Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m.

2 Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Pinellas County Schools 5 p.m. Administration Building 301 4th Street SW Largo, FL 33770 https://www.pcsb.org Vision: 100% Student Success Mission: "Educate and prepare each student for college, career and life." 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.1 Call to Order Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.2 Invocation - Chaplain Milton Smith of All First Responders Matter Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.3 Pledge of Allegiance Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.4 National Anthem Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.5 Video - Seminole High School Students Volunteer at Enterprise Village and Outstanding School Volunteers Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.6 Introduction of Professional and Community Organization Reps - Isabel Mascareñas, Public Information Officer Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 1. Opening of Meeting Subject 1.7 Presentation by Student Rights and Responsibilities - Countryside High School Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural File Attachments 2. Amendments to the Agenda Subject 2.1 Possible Changes to the Agenda Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action Recommended Action Motion to Amend the Agenda File Attachments 3. Adoption of Agenda Subject 3.1 Adoption of Agenda Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action Recommended Action Motion to Adopt Agenda File Attachments 4. Special Order Agenda Subject 4.1 Presentation of the Proclamation Designating April 2025 as National School Library Month Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent), Presentation Recommended Action Approve the proclamation designating April 2025 as National School Library Month. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 1: Academic Excellence Through Innovation BACKGROUND : April 2025 is designated the 40th annual National School Library Month. National School Library Month is an opportunity to celebrate school librarians and their programs. First celebrated in 1985, National School Library Month is observed in libraries throughout the country each April. National School Library Month is a time to recognize the contributions of our nation's libraries and library workers and to promote literacy, library use, and support. School library media specialists host activities to help schools and the local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning. Pinellas County Schools celebrates our library media technology specialists and their commitment to students and families. Through their promotion of literacy, technology, collaboration, creativity, and engagement, library media technology specialists positively impact student achievement every day. SUBMITTED BY : Donnika M. Jones, Chief Academic Officer File Attachments 24-25 Proclamation School Library Month.pdf (143 KB) 4. Special Order Agenda Subject 4.2 Presentation of the Proclamation Recognizing April 2025 as National Volunteer Appreciation Month Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action, Proclamation Recommended Action Approve the proclamation recognizing April 2025 as National Volunteer Appreciation Month. BACKGROUND : April, nationally designated as Volunteer Appreciation Month, recognizes the hard work, dedication, and passion of volunteers. Across Pinellas County Schools, v olunteers play a vital role in the daily success of the schools and students. They support our students and teachers in a variety of ways, including mentoring and tutoring students, chaperoning field trips, helping in classrooms, supporting front offices, acting as guest speakers and serving in leadership roles in various organizations such as Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), School Advisory Councils (SAC) and booster organizations. The district has over 24,000 active volunteers who have provided over 200,000 hours of service thus far in the 2024-25 school year. Their dedication and generosity of time make them an invaluable resource for every school and the district. SUBMITTED BY : Jennifer Dull, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer File Attachments Volunteer Appreciation Month Proclamation 2025.docx (40 KB) 4. Special Order Agenda Subject 4.3 Recognition of the 2025 Outstanding School Volunteers Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action, Recognition Recommended Action Recognize the 2025 Outstanding School Volunteers. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 5: Strong Connections and Communication BACKGROUND : Volunteers play a vital role in the daily success of our schools and students. In a variety of ways, they support the students and teachers, including mentoring and tutoring students, chaperoning field trips, helping in classrooms, front offices, and media centers, acting as guest speakers, and serving in leadership roles for PTA, PTSA, SAC, and booster organizations. The district has over 24,000 active volunteers who have donated over 200,000 hours thus far this year. The dedication and generosity of their time to support Pinellas County Schools makes them an invaluable resource. The Outstanding School Volunteer Award program was created to recognize volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to quality education in Florida's K-12 Public Schools. This recognition program highlights and inspires strong school and community relationships, including innovative approaches to improve student academic performance and resiliency. This year, the Outstanding School Volunteer selection committee identified 17 honorees and 3 category winners from the more than 100 applications submitted by the schools. In addition, the district had a state finalist in the senior category. Congratulations to the following honorees, district winners, and the state finalist: Area 1 Youth: Isabella Rosado Glasford – Eisenhower Elementary Adult: Stephen White – Cypress Woods Elementary Senior: Roberta Guilfoile – Palm Harbor Middle Area 2 Youth: Ainesh Kumar – Largo Middle Adult: Kasai Waller – Safety Harbor Middle Senior: Lynn Cadogan – Plumb Elementary Area 3 Youth: Brayden Bessler – Orange Grove Elementary Adult: Dara Wilkerson – Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle Senior: Vernon Bryant – Richard O. Jacobson Technical High Area 4 Youth: Hailey Shockley – Rawlings Elementary Adult: Lauren Coons – Shore Acres Elementary Senior: Solomon James – Gibbs High Transformation Zone Youth: Nhu’y Tran – Lealman Avenue Elementary Adult: Courtney Williams – Fairmount Park Elementary Senior: Angela Parker – Lealman Avenue Elementary Exceptional and Alternative Centers Adult: Abigail Goodwin – Nina Harris ESE Senior: Gail Parks – Paul B. Stephens ESE District Winners Youth: Isabella Rosado Glasford – Eisenhower Elementary Adult: Courtney Williams – Fairmount Park Elementary Senior: Vernon Bryant – Richard O. Jacobson Technical High State Finalist Senior: Vernon Bryant – Richard O. Jacobson Technical High SUBMITTED BY : Jennifer Dull, Chief Strategy Impact Officer File Attachments 4. Special Order Agenda Subject 4.4 Recognition of Jet Fowler, ACE of Florida Adult Education Teacher of the Year Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Recognition Goals 5. Objective 07 (Strategy Priority 3): Eliminate Gaps in Opportunity, Access, and Achievement for all Students BACKGROUND : Each year, the Adult and Community Educators (ACE) of Florida names a Teacher of the Year at their annual conference. This year, Clearview Adult High School (Standard Diploma) and GED teacher Jet Fowler was chosen as the Florida Adult Education Teacher of the Year out of nearly 3,500 full-time adult education teachers statewide. Jet’s success is proven in the vast number of graduates she has, but her impact is much bigger. Her no-nonsense, tell it like it is attitude inspires respect from her students. They trust her to know their personal background, and it allows them to feel she is invested in their success and future. The impact she has on every person she meets is one of the many reasons she deserves to be recognized for her incredible accomplishment in being named the ACE of Florida’s Adult Education Teacher of the Year. DATA SOURCES : William Mark Hunt, Executive Director, Career Technical and Adult Education SUBMITTED BY : Donnika M. Jones, Chief Academic Officer File Attachments 4. Special Order Agenda Subject 4.5 Recognition of Recipients of State and National Awards, Various Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Recognition BACKGROUND : The School Board is pleased to recognize students demonstrating excellence at state and national levels in academics and/or extra-curricular activities. Pinellas County Schools' students annually compete at prestigious events within the arts, athletics, career and technical education, JROTC, and academic programs. As part of the district's Strategic Priority 1: Academic Excellence Through Innovation, the School Board commends these students for bringing distinction to themselves, their school, the district, and the community. File Attachments 5. Public Comments on Agenda Items Subject 5.1 Meeting Procedures Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Information Meeting Procedures: The Board welcomes public comment. For those who wish to speak to the Board, please note the following: You are given three separate opportunities to speak. The first is during "Public Comment" on a topic not included in the agenda but pertaining to the general business of the district, and this opportunity occurs after adjournment of regular meetings. The second is on one or more agenda items upon which the Board will vote, and this opportunity occurs after the special order agenda at regular meetings and as appropriate at special meetings. The third is at public hearings, such as budget hearings and second readings on Board policy, when you are able to speak during the public hearing and regarding the topic of the public hearing. In each case, you Must register to speak with the Superintendent’s designee at the entrance to the meeting room as described below; Must register prior to the time the Chairperson calls for speakers for that speaking opportunity or before the last speaker for that opportunity concludes their comments, whichever is later; Will be called in the order you registered with the Superintendent's designee; Will be allotted three (3) minutes, which may only be extended with the approval of the chairperson or a majority vote of the Board; and May not yield your time to any other person. To avoid repetition, speakers supporting or opposing the same issue are encouraged to designate a spokesperson and have the spokesperson request that members of the audience supporting the position stand during the presentation. The following additional procedures apply depending upon the specific speaking opportunity: If a speaker wants to supplement their three (3) minute presentation, the speaker should provide the Board office with written materials prior to the meeting. Board members will make every effort to review these materials. Board members may not be able to review materials received less than two (2) business days prior to the Board meeting. The Board will not act on any matter raised by a speaker prior to the next regular meeting. If a majority of the Board desires to further consider a matter raised by a speaker, they will request the Superintendent to bring a recommendation at a future workshop or meeting or otherwise address the issue. It is generally the Board's practice not to respond to the issues brought forward by speakers except to correct inaccuracies or clarify issues. Speakers may not use any of the speaking opportunities to advertise or otherwise promote the interests of any commercial or other non-school organizations, except when recognizing school or district partners or when one of the exceptions in Policy 9700.01 applies. Further, no speaker may advertise or otherwise promote a political candidate, question or party. Regulation of Disruptive Speech Board meetings are a limited open forum for First Amendment purposes and your exercise of your First Amendment right of free speech in that context will be recognized and protected, subject to reasonable restrictions as to time, place and manner. Applause is permitted only when awards are granted. To ensure the expeditious and orderly process of Board meetings, the Chairperson may: Interrupt or terminate a speaker when his/her statement is not relevant, exceeds the time allotted or is abusive, threatening, defamatory, obscene, profane, loud, interruptive or otherwise interferes with the expeditious or orderly process of the meeting, as stated in s. 1001.372(3), Florida Statutes; and Order the removal of any person interfering with the expeditious or orderly process of the meeting, provided the Chairperson has first issued a warning that continued interference with the orderly processes of the meeting will result in removal. Nothing herein is intended, nor shall anything be construed, to limit or restrain negative, positive or neutral comments about the manner in which Board employees, agents, the Superintendent and Board members carry out their duties in public employment or office. Recording of Board Meetings are permitted under the following conditions: No obstructions are created between the Board and the audience. No interviews are conducted in the meeting room while the Board is in session. No commentary, adjustment of equipment or positioning of operators is made that would distract either the Board or members of the audience while the Board is in session. Revised 08/08/22 File Attachments 6. Unfinished Business 7. Consent Subject 7.1 Request Approval of the Minutes of the School Board Workshop of March 11, 2025 Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent), Minutes Recommended Action Approve the minutes of the school board workshop of March 11, 2025. File Attachments DRAFT Minutes School Board Workshop 3.11.2025.pdf (217 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.2 Request Approval of the Minutes of the School Board Meeting of March 25, 2025 Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent), Minutes Recommended Action Approve the minutes of the school board meeting of March 25, 2025. File Attachments DRAFT Minutes School Board Meeting 3.25.2025.pdf (222 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.3 Request Approval of the Personnel Recommendations - Administrative, Instructional and Supporting Services Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact Yes Budgeted Yes Budget Source Costs of personnel actions fall within the approved budget. Recommended Action Approve the Personnel Recommendations - Administrative, Instructional and Supporting Services - April 8, 2025. BACKGROUND : Florida law states that the school board shall act on personnel actions. The attached lists of personnel actions reflect recommendations in various areas including: Administrative - Change in Contract Status, Leave of Absences, Resignations and Retirements Instructional - Appointments, Change in Contract Status, Leave of Absences, Resignations, Retirements, Contracted Services, Substitutes and Teaching Out-of-Field (Teachers, ESOL, Co-Teacher, Long-Term Substitutes) Supporting Services - Appointments, Substitutes, Status Changes, Job Title Changes, Cost Center Changes, Leave of Absences, Resignations and Retirements RATIONALE : Human Resources Services strives to recruit, support, and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce. Approval of the administrative, instructional, and support services personnel actions are requested to continue to provide high-quality educational services. Human Resources Services has determined that all persons recommended by the superintendent met the minimum qualifications in the job description for the position to which the employee has been recommended. DATA SOURCES : District-level Administrators School-based Administrators SUBMITTED BY : Michael P. Vigue, Chief Human Resources Officer File Attachments Administrative Board Agenda April 08, 2025 [FY 24-25].pdf (93 KB) Administrative Board Agenda April 08, 2025 [FY 25-26].pdf (91 KB) Instructional Board Agenda April 08, 2025 [FY 24-25].pdf (194 KB) Supporting Services Board Agenda April 08, 2025 [FY 24-25].pdf (158 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.4 Request for Approval of Purchasing Items in Accordance With Bid Policies and Procedures Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact Yes Budgeted Yes Budget Source Funding is available in the various departmental budgets. Recommended Action Approve Purchasing items in accordance with bid policies and statutes. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 6: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility BACKGROUND : The purchasing documents and proposals on the attachment have been processed in accordance with applicable law and district purchasing policies. Each proposed contract award reflects the most appropriate recommended action, as determined by the relevant competitive solicitation process or applicable exemption. The purchases are necessary to continue to provide a high-quality education for all students. RATIONALE : Approval of the purchasing items will allow the district to continue to provide high-quality education for all students in an efficient and effective manner. DATA SOURCES : Stephen “Joe” Benjamin, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, Director, Purchasing SUBMITTED BY : Gary Jeppesen, MBA, Chief Financial Officer File Attachments PURCHASING AGENDA SUMMARY 4 8 25.pdf (1,387 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.5 Request Approval of the Agreement With Hepner Architects for Architectural and Construction Administration Services at the Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center in Connection With the Renovation of Building 5 in the Amount of $226,000, Project No. 9531 Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact Yes Budgeted Yes Budget Source The estimated total cost of this project is $2,700,000. The cost of this agreement is $226,000. The source of this funding is district capital outlay. Recommended Action Approve the agreement with Hepner Architects for the professional architectural services at the Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center in connection with the renovation of building 5. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 6: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility BACKGROUND : This project is for the renovation of Building 5 at the Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center. The goals of this project are to: Replace existing exterior glazing systems and doors to meet hurricane impact criteria. Repair the exterior building envelope. Provide HVAC systems, electrical systems, and low voltage systems. Provide a fire sprinkler system. Renovate restrooms to include new plumbing fixtures and finishes. According to Florida Statutes Section 287.055, Hepner Architects was selected as the design professional, and negotiations were conducted for architectural and construction administration services connected with the renovation project at the Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center. The agreement is attached. RATIONALE : Building 5 was stripped of damaged and non-code-compliant features and systems in 2022. Since then, a new roof has been installed, and the district has started using the facility for storage. This agreement will provide the design documents necessary for the corrective actions required to make the building code compliant for human occupancy. DATA SOURCES : David Koperski, School Board Attorney Craig D. Pollei, A.I.A., Director, Facilities Design and Construction Luiz Bahamondes, Senior Technical Project Coordinator Joseph Maceda, Financial Reporting Analyst, Facilities and Operations John Kidwell, AIA, LEED AP, Hepner Architects SUBMITTED BY : Clinton Herbic, Chief Operations Officer File Attachments Hepner Architects PAE Agreement Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center 4.8.25.pdf (538 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.6 Request Approval of Vehicle Use Agreements with Non-Profit Organizations for a Period of One Year Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact No Budgeted No Budget Source There is no financial impact to the district. Recommended Action Approve Vehicle Use Agreements with non-profit organizations for a period of one year. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 6: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility BACKGROUND : Camp Gan Israel of St. Petersburg, Lealman & Asian Neighborhood Family Center, R'Club Child Care, Inc., YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg and YMCA of the Suncoast have requested vehicle use agreements. Copies of the agreements are attached. Under Florida Statute 1006.261, a school district may provide to any non-profit organization the option to contract for the use of school buses to transport school-age children if they can provide liability protection for the district. Risk Management has set the minimum amounts of liability protection at $1,000,000 per person/$2,000,000 per occurrence as allowed by School Board policy. It requires the organization to hold the district harmless from liability in exchange for services provided at cost. These agreements also stipulate that the use of buses by these groups will not conflict with regular school board transportation schedules. RATIONALE : The district will continue providing this type of transportation service to non-profit organizations but shall not subject itself to additional liability exposures. The district requires these organizations to enter into a Vehicle Use Agreement to hold the district harmless from liability while providing these transportation services at cost. DATA SOURCES : David Koperski, School Board Attorney Thomas Hagewood, Director, Transportation Joseph Maceda, Financial Reporting Analyst, Facilities and Operations Rabbi Mendel Lebovics, Camp Director, Camp Gan Israel of St. Petersburg Donna McGill, Executive Director, Lealman & Asian Neighborhood Family Center Amy Shore, Executive Director, R'Club Child Care, Inc. Carla Struckoff, Director of Human Resources, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg Christian J. Engle, President and CEO, YMCA of the Suncoast SUBMITTED BY : Clinton Herbic, Chief Operations Officer File Attachments Chabad Jewish Center VUA 4.8.25.pdf (361 KB) Lealman & Asian Neighborhood Family Center VUA 4.8.25.pdf (380 KB) R'Club Child Care VUA 4.8.25.pdf (361 KB) YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg VUA 4.8.25.pdf (362 KB) YMCA of the Suncoast VUA 4.8.25.pdf (363 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.7 Request Approval to Sell District Surplus and Obsolete Fixed Assets by PublicSurplus.com Internet Auction Site or Royal Auction Group Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact No Budgeted No Budget Source Selling of the district’s surplus equipment through Royal Auction Group and PublicSurplus.com generates revenue for the district. Recommended Action Approve selling district surplus and obsolete fixed assets by PublicSurplus.com internet auction site or Royal Auction Group. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 6: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility BACKGROUND : The warehouse receives requests from schools and district sites to pick up surplus and obsolete property. A district property forum has been established for schools and district sites to post useful surplus items before they are disposed of, providing other district sites with the opportunity to obtain this surplus property. Warehouse trucks transfer the equipment to the surplus property warehouse for storage or disposal. District staff evaluates unclaimed surplus property. Property deemed no longer useful to the district is made available for sale to the public using an auction company and internet auction site. RATIONALE : The school board authorizes the sale of surplus property. Florida Statutes 274.05, 274.06, and 274.07 provide direction for the disposition and recording of obsolete surplus assets that no longer serve a useful function within the district. DATA SOURCES: Samantha L. Chastain, Executive Director, Budget and Resource Allocation Michael Hewett, Director, Maintenance Dustin Walker, Director, Food and Nutrition Brian Lowe, Vehicle Maintenance Specialist Robert Strader, Warehouse Coordinator SUBMITTED BY: Clinton Herbic, Chief Operations Officer File Attachments 4.8.25 Board Agenda Surplus List Workbook SELL.pdf (68 KB) 7. Consent Subject 7.8 Request Approval to Recycle, Cannibalize, Scrap or Donate District Surplus and Obsolete Fixed Assets Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact No Budgeted No Budget Source Scrap district surplus and obsolete fixed assets sent to recycling generates revenue for the district. Recommended Action Approve request to recycle, cannibalize, scrap or donate district surplus and obsolete fixed assets. Goals 4. Strategic Priority 6: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility BACKGROUND : The warehouse receives requests from schools and district sites to pick up surplus and obsolete technology equipment. Technology equipment over 5 years old and unrepairable is sent to the surplus warehouse to be physically checked in by onsite district support staff. Equipment found useful by onsite technical support staff may be reassigned to schools or district sites. Schools may keep obsolete technology equipment that meets their educational needs. Property deemed no longer useful to the district is sent to the recycling company. RATIONALE : The school board authorizes the sale of surplus property. Florida Statutes 274.05, 274.06, and 274.07 provide direction for the disposition and recording of obsolete surplus assets that no longer serve a useful function within the district. DATA SOURCES : Samantha L. Chastain, Executive Director, Budget and Resource Allocation Michael Hewett, Director, Maintenance Brian Lowe, Vehicle Maintenance Specialist Robert Strader, Warehouse Coordinator SUBMITTED BY : Clinton Herbic, Chief Operations Officer File Attachments Recycled Property Tagged Items for Board Aproval 4.8.25.pdf (135 KB) 8. Nonconsent 9. New Business Subject 9.1 Items Introduced by Superintendent Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Discussion, Information File Attachments 9. New Business Subject 9.2 Items Introduced by the School Board Attorney Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Discussion, Information File Attachments 9. New Business Subject 9.3 Items Introduced by the Board Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Discussion, Information File Attachments 9. New Business Subject 9.4 Review of Board Requests Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Discussion, Information File Attachments 10. Adjournment Subject 10.1 Adjourn Meeting Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Action Recommended Action Motion to Adjourn the Meeting The above recommendations to the School Board of Pinellas County are submitted for consideration and approval at the meeting of April 8, 2025. Kevin K. Hendrick, Superintendent of Schools. File Attachments 10. Adjournment Subject 10.2 Public Participation Meeting Apr 8, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting - 5 p.m. Type Procedural Meeting Procedures: The Board welcomes public comment. For those who wish to speak to the Board, please note the following: You are given three separate opportunities to speak. The first is during "Public Comment" on a topic not included in the agenda but pertaining to the general business of the district, and this opportunity occurs after adjournment of regular meetings. The second is on one or more agenda items upon which the Board will vote, and this opportunity occurs after the special order agenda at regular meetings and as appropriate at special meetings. The third is at public hearings, such as budget hearings and second readings on Board policy, when you are able to speak during the public hearing and regarding the topic of the public hearing. In each case, you Must register to speak with the Superintendent’s designee at the entrance to the meeting room as described below; Must register prior to the time the Chairperson calls for speakers for that speaking opportunity or before the last speaker for that opportunity concludes their comments, whichever is later; Will be called in the order you registered with the Superintendent's designee; Will be allotted three (3) minutes, which may only be extended with the approval of the chairperson or a majority vote of the Board; and May not yield your time to any other person. To avoid repetition, speakers supporting or opposing the same issue are encouraged to designate a spokesperson and have the spokesperson request that members of the audience supporting the position stand during the presentation. The following additional procedures apply depending upon the specific speaking opportunity: If a speaker wants to supplement their three (3) minute presentation, the speaker should provide the Board office with written materials prior to the meeting. Board members will make every effort to review these materials. Board members may not be able to review materials received less than two (2) business days prior to the Board meeting. The Board will not act on any matter raised by a speaker prior to the next regular meeting. If a majority of the Board desires to further consider a matter raised by a speaker, they will request the Superintendent to bring a recommendation at a future workshop or meeting or otherwise address the issue. It is generally the Board's practice not to respond to the issues brought forward by speakers except to correct inaccuracies or clarify issues. Speakers may not use any of the speaking opportunities to advertise or otherwise promote the interests of any commercial or other non-school organizations, except when recognizing school or district partners or when one of the exceptions in Policy 9700.01 applies. Further, no speaker may advertise or otherwise promote a political candidate, question or party. Regulation of Disruptive Speech Board meetings are a limited open forum for First Amendment purposes and your exercise of your First Amendment right of free speech in that context will be recognized and protected, subject to reasonable restrictions as to time, place and manner. Applause is permitted only when awards are granted. To ensure the expeditious and orderly process of Board meetings, the Chairperson may: Interrupt or terminate a speaker when his/her statement is not relevant, exceeds the time allotted or is abusive, threatening, defamatory, obscene, profane, loud, interruptive or otherwise interferes with the expeditious or orderly process of the meeting, as stated in s. 1001.372(3), Florida Statutes; and Order the removal of any person interfering with the expeditious or orderly process of the meeting, provided the Chairperson has first issued a warning that continued interference with the orderly processes of the meeting will result in removal. Nothing herein is intended, nor shall anything be construed, to limit or restrain negative, positive or neutral comments about the manner in which Board employees, agents, the Superintendent and Board members carry out their duties in public employment or office. Recording of Board Meetings are permitted under the following conditions: No obstructions are created between the Board and the audience. No interviews are conducted in the meeting room while the Board is in session. No commentary, adjustment of equipment or positioning of operators is made that would distract either the Board or members of the audience while the Board is in session. Revised 08/08/22 File Attachments