06:44Superintendent Dr. Diane Gullett presented the initial proposal, highlighting the involvement of a committee that included principals from elementary, middle, and high schools. Key changes recommended included maintaining the three-tiered bus schedule and adjusting bell times for two new elementary schools to begin at 7:35 a.m. and dismiss at 2:10 p.m. Oyola Middle School’s dismissal time was proposed to shift from 3:55 p.m. to 4:11 p.m. to accommodate a seventh-period student day. Additionally, Lake Weir High School’s start time would be delayed by five minutes to allow teachers more time for parent conferences.

09:45The recommendations for Madison Street Elementary would add ten minutes to the school day, with dismissal at 2:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Howard Middle School and North Marion Middle School requested a return to a six-period day, adjusting their dismissal times to 3:55 p.m. The board engaged in a conversation about the rationale for previously adopting a seventh-period day, with Dr. James questioning its effectiveness in addressing student credit deficiencies.

25:17Transportation issues were a concern, with discussions about the tiered bus system and potential legislative changes that could disrupt transportation logistics. The transportation department reported an improvement in on-time arrivals, now averaging 93%. However, the possibility of reverting to a three-tier system at Oyola Middle School raised concerns about the need for additional buses and drivers.

Board members debated the feedback from Oyola parents, with suggestions to explore moving Oyola’s start time to a second tier, potentially starting at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. This adjustment could alleviate unique challenges faced by the school, given the volume of students and existing bus routes.

29:35Further discussions touched on the involvement of unions in the bell time committee, noting the absence of union representation could complicate collective bargaining agreements. Board members emphasized the need for a holistic approach to transportation and school scheduling, considering community growth and safety.

01:11:04In addition to bell time changes, the board considered the adoption of instructional materials for upcoming school years. Miss Reedle presented the recommendations for K-3 ELA and K-4 mathematics intervention materials, selected through a detailed review process involving community and administrator feedback. The public will have access to the recommended titles starting May 13, with a public hearing scheduled for May 27.

03:20:08The meeting also covered financial updates, with Miss Boston Ellis outlining the budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The Florida Educational Finance Program (FEFP) saw an increase of $11.8 million, largely due to the Family Empowerment Scholarship program, though these funds did not directly benefit the district. Concerns were raised about the impact of these scholarships on public school funding, as private schools were reportedly increasing tuition fees to match the additional funding.

54:44Board members acknowledged the challenges posed by these financial dynamics, with discussions on the potential recapture of funds lost to private schools. Further discussions highlighted the referendum fund’s decrease and the challenges of managing funds for charter schools and scholarships.

04:09:41The session concluded with discussions on the interim superintendent selection process, focusing on Dr. Brewer’s appointment following Dr. Gullett’s departure. The board emphasized the importance of a smooth transition and discussed the logistics of Dr. Brewer’s role, including the potential appointment of a deputy superintendent to provide additional support.