Meeting Date: March 23, 2023
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Place: School Board of Highlands County Garland Boggus Board Room

Welcome: Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, Anjelica Tinajero welcomed everyone to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee meeting at 5:32 PM and asked for a roll call.

Roll Call by Belinda Hodge: The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting began at 5:32 PM with roll call.

Members present: Chet Brojek, Tiffany Green (Zoom), Bill Jarrett, Diane Juve, John Shoop, Dave Travers, and Joe Wright (Zoom).

Members absent: Jason Biance, Lauren Bush, Curt Matthews, Trevor Murphy, and Maritza Telesky.

Others in attendance: Brenda Longshore, Anjelica Tinajero, Harry Howes, and Belinda Hodge (recorder).

Approval of Minutes: John Shoop motioned, and Dave Travers seconded to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2023, meeting. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.

Revenue & Expenditures Report: Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, Mrs. Anjelica Tinajero, presented the revenue and expenditures report. The total revenue collected to date was $42,225,682.30, with total expenditures reported at $36,415,863.72 and with hurricane expenditures reported at $1,409,229.75. A pie chart indicating the areas funds were spent was shared. A copy of the revenue, expenditure, and pie chart reports are attached.

Mr. Brojek expressed concerns as to how we are going to get the monies returned to Avon Park High School as quickly as possible since it was discussed in the Athletic Task Force meeting to combine Avon Park High School and Lake Placid High Schools funds to complete the field house in Lake Placid.

Capital Projects: Mrs. Tinajero shared how half-cent sales tax dollars were spent on projects in 2022-23, projected dollars to be spent in 2023-24, and available cash for projects during the 2023-24 school year. Larger projects include a new wing for Woodlawn Elementary, seven new buses, computers for teachers and students, security cameras, radios, irrigation repairs, and an allocation to the Athletic Task Force for athletics-related upgrades district-wide.

Note: The items that are highlighted in yellow have not been to the Board for approval.

Mrs. Anjelica Tinajero discussed the Capital Project Plan for 2023-24, which included reports for all schools, the Academy at Youth Care Lane, the E. O. Douglas Administrative Complex with ancillary facilities, and transportation. Included with the Capital Project Plan was a break-down of amounts spent district-wide. Mrs. Tinajero explained that some projects were paid with funding sources other than half-cent sales tax and are shown on the lists. A copy of the Capital Project Plan is attached.

Technology Update: Mr. Harry Howes reported that we received the Emergency Connectivity Fund grant and will be able to use those funds to purchase Chromebooks instead of using one half cent sales tax funds.

Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for June 29, 2023. A notice of meeting will be emailed by the Superintendent’s secretary at least seven days in advance of the next meeting.

Mr. John Shoop asked if we could change the ordinance to hold the meeting twice a year or hold Zoom calls twice a year and face-to-face twice a year? If we hold Zoom, can it be held during business hours? Dr. Longshore said we would look into what it would take to get it changed.

Adjournment: Having no other comments or discussion, the meeting ended at 6:06 PM.