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Students, media centers and community partners highlighted; board adds student speech to public record
Summary
Student leaders reported on The Longest Table event and CTE interests, district media staff announced more than 130 donated books from the Tallahassee Symphony, and the board unanimously approved a motion to add Prodigy Brown’s thought for the day to the public record.
The Leon County School Board used part of its Jan. 13 meeting to showcase student voice and school media successes and to recognize community partnerships.
Kathleen Malloy and district media staff described three schools that won the Florida Power Library award and explained the statewide review process for media centers. Malloy said the Tallahassee Symphony, through director Amanda Stringer, is donating more than 130 copies of a book about Tallahassee’s musical history to district school media centers.
"They are donating over a 130 books to our schools," Malloy said, thanking partners and encouraging board members to view artwork and curriculum connections included with the donation.
Students also spoke. Talyn Owens, co‑chair of The Longest Table High School Edition, said the student‑led event promoted dialogue and inclusion: "We had 27 student ambassadors ... 436 students signed up and 360 attended, which was the biggest turnout we have ever had," Owens said, and announced the 2026 event date.
Student district advisory council representatives Nathan Coogel and Tariq Walker reported interest in CAD courses (computer‑aided design) and proposed a student leadership conference and an SGA Scholar Exchange Day for high‑school cross‑visits. They also noted service projects and upcoming meetings with school‑safety partners.
Separately, Mister Jones moved that Prodigy Brown’s thought for the day be "added to our public record to be, and that it will be saved there in perpetuity that the board might be able to reference it at later meetings." The chair seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Procedural note: several routine policy amendments and a professional services contract were considered and approved elsewhere on the agenda; no public speakers addressed the policy items.
Closing: board members praised student leadership and community partnerships and took a photograph with recognized schools and staff.
