School Board of Highlands County

4 Tuesday, November 17, 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 Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject B. Highlands Highlights Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject C. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject D. School Board Member Committee Report Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type Presentation File Attachments Subject E. Superintendent's Report Meeting Nov 17, 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 October 15, 2026 Work Session, and the October 20, 2026 board meeting Meeting Nov 17, 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 10-15-26 work session.pdf (51 KB) 10-20-26 board meeting.pdf (68 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 B. Consider approval of budget amendments month ending September 30, 2026. Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Budget revisions are used to increase revenue or expenditure authority from the original budget, while budget amendments/transfers simply reallocate existing funds without changing the total budget. These adjustments ensure expenditures are coded correctly, align budgets with actual operations, and maintain compliance with state and district guidelines. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: No associated cost Estimated Amount: 0 Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments September Revisions and Transfers.pdf (1,550 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 C. Consider approval of renewal agreement between School Board of Highlands County and Relationships Under Construction for the 2026-2027 school year Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Danielle Erwin Goal Assignment: No goal Description: Comprehensive Health Curriculum Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Estimated Amount: $7,500.00 Contact: DANIELLE ERWIN File Attachments SBHC and RUC Contract 26.27 (1).pdf (76 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 Nov 17, 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 previously denied Hardship Out of Zone Transfer Application Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Goal Assignment: N/A Description: Pursant to the Student Assignment, Enrollment and Choice Plan, a parent or legal guardian may appeal to the School Board a previously denied Hardship Out of Zone Transfer Application. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: N/A Estimated Amount: N/A Contact: Melissa Blackman File Attachments Subject C. Consider approval of the Superintendent's recommendation for personnel Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type 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 111726.pdf (154 KB) Subject D. Consider approval of the School Board attorney extension between the School Board of Highlands County and Nash Legal, P.A. for calendar year 2027 Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Board attorney services as outlined in contract Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Approved board budget Contact: Andrew Lethbridge, Assistant Superintendent of Schools File Attachments Attorney Contract FY26-27.pdf (309 KB) Subject E. Consider Approval of monthly Financials month ending September 30, 2026. Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Stephanie Hanks. File Attachments SEPTEMBER BOARD REPORT.pdf (176 KB) Subject F. Adopt Resolution 2627-08 declaring a 5-acre parcel of real property as unnecessary for educational purposes (surplus) and authorizing its conveyance to the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Estimated Amount: Revenue $99,000 Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments Resolution 2627-08.pdf (127 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. Approve and authorize the Chair and Superintendent to execute the Real Property Purchase Agreement and all documents necessary to close the transaction pursuant to terms of the agreement (including, but not limited to execution of a deed) Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action File Attachments RPPA.Highlands County School Board.SGS r10-20-26.FINAL.pdf (164 KB) Subject H. Consider approval of the First Amendment to the Member District School Board Agreement for the Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC) changing fiscal agent Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type File Attachments HEC - First Amendment to Agreement (1).pdf (75 KB) Subject I. Consider Approval of settlement agreement for Jose Zepeda v. Highlands County School Board, Case Number GC26-237. Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Andrew G. Lethbridge Goal Assignment: Goal 5 Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Settlement in the amount of $72,500 related to a motor vehicle accident involving an SBHC School Bus. The incident occurred when the school bus collided with a car, resulting in property damage and injuries to the driver of the other vehicle. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: SCERMP Estimated Amount: $72,500.00 Contact: Andrew Lethbridge or Tammy Mortensen File Attachments Zepeda v HCSB ntc of settlement.pdf (113 KB) Zepeda v HCSB release.pdf (89 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 J. Consider approval to award contract for Real Estate Brokerage Services to Hammock Realty. SBHC2627-01 Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Anjelica Tinajero. Goal Assignment: Goal 5: Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Real Estate Brokerage Services Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Local Capital Improvement Fund / Half-Cent Sales Tax / General Fund Estimated Amount: Will depend on property sale price. Contact: Anjelica Tinajero File Attachments SBHC2627-01 Realtor Services.pdf (1,637 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 K. Consider approval of agreement between the School Board of Highlands County and The Southern Group Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Goal Assignment: Goal 5 - Operational and Fiscal Effectivness and Efficiency Description: Lobbying Services Financial Impact: Revenue Source: General Fund Estimated Amount: Contact: File Attachments ADDENDUM Southern Group Nov26-27.pdf (201 KB) 2026 - School Board of Highlands County Contract.pdf (54 KB) Subject L. Office of Safe School Quarterly Compliance Report: 2026-2027 Quarter One Meeting Nov 17, 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: No cost or budget associated with this. Revenue Source: N/A Estimated Amount: N/A Contact: John Varady File Attachments Subject M. Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements Meeting Nov 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted John Varady, Coordinator of Safety and Security Goal Assignment: N/A Description: Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct SBHC2627-035 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-036 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-038 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-041 Simple Battery SBHC2627-042 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-043 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-044 Drug Sale/Distribution SBHC2627-045 Simple Battery SBHC2627-046 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-047 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-048 Drug Use/Possession SBHC2627-051 Sexual Harassment- Transfer SBHC2627-052 Threat/Intimidation SBHC2627-056 Other Major Offense Financial Impact: Revenue Source: No associated cost Estimated Amount: 0 Contact: John Varady 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.