Board Meeting

4 Tuesday, April 7, 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 Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject B. Highlands Highlights Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject C. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject D. School Board Member Committee Report Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type Presentation File Attachments Subject E. Superintendent's Report Meeting Apr 7, 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 March 24, 2026 workshops and board meeting and the March 26, 2026 Rule Development and Public Workshop Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Dr. Brenda Longshore 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 3-24-26 workshop - 26-27 project list.pdf (50 KB) 3-24-26 workshop - A'la Carte Course Program.pdf (10 KB) 3-24-26 board meeting.pdf (85 KB) 3-26-26 Workshop - Code.pdf (9 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 Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve consent agenda items as presented or revised Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. File Attachments Subject B. Consider approval of the Superintendent's recommendation for personnel Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Mr. Martin moved to approve. Mrs. Radonski seconded. On roll call, all members present voted '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 040725.pdf (120 KB) Subject C. Amendment to the Catapult Learning LLC Contract Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Amendment to the Catapult Learning LLC Contract to include virtual tutoring as submitted by Jill Compton Twist, Director of Federal Programs Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. File Attachments Signed aggrements.pdf (1,450 KB) Catapult Quote.pdf (235 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 D. Consider approval of the capital project list for the 2026 - 2027 school year. Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Dr. Durrance moved to approve as submitted with the including of additional parking at Sebring Middle School when funds become available. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness Efficiency Description: The capital project list represents projects the schools or Facilities have requested to be completed at each sch Financial Impact: Revenue Source: CO & DS, Capital Improvement, Half Cent Sales Tax, School Hardening Grants and potential State Appropriations Estimated Amount: $12,982,292.60 Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments 2026-2027 Capital Project List_04-07-26.pdf (2,146 KB) Subject E. Consider approval to award contract for the Lake Placid High School Air Handler AHU-2A to United Mechanical LLC SBHC2526-13 Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Mrs. Radonski moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Lake Placid High School Air Handler AHU-2A Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Half-Cent Sales Tax Estimated Amount: Bid: $171,900 plus $20,000 for the Automated Logic Web CTRL Building Management system including monitoring and control. The price includes installation, labor, materials, controllers, programming, startup, checkout, graphics, owner instruction and a 1-year material warranty. Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments SBHC2526-13 Lake Placid High Bldg 1 Air Handler AHU-2A Renovation.pdf (3,265 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. Consider approval to award contract for the Sun 'N Lake Elementary Building 4 HVAC Renovation to Millers Central Air Inc. SBHC2526-15 Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Sun 'N Lake Elementary Building 4 HVAC Renovation Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Half-Cent Sales Tax Estimated Amount: Bid: $132,788 plus $37,000 for the Automated Logic Web CTRL Building Management system including monitoring and control. The price includes installation, labor, materials, controllers, programming, startup, checkout, graphics, owner instruction and a 1-year material warranty. Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments SBHC2526-15 Sun N Lake Elementary Blvd 4 HVAC.pdf (2,989 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 G. Consider approval to award contract for the Avon Elementary Building 8 Chiller Plant Renovation to Air Mechanical & Service Corp. SBHC2526-16 Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Mr. Martin moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Avon Elementary Building 8 Chiller Plant Renovation Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Half-Cent Sales Tax Estimated Amount: Bid: $183,773 plus $6,500 for the Automated Logic Web CTRL Building Management system including monitoring and control. The price includes installation, labor, materials, controllers, programming, startup, checkout, graphics, owner instruction and a 1-year material warranty. Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments SBHC2526-16 Avon Elementary Bldg 8 Chiller Plan Renovation.pdf (3,224 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 H. Consider approval of Office of Educational Facilities Florida Inventory of School Houses Certification of Facilities Data Form Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve item as presented. Submitted by Frank Brown Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mrs. Radonski seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5 - Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: The Office of Educational Facilities Florida Inventory of School Houses Certification of Facilities Data requires district school boards to certify that, to the best of their knowledge, the educational facilities inventory data contained in the Florida Inventory of School Houses (F.I.S.H.) is current and accurate. Financial Impact: No associated costs Contact: Frank Brown File Attachments FISH Certification Form.pdf (442 KB) Facility Inventory.pdf (3,500 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 I. Consider approval of 5 year work plan for 2025 - 2026 school year. Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. No action taken. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Projects for the 5 year work plan. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Half-Cent Sales Tax Estimated Amount: $______________ Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments 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 J. Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted John Varady, Coordinator of Safety and Security Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: N/A Description: Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct SBHC2526-146 Excessive Defiance of Authority Referrals SBHC2526-147 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-152 Threat/ Intimidation SBHC2526-155 Threat/ Intimidation SBHC2526-156 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-158 Threat/ Intimidation SBHC2526-165 Threat/ Intimidation SBHC2526-168 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-170 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-172 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-174 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-178 Disruption on Campus-Major SBHC2526-183 Excessive Defiance of Authority Referrals SBHC2526-200 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-201 Threat/ Intimidation School Board Employee SBHC2526-205 Disruptive Behavior SBHC2526-210 Drug Use/ Possession Financial Impact: Revenue Source: No associated cost Estimated Amount: 0 Contact: John Varady File Attachments Subject K. Consider approval of settlement agreement for Stephen Williams v. Highlands County School Board, Case Number 28-2025-CA-000238-GC Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Approve as submitted by Andrew G. Lethbridge Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: S ettlement in the amount of $75,000 related to a motor vehicle accident involving a School Board Facilities employee. The incident occurred when the district employee-operated vehicle collided with a pickup truck, resulting in injuries to a passenger of the other vehicle. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: SCREMP Estimated Amount: $75,000.00 Contact: Andrew Lethbridge or Tammy Mortensen File Attachments Williams v School Board of Highlands County and Geico - Mediation Settlement Agreement (Plt & Highlands Signature)-rotated.pdf (525 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 L. Authorize advertisement to consider adoption of the revisions to the Code of Student Conduct Meeting Apr 7, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type No action taken. File Attachments 2627 Code of Conduct - Revised 3-4-26.pdf (1,281 KB) 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.