In accordance with the legal advertisement for this meeting, a "comment link" was available to utilize on the CCDS website (directions provided in advertisement).  No comments were received via this link. 

Public speakers addressing this agenda item prior to its presentation -

• Charles Walsh 
• Vicki Kidwell 

Dr. Susan Legutko, Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs, provided a visual presentation of the 2020-2021 budget that included the proposed millages, roll-back rate calculation, and proposed revenues and expenditures for all funds.  The total millage rate to be levied is more than the roll-back rate by 2.44 percent.  The district's total tentative budget (all funds) for the fiscal year 2020-2021 is $465,641,696.

Mrs. Kerekes requested addressing a plan to transition the police department expenditures to the General Fund, in order to permanently fund and maintain the police department, independent of current one mill funding being approved again in future years.  An itemization of the CARES funding received, to include expenditures, was requested.

Mrs. Gilhousen proposed consideration for the Board to review/increase impact fees.

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

Public Speakers addressing Re-opening Plan -

• Shannon Hube - Exceptional Student Education services 
• Robin Repper - safe restart
• Amy Fehrs - facial coverings

In accordance with the legal advertisement for this meeting, a "comment link" was available to utilize on the CCDS website (directions provided in advertisement).  The following individual submitted a comment via the link -

• Michelle Foyet - facial coverings

Mrs. Kerekes questioned the necessity of declaring an emergency. School Board attorney Bruce Bickner advised that, without the declaration of emergency, there is no way to approve the re-opening plan within the time limits set forth by Commissioner of Education Corcoran and that the emergency declaration is needed to achieve an initial approval of the plan.  The plan will then be brought back in the next 90 days for the full complement of requirements needed for approval.  Absent the declaration of emergency, the plan would not exist, per the Administrative Procedures Act.  The emergency lies in the necessity of meeting the requirements needed to receive funding.

Mrs. Gilhousen expressed concern that the memo in support of the delcaration of emergency states the school board policy, in this form, must be adopted.  Mr. Bickner provided clarification that the reopening plan was here in form and could be revised and amended.  The motion to approve the emergency adoption was then restated and voted (passed).

Terri Dennis, Chief of Staff, pointed out recent minor changes to the Reopening Plan on page 13 (link to calendar change) and page 36 (addition of Appendix B to include guidelines for our high school based child care centers.

Mrs. Gilhousen moved to approve the policy without the face mask mandate for grades 3-12.  Without a second, the motion failed.

Lengthy conversation ensued re the policy concerning facial coverings.  Mrs. Gilhousen does not support masks being mandated but is in favor of masks being strongly recommended.  Mrs. Studdard supports masks being mandated for all grades, K - 12.  Mrs. Bolla expressed concern re Exceptional Student Education students in self-contained classrooms where facial coverings are not able to be used and safe distancing is not possible.  Mr. Bickner advised that our facial covering mandate for grades 3 - 12 reflects the stance of the Department of Health and the board but exceptions exist and language has been tailored to meet the board's objections.  Superintendent Broskie advised the implementation of the plan will incorporate direction and training for school personnel.

Mrs. Kerekes supports temperature checks, not included in current plan.

Mrs. Gilhousen expressed concern about taking days away from Christmas break.  Terri Dennis advised she consulted with Jacob Oliva, Executive Vice Chancellor K - 12, Florida Department of Education and Bruce Bickner.  Despite the governor waiving requirement re number of days, there still exists a 900 hour requirement for junior high and high school students to earn course credits.  Extending the first semester into January gives consideration for the potential of hurricane days and ensures the hour requirement for credits is met.  The calendars were extensively reviewed and revised by the calendar committee.  The proposed calendars also ensure that support staff will receive employment compensation on the 8/31/2020 paydate.  All employees will work their same number of currently contracted days.

Public comments were heard prior to the presentation of the agenda items to which they pertained and are noted in those respective minutes.

Superintendent Broskie expressed gratitude to the board for their collaboration on this effort and meeting the state deadline.  The work of scheduling students will now begin.

Board members shared final thoughts regarding the plan and reopening of schools.