LWV Manatee School Board Notes: 2/11/25

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Education Issues Committee observes the Manatee County School Board meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the sunshine laws. The following are the major points from the school board meeting on 2/11/25.

The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Chair Choate followed by the reading of the district vision by Mr. Choate. Pastor Sam Rivera, Bayside Dream Center of the Bayside Community Church, provided the invocation. Chair Choate led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recognitions

Black History Month 2025 Proclamation

Mr. Kennedy thanked the audience in the room which included a large number of Lincoln Memorial High School graduates and acknowledged those watching through media. He then read the Proclamation. [LWV note: See the Proclamation here.]

James Tillman – Life and Legacy

In his introduction, Mr. Barber mentioned the district schools named for past Black educators: Louise Johnson, Florine Abel, Annie Lucie Williams, and James A. Tillman, this meeting’s featured educator. Current Tillman Elementary fifth graders, Joseph Bundrage and Nora Hanlon narrated a video about their school and what it means to them.  Tillman principal, Marla Massi-Blackmore reminded the Board that Tillman had been graded as a B for six years and has now earned an A grade in the Florida school accountability system. Principal Massi-Blackmore introduced a former Tillman student who is a Tillman teacher, Tamika Williams, who spoke of the importance to her of going back to her foundation and her 22-year career helping “kids to strive to reach their academic goals by meeting and exceeding expectations.” Mr. Moody Johnson, Lincoln Memorial High School Class of 1965, shared anecdotes about Mr. Tillman who was his high school geometry teacher. Mr. Tillman had married Mr. Johnson’s first grade teacher, Ms. Hill. Mr. Johnson described Mr. Tillman as a “mountain of a man,” a gentleman of high character with a great sense of humor, an accomplished pianist and singer, and a teacher who “knew how to reach every one of us at whatever level we were.” Mr. Barber shared a comprehensive biography of Mr. Tillman’s life.

Public Comments

MLP thanked Board Members for the Black History Month Proclamation. On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, she encouraged the Board to continue making proclamations that meet statutes, align with student standards, and educate the community.

BE spoke on behalf of the Manatee Chapter of the NAACP as their Education Committee Chair.  She reinforced the valuable contributions of Black Americans to American history and culture, recognized the many African Americans who have made contributions to the Manatee County Schools in many capacities and thanked all educators who work tirelessly to address the needs of our diverse student population, including students of color.

Reports and Presentations

2024-2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) ELA/Reading Progress Monitor 2 (PM2) Assessment Results

Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, Derek Jensen, and Director of Assessment, Evan McCarthy walked the Board through a presentation of assessment results by grade level comparing Manatee District Schools’ performance to the state results, as well as comparing district run schools to charter schools, and results compared to PM1 and also the year before. In the majority of cases the changes and comparisons have been trending upwards with only a few staying the same. They described the characteristics of the adaptive style testing that is used in the FAST and the implications when a student misses the first few questions, making it very difficult to score well. Parents can access their students results on the Family Portal provided in Focus. Of particular interest to the Board Members was the sample 3rd grade test item that was shared after asking the Board Members to remember what they had learned when they were third graders. Discussion followed about how important background knowledge gained through lived experiences is to students’ success on the assessment. One of the student standards/benchmarks require third grade students to do complex tasks such as reading multiple passages and comparing and contrasting the content of each. Ms. Felton suggested Board Members keep this information in mind when they are talking to the public. Mr. Choate reinforced how the current assessments “push the envelope” and expressed that growth happens “but it shouldn’t be happening in the test.” Ms. Spray exclaimed that if she were in third grade now, she would never pass, and that observing reading blocks when she accompanies the Superintendent on school visits has been very helpful. Dr. Wysong emphasized the importance of strong coordination between the various levels, elementary, middle and high in terms of skill building, scaffolding, reteaching, and understanding what’s being taught at each level. Mr. McCarthy responded positively to Ms. Spray’s request to see results by school. [LWV note: See the presentation here.

Consent Items - The Consent Agenda included 20 items that were approved 5-0.

New Business: (Non-Consent Items)

Approval of the Budget Amendments for December 2024 (No Financial Impact) Deputy Superintendent Seller reported that the 3 amendments over $1 million were related to computer refresh. Approved 5-0.

Revision of the Job Description of Chief Human Resources Office to Executive Director, Human Resources (No Financial Impact) With the current position holder moving out of state, in line with the district’s succession planning, and his commitment to the board that with leadership departure, Superintendent Wysong indicated needed revisions were made including title consistency and emphasizing that principals are HR’s customers, as an internal expectation. Approved 5-0.

Approval of Advertising a Notice of Intent to Amend School Board Policies, Including New Board Policies and Setting a Public Hearing at the board Meeting on March 11, 2025 (General Fund) Mr. Kennedy made a motion which was seconded and approved to add a sentence to the proposed policy Board By-Law 149.1, “Board members shall be provided specific board members letterhead upon request.” The addition allows this to be considered for this 30-day notice period starting today. Approved 5-0. Board Members voted 5-0 for the original recommended motion as stated above.

Approval of First Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Property from Rye Ranch, LLC (Educational Impact Fee Credits) Mr. Choate indicated this had been discussed at a recent workshop and Dr. Wysong said it amends the real estate contract for a future school site to open in the fall of 2026. Approved 5-0.

Approval of Naming Future Elementary School in Rye Ranch as Rye Ranch Elementary School (No Financial Impact) Ms. Felton indicated this was discussed at length at a workshop and indicated that including naming rights in a purchase contract goes against the district’s current policy. Approved 5-0.

New Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)

Approval of Travel Expense Associate with the School Board Members’ Attendance at the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards Legislative Meeting, April 2-4, 2025, at the DoubleTree Hilton, Tallahassee, FL, Not to Exceed $3,000.00 (General Fund) Ms. Felton will attend and other board members expressed interest in learning what she experiences. 

Acceptance of the Resignation of Citizen’s Financial Oversight Committee Member (No Financial Impact)  Ms. Spray moved, it was seconded and approved 5-0 to accept the resignation of Michael Bennett who has not yet attended and is moving out of Manatee County. Ms. Spray encouraged interested citizens to apply to join the committee.

Board Appointment of Ms. Mary Foreman to be Appointed to the Audit Committee for a Three-Year Term (No Financial Impact) Mr. Choate expressed happiness to have Ms. Foreman, past School Board Member, back on the Audit Committee. Approved 5-0.

Updates

Instructional: Deputy Superintendent Jensen explained that the African American History statute results in all schools engaging in celebrations of African American’s contributions to strengthen our society. The Regional Science competition will be held at MTC Saturday, 2/15, with elementary schools’ competition ending in awards from 1-3 p.m. Secondary schools’ projects will be on display at 3 p.m. with awards presented on the following Thursday. Soar In 4 received a big donation from the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team. The January and February robotics competition is wrapping up at Palmetto High school. Eighteen elementary teams and 2 middle school teams qualified for state competition. He lauded the amazing time had at the Excellence in Education awards event.

Operational: Deputy Superintendent Ranaldi announced that as a result of the January 23 virtual job fair, six teachers and six paras were moving forward toward employment. Operations job fair will be on February 20, from 2-5 p.m. at Wakeland. The next virtual teacher/para job fair will be February 27. The operations job fair will be March 27 from 9-12 at Wakeland. Food Services acknowledged Literacy with a January 30 Building Literacy construction-themed activity wearing hard hats and serving “dirt pudding” and other themed items.  A food service employee at Mills Elementary was honored with a Chamber Award for hurricane shelter work. For construction services, the Board approved in the consent agenda the MTC aviation classroom design. In addition, the consent agenda included approval for the first GMP for two schools for approximately $17 million to purchase materials.

Legal: No reports.

Superintendent’s Remarks: Dr. Wysong again acknowledged the Board’s support of consent items to do routine business. He highlighted a new procurement employee, the construction GMP for the Soar In 4 lab at the Harllee campus, Manatee High School band traveling to Washington DC for November’s Veteran’s Day. He reminded Board Members that the Friday, 2/14 Workshop will be lengthy as they review policy changes and review procedures regarding rezoning with data and maps. Dr. Wysong thanked Board Members for attending literacy events and celebrations in the schools and community.   With the recent Manatee Technical College’s (MTC) recent graduation, there are more certified individuals moving into the work force. MTC is hosting a national forum with leaders from all over the country, looking at how the district builds career academies and how business/community partnerships work. He shared that the honor band and choir performances, with only Manatee District Schools participating, provided for more high school and middle school students to have time on stage. He reminded of the success of the athletic season resulting in teams moving forward through state competitions including two girls’ (BRHS and LWRHS) and one boys’ (LWRHS) soccer teams. Palmetto High School, Southeast High School and Lakewood Ranch High School basketball teams are moving forward, as well as a team of girls’ weightlifters. 

Board Remarks

Mr. Tatem focused his safety tip on Valentine’s Day suggesting “men don’t forget, it may be detrimental to well-being.” He quoted McArthur with inspiring encouragement for the athletic teams moving forward.

Ms. Felton described her school visits and participating in reading at elementary schools to celebrate literacy, as well as attending Big Bank at Southeast High School. She enjoyed seeing the interest of the high school students as light bulbs go on when they attempt to plan to live within a specific budget given to them during this Chamber event. She saw a half dozen of her past high school students graduate from MTC and she was able to shake 509 hands. She praised the “wonderful” Excellence in Education event. She attended the Florida School Board Association’s (FSBA) Finance Forum. The Manatee County Board of County Commission elected Ms. Felton to the Children Health Board 3-2. She will report back the results of their work to consider over 100 requests from organizations for funding. She attended this morning’s Turning Points breakfast. There was discussion about Turning Points visiting schools to provide services to students and families where they are.

Mr. Kennedy thanked the Superintendent and his team for all of the work putting together the Board agenda. A great deal of work goes into preparing for a two-hour agenda. He congratulated staff for the Excellence in Education as a highlight of the school year.

Ms. Spray requested that workshop item topics be brought up at board meetings rather than their individual briefings with the Superintendent. Mr. Choate gave the rationale for his having made that change previously including the amount of time spent talking about the item rather than simply naming the topic. Mr. Tatem agreed with Ms. Spray. Mr. Choate said he could do it either way with the need to be mindful of the staff time needed to prepare for workshops. 

Ms. Spray then indicated that the Citizens’ Financial Oversite Committee (CFOC) is preparing their report to present at the February 28 Board Workshop. She asked if funds left in the current auditor’s contract with CRI (an internal audit firm) could be used for their supporting CFOC in gathering sample information or actual documents as they do their quarterly real-time reviews. Ms. Sellers clarified the auditor’s purpose and timeline and that a new company (RSM) is under contract to audit 2024-2025, while CRI is responsible for completing the 2023-2024 audit. The fiscal year for audits is July 1 to June 30. Ms. Sellers reminded the Board that auditors don’t look at live data. Ms. Spray indicated there is a need for support for CFOC in their oversight function and not just looking in the rear view. Board Attorney Dye provided background information and said that last September the Board modified CFOC Charter to begin the 2024-25 audit using additional millage funds and to cooperate with auditors. Mr. Dye indicated it is already in CFOC’s charter that School Board is provided administrative support for assigned tasks. This was relevant to a newly added audit, not real time review. This is a new concept to have a 3rd party auditor for providing real time data to committee for review. Dr. Wysong indicated that if staff is asked to support CFOC during their quarterly reviews by pulling real time current samples of items then he needs to be prepared to budget for more staff. Mr. Choate suggested there needs to be a workshop so all can get on the same page regarding audits and ongoing quarterly reviews.

Ms. Spray described her visit to Palmetto Elementary where she observed dynamic reading instruction. While she enjoyed the FSBA Finance Forum, she had hoped they “would have gone deeper.” She found judging the Boys and Girls Club competition hard. She praised Tillman’s principal, Ms. Massey, as being most dynamic and that she is “in it to do it,” achieving an A lifts the school. She would like to see a Soar In 4 lab north of the river. 

Mr. Choate thanked all of the staff for today’s meeting. He gave kudos to Excellence for Education awards event. He enjoyed reading in classrooms two weeks ago. He said the kids were great. He acknowledged that with growth in the county, the district is back into rezoning.

Meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

GOVERNANCE AND SUNSHINE

The positive responses and relevant questions of Board Members regarding the PM2 Assessment Results presentation were observed to be extremely appropriate as representatives of the community they serve. The Chair was observed to manage the meeting well.

Both of the topics Ms. Spray brought up in her Board Comments engendered robust discussions. The second topic regarding the support needs of the Citizen’s Financial Oversight Committee (CFOC) elicited information from the Board Attorney, Deputy Superintendent of Finance, and Superintendent Wysong to clarify what she was suggesting and resulted in a very long segment at the end of a relatively short meeting. Ms. Spray was observed to make an ambiguous assertion that seemed at its root to be confusing the role of auditors and the role of staff in providing support for the CFOC. This appeared to the observers to be an attempt to expand beyond the CFOC Charter, to increase the internal auditor’s scope of work, and, as Dr. Wysong pointed out, to impact unbudgeted staff time.  We suggest the Board have a conversation at a Board workshop to review the CFOC Charter and determine if they want to expand the CFOC’s responsibilities.  For that discussion Ms. Spray is advised to ensure that someone from CFOC attends the meeting who can explain the request clearly.

Ms. Spray would be well served to come to board meetings having prepared a statement with clear language that precisely expresses her thoughts. Perhaps asking others, with knowledge and authority in regard to her concern, to help her craft the statement would be of benefit, ensuring she has the facts and understanding needed to participate in a discussion. This would possibly reduce the time spent in board meetings helping her to make clear her purpose.

Budget Amendments are regularly presented at Board meetings for a vote by the Board.  It is concerning that Mr. Tatem, who has been a member of this Board since November 2022, asked what they are.