School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida

3 Tuesday, May 5, 2026 School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida School Board Meeting 6 p.m. Location-Alachua County Public Schools District Office Board Room, 620 East University Ave. Gainesville FL 32601 Channel 12 Live Stream: http://gainesville.granicus.com/player/camera/3?publish_id=12 During the School Board of Alachua County’s business meetings, reasonable decorum is required during all portions of the meeting. Conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting is not allowed. Any individual(s) causing disruption or interference will be asked to stop. Failure to comply may result in removal from the meeting. The School Board encourages speakers to focus on issues and constructive input. The School Board impartially receives all public comments. Comments that are obscene, abusive, or threatening are not allowed. Thank you for supporting a respectful environment where all voices can be heard. For additional information, the School Board’s Policy regarding public comment is available at https://www.alachuaschools.net/publicinputpolicy There are two options for requesting an opportunity to speak at a School Board meeting: 1) Complete an online Speaker Request Form that will be available at alachuaschools.net/publiccomment for 24 hours before the meeting begins; or 2) Complete a paper version of the Speaker Request Form, which will be available in the Boardroom 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting. All forms, online and paper, must be completed and submitted before the meeting begins. Input regarding School Board meeting items can also be submitted through email at issues@alachuaschools.net by noon of the day of the meeting. Persons with disabilities who require assistance to participate in the meeting are requested to notify the Office of the Superintendent at (352) 955-7527 (Voice) or dial 711 (TDD) at least 48 hours ahead of the meeting so that their needs may be accommodated. A. Meeting Opening Subject 1. Call to Order-Pledge of Allegiance Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Procedural File Attachments Subject 2. Arts Recognition (Bessner) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Information File Attachments Subject 3. Amplified: Student Voice Coalition End of Year Presentation (Edwards) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type The Board will receive a brief update from Amplified: Student Voice Coalition, a diverse group of high school students empowered to serve as active student-leaders and district-partners in our public education system. Amplified serves as a vital bridge between the student body and district leadership, working collaboratively to identify challenges and propose student-driven solutions. Throughout the current academic year, members have participated in advocacy training and professional enrichment opportunities designed to sharpen their civic engagement skills. A representative group will brief the Board on their recent initiatives, including collaborative advocacy engagement efforts with peers, community stakeholders and local government officials. The will briefly share key takeaways and their perspective on how their participation has help strengthen their personal resiliency. File Attachments Subject 4. The Education Foundation of Alachua County, Inc. Presentation (Edwards) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Information The School Board will receive its annual progress report from The Education Foundation of Alachua County, Incorporated. In accordance with the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Foundation provides a comprehensive update once each school year to maintain transparency and align philanthropic efforts with district goals. The Education Foundation serves as the primary non-profit partner for Alachua County Public Schools, mobilizing community resources to support student success and teacher excellence. This presentation will cover the Foundation’s impact since its last report, highlighting the essential programs that bridge the gap between public funding and student needs. File Attachments Subject 5. District Highlights (Patton) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Information File Attachments Subject 6. Adoption of Agenda Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve the adoption of the agenda. File Attachments Motion & Voting Motion to approve the adoption of the agenda as amended. Motion by Sarah Rockwell, second by Janine Plavac. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 7. Public Comment Statement (Board Attorney) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Information During the School Board of Alachua County’s business meetings, reasonable decorum is required during all portions of the meeting. Conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting is not allowed. Any individual(s) causing disruption or interference will be asked to stop. Failure to comply may result in removal from the meeting. The School Board encourages speakers to focus on issues and constructive input. The School Board impartially receives all public comments. Comments that are obscene, abusive, or threatening are not allowed. Thank you for supporting a respectful environment where all voices can be heard. For additional information, the School Board’s Policy regarding public comment is available at https://www.alachuaschools.net/publicinputpolicy File Attachments Subject 8. Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Procedural (This provides citizens the opportunity to address the Board. (Speakers shall have up to two (2) minutes for comments.) File Attachments Subject 9. Public Comment (Agenda Items) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Discussion, Information (This provides citizens the opportunity to address the Board. (Speakers shall have up to two (2) minutes for comments.) File Attachments Subject 10. Approval of Regular School Board Meeting Minutes for April 21, 2026 Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category A. Meeting Opening Type Action Recommended Action Motion to approve regular school board meeting minutes for April 21, 2026. File Attachments B. Consent Agenda Subject 1. Approval of the Consent Agenda Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-11. File Attachments Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 2. Employment of Personnel (Terry) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) File Attachments Board List 5-5-26 (1).pdf (90 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 3. 2026-2027 Athletic Trainer and Physician Services Contract (Bessner) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Preferred Date May 05, 2026 Absolute Date May 05, 2026 Dollar Amount $219,032.31 Budget Source , Recommended Action , , The School Board of Alachua County is entering into agreements with the University of Florida’s College of Medicine to support the health and safety of student-athletes across the district. One agreement provides on-site medical coverage for certain athletic events, including evaluation, treatment of injuries, emergency response, and support for required sports physicals. The second agreement amends an existing partnership to continue athletic training services at district high schools, providing ongoing care, injury prevention, and support for student-athletes across sports throughout the school year. File Attachments 39354685v1 - Physician Services Agreement 2026 Alachua County School Board 624073 (3).pdf (196 KB) 626046 - Executed Seventh Amendment - School Board of Alachua County.pdf (486 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 4. Third Quarter Safety and Security School Visits (Pelton) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Per section 1001.212(13)(c) , F lorida S tatutes , t he Office of Safe Schools (OSS) is required to provide quarterly reports to each district school superintendent and school safety specialist identifying the number and percentage of schools, including charter schools, inspected or reinspected during that quarter and the number and percentage of inspected schools that had no school safety requirement deficiencies. File Attachments Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 5. Change Order Number One (1) for SBAC Project R2502 – Sidney Lanier Center, Building 1 Roof Replacement (Terry) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact No Budgeted Yes Budget Source 1.5 Mill Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve Change Order Number One adding an additional forty-five (45) days to the contract time. On April 15, 2026, the Superintendent authorized execution of Change Order Number One (1) to the construction contract. This change order is for days only and there is no change to the construction contract amount. The total paid to the contractor is $125,500.00. This represents an additional time request to complete the work when the campus is unoccupied. This change order adds forty-five (45) additional days to the contract time. The revised Substantial Completion Date is July 17, 2026. File Attachments R2502 - Lanier Bldg 1 & 2 CO #1.pdf (292 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 6. 100% Design Development/Construction Documents for SBAC Project S2504 - Gainesville High School Fire Alarm System Replacement (Terry) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact Yes Budgeted Yes Budget Source 1.5 Mil H2 Engineering, Inc., Gainesville, Florida has prepared Phase II/III Construction Documents for the construction of this project. File Attachments Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 7. Memorandum of Understanding between the Education Foundation of Alachua County, Inc. and the School Board of Alachua County (Edwards) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) The Superintendent recommends approval of the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Alachua County Public Schools and The Education Foundation of Alachua County. This annual agreement codifies the strategic partnership between the District and the Foundation, outlining the shared responsibilities, resource allocation, and reporting requirements necessary to sustain student and teacher support programs by the continued provision of "school projects, programs. scholarships, community engagement, partnership development and targeted program administration" across the district. File Attachments EdFoundationMOUfullyexecuted.pdf (515 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 8. Stronger Connections Grant Amendment 4 (Edwards) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) proposes a budgetary and programmatic amendment to the 2025-2026 Stronger Connections Grant. Through this amendment, the University of Florida’s Department of E-Learning, Technology, and Communication will develop custom Canvas courses based on high-intensity, evidence-based interventions for Tier 3 behavioral challenges. This initiative converts temporary professional consultation into a district-owned, scalable learning model, ensuring long-term sustainability and internal capacity building. Anticipated Outcomes: · Reduced Equitable Access Gaps: A centralized digital platform ensures that all schools, regardless of geographic location or current staffing levels, have equal access to top-tier University of Florida clinical expertise and behavioral resources. · Long-Term Impact: This shift from service-based to asset-based funding fulfills the grant’s sustainability requirements, providing all ACPS employees with free, ongoing access to specialized behavioral resources. File Attachments SCG2026FullyExecuted.pdf (232 KB) Alachua_25-26 SCG, Amendment3.pdf (20 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 9. Oak View Middle School Easement with the State of florida Department of Transportation (Terry) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category B. Consent Agenda Type Action (Consent) Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends the Board approve the Resolution and the Lease Purchase Agreement and Addendum, as presented. A Resolution has been prepared authorizing the Superintendent to enter into the Lease Purchase Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk on the property of Oak View Middle School off of Highway 41/SW 250th Street between SW 15th Avenue and SW 4th Avenue. This is an important project for FDOT, the City of Newberry, and the Oak View students who walk ad bike to school along this extremely busy road. Attached for approval are: A. Resolution #26-06 B. Lease Purchase Agreement and Addendum C. 1. Perpetual Easement 2. Additional Information for Exhibit A - Legal Sketch of FDOT Easement File Attachments 26 05 05 - Resolution No. 26-06 - SBAC Signed.pdf (997 KB) OakViewEasementMay2026.pdf (410 KB) C2. 26 05 05 - Additional Info for Exhibit A - legal sketch of FDOT easement(700990650.1).pdf (372 KB) 26 05 05 - 05052026 Perpetual Easement - FDOT - Signed - SBAC.pdf (916 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Consent Agenda as described in items 2-8, 11. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac C. Action Items Subject 1. ACPS Our Schools Future Ready Comprehensive School Strategy Plan for City of Alachua Schools (Neal/JBPro) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action Pending Board discussion and vote from the April 29th workshop outcome. File Attachments Consolidation Alachua Schools (May 5 2026) board meeting (2).pdf (615 KB) Motion & Voting Keep Irby Pre-K2 for the Alachua zone, and Mebane be 3-8 for the entire Alachua zone Motion by Sarah Rockwell, second by Thomas Vu. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu No: Leanetta McNealy, Janine Plavac Subject 2. Selection of FSBA Advocacy Committee Representative and Alternate (Vu) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action The Advocacy Committee is one of FSBA’s standing committees and is composed of the designated advocacy representative from each of Florida’s 67 school boards with a majority membership in FSBA. It serves as the primary means by which local school boards help shape FSBA’s legislative agenda and advocacy strategy for public education at both the state and federal levels. The committee operates independently and through two subcommittees: Legislative , which develops the state legislative platform and represents school board interests before the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and state agencies. Federal Relations , which represents school boards before Congress and federal education agencies in coordination with the Consortium of state school board association. A central responsibility of the Advocacy Committee is approving FSBA’s annual Legislative Platform, which is developed through a structured process that includes proposal screening, subcommittee review, and final approval by the full Advocacy Committee. An additional core function is developing a comprehensive public relations and communications strategy to strengthen FSBA's state-wide and federal advocacy for public education. Advocacy Committee roles include: Representing your district in statewide advocacy Engaging with policymakers and education stakeholders Attending monthly virtual meetings Leading local advocacy and reporting efforts File Attachments Motion & Voting Advocacy rep- Vu, alternate McNealy Legislative rep- Vu, alternate Rockwell Motion by Sarah Rockwell, second by Tina Certain. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 3. Art; K-5 Music; World Languages; and Personal Fitness Instructional Material Adoption (Dell) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action, Information Fiscal Impact Yes Dollar Amount $1,300,000.00 Budgeted Yes Budget Source Instructional Materials Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the instructional materials adoption as presented for implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. K-12 Art Adoption K-5 Music Adoption Spanish Adoption German Adoption French Adoption Personal Fitness Adoption The Florida Department of Education's Instructional Materials schedule calls for the adoption of new K-12 Art, K-5 Music, World Languages and Personal Fitness materials, for implementation in the 2026-27 school year based on the District's implementation plan and corresponding previous adoption expirations. Individual subject-based textbook adoption committees composed of Alachua County Public Schools teachers reviewed materials using an evaluation rubric and submitted their recommendations for adoption. Below are the committees’ recommendations. K-12 Art: Art of Education, The Art of Education University K-5 Music: Quaver Music, Quaver Ed Spanish: Senderos, Vista Education French: T'es Branch?!, Carnegie Learning German: Deutsch So Aktuell, Carnegie Learning Personal Fitness 9-12: Fitness for Life, Human Kinetics A direct link to the proposed instructional materials is available at: alachuaschools.net/o/acps/page/textbook-adoption File Attachments Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the instructional materials adoption as presented for implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Motion by Sarah Rockwell, second by Tina Certain. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 4. Waiver Request Oak View PreK - 8 School 2026 - 2027 School Year (Terry) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends that the school board approve the Waiver Request for Oak View School PreK - 8 for the 2026 - 2027 school year, as presented. Oak View School requests a waiver of Article IX, Section 12(2c) of the collective bargaining agreement for the 2026 - 2027 school year. The waiver would allow the school early release on Wednesdays for middle school teachers. The waiver is necessary to allow for effective busing and cohesive scheduling. Middle school teachers will actually exceed the required number of contact minutes per week. The waiver request has been approved by the School's Advisory Council, a majority of the faculty, and the Executive Board of the ACEA. File Attachments OVMS Board Packet_0001 (1).pdf (980 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the school board approve the Waiver Request for Oak View School PreK - 8 for the 2026 - 2027 school year, as presented. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 5. Reimbursement Resolution for Capital Expenditures (Reneke) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Reimbursement Resolution for Capital Expenditures, as presented. File Attachments COPSResolution2026.pdf (136 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Reimbursement Resolution for Capital Expenditures, as presented. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 6. Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report (Reneke) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends that the School Board accept the audit report, as presented. District Financial Audit, and Federal Single Audit prepared by Purvis Gray & Company, LLP for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. File Attachments 19351AR25 Final School Board of Alachua County.pdf (3,221 KB) 19351AR25 Final SAS114 School Board of Alachua County.pdf (272 KB) Audit Chart 2024-2025 001.pdf (121 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the School Board accept the financial statements and audit report, as presented. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Sarah Rockwell. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 7. Bid(s) and Requisition(s)(Reneke) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action Recommended Action The Superintendent recommends the school board approve bids and reqs, as presented. Bids and Requisitions for May 2026. File Attachments 5-5-26 Bids and Requisitions - AMENDED v.2.pdf (155 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends the school board approve bids and reqs, as presented. Motion by Tina Certain, second by Janine Plavac. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac Subject 8. Budget Amendment 1 Special Revenues (Reneke) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category C. Action Items Type Action File Attachments 2025-2026 BA 1 SR.pdf (256 KB) Motion & Voting The Superintendent recommends that the school board approve the budget 1 special revenue budget amendment as presented. Motion by Sarah Rockwell, second by Tina Certain. Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yes: Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, Sarah Rockwell, Thomas Vu, Janine Plavac D. Announcements Subject 1. ACEA Union Updates (ACEA) Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category D. Announcements Type Discussion, Information File Attachments Subject 2. Board Member/Superintendent Announcements Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category D. Announcements Type Information File Attachments E. Board Member/ Superintendent Requests Subject 1. Board Member/ Superintendent Requests Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category E. Board Member/ Superintendent Requests Type Discussion, Information File Attachments F. Adjournment Subject 1. Adjournment Meeting May 5, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Alachua County, Florida Category F. Adjournment Type Action, Procedural Recommended Action Motion to Adjourn meeting File Attachments