Monroe County School Board Meeting Highlights for May 23

The Monroe County School District met May 23rd, 2017 at the Coral Shores High School Media Center for a scheduled School Board workshop and meeting. The meeting convened with four board members, with Board Member Andy Griffiths absent due to scheduled travel.

Here are highlights from the workshop and meeting:

  • The School Board finalized their discussion of changing school start times, based on recommendations from Superintendent Mark Porter. There was an emphasis on changing Horace O’Bryant School to one start time for the K-8 population, and a start time 15 minutes earlier for Poinciana Elementary School to account for their staggered drop-off and dismissal schedule.
  • Recognition of GEMs included: the cast of the Phantom of the Opera performed by Coral Shores High School students, the coaches and mentors and team members of the Unified Champion Teams in the upper keys for their trip to state in Orlando, the Odyssey of the Mind team in the upper keys, and an environmental project from educator, Pam Caputo working beyond the school hours to promote green efforts.
  • Executive Director of Operations and Planning, Patrick Lefere, discussed the interactive technology panels to be installed the schools throughout the District.
  • Lefere also discussed construction updates focusing on the Horace O’Bryant Bus Loop and the Marathon Middle High School Athletic Complex.
  • A revised version of the drafted policy on random student drug testing based on input from the School Board and further discussion with the administrators and athletic directors at the high schools was on the agenda for a first reading.
  • Director of Maintenance, Jeff Barrow, presented the maintenance projects happening in the summer throughout the District, which includes HVAC repairs and upgrades to the Performing Arts Centers at the High Schools.
  • The School Board Members also approved the following items:
    • Approval of Superintendent’s recommendation for SIS Coordinator Michael Michaud
    • Approval of 2017-2018 administrative recommendations for the 2017-2018 school year, with official discussion of administrative salaries with the Board to follow.
    • Approval of option A for 2017-2018 School Board Meeting dates and locations, which includes workshop times built in to the schedule at all meetings.
    • Approval of second reading policies for the procurement of Federal grants/funds, search and seizure, and participation by transfer.
    • Approval of the recommended 2017-2018 school start times from the Superintendent, with a no vote, from Board Member, Bobby Highsmith.
    • Approval of the award to Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc. for the construction of the Horace O’Bryant School bus loop.

For a look at the full agenda, or to watch the May 23rd meeting, please click here. There was a loss of sound during the first half hour of the workshop. The meeting will be available for on demand viewing by Friday.

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