[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-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",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_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",6195792,"mediaKeyId","3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5","parentId",3859263,"title","Board swears in two trustees and elects officers for 2025-26","audioSeconds",1140,"startMs",4320000,"endMs",5460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5&start=4320&end=5460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5/thumbnail_4320000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195792/Florida/Board-swears-in-two-trustees-and-elects-officers-for-2025-26","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195792-47f9f01d8603870353d0e5d0cb26d3be/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103155&Signature=ORB0GbeKzcGAEYIfa3jDmTRfbPhNqO6sjE-3QaMhN0secS-V5-UQLS6eBa~2Ox9TeSdEzhD0alCB~tyI9z1oBWU7S5dbNIgYSDlmMWUbVr4Ju1wKA0Cfg30wbU2z1ZiV9hjrApW8lL~gcfLs7PzPiTOGCHhKRNtO7NwKxq05L-2jx95664fJc5nLXjAVoJdiUJ~1tDzB4rQtLmtV83XfTihoFazLbrN7EIFwQAoWlI4GZgLo9~INugejYx7BHEJPxH2-WROFyhG1CNZ6PrP0hnH4Wiybi7~WQA48wVgZifOYgbZnDUHGSZoTk4ZJv27RhmVgKVcpLSeyiTNkkGE~yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Wales Charter Schools","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","At its June 16 meeting the Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees completed its organizational business: two new trustees were sworn in and board officers for 2025-26 were elected.

Jamie Winfrey and Keith Thompson took the oath of office administered on the dais. The board then approved a slate of housekeeping items including the May meeting minutes and other routine approvals presented during the work session.

Trustees elected Rafael as board chair for the 2025-26 year (motion by Tanya; seconded), selected Doctor Hutto as vice chair, named Brian as treasurer and appointed Doctor Lynn Johnson as corporate secretary. Each nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Separately, trustees moved and approved the personnel- and meeting-related items presented earlier, including the employee handbook and financial report. Chair Danny Gill closed his final meeting and handed organizational responsibilities to the newly elected chair.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LWCS Work Session/Financial Meeting and LWCS Board Meeting June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lake Wales Charter Schools board swore in Jamie Winfrey and Keith Thompson, approved minutes, and elected Rafael as chair, Dr. Hutto as vice chair, Brian as treasurer and Dr. Lynn Johnson as corporate secretary.","taxTitle","Lake Wales Charter Schools, School Districts, Florida","taxId",49335,"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},6195797,"1919 building near completion; sewer connection and portable removal remain",185,3738000,3923000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5&start=3738&end=3923","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5/thumbnail_3738000.jpg","/articles/6195797/Florida/1919-building-near-completion-sewer-connection-and-portable-removal-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195797-dcb1a56cff5e77f73840f543d1f3a18f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103155&Signature=Zn6dTqjvGmsDDQYKJLl1OLdrvtAtmEZ5818IqjbSpO6xcjns-55JO13sEy6RBDM3A0PambQghqpsJl~UMi12HJuWBwwNKIsiWk9ZrAXsctr4vhksgN0cMHPDn5XQ9R23LNOvM8sRIx2GjVseiT~sPfKCHE-JqjJZ3R2njx06xKPzWMW4dI0SfFhuXikGrkReQ~ZnjkA02nnxGDw6zQ8r7dvnm3JsIPzisKSVpYReWGzw5k-6qxTOH7tDAgtJXPMsOV0ybKCXXu5gc0Poyz0Dt1cKwJw76E6rYFRjZCuo~S9Pg4uW96jeGPk2GpR8HFlCIrEZQqKg1PnKaxypS1l9qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff reported progress on the renovation and reactivation of the 1919 building and told trustees June 16 that final site work remains.

Aubrey, speaking for operations, said contractors are finishing touches but the sewer connection requires coordination with the city. Staff also must remove portables and reconnect fiber and other utilities before the building can come online.

Aubrey said the district has contacted a portable-removal company and expects to have the portables moved prior to July, if a schedule can be confirmed. Staff noted heavy equipment will be used during removal and preferred to conduct work while students are off campus.

Trustees were told the district remains on target for the building to be ready for the beginning of the school year, subject to the sewer and fiber work and successful removal of portables.","District staff said the 1919 building is on target for school-year opening but crews still must resolve a sewer connection, re-route fiber after portable removal and schedule portable removal before July.",{"_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},6195803,"Trustees debate teacher-rep role and public-meeting limits under charter law",2442,4039000,6481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5&start=4039&end=6481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5/thumbnail_4039000.jpg","/articles/6195803/Florida/Trustees-debate-teacher-rep-role-and-public-meeting-limits-under-charter-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195803-59ce19fa4e2ed534d8e80060cd7d9199/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103155&Signature=By2nx9CCiABScI9hcJ3el9Hf52cz~MjLZxtXe4YO1-8UY2~NwnEm2ka0zPo43UD5usTkPCL63ZFPDdP4hD9ohump9LakxaMWSi28a19Ea0JauZbfpSTKMWMIwmdeAuTY1ZZ~Ku2pgzoMgUSs5wKvsNIoyYDRemvq2Sk5-ag3JEk0ciYfyFdxIFJDcSykGsCl8fdztddmICZf2JFpNVuZHzCsevUYrzrm1-5Cw-b9rJ~dR94tdDsPWJ2dIce6A2Bap0WhHilC-pVgexsBufpNJBdk8drwRdogrztfKlHv2MooGxnfm69fwNkvetQVwS~EzqWVCz2bsikgj4a8zHsWPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Wales trustees on June 16 discussed whether and how to empower a teacher representative while complying with state charter-school rules that prohibit employees from serving on a governing board.

Trustee Andy and others called for stronger teacher input and proposed a monthly teacher-advisory committee that could funnel school-level concerns to a board-designated teacher liaison. Sean, the board's attorney, told the board the applicable restriction is in the charter statute and that a current employee of the charter school may not serve as a governing-board member because of the inherent conflict of interest.

Board members debated options: retain the current nonvoting teacher-rep position as written in board bylaws, change the role to a nonboard liaison or administrative position so the rep could communicate more freely with trustees, or rely on the teacher-advisory committee as the conduit. Trustees noted that making the teacher rep an official board seat would subject the role to sunshine-law limits and limit off-meeting communications.

No formal bylaw change was proposed or adopted during the meeting. Several trustees said they supported keeping a teacher voice and instructed staff to continue discussing how best to structure the role and the advisory committee so teachers can provide input without creating statutory conflicts.","Board members discussed the role of a teacher representative on the trustees, potential conflicts with the Sunshine Act and charter statute restrictions on employees serving on governing boards, and options to empower teacher input through advisory committees.",{"_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},6195807,"Board reviews May financials: assets, reserves and transportation staffing discussed",364,2630000,2994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5&start=2630&end=2994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5/thumbnail_2630000.jpg","/articles/6195807/Florida/Board-reviews-May-financials-assets-reserves-and-transportation-staffing-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195807-2b71f889118f75aed8fbf6978dd5fd6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103155&Signature=I3p2rrxgQRRniyWtBMvneM1EU4GSchuBdB4EtY7nbstkn7ARPFGCUuAGQwxSEGt5fOHhCKR1WLutQ2dShX5ZlQj~W3qB2oWHIZNFUgc0GELqF4JYuWMXOCV0WQ9~wWZyPKfKwe4mZ-6X8ZjSMusnSjWxqpZ-U32Qn4R~SHdgwGOwksjtJgK1kJhkb6v4lkAbX9guwJfxYLmnYrsweWfNu1oY6KkC6zc-Z-cQeBp~ibyvh8CKp~537dncL6TUQUwcM-fVf~2djifeSPKrm4u~zIDnBJSpepMV8YSuZbdV~TW-bM9U9jqpIJ5CxyuMQZV1g-Loo4CZcky9JeoAqZGzDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Wales Charter Schools board reviewed the district's May financial statements and approved the report at its June 16 meeting.

The board was told the district recorded roughly $40.48 million in assets and about $15.3 million in liabilities through May. Presenters said most state FEFP revenue expected for the year has been received, and that only small reconciliation items remain for June.

Expenditures through May stood at about $37.9 million. The presenter said the district was reporting approximately $7 million in excess revenue year to date but expected that number to fall closer to $2 million once June expenditures are recorded.

Supplemental programs and food service finished May with positive results; food service recorded about $102,806 in excess revenue for the month. Federal-program spending was near 86% of budget through May and presenters expected to approach typical year-end spending rates once June numbers are in.

The board discussed transportation. The presenter said transportation costs have hovered around $2.4 million for recent years despite higher fuel prices and that the district purchased 14 buses last year, reclaimed some leased vehicles and is currently carrying a couple of spares. Driver staffing is down from pre-COVID levels; the presenter said the department currently has about 21 drivers and would prefer to add three more to reduce overtime.

Trustees asked for clarification on two large line-item variances: (1) differences in \"other state revenues\" tied to legislative allocations, including teacher-salary and CAPE/CAPE-related dollars, which the finance team had moved out of the FEFP line into discrete lines to show maintenance versus growth; and (2) a local-revenue line showing roll-forward or reserve dollars that schools were budgeted to spend this year for special projects. The board was told the two-line adjustments bring budgeted and actual amounts into closer alignment when considered together.

Ricky, the district finance officer, recommended approval of the financial report. Brian moved to approve; Laurie seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.","Trustees reviewed May financial reports showing about $40.5 million in assets, roughly $15.3 million in liabilities, near-complete FEFP receipts and transportation costs of about $2.4 million; trustees approved the financial report.",{"_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},6195809,"Trustees approve 2025-26 employee handbook; HR to post and require acknowledgment",367,2190000,2557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5&start=2190&end=2557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5/thumbnail_2190000.jpg","/articles/6195809/Florida/Trustees-approve-2025-26-employee-handbook-HR-to-post-and-require-acknowledgment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195809-b91d5916e38b018b3d25017efad7f747/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103155&Signature=QChua5O7HZ8MtZDNyyZq68LaUFChrW5OTtN1lE70Se~8KOiU0T8QHtCzD66MKvV4uWREX3rljhn6CD3Hals5y~fYkvoS0Oa-oAjZUuMmNBGKa-ETQXawY7eCgQW6BHt-cbweOHpq2cMXLbrMgvXxBwRxov05lj8yRbADtcgypTmOdPIuvFyK66p2Td5nCniR3~118-hMAS9ILR660Gv5c9CIMJ~E~mA1z2UFOpsxxV~bFktyCQkk6jky3viLGml7H4WZiB0sKlVvIcLFLrpvtVeltpjG4rXJ3bGGLLcdvK~xE~Iscgv-GVnXMEswSb8bGn3pxZZCh5pxKDgStPvuEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees approved the district's 2025-26 employee handbook at its June 16 meeting.

Laquanda Burrows, who presented the handbook to trustees, said attorneys had reviewed the document and that the handbook will be available on the district HR website and uploaded to Skyward so employees can acknowledge receipt.

Burrows identified several specific updates: clarified ID-badge requirements and an explicit listing of the number of work days for 10-month, 11-month and 12-month employees. She also said the district is developing a separate, longer policy guide (an SOP-style manual) with the Arnold firm; that document will be presented for board review in the coming months.

Trustees moved to approve the handbook after the work session and voted in favor during the regular meeting. Tanya moved the motion and Rafael seconded it; the chair called for aye votes and the motion carried.

Burrows told trustees the handbook is posted on the HR site and that employees sign or acknowledge receipt in Skyward, and she encouraged staff, especially leadership, to review the updated document. Trustees asked that communications about legislative updates and related policies be distributed to trustees via existing email strings.","The Lake Wales Charter Schools board approved the 2025-26 employee handbook. HR said the handbook will be available on the district website and uploaded to Skyward for employee acknowledgment; changes include ID-badge rules and clarified work-year day counts.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195810,"Lake Wales trustees approve superintendent contract with higher performance targets, delayed full-time start",736,1707000,2443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5&start=1707&end=2443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859263-020b2822b132d3ae3efaaad765c678b5/thumbnail_1707000.jpg","/articles/6195810/Florida/Lake-Wales-trustees-approve-superintendent-contract-with-higher-performance-targets-delayed-full-time-start","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195810-d53e21e8e1f1889a13b3b0c80d879f4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775103155&Signature=OmnlCHyXE-B~fWxjv6KupI2SqZ4~n~9ItvBr442PzYPa5IoaHvnijhoMk6dLJZvDLInSQj7-NQadqs0jEOXTJ1GR~54iUYD7EqHgHXhavT0Op4m2PyrfqShZt8rqXzoZh8y94bzafvYhjCk-lUTIxQnYQtClg8R8VBWW3ShUAHYpPqNv~E97PIHbml9NryXvEgZfTigyHHxDIVUfBc8p2l88VGg6LZkSwMCqiZ8W-jJZFDVji~ucRiiDlnf2vVoG0kbMGIMHNotup55IEQcyKm7jfytTHuL9rzos2OudFePs7fZn-5y5XQqL-VY0ErA26GotIxHdxfSg7d2HoNVV4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Wales Charter Schools Board of Trustees on June 16 approved a contract for the incoming superintendent that raises school-performance incentives and clarifies termination and renewal language, the board said at its regular meeting.

Board members said the contract aligns salary, automobile allowance and moving expenses with past practice and raises the grade threshold for performance incentives from a C to a B while preserving an extra bonus for schools that earn an A.

Board discussion focused on legal cleanup and timing. The board's counsel said the draft removed language that resembled a traditional county school-district superintendent contract and eliminated references to statutes or benefits that did not apply to a charter-school chief. Counsel also tightened provisions on termination for cause and without cause and clarified when renewal must come back to the board, the attorney said.

Trustees were told the superintendent-designate will be actively advising staff before her full-time presence in the office. In the work session the board stated the superintendent's physical start date would be July 28; trustees later discussed a separate, short consulting arrangement to cover the period before that date. The board reported no salary or allowance changes beyond those described in the contract.

Trustees moved the contract from the work session to the regular-meeting agenda and voted to approve it. Lynn moved the motion and Laurie seconded it; the chair called for aye votes and the motion carried.

Board members said the contract is intended to give the new superintendent clearer performance targets and to protect both the district and the superintendent with more precise termination and renewal language. Counsel described the drafting changes as removing district-superintendent provisions that were not appropriate for a charter system.

The board did not publish the full contract text at the meeting; trustees said the district's attorney had reviewed and revised the draft and finalized it the Friday before the meeting.

Trustees said they plan to provide onboarding and opportunities for the new superintendent to review budget and operational documents before the school year begins.","The Lake Wales Charter Schools board approved a contract for the district's incoming superintendent that raises school-performance incentives and establishes a delayed full-time start with a short-term consulting arrangement beforehand.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board swears in two trustees and elects officers for 2025-26

1919 building near completion; sewer connection and portable removal remain

Trustees debate teacher-rep role and public-meeting limits under charter law

Board reviews May financials: assets, reserves and transportation staffing discussed

Trustees approve 2025-26 employee handbook; HR to post and require acknowledgment

Lake Wales trustees approve superintendent contract with higher performance targets, delayed full-time start