Caroline Zucker read into the record a letter from Sarasota County Legislative Delegation. See attached.

Art Hardy informed the Board Members that our Board has been named as a defendant, along with all other Florida school boards, in a case alleging that the state's Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program is discriminatory based on age and race. He is recommending the engagement of a Tallahassee law firm, along with at least 14 other School Boards, to defend in this litigation, limiting the Board's legal expenses by sharing them with other Boards.  Mr. Hardy will place this item on the next agenda for formal vote.

BOWDEN