Remarks by Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
85 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 4
- Play at 3:24:06
“Do we have any speakers that have signed up?”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 4:04:42
“Thank you, Madam Chair. I totally agree with all that's been said. And thank you, Member Alonso, always going to the very bottom of what we do, and you too, Member Alonso. So I want to put some thoughts on record, and it goes as such. I support this item and the district's efforts. I'm not the board member for District One, but I know that school. I know that school really, really well, and I probably would say that the former representative of District 1 is probably looking and listening. So let me just go on. The district's efforts that we are expanding access to high-quality early…”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 4:20:00
“And I know we've had numerous conversations on this item and anything related to it. Nonetheless, our charge is to do what we were elected to do, and that is to make sure that we take care of all of the children. But when some of them are right in our forefront, right in our faces, there's a message that they're sending us when it keeps popping up. So I'm going to get right into the conversation. This item is about reaffirming that education must remain the driving force behind every redevelopment decision involving district-owned property in District 2. As our neighborhoods continue to grow…”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 4:31:14
“I'm tired of it. I was going to call him.”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 4:33:31
“Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe you've asked the questions, as I said, and my mic was open, so I know it was heard. I would like to make sure that what we do today leads us to a possible, I won't say conclusion, but an answer to what we have proposed, as the Chair said, years ago, months ago, and we continue to talk about this item, I would like, through the chair, the staff would make sure that when we come before the public, we have all of the information that we need to appease the public as it relates to this item. This is not old. I'm sorry, it is old. I was gonna say it's not new. So…”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 5:38:12
“Thank you, Madam Chair. More than likely, my announcement will become more of a statement. I know they're gone, but I want to thank those retired teachers for speaking with us today and the poignant remarks they made. I am indeed pleased. I just hope they would get in front of some of the issues. They would be very helpful to us. And I know someone made mention that some of their emails, et cetera, were not responded to. Well, just give us a chance to do what we can. Why? Because our marching orders to a degree come from a place called Tallahassee. I want you all, those retired teachers and…”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 5:56:52
“Yes, Madam Chair, thank you. I want to know if there is anyone who can respond to the question, what's happening with our children who might be under fear of TPS?”
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 5:58:39
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Jul 22, 2026
- Play at 7:03:51
“Welcome to the Facilities and Construction Committee meeting for Wednesday, July 15, 2026. And I call this meeting to order. What happened to the clock? I don't know.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:04:13
“Okay, I think it's about five, ten after five, I think. Okay. Yes. Committee membership.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:04:26
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:05:22
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:06:30
“Questions? Okay. Move on. Okay. Move on to F2.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:06:50
“There you are. Thank you. Board Member Blanco, please.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:13:26
“Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. I have Member Geller, and then Alonso, and then Madam Chair.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:18:10
“Okay. Thank you. Should hear from Member Alonso.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:26:30
“Thank you very much. And I'm going to just add a little bit to what we're talking about, and not because I spoke of her today, Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, Of course, we have a school named in her honor. And the family has me on speed dial. Honorable, have you seen Mama's school? Yeah. So I just want you all to complete the conversation. But it sounds like what you're saying. And we all have the same issue. So we are doing a bit more. but it's the funding that you're talking about. We need that to take care of the issues at our schools, okay? All right, someone? Yes, go right ahead.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:28:56
“Thank you very much. Now maybe move to F4.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:32:07
“Oh my goodness. Okay, thank you very much. Madam Chair, you broke up the meeting. I think so. You did, you did. Okay, that was F5, F6.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:32:41
“Sure, but I have a question then. Yes. I remember a time when, I used to be a community school assistant principal also, yes. We provided classes and everything. Do they still do that, you know, in these centers for the elderly?”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:33:26
“I like that. Thank you very much. That's F7 now.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:33:47
“Okay, questions, comments? No. Okay, let's move to F26. And hold on, please. I'm going to... Madam Chair, you might have to do this. Yes, ma'am.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:35:49
“Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I'll give you a little back story on Lenora Brennan Smith. elementary school, it would take a long time if I told you the whole story, but I'm gonna give you a little, and how the name became what it is. There's a place out there that's called Railroad Shop Colored Addition. There was a good time ago, a movement that recall gentrification that moved 37 families out of housing from 36th Street to 54th Street, 12th Avenue to 17th Avenue. All of the families were moved. My family was one of them. How do I remember that it was raining? I was a little I had short legs…”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:39:34
“Well, thank you very, through the chair, thank you very much. The item indicates that the construction documents have been completed, as you said, and approved, and that all obligations between the district and the architect have been resolved. If this recommendation allows the district to move the project forward more efficiently and without legal complications, then I do support it. And has that happened? No legal complications.”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026
- Play at 7:40:26
“Follow-up, Madam Chair? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I respectfully ask the administration to keep this board... informed throughout the transition. I've been in that school so many times because remember, it holds a great deal of respect to 37 families, my family being one. And Georgia Jones Ayers, her family was one also. I've got to make sure that everything that you do in that space, because remember now, our families were booted out And what happened, I have to tell this little piece, we were moved so they could build schools. Not for the people who were living there, but for others. And…”
Facilities and Construction Committee · Jul 15, 2026