April 2022

BPS May Highlights

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Pinewood Elementary Wins Brevard Zoo's Name That Street Contest

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Elementary schools across Brevard participated in a contest to name the street that leads visitors into the beautiful Brevard Zoo. With nearly 4000 votes from community members, the Brevard Zoo has announced that Pinewood Elementary School's name suggestion, Wildlife Way, is the winner! Way to go, Pinewood!

SCHOOL BOARD CORNER

The School Board voted 4-1 Tuesday evening to approve a Millage Resolution, which will put a Millage increase question on the November ballot. The Superintendent is recommending that the Board ask voters whether they approve a 1 Mill increase in property taxes to provide teachers and support staff competitive compensation. It would also improve academic programs such as career and technical education (CTE), early childhood staffing and other student programs.


The state legislature has mandated a steady decline of the Required Local Effort millage rate since 2008, from 5.283 to 3.602. The education funds available for the operating expenses through traditional means, such as the state funding formula and the required local millage option, are not sufficient to provide competitive compensation and benefits, provide adequate support programs for students and to meet rising operational costs.


Brevard Public Schools currently has the second most experienced teacher workforce in Florida, providing high quality learning opportunities for Brevard’s students. However, the national, regional, and local labor shortages are affecting Brevard's ability to serve students as critical instructional and operational positions remain unfilled. Funding is needed to increase teacher and staff compensation to recruit and retain a highly qualified workforce. If approved by the voters, just as has been the case with our other voter referenda, an independent citizen’s oversight committee will be formed to regularly review all expenditures.


Below are the goals for using the additional funding:


Goal 1: Academic Excellence – Provide every student a learning environment that empowers them to reach their full potential.

  • Objective A2. Ensure every student is taught by certified, skilled teachers who hold high expectations for all learners.


Goal 2: Exceptional Workforce – Attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent to impact academic excellence.

  • Objective E1. Recruit a diverse pool of candidates for all classification of positions within Brevard Public Schools.
  • Objective E3. Retain a diverse pool of candidates for all classifications of positions within Brevard Public Schools
  • Objective E4. Develop and provide long-term compensation and benefits package and benefits for all employees



Watch the board discussion below.


Celebrating Stellar Students

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Congratulations to Mackenzie Warren from Titusville High School for winning Best of Show in The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge 2022 Florida Junior Duck Stamp contest.


Mackenzie's beautiful artwork was chosen at the Best of Show out over 1248 entries across the state, and will be entered in the National contest this month.


Way to go, Makenzie!

Eau Gallie High School Goes to the Moon

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Under the guidance of NASA engineers, Eau Gallie's Aerospace and Aircraft Assembly program is working on assembling the wheels for a Moon mining machine.


As part of the NASA HUNCH Program, these lucky students will be working the wheels, from prototyping to flight hardware. The expected launch window is in 2024-2025 for the mining machine to land and start digging on the Moon. Over 250 students in the program will participate in this effort over the next several years.


EGHS is excited to be working on their third project to send flight hardware to space. Their two former projects focused on EV wires and storage lockers which are currently used on the International Space Station.



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Legacy Cards

Expiration dates were removed from Legacy Club cards a few years ago, so members would not have to worry about renewing each school year.


If your current Legacy Club card has no expiration date, you have the most recent edition, and do not need to renew.


If you have a Gold Legacy card (55-64), but are now age 65 or older, please contact:

Caitlin Maffeo at legacyclub@brevardschools.org to receive an updated card in the mail.


Or, you may visit the front office of any BPS high school to obtain a new card.


Thank you for your support of Brevard Public Schools!


NOW HIRING


We are hiring Bus Drivers! If you would like more information about employment with BPS, please visit www.brevardschools.org


Contact your school board member
Caitlin Maffeo - Community Engagement Coordinator
Email: maffeo.caitlin@brevardschools.org Phone: 321-633-1000 ext. 11644