Board Meeting

4 Tuesday, February 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 Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject B. Highlands Highlights Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject C. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type File Attachments Subject D. School Board Member Committee Report Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 1. OPENING ITEMS Type Presentation File Attachments Subject E. Superintendent's Report Meeting Feb 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 January 27, 2026 walkthrough and the February 3, 2026 workshop and board meeting Meeting Feb 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 1-27-26 walkthroughs.pdf (71 KB) 2-3-26 board meeting.pdf (76 KB) 2-3-26 workshop - Code of Conduct.pdf (12 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 a 1 year extension of SBHC 2223-33 Food and Supply Purchasing Services Contract between The School Board of Highlands County and Purchase SMARRT Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by Tim Thompson, Director of Food Service Goal Assignment: Goal 5 - Operational and Fiscal Effectiveness and Efficiency Description: Purchase of Food and Non-Food supplies for cafeteria operations. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: Food Service Special Revenue Account Estimated Amount: $2,200,000 Contact: Tim Thompson File Attachments Contract Extension - PBG and Purchase Smaart.pdf (90 KB) Intent Letter.pdf (160 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 Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve consent agenda items as presented or revised Mrs. Radonski moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. File Attachments Subject B. Review/discuss previously declined Hardship Out of Zone appeals pursuant to the School Board of Highlands County Student Assignment, Enrollment and Choice Plan. Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type No action taken. Goal Assignment: N/A Description: As per the Board Approved Student Assignment, Enrollment and Choice Plan, if a Hardship Out of Zone Transfer application is denied, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may request an appeal to the Board. Financial Impact: Revenue Source: N/A Estimated Amount: No impact. Contact: Melissa Blackman, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services. File Attachments Subject C. Consider approval of the Superintendent's recommendation for personnel Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Mrs. Howerton 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: 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 021726.pdf (129 KB) Subject D. Consider approval of Memorandum of agreement for collaboration with the University of Florida Board of Trustees for the benefit of Lastinger Center for Learning and the School Board of Highlands County Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Consent Recommended Action Motion to approve as submitted by by Jill Compton Twist, Director of Federal Programs and Carey Conner, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Mrs. Howerton moved to approve. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Goal Assignment: Goal 2 Whole Child Description: Tutoring services related to the Florida Tutoring Advantaged established by Florida Statute 1008.366. Financial Impact: Revenue Source :Florida Tutoring Advantage Grant. No cost to the district Estimated Amount: $0.00 Contact: Carey Conner, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary and Tina Starling, Reading Curriculum Specialist File Attachments UF MOA .pdf (580 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. Authorize advertisement of public hearing to consider adoption of the revisions to the Code of Student Conduct Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action As submitted by Andrew G. Lethbridge Mrs. Radonski moved to approve. Mr. Martin seconded. On roll call, Mrs. Radonski, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Howerton, Mr. Whidden and Dr. Durrance voted 'no'. Motion failed. File Attachments 2627 Code of Conduct - Revised.pdf (1,225 KB) Subject F. Consider approval of the disposition of real property located at 710 W. Winthrop Street, Avon Park, Florida Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to select and approve an option Mrs. Howerton moved to selection Option 4, authorizing the continued advertisement of the property for sale for an addiitonal four weeks. Mrs. Radonski seconded. On roll call, Mrs. Howerton, Mrs. Radonski, and Mr. Martin voted 'yes'. Mr. Whidden and Dr. Durrance voted 'no'. Motion carried. Options: reducing the sale price of the properties; listing the properties for sale through a licensed realtor, following the Request for Proposals (RFP) process; demolishing the existing structures and retaining ownership of the land; or any other option deemed appropriate by the Board. File Attachments 710 W. Winthrop Street.pdf (491 KB) 710 W. Winthrop Street Excavation Point.pdf (204 KB) Subject G. Consider approval of the disposition of real property located at 501 Lemon Avenue (the Teacherage), Sebring, Florida Meeting Feb 17, 2026 - Board Meeting Category 4. ACTION ITEMS Type Action Recommended Action Motion to select and approve an option Mr. Martin moved to select Option 3, demolishing the existing structures and retaining ownership of the land. Mr. Whidden seconded. On roll call, all members present voted 'yes'. Motion carried. Options: reducing the sale price of the properties; listing the properties for sale through a licensed realtor, following the Request for Proposals (RFP) process; demolishing the existing structures and retaining ownership of the land; or any other option deemed appropriate by the Board. File Attachments 501 Lemon Ave.pdf (474 KB) Excavation Point - 501 Lemon Ave.pdf (392 KB) Subject H. Consider approval of Expulsions/Academy Placements Meeting Feb 17, 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. Mr. Whidden 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 SBHC2526-084 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-089 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-091 Disruptive Behavior- Excessive OSS SBHC2526-101 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-103 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-107 Drug Distribution SBHC2526-108 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-109 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-110 Drug Use/ Possession SBHC2526-118 Minor Confrontation-Vierbal-Physical- Excessive OSS SBHC2526-128 Threat/Intimidation 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.