Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: September 9, 2025

Provided below are the news briefs from the September 9, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting.

LCS Budget Items

The Leon County School Board voted 4-0 (Cox not present) to approve Item 1.02 Final Budget Amendments for 2024-2025, Item 1.03 Annual Financial Report & the Report of Financial Data and Fund Balance Designation 2024-2025, and Item 1.04 Final Public Hearing for 2025-2026 Budget

The total budget is $647.4 million and includes the General Fund (operating budget) of $368 million. This fund is 56.9% of the total budget. The Special Revenue Fund is budgeted at $78.7 million and represents 12.2% of the overall budget. The remaining balance includes Capital Projects Funds at $122.7 million, and Debt Service at $77.6 million.

The budget supports 51 schools, including 22 elementary, two (2) kindergarten through grade 8 schools, eight (8) middle schools, six (6) high schools, one (1) vocational-technical college, one (1) adult education center, four (4) charter schools, and six (6) special/alternative schools. It will provide educational services for 30,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and approximately 3,500 adult students at the Lively Technical College. It will provide payment for over 2,000 teachers and 450 aides who work directly with students in the classroom.

Items for Consideration – all items based 4-0 (Cox not present).

Item 19.01 The Board voted, following a public hearing, to approve amendments to Policy 5500.01 – Student Discipline Matrix, effective September 10, 2025. This publication is developed to assist parents, guardians and students to understand expected infractions and consequences. The updates were recommended by the Discipline Matrix Review Committee that met throughout the school year.

Item 19.02 The Board voted to advertise amendments to Policy 5136 – Wireless Communication Devices, for a public hearing and adoption on October 28, 2025. The revisions include updated language referencing allowable possession and use of WCD’s during non-instructional time. In addition, there is a section outlining exemptions.   

Item 19.03, 19.04, 19.05 The Board voted to advertise various amendments related to Background Screening and Employment History Checks, for a public hearing and adoption on October 28, 2025. Revisions include language addressing the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse.

Item 19.06 The Board voted to advertise amendments to Policy 8470 – Registered Sexual Predators/Sex Offenders, for a public hearing and adoption on October 28, 2025. Revisions include Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Notification and a section addressing Presence of Individuals Convicted of Certain Sex-Related Crimes on School Property.

Item 19.07 The Board voted to advertise amendments to Policy 8475 – Criminal Background Checks for Non-Instructional Contractors, for a public hearing and adoption on October 28, 2025. Revisions include screening requirements for contractors having direct or indirect access to students and criminal history checks through the Care Provider Background Screening.  Revisions also include a section outlining Identification Badges.

Item 19.08 The Board voted to award Southland Contracting, Inc, a contract for the Fort Braden K-8 School Basketball Court Renovation Project (Invitation to Bid 1005-2026) in the amount of $462,691.00.