[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6339898,"mediaKeyId","2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74","parentId",2260607,"title","District staff report insurance denials and appeals for hurricane damage; FEMA site inspections set for Helene","audioSeconds",422,"startMs",1622000,"endMs",2044000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74&start=1622&end=2044","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74/thumbnail_1622000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339898/Florida/District-staff-report-insurance-denials-and-appeals-for-hurricane-damage-FEMA-site-inspections-set-for-Helene","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339898-27d01d07140b8aeeb9729f5093d4d316/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160930&Signature=Q8TgKbT6m7-L9jba01wKvwHhX9KIFzWJS6izt66Fefc7-MgLaGK1dKrbTZOiJ4Sa13pboXFslWvK~53fGlg0aKoxGDp7fhvE0JmkfPpGlcTY47-MRe4qa1-jLvArL7T4FNCzhgMiFnTw31KuceWSN~HFL0-XGEfluoe4ljGa3OVtsPjK740yYzEDxYQbINEoDQWOWqoOyuzWXrZo39PHoDwzUAHaRpAPJn-kNZzqBEFIg8cqCNEFV8aI94rN3ji8Z64ww2sA96Uv~fQekW02gq4AyWippsrmoJ07CP4HgwL5TUHQ1B0K8R7YvyMgoC8wDCK1VWaMVBaDCs1rQ~gOnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Taylor County Florida School Board","date","2025-02-07T18:05:44Z","article","District staff told the Taylor County School Board that insurance and federal-agency reviews of storm damage remain unresolved and that appeals are underway for Hurricane Adelia (referred to in the meeting) and Hurricane Helene.

A facilities or operations staff member reported the district received a determination memo denying payment for high-school roof replacement because the insurer concluded the damage did not meet the insurer’s 25% replacement threshold. The district has collected engineering reports, photos and other documentation and intends to appeal the determination. The staff member said the district requested rescission of the determination memo and continues to assemble supporting material to demonstrate the required damage threshold.

The district also reported a denial related to late damage-inventory submissions for Helene and said it will file a second appeal. Staff walked through the appeal timeline described to the board: the district has 60 days from denial to file an appeal and the reviewing agency then has up to 120 days to respond. At one point in the meeting staff said there were about 45 days remaining to submit a particular appeal.

District officials said they have engaged multiple engineering firms to review damage and options (Parker Engineering, Nova Engineering and McLaren were named in the discussion) and have worked with a consulting firm, Synergy, and an individual named Melinda who is supporting documentation and the appeal process. A consultant who recently joined the Synergy team reportedly has experience with appeals and has helped the district organize evidence.

Staff also told the board the district obtained a loan from an entity referred to in the meeting as \"FDIM\" (staff used that term in the public remarks). Staff cautioned that FDIM loan proceeds may be expected to be repaid from FEMA awards and that the district does not yet know whether FEMA payouts will cover loan repayment.

FEMA site inspections for Hurricane Helene were scheduled to begin the week after the board meeting; staff asked principals to expect FEMA teams and to coordinate with Dan and district staff who will accompany FEMA during school visits.

Board members asked whether other districts have seen similar denials and staff said districts in the region are grappling with related issues and appeals; staff said some counties remain in prolonged review processes. Staff and the board discussed a state preparedness program (referred to as the FROC program during the meeting) as a possible way to improve documentation and readiness prior to future storms.

Ending: District staff said appeals are in progress and that FEMA inspections for Helene are forthcoming; the district will continue to work with engineers, insurers and consultants to pursue replacement or repair funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taylor County School Board Meeting February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Taylor County Schools updated the board on insurance denials related to hurricane damage (Adelia/Adelphia) and the district’s appeals process, noting a denied roof claim based on a 25% damage rule, ongoing engineering reviews, and upcoming FEMA site inspections related to Hurricane Helene.","taxTitle","Taylor, School Districts, Florida","taxId",38787,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339902,"Board confirms two administrative appointments and approves two employee terminations",116,1491000,1607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74&start=1491&end=1607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","/articles/6339902/Florida/Board-confirms-two-administrative-appointments-and-approves-two-employee-terminations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339902-c81981faf4cd81022e79d54638303f1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160930&Signature=X9nZkB7OiySkLvm00MB6ut341MfYal0X9INqhtleQiX0nsPGhUresoG4j1ZttHaxPXoldUWpKJu7toDyEENrgpFMbJirsdjWyLtsJsGwrMy0S6GfuBgBb~2J7STc54PNYXtKY47HaX61EVO719NtIeB72dEjXs3xsde595VfZtmGgp6haAEgdv3yTntf3zbb88PCATgL20mU5bSVIWBhId0MTqCWMiLxzFn1Sh2V8cEnqxQq~QWmS-B-jkZxBHTPI7DsMedyPtEjja~YY2Bby6DYxACmQ2zKyF7DjBPvl8Z463uDujvqZKJMkq8ShtrYQVJjoAS45zfK7aeQNta-TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor County School Board approved administrative appointments and authorized two employee terminations during its meeting.

Appointments: The board approved the appointment of Kelly Croft as administrative assistant to payroll, effective Jan. 27, 2025, by motion (mover: Miss Carlton; second: Miss Donnell). The board also approved the appointment of Tasha Roberts as administrative assistant to the superintendent, effective February 2025; that motion was made by Miss Mathis and seconded by Miss Donnell.

Terminations: Under agenda item 12.17, the board approved two personnel terminations. The first approved termination concerned employee position number 014151118; the motion was made by (recorded in the minutes as) Miss Masis and seconded by Miss Carlton. The second approved termination concerned employee position number 04014179909; the motion was made by Miss Mathis and seconded by Miss Carlton. Board members voted in favor on both termination motions and the orders were carried.

Board officers asked that the record reflect effective dates and that the personnel actions be processed in accordance with district policy.

Ending: The actions were approved and recorded; details of personnel files and any contractual or privacy considerations were not discussed in open session.","Taylor County School Board approved the appointments of two administrative assistants and authorized two terminations of employment during the meeting; motions were recorded and carried unanimously for the appointments and carried for the terminations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339907,"Board approves short-term extra hours for ESE teachers at one elementary school after debate over equity and staffing",961,493000,1454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74&start=493&end=1454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260607-dd8c442bad823cc46606a312844eab74/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6339907/Florida/Board-approves-short-term-extra-hours-for-ESE-teachers-at-one-elementary-school-after-debate-over-equity-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339907-da9ea71eb679e1f056f901535368344d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160930&Signature=Rj7juR93PAvrzj3adI9n1hKSpLSR-utPeRVedc~WUNh5oV30RdZ~~pZuoh49-oUeLBMt9jo8~L-aOKJBD4dNynzhc-i2rIFUaiapC1CoL7yGTAHw2WCyjkNd5qtzSyduwmudSciaqAD03kK2yAGR~ELVW-2p7qTaDMVgbHKKKzgsDYMCYL~kasPuc1DsExyY1Pm82Y95qv5-~hGHqVgkgbXistjKvhihrvw2rPmGHdauhvFlrGJKIM1hcYVCODIKOYtLq8A4qA-af9x6FaBZFFyUORxWm4TKKyEeHme0sB10wuVuLIlGWDVuOxOhYYlz~~1Cf5a~LMtwFGDR21uafw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor County School Board on Feb. (date not specified) approved a request to pay short-term extra hours for four ESE teachers at one elementary school after a heated discussion about staffing equity and budget priorities.

Board Member Deidra Donnell pressed administrators for detail before the vote, saying she had repeatedly raised concerns about recurring extra-hours requests since the 2023–24 school term and asking why this school’s approach differed from other schools in the district. “I asked what other solutions could have been in place. I just don’t want nothing being done here, and then I got other staff at other schools saying, ‘hey, I’m making it, but I’m not getting extra hours,’” Donnell said.

District staff said the extra hours were requested because two resource teachers had been moved back into full-time classroom roles to meet enrollment and coverage needs, leaving ESE service minutes to be provided by remaining staff. A staff member described that several teachers submitted between 12 and 13 extra hours for the first semester alone and that two previously funded positions remain vacant, producing salary savings. The staff explanation noted that the extra hours request covered less than one month of salary for the four teachers and estimated the cost at roughly $3,500 for the period cited, compared with approximately $100,000 in salaries for two positions the district had cut.

Board Member Carrie (recorded on the meeting as voicing opposition) cast the lone negative vote and asked that the record reflect concern the arrangement had not been applied “across the board” and might conflict with the union contract. “I’m concerned that it’s not been done across the board. And I don’t want it to be a position where we’re given an opportunity for a number of employees and it’s not been spread across the board because this does not align to the union contract,” she said.

Superintendent Reggie Wentworth and the district’s staffing specialists explained the site-level staffing decisions reflected year-to-date enrollment and allocation constraints and that administrators had previously been instructed not to post or fill certain positions under earlier guidance. Staff said some schools are using aides and other models to meet ESE minutes while this particular school temporarily reassigned certified resource teachers to classrooms because of local circumstances.

The board approved the personnel recommendation (item 12.01, number 19) after a motion by Board Member Jenny Matthews, seconded by Board Member Carlton; the motion passed with one recorded opposition and otherwise unanimous support. The board and staff stated the extra hours request covered a short period and that staffing plans for the next school year would be informed by enrollment numbers and the district’s annual staffing plan.

The vote followed a public comment from parent Christie Goodman, who urged board members to attend student celebrations and to prioritize support for children and community engagement. “Our children deserve to be celebrated for their hard work,” Goodman said during public comment.

Board members said they would continue to monitor staffing and budget implications as the district finalizes staffing plans for the coming year and as federal/state funding and FTE figures are confirmed.

Ending: The district recorded the approval as an affirmative board decision with one recorded dissent; staff said the arrangement was a short-term response tied to site-level staffing constraints and that next year’s staffing plan would be adjusted based on enrollment.","Taylor County School Board approved a request to pay short-term extra hours for four special-education (ESE) teachers at a single elementary school despite questions from board members about consistency across the district and staffing allocations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District staff report insurance denials and appeals for hurricane damage; FEMA site inspections set for Helene

Board confirms two administrative appointments and approves two employee terminations

Board approves short-term extra hours for ESE teachers at one elementary school after debate over equity and staffing