[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6313655,"mediaKeyId","2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98","parentId",2387259,"title","Donors fund Sphero robotics packs for district schools; Meta Blazers team demonstrates robots at meeting","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",348000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98&start=348&end=348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98/thumbnail_348000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313655/Florida/Donors-fund-Sphero-robotics-packs-for-district-schools-Meta-Blazers-team-demonstrates-robots-at-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313655-b62f417b8e2a881b5285695eb370effa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775636780&Signature=cZTQeSV2yoUy7t7Hul1CqjrYQOOLcJY~01RpKdAOZeQU3UwZNyfBp3dlubi8rbrORZTdYjsw~dBbMYXTy9OFlxPfXPE8QjS8i7GAh6FOrZv1aFcJcRpGyHf3XHpJdCkjiG7Pud9uhAy3498RLhJvQ507RxkFj6Vd0S03pvCiJ09Vbg0a5w0h1pi4adCWZR1tx3M2qjHkMPOjiBzY~FUlhz55EhcWFmRgB65isBNu-A6xCMvs1pugYkXChbi4Q4g9NoyrKEpYoGpYIanBB4KjjjsifDPJliFao1oN7eKgLDxW9B8MX~ohlt9BeC7~Ol9tTC4CXf60uih8kIRqtLOCjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Indian River County School District","date","2025-02-25T00:42:48Z","article","The board recognized Steve and Jane Jones for donating Sphero Bolt robotics accessory packs to a set of district schools and held a brief student demonstration during the presentations portion of the meeting.

Carrie Wall, the district’s senior digital innovation administrator, said the Sphero devices \"offer our students hands on opportunities to explore coding, engineering, and design\" and publicly thanked donors \"on behalf of the district, our educators, and most importantly, our students.\" The presentation named six schools receiving equipment: Osceola Elementary (principal Jennifer Norris), Beachland Elementary (assistant principal Jessica Keaton), Citrus Elementary (principal Tasha Jones), Rosewood Elementary (principal Adam Faust), Treasure Coast Elementary (principal Jeremy Keane) and Sebastian River Middle School (top fundraiser for the donation effort).

Students from the district’s robotics league — introduced as the Meta Blazers and the Techie Pirates by presenters — rolled robots across the meeting room floor for a brief demonstration and spelled out \"thank you\" with the devices for the donors, who attended the meeting. The presentation said each school will receive a Sphero accessory pack that includes a terrain park and two chariots.

Also recognized during presentations were GYAC (Gifford Youth Achievement Center) recipients of a district casual-for-a-cause fundraiser; the district announced a $2,340.65 donation and named Sebastian River Middle School as a top fundraiser (Sebastian River Middle School raised $386). The board acknowledged the donor presentation and students; no action items were associated with the donation.

What’s next: district staff will distribute the Sphero accessory packs to the named schools and incorporate robotics into STEAM instruction as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Business Meeting and Presentations 5:30 p.m. 2/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The district recognized donors Steve and Jane Jones for funding Sphero Bolt robotics accessory packs for multiple schools; students from six schools demonstrated robots for the school board.","taxTitle","Indian River, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15378,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313659,"District highlights Career and Technical Education programs; presenters cite high certification and pass rates",210,1132000,1342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98&start=1132&end=1342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98/thumbnail_1132000.jpg","/articles/6313659/Florida/District-highlights-Career-and-Technical-Education-programs-presenters-cite-high-certification-and-pass-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313659-25512dde1fda667b7b1a17889d9221a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775636780&Signature=Ss2DFZ76ws2wnxJGaQd3cc9Uwcaq80AzV4dwWUSPVdNOZSW5NnPTCSYKeP7~1Csr6S3F0~SkWywC7DyobJa9QlD4Hoj-0EYuaYdFCv8-LkAJc4lzq9Gw1UjW7avVlnkwnOvSCw613SF3Czn0MwpULQ5wuCe~uth5Qm~lE-nWD1cSpGhDy36vFC1gFNmAtHWkxYgGiIjFWHMRbY6nrLMzfcfqkZPO-qKIYkwYLy41qrFfQotihgVSgkntsAnfaLPMS0P31UW5aHRusAmFfbz-NulImyCbv78zPPXSUyr1YGEzzRJYWjEwkYtmOyTQR9hlI8iZe4RJqja3MmXGQYVLbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District CTE leaders presented an overview of Career and Technical Education programs and their outcomes, highlighting industry partnerships, student certifications and high pass rates in specific programs.

Anne Bieber, director of academic success, and Christy Shields, director of Treasure Coast Technical College (TCTC), introduced a segment showing program highlights and a video. The presentation cited program-specific results and partnerships: Sebastian Aerospace Technology reported that 88% of third-year students earned authorization to take the FAA ground-school exam; Sebastian Automotive received a $1.9 million grant for classroom renovation and a Tesla trainer; Vero Biotechnology reported an 80% pass rate on a certification exam compared with a national rate of 63% cited in the presentation; TCTC HVAC programs reported 100% pass rates on EPA 608 and HVAC Employment Ready certifications; and TCTC practical nursing and phlebotomy programs reported pass rates above 90%.

Presenters also said Sebastian Culinary provides catering services and that student-run enterprises produce thousands of meals or items (the backup noted 4,186 drinks prepared at one program since opening, averaging about 135 per day during a single operating hour). Vero Digital Video won a statewide radon-awareness video contest; Digital Information Technology reported the highest number of industry certificates earned across programs.

Board members praised the CTE programs during subsequent discussion and several trustees urged broader community tours to showcase hands-on labs, biotech work and newly funded equipment. Trustee Mister Dyer noted the potential to expand CTE offerings in a future boutique high school model and urged leveraging local industry demand for jobs such as licensed drone pilots or HVAC technicians.

No formal action was requested or taken; presenters provided the overview during the presentations portion of the meeting.","The board received an overview of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including industry partnerships and certification pass rates across programs such as biotechnology, HVAC, culinary and digital design.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313661,"District previews documentary on \"moonshot\" literacy work; officials tout large community partnership",324,1871000,2195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98&start=1871&end=2195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","/articles/6313661/Florida/District-previews-documentary-on-moonshot-literacy-work-officials-tout-large-community-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313661-7bc7f12a90c5a4d7942a4a2d4b4b3575/orig.mp4?Expires=1775636780&Signature=QoDkBh~GF52iGfY6etR9-GkWOWqT72XpwDoqMiZPk8lSwdO40GnxSV3yULuLgl-x94ZlP44VyUZLsvjS-YwUVelD~i7D9VubDcwkvOZEgTsz6D37DDBcACWTaXLy3FO0yBKtm6Bbpnp0B~SxeVQielLCWGPWibWxsoURXe4SJ-UmhPCUHmHZWctDVqbRobwX5obcdvWMY~D1kPp5vCFzEDGRSsgr2-5kdjwam0QbaU7~d33tU53eOaAM-LKinp7an0uQEXbw-O9of7O~aJuvSXfDed2GRHxAUmx92KIHI95iNQVGZEzha649GpVhDZO4~o1pK-JecH7DysJP9WgBAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Board of Indian River County was shown a preview of a documentary profiling the district’s community-wide effort to improve early literacy through a public-private partnership known as the Learning Alliance.

Superintendent David Moore introduced the preview, recounting how an independent filmmaker approached the district after observing local practice and saying he wanted to document the community’s effort. The documentary frames the county’s effort as a \"moonshot\" goal to reach 90 percent third-grade literacy.

The documentary narrator summarized the challenge and the community response: \"We wanna have 90% literacy by third grade. It could be life changing if we crack the code,\" the narrator says in the preview. The film positions the Learning Alliance — a local nonprofit partnership started by parents and philanthropists — as central to the work, and describes the district’s investments in early grades, after-school and summer pilots, and teacher development.

Presenters and documentary excerpts credited the district’s gains: the preview said the district has improved dramatically in recent years, including an increase of 29 state rank positions over the last four years, being the most improved district in Florida over the last three years, earning a district grade of A for the last two years and maintaining a 96% high school graduation rate. The preview also noted recognition as a national pacesetter by the Campaign for Grade Level Reading over the last 13 years.

Superintendent Moore told the board the film is intended to \"tell our community's story\" about collective work and to share lessons with other districts. Board members and presenters emphasized the partnership between schools, parents and nonprofit funders and said the documentary is a vehicle to spread lessons learned, not a final assessment of outcomes.

The board heard the preview prior to the business meeting; no action was taken. The superintendent said the film is a starting point for public conversation about literacy and the local strategy.

Why it matters: the documentary highlights a sustained, multi-year strategy involving district programming and community funding aimed at improving early literacy outcomes; the district said it hopes other communities can use the lessons.

What’s next: no board action was required; district staff said the documentary will be shared publicly as a preview of work underway.","School leaders previewed a documentary about Indian River County's Learning Alliance and the district’s early-literacy \"moonshot\" goal, describing years of public-private work to raise third-grade reading and improve district rankings and graduation rates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313663,"Board approves renaming Pelican Island Elementary to Pelican Island Classical Magnet School",854,5962000,6816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98&start=5962&end=6816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98/thumbnail_5962000.jpg","/articles/6313663/Florida/Board-approves-renaming-Pelican-Island-Elementary-to-Pelican-Island-Classical-Magnet-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313663-685b2694c32851cc2f6c33cc6f9ed50d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775636780&Signature=FThEDtfGcCsUlfgNwSJ~jP~e1biirr2e5xFsq-O6pFcor9Ln63mKu4z2cZTDQNxZJe7XO1wwvQwgzasNGA2fM8bxwQeHoDjkfn32Y0kuuiuHtrZ3iAJLVriJQY~fg6VeaSlNDqtDtTro9f7FLOxCyhfOkyoUJtzGABbicuWE5lwzrfdhXsbFf7eF5ImAErJZ9HzSFgKIzKAH90pla3BknpV50DPhblaxIFOBBIf7HkiZ2Sow5toccokc6ekVC-5o9B-VHWpie8PYF1al3gkecxnJ8-N~VH7zC~xc2zzuC1z-qQGwnpAyw2ZEfxk6KogApAR2fV8ObVNcEHdBKzBoSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Board of Indian River County unanimously approved renaming Pelican Island Elementary to Pelican Island Classical Magnet School.

District staff said they followed Policy 72-50 (Commemoration of School Facilities) and hosted a community forum on Feb. 12, 2025; 17 attendees provided input and a subsequent work group consisting of parents, students, faculty and district staff voted unanimously to recommend the new name.

Doctor Jared Schefft (district staff) told the board the work group recommended the name after discussing several options and that Pelican Island did not have a student council, so the committee included an enrolled student to represent student input.

During board discussion trustees debated whether to include “K-8” in the official name to highlight the school’s configuration as it adds middle grades. Board member Jackie Rosario and others said parents often look for K-8 designations when evaluating schools and called the K-8 label an “attractor.” District staff and several board members noted that the work group had considered branding and chose \"Pelican Island Classical Magnet School\" as the committee’s preferred phrasing and had concerns about premature use of \"K-8\" before the school’s middle grades were fully open.

A Moms for Liberty representative, speaking during public comment, said the group supported the classical magnet proposal; the speaker praised the change as a community-friendly, choice-oriented improvement.

The motion to approve the renaming carried 5-0. Superintendent David Moore and district staff will update administrative materials and web listings to reflect the new name and proceed with the district’s notification process.

What’s next: the district will update the school’s signage, website and enrollment materials and proceed with the planned rollout; board members said they will revisit naming for other schools through the established policy process if and when those sites change programmatically.

Votes at a glance: renaming Pelican Island Elementary to Pelican Island Classical Magnet School — approved 5-0.","Following a public forum and stakeholder work group, the School Board unanimously approved renaming Pelican Island Elementary to Pelican Island Classical Magnet School; the committee recommended the new name and the board followed the policy-required process.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313665,"School Board directs superintendent to study expanding foreign-exchange program; measure passes 3-2",677,2886000,3563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98&start=2886&end=3563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387259-f6b7bf6fc6060e801e3725a34aac6c98/thumbnail_2886000.jpg","/articles/6313665/Florida/School-Board-directs-superintendent-to-study-expanding-foreign-exchange-program-measure-passes-3-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313665-9217a264340d260ac7bc6a7503744a28/orig.mp4?Expires=1775636780&Signature=RVcmpHxzzqVW~NNAXbkhWvb8LsTDHwcC2U0XxuzrvGP4053BgN17ZlY-dPIUkZiw3zDiGUGGz1H6hHLZrL7e9hSApKjD0ZVIAxY8p~oQL2b9DUiYtW3o0uATIDVAf4frF9DnL-Xrklw0gcIs~4I7leLWi6qYO-IaXkgQ6jTY9xLjW1Gk~qhl-DS27n9auXEQmtK~PPo2kbekAOsKoP34FXAtdzbJOkE1H~vpQErPn98AGW85AV7Yf8LCKMLLayTjLb7pxeNJkERnc8rH0-C5n47XpWgU3Wt8yVwfWYg9mAiuJ7wW0m0jkvzQU-K5QFMNPd3cy2JPw0RtyPdlAaQFTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Board of Indian River County voted 3-2 to direct Superintendent David Moore to study the feasibility of a broader foreign-exchange program and to return with recommendations and legal review.

Board member Jackie Rosario introduced the item, saying the proposal \"is an item that is pretty straightforward\" and is personally important to her as a former foreign-exchange host. The board’s current policy (Policy 5114, \"Nonimmigrant Students and Foreign Exchange Programs\") was last updated in 2016, Rosario said, and the charge approved Tuesday asks the superintendent and district counsel to review recommended changes and report back to the board.

The study will examine the district’s current practice — the backup materials showed one foreign-exchange student at Sebastian River High School and one at Vero Beach High School, and the current policy allows up to five students per high school — and consider whether to raise limits, change placement rules and clarify visa types and sponsor responsibilities.

Several board members urged a cautious, incremental approach. Board member Dr. Jones said the district’s present policy is \"okay now\" and recommended detailed workshop discussion of specific proposed changes before any large-scale expansion. Dr. Jones also said charter and private schools in the area host many exchange students and that administering a larger program requires staffing and operational oversight.

Board member Dr. Posca, who seconded the motion to send the item for study, said she favored having the superintendent bring back a legally reviewed recommendation \"and then we can go section by section and see how we all feel about it.\" Trustee Mister Dyer said he supported assessing feasibility but worried about adding staff burden while the district implements other large initiatives.

Superintendent David Moore told the board he has not yet done the research and described the request as \"relatively straightforward,\" adding the district would not intend to add heavy new workload to staff and would return with feasible options.

The board exchange also discussed visa categories referenced in the backup materials: J-1 exchange visitor programs and F-1 student visas. Board members noted J-1 placements typically involve host families without stipends, while some F-1 placements may involve third-party sponsors and different payment arrangements; those distinctions will be part of the superintendent's review.

The motion directing the superintendent to study the matter and report back passed on a 3-2 vote. The motion did not include a return date; Rosario said she intentionally left the charge undated and welcomed the superintendent to propose a timeline.

What’s next: Superintendent Moore and district counsel will review the existing Policy 5114, evaluate options for administration and enrollment limits, and return to the board with a report and recommended policy edits.

Votes at a glance: exploration of foreign-exchange program — passed 3-2; vote names and roll-call were not recorded in the transcript, only the final tally.","The Indian River County School Board voted 3-2 to direct the superintendent to explore updating policy 5114 and the feasibility of a more comprehensive foreign-exchange program, with staff to return with legal review and recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Donors fund Sphero robotics packs for district schools; Meta Blazers team demonstrates robots at meeting

District highlights Career and Technical Education programs; presenters cite high certification and pass rates

District previews documentary on "moonshot" literacy work; officials tout large community partnership

Board approves renaming Pelican Island Elementary to Pelican Island Classical Magnet School

School Board directs superintendent to study expanding foreign-exchange program; measure passes 3-2