School Board Informal Meeting

Hernando School District School Board Informal Meeting Minutes - Final 1:00 PM District Office-Board Room 919 N. Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34601 Tuesday, February 10, 2026 CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Kayce Hawkins Vice Chair Shannon Rodriguez Board Member Michelle Bonczek Board Member Susan Duval Board Member Mark Johnson Present The meeting was called to order at 1:04 P.M. Also present were Robert Meyers, School Board Attorney, and Ray Pinder, Superintendent. GENERAL DISCUSSION An informal meeting of the School Board has been scheduled for general discussion among Board Members on Educational Matters Topics of Discussion: Bonczek: Day in Legislation - All school board members should attend, directed Superintendent to budget for this in next year's budget along with out of state conferences. Budget for all board members to go, even if they don't go. Ms. Bonczek spoke in favor of HB 895: video cameras in self-contained, non-verbal classrooms or if classrooms have more than 50% ESE students. She also mentioned HB 615 regarding Individual Education Plans. Ms. Bonczek also stated how it was important that Mr. Pinder came to the conference as he was able to share important information about our schools. She also stated that other districts gave challenge coins made by students that were given to the representatives. She would like to do something similar for next year. Mr. Johnson stated that they can also hand out the coins to teachers. Mrs. Rodriguez agreed that any board member should be able to go on any conference they want to; not just to the committee member and the alternate. She also stated that she was able to get the registration fee waived for the COSSBA conference coming up in March, as she is a speaker. Rodriguez: Full day VPK funding on next year's legislative platform has been filed in the House and the Senate, but not heard in any committees. Sovereign immunity caps is moving through committees. The caps remain lower than what was in the House proposal. Recommendation is to continue to lobby against it. In regard to the district's list of priority needs on progess monitoring assessments as a measure of student mastery of FAST standards; there is no interest at this time. In regard to the transportation ask of reducing the minimum distance for elementary students to qualify for school transportation under the current formula by funding the youngest students living Page 1 of 2

School Board Informal Meeting Minutes - Final February 10, 2026 one-half mile from their school; there is no bill language, however, there have been positive conversation with committee chairs about potential changes to the funding. In regard to veteran teacher's salary; no increase in TSIA as of now. In regard to asking for a freeze in FRS contributions; there is no proposal from the House but will be negotiated during the budget negotiations. Hawkins: HB 127 - cursive handwriting for grades 2-5 starting in the 2026-27 school year. Mrs. Bonczek wants this in our schools even if the bill does not pass. Mr. Johnson suggested making a policy to teach cursive and would like this brought back to the board. Mr Pinder stated that we can start looking at it, but we need to see where the state will be with it. Rodriguez: Budgeting for all board members to attend conferences. Ms. Duval suggested a list of conferences and cost per person to be submitted by Kelly Pogue so she can have Cabinet review for budget consideration. ADJOURNMENT The meeting is adjourned at 1:34 P.M. _______________________________ _______________________________ Superintendent Board Chair Mission Statement The Hernando County School District Collaborates with students, parents and other community stakeholders to effectively prepare all students for a successful transition into a diverse and changing world . Page 2 of 2