School Board Discusses Class Size, Suspension at Workshop

Below are news briefs from the Leon County School Board agenda review/workshop meeting that was held on September 9, 2024.

The Board discussed the General Fund Budget Amendment from the previous school board meeting and the top 7 expenditure categories and how they align with the School Board’s strategic pillars. These categories included Maintenance and Utilities, Quality Resources, Transportation, ESE, and supplements (not salary) given to teachers for their classrooms.

The Board discussed new practices for their expulsion system with a goal of the timeline being done in a timelier manner. When a student is recommended for suspension, and potentially expulsion there can sometimes be a break if communication is lost. The proposed changes would have immediate notification of potential expulsion to Leon County Schools, and an opportunity for the parents to meet with someone from Leon County Schools within 48 hours and discuss options for their student.

The Board held a budget workshop for the new 2024-2025 Leon County Public Schools budget book. The total budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year will be $662 Million, and the new additions to the highlights include an increased staffing plan, additional guidance counselors, and an additional dollar per hour for support teachers online. The millage rate will be 5.384 which is down from 5.464 in the previous year. It was also announced that 3 debt issues will be retired (fully paid off) this year, with the sales tax debt set to be retired in 2027.

The Board examined class sizes, and potential avenues that could be used to remedy classes that are too large. Some options are reassigning teachers from one grade with smaller class sizes to another grade with class sizes that are considered too big and the county bringing in new units and teachers.

The Board has settled on a contract with Local 1010 for the 2024-2025 year. The compensation proposal was accepted, which will result in a $1.00 per hour increase for a total of an additional $1.1 million. The contract contains new and adjusted language in 5 different articles which include an increase in the number of days for bereavement leave from 3 to 5, and monthly reports provided to employees with analysis and data.

The Board discussed changes to how workshops can be requested. The new proposal states that a workshop could be called by the superintendent or by a singular board member. Ms. Wood was concerned about this change that would not require a majority vote to call a workshop. However, Mrs. Smith responded, “This is to put in language the way that it’s always been in practice.” After discussion, the board came to a compromise that any one school board member could request a workshop on a topic but would need consensus to request another one.