MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUGUST 14th
MARATHON, Fla. — Monroe County School Board members met August 14th, 2018 at Marathon High School, for a scheduled workshop and regular meeting. Mrs. Mindy Conn attended telephonically. Mr. Ron Martin was not in attendance due to a family emergency.
Here are highlights from the workshop and meeting:
Board members review draft of a local preference policy
District officials discussed a drafted local preference policy during the board workshop.
Internal Services Director Suanne Lee said the policy includes language from the City of Key West, Monroe County and other municipalities. “We tried to come up with really specific language for the RFP versus ITB, so that there is a clear delineation.”
The bid requirements drafted in the policy restrict local preference to a geographic area of about 25 miles to maximize a preference to vendors in Monroe County. Board members also suggested allowing at least a 5% difference between bid prices with a preference towards local providers. Vendors will have to verify requirements like location of business and amount of employees living within the area where the company will complete the work.
Due to state administrative restrictions put in place related to FEMA reimbursements and vendors contracted for emergency repair work, board members and officials agreed the policy needed a stipulation highlighting storm-related contract requirements.
Superintendent Mark Porter said administrators plan to bring the item back as a discussion item to further workshop the policy before a first reading.
District officials discuss implications of school grades
Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability Dave Murphy presented the data related to school and district grades. Dr. Murphy charted the progress of the elementary, middle, and high schools for board members.
He addressed the improvements and dips across school grades and courses. Dr. Murphy spoke to slight decreases in math learning gains overall in elementary schools, while middle and high schools showed improvements in acceleration and college and career readiness. Dr. Murphy also cited improvements in mathematics for high school, attributing them to alterations administrators made to pacing student entry into courses like Algebra I.
Dr. Murphy noted the district’s slip in ranking overall, despite overall improvements and receiving an ‘A’ district-wide. “I am optimistic that if we don’t encounter big challenges that we did this year, we will be able to return to the top 10.” He added, indicators like graduation rate and acceleration may help with an increase in overall ranking for next year.
Dr. Murphy noted the rigor of AP may have suffered due to loss of instructional time. He did emphasize however, students performing at a level that makes the course offerings valuable in the long-term financially for students. Dr. Murphy also cited the implementation of Calculus and Computer Science course due to student and community request.
Superintendent Porter said the district offers AP courses to students who may have not traditionally taken the courses, emphasizing a need for support for teachers and students.
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Superintendent addresses the success of the all-employee Welcome Back
Mr. Porter commended the work of Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Theresa Axford’s curriculum team for the outstanding coordination of the event for more than 1000 employees, which included support staff, teachers, administrators and the district’s safety and security officers.
Training was catered and relevant to each employee groups. Initial employee feedback emphasized the effectiveness of the specialization of the training based on employee background. Worked to collaborate with mental health providers from the Guidance Care Center, Keysbridge, and mental health experts from the district.
The superintendent commended Food and Nutrition Service Director Melissa Albright coordinated with her team to provide more than 1000 employees a lunch the food service team prepared.
Mr. Porter also showed appreciation for the Welcome Back’s keynote speaker, Jon Landau, Academy Award-winning producer. He was grateful Mr. Landau, a Florida Keys resident, was able to capture the motivational and uplifting message in his speech to employees. Mr. Porter emphasized how gracious he was for Mr. Landau choosing to donate his time as a keynote speaker.
Board members and district officials discuss 2018-2019 school year tentative budget highlights and challenges
Executive Director of Finance and Performance present the budget presentation for a second time. Mr. Drake said the final presentation at Coral Shores High School would reflect the outcome of the public vote on the referendum.
Budget highlights include approved salaries and benefits, payments to charter schools, and the newly mandated safety and security costs.
Mr. Drake added the total millage levy in support of the fiscal year 2018/2019 budget is 3.3725 mills to include the five separately proposed millage rates. The overall rate for 2018-2019 shows a 0.0165 millage increase.
Mr. Drake emphasized how the state established the assessment of property tax and millage rate implementation for use at the district levels.
He said he does expect to present a balanced budget to the board, taking into consideration compensation increases, payments to charter schools, and additional state-mandated allocations for safety and security and mental health.
The remaining budget hearing is scheduled at Coral Shores High School on September 11.
Marathon High School coaches recognized with prestigious state athletic award
District officials recognized MHS Athletic Director, Teresa Konrath for leading an FACA Cary McDonald award-winning athletic program at the high school. MHS was one of 11 programs recognized in the state, receiving accolades as the 4A/3A/2A Public program winner.
Middle Keys schools receive family and community involvement awards
Mrs. Axford awarded Marathon Middle and High Schools, and Stanley Switlik Elementary School with the Florida Department of Education’s Golden School Awards. The state presents the award to schools providing facilitated community service and volunteer programming for students and staff. Mrs. Axford said the award signifies the more than $40,000 of volunteer dollars and hours generated via the community service programming.
Board members voted to approve the following items:
- Approval of the contract for the Marathon High School athletic complex
- Approval of the district drug testing Memorandum of Understanding
- Approval of the 2018-2019 district assessment calendar
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