The meeting’s most issue was the concern for student safety, particularly in the wake of the new time change which has led to increased darkness during morning and afternoon hours. This change has exacerbated the dangers faced by students during their commute to and from local high schools. The Board debated various approaches to ameliorate this risk, including the possibility of enhancing lighting in critical areas and launching educational campaigns to inform both students and parents about best practices for safe drop-off and pick-up.

A notable suggestion included engaging the Public Safety department and the idea of creating a public service announcement (PSA) contest among local high schools. The aim of the contest would be to raise awareness about traffic safety, thereby leveraging the creativity and engagement of the student body to address this serious issue. Discussions underscored the necessity of effective enforcement of safety measures and the potential limitations of signage in altering drop-off habits.

In addition to safety, community engagement stood out as a key theme during the Board meeting. The Little Free Library initiative, which promotes literacy and accessibility to books through miniature libraries in public spaces, was highlighted as an area in need of attention. The Board discussed the current state of the libraries in parks, noting that many required repairs. One proposal brought forward was to involve high school wood shop classes in the construction and upkeep of new libraries. This project was seen as an opportunity to not only address the disrepair of the libraries but also to foster a sense of community and student involvement.

The upcoming EAB Awards of Excellence event was another focal point of the meeting. The Board explored various expenditures and logistics for the event, such as the cost of tables, serving dishes, decorations, and the budget for awards and videography. There was a debate over whether to rent or purchase certain items and an approval of a motion to allocate $100 for tables and additional funds for cleaning. The Board also resolved to follow last year’s expenditures for refreshments, totaling $225, sourcing items from Amazon and Publix.

The role of videography at the event sparked a debate regarding the need for proper direction to ensure that special guests and award winners were captured appropriately on camera. Furthermore, the Board discussed the importance of inviting the special needs advisory board and the culinary department to the event, thereby fostering inclusivity and collaboration.

The meeting also touched upon the Miami Lakes Future Leader Scholarship and the need to extend the deadline for nominations. The Board considered strategies to promote this opportunity more effectively and the necessity of engaging with potential sponsors to support their initiatives. Efforts to reach out to parents and childhood enrichment programs for presentations were also discussed, as well as the requirement to fill open positions within the board.

Other logistical details discussed included the purchase of table linens for the awards event, with considerations given to the color scheme that would best complement the overall aesthetic of the occasion.