Lee Elementary FamiLee Talking Points

The following talking points are brief topics of interest that express the opinions of the general parent body and were discussed. These topics of interest will be discussed during the Town Hall meeting on Thursday, January 11th 2018 starting at 6:30pm in Hollis Hall. We are asking that you review these talking points and sign the petition acknowledging that these topics of interest will be discussed during the Town Hall meeting that you agree with the following statements. For further reading, there are also links to specific 2017 Florida Statutes that outline educational guidelines. Thank you.

• We appreciate the quick response to the fire, to relocate our students and professional staff intact and to outfit classrooms with supplies. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the Hillsborough Schools community and from the larger community to get us back on our feet. Unfortunately, for many of us, the school district’s quick response felt like the end of the community engagement we needed, rather than the beginning of something more ongoing. Grief counseling availability was very short lived, and is still needed. Everything is not ok. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=school+mental+health&URL=1000-1099/1006/Sections/1006.04.html
• Our ultimate goal is to see our school rebuilt to historical standards at 305 E Columbus, reusing the brick façade and as much of the original building materials as possible, as soon as possible. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=school%20information%20transparency&URL=1000-1099/1013/Sections/1013.35.html
• Diligent efforts should be made to secure the building from the elements, rescue contents and architectural elements and to prevent what appears to be demolition by neglect.
• Even in the absence of a final insurance settlement, the school district should still be diligent in these efforts to remediate (above). Moreover, it is not too early to begin preparing architectural and construction documents so that rebuilding can begin in earnest once the funds are available.
• http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=627.70132&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.70132.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=627.70132&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.7015.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html
• The school district should be proactive in communicating with the famiLee by appointing a communication liaison for ongoing operational issues, a communication liaison for future facilities planning, and holding regular monthly meetings with the famiLee. HCPS should present information updates, and also address the questions and concerns of the famiLee.
• http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=school+information+transparency&URL=1000-1099/1002/Sections/1002.20.html
• The children and professional staff have done their best to adjust to this very disruptive trauma. They need as much stability as possible. Special staff, such as the school nurse, coach, music and art teachers, ESE teacher and others should not be transferred or have their hours reduced. Our school needs a dedicated gifted teacher. Finally, our guidance counselor has been out a lot on medical leave, and we need temporary staff to fulfill that function.http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=school+mental+health&URL=1000-1099/1006/Sections/1006.04.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=school%20support%20staff&URL=1000-1099/1012/Sections/1012.28.html
• Our school could benefit from ongoing supports to ensure that we are able to maintain academic excellence as well as positive behavioral support. The school district should work with the lead teacher and administrative team to monitor academic progress and provide needed resources to make sure there is not any slippage.
• http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=1003.02&URL=1000-1099/1003/Sections/1003.02.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=1003.03&URL=1000-1099/1003/Sections/1003.03.html
• There are significant differences between the school cultures of Lee and Lockhart. Our school’s culture should be respected and accommodated as much as possible so our famiLee can feel welcome and comfortable in our temporary home.