[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6077243,"mediaKeyId","2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8","parentId",2965039,"title","District committee recommends McGraw Hill, National Geographic and other publishers for K–12 science materials","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",4976000,"endMs",5211000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8&start=4976&end=5211","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8/thumbnail_4976000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077243/Florida/District-committee-recommends-McGraw-Hill-National-Geographic-and-other-publishers-for-K12-science-materials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077243-17864071cb9621dab2344748299473f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773175238&Signature=Wt5aDq7kDBV-dKVKpvu5KZJQsiykJkIWwMlf6qITEpbXk8InDq8NMWjISxpZh2FcVNt1~V-ruNODHhKQyObRTYbeKcPIpR9eW9acC9U2rJ2aqLTu15FjCJY34GpXHDsbnMlHeINonZtYecNoCc17hhD3fxasVwfFWKu8ScYcJST-xYX4ha73HMxMJY5YTj~kGcGHB6ytWm6eL5eSzth6HnecwXjPcwkO6np2uCpWvV8YA9jV-9Y2X1Lh58dymKH-c6yU~g91TFR8jRKFxYPxNWkJCUmwPB6EThyUcw6QQix-oOItA~lxo6DjpV7lNtG0Bwd~cuT81KPWv4pjkywypw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Citrus County School Board, FL","date","2025-04-09T10:50:14Z","article","The Citrus County Schools science instructional‑materials review committee presented its recommendations for K–12 science materials and described a review process that followed Florida Statute 1006.28.

Committee process and standards
Committee members included science teachers, parents and community members, the presenter said. The committee reviewed only materials that the state of Florida had already approved for K–12 classrooms; the panel applied a second level of local vetting to judge appropriateness for the district’s students and community.

Recommended core materials (committee’s first and second choices)
- Elementary (K–5): McGraw Hill Florida Science (first choice).
- Middle school Comprehensive Science 1–3: McGraw Hill Florida Science series as first choice; Discovery Education as a second choice for certain courses.
- High school Biology: Savas Learning Company, Florida Miller & Levine Experience Biology (first choice); National Geographic Learning (second choice).
- AP Biology: Bedford Freeman Worth, Biology for the AP Course (first choice); National Geographic Learning (second choice).
- Chemistry & AP Chemistry: McGraw Hill (first choice for Chemistry I and AP Chemistry); National Geographic options were listed as second choices for several chemistry and environmental titles.
- Environmental Science and AP Environmental Science: Savas Florida Environmental Science (first choice) and Bedford Freeman Worth (AP) among other second choices.
- Physics and AP Physics: PASCO Essential Physics and McGraw Hill Florida Physics (choices), with Cengage and Pearson titles referenced for AP courses.
- Forensics, Anatomy & Physiology, Astronomy, Marine Science, Earth & Space Science and Physical Science: Committee listed first/only choices (several National Geographic and McGraw Hill titles) and second choices where available.

Why it matters
District staff said the committee’s recommendations are intended to give teachers vetted, standards‑aligned materials while providing flexibility (a first and second choice for many courses) so the district can pivot to an alternative if issues arise after adoption. The presenter said the recommended materials are all either on the state’s approved list or, for AP/elective courses, are established AP or publisher materials.

Board action
The presentation was informational; the committee asked for approval at the next regular meeting. The presenter invited questions and confirmed that the recommended core materials had been vetted and were on the Florida Department of Education’s preapproved list where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/8/2025 School Board Meeting Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","A Citrus County Schools committee presented recommended K–12 science instructional materials—largely state‑approved titles from McGraw Hill, National Geographic, Savas Learning and others—and said the district will present final adoption at a later meeting.","taxTitle","Citrus, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14352,"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},6077253,"School board adopts seven policy updates on safety, materials, student control and professional services",49,4531000,4580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8&start=4531&end=4580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8/thumbnail_4531000.jpg","/articles/6077253/Florida/School-board-adopts-seven-policy-updates-on-safety-materials-student-control-and-professional-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077253-484074bf826d4182503c647e30d301a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773175238&Signature=XhSCXSaC8ykly0U~ZffW1SD~QRm6yzXIrVbzb~qSl1LBdWA1oVqK7JsWTxSUtfj1mIM8UNNlaXop~GBmW8ZFqyvAJ0H1sni4pKSLanqHej100yaNPAER0~lkY3YHzYU31i8wEYBXNuSDdm7a8qiMIf8cvaFtKTST6DCaDPAw5ABT-QN~0jxJeGSIWdtYsBib41niiUqJLdaiyE0nI7NEuNWf-M-X7MbLIFK6LqMlD8DWS1d0J4OaqpA0S7QTrtlrKf0DWS3WQ8rdo0WPKjRpkzE7oKrxfG-fafM-EpcWtyzj0fxUWGHTNpYWw2QRkqxD38MyEFqySEsdjlVsDBDOmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citrus County School Board voted to adopt seven policy updates presented during a public hearing. The revisions, many recommended by the district’s consultant NEFEC and reviewed by the Policy and Forms Committee, address school safety reporting, procedures for citizens to raise instructional‑material concerns, educational media, student suspension notifications, the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities, selection of professional services, and overall district safety reporting.

Why it matters: The policies govern how staff and the public report concerns, how the district handles student discipline and safety, and how the district procures professional services for facilities and construction, all of which affect operations across schools in the county.

What the board adopted
- Policy 3.4 (Safe and Secure Schools): Updates include reporting requirements for the Safe Schools Specialist and other revisions the board requested. Motion approved.
- Policy 4.21 (Instructional Materials Selection): Clarifies that a citizen at large may submit concerns about instructional materials during the selection process. Motion approved.
- Policy 4.22 (Educational Media Material Selection): Additional provisions for media materials and language from NEFEC. Motion approved.
- Policy 5.3 (Student Control): Clarifies notifications and formal suspension notices. Motion approved.
- Policy 5.343 (Use of Physical Restraint or Seclusion for Students with Disabilities): Adds prohibitions on seclusion for discipline, annual training, incident recording, and crisis intervention plans. Motion approved.
- Policy 7.68 (Selecting Professional Services): New policy to align selection of professional services for facilities/construction with state law; includes construction cost limits for continuing contracts. Motion approved.
- Policy 8.1 (Safety): Updates reporting of safety violations and progressive discipline language. Motion approved.

Vote and process
Each policy was presented in a public hearing, the board called for public comment (no substantive public objections were recorded for these items during the hearing), and the board moved, seconded and approved each policy during the meeting. The district’s consultant NEFEC and the Policy & Forms Committee were cited as contributors to the recommended language.

Clarifying details
District staff noted that materials recommended for adoption had been reviewed by the policy committee in September and presented at a January workshop; NEFEC language and workshop revisions were incorporated. Several policies referenced statutory or regulatory guidance; the policy implementing professional‑services selection cited state law on selection thresholds for continuing contracts.

What comes next
Adopted policies will guide district practice; the board and staff will oversee implementation and ensure staff training or follow‑up (for example, required annual training for restraint incident reporting). The district will also use the revised professional‑services policy when planning construction and facilities engagements.","The Citrus County School Board on the evening adopted seven policy updates addressing school safety, instructional materials, student discipline procedures, restraint/seclusion for students with disabilities, and selection of professional services.",{"_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},6077258,"Citrus County school board votes 3-2 to suspend policy-compliance officer without pay pending termination",1384,2381000,3765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8&start=2381&end=3765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/6077258/Florida/Citrus-County-school-board-votes-3-2-to-suspend-policy-compliance-officer-without-pay-pending-termination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077258-01101ac5df842a36b1d24f750fb963b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773175238&Signature=I9BVbsxhXZnLKWu~ttSAU7WZDCRh4Vzg2Lej7AFQyYTHYzD3YdT40shDiE1wEm0EzW164Y0Ke5RhjWnuQo9ah-Pbyshjh44LxCzOSDeDNrbdPvDLGeZ~OSZpmnLprKGp5qKYOYpTmtP35GgvWeNHO80B4T2Empny~05sdrxced545PeQGT7CyiJ3UnYUkU8BYeT09PDMw6gKb~A5C~oTpOxKPqdGiYjko~cjylnXQ~Iz3jz5QxuvB4G6hW2Ft7sDcpIYjcGrgdNYorXHMDIXX0a8mhbnBm5czzUDWOoOOYBadxLjJkZcgm1GRJJ~TMqkdFXdZ0tMq5Ff2YbGaPwl1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citrus County School Board voted 3–2 on a motion to suspend Teresa Royal, a policy and compliance officer for Citrus County Schools, without pay pending termination after the superintendent recommended starting termination proceedings under Florida law.

Board members said the vote was intended to trigger the statutory due‑process procedures that will allow Royal to request a hearing. Board attorney counsel and outside counsel explained the options: the board may hear an evidentiary case itself or refer the matter to the Department of Administrative Hearings (DOAH). The superintendent and outside counsel said the investigative package is confidential until it is delivered to the employee and the 10‑day response period required by law has elapsed.

Why it matters: the vote affects an employee’s pay and employment status immediately and begins the formal process that can lead to termination or to a hearing where the employee can contest the superintendent’s recommendation.

Board discussion and due process
Board members and counsel repeatedly framed the decision as limited: the motion before the board was to suspend without pay to allow the district and the employee to proceed through the next steps of administrative due process, not a final determination of termination.

Outside counsel told the board investigations “do not become public record until 10 days after [the investigative package] has been delivered to the employee,” and cautioned board members against reviewing investigative materials in advance if they intended to sit as the trier of fact. Counsel said that if the employee requests a hearing, that hearing typically occurs within about 60 days but schedules can vary depending on calendars of the parties and counsel.

Several board members said they struggled with the impact of suspending pay before hearing all evidence; others said the superintendent had enough information to justify the recommendation and that the suspension merely begins the process that preserves due process rights. One board member said he would recuse himself from a subsequent evidentiary hearing if the matter progressed to that stage because of a longstanding personal relationship with the employee.

Formal action
- Motion: Approve the superintendent’s recommendation to suspend Teresa Royal, Human Resources/Policy Compliance Officer, without pay pending termination (per Florida statute 1012.27 and related procedural law).
- Mover: Mister Kennedy
- Second: Mister Frank
- Tally: yes 3, no 2
- Outcome: approved (motion passes 3 to 2)
- Notes: The vote authorizes the district to issue suspension paperwork and begin the employee’s opportunity to request a hearing; if a hearing is requested, the board may either hear the case itself or refer it to DOAH. If the employee prevails at a later hearing, back pay would be required for the suspension period.

What comes next
District staff said the employee will receive documentation explaining the employee’s rights and the window to request a hearing. If the employee requests a hearing and the board elects to hear it, board members were warned not to review investigative materials before the hearing to avoid prejudging the matter; if the board refers the case to DOAH, that administrative law process will generate a transcript and a decision that the board can adopt.

Clarifying details: the motion on the suspension is distinct from any termination vote; the superintendent’s authority covers short suspensions but longer suspensions without pay and termination recommendations require board action. Investigative materials remain confidential until they are delivered to the employee and the statutory response window has run.","The Citrus County School Board voted 3–2 to suspend Teresa Royal, a district policy and compliance officer, without pay pending termination, after the superintendent recommended the action; the board and counsel emphasized that the vote begins a statutory due‑process window during which the employee may request an evidentiary hearing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077248,"Academy of Environmental Science reports repairs, rising enrollment and hurricane recovery",623,456000,1079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8&start=456&end=1079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6077248/Florida/Academy-of-Environmental-Science-reports-repairs-rising-enrollment-and-hurricane-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077248-38a15bb5838106f921c5a1fdbcfbdf06/orig.mp4?Expires=1773175238&Signature=IDfNYeDTE1TucAq~vS2A8TvQr4whU5-mK9vf52yxhKlTuZ1Qd70DLCAaPqBJEZGogpbnVJqPZaNb6JQXmsKA-6OznFjxzo43Znwpwhyk4gV8pyoQO6-vsMRSX6zAC5pMWTfDEniiBD6X-Vintshq8Ai7krbhFu1Lwncn0g3nEAxX5hpx8szAI7v3WdPEPtiHTxLxMVk3ElW0nxBuRw9lJrwQd2uy8Wrrtmp7sJVfbfi1i4-rEhellbQXZAdj5JxFDr9qxmyVpcwsECFGKxYmTXgBlWvFN9hDeWOr9gylA5FGk6Ey0tXLDMbn9IAAWwmP-DJX5x3TrGIJq3cln10dIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bernie Hopper, principal of the Academy of Environmental Science (AES), told the Citrus County School Board that AES is “going strong” and that the school is recovering from hurricane damage with repairs scheduled this summer, including a long‑awaited elevator replacement and floor joist work.

Hurricane recovery and repairs
Hopper said the campus experienced water damage during the storm, with up to six feet of water under part of the building and localized damage to power boxes, the screen room and storage areas. He credited volunteer parents, local businesses (including Washburn Roofing), a parent who is a master electrician, and utility coordination with Duke Energy for restoring power and reopening the campus promptly.

Enrollment and programs
Hopper reported current confirmed enrollment at AES of 122 students and a long confirmed wait list; the program received more than 300 applications but some were repeat submissions. The school uses a screening process and lottery to select students and maintains a confirmed wait list for openings. Hopper said the program has strong community and board support and that fundraising (noted later in the meeting by the Citrus County Education Foundation) helps cover repairs and classroom needs.

Safety and operations
AES has a trained, armed guardian on campus during school hours, Hopper said, and practices site‑specific drills. Board members asked about sewer and related infrastructure; Hopper reported a recently completed, operational sewer project and said district legislators helped secure legislative appropriations.

Why it matters
AES is a specialized district program with unique facilities and operational needs; elevator and structural repairs are essential for accessibility and ongoing program delivery. The reported enrollment and wait list indicate strong demand for the program within the county.

Clarifying details
- Enrollment: 122 confirmed students; more than 300 applications received (some duplicates); confirmed wait list exists.
- Damage from hurricane: up to 6 feet of water under portions of the building; power and exterior repairs addressed; elevator replacement and floor joist replacements planned for summer.
- Community support: Washburn Roofing and other donors and volunteers assisted with repairs; Citrus County Education Foundation helped with fundraising for immediate needs.

Outlook
Hopper said he is confident AES will secure the funding and complete building repairs in the coming months and that program planning is in place for the next school year.","The principal of the Academy of Environmental Science told the school board the program is repairing storm damage, planning elevator and floor repairs, and reported current enrollment of about 122 students with a long wait list; staff and community volunteers helped reopen the campus after recent storms.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077239,"Board approves professional services agreement to create master plan for Marine Science Station",327,6519000,6846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8&start=6519&end=6846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965039-e0f2c77c47a3b427314d50805e18fdd8/thumbnail_6519000.jpg","/articles/6077239/Florida/Board-approves-professional-services-agreement-to-create-master-plan-for-Marine-Science-Station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077239-b29b417b8ea1d1fcfb6171cf5ebd1ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1773175238&Signature=howngW8rLBHJb4h-pPnjcyaHYuPu9fl8hA6Ag3aNtSOvrZQu8t3iDPxORVGhtbGEEbAix-T1XW9LrInqcCbjB-ptK-c~6k5j~qxQo3fsA9ZWbK~7OQWIEqcxRwygsDMlayEwfwX8435yub1ksR1RUcr84nSclIyIPJ8~EBKDbToffg5vfY9JOE8ZluH5oY-RMA6gXr1waYUYCOoAirxdADGNT9FCFBD2wzkM7XR8vJ8H8j45Ddgyj9XrUqgDPG-bF8iJkuAifKxRoorla0SwC7Wt2svv-vJys5SOD1k9pzwbypyTvPG5Oe66HBDDFFbWvUCXsOiScnE5S7FIIWxfpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citrus County School Board approved a professional services agreement to produce a master plan for the district’s Marine Science Station, authorizing the consultant to develop conceptual options that will be used to explore funding, permitting and future design steps.

What was approved
The board approved a professional‑services contract (approximately $27,000 listed in the presentation materials) for a firm to prepare a conceptual master plan that will present multiple options and coordinate with state and regional permitting authorities, including the Department of Environmental Protection and water‑management districts. The master plan is a first step intended to determine what is feasible on the Marine Science Station site, to evaluate flood and coastal impacts and to identify next steps and estimated costs for future design and construction phases.

Board discussion
Board members described the agreement as an initial, conceptual step—“kicking off the football game”—and emphasized the need to involve state permitting agencies and to produce multiple site‑concept options that consider coastal flood zone constraints. One board member, who has professional experience in engineering, offered volunteer assistance; staff said engineering services are provided under separate existing continuing‑services agreements and that additional design work would be presented to the board after the master‑planning phase.

Why it matters
The Marine Science Station sits in a coastal flood zone and has sustained storm damage; producing a master plan will guide decisions about long‑term resilience, permitting and costs before the district commits to detailed design or construction investments.

Next steps
The consultant will prepare conceptual options and agency coordination work. Staff expect to return to the board with options and recommended next steps and costs for later phases; any later design, engineering or construction would require separate board approval and potential funding allocations.","The school board approved a professional services agreement to produce a conceptual master plan for the district’s Marine Science Station; the first phase is conceptual planning and agency coordination, with additional design and engineering to follow if the board approves later phases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District committee recommends McGraw Hill, National Geographic and other publishers for K–12 science materials

School board adopts seven policy updates on safety, materials, student control and professional services

Citrus County school board votes 3-2 to suspend policy-compliance officer without pay pending termination

Academy of Environmental Science reports repairs, rising enrollment and hurricane recovery

Board approves professional services agreement to create master plan for Marine Science Station