>> WELCOME TO THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORMS IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST 20 PRIMARY ELECTION.

OF THIS FORUM IS A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

TODAY'S CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR LEON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

I'M JOINED TODAY BY WILLIAM HATFIELD OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND DANIELLE IRWIN OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

WILL BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS.

LET'S MEET THOSE CANDIDATES.

>> THE CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAN'T PRIMARY SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT ARE ROCKY HANNA, WHO IS THE INCUMBENT IN THIS RACE, AND STAR SWAIN.

FOR THOSE WANTING A SOCIAL SOCIAL MEDIA, PLEASE HIT THE SHARE BUTTON SO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS SEE THE DISCUSSION TODAY AS WELL.

FOR THOSE AT HOME, HERE'S HOW THE FORUM IS GOING TO WORK.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, SO WE ARE GOING TO BE BLAZING THROUGH THINGS.

YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 45 SECONDS.

SOMETIMES SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UP.

YOU WILL HEAR THIS WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF TIME.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP, BUT PLEASE FINISH YOUR SENTENCE AND WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON.

>> IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR CANDIDATES, GO AHEAD AND TYPE INTO THE COMMENTS AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY AS WE CAN.

TIME IS VERY LIMITED, SO YOU CAN IMPROVE CHANCES OF YOUR QUESTIONS BEING HEARD.

MAKE IT A QUESTION APPLICABLE TO ALL CANDIDATES.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> AWAY WE GO.

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE STUDENTS ARE FACING IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS THIS ELECTION?

45 SECONDS.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, START US OFF.

>> Rocky Hanna: FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK WFSU AND THE DEMOCRAT AND LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THE BANDSTAND WE USED TO HAVE YEARS AGO.

I TURNED 60 THIS SATURDAY.

HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE.

AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT IN TALLAHASSEE IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO SERVICE SUPERINTENDENT.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MR. HATFIELD, I THINK ACADEMIC REGRESSION COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC ALONG WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND KIDS HAVE BEEN ISOLATED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME ARE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN FACING, BUT WE HAVE ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONISTS AND THINGS WE'VE INSERTED INTO OUR SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY ELEMENT OR SCHOOLS, TO HELP DEAL WITH THAT ACADEMIC REGRESSION.

WE HAVE MADE STRIDES.

WE HAVE SEEN AMAZING RESULTS.

OUR KIDS ARE GETTING BACK ON TRACK.

>> THANK YOU.

MRS. SWAIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> Star Swain: YES, ALSO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK AS MR. HANNA MENTIONED, ONE OF THE ISSUES IS THE COVID FLAG THAT WE HAVE AND THE GAP IN ACADEMIC LEARNING AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO MITIGATE ANY TYPES OF DISPARITIES AS IT RELATES TO SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS, AND ALSO JUST MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO CATCH UP.

SO BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE IS A LOT OF TIME LOSS, A LOT OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION THAT WAS LOST.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE FIGHTING TRYING TO BRING OUR STUDENTS BACK TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE ACADEMICALLY.

>> THANK YOU.

MRS. SWAIN, WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE OVER YOUR OPPONENT?

30 SECONDS, SORRY.

>> Star Swain: WHAT MAKES ME THE BEST CANDIDATE?

I HAVE 21 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION.

I HAVE ALSO GAINED EXPERIENCE, NINE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP, BUT ALSO, I AM AN EDUCATOR WITH PASSION AND I BELIEVE IN PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST AND PUTTING TEACHING AND LEARNING FIRST.

IT IS THE FIRST PRIORITY, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, IT DRIVES ME.

IT FUELS EVERY DECISION THAT IS MADE FOR ME AS AN EDUCATIONAL LEADER, AND ALSO ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER.

I HAVE THE SKILLS AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER.

>> THANK YOU.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, SAME QUESTION.

>> Rocky Hanna: NO MATTER WHAT ROLE I PLAYED, THE CENTER OF EVERY DECISION I MADE IS WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS.

I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE.

I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

I HAVE A DEGREE IN BUSINESS, SO I UNDERSTAND -- $600 MILLION BUDGET, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT OUR TEACHERS.

THAT'S HIRING QUALITY TEACHERS AND THE BIGGEST IMPACT I CAN HAVE IS HIRING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS AND PRINCIPLES.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK.

>> SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, IS REPORT CARD TIME AND YOU GET TO RECORD YOURSELF.

WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF AS SUPERINTENDENT AND WHY?

ANYTHING YOU NEED TO IMPROVE?

30 SECONDS.

>> Rocky Hanna: THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

I WOULD SAY A B+, QUITE HONESTLY.

THAT'S HOW THE STATE OF FLORIDA RATES LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

WE THINK WE ARE GOING TO PULL THAT OFF THIS YEAR.

THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ME TO GROW AS A LEADER.

I AM PROUD, HOWEVER, WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

WE PUSHED MORE RESOURCES DOWN TO OUR CLASSROOM.

WE FUNDED ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE'VE GIVEN SALARY INCREASES TO OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE REDUCE CAPITAL DEBT BY $170 MILLION.

LEON COUNTY IS ON TRACK TO BE 90% DEBT-FREE IN 2023 AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

>> WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU ASSIGN TO THE SUPERINTENDENT?

WHAT IS HE DOING WELL?

WHAT CAN HE IMPROVE?

>> Star Swain: I WOULD ASSIGN PROBABLY A C, NOT BECAUSE HE'S A BAD LEADER, BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOLS AND I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THAT GAP AND UNDERSTANDING THE INFO STRUCTURE OF THOSE SCHOOLS.

I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB IN THAT AREA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS NEXT SECTION IS ON THE TOPIC OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

FLORIDA CONSTITUTION MANDATES A SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HOW HAVE UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IMPACT OF THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HOW DO YOU COMPETE GOING FORWARD?

45 SECOND RESPONSES, PLEASE, BEGINNING WITH MRS. SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THOSE VOUCHERS UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE IMPACTED LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE OF THE FUNDING THAT IS GOING TOWARDS THOSE STUDENTS AND THOSE PARENTS WHO ARE CHOOSING FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO GO TO CHARTER SCHOOLS OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THERE IS AN IMPACT THERE.

THERE'S AN IMPACT IN ENROLLMENT.

I BELIEVE WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT BY INCREASING QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT WE ARE PROVIDING STUDENTS IN EVERY SCHOOL, THAT WE ARE GIVING OUR FAMILIES, OUR PARENTS A BETTER CHOICE AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS WHERE WE WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE AND HOPEFULLY THAT THEY WILL SEE THAT THERE'S ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Lynn Hatter: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

MR. HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: I'VE BEEN VERY OUTSPOKEN WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE RECKLESS CHARTER SCHOOL EXPANSION.

EVEN WORSE IS VOUCHERS GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY WHEN LC PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS BEING DIVERTED TO FUND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WHICH IS THE REASON, I'M SURE, WE WILL GET INTO WE ENTERED THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN IS TO GO OUT AND TELL OUR STORY.

IT TO BE A FULL TORY TO STEALTH.

TO GIVE PARENTS A COMPELLING REASON TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS AND NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX VOUCHERS.

AGAIN, IT'S A COMPLETE DIFFERENT PLAYING FIELD.

I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW WRONG THIS IS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE VOUCHERS GOING TO SUPPORT PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.

>> Lynn Hatter: CARRYING ON WITH THAT QUESTION, AND I THINK YOU ALREADY ANSWERED IT, BUT HISTORICALLY THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT -- THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN RULED, OVERRULED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE STATE ON THIS ISSUE.

SO SHOULD THE SCHOOL BOARD CONTINUE THAT POSTURE, OR HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: IT'S MONEY.

IT'S.

THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY WE HAVE IN LEON COUNTY.

YOU START OPENING MOM-AND-POP CHARTER SCHOOLS ALL OVER LEON COUNTY, YOU WATERED-DOWN RESOURCES.

THAT'S WHY WE OPPOSE REDHILL'S.

WE SEE UNDER ENROLLED SCHOOLS AT TALLAHASSEE CLASSICAL, RENAISSANCE ACADEMY.

IS NOT SERVING THE DISTRICT WELL AT ALL.

WE NEED TO CONSOLIDATE.

IS LIKE THE STAR METRO BUS DRIVING AROUND TOWN WITH EIGHT PEOPLE ON IT.

FINANCIALLY, THAT'S NOT MAKING THE CITY ANY MONEY.

I THINK WE HAVE TO TELL OUR STORY, PROMOTE OUR PRODUCT, AND GIVE PARENTS A COMPELLING REASON TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

>> Lynn Hatter: THANK YOU.

MS. SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: I THINK IN ORDER TO CHALLENGE THOSE CHARTER SCHOOLS FROM POPPING UP IN OUR DISTRICT, I THINK THE APPROACH NEEDS TO BE DIFFERENT.

I THINK OUR APPROACH NEEDS TO BE WHAT ARE WE DOING INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS TO BRING THOSE FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I THINK UNTIL WE DO THAT, UNTIL WE ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT'S HAPPENING THAT PARENTS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH, UNTIL WE DO THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE PARENTS DESIRING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY.

>> Lynn Hatter: ALL RIGHT.

KLEINE IN ENROLLMENT IS A REALITY IN MANY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING HERE IN LYONS.

THAT RECENTLY PRINTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ALVA SMITH TO CALL FOR DIALOGUE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF CLOSING SCHOOLS.

THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN DISTRICTS AS NEAR AS JACKSONVILLE.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, YOU HAVE SAID WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION NOW.

WIND WE NEED TO HAVE IT?

32ND RESPONSE.

>> Rocky Hanna: WE ARE NOT ENTERTAINING ANY IDEAS RIGHT NOW CLOSING DOWN SCHOOLS.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON TELLING OUR STORIES.

WITHOUT FOCUS GROUPS WITH PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND NOT IN OUR SCHOOLS.

HOW CAN WE MARKET OUR SCHOOLS WHERE KIDS WANT TO COME BACK AND NOT TAKE IT MANAGE OF THESE TAX VOUCHERS.

WE ARE FACING THE PERFECT STORM.

WE HAVE THINGS THAT ARE BEING SAID BY LEGISLATOR AND EXECUTIVE - - IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A VOUCHER TO GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> WHAT WOULD TRIGGER THE NEED FOR THAT DISCUSSION?

>> Rocky Hanna: I THINK ONCE WE SEE SCHOOLS UNDER 50% CAPACITY THEN WE WOULD HAVE SOME OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

BUT WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

>> Lynn Hatter: OKAY.

Swain: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> Lynn Hatter: SURE.

DECLINING IN ROMAN'S WOULD BE REALITY IN MANY SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WHICH PUNTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ALVA SMITH TO CALL ON A DIALOGUE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SCHOOL CLOSURES, AND JUDGMENT HAVING IN DISTRICTS AS NEAR AS JACKSONVILLE.

SUPERINTENDENT HAS SAID WE DO NOT NEED TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION NOW, SO WHEN DO WE NEED TO HAVE IT?

>> Star Swain: I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE ON THE SUPERINTENDENT ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS I DON'T FEEL LIKE SCHOOLS NEED TO BE CLOSED AS OF YET.

I DO NOT FEEL LIKE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AT THAT POINT YET OR JUNCTURE, BUT I DO BELIEVE, AS I SAID BEFORE, WHEN HE TO STRUCTURE WHAT'S HAPPENING.

CULTURE AND CLIMATE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN ALL SCHOOLS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS AN EQUITABLE PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERY SCHOOL IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Lynn Hatter: THANK YOU.

OUR FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN SENATOR COREY SIMON HAS BECOME A FORCE IN EDUCATION POLICY AND BACKER OF THE VOUCHERS.

MR.

SUPERINTENDENT, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SENATOR SIMON?

HAVE YOU WORKED TOGETHER TO GET ANYTHING DONE?

AND MS. SWAIN, HAVE YOU MET SENATOR SIMON AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR APPROACH TO WORKING WITH HIM?

32ND RESPONSES BEGINNING WITH SUPERINTENDENT.

>> Rocky Hanna: WE AGREE PHILOSOPHICALLY ON PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT THE CURTAIN WAS PULLED BACK AND TEACHERS WERE EXPOSED DURING COVID WHEN THEY WERE TRYING THEIR BEST TO KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN AND OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

I QUESTION HOW ARE YOU GOING TO EVALUATE A TEACHER TRYING TO TEACH A HYBRID MODEL WHERE 50% OF THE STUDENTS ARE IN CLASS AND 50% AT HOME?

IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, AND TO ME, THAT WAS COMPLETELY UNFAIR.

WE DISAGREE PHILOSOPHICALLY FOR SCHOOL CHOICE, BUT NOT TAX DOLLARS GOING TO PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.

>> Lynn Hatter: MS. SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET COREY SIMON, BUT NOTHING ALONE.

JUST MEETING FACE-TO-FACE.

I WILL SEE THE WAY I WOULD TRY TO WORK WITH HIM IS NOT JUST SUPPORTING VOUCHERS AND GETTING MORE VOUCHERS, BUT TELL US WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP US IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS?

HOW CAN YOU HELP US IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES OUR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL AT?

IN ORDER TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN, AGAIN, A QUALITY EDUCATION, GIVE OUR PARENTS A BETTER CHOICE WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THINK THAT'S HOW WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, WAS THERE A SPECIFIC ISSUE HE WORKED WITH SENATOR SIMON ON?

JUST ONE SENTENCE.

>> Rocky Hanna: WE WERE TRYING TO GET A PLAYGROUND FUNDED NOT JUST IN LEON COUNTY, BUT SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

>> Lynn Hatter: MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOL STUDENTS MISSED 10% OR MORE OF THE SCHOOL TIME IN THE 2023 ACADEMIC YEAR.

HOW CAN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS REDUCE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM?

IN 45 SECONDS, STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE WE CAN REDUCE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM BY NUMBER ONE, BECOMING A LITTLE BIT MORE INVOLVED IN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR ACTUAL COMMUNITIES AND HOMES WHERE THE SCHOOLS ARE.

IT CAN'T JUST BE US WORKING AND TRYING TO REACH THESE FAMILIES AT THE SCHOOL LOCATION, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THESE FAMILIES.

I WOULD ALSO SAY MAKING SURE WE ARE REALLY ADAMANT ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT PRINCIPLES AND SCHOOL LEADERS ARE PROVIDING ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARENTS, THAT WE ARE DOING HOME VISITS IF NEEDED FOR STUDENTS WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A WHILE AND WE ARE REALLY PUTTING FORTH THE EFFORT IN MAKING SURE STUDENTS ARE PRESENT AT SCHOOL EVERYDAY.

>> Lynn Hatter: THANK YOU.

ROCKY HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: I DON'T KNOW IF MORE PARENTS ARE WORKING FROM HOME AND STUDENTS ARE STAYING HOME, BUT WE ARE ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS AS WELL.

WE HAVE COMMITTED TO REACH OUT TO PARENTS AND FAMILIES WHO STUDENTS ARE MISSING LARGE NUMBERS OF DAYS OF SCHOOLS AND FIND OUT WHY THAT IS HAPPENING.

WE ARE TALKING LEGISLATOR ABOUT PUTTING SOME TEETH, SOME MORE TEETH INTO MANDATING THAT KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL.

WE TRIED TO TIE GRADES TO ATTENDANCE IN THE PAST.

THAT WAS DEEMED TO BE ILLEGAL AGAINST THE LAW, SO WE TRIED TO TIE TEETH TO MAKE SURE KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL AND WHEN THEY ARE HEALTHY AND NOT IN SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE NOT HEALTHY.

I THINK WORKING WITH LEGISLATOR TO TRY TO PUT SOME TEETH INTO THE LEGISLATOR ISSUE AROUND ATTENDANCE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> Lynn Hatter: A STUDY SHOWED LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WERE AMONG FLORIDA'S MOST SEGREGATED.

HAVE WE MADE ANY PROGRESS ON THAT?

CAN WE MAKE ANY PROGRESS ON THAT?

45 SECONDS, ROCKY HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: ONE OF THE THINGS I EMBRACED THE MOST WAS THE DIVERSITY WE HAD AT THAT SCHOOL.

THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY WAS STARKS BOTTOM ROAD AND THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY WAS ORANGE AVENUE.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SEE.

THAT'S WHAT I ENVISION FOR ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.

YES, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE HAS BEEN MORE SEGREGATION OF ARSENALS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE EXACERBATED WITH VOUCHERS FOR KIDS TO GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO MARKET OUR SCHOOLS AND TELL INDIVIDUAL STORIES TO GIVE PEOPLE REASONS TO GO BACK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID THE ISSUE OF -- WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS AS DIVERSE AS WE CAN BECAUSE WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS LOOK LIKE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Lynn Hatter: THANK YOU.

STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THAT WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE FIRST IS LOOKING AT WHERE ARE THE DISPARITIES BETWEEN THE RESOURCES THAT ARE BEING ALLOCATED TO SPECIFIC SCHOOLS VERSUS OTHERS.

HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING AND SUPPORTING THOSE SCHOOLS AND HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THOSE SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC AREAS ARE RECEIVING WHAT THEY NEED TO MAKE THEM AS GOOD OR EVEN BETTER AS THOSE THAT ARE NOT IN THOSE TYPES OF AREAS.

WHEN WE HAVE THAT DISPARITY IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DISPARITY, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT HAPPENING.

WHEN WE HAVE DISPARITY IN WHAT'S BEING PROVIDED TO THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> Lynn Hatter: THANK YOU.

>> Rocky Hanna: CAN I RESPOND?

AM I ALLOWED TO RESPOND TO THAT?

>> Lynn Hatter: ROCKY HANNA, YOU DID OPEN THE DOOR FOR A DISCUSSION ON REDISTRICTING.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE DISTRICT DID REDISTRICTING?

SOME SCHOOLS ARE MAXED OUT WHILE OTHERS AREN'T.

IS IT TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS?

WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU, STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I DO BELIEVE IT IS TIME TO MAYBE TALK ABOUT REZONING, BUT AS WE TALK ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE, AGAIN, WE ARE MAINTAINING AN EQUITABLE PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A REZONING AND IT GOES ALONG WITH THE QUESTION THAT JUST CAME BEFORE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DIVERSIFYING THESE SCHOOLS, THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE DIVERSIFYING THE ZONES SO WE ARE NOT JUST SEGREGATING ONE COMMUNITY OR DEMOGRAPHIC OF STUDENTS VERSUS OTHERS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rocky Hanna: THIS IS AN ISSUE WE CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY SCHOOL AND LOOK AT GROWTH IN ENROLLMENT IN THOSE AREAS.

OTHER THAN ONCE WE BUILT SOME NEW SCHOOLS, LOOKED AT HER HIGH SCHOOL NUMBERS.

OUR LEON, CHILES, AND LINCOLN ARE AT CAPACITY.

WHEN I STARTED IN THIS POSITION, RIGOROUS HIGH SCHOOL WAS UNDER 1100.

WE MADE A $60 MILLION INVESTMENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND BASICALLY REBUILD IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

NOW ENROLLMENT IS JUST SHORT OF 1700 STUDENTS.

600 STUDENTS OF COME BACK TO RIGOROUS HIGH SCHOOL.

BRICK-AND-MORTAR DID NOT MAKE SCHOOLS.

FOR TOO LONG SCHOOLS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE NEGLECTED AND MADE A DIFFERENCE OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> William Hatfield: ALL RIGHT.

YOU WANT TO GET THIS ONE?

WHY DON'T YOU GET THAT?

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU AGAIN, ROCKY HANNA.

THE LATEST DATA HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM 2023 THAT SHOWS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS WITH THE LOWEST RATE OF GRADUATION.

HOW CAN YOU HELP CORRECT THAT DISPARITY IN 45 SECONDS?

>> Rocky Hanna: GOING INTO COVID, OUR GRADUATION RATE WAS 94% OR ABOVE.

WE ARE IN THE TOP FIVE IN THE STATE.

OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN GRADUATION RATE AT RIGOROUS HIGH SCHOOL WAS 90%.

THE COVID-19 CRISIS, THE PANDEMIC, IT TOOK ITS TOLL ON US.

ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHEN THE PANDEMIC WAS AT ITS HEIGHT, 55% OF KIDS WERE IN SCHOOL.

IN LEON COUNTY, ONLY 45% OF OUR KIDS WERE IN SCHOOL FOR A YEAR OR YEAR AND AND A HALF OR SOME UP TO TWO YEARS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO GET THAT BACK.

THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO BE BACK CLOSE TO 90%.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE CONSTANTLY MONITORING.

ALSO JUST AGGREGATING THE DATA TO LOOK AT SUBGROUPS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT BEING LEFT BEHIND.

>> THANK YOU.

STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THE GRADUATION RATE DOES NOT START IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO START IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ALSO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUBGROUP AND LOOKING AT WHY THERE IS THAT DISPARITY, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE USING DATA APPROPRIATELY IN TERMS OF DEMOGRAPHICS, AND AGAIN, GOING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES, UNDERSTANDING OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THE NEED FOR THAT PARTICULAR SUBGROUP OF STUDENTS.

I THINK IF WE UNDERSTAND THE NEED, WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE NEED.

IF WE EMPHASIZE, WHICH I KNOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS STARTED DOING MORE OF, EMPHASIZING THOSE CTE AND MAKING SURE STUDENTS HAVE THAT VOCATIONAL TRACK TO GET ON AND GRADUATE SUCCESSFULLY, I THINK WE CAN INCREASE THE GRADUATION RATE.

>> AND F.A.M.U.

TEAMS FOR THE AUDIENCE?

>> Star Swain: I'M SORRY, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

>> William Hatfield: CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEGUN AGAIN WITH LEON COUNTY TEACHERS.

PAST BARGAINING SESSIONS OF NONCONTENTIOUS.

STARTING WITH YOU, MISS SWAIN.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BEGUN AGAIN WITH LEON COUNTY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

DO YOU SEE A PATH TO AVOID THAT THIS TIME?

30 SECONDS.

>> Star Swain: ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S AN EASY PATH TO AVOID CONTENTIOUS NEGOTIATIONS.

IT'S NUMBER ONE, LISTENING TO WHAT'S BEING SAID BY THOSE TEACHERS WHO ARE ASKING FOR WHAT THEY NEED.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST WHAT THEY WANT.

THIS IS WHAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS IS WHAT THEY NEED BARE MINIMUM JUST TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

I THINK WE DO MORE LISTENING THAN TALKING, THE CONTENTION WILL BEGIN TO DECREASE.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDED HANNA, SAME QUESTION.

>> Rocky Hanna: I'M HAPPY WITH WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS OF TEACHER COMPENSATION.

INTEGRATES FROM THERE TO 65 -- WE ARE JUST TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

I PROMISE EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE CAN COMMIT TO TEACHER SALARIES, AND NOT JUST TEACHER, NONINSTRUCTIONAL SALARIES AS WELL, WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT WITHOUT PUTTING OUR DISTRICT AND FINANCIAL HARM.

>> William Hatfield: 15 SECONDS, I THINK YOU ALLUDED TO ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONISTS EARLIER IN THE LAST SESSION.

TEACHERS GOT A RAISE, BUT YOU INDICATED THAT YOU NEEDED TO LAY OFF ADMINISTRATORS, AND A LOT OF THAT CAME OUT OF ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONISTS.

WAS NOT THE RIGHT SACRIFICE?

>> Rocky Hanna: WE HAD 150 INTERVENTIONISTS PAID OUT OF DOLLARS -- THOSE 150 POSITIONS WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP 80.

WERE ABLE TO KEEP A LOT OF THOSE ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONISTS, COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS BEFORE WE EVER HAVE THEM IN OUR STAFFING PLANS.

>> William Hatfield: MISS SWAIN, SAME QUESTION.

IS ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONISTS THE RIGHT PLACE TO SACRIFICE SALARY?

>> Star Swain: I ABSENTLY BELIEVE IT WAS NOT THE CORRECT DECISION, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE TRYING TO FIGHT AGAINST THE COVID GAP.

ESPECIALLY IF WE MADE A PLAN PRIOR TO THOSE DOLLARS RUNNING OUT, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THAT SITUATION.

>> William Hatfield: MANY TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED WHAT THEY SAY IN THE CLASSROOM CAN GET THEM FIRED, FINED, SANCTIONED.

WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO TEACHERS?

THIS IS SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: MY ADVICE TO TEACHERS IS TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE AND TEACH THE CONTENT.

I BELIEVE THAT PERSONAL VIEWS SHOULD REMAIN OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

WE ARE NOT THERE TO INFLUENCE OUR STUDENTS OR FAMILIES ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

WE ARE THERE TO TEACH AND MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDED HANNA, SAME QUESTION.

>> Rocky Hanna: I GOT SOME HOT WATER FROM EMAILS I SENT TEACHERS.

YOU CONTINUE TO TEACH STANDARDS SET FORTH BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WE WILL HAVE YOUR BACK.

DO NOT FOR ONE MINUTE THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO MEASURE EVERY SINGLE THING THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

DO YOUR JOB LIKE THE PROFESSIONALS YOU ARE.

WE KNOW OUR TEACHERS ARE NOT GROOMING OR INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS.

THEY WAKE UP EACH AND EVERY DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN STUDENT LIFE AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> William Hatfield: HOW CONCERNING IS THE LEVEL OF TEACHER TURNOVER AND HOW WILL YOU WORK ON THAT WHEN ELECTED?

>> Rocky Hanna: THAT'S A STATEWIDE ISSUE.

I SAY A NATIONAL ISSUE IS TEACHER RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.

WE NAMED A DIRECTOR OF TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION THAT'S GOING TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE.

WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH TALLAHASSEE WHICH IS OFFERING IN EDUCATION PROGRAM ALONG WITH FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY AND WE ARE TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO LOOK AT CREATIVE WAYS TO ATTRACT TEACHERS NOT ONLY TO LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT LEON COUNTY.

WE NEED TO GIVE A COMPELLING REASON WHY TEACHERS NEED TO MOVE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MRS. SWAIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> Star Swain: I DID WORK ON RETAINING, RECRUITING AND RETAINING TEACHERS.

WE AT ONE POINT, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID, WERE LESS THAN 50% CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND WE GOT UP TO 99% AND WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OR, I'M SORRY, RETAIN THOSE TEACHERS AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF CULTURE AND CLIMATE WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

IT IS PAID, ABSOLUTELY, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT PAY IN ORDER TO ATTRACT ANYONE, BUT ALSO WITH THAT PAY THERE HAS TO BE A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT TEACHERS WANT TO BE IN.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

HOW DO YOU THINK THEY HANDLED THE STORM RESPONSE IN THE TORNADO OUTBREAKS?

>> I THINK IT DEFINITELY COULD'VE BEEN HANDLED BETTER.

EVEN WITH CIRCUMSTANCES AS SCHOOL LEADERS AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERS WE DO FIND OUT INFORMATION ON THE BACK END, BUT STILL COULD'VE BEEN A QUICKER RESPONSE TO WHAT WAS GOING ON.

KNOWING THAT THINGS WERE HAPPENING RIGHT IN THAT MOMENT, I THINK EVERYBODY - - EVER THINK SHOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AS SOON AS KNOWLEDGE WAS GIVEN TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY ARE STUDENTS WERE SAFE, BUT ALSO THE TEACHERS THAT WERE TRYING TO TRAVEL TO WORK ON THAT DAY.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, SAME QUESTION.

>> Rocky Hanna: THE NUMBER OF TIMES WE'VE GONE TO CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND HAD TO ADDRESS OPERATIONS, IT COULD BE HURRICANE, TROPICAL STORM, SEVERE WEATHER, ICE, ICE STORMS, SOLAR ECLIPSE, PANDEMIC, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I RECEIVED CRITICISM FOR HOW I HANDLED IT.

WE PROBABLY SHOULD'VE PUSHED SCHOOL BACK LIKE I WANTED TO LIKE THREE WEEKS PRIOR WHEN WE HAVE THE FLOODING SITUATION.

I WAS GIVEN INFORMATION TO LET US TO BELIEVE IT WOULD NOT BE SEVERE WEATHER.

THE RISK MITIGATION.

HOWEVER, IT'S GOING TO BE GREATLY IMPROVED MOVING FORWARD.

>> William Hatfield: THE VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHEN THOSE POSITIONS SHOULD BE APPOINTED AND WHEN THEY SHOULD BE ADVERTISED.

30 SECONDS, SUPERINTENDED HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: WE DO HAVE FOUR NEW PRINCIPLES THIS YEAR AS FOLKS RETIRE AND MOVE ON.

THOSE POSITIONS, ONE CURRENTLY ADVERTISED NOW.

EVERY YEAR THOSE POSITIONS CHANGE.

THERE'S A DOMINO EFFECT WITH PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS.

>> William Hatfield: HOW TO USE DECIDE WHEN THEY SHOULD BE APPOINTED?

>> Rocky Hanna: AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

SCHOOL STARTS BACK 1 AUGUST SO WE NOW HAVE THOSE NEW PRINCIPLES IN PLACE.

>> William Hatfield: MRS. SWAIN, DOES THAT PROCESS WORK FOR YOU?

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE AS SOON AS YOU HAVE A VACANCY IT SHOULD BE ADVERTISED AND APPOINTED AS SOON AS YOU FIND A LEADER THAT IS FIT FOR THAT SCHOOL.

I DO WANT TO MAKE MENTION IT IS IMPORTANT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT FIT AND NOT JUST MOVING CHESS PIECES AROUND.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

BE PICKED >> THIS NOVEMBERS GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE OR REJECT AN AMENDMENT TO FLORIDA CONSTITUTION THAT CHANGES THE 67 LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS FROM NONPARTISAN TO PARTISAN.

SHOULD THE ELECTION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BE NONPARTISAN OR PARTISAN AND WHY?

30 SECONDS PLEASE BEGINNING WITH MRS. SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN.

I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I'M STANDING ON IN MY PLATFORM IS THAT WE HAVE TO REMOVE THE POLITICS FROM EDUCATION, THAT IT NEEDS TO FOCUS ON TEACHING AND LEARNING.

IF WE MAKE IT A PARTISAN ISSUE IN TERMS OF SCHOOL BOARD NOW WE ARE PULLING MORE POLITICS BACK INTO EDUCATION AND SHOULD NOT BE ABOUT THAT.

SHOULD BE ABOUT STUDENTS.

>> MR. HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: I HAVE BEEN A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT MY WHOLE LIFE, BUT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR PARTISAN POLITICS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THIS TIME I AM RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT BECAUSE THEY CHANGED THE LAW.

IN ORDER FOR ME TO RUN NONPARTISAN, I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP MY AFFILIATION WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND I JUST SIMPLY WASN'T WILLING TO DO THAT.

BUT I THINK SCHOOL BOARD RACES SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN.

>> YOUR OWN PARTY IS ACCUSING ONE OF YOUR SITTING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS OF BEING A WHITE RING EXTREMIST.

IS THAT A VALID CRITICISM OF LORI LAWSON COX.

30 SECONDS BEGINNING WITH MR. HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I HAVE KNOWN LORI SINCE WE WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH HOW SHE HAS VOTED AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

SHE IS VERY INVOLVED IN A GREAT MEMBER OF THAT COMMUNITY.

I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH HOW SHE HAS RESPONDED.

SHE IS NOT BEING MANIPULATED BY ANY GROUP, ANY ONE GROUP.

SHE IS BUILDING HER CONSCIENCE, HER 36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SHE IS SERVING AS A WONDERFUL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HER.

>> MISS SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: I DON'T BELIEVE IN MAKING GENERALIZATIONS ABOUT PEOPLE, SO I WON'T SAY SHE'S AN EXTREMIST.

I WILL SAY I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE TIMES WHERE MAYBE HER VOTING COULD'VE GONE A DIFFERENT WAY IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE YOU ARE MORE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF YOUR TEACHER AND SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT I CAN'T SAY WITH INTEGRITY THAT I COULD CALL HER AND EXTREMIST.

>> William Hatfield: IS THERE A SPECIFIC VOTE THAT COMES TO MIND?

>> Star Swain: MAYBE NOT A VOTE.

THAT PROBABLY ISN'T THE WORD I SHOULD SAY, BUT A PARTICULAR COMMENT THAT DID NOT LEAVE ME AND THAT IS WHEN SHE SAID OUR TEACHERS SHOULD JUST BE THANKFUL.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE TOPIC OF REBRANDING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEW LOGO AND REBRANDING CAMPAIGN?

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY RESULTS SO FAR?

IN 30 SECONDS, STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I WILL SAY FIRST, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT REBRANDING YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I THINK FIRST BEFORE YOU REBRAND AND PUT A MARKETING PLAN OUT THERE THAT THE FIRST MARKETING PIECE NEEDS TO BE WHAT ARE WE DOING TO IMPROVE EDUCATION INSIDE THE SCHOOLS.

I THINK THE LOGO IS WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE OUTSIDE.

IT SHOULD BE A REPRESENTATION OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE INSIDE.

RIGHT NOW I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS TIME TO DO THAT.

>> ROCKY HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY WE ARE COMPETING FOR PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS.

TO MARKET AND TELL OUR STORY.

IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE IF WE DIDN'T.

COULD WE ROLL THINGS OUT BETTER?

CERTAINLY.

IN HINDSIGHT, WE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE DISCUSSION.

WE SHOULD'VE TALK MORE ABOUT THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN, THE SOCIAL MEDIA THAT'S BEING PAID OUT OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY WE CONTRACTED WITH.

WE COULD'VE ROLLED IT OUT BETTER, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO TELL OUR STORY.

>> A COMMON REFRAIN FROM SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE $100,000 SHOULD'VE BEEN USED IN THE CLASSROOM OR THE LOGO SHOULD HAVE BEEN HELD FOR STUDENTS AS A CONTEST.

>> Rocky Hanna: AMAZON IS NOT GOING TO ASK KIDS TO HAVE A CONTEST.

WE HIRED PROFESSIONALS TO GIVE US THIS ADVICE AND LEAD US.

LOGO WE HAD PRIOR IS THE SAME LOGO THAT'S ON MY DIPLOMA FROM 42 YEARS AGO.

IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE AND WE HIRED PROFESSIONALS TO HELP US THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

WE HAVE A BUDGET OF $600,000.

$100,000 DOCENT MEGAN LOT OF MONEY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, 12 KIDS, IF WE CAN GET 12 KIDS COMING BACK, IT WILL MORE THAN PAY FOR ITSELF.

>> THANK YOU.

STAR SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD NOT COMPARE OURSELVES TO ACCOMPANY.

WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION, SO I FEEL LIKE THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN APPLIED DIFFERENTLY.

I DO BELIEVE THAT IT JUST, AGAIN, IT WASN'T TIME.

IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO USE THAT.

IF YOU WANT TO MARKET AND TELL A STORY, FIRST YOU HAVE TO FIX THE STORY AND THEN TELL IT.

>> William Hatfield: HERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION FROM A READER.

WITH SO MUCH BEING REGULATED BY THE LEGISLATOR AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL BOARDS?

15 SECONDS.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL BOARDS, I'M A HUGE ADVOCATE OF COLLABORATION AND WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

I BELIEVE THERE ABSOLUTELY IS A PLACE FOR SCHOOL BOARDS THAT YOU CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE DECISIONS.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDED HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: LOCAL CONTROL.

WE SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY HERE IN LEON COUNTY TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR OURSELVES.

I WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH BACK AGAINST STATE MANDATES.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US IN THE DECISIONS WE MAKE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> William Hatfield: WHAT RECENT REGULATION DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN HARDEST?

>> Rocky Hanna: WELL, WE CAN GO BACK TO THE MASK ISSUE AND QUESTION ABOUT THE MASK WERE MOST PARENTS AND FAMILIES IN LEON COUNTY WANTED OUR KIDS STILL WEARING MASKS.

ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO GET MATT VACCINATED.

BUT THIS LIST OF MANDATES GROWS LARGER AD LARGER.

>> William Hatfield: MISS SWAIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> Star Swain: I THINK ONE OF THE HARDEST REGULATION HAS BEEN THE BANDING OF THE SCHOOLBOOKS.

I'M SORRY, BOOKS IN SCHOOLS.

I THINK THAT IS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH.

>> William Hatfield: WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.

HOW WE IMPLEMENT FDOE'S STANDARD THAT TEACHING SLAVERY WAS A BENEFIT?

>> Star Swain: CAN US THE QUESTION ONE MORE TIME?

>> William Hatfield: HOW WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S CONTROVERSIAL STANDARD OF TEACHING STUDENTS THAT SLAVERY WAS A BENEFIT?

THAT'S 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE, AGAIN, AND I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, THAT WE MUST REMAIN OBJECTIVE, BUT I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCURACY IN THE TELLING OF ANY STORY, HISTORY INCLUDED.

I BELIEVE AS WE IMPLEMENT THE STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FROM THE STATE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN PLUMMETING ACCURACY, SO THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD ABSOLUTELY PUSH AGAINST AND WE TALK WITH LEGISLATION AND ACCURATELY REPRESENTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY TO OUR CHILDREN.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

>> Rocky Hanna: OUR TEACHERS WILL TEACH THE STANDARDS SET FORTH BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WHAT THEY TEACH.

I AGREE WITH MISS SWAIN THAT WILL CONTINUE TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.

IF IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, THEN SO BE IT.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD AND SPEAK THE TRUTH AND FOLLOW THE STANDARDS.

THAT'S ALL WE CAN ASK OUR TEACHERS TO DO.

>> William Hatfield: IN EARLY 2023 YOU WERE INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR YOUR QUOTE POLITICALLY CHARGED STATEMENTS AND INFUSING YOUR QUOTE PERSONAL VIEWS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WITHOUT ADMITTING GUILT, YOU REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH THE STATE FOR A LETTER OF REPRIMAND, $1000 FINE, AND TWO YEAR PROBATION.

IN HINDSIGHT, O YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS FOR THAT SETTLEMENT?

>> Rocky Hanna: I MADE A COMMITMENT THAT I WOULD ALWAYS STAND WITH -- IF ME STANDING UP AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF OF OUR STUDENTS DURING THE MASK ISSUE OR ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF OF OUR TEACHERS WHEN THEY HAVE FALLEN UNDER ATTACK, THAT'S THE PRICE I HAVE TO PAY.

THE FINE, THE PROBATION, THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, THEN SO BE IT.

I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE ANY DIFFERENT.

IT'S MY JOB TO STAND UP AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND TEACHERS.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MRS. SWAIN, WE HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT RUNNING FOR REELECTION WAS ON PROBATION.

IS THAT AN ISSUE IN THIS RACE FOR YOU?

>> Star Swain: I CAN'T SAY THAT IT'S NECESSARILY AN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE.

WHEN THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU FIRMLY BELIEVE IN, WHETHER EVERYONE AGREES WITH IT OR NOT, I BELIEVE IN STANDING FOR THAT.

ALTHOUGH WE DO HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT THAT'S ON PROBATION, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE REASONS WHY AND MAYBE, YOU KNOW, AT THAT TIME HE HAD CERTAIN CONVICTIONS THAT CAUSED HIM TO STAND FOR THAT, BUT I'M NOT AGAINST THAT BECAUSE I THINK IN THAT POSITION I MIGHT'VE DONE THE SAME THING.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

>> THIS NEXT SECTION IS ABOUT TECH IN THE CLASSROOM.

THIS NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM THE TALLAHASSEE LYONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

DO YOU SUPPORT THE STATES SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR MINORS AND HOW CAN STOLTE SCHOOLS HELP PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE?

BEGINNING WITH STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: TO AN EXTENT I DO SUPPORT THE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT INSTRUCTION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TIME IS PROTECTED IN CLASSROOMS, BUT I STILL FEEL THERE'S A PLACE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA IN OUR INSTRUCTION.

THIS IS A NEW WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE LIVING IN, SO THERE IS A PLACE FOR THEM TO LEARN ABOUT IT AND RESPONSIBLE USE IT, SO I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE A 100% BAN.

I THINK WE SHOULD PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY IN TERMS OF HOW IT IS USED IN CLASSROOMS.

>> Lynn Hatter: ROCKY HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: I THINK IT GOES BACK TO PARENTING AND PARENT OVERSEEING WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE DOING AND WHAT ACCESS THEY HAVE.

AS EDUCATORS, IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO EDUCATE KIDS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PROS AND THE CONS AND THE GOOD AND THE BAD.

MOVING FORWARD AS WE EMBRACE THIS TECHNOLOGY, THINGS ARE VERY DIFFERENT TODAY THAN THEY WERE WHEN I WAS A STUDENT IN SCHOOL.

IT'S COMING UPON US AS EDUCATORS TO EDUCATE KIDS TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS RESPONSIBLY.

AND ALSO THE CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN LEAD TO IF YOU POST THINGS IN HASTE AND HOW IT CAN HUNT YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

>> STUDENTS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT USE OF CELL PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM INCREASES -- STUDENTS TURN OFF THEIR CELL PHONES DURING CLASS AND IN HALLWAYS WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS.

IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING AND IS IT TIME FOR LEON SCHOOLS TO GO HARDER OR PURSUE AN OUTRIGHT BAN.

30 SECONDS RESPONSES, PLEASE, BEGINNING WITH ROCKY HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: HIGH SCHOOL IS A TOUGHER TO CONTROL BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE OPEN CAMPUSES, BUT KIDS KNOW THE RULES.

IT'S UP TO US TO ENFORCE THE RULES.

THIS IS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION WE HAVE.

WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A GROUP TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES WITH CELL PHONES, I WAS WILLING TO PUT LYONS HIGH SCHOOL IN A BUBBLE.

THE FCC WE COULDN'T DO THAT TO STOP THE SIGNALS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE MOVING FORWARD TO ENSURE THAT KIDS ARE BEING RESPONSIBLE WITH THOSE DEVICES.

Swain: I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY IN TERMS OF OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT MAKING SURE IS CLEARLY OUTLINED WHAT THE CONSCIOUS -- CUTS ONCE SARCOMA GUIDELINES ARE, AND CONSEQUENT IS OUR ONLY FOR STUDENTS, BUT FOR PARENTS.

I BELIEVE IF ACCOUNTABILITY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS AND THEY ARE GIVEN EXPECTATIONS, THEY WILL ABIDE BY THOSE EXPECTATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS.

>> YOU MENTIONED BOOK -- AND THEY FIND THEM OBJECTIONABLE.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, OUTSIDE OF THE FORMAL LOOK CHALLENGE PROCESS, HAS YOUR ADMINISTRATION REMOVED ANY BOOKS FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES?

YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> Rocky Hanna: WE HAVE OVER 400,000 TITLES IN OUR MEDIA CENTERS, WHICH IS A LOT.

FROM TIME TO TIME WE WILL COME ACROSS A BOOK THAT HAS BEEN DONATED THAT MAY BE AGE INAPPROPRIATE FOR STUDENTS AND IF WE COME ACROSS THOSE BOOKS WE WILL REMOVE THEM.

ALL I ASK IS IF YOU HAVE A LIST, DON'T MAKE POLITICAL THEATER OUT OF THIS.

WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT EVALUATES THEM COMPRISED OF PROFESSIONAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS AND IF THERE ARE MATERIALS THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE, WE WILL HAVE THEM REMOVED.

ALL IN ALL WITH OVER 400,000 TITLES WHICH HAD VERY FEW TIMES IT HAD TO DO THAT.

>> MISS SWAIN, WHEN SHOULD A BOOK BE REMOVED FROM THE LIBRARY?

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE A BOOK SHOULD BE REMOVED IF IT'S DEVELOPMENTALLY INAPPROPRIATE.

IF IT'S AGE INAPPROPRIATE, IT SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN A SCHOOL.

BUT I DO BELIEVE IN THEIR BEING IN TERMS OF JUST THE COUNTRY WE LIVE IN AND FREEDOMS WE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE, I BELIEVE THE CHOICE FOR WHAT OUR PARENTS WOULD LIKE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO READ SHOULD BE IN THE PARENTS HANDS, BUT WE DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS A SCHOOL, AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATE READINGS IN THOSE LIBRARIES.

>> William Hatfield: WE'VE BEEN MOVING QUICKLY, BUT LET'S MOVE EVEN QUICKER.

WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR LIGHTNING AROUND THAT IS A ONE SENTENCE INSERT.

OF COURSE WE ARE ALL EDUCATORS -- WELL, WE ARE NOT ALL EDUCATORS, BUT YOU ARE.

WE DO NOT WANT RUN ON SENTENCES, MAYBE JUST A SINGLE AND OR BECAUSE.

MRS. SWAIN, YOU HAVE A MAGIC WAND THAT WORKS ONCE.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU'RE FIXING IN THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT?

ONE SENTENCE.

>> Star Swain: THE ONE THING I WOULD FIX IS THE ECONOMIC DISPARITIES OR DISPARITIES THAT ARE IN BETWEEN OUR SCHOOLS IN William Hatfield: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, SAME QUESTION.

>> Rocky Hanna: SHE DIDN'T SAY FIX THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH IS GOOD.

I WOULD SAY FIX THE ISSUE OF DIVERSITY.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, WHAT SCHOOL HAS THE MOST PRESSING NEED AT THE MOMENT?

I'M LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC SCHOOL.

ONE SENTENCE.

>> Rocky Hanna: I CAN'T GIVE YOU ONE SPECIFIC SCHOOL.

WE HAVE 40 SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE THREE WE ARE WORKING WITH AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO, BUT ALL AND ALL WE HAVE A B+ SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> William Hatfield: MRS. SWAIN, ONE SCHOOL THAT HAS THE MOST PRESSING NEED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Star Swain: I'M KIND OF WITH SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, BUT ONE THAT I KNOW OF BECAUSE I'M FAMILIAR WITH IT MIGHT BE GRIFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

WE COULD USE A LITTLE BIT MORE SUPPORT THERE, I BELIEVE.

>> William Hatfield: LOUISIANA JUST MADE IT HAPPEN.

TO THE 10 COMMITMENTS BELONG IN CLASSROOMS?

MRS. SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THAT THE 10 COMMANDMENTS, IT GOES BACK TO THE PERSONAL VIEWS BEING KIND OF OVERFLOWING INTO CLASSROOMS AND I THINK THAT WHILE THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING 10 COMMITMENTS, I THINK MAYBE THAT SHOULD BE A SCHOOL BOARD DECISION.

>> William Hatfield: SUPERINTENDENT HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: NOT UNLESS IT'S A RELIGION CLASS AND THEY ARE TEACHING ABOUT CHRISTIANITY.

NOTHING TRYING TO ADVANCE ANYTHING BUT THE STANDARDS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> William Hatfield: WHAT ABOUT RAINBOW FLAGS?

>> Star Swain: I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SHOULD BE PROMOTED IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT SHOULD BE ABOUT TEACHING AND LEARNING.

>> William Hatfield: -- >> Star Swain: A DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD, AND I BELIEVE THAT SHOULD BE THAT ONE BOOK BECAUSE IT TEACHES OUR KIDS, AND NOT EVEN KIDS, BUT ADULTS HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND HUMAN BEINGS.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.

EARLY LEARNING, I'M BIG ON PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS Hatfield: WHAT BOOK?

>> Rocky Hanna: REFUGEE BY -- IT TALKS ABOUT KIDS OVERCOMING THINGS IN HISTORY.

GIVES KIDS AN APPRECIATION OF OTHER CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD.

WHO ARE YOU ENDORSING IN THE SCHOOL BOARD RACES?

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: LOOK, I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF ROSEANNE WILLIAMS AND LORI COX AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM.

WE HAVE AMAZING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND I BELIEVE IN THEIR WORK.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

MRS. SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY JEREMY ROGERS AND MR. CERRITO.

>> William Hatfield: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

MISS SWAIN, YOU GOT THE LAST QUESTION HERE.

WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT DURING YOUR TENURE AS A LEON COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEE?

>> Star Swain: WELL, I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE NOT WORKED IN THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AS AN EMPLOYEE OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT OF COURSE I HAVE WORKED HERE AND GOVERNOR CHARTERS ACADEMY.

>> William Hatfield: SO LEON COUNTY SCHOOL COMMUNITY, LET'S GO WITH THAT.

>> Star Swain: ONE OF MY BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS I WOULD HAVE TO SAY -- ONLY ONE?

THE 20 MILLION WORDS THAT WE READ THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR WITH OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A LITTLE OVER 220 STUDENTS.

THAT WAS A HUGE FEET.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: I THINK HISTORY WILL REMEMBER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR HOW WE RESPOND TO THE POINT PANDEMIC.

THAT'S MY GREATEST COMPLIMENT FOR ME AS A LEADER, BUT I'M SO PROUD OF WHAT OUR TEACHERS AND COMMUNITIES DID.

>> William Hatfield: BACK TO THE NORMAL CLOCK.

>> THIS NEXT SECTION IS ON HEALTH.

THIS WAS SUGGESTED BY THE TALLAHASSEE LYONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

SHOULD LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS BE MORE INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY AND IF SO, HOW?

45 SECOND RESPONSES BEGINNING WITH ROCKY HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: THOSE ARE SOME OF THE POSITIONS I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO KEEPING THAT WERE PAID FOR WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS.

WE HAVE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS IN OUR SCHOOLS, WE HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TWO MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS THAT GO TO WORK WITH KIDS THAT MAY BE IN CRISIS OR DANGER OF SELF HARM OR HARM TO OTHERS.

WE HAVE TRIPLED DOWN ON THIS INITIATIVE.

TONYA FITZGERALD HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF OVERSEEING THIS PROGRAM.

WE DO THREAT ASSESSMENTS CONSTANTLY WITH OUR SCHOOLS AND KIDS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN A SAFE PLACE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO NOT COMPROMISE ON THOSE RESOURCES BEING IN THOSE SCHOOLS, BUT IT'S THAT BALANCE OF ADDITIONAL STAFF IN SCHOOLS AND ADDITIONAL SALARIES FOR OUR PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU.

STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I BELIEVE THAT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO BE EMPHASIZED IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE CAN ALSO ADD IN MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO SOMETIMES HELPS WITH OUR STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH OUTSIDE OF JUST THEIR FAMILY OR TEACHERS.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE MORE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND INCREASE THE COUNSELING RESOURCES NOT JUST IN SCHOOLS, BUT ALSO GIVING PARENTS RESOURCES FOR COUNSELING THAT THEY CAN GO TO OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL THAT IS FREE AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS AT ANY TIME.

>> TO HAVE CHAPLAINS ON CAMPUSES AND PROVIDE COUNSELING TO STUDENTS.

SHOULD LEON COUNTY START A SCHOOL CHAPLAIN PROGRAM, WHY OR WHY NOT?

JOE BURGESS RESPONSES PLEASE STARTING WITH STAR SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD START A CHAPLAIN PROGRAM.

I BELIEVE THAT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE.

IT CAN ONLY HELP OUR STUDENTS MORE BY GIVING THEM ANOTHER WAY TO AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, ANOTHER OUTLET, ANOTHER PERSON TO TALK TO, SOMEONE ELSE CAN GIVE THEM SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ROCKY HANNA?

>> Rocky Hanna: WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT DISCUSSION INTERNALLY, BUT WE DO HAVE A HUGE MENTOR PROGRAM RUN BY HANNAH WALKER.

WE HAVE TRIED OUR VERY BEST TO PULL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY INTO SCHOOLS TO WORK WITH KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ADULT POSITIVE ROLE MODELS IN THEIR LIFE.

>> WITH TWO YEARS OF DISTANCE FROM THE PANDEMIC, WHAT'S THE BIGGEST THING YOU'VE LEARNED AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME?

45 SECOND RESPONSES, PLEASE, BEGINNING WITH ROCKY HANNA.

>> Rocky Hanna: I THINK WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT, BUT HISTORY IS GOING TO REMEMBER LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED.

TO SAFELY REOPEN SCHOOLS IN THE FALL OF 2020, ALL THAT WENT INTO THAT SUMMER IS REMARKABLE.

IT'S ONE OF THE DEFINING MOMENTS I THINK FOR US AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE ARE STILL, HOWEVER, RECOVERING FROM THAT.

THE ACADEMIC REGRESSION, SOCIAL ISSUES, BUT WE ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE TODAY THAN WE WERE LAST YEAR OR ESPECIALLY THE YEAR BEFORE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE AND GET STRONGER EVERY YEAR.

>> STAR SWAIN?

>> Star Swain: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> WHAT'S THE BIGGEST THING YOU'VE LEARNED AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME?

>> Star Swain: ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I LEARNED OR LET ME SAY EMPHASIZED TO ME WAS THE RESILIENCY OF OUR TEACHERS AND THEN BEING ABLE TO DO SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AND REALLY BE ABLE TO PIVOT QUICKLY AT THE SCHOOL THAT I WAS AT WE ALSO DID AN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL JOB RESPONDING QUICKLY TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH THE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY WE NEEDED.

WE WERE ALREADY ON IT FIRST DAY.

I BELIEVE, I HONESTLY DON'T THINK WE WOULD DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY.

MAYBE JUST GET EVEN MORE SUPPORT FROM TEACHERS TO HANDLE THAT HYBRID MODEL.

>> STAR SWAIN, YOU WILL KICKOFF OUR SECTION ON SAFETY.

SCHOOL SHOOTINGS HAVE BECOME THE BIGGEST FEAR OF TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND ADMINISTRATORS.

HOW WILL YOU ENSURE SUCH A THING CAN'T HAPPEN IN LYONS?

IN 30 SECONDS, YOUR RESPONSE.

>> Star Swain: ONE OF THE THINGS I BELIEVE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS NUMBER ONE, WE NEED TO CREATE A BETTER DISTRICT CODE OF CONDUCT THAT DOESN'T LEAVE A LOT OF AMBIGUITY AND A LOT OF ROOM FOR THERE NOT TO BE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE STRENGTHENED A LOT, BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND IT NOT HAPPENING ON OUR CAMPUSES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE KEEPING TRACK OF THAT AND DOING THE ASSESSMENTS.

>> Rocky Hanna: THE GREATEST RESPONSIVITY I HAVE IS TO MATURE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND EMPLOYEES EACH AND EVERY DAY AND IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY THAT I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

ONE OF THE FIRST THING THAT I DID BECOMING SUPERINTENDENT WAS HIGHER 50 SECURITY MONITORS AT A COST OF $1 MILLION TO INFUSE MORE ADULT SUPERVISORS AND OUR SCHOOLS.

THE LIST GOES ON IT ON.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFER TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE.

I WOULD DARE SAY THAT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS SERVES AS A MODEL FOR NOT ONLY THE STATE, BUT THE COUNTRY IN THIS AREA.

>> DO YOU SUPPORT METAL DETECTORS OR A DEVICE SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS USED AT JANE COX THAT STUDENTS HAVE TO WALK THROUGH IN ORDER TO ENTER SCHOOL?

>> Rocky Hanna: WE HAVE COMPLETELY ADVANCED OUR SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

WE ARE USING SOME METAL DETECTORS.

WE HAVE A WEAPONS DETECTION DOG.

WE HAVE AN ANONYMOUS REPORTING OUT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE ADDED A SECOND DEPUTY, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

>> Star Swain: YES, I WOULD SUPPORT HAVING METAL DETECTORS IF NECESSARY AT FULL -- SCHOOLS IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE THEM AT.

I BELIEVE WE CAN CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN OUR SECURITY MAKING STUDENTS AWARE OF THE FORTIFY FLORIDA.

>> EVERY YEAR WE READ THE HEADLINES ABOUT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL MOURNING THE LOSS OF A STUDENT WHO WAS KILLED BY GUNFIRE.

SHOULD THE SCHOOLS PLAY A ROLE IN TACKLING THE CITY'S PERSISTENT GUN VIOLENCE PROBLEM?

IF SO, WHAT SPECIFICALLY SHOULD THEY BE DOING?

30 SECONDS, STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: ABSOLUTELY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

I BELIEVE IT STARTS AGAIN, AS I SAID BEFORE, WE ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT ALSO THAT WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR ACADEMICS INSIDE OF OUR SCHOOLS.

IF OUR KIDS ARE ÃMAXING THAT CRIME RATE RISE, THE MORE SUCCESSFUL THEY ARE ACADEMICALLY, THE MORE THE FUTURE AND TRAJECTORY OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WILL CHANGE.

>> Rocky Hanna: IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO WORK TOGETHER.

I'M PROUD OF THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE BUILT FOR THE COUNCIL AND STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS.

OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE OFFERING MORE CAREER TECHNICAL PROGRAMS TO SHOW KIDS THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE PATH FOR SUCCESSFUL FUTURE OF THE INTERNING TO STREETS.

>> OUR FINAL SCHOOL SAFETY QUESTION IS LEON COUNTY ADEQUATELY ADDRESSING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD BE DOING?

30 SECONDS.

>> Rocky Hanna: WE HAVE ALSO DIRECTOR FITZGERALD OVERSEAS BILLING AND HARASSMENT.

MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS TOUGH.

WE ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO SPEAK UP.

GO TO AN ADULT THEY WILL TRUST AND WE WILL HELP THEM.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN THIS AREA BY ADDING SOCIAL WORKERS AND GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND I HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR BULLYING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

ZERO TOLERANCE WHATSOEVER.

FOR THOSE THAT COME TO SCHOOL AND WANT TO HARM OTHERS, THERE IS NO PLACE.

>> THANK YOU.

STAR SWAIN.

>> Star Swain: I THINK WE DO NEED TO INCREASE RESILIENCY TRAINING.

BULLYING NEEDS TO KNOW -- WE HAVE TO DO BULLYING PREVENTION MEANING THAT WE ARE PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH TEACHING AND LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS THAT ARE NOT LIKE THEMSELVES.

HOW TO APPRECIATE DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENCES AND I THINK WHEN WE PROVIDE THAT DIFFERENT TYPE OF INSTRUCTION IN CLASSROOMS WE ARE ALLOWING KIDS TO MOVE AWAY FROM BULLYING.

>> William Hatfield: ALL RIGHT.

IT IS CLOSING TIME.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

MRS. SWAIN, START IS OUT.

>> Star Swain: AGAIN, I AM STAR SWAIN.

I'M AN EDUCATOR OF 21 YEARS.

I DO HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND I BELIEVE THAT AT THIS TIME AND THIS JUNCTURE IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IT IS TIME FOR IMPROVEMENT WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE OUR CLASSROOMS.

OR FOCUS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO TEACHING AND LEARNING AND NEEDS TO BE A LEADER WHO ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDS HOW TO GET THAT DONE.

I BELIEVE THERE'S A GAP THAT NEEDS TO BE BRIDGED BETWEEN OUR DISTRICT AND SCHOOLS AND MAKING BETTER PARTNERSHIPS WORKING AND COLLABORATING WITH SCHOOL LEADERS AND GIVING SUPPORT AND MORE TEACHER PAY TO OUR TEACHERS.

AGAIN, YOU CAN ALSO FIND ME AT VOTE STAR SWAIN.ORG AND ALSO ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I AM STAR SWAIN.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY IN THIS CAPACITY.

>> William Hatfield: THANK YOU.

SUPERINTENDENT HANNA, TAKE US OUT.

>> Rocky Hanna: A STRONG COMMUNITY NEEDS A STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WE HAVE A STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL SCHOOL LEADERS AND AMAZING CLASSROOM TEACHERS, LIKE MY WIFE, KRISTI, WHO ACCEPT EVERYDAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE.

FOR THE LAST 36 YEARS, I HAVE SERVED OUR DISTRICT IN MANY CAPACITIES.

HALL MONITOR, TEACHER, COACH, PRINCIPAL, DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR, AND NOW SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

NO MATTER THE ROLE, THE CENTER OF EVERY DECISION I'VE MADE IS WHAT'S BEST FOR STUDENTS.

I'M VERY PROUD OF OUR COMPLIMENTS.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING TODAY, YOUR EDUCATED VOTERS.

I ASKED YOU BEFORE YOU CAST YOUR VOTE TO PLEASE GO TO ROCKY HANNA.ORG AND LOOK AT THE WONDERFUL THINGS WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

WE HAVE GIVEN RAISES, REDUCED DEBT, AND WE WILL BE 100% DEBT-FREE.

AND OUR KIDS ARE GETTING BACK ON TRACK ACADEMICALLY.

AGAIN, IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE AS SUPERINTENDENT.

IF I GET YOUR VOTE, I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN AND MOST PORTLY LET OUR CHILDREN DOWN.

>> William Hatfield: THANKED OUR CANDIDATES AND AUDIENCE FOR JOINING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, WFSU, AND THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT.

>> YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THIS FORM ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGES, TALLAHASSEE.COM, AND WFSU.ORG.

THE RECORDED BROADCASTS WILL BE THURSDAY, JULY 11 ON WFSU 88.9 WF M, SO TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

>> William Hatfield: OUR NEXT LIVE STREAM FORM WILL THE -- BE THIS AFTERNOON.

SEAT TWO WILL BE JOINING US FOR THAT FORM.

DOROTHY JOHNSON, -- BERNARD STEVENS JUNIOR.

AFTER THAT, OUR NEXT FORUMS AFTER THAT, OUR NEXT FORUMS TAKE PL., JULY 16TH WITH THE LEON COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER AT 11:00 AND JUDGE SEATED AT 1:00 P.M. EASTERN.

YOU HAVE UNTIL JULY 22 TO REGISTER.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 12 -- IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR UPCOMING FORMS, PLEASE EMAIL US AT NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.COM.

IN THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 PAPER.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND YOU'LL HAVE A BETTER DAY IF YOU COME AND JOIN