Board Meeting

4 Thursday, June 18, 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 Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject B. Highlands Highlights Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject C. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject D. School Board Member Committee Report Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type Presentation File Attachments Subject E. Superintendent's Report Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments 2. PROCLAMATIONS Subject A. Proclamation 2526-10 proclaiming June 2026 to be observed as Faith, Family and Responsible Fatherhood Month Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 2. PROCLAMATIONS Type File Attachments Proclamation - Faith, Family....pdf (260 KB) 3. ADOPT THE AGENDA 4. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Subject A. Consider approval of minutes of the June 8, 2026 board meeting Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. 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 6-8-26 board meeting.pdf (71 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 School Hours Schedule for the 2026-2027 School Year Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Willie Hills Mr. Whidden moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 2 - Whole Child Description: School Hours Schedule for the 2026-2027 School Year Financial Impact: N/A Revenue Source: N/A Estimated Amount: N/A Contact: Willie Hills or Toby Cribbs File Attachments School Hours 2026-2027 5 04 26 .pdf (38 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 the approval of, 2026-2027 The School Board of Polk County, Florida and The School Board of Highlands County, Florida Coordination of Non-Public Service Agreement Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Jill Compton Twist Director of Federal Programs Goal Assignment: Goal 1 Academic Success Description: The attached agreement is pursuant to the requirements of Every Student Succeeds Act and 34 C.F.R. Section 200.63 Financial Impact: N.A Revenue Source: Estimated Amount: Contact: Jill Compton Twist File Attachments Polk to Highlands.pdf (123 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 the approval of the 2026-2027 School Board of Highlands County and The School Board of Polk County, FL Coordination of Non-Public Service Agreement Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Move to approve as submitted by Jill Compton Twist, Director of Federal Programs Goal Assignment: Goal 1 Academic Success Description: The attached agreement is pursuant to the requirements of Every Student Succeeds Act and 34 C.F.R. Section 200.63 Financial Impact: N.A Revenue Source: Estimated Amount: Contact: Jill Compton Twist File Attachments 26.27 Polk Agreement 2.docx (61 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 the approval of 2026-2027 School Board of Highlands County and Hardee County School District, Coordination of Non-Public Service Agreement Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Move to approve as submitted by Jill Compton Twist, Director of Federal and State Programs Goal Assignment: Goal 1 Academic Success Description: The attached agreement is pursuant to the requirements of Every Student Succeeds Act and 34 C.F.R. Section 200.63 Financial Impact: N.A Revenue Source: Estimated Amount: Contact: Jill Compton Twist File Attachments 26-27 Hardee Agreement 2.docx (61 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. 5. ACTION ITEMS Subject A. Approve Consent Agenda Items Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 5. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve consent agenda items as presented or revised Mr. Whidden moved to approve. Mr. Martin 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 Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 5. ACTION ITEMS Type Consider approval of the Superintendent's recommendation for personnel except for the reappointment rosters for Park Elementary, the MIS Department, and substitutes. Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present voted ‘yes’. Motion carried. Consider approval of the Superintendent’s recommendation for personnel of the reappointment roster for Park Elementary School, and substitutes. Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, Mrs. Howerton, Mr. Whidden and Dr. Durrance voted ‘yes’. Mr. Martin abstained. Motion carried. Consider approval of the Superintendent’s recommendation for personnel of the reappointment roster for the MIS Department. Mr. Martin moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, Mr. Martin, Mr. Whidden and Dr. Durrance voted ‘yes’. Mrs. Howerton abstained. 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 061826.pdf (2,213 KB) Subject C. Consider approval of the agreement for professional services between the School Board of Highlands County and Fieldprint, Inc. Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 5. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Dr. Carla Ball Mr. Martin moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 3 - Recruitment and Retention of Quality Staff Description: Fingerprinting and Background Check Services Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Board-approved budgets Estimated Amount: Please refer to Exhibit A of the contract for the applicable fee schedule. Contact: Dr. Carla Ball, Human Resources File Attachments SBHC and Fieldprint Inc Agreement.pdf (265 KB) Subject D. Consider approval of renaming the Academy at Youth Care Lane and authorizing the Superintendent to update the MSID, related records, official documents, and District website to reflect the name change Meeting Jun 18, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 5. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Name change recommended options: 1. Highlands Academy 2. Highlands Success Academy 3. Highlands Pathway Academy Mrs. Howerton moved to rename the Academy at Youth Care Lane, Highlands Success Academy. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. File Attachments 6. EMERGENCY ITEMS 7. HCEA/HCESPA MEMBERS' COMMENTS 8. SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY COMMENTS 9. BOARD MEMBER'S COMMENTS 10. ADJOURNMENT 11. 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. 12. 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.