School Board Workshop

Title to Celtic difficulties there. Welcome back. Like anybody left to to know her. Our real a workshop for Today, MARCH 14th 2025 officially call this workshop to order. I would jump into public comments we've got 1, 2, days is a Stephen Zika fish going coming And I and I will say just at the end we've already spoke. You come the podium. You cover out. But just for the public to know, we do have a scheduled workshop. Are gonna put this in the workshop in APRIL to discuss the has the details next so just why, by the way, obviously those green up top for your time or you got it perfect. I think >> Good morning. Good morning. Board members, Superintendent Weis on the community members. First of all, thank you for your leadership and commitment to public education. Decision hold in APRIL workshop to explore how the have sell sex can both benefit all public school students, including those in charter schools, demonstrate your dedication to the school board mission, which is to educate develop all students. Today. You are considering zoning it adjustments and accommodate are students shifts. It's important to recognize our charter schools play a key role in managing growth, ensuring resources, follow students and making the best of taxpayer dollars. School choice is just growing. It's transforming education in Florida. Over the past 20 years, charter school enrollment has increased by more than 1000%. But this isn't happening in isolation. It's part of a larger movement. Across Florida. Families are embracing a variety of educational choices. Private school scholarships, educational savings accounts, virtual school homeschooling are expanding rapidly and giving parents more opportunities to choose the best fit for their children. This isn't just about numbers. This. These are real students. There's a real families that features. Every choice has major reason that every child deserves access to a great school that fits their needs. In light of shifting student populations, charters help manage to growth, easy overcrowding and reduce the need for Costa district expansions instead of over building or closing schools, charter provide charters, provide a cost-effective alternative. And here's the key point. Charter schools built schools at a lower cost. If the district were to accommodate for the over 12,000 charter school students, that would come to a cost of almost 650 million dollars. Charter schools don't roughly 70% of that cost saving taxpayers up to 200 million dollars in Manatee County alone. Charter schools have already saved taxpayers. Hundreds of millions but soaring student growth without requiring Distric construction. Here's the question. If 20% of the just over 8200 projected to students outlined in the FEBRUARY 14 point presentation chose charter private or another school choice option as history has shown the Manatee County what the District d to expend the kind of project to 700 million dollars in taxpayer money. Has this been considered in the plan? If the half of the sales tax was created to support public school infrastructure and charter school students are public school students for years. Their families pay the same taxes yet their schools have historically been left out facility funding, including charters ensures taxpayer dollars go farther. Well, getting all students access to sell safe well maintained schools. This isn't about politics. It's not district versus charter. It's about students. It's about families. It's about ensuring that every public student, no matter where they're shooting, some parents choose to put them continues to have access to the high quality learning environment they deserve. Right now when families choose a charter, their tax dollars don't fully follow them. But when district rezone schools funding follows the student. The principles of saying the money should follow the child. If we already apply the logic across the district, why stop at charters? The money should follow the child. Thank you. Thank That public comment for this morning. Let's jump into our workshop items discussion regarding. >> By 0, 1, 4, 9.1, which public expressions members and proclamations we discussed this on. With some of the revisions we wanted and it looks like it was added at the end there. Unless otherwise archive to maintain to the ordinary ordinary course of the board's business. So look like looks like that was satisfied. Is anybody else. He? Anything else here? >> comfortable with Yeah, Bill Clinton. Yes. >> Good. Okay. So for good. Got publish from Tuesday? They're already what today's indoor public time. So. Thank you very much. Everybody who worked on that given not force but not. I've never discussion of policy one 20. What the road to implementation? Obviously the rezoning implementation Giving it to. Happened. You MAY proceed. Thank you, MR. Chair with caution >> we're going we have a slide deck here to go through it. >> That question, did ever that if you want just to get rid Good morning. >> CHAIRMAN Board we're exactly where we should be this process back on a month ago, FEBRUARY 14th. We did the >> extended data analysis with you that demonstrated the need for this. You're approved the authorization to proceed on FEBRUARY. 25th. We've held 5 public meeting since then. MISTER Chapman took on the emcee duties. So the first part of this presentation is it's going to be kind of a a recap of those public meetings. But really the purpose today is to give the 5 of some time to talk about some of the questions and topics that you raised last month. So that we can. Here are thoughts and your guidance before we start the formal drawing definitely a shorter presentation today with plenty of time to dialogue on 2 or 3 different topics where that conversation that guidance will be helpful to us as we enter the computer work phase of the That's our that's our goal. Today. Thank you. Dr Lights >> So light superintendent just said. We are following board policy here of, you know, 51 20.0, 0, 2, as I've mentioned at every public meeting, not just kind you know, kind of picking this up as we go along. We are following board policy to the tea. Unlike the superintendent just said, we've essentially finished part 2 of that policy, which is the superintendent coming to you to saying he's look, but the data analyzed. The growth enrollment. We need to activate the process. You will prove that and then hold those public meetings. So I'm going to summarize the results of those public meetings as we end Section 2 of this policy and now move to Section 3. So that's what this slide. Essentially says. They're in yellow is is, you know, we've we've now hat these initial public meetings there in yellow. So if you remember, we. We created what's on our website to this day, which is made schools dot net backslash rezoning process which is very easy way for the community too. It all the information on this process. And as we continue throughout this process, we will keep posting information on that one. 0nd, try from how you all. >> Like for us to ask questions, I want to drink. You want it. You can add writer with the board pop up when you need to. >> Okay this right? I'm on our website and I'm trying to find the I thought it would right on the front page and I don't see that. So where am sure? >> something just happened, but will. >> I want find your career. It wasn't until today was popular right to a second ago. So I don't know what just happened this right. The timing of that was it is not that's there. So I don't should be like number. Fix that? It's funny, right? >> Hopefully the team that's listening. We'll fix that as we did the for 30 over today by the it just one of those. >> I'm glad to me find a but I didn't do that in a negative way. I was like, oh, you're right. It fight it out. >> I will tell you As you all know, you've been I think the public knows about this. We transitioning to a brand new website come JUNE 1st and we've been working very hard behind the scenes too you know, move a lot of that that into that shadow site so that we can then launch on JUNE first. So maybe that's what's going on right now on this Friday before spring break. But we'll we'll fix. That is all it What will back on the district website here that are minutes as front slider of residential tenants owns. When you press that you go to this. Page listed where our public meetings were listed very lengthy and not per point presentation that was given at a board workshop and for every 14, but also the video of that board workshop and then a link to our. Policies. Specifically the 51 20 point 0, 2, which were witches are biting policy. So this will be continued where all the information will be as we go through this process eventually one week have 3 rezoning maps and any other information. This is where the community will be able to find an easy access to information. So the way we made sure that the community knew about these public meetings that we just held over the last 2 weeks. We sent out an all parent email we sent out an employee e-mail. We sent out to all our key community leaders such as the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Business Alliance of groups like that, constant and continuous social media posts showed district website we sent out a media release. I would say almost tv station in the Tampa area covered it and brand-new stories on Our one of interesting fact that I find interesting is 140 people watched that 5, 6, our you too Board workshop in its entirety. So we give an award to those 140 So again, that's on as if people want watch that on an airplane right for their spring break or something. But that said all that information is on and what I've said it. Every public meeting. We're not hiding or running away from this issue. We are transparent. We're out front. We will always be communicating, maybe even over communicating on this rezoning issue because we know how important it is to to our community just some attendance data as you can see from our 5 many of you were there some of these meetings and some very gauge to parents and community members very good questions really even state after it asked some questions we find kind of summarize those questions here. And you can see these were kind of some common questions asked my parents and the community. Very, very good, thoughtful question. Some have. Answers now and some have answers that we can answer when when we get the maps created. And that second part of the process. And I think parents understood that they they they understood that, you know, we won't know where their particular home and street and all that is until we can work at these out on the rezoning maps. If you remember, we a link on our website. Also won qr code at it at the agenda is that we ended at the public meeting set 2 are let's talk app, which is a great, easy way to provide public input during this process. We had 36 community members, Putin essentially input or comment or a question. All those have been answered and they are answered within one and and we'll continue that process to make sure that we're communicating is promptly as we can with as much information as we can as we get as we go through this process. So now we're we now move to so that again completes that part, 2 of that rezoning process right or that policy that we're following is the the superintendent coming to you. You approving starting the process. We go out to the public to explain the timeline, the process and how this is going to work. And so now we're in this part, 3 of the pollen of this particular policy, which is this yellow section, which is now the beginning of building these 3 rezoning map options. And we again in doing that, we we are going to follow policy and this policy lays out how we do that in those numbers. One through 9, we will use those as our guiding principles to and that's principles within l e s not U.S. As we build the 3 maps, again, more of that section 3 of the policy that lays out again what this next faces. And that's the phase we're in. And I believe now I'm going to if it back to Doctor Weiss on here to now lead the discussion as we now are in this now. Alright, section 3 of his pass without building the maps. So essentially we we're looking for guidance from you all as we now. But little green hats and built these built these maps. Are there any before with as we close out that section 2 and the public meetings and that data before move into this discussion, I just real quick before going to with a thank you for in the Stafford. Those 5 meetings. >> No text overtime except but you know, thank you for for you and everybody else. I think that's all several its staff in those pictures. So really appreciate, you know, going out to the schools in informing the public as best as possible to really appreciate that. A good point chair. We had >> You know, we we made sure that many of our senior leaders were there at every meeting. We had our director of enrollment management. We had our director of communications are strategic initiative leader many of our executive directors who supervise principles hour. Chief technology officer MR. Ben MR. Golf many on operational side. >> all that. >> Kind of senior leadership of the district. Was there every meeting to make sure that all answers and all questions were were answered. So good point. MISTER Chair, thank respect. >> Okay. On slide number 9. Just like one number 4th boy. What it and I was there when gentleman, believe know who rest. Despite the projected growth slows down, does not calm. I just want to assure anyone think that that can happen in Manatee County. It's And I'm going to use example all parish community. We've built that we've put the pad to our capacity. And even with that. We're real close to capacity. And I didn't know if you're going to show charts on the website that you had during a public meetings. I'm sure they're going to be on. Am I right? >> I had them and I could bring them up. If you if you'd like, no, I don't need to see them. I just didn't know if they're going to be on the website for people to look at. Yes, they are. They are. So when you read the Web site and you and you follow that rezoning process link, it brings you to a section where you can click on that. Okay, 60. So my page presentation at look at all that data maps. Yes. And then one of the questions was would it be better to rezone schools annually? >> That would be a. >> to individual that asked this is very long drawn out process. It in. >> Up facts. All through the district. This is the first time and I don't how many years we've done a district-wide rezoning the last time it was just a certain portion MR. Kennedy was here during that process. I MARCH or if you are, you're not. That was that was a long process for even just that part when we have a thing was when we did do parish, yes, really built parish. Annually would be totally out of the scope of what the district could and then they last bullet point on that slide was why only 3 plan options I would say that. The district is going to go through. Potential possibilities are not going to just 3. They're going to narrow down options to 3 to present to us as a board. I don't want more than options to choose from. I'm in my life. I want the best option for the district and the students and families that are going to be impacted. So I wanted to address at least those 3 bullet bullet points in. >> And I know that, you know, and you more schools be open to choice after rezoning. We don't know how that's going operate. I don't as district board member of choice is going to be. But those are just some of the 3 stuck out to me on the question responses. And I wanted at least rest, though. So if you have any feedback. >> prey on on one of the items. The first one regarding capacity and MR. Chapman was fairly specific during the presentation that that 8,253 additional students are traditional k 12 students. So we work with our consultant. Why we were developing the student generation rate to make sure that the percentage of charter school students was not in that number as well. And I think we just heard that interpretation again. But it's important to know that when we did the student generation, we've focused on traditional k 12 students as well regards to capacity. >> They can make for saying that right well in him to just add too, MISTER Reno, the snow, the latest data from the Department of Education shows that we did gain students this year. We public schools. The district's the district operated schools. Added several 100 students beyond projection. The charter schools grew but did not meet their collective projection of their enrollment. But they did grow. This states projection for vouchers. Actually came up a little bit short. So growth vouchers crew in Manatee County. But again, short of the projection, our our district operated school enrollment. Exceeded. The projection. So we're we're seeing continued interest in district operated schools. And so to your point, Vice chair. Even if growth stopped. We have schools that need relief. Now. Relief sometimes comes through new construction and other times relief comes through rebalancing. And that's really what rezoning is. It's an exercise in rebalancing and it's not. I appreciate your use of the word nightmare to doing this process annually. We again, we we as a leadership team. We don't want to do this process now testing. We want the second to last thing. Last thing I would do it, but we have to and it's the right thing to And so that's that's why we we move forward it. Appreciate you clarifying that. I think what we will do is we will take some of those questions that will actually answer them in a frequently asked questions, document perfect. However, some of them go back to that slide on FEBRUARY 14th known Unknowns. Yeah, we know it's an issue, but we don't know the answer yet as MR. Chapman said once we have 3 map options, right? That will probably have more clarity on the answer to some of those questions. But the ones that there are clear answers to now will add that to the website. And of course, I did get a note that the slider that was on the website came down Wednesday night after the last rezoning But there is another one scheduled to go up later today. They're just redeveloping it now. But the last 5 meetings are over. Okay. By tonight at 10 to 2 and and they were very well I want to say that and >> community members the first one very few seconds. Tend act. But you still took the time. It didn't matter if it was one or 2 people. You still went through the process of. Going through your side in your presentation and it was it's a very well received that you took the time to do that. Okay. Thank you. I was at the parish community, the presentation and I just and again, thank you to all the staff that came out we had about 40. Did a head count about 40 people there they were all there all and changed and you're very entertaining. And kept everybody engaged and kept the thing move in and it was very well done. And I want to thank you for taking the time to do that over summit. It could have been met Matt Time. This is try to keep it somewhat life. You did. You did great. Thanks, Yeah, thanks Eye on these on the sample. Questions from the public. Appreciate this ball list prayer, she already hit one the night 3 that I circle for further interest. And that's what a projected growth slows down because that is. One of the spread. That's right. Biggest x factor that we're dealing and then the couple 8th. A full about re-zoning for demographics that came up last time around. Totally different board MAY look at that differently. But and and I already this question is and the superintendent has addressed that the second to last about students being grandfathered in. You know, I would like us kind of keep that in mind. I understand where the superintendent coming from week. Going to follow the policy. There MAY be MAY be a time where a child has go. 3rd grade one school in 4th in the next. We want to be careful with that. But you're be sensitive to what should say. But I did want to kind of circle back that we to do it now. But the question at this point and I want to jump to kind of the end of the process. Is, you know, we've had this opening for public money back. Information and feedback. Now. But obviously the real feedbacks going to when parents get a letter in the mail saying your child's changing And so. Roughly in the timeline of this process, when will that parent notification began? And what's the plan for dealing with that? Influx? I guess all use a save for influx of feedback. We're going to get at that point. >> again, the timeline we're we're hoping will play out is board approval of any changes by SEPTEMBER. So that then the notification remember everything is for 26 27. That notification can happen fairly quickly along with. Here's all your other school choice options, including controlled open enrollment right? The appeal process, right? All of those pieces so that that plays out in the normal course of time as well. So there will be, you know, those opportunities, MISTER Tomorrow clerk continues to expand our Office of student assignment in terms of locations, right were well up and running in Lakewood Ranch. In addition to the traditional office in Palmetto, we MAY do some further adjustments there into the summer the again, the I can't stress enough. The let's talk system and how helpful that's been because, you know, in a traditionally male format. You're emailing one person who might be out of the office that week, right? And then you're getting away message you're calling in. You're getting voicemail, you know, with with let's talk. We're triage parent questions quickly. It's not just going to one person multiple people. You know, kind of triage requests for information. So likely. MISTER Kennedy, once, you know, once you know, fully implemented, we would scale up a support team of people who work beyond the Office of student assignment to handle kind of the initial, you know, parent questions over Yeah, I I think again, if if we can keep this on track for final board approval by end of SEPTEMBER. Then OCTOBER will be very busy. We can. We can even go into NOVEMBER. The new kind of hit the holiday should come back and you hit your school choice in JANUARY. So I think there's plenty of time, you know, for those conversations keeping in mind that all of our plans are also contingent on construction, staying on track, right? And so we've got to get right Ranch elementary built. We've got to get the elementary and Artisan Lakes built. And so no pressure, MR. Court, MR. Wyllie clerk in Gulf. They they know what they have to get done. So there's a lot of moving parts to this. But I think that's to your point, you know, that that after the decision feedback and conserve will scale up to be ready for But here that thank it. >> Excuse me, by the way, a great job on the presentation. So is there a way for? People to her parents and even students to see what school they might be going to based on the plans that are out there that eventually come to us help. Can families do that? >> So once the once, >> we generate the 3 options, right? You'll be able to go and look at each map right You can kind of find about where you live in and c and then again, if there's a gosh, we can't exactly tell again, we'll have that will have that. Let's talk application where people can send us their questions and it's very individualized. We can look at that student and write back and say this is what this is. Mel b, this at sea. Once everything's done and fully approved. Of course, then we'll update all of our software packages. And then when you go in and look at the registration system, you'll see a new schools. >> Maybe you're going to talk about that. But can we get that like the 3 plans are ready, messages will go out to parents and stuff and say, hey, right take a look right. >> And again, we're going to So we'll do it right. Will do the same notification, communication channels that we did for the initial public meetings and so social media e-mail messages, all of that and then the and then the promotion of again, we at this point we anticipate doing the 5 public meetings again, likely even in the same locations so that people can come and look at those maps in either provide feedback in the same way, right on the new cards at the meeting through the website and the let's talk future. Okay. Great. Think getting going fly from circumspect. >> I did mentioned I think during the workshop on the program that would That program. Are we still working on getting that place for the board to see them system and how it works and demographics of streets, the rivers, those 3 will absolutely. >> Well, absolutely schedule that time. It's on list, ok? Thank you, MISTER Chair. If I can one more point to Mr, Tatum, it's >> Great question is that once those threes 3 rezoning maps get released not like you got 24 hours to respond, right? So I just want to show you, buddy, listening. Mean, we're talking about getting that public input for that month of MAY. That month of JUNE, that month of JULY, maybe even part of AUGUST. So at least 3 months, if not more of gathering public input. Having that back and forth of questions and answers and and taking, you know, all those particular questions. So I just want to reassure families out there. This is not a you know, we've got to take the day off to go battled the school district. This is we're gonna make sure we plenty of time. Plenty transparency putting public input as we go through this and that that will happen throughout the summer. If you. Only great question, by the way. Thanks for reminding very much. >> Before we move on, I did a couple of reference the staff who were there doing what you do it every every member of my cabinet that ended at least one of the 5 meetings and will do so again. >> This really is all hands on deck. So the same people who are prepping next year's budget and working on, you know, staffing and allocations and, you know, teacher recruitment it. It's all the same people doing the work. And so it's you know, it's going to be I mean, every every school year. This time of year is busy. It's just going to be busier. Was CHAIRMAN And I had an opportunity to talk this morning before the meeting you know, it is it. This this has got to be a high priority to hit timelines. And so there MAY be other good ideas are great ideas that come up over the next couple of months that we say that sounds great. Can we please talk about that next fall because there just isn't time right because we we we've got we've also got to get the k 8 Lake Manatee, Kate Open in AUGUST and the Harvey North River Ranch campus Open. So there's just a lot of competing priorities right now. We've got a great team. So we'll get through it that there's not a lot of bandwidth left for new stuff. So we appreciate you all and your understanding with that. >> thank you so again. So we're that can kind of concludes part 2 of that policy. And now we've move into phase 3, which is just have building these Again, we're guiding policies guiding us through that. And so what we're hoping for today from you all is is a conversation and discussion about what you also might be as you MAY have or considerations. So that, you know, obviously we could start when we start building these maps were taking into account, you know, or on that. So board members, one of the topics that you all last month in the FEBRUARY workshop was conversations about schools that are very under capacity. >> And when you have kind multiple schools in an area that are under capacity, obviously our our goal is to balance capacity. When when you rezone. But that seemed to be a topic of of interest back on FEBRUARY 14th. So we just wanted to see if were any board members who wanted no more discussion were to talk about anything specific on schools under capacity. >> I categorically opposed to closing schools. And I'm going to tell you why. I was teaching and hurling middle school when it was closed. I was there for the last 3 years. It was it was a middle school. And it was devastating to our family, to our students and to that whole area. Because kids who could walk to school are now being bused all over the county. Because our school was no longer there. And we had. We have had 6, something and it was small small school. I was the only 7th grade English teacher. So to let you know how how small that what I was, the only one. Our last year, we just had something. Which meant than our 7th graders now have to go finish their last year middle school in a completely foreign school. So that was my kids. My students, now are going from partly 7th grade to some other school. There ought to be broken up, take away from their friends and their families to have to figure how to get them places I made was going to be harder for them to participate in after school events and all of those activities. We had sports. We have football. We have girls sports, too. And not being able to walk to school when so many of them did not have transportation took away from their ability to participate in those things. That was a neighborhood school. I had students who I have a student who was honored at the Martin Luther King Banquet for speech. I was for transportation. Her parents did not own a car. So they signed a waiver that I could take her to that so that she could do her speech and get her award. If we take the school's out of the neighborhoods because they're small. Hurts our kids and I cannot support anything to hurt her kids. The kind broad topic. So start. Just with some. I is that I have for like work entry. >> and I see MISTER Kim was spray >> so the start entry school, the one that our capacity, I think that you've obviously got a cluster and this this is all specifically but West Bradenton, right? I mean, we're most seasoned or capacities >> And I think that you could canned with some of countries. >> That are full. As draw these lines. I think we can. We can move some of these lines to be able to take overcrowded school like Moody, Mike Rogers, potentially baker become just name in those 3 that that are on that, know, west of 75. And in. Of course, it's going to be. When you all make the math that's going to be how 4 few public for the schools and all that kind of stuff plays in. But I think we can definitely move around some some students to be able to. Get rid of some of the overcapacity at some of zone into schools and helped obviously with the under capacity, some of the other schools. So you know, obviously, I think that's the point of all exercise. You all rezoning you doing I do think also with elementary school. When you look at something going school. Especially the West side. Today just going to be a day of honesty about Good, you know, and I'm it. Absolute proponent school choice. I believe, though. This MAY not exactly it is. Probably not kosher, but I believe we're going into. A fight with and that's a negative connotation. But going into a fight. Without the right tools. And here's what I mean by that. We've got charter schools are taking that. Population in the West Side. Is there the men trouble? They're just not in our They have choices to another school. And we have phenomenal of interest rules. I mean, Stewart Elementary is. The top performing elementary school in the district. But is would do that outside of that area, right? But does anyone know that that's happening, that that they are the best, the top 4. So. That to me is I look at all of our other capacity issues has. Are we letting our own? Unity know how good our schools are. Because there are people we're driving. For the island from Northwest Great from Cortez. Whatever all the way to outlet in country. Which is next to So they're going a long way to choose a school that is great relics. Great. Taking anything that. With their our school. That. Are just as good or better. In proficiency said rep that are right there next to him. So I so that that's that's something that that's not the rezoning. It's going to happen, right? Like this is going to be a. A marketing and that sort of thing with with kind of fixing that, you know, getting getting the good things that we do out there. We've done a very good job. Of the board as well. The very first things I said, what we've got to have a better like social media present. Enter MR. Barber and his group have phenomenal. I mean, there's stuff posted all the time. The good news staff and all that but I just don't know if if. We had the same mentality, this isn't just any weather about school district. Probably general. Of the river. The at over created have a negative kind of are. But that's okay. Recruiting and marketing. Our school. Other kids around us that are choosing something up right? I it just is what it chart. There's no cheeks in the seats, it is what it dry finance. And just came right to face a lot. But it can see. So I think that that. Of course, I think with the rezoning we could tweak some things, you know, around beauty except Europe. You know, to maybe help good to see breezier. So whatever to be able to increase of that capacity. But I think we've got it and I know it's coming in, but it just thoughts that are out there that we've got to do. A better job showing the public. How good we truly are and how good our schools really are. Because I think that's I think that's key stop in tree school just because I've got some of the stuff and all the board members do as well. So I'll leave that for elementary. And then I'll talk about other stuff later on. Just like to make the point, degree with was felt and no one wants to hurt children right? >> But at some point we start looking at the money the capital budget. Here's me to being stretched to some degree, right, man. We're borrowing all the money that we have to do. We're going enable that discussion about. Taxes charter schools and to get more money or not. And so, you know, a couple million dollars here in a couple million dollars. There matters in the capital budget. And so I'm not in favor necessarily closing schools who wants to do that? I'm not in favor of necessarily doing it now. But up to redo this rezoning. And if we watch for year 2 so of our schools are just consistently, you know, 55, 50 45 60% just think it's as a responsible steward of the taxpayers money that it's some point. Look, we tweak this report that trying to make it work. But, you know, the capital budget is being stretched and to be fiscally responsible. We have to consider saying do it now. But at some point, you know, when you look at these numbers, if we can't get people move and change and do whatever, then, you know, we just can't keep. Schools open when our capital those get capital budget is being stretched. And like I said, whatever decision we make about charter schools and their tax money, it's going to be significant. So authorities thank you. Think talk about capacity. I'm looking, by the way, though. To look at everything for the public is on our website. Thank Back right? There it is resting It was very quick. Thanks keep for that. I'm looking at chart for the elementary zones from going right now. No one wants to close school. However, it's not just about the capital expense. It's about the general fund maintenance expense as well and and staffing and all of that house to come into play on looking at schools that are 56% capacity. A 53. 54. I mean, there's a lot we have several schools, disown Lee Elementary, several schools out there. And I know Johnson is. 63 in as 100% Troy school. I might correct. And that. That is 100 okay. And it's only a 63%. Regis. Bree did that school when they went through that the closings when I think MR. Kennedy were here redid whole site and build added on to it joins and when it's convert to okay, right converted. Yeah. And we close the school. I correct? When we did that? Lakeland? We've got one right, I'm going back time I had I don't remember because hardly closing. >> I think was first. And want to get a chance to speak mom. But if there was already on the same time, he says we're in a related. >> Right. And then you look at Palma sola. 50%. Pow medal and Madrid. 54% so. Not just about the capital. Expense. It's. The expense. Just tap the custodian. The cafeteria workers, transportation that has to factor into this as well. I'm not going you know. On the devil's advocate here, whatever we have to do. To maintain our expenses at a reasonable cost because this is taxpayer dollars. Assistant. The district's money to do this. Go out there and spent closing a school. My business sense that you have to do. Who would that be? I do. I don't know. We've got to do numbers and all that. But can't continue to operate schools at a 50% level. That's just not financially. Sound in my opinion. That's just We knew of schools that are so close together and you have capacity at all 3 of them. But again, you got some that are way over capacity 140% going. That's just. That's crazy. And that's a good example. And Harvey 157% perfect example of why we have to do this. Rezoning. It's been make some people comfortable with some of our choices. That's why we're here. That's why we want your feedback. Understand can accommodate everybody's wishes. That that's just. You know, and and this business, it effect families and students and and people who work and drop off their students. As well. So it it's going to be a heart. To balance everybody once. But there's there's a difference and want and need. And need is we we need to redistrict rezoning schools. Do we want to keep every school open? That MAY not be a good business sense. It just doesn't. And life So you've got to balance the needs wants the cost and and everything else and all of that. So I just wanted to put that out there. >> just next. Heather, I want to address. You're you're coming about Harley and apologize retroactively your school. I was I was a vote to do that. It's one of the ones I regret and I really come to regret. Effort began working at Autry. And I saw those kids when they went from. 56. Great that you mentioned that that they not now to get on a bus to go to Lee or saw mostly many of them have talked with Superintendent superintendents mentioned you know, possibly we could repurpose Harley with future meet. I appreciate the flexibility to to take a second look at and how can we keep those talks? Are kids in that neighborhood? So like you said, they can walk to school. The other thing, switching gears here. But about closing schools and if you do not like what I'm about to say, please direct your ire at me and only me but I think we do need to take a look at Anna Maria Elementary because it's it's very much under capacity. They're not even. Not even a 200 students in other capacities to 91. Painting with a broad brush because I don't really know where. Kids are coming into Anna Maria Elementary from I'm sure some are coming from West Bradenton. Some live on the island. For me, I think we need to keep an open mind about it because to price point, it's just a it's a financial decision about operating schools far under capacity. So I know that would be. Know you all have experience in Northwest Bradenton previously with the talk closing a school and what that led to everybody land on their feet. Everything's fine. But I do at least want to I think we have today is honesty day when I need to be honest and share this. That Henry Elementary's under capacity has been on my mind it could be, you know, kids that are in the south part of the of Anna Maria. They could go right down Cortez Road, the Seabreeze kits that on the north part of Anna Maria Island. They could go right out to Stewart Palma sola relatively close by. I know I'm opening a can of worms, a vote on the island. I think it's part of a cross and write it, too. And that's why I'm I'm happy that be all they decided. No, we're not doing that. I think this is part of the process I got to be up and everybody doesn't like free. Got I know that I do. What can happen to the committee is going freak out. >> But this is all just discussion, right? Like devoted There's nothing here. We're just pass on out state. Just to jump in what you said on Andrea and I want to ask opinion about the rest of the rest meeting goes You know, thought I talked about this with superintendent and subject of we talk about it in a briefing. Things like that. That you know that I obviously yeah, there's hundreds of kids in in Obviously residents there just aren't there. But I do believe >> if we can be innovative and creative with our buildings that we have. And I think we can do this in several places. And I'll talk about that as we go. But Henry is one. >> If we obviously have a guy Harvey program that the state was willing to give a billion dollars to fund maybe more. You know, we're we're just at the cusp of really having that thing. Crews in and and really go. We obviously as the feeder to king in community we were awarded as the best District for the guy. Harvey just 3 months ago, right? 4 months ago, something that so I think that we could potentially use that spot. Has it again. This being creative marketing except dropped. We know we we there's there's missing. Students in there. There's obviously over capacity. So you know what ideas I had that I've shared with with Dr Rice I think actually doable. Is how do we market to the homeschool kids? Even in charter schools to say, can we offer you x amount of our day per week, whatever to come out and you're going your site. 6 said you know, our guy, Harvey, you're right. That funding is just whatever the amount of time that they use is the funding is shared between the school right so I think I think we are creative have some programs like that. I think you could get away with still having he's going pass the schools open now. I don't there's a good 8 of them. Try to do it. How many years you do it until it doesn't work so. But I think that there still so creative ways that we can get. Especially in a with with the Guy Harvey project I think there's ways we can get. Read that you hate that is a bit to get revenue to replace what we're doing kids that And, you know, I think we're far as weight goes with every words. But fact that, you know, you can't whatever you know, that's plus drivers, obviously. Well, you know that great. I think there could be ways do that because I grew got to get Re is obviously one. If you look at we've got to, we've got to something agree. Check like cooking when we're getting point. I brought this idea up over the was back and it was met mixed reactions. >> But as long as we talk about Anne Marie, I like to just bring us up one more time is what if we had a? You know, the county operates there, both service between downtown and the island. But what if we have an option? And it MAY not be possible. And should be attorneys are going to this be like, oh, my GOD, the liability. But what if we that boat >> we partner with the county, the parents. You can drop your kid downtown. Done school days and the boat will take them out to Andrea. So they go to school, MR. Pelly is already. >> We haven't started up That is the turning. Patrick is good with it. It I don't think it's doable. I think of not be happening and MAY be yeah, not going to get anywhere near that but Angels enough that he to keep borrowing. That's that's for staff. After hours. Yeah. So so yet. I was actually wondering about for mtc is. >> That their their Marine people keep talking about wanting And to be near the water. And if there is any way we could utilize property there that might be able to work with mtc to give them. Access. And I know it's within the middle of the island is not on the water, but go to the Well, I mean, not like it did just But yeah, in some way that they could maybe have access to that part it, too. 2, bring that you know, him. >> One of the issues is what we're working on guy. Harvey Doc project as well. And we have. >> Varies. Very, very skinny water proximity to the and me all the time. Like not like a big Yeah. I because we're >> their original thought was maybe bring a pontoon are having a voter. I mean, we're. >> We're at kayak depth at high Tide right now. And with the expose seagrass during low tide. So I mean, it we're looking at options on how to do that. Buck presently and programs we can offer there as People bringing a large vessel him or even a small vessel turn out to be even if they were just like have classes there and then transported to a. >> that, an auxiliary location for actual water work. Yeah, that that would have to be way the probe. So that's what I was. That was that was just the that for that out there. Dr Game Commission, the the price board. I just want to just kind of see what looked him. Obviously, you look at it for discussion. Topics. Cool capacity. The next one next. Think that the I school, we talk about high school of sight. The last night is the same thing that any additional consideration before being Do you where do you want go? If you do, are you want just Release? Every thought we possibly have think I kind of said was that elementary to middle? I mean, what do you what do you want to see work? Again, we're we're we're listening for guidance that might. >> Help us 2. Get the macro structure of these maps, correct. So, for example. If all of you today were saying, yes, let's resolve under capacity through closure or consolidation. We have to do that right there so that we can start. If that's not what you want to do than we knew that we're drawing. The current number of residential attendance zones we have now. Plus the new schools, right? So this this discussions, hopeful, you know, just to hear the things you're interested in her, not interested in. And again, if there are other. So, you know, MISTER Kennedy, for example, throughout what about reopening Harley, if that's something that you know, that the board is interested we can run a scenario where that happens and incorporate that into one option. And then if down the road you decide. Yeah, we definitely want to do that. That we've kind segmented that out. And if you decide, no, we don't want to do that. Then we just pull that piece out of that map. Option. But I also don't want to spend hours and hours as a staff in a conference room working on design. Board really isn't interested. Just the conversation so far hopeful. And again, we don't were not asking we don't voted workshops anyway, but we're not looking for look so far. I haven't heard consensus on anything that's major difference. But if consensus emerges on something, then that tells us to incorporate it into one of the options. So the discussions very helpful. >> Ok, great. I went ok, I'm looking diagrams. To 27. My concern is the block it southeast are being bussed out. Kids like the grant. >> The high >> a high school, the high school boundary a big one for their community. If you look at the capacity. On that particular school found pieces under. While Lakewood Ranch, obviously is over. I know that was carved out back. Lakewood Ranch was built. I would say look at that weird. Take that under consideration because I've already been approached about that. Yeah. >> agree with And so I think that you know, especially I was approached by after-school activities. We don't obviously provide busing for after-school stuff you know, it parents work don't work 2030, minutes out there. It how you go. Get your kid, you know or use it school. So I agree. I think that's something that's got to be moved here as weather goes 45 minute ride to big year whatever, talking right there so, yeah, good point. I was going I was going to mention that. Just want to make sure >> we have that on our list. 2 run that kind of impact analysis on rates. If you pick up at. That block and you move it where Continuous. What has that Schiff number? So, yes, that's on our list of things to study and take a look present the student during that block. You know, who knows? >> All right. Well, that, you a cause of to my district schools that's the biggest. >> Concerned that people brought to my attention when I visit that school and and not. Yeah, that's a big thing. I would agree with that happen. There for so Something that. >> And I don't know MR. Kitty mentioned this Tuesday know this is the right venue, but I'm just kind of going on the of. >> The. >> I've got several emails everybody has a everybody and I don't remember. But teachers and their own students with it, you know, with a teacher to those students getting into to a school I think we have to keep that in in to have 2 are. Our thought process here. I give you my own personal examples when my wife and I were both teaching and coaching the district. There's no way we could have. Coach she coaches belt too many. There's no way we could have done those things. We didn't have the capability of having her. Well, they went with her. Because I don't and so so there's no way that when she was you know, building Miller, if that we weren't able to do that. We would have something with that as a whole right, somewhat kid or or they're gonna have to go after school programming said up. So it was much easier on us that we were able to choose to tab child where week? I know we're going to probably get some the opposite of that is real and who's like obviously of if 20 teachers and school have, you know, 21 kids a few kids, whatever between them, all, whatever their own choice that seat, right for somebody else up Giannis. I think it. Teachers are taxpayers just like everybody And I think it's just a perk of the job to be quite honest with you it's something that that they should have just says it in my personal opinion did just should be something we should be commenting as much as possible. Hard for us to hire to me that it's tough right now in general. If if teachers got to drop the kid off at this school then go x amount of somewhere else to get to their teaching actual teaching tool. You know, I I think that's something we can accommodate. So just I would I would add that in this. Personally, I guess I do for having consensus here on that. I do what you want to say because I'm saying one thing. Today, all looking at this that nobody else cares it up under a boat envelop. Make if that's a thought as we go. And it just Well, the state of first admit that what you want to talk about that, although, you know it well, first of all, what is the current policy the too complicated to explain to about it? >> generally speak. First of all, of course, I want to retain all of our teacher, right? Because and end to MR. Chote Point there are very few. Perks right. And when you're talking about public education. There are so generally, yes. Employees children are accommodated. Where it gets a little more complex. When you have an employee child who wants to attend a school that is overcapacity. And therefore. Not necessarily available to all residents who live in that attendance area. Have we have 2 schools right now that if you are, if you are newly moving into that area. There's a reassignment to another school because there's no room, there's So if you hire a new teacher into that school, do you what their student come with them when you've told other residents who are moving into the zone, sorry, we don't have word. So that's an example. And there are some others. Vpk can be an issue. Sometimes because we do. We don't have unlimited vpk vp case. Not a required service like kindergarten or first grade. This right. So so there are some. Called them kind of edge cases. There's a couple of them pending right now. And again, if we can accommodate, we will I think it's hard to write policy around that unless the board is willing to say. We feel so strongly about employee child preference that we're ok telling residents are you can't go to the school. But potentially out of county employee child is going see the board wants to do that in policy, you can but I think that's the that's the challenge. But again, generally speaking. Accommodate our employees. >> Just thought that they could I understand what you're saying about the fairness issue, telling a local resident your child can't go because we are. This is just huge and you can put that child the top of the choices, you know, just give them a priority. Like on the on the waiting list as make them. The number one say, look, our employees go to the top of the waiting list and then with the vote. And the other question I was I wasn't MAY be aware of what as Fred brought up, I was looking at look at the chart about pass the turnpike. This thing. So they're actually there the Red Square there. So they're actually children. Her students bused from that Red Square over Lakewood Ranch is is. There must have been some reason back in the day by the end on a chain from middle school. >> that was the path to the issuer. Does anybody it was a student at time? Graphic? Thanks to demographics. Provide provide to ranch. The student body. And that squares like roughly around like. Way clean Pirates, City area. Coming. Part Tropicana, right? 13th Avenue like for right? Such it was it was done in. When grants high schools open, correct? Right up like 98 Mid 90's. Right, 9 do up a lot none of You we're seeing that whatever. The reason was freshman, whether it was Scarborough could probably address >> Ever. >> There isn't one back then. I would not be in favor of it. Now party, all those like that. Could be contiguous unless there's some really absolutely good. I there might be one of That's I think. Back >> The peak the teacher thing, a lot of the e-mails we've been getting are from my district. And and then I also hear about them when I'm at the schools. And I'm you know, so I've been getting a lot of of communication about that as well. And and, you know, just connect you with their there are few. Perks of being a teacher where you get something special that you know, enable you to be a easier. Do your job. I traced my own kids as well. When I was teaching so that my youngest was in that parish community while it was the Southeast. Just made sense to have all all 3 of us were at one school for a year. It was awesome. I know. And I do feel bad about the local community, but we've got. You know, that. Were getting there. We're got 2 new elementary schools are are schools that are coming schools that are coming up there that will help alleviate some of that. Some of those teachers that are up there MAY shift to those new schools and that would take their kids with them as well. So that would also relieve some of that pressure so I'm hoping that hopefully these these pains will only be for about a year. While we're waiting for those 2 schools to open. This eye. That's a great point. >> you know, with the other part of this balancing work, when we go to move lines is are there situations where? You can? I mean and this I think went to the vice chairs question earlier from the slide about, well, how many will more schools be open to choice because of rezoning? The answer is possibly write. It depends on kind of the final map. But that's another piece of the analysis that will be running as we look at all of our options how about how much capacity do we think will be at each location because you want to have room for future growth. You also want to have room for school choice because we are in a competitive environment. You know, in the example you gave mis-spelled right now. If you live in the parish area and you want to go to southeast. We can make that happen right? If you live in the southeast Syrian, you want to go to parish. That's a very different story. Yeah. If in a perfect world you can get it all balanced, you can help people go wherever they want, which is what we would love to do. Unfortunately, the growth patterns in the community don't support that type of approach but will keep. That's the point of the map drawing exercise again. It MAY be that we will bring you multiple options You MAY look at one of go wow. Everything really looks and balance there. But then when we show you the impact analysis, how many families are affected? You MAY say thank right. And that's and that's why the policy says we should bring you 3 options. Yep, right. Because we MAY bring you. MAY bring you something that looks really good until you look at the impact. And then you MAY say, yeah, that's too much. And that's that's how this works. Respect but good teachers and students being there. >> To your point, Dr Royce on if you have Ana County. Teacher. You know, wanting to bring their children to our district school. I think that's a little gray area. >> Teachers that live in Sarasota. >> County, Pinellas County. >> I don't know. Maybe DeSoto even I don't know but bringing their kids out of another district or district. I don't know if that would be. Responsible thing to do. But the other part of that as teacher is moved from one school to another. That needs to be considered as business decision and that child MAY not get the go with that. But their parent to the new school that they're assigned to. So we have to look at all of those options. I just wanted to bring that up because that might come up. If teacher is moved to a different school. I don't think they would want to take their student hour want school to another mid-year. Something happen. We've have how many deaths in the past year now. We've got to put another teacher in so are hiring moving. We don't know that. But sometimes I just want to make that point that if a picture's move from one school to another, their chili not get the move with them. I was like the opening of schools, >> Those those cases are rare it just to clarify under the controlled open enrollment state law, you can cross county lines what we can. We have people in our schools know who live in in Sarasota in Hillsborough. Again, the issue with teachers and their own children really only comes into play when you're in an overcapacity or a close situation or or some other type. Again, there's some specific issues right now related to how you populate the 6th grade. It at the heart of North River Ridge campus. And I can work with one-on-one on that because, again, we're really outlier issues at this point. Again, our goal is to accommodate, but to do it within a framework that treats people fairly yeah, real and then we can about this topic. But I appreciate >> for project teach the Super 10 and I had a chance to talk one on one and he did address this very situation. Harvey, what we're dealing with that balance between. Recruitment and retainment of staff. Which being a bring your child to school with you isn't big benefit and fairness to the kids the families are already in that district. I lean toward answer questions to penalize on. I lead toward I feel strongly enough about I think for the sake of our staff, we could we can make a policy that says your child can come with you, but then sprays point. That staff member then goes to another school that would revoke snow road that students or want share my position on that. And then I had a question superintendent, you. You said we currently have students who are actually zone. For a lot Harvey, for example, cuts to maybe zone for Harvey, but because there is no capacity there actually. They're actually going somewhere else. Have to MR. Kennedy, this happen before you came on the board. >> We have going and Harvey right now are so over capacity that they actually closed to new enrollment in early