[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6579259,"mediaKeyId","3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda","parentId",3093115,"title","Votes at a glance: Hernando County School Board actions, April 22, 2025","audioSeconds",2663,"startMs",212000,"endMs",2875000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda&start=212&end=2875","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda/thumbnail_212000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579259/Hernando/School-Districts/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Hernando-County-School-Board-actions-April-22-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579259-ad66ace8c17d037771428071b916ce1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445464&Signature=EJHtv419N0NIQ67vQ9xvwWIyXZ00qD-O88DIQ-icb4bPC1eFCRRJR8d3GbAKE4TPLJNgvWxxebWQKAZ8MSK52imfDRxDAxsS9ghZ1-4Q8JoJSSzOXm3HFddaYjbudDH42qrHjqzfLoc9BGDmwPFJbvry8fpcDAcgH20fN91WLfE9n9xnd-699zS73AW4Uj8NreBjJp3IAg6g2gKkA5VSalsUvAe-HDNleoJQOQMvy8BB3SrrqcYjAIPhtt37GzF267iRwxXa~4~CZWXuEYGBywTCoxYJ1QVDJQT9TgWOJ5kfKNF4uOmQUKh8aUCeXrox3f1jmyN5THz1meSf6FbiXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hernando School District","date","2025-04-22T17:07:00Z","article","The Hernando County School Board took several formal actions during its April 22, 2025 regular meeting. Below are the items recorded in the meeting packet and the meeting transcript with vote outcomes and key details.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda adoption (agenda dated 04/22/2025): Motion approved, 5-0.

- Proclamation P25-007, Bus Driver Appreciation Day (April 20, 2025): Read by Ralph Leith (Director of Transportation) and approved by the board, 5-0. The proclamation notes the district operates more than 94 school buses transporting more than 10,500 students and recognizes drivers’ service.

- Approval of renewal and amendment of construction manager consulting services contract (agenda item 25Dash2897): The board approved renewal and amendment to the continuing contract for construction manager consulting services, expanding the threshold described in the contract (item refers to multiple firms including AD Morgan Corporation, JE Dunn Construction, Skanska USA Building Inc., Walbridge, Aldinger LLC, and Wharton Smith Inc.). Staff said the change aligns the contract to the current statute and that individual projects under the continuing contract still require board approval. Vote recorded as 5-0 in the meeting.

- Approval of minutes (informal and regular school board meeting of 04/08/2025): Approved, 5-0.

- Final order expelling a student, case E2025-04-001 (for one academic year): Motion to enter final order of expulsion approved, 5-0.

- Renewal of bid 22-968-38RN, tree trimming services (agenda item 25Dash2940): Approved, 4-1 (Mark Johnson voted no). The renewal authorizes ongoing purchases under the existing bid and estimates annual spending at $75,000. Procurement staff said prior solicitations had multiple vendors but only one vendor returned a bid this renewal cycle.

- Approve purchase of VR headsets and curriculum from Transfer Inc. and authorize issuance of purchase orders up to an estimated $100,000 (agenda item 25Dash2956): Approved, 5-0. Staff said the purchase is funded through a grant that covers curriculum licensing and equipment warranty, and the headsets will be deployed to CTE programs on a check-out basis.

Notes

- For renewals of standing or continuing contracts, staff repeatedly stated that individual projects and expenditures will still be brought to the board for project-level approval.

- Board members raised procurement transparency concerns during the tree-trimming renewal debate and requested additional documentation of vendor outreach; staff committed to provide the vendor download list and counts of single-vendor contracts on request.

- The meeting packet cites district procurement policy 6320 and state procurement rules; staff referenced following those procedures.

No other formal roll-call outcomes were recorded in the public transcript for the items summarized above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hernando School District - School Board Regular Meeting on 2025-04-22 6:00 PM - Apr 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and roll-call outcomes from the Hernando County School Board meeting on April 22, 2025, including proclamations, minutes, expulsions, contract renewals and purchases.","taxTitle","Hernando, School Districts, Florida","taxId",13114,"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},6579263,"School board authorizes up to $100,000 purchase of VR headsets for career and technical classrooms",110,2867000,2977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda&start=2867&end=2977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda/thumbnail_2867000.jpg","/articles/6579263/Hernando/School-Districts/Florida/School-board-authorizes-up-to-100000-purchase-of-VR-headsets-for-career-and-technical-classrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579263-f0cbaa45e21b51e974de96ac0f4e69e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445464&Signature=REIQWKMj9BVLfPRFZm1LJLjlx3ikor8pR~sBUwg8ekMFIsO0hSOqBiDrSrvANjF8bDIE5xJsdY6tCZisJczUcofnO-Lfv~GkcQVyfwtE3G23cGBpkNMiotUBeZAs~oNSmGidgVc3Xh~qSzkr-M1xrgrFtTrEqVTnrP-vN1ovm0vy1vwchvAC4zXy7WPfaP0pB-erhBYDQF4kl1SZPsxrufDcASlkzOuqt7CyNK2Jr44gwQeW~RiAd50IsO4SxgYdchBhPJs-qTnE9eIHLRZMBo94VXJ--WyLQhkwWOIqIV39ihCf4CnkG3kd1-~Fo~RD~sq3cSJZm23EBLXII9gECQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hernando County School Board voted unanimously (5-0) on April 22 to authorize purchase orders up to an estimated $100,000 for VR headsets and associated curriculum from Transfer Inc., aimed at career and technical education programs across grades 6–12.

Beth Lascher, supervisor of college and career programs, told the board the authorization is grant-funded and would provide simulation-based curriculum for programs such as automotive, welding, construction, electrical, manufacturing and health sciences. “I am presenting or bringing this to the board to purchase up to a hundred thousand. It doesn't necessarily mean we will purchase a hundred thousand. It's just above the threshold in case,” Lascher said.

Lascher described the headsets as curriculum-driven devices: instructors can assign modules, students practice skills in a safe simulated environment, and progress data is available for instructor review. She said the district will check the headsets in and out among programs and that the vendor provides warranty and replacement for broken devices. The district also intends to explore ESE (exceptional student education) uses and potential adaptation for younger students on a check-out basis.

Board discussion was supportive, with members noting potential benefits for students in career pathways and for learners on the autism spectrum. Superintendent Pinder and staff emphasized the purchase is covered by a grant and that licensing of curriculum — not just hardware — is the primary recurring cost. The motion passed 5 to 0.","The Hernando County School Board approved purchase authorization, funded by a grant, to acquire VR headsets and curriculum from Transfer Inc. for career-technical education programs, 5-0.",{"_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},6579268,"Hernando School Board renews tree-trimming contract amid objections over limited bids",961,1843000,2804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda&start=1843&end=2804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093115-270640a0fb69e9a9a9f8307890aa5dda/thumbnail_1843000.jpg","/articles/6579268/Hernando/School-Districts/Florida/Hernando-School-Board-renews-tree-trimming-contract-amid-objections-over-limited-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579268-cc27bb78ba92898852f9b6c39c4b7988/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445464&Signature=i4F9FZYP4~pi~ZCDgGqywlzjDJzyHeVLsZmILBiImyPbzx63hMBFoxPf9WZW3eWc4r-fh1h81S4kYJXxlvyR2TrkfVHXekTSnwEQDSmveBqr0HPVzM0c79P5SX4GUhFj6V-CZxyXKjqM4XfSvNHnzUmce~fcpmy7kWuOCs5P~I4wMnLkxDyyZzslks3ExJXYuVUyHKwsn368atwIuCKfYATcFoIEu4zgwGEHieB06bkvb7SBX9ac6z33M4COiUIVreLfiTRylQaO34eNMDvhaz17JIBSwZoiVG-SIyQNjSy6SJrW-fbJU3dg8MMa-Vs3CvFbAcTWR9NwuMzsNLtu3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 22 regular meeting, the Hernando County School Board voted 4-1 to approve a one-year renewal of bid 22-968-38RN for tree-trimming services, awarding continued service authorization to Hernando Tree Pros with estimated annual spending of $75,000.

Board member Mark Johnson objected to the renewal during discussion, saying the district received only one returned bid and urging wider outreach. “I don't like this procedure. I will not vote for this. I wanna see competitive bidding,” Johnson said, arguing the district should send direct notices or letters to local tree services to ensure competition and protect taxpayers.

District staff responded that the item is a renewal of an existing, multi-year bid and that the district publishes solicitations through the BidNet service used by registered vendors. Chris Rechner, answering questions from the board, said the earlier solicitation initially attracted multiple vendors but that some no longer participate; he characterized the current vendor as “the only tree standing, so to speak, called Hernando Tree Pros.” Rechner also said the prior-year district spend on the service was about $18,000 and that the district follows state-driven procurement rules.

Board members debated whether the renewal procedure met policy and whether additional outreach should be required before renewing. The board chair called for a vote after extended discussion; the motion passed 4 to 1 with Johnson voting no. No mover/second were recorded in the transcript.

The renewal authorizes continuing use of Hernando Tree Pros for tree-trimming services under the existing bid terms; any specific projects or expenditures under the contract will come back to the board for approval, staff said.","The Hernando County School Board approved a one-year renewal of its tree-trimming services contract with Hernando Tree Pros despite board member concerns that only a single vendor responded to the bid; the motion passed 4-1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Hernando County School Board actions, April 22, 2025

School board authorizes up to $100,000 purchase of VR headsets for career and technical classrooms

Hernando School Board renews tree-trimming contract amid objections over limited bids