Leon County School Board Meeting Notes April 12, 2022

Provided below are meeting briefs from the April 12, 2022 Leon County School Board meeting.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna recognized Principal Scott from Augusta Raa Middle School and the school’s Dance Team. In March, the dance team participated in an auxiliary marching state championship competition and won 1st place.
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Hanna also recognized Mr. Ewell Carter and the “Gentlemen Club” he began. The club for students teaches leadership to young men in Leon County Schools. In addition, Carter promoted the “Shirt and Tie” days, where the students dress in a buttoned-down shirt and tie while attending school.
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Several speakers spoke on behalf of Principal Burgess of Chiles High School regarding his suspension by the Board for breaking the rules pertaining to employee timesheets and misusing funds. Many speakers accused Hanna of treating Burgess unfairly and spoke highly of Burgess’s character.
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The LCSB approved changes to a contract with RAM Construction & Development, LLC. for a project at Fairview Middle School. The changes are for the return of contingency funds and project savings in the amount of $263,296.
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The Board collectively approved the Phase III design documents for Griffin Middle School Remodeling and Renovations to Building 15 Project by MLD Architects, LLC.
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Spectra Engineering & Research, Inc. was awarded a contract by the Board for tennis court improvements at Leon High School. The contract amount totals $18,750.
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The Board unanimously approved the Phase III design for Gretchen Everhart School’s new masonry screen wall around the perimeter of the existing electrical equipment Project by David H. Melvin, Inc.
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The LCSB authorized an amendment to Policy 2430 – District-Sponsored Clubs and Activities. The revision includes language to inform parents of the “nature and purpose of the curricular and extra-curricular clubs and activities in their child’s school.”
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The Board unanimously approved the proposed amendment to Policy 2605 – Research and Evaluation, which will allow parents the right “to opt-out of any District-level data collection relating to their minor child that is not required by law.”
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In a unanimous decision, the Board rejected all bids on a project to reconstruct the basketball court at Desoto Trail Elementary.
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The LCSB collectively approved the recommended FLDOE curriculum for Human Growth and Development. “The curriculum was curated from resources aligned to Florida standards from FLDOE recommended resources by the Academic Services team for K-12 science,” you can view it here.
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The Board approved a contract with CSI Contracting, Inc. in a unanimous vote for the Killearn Lakes Elementary School Basketball Court Reconstruction Project for $125,513.
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Benson’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. was awarded a contract by The LCSB for the Woodville PreK-8 School Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Replacement Project. The estimated cost for the project is $272,904.
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The Board unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the School Board and Bond Community Health Center, Inc. for the Smile Connection Program. The Smile Connection program is committed to ensuring that oral health is a top priority and will provide daily services for dental assessments, cleanings, sealants, treatments, oral health instruction, fluoride varnish, and oral hygiene kits at no cost.
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The Board adopted the Final Order in a 4-0 vote, with Alva Striplin in abstention, to suspend Principal Burgess for two weeks without pay.
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Hanna addressed the Board regarding the Littlejohn family, who complained about their daughter being approached by LCS employees about her gender without their consent. Hanna commented about a speech made by Governor DeSantis referring to the Littlejohn case.” Hanna said that none of what DeSantis said in the speech was true, “It’s all fabricated. It’s all part of a story that has been sensationalized at our expense.” Hanna also stated out of 60,000 parents, there is only one, referring to the Littlejohn family, that has “taken exception” to LCS employees meeting with a child without the parents’ consent.