School Board Meeting

>> don't it's a custom up in center. They don't get a at set that Notice that up its end, really dampened city able the Senate. One of his here do the was been side of the missing one. The couple say they would like. I look, this is one that could maybe see it. That to me, a little bit about that. And they call me in the press. The nca. They beat like going >> Gallo, you got to do. And yes, bit the in this easy miles lunar one year ago. Deaths MAY cool down out. Who end the him a call. >> And that's for mean, Hes in official I asked whom are be in all talking. It ended. >> Will be >> I can't that. Madison Eagle. >> I say all and nays sale. >> a living. A body that the fewest sacks >> it's a >> man, is that >> doesn't feel sexy. >> Welcome. It's what it does. It time others that that got a Good morning, everybody. And welcome to a beautiful day means the county AUGUST 8, 2025 school board, 80 county regular meeting. I want officially call this meeting to order on them and pass it over to MR. Kenny, for the reading of the district's vision and indication. Vision of the school district of Manatee County is that we will be an exemplary student focus school system. >> That develops lifelong learners to be globally competitive. And from a to some little different, I would just ask everybody for to join me in a moment of silence and reflection and appreciation for 4,000 roughly teachers in Paris that showed up for work yesterday to start the school year. So please join me South. Thanks very much. Chair. Thank If you please stand for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the states of America 2 which stands. Nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. MAY be seated. >> All right. We're going to move to number 5 on the agenda, which is the approval of the agenda of the chairs on good cause to amend the agenda, to include all items listed under agenda amendments on AUGUST, 5th, 3, 5, meeting updated 8/5/2025 and posted the district website meaty schools dot net. Some of the amendments were just adding of of some presentation items and things like that. We've got going on here later. So get a motion a second for the approval agenda. >> 2 moved Switzer second. There's a motion a second. Any. Discussion on agenda good. All right. Let's go to prove the Jennifer this evening or this morning's meeting. Still you put it in. Not click. I don't think so. Open up and then my apologies. You're good. Passes 5, 0, >> Item number 6 approval of minutes to protect haven't. >> Superintendent recommends approval the minutes of the JUNE 17th. 2025 school board meeting Minutes the JUNE. 24 2025 school Board workshop Minutes in the 6/24/2025 school board meeting Minutes. So moved. >> I am motion is any discussion on the approval of the minutes? I'm seeing none us could vote on the approval of the mention minutes by the superintendent. And that passes 5 to 0. I'm number 7. Exciting stuff today with some recognition. Dre as we're coming up. And or whoever wants to start. And then will, you know, we had a couple people discussing some play recognition, but great. Thank you. Thank school board superintendent and staff. Thank you for the opportunity 2 coming from you today to give some recognition to employees. >> I know that our school system, we always want to highlight our students, our staff or administration or schools for community because we know that we have the best. But we always want to make sure our community can see that a lot times it's to the school board meeting. So today we have a couple of people that we'd like to highlight to share with you the great things like they've done in the words that they received. So we start off with the organization that gave the 2 words that I'm going to speak about today. That's the Florida Association for Career Technical Education because factory so fact is the organization designed to facilitate official leadership and partnerships, essential to csx afloat, preparation of individuals to participate and world-class workforce. It was formed in 1926, in fact, is the only organization in the state of Florida that's solely dedicated to representing the interest of career and technical education. Membership in the association is open to all individuals, but it's comprised of secondary cte as well as post-secondary. Not only a technical colleges, but also at state colleges. So like to invite up to the podium to be presented one of the awards. So like to ask h# # . So if you would come forward. Tells the supervisor of communications and grants management at m t c. She received the award for professionals. From fact, that one of the highest awards that you can receive in the organization. And that's the Lifetime Achievement award. So this house, special gift of written communication not only informs but also gains favor grant funds are brought into the school system. More specifically to him to see. She's been writing grants for many years written grants for the Florida Department of Education, United States Department of Commerce and state of Florida for Representatives to request funding for the ntc projects. So some of the projects that she's worked on lately has been the 5.5 billion that we received for the aviation program. Also the 2.1 million for the aviation program. And she's also economic development award that's presently used for the hangar for Aviation program. These are victories that mtc bolsters. But we really know that it's more how behind the scenes writing the grants and making sure it has the right for bridge for a deal to go through. She's intricate part of the school. She's moving force of ntc to where she works tirelessly to make sure that the school has everything that it needs because she's also in charge of all the other grants on campus. So if you've ever one grant you have to right to grant some degree and get it approved and then you have to make sure the people do the grant will that the way they're supposed to. So she want to say she rules with iron fist, but she makes sure that everyone is guided the correct way to be able to spend the grant money. And she's very successful. We've never had any issues with any audits with grants. So we proudly present of us held a 2025 fact the Lifetime Achievement Award for dedication and service to bend you want to show all 5 us know that will point to all 5 when we do the cycle. Horrific not that I'm told that you're with your whole our second award is to another employee with them to see and all of our dog up come on up >> we know that ftc is the greatest in Florida. It has most programs in state of Florida. It's one of the most successful technical college and it's because of the man standing next to me. We have lot of achievements awards that we've been awarded through our cte programs with secondary as well because of the man standing next to me. Doug is receiving the fact the Hall of Fame. He was inducted into it at the fact conference that we had about a week ago. And the cool thing is that the conference at night they try to get things a little bit lighter and whatnot and we have a chance to build a have options to auction off stuff and that for scholarships. We also do something called musical. Bring go whichever advisable bingo cards and they play music in your market off and all that money goes for Fact, he was able to raise $10,000 for scholarships this year with those events. We have a short video afterwards. So I kind of want to tell you what it is. When you watch the video, you see what's going on. So Doug Wagner has been ct teach for many years and he stars educational career, Industrial Arts engineering technology in Clay County. And he was at the middle school high school waivers later he went to the cops level including University of South Florida. He worked 5 years at the Florida Department of Education as a state supervisor of technology, education. And for the last 25 years, he served with the school district here in Manatee County. He served in multiple roles, including director of and executive director of Adult Critical Education. Thank you for allowing me to step into your job. He also served 5 years as deputy superintendent at the same time as acting as director human Resources chief operating officer director of construction services and a lot of other places that had to fill in until we got people into those positions. So and 35 years of public education and career technical education, it's quite accomplishment for anyone that state and Doug is always been the leader the time. We go to any kind of meetings. Everyone rushes to decay. Got a question to question him doing this. What do we do, we do this? How to do that? Any time we have meetings and there was asked for us to share things. So it's really great showing all the stuff that he has done with his staff and with his administration that to see as well as in the district. He's always been active in many professional memberships, including fact e for 35 years. He also served on the board for National Career Academy Coalition. He did a lot of visitation of school improvement teams for the Florida Association for District superintendents. I served on the board of directors are breaching Area Economic Development Corporation. Also with being a director, one of the directors of Careersource Suncoast previously served on the board of directors for the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. That was a lot to say sorry, he's been PRESIDENT International Technology Association as well and work the Southern Region, Educational board, MR. Right. There's always been a champion of not only student learning but for career and technical education. Number here in Manatee County put through the whole state through the support that he does with the He's been huge advocate and building up the tsa, which is a technology student association, which is a national level. But he's done a lot with the Florida, the Florida side of it. When you write the Manatee County, he jumped into and pushed the Switch to the career technical student organizations for all of the organizations, not just tsa. He served as a founding member and still serves today with a field dot district workforce, education funding that steering committee many years ago even serve those the committee co-chair for fl Dot Perkins for State reauthorization. The Pfizer coming posting levels. We probably celebrate Magnums induction into the 2025. Fact Hall of Fame. Congratulations us. We can go now. I've got do >> You wouldn't picture is not. Asked for thank >> so Chair, thank you for the opportunity to build a share. Those awards that they have earned. They always say it's not just them. It's the whole team and we agree with that. But they are like the coaches what they do. We appreciate all of We do have a short video. So we have a short little 37 do about the award ceremony and everything we can that with you. Thank Thank you. >> best indeed. They come. In your chest. >> MR. >> Chair. Just one also can gradually more. How for her dedication to the school district to Manatee Technical College and well deserved lifetime achievement awards to congratulation MISS. How we're celebrating. 35 years of MR. Doug Wagner service to the school district as he retires here. He's got one more month left, but I think that's going to be on a boat, a vacation. But what I know we have a little video here, but we also have a special guest with from Congressman Vern Buchanan is offices here to read a letter from our congressman, Vern Buchanan. So thank you care for being here. And I think there's going to be the letter. >> It's mri there. You don't mind going they can dear. MISTER Wagner on behalf of the people of Florida's 16th congressional district. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your retirement after an extraordinary 35 years of service and public education. >> As your congressman, because this from burn. I am proud to represent you in Congress. Your dedication to the students, faculty and greater Manatee County community has left a lasting mark, particularly through your outstanding leadership at Manatee Technical College for more than 3 decades, you have championed academic excellence, workforce readiness in the life, changing power of education. Your commitment has inspired generations of learners and help shape the future of technical education in our region. As you retire. Please know that your contributions will continue to impact lives long after your final day in the office. Your passion professional with them and vision for education have set the standard for those who follow in your footsteps. I join your colleagues, students and friends and celebrating this remarkable milestone. Thank you for your unwavering service to our schools and community major retirement be filled with the joy. Rest in adventure. You so richly deserve warmest. Congratulations. And best wishes for the road ahead. Sincerely burned. Buchanan. >> I mean, I just thank you. Absolutely. Appreciate these recognitions working in education is so tough for everybody my hats off for everybody who's who continues to work in education day in and day out. No school district of Manatee County's a great school system. We have so many things to be proud of here. And the number one thing I truly believe is our staff, all the teachers, the staff, everybody works so hard to make a difference in our school system. So thank you for all this. It's been a wonderful career. 35 years. It's seems like it's flown by just like that. It seems like just yesterday I started teaching here I am now after 35 years. But it's just been a great, a great career for me in. And I know everyone who stays with it. We'll feel the same way as well. So thank you for these recognitions today. Thank Thank you. You. >> And I think we have one more video, MR. Chair, Congratulations doubt. We'll get a late night 6 months. I mean, we just pull you back in some way we'll figure out a way away. Have one more recognition if we can. I think that this question is that you me to leave it out? Can we didn't think so. This past Saturday, we had our back to school bash. >> Li Park and it was a great success over the years we've we've we've tinkered with a back-to-school type event. We used to have mtc other places and we might have found a home maybe Utley Com park. We had a great day. We we had some of our athletic coaches are football coaches start the day off earlier in the afternoon and then we let into up kind of a carnival type fair atmosphere at Lee Com with the breed to marauders and Pittsburgh Pirates to see some of the photos here at we had a I think over 1500 backpacks giveaway. We at almost five-thousand tickets just >> distribute Just distributed to families across Manatee County. >> We our brain River high school principal window Butler threw out the first pitch. I happen to threw out a first pitch and made it across the plate and we just had a great event. We have many of our if they can stand. If recognize many of our staff volunteer at the event and I just wanted thank for. It, took a of work to put that together. And and I'm usually the one who says, well, this is a great idea. And then and then everybody executed. So just really appreciate the hard work and dedication of our team to put that together. And I know our families. I had a great time and also so great game. Got interact. A lot of our nonprofit partners in a lot of our department offices and really prepare for back to school. So it's a great way to celebrate and and get ready for back to school and one of your colleagues had a little special moment that we thought we'd highlight in a little video that started the game off and the right way. And we're going to watch a little video and see what you all think. Beautiful rendition of the National anthem by a board member Cindy spray. It was a great way to start the game kind of made the cherry on top of for back to school Thank you. Missus. Pray for great addition of the national. >> We MAY have a meeting tradition. I think needing to the national anthem and after those phenomenal. >> Thank Thank you. I was I prayed all the way their trust >> thanks again to the team for their great work. And and we're ready for back to school. Thank you, MISTER Date. Fantastic. >> I removed to public comments this morning. We've got just one and that's margin phone down. >> It's great seeing everybody again, you Okay. Let me make sure these are right. I've got Superintendent Chapman CHAIRMAN Showed members of the board and staff. It's an honor to come before you this morning to give a personal. Thank you, Doug. Nurses leaving? Don't go yet. Appointment. A great friend and someone who has dedicated many years of his life to the betterment of the school district Manatee County. I'm marking Danny. I proudly serve this district for 10 years director of communications and also years as a teacher and volunteer Technology Student Association, an f one in schools adviser my husband, Pat retired from ntc as head of automotive technology and our son James taught pe and Oneco Elementary where he went to school. Throughout all the roles I've had working with the district. One person has always been there to make sure that the district's students have the tools to be job ready when they graduated. And that's Doug Wagner. Doug is my technical education. Mike Rowe hero. Always humble Doug's expertise that connecting people leveraging grants and opening doors is always set an example and led the way to putting Manatee County students at the top on state, national and even international stem maps. He always made sure Rcts is where the best equipped and have the resources to put students on the podium. These organizations such as tsa and skills always finish at the top personal examples of how the cte Department support fulfill dreams for hundreds of the students that I coached at Southeast High. We're winner. Tsa team finally won the number one position in Florida and in the nation also and became world champions in Formula One in schools in Singapore, in 2010, a team from Oneco Florida, seeing those students on stages across the world is truly a life changing experience. And now here's a good example. My friend's daughter Gabriele, who is blind. Was an honor student at Manatee High and an excellent cook. Her mom asked me about her going to ntc the study in the Culinary Arts program. Mary Control, of course, it was great idea. And so did I. So I went to duck to ask him if he could work this out. And he was like, well, there are knives and hot stoves. Let me go check with risk management. The result was that she was able to go mtc and receive her culinary certificate. And she also won a gold medal at skills in Kansas City. So that goes to show you he got it done. Doug's energy and caring for his job no matter what his role he's been is contagious and will be very hard to replace somehow. I don't think we've seen the last of dug in this district. He loves it too much, but it's time to smell the roses take a break, go on a boat and understand that you have impacted thousands of lives and all this love and appreciate you. Thank you. That concludes our public comment. We're going to move to reports and presentations. >> We have a presentation on the new school year updates, MR. Jensen, a beleaguered you want kickoff to 200st. And then just not that Jensen and the team. Yeah, thank you. Absolutely. I think you board members, Superintendent Chapman, MR. Arnold and I are going to kind of tag team a number of slides for you today. Just talking about some of the things that are that are newer reminders for the upcoming school year since will be welcoming students back on Monday. And the first. Slight, I think first 2 slides are really about one of the biggest projects that was completed over the summer a really new and exciting learning opportunity for students obviously were. We're opening our new Barbara, a Harvey on North River Ranch k through 8 campus. Well, coming. Students into a beautiful 2 story building that I really just have to, you know, commend our construction services departments and all the all the operational departments that really do all the work behind the scenes to make sure that these facilities are ready open for students on the first day of school so that students can walk into their new learning environment. Excited. And for those of you who are able to attend any of the staff picnic, Richard Quest or tours that Dre has been giving the new North Branch campus. You see that it is a beautiful campus and I think it's going to create some magical learning experiences along with the new school model. You know, it's going to be our first. Kind of dual campus. Kate experience with the lower campus. We have our k 3 learners at the upper campus. We have our for through a learners going to be doing some really innovating, innovative experiences around, you know, continuing the culture from Barbara Harvey Elementary through 8th grade. Now and then also really leaning into discussion based learning and students taking control of the learning that happens in the classroom. So lots of exciting things. And on a beautiful campus Barbie, Harvey. Next, we have are opening up the lake Manatee Manatee k through 8 campus and we had a community day just this past weekend on the same day as our our back-to-school night at Le Com and it was wonderful community day student-led tours again, a beautiful campus with the k 5 side opening this month, welcoming students back next week and then next year will be adding on the the k through 8 or the 6 through 8 side of that campus to make it our first from Scratch. K through campus. They're going to be doing all kinds of amazing leadership development with a leader in the program at the campus hallways designed around ecosystems and really kind of a design that that has students grow with the school so that its students move up in grade levels. The kind of moved to different areas of the school and its to just be a incredible learning experience for students for 9 years of their of their academic career. I was able to visit both of these campuses this last week. They looked phenomenal. If if you haven't gotten a chance to visit before school opens, please get out there. The Harvey campus, I went through at the Pair Civic Association was given a tour by the builder. >> So I went to that help answer questions about what this going to be happening in the school. Please feel to be there and helpful. It's phenomenal. It's absolutely to see everything. The builders are still frantically working finishing off that last bit of checklists to get everything ready. It looks terrific. I went to the community day for Lake Manatee. >> People kept coming. DR. Delia was there as well. People just kept coming. I parking lot twice to find a spot and and as I was leaving, there's a half an hour left in the Open house and people were still arriving the school looks phenomenal. As a former teacher, I'm completely jealous of their media center and wood. Commit to teaching elementary school again. If I could go working that media center, it's amazing. And the teachers were there and they were greeting kids and the staff and just I just Im very excited for both of these schools. It's a rare thing to be able open a school as a teacher or staff person. And to make it your own. And I just look forward to to what's coming from from both of these schools. Let's listen. And you know, obviously a lot of work's been done at these campuses, but that's not the extent of the construction services were thrust beautifying our existing campuses sell it. >> MR. Naughtie tell you about some of that work. >> Good morning. Board members, Superintendent Chapman, construction services and maintenance services have had very fruitful summer. And it's been a quick summer, but their minimum number of projects that had been completed and or started over the summer period. Probably 2 of the bigger ones are the completion of the three-year turf program for our high school stadium. So with the completion of Bayshore. And Parish Community High School, which will both be ready for the fall sports upcoming year. We've completed all 7 campuses at this point. Now have turf fields. So that was a that was a big push and we've got a completed and will ready for the first of for the fall. Sports and mission to that roof replacement. We actually did Roof replacement at 5 campuses ranging from 4 campuses to select buildings. So that part of that work was done over the summer. One of the things that you've heard in the past is we have underground chilled water piping that not a regular basis, but frequently fails. So we had a number of campuses. Moody Elementary School. We completed that underground work at Manatee Al and Lakewood Ranch. High School. We've commensal work to make sure that up and running for this school year. We did for firearm system upgrades on 4 campuses. We did flooring replacement at Lincoln Middle School in Lee Middle School and a gym floor replacement at King Middle School as well and tracked Re re surfacing with a rubber tracks at Manatee Lakewood Ranch High and Palmetto High School and commence the playground replacement that 3 of the campuses as well. So it's been fairly busy 8 to 9 weeks for those teams and those sets of contractors we work with and we really appreciate the effort that's been put forward because it has been a hot summer, especially in for over the last couple weeks. But the work has been done as well. We've obviously spent a lot of time discussing over the summer. You know, school grades, data and our collective commitment to early literacy and school. On fairness of students. >> Are ready to go from kindergarten to be successful academically and have strong 3rd grade reading outcomes. And I just a linchpin program in our in our district and community is soaring 4, which really contributes to that Pre-k through 12 push for strong academic success. We're continuing a lot of the great work of soaring for this year. You can see on the slide. We have our once a month Wednesday. Community programs which are which our parents can bring their their students to and and just engage at the Bishop Museum. See all of the exhibits engage with all kinds of community and education tables and resources. And then what I'm always amazed with, that's just how much her our parents walk away with to use at home with their kids to develop literacy. So it's just an amazing and free program and the more we can do to get the word out to have as many people participating that throughout the year, I think is a is a wonderful thing. So we're continuing that work. And of course, you know, launching this is all we're really excited again, a wonderful project in partnership with construction services and operations, Arce or located at the Harley Center. Just a magical, magical space. My eyes like so lit up as I walked right, just couldn't believe how incredible the space isn't. I just think people are going to have our people Andy Young learners are gonna have amazing experiences as they go through that space. Thanks to the magic of Dr helping and her team. So will be launching that having or I believe our grand opening here in SEPTEMBER. And then a few preview events. But it's going to be a wonderful resource for our community and and I look forward to welcoming people in you know, days nights and weekends to the lap. One of the one of the new and noteworthy changes that we definitely want to make sure all of our families are aware of is the District resuming elementary parent teacher conference nights night. So this is an old and older practice that kind of predates 2020 in the pandemic. When, you know, we would have a few early release stays throughout the course of the year where teachers and students early release at the elementary level and then exchange for those early release time. Our teachers stay late. A couple days in the first 3rd quarter around those times. And we do these parent teacher conference nights to really build relationships between our parents and our teachers to really bring the parents in to the school and provide them with a with, you know, resources and the ability consult with teacher about making sure that their students are successful. So I'm excited that this is now on the academic calendar for this year and for next So we hope continue this work. You can see what those early release stays are on this slide. I will make sure we notice those 2 parents closer to the day and we also have our parent teacher conference night states. And really it's just about building that bridge between between home and school inviting our parents into the school to be partners and their students education. So I'm excited that this is coming back into our schools and that will be resuming in this fall. So look forward to those states. Just have a quick question on that on that. >> Is there time is this after work hours? Yes, bore the teacher. But is that after work hour for the parents? Opportunities after look after school. I want make sure. >> I'm going to get a little bit into safety items of things and let you know that the speed zone cameras. >> Are going to be turned back on during a the upcoming school year. The city of Bradenton has 9 campuses that have the school zone cameras and it's our understanding they're going to be running those cameras during school hours as well at this point right now in Manatee County has not re implemented their program, but they're still in the process of evaluating their speed zone camera program as well. Quick question or Sorry, >> I wouldn't. As far as the county. I'm more concerned. >> About the schools that are on this. State highways. 64 70. I don't know how we can get through to the county and the state, but I don't Nico. In Manatee l. And whatever else is on major highways. Hey, oh, yeah. All of those. That's the ones I'm more concerned about. I mean, the county as far as like By Johnson or my. Palm. The you know, all of those I don't think is a big concern. But >> the ones that are on the major highways, we need to start really pushing. I would ask everyone to send e-mails to the county and to the state dot get those reestablished. >> I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, I do think that the county has anything to do with State Road. 64 State Road 70 because of the state roads. I think it's strictly did. >> But they could put pressure on sure where it us as a board chair them as a board and community people. Yeah. >> I would. I would definitely that something the board and I'm absolutely. >> Every kid, even you're taking it. >> Finding who are representative becoming presented to us number. Don't know it was all the new board was here. They came presented all that traffic like the new things they MAY be doing. You guys are that you get that information It's that way. Doesn't Like this will have 10, 15 years. And so but we can get those those representatives and here locally, you know, their offices right out there by the rain. And absolutely do something from a board today, but do some kind of right. >> a letter, maybe and see if the county will do a letter as well and shipped over there. >> Okay. And then we can work with MISTER Pendley with both both families identify those that are under the jurisdiction of fdot and highlight those ask for them based on of the amount of traffic flow, traffic counts that we see there that we would like I can implement. I appreciate that. Also reminder that our school buses are going to be back on the road. They're probably tomorrow morning is they're actually starting to do there. Trial runs and then beginning really learn all of the new routes that we have in place. So starting tomorrow, they're going to be on the roads or water are big yellow buses. But I wanted to remind everybody of some of the basic issues in regards to when a bus is stopped. But it's important. First to recognize that all motor vehicles need to and bicycles might stop for crossing guards. So that includes both within the cross walks as well as if we have individual bus aid that is out stopping traffic in order to allow students to cross the roadway as well. So it's important to be looking for the crossing Ates, too. But from the standpoint of when a bus stops and when our stop arm goes out as well. Keep in mind 2 way traffic you need to stop in both directions. Both coming to and from behind. Even a multi-lane paved median where you have the the turn lane in the middle there in its at that point, both coming and behind need to stop as well. And when the lights go on and win, the stop arm comes out. The only. Situation where you would not be stopping is if you have unpaved grassy median. Greater than 5 feet or there is a barrier then obviously that traffic, which is coming from behind, we'll stop. But those that coming towards that where it we asked for them to proceed with caution as well. So those are kind of the rules of the road when it comes to when to stop for a school Got. >> The Middle one never happen. Yeah, 40 >> quick question now. I saw. One of the media outlets, the 44th extension branch supposed to be open for the start of school. Thank you. Something fry this weekend, right? We can is is are looking at bus routes going that route as we anticipated that that would be open and with the route riding. >> Configurations we've developed that we're using that overpass as well. And we were watching closely, but I'm sure so hoping label leave some of the cross. Yes, Sycamore and 70 70 both. Well, that's great. >> I know this is this is always a really good reminder. Every year we we pretty much to the center will probably put on our social media and things like that. But the sheriff does to every year which is out there and I'm sure Brighton Police Department is too. But I know the sheriff but like I said that the that middle multi-lane paved that. Harvey, I mean, nobody's been blasted before because I stopped behind advice and Middle Lane. Some of was like just so irate. So that would really never, ever happens. MR. One of us, but all morning. So many bus drivers do we >> Okay. Right now we have 100 in 3 drivers. We still have 6 that are going through the training. They received their permits and going through the training. So we're hoping to have around 108 drivers. We've got a total of 98 routes right now. So I mean knows what they're never really excess drivers. But in theory, if everyone showed up for work, we'd be able to position drivers out in the field that if there is an accident or a bus is delayed because of some other situation that bus would be able to pick it up. But we're we're covered for those that call in sick as well. So going in were in pretty good It's like. >> The first time I remember a long time we've had over 100 last year. We were still in the low 90's. We gain for and moves 3. I mean, yes. Do you attribute the increase to? I think it was all the support the board gave We knew that we needed to move the salaries up. And we have, in fact, moved those salaries up to be one of the highest on on the Gulf Coast. And we've seen as a result of that, number of municipal drivers. It already have their permits all that to do is they get school bus certifications as well as it attracted additional drivers coming down from the north as well. So I mean, it was definitely. As a result of the salaries that we looking, you're going to not look forward to getting emails about students. Buses look, which is final victim. But have we got a lot lately. So that's good. Thank that >> Thank you. Along the line of safety. So we have expanded the evolve detection program. So this upcoming year, as you know, last year we introduced it at the high school level. So this upcoming year will be doing it at the 9th District. Middle schools as well. In addition, we have hired guardians to process those 18 units that we've released at this point right now. So that's a good program that's expanding and it's allowed us to get additional staff on campus. 2 per middle school, additional guardians. So from a safety and security standpoint. >> I think we're moving moving ahead and we're moving the ball that too, as well. Thank you for your support and that program. >> One of the new things that we've introduced is the Perry, whether program in this is actually of fixed, whether module we're going to be installing them on all of the high school campuses as well as Myakka. >> And Manatee Myakka and Andy Murray Elementary School. And it's kind of app based. >> system able to provide warnings, but it's really going to be district-wide. So principal or a pe teacher on an elementary campus will be tied into the closest weather station be at a high school or be one of the 2 elementary schools and they'll be able to download and received the warnings. Relatives, the Lightning Rowe relative to the wet ball issue, which is critical with Fhs, a a having put back in place for the safety of student athletes. So in addition to that, we will have access through a local meteorologist when students are traveling outside of our area will be will be able to get feedback on what the anticipated Weathers would be at future locations as well. So we're pretty excited about that. All right. Now, they actually in the process installation and we expect installation be complete by the end of next week as well. So that's another new program that jump in real quick of options. >> I want to give at least initial que doesn't know how it went after that Scarborough. I brought this up. I want to say last year when I found out that that Sarasota County was using it, especially for athletics obviously the wet ball, but also lightning detection. Things like that. I was not even thinking how old other schools can can. Be affected by this you know, I mean, I don't know if elementary school pe teachers have a lightning detector on that. You know, be like thank you do when you're out on the athletic field, things like that. And so, you know, car like, well, this could be used far more than just on football field. Soccer field across baseball. Whatever. So kudos to 2 this government. This is something I think is gonna be phenomenally for the sports and for the teams, but also like to surround the elementary schools are going to be able to have access to this and and no, like, maybe it's not a good day to go outside when it's the wet ball. Does whatever it is. You know what all does humidity plus heat little bit of everything. So it's not just like the heat temperature. So, yeah. So this is this is I really appreciate guys look into this and and get this time is spent. >> And to to that even like band going out practice and all of those other kind of things. So my question is, is this going to be Rick Choir to be downloaded on app. The app be downloaded on. >> Teachers, phones, principals, administrators, how how is that going to be done? >> I think we're starting next week, which is kind of the installation of probably going to start with that too. And athletics lens, right? And then like you said, I think there's a lot of different uses for it. So we're going to just have to make a and implementation plan. Look at how. We can roll this out in a way that, you know, useful to our to our staff, but also not burdensome on them. And >> what bring you need to have that right, right? They're never going to be, you know, kitchen staff probably would never, you know, need to have the habit. >> But staff that would be walking with students from, you know, outside from our classroom to another day, So it's just going to have to. Kind of be a. Targeted group of people. That would mean that app on devices. >> So we'll continue to bring you updates as roll it out to different groups within the district might like best and impatient and or dance teams that are out on field 10, sports, especially so great. >> Little brief, transportation. So this upcoming year with our writing, we've got little over 1700 school bus stops county as we discussed, were over 100 bus drivers around 103 with others in training right now. Upcoming year. We're expecting 20 new buses to be delivered during this year. So a little bit of a backlog of last year's buses that were supposed to be coming and this year buses that we're we're ordering as well. And those on newer buses will have lighted school bus signage as well as the stop arms. In addition to that, they have the the drop-down seats that I showed previously. The stop arm pilot program is getting ready to start as well. We're going retro fit. A couple of the camera systems on the buses and see how they operate. We're still working with law enforcement because we can take the video, but they need to initiate the actual citation. So we're still working with them on that. One of one of new programs that we're working on in the state just gave its approval to do is call the super single pilot higher pilot programs on the back of a school bus. You've got 2 tires right now we're looking at doing a single tire and the state is authorizes. Do a pilot yams and some of the vendors over the next 12 to 24 months. The expectation is it does reduce spending by about 12% her tire. But it also does help with the fuel consumption as well as tire longevity. So we're one of the first districts. Take a look at So we're looking that looking at that with transportation as well. And we're excited about that. Any questions on transportation years. Food and Leaving Monday, right? And wave early Monday. So the final updates for the summer meals as they served a little bit over 186,000 males this summer at the 66 summer sites. They did the count. Kid Wellness. Fair at Lincoln Park on JULY 24th. They served a little bit over 500 meals during that event and they're pretty excited about upcoming school year. I mean, looking at what children students want to eat. So they've got. >> The bowl, bows items. >> Coming onto the menu, a Korean Bowl mojo Bowl. >> During a little bit with some street corn. But the one that I'm a little worried about is I'm not how good the Dill pickle pizza is. And I'm not sure who wants to be the guinea pig for that I might try. That is the time of pizza person. But I mean, they're looking at innovative ways to bring good strong food to to the student >> I I attended the wellness fair at Lincoln Park. And as we know, the summer has been sweltering. So I want to get from to all of the staff who are out there. And it was it wasn't just food service staff that was staff across the board from all levels from from the department. Were there passing things out talking the families, making sure they're signed up for their for their meals if they need it. They they did a phenomenal job out there. We've got, you know, 100 staff too, go out serve meals at all of the 66 sites all over the district and it's not just, you know, at schools. That's it. Mobile there in the community, their churches. And I also want to thank all the volunteers also who come from our partners such as Meals on wheels, various churches who also come out and help help do this every week. To get these kids fed during the summer. It's it's an incredible program. No kid should be hungry ever. And so I just wanted to put those props out there to as well. Real big of question it came >> last the presentation at Kiwanis and some had a question about all those meals be served during the summertime. You know that you just highlighted there. Are we doing anything I would imagine we would. But are we doing anything educational components during that much? I like the company to be the severity every allowing them to do anything. It's been question for you, obviously, MR. Jin to there's somebody out allowing the students like. Read a book by showing their or do I ready? But I ready. But whatever. With the new is that something we offer? I have to follow up with you, check touched base with Regina. Kind of see what the different. >> Duration side. I don't know if I don't know if the Regis serve the students. Walk in, grab bag lunch leaving. >> So some are, but some have fixed events you were talking about. Obviously there at the launch a bag and just leaving, providing anything there. But if they were, if if we're offering, we had a chance for them to sit down. It could be a chance to continue some wood-burning during summertime. Get that information for you. >> On the buses that they bring, their is ceding both outside and inside. So if you want to come inside and down and air conditioning, they do have that available so that is an option as at the one summer event on the 24th. They had lots of activities there in community members and organizations there during games stuff like that. But and, you know, it's probably rare occurrence, but they do have a chance to sit down in indoors. Andy, does GOD GOD, I putting on event like that? >> It's not really sick every day by any means. But I would just it was a question from some of the community. Okay. You've got that many kids here coming is probably consistently the same kids. And we know there's obviously learning drop-off during the summertime for every job tip mean, you know, you go hide its for 2 months. So they were just that there was a note that we offer anything so I was just wondering, that's great. That's great question. So we'll follow up with Thanks. >> Okay. The next slide. And I think my last one is just another way worse. You know, a new system where we're launching for the school year in a way to again improve the the school and family relationship. We're launching a new focus communications module. So this will be a new system that are schools and districts able to use to communicate with our parents. We're kind of phasing implementation like we're doing with Perry, whether so, you know, we're obviously starting at at the district level and with principles for their messages call outs and then will be able to roll it all the different features of it to our teachers as well. But the idea is that it provides a centralized stop for them to communicate with families and do so in a way where you can reach out to e-mail out too text or voice translate into different messages and it's all captured within that focus platforms already has the parents contact information in there and it can do things like translated into other languages with speech I think there's robust ecosystem of features there that, you know, as we roll them will benefit everyone from our district administrators all the way down to an individual classroom. Teacher said this is a new system for the school year that we've highlighted last year at a few sites and now will be rolled district-wide for this year. Yeah, I think There could be could. Could you remind community members? I've seen a lot of schools doing this. >> Already kind of on their own. Just a quick reminder about the new cell phone policy. I know for elementary and high schools, not much but >> Absolutely. This was an integrated into the code of conduct that was just approved by the board. But it doesn't. It's not unique to Manatee County. This is obviously a requirement of state law. The new cell phone policy and we are sending out reminders of school be all principals, something to push out to communities. So we're trying to be as transparent and as he possibly But essentially from from k through 8. So your elementary middle schools, no cell phone use during the school day. So from the start of the student data, the end of the student day, no cell phone use, you know, even during like lunch periods at center and then at the high school level, it hasn't changed from our from our existing policy, which is essentially you're not supposed to be using your cell phone unless it during instructional time unless it's with authorization from the teacher. What changes that k through 8 period of time where we're century from the beginning of student data. The end of the student pay on cell phone use per state law. Okay. Thank you. Excellent. As That's going to big. >> Culture shock to start it is start the school year. >> It's great and I want to tag on to I spoke. I've spoken to several teachers. Why? They had that unless instructed by the teacher. It was initially done that way because we did not have. Computers and IPads in our classrooms at the time. So it was a shared computer that they were using. I guess, from years ago. But today I believe we have the technology in every classroom that I don't think even in high school. They should. Teacher should be telling a student to get their cell phone out because a few things. There are parents that don't allow their kids to have a cell phone. So I think that's contradictory to what we should be doing in place so market on their to well, that policy because I'd like to modify that. To eliminate that one line. I mean, bill, the bill, I don't think should be any different elementary middle to high. >> And I believe in Dr PRESIDENT Can shake your head. Yes, I mean, if this is accurate that we have some districts around the state as part of this new longer doing pilot programs about restricting the cell phone use at high school. And so on. And the on good to and board members that have done that. >> But then the pilot on their own home. And they've had great success with that. >> So this will be a I think, a great year to take a look at what those districts have done. What the impact on the student learning has been with the impact on the community and the feedback from parents has been and then we can provide that to you. So you can make a decision about, you know, what's in the best interest of our our schools to think. >> to give you a little little bit of hr update. But I did receive a tax from Regina Toma and she said that they do partner with the library's in regards locations and but we'll dig deeper into those partnerships, human resources over, you know, MAY through AUGUST a little bit over 7,000 transactions, 423 hires 276 transfers and 118 retires. They're going to continue to hold both in person for the operations side, job fairs as well as doing the online job fairs. So there continued recruiting. And I just got the numbers. So during the month of JULY, we had as many 88 teacher openings. Right now. We're at 39 teacher openings as of today, Parrot openings. We're at 39, most of last month. And we're at 37 right now. So we're going to continue to recruit, but we're in pretty good shape in regards to the teachers and the numbers are coming down as well. This summer. I think one of the things that we had ad during our leadership conference is we had the sheriff's office come in. And work through with everyone, Independents, which is all the school-based leadership principals and assistant principals on what? Steps need to be taken in order to ensure a safe environment on the campus is what the reporting methodologies are. So it was a really good question or answer process and a number of scenarios they presented to us and walk walk us through the scenario. So and was good dialogue and to have them in the room. And I at some point we're going to be actually bringing out the same group to the board as well. So you can go through some of the scenario processes they put leadership through as well. So that was that was a bit. In addition to that teacher that ended 3 days of professional learning. Over the summer. So I would say at this point ready for school We've got a lot of new things happening. We've got the reinforcement of a lot of existing processes and procedures in place and I know my staff is excited and I know Derek's group is excited as well. So we're ready for the school year. Yes, thank you. You just to confirm with that the board of the public, we do have a workshop coming up. >> Detective coming in the same that from the sheriff's office that present to leadership and to the staff and I know that's something that we all you know at last. Several months with some events, that was something we want to reiterate. But the district people out there, you know, just the public that that we were going to do everything, you know, possibly could to make sure everyone understood. You know, the reporting training the safety of our students except and I just one more thing. And this felt that up after me. But I would just say awesome to see like how many teachers did participate in the summer. That's fantastic. You know, with me offers some supplemental pay coming in. Get professional development done like this is what we see. Right? So, yeah, you know, to the team and we do this for a couple years now. But I love that. Never get teachers in the summertime for some that professional development. I was just going to piggyback off of that. I visited. And it >> Parking at Braden River High School overflowed to empty seats parking lot >> there were so many people there and it was amazing to see so many people come out >> to attend those. I through the hundreds of offerings that were available for teachers of all kinds of subject areas and the so I just want to commend the curriculum staff, everybody. Y'all didn't great putting that together. There were things out there that I didn't even know existed, that you had offered U.S. Training for our teachers and staff. So just well done. It word thank you very much for that presentation. Some good stuff in really excited about the school year. So. He minutes as you haven't MR. Chair and board the of our instructional leads. Here are all of our executive director's son instructional side and just want to thank them. >> For their hard work in preparing our schools and students and teachers. >> And all summer long and working with our principals, assistant principals. But these are our. >> Our senior executives who run all of our schools and just want to thank them publicly for their work in. I'm sure they're ready to get school started. And as we as we welcome teachers and step back this week and then students next week. So thank you, MR. Thank you. Thank you. The camera get. >> All them there. And back we got thing. They're going to get hate mail. Think that presentation of really appreciated. I'm number 10 consent items Superintendent Tampa. >> Superintendent recommends approval of the consent agenda for the school board meeting 8/5/2025. All right. We have motion is second to approve the consent items. Let's go ahead and vote on. Those consent items presented to us. That's 5 to 0. That passes 5 to 0. Moving on to number 13, new business with the Super recommendations. So item number one, superintendent superintendent, recommends approval of the new job description and position of foster care liaison. So moved The travel, if you would just give brief description on what this job entails for the public. Thank you. This is very key position in the district. >> Manatee County has a wonderful embracing community of foster care families who really embrace our foster care students and those children who go through the foster care system. It's we're pretty high numbers here in Manatee County and we have a lot of nonprofits and government groups all working together to help those families and those students in. We really need a roll position here to coordinate and help those families and students through this process. And this position is is very much needed thanks to the United Way Suncoast. They're helping to fund this position through the through there. A donation from the unit now uh Suncoast and then also for my title program. So again, a very needed position and we're excited to get this person on board get involved in our in our in our schools. And with this important population of students and families. >> yet it's I just want to say. I'm extremely excited about this position. I know we had kind of a liaison before, but I think this is going to be. More definitive and working more with community in a foster. Care program. I serve on to other boards for foster care. So I'm excited about this position. And yeah, be interested. Who applies to To be honest, I think that they'll be a lot. The people I hope there'll be a lot of people interested. So. I want to say please, hr push this out because especially into the foster network and 2. Dcf. You never know somebody might be willing to come over to our side and work with us. So I'm really excited about this position and thank you to Suncoast for helping fund it. >> I've seen other board members and up to speak. We've got a motion in second to approve this position. So let's go ahead and vote on. Approval of the new job description of foster care and the a's on in that. Proof 5, superintendent, part item number 2. See if I can say this, but the superintendent recommends approval of reimbursement. >> Resolution 2025, dash 207. We're expenditures consisting of new high school. Aaa renovations to Moody Elementary School. And in addition to Lake Manatee k 8 school. So moved second, motion in a second, MR. Trump, if you just would >> explain this little bit or if you want seller Yemenis sellers can explain spy better than I can. Yes. Think okay. This resolution doesn't obligate board to issue debt for these projects, but it does serve and give the district the ability for any capital costs that we do expend prior to issuance for debt that could issued for these particular projects and this has been a practice we've done in the prior certificates of participation that issued as we were teeing up, getting ready for this project as well. >> usually normally do this should. >> since for superintendent ever since first going to be discussing this at the workshop on Friday to visit, how does that impact? Item on the agenda? I mean, we haven't really decided what we're going to do. For the project. So. >> Right. What got presented to the board at that last workshop? It was the the lesser expensive for that high school project. These all 3 items that were put presented in the presentation. So those are the particular costs that are mentioned here. We would reviser we do if something got determined that there was a different direction, this was going in. We just capturing that moment. Time now since we're getting ready to possibly do things with that since especially because the other 2 projects, the movie and the other edition Hatton been on reimbursement resolution that brought back up late in MAY. So it's capturing new projects. Plus, a revised price. But it would we would change projects that are inside the budget for the capital plan based on what happens in future discussions >> Prison costs are being realized star like the architectural fees surveying Sorrells reports. So those type of things that if we decide to move forward, then we'd be able to roll that into the cost of the cops. Where is if we decide not. We've just got that data and that design work already completed. We don't issue the cops. So really is no. Commitment to do anything. Cops wise as a result of this resolution. Here's a new one of the options was too. >> Not build school. Addition to bring rivers. So we're not going to be spending any money the board is made of determination of which one of the 3 options. That's what I wanted to that you >> This just allows us to say, hey, we're going to get reimbursed for the stuff. That's right. You once we do the cops, if it if we do the cops and all right. Are those thanks for explaining that until kind of mean think it's legal place while that we've got to say. We can't we can't reverse ourselves. Cops are going to do. Legal. Need the jobs to MR. Any other questions the one's that up to speak says go vote on the approval of the reimbursement Lou shunt we 25 Dash 0, 0, 7, And that passes 5 to 0. Item.