[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6377150,"mediaKeyId","2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b","parentId",2139475,"title","Board tables budget amendments and agrees to produce internal‑audit reports after public pressure","audioSeconds",2209,"startMs",2323000,"endMs",4532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b&start=2323&end=4532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b/thumbnail_2323000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377150/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/Board-tables-budget-amendments-and-agrees-to-produce-internalaudit-reports-after-public-pressure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377150-8702785721c23e3b586c174af3e1752c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054525&Signature=FJOg-Ue7eX9A36NHJUie7TBQOrF9QxVklWV2Wy6sqIQG-8jUyfBwGIybgXgZZMg7mUCYamonQGe-b0qlcPQnam04aenWgLLdo-3CBAoUfGAbFKPhSL0GAi37uh3pncrtBQ5znXKL2w90dnwwKH-uX1zohU-oHZqNKx1SBf0SMSIZrmbFT0cD-XzPsgxPz3ohwVNo~z-oPFnC0eLwsVNlWk3XcnQfN5CmvFQKzUUwSQJtvIDSmzX5Iy71oAYnRLC0Xe9uWyKnMmuhxJxl7RlZIj-uK3IhISORoSOy0R82~6XyBmcA2ZUoG2gxp-ykkMyvVjwcgVIgkUdR9K-w-KjbpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alachua County Public Schools, FL","date","2025-01-23T00:14:45.993Z","article","At the Jan. 21 meeting the board voted to table multiple consent‑agenda budget amendments and to provide more transparent audit and fund‑balance information after sustained public comment and board questions about district finances.

Board member Mr. Vu moved to table consent‑agenda items 5 through 12 — several of which were budget amendments — until the Feb. 5 meeting; Ms. Surdin seconded and the board approved the motion unanimously. Ms. Surdin later explained she intended to vote no on the initial consent agenda because she had not had time to review recent budget documents.

Several public speakers and a former district employee pressed the board to commission and publish internal audit findings. Prescott Coles recalled a Nov. 7, 2023 board motion directing the superintendent and internal auditor to report on actions to date and prepare a proposed audit plan; he urged the board to follow through and ‘‘find where the money is.’’ Board members agreed and asked staff to make previous internal‑audit reports and recent work plans available.

Superintendent Doctor Patton and board leaders said they would prepare a plain‑language presentation explaining assigned and unassigned fund balances after the district receives the state's Calc 3 allocation, which staff said had not been delivered yet by the Florida Department of Education. Doctor Patton said staff and Carmen Ward (union leadership) would be included in planning transparency sessions.

Board members who spoke acknowledged past collective decisions that contributed to the current financial position and asked for continued public engagement while staff prepares the requested reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 1/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members voted to table several budget amendment items to the Feb. 5 meeting and agreed to publish internal‑audit work and fund balance details after sustained public requests for transparency.","taxTitle","Alachua, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377155,"Board extends superintendent’s contract through June 2026, members cite need for continuity",3724,3485000,7209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b&start=3485&end=7209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b/thumbnail_3485000.jpg","/articles/6377155/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/Board-extends-superintendents-contract-through-June-2026-members-cite-need-for-continuity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377155-d0f4a0b39aa7cc6185c8f57c386b765b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054525&Signature=iR49VbYOBfawNaGsfJj1ljUNEs2oHbhq3~e56WZt0q207Sr~7jppjYVQkxgSzwNtAK9OsE0rbwsdAOvyd9n8b~XimJD7Yx0jts6Hm0uoxy7CrxAJyVECNWdPvwNK-JCtuv2YELmFr5s9my0v~D-7ypiiJIwxxhqmLI8t4Py4z7g~dZbfxXx3yX4xq7TAiWurdBtm5FH80d8hFSWeuPtDvvx6sg7GSRg5fSUW~tAOwHhsMC6J1ok6vfxivwdebQXszfNcwf6Hz1Ja5S6o4Z2c4mQ3-uyPPUF60KANcnEjOTo51bg7ympCsbqrjxC-eeHQYV516kG96nmGB1HPjLRKIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alachua County School Board unanimously approved an addendum to Superintendent Doctor Patton’s employment agreement on Jan. 21, extending the contract through June 30, 2026.

Attorney Delaney described the addendum as a one‑year extension with no other changes to the current employment agreement. \"The addendum to the employment agreement for the superintendent would be to extend her current contract through the June 30, 2026,\" he said.

Board members who spoke in favor described the extension as a step to provide continuity while the district addresses several operational and financial issues. Board member Mr. Vu said he had been “continuously impressed” with Doctor Patton’s work during her months in the position and called her the right person to navigate upcoming hard decisions. Several members asked staff to schedule a workshop to address structural issues and priorities the superintendent has raised.

The vote was unanimous. The board did not change compensation terms beyond the previously negotiated monthly arrangement; board members clarified the contract comparison presented earlier in the meeting was calculated on a per‑month basis.

Board members and the superintendent said the extension is intended to give the district a stable runway to consider a permanent search later; staff said they would explore consultant options and timelines if a national search is required.","The school board approved a one‑year extension to Superintendent Doctor Patton’s employment agreement through June 30, 2026. Board members cited continuity and time to address financial and operational issues as reasons for the extension.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377159,"Board amends policy language on library challenges, plans further edits",213,2053000,2266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b&start=2053&end=2266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b/thumbnail_2053000.jpg","/articles/6377159/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/Board-amends-policy-language-on-library-challenges-plans-further-edits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377159-f04a100d78597919a8ca3ce2f95f9038/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054525&Signature=GATwyH0TqSKlK5lZ8PPfv9YwJboEM8~SN7bSosF8jKZmBocKAx5kAyrAK7EX5Zgdbo0fpVCt762iVAhWi-pzONN6XtAMuSRnbF2Pk06PoeP05mRrGlDnLo6wlcvuKQgOX2m2T8Ei-cb0Ts1j5~WUg4FVBlMpZJ2aFXoetYbpfoBNCKKFJHc6gzt4xPwho5gYPXYoRvuslB04UUbQHSHowyZIvWHbjQtTR2hjw9ggjdinkNJh4luI060yXIGLtPWQL2vE05O1E2AQgMwQ3Vf2EVkyChvQyvo5RyfIxwtQi9eLlLtSvFUf7kRz2exTOFFoAX7YRFQa9G-qLsCGCLN9IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alachua County School Board opened a public hearing on revisions to Policy 2522, the district’s policy on challenges to the adoption or use of instructional library and reading materials, and discussed clarifying wording and procedural steps before returning the policy for a second reading.

District counsel Mister Spillius summarized the packet and recommended changing any instance of the word “book” to “materials” to align the policy with state statute and to avoid limiting the rule to print products. \"I will make note that, when we come back for a second reading, in a couple weeks, I am recommending that we just make another slight revision to the policy as drafted to where any time the word book is referenced, we change that to materials to make it completely consistent with state statute,\" he said.

Board members asked for clearer definitions and fewer automatic postponements in one procedural paragraph. Board member Ms. Surdin asked about language in paragraph d that allows an objector to postpone a decision twice; she said that could allow repeated delays. Counsel Spillius said the provision was added to expand due process and was not mandated by statute. “We felt taken away the special master special hearing officer. Things come up with folks, and we just thought maybe in the interest of, I guess, expanded due process, giving them the opportunity,” he said.

Members Mr. Vu and Ms. Surdin asked staff to reduce the number of allowable postponements to once; board counsel said staff can return with that revision for second reading. No public commenters signed up for the item at the hearing. The board will consider the revised wording at the next meeting.","The board reviewed proposed amendments to Policy 2522, which governs challenges to library or reading materials, discussed replacing the word “book” with “materials,” and agreed to change a procedural timing provision before a second reading.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377163,"Alachua teachers reject instructional contract; board ratifies ESP deal amid chants for higher pay",7501,903000,8404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b&start=903&end=8404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139475-c41caf4ef71baf436daba1e25a22c35b/thumbnail_903000.jpg","/articles/6377163/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/Alachua-teachers-reject-instructional-contract-board-ratifies-ESP-deal-amid-chants-for-higher-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377163-fd8a7f67c214e46c276608d857725b13/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054525&Signature=aIpJZPxDzXh17yT7wLbe1SmxLFRDf1PA2bOG3R16B-lIOvOQxJX2A3NAa5~kcNS0YRa2y3nPhiWw1Q9xxcA15wywesqOkOOoNJqpRBBPd-1ue52y2oQ5fLjn31NOkyjrl83O61jH81e5lnDHRsPcYTBTvMvu~-4Dx4~BoHl-zFcJ63PS9tW4DiufJoUWLuWC-RSsjNqvEkRyBEv-JZd4qPD6H5~0fpV6iYk80K4rh-xYVQyeACSBtHs0Gkkaxm-5o~P3Av7kpT2~jKGftKk3PNjtHsH4fSBTPbUfVXkkAd4pxZn6mCpXRe9Pw9N8D~ImLWz-TZgvakL~-Ioke3da3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alachua County School Board on Jan. 21 faced a steady stream of teachers, parents and students pressing elected members to improve pay after instructional staff rejected a tentative contract offer and voiced frustration over the district's decision to keep early‑release Wednesdays reduced.

The instructional bargaining unit voted to reject the district's package during union balloting last week, public speakers and union leaders said during citizen input; board members were told the vote represented more than 1,000 employees but an exact tally for instructional staff was not provided at the meeting. Carmen Ward, president of the Alachua County Education Association, said the vote failed because “educators are saying do better. They are saying try again.”

The board separately ratified amendments to the 2023–2026 collective bargaining agreement for educational support professionals (ESPs). The district presented the ESP ratification to the board after the unit reported a membership vote of 730 yes to 279 no; Superintendent Doctor Patton recommended the board ratify the ESP agreement and the board approved the ratification unanimously. The board also voted unanimously to adopt the 2024–25 salary schedule for ESPs and professional technical staff.

Teachers and advocates told the board the district’s 1.6% offer for instructional personnel is inadequate. Katie Taber Olenski, a second‑year teacher at Wiles Elementary, said, “1.6% is too small a difference for teams of educated professionals,” and urged the board to “treat us with respect.” Gina Rivera asked the board to return a 2.7% offer that she said would match national inflation for 2024.

Speakers said the loss of most early‑release Wednesdays last year removed essential planning, IEP and parent‑conference time. “More instructional time means nothing if it causes the teachers to be burnt out, to be demoralized, or to leave the profession completely,” said Danielle Englehorn, a third‑grade teacher at Parker Elementary.

Board members and the superintendent told the room the district faces constrained finances and that some budget details — including the official Calc 3 state allocation — were still pending from the Florida Department of Education. Attorney Delaney and district staff reminded the board and public that a previously negotiated memo of understanding about early‑release Wednesdays remains in effect until instructional bargaining returns to the table and a final collective‑bargaining agreement is ratified.

Several board members acknowledged teachers’ frustration and committed to increased transparency on budget figures. Superintendent Doctor Patton said staff would prepare a clear presentation of assigned and unassigned fund balances for the board and public once state calculations arrive.

The meeting included several student and community speakers who urged the board to accept responsibility for past budget choices. Student speaker Oliver Flanagan said the board should “admit that they failed” and pledged community engagement going forward.

The board did not vote on any instructional contract at the meeting. It approved the ESP ratification and ESP salary schedule and directed staff to continue bargaining with instructional representatives. Attorney Delaney clarified that, because the instructional contract was not ratified, the MOU covering early‑release Wednesdays remains in place and bargaining must resume.

The board accepted a public request to present the internal auditor’s recent work plan and audit results at a future meeting and several members asked staff to schedule a workshop dedicated to budget transparency and possible reallocation options.

The public comment period lasted through the weather‑shortened session, with multiple speakers pressing the board for clearer answers on how district funds could be redirected toward teacher pay.","Instructional staff voted down a tentative contract and members of the public and union leaders pressed the Alachua County School Board to reopen negotiations and restore early‑release Wednesdays. The board ratified a separate agreement and adopted salary schedules for educational support professionals (ESPs).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board tables budget amendments and agrees to produce internal‑audit reports after public pressure

Board extends superintendent’s contract through June 2026, members cite need for continuity

Board amends policy language on library challenges, plans further edits

Alachua teachers reject instructional contract; board ratifies ESP deal amid chants for higher pay