Regular Board Meeting

1 Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Regular Board Meeting DeSoto County School Board Chambers 530 LaSolona Avenue Arcadia, FL 34266 TIME: 5:30 PM 1. Call to Order: 5:30 PM Subject 1.01 Pledge of Allegiance Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 1. Call to Order: 5:30 PM Type FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments Subject 1.02 Prayer Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 1. Call to Order: 5:30 PM Type Procedural File Attachments Subject 1.03 Roll Call Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 1. Call to Order: 5:30 PM Type FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 2. Adopt the Superintendent's Agenda Subject 2.01 Approval of Superintendent's Agenda Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 2. Adopt the Superintendent's Agenda Type Action FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments Motion & Voting (not specified) Motion by Kelly Mercer, second by Sharon Goodman. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer 3. Approval of Minutes Subject 3.01 June 23, 2026, Regular Board Meeting Minutes Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 3. Approval of Minutes Type Action File Attachments 6.23.26 Board Meeting Minutes.BA.pdf (1,452 KB) Motion & Voting (not specified) Motion by Asena L Mott, second by Kelly Mercer. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer 4. Attorney Reports Subject 4.01 J. Cole Brewer, Attorney Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 4. Attorney Reports Type Report File Attachments 5. Superintendent Report Subject 5.01 Dr. Bobby Bennett, Superintendent Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 5. Superintendent Report Type Information File Attachments 6. Public Presentations Subject 6.01 Public Presentations Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 6. Public Presentations Type Discussion, Information, Report File Attachments 7. Board Member Discussion Subject 7.01 Board Member Discussion Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 7. Board Member Discussion Type Discussion, Information, Report FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 8. Financial Reports Subject 8.01 Approval of Financial Reports Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 8. Financial Reports Type Action Recommended Action Approval of all items listed under Financial Reports as presented, unless otherwise noted. File Attachments Motion & Voting Approval of all items listed under Financial Reports as presented, unless otherwise noted. Motion by Kelly Mercer, second by Karen Chancey. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer Subject 8.02 Check Register Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 8. Financial Reports Type Routine Monthly Report FROM : Manuel Martin FOR : Finance Date(s) of Service: 06/11/26 - 06/30/26 Submission Summary : Check Registers# 140305170 - 140305265 ACH Registers# 9242600849 - 9242600870 Wire Transfers# 202500476 - 202500504 File Attachments 8.02 Check Register 071426 BA.pdf (130 KB) 9. Routine Business Subject 9.01 Approval of Routine Business Items Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 9. Routine Business Type Action Recommended Action Approve all items listed under Routine Business as presented, unless otherwise noted. File Attachments Motion & Voting Approve all items listed under Routine Business as presented, unless otherwise noted. Motion by Sharon Goodman, second by Asena L Mott. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer Subject 9.02 Temporary Duty Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 9. Routine Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Gina Stafford FOR (Division/School): Human Resources Date(s) of Service: 2026/2027 School Year Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 9.02 Temporary Duty.BA.pdf (31 KB) Subject 9.03 PAF Federal Grants Instructional & Non Instructional Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 9. Routine Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Gina Stafford FOR (Division/School): Human Resources Date(s) of Service: 2026/2027 School Year Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 9.03 PAF Federal Grants Instructional & Non Instructional.BA.pdf (74 KB) Subject 9.04 PAF Non Instructional Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 9. Routine Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Gina Stafford FOR (Division/School): Human Resources Date(s) of Service: 2026/2027 School Year Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 9.04 PAF Non Instructional.BA.pdf (74 KB) Subject 9.05 PAF Instructional/Athletic Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 9. Routine Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Gina Stafford FOR (Division/School): Human Resources Date(s) of Service: 2026/2027 School Year Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 9.05 PAF Instructional-Athletic.BA.pdf (103 KB) 10. New Business Subject 10.01 Approval of New Business Items Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type Action FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments Motion & Voting (not specified) Motion by Kelly Mercer, second by Karen Chancey. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer Subject 10.02 Permission to Adopt Policies: Neola Select Project (Vol. 25, No2 and Vol. 26, No1) Several Updates and Other Policies Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type Action FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Bobby Bennett, Superintendent FOR (Division/School): District Office Date(s) of Service: 2025.2026 SY Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 10.02 Permission to Adopt Policies Vol. 25 No. 2 & Vol 26 No. 1.BA.pdf (424 KB) 10.02 Proof of Publication Vol. 25 No. 2 & Vol. 26 No. 1.BA.pdf (276 KB) Motion & Voting (not specified) Motion by Kelly Mercer, second by Karen Chancey. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer Subject 10.03 Out-Of-Field Teachers July 2026 Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): DR. GINA STAFFORD FOR (Division/School): DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES Date(s) of Service: JULY 2026 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): TEACHERS ASSIGNED TO TEACH OUT-OF-FIELD JULY 2026. File Attachments 10.03 OUT-OF-FIELD TEACHERS JULY 2026.BA.pdf (107 KB) Subject 10.04 District Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Kristie Joens, Director FOR (Division/School): Instructional Services Division Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26 - 6/30/2027 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): 2026-2027 School Year Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan (CERP) that outlines the components of the district's comprehensive system of reading instruction. File Attachments 10.04 DeSoto 2026-2027 CERP.docx (1).BA.pdf (1,084 KB) Subject 10.05 Memorandum of Understanding - Teacher Salary Increase Allocation (TSIA) Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type Action (Consent) FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Gina Stafford FOR (Division/School): Human Resources Date(s) of Service: 2026-2027 School Year Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): This is a Memorandum of Understanding between the District and DeSoto County Educator's Association outlining the agreed upon distribution of TSIA funding. File Attachments 10.05 26-27 TSIA MOU.BA.pdf (394 KB) Subject 10.06 2026-2027 School Bus Routes Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): CHARLIE PAYNE FOR (Division/School): TRANSPORTATION Date(s) of Service: 07/01/2026-06/30/2027 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): TRANSPORTATION BUS ROUTES File Attachments 10.06 26-27 SY DCSD BUS ROUTES.BA.pdf (490 KB) 10.06 26-27 SY ESE Pre-K Bus Routes.BA.pdf (333 KB) Subject 10.07 2026-2027 DeSoto Mental Health Application Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type Action FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Amy Bennett, Director of Student Services FOR (Division/School): DeSoto County School District Date(s) of Service: 2026-2027 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 10.07 Desoto-2026-27-MHAA.BA.pdf (385 KB) Subject 10.08 PH2-12 SIGNED SIGNATURE PAGES BTS Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Manuel Martin FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 5/26/26-6/25/26 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Application for payment to BTS for work completed from 5/26/26 to 6/25/26 on the new High School build. Final payment of 25-26 school year. File Attachments 10.08 PH2-12 SIGNED SIGNATURE PAGES BTS.BA.pdf (1,513 KB) Subject 10.09 A-0013 PAI City of Arcadia-Crossing Guards 26-27 Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michele Sikes FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26-6/30/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Funding to pay for 2 crossing guards to be posted at highway 70 for east and west bound traffic for students for West Elementary, and 2 located on the east side of town for Memorial Elementary students at a firm, fixed rate for the contract period. File Attachments 10.09 A-0013 PAI City of Arcadia - Crossing Guards 26-27 BA.pdf (497 KB) Subject 10.10 A-0014 PAI City of Arcadia 2 SROs DMS & WES + Captain 26-27 Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michelle Sikes FOR (Division/School): District Safety Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26-6/30/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Arcadia Police Department to provide one School Resource Officer at DeSoto Middle School and one at West Elementary School, along with a Captain. File Attachments 10.10 A-0014 PAI City of Arcadia 2 SROs DMS & WES + Captain 26-27 BA.pdf (492 KB) Subject 10.11 A-0015ES PAI FOR APD AFTERSCHOOL 26-27 Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michelle Brown FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26-6/30/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Arcadia Police Department to provide security to the DeSoto Middle School at a rate of $50/hour for sporting events as needed for the 2026-2027 school year. Security will also be provided for any other events where security is necessary at the same rate per the agreement. File Attachments 10.11 A-0015ES PAI for APD AFTERSCHOOL 26-27 BA.pdf (417 KB) Subject 10.12 A-0016 School Resource Officers DeSoto Sheriff's Dept 26-27 Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michelle Sikes FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26-6/30/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): To Provide School Resource Officers as stated in the agreement with firm pricing for the contract period. Utilize DeSoto County Sheriff Officers as School Resource Officers at (2) DHS, (1)NES, and (1) MES. File Attachments 10.12 A-0016 DeSoto County Sheriff Dept -SRO's 26-27 (corrected) BA.pdf (1,526 KB) Subject 10.13 A-0018 PAI DeSoto County Sheriff's Department- Crossing Guards 2026-2027 Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michelle Sikes FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26-6/30/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): To provide Crossing Guard services for 2 District locations as stated in the agreement with firm pricing for the 2026-2027 school year. File Attachments 10.13 A-0018 DeSoto County Sheriff Dept - Crossing Guards 26-27 BA.pdf (324 KB) Subject 10.14 A-0060 PAI School Nurse Agreement and Dept of Health POs Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michelle Sikes and Sheila Iverson FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 7/1/26-6/30/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): To provide a school nurse at DHS and to provide health screenings at the schools per the agreement. To provide new employment drug screenings at the Health Dept. File Attachments PO 0009112700006 DESOTO COUNTY HEALTH - NEW HIRE DRUG SCREENING.pdf (176 KB) A-0060- PAI DeSoto School Nurse 26-27.pdf (512 KB) PO 0009022700037 DESOTO CO HEALTH - SCHOOL NURSE.pdf (165 KB) Subject 10.15 A-107 PAI Graduation Alliance Inc Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Amy Bennett FOR (Division/School): St Services Date(s) of Service: 7/14/2026-8/31/2029 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): It is the purpose of this Florida Student Reengagement Program Agreement (the “Agreement”) to provide educational opportunities for eligible Students (“Student” or “Students”) who are working toward course credits which can be converted to high school credits through the Student Reengagement Program (the “Program”) operated by Graduation Alliance, Inc (“Graduation Alliance”). Graduation Alliance shall operate the Program in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute §§1002.45 and 1003.53(7) as long as the contract is in effect for the agreed upon rate. File Attachments 10.15 A-107 - PAI Graduation Alliance Inc BA.pdf (3,295 KB) Subject 10.16 SURPLUS ASSETS 26-27 FACILITIES Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Jessica Price FOR (Division/School): Facilities Date(s) of Service: 7/1/25-6/30/26 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Assets being removed to surplus. File Attachments 10.16 Fixed Assets 26-27 removals Facilities-BA.pdf (491 KB) Subject 10.17 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DMS Links to Success Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): DR. BOLAND FOR (Division/School): FACILITY USE AGREEMENT -DMS Date(s) of Service:9/24/26, 10/15/26, 11/19/26, 1/21/27, 2/25/27, 4/15/27, 5/13/27 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 10.17 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DMS CAFETERIA LINKS2SUCCESS BA.pdf (988 KB) Subject 10.18 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DMS CAFETERIA Arcadia Mennonite Church Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): DR BOLAND FOR (Division/School): FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DMS Date(s) of Service: 8/7/26 & 8/8/26 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 10.18 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT DMS CAFETERIA ARCADIA MENNONITE CHURCH BA.pdf (799 KB) Subject 10.19 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DMS GYM ARCADIA MENNONITE CHURCH Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Boland FOR (Division/School): FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DMS Date(s) of Service: 8/7/26, 8/28/26, 8/29/29 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 10.19 DMS GYM ARCADIA MENNONITE CHURCH BA.pdf (785 KB) Subject 10.20 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - DHS DeSoto Youth Football and Cheer Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Joshua White FOR (Division/School): DeSoto High School Football Field Date(s) of Service: August 8th and 15th, September 12th, October 3rd and 17th Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): DeSoto Youth Football and Cheer would like to use the DeSoto High School's Football Field for 5 dates from 7:00am to 6:00pm. File Attachments 10.20 FACILTY USE AGREMEENT - DHS GYM DeSoto Youth Football and Cheer BA.pdf (1,305 KB) Subject 10.21 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - FSC ANNEX - Supervisor of Elections, Debbie Wertz Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM: Kathy Severson, Director FOR: Annex Date(s) of Service: August 18, 2026 and November 3, 2026 Submission Summary: Request to use the Annex on August 18, 2026 for the primary election and November 3, 2026 for the general election. File Attachments 10.21 FACILITIES USE AGREEMENT - FSC ANNEX - Supervisor of Elections, Debbie Wertz BA.pdf (1,408 KB) Subject 10.22 FACILITY USE AGREEMENT - OWENS SCHOOL Supervisor of Elections, Debbie Wertz Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM: Kathy Severson, Director FOR: Owens School Date(s) of Service: August 18, 2026 and November 3, 2026 Submission Summary: Request to use Owens School on August 18, 2026 for the primary election and November 3, 2026 for the general election. File Attachments 10.22 FACILITIES USE AGREEMENT - OWENS SCHOOL - Supervisor of Elections, Debbie Wertz BA.pdf (1,301 KB) Subject 10.23 Clinic Provider Recommendation Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type Action (Consent) FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Bobby Bennett FOR (Division/School): Human Resources Date(s) of Service: 2026-2027 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Attached is the Insurance Committee's Recommendation for a Clinic Provider. File Attachments 10.23 DeSoto Clinic Provider Recommendation.BA.pdf (233 KB) Subject 10.24 Wicks, Brown, Williams & Co., CPA's LLP Letter of Engagement for 25-26 FY Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type New Submission Document FROM (Director/Principal): Michelle Sikes FOR (Division/School): Finance Date(s) of Service: 7/1/25-7/31/26 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): Perform an audit of internal accounts for the District for the 2025-2026 School year at the end of the Fiscal Year. They will audit the District's internal funds combined statement of cash receipts, disbursements, transfers, and balances as of and for the year ended June 30, 2026, including the related notes to the financial statement. File Attachments 10.24 Wicks-Brown- Williams & Co. CPA's LLP Letter of Engagement for 25-26 FY.BA.pdf (824 KB) Subject 10.25 DeSoto County DE Articulation Agreement wit SFSC Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 10. New Business Type Action FROM (Director/Principal): Dr. Bobby Bennett, Superintendent FOR (Division/School): DeSoto County School District Date(s) of Service: 2026-2029 Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 10.25 DeSoto County DE Articulation Agreement with SFSC.BA.pdf (1,595 KB) 11. Superintendent Subject 11.01 Dr. Bobby Bennett, Superintendent requested permission from the Board to initiate negotiations to sell the Richard Bowers football field due to deterioration. Dr. Bennett referred to Mr. Brewer about the proposal and he concurred that it was a non productive asset. Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 11. Superintendent Type Information FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 12. Board Members Subject 12.01 Board Member Comments Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 12. Board Members Type Information File Attachments 13. Public Presentations Subject 13.01 Public Presentations Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 13. Public Presentations Type FROM (Director/Principal): FOR (Division/School): Date(s) of Service: Submission Summary (include complete point(s) of interest): File Attachments 14. Adjournment Subject 14.01 Adjourn the Meeting Meeting Jul 14, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting Category 14. Adjournment Type Action Recommended Action Motion to Adjourn the meeting File Attachments Motion & Voting Motion to Adjourn the meeting Motion by Asena L Mott, second NONE. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jami Schueneman, Sharon Goodman, Karen Chancey, Asena L Mott, Kelly Mercer