Students present on tolerance; public commenter urges edits to standards

Students from Hill Gustat Middle School spoke to the School Board about tolerance, field trips, Future Farmers of America achievements and other school activities. Principal Shane Ward introduced the students and noted teacher nominations for those representing the school.

"Tolerance is the ability to respect people's opinions whether it's on beliefs, culture or someone's style," eighth-grader Lauren Raposo told the board during the student presentation on character education.

Other students highlighted after‑school activities used to raise funds for field trips and student supports, described FFA successes (the food science team placed first at the state level) and demonstrated a short interactive exercise about progress monitoring.

Public comment: Larry Orfield, who identified himself as a Highlands County property owner and taxpayer, told the board he had watched a preparatory meeting and urged the board, teachers and parents to pursue edits to standards. Orfield said he was concerned that teaching only evolution without presenting alternatives amounts to indoctrination and asked the board to engage with state processes to request changes. He framed his concern in religious terms and cited a passage from Matthew to emphasize the stakes.

Board members thanked students for the presentation and noted the career fair, literacy-week activities and community partnerships mentioned during member comments.

What's next: No board action was taken on standards during the meeting; public comment was recorded for the board's consideration.