School Board Meeting Recap 11/9/2010

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 both a Regular School Board meeting and a Public Hearing were held.  This was the last board meeting before the Organizational meeting and the new board term begins.

At the meeting the Board and public heard a presentation from the architect on the Phase II design of Crystal River High School (CRHS).  The Board will be provided designs and options at upcoming meetings and will then proceed with decisions about Phase II of CRHS.

The Board voted to approve the creation of 57 new school student aides, putting two new student aid e s at each of our schools.  The stimulus grant is being used to pay for these positions.  While these aides are TERM units (meaning that they are on annual [not permanent] contract) this means 57 new employment positions in Citrus County are available.  The positions will be posted soon so for those interested, visit http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/departments/personnel/jobposting.htm.

Director of Technology and Information Services, Dr. Mike Geddes gave two presentations.  He shared information on 140 additional ELMOs that will placed into our schools and classroom.  For those unfamiliar with an ELMO, it is   a Document Camera which is the modern equivalent of an overhead projector.  These ELMOs are a valuable tool for our classrooms and teachers.  Currently,  about 56% of our classrooms have ELMOs or document cameras  but the goal is to equip more of our classrooms with document cameras.

Dr. Geddes also shared a wonderful grant that Ms. Novak and Mrs. Kozminski at Citrus Springs Middle School are hoping to receive.  Part of the grant requirement was to create a unique video about the need for technology in the classrooms.  To see this wonderful video click here.

Director of Research & Accountability Patrick Simon provided an update on the 2010 District Improvement and Assistance Plan (DIP).  This DIP an overview of the district plan to address academic challenges in our district.  The data complied to make the DIP is received from   many different standardized and proficiency tests and is further compiled from school’s individual School Improvement Plans (SIP).  Both the DIP and the SIP are excellent information for  parents and community members to see what strategies our district and schools are  using  to improve our students learning.  CLICK HERE to view district and school improvement plans.

This was Mr. Lou Miele’s last board meeting and he was presented with a plague and several cards and gifts.  Many district employees and board members thanked him for his service and commitment to students.  I, too,  want to thank Mr. Miele for his years of service as an educator and school board member.  Mr. Miele loves children and many Citrus County children are all the better because of Mr. Miele’s service.  Mr. Miele  has always been a gentleman to me in every setting  and   I have greatly appreciated how kind he has been to me in this transition process.

The next school board meeting will be the annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, November 16th at 4:00pm when I  , along with Mrs. Pat Deutschman and Linda Powers,  will be sworn to office.  Hope you can make it and if you can’t, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Related Links:

CRHS & LHS headed to state swim meets in Orlando

Lecanto's Jake Tamposi, above, and Crystal River's Malachi Oakes competed against each other in the freestyle at the Terra Vista Aquatic Center earlier this season. They'll both be representing their respective school's at the state swim meets in Orlando this week. Tamposi enters as the regional champ in the 100 breast and Oakes will swim the 100 and 200 free.

Crystal River, a Lady Pirate diver and a lone ranger from Lecanto to follow in their footsteps.

The county will be represented strongest by Crystal River’s Malachi Oakes and Lecanto’s Jake Tamposi, who made rewriting the history books almost a daily occurrence this fall.

READ MORE HERE…

School Board REGULAR MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING: November 9, 2010

Regular Meeting at 3:00pm and Public Hearing at 5:00pm on Tuesday, November 9, 2010

At the Citrus County School District, Board Chambers, 1007 W. Main Street, Inverness, Florida 34450

To view agenda click this link: November 9, 2010 Agenda

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CRHS Swim Does well at regional meet

Pirates’ school records fall at regional meet

By John Coscia – ChronicleOnline

TALLAHASSEE – The records were falling – and so were the temperatures – on Thursday night at the Class 1A-1 regional swim meet at the Morcom Aquatic Center in Tallahassee on Thursday.

Not only were the Crystal River Pirates well represented with 16 swimmers in 24 individual events but six of the school’s relay teams also competed at the regional meet.

here were several stories worthy of note and the one certainly taking top billing was Malachi Oakes who broke two school records in the 100 and 200 yard freestyles, with fourth and sixth place finishes, respectively.

CLICK HERE TO REAM MORE…

Thomas Kennedy to be Sworn-In Nov. 16th at 4:00pm – Public Welcome

Dear Friends,

The day of my swearing is fast approaching.  Many of you have asked for me to let you know when and where so that you may attend.  I would be honored if you attended.  The Citrus County School Board Organizational meeting and swearing-in takes place on Tuesday, November 16th at 4:00pm in the Board Chambers at the Citrus County School District Offices located at 1007 W. Main Street, Inverness, Florida 34450.  If you’d like to, you can also put this on your Facebook calendar by CLICKING HERE.

Hope you can make it and if you can’t, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Don’t forget you can follow all my School Board happenings at my blog site at www.OurCitrusCountySchools.com. Please share the web site with others ,  too!

Thank you for all of your encouragement and support!

Thomas

Thomas

.25 mills Rate Referendum Passes

Thank you Citrus County voters for voting to maintain the millage rate for capital improvement for our schools.  Voters choose by over 65% to continue to improve our schools.  The voters get an “A+” in my book!

The Chronicle Reports

“The referendum to continue for two years the .25 mills collected by the Citrus County School District for capital outlay needs passed in Tuesday’s election.

This is not a tax increase; rather the Legislature requires the school district to seek voter approval to continue collecting the tax for capital  outlay.”