Brevard school board adopts three April proclamations, honors Head Start and new finance director
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Summary
At its March 31 meeting, the Brevard Public School Board adopted proclamations recognizing Autism Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Military Child; it also recognized Head Start achievements and introduced a new director of financial planning.
The Brevard Public School Board on March 31 adopted three proclamations designating April as Autism Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month and recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child, and it recognized local program awards and personnel promotions.
Board members approved the agenda and then heard a video and several short presentations about the Homebase program, a model serving middle‑school students with autism. Diana Pittenger, an ESE home‑based teacher at Central Middle School, described classroom supports that include emotional‑regulation instruction, co‑teaching by speech‑language pathologists and sensory tools to help students participate in general education settings. Mary Reed, introduced by a board member as a founder of the parent network Supporting Our ASD Kids, accepted the autism proclamation and thanked the district for its recognition.
The board also adopted a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Devine Vincent, the partner guest who accepted the proclamation, said the district and community will mark the month with outreach events including pinwheel plantings "to make sure...children in our community have that right to a safe, happy and healthy childhood."
A third proclamation honored military children and encouraged community participation in a "purple up" day April 15. Colonel Chapman, introduced as a commander from Patrick Space Force Base, thanked the district for the recognition and noted the frequent moves and separations military families face.
Board members used the meeting to honor other district achievements. The board introduced Ashley Smith as the new director of financial planning, cost analysis and innovation; Smith said she will work to increase transparency and data‑driven financial planning. The board also recognized Celeste Tan as the Region 4 Head Start Teacher of the Year and noted that a Head Start–Brevard Zoo partnership won the national Edward Zigler Innovation Award.
The board took the measures by voice or roll‑call vote where required. The proclamations and recognitions conclude with ceremonial photos and no additional formal action required at this meeting.
