The accreditation renewal was presented by Laura Fogerty, Director of Climate and Culture, who welcomed the regional director of Cognia to the meeting.

Student achievements were at the forefront of the meeting, with numerous recognitions celebrating academic and extracurricular excellence. The winners of the 2024 Math Field Day were acknowledged, highlighting the mathematical prowess of students across various grade levels and schools. The Fine Arts curriculum specialist, Chris Goall, commended nine groups from across Clay County for their success at the 2024 FFCC Championships, where students earned medals in Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion categories.

Additionally, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, comprising approximately 32 high school and junior high students, was recognized for its role in promoting civic engagement and student voice in the community. Student leaders were praised for their communication and problem-solving abilities.

Artistic talents were also celebrated, with students being commended for their accomplishments at the annual Student Art Show and the FFCC Championships. The “Best in Show” recipients from the art show were announced, and students were called forward to accept recognition for their creative work.

The 2024-2025 drug-free schools calendar winners were recognized for their artwork, promoting the theme “be kind to your mind, live drug-free.” This initiative aims to encourage a healthy, drug-free lifestyle among students through creative expression.

Science fair achievements were another focal point, with the 24th Clay Rotary Science and Engineering Fair involving over 130 students.

The meeting also honored the recipients of the West Whitten scholarship and the Superintendent Florida PE Prepaid Scholarships. These scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors who excelled in academics and athletics, and who made contributions to their schools and communities. Aaron Grant and Tyler Davies were specifically recognized for their academic excellence and community service, with Davies also being acknowledged as a Youth Volunteer of the Year state finalist.

Public comments revealed community concerns and diverse opinions on educational issues. Echo Noa raised concerns about policies related to library books and the potential impact on students’ ability to explore their identities. Donald T spoke to the importance of reading and the National Day of Prayer in relation to educational performance. Speech language pathologists (SLPs) expressed concerns about their workload, compensation, and retention within the district, urging for competitive compensation and manageable workloads to ensure effective therapy services for students.

A parent shared an alarming experience regarding the care of her nonverbal, autistic, and diabetic child at school. Another community member called for stricter guidelines on library book content, while a father advocated for measures to protect community values and address issues like bullying and cell phone misuse among students.

The meeting addressed the removal of materials from libraries deemed obscene, with nearly 400 books removed for violating Florida statutes. This led to a vote on the procedures manual, which passed with a 3-2 decision. Resolutions were adopted, including the issuance of certificates of participation to fund school projects and proclamations to recognize May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month and as National Speech Language Hearing Month.

Vicky Kidwell from the CCEA highlighted the need for a long-term plan to increase teacher salaries to retain talented educators. Superintendent David Broskie presented on various district activities.

The board also discussed the upcoming hiring fair for teachers, emphasizing the opportunity for individuals with a bachelor’s degree to pursue a teaching career. The importance of registering children for kindergarten was stressed, and significant dates such as Ridgeview High School’s commencement and the last day of school for students and teachers were announced.