Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: January 14, 2025

Provided below are news briefs from the January 14, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting related to Recognitions, Reports and items considered by Board members.

Recognitions, & Reports

The Board received a report on the Children’s Services Council (CSC). The report was provided by Cecka Rose Green, the CSC Executive Director.

The Board received a report from Robin Hassler Thompson, JD,MA – Executive Director, The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) related to human trafficking. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

The Board received a report from the District Advisory Council chairperson, Jacquelyn Steele.

Items Considered by the Board

19.01 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to advertise amendments to Policy 8310- Public Records, for a public hearing and adoption on February 25, 2025.

19.02 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to advertise New Policy 5730 – Equal Access for Nondistrict-Sponsored Student Clubs and Activities, for a public hearing and adoption on February 25, 2025. The School Board will not permit the use of school facilities by nondistrict-sponsored student clubs and activities or District-sponsored, noncurriculum-related clubs and activities during instructional hours. During noninstructional time, however, no group of students, regardless of the size of the group, will be denied an opportunity to meet on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the activity.

19.03 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to advertise amendments to Policy 8407 – Safe-School Officers, for a public hearing and adoption on February 25, 2025.

19.04 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to advertise amendments to Policy 8415 – Emergency and Crisis Management, for a public hearing and adoption on February 25, 2025.

19.05 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to Policy 8420 – Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness, and Emergency Response Agencies, for a public hearing and adoption on February 25, 2025.

19.06 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to waive the requirement of Policy 7250, Naming of School and District Facilities, to name the gymnasium at James S. Rickards High School the Earnest L. Jones Gymnasium. The James S. Rickards High School community has requested that the gymnasium be named in honor of Earnest L. Jones. Mr. Jones served as a beloved and caring administrator, the first African American Basketball Coach, mentor and overall positive role model for all students at James S. Rickards High School.

19.07 The Board unanimously voted to approve the tentative agreement of the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Contract between the Local 1010, District Council 78, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (LOCAL 1010) and the Leon County School Board

19.08 The Board unanimously voted to approve the tentative agreement of the 2022-2025 Collective Bargaining Contract between the Leon Educational Staff Professional Association (LESPA) and the Leon County School Board.

19.09 The Board unanimously voted to approve the Superintendent recommendation to approve a five (5) year Field Experience Agreement with Alabama State University, to provide educational experiences for selected pre-service teachers.