The meeting’s most pressing topic revolved around the challenges faced by families with children requiring special education services. Parents raised numerous concerns about the district’s new Personal Instructional Plan (PIP) and indemnification requirements, which some believe hold them personally and financially responsible for their children’s educational needs. One parent argued that the new policy “violates the statute” by imposing additional requirements not specified in law. The indemnification agreement mandates parents to repay the district for damages within thirty days or face interest charges, which many parents found inappropriate for what is supposed to be a “free and appropriate education.”

A parent named Jax shared a personal story about his cousin Grayson, who has autism. Jax described the critical role of a support staff member, Miss Morgan, in helping Grayson develop social skills and confidence. He urged the board to consider the needs of children like Grayson when making decisions, emphasizing the importance of dedicated support staff.

Another speaker, Jessica Severn, representing special needs families, highlighted the ongoing teacher shortages and the challenges in hiring qualified staff. She stated, “Best way to support teachers is for students to be supported,” advocating for more classroom resources to help teachers manage students with special needs. Severn expressed concerns about the new indemnification agreement and questioned whether similar requirements are imposed on parents of neurotypical children, emphasizing the need for a roundtable meeting to discuss these issues before the school year begins.

Decia Swazo, part of the Project ABA group, voiced disappointment over the lack of collaboration from the district in policy changes. She criticized the updated PIP, claiming it imposes unnecessary barriers preventing parents from advocating effectively for their children. “This PIP is full of barriers,” she stated, arguing that school principals should not solely decide on the presence of Behavior Analysts in schools, as this can limit support for children with disabilities.

Erika Spano recounted her experience with bureaucratic delays in securing services for her son, warning that the new procedures could exacerbate these delays, potentially harming students needing timely support. Jennifer Stitch, a behavior analyst, appreciated the district’s efforts to gather feedback but noted areas for improvement in the PIP, advocating for clear communication about classroom space for private services.

Gabby, a parent, shared her struggle to obtain resources for her son with anxiety, highlighting the emotional toll of navigating the system. She emphasized the success her son found using his Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) during summer school, which helped him manage anxiety and engage more with peers. April Cobb echoed the frustrations of other parents, criticizing the barriers they face when advocating for their children. She highlighted the disproportionate suspension rates of Black students and requested that discipline data be made available on school websites to promote transparency and accountability.

There was a consensus that the document related to policy changes should be tabled until further meetings with parents could take place, allowing for their voices to be included before final decisions are made.

The meeting also focused on infrastructure challenges, particularly concerning overcrowding in schools and the construction of new facilities. The approval of the 2024-’25 Tentative Educational Facilities Plan was a major agenda item, involving discussions on major repairs, renovations, new construction, and projected capital outlay revenues for a five-year period. Concerns were raised about overcrowding in areas like Plant City, where Strawberry Crest High School reportedly operates at 110% capacity. Member Rendon pointed out that several elementary schools are also exceeding capacity, with Shields Middle School housing an entire sixth grade in portable classrooms. She emphasized the urgency of addressing these needs, highlighting that “there are 5,000 homes feeding into these schools that are building right now,” exacerbating the issue.

Member Vaughn questioned the district’s plans for Strawberry Crest High School. Superintendent Ayres confirmed that a long-term solution involves constructing a new high school in Plant City, which would help address overcrowding. However, financial constraints limit the district’s ability to build new facilities urgently.

The board also discussed the approval of a guaranteed maximum price for constructing a new career center building project in Plant City. The center aims to serve 900 students during the day and additional students at night, focusing on vocational and technical training. Member Combs expressed excitement about the career center, emphasizing its importance for vocational and technical training. She raised questions about the proximity of potential students to the new center, noting that many currently travel to other areas for similar programs.

Discussions regarding the Classical Learning Test (CLT) and its implications for student graduation rates were also significant. Superintendent Ayres introduced the item, indicating that Christina Rayburn, the Executive Director of High School Programs, would field any questions. Combs expressed gratitude for the discussions surrounding graduation rates and questioned why certain students could pass while others did not meet benchmarks on standardized tests. Vaughn sought clarification on the increase in the number of students eligible to take the CLT, confirming that the state had increased the number of tests, making it more accessible. She emphasized the importance of communicating this to families, noting that 1,000 students graduated using their CLT scores as part of their diploma requirements.

Financial matters were another critical discussion point, particularly the presentation of the first public hearing on the millage rates and the tentative budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The Superintendent highlighted the elements of the budget. Chief Financial Officer Roe Johnson presented key aspects of the budget, revealing that the current millage rate had decreased from previous years, despite an increase in taxable property value, leading to increased revenue for the district.

Public comments during this segment included critiques of the process and financial management, with Mark Klutho from Largo expressing strong dissatisfaction and arguing that the meeting was not conducted properly according to state requirements. He criticized the Board for mixing discussions of the budget with the millage rates, leading to clarifications from board members about the procedures and the Florida Department of Education’s role in setting these rates.