The Leon County School Board held a regular meeting on July 11th and addressed a number of topics summarized below.
The Board approved a number of items in the consent agenda. One of the items approved the establishment of the LCS Talented and Gifted Education Advisory Council. The function of this Council is to allow all stakeholder groups to collaborate and have opportunities for input and involvement regarding Talented and Gifted programs.
Staff explained to the Board why keeping Leon County School’s track and field’s open to the public would be “problematic”. Staff told the board that it was a liability to keep the track open to the public, and that citizens often mistreat the track and fields, which results in them being ruined. Additionally, staff noted that the safety of students and staff was another main reason. The Board unanimously passed a motion to direct staff to create a policy designating the fields for school use only.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna invited LCS media specialist Kathleen Malloy to breakdown how instructional materials and media are being handled after recent legislation. Ms. Malloy explained that the previous method of determining acceptable material would no longer be feasible with the new law. She said that if a book that has been on an objection list in the County is found in school inventory, it is then put under review and students no longer have access during the review.
The Board voted unanimously to approve an amendment which allows for an additional building, basketball court demolition and an electrical study for Nims Middle School in the amount of $70,542.60.
The Board voted unanimously to nominate School Board Chair Alva Smith as the Florida School Board Association’s 2023-2025 Advocacy Committee Representative, and School Board Vice Chair as the alternative.
Darryl Jones explained that he wanted to change the language in the procurement policy to include local preference. He also noted he wanted staff to report to the Superintendent and the Board regarding procurement policy. The Board then scheduled a workshop to address procurement policy issues on July 24th.
The Board voted unanimously to approve an amendment to provide professional services at Leon High School in the amount of $19,085. This allows for JRA Architects, Inc. to complete construction services to the school.
During the Board member discussion portion of the meeting, Chair Alva made a motion to direct staff to create new language for a policy that would limit the amount the Superintendent can spend from the general funds for partnerships with non-profits to provide services at schools. The new policy would require board approval if the total amount exceeds $250,000 annually.
During public comment, two citizens spoke out against not allowing the public to use LCS track and fields. One person claimed that if safety was a concern, they wouldn’t give keys to the gates to other non-school groups.
Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs, July 11 added by Tristyn Leigh on
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“The new policy would require board approval if the total amount exceeds $250,000 annually.”……… It should require board approval if the amount exceeds $10,000 for ANYTHING.
70k to tear down a gymnasium and do an electrical study… but it costs 2.5 million to put grass on a football field at Lincoln? The poor kids at Nims are getting the shaft while the kids at Lincoln get an overpriced football field.
Way to go Rocky! I get it now, grooming the kids is a cost cutting measure. If you turn them all into sissies, no one in Leon County will need a football field.