The meeting opened with Vice-Chair Linda Prescott leading the invocation. Students from D.S. Parrott Middle School led the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was adopted with a 5-0 vote.
Student Represenative Ryan Bradley
Ryan Bradley, the Student Representative to the Board, was introduced. October is designated as Anti-Bullying Month. More than 30 students participated in a poster contest to combat bullying by encouraging kindness toward others. Several posters were displayed on the dais. Two students were invited to be recognized by the school board for the posters they created. The posters will be displayed at the schools as a reminder that it only takes one kind act to make a difference.
Presentations
Item # 3502: WREC Capital Credits
David Gonzales from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative read a letter from General Manager Billy E. Brown. Because the company is a nonprofit cooperative, capital credits are returned to customers. It provides electricity to its Hernando County customers at an average of $.09 per kilowatt. Gonzales presented the school district with a check for $176,515.02. Gus Guadagnino made the motion to accept the check. Kay Hatch seconded it. The motion passed 5-0.
Item # 3480: Principal of the Year
Gina Michalicka, Executive Director of Academic Services, presented the 2018-2019 Principal of the Year award to Lisa Cropley, principal at Challenger K8 who has served the district for 16 years. Michalicka praised Cropley’s commitment to her family, students at the school and the staff she supervises. Cropley uses data to improve the instruction at the school and shares that knowledge with students and their families.
Cropley meets with other elementary principals and is the lead principal for that group. She is also a mentor to new middle school principals. Known as “the rule follower”, Cropley leads by example and has high ethics and expectations for herself, and therefore encourages others to reach their own goals.
Stating she does not like that kind of public recognition, Cropley thanked Michalicka for the award. She was hired as a paraprofessional 17 years ago and gave credit to the leaders she worked for along the way. Cropley thanked the Challenger K8 teachers and staff for their excellence in the classroom and for their encouragement and efforts to make her a better leader. “This is for you,” she said.
Item # 3431: Hernando Schools is Bronze Award Flag winner for Health and Food Services
Lori Drenth, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, introduced Statewide Health Education Coordinator from FDOE’s Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools (FPHS), Rikita Patel. Districts complete self-assessments of both students and staff in the areas of physical, mental, and social health.
With 67 school districts, Patel said there is a large bank of data to draw from. She shared trends among middle and high school students. They include decreases in:
The percentage of students who reported riding to or from school with a driver under the influence of alcohol
The percentage of reported violence among students and their dates
Alcohol and tobacco use in students
Consumption of soda
Patel said that those are all good, there is an upward trend in the percentage of students who report they have thought about, planned, or tried to commit suicide. Addressing this will require more mental health education and awareness and additional programs.
In addition to students struggling with mental health or suicide, more than 87% of high school and 92% of middle school students express concern over issues such as drug abuse, dating violence, and teen pregnancy. Hernando County was awarded the Bronze Award Flag, showing a dedicated effort to meet those needs.
Patel identified Food and Nutrition Services Director Lori Drenth, Finance/Operations Specialist MaryAnne Lawson, and the School Health Advisory Council as having significant roles in bringing the award to Hernando County. The district scores reflect:
78% health services
73% nutrition services and education
67% family/community involvement
As a Bronze Award winner, Hernando County gains access to professional development, resources and technical assistance. The district is eligible to participate in the Healthy District Collaborative that the FDOE and DOH facilitates. The award expires in April 2020, but the wellness efforts should continue.
Item # 3459 Bookkeeper Awards
Joyce McIntyre, Director of Finance and Purchasing, presented awards to bookkeepers having 100% clean audit report the previous school year (2017-2018). A clean audit report means that the financial reports were examined for accuracy and no errors were found. McIntyre states this shows transparency and financial stewardship. Plaques were donated by the Hernando County Education Foundation.
Scott Hagland – Suncoast Elementary School
Ginny Dow – Powell Middle School
Carmen Aquiar – West Hern. Middle School
Tracy Ketchum – Hernando High School
Diane Cermak – Springstead High School
Jane Thomas – Weeki Wachee High School
Two bookkeepers were recognized for having 100% clean audits for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018:
Jennifer Vilardi – J.D. Floyd Elementary School
Carla Newman – Spring Hill Elem. School
Two bookkeepers were recognized for having 100% clean audits for three years in a row (2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018):
Christine Brown – Challenger K8
Clara Verrelli – Winding Waters K8
Item # 3496 Half Cent Sales Tax Accountability Committee Update
Lori Sowers presented the quarterly report from the Half Cent Sales Tax Accountability Committee. Because of the delay in receiving the sales tax from Tallahassee, the figures are available from the previous quarter. Sowers discussed the nearly $2.8 million received from July to September.
Citizens of the county passed the half cent sales tax in September 2015. Approximately $27 mill has been received, with an additional $111,000 in interest earned (total of $27.2 million). Purchase orders were issued in the summer against the expected revenue. The committee has paid $21.5 million for projects.
Gregg Laskoski asked to discuss the hardening of schools. Ideas are sent from each school district to the state, and from those ideas, the state will compile a list of best practices. Once that list is sent to the districts beginning in January 2019, it becomes a mandate. Laskoski said the concern is that these mandated best practices will be largely unfunded except for a projected amount of $800,000, or $38,000 per school.
Lodato thanked Laskoski and the committee. The next Half Cent Sales Tax Accountability Committee meeting is 02/06/18 at 8008 Mobley Road and is open to the public.
Item # 3495 Grant Approval
Tammy Brinker, Executive Director of the Hernando County Education Foundation (HCEF), presented $41,268.80 in grants that required board approval.
Nature Coast Technical High School – Human Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems – $1,160.00
Spring Hill Elementary School – The “A” in STEAM – $419.00
Challenger K8 – Flexible Seating for Classroom Success – $500.00
Nature Coast Technical High School – Digital Video Production – $2,500.00
Endeavor/Discovery Academies – Careers Making Educated Decisions – $2,000.00
Springs Coast Environmental Education Center – Dock – $5,475.00
Deltona Elementary School – Fit to Run Club – $500.00
Winding Waters K8 – Holocaust Historical Presentation – $1,500.00
Gulf Coast Academy – Robotic Reasoning – $1,950.00
Chococatti Elementary School – Micro Society Sustainable Farm – $5,000.00
Moton Elementary School – Diamond Del’s Gem Mining Adventure – $1,672.00
Fox Chapel Middle School – Teen Leadership Hernando – $5,000.00
Challenger K8 – FSA/EOC Math Boot Camp – $3,093.80
Duke Energy – zSpace Program (a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality experimental learning program) – $10,000.00 – Joe Simpson, manager of Generation Engineering and a Springstead High School graduate, represented Duke Energy’s presentation of the grant.
Guadagnino made the motion to accept the grants, and Prescott seconded the motion. The item passed with a vote of 5-0.
Item # 3450 Minutes Approval
There was no discussion for this item, as it was a simple approval of the minutes from meetings held on 10/23/18 and 11/20/18. Hatch offered the motion to approve and Prescott provided the second. The item was approved 5-0.
Adoption of Consent Agenda
Guadagnino asked for two items to be removed from the consent agenda. Board attorney Denis Alfonso clarified Consent Agenda #30, stating it was not a new bid, but a renewal. Duval requested five items to be moved from the consent agenda and Mr. Guadagnino asked for two items to be removed.
Prescott made the motion to approve the items remaining on the consent agenda. Hatch seconded the motion. It passed 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Personnel Recommendations
1. 3477 : Approval of Personnel Recommendations All Other Academic Services Division Agenda Items
2. 3433 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
3. 3445 : Approval of WWHS Chorus Trip to Six Flags Over GA Choral Performance, Atlanta, GA, May
4. 3486 : Approve the Collegiate High School Program Contract Between Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) and the Hernando County School District (HCSD)
5. 3493 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
All Other Business Services Division Agenda Items
6. 3399 : Approval to Accept the Audit of the Education Foundation for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2018
7. 3400 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
8. 3453 : Approve Deposit Account Resolution and New Signature Cards and Authorize the Execution of the Resolution and Signature Cards by the Board Chairperson and the Superintendent and Update Authorized Signers on Three (3) SunTrust Bank Accounts.
9. 3454 : Approve Deposit Account Resolution and Signature Card and Authorize the Execution of the Resolution and Signature Card by the Board
10. 3455 : Approve Disclosure Statement and Account Maintenance Form and Authorize the Execution of the Disclosure Statement and Account Maintenance Form by the Board Chairperson and the Superintendent on the Florida Prime Bank Account.
11. 3456 : Approve Corporate and Un-Incorporated Organization Resolution on the Renaissance Endowment with SunTrust Investment Securities, Inc.
12. 3457 : Approve Authorized Signers Form and Signatory Public Agency Addendum and Authorize Execution of the Approved Signers Form and Addendum by the Board Chairperson and the Superintendent on the Florida Education Investment Trust Fund Bank Account.
All Other Communications & Government Relations Agenda Items
13. 3446 : Approval of the 2018-19 Legislative Platform and Priorities
See related article here:
https://www.hernandosun.com/article/school-districts-legislative-priorities-2019-session
All Other Support Operations Division Agenda Items
14. 3444 : Accept Final Close Out Documents and Final Payment to the Contractor Reno Building, LLC, in the Amount of $39,543.73 for West Hernando Middle School Gymnasium Improvements
15. 3469 : Approval to Remove Condemned Portable #L50 Located at Eastside Elementary School from the Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) Inventory Report
16. 3483 : Approve the Spot Survey for the Educational Plant Five Year Survey Report for Westside Elementary School Building 4 Roof
17. 3485 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
All Other Purchase Order/Bid Agenda Items
18. 3422 : Approve the Issuance of an Additional Purchase Order in the Amount of $72,000.00 to CareerStaff Unlimited, Inc. to Provide Contract Services as Set-Forth in the Service Agreement for 2018-2019 that was Board Approved on May 8, 2018
19. 3432 : Approve the Purchase of Online Digital Curriculum, Practice Test, and Certification Exams from Certiport Inc. and Issuance of Purchase Orders on an as Needed Basis for an Estimated $1995.00
20. 3438 : Approve the Piggybacking of the School District of Broward County Bid #19-050B Appliance, Commercial Equipment, and Parts (Catalog) and Authorize the Purchase of Goods for an Estimated Annual Expenditure of $48,000.00
21. 3460 : Approval to Award Bid No. 19-936-12 Generator Equipment: On- Site Repairs & Preventive Maintenance Services to Paramount Power, Inc and Authorize Expenditures on an As-Needed Basis for an Estimated Annual Amount of $52,000.00.
22. 3461 : Approve the Terms & Conditions and Authorize the Purchase of Services from Performance Matters, Inc., for an Annual Amount of $149,487.19.
23. 3462 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
24. 3463 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
25. 3465 : Approve the Purchase of Cloud9World Social Emotional Literacy Series from Destination Knowledge and Approve an Additional Purchase Order to Destination Knowledge for $15,067.50.
26. 3468 has been moved to ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
27. 3471 : Award Bid No. 19-515-10, Lawn Maintenance Equipment, Parts & Accessories from Multiple Vendors for an Estimated Amount of $35,000
28. 3472 : Approve Renewing Bid No. 15-958-10 RN Waste Removal Services, to Progressive Waste Solutions and Authorize Expenditures on an as Needed Basis for an Estimated Annual Amount of $375,000.
29. 3473 : Approve Piggybacking School Board of Alachua County, Florida Bid No. IFB 18-13 for HVAC-R Equipment, Parts & Supplies, Awarded to Johnstone Supply (V-31557) and Approve the Contract and the Purchase of the Goods and Services for an Estimated Annual Amount of $60,000.00
30. 3474 : Approve Renewing Bid No. 18-556-24 RN, Charter Bus Services – as Needed, to Various Vendors for Charter Bus Service and Authorize the Purchase of Services for Estimated Annual of $180,000
31. 3479 : Approve the Final Payment of the Contract with Alarm & Communication Systems, Inc. for the Springstead High School Fire Alarm Replacement Project in the Amount of $64,254.00
32. 3481 : Approve the Final Payment of the Contract with Alarm & Communication Systems, Inc. for the Central High School Fire Alarm Replacement Project in the Amount of $43,148.00
33. 3482 : Approve the Amended Collaborative Agreement Between the Hernando County School Board and Premier Community Health Group, Inc. to Provide Services to Students and Families at Moton Elementary School and an Issuance of a Purchase Order in the Amount of $300,000.00.
34. 3484 : Approve the Agreement and Authorize the Purchase of Goods and Services from PCM for an Estimated Annual Cost of $ 144,325.00.
35. 3491 : Approve the Purchase of Online Courses for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Program from Edgenuity for $70,400.00.
36. 3494 : Approve the Purchase of Goods And/Or Services from Curriculum Associates and Issuance of a Purchase Order to Curriculum Associates for an Estimated Amount of $80,000.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR ACTION
3433 : Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between Hernando County Community Anti-Drug Coalition Dba Hernando Community Coalition (HCC) and Hernando County Schools
Board Chair Duval asked if there would be a report at the end of the year in regards to the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding. The answer was yes.
Linda Prescott said that in the presentation about student tobacco and drug use, the numbers are down and she would attribute that to HCC and the work of many teachers and staff. Pam Everett thanked Teresa Watson for including the school district in the HCC grant as well as including a part time substance abuse counselor for the school district at no cost to the district and providing the curriculum materials.
Approved 5-0.
3493 : Approve the Cooperative Agreement Between the School Board of Hernando County and Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC., Effective December 21, 2018 through June 30, 2019
Ms. Duval asked Mr. Stratton for a brief overview of this agreement.
Superintendent Stratton explained that Eckerd Youth Camp on Culbreath Rd is no longer run by the Eckerd Corporation as the Eckerd Corporation pulled out in September. In October the district was notified that they would be the educational liaison for the youth at the facility. Pinellas county had been responsible for the educational services under the Eckerd Corporation. The Eckerd Youth Camp is now known as Brooksville Academy and is operated by Youth Opportunity Investments through the Department of Juvenile Justice. Troubled youth are required to attend the 6-9 month residential program by the courts.
“Our responsibility is that we have to provide the education for those students,” said Stratton.
“It is a new venture that we’ve put together very very quickly.”
HCSD staff member Judith Everett added, “We feel like we have a good initial plan.”
Approved 5-0
3400 : Approval of Interim Unaudited Financial Statements for July 2018 through September 2018
Joyce McIntyre, Director of Financing and Purchasing gave an overview of this item.
“In a nutshell… this is the amount of money the district has taken in up to this date and the amount of money we’ve spent up to this date.”
Approved 5-0.
3485 : Approve the Annual Hernando County School District’s 2018-2019 5-Year District Work Plan
Ms. Duval asked about the construction of elementary schools cited in the 5-Year plan – Are they in alignment with the recent Tindale Oliver report they received.
A HCSD staff member answered in the affirmative.
Approved 5-0
3462 : Approval to Renew Bid #17-330-20 RN – Fencing: Materials, Installation & Repairs to CMK Construction, Inc and Hercules Fence Company, Inc and Authorize Expenditures on an As-Needed Basis for an Estimated Annual Amount of $600,000.00.
Gus Guadagnino asked about the figures- two years ago the bid was $115,000- now it’s $600,000. This is due to school hardening. Staff answered other questions regarding the bid details.
Approved 5-0.
3463 : Approve Piggybacking Board of County Commissioners Hernando County, Florida Bid No. 18-T00132, for Supply/Pick-Up And/Or Installation of Bahia and Floratam Sod Awarded to Creative Craftsman Enterprises, Inc., Dba Eddie’s Sod and Approve the Contract and the Purchase of the Goods and Services for an Estimated Amount as Needed for $15,000.
Staff clarified that the $15,000 in sod would be used for patch work.
Approved 5-0.
3468 : Approve the Purchase of Edgenuity Online and Credit Recovery Courses and Issue Purchase Order for an Estimated Amount of $15,000.00
Ms. Duval asked how can they assess whether Edgenuity is as rigorous as actual classroom instruction. HCSD staff member Sophia said that they use Edgenuity as a part of their adult high school program. No campus offers a full range of adult high school programs. “We have to get creative with the way we do it,” Sophia said. It’s a virtual program and there is a fantastic counselor that keeps everyone on track
Sophia remarked that she is satisfied with the rigor of the course. We’ve had five graduates already this year. There are 56 students currently enrolled.
Approved 5-0.
Citizens Input
See article below:
https://www.hernandosun.com/article/phsc-articulation-agreement-places-burden-high-school-guidance-counselors
For General Topics see the following article:
https://www.hernandosun.com/article/recurring-theme-school-board-citizen-comments-we-are-worth-it
Public Hearing Items
Item # 3393 – Controlled Choice Plan for 2019-2020
No one from the public came forward to discuss this item. Guadagnino made the motion to approve the Controlled Choice Plan that was offered at the 10/23/18 workshop. Hatch seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
Item # 3340 – Addendum to the K-12 School Procedures Handbook for the current school year (2018-2019)
No one approached the podium to speak about this item. This was discussed at the 10/09/18 workshop and the board gave tentative approval at that time. Prescott motioned to approve, and Hatch seconded the motion. The item was approved 5-0.
