Dana Savoie, Elementary Literacy Specialist, recognized the 2023 Clay County District Spelling Bee Winners - 

• First Place - Rena Reddish, Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High
• Second Place - Andreas Alvarez, Orange Park Junior High
• Third Place - Max Rivera, St. Johns Country Day School

Kathryn Ruelas, Science Curriculum Specialist, recognized the 2023 Science Fair Nominees - 

State Fair Nominees

• Dylan Barclay - Orange Park High
• Joshua Chun & Antonio Estrada - Orange Park Junior High
• Aliyah Davis - Clay High
• Angelo De La Rosa - Ridgeview High
• Emma Duong - Ridgeview High
• Michael Gilkey - Clay High
• Alexander Gordon - Ridgeview High
• Austin Hallett - Clay High
• Merrick Rapoza - Clay High
• Phoenix Ricketts - Ridgeview High

International Fair Nominees

• Emma Duong - Ridgeview High
• Alexander Gordon - Ridgeview High

John Sgromolo, Coordinator of District Athletics, recognized the following student athlete state champions - 

Clay High Schools Girls Weightlifting Team

• Emma Heck
• Anna Shepard
• Janiyah Stevens
• Annalee Harbison
• Ansley Lyda
• Kenya Tinajero
• Kyleigh Lafary
• Kethnie Gedeon

Individual State Champions

• Kyleigh LaFary - Clay High
• Emma Heck - Clay High
• Autumn Lewiston - Fleming Island High

Public speakers:

• Angele Reed 
• Heather Kastelz 
• Jackie Cetnar
• Rebecca Crawford 
• Kathie Graham 
• Sandra Goldman
• James Gay
• Luanne Eckert
• Tara Richardson
• Jenifer Burghart
• Charles Walsh 
• Hailley Hutchens
• Dr Cornelius Jones
• Dorothy Muilenburg
• Dr. Evelyn (Dolly) Hillman
• Gargi Chipalkatti 
• Frederick Peton
• Constance Higginbotham 
• Helena Cormier
• Jeffrey Dove 
• Bruce Friedman 
• B.A. Jackson MD 
• Judith Chapple

Superintendent Broskie shared the attached visual presentation highlighting the following:

• Schools of the Month
• Read Across America Day
• State of the Schools Address
• District Competitions
• Florida Prepaid Scholarship
• Upcoming Events

There was no Human Resources Special Action C.

Mrs. Bolla made a motion to approve, seconded by Mrs. Skipper.  Following lengthy discussion, the motion was withdrawn and a revised motion was made and a vote taken.

Mrs. Hanson pulled this item to Discussion in order for the board to have an opportunity to exchange in discourse on the policy language, the challenge form, and the specific rubric or guidelines for challenged materials so that the type of materials that can be challenged is clearly communicated.

Roger Dailey, Chief Academic Officer, discussed the current process for book challenges and how the proposed policy would serve to fulfill statutory requirements while refining and bringing greater efficiency to the process.  Procedural changes may still be implemented without altering the currently proposed language.  Trained curriculum committee members are limited, thus slowing the current process.  The proposed policy changes would result in fewer challenges being taken to the committee.

Bruce Bickner, School Board Attorney, confirmed that the types of individuals serving on the curriculum committees are statutorily compliant.  Mr. Bickner requested approval from the board to make a change in the "Challenged Materials Procedure Instructional" and "Library Media Services Manual" proposed policy to bring greater clarity.  Mrs. Gilhousen confirmed the requested change to ensure board members were in agreement.  Board members engaged in additional discussion prior to a revised motion being made and voted upon.  The motion to approve with revision will require the revised policy to be attached and the agenda re-published to the district website to comply with proper advertising requirements.

Bruce Bickner, School Board Attorney, expressed appreciation for the comments made by community members.

Mrs. Hanson expressed appreciation for the Middleburg Elementary vocabulary parade.  She thanked the board for their discussion and thanked Mr. Bickner, Mr. Dailey, and Mr. Broskie for their extensive work.

Mrs. Clark regretted the amount of time taken up by book discussions when many books are acceptable, and there are numerous other issues needing to be addressed.

Mrs. Skipper thanked Mr. Dailey for his high level of responsiveness.  She indicated a need to get back to the basics, while amending and creating policy as needed.  She appreciated a Career and Technical Education event that gave her the opportunity to explore heavy machinery.

Mrs. Bolla appreciated the CTE Career Fair and the numerous opportunities afforded to students there to find jobs through businesses as well as have discussions with representatives of both colleges and specialty programs.  She attended a jazz evening sponsored by Oakleaf High and Oakleaf Junior High, an Oakleaf High pass and review, an Oakleaf High girls' basketball game, a tour through the newly renovated Keystone Heights Elementary wing, and she continues to encourage participation in and donations for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Mrs. Gilhousen commented that the level of interest and discussion at this meeting shows that books matter and challenged every part to read with and to their children, making literacy a high point in families.