Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: May 28, 2024

Below are the Leon County School Board news briefs from the May 28, 2024, meeting.

The Board unanimously approved the emergency designation for services provided by ServePro of North Leon County D & CK, Inc. in the amount of $52,534.27. The Maintenance department requested an emergency designation for the water extraction and restoration services at Godby High School due to the severe weather event on Thursday, April 11, 2024, that flooded the campus.

The Board unanimously approved the 2024-2025 School Resource Deputy Program Agreement between The School Board of Leon County, Florida and The Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The program provides 27 Deputy Sheriff resources providing law enforcement, mentoring, and other school resource duties to designated Leon County Schools.  The Board agrees to pay the Sheriff’s Office the amount of $1,934,011.00 for the SRD program, with the remaining 50% of the cost covered by the Leon Board of County Commissioners.  LCSO will continue to provide SRD relief (i.e., arranging replacements for officers on leave, out sick, etc.)

The Board unanimously approved the renewal of the District Term Contract with Pittman Law Group, LLC. The contract was the result of a competitive solicitation and has a renewal option through June 30, 2027.  The contract revises the monthly retainer to $9,000.00 for forty (40) hours and the hourly billing rates more than the first forty (40) hours to $225.00 for the Lead Counsel, and $200.00 for all other attorneys effective July 1, 2024.

The Board approved out of county travel for School Board Members Darryl Jones and Alva Smith to attend the FSBA Annual Summer Conference to be held in Tampa, Florida on June 5-7, 2024. Board policy requires that all out-of-county travel be approved in advance by the School Board. Attendance at this conference constitutes official School Board business. Reimbursements shall be made for reasonable and necessary expenses that are incurred during travel (meals, lodging, travel, and other incidentals) and must be submitted on the out of county reimbursement travel voucher. All itemized receipts must be attached for reimbursement.

The Board voted 3-2 to advertise new policy 5782 – Parent/Guardian Notification and Permission (School-Sponsored Events and Activities), for a public hearing and adoption on July 9, 2024. Board members Alva Smith and Laurie Cox voted no on the policy based on concerns the LCS created policy was not consist with recently issued Florida state administrative rules. The LCS policy created a notification exemption for “curricular activities held during the school day for the purpose of delivering state required instruction, supporting the acquisition of Florida academic standards, presenting school policies, school safety, or celebrating achievement and school spirit.”

The Board approved an agreement with CSI Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $1,748,606.18 for Amos P. Godby High School, Flood Recovery Project. The contract notes the work identified can be completed over the summer break and return the facilities to operation prior to the start of the 24-25 school semester,. The contract also notes this is not the complete scope of work needed for the comprehensive project and it does it address all the buildings impacted.