Citizens' Advisory Committee Minutes

Meeting Date: March 25, 2019
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Place: School board of Highlands County, 426 School Street, Sebring, FL 33870, Garland Boggus Board Room

  1. Welcome and Roll Call: Chair Jason Biance opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.


    Roll call by Cindy Wester:
    Members present: Jason Biance, John Shoop, Vicki Musselman, Chet Brojek, Tiffany Green, Diane Juve, Maritza Telesky, Peggy Sueppel, and Curt Matthews (4-7).
    Members absent: Wendy Amos, David Burnham, Velma Lumpkin, Jennifer Waltman, and Joe Wright.
    District Staff present: Brenda Longshore, Mike Averyt, David Solomon, Frank Brown, Willie Hills, Darrell Layfield, Harry Howes, and Cindy Wester (recorder).

  2. Approval of Minutes: Without a quorum at the January 25 meeting, the November 26,

    2018, minutes were not approved. Chet Brojek made a motion to approve the minutes for meetings held on November 26, 2018, and January 25, 2019. John Shoop seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote to approve the meeting minutes of November 26, 2018, and January 25, 2019.

  3. Revenue and Expenditures Report: Chair Jason Biance presented a spreadsheet of the report of revenue and expenditures broken down by fiscal year. An estimated $1 1.8 million has been received in revenue to date, and expenditures were reported at $8.3 million. Chair Biance presented a chart of hurricane repairs, which is attached and made a part of these minutes. There was general discussion regarding monies received from the State and the Highlands County Sheriffs Office.
    Committee members discussed promoting positive media both in print and on social media.

  4. Department Updates and Reports:
    Transportation: Director of Transportation, Mr. David Solomon, updated the Committee on buses in use, buses purchased, and their anticipated delivery. He introduced Mr. Willie Hills, the new director who will be assuming the position following Mr. Solomon's retirement in June.
    Mike Averyt discussed the addition of tracking devices for buses. Mr. Solomon added that this pilot project would begin in mid-April.
    Facilities: Chair Biance asked Mr. Frank Brown, Director of Facilities, for an update. Mr. Brown spoke about progress made in fencing the campuses. He stated that August 1 remains their deadline. Chair Biance followed up with a question about existing roof issues. Mr. Brown addressed this.


    Technology: Chair Biance asked Mr. Darrell Layfield, Director of MIS, for an update in technology. Mr. Layfield reported that the focus had been on updating classroom teachers' laptops and computers that are not up to date.
    Mr. Layfield gave an update on the Chrome book 1:1 program. A member voiced a complaint from a parent. Mr. Layfield addressed the concern. General discussion ensued regarding the Chromebook 1: 1 program. Mr. Layfield addressed these issues.
    Harry Howes added that 900 security cameras had been installed with the intent to increase that number to 1,100 by summer. He stated that MIS is also adding cameras facing outward through a window to monitor parking lots.

  5. Election of 2019-2020 Officers: John Shoop motioned to nominate Curt Matthews as Citizens' Advisory Committee Chairperson. Vicki Musselman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in electing Curt Matthews as Chair.
    Mr. Biance asked for nominations for Vice Chairperson. Chet Brojek motioned to nominate Diane Juve as Vice Chairperson; Vicki Musselman seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to elect Diane Juve as Vice Chairperson.
    Mr. Biance stated he would follow up with Wendy Amos, who was elected in November as Secretary.

  6. Calendar of Meetings: Mr. Biance discussed setting meeting dates for 2019-2020. Curt Matthews asked that a meeting be held at the time of the Board walk-throughs. Vicki Musselman brought attention to the Rules of Governance, which states that the Committee is to meet quarterly. John Shoop confirmed that quarterly meetings were the original intent.
    Diane Juve asked about this Committee attending the Budget Workshops. General discussion ensued. Mr. Shoop reminded that this Committee is a monitoring committee.
    Following discussion, it was decided by consensus to set meetings in September, November, and January (after the walk-through), and in March (before the budget workshop).
    John Shoop made a motion to set the next meeting on Monday, September 16, at 5:30PM.

    Discussion followed the motion regarding attendance at meetings. John Shoop recommended having John McClure, School Board Attorney, review the original Resolution and Rules of Governance. Tiffany Green seconded the motion, and the motion carried by unanimous vote to set the next meeting on September 16, 2019.
    There was concern raised about the lack of participation from some Committee members at meetings. John Shoop read from the Rules of Governance, "Committee members will be removed after missing three consecutive regular meetings." There was general discussion about alternates and the procedure to add new members. John Shoop recommended following up with Board Attorney John McClure. Cindy Wester will deliver the documents to Mr. McClure for review.

  7. Adjourn: Having no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.