[MUSIC].

WELCOME TO THE SEVENTH INNER SERIES OF POLITICAL FORMS IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 5 GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS IS A PREROGATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND TALLAHASSEE.

ARE CANDIDATES TODAY OUR RUNNING FOR LEON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

I AM SUZANNE SMITH AT W FSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

DANIEL IRWIN AND WILLIAM HATFIELD WILL BE HERE.

THE CANDIDATES FOR THE LEON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ARE JOE BURGESS AND ROCKY HANNAH WHO IS THE INCUMBENT IN THIS RACE.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLEASE USE THE SHARE BUTTON TO HELP YOUR FRIEND SEE THE DISCUSSION LIVE.

FOR THOSE AT HOME THIS IS HOW THE FORMAL WORK.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO WE WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES TO LEAVE IT TO 60 OR 45 SECONDS.

WE MAY BEA LITTLE SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UPS.

YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE HIT YOUR TIME WHEN YOU HEAR THE BELL .

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP BUT FINISH HER SENTENCE AND WE WILL MOVE ALON .

IF YOU ARE WATCHING LIVE ON FACEBOOK AND HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES PLEASE TYPE THEM IN THE COMMENTS AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY AS WE CAN.

TIME IS LIMITED AND YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF IT BEING ASKED IF YOU'D KEEP IT BRIEF, POLITE AND FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

LET'S JUMP IN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN THIS RACEAND WHY ARE YOU THE BEGIN WITH ROCKY HANNAH .

>> ROCKY HANNA: ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING NOW IS THAT GETTING OUR KIDS GET BACK ON TRACK AFTER REGRESSION AND DEALING WITH SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES.

WE HAVE ADDED MORE WORKERS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND INTERVENTIONISTS IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

DEALING WITH SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES.

THE OTHER THING WE FACE IS STAFF SHORTAGES.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO RECRUIT YOUNG TEACHERS TO COME TO TALLAHASSEE.

WE HAVE A RECRUITING COORDINATOR NOW FOR RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.

RECRUITING PROFESSIONALS AND SUPPORT STAFF AS WELL.

THOSE ARE THE TWO GREATEST CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING .

>>JOE.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: STRUGGLING SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND HOW DO WE MEET THOSE CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE THREE SCHOOLS THAT NEED INTERVENTION HELP AND SUPPORT NOW.

WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE PLANS IN PLACE.

LOOKING AT LEADERSHIP, CURRICULUM AND THE TEACHERS WE HAVE ON CAMPUS.

DO WE HAVE TEACHERS INCENTIVIZED TO COME TO OTHER SCHOOLS IN HOSE COMMUNITIES.

WE ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT OUR STRUGGLING LEARNERS WE HAVE NOT JUST AT THOSE SCHOOLS BUT ALL SCHOOLS.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE CURRICULUM?

AND WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO WITH TEACHERS ARE PART OF OUR PLAN TO HELP OUR STUDENTS.

>>THANK YOU.

REGARDING SCHOOL GRADES WHAT WAS THEBIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM DISTRICT AND SCHOOL GRADES.

45 SECONDS .

JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS, CANDIDAT .

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: MIXED AT HOME THAT NO DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA GOT LOWER THAN A C. WE ARE MIDDLE TIERED DISTRICT.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET US BACK TO A PREEMINENT A DISTRICT.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE RANKED 29TH OUT OF 67 DISTRICTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET US BACK IN THE TOP 10 AND BACK TO A NUMBER ONE RANKING.

THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THESE NOW WE HAVE TO PUSH THEM UP AND IF THEY ARE CDS AND BEES WE HAVE TO GET THEM UP INTO THE A RANG .

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAKING MARKET PROGRESS.

>>SUPERINTENDENT HANNAH 'S.

>> ROCKY HANNA: IS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY AS WELL AS A PROCTOR AT SCHOOLS AND WORKING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WAS THREE POINTS FROM IN A.

THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR DEVELOPMENT BUT WE SAW SOME GAINS ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

FIRM FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS PINEVIEW WAS IN A.

BOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ONES ONE POINT FROM IN A.

THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR GROWTH.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THESUCCESSES WE HAD THIS PAST YEAR AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES PUBLIC SCHOOLS GOT A D. WHAT MUST HAPPEN THIS SCHOOL YEAR TO ENSURE IMPROVEMENT AT THESE SCHOOLS?

>> ROCKY HANNA: STARTS WITH LEADERSHIP.

WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT THE LEADERS IN THOSE SCHOOLS WILL GET THE JOB DONE.

THEY ARE ALL TITLE I SCHOOLS AND THE TITLE I PRINCIPLES HAVE A LOT OF PRESSURE.

LIKE A FOOTBALL COACH THAT IF THEY DO NOT PERFORM THEY ARE OUT.

I BELIEVE THESE THREE COACHES WILL IMPROVE.

APPALACHIA SCHOOL AS AN EXAMPLE WAS ONE POINT FROM A C. I HAVE FAITH IN DOCTOR HIGHTOWER WITH HER PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT WE WILL MAKE SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN ALL THREE OF THOSE SCHOOLS.

THE GOAL IS TO NOT HAVE ANY D HAVE 40 SCHOOLS THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THIS CAME UP AT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION PARTICULARLY ABOUT APALACHEE .

NOT TALKING JUST FROM A D TO A C BUT HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN SUCCESS SO THAT ANY SCHOOL DOES NOT COME BACK TO THAT POSITION.

PARTICULARLY WITH APPALACHIA THEYHAVE HAD FOR A SERIES OF TIME THEY HAVE STRUGGLED .

WE HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE TITLE I SCHOOLS.

GIVE BONUSES, MAKE OUR TITLE I SCHOOLS JUST AS ATTRACTIVE AS IN OTHER PARTS OF TOWN.

REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE STUDENTS AND THEIR SUCCESS NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE IN TOWN.

BUT WE HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE AND PRIORITIZE THE RESOURCES .

MAKING THOSE SCHOOLS A SABAL PALMS SLIP?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: I DO NOT PERSONALLY WORK WITH SINGLE PALM.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO IS REVIEW WHAT THE LEADERSHIP DID.

WHAT TEACHERS YOU HAVE ON CAMPUS AND THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF TEACHERS.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO KEEP THEM THERE?

MOST TEACHERS COME FROM OUTSIDE OF EDUCATION.

WORKING WITH THEM FOR ONE YEAR IS NOT ENOUGH.

NOW TEACHERS COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION THEY NEED MORE TIME IN TRAINING.

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE HAD A LOT OF STUDENT MOBILITY AROUND THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THEY SHUT A NEIGHBORHOOD DOWN AND KIDS WERE DISPLACED.

WE ALSO HAD A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP.

THE GOAL IS TO BUILD SYSTEMS AND HAVE THEM IN PLACE YEAR END AND YEAR OUT WHERE THERE IS NOT AN EBB AND FLOW OF FALLING FROM A C TO A D OR A B TO A C. WE NEED LEADERS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THEY ARE RECRUITING THEM INTO THE PROFESSION AND CLASSROOM IN ORDER TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

THERE ARE AREAS FOR GROWTH AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

>>ONE OF THE FIVE SCHOOLS HAD AN A RATING BUT OF THE OTHER FOUR LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS HAD C RATINGS.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE LOCAL CHARTERS AND WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO KIDS AND PARENTS?

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE MUST HAVE A STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE AND PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND ARE FINANCIALLY SECURE.

THAT IS WHY IT IS HARD FOR CHARTERS TO MAKE IT IN LEON COUNTY BECAUSEPUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SO SUCCESSFUL .

IN LEON COUNTY THERE IS FIVE AND TWO ARE SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER ENROLLED.

THAT IS A CREDIT TO THE JOBWE ARE DOING WITH TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS .

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PART OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS AS TO HOW THEY ARE SET UP.

I WILL ALWAYS TRUST THE OPINION OF THE PARENTS FOR WHERE THEY TAKE THE KIDS BUT I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL POWER.

I AM A PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILD AND HAD A CHANCE TO GROW AND LEARN THEIR.

WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT HER CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHEN THEY ARE BEING DEVELOPED OR THOUGHT ABOUT THAT THEY HAVE THE THINGS IN PLACE THAT WILL CONSERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL .

THE STUDENTS CAN COME BACK AND FORTHFROM CHARTER TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT LOSING THE WILL TRUST THE PARENTS CHOICE WITH THEIR KIDS .

>>WE WILL TALK ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY ANDEMERGENCIES .

LEON COUNTY HAS BEEN TESTED BY FLOODS, HURRICANES AND WEAPONS ON CAMPUS.

WERE GONNA RUN THROUGH SOME OF THOSE INCIDENTS.

MAY 10 TORNADOES THAT HIT EARLY IN THE MORNING.

HOW DO YOU GRADE THE RESPONSE AND WHAT IS YOUR TAKE AWAY FROM THAT?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: AS FAR AS SOMEONE WHO HAD TO LIVE THROUGH THAT, I WILL ACTUALLY GRADE THAT ABOUT A C-, D+ AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNICATION.

WE DID KNOW THERE WAS A STORM COMING FROM 3 Ã6 A.M.

BUT THAT WE WERE TOLD THE STORM WAS GOING TO SLOW.

AND WHEN THE STORM SLOWS YOU KNOW IT WILL COME AT A LATER TIME.

WE WERE TAKING STUDENT STARTING AT 630 WE HAD TO SHELTER IN PLACE.

AND ALSO WE HAD THE SITUATION OF THE RELEASE FROM SCHOOL, WE PUT OURSELVES BACK OUT.

WE CLOSE SCHOOL ALTOGETHER AND PUT OURSELVES BACK OUT IN THE STORM.

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT SINCE MAY 10.

WE HAVE A MUCH BETTER JOB OF COMMUNICATION NOW THROUGH OUR FOCUS SYSTEM.

NO LONGER USING SOCIAL MEDIA.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM THAT WE CAN COMMUNICATE IN REAL TIME IN A TIME OF CRISIS LOGISTICALLY.

WE ARE NIGHT AND DAY FROM WHERE WE WERE BACK ON MAY 10.

WE I'M PROUD OF THOSE EFFORTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON OUR COMMUNICATION TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ADJUST AS NECESSARY.

WE HAVE SEEN WHETHER THIS TORNADOES, HURRICANES OR FLOODS OR WINTER WEATHER IN NORTH FLORIDA.

SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE IMPORTANT.

>>WAS NOT SO LONG AGO THAT YOU STOOD ASIDE THE SHERIFF ALONG A BARRAGE OF NON-CREDIBLE SCHOOL THREATS THAT WERE HAVING STUDENTS SKIP CLASS.

WHAT SPARKED THAT?

AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FOR THAT IN THE FUTURE?

>> ROCKY HANNA: UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE WITNESSED A NUMBER OF TRAGEDIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHETHER IT IS COLUMBINE, PARKLAND AND GEORGIA.

AFTER ONE OF THESE EVENTS OCCURS YOU WILL HAVE STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY WANT TO BE A COPYCAT ALMOST AND PUT OUT FALSE PRANKS AND THREATS.

THEN WE FIND OURSELVES REACTING TO THAT.

WE HAVE TWO SYSTEMS WHERE KIDS CAN REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IF THERE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE.

AND THEIR LOCAL ANONYMOUS ALERT THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

IF YOU ARE POSTING THREATS TO SCHOOLS YOU WILL BE DEALT WITH US SECURELY.

OUR MESSAGES TO REPORT AND NOT REPOST.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: WHEN THESE COMES TO NON-CREDIBLE THREATS, THEY ARE A REALITY.

SUPER INTENTION JUST MENTION THE ANONYMOUS ALERTS AND THEY GIVE REAL TIPS AND FALSE TIPS.

THE FALSE TIPS WILL POTENTIALLY GET YOU A FELONY.

WE STARTED THE SYSTEM INTO 2016 AT CHILDS HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE TAKEN AND USE IT ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

AS FAR AS TALKING TO PARENTS AND FAMILIES PARENTS ARE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST.

OUR TACT AND TONE WE TALKING TO PARENTS WE CANNOT CHIDE THEM.

WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS ARE SAFE.

>>A MONTH INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR THE DISTRICT TALLIED FIVE ARRESTS FOR WEAPONS ON CAMPUS.

TWO LOADED GUNS WITH A MIDDLE SCHOOL OR AN INDIVIDUAL BAGS OF COCAINE .

THAT SEEMS TO SLOW DOWN STUDENTS HAVE GOTTEN THE BECAUSE I GAVE A MESSAGE TODAY DOES NOT MEAN THEY GOT IT REMEMBER TOMORROW.

YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TALKING T THEM.

IT IS DEFINITELY SLOW DOWN BECAUSE YOU HAVE A POOR HARDEN OUR MEASURES AS FARAS ENTERING CAMPUS .

YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN INCONVENIENCE TO GET A CONVENIENCE.

LIKE GOING THROUGH THE AIRPORT.

WE HAD TO PUT IN METAL DETECTORS, THAT LEVEL OF SAFETY TO ENSURE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS SO THAT THEY ARE SAFE ON OUR SCHOOLS AND CAMPUSES.

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE SERVE AS A MODEL OF OTHER DISTRICTS.

HAVE IMPLEMENTED A LOT OF PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DID EIGHT YEARS AGO'S WAS 50 SECURITY MONITORS INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND A DEPUTY SHERIFF AND ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS AND A WEAPONS DETECTION DOG.

I REALLY VIBRANT AND ROBUST SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAM.

WE TELL OUR KIDS THAT THE BIGGEST ASSET WE HAVE IS THEM.

SO WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS BEFORE IT HAPPENS SOMEONE KNEW SOMETHING.

IT'S INCUMBENT ON OUR STUDENTS TO SEE IF THEY SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING.

THAT HAS LED US TO DISCOVER HOW THE WEAPONS WEREBROUGHT ONTO CAMPUS.

STUDENTS ARE SPEAKING OUT .

HEAVEN FORBID IF NO ONE SAID ANYTHING THEY WOULD NEVER WENT TO BROWARD COUNTY TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK ABOUT HOW THAT'LL DETECTORS COULD WORK ON A DAILY BASIS.

IS THAT SOMETHING PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT AT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS IN THE YEAR TO COME?

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE DID VISIT SEVERAL DISTRICTS IN SOUTH FLOOR TO SEE IF IT WOULD WORK ESPECIALLY IN OUR LARGE SCHOOLS.

LARGE AND ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS WERE GREAT.

THEY OPEN 6:00 A.M. AND THEY DO NOT SHUT DOWN UNTIL LATE AT NIGHT.

RELIGIOUS LOGISTICALLY IT IS A LITTLE MORE PROBLEMATIC TO SEE HOW THAT EXACTLY WOULD WORK WITH 2000 KIDS RUSHING TO SCHOOL AND GOINGTHROUGH METAL DETECTORS.

WE'D ALSO HAVE TO CLOSE CAMPUSES AT LUNCH.

BUT WE ARE INVESTIGATING ANY AND ALL OPTIONS .

>>DO WE NEED PERMANENT METAL DETECTORS ON CAMPUS?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: YES.

YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN INCONVENIENCE TO GET CONVENIENCE.

PEOPLE HERE LOVE GOING TO SCHOOL THROUGH FSU BUT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESCREENING TO GET THROUGH.

JUST LIKE FOR STUDENTS.

PARENTS ARE SAYING BUT IT'S NOT MY KID.

WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS ANY KID .

BUT WE DO KNOW WE NEED TO SCREEN OUR CHILDREN TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE.

IT IS A LOGISTICS ISSUE BUTYOU HAVE TO WORK WITH YOUR SAFETY SECURITY AND PRINCIPLES .

>>MOVING ON TO THE TOPIC OF DISCIPLINE.

IN 2023 THERE WERE INCIDENTS OF DRUGS ON CAMPUS.

MOST INVOLVED MARIJUANA OR HASHISH.

IF AMENDMENT THREE IS APPROVED HOW MIGHT LEGALIZATION FOR THE ADULT RECREATIONAL USE IMPACT K-12 STUDENTS.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: POTENTIALLY IT COULD BE MORE.

BEING HONEST ANY KIND OF LEGAL OR ILLEGAL DRUGS CAN ALWAYS BE OF AN INFLUENCE ORPOTENTIAL USE BY STUDENTS .

WHEN DEALING WITH OUR STUDENTS WE DO NOT TAKE THE VIEW THAT NO ONE WILL DO IT OR EVERYONE IS DOING.

WE CONTINUALLY TALK TO OUR STUDENTS FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR BODIES.

WHAT DID THEY NEED TO BE DOING?

GETTING THEIR SCHOOL WORK TOGETHER TO HAVE POTENTIAL IN FRONT OF THEM AS FAR AS LIFE .

AS FAR AS HOW MUCH, I WOULD HAVE TO TALK TO RESEARCHERS BUT ANY TIME THERE IS SOMETHING IS DONE WE HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE AND TALK TO HER STUDENTS.

SOCIALYOU MEDIA AND THE MEDIUMS THEY USE .

>>THANK YOU.

>> ROCKY HANNA: WHETHER THE VOTERS DECIDE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA OR NOT IT HAS ZERO PLACE ON OUR CAMPUS LIKE ALCOHOL.

HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HABITS AND THE DANGERS THAT YOU DRUGS AND ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE.

THAT IS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR STUDENTS FOR ALCOHOL OR ANYTHING ELSE COMING ONTO CAMPUS.

>>ARE YOU VOTING FOR THE AMENDMENT AS A COMMUNITY LEADE ?

ARE YOU VOTING FOR THE MAYOR WANT TO AMENDMENT?

>> ROCKY HANNA: 'S AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS I'M SORRY I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

I AM NOT GOING TO ENCOURAGE OUR KIDS TO GO WHERE THEY GO.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: SAME FEELING.

ALSO AS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU MAY FEEL A CERTAIN KIND OF WAY BUT ONCE THE DECISION IS MADE THEN IT GOES BACK TO ADVOCACY WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

>>ADMINISTRATOR DISCIPLINE.

2023 SENATOR HANNAH WAS INVESTIGATED FOR INFUSING YOUR PERSONAL VIEWS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WITHOUT ADMITTING GUILT YOU SETTLED , A LITTLE LETTER OF REPRIMAND AND SETTLEMENT.

DO YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE ANYTHING?

>> ROCKY HANNA: EIGHT YEARS AGO THE THAT I DO NOT.

I WOULD BE A CHAMPION FOR TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND WITH ME STANDING UP AND DEFENDING OUR EMPLOYEES DURING COVID AND STANDING IN DEFENSE OF OUR TEACHERS THAT SOME ATTACKS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN LEVELED AGAINST THEM BY OFFICIALS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OFGOVERNMENT IN FLORIDA, IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN I WOULD DO IT THE SAME WAY .

STANDING IN DEFENSE OF OUR TEACHERS.

>>IS THIS AN ISSUE IN THE RACE FOR YOU BURGESS ?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: NO I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THIS UPONE TIME.

I AM FOCUSED ON HER STUDENTS AND THAT IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE AT ALL TIMES .

>>YOU WERE PUT ON A SUSPENSION AFTER INVESTIGATION AFTER MISUSE OF P FUNDS, FALSIFYING DISTRICT RECORDS AND SUBMITTING PAYROLL DOCUMENTS.

SAYING HE SHOULD KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THEY WERE IN ACCURATE.

WOULD YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: NO SIR.

FIRST OF ALL THE AP DOLLARS WAS NOT FOUND THAT I MISUSED AP THAT MISUSED THE AP RECORDS.

CURRENTLY THEY ONLY GIVE 63% WHEN THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GIVE 85%.

I WAS PAYING TEACHERS TEACHERS FOR ADDITIONAL WORK OUTSIDE THEIR CLASSROOM DUTIES.

WHICH IS A TRADITION.

I STAND BY WHAT I HAVE DONE AND ACCEPT WHATEVER PUNISHMENT COMES WITH THAT.

>>ROCKY HANNAH IS THIS AN ISSUE IN THE RACE TWO FOR YOU?

>> ROCKY HANNA: IT IS NOT.

THEY ALL FOUND THAT BURGESS FALSIFIED TIMESHEETS AND THE MISMANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT FUNDS AND WAS SUSPENDED FOR TWO WEEKS .

I WANT TO PAY PEOPLE MORE TO BUT FALSIFYING TIMESHEETS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: HE SAID THAT I TELL THE TRUTH AND THAT I FALSIFIED TIMESHEETS.

THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IF EVERYONE HAD SIGNED THEIR TIMESHEETS.

LIKE STAND BY MY WORK THAT I HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO.

>>NEXT TOPIC IS DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

INCLUDING LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WHICH PROMPTED A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT CLOSING SCHOOLS WHICH IS HAPPENED IN OTHER COUNTIES.

DOES LEON COUNTY DISTRICT NEED TO DISCUSS COUNTING CLOSING SCHOOLS?

WE WILL START WITH YOU MR. BURGESS.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THAT SHOULD BE TALKED ABOUT ALL THE TIME.

DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO DO I .

STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND SAFETY.

PARENTS WILL TAKE THEIR KIDS WHERE THEY THINK THEY ARE SAFE AND LEARNING.

WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO SAY WEEP CHAMPION PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUT IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE LEAVING THEN YOU NEED TO PROVIDE A BETTER EXPERIENCE.

TALK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND RESPECT THE TEACHERS THE PARENTS AND THE STUDENTS.

THERE IS A REASON THEY LAUGHED.

WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HARDENING OF CAMPUSES BUT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE FIGHTS AND ISSUES IN THEHALLWAYS.

WE NEED MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

TEACHERS CANNOT BE OUT IN THE HALLWAYS BREAKING UP FIGHTS .

WE NEED MOREPEOPLE TO HELP KEEP OUR CAMPUSES SAFER .

IF WE WANT TO INCREASE OUR ENROLLMENT AND REMIND PEOPLE THAT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE THE BEST OPTION.

>> ROCKY HANNA: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THE PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS.

IT IS INCUMBENT ON US TO DO A BETTER JOB AT MARKETING AND TELLING OUR STORY.

IT'S A GREAT STORY TO TELL.

WE'VE HIRED A DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND REVAMPED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.

AND IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF US IF WE DID NOT MARKET OURSELVES.

WE HAVE NOW SEEN, MOST RECENTLY THAT A LOT OF KIDSARE COMING BACK .

TITLE I SCHOOLS HAVE INCREASED ENROLLMENT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

A LOT TO BE ENCOURAGED ABOUT.

RECORDS HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN A GOOD EXAMPLE AN ENROLLMENT OF 1100 IS NOW AT1700.

A LOT OF KIDS MAY HAVE LEFT FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE BETTER AND NOW THEY ARE RETURNING TO US .

>>ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP THAT LEADS TO BRANDING.

SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LOGO AND BRANDING CAMPAIGN, WHAT RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN AND WASN'TWORTH $100,000 .

>> ROCKY HANNA: IT IS A LOT OF MONEY BUT EVERY STUDENT IS WORTH OVER $8000.

WE RECEIVE $8500-$9000.

12 STUDENTS WOULD PAY FOR THE CAMPAIGN ITSELF.

IT WAS MARKET RESEARCH AND TALKING TO PARENTS ABOUT WHY THEY ARE WITH US OR ARE NOT WITH US.

AND USING THAT INFORMATION TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO GET PEOPLE TO COME BACK.

THIS FALL WE ARE GET SEEN THE FRUITS OF THOSE EFFORTS.

AND WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD.

>>PRINCIPAL BURGESS, IN HINDSIGHT WASN'T WORTH THE TEACHERS.NO MA'AM .

KEEP THAT IN MIND.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE LOGO, IT WAS MORE THAN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

IT WAS OVER $1 MILLION.

YOU HAVE TO PUT LOGOS ON VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS AND STATIONARY.

ALL THESE DIFFERENT COSTS THAT COME WITH THE REBRAND.

AND WE DID NOT TALK TO OUR PUBLIC.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME I HAVE BEEN IN THIS DISTRICT I DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS PROCESS WAS TAKING PLACE .

>>15 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> ROCKY HANNA: I AM NOT SURE WHERE THAT WILL MILLION-DOLLAR NUMBER CAME FROM.

WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO DO A BETTER JOB PUTTING JOB MARKETING OURSELVES AND WE ARE NOW SEEING THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR WITH THE INCREASED NUMBERS IN SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE OFFER A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

>>WE WILL STAY WITH YOU ROCKY HANNAH FOR THIS NEXT QUESTION.

MORE THAN 60% OF BLACK STUDENTS AND 38 'S GOALS TITLE I SCHOOLS HAVE A HIGHERNUMBER OF ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED KIDS .

MORE THAN 50% ARE INSIGNIFICANTLY SEGREGATED OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN BETTER REPRESENT?

>> ROCKY HANNA: I VALUE THE DIVERSITY.

THINK OF ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ENCOMPASS.

MOVING FORWARD WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR STRATEGIC WAYS TO ENSURE THAT THAT SAME DIVERSITY IS REFLECTED IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

SCHOOL CHOICE HAS ADDED TO THAT PROBLEM BUT WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS AS WELL AS THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE DIVERSITY THAT REPRESENTS LEON COUNTY AND ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR ME IN THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: HOW DO WE HELP WITH THIS SEGREGATION?

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE PROGRAM SET TO MAKE THEM MORE ATTRACTED TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

YOU NEED TO GIVE CHOICES AT THE SCHOOLS TO MAKE THEM MORE ATTRACTIVE.

SOMETHING THAT WILL BRAND THEM.

AND GIVE OTHERS A CHANCE TO RECOGNIZE THEIR RELEVANCE.

WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR CITY AND COUNTY COMMISSION PARTNERS ABOUT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ERGO WHERE WE PUTTING OUR HOMES?

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS A HUGE ISSUE.

WE REALLY NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX ABOUT WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE TO MAKE THOSE SCHOOLS MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE TO EVERYONE.

AND ALSO PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARE NOT LEAVING THOSE SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>>LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS RECENTLY REPORTED THAT MORE THAN 1000 STUDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED AT HOME HOMELESS.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP SUPPORT SOON HOMELESS STUDENTS?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: WE NEED TO TALK TO OUR LEADERS AND TEACHERS ABOUT HOW WE WORK WITH THOSE STUDENTS.

HOW TO HELP THEM BE BROUGHT INTO SCHOOL BUT NOT ONLY THAT AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM THRIVE.

HOMELESS A LOT OF TIMES, MEANS BEING TRANSIENT.

URINE DIS-DIFFERENT SITUATIONS ALL THE TIME.

WE USED TO HAVE DUTY PAY SPECIALISTS WORKING WITH THE FAMILIES.

MANY ARE SAME FAMILIES WE HAVE TOWORK WITH ON STRATEGIES .

>> ROCKY HANNA: WORKING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTALAGENCIES TO TALK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT IS NOT JUST UNIQUE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE STRUGGLE AND PAIN IS REAL FOR MANY OF THESE PEOPLE .

I'M PROUD THAT WE NOW HAVE A DEDICATED SOCIAL WORKER FOR MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOLS.

HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND I APPLAUD MAYOR DALEY THAT WE PERIODICALLY MET SENIOR GOVERNMENT TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THEM.

>>PARTY POLITICS.

FROM OUR VANTAGE POINT THIS IS A PARTISAN RACE THAT HAS BEEN MARKED REMARKABLY DEVOID OF PARTY POLITICS AND RANCOR THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER RACES.

ARE WE ACCURATE ON THAT AND IF SO, HOW DID YOU DO THAT STARTING WITH YOU ROCKY HANNAH .

>> ROCKY HANNA: FOR A LONG TIME I'VE SAID THERE'SNO PLACE FOR POLITICS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

UNFORTUNATELY COMING OUT OF POLITICS OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN THRUST INTO OUR POLITICAL ARENA.

WE ARE BOTH FORMER HISTORY TEACHERS.

IT WAS MY JOB TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ON THE DIFFERENT PARTIES AND PLATFORMS NOT TRYING TO ENCOURAGE THEM ONE WAY OR ANOTHER .

THIS TIME I AM RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT AND HAVE BEEN A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT MY ENTIRE LIFE.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS BEEN IN SUPPORT OF OUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I AM PROUD I AM A DEMOCRAT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE IS NO PLACE FOR POLITICS AND OR SCHOOLS OTHER THAN TO EDUCATE STUDENTS IN OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: AS A LIFELONG INDEPENDENT NONPARTY AFFILIATED, I AM SOMEONE WHO READ GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS AND HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT PARTY FACTIONS WITH THE BRITISH SYSTEM ERGO IT CAN RUIN A COUNTRY.

I CHAMPION THAT PEOPLE CAN BE IN ANY PARTY THEY WANT TO BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SERVING THE PEOPLE.

SO WHEN I AM TALKING TO MYSTAFF I REMIND THEM THAT THEY HAVE TO BE NEUTRAL .

NEUTRAL AND TEACH.

DO NOT BRING THE PERSONAL POLITICS INSIDE THE CLASSROOM OR SCHOOL.

>>JOE BURGESS WILL STAY WITH YOU FOR THIS ONE.

BEGINNING WITH 2026 Ã2027 SCHOOL FLORIDA LAW WILL REQUIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSES TO START AT 8:00 A.M. AND HIGH SCHOOL NOT BEFORE 8:30 A.M.. WHAT CHALLENGES DOES THIS LAW REPRESENT FOR LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE YOUR HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE STARTING LATER IN THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE PART OF CHILD CARE FOR THE YOUNGER SIBLINGS.

YOU ALSO HAVE ISSUES ABOUT WHEN CHILDREN GO TO WORK.

MOST GET OUT OF SCHOOL AT 1:50 PM.

BUT THEN IF YOU START SCHOOL LATER THEY HAVE TO START WORK LATER LATER.

AND THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

WE ALSO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE BUS SYSTEM.

LOT OF LOGISTICSTHAT ARE NOT JUST INSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BEFORE WESTART .

>> ROCKY HANNA: I AGREE .

IT WOULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR US.

WE HAVE MET WITH OUR LOBBYISTS AND LOCAL DELEGATION TO REPEAL THIS LAW BEFORE IT IS ENACTED IN 2026.

THE ONLY WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WOULD BE TOO FLIP-FLOP ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL PUTTING SIX DEBT, SEVEN ^ EIGHT YEARS OLD IN ON THE HOPING THE LEGISLATURE WILL SEE THROUGH THIS AND DISTRICTS ACROSS FLORIDA HAVE RAISED THIS AS A CONCERN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH BACK.

BUT IF IT DOES STAY IN PLACE AND WE ARE FORCED TO ENACT IT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN ACCOMPLISH IT, BUT I SEE NOW IS TO FLIP-FLOP SENIOR IN ELEMENTARY AND I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT .

>>TO PAY TEACHERS MORE SUBDISTRICTS HAVE SUPPORTED INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES.

SHOULD LEON COUNTY CONSIDER THE SAME?

>> ROCKY HANNA: I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS FOR TEACHER SALARIES.

OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE STATE OF FLORIDA HE HAS GIVEN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS $12 MILLION TO GIVE FOR BEGINNER TEACHER SALARIES.

AND WE'VE HAVE LAYEREDANOTHER 14 MILLION ON TOP OF THAT .

TEACHERS ARE MAKING MORE THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH THAN THEY WERE MAKING FIVE YEARS AGO.

THE WORK IS NOT DONE.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS BEFORE ABOUT INCREASING THE RATE.

I AM NOT CONSIDERING THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS A TEMPORARY BAND-AID FOR ONLY FOUR YEARS BECAUSE OF THE VOTERS GO AWAY WITH IT THEN YOU'RE IN BAD SHAPE.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: I BELIEVE WE CAN PAY THE TEACHERS MORE WITHOUT DOING A TAX INCREASE.

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO IT.RDER OUR BUDGET.

WE HAVE GIVEN BONUSES AND MORE PAY TO EXECUTIVES, INCLUDING PRINCIPLES BUT WE NEED THAT EVERY DOLLAR WE GIVE TO THEM AS AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT TOWARDS THE STUDENTS.

WHEN THEY LEAVE AND WALK OUT HAVING A SUB INSIDE A CLASSROOM IS UNACCEPTABLE TO A PARENT AND THE FAMILY.

>>STICKING WITH THE TOPIC OF TEACHERS.

OUR TEACHER SUPPORTED AS FAR AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: AS FAR AS PROFESSIONALDEVELOP WE HAVE NO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS RIGHT NOW IT IS TIED UP IN STAFF .

AS YOU WANT TO BECOME BETTER YOU HAVE TO GO OUT ANDTRAIN.

TEACHERS AND LEADERS AND SUPPORT STAFF .

YOU CANNOT ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE KNOWLEDGE WHEN YOU WALK IN THE DOOR.

IT IS EVOLVING.

KIDSCHANGE .

CURRICULUM CHANGES.

CF TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD LEARNING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THEDISTRICT .

>> ROCKY HANNA: I DISAGREE WITH PRINCIPAL BIRCHES ON THIS.

WE HAVE A VERY ROBUST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROGRAM.

WE JUST DO IT ALL LOCALLY.

INSTEAD OF SENDING PEOPLE TO ATLANTA OR VEGAS OR ORLANDO PAYING FOR TRAVEL, WE HIRE PEOPLE IN TURN LEAD THAT CAN DO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.

I'M PROUD OF OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS WE GET FEEDBACK FROMOUR TEACHERS .

WE HAVE THE VERY ROBUST DEPARTMENT.

>>WE ARE GOING TO DO A BRIEF LIGHTNING ROUND WHICH IS ONE SENTENCE ANSWERS.

YOU OF COURSE CAN ASK AT A CONJUNCTION OF BECAUSE.

HOWEVER I'M GOING TO BREAK THE RULES IMMEDIATEL AND GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS ON THE FIRST ONE.

YOU ARE BOTH LEON COUNTY DISTRICT LEADERS.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU ADMIRE ABOUT YOUR OPPONENT.

>> ROCKY HANNA: THE RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS.

WHERE THEY ARE AND SHOW UP ESPECIALLYFOR THE KIDS.

THAT MEANS A LOT .

THE GREATEST YEARS OF MY CAREER WHERE BEING A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

WAS THE BEST JOB EVER OF WORKING WITH 14 TO 18-YEAR-OLDS WAS A DREAM COME TO.

IN MANY WAYS WHERE A LOT ALIKE THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR STUDENTS.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: I ADMIRE HIS LOVE OF HERE LOCALLY.

WE COACHED TOGETHER MANY YEARS AGO AND HE TALKED ABOUT GROWING UP HERE IN GREAT TRADITIONS THAT ARE HERE.

I ADMIRE THE WAY HE CARES ABOUT THE TRADITIONS THAT HAVE BROUGHT US ALL TOGETHER HERE TO BE PART OF LEON COUNTYAND TALLAHASSEE .

>>THIS ONE IS TOUGH.

AS SUPERINTENDENT WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT CONSTITUENCY.

STUDENT, PARENTS OR FACULTY?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: STUDENTS.

>> ROCKY HANNA: STUDENTS.

>>NOT TOUGH AT ALL.

NEVERMIND!

.

HAPPY BICENTENNIAL TELUS ONE PERSON IN LEON COUNTY HISTORY ANDWHY .

>> ROCKY HANNA: BOB GRAHAM.

GREW UP WITH THE GRAHAM FAMILY.

HE WAS AN AMAZINGLEADER.

I ADMIRED HIM AS GOVERNOR THE WAY HE SERVED AND THE WAY HE WAS WILLING TO GET INTO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND TALK THE TALK LAMAR BURGESS: I AM GOING TO TAKE MY TIME HERE.

IF IS GOING TO CHOOSE ONE INDIVIDUAL REVEREND RB HOLMES.

HE WORKS ACROSS THE AISLE WITH ALL KINDS ON ISSUES.

SOMETIMES HE'S WITH THE CROWD AND SOMETIMES HE'S AGAINST THE CROWD.

SO I ADMIRE THAT.

>>ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE STREAMING OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS?

OR THE SHOULD THEY BE'S STREAMED IN A DIFFERENT WAY?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THEY HAVE TO BE BETTER.

WE HAVE TO GET OUT AND AS MANY MEDIUMS AS WE CAN.

>> ROCKY HANNA: I AM SATISFIED.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CLICK ON THE LIVE STREAM AT ANY TIME.

MY 83-YEAR-OLD MOTHER DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEMGETTING IN SO I DON'T THINK ANYONE ELSE WOULD AS WELL .

>>ALL RIGHT, WE ARE TIRED AN HAVE BEEN ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS ONE QUESTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR OPPONENT.

YOUR OPPONENT WILL HAVE 45 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

>> ROCKY HANNA: I DO NOT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I HAVE KNOWN MR. BURGESS FOR 2 AND A HALF DECADES.

I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR THE WAY HE HAS HANDLED THIS RACE.

UNFORTUNATELY WE SEE A LOT OF CONTENTION IN THE LOT OF NATIONAL LEVEL AND LOCALLY.

THAT IS NOT US.

HE IS A GOOD MAN AND A WONDERFUL LEADER AND I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR THE WAY HE HAS HANDLED THIS RACE.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION FOR OUR YOUNG LEADERS.

I KNOW I DO AGREE THAT OUR RACE HAS BEEN.

I HOPE WE'VE KEPT IT WITH NOT A LOT OF CONTENTION.

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE FOR OUR YOUNG LEADERS BECAUSE BACK IN 2010 WE WERE BOTH PRINCIPALS AT LEON AND CREEK.

IN 2010, BARACK OBAMA WAS GIVING HIS SPEECH THE FIRST TIME AT YOUR SCHOOL THEY DID NOT SEE IT AND AT SWIFT CREEK THEY DID SEE IT.

IF THOSE KIND OF ISSUES COME UP WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO THE YOUNG OR VETERAN PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

HAD OF A DEAL THAT ?

>> ROCKY HANNA: SO DURING THE INAUGURATION A LOT OF SCHOOLS SHOW THAT LIVE.

WE HAD TECHNOLOGY ISSUES AT LEON.

HE GAVE HIS SPEECH TO THE SCHOOLS IN 2010.

OVERTURNING BACK 13 YEARS.

I WAS A HUGE BARACK OBAMA FAN AND A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THE BEST WE CAN TO SHOW AS MUCH IN REAL TIME AS WEPOSSIBLY CAN .

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THE TECHNOLOGY OF LEON WAS NOT SUFFICE AND WE HAD TO TAPE THE SPEECH AND SHOW IT TO HER STUDENTS.

HARD FOR ME TO REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED 13 YEARS AGO.

>>ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

>>DID WE GET BOTH QUESTIONS?

STUDIES HAVE CONCLUDED THAT STUDENT USE OF SMART PHONES DECREASES COMPREHENSION AND INCREASES ANXIETY.

SCHOOL BOARD POLICY PROHIBITS USE OF WIRELESS DEVICES FOR NON-EDUCATION RELATED COMMUNICATIONS.

SOME PARENTS AND TEACHERS COMPLAINED THAT IT IS NOT CONSISTENTLY ENFORCED.

IS IT TIME FOR LEON SCHOOLS TO GO HARDER WITH THE BAND?

>> ROCKY HANNA: SO RECENTLY HAVE GONE AROUND AND VISITED, I STILL HAVE TO GO TO CHILD'S AND TALK ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES AND PROTOCOLS.

THE ISSUE OF CELL PHONES CAME UP .

KIDS ARE ADAMANT THAT THEY NEED THESE PHONES HOW WILL THE PARENTS COMMUNICATE.

WE DO HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE OF NOT INSTRUCT INSTRUCTION TIME.

MIDDLE SCHOOL NOT AT ALL.

HIGH SCHOOL THEY CAN USE IT IN BETWEEN CLASSES AND LUNCH.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO TALK TO PARENTS,DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL AND STUDENTS ABOUT THE POLICY BEING STRENGTHENED.

RULES ARE RULES.

LIKE ANY OTHER RULE, DRESS CODE SOME TEACHERS AND FORCE IT A LITTLE MORE DILIGENTLY THAN OTHERS.

IF WE HAVE A RULE WE NEED TO FOLLOW IT .

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: CELL PHONES IS A TOUGH ONE.

PEOPLE FORGET THAT AFTER COLUMBINE, IF YOU REMEMBER IN 1999, STUDENTS WERE PROHIBITED FROM HAVING CELL PHONES AND PARENTS AT THAT POINT SAID WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH US.

NOW WE'VE HAD TIME TO LOOK AT THINGS AND SAY THAT COMMUNICATION IS NOW INTERRUPTING CLASS.

TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE.

PART OF THE APPROACH IS OTHER DISTRICTS IF WE LOOK AT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES NOT JUST FLORIDA.

SEE HOW THEY ARE HANDLING AND FIND THE RIGHT TONE AND TACT FOR WHAT THE MEASURES NEED TO BE.

THE PHONES ARE DEAFLY DISTRACTING TO INSTRUCTION.

>>FOLLOW-UP, WHAT PLACE DOES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAVE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: FIRST OF ALL, HONESTLY WE DO NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CAN LEAD TO CHEATING AND DO WE KNOW IF SOMEONE HAS REALLY LEARNED SOMETHING?

THAT BECOMES THE DIFFICULTY.

IF YOU TALK TO YOUR COLLEGE PROFESSORS, THEY ARE DEALING WITH IT IN AN EVEN GREATER SCALE.

WE HAVE TO BE STRONG TO KNOW THAT OUR KIDS ARE READINGAND WRITING WITH THEIR OWN AVAILABILITIES.

AI CAN ASSIST BUT SHOULD NOT BE THE MAIN THING .

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS AS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES AND WE HAVE TO ADJUST AND ADAPT OVER TIME.

THERE IS NO PUSHING BACK IT'S JUST HOW WE DEAL WITH IT AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THE CHALLENGE FACED ALL OVER SCHOOLS STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS COMPRISED OF PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS COUNSELORS AND REFERRAL COORDINATORS.

DOES THE FIRM CURRENT FUNDING LEVEL PROVIDESTUDENTS WITH WHAT THEY NEED?

WHAT CHANGES IF ANY WILL YOU PURSUE ?

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE HAVE THREE THINGS THAT PULL ONTHE PURSESTRINGS .

MET MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES, SALARY INCREASES THAT ALL POLLS AT THE MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE HAVE ADDED A SECOND GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AT ALL OF OUR ADDED ADDITIONAL SOCIALWORKERS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND TO LICENSE THERAPIST THAT WE'VE BROUGHT ON DISTRICTWIDE .

WE HAVE COMMITTED SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES IN THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND IF THEY ARE DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE CAN HELP THEM ON-SITE OR GET THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: IT IS NEVER ENOUGH BUT DOES GO BACK TO BUDGET PRIORITIES.

AS FAR AS POSITIONS BEING ROLLED BACK, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.

THE KIDS SOMETIMES ARE SUFFERING OUT LOUD AND SOMETIMES THE SUFFERING IS IN SILENCE.

BUT THEY ARE SUFFERING EVEN WITH THE FAMILY.

SOMETIMES IT IS FAMILY HELP WE NEED TO GIVE THE FAMILIES.

WE DO NEED TO REFOCUS OUR EFFORTS WITH STAFFING THAT HELPS IN THOSE AREAS.

WHENSTUDENTS ARE IN A BETTER METAL CAPACITY TO LEARN IT'S BETTER .

>>ACCORDING TO PENN AMERICAN LIBRARYASSOCIATION THAT FLORIDA LEADS IN THE NUMBER OF BOOKS CHALLENGED FOR REMOVAL AND THE NUMBER OF BOOKS REMOVED FROM PUBLIC CLASSROOMS AND LIBRARIES .

HOW HAS LEON AVOIDED AND HOW MANY HAVE BEEN REMOVED?

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE HAVE OVER 400,000 SELECTIONS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

THAT IS NOT COUNTING ALL THE CLASSROOM LIBRARIES THAT HER TEACHERS HAVE.

FROM TIME TO TIME WE MAY HAVE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE AND IF WE COME ACROSS THOSE WE GET THEM OFF THE SHELVES.

IF YOU HAVE TITLES THAT YOU THINK ARE INAPPROPRIATE THAT BRING THEM TO US AND WE WILL MAKE THE RESEARCH INSTEAD OF DOING A BIG POLITICAL SHOW.

I AM PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE.

IF WE HAVE BOOKS ON OUR SHELVES THAT DON'T BELONG THERE WE WILL TAKE ACTION.

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: PEOPLE CAN ALWAYS AGREE TO DISAGREE BUT WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE.

MAKING SURE WE WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN DO.

AND WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL LEADERS AND OUR TEACHERS ABOUT WHAT OUR ROLE IS .

SO WHEN PEOPLE CHALLENGE THERE ISA PROCESS THAT THEY CAN DO .

TELLING THEM WHAT THE RULES ARE IN THE PROCESS THAT TAKES PLACE.

MEMBER WHEN WE FIRST PUT THE PROCESS IN PLACE THERE WERE MORE CHALLENGES OVER TIME THAT HAS DECREASED.

>>CHILD'S HAS FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE HEADLINES WENT TO SANTOS PUBLISHED A MEMOIR THAT WAS ON THEREADING LIST .

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THE WORLD IS PARTISAN.

IF YOU LOOKED WE ALSO SAW A BOOK ABOUT SODA MORE.

THE TEACHERS WANT TO GIVE KIDS THE BOOKS OF LEADERS THAT THEY WILL LOOK UP TO.

NOT EVERY STUDENT IS GOING TO LOOK UP TO THE GOVERNOR OR THE JUSTICE.

BUT THEYHAVE THE RIGHT TO.

IF YOU LOOK ON THEIR IT SAYS THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO ANY BOOK.

THOSE WERE SUGGESTED BOOKS .

>> ROCKY HANNA: WE GIVE A LOT OFAUTONOMY TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.

ONE THING I APPRECIATED AS A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

HE IS THE LEADER OF HIS TEAM.

THE HEAD COACH .

TO HIS CREDIT HE STOOD UP, EXPLAINED THAT THE LOGIC BEHIND IT AND I RESPECT HIM FOR THAT.

>>LET'S GO BACK TO COVID 19 TIMES.

BENEFIT OF TIME AND DISTANCE, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM THE VOLATILE PANDEMIC.

AND WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY, IN HINDSIGHT AS WE HAVE LEARNED MORE?

>> ROCKY HANNA: I SAID FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT IT WAS A MISTAKE TO CLOSE OUR SCHOOLS DOWN.

I WAS HOPING THAT WE COULD FIRE FIGHT AT SCHOOL BY SCHOOL, CLASS BY CLASS WITHOUT SHUTTING THE WHOLE SYSTEM DOWN.

I SAID THAT FROM THE VERY IS IN THE ADULT.

WE TOOK A PIECE OF CLOTH AND MADE IT A MONSTER.

AND THAT WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.

WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WE DID NOT KNOW.

WE TRIED OUR BEST TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND ALIVE.

WHETHER THAT WAS HER STUDENTS, TEACHERS OR EMPLOYEES.

I AM PROUD OF OUR THE JOB WE DID.

WE HAD NEVER FACE US IN OUR HISTORYAND HOPEFULLY NEVER WILL AGAIN.

A LOT OF LESSONS LEARNED AND I AM PROUD OF WHAT OUR TEACHERS DID .

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THANKFULLY WE GOT THROUGH IT BUT THERE WERE THINGS TO LEARN.

NUMBER ONE WE NEED MORE DIALOGUE.

AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT PRINCIPAL, I HAD NOT LOOKED ANY MORE MEETINGS THAN THAT THAT TIME.

WHAT DECISIONS WERE MADE AND WE FOUND OUT FROM THE PARENTS.

ONE THING I WOULD HAVE DONE IS THAT INSTEAD OF GIVING DESKTOPS TO THE KIDS TO DECIDED TO STAY AT HOME I WOULD'VE GIVEN THEM LAPTOPS.

THOSE BULKY DESKTOPS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO LEARN AT HOME.

FOR WHAT REASON THEY DECIDED TO STAY AT HOME WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORTEDTHEM AND HELP THEM TO RETURN TO SCHOOL .

>>FIGURES SHOW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES HAVE DECLINED SINCE COVID 19.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO IMPROVE THOSE NUMBERS FOR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: THIS GOES BACK TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE MORE TEACHERS AND PUT MORE PROGRAMS BACK IN SCHOOL.

WE ALSO NEED NAVIGATORS TO HELP OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

SOMETHING WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT ENOUGH IN OUR SCHOOLS IS ARTICULATION.

THE TRANSITION FROM ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THOSE SCHOOL SMOOTH TRANSITIONS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT'S STUDENTS CAN MOVE WE ARE NOT WORKING ON THEIR SUCCESS IN THAT FOUR YEARS OF TIME.

IT'S HARD TWO FOR YOU TO BE A 19 OR 20-YEAR-OLD IN HIGH SCHOOL.

WHAT WILL HELP THESE CHILDREN TRANSITION.

>> ROCKY HANNA: PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC OUR GRADUATE RATION WEIGHT WAS OVER 94 PERCENT.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN GRADUATION RATE WAS OVER 91%.

IT TOOK A TOLL ON THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

LEON COUNTY ONLY 45% WERE IN SCHOOL AND 55 WERE AT HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HOPEFULLY WILL SEE REMARK MARKABLE IMPROVEMENT FROM LAST YEAR BUT WE WILL GET THOSE NUMBERS BACK FROM PRE-PANDEMIC.

>>YOU ALL DID IT.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO CLOSING ARGUMENTS.

WE WILL START WITH YOU PRINCIPALBURGESS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> JOSEPH LAMAR BURGESS: FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH AND GIVING US THE I AM THE SON OF JOE AND LYNN URGES.

TALLAHASSEE HOME.

CAME TO FLORIDA STATE IN 1989 AND I'VE STAYED EVER SINCE.

FORMER TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN A PRINCIPAL AT ALL THREE LEVELS.

ELEMENTARY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

I DO NOT TAKE THIS MOVING ON TO BE A SUPERINTENDENT LIGHTLY.

IT TOOK A LOT OF THOUGHT AND PRAYER BUT I DO KNOW I HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEAD THIS DISTRICT AND RETURN TO A PREEMINENT PLACE IN THE TOP 10.

IF YOU GIVE ME THAT CHANCE I WILL SERVE YOU PROUD.

>> ROCKY HANNA: IS A LIFELONG RESIDENT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE AS SUPERINTENDENT.

I LOVE LEON COUNTY.

I MADE PROMISES EIGHT YEARS AGO AND I'M PROUD OF THE JOB WE HAVE DONE.

PUSHING MORE RESOURCES THAN EVER IN SCHOOLS AND SAFER SCHOOLS THAN EVER BEFORE.

GIVING RAISES TO OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT THAT STAFF.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT INCREASINGDEBT .

WE'VE DECREASE THE CAPITAL DEBT BY HUNDRED AND $70 MILLION.

AND LOOKING TO BE DEBT-FREE BY 2028.

WE'VE TRIPLED THE TECHNICAL PROGRAMS IN HIGH SCHOOLS.

PARDONING WITH THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION AND PRIVATE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS ELEMENTARY JOBS NET NOT FINISHED WITH FOUR MORE YEARS IN OFFICE WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILDON OUR SUCCESSES AND ENSURE THAT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE VIBRANT YOU TO OUR CANDIDATES AND OUR LISTENERS.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY ON THIS FORMON OUR YOUTUBE PAGES@TALLAHASSEE.com .

THE RECORDED BROADCASTS WILL BE AIRED MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 AT 11:00A.M.

EASTERN .

TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

>>REMEMBER EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 21 AND ENDS NO MEMBER THIRD.

ELECTION DAY ISNOVEMBER 5 .

>>LOOK FOR SPECIAL ONLINE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR THE HALLET TALLAHASSEE ELECTIONS@TALLAHASSEE.com STARTING ON MONDAY WITH THIS RACE AND ALL THE RACES THAT IS I WANT TO THANK THE AMAZING .

CREW AT WF S YOU FOR MAKING THIS SEAMLESS AND KEEPING US ON TIME THANK YOU ALL AND AUDIENCE LAND HAVEA GREAT DAY AND VOTE