Saul Speights- School Board Member, athletic official, and friend to all

It’s not uncommon for individuals in the Citrus County community to send photos to me of Mr. Speights in action

I often share about amazing people and programs connected to Citrus County Schools, but today, I want to shine a light on a truly incredible individual from Hamilton County whose impact extends far beyond the basketball court, volleyball court, and softball field.

Saul Speights, school board member, athletic official, and friend to all! This guy is a true powerhouse in the sports community, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to every game he referees.

Before becoming an athletic official, Mr. Speights was a coach who instilled in his players the love for sports, the importance of teamwork and fair play. He encouraged them to work together towards a common goal, and the satisfaction of putting in the effort to achieve success. And, let me tell you, that coaching experience sure paid off when he joined the Hamilton County School Board.

Mr. Speights is a true advocate for student-athletes and youth athletes. He knows the importance of sports in a young person’s development and dedicates himself to ensuring that every student-athlete has the opportunity to compete in a safe and fair environment. He’s filling a much-needed shortage of officials and referees, because, without trained officials, we can’t have competitions!

His professionalism, positive attitude, and care for youth are widely recognized. Mr. Speights is known in our Citrus County, over two hours from Hamilton County. It’s not uncommon for individuals in the Citrus County community to send photos to me of Mr. Speights in action at a game, expressing their appreciation for his knowledge of the rules, positive impact on the game, and overall excellence as an official. They rave about his positive demeanor and his ability to keep games fair and enjoyable for all participants.

In addition to his work as an athletic official, Mr. Speights is also a school board member and community leader. He’s an advocate for students and works tirelessly to ensure they receive the resources and support they need to succeed. He’s a valuable member of the community and a true asset to the education and sports communities. I am honored to work with him at the Florida School Board Association where he also serves on the Board of Directors.

Saul Speights is an exceptional individual whose impact extends far beyond his own county. He’s a positive school board member and community leader who brings his passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence to everything he does. I am thrilled to share about this remarkable person, whose contributions to sports and education are truly invaluable.

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Celebrate Literacy Week

Today, I had the pleasure of reading “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt to Ms. Kristel Frati’s 3rd grade class at Citrus Springs Elementary School as part of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida. This event is an important part of the “Just Read, Florida” initiative, a statewide reading program through the Florida Department of Education. It is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida’s students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.

As I read the book, I made a text-to-self connection with the students by relating the letters from the crayons in the story to letters I receive as a school board member. The students were so engaged and made many high-order connections. They were fascinated by the idea that even crayons can have their own voice and opinions.

I have to give a special thank you to Ms. Frati for creating such an engaging and interactive reading experience for her students. Reading is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in school and in life. It helps to develop language, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. It also opens up a world of knowledge and imagination, and can be a source of entertainment and enjoyment.

That’s why Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida is so important. It helps to raise awareness about the benefits of reading and encourages families and students to make reading part of their daily routines.

I had an amazing time reading to Ms. Frati’s class today and seeing their excitement and engagement as they listened to the story.

Literacy Week is another great opportunity for us to come together as a community to promote the importance of reading and to encourage students and families to make it a regular part of their lives. I would like to give a big thank you to Ms. Frati for creating such a great reading experience for her students. Happy reading!

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FSBA leaders attend COSSBA Leadership seminar and training

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