Board Meeting

4 Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Board Meeting THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY “Transforming Today’s Learners into Tomorrow’s Leaders” GARLAND BOGGUS BOARD ROOM 426 SCHOOL STREET SEBRING, FLORIDA 33870 5:30 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as may be practicable) PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES This is a public meeting. If a person wishes to speak to the Board regarding an issue not on the agenda, please fill out a petition card located in the lobby and present it to the Board Secretary prior to the meeting. Items on Consent Agenda will be voted on for approval by the Board in a single motion. Individual consent items may be removed and placed as an Action item at the request of any member of the Board prior to the adoption of the agenda. 1. OPENING ITEMS Subject A. Call to order and roll call of members Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject B. Highlands Highlights Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject C. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject D. School Board Member Committee Report Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type Presentation File Attachments Subject E. Superintendent's Report Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments 2. ADOPT THE AGENDA 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Subject A. Consider approval of minutes of the December 9, 2025 board meeting and December 18 special meeting Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Dr. Brenda Longshore Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mrs. Radonski seconded. On roll call, all members present vote 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 4: Communications and Engagement Description: Minutes submitted from the previous meeting(s)/workshop(s) pursuant to Florida Statute 1001.42 Financial Impact: Revenue Source: No associated cost Estimated Amount: 0 Contact: Dr. Brenda Longshore File Attachments December 9, 2025.pdf (79 KB) December 18, 2025 Special Meeting.pdf (53 KB) Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Roberts Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. 4. ACTION ITEMS Subject A. Approve Consent Agenda Items Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve consent agenda items as presented or revised File Attachments Subject B. Consider approval of the Superintendent's recommendation for personnel Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Mrs. Whidden moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present vote 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 3 - Recruitment and Retention of Quality Staff Description: Florida Statutes, State Board Rules and School Board of Highlands County Board Policies require Board action regarding decisions and recommendations of the Superintendent related to personnel matters. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Board approved budgets Estimated Amount: Salaries are determined according to the board-approved salary schedule and personnel allocations. Contact: Dr. Carla Ball, Human Resources File Attachments 010626.pdf (135 KB) Subject C. Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted John Varady, Coordinator of Safety and Security Mrs. Radonski moved to approve. Mrs. Howerton seconded. On roll call, all members present vote 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: N/A Description: Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct SBHC2526-075 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2526-077 Defiance of Authority SBHC2526-080 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2526-081 Disruptive Behavior-Excessive OSS Financial Impact: Revenue Source: No associated cost Estimated Amount: 0 Contact: John Varady File Attachments Subject D. Consider approval of amendment to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Administrative Services Agreement Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Approve as submitted by Andrew Lethbridge Mr. Whidden moved to approve. Mrs. Radonski seconded. On roll call, all members present vote 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Contract amendement due to Optum Rx carve-out through FLEHT. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Board approved Insurance Budget Estimated Amount: $4.70 Per Employee Per Month (PEPM) Contact: Andew Lethbridge or Tammy Mortensen File Attachments School Board of Highlands County_Amendment.pdf (198 KB) Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Roberts Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. Subject E. Consider approval of the 2025-2028 Contract between the School Board of Highlands County and the Highlands County Educational Support Professionals Association subject to ratification by the union. Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Andrew G. Lethbridge Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present vote 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: N/A Description: 2025-2028 Contract for the Higlands County Educational Support Professionals Association Financial Impact: Revenue Source: NA Estimated Amount:0 Contact: Andew Lethbridge File Attachments Highlands HCESPA 2025-2028 .pdf (1,165 KB) Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Roberts Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. Subject F. Office of Safe School Quarterly Compliance Report: 2025-2026 Quarter One Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Presentation Goal Assignment: Goal 5 - Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Report is presented to the School Board as required by Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 6A-1.0018 School Safety Requirements and Monitoring. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: N/A Estimated Amount: N/A Contact: John Varady File Attachments Subject G. Consider approval of agreement between the School Board of Highlands County and AVID Center Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by John Varady, AVID District Director Mr. Whidden moved to approve. Mrs. Radonski seconded. On roll call, all members present vote 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 1 - Academic Success Description: Renewal of annual contract with Advancement via Individual Determination Center ( AVID). AVID provides students with the tools they need to accomplish their academic goals by teaching them key skills such as critical thinking, writing, reading, and collaboration while also building practices to improve their organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Board approved General Fund budget Estimated Amount: $10,279 Contact: John Varady File Attachments AVID Contract 2025-2026.pdf (240 KB) SBHC Standard ADDENDUM AVID 2025-2026.pdf (182 KB) Subject H. Consider approval of agreement between the School Board of Highlands County and Coverys Meeting Jan 6, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Andrew Lethbridge, Assistant Superintendent Item pulled from agenda. No action taken. Goal Assignment: Description: Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Estimated Amount: Contact: File Attachments 5. EMERGENCY ITEMS 6. HCEA/HCESPA MEMBERS' COMMENTS 7. SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY COMMENTS 8. BOARD MEMBER'S COMMENTS 9. ADJOURNMENT 10. NOTICE: If a person intends to appeal the Board’s decision with respect to any matter, or has any thought that an appeal may be taken, the person has the responsibility to ensure that a verbatim (word for word) record of the proceeding is made and that the record includes all testimony and evidence upon which an appeal is to be based. 11. NOTICE: If you are a person with a disability who requires reasonable accommodations in order to attend a School Board meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator, Carla J. Ball, Director of Human Resources at 863-471-5732 or 426 School St., Sebring, Florida 33870 at least 48 hours in advance of the event.New Category