Part 2: Get to know Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell. Find out why history was his favorite subject in school. He also talks about his favorite vacation location!

Link to watch Part 1: https://youtu.be/mhvtSJ180lE

Brevard Public Schools offers student academic programs in the following areas of study:

• Business, Marketing, and Finance
• Computer Sciences
• Construction and Industrial Technology
• Design and Media
• Education
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Health Sciences
• Hospitality and Culinary Arts
• Law and Public Safety
• Transportation and Mechanics

The district’s career and technical programs are open to all eligible high school students in the district and are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against or harassed in any educational program, services or activities, or employment conditions or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Students interested in a career and technical program have the option of enrolling in a program at their residential zoned school as first-come, first serve. Students interested in program that is not offered at their residential zoned school may pursue a program at another school by submitting an Educational Program Opportunity application through the Open Enrollment/Choice application process.

Admission is open to students with limited English proficiency. In order to eliminate barriers, the district assesses each student’s ability to participate and benefit through placement testing and counseling. Based on assessments, services or referrals are provided to help prepare students for successful participation.

Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding discrimination or harassment may be sent to:



Name/Title IX Coordinator and District Compliance Officer: Jacqueline Saxenmeyer

Office Address: 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne FL 32940

Phone Number (Voice/TDD): (321) 633-1000, Ext. 11280

E-mail Address: [email protected]

The School Board of Brevard Public Schools will increase the pay for school bus drivers by $5.00 per hour. The current starting pay of $15.00/hour will rise to $20.00/hour.

Each driver will see a $5.00/hour increase in salary, regardless of their current hourly rate.

“Today is an exciting day for our transportation department. Everything we do is dependent on our students arriving to our schools safely and that isn’t possible without our devoted staff,” said Board Vice Chair Megan Wright, District 1 representative. “We thank those of you that have stuck with us through this journey and welcome the new drivers that will be a part of this amazing team.”

The hope is that the salary increase will help the district recruit and retain drivers.

“Like many school districts, we are experiencing a bus driver shortage. With this significant pay increase, we believe we will be able to attract new drivers and retain our current drivers,” said Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell. “The bus driver is the first person many of our students see when they start their school day. This pay increase is a statement that we value these team members and the critical work that they do.”

CLICK HERE to apply to be a school bus driver.

Recently, a substitute teacher saved a student’s life by administering the Heimlich Maneuver. Justin Gibbs, a former History teacher at Johnson Middle School, may work in insurance now, but his love for education keeps him coming back to the classroom. After COVID, Gibbs began a new career but continues to substitute in the District.

While subbing at Eau Gallie High School, he was catching up with some former students in the cafeteria when another student rounded the corner. The student was choking, and Gibbs knew he needed to help. Luckily, Gibbs’ wife works in the medical field and Gibbs himself had been CPR certified. His knowledge helped him act quickly to save this student’s life. It was truly a moment of being in the right place at the right time. Mr. Gibbs said he is just thankful he was there.

Thank you, Mr. Gibbs, for your prompt and professional response to this student’s needs. Mr. Gibbs was recognized for his heroism at the May 9th School Board meeting. He is pictured here with his wife of 29 years and his three children.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) named Matthew Struble, formerly of Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School, as its June 2023 Water Safety Champion. Matthew was recognized for championing water safety efforts through the educational programs that he created and presented at several Merritt Island elementary schools. NDPA will feature Matthew (and his program) as a person who goes above and beyond in his community to focus on water safety.  

Matthew graduated from Edgewood High as a member of the Class of 2023 and will be continuing his education at Nova Southeastern University.

Click here to watch Matthew's interview with four-time Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis: https://ndpa.org/june-2023-wsc-of-the-month-greg-louganis-and-matthew-struble/

From July 24 to July 29, Nick Grey of Viera High School will compete as a finalist in the International Horn Symposium Youth Solo Competition in Montréal, Canada.

Nick, who plays the French horn, was selected after advancing through a preliminary round in which a recording of a standard repertoire was used to select a small group of finalists. 

This is Nick’s second time competing as a soloist on the international level as he competed in the same competition a year prior earning second place overall.

Steps to Teacher Certification Virtual Meeting

Interested in teaching but no education background? Great news! - You can become a certified teacher in the state of Florida with any bachelor’s degree! Join us for a virtual meeting to learn about the different certification pathways for teachers here in the sunshine state. 

Thursday, July 20th at 3:30PM

Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/MzHsnvrdtP5zixfd8 or contact [email protected].

District-Wide Support Staff Job Fair

Save the date for August 17th! We will host a district-wide job fair for support staff personnel at our district offices in Viera. Interested in making a difference in the lives of students? Come learn about your opportunities with Brevard Public Schools!

Seeking to hire instructional assistants, cafeteria staff, custodians, bus drivers, and more!

Florida KidCare

Your child and their siblings could be one of the 176,000 children eligible for completely free or low-cost health and dental insurance through Florida KidCare – even if one or both parents are working.

Approximately 2.4 million children rely on Florida KidCare for the head-to-toe coverage they need from birth through the end of age 18. Florida KidCare is designed to provide services to children at each stage of growth and development. Health and dental services are delivered through quality plans that offer a choice of local doctors, dentists, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care providers.

Benefits include but are not limited to: 

• Doctor Visits
• Check-ups
• Vision & Hearing
• Dental Care
• Hospital Stays
• Surgeries
• Immunizations
• Prescriptions
• Emergencies
• Mental Health Services

Florida KidCare includes free, subsidized, and full-pay options based on family income and household size. Most families pay nothing at all for coverage, and many pay as little as $15 or $20 a month. Families who do not qualify for free or subsidized coverage may purchase a competitively priced full-pay plan.

Lawfully residing immigrant children are eligible without a waiting period, and information about a parent’s immigration status won’t be asked.

With no application fee and year-round enrollment, the time to apply is always now. Simply fill out the application, and Florida KidCare will match your child with the right option.

Apply online at floridakidcare.org or call 1-888-540-KIDS (5437).

The Brevard School Board approved new leaders during this week’s board meeting. Tara Harris has been promoted to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. She has been a Director of Elementary Programs. Merritt Island High School Principal James Rehmer has been promoted to Chief of Schools. Both begin their new roles on July 24. 

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Viera High School Assistant Principal Heather LeGate was promoted to principal at Viera High. Travis Diesel was appointed principal at Madison Middle School; Mr. Diesel had most recently been principal at Kennedy Middle School. Julie Reda joins Gardendale Separate Day School as assistant principal.

Superintendent Dr. Rendell and board members recognized Brevard Virtual School, which was recently honored as the 2022-2023 Florida Virtual School Franchise of the Year! Watch Principal Heather Price discuss the school’s history of success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3yIDPsjJu0

During the Work Session meeting, the board heard two important presentations, one on student achievement and one on the budget for 2023-2024.

Student Achievement Presentation: https://agenda.brevardschools.org/content/files/board-fast-results_2023.pdf

Budget Presentation: https://agenda.brevardschools.org/content/files/budget-update-july-11-final.pdf