People MATTER
Recognition of the Hernando Legislative Delegation
Public Information Officer Karen Jordan introduced the members of the delegation, the District’s partners who work to obtain needed funding in Tallahassee. Senator Wilton Simpson, Representative Blaise Ingoglia, Representative Ralph Massullo and their aides. She gave each delegate a plaque of appreciation from the Hernando County School Board.
Superintendent John Stratton thanked them as well, saying the delegation was responsible for obtaining two $1 million grants for Hernando County. Though the grants were vetoed, Stratton said the effort is still appreciated.
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Recognition of Mary LeDoux and Cindy Stewart
Stratton announced the retirement of LeDoux (principal of Eastide Elementary School) and Stewart (Director of Federal Programs and Academic Services), saying they will be leaving a void. “You…are the epitome of what we want our up-and-coming administrators to be,” he said. He offered a personal word of thanks to each of them.
Gina Michalicka, Executive Director of Academic Services, gave a short history of their careers with the District. LeDoux, a teacher, assistant principal, and principal for 30 years was described as bringing passion and energy to everything she did. She worked with the teams of teachers and in administration, building and coaching them, supporting both teachers and parents. In 2014 LeDoux went to Eastside Elementary School and worked with the team of teachers to bring excellence to the school.
LeDoux thanked those who worked with her over the years. “The successes I have had in Hernando County I have not done alone,” she said. LeDoux said she felt the family environment when she began teaching in 1989 and feels that same way as she retires. She recognized the heart that the teachers and administrators have for the children and their successes.
Stewart has had many roles in the District since she began her career in 1991. She was a Title I lead teacher, assessment teacher and assistant principal, and supporting the Federal Programs. Stewart’s reputation for finding answers reaches to the State level, to the Department of Education, and she shares the information with others, Michalicka said. Stewart is an excellent example of a servant leader.
Stewart thanked LeDoux for her support when they worked together. She thanked others in the room as well, including Stratton and Michalicka, for the opportunities she was given.
Purchasing & Contracts MATTER
Items approved by consent agenda vote:
Interagency Agreement Between Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. and Hernando County School Board for the 2019-2020 School Year.
The purpose of this Agreement is to establish written procedures regarding the enforcement of “the compulsory school attendance law” for students who have been identified as “habitual truant: and the truancy problem has not been successfully remediated.
Approve the 2019-2020 Dual Enrollment (DE) Articulation Agreement Between University of Florida (UF) and the Hernando County School Board
The agreement will provide a seamless transition into postsecondary education and permit eligible students an opportunity to earn both high school and postsecondary educational credits.
Approval for Weeki Wachee High School to Participate in the College Board AP Capstone Diploma Program
Approve Contract with the YMCA of the Suncoast to Provide Before/After School and Summer Programs. The contract has a three year term and the financial impact is $41,400 for the 2019-2020 school year.
Approve Contract with the Boys and Girls Club of Hernando County to Provide Before/After School and Summer Programs. The financial impact is $54,000 for the 2019-2020 school year.
Approval of the Contract Between PACE Center for Girls of Hernando County and the Hernando County School District for Counseling Services to High Risk Females in Identified Schools. The financial impact is $275,000 for the 2019-2020 school year.
Approve Renewing Bid No. 16-912-29RN, Striping & Miscellaneous Repairs, to Parking Lot Restoration Specialist, LLC for the Services for an Estimated Annual Amount of $60,000.00 Approved By Consent Vote [Unanimous]
Approval to Purchase Agile Assessment and Issuance of Purchase Orders to Agile Mind, Inc. in the Amount of $54,899.00
Approval to Award Amendment 03 to the Contract with Allstate Construction, Inc. Project # C17-JE03 Hernando High School HVAC Replacement in the Amount of $2,177,874.00
Approval to Renew Piggybacking the School Board of Broward County, Florida Bid No. 16-107T for Bleacher Repair Services with Lyle Bleachers and to Issue Purchase Orders as Needed for an Estimated Amount of $30,000.00.
Approve the Agreement and Authorize the Purchase of Virtual Curriculum from Florida Virtual School, Pearson Online and Blended Learning K-12, Instructure – Canvas, and Multiple Vendors and Issuance of Purchase Orders on an as Needed Basis for an Estimated Annual Amount of $260,599.00.
Approve Renewing Bid No. 16-968-35, Network Cabling Projects to MF Lightwave, Inc. D/B/A Custom Cable and MCS of Tampa, Inc. for the Installation of Network Copper/Fiber Cabling and Authorize the Purchase of Goods And/Or Services on an as Needed Basis for an Estimated Annual Amount of $200,000.00.
Approval of Agreement with BayCare Behavioral Health and Hernando County School Board to Provide Services for Project StarFish and SeaHorse for the 2019-2020 School Year and Issue a Purchase Order in the Amount of $60,100.00. This Agreement allows BayCare Behavioral Health to provide mental health services including prevention, education, assessment, and counseling for student in Hernando County by highly qualified staff with clinical expertise.
Approval of the 2018-2019 Annual Comprehensive Safety Inspection Reports; The District total cost tabulation for repairing safety issues identified in the reports is $7,361,688.00.
Approve Piggybacking the School District of Lee County’s RFQ No. CQ18-0018TA Continuing Contract for Building Official Services Awarded to Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. and Approve the Contract and the Purchase of Building Official Services for an Estimated Annual Amount of $25,000.00.
Award Bid No. 20-405-04 RA, Petroleum Lubricants & Anti-Freeze, to Palmedale Oil Company, Inc. and Whetstone Oil Company, Inc., and Authorize the Purchase of the Goods as Needed for an Estimated Amount of $38,000
Approve Piggybacking the School District of Manatee County, Bid No. 17-0058-SM, Smallwares, to Clark Food Service Equipment, and Authorize the Purchase of the Goods And/Or Services for Estimated Amount of $100,000.00.
Approval of the renewal of the Risk Management Program Contract and Instructional Services Program Contract with Putnam County School Board on behalf of the Northeast Florida Educational Consortium and issuance of a PO in the amount of $2,854,817.97 for the contract and non-consortium member fee.
Items removed from consent agenda for discussion:
Cooperative Agreement between the School Board and Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC (YOI)
School board member Lodato asked why the cost is nearly doubled over the previous budget. Cathy Dofka, Director of Exceptional Student Education and Jill Kolasa, Supervisor of Exceptional Student Support Services responded that the previous contract covered only half the year. This year they are adding a teacher and paying for the entire school year.
Hatch moved to approve this item. Guadagnino seconded it. The item was approved 5-0.
MOA between Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Hernando County School Board for the 2019-2020 school year and a purchase order for an estimated $20,000.
Dofka stated the number of blind or visually impaired students has increased but there is currently only one teacher. The District uses services of Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to assist these students.
Lodato moved to approve this item. Hatch seconded it. It was approved 5-0.
Award beverage vending services to Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC for school vending machines district wide (RFP #20-393-01)
Joyce McIntyre (Director of Finance), Lori Drenth (Director of Food and Nutrition Services) were accompanied by two principals from the committee that determines the vendor. Guadagnino asked who determines the products that Coca-Cola puts in the machines, and who determines the prices.
The items are regulated by the “Smart Snack” guidelines or standards which soft drink providers agree to. The vendor sets the price, Drenth said, and all the schools have the same pricing.
Linda Prescott said students tell her they would like more slots for water as the water is always empty. One committee member cited poor customer service with the current vendor as a reason they are changing vendors.
Duval was concerned not only with the products but because of the contract. McIntyre said that the contract is like the previous contract with Pepsi. While not advocating Pepsi, Duval felt the 30% commission and products Coke offers are smaller. McIntyre said the choice reflects the decision of the committee, which sought input from principals of the district schools.
Guadagnino made the motion for this item. Hatch seconded it. The item was approved with a 4-1 vote. Duval cast the vote against it.
Purchase of Math Nation workbooks ($105,000)
John Morris, Supervisor of Secondary Programs, said the workbooks have been used for Algebra I in the past and as a supplemental resource. Math Nation lost funding from the State and the product is no longer free. Textbooks for 6th – 8th grade will also be purchased for one year and will include the free online resource. The material will meet the state standards.
For three years, the District has used other math subjects free of charge or purchased for less than $25,000. Algebra I is not free. Morris said this is less expensive than entering into a two-year contract with a textbook company.
The textbook adoption program is on hold due to a review at the state level. The district is using the workbooks as a supplement until the hold is lifted.
Hatch moved to approve the item and Lodato seconded it. The item was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Purchase of Eureka Math Practice books ($91,816.65)
Michelle Barash, Supervisor of Elementary Programs, said that because of the textbook adoption program on hold, teachers have been making copies of the supplemental resources. She said there have been issues with fidelity. The books are on DOE’s approved list of materials schools can purchase. They will be used in 1st and 2nd grades as direct instruction in the classroom.
The State is not providing additional funds for the practice books. Barash said they can use up to 50% of the money from the textbook adoption program on supplemental materials. She explained how the Task Force differs from the Textbook Adoption Committee, and that the members of one are not necessarily on the other committee. Barash discussed the cost of textbooks and professional development so the teachers can implement the material properly.
Hatch moved to approve this item. Guadagnino seconded it. The item was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Purchase of Origo Math Big Books and Practice Books ($96,696)
Barash said the cost covers the purchase of the Kindergarten materials for three years. It also includes professional development. Each classroom will receive 12 books. Literacy skills will be included in the math lessons. Each teacher will receive a kit of manipulatives and other materials.
Prescott moved to approve the item. Lodato seconded it. The item was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Purchase of Goods/Services from Curriculum Associates ($794,840.99)
Duval said she wanted to see additional data of the iReady program by school, not just by grade. Michalicka and Coordinator of Program Evaluation Sonsee Sanders responded to concerns about the cost, which is almost $300,000 more than last year’s initial cost.
Last year, the District requested additional funds periodically. Michalicka said the suggested amount she provided includes a “wish list” from principals of items they may want to purchase from iReady later in the year.
Some iReady materials are being used as supplemental materials due to the textbook adoption hold. The three-year contract for middle school Intensive Reading expired also. Professional Development is needed to help teachers use the data and provide better instruction to the students.
Michalicka said while there are good results from iReady, there are also some areas that she and Sanders agree need more focus. One is usage and pass rates. Winding Waters K8 is the only school that is not using the diagnostic and instructional pieces due to funding.
“This is not the magic bullet,” Michalicka said. It’s data that shows where students need help.
Guadagnino made the motion to approve the item. Lodato seconded it. The item was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Award bid for Low Voltage System Services ($500,000)
Bill Hall, Director of Fire and Safety, explained the amount will be used for security for schools. The $1 million that was vetoed would have made a difference, he said. There are many needs, but Hall could not discuss the details.
Hatch moved to approve the item. Lodato seconded it. The item was passed with a 5-0 vote.
Purchase additional training from Skyward Systems ($15,000)
Joe Amato, Supervisor of Technology and Information Systems, said while various departments are using the training or there are modules that have funding that has not been used yet, the request is for additional training for employees in Human Resources and Finance/Budget departments because it is a flexible and complex system.
Lodato made the motion to approve the item. Prescott seconded it. The item was approved with a 5-0 vote.
