and the National Defense Service Medal. Another point of distinction is that Master Sergeant Browning was selected as teacher of the year at another school district and was previously nominated and ultimately awarded the U.S. Army JR. Atc Instructor of the Year Worldwide. No doubt his experience and leadership guided Braden River High School's cadets to their most recent achievements and radar competitions. Now, sir, we invite you to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. My view, yes. >> an employee. Its certificate is on a band and into with the fact that he's one of our U.S. Capitol. But eu summit. >> Thank you so much for that. And for your service, sir. On to the agenda, the chair has found a cause to amend agenda, include all items listed under the agenda amendments on Friday. Feb on FEBRUARY 10th 2026 agenda updated FEBRUARY 9th 2026. And post it to the district website. So I will look for a motion to approve Cabinet. Second. There any? From the board? He vote on the agenda. Just somebody to second. >> You know, I'm sorry. I'm not somebody else was that I'm >> Had a dollar. Guessing that passed 5 to 0. >> Never been on now. The system's slow. Okay. Item number 6 approval of the minutes. Superintendent. >> Yes, ma'am. The superintendent recommends approval of the minutes from the 1/13/2026 school board workshop minutes and the JANUARY 2020 26 school board meeting minutes. >> In for a motion, I will move. Obviously we'll have the opportunity to review that. It. That item passes 5 to 0. And then next on our agenda is students celebrations. So we will recognize Jamie person, Kevin Chapman. >> Yes, yes, MADAM Chair. I'm actually going to introduce doctor Gansler who will introduce our guest Ezzy. Joins all of Florida recognizing FEBRUARY as career and Technical Education Month. >> Thank you. Board your board members, superintendent and staff today. I come to you with celebration of cte Month. So every FEBRUARY we celebrate cte, a lot of times we have the opportunity to bring lots of students and trophies and gadgets and gizmos and have tractors out front and do things during the school day. It's little bit more difficult. So today we're going to drop back and do things a little bit differently. We're still gonna celebrate students. We do have many students who have won awards with different competitions with her So we'll have their names and the presentation to be able to share with you. We will not be able read all the names. It will take a little bit long, but we'll leave it up long enough. So you can read it. And I think you do have a packet in front of you to hold on to if you wish. And we do have 3 guests here today. And what I'll do is introduce time as we go through the presentation. So thank you for the opportunity to be able to come celebrate cte month the importance of current technology cations little high schools is essential for engaging students through hands-on real-world learning which bows graduation rates and motivation. The bridge is the academic knowledge that they get in our county with career specific skills, allowing students to earn industry certifications, explore different pathways to gain a competitive edge for future employment or even to go into post-secondary education. And you'll see on that slide that I had. The second slide have up right now where we improve engagement and motivation that allows the students to feel engaged in their education. They they say to themselves, hey, this makes sense on learning this for a purpose. So it really helps purpose. It gives them a chance explore what they would like to do in their lifetime. They're not necessarily picking their careers in middle school and high schools, but it gives them an idea of things that they can do. Also. It gives them some academic technical skills to start put those pieces together and start making sense now. I understand why need know John, tree too? You know, because I want to build houses and I need to know about area and a lot of stuff. Same thing with the industry certifications. Lot of certain certifications, a very difficult to earn. But the students are learning the skills search guilderland certifications. Those certifications are for the industry that they can take with them to be able to get careers and jobs and last, also will increase graduation rates because as they're better engage that school hopefully brings up all there performance in all other academics as well. With our staff are usually always on energy star, Steph. So on the executive director, Dr Jodie Kirk as our Manatee Technical College director under audience today, we have this Kelli Kennedy or assistant director for current technology occasion. Also in the audience, we have Kristi Clark is or teacher un special assignment for work based learning and also in the audience, we have Aaron Cooper Navarro, Herzer career pathways coordinator. So that's that's your a c t mtc staff leadership that we haven't or district with adult and a career technical education. The state has 17 clusters for each of the careers. I have those clusters up for you and those clusters. We have different programs within those programs. We have different courses within those courses. We have state frameworks. So it's a deep level of instruction that the that the teachers have for the students. So today we're going to go through some of though career that we can had mentioned earlier about industry certifications and this is an opportunity for the students to really take tests from a 3rd company. So it's not the state giving the test. It's not the district giving a test. It's really a 3rd company who's giving that test that once they pass that test state own that certification for themselves, that when they go get a job, they can show that certification to say, hey, I can do that work that you have in your industry. So it just demonstrates that they have proficiency. It leads to employment opportunities because they can show that they've earned that skill. It also increases their earning potential. They MAY not have to start entrance level. Now they might be able to walk in a level 2 or level 3, depending on the industry. It offers credibility when they show up in the interview that person sitting in from you have those industry certifications while you must be a pretty smart person to be able to do that. The other part it does to shows commitment to the industry. So the students have those certifications and they go apply. That person who's going to hire them, knows that that student put in that effort to be able to earn that certification keeps up with the industry changes certifications that we have are led by the state through Metro Master credentials list. And those people who sit on that committee changed the certification often they take some off. They put some on. So it's hard for us to keep up with it. But each year we have to see what's coming up in what's being taken off. How do we just want to just the teachers need to be able to teach the students? It also increases their employability value. So they're part of a team that other people have that certification and they can feel part of the team expands their their network. That has won its peak, the people and work around in the industry. They can speak the language. They know the lingo. It's what we offer up most of the middle and high schools. And Ari, much of the credentials list. So the next I do have the industry certification list. It's probably about I want to say 34 maybe 40 pages long. I only give you one You wish we could give you the other pages later recognized the lake. But this is really the law that we follow, what the industry certifications and they are for second areas was post-secondary. MADAM CHAIRMAN, thank you, DR. Guess where I just want Be sure. I think this is still the case. Would be sure to the superintendent, the industry certification, a student who earns that in high school, does that still count toward our acceleration points as part of the school? Great. >> Yes, there. There's a group that count towards a celebration points and there's been changes over the years, which is why we have our experts here to tell you which still count, which MAY be don't count like they used to, but absolutely the ones that we put in our schools work towards that acceleration bucket. Okay. Thanks. Thank Thank you. >> also question. It's think this is an interesting point for the public to know that you actually want to the technical education world. You go out into the community to businesses and you find the certifications that they're looking, right. So these he's very over the years based on what's actually needed as far as jobs, unemployment up the community. Is that correct? >> It works that way. It's really the industry works with the state and then we as a district, if industry wants to get a certification on there, we as the local of educational association authority, whatever you want to we team up with them to submit its the state to put on the So but you are correct for our community we will ask them what certifications to they need. Now, I can only offer what's on the list one. That's not on the list. Again, we could submit it if it is on the list. We try to do the best we can to offer. Some of them could be very difficult for take a long time to if I lpn program, licensed practical nurse program. I kick up the certification to lay actually graduate. So some of it, I can't attain during school time. Some of them. I q. >> But as a general idea, we are trying to orient what goes on in our technical training world to the employment opportunities out the community as a general ideas we just don't pick from list. Was just very we actually are already. Does this important want to think that the public should know that we're actually in conjunction with the state going out, looking at the employment opportunities available, our community and orienting this towards what's available. Yes, thank Thank >> Just to give your for turn Dr Sorry, because I a good point. Yes, so I wanted to check now. Is it I correct in my understanding that the state has made a lot of changes in the coming year. What serve patients are? >> going to be allowed. >> Each year they review the list. So yes, for next year, there are probably 3 or 4 that could impact our school system. So what we do as department is, we know that they're going to spear. We talk with the teachers. We fight certifications. We do with the business partners. Find out what we can do off the list to be able to replace them for students to be able have that opportunity to be able to earn them if they MAY not be able earn it. One of the ones they use is if you think about Microsoft years ago, certification could be that you would get Microsoft word. That would be a certification. Great. Congratulations. And then the state said, well. We need to change that. There's 5 offerings we're going to show you need to get 3 out of the 5 offerings and then that went for about 2 years. And then they said, well, instead of the 3 out of 5, we feel you need to get the expert level. So that's what saying is they keep making more and more difficult for the students and upping it because they said it's an industry certification. How can entry school or early middle school student get it. That means it's too easy. It's not really for the in the industry. So what the industry still says we need for them to know Mark Soft word, that whole package for them to work in my business. So that's where it goes back and forth between the community and the state to build a role at what we can do. >> So it would be beneficial. Then it far businesses and organizations out in the world that need workers with the certifications might want to have a little chat with some of the legislators about making sure that certifications that they need are actually being approved from the state and not removed. Yes, ma'am, that would be great for them to be a part of process. Thank you. Know, and okay comes 3rd. >> All right. Just quick for your history over the past 4 years, we've gone from 1005 95 through the district to last 3200. So each year we try to raise certain factors affect. That is what I had mentioned about certifications being taken away. Some being added, maybe its enrollment. Maybe the U.S. To a Roman is down. Maybe students have already earned them. You can earn another one. Fury have that one. So there's a lot of of variables that could change that number. But you can see there's been a steady rise over the years. Moving on part of what we do with critical education as we do help students with they're thought of going into careers through the post-secondary route. We have 5 things that we always told the seniors. We tell them to go into the military. That's a great career options Bill to do. You could go straight into the workforce, which whatever you're doing, whatever you're interested is or you could go to a technical college, a state college or university. So if you're going to go to the technical college State College or university, we and our department have the chance to put together articulation agreements that if the student earns the education at one level, they can take that with them to the next level to be able to take that credit with them. So it's a cost savings as well as why do I need to re-learn whatever you learn. So I want to say clap, but they get a chance not have to repeat it. And so those agreements you might see those different meetings that Sayoc. Here's those articulation agreements that talked about doing So one of the things that we do is to work with those seniors and work with actually want to say all the high schoolers and we're almost talk of 8th graders now about post-secondary opportunities as we have for college and career advisors at each of the high schools. So we have 7 high schools with college career advisors and they do a lot of things to try to connect the students to post secondary. We do tours. We do tours of check because of the state college of the local university. Our belief is we want the students to be able to stay in our area to stand or communities. So we have tours with mtc. We have tours with cf and we have tours with usf but another part that we do is we help with we to help with parents build understand what they do. So one of one of the college and career adviser programs that have been highlighted was over Lakewood Ranch lately. Bait Bay News 9. They had a chance to come out and coverage of our career and college center that we have over Lakewood Ranch. It's a new one that's been put together to be able to help the students and to be able to speak about If invited view tope of out to build to speak about it and what you'd like to do is share some things with coach. Could you be able to share with us which absolutely thanks for having me. I appreciate the >> My name is Peter Van, the college and career adviser. And I'm very proud to represent all of college career advisors in Manatee County. We have a great group of people who work really hard to help our students get to the next level, whether going to military. Let's go into for your school to your school technical school, wherever we want to hopefully give them enough choices to help them get there. One of the things that we did this year, we set the college career Adviser College corner and the media center and the grants high school. Now, if there's a picture of it up there and we have a great opening ceremony and the idea is to have that the information available for all the students and we put in a space where it's passed by students every day. We also set up a lunch and learns which students can come in the morning, pick up a pass and they can come in have lunch and also go through the paperwork and go through scholarships, go you know, just general information or pick up a and on the board there, this big board, we also job opportunities. So it is a student that is looking to do something post-secondary. But maybe it's just a job instead of college or technical school, careers there for them recently. I have been in contact with and you see, which is the second largest employer here in Madison County. And they wanted students to come out to their facilities. And we're setting up now interviews in our school so we can bring a busload of students there and they can do almost up on the field on the site hiring process where they can see what they do and get an idea of what's possible for the students post-secondary. Maybe if they don't want to go on to education watch a four-year college or maybe to both. So trying to give our students as much information as possible. And it's it's really come out the Senate can operate. Very proud of it. >> as most people know, I was a high school teacher at Southeast I did just that. That was part of mine. Regular routine of I don't care what you want to do, but you need a marketable skill military and Korean Tech. You can go to your school for your school, but you need you need to have something that you can do. And this is really very awesome. This opportunity because really it just takes one person. To tell a kid you, hey, you're really good at this. Have you thought about doing this is a career. I know you do want to go to college, but you're really good at this. Have you have you thought about this? To do you there's ways to get training. We can help you get that going in just a to have that opportunity there at the school for people to put it on their radar. To get their attention I can learn how to do this. Both of my kids and mtc once one is graduating this year when graduated last year and and it just took a huge a lot of time baking in my kitchen. Have you thought about being a pastry chef? And taking them? I going to mtc who then immediately signed up after visiting it. There's so much out there that we can help them get to. If they even take, you know, classes in middle school. This was really cool, MR. King is here. You know, they have their medical program that at the school and just, you just doing it middle school and think, oh, this was really me. I like doing this. Maybe I'll go to the high school that has the same program. And helps get them on that path. So on. We have just just love all of programs here. Y'all know that about me. But I just I just want the public to be aware. There is so much out there that we can help them do. And you just need to put a bug and they're here. And and they can. They can go really far. So I really appreciate everything you do. And this really amazing. Thank you. And when I was at ftc recently, we did for. >> And I saw a baker in New Jersey after 15 years and the machinery that's there that just unbelievable. You know, it's not you know, she'd or or or whatever commission to have everything there. I mean, it's it's incredible. And the thing that we saw that that's taken to the students too, and to or usf. And they showed the robotics, the kids lit up, you know, like, wow, I didn't know that even at this, you know. So part of that is great. And the second part of what we do is also scholarships. Okay, you want to do this but now show you how to get money. 2, do it. So these college, Chris centers that are in each one of our schools is a vital part for for every student. We're going >> This is really a great program. Have going at Lakewood which is in District 5 they want. >> So that's the time their graduation, right? I think it was the Palmetto High school graduation. It's all over. You know, we're walking now. And people are high-fiving it's really happy event for a lot of people, obviously. And as walking out the back of Lee Com stadium there, there's this young man and he's sitting at a table all by himself, just kind of sitting there and looking at the ground. So go there and I talked a little bit and eventually I got to what we know. What are you? What are you going to announce that tomorrow? And and I just thought I wonder if we have I'm not saying trying to critique or anything, but I'm wondering in somewhere in our classes, in our curriculum, maybe in the financial that recourse. Is there like a mandatory isn't a mandatory process where you hughley stuff go through some type of what am I going to do after high school plan, right? Does that exist? And I don't know where you're required as part of some course. The civics course financial literacy, that at I have some playing with him my diploma. Have some plan of what I might want to do when I'm done. >> Yeah, I think when I was the economics teacher like much high school part of what I did when I first got I went back into it. So the academic advisor. We started academies and then went back into the classroom. The grant left. But I had put into the classroom, the financial literacy high school students. The Dave Ramsey, part of it. And now we have in our classes as a as a class for financial literacy, which is great because that that shows the students what they can do and the biggest part, one of things we should do is the stock market trading the kids loved You know, and they last. You know, this is something I really want to get into that they really would thought if we didn't have that in our classes. So I do think our classes have those things where we show students what they could do, by going out and actually seeing it feeling it. But you get those are the ones that really get them excited about it. >> And that's good. But I heard just talk about like selling and buying stocks are the best thing that's all going Like a career playing like this is tonight. When they me my diploma. Here's what's next for me. Like I actually have it written out at the plan and maybe change my mind when I graduate. But yeah, I was worried that would be something useful we have a great if not, it might be. >> I think some people just have been there in the classrooms. Don't we have it like set up in each school specifically? But I think their student teachers in every high school and middle schools that have those great place for this. >> MR. Tatum, in 6th, 7006th and 8th grade students start using the state to do some career planning and to explore by interest different career fields, which is really important to make sure that we start peaking their interest even at the age of 11, as you know. And then there there is a system that takes students through 12th grade to continue that process. That. Part of our goals and I I think when I shared my top 6 2026 is that as we're increasing our graduation rate, that we're very proud that we're increasing we need to continue to make sure every student has a college or career plan with her high school diploma. And so it's an area of growth. As mentioned, we have that is systematic so that we can say 100% of our graduates have a plan. I don't. Think we're there yet. So I think you'll see those elements come up in our strategic plan that we're working on currently to to make it so that we can say without a doubt that everyone has path path might change. But we know when they graduate, they have an idea. >> much for your time have been committed. You announce. MR. Preparo thank you for presenting about our culture career advisors. We thank you very much for that. Thanks having Moving on with what we do with a ct. We do a lot of work based learning. So the students to get a chance to >> have experiences to work with in whatever career they were interested in or it's tied to classes and it's Coke or recover organizations So I have those up on the screen. I've of I've always been told kind of an alphabet soup bunch of letters that mean something so the only one that really doesn't have the name to it is Skills usa. They are just skills. Usa with that. We move on to in our district to Manatee County. We have many students that strive for student leadership and leadership is a part of the cto. So the opportunity for the students is endless based on what they want to do. So just in our county alone, we have state PRESIDENT, state Treasurer, State reported for tsa. We have PRESIDENT For district 10 secretary for District 10 for ffa. We have state vice PRESIDENT For fcc la and we also have our national vice PRESIDENT For fcc la. So you'll see state district and national level officers that are students are doing great opportunity. This is a great resume builder when they go speak and they go interviewing and they say what they do as an officer, they'll probably be a top higher because people know how much it takes to be state officer. Going on. We have our advisors that we have for district 4 dec to of ccl who said tsa. So we have all of the listed. We do have one with us today. We have Pamela Ron. She's going to speak to us a little bit later during the presentation about hosts are. Today's highlight. We typically go over some of her program. So today we want to go over. What we're doing is health sciences and medical fields, which is one of our 17 clusters. We do have health science at for 4 middle schools and we also have 3 over high schools. So today I have invited Crystal Cummings to come speak to from Lincoln Memorial Middle School. So thank you as Felton for that. That intro and she was to share the great things that she's doing to have. Can be innovative. But we'll also talk about Pathways says you heard everyone say, well, can they go to high school? Can they go to the technical college or wherever from there? So like to introduce to Crystal Cummings from Lincoln Memorial Middle School with her her do I want to call the health science magnet? Is that what we would >> Good morning board. Thank you having me. So yes, I'm here to represent our medical magnet program in the middle school level like Dr PRESIDENT Mentioned. We have students in 6th grade through 8th grade and we actually have students who are in 8th grade but taking a 9th grade level course. So we're very proud of that. This is our 3rd year doing it. What you see pictured here is an event that Manatee High School also attended. But we were very excited to bring our students to. It was right here down the road at Manatee Memorial Hospital. It is their New DaVinci. 5 robot. What I had anticipated was them showing the students how it worked. What I did not anticipate was that the students would be able to actually use the robot. So what you see pictured here is some of the students operating very technically on a Starburst. >> So they were using the real technology, but their patient wasn't, you know, a little bit more low key, as they So they were operating to try to remove the rapper. >> In one keep it intact. So you'll see South there in that 3rd picture she was explaining to them, ok, you can take the wrapper off, but now you need to see a trip back together. And though student who tore his apart was like what? So that was really eye-opening for some of them. So they really enjoy that. You see my student there. Name is Yarra. She's actually one of our hosts competitors. She won first place this year. The group did. She was very excited to show everyone her intact rapper and show Dr South that I could researcher this if I had So that was very exciting. So that was a really fun afternoon for the students. On the next page. You'll see. These are some pictures from our skills lab and the classroom. So on the top, right, you'll see the students are actually looking at sheep bovine. So they're holding a and in the other picture where there's 3 students on the top right? There's actually a heart. And the reason those were out is we started teaching them cpr. And I said, let's look at our heart. We did the anatomy. And now this is what it looks like before we teach them cpr. So they you know, posing there, too. But they're not And then the pictures you see on the left are actually where we where why we're most excited to go to Matt Manatee is because we have a robot-assisted medicine. So these students are actually learning at much smaller scale. What Dr South was actually showing them on the DaVinci Robot. So it's much more sophisticated. Of course, what they use in the operating room. But our students use an wrist and they are actually operating the robot by looking at a tv screen and you see kind of this curved shields. That is because the student is on the other side. They're not actually allowed to look at the robot because it is remote controlled. So we've actually seen and I've shown them videos this year. One surgeon locally in Orlando operated on a patient who was physically in Africa. So this is the future of medicine and our students are learning. How do you do in the classroom, which is why they're not allowed to look or turn around and look at their patient because my patient potentially could be in another area. So it's actually happening in real that next page. You see. A little bit more closer up. We do have a video coming so we can run the video to where it shows both science. >> So there was a student. He was adjusting the camera and you see the students standing there. It's very short, unfortunately. So that's the operating table. And then on the other side of the screen is where they are remotely working on it. >> It's a short video, but what we want to let you know that Lincoln is one of the first, if not the first school that has this set up and we've worked with the route robots to put this together. And that deal was raised when we do it. How do we do it? They start working on it. We were able to use referendum to purchase. It's quite expensive because we're talking about a quarter expect of equipment, but its giving those students top seen that many students across United States don't have. It's set up like operation. They pick up a piece. They take it out or they put it back in. So it's good. There's no blood. There's no liquids things. But the whole idea is for them to understand the remote surgery, part of it and it's fide. So as the students >> play its timing them so they can compete with each other to see who was most accurate and the quickest time and when they win the game, baby Luna, which is that's the name of the robot baby. She cries and she moves her arms and then it pops up on the screen and it says congratulations. You saved baby London. Health And we welcome you to come out and see it. And because, you know, love showing how to do yes, the last thing we wanted to mention is that we do partner with Manatee Memorial. We're actually going to be going at the end of this month for a health care careers Exploration Day. This is the 3rd one. Believe that we've done will bring her students from Nolan. We also bring them from King as well. And they spend the most of the day hearing from the experts in their field at the hospital learning about different careers that they could be part of and then they get to do some hands on things and have lunch and for as much as possible this year, that's changing a little bit. They're going to bring more items to our students as opposed to them walking around the hospital just logistics challenge there. And we also do partner with Blake. They do stop the bleed and come out to schools to teach that and one of their education department leaders there my former student at mtc. So it's really cool to see her in that role. Now as an rn and she invites us to come out. We can do small group tours for them to see what does a hospital room actually look like. And why do you see the things in there? And we have some of those items actually at Lincoln has about a hospital room set up. Thank you, MISS Cummings. We appreciate you sharing about Lincoln Memorial. >> What we do is we look at the pathway. So Lincoln, students have a chance to be able to go to a couple different high schools north of the river. So we do have pathways set up in different parts of the county to make it better for the students. So they do have the option to be able high school where there's 2 programs. We have a health science program and we also have a project lead the way by a medical technician program. That's a lot of words to be able to say. That's a various special fight program. It's very high level and those students can earn that by a medical technician certification that they could go into that area of of as a career for the rest are lives and be able to work their way up through medical or stay at that level if they wanted to part of the pathway. Also as be able go to Paris community, which we also have the health science program out there as well. And I know you've been out there for check presentation that we had a couple years ago. That grant goes for one more year and that grant funding hopes that health science program be able to reach out and do great things for the students too. Obtained the different certifications that are offered. After high school. They can then go to Mt. Seen best part of the pathway we can do today. We had a manatee high school coming out as part of the pathway to be able to speak to you about the medical science at the high school. Unfortunately, doctor Bonia is not feeling well and we said it was fine for him to stay home because we want to make sure he gets well for him to be able to work with the students. He give me a couple of sheets. All go through quick. I'm sorry, I'll be reading it. But I want to make sure I give Manatee high school a chance to be able to share with what they want to share. So the first thing they had at second, but I'm gonna put it first is that the economy led by exceptional faculty which Oliver Health sciences are. Most of them are either doctors or specialists in the field or nurses. So these people who would come from industry who are professionals in their industry to come to our schools, to teach our students. Doctor, Zachary Zirconia has dbt nba this license starter of physical therapy with more than 25 years of clinical experience, he holds a doctor from Boston University, a master's business administration. Health care management and about your physical therapy from Maryville University are supporting a continues to practice and local assisted living communities and is collaborating with the Merkel Medical certification to develop new certified physical therapy technician and 8 credentials, which we hope will receive Cape funding in future years as well as other states. Our other teachers, Richard Landscaping is nationally recognized strength and conditioning specialist certified exercise psychologists, a personal trainer, as well as international weightlifting coach with 4 decades or professional experience he holds on embassy in applied sports exercise like psychology and has taught and coached district for the past 15 years as a fellow. He has an in-depth understanding of the at the Academy model. Cte is and the standards that are used for county models as international Team usa coaching experience combined with this is experience and supports performance clinic director. You continue education provider Office offers exciting planned of a kind academic and practical experience to share with the students they work very closely with their local advisory council, which has medical and fitness base professionals on their fact. Lee brings an extraordinary blend of academic excellence. In clinical experience and reward mental shipped to the students. The minute he medical county is not only preparing future health care professionals, it strengthen our local workforce and serving them as a model for career technical education programs to the states. So right now they offer up to 7 nationally recognized healthcare certifications let's party agram technician Mission certified phlebotomy technician survive medical administrative assistant certified clinical medical assistant certified patient Care technician Certified electronic health records specialist and certified personal trainer with over 200 students enrolled across more than 8 courses, economy offers more certification opportunities than most secondary medical programs in the state. The highest number ever nti school. More than 12 students were certified in DECEMBER and they anticipate 20 seniors will graduate in the spring with those trees credentials that will allow them to go into the workforce immediately. Stinson the upper-level courses complete more than 40 hours of clinical observation and health care settings through the partnership with Blake Medical Center, students can progress from volunteer experiences to paid employment as soon as they turn 18 creating a true skool to career pipeline. And we do have Different slides to be able to share with you about the program and how the have them in a 2 Hurricanes medical Academy. I talked about the rigors health focus academic program. You can cruise those at or leisure as well. And they do have many students that have placed in second 3rd, 4th place that will have the opportunity go to state host the competition we want to show that King Middle School does have a program that is a pathway manatee and manatee does have a pathway to him to see for post-secondary. Moving on that pathway going to mtc. We do have health field mtc that any of the students can go into. So we light health with massage therapy, medical assisting the pharmacy technician as well as surgical tech. We also helped have health science opportunities for them to go into with dental emergency. Medical technician, nursing assistant paramedic, a patient care technician and practical nursing. Tc has those as programs and to see also has dual enrollment programs that help out as well. Now, not all of these are medical, but I knew some somebody at home would probably want to dual enrollment. What do they have? An empty c? It is an empty seats website and we do have it up on the screen. If you wish to see too most of the health care is over at the East campus. So you'll see assisting patient care technician Farm Tech, as well as practical nursing. With that, we do have the college advisors for hosts and Skills usa over him to see. So we have Susan doctor work. Linda Chamberlain calling Maynard and Tom Saxton for hosts and Skills. Usa. Speaking of Skills usa, I had to put this in there because we do want to highlight cte as well as the students and the teachers. So we have 2 teachers and our welding program. Will Jordan and Andrew Stevens who work from gradually. We congratulate them for being announced. They'll welding teachers of the year for the American Welding Society. West Coast, Section 5 area. So we're very proud of all of our teachers and happy for these 2 to be noticed. And to be announced as the welding teachers of the year. >> I understand that the welding program usually has extensive waiting list to get as well. We have many, many class offerings that they are all full. So if somebody wants to do the welding, they will need to enroll, probably now to get in. >> Possibly next rotation about the rotation afterwards said that this is one of her courses that does develop Moving on. We have our next speaker for at Nolan Middle School. We do have our health science program that's been very successful over the years. So we our advisor over there. She is the adviser for the school, but she's also the regional adviser for host Cent. She is organize hosa competitions for many years held over mtc. She's also been noticed with a lifetime membership so which is like the Hall of Fame for Hosa. And she has stated Visor recognized for all the accolades that she does as well. We do have a lot of students that are listed. So like I said, we won't read the student names, but we want you to see that you see first place to 4th place and they all have the opportunity go into states oil. We have 2 slides with all the students names on there. So like to go ahead and turn it over to Pam. Ron at this time for her to be able to share with you about so her program. Thank us Good morning. Thank you for having me. Thank for asking me to come. Doctor Gann summer in the 3 ladies behind me, I couldn't do this without their support. It. >> They've been at all of our host a regional conferences we can't do this by ourselves. I'm a little bit Probably the only district mental health certified teacher I came from see background. So my medical experiences in psychiatry, psychology, social work, forensic psychiatry, if you will. I used to work at Manatee Lands which used to be over there no longer exists at Centerstone. I think. In any event I was pulled in as a partial hospitalization coordinator for Sarasota Palms back in the day to join the district. 33 years ago. And with that kind of changed with what I was doing and became host adviser because Ares left Lorrie Sullenberger, who is at the medical academy at mid to high school was our advisor for a while. It didn't seem to work out coming from Manatee. The Nolan. So I had a nother. Teacher could visor who's been a could visor as well. Michelle Buckle Act for 18 years. We've been working at the Nolan program. We've been lucky in that. We've had a lot of parents in the industry's. So we've been able to get to a lot of hospitals. We've been on the roof of John Hopkins with the pilots. Light out Copters to pick up, you know, children. We've been to the Coast Guard station in Clearwater. We've been to Blake. We've been to manatee. We've been to Lakewood Ranch. I'm very proud of the fact that when we first became international competitors that Nolan was asked to take one of the leads to make sure that we were there every year so that they would continue the middle school division internationally with those organization. We have going ever sense except for the year of covid. We generally place either in the top 10 this past year. Guy that placed Peter went not only last year but also his 6th grade year. This is his 8th grade year. So we're looking forward to see what he can do. We work with Lakewood Ranch Parish, Manatee High to send our students to all those schools as well as southeast. We've got some kids at Braden River as well. And from there, we've got kids who are now in medical school who are now out. Practicing as doctors. They've been fsu, Sarasota, Doctor, Ben, see who is our faculty, not faculty coach at Lakewood Ranch for Hosa. She has had some of our students there in her medical program that have graduated. We've got one Prince. Then we have couple down in Miami. So when we look at what we've done at Nolan Middle School, we really have seen a lot of kids go on and do good things. Duke, as far as there's summer programs and things like that. So I'm very proud of the fact that I was fortunate enough to be at middle school to be able to recognize the need to continue to have a host, a program there. And, you know, have the support that I've had over the years with our district, a ct department to continue to have it grow. You something. >> What you need make sure there just to piggyback community. I stuck with its front kind of just walk us through you. I would want your students Saint Peter, could you just kind of walk us through what? He goes through from the school to that competition level. A pretty heavy economic deal with. Well, so >> what I did when Ms Kennedy came on board is I was teaching healthy. Ese nba has a visor and it became clear that there was a disconnect. So I was writing health exams and Kelly asked me, where you doing? How science? And I said, this is what they've had. So what what benefit we have for the health science and then she explained further what they could do to help us support our curriculum daily. From that point, I developed a program with Scott Voice, a three-year program for 6th, 7th and 8th. And then we added the high school program that the high school class or credit. So what what they all do is they have the opportunity for pre-med classes throughout the day. So we have 4 levels throughout the day. Peter came along in the 6th grade he's decided he wanted to take the premier class and he decided he wanted to be in hosting compete. So each of these kids have an opportunity to join hosa and become competitors. The formula that I never knew and learned as I went through this is that all of our standards, which I have been to deo Lee, you know, with 8 to 10 other advisers throughout the state to helped rewrite the frameworks because we weren't satisfied with it is health occupations that needed to be health science professions that we had that change. It became clear that when they see chances are attached to those standards that we need to be teaching us standards day because those also for the competitions. And so that's what I've designed for my program over the years. And it's been very successful because the kids are competing internationally. We have people from China, people from South Korea, states all over. Sometimes it's Canada. Sometimes Mexico. There's a lot of different changes from year to year. And so with Peter. He, you know, went ahead and competed at the regional level because hoses, regional and state and then international. And he made it in all 3 of those place. First. When he was that 6th grade city, he can go from state first place to international that first year. Bless his heart. Forgot his id. And that's 35 points. And so he's he's learning curve. There was never forget my And so you know, word texting me back and the time. And it was interesting because I like it. You can't be that your id. So they all know this. Now, then that this past summer, Peter went and we joked about his idea again, he placed 3rd internationally. So he's actually to go up on the stage. And so it was interesting. I was unable to see it because we lost one of our staff members. And I was asked to come back to speak at his funeral. But I told him before I left to put my arm I said you're gonna be on the stage tonight. When you I want to comment when you're done and that's exactly what happened. And so I confidence because I know, Peter, he's our regional adviser region. I'm sorry, regional officer at the middle school level. King also has a regional officer at a middle school level. So now this year he's going in a group and it's a it's a new event that they're doing. I was little. Yeah, I don't know about this, Peter. I'm thinking you might as to the state where we were, but he's growing and he's trying to expand any said kind of think you're right. But I gotta do this now because in hosting, you can only do one event throughout the year. So you're perfecting as you go. And so we'll see what he does in state. They placed first because some of the other competitors were there. The place first. And his team. So we'll see what they do. It state and then we're hoping that will be an internationally and the one area, if you will. It certainly do that again. It cut area. Yeah, he right now is doing first career first that career skills. So they have to show teamwork. >> And he's one of the doctors that's calling out other ones. And now you can kill him. You know, this kind of He wants to be a neurosurgeon he's been doing healthcare preparation where he speaks about why he wants to be involved this thanks for sharing Europe. Awesome. >> Thank you, MISS Ryan. We appreciate you being here today and sharing about all the great things that are going on and Nolan. We do have pictures up of the anonymous table. So some of you have had a chance to go visit schools and you'll see in our health signs programs that we have these interactive tables that could be either find laying flat or they can stand up. I again, we were able to use referendum for funds to build a purchase the stables for the programs, which is extremely important for the students to have access to the equipment that they need to build. Do that. We also have great principles that all of our schools that support offer cte programs without that the principles understanding the the purpose and how this is great for students to be able to get her career. All say some of the principals user classes, bill, to say now, if you want to go in host a trip, you need to be doing better with your grades and get your best doors open. So it is is is a chance for everyone at the school to really hold the students accountable. Maybe that's why they do so so well with a graduation rates to say. I want to lose out cta, sos, but we was thank the principles. I also want to thank Commissioner Rodney King for being here today and support of a Lincoln Memorial all of our all of our principal support. But I want to give special knows because he didn't want to come out and support Crystal Cummings with that as well. So in closing, we want to thank you for your support. Manatee County cities tents are receiving impactful. Education provides fundacion of schools are relevant to real world careers. And as we go over to him to see the mission is to meet the demand of training and to see is expanded offerings to include over 50 career programs. That number changes, by the way, so might be 50 might be 40, depending on the year in the program. Many programs can be completed in the year and there's no student loans. So we always say you can get a career in your thoughts loans. Now, if you want to be a practical nurse, it's a little bit lower than a year. So that's true for most of them. But some of them they're a little bit longer. But we want to thank you as the school board for your support of our superintendent of minutes. Traitors and of course, of our program for us to try to make manatee County the best with cd. So thank you for the opportunity bill to share with you today. >> Just want to say in closing, for particular item. I've been to several graduations in and to see. Event events at Scf. I toured us off. I think all of us have. The last graduation we had was a student crossed. Was graduating. Was turning into an instructor. As soon as he left, he already had the job mtc to be an instructor. So that just shows you how we want to keep you here. We have everything you need right here in our community and if we don't have it will find it. It sounds like. But the need is here. The programs you just have to have the desire. We have to staff that will help you find that niche that you're looking for I just want to say thank you to all of you because it takes a lot. To get these kids across the finish line and let them see their potential that they don't even know exist. So it takes a lot of us to do that for them. But once it clicks it clicks. And when it clicked, sticks. So I just want to say thank you so much for presentation was wonderful. >> Thank you very much. We also give a special little pens. These are for tsa pens. You know, think these are for you to wear proudly. And if you want to go to say Nationals, I'm sorry, we can't use referendum to pay for you to go is in Washington, D.C., by what they do is to use the pens and they trade. I'm kind of like other abuse purchase 2 with pen. Thank you very only thing that Joe has something just quickly, I just want to say thank you to it. >> The all the staff that that I I see it all the time options and opportunities right there. Kids don't know. They don't know. And students know they don't know. And so I think it's our responsibility as a board here, the district level to make sure we're told the community what we do offer doing stuff like this is great. But I think we got to continually show the community not only with dollars are going for their for their stoop for the students and showing them opportunities. It that would have never happened if we didn't have those dollars. But also what are schools are offering? I don't I think there's a lot of people out there that have no clue that our kids are working with robotics or they're working with that aboard, that the amount of technology goes that board. He said the board's name out. Remember that much. And that in MARCH reopened after is that they use to produce that anatomist. It's awesome. >> I mean, like how how like? That's incredible. Were offering that and featured on Grey's Anatomy. And I don't even know. Yeah. Yeah, my my daughter's going Grey's Anatomy like 3 times and I'd buy daughters is Isner's is is it? And that's yet to nursing because of the program. Few high school inspired. That's what you want want to go into I just think thank you all that that work on this. You know, we always think about. The normal, the math, the science to English history. But I think this is what really inspires kids to go in the field. They want to go into and do what they want to because as a liberal arts math teacher, they weren't light. We get learn about in and I'm sure when they walk But I'm sure like into jurors, awesome. I'm sure that they walked into it to the classroom. Y'all class. I mean, probably geeked up and really got me that the robotic stuff. That's what they're doing on their own like they're playing with robots. Are there their video gaming? And that's like 25 years ago show when I was a kid like like playing video games like what looking to make robots that are like video game to, you know, but we thought just gonna write your brain. But think you all very much for what you do it because I think we do stuff here meet the kind that nobody other counties are not doing we need it. We need to do a good job of getting that out there to the community to let them So really, really appreciate all your household word. Thank you get thank Thank you so much. Thank you very much. >> Okay. >> Next item on our agenda public comment and will let the >> fruit there a little bit before we start public commenters, we do have 4 who are signed up. I will tell you that you will have 3 minutes and there's a clock just above our head here that tell you what your time Ask that you would stop when the bell rings. So the first public commenter that ihop is. I think you nuts, Jill Barta. After that. Chasity Warthen. And Steve confessed. And then Rodney Jones. So if you want to come on down this car. >> that it was just me. Now the Okay. Well, good morning. My name is Joe Garner. Thank you guys. For everything that you do. I know it takes a lot of dedication and it's can be very difficult. My family and I moved to Florida in 1992. I have lived in Lakewood Ranch since 2013. I have 3 children, high school student, Lakewood Ranch, High. It got entry school and one that will be entering into the school system. First, a statewide mandate in 2023 to start high school. No later, no. Earlier than 8.30, was passed backed by research time and effort. This law was put into effect. Rfk Junior back school. I was changing after speaking with several specialists. One special is saying that sleep deprivation is a gateway drug, but side effects spilling into students leaning on relaxants like alcohol and marijuana to later add are on Ritalin just to stay awake and focused. There's also a nationwide organization called Start School later, dot net. So I know I'm not alone on this. I can tell you by experienced the current model is useless and antiquated. Why? Still 7.30? We are pained to attempt to educate students who are half asleep. It's going against their national sleep cycles and rhythm. Many are involved in activities to stay well rounded by the time we have dinner, homework and important family conversation. Often days are ending later than we wanted too late to get in the dark in the morning and do it all over again. Yes, we all did it. I had to be in my seat by 7.15, and looking back in the 90's, Iran myself into the ground. But we are in a new era where physical health and mental health has become a huge priority. Very popular and change in progress need to occur. Important issue that ties to the start time is the devastating overcrowding. I can only speak on Lakewood Ranch, High school. Yes, I know a new high schools approved, but for the students who are currently having to deal with this, it will be too little too late. This is their time to have their high school experience. And it's only once the bathrooms are an accessible. The hallways are overcrowded. Lunch lines are too long for all the students to get their lunch and have enough time to eat it. There are no lockers to store the heavy amount of books that they still have, even though we're in a digital era. I've emailed you all a video so you could firsthand experience what it's like for a round trip to complete the drop-off. This is a heavily dense housing district. Many students are right at the 2 mile. Mark or under. So current policy does not let them qualify for a bus. The burden is on us. It takes 47 minutes to complete a 3 mile trip. Students have relied on e-bikes bikes and walking. But let me tell you, do to the congestion not a safe situation. There are no crossing guard snow, police directing traffic. It's ugly. And this is how we welcome our day. Every day. When