Seminole school board meeting highlights: recognitions, safety report, fundraising, and public comments on facilities and mental health
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Summary
The board recognized educators and veterans, received a quarterly safety report with minimal inspection issues, heard that the foundation raised about $242,000, and received public comments about AC failures, school zone safety and student mental health concerns.
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Seminole County Public Schools board opened with recognitions, heard routine reports and received multiple public comments on facilities and mental-health concerns.
The meeting included recognitions for veterans and several educators: Heather M. Staley was honored as the veteran of the month and Sherry Brinkman and Minnie Cardona received district and state-level educator awards. The board also noted that the district's foundation raised roughly $242,000 at its "Night of Impact" fundraiser to support student scholarships and programs.
Captain Shaw presented the quarter 1 school safety statistical report, noting two Department of Education inspections with minimal issues that were corrected the same day. The board approved the consent agenda and a set of student disciplinary recommendations by voice vote.
Public commenters urged attention to long-running facility problems and student safety. Lake Brantley teacher Connor Munro urged the board to investigate repeated classroom AC failures and suggested board engagement with SEA to find permanent solutions. Another commenter from Winter Springs asked the board to revisit whether a school zone should be designated in front of Winter Springs Elementary, citing pedestrian safety despite a lighted intersection.
Multiple speakers raised student mental-health concerns; one commenter, Raquel Molina, referenced three recent student suicides in the district during the week and urged continued focus on mental-health supports. Board members repeatedly noted mental-health resources, cited partnerships with local nonprofits and reminded the public of crisis hotline 988 and other local services.
Procedurally, the board approved the consent agenda, accepted student-discipline recommendations, and adjourned with a note that reorganization would follow.
Votes at a glance: agenda approval (voice vote, motion carried), consent agenda approved (voice vote), student-discipline recommendations approved (voice vote), and suspension without pay for Mr. Baez (voice vote).