Chris Gugel recognized Hailay Nalepa, Lake Asbury Junior High, 8th Grade, for being a 1st Place Winner for Clay County District Schools Art in the Capitol Competition 2024-2025.  Senator Jennifer Bradley presented the recognition to Hailay and received the framed artwork to take and display in the State Capitol, on the second floor rotunda.

Melissa Moree, Coordinator of  Mental Health Services, introduced Len Mattiace and Nikki Haley who recognized student winners of the Len Mattiace Foundation Anti-Bullying Campaign, a contest open to students in grades 6 - 8.  Students submitted projects incorporating the themes of kindness, inclusion, and compassion.  First and second-place students received an award of $1,000 and additional awardees received $100 as well as certificates, hats, and t-shirts.

• Logan Eckard, Jacob Armstrong, and Elric Hollingshead - Plantation Oaks Elementary School, 6th Grade, The Grub Club Proposal
• Brooklyn Watt - Orange Park Elementary School, 6th Grade, One Small Hero

Monique Johnson, Tobacco Policy Manager & Health Educator, and Julie Duncan, Community Engagement Specialist, Tobacco Free Clay, recognized board member Erin Skipper for being instrumental in supporting and advocating for district level K-12 provisions that reduce nicotine use and exposure for students.  SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) students also extended appreciation for Mrs. Skipper's advocacy.

Mary Owen, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, recognized the following students for their winning Founders' Week Art contest entries.  This year's contest, which addressed the Founders' Week theme, America's Symbols, asked students to reflect on what symbols best represent the ideals and identity of America.

Student Winners Recognized:

• K - Aubrey Sparrow (Doctors Inlet Elementary)
• 1st - Andrea Cross (Grove Park Elementary)
• 2nd - Maryelle Bailey (Plantation Oaks Elementary)
• 3rd - Allison Reddinger (Swimming Pen Creek Elementary)
• 4th (Tie) - Brandi Gadson (Doctors Inlet Elementary)
• 4th (Tie) - Jamison Rogers (Shadowlawn Elementary)
• 5th - Lilith Dease (Wilkinson Elementary)

Jay Stilianou, Coordinator of District Athletics, recognized the following Student-Athletes of the Month and State Champions:

Student-Athletes of the Month:

• Taylor Dean, Clay High, August 2024
• Sebastian Lopez, Orange Park High, September 2024
• David Rafalski, Fleming Island High, October 2024

State Champions:

• Ava Brinkman, Fleming Island High, 1M Diving
• Chase Ricks, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Dylan Frein, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Emmett Kuhlenkamp, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Alex Blom, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Benjamin Carlton, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Carson Moore, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Eli Lewis, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Nathan Bozeman, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Ryan Houck, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Tyler Mawhinney, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Jacoby Kelly, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• William McGready, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf
• Mason Blom, Fleming Island High, 2A Boys Golf

Jay Stilianou, Coordinator of District Athletics, recognized the following Coaches of the Month:

• Jarod Kocak, Lake Asbury Junior High, August 2024
• Amy Yoder, Fleming Island High School, September 2024
• Ryan Wolfe, Middleburg High School, October 2024

Jay Stilianou, Coordinator of District Athletics, recognized the schools raising funds for "Pink Out Games" in support of breast cancer research.  Total funds (three years) collected by Clay County Athletics is $27,439.  A check was presented to Jaclyn Rodriguez, American Cancer Society, and the community partnership with Caelan Rhinehardt, Youth Football Coordinator, Jaguars PREP was appreciated.  

Schools' Fund Raising:

• Oakleaf High - $2,000
• Fleming Island High - $1,500
• Keystone Heights High - $1,034
• Middleburg High - $1,000
• Clay High School - $825
• Orange Park High - $500
• Ridgeview High - $500

Chris Gugel, Fine Arts Curriculum Specialist, recognized the following achievements awarded at the 2024 FFCC Marching Championships:

• Middleburg High School Marching Bronco Band - Bronze Medal, Class 1A at FFCC Championships, Director Tyler Chaney
• Orange Park High School Raider Band - Silver Medal, Class 3A at FFCC Championships, Director Brett Pikuritz
• Oakleaf High School Golden Regiment - Silver Medal, Class 5A at FMBC Championships, Directors Chad Robbins and Kayla Lemak
• Fleming Island High School Golden Eagle Marching Band - Gold Medal, Class 5A at FMBC Championships, Directors Alexander Buck and David Grullon

Carolyn Krall, President, Clay Education Foundation, recognized this year's top 10 semi-finalists for Teacher of the Year and Support-Related Employee of the Year.

Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalists

• Tammy Belden, Charles E. Bennett Elementary
• Alexander Buck, Fleming Island High
• Tracy Lockman, Lake Asbury Elementary
• Tammy Hamel, Lake Asbury Junior High
• Christy Fields, Middleburg High
• Aaron Samples, Oakleaf High
• Amanda Watson, Orange Park Elementary
• Erin McDonald, Orange Park High
• Jennifer Wells, Ridgeview High
• Jordan Rundio, Wilkinson Elementary

Support-Related Employee of the Year Semi-Finalists:

• Shalon Britt, Charles E. Bennett Elementary
• Maria Rodriguez, Clay High
• Leslie Niessner, Fleming Island Elementary
• Bianca Thomas, Green Cove Springs Junior High
• Deirdre Craven, Lake Asbury Elementary
• Misty Massey, Lake Asbury Junior High
• Heather Proctor, McRae Elementary
• Christina Mumpower, Orange Park High
• Denise Turner, Orange Park Junior High
• Joanna Lickliter-Spain, Ridgeview High

Prior to hearing any public comment, Mrs. Skipper obtained consensus from the board to leave cameras on during public remarks for this meeting and schedule additional discussion on this topic at a future workshop.

There were no individuals speaking about specific agenda-related items.

The following individuals spoke to non-specific agenda-related items and were heard following "board member comments" before adjournment:

• Echo Nova 
• Constance Higginbotham 
• Delores Lansford 
• Sheila Torres 
• Bruce Friedman 
• Elizabeth Buschbacher 
• Judith Chapple 

There was no Human Resources Special Action F.

Chair Skipper opened the public hearing.  With no one coming forward to speak to the item, the public hearing was closed.

Chair Skipper opened the public hearing.  With no one coming forward to speak to the item, the public hearing was closed.

Superintendent Broskie shared the attached visual presentation highlighting the following:

• Schools of the Month
• Superintendent's Advisory Councils
• Holiday Letters to Heroes
• Winter Break Reminders

Mrs. Clark attended the community meetings held at Lake Asbury Junior and Oakleaf Junior and noted the positive reception re moving students.  She enjoyed serving lunch at Bannerman Learning Center and urged families to value the time spent together this holiday season.

Mr. Alvero commented on the awesome winter concert he attended at Oakleaf High School and extended thanks to the band director for the great job done by the OHS band.  He also expressed appreciation to the public who stayed throughout the meeting to listen.

Mrs. Gilhousen commented on hope for the future being the true focus of the season, encouraged families to make memories, welcomed Mr. Alvero to his first regular board meeting, and praised Mrs. Skipper for chairing her first regular meeting.

Mrs. Skipper expressed appreciation to Tobacco Free Clay for the great group of people they have working together to promote health in CCDS schools. She noted the issue of vaping and its harmfulness across the state and nation and extended her full support to educating students and providing policies that keep schools tobacco-free.  She also welcomed Mr. Alvero and wished everyone a merry Christmas.