A key topic at the meeting was school safety, particularly in light of recent violent incidents at Westport High School. Board members voiced strong concerns regarding student behavior, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining a secure environment for both students and staff. One board member underscored the need for strict adherence to the code of conduct, asserting that students involved in violent activities must face consequences. They stressed, “the violence in our schools has got to stop. Violence is never the answer,” further noting that less than 5% of the student population was responsible for the majority of disruptions.

In response to the climate of safety concerns, the board discussed the importance of having a substantial adult presence in schools. The implementation of “Dad’s on Duty” programs, similar to those at Fort King, was proposed as a means to increase adult supervision and support on campus. The idea is that more male administrators visible during class changes could deter inappropriate behavior. Additionally, it was suggested that all staff members carry walkie-talkies to facilitate prompt communication and responses to incidents.

Another prominent issue discussed was the payroll policies affecting Food Service employees. Multiple speakers raised concerns about the current rounding practices for clocking in and out, which resulted in uncompensated work hours. One speaker highlighted that they clocked out at 1:07 PM but were not compensated for the full time worked, stating, “I was not compensated for… hours of work,” and noted that federal and state laws require mutual rounding practices. This issue particularly affected trainings or orientations that exceeded six hours. The board acknowledged these concerns and assured that the payroll department would review the policy and provide proper notification to employees.

The meeting also celebrated the success of various community-driven educational programs. The sixth annual Mission Bus Brigade school supply drive was announced as achieving record participation, collecting 18,976 items and approximately $3,200 in monetary donations. Community partners like the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors and Staples Office Supplies were recognized for their contributions. The Stone Creek Homeowners Association was lauded for their efforts, having collected over $2,500 worth of supplies and providing lunch for student volunteers.

The Public Education Foundation of Marion County presented its annual “Pop and Drop” event, which serves approximately 1,000 teachers by providing classroom supplies at the beginning of the school year. Last year, the foundation provided $561,000 worth of supplies to local teachers through about 3,600 shopping visits. Special recognition was given to Ashley Smith, the tools for teaching store clerk, for her role in the program’s success.

During the meeting, the board also approved several significant funding requests and agreements. They unanimously approved a $750,000 increase in the Food Service budget to accommodate rising meal participation rates and increased costs due to labor, poor harvests, and fuel prices. This budget supports various nutritional programs, including the national school lunch program, the supper program, and the fresh fruit and vegetable program. The Florida Harvest of the Month initiative, set to begin in October, aims to promote seasonal eating and educate students about locally grown produce.

Another important approval was for the renewal of bid 3881 for new and used educational materials at a cost of $400,000. The board also approved an expenditure increase request for tree trimming services.

The meeting addressed the addition of a school resource officer (SRO) at Westport High School. The board unanimously voted to approve the First Amendment to the school resource officer agreement with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, emphasizing the need for adequate security at schools, particularly in light of recent violent incidents.

Several new staff members were introduced, including Tiffany Drummond as the new assistant principal at Romeo Elementary School, and Josh Howard as the new assistant principal for curriculum at Marion Technical Institute. The board expressed enthusiasm over these new appointments.

Community contributions were also acknowledged, with notable donations including $2,000 from the Women’s Club of Deland for student planners and $39,247.50 worth of supplies from the Marion County Veterans Council. Additionally, the Felburn Foundation donated $20,000 for a new truck for the Silver River Museum.