[{"_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",6674406,"mediaKeyId","3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4","parentId",3393926,"title","Highlands County School District honors 35 retirees for 811 years of service","audioSeconds",1128,"startMs",896000,"endMs",2024000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4&start=896&end=2024","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4/thumbnail_896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6674406/Florida/Highlands-County-School-District-honors-35-retirees-for-811-years-of-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674406-7f8d2019ffedf2f99f114de5be2fd174/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587393&Signature=C-M2pf4lNDGpoPia-DAZcym5ncyc1OPdsG1mdEJbS~c7SEiYQFI9ui0XHovEk942w4~A~h4GZLgUH8L74V11qOrOEqdp1ePdWln7QjyYrsi2ICXsbIcw-rS3CS17LUD1N6iLiBCdASS9fSoAph-sTBD-4vqh2xvZSDAd4BY0kzcLLpdpGQuaoEmPjay8ZXJBue8tF9x53OyUhghaIDBBBUScZXWzLOX-OMn9WFFJK9p4DaaVlLmysmfRdkVMxNBQurQRoz12VjABxzWMyupwEFRefpueyDUpYUOPRwep78NFEeQRoO-xjlYLINNcQ-E9S~JpZ9KEIq4uZRol5xRYyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Highlands County School Board, FL","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Highlands County School Board used its May 20 meeting to recognize 35 employees who are retiring this year, district retirement coordinator Tammy Mortensen said.

Mortensen, the district retirement coordinator, read the list of retirees and noted the group's combined 811 years of service to the district. She called the retirees a \"truly extraordinary group\" whose work spanned classrooms, cafeterias, buses, offices, libraries and other roles.

The list of retirees read aloud at the meeting included classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, food-service workers, bus operators and other staff. Examples given by Mortensen include Geralyn Brannon (44 years), Jackie Cosgrave (32 years), Stacia Dean (34 years), Deborah Picklesimer (24 years), Don Ziegler (32 years) and several others across district schools.

Nut graf: The ceremonial recognition offered public thanks for long service at the end of the school year and provided a chance for board members and administrators to publicly acknowledge contributions across every part of the district.

Administrators, former board members and principals joined retirees on stage for photographs. Superintendent Dr. Longshore and board members offered brief congratulations.

Ending: Board members and district leaders wished retirees well for \"joy, good health and well-earned rest\" in the years ahead.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/19/25 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board recognized 35 retiring employees who together contributed 811 years of service across teaching, transportation, food service and custodial roles; district staff called the retirees' work \"a legacy woven into the very fabric of this district.\"","taxTitle","HIGHLANDS, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15384,"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},6674412,"Local resident urges board to allow creationist teaching alongside evolution in science standards",341,2220000,2561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4&start=2220&end=2561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4/thumbnail_2220000.jpg","/articles/6674412/Florida/Local-resident-urges-board-to-allow-creationist-teaching-alongside-evolution-in-science-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674412-a1ff3c76c1093dac0d3eb0a7e5458d24/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587393&Signature=JV2FZCjM9PmgNJ5qJR3BqA44~eOkzElF2Rir3KgWAd8N6IhDdO9FIOX1CtE1eh8o6WV~6rqFDYa-G2OBFyWt4ZhEIqZFWVwI1D0t~ateCaypwnu4XO22kfdDP8ep2ieGqqUjOMgJePKLI-I~KUFs9Krj95bXzBQ-AhtV7wayl-iimA8Q96CFVrVvegjhkpQ5tn1SIGoG0K6MkwLdDieK-Q~a1LXiiVnzm1hRzgQmFrMbn3Nb2dKpIYnGYLPvxTJlnbBbtBEMZma5KdAMnbzqPQYjOkgJSSdeYXOsOjxS7jFXM9LTyGIDHWKh0Bzk2ta50YQm8qK3Y585Vg0akqPYgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Larry Overfield, who identified himself as a Highlands County property owner and taxpayer, addressed the board during the public comment period to argue that the state science standards present evolution without including creation as an alternate explanation.

Overfield referenced the standards framework known to teachers as CPALMS and quoted a standard he identified (spoken in the meeting as \"SC912L158\" and similar numbering in the record) that, in his words, requires students to \"describe the scientific explanation of the origin of life on Earth.\" He told the board that evolution and \"scientific creationism\" use similar evidence but asked why one is categorized as scientific and the other categorized as faith-based. \"If they're both using the same things to support themselves, why is one called scientific and the other one is called faith based?\" he asked.

Overfield said he had previously met with Superintendent Dr. Longshore and another district official, who he said told him the \"atmosphere in our state is right for a change in our standards.\" He urged residents to contact state representatives to be heard on the issue.

Nut graf: The public comment raised questions about standards and classroom instruction; the board did not act on the request, and Overfield's remarks were advisory public comment only.

Board members acknowledged the comment; the superintendent thanked Overfield for speaking. No board motion or policy change was proposed during the meeting in response to the comment.

Ending: The board's public-comment period provided the forum for the concern; any change to state standards would require action at the state level, not a local board vote.","A Highlands County resident urged the board to consider adding creation as an alternative to evolution in science standards and to contact state representatives; the board did not take action on the public comment.",{"_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},6674415,"Highlands County School Board: votes at a glance — policy advertisements, personnel and contracts",2213,4351000,6564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4&start=4351&end=6564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4/thumbnail_4351000.jpg","/articles/6674415/Florida/Highlands-County-School-Board-votes-at-a-glance-policy-advertisements-personnel-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674415-1ec4ae3b3d53817839b37b719c62d9a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587393&Signature=B0-nZ5LPg2~EvNY6O21x3dGKZR2sy2vPI8tINEHJXAmZBdTa8RWurMZLqTOlvnFcaauvSK8GVUTWwD0Qk7hmw1k0kIANW2fx62bVHVVN~cVf-I2s5DRGTskq6yGkBDV8quWoMgn6tmpGD9Aq51~bRQP2lJ~YwOMUrhsZAKDZWfGG8eSUtHgHbC9bvTxWdpBopfzDbRfglPvCZk-7ueiLLOqG1R5v-PwXmrCS~d-rt03EBtDPR-BOpH~LvsxQjngTwIB8AqwH0o3r9rr79hjhG1n6OtCCzIYI2cy38Jlof9KoXrJB2F2PPaosWevTMqH7DuImfD-rICETlw9owJKFUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highlands County School Board at its May 20 meeting approved a broad set of routine and policy items, including personnel actions, expulsions, two facilities contracts, and a revised capital project list. The board also authorized advertisement of public hearings on a large group of proposed policy revisions; those policy changes will return to the board for final adoption after public comment.

Key outcomes

- Consent agenda and personnel: The board approved the consent agenda and the superintendent's personnel recommendations by roll call vote.

- Expulsions: The board approved recommended expulsions (no public detail provided at the meeting).

- Property due diligence: The board authorized the superintendent to undertake due diligence on three lots near Avon Elementary (see separate item). The motion passed with a 4-1 roll call vote.

- Contracts: The board approved two facility contracts:
- Award for miscellaneous irrigation repairs to All About Lawns (SBHC 2425-31)
- Award for pest-control services for buildings (general pests, rodents, ants) (SBHC 2425-32)
District staff said transportation pest control is handled separately by the transportation budget.

- Revised capital project list: The board approved changes to the 2025-26 capital projects list. Staff said the changes include athletic projects at secondary schools and a $200,000 line for property near Avon Elementary; the Highlands Virtual School was allocated $50,000 for classroom partitioning and related work to divide open spaces into separate classrooms.

- Policy advertisements: The board authorized advertisement for public hearings to consider adoption of numerous policy revisions and new policies. Those advertised items will be brought back to the board for final adoption after public comment. Examples read into the record (as spoken at the meeting) included: revisions to the conflict-of-interest policy; policies covering name-image-and-likeness (NIL); student assessment; part-time and extracurricular personnel; appointment, assignment, transfer and promotion steps; professional learning; use of employees' personal property at school; admissions policies (including voluntary admissions and athletic coaches); graduation and student assessment language; suspension and bus-riding privileges; due process; parent-student rights; internal proceedings and federal-cost-spending principles for federal funds; purchasing and contracting; procurement, construction and bidding; and policies governing artificial intelligence, school safety and emergency management, and student witness procedures. The board voted unanimously to authorize advertisement on most policy items.

Nut graf: Most actions were procedural approvals or authorizations to advertise policy changes for a public hearing; final votes on policy adoptions will happen at subsequent meetings after public notice and comment.

Several board members encouraged staff to share clarifying details about how proposed policies would be implemented before final adoption. No substantial policy text was adopted at the meeting; authorization to advertise gives the public an opportunity to comment.

Ending: The board set a May 29 workshop to discuss allocations and budget matters and will consider advertised policies at future meetings.","At its May 20 meeting the board approved staff recommendations on personnel, expulsions, two maintenance contracts, a revised capital projects list and authorized advertisement of public hearings on a large package of policy revisions. One property due-diligence authorization passed with one no vote.",{"_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},6674419,"School board authorizes due diligence on property near Avon Elementary after divided vote",723,4504000,5227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4&start=4504&end=5227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4/thumbnail_4504000.jpg","/articles/6674419/Florida/School-board-authorizes-due-diligence-on-property-near-Avon-Elementary-after-divided-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674419-014a9711c2c3cb1de36265100d0e6196/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587393&Signature=bNsFD6Mt1UbuMvdw6~tVQabz8FSpiITL4QZh2VV1In6CZrRc2ljfhbYsZPXyiaE7RUUOd~5imyEfS5qZK58zPRQC8WRF-0R3PoWu9qtndg18kevtNYlluhlDGtYnHFMg0afoL3sFT~iCjMwjxo8CM3sD6A72xpFCuzN~-7ORi9NQM0Nac2LOw1O9QuOug4wQpIKASUE1XnVWOwSJH7Q16mH0ivfMWmlWHTUjAuTlUQ3TEzEs3MJ83hWwV3Hd-AzdxNhkjeJaaiWGscXoKux0NzzM-05P5WN6JIog0b7g5UPEH1~iGS-0IMx~C~MIgVRrV~QuiySbGUqwcAE24bIlng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highlands County School Board voted on May 20 to enter a purchase agreement and authorize the superintendent to carry out due diligence on real estate located near Avon Elementary School, a step short of approving a final purchase.

Board attorney Mrs. Nash told the board the vote under consideration would allow staff to perform appraisal, survey and other due-diligence activities during the contract's 38-day due-diligence period and return to the board with the results before any closing. \"The due diligence period that's in the contract is for a period of 38 days,\" Nash said.

Mrs. Howerton moved to approve the agreement; Dr. Durrance seconded. At the roll call, Mrs. Howerton, Dr. Durrance and Mr. Martin voted yes. Mr. Whitten recorded a no vote. The chair also voted yes, and the motion carried.

Board members debated the proposal before the vote. Mr. Whitten said he planned to vote no because of budget concerns and urged the board to consider alternatives to spending at a time of fiscal constraint. Dr. Durrance and other members said the property has been used informally for years as parent parking and that losing the site could constrain access for parents and for events at the school.

Administrators described the parcel as three lots, one of which includes a house; two are vacant lots the district has historically used for parking. Nash said the seller listed the parcels and would not sell lots separately; the purchase price is tied to market valuation and an independent appraisal may give the board leverage to renegotiate.

Mr. Erwin, director of secondary programs and a former Avon Park principal, advised board members to consider topography and accessibility for parents and people with disabilities, saying the walk up from the district's nearby Ed Field includes a steep hill.

Nut graf: The board's action approves only due diligence, not the expenditure; staff will return with appraisal, survey and legal review for the board to decide whether to close.

The superintendent's office said closing costs, appraisal and survey fees would be borne by the district if it proceeded; the seller would not pay the district's appraisal costs. The contract permits the district to terminate if the appraisal is below the contract price and the seller refuses to renegotiate.

Ending: The board chair emphasized that the vote was not a final purchase approval. The district will bring the due diligence results back to the board at its June meeting for a final decision.","The board voted to approve a purchase agreement and allow the superintendent to conduct due diligence on three lots near Avon Elementary; one board member voted no while others said appraisal and survey will inform a final decision.",{"_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},6674423,"Highlands County schools report fewer office discipline referrals, steady gains on chronic absenteeism",1397,2600000,3997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4&start=2600&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3393926-14cf2e4023da74da3223c662c5fbeed4/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","/articles/6674423/Florida/Highlands-County-schools-report-fewer-office-discipline-referrals-steady-gains-on-chronic-absenteeism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674423-6eac24c4dd02ae5af2b338c38f2dd3a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773587394&Signature=mcVZafNaGAjnoGCexhs9RHGihM8htcJ-vvVHUS1M6OXlde61GeWzWLmz2se6~CFLj1Mdb2AC~J67~knVKD5WYCALMTODjUEseZwaweKCT3jMJzbjzok5oSKSPWO54kRHABSQd0ac846MDTgZ8EQ8rtYDd1cvTTV5OIEYEkeoXEEk5HhXIdMH~F7JMGbb~IikRpPqh0ry96XjH0jOMSfZtjswcuLaUfXDU4rqsxx3niGXjEKxGc7unTQ0OBFXklJQWANY1HnlXJ-65SMqw8ScHrDwN4tIGiK6Vr2PvQ1Tp1G0i1ObQn54JyKstKI3M5RrWRbBtDyGHfxhqjZJKRhUmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miss Blackman, the district goal lead for \"Goal 2: Whole Child,\" presented the Highlands County School District's third-nine-weeks review on May 20, outlining behavioral-support strategies and steps to reduce chronic absenteeism.

Blackman told the School Board that the district has implemented a tiered approach within a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for behavior: schoolwide (tier 1), targeted interventions such as check-in/check-out and skill streaming (tier 2), and intensive functional behavior assessment-based plans (tier 3). She said staff built a Power BI dashboard to help schools monitor discipline and attendance data and that district school psychologists and, when necessary, behavior analysts provide support.

The presentation included specific benchmarks the district uses for a \"healthy core\": roughly 80% of students responding to classroom rules, 5% to 15% needing more support and 1% to 5% requiring intensive services. Blackman said those percentages are drawn from national PBIS guidance and are being used locally to evaluate schoolwide discipline systems.

The district reported measurable changes in elementary discipline: office-discipline referrals per 100 students declined from 49 at the end of the 2023-24 school year to 28 per 100 at the end of the third nine weeks this year, Blackman said. In secondary schools, she said the number of students receiving referrals and referrals per 100 declined as well; she noted that cellphone-related referrals remain the single largest offense category in secondary buildings.

Blackman also reviewed chronic absenteeism, defined in district materials as missing more than 10% of enrolled days. Using the metric of students attending at least 90% of enrolled days, she said the district's share rose overall to 73% at the end of the third nine weeks, up from earlier years (65% in 2021-22 and 70% in 2022-23). She reported that elementary schools reached 77% of students attending at least 90% of enrolled days in March, while secondary campuses were at about 69% in March.

Blackman described the district's attendance work as a mix of prevention and problem solving. Early interventions include automated reminders to families and a \"nudge\" campaign District MIS pushes on Sunday evenings to remind parents about attendance and how small absences accumulate. For students approaching the chronic-absence threshold, she said school social workers are running small groups and making referrals to community providers when family needs are a barrier to attendance.

Board members asked about differences across schools. Board member Martin asked whether campuses with the biggest improvement had replicable practices; Blackman said principals reported the most success when families were engaged and when schools shared best practices in administrators' meetings. Blackman and other staff said a planned community of practice for social workers and school teams will create a venue to share strategies.

Nut graf: The district told the board it has invested in training and data tools to bring MTSS behavioral supports to scale, and early outcomes show lower disciplinary referral rates at the elementary level and modest improvements in attendance districtwide, but staff warned more work is needed at tier 2 and tier 3 levels.

The presentation also laid out near-term next steps: expanding tiered attendance interventions, continuing training for administrators and school-based teams, and using the due-diligence data from the Power BI dashboard to direct resources to schools with the greatest need.

Board members praised the work but cautioned about capacity. Superintendent Dr. Longshore thanked staff and administrators and said the board would follow the recommended next steps; no formal vote was required on the report.

Ending: Blackman said the district will continue to bring updated data to the board after each stop date and will present fall community-of-practice plans to the board before the next school year.","District staff reported progress on behavior supports and attendance at the May school board meeting, citing new MTSS behavioral tiers, tools for schools and an attendance \"nudge\" system. Board heard data showing lower office-discipline referrals in elementary schools and higher shares of students attending at least 90% of enrolled days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Highlands County School District honors 35 retirees for 811 years of service

Local resident urges board to allow creationist teaching alongside evolution in science standards

Highlands County School Board: votes at a glance — policy advertisements, personnel and contracts

School board authorizes due diligence on property near Avon Elementary after divided vote

Highlands County schools report fewer office discipline referrals, steady gains on chronic absenteeism