Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: January 23, 2024

Below are the news briefs from the Leon County School Board (LCSB) business meeting held on January 23, 2023.

The LCSB heard a presentation about the LCS truancy process which has resulted in approximately 50 truancy cases filed in court over the last three years. Several LCSB members asked for a workshop on the issue.

At the beginning of the meeting over two dozen teachers pressed the School Board for higher wages. Many teachers noted if they did not receive a raise they would be leaving their profession in order to provide for their family, and shared emotional stories regarding their day-to-day struggles with their current salaries.

The Board unanimously approved revisions to the Student/Parent Rights policy to allow over-the-counter medication to relieve headaches. Revisions also include language regarding students with substantial math deficiencies, and the availability of New Wolds Scholarships for students with reading and math deficiencies.

The Board unanimously approved revisions to the Standards of Ethical Conduct policy. Revisions include defining administrators, outlining the ethical principles administrators shall adhere to, and the disciplinary principles administrators shall comply with. Revisions also address prohibiting administrators from activities that are in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest and from accepting or soliciting anything of value that would influence their actions.

The Board unanimously approved revisions to the Use of Personal Communication Devices policy. Revisions to the policy states, “Students may not use WCD’s (Wireless Communication Devices) during instructional time and are prohibited from accessing social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by the District, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. Teachers shall designate an area for WCD’s to be stored during instructional time.”

The Board unanimously approved revisions to the Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness, and Emergency Response Agencies. Revisions to this policy include a section addressing Alyssa’s Alert/Mobile Panic Alert System and timely parental notification of threats and significant emergencies. The policy revision states, “The District’s mobile panic alert will include mobile devices placed throughout each school campus … the District will consider using a combination of fixed panic alert buttons, mobile and desktop applications, landline phone capabilities, and wearable panic alerts.”

The Board unanimously approved revisions to the Comprehensive Health Education policy. Revisions include the expansion of comprehensive instruction on teen dating violence, life skills, sexual abstinence, and the social, emotional, and physical effect of social media.

The Board unanimously approved the recommendation to award and subsequently issue a purchase order to Big Bend Restaurant Supply, the bidder who submitted the total bid price in the amount of $671,870.57 to provide and install restaurant equipment at Hartsfield Elementary.

The Board unanimously approved the first amendment to the Gaetz Aerospace Institute, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s agreement with Leon County Schools Dual Enrollment and CTW course provided at Godby High School and Rickards High School.