Citizens Advisory Committee Minutes

Meeting Date: August 28, 2017
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Place: School Board of Highlands County, 426 School Street, Sebring, FL, Garland Boggus Board Room

  1. Welcome: Chairman Jason Biance welcomed everyone to the Citizen's Advisory Committee (Committee) Meeting and asked for roll call.

  2. Roll Call:

    1. Members present - Jason Biance, Kay Ferguson, Tiffany Green, Ned Hancock, Diane Juve, Olimpia Lonsdale, Vicki Musselman, John Shoop, and Maritza Telesky

    2. Members absent - Chet Brojek, David Burnham, Velma Lumpkin, Curt Matthews, Jennifer Waltman, and Joe Write

    3. Others in attendance - Brenda Longshore, Mike Averyt, Andrew Lethbridge, Frank Brown, David Solomon, Harry Howes, Darrell Layfield, John Varady, and Lorie Layfield

  3. Approval of Minutes: John Shoop moved to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2017, meeting. Olimpia Lonsdale seconded the motion. Minutes passed on a unanimous vote.

  4. Update on funds received: Mr. Biance reported that revenues are approximately $400-$450,000 per month range with first monies received on March 27th. Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, Mike Averyt, stated that June's revenue was projected and those funds were allocated so purchase orders could be done and that funds were being allocated out as they come in. Purchase orders for buses were done in March 2017. Facilities began their work in June 2017. Mr. Biance presented a PowerPoint, which is attached and made a part of these minutes.

  5. Project List Overview: Mike Averyt presented and reviewed the project list, which listed needs in total as well as broken down by site. Committee member, Ned Hancock, asked if all projects on the list would get done within the budget year and, if not, suggested a carry-over plan. Frank Brown, Director of Facilities, estimated that 80% of project list would be done.

  6. Chromebook Discussion: Committee member, Vicki Musselman, expressed concern over Chromebooks going home with students and keeping track of money spent on them. Darrell Layfield, Director of MIS, stated that the same software (Destiny) used in our media centers is being used to inventory and track every Chromebook and power supply being released to students. No discipline problems with usage has been reported to date. There was further discussion regarding parent resources and fees to offset the cost of repairs.

  7. HVAC Systems: Frank Brown reported that HVAC deliveries were made to Sebring Middle, Avon Park Middle, and Fred Wild Elementary.

  8. Website Content: Mr. Biance introduced Lorie Layfield, Highlands County School Board Webmaster, who will manage the Committee's webpage. Mr. Biance asked for input and edits on a community thank-you letter to be posted to the webpage as well as other content. Committee members Kay Ferguson, Ned Hancock, and Diane Juve gave input and at the conclusion of a lengthy discussion, Mr. Biance moved to approve the website content as recommended by the Committee. Mrs. Juve seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

  9. Next Meeting Date: The Next meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Committee will be before the Board Walk-throughs - approximately January 2018. An email will be sent with the specific meeting date.

  10. Adjourn: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM.